A Songbird

Karl finished his beer. Partook in some fried finger foods and some dancing. He mingled with them, but sought to be alone in the top of the deck after it. Near the bow where only the scattered light from the bridges would come. Stars sprinkled the deep nights of the ferry. The rest of the soldiers fell to the allures of sleep. Karl and some of the passengers didn’t sleep. No, they couldn’t because of experiences.

A soldier sits on the side of the ferry covering his ears. He sang a nursery song. It was a song hummed by children and their teachers. Karl hadn’t heard it. There were any bare memories of what he had. They say that they found him abandoned by his parents. But Karl had suspected that he was not. He had read documents of a robbery in his younger days. And the looks of the ones murdered said it all. Kaden, his foster father, was not surprised that Karl learnt of it. His foster father was an eccentric. A single-minded man focused on his studies of the medicine that still has not moved past the invention of antibiotics.

Stars dotted the skies like spilled milk. The cold salty air permeated the deck. The flaglets were pushed hard. Even the folded sails made noises as the mass groaned at the blow of the wind.

Karl heard a sweet smoky voice. The clack of a woman’s heels. Karl turned around and saw a woman clad in a brown fur coat. She wore a woman’s suit behind it. Her lips were red and her long legs covered in black stockings, though hidden by her blue long skirt.

“Your stare is quite something, Mr. Soldier.”

“Good night to you, Miss.”

She smiled. She took the spot left of Karl. She took out a smoking pipe, tapped tobacco leaves in it, and looked to her side.

“I see that you are not a smoker. Kindly men would offer their light by now, Mr.”

“It seems like it.”

Karl replied with a small smile. He turned his eyes back to the stars. The woman looked at him with a raised brow. Karl saw it. But he felt that the stars were much more fascinating to him lately. The woman was clearly displeased, she was not usually refused.

She took a lighter and lit her pipe.

“I see that you have control of your urges. Most men would want to strip me with their eyes alone. Am I not to your liking?”

“Oh, you are the prettiest woman I’ve seen in years. You must have some of the chaps asking you for a drink or a chat, no?”

“I have. There are others who have not taken a nap, yet. They mistook me for a woman who would be paid to sleep with them.”

“The coat, wasn’t it?”

“Is it not cold? What is it with men and fur coats replacing women for hire?”

“I see. My apologies to them. They will be calmer when they visit a brothel or a funhouse soon.”

“Bah, men.”

Karl smiled. He tapped his fingers. The woman took a glance at Karl and neared her face on his. She studied him with her black eyes. Then it became brighter for a moment, her eyes, then she blew smoke at his face.

“What’s your name. I haven’t asked.”

“Karl Von Alden. Miss?”

“Lynda Magnolia. Singer from Gotel. Have you heard of my city?”

“I heard of the entertainments in Stemelugia, so Gotel is a familiar name for the city. Ah, no wonder your voice was great.”

“I know. So, Mr. Alden. You must do me a favor.”

“No.”

“What? I only asked that for the duration of our trip you act as my shield from your friends. I have my ambitions and perhaps it is strange, but I do not wish to be engaged to any men while I have not fulfilled my dream.”

“Understandable. I respect that.”

“Some called me foolish. For hoping to become a start while the Great War just ended. I say that it is bollocks that they think a song could not heal the heart of men. What do you think, Mr. Alden?”

“I am not much of a singer so I wouldn’t understand.”

“Please, you must have one.”

“I think it is good that some are willing to sing wounded hearts. I admit that I do not have much wisdom when it comes to this. You do what you want.”

“That is certainly better than telling me to go to the kitchen. I expected men to say that to me. Make me a pretty wife.”

“And you have become someone that thinks every man thinks the same.”

“No. Not anymore. No wonder you are called magic shooter, Mr. Alden. You have good words and your speaking voice is pleasing as it is imposing. No wonder those nurses have their eyes shining at you. Your brother was quite protective of you.”

“What a shame then. Hmm, so what were you doing on the island, Miss?”

“I was a nurse. Everyone was allowed to become a nurse. Or at least I have allowed myself to become a nurse so I can do my part.”

Karl acknowledged. He leaned on his knees.

“So with the war over you have chosen to return to your old profession.”

“That I am. I only did so because I… let’s just say that I wanted to help.”

“I see. Speak no more. Of course, you could tell me as a stranger.”

“No, you are a pleasant person, you are willing to listen before you judge. Pardon me, but I heard your talk with Kimball, that sleazy man. Is that all true?”

“It is. But you should not speak of it. Their band of men will probably be everywhere soon. Kimball is rational, has a cunning heart, but nonetheless still susceptible to greed.”

Karl raised a finger on his mouth.

“And you are not?”

“I didn’t burn my bridges. It wouldn’t be long before they have hands everywhere. I would be acquainted with them, but keep them at bay. The allied forces are fickle.”

