Wanderlust - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Soren picked out the same tattoo artist he and Toliver had visited. He was highly recommended as one of the most skilled, as well as one of the cleanest – therefore he could charge a lot. Soren had barely managed to afford getting his arms done, but it wouldn't be a problem for Tanden. Soren strolled into the small building confidently. It was probably the only thing in the world he knew more than Tanden about.
"Morning, Yonah."
The middle-aged man looked up. He had been carefully cleaning his tools at the back of the room. Between them were a few chairs and the table Tanden would have to lie on. The man was covered in tattoos. His arms were dark with swirls more intricate than most people's and his neck was covered up to his jaw. He got to his feet and walked across the room, then held out a hand.
Soren shook it. Instead of letting him go, Yonah held his hand firmly and pulled his arm forward. He pushed up Soren's sleeve and spent a moment looking at his arm. "Ah, this's my work. I remember you, laddie." He released Soren's arm and eyed Tanden. "Don't reckon I've seen you 'fore."
"You haven't," Tanden agreed. "I've been wanting a tattoo and Soren said you were the best in Co. May I—" He walked forward when Yonah nodded, and lay his drawing out on the table. "I want this on my back."
Yonah studied the drawing curiously. "This is big. It'll take some time."
"I know, Soren told me. I've been waiting a long time for this, so I'm willing to wait however long it'll take to finish. And the cost is of no concern."
Yonah nodded thoughtfully and smoothened out the drawing with his hands. "Aye... we'll finish the outlines t'day, start fillin' in the design t'morrow. Lucky I'm not expectin' any customers." He glanced at Soren. "You want somethin'?"
"Um, aye. Maybe some blue?"
"'Course. Easy enough. You first, then?"
Soren shrugged. "Dunno. Captain? D'you want to watch me first, or get started with yours? Reckon I should warn you, it'll hurt."
Tanden cocked an eyebrow. "Do you think I can't handle it? I've been hurt before."
"Aye. But bein' hurt durin' a fight is different than lettin' yourself be hurt over a few hours, aye?"
"Are you doing that on purpose?"
"Doin' what?" Soren asked, but understood the instant he'd spoken. "Oh. Aye. Sort of."
"Why?"
Soren sighed, but wasn't surprised that Tanden would fixate on something about language. "Sound 'too Teltish', speakin' the way I usually do."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"D'you wanna get your tattoo or not?"
"Yes, of course, sorry." Tanden turned to Yonah. "What do you need me to do?"
Yonah gestured at the table in the middle of the room. "Take off your jacket and tunic, lie down. Laddie, grab him one of those pillows." He picked up the drawing and went over to his table of tools.
Tanden started to undo the buttons. "Don't think we're done with this conversation. You'll probably need to distract me during this."
Soren didn't say anything, but took Tanden's jacket when he held it out. When Tanden pulled off his tunic, Soren did his best not to stare. After West Draulin he didn't feel shy about staring when they were alone, but it didn't seem appropriate with Yonah in the room. Tanden settled down on the table, and Soren gave him a pillow to tuck under his head. Then he dragged a chair over to the table so he could sit down.
Strangely enough, Soren found himself getting nervous. He eyed Yonah, who was still getting his tools ready, warily. "Captain, I know you've thought about this a lot and I know I can't change your mind about getting this done. But... your back? Backs and shoulders are the worst."
Tanden was still trying to get comfortable, so his reply was offhand. "You had it done."
"Aye, but I also got my arms done, and they hurt less. You could put your design on your arms, couldn't you?"
"How exactly would I hide my arms?"
Soren shrugged. "Dunno... I just... don't really want to watch you get hurt."
"Oh." Tanden propped himself up on his arms. "Soren, mate, I'll be fine. It isn't as if this procedure is going to kill me, right? Crelans have been doing this for hundreds of years, oftentimes much younger than I am."
"Aye, but they're Crelans."
"So are you trying to tell me that because I'm Teltish, I'm a wimp?"
