Pirates and Wizards

by Jaxon Reed

  Stin shrugged and said, “I’d rather do no fighting at all. I’d be delighted to stay behind. But how long am I to remain your prisoner? And how much gold, exactly, do you think I owe you for the damage others inflicted on your ship? We have never fully discussed it.”

  “The purser has drawn up a figure for me. Fourteen gold.”

  Stins eyes widened.

  “Fourteen gold? That’s robbery!”

  Cessic grinned and said, “No, Steck. That’s piracy. I admit he padded the numbers a bit. But nonetheless, I concur with his assessment. You will be free to go once I have received fourteen gold from you.”

  Stin pulled out his purse and placed it on the table. It made a loud clunk.

  “Well then, here’s four gold. Call it a down payment.”

  Cessic rocked back on his heels in surprise.

  “You said you had no money. And Quent searched you. Where did this come from?”

  “I’ve had a streak of luck playing bone-cards with the men.”

  “Bone-cards? How did you cheat this much in winnings? Magic is strictly forbidden in games of chance.”

  “I didn’t use magic. You can ask Quent, he monitored every game I played. I’ve been lucky. I’ve, ah, resolved some conflicts as well, and that has resulted in some income too. Take the money and I’ll keep working on the rest. You’ll have nine more gold from me sooner or later.”

  Bemused, Cessic never noticed Stin’s deliberate error in math.

  -+-

  Wavecrest proved faster than the smaller ship and overtook her a few hours later. Even though the pirates flew the flag of Coral as they approached, her crew nonetheless suspected foul play. The defending sailors were well prepared to meet the threat with axes and arrows when the black flag went up.

  After fighting his first battle at sea in the role of a defender, Stin found himself intrigued while observing his second battle from the attacker’s side. He noted the strategy Cessic took when overtaking the vessel, harnessing his advantages in wind and waves and size. He noted also that Cessic seemed to be ever alert, and spent considerable time watching the merchant ship. As they neared their prey, he gave a final nod as if to himself, then signaled Melton to begin the attack.

  Archers in the rigging of both vessels shot at each other first, then at the men below. Most missed their mark, but Wavecrest’s crew scored a couple hits as the wind carried their arrows home.

  Grappling hooks sailed out to the deck of the smaller vessel, and pirates pulled the ropes tight, yoking the two ships together. Sailors on the other ship rushed to cut the ropes with axes. Archers took down some. Pirates began leaping across the gap, landing on the deck and striking down defenders with their swords.

  The vessels drew closer as more lines snaked across. A mass of pirates crawled the ropes or jumped onboard the smaller ship, quickly overwhelming her crew. The clang of steel and screams of death filled the air until the few survivors threw down their weapons and surrendered to Cessic’s men.

  The pirates whooped in triumph, and swarmed down into the hold looking for treasure and passengers. A handful remained on top, under Melton’s watchful eye, as they herded the survivors over to Wavecrest.

  “To the pens in our hold!” Melton shouted. “We’ll sift ’em later. Don’t worry, boys, you’ll get your cut. You’re not missing out on anything down below.”

  Cessic turned and grinned at Stin. He said, “That went much better. This is how a proper naval appropriation should occur.”

  “Is that what you call it? I thought it was piracy.”

  Cessic laughed. “Come along, Steck. I think it’s safe for you to accompany me while I inspect our latest prize.”

  -+-

  “I am Captain Belsett. You are aboard Lightfish, of the Duchy of Fellows, Kingdom of Coral.”

  Stin appraised Captain Belsett with keen interest. A short man with a shiny bald head, and a long narrow, stately beard. He looked like a captain. A wealthy captain.

  “Good,” Cessic said. “I’m glad we’ve caught another Fellows ship. The Duke has a well-deserved reputation for paying ransoms in a timely manner. What’s your cargo, Captain?”

  “Grain and wine, mostly.”

  Stin noted that Belsett offered the information reluctantly.

  “Excellent! I do hope some of your finer bottles have the opportunity to grace my wine cellar back in Corsairs Cove. We will of course inspect the manifest and question your passengers.”

  He smiled at the shorter captain, who in turn appeared morose, staring at the floor.

