As he began to move away, a voice cried out from the ship, Gods of mercy! Is anyone there? The voice was deep and powerful, but with a controlled note of terror.
Arutha hurried up the gangway, sword ready. He stopped when he reached the top. From the forward hatch cover he could see fire glowing brightly belowdecks. He looked about: everywhere his eyes traveled he saw seamen lying dead in their own blood. From the rear of the ship the voice cried out, You, man. If youre a godsfearing man of the Kingdom, come help me.
Arutha made his way amid the camage and found a man sitting against the starboard rail. He was large, broad-shouldered, and barrel-chested. He could have been any age between twenty and forty. He held the side of an ample stomach with his right hand, blood seeping through his fingers. Curly dark hair swept back from a receding hairline, and he wore his black beard cut short. He managed a weak smile as he pointed to a black-clothed figure lying nearby. The bastards killed my crew and fired my ship. That one made the mistake of not killing me with the first blow. He pointed at the section of a fallen yard pinning his legs. I cant manage to budge that damned yard and hold my guts in at the same time. If youd lift it a bit, I think I can pull myself free.
Arutha saw the problem: the man was pinned down at the short end of the yard, tangled in a mass of ropes and blocks. He gripped the long end and heaved upward, moving it only a few inches, but enough. With a half grunt, half groan, the wounded man pulled his legs out. I dont think my legs are broken, lad. Give me a hand up and well see.
Arutha gave him a hand and nearly lost his footing pulling the bulky seaman to his feet. Here, now, said the wounded man. Youre not in much of a fighting trim yourself, are you?
Ill be all right, said Arutha, steadying the man while fighting off an attack of nausea.
The seaman leaned upon Arutha. Wed better hurry, then. The fire is spreading. With Aruthas help, he negotiated the gangway. When they reached the quayside, gasping for breath, the heat was becoming intense. The wounded seaman gasped, Keep going!
Arutha nodded and slung the mans arm over his shoulder. They set off down the quay, staggering like a pair of drunken sailors on the town.
Suddenly there came a roar, and both men were slammed to the ground. Arutha shook his dazed head and turned over. Behind him a great tower of flames leaped skyward. The ship was a faintly seen black silhouette in the heart of the blinding yellow-and-white column of fire. Waves of heat washed over them, as if they were standing at the door of a giant oven.
Arutha managed to croak, What was that?
His companion gave out with an equally feeble reply: Two hundred barrels of Quegan fire oil.
Arutha spoke in disbelief. You didnt say anything about fire oil back aboard ship.
I didnt want you getting excited. You looked half-gone already. I figured wed either get clear or we wouldnt.
Arutha tried to rise, but fell back. Suddenly he felt very comfortable resting on the cool stone of the quay. He saw the fire begin to dim before his eyes, then all went dark.
Arutha opened his eyes and saw blurred shapes over him. He blinked and the images cleared. Carline hovered over his sleeping pallet, looking anxiously on as Father Tully examined him. Behind Carline, Fannon watched, and next to him stood an unfamiliar man. Then Arutha remembered him. The man from the ship.
The man grinned. Amos Trask, lately master of the Sidonie until those bast begging the Princesss pardon those cursed land rats put her to the torch. Standing here thanks to Your Highness.
Tully interrupted. How do you feel?
Arutha sat up, finding his body a mass of dull aches. Carline placed cushions behind her brother. Battered, but Ill survive. His head swam a little. Im a bit dizzy.
Tully looked down his nose at Aruthas head. Small wonder. You took a nasty crack. You may find yourself occasionally dizzy for a few days, but I dont think it is serious.
Arutha looked at the Swordmaster. How long?
Fannon said, A patrol brought you in last night. Its morning.
The raid?
Fannon shook his head sadly. The towns gutted. We managed to kill them all, but theres not a whole building left standing in Crydee. The fishing village at the south end of the harbor is untouched, but otherwise everything was lost.
Carline fussed around near Arutha, tucking in covers and fluffing his cushions. You should rest.
He said, Right now, Im hungry.
She brought over a bowl of hot broth. He submitted to the light broth in place of solid food, but refused to let her spoon-feed him. Between mouthfuls he said, Tell me what happened.
Fannon looked disturbed. It was the Tsurani.
