The Ship of Tears_The Legend of the Nine_Part One

by T. J. Garrett

  Despite the dockworkers running about, the pier and the area in front of the warehouses were still covered in snow. White drifts, two spans high, made a wall between the canal lock and the seawall. And the stone underfoot was a cake of thick ice. The gods knew what the weather would be like further north.

  “Is that them?” Elspeth said, pointing west. She knew it was; there could not be two ships in the harbour in such bad repair.

  The Swallow had not been in good condition before the winter. When Elspeth had last sailed on her, on their way back from Rieg, the ship had looked tired and old, like a vessel well overdue a week in dry dock. Now, after almost a month of harsh winter storms, the Swallow looked like it was held together with cargo rope and caulking. The mast was bent, the forecastle looked rotten, and half the rails were either missing or had seen hasty repairs. They might have done better to wait on a ship from Bailryn, Elspeth thought.

  “Are we supposed to sail in that?” Nini said, nodding at the decrepit ship. “Gods, better to swim to Toi.”

  “You are welcome to try,” Olivia said. She picked up her pack and, after shooting Nini one of her better scornful looks, she stomped off toward the west pier, where the Swallow was docked, Chrissa, her bodyguard, following.

  Elspeth watched her go. At the pace the princess set, it was a wonder she did not slip on the ice.

  “I would not like to be this Captain Wex character,” Nini whispered to Elspeth.

  Elspeth picked up her pack and followed the princess, slowly, Trapper at her heel. “I don’t think he is their captain,” she said, when Nini caught up, “but yes, the poor man is in for a grilling, no doubt there.”

  Nini huffed. “That woman complains too freely. You would think she was the only one having a hard time of it.”

  The trip down the canal from Bhail had been an adventure all its own. Elucia, who had tried to order Olivia to give up her quest to rescue the northern witches, had bristled at the princess’s refusal and not allowed her to use the tower barge. Which meant they had to rent a ten-man rowboat to bring their entourage to the docks. With the ten volunteers Nini had gathered to join them on their quest, the boat had been more than full, and somewhat less than buoyant. They had run aground twice, and had spent much of the journey bailing buckets of water over the side. To say the princess was in a foul mood was like saying a roaring fire was somewhat warm. She was livid, and not shy when it came to sharing her feelings.

  “She will calm down once we are away,” Elspeth said. “And she’s not angry at us, so there’s that.”

  Nini laughed. “Not angry at you, maybe, but she is treating me like some stable boy. Doesn’t she know we volunteered for this?”

  “I’m sure she does. Wait until we are underway. She will be different with the island at our back, you’ll see. And besides, I think most of her mood can be laid at Elucia’s feet, with her not letting Anooni come with us.”

  Nini made a grunting noise in his throat. “Elucia again. Sometimes I think that woman…”

  Elspeth glanced up at him. “Sometimes I think that woman… what?”

  Nini curled his lip, then gave a quick shake of the head. “It’s nothing. I should not speak badly of the First Witch.”

  “Quite right,” Elspeth said. “Elucia is doing her best. And you are right, you should not speak badly of her. At least not where folk might hear.” She nodded over her shoulder, back at the ten guardsman who had volunteered to join them.

  The lieutenant followed her nod, then laughed. “Don’t worry about that lot,” he said. “The things they say about the witches would turn your hair white.”

  Elspeth frowned up at him. “But I am a witch,” she said. “What do they say about me?”

  Nini had the grace to blush, but did not answer the question.

  Elspeth might have pushed for an answer, but Olivia’s shouting interrupted her.

  “…mean you only have half a crew?” Olivia was saying when Elspeth approached the pier.

  “Like I told yer,” a voice from on deck said, “half the men begged off the job, said they wouldn’t go out in this weather. Nowt I can do about it, princess.”

  The voice was not Wex, Elspeth knew. Whoever was talking to the princess was an older man.

  As if reading her thoughts, Olivia said, “Where is Wex? I would have words with him.”

