by Logan Jacobs
Chapter 1
The dark Iolian Sea spread out before us, an eerie, undulating presence under a gray sky. We had stayed ahead of the manipulators that had chased us across the lands of Caaldir during the last week, but now we found ourselves on the edge of a sea so vast that there was nothing but water on the distant horizon. We were in the city of Altrua, the westernmost port on the sea, and for the moment, our flight across Caaldir had come to a halt.
A few trading ships bobbed in the waves that lapped against the pier, but our attempts to find passage across the sea had failed so far. Most ship’s captains were unwilling to attempt a crossing in winter with only the profit of a few passengers to show for it. The storm that was looming off shore didn’t help our cause either. Even Aerin’s skills of persuasion had run up against a brick wall.
“Maybe you could use some sort of magic on them,” Aerin huffed as yet another captain shook his head.
“Maybe if we offered to provide mage services on the trip,” Maruk added as he eyed the few ships we hadn’t visited yet.
“These ships all have their own mages,” Aerin pointed out. “They’d have to, to be able to make the crossing.”
“Let’s just keep asking,” I sighed. “Someone must be willing to do this.”
“We could always steal a boat,” Imogen offered. “Surely Maruk could manage a smaller vessel.”
“I refuse to resort to such chicanery,” Maruk sniffed.
“We may not have much choice if those mages get here,” Aerin pointed out.
“I think we may have a ship,” Lena whispered loudly as she and Lavinia joined our group. We’d split into two groups to cover the docks more quickly, and I was relieved to hear that the others seemed to be having better luck.
“Thank Theira,” Aerin heaved. “I was starting to think we were going to be stuck here forever.”
“Don’t get too excited,” Lavinia warned. “You haven’t seen the ship yet.”
“If it floats, it will suffice,” Imogen replied.
“You say that now,” Lavinia grumbled.
“It’s called the Passionate Lady,” Lena announced with a clap of her hands. “And it once held the record for the trip between Altrua and Maraz.”
“Once being the operative word here,” Lavinia added.
“Well, let’s see this speedy vessel,” Maruk declared.
Lena skipped back along the pier, and we hastened after her. She led us past several tall ships, each more sleek and nimble-looking than the one before. I gave Lavinia a questioning look, but she just shook her head.
Lena came to a halt at the very end of the last dock and looked back at us with a joyful smile. I spotted Yvaine and Emeline as well, but unlike the blonde elf alchemist, Yvaine’s expression was the kind I’d make when I’ve just stepped in a pile of dog poo, and Emeline looked like she was already seasick.
“Oh,” Maruk murmured when we finally saw our ship.
It wasn’t ugly, by any means, but it was definitely outclassed. It was small and square, and only one mast rose up from the deck. It bounced heavily in the waves that lapped the shore, and I could understand why Emeline looked green already. I was starting to feel queasy just watching it.
“When did it set the record?” Imogen asked doubtfully.
“Oh, like thirty years ago,” Lena replied.
“Where’s Dehn?” I asked.
“Negotiating with the Captain,” Yvaine sighed. “He’s a Persan, so he refused to work a deal with a woman. He wasn’t thrilled about talking to a halfling either, but at least he’s a man.”
“So he says,” Lavinia snorted.
“He is the tallest in his family, after all,” I added with a laugh.
“Will this ship even make it to Persans?” I challenged. “The thing doesn’t even it look like it will make it to the end of the jetty.”
“It’s made the trip hundreds of times,” Lena replied.
“And only lost fifteen people,” Lavinia added.
“Is that good or bad?” Aerin asked.
“We’re not entirely sure,” Yvaine admitted.
Dehn appeared at the top of the gangway at that moment. His cheeks looked a little green, but he still managed to stomp down the swaying board in true Dehn fashion. He sucked in a few deep breaths when he made it to dry land and glared at us.
“Well?” Aerin finally prompted.
“He’ll take us to Maraz for one hundred gold pieces,” Dehn replied.
