by Dave Skinner
“There is a pirate armada on the way here,” was the first thing she said.
The smiles disappeared from Coran’s and Barb’s faces. “How do you come by this knowledge?” he demanded.
“By my own eyes.” She sat and told him all she had seen. Other captains joined them at the table as she unfurled her story.
“Why would they be coming here?” Barb asked when she had finished her telling. “Raiding empty ships in harbour would be pointless.”
“There was a rumour circulating a while ago that Yucan Vee was unhappy with his cave in the Chimney Islands,” someone behind Manda announced.
“They were flying Vee’s flag,” Manda said. “I have to inform the guards.”
“I will accompany you,” Coran said.
“And I,” Barb told them.
“No, Barb, I need you to gather our crews.” Coran raised his voice. “We should all ready our ships to sail. We do not want to be blockaded in harbour. I suggest we sail across the channel to the mainland and meet to discuss our next course of action. There is plenty of good anchorage along that coast.”
There was a jumble of activity in the Unicorn as the captains discussed their options. Coran turned back to her.
“Let us see the authorities, Manda.”
* * *
Killing ground, Ran thought as they entered the stretch of open space between the last of the warehouses and the city proper. Tyhan had sent them on their way shortly after the ship was secured to the dock. Bray had offered to stay and lend a hand with the off-loading but Tyhan had said no.
“Off-loading is not a task for passengers. The crew will handle it tidily.”
They had gathered their few possessions from the cabins and headed to town. Ran had not been impressed with the warehouses close to the dock, but now into the killing ground he was changing his opinion of Waysley. An arrow shot from a long bow on the wall could reach the warehouses. An enemy crossing the open area would be made to suffer by archers located in the stone gatehouse above the gate, if there were enough of them. Left and right the open ground continued around the town’s log walls. In the distance he could see a stone watchtower located along each wall. Whoever was in charge of the town’s defensives was good at their job.
The gates themselves were similar to the Delvingford’s, heavy timbered and supported by stone columns. With enough men and food this town could be held against the pirates, but it would be better to be away from here before the attack.
The gate sergeant pointed them towards the Plucked Hen, the inn Tyhan had suggested to them. Unlike Delvingford, there were no buildings immediately inside the gates, another mark of a good guard captain. The open area gave way to businesses and eventually to houses. The Plucked Hen was down a side street but not difficult to find.
* * *
“What makes you think they are heading here?” the mayor asked.
“Where else would they be headed?” Coran replied.
Her father was getting frustrated, Manda could tell by his tone. She did not blame him. They had answered these questions already, twice. She hoped when the captain of the guards arrived he would understand that action was required, not more discussion. Captain Carr was an experienced soldier who had always impressed her. He was a decisive man of action, well respected by everyone. There was a knock at the door and shortly the captain of the guards was announced. Finally, she thought, but the man who entered was not the person she was expecting. This was a young man, fat and haughty. He carried a handkerchief which he dabbed at runny eyes.
“Let me introduce our new guard captain, Fluter.”
“Hello, Uncle.” He glanced disdainfully at Coran and Manda. “I hope this is worth interrupting my lunch over.”
Manda felt her hopes flounder. “Where is Carr?” she blurted.
“Carr was killed in a robbery some time ago. He managed to kill his assailant, a young thief who was known to the guard, but died of his wounds before anyone found him,” Captain Fluter answered as he dabbed at an eye.
“These captains have informed me that they suspect our city will be attacked by pirates. A few pirate ships were seen coming around the point yesterday. Personally, I find it difficult to believe, but I thought your opinion was needed,” the mayor announced.
“Why would a few pirate ships attack a town, especially a walled city like ours?”
“It was an armada of ships. I observed close to forty well-manned vessels. They all flew Yucan Vee’s flag,” she threw in the last part for shock value. The pirate leader with his two deadly Nadian swords was well known and feared by all for his vicious attacks.
“Who is this Yucan Vee?” Captain Fluter queried.
