Dragon Clan #5: Tanner's Story

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

On a bright morning five days later, the crew cast off the last of the lines holding the ship to the pier. The day before they had sailed out into the Endless Sea under the direction of Captain Jamison. He had sailed against the wind, with the wind, and to either side. He tested the crew in setting the sails, lowering them, and countless other tasks. He kept a pen and ink in the hands of a scribe at his side as he inspected every detail of the repairs, even to the point of climbing both masts himself, much to the catcalls and the encouragement of the crew.

When he ordered the ship to return to shore, he had a lengthy list of equipment to order. The supply houses filled his orders and delivered most of the items before dark. Necessary repairs were made by the light of lanterns, and the rest of the refitting could be done at sea.

Nobody but the Captain, Carrion and Tanner knew the destination. One of the new crewmen approached Tanner, who was standing near the bow the night before they left. He said, “’Scuse me, sir. Hope I’m no outta place saying this, but that Captain Brice of the Far Seeker is takin’ more’n a little interest in us. Didn’t think much about it till I heard him givin’ orders for making way a bit ago.”

Tanner said, “Your input is always welcome. I appreciate it and will take it to the Captain. Let the rest of the crew know they can speak their minds, too. The Captain is the last word on this ship, but he needs good information to do his job right.”

“Thank you, sir.” The sailor turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Tanner went to the other side of the bow and watched the black ship. There was more activity than he’d noticed before. A wagon arrived with fresh fruit and other food. A small boom lifted barrels that said they contained water. Each went into a hatch on the main deck. Why would barrels of water be loaded on a ship that was staying in port?

Captain Jamison was mid-deck at a small desk with a single lantern. He checked off the items on a list as they were completed and then dispatched the crew to more tasks. He eased to the Captain's side. “Have you noticed the Far Seeker is getting ready to sail?”

A dark wave washed over his face. Captain Jamison said, “A lot can happen out on the water, especially with a new crew and owners who carry gold in their purses.”

“How do we prevent that from happening?”

“Do you have a small silver I can spend?”

Tanner pulled one from his purse. The Captain stood and motioned Tanner to his desk, “Can you track the completed work for a while? I have some business ashore.”

Later, Tanner was busy tracking the work when the Captain returned with two more men. Each carried a bundle wrapped in cloth. He escorted the two new men below, then returned and reviewed the paperwork Tanner used.

Finished with the review, the Captain retook his seat and asked, “You’re not going to question me?”

“I’m curious. But you run your ship.”

“For that I thank you. I hired those two. They are not sailors, they’re archers. They use longbows nearly as tall as they stand. The arrows fly from here to that pink house up on the hill. I assume several of our crew know how to use bows, if not these longbows. I purchased six of them and a few hundred arrows. They tell me the arrows can be fitted with rags soaked in oil and lit on fire.”

“You’re thinking of the Far Seeker?”

“I’m thinking that any ship approaching without permission should think twice. I have my first-mate Fisher already speaking to the crew. Any who fears to sail with us can depart with pay tonight. Any who has experience with a bow will be noted, and at the first sign of trouble, issued one.”

Tanner placed his hand on the Captain’s shoulder. “The two of us are near-experts with bows. You might want to have a pair of bows and plenty of arrows sent to our cabin where we can have them at hand.”

“You really know how to use a longbow?”

Tanner glanced at the black ship across the pier, then beyond. “See that piling beyond the ship? The one that’s sticking out of the water? Either of us could hit it at whatever height we wished. With our first shot. If a man stood on top, we could both put arrows into him.”

Captain Jamison peered at the piling, judged the distance and looked back at Tanner. “I sense a bit of bragging.”

“Have your man bring me a bow and I’ll wager you an apology that I can put my first three arrows into it, right over the head of Captain Brice.”

“Don’t take that wager,” Carrion said, stepping out of the dark shadows near the wheelhouse. “It wouldn’t be the first time he has taken advantage of someone ignorant of his skill with a bow. But I’m better.”

“You are not.”

The Captain said, “Your bows will be delivered to your cabin before we sail.”

Carrion said, “If another ship comes near we can settle who is the better shot. But if you insist on a wager, bet that the two best archers are standing here beside you, and that includes the professionals you brought on board.”

“I sort of hope to see that black ship tomorrow or the next,” Captain Jamison said.

Tanner said, “All the work done in such a short time is amazing. I’m going to take a stroll around the ship and poke my head into whatever I can find.”

Captain Jamison puffed his chest out. “That’s an excellent idea. Anything that does not meet your standards should be either repaired at sea or our departure delayed. However, I believe you’ll find it all shipshape. Seeing The Rose like this again makes me want to sing.”