"You haven't been preparing for it your whole life, is all," Soren said. "Don't take it personally. I just don't want to see you hurt."
Tanden grinned. "I'll be fine."
"I know."
"Lie down," Yonah said suddenly. He pulled over a small table on wheels. He lay Tanden's drawing on top of it, then picked up a bit of charcoal. "Gonna draw it first. Don't move."
Tanden settled back down. He winced when Yonah ran a damp cloth quickly over his back, but then lay perfectly still while Yonah drew the design. After a few minutes the artist gestured to Soren. "Come look, laddie."
Soren stood and leaned over Tanden's back. Yonah was very good at drawing. His quick sketch already looked like a much nicer than Tanden's drawing. The word Wanderlust was slightly higher than Tanden's original design and ran across his shoulder blades. The Crelan waves sprawled out from the words to cover the majority of Tanden's back. It was going to look fantastic when it was done.
"Soren?" Tanden asked.
"It looks great. You're going to love it," Soren promised. He took his seat in front of Tanden again while Yonah got his needle ready. When Yonah leaned over to start the tattoo, Soren came to a sudden decision and placed his hand next to Tanden's on the table. "You might want to squeeze something."
Tanden gave him an amused look, but then Yonah pricked him and his eyes widened in surprise. A few pricks later and he had grabbed Soren's arm.
"I really am sorry about that."
Soren tentatively poked at the bruised area on his forearm. Tanden was walking slowly and wincing nearly every step, but at least he was moving. Soren had seen men pass out after having that much of a tattoo done.
After finishing the outlines, Yonah had insisted Tanden take a break until the next day. He'd then spent an hour touching up Soren's arms with blue. Luckily that meant that his forearms were bandaged and he didn't have to explain the bruise. It was so clearly the shape of a hand that he couldn't think of any lie to tell people.
"It's fine."
"I know, but I'm still sorry," Tanden said. "Where are you taking me, again?"
"The Kipper. One of the famous taverns. Can't visit Crele without visitin' it."
"You're doing it again. You keep changing your speech pattern."
"My what?"
Tanden sighed. "Your speech pattern. The accent. You dropped to Middle Crelan Teltish earlier, and when I called you out on it, you went back to your normal High Crelan Teltish. You just dropped again. Something about being 'too Teltish'?"
"It's complicated, Captain," Soren replied. "Proper Island Crelans like it when Continent Crelans speak like them. We still sound a little off, but at least we're considered 'real' Crelans. I go around talking the way I usually do, locals won't like me as much."
"That isn't that complicated," Tanden said. "It makes perfect sense. But you are a full-blooded Crelan, aren't you?"
"Aye, but I'm a Continent Crelan. 'Least I'm from West Draulin. That's the best Continent city."
"It's on an island."
Soren laughed. "New Teltar doesn't count. It's basically the mainland. It isn't the Island."
"Fair enough. I didn't realize there were different groups of Crelans. Which is odd, actually."
"Don't think it's odd. You read about other cultures in books, right? Nobody would write a book about different groups of Crelans. 'Sides, that's about it. Island Crelans or Continent Crelans. Well, then I reckon there are also half-Crelans. But how they're received depends on how they identify, act and speak. Maybe you should write a book about us."
Tanden scoffed. "You should know me well enough by now to know that I don't have the patience to write a book. Is that it?"
Ahead of them was a relatively narrow, two story building. The doors were propped open and people were crowded about on the street in front of it. Singing could be heard coming from inside. Soren nodded. "Aye, that's the Kipper. If we're lucky the lads managed to get a table inside. You should probably let me do the talkin'. Your fancy words are just goin' to make people mad."
"I don't use fancy words that often," Tanden argued.
"More often than a normal person would."
"I'll give you that. Lead the way, then."
The people near the door weren't happy to let them pass, but Soren managed to get through by squaring his shoulders and trying to act tough. He was surprised when the tactic worked, and was more surprised that he hadn't lost Tanden in the entranceway. He scanned the room, eventually spotting his three friends on the balcony overlooking the main floor. He led Tanden through the crowded interior to the stairs, which were covered with people who hadn't found chairs to sit on.
