Chapter 39
Port of Venito
After five days aboard the Spirit of Taz, Avor was still angry and made no effort to hide it. He was angry with Electra for lying to him—telling him they were only going to move the ship to a more sheltered place because a storm was coming, and then finding out that they were leaving Taz without even saying goodbye. They had not thanked their host, they had missed the final days of the games and they had left Muller, Hilgard and Tandor behind.
Prince Avor stood at the ship's bow next to Princess Electra as they sailed into the Port of Venito. They were a day early for their proposed meeting date with Muller, Hilgard and Tandor, but they still searched the shore anxiously hoping for a glimpse of their friends. Prince Avor shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand as he stared out at the familiar port and spoke to his sister.
"You know they won't be here yet. I can not believe Rabar did this. The whole point of going to Taz was to see the Nomadic Games and now we have missed half of them. The day after we left would have been the horse races and after that wrestling."
Electra decided she was finished putting up with Avor's bad moods. "Actually the purpose of the trip was to gather herbs that might help the Caliph regain his health. And, Rabar's decision to leave early has possibly saved us all from the Great Khan's wrath. We could not take the chance that our crew's identity as Barburee's former enemy was discovered."
Avor was not to be so easily turned away from his disappointment. "There was certainly no plan to fill the ship with sick women and children. I hate to think what father will have to say about that."
Electra glared at her brother. "I know you have more compassion than you admit to. Had it been your decision you would have done the same."
Avor shrugged and found another argument. "How much compassion does Rabar have for our countrymen? Is he prepared to wait here for Muller and the others to show up? Even if it means waiting for several days?"
Here Electra was not on such solid footing. "I do not know. I hope so. Though the dampness and cramped quarters are not conducive to healing. He may have to consider the good for the greater number."
Avor raised his eyebrows. "And how will you explain Tandor's absence to Dagon? By citing that he was only one man?"
Electra changed the subject as she did not know the answer to that question. "Do you think the pirates who tried to capture us are still here?" She scanned the dilapidated shacks and taverns along the waterfront as the Spirit Of Taz slowed coming into port.
Shouted orders brought the sails down and the command to weigh anchor left the ship about a hundred feet off shore. They could make out figures along the shore but could not recognize faces.
Avor shaded his eyes against the glare. "It would probably not be a good idea to go ashore again to find out."
Electra shook her head. "Rabar has forbidden it in any case. He will send a crew member ashore to ask if anyone has seen three Fernland men riding Barburee horses."
A few minutes later, Rabar joined Electra and Avor at the ship's bow. "I'd wager Venito holds no good memories for the two of you," he said, scanning the shoreline.
"I'm sure only a few are pirates," Electra said.
"Actually the threat of pirates grows daily. With so many displaced by Barburee's conquests, more and more men are driven to survive by any means possible."
Avor frowned but stayed silent.
Electra's eyes grew wider. "Do you think those same two pirates might try again to take prisoners for ransom?"
"No, but they may be look-outs for a larger crew. We sailing folk from Taz have grown accustomed to their methods. They often have their ships hidden in coves waiting for likely prospects to come into port. They signal with mirrors during the day or lanterns at night when they believe a cargo is worth trying for."
Avor's frown turned to concern. "Perhaps we should tell them ashore that we carry only women and children."
Rabar nodded. "That would be a good idea if we could prove it to be true. They will remember our ship and they will remember that you and Electra were well dressed with money to spend. They doubtless still believe you both have value to hold for ransom."
Electra lowered her eyes. "We have put us all in danger by foolishly going into the market place."
Rabar shook his head. "No one would dare to venture from his home if we all thought that way. We must live our lives without fear. I have men posted to check for signals from shore. Still, we should all remain vigilant."
"We will," Avor assured him.
Electra made the rounds of the scarlet fever victims, bringing salves to sooth the rashes and broth for swollen throats. She was tired when she finally met Avor in the ship's galley for dinner.
"How has your day gone?" she asked her brother.
"I have stockpiled arrows around the deck with the rest of the crew. I have also placed pots of pitch at intervals to set the arrows aflame if need be."
"It is too bad we do not have the mixture we need for ..." Electra stopped short, realizing that Avor was the only one who still did not know about the exploding arrows. She wondered if she should tell him.
"For what?" Avor asked.
"I think I should tell you something even though I put myself at risk of King Geoffrey's displeasure in doing so."
Avor seemed to consider her words. He wondered if her disclosure would put him at his father's displeasure as well. Curiosity won out. "What is it you should tell me?"
"Muller, Hilgard and Tandor were not out just to explore the countryside."
"I never saw the sense in that. I suspected they had something more in mind and I must say, I resent the fact that you are privileged to know what I do not."
Electra proceeded to tell Avor about the exploding arrows and the hunt for the white powder. When she was finished, he shook his head with disgust.
"I wonder when Father will finally stop trying to protect me from all danger. I should have been with them in their search for the powder."
Electra shook her head. "It would have raised suspicion had you not been as you were—excited and enthusiastic about the Nomadic Games. Besides, you were likely in more danger playing buzkashi than the other three are in their explorations."
Just then shouts rang out on deck and boards overhead creaked from dozens of running feet. They heard the command to weigh anchor and another word that Electra did not recognize. Avor, however, did. It was a word the Taz workers used often in the planning of Fernland's new estuary. Avor upset his chair in his haste to run for the deck.
"Pirates," he shouted. "A pirate ship."
The two ran up to the deck as fast as they were able. A ship in full sail nosed itself out of a hidden cove, turning hard at them, flying a flag emblazoned with a skull and crossed swords.
Princess Electra Book 3 Gypsy Music Page 39