by LeRoy Clary
Thanks a lot. Now he finally admits I’m the boss. Tanner said, “She’s not for sale. But I appreciate your warning about Racine being dangerous. The same thing can be told about strangers.”
“Be careful someone doesn’t take her from you. There're more’n a few unscrupulous people on these seas.” The smile never left his face as he took one intimidating step closer.
Tanner kept his voice even. “Yes, I’ve heard the names of some pirates, thieves, and even the name of a worthless captain to avoid dealing with.”
Captain Brice balled his fists, but Carrion pulled a knife from his hip and used the sharp tip to clean his fingernails without ever glancing at the man. But the message was sent and received. When Captain Brice was back aboard his ship, Carrion looked at Tanner and shrugged.
“He’s going to cause us trouble,” Carrion said.
“I know.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Tanner said, “We need to talk. Care to eat at the Anchor where we have some privacy?”
“Privacy?” They left the ship and headed for the inn. At a table to one side, they bent their heads and ate fried meat pies as Tanner retold all that Bishop, the drunk Captain from the evening before, had told him about tattoos, freemen, crabs, ships that used to sail to Breslau, and that he had called the Royals Dragon Masters.
“Dragon Masters. That’s pretty specific when you take it in a certain way,” Carrion mused.
“Does it mean,” he lowered his voice even more, “people like us are Royalty?”
“I guess it could mean they work together in some fashion, but I don’t believe that. I think it means exactly what it sounds like.”
“I also agree they’re the same.” Tanner continued, keeping his voice low, “He said they wear cloaks because of the sun burning their skin. Crabs are given tattoos at birth and not allowed to even work at jobs other than the most menial. Only freemen can hold most jobs. Freemen and slaves.”
“That explains the tattoos. What worries me is the Royals. If they are like us, but also rule and they want to expand their rule, Princeton is a perfect target. I’d hate for it to turn out like I hear Breslau did.”
“That’s what I was thinking. King Ember has no sons yet. An invasion could take the crown and join it together with theirs.”
Tanner said, “Especially if they use dragons to crush armies and palaces.”
Carrion paused in his eating as a new thought crossed his mind. He said, “The only thing standing in their way is not King Ember and his army. It’s the Dragon Clan.”
Tanner felt the blood rush from his face. He felt faint. Carrion had put his finger on it. To defeat Princeton, the Royals would have to defeat the Dragon Clan if they wished to be the only people who called down dragons. They now controlled their version of the Dragon Clan, and the crown at the same time.
Before Tanner could express his thinking, Carrion said with a shrug and smile, “Or I guess they could try and convince us to join with them in the fight against King Ember. Maybe include us in the Royal family on this side of the ocean. We’d be better allies than enemies, and the only thing that would change is that instead of us being perceived as outcasts we’d be Royals.”
The information Tanner was about to share stuck in his throat. He wanted to ask if Carrion was joking again, but knew the answer before he asked. If given that opportunity what would the other Dragon Clan families say? Would they join in a war with allies who had hunted them almost to extinction for hundreds of years? Or would the families choose to become Royals and help rule the kingdoms of Princeton—and beyond?
Carrion held his mug high for a refill. After the girl had brought them more ale, he said, “That one took you by surprise, I see.”
“They haven’t asked us to join them.”
“Not yet, but if you were across the ocean and already ruled there, what would you do?”
Tanner thought. “There are two ways to think about it. First, you can ask the Dragon Clan families to join them and offer some reward, or equal standing with the Royals. Or, second, you could decide to keep all the power in the hands of those Royals who already have it. I see advantages to each.”
Carrion paused and gave consideration to the choices before speaking. “Let me ask you something. No matter how much power and money someone has, is it ever enough? Does anyone ever willingly give it up?”
“No. Never.”
“So the idea of asking us to join with them is slim if it even exists. That leaves us either letting Ember stand alone and losing the war, or joining forces with him in some manner.”
Tanner said, “There is a third choice. And maybe a fourth.”
“Tell me, oh wise one.”
Despite the smirk, Tanner said, “We could just stay out of the way and after the war is over we could negotiate with the winner. The fourth thing is that we could attack first. Take the war to them.”
“You should have been born the son of a king. You have the temperament and a way of looking at problems from all possible angles, then choosing the best. You would make a good Royal.”
Before he could answer, a hand was placed on Tanner’s shoulder. He glanced up and found Bishop, the Captain of a cargo ship. His hair was wild, uncombed and tangled, his beard little better. Tiny red eyes peered from eyes half-closed, and he reeked of last evening’s ale consumption.
Bishop said, “I wanted to thank you for helping me to a room to sleep it off last night. Hopefully, I was not too talkative, and if I owe you for anything, I’ll gladly make it up this morning.”
Before he could respond Carrion was on his feet with his hand held ready to shake. “Captain, Tanner was just speaking of you. All good, I assure you. Please join us. We’re new here and anxious to learn. We are going into business with Captain Jamison.”
Bishop sat and motioned for a mug by tipping his fist towards his mouth. “A fine man on hard times, Captain Jamison.”
