Zastra couldn’t help a little inward smile. She had worked hard over the years to disguise her natural accent with that of the mountains.
‘Aye,’ she said.
‘We’re Golmeiran sailors, kidnapped by Skurgs. Can you get us out?’
Jerenik looked nervously up the stairs. ‘We’re wasting time.’
‘I’m not leaving anyone locked up here while we set fire to the sintegrack,’ Zastra insisted. ‘They wouldn’t stand a chance.’
‘I suppose you’re right.’ Jerenik began to tackle the second door, while Zastra and Ithgol entered the first room. It was piled high with small cloth bundles. Zastra picked one up and examined it. A waxed string protruded from the bag.
‘They must light this string, like a candle wick.’
An idea began to form in her mind. She tugged the string from some of the parcels and began to splice them together. ‘If we make a longer string it might just give us time to get away.’
Jerenik finally succeeded in opening the second door. Five men and two women stumbled out, shading their eyes against the light of the lamp. Jerenik turned his attention to the final door and soon had it open. It contained just one prisoner, his face bruised and swollen.
‘Yerdan,’ cried one of the women, rushing over to help him. ‘What have they done to you?’
‘Nerika, is that you?’ croaked the man. ‘They told me they’d killed you all.’
‘We’ve no time for reunions,’ said Zastra curtly, gesturing them up the stairs. The prisoners did not need much urging.
‘You two as well.’ Zastra nodded at Jerenik and Ithgol. ‘I don’t know if this string idea will work. There’s no point in risking all our necks.’
‘Aw, you really do care, mountain girl.’ Jerenik’s teeth gleamed in the dark. She grinned back.
‘Perhaps I just don’t want your stupid face to be the last thing I see if this goes wrong.’
‘I will do it.’ Ithgol made a grab for the string.
‘No. It’s my plan, and I can run faster than you. You’re not exactly built for speed. Stop wasting time and go.’
Zastra waited until the others had reached the top of the stairs and then scraped the tip of her knife along her fragment of firering, taking care not to cut into her fingers. A shower of sparks dropped onto the ground and the end of the spliced string caught fire. The flame moved towards the mound of sintegrack with surprising speed. She turned and sprinted out of the passageway, taking the stairs three at a time.
‘Run!’ she yelled, discretion no longer necessary. They had barely reached the perimeter of the stockade when the earth roared as though enraged by its violation. The ground was yanked from beneath their feet and the sky burst into a brilliant fireball. Winded, Zastra scrambled to her feet. They were just beyond the edge of the blast. The Skurg dome had not been so lucky. Half of it had collapsed into a crater as deep and wide as a ship’s hull, and fire was licking at what remained of the wooden structure.
She felt a strong grip on her arm as Ithgol dragged her through the splintered remains of the fence. Jerenik whistled.
‘That was some fire-fountain. You nearly killed us all.’
The woman called Nerika rounded on them.
‘Whose stupid idea was it to destroy the sintegrack?’
‘If you had seen your crewmates torn apart by it, you would want it destroyed too,’ Zastra said.
‘You can thank us anytime you like,’ Jerenik remarked. ‘You know, for the rescue.’
The woman stared at them as if they’d stolen food from her table. Realisation dawned on Zastra. ‘You came to steal it, didn’t you? You wanted it for yourselves.’
The woman did not deny it.
‘Look!’ One of the other prisoners pointed out to sea. Dawn was breaking and three ships were closing on the island.
‘Is it Justyn?’ Nerika asked eagerly, but her companions shook their heads. Zastra recognised the lead ship as the Wind of Golmeira. The dual flag of the Golmeiran hawk alongside Thorlberd’s gecko flew atop the mainmasts of each vessel. Dastrin had returned with reinforcements.
‘Um, I suggest we run,’ said Jerenik. A large bunch of very angry looking Skurgs had stumbled from the burning dome and were gesticulating towards them. Jerenik nudged Zastra in the ribs.
‘They don’t look very pleased with you.’
‘Who wouldn’t want a crater in their back yard?’ returned Zastra. ‘Come on, let’s go.’
They made for the beach. The three ships anchored close to the shore and dropped their boats. Yerdan made a grab for Zastra’s sword. Seeing his move out of the corner of her eye, she ducked under his arm, hooking her leg round his ankle and tipping him over. He looked up to find the tip of Ithgol’s scythal at his throat.