  “Cheer up, Belsett. There’s no need to be upset about this. We’re not savages, we’re just out to make a profit like the rest of you.”

  Stin observed the color rising in Belsett’s cheeks, and he wondered for a moment if the little captain would lose his temper and give Cessic a piece of his mind.

  But after taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he said instead, “I find myself at your mercy.”

  A quick knock came from the door. It creaked open and Veeroy stuck his head in.

  “Captain, Quent says to report we’ve found little gold on board. Lots of wine, though.”

  He smiled, and his teeth showed purple. About that time his breath filled the cabin, reminding Stin of a vintner’s press.

  Cessic nodded his acknowledgment and turned back to Belsett.

  “You know, my men are usually quite adept at finding hidden gold. I must say, though, the last several Fellows ships anyone has captured have been remarkably free of coins.”

  Belsett said nothing, continuing to stare at the floor.

  Cessic turned toward Stin and said, “Don’t you find that interesting, Steck? A duchy as rich as Fellows, and naught but a handful of coins on each ship? I find that very curious. Even small fishing vessels have more gold these days.”

  Stin’s interest piqued, he looked about the cabin, wondering where he would hide gold if the ship belonged to him. He said, “Maybe there’s a secret compartment?”

  Stin stomped his foot in various places on the floor.

  “One might think that,” Cessic said. “But I know a captain who tore up every plank from a Fellows ship and found not a single copper anywhere.”

  Stin’s eyes swept room, genuinely intrigued now. He said, “Perhaps they tired of losing their gold to pirates? Perhaps they stopped shipping it.”

  “Shipping families always transport gold, Steck. Always. Banks, merchants, passengers . . . everyone has need to move the precious metal by sea. And yet, it seems Duke Fellows has abandoned the practice.”

  Stin reached down to the captain’s bunk and pulled the bedding up. He said, “Maybe our friend Belsett hides the gold under his mattress.”

  Cessic stepped over to take a look out of curiosity. But nothing lay hidden underneath the mattress, only the bunk.

  Somewhat disappointed, Stin let the mattress down with a thunk. He looked at Cessic and frowned. He said, “That’s odd.”

  “What?”

  “Bunks are usually made of wood, are they not?”

  “Yes. Why, is this one not made of wood?”

  “No, it’s metal.”

  Stin pulled back the mattress again and rapped on the bunk. A metallic clang rang out.

  “Somebody painted this metal to look like wood. May I see your knife, Captain?”

  Cessic gave him a distrustful look.

  Stin said, “Alright. You take your knife and scratch off some of the paint.”

  Cessic pulled a dagger out from his belt and drew the point across the metal bunk, digging up a furrow of paint. Underneath, gold glinted out.

  Cessic and Stin looked at each another and laughed.

  “Gold furnishings! So that’s how they do it. Steck, you’re a genius!”

  “I think I just paid my debt to you in full, Captain. And then some.”

  -+-

  By sunset the two vessels were underway again, this time with a skeleton crew aboard Lightfish, following close behind the larg
er ship.

  The smaller boat’s surviving crew were safely ensconced in Wavecrest’s holding pens. All items of any worth had been transferred to Wavecrest as well, save the grain. While sure to fetch a fine price back in Corsairs Cove, though how much no one knew for sure, Melton decided it wasn’t worth the time and effort to move. So the grain stayed on Lightfish.

  Melton quickly confiscated the wine bottles and casks, though, and had them locked up tight in Wavecrest’s hold before the pirates got too drunk.

  Moving the gold bunk out of Captain Belsett’s cabin proved very difficult. No fewer than a dozen men worked under Melton’s curses as they ripped it from the wall, maneuvered it through the doorway and out onto the deck.

  From there it was transferred to a harness and several ropes. Melton swore that if the chunk of gold broke free and sank into the water, all the pirates in sight would follow it down into the depths.

  But at last it made its way safely to the Wavecrest’s purser, who set about that very night melting it down and dividing it into equal pieces.

  With his prize and newfound wealth secure, Cessic set a course back to Corsairs Cove. As the setting sun dipped into the water, his men were in high spirits even without the wine to keep them there. It helped too that the ill-tempered Melton had been placed in charge of the small contingent aboard Lightfish, offering the bulk of the crew a reprieve from his sharp tongue and stinging rebukes.

