Val’ha awoke, confused, sand in her face and hands, just as a screech that hurt her ears subsided, replaced by a low, deep hum. Her ear to Terra, she recognized the Song and felt for a moment gladdened, the next in realization she lay on a riverbank.
She sat up and wiped the sand from her eyes, the Song of Terra still in her ears, unusual since she had never heard it such in the air. Under the glow of stars across the river, perhaps a hundred yards, was another shore and dark wood. No birds, beasts, trees or wind sounded within the Song. Val’ha stood; darkwood lay behind her as well. She did not how long she had been there. The river itself, even in starglow, was light green, and she compelled herself to stoop and take in her hands and drink its water. The taste was more than refreshing; she felt vital, stronger and more alert, and took another and another draught of the water.
Considering her next course of action, Val’ha peered down the river both ways with no success; it flowed from and into nothingness. She ventured the risk of crossing to the other side, but rejected this as well. Turning back to the forest behind her, she said aloud, "Misa Val’ha, ou’a-ment?" The Song assumed a pleasance that vibrated within her, and the sound of her own voice comforted her further.
She went right with the flow of the river, unsure but not frightened, and came upon a clearing in which stood a single oaktree, small bushes of lavender growing at its base. Surprised and delighted, for she had not seen the flowers since Carias, Val’ha leaned over to relish their fragrance, picking a couple and placing them into her tunic. The tree shook, a few leaves fell and the Song faded; from the tree’s silhouetted branches came a sigh, then a murmur just beyond her ken. She climbed into the oak’s foliage to hear the words.
"Kephu’mir, jou’vissa jou ben’e veca jou, jou’i donil vis. Endom’ges-va Axorn-a porheur’il nonr’tour, misment-vis sahn’ominos Sipsids a-sav’va Axorn consum-el mal’pota ant’vis,"
which meant, "Kephu’mir, you have done well with the gifts I have given you. You have gravely wounded Xorus’ mortal agent who will not return for some time, but while you now free the Sipsids family know that you are in danger, for Xorus is to unleash his evil against you through the Song of Terra." The tree slipped into silence, but as Val’ha began to climb down its trunk, an orange heat singed her; above, at the top of the tree, branches burst into opaline flames. In its intensity, the ends of Val’ha’s ears burned and she lost her grip and fell backward, into darkness.Val’ha awoke to the sounds of Trisahn moving about, preparing a breakfast for the two of them. She smiled, but her mind filled suddenly with the contents of her dream and she retrieved her writing materials to record all she could remember. "Good morning, busy Elf," he said with curiosity and mirth. "I have known you to end the day with journals, not begin!" Val’ha ignored him until she completed her task. She wished she could identify the voice of the tree, but gave up after a moment when the sweet smell of breakfast wafted under her nose. "Come join me before we go to the docks to meet Captain Eedebee."
**
"One block north and three east," Trisahn said. They locked up their lodging and proceeded to the docks; Val’ha heard over the sounds of the morning a commotion from that general vicinity, and the closer they got to the docks, the more the noise, of raised voices and fire, grew. Over the tops of the buildings smoke wisped into the morning sky. By the time they reached the port, they were running.
Flames leaped from several of the docks and boats; one was nearly destroyed. Both companions jumped in to assist in dousing the fires. Shouts and calls battled with the sounds of the fiery destruction; on one pier, lines of Azimq’haadrians with pails drew water from the sea and threw the contents onto their ship. A group of Dwarves on a half-burned dock, and some in the water, battled to kill the flames licking at the prow of their small boat; a vessel next to it already floated barely above water, charred to ruin and smoke rising from its shell. Several Humans from other boats joined in with buckets, wet cloths and even their hands to kill the fire as it jumped to other piers and boats, and by now the sky was filled with the grey smoke. Further up an opaline light flashed through the haze, hitting yet another vessel; it burst into flame.
A clarion horn boomed above the shouting, water and fire; others, Dwarves and Humans, appeared from buildings and boats to battle the blaze. A pier collapsed, sending several firefighters into the water. Val’ha and Trisahn joined the Azimq’haadrian crew to battle the flame, now covering the entirety of the Moncrovian dockline. Many were choking by now, and some took recovery away from the flames near the buildings, which remained untouched by the fire; others used wet cloths to cover their mouths and noses while they tried to help as best they could. Val’ha’s eyes watered freely and her hands and clothing were covered with ash. A light split through the air onto a small skiff, severing it in two and setting it aflame; two Women waded into the water with their pails to put it out. Others from the city reached the docks, adding to the scores who fought the fire from the sky.
