Chapter One
“You’re fired!”
Having been thrown off the ship, I looked back at the horrendous captain who continued to speak.
“You’re a good for nothing slacker. You’re better off working in a pig sty.”
“Yeah, I don’t need you. You’re just a stupid old man for all I care!”
“Oh, that hurts.”
He gave a sneering laugh along with the rest of the crew. I walked away listening to his annoying chuckles. I am now bankrupt having spent all of Father’s money which he lovingly provided, and that selfish geezer refuses to pay. Looking back, they were all jerks. The captain was an old drunkard, and the crews are a bunch of lazy slobs. I wandered through the market trying to find another job.
“Fired again, Master Braden?”
That was Aksel who works at a fish stand.
“He was an idiot, just a sloven who owns a ship.”
“That’s life kid.”
I looked at his stand to see rows of shriveled fish which looked quite unappetizing.
“Your fish stand doesn’t look so good.”
“Yeah, the fishes are gone this time of year, and those that are caught are either poisonous or taste extremely bitter.”
“That sounds bad. But here’s a thought, what if I work for you? I know the best fishing spots near the port.”
“I wish I could, but a have three mouths to feed and even the most experienced angler catch complete crap.”
“I understand. How about I get only one-tenth of the profit?”
“Lad, if you’re that desperate for a job, take a look at this.”
He handed me a flier, and its content was just beyond belief. The pay was seventy thousand crowns per month, and the only thing I have to do is go to this bar.
“You think this is real?”
“These flyers come out this time of year as well. I never looked into it, but it’s worth a shot. You can just a walk two blocks and take a left. There, you’ll find the tavern. The bar owner is an old friend of mine. Tell him I said hi.”
Thanking Aksel and saying our goodbyes, I quickly ran to the bar as fast as I could quite excited for the opportunity. Reason being, I am extremely desperate for a job; I have been unemployed numerous of times. I am infamously known by every captain and ship owner. At the age of sixteen, I was discharged from the Navy because of an excessive amount of dilatory action. Meaning, they think I am lazy. I was hired many times, but they quickly fired me for the same reason. At the pub, the room was empty except for the alcoholics lying sluggishly on the floor.
“May I help you, sir?”
“My name is Braden. I found this flyer and waiting to see if it’s real.”
“Take a seat. Maybe it is; maybe it isn’t.”
I sat down on one of the stools waiting. The barkeeper looked atrocious and unnerving. Minutes went by of stony silence.
“Excuse me, sir? A friend of mine says you used to be best chums with him. His name is Aksel; do you know him?”
“Aksel? That old bastard how’s he doing?”
He opened up in a cheerful tone as I explained to him Aksel and his fish stand.
“He always loved fishing. We were chums in school. We always hang out at this small little pond and catch fish, play cards, or just talk. Those were great times. Sorry for my rude demeanor, would you like a drink? It’s on the house.”
Accepting his offer he poured me a mug full of beer, and we began to converse. Later on, he went to work as patrons began to come in. I saw people come and go. Some people were holding fliers like me and sat down either in a booth or table. It was now three hours past twelve, and I lost all hope. I got up to leave when the bartender suddenly stopped me.
“Kid just between you and me, you may want to stay for awhile. Take a look around you might notice something.”
He ran off stopping two patrons from fighting. I couldn’t ask any more questions, but I’m assuming he was giving me a clue of some sorts. It is a one-story building with two bathrooms and the stock room. The decorations were nautical themed. Ropes were placed on the wall with several life preservers with a large tacky swordfish right on top of the bar. The floor was carpeted with random symbols embroidered everywhere where you can imagine any shape like clouds. Then a large sign imprinted above the bar, but below the swordfish that says, “Watch your STEP!!!”
Now the sun was setting, and the bar was the getting busy. Bored out of my mind, I wanted to leave.
The tavern became crazy with drunkards throwing glasses everywhere, escorts roaming around table after table, and fights breaking out. Out of nowhere, a bottle crashed directly into the sign with glass shards spilling everywhere. I ducked down avoiding the glass and stumbled to the floor. There I stood face to face on the carpet. I recognized one of the symbols shaped as an arrow pointing directly toward the bathroom. Hoping it’s a clue, I crawled past the ongoing fight and broken glass. I made it to the room, but only saw a dirty toilet and a sink which was leaking. I almost ran out disgusted by the repulsive scene. I thought of the sign, “Watch your STEP!!!” The arrow was on the floor. Following this mentality, I looked everywhere at the floor. There was a tile shaped like a pointer directed at the wall secreting with mold. Afraid to touch the wall, I forced myself to look every inch. Thankfully, I found a switch, and a secret passage revealed itself. I closed the door and climbed down several flights of stairs to a large chamber with many thugs, soldiers, rogues, and other unsavory characters.
I stood at a corner trying to avoid attention when one guy came up to me.
