Slowly, David did so. He was still tender from the beating he had received. The noise above on deck was starting to get louder. More people were walking around and chatting. He suspected the rest of the crew had returned.
Fyke pounded on the doorframe that led down to the lower deck. “Tanner, get up here! Captain wants to see you!”
David hopped down off of the surgeon’s table and hurried up the stairs. He squinted, as his eyes had gotten used to the soft candle light of below decks. Once his eyes adjusted, he was impressed to see the main deck busy with twenty-five or so men, getting ready to set sail.
“There you are, Tanner.”
David jumped. He hadn’t heard Captain Karinga walk up beside him. He noticed that Karinga was nursing a fresh scrape on his cheek. “Captain, what happened to you?”
“Ah, just a few more of Gaceric’s piss boys. Nothing to worry about. Here, take this and look it over,” he said, handing David a rolled parchment.
David unrolled the parchment and leaned against the forecastle wall that housed his small room. Quietly, he studied the parchment. Karinga had secured a large salt contract from a large meat warehouse. He angled the contract so the sun shown directly upon the small lettering. His heart sank a bit as he read the details of the deal. It was becoming obvious to him that while Captain Karinga had a good heart and was an excellent sailor, fighter, and adventurer, his skills in business left a bit to be desired. Regardless, David had decided to help him, and he would do his best to make sure that the faith that was put in him was not misplaced.
Karinga looked at him expectantly as the rest of the crew went about their business of readying the ship for a quick sail.
David gave the captain a dubious look. “Captain Karinga, are you sure you want to speak of this here?”
Karinga motioned with his hand indicating that David should get on with it.
David lowered his voice and leaned towards the Captain. “If I am to be your Yeoman, I must insist on accompanying you on negotiations. Please don’t misunderstand me. Under normal circumstances, a contract such as this would be an excellent deal, but these are not normal circumstances. This merchant, Wembly or whatever his name is, wants the salt delivered to a warehouse almost two days’ ride north of the city. From what I remember from my books, there isn’t a port where we can dock the Waverunner up there. You are going to have to hire a caravan to transport it. Also, with Gaceric’s piracy and the coming battle, sea transportation is at a premium! Every ship in the port at that time will be ferrying people away from the city, and those that can’t afford it will be cut off from the rest of the world, assuming there is an extended siege. This merchant is obviously wagering that many a poor cattle farmer is going to sell him his cows cheap so as to pay for transportation. He is going to take them north, slaughter them, as feed will also be at a premium if a siege takes place, and he wants to preserve the meat with salt. At times like this, salt is as good as silver.” David suddenly noticed that almost the entire crew was listening to him lecture the captain on negotiations and economics. He continued. “If the cattle were to remain in the city or nearby, the Aragil army would most certainly confiscate them and slaughter them for provisions. They could also find the stash if it were stored within or close to the city. After the siege, this Wembly would be able to sell the preserved beef at outrageously inflated prices.”
Karinga’s eyes had glazed over during David’s lecture. “So you are saying I struck a bad deal?” he asked quizzically.
David began pacing back and forth. “Let me think. There has to be a way to salvage this situation.”
Fyke butted in. “Is it that bad, Yeoman?”
“Considering what a caravan will cost with an invading army bearing down on them, this could be a total financial disaster for…” David paused in mid-sentence and brought the contract up to his eyes again. “Hold on. It says you are responsible for delivery of the salt to the warehouse.” David continued to scan the parchment. “It doesn’t say anything about you having to PAY for the caravan! Is the merchant still in town?”
Karinga thought for a second. “Um, I suppose he is.”
“Good.” David rolled up the contract. “Take me to him. We still have something further to negotiate. At worst, Wembly will cancel the contract, and that will be a far better situation than we are in now.”
The captain shot a half smile towards Fyke. “Didn’t I tell ya, Corwyn? I knew I made the right choice with this lad.”
