The Friend
This story happens several months after the events in First Flight
“I’m a damn fool,” muttered fourteen-year old Theodore Beem.
With his heart in his throat, Theodore looked at the twenty foot drop in front of him. The rope was swinging wildly from the moving airship. Casting all caution to the wind, he readied himself for the jump. This was his chance, it had to be now…
Several months ago, Theodore couldn’t even walk. He had tried helping a friend who was in trouble with some local hoodlums. Using makeshift wings of his own design, he had attempted to fly to safety. Instead, Theodore plummeted off the building, breaking both of his legs. He was lucky that he didn’t break his neck, but he didn’t feel lucky.
“You’ll be fortunate to walk again,” said the doctor.
Theodore never forgot when the doctor uttered those words. It felt like a death sentence.
It wasn’t long before Theodore fell into a deep depression. Perhaps disbelieving that anyone could be so stupid as to think they could fly off a building, his parents, blamed “the wrong kind of friends” for his injuries. Moreover, whereas Theodore may have formerly occupied himself with tinkering with his inventions, even this seemed too difficult for him. His ruined legs made it hard to maneuver in his workshop and made it difficult to obtain parts and tools. As a result, the only thing left for him were books. Theodore became a voracious reader. He learned languages, cartography, history, geography and engineering.
Then one early morning, his mother threw open his curtains and demanded he leave the confines of his bed. She took away his books and placed them outside his room. He grumbled under his breath. He leaned heavily against her small frame and shuffled into the living room. Then he saw it. There was a wheelchair in the living room. Up to now, Theodore had been housebound, barely leaving his bed, so this was a startling new development. He wondered how his parents could have purchased such an expensive luxury.
“We’re taking a little trip” said his mother firmly, brooking no disagreement.
“What could be so interesting in Gearford at such an ungodly hour?” wondered Theodore. Still, he knew better than to voice these complaints to the small woman in front of him.
Theodore’s mother Netty Beem was a careworn woman in her forties. Her hair was a rich auburn and she possessed a sunny smile along with a fierce temper. She was the rock of their family and intensely protective of her son.
Dropping himself into the wheelchair Theodore grimaced at the exertion. The doctors questioned whether he’d ever walk again, so getting into this wheelchair was something of a small victory. Nevertheless, it was also excruciating. The neighboring roads were notoriously poor and the jarring pain in his legs brought tears to his eyes. Finally, they arrived near the Southside docks just short of seven o’clock.
“Alright Teddy,” said his mother handing him a haversack, “I’ll be back this afternoon. Here’s something to keep you out of trouble.”
Teddy opened the haversack and peered inside. In addition to a half dozen sandwiches with his favorite smoked meats and cheeses, he found a sketchbook and some pencils. His mother smiled.
“A sketchbook? Drawing?” muttered Theodore, “You must be joking, mother.”
“Just humor an old lady Teddy,” said his mother before she left him at the docks.
‘What!? You’re leaving me?” asked Teddy.
“Hope you enjoy the show!” said Netty over her shoulder.
Theodore fumed, but at least his mother had packed some of his favorite food. He looked around the docks and saw a couple of ships. Men were unhurriedly loading the ships. An old man with a peg leg, sat on a nearby bench. Although, he seemed almost asleep, Theodore could see his knuckles were almost white as he firmly gripped the head of his cane. Time passed by slowly, but eventually the clock tower tolled seven o’clock.
Suddenly Theodore felt something. It started with a vibration that shook his chair. At first, he thought it an earthquake. He looked around, but the men on the dock seemed unconcerned about the tremors. The old man lifted his head sleepily and then Teddy saw it, the most beautiful and wonderful thing he had ever seen. Several airships soared overhead flying towards the bay. Theodore squinted his eyes and saw there were a couple of Falcon class airships, one Buzzard class airship, as well as several smaller craft. The Air Sea Brigade was going out on maneuvers.
They approached slowly, but picked up speed as they approached the open water. They were at least a few hundred feet overhead. When they passed over, it was as if the sun went dark. The roar of their engines would have made it difficult to talk, but Theodore was stunned into silence.
“A beautiful, fucking sight aren’t they boy,” yelled the old man.
