a bolt of lightning. Beside him, the captain gave a grunt of relieved recognition. “Seems we’re in luck, my lord.”
“How so?”
“Ships bearing that flag first appeared about two years gone, and they never trouble Realm vessels. The rest of the world aren’t so lucky. No one’s exactly sure why.”
His words were quickly borne out when Vaelin saw a fresh gout of white water erupting on the starboard side of her pirate’s hull as she began to veer away. Within moments she had slipped into the haze of the northern horizon.
“Pity.”
Vaelin turned to find Nortah standing close by. He wore a seaman’s oilskin cloak, his face pale and thoroughly miserable in the chilly drizzle that swept the deck. Vaelin took a small measure of satisfaction from the fact that his brother had chosen to arm himself with a billhook, though the absence of either fear or anticipation on his face was less encouraging. “I thought at least a pirate might give me a last swallow of grog before tossing us to the sharks.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, brother.”
He expected Nortah to scowl and slouch away but instead he lingered, voicing an uncomfortable cough amidst the lengthening silence. “I’m bloody bored,” he said finally. There was a tension on his colourless features, an impression of a favour asked only with the greatest reluctance. “Sea life is tedious without grog, or something to do,” he added with forced and unconvincing levity.
“Lady Ellese is skilled with the bow but still has room for improvement,” Vaelin said. “And the lad lacks stamina.”
“I’ll see to it.” Nortah paused, grimacing as he forced himself to ask another question. “I no longer own a sword . . .”
“Your sister bought it back from the blade monger you sold it to,” Vaelin said. “It’s with my gear, along with your bow.” He started towards the ladder to the lower deck. “I’ll fetch them.”
“I’m still going to get drunk when we make landfall,” Nortah called after him, voice diminishing to a bitter sigh when Vaelin didn’t turn. “I’m just bored, that’s all.”
CHAPTER NINE
What is that smell?”
“A city.”
Alum’s nostrils flared and his lips formed a disgusted grimace. “I once journeyed to Alpira. It didn’t smell like this.”
“Alpira is constantly swept by the desert winds,” Vaelin replied, recalling the days towards the end of his five-year confinement when he had been allowed out of his cell for a short period each day. The easterly wind would stiffen each morning with remarkable regularity, bringing a daily pall of dust along with a warm breeze that did much to banish the worst of the capital’s aroma. To Vaelin the scent seeping through the morning fog enfolding the Sea Wasp wasn’t especially unpleasant. It consisted mainly of smoke with a few sharper notes that told of the fish market and the tannery. He found it no more objectionable than Varinshold on a summer’s day, although the fact that it had reached them at such a remove from the port indicated a place of far-greater size and population.
“Trim sails!” the bosun called, sending a dozen men aloft whilst others heaved ropes across the deck. “Prepare to haul away the boat.”
“This may not be the best place to disembark, my lord,” Captain Veiser told Vaelin as the lights of the city began to shimmer through the haze. “If it’s your object to remain unnoticed, there are smaller ports to the south where the authorities are not so scrupulous.” He rubbed his thumb and forefinger together in the universal sign of the bribe.
“Master Erlin tells me this is where we’ll find our guide,” Vaelin replied. “Besides, I’ve often found that the larger the city the easier it is to evade notice.”
“As you wish. The Sea Wasp will call at this port on our return journey in two months. If you’re not here . . .”
“Then sail home with my thanks. Your full fee for this voyage has been lodged with Lady Kerran.” Vaelin clapped him on the shoulder and moved to the rail as the crew finished hauling the boat over the side.
“A fee I’d happily forgo to see you safely returned.” There was an uncharacteristic intensity to Veiser’s gaze that made Vaelin pause. “The Reaches needs you, my lord,” he went on. “As does the Realm. We lost too much in the war. I have met Queen Lyrna, and don’t relish standing before her to explain why I carried Vaelin Al Sorna to his end.”
“Tell her I commanded it. I’m sure she’ll understand.”