by Nelson, J P
Staring at the painting of Roveir, memories began flooding into my mind; memories which were all too poignant, too much for me to handle right at the moment. I, I needed to think. And then my eyes rested on the sword at his side. I knew that sword.
It had been after he threw Lexin by the collar, and then told me I had the bearing of a warrior; he had come to our quarters in the evening and brought this beautiful sword case. The old man had sat down with me on the step and pulled the blade out. It was so beautiful, it was curved a bit and it almost glowed in the moons light. It had been the sword in his scabbard the first time I saw him. Taking my hand, he helped me touch the blade and it felt so warm.
He said, “I’m just an old man now, skipper, but if I could, I’d take you and your momma back home where you belong. I’ve tried to do some good things by you, alas I have failed you both, I think. But remember this … remember … I mean you to have this sword one day.”
He wrapped my hand around the braided shark skin grip and said, “This sword was forged by one of your ancestors, thousands of years ago, but in your hands … if you let it, you will always be able to fight your way through the shadows.” It was while we sat there that a voice from the main house yelled out, “What are you doing out there?” And then a teenager, Herrol, came out with a blade and said, “You better get back inside, old man. You can get into all kinds of trouble showing the slinks that …”
The old man whipped the blade at Herrol faster than would be imaginable, knocked the blade out of Herrol’s hand, and I saw a rage in the old man’s eyes as he hissed and laid the sharp edge against Herrol’s neck and held it, “Don’t ever call my boy a slink.”
Memories … from so long ago. I kept staring at the painting. Try as one might, you can’t outrun the past. Somewhere, somewhen, you must turn and face it … you must put it in perspective so as to get on in the forward direction. Was it possible there might be something good to come of it? Was it possible Roveir had truly cared for my momma, that he had … dare I think the word … that he had loved her. Could my momma have shared the feeling? Why else would she have drawn those maps?
The most important question was … was I ready to open myself and learn about the man called Captain Greybeard?
Jha’Ley’s words brought me back to the present, “Doctor Wesney can show you about, but on this vessel, tender is levied by shares. The captain takes fifteen shares, a ship’s boy takes one quarter. I won’t bore you with details, but six shares is equal to an officer’s pay, and I’m prepared to offer you that. Your duty would be split between assisting the physician and acting as second in command to our marines.” He smiled, “Perhaps you could teach them something.” I saw Telroy pass a cautionary, yet questioning glance to Jha’Ley, who ignored the gesture.
“We cast off four mornings from hence. You have until then to make your decision.”
I asked, “Where was the Kelshinua sunk?”
He grinned at me, an almost taunting grin, “I will show you, Master Wolf. We are going there. I want to find something in her hull. But we have some few stops a’forehand. Among them includes the acquisition of a wizard friend of mine.”
“Master Wolf, I pray you don’t find me rude, but one of the locals doesn’t understand book keeping, and I must set the matter straight. Doctor Wesney, please don’t forget to happen by the galley.”
Again, he shook my hand with firm congeniality. As we left the cabin Wesney asked me, “What’s the matter, Wolf? Something about the Kelshinua and the old captain’s painting has you all weebelized.”
“Weebelized? What kind of word is that?”
He looked around, and asked again, “What’s wrong, Wolf?”
Pulling him off to the side, I thought long and deep. This was an issue for me. Fate? Was there such a real thing? Lahrcus believed in it, and so did Hoscoe. Letting my eyes wander as I thought what and whether not to say, I set my jaw and said flatly, “You know the old man in the painting? His name is Josephus, I think, but I know he is Fel’Caden. And Kelshinua is, was, is my momma’s name. She drew those maps, I’d know her hand-style anywhere. That wasn’t a stamp of the ship, it’s her signature. The ship was named for my momma.”
Wesney looked like he had been slugged in the stomach. “Huh?!” He shifted to the side a little before continuing, “You mean Josephus Fel’Caden is your father? You mean Josephus, the Duke of House Fel’Caden, four times past Chancellor of Gevard is your father?” He widened his eyes as if to get them into focus and said, “This is, this is remarkable.”
