“I’m sorry,” Lyall’s expression was grave. “Circumstances dictate that we must remain here for the next few days. Then we will be leaving by ship.”
Patris shrugged. “The choice is yours. I cannot protect you while you are here–the risk is too great. I can quietly book passage for you on a ship when you are ready to depart–for a modest commission.”
“A commission?” Shann asked.
Patris grinned. “As we say here in Sakara, ‘the wind and the waves are free; everything else comes at a price.’ Where is it you are headed?” There was a silence around the table. Patris held up his hand. “That’s all right. I can appreciate that you have no reason to trust me.”
“It’s not that exactly,” Lyall explained. “It’s just that our destination is not on any of the regular trade routes. We are going to need a ship of our own.”
The thief raised an eyebrow. “Charter or purchase?”
Lyall glanced at Shann and Keris. “Purchase.”
“Size?”
“Small.” Lyall considered. “A single masted cog should be sufficient.”
“A cog cannot be sailed into a headwind,” Keris pointed out.
“No, but it can be crewed by a handful of people. And I don’t intend for us to ‘sail’ into any headwind, in any case.” He gave Keris a knowing look and she grew quiet. He turned back to Patris. “It must also be ready for immediate refit. The details are lodged at the shipwright’s office where you…encountered us.”
Patris nodded. “I think I know of a suitable vessel. Is there anything else?”
“Yes, our money,” Keris repeated.
“Why don’t we consider that a down payment on your requirements, all right?” Patris smiled a genial smile. Keris’ face was impassive.
“We will also need someone skilled in seamanship, someone…” Lyall seemed to be weighing his next word carefully, “…trustworthy.”
Patris burst out laughing. “That’s a tall order in this town. However, I count seamanship among my various talents. I would be glad to assist you.”
“You are a sailor as well as a thief?” Shann was incredulous.
Patris’ dark eyes flashed. “Actually in a free port such as this, that’s not uncommon. Many people here have spent some time at sea as traders or freebooters.”
“There is one more item we will need.” Lyall leaned forward. “A quantity of refined lodestone–not less than five levia weights.”
Patris blew through his teeth and ran a hand through his brown shoulder length hair. “Difficult. I presume you know that all lodestone production is strictly controlled by your Prophet. Even the Guilds here in Sakara are forbidden to trade in it as a part of their treaty with Chalimar.”
Keris turned away. “Dealing with this con artist is a waste of time.”
Lyall looked at her sharply, but Patris didn’t seem fazed by the insult. “I said it was difficult–not impossible. When do you need it?”
“Within three days,” Lyall replied.
“Done.”
Alondo suddenly poked his head around the door. “You’re back, I see.”
“We are.” Lyall confirmed with an amused expression. “How are you and Boxx getting on?”
“We have some ideas–not much progress as yet though. Who is our guest?”
“This is Patris,” Lyall opened his hand. “He tried to rob us earlier. We are just negotiating with him for the things we need.”
Alondo appeared nonplussed. “I see. Well…pleased to meet you. Evening meal will be ready shortly.”
“Thank you,” Lyall acknowledged. Alondo disappeared behind the door. Shann suppressed a giggle.
“He certainly seems an odd fellow,” Patris observed.
“You think so?” Lyall commented. “Just wait till you meet Boxx.”
<><><><><>
Chapter 28
“This is a mistake.” Keris stood toe to toe with Lyall on the deck of the Soraya. Their conversation was punctuated by sounds of sawing and hammering and the occasional shouts of the refit crew as they laboured to install lateral and transverse bulkheads as well as a new bilge keel. The keel would help their little vessel to stay upright in the turbulent storms. The bulkheads would give added strength and help prevent capsizing–or so Lyall hoped. The truth was that despite the ingenious method he had devised to get them through the Barrier and the preparations he was making, there was still an excellent chance that they would all perish in the attempt. That meant that soon, very soon, he would have to make a difficult decision. He thrust the thought to the back of his mind for the hundredth time, and focussed his attention on Keris. “How do you mean?” He had a fair idea of what she was going to say next.