“That’s ridiculous,” Aerin insisted as she clutched her pack tightly to her chest. “It’s not like anybody else is looking to hire this tub.”
“He was going to charge more when he found out we had an orc in our group,” Dehn said as he looked at Maruk. “I convinced him that an orc and a halfling balanced out to one person, so he agreed to the one hundred.”
“It’s actually a good rate,” Imogen replied. “Most of these ships will charge two or three times that during the season.”
“So why is this guy willing to make the trip?” I asked as I studied the ship more closely.
“He needs the coin,” Dehn said with a shrug.
“I gather the last few seasons have been a bit rough for the Passionate Lady,” Yvaine added. “Most merchants want to hire one of the new clipper ships, and they’d rather wait on shore a few extra days for a clipper than spend the extra time at sea on one of these old ships.”
“Unfortunately, none of the clippers are willing to head out right now unless we can guarantee them a full hold,” Lavinia explained. “It’s just not worth it to them.”
“I guess we’re taking the Passionate Lady,” I said.
“I’ll tell the captain,” Dehn sighed and then looked at me. “Maybe you should come with me. He didn’t believe me when I tried to tell him that we had a human male in our group. I think he believes we’re transporting someone’s secret harem.”
“What?” several female voices cried out indignantly at once.
“I’ll talk to him,” I agreed as I hurried after Dehn.
Dehn led me across the deck to an open hatchway. We clambered down a ladder to the first lower deck and then squeezed our way along a narrow passage to the captain’s cabin. The cabin was small but tidy. There was just enough room for the bunk and the desk, and a small table that jutted out from one wall. There were no knick knacks or stray items to be seen. The only sheets of paper on the desk were the ones the captain was writing on.
The captain himself was probably in his fifties, but years spent at sea had weathered his skin. His deeply tanned face was crisscrossed with fine lines and dark spots, and an old scar ran from his right ear lobe to his throat. I could just make out the remnants of a tattoo on his left cheek. It might have been a sun, or it might have been a very bloated puffer fish.
“Captain Jerrold,” Dehn announced as we stepped into the small cabin.
Captain Jerrold looked up from his paperwork, and I saw a flicker of surprise cross his face. He set his quill aside and stood up, though he didn’t move from behind the desk.
“We’ve decided to accept your offer,” Dehn said. “You’ll get fifty gold pieces now, and fifty when we reach Maraz.”
Captain Jerrold looked down at the paper he had been writing on and studied it intently. Dehn clicked his tongue and then jabbed me with his elbow. He did a head jerk in the direction of the captain followed by an eye roll.
“Fifty now, fifty when we reach Maraz,” I said.
Captain Jerrold finally looked up from his papers and smiled at me. He ignored Dehn completely.
“This is acceptable,” the captain replied. “Though, since you have so many females and others traveling with you, I must request that you limit your time on the deck. It would only distract my crew.”
&nb
sp; “Where is your crew?” I asked. I hadn’t seen or heard another soul on board since Lena had first brought us here.
“They are in the town,” the captain replied with a shrug. “But they are due back aboard within the hour. We can be ready to sail with tonight’s high tide.”
I glanced at Dehn, who also shrugged.
“Fine,” I agreed. “We’ll go pick up a few supplies. We’ll be back in an hour as well.”
“Excellent,” the captain declared. “There are two cabins at the front of the ship that we often use as guest quarters. There should be enough room for you and your companions, as long as you don’t mind sharing. Shall I show them to you?”
“Sure,” I said.
Captain Jerrold finally stepped around his desk. He squeezed past us and started back along the passage. Dehn and I managed to turn ourselves around and followed after him. He led us to two doors, one on either side of the passage. He opened each door to reveal two small cabins. There were no bunks, just hammocks. That was it aside from a single porthole.
“How long will this trip take?” I asked as I tried to imagine spending days on end cooped up with Maruk and Dehn in one of these tiny rooms.