“Um, yeah, beautiful,” shouted Theodore, “I mean, do they always come this way?”
“Hardly lad,” said the old man, “The Brigade just launched several new airships and they’re air testing them and the crews. But you’re lucky, if I’m reading the tea leaves rightly, the monarchy is gearing up for war and they’re needing to get the boys ready. We’re probably going to see a lot more of them, at least for the time being.”
Looking more closely at the old man, Theodore noticed he had to be at least seventy years old. He had a closely cut beard and a cap perched on his bald head. He seemed ancient. Teddy, thought that he looked a little like a snapping turtle. He wasn’t dressed like a gentleman, but he was still dressed neatly. A small silver pin with wings was on his chest. Theodore found his eyes drawn to the man’s wooden leg.
“If you stare at my leg any longer lad, you’ll have to fucking buy it off me. At least do me the courtesy of sharing your name,” said the man.
“Um, sorry,” muttered Theodore, “No offense intended. My name is Theodore. My friends call me Teddy.”
“Are we friends, then Teddy?” asked the man with a piercing gaze.
Teddy stared at the man awkwardly, but before he could answer, the man burst into laughter at his own joke.
“Very good Teddy, I suppose I could use a friend. Haven’t had one of them for a long time. You may call me. . . Willy. Yes, Willy.”
And so Theodore became friends with Willy, the old man at the docks. They were an odd couple to be sure. Willy seemed particularly pleased that Theodore had several sandwiches to share in his haversack. Although, neither Theodore, nor Willy were socially adept, they somehow found it easy to talk with one another. Time passed quickly and soon it was two o’clock and his mother came to bring him home.
With a brief wave, Teddy took his leave and returned home. Although his mother was a little disappointed to discover the sketchbook remained unused, she couldn’t help but notice that her son had something of a glow about him. Her son was happy and this simple fact gave great pleasure to Netty Beem.
The Challenge
For nearly a week after his visit to the Southside Docks, Theodore pestered his mother about returning there. Taking Theodore back Southside was inconvenient, but Netty would have done nearly anything for her son, and seeing the glow of excitement on his face was a kind of reward in itself.
When Theodore returned to the docks, he could barely contain himself. Would the fleet be on maneuvers again? Would Willy be there? If the fleet was out, would they be firing their heavy guns?
The second question was answered first. Theodore saw Willy dozing on the dock. Did this old man even have a home? Watching the clock slowly move towards seven o’clock, Theodore couldn’t remain silent any longer.
He cleared his throat timidly at first and then much more loudly.
“Drink some damn tea boy and stop that infernal coughing,” muttered Willy, “You’re disturbing my fucking nap time.”
“Uh sorry, Mr. Willy, sir,” squeaked Theodore.
“Mr. Willy, sir?” answered Willy. “Oh what the hell. You’ve got to be shitting me boy. If you call me, ‘Mr. Willy’ again, I’ll stick my pegged leg up your ass and pitch you straight off the dock…”
Thankfully for Theodore, the thrum of airships interrupted them.
After the airships passed overhead, Teddy seized the opportunity to change the subject, asking several questions of Willy. Theodore, learned that the Air Sea Brigade went on maneuvers three times per week. Perhaps even more interesting was what he learned about old Willy. Apparently, the old man had an illustrious past and had served during the early Air Sea Brigade days. Those were the wild days of early flight, when airships seemingly blew up as often as they took off.
Although, Willy was just a common airman, he was anything but common. He had met some of the period’s most interesting luminaries, as well as some of its most notorious figures. When Prush was still recovering from its wars with the Vibranni, he had fought pirates off the coast. Those were the swashbuckling days when for all intents and purposes, pirates had free reign of Antiford’s coastline. It was only through efforts of the Air Sea Brigade that Antiford was able to assert its sovereignty. Theodore might have presumed that Willy was telling tales, but his stories had an authentic depth and brutality to them. Willy was a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge, opining that the history books were mostly, “bullshit written by motherfuckers.”
Willy also possessed a kind of street cred with the seamen who frequented the dock. They treated him with a kind of deference and respect. While Willy wasn’t one for social graces, he was more than happy to accept the occasional bottle of rum and whiskey from passersby. Theodore generally found that Willy’s stories gained extra color after a few drinks.
