When the ship returned to Dwarkaa and I arrived home, I found a summons posted on my door. Events were transpiring exactly the way Suma had described them to me. The note explained that the High Sentinel Command was seeking volunteers for a ship crew to travel to the southeastern farrins, where Akoni Farrin was located. Donagh’s ship and crew had not returned from their scheduled Southeastern Farrin Patrol. Many months had passed since their expected arrival. The missive on my door stated that the crew was presumed dead and the ship battered into driftwood by the sea.
After a visit to the bathhouse and some pleasure from the bathhouse girls, I traveled to the Royal Palace to place my name in the designated box of ballets. The Grand Admiral of the Farrin Patrol would make the final decision as to who would be placed on this mission.
Two days later the Royal Palace made a pronouncement on the new crew. A Royal Guard was sent to my home, a very unusual occurrence. I’d never had such a visit before. I took the Royal note from his hand. The missive was sealed with dark navy wax imbedded with the Royal Insignia, two snakes wound around the base of a massive coiled cobra with raised head and flared hood, the entire image contained within a circle.
I opened it and read: You are hereby appointed as the new Ship Captain over the Southeastern Farrin Patrol, the highest position in all of the farrin patrol assignments. You are being summoned to the Captain Training Division tomorrow at sunrise. You will do well not to miss it.
The missive was signed by Grand Admiral Strutz. What he meant by the last sentence was clear to me. If I didn’t show, my head will roll. What really surprised me was that Suma knew this would happen. How in Casimer’s High Name did she know I’d be selected as the captain? I had no experience. I’d never captained a ship before. There was no clear explanation why Grand Admiral Strutz would have appointed me this role. The only conclusion I could come to was that no other ship captain volunteered and I was the best candidate for the position.
My bones rattled with the knowledge that Tarman Farrin knew so much about me, information about the future, things that hadn’t happened yet. I didn’t know how they did it. Perhaps, as I continued to cooperate with Tarman, more would eventually be revealed. The fact that Towsaj was likely the source of this knowledge astounded me and my respect for him grew.
The following night I hardly slept. Worried thoughts kept bombarding my sleep, until, tired of tossing and turning, I got out of bed and donned my warriors uniform. The sky was still dark when I slipped out of my home and wandered toward the docks. I needed time to settle my turbulent thoughts.
Nice homes line the streets close to where I live, with a measure of space between each dwelling. As I neared the neighborhood closest to the docks the landscape gradually changed until I walked between narrow streets, two-story hovels lining each side, dark windows staring down at me. They are filled with paupers who barely manage to scrape enough together to feed their families. They take whatever work comes their way. Some are so desperate that they sell their children. Children become slaves, household servants, sex objects, and in extreme situations, sold for a pittance to sacrifice to our Lord Casimer.
I was thankful I was born to a mother who had some affection for me, who cared about protecting me from the viler states I could have been plunged into.
As the sea and lumbering shadows of the ships came into view, my stride slowed. The sun was fighting the darkness as it hovered near the horizon. I loved the site of the ships rigging at sunrise. The dark masts and lines looked impressive and bold against the sky that struggled to lighten. I was mesmerized by the view. A sound to my right broke my fascination.
I turned and noticed her before she recognized me. Vanora strode out from an alleyway separating two hovels. I stopped and waited until she saw me. When she did, the shock on her face told me I was the last person she expected to see.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
After gathering her surprise and covering the guilt that shone from her eyes, she raised her chin, squared her shoulders and said, “I could ask you the same thing.”
Vanora was a beautiful woman from a wealthy family. I’d had my eye on her for quite some time. I’d made my intentions clear to her about my desire to cover her when the time comes. I spoke to her a few times over a number of years, at balls and special gatherings. She knew I wanted her and yet she has never agreed. Once she told me that she was better than me, above me, in a higher class, and it galled me.
“I’m an Apolake warrior. I often come to the docks. This is a strange place for a fine woman of Dwarkaa to visit.” I glared at her, demanding an answer.
She fidgeted with her ornate shawl for a moment before clasping her hands before her flowing skirt. “I come here from time to time. I have a friend who lives in the hovels. She’s desperate for any help I can give. Her husband died last year and she was left with two young children.”
“Why should you care?”
“She would have needed to sell them if I hadn’t offered to help.”
“Does your father know about this?”
Her eyes lowered. “No.”
“You’re risking a great deal. What will he do when he learns of your activities?” I knew what would happen. He would discipline her severely, likely leaving scars in places that would not show.