Fyke laughed and slapped David’s back. “This lad is going to make us rich, Jax! And himself too.”
David stuffed the swelling feeling of pride back down. “We can congratulate ourselves when the deal is done. But now, we must catch him before he leaves the city.”
Karinga nodded. “Dunkirk, have them batten down for now, but we’ll be returning within the hour. Be ready to set sail.”
“Yes, Captain.” The tall dark boatswain said. He began to bark orders to the crew, who obeyed without question.
Edge jumped down from the quarterdeck, landing with the grace of a cat. “Cap’n! If’n its all the same to ya, I’d like ta tag along. I’ll just be gett’n in the way here, an’ with the trouble you’ve been havin’ with Gaceric…”
“Alright, Edge. But if anything does happen, I can handle myself. You make sure nothing happens to our new Yeoman. Understand?”
“Aye, sir. I’ll be protect’n him like he was my own son.” Edge grinned at David. “But after a few months at sea with some of my trainin’, he won’t need anyone’s protectin’!”
Karinga nodded and the trio made their way down the gangplank and into the crowded city.
* * * * * *
A loud, hollow pounding echoed through the chamber as the oversized silver and jeweled knocker struck against the metal strike plate beneath.
Eleenia stood with her brother before the large, gold inlaid teak double doors that lead to waiting area outside Bishop Sentius’ office. The butterflies that had disappeared from her stomach were back for an encore at the thought of meeting a man with such a philandering reputation as the current Bishop of Avonshire. Many children across Elgannon were said to be his bastards. The girls that shared El’s classes had spun many a tale about his lecherous ways. In fact, one of her classmates had come to be with child and was put out of the University, having to return to her family in shame. Rumor had it that the Bishop was the father of her unborn child.
Panic started to grip her at similar thoughts, as her heart started to feel as if it were beating out of her chest. What would she do if he demanded of her virtue? Giving in was out of the question, as she was determined to save herself for marriage, having made a pledge to her mother and to God. But what if he forced himself upon her and she also came to be with child? Her breath started to become shallow.
El jumped as Gabriel gave her a reassuring pat on her shoulder. She looked to her brother and attempted to give him a smile, which turned out rather pathetic as she fought back tears.
No, she thought to herself, she would rather die. How to dissuade a man’s attempt to force himself upon her was one of the first things that Holle and Janelle had taught her. Castrating a Bishop would most certainly send her to the gallows, but it was a price she was willing to pay to keep her virtue and honor intact. After the loss of her family, it was almost preferable to going on with her life.
“Don’t work yourself up, El. I’ll be with you. I promise,” said Gabriel.
El took little comfort from his words. He was indentured to the Church, and the first of the Articles of Faith of the Holy Defender read ‘Service to the Church above all, save God himself.’ Gabriel lived to serve God and the Church. Family was secondary to them, and troubling thoughts crossed her mind. Would he stand by her if push came to shove? She prayed that he would.
The bolt on the other side of the door could b
e heard scraping across the wood. El inhaled sharply and stopped breathing as one of the large doors creaked open inward.
One of the Bishop’s three sycophantic aides, the Deacon known as Brother John, stepped between the doors and glanced at her with lust in his eyes. “Eleenia Ki Kalendeen, his Grace will see you now.” He looked to Gabriel. “You may go, Initiate. His Grace has not summoned you.”
Gabriel gave a quick bow of his head, and then looked the aide in the eye. “If it is all the same to you, sir, I will accompany my sister.”
Brother John gave an indignant scoff. “It is not all the same to me, Initiate. Be off with you. Report to the kitchens. I’m certain there are pots that need scrubbing and Mistress Wetherbee could use your help. Now go!”
He grabbed Eleenia by the forearm, pulled her inside, and tried to swing the large door closed with his free hand.
Gabriel stopped the door with a powerful pound with the flat of his fist. “Be that as it may, I shall be accompanying my sister.” He stepped inside, forcing the aide back. “And you will take your hand from her this instant.”
