Malspire (14 page)

"It's simple really," I explained to them. "Tell Captain Crosp, or his first officer that you felt ill and went to the Naval Offices for help. Tell them that they referred you to Doctor Eebel, who gave you these and then told you to get out of his sight."

Jodlin leered his toothless grin. Harl on the other hand was thinking it through.

"What about Doctor Feasler?" asked Harl. "We would have gone to him first. He might not fall for it."

"That snivelling puppet? He's a coward and a fool. He won't risk his life if there's the off chance that you're truly sick. If he reads the notes, get close to him. Make as though you're going to touch him. Intimidate the fool. Jodlin's good at that. Jodlin?"

"Yes?"

"Convince the doctor that you've got Grotting Worms."

"I'm good at convincing," Jodlin said, cracking his knuckles.

"Fine, Captain. We'll do it. In three days time," Harl said. "That's when the ship leaves. I reckon it's better so they don't send anyone looking for us or snooping."

"I agree, Mister Harl. In three days then."

Pleased with my work, I left them with more food and wine, and then made my way back to the Lady Ocean.

Chapter Six

The Dragon's Tooth was full, yet around me was an ominously empty space. I snarled at any who came close, letting only the barmaid near when she took me more wine. Still in my hand was the crumpled letter, wanting to throw it away, but unable to. Ajator had married Veinara. I was getting drunk.

I was happy for him and at the same time cast into a black mood brought on by the loss of a woman I had once dared to dream of a life with. It was only on reading the letter that I realised that the hope still lingered. The letter told of how Ajator could not bear the thought of leaving her for the seas again without knowing she would be waiting for him. I could not rid myself of the image of Veinara’s face when she had smiled at me over dinner, and the kiss she had left me with. I wanted Ajator to have his fling, and then move on, opening up the possibility that Veinara might turn to me. It was pathetic, I knew, but I could not help it; I was young and foolish. She was Ajator's now. She was just a fantasy, and I had to let it go and wine was good for that, at least, that is what I was telling myself.

I had originally gone to the Naval Office to see if there were any orders, and there was one, a standing order. The message was from High Admiral Lord Villor and it commanded all captains and commanders to attempt the capture of a rebel code book without the enemy's knowledge. Rumour was that a rebel fleet were finally amassing for an attack on Umuron, and should the Empire get hold of such a book we would be able to confirm this and counter it. It was funny that this news came from the men at the Dragon's Tooth and not the Naval Office. Although a captain now, I still needed to prove myself worthy of any sensitive intelligence. The rumour further went that calls for reinforcements from the city where going unheard. These were troubling times and the sooner we could get to sea, the better. As for the book, "The enemy must not suspect that we have captured one!" read the order. The letter was handed to me by the clerk together with the standing order.

I filled my cup again with the new bottle of wine. They had married in secret. Father was angry. Of course the old duke would forgive Ajator in time but he will be disappointed at the poor match. In the old days such a marriage would never have been allowed, but in these enlightened times, the blood of the aristocracy was being watered down by ideas of love. Probably a good thing, I thought morosely. It needs a good cleaning. Draining the cup in one go, I looked at the dregs of dark wine at the bottom of my cup. Blood. Those born high fought so hard to hold onto it, even at the expense of the blood of those born low. I was stuck somewhere in between. Born high, yet only one look at me would tell you that I was blood of the low. Father did not understand it. Nobody did. A freak, a prank of the gods, touched and cursed.

A flute was playing on the other side of the room, a young seaman with a good voice singing along. My crew warily eyed me but I did not care. I should have stayed in my cabin, but could not face being alone, yet I did not want to talk to anyone. Then, just as I was filling my cup again, resigned to losing myself completely in the drink, the crowd parted to let Harl and Jodlin through, both carrying sea sacks, Jodlin grinning for ear to ear.

"Feasler couldn't get rid of us fast enough!" said Harl throwing down his sack.

The choice was to growl and grumble, drink and brood, or, pull myself up and be a man. At first the former option held sway and I just wanted to forget the men, the ship and my duties, but where would that lead? Drink more, drink and drown. Who cares? Not the world, nor its people. When I thought this, inwardly I screamed at myself, pathetic worm. I scolded and chastised myself for the weakling that I was and a sober hand reached down to the depths where I dwelt and pulled me up. Move on, said I. Move up. Be a man.

