The Black Sword Trilogy: The Four Nations (15 page)

             
“You handled that rather well.” Kenner told him.

             
“I’ve been at sea a long time, sir” the man replied.  “It’s not the first time I’ve had to deal with rather unhappy creatures.”

             
The small town was built entirely on the banks of the harbor with all of the buildings going down into the water.  At the bottom of every house and building were open boat docks and boats parked within them.  Larger ships were docked next to buildings close enough for supplies and crews to be easily loaded and offloaded.  Still feeling groggy and having a headache, Kenner was led to a ship with the name “The Golden Serpent” etched into its port side.  Looking up the gang plank, he saw Terri smiling and looking down at him.

             
“I see Sleeping Beauty is finally awake!” She called to him.

Kenner rubbed his aching skull.

              “I don’t suppose it would do any good to ask how I got into that room.” He said to her as he boarded the ship.

             
“Does it matter?”

             
“Not really.”

             
The large, bearded man with the heavy accent then came up behind him.

             
“I be Captain Shorn.” He said to Kenner.

Kenner shook his hand

              “Pleasure to meet you.”

             
“The pleasure be mine, sir.  We might be leaving in an hour or so, but I been asked to put a small question to ye, if ye don’t mind.”

             
“And what’s that?” Kenner asked.

             
“The Admiral is much wanting to meet ye, sir.  If yer not in too much of a hurry, would you be minding a slight detour?”

             
“How much of a detour?” Terri asked suspiciously.

             
“Not more than a pair of days, Marm.  We’ll be going through Korsh anyhow and the Admiral is much anxious to make yer acquaintance.”

             
“Korsh, eh?” Kenner asked curiously. 

He thought a moment and then looked at Terri.

              “Well, if my lovely companion doesn’t mind…”

             
“Are you kidding?  Korsh?  Home of the best drink, finest music and prettiest women in the world?  I think I can handle that.”

He then turned ba
ck to the Captain.

             
“I’d be delighted.” Kenner told him.

             
“I was hoping that you might.” Shorn told him smiling.  His three remaining teeth jutted out in curious angles in his mouth.  He turned and waved to a boat at the mouth of the harbor, it raised its sails and floated away.

             
“What was that all about?” Kenner asked him.

             
“I just be sending word of your impending arrival, sir; just to let ‘em know.”

             
“Let who know?”

             
“Just a few trusted folk, sir.  It’ll be no big deal at all.”

Kenner nodded cautiously.

              “Now if we could just get yer kitty on board, sir.” The Captain said.

Kenner went to the gangway and at the bottom of the plank, he saw Shela with several men and women keeping a safe distance from her.  One tried to poke her with a pole to get her to mov
e up the plank.  She turned and snarled at him, bearing her sharp, white teeth.  After that, she looked up at Kenner with a sad expression.

             
“I’m guessing she not be a sea fairing kitty.” The Captain said to Kenner.

             
At dawn, the Golden Serpent set its sails and floated away from the port of Bahastrawp.  By the time the sun was high, the land was so distant it could barely be seen and for the first time, Kenner looked out at the open sea.  His father had described it before, but his description paled in comparison to seeing it with his own eyes.  The sunlight glistened on the top of the waves and the vast expanse of the sea seemed to go on and on until meeting with a sky bigger than he’d ever seen.  It looked as if the world itself stopped where the sky and sea met and that any who ventured too far would fall into oblivion.  The sea looked more than just large.  It appeared to so mighty and powerful that Kenner thought that not even the Black Sword could tame it.

             
Throughout the day, he simply leaned against the railing of the ship staring out into the vastness.  He saw birds fly over the masts of the ship and off towards the distant horizon.  He heard the water slashing against the ship as if the vessel were tearing through it.  The up and down motion of the boat made him a little queasy, but he thought it a small price to pay for seeing such marvels for the first time.  Shela stood next to him, leaned against him and uttered a low and pitiful moan.  He reached over her shoulder and rubbed her gently.

             
“Kenner!” Terri called from the bow.  “You’ve got to see this!”

Unsteady, but curious, Kenner eased himself along the length of the ship to the bow where Terri was waiting.  Crouching low on the deck, Shela followed.  Terri guided him to the railing and po
inted to the water.  Just under the water and seeming to be racing, darting just in front of the bow where what appeared to be curious fish.  They were moving so fast, they appeared as if flying.  Kenner was fascinated; and then amazed when, first one and then another jumped out of the water then dove back out of sight.

             
“By the Lady!” An amazed Kenner shouted.  “What are those?”

             
“Them be dolphins!” The Captain shouted.

             
“Dolphins, you say?”

             
“Aye, sir and they be a sign of much good luck!”

             
“That’s good news!” Terri shouted as she watched the creatures appear to dance and play.

             
“Aye, milady!  Them be the favored pets of the Great Lady herself.  They dance and play only with them that bear the Lady’s favor.  I been at sea me whole life and never a bad turn has befell me when her playmates have kept me company.”

