Maquesta Kar-Thon Read online

  "And what about you, Kof?" Maq asked, genuinely curious. "How did you learn to sail?"

  Koraf remained silent. She wondered if he had fallen asleep. Finally, under the cover provided by the darkness, he began to talk.

  Chapter 9

  Bas-Ohn Korafs Story

  "For as long as I can remember, I have been fashioning boats from leaves, small pieces of wood and now, of course, solid lumber," Koraf told Maquesta. His resonant voice was soft, perhaps so no one else would overhear him.

  "Because of that, when I was still very young, my family secured an apprenticeship for me with Efroth, the best shipbuilder in Nethosak. I do not come from a noble or well-connected family, so it was a very good apprenticeship, one of which I was very proud. Efroth had a thriving business, and four of us started with him at the same time—me, Diro, Thuu, and Phao. We studied and worked under him for many years, learning not only shipbuilding and design, but sailing as well. He taught us about the currents, weather patterns, how to spot an approaching storm by looking at the clouds and feeling the air upon our skin.

  "I am not a braggart, and I have never considered myself arrogant, but I was his best student. The others recognized it and turned to me for help at times, all of them except for Diro. He was jealous, and he did nothing to hide his feelings. He began to try to shame me in front of Efroth by doing things that made my work look inferior, when my work clearly was not. Still, I knew I was good, and so did Efroth, so Diro's attempts to shame me did nothing except shame him.

  "For a dozen years I learned and worked, worked and learned. That is not such a long time, Maquesta. You spent more than that many years at your father's side learning. It was a happy time in my life, and perhaps I was the happiest I have ever been when I was working with him. I owed him a great deal.

  "Finally, it came time for us apprentices to set off on our own, and for Efroth to take in a new group. The next group would be his last, he claimed, for he was getting old and wanted time to himself. We each had to pass a final test in order to be certified as qualified shipbuilders. The test was to design and construct a sailing vessel, then sail it alone through a special course Efroth had set up off the coast. He would accompany each of us so he could observe and grade us.

  "I put a lot of time into my small sailing ship, for I intended to sell it after the course and give the money to my family—my thanks to them for setting up the apprenticeship. Then I had plans to travel from port to port, building ships for cities and the nobility, grand designs the like of which the Blood Seas had never seen.

  "I should have suspected, but I did not for I was foolishly naive then, that Diro would attempt to thwart me in this final competition. The night before the test, he entered the shipyard where our vessels were stored and weakened my ship's hull.

  "The next morning, we gathered at the shipyard dock next to our vessels. One by one, Efroth sailed out with us, taking each of us through the course, judging the performance of the ship, how it was rigged, and measuring the skill of its captain. My turn was last. I'd like to think he took me last to ensure that none of the others felt inadequate.

  "Diro had done well. He had honestly tried hard on his own merits, and I was pleased for him. But when my turn came I knew that I would do better.

  "Everything began favorably. The winds were gusty, but I trimmed my sails correctly, and my ship was crafted to take the best advantage of the wind. Then, when we were about a mile offshore, I noticed water entering the ship. Before my eyes, the leak turned into a geyser and then, with a terrible noise, my ship split in two. I grabbed a piece of the wreckage and survived. Efroth was not so lucky. He was already old when we started with him as apprentices. And when the ship split, the mast fell and struck him on the head. He sank to the bottom and drowned before I could reach him.

  "No one blamed me directly for his death. They just shook their heads at my unwarranted confidence in my skills. Even my parents seemed ashamed. I was in shock. I didn't know how I could have been so wrong about my abilities.

  "That night I wandered around the waterfront, not knowing what I was doing. At one point, I entered an inn to ask for a drink of water. As I waited, I saw that a little ways down the bar stood Diro, Thuu, and Phao. I could tell by his loud talk that Diro, who had his back to me, was very drunk. Joining them was the last thing I wanted to do, but I couldn't help overhearing what Diro was talking about. He was bragging about his cleverness and was showing the others a small pry bar he had used to weaken my ship's hull.