  “Have all the words you like, miss. It aint gonna make no never mind.” The talking man pushed the plank over to the pier, so Olivia could board ship. It was Jebb, Elspeth noticed. “I aint lyin to yer, Your Worship, they’ve gone, all four of em.”

  “I’m not, Your Worship,” Olivia said. “It’s princess, Princess Olivia. But I’ve already told you not to call me that where folk might hear. Ma’am will do. Now, where is Wex? He’s not one of those who left, is he?”

  “No, ma’am, he’s here. He’s down in the ‘ole, fixing a leak.”

  Nini chuckled. “Fixing a leak,” he said. “Why is that not remotely surprising?”

  “That will do,” Elspeth said. “Come on. We have to talk to Wex.”

  She followed Olivia up the plank, Nini and his ten men bringing up the rear, slowly. They were looking about the Swallow, likely wondering if this was all some jest. Elspeth could not blame them; the ship looked an awful state, far worse, now they were up close and could see all the makeshift repairs.

  Jebb looked tired, Elspeth thought. He was never a particularly friendly sort, but now, he looked worn down. At the end of his rope, so to speak.

  “What happened?” Elspeth asked Jebb.

  “They lost half their crew, that’s what happened,” Olivia answered for him. “And after I paid half up front for the charter!”

  “What happened?” Elspeth repeated, ignoring the princess.

  “We had to do a run over to Nos, didn’t we? Seein as after that little jaunt, savin your lot from that Zill woman, meant we aint welcome in Rieg no more. Not an easy trip, Nos, and no better in this weather. We lost a man, and another got an arm broke. Which is why the crew up and left at the first chance of a better offa.”

  “Just a minute,” Nini said. “If this barge isn’t welcome in the harbour, then why hire her to take us to Rieg?”

  “We are not going to Rieg,” Elspeth said. “We are heading for the Drift first, then across country to Tofai.”

  Nini shot her a vexed look. Then, grabbing her elbow, he pulled Elspeth to the rail and beckoned Olivia to join them. Chrissa stepped forward, staying half a pace in front of the princess.

  Nini looked around, likely to make sure none of his men were listening, then said, “That would mean crossing the Raekawn Valley,” he whispered. “You never said anything about crossing that death trap. We should go west, land at Sugal.”

  “Our friends are meeting us at Tofai,” Olivia almost hissed through clenched teeth. “Sugal is on the wrong side of the mountain.”

  Nini stifled a laugh. “Then have your friends cross the valley full of wild dragons,” he said. “I can’t take my men into that.”

  “Your men will go where I say,” Olivia told him.

  “They are volunteers, princess, and they will not go into the Raekawn if the bloody king himself led the charge. I tell you this, soon as they see we are heading for the Drift, they will order this barge turned around, and I will not be able to stop them.”

  “Then tell them where we are going,” Olivia said, arms now folded tight across her chest. “Let them make their choice. Let them run from a path a woman has chosen to tread.”

  “A crazy woman,” Nini said. “A foolish woman with no good sense.”

  Chrissa stepped forward. “That will do, Lieutenant,” the sergeant said.

  Nini raised a calming hand to Chrissa, then turned to Olivia. “Go to Sugal,” he said in a calmer voice. “We can meet your friends north of Rieg. There’s no need to risk—”

  “Is there something wrong, Lieutenant?” one of the volunteers said, the big man with the blue cloak.

  “It’s noth
ing, York. We are just having a discussion over the path we should take. Stow your packs below deck and see if what’s left of the crew need any help with the rigging.”

  York glanced up at the mast. Chuckling, he said, “What rigging?”

  “Just see if they need any help,” Nini said, and turned back to Olivia. “What’s it to be?” he asked the princess. “Sugal, or do we part company here? For I will not lead my men into that valley.”

  “You can go to Sugal; I will travel to the Drift, and then Tofai. We will meet you at the market north of Rieg. Assuming you can find your way without my help, that is.”

  Nini was biting his lip. Face red, and despite Chrissa’s warning look, he all but snarled at Olivia. “This is madness, there is no need to risk the valley. We can all go to Sugal, and when we reach the market, I will buy a horse and travel up to Tofai, bring your friends back with me.”