  Veeroy found Stin after supper, and tapped him on the back.

  “Cap’n says he wants to see you.”

  Stin thanked him and made his way to Cessic’s quarters.

  When he tapped at the door, Cessic said, “Enter! There he is, the man of the hour!”

  One of the finer bottles of wine taken from Lightfish sat on the table uncorked, and the captain handed a goblet to Stin. He thanked Cessic, poured a little wine for himself, sniffed it and took a tiny sip.

  “That’s good!”

  “One of the Sapphire Kingdom’s best vineyards. I have three more cases of it.”

  He pointed to a corner of the room where three wooden boxes were stacked, filled with sawdust and bottles. The lid to the top one was pried open.

  The captain sat down in one of the chairs spread about the middle of the room. Stin followed suit. Cessic grinned at him, flashing his golden tooth.

  “Steck, you’ve made me a lot of money. Not only that, you’ve made me money at the expense of that crafty Duke Fellows. I’m promoting you to officer. Third mate.”

  Stin took a sip of wine and said, “That’s quite considerate of you, Captain. However, I know next to nothing about sailing a ship.”

  Cessic shrugged and said, “You don’t have to. This is not a royal navy, it’s a simple hierarchy. You tell those below you what to do, and they carry out your orders.”

  “And if they don’t?”

  The captain shrugged again. “You kill them.”

  Stin allowed that seemed reasonable.

  “Don’t you already have a third mate, Captain?”

  “I did, but he got killed in the action today. One of our few casualties. The poor soul took an ax to the side of his head. I believe your friend Plinny avenged him, though.”

  Stin nodded. Plinny had certainly killed several men today.

  “I appreciate the offer, Captain. My lack of experience suggests the choice is still not the best one, however. I’m a landman, pure and simple.”

  Cessic dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand and said, “We all were, Steck, before the sea claimed us. You’ll pick up what you need to know. Third mate is not too pressing, and a good place to start. You’ll enjoy being an officer. Fewer chores. No manual labor. A higher stake in the plunder.”

  Stin’s eyebrows raised. “I do like the sound of that. Alright, you’ve convinced me. I’m your officer.”

  “There’s a good man! Let’s drink to your new promotion!”

  -+-

  Stin managed to leave Cessic’s cabin after imbibing only two goblets of wine. Cessic downed three bottles, and snored lightly while Stin tiptoed out and gently shut door.

  He made his way to the aft in search of a bone-cards game. He followed the sound of Plinny’s booming voice and found the game soon enough, watched over by Quent as usual.

  Quent said, “Cap’n promote you?”

  Stin nodded. “Third mate.”

  “He said he would. You made him a wealthy man today. Far wealthier than he was.”

  “I can see how this piracy thing can be lucrative. If only it weren’t so deadly.”

  Quent grinned. “‘High risk for high reward.’ That’s an old Ageless Isles saying.”

  “I like the reward part. Not so sure about the risk.”

  They watched the game wrap up as the last round played out. Plinny roared in happiness as he won.

  “Shuffle ’em again, lads! Luck is with me tonight. I’ll take all yer money!”

  A few guffawed at the statement, and threw their coins into the pot for the first round of the next game. One stood up to leave, though.

  Stin eyed the vacant spot in the circle, figuring out who would make the best marks sitting around it.

  He said, “Well, I’ve enjoyed talking with you Quent, but I think I’ll try my luck against Plinny tonight.”

  He began moving toward the group but stopped when Quent grabbed his shoulder.

  “Officers don’t fraternize with the seadogs, Steck.”

  Stin whipped his head around in surprise. He said, “What?”

  “It’s true. Have you ever noticed any of the officers around, besides me? We play our own games, with each other. The captain’s fond of Table Battle. I’m a Nine Copper man, myself.”

  Stin groaned. He was familiar with both games. They were two-player only and wouldn’t have the crowds for easy pickpocketing.

  “You don’t play Table Battle for money,” he grumbled.

  “Mm, that’s true. But wait until we get to Corsairs Cove. I think you’ll enjoy the gambling dens there. Some of the Primero games at the more fashionable houses start at a gold coin per round.”

