by J P Nelson
Arristahn was dressed in a deep green tunic hemmed at the elbow, sleeves of a black undershirt hung to his wrists, and his waist was girdled by a black belt. To his left side hung a dirk with a basket hilt of intricately woven design, the grip wrapped in woven cord which was clean but showed much use. His leggings were black and tucked into custom knee-high boots with folded down top, the boots were polished to a high shine.
He was brandishing a crystal glass of wine and inspecting the globe, when an attendant ushered the four into his presence and made formal introduction. Fhascully and Etmond Kravieu held back as Albri addressed his old friend in congenial manner, then reintroduced his son, Jann Raul, now captain of the Vedoan vessel, VNS Clarise.
Arristahn was an adept conversationalist with much charm and charisma; the talk was enthusiastic, relaxed and most friendly. Yet it was obvious he was a man of business who had distracted from his own work for this meeting. All was well … in the beginning.
The challenge appeared when the naturalist began to speak. Perhaps Arristahn detected a note of bigotry and condescension in Fhascully’s tone; Jha’Ley was sure he himself did. But it was Kravieu who established an accord and bargain. From the beginning, the political officer spoke in a tongue from southern Rok’Shutai. Although the other three showed no understanding in what was being said, it was clear Kravieu was using a deferred tone and speaking to Arristahn as if he were royalty. More than once, a glance was passed to Fhascully with a hint of humor.
After a process of long discussion, a meal, then more discussion, Arristahn elected to take a small break from his own work to lend aid, but for a significant fee charged to Vedoa.
The voyage back to Robinto, then Presittorn, was punctuated by Fhascully’s insistence the wizard was amused with him, and endless discourse between the two, as Fhascully continually seemed to try impressing the professor from J’Rihki.
The crew in general, on the other hand, seemed to get along well with Arristahn. On one occasion, PO Seedle even asked if he would render a divination over an article he had, just as a curiosity. For a token price, Arristahn was glad to do so. Kravieu found it entertaining to see Fhascully irritated when others followed suit.
Undertaking the acquisition of not only one, but two of the scorpion rays was a complete adventure of itself. But acquisition was made and Arristahn proved true to Albri’s recommendation. A pair of young rays were contained, each in a respective solidified mass of sea water. Likewise, he contained two pairs of the eels.
Before the Clarise departed for the return home, Arristahn faced Fhascully on the docks of Essontown and said with casual deferment, “Take not the countenance of despair. Of your acumen I suspect sufficient efficiency for your venture’s completion.” He held out a small box for his subject to receive, “Dabble one vial …” he held up one finger, “… each to subjects rendered fast. Upon such time the encasements will yield to natural state.”
Absently taking the box, Fhascully asked, “Wait, you mean you are not going to travel with us?”
“Is competence required not at your grasp?”
Fhascully stood stunned. As Arristahn passed a tolerant smile and turned to walk away, then paused to conclude, “Acquisition of skill to mannered tongue and practice thereof, should stand you in good stead.” As he walked away the naturalist grumbled, “Why that undersized, glitter-handed, purple-eyed …”
A chuckling Kravieu put his hand on Fhascully’s shoulder and suggested in something akin to a loud whisper, “Careful my friend, what if he hears your words and turns you into a lizard.”
___________________________
Before departing Essontown for Vedoa, Old Uncle and Jann Raul went out once more for an overnight sail aboard the Max Cat. Very little was said as together they watched the twin moons light the night sky. Liam popped a cork on a jug of rum, took a drink and passed it to his nephew.
The young man did not relish the taste of vezil nut the older man loved in his rum. It was a rarity, but Old Uncle liked it and had earned his pleasures. Then Jann Raul was handed a bone tube, “These be yur’n now, me lad.” The old captain was giving him the secreted maps handed to him by Captain Greybeard, himself.
Old Uncle Liam spoke little these days and seemed much older than his years. He would be eighty-three, at the time, but acted and looked much older. Jann Raul remembered some of the far reaching tales and wondered about them.
