OUTLANDER

                                                  Chapter 33

                                    Step into the future

Estonia stood in front of her and Iron Beard’s house with a wide smile and gleaming bright eyes, as she watched her grand-niece Ginger walk up the street her way, handheld swinging in the slight breeze with Iben Dom. Both of the young Too Tall cherished of her heart. As they looked up to see her standing there, they parted their hands and ran the rest of the way from the rail platform to be embraced in her loving small arms.

Three winters have passed since Syngyn and Mesan demonstrated their new boiler to Dax, Ruthor and several of Sovladen’s citizens, who were in awe of the new apparatus. Some ideas did get bantered about from time to time, some could not be made practical, one that did was a collaboration between the blacksmiths, wheelwright and Syngyn. And all of them plus Divad Wister (the Smelter) and Argin, Borland’s head carpenter. The idea was to see if they could find a way to use this apparatus to power a wagon.

This challenging idea became the most miraculous yet. They mounted a large version of the new boiler on a wagon bed built with strong iron wheels. The axles connecting each pair of wheels had gears at their centers and there were gears mounted to the sides of the boiler’s relief pipes. Chains ran between these boiler gears and the axle gears. When they first tried the machine, they found it so heavy that it would bury itself in even the hardest of soil or gravel laid road. Then Willem Dens had the idea of making the outer rims concave and making long iron rails for the wheels to roll on. This also had its challenges at first, but when they spaced heavy timbers close together under the rails, the wagon no longer sank in the gravel roads.

Now for the last two winters there was an iron boiler engine that pulled a coal wagon behind it to keep a hot fire in the boiler followed by another wagon that had a roof with bench seats mounted on the wagon floor. Which was followed by another one that was used solely for cargo. The rails ran from the Twin Mountain Village, where most of the dwarves lived north of Slovaden, south to the edges of the oldest farms and where the roads branched to the southern Watch Tower to the left and the road Darma Mountain to the right. This new rail train made a trip both directions twice each day. There were stopping platforms that it stopped at, at the road into central Slovaden and midway between there and its two ends. Now there were crews working to extend its rails northeast along the river and canyon that lead beyond the main quarry and its nearby village in the direction of the western plains of Borland. The construction was going slow as climbs up the canyons and over the passes were steeper than the original rail line, but the hope was to shorten the time it took to travel from Slovaden to the western coast eventually. Citizens now rode the rail train into Slovaden regularly while goods from the mines, quarry and farms could be shipped in the cargo wagon easier and faster than by horse drawn wagons.

“I am more than happy to see you both. What brings you to Twin Mountain Village, today?” she asked them both. They were by now as tall as Estonia or Iron Beard.

“We asked our parents if it would be alright to ask ourselves to have lunch with you and Uncle Iron Beard today and they agreed. Is that okay?” Ginger asked her great aunt with a sheepish grin crossing her face. Iben Dom only stood there pleading with his large eyes.

‘Of course, it is. Your uncle should he home in less than an hour. What would you like to have for your lunch today?”

“Anything Aunt, everything you cook is so delicious.” Iben answered before Ginger could speak.

“Well with such a compliment from such a handsome young man, I better make you both something truly delicious. I did just bake some tarts; we could have as desert.”

“Oh yes, please.” Both answered gleefully.

With that, the three walked into Estonia’s home.

Many new immigrants had come to Borland on almost every ship that made the trips to Jav and Pelia when Borland sent some products to be traded in those Old-World cities. Captains Moule, Pendil and Slogin had become quite adept at bringing back new immigrants without arousing suspicion. Especially since both ports were experiencing great profits selling the whaling and other products Borland exported now without exposing where the products actually originated. There had been two more groups of Dwarves that had found their way to boarding in the dead of night at the rendezvous site between both of these cities. Cavidar had made two more voyages to Throgmarden with products and small amounts of jewels and gold for the Thane. So far, that had kept Thane Erik from being suspicious himself, the reports that accompanied these sent him, kept telling him of the continued success they were having. But not telling him of their real advancements in population, weaponry, and scientific advances.