Rubbing my head I wrinkled my lips, looked at him and said, “Yeah.” As an afterthought I asked, “Four times, really?”
Wesney stared at me in disbelief, “Yea-a-ah … four times.”
“Wesney?”
“Yes?”
“Please, can we keep it between just us, at least for now? Don’t write it down in one of your books just yet. I’m having a hard time with all of this, and always have. After we look around, I’m going to go out into the woods and think for a couple of days or so.”
I took him by the arm, not harshly, but so I could look him eye-to-eye, “Do you mind? I’ve gotta take this one slice at a time.”
“Yeah, Wolf, sure. Hey …”
“What?”
“Will you tell me the whole story sometime?”
“So you can write it down?”
“Well … it is history.”
I let out a long sigh, “If I go out to sea with you on this impossible voyage, yes I’ll tell you.”
We started to walk through the vessel and I told him sideways, “By the way, it isn’t Dorian’s Purse. It’s actually called The Tome of Dorian’s Pursuit.”
“Really?” He responded in almost hushed breath. “What else can you tell me?”
I looked at him and said, “If I tell you, I’ll have to sacrifice your liver to the gods.”
He held back a bit and his face showed uncertainty. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. Now where’s that galley?”
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My room was a long way from the Lohra Lai’s dock, and it was for the most part all uphill if I traveled in a straight line. No matter, there was much to think about and it was bright daylight. Besides, there was so much of the place I had yet to see, and there was some nice architecture here and there.
An old cobblestone road was courting my direction when a small, but nice open carriage of polished blue came to a stop beside me and I heard a voice I remembered, a lovely voice, “Cuam ess’thna shiu pahrri?”
Well, I hadn’t thought I needed a ride, but then … “Moh stãcia.” I replied as I turned to see the hostess from the Orange Buster, alone in her carriage, save but for the driver. Speaking exclusively in her native tongue I continued, “I hate to be a burden to you, my lady … and I don’t even have the pleasure of your name ...”
There was a twinkle in her eye which was soft, subtle, sensual, and yet still so proper. Only a couple of moments were required to see this was a lady with class. Her accent was thick and voice sparkling with a musical tone, “It is no burden at all, and my name is Lushandri. What may I call you?”
Almost forgetting, then remembering to cross my right foot over the left in Vedoan Court fashion, with a proper sweeping bow I said, I am Timber Wolf, at your service, my lady.”
With a slightly animated toss of her head she said, “Well then, Timber Wolf, please board my carriage and allow us to lend transport to your destination.” Eastern coast women, especially those of the rigid caste system in Vedoa, were usually subdued in their demeanor about men. Lushandri was not. She seemed to be quite comfortable and radiated an air of equality, not as if to prove herself, but of successful confidence. I thought of Lath and Riana, especially Riana.
There was nothing about Riana which radiated a need to compete with men. She was a girl, a young woman, and was proud to be such. But she had steel and would back down for no one. I had heard of a burly man who had com
e into the dress shop and tried to bully the owner, a man, actually, who named the shop after his wife. It had been Riana who had interfered and dressed the man down, verbally, without raising her voice. The man not only backed down, he apologized to the owner and left; and that had been before she met me.
Lath, I knew little about Lath, except that she could fight extremely well, and was beautiful.
As sweet to me as Deborah had been, she did not show the same strength as these other three. And of course there was my momma, who was as solid as, well, as far as I was concerned she was the standard by which all others would be measured. Was that fair? I decided yes, my momma was a woman to stand beside her mate, and that was what I wanted, when the time came.
“And where to, fine sir?”
“I was on my way to the Har’Nona Princess, where I am lodging for the time.”
