(no subject)
Title: Chasing Freedom, Chapter 10, Siwon/Eunhyuk, Zhoumi/Eunhyuk
Length: 4626 words
Author: shieldkitten
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The Arctic Circle is not as expected. Still, Siwon finds peace and discovers his weakness for a certain smile.
Author's Note: I have no excuses for how long this took, I'm so sorry.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11
It was like nothing Siwon had ever imagined as he listened to wizened old sailors tell of their brief forays into the Arctic Circle, chasing after bigger catch and greater adventure. He had envisioned blindingly white vistas of ice as far as the eye could see, and cliffs with jagged, rocky faces that stretched above even the tallest mast of the Sapphire Pearl. Instead, much of the coast was flat, rocky terrain with the occasional glint of ice further inland, and no vegetation of speak of. It was as though they had ventured into a lifeless world, alien and sinister.
It was in their second day through the passageway that one of the Chinese passengers gave a shout, pointing excitedly toward the sky. It was a bird of some sort, swooping in loose spirals overhead, as if in reconnaissance.
“It’s a falcon,” Hangeng murmured, holding his bronze telescope to his eye, tracing its path. “Grey feathers.”
“Birds are a good sign,” Shindong said. They were his first words since they had turned into the passageway and found the land barren.
“Why?” Eunhyuk asked, attempting to imitate Hangeng with the telescope he had borrowed from Siwon, fumbling with its retractable tubes as he struggled to keep the falcon in focus.
“Where there is wildlife, there is fresh water nearby,” Siwon answered, taking his telescope from Eunhyuk with a smile and holding it to his right eye while he made some adjustments. “And that is a Peregrine Falcon, a duck hawk, if you will. We will have fresh meat if we can find its hunting grounds. Here,” he said, returning the telescope. “You should be able to see more clearly now, Mr. Lee.”
“It flies southward, Captain,” Hangeng announced. The bird spun one more lazy loop before striking a straight path. Eunhyuk made a small sound of disappointment in his throat before lowering his telescope, and Siwon chuckled, patting his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, we will see others of the same before long, and more besides if we are fortunate.”
“Shall we turn southward?” Hangeng asked, lowering his telescope as well. Siwon gazed over the water, unsure. He glanced up at the crow’s nest, where Henry and Zhoumi were stationed. They were the sharpest eyes on his ship, and he had set one on lookout for any cove or bay where the ship might anchor in safety, and the other on lookout for the shadows under the water that meant submerged rocks on which the ship might breech her hull. As though on cue, Zhoumi turned to him, cupping his hands around his mouth.
“Captain, there are islets in our path. I count three within sight, but there may be more beyond them.”
“Could we navigate around them?” Siwon called back, resisting the urge to scale the foremast to take a look for himself. It was not that he didn’t trust Zhoumi’s judgement, but that he was reluctant to turn from the straightest, and shortest, path through the Arctic Circle unless truly necessary. Although he had timed their journey such that they had arrived in what passed for summer in the polar region, he knew the season was brief, and he had heard tell of ships becoming mired in thick sheets of ice when winter set in.
“I cannot encourage it, Captain. There is a channel portside that we might do better to follow.”
“Well then,” Siwon nodded, turning to Hangeng. “I suppose we are turning Southward.”
The channel brought them yet another surprise - the portside coast was as dry and hostile as it had ever seemed, and yet the starboard coast sported some acres of glossy green marshland.
“They seem two entirely different worlds,” Siwon mused, watching a flock of small birds take flight, only to settle merely a foot from where they began.
The atmosphere on the ship was light, despite a chilling wind and the unending sunlight. The ship’s passengers seemed cheered by the evidence of life aside from their own. Each new discovery was met with an excited exclamation or cheer, but no one was as excited as Eunhyuk, who seemed determined not to miss a moment of this strange new land.
“What are you feeding him, Shindong?” Siwon asked, watching as Eunhyuk sprinted across the deck towards a woman who had just given a thrilled cry. He skidded to a halt just before he bowled into a group of her laughing friends. “He’s been running about the ship for days, and yet he never seems to tire.”
“It’s this ceaseless sunlight,” Shindong said, looking up from his map just as another group called out, and Eunhyuk ran towards it at full tilt. “He draws energy from it.”
“He’s not a tree, Shindong,” Zhoumi laughed. “But the sunlight certainly does seem to be having some sort of effect.” The lines on Shindong’s map had transitioned from painstakingly precise to vaguely similar, and there were rather less details now that there were simply too many to record.
“I’m a cook not a cartographer,” Shindong said, abandoning his map in favour of watching Eunhyuk. “There he goes again. You know, I don’t believe they’re even looking out over the water.”
Siwon turned his attention from Shindong’s map to the deck, and sure enough, most of the passengers were watching Eunhyuk progress from group to group, rather than the coast. As soon as Eunhyuk reached one end of the ship, or paused to take a breath, one of the groups would give a concerted cry before dissolving into laughter as Eunhyuk drew near.
“They’re teasing him.” Hangeng sounded more amused than disapproving.
“Hush,” Zhoumi said, eyes twinkling with mischief. “I want to see how long it takes him to notice.”
Siwon sighed. “Zhoumi.”
“You wouldn’t let us have a puppy,” Zhoumi pouted, pretending to be petulant.
“I give you breaks to rest, not to encourage the passengers to play pranks on one another,” Siwon said, folding his arms. “I think it’s time you returned to your post.”
“Keep your eyes peeled for a campsite!” Shindong called as Zhoumi retrieved his hat and made for the foremast.
“A campsite?” Siwon gave Shindong a questioning look.
“Yes, to camp at.”
“Whatever gave you the impression that we would be making camp?” Siwon wondered at times if his crew only let him play Captain to amuse him, judging by the tones which they sometimes took with him.
“We will have to make anchor for hours when we refill our water casks, and I see no reason why we should not spend the time exploring the land.”
“I cannot afford to have to wandering about playing Marco Polo, Shindong. What if one of the passengers takes it into his head to join you? We don’t know what dangers there might be - animals, or savage natives.”