The council chamber was filled this morning with the council itself seated at the council table, the military leaders were seated at a table to the right of the council and the leaders of the guilds were seated at a table to the left. The rest of the chamber was filled to capacity with many of Borland’s citizens. Mesa had just given an account of the many products being worked on in the various trades, the latest status of the new rail line to the northwest and the new ship being built in the port.

“Thank you for such a detailed account, Mesan.” Melody said, then turned to her husband and the Wolf Pack’s commander. “Commander Dax, what would you like to report of our Wolf Pack and Navy?”

“Members of the Council, Guild and citizens of Borland, Captain Slogin has reported to Commodore Cavidar and myself that on his last voyage to Pelia, Neven Salas told him that King Drofeld in Steldar continues to have his merchant captain; Captain Meldon of the Sea Wench, and his crew search the ports he does trade in for information of any members of the Wolf Pack or comings and goings of the Phoenix or Shark. No one in Jav or Pelia that he knows of has told them anything other than the two ships have been there with trade goods to trade. It seems he is still unaware of any connection between Captain Moule and the Sea Dog with Borland or us. Thus, Commodore Cavidar and I have decided to have our Navy not transport any trade goods to the Old World for a time. Captains Pendil and Slogin will rotate between sea patrols just out of sight of Borland’s eastern coast and trips to Marden when necessary.”

“That sounds like a good idea for the present Commander. What of the Wolf Pack?”

“It is with much pleasure that I can report that our army is busy with patrols of our land, continue to be the finest in the entire world. Our newest companies of cannon men and firelock marksmen will put shock and awe into any enemy that may someday meet them on a field of battle. Along with Commodore Cavidar’s counter parts in our Navy.”

“We are all quite sure of that, Commander. You and our military leaders are our greatest pride. Without you all, we would not enjoy the freedom and possibilities that we now do.” Melody then turned to the citizens seated in the hall. “Friends and families of Borland we have had a fine season. Our store houses are full, our coffers are with more funds than we thought possible and best of all we owe no debts to any realm of the Old World. We have machines and wonders here unknown anywhere else in the world. If some of these were known, there would be realms doing everything they could to take them from us. We are Borlanders, we are the ones who took risks to find this land, we made it our home. Our people took the challenges and came up with these wonders, they are ours and we will protect them and our home.” She paused for just a moment while applause broke out with cheers and the chant “Borland our home, we are one, we are free, we are Borland” as the din slowly calmed into peace once again, Melody could speak again, one small tear starting to make its way from her eye and down her cheek. “Would anyone like to ask a question or say anything more”

A hand rose above the throng and then Pieta Kazar stood before speaking, “My friends, Bashir and I would like for everyone to join us and Gimal with Seri tomorrow evening at the Gathering Hall for a feast. We will be celebrating a future new arrival to Sovladen.” Seri stood up beside her and bow her head in agreement.

It was Bashir and Gimal who stood up next behind their military leaders at their table and Bashir who spoke slowing down any applause. “We wish you to join us in announcing our most happy news of my beautiful Pieta’s being with our first child.”

Now the applause reverberated all through the council chamber. But it was the voice of Asbyndahl that quieted it for a brief moment. “I thought you two would never share this with everyone. Do you know how hard it is for an old woman to keep such a wonderful secret?” which now turned into clapping mixed with laughter.

As the good tidings began to abate, another hand was raised. This time it was the hand of Syngyn Wiles. “My very good friends, with her kind consent, I would also like to announce that Davina Polls has agreed to become my wife.” By the time Syngyn has finished his statement she is standing beside him with her hand in his. There is now another round of applause throughout the chamber.

Mesan stands as people are still congratulating the couple. “Now I know why you stopped working 20 hours a day. You had other things to do. I am so glad for you, little brother, and for you Davina.” Syngyn’s face turned a couple of shades of red at his closest friend’s little joke.

