Tomas pointed behind Pug. If we climb up to that ledge, we could lower ourselves down to the deck.
Pug saw the ledge, a jutting single piece of stone that started twenty feet back on their left, extending upward and out to overhang the bow. It looked like an easy climb, and Pug agreed. They pulled themselves up and inched along the ledge, backs flat to the base of the bluffs. The path was narrow, but by stepping carefully, they ran little risk of falling. They reached a point above the hull; Tomas pointed. Look. Bodies!
Lying on the deck were two men, both dressed in bright blue armor of unfamiliar design. One had his head crushed by a fallen spar, but the other, lying facedown, didnt show any injuries, beyond his stillness. Strapped across that mans back was an alien-looking broadsword, with strange serrated edges. His head was covered by an equally alien-looking blue helmet, potlike, with an outward flaring edge on the sides and back. Tomas shouted over the sound of the surf, Im going to let myself down. After I get on the deck, hand me the sword, and then lower yourself so I can grab you.
Tomas handed Pug the sword, then turned around slowly. He knelt with his face against the cliff wall. Sliding backward, he let himself down until he was almost hanging free. With a shove he dropped the remaining four feet, landing safely. Pug reversed the sword and handed it down to Tomas, then followed his friends lead, and in a moment they both stood on the deck. The foredeck slanted alarmingly down toward the water, and they could feel the ship move beneath their feet.
The tides rising, Tomas shouted. Itll lift whats left of the ship and smash it on the rocks. Everything will be lost.
Look around, Pug shouted back. Anything that looks worth saving we can try to throw up on the ledge.
Tomas nodded, and the boys started to search the deck. Pug put as much space as he could between the bodies and himself when he passed them. All across the deck, debris created a confused spectacle for the eye. Trying to discern what might prove valuable and what might not was difficult. At the rear of the deck was a shattered rail, on either side of a ladder to what was left of the main deck below: about six feet of planking remaining above the water. Pug was sure that only a few feet more could be underwater, or else the ship would be higher on the rocks. The rear of the ship must have already been carried away on the tide.
Pug lay down on the deck and hung his head over the edge. He saw a door to the right of the ladder. Yelling for Tomas to join him, he made his way carefully down the ladder. The lower deck was sagging, the undersupports having been caved in. He grasped the handrail of the ladder for support. A moment later Tomas stood beside him, stepped around Pug, and moved to the door. It hung half-open, and he squeezed through with Pug a step behind. The cabin was dark, for there was only a single port on the bulkhead next to the door. In the gloom they could see many rich-looking pieces of fabric and the shattered remnants of a table. What looked like a cot or low bed lay upside down in a corner. Several small chests could be seen, with their contents spread around the room as if tossed about by some giant hand.
Tomas tried to search through the mess, but nothing was recognizable as important or valuable. He found one small bowl of unusual design glazed with bright colored figures on the sides, and he put it inside his tunic.
Pug stood quietly, for something in the cabin commanded his attention. A strange, urgent feeling had overtaken him as soon as he had stepped in.
The wreck lurched, throwing Tomas off balance. He caught himself on a chest, dropping the sword. The ships lifting. Wed better go.
Pug didnt answer, his attention focused on the strange sensations. Tomas grabbed his arm. Come on. The shipll break up in a minute.
Pug shook his hand off. A moment. There is something . . . His voice trailed off. Abruptly he crossed the disordered room and pulled open a drawer in a latched chest. It was empty. He yanked open another, then a third. In it was the object of his search. He drew out a rolled parchment with a black ribbon and black seal on it and thrust it into his shirt.
Come on, he shouted as he passed Tomas. They raced up the ladder and scrambled over the deck. The tide had raised the ship high enough for them to pull themselves up to the ledge with ease, and they turned to sit.
The ship was now floating on the tide, rocking forward and back, while the waves sent a wet spray into the boys faces. They watched as the bow slid off the rocks, timbers breaking with a loud and deep tearing sound, like a dying moan. The bow lifted high, and the boys were splashed by waves striking the cliffs below their ledge.
Out to sea the hulk floated, slowly leaning over to its port side, until the outward surging tide came to a halt.
Ponderously, it started back toward the rocks. Tomas grabbed at Pugs arm, signaling him to follow. They got up and made their way back to the beach. When they reached the place where the rock overhung the sand, they jumped down.