It also happened that Willy was quite gifted at using colorful language and could have probably written a few reference books on cursing and scatological humor. Theodore did his best to appear nonplussed, but his cheeks blushed alternate shades of white, red and pink, as Willy regaled him with his uncensored history of Antiford.
Nevertheless, the height of Theodore’s mortification came during one occasion, when his mother made a point of “talking to the old man,” before she took Theodore home. She wanted to make sure that her son wasn’t being “influenced in the wrong way.” Theodore heart raced, but interestingly it was all for naught. In the company of Mrs. Beem, Willy was the picture of a perfect gentleman and seemed like nothing more than a benign old man.
“It’s truly me pleasure to be able to keep company with your lad,” said Willy with a kind smile and wink, “And don’t you worry, ma’am, I’ll watch o’er him like he was m’own.”
Convinced that Theodore we indeed benefiting from these trips Southside, Netty agreed to bring her son to the docks once per week. She could not help but notice that these trips Southside were more helpful to her son’s disposition than any tonic or medicine.
It was perhaps inevitable, but Theodore eventually couldn’t avoid talking about the accident that led to his ruined legs. It all started when Willy shared about how his left leg was taken off by an eighteen-inch cannonball. After going into graphic, nauseating detail about the spray of blood and bone and how it hurt like a “motherfucker,” Willy looked intently toward Theodore.
“Well, you’ve heard my worst and you didn’t throw up,” said Willy with a crooked smile, “So, if we’re going to share about our legs, how ‘bout you tell me your story?”
Theodore almost instinctively looked down and turned his head to the side with shame. With Willy gazing at him expectantly, the last thing he wanted to do was share his pathetic story. The accident which led to his condition was the result of a foolish decision and a failure. Nevertheless, as much as Theodore didn’t want to share about what happened, he knew that he couldn’t avoid it. Willy was his friend and had showed him great kindness, albeit a kindness punctuated with a lot of “fucks” and “damns.” To not share about his accident with Willy would have been inconsiderate and rude.
Theodore started at the beginning, sharing how his friend John had gotten bullied by some neighborhood toughs. His story ended with the failed attempt at flight. Along the way, he spared nothing. He even included the mocking laughter of those who witnessed his three story fall to the ground, the boys who called him “bird boy,” as well as his physician’s grim prognosis that he may never walk again. When he was done, he looked at Willy with embarrassment, not sure how his friend might respond.
Rather than laugh or express pity, Willy looked at him seriously, with only the briefest of smiles.
“So, is that it, lad?”
“Uh, yes,” replied Theodore.
“Shit me an airship, I would have thought you had done something idiotic or something, the way you hemmed and hawed. Worse than a merchant getting caught selling phony Vibranni trinkets you were. Believe me lad, I’ve been around for longer than sin and have heard enough tales of fools and villains. There is no shame in what happened to you.”
“But, I’m crippled.. .” whispered Theodore.
“You’re shitting me,” said Willy gruffly, “Look who you’re talking to. I’m missing my motherfucking leg boy and you’d tell me you’re crippled? If you’re looking for pity, you’re talking to the wrong damned person.”
“But the doctor said. . .”
“Bollocks! Your doctor don’t know shit,” said Willy angrily. “He’s given you a diagnosis of what ‘could be.’ If you don’t get off your ass, then you’re just making it easy for him. You’re making’m right. Tell me, lad, when you jumped off that roof, did you feel like you were being brave?”
Theodore looked at his friend and shrugged.
“You did, didn’t you?” said Willy pointing his finger, “You thought you were some kind of fucking hero jumping off that roof. But listen to me carefully now. I’ve seen courage and cowardice. Courage isn’t about doing some damned stupid thing, or showing off. Real courage, is about falling on your fucking face and getting back up. It’s having smarter people, tell you ‘you’ll never walk again,’ and telling you something is ‘impossible,’ and then you telling the bastards, ‘Go to hell.’ You may have wanted to be a hero and have people give you a big huzzah when you landed on the ground all proud, like a fucking Kuuvian peacock. But, what the hell do you care, what those little pricks think in the first place? You want to be brave and courageous? Then learn from your failures. Get off your ass and fly, damn it. Fly! You want to be inventor? Be an inventor! Get off your ass. Be the one to tell your own story and don’t rely on others to do it for you.”