“Yes, he has. And he is a happier man for it.” Davina answered back with a perfect smile. Which made everyone laugh even harder. At which she turned and kissed Syngyn still standing beside her.

“Well, as that seems to be all of the secrets to be shared today, I call this meeting of the council closed.” Melody said to everyone there.

People began standing and making their way toward the council doors and outside into Sovladen’s large central plaza.

“I think that went quite well, my love.” Dax said to his wife as people were leaving.

“So do I, my Husband. We can go over to the Gathering Hall for evening meal if you want. I’m sure Ruthor and Gayla would join us, Ginger and Iben should be back from Twin Mountain Village by then.”

“That sounds great I will talk to Ruthor. I am going up to Wolf Pack headquarters for a while and be back at home soon.”

“Good, that gives Gayla and I time to talk in my office. I will see you at home.” The two kissed and headed different directions.

                                                                    *****

King Ormish Drofeld was sitting in his courtyard when Captain Meldon arrived, as beckoned.

‘Good evening, my King, what service may I render today.”

“I have been thinking over all that you have been able to gather from Jav and Pelia over the past few seasons, Captain. I have a question to pose to you.”

“Yes, King Drofeld, you ask, and I will answer as honestly and factually as I can.”

“We are fairly certain that the Wolf Pack and a ship or ships from Marden found and then killed the pirate Fargyn and brought our ship and another back to us and Lagdian.”

“That is true , they say they caught them beyond the usual sea lanes of the windless sea.”

“That is what they said. But almost immediately after that, the Wolf Pack has been unseen, except on very rare occasions, like a war or back in Throgmarden with their Thane briefly and then vanishing again.”

“That is also true , and no matter how many men we put to trying to find them. They cannot be found anywhere. Only a Captain and ship occasionally doing some business along the western coast from Tripolia to Lagdian and then gone again.”

“And many of those times they take passengers with them. And back when Fargyn escaped from the Lagdian ship he was chained to an oar on, he disappeared as well. That is until the Wolf Pack and Marden ship caught him.”

“That is also true . Between those two events Fargyn could not be found.”

“Many ships went missing during that time. None of them but the two were ever recovered. No one ever found where Fargyn was during that time.”

“True as well, what is it you are trying to establish. All agree on these separate known facts.”

“What if they are not separate but connected?”

“Connected how, my King?”

‘Could we not as soon assume that the Wolf Pack and the Marden ship found where Fargyn was hiding when he was not plundering the Windless Sea, and captured him and our ship there, not at sea. And wherever this is, is where they have been when no one can find them?”

“Possible I suppose, but where do you think that could be when no one for many turning of seasons have been able to find them in all that time. There are not many places to hide at least three possible ships we know have been seen with three different Captains. All with ties to the Wolf Pack and the first Marden ship captained by Captain Cavidar and now two more by two of Cavidar’s old first and second mates.”

“Agreed, but think on this. What if Fargyn actually found the fabled island on the Windless Sea from the old legends. Then by some trick of fate the Wolf Pack and Captain Cavidar found it as well and that is where they defeated him. If that was the case, then that could be where they are and why no one has been able to locate them.”

“My King, no one actually believes that old legend. Many have went looking for it and all have come back empty handed or never returned at all.”

“True, but that does not mean that the legend is untrue . Fargyn was desperate to escape from King Magdar and he was well known to be a fanatic. Maybe he drove his fellow escaped prisoners more than anyone before, they had nothing to lose. If they were caught and captured it would be back in chains or hanged. No one else who ever tried had that as their only alternative.”

“That would be true . But what would you have me do, sail off into oblivion on a ghost chase?”

“I don’t think it is a ghost chase. If Dax and Cavidar found that island, I believe they are there and who knows what they are doing for Thane Erik of Marden. My family has held sway on our islands for generations, but we have no way to increase our kingdom. But if there is an island or islands out there then who knows what rewards we could be reaping.”

“And by saying we, do you mean the whole of Steldar, you and the royal family, or are you including me in this we?”