“I beg your pardon, Initiate, but you shall do as you are told!” To drive the point home, Brother John dug his fingernails into El’s forearm. “Do not make me have the Bishop’s guards put you out of his office.”
Eyes darting to either side of the room, Gabriel saw that there were two ceremonial guards standing on either side of the waiting area. They were dressed in gleaming platemail armor, decorated with crimson-highlighted black leather. Polished silver helmets covered their faces and intricate chainmail gloves rested upon halberds. The two guards took a step forward, ready for John’s word to pounce upon the unarmed initiate.
“Brother John, you are making this situation worse than it needs to be. All I require is to accompany my sister into his Grace’s office. So let go of her!” Gabriel’s hand moved with lightning speed. In one quick movement, he plunged his thumb into the flesh between the aide’s thumb and index finger while grabbing under his pinky with the rest of his fingers. Simultaneously, Gabriel pressed down with his thumb and lifted with his fingers, pulling John’s hand off of El.
The aide gave an alarmed yell and both guards were on Gabriel immediately. With their right hands holding the large, unwieldy halberds, they tried to restrain him with their left. Gabriel stepped into the guard on his right and slammed his forearm into his opponent’s armored chest. The guard lost his balance at the blunt force of Gabriel’s blow and tumbled into a decorative table, smashing it to pieces and sending a loud clang echoing through the chamber. The other guard dropped his halberd and further secured his grip on Gabriel’s left arm with both hands.
Gabriel quickly spun to his left and placed his right leg behind the armored guard and pushed with his shoulder. The guard stepped back, only to trip over Gabriel’s leg, sending him sprawling to the ground, his helmet popping off, clattering across the wooden floor.
The door to the Bishop’s office opened and Sentius stepped into the room. “John! What is going on out here?” he screamed.
The aide had stepped back from the scuffle. He pointed at Gabriel accusingly. “That initiate attacked me without provocation and the guards came to my assistance!”
“You lie!” yelled Gabriel at the top of his lungs.
“No, ‘tis true what Brother John says!” interjected one of the guards from his position on the ground.
“Enough of this, this instant!” yelled the Bishop. “Initiate, explain yourself!”
Gabriel took a deep, calming breath. “You had summoned my sister to your chambers, your Grace, and I was accompanying her. Your aide saw fit to dismiss me, and he assaulted Eleenia by grabbing her arm. I was very insistent, removed his hand from her, and the guards tried to restrain me.”
The aide feigned an indignant, shocked look. “Your Grace, he is lying! He was the one…”
“Silence!” The Bishop’s tone did not invite discussion. “Initiate, why must you accompany her in my presence?”
“I will not have her taken advantage of by anyone, your Grace.”
Sentius stood for a moment, then shook his head, laughing under his breath. “I see the rumor mill has been hard at work again. Come, Brother Gabriel. If it will make you feel better, you may accompany your sister.”
El gave a sigh of relief. They both followed the Bishop into his office and he closed the door behind him, leaving Brother John seething. Eleenia sat in the chair opposite of Sentius’ desk and Gabriel stood behind her. The Bishop’s office was the most elaborately decorated room either of them had ever seen. Priceless works of art lined the walls. The desk was hand-carved from a reddish brown wood that neither Gabriel nor El recognized. The Bishop rounded to his throne-like chair and sat down, folding his hands in front of him on his desk.
“Eleenia, I assume your brother has told you what has happened.”
Eleenia nodded.
The Bishop loosened his collar a bit and continued. “We are sending a group of Holy Defenders to Lystra to verify what has happened. Your uncle Rameus shall be leading the expedition. Now, your father, God rest his soul, paid for your tuition in full up front, all seven years of it. However, he only paid for your room and board through the end of this month. You have a choice. You can either stay in the noble ladies’ hall and work the kitchens for twenty-five hours a week, or move to the common dorms and work in the kitchens for six hours a week. What shall it be?”
