Accidental Champion Boxed Set

by Jamie Davis

  That elicited a smile from Cari. If he only knew.

  She thought about it for a few seconds. The man deserved an answer. The whole crew did. The problem was, she couldn’t offer them any assurances, no matter what her personal desires were. There were so many variables in play.

  “Whether I return to the Vengeance or not depends on things I don’t yet know. If I had the choice to make on my own, I’d return and sail away with you all on the Vengeance in search of adventure and fortune on the high seas. The problem is I have other potential obligations I must discharge first. I know that’s not the answer you wanted, so let me tell you this. You said the refit of the ship will take a few weeks, right?”

  Dawkins nodded.

  “Then I say go ahead with the refit. If I’m not back by the time it’s finished, then you and Mr. Bowcott may split my share of the ship and take her to sea as joint owners of the Vengeance. How’s that sound?”

  “But if you do return, we get you back as our captain, right?”

  “If that’s what you and the crew truly want, then I’ll do my best to come back. Honestly, Mr. Dawkins, I’ve enjoyed my time aboard the Vengeance these last few weeks immensely. If things ashore work out in the right way, I’ll try to return. Otherwise, I’ll be happy in the knowledge that you both will take good care of her for me.”

  “Yes, ma’am. We’ll do our very best. Thank you, ma’am.”

  The bosun left her alone at the rail once again, alone with her thoughts. Her brow creased with worry.

  Now, she had even more to think about when she went ashore in a few days.

  Chapter 28

  "Land ho!”

  The cry from the foretop lookout carried down to the stern on the wind.

  Cari pulled the spyglass from her pocket and scanned the horizon. She could just spot the tops of distant hills over the swells of the sea. They were making good time, and with this tailwind, they’d arrive in the Tandon harbor before they knew it.

  Percy bounced on the balls of his bare feet next to her, and she handed him the spyglass so he could take a look. She had some other things to attend to.

  “Mr. Bowcott, have Helen bring that young girl we found up to the quarterdeck once we reach the docks. Make sure she has whatever belongings she has with her. I’d like Helen to go ashore when I do and try to find an appropriate foster family for her. A child her age has no business living on a ship like this.”

  “It would offer her the chance at a trade someday, ma’am.”

  “That is true, but we can always come and collect her once she’s older, if that’s what she wants to do.”

  “We, ma’am? Have you decided to return to us for sure?”

  “You’ll be one of the first to know when I make that decision, Mr. Bowcott, I assure you.”

  The headland ahead of them revealed the mouth of the harbor as the Vengeance continued cutting through the calm waters towards the city.

  “Have the crew prepare for arrival, and let’s see if we can sell off some of the contraband cargo we have in the hold. That’ll get us a nice profit, too, on top of everything else we have aboard to divide amongst us.”

  “Aye, aye, ma’am.”

  The Vengeance’s crew furled most of the sails as they reached the inlet leading to Tandon’s harbor, slowing their progress. With only a few sails to catch the wind, they edged closer to the docks.

  Mr. Bowcott, along with Mr. Dawkins and the helmsman, displayed great seamanship and expertise as they brought the ship right alongside one of the wooden piers jutting out into the harbor.

  Sailors hurled the thick hawsers over the side to the dockworkers ashore, who secured the ship in place at the dock. Cari gazed out at the huge city sprawling out from the harbor.

  They’d done it. They’d finally reached Tandon.

  Cari left the quarterdeck to go below and finish packing up her things. It didn’t take her long. She didn’t have much.

  Once her leather backpack was stuffed full of everything she owned here in Fantasma, she checked her coat pocket one more time, ensuring the presence of the two letters she kept there. One was the letter of marque and the other was the cryptic message to the Vengeance’s former captain about the plot to reach Timron in Tandon. Those were essential because they represented the evidence she thought they needed to implicate the Duke of Charon in treason.