Manda and her father stared at him in disbelief. “How long have you been in the Guard?” Coran blurted.
“That is not important,” the mayor put in. “We appreciate your warning, but I … and I am sure Captain Fluter agrees … do not see any reason to cause panic or interrupt city business. I am sure there is another explanation for what you saw.”
“But you will do something?” Coran prompted.
“I will inform my officers about your suspicions,” Fluter answered.
“And send scouts to lookout points on the leeward coast…” Coran prompted again.
“Of course, I will hand pick the men myself,” Fluter assured them.
Chapter 51
Bray, Ran, and Mearisdeana pushed slowly through the crowds along the market street. They could not bring themselves to hurry. The shops that lined the narrow thoroughfare displayed all manner of interesting objects, trinkets, and delicacies. The odor of warm baked goods and oven-fresh dishes assailed their nostrils. They stopped often amidst the din of activity.
Bray’s memory of Nadia was clouded by youth and years. On their voyage so long ago, he and his father had only walked the steps from Upper to Lower Thesia. Memories of other cities did not spring to mind; therefore, he found the sight and sounds of Waysley’s market most interesting. Strange smells both assaulted and tantalized him. Mearisdeana obviously felt the same way although her interest tended towards the variety of grown foods displayed in the market stalls. She was also excited by the contents of the shops they were passing if her frequent stops were any indication. Ran was trying to maintain a bored countenance, but his darting eyes and tentative touching of items was broadcasting his excitement to Bray. They seemed to arrive at the Wizard of Waysley’s home in no time.
When Bray had inquired of the innkeeper at the Plucked Hen about where they could locate the wizard, the man had not hesitated to give them the street’s location and directions. Unfortunately, how to identify the exact house had been less than clear.
“Look for the sign.”
“What sign?”
“The wizard’s sign.”
“What is on his sign?”
“His name.”
At this point Bray had waited to see if any more information was forthcoming, but finally had to ask, “What is his name?”
A pained expression had appeared on the man’s face. When he spoke, it was slowly and clearly as if speaking to a child. “The Wizard of Waysley is his name.” Ran had laughed all the way to the market, but the innkeeper was correct as Bray could see for himself on the sign hanging above the gate.
They passed through the open iron gate, across a courtyard where plants grew, and approached the door. The house was not fancy although it appeared to be large and well-constructed of cut stone.
A servant answered their knock at the plain wooden door. He led them around to large double doors which opened onto a workshop. The room was cluttered. Papers and scrolls lay on every surface, except for the top of a large desk which supported the legs and feet of the Wizard of Waysley as he leaned back in a chair. He studied them, his eyes skimming over Bray and Ran quickly, and then lingered on Mearisdeana’s cloak-wrapped form.
“My name is Andoo Toran. I am the Wizard of Waysley. How can
I assist two warriors and their mysterious companion?”
“We have a package from T’Waycan,” Bray informed him. He pulled the packet from his pouch and passed it to the Wizard’s outstretched hand. They waited while he reviewed the drawings, writings, and dagger that Waycan had sent. Bay let his eyes wander the workshop hoping to see something impressive. The shop was large with a high ceiling and exposed joists, a great location for a wizard’s familiar to live or at least a cat. Nothing moved there although it was difficult to pierce the gloom gathered around the cross members. Light from the single window seemed to be sucked into the gloom making the room dim overall. To Bray’s thinking, the wizard should have conjured a light to help him read Waycan’s notes.
Bray was disappointed in the wizard’s appearance also. He was at most middle-aged, and beardless. Bray had always pictured a grey-bearded, old man. He wore everyday clothes, just like so many other people they had seen this morning. Bray had expected a cloak covered in magical symbols. Most disturbing was the empty decanter and the half empty wine glass that shared the table top with Waycan’s information. The wizard finished reading through the papers and carefully examined the dagger. He opened the jumble of notes made by the other wizard, and started shaking his head immediately. After a little time he dropped his open hand on top of the bundle.
