"Should I whisper in the captain's ear?" asked Bitsy.
Alex thought for a few moments and then shook his head. "No," he replied, "but we will change our plans a mite. Jenneva, I will want a magical warding around the captain and me so that others cannot overhear our conversation. Karl, you will enter a few moments after Jenneva and me. Find a place in the common room where you can observe both the doorways and us. If you see anyone paying too much attention to our conversation, signal either Jenneva or me."
"Do I include Chanz inside the warding?" asked Jenneva.
"You might as well," replied Alex. "I suspect our captain knows why we requested the meeting, and I think he has invited Chanz to join us. We will know soon enough."
Bitsy led the way to the inn and the three travelers dismounted. Alex and Jenneva entered the common room and sat across from Gomery and Chanz. A few minutes later, Karl Gree entered and sat inconspicuously where he could watch the entire room. Before either of the Cordonians could speak a greeting, Alex held up his hand for silence and waited for a nod from Jenneva.
"I had requested a private meeting," Alex said softly.
"Chanz is no talker," replied Captain Gomery. "He's sailed with me for years, and his trap has never spilled the beans. Besides, I will need someone I can trust to watch the men."
"Watch the men?" frowned Alex. "If you are talking about the brothers, I have complete confidence in them."
"I wasn't talking about them," Gomery replied. "I was talking about the others that we will need to recruit."
"I am doing the recruiting," Alex replied sternly, "and I have faith in every one of them."
"You have more crew than the brothers?" asked the captain.
"Not crew," Alex shook his head. "They are team members, but they can share the labors of the voyage as well."
"I'm begging your pardon," Captain Gomery shook his head, "but your black-clad friends or whatnot are not sailors. They may be fine chaps and willing to lend a hand, but that is not going to get you to where we are going."
Alexander appreciated the way that Captain Gomery was not mentioning names or places. He already had a fairly high opinion of the man from the previous journey they had shared, and that feeling was rising steadily.
"My men managed just fine getting the ship to where it is now," Alex retorted.
"I can easily believe that," smiled the captain, "but where you are going is not exactly the same type of voyage. You will need men accustomed to sailing in horrendous weather, and they will have to do so night and day for months. There will be no time for any of them to ask me what I mean when I issue an order. Even such a small delay at the wrong time can end our voyage in disaster."
Alex fell silent for a few moments as he considered the words of the captain. It was true that most of the warriors chosen for the journey had very little knowledge of the sea or sailing ships. Certainly the elves did not, and he was taking only three Rangers, not the dozen he had the last time. It was also true that the short voyage to Atar's Cove had been across a placid sea.
"I am not trying to demean your men," Captain Gomery continued. "They have far more skill in many areas than I could ever hope to have, but sailing has not been their life for the last twenty years. If you want to be assured of reaching your destination, you need sailors."
"How many sailors do I need?" asked Alex.
"Counting the brothers, Chanz, and myself," answered the captain, "you need six more."
"Six?" echoed Alex. "I am already two above what I had planned, and that does not include Chanz. That will cause me significant problems with space."
"Be that as it may," shrugged the captain, "I am being honest with you. This is not a short pleasure cruise that you have planned. It is a major undertaking into new and dangerous waters. Your crew will be taxed beyond belief."
"Plus there is a strong possibility of hostile action," added Chanz. "Your warriors may be needed to fight while we are sailing the ship. I had hoped to talk to you about possibly making some renovations to the ship before we set sail."
Alex turned his gaze to the first mate and suddenly he smiled.
"I was in error about not inviting you to this meeting," he said to Chanz, "but I thought you would be gainfully employed."
"I was," grinned Chanz, "but when Captain Gomery retired, I knew something was up. I told the new captain that I needed time in my private life. I quit the job, and the new captain said I would be welcomed back when I wanted."
"I am glad to have you," smiled Alex, "and I will make the journey worth your while."