Shindong drew his lips into a thin, stubborn line. “I’m not suggesting a foolish traipse with anyone that will come. You know I’ve had experience hiking in the forests of Brazil, and Henry has offered to come with me.”
“Henry’s a child.”
“Henry is nineteen, and an excellent shot,” Shindong pointed out.
“My answer is still no,” Siwon said firmly. “Besides, you will have to oversee the refilling of the casks. There will be no time for exploration.”
“Captain, what sort of men would we be to pass up on the chance to walk upon the ends of the earth?” Shindong asked.
“Prudent men,” Siwon answered. He strode forward toward the main deck, an action that he hoped signalled the absolute end of the discussion, though he knew better than to assume that Shindong would let the matter slide.
For now, however, there was another situation that seemed much easier to resolve.
Eunhyuk stood at the bow of the ship, slumped against the railing. It appeared that his exercise had taken a toll on him at last. Most of the passengers seemed sympathetic, or at least bored, and had turned to their own conversations and observations, but there was still a group of whispering children who had yet to tire of the entertainment teasing Eunhyuk provided.
“I think that’s enough, don’t you?” Siwon whispered in Chinese, placing his hand on top of the girl who seemed like their ringleader. She stared up at him with flushed cheeks, then mumbled a ‘sorry’ and dropped her chin. Siwon smiled and ruffled her hair before returning to his wheel.
“I could oversee the refilling,” Hangeng said softly, his gaze on a hilltop in the distance.
Siwon thought it best he pretended not to have heard him.
“Captain! Captain!” Siwon jerked back from his conversation with Hangeng and Zhoumi at Eunhyuk’s repeated call, scanning the deck with wild eyes, his heart in his throat. In the wind that buffeted the ship he couldn't tell if Eunhyuk's call was one of excitement or distress. It was with some relief that he spotted Eunhyuk sprinting to him from across the deck, unharmed, and waving animatedly as though he had wonderful news.
"What is it? What's happened?" he asked as Eunhyuk slowed to a stop, panting. Behind him, he could feel Zhoumi shift, and he shot him a look to warn against anything inappropriate or unnecessary that he might say.
"Is it true, Captain?" Eunhyuk asked, clutching Siwon's arm for support as he stepped past him toward the railing, staring out at the mouth of the river Siwon had been studying only a moment before. "Have we found fresh water?"
Siwon smiled, wondering if Eunhyuk's life had come to such tedium that news of water was all that was required for him to run shouting through the ship. "Yes," he said, curling his fingers around the thick cloth of Eunhyuk's coat sleeve for a brief moment before he released his arm. "The river is deep and wide enough for the Pearl to sail upstream for a short way. Over there, that glint of light, we believe the river widens into a lake."
"And you're making anchor? To refill the casks?" Eunhyuk turned from the view to give Siwon a searching look that made his heart turn over in his chest, and he had to clear his throat before he could make an answer.
"I will, if the water proves to be suitable for drinking. Hangeng and Zhoumi are preparing to go ashore with the casks when the river proves too narrow to follow."
"Hangeng and Zhoumi?" Eunhyuk echoed, turning to look at the two men behind Siwon. "No one else?"
"You seem disappointed,” Zhoumi said with a smirk. “Were you hoping for a slow, romantic stroll with me, by any chance?”
"Of course not!" Siwon caught the glance that Eunhyuk darted at him before the man turned away. He had hardly begun to resume his instructions to Hangeng and Zhoumi before Eunhyuk spun around again with an interruption.
“Only, Shindong spoke of how much time we would have while the casks are refilled, and how, if we were to go ashore, we might have the honour of being the first men to set foot on this island. I had hoped, if you weren’t opposed to the venture, that we might all go ashore…” Eunhyuk’s words trailed to a halt, but there was no mistaking that he still hoped. Siwon sighed inwardly, closing his eyes for a moment as he thought of the many reasons he had given Shindong, the many commonsensible, rational reasons, all of which failed to matter when he reopened his eyes to find Eunhyuk still waiting eagerly for his reply.
“Tell Shindong he may gather some provisions for a camp. We will make anchor, and then anyone who wishes may go ashore.”
He knew he would come to regret his decision, possibly when Shindong and Henry fell into some unseen pit, or some wild beast mauled the camp, or some arctic pirate made off with the Sapphire Pearl, leaving them to the mercy of the inevitable onset of winter. But at that instant, as Eunhyuk's face lit with a smile more gums than teeth, Siwon found he could hardly care.
"Oh, thank you, Captain!" Eunhyuk gushed, clapping his hands twice in quick succession before he brought himself under control. "I will inform him of your decision posthaste."
"Tell him I wish to see him before he leaves this ship!" Siwon called after him, watching as he half walked, half ran back across the ship. He turned to relay new instructions to Hankyung and Zhoumi, only to see identical smiles on their faces.
"And what, pray tell, puts you both in such high spirits?" he asked gruffly.
"Shindong will be so pleased to hear you have changed your mind," Zhoumi said, barely keeping the amusement from his voice, or the grin from his face.
Siwon felt that the level of insubordination on his ship was becoming increasingly alarming.
"For the last time, Zhoumi, please remove your hand from my person." Siwon glanced over his shoulder in time to see Eunhyuk throwing Zhoumi's arm off his shoulders. Zhoumi chuckled, barely missing a beat as he strode through a patch of sedges, long body bent slightly forward against the wind.
"It was the last time the time before, and it seems your protests are growing weaker," he said, drawing closer and sliding his arm about Eunhyuk's waist. "Come, you're shivering. I'm merely lending you some protection from this blistering cold."
"Zhoumi!" Eunhyuk exclaimed, his cheeks as red as his nose as he gave Zhoumi a gentle shove. Siwon scowled, turning his attention back to Shindong as he continued to lay out his plans.
"The river appears to flow from beyond the tree line, and Henry is confident he can hunt one of the caribou we've seen from the ship-"
"Or a hare! I bet I could get one of the quick little blighters," Henry said, twirling his pistol in a show of confidence.
