by Bob Blink
Tomas nodded numbly and said, “Princess Therasi.”
“Yes, of course,” Jolan agreed. ‘Princess Therasi.”
Asari asked with doubt. “You don’t really know her, do you?”
* * * *
Matters had moved swiftly once the letters of sponsorship had come from both the King and Lord Yeren. Having obtained that which had brought them to Seret, Jolan and Asari were now ready to leave for Cobalo. Tomas had arranged for a final private party at an exclusive club that catered to the very rich. They had a private dining room, with arrangements for six. In addition to Ashreye and Sindra, Tomas had brought along a young woman whom the rest of the group decided had to be the woman he was engaged to marry. They’d picked up some talk in this regard at the party his father had given the previous week.
Asari and Jolan had spent some time reviewing the best routes, and had concluded that it would be swifter and easier if they were to travel by boat down the Nur River rather than take the overland route. They could have their horses shipped with them, but had concluded that once they reached Jupura, they would be going by ship across the Great Sea, a rough passage this time of year. The trip would be hard on the animals, and they would be likely to have little use for them once in Cobalo. When Jolan raised the matter with Tomas, he agreed with their decision, and had agreed to move the animals onto his own property where they could be cared for properly. They would be there if and when they were needed again.
Tomas had also surprised them the previous day with deluxe travel reservations on the river steamboat, which was scheduled to leave the following day. They would travel in one of the Captain’s cabins, which were typically reserved for the very rich or officers of the state. They would have nothing to do but enjoy the ride, all necessities provided, and everything paid in advance. Moving down river with the current aided by the paddlewheel of the great boat, they should arrive in Jupura in five days. Tomas had also booked them on the departing ship for Cobalo two days later.
With everything in place, there was a sense of relief, but the dinner was touched by a bit of melancholy, for each of the guests knew this meant parting for a very long time at best, and maybe forever. They could not know what would develop from the meeting with the Council of Mages, and whether Jolan would end up returning to Earth, or whether he would remain on Gaea to aid in the battle that was sure to come. Jolan couldn’t help but dwell on the fact that each time he gathered a group of people he cared for, he was forced to move on.
Otherwise the friends had a great time. It was clear that Tomas’ date was a bit of a snob, and once she realized the other two women were not from the same elevated stratum of society as herself, the occasional barb was launched. Jolan had had about enough and was about to say something when he received a kick under the table and looked at Sindra who shook her head sharply at him indicating she knew what he’d been thinking. Jolan realized that Sindra had detected that Tomas was aware of his date’s attitude, and was not pleased. Maybe they’d done him a bit of a favor and he’d learned something about the woman before it was too late.
Finally, very late and a bit tipsy, the group broke up and took carriages to their respective homes. Tomas promised to be at the docks to see them off the following day. Jolan only hoped the weather would hold. Fall had settled in solidly, and the winds were sometimes fierce. Tomas had warned them the seas would be rough, but the ships were built accordingly and their journey across the Great Sea would be a matter of two days. For now, Jolan only hoped it wouldn’t rain tomorrow, which would make the departure more difficult and ruin the last moments with his friends.
Chapter 38
The day of departure was suddenly upon them. Jolan woke early, unusual for him, but a deep restlessness had taken hold, and as anxious as he was to get to Cobalo where he might finally get some answers, the thought of leaving when he’d become so comfortable - complacent? - was unsettling. Sindra still slept, and he eased himself out of her warm embrace and slipped on some pants and headed into the open area of the adjacent room. A glance outside wasn’t promising. The wind was gusting, rattling the windows and shaking the trees free of the last of their leaves, which whipped across the open area behind the inn. Clouds were moving in, dark and ominous. He had no doubts that there would be rain before the day was over. He just hoped it would hold off until they were underway.
Once again he was pleased at the travel plans they now had. The thought of days on the trail, especially out in weather like this, and probably with worse to come, wasn’t appealing. Instead of riding on horseback and sleeping on the ground, they’d be watching the shore from comfortable chairs while being served the finest of meals and then sleeping in warm comfortable beds. Storming outside? Wake me a bit later then.
He walked over to the large leather covered wooden trunks by the door. They had accumulated so many clothes that their travel sacks were no longer capable of containing their possessions. Each had a large trunk for the majority of the clothes, most of which would not be needed until they reached their destination, plus a smaller one for more commonly used items. The larger trunks were packed and sealed, and the smaller ones waited only for the few items they would put away after changing for departure.
Once everyone was up and dressed, they would go out for breakfast, then return for the last time. Arrangements had been made for a carriage and luggage wagon at midmorning. Leaving then should get them to the docks and on-board well before midday, the time the steamship was scheduled to cast off.
“I wish we were already on the way down the river.”
Asari had slipped up behind him while he was looking out the window and thinking about the future.
“Anxious to be off?” Jolan asked.
“I’m a little afraid of the leaving. I think it’s gonna be harder than I expected. Ashreye was pretty emotional last night.”
