by Alan Black
Tanden’s eyes followed Seenger’s fingers. He saw a diverted stream flowing into a cistern before overflowing and running out to the sea. A small fishing boat was tethered to a little dock with its nets drying on racks nearby. The morning’s catch was gutted and strung up to dry in the sun. A mid-morning cook fire burned in front of one of the huts.
The village did not look prosperous, but it also did not look like it had just been ransacked and looted by invaders. The Surr were only a few miles to the east. This village was in grave danger if the slavers were sweeping along the coast, plying their trade.
Tanden said, “Seenger, come with me. Tuller, stay here and watch our backs. Gadon, you stay, too and watch I-Sheera. Make sure she doesn’t get into any more trouble.”
Gadon croaked hoarsely, “You can count on it.”
I-Sheera’s glared at Tanden, but before she could respond, he winked at her. She nodded and smiled. Turning back to Gadon, she drew the man’s head into her lap.
Seenger looked ready to move into the village, but Tanden stopped him, gesturing for him to follow. Tanden led the ogre in a sweeping circle around the backside of the village. They entered the village from the west, opposite of where the other three were hiding. Both held their weapons at the ready as Tanden called in Geldonite, “Hello the village!” There was no response.
“Seenger, stay close and watch our backs.”
The two looked into two huts. Possessions were scattered about, but there were no people. They walked to the hut with a cooking fire burning slowly in a pit.
Seenger pointed at the fire and said in a whisper, “That top log was just added. See, it’s hardly burned.”
Tanden nodded. He was reaching for the curtain covering the doorway when a wild-eyed man burst through waving a rusty sword. The small toothless man had the rough hands of a fisherman. Seenger backtracked out of the way as Tanden used his own sword to turn away stroke after stroke. The man was not a swordsman. He hacked and cut at Tanden like he was chopping wood.
Tanden shouted, “Stop this. Stop before you hurt yourself.”
Tanden noticed Seenger shift to a defensive position as a younger version of the fisherman rushed from the hut. Using both hands, the youth held a long sword over his head. He was no more than thirteen or fourteen. Running past Tanden, the youth moved to attack Seenger.
Tanden parried a wild cut from the older man. Throwing his weight into his shoulder, he pushed the old man backward. Shifting his stance, he reached out to grab the running youth by the back of his shirt. Tanden threw the boy to the dirt at his feet. The boy’s sword flew out of his grasp. Tanden placed his foot firmly on the youth’s chest to pin him to the ground. He was certain Seenger would have killed the boy without a thought if Tanden had not intervened.
Something had driven the boy to attack a full-grown ogre with just a sword. Seenger was exceptionally strong, but not a great swordfighter, yet it would not take a skilled fighter to kill a youngster.
Tanden shouted in Holdenish, “Stop this, damn it, before I have to hurt both of you!” The old man froze in mid-stroke, backing away. “Better. Drop your sword.”
“You’re Holdenite?”
Tanden nodded, “Drop your sword, please.”
When the rusty blade clattered to the ground, Tanden took his foot off the youth. The boy scampered up and darted behind the older man. Defiance blazed in the youth’s eyes. The older man looked more scared than angry, not quite meeting Tanden’s gaze.
“I’m Tanden from Harkelle. This is Seenger. Who are you and where is everyone else?”
The man looked wildly about and asked, “Are you alone?”
Tanden answered, “No. Do you know of the slavers up the coast?”
The two fishermen looked at each other. The old man eyed Tanden, then his look seemed to slide away again. He asked Tanden, “Have you seen the Surr?”
“We had a brief meeting.”
The old man bobbed his head and squatted by the fire, indicating Tanden should join him. As Tanden dropped to eye level, the old man said, “My son and I saw their ships this morning as we returned from fishing. We told the others they were coming. They all ran to the hills to hide. The boy and I wanted to get our catch dried and get back on our boat. Once aboard her, the slavers can’t catch us. She’s a fast ship.” The man cackled, “A pretty ship, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she’s a fine looking vessel. But you risked your life and freedom from slavers for a few fish?” Tanden looked into the man’s eyes and realized he was most likely no older than Tanden, but the hard life of a poor fisherman had aged him well beyond his years.