Theodore stared blankly at Willy, overwhelmed.
“And I’ll make you a deal, lad,” continued Willy with a sly smile “If you’re able to walk again, I’ll get you a ride on one of those motherfucking airships you’re so obsessed with.”
“Um, How?” asked Theodore.
“You leave ‘the how’ to old Willy. Just know that I can’t bring a fucking cripple on an airship. You’ll need to be able to walk and maybe a little more. Is it a bargain?”
Theodore looked at Willy’s hand which reached towards him. How could he do it? How was Theodore going to be able to walk again? His mind raced, but as he looked at Willy, he saw confidence. Maybe he was right, maybe this was his chance to tell his own story. He wasn’t sure how he would do it, but by the gods he was going try. He reached for Willy’s hand and shook it.
********
Perhaps it was his improved disposition and more hopeful outlook, or maybe it was Willy’s faith in him, or his desire to earn that trip on board an airship, but Theodore’s health began to markedly improve over the next several weeks. His rehabilitation was difficult and painfully slow, but eventually he was able to move about with the aid of crutches.
Theodore had hoped to surprise Willy by arriving at the docks with his crutches, but instead Willy just barked at him
“It’s about damn fucking time, but you’ve still got a way to go,” said Willy, “Keep at it and get off those damned crutches.”
Far from being disappointed, Theodore took Willy’s remarks as a challenge. He doubled his efforts. With the assistance of his crutches, he began traveling to the Southside Docks three times per week.
His relationship with Willy also took a turn. Although there was a significant age gap, Willy treated Theodore almost like an equal. Willy took the opportunity to share a lifetime of experience with Theodore and he freely answered questions about almost every topic. The only topic that Willy seemed reluctant to discuss was his own personal history. It was curious, given Willy’s frank honesty about nearly every other topic, but although Theodore was curious, he was also respectful of his friend’s privacy.
While Theodore rehabilitated his legs, time wasn’t standing still. Word on the street, said the King was waiting for any excuse to declare war against Prush. In preparation for the coming conflict, more airships were launched and the fleet was on heightened alert. Antiford was gearing up for war.
Finally, a little over a half year after his injuries, Theodore walked to the Southside docks assisted only by a cane. This time, Willy looked up at him, smiled and did something totally unexpected. Willy stood up and leaning on his own cane, he limped forward, extending out his arm to shake Theodore’s hand.
“Well shit me an airship,” said Willy with a smirk. “Well done lad. Very well done. Now I suppose, old Willy will have to meet his end of his bargain.”
Theodore genuinely wondered whether Willy would hold to his bargain. Maybe he had made an idle promise of “an airship ride” as a way to motivate Theodore. Then within two weeks, his doubts were dispelled when Willy told Theodore to meet him at the gates to the military docks at five in the morning on Cieldday wearing workman’s clothes.
The Stowaways
On Cielday Theodore walked purposefully with his cane towards the military docks. He wore his father’s work clothes which were noticeably baggy on his slender frame. As he approached the gate, a voice called out to him.
“Hey lad, over here,” said a workman standing next to the warehouse. Had he not seen the man’s peg leg, he would have been startled, but clearly this was his friend Willy, albeit in disguise. Willy was almost unrecognizable with his rough clothes and a cap pulled low over his face. Theodore walked over to Willy as casual as possible.
“Here take this and put on the cap,” said Willy, handing over a cap and a long pole with a hook, “The cargo hook will be better than a cane. Not many of the workers here use canes.”
Theodore saw that Willy also held a similar pole with a cargo hook. Taking the hat, he pulled it close over his brow and leaned in closer to his friend.
“Well lad, are you ready for a fucking adventure?” asked Willy with a smile, “Just remember, whatever happens, do what I tell ya. One of the biggest secrets to doing something you’re not allowed, is to act like you have permission.”
Theodore followed Willy to a light post near the gate leading to the docks. Within a few minutes, around thirty longshoremen gathered under the light.
