Rhyll departs the King's Emerald Palace and makes his way back to the harbor, where the Reckoning sits at anchor. The streets of Port Arjuri are crowded, the unwalled city sprawling over the broad side of a hill. Many of its streets are unpaved, almost mudholes, and livestock is seen walking among the people as well. To the west, in the distance, the clear springtime sky is beginning to darken with an incoming squall, which Rhyll's weather sense tells him will be here by nightfall.
Kell and the other marines march along beside the Captain. "Looks like they're not followin', Skipper.."
Rhyll says, "Just as well . I'm glad to be rid of that lot."
"We gonna hand over that Mister Talon, sir?" the Polar warrior asks.
Rhyll says, "To the Sarries? Over my dead body. As far as anyone of you boys is concerned there is no Talon on board do I make myself clear?"
Kell and the others nod. "Aye, sar!" they shout.
Rhyll thinks to himself: "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
Aboard the Reckoning, Dacien notices the clouds on the horizon. He gathers the few men left aboard and puts them to work making the ship ready for the incoming weather.
The first shore parties are just beginning to return from their time in the city. Erris leads the way, swaggering and looking pleased with himself as a cat that's eaten a canary. He's got a bottle of Arjuri brandy in his fist as he makes his way up the gangplank, not really looking ready to serve his duty, his comrades staggering along behind him.
Dacien spots Erris coming up the gangway and calls to him, "Ye'd best be planning to save that botle fer another day, lad, if yer not bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the mornin', I'll toss yer ass inta the scuppers and put a hosepipe on ya!"
Erris squints at this challenger. Then he squints at the second Dacien he sees, trying to decide how the Tobon doubled himself that way.
Rhyll heads up the gangplank with his men in tow and shouts, "Mister Dacien, is the First Mate back from his errand yet?"
Dacien nods to Rhyll, "Not yet, Cap'n."
Rhyll says, "I'm canceling leave until further notice."
Cabnor, the Yandar carpenter, appears at the gangplank, tools in a satchel over his shoulder and some young carpenters in tow behind him. They have a section of the new mast cradled in their arms. "Ahoy there, Mister Rhyll, I heard me your ship is in need o'repairs, and I see wi'me own eyes, 'tis true." He shakes his head. "One day it'll break for good and I shant be around to repair her."
Rhyll says, "Ah, just the man I was looking for. How fast can you get her into shape?"
Cabnor drums his chin with his fingers. "Two hours, I make 'er, Mister Rhyll."
Rhyll grins, "That will be fine, Cabnor. My thanks." He turns and heads for the foc'sle. "Mister Dacien, a moment of your time when you have things below here settled."
Cabnor signals to his men, who scramble up the gangway, nodding to the Reckoning's crew as they pass. The carpenter comes aboard behind them. "You've not seen me boy, have you now, Mister Dacien?"
Dacien says, "Aye, Cap'n, be with ye in a moment."
Cabnor holds his hand about waist high. "A little lad, looks like me, fancies himself a sailor, he does, and like to stow away in your biscuit barrel, belike."
Dacien looks at Cabnor with a frown, "Aye, little Gabi, he was here when we tied up. I'll have a look about and make sure he's not about when we take in our lines."
Cabnor claps Dacien on the shoulder. "Me thanks, Mister Dacien, and may I say, congratulations on your new job."
Dacien smiles broadly, "Thank'e kindly, sir! And now I'll let ye get on with your'n."
Cabnor nods to Dacien and shouts up at his men, irritably, displeased with something they are doing, "Damn your eyes, lads, careful wi'that timber!"
Dacien moves off quickly for where Rhyll stands, "What might I do for ye, Cap'n?"
Nearby, Vendig finishes stirring a cauldron of oatmeal. He spoons out a wad, samples it, decides it needs more flavor, and tosses some fish heads into the mix, stirring merrily.
Rhyll holds the rail and looks out to sea, "We had a bit of a problem. Seems like a Sarrie ship is here looking for Mister Talon. I'm not in a mind to hand him over though. I've told them there is no one by that name on this ship, make sure that the crew know this as well please."