Jolan wasn’t surprised to hear it. He had seen the signs for some time now. Sindra had also been a bit restrained the last day or so, but hadn’t broken down like Ashreye apparently had. After returning from the dinner late last night she had thrown her heart into their lovemaking, maybe the last they would share.
Their conversation was cut short as a disheveled Sindra peeked out of the room at them, then signaled Jolan to come inside with her. Asari grinned. He suspected what she had in mind, a suspicion that was confirmed when the door was closed behind Jolan as he entered the room.
The cargo that was being shipped on the steamboat had been loaded the previous day, and the bustle of activity that surrounded the boat today was mostly directed towards the passengers and their personal belongings. Two gangplanks had been lowered to the dock, with the aft one reserved for baggage that would be directed to the rooms of the passengers, foodstuffs for the trip and the odd parcel of cargo that hadn’t been able to make the loading scheduled the previous day.
The forward gangplank was for passengers. Although there were three classes of passengers, two that were advertised, everyone was equal in terms of the means of boarding the ship. All boarded via the foreward gangplank. Since it was impossible to anticipate the arrival times of the passengers, they were boarded as they arrived. When it came time to disembark, a more orderly approach would be followed, with the higher classes being allowed to disembark first.
Jolan looked at the swirl of activity and tried to guess what class some of the people fell into. Most were obvious. The standard class passengers made up the bulk of the travelers, and they could usually be distinguished by their style of dress and the simple luggage they were carrying. This is the group he identified with, and had it not been for Tomas’ generosity, the group he and Asari would have been traveling with. Their cabins were all on the first level.
The “special” class passengers were far more richly dressed, usually arrived with piles of luggage, all leather like his own, and had a number of servants to see to transferring their belongings to the ship. These were the well to do, businessmen, merchants, politicians, and even som
e noblemen. They had cabins or suites on the upper deck, depending on whether they were traveling alone or with family or mistresses.
As Tomas had explained, they would be traveling in a special class, with suites that were not available normally or even advertised. They would have the option to take meals in their suite, or to eat in a special dining room, with at least one meal with the Captain. Jolan was eager for that meal, as he saw it as his chance to finally get a look at the mighty engines.
“Here comes Tomas,” Sindra observed and pointed down the dock where their friend was climbing out of his personal carriage. Sindra seemed to be making the best of the situation and her chance to see the ship. Ashreye was far more reserved.
“Sorry to be late,” Tomas apologized as he approached. “Father had some last words he wanted me to pass along, and I didn’t think he would ever finish.”
“Maybe we should get on board,” Jolan suggested. The wind was starting to pick up again. So far, the rain had held off, and they’d even had a bit of calm for the past hour, but now the air was decidedly cooler, and the gusts far more powerful and frequent. Since he’d already seen to their luggage, all that remained was for the group to board. Normally only travelers were allowed on-board at this time, but Asari and Jolan were allowed to bring guests aboard, a privilege afforded to only the top class of passengers. They would have to disembark a quarter hour before the lines were to be cast off, but would be allowed to see their accommodations, and given their elevated status, enjoy a drink if they desired while they waited.
With the wind whipping their long dresses, the women held onto their hats and shivered a bit as the group made their way across the gangplank. They had to wait their turn, as a line had formed because everyone wanted to spend as much time as possible with friends and family before leaving, but they were now breaking apart and trying to get on board. Once they cleared the boarding process, they were separated from the rush by a private stairway that led up to officer’s territory.
“Dragons!” Sindra exclaimed upon seeing their rooms. “This is even nicer than the inn.” She started to say more, but then cut herself off, instead walking around the room and then into the sleeping chamber to examine everything. Even Ashreye was more animated and excited now that they were aboard ship.
Jolan suspected he knew what she’d been thinking. He and Asari had even discussed it.
“Maybe the women could come along, at least as far as the coast. It would be an adventure for them.”
Jolan had agreed at the time. It would be fun. Days of relaxing and seeing the sights. They’d even have a day in Jupura to explore before he and Asari boarded the ship for the ocean crossing. Then, they’d had second thoughts. It would extend the parting, and make it even harder. Neither Ashreye nor Sindra had been very far out of Carta anytime in their lives, so while they would see new sights, they would also be left alone far from home to make their way back while the two men traveled onward. If the parting happened here in Carta, at least they would have their work, and their friends to be with to make it a bit easier. In the end, they had decided against extending the offer. Seeing Sindra’s reaction to the suite, Jolan wondered if they’d been right.
All too soon, it was time for the visitors to disembark, and after a round of hugs and kisses, and a firm handshake from Tomas, along with the words, “You can always come back when this is over. Carta has a place for you, you know,” they parted at the gangplank. Asari and Jolan made their way over to the railing on the second level where they could get a better view, and despite the coming storm, they watched their friends who waited and waived from the chilly dock below.