"Or you'd miss and the report of your gun will have sent every creature for miles into hiding," Shindong retorted.
"But a caribou's no challenge!"
"This isn't a shooting galleria, Henry, and that is quite enough horseplay from the both of you!" Siwon snapped, spinning around to fix Zhoumi and Eunhyuk with a withering glare. How was he to be expected to concentrate on anything with Eunhyuk exclaiming Zhoumi's name with every stride? Eunhyuk froze midstep as though stricken with guilt, one foot hovering comically off of the ground.
Zhoumi, however, had an entirely different reaction. He straightened and took off his cap, giving Siwon a sweeping bow. "Our apologies, Captain, we weren't aware this was to be a silent march."
Acutely aware of the many surprised eyes upon him, Siwon sighed inwardly and resumed the now torturous journey onward. He regretted his outburst immensely, knowing full well that it had been due only to his conflicting emotions, and not to any fault of the others. Another glance over his shoulder showed that Eunhyuk now walked several paces ahead of Zhoumi, his hands deep in his pocket and his head bowed. Shindong and Henry were silent, and remained pointedly so for what seemed like eternity, until Hangeng cleared his throat.
"A caribou would feed more, Henry," he said, voice even and calm. "You should listen to Shindong."
"You're always on his side!" Henry said accusingly.
"Ah, and thus I am always right," Hangeng replied, clapping Shindong on the back and making him laugh.
Their camp was a camp in name only - they had no bedding, and certainly no tents to erect, but Shindong had brought along firewood and enough of their provisions to make a meal if Henry's hunting expedition proved futile. Watching his passengers and crew - some still swaying slightly as if still adjusting for the motion of the ship - Siwon felt glad that he had changed his mind after all. He saw now that this would be a pleasant memory for them all when they went their separate ways, a respite from the fear of recapture. Here, on this secluded patch of land with no danger as far as the eye could see, freedom was theirs for the briefest of moments.
He bent to help Hankyung prepare the water casks, lashing ropes around each barrel so it would be easier to strap them together when they were full. From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Eunhyuk making his way over to Shindong, whose attempts to light a fire were thwarted by the strong wind.
"Could I help you?" Eunhyuk asked Shindong, reaching for the tinder box, and Siwon wondered if perhaps he had been too hasty in assuming that they were in no danger.
"Come lend us a hand, Mr. Lee," he called out, getting to his feet. Eunhyuk looked at him, startled, and Siwon realised with a sinking heart that the man had not forgotten his outburst on the way to the lake. "If it pleases you, I would very much appreciate your assistance," he added as gently as he could.
"Of course," Eunhyuk said, and though his tone seemed hesitant, he came forward and stood awkwardly before Siwon, biting on his lower lip. Siwon cursed himself, hating that he had been responsible for introducing this discomfiture between them - they had had a rocky start, but Eunhyuk was beginning to feel at ease with him at last. Had he undone their many weeks together?
"Mr. Lee, what I said earlier... It was wrong of me to shout at you, and I apologise."
Eunhyuk gaped soundlessly at him, eyes wide, and Siwon nodded, turning his back on Eunhyuk rather brusquely. The apology had embarrassed him, the way he had worded it, doubly so. It seemed insincere when he was anything but. Feeling like a sullen churl, he resumed his work on the casks, tightening his knots with unnecessary force.
“Captain, look, a falcon,” Eunhyuk said, pointing up at the sky. Siwon gave it only a perfunctory glance, staring instead at Eunhyuk, and the shy smile on his lips. “You were right.”
“I was?”
“You said we would see another.”
“So I did.”
“This pains me.” Siwon bolted to his feet, startled by Henry’s voice, just in time to see Hangeng and Shindong move simultaneously to clap their hands over Henry’s mouth, and Zhoumi covering his own smile. Eunhyuk turned a deep shade of red and spun wildly in a circle as though searching for something which he could hide behind or bury himself under, and, failing to find both, he swept his hair back from his forehead and glared fixedly at the ground.
“We came to ask for your permission to leave,” Shindong said hurriedly, not removing his hand from Henry’s face. “The passengers are settled, and Chaegum's finally had some success with the fire."
“You have enough ammunition?” Siwon asked, glancing at the pistol in the holster about Henry’s waist, and the carbine in Zhoumi's. “For both the hunt and your own protection?”
“If we don’t return in two hours you may send out a search party.” Shindong cracked a smile, and gripped Henry firmly by shoulder, marching him toward the trees in the distance before he had any further chance to speak.
"Try not to miss me, Eunhyuk," Zhoumi said, winking at Eunhyuk before he strolled after Shindong.
The next hour was spent carrying the casks to the lake, and refilling them with the aid of some of the other passengers. Once a group of five casks were filled, they were lashed together and attached to long, flat planks that would keep them afloat, and then anchored to the banks of the lake. When they were ready to strike camp, the floating casks would be released to follow the river downstream towards the waiting ship. It was a busy activity, leaving Siwon no chance to approach Eunhyuk again until it was over, but whatever unease had been between them seemed to have dissipated, as Eunhyuk smiled each time their eyes met, and he did not shrink away when Siwon drew near.
“Your feet are soaked, Mr. Lee," Siwon said with some amusement, though he was concerned. It had been growing cooler over the past half hour as if some cold draught had settled over the lake, and he was afraid Eunhyuk would catch a chill.
"I missed my footing," Eunhyuk laughed, voice shaking as his teeth chattered. "Jianqiang caught me before I sunk any further." He nodded to one of the Chinese men, who smiled and raised his hand in acknowledgement.
"I'm sorry I wasn't by your side." Siwon frowned, taking off his overcoat and wrapping it about Eunhyuk's shoulders.
"You were chasing after that cask that floated away." Eunhyuk was still trembling under the coat, and his fingernails were turning from pink to blue. Siwon took his hand and hurried him forward towards the fire, sitting him as close to it as he possibly could without singing his eyebrows.