I didn’t know if I could believe her tale. I suspected she was covering for something more sinister. No one cares what happens to anyone else on Dwarkaa, especially not the paupers.
There was fear in Vanora’s eyes. “Don’t speak of it. My father can never know.”
“It will cost you.”
“What is it you want?”
“You know what I want.”
Her nose turned up in revulsion. “I have my eye set on someone else. My father insists on my union with him. He has an important position in Dwarkaa’s Domain. I would be bettering myself being covered by him.”
Fury rolled in my gut at the insult. “What’s his name?”
“Prabhajan. He’s a Royal Guard in Casimer’s Grand Palace. He likely makes ten times the salary that you do.”
“Perhaps you haven’t heard of my promotion.”
“What promotion?”
“I have been appointed as the new ship captain of the Southeastern Farrin Patrol.”
Interest lit her eyes. “You mean you’re replacing the ship captain that died along with his crew?”
I could see where her thoughts were going. If the previous captain and crew were lost at sea, perhaps my demise would follow the pattern. If Vanora agreed to my plan to cover her and I would perish on my mission, she would be free to be covered by anyone of her choosing. Prabhajan would likely still be waiting for her and accept her after my death.
There’s been talk in the taverns about this scouting mission to Akoni and the southeastern farrins. Most warriors were terrified of volunteering and spoke of it in whispered tones over glasses of grog and elixir. Cowardice was enough of a reason to be executed so few men actually admitted they were afraid. Only the bravest of men volunteered. I only did so because of Suma’s words and assurances.
“I’d like to make my intentions known in the public forum,” I said.
“My father will not agree to it. He believes Apolake Warriors are beneath me.”
“If I do it publicly he will have to accept. Prabhajan has not made any formal request as yet?”
Vanora glared at me. “Are you able to make the request? Have you completed your ten years of servitude to Casimer?”
“Yes. I became eligible to take a coverling a few weeks ago. I sent in the formal request, received the parchment approval and have it safely tucked away. I will include the approval code on my intentions when I post in the public forum.”
Her shoulders dropped in discouragement.
“I take it Prabhajan is not yet free to take a coverling?”
“Don’t assume you know everything about my situation,” she stated angrily.
I allowed a small smile, realizing I’d guessed her circumstances well. “So? What is your answer?”
After a deep sigh, she said, “Yes. I agree to be covered by you.” But the glint in her eyes held disdain and revulsion. She still looked at me as beneath her.
“Good. I will post my intentions publicly before I sail. We will be joined when I return.”
“If you return.”
“Don’t mourn my demise so soon. I believe I am meant to return.”
Vanora made a derogatory sound not befitting a high-born woman of Dwarkaa. “Don’t concern yourself with my impending grief. There will be none at your expense. And how could you know that you will return? Life is never guaranteed.”
I shrugged, unwilling to say more.
She lifted her chin in superiority. “History speaks for itself. The south is cursed and the ships that travel there are subject to the shadow of Tarman’s tyranny. It’s surprising any of the southern patrol ships come back in one piece.”
“Is it terror I hear in your voice? Are your father’s opinions in line with your own? Should I pass on your opinions to the Royal Guard?”
Vanora placed a finger to her lips attempting to hush me. “I am not afraid. Casimer is Great and his Kingdom is over all.”
The expected rendition. She was afraid of the Tonrar overhearing and spoke the words for their benefit and for her family’s safety.
“Don’t worry, Vanora. I will return and take you as my own. Do not fear for your future husband’s safety.”
Condescension splayed across her features. “We shall see what will happen. Time is the best measure of what is true.”
“Spoken with eloquence,” I said, smiling widely at my new prize.
“Don’t look so smug.”
I bowed before her and said, “I need to go. I will see you again on my return.”
Without a response, she picked up her elaborate skirts, turned away and walked up the incline toward the finer parts of our city. I worried somewhat for her safety as she walked these streets but she’d gotten here on her own steam. I was sure she’d make it home in one piece.
As I headed toward the docks to breathe in the salty air and calm my racing thoughts, my heart was strangely at peace over the interaction with Vanora. I had the uncanny feeling that our meeting had been orchestrated and I wondered why. Overwhelming curiosity filled me whether Tarmon Farrin had anything to do with this encounter. And why? What significance was there in me being joined to Vanora. I made a mental note to ask Suma the next time I saw her. Hopefully she would come to me again. I felt suddenly eager to be out at sea, heading south toward Tarman and Akoni Farrins, regardless of the mystery and danger facing me.