Dacien nods, an eyebrow raised in unspoken question, "Aye-aye, Cap'n, I'll make sure that the crew knows. Are we t'be leaving port as soon as Mister Mirko and the rest of the crew are back aboard, sir?"
Rhyll says, "I think so. These Sarries, Dace, may be a nasty lot. The one looking for him was none other than Lucard's lackey, Lord Valentin."
Dacien frowns, "It's never a good thing when a man like that takes notice of ye."
Rhyll says, "No indeed. All my years with Tyree we never gave up a man to the Sarries, and I'm not going to start now."
Cabnor is cursing up a storm in the tops, impatient with his workers.
Dacien says, "Well, sir, if we're t'be leaving soon, I'll need to send out a runner t'gather the men back as quick as we can and t'get supplies in the holds. And we might think t'be letting Otho speak wi' Mister Cabnor about a few spare timbers incase we run inta anymore storms."
Rhyll nods and says, "Thanks, Dace."
Izmeralda rises from where she was seated on deck. She is dressed in ship's clothes, now, no courtly silks now. "What news from King Bastien, Captain?" she asks.
Dacien says, "I'll get to it, sir." He nods to Izmeralda, "By your leave, m'lady." He trots off to deal with the details of resupply and gathering the crew from their revelries in the town.
Rhyll nods to Izzy and says, "Mera my dear, Bastien is getting ready to start a private war and he wants us to help him is what."
Izmeralda has a small needlework in her hands, presumably trying to make herself useful sewing. She passes the repaired linen shirt to Deeshon, who takes it with a grateful bow. "I wish you had let me accompany you on your expedition. I know the so-called King from former times, when he visited Mazirin last."
Rhyll says, "Had I only known. The summons was unexpected."
Cabnor's voice echoes from above, as he bellows at his crews, "Rider take you, you louts! I swear, you'll be the death o'me!"
Mera nods. "I am not surprised he tried to recruit you. Are we to fight for him now?"
Rhyll says, "He has given me a letter authorizing the Reckoning to act as a privateer, should we run into any of Lyndag's ships. But I shouldn't expect it to interfere with our current plans. We will be leaving port as soon as Mister Mirko returns."
Dacien catches Vendig as he is putting another fish head into the oatmeal, "Mister Vendig, have you sent out orders for your supplies yet?"
Vendig pauses, a fish head impaled on his hook. "Aye, Mister Dacien. Supplies and sweet water for two weeks, two casks o'brandy, and some fresh hens this time!"
Dacien says, "When d'ye expect them t'get here? The Captain is looking t'leave sooner'n expected."
Vendig says, "Leave? We just got us here, lad! Oh, curse me, they'll be here afore the sun go down, I'll wager."
Dacien says, "Could I impose on ye t'send Dernit into town to fetch back whatever of the crew he can find?"
Vendig says, "I'll send him, Mister Dacien. I bet me the lads are down at Lady Maelen's, leavin' the smell of the sea in her beds..."
Dacien says, "Thank ye, Mister Vendig."
The first stirrings of the breeze from the incoming squall begin to tickle the sheets, marring what was otherwise a flawless spring day.
Dacien jogs off again, grabbing the mizzen forestay and climbing quickly up into the rigging to find Cabnor, "Mister Cabnor, sir, might I have a moment o' yer time?"
Cabnor whirls on Dacien in mid-rant. "Aye, Mister Dacien, what can I d'for ye? Bit busy here, atimes."
Dacien says, "The Cap'n's plans have changed a bit, sir, and we'll be needing to lay in some supplies quick like afore we leave port. A few mast timbers, a pair of yardarms, a stack o' planks and the like. Soon as they can be had, if'n it's possible, sir."
Cabnor says, "Mister Dacien, it's almost belike you won't be needin' me no more."
Dacien laughs, "Perish the thought, sir, it's only fer emergencies and the like. We'll always bring her back t'you fer proper fixin'."
Cabnor says, "Good lad. Did you find me spratling?"
Dacien winks, "I was just about t'head below decks and take a gander 'round."
Cabnor bellows at his crew, now placing the mast section into place, "May the Marauder murder you in your sleep, if you don't set that mast straight!" He says, more gently to Dacien, "My gratitude, Dacien."
