by Charles Lamb
“Sire, a word if I may?” Captain Yeagars asked, approaching the couple from behind. As they turned, Cassie gave Alex a quick kiss before leaving him and the Captain alone. Kinsey got up slowly and followed the nymph below decks.
Alex could see Yeagars had a chart rolled and carried under one arm as he motioned for him to follow. The Captain led Alex over to one of the lower cabin rooftops, conveniently protruding up from the deck about table height. As he watched, Yeagars spread the chart out on the rooftop, moving to one side to give Alex a better view.
Alex slid over to review the map depicting the coastline they now followed north. He could see the ports of Windfall and Nyland as well as other landmarks noted along the way between the two.
“We have a bit of a problem,” Yeagars started as he motioned to the map.
“I understand we want to make Nyland with all haste,” he began.
“Yes, the sooner the better,” Alex replied. He could see the Captain nod before continuing, acknowledging Alex’s statement.
“Well, to do so, we will need to hug the coastline all the way north, which brings us to our problem. I had intended to do just that, hugging the coast and taking the shortest route. That requires us to pass between this point of land and the islands off the coast,” Yeagars explained as he pointed to the map.
Alex could see where the mainland jutted out, almost skewering a cluster of islands just offshore. The chart noted that the islands were a hazard to shipping, with shallows and underwater obstructions throughout. He could see Nyland was not far beyond the point.
The islands extended well out to sea, and Alex suspected they were once part of the mainland, attached at the point. Some geological event had broken them away, dispersing the land mass into disparate islands. There were notes of small settlements on a few of the larger, homes to fishermen he assumed.
“OK, sounds reasonable…” Alex replied, unsure of the problem.
“I had hoped to pass that point in the night, where darkness would cover our passage. Unfortunately, the winds are not so favorable and we will cross between the point and the islands at early mid-day tomorrow,” Yeagars explained.
“Why is that a problem?” Alex asked, confused that the Captain would want to run the risk of navigating a narrow passage in the dark.
“This area is favored by pirates. They hang back in the narrows between the islands or just inside the point here. They had been driven out by Renfeld’s father but have since returned to the area,” Yeagars answered while indicating the spit of land jutting forward.
Alex was beginning to understand. Moving through the narrow channel under the cover of darkness would allow the schooner to slip past any would-be bandits. Now, they could be jumped from either side of the channel well before they had a chance to avoid the conflict.
“Can we go around?” Alex asked indicating the mass of islands.
“Yes, but it will add more than a day to the trip,” Yeagars replied solemnly.
“I guess I had better go get my bow then,” Alex said.
----*----
Later that day Alex updated his traveling companions over their evening meal. No one seemed particularly surprised at the information and Leander added to the subject.
“Yes, I was informed at the Rangers Guild that the pirates had returned to those islands. I wasn’t paying close attention; I assumed we were going around them. The Guild is doing what it can to assist travelers in that area but they can do little more than track and report on the pirates’ activities off the coast.”
“Well I’d rather not burn their ships to the waterline so we will have to come up with a better idea before tomorrow morning,” Alex replied.
“Why do you care?” Abrianna asked, her curiosity evident.
“I talked with Yeagars and some of his officers earlier, looking for ideas and they gave me rather detailed accounts of pirate raids they had experienced. Unlike the villains of my world where they use can… er, explosive weapons to subdue their victims, here they chase them down with minimal loss of life. Mostly they board you and take valuables and goods.”
“And that’s not bad?” Abrianna, now shocked, let slip.
“Deadly force in defense of life and limb is well justified. Its use in protecting goods and valuables is subjective at best,” Alex replied with a shrug.
“You would have them board us and take whatever they pleased?” Cassie now asked.
“I would do my best to avoid such an encounter to begin with. But if pressed to heave to and allow boarding versus risking the lives in this room and on deck, then yes,” Alex responded firmly.
“What things of value are aboard that are worth your life?” Alex continued.
“The coins in my purse, the provisions in the hold?” he added.
“OK, point made. However, what if they want the Quest?” Leander proposed, referring to the ship.
“Then we fight,” Alex replied with conviction.
Chapter 19
The next morning found everyone on deck early after a quick breakfast. Captain Yeagars had men high in the rigging, acting as watch for telltale signs of approaching vessels. From his spot near the bow, Alex could make out the islands off the port side while the coastline was still visible on the starboard.
The air was clear and he could detect the slightest chill as the northern temperatures started to make themselves known. Ben had indicated that by the time they reached Nyland, Alex should be prepared for ice and snow as the winter was just beginning to set in up there. He recalled Leena’s dislike of the cold and felt a pang of guilt.
With the thought of Leena, Alex wondered how the twins were doing in their quest to unearth leads regarding Amelia and Tantalus’ whereabouts. With the last, Alex had little concern that Kelby would rest until she had the Dragon Master in her grasp.
With that vision in his head, he returned to scanning the horizon, looking for telltale signs of ships stalking unwary travelers.