Getting up the stairs was almost harder than getting through the door had been. But finally, he and Tanden made it to the small table the other three had claimed. Roan and Jerios both had their feet up on chairs, which they removed so that Soren and Tanden could sit down.
"Evenin' Cap'n, Soren," Roan said. "Reckon Jerios'n me would've gotten our legs cut off if we'd saved those chairs any longer."
"Thanks, mate," Soren said. "I'll go buy another round of drinks, aye? What're you all havin'?"
"Roan was having rum, Jerios and I were having beer," Ivern said.
Soren nodded. "Captain?"
"Rum," Tanden replied distractedly. He was gingerly leaning back in his chair, clearly trying to find a comfortable way to sit with his raw back. Soren remembered that well.
"Right, be back as soon as possible, mates." Soren made his way back down the stairs and across the room. At the bar, three barmaids were quickly filling glasses and tankards and handing them out. Soren waited patiently until one came over to him.
"What'll it be, sweetie?"
"Three rums, two beers," Soren replied.
She expertly got the five drinks ready and slid them across the counter to him. Soren paid, then carefully picked up the drinks. Carrying them back through the tavern was hard but he managed without spilling too much. The men cheered when he got back to the table and set down the drinks.
"Thanks, mate," Roan took his rum and held it up. "Cheers to the Wanderlust, lads."
"Cheers," everyone said, picking up their drinks and taking a gulp. Soren eyed Tanden, remembering his comment about Vosh stopping him from drinking too much. Soren was prepared to stop him if it came to it. He couldn't risk Tanden speaking like he had in West Draulin.
"So what have you been up to today?" Tanden asked.
"Givin' these lads a tour of Co," Roan said.
"It's a fascinating city, isn't it?" Tanden said. "The old Crelan town mixed with the Teltish fortifications. It really makes you wonder what it would have looked like be— what?"
Soren nudged his side sharply and Tanden glared at him. "Touchy subject, Captain."
"Oh. Of course, my apologies." Tanden shook his head. "I wasn't thinking. Still, it's a beautiful city."
"Aye, that it is," Roan agreed. "So, what've you been doin'? We takin' on any goods?"
"No. Actually, I'm getting a tattoo," Tanden said.
The other three were shocked, but so was Soren, that Tanden would say it so casually. Tanden saw his expression and grinned. "What? You though I'd keep it a secret forever? That's ridiculous. The crew is bound to see it eventually, so why try to hide it?"
"I thought you didn't want your brothers finding out."
"Well, ideally none of the nobility will. At least not until I've figured out how to reveal it. Regardless, it isn't a secret from the crew. I try not to have secrets from my men."
"What does it look like?" Roan asked curiously. "I'd figured Soren had his touched up, given the bandagin' and all. What'd you get, mate?"
Soren smiled proudly. "Some blue."
"Blue? That's high class, mate. Bet it'll look great. What'd you get, Cap'n?"
"It isn't done," Tanden explained, with a smile in Soren's direction. "It's going to be quite large, on my back. Wanderlust surrounded by the Crelan wave design. Soren said it was acceptable that I get it."
"Aye, don't see why not," Roan said. "From a Crelan's point of view, 'least. Reckon Teltans aren't goin' t' be so pleased, aye?"
Ivern shrugged. "There are Teltans who think Crelan tattoos are quite impressive."
"Aye, mate, but you're a sailor like us, right? Like Captain Tanden. Plenty of Teltans aren't goin' t' feel the same way."
"Exactly why I'd like to keep this news on the ship, for now," Tanden said. "And amongst friends, aye?"
"Aye," Roan agreed.
"Isn't it normal for crews to get tattoos that represent their ship?" Jerios spoke up.
"Yes," Tanden answered. "If the captain designs a logo for the ship. Surprisingly, I haven't done that yet. I never knew if it was something people wanted, given that we're not an entirely Crelan crew. But if there is interest, I'd love to design one."