"You know that it isn't gold that we are after," Chanz smiled in return. "Alcea is our home and the home of all of our friends and relatives. The captain and I might not have the fighting skills of your men, but we are willing to use what skills we do have and put our lives on the line the same as you."
"Spoken like a true Alcean," smiled Jenneva. "What about the other six men?"
"I have the six in mind," answered Captain Gomery. "I've not said a peep about the journey to them, but I know the lads well enough to know that they would want to come along."
"Then perhaps we should meet them," Alex said with a short sigh of resignation.
"It will take a while to set it up," replied Captain Gomery. "I have their sailing schedules and will contact them as they come into port."
"They are not in Kalamaar?" asked Alex.
"Heavens no," replied the captain. "Good sailors don't sit around waiting for a ship. Well, at least not more than a day or two."
"When will they be here?" asked Jenneva.
"The first will arrive within a week," answered the captain. "The last in about three weeks."
"That won't do," Alex shook his head. "We are leaving in three days, and that is not negotiable. The ship is already being renovated as Chanz suggested, and the supplies are being loaded. I have people from all over Alcea arriving by the day."
"Then we will have to take whatever Kalamaar has to offer," frowned Captain Gomery. "I know there are some fit sailors in port. I will choose the best that I can find."
"Then do so," Alex said. "Do not mention where they are going or how long the journey is. Engage their services for a one year period and offer as much pay as required to get the men you need."
"And try to choose men without families," interjected Jenneva. "I do not like the idea of dragging men off to their deaths without them knowing the dangers involved."
"I agree," nodded Alex. "Make sure that you emphasize the danger element of the journey."
"Once they hear who they will be sailing with," grinned Chanz, "they will know the danger is sure to come calling."
"They are not to know," Alex replied strongly. "In fact, from this point forward, you will know us as Mikal and Yolinda Obanik. No one is to know that I am not in Alcea."
"Understood," Captain Gomery replied quickly. "We can stress the danger inherent in the voyage without divulging anything that might compromise the mission. I just hope that we can find six good men in time."
"If not," replied Alexander, "we will make do with what you have. Two nights hence, gather your men on the beach about a league east of the city wall. I will send unicorns to convey you and your men to the ship."
"We'll be ready," promised the captain.
Alex and Jenneva rose and left the inn. They waited silently out back until Karl arrived and then they mounted their unicorns and rode out of town. Once clear of the city, the unicorns took flight and headed across the night sky to Atar's Cove.
The island of Atar's Cove held the home of Alex and Jenneva, but the building was magically disguised as a mountain. The island boasted a small horseshoe-shaped bay that was not visible to passing ships. Anchored in that bay was the Remora, a stolen Zaran ship that would be used for the voyage to Zara. Camped along the beach of the bay were the three Rangers, Tedi, Natia, and the three surviving brothers who were sailors on the secret voyage to the Mountain of Death.
Alex, Jenneva, and Karl landed
on the far side of the mountain, unobserved by those on the beach. Smokey leaped off Kaz's back as soon as they had landed. He dashed into the bushes and returned with a well-chewed bone. He curled up near where the unicorns usually stayed and prepared for a restful night.
"I guess he is glad to be home," chuckled Alex.
"So am I," commented Jenneva as she cast a spell to reveal an entrance into their home. "I think I will put some tea on."
"Let Karl do that," suggested Alex. "I want to talk to you for a bit."
"It will be my pleasure," Karl said happily. "Sit and relax and I will bring the tea out when it is ready."
Karl headed through the doorway, and Jenneva looked questioningly at her husband.
"I have planned this trip poorly," Alex said softly to Jenneva.
"Why do you say that?" asked Jenneva. "I think it is all coming together quite nicely."
"Captain Gomery was quite right about the need for professional sailors," Alex replied. "I should have foreseen that need. Prince Rigal was also right about bringing more than one elf, but all of this has added another nine bodies to an already overly laden ship. We will need to send for more supplies now."
"So we send for more supplies," frowned Jenneva. "That is hardly a problem. What is really bothering you?"