"Hangeng, get the furs from my pack, please, and dry boots," he said urgently, pulling off Eunhyuk's wet boots and socks despite his protests.
"Captain, this is hardly proper," Eunhyuk said faintly, curling his toes inward and trying to tuck his feet beneath himself.
"Stronger men than you have succumbed to far less, and with your ill fortune you can hardly afford to adhere to niceties at this moment," Siwon said, blunt in his anxiety.
"Captain," Hangeng knelt by them, fleece pelts spilling from his arms. Eunhyuk let Siwon wrap the furskins around him, but he insisted on pulling on his own shoes, even with his fingers numbed with cold.
"I'll heat some water," Hangeng said, rising to his feet. "I think all of us could do with a warm drink."
"How do you feel?" Siwon asked, squeezing Eunhyuk's arm to ensure that he wasn't shivering, even under all the layers of warm cloth. Eunhyuk smiled bravely, pressing his cheek against the soft fleece around him.
"Warm," he said, "and safe. Thank you, captain."
Siwon pursed his lips. "Perhaps it will be better if we returned to the ship. You'll have protection from the wind, at least."
"But what of the caribou?" Eunhyuk protested, sitting up right. Siwon stared at him in confusion.
"What of it?"
"Shindong and the others have yet to return, and I've never had the chance to taste caribou. Henry said it would taste much like chicken, but I suspect Henry hopes to emulate Zhoumi when he is older."
Siwon gave Eunhyuk an incredulous look. "You would risk your health for food?"
"Food sustains my health," Eunhyuk replied glibly, and Siwon could not help throwing back his head in laughter.
"Well, I am moved by the strength of your conviction, Mr. Lee. We may stay for dinner, but no longer."
The hunters returned triumphant, Zhoumi and Henry carrying their spoils in sacks between them. Siwon was glad that they had had the presence of mind to dress the caribou away from the camp, where there were women and children, even though the cold was certain to preserve the meat.
"It was a splendid beast," Henry boasted, dropping to a seat by the fire. "Easily fifteen hands high. We stalked the pack for nigh on an hour."
"Your job isn't yet finished, master hunter!" Shindong called, waving Henry over to where he had set Zhoumi and Hangeng to salting the meat. "After the hunt, the cooking!"
Henry groaned and turned to Siwon. "Do I have to?"
"Shindong is my steward, Henry, I am merely his captain."
Perhaps it was the warmth of the fire, and Eunhyuk beside him, or the contentment of a full meal and the knowledge that, come tomorrow, he would not have to peer anxiously at each island as they sailed past for some hint of fresh water; whatever the reason, Siwon felt more at peace than he had since his father's passing. He had always supposed he was a pessimist, that life and all its trials had left him as such, but now he knew how much his life depended on hope - hope that he could save these innocent men and women from a life of drudgery, hope that he could lead them safely to their homeland, and the dear hope that he could find again this feeling of absolute peace in the heart of China.
"Captain?" Henry drew him from his reverie with a questioning look, and Siwon smiled to see the violin and bow in his hands.
"Something cheerful, Henry, if you can," he said. "That jig you played in Brazil last summer, perhaps."
Eunhyuk turned to Siwon as Henry put bow to string, drawing out a few tentative notes before he began in earnest. "I did not know that Henry is a musician."
Siwon nodded, watching as the others began to clap in time to the music, eyes lighting up at this unexpected treat. "He doesn't like to play out at sea. He claims the motion of the waves is murder upon the rhythm in his heart."
"I wish he would play," Eunhyuk mused. "There was always music at my house. My brothers love to sing."
"And yourself?"
Eunhyuk shook his head with a rueful smile. "I was never as good."
As Henry's song drew to a close, Zhoumi's clear voice rang out over the applause with the beginning of another song, one Siwon recognised as a folk song Hangeng used to sing when they were young boys in his father's fields. It must have been a popular song, for Zhoumi was soon joined by the others, some losing the lyrics to laughter in their enthusiasm. Henry picked up the melody, keeping the beat with stamps of his foot, and soon Hangeng was on his feet as well, dancing with sweeping, rhythmic movements. It wasn't long before others joined him, each dancing in the cultural tradition of their own hometowns. It seemed chaotic, confusing, but they danced to the same beat as though in complement, and it was beautiful.
“Eunhyuk!” Zhoumi waltzed toward them, holding out his arms. “I insist upon a dance!” Upon Eunhyuk’s hesitation, he laughed and turned to Siwon. “You wouldn’t mind, would you, Captain? Not on a day like this!” Before Siwon could give an answer, Zhoumi pulled Eunhyuk to his feet, scattering his fleece pelts on the ground. Eunhyuk stood awkwardly still among all the disarray, until Zhoumi leaned forward, whispering something in his ear, and pulled Eunhyuk over to where Hangeng and Shindong were dancing with the children. Eunhyuk began to mimick Hangeng's movements with surprising fluidity, given his innate gracelessness, and the children seemed delighted with their new playmate. Siwon could not help but smile despite the fact that Eunhyuk's partner was Zhoumi, and not himself, for Eunhyuk's ecstatic grin was very much an infectious one.
Eunhyuk returned to his seat shortly after, collapsing beside Siwon, breathless from his exertion. The exercise had left a pink flush on his cheeks, and as he panted, blowing upon his fingers, his breath misted before him in the cold air. Siwon didn't speak, not trusting himself to do so.
It was growing late, though with the sun still in the sky, no one seemed inclined to leave. Eunhyuk, too, was reluctant to return to the ship, even though he grew more and more quiet as the time wore on.
"Are you tired?" Siwon asked, watching him struggle to keep his eyes open.
"No, captain, not at all," Eunhyuk replied, even as he began to lean heavily against Siwon's side, barely able to suppress a yawn.
Siwon smiled at the obvious lie. "I think it's time we returned to the ship."
“Please, captain, just a few minutes more,” Eunhyuk murmured, head lolling onto the curve of Siwon’s shoulder, dark hair tickling Siwon’s cheek.
