Sugar Cubes

By Calista Bethelle

The captain ran a finger around the edge of the sugar bowl and ventured a covert glance into the face of the young girl sitting before him. He wasn’t used to such young, well-paying passengers, nor to having said tender-aged passengers pay him a call in his cabin. He shifted from one foot to the other with the uncanny sense that the wide, gray eyes that solemnly considered him over a cup of cream and spice tea were somehow taking inventory of his soul.

“Is your chaperone feeling poorly this morning, my lady?” He couldn’t think of any better way to break the uneasy silence.

“Oh no, Captain. I released her when we left port. I know these waters well, and am not in the habit of taking a maid when I sail the Stenway Passage.”

“Do you travel these waters often, then?” The captain cocked a dubious eyebrow, then hastily resumed a more gentlemanly, neutral expression.

“Since I was born.” The girl laid aside her cup and saucer and folded her hands. “Captain, much as I enjoy discussing my travels, I have a more pressing matter to address. You see, I have reason to believe you are likely to receive a visit from a… shall we say a friend of mine, and I would hate to see you unprepared to—”

A sudden thump from the underbelly of the ship interrupted their exchange. The cabin lifted in a sharp slant and the captain just caught the sugar bowl as it slid toward the edge of the table. His young guest’s teacup, however, shattered against the floorboards.

“Do not be alarmed.” The captain hurried to prevent the inevitable female-passenger hysterics. “These waters can be a little rough, but there is no cause to—”

A growl echoed through the pipes and rattled the small steam radiator that warmed the room. Another thump rocked the ship, and both the captain and his diminutive guest caught themselves on the edge of the table. The young girl considered the porcelain shards that lay scattered across the floor.

“Captain, I think you had better lend me that sugar bowl.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Before she could reply, First Officer Beckett’s voice echoed through the ceiling.

“Sea monster!”

The captain stiffened at the cry. Of course, just what his ship needed: at best, another barrage of cracked pipelines, dints, and tooth marks. And in the worst case… well. He would see that the worst-case scenario never played out.

“Please excuse me, Miss. It appears there may be matters that require my immediate and undivided attention.” He swiveled and strode toward the door, cringing inwardly as the hubbub on deck told a story he didn’t want to hear.

“Captain—” The girl’s voice rose just enough to catch him. The captain paused, one hand on the doorknob, and suddenly realized his other hand still clutched the sugar bowl. His guest had pushed back her chair and now accosted him, hands outstretched.

“I do apologize, I ought to have warned you sooner, but you really needn’t worry.” She motioned to his hand. “The sugar bowl, if you please.”

“Yes, yes, indulge yourself. I do beg your pardon; I must attend to this matter. I recommend you stay indoors, my lady.” He nearly dropped the sugar bowl as he handed it off to her, then opened the door and strode out to face his nightmare.

Outside, his crew either scrambled to defensible positions or froze, gripped with horror. A great, hulking head and neck rose out of the sea. The creature’s eyes glittered, and dripping seaweed filled its beard. It opened its jagged mouth and bellowed into the shuddering smokestack. Its unearthly voice echoed through the bowels of the ship, rattling the captain’s teeth.

“Get the passengers below!” He commanded, though he saw none. “Secure the deck and open the guns!”

“No need, Captain!” A firm voice called behind him. He swiveled as the young girl dashed past, sugar bowl in hand.

“My lady—”

She pushed past Beckett and planted herself by the railing.

“Gervarious, you know you’re not supposed to frighten the king’s ships like that. I haven’t had a chance to introduce you properly yet. Do you want to get shot at?”

The sea serpent abandoned its post at the smokestack and lowered its head to her level. A sudden smile softened the creature’s face, and the girl reached up to stroke its nose.

“Yes, I am glad to see you too, you big silly.” She pulled off a loose strand of kelp. “I heard about the two pirate ships that sank last week. You clever thing! How did you know they had just escaped the Navy fleet? I’m so proud of you!” She picked a sugar cube out of the bowl and offered it up in her flattened palm.

Oh so gently, the creature picked it out of her hand with its great hairy lips, never once touching her with its ragged teeth.

“Look at you!” she crooned. “You are doing so well, Gervarious dear!” She poured more of the sugar into her palm and continued until it had eaten the last of it.

“That’s all I have for now.” She laughed when the creature nosed her empty hand. “I’m still working on teaching all the regular ships to carry more sugar for you. Thank you for coming to see me again.” She stroked the creature’s nose. “Don’t worry, I won’t let them call you a sea monster anymore. You are a very handsome sea hero, and I’m quite proud of you! You had better go now, but I’ll bring you another treat as soon as I can.” She kissed the creature’s nose. It blinked slowly like a great cat, raised its head off the railing, and vanished into the waves. The ship gave one last lurch before righting itself and chugging onward.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Calista Bethelle is an artist who specializes in illustrations and book cover design, and a hobby writer who loves C.S. Lewis, dragons, light fantasy, and fairytales. She can usually be found up to her elbows in charcoal or paint, glued to her digital painting projects, scribbling ditties, or dreaming up a way to fix the plot holes in her stories. She is excessively fond of Nutella, Toothless the dragon, and her three-legged cat Sammy.