----*----
Kelby was sitting in the downstairs great room of the Drowning Man, waiting for the morning crowd to trickle in. Like any other seaport, there was always that group of men that started the day in a bar. She had never given much thought as to why that was the case nor cared to ask. She was simply anxious to start the day’s hunt for anyone connected to the Gundor Stronghold.
Yesterday, she had heard references to Tantalus from several men either sailing or warehousing for him. All confirmed they had not seen him since arriving in Nyland, and most suspected he had left to join Renfeld somewhere inland.
From her previous experience with Cassie and Alex, she did not think Renfeld was still alive. That meant Tantalus was more likely hiding in Gundor. Working the room until closing, she had been unable to locate any of the Gundor personnel whom might be able to shed light on the question.
Every time she thought of Tantalus, she seethed with anger. She constantly envisioned pulling his struggling body deep into a watery grave, or slitting his throat and watching him gurgle as his life’s blood ran from the wound. While she hoped to assist in rescuing Cassie’s mom, her focus never wavered on avenging her own mother.
Noises from the front door brought her attention back to the present. As she watched, four men came in, all laughing and already staggering for so early in the morning. What caused her heart to skip a beat were the clothes they were wearing. Rather than the typical attire the local fishermen and dockworkers sported, these were some kind of uniform.
“Can I help you boys?” Kelby asked as she slid up to their table in a seductive fashion. The four had seated themselves at a table near the center of the room and away from the front door.
“Hell yes!” the closest one of them replied as he slid his arm around her waist, but not before hovering on her behind for a moment.
“A pitcher of wine!” another announced, and then asked, “Do we want food?”
“You can’t drink food, fool!” a third replied with a laugh.
“Looks like yo
u got an early start?” Kelby asked, not in any hurry to run off just yet.
“Barton liberated a few bottles for the trip, so we got to start our leave early!” the fourth offered, while pointing to the first.
“Never seen you before,” the one called Barton asked as he looked up at her from his chair; arm still firmly around her waist. With the question, she deftly spun in place, allowing her to sit crossways in the man’s lap while she wrapped both arms around his neck
“I’m new here, just came in yesterday. Where are you all from?” Kelby replied coyly while entrancing the man with her charm.
“We are on leave from Gundor,” the fourth replied, apparently hoping to attract Kelby into his lap as well.
“Are you the only mermaid here today?” replied the second, suddenly doing the math, and determining Kelby wasn’t going to be able to entertain them all at once.
“Leena?” Kelby called without looking away from the man she was sitting on.
“Yes?” came the reply as the twin appeared from a room behind the bar.
“There’s two of em!” number four declared as they watched Leena approached the table with a smile and carrying a pitcher with four mugs.
Leena and Kelby had worked it out earlier that if either located a Gundor lead, they would call for the other. It was common mermaid tactics to pair up to keep the mark distracted and confused, as the women got what they wanted from him.
“On the house boys!” Leena announced as she set the mugs down and filled them from the pitcher. Kelby knew the contents were the strongest drink in the tavern, something intended to loosen tongues and purses. As she watched, still seated in Barton’s lap, all four emptied their mugs and then waited as Leena poured another round.
“This is wonderful!” the man across from Kelby declared as he took a breath between draws from his mug. She watched as Leena worked the table, rubbing up against each man as she refilled the mugs.
“So, what do you big, strong men do in Gundor?” Kelby asked with a dazzling smile.
----*----
The sun was high overhead as Cassie’s Quest headed into the narrow channel created between the offshore islands and the point of land jutting out from the coast. Alex couldn’t see any telltale signs of inhabitants on either side of the channel, nor did he see any masts.
Sailing ships had one fault in concealing their presence, and that was the tall masts required for their sails. With the coast on either side devoid of trees, just lingering next to shore wasn’t possible without early detection.
However, as the islands and mainland here had high cliffs along the rugged coastline, it was easy to just hang back outside of direct view. With men still high in the rigging and every available body manning the rails, the thought that any slip on the pirate’s part would go undetected was unlikely.
The men on deck were there to serve another purpose as well. Should they be set upon, showing so many able bodied fighters at hand was hoped as a deterrent to attack. Alex suspected that it was a small hope indeed, but it seemed to make Cassie and Abrianna feel a little more secure.
His earlier comments on avoiding a fight were said in earnest, but he privately held no desire to allow anyone to board the ship without some resistance. He had a few magical tricks up his sleeve, things he had conferred with Ben on when cannons had been discussed.
While he was considering this, one of the sailors high in the rigging gave the alarm.
“Masts, starboard side.”
Sure enough, as they cleared the point, Alex could see the masts of two ships, but with the sails still furled. He would have expected men in the rigging, preparing to drop sails and ready to make a hasty pursuit. Instead, he could clearly see men staffing the decks, but giving the schooner no more than a passing look.
“Captain?” Alex asked as he joined Yeagars near the helm. The man was using his binoculars and was scanning both vessels as they sat at anchor.
“Those two are the brigantines we saw on the trip west,” Yeagars replied without lowering the glasses.
“Why are they just sitting there?” Alex asked in reply.