“All right,” Siwon said, softly, even as Eunhyuk closed his eyes. “Just a few minutes.”
Length: 4626 words
Author: shieldkitten
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The Arctic Circle is not as expected. Still, Siwon finds peace and discovers his weakness for a certain smile.
Author's Note: I have no excuses for how long this took, I'm so sorry.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11
It was like nothing Siwon had ever imagined as he listened to wizened old sailors tell of their brief forays into the Arctic Circle, chasing after bigger catch and greater adventure. He had envisioned blindingly white vistas of ice as far as the eye could see, and cliffs with jagged, rocky faces that stretched above even the tallest mast of the Sapphire Pearl. Instead, much of the coast was flat, rocky terrain with the occasional glint of ice further inland, and no vegetation of speak of. It was as though they had ventured into a lifeless world, alien and sinister.
It was in their second day through the passageway that one of the Chinese passengers gave a shout, pointing excitedly toward the sky. It was a bird of some sort, swooping in loose spirals overhead, as if in reconnaissance.
“It’s a falcon,” Hangeng murmured, holding his bronze telescope to his eye, tracing its path. “Grey feathers.”
“Birds are a good sign,” Shindong said. They were his first words since they had turned into the passageway and found the land barren.
“Why?” Eunhyuk asked, attempting to imitate Hangeng with the telescope he had borrowed from Siwon, fumbling with its retractable tubes as he struggled to keep the falcon in focus.
“Where there is wildlife, there is fresh water nearby,” Siwon answered, taking his telescope from Eunhyuk with a smile and holding it to his right eye while he made some adjustments. “And that is a Peregrine Falcon, a duck hawk, if you will. We will have fresh meat if we can find its hunting grounds. Here,” he said, returning the telescope. “You should be able to see more clearly now, Mr. Lee.”
“It flies southward, Captain,” Hangeng announced. The bird spun one more lazy loop before striking a straight path. Eunhyuk made a small sound of disappointment in his throat before lowering his telescope, and Siwon chuckled, patting his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, we will see others of the same before long, and more besides if we are fortunate.”
“Shall we turn southward?” Hangeng asked, lowering his telescope as well. Siwon gazed over the water, unsure. He glanced up at the crow’s nest, where Henry and Zhoumi were stationed. They were the sharpest eyes on his ship, and he had set one on lookout for any cove or bay where the ship might anchor in safety, and the other on lookout for the shadows under the water that meant submerged rocks on which the ship might breech her hull. As though on cue, Zhoumi turned to him, cupping his hands around his mouth.
“Captain, there are islets in our path. I count three within sight, but there may be more beyond them.”
“Could we navigate around them?” Siwon called back, resisting the urge to scale the foremast to take a look for himself. It was not that he didn’t trust Zhoumi’s judgement, but that he was reluctant to turn from the straightest, and shortest, path through the Arctic Circle unless truly necessary. Although he had timed their journey such that they had arrived in what passed for summer in the polar region, he knew the season was brief, and he had heard tell of ships becoming mired in thick sheets of ice when winter set in.
“I cannot encourage it, Captain. There is a channel portside that we might do better to follow.”
“Well then,” Siwon nodded, turning to Hangeng. “I suppose we are turning Southward.”
The channel brought them yet another surprise - the portside coast was as dry and hostile as it had ever seemed, and yet the starboard coast sported some acres of glossy green marshland.
“They seem two entirely different worlds,” Siwon mused, watching a flock of small birds take flight, only to settle merely a foot from where they began.
The atmosphere on the ship was light, despite a chilling wind and the unending sunlight. The ship’s passengers seemed cheered by the evidence of life aside from their own. Each new discovery was met with an excited exclamation or cheer, but no one was as excited as Eunhyuk, who seemed determined not to miss a moment of this strange new land.
“What are you feeding him, Shindong?” Siwon asked, watching as Eunhyuk sprinted across the deck towards a woman who had just given a thrilled cry. He skidded to a halt just before he bowled into a group of her laughing friends. “He’s been running about the ship for days, and yet he never seems to tire.”
“It’s this ceaseless sunlight,” Shindong said, looking up from his map just as another group called out, and Eunhyuk ran towards it at full tilt. “He draws energy from it.”
“He’s not a tree, Shindong,” Zhoumi laughed. “But the sunlight certainly does seem to be having some sort of effect.” The lines on Shindong’s map had transitioned from painstakingly precise to vaguely similar, and there were rather less details now that there were simply too many to record.
“I’m a cook not a cartographer,” Shindong said, abandoning his map in favour of watching Eunhyuk. “There he goes again. You know, I don’t believe they’re even looking out over the water.”
Siwon turned his attention from Shindong’s map to the deck, and sure enough, most of the passengers were watching Eunhyuk progress from group to group, rather than the coast. As soon as Eunhyuk reached one end of the ship, or paused to take a breath, one of the groups would give a concerted cry before dissolving into laughter as Eunhyuk drew near.
“They’re teasing him.” Hangeng sounded more amused than disapproving.
“Hush,” Zhoumi said, eyes twinkling with mischief. “I want to see how long it takes him to notice.”
Siwon sighed. “Zhoumi.”
“You wouldn’t let us have a puppy,” Zhoumi pouted, pretending to be petulant.
“I give you breaks to rest, not to encourage the passengers to play pranks on one another,” Siwon said, folding his arms. “I think it’s time you returned to your post.”
“Keep your eyes peeled for a campsite!” Shindong called as Zhoumi retrieved his hat and made for the foremast.
“A campsite?” Siwon gave Shindong a questioning look.
“Yes, to camp at.”
“Whatever gave you the impression that we would be making camp?” Siwon wondered at times if his crew only let him play Captain to amuse him, judging by the tones which they sometimes took with him.
“We will have to make anchor for hours when we refill our water casks, and I see no reason why we should not spend the time exploring the land.”
“I cannot afford to have to wandering about playing Marco Polo, Shindong. What if one of the passengers takes it into his head to join you? We don’t know what dangers there might be - animals, or savage natives.”