I looked at the two. "Take a chair. Tell me what happened." I forced back my misery, and tried to clear my head.

"Captain Crosp saw the notes, and asked the doctor to have a look," said Jodlin. "I coughed a lot." They both sat down.

I could not help but smile a little. The plan had worked. "Tell me, what did Feasler say?"

"The doctor went as white as a ghost and covered his mouth with a cloth, then shouted at us to be gone," said Harl. "Shrieking, he was, like a little girl. Grotting Worms! He wailed. Off the ship! He shouted, and tripped over his own feet to get away from us!" Harl had obviously found it amusing. "They set sail at once, sir, fearing plague. We're yours to command."

"Excellent!" I said, rising. "Stow your kit and report to Mister Olvan, the greenest officer you ever met. He's trying though, so no tricks, but don't tell him I said so. He's aboard the girl now, eager as a puppy."

With that I returned to the ship, the fresh air clearing my head. Veinara was gone. My brother had found a wife. At least I now had Harl and Jodlin as well as some marines. There was a bit of good fortune in that a Sergeant Lamtak and ten marines were assigned to the Lady Ocean that morning. They were newly arrived and had spent the last couple of years in the cold north, protecting the river ways until their ship was decommissioned with a damaged hull after running aground. A new one was not expected for the foreseeable future. This was the Empire's problem. The larger it got, the more it cost to maintain, and the Navy was not cheap. In places it gave, and in such places the enemies of the Empire moved in. Now though, I counted myself lucky. I had a small crew, an officer, a doctor, an engineer and some marines all sworn in to the Ardalrion Fleet as was the tradition. Now I could get to work. Of course I needed more officers including a navigator, but could make do without them, whereas I couldn't without sailors. Now was not the time to dwell on my loss, now was the chance to take action. I threw the letter into the waters, consigning it to the depths. The choice was made; I would be a man.

***

"How is Mister Olvan doing, Sergeant?" I asked of Harl when I found the man in the galley being served by Mister Horis who as it turned out was the cook. It was necessary to make Harl a sergeant; not a common practice but with only a single officer, I needed to give the man more authority. Not only that but Harl was now quartermaster and headman too, a lot to ask of one man, but Harl seemed to take it in his stride.

"Doing well for a green lad I would say, Captain. Learnin’ the seas already. He listens and watches."

"Good." I was feeling rough after the drink the previous night, but was eager to be away and wanted no delay in preparing the ship for the high seas. "I need you to keep an eye on him. He's my only officer, not counting the surgeon, and I will need him, Mister Harl."

"Will do, sir. If I may, I was wondering. What do you suppose the High Admiral will make of us?"

I had been considering this. "Without a lectrocoder and more arms, I suppose we will start as a runner. Not heroic work, but we can build on it."

"That's not so bad, sir. Get to see a lot more ports that way."

I had to admit that it was tedious work hunting the waters round Umuron, and as a runner we would be obliged to travel further afield. The problem was that there was little chance of engaging the enemy as a runner and I wanted action. Perhaps there was a way to prove my ship and crew? Perhaps we would get lucky and find an enemy with a rebel code book? There was little chance of that but I still liked the idea.

The Imperial Navies used code books to hide their signals. If the enemy was thought to be in possession of one of ours, they had to be discarded and new ones printed. The enemy would have the same rule in force. It happened often enough. If a captain thought he was going to be captured, the first thing he would do is burn the book or cast it overboard.

When I finished my round, I saw that there really was nothing urgent left to be done, and with a need to keep myself and my men busy, had a runner take a message to the Naval Office stating my intent to put to sea for trials.

The next morning, I took my place on the aftcastle and with some trepidation and excitement, I gave the order to cast off. The engine rumbled, and the paddle wheel under me began to churn the water. Steam and smoke shot up in blasts from the funnel and men ran about, hauling in ropes, and waving goodbye to a few women on land. Owman, one of the first of the new crew I had met was at the wheel. Banton, the lad who threatened to put me in the drink was now an apprentice engineer and would be down below in the heat, watching and learning and taking orders from Larrans Perti.

