“Ahoy the Arrow!” A big man who appeared to be leading the raider rabble called out from the dock. “Who the hell are you?” He yelled as Gareth stepped out of the deckhouse and crossed his arms over his chest.
“The new owner of this fine vessel.” Gareth grinned.
The man on the shore slowly turned purple. “Run a plank out to the ship,” He commanded the men at his side. “and we’ll flay this popinjay.”
Gareth waited until the plank was nearly touching the ship when he made a motion, and Chiu the sabertooth stepped to his side. The forward motion of the plank stopped suddenly. “Is there a problem, then?” Gareth called out, and morphed into his own sabertooth. The plank hit the harbor water with a loud splash just as Lyndra stepped to Gareth’s other side. In unison the three jumped to the dock, and the raiders retreated. So intent were the raiders on the cats and the wolf they never noticed that their numbers were steadily dwindling as one raider after another disappeared from the back of the crowd. Finally, one raider cried out as a huge six fingered hand closed about his throat, and the rest turned to stare at Wokeg, who tossed the raider aside and picked up the tree branch he was currently using as a staff. THAT was the sign for Gareth and the others to attack.
The melee was as short, with only a dozen and a half raiders surviving at this point, as it was savage. Gareth, consumed by the feline urge to kill, tore the throat of the raider captain with a swipe of his razor-sharp claws. Hot blood splashed his face as he snarled, spearing another raider with his long canines. At his sides both Chiu and Lyndra were gore-soaked apparitions. The wolf neatly hamstrung a fleeing raider, and when he fell tore his throat out. On his other side Chiu beheaded a raider before he could even raise his curved sword. Raiders screamed and swore as they died, while the attackers snarled and Wokeg roared an ogre challenge. The cacophony made Gareth’s ears ring. Suddenly it was all over, and the four flowed back to human forms. Blood dripped from their fingertips to plop wetly on the dock. The six living raiders clutched at their wounds and looked sullen, knowing that they would be turned over to the local authorities for the “justice” of a hangman’s noose, headsman’s ax, or perhaps some other more lingering form of death.
Once the captives were released, the word went around, and soon a small but appreciative crowd had gathered at the docks. Several battered city guardsmen came to offer their thanks, and wound up being treated for their wounds after which they were given the remaining raiders. It was well after dark, with Wokeg volunteering to stay with the Arrow, when the three shapeshifters finally returned to the inn. Kuan they discovered passed out in a chair by the fire, while a fresh leg of lamb turned on the spit over the crackling flames. The young redheaded daughter of the innkeeper served them silently, but her eyes never left Gareth and Chiu. Finally, Chiu put an elbow to his ribs.
“Speak to her.” She hissed. “I think there is more than a little hero worship at work here.”
Gareth groaned. “I have enough problems.” Chiu took his hand as he gestured to the girl. “What is your name, young lady?” The girl giggled and blushed at being called lady, especially by a stranger.
“My name is Tabitha, my Lord.” She replied, curtseying, and then looking at the floor. “And this is my brother Myles.” She pulled her small brother, who had been peaking around her hip, in front of her. Her smile was shy, and her hazel eyes shone.
Gareth smiled in return. “My name is Gareth, Tabitha.”
She almost bowed. “Yes, my Lord Gareth.”
He laughed. “No, just Gareth. No lord.”
Her blush deepened. “Yes Gareth.” She whispered.
“My mother and my sister are witches.” Miles announced proudly. “And I’m going to be a shapeshifter like you when I grow up.” Gareth shot a questioning glace at Chiu.
Witches are nonhumans who have exceptionally good control of magic, especially when dealing with natural things like weather, plants, healing, animals and things like that. Their curses are to be feared. If the boy isn’t a shapeshifter by now, he never will be.
Look at me. I just became a shapeshifter a few weeks ago.
Chiu chuckled, a deep warm sound far down in his mind. You had a certain amount of help.
That I did. He turned back to Tabitha and reaching out, touched her cheek. “I’m sure you will be a powerful witch, Tabitha, but you have to remember one very important thing as you gain in knowledge and abilities.” He leaned forward and whispered into her ear for several moments. Tabitha in turn blushed furiously.
“I will remember that my whole life, Gareth.” The girl murmured.