By the end of an hour, twenty vessels and over a dozen docks were completely or partly destroyed. Sheriffs and dockmaster supervised the crowds and cleanup, and exhausted, Val’ha and Trisahn gave up trying to find the Bugbear and its captain and returned to their lodging in despair.
**
Val’ha and Trisahn did not speak much for the rest of the day. Val’ha read over and over her scroll, unsure more with each hour that what she wrote earlier was anything more than a dream. Trisahn kept to himself and after they ate their midday meal, he told her he would gather their horses, find Hevoran and leave the mounts with Jonathan the Trainer for the time of their journey. When several hours passed and he did not come back, Val’ha trekked south through the short wood outside the city to the shore of Flooher’ty Sea and sat upon the sand; from there she could see the docks.
The smoke had winnowed away, leaving the sky blue. Some repaired their watercraft, others the piers, and others looked on or talked in groups, pointing toward the central area where the worst of the incident occurred. All the while craft large and small entered from the sea, unloading their crews and contents before reloading and sailing back out over the horizon when their work was done. Dockhands moved the merchandise into nearby buildings and gulls cried overhead and played on the air, uncaring for all the commerce below.
Val’ha wished for her father and her home. Though she had washed away the morning’s grime, her face still felt heated, her hair and ears singed, and she wanted to go back to yesterday and yesterday before that, before the dream, the Baron Val Tress, Thoryn’s revelations, Hevoran’s tour, the gifts of the High Wizarder, A’crasti’s performance, the King’s stare, the battle with Feukpi in his light-circle, the wallhuggers and rose-goddesses, Porcie and Dragonslayer and breakfast at the Red Buck Inn, the drunken Dwarves, the trek to Moncrovia and her missing green vials, Trisahn’s recovery and Tropruscht’s posse, the mayor’s treasury and Trisahn himself, and the last day Ma’hadrin, frail as a bird’s egg, asked her to carry his body to the pyre where she performed the rites and watched him fade from her world in a gentle violet light.
Terr’Sol began to slip into its final radiance of the day, and Val’ha took one more look at the port, saddened that though it could be repaired and life resume its dealings for today, her entry into this world outside Carias would coincide with this dangerous new time. And what am I to think of the wizard’s words, she wrote that night, when he spoke of my destiny? Is it my destiny that with me came this grief? And if I had not come, would such events have occurred? Am I part of these happenings, or am I responsible for them?
With the horses in Jonathan’s caretaking, Trisahn returned to their lodging that evening long enough to report that he was accompanying Hevoran and Jonathan to the Dragon Inn if Val’ha wished to join them later. She said nothing, went to bed early and awoke later that night just enough to hear her mumbling companion stumble into bed and fall immediately into a loud snore. Returning to sleep herself, Val’ha remembered in her last seconds what had fallen from her tunic during her preparations for the trip next day – a sweet-smelling sprig of lavender flowers.
**
"Waking you is proving more difficult than all of our fights at Castle Ohrt!" yelled Val’ha, frustrated in her fifth attempt to shake Trisahn from his stupor.
Face waxen and stubbled, he muttered, "Hevoran! No more hopsbrew!" and rolled away again.
"Get up, now!" Val’ha demanded, and slowly Trisahn aroused himself as she returned to her final packing of provisions. "Do not forget the items from the High Wizarder. Though Eedebee will be stocked on drink and food, we are still responsible for the rest."
Trisahn rubbed his face and staggered from his bed to the dark window, eyes blinking as they adjusted to the tinderlight. "No more hopsbrew for me – ever," he repeated to himself.
"Perhaps you should avail yourself of the seawater before we leave. We have about an hour before dawn arrives," Val’ha said. This seemed a good idea to Trisahn; he perked up, assembled a change of fresh clothing and, with it and a shaving-stone, exited for the short walk to the sea’s edge. Most of her work done, Val’ha carefully placed her papyrus into her pack and on further consideration rolled the lavender sprig into the dream-scroll and took it as well before eating a small breakfast of fruit and bread. A knock on the door made her assume Trisahn locked himself out, but it was a horseless Sir Thoryn instead, arrayed in provisions that included his bow and arrows, and the wizard’s waterskin. He embraced Val’ha and stepped back, concern on his face. "Trisahn is merely bathing outside and will be back soon."