“We should arrive in Maraz before the next full moon,” Captain Jerrold replied.
“How long is that?” I whispered to Dehn.
“Too long,” the halfling replied.
“Maybe we should have asked about the balloons,” I sighed.
“Bah,” Captain Jerrold declared. “Flight is silliness. Those balloons will never replace a fast sailing ship.”
“Too bad we don’t have one of those,” Dehn mumbled.
“I can outrun any of those clippers,” Jerrold said waspishly. “I know these waters. I have no need for a ship designed by engineers or pushed along by an air mage.”
“An hour, then,” I declared as Jerrold shot Dehn a nasty glare. I saw the halfling’s hand caress the handle of his axe, and I decided rope might be a worthy investment while we were still in port. Tying Dehn to the post would probably be the only way to keep this cruise from turning into a bloodbath.
Dehn and I returned to the dock and advised the rest of the Foxes of our deal. Armed with shopping lists and a description of our sleeping quarters for the next leg of our trip, as well as the captain’s request, the Shadow Foxes split into groups once again. I ventured down to a narrow bit of beach, and after confirming that no one else was around, whistled for Merlin.
The puca had spent our entire trip across Caaldir in various bird forms, watching the roads behind us for Maderel’s mages. The avalanche I had caused in the Canterrose Mountains had slowed them down, but Maderel’s army had recovered and another group had picked up our trail again. If they hadn’t managed to close the gap so well, I might have been tempted to stay onshore a few more days to see if we could find a better ship. But they were only a day or two behind us now, and Merlin had spotted other mages joining their ranks.
“We’ll be heading out to sea tonight,” I told the puca as he landed on my shoulder. He was in his favorite hawk form, and I felt the pinch of his talons even through the thick cloak.
“I’m wondering if there’s something we could do to keep the other ships in port for a while,” I mused. “At least delay the mages again.”
Merlin flapped his wings and gazed out at the water while I scratched under his chin and studied the docks. There was a thick wall that had been built around the mouth of the bay to protect the harbor and the ships within it from the storms that sometimes raged across the sea. I also knew from time spent in a local pub that a great chain lay just beneath the surface. It could be raised to prevent attacking ships from entering the bay or to prevent ships from leaving.
The sailors all agreed that the chain was controlled by a winch inside the wall, but I wondered if I could move it with my mana. I opened my vision and studied the breakwater. The wall was solidly built, and I had no interest in damaging it. But I could follow the glint of the great chain as it trailed along the edge of the wall and disappeared into the salt water.
I followed the other end of the chain back to the engine that was used to raise and lower it. I could sense several spells, all of which seemed designed to make raising and lowering the chain easier. I didn’t sense any protection spells, though it would have been easier if I could actually get in and take a look. I gave the winch an experimental tug with my mana, and after a moment, I felt the chain move ever so slightly. It wasn’t much, but I just needed to raise the chain enough to keep the other ships in port for a while.
Satisfied that I had an answer, I made my way back to the Passionate Lady. Merlin shifted into his other favorite cat shape and wrapped himself around my neck. I didn’t realize how much I had missed the sound of his purr until I heard it again. I gave him another scratch under his chin and promised to give him one of the last of the peppermint candies I still had with me.
By the time I returned to the ship, I could see that the crew had indeed assembled. Two crewmen moved around the deck while a third was in the mast. I could hear shouts from below as well, and the old tub actually looked and sounded like a real ship.
Lena was already back as well, armed with packets of material that were guaranteed to cure even the worst seasickness. She stood pensively on the pier, chewing on her bottom lip as she watched the sailors move around the deck.
“You don’t have to wait here,” I told her as I strolled to the ship.
“I think I do,” she replied. “They scowled at me when I tried to board and one of them said something in Pars that I didn’t understand but it sounded very rude.”
Imogen and Lavinia joined us at that moment, laden with extra food supplies, and a large wooden box filled with tea.
