The Captain and the Guppy: The Novellas of Lusefell, #1

By Noah Bodie

In the underground city of Pirn, Cedric, the enigmatic second-in-command of the feared pirate ship The Waning Moon, oversees an orphanage that provides refuge to the city's most vulnerable. Captain Hawke, the legendary Warden of the Seas, is known for his strength, cunning, and love for those in his charge. As tensions between them simmer beneath the surface, a deeper bond is tested when Hawke returns home wounded and weary, leaving Cedric to question their place at Hawke's side.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highly Caffeinated Art
• Release date: Sep 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798230638469

Noah Bodie

My pronouns are he/they. I'm a level 33 caffeine goblin, a proud member of the queer community and a parent with four fur children, one teenager, and a loving partner. I'm an illustrator and author who has been in the game for over 10 years. I have an ABA and a BA in Illustration. I usually create with pencil, and watercolor—traditionally and digitally. I specialize in character design, concept art, and graphic design. I have a deep love of all things fantasy, and am a sucker for a good romance.

Book preview

Noah Bodie

The Captain and the Guppy

A Lusefell Novella

First published by Highly Caffeinated Art 2024

Copyright © 2024 by Noah Bodie

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Noah Bodie asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is recommended for audiences ages 18+.

Being set in my dark fantasy world ‘Lusefell’ this work contains darker themes including, but not limited to: frightening creatures, dystopian/grimdark setting, reference to magical experimentation on being/creature, murder, trauma, C-PTSD and PTSD, scars, blood and gore, mental health topics, reference to homophobia, reference to suicide, anger issues, and grief.

Please be safe as you dive into the world of Lusefell.

First edition

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Contents

Preface

1. Pirn

2. The Storm’s Embrace

3. Hawke

4. The Story of the Guppy

5. Duty

6. Family

7. Rest

8. Cedric

9. The Captain and the Guppy

Concept Art

Prologue from Suneater

The Maps of Lusefell

The Six Planes of Existence

The Immortal Boundaries

The People of Lusefell

The Pantheons of Lusefell

The Celestial Bodies and Calendar of Lusefell

About the Author

Also by Noah Bodie

Preface

I wanted to let folks dip their toes into my dark fantasy world, Lusefell, before the first book of the Desert Rose Saga, "Suneater," releases in the Fall of 2024.

So, I decided to take on the auspicious task of writing a few novellas here or there. Some parts of this and other novellas will be referenced in more significant series, such as the Desert Rose Saga. Treat these as little blips that will give context to the world of Lusefell, its history, and its rich characters.

Together, they and the series (and any following) weave an intermingling story that explores the fantasy world of Lusefell created by me, Noah Bodie.

"The Captain and the Guppy" came from a bunch of little rambles I wrote down about Hawke and Cedric, and I decided that I couldn’t start in a better place for the line of novellas I wanted to write.

Hawke and Cedric mean very much to me, and I hope you enjoy this little story of them and where it sets up for them to have a series all their own in the future.

If you’re a fan of playlists, I’ve included theirs in the back matter on my ‘About the Author’ page. I have also included the ‘Prologue’ and associated backmatter about my world that will be published in "Suneater," the first of the Desert Rose Saga.

Please treat this as another sneak peek into my world and the history and information at its bones.

One

Pirn

Pirn.

It is a city built beneath the rolling sands of the deserts of Redirine on the northwesternmost part of the continent. Pirn was founded in the year 500, three years after the Primal Cael was brought into the Mortal Plane and created the continent of Redirine. It began as a city of Dwarven marvel, meticulously cut into the earth beneath the sands into the spiraling 50-leveled city it is today. It was once a prosperous city run by four noble families: the Rugers, the Kahlil, the Duvol, and the Zireen. The city flourished until demonic creatures rose in 1236, and whispers of rebellion began within the streets. In the year 1271, the ruling families were overthrown, blamed for the city’s declining economic state and harrowing creatures, and slaughtered with few survivors.

A fresh group of eight leaders known as The Council of the Next Realm took their place, headed by a woman named Elaina Sylvester, and since the city has indeed grown in power … however, at a significant cost to its people. Between 1271 and 1296, they laid the Lightning Rail, and built the central hub of the intricate train network that spans the continents on the city’s third level. The gate that once remained open on the city’s third level at all times of the day now closes after sunset. To pass, one must have lineage paperwork or a work visa stating you have the authority to enter the ‘hallowed’ city. Now, in the year 1296, the city upholds old class systems, valuing individuals who live deeper within the rocky depths as more important.

Those before the Lightning Rail’s train hub who live on the city’s third, second, first, and topside levels are of low income and considered disposable to those of higher stations. Throughout the years, the upper level’s lack of protection has resulted in the loss of many lives, allowing the creatures from the surrounding desert to roam unchecked in the evening hours. Children often go missing; the topside homes are all but ruins and inhabited by those with nothing but the clothes on their backs and very little money. The people rely on one another, for the Fel Guard that patrols the metropolis does not care for their safety.

Tucked into Pirn’s third level, built lovingly in 1286, is an orphanage known as The Storm’s Embrace. It is one of four, all bearing the same name, placed on each of the four continents of Lusefell. At least in the world of scoundrels and pirates, a man of high station acts as their benefactor. Across the continents, people know him by one name: The Warden of the Seas. Acting as the mediator, justiciar, and all-seeing eye, he serves the leaders of the pirating world: The Two Mothers of the Sea. He travels often and is usually found on his vessel, The Waning Moon, or at one of the four orphanages checking on his children and those he has appointed to watch over the tots.

It lies past the steep rocky staircase that descends from the topside slums to the first level of the city, through the arcane elevator that descends to the third level,