"Oh no, that does not concern me," said Sir Thoryn. "I decided to meet you here instead of the Bugbear with more news from the castle." They took to chairs; Thoryn sat at the bare edge of his seat, studying his hands.
Trisahn returned, refreshed and joyous to see his companions. "Thoryn!" Upon witnessing the knight’s solemnity, he too grew quiet and joined them in the dining area.
"It is good to see you, Trisahn. As I said to Val’ha, I bring word from Castle Moncrovia. First, though we greatly wounded his agent Feukpi with Porcie’s Sword, Xorus is regathering his plans to capture Dervish – the High Wizarder in communion with his Order learned of this last night. Castle Moncrovia and all who live there are still under the protection of our wizard for the time, but you are both unsafe and I urge you to keep all of your senses open against anything unusual or ominous, for now both Xorus and Feukpi have set their focus on revenge against us directly."
Startled, Trisahn and Val’ha asked, "What does this mean for us?"
"I do not know, and I have wondered about Sir Porcie in his travel to the Clerickal Church, though I believe once they get there its grounds are hallowed enough to shield him and his mother. It is more probable that Xorus will turn his attention to the three of us. I have but little understanding of the Song of Terra, but his reach cannot yet extend beyond the shores of this land – save for his curses, which are reborn with him under their own craft, we should be safe on the water. I cannot predict what will happen by the time we return – in a fortnight Xorus may have the power to command the seas.
"And one more thing." Thoryn addressed Val’ha directly. "His ability to possess magickal agents has grown to include even stronger mortals and, the wizard said, possibly the three races of Elves."
Val’ha shivered at this. "I assure you both if this is true, you will know the moment of my first rational thought."
The trio kept their own counsel for several moments before Thoryn spoke again. "I am frustrated at the palace’s continued silence on the entire matter. They ask us to safekeep their secrets, yet should others not already know? With the King summoning his five children from their domains to protect them from Kayleen and A’crasti’s fates, there will be many questions asked! Crown Prince Joel V and Princess Ardanla have arrived already from the court of the King of Jo’hoprinia. The King and Queen are in straits until their entire family reaches the castle, but I cannot imagine... " He let the words hang in the air.
"Perhaps." The gravity of Val’ha’s word raised the Men’s eyebrows.
"Why do you say that?" asked Trisahn, and Val’ha told them all she knew of her dream two nights prior, excepting the particulars of the lavender.
"That is what you were recording with such madness yesterday morning," said Trisahn.
"Yes, it is the first such shadow-dream I have actually remembered, and I did not want to lose its details. I hope to see the High Wizarder about my journal – perhaps he can divine its meaning."
"Your Elven dream-tree confirms what I have told you of, at least," said Sir Thoryn. "The matter of Xorus and the flaming branches, however..."
Trisahn’s face widened. "He already has strength enough to wield the Song – the branches represented his sky-fire!" Trisahn and Val’ha told Thoryn about the fire at the docks.
"I suspected," concluded Val’ha, "after it was all over with, that my dream was more than coincidence."
"Val’ha," Sir Thoryn said with wonder in his voice, "why have you not told us before of your ability to see the future?"
"It is not a skill I ever possessed and I insist the message was not mine, but the voice in the tree. I do not claim any special powers nor has this happened to me before. I can tell you that whoever it was, I do not believe Xorus delivered the words I heard in my dream!"
"Still, it means your own potency – even as a vessel – grows," Thoryn said. "Perhaps living with Trisahn inspires these changes in you." The companions laughed nervously.
"I am afraid of what may occur while we are gone to Sipsids Isle," said Val’ha.
"Oh!" Trisahn pointed to the dim morning light penetrating the window. "We had best make to the Bugbear lest the Baroness lash us with her tongue."
**
Terr’Sol’s orange fingers reached through vague cloud cover to dapple the port of Moncrovia; the companions hastened to the docks, and when they reached it they paused. None stirred in the half-dark save one vessel rocking quietly between two charred docks, aglow in grey-light apart from all else. The twinsail was perhaps sixty feet, portholed, rigged and many-levered, its masthead a hobgoblin whose tongue stuck out. Amazingly there was no damage or burn upon the ship, Bugbear the name upon its prow, nor any visible crew save one Woman.
