“Good morning, Captain,” I greeted him.
The wizard looked at me like I was something he'd scrape off his shoe. “You are the wizard that performed magic on this ship?” he asked.
“I am,” I said.
“Do you have permission from the Guild to perform magic for hire?”
“I don't need permission to perform magic on a ship I'm part owner in.” He looked back at the captain, who nodded.
“When did you buy the loan on the ship?” the Red asked.
“Why do you ask? This is my business, not Guild business.” He didn't like that, as he was used to people cowering before him.
“They have hired the Guild to look into a certain matter. The sales of all defaulted loans from the Dover Trading House are now Guild business.”
I shrugged. “I bought it yesterday.”
“Why did you buy it?” he asked.
“I heard in the market that Dover House had defaulted on their loans, so I went to see it there was an opportunity to make money on one of them. This ship was one I thought I could make some money on. I would have bought more, but I didn’t have the finances to do so. Did the Wizards’ Guild hold loans with Dover House?”
“No, the Dover House claims they were robbed, forcing them to default. They hired the Guild to prove it. You restored the ship?”
“I did.”
“Shoddy, second-rate work.” He turned and walked away.
The captain and I watched him leave. “Everyone's a critic,” I said.
The captain kept his eye on the Red Wizard. “Anything I need to worry about?” he asked.
“Foul weather?” I said smiling.
He looked back at me. “Now who's the critic?” I shrugged.
“We have a paying customer coming to see you. They wish to take a cargo to Midway.”
“Good, the quicker we sail, the happier I'll be.”
I went to the taproom and brought the Roomas back to the ship. “Captain Akin, may I present Master Rooma of the Rooma Trading House.”
“Well met, Captain.”
“And you, sir. Master Gray says you wish to contract with our ship.”
“We do.”
“I'll leave you gentlemen to discuss business,” I said. “I have a few more things to do on the ship.” They continued talking as I left. I went down into the ship, where men were still manning the pumps.
“Drain the seawater from inside the ship.” The rest of the seawater left the ship, and it rose, sitting high in the water.
I walked around it, looking and listening. I felt down into the ship's core; she was a sound ship now. Hopefully, she would make us money for a long time to come—well, barring anything crazy, like pirates, storms, etc. I smiled.
The ship had a locked storeroom where they kept valuables. I reinforced it and put the Roomas’ gold, including my share, inside. I locked it and kept the key.
I went back on deck and waited for the Roomas and the captain to reach an agreement. They would need access to their gold to buy the cargo and pay him.
When they came on deck, I walked over and handed Master Rooma the key. “Your gold is aboard and under lock and key, Master Rooma.” He took the key, nodding. “If you'd accompany me, I'll show you where it is,” I said.
Master Rooma used the key I gave him to unlock the door to the storeroom and looked around; he was satisfied. He and Jacob checked the gold chest and were satisfied with that as well.
“Thank you, Master Gray, all is in order,” Master Rooma said. I nodded.
“We should be ready to leave in two days, three at the most,” the captain said.
I nodded. “Good, I have a few things I need to take care. I'll be ready when you are.”
I spent the rest of the day wandering the markets, looking for the unusual. I ate some sweet rolls, which were my weakness.
The topic of discussion was the fall of Dover House. There was also trouble brewing with the Standman Trading House. Rumors said they were behind Dover House’s troubles, but nothing could be proven. Traders, smelling blood, were looking at Standman's holdings. Some merchants were calling in loans they held from the Standman House.
I went back to the caravan park to check my horse. I thought I might sell her, since I was sailing home. I found Sergeant Vince at his fire as usual.
“Good afternoon, Sergeant.”
He looked up. “Good afternoon, Grey. Pull up seat. Spent all your money?”
“Not yet. I'm just checking to see how the sale of the spoils is going.”
“Sold out this morning; we didn't do too bad.” He tossed me a small purse. I caught it and dropped into my bag. “Will you be joining us on the return trip?”
“I don't think so; I think I'll stay here for a while.”
“By the by, a wizard was around earlier today asking questions. Asked if we had a wizard. Caravan Master said we did, but played down your skills. He said you were weak, and asked if he wanted a job.” Sergeant Vince chuckled. “He seemed offended by that.”
I smiled. “It seems there are two trading houses at odds; it may come to blood, and wizards might be involved. Anyway, nothing to do with me; I'm just a poor wizard trying to make a copper or two.”
“Well, you did right by us; you always have a place here if you want it.”
“Thank you, Sergeant, I appreciate that. I'll keep it in mind. You never know when I might need a ride somewhere.” I got up to leave. “Travel safe, Sarge.”
“You too, Gray.” Nodding, I went to the picket line to get my horse and the rest of my gear. No one else was around; I guess everyone still had coin. I saddled my horse, walked him over to the livery stables, and paid to leave her there for a couple of days.
Once I had her taken care of, I went in search of a new inn to try. I thought I would try an inn in the more well-to-do part of the city. The building was larger and nicer than the other places I had tried, so I figured it would cost more as well. I was right. The meal cost me almost twice as much, but there was little difference in the quality. Nothing of use was being discussed here, so I left.
