The short voyage from Tobeligo to Yod takes longer than expected and it is early evening before they are found a berth. In the women's hostel wrong assumptions are made, resulting in a bar brawl, before a tense confrontation occurs with someone who should know better!

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

44 - Conflict at Yod

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2021 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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There was a stir when the women from the Visund came down to breakfast the following morning. This was because Bennet and Semma were wearing their Palace Guard uniforms, though they had left their swords behind in their chamber. They would not don their weapons until after they had finished eating.

Eriana was also wearing Palace Guard uniform, as although she was not technically a member, she had been provided one for use when her brother Torulf had arrived unexpectedly at the palace. There had been some amusement when she, Garia, Danisa and Helga had all appeared to confuse and confront the Crown Prince of Einnland. Eriana had been advised to take the uniform on her journey as it was, in fact, the only uniform she owned, other than the accidental Captain's 'ship dresses' she had acquired in Joth.

Ursula, Tyra and Kaldara were not wearing uniform as they had joined the ship's company after it had departed Palarand. Ursula and Tyra were again wearing ship dresses while Kaldara wore the green dress purchased the previous day. Kalmenar and Hashim had already arrived and had caused another stir, since they were both dressed in tee shirts and shorts, although of different shades compared to the women's dresses.

One item that made the locals look askance was that they all had bare legs. Bargemen who dressed in rough tops and kilts might not wear the customary tights but here were two men and six women showing their bare skin to the world. However, the party was leaving after breakfast and so the disturbing sight could be borne for the bell or two that remained of their residence.

The men were waiting at a large table for eight and stood as the women joined them, bowing to Eriana.

Kalmenar greeted them. "Good morning, Your Highness, good morning, ladies."

"Good morning, Kalmenar, Hashim," she replied. "I trust all is well?"

"I have no complaints, Highness," the small diplomat replied. Hashim nodded in agreement.

"Then let us be seated. I am anxious to be on our way this morning."

The women joined the men and all selected seats, waiting until Eriana sat before seating themselves. The servers began setting out the staple breakfast foods: grain porridge, sliced meats, fruits, cheese and bread. There were, of course, copious supplies of pel and small-beer available to drink, along with fruit juice when requested.

Kalmenar asked Ursula, "Mistress, I trust that you have suffered no further ill effects from yesterday?"

Ursula reached for a dish of sliced fruit as she replied, "I think so, My Lord. I do not remember waking last night, though the others tell me that I was restless."

"Ah. If I may venture, Mistress, you do appear a little tired this morning. Mayhap you will have a restful journey on the ship today to help recover your strength."

"It is possible. I do not feel this morning what I felt yesterday so it might be fading, whatever it was. I have no doubt that a little fresh air on the river will help."

Eriana asked, "Kalmenar, do you have any idea what we must expect when we reach the city of Yod?"

He set down his goblet of small beer. "Highness, I do not. I have traveled there once, as I have mentioned, but the Ascendancy is no more and, if Tobeligo is any guide to conditions, I do not know what we might face. All I can suggest is to be prepared for anything and everything."

Eriana nodded. "Aye. We have in part prepared by wearing what we have chosen, on the advice of Kylina the Councilwoman. It is unfortunate that we have little idea of conditions in the capital."

"As you say, Highness. The fact that Tobeligo chose to break away - which choice I will neither approve nor condemn - means that they now have less knowledge of what happens in the rest of Yod. If you may treat today's journey as, perhaps, you did when you arrived at Plif, Highness."

Eriana snorted over her own goblet of small beer. "Hah! I trust that I will be better informed now than I was then! I cannot believe how innocent we all were." She added, "But I understand your point, My Lord. Caution shall be our rule today."

At the end of breakfast they went out into the courtyard to find that some of the crew had arrived with two light carts to transport their chests back to the ship.

"Good morrow, lads! Any ill effects that I should know about?"

Folke answered, "Greetings, Captain. Some sore heads, should be all right once we sail."

"Why am I not surprised? Very well. If we may go and fetch what we will need on the ship you can then come and collect our chests."

"Of course, Captain."

The women retired to their chamber to collect items they might need during the voyage. For Eriana, Bennet and Semma it would be mainly their weapons while Ursula collected her medical basket. Tyra brought the bag of 'feminine' needs while Kaldara carried the satchel of bandages. Once down in the courtyard again the men, escorted by female staff, ascended to bring down their chests.

While they waited Ursula noticed a flash of white on Eriana's front. She remembered that the Princess, despite her previous protestations about needlework, had spent part of the previous evening sewing, although what it was had not been obvious. Now it was revealed as a rectangle of canvas, worked into a tube and slid snugly over the front of her baldric. On the tube, which was in effect an epaulet, were roughly sewn four bars of black fabric and, in the empty space at the top, a crude hull, mast and square sail had been added in ink.

I should have realized. If she wears that guardswoman's uniform with her baldric there is no place for rank insignia... which she might need when we arrive at Yod.

Once all were ready the procession walked out of the gate and down to the dock area. Once again the uniforms and bare legs excited comment from those they passed. Inside the gated docks there was no ceremony, unlike the previous departure, and the party simply walked along the pontoons until they reached the Visund, already bustling with men and activity.

