Fierce Loyalty fk-5

by Toby Neighbors

  He was bluffing of course. They were several miles from the coast, too far for Offendorl to levitate himself in his weakened condition. He wouldn’t sink the ship, but he didn’t want the sailors to know that.

  Several of the sailors bowed; others cringed back in fear. The sailor lost overboard was forgotten. The captain was terrified, but he came forward meekly.

  “I am sorry,” he said.

  “Not as sorry as you will be if you try to harm me again, is that clear?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “You shall bring me food and wine at first light, do you understand?”

  “I shall bring it from my own stores.”

  “And if my possessions are missing from my cabin they shall be returned promptly.”

  “Yes, I will see that it is done, my friend.”

  “So be it,” Offendorl said in a menacing tone. “And get me to Brimington with all haste.”

  “We shall fly every stitch of sail, my friend, day and night.”

  Offendorl spun on his heel, his head held high as he walked across the deck toward the dark stairwell that led down to his room. A sailor hurried forward with a lamp. Offendorl took it and walked down the stairs. He was sweating when he reached the bottom, his hands trembling slightly, but he had done what needed to be done, and no one had seen how weak he actually was. He stumbled into the room and collapsed on the bed. He would need to stay on his guard, he knew, but for now all he could think of was sleep.

  Chapter 4

  It took Zollin nearly an hour to rebuild his internal defenses. The concept was easy to envision, but containing his magic was difficult. It was like trying to channel a raging river into a small tube, but once he got his power under control, it seemed to increase exponentially.

  Mansel had roused Zollin before dawn and Eustice was ready with their horses and fresh supplies. They rode in silence, Zollin working to contain his magic while Mansel and Eustice battled just to stay awake. They rode along the coastline, which angled northeast. The next towns of size were the Twin Cities, each located on the points of two peninsulas that arched out into the sea, curving toward one another. The land created a sheltered harbor that was perfect for ships to take refuge in, and the cities were situated on the points of the peninsulas so that you could see from one city into the other.

  As dawn broke, Zollin spoke up.

  “What’s our plan?” he asked.

  “Not sure,” Mansel said. “I would prefer to ride down to Osla, but that’s probably not a good idea. It would take months.”

  “It’s safe from sea monsters though, isn’t it?” Zollin joked.

  “You going to tell me what that was?”

  “How should I know? The captain called it a kraken-you ever heard of that before?”

  Eustice shook his head.

  “No, can’t say that I have,” Mansel said after some thought. “It was a nasty piece of work though. Destroyed that trading ship and killed everyone on board except us.”

  “It’s a good thing most of the crew were still on land then,” Zollin said. “It was by far the biggest living creature I’ve ever seen.”

  “Bigger than the dragon?”

  “Yes, considerably bigger. I fought it, but I don’t think I caused any lasting harm.”

  “You drove it off though,” Mansel said, trying to be cheerful.

  “Some would say I woke it up,” Zollin said. “Just like the dragon, and those forest dryads we ran into in Peddingar.”

  Mansel didn’t respond. He wasn’t sure how to say something that wouldn’t be taken the wrong way. He wanted to encourage Zollin, but the fact was, since he had become a wizard there were a lot of crazy things happening that couldn’t be explained. Mansel had never believed in dragons or wizards, but now he was convinced that anything was possible.

  “So we ride,” Mansel said. “Hopefully we can get ahead of the rumors. Perhaps we book passage separately, at least you and me. Eustice can stay with you. That way people who are looking for the three of us won’t be suspicious.”

  “Won’t they be suspicious when we ride into town together?” Zollin asked.

  “I was thinking about that,” Mansel said. “Perhaps you could charter a boat. There are plenty of fishermen along the coast. You and Eustice sail up the coast, and I’ll ride. We can book passage on the same ship, but separately. That way, we won’t rouse suspicion.”

  “That’s fine by me, although I’m not anxious to get back on the water.”

  “Surely you drove that beast off for a while. By the time it’s ready to attack ships again, hopefully we’ll be halfway to Osla.”

