They rose early the next morning and gathered in the dew-drenched yard in front of Marquis Lyciens house. The newly risen sun was very bright, and it slanted down through the trees, casting the peculiarly bluish-coloured shadows of early morning.
Ill get word to you from time to time, Sparhawk told those who were remaining behind.
Be careful down there, Sparhawk, Kalten said.
Im always careful. Sparhawk swung himself up onto Farans back.
Godspeed, Sir Sparhawk, Bevier said.
Thank you, Bevier. Sparhawk looked around at the other knights. Dont be so glum, gentlemen, he told them. If were lucky, this wont take very long. He looked at Kalten again. If you run into Martel, give him my regards.
Kalten nodded. With an axe in the face, I think.
Marquis Lycien mounted a fat bay horse and led the way out onto the road which passed his house. The morning was crisp, though not actually cold. Spring, Sparhawk decided, was not very far off. He shifted his shoulders slightly. The sober businessmans doublet Lycien had lent him did not really fit very well. It bound in some places and was uncomfortably loose in others.
Well turn off just up ahead, Lycien told them. Theres a track through the woods that leads down to my wharves and the little settlement thats grown up around them. Will you want me to bring your horses back after you go on board ship?
No, my Lord, Sparhawk replied. I think well take them with us. We dont know exactly whats going to happen in Rendor. We might need dependable mounts, and Ive seen what passes for a horse in Cippria.
What Lycien had modestly called a little settlement turned out to be a fair-sized village complete with shipyards, houses, inns and taverns. A dozen vessels were moored at the wharves with longshoremen swarming over them.
Quite an operation, my Lord, Sparhawk said as they rode down the muddy street towards the river.
One has had a certain success, Lycien said deprecatingly. He smiled. Besides, I save enough in moorage fees to offset more than the cost of keeping the place up. He looked around. Why dont you and I step into that tavern over there, Sir Sparhawk? he suggested. The independent sea captains favour that one.
All right, Sparhawk agreed.
Ill introduce you as Master Cluff, Lycien said as he swung down from his bay. Its not much of a name, Ill admit, but its fairly nondescript, and Ive discovered that seafaring men love to talk, but theyre not always very selective in their choice of listeners. Ive gathered that you might prefer to keep this business of yours more or less confidential.
Youre perceptive, my Lord, Sparhawk replied, also dismounting. This shouldnt take too long, he said to Kurik and Sephrenia.
Isnt that what you said the last time you went to Rendor? Kurik asked him.
We can all hope that this time might be different.
Lycien led the way into a rather sedate wharfside tavern. The ceiling was low, with dark, heavy beams decorated here and there with ships lanterns. There was a broad window near the front, and golden morning sunlight streamed in through it, setting the fresh straw on the floor to gleaming. Several substantial-looking men of middle years sat at a table by the window, talking over brimming tankards. They looked up as the marquis led Sparhawk to their table. My Lord, one of them respectfully greeted Lycien.
Gentlemen, Lycien said, this is Master Cluff, an acquaintance of mine. Hes asked me to introduce him.
They all looked at Sparhawk inquiringly.
I have a bit of a problem, gentlemen, Sparhawk told them. May I join you?
Have a seat, one of the sea captains, a solid-looking man with silver-shot hair, invited.
Ill leave you gentlemen then, Lycien said. Theres something that needs my attention. He inclined his head slightly, turned, and went back out of the tavern.
He probably wants to see if theres some way he can raise the mooring fees, one of the captains said wryly.
My names Sorgi, the captain with the curly hair introduced himself to Sparhawk. Whats this problem you mentioned, Master Cluff?
Sparhawk coughed slightly as if a little embarrassed. Well, he said, it all started a few months ago. I happened to hear about a lady who lives not far from here, he began, embellishing as he went along. Her father is old and very wealthy, so the lady stands to inherit a sizeable estate. One of my problems has always been the fact that I have some expensive tastes and very little in my purse to support them. It occurred to me that a rich wife might solve that problem.
That makes sense, Captain Sorgi said. Thats about the only reason I can think of for getting married at all.