The statement made Tanner feel much better. After talking of little, another captain joined them. Then another. All had heard they owned The Rose. All expressed confidence in Captain Jamison. Most offered advice and then argued with the others as to what would be the best course of action. They joked and laughed like old friends, including Carrion and Tanner in the conversation.
Finally, Tanner said they needed to get back to the ship. Each captain took the time to welcome them. Offers of support and help delayed them even more. As they approached the pier, it had taken on a new life. Wagons were lined up to drop off supplies. Everything from at least ten sizes and kinds of rope to folded canvases so large, it took six men to lift. There were men climbing all over The Rose. A table under a tarp had been set up with Fisher and the Captain on one side and a ragged line of men on the other.
Devlin waved from halfway up a mast. Others were with him, cutting away the old ropes and rigging to clear the way for the new. Piles of what was to be discarded lay on the pier. Fisher and the Captain were hiring a crew.
Most of the crew of the Far Seeker and Captain Brice watched from the rails of the other ship. Now and then one of them called out an insult and the others laughed, but none had the sense of humor. Tanner looked away deciding to ignore them. Soon The Rose would sail away, and the animosity would be left behind. At least one side of it would.
He addressed Captain Jamison. “How many more crewmen will you hire?”
“Are we getting short on funds?”
“Not at all, but I did want to talk to you.”
Carrion watched the activity, hands on hips and a smirk on his face. He said nothing, allowing Tanner to actually be in charge for a change.
Captain Jamison said, “I’ll keep twelve, I think. But I’m hiring twenty, initially. They all tell a good story, but you never know until you get a full day’s work from them. Plus, there are the bad apples. Those who complain or upset the others on the crew with their bad attitudes or churlishness. In a few days, there will be several leaving with wages for a day or three.”
&nb
sp; “Continue on with your work. We’ll talk later, but for now, I’m going to watch what’s being done to your ship. Not to criticize you, but to learn.”
“Our ship,” the Captain corrected him before turning to the next in line.
“I assumed this would take weeks,” Carrion said when they were more or less alone.
Tanner stood and looked at the men clearing the old equipment from the ship. He watched Devlin scoot along a spar as if he’d been doing it a lifetime. The boy shouted orders and directed four others working on the same mast. Then he spotted something on the other and shouted at them to correct it the way he wanted it done.
“You were worried about what we were going to do with the boy after we went home. I think he’s found his own way,” Carrion said.
“I wonder if anyone put him in charge of anything? Besides, he’s half the age of some of those men he’s ordering about.”
“Half? He’d less than a quarter their age if you ask me. He also has no experience, but he’s a natural leader. They’re leaping to obey him. He reminds me of me.” Carrion threw back his head and laughed.
Tanner said, “It was not that funny.”
“No? But I just feel like laughing. All this and my purse is still heavy. Until now you and I have stumbled around retracing where others have gone. I know we’ve done a good job and hell, we even burned an entire town to ashes. But ahead of us is all new.”
“We have shared our destination to Captain Jamison. He might have decided to depart our ship,” Tanner said. “That worried me.”
“That he may have done. But we’d just hire another. Our gold speaks a language of its own. But from what we’ve heard, Jamison is one of the best captains on this coast and has no love lost for those across the sea.”
“Or for Captain Brice.” Tanner turned back to the ship and the dozens of men working on it. “You said you thought this would take weeks. Now how long do you think?”
“A few more days, I’d guess. Then a short trip to train the crew and see what breaks or what The Rose still needs.”
“We might sail in only five days?” Tanner asked, his voice cracking as he spoke.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
On a bright morning five days later, the crew cast off the last of the lines holding the ship to the pier. The day before they had sailed out into the Endless Sea under the direction of Captain Jamison. He had sailed against the wind, with the wind, and to either side. He tested the crew in setting the sails, lowering them, and countless other tasks. He kept a pen and ink in the hands of a scribe at his side as he inspected every detail of the repairs, even to the point of climbing both masts himself, much to the catcalls and the encouragement of the crew.
When he ordered the ship to return to shore, he had a lengthy list of equipment to order. The supply houses filled his orders and delivered most of the items before dark. Necessary repairs were made by the light of lanterns, and the rest of the refitting could be done at sea.
Nobody but the Captain, Carrion and Tanner knew the destination. One of the new crewmen approached Tanner, who was standing near the bow the night before they left. He said, “’Scuse me, sir. Hope I’m no outta place saying this, but that Captain Brice of the Far Seeker is takin’ more’n a little interest in us. Didn’t think much about it till I heard him givin’ orders for making way a bit ago.”
Tanner said, “Your input is always welcome. I appreciate it and will take it to the Captain. Let the rest of the crew know they can speak their minds, too. The Captain is the last word on this ship, but he needs good information to do his job right.”
“Thank you, sir.” The sailor turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Tanner went to the other side of the bow and watched the black ship. There was more activity than he’d noticed before. A wagon arrived with fresh fruit and other food. A small boom lifted barrels that said they contained water. Each went into a hatch on the main deck. Why would barrels of water be loaded on a ship that was staying in port?