  "Phao and Thuu, seeing me, tried to silence him, but could not. I succeeded in silencing him forever. Gripped by a white-hot fury, I walked over and strangled him. I made no attempt to escape. I was immediately arrested and sentenced to fight in the circus until I died."

  Maquesta looked up into his tear-filled eyes. "But surely what Diro had done to you, and the fact that he caused Efroth's death, should have changed your sentence?" Maq asked.

  "Our law absolutely forbids one minotaur killing another outside the circus—which are our organized combat games. Diro was already dead. He could not be sentenced."

  "Then what were you doing at Attat's?" Maq probed.

  "Sometimes, fighters in the circus are assigned 'keepers/ minotaurs responsible for maintaining us between bouts. In return, they receive a portion of every wager placed on our events. Attat is my keeper. I have been with the circus four years. I am undefeated, and as such, he draws good coin from my appearances."

  "If Attat is your keeper, then why don't you just leave after helping us capture the morkoth? I'll tell Attat you escaped during the night, Kof. I'll drop you off in another port. You don't have to go back to him," Maq urged. "He's despicable."

  Koraf sadly shook his head. "Two minotaurs are dead because of my actions—or my failure to take action. It is the law. And I honor the law. Also, allowing me to leave would be reason enough for Attat to throw you back into his dungeon. He is not someone to be trifled with."

  Thinking of what Attat had done to her father, Maq could only agree. She nodded and gripped the king's spoke tighter.

  Chapter 10

  Sea Reach

  The shore party set off, in good spirits, early the next day. Sea Reach was a far different place than their last port of call, Lacynos. Stone buildings with wide verandas, tile roofs, and bright, colorful awnings faced the waterfront, presenting a well kept and cheery face to visitors. Terraced farms climbed the rugged landscape on either side of the harbor.

  However, Maq knew that—fortunately—the welcoming facade did not extend to all. The Butcher would not have dared sail into this harbor, nor would it have been comfortable for Bas-Ohn Koraf to accompany Maquesta and the others to town. Pirates and minotaurs were routinely driven off by galleys that patrolled the harbor and by armed guards who walked the waterfront.

  Still, for the Perechon captain and crewmembers, Sea Reach was a very pleasant sight—or would have been if they hadn't been bailing out the water gushing in through the leak in the longboat. Maq scowled. Lendle's mending attempt did little but slow the amount of water bubbling in, and the lever on the side broke off the first time she tried to use it.

  "ItisallrightitisreallyandtrulyallrightMaquestaKarThon," the little gnome babbled rapidly. "Ihaveaplantofixitpermanentlyevenbetterthanbefore." He winked at her and looked at the leak. "I'll get right to work as soon as we finish all our errands!" he added, finally slowing down so she could understand him.

  Maquesta simply grimaced.

  After they had pulled the longboat up on a sandy section of beach and tried futilely to shake the water out of their boots, Fritzen asked for a change of plans. He drew her to the side and talked softly, watching Lendle to make sure he was occupied with inspecting the longboat.

  "Maq, can you meet me at the shipyard after you finish at the market? I think we need to take the longboat over there for a quick patch-up before Lendle completes his permanent repairs—or we may not make it back to the Perechon. Hopefully I'll have some new sails
with me, too."

  Lendle, obviously overhearing, scowled at Fritzen, but then joined in Maq's laughing assent.

  They all agreed to meet back at the wharf after lunch, understanding that they might have to postpone their return if the longboat still needed work.

  Though Maq's family roots were set in Saifhum's soil, she had spent little time on the island. Every time she did visit, however, she vowed to return more often. Today in the sunny marketplace, watching Lendle bargain expertly with equally skilled shopkeepers, Maquesta was content to almost forget what lay ahead—and behind—her. Almost. Worries about her father never completely left her. Nor did she want to forget.

  Wandering up and down the neatly swept streets, Maq and Lendle soon acquired their planned supply of fruits and vegetables, and the metal part Lendle needed for his gnomish engine.

  "Do you want to come with me to the shipyard?"

  "No, Maquesta Kar-Thon. I need to go elsewhere."