  “That does sound intriguing. And these ‘fashionable houses’ will let a new third mate in?”

  “Yes. In fact, the more reputable ones only admit officers. You can lose a lot of money very quickly there. Or gain it. But they are very strict about magic and cheating, as you might imagine.”

  Another sat down in the circle and a new game began. They watched as Plinny rolled his die. He roared in triumph. “Bwa-ha-ha! A six! I win again!”

  The other men groaned as the giant emptied the pot into his leather purse.

  Stin turned back to Quent and said, “You know, I think you’re right. If being an officer can get me into establishments that are as lucrative as you say, then I’m willing to wait until we get there.”

  Quent smiled. They watched the men ante up again, each contributing a coin to the pot for the next round.

  “I think you’re going to enjoy being an officer, Steck.”

  8

  Prince Dudge walked out of a cave and into sunlight. The cave served as the terminus to an underground highway connecting several dwarven cities. Like most dwarves, he preferred the darker realm, and he squinted in the sudden brightness.

  Strolling down a brick-paved road stretching from the cave, Dudge passed low stone fences guarding fields full of crops. He waved at the occasional worker. They waved back, and followed him with curious eyes under broad-brimmed hats. He was not from these parts, and word of his arrival had not yet spread. It seemed evident many he waved at wondered who he was and what dealings he had in the Farmlands.

  Anonymity suited Dudge fine, for the moment. He thought the pomp and circumstance of royalty were best left to those who cared for it, such as his brother Pudge, the Crown Prince. When Dudge left Ore Stad, the capitol city of Norweg, his brother and their mother were busy making plans for Pudge’s wedding ceremony. After months upon months of searching, Queen Frum had finally found
the perfect bride for her oldest son.

  Dudge, as second born, would not receive such lengthy betrothal considerations. In fact, if he did marry, no one would give it a second thought if it happened to be a bride he picked out himself.

  And that too suited Dudge just fine. He felt quite content to let their mother fuss and fidget and create a hullabaloo over his brother’s bride and the ceremony. It was all the talk of Ore Stad right now. After all, this bride of Pudge’s would be the future queen. She would hopefully deliver a prince or princess, or perhaps even both in due time.

  Everyone in or near Ore Stad seemed to be obsessing over Frum’s choice, except Dudge. He didn’t even know the name of the lucky bride-to-be. All he heard before departing for the Farmlands was that someone had been chosen from one of the more prominent families in Norweg.

  Dudge came out of his thoughts and found himself approaching a crossroads. To his right, a farmer labored over a cart with a broken wheel. He had a replacement wheel, and a long post leveraged on a stone under the axle, but it appeared that when he raised the cart up he would have no one to swap the broken wheel with the new one.

  The pig harnessed to the cart grunted, impatiently. Dudge assessed the situation and quickly decided to lend assistance.

  “Le’ me help y’ there.”

  He jogged up to the end of the pole and took the farmer’s place, pushing down on it with all his weight. The front corner of the cart tilted up, the short end of the pole straining under the axle. The farmer rushed over and removed the broken wheel’s retaining pin with a mallet and quickly swapped it out with the new one. He motioned for Dudge to let up on the lever.

  With all four wheels back on the ground, the farmer threw the broken one in the back while Dudge placed the pole in with it. Together they wrestled the stone the farmer had used as a fulcrum out of the way so the back wheels wouldn’t run over it.

  The farmer said, “Thankee kindly, stranger. Wha’ can I do t’ repay ye?”

  “You can tell me th’ whereabouts o’ Brewer Fret.”

  The farmers face lit up in a smile. He said, “Aye, young Fret! Turrible shame ’bout ’is father. I knew Barley since we was bairns. Bu’ now young Fret ’as th’ backin’ o’ th’ Crown! ’E’s done bought up all th’ grain in th’ Farmlands for this mad push t’ make beer fer yumans. Crazies’ thing! Bu’ who ’m I t’ say no t’ royal silver? I sold ’im all m’ bushels, I did. An’ iffen ’e makes a cartload o’ gold from th’ yumans, i’ kinna happen t’ a better family.”