Dragon Clan #4: Gray's Story

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The island grew taller and wider as Gray stood and watched from the small deck ignoring the pangs of hunger. An island. Actually, one of more than a dozen of them according to the charts. Hundreds of smaller, uninhabited islands completed the list, most of them unnamed. How must a local resident view a tiny spot of land in the middle of a sea? Did they compare their small area in contrast with Princeton or Breslau?

Gray didn’t wish to encounter the ambassador again, so he went to his cabin and packed. He heard the rush of feet and the calm motion of the ship as it entered the harbor. Finally, he felt a solid bump as the ship tied to the pier. He waited, still listening. Finally, he heard growling orders and trunks being dragged across the deck in the cabin next to his.

When no more sounds came from the other cabin he still waited, then emerged, wary and curious. The damp, warm air smelled of recent rain. Palm trees and palmettos turned the shore into a mass of greenery. The town, such as it was, stood directly ahead. Perhaps a hundred buildings in all, mostly small, and painted in bright colors. The town appeared as if a law prevented any two structures from being the same color.

Another ship was tied to the other side of the pier. Gray took note of the ship’s name. Lady Marion. That was the ship he wanted to sail. The only ship that regularly sailed to Breslau. What luck!

The crew was already unloading the first of the cargo from the Pearl. Gray had his belongings in hand. As he headed for the gangway, the Captain intercepted him.

“Mr. Gray, it was a pleasure to have you aboard. Our mutual interest in nautical charts might be further explored if you should come across any I may be interested in.”

“I’ll be staying at the Red Flame Inn. Perhaps I’ll sail back with you on your next trip.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

They shook hands and as Gray walked ashore, his eyes taking it all in. After seeing only Oasis since birth, he didn’t believe he could go back and take up his old life again. He felt the dragon tingling his back. Both had arrived in the Marlstone Islands. The touch of the dragon was slight, so it was either on the other side of the island or one of the others nearby.

Passing by a young man lounging at the first intersection in town, he asked for directions to the Red Flame. A lazy thumb showed the general direction, and in fact, that was all that was required. Down the street hung a red sign, painted flames rising from the bottom.

As he entered, someone left by the right rear door, as if in a hurry. It was the first energized person he’d seen since arriving, and he hadn’t really seen anything of him but his back. The crescent moon on the door indicated it led to the outhouses behind the building.

Inside. he asked for the manager, and from the husky serving girl. “A mug of your best ale.” He found a seat. The inn was small, only five tiny tables and a serving bar built against one wall. Windows lined three walls, each small, but all open to the breezes. The muggy air demanded shade or air movement. The open windows provided a clear view of the street, and the ships tied up beyond.

Three doors lined the back wall. The girl had entered into the one on the left, so it probably took her to the kitchen. The other to the far right was to the outhouse. The center would go to the rooms.

Two seamen sat at a table together, common sailors from their looks, but as he waited for his ale, he felt their eyes on him. It would be natural, but he felt an animosity emanated from them, as if they knew him, or had encountered him before. He kept his eyes averted.

When the door to the kitchen opened again, a man carried a pair of mugs. He placed both on the table, one in front of Gray and one for himself. He flopped into the seat as if he had no bones in his body. “You asked for me.”

Gray felt the eyes of the others on him and heard their hushed voices cease, probably as they listened. “I heard you have clean rooms.”

“We’re an inn.” The answer was short, said in an even voice that conveyed little.

Gray flicked his eyes to the other table. The men couldn’t be more obvious in their attempts to eavesdrop. How can I tell him Bear sent me without them hearing? He smiled and slipped his longbow from his back and stood it against the wall. Looking pointedly at Chambers, he said, “You’re looking at my bow, I notice. It’s a long bow, very powerful. Some use them to hunt Bear.”

The tiny lines around Chambers’ eyes increased, but otherwise, he didn’t react. “That must have been exciting? Were you alone?”

“There was a large woman with us. She took care of details, such as the chambers we stayed in.”

“I see. Will you need a room?”