The maps had been treated like a treasure. People had killed to obtain them, he had been told, so he would guard them carefully. Jha’Ley received a letter months later; shortly after his departure Old Uncle sailed southward in the Max Cat and did not return.
The return voyage was not without battle. Twice the schooner was met and attacked by pirates. The first was well northeast of the Yat’mir Islands. The engagement was little more than a skirmish as the scourges were blasted by ball and bolt, then sent their way to the afterlife. The second battle took place just off the northeast side of Ozzati’s Rock, a sixty mile long barren island which lay across the mouth of Kadmus Isle’s Foljur Sound.
At its widest, Ozzati’s Rock is about eight miles wide and a little more than a mountain jutting up from the ocean. The natives of Foljur claim an ancient deity, Ozzati, erected the island to protect the sound from notorious southwestern storms. The ruin of a temple still stand, but only a small village supports farming folk on the southwest side. Perhaps the greatest function of the island is the huge lighthouse, visible to ships for miles through the frequent fog on the northeast side.
It was under the glow of this light that Captain Gharry of the Gos’Adonn made his bid on the schooner flying the Vedoan flag. The three-masted caravel had been a merchant ship at one time, but Gharry had converted her well into a fearsome vessel of piracy.
Known to follow the storms and use their cover for hiding, he had more than once laid in waiting for a plump vessel to sail from Foljur. A large reward had been set for the captain, but in six years no one had claimed the coin.
It was happen chance the Clarise came into the lookout’s glass in the crow’s nest of the Gos’Adonn. A certain government had placed a significant price on delivery of any Vedoan ship flag, and this vessel flew her flag high and was far from home.
The distance was close in the early morning fog as Captain Gharry readied his men to fire the sails of the unsuspecting vessel. But as the pirates lit oilcloths at the end of their crossbows, a rain of steel balls pummeled their hull, cracking the wood at waterline in three places. Two balls of flame hit the deck and shattered on impact, spraying oil and bits of metal upon several crew, and yet another shattered upon the main-mast and set sails to fire.
Caught by total surprise, Gharry ordered an immediate hard turn to starboard, away from their intended prey. The Vedoan ship was at high speed and circled the pirate vessel, cutting across her bow at port angle and smashing the enemy bowsprit, causing her forward sails to fail.
The Gos’Adonn continued hard to her starboard in an attempt to flee, as a result heeling hard to her port-side, where the Clarise was now lining up beside her. Jha’Ley ordered a full broadside attack against the exposed pirate deck with flaming missiles. Coming full about on port-side, they put straight ahead for the Gos’Adonn’s stern.
On either side of the wounded vessel, boats could be seen lowering into the water, two on port-side and one to starboard. Against the two on the port-side, ballistae were fired with pin-point accuracy, sinking both craft. Drawing up to the slowly foundering and flaming ship, two balls were fired down into the remaining boat attempting to flee.
Four men of the Gos’Adonn were taken from the water as prisoners. Dripping and clapped in chains, Jha’Ley had the scads of the sea stand fast for questioning. Fingering the dagger at his belt, he drew up to one sodden lout and asked in an almost congenial tone, “Why, upon your soul, were you about to assail a vessel of Vedoa?”
The man spit upon Jha’Ley, whereupon Jha’Ley casually sliced the pirate across the mouth with a lightn
ing draw, then pressed him across the gunwale and had his chains removed. Grabbing the screaming man by the pants, he hoisted him overboard.
Once more, casually and with a pleasant smile he came to the next man, and amiably remarked while cleaning his dagger with a cloth, “He was a gentleman. It was his desire to feed the shark we saw.” Turning back, he asked, “A fourteen-foot Tiger, was it not, Mister Cynric?”
“Yes it was, captain.”
One of the pirates suddenly spoke, “Permission to speak Cap’n?”
“Permission granted.”
“If’n I can name the cap’n, should you show mercy?”
One of the other prisoners suddenly jerked his head toward the speaker. Jha’Ley walked up to him and responded, “I would be glad to show you mercy, should you show me the captain.”
The speaker jerked his head at the second man who was suddenly irate, “That be him … that be Cap’n Gharry … it’s him you want.”