Aruthas hand stopped, his spoon poised halfway between bowl and mouth. Tsurani? I thought they were reavers, from the Sunset Islands.
At first so did we, but after talking to Captain Trask here, and the Tsurani slaves who are with us, weve pieced together a picture of whats happened.
Tully picked up the narrative. From the slaves story, these men were specially chosen. They called it a death raid. They were selected to enter the town, destroy as much as possible, then die without fleeing. They burned the ship as much as a symbol of their commitment as to deny it to us. I gather from what they say its considered something of a great honor.
Arutha looked at Amos Trask. How is it they managed to seize your ship, Captain?
Ah, that is a bitter story, Highness. He leaned to his right a little, and Arutha remembered his wound.
How is your side?
Trask grinned, his dark eyes merry. A messy wound, but not a serious one. The good father put it right as new, Highness.
Tully made a derisive sound. That man should be in bed. He is more seriously injured than you. He would not leave until he saw you were all right.
Trask ignored the comment. Ive had worse. We once had a fight with a Quegan war galley turned rogue pirate and well, thats another story. You asked about my ship. He limped over closer to Aruthas pallet. We were outward bound from Palanque with a load of weapons and fire oil. Considering the situation here, I thought to find a ready market. We braved the straits early in the season, stealing the march on other ships, or so we hoped.
But while we made the passage early, we paid the price. A monstrous storm blew up from the south, and we were driven for a week. When it was over, we headed east, striking for the coast. I thought wed have no trouble plotting our position from landmarks. When we sighted land, not one aboard recognized a single feature. As none of us had ever been north of Crydee, we judged rightly we had gone farther than we had thought.
We coasted by day, heaving to at night, for Id not risk unknown shoals and reefs. On the third night the Tsurani came swimming out from shore like a pod of dolphins. Dived right under the ship, and came up on both sides. By the time I was awake from the commotion on deck, there was a full half dozen of the bast begging the Princesss pardon them Tsurani swarming over me. It took them only minutes to take my ship. His shoulders sagged a bit. Its a hard thing to lose ones ship, Highness.
He grimaced and Tully stood, making Trask sit on the stool next to Arutha. Trask continued his story. We couldnt understand what they said; their tongue is more suited for monkeys than men I myself speak five civilized languages and can do talk-see in a dozen more. But as I was saying, we couldnt understand their gibberish, but they made their intentions clear enough.
He grimaced and Tully stood, making Trask sit on the stool next to Arutha. Trask continued his story. We couldnt understand what they said; their tongue is more suited for monkeys than men I myself speak five civilized languages and can do talk-see in a dozen more. But as I was saying, we couldnt understand their gibberish, but they made their intentions clear enough.
They pored over my charts. He grimaced in remembering. I purchased them legal and aboveboard from a retired captain down in Durbin. Fifty years of experience in those charts, there were, from here in Crydee to the farthest eastern shores of the Keshian Confederacy, and they were tossing them around my cabin like so much old canvas until they found the ones they wanted. They had some sailors among them, for as soon as they recognized the charts, they made their plans known to me.
Curse me for a freshwater fisherman, but we had heaved to only a few miles north of the headlands above your lighthouse. If wed sailed a little longer, we would have been safely in Crydee harbor two days ago.
Arutha and the others said nothing. Trask continued, They went through my cargo holds and started tossing things overboard, no matter what. Over five hundred fine Quegan broadswords, over the side. Pikes, lances, longbows, everything I guess to keep any of it from reaching Crydee somehow. They didnt know what to do with the Quegan fire oil the barrels wouldve needed a dock hoist to get them out of the hold so they left it alone. But they made sure there wasnt a weapon aboard that wasnt in their hands. Then some of the little land rats got dressed up in those black rags, swam ashore, and started down the coast toward the lighthouse. While they were going, the rest were praying, on their knees rocking back and forth, except for a few with bows watching my crew. Then all of a sudden, about three hours after sundown, theyre up and kicking my men around, pointing to the harbor on the map.
We set sail and headed down the coast. The rest you know. I guess they judged you would not expect an attack from seaward.
Fannon said, They judged correctly. Since their last raid weve patrolled the forests heavily. They couldnt get within a days march of Crydee without our knowing. This way they caught us unawares. The old Swordmaster sounded tired and bitter. Now the town is destroyed, and weve a courtyard filled with terrified townsmen.