“The lady in the store told us this is Captain Jerrold’s favorite tea,” Imogen explained. “We thought it might be worth a few bribes.”
“Good idea,” I replied as I watched the two men on the deck of the ship. They were eyeing our little group dolefully, and one of them shook his head at the appearance of the two ladonae.
“Why are you just standing here?” Imogen asked. She followed my gaze, and when she spotted the two sailors, she gave them a dazzling smile. The two men frowned and then turned their backs on us.
“Oh dear,” Lena said plaintively.
“Just ignore them,” Imogen said. “It’s the only way to deal with them.”
“Is everyone in Persans like this?” Lena asked.
“Pretty much,” Imogen acknowledged, “though there are a few enlightened souls. It appears that none of those will be on this ship, though, so you’ll just have to learn to deal with it.”
“Come on,” I said to the women. “I’ll show you where the cabins are. I’ll let you pick which one you want.”
We boarded the vessel and made our way below decks to the cabins with the hard stares of the crew following our every step. Lena was baffled by the reaction, and she grabbed my hand for reassurance. The two ladonae, on the other hand, bristled at the challenge, and strode around the vessel like they were the proud owners of the world’s greatest megayacht.
I led the women to the two guest cabins and opened the doors. Someone had added a scattering of blankets and pillows to go with the hammocks, though the wood planks still looked rough enough to give you splinters.
“There doesn’t seem to be much difference,” Lena noted as she glanced between the two rooms.
“This one is slightly less smelly,” Lavinia declared as she stepped inside the port cabin.
“Agreed,” Imogen said as she joined her.
“Oh, well then,” Lena added as she stepped into the cabin as well.
“Fine,” I sighed. “I’ll just go make sure that everyone else makes it onboard.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Lavinia replied as she closed the door.
I returned to the top deck and found Maruk and Yvaine standing on the pier. Maruk carried several large bundles which he was attempting to pass
to one of the sailors on the deck. The man stared intently at the orc but refused to move or lend him a hand.
“I’ll take it,” I called out as I reached the railing.
Maruk gave me a grateful look, then passed one of the bundles to me. I set it down on the deck and took a second bundle from the orc’s outstretched hand. He and Yvaine then crossed the gangway with the remaining two bundles.
“What’s in these?” I asked.
“Just a few items to make the crossing more pleasant,” Maruk replied.
When we reached the hatch, we went through the same routine, this time with Yvaine in the lead. Maruk could only fit into the lower part of the ship by moving in a sideways crouch, a fact he bemoaned even as he dropped to the floor in our cabin, and sprawled across the floor.
“I won’t fit in one of those,” he sniffed as he eyed the hammocks.
“You’ll just have to use your bedroll,” I replied.
“Good thing we picked up these,” he said as he unwrapped one of the bundles to reveal several small fuzzy rugs. He pulled two out and spread them on the floor. Merlin hopped from my shoulders and sniffed at the rugs. After some indecision, the puca opted for the light beige rug and curled up for a nap.
Maruk shook his head and opened the second bundle. This time he produced a tea kettle and something that looked suspiciously like a hot plate minus the power cord. Leaving him to his decorating, I returned to the deck to await the return of the remaining Shadow Foxes.
Emeline and Aerin appeared next, hauling several bottles of fresh water and a bundle of star charts. Aerin scowled at the sailors but Emeline was so entranced with the charts that she didn’t notice them. Actually, she barely noticed the edge of the pier and only a quick grab by me saved the panthera from a tumble into the water. I directed them to the cabins and then stood watch for Dehn.
The sun set, and the high tide was nearing its apex without any sign of the halfling. The captain started to issue commands for our departure, and he didn’t seem inclined to wait for Dehn once the ship was ready. I was prepared to argue with the captain, but then I saw Dehn’s distinctive shape hustle down the pier. The sailors looked like they were happy to pull the gangway in and let Dehn jump for it, but Jerrold at least had the decency to wait. Dehn scrambled on board and growled at the sailors.