Shindong drew his lips into a thin, stubborn line. “I’m not suggesting a foolish traipse with anyone that will come. You know I’ve had experience hiking in the forests of Brazil, and Henry has offered to come with me.”
“Henry’s a child.”
“Henry is nineteen, and an excellent shot,” Shindong pointed out.
“My answer is still no,” Siwon said firmly. “Besides, you will have to oversee the refilling of the casks. There will be no time for exploration.”
“Captain, what sort of men would we be to pass up on the chance to walk upon the ends of the earth?” Shindong asked.
“Prudent men,” Siwon answered. He strode forward toward the main deck, an action that he hoped signalled the absolute end of the discussion, though he knew better than to assume that Shindong would let the matter slide.
For now, however, there was another situation that seemed much easier to resolve.
Eunhyuk stood at the bow of the ship, slumped against the railing. It appeared that his exercise had taken a toll on him at last. Most of the passengers seemed sympathetic, or at least bored, and had turned to their own conversations and observations, but there was still a group of whispering children who had yet to tire of the entertainment teasing Eunhyuk provided.
“I think that’s enough, don’t you?” Siwon whispered in Chinese, placing his hand on top of the girl who seemed like their ringleader. She stared up at him with flushed cheeks, then mumbled a ‘sorry’ and dropped her chin. Siwon smiled and ruffled her hair before returning to his wheel.
“I could oversee the refilling,” Hangeng said softly, his gaze on a hilltop in the distance.
Siwon thought it best he pretended not to have heard him.
“Captain! Captain!” Siwon jerked back from his conversation with Hangeng and Zhoumi at Eunhyuk’s repeated call, scanning the deck with wild eyes, his heart in his throat. In the wind that buffeted the ship he couldn't tell if Eunhyuk's call was one of excitement or distress. It was with some relief that he spotted Eunhyuk sprinting to him from across the deck, unharmed, and waving animatedly as though he had wonderful news.
"What is it? What's happened?" he asked as Eunhyuk slowed to a stop, panting. Behind him, he could feel Zhoumi shift, and he shot him a look to warn against anything inappropriate or unnecessary that he might say.
"Is it true, Captain?" Eunhyuk asked, clutching Siwon's arm for support as he stepped past him toward the railing, staring out at the mouth of the river Siwon had been studying only a moment before. "Have we found fresh water?"
Siwon smiled, wondering if Eunhyuk's life had come to such tedium that news of water was all that was required for him to run shouting through the ship. "Yes," he said, curling his fingers around the thick cloth of Eunhyuk's coat sleeve for a brief moment before he released his arm. "The river is deep and wide enough for the Pearl to sail upstream for a short way. Over there, that glint of light, we believe the river widens into a lake."
"And you're making anchor? To refill the casks?" Eunhyuk turned from the view to give Siwon a searching look that made his heart turn over in his chest, and he had to clear his throat before he could make an answer.
"I will, if the water proves to be suitable for drinking. Hangeng and Zhoumi are preparing to go ashore with the casks when the river proves too narrow to follow."
"Hangeng and Zhoumi?" Eunhyuk echoed, turning to look at the two men behind Siwon. "No one else?"
"You seem disappointed,” Zhoumi said with a smirk. “Were you hoping for a slow, romantic stroll with me, by any chance?”
"Of course not!" Siwon caught the glance that Eunhyuk darted at him before the man turned away. He had hardly begun to resume his instructions to Hangeng and Zhoumi before Eunhyuk spun around again with an interruption.
“Only, Shindong spoke of how much time we would have while the casks are refilled, and how, if we were to go ashore, we might have the honour of being the first men to set foot on this island. I had hoped, if you weren’t opposed to the venture, that we might all go ashore…” Eunhyuk’s words trailed to a halt, but there was no mistaking that he still hoped. Siwon sighed inwardly, closing his eyes for a moment as he thought of the many reasons he had given Shindong, the many commonsensible, rational reasons, all of which failed to matter when he reopened his eyes to find Eunhyuk still waiting eagerly for his reply.
“Tell Shindong he may gather some provisions for a camp. We will make anchor, and then anyone who wishes may go ashore.”
He knew he would come to regret his decision, possibly when Shindong and Henry fell into some unseen pit, or some wild beast mauled the camp, or some arctic pirate made off with the Sapphire Pearl, leaving them to the mercy of the inevitable onset of winter. But at that instant, as Eunhyuk's face lit with a smile more gums than teeth, Siwon found he could hardly care.
"Oh, thank you, Captain!" Eunhyuk gushed, clapping his hands twice in quick succession before he brought himself under control. "I will inform him of your decision posthaste."
"Tell him I wish to see him before he leaves this ship!" Siwon called after him, watching as he half walked, half ran back across the ship. He turned to relay new instructions to Hankyung and Zhoumi, only to see identical smiles on their faces.
"And what, pray tell, puts you both in such high spirits?" he asked gruffly.
"Shindong will be so pleased to hear you have changed your mind," Zhoumi said, barely keeping the amusement from his voice, or the grin from his face.
Siwon felt that the level of insubordination on his ship was becoming increasingly alarming.
"For the last time, Zhoumi, please remove your hand from my person." Siwon glanced over his shoulder in time to see Eunhyuk throwing Zhoumi's arm off his shoulders. Zhoumi chuckled, barely missing a beat as he strode through a patch of sedges, long body bent slightly forward against the wind.
"It was the last time the time before, and it seems your protests are growing weaker," he said, drawing closer and sliding his arm about Eunhyuk's waist. "Come, you're shivering. I'm merely lending you some protection from this blistering cold."
"Zhoumi!" Eunhyuk exclaimed, his cheeks as red as his nose as he gave Zhoumi a gentle shove. Siwon scowled, turning his attention back to Shindong as he continued to lay out his plans.
"The river appears to flow from beyond the tree line, and Henry is confident he can hunt one of the caribou we've seen from the ship-"
"Or a hare! I bet I could get one of the quick little blighters," Henry said, twirling his pistol in a show of confidence.
