by Jeff Gunzel
“I don’t think they saw any of you. They just saw something or someone run in here. The inevitable rumors as to your identities will contain mismatched information, then die out in a week. For the most part, I think we’ve contained this,” he said a bit breathlessly, then pointed back over their shoulders, “I hope this will provide a bit more comfort for the remainder of your journey.” They all turned and laid eyes on one of the most awesome sights any of them had ever seen. The secret project of Candrin was secret no more. The soldier suddenly looked a bit worried again. “Now, trying to hide that…well, that’s going to be a bigger problem.
There in all its glory stood the largest ship they had ever seen. It was clearly over a hundred feet long. The mainmast itself easily cleared sixty feet and came dangerously close to touching the high ceiling, while the other two masts stood around forty feet each. Multiple white sails remained coiled into tight bundles high up on each mast. The poop deck was raised high and painted black, but the rest of the ship maintained a natural wooden color, although the waterproof stain added a bit of darkness to it.
The rolling shapes of the hand-carved wooden rails surrounding the main deck mimicked that of waves in the sea, as they seemed to flow from the quarterdeck toward the front. Even the bowsprit was ornate and decorative—a thick, black post around ten feet long that ended in the head of a green snake. Everything about this ship screamed durability and quality. And why not? This marvelous vessel was about to be used to do something no other ship ever had.
“I hope she was worth all the effort,” came a low, gravelly voice from off to the side. A short, stout man with long blond hair tied back leaned against one of the many wooden barrels lined along the wall. He wore green britches and a matching vest with a thin white ruffle down the front. Although using the barrel for support, he also held a black hand-carved cane in his other hand. A sweeping silver design swirled up the cane and ended in the head of an eagle. His commanding green eyes took them all in.
Eric stepped forward, having a pretty good idea who this must be. “Good evening, sir. My name is—”
“Bah! I know who all of you are,” he said as he pushed away from the barrel. He ambled up to them with an obvious limp as he angrily cracked the cane against the wooden floor with every step. “You’re the reason my men had to work night and day to build that ship. You’re the reason our fishing industry nearly came to a halt due to lack of manpower. And finally, you all are the reason that some of my finest crewmen are going to die on some fool’s mission!” The angry tirade finished with a fit of coughing as he leaned heavily on his cane.
“And you must be Lord Andry, I presume,” said Eric calmly. “I’m sorry our need for your assistance has caused you so much grief. And please, don’t think we aren’t grateful for your efforts. But I must ask you, if it was such an inconvenience for you to agree to the Queen’s request, then why did you?”
The man looked quite amused all of sudden, even allowing himself a light chuckle. “Tell you what, laddy, I’ll give you a bit of advice. Words to live by. There are literally thousands of mistakes a man is capable of making. But rest assured, no matter who that man is, saying no to a Queen will always be in the top ten.” His smile widened just a bit more as he raised an eyebrow. “And saying no to that Queen will always be in the top three!”
Their brief laughter was interrupted by a call from up on the deck. “And I suppose you all are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” There stood a lean man with his elbows propped up on the rail. He wore fancy black leather boots and long white socks that hid the bottom of his dark purple silk pants. Partially hidden beneath his white ruffled shirt and purple vest was a white leather belt with a large silver buckle shaped like a tiger’s head. Multiple hoops of gold and silver hung from his ears, revealed only because his long black hair was tied back in a ponytail.
Lord Andry gestured up toward the man. “Captain Najus Svastith has been burdened with the task of trying to get you all to a land no one has ever even seen before. I fear he will never return.” He turned to the group and looked Eric squarely in the eye. “Lucky for you, Najus doesn’t fear anything. Now go, all of you, before this suicide mission draws any more attention that it already has. I need to begin working on an explanation for what the townsfolk are about to see.” A long flimsy plank lowered down from the boat as he spoke. He reached out and dropped a hand across Eric’s shoulder, prompting him to hold up.