"Would you look at her?" whispered Trisahn. On the grey-ship the young maiden, wearing a cream-colored dress, searched in various directions. Her hair, golden as summer light, fell to her waist; her eyes were large and deep. The Men stopped in their tracks; upon seeing them, the girl’s words sang low like a mourning dove: "Good morning to you – are you the three mercenaries sent from the King?"
Sir Thoryn pushed past Trisahn, only for Trisahn to push past him. "We are," he said, "and since this is the ship we seek, please tell us where we may meet its captain, Eedebee?"
The maiden laughed, her hands raised. "Dear Trisahn, for I know you from your description, let me show you to the captain – it is me! I am Eedebee, here to take you to the Isle of Sipsids."
"Songs to Convah," Trisahn whispered; to Eedebee he hailed, "Pardon my ignorance, captain."
Eedebee set down the stair for them to embark. "Welcome to you all. Sir Thoryn? And Val’ha, I have heard many warm words from the High Wizarder of you – all of you."
Sir Thoryn bowed, saying only, "Captain."
"It is good to meet you..." Hoof-falls from the main street interrupted Val’ha as an entourage led by the Baroness Val Tress, her shield silver with red-cross, clip-clopped its way onto the harbor boards toward the Bugbear, including the Men who Lady Frippe had toasted at the King’s banquet – Lord Nopaach-to, his long black hair loose under a triangular blue hat and his robe adorned in peacock, and Andronicus Flooher’ty, tall and brown-haired, an old sword at his side and a supply of scrolls under one arm. Several servants followed them.
The Baroness reached the Bugbear first, greeted the companions tersely and alit from her mount; her servants mirrored her every movement, their eyes on her at all times. She gestured and they brought forth supplies and chests; Eedebee showed them through the hatch to the deck below. Nopaach-to and Andronicus took longer to dismount; gathered of their provisions, they boarded the ship as the servants disembarked to reclaim the horses for return to the Val Tress estate. Eedebee joined her six passengers on the deck: "Welcome to you all. I am Captain Eedebee – with the winds of Igar at our back, we should make our journey to Sipsids in two days."
Nopaach-to removed his hat with a flourish and kneeled. "I am Nopaach-to and this is Andy, my assistant." Eedebee bowed slightly to them.
"We have lost precious time already," interrupted the Baroness. "Now, young Woman, you have been charged with your duties and arranged with proper stipend I presume – so little is my trust in the adequacy of the wizard’s recommendations." With that, she pushed through her journeymates into the heart of the Bugbear.
**
Down-hatch a low hallway separated five rooms – on the left, a grander room contained the Baroness’ supplies, and on the right Andy and Nopaach-to took a small three-berth room. Next left was Captain Eedebee’s well-ordered office and quarters and next right Val’ha, Trisahn and Thoryn took a four-berth room containing fresh bedding, a bed-table and chair in greywood, two bedpans and a porthole that brought the room light. Eedebee returned to the top of the deck, leaving her guests to arrange for their trip; when she unloaded her possessions, Val’ha peered into the last room – thick-legged greywood table and chairs, mugs and plates affixed to the top of the wall and fastened cupboards. Val’ha returned to her friends.
"She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen," Trisahn was saying.
Thoryn nodded. "But how is it that she operates this vessel on her own, without even a hand to steer or launch sail?" As if in answer, the Bugbear creaked and the companions stumbled when it pulled backward and around.
Val’ha peered out the porthole to the receding burned docks. "Did you see this vessel during the fire, Trisahn? It has not been singed in the least, and though we failed yesterday to meet Eedebee, Baron Val Tress said she was here by then. How could her ship have escaped without damage?"
"I do not know." Trisahn jumped into the berth above Sir Thoryn. "Very comfortable – I think I shall continue my sleep so deprived last night. Val’ha, perhaps she relocated from another part of the harbor."
"Perhaps."
**
Above deck Val’ha and Sir Thoryn joined Eedebee at the Bugbear’s helm, a light breeze pushing the sails away from Moncrovia. From their position Val’ha saw dwarfing the city Mount Carias, so majestic she paused in her breath and grieved for memories and losses. "Your command of this vessel is impressive," Thoryn remarked.
