Burden of Stones
Page 37
“I believe I should go take my things down to the docks,” the Ailfar princess replied. “Perhaps I can find someone to help me load them and secure my quarters before it gets too crowded?”
“I think it’s a good idea,” Jack said, sliding beneath the water. When he came back up Ailicia was gone.
“Poor boy doesn’t stand a chance,” he sighed. First Arrinor, now Ailicia? Lady Ara’fael was going to kill Dorad, and me as well mostly likely, he realized. But if he could think up a suitable position for the former prince of Doridan? Knight Protector of Immer to start? Maybe appoint him as the High King’s ambassador to Ail’itharain when all this was settled? He couldn’t wait to tell Anna!
Jack finished his bath, dried off and went back to his bedroom. Ailicia had packed his things all right. One small bag lay on the bed. There wasn’t much more in the trunk in the closet. The only other items in the room were Yhswyndyr and his armor. He emptied the bag, putting on clean small clothes, then went to the door. Agrion and Wehelk were still on duty. “I don’t suppose you know if someone moved the rest of my things off Muriel’s Revenge before it sailed, do you?” he asked hopefully.
“I will send someone to check, My Lord,” Agrion replied.
“Ah never mind,” Jack sighed. “If they didn’t it’s too late now. Send someone to fetch my armor and take it down to the Wind. I’m not wearing that plate to sea.”
“At once,” Wehelk saluted.
“I’ll be ready in five minutes, gentlemen,” Jack informed them. “It might be wise for the High King’s Hammer to get down to the Wind and claim a berth before we are all sleeping on the deck. When Captain Alnordel starts divvying out hammocks, he won’t take into account some-thing as trivial as your boss carrying around a magic sword.”
“Truly, my Lord?” Wehelk asked incredulously.
Jack shrugged.
“Go!” Agrion ordered the corporal.
“Five minutes sergeant,” Jack said again.
It took him three.
It was a short, fifteen minute walk down the mountain from the Lord’s Keep. Another half an hour from the village at the base found Jack and his one man escort at Lordsisile’s only access to the sea. The Wind of Aerelnen and the Staffclave’s three brigantines were crowded tightly on the small dock. It could service all four ships, but just barely. Muriel’s Revenge had been much too large to navigate the narrow waterway. Kirstaen, Captain Ankael and the rest had been ferried to where the pride of Annoth’s fleet had been anchored off the coast by long boat hours ago. Those same long boats were now just returning and would be used to help the other four ships launch from their berths when all was ready.
The docks were a flurry of activity. It was still a few hours until they would be ready to sail, but once word had been spread they were leaving at high tide, all of Lordsisle it seemed had come to help them prepare. Jack found Tarsus at the ship he had claimed, barking orders to Ailfar Rangers and Dragon guards like he’d drafted them into the Brotherhood. Thonicil watched with apparent awe at his colorful and prolific use of salty curses.
“Someone’s excited,” Jack grinned.
“This will be the most dangerous lot I’ve ever had under sail,” the former pirate captain laughed. “If times were different…”
“Maerianne would hunt you down and drag you back in chains,” Jack smiled.
“I do miss the old days though,” the Amarian sighed.
“Give us a good bye hug you scoundrel, then get back to work,” Jack said, embracing his friend. Almost a head shorter and fifty pounds lighter, Braedan got the worst of the deal.
“I’ll see you both at Tanaevar,” he said, when the Amarian finally released him.
“We will have everyone assembled when you arrive,” Tarsus assured him.
“We will not fail you High King,” Thonicil added, giving him the crisp salute of the Dragon Guard.
“I know you won’t,” Jack nodded, extending his hand to the Prince of Brydium. “Fair winds and smooth sailing. You two be careful. I like this part of my plan the least, despite the fact Lord Faendil has not seen any visions of the Norgarthans or Denelad on the field at the Bergaweld. That doesn’t mean they won’t cause us any problems in the Southran Plains. Be on your guard. Don’t take any unnecessary risks. But…if you should chance upon any of those bastards, give them my regards.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Thonicil replied dangerously. What their Black Priest’s had planned for his lovely Thessa was something he still wished to repay. In blood.