“Yes. Would you mind showing me one so I can drop off my things?”

Chambers said, “Of course. Leave your ale here.” He half-turned to the two men at the other table, “When we return, if any of our ale is missing you will be, too.”

They nodded in unison. Chambers took him to the third door and up a short flight of stairs. At the top, he opened the first door and entered. He said softly, “These walls have ears. Speak softly. Who are you?”

“Bear sent me. I’m working with him and another on a mutual assignment of no concern to you. However, he said that you will provide me with anything I need, coin, weapons, or men. He told me to make sure you understand that my every wish will be granted.”

Chambers said, “You are the only person to know of my financial relationship with Bear. Keep it that way. Let me know what you need, and more than that, let me help you with whatever you’re up to.”

“It’s private.”

“Not what I meant. The islands are different. Your every move will be noticed, your words analyzed, and even speaking to me will be interpreted. This island is full of spies. Few of them from your land. We should return downstairs, or there will be questions as to why we spent the time up here.”

“Will this room be safe?”

Leaving the room and closing the door firmly, Chambers said, “It will be now. A chambermaid or one of my maintenance people will be working up here all day and night. I believe a couple of the rooms need extensive renovation, and we will begin today.”

Gray nodded his thanks. When they returned to their table, the two mugs looked exactly as they’d left them. Chambers scooped his from the table and said to Gray, “That was a funny one. I like you and your jokes. We’ll have another ale when I have time, but right now I have to get some of my lazy people earning a living.”

Gray lifted his mug as Chambers departed, glancing at the two unfriendly men from the corner of his eye. Then he intentionally turned his back to them. The two ships tied at the pier looked as if they were a painting.

Sweat trickled down his back. He could feel the eyes on the two sitting behind focused on him. He drained his mug and stood. Any traveler arriving on the ship would take the opportunity to stroll around the town and stretch his legs. Gray left the Red Flame and turned down the main street. As if finding something interesting in the window of a shop selling local items made from seashells, he paused and looked into the reflection.

The door to the inn opened, and both sailors emerged into the brilliant sunshine and waited for their eyes to adjust. Gray stepped into the alley, just out of sight. One peek revealed the two men in a panic, one heading down the street away from him and the other rushing to where he stood. On impulse, Gray moved a few steps to the back of the alley and behind the corner of the building.

The man scurried by, his head turning and twisting as he examined any places Gray may have gone. Gray waited, then went back to the street and leisurely strolled down it, watching the gaily dressed locals attend to their daily tasks. He greeted a few, asked questions of others, and ignored the two men who had joined forces again and shadowed his every step.

At a bakery, he purchased a fruit-filled sweet roll. As the tiny woman behind the counter accepted his copper, she said from the corner of her mouth, “You do know that two men are watching you?”

“Yes, I’ve noticed. I was thinking of taking a long walk all the way around the island.”

She chuckled, “That is a three-day walk. You will be the talk of the island if you take your walk, but have I your permission to tell of your intent? My friends will enjoy it, too.”

“Really? Of course, you can tell them. I’m glad you told me about the size of the island. I’ve only seen it on charts, and it didn’t look that big.”

“Still, it was a good idea. Don’t let them find you alone in the dark. I’ve seen those men before and whatever’s between you, take care of yourself.”

Gray left without accepting change. He soon found himself at the end of the single street with commerce, and a smile twitched the corners of his mouth. He’d managed to travel more than half the length street in the time it took to eat a sweet roll for lunch. Had the self-important new ambassador found his new post satisfactory? His clothing would certainly impress the locals.

He found a small patch of overgrown grass with two shaded benches overlooking the ships. He fully expected the two men to make their way to the other bench, but they stayed out of sight if slinking behind the corner of a building and watching him counted.

He looked out at the ships as he thought about the situation. Surely, anyone expecting him to arrive could find better people to watch him. They would, at least, have tried to befriend him in such a small town. Prater had even been successful at that. But these two were inept spies at best.

