Grantville Gazette 37

Chapter Thirty-Five: Smoke on the Water

They followed the coast warily, always prepared to turn tail and run if they saw another vessel, since it was unlikely that any such would be a friend. They looked for signs of human activity along the shores. Perhaps the other boats had been wrecked by the battle or the storm and their passengers now castaways such as they had been. They took their time, anchoring quietly at night in what safe coves and cover they could find, keeping their lights dim and their voices down. The Second Chance Bird was on the prowl.

On a slightly overcast morning, they saw their first sign of people. They had set sail at first light, heading for the large, natural harbor at Poste de Flacq, one of the proposed destinations for the colony ships. Pers knocked politely on Pam's door to summon her to the wheel. She hastily put on one of her new Chinese suits, and arrived on the bridge sleepy, but resplendent in red and gold brocaded silk. Before she could greet the bosun, Pers reappeared with coffee for her, served in a deep ceramic bowl decorated with evergreen trees. She took a long, grateful sip before trying to speak.

"Uhh, report, please." She looked to the bosun.

He spoke in the hushed tones they had adopted during their hunt. "We've sighted a lot of smoke coming from behind that point, Captain. Looks to be from a number of what might be cook fires or possibly land clearing." That made Pam grimace. The bosun continued, "It's a pretty certain sign there are people there. Plus, we are fairly sure this is the site of Poste de Flacq on the up-time maps. A good place to build a fort."

"Okay. Yeah, that could be good or bad, depending on just who it is having breakfast over there." The caffeine, in somewhat less concentration than the coffee up-time, began to kick in. The discovery of a possible human presence made Pam's heart race with excitement.

The lojtnant spoke next. "May I suggest we row the longboat that we captured with this ship along the shore and have a look around? We can keep close to shore and stay hidden among the rocks along that point. The seas are fairly calm today." He was obviously eager to find out what was coming.

"No, I think it's too risky that you'd be seen. Gerbald and I will go have a look overland. You can put us in over there behind the point. It's wooded and will give us plenty of cover."

The bosun didn't look very happy at that prospect. "Begging your pardon, Captain, but it's likely going to be very dangerous. They will have sentries."

"Don't worry, friend. Herr Gerbald and I are very good at staying hidden in the woods. They will never know we were there."

Gerbald nodded his assurance, his eyes gleaming at the opportunity to do some scouting in his favorite environment, the forest.

After a quick breakfast-which Dore insisted on and to which there was no saying no-Pam and Gerbald arrived on deck ready to head out on their spy mission.

Pam was dressed in whatever green and preferably not-too-shiny clothing she could find amongst the ship's unusual collection. Unfortunately, it was all pretty gaudy. With a grim smile she strapped on the leather gun and ammo belt Gerbald had fashioned for her from materials found on the junk. The Smith and Wesson .38 caliber pistol she had used on four pirates was officially hers now and Gerbald insisted she bring it with her. The truth was, she liked the feel of its deadly weight at her side and would not hesitate to use it again when the time came.

Gerbald, of course, had on his perennial outfit of sage green wool long-coat, a black T-shirt featuring a faded Lynyrd Skynyrd band logo, brown breeches, knee high leather boots and crazy old mustard hat, along with his trusty katzbalger shortsword and pistol grip Snakecharmer shotgun hanging from his wide belt. He was the very picture of a new-fangled USE bad-ass, the toughest stuff of up-time and down-time rolled into one dangerous package. He took a look at Pam's bright green silks and laughed aloud.

"You can fly, you can fly, you can fly!" he sing-songed as he pointed merrily at her undeniably elfin looking outfit.

"That's pretty funny coming from a guy who looks like he's just come from Beyond Thunderdome. By the way, Dr Seuss called and he wants his hat back."

They shared a brief laugh, then boarded the trusty pinnace, sitting quietly until they were put ashore. The sailors wished them luck and a safe return. They watched until their two spies had vanished into the trees before rowing back to Second Chance Bird with worry etched on their tanned faces.