“Alright you sons of bitches,” yelled a longshoreman with an enormous beard, “We have about ten airships to upload and they’re not gonna fucking load themselves.”
Almost without a word, the longshoremen collectively moved towards the dock gates. Even with heightened security at the docks, the security guard waved the dock workers through the gate. Given his slight stature, Theodore worried he might be picked out of the crowd, but it was early and there was a job to be done.
As they neared the airships, the longshoremen split up into teams. Wagons with teamsters had already backed up their cargos to the docks. All the while, Theodore did his best to stay close to Willy. Looking at all of the heavy cargo on the wagons, Theodore began to worry. While he was now able to walk, moving heavy freight was something different altogether.
Just as the men began the business of moving cargo to the airships, Willy gave a low whistle to Theodore and together casually ducked into a nearby shed.
“We’re going to take a break here,” said Willy chewing on an unlit cigar. “I’m too fucking old to play the role of longshoreman and I reckon one of them boxes would likely squash you like a bug.”
For what seemed an impossibly long time, Theodore hid in a shed with Willy. They said nothing, but Willy was listening closely to the goings on at the dock. Finally, just as the commotion on the dock began to lessen, two loud bells rang out.
“Let’s go,” whispered Willy as he left the confines of the shed.
Together they made a beeline for the last vessel on the port side of the dock. It was the Indomitable, a Falcon class airship. By this time, the Longshoreman had already loaded the cargo and were leaving the docks.
“Wait here,” said Willy pointing to the backside of a container near the Indomitable. To Theodore’s surprise, Willy pulled off his jacket, revealing a jacket similar to those worn by the Air Sea Brigade. Putting on the hat of a common seaman, Willy nimbly made his way across the gangplank. With the many men boarding and leaving the Indomitable, Willy’s presence was almost not noticed.
“Hey you, old timer,” yelled an officer. “What the hell are you doing? We’re about to launch”
“Aye Sir. Just some last-minute dispatches,” said Willy waving a satchel in front of his face.
“Fine, fine, Hurry up, then. We don’t need to be carrying your dead weight.” yelled the officer who was almost immediately distracted by a question from one of the midshipman.
Using the distraction to his advantage, Willy moved to the rear of the airship and for a moment was out of sight.
Several minutes passed. Periodic yelling came from the Indomitable and Theodore worried that Willy’s ruse had been uncovered. The other airships in the fleet began launching from the docks. It was a beautiful and terrifying sight—terrifying, because there was still no sight of Willy. Finally, the Indomitable took off. It separated from the dock and began moving forward. Theodore’s heart dropped. What happened to Willy?
Suddenly out of the rearmost window of the Indomitable, a line came out towards Theodore. The line had a loop at the end. Looking up towards the window, Theodore saw Willy’s face and an upraised thumb.
Clearly Willy had meant for him to jump off the dock and grab the line, which was now swinging helter skelter off the Indomitable.
“Motherfucker,” whispered Theodore, which so happened to be the first time he ever used that word. Still, it seemed a good time for it. Looking down, Theodore saw a growing gap between the dock and the airship.
“I’m a damn fool,” muttered Theodore as he leapt toward the line. Thankfully, he timed it perfectly. He grabbed onto the rope with both hands and placed his foot in the loop.
Before Theodore could get too excited, his momentum caused him to wildly swing from the line hanging off the airship. It wasn’t long before a dock officer noticed him and tried to stop the Indomitable, but it was already too late. The airship was away and moving towards its place in formation. While this happened, Willy pulled Theodore upwards toward the deck.
“You might be as skinny as a rail, but you still weigh a fucking ton,” wheezed Willy as he pulled Theodore onto the Indomitable. 
Even in an aft cabin, Theodore could feel the airship pick up speed. He looked out the window and was amazed at the sight of the Indomitable moving into formation with the fleet. Looking down, he could see the Southside docks, where he normally would have been looking up.
“The view’s hell of a lot better up here, isn’t it lad?” said Willy with smile.
“It’s wonderful,” replied an overwhelmed Theodore.
“Yeah well, ‘tis a sight to be sure,” agreed Willy. “That said, I need to ask you boy to do exactly what I say. It may have occurred to you that we have just stowed aboard an airship of the line.”