I went back to the first inn I had visited. I should have come here first; the food would have been better and cheaper. I took a table out of the way, ordered an ale, and sat listening to the surrounding talk.
Someone approached me. I didn't need to look; I knew it was Burt. He took a seat across from me, and I motioned the server for another ale. Burt said nothing until the server was gone.
“Vince sent me. The Red Wizard and two of his friends came back looking for you.” We were both scanning the room for trouble.
“What did they say?”
“Nothing useful. He wanted to know where you were. Vince said you had taken your pay and left, which was all true. Have you gotten crossways of someone?”
“Not really, but I think I made him mad. We met on the wharf earlier. I didn't bow before his presence, and he didn't like that.”
Burt nodded. “His type is like that. Just be careful; he's got help with him, and he may want to make an example of you.”
“Yeah, I've noticed they usually travel in threes.”
He nodded. “If you need anything, you know where to find us.” I nodded, and he drank his last swallow, got up, and left.
I sat thinking, “Do I wait for them to find me, or do I go find them? If I go find them, I get to choose the place.”
I got up and headed out back toward the privy. When I was out, of sight I dropped into the earth and moved deeper and further away from the inn. On a hunch, I went to the wharf and found them waiting in the shadow, watching the ship.
I could kill them, but they'd just send someone else. Then I'd look guilty. I think they were just grasping at straws, seeing what I'd do. I went a few blocks away and came up. Taking my plain staff out, I walked along like I hadn't a care in the world.
When I was at their ambush sight, they stepped out into the street. I stopped and looked at him. “Master Red, still searching the wharfs?”
“Well, here I am, what can I do for you?” I walked toward him, not showing any fear. That was putting him off his game.
“Why is it that everywhere I look I find you are involved in something?” he questioned.
“Involved in something like what?”
“You came in with the caravan. Why didn't you tell me that?”
“You didn't ask me; you asked me when I bought the loan on the Beagle. Me coming in with the caravan had nothing to do with me buying the ship.” I stared at him, waiting.
“They say you fought off bandits,” he said.
“Everyone fought; if you didn't, you died. We had a good guard force and were lucky enough to win. Why all the interest in me? I thought you were looking for robbers.”
“You hold your tongue, gutter trash,” one of the other Reds said.
“You should keep your dogs on a tighter leash, Sir Red.”
The mouthy one stepped forward, but Red raised a finger. Mouthy stopped.
“If we find you're involved, I'll burn you down.” He turned and walked away; the two others followed him.
As they rounded the corner, I kept my sense on them. They slowed, and one dropped out to stay watch. I walked to the ship and was shown to the captain's cabin. The Roomas were there, sharing a glass of wine.
“Your wizard friend was waiting on the wharf for me,” I said.
They all looked at me. “What did he want?” the captain asked.
“They had more questions for me. It seems they are questioning anyone who bought a loan from the defaulted Dover House. Plus, I had just come in on a caravan; I guess they don't like strangers buying their property. Tell me, will our cargo be a large consignment? Will it attract attention and possibly pirates?”
“There is always the possibility of pirates, and yes, this would be a fat catch for them,” Captain Akin said.
I nodded. “Then I suggest we hire additional crew in case we have to fight.” The captain was thinking.
“It may be worth the extra expense, Captain,” Master Rooma said. “We'll split the cost with you.”
That made up his mind. “I'll hire more in the morning,” he agreed.
“I must go ashore in the morning but shall be back before noon. I'll stay with the ship after that,” I said.
“We'll finish our business as quickly as possible, and then sail at your say so, Captain,” Master Rooma said.
“Good, I'm ready to be gone from here.”
Chapter 14
I was up and gone with the sun, and the wizard that had watched our ship last night was nowhere around. I went to the livery and sold my horse and tack. She had been a good horse, and she would be for someone else.
My business concluded, I returned to the Beagle. I helped where I could, but mostly, I just stayed out of the way. I watched and listened to everything—the sailors loading the ship, the merchants making deals, and the tax collectors stealing from us. Of course, I returned the favor; I lifted a few coins from them.
We were finally loaded, extra crew hired, and supplies laid in; everything was ready. We would sail on the morning tide. I had a space for myself in the sail locker and slept like I had on the caravan trip, one hand embedded in the ship's wood.
I awoke in the early hours of the morning. Someone was working dark magic close to the ship. I went inside the wood to find out who and where they were. I followed the feel of their magic and found they were on the far end of the wharf. It was the mouthy wizard from last night. I looked around; he was alone. I decided not to let him finish his conjuring.
I waited until he was in total concentration in his spell; then I struck. I sprang up behind him, driving my knife up through the base of his skull. It killed him instantly, just like Jessy had taught me. I pulled him right back down into the earth with me and took his body deep. I took nothing from his body, in case they could divine where they were. I made a sweep of the area; as far as I could tell, he had been alone.
In my mind the morning tide seemed slow in coming, but it finally arrived, and we set sail away from South Landing. The trip was to take two weeks, if the weather held. I occupied my time in studying magic, practicing my dance, and staying out of the way of the working sailors.
