The Archman

Chapter 13 - A Sudden Relocation

The smell of damp rankness wafts about Eira, invading her nostrils in a most unwelcome manner. The scent was a mercurial combination of rotting wood, mildew, and a tang of iron rust. Essentially, the result of materials which have been overexposed to water and time.

When she was first met with the smell, it nearly stopped Eira in her tracks from its sheer acrid presence. However, after a day working amidst the blightful air, she'd completely forgotten of its existence.

Eira walks about a large bay of cannons, a dozen of which rest on both her left and right. The space has the same surface area as the whole ship, spanning the same length and width of the upper deck. Much like the brig, the cannon bay is shrouded in almost complete darkness. It is only made navigable by the light from a single opaque lantern which Eira carries around with her. It is the same kind of invention that exists on the walls on the corridors throughout the ship, but made specifically for handheld purposes.

Eira much preferred working up on the deck, where the sunlight resided, though it was still somewhat of an improvement compared to withering away in the brig.

She plunges a sponge into a bucket of cold water, removing it and squeezing it slightly to rid it of excess moisture. There had been some soap suds in the water before she'd started, but after hours of cleaning, there are none left to be found.

Eira brings the dampened sponge onto the large cannon which she is kneeling before. She keeps her eyes locked on her work, being careful not to get any moisture on the intricate mechanics built into and around each cannon. It is a challenging feat, since her only source of light is the opaque lantern resting by her knees, and there are many pieces of engineering to be avoided.

The cannons initially puzzled Eira, but after a full day of cleaning them, she is becoming increasingly familiar with the complex machinations. Each cannon is built into the floor, securing it down firmly. To compensate for the lack of flexibility, there are a series of springs located towards the back of the cannon, which Eira presumes are meant to absorb the shock from firing.

Attached to the fuse of each cannon is a flint-and-steel contraption, secured to a spring-loaded mechanism. Each contraption is part of a lengthy system of gears which runs the entire length of the bay, attaching itself to all twelve cannons on the right side. There is an entirely separate system for the cannons located on the left.

All this complex machinery didn't make much sense to her at first, but then it's purpose became more and more evident. With all these implements in place, it might be possible to fire and reload all the cannons without the need for any manpower. Suddenly, the use for the levers located around the wheel on the upper deck became clearer.

Eira works around the flint-and-steel with heightened attention, as the Archman had made it clear that this part is essential to keep dry. This gives her the opportunity for some sabotage, but she ultimately decides against it, since the punishment of being discovered will hardly be worth any benefit it might've provide. At best, she will lose her deckhand privileges, at worst, she will lose a lot more.

Eira pulls at the metal collar around her neck, which is starting to irritate her skin from sitting against the same point of her neck for so long.

At the end of the cannon bay, a single door opens. It acts as the only entrance and exit to the area, which makes the collar around Eira's neck feel quite lacking in necessity.

Understandably, though, the door had no lock, which would've made it easy for her to snoop about if she wished. This kind of stringent caution on the Archman's part was quite infuriating, as it kept Eira from exploring the ship freely. She had to compliment him on the efficacy with which he kept his captives.