The driver set his course and away we went. Lushandri commented with a curious and amused expression, “Most men who reside at the Har’Nona Princess introduce themselves with an array of titles and adornments …”
I slightly shrugged my shoulders and responded, “I am simply myself. Once I possessed an officer’s rank, but I prefer not to rely on bygone ranks and titles, I prefer to make merit on what I am doing today. And I am the lord of nothing, therefore …”
She laughed and asked, “And so … what, may I ask are you doing today?”
Amused, I returned a chuckle and asked, “My, but is that not a forward question?”
Her smile was radiant, and after a moment she said, “My apologies for being forward.” There was another moment of pause when she added, “I find people spend much time bandying around useless words and notions. Then they wake up one day and find they have wasted their lives drifting in a canoe without sail or paddle, and then it is too late.”
My own answer was as light and gentle, “No apologies needed.” I smiled, “I live by the same philosophy. The truth is I don’t know what I am doing, and am in a quandary. I am not a true sailor, but of the mountains in Aeshea. My thought was to book passage to the mainland, but …” I lingered not knowing what to say.
“But what …”
Breathing in between my teeth, I exhaled and said, “… but … I have been offered a post on a rather … long voyage. And I am deliberating whether or to. I was going to take dinner tonight, and then walk about in the forest for two or three days and get my bearings. Maybe at some point take a tour of Foljur …”
Lushandri was looking at me with respect and admiration, “Do you mean the Circumnavigation Voyage with Captain Jha’Ley?”
I was sort of taken aback, but then I don’t guess the voyage notion was a secret, and the Captain was a famous man. “Uh, yes ma’am.”
“I should have thought so. Doctor Wesney is colorful in his own way, but never extravagant. Are you a physician, Mister Wolf? Jha’Ley has made the statement he wants a strong healing staff on board. He intends to take care of his crew.”
A combination of the turn around the corner with the breeze made my hair blow, uncovering my ear for a moment. I took no thought of it until I saw her noticing the point, and then acknowledgement registered upon her face as she said, “You have elvin blood …”
It suddenly dawned upon my mind that she had said Jha’Ley, not Captain Jha’Ley. Was there a personal relationship of some sort between the two? Quickly I dismissed the thought, it simply was none of my business.
“Yes,” I said, “Is that bad for you?”
“No.” Her voice was almost wistful, I couldn’t tell if that was in my favor or not. “May I provide you with dinner, tonight? To help prepare you for your contemplations.”
“I was about to ask you to join me. It would be my pleasure.”
She asked the places I had dined, what I liked and the such. Then she said, “I know a nice place you would enjoy. You do like formal opportunities, yes?”
“Absolutely.”
We had arrived at my destination. “Shall I meet you here as the street lights are lit?”
Frankly, I was overwhelmed. “Yes my lady ...” I hammed it up a bit, and found she liked it, and so did I … “Your humble servant shall await you.” She laughed and I stepped down; standing there in the warm sun I watched her carriage drive away.
An evening with a classy lady, what better way to sooth the spirit? Afterward, hopefully I would have a sleep free of troublesome dreams. Then I would be off into the forest for a couple of days to think and deliberate.
The moment I entered the Har’Nona Princess I ordered a hot bath, that would save almost a half an hour in traveling up the stairs, pulling the rope and waiting for the attendant to also come up the stairs, go back down, etc. Once I had refreshed myself I bundled up my last roll of clothing for wash and put on my new formal suit.
Looking forward a few days, I was going to miss being able to put on clean, fresh clothing every two or three days. I had learned some folk changed clothing every day, sometimes more than that. Being clean was something I really liked, and nature itself was clean.
It didn’t matter if I was shipping out with the Lohra Lai or not, I knew I was leaving out. So why did I have to meet someone so likable and interesting, now?
When the carriage pulled up I was outside waiting. It was still a gorgeous day outside, but as I as stepped up I forgot the tone of the sky. The sight of Lushandri made me want to stop time as it were, stop time and write a song about her beauty. Her hair was fixed in the most stylish manner, with part of it done up at the top and off to the back, while the most of it hung long and flowing across her shoulders, glistening with light brown, gold and traces of shimmering silver.
