by C. Litka
03
We off-loaded our cargo, told our story about MorDae's ties with the Black Mask Gang to everyone that came by, and sailed for Bindare. Whether anyone would have done anything about MorDae's activities, was an open question. I don't think it mattered, as we heard after our arrival in Bindare that the authorities in Quandadar had decided to send civil guards to Gold Mountain to restore order. Better late than never.
If Barn, Orn, and Cookie seemed too resigned to the loss of their gold, it became evident why upon our arrival in Bindare. They said nothing to anyone about it, until we arrived. Then, with everyone gathered about in the mess room, they proudly demonstrated their cleverness. Bringing out their well-worn and soiled coats, they began to undo the stitching of the linings of their coats, the backings of their belts, and soles of their shoes, each piling stacks of thin gold strips on the table in front of them.
'Them bags were just decoys. Mostly sand but just enough gold dust on top to give the sand some sparkle. These here strips was Cookie's idea. We built a furnace in our digs and melted our dust down and pored it out in a thin film on clay trays. Cut 'em up and sewed the strips into our clothing,' said Orner.
'An old trick,' said Cookie. 'There's always going to be trouble in the gold fields after the lucky ones have gold and the unlucky or lazy ones don't. Getting the gold out of the ground is hard work, but getting it home is harder and more dangerous...'
With the boys now grown up and wealthy, and unenthusiastic about a return to sailing a barge, Ma DenMons decided to sell the Shadow Bird and retire. The gold rush had been a thick, rich frosting on her savings, and without the boys along, I don't think she wanted to sail the shadow lands anymore. It was the bright side and a neat stone cottage where she and ol'King could settle into and make certain the boys didn't spend their gold fortune too swiftly.
'You aren't planning to stay on with ol'King, are you?'
Hissi released a low hiss, which I took to be a sigh. Then she flicked her long tongue at my nose.
'You have a mission to complete, don't you?'
She just barked a laugh.