“I mean dealing with these…people.”
It suited Lyall to play dumb. He took in his surroundings. The vessel lay in dry dock, nestled in a maze of scaffolding like a sea monster in a cage. “I don’t know; the shipwrights seem to be doing a first rate job.”
“Not them; I mean the criminals who are meant to be obtaining our supplies.”
“They are not criminals here in Sakara,” Lyall corrected her. “They are law abiding citizens.”
“Don’t remind me.”
Lyall put a hand on her shoulder. “Believe it or not, I appreciate your caution, Keris. But the arrangement does seem to be working out well so far. We have our ship, and work is proceeding apace.”
Keris was steely-eyed. Clearly, she was not going to be easily put off this time. “This ship looks pretty old to me. How can you even be sure it’s seaworthy?”
“Oh, I think that’s the least of our worries.”
“What makes you say that?”
Lyall laughed lightly. “Because Patris is sailing with us. I hardly think he would put to sea in something that is going to sink as soon as we clear the harbour.”
Two caulkers in stained aprons appeared over the gangway, carrying a selection of tools. They nodded to Lyall and Keris as they passed on their way to the stern castle. Keris lowered her voice. “Patris doesn’t know where we are headed, or what we intend to face. When he realises, there is no way he is going to agree to sail the ship into the Great Barrier.”
Lyall pursed his lips. “I’ve thought of that. If all goes to plan, we won’t actually have to sail the ship through the Barrier. As far as Patris is concerned, I am arranging to have a covered launch installed. We will let him disembark and sail back to Sakara. He will be a few days at sea, but he will be more than adequately compensated.”
Keris shook her head. “I still don’t trust them. They agreed to supply our lodestone in three days. That was eight days ago. I think they are suspicious of why we need it.”
“I’m sure they are,” Lyall agreed. “But a good trader knows not to ask his customers too many awkward questions. The Guilds cannot be seen to be connected with any trade in lodestone, so I knew when we conceived of this plan that we would probably have to deal with an ‘unofficial’ source. If you know of another way…?” Keris shook her head. “Then I think we have no choice other than to be patient.”
“Still, we are taking a real risk,” Keris warned. “Patris already told us there is a large bounty being offered. If they were to decide to deliver us to the Prophet’s spies, they could easily do so, and the lodestone provides the perfect excuse to keep us here and delay our departure.”
Lyall cast his eye over the neatly stacked planks of seasoned wood. The work below deck was proceeding apace. However, to provide added stability, he ideally wanted the fore and stern castles lowered. There was also the lodestone to be installed–whenever it finally arrived. Keris was right. Time was of the essence, and every day they remained here involved added danger. “When the lodestone is fitted, we should test it to see if it works properly. After all, I don’t think anyone has ever attempted this before.”
“I will do that,” Keris said. “You still don’t wish for Shann and the others to know what you’re planning.”
“No. I have my reas
ons.”
Laughter drifted over from the direction of the gangway. Shann and Oliah appeared together, locked in animated conversation. The day after their encounter with Patris, Oliah had shown up at the Calandra and introduced herself as one of Patris’ ‘business associates,’ which was to say that she, too, was a street thief. The unlikely pair had hit it off and were now virtually inseparable. Alondo was involved, too, although Lyall had firmly told himself that it was none of his business.
The girls were both small and slight, although Oliah was a little older and had short fair hair. They could easily have been taken for sisters. Shann sauntered up to Lyall and Keris with a spring in her step. Oliah was hanging back, peeking out from beneath her delicate eyelids with a coy expression. “Have you seen Alondo?” Shann asked Lyall casually.
“I left him below.” The girls turned tail and left together, arm in arm. “Don’t take him away from his work,” Lyall called out after them.