  "Let me guess—you'll meet me at the Sea Reach Inn for lunch. If I get there before lunch, you'll be in the back room. Right?" Maquesta asked apprehensively.

  Lendle beamed. The Sea Reach Inn was the largest such establishment in that port city. In addition to accommodations for overnight guests, it offered a large dining room with good, home-cooked meals served around the clock, and a back room where the card games never ended. The most popular games were Legion, Fates, and Bounty Hunter, the latter being a more complex version of a children's game, the Hunt. Lendle loved it. He had once played for three days and two nights in a row, Maq remembered. And he'd talked so much about the session that he forgot about his inventions for better than a week.

  "Now, Lendle," Maq admonished, "don't forget why we're here and what we have left to do on this voyage. You can't have many steel pieces left; Vartan said you contributed to the sail fund. And I'd like you to hang on to your money in case we need to buy anything else."

  "Maquesta Kar-Thon. You don't have to worry about me," Lendle said sternly, drawing himself up to his full three-and-one-half feet in height.

  Maq knew Lendle never meant to get in trouble. It just sometimes happened despite his best intentions. On the other hand, even as frugal as he was, she didn't think the gnome had enough coins left for a decent stake in a card game. After walking a few steps toward the shipyard, she turned to wave good-bye, but Lendle didn't see her. He had already pulled out his automatic wallet and was practically skipping down the street toward the inn.

  "You let a gnome fix your longboat?" The elderly human shipbuilder laughed and laughed until it seemed he would never stop. Finally, he wiped the tears from his eyes, and with an obvious attempt to keep a straight face, said, "I'll see what I can do to fix the craft, though it won't be ready for a few hours. It will take at least that long to undo the gnome's work and repair it properly. I'll deliver it to the dock when it's finished." Stifling another laugh, he turned and walked away, shaking his head and talking to himself.

  Maq and Fritz had rowed the longboat to the shipyard, getting their boots wet again in the process. Tired and hungry, Maq was in no mood to appreciate the shipbuilder's humor at their predicament, and she glared at the man's retreating back, biting her tongue to keep from saying something she'd undoubtedly regret.

  "Relax, Maquesta," Fritz said, smiling broadly. "He means no harm. The boat will soon be fixed, and the new sails will be delivered to the ship this afternoon. I called in a few favors, promised to pay my friends a little interest, and—combined with the coins Vartan and Hvel collected—I was able to get enough money together to replace all your sails. We can use the best of your old sails for future repairs."

  Maquesta jumped up and hugged him. "That's wonderful!" she cried. Then she instantly gained her composure and fell in step beside him, once more trying to assume a businesslike demeanor. "I meant what I said about paying back your friends as soon as I come into some coins."

  "I'll take you up on it," he replied, "but only if you let me buy you something to eat." He jangled a small pouch at his side that had a few coins left in it.

  "Let's go to the Sea Reach Inn," Maq suggested, all too conscious of Fritz's arm brushing against hers as they walked. "That's where Lendle's eating, and I have a feeling we should be checking up on him."

  They walked slowly to the inn, enjoying the time together and feeling that perhaps things would work out after all. When they arrived, the inn's dining room was beginning to fill up with lunch customers, but Lendle was nowhere in sight. Once Maq and Fritzen made their way to the back room, however, he was immediately noticeable.

  Lendle sat at a large round table, dealing cards to a group of players that consisted of two sailors, a merchant, a few locals, and a dwarf. By the large pile of chips in front of him, it was evident the gnome was winning—big. The game was Bounty Hunter, a fortycoin buy-in. As a child, Maq had often played the game with the Lendle, wagering fishhooks and seashells, and he had often folded so she could win. It looked as though, with his current run of luck, Lendle would have no need to fold this time.

  "Maybe we can pay off your friends sooner than expected," Maquesta whispered to Fritz.

  Maq signaled to the gnome, finally getting his attention. She circled her fingers in a wrapping up motion and mouthed the words, 'Time to quit. Meet you in the dining room."

  Lendle poked out his bottom lip, eyed his chips, then looked back at Maquesta and nodded happily. "Last hand for me!" he chirped to his companions, adding only after Fritz and Maq were out of hearing, "Well, maybe one or two after this one."