Tarsus gave Jack a last comradely, clap on the shoulder, then turned back to his ship. “Break time is over you lubbers!” he shouted, then added something in broken Ailfar about shark excrement and keel hauling. “I’ve been practicing my elf,” he said, turning to wink at Braedan.
Jack turned from the pair, his spirits still troubled despite their confidence. Yh have mercy on anyone who came across the Talon of the Hawk and the King of Amar, but he needed them reach Tanaevar quickly, not become bogged down by meaningless sorties in the South. Maybe he could find Ara’fael and ask the Spellweaver one last time if she could not transport all their ships through the Stream of Time. The Wind of Aeralnen was just down the dock. It was a flurry of activity as well, except for a small group lounging on their bags. They sprang to their feet as he approached.
“My Lord,” Kirk Vanar saluted. With him were Cyran, Erlwin, Michael, Brian and Arrgenn Dunnahel. All except for the Doridanian, these men had been with him longest, his original Golden Lions.
“Kirk,” Jack replied, ignoring the salute to give him his hand in friendship. “Boys. These last few days I had to do on my own. But I promise you, I won’t draw Yhswyndyr again without you at my side.”
“We were beginning to think you’d forgotten us my Lord,” Brian smiled.
“Protecting you idiots is more like it,” Arrgenn laughed. He was fitting in nicely with the Lions.
“Are you going to sit around lounging in the sun all morning?” asked Jack with a grin.
“We were just waiting on you, my Lord,” Erlwin replied, picking up his bag.
“You couldn’t have been waiting long,” Jack remarked. “I don’t see any dice rolling around.”
The group burst out laughing.
“Arrgenn confiscated his dice yesterday,” Kirk informed him, when he’d recovered enough to talk.
“He can have them back when he learns not to try and cheat a Doridanian noble,” Arrgenn muttered.
“I wasn’t cheating!” Erlwin insisted. “This island is just lucky is all?”
“Three sevens in a row isn’t luck,” Arrgenn snorted.
“God, I’ve missed you guys,” Jack smiled. “What do you say we get our things loaded and we can catch up? Maybe I can even convince young Master Dunnahel to give you back your bones? Once we are safely away from Lordsisle, of course.”
“It is going to be a long trip,” Erlwin said hopefully.
“Roll three sevens again, and I’ll toss your dice into the sea,” Arrgenn promised, picking up his kit. “And you with them.”
Tarsus was right. Jack missed the old days as well. “Come along boys,” he said, putting a consoling arm around Erlwin’s shoulder. “There might be actual work needs doing before we sail.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Wind of Aeralnen
It had been over a year since Braeden sailed on the Laughing Dragon. So much had happened since those early, carefree days with the Brotherhood, it seemed like the memories belonged to someone else. Jack wondered for just an instant if he’d made a mistake not taking Graith’s offer, to take Annawyn and just roam the sea. It had been a lie of course, but…like Tarsus, he found himself suddenly missing the old days. Jack looked up to the railing and realized Alnordel was watching from the bridge. He waved in greeting at his old friend and walked up the gangway.
“Permission to come aboard, Captain?” Braedan asked.
“My ship is yours to command, my Lord,” the former pirate b
owed. Even with the change of name, Wind of Aeralnen was much the same as he’d remembered. It looked a bit cleaner perhaps now that it was property of the Staffclave, but Alnordel had always run a tight ship as a matter of course, so he should have expected nothing less. “Well, it is not actually mine anymore, but the Staffclave graciously let me sail her now and again.”
“I’ll see if I can remedy that technicality,” Jack grinned. “I don’t know if you have heard, but I’m sort of a big deal. The High Lord and I are like this.” He said, crossing his fingers.
“Really?” Alnordel said, raising an eyebrow.
“This morning was just a little misunderstanding,” Jack shrugged. “We worked everything out.”
“Regardless, I have prepared the captains quarter for you, my Lord,” the half-Ailfar bowed with a welcoming sweep of his arm. “Your belongings from Muriel’s Revenge were brought onboard last night. The rest of your things should be arriving shortly. Along with some sweet cakes, I am told.”