Captain Jamison was mid-deck at a small desk with a single lantern. He checked off the items on a list as they were completed and then dispatched the crew to more tasks. He eased to the Captain's side. “Have you noticed the Far Seeker is getting ready to sail?”
A dark wave washed over his face. Captain Jamison said, “A lot can happen out on the water, especially with a new crew and owners who carry gold in their purses.”
“How do we prevent that from happening?”
“Do you have a small silver I can spend?”
Tanner pulled one from his purse. The Captain stood and motioned Tanner to his desk, “Can you track the completed work for a while? I have some business ashore.”
Later, Tanner was busy tracking the work when the Captain returned with two more men. Each carried a bundle wrapped in cloth. He escorted the two new men below, then returned and reviewed the paperwork Tanner used.
Finished with the review, the Captain retook his seat and asked, “You’re not going to question me?”
“I’m curious. But you run your ship.”
“For that I thank you. I hired those two. They are not sailors, they’re archers. They use longbows nearly as tall as they stand. The arrows fly from here to that pink house up on the hill. I assume several of our crew know how to use bows, if not these longbows. I purchased six of them and a few hundred arrows. They tell me the arrows can be fitted with rags soaked in oil and lit on fire.”
“You’re thinking of the Far Seeker?”
“I’m thinking that any ship approaching without permission should think twice. I have my first-mate Fisher already speaking to the crew. Any who fears to sail with us can depart with pay tonight. Any who has experience with a bow will be noted, and at the first sign of trouble, issued one.”
Tanner placed his hand on the Captain’s shoulder. “The two of us are near-experts with bows. You might want to have a pair of bows and plenty of arrows sent to our cabin where we can have them at hand.”
“You really know how to use a longbow?”
Tanner glanced at the black ship across the pier, then beyond. “See that piling beyond the ship? The one that’s sticking out of the water? Either of us could hit it at whatever height we wished. With our first shot. If a man stood on top, we could both put arrows into him.”
Captain Jamison peered at the piling, judged the distance and looked back at Tanner. “I sense a bit of bragging.”
“Have your man bring me a bow and I’ll wager you an apology that I can put my first three arrows into it, right over the head of Captain Brice.”
“Don’t take that wager,” Carrion said, stepping out of the dark shadows near the wheelhouse. “It wouldn’t be the first time he has taken advantage of someone ignorant of his skill with a bow. But I’m better.”
“You are not.”
The Captain said, “Your bows will be delivered to your cabin before we sail.”
Carrion said, “If another ship comes near we can settle who is the better shot. But if you insist on a wager, bet that the two best archers are standing here beside you, and that includes the professionals you brought on board.”
“I sort of hope to see that black ship tomorrow or the next,” Captain Jamison said.
Tanner said, “All the work done in such a short time is amazing. I’m going to take a stroll around the ship and poke my head into whatever I can find.”
Captain Jamison puffed his chest out. “That’s an excellent idea. Anything that does not meet your standards should be either repaired at sea or our departure delayed. However, I believe you’ll find it all shipshape. Seeing The Rose like this again makes me want to sing.”
After his inspection, Tanner went to the cabin he and Carrion shared. While it was barely three steps in any direction, it was the largest passenger cabin on the ship. The Captain had offered his cabin to them, but in truth it was hardly bigger, and it was set up with only one bed and a built-in desk, so it was actually smaller.
Their cabin had
two small beds, one above the other. It had floor anchors to tie down the trunks of goods or clothing. A fresh coat of paint covered the walls and stank up the cabin. The ceiling and floors were bare wood, freshly scrubbed. A tiny porthole provided a stab of light and a method to see the weather before dressing. Too bad it didn’t open to provide fresh air. They left the door open to allow some of the fresh-paint smell to escape.
Carrion said, “We have things to discuss, but once we sail there will be ample time. Want to go stir the pot?”
“Which pot? And how do we stir it?”
“The Far Seeker pot. I was thinking of walking along the pier and taking inventory of the ship, pointing and discussing what I see.”
Tanner shrugged. “Your purpose?”
“To irritate. Those on the ship will see me. Someone will send for Captain Brice, and maybe he’ll offer us a tour of his fine, black ship. But most likely he will wish to know what I’m pointing at and discussing. He may even engage me in conversation.”
“That sounds like a pot that I’d enjoy stirring.” Tanner climbed from the edge of the bed to his feet and straightened his tunic. “After you.”
They strolled to the deck, speaking to a couple of crewmen in passing and went down the gangplank and across the pier. Tanner saw more than one set of eyes on them, but he ignored them. They stood near the stern.
Carrion pointed near the waterline as if he’d spotted something. He leaned closer to Tanner and said, “We’re being watched.”
Tanner laughed. A crewman leaned far out over a railing to see what he found funny. Carrion moved further along the hull, examining the ship in detail and discussing it softly with Tanner, although they came from the highlands and knew little about ships.
Tanner pointed out that the ship had been recently painted, the metal gleamed, and it had an air about it of orderliness that bordered on the military. The crew all looked like soldiers who knew how to sail instead of sailors who know how to fight, which seemed odd. Even odder was that Carrion figured it out, too.