Dacien scampers down the rigging and slides to the deck, "If'n he's aboard, I'll find 'im, sir,"
The first stirrings of the breeze from the incoming squall begin to tickle the sheets, marring what was otherwise a flawless spring day.
Stirrings of breeze flutter the tall grass outside of Lady Camille's orphanage. The breeze is a welcome respite from the day's heat. Far to the west, though, the skies are beginning to darken.
On the porch, Camille refills Talon's goblet of lemonade. "You haven't told me why you are here, Talon. Has his Grace made an enemy of you as well? It seems to happen to all who are close to him, sooner or later."
Talon looks back and says, "Something like that. Seems Valentin has taken a dislike to me."
In the distance, Baj spies a small dust cloud forming over the road to the big house. Riders, approaching. Cantering slowly, like they are in no hurry.
Camille waits to see if the man will explain more. She seems to miss her life in court.
Baj clears his throat, "We have company, Talon. More of your friends?"
Talon looks to see who Baj is talking about. Baj points down the road at the approaching dust cloud. To the south, four riders approach the house, slowly, in no great hurry. The one in the lead wears red, the color of King Bastien. The others are soldiers by the looks of them.
Ilian and the children before the house have been tossing a ball back and forth. They stop as the riders approach the house, uncertain what to do next.
Talon says, "I wish I could stay and chat, but it looks like we should be leaving now."
Baj says, "Perhaps you should step inside the house and let us deal with them?"
Camille rises. "Dubious, unless you have made friends with King Bastien. It seems Darelling is here, and that is usually not good news. Time to pay taxes, it seems. Your donation comes not a moment too soon."
The lead rider in red dismounts. He says some jesting words to the children, who shy away. He does not seem the warmest of men. He has not looked towards the house yet, hidden behind the tall barley, not seen Baj nor Talon.The soldiers also dismount, tired, thirsty and sick to death of their cold and awkward leader.
Talon looks to Baj and says, "Collecting taxes from an orphanage not very nice don't you think."
Camille looks towards you both. "Darelling makes a twice yearly visit here, and I pay him what little I can. He thinks me an emigre from Anghara, perhaps some daughter of a merchant family fallen on hard times, perhaps fleeing a broken romance. Who can imagine?"
Baj leans close to Talon and whispers, "We should leave quickly, before they finish their business and can folow us back to town."
Camille remonstrates, shaking her head, "Talon, dear, some of us have to live here."
Talon says, "As you wish my lady. I shall not get involved."
Camille says, "If you depart, there is a path down the back side of this hill. You should be able to follow it and head south, back to the city. A long walk on this hot day, but you should be able to reach the port by sundown on foot. Go, my friends, before this King's lackey asks too many questions and you have to end him."
Talon kneels and says, "Good luck my lady and thankyou for the childrens' sakes."
In the distance, Darelling raises a hand in greeting to Camille. The elevation of the house hides Baj and Talon from view, but the tax collector and the soldiers begin to approach and will see them both soon.
Baj takes Camile's hand and bows deeply before her, "Milady, it has been a great pleasure to make your acquaintance, again."
Camille offers the back of her hand to Baj, in a most queenly way. "Go with the Lady, both of you."
Baj brushes the lady's hand with a kiss, "May the Lady watch over you as well, milady."
On the porch next to Baj, Benning emerges from the house, a waterskin tucked under his arm. He waits, silently.
Talon calls to Benning, "Time we started back, Mister Benning."
Baj ducks down the path and is gone from sight in seconds.
Benning nods. "I surmised, Mister Talon," he says, tersely. "These children are in good hands here."
Benning follows after Talon and Baj as Camille goes to meet her visitors.
Talon turns and says, "Farewell my lady." then heads after Baj towing Mister Benning along.
Aboard the Reckoning, the crew has largely begun drifting back to the ship as night draws near, filled with drink and good cheer from some of the local hospitality. Old Revas, whose singing voice isn't so bad when he has a mind, staggers up the gangplank, arms around his shipmates, crooning, "Spread your legs, my love, and we will all the pleasures prove..."