"Thank you! It was granted to me recently, by way of the High Wizarder." Eedebee smiled, pulled back one of several main levers on the helmstand to adjust her foresail, and focused on the blue ahead.
"How much experience have you in seafaring?" Thoryn pressed.
Eedebee paused, gazing at him. "Though my mother and her mother before her were seamstresses who taught me their craft, I had an aunt from whom I learned captaincy a year ago."
"I am sorry we did not meet you yesterday," Val’ha said. "We arrived only to be caught up in helping to kill the fire."
Eedebee regarded her oddly. "I did hear about the fire during the course of the evening," she answered with a small laugh, "but to be honest with you, I only arrived myself in the late afternoon, so you would not have found me at any chance."
Val’ha recalled, in addition to the Baron, the High Wizarder’s assurance that the Bugbear was already docked by yesterday morning, well before the fire. At that moment Nopaach-to came up the hatch with Andy, drawing in a deep breath and stretching. "The wondrous morning, the voyage across the sea – Andy, this will be our grandest adventure!"
**
It is noon on the first day of our journey. I sit in my sleeping-bed and Trisahn snores in the upper berth across from me after going with Hevoran last night for a drink he called ‘hopsbrew.’ Sir Thoryn is above with Captain Eedebee and pays her close attention. She is only seventeen, she told Thoryn – how does so young a person come to pilot a ship alone?
Both the High Wizarder and Baron Val Tress insisted she would be docked by yesterday morning and perhaps she spoke truth that she was late in her arrival, but if by chance her vessel was there and unmoved, we did not see it, nor did it take damage from Xorus’ sky-fires. Also, unless she communed magickally with the High Wizarder, how could she know us, and that Thoryn had been knighted to call him ‘Sir’? Much troubles me about Eedebee, and I hope to find the time to speak with her in private, for we shall be with her at least a fortnight.
The others I have spoken with little. In spite of the Baroness’ orders and demeanor, I recall the words of the Baron. When I have lived more than my twenty-five years to reach her age, I might even then only guess what is in her heart, or will I have her temperament myself? I am laughing at this, for I cannot imagine turning such! She wields a heavy sword and seems hale. If it is true what the wizard told us and Xorus resurrected the island’s dead, we shall need every weapon we have.
A’crasti’s younger brother Andy carries a sword and is big and strong, and his nature is pleasing enough. Nopaach-to the Baron’s mapper I am impressed and amused by and the two of them...
"Back at your journals down there? What time is it?"
"Terr’Sol appears midday, Trisahn. You startled me – yes, I am writing. There are many thoughts I needed to place..."
Trisahn hopped down next to her. "As I came out of my sleep, I too wondered about certain things. May I see what you wrote?"
"I never shared..." Trisahn did not wait for Val’ha to finish, but pulled the papyrus from her hands, causing her quill to fall to the floor. "Trisahn!"
"Dear friend!" Trisahn laughed, holding away the scroll as Val’ha reached for it. He put it back in her hand. "I am sorry, I will not violate your wishes." Val’ha scowled, reconsidered and allowed Trisahn to read her observations. "Ste. Lemoya, I have missed much on deck today, and your thoughts on the vessel reflect some of my own. Though you feel a sense of mystery, however, about our captain, I remind you that my story would cause some to stir, and if your own father’s place in the history of Elves and mortals had not been forgotten to all but clerics and kings, it would be of interest to all that his daughter walks the land of Asch’endra after being hidden for so many years."
"What you say is true, Trisahn, but I was not in judgment of Eedebee so much as wonder."
"Wonder?" He returned the papyrus. "Sweet Val’ha, I should wonder that even for your own reading, your journal is unmarked by the trappings of common Time – you must order your chronicles or when you are twelve centuries old and I am but a memory to you, you may find them nonsense. Take a fresh sheet, and mark your journal Andromedae, Heidlester 65 of the year 3100." With that he recited to her a famed child’s poem that she used from that day forward in her log:
"Two years away from the great Golden Age,
Insipiriles tell us with joy
Leictania’s empire with King Azimq’haadrin
dispatched to Asch’endra a ploy.
‘Great are the deeds of explorers and giants of science,
you tell to our lands,
Send forth, then, Andronicus Flooher’ty;
give us Plaus Vreblanth, we ask and command!’
