amari☰H☰fg looked bravely at the pulley system then the place where we were to be seated, determined to keep my gaze upward at the clear sky and away from the jagged rocks that awaited amongst the waves.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ : If there's any other way out right now, You would tell Me, wouldn't You?
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I asked as I felt My stomach perform a slow rolling pitch as I assessed the distance from the ledge to the ship's deck.
Haigan : don't look down, just relax and perhaps pick a few flowers from the vines in passing.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ : Sensible suggestions all, thank You, Free Man!
Haigan I looked to the Lady and spoke cheerily "Oh, well yes there's another way down Doc, of course."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ gave Him a deadly glare and ice froze in My tone. "If it has anything to do with leaping or tossing, I will of course, allow You to go first, cheeky Man, Ya!
amari☰H☰fg i knew if the slaves tarried one bit or caused the make-shift seat to fall, they would not be alive much longer than it took us to fall, but that was of little comfort. instead, i relied on the assurance that my Master would not put either of us in danger, swallowed hard and put a courageous smile upon my lips. i decided i would simply pretend i was on the tree swing near the meadow of Our homestead, but..well..hopefully, without the swinging.
Haigan I nodded toward the seabirds gliding on the air currents some ten or fifteen feet below where we now stood as the crate ascended the height again toward us, ready for it's next load. "Fly." I took hold of the guide rope and began to tow the crate back toward the precipice as I called to the capstan team "lower away, slow" then settled the crate evenly again on the stone ledge.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ Nervousness forgotten as indignation washed over Me. Oy Vey! I'm paying for this kind of smackitude? Well, yeah...I guess I kinda was. Haigan had delivered on the contract and then some. PLUS, I owed Him an extra 5 CT on top of it all. I should learn a bit more discretion Meself, I supposed.
Haigan Stepping forward and sweeping My girl up into My arms I swung her legs over the edge of the large well built wooden crate bound securely in chains then eased her down upon her feet again. "Relax, watch the sea-birds, pick flowers, just don't look down, you'll know when you're there." I kissed her and caressed her cheek with My fingertips then turned to the Lady and narrowed My eyes sternly. You're next so step up and hush up." I opened My arms for Her to understand My intentions clearly. "No time for building no steps Doc."
amari☰H☰fg inhaled sharply with a soft gasp as i was swept up and over the edge of the sturdy crate and setup upon my feet with an ease of motion i had become accustomed to within His arms. i nodded to Him and returned the kiss, my hands drifting the hold upon the edge as i moved slightly to make room for Mistress.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ huffed, but remained silent, advancing stiffly towards the crate. I was sure everyone could hear My teeth grinding in agitation. Not just with the method of transport, but with the Cap'n Farmer being terse at Me. Seeing His arms open, I gasped and looked about as if He was setting Me up. I really can't fly, I thought...
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ : Er...I-if You just...lend an arm, Haigan, I think I can swing over.
amari☰H☰fg smiled encouragingly to Mistress, knowing She was a proper Lady through and through, and stood by ready to assist Her if needed.
Haigan I stepped forward and closed My arms around the Lady then turned Her slightly and swept an arm down behind Her knees as one cradled Her lower back, lifting Her quickly and directing Her feet first into the wooden crate with My girl I squinted My eyes for the sake of modesty, but didn't completely close them for the sake of safety. Over and in She went with My hands catching Her arms between the shoulders and elbows to steady Her until She foiund Her footing.
Haigan : Just hold a chain and watch the clouds or the sea-birds or the horizon. You'll know when You get there. Relax, breathe, watch the sky."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ GASPED loudly in surprise as I was manhandled (there's no other word for it, really) and plunked into the crate with unceremonious ease. I felt My temperature rise at least 10 million degrees and knew My face, though it was creamy mocha, was flushed red. Speechless, I nodded and fumbled to grasp a chain tightly with both gloved hands, blinking apologetically at the lovely amari-kun. I knew there were situations where proprieties were a hindrance, but I was brought up with them, dagnabit!
amari☰H☰fg taking hold of one of the chains, i settled into place within the loading apparatus, looking upward once again before attempting glances to the side and forward trying to become accustomed to the somewhat weightless feel of being suspended, though the solidity of the crate was felt beneath my boots.
Haigan Opening My eyes fully again I whistled sharply and motioned for the crew to lift. "Easy lads, steady as She goes. Handle this one with care." I took hold of the guideline and began to pay out length as the crate began to rise and arc away from the stone ledge. I controlled it's pendulum action as it shifted clear then motioned to the capstan team."Send 'em below."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I should dock His pay, I thought illogically, but right after that, sense kicked in. like He'd said. No time to build steps. Breathe, and chill out, Madeleine!
amari☰H☰fg felt the slight jerk of the line, though it was a surprisingly smooth transition. i looked to Mistress with a calm expression, taking an exaggerated deep breath and releasing it slowly in an effort to help Her relax as well.