She took a long drag of her pipe. “I see that there are still complications. Even after a great tragedy, the world goes on and on. Makes you tired.”

“If it’s simple then it’s not normal.”

“True, hmm, that’s why I wouldn’t want you to be a stranger. I lack male friends, and I would rather be friends with the magic shooter, no? Tell them that I would have my friend shoot them from a distance.”

“Ah, make use of me then. Not that they’d know me beyond here.”

“I will. So, Karl, you are becoming a doctor, no? Will you have your office? If I fail to become a great singer, I still have my qualifications as a nurse. So I’ll work under you.”

“That’s quite something to ask of someone who’s unsure if he could even become one.”

“Just in case. It’s best if I have many if’s. Who knows what can happen in this life? Don’t you think so, Karl?”

“I have to agree, Lynda. I have to agree to that.”

“Well, I guess that makes you my friend now.”

“So it is.”

Karl nodded. Lynda tapped the smoking pipe. They became like stardust close to the bow of the ship.

“I hope they become quieter the next day. I really want some good sleep before I return to the Crowned Republic.”

“Where are you going, by the way?”

“Tiefenbrin. They are gathering talents in this televised show. They need entertainers from everywhere to come and sing. You may not know of this, but there is this wonderful thing called television. There are also those who are listening to radios, movies, and especially talkies. No, Karl, I must tell you about talkies. They are like movies but they have sound on them!”

“Sound? Really, entertainment must have come far in the war.”

“Of course, I was surprised when they brought a television with speakers on it. They started playing these propaganda films. Nice pictures accompanied with sound. I think it was three years ago that they started allowing singers to join. Of course, we barely have time with many of the injured coming to Witzen. But it did make for quite an entertainment when we are allowed to.”

“Oh, that sounds nice. If you ever become part of these talkies then you should call or write to me. I’ll listen.”

“Hmm, I hope so. That reminds me. Do you think our common acquaintance has stopped looking?”

“You knew?”

She gave a rather apologetic expression

“I’ve been in war. My senses are still sharp despite being in bed. It’s hard not to feel someone's stare. I guess that should keep them off your back.”

“Mine if I do this to you?”

“Go on,” Karl said defeatedly. He had a feeling that this was why a woman would approach him late at night, unable to sleep. And despite his dislike of his nicknames. No one would approach her if Karl took a liking to her.

She placed a kiss on his cheek. A peck that placed a red mark on his cheek. Karl waited for five seconds before pointing a finger at it.

“I have no handkerchief.”

“Not many ladies would appreciate this kind of pettiness. Can you not wipe your own?”

“I am usually petty to those who deserve it.”

“You should be happy to be given a kiss, you stiff man! Karl Von Alden.”

“I am. I am. Songbird Lynda. Nonetheless, I’ll forgive you this once since you are an amusing person and we have become friends today.  Still, lad must be quite taken.”

“Not a chance, man wants to stick it inside me and then blow it out.”

“Well, you are imaginative. Must be quite tiresome to be such a wonderful beauty, eh.”

“You got that right. Not that you’d know.”

Karl saw her shoulders visibly sagged. She held tightly to her fur coat and looked in the same direction that Karl had been looking at. The embers on her pipe drifted and faded.

“You are fond of them. The stars.”

“I am. They are the only light that shines even through the smog of gunpowder. I was in Weiland County when I started to appreciate the stars. I think it was in the Shrine of Grey Master that I looked up.”

“The Shrine...you were there too?”

Karl paused for a moment. “I was. We were surrounded. But thankfully the reinforcement from Gragold’s 1st to 5th Company flanked our lines. We had to wait out with only our relief from the lights of the stars during the night. The Villen river was close by. There was a long metal pipe connecting so we were able to manage to survive. Four months.”

“That was in the early stages of the war. You know what, Karl? I shouldn’t have asked. Let us leave the talk of war sparsely. Years of it… I’m tired of speaking about it.”

“Same. Still, I just like the stars. But if you are looking for such in-depth questions. You would have a far better time with a stone.”

“Well, you can’t be good at everything now.”

She leaned an elbow on her. 

“The coat’s itchy.”

“What’d you know? That overcoat of yours. Has it been washed?”

“Actually, there was a kind nurse who did it for me.”

“Lazy.”

“To be fair they didn’t allow me to do it on my own. They strapped me to the bed despite not being injured at all.”

“I heard you got a concussion.”

“Well, I might have. Anyway, it's a bit chilly. You think the ferry’s canteen is open?”

“Probably. Some have night shifts.”

“Let’s go get coffee then.”

Lynda raised a brow. She lifted a somewhat knowing smile. “Ah, I see where you are going with this.”

“Nah, I mean you are buying me coffee.”

“Shameless.”

“I am a bit tight on money.”

She snorted and then gestured with her chin. Karl took a look at the stars before following her to the interior of the ferry. He could at least make her buy him coffee for using him as a shield.