Algernon Black

(Chapter 98) Petty Old Pirate

"Why are we at this place, Loy?" Beal asked, exiting the ship with his large backpack weighing him down. From Merra they had chartered to a small chains of islands known as God's Key and docked at the most populated isle. It was small, only a few miles wide, and relatively flat, but every one of the numerous ports was docked in a diverse range of ships in the various different architectural forms of their varying homelands.

Loy discerned over fifty different countries' flags and more arriving to station at the other keys.

"Because there's entertainment to be had," He replied, smiling his token lopsided grin.

Selice observed Loy from beside him. There had been a change in him since Merra. And all for the better, like a great load, had unlifted from his shoulders. Caught in her thoughts, Selice neglected to watch where she was going, and almost ran into long dense planks of wood carried by a brawny seaman.

Loy saved her from a very painful collision, by pulling her back by her hand.

Cal had also been too caught up in the rushing bustle of the port, but didn't fare so well as he smashed face-first into the large planks of wood. The lumber crashed to the ground, which Beal presently tripped over.

Selice turned around to help, but Loy steered her away. "Just leave them," He said, a vein pulsating in his neck for all the turmoil their carelessness incited.

"But..." Selice quietly demurred, watching as the sailor screamed at Beal.

"They'll be fine," Loy said and as soon as Cal stood up to his full height the man stopped his shouting.

"Is it always this busy?" Selice asked. There wasn't a man or woman who wasn't at work hauling around supplies or offloading them from ships. They just made it off the docks and past the 50-foot statue of the god darkness. Selice looked at his dark bronzed chiseled face apprehensively.

"Only this time of year," Loy said, still clutching Selice's wrist.

Selice noticed the lingering hold. She slightly pouted but didn't pull away. "What happens during this time?"

"The warning waves of winter." Loy divulged, looking off excitedly to the island's hub. Selice wasn't tall enough to see it yet over the crowd, so Loy guided her closer.

"What's that?"

Loy turned to her, finally noticing he was still holding onto Selice's hand. He smiled to see that she hadn't removed it.

"I'll let you see for yourself."

Selice's pout soured at his coyness, and because that rare smile of Loy's stroked her neck in a tingle of heat. But that was soon overtaken in awe upon witnessing the town's center.

A cylinder reticello glass tower, as tall as a lighthouse, sat at the center of town.  The inside was a constantly alternating pattern of sparkling jewels that spiraled and spun with the wind, discharging sparks of light in all directions. It was a kaleidoscope of sorts. Loy had come upon it a while ago in his travels and knew the contraption would be along the lines of Selice's interest. Which it overwhelmingly was, as Selice wandered around the entire structure, devising blueprints in her mind of how the mechanisms operated. Four alloy groves in the ground, like train tracks, spiraled from the tower, but too many people walked by for Selice to see how far out they extended.

"This is amazing." Selice gasped, halting to stare up at the tower's top that resembled an unbloomed flower.

"Wait till you see it working," Loy remarked, before ushering her along once Cal and Beal had caught up with them.

With the crew in tow, Lou led them through the island. It was small enough to cross to the other side in under 30 minutes. Where shops, restaurants, and inns lined the island's rim. Some of the restaurants even had balconies jutting over the edge so one could dine over the sharp cliff side, though Loy guided them through a narrow crack in between two buildings. It was so narrow Cal almost didn't fit, but they all managed to come upon the old dim cherry door. Spider webs decorated old brass hinges and Selice could just barely make out the sign above the entrance, Marve the Marble Maker.