A loud grinding sound made them turn to see the hull driven onto the rocks. Timbers shattered, and separated with a shriek. The hull heaved to starboard, and debris started sliding off the deck into the sea.
Suddenly Tomas reached over and caught Pugs arm. Look. He pointed at the wreck sliding backward on the tide.
Pug couldnt make out what he was pointing at. What is it?
I thought for a moment there was only one body on deck.
Pug looked at him. Tomass face was set in an expression of worry. Abruptly it changed to anger. Damn!
What?
When I fell in the cabin, I dropped the sword. Fannon will have my ears.
A sound like an explosion of thunder marked the final destruction of the wreck as the tide smashed it against the cliff face. Now the shards of the once fine, if alien, ship would be swept out to sea, to drift back in along the coast for miles to the south over the next few days.
A low groan ending in a sharp cry made the boys turn. Standing behind them was the missing man from the ship, the strange broadsword held loosely in his left hand and dragging in the sand. His right arm was held tightly against his side; blood could be seen running from under his blue breastplate, and from under his helmet. He took a staggering step forward. His face was ashen, and his eyes wide with pain and confusion. He shouted something incomprehensible at the boys. They stepped back slowly, raising their hands to show they were unarmed.
He took another step toward them, and his knees sagged. He staggered erect and closed his eyes for a moment. He was short and stocky, with powerfully muscled arms and legs. Below the breastplate he wore a short skirt of blue cloth. On his forearms were bracers, and on his legs, greaves that looked like leather, above thonged sandals. He put his hand to his face and shook his head. His eyes opened, and he regarded the boys again. Once more he spoke in his alien tongue. When the boys said nothing, he appeared to grow angry and yelled another series of strange words, from the tone seemingly questions.
Pug gauged the distance necessary to run past the man, who blocked the narrow strip of beach. He decided it wasnt worth the risk of finding out if the man was in a condition to use that wicked-looking sword. As if sensing the boys thoughts, the soldier staggered a few feet to his right, cutting off any escape. He closed his eyes again, and what little color there was in his face drained away. His gaze began to wander, and the sword slipped from limp fingers. Pug started to take a step toward him, for it was now obvious that he could do them no harm.
As he neared the man, shouts sounded up the beach. Pug and Tomas saw Prince Arutha riding before a troop of horsemen. The wounded soldier turned his head painfully at the sound of approaching horses, and his eyes widened. A look of pure horror crossed his face, and he tried to flee. He took three staggering steps toward the water and fell forward into the sand.
Pug stood near the door of the Dukes council chamber. Several feet away a concerned group sat at Duke Borrics round council table. Besides the Duke and his sons, Father Tully, Kulgan, who had returned only an hour before, Swordmaster Fannon, and Horsemaster Algon sat in assembly. The tone was serious, for the arrival of the alien ship was viewed as potentially dangerous to the Kingdom.
Pug threw a quick glance at Tomas, standing on the opposite side of the door. Tomas had never been in the presence of nobility, other than serving in the dining hall, and being in the Dukes council chamber was making him nervous. Master Fannon spoke, and Pug returned his attention to the table.
Reviewing what we know, said the old Swordmaster, it is obvious that these people are completely alien to us. He picked up the bowl Tomas had taken from the ship. This bowl is fashioned in a way unknown to our Masterpotter. At first he thought it was simply a fired and glazed clay, but upon closer inspection it proved otherwise. It is fashioned from some sort of hide, parchment-thin strips being wound around a mold perhaps wood then laminated with resins of some type. It is much stronger than anything we know.
To demonstrate, he struck the bowl hard against the table. Instead of shattering, as a clay bowl would have, it made a dull sound. Now, even more perplexing are these weapons and armor. He pointed to the blue breastplate, helmet, sword, and dagger. They appear to be fashioned in a similar manner. He lifted the dagger and let it drop. It made the same dull sound as the bowl. For all its lightness, it is nearly as strong as our best steel.
Borric nodded. Tully, youve been around longer than any of us. Have you heard of any ship constructed like that?
No. Tully absently stroked his beardless chin. Not from the Bitter Sea, the Kingdom Sea, or even from Great Kesh have I heard of such a ship. I might send word to the Temple of Ishap in Krondor. They have records that go further back than any others. Perhaps they have some knowledge of these people.
The Duke nodded. Please do. Also we must send word to the elves and dwarves. They have abided here longer than we by ages, and we would do well to seek their wisdom.
