“I’m interested in hearing of your own journey too. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Arwhon left Shiri with Cringle and following his Servant’s directions went in search of the Captain. He rode north to the edge of town where the Militia were camped and was quickly led to the Captain’s tent. Arwhon let the Captain know Durhain’s Pass was now open but omitted to mention how that feat was achieved. He also described the Luper to the Captain, as it was possible another wave of them might come through Forbidden. He left the Captain scribbling messages on tiny slips of paper to be sent by pigeon to the Commandant in Crossroads.
Arwhon returned to the inn and was pleased to see they were the only patrons. He wanted Cringle’s report but not in range of other ears. The privacy of the Dwarves had to be respected.
When Cringle’s fascinating tale had been told, the three of them managed to find an empty house in fair repair and set up camp in it. That evening, sitting in front of the fire, Arwhon told them of his plan and bitterly disappointed both his true love and his Servant.
“I’ll be going into the Forbidden Land alone. I can ward myself against any attack now and have all the magic and Power I need to overcome the Q’Herindam Mages. I do not want either of you anywhere near a pitched battle involving magic. You are dear to me and if any disaster befell you, I could not live with the idea I was responsible for you being there in harm’s way.”
Oh, they argued with logic and passion both but Arwhon was adamant that he should go alone and eventually, as there was no way to dissuade him, they capitulated. Arwhon addressed them both.
“Cringle. I want you to accompany Shiri back to the Darkwood and wait for me there. It will be safe. Vehrin’del will be relieved to see her daughter again and we all know you have to keep a future mother-in-law happy. You will need to take Duran with you. He may come to harm where I’m going. Krissi will accompany me; she’s impervious to magic. Shiri. I would like you to check on Ch’ron’s outskirts near the Rift to see how bad the infestation of worms has become, from what Cringle tells us, the situation is becoming dire and Ch’ron might not be able to weather it and still remain sentient.”
He looked at both of them in turn, his emerald eyes gleaming in the firelight, strange red tints glinting in their depths. Shiri gave Arwhon a gentle, somewhat sad smile but he didn’t catch the pain in her soft amethyst eyes because Shiri wanted Arwhon to leave Forbidden strong and confident in the morning and she would do nothing to make him doubt himself.
So in the morning, with Duran stamping his feet and trumpeting, letting everyone know how he felt about the situation, Shiri and Cringle stood waving goodbye to Arwhon as he set out on foot down the road to the Forbidden Lands with Krissi flying high above him.
13. Captain Belmar.
The last Captain Belmar saw of Arwhon was the day the Jalwynd left Encarill, sailing down river, bound for the open ocean and Belvedere. The good Captain felt a bond with the lad, had done ever since that day on the wharf at Trugor when he’d arrived just after Arwhon’s father had been killed by the Draakon Reavers. Arwhon was becoming a legend now and it seemed wherever he went, wounds were healed and whatever bad was occurring turned to good.
Belmar was troubled though and unsure why. At their last meeting he had an odd feeling about the future. There was something in the air around Arwhon which bothered the diminutive Captain. All his life the little man had taken note of these odd feelings and had generally managed to avoid any major problems. It was a boon for him as he plied the oceans. He seemed to know when a storm was coming, or adverse winds and would sometimes stay in port when others left, snug in the harbour and missing the terrible weather which followed.
There was a storm brewing around Arwhon. Captain Belmar felt it through to his bones.
The winds were fortuitous, his crew happy after their shore leave and Jalwynd made good time as they sailed around the south coast of Myseline and turned east toward Southland and the city of Belvedere. Belmar’s thoughts were of Cristal, the woman intrigued him. Despite her acknowledged age, she seemed so young at heart, playful at times and, dare he believe it, encouraging him by flirting. Flirting. She didn’t appear to be anywhere near as old as she was supposed to be and the twinkle in her eye when she teased him…... Not long now before Jalwynd arrived in Belvedere and he could see Cristal again.