             
Kenner and Terri watched the dolphins play beneath them as the salty sea spray washed their faces.

             
At night, Kenner’s queasy feeling seemed to ease and he ate a fine meal of fresh meat, fish and fine wine.

             
“Does your whole crew eat like this?” Kenner asked.

The Captain looked up at him from the table and smiled.  The ship pitched up higher than usual and an oil lamp began to slide down the table.  The first mate casually caught it along with a plat
e also aiming for the deck.

             
“Each Captain be responsible for the cuisine of his or her own ship.  Me crew may not have these fine accommodations, but they be the best fed troop on the waves, I assure ye of that.  Isn’t that right, Darner?”

             
“Aye, sir,” The first mate answered.  “A crew is happiest on a full belly.”

             
“That they be and since me trade contract with the honorable Lady of the Woods has made me a comfortable earning, I share it with me fine crew.”

             
Darner then turned to the Captain and gave him a strange, questioning expression.

             
“Why are you talking like that, sir?” He asked the Captain.

             
“Talking like what?”

             
“Like that?”

             
“I’m sure I know not of what ye speak.”

             
“Oh, for heaven’s sake; you’re talking like a pirate again, aren’t you?”

             
“What are you doing?” The Captain said without his peculiar accent.

             
“I must apologize for my Captain,” Darner then said to Terri and Kenner.  “He does that sometimes.

             
“I just be tryin’…ahem…” The Captain coughed.  “I’m just trying to give the full experience of the sea.”

             
“That trade contract must be quite a feather in your hat.” Terri said, giggling and gulping down more wine.

The Captain smiled and blushed.

              “Yes it is, Miss.  The Lady doesn’t allow just anyone to go up her river and come back.  Many a boat has gone into that river uninvited and many a crew not come home.”

             
“How many of you have such contracts?” Kenner asked.

The Captain and Darner then gave each other strange looks, as if keeping a secret.

              “Begging your pardon, sir,” The Captain said seriously, “But we’re not exactly supposed to say.”

             
“One of the greatest prizes any Captain of Sheyron can have is a trade contract with the Blackwoods.” Darner added.  “Those of us who do have contracts never speak about them to each other, much less outsiders.  We don’t mean to be impolite…”

             
“I understand completely.” Kenner said.

             
Later that evening, Kenner sat in his small cabin, finally getting used to the motion of the ship and the sea underneath.  He was sipping a glass of wine finer than one he’d ever known and smoking a cigar with Terri.

             
“So remind me again,” He said to Terri, “Why are we doing this?”

             
“Why are we doing what?” She queried.

             
“Why am I on a ship hundreds of miles from my house, fireplace and red head with a huge cat that’s going to puke on me at any moment?”

             
“We’re looking for General Krall.” She reminded him while pouring herself another glass.

             
“Oh yeah…him.” He said with a giggle.

             
Terri looked at him and grinned.

             
“My dear, Kenner,” she said to him, “I believe you are a little drunk.”

             
“Stranger things have happened.”

She gulped down the delicious wine and leaned back in her chair.

              “Since you are drunk, perhaps you’ll tell me about that pretty little girl who’s keeping your fire going back in the hills.”

             
“What do you want to know about her?”

             
“Her name would be a good start.”

Kenner’s head was starting to spin and his eyes felt heavy.

              “Her name’s Lenore, you forgetful hag and that’s all you’re going to get out of me.”

             
“Oh come on now.”

             
“Nope…that’s all you get.”

             
“I’ll give you a big, wet kiss if you tell me more.”

             
“Now I know you’re drunk.” He teased.

             
“Oh come on,” She said lunging to his bunk.  “Open your mouth and let me stick my tongue in it.”

He laughed and tossed her onto the deck.

              “Get off me, you pervert.”

They
both laughed, drank a little more wine and then Kenner fell asleep.

             
That night, Kenner slept only a little.  He found it difficult sleeping on the moving vessel, but more than that, the excitement of the day wouldn’t let him sleep.  He had seen the awesome sea and dazzling creatures playing like children.  Such things were previously unknown to him and he couldn’t wait for the opportunity to witness more in the morning.

             
When the morning did come, he almost jumped out of bed and nearly raced out the door.  The sounds, smells and even the tastes of the sea greeted him, but he could tell the boat had slowed.  Looking up, he saw that only the smaller sails were unfurled.  Stepping out, he tripped over Shela who answered in a low moan.

             
“Sorry about that, old girl.” He said to her.

He then heard the sound of boots on the wooden deck.  Looking up, he saw Darner standing above him and holding a cup of steaming liquid. 

              “I see you’re already awake, sir.” Darner said down to him.

             
“Yeah, thanks.”

Kenner took a careful sip of what was already the best coffee he’d ever had.

              “We’re almost there, sir.”

             
“Korsh?”

             
“Aye, sir.  We should be there within the hour.”

             
Kenner stood up and looked around the ship.  A hatch opened just in front of him and a haggard and rough looking Terri crawled up from the steps.