Jha’Ley let his smile make slowly across his face as he said in a matter-of-fact tone, “I do not want him, nor have I interest in any of you. I recognized your flag and saw the flicker of flame against your shiny buckles and surmised your intent.”
The speaker became silent and fear crossed his own features, “But you said you should show mercy …”
Jha’Ley sheathed his blade, folded his arms and brushed his chin, then with an amused tilt of his head replied, “I did not say such a thing. My words were, ‘I would be glad to show you mercy,’ I did not give promise to do so.” He looked to Gharry, “You are all too willing to sell out your own man, your captain, just to save your own neck. You are a pirate, with a pirate’s integrity …”
Turning about with a shrug of his shoulders, Jha’Ley said, “Mister Seedle, would you please secure these gentlemen to post? Mister G’Tabb, did you not tell me of wonderful dining and merriment in yonder port of Foljur?”
“Aye, I did indeed, captain.”
“Then set course, if you would please, to said town and give these lads a holiday.”
Amid cheers on deck, Jha’Ley walked to Gharry and while looking him eye to eye said, “Mister G’Tabb … take time to come about and harvest flag from Gharry’s vessel. We can cut it up and use it for wiping of the head …”
Seedle saw the look in his captain’s eye turn to ice, as still with a smile on his face, he addressed the pirate captain, “Attack my ship, will you? How is it working for you?”
Turning about, he walked away whistling a slow tune as he gazed at the burning, sinking Gos’Adonn as the remnants of the fog gave way to a beautiful, sunny morning.
Chapter 11
FOLJUR SOUND IS a beautiful body of water about thirty-five miles long and eight miles into the island of Kadmus. Once, Ozzati’s Rock was connected to the mainland to the north, but no more. Only in the last few decades have the trade ships begun stopping with regularity in this tropical haven.
The town of Foljur had begun from a small fishing village about two miles inland on the south side. According to legend, about 4551 ED, a water spirit took physical form to act as protector for the fishermen against malignant sailors from the southern islands.
Seen only in glimpses, he was reportedly tall, above six feet in height, somewhat bluish of skin with long, dark red hair and a lean body of such conformation he must be godly, and not of this world. The natives believed the spirit lived among the small rocky islands of the sound, sometimes on Ozzati’s Rock, and occasionally they would leave offerings such as they believed it might enjoy. Some believed Ozzati had returned to live among them.
A few years later, the spirit rescued a small fishing boat from a violent storm. The spirit made his name to be Rh’Omé, and he declared in broken form of their language he was elf, not spirit, that he should not be worshiped. He had taken to reside in the sound because of its beauty. A refugee of another land, he had travelled long and far and saw here a place where he could rest.
The family of the fisherman still believed him to be sent of the gods and made a gift of a daughter for his pleasure. When he refused, the family believed they had vexed his soul and made to kill the girl in sacrifice. Repenting of his decision, Rh’Omé took the girl to dwell with him among the many hollowed rocks within the sound.
There are still tales told of a fortress deep within Ozzati’s Rock, a fortress with entry only from deep in the sea and tunnels reaching far beneath the ocean floor and extending in many directions. But these are tales never verified which have passed to legend.
In 4558 ED, it is said a child was born to Rh’Omé and the girl, a man-child whose name was O’Zydarr. As he grew to adulthood, O’Zydarr prospered among the natives and excelled in ways of sailing, seeking the treasures of the sea. In time he built a vessel and set forth to venture the ocean, becoming a legend among the natives of Foljur.
O’Zydarr returned upon occasion with treasures and art from abroad. He also brought with him the beginnings of prosperity. In 4750 ED, he built the Sock-n-Top Trading Company, which over the years began to attract business from locals across Kadmus Island. As O’Zydarr returned from his ventures he brought articles which could only be acquired at his store.
Eventually, merchants from among the islands began to travel to the Sock-n-Top for trade. But it wasn’t until O’Zydarr came home to settle, that the business began to really grow. He brought with him a well cultured young woman from Vedoa as wife, and together they built the Oranãche Biustahri as a high grade tavern, eating establishment and inn.