Trask also sounded bitter. They put most of their men ashore quickly, but left two dozen to slaughter my men. An expression of pain crossed his face. They were a hard lot, my lads, but on the whole good enough men. We didnt know what was happening until the first of my boys began to fall from the spars with Tsurani arrows in them, waving like little flags as they hit the water. We thought they were going to have us take them out again. My boys put up a struggle then, you can bet. But they didnt start soon enough. Marlinspikes and belayin pins cant stand up to men with swords and bows.
Trask sighed deeply, the pain on his face as much from his story as from his injury. Thirty-five men. Dock rats, cutthroats, and murderers all, but they were my crew. I was the only one allowed to go killing them. I cracked the skull of the first Tsurani who came at me, took his sword, and killed another. But the third one knocked it from my hand and ran me through. He barked a short, harsh-sounding laugh. I broke his neck. I passed out for a time. They must have thought me dead. The next I knew, the fires were going and I started yelling. Then I saw you come up the gangway.
Arutha said, Youre a bold man, Amos Trask.
A look of deep pain crossed the large mans face. Not bold enough to keep my ship, Highness. Now Im nothing more than another beached sailor.
Tully said, Enough for now. Arutha, you need rest. He put his hand on Amos Trasks shoulder. Captain, youd do well to follow his example. Your wound is more serious than you admit. Ill take you to a room where you can rest.
The captain rose, and Arutha said, Captain Trask.
Yes, Highness?
We have need of good men here in Crydee.
A glimmer of humor crossed the seamans face. I thank you, Highness. Without a ship, though, I dont know what use I could be.
Arutha said, Between Fannon and myself, well find enough to keep you busy.
The man bowed slightly, restricted by his wounded side. He left with Tully. Carline kissed Arutha on the cheek, saying, Rest now. She took away the broth and was escorted from the room by Fannon. Arutha was asleep before the door closed.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Attack
CARLINE LUNGED.
She thrust the point of her sword in a low line, aiming a killing blow for the stomach. Roland barely avoided the thrust by a strong beat of his blade, knocking hers out of line. He sprang back and for a moment was off balance. Carline saw the hesitation and lunged forward again.
Roland laughed as he suddenly leaped away, knocking her blade aside once more, then stepping outside her guard. Quickly tossing his sword from right hand to left, he reached out and caught her sword arm at the wrist, pulling her, in turn, off balance. He swung her about, stepping behind her. He wrapped his left arm around her waist, being careful of his sword edge, and pulled her tightly to him. She struggled against his superior strength, but while he was behind her, she could inflict no more than angry curses on him. It was a trick! A loathsome trick, she spat.
She kicked helplessly as he laughed. Dont overextend yourself that way, even when it looks like a clean kill. Youve good speed, but you press too much. Learn patience. Wait for a clear opening, then attack. You overbalance that much and youre dead. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and pushed her unceremoniously away.
Carline stumbled forward, regained her balance, and turned. Roguel. Make free with the royal person, will you? She advanced on him, sword at the ready, slowly circling to the left. With her father away, Carline had pestered Arutha into allowing Roland to teach her swordplay. Her final argument had been, What do I do if the Tsurani enter the castle? Attack them with embroidery needles? Arutha had relented more from tiring of the constant nagging than from any conviction she would have to use the weapon.
Suddenly Carline launched a furious attack in high line, forcing Roland to retreat across the small court behind the keep. He found himself backed against a low wall and waited. She lunged again, and he nimbly stepped aside, the padded point of her rapier striking the wall an instant after he vacated the spot. He jumped past her, playfully swatting her across the rump with the flat of his blade as he took up position behind her. And dont lose your temper, or youll lose your head as well.
Oh! she cried, spinning to face him. Her expression was caught halfway between anger and amusement. You monster!
Roland stood ready, a look of mock contrition on his face. She measured the distance between them and began to advance slowly. She was wearing tight-fitting mens trousers to the despair of Lady Marna and a mans tunic cinched at the waist by her sword belt. In the last year her figure had filled out, and the snug costume bordered on the scandalous. Now eighteen years of age, there was nothing about Carline that was girlish. The specially crafted boots she wore, black, ankle-high, carefully beat upon the ground as she stepped the distance between them, and her long, lustrous dark hair was tied into a single braid that swung freely about her shoulders.