“Is it permitted for me to stay outside of the university?” El asked, hoping to be allowed to stay with Janelle.
“Unfortunately not. Outside, we cannot guarantee your safety.”
“I shall move to the common dorm then.” El gave a sigh of relief.
“Very well,” the Bishop said. “Starting tomorrow, report to Mistress Wetherbee. Upon graduation, the Archbishop has declared that a healer’s assistant position is to be extended to you, in recognition of your fine academic work and for the contributions to the church by your family.”
Gabriel put his hand on El’s shoulder.
Sentius leaned forward. “I want to make it clear to you that I do not believe you have yet earned a healer’s assistant position. I believe His Eminence was acting out of sentimentality and nothing more. A little advice: Keep your head down and do not make waves for the remainder of your schooling. If you continue to prove yourself, I shall change my mind. You are both dismissed.”
El rose to her feet and she and Gabriel turned to leave.
“Oh, and Brother Gabriel,” Sentius called after them. “I expect you to make restitution for that table you destroyed in my foyer. Leave the door open. I need to see Brother Krennan after you leave. That is all.”
Eleenia and Gabriel walked in silence, not making eye contact with the three men outside the Bishop’s office. Once they were through the double teak doors and had pulled them closed, they smiled to one another, both adequately pleased with the outcome of the meeting.
“Thank you, Gabriel, for standing by me when I needed you.”
“Of course,” Gabriel said warmly. A dull pain started gnawing away at his gut for the first time since the meeting with the council. “We should stop by the dining hall on our way back to your room. With all the angst, I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.”
* * * * * *
The bow of the Waverunner cut a wake through the calm, dark waters of the Decian Sea as the boy now known to all as David Tanner sat upon the jib boom, watching the sun set as they made their way west to Port Maynard. The sky was a thousand different colors, and the saltwater sprayed on his face in rhythm with the bobbing of the ship.
David had spent the last 30 days with the Waverunner. The crew quickly grew to love their precocious new Yeoman, as he had increased the profits by a factor of ten in a very short time. He was quickly learning the way of the sea, the finer points of negotiating and commerce, and fo
r the first time since the wedding tragedy, he had the feeling of belonging.
Edge had made David his most recent project, and was teaching him a very low, but very effective way of fighting. Some of the techniques would have made his martial teacher at the castle lose his breath and hyperventilate, but Edge insisted that the only goal of a physical confrontation was to emerge unscathed. All gentlemanly rules were for fops. A quick blow to the knee, gouging of the eyes, groin kicks, as well as low stabs and attacks from behind were part of Edge’s repertoire, and given his relatively small size, David definitely saw the advantage of them.
David inhaled deeply. It had taken three weeks for his lungs to fully heal after the fire. He finally had the taste and smell of smoke out of him, and his ribs no longer hurt from his beating by Gaceric’s men. The light duty assignment of his position had given him time to recuperate. Other than checking over the cargo once in a while, he had little to do but to stare out over the ocean and cleanse his mind of the demons. Doc had tried to recruit him into scouring the pots and dishes for him, but Karinga had put a quick stop to that. Jax wouldn’t have the best thing that has happened to him since winning the Waverunner become disgruntled. The captain had made sure afterwards that everyone on board knew David Tanner was an officer, even if he was young.
As they would sail close to a port, Karinga would call David into his cabin and they would discuss strategies of the upcoming negotiations and what other cargo they could buy, sometimes almost doubling the profit of the trips. On their most recent excursion to Port Kolm in Decia, they had obtained a contract to take silk to Port Maynard in Gylinia. The contract offered an extra gold for every day before the due date that they had arrived, but David convinced Karinga to forego the bonus in favor of a quick stop at Northpoint. There, they had purchased as many barrels of apple cider as the ship would hold. Given the lack of apple-growing climate in Gylinia, plus the constant drain of the war, David knew the cider would fetch a handsome price, almost four times what they had paid for it.