There was all the usual clanging of bells, blowing of the ship’s incredibly loud whistle, and the slamming of the heavy wooden gangplanks as they were dragged ashore and dropped unceremoniously onto the dock. The railings were extended to close the gap where the gangplanks had been. The ship experienced the slow jockeying back and forth Jolan recalled from other boat rides he’d taken as the massive wheel rotated first one way and then the other. Gradually a gap appeared between the dock and the boat, and then suddenly they started moving, rapidly gaining speed as the current took hold of the boat assisted by the regular turning of the aft wheel. Jolan could see Tomas, an arm around each of the women trying vainly to console them. He could see that Sindra’s head was buried in his shoulder and he knew she must be crying. He wondered again at the accuracy of Asari’s reading of the situation, but it was too late now to do anything. Ashreye held her head up, with one arm raised in farewell, but he suspected there were a few tears there as well. In truth, neither he nor Asari had much to say as they marched silently up the final stairs and returned to their suite. They could watch through the windows, and it was getting far too cold to remain on deck now that they had traveled far enough to make the river turn which stole the view of their friends away.
“Someone’s at the door,” Asari said and jumped up from the floor where he had been sorting through his bags. He and Jolan had been putting items they expected to use frequently into the drawers provided in the suite while watching the changing scenery through the large side windows. Moments later he returned carrying a heavy chest and an envelope that had been delivered by one of the ship’s crew.
“He said the Captain was given instructions to deliver this after the ship had passed the rapids. I think it’s from Lord Yeren.”
Jolan looked at the envelope and agreed. He recognized the ornate seal that the Lord used on his correspondence that mirrored the design on the gates to his estate.
“What is it?” Jolan asked, assuming the crew member had told his friend.
“Don’t know, but it sure is heavy for such a little box.”
Asari set the box down and discovered it was locked. Surprised, he felt of the envelope and realized there was a key inside. Breaking the seal, he opened it, handed the key to Jolan, and read the note.
“It is from Lord Yeren. He’s given us a little spending money to help offset the ‘elevated’ and ‘disgraceful’ prices we are likely to find in Cobalo. I think he didn’t want to give us a chance to refuse.”
“More than a little,” Jolan exclaimed and stood back so Asari could see for himself the stack of gold coins inside the chest. No wonder it had been heavy.
“How many are there?” Asari asked.
“Well, there are twelve stacks, and let’s see, eight coins per stack. That makes ninety-six gold Royals. You’re rich Asari.”
“Why me?”
“I think this is intended as a reward for saving Tomas. That was certainly your doing, not mine. I was one of the rescued. Besides, we have more than enough coin for our needs. You should set this aside for later, after this is over. It would certainly give you a great start on whatever you plan to do.”
Asari didn’t like the way this was headed. It sounded too much like the day might someday come that Jolan would go back to Earth and never return. He’d grown to think of him as family, actually more like family than anyone he had left. In the back of his mind he hoped that Jolan would eventually elect to stay here on Gaea.
“Our money,” he insisted. “We can set it aside, but we share. That’s what we decided earlier.”
Jolan nodded even though he felt otherwise. He’d see what could be done once they saw what things were really like in Cobalo. He was amused by the number of coins they’d been given. Back home it would have seemed more natural for a round number like a hundred or so. He guessed that the fact ninety-six was a multiple of their base number sixteen explained the count.
The rain started rattling against the windows again, really coming down heavily at the moment. He looked out the windows through the downpour and could see the drops impacting the river surface, which was roiled and churning from the wind, all resulting in a slight rocking motion of the heavy steamboat. At times the rain was heavy enough to almost block out the far shore of the river, which had widened considerably after they left the city limits. Now they were moving between
some impressive mountains. He’d been told that Carta was pretty much surrounded by them, but hadn’t really realized how extensive the ranges were. If they’d been on horseback they’d be far behind their present location, and be thoroughly drenched by the downpour. They’d be looking at a cold meal and a wet night. Instead, Jolan was anticipating a large steak and a glass of wine before turning in. While he slept, they would continue to make progress.
Since he was finished unpacking, he reached into the case and brought out the two maps he had purchased some weeks ago. He had studied them casually, but now that they were on the move again he wanted to see what lay ahead. He unrolled the two maps, and removed a few of the gold coins from the chest to hold them open. He took out his pen and marked lines on the map of the Settled Lands, and recorded dates next to certain locations. He made a guess where they had started, a bit south of the huge lake, and wrote the date he’d arrived. Then, he marked the number of weeks to Trailways, and the approximate times to the cities along the way. At one side of Carta he marked their arrival date, and on the other today’s date, the date they were leaving. He’s been on Gaea over twelve of the local ten-day weeks. Fall here, well into summer now back home.
“What are you doing?” Asari asked as he looked over Jolan’s shoulder.
“Look. All this time and this small line is all the farther we’ve come. We’ve covered less than half the width of the narrow part of the oval that defines the Settled Lands.”
“This is where we’re going?” he asked, pointing to the port city.
“That’s right. Here. We can see better on the map of Seret.” He pulled out the larger map so they could look at their route, the river was clearly marked, with a number of small towns and one major city between Carta and the coast city of Jupura. “How far have you traveled this way before?” he asked his friend.