  Once seated in the dining room, Maquesta inspected the slate menu, her eyes drifting down over delectables she hadn't tasted in months. "Beef. Chicken. Kipper." She sighed softly. "No eel stew. No bean soup. No hardtack. This is wonderful."

  "Allow me," Fritz said, signaling a barmaid. "The lady would like a thick steak with potatoes and a glass of your best wine. The same for me, but bring me a mug of spiced ale."

  The barmaid held up her palm for payment. "Hand over your coin first" she demanded. "At the Sea Reach, you pay before you eat."

  Fritz pulled out his purse and counted out the coins, handing them over to the barmaid with a flourish.

  "You're rich," Maq jested.

  "Not after this meal," he replied, jiggling his coin purse that now only jangled softly. "But we've earned this." He looked into the coin pouch. "I think Lendle will have to buy his own lunch, though."

  She giggled. 'That's all right. From the looks of those chips, I'd say he can afford it."

  The gnome had not yet joined Fritz and Maq by the time their steaming hot meal was brought to them. Maquesta didn't mind being alone with the half-ogre, but she was beginning to worry about Lendle. One bite of the steak, however, melted her curiosity, and she dug in as if she were starving.

  Lendle had still not arrived by the time they were finished. Nor had he shown up by the time they had downed their second drinks. Maquesta shook her curls. "No more for me. I've got to keep my head clear. And it seems I may have to fetch our engineer."

  Maq had just decided to go and retrieve Lendle, to rib him about what a fine steak he'd missed, but suddenly a loud ruckus broke out in the back room, dashing her plans. In the midst of all the yelling, Maq made out the gnome's nasal, fast-talking voice.

  "Youcantquit. Youhavetogivemeachancetowinitbackandthenlcanpayyou."

  "I have to do no such thing," a gruff voice replied. "You have to pay me right now."

  "Yes! Pay him now, little man," another voice intruded.

  "What's the matter, big-time gambler? Not good for your debts?" It was the gruff voice again.

  "Imgoodformydebts. Letsplayonemorehandmaybetwo. Thenlcanpayyouback. Honest."

  When Maq reached the back room, with Fritz close on her heels, she saw that Lendle's pile of chips was completely depleted. The gnome had squared off with the prosperous-looking merchant, and had his small fists in front of him, as if he were going to duke it out with the much-bigger man. But when the other pla
yers sided with the merchant and the dwarf put his hand on a sharp-looking dagger, the gnome put down his fists and started babbling again.

  At that, one of the gamblers dashed from the room, brushing past Maquesta and the half-ogre, who held up his three remaining steel pieces.

  "I don't suppose this would even the score," he said.

  Maq pursed her lips as she took in the scene, feeling dismay wash over her like a tidal wave. "I doubt it would even make a dent," she answered bleakly.

  It seemed only moments had passed before the harbor guards arrived, led by the gambler who had run out of the inn. Fritz and Maq watched helplessly as the guards carted Lendle away, telling him he would have to work off his debt to make amends to the merchant.

  It was either that or go to jail. For a long time.

  Chapter 11

  The Rescue

  Maquesta grabbed a barmaid by the sleeve as she pushed by with an empty tray.

  "Where do they take people arrested for not paying gambling debts?" Maq asked.

  "Depends," the barmaid said, looking past Maq to the kitchen, as if anxious to pick up her order. "Best place to start is the chief constable's office, on the square." She tossed her hair over her left shoulder as she pulled away, vaguely giving Maq an idea of which direction to travel.

  "I know where that is; let's go," Maq said to Fritzen, leading the way out of the inn and through the neatly kept streets of Sea Reach.

  Because the island's steep hills crowded down almost to the water's edge, Sea Reach had evolved as an elongated city, strung out along the bay without much of a city center. Toward the western end of the bay, though, where terraced farms had been cut into the hills, stood a small square with a large sundial in the middle. Stone buildings that housed the agencies conducting all the official business of Sea Reach—city clerk, deeds registrar, constabulary hall, mayor's office—ringed the square's well-tended greenery.