Finishing his ale, Gareth set the mug down. “I think we’ll go to bed now. We have a long journey ahead of us.”
Tabitha gave him another curtsey. “Goodnight Gareth.”
Gareth stood staring at the waving crowds as the dock at Dherngrom slowly dwindled behind them. Beside him Kuan stood squinting, despite the thick cloud cover, and wincing every time a gull made a single squawk. His eyes were bloodshot and watery.
“How long to Strizruofast?” Gareth asked the cringing guide.
“Unless the bloody rivers decide te run the other way, er the bloody earthquakes split the bloody continent, three weeks, give or take.” Putting both hands to the sides of his head, he groaned. “So, tell me Mister Gareth. How many of the blighters did it take to knock me out?”
“You were never in a battle, Kuan. You arrived late and stayed at the inn drinking. We found you passed out after it was all over.”
“Ye don’t say. Well in that case I think I’ll go have a bit of the hair of the dog, so to speak… for medicinal purposes only, ye understand.”
Gareth shook his head. “I understand quite well.” Gareth said to the small swaying man. “We all get that way, occasionally.”
The guide mumbled something unintelligible, turned and staggered his way to the companionway, where Gareth heard him fall down the short flight of steps.
It had been a long difficult day, as he had predicted. His hardest problem, however, had been keeping young Tabitha and Miles from stowing away on the ship. The third time he caught them he had Wokeg take one under each arm and following him, carry them back to their father’s inn, where he threatened to chain them to the fireplace.
Janiyah and Eliseo, the children’s mother and father had been apologetic, and had gone so far as to lock the children in their rooms until the Arrow had set sail.
“Gareth.” Janiyah had said to him over a cup of coffee. “Your problem is that you’re a good man caught in a situation that a good man cannot resolve.”
“Tell me about it.” He grumbled, sipping the tangy, slightly cinnamon flavored coffee.
Janiyah smiled. “Athena wouldn’t have picked you if you weren’t good at heart.” She leaned closer at his surprised look. “After what I’ve see of you here, I wouldn’t have been terribly upset if my children did stow away on your ship.”
Gareth crossed his arms. “We were sailing the length of the Lake of Shadows a while back.” He saw Janiyah shudder. “The whole boat was pulled under by ice dragons and all the crew perished. We four survived. I would not risk your children where I have to go and to do what I have to do.”
Her face was pale now. “What do you have to do?”
He stood and handed her his empty cup. “I have to blow up the moon, in order to save every last creature on Earth.” He turned to the door and left her staring.
“Are you going to stand up there daydreaming, or are you going to take your turn at the wheel?” Chiu called from the quarterdeck.
Gareth shot her an embarrassed smile. “I’ll be right there.” He called, stretching his shoulders. With only six extra crew available in the city to help man the Arrow, everyone took turns at the wheel. Thanks to over-zealous city guards, none of the original crew were still alive.
As he took the wheel, Chiu tilted her head and gave him a quizzical look. “What did you tell that young girl back in the inn? I’ve been dying of curiosity.”
Smiling, Gareth turned the wheel slightly. “I told her never to forget that it was all about love; even if you have to kill someone. I killed the men attacking her mother not because I hated them, but because I cared for the helpless woman even more.”
Chiu gave him an odd look. “You are a very unusual man, especially for a soldier.”
His chuckle was as dry as dust. “Not really. If you go into battle filled with hatred you won’t think clearly and you will die. Remembering love is also what keeps you human.”
It may have been the small fact that they were sailing a raider warboat that kept trouble at bay, or it might have been something else. Whatever the reason, after their departure from Dherngrom, they enjoyed twelve days of smooth sailing past ruins and the crumbled remains of civilization. On the thirteenth day Gareth caught his first glimpse of the city of Phila in the hazy distance.
It was with many fond memories that he recalled the Caravanserai of the Seven Sisters, just to the east side of the sprawling city, and he smiled at his thoughts of the owner, Munsif Hafeez, and his large and often boisterous family. There had been some loose talk in the caravan of which Gareth had been a part, that the name ‘Seven Sisters’ referred to Munsif’s daughters, but to the best of his knowledge Gareth could only recall ever seeing three. When it came to sons however; that was another thing entirely.