Jacob turned back one last time as the three walked toward the boat. “Just so you know, despite your warnings of impending doom, we have every intention of returning in one piece.”
“And I pray that you do,” Andry called back, “but I would never place a single coin on your odds.”
Both Eric and Lord Andry watched them walk up the makeshift bridge as it jiggled and bounced under their weight. He waited to be sure they were all far enough away. “Listen here, son. I don’t know exactly what happened in Taron that fateful night, and with all these rumors and stories sweeping through my city, I don’t even think I want to know.” He sighed as he dropped his hand back to his side. “But this much I do know. The Queen is far from crazy, and certainly no fool. If she believes your importance is that great, then who am I to disagree with her?” He gestured toward the ship. “Those men up there are a bit rough around the edges, mind you, but they are a fine crew. If anyone can help you see this through, it’s them. Go now. I’ve fulfilled my promise to the Queen and owe her nothing else. May the Gods smile on you.”
Eric stood tall and looked him in the eye. “I know you think this quest a fool’s quest, and maybe you’re right. But no matter what happens, I plan to see this through. I thank you for all you have done, and the Queen thanks you as well. If by some miracle we actually reach this land no one seems to know anything about, we will have you to thank. And believe me, it will never be forgotten.”
As he watched Eric hurry after his friends up the jiggling plank and onto the deck of the massive ship, Lord Andry just shook his head and turned away. “Good luck...Gate Keeper. You will need it,” he mumbled to no one.
Najus stood on the deck waiting for Eric to board. “Come on now,” he said impatiently while quickly leading Eric to a short stairway. “I know you have questions, and we will have nothing but time as soon as this beast hits the water. But for right now, we need to keep you out of sight and try to make this go as fast as possible. The smoother this goes, the shorter folks’ memories might be.”
He nearly threw Eric down the steps before making a spinning hand gesture to the men wandering around the enormous warehouse. Two of them streaked for the metal sheet door and began pulling a thin looped chain. Left over right, right over left, their hands worked together like the wings of a hummingbird, making the metal sheet door begin to rise up.
Noise and commotion began to fill the air outside as the tall metal door slowly rattled upward then folded back across the roof of the warehouse. Dozens of large men who had been doing their best not to stand out in the crowd swiftly rushed toward the door. They reached down to the ground and pulled up the hidden ropes that had been covered with dirt. The brutes all pulled as one while a loud grinding sound echoed off the nearby buildings. The massive ship began to move inch by inch, rolling over the smooth cut logs placed beneath it.
As the ship inched along, other men ran back and forth in sets of two, taking logs from the back end and running them to the front. The massive ship creeping along was now in clear view of everyone. There was no way to hide this! All they could do was keep moving while the guards did what they could to block the angry mob and keep them from rushing in. Shouts of “That’s what they were hiding,” and “They have the Gate Keeper in there. The legend is true,” rang out as the soldiers did what they could to keep the angry mob back.
Eric thumped down the freshly sanded steps while gripping the long banister. The whole ship rocked and vibrated as it rolled over the logs. Seeing the others seated at a table near the corner of the room, he was able t
o stumble his way over. Grabbing the corner of the table for support, he pulled up a chair by hooking it with his toes and yanking it in. Sitting down seemed only slightly better that standing, as the chair bounced and vibrated along with the ship, threatening to dance across the room and carry him with it.
Eric clung to the table, looking around at what would be his new home for some time. The walls and floor were no different than the steps—a natural wood color and freshly sanded, but looked unfinished due to a lack of proper stain or lacquer. They must have deemed that final touch an unnecessary aesthetic. Many believed this was a one-way trip anyhow. The walls were bare with the exception of a few oil lanterns hung on thin wire from metal hooks. Three crates, four barrels, and a few woven sacks were stacked at the other corner. The lack of items made the small room seem much larger than it actually was.