Jack was relieved to hear he wouldn’t have to wear the same clothes all the way to Dorshev, but he politely declined quarters. “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll sleep on deck. Or below with the guys. I know it’s going to be cramped.”
“The Dragon never hosted so many dignified…guests,” Alnordel replied. “But as captain of the Wind, I could never ask the High King…”
“You didn’t ask, kinsman,” Jack smiled. “Leave the soft beds for the Staffclave and our Ailfar kin. It’ll be nice sleeping under the stars. If there are any stars in the Stream of Time?” he added thoughtfully.
“You would know the answer better than I,” Alnordel shrugged. “I’ve never traveled the Stream before. Very well. Sleep wherever you desire King Jack. Who am I to argue? The quarters will remain open to you if you want them.”
“Be a shame to let the bed go to waste,” Erlwin suggested, setting his bag down on the deck as he and the other Lions joined them.
“Soft beds make soft muscles,” Arrgenn grinned.
“Do you have anything for this bunch of sluggards to do?” Jack sighed. “How long before we sail?”
“There’s plenty yet to do. High tide won’t be for another three hours,” Alnordel smiled. “I will find some work for them.”
“That would be wonderful,” he replied, fixing Erlwin with a grin.
“Master of Sails!” Alnordel called loudly.
“Sir!” a voice answered instantly.
Jack looked up to find Kaiddra standing at the railing of the quarterdeck. Of course, Alnordel wouldn’t let her just tag along for the ride. She was probably the most experience captain on the island after him. Jack hadn’t seen her dressed in anything but fine gowns since arriving on Lordsisle, but Like Tarsus, the former Queen of the Sea seemed to have fallen into old habits quickly. She looked like she was ready to do some reaving, dressed in a white silk blouse with flaring sleeves, black leggings, and black leather boots reaching up to her knees. She even had her old sword belted to her hip.
“Master of Sails, huh?” Jack smiled. “Can you teach my men a thing or two about working this ship before we shove off? I think they are bored already. They haven’t done very much but suck up pay and roll dice since we left Dorshev as far as I can tell.”
“With pleasure, King Jack,” she grinned. “Working in the galley peeling potatoes? Scouring the bilges, maybe?”
“Nothing so menial,” Braeden laughed. “They’re officers after all.”
“We’ll start with learning how to work the rigging and go from there,” Kaiddra replied. “If you…gentlemen will join me?”
“You had to go an open your mouth again, didn’t you Erlwin?” Arrgenn muttered.
“Mind your manners and do as she says,” Jack warned them. “Don’t let her pretty smile fool you. Keep then in line Kirk. Comes to a fight, my money is on her.”
“We will behave my Lord,” Vanar promised, and for emphasis, smacked Brian on the back of the head. He’d been staring openly at the beautiful former pirate.
“Is the Lady Ara’fael on board?” asked Jack, turning back to ship’s captain.
“Last time I saw her she was in the galley, muttering about having to eat salted fish and corn cakes,” Alnordel scowled.
“Muttering?” Jack smiled.
“I was being polite. Just in case the Spellweaver can hear us,” he whispered.
“I imagine she’s worried about more important matters than eavesdropping,” Jack assured him. “I’ll find her. See to the Wind captain. Get me home quickly and I’ll do my best to keep her out of your hair.”
“I don’t know what I can do to speed this journey High King, but I will do all I can,” Alnordel replied. With a final salute, the captain of the Wind returned to his duties.
Alone now, Jack surveyed the ships deck. Here and there, he thought he recognized a few members of Alnordel’s old crew. One or two acknowledged him with brief nods, but the rest either avoided his gaze or gawked openly. With a sigh, Jack had to admit the old days were gone. With Yhswyndyr on his hip, the days were over when he could be a simple anything. Through the chaos of activity, he spotted Arrinor. The Ailfar prince was with his sister, standing on forecastle. Perhaps they would know where to find Ara’fael.
“Looking for something?” he asked, joining them. The Ailfar princes’ attention was fixed on the dark water below.
“Pinning for someone, is more correct,” Ally replied.
“I have not seen her in two days,” Arri sighed.
“Already?” asked Jack, giving Ally a questioning look.