As the ship began to move there was a sudden activity from the pier. Looking down, I saw a man throw his sea sack aboard and then leapt, taking the railing and hauling himself onto the ship. When the man got to his feet, he turned and saluted the castle and myself.

"Permission to come aboard, sir?" said Sudlas. The man must have abandoned the Sea Huntress. I would have tried the Grotting Worms trick with him too but had originally thought it too bold.

"Captain Crosp had enough of you, Mister Sudlas?"

"He'll be wanting my neck, sir. When I heard about Jodlin's sickness I knew something was amiss, Captain. That great lump don't get sick. I am loyal to Ardalrion, sir, not Crosp. I seen you in danger before, and I recon it's my job now to look after you, if you'll have me."

"I cannot condone your actions, Mister Sudlas, but seeing as we are on our maiden voyage, I will let this one be the first of what will be very rare pardons. Stow your kit and report to Mister Harl."

Sudlas nodded and darted away.

Although I did not want the men to see such lenience so early in my command, I was pleased to have the man who had once saved my life aboard. The extra man was worth the price.

I kept a weather eye on the harbour. There were many ships coming and going and I did not want my first voyage as captain to end in a collision with another vessel. It was plain sailing however as we cut a path through the traffic at harbour speed - a slow crawl. Soon we made it into open waters.

"Cruising speed, Mister Owman."

"Aye aye, Captain." Owman turned a wheel next to him, which in turn told Mister Perti down below to speed up. It was soon followed by the quickening of the engine.

All seemed well so far and my ship surged forwards, slicing through the morning waves, defying the brisk breeze that met us head on. Suddenly struck by a sudden sense of freedom, I realised that I was now truly a captain of my own ship and commander of my own destiny. I could go wherever I pleased, and looking at the endless vista of the open ocean, I smiled to myself, feeling better.

We headed north into the Quarvor Sea, the north-western reaches of the inner ocean, and for the next few days we trained as a crew. I was learning to be a captain, which mostly involved letting the men get on with things. Olvan grew in confidence and soon we were practicing with the heavy guns. The surgeon deigned to join us on the castle every so often. He had found a supply of spirits, but it did not seem to affect his judgement too badly.

We had to shut the engine down a few times as Mister Perti fixed a broken joint or replaced a burst pipe. At first this irritated me. Why was this device of the machanomancer not reliable? Why did it behave so badly? On the Sea Huntress, I never took much interest in the engine. It was a mystery to me and I was happy to let others worry about it. Now though, I was captain of my own ship and I wanted to know more, so on the second week of trials I went below deck to the stuffy engine room. This room took up the better part of half the lower deck, and many of the crew worked down there simply feeding the furnace with coal or wood. The store of fuel took as much space again, all below the waterline. The engine was running again and the noise was quite deafening. I asked Mister Perti to explain the device.

"It's a steam engine," he shouted over the noise of the hissing and pounding machine.

"I know what it's called, Mister Perti. How does it work?" I had a crude idea about steam pushing pistons and rods, but that was the extent of my knowledge.

Perti wiped his hands on a blackened cloth, and guided me to the furnace. It was stiflingly hot, but there were a couple of wooden shafts on either side of the space where large wooden fan blades turned slowly drawing air in from above. I could feel the air like a breeze being sucked towards the furnace.

Perti was wearing his goggles which reflected the orange flame. "Those men there." The engineer pointed at four crewmen, sweating and stripped to the waist, blackened by soot. "They feed the cooker with fuel. We have coal but it could be wood, or anything that burns. Coal is good though."

"I see."

"That cooker, then heats up the air that we pump into the fire."

I looked at the large fans above us.

"No, not them. Those are for us. Couldn't work down here without fresh air. Not for long. Other pumps force air into the furnace. It makes it burn hotter." He waited to see if I understood.

"Carry on."

"The heated gasses then go through a heat exchanger - lots of pipes running through the boiler there." He waved to indicate the massive cylindrical construction lying on its side behind the furnace. It was a black and heaving monster of riveted plates of black metal with a few of the mysterious runes of the Calionvar engraved into the copper banding.

"The hot air heats up the water in that chamber so much that it wants to boil, but it can't you see, because there's nowhere for the steam to go, so it stays water and steam but gets very hot. The chamber's sealed. There's a bit of room for steam but not much. The pressure in that chamber builds up and wants to get out."