The dock that the Arrow slid up to was gray, and shaky from age. It was also the very first dock they had come upon, well away from the city on the northeast side, with trees providing cover for the Arrow from curious eyes. The location would allow them to hire crew and come and go without being seen.
The first day passed in a flurry of activity, loading stores and provisions, but Gareth found himself looking forward to the evening at the Caravanserai. Both Wokeg and Kuan, to his surprise, had opted to remain aboard the ship.
Chui and Lyndra had identical smiles on their faces as they approached the massive Caravanserai, but the looks quickly faded when they all noticed the closed gates and armed sentries along the walls.
Cupping his hands to his mouth, Gareth called out. “Hello the Seven Sisters.”
A monster of a man peered over the wall. “What do you want?” He returned in a harsh voice.
“Food and lodging for the three of us, for a few nights.” From the ground Gareth could see the soldier scowl.
Suddenly a familiar voice from beyond the walls called out “Wait!!” Ahmed, the son of Munsif popped up beside the soldier, took one look at the three travelers and slapped the guard’s pauldron a ringing crack. “Open the gate you goat-headed fool. This is still a Caravanserai for travelers, and these three are honored guests.” He grinned down at Gareth. “They are, in fact, part owners of the Seven Sisters.” The guard’s dark olive-skinned face went pale as he probably envisioned losing his job. The gates creaked open almost immediately.
With a look of rapture on the women’s faces at the thought of upcoming hot baths, the three entered the courtyard of the Caravanserai of the Seven Sisters. Gareth’s eyebrows raised at the number of armed soldiers on the wall and at the many interior doorways. Flowering vines still filled the air in the courtyard with the sweet scent of jasmine, and birds flitted from one bright flower to another in a sort of aerial ecstasy. Water murmured in a soothing voice from a tall ornate fountain. The familiar young man slid down the ladder from the wall to land at their feet in a cloud of dust. His smile was wide and welcoming as he re-tucked his unraveled turban around his head of thick curly hair.
“It is most good to see you again my Lord.” He said, bowing slightly. “But where are your camels?”
Gareth smiled in return. “We came by boat again, Ahmed, all the way downriver from Dherngrom and beyond.”
The boy’s eyes opened very wide. “The raiders who attacked us last month came by boat, and left heading toward Dherngrom.” The boy swallowed. “Or so the soldiers said.”
“It is indeed a dangerous world, but in this case it was more dangerous still for the raiders.” He gave the boy a slow wink. “You see, we now have their boat, and the raiders that remain alive are in the custody of the Dherngrom authorities.”
The boy’s dark eyes were big and round with undisguised amazement. “We were told that the raiders came here for my sisters.” Ahmed stood up straight, puffing out his thin chest. “That night even I was given a small sword.”
“So,” Gareth smiled. “all seven of your sisters are safe?”
“Yes, my Lord. All seven.”
Gareth frowned. “I’ve only seen three.”
Ahmed grinned. “Tamina has a family of her own to take care of, and my three younger sisters are too small to dance the Tsi-Tsinga.”
Gareth gave Ahmed’s bony shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “I will speak with your father now. We may talk later.” The boy gave him a low bow, and then a smiling exclamation as he snatched the coin Gareth had tossed him out of the air.
“Salaam alaykum my friend.” Gareth smiled at the startled man behind the counter. “Peace be upon you.”
Munsif Hafeez was a thin olive-skinned man with dark eyes and graying curly hair, who spoke very softly. His eyes sparkled in recognition, and he gave Gareth a low bow. “Wa 'alaykum salaam. Peace be also with you.” Munsif replied, reaching out and taking Gareth’s hand in a warm handshake.
“What are you feeding Ahmed, Munsif? He is growing like a weed.”
The innkeeper glowed with noticeable pride. “I am very proud of Ahmed. He turned fourteen last week. He will grow to be a fine man, and I will leave the Caravanserai to him one day.”
Gareth laughed. “What, in a hundred years? You will live forever, Munsif, and have a thousand children every bit as wise as you.”
“Neither I nor my children will survive if the raiders keep coming. You heard about our problem?” Gareth nodded. “If a squad of soldiers had not been staying the night, we would have been hard pressed.” He shuddered. “I would have been fighting myself, and I am no fighter.”