“This will take some time to unravel. Please return in two days. By then I should have a better understanding of what was done. Be warned—although the original spell was simple enough, the perpetrator of this deed misinterpreted and altered so many elements that I fear I will not be able to locate your dimension. I will know better in a few days. In the meantime, you should hope that someone will come for you through the link to your necklace. That would be the simplest solution.”
“A link to my necklace?” Mearisdeana asked.
“Why yes, are you unaware of it? I saw it and the other link as soon as you walked in. There is a spell upon the necklace that connects it to somewhere else. It is well done by a person with strong magical ability, much nicer than the Binding spell connecting you to your friend here.” He indicated Bray with a finger.
“What is this binding spell?” Bray asked.
“Probably it is the spell intended to bind the demon—for that is what he thought he was capturing—to him as master, so that it could not disappear.”
“What use is a spell that caused both people to be sick?” Ran injected gruffly.
“Both of them get ill?”
“So sick they cannot function. Damn stupid spell if you ask me.”
The wizard laughed. “I agree. This practitioner was … useless, but because of that, I can dissolve it easily without affecting the link between you and him,” he told Ran as he pointed to Bray. “Not that it would be that easy to disturb a connection based on destiny.”
“I am connected to him too?” Bray’s disbelief was written on his face.
“Yes, I can see that link running off into the future, but I cannot give details without consulting my crystal. Did you two want a reading?”
“No,” Bray answered quickly. “I know where my destiny lies. It has been denied me for too many years. I will not be detoured from my path.”
Into the silence that followed, the wizard asked, “But you do want the link between you and the … woman dissolved?”
“As long as it does not affect the one in my necklace,” said Mearisdeana.
“No fear of that at all.”
“Then the answer is yes, most assuredly,” Bray told him.
“Come with me.” Andoo Toran picked up the dagger and led them to a large open spot on the workshop floor. With a few quick, decisive, movements he drew two pentagrams within the clear space. “Please, one into each and be careful of the lines,” he instructed.
Ran moved a few steps back as Bray and Mearisdeana took their places. Toran started an incantation, which brought forth a mist that swirled within both pentagon shapes. It clung to Bray and Mearisdeana until Bray could no longer see her. Slowly the mist was drawn off until all that remained was a thin line of white running at chest height between the two.
As the wizard continued his conjuration, the thin tendril of mist changed colour becoming a deep, blood, red. He picked up the dagger from where he had placed it on a bench. With a quick stroke he cut the connection. Bray felt nothing. A slight movement of the wizard’s hand created a weak breeze that scurried across the floor erasing the lines of the pentagon and any lingering mist.
“There, you are disconnected,” he announced as he turned back to his desk. “A silver piece should cover it. I will have more regarding your other concern in a couple of days.”
Bray retrieved a silver piece from his pouch. “Have you heard that there may be a pirate attack on the city?” he asked handing the coin to the wizard.
“Is there any substance to the rumour?”
“We witnessed a large number of ships flying the flag of someone called Yucan Vee coming around the tip of Pointer Island and headed this way,” Ran told him. “I could get my men positioned in a day or two, if I was leading an attack on this town. I suspect the city has at most two days to prepare.”
“Yucan Vee. That is unsettling news. Let me consult my seer’s sight.” He opened a drawer and removed something wrapped in soft black cloth. Once uncovered, Bray identified it as a ball of clear crystal.
“Who is Yucan Vee?” Bray inquired while the wizard was rubbing the cloth over the ball.
“Vee is the leader of a pirate armada. Evil one he is, a real killer. He carries two Nadian swords, and he knows how to use them.”
Bray felt a jolt of shock at the mention of the swords. The wizard’s head snapped up. He stared at Bray for a moment before returning to his polishing. Casually he inquired, “Will you three try to get out of the city before the attack?”
“It would be prudent. We could—” Ran started to say.
“I will stay,” Bray interrupted him, “Ran, you can take Mearisdeana to safety.”