The man looked back at Tanden and said, “A few fish to you, but to the people in this village, those few fish are the difference between eating and starving. The Black Sea is stingy and only the freshening waters of the DuVAll allow any of us to live here at all.”
Clasping a hand on the man’s shoulder, Tanden said, “You’re right. I didn’t mean to question your judgment. I meant only to comment on the bravery of you and your son. You have my deepest apologies if I failed to speak clearly.”
“Nothing to it, nothing at all. Besides, the slave ships may not come this far.”
“Seenger, call the others in. You best keep a sharp look out eastward for the Surr.”
The fisherman’s eyes grew wide like he was seeing Seenger for the first time. The boy backed away but watched with curiosity on his face.
The man asked, “An ogre?” Without waiting for an answer, “How many are you?”
Tanden said, “Five. Is it just you and your boy remaining in the village?”
The man said, “Yes. Oh, forgive my rudeness, I’m Mark. This is my son, Little Mark.”
Tanden smiled at the boy, but spoke to the father, “Little? I do not think so. He has the look of a full-grown man to me and courageous to attack an ogre single-handed.”
Little Mark’s chest puffed out at the flattery.
“I’m looking for my ship. I believe she’s sailing the coast toward Stantinstadt. Have you seen her?”
Mark’s eyes lit up, “Aye. Aye, I think I have. A Holdenite merchant ship riding low and slow, full of cargo? From Harkelle?”
Tanden nodded, “Then the White Wind has passed by here?”
Mark’s head bobbed as if yanked by a string. He turned to watch Gadon and I-Sheera sink down next to the fire. Tuller stood over them.
“The ship?” Tanden prompted.
“Huh?” Mark did not take his eyes off Gadon, “Oh, yes. Your ship. Little Mark and I saw her pass by yesterday at about this time. We signaled for them to come to anchor. Thought to trade a bit, you know? She sailed right on past. Going to Stantinstadt? That’s south by southeast of here. Why would your ship be sailing west along the coast?” Before Tanden could answer, the man rambled on, “Looking for you, I’ll wager. Yes, I understand. Makes sense. Do you think she’ll sail back this way if they find they missed you?” Almost without a breath, Mark continued, “Your man is sick.”
“Yes. I believe he has a fever.”
The fishermen scooted back a few feet and eyed Gadon carefully. Tanden understood their fear. Unknown illnesses had been known to decimate whole villages. Unhealthy strangers were not normally welcome.
Tanden said, “It’s a fever from a chill. He was caught out in a cold rain.”
Mark said, “Okay.” Not moving any closer, mark kept his eye on Gadon. “When did you say your ship would sail back this way?”
“I didn’t say. Since she has sailed past, we’ll catch up with her in Stantinstadt. Mark, may we call upon your hospitality for a meal?”
The fisherman’s head bobbed again, “Of course. Of course, without a doubt. Yes, yes, yes. I can offer you fish aplenty. What’s mine is yours! Please help yourself.” The man shuffled over to his son. He put his arm around his boy and said to Tanden, “And we have an old woman of the village who’s a healer, for your sick friend. I’ll send Little Mark after her.”
Mark turned
the boy around and spoke quietly to him for a moment. Little Mark started to run, but Mark grabbed him, hissed quietly in the boy’s ear and pointed at the cliffs. Giving the boy a slap on the rump, he sent him rushing off toward the hills.
Tanden asked, “Won’t your healer be afraid to come back with the slaver’s so close?”
Mark’s eyes rolled around, looking every which way but at Tanden, “Oh, huh, no. If they come by ship, we can get away into the hills before they reach shore. And…and if they come by the beach, then your ogre can give us warning enough we can get away on my ship before they get here. Once aboard the Wave Master, their ships won’t be able to catch us.” The old man cackled happily at his logic. Mark quickly grew sober again, “Ungh, besides, uh, I don’t think your man is fit to travel much anyway.”