There was only one other table in the room and it was well occupied. A grizzled bunch with maybe a full set of teeth between them stared back hard at the group. They didn’t necessarily look angry, as expressions varied from lopsided half smiles to full toothless grins. Eric would be spending a lot of time with these men, but now was certainly not the time for introductions.
The men on the ground continued their frantic pace, ignoring shouts and protests from the villagers. Even though the massive ship was rolling down hill, it took tremendous manpower to keep it grinding along. Rumors had hung heavy over the city for weeks. Then the local warehouse had been shut down to the public. This happened just after sightings of Taron soldiers in the city, adding to the growing suspicion that something big was going on. Now the doors had finally opened to reveal this giant ship being brought down to the water, and it was obvious they didn’t want anyone to know who or what it carried. The mob was now on the verge of rioting!
“He’s in there! They have the Gate Keeper!” came a shout from the crowd as they pushed against the line of soldiers. In turn they pushed back, some exposing half a blade from its scabbard, which immediately had the desired effect. Lord Andry was going have a very hard time explaining all this to the townsfolk come morning.
With a splash, the nose of the ship dipped into the water as the men circled around to the rear. It was easy enough to keep it moving now that the front weight was afloat. Within minutes it was drifting through the icy water. The angry shouts faded into the night as the mighty ship slowly began putting distance between itself and the port city.
The grinding and shaking had stopped and was now replaced by a smooth, rocking motion. The four companions could hear the salty water crash against the boat in an almost musical rhythmic pattern. Jacob grinned as he slowly released his death grip from the table, first one hand then the other, as if not yet trusting the suddenly smooth ride. He shook the numbness from his hands and stomped the pins and needles from his feet. “We did it. We really did it, guys!” he exclaimed, giving Eric a light punch in the shoulder. “I can hardly believe it. We’re going to be the first to set foot on a new land, a land no one has ever seen before.”
Jade’s voice trembled with anger, “Why must everything be a game to you? These lands have been all but forgotten, true, but they are certainly not unknown. Berkeni showed us a map, remember? More than one person has already been there before. And besides all that, this is not some joyride for a small-town farm boy to attempt to fulfill his boyish dreams of adventu—”
A strong hand lightly placed on her shoulder was enough to stop her off in mid-sentence. The anger melted from her eyes as she leaned back into Eric. He whispered in her ear, “He is just caught up in the moment and speaking his mind like he always does. You know he meant nothing by it. Are you now planning to hold Jacob accountable for being Jacob?”
She smiled at the words meant only for her ears, then turned back to Eric’s friend. “Jacob, I’m sorry for what I said. You didn’t do anything wrong. I guess deep inside, I’m just jealous of you. Here I am worried about, well...everything. What will we do when we get there? If we get there? What will we find? I just don’t understand how anyone can have absolutely no fear of the unknown.”
Jacob locked his fingers behind his head as one boot thumped down on the table, followed loudly by the other. “Don’t waste your apologies on me,” he said with a blatant eye roll. “First of all, you couldn’t offend me if your life depended on it. Truth be told, you’re really bad at it.” Everyone laughed. “As far as being jealous of me, well...that’s the curse I’ve dealt with most of my life, so don’t bother thinking you’re special.” A rhythmic clinking sound began to ring out over their laughter.
An older man with white bushy eyebrows and an impossibly large nose continued to thump a silver spoon against his table over and over again. His deep-set dark eyes seemed to have singled out Eric as the high pitched rattling clanked away in a steady beat. If it was their attention he was seeking, he certainly had it now. However, he appeared no more likely to have his mindless song interrupted than he was to break off his stare, which was being returned in the same manner. In a crackling, stony voice that more than matched his grizzled looks, he said, “Well, I’m glad the four of ye are having a good time.” He slammed the spoon flat against the table. “Tell me, boy, do you know how many different ways a man can die at sea? I assume this be the first time your sea legs have been tested.”