"You should, sir," Ivern said. "Even if not every man wants to get it, some of us could. I certainly would."
"Me too," Jerios said. "Having one will give us more credibility in the West Draulin Navy, won't it?"
"In the entire Ziannan Navy, I'd wager," Roan said. "Might not have many of us in the Zianna, Jak or Pagea Navies, but that's just 'cause we don't live there, right. They'd love some Crelan folk. Or trusted friends of Crelan folk."
"That's not a bad assumption," Tanden said. "Zianna has long since recognized that the West and East Draulin Navies, not to mention the Co Navy, are so strong because of the Crelan influence. I'm actually surprised more Crelans haven't moved to Pagea or Zianna. Jak I understand." He grimaced. "It's on a lake. Albeit a large lake, but still."
"Ain't no Crelan goin' to live on a lake," Roan scoffed. "Gotta be near the salty sea, we do."
"I suppose you won't like visiting the Morcean lakes, then?" Tanden asked.
"No, Cap'n, don't get me wrong, now. Visitin' a lake is fine. Just can't live on one for the rest of my life, is all."
"I agree entirely. My mother was from Jak. It's a beautiful place, but I could never settle there. So, gentlemen. Care to tell me anything about yourselves? We've been on the same ship for years and I don't think we've ever really talked."
"Well, can't say I'm particularly interesting, sir," Ivern said. "I grew up in West Draulin, son of a fisherman. I started helping him out when I was pretty young, but I always loved the bigger ships and wanted a navy job. I heard the Wanderlust was looking for a crew and signed up. Given my lack of experience on a real ship, I was surprised when you actually hired me."
"Glad I did." As Ivern spoke, Tanden had put his free hand under the table and was resting it on Soren's leg. It had been startling at first, but Soren thought he was managing to ignore it fairly well. Tanden spoke easily and successfully acted like he wasn't doing anything odd. "You've been an excellent addition to the crew. I remember I hired you because of how eager you seemed. I had a feeling you'd get the hang of it all quickly."
"Thanks, sir."
"What about you, Jerios?" Tanden asked. "You're from Hoask, if I remember correctly?"
Jerios nodded. "The story's pretty much the same for me. Except that when I wanted to get away from Hoask and my family so when I saw the Wanderlust was looking for a couple more hands, I jumped at the opportunity. Most people thought I was stupid for joining a Ziannan ship, but the pay you were offering was way better than any of the local ships and my Teltish was decent."
Tanden nodded. "And my Deoran was good at the time, wasn't it?"
Jerios smiled. "Mostly."
Tanden's eyes widened, but he clearly wasn't upset. "Mostly?"
"You got words wrong sometimes, like..." He paused and said something in Deoran. Then he said something that, to Soren, sounded exactly the same.
"Oh, the verb conjugations. That's complicated stuff, Jerios. I'm better now, aren't I?"
"Oh, yes," Jerios nodded. "Much better."
"That's a relief. Roan?"
"Just a Crelan, Cap'n. The usual story, I reckon. My pa was a navy man, served 'board some little merchant ships. Did the same, me. Joined the navy, worked on some little ships, heard about you'n the Wanderlust and knew that's what I wanted. Adventure, right? I was bored in the bay."
"You told us you did it for the money," Ivern said.
"Aye, well, that too," Roan replied. "Now, Cap'n, forgive me if this is too bold. But maybe you'd be willin' to buy your loyal men here another drink?"
Tanden chuckled. "Of course I'm willing. Soren, would you mind going to get them? My back feels awful." He took his hand off of Soren's leg to pull his money from his pocket, which he passed over. "The same for everyone?"
The men nodded. Soren forced his way down to the bar again. It had somehow gotten even busier, and he had to wait for ages before getting the barmaid's attention.
It seemed to take forever before Soren returned with the drinks. Tanden had to tell multiple people not to take Soren's chair and was relieved when Soren finally returned. Normally he wouldn't have any problem telling people to back off, but given the way his back felt, he was nervous about starting a fight. Not that starting one while uninjured would have been a good idea, either. Crelans were notorious for their ferocity in bar fights.
