I walked a few steps, heard a noise from behind, stopped and turned around. Vanora was walking quickly up the incline away from me, her skirts hiked up in her hands to avoid tripping. That’s when I noticed another figure stumble from between two buildings, the same location where I’d seen Vanora exit earlier. I hid myself behind a barrel and watched.
The man had tripped on something as he exited the alley, stumbled and cursed. I tried to recognize him in the dim morning light. I was curious whether the man would follow Vanora but he turned toward me and approached. I moved further back to ensure I wasn’t seen.
As the man passed by I got a good look. He did look familiar but I couldn’t place him. I thought of stepping out from the shadows, confronting him of his ties to Vanora. After all, she had promised herself to me now. Our arrangement could change if I found out she’d been consorting with another man.
I waited until he was well ahead of me before I followed him. He walked toward the docks and I kept back to not arouse any suspicion. Reaching the harbor, he walked down the pier where my ship was docked, the one I was assigned to commandeer. He stood and stared at it as though he were familiar with the vessel.
The gangplank to the ship was blocked off and secured by a heavy gate with a thick metal chain and lock. There was no way he could board the vessel. Plus, there were dock guards posted at strategic points to watch for foul play. I was surprised he wasn’t seen and promptly escorted from the docks.
Confused, I stepped closer, hid behind a large crate with a good view of my ship. What was he doing with my vessel? Was he friend or foe? I decided then to face the threat head on.
Approaching cautiously, I removed the pistol from my inside pocket but kept it hidden from sight.
“By the High Name of Casimer, state your name and position,” I demanded as I drew close to him.
The man jumped and moved simultaneously, withdrawing his weapon as he did so. “Don’t shoot. I also have a weapon.”
I pointed my pistol at his head, knowing I could put a shot through his temple from this distance. He’d be dead before he knew what hit him.
“Tell me your name and your reason for being here?”
“I’ve been assigned to this ship. I volunteered and was one of the men chosen for this scouting mission.”
“But what are you doing here? You are not allowed anywhere near the ship without jurisdiction,” I reminded him.
“I desired to see what state the vessel was in. Since I am going of my own free will, I wanted to be sure the ship was sea worthy. I was simply curious.”
“Curiosity has killed many a man,” I said.
“And many a man has been killed needlessly by being sent out on a death assignment.”
Suspicion gathered in my chest. “You are questioning Casimer’s rule? Dwarkaa has condoned and applauded this mission.”
“No. I don’t question the validity of this mission. But I’m a realist and know we don’t have much chance of surviving. Too many ships have been lost in the southeast.”
“Your name,” I said forcefully, not liking the man in the least. He was too honest and was taking too many risks with his words.
“My name is Andrei. My father is a Royal Guard and I come from a long line of faithful Royal employees.”
The information didn’t impress me, especially since I suspected him consorting with my future wife. I decided to keep that piece of knowledge to myself. Exposing what I knew would put Andrei on the defensive and I needed to learn as much as I could about him and his ties to Vanora.
Andrei asked, “Do you know when we will sail?”
“No. You will be informed when the High Sentinel Command makes their decision.”
His slight smile irritated me. “You will need to go for training first, won’t you? You are new to the captain position.”
“It won’t take long. They are eager to find out what happened to the other ship and its crew.”
“Maybe. Or perhaps it’s fear of Tarman Farrin that drives them.”
Andrei spoke too freely of fear dominating Casimer’s rule. I was surprised he was not already dead for such insubordination. No one was allowed to speak of Casimer this way. If the Tonrar would overhear such disrespect, Andrei would be arrested and punished severely. Having him part of my crew did not thrill me in the least. Trouble would likely dodge his steps and his words would bring swift retribution to all of us.
“Casimer is not influenced by fear. You would do well to remember that.”
Andrei held his tongue but the look in his eyes said it all. He didn’t believe my words. Neither did I but I said what was expected. Everything was spoken for the Tonrar’s ears. If they were close and heard anything derogative said about Casimer, our lives would be in danger. So we say what is expected and we live.
Our conversation that followed will be forever engrained in my mind. His words fed my curiosity to whom he truly pledged his allegiance
“So, soon we will sail for Akoni Farrin. Perhaps they will let us live. Perhaps we will return.”
“Why would you volunteer if you fear for your life?” I asked.
“I had no other recourse. I knew I had to. But I don’t believe the rest of the crew had a choice.”
“Why would you say such a thing?”
“None of the other men volunteered.”
I felt shocked. “Are you sure of this?”
“Every warrior I’ve spoken with who was chosen for this mission did not volunteer.”
“Then someone signed their names in their stead.”
Andrei lifted his shoulders and dropped them again. “I don’t know.”
I’m sure my amazement showed.
“You didn’t volunteer did you?”
“Of course I did.”
Surprise lit his eyes and I believe I saw a sliver of respect there. He nodded, put his weapon away and walked toward me. “I will leave you to inspect your ship, Captain Razmig. I will see you again on the day we set sail.”
I watched his back as he walked toward the sandy beach.
Curiosity pulled at me over his reasons for volunteering. He mentioned he had no choice. What did he mean? I was cautious of his motives and didn’t trust him.
I watched Andrei for a time but then signaled for the guard further down the docks. The guard hadn’t noticed me until then but he came scurrying with the key to grant me access. I wore my new ship captain’s hat and uniform and showed him my new badge signaling my right to the dock and entrance to my ship.
After a thorough tour of the vessel, I exited and the guard put it on lockdown once more. The time had come for my training to begin.
I hurried off to the Captain’s Training Grounds, which was located near the docks, a few blocks from my location.
My training as a ship captain lasted a full week and was as intense and information heavy as I’d anticipated. Although I was good at retaining knowledge, I had no experience to draw from. To go from the lower position of an Apolake Warrior and part of the ship crew to being a captain was a big step. Viciousness was a promoted character trait for a ship captain, something I’d never pursued to the degree that other ship captains had but I was wise.
During my training I picked up on the chatter, the interest concerning the missing ship and concerns over Akoni Farrin’s possible involvement. All my trainers insisted I scout out Akoni Farrin thoroughly. There was much suspicion surrounding Akoni and their possible intentions. I sensed fear in my trainers, fear that we wouldn’t be successful, that we wouldn’t return. They never spoke their misgivings but the air was pungent with it. They’d given me over to death before they’d sent me off.
I was informed that there were other ships, sent to other farrin designations, adjacent to the southeastern land masses, which were assumed lost to the sea. Four ships in total had gone missing lately. I’d already heard the whispered rumors in the taverns.
News of the sea creatures we’d encountered on our tour of land masses spread like wild fire through the drinking establishments and would soon infiltrate the whole of Dwarkaa. Everyone was becoming aware of the increased danger of the farrin patrol.
Fear over this scouting mission had clearly escalated and yet, despite the terror emanating from those around me, I retained my confidence that I would return. Suma’s guarantees helped to settle my mind and kept me focused.
As the week grew to a close, the trainers looked at me as though I were already dead. I was dismissed from my last class like a reeking carcass left in the hot sun, as though I was but a skeleton going about my macabre duty.
When I reached my home, a missive was tacked to my door. I took it and read it. The ship was to leave at first dawn. Although the terror of those around me caused doubt to raise its ruthless head, I attempted to keep my heart steady. After all, Suma did promise my protection and my return. Trusting anyone was foolhardy, and yet Suma had proved reliable so far. Just maybe she was telling the truth. Either way, whether I lived or died, I was ready to go.