“If you can find this island? I will make sure you are rewarded beyond any venture you have undertaken. I will fund anything you think you need to undertake such a voyage. What do you say, Captain?”

“I have never not agreed to any mission you asked of me my king. I will not start now.”

“Good man. What do you think will be required to make such a quest possible?”

“First, I would want the “Sea Wench” refurbished, she would have to be totally reconditioned for such a voyage. Then Davar and I would need to find just the right men to man her. These men would need to be more than just able seamen, yet they would have to be totally loyal. Such a voyage will test the mettle of every man on the ship. There could be no hint of a mutiny, and there would need to be men so committed to the venture to not only quell any slight misgivings but to be on hand if and when we found this island. If it exists and the Wolf Pack and at least three ships of Marden seamen have been there this long, then wresting control of it from them will be immensely hazardous.”

“Yes, all this would be true . I will talk to the Commodore Vexlar and make him aware that I will be allowing you to interview men he thinks are the best to make up part of a crew for you.”

“That would be helpful, will you be telling him of the mission?”

“No, I will tell him it is a very secret mission which I have selected you to undertake.”

“I would also like to see men that are in our prison, if you agree?”

“Oh yes, a good idea. If there are men there that have the qualifications you want, they could be easier to have real reasons to comply easier if we make their service a means of having their sentences cleared.”

“My thoughts exactly. Besides they would be men who would not shy from a fight if and when it is needed. I will leave for now, my King if you agree, and start putting things into motion. First, I will talk to Davar, and we together will begin the processes.”

“Good, seek me out whenever I can be of any help you need.”

“I will do just that, King Drofeld.” That being said Captain Meldon turned and made his way out of the courtyard and toward the docks.

                                                                        *****

Members of the Pelian council are seated in the once purple throne room, now used as the Pelian council chamber. Having discussion with the general of the Dry Sea army and their special emissary.

“I have heard some rather disturbing rumors from men I know who frequent the ale houses and public houses along the piers and docks at the Bay of Arban.” Neven Salas tells the three council members.

“What kind of rumors that you believe we should know of Mage Salas?” Jamin Jaise answers.

“It is said that seamen of Steldar are continuing in their quest for information about Commander Dax and Commodore Cavidar’s men, ships and dealings here in Pelia and at Jav for the most part. But they still ask if any know where they come from and go to. Why they take on passengers and about the cargos they deal in?”

“Why would this be of interest to King Drofeld for such a lengthy amount of time? Are these men from his navy?” Hamid al Bien asked

“No, they are merchant seamen from Captain Meldon’s ship usually and that is what adds to the suspense. I believe there is more to these continued questions than meets the eye. There is the possibility that King Drofeld is using Meldon for some hidden purpose. His is one of the smaller realms and he has shown at times to be ambitious.”

“Commander Dax and Commodore Cavidar are well respected men by us, and we owe them much. Is there anything you think we should do?” Benjin al Desender then asked of their Mage.

“I think with your permission I will send a messenger bird to my friend, Mage Ceric in Marden and let him know of these things. He can talk with Thane Erik about it if he deems it appropriate.”

After looking one to the other for only a moment their answer was in unison.

“By all means, yes. Send your bird and let us know if we can do anything to help. They have only to ask.”

Neven Salas bowed in agreement. The council continued on with the rest of their business. Some of that was a report from Wefir, general of the Dry Seas Army and a report from Khaled al Gimal, their special Emissary who stayed in touch with the embassies in Lagdian, Marden, Neder and Eider. Neither of them had anything of a distressing nature to report this day.

                                                                   *****

It had taken three years to complete but today Damin Gawl, Jawn Mesan and Phran the Younger stood in front of the last section of Palisade as it was dedicated along the southern border with the Stinking Waters. The rough wooden palisade ran from the Dakam Mountains to the southwestern Fire Mountains. Now the only openings were where rivers flowed into the province, and at those there were manned watch towers. This fortification meandered as the shoreline of the immense swamp did and was set the length of ten men from where the water met dry land. Germain the Bald still rowed his flat-bottomed boat into the Stinking Waters, as did other fishermen and hunters, but only as far as they could go and return between daylight and sundown.