Out of boredom, I went inside the wood of the ship and felt how the water flowed around her. When I felt a drag, I corrected it, making her sleeker. I felt the bow pressure, so I elongated and strengthened the bow. She now cut the water more efficiently and was faster. I widened the bottom a little to give her more stability and narrowed her stern to further reduce drag.
I was on deck enjoying the sun and wind. “I don't know what you did to the ship, but she handles better and is faster,” the captain said.
“I made a few adjustments to reduce drag on her hull.” He nodded.
I went forward and watched dolphins ride the bow wave. They were a joy to watch. We saw few ships, and those were only at a distance. That is until we were four or five days from Midway's port city.
The captain was watching ships through his telescope, when I stepped over to see what had drawn his attention.
“Trouble?” I asked.
He kept his eye to the telescope. “Possibly. Two ships are closing on us—one from landward, one from seaward. We'll keep an eye on them; no need to worry yet.” I nodded. As the day progressed, the ships continued to close on us.
“How long before they overtake us?” Master Rooma asked the captain.
“At this rate, before sundown, but more than likely they'll wait until dawn to try to take us,” he answered.
“When they try, what tactics will they use?” I asked.
“They’ll probably come up one on each side to hem us in. One a little ahead of the other if they want to fire on us.”
I tried to imagine how the fighting would go. Either way, it would not be good for us. Those ships needed to be stopped, or at least slowed, in order for us to escape.
“How many fighting men will they have?”
“Anywhere from one hundred to two hundred on each ship.” No one said anything to that.
“I wonder if I could travel underwater to their ship, or teleport there?” I thought, looking over the railing at the water.
“What are you thinking, Master Gray,” Master Rooma asked.
“I'm looking through my bag of tricks to see if I have anything to help in this situation,” I answered.
“And?”
“I'm still looking,” I said, smiling. That made them laugh. “I might be able to stop one, but I'm not sure about stopping both before they can attack.”
“That would cut the odds down to two to one, instead of four to one,” the captain said.
“How deep is the water here?”
“Ten fathoms.”
“Any rocks or reefs nearby?”
“The closest ones we won't reach until tomorrow afternoon,” he said.
I nodded. “Let me think on the problem a bit and see if I can come up with something that gets us home safely.” Everyone nodded and left me to my thoughts.
I weighed all the options I could think of. It was time to talk to the captain and see if what I thought we could do would work.
“Captain, I have the beginnings of a plan. You tell me how crazy I am and if it will work, at least to some extent.”
“Let's hear it.”
As I laid out my plan, he listened to it all the way through without interrupting me. When I was finished, he closed his eyes in thought.
“Well, to answer your question, you are crazy. But it's just crazy enough that I think it will give us a fighting chance.” He looked at the Roomas; they were nodding. “Once it's full dark, we'll make our move.”
The captain explained what we would do, and the crew made everything ready. I checked the eight cannons to make sure they were sound and would not have a mishap at an inopportune moment. As soon as it was dark enough, I started my conjure. I began raising a fog behind us.
The way ahead was clear for us, but it would slow the other ships. After an hour, I moved to the ship's wheel. The captain was standing there with the pilot.
“Anytime, Captain,” I said.
“All lights out; we go dark from here.” The crew put out all the lights. “Bring her about 180 degrees, take up the aft heading, and listen to Master Gray for instructions.”
“Aye, Captain, about 180, listening to Master Gray.”
The ship came swiftly around, and we headed straight back into the fog. I cast my spell on the pilot and the captain so they could see through the fog.
“You should be able to see their ships anytime now, Master Pilot,” I said.
He nodded, and after a moment said, “Lord above, I can, sir.”
“Take us alongside the seaward ship, pilot. Captain, be ready for your first broadside.”
“Starboard side, stand ready,” he commanded. He was watching the approaching ships. I'd let him decide when it was time to fire. The waiting was the worst part. When the bow of our ship was halfway down the side of theirs, the captain commanded, “Starboard side, fire!”
The explosions were deafening, and the fire was blinding for a moment. The cannon balls impacted the other ship almost immediately. There was no secondary explosion, but chaos abounded.
As soon as we were past the other ship, I cast my next spell. “Water, push our bow around.” Our ship turned almost in its tracks and headed right back on our same course.
When we were alongside the other ship again, the captain commanded, “Port side, fire!”
Our cannon fire ripped the night air. This broadside brought down a mast and fires broke out.
“Now, pilot, head out to sea.”
“Aye, sir, out to sea.” He spun the ship's wheel, and our ship began turning.
I concentrated on the ship we had fired on, ported to her quarterdeck, and dropped into the wooden deck. I felt the whole ship; she was not in danger of sinking. I reached my magic down into the ballast rock.
“Bellum canis.” War dogs began forming from the ballast rock.
“Kill everyone on this ship.” The dogs broke through the lower doors and attacked everyone they came to. They made no noise, but we could hear the screams of the crew throughout the ship. The dogs killed ruthlessly, tearing men into pieces. Men fought against the dogs but had little effect on stone.
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