"The unicorns," Alex answered after a moment of hesitation. "We cannot possibly take them now. It was tight before with only thirteen people, but with twenty-two it is impossible."
"Leaving them might be the right decision in any event," shrugged Jenneva. "A horse is not meant to stand upon the deck of a ship for months on end. They need to run about and exercise to remain healthy. You said you had dreams about going to Zara. Were there unicorns in those dreams?"
Alex raised an eyebrow at Jenneva and then he closed his eyes in thought. After several long moments, he opened his eyes and shook his head.
"No," he answered. "I can remember vague shapes of men on deck doing what sailors do, but I cannot remember ever seeing a horse or a unicorn in the dreams, but they are just dreams, Jenneva."
"Are they?" she asked quizzically. "We've been married for a long time, Alexander Tork, and I don't ever remember you mentioning a dream before."
"I usually don't dream," Alex admitted, "but that is still not the way I make decisions. I will not let a dream dictate how I fight my battles."
"Nor should you," smiled Jenneva. "You already have enough reasons to leave the unicorns behind without the dreams. Send Kaz and Yorra to Monoceros so they can enjoy their children. Maybe they will even look after Smokey while we are gone."
"That is a good idea," nodded Alex. "Smokey will love romping with hundreds of unicorns, and it will give Kaz and Yorra time to get reacquainted with their people. I have often felt bad about tearing them away from the other unicorns."
"You did no such thing," chuckled Jenneva. "Kaz and Yorra chose to be with us, and they will return here when we do, but in the meantime it would be good for them to reestablish ties with their families."
"Then it is settled," Alexander sighed with relief. "I think I will go down to the bay and see how the renovations are getting along."
Chapter 3
Rough Seas
The Remora was a cargo ship, not a troop transport, and its accommodations below deck were sparse. Other than three cabins and a small galley, the rest of the ship was dedicated to cargo space. Mikal and Yolinda had declined the larger Captain's Quarters, but they did occupy one of the smaller cabins. Tedi and Natia had been given the other small cabin. Other than the Captain, the rest of the people slept on deck.
Mikal had ordered a departure in the dark of night, and Captain Gomery set a course that would take them well north of the Isles of the Sea as he was not familiar with the depths that they would encounter. As the sun began to creep into the sky the following morning, Mikal sat up and stretched with a loud yawn as he got dressed.
"Why don't you wake up the whole ship?" Yolinda teased.
"Everyone was pretty worn out by the time we departed," Mikal replied seriously, "and I do not expect that sleeping on deck was very restful for them. I am going up to see where we are."
"We are at sea," laughed Yolinda, "and I expect we will be for many a day. Go on up. I will bring a cup of tea with me when I come up."
Mikal smiled at his wife and squeezed out the door. The companionway was narrow and short, and Mikal mounted the short flight of steps and stepped onto the deck to see the sun rising over the stern. Captain Gomery was at the helm, and Mikal wondered if he had gotten any sleep.
"Good morning, Mikal," the captain said cheerily as he saw the Knight of Alcea arrive on deck. "I trust the cabin was to your liking?"
"Cramped but adequate," Mikal replied. "Have you been to yours?"
"Only to stow my belongings last night," the captain answered. "I don't care much for navigating around uncharted islands at night, and I could hardly shove that duty off on Chanz. I'll catch a few winks later on."
Mikal reached the helm and turned to survey the deck. With the exception of five crewmen sleeping amidships, everyone else was awake.
"It's the excitement of the first day at sea," the captain explained as if sensing Mikal's thoughts. "The crew are used to grabbing sleep whenever they can, and your people will fall into a pattern soon enough."
"I suppose you are right," shrugged Mikal. "Where are we?"
"If you look over the stern," answered Captain Gomery, "you can just see the high points of the Isles of the Sea. That is where my charts end. Your chart shows a sailing route well to our south, and I will be turning in that direction soon. I could have turned earlier, but we have quite a favorable current right now. I wanted to get the most out of it before heading south."
"If the current is good," asked Mikal, "why not stay in it?"