Ships began to enter the sound and new merchants built establishments to sell their wares. Little by little the town began to grow around its own cove, somewhat in a half-circle fashion in a cascading manner up into the hills. Though he maintained an important influence upon the region, O’Zydarr refused formal leadership, preferring to act from shadow rather than take a place of visual prominence.
Several children were known to be born to O’Zydarr, but how many was never made known, and they were raised in private for reasons never revealed. Upon the murder of him and his two known sons, both of whom shared responsibility in the family enterprise of trade, a daughter was revealed whose name was Lushandri.
When her father and brothers were slain in 5071 ED, she made her appearance known. None could question her affiliation as she bore her father’s features and power of presence with obvious clarity. When an official attempted to gain control of her father’s holdings, he learned quickly the manner of woman he was dealing with.
Beautiful, well mannered, articulate and refined, Lushandri radiated congeniality and was at once written off by various councilmen as a soft female with no sense of business. But before a movement could be attempted to gain O’Zydarr’s assets, she produced an overwhelming array of deeds, documents, contracts and much more, securing her place as owner and executor of all that was her father’s. The wealth she produced to support her plan of expansion also caught her contemporaries off guard.
Like it or not, the Council of Foljur learned Lady Lushandri was there to stay. Since that day, her business savvy has become known far and wide, although her personal dwelling is unknown and intimate life kept private. Though unassuming and possessed of an infectious charm, Lushandri owns, controls interest, or maintains powerful influence with establishments the whole range of the Kadmus Isles, and some believe into Lh’Gohria and Aeshea as well.
In short order the Oranãche Biustahri was rebuilt, but with more emphasis on fine dining, becoming the place of choice by captains and dignitaries. Soon it became known as the Orange Buster. The Whiskin Boot had been built three years prior as the consummate tavern for sailors, run by a former sailor. Codger’s Bath & Bunk opened for business in 5106 ED, followed by Sam’s Kettle Café just two years later. The Har’Nona Princess was built in 5115 ED and became known as the finest inn in all of the Kadmus Isles.
With increasing trade by merchant ship, Foljur continued to grow while the native inhabitants receded by percentage among the expanding population
. Eventually the majority of Foljur’s indigenous folk lived outside of the town proper. Lushandri took it upon herself to look out for their interest in terms of business and citizenship. Respected by the business owners, she has been revered by the natives of not only Foljur, but all of Kadmus as well.
Sailing into Foljur’s port for the first time, Captain Jha’Ley took a liking of the place from the onset. Everything was neat and well organized, and while not perfect, it was perfect for his crew to take some time for leisure.
He knew the port to be neutral to Vedoa and friendly to her trade. Indeed, a Vedoan merchant ship, the Qua’Korr, was in port as they entered. When the Clarise pulled in they were afforded the utmost of respect by the dock hands. His name was already in some circulation as the dashing young naval officer of Vedoa. That he had been awarded captaincy at age twenty-two was of news, as well.
Captain Ervis of the Qua’Korr greeted Jha’Ley soon after securing his vessel and offered to play host during his stay. The delivery of Captain Gharry was well received, with public trial scheduled for noon on the second day after their arrival. Afterward, Ervis invited Jha’Ley to be his guest for dinner at the newly built Quinosia Torio.
The setting was exquisite with candelabras mounted on the wall, a cascading fountain carved from crystal, individual tables with ornate cloths set on platforms at varying levels, servers were dressed in black broadcloth suits with spotless white towels on their arm, and the soft music blended with the aroma of cuisines enjoyed by guests.
Jha’Ley had never tasted anything like his meal, and was savoring each morsel. The meal began with chilled chunks of fresh fruits and Vambrolini White Wine. After a few minutes of letting the digestive process get in flow, a plate covered with a silver lid was placed before him with a flourish. Then the lid was removed to reveal Broiled Gahrbrondi Bass Fillet, unique to the Quinosia Torio and was prepared with a blend of spices, butter, and pineapple sauce. It was served with a rice pilaf slow steamed with a touch of tangerine and parsley, liberally garnished with a type of flat pea in the shell, stir-fried in a rich garlic and ginger sauce.
