by Bob Nailor
The bright sunlight made them squint momentarily. A group of guards slowly made their way toward the inn. Thirty paces in the opposite direction Jopab saw the stairs leading up to the docks.
He stopped abruptly. "Pearls? Tunnels?" Jopab repeated and stared at Chardo. "May I see them?"
Chardo looked about before pulling a cluster of small pearls from his belt and let them roll about in his palm. The iridescent globes glistening in the sunlight.
Jopab smiled and poked at a couple of the pearls in Chardo's hand. "Collected from the walls?"
"No," Chardo replied. "I picked these up from the floor. Is there a problem?"
"Not really," Jopab said. "Now, if you plan to use these pretty ones I suggest you make sure you won't be staying around too long."
"Oh?" Chardo asked. "Why is that?"
"I would say these are still quite young." Jopab held one of the pearls between his index finger and thumb, rolling it gently. "Perhaps another eight to ten days, at best." He giggled. "No more than twelve."
"Ten days to what?" Chardo asked retrieving the pearl. "Twelve?"
"Depending on conditions," Jopab replied with a sly smile. "Hatching is the term I'd use. What you have grabbed are plioca eggs."
"You'd say anything." Chardo frowned. "These are pearls." He put them back in the belt's pouch.
"Suit yourself," Jopab said. "Just remember, I warned you. If you continue to keep them in the dark, the eggs will grow, until suddenly one day you have a belt full of young pliocas. Do you remember those spidery things?"
A shudder coursed through Chardo. "A plioca?"
"How many pearls do you have?" Jopab asked.
"I probably have near fifty or so." Chardo held the ball up close and scrutinized it carefully. "You're sure these are plioca eggs?"
"I'd rather not be near you when they hatch," Jopab said. "In fact, I don't think any of our group should be anywhere near you when they hatch." Jopab winked at his companion. "Just remember one fact, young pliocas are voraciously hungry."
They hustled up the stairs and Chardo froze at the sight of the open bay and collection of ships.
"Must we travel by water?" Chardo grabbed his stomach with one hand and covered his mouth with the other.
"Good sirs," a voice called to them. "Are you in search of passage? I have an excellent fleet of fast ships porting all the known coast." He bowed. "Merchant Auro at your service."
"It would appear our luck has changed." Jopab smiled at the stranger. "We need passage to Zornal."
The thin man stood silently appraising them, stroking his beard with one hand while the other nervously fumbled in the pocket of his long, red coat. "Zornal?" he finally asked. "Just you two, young, strapping men?"
"There will be four," Jopab said. "How much?"
"Payment in pearls," Chardo added.
"If you were to pay me pearls..." The man once more stroked his beard while he thought. "I would need five pearls per head." He grinned at Chardo. "Oh, there is also the harbor tax." He cocked an eye at them.
"Harbor tax?" Chardo exclaimed. "Harbor thievery is more like it."
"You seem to be in a hurry," the man said. "Also, I feel you wish to avoid too many questions being asked." He cocked an eye and gave a small shrug. "That, too, my good sirs, will cost extra."
"How much?" Jopab sighed. "What will it cost us for passage of four to Zornal?"
The man leered and his lip curled at the edge of his mouth. "Fifty pearls," he said.
"Fifty!" Chardo yelled.
"Hush," Jopab said. "Pay the man. When will the ship be ready?"
Chardo slowly counted out fifty pearls from his belt. He had seven remaining.
"Perhaps I should have charged more." the man stated and smiled at the bulge of Chardo's leather bag.
"I asked when the ship would be ready," Jopab repeated.
"An hour before the sun sets," the merchant said dropping the pearls into a leather pouch attached to his belt. "The Albatross Wing will be ready to depart for Zornal as the tide goes out, whether you be aboard or not."
"We'll be here," Chardo sneered.
"I'll inform the captain of four passengers to arrive before departure."
Jopab nodded. "Just be sure to inform him we've paid our passage."
"I am not a thief," the merchant said. "I run a profitable and proper business." He placed his hands to his forehead then swung his arms down in graceful arcs. "Safe journey." The thin man turned quickly, his red coat flaring out as he headed for the ship.