After his inspection, Tanner went to the cabin he and Carrion shared. While it was barely three steps in any direction, it was the largest passenger cabin on the ship. The Captain had offered his cabin to them, but in truth it was hardly bigger, and it was set up with only one bed and a built-in desk, so it was actually smaller.

Their cabin had two small beds, one above the other. It had floor anchors to tie down the trunks of goods or clothing. A fresh coat of paint covered the walls and stank up the cabin. The ceiling and floors were bare wood, freshly scrubbed. A tiny porthole provided a stab of light and a method to see the weather before dressing. Too bad it didn’t open to provide fresh air. They left the door open to allow some of the fresh-paint smell to escape.

Carrion said, “We have things to discuss, but once we sail there will be ample time. Want to go stir the pot?”

“Which pot? And how do we stir it?”

“The Far Seeker pot. I was thinking of walking along the pier and taking inventory of the ship, pointing and discussing what I see.”

Tanner shrugged. “Your purpose?”

“To irritate. Those on the ship will see me. Someone will send for Captain Brice, and maybe he’ll offer us a tour of his fine, black ship. But most likely he will wish to know what I’m pointing at and discussing. He may even engage me in conversation.”

“That sounds like a pot that I’d enjoy stirring.” Tanner climbed from the edge of the bed to his feet and straightened his tunic. “After you.”

They strolled to the deck, speaking to a couple of crewmen in passing and went down the gangplank and across the pier. Tanner saw more than one set of eyes on them, but he ignored them. They stood near the stern.

Carrion pointed near the waterline as if he’d spotted something. He leaned closer to Tanner and said, “We’re being watched.”

Tanner laughed. A crewman leaned far out over a railing to see what he found funny. Carrion moved further along the hull, examining the ship in detail and discussing it softly with Tanner, although they came from the highlands and knew little about ships.

Tanner pointed out that the ship had been recently painted, the metal gleamed, and it had an air about it of orderliness that bordered on the military. The crew all looked like soldiers who knew how to sail instead of sailors who know how to fight, which seemed odd. Even odder was that Carrion figured it out, too.

“Is there something you’re looking at?” Captain Brice’s harsh voice sounded from the main deck.

Carrion and Tanner looked up. He was close enough to hold a conversation in a normal voice. Carrion said, louder than necessary, “You already know that we’re the owners of The Rose. As a courtesy to a fellow investor and business competitor, would you extend an invitation for us to board and tour the Far Seeker?”

Tanner almost choked at Carrion’s audacity. He fought to hold his face impassive.

Captain Brice was taken back at the request. He shook his head and snarled, “Why would you want to tour my ship? So that you can try to duplicate it?”

Carrion shook his head, “No, Captain. When the proper time arrives, I wish to offer you a fair price for her.”

“You aren’t coming about this ship unless it’s in chains.”

“Well, that’s unexpected and downright unfriendly,” Carrion snorted, doing his best to hold back his laughter.

Captain Brice recovered his wits and stood taller. “I guess I should thank you for outfitting my newest ship in my fleet. One way or another I’ll soon own The Rose.”

Tanner saw several more crewmen had appeared behind Captain Brice, all wearing smirks, but some were not as confident as they had been. He glanced at The Rose and found, at least, half that crew watching. Carrion was indeed stirring the pot.

Carrion placed his hands on his hips and stepped closer to the edge of the pier while looking right into the eyes of Captain Brice. He lowered his voice and spoke directly to him, but all could hear the words. “Sir, I do not mean to be disagreeable, but I do have some say in the matter. What I say is that a black ship like yours looks like it lost an engagement and burned. When I own the Far Seeker, it will be painted so white it will blind a person in the sunlight.”

“You own the Far Seeker?” Captain Brice shouted, throwing his head back and laughing.

Carrion flashed a brilliant smile and waited before answering in a soft, but confident tone. “Count on it, Captain. Then I will sink it in the middle of the harbor for all to see.”

Tanner felt Carrion take his arm and turn him so his back was to the shouting Captain Brice, crewmen, and ship. They crossed the pier at a slow stroll, another insult as they refused to acknowledge anything shouted behind them. The crew of The Rose laughed and cheered.

Captain Jamison met them at the top of the gangplank. His expression was dour, and his eyes shielded. He only said, “Really?”

Carrion saluted and replied, “Sorry sir. It was necessary.”

Devlin snorted his laughter, then spun and darted off before the Captain could see who it was. Others hid smiles or giggles by turning their heads. As they walked by him, Tanner saw the glint of humor in the Captain Jamison’s eyes, although he tried to maintain the stern expression.

At their cabin, Carrion said, “I believe our work is finished for the day.”

Tanner climbed into his bunk as he reviewed the confrontation in his mind. In the end, just before falling asleep, he muttered, “Yes, it is. This was a good day.”