Thus Plaus and Andronicus went to the land
of Leictania for their commission
‘Create,’ said the emperor, ‘Time so that mortals may measure it
– go to your mission!’
They looked to the sky and the color of trees
and the feel of the water, the birds and the beasts;
They matronized Ashley, the Goddess of Water,
the daughter of Zeus and Cromagna, entreaties
- Calliope, Goddess of Fire and sister to Ashley
- and Goddess of Air
Whose name Fenra lives all through our lore
as the daughter who left to the halforc-gods’ lair.
The goddesses smiled as Time was their father,
the houses of gods and immeas’rable, but for
The mortal Andronicus sent was a dream.
When he woke, soaked in water, inside his ears roared
The gods’ Song of Terra alive in his spirit,
Andronicus, first among mortals, first feared,
Then he felt, understood and made sense of the Song
and gave praise to the goddesses, stroked on his beard,
And sat down with Plaus Vreblanth to give mortals Time.
Now record, if you will, days and months from this rhyme:
Among all the kingdoms and empires henceforth
the things we call Time in all places and climes
Are the seconds and minutes and hours and days,
the weeks into fortnights and months into years
Thirteen and three-score of days in a month
and eight days in each week in accordance with Terra –
Creoday, Tiuday, Romoday, Dragoday,
Readay, Andromedae, Asp’day and Flooher’ty;
Months are Creomanthy, Vendredi, Heidlester,
then Mocrolester, Zynlester, and see,
From the tenth year before lost was Vreblanth
and twelve years before went the mortal Andronicus,
All emperors, kings and their lands and their kin
and their minions have measured Time thus.
For such deeds as this Plaus and Andronicus grew
in their glory before they would leave
For the realms beyond Terra, Plaus Vreblanth to Convah,
the place where the great God-King lives.
Andronicus Flooher’ty spoke to the gods.
To the House of the Saints did he climb,
And the goddesses granted him sainthood,
our lord St. Andronicus, patron of Time."
Trisahn grinned at Val’ha. "It was time you had written this down."
**
"Cheers!" hailed Nopaach-to that evening around the galley table, on it two thick beeswax candles surrounded by fruits and preserved meats, bread and ale Val’ha knew from its smell she could not drink. "To our first day as sea-goers together!" Tidings went around the room. "Eedebee, is the ship on such course that you can be with us for this meal?" Looking about at his companions, Nopaach-to’s face went limp with an expression he had done something wrong. Eedebee frowned. "No matter then," Nopaach-to answered himself quietly, concentrating on his mug. "We have our response."
"Lord Nopaach-to..." Eedebee began. Val’ha half-rose from her seat; brows went up and she knew others shared her and Trisahn’s questions. Eedebee made a display of reaching for an apple, taking a bite and placing it and her palms flat on the table. "You – well, Nopaach-to," she repeated, pausing again; Trisahn’s chair scraped and Eedebee stood and cleared her throat. "I should tell you all – I should tell you all the Bugbear is unique."
"Oh my, dear, unique!" The others held their silence and Nopaach-to’s gaiety tempered to politeness. "What then, captain, is its uniqueness?"
"Do give up your ghosts, young lady," the Baroness admonished. "I am certain we are not all going to jump overboard in horror at what you are about to tell us."
"Yes, Baroness." Eedebee shrank back. "To speak plainly..."
"Do!"
"To speak plainly, the Bugbear is enchanted, in part by Igar the Wind-god, and has also the magic of the Elves." Eedebee wound a grey ring on her right middle finger around several times. "The High Wizarder, who granted to me this ship, set a charm to make – in a sense, to make me one with my ship, bound to it."
"Friends!" Sir Thoryn interjected. "The secret is out and we are headed properly, steered by Igar himself, so let us celebrate Eedebee’s intelligence and drink to Igar and our good fortune!" Andy, Nopaach-to and Trisahn lifted their ales limply.
Eedebee cast a small smile at Thoryn. "I have directed the course to the Isle of Sipsids and the Bugbear pilots itself for this time. When we arrive at the island, I will take the helm again."
"Very good! Very good!" Nopaach-to clapped his hands. "A magickal vessel, the smile of the Wind-god, a beautiful young captain – hail to our good fortune!" Cheers filled the galley.