  “Alright, that works for me. What about you, Eustice?”

  The mute servant nodded enthusiastically.

  An hour later they came to a small village and Zollin traded his horse and Eustice’s for passage to the Twin Cities. The boat they found was small and smelled of fish, but it seemed sturdy. The owner of the boat promised to have them in the big harbor by dawn the next morning. Zollin hoped that Mansel would be able to ride through the night.

  On the boat, Zollin once again had to tap into his magical power to stop himself from being seasick. The big ship had been constantly moving, but the smaller fishing boat was almost like being adrift in the sea. It rose and fell in a clumsy but steady trek up the coast. Eustice tried to sleep, but waves were large enough that the small vessel sent water flying as it splashed into each breaker. They were soon soaked and shivering, but the fisherman didn’t seem to notice.

  They ate soggy bread and smoked fish. Everything tasted strongly of salt, but despite their thirst they were forced to ration their supply of water. Zollin had a jug of wine, but it did nothing to slake his thirst. Their night was miserable, wet, and cold, but when the sun finally dawned they could see the Twin Cities.

  It was mid-morning by the time they docked the small boat and made their way to an inn where they could sit by the fire and enjoy a hot meal. Zollin sent Eustice with silver for dry clothes. He couldn’t help but think of Brianna whenever he thought about tailors. Her father had been a skilled tailor, and Brianna was talented as well. It made his heart ache to think of her. Her memory was becoming cloudy in his mind, which only made him even more angry. He didn’t want to forget what she looked like, but he couldn’t help it. He remembered her raven black hair, high cheekbones, and full lips, but he couldn’t remember exactly how her eyes had looked. She was becoming more shadow than memory, they way people often look in dreams. He could remember her form, but not her substance.

  Zollin went out in search of a ship where they could book passage. He tried not to worry about Mansel. The big warrior could take care of himself and he seemed to have a compulsion to see Zollin safe. It was probably born out of guilt, and as much as Zollin regretted Mansel’s crimes, he didn’t want his friend to suffer under the weight of actions he was not responsible for. It took nearly the rest of the day to find a ship willing to take on passengers. Rumors had reached the Twin Cities of the kraken attack, and they had grown stranger with each mile. He heard that the invading army had sunken the ship. He heard about hideous sea creatures that were nothing like the huge creature that actually attacked them. He even heard about an army of mermen rising up out of the water in a unified attack. But no matter how the story had grown, the one common denominator was the story of the three men who drew the beast and sabotaged the ship. They had become famous, the sole survivors of the heinous attack. Now, most of the ships were unwilling to take on passengers.

  When Zollin finally found the Northern Star, he paid for their passage with silver. There were rumors that the three men in Lorye had paid with gold, and Zollin didn’t want to do anything that might make the sailors think that he was the wizard who had fought the kraken.

  When Zollin returned to the inn, he found Eustice waiting for him with new clothes. The mute servant had managed to buy new breeches, several shirts, and even new boots for them both.

  “I’m not sure how you do it, Eu
stice,” Zollin said. “I mean, how do you haggle when you can’t talk?”

  The mute servant only waved a hand of dismissal at Zollin.

  “You did an excellent job,” he said. Eustice beamed under the praise. “I don’t know how you knew what size boots to get me, but these are a perfect fit. And very comfortable too.”

  They went together to get food. They bought several bottles of wine and a keg of ale, along with fruit, eggs, cheese, and three dozen loaves of bread. They paid a man with a pushcart a few bronze coins to haul their load to the boat. Then, they waited in separate inns as the sun set, hoping to catch sight of Mansel. Zollin wasn’t sure how the warrior would know which ship to book passage on-in fact, he wasn’t even sure if Mansel hadn’t suggested that they split up just so he could get as far away from Zollin as possible. Zollin wouldn’t have blamed his friend for that. It seemed like death followed Zollin as closely as his own shadow. He had taken great strides not to kill anyone since the battle at Orrock. The last thing he wanted now as more blood on his hands. He knew he would have to defeat Offendorl and the witch at Lodenhime, but just thinking about how easily he’d been able to inflict damage on the kraken made him feel ashamed. It was the realization that at any moment he could do the same thing to anyone around him. He could stop a man’s heart, eviscerate organs, or collapse lungs with hardly a thought. It was like holding a tiny baby bird in your hands, knowing that with only the tiniest effort you could end that life. The realization weighed heavily on Zollin.