  Cari spent her final few minutes aboard straightening up the captain’s table, returning the charts to the chart locker’s drawers, and placing the sextant back in its case. The cabin was in much better order than when she’d taken over from the previous resident. She wanted to leave the cabin in good shape for the next occupant if she didn’t come back.

  Returning to the deck, Cari spotted Helen and the young girl they’d rescued during the capture of the ship. She joined them at the end of the gangplank.

  “Helen, I have something for you to give to the family you find to foster our little Jane here.” Cari had named the girl Jane when she’d refused to talk at all or help them discover her real name.

  Cari handed Helen a small purse with a generous collection of silver coins.

  “Use this to help defray the cost of adding an additional mouth to feed to their family. Tell them a member of the crew will visit them whenever we come back to Tandon to check on the girl and attend to her welfare as needed.”

  “I’ll do the best I can, ma’am. I’ve been here before, and I have a few contacts in the city who should be able to help me find a suitable and trustworthy family for Janey.”

  “Good. I knew I could count on you. Come, I’ll walk with you part of the way until I have to head up to the palace.”

  Cari nodded a brief farewell to Bowcott, Percy, and Dawkins on the quarterdeck by the wheel. The trio waved back at her. Cari turned and walked down the narrow plank to the dock, following Helen and the girl into Tandon.

  She looked up the hill to the palace battlements rising above the rest of the city. Cari knew where she was headed even if she didn’t know the specific route to get there. The Duke’s castle sat on the cliffs overlooking the harbor. That was her destination.

  Quest completed: Travel to Tandon.

  4,000 experience points awarded.

  The city of Tandon stretched out from the Harbor District, spreading in three directions to branch off into the Merchant District, Caravan District, and Temple District. While not as large as the capital by any means, it was a virtual metropolis in comparison to a place like Morton Creek.

  Cari enjoyed seeing the sights, taking in the differences in this region as she worked her way through the various districts. Here in the western cities, there were more orcs and goblins present than in the capital. By comparison, she’d seen only a few non-humans in Morton Creek while she was there.

  Because of her leisurely pace to appreciate the atmosphere of Tandon, it took her more than an hour to reach the gates of the palace where the Duke and his family resided.

  The guards at the gates watched with wary eyes as people passed by on the way about their business. They stopped every person who approached the gates for any reason. Some they turned away, while others were allowed to pass through to the palace.

  Cari didn’t know what to say when she approached the gates other than that she’d been told to head to the Duke to find her friends. She shrugged and walked up to the lead guard. He had a sergeant’s chevrons on his chest.

  “What can I do for you, miss? You’ll need a pass to get into the palace. Do you have an appointment with someone inside?”

  “I am looking for a group of friends. They left word for me to seek them out here at the Duke’s palace.”

  “And who might these friends of yours be?”

  “They are former members of the Empress’s Dragoons here with a special charge.”

  “Ah, yes, the ones with Prince Timron. I don’t remember anything said about them having a companion they were expecting, though. What did you say your name was?”

  “Cari, Cari Dix
.”

  “What, like the Lost Princess?”

  Cari tried not to roll her eyes as she answered. “Yes, exactly like the Lost Princess.”

  “Alright, come with me and I’ll take you to the officer of the watch today. He’ll determine if you are allowed to enter or not.”

  The sergeant escorted Cari into the gatehouse, shooting her a sideways glance as he let out a chuckle.

  “Is something funny, sergeant?”

  “Well, miss, I always wonder what parents are thinking when they name their children after old heroes. I don’t think any mother in her right mind would want their son or daughter to be caught up in the kind of trouble — and war — someone like Hal Dix dealt with.”

  “You sound like you know something about it,” Cari remarked. “Surely, you’re not old enough to have been alive when Prince Hal was here in Fantasma.”