‘Please,’ Nerika begged through gritted teeth. ‘We mustn’t be caught.’
The boats were closing on them, but were not yet as close as the Skurgs who had bunched together at the top of the beach.
Zastra drew her sword. ‘Tell me quickly, are you with Lord Justyn?’
Nerika nodded.
‘We’ll tell Dastrin that you are merchant sailors captured by Skurg pirates. In return, you must say nothing about us destroying the sintegrack or we’ll all be done for.’
‘You want us to risk our lives for these ingrates?’ Jerenik protested.
‘Think about it, Jerenik. Together we might have enough for that mutiny you were bragging about. Ithgol, are you with us?’
Ithgol make a low sound from the back of his throat. Zastra was getting used to interpreting his different types of grunt and she took this one for agreement.
She turned back to Nerika. ‘We were all pressed into service and have no desire to serve Dastrin or Thorlberd. We—’
‘Down!’ barked Ithgol. They ducked as a volley of crossbow bolts whistled over their heads. Golmeiran sailors and Kyrgs rushed past them and piled into the Skurgs.
It proved a one-sided battle and the Skurgs were quickly overpowered. Zastra and the others were taken aboard the Wind of Golmeira to face an irate Captain Dastrin, who demanded to know what had happened. Zastra bent her head in a show of deference.
‘We were captured after our attack failed. They locked us up with these Golmeiran merchants. Then there was this terrible noise and the earth shook so much that the door of our jail caved in. Thank the stars you came back, Sir.’
‘Are you telling me that the sintegrack has been destroyed?’
‘Sintegrack?’ Zastra feigned innocence. Dastrin glowered at each of them in turn.
‘Who are you?’ he narrowed his eyes at Nerika.
‘We’re from the Daydream, a trader out of Castanton. We were carrying a cargo of tobacco back from the Far Isles when a storm blew us off course and into Skurg waters.’
‘Why didn’t they kill you?’ Dastrin queried. ‘They usually kill everyone. He turned back to Zastra. ‘You too. Why are you even alive?’
‘The Skurgs probably thought we were too scrawny to make a decent meal,’ Jerenik said. ‘Now, if you were to increase our rations…’
‘They wanted information about the Golmeiran patrols,’ Yerdan interjected. ‘Of course I had none but they tried pretty hard to make me tell.’ In the full light of morning his bruises stood out clearly and he could barely stand. Mata stepped forward and grabbed him before he collapsed.
‘Someone take this man to Tijan.’
‘I am most displeased.’ Dastrin glowered. ‘Failing in your mission and allowing yourselves to be captured. It is unacceptable. I have a mind to have you all put in the barrel. However, we are shorthanded after the heavy losses incurred by the advance party. Burgal, show them my displeasure.’
Zastra’s arms and back stung as Burgal and his Kyrgs set about them with their straps, but she clamped her teeth together. Protesting would serve no purpose. Jerenik and Ithgol also took their punishment in silence.
‘You new people are now members of the Golmeiran fleet.’ Dastrin proceeded to give his usua
l lecture to Nerika and the others. Jerenik leaned towards Zastra as she rubbed the stinging red marks on her arms. ‘The sooner we take over this ship the better. I’ve had enough of that flekk Dastrin and his punishments.’
Chapter Thirty
Zastra was eager to talk to Nerika but it was difficult to get time alone. Her first opportunity came a few days after they had left the Skurg islands, when they were sent up the mainmast to grease the sheaves. Nerika lost no time in bringing up the subject.
‘What’s your plan? When are we going to take this ship?’
‘No point trying anything with these two other vessels for company. I’ve tried to find out how many of our crewmates would join us. Dastrin isn’t popular, but we have to be careful. If it gets back to him that we’ve even mentioned mutiny we’d be killed without hesitation.’
‘I can’t afford to wait. Me and Yerdan are known to quite a few folks in Thorlberd’s fleet. We’re fortunate none aboard this ship. Lucky, too, that there’s no mindweaver on board.’
‘I’m happy to listen to suggestions.’