Vendig's order has arrived: Food, water and Arjuri brandy. Crates of live chickens are set on the deck by teamsters. With a crash, one of the wooden crates breaks open and the contents escape, noisily. A clutch of hens, clucking and flapping, races past Dacien on the deck.
Dacien yells to no one in particular, "Get these damn chickens back in a pen or you'll all go without eggs for a month!" He heads below decks and begins a methodical search of every place a child could possibly fit into.
Rhyll sits in his cabin with Izmeralda sharing a glass of wine over a map. "So you say you sailed along the coast of this isle, what then?"
Izmeralda says, "As I said, we had two choices. The islands in that reach are usually cloaked in mist, so we decided to split our forces. We went south, and the other vessel went north." She studies the chart on the table. "We found only a barren island. But the other ship must have found something, don't you think? Raven spoke of a twin-peaked isle, wrapped in fogs, where a Dragha ruled. I think me the other vessel found that isle, and went ashore, and the Dragha found out their errand, by its own means, and flew after us to destroy all traces of our quest."
Rhyll takes a sip of his wine and says, "So what makes you think we will fair any better against the Dragha this time?"
Izmeralda says, "Because this ship is the Reckoning, Captain!"
Rhyll smiles, "Such faith is admirable and much appreciated I assure you you. Great rewards are always accompanied by great risks I suppose."
Izmeralda says, warmly, "I do believe in you, Captain. You know, I must say, your man Kell is most remarkable, and most loyal to you."Gabi's small face peers out from the crate. "Can't I tag along, just this oooonce?"
Rhyll lifts his eye brow. "Do tell dear lady."
Dacien spots a crate of blankets outside the Captain's cabin, but the blankets have been placed on the floor just inside the doorway. The lid of the crate is slightly ajar, as if placed carelessly there.He moves closer to the crate, wondering who would leave such a thing in such a place. He knocks gently on the lid, "If'n yer gonna hide on this ship, laddie, yer gonna hafta hide better'n this."
The young boy wriggles from the crate. "You don't have to tell him..."
Dacien sits on the floor next to the crate, "Lad, if I were to let that happen, yer ole dad would never fix another thing on this ship. And a ship can't sail if she's broken, boy."
Dacien says, "I'm afraid I do, lad. My Captain would hang my hide from the top of the mainmast if I did."
Dacien stands, grabs Gabirel by the back of his shirt and sets him on his feet, "And now I have to get back to work, march up there onto the deck and go see your father."
Gabirel nods. "One day, I'll sail with you. I'll be a gennleman of fortune like you."
Dacien nods to Gabi, "You get a few more summers under yer shirt and I'll be proud to have ye, lad."
Above Dacien and Rhyll, Vendig's deep voice is heard to bellow from the maindeck. "I think me, you bluebelly bastards, you take you one more pace towards this ship and by the Nameless, you'll regret it!"
Dacien follows Gabi up onto the deck and whistles sharply up to the workers, nodding to Cabnor. Dacien turns and moves over to Vendig, "What's alla yelling about?"
Candra and Vendig are glowering down the gangplank at a group of Sarry soldiers. There are ten soldiers on the pier, and Valentin and another man in a cloak, wearing a red headband, stand behind the soldiers. His red headband marks him as a mage of the Ruby Tower.
The squall has begun to blow in, now, rustling the sails of the many ships in harbor. In the distance, to the west, the dark clouds lower, and a lightning strike slashes the far clouds. The lightning is some distance off and takes many heartbeats for the thunder to wash over you.
Dacien turns and looks around the deck. Spotting Deeshon, he calls, "Dees! Run fetch the Cap'n! Quick!"
Dacien whispers, "Candra, how many we have on board that're sober enough to fight?"
Candra rumbles, "Two score. Plus me. Just speak the word, Dacien, and those men there will all die."
Dacien nods, "It's the Cap'n's call, not mine."
Rhyll bursts out on deck and heads to where the commotion is coming from.
Deeshon tells Rhyll, "Cap'n! Bluecoats!"
Rhyll looks down to see the Sarries. He calls down: "Lord Valentin, is it? To what do we owe the honor?"