“Why would you want to stay?” Ran asked.
“A pirate with two Nadian swords, Ran. My father’s swords.”
The wizard had been studying his crystal. Now he announced, “It looks like you will all be staying, and organizing the defense of the city.”
Ran laughed. “I cannot see the city officials trusting their defense to two unknown warriors and their mysterious companion.”
“But I can see it,” the wizard stated. “Although you could have a point, a little magical intervention might help move destiny along.” He spoke a word that caused pressure on Bray’s ears and waved a hand at Ran. “I will see you in a few days, my friends, if not sooner.”
The servant showed them out. As they strolled back towards their inn, Bray noticed people staring at Ran. Mearisdeana must have noticed it also. “This light is very good to you, Ran,” she commented. “It makes you look … majestic.”
Chapter 52
Ander let his horse plod along the road. His behind was already sore despite the creeping pace he had set. The discomfort inflamed the anger he felt. Why had his stupid cousin sent him on this scouting mission? He was not meant for menial tasks like this. He should be walking patrol in the city where the young shop girls could see and appreciate him. Instead he was sitting on a mangy horse, travelling a dusty road, heading for a vantage point along the north shore where he would probably have to slog through brush and marsh. He slapped at a bug that was biting the back of his neck, and squirmed in the saddle.
Now that his cousin was guard captain he expected better treatment, better assignments, and he expected a promotion. His cousin would probably bump him right up to the rank of lieutenant. Yes, he liked that idea. Skip the lower ranks of corporal and sergeant, step right up to lieutenant. Why not? The actions of his sergeant, his many reprimands and suggesting him for this little outing clearly showed that the man was jealous, jealous of his better looks, the expensive cut of his uniform, and the
admiring glances from the women in the city shops. Yes, the rank of lieutenant would be fitting, and if he did something heroic it would happen sooner. He almost wished he would see some pirate ships although the chance of that was slight, but…
He let his mind wonder into a fantasy life where he found the ships, fought his way through scores of the pirates to save that beautiful, blond-haired shop girl who they had somehow kidnapped, and then raced back to the city to warn them, only to find the city already under attack; so he would have to fight his way in, breaking the pirate attack in the process. He was so deep into visions of being rewarded that he almost missed the path to the lookout.
He rode his horse in through the trees, dismounted and climbed the lookout hill while attempting to keep his boots from being scuffed. Finally, standing boldly on the hilltop, he let his gaze flow down to the secluded bay it overlooked. There, bobbing on the water were more ships than the harbour at Waysley could hold, while spread out on the sands of the shore were more campfires than he could count, surrounded by more pirates than his mind could comprehend. Luckily his mind did not have to handle the shock for long before someone clamped an arm across his neck. A stabbing pain tore into his back and up into his chest before he was thrown to the ground. Ander was jerked over onto his back. A horse faced man, dressed in a colourfully mismatched outfit stood above him holding a thin stiletto. The knife was being juggled from one hand to the other. It spun and flipped end-over-end until it was tossed high into the air. Ander lost sight of it in the sun, but found it again as it dropped towards him. The man made no effort to stop its fall. Ander hardly felt it enter his throat.
Chapter 53
Mearisdeana sipped her ale. The aroma was pleasant and she was reminded of the fresh bread they had seen in the market. It was a great deal nicer than some of the smells that were floating about the common room of the Plucked Hen. However the food brought to them had tasted and smelt delicious. Bray called it venison. It was different from the meat she was used to, but not all that much. The big difference with food here was the abundance of vegetables. She smiled thinking about the single carrot she had painstakingly grown at the university and shared with her parents and Adamtay the first time he visited. Their meal today had included a plate of raw carrots, as well as other vegetables called peppers, celery, and cauliflower. She had eaten most of them, leaving the meat for the boys. They seemed to prefer it. Ran had even asked for more. He was still gnawing on the haunch the waitress had supplied. Bray was considering Ran’s suggestion that they leave the city before the attack.