“We won’t,” Shann promised. Both girls erupted again in peals of laughter.
Lyall and Keris stood side by side, watching them go. Finally Keris spoke under her breath. “They have no idea what they are facing.”
For once, Lyall was in complete agreement with her. He felt an odd twinge. Worry? Regret? Fear? And once more, the spectre of the decision he would soon have to make rose in his consciousness like a maralah, its four penetrating eyes demanding his attention. Not yet.
There was a further sound coming from the direction of the gangway, but this time it was not laughter. A shout of greeting. Two more in acknowledgement. Patris’ narrow face and hook nose were followed by his slim body, clothed in an expensive looking purple and yellow suit. He hurried towards them across the deck. He was all smiles. “Good news,” he beamed. “Your lodestone is here.”
~
The wharf area–the very heart of the port city of Sakara. By night, a place of scarlet pools. Of secret shadows. A tall, broad man stepped forth from one. He strode purposefully to the edge of the dock. Ships great and small lay alongside one another, framed as silhouettes against the dimly lit cloudscape. Their hulls creaked gently like a row of old men turning over in bed. Waves lapped gently against the breakwater.
Most of the gangways had been taken up, but one had been left conspicuously rolled out. It vanished into the bowels of one of the larger vessels. Inviting. The man moved silently up the gangway and into the dark recess of an upper deck.
He paused a moment to allow his eyes to become accustomed to the gloom; a tiny point of light was visible towards one corner. The man headed for it, ducking carefully to avoid the low beam work. The light gradually resolved into a flickering candle, set in the centre of a small round table. Before the table were two stools, one of which was occupied by a figure in a dark, close fitting jacket. The candlelight cast his features in sharp relief. One hand was by his side; the other rested on the table, revealing a bronze ring on his index finger, set with a black stone. He motioned to the other stool and the broad man took a seat.
The man at the table raised his Ringed hand. “Fealty and service to the Three and the One.”
“Fealty and service,” the newcomer intoned.
“My Lord, Saccath,” the man at the table began. It is good to meet you at last. I am called Girmala. I have the honour to be the eyes and ears of the Prophet in this city. I have been informed of your arrival by the keep at Chalimar. I am to do all in my power to assist you.”
Saccath nodded slowly. “Very good. You have been briefed as to my mission here?”
“Somewhat,” Girmala affirmed. “I am aware that you are pursuing the renegade, Keris. Armed with that intelligence, and in anticipation of your arrival, I have had the subject under surveillance for a number of days. The group she is travelling with is staying at the Calandra. What is not clear, however, is the reason for their presence here. They appear to have allied themselves with one of the thief gangs.” He screwed his face up. “It is difficult to believe that a servant of the Prophet would consort with such people.”
Saccath ignored the man’s thinly disguised attempts to curry favour. It had been a long journey here and he did not have time to waste. He needed information, information that would enable him to deal finally with Keris. Murderer of Nikome and Mordal. Traitor to the Prophet. Betrayer of everything she stood for. Somehow she and the group she was travelling with had survived the Pits of Kharthrun. He had promised Mevan and himself that if any of them reached Sakara, then he would see to it that that would be the end of their journey. He intended to make good on that promise. “What else have you discovered?”
“They have purchased a ship and appear to be modifying it, although I cannot say to what purpose. Their destination, too, is something of a mystery. Most curious of all, they have acquired a quantity of lodestone.”
Saccath’s ears pricked up. “How is that possible?”
“We do not know. We… were unable to track the source.” Girmala’s eyes flicked to the other man and then down at the table.
Saccath did not care about delivering a rebuke. The Guilds were supposed to be prohibited from acquiring or trading in lodestone. Clearly the authorities in Chalimar had underestimated their resourcefulness–and their treachery. He would have to report the matter in due course. For now though, he did not care about anything other than his quarry. His eyes became distant. “Why would she require lodestone?”
Girmala took the question as addressed to him. “I will investigate.”
