Cinnamon Bun

Chapter Three Hundred and Sixty-Four - From Sylphfree With Love

Chapter Three Hundred and Sixty-Four - From Sylphfree With Love

After waving goodbye to the fleet and heading due west for a while, I finally let go of the Beavers wheel and let Calamity and Clive take over. Calamity was eager to learn how to pilot the ship, and Clive was a nice enough sort that he didnt mind teaching others his trade. In fact, I think he liked giving lessons about piloting airships.

As I left the poop deck I ran into Awen who smiled and gave me a little wave. Hey Broc, she said. Do you mind helping me a little?

Of course not, I said. But with what?

Her smile turned a little rueful and she gestured down at herself. Shed shucked off her coat at some point, leaving her in a blouse and sturdy trousers, both of which were now splattered with grease and oil.

Oh, I said, giggling. Sure, give me a second. A liberal application of Cleaning magic later, and Awen was as fresh as new.

Thanks, she said. I was just checking up on the engine. One of the pirates bolts actually lodged itself into the engine compartment. It broke right through the wall and jammed itself into the housing of an air intake.

Oh no, I said.

Its nothing too bad. I pulled it out and patched the hole. There was a weird whistle as soon as I opened the door into the engine compartment, so I knew something was up. Anyway, well have to get a new housing but its just a bit of tin, nothing too complicated, and it should work just as well now as it did before. Its not going to be an expensive fix. The hole in the hull is more annoying, we just had it painted.

I know, I commiserated. It really was annoying to have already collected a few scratches and scuffs right after the Beaver was refitted, but there wasnt much we could do about it. At least the ship seemed to be in nearly perfect condition otherwise. Or... I guessed it was. Is there anything else that broke?

No. I think the engine was pushed a little harder than usual, but its running fine. I oiled everything that moves and made sure that anything that wasnt supposed to be moving wasnt.

I laughed again. You make mechanics sound easy when you put it that way.

I dont find it all that hard, Awen said. Its a little tricky but its just like a puzzle. The bigger and more complicated the machine, the more parts there are to the puzzle. Only theyre all interconnected, moving parts which are very loud sometimes. She smiled. That makes it more fun.

Awen loved her work, and it was just plain nice to see her enjoying what she did. I stretched until my lower back popped, then let out a big long sigh. Ah, I think I need a nap, I said.

She nodded. Today was tiring, wasnt it?

I nodded at that. A glance at the sky suggested that it was still just the early afternoon, way too early for bed, but maybe not too early for a nap... although I supposed that I should have been preparing supper for everyone. Want to help me in the kitchen? More hands will make it lighter work.

Sure, Awen said. Youd think cooking would be like mechanics, but its so much harder somehow.

Well, cookings like an art, I said. You just need to know what does what and go with what you think feels right. At least, thats always worked out for me.

Im not good at art, Awen said.

I glanced at her, curious. Youre not?

She shook her head. No, Im really not. My mother tried to get me to learn all sorts of art things, but I was never able to get the hang of any. Except music. But I cant make my own music, Im just okay at playing the instruments and following along to whats written in front of me. I tried to compose a little, but I dont know, it doesnt work.

I tapped my chin, then shrugged. Thats okay. Maybe try baking then? Thats less of an art and more of a science.

That sounds fun. We could make cakes and things like that. Um, provided we install an oven on the Beaver, which sounds a little heavy.

Right. I said. That would be tricky.

Or I could bake in the engine room. Some parts get hot enough. All youd need is to box them in, I think, Awen said.

I dont know if thats a great idea. Youll end up with engine gunk in some bread and I dont think thatll be healthy, I said.

Awen laughed. Yeah, fair enough. Maybe a heat exchanger then? But that would also be pretty heavy.

We discussed the possibilities of an airborne bakery as we made our way to the Beavers lower deck and to the corridor lined by our separate bedrooms. I paused near the end. The door to the room we let Caprica take for herself was open a crack which wasnt ideal. The ship rocked and turned sometimes, so having loose things meant that theyd roll around and bump into stuff.

One sec, I told Awen as I pushed the door open. It felt a little rude to enter what Id started to think of as Capricas room, but in reality she hadnt left anything behind. There were some blankets on the cot and it was possible that shed left some things in the few drawers tucked in the corner of the room, but otherwise the space was still empty, same as Bastions room.

Except, of course, for a rather large crate left in the middle of the floor.

Huh, I said as I stared at it. Shed mentioned sending this over, but I couldnt recall any details about what it was. It was just a box, about as wide as my shoulders and tall as my hips.