"There is a bit more," Eedebee said; drinks and smiles went down. "When I was given command of the Bugbear and guidance of its operation, it became my home."
"Meaning?" asked the Baroness.
"Meaning I cannot leave – ever. I live aboard here."
"So it is your prison, then? And we have met you at the beginning of your very long sentence, from the age of you." For the first time since they met, Val’ha sensed tenderness in the Baroness’ rasp. "Such a heavy price you have paid for your captaincy."
Eedebee’s eyes spoke pain. "It was necessary."
"Necessary. I ask you how comes a Woman-child, a seamstress, to claim such favors from one so powerful as a wizard of the Sages?"
"The High Wizarder knew my mother," Eedebee said too quickly, "and me since I was a child. The ship was his gift to me when I told him I desired more than to be retained by strangers for mending garments." The quiet vehemence of the captain’s answer took the Baroness aback, and she drank of her ale; Eedebee drained her mug. "The Bugbear will protect you from many things when you are below deck." Her glance shifted to Val’ha, Trisahn and Sir Thoryn.
"What riddles you speak!" declared the Baroness. "Protect us! From what, the rain? And if it is battle to which you refer, I for one will not cower in my berth waiting for it to go away!"
Trisahn finished his ale. "My dear captain, your ship has more talents than even A’crasti, it seems! Can she disappear from the light of day?"
Val’ha knew this was a pointed question, and to be sure, it rattled Eedebee and she poured herself another draught. "What do you mean, Trisahn?"
"I cannot imagine but your story measured short when you told us you did not arrive until last night in Moncrovia. You see, I went to the Dragon Inn last night and upon my return home passed by way of the docks to see if any more mischief had occurred. I stood upon the very charred docks we found you berthed between this morning, but you were not there, not you, not your Bugbear, nothing, nor were you anywhere else. I challenge you to explain your inconsistencies!"
"I was there these past several days and I am sorry for my lies, but for my own reasons I kept silent the secrets of my ship. I beg forgiveness. The Bugbear appears and does not by my order, through this ring crafted and blessed by Elves and given me by the High Wizarder. We may go undetected and untouched as I command when all but myself are below deck."
"You were there, then, when the fires burned the docks," said Val’ha.
"Yes. When the white-bolts of light came from the sky that morning, I slipped from view in the fill of smoke and chaos and did not reappear until this morning, for you. The first fires were very near me, but when cloaked the Bugbear cannot be harmed. I heard the calls of those about me – they thought the white-bolts to be a rainless lightning storm – and I was very saddened I could not leave my ship to help them with their own vessels." No further questioning occurred and the seven companions made their supper until they consumed all of the foods. Eedebee wished them goodnight shortly after, leaving the shipmates another round of ales.
"Nopaach-to," Val’ha said, "what are your plans for the mapping of Sipsids?"
"Ah! Val’ha, a good question. The island has been unseen for many hundreds of years, nor are there maps from any time prior. All of the islands of the Caterwauler Chain but this one are now inscribed on every cartograph of the Ten Kingdoms – this task will be a jewel in my crown!
"To answer your question, dear Elf," he went on, "the Baron wishes this phase of the island’s mapping to be more roundabout. When we reach our first shore, I will have the captain move in as closely as possible, but I do not anticipate more than a few trips to the land itself unless there are some features Andy and I need to explore more fully. Our duty is to map the contour of the coastline and some of the island’s larger features. I am curious about the mountain, of course, and if there is any way to locate the manor first, I shall do my utmost to find it."
"I do despair," said the Baroness, "if you should not consult with me on the naming of my property’s markers." Nopaach-to blinked at her. "I remind you of your commission, and do not expect a repeat of your expedition to the kingdom’s southernmost islands. King Joel smiles of this matter, but I am displeased on his behalf and as his cousin."
"But dear Baroness, my lady..."
Val Tress turned to Val’ha. "It is funny in some ways, young Elf, how the King actually accepted Nopaach-to’s work, and today you find all of the Conmaato Islands named for our explorer here and all of his kin as well!"
"The King did not object ever, particularly since my only daughter Benzja-tomi is Prince Adam’s troth, lady Baroness."