The blue of her eyes was highlighted with just the right amount of makeup shading, and her dress was cut to reveal her shapeliness while still maintaining taste and elegance. From her ears dangled the jewelry I had complemented her on before, and she wore a single strand of pearls around her lovely neck.
I could not resist saying, “Most grand apologies, I was expecting a fine lady but have troubled a mystic angel instead.”
She paused for a moment and smiled, looked down, and then back up, then took a slow breath before saying, “Perhaps I am but lost, and need a noble gentleman to show me the way … would you care for the chore?”
“I would be most honored, my lady.” And so the evening began.
We went to a nice place called Quinosia Torio which was just on the outskirts of town. It was very exclusive, required reservations to get in, and the seating was outdoors but well spaced. Our seat I think was the very best, and it was so nice to enjoy a meal with such attractive company sitting across from me. Together we relaxed, enjoyed good wine, and some of the most succulent food I had ever tasted.
As the sun set, the reflection on Lushandri made me think of the breathtaking peaks of the high up Kohntia’s. We talked about light subjects at random, until we quickly found similar interests in flowers and waterfalls. On those two subjects alone we became immersed on color, shape, smell and texture of various plants; and the many falls we had seen and heard about.
I lavished upon her things I had seen in the Kohntia’s, and she embellished her own sights seen among the many islands and the continent of Lh’Gohria. As we talked it dawned upon me she talked not at all of Vedoa, nor of anything one might see there, and Vedoa was a beautiful country. Our talk began to drift more to the ocean, and then she asked if I had seen the sights below.
With an embarrassed smile I said, “Ah, no, I’m afraid not.”
“Why?”
“Well, as I’ve said, I’m not truly a sailor … I’m a mountains person.”
“Do you …” There was a careful hesitation there before she continued, “… do you, understand the discipline of … adaptation?”
My head tilted, “Adaptation?”
As I looked at Lushandri, there was so much more to her, I could feel it within me, than was visible. I couldn’t quite figure her age, which I was usually skillful at doing. She appea
red to be perhaps forty to forty-five with the tone of an athletic woman twenty years younger; mature, yet very fit … a woman who didn’t adhere to the old-age-syndrome most humans embraced … it was a look I liked very much.
“You know, I understand the first explorers of the sea had been Mountain Elves. They had set sail from a place called …” she thought back, “… I believe it was called Meinkutt.”
“Meinkutt?” I was taken aback. Looking at her with impressed astonishment I remarked, “By the Winds of Torsham, you know some history. Most people have never even heard of it.”
She passed me a quizzical look, “A small continent in the Northern Artic, isn’t it?”
I smiled. Our expressions spoke loudly without saying a word. As we relaxed and sipped, I was realizing she knew much more than she was saying, and then I saw as she smiled again she realized I knew that she knew that I knew. It was all a very pleasant few moments.
There is much two people can say to each other without speaking a word … of a sudden I realized there had been much pain in her life, yet she had made a life here. I could feel it, it radiated from her movement, the look in her eye which suddenly seemed so far away … She was reaching, reaching to me … but only someone who …
I touched her hand with mine. Softly I asked, “Would you care to dance?” It was her turn to be taken aback, and her face blossomed. Standing up I added, “The music is almost as lovely as you are. I don’t think the owner would object.”
As I took her hand in mine she stepped next to me and placed her hand upon my shoulder. I closed my eyes and let the music flow through me into her, and together we glided across the floor as silk sweeps across polished silver.
Chapter 63
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STANDING ON A cliff edge, I looked down more than one hundred feet at the surf below. In my memory I could still hear the yells and smell of burning flesh from the attack of that drake, years before. Below me I could still see my friend, Jared, twenty feet below and clinging to a root protruding from the side … but he was slipping. I remembered him looking down and then back at me. The drake screamed as I thought Jared was yelling at me to jump.