He’d found out that not any ships had departed or arrived before the Pearl, except the Lady Marion. Therefore word of him couldn’t have arrived sooner. The two did not appear to be thieves. So the question became, what were they doing following him?

The answer might be simple. He would ask Chambers to help. The innkeeper had pledged to provide it. If he had two local men with weapons at his disposal, they could take the two out behind the outhouses and ask the right questions. The trick was to do it is such a way he didn’t scare them off.

Is it necessary? His answer was, yes. The two had taken far too much interest. Then he remembered the one who had fled through the door leading to the outhouses as he entered. Had that man turned his head away and lifted his shoulder to prevent Gray from recognizing him? It had all happened so fast, but upon recalling what should have been a minor incident, it seemed possible.

Who would know and recognize him? The obvious answer was someone from Shrewsbury. The constable. One of the people who had tried to prevent him from boarding the Pearl, for sure. Another ship must have arrived and sailed directly for Marlstone, getting him here days earlier. Between Gray’s trip to Fleming, two days in port, and then sailing here, it had taken eleven or twelve days. Sailing from Shrewsbury directly to Marlstone was a matter of five.

It made sense, but he’d been told there were no other ships. How had they known he sailed, and where? The ticket agent sold him passage to the Marlstone Islands. It would be easy to discover that information if someone was interested. The ticket agent had no reason to conceal it. But why?

Smuggling Kelby aboard the Pearl was in defiance of the wishes of those officials in Shrewsbury. Was that worth a sea voyage to punish him? He sat in the shade and sneaked a glance behind as he finished his second sweet roll. Yes, they were standing in the hot sun. He wished he had another mug of ale, but he did have a bench and shade. A small breeze came off the water. He hoped it passed over the heads of the two men.

He stood and walked back to the inn. Chambers sat at a table where he had a view of the street, and was the only person in the inn. When Gray entered, Chambers said, “Were you letting those two cook in the sun?”

“I was. Who are they?”

“Crewmen from the Lady Marion. There were three of them.”

“I’d like to know what they’re up to. Maybe tonight you can have some men question them for me.”

“Can’t. They won’t be bothering you for long because their ship sails just before sundown, with the tide.”

Gray expected the two to enter the inn at any time. He might ask them himself, and like shaking a tree, see what sort of fruit falls to the ground. But they didn’t enter.

When Gray stood for a better view of the street, Chambers said, “They went back to their ship.”

Nobody else was in the main room of the inn but after the warning of the walls with ears, Gray decided to keep his business to himself. “That ship heading for Fleming?”

“Nope, going the other way.”

“Shrewsbury?”

“Breslau. The Lady Marion makes the rounds to only four ports.”

Chambers was the first person to freely say the name out loud. “Breslau? Never heard of it.”

“Across the sea, maybe fifteen days, they say. Hardly anyone ever goes there.”

Gray felt pressed to ask the next question but didn’t want to sound too interested. “If nobody goes there, I suppose nobody comes from there, either.”

“You’d think that, but you’d be flat wrong, my friend.”

The bright eyes of Chambers and his sudden intimacy told that Gray had asked one too many questions. Since he couldn’t take it back, he plunged on. “I have heard of a place called Anterra.”

Chambers stood, his eyes no longer amused. “I don’t care who you are, or that you’re a friend of Bear. You need to get back on your ship and sail for home. You are not welcome here, and nobody here in Marlstone will house or feed you no matter how much coin is in your purse.”

“What?”

“Gather your things and leave. Now. I will throw them in the street if you do not go before I can find men to assist me.”

“Because I said, Anterra?”

“Because you do not know how to keep your mouth closed when it is proper. I do not wish to die this day. You must leave.”

“Only you and I heard what I said.”

Chambers jabbed a thumb at the window. The woman who had brought his mug of ale was outside talking to two men, gesturing with wild arm and fingers pointed at the inn. He said, “If you hurry, you may reach your ship alive.”