Tully indicated agreement. Queen Aglaranna might have knowledge of these people if they are travelers from across the Endless Sea. Perhaps they have visited these shores before.
Preposterous, snorted Horsemaster Algon. There are no nations across the Endless Sea. Otherwise it wouldnt be endless.
Kulgan took on an indulgent expression. There are theories that other lands exist across the Endless Sea. It is only that we have no ships capable of making such a long journey.
Theories, was all Algon said.
Whoever these strangers are, said Arutha, we had best make sure we can find out as much as possible about them.
Algon and Lyam gave him a questioning look, while Kulgan and Tully looked on without expression. Borric and Fannon nodded as Arutha continued. From the boys description, the ship was obviously a warship. The heavy prow with bowsprit is designed for ramming, and the high foredeck is a perfect place for bowmen, as the low middle deck is suitable for boarding other vessels when they have been grappled. I would imagine the rear deck was also high. If more of the hull had survived, I would guess we would have found rowers benches as well.
A war galley? asked Algon.
Fannon looked impatient. Of course, you simpleton. There was a friendly rivalry between the two masters, which at times degenerated to some unfriendly bickering. Take a look at our guests weapon. He indicated the broadsword. How would you like to ride at a determined man wheeling that toy? Hed cut your horse right out from under you. That armor is light, and efficiently constructed for all its gaudy coloring. I would guess that he was infantry. As powerfully built as he is, he probably could run half a day and still fight. He stroked his mustache absently. These people have some warriors among them.
Algon nodded slowly. Arutha sat back in his chair, making a tent of his hands, fingertips flexing. What I cant understand, said the Dukes younger son, is why he tried to run. We had no weapons drawn and were not charging. There was no reason for him to run.
Borric looked at the old priest. Will we ever know?
Tully looked concerned, his brow furrowed. He had a long piece of wood embedded in his right side, under the breastplate, as well as a bad blow to the head. That helmet saved his skull. He has a high fever and has lost a great deal of blood. He may not survive. I may have to resort to a mind contact, if he regains enough consciousness to establish it. Pug knew of the mind contact; Tully had explained it to him before. It was a method only a few clerics could employ, and it was extremely dangerous for both the subject and the caster. The old priest must feel a strong need to gain information from the injured man to risk it.
Borric turned his attention to Kulgan. What of the scroll the boys found?
Kulgan waved a hand absently. I have given a preliminary, and brief, inspection. It has magical properties without a doubt. That is why Pug felt some compulsion to inspect the cabin and that chest, I think. Anyone as sensitive to magic as he is would feel it. He looked directly at the Duke. I am, however, unwilling to break the seal until I have made a more involved study of it, to better determine its purpose. Breaking enchanted seals can be dangerous if not handled properly. If the seal was tampered with, the scroll might destroy itself, or worse, those trying to break it. It wouldnt be the first such trap Ive seen for a scroll of great power.
The Duke drummed his fingers on the table for a moment. All right. We will adjourn this meeting. As soon as something new has been learned, either from the scroll or from the wounded man, we will reconvene. He turned to Tully. See how the man is, and if he should wake, use your arts to glean whatever you can. He stood, and the others rose also. Lyam, send word to the Elf Queen and the dwarves at Stone Mountain and the Grey Towers of what has happened. Ask for their counsel.
Pug opened the door. The Duke went through and the others followed. Pug and Tomas were the last to leave, and as they walked down the hall, Tomas leaned over toward Pug.
We really started something.
Pug shook his head. We were simply the first to find the man. If not us, then someone else.
Tomas looked relieved to be out of the chamber and the Dukes scrutiny. If this turns out badly, I hope they remember that.
Kulgan went up the stairs to his tower room as Tully moved off toward his own quarters, where the wounded man was being tended by Tullys acolytes. The Duke and his sons turned through a door to their private quarters, leaving the boys alone in the hallway.
Pug and Tomas cut through a storage room, and into the kitchen. Megar stood supervising the kitchen workers, several of whom waved greetings to the boys. When he saw his son and fosterling, he smiled and said, Well, what have you two gotten yourselves into, now? Megar was a loose-jointed man, with sandy hair and an open countenance. He resembled Tomas, as a rough sketch resembled a finished drawing. He was a fair-looking man of middle years, but lacked the fine features that set Tomas apart.