I couldnt agree more, Sparhawk replied. Anyway, I wrote her a letter pretending that we had some mutual friends, and I was a little surprised when she answered my letter with a great deal of warmth. Our letters grew more and more friendly, and she finally invited me to call on her. I went even deeper in debt to my tailor and set out for her fathers house in high spirits and splendid new clothes.
Sounds to me as if everything was going according to plan, Master Cluff, Sorgi said. Whats this problem of yours?
Im just getting to that, Captain. The lady is of middle years and very wealthy. If she were even remotely presentable, someone would have snapped her up years ago, so I didnt have my hopes too high on that score. I assumed that she was plain perhaps even homely. I had not, however, expected a horror. He feigned a shudder. Gentlemen, I cannot even describe her to you. No matter how rich she was, it wouldnt have been worth waking up to that every morning. We spoke together briefly about the weather, I think and then I made my apologies and left. She has no brothers, so I wasnt worried about the possibility of someone looking me up to object to my bad manners. What I didnt count on, though, was all her cousins. Shes got a whole platoon of them, and theyve been following me for weeks now.
They dont want to kill you, do they? Sorgi asked.
No, Sparhawk replied in an anguished tone. They want to drag me back and force me to marry her.
The captains all roared with laughter, pounding on the table in glee. I think youve outsmarted yourself, Master Cluff, one of them said, wiping the tears of mirth from his eyes.
Sparhawk nodded glumly. Youre probably right, he admitted.
You should have found some way to get a look at her before you sent the first letter, Sorgi grinned.
I know that now, Sparhawk agreed. Anyhow, I think its time I left the country for a while until the cousins stop looking for me. Ive got a nephew living in Cippria in Render whos been doing fairly well of late. Im sure I can impose on him until I can get my feet on the ground again. Is it possible that one of you gentlemen might be sailing there soon? Id like to book passage for myself and a couple of family retainers. Id go to the main docks in Madel, but Ive got a strong feeling that the cousins are watching them.
What say you, gentlemen? Captain Sorgi said expansively. Shall we help this good fellow out of his predicament?
Im going to Rendor, right enough, one of the others replied, but Im committed to Jiroch.
Im going to Rendor, right enough, one of the others replied, but Im committed to Jiroch.
Sorgi thought about it. I was going to Jiroch myself, he mused, and then on to Cippria, but I might be able to rearrange my schedule just a bit.
I wont be able to help, a rough-voiced sea captain growled. My ships having her bottom scraped. I can give you some advice, though. If these cousins are watching the main wharves in Madel, theyre probably watching these as well. Everybody in town knows about Lyciens docks here. He tugged at one earlobe. Ive smuggled a few people out of a few places in my time when the price was right. He looked at the captain who was bound for Jiroch. When do you sail, Captain Mabin?
With the noon tide.
And you? the helpful captain asked Sorgi.
The same.
Good. If the cousins are watching the docks here, they may try to hire a ship and follow our bachelor friend. Have him openly board Mabins ship. Then, when youre downriver a ways and out of sight, transfer him to Sorgis ship. If the cousins decide to follow, Mabin can lead them off towards Jiroch, and Master Cluff will be safe on his way to Cippria. Thats the way Id do it.
Youve got a very ingenious mind, my friend. Sorgi laughed. Are you sure that people are the only things youve smuggled in the past?
Weve all avoided customs officers from time to time, havent we, Sorgi? the rough-voiced captain said. We live at sea. Why should we pay taxes to support the kingdoms of the landsmen? Id gladly pay taxes to the King of the Ocean, but I cant seem to find his palace.
Well said, my friend, Sorgi applauded.
Gentlemen, Sparhawk said. Im eternally in your debt.
Not exactly eternally, Master Cluff, Sorgi said. A man who admits to having financial difficulties pays for his passage before he boards. He does on my ship, at least.
Would you accept half here and half when we reach Cippria? Sparhawk countered.
Im afraid not, my friend. I like you well enough, but Im sure you can see my position in the matter.
Sparhawk sighed. We have horses, he added. I suppose youll charge extra to carry them as well?
Naturally.
I was afraid of that.