Nerika dipped a rag into the pot of oil that Zastra held for her and began to smear it around the sheaves. ‘We’d be heavily outnumbered and those Kyrgs are good fighters.’ She nodded towards the foredeck, where Burgal and his charges were sparring.
‘We have Ithgol.’
‘He’s only one and I wouldn’t trust him. He’s a Kyrg.’
‘If he says he’ll fight with us then I believe him,’ said Zastra. ‘Our only chance is when we’re given weapons. They keep them locked away in the hold and only Dastrin has the key. We have to wait for our next engagement and be ready to seize any opportunity.’
‘Hey there, Layna,’ came a shout from below. ‘Are you done yet? Because the bilges need pumping.’
Zastra groaned. ‘Ever since we rescued you, I get all the lousy jobs.’
‘Don’t blame me. Losing the sintegrack was what really annoyed your Captain Dastrin, and that was all your own doing.’
Days passed and still the Wind of Golmeira stayed in formation with the other vessels. They couldn’t stage a mutiny with two ships ready to come to Dastrin’s aid. Zastra sounded out her crewmates. Six of her Watchmates had agreed to take part but others she approached had refused, too scared even to listen. Luckily, they did not inform the officers of Zastra’s plans. One person she desperately wanted to recruit was Mata, but it would a huge risk even to ask the question. If Mata did not agree to join them, she would be bound to report Zastra, especially now she had been promoted to lieutenant in place of Jagula. Yet, with her years of experience, Mata would be a valuable ally and Zastra sensed that she had no fondness for Dastrin and the way he ran his ship.
Zastra was still being schooled in the arts of sailing and navigation. One afternoon, Mata took her to the top of the mainmast to observe the other two vessels. This was Zastra’s chance. As she wondered how to approach the subject, Mata pointed to the nearest ship.
‘See how the Lodara sits too far forward, dipping her prow into the sea as if she were trying to dive in? Her captain should shift more weight towards the rear so that she sits up more. He could get a twenty percent increase in downwind speed at least.’
Zastra took a deep breath.
‘Do you think Dastrin is a good captain?’
Mata frowned.
‘Doesn’t matter what I think. It’s my duty to obey. I made that vow when I joined up.’
‘But you chose this life. Many of us have been forced into it. It doesn’t seem fair.’
‘Aye, it used to be that you joined the fleet because you wanted to serve. I did, like my mother before me. Folks shouldn’t be forced to do things they don’t want to. I love the sea. It has been my home since I was a young girl and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be. I’ve always been proud to protect and serve Golmeira.’
‘Are you still proud? After the way Dastrin let those fishermen die at the Pyramid Isle?’
Mata chewed her lip thoughtfully.
‘What if we refused to fight for him?’ Zastra asked tentatively.
‘He’d have you killed.’
‘Not if we took the ship.’
Mata shook her head. ‘Do you know what you are suggesting? It’s suicide. Even if you succeeded, what would you do then? Thorlberd would hunt you down. I’ve heard what he does to those who oppose him, and it’s not pleasant.’
‘We could join with Lord Justyn.’
‘Lord Justyn? Pah! I saw the tip of his sails once and he couldn’t run away fast enough. Justyn doesn’t scare Thorlberd. No, Layna, put this mad idea out of your head before it gets you killed.’
‘But—’
‘Not another word or I’ll have to report you. You’ve a good career ahead of you in the fleet as long as you put aside this foolishness. What ho? What’s this?’
Mata stiffened and squinted at the northern horizon. Zastra followed her gaze and made out a tiny white blur, too small and too low for a cloud. Mata cupped her hands and hailed the deck.
‘Sail to the north!’
They scrambled down the rigging. The white blur closed, transforming into a single-masted courier that flew towards them, coming about with an elegant flourish to fall into line with the convoy. Almost before the little ship had completed its turn, it dropped a boat and the captain was rowed across to the Wind of Golmeira to exchange brief words with their captain. Dastrin immediately ordered Mata to signal the other ships’ captains to come aboard. Zastra glanced meaningfully at Jerenik. He winked in acknowledgment and waited until Koltan’s back was turned before disappearing below decks.
The meeting was a long one. Eventually the captains left Dastrin’s cabin and returned to their ships. The courier headed back towards the Golmeiran coast and Dastrin ordered Mata to set a course to the east. The Obala and the Lodara followed their lead.