"Vanities! The King has no time for pomp and dramatic ritual – he would not have protested because his nature is too forgiving. I come on this trip in part to ensure you do not give our landmarks the names of your distant relations, as you seem to have covered your closest family several generations each way. I am not so understanding as my Baron or the King."
"Dear, dear Baroness." Nopaach-to’s voice mixed sweet and nervous. "So much do I appreciate this opportunity to complete the mapping of this island..."
"Were not the Baron so insistent on your status, I would hire Andy here myself to do the work ahead and have you rest upon your laurel wreath. Your name, it seems, will live forever as it stands, through the Conmaato Islands and whatever other discovers you have sullied! Still," she said with a barking laugh, "I give you your due for such pageantry and arrogance. It is no wonder that the narcissus flower is only found upon Nopaach-to Isle."
"A small island of no consequence, uninhabited by most regards. Arenmi-to Island commands the seascape."
"Your troth, then! You will name no inlets or coves, forests or rivers after yourself or any of your children, ancestors or uncles, is this very clear to you?"
Nopaach-to smiled. "Cheers to our agreement of faith, good Baroness!" Mugs lifted and the Baroness stood.
"Good night then."
Biddings followed the Baroness out of the galley; Andy chuckled. "Dear master, how I wish I had been on the Conmaato expedition!"
"Andy, Andy, I am more surprised than she that the cartograph, but for Benzja-tomi, was not rewritten, to be honest." Everyone laughed.
"To the comment that you may go ashore," Val’ha said, "I assure you that we can serve as guard for your safety." Sir Thoryn and Trisahn nodded.
"Thank you all," Nopaach-to said. "In the days before our journey we stayed at the Val Tress estate, but the Baron told us little of your tasks in helping to bring an end to the Sipsids family’s curse. For all my research, it was the work of Xorus when he lived, but were his enchantments not destroyed when he died? At any rate, the Sipsids are people of good character – let us do what we can to halt the end of their bloodline."
"We have meant to consult with you on the scroll given to us by the Baron," Sir Thoryn said. "I could retrieve it from our quarters if you like."
"That scroll," answered Andy. "We have seen it, but from what we could divulge, it is little more than the area surrounding the Sipsids Manor itself, not the island. It may prove useful, though, for the manor looks near both an inlet and the mountain. To you, Val’ha," Andy continued, "I wish to avail myself as you have us. I carry a sword given me by my father Andronicus III and may be of some use in your task. I cannot express to you enough my joy and gratitude for saving my brother A’crasti, and at the feast in your honor the palace spoke of little else but your victory over Feukpi."
"That is appreciated, Andy. I can tell you now that your offer is accepted when we find the Sipsids Manor, where the task you speak of awaits us."
"Andy, Andy, Val’ha, Val’ha!" said Nopaach-to. "Would you not invite me to join this party as well?"
"I would not be so bold, master Nopaach-to," said Andy. "It is your decision."
Nopaach-to stood and pulled from a fold in his peacock robe a knife, curved and sharp, a miniature of Val’ha’s scimitar. He placed the knife on the table and withdrew then from his robe black metal stars and circles with sharpened points. "These are from the far-distant Islands of the East, past Leictania. I come from there myself, so young I can only just remember my homeland. These weapons were from my parents; when they brought me to Asch’endra to live, I learned also to make weapons of my hands and my feet, and I offer you these tools and skills when you need them." He bowed to her and resumed his seat. Val’ha picked up one of the stars to study it. "Carefully!" warned Nopaach-to too late – it pierced Val’ha’s finger and she dropped to the table. "Ohdear, Val’ha! Are you all right?" Nopaach-to fretted, the others hastily rising.
"I am fine, sit down please, gentle Men." Val’ha knew the sensation in her hand, and when a faint green glow began to form around the cut, she clasped her other hand around it to shield the curing-light from their eyes.
"The shooting-stars are very sharp indeed," Nopaach-to said, "cast as one would cast a stone, but with more training." He quickly gathered up his projectiles and returned them to his pockets.
"I have seen him use them," Andy offered, "and with such skill Nopaach-to can round us up as much rabbit and pheasant as we desire to eat."
The tingling sensation gone, Val’ha stole a glance at her finger; the wound was fully healed with no trace. "Nopaach-to, if you wish to join us, we would be honored."
"Then cheers to five brave companions, set to save the Sipsids clan!" Nopaach-to raised his ale.