Saccath roused himself. “No…no, I want you to take the woman Keris into custody as soon as possible. I will interrogate her myself. She must be taken without interference from the city watch.”
Girmala smiled; shadows cast by the candlelight lent his face a ghoulish appearance. “Do not concern yourself, Lord. We have done this sort of thing a number of times before at the behest of the Unan-Chinneroth. We are quite good at what we do.”
Girmala was a little too self assured, a little too complacent. His use of the Prophet’s formal name was calculated to impress. It had the reverse effect. Saccath found that his dislike of the other man was growing by the moment. This had to be done right. There was no room for mistakes. He leaned forward, the single flame reflected in each eye. “Listen carefully. This woman is no mere petty thief or corrupt city official. She is one of our own, a trained Keltar with skills well in excess of those of your men. Even unarmed, she will not be taken easily. The operation will need to be well planned.”
Girmala’s smile vanished. “It will be as you command.” He paused, weighing his next words carefully. “We have discovered a further piece of information that may be of use, my Lord. It seems that one of those travelling with her–the coward who attacked a Keltar in Corte and then fled–has been identified as the same person who led an attack on Persillan eleven turns ago. The Prophet has a special interest in him. In fact, his sister is being held in custody at a secret location, in the hopes that he would show his face again.”
“I see. Well, we will deal with the rest of them, as soon as the woman Keris is out of the way,”
“Understood.”
Saccath rose from his stool and turned to leave. He heard Girmala’s voice behind him. “What will happen to her?”
Saccath did not turn around. “She will not leave this city alive.” He strode off into the darkness, leaving the other man seated alone at the candlelit table. Girmala leaned forward, cupped the flame gently in one hand as if it were a life, and blew it out.
~
“We sail on the morning tide.”
Lyall made the announcement to the gathering seated in the back room of the Calandra that had become their unofficial meeting place. Keris and Patris were off making final arrangements and were expected shortly. Shann and Boxx sat on one side of the table; Alondo and Oliah were on the other. Oliah’s eyes were red rimmed, as if she had been crying. She kept looking at her hands.
Lyall and Alondo had been friends since childhood. The musician’s ready s
mile and easy manner had led him into numerous close friendships with women, but none that Lyall could recall as being serious–until now. Lyall was grateful in a way, since it made the decision he had come to, the decision he was going to have to announce a little later this evening, somewhat easier.
Before that however, there were two small but important matters to deal with. The first was purely to do with morale. He smiled at the group. “Our ship needs a name.”
“It already has a name–the Soraya,” Shann reminded him.
“The ship is ours now.” Lyall pointed out. “Besides, a ‘soraya’ is a sea creature with four eyes and tentacles.”
Alondo had a puzzled look. “I thought it was the name of a local soup?”
“It is,” Lyall confirmed. “That’s what’s in the soup.”
Alondo suddenly looked ill. “That’s what I had for breakfast. No wonder no-one would answer me when I asked what the bits were.”
Shann stifled a giggle.
“Well, I think we can do better. Suggestions, people?”
Alondo and Shann looked at each other. Shann’s face lit up. “How about Stormchaser?”
“I like it,” Alondo beamed.
“So do I. However, I don’t think we want to give Patris quite such an obvious clue to our intentions, do we?” asked Lyall. Shann and Alondo both shook their heads.
Alondo interrupted the silence. “We could name her after Oliah, here.” Oliah squeezed his hand, looked up into his face and smiled.
“Annata.” All eyes turned to look at the Chandara.
Lyall nodded. “That seems good. After all, it is she who started us on this journey. It’s a reminder of why we are all here.”
“Annata’s Reach,” Shann added.
“Perfect. Are we all agreed?” There were nods from around the table. Lyall broke the top off a bottle of narrian wine and filled five goblets. He raised one. “The Annata’s Reach.”
The Lodestone Trilogy (Limited Edition) (The Lodestone Series) Page 30