  He drank cider and watched the sailors and merchants moving around on the quay. Boats loaded with cargo were rowed to the docks and unloaded. Carts full of merchandise rumbled over the cobblestone streets. Zollin couldn’t help but think of Todrek as he sipped his drink. It was cool and tart, reminding Zollin of his old friend and how they had spent the day together at the harvest festival in Tranaugh Shire. It had been a good day, at least until Brianna’s father had announced Todrek’s betrothal. Zollin had not been jealous of his friend, only envious of Todrek’s good fortune. He had been planning to leave their village, and Todrek’s betrothal had solidified that decision. He had only stayed into the winter because his best friend had asked Zollin to stand with him at the marriage ceremony.

  So much had changed that day, Zollin thought. Looking back, it was as if that day had set everything that came since into motion. Still, sitting comfortably, watching the hustle and bustle of the harbor in the last light of the day and drinking his cider, Zollin couldn’t help but think of how much Todrek would have enjoyed being there with him. The smell of the ocean was sharp, mingling with the smell of roasting meat and freshly baked bread. It was a moment of peace and happiness, a rarity in Zollin’s world.

  It was late before Zollin caught sight of Eustice. He hurried over and gestured for Zollin to follow him. They passed a sullen looking inn that overlooked the harbor and Eustice gestured at it. Zollin guessed that Eustice had seen Mansel go inside.

  “We need to let him know what we’ve done,” Zollin said. “But I don’t want us to be seen with him. Perhaps I could send him a message.”

  Eustice nodded as Zollin looked around. A young boy was sweeping outside the inn. Zollin approached him.

  “Can you carry a message for me?” he asked, holding up a silver mark.

  “Aye,” the boy said, mesmerized by the silver.

  “There’s a man in your inn here, a big man with a sword. He’s wearing a leather vest and goes by the name of Mansel. You think you could find him and give him a message?”

  “Aye, that I could, sir.”

  “Good,” Zollin said. “Tell him, ‘The Northern Star.’”

  “And…” the boy said.

  “That’s it, just ‘The Northern Star.’ And let him know it sails with the tide tomorrow. What time will that be?”

  “Just before noon day,” the boy said.

  “Good, that’ll give him time enough to square things. Repeat the message.”

  “The Northern Star sails with the morning tide.”

  “Good enough,” Zollin said, flipping the boy the coin. “Wait a few minutes, then go find him. Alright?”

  “Aye, sir,” the boy said.

  “Let’s go,” Zollin said to Eustice.

  They turned and went in search of a boat that would take them to their ship. A few coppers paid their fare, and the boat ride was smooth. Unlike the open waters of the coast, the harbor was calm and the skiff they rode in glided over the water. They had to climb a rope ladder up the side of the ship and were met by one of the sailors. The Northern Star wasn’t as big as the ship that had been destroyed by the Kraken, but it had a long corridor of rooms just under the main deck. Zollin and Eustice shared a room with two bunks, a sturdy table with canvas chairs, and even a small porthole with shutters. Their belongings and food had already been neatly stored away in the sea chests at the foot of each bunk.

  “Nothing left now but to wait, I guess,” Zollin said.

  Eustice nodded and began preparing food for their evening meal. Zollin was tempted to go up on deck and explore a little, perhaps even let his magic down into the sea again. But he didn’t want to take the chance that he had actually attracted the kraken. And he knew he would be worried until Mansel was safely on board the ship with them.

  They ate a light meal of bread and fruit with a little cheese and wine. They were tired from their travels so sleep came easily, and at dawn they awoke to the cries of the sailors. An officer was seeing that everything was ready for the ship to set sail with the tide. He barked and shouted, and the sailors answered in kind. Zollin was still sleepy, but it was impossible to rest with all the noise around him.