Many of Neder’s carpenters and woodsmen had worked almost exclusively on the project for the past three passing of seasons, being compensated for their work by the new realm’s treasury.

The three men looked at the assembled group of Neder’s citizens and Damin Gawl spoke. “Now with this fortified wall completed we should have at least some measure of protection from the atrocities of years past. We have talked with the Realms of Lagdian and Marden during the construction and can tell you that starting soon we will begin the next phase by building a high stone wall just inside this wooden one. It will take many turning of seasons to complete. But when it is, with the new stone watch towers and trained men stationed at them at all rivers that flow into the Stinking Waters; Neder should never have to mourn family members again by attacks of whatever lives there.” Applause erupted from the assembled citizens. As the sun would be setting before too long everyone began getting in wagons or on horses and heading back to their homes.

New farmsteads were again flourishing within a league or so of the Palisade.

                                                           *****

Dax and Ruthor walked into Mesan’s blacksmith shop and saw he and Syngyn working on a Firelock.

“Good morning you two. What holds your attention so completely?”

“Good morning, Dax. Come take a look.” Mesan answered and motioned them both over.

“This looks different. The barrel looks bigger and not quite as long. Why this modification?”

“All our Firelock marksmen have become quite efficient with their weapons, Commander. They have become adept at firing in volleys and most hit targets every time. Our hunters continue to praise the weapons and our stores of game has increased at least two-fold in each season. But Mesan and I began to notice something we thought we should look into. The Firelocks are a great improvement to both hunting and our military men, but they are best used at a distance. If a battle got into close quarters fighting the marksmen would need to revert to swords or clubs and dirks.  Even archers try not to let the enemy get to close to where they fire from. We have tried to add a new weapon that would be best in close range.” Syngyn answered.

“How so?”

“Here, I will show you.” Mesan picked up this new Firelock as Syngyn opened the back doors of the shop.”

The first thing Dax and Ruthor noticed was that Mesan was not using the forked rod to brace the weapon on. Instead, he held it to his shoulder, and he stood closer to the target, only the distance of maybe three prone men. When he fired this new weapon and the smoke blew away, Dax and Ruthor were awed.

“It makes a wide pattern of smaller holes all over the target, not just one ball lodged into the wood.”

“Yes, we use the same powder charge as the first Firelock and the same patches, but we put in many of these smaller iron balls, we are calling them shot. The farther you are away from the target the wider the pattern the shot makes. The problem is if this Firelock is fired to soon then the shot does not penetrate the wood and it still takes as long to load. So, you would fire this one in close but at the most you could only get two shots off before it would be of little use. We are thinking the first one you shoot at the greater distances in volleys, then this one as the enemy gets closer and maybe with its wider damage closer, then the men with the first one could get maybe even a third shot off. We are not forgetting about the archers are still firing their arrows during all of this.”

“So, we could train the men who did not do as well with the Firelock to use this one since they do not have to be as good marksmen. I like this idea; we should start production of these as well. But what do you want to call this one, we can’t call both a Firelock, it would be confusing when training maneuvers or in the heat of battle?” Ruthor commented.

Mesan answered before Syngyn could speak, “I was thinking we would call this one the Broadlock.”

“Good, that name is different enough and it fits with the weapon’s pattern.” Dax agreed.

“We do have one more thing you can look at, Commander. We are not completely done getting it ready for a test yet. But we are confident it will work as well.” Syngyn pointed to another table against the wall with a tarp covering it. “It’s over here.”

As they reached the table Mesan lifted the tarp off and tossed it to one side. “Here it is, Dax.”

The four men looked down at the table as Commodore Cavidar came into the shop. He saw all of them standing at the table and asked. “What is all the commotion in here this fine morning.”

“Come and look at this, Ernstal.” Dax replied.

“Say, what is this contraption? Is it what made the blast I heard?”