Gray spun and raced up the stairs. He grabbed his few belongings, but while he slipped the quiver over his head, he decided to pull one arrow and carry the bow. He set the string. Leaving the inn proved that a wise choice. Five men gathered in a tight unit, glaring at him.

The arrow found its way to the bow. The men were across the street. They moved to block him. He said, “This is a long bow, one of the king’s own. An arrow from this has been known to travel through three men.”

A single man started to move to one side in a flanking attempt. Gray pulled the bow, aimed at him. “Until I pass, you will all stand together. I will put an arrow through the left eye of any who move. Dare try me.”

The man took three steps to join the others, but Gray noted he also stepped behind other men for protection. But if released, the arrow would penetrate at least two, if not three men. His arm felt pain of the strength of the bow. The pull of the bowstring couldn’t be maintained. He relaxed the bow as he walked, keeping an eye on them, as well as ahead of where he walked. He didn’t need any more leaping from cover.

The five edged forward as Gray backed. He snapped his arm back, pulling the bowstring taught, and released an arrow at the feet of the man closest to him. The second arrow that had been in his left hand with the bow now fitted into the string.

“The first of you to pass that arrow dies. Not my choice. Yours.” Gray backed further, but none of them advanced. His foot found the edge of the pier. He turned and walked to the gangway.

The Captain was waiting. “I see you’ve managed to make some new friends.”

“Can I purchase passage to Fleming, sir?”

“You already have. Welcome aboard. Your cabin is waiting, and the ex-ambassador you sailed here with has decided to join us also.”

Gray placed his things in his cabin. His frustration grew with every stray thought, but in the end, Chambers had done him a favor. Two. He had warned him early enough that there were only five of them attempting to stop him instead of ten or twenty. He had also convinced Gray there was nothing of value to learn from the Marlstones other than that more people traveled from Breslau than to it.

His hasty departure really only meant he would head home a few days earlier. After calming himself in the stifling heat of his cabin, he went to the deck. The ambassador was seated, a drink on the table, a fan in his hand. He said, “I heard your business fared no better than mine.”

“Then yours must have been terrible,” Gray laughed. “I had five men out to hang me.”

“I believe I had seven. I decided the voyage back would be my better alternative.”

“Not the friendliest place,” Gray said, sitting and accepting a pour from a flask.

“But one we’ll both long remember.”

Gray sipped the strong drink and watched a few crates being shifted on the pier, then raised by block and tackle and swung onto the deck inside a cargo net. As he watched the crew on the pier prepare the next sling he noticed an image stamped on the wood. It was a small green dragon.

The writing on the side of the crate was too small to read, but it was also green ink. Part of the cargo net obscured the image, but as it was lifted, the net adjusted. It was a dragon. He climbed to his feet and went to the side of the deck adjoining the dock. Other boxes and crates on the pier had the green dragon. Not all, but, at least, three more.

When the crates were over the deck of the Lady Marion, they were lowered into an open hatch. There was no way of telling how many had been swallowed up by the ship. He remembered that Chambers told him the ship sailed for Breslau near dusk.

He had time. He leaped down the stairs and ran down the bouncing gangway across the pier. At the other gangway, he pulled to a stop at the top and said, “Who do I talk to about passage?”

An older man puffing a pipe answered as he stepped from the shadows. “That would me be me, the Captain of this fine ship.”

“Sir, I’m ready to sail. I can have my things here in no time at all.”

“No passengers.”

“I’ll sleep with the crew.”

“Nope.”

Gray hesitated. There had to be a way. “Well, I’m young, strong, and I’ll work my way.”

“Got a full crew. Also got things to tend to. Sorry.” He turned and strode away.

The massive sailor at the top of the gangway took a single step to block Gray if he decided to follow the Captain. He crossed his arms over a bare hairy chest. His expression said he hoped Gray would try to pass.

Gray went back down the gangway, head hung low and trying to ignore the snickers and catcalls. His eyes had located one of the two men who had followed him in town. He refused to retort or even give them the satisfaction of trading insults.