Theodore’s face dropped. It had occurred to him that their actions were of dubious legality, but for the first time he thought about his parents’ reaction when they learned their son had been arrested sneaking onto the military docks and stowing aboard an airship.
“No worries lad,” said Willy reassuring, “Old Willy has some cards he hasn’t played yet. Stay here in this room. Don’t leave and I’ll be back.”
Willy raised his hand as if to silence Theodore’s unasked questions and left the confines of the aft cabin. While Willy was gone, Theodore looked out the cabin window, contemplating his mortality and the hell that would befall him when his mother learned of what happened.
Suddenly, Theodore heard a lot of yelling on the other side of the door. A few voices, including Willy’s were recognizable. Theodore couldn’t understand what was being said, and then there was silence. Five minutes later, the ship’s captain walked into the cabin with Willy at his side.
“Good morning. Mr. Beem,” said the captain nodding towards him, “I am Captain Ulysses, master of the Indomitable and you have stowed aboard my vessel. You’ve interrupted our fleet operation at a time when Antiford’s poised on the brink of war. You have undoubtedly broken at least a dozen laws and naval regulations. The penalty for your crimes would likely be upwards of ten years of heavy labor in a work camp. Do you understand?”
“Y-y-yes sir,” answered Theodore.
“Then tell me boy, why did you do it? Why did you do such a fool thing?” asked Captain Ulysses glancing towards Willy.
“Um, well. You see Captain,” replied Theodore, “That’s a really good question.”
“I suppose if I had to put it into words,” continued Theodore. “I’d say that flying aboard an airship has always has been a dream of mine. . .I have also watched your fleet fly overhead for the last few months. It was beautiful sir, but you know, when would a boy like me from Mayberry ever be able to fly aboard an airship? Also, I’ve two bad legs and the service would never take me. So when the chance offered itself to have even a few minutes on the Indomitable, I took it. Although, I confess, that I didn’t rightly think of the consequences. For that I’m truly sorry.
Theodore ended his explanation with a weak smile. For a brief moment, it appeared as if the face of Captain Ulysses had softened, but almost as quickly it returned to stone.
“Alright, Mr. Beem,” said Captain Ulysses with a raised eyebrow “As it so happens, your friend . . .Willy, has performed valued services for Antiford in the past. Therefore, it would be unseemly and perhaps impolitic for us to direct the full weight of the law against you. As such, using my discretion as Captain, I will adjudicate your case. Will you accept my judgement?”
Theodore felt his heart pound, but glancing at Willy, his friend nodded affirmatively to him. Theodore gulped and spoke.
“Yes,” squeaked Theodore, “I will accept your judgment”
"Very good Mr. Beem. Here is your sentence for the assorted and almost too numerous crimes you have committed. Until the Indomitable returns dockside, you and. . .Willy will be required to stand at attention topside near the bow.”
Gazing at Ulysses, Willy cleared his throat loudly.
“Oh very well,” said Captain Ulysses with a sigh, “Given your past injuries. You and Willy will be required to sit at attention near the bow until our return dockside.”
Theodore was stunned as he began to fully realize realized what this meant. Following Captain Ulysses and Willy, Theodore walked through the door and walked out onto the deck of the Indomitable. He stood breathless, as he watched the crew go about their business and watched the rest of the fleet in all its splendor.
“It’s beautiful,” whispered Theodore.
“Yes, it is, Mr. Beem. Yes, it is,” replied Captain Ulysses. “Now if you please, take a seat and sit smartly at attention. This is a ship of the line in the Air Sea Brigade and not some pleasure craft.”
For the next three hours, Theodore and Willy sat near the bow of the Indomitable, one of the finest ships in the Air Sea Brigade. Rapt in amazement, Theodore took in every sight and every detail. He was stunned by the lush green countryside of White Haven. Later, he even saw the fleet fire their cannons. It was almost too much for his mind to process. Glancing occasionally to Willy, he saw the old man with his eyes closed. Then he saw Willy break out in a grin as if remembering adventures from long ago.
“What a curious and strange old man,” wondered Theodore.
To learn what happens after this story go to "The Hero of Deepwater Bay."
Citizens Of Antiford 