Haigan I seated Myself on the edge of the precipice and dangled My feet over it in the air. I smiled and spoke calmly to the women "You'll be aboard the Ohana in three or four ehn. Relax, watch the birds, smell that lovely sea-breeze. You'll be fine, we've nay dropped anything."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ hunkered down in the bottom of the chained crate, I emulated the kajira, taking slow deep breaths to calm My heart rate, and looked up at the sky, framed by the edges of the crate. I heard Haigan's instructions and was somewhat mollified, but I hung on to that chain like it was a lifeline!
Haigan Lifting My hand above My head I extended the iindex finger toward the sky above and began to make a circular motion with it. "Down laddies! Slow and easy!" I stayed where I sat, confident and carefree was the visage I showed the pair as they slipped slowly lower and away toward the solid deck of the Ohana waiting below for them. I winked and blew My girl a kiss.
amari☰H☰fg noting the easing of Her countenance as She settled in place, i smiled and turned sea green eyes to look about as we were lowered slowly toward the Ohana, my gaze settling upon the striking image of my Master. i giggled as i saw His mischievous wink and pursed my lips to playfully return the kiss.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I pledged in My heart to NEVER ever ride in a tarn basket again (or fly in general) if it could be helped!
Haigan I cupped My hands and shouted toward the women in the open top crate as I balanced Myself precariously on the ledge "your close now! another fifteen feet or less!" I waved and laughed and tried to assuage their trepidation with the new experience they were sharing.
amari☰H☰fg breathed a tentative sigh of relief as i heard His shout from above, loosening my two-handed grip and raising my left arm to wave back at Him, though i remained silent so as not to startle the FW beside me. i spoke to Her in a soothing tone..."almost there, Mistress..." and smiled reassuringly.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ "last chance for an ambush," I was thinking morosely, or for that dancing jit to fall off that ledge! Why is He trying so hard to give Me grey hairs? I wanna be young(-ish) and visually appealing, if not for My mandatory Companion, but for Self-vanity, dagnabit....
Haigan I watched as the crewmen of the Ohana took the guidelines in hand and began to control the crate as it lowered the last few feet then settled to rest atop Her deck. I laughed aloud and waved then rolled backwards, lifting My feet and rolling over My shoulders away from the edge of the cliff. I leaped up and motioned for the capstan team to rest themselves. "At ease lads! well done!"
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ felt the crate being seized and guided by hands on the outside and let go of that pent up breath that I'd been holding in. Immediately, My vision cleared (lol) so there would be no passing out today.
amari☰H☰fg heard the scrape of wood against wood and the settling of chains as the crate was lowered and came to rest upon the deck, releasing a sigh of relief and lessening my grip on the chain and the edge of the box. i smiled brightly to Mistress Madie and said aloud..."easy peasy, Mistress! We did it!"
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ "We made it," I croaked to amari with a dry mouth. "We're alive!"
amari☰H☰fg nodded vigorously and grinned, then placed the toe of my boot upon one of the wooden joints and, with a couple of little hops to gain momentum, hoisted myself up, much as i would to seat myself in the saddle of the Kailla i rode, straddling the top edge and looking down toward Mistress.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I pulled Myself up with the chain that I'd been holding on to, and allowed My legs a few ehn to stop shaking. I gave amari a look of "okay, here goes" and tried to vault up to the edge as she had done, but dang skirts kept getting in the way of My feet, and the fabric made climbing too slick.
Haigan I watched the activity on deck, cupped My hands to My mouth and shouted "Roll the crate onto its side and pour the Good Doctor out!"
amari☰H☰fg lifting my other leg up and over and hopping down upon the deck, i landed firmly on both feet and stepped back and away to allow the crew to follow my Master's order.
Haigan I motioned to the team of thralls resting themselves and spoke mildly "Look away lads, the sight of FWs ankles is powerful unnerving." I watched as the crewmen took hold of the sides of the crate and began to tip it forward "GO EASY WITH ER!" I shouted from above. I couldn't allow the Lady to be handled too roughly by just any of crew.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I leaned in the direction they tilted the crate, knelt as it was settled on the deck of the Ohana, and crawled out before getting to My feet and brushing at My skirts fussily while thinking to Myself furiously, "Oooohhhh, I am not going to write this part in MY report! What if it gets read?"
Haigan Unable, or more truthfully, unwilling, to allow an opportunity to tease the Lady to slip by without attention I stuck two fingers into My mouth and whistled lewdly, loudly and clearly, then waved from where I stood and laughed softly. I shook My head and turned away sending the team back to the capstan "Step lively laddies. This be yer final haul, once that distiller is aboard we depart."
amari☰H☰fg smiled wide as i saw Mistress manage Her exit with grace and aplomb, motioning to the galley slave, hazine, who stood nearby watching, pulling her aside and speaking to her. she soon returned with a bota of fresh water, which i offered to Mistress to ease Her parched throat after the ordeal.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ resolved to ignore the Pirate Farmer's shenanigans before I poofed into an embarrassed cloud right then and there, before the still had been loaded. With a grateful smile I accepted the bota of water from amari and nodded My thanks for her thoughtfulness. How did she put up with this rapscallion of a Man?
Haigan : Doc, if either of you two is gonna need a sedative, now's the time for it.