“No, that was the new Broadlock, Syngyn and Mesan came up with. They can fire it for you when we hear what this thing is.”

Syngyn then began to explain.” This is a handheld version, gentlemen. We are calling it a Waistlock. This one is our closest yet to being usable. Our first one was too bulky, it would have been too heavy to fire with one hand, this is our third try. The barrel is long enough for accuracy, the load and ball give us a killing mark on the target, and we have the handle down so that a man can hold it in one hand and fire the weapon. Again, it would be a close in weapon, good for hand-to-hand combat, but before you get down to swords and dirks. Also, it can be carried in a man’s waistband, so it could be a second weapon for everyone.”

“Can we see it work?” Cavidar asked.

“Of course, Commodore, and we can let you see the Broadlock right afterwards.”

Over the next several moments Mesan and Syngyn demonstrated both. All three men became excited about the Waistlock, seeing its advantage in close quarters. Cavidar also was very pleased with the uses for the Broadlock.

“It is becoming apparent that we need to have a group of men working in one building, solely manufacturing our Firelocks, Broadlocks and Waistlocks. Primarily for the Wolf Pack and Navy. But when they are armed and trained, many of our citizens may wish to be as well armed in case of an invasion. Ruthor, can you see much use for the Broadlock for the citizens?”

“Maybe, we should ask Welman and Benja Yets. They would be the ones who could tell us of its possible uses hunting.”

“Yes, we should get them involved.”

A full turning of the moon later it was market day in Sovladen. Every other first night of the full moon many people from all over Borland came into Sovladen for an open market in the town square. There was wonderful food to be had all over the square, and many people brought handmade articles to trade with others, some brought produce to trade, children played with ones they did not see too often. That was a change that came with more and more people now living in several villages away from the main town.

As Dax and Melody were walking around with Ginger and little Vlad, they saw Ruthor and Gayla with Iben Dom and Francher. As they got close to their very closest friends Iben ran to Ginger and said he wanted to show her something amazing. It was at the table of Jared Kandel and his family. On the table were several balls, Eline (Jared’s wife) gave the boy a smile allowing him to pick one up.

Iben bowed his head politely and turned to Ginger with an excited look. “Here watch this.” And saying that tossed the ball to the paved plaza below their feet. To Gayla and her family’s amazement the ball bounced into the air after hitting the plaza rock.

“Ooh, what is that.” And the two ran off to follow the ball.

Then they saw several children playing with other balls like this one. Dax turned to his friend and asked. “How does that ball do that?”

“I don’t know, we just saw this ourselves.”

Dax turned to Jared and asked him. “Jared, how did you make this marvel.”

“By accident, Commander. I was hunting up near then swamp above South River and saw this white sap dripping from a recent cut in one of those trees that only grows there. I thought about the sap others who live over the mountains close to North River. I remembered the sap they get from the maple trees and wondered if this was something like that. Unfortunately, it was not.”

‘So that sap is used to make these balls that bounce?”

“Partly. The sap got harder and then started to crumble. But if you used it before it did, it made this wonderful glue to mend things and here look at this shirt, I dropped some on.”

Jared picked up a shirt with a large smear on it, then picked up a small flask of water and dumped it on the smear. The water beaded up on the smear and then ran off it onto the rest of the shirt getting the rest of the shirt soaked through. But the smear stayed dry. The he picked up the shirt and handed it to Dax. The smeared area was dry underneath, but the smear was still flexible, not hard, and flat.

“This is also amazing, if this shirt was covered with the sap, it would help keep someone dry in a rainstorm.” Then Dax handed the shirt to Melody and then she handed it to Gayla and Ruthor.

“Yes, it does. Eline has done that to one for each of us.”

“But what about the ball?”