Gareth touched the innkeeper’s arm. “You have no need to worry. We met the raiders who attacked you. All that remain alive will soon be hung.”
Munsif studied his face carefully, and then nodded slowly. “That is good. The soldiers I hired for protection are eating me out of house and home.” He chuckled. “You would like your usual two rooms?”
Gareth thought about it for three seconds. “Make that one room, Munsif, with a large bed.”
Munsif gave him a knowing smile. “I will give you the suite I use occasionally with my wives.”
“Wives?” Gareth raised a single brow. “I seem to remember you telling me that, some time ago, but I thought it must be an exaggeration.”
Munsif rolled his eyes in mock despair. “Ah yes. I have five wives, and the problem is that I love them all.”
“Five?” Gareth repeated. “I thought I had a problem loving two women.”
“Well now.” A woman’s voice said from behind him. “It’s nice that he finally got THAT out into the open.” Gareth turned to stare open-mouthed at Chiu and Lyndra who just happened to be standing in the doorway with matching predatory smiles.
“Fi amen Allah. Stay in the protection of God” Munsif murmured from behind the counter.
Gareth’s smile was slightly skewed. “Not bloody likely.” He grumbled. “And also with you, my friend.” He set a golden coin on the counter to Munsif’s bulging eyes. “To pay for the soldier’s food.” He said, grinning.
“With that,” Munsif whispered. “I could buy the whole farm.”
Chiu kicked her boots off and sat down on the stadium sized bed, ignoring the flowers that graced the room, the chilled wine and the spectacular view of the courtyard, four stories below. Her sapphire eyes were serious. “We need to talk.” Gareth sat beside her and bent to unlace his boots. When Lyndra turned for the door Chiu pointed to the bed beside Gareth. “Sit.” She demanded. “This concerns you too.” Gareth saw the blond kick off her own shoes before she sat, fo
lding her legs under her. Chiu was staring at him. “Well?” She asked. “Do you want to explain what you said?”
“I admit it.” Gareth said, speaking to the floor. “I love Chiu so deeply and she’s so close it’s like loving my own heart.” He glanced at Lyndra. “But after all this time together I’ve discovered that I love Lyndra too. I come from a monogamous world, and I’ve found it hard to reconcile my feelings.” He shrugged. “So I just decided to admit my feelings, and see where it goes.”
Chiu’s face was unreadable as she turned to Lyndra. “Well?”
The blond woman blushed scarlet, and brushed a long strand of hair from her face. When Gareth first met her, Lyndra had had short, hacked off blond hair. Somewhere along the way she’d gotten it cut and styled, and now her light chardonnay colored hair fell in a flowing cascade past her shoulders; identical in length to Chiu’s jet black hair. He doubted that it was coincidence. Now she glanced from Gareth to Chiu and back. “Marriage where I grew up was a fairly informal institution.” She bit her lip. “Looking at the two of you, I can’t decide who I’d like to jump first.” She declared honestly. Her blush deepened, and she let out a small giggle.
A smile finally touched Chiu’s face. “I’m glad that’s settled.” She purred as she began to unbutton her shirt. “There’s only one last thing…” She dropped her shirt to the floor in a slow languorous motion.
~~~
Paldeen Athan was a tall thin man, taller even than Gareth, with a dark middle-eastern complexion, a thin black beard, and was the new captain of the former raider Arrow. Munsif Hafeez had recommended Paldeen and his crew as suitable replacements aboard Gareth’s vessel, since it was the Arrow and her raiders that had burned Paldeen’s former ship, the Nabeela Hatem, to the waterline. Paldeen, Gareth noted, didn’t smile much, but as he walked the quarterdeck, his hand caressing the railing, he did have a look of grim satisfaction on his lean weathered face. When the Arrow’s new purser discovered that they had plans on slipping by the raider city of Strizruofast, and out into the Great Ocean the hold suddenly acquired a full cargo, and as if by magic the new crew seemed much happier, knowing that they would all share in the profits. Now Gareth and Chiu stood at the polished taffrail, watching Phila slowly drop astern. As Chiu rested her cheek against his shoulder, Gareth recalled his pleasant memories of the past three days and for some strange reason felt absolutely no inclination at all to go back to his old Earth, at this moment.
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