  “I wasn’t, but my grandpappy was. He met and fought beside Prince Hal in the war. Even knew him from his days as a thief on these very streets. He said Hal fought hard to help his friends, but he never did it to become a hero. Even in the end, when the Emperor kidnapped his wife and daughter, Hal only did what he had to do to free them. Legend says he disappeared into a magical void, as spells began to fail even back then. My grandpappy told me the truth. He said Hal just went back home to a land far away from Fantasma. He said the Lost Princess was just a girl like any other, with parents who cared about her and wanted her to grow up in their home.”

  “I’ve never heard that version of the story before. Everyone says it was all dashing about and heroes winning the day.”

  “Wars always look that way when the people who didn’t fight in them talk about what happened in the past. The reality is much worse for those who had to see it firsthand. I don’t have to tell you that, though, do I? You have a few scars I can see, more than I’d expect for someone your age.”

  Cari touched the healed scar on her cheek. She’d forgotten it was there, and there weren’t a lot of mirrors to be had among the common folk of Fantasma.

  “No, I guess you don’t have to explain any of that to me. Thank you for sharing the story about Prince Hal from your grandfather. You must be very proud of his service to the Empire.”

  “I am, miss. Thank you. He passed two years ago, but he always had fond memories to share of Prince Hal from the early days.”

  The sergeant halted outside a door just inside the gates.

  “Here you are, miss. Lieutenant Claridge is the officer on duty today, I believe. He can help get your situation sorted out.”

  The sergeant offered a brief bow before returning through the gatehouse corridor to his post in front of the palace.

  Cari lifted the latch and walked into the gate officer’s office.

  A young man, not much older than herself, sat behind a desk. He was picking at the dirt under his fingernails with the point of a dagger when she entered. He sat up so quickly, trying to put the dagger away, that he pricked his fingertip on the sharp blade.

  “Ouch, damn.”

  He stuck the tip of his finger in his mouth then, perhaps realizing how that must look, dropped his hand to his lap. He braced his shoulders back, sitting up as straight as possible.

  Cari masked her laugh by turning it into a cough and covering her mouth.

  “Yes, miss, how can I help you?”

  “I’m Captain Dix, of the merchant ship Vengeance.”

  “A captain? You?”

  “Yes,” Cari said, her eyes narrowing. “Is there a problem with that?”

  “You just seem so young to have such a great responsibility.”

  “One could say the same thing about you, Lieutenant. I earned my position through hard work, sweat, and more blood than I care to think about. Who birthed you to give you this position?”

  Cari knew she’d gone too far with the last question. The reddening face on the young officer in front of her told her that much. Damn it, Cari, your temper got you again.

  “Miss Dix.”

  Cari noticed he did not call her “captain.”

  “I’m afraid the palace is not taking any visitors today. Perhaps you’ll have more luck if you return to your, uh, Vengeance, was it? You can always come back and try again tomorrow.”

  So, it was going to be a battle of wills. So be it.

  “That is unacceptable, Lieutenant. I’m a friend of Prince Timron himself. I know he is staying here at the palace. I have a personal letter telling me to meet both him and his traveling companions here when I arrive. Now, do your job and tell my friends I’m here. Or, better yet, get off your butt and escort me to them!”

  The lieutenant shot to his feet. “No girl talks to me that way.”

  “Really? One just did. Now take me to His Imperial Highness right now if you want me to forget to mention this whole matter to the Duke when I see him.”

  “That shows how much you know, Miss Dix.”

  “‘CAPTAIN Dix’ to you.”

  “It doesn’t matter what I call you. You’re not going to see the Prince, the Duke, or anyone else in their party today or anytime soon!”

  “And why not?”

  “Because none of them are here.”

  Cari took a step back. “What?”

  “Just what I said. None of them are here. The Prince asked to go hunting, and the Duke, his entire court, and I presume your friends as well all took His Highness off to the Duke’s country estate.”

  “Why the hell didn’t you just say so? We could have avoided all this shouting.”

  “You never asked.”