Captain Belmar’s trim ship docked in Belvedere a week later and she was quickly hauled into her berth at the Tsalk dock near one of Cristal’s warehouses, the thick mooring ropes wrapped around the bollards dripping as they rose from the water under tension. On the quayside Belmar saw a stooped old crone in a black cloak with the cowl pulled up, waiting to board. He was curious, why would such a one want to board Jalwynd only just berthed? What possible business could she have with him? He found out shortly after as the gangplank was lowered and a port official came aboard followed immediately by the bent figure. It was only when Belmar looked up into the cowl of the black cloak that the explanation became clear. Shining back at him was a pair of lively blue eyes, filled with merriment above a vivacious, laughter lined face.
“Cristal!”
“Shush Captain, you’ll give the game away. Invite me down to your cabin.”
Belmar did as he was asked and when the door was closed, Cristal threw off her cloak and leant forward to give the diminutive man a warm embrace.
“I hope you don’t think me speaking out of turn, but I’ve missed your company, missed you in fact,” she gave a little chuckle. “Don’t know why at my age but there it is. You don’t mind do you?”
It was all the red faced and tongue tied Captain could do to reply.
“Don’t mind at all. I wus actually hoping to spend a bit o time with you afore we sails to Wyalon again.”
“And so you shall my good Captain. We have ‘business’ to discuss. You shall come and stay at the mansion while the Jalwynd is in port.”
Cristal looked around the cabin, taking in the dark carved wood and the leaded windows across the stern which looked out toward the harbour wall. “I do so like Jalwynd. You must take me sailing with you one day.”
“It’ud be my pleasure Cristal and I’m sure Jalwynd would agree.”
In fact, his ship did but only the Captain knew that, his knack informing him of the ship’s feelings.
Cristal slipped ashore to set things in motion while Belmar gave instructions to his crew regarding shore leave. He was ready, a small duffel packed, when a carriage appeared to take him up the hill to Cristal’s mansion. The Captain was greeted as an old friend by Mendle and the staff and was soon at ease, sitting comfortably in Cristal’s study, a glass of his favourite mead spirit and a smoking pipe in his hand.
“So tell me the news please Captain. Have you heard anything of my Grandson?”
To Cristal’s delight Belmar reached into his frock coat and removed a sealed letter which he proffered her with a playful flourish. She knew the handwriting. It was from Arwhon. She broke the seal and read the letter through twice before refolding it and tucking it away. Captain Belmar sat quietly smoking his pipe until she finished reading, noting the expression on her face.
“The lad ull be alright Cristal. He’s got his Firemagic now. Pity them what goes up agin im.”
“I suppose you’re right,” she admitted, doubt remaining in her voice. “Anything you can add?”
Captain Belmar told her all that Arwhon had related to him regarding his exploits, beginning with Staril and Polnari’s happy marriage and Staril’s arrest but more particularly those events occurring in Encarill, when Arwhon had dealt with a Q’Herindam Mage then freed, and healed, old King Rickard.
“The King made ‘im a Lord of Myseline but Arwhon ‘ates bein’ called Lord. It don’t sit well wi’ him.”
Cristal now glowed with pleasure, the full story laid before her by dear Captain Belmar. Arwhon was a Lord now! Elevated to a place of distinction as a reward for his services. The boy should still be lauded far more than he had been
though. Fate only knew he’d been through so much pain in his pursuit of evil. Cristal was grateful that amid all his travails he had found Shiri and the M’Herindar Princess was truly a wonderful prize for him.
Belmar was observing Cristal as she digested the news he had brought. Her face mirrored her inner feelings when she let it and he found himself wanting to reach for her. He excused himself and went for a short walk around the ground floor to settle his feelings down. His whole life so far had been devoted to his first mistress, the sea, and now he found himself entertaining ideas regarding Cristal, a woman of wealth and position, far above him on the social scale. He shouldn’t act like a giddy schoolboy at his age. Yes she flirted with him but that was all it was, all it could be really.
It was not all it could be. That evening they shared much laughter and talk over supper. Then sat fireside in the study, sipping wine, their companionable conversion rhythmic and relaxed, so gently charmed they were with one another. Sometime later the little Captain agreed that to part would spoil their evening and he accepted Cristal’s invitation to share her boudoir.
The next day, Cristal took Captain Belmar to inspect the goods she had assembled for Trade with Wyalon. In public they were careful to maintain decorum between them but every minute they were together, Belmar longed to take Cristal in his arms again. The Trade goods met his expectations and as Cristal’s partner in the business, he was pleased with the cargo she had assembled. They retired to his private cabin on Jalwynd for a talk.