  Nini glanced at Elspeth. Frowning, he added, “And just why do we need these friends of yours? I thought you spent two nights in this old house you spoke of. Can’t you lead us to it?”

  “Lady Zill will have moved the women,” Elspeth said. “After what I did to the harbour, she has likely moved inland. For all we know, they might not be in Rieg anymore. We need Juran and Morn and Madam Olpany to tell us where they have gone, where the guards are, what Tyrell has been up to these last few weeks, and whether Lady Zill is still kidnapping—”

  “Yes, all right,” Nini said, hands raised. “We need your friends, that much is plain. But I can ride north from Rieg easier than you can cross the Raekawn.” He said the last to Olivia.

  Elspeth could not disagree; as plans go, she never did like the part about crossing the Raekawn Valley. She was about to say as much, when Olivia threw her hands up…

  “Oh, very well, we will go to Sugal,” the princess said.

  Nini sighed with obvious relief. “Thank the gods for—”

  He might have said more, but Olivia stomped off toward the aft-deck. She was down the steps and into the cabin before Elspeth could pick up her pack.

  “Now you’ve done it,” Chrissa said. “Why didn’t you leave it to me. A few hours, I could have brought her around without argument. Now, you’ll be lucky if she leaves that bloody cabin.”

  “Should I care about all that?” Nini said. “We are talking about a valley full of wild dragons; with that fact at one end of the scale, there can be no weight to foolish arguments. And that you knew this before without telling me speaks volumes about your good sense, Sergeant.”

  Chrissa opened her mouth, likely to give Nini a taste of her legendary temper, but the lieutenant left before she could utter a word, carrying his pack down to the hold, where his men were already settling themselves in.

  “Gah, that man!” Chrissa said. “One of these days…”

  Elspeth tried not to chuckle. She knew Chrissa liked the man. And of all his qualities – of which there were many, Elspeth had to admit – she knew the lieutenant’s contrary streak was what Chrissa found most appealing.

  Odd woman.

  * * *

  Four hours later, the Swallow was still moored to the west pier.

  “Might as well build a new boat,” York was saying to Nini as Elspeth joined them on deck.

  Wex was with them, but if York’s comments were meant to embarrass the young captain, they had not worked.

  “It is what it is,” Wex said. “At this time of year, you won’t get much better for what the princess is paying.”

  “But are you sure this barge will get us to Toi?” York said. “One good gust of wind, and that mast is coming down.”

  “She’s made the trip in a worse state than this,” Wex said. He smiled at the bigger man. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you there safe and sound.”

  Wex looked a lot different than he had a few weeks earlier. For one thing, he had cut his hair close to his scalp. He still resembled a Toyan trader, with his tanned skin and big eyes, but now he looked like a very young Toyan trader, barely older than Elspeth was. Still, the short hair suited him well enough. Indeed, he might be passing average if he could find some clothes that fit him properly – some clean clothes.

  “How long before we set sail,” Elspeth asked. In truth, it was Olivia who wanted to know, but she would not come out of the cabin Wex and Jebb had given over to the princess and her party – which was all for the good, Elspeth thought, she did not think she could stomach another round of Olivia’s ill-tempered rebuke – Wex was right, they had gotten what they had paid for; if Olivia wanted a galleon, she should have waited and asked her brother to send a ship.

  “We’re about ready,” Wex said. “Jebb is below, tying down what’s left of the linen crates. When he comes up, we will cast off. Ten minutes, if that. Assuming he doesn’t fall asleep down there, that is.”

  Nini shook his head woefully. “Quite the crew you have here, Captain.”

  “I’m not the captain,” Wex said. “Bad luck, being captain of the Swallow. I’m just a deckhand, same as the rest.”

  Elspeth supposed he had a point. In the short time she had known of the Swallow’s travels, one captain had gone mad, the other killed by Lady Zill’s men.

  That thought made her wonder if her friend Fitz was still living in the dungeons under Bailryn palace. She wondered what he would think if he knew where she was, on which ship she would soon be sailing.