Are those air-holes? Awen asked, leaning around me to see into the room..

There were, in fact, little holes drilled just under the hemp handles on either side of the crate. Thats a little weird, I said as I moved closer. I expected to find a note or something, but there was nothing, just a big old box.

Then the box shuddered and I jumped so high I smushed my ears against the ceiling.

Its alive! I squeaked.

Awen frowned and walked right up to the box and placed a hand atop it to stop its wobbling. Whats in here? she asked.

Its me, the box said.

I blinked. The box said with Capricas voice. Caprica? I asked. Are you in the box?

Yes? the box said.

I looked to Awen who shrugged. Its nailed shut, she said.

Maybe its a mimic, I suggested. Caprica, can you prove that its you? Whats your sisters name?

Gabrielle or Sylvia? You havent met my other sisters yet, as far as I know, Caprica said.

Should we, ah, open the box? Awen asked.

I guess so, I said. This was a little strange. You might want to go get Amaryllis and tell her that we have a stowaway onboard.

Im not a stowaway, Caprica said from within the box shed used to sneak aboard our ship, kind of like how a stowaway would.

If you say so, I said.

Awen looked at the box, then back up to me. Right, Im going to go fetch a crowbar, she said before leaving.

I sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the crate. I could just make out Capricas eye through one of the air holes. So, want to tell me why youre, uh, nailed into a box and onboard the Beaver without permission? I asked. Because you could have just asked. You already have a room and everything.

Its not your permission thats complicated, she said. I had to imagine her very unprincess-like pout. Its my guards. It was complicated enough just getting onboard in this box you know, without a trail of guards and servants and all the usual train of sylph that follow a princess around.

You wanted to sneak away? I asked.

Well... not just that, she admitted.

I frowned and thought about it for a bit. Caprica didnt seem to dislike her role as princess. She was a rather active one, and she sometimes pushed the boundaries, I imagined, but for the most part I think she enjoyed her life. Of course, there was... ah.

Caprica, I asked.

Yes Broccoli? she replied, voice a little muffled by the box.

Did you do this so that Bastion would follow you and come to your rescue? I asked.

The box was very, very silent. I could almost imagine it was a normal, stowaway-less crate. Finally, after a long wait, I heard a faint and very unconvincing, No.

Uh-huh, I said.

Awen returned with a crowbar and an Amaryllis.

Whats all this about a stowaway? Amaryllis asked. I pointed to the box and she stared at it for a moment. Toss it overboard, she said. She sounded serious, but there was a hint of a smile in the corner of her mouth that suggested otherwise.

Caprica thumped the inside of her box. Let me out, she said.

Broccoli once used this phrase on me... I found it quite insulting at the time, now what was it... oh yes, Amaryllis grinned. Whats the magic word?

Is it now? Caprica asked.

No, its please. You should try it sometimes, Miss Stowaway Princess.

Please let me out? Caprica asked churlishly.

Awen was holding back giggles as she moved around the box and jammed the end of her crowbar into the wood and forced it up bit by bit. Whomever Caprica had convinced to help her into the box had really done a nice job nailing it shut.

Ah, thank you! Caprica said as she finally stood. The space in there wasnt all that much bigger than she was, so I imagined it wasnt a comfortable fit. Though it looked like she had a thin blanket squeezed into the bottom for padding.

Care to explain? Amaryllis asked.

I thought you could use the help, Caprica said.

Amaryllis snorted. Yeah, sure.

She did it for love, I said. Its kind of sweet... even if Im pretty sure her plan won't work.

Caprica shot me a dirty look, but it faded soon enough.

Anyway, I said. Want to help us make supper? I asked.

Just like that? she replied.

I stood up and got off her bed. Well, yeah, what did you expect us to do? You obviously want to come with us, and I dont think any of us mind.

I mind the heat this will bring, Amaryllis said. The sylph might decide that weve kidnapped one of their precious princesses.

I shrugged. Well deal with that when the time comes, right? Besides, maybe Caprica can write a nice letter home. I patted Caprica on the back. Now, did you pack a change of clothes? Some gear? Did you bring more than just one blanket? You know, you should always bring a towel with you when stowing away, just in case.

Caprica seemed a little overwhelmed for a moment, and I almost hugged her on reflex, but she shored up her resolve and stood taller. Im alright. I didnt bring any clothes, but Im certain I can endure these for a day or two. And I stashed a spare shield and sword under the bed, just in case.

Cool! I said. In that case, want to help Awen and I in the kitchen? We dont know what were making yet, but I bet itll be really tasty!

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