  Cari recalled why her mission was so urgent. The assassin had at least a few days’ head start on her. Surely, they knew where the Prince and the others had gone as well.

  “How long ago did they leave?”

  “Why…”

  “Never mind that. When did they leave?”

  “Two days ago.”

  “I have to go. I have to get to the Duke’s estate.”

  “It’s a full two days’ travel north of here. You can’t leave now. It’ll be dark soon. And you’re not equipped for travel overland. You’ll need camping gear, supplies, stuff like that.”

  Cari’s mind raced. Two days. She’d missed them by two days. That, and she was still at least two days away.

  “I don’t care about traveling at night. I’ll have to chance it.”

  “You’ll never make it alone. You don’t even know where you’re going.”

  “Who’s going to show me? You?”

  “I suppose I will have to. You will just get lost or worse, and if you are a friend of the Prince, I’ll get the blame.”

  “I can take care of myself, I assure you.”

  “Not unless you’ve got the right gear,” Lieutenant Claridge said. “I’ll be off duty in a few hours. That’s enough time for you to cross town to the Caravansary Outfitters. Colin, the shop’s owner, will be able to equip you for the journey there.”

  “How am I supposed to find this place?”

  “Anyone in the city can give you directions. Just head to the edge of the Merchant District, where it meets the Caravan District. You can’t miss it.”

  Thinking about what she’d need for a two-day journey into the hills north of the city, Cari realized this annoying boy was right. She was going to have to get at least a sleeping bag and a tent for the journey.

  “Where will I meet you when I’m finished?”

  “You can meet me at the Caravan Gate. I’ll bring you a horse along with mine. You can ride, can’t you?”

  “Of course, I can ride,” Cari lied. “Can’t everyone?”

  She couldn’t wait to bring this up with her parents. She’d asked for riding lessons when she was twelve and they’d said no. Her mother told her it wasn’t fair to the horses, plus it was too expensive.

  “Alright, I’ll bring you a horse from the Duke’s stables. We’ll make better time if we can travel on horseback rather than by carriage or wagon.”

  Cari realized
he was right: she’d make better time and be able to find the estate more quickly if she had a guide. She could tolerate this idiot for a few days if it meant stopping the assassin.

  “I’ll see you at the Caravan Gate in two hours. Don’t be late. It’s urgent we get to the Prince as quickly as possible.”

  “I’ll be there, don’t you worry,” Lieutenant Claridge said. “Don’t get lost wandering the city.”

  Cari huffed, spun around, and stormed out of the gatehouse office. She made sure to slam the door for effect as she exited.

  She grimaced. That could have gone way better. At least she’d managed to find out where everyone was and secured a guide for the overland trip, even if it was this Lieutenant Claridge. This would be a long two days.

  Chapter 29

  Lieutenant Claridge was right. Everyone did know where the Caravansary Outfitters was. In fact, most people thought it strange she didn’t know the way to the shop.

  Cari wasn’t sure what she’d expected by the time she arrived. It certainly wasn’t the ramshackle collection of interconnected buildings she surveyed now as she stood outside the entrance. The way people had talked about it when she asked for directions, it was the best establishment for what she needed and there was nothing like it anywhere else in the Empire. Based on the reaction she’d witnessed from the city’s residents, Cari figured it would be lit up like a Vegas casino or something.

  This jumbled heap of buildings was, frankly, a bit of a letdown.

  Cari approached the entrance and pulled open the door to go inside. Halfway through the door, she stopped and stared at what awaited her.

  Somehow, some way, the Outfitters was bigger on the inside. Aisles stretched in every direction as far as she could see. It was bigger than the biggest megastore back home.

  On top of that, every surface from the floor to the ceiling was covered with something. Shields, helmets, chainmail, racks of weapons of every kind, and way more than that all sat in plain view wherever she looked. It was like one of those theme restaurants back home whose walls were covered with random junk and knickknacks, taken to a new degree of the ridiculous.