‘Where are we going?’ Zastra asked Mata.
‘Somewhere in the south-eastern corner of the Golmeiran Sea by our heading. And yet no land is charted there.’
Zastra’s attention was distracted by Jerenik, who was strolling with apparent nonchalance towards the prow of the ship. A rotten stench clung to him. She joined him with a polishing cloth in hand. As they made a show of cleaning the copper rails Jerenik made certain no one was close by before he spoke.
‘Special mission,’ he whispered. ‘A convoy is headed for somewhere called Murthen Island. Our beloved Grand Marl does not think the present escort of two warships is enough to protect his precious cargo. We are to be reinforcements.’
‘Murthen Island?’ Zastra creased her forehead. ‘Never heard of it.’
‘Ain’t you supposed to be a wondrous navigator?’
‘Are you sure you heard right?’
‘’Course. I ain’t deaf.’
‘Where do you go?’
‘Down into the bilges and then back towards the rudder. There’s a small gap alongside it that you can climb up as long as no one changes course. I squeeze upwards ’til I’m right beneath Dastrin’s cabin. I used a hand-drill to make a small hole in the floor so I can hear what’s going on.’
‘No wonder you stink.’
‘I’m just lucky my natural charm makes up for it. I wonder what this precious cargo is. Even Dastrin doesn’t know. It’s all very secret.’
Koltan came towards them and Zastra and Jerenik began to polish furiously. Koltan inspected their work closely, pointing out several patches where the shine was not up to his standard, before he was distracted by the sight of Ithgol making a mess of a bowline.
‘How many have you got?’ whispered Zastra.
‘Eight,’ he returned. ‘You?’
‘Six, not including Ithgol. With Nerika’s six that only gives us twenty. It’s so frustrating. I know how much everyone hates Dastrin but they are all too scared to do anything.’
‘I’m no mathematician, but even I can see those ain’t good odds.’
‘We have to try. I won’t fight any more under
my… under Dastrin. Next time they give us the weapons I’ll be in the mast with the crossbow. That’ll give us an advantage. Let’s hope that more will join us when they see we mean business. Do you know anyone who’s good at sewing?’
Jerenik raised a questioning eyebrow. ‘I don’t see how needlework is going to get us out of this mess. Unless you think Dastrin can be bought off with some pretty embroidery. What were you thinking?’
‘A flag.’
‘A flag? I don’t see how that will help but Ithgol is pretty handy with a needle.’
‘Speaking of Ithgol, I think it’s time he got some new tattoos.’
Jerenik chuckled.
‘He’ll not like that.’
‘Then you’d better use some of that natural charm you keep boasting about.’
That night a squall came, short but brutal. All hands were roused to lower the spars and pump out the water as wave upon wave crashed over the deck and threatened to overturn the ship. The rain lashed down, adding to the confusion. Zastra joined Mata at the helm to offer her assistance.
‘We must run before the wind, or we’ll broach!’ Mata yelled, struggling to make herself heard over the howling gale. ‘We must hope there’s no land in our path.’
Mata ordered the crew to swap out the normal jib for the storm jib. It seemed a precious small piece of material to stake their lives upon but any more sail and they risked it splitting with the force of the gale, leaving them with no means to direct the ship. The rudder fought them hard and Mata and Zastra threw their bodies against the wheel to keep the ship on course. They lost sight of the Lodara and the Obala as the swells grew higher and heavy storm clouds blocked out the moons and the stars. Mata paid no heed to the huge waves that swept over the quarterdeck railings and slammed into them. Zastra followed her lead. It was terrifying, exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. Hour after hour the ship ploughed through the dark, uncharted sea, the crew praying that only open sea lay in their path.
Chapter Thirty-one
Morning came and the storm disappeared as if it had never existed. Two of Zastra’s crewmates could not be found, most likely swept overboard by one of the huge waves that had burst across the deck. Off to windward lay the Lodara, largely unscathed. The outline of the Obala was just visible in the distance, its rear mast snapped off at the base. It took several hours for the three ships to regroup and reset their course, adjusting to the slow pace of the damaged Obala.
Tales of Golmeira- The Complete Box Set Page 37