Chardo looked up at the ship's bow — The Albatross Wing. His stomach turned and he felt clamminess coating his skin. He took a deep breath, inhaling the scents of the dock.
"We'd best be getting ourselves back to Jewyl and Percho," Chardo said. "Are you positive these are plioca eggs?"
Jopab smiled before slapping Chardo on the back. "Ask Percho when we get back. Show him one and ask him what it is."
Chardo cocked an eye to Jopab.
"I'll remain silent," Jopab said.
# # #
Jewyl stood on the gangplank, glaring at the man obstructing her way.
"I'll not have a woman aboard this ship." The man stood his ground.
Chardo moved forward. "We've paid passage for four, and she is one of the four."
"If payment is the problem," the scruffy man said. "Then I'll personally return from my pockets her portion of fare."
"I'll slice you from stem to stern," Jewyl said, and patted the hilt of her sword.
"What is the ruckus?" The captain strode toward the gangplank, his blouse fluttering in the light ocean breeze.
"We have paid passage for four. Your lackey won't allow one of them aboard," Chardo replied.
The captain motioned the sailor aside with a wave of his hand. He cast a casual glance at Jewyl. "Captain Murdo at your service." He nodded his head. "So, you're the one causing all the commotion." He fiddled with one side of his mustache, twirling the end with his fingers.
"Amazing," Jewyl said. "Me. A ruckus?"
"It's bad luck to have a woman as part of the crew," Murdo replied. "I have a very superstitious lot aboard the Albatross Wing."
"Part of the crew?" Chardo sputtered. "We happen to be paying passengers."
Captain Murdo raised an eyebrow. "Everyone works aboard my ship, even paying passengers."
"I can carry my weight," Jewyl said. "I really don't see my being aboard as a problem, and I certainly don't see how I could bring you bad luck."
"All I ask is that you not dispatch any of my crew." Murdo pointed at Jewyl's sword. "If you can agree to that, then please, come aboard, Jewyl."
Jewyl jerked back and examined the captain. "You know me?"
"Let me say I know of you," Murdo replied. "There were guards at The Bawdy Maiden and they were quite boisterous in their comments of what they were looking for." He watched the four passengers. "Let me see... three men and a woman." Murdo tapped his lower lip with his index finger. "Oh, yes and the woman has red hair." He reached out and Jewyl pulled back, but not before he touched her hair and brown dust fell away to reveal more red. "Even at The Crooked Skull I could tell your hair was red, but you were with one man. I saw no need to speak." He paused. "But now..." He smiled, his eyelids narrowing.
"Perhaps we should get on board," Jewyl said. "Perhaps even below deck until we sail?"
"That would work just fine," Murdo replied with a flourished bow. "At least, keep out of view until we are out of visual range," he whispered as Jewyl sauntered across the gangplank onto the ship.
"What a gorgeous golden sunset," Percho said.
Murdo raised an eyebrow and turned to view what Percho had noted. Immediately he heard the words scream within his head:
When the sun flickers on a coin
A day's future can be told
But beware the open seas
If the evening sky turns gold
"Already two bad omens," Murdo mumbled. "We haven't even cast off, yet." He turned to the cre
w. "Prepare to set sail."
The crew cast off and The Albatross Wing drifted into the harbor under the guidance of a light breeze.
"A wind to save your sorry souls," Captain Murdo yelled. "Store the oars and scurry above to drop the sails."
He watched the sails unfurl in the golden sunlight and smiled at the commotion on the wharf they'd left. He knew the incident would catch somebody's attention, and it had. Guards, the ones he was sure he'd seen at the tavern now hurried forward to the wharf, causing even more commotion and chaos.
He leaned against a banister. Who are these four? he thought. What have they done to rouse the anger of Lord Azre? Why do they need to get to Zornal? He paused in thought, a curl showing at the edges of his lips. A better question — how much money do they carry?
The Albatross Wing heaved, catching Murdo's attention. The wind picked up as the ship rounded the safety of the harbor. Waves crashed against the ship.