“I want Kuiran and Raleen back here as soon as possible,” Cristal told the Captain. “They’ve been away for far too long. The problem with the Q’Herindam is not over yet and any good magic will be a help in these times. Arwhon can’t do it all alone although he does have Shiri to assist him.”
The diminutive Captain studied Cristal for a moment, unsure whether to reveal his feelings or not. Eventually, honesty won through.
“Cristal, I don’t wants to alarm you but I got an odd feelin’ bout Arwhon when I wus talkin’ to ‘im. I gets them feelin’s about storms an things and it felt the same. Like there was a storm comin’ his way. I’ll sail as soon as we’re loaded. It’s a long way to Wyalon and back and I hope to return as soon as possible.” He shyly took her hand in his. “Besides, I have somethin’ important to return for.”
Cristal bent to hold him to her bodice, felt his strong arms around her waist. No need to say more, their feelings entirely mutual.
In the pre dawn light, after two days of intensive labour loading Trade goods into her hold, Jalwynd slipped from her mooring and drifted quietly out of Belvedere’s harbour, bound for Sanctuary on the island of Wyalon.
Sliding down the face of yet another enormous wave, Captain Belmar was glad he had gone over every inch of Jalwynd, tooth and comb, to repair and renew everything necessary for an ocean voyage. Early winter was not the best time to sail the oceans offshore. His ship was bearing up well after the two storms they’d weathered already. They were nothing like the regular storms Jalwynd sailed through on their coastal runs, both ship and Master used to them after all their years of Trade together. These were howling maelstroms on watery mountains which heaved up to the heavens. Jalwynd had bobbed like a cork on the huge cliff-like waves and the crew, although knocked about and tired, were grateful to be on Jalwynd rather than any other ship.
It took four weeks of hard sailing, with the weather improving daily after the two fierce storms, until Captain Belmar navigated to the place he had marked on his charts as the site of Wyalon. The cry of ‘Land Ho’, from the crow’s-nest was a confirmation of his navigating ability as the island loomed out of the mists. Within a few hours they were sailing into the huge sheltered inlet of Sanctuary, steering for its harbour.
As they tied up at the docks, bantering with the surprised stevedores, the good Captain spied Kuiran and Raleen striding down the slope from the city proper. With them, matching stride for stride, was Kuiran’s mother. Belmar hurried down the gangplank and waited as the three of them came to a halt in front of him. He had forgotten just how far back he had to crane his neck to look Kuiran in the face.
“Greetings to you all. You’re lookin’ well Raleen and Kuiran and you too Marina. Care to come aboard?”
“Captain Belmar,” replied Raleen. “Good to see you. Its fortunate you’ve arrived because I’m sure Kuiran would have swum back to Belvedere if you hadn’t. Yes, thank you, we’d love to come aboard.”
As they mounted the gangplank, Marina asked about the Trade goods Captain Belmar had brought and listened with interest as the Captain listed most of the items he had stowed away in the hold as they walked aft. It was only as they reached the doorway opening onto the passageway to his cabin in the stern did Belmar realise Kuiran and his mother would not fit inside. He summoned the Mate.
“Take the hatches off the hold so Marina can climb down and inspect the cargo then have refreshments brought up to the poop deck.”
“Aye aye Captain,” the Mate replied as he sped off to carry out his allotted task while Raleen and Kuiran accompanied the Captain up the stairs to the back deck. Marina waited while the hatch cover was removed before easily climbing into the hold to inspect the cargo. Kuiran waited impatiently, fidgeting, which was unusual for the big man and anxiously asked Captain Belmar how long before they could depart Sanctuary. Belmar sighed, the impatience of youth. He demurred and politely ignored the questioning as he turned to Raleen and addressed her.
“Your Grandmother’s well and asks after you. Fact is, she asks after both of you. Truth be told, she’s becoming a mite anxious regarding Arwhon and requested me, special like, to bring you both home.”
Out of the corner of his eye, the Captain took note of Kuiran’s reaction to Arwhon’s name. The big man had not forgotten he was Arwhon’s Arm, supposed to protect him throughout all of his endeavours.