Valentin holds up his empty hands. "I came merely to take custody of my prisoner, Captain. We intended no confrontation. He's a most dangerous fellow, I assure you. You did locate him, did you not?"
Rhyll says, "As I said earlier, sir, there is no Talon on my rolls or on this ship. I'm sorry but you came here for nothing."
Valentin gives a quick glance towards the mage beside him, then back to Rhyll. "I have most excellent intelligence that he is aboard your vessel. Perhaps he uses an assumed name?"
Rhyll says, "Describe this man for me and I will let you kow."
Valentin says, "I did already. A dark fellow, about your height, narrow build, a courtly Sarrik accent. You might have seen his dagger, finely made."
Rhyll appears to think for a moment then says, "No, I'm sorry, we have no one that fits that description."
Dacien slides close to Rhyll, whispering, "Cap'n, you could tell him that we had a fella aboard like that who left this morning. Tell 'em we picked him up from a slaver and he went on his way as soon as we hit port."
Rhyll looks at Dacien for a moment. "If I'm not mistaken, that's an initiate of the Ruby Tower down there. Go see what Mister Almira is up to, will you, and ask him to join us on deck."
Dacien nods and dashes off below decks.
Valentin says, "You are a poor liar, Captain. You are from Sarrik, yourself, are you not? You look familiar to me."
Lightning strikes again, silently, slashing the face of a darkening thunderhead.
Rhyll looks down and speaks with contempt: "You dare call me a liar sir on the deck of my own ship? May I remind you this is not Sarrik, bluecoat, but Yandar!"
Thunder peals out across the harbor.
Baj, Benning and Talon make their way across the city, headed south, as the wind and the lightning begins to kick up. The pier where the Reckoning is docked is just ahead, down a narrow lane and then past a fish market, now closing up for the night.
Benning is explaining to Baj how he made a blessing for the orphanage before they left.The usually taciturn man seems quite impressed with Camille's home.
Beside Baj, the fishmonger shutters his windows as he closes down for the night. He nods to Benning and Talon.
About thirty yards off from the fishmonger's, a crowd is gathering on the pier before the Reckoning, plainly visible to Baj, Talon and Benning.
Another lightning strike slashes the clouds, flaring light over the darkening city.
Talon turns to Baj and says, "Looks like there could be trouble."
Baj leans close to Talon, "We may have to find another method to board the ship. How well do you swim?"
Talon shrugs."Well enough."
Benning says, "These robes...will weigh me down." He moves to the edge of the quay.
Talon says, "I'd suggest you lose them then."
Baj pulls Talon and Benning behind the fishmongers' shack, "Benning, you should return along the pier and let Dacien know to let down a line for us on the side opposite the dock."
Benning nods. "Most wise. As a servant of the Healer, no one will give me a second thought."
Thunder booms across the darkening city. The storm is close now.
Baj nods and moves off into the gathering darkness near the waterside, "Quickly, Talon, before anyone notices us."Talon and Baj slip silently into the dark water just as the rain patters down.
Almira's cabin is empty. He went forth this morning to see to his carnal needs and has not yet returned.
Dacien returns quickly and informs Rhyll that the wizard is not aboard the Reckoning.
Valentin smirks, sensing he's struck a nerve. "Perhaps we've met? Or one of your relatives?"
Rhyll says, "I'm sure we have never met sir, this I assure you."
Valentin says, "I am sure we've met. Your face. No, perhaps..." He grins. "Yes, yes of course." He tells the mage at his shoulder something private. The mage, a bearded bald fellow, smiles and laughs at Valentin's news.
Rhyll says, "I believe our business is through. I'm sure you and your men have other business to attend to."
Valentin says, "I think so, as well." He steps back. His soldiers draw their swords and axes, and the mage steps back as well, hands raised.
Dacien says, "Candra! Call out the troops! No bluebellied bastard is gonna set foot on this deck!""
Rhyll turns to Candra pointing at the mage and says "Have your marines feather that one!"
Candra raises her boarding pike. "Archers! Port side! Plug that mage!"
Rain gushes forth from the clouds, as if the very skies have opened. Lightning strikes in the western portion of the city, and now the thunder is almost immediate.