"Or you'd miss and the report of your gun will have sent every creature for miles into hiding," Shindong retorted.
"But a caribou's no challenge!"
"This isn't a shooting galleria, Henry, and that is quite enough horseplay from the both of you!" Siwon snapped, spinning around to fix Zhoumi and Eunhyuk with a withering glare. How was he to be expected to concentrate on anything with Eunhyuk exclaiming Zhoumi's name with every stride? Eunhyuk froze midstep as though stricken with guilt, one foot hovering comically off of the ground.
Zhoumi, however, had an entirely different reaction. He straightened and took off his cap, giving Siwon a sweeping bow. "Our apologies, Captain, we weren't aware this was to be a silent march."
Acutely aware of the many surprised eyes upon him, Siwon sighed inwardly and resumed the now torturous journey onward. He regretted his outburst immensely, knowing full well that it had been due only to his conflicting emotions, and not to any fault of the others. Another glance over his shoulder showed that Eunhyuk now walked several paces ahead of Zhoumi, his hands deep in his pocket and his head bowed. Shindong and Henry were silent, and remained pointedly so for what seemed like eternity, until Hangeng cleared his throat.
"A caribou would feed more, Henry," he said, voice even and calm. "You should listen to Shindong."
"You're always on his side!" Henry said accusingly.
"Ah, and thus I am always right," Hangeng replied, clapping Shindong on the back and making him laugh.
Their camp was a camp in name only - they had no bedding, and certainly no tents to erect, but Shindong had brought along firewood and enough of their provisions to make a meal if Henry's hunting expedition proved futile. Watching his passengers and crew - some still swaying slightly as if still adjusting for the motion of the ship - Siwon felt glad that he had changed his mind after all. He saw now that this would be a pleasant memory for them all when they went their separate ways, a respite from the fear of recapture. Here, on this secluded patch of land with no danger as far as the eye could see, freedom was theirs for the briefest of moments.
He bent to help Hankyung prepare the water casks, lashing ropes around each barrel so it would be easier to strap them together when they were full. From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Eunhyuk making his way over to Shindong, whose attempts to light a fire were thwarted by the strong wind.
"Could I help you?" Eunhyuk asked Shindong, reaching for the tinder box, and Siwon wondered if perhaps he had been too hasty in assuming that they were in no danger.
"Come lend us a hand, Mr. Lee," he called out, getting to his feet. Eunhyuk looked at him, startled, and Siwon realised with a sinking heart that the man had not forgotten his outburst on the way to the lake. "If it pleases you, I would very much appreciate your assistance," he added as gently as he could.
"Of course," Eunhyuk said, and though his tone seemed hesitant, he came forward and stood awkwardly before Siwon, biting on his lower lip. Siwon cursed himself, hating that he had been responsible for introducing this discomfiture between them - they had had a rocky start, but Eunhyuk was beginning to feel at ease with him at last. Had he undone their many weeks together?
"Mr. Lee, what I said earlier... It was wrong of me to shout at you, and I apologise."
Eunhyuk gaped soundlessly at him, eyes wide, and Siwon nodded, turning his back on Eunhyuk rather brusquely. The apology had embarrassed him, the way he had worded it, doubly so. It seemed insincere when he was anything but. Feeling like a sullen churl, he resumed his work on the casks, tightening his knots with unnecessary force.
“Captain, look, a falcon,” Eunhyuk said, pointing up at the sky. Siwon gave it only a perfunctory glance, staring instead at Eunhyuk, and the shy smile on his lips. “You were right.”
“I was?”
“You said we would see another.”
“So I did.”
“This pains me.” Siwon bolted to his feet, startled by Henry’s voice, just in time to see Hangeng and Shindong move simultaneously to clap their hands over Henry’s mouth, and Zhoumi covering his own smile. Eunhyuk turned a deep shade of red and spun wildly in a circle as though searching for something which he could hide behind or bury himself under, and, failing to find both, he swept his hair back from his forehead and glared fixedly at the ground.
“We came to ask for your permission to leave,” Shindong said hurriedly, not removing his hand from Henry’s face. “The passengers are settled, and Chaegum's finally had some success with the fire."
“You have enough ammunition?” Siwon asked, glancing at the pistol in the holster about Henry’s waist, and the carbine in Zhoumi's. “For both the hunt and your own protection?”
“If we don’t return in two hours you may send out a search party.” Shindong cracked a smile, and gripped Henry firmly by shoulder, marching him toward the trees in the distance before he had any further chance to speak.
"Try not to miss me, Eunhyuk," Zhoumi said, winking at Eunhyuk before he strolled after Shindong.
The next hour was spent carrying the casks to the lake, and refilling them with the aid of some of the other passengers. Once a group of five casks were filled, they were lashed together and attached to long, flat planks that would keep them afloat, and then anchored to the banks of the lake. When they were ready to strike camp, the floating casks would be released to follow the river downstream towards the waiting ship. It was a busy activity, leaving Siwon no chance to approach Eunhyuk again until it was over, but whatever unease had been between them seemed to have dissipated, as Eunhyuk smiled each time their eyes met, and he did not shrink away when Siwon drew near.
“Your feet are soaked, Mr. Lee," Siwon said with some amusement, though he was concerned. It had been growing cooler over the past half hour as if some cold draught had settled over the lake, and he was afraid Eunhyuk would catch a chill.
"I missed my footing," Eunhyuk laughed, voice shaking as his teeth chattered. "Jianqiang caught me before I sunk any further." He nodded to one of the Chinese men, who smiled and raised his hand in acknowledgement.
"I'm sorry I wasn't by your side." Siwon frowned, taking off his overcoat and wrapping it about Eunhyuk's shoulders.
"You were chasing after that cask that floated away." Eunhyuk was still trembling under the coat, and his fingernails were turning from pink to blue. Siwon took his hand and hurried him forward towards the fire, sitting him as close to it as he possibly could without singing his eyebrows.
"Hangeng, get the furs from my pack, please, and dry boots," he said urgently, pulling off Eunhyuk's wet boots and socks despite his protests.