"Look forward," suggested the captain. "You can barely see them, but there are nubs sticking up on the horizon. I plan to go south of those islands because the chart you have shows deep water there. I don't want to take a chance of hitting a reef on the first day out."
"You are the captain," smiled Mikal. "Set whatever course you feel comfortable with as long as it gets us to Zara." After a long pause of silence, Mikal continued, "I apologize for not having time to speak with you earlier, but we were all rushing to leave on time. Tell me about the sailors you recruited."
"They are a fair lot," shrugged the captain. "Each has at least six years of sailing experience. Warren, he's the only one awake right now, has sailed with me before. He's a capable lad, which is why I teamed him up with the three brothers. The others are Keltin, Barakis, Feldskar, Tyroma, and Loman. I will introduce you to each of them later, so they know enough to heed your instructions if need be. Tyroma and Loman are a little rough around the edges. They have reputations for drinking too much and fighting over nothing. I wouldn't have hired them if I had the choice, but they know the ropes, and they will perform well if I keep their attention."
"I have had soldiers like them under me from time to time," Mikal nodded knowingly. "I will keep an eye on them and offer them some helpful hints if I see them get out of line."
"Helpful hints is it?" laughed the captain. "I might be inclined to pay a few coins to see that show. If they had any idea who they are really sailing with, I bet they would give up drink entirely."
"I don't begrudge a man his drink," replied Mikal, "but it should never interfere with his duties."
"Aye," the captain nodded in agreement. "Barakis and Keltin sailed mostly out of Lanoirian ports, but their letters speak highly of their skills, and they will have no need of knowledge of Cordonian waters where we are going. Feldskar claims to be from Kantor, but neither Chanz nor I have ever run into him before. Still, I tested his knowledge of ropes and sails and he knows his trade."
"Is it odd that you would not have run into him?" asked Mikal.
Captain Gomery hesitated for a moment and then said, "It is a wee bit odd as you usually run into just about everybody who sails in
Cordonian waters at one time or another. There are only so many taverns to hang out in when your ship's in port, but it is possible that we were never in the same port at the same time. As long as he does what he needs to do, I will have no complaint about him."
The two men fell silent and then Yolinda arrived on deck with a cup of tea for Mikal and another for herself.
"You two might want to hold onto that tea," warned the captain. "It's time for us to make our turn."
Mikal and Yolinda moved towards the rail and the captain bellowed out orders. Chanz, Cirris, Alando, Ecaro, and Warren responded immediately and the Remora heeled to starboard as the sails were adjusted, and the bow began to swing southward. As the ship heeled even further, a yelp split the air. Everyone had heard the noise, but they all looked around in confusion. Mikal handed his cup of tea to Yolinda and moved forward to the center cargo hold.
As the Remora settled back to level, Chanz appeared at Mikal's side. He slid the latches on the hold and raised the cover. Mikal leaned over the edge and lowered himself into the hold. Everyone was watching to see what was going on when a dog was tossed onto the deck. Mikal climbed out of the hold and glared at Smokey.
"Stowaway!" he said accusingly with a stern face.
The dog whimpered and lowered his snout to the deck. Mikal tried to maintain his stern composure, but everyone else started laughing. Finally, Mikal started laughing as well, and Smokey's tail started wagging.
"I should throw you back into the sea that I found you in," threatened Mikal, but Smokey knew the worst was over. He nuzzled Mikal's leg as Chanz secured the hatch.
"That's loyalty for you," commented Max Caber, the new Ranger. "He must love you very much."
"I suppose," chuckled Mikal as he roughly petted the dog's head. "Show me what you have developed for us, Max."
The Ranger's face brightened as he waved Mikal forward. Mikal proceeded to the bow with Smokey on his heels. The Ranger pulled a tarp away from the bow rail and Mikal whistled in appreciation. Fastened to the deck was a contraption that resembled a giant crossbow, but it was designed to hold three quarrels instead of one.
Final Voyage of the Remora Page 4