“You assume correctly, old man,” said Eric with no hint of anger or sarcasm. “This is the first time any of us have been on a ship. And no, I don’t know how many ways one can meet his end at sea. But I do know this. Even if that number is in the millions, it doesn’t change the fact we will still be at sea and you will be there with us as well.” His voice stayed steady and calm, as if discussing what types of fish lived in the water. “If you are afraid, I wish you had thought of that before agreeing to this, because we are not stopping for the likes of one coward.”
The grizzled man leapt spryly to his feet as many of the others leaned forward in their seats, clearly thinking of doing the same thing. “Who are you calling a—”
“Enough!” came a booming voice from the top of the steps. “These are the finest seamen Candrin was able to find me? We’ve been at sea for less than ten minutes and you dogs begin bickering like women?”
“This adolescent,” cried the grizzled man, pointing to Eric, “has no respect for the dangers of the sea. His blind innocence is bound to get us all killed. If ye thinks I’m going to stand by—”
“And what of him!?” boomed Najus in a voice more fit for a general in the Queen’s army. Everyone flinched as shoulders slumped and heads lowered. “The bloody hell does he matter? He, as well as the rest of them, are simply cargo and nothing more—cargo you all have been handsomely paid to transport. And transport you will! Now, everyone, top deck now!”
The grizzled man’s eyes narrowed as he exposed a set of yellowed teeth. If not for hearing the conversation, it would have been hard to tell if that was a snarl or a smile. In sharp contrast, Eric’s expression was calm and respectful. He patiently watched the man turn and clop heavily up the stairs. The other seamen followed after him, each giving at least one glance over his shoulder—a man here with a puckered scar running down his cheek; another there with a thick greasy beard and blue bandana strapped tightly across his head. They all looked different yet the same, cut from the same rugged cloth.
Eric took Jade by the hand and gently lifted her up from the bench. She looked worried given the brief unfriendly exchange. “Everything is fine,” he said. “Those men are just frightened, but they don’t dare show it. That display was nothing more than a scared man who needed to channel his emotion without showing weakness. I don’t hold it against him.” She mirrored his reassuring smile, comforted by his wise words. They marched up the steps, followed closely by Jacob and Athel.
As they reached the top step, a blast of frigid salt air whipped across their faces. Although cold and biting, it also smelled crisp and clean. The beaming moon was shockingly bright, proving to be more than an adequate source of light. D
espite the darkness of the night, sharp faces could be seen in full detail under its luminescent glow. Even the stars appeared sharper and clearer than they did from land.
Najus stood before them with his hands on his hips. “All right, you sea dogs. Let me make something clear to all of you. I’m fully aware of the hours you’ve all have spent at sea. Your experience is the reason you stand before me now. But as far as your former rank or title is concerned, you no longer have one! I give the orders and you take them. I need your full cooperation and loyalty if we are to have any chance of success.” He paused a moment to let the seriousness of his words sink in. “Oh, yes. I suppose it’s only fair to point out my only two rules. Rule number one: if any of you disobeys a direct order from me, you will be given a permanent home with the fish within minutes of the violation.” The men began to stir while a soft mumbling rose. “Rule number two: any man who speaks in defense of the violator or questions rule number one in any way will be tied to the mast and whipped for three hours straight.” The mumbling suddenly grew a little louder as the men stirred. “And after that, he too will sleep at the bottom of the sea. Have I made myself clear?”
Heads bobbed up and down nervously, as if shaking harder would help to get on the captain’s good side, but even through all the head shaking, stray eyes kept wandering back to the four adventurers as if wondering why they were somehow not included in these malicious threats. Najus also noticed the wandering eyes and decided to answer their unasked question. “Don’t worry about the cargo. It is the least of your concerns. The sooner they are delivered, the sooner you all can return home and live like the rich men you will soon be.” That brought a series of cheers and fist pumps from a suddenly determined group of men.