Kuiran started in with rapid fire questions again but the Captain held up his hand to slow Kuiran down.
“Kuiran, I’ll answer yer questions later. After I’ve brought you up t’ date with events as I know ‘em but for now, let’s have a small bite to eat and a drink before I get the unloading under way.”
Raleen pulled Kuiran’s head down and whispered in his ear. Kuiran reddened a little and apologised to Captain Belmar as the Mate appeared with a platter, three glasses and a bottle of wine. They sat on a couple of crates to eat, engaging in light conversation. Belmar did not drink with them as he had work to do. Shortly, Marina returned and joined them, praising Captain Belmar over his choice of Trade goods. Of course the Captain had to say it was Cristal who chose them, not him but it didn’t diminish the respect Marina showed to the little man.
That evening, just on dark, Captain Belmar arrived at their house for supper. He was animated in his conversation. The afternoon had gone well and the unloading had proceeded without a hitch. With most of the Trade goods transferred to a warehouse, Jalwynd rode higher in the water. After the food had been served and consumed, Belmar pulled out his pipe and tabac. Once it was fired up and drawing to his satisfaction, he got down to telling everything he had heard about Arwhon’s adventures, including finding a new race of people under the mountains of Mehgrin’s Wall.
When he’d finished, Kuiran in turn told of the adventures which had befallen him and Raleen since Jalwynd had left Wyalon to return to Belvedere all those months before. He downplayed his acquisition of Watermagic but Belmar was a wise man and read between the lines.
“You mean we won’t have to put up with huge seas on the way back to Belvedere then?” he asked, amusement in his voice.
Kuiran studiously regarded him for a moment.
“I think our trip back will be the fastest you will ever know Captain Belmar. I feel the need to hurry.”
The Captain nodded in acquiesance. It was as he had thought. The lad definitely had his Watermagic now.
The reloading of the Jalwynd was completed in three days. Luxurious Trade goods, ideal for the markets in Belveder
e and Encarill filled Jalwynd’s hold and Belmar was sure Cristal would be well-pleased with his haul. He had even kept a few articles aside as a present for her, so sure was he of her tastes.
It was soon time to leave and Kuiran reluctantly bid his true parents farewell with a promise to return someday. His father, Abron, clasped his son’s strong arm with a firm grasp and looked deeply into Kuiran’s eyes, nodding an affirmation they both understood. Raleen thanked her future mother-in-law for all her help and consideration over the past few months but Marina would have none of it.
“If you hadn’t come here, you and Kuiran, we would still be prisoners in the Tower. We are in debt to you both and you must return to us again. Just don’t leave it too long.”
With tears in their eyes, Kuiran and Raleen boarded Jalwynd and she was cast off, pushed away from the dock until she caught enough of a breeze to raise a few sails and slowly get under way. It wasn’t fast enough for Kuiran so he went up to the bowsprit to look down at the water in front of the bow as he made a few small hand signs. Immediately, Jalwynd picked up speed as the water was continuously parted in front of her bows by Watermagic and she was pushed forward to occupy that space by the pressure of the water at her stern. Captain Belmar’s face registered surprise as Jalwynd’s speed increased although no extra sails had been raised. Soon the ship was proceeding at a fair clip.
“Kuiran, how long will we travel at this speed?” Belmar asked the young giant who was walking back toward the stern.
“Until we hit deeper water. Then we can travel faster,” replied Kuiran.
“Faster!”
“Yes, quite a bit faster Captain Belmar.”
So it was and the crew of Jalwynd had little to do over the next week as the ship sped along over the flat ocean, sails furled. The only interesting event to break the voyage was an attempt by two Draakon Reaver ships to catch and board the Jalwynd. They both came from the front under oars and for a moment it looked as though they would intersect Jalwynd’s course and simply cut off her rapid progress through the ocean but Kuiran, hearing the call from the crow’s nest, once more stepped to the bow and made a slight gesticulation. Huge waves rose from the flat seas, spinning the Reaver ships around before hurling them well out of Jalwynd’s path. After the crew had recovered from their amazement, they hurled jeering catcalls after the disappearing Reavers, before returning to dicing and various other amusements which they used to pass the time. Only the lookouts and a skeleton crew needed to be on duty for the moment.
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