“Yes, already,” she replied, shaking her head sadly.
Jack opened his thoughts and searched the water. He caught just the faintest presence in reply, far down river, out toward the sea. Not whom Arrinor sought, but a familiar mind just the same. If the Dau’tua Elder Mika was close enough to detect, he imagined Elua would be some-where nearby as well.
“I’m sure she’ll come see us off,” Jack assured Arrinor, patting his shoulder consolingly. “This inland water is probably not to her liking. What about you, Ally? Did you find someone to help you store your things?” he asked.
“I did. He was…most accommodating,” she nodded, with a blush.
“I am going to be in so much trouble with your parents,” Jack sighed.
“And why would that be?” Ara’fael asked, as if appearing by magik.
For a second he wondered if Alnordel was right, and she could actually have been eaves-dropping. “Ah, Lady Ara’fael,” Jack smiled brightly, thinking quickly of a way to change the subject. The Spellweaver may have expressed intrigue on the possibilities presented by the mingling of Ailfar and Aerfal’Miera blood, but he suspected her stance would be quite different on the youngest An’Mera wedding outside her race. “If you have a moment, Lady? I…”
“One ship,” she interrupted before he could begin, “is all I can manage. Even with the help of Malik and the Lords. We have been over this.”
“What I was going to ask…” Jack lied, “was if you have a moment, perhaps you might like one of Master Galilaen’s sweet rolls? I heard you were…questioning the quality of stock in the ship’s galley earlier? There should be some arriving shortly.”
Ara’fael raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “I suppose. And while we snack I can explain again the difficulty of the task you have given me. I am not as powerful as you seem to believe. Why do you not just ask Yhswyndyr to whisk us all back to your lovely Queen?”
“I have, believe me,” Jack sighed. “One ship?”
“Only one,” she informed him for the last time. “And I apologize about that last remark, my Lord. I know you are worried about Annawyn. She is a treasure of her people and will play a larger part in this struggle than many suspect. Perigaen assures me she is well. Lords may flitter about the truth like moths around a flame, and the High Lord may keep his secrets, but he would not speak falsely when speaking directly. It is against their very nature. He informed me also of his Lords in hid
ing. Truthfully, I had suspected it for many years. I shall be…interested to learn who in Cilidon’s court is Perigaen’s Lord in disguise.”
“There is a Lord in father’s court?” Arrinor asked, finally roused from his search of the river.
“Ah, so he is not completely moonstruck after all,” Ara’fael remarked. “Go back to staring at the river Arrinor, adults are talking. Better yet, Ailicia, take your brother and find Lord Dhoran and General Malik. See if they require any help before we sail. Tell Dhoran I sent you so he does not put you children over his knee for interrupting him. Go now!”
The two young Ailfar sulked away like petulant teenagers. Though both were young by Ailfar standards, there were times when the pair were as fierce and bold as any prince or princess of their race. Other times however, well… Jack seriously doubted their count of years was marked by over a century and they were not the barely grown children they seemed now. Getting scolded by Ara’fael could have that effect on people he supposed.
“Now, about those sweet rolls?” she said, placing her arm in his, “If you were only teasing me I will…”
“I was not Lady,” Jack assured her quickly. Damn! He sighed mentally. Now who was frightened by the Spellweaver?
Ara’fael smiled sweetly at him as if she could indeed read his thoughts.
Lucky for him, the sweet rolls were waiting in his quarters. By their delicious smell, they had only just arrived, hot from Master Galilaen’s kitchen. There had been improvements made to the captain’s quarters since the Dragon’s renaming. Gone were much of Alnordel’s trophies from his Brotherhood days, replaced by books and other more…scholarly…paraphernalia. Obviously Kaiddra wasn’t the only pirate Lordsisle had changed. The quarters were much nicer than the one he’d shared on Muriel’s Revenge. Jack instantly regretted his statement about sleeping on deck, but if he went back on it now, the Lions would give him no end of grief. High King or not. Jack dutifully seated the Ailfar Spellweaver and went to look for plates in the small cupboard above the quarter’s sea desk. He found some worn but suitable china, probably looted from some merchant ship long ago, and turned to hand her one.