"At least no ship has raised a sail to pursue," he thought.
"Do we need to take the sails down, captain?" the helmsman asked with a wary eye to the sky.
"Let us get a bit more distance," Murdo replied. "If the wind picks up stronger, call me. I'm going below to get answers from our guests."
Murdo could feel the eyes of his crew watch his every step. He grabbed the doors' wooden handles and yanked them open.
"If there be a question or problem, I'll be in my room," he shouted, ducked his head, and started below. He turned quickly about and scanned the deck, scowling. "If it be about our guests, keep your tongue, or I'll have it for a meal." He pulled the doors shut.
"Captain?" The voice called from the darkness below.
Murdo stepped back and smiled as his eyes acclimated to the stairway’s murkiness.
"Jewyl," he replied.
"You made comment to us having duties aboard your ship, that none traveled for free." Jewyl cautiously stepped back toward the door she'd come through. "We paid for our passage to Zornal."
"Aye, that you did, my beauty." Murdo leaned toward Jewyl. "You paid for your passage. Yet, something tells me you'll pay even more for your safety."
"Safety?" Jopab repeated, opening the door to the room.
Murdo pushed forward, shoving Jewyl and Jopab back into the room.
"Aye," the captain said. "Safety, indeed. A sweet, young thing like Jewyl would need some protection from the likes of those above deck. In fact," he cast a casual glance and nod at Jopab, Chardo and Percho, "they might need a bit more protection. My men are very ambivalent in how their needs are taken care of — as long as they are taken care of."
Chardo pulled his sword out in a smooth movement which was countered loudly by Murdo's sword. Murdo felt a point's pressure on his back.
"If you plan to protect me..." Jewyl held her dagger against Murdo. "Perhaps you should not waste your time on those who will defend me. Drop it."
Murdo held the sword. "You would cheat me of a few coins?"
The ship lurched, Chardo fell forward toward Murdo who turned quickly to avoid both the blade from Chardo and Jewyl as she lost balance and sword.
"It would appear I am more familiar with the surf of the sea than you," Murdo said. "I have my sea-legs. You landers don't."
He stood gloating over Chardo. Murdo held his sword near Chardo's neck, teasing with a slight movement back and forth. Jewyl still held onto the table she'd grabbed to stop her fall. She eyed her dagger.
"I don't think you should," Murdo said with a quick glance at her and the dagger just out of her reach.
"If money is the issue," Jopab said. "Please, we have more than enough. Chardo, give this man the remainder of your pearls."
"Ah, yes, Chardo," Murdo sneered. "Jewyl's companion. So he holds the coin purse. I've often wondered what he did."
Chardo frowned then cast a glare at Jopab.
"I have some pearls," Chardo said. "I gave fifty of them for passage."
"Fifty!" Murdo shouted. "That cheating merchant. He told me he only was able to get twenty."
"Fifty per person," Jopab said and winked at Chardo. "I would say he more than cheated you."
Chardo quietly and quickly removed his bag and handed it to Murdo. "Here."
Murdo grabbed the bag then hefted it for weight. "Not many left," he said.
"I wouldn't believe so after paying for our passage," Jopab said.
"Captain Murdo," a voice from above yelled. "We have two problems."
Murdo tucked the bag under his belt. "Be there," he yelled back. "Now about your passage. You are duly paid to me and can wander the ship as you please. Just remember, your safety is in my hands, and my hands alone. If any of the crew..." his voice faded off as he put his sword away and walked out the door.
"Well, that went well," Jopab said. "Still haven't lost my ability to arbitrate things without a fight." He rubbed his hands together. "Now, I just hope we're off this vessel before anything happens."
Jewyl frowned at Jopab's statement. "Happens?"
"Uh, Percho," Jopab started. "Chardo was able to retrieve all his pearls from the floor of the tunnels."
Percho's face washed white. "He what? Not them?"
"I told you," Jopab said. He smiled at Chardo. "Now let us see what is going on above since there were two problems for the captain to look after."
The group quietly eased their way onto the staircase and listened.
"Get all the sails but the main one down, now," Murdo yelled.