Tanden looked down at Gadon, who had fallen asleep by the fire. The big man’s breathing was labored. However, he appeared to be sleeping soundly.
Tanden pointed out to I-Sheera a Eucalyptus tree shading the small hut, “Gather some leaves from that tree and find a pot to make a tea for Gadon. It should soothe his cough.”
Mark said, “Aye. It’s a good tree for that. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it myself. There are pots in my hut, young lady. Bring the big one as well and we can cook up some of these fish.”
Tanden said, “Mark, as you see we’re in need of a boat to sail to Stantinstadt. Are you willing to sail us?”
“No. No. No. I need my boat to fish. If I don’t fish, we don’t eat.”
Tanden nodded his understanding, “What would you trade for the use of your ship? I have many goods aboard the White Wind. I’ll pay your price when I reach my ship.”
“Trade now. Pay me now, not later.”
“Mark, we’re all honorable men here. As you can see, I have very little to trade.”
“No. No trade, no ship.”
Tanden sighed, “I thank you for what hospitality you’re giving us now. Let me know if you change your mind. I’d pay you well for a few days sail.”
Mark shook his head violently from side to side and exclaimed, “Two days there, with the wind and three days back against the wind. Five days without fishing. No. No ship unless I get trade goods first. But, you rest here. Relax. Your man needs rest. Sit here for awhile. The sun will be hot today and your pet ogre watches.”
Tanden said, “Tuller, see what you can do to give I-Sheera a hand. When you get some food together, take something out to Seenger. I’m going to walk around a bit. Stay alert and ready to move. Wake Gadon up to eat. Force him to drink as much tea as you can, otherwise let him sleep.”
Tanden turned on his heels. He retraced his steps to the west, walking out of the village. He was not comfortable in the village. He found the little fisherman and his son repulsive. He was unsure if his feelings were infecting his judgment about their safety. The Surr were close, only five or six miles eastward along the coast. Tanden was not as ready as the fisherman to discount the danger they presented. But, they did have to eat and rest for Gadon’s sake, but they would not stay long.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Tanden walked in a slow circle around the small fishing village watching the surrounding area, looking for clues to his uneasiness.
“What is the matter with you, Tanden? Have you become a man that dislikes another just because he’s poor and a little dimwitted? That’s no reason to distrust him. It’s his home and hospitality, after all.
“No. The man doesn’t look me in the eyes when he talks to me. I don’t like that. But that isn’t it. I know something isn’t right. Damn it! I feel something is wrong and I’m just not smart enough to figure it out. Well, there’s the whole package. I deserve to be with Mark and his son if I’m no smarter than them.”
He shook his head as he thought of the White Wind, “Missed her! What in the name of all six gods could I have done to reach this coast faster? No. It’s not good to dwell on the past. There’s nothing to be done about what has already happened. Forget it. Think forward, Tanden. How do we get to Stantinstadt before the White Wind sails for Tunston? We could take the fishing boat by force.
“No. That’s theft, no matter what my reasons. I don’t think it’s a good idea. We could attack the Surr and take one their boats. No, I’m sure that isn’t a good idea. I have no answers.”
Tanden stopped and stared at the ground beneath his feet. Footprints in the dirt led away from the village toward the hills. He recognized them as Little Mark’s footprints because the boy was shoeless. “The boy runs carelessly and doesn’t try covering his tracks. But, why should he?”
Tanden spun about and began searching the ground around him. It was easy to read the boy’s tracks and his own bootprints, but he did not see any other fresh prints. There should be more tracks in the dirt if the whole village left in haste. Yesterday morning’s storm would have washed out any earlier tracks. Dimwitted or not the boy should have taken care not to leave tracks for slavers to follow to the villagers hiding in the hills.
He picked out Little Mark’s trail and began following it toward the hills. Once he was out of sight of the village the boy’s tracks turned eastward toward the Surr anchorage. Tanden continued following the boy’s footprints until he was positive the boy was heading straight to the slavers.