“Well, we wondered what else it would do. So, during our evenings we tried mixing it with other juices from plants in our area and near the swamp. Eline tried the juice from the blue morning flowers and when they mixed together good, we saw a change. While we were mixing some close to the fire some dropped on a hot rock and when we picked it to dry, I dropped the glob of it, and it bounced off the ground a little. So, we took an old clay pot mixed up some more, put it into the pot and put the pot in a larger pot of water we were boiling after a while we took the pot out and when it cooled, we broke the pot and there was this almost round larger ball of the heated mixture. When it cooled some more, we tried it and it bounced like you saw today. Our children loved playing with the ball, so we made some and brought them here to give to other children.”

“Jared, you may call this an accident, and maybe it was. But I think you have found a whole new industry for you and your family to become inundated with requests for these new products.” Dax turned to Melody, Ruthor and Gayla and asked. “What do all of you think?”

“Yes, I think the shirts or coats or capes that they could be making that are waterproof would be wanted by everyone, the balls would be big hits with children and if this sap as a liquid could be packaged in some way to be used as a new kind of glue as he said, then they would be inundated for a long time with orders from people all over Borland, Jared. You might even need to bring others to work with you, just to keep up with what people would want.” Melody quickly added.

“I agree with Melody. There are now thousands of citizens here in Borland. I would think everyone would want to trade with you in these new products alone. Who knows what else you might find that this white sap can be used for in time?” Gayla agreed with her friend.

Ruthor finally got to add his sentiment. “Jared, if you don’t mind a suggestion, I agree with my friends. But I think you might show what you know to Syngyn. He might just find even more that your new substance could be used for, he is well known to see things the rest of us don’t see. And I am sure he would be more than willing to offer any help or ideas he could dream up.”

“Do you think he would actually want to help?”

“Yes, I know he would. Let me go find him and once you show and tell him what you have shown us, I am certain he will offer on his own. He is a wonderfully talented young man and as humble as he can be.”

Dax turned and went to look for the once apprentice Mage.

Once Dax returned, Syngyn and Davina were talking with Jared and Eline. Dax and Ruthor, with their families, left to walk around the plaza some more. Ginger and Iben bouncing the ball between themselves and laughing. Dax was carrying a second ball Jared have given him before they left.

                                                                  *****

Morden slipped through the back entrance into the throne room where Amish Magdar was holding lunar cycle public court. The mage slipped quietly behind his king seated on the throne built entirely of the great tusker’s ivory and draped with a large tusker pelt. Once he was there, he leaned forward just enough to whisper into Magdar’s hear.

“Today’s council must be ended for today. Matters of state have just been brought to my attention that I must address.”

Guards started escorting those still in the chamber toward the great tusker hall’s large double doors. Once everyone was gone, Morden came full circle before his king.

Amish Magdar looked around him and said. “Guards please give myself and Morden complete privacy until I call you back.”

All of them turned on their heels and retreated out all entrances and took up posts outside.

“You may now speak freely, Mage.”

“I have just received word from sources at the docks that Captain Meldon and his ship “The Sea Wench” has just left our port. And was seen headed directly out onto the Windless Sea.”

‘This is urgent news, worthy of ending my court early, why?”

“Because, my king, his ship appears to have been recently completely refurbished at some great expense. Also, many of his crew are totally unknown to those who are familiar with this ship and her personnel from many seasons of interacting with them on many voyages and anchorages here. Some are total strangers to our men at the docks, never have being seen on any ship from Steldar or any other port of call. Some, I was told, have the hardened look of lifelong soldiers or men who would look more suited to be in prisons than on ships of the merchant fleet.”

“Well yes, then I agree this is noteworthy since we know that Ormish Drofeld has become obsessed with finding where the Wolf Pack is but again, why the urgency.”

“Meldon did not unload any cargo. Yet he took on a great amount of stores, many casks of fresh water, casks of salted meats, flour, fresh vegetables, and all sorts of provisions. Far too much for any voyage from port to port. He also did not take on anything to be using in trade elsewhere. He is not on a trading voyage at all it appears.”

“Now that does make it sound more like Drofeld has either found the Wolf Pack and intends on some foul endeavor or he has sent the Sea Wench on a longer mission to find him. Either way you should send news of this to your friend, Ceric.”

“My thoughts exactly, my King.”