"Captain, the storm will destroy us," one of the crew yelled.
"That is The Sea Dragon," Murdo said. "It is the fastest ship in the harbor. If you wish to take your chances with Lord Azre's guards, then take down all the sails."
The vessel again lurched in the waves and sea water rushed across the deck and into the stairwell.
"We're wet," Jewyl said. "Guess we might as well help. I don't think the Azre’s guards are after anyone else except us."
"What can we do to assist?" Jewyl asked as the doors to below battered open and she was facing Murdo.
"You," he said pointing to Jewyl. "Go back and give assistance to the helmsman. Get us away from the shore's view. Only then will The Sea Dragon dare not follow us. It will head back to shore."
"You three, go help with the sails."
Jewyl stumbled to the aft part of the ship and could see the young man straining at the helm. She smiled at him. "Two can make the job easier," she yelled over the increasing winds.
The helmsman smiled weakly and stood up to allow Jewyl to join him on the large wooden wheel. "She wants to pull starboard," he said and wiped the dripping water from his face.
"You ever been out beyond the sight of land?" Jewyl asked.
"No," the helmsman replied, his voice quivering.
Jewyl smiled, brushed her wet hair back with her hand then grabbed hold of the wheel. "Let's take her out to sea," Jewyl yelled. "What do we have to lose, but the ship that follows?"
"Our lives," the helmsman said. "I know not how far to the edge and the storm has confused our directions."
Lightening blazed through the clouds. The winds whipped the sail.
"See how our adversary falls behind," Jewyl said.
"As does the land!" The helmsman pointed. "There is nothing to see. Even The Sea Dragon has turned around."
"Bring down that sail," Murdo yelled. "Now!"
The ship lurched and waves rolled over the bow. The sound of creaking wood snapped and Murdo stepped back. The sail whipped in the wind.
"Chardo!" Jopab yelled above the howling winds. "Watch out!"
A lanyard cracked through the air catching another sailor as Chardo dropped to the deck. The man snapped out of existence as the rope and sail fluttered into the darkness.
"Grab that corner," a voice yelled.
Jewyl held a death grip on the wheel and looked desperately about the deck before her, trying to locate the men of her group. She could see Chardo clinging to the boom, his arms wrapped around the sail to keep it fr
om billowing. Jopab held a segment of the sail from the wind's grasp, holding it wrapped about the main boom. Percho? Where was Percho?
The rain stung and Jewyl squinted to find the young priest in the boiling darkness of the storm.
"Have you seen Percho?" Jopab yelled to Chardo.
Chardo shook his head and quickly scanned the area around him.
"Here," Percho said. "Above you."
"What in the name of all that is holy to Hagontha are you doing up there?" Jopab yelled.
Percho jumped down from the main mast then slipped as the ship tilted, followed by a quick dip into the trough. He slid across the wet deck, grabbing and scratching to grab hold of anything to stop his current path to the edge of the ship.
Jewyl watched in horror as the young man approached the edge.
"The rope," Jopab shouted. "Grab the rope and hold on."
Percho grabbed the rope and swung like pendulum across the deck.
Murdo moved forward, reached down and hoisted Percho upright.
"I may lose a sailor now and then, but I'll not have my name bandied about as one who loses paying customers." Murdo pushed the straggly priest back toward the mast.
"Helmsman!" Murdo shouted. "Make way to land."
"Land?" the young helmsman yelled with one hand up to his mouth to amplify his words. "Which way is land?"
"That is your job," Murdo yelled back. "Be quick about it."
"He has no idea where land is," Jewyl said. "Pick a direction and we'll hold course until the storm clears. You can then get your bearings."
"What if the storm doesn't end?"
"We'll stay on your course until sunrise," Jewyl said and smiled at the young man. "If the sun comes up in the wrong direction, we'll simply turn the ship around."
"What if the sun is at the edge of the world?"
CHAPTER TWELVE
Island Of The Lost Souls
"Does not the sun always rise to the east?" Jewyl asked. "You worry too much. My arms are aching."
Rain, driven by the wind, pelted against Jewyl. It stung.
"The storm grows stronger," she said.