Tanden stopped in frustration. “The mouth of the DuVall River is to the west. The slavers would have to pass by this village to beach their boats east of here. Passing by such an easy target isn’t the Surr way Even if the people managed to escape, the village would have been ransacked and burned to the ground.” Turning toward the sea, he found Tuller and Seenger standing under a few trees east of the village, eating fish stew from crude wooden bowls. They must have seen him coming long before he spotted them. Though they were eating and appeared to be relaxing, they remained alert and watchful.
Before Tanden could speak, Tuller said, “We have the fisherman’s ship. The Wave Master! Silly name for a slow-looking fishing tub, but he agreed to sail us to Stantinstadt.”
“How?” Tanden asked, “When I talked to him, he was firmly set against sailing us.”
Tuller said, “I-Sheera did it. She’s a good bargainer. With a few tips from an expert, she could be almost as good as I am.”
Seenger interrupted, “Food is on the fire, Captain. Shouldn’t you eat?”
Tanden nodded, “Time enough, I think. We should have about half an hour before unwanted visitors show up.”
“Half an hour? How? Where?” Tuller stared back at Tanden.
“Trouble is coming, but first, I want to hear about this trade. How did we get the boat?” Tanden asked.
Tuller replied, “She offered to trade the jewel. The little man’s eyes lit with fire when he saw it glittering in the sun. She drove a hard trade with what little she had to trade.”
“Little!” Tanden exclaimed. “That little represented her freedom.”
“I don’t mean little in value, but in making a good bargain, there has to be give and take. Give a little here, take a little there. With one piece of jewelry to trade, it’s all or nothing. He almost didn’t make the bargain.” Tuller held up his naked wrist, “She even gave him my new bracelet, but she made him promise to sell it back to me when we reach the White Wind.”
“He holds the jewelry?” Tanden asked.
“Yes. He was very insistent he held the trade before we sailed.”
Tanden nodded, “Like before; he was insistent with me. I don’t believe he expects to sail us anywhere. I believe he’s made an alliance with the Surr.” He told them about the boy’s tracks heading straight for the slavers.
Tanden said, “I believe it’ll take the boy at least half an hour to reach the Surr and another half hour for them to reach us. I don’t believe we have to run, but I’d prefer to be gone before they get here.” He gestured with his head for them to move back to the village.
Tuller’s eyes became slits. As they walked, his temper flared, “I’d be willing to wager the boy was in
the group of slavers on the beach. Remember there were seven Surr who went by us, but only six returned? The old man and the boy pegged us from the moment we walked into the village.”
Tanden agreed, “And the father is trying to delay us until the son brings enough slavers back to capture us.”
The three walked up to the little fisherman sitting by the fire. He looked fitful and worried, but Tanden knelt beside him and put an arm around his thin shoulders. Tanden smiled and patted the man gently. The man looked beyond Tanden to Tuller and Seenger.
Tanden could imagine what the little man saw. Tuller must be seething with anger. He had been through a lot in the last few days and was on the edge of unreasonable violence. However, his ability as a negotiator allowed him to conceal his anger from strangers. Seenger would appear calm and relaxed, but Tanden knew he was the more dangerous of the two.
Ogres were never to be taken lightly. Seenger would strike and kill the fisherman without remorse or hesitation. The fisherman only saw their calm faces and Tanden felt him relax slightly.
Tanden said, “I understand you have generously relented after successful bargaining to sail us to Stantinstadt?” Tanden took a bowl offered by I-Sheera and began eating as he talked. The fish stew was bland and pasty, but it was hot and filling.
Mark nodded and reflexively put a hand to his chest, patting a small bulge that had not been there earlier. “Good trade.”
“Yes. I’m told you bargain well. And may I say you have a nice village? While we eat, my men can put provisions in the boat for the sail to Stantinstadt.”
“Provisions?” Mark asked.
“Surely we can’t sail for two days without food and water? Don’t worry, I’ll pay you well for your goods.”
“But…but my boy can stow supplies when he returns. Your men should rest. It’ll be a long sail.”
“True. Very true, Mark. You’re a man of good judgment, but these are hardworking men. They can work now and rest on the voyage, besides, wouldn’t it be best to be fully provisioned in case we have to get to the boat quickly to escape the Surr?”