  He would tell you to jump ship, she told herself. He would tell you to jump ship, come home, and stop acting like a silly little lady.

  The thought made her smile; she missed her friend.

  “What are you grinning at?” Nini asked.

  “Nothing, just a thought. I knew one of the—”

  “On the boat!” someone shouted. “Ahoy, on the boat? Anybody there?”

  The voice sounded familiar, and when Elspeth looked, she saw Anooni running along the pier.

  “On the boat!” Anooni shouted again. “On the— Oh, hello Elspeth. I thought I had the right one.”

  “Anooni?” Elspeth said, shocked but not all together surprised to see the young woman. “What are you doing here?”

  Anooni hefted a brown pack. “Isn’t that obvious? I’m coming with you.”

  She started up the plank, but Elspeth raised her hand.

  “Does Elucia know?”

  “Not exactly,” Anooni said. “She thinks I’m away home to help with the winter stores. My sister is back on the farm, and so is father. It wasn’t hard to ask one of them for a letter.”

  “You asked your father to lie for you?”

  Anooni shook her head. “No, my sister sent the message. She used the lier’sinn at the White Tower just before she left. She should be halfway home by now. I told Elucia I was needed, and could she spare me for a few weeks. It was surprisingly easy. If I’d known a letter was all it took, I would have gone home for Spring Feast.”

  Anooni ignored the raised hand. She bounded on deck and gave Elspeth a hug.

  “I bet she knows,” Elspeth whispered, returning the hug. “I bet Elucia knows you meant to come with us.”

  “You think so?” Anooni said, pulling back a little.

  “I think so,” Elspeth said. “Elucia was furious at Olivia for insisting on making this voyage, but I’d bet she was more worried than angry, and with a Seer along to help us… Well, she likely thought you might… You know? That you might steer us away from danger.”

  Anooni frowned. “Seeing doesn’t work like that,” she said.

  “Yes, but… Anyway, I am glad you are here. All these men, it will be nice to have someone else to talk to.”

  “I’ll talk to you,” Nini insisted, feigning hurt pride with a protruding lower lip.

  “As will I,” Wex said, with another sulky look.

  Elspeth laughed. “It’s not the same,” she said. “Us ladies often want to talk about men, not to them.”

  “Well, in that case, feel free,” Nini said, patting down his tunic and straightening his hair.

  Elspe
th was about to tell him what she thought of the cheeky smile on his face, when a door banged open.

  “That’s the lot secure, mate,” Jebb said. “Cast off when yer ready. Let’s get this bunch of part-timers to Toi before one of them volunteers rip the mainsail.”

  What was left of the crew pulled in mooring ropes, and Wex directed four of Nini’s men on how to use the sweeps. It was a slow start, and a bumpy one, but an hour later, they had turned the Swallow east. With any luck, this time tomorrow, they would at least be able to see the Toi’ildrieg coastline. And the following morning, again, with a little luck, they would dock at Sugal.

  When they were underway, Elspeth led Anooni down to the cabin. Where Olivia, for once, appeared happy to see them. Elspeth silently blessed the younger woman for deciding to join their little adventure. Two days stuck in a cramp, smelly cabin with the princess in the mood she had been in… Bodyguard or not, Elspeth would likely have strangled her.

  CHAPTER 13

  A Short Trip

  “Did you speak to Gialyn?” Olivia asked.

  They were in the captain’s cabin, which, until Elspeth’s group boarded ship, was shared by Wex and Jebb. There was not enough room for the three women – Chrissa had decided to sleep in with the volunteers rather than crowd into the small cabin – but they took turns sitting on the floor. Thankfully, they would only have to spend the one night aboard, maybe two.

  “Briefly,” Elspeth said. “Telandra would not let me use the lier’sinn for more than a minute or two, said she was waiting for an important message from the palace.”

  “What important message?” Olivia asked.

  Elspeth sighed; she should not have mentioned that. “I don’t know. Something about Evin and Daric and sending a message to Aleria. She wouldn’t tell me.”