“Hey, you’re that kid who was there in the morning. You finally figured out the puzzle! It took me half an hour; I never thought you would’ve made it.”
“Thanks, that makes me feel better.”
“Sorry, there was some sort of betting pool amongst the other guys. My name is Matt what’s yours?”
“Braden”
“Braden, it’s good to know.”
“Question, do you believe the job is real?”
“Haven’t you ever heard of the rumor of The Phoenix?”
“Never did.”
“Well, The Phoenix is this ship that travels the world and comes to this port once a year for new recruits, and I’m hoping that this is real.”
The room echoed with the sound of wood knocking on concrete. Coming out of the shadow an old man with a wooden leg limped toward the group. With gray, messy beard and crazy eyes, he studied each applicant while walking toward the center of the room.
“My name is Captain Gilroy. I am looking for a man who is willing to face death and laugh at it. Any of you who can’t, leave now. It’s for the best.”
“Seriously, that speech might’ve scared a novice, but I’ve been sailing for ten years.”
“What’s your name son?”
“Matt.”
“So Matt, you’ve been sailing for a decade? I’ve been at sea for sixty years. I’ve bled; I’ve been tortured; I even lost a leg!”
Everyone looked at his wooden leg.
“Any other brat who wish to speak up, say it now!”
No one spoke. This man gave out a powerful aura of strength and control. He was terrifying.
“No one? Then follow me!”
He led the company further into the chamber. The lights grew dimmer every step we took. Suddenly the sound of the waves crashing broke the silence with seagulls crying through the air. A light at the end of the hallway grew brighter. We made it through, and there stood before us a magnificent ship with stunning colors and crisp white sails. Everyone was in awe including myself standing in the presence of this majestic ship.
“She’s a beauty and a loyal follower, never failing me in the darkest of times. This will be your new home and brethren. Welcome to the Phoenix.”
We climbed aboard and were welcomed to arrays of crewmembers working diligently hard either cleaning, carrying heavy boxes, and all sorts of activity.
“These new faces must be the recruits.”
Approaching us was a woman wearing a tricorn hat with a simple sailor attire of a brown cravat and a silver gray handkerchief tied around her neck.
“Exquisite timing as always, this is First Mate Adamaris Coppling, but Ada for short.”
“To you young lads, it’s Miss Ada. Captain, on further inspection, these runts who dare call themselves sailors are complete lightweights! I swear every year the men inland get fatter and feebler.”
“This woman has a snazzy tongue on her. It’s funny, because if she can speak like that, then I’m meant to be in the kitchen.”
Several bursts of laughter spilled among our group. Miss Ada looks straight back at the man who told the joke.
“What’s your name?”
“Breecher. What’s it to you?”
“Do you like jokes, Mr. Breecher?”
She said it in such a terrifying manner the laughter stopped.
“What do you call garbage when it falls to the ground?”
Moments went by when suddenly she grabbed his shoulders and hurled him to the floor of the deck.
“It’s your face.”
She answered with a smile.
He stumbled off the floor with a humiliated look. Replacing it with rage, he threw a punch, but Miss Ada quickly dodged it. He continued with the same tactic but went faster. His clenched fist was everywhere, but she barely took a massive step. Her agility and movement were unmatchable. She tilted her head left and right avoiding all of his punches. She even took minor steps, and the entire fight looked like a choreographed dance. He slowed down soon enough, but Miss Ada took this opportunity to attack. She pulled small punches shocking him as he staggered backward. But within seconds, she moved with light speed right behind him tripping him. He collapsed right at the edge of the port side; he lost all balance and fell overboard. Soaking wet, Breecher swam up.
“Tsk! I barely lifted a finger. Swim back to shore. It’s better to live as a weakling then dying as an idiot.”
“Grr! I want a rematch! I’ll break your arm.”
“If you don’t have the strength to lift that big mouth of yours, just shut up.”
“Enough blabbering Ada! Time is essential.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“I’ll put these men in your hands. You can train them any way you want, but don’t overdo it.”
He hobbled back to the quarter deck leaving us.
“Today is the day you become men. Training will be thorough, efficient, and intense, or else I’ll give you the same treatment as Mr. Breecher here.”
Walking on deck was Breecher dripping with sea water and shame.
“Did you have a nice swim?”
He let out a nasty, but quiet growl.
Training starts before the sun rises, and ends when I say so. But I promise, if you endure it all, you’ll be faster, stronger, and able-bodied.
With these new skills, it may be possible for you to survive the Harvesting.”
“Question, what is the Harvesting?”
“That is highly sensitive information. But I will assure you, it is one of the deadliest voyages you will ever go through that is if you survive. Sadly, I don’t expect half of you to survive.”
Fear struck everyone. Hearing these words, I thought she was lying. I believed she was just tricking people to leave so that the money would be split amongst the captain and her. But, her face shows no signs of lying or an attempt to do so.