As he passed the Captain of the Pearl, the Captain said, “Best thing that could happen, son. You’d have been fish food before you sailed that black-hearted ship a full day.”

“How can I get to Breslau?”

“It’s not getting there that’s hard. It’s getting back. I’ll not be getting you killed this day by giving you that information.”

Gray climbed back to the top deck and found the ambassador waiting, ready to speak. Gray said, “Not now.”

He downed the rest of the strong drink and watched the ambassador refill his glass, then turned Gray attention back to the Lady Marion. The last of the cargo was finally aboard, and preparations for getting under sail took place. The bow lines were freed and the stern lines loosened, so the ship turned with the tide, eventually facing away from the island.

The stern lines were released, and the Lady Marion was free. The tide and current moved her gently as the first of the sails were raised. A lone figure stood near the railing at the stern, waving and calling, “Gray! Over here! Gray, it’s me! Stinson.”

Gray found himself on his feet. He muttered, disbelieving, “Stinson.”

The insolent smile Gray remembered from childhood was still in place. He was too stunned to wave back as if he wanted to. The last he knew Stinson was lost in the drylands with no water.

Prater. He and his people waited there at the road for Dragon Clan to emerge. Not because they didn’t know where Oasis was located, but because they did. It all seemed so clear, now. Prater was there to find a member of the Dragon Clan and return him to Breslau. Stinson had walked right into their trap and as much as volunteered.

The Lady Marion was still pulling away, but Stinson’s voice was the only one shouting, and it sounded even louder. “Who’s got the last laugh now, Gray? Can you hear me?”

Gray could hear him clearly and wanted to shout a warning. Then he had an instant of regret. If he had reacted faster, his longbow could have reached Stinson when he first started shouting. One arrow. One kill.

“I beat you, Gray! I beat you, and you know it!”

He measured with his eye again, to make sure Stinson was indeed out of range. He couldn’t be reached with the best longbow, but Stinson’s voice still shouted taunts and insults. His laughter rang long after the words were no longer clear.

Gray drained the mug again. And again.

The ambassador sat quietly and acted as his server, the flask ready to pour again and again.

A short time later, the Captain returned to the deck and stood at his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I may have said it before, but you are not very good at making friends.”

Without responding, Gray watched the Lady Marion sail from sight. He closed his eyes and tried to call the red dragon to attack the other ship, but the tingling was not on his back. He would love to watch Stinson as the red attacked and sank the ship out from under him. He squeezed his eyes shut harder and concentrated. The only response was a few tears.

With Stinson headed for Breslau, what trouble would he cause while there? Would he draw them a map of the location of every Dragon Clan family he knew about? What else could he do? Share information about bonding, or how many Dragon Clan were bonded? How powerful were they in politics? Would he share information about Edward the Earl of Princeton who secretly supported the Dragon Clan? Or the Earl of Warrington who owed his continued rule to the intervention of Raymer only a year ago?

Would Stinson betray his family and all he knew, for his new friends? The short answer was, yes. He would do that and more. He would revel in it.

The Princeton kingdom seemed doomed from every aspect. Stinson would lead the charge if given the opportunity. The invasion at Shrewsbury would come within a year. King Ember would lose his ineffectual throne. The Dragon Clan would be replaced by the others.

Gray could still hear snippets of cruel laughter in his mind, although the ship had disappeared into a bank of fog. Maybe he couldn’t actually hear the laughter, but he knew it was there.

He also knew he’d hear the laughter in his sleep for years to come. He reached for his mug and found it filled again. Perhaps the ambassador was not such a poor friend. Perhaps all was not lost. The last of the day’s light faded as he stood and cast one last glare in the direction where the Lady Marion had sailed.

Stinson only thinks he’s having the last laugh. Gray tossed the empty mug over the side and headed for the charts in his cabin. No, it was not over yet. He spread the one he wanted on the desk. Across the top it said, ANTERRA. Two more candles allowed him to make out the faint markings that had been drawn so long ago.

Gray’s fist pounded the desk beside the chart. “Stinson, I’m coming for you.”