"Captain, this is hardly proper," Eunhyuk said faintly, curling his toes inward and trying to tuck his feet beneath himself.
"Stronger men than you have succumbed to far less, and with your ill fortune you can hardly afford to adhere to niceties at this moment," Siwon said, blunt in his anxiety.
"Captain," Hangeng knelt by them, fleece pelts spilling from his arms. Eunhyuk let Siwon wrap the furskins around him, but he insisted on pulling on his own shoes, even with his fingers numbed with cold.
"I'll heat some water," Hangeng said, rising to his feet. "I think all of us could do with a warm drink."
"How do you feel?" Siwon asked, squeezing Eunhyuk's arm to ensure that he wasn't shivering, even under all the layers of warm cloth. Eunhyuk smiled bravely, pressing his cheek against the soft fleece around him.
"Warm," he said, "and safe. Thank you, captain."
Siwon pursed his lips. "Perhaps it will be better if we returned to the ship. You'll have protection from the wind, at least."
"But what of the caribou?" Eunhyuk protested, sitting up right. Siwon stared at him in confusion.
"What of it?"
"Shindong and the others have yet to return, and I've never had the chance to taste caribou. Henry said it would taste much like chicken, but I suspect Henry hopes to emulate Zhoumi when he is older."
Siwon gave Eunhyuk an incredulous look. "You would risk your health for food?"
"Food sustains my health," Eunhyuk replied glibly, and Siwon could not help throwing back his head in laughter.
"Well, I am moved by the strength of your conviction, Mr. Lee. We may stay for dinner, but no longer."
The hunters returned triumphant, Zhoumi and Henry carrying their spoils in sacks between them. Siwon was glad that they had had the presence of mind to dress the caribou away from the camp, where there were women and children, even though the cold was certain to preserve the meat.
"It was a splendid beast," Henry boasted, dropping to a seat by the fire. "Easily fifteen hands high. We stalked the pack for nigh on an hour."
"Your job isn't yet finished, master hunter!" Shindong called, waving Henry over to where he had set Zhoumi and Hangeng to salting the meat. "After the hunt, the cooking!"
Henry groaned and turned to Siwon. "Do I have to?"
"Shindong is my steward, Henry, I am merely his captain."
Perhaps it was the warmth of the fire, and Eunhyuk beside him, or the contentment of a full meal and the knowledge that, come tomorrow, he would not have to peer anxiously at each island as they sailed past for some hint of fresh water; whatever the reason, Siwon felt more at peace than he had since his father's passing. He had always supposed he was a pessimist, that life and all its trials had left him as such, but now he knew how much his life depended on hope - hope that he could save these innocent men and women from a life of drudgery, hope that he could lead them safely to their homeland, and the dear hope that he could find again this feeling of absolute peace in the heart of China.
"Captain?" Henry drew him from his reverie with a questioning look, and Siwon smiled to see the violin and bow in his hands.
"Something cheerful, Henry, if you can," he said. "That jig you played in Brazil last summer, perhaps."
Eunhyuk turned to Siwon as Henry put bow to string, drawing out a few tentative notes before he began in earnest. "I did not know that Henry is a musician."
Siwon nodded, watching as the others began to clap in time to the music, eyes lighting up at this unexpected treat. "He doesn't like to play out at sea. He claims the motion of the waves is murder upon the rhythm in his heart."
"I wish he would play," Eunhyuk mused. "There was always music at my house. My brothers love to sing."
"And yourself?"
Eunhyuk shook his head with a rueful smile. "I was never as good."
As Henry's song drew to a close, Zhoumi's clear voice rang out over the applause with the beginning of another song, one Siwon recognised as a folk song Hangeng used to sing when they were young boys in his father's fields. It must have been a popular song, for Zhoumi was soon joined by the others, some losing the lyrics to laughter in their enthusiasm. Henry picked up the melody, keeping the beat with stamps of his foot, and soon Hangeng was on his feet as well, dancing with sweeping, rhythmic movements. It wasn't long before others joined him, each dancing in the cultural tradition of their own hometowns. It seemed chaotic, confusing, but they danced to the same beat as though in complement, and it was beautiful.
“Eunhyuk!” Zhoumi waltzed toward them, holding out his arms. “I insist upon a dance!” Upon Eunhyuk’s hesitation, he laughed and turned to Siwon. “You wouldn’t mind, would you, Captain? Not on a day like this!” Before Siwon could give an answer, Zhoumi pulled Eunhyuk to his feet, scattering his fleece pelts on the ground. Eunhyuk stood awkwardly still among all the disarray, until Zhoumi leaned forward, whispering something in his ear, and pulled Eunhyuk over to where Hangeng and Shindong were dancing with the children. Eunhyuk began to mimick Hangeng's movements with surprising fluidity, given his innate gracelessness, and the children seemed delighted with their new playmate. Siwon could not help but smile despite the fact that Eunhyuk's partner was Zhoumi, and not himself, for Eunhyuk's ecstatic grin was very much an infectious one.
Eunhyuk returned to his seat shortly after, collapsing beside Siwon, breathless from his exertion. The exercise had left a pink flush on his cheeks, and as he panted, blowing upon his fingers, his breath misted before him in the cold air. Siwon didn't speak, not trusting himself to do so.
It was growing late, though with the sun still in the sky, no one seemed inclined to leave. Eunhyuk, too, was reluctant to return to the ship, even though he grew more and more quiet as the time wore on.
"Are you tired?" Siwon asked, watching him struggle to keep his eyes open.
"No, captain, not at all," Eunhyuk replied, even as he began to lean heavily against Siwon's side, barely able to suppress a yawn.
Siwon smiled at the obvious lie. "I think it's time we returned to the ship."
“Please, captain, just a few minutes more,” Eunhyuk murmured, head lolling onto the curve of Siwon’s shoulder, dark hair tickling Siwon’s cheek.
“All right,” Siwon said, softly, even as Eunhyuk closed his eyes. “Just a few minutes.”