Rather than reply, Yeagars handed Alex his binoculars. Taking to offered field glasses, he focused on the nearest vessel and began a scan from bow to stern.
“Wow, that’s a lot of damage. Did you see the burned decking and rails?” Alex asked as he moved to the second ship.
“Yes. I am guessing they ran afoul of a dragon,” Yeagars replied.
“There is a lot of high quality metalwork on those ships,” Alex commented as he handed the binoculars back. He could see the confused look on the captain’s face, but chose not to elaborate.
“Captain, heave to and lets drop anchor a safe distance away,” Alex asked as he considered the situation.
“Sire?” Yeagars asked as if he questioned his hearing.
“I think we might have an opportunity here,” Alex replied and he turned and scanned the deck for the first officer. Spotting the man, he shouted to get his attention.
“Mr. Sikes, can you please have Shadows brought on deck?”
----*----
Kelby and Leena had moved the Gundor soldiers to a table in the back of the room, far away from anyone else. They had been fighting with the desire of the men to overindulge, keeping the four just drunk enough to continue talking, but not so they passed out.
By now, the tavern had filled to near capacity, and the entire mermaid staff had descended on the unsuspecting patrons. It never ceased to amaze her how much money a man was willing to spend for time talking to a pretty face and the possibility of more intimate activities.
Her four victims had nearly run out of coins by mid-morning, not that they even realized it. She would have let them drink free, but the mermaid in charge wanted fair compensation for their participation. Leena and Kelby had made sure they were well distracted as the two entranced them with seductive attention and suggestive banter.
What the men failed to realize was the banter was wrapped around questions on Tantalus, the Stronghold, and what secrets lay deep in the bowels of the mountain. It took far less effort than she expected to get them to divulge that Tantalus was in fact hiding out in the Stronghold, a guest of the king. The four constantly complained about the extra duties and cramped quarters having the additional men with Tantalus placed on their meager resources.
Just as surprising though was the total lack of knowledge they had on anything dragon related. They knew of mysterious crates stored in a room near Tantalus’s quarters. They were also up on the rumors of Sea Dragons and attacks on shipping, but had no idea that one might be hidden away in the abandoned dwarf tunnels deep in the mountain.
She began to wonder if maybe King Ben and Alex had been wrong in their estimation that the Red Dragon had taken refuge in the mountain caves. But then they commented on the regular meal deliveries made to the dungeons, where no prisoners were being held. Also, regular hunting parties were sent out to kill game that never made it back to the castle.
Satisfied that they had bled the four dry of money and information, Kelby gave her sister a nod. The twin smiled as she pulled a pitcher off the bar and poured each of the men another round, taking care not to fill the cups more than half way.
Within minutes, all four were face down on the table and sleeping peacefully. With a smile, the twins returned to the bar, taking time enough to drop the four coin pouches with the bartender and drain the drugged wine from the pitcher lest it be delivered unintentionally to another table.
Arm in arm, the two headed upstairs to compare notes and wait for the arrival of the rest of their companions.
----*----
Alex could see that Cassie was not in agreement with his decision to visit the pirates. As he saddled Shadows, she was hovering nearby, mumbling obscenities. Since dropping anchor a respectable distance away from the two damaged ships, neither had made a move to challenge the other.
Captain Yeagars had his lookouts stationed high in the rigging, tr
acking the pirates every move. Alex noted the man’s discomfort at the situation; however, he kept his concerns to himself.
With the schooner’s sails furled, the boom amidships was pushed aside, providing Alex the room he needed to mount Shadows and for the mare to spread her wings. The look of awe from the nearby sailors reminded Alex that what was becoming routine to him was still something special.
“Are you sure this is really a good idea?” Cassie asked again, obviously not satisfied with the last explanation.
“We need information, and I hardly expect they will suddenly attack when their ships are barley afloat as it is,” he said while pointing to the two vessels at anchor.
Mounting the mare, he adjusted himself in the saddle while guiding her over to the ship’s railing. He could see Cassie was not accepting his explanation, so he felt a sense of urgency to get moving to put the issue to rest.
With a single step, Shadows launched skyward, and giving the mare her head, they circled the schooner twice before rising to a height sufficient to clear the mastheads. Alex nudged his ride toward the pirate vessels and scanned the decks below, looking for indications of the kind of reception he might receive. He had moved his sword to rest across his back with an easy draw should things go poorly.
As he circled the two vessels, he could see some confusion below as the men scrambled about. From the confusion, Alex was able to determine the leaders of the vessels and selected the one he thought to be the flagship of the miniature fleet.
Pointing Shadows to the deck of the ship he had chosen, they circled once to lose altitude before she landed firmly between two of the square-rigged masts. She had to take particular care to miss the deck grate centered in the opening on the deck.
Once settled, Alex watched as the pirates made a large circle around him and the mare.
“I would have asked for permission to come aboard, but as you saw, that was not so easy to do,” Alex declared to the crowd. A movement to his right drew his attention as a larger man moved through the crowd to stand inside the circle with him.