  “I think I’ll take a walk on the deck,” Zollin said.

  He stepped out of their room and was met by a woman in a long cloak. She glared at him for a moment, until he stepped to the side, then swept past him and entered a much larger set of rooms at the end of the corridor.

  “That’s Lady Roleena,” said a sailor who had just come down the stairs from the deck. He was carrying a large chest on his shoulder. “I’d steer clear, if you take my meaning. She’s got a razor sharp tongue, she has.”

  “Thanks for the advice,” Zollin said.

  He turned and headed back up to the main deck. There were people everywhere-mostly sailors, but some were passengers overseeing their belongs as they were hoisted up from the ships below. Zollin went out to an empty spot along the ship rail and looked out over the water. He wasn’t surprised that the ship was filling up. It had been the only ship still taking passengers when he had searched, but he was afraid that Mansel might be too late to get on board.

  He was hungry and tired, but too nervous to eat. He watched the ships and the myriad of boats moving between them. Some of the boats were large, with over a dozen men working the oars, while others were simple wooden platforms, hardly wider than their passengers, being expertly rowed around the harbor by just a single sailor.

  Zollin had almost lost hope for his friend when he saw the big warrior in a crowded boat of surly looking men. Zollin thought the men looked hungover and sick. Mansel would have blended in well if not for his size. When the boat came gliding up beside the Northern Star, an officer started barking orders.

  “Henson, get those men aboard. I want them berthed down between decks. Have their gear stowed and each man assigned to his duty, then report back to me.”

  “Aye, sir,” the sailor on the boat shouted back, knuckling his forehead. “Alright, you dandies, you heard the man. Get your gear and get aboard. This isn’t a pleasure cruise.”

  Zollin watched in surprise as Mansel jumped up and grabbed a rope that hung from the side of the ship. He climbed hand over hand to get on board. He had his belongs in a simple sack that was the size of his sword. The sack was slung across his back on a leather strap, and when he got on board he hurried with the other sailors down into the bowels of the ship.

  The deck was busy and most of the passengers had retired down to th
eir cabins, but Zollin waited by the ship rail. He wanted to see what his friend had gotten himself into. It was a brilliant plan. If he couldn’t book passage on the ship, he had gotten hired as one of the many hands that worked the ship. Mansel had never been the kind of person to shy away from hard labor, but Zollin had to wonder if his friend knew what he was in for.

  It only took a few minutes before Mansel came jogging back up on deck. The sailor who had rowed them across the harbor pointed to a short, leathery skinned sailor not far from where Zollin was watching. Mansel hurried over to the man and presented himself.

  “Carpenter’s helper Mansel, reporting for duty,” the warrior said.

  The sailor looked him up and down for a minute, his eyes mere slits in the bright morning sunlight.

  “So you think you want to be a sailor, eh? I think maybe you wooed the wrong woman and now you’re looking for a quick way out of town.”

  Mansel shifted on his feet but didn’t say anything.

  “Well, you’re certainly a big lad. Have you got any skills?”

  “I was apprenticed to a carpenter for three years,” Mansel said, darting a glance at Zollin. “I’ve never worked on a ship, but I learn fast and work hard.”

  “You’ll have to,” the sailor said. “My name’s Ern, and we’re the only carpenters on board at the moment. You’ll have plenty to keep you busy. Get started by stowing all those supplies below.” Ern pointed to a pallet full of freshly milled wood. There were stacks of thick planking as well as oak staves and iron hoops for making barrels.”

  “You want these…” Mansel obviously wasn’t sure where the supplies went.

  “Down in the workshop,” Ern growled. “And make sure they’re stored away neat. I don’t want to find my shop littered with broken wood once we’re underway.”

  Zollin decided he’d seen enough. Mansel was on board and they would soon be sailing south. The ship would make several stops, but its ultimate destination was Brimington Bay, the closest point to the Grand City in Osla. Zollin descended the steps that led to his cabin and found Eustice resting leisurely inside.