When Soren settled back down, Tanden stretched and lay his arm over the back of Soren's chair. Playing with Soren so far had provided a good distraction from the prickling in his back. Soren's lack of reaction to Tanden touching his leg had been interesting, and Tanden wanted to see how far he could push without giving anything away. Ivern, Jerios and Roan were friendly, but there was no telling how they'd react and Tanden didn't want to put Soren into an uncomfortable situation. Not a real one, at least.
Soren rested his arms on the table and leaned forward, so that he wasn't touching Tanden's arm. "Roan, mate. Got family on Crele?"
"Aye. Not in Co, though. 'bout a day's sail up the coast, little village called Milgan. Thinkin' of goin' tomorrow, stayin' a couple nights, then comin' back. These lads can fend for themselves for a few days."
Ivern laughed. "Such faith in us."
"You don't need my help findin' the nearest brothel, mate," Roan teased. "Just remember, Crelan gals aren't like the Teltan girls you'd pay back in West Draulin. Gotta treat them nice or they'll hurt you, mate. They're tough."
"Trust me," Tanden cut in. "Teltish prostitutes are just as willing to hurt you if you're not a gentleman."
"Reckon you're always a gentleman," Roan said. He was getting bolder the more he drank, and Tanden was enjoying it. Being treated like an equal for a night was fun.
He smiled. "Roan, mate, a gentleman doesn't brag about such things."
Roan burst into loud laughter. "Bet you've got a girl in every port, Cap'n. Probably the prettiest girl in the port, too."
"Or the-" Jerios paused and took of sip of his beer before continuing in an embarrassed rush. "The prettiest man."
There was silence at the table. The three sailors were watching Tanden carefully to see his reaction. Soren was staring into his rum, his body tense.
Tanden nodded. "I prefer the handsome men over the pretty men, personally, but I'm usually not very picky."
The men looked startled for a moment, then relieved when it finally clicked that he wasn't angry about the comment. Jerios still seemed embarrassed to have asked and drank more of his beer.
Roan cleared his throat. "Mind if I ask a question, Cap'n?"
"Go ahead."
"If you had a woman and a man, which would you pick?"
Tanden decided then that he really liked bold Roan. "I can't have both?"
Jerios nearly choked on his beer and put the tankard down, coughing. Ivern's eyes widened. Roan pressed on.
"In this case you've got to pick."
Tanden shrugged. "That'll depend on the particular man or woman. Same way you might pick between two women based on how they look or think or what they're interested in. Being a man or a woman isn't as important to me as being interesting."
"But... how?"
Tanden chuckled. "How? I don't know, it's the way I've always been so I embraced it. It's a good thing, really, I've got twice as many options."
"Reckon that's true," Roan agreed.
"I don't understand why you're all surprised. I haven't been particularly subtle," Tanden pointed out. "Didn't you accuse Soren of sleeping with me for his promotion?"
"No," Ivern protested. "Borick accused him of sleeping with you. He said nothing was happening and we believed him. Besides, I think we're more surprised that you'd be willing to talk about it."
"Like I said, I try not to have secrets from my men," Tanden said. "You can ask me whatever you want, I really don't mind. Curiosity isn't a bad thing, and if you ask something I don't want to answer, I simply won't answer. No harm done."
"Reckon I'll need another drink for this," Roan said, getting to his feet. "Anyone else?"
Jerios and Ivern shook their heads. Tanden was about to say yes, but then Soren spoke over him.
"No, thanks, mate. Me'n the Captain are good."
Once Roan had walked away, Tanden turned to Soren. "What was that?"
"You told me that Vosh would cut you off," Soren replied with a shrug. "Just doin' the same. Before you get drunk and say somethin' you shouldn't."
"Oh. Fine," Tanden grumbled. But he was actually impressed that Soren would tell him what to do in front of the others. It wasn't exactly subtle.