A Shore Too Far - By Kevin Manus-Pennings Page 0,16

for inspection with great flourish and a bow.

I stood, hands on my hips, and returned his bow quickly, trying to keep my smile in check.

“Princess Kara, may I present the honest and worthy merchants of your brother’s fair city. We shall treat your dark guests as honored customers and keep every untoward inclination toward profit under tight rein,” he said, rising from his bow and kissing my hand.

“Welcome,” I said to him warmly and then louder to his compatriots, “Welcome!” I turned to Gwey. “You and your companions may camp south of the healers’ area. I have imposed a curfew that begins at dark. I expect you to keep it.”

“Of course,” Gwey said for his colleagues’ benefit, “we live only to serve.”

He bowed again, mounted his horse, and led his entourage back south to make camp, waving an exaggerated farewell.

As Gwey’s wagons circled south to follow him, I could make out a ship signaling in the bay.

“That’ll be news from that ship of Pulgatt’s returned from Kulkerra,” Gonnaban said behind me. “A penny to a pearl, that’s what it is.”

In short order, one of our beach watch began signaling back, clarifying the message. In moments, a rider arrived with the message scrawled on parchment.

“The Kulkerrans had never seen the Kullobrini before,” I said, scanning the message, “but they behaved very civilly the day they were there. The only oddity, besides their appearance, was that they purchased food, so much that there is now worry that farmers have dipped into their seed supply on many crops.”

“Food for a campaign?” Gonnaban said, thinking aloud. “As dry as Kulkerra is, it’s not very hard for a fleet that size to run ’em out of everything. Even much of Prince Kollus’s land doesn’t have bumper crops,” said Gonnaban. “Too little rain.”

“But why buy so much when they plan on building a colony?” I asked. “If you plan to stay, to make a life here, you can trade for food as you need it.”

“I’m no sailor, not by a long shot,” said Gonnaban, “but a people that can build ships like that must know what they’re doing.” He kicked his boot against a clod of dirt. “Any word on what they’re carrying that’s so valuable?”

I reread the message.

“No, no one remembers trading for anything other than food for coin,” I said, looking out at the vast spread of tents that stretched for miles.

“Which means either they lied,” Gonnaban said triumphantly, “or what they sold is damn illegal, both here and in the Sand Republics.” He kicked another clod while he thought. “Slaves maybe? They’re not legal and that could explain the children. Could help a new colony, too.”

“The Dolbiri have a root, something called trava, they use for mystical visions. Father outlawed it last year,” I offered. “It kills as often as it grants visions. Do the Sand Republics use such things?”

Gonnaban shrugged. “Whatever it is, you bet it’ll do us no good.” He laughed bitterly. “If they aren’t just lying.”

I tucked away the parchment and faced Gonnaban squarely.

“I’ve dealt with your grumblings all day, Master-at-Arms,” I said sternly. “I will have the truth from you if I have to flay you. You’re a bad cloud and you’re making the men tense with waiting for rain. What do you have against the Kullobrini aside from the mysteries they represent?”

“The Kullobrini,” Gonnaban said, and spat on the ground. “That captain and that damn old servant woman.” He shook his head. “Begging your pardon, and a lot of patience, but it would be better if I could show you. Can I beg your leave and ask that you set a meeting with Captain Eglanna tonight?”

I peered at his weathered stubble and large gray eyes.

“I would be lying if I said I haven’t felt as though I’ve missed something,” I began, “and if not for that feeling I might tell you to shove this meeting of yours.”

I took a deep breath and looked toward the tents, where torches and lanterns were being lit against the coming night.

“But we’ll do it,” I said slowly. “What shall we discuss?”

“Anything you like, Your Highness,” Gonnaban said, relieved to have a chance to air his grievance against our visitors. “Confront them about the large amount of foodstuffs. Challenge them to tell you what’s so valuable they decided not to trade it.”

“All right,” I said. “Let’s present ourselves to Captain Eglanna.”

***** ***** *****

The tent for our initial talks had been left standing with the Kullobrini table inside. It remained as some sort of