“I will feel no anger and nor will mock those who wants to leave. I’d highly advise it.”
Slowly, several men did leave. I estimated at least ten left. When nobody moved, Miss Ada continued,
“No one else? Then let’s begin. Mr. Carver! Please come at once!”
Stumbling up to the quarter deck, a young man bumbled up on deck panting from exhaustion.
“Yes, Miss Ada!”
“You are to equip the new recruits with provisions, and afterward, lead them to their cabins.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Leading the party, we walked to the bay, opened a crate, and handed out hammocks.
“Remember, you are in charge of your own hammock. If you lose it, it’s too bad for you.”
We were then led to the lower decks. After several turns and twists, there were hallways full of different rooms the group was separated choosing different cabins. I picked the closest one with a beautiful port view, settled all my stuff, and began to relax. Five guys moved in, but I didn’t bother knowing their names.
“As soon as you’re done, immediately go up where Miss Ada should continue the orientation.”
One by one they all left, I snuck behind trying to learn more about this ship.
“Mr. Carver?”
“You shouldn’t stay behind! Go before she notices.”
“Yes, but I need to ask something.”
“Make it quick. You don’t want to upset Miss Ada.”
“How long have you been working onboard?”
“Let’s see. Three years, I suppose, but I’m still considered to be one of the recently recruited.”
“Recently? But I was told the recruiting was yearly?”
“True, but many fail to live.”
“Live through what?”
He became quiet contemplating something.
“I believe someone at least mentioned the Harvesting?”
“Yes, Miss Ada said something about it. It spooked several people to leave.”
“Oh dear Lord, Miss Ada! I forgot! Move it now! Vite Vite!”
He quickly pushed me out before I could ask anything else. I came up to the deck to see Miss Ada talking to the recruits. I quietly joined in.
“That is all of the assignment. Now may I speak with the new person who finally joined us.”
I became nervous as she stared at me with a stony expression.
“What’s your name?”
“Um . . . Its Bra . . . ”
“Speak up! Make Haste.”
“Braden! It’s Braden ma’am.”
“Mr. Braden, your failure to show up is worthy of punishment. You will be keelhauled.”
“Ahem! Miss Ada,”
The Captain was leaning at the rails on the poop deck looking down at Miss Ada.
“That’s quite a severe punishment. Be a dear, and show a little leniency.”
“Yes, Captain.”
He walked back to his cabin leaving us.
“By Captain’s order, the punishment is repealed.”
I gave a quiet sigh of relief.
“But instead, you will be assigned to Arbeit.”
Several snickers and whispers amongst the people got me worried.
“Head to the galley. You’ll see the cook who will fill you in the duties of an Arbeit.”
There was complete utter silence.
“What are you waiting for? You may leave now.”
I slowly got up and walked toward the galley. Surrounded by judging and mocking eyes, I began to fear what I buried myself into. At the Navy, I had to memorize every part of a ship. Lucky for me, I have an awesome memory. The galley was a complete mess. Dishes were piled everywhere, the pots were stained with grease, and the utensils such as the knife and whisk was black with some strange substance. In the middle of it lay the chef. He must’ve awakened as he jumped up off the mess of dishes.
“You scared me, boy! Who are you?”
“My name is Braden. I’m the new Arbeit.”
“That’s great! A new plaything, come over here.”
I came as close as I could bear refusing to touch him.
“Don’t be shy. I won’t bite.”
I took two steps.
“Now can you guess what I’m pointing at?”
He grabbed me by the shoulder with his greasy hands pointing to the mountain of dishes.
“The plates?”
“Good, now clean ’em.”
“What?”
“Finish the chore by dinner. If you’re late, you won’t get anything to eat.”
“That’s unfair. This is a ridiculous amount of dishes. Why should I?”
“Oh, you don’t know?”
He said in a mocking voice.
“An Arbeit is the lowest position on this ship. You have no authority, every hard labor is placed on you, and everyone else can order you around. If not, they are able to punish you in any way they like. Back to work if you want to eat.”
He left with a nasty chuckle leaving me with all this wreck. Plate after plate, I scrubbed, rinsed, and scraped everything. The pots and pans were the hardest since the grease refused to budge. The sun was setting, but I finally finished with a sigh of relief. Then bursting through the galley door came the chef another mountain of dishes with pots and pans trailing from behind with many other crewmembers.
“Great job with the dishes; here’s the next batch. Have fun.”
“I still get to eat, though, right?”
“Oh, but you didn’t finish any of the dishes.”
“What the hell! I finished everything, and you just piled on more crap on me.”
“Too bad, I even prepared a massive feast for a celebration. You can eat the crumbs and the fat still sticking to the plates.” The sky was black. A celebration was held outside with cheers and laughter bursting outside while I was working alone in the galley and the dishes mocking me.