The loading of Faran, Sephrenias palfrey, and Kuriks stout gelding took place behind a screen of sailcloth Sorgis sailors were ostensibly mending. Shortly before noon, Sparhawk and Kurik boarded the ship bound for Jiroch. They moved openly up the gangway, followed by Sephrenia, who carried Flute in her arms.
Captain Mabin greeted them on the quarterdeck. Ah, he grinned, heres our reluctant bridegroom. Why dont you and your friends walk around the deck until we sail? Give all the cousins plenty of chances to see you.
Ive had a few second thoughts about this, Captain Mabin, Sparhawk said. If the cousins hire a ship and follow and if they catch up with you its going to be fairly obvious that Im not on board.
Nobodys going to catch up with me, Master Cluff. The captain laughed. Ive got the fastest ship on the Inner Sea. Besides, its obvious that you dont know very much about seafaring etiquette. Nobody boards another mans ship at sea unless hes prepared for a fight. Its just not done.
Oh, Sparhawk said. I didnt know that. Well stroll around the deck, then.
Bridegroom? Sephrenia murmured as they moved away from the captain.
Its a long story, Sparhawk told her.
There seem to be a fair number of these long stories cropping up lately. Someday well have to sit down so that you can tell them to me.
Someday perhaps.
Flute, Sephrenia said quite firmly, come down from there.
Sparhawk looked up. The little girl was halfway up a rope ladder stretching from the rail to the yardarm. She pouted just a bit, then did as she was told. You always know exactly where she is, dont you? he asked Sephrenia.
Always, she replied.
The transfer from one ship to the other took place in mid-river some distance downstream from Lyciens wharves and was concealed by a great deal of activity on both ships. Captain Sorgi quickly bustled his passengers belowdecks to get them out of sight, and then the two ships proceeded sedately downriver, bobbing side by side like two matrons returning home from church.
Were passing the wharves of Madel, Sorgi called down the companionway to them some short time later. Keep your face out of sight, Master Cluff, or I may have a deck full of your betrotheds cousins on my hands.
This is really making me curious, Sparhawk, Sephrenia said. Couldnt you give me just the tiniest clue?
I made up a story, he shrugged. It was lurid enough to seize the attention of a group of sailors.
Sparhawks always been very good at making up stories, Kurik observed. He used to lie himself in and out of trouble regularly when he was a novice. The grizzled squire was seated on a bunk with the drowsing Flute nestled in his lap. You know, he said quietly, I never had a daughter. They smell better than little boys, dont they?
Sephrenia burst out laughing. Dont tell Aslade, she cautioned. She may decide to try for one.
Kurik rolled his eyes upward in dismay. Not again, he said. I dont mind babies around the house, but I couldnt bear the morning sickness again.
About an hour later, Sorgi came down the companion-way. Were clearing the mouth of the estuary now, he reported, and theres not a single vessel to the rear. Id say that youve made good your escape, Master Cluff.
Thank God, Sparhawk replied fervently.
Tell me, my friend, Sorgi said thoughtfully, is the lady really as ugly as you say?
Captain Sorgi, you wouldnt believe how ugly.
Maybe youre a bit too delicate, Master Cluff. The seas getting colder, my ships getting old and tired, and the winter storms are making my bones ache. I could stand a fair amount of ugliness if the ladys estate happened to be as large as you say. I might even consider returning some of your passage money in exchange for a letter of introduction. Maybe you overlooked some of her good qualities.
We could talk about that, I suppose, Sparhawk conceded.
I need to go topside, Sorgi said. Were far enough past the city that its safe for you and your friends to come on deck now. He turned and went back up the companionway.
I think I can save you all the trouble of telling me that long story you mentioned earlier, Sephrenia told Sparhawk. You didnt actually use that tired old fable about the ugly heiress, did you?
He shrugged. As Vanion says, the old ones are the best.
Oh, Sparhawk, Im disappointed in you. How are you going to avoid giving that poor captain the imaginary ladys name?
Ill think of something. Why dont we go up on deck before the sun sets?
Kurik spoke in a whisper. I think the childs asleep, he said. I dont want to wake her. You two go on ahead.
Sparhawk nodded and led Sephrenia out of the cramped cabin.
I always forget how gentle he is, Sephrenia said softly.