Lars detailed several men off to help bring the chests while the women went aboard and found their usual positions.

"I did not think that there would be so many men on board this ship. I was surprised when I reached the ship that first time but by then I was committed."

Ursula replied, "As I understand it, Kaldara, these ships have traditionally been used for many different purposes. The reason there are so many men on board the Visund is that they are all sworn retainers of Her Highness. Essentially this ship is a warship and her men will fight to attack or defend, according to circumstance. But, with a much smaller crew, ships like this can be used to carry cargo. I think that slightly smaller versions are used for fishing as well."

Semma added, "This is not all those who arrived on the Visund, Kaldara. Some have found new lives in Palarand while others perished on that first long voyage Her Highness made, when she herself escaped from her father. I think that there may have been more than fifty aboard, perhaps even sixty."

"Fifty? Maker!"

"Do not forget," Semma added, "that all those folk must needs take all their provisions with them, since they could catch fish, aye, but not cook them. Nor could they drink the water of the sea, which is salt and poison to man. As well as all their gear that meant there would be sacks of food and barrels of beer filling this hull."

"Could not cook! No, I suppose that they could not, could they? The ship would burn. Do you know how long that first journey was?"

Semma shook her head. "I do not. A number of days, perhaps eight or ten, on the wide ocean beyond the end of the Sirrel. There were bad storms, too, which sank some of the ships that her father sent to catch them and nearly sank this one."

A disbelieving Kaldara swung to Bennet with a questioning look.

The older guardswoman shook her head. "I cannot make answer, child. I know that Her Highness's journey from her homelands to mine was terrible, but much of that story has become myth and legend. Even if you were to ask some of these men what happened, you would be told different tales, I deem."

"But that journey really happened?"

"Oh, aye, that much is known. I did see a glimpse of her when she first arrived at the palace, for by chance we passed in a corridor the first morning that she went to breakfast. Her attire was all wrinkled and stained, as though by the sea. Maybe one day all will be written down for others to read, and we will learn the truth."

"Let go aft!"

The women looked up to see Eriana on the stern deck with Tor. Everybody else settled down and watched as the lines were thrown from the pontoon. The Visund came free and, with four oars each end, began to rotate in the channel between the lines of moored boats. Once pointed in roughly the right direction the other oars were slid into place and the ship was rowed out to the wide river.

This early in the day there was still a slight mist on the surface, making the further shore indistinct. Despite that, the customary twin-hulled ferries had already begun to make the crossing to and from Wabern in Ferenis. Once sufficiently far from the shore Tor swung the ship upstream and the sail was lowered, allowing the oars to be brought inboard and stowed.

"How long will it take us to reach Yod?"

"I was told that the capital is about a half day's ride from Tobeligo," Ursula replied. "Of course the river goes another way so it may take longer. I think Her Highness expects us to arrive at mid or late afternoon, that is what I heard her discuss with Hashim yesterday."

"Oh. Yes, I recall now." Kaldara pointed. "We head towards that side of the valley and turn, then turn again, is that right?"

Ursula examined her memory of the map in her head. "Yes, that is about right. We may have to stop somewhere for lunch and an afternoon nap, though. Usually we do. We are not in a great hurry to arrive anywhere."

"As you say."

* * *

Kaldara had been surprised and somewhat shocked when the ship had been run up onto the sandy bank at lunchtime.

"But we will be stuck!"

Brodgar gave her a grin. "We do this all time, Mistress. No wharf or fancy docks where we come from."

Her brow furrowed. "But how- Never mind. You know what you are doing, of course."

"Yah. Done all the time. Does not hurt ship." With another grin he added, "Usually."

There had been a wharf-like structure at the small inlet where they had paused to take lunch, but it was choked with local craft. Eriana had simply shrugged and pointed to the nearby shoreline. Now men came walking down the fine sand to greet the strange arrivals.

The oldest of the men called up, "Ho, the ship! Are you in trouble?"

Eriana climbed into the bow to greet them. "Good day to you. I saw that your wharves were full so chose the beach. It is not a problem, we will take no damage. Can you provide lunch here for us or do we make our own?"

"Mistress, we can provide lunch," the man replied, "but you are a large crew, it may take time. Are you troops? I do not know that uniform."

"We may be considered troops, aye, but today we are merely travelers on the river. We began this journey in Dekarran some weeks ago and are exploring upstream. What is this place?"

"Our village is named Whyrram's Wharf, Mistress. Dekarran? In Palarand? Mistress, you have come a long way."

"Aye, and we have many more marks to go before we may return to Palarand. If I may introduce myself. I am Captain Eriana, owner of this ship which is named the Visund."

"A woman owning such a vessel? To be captain would be considered unusual in these parts but for such as you to own a ship is unheard of! I am named Jarvel, Captain. If anyone could be said to order the use of our wharf, it would be me. You and your crew are welcome in Whyrram's Wharf, Captain."

"Thank you, Master Jarvel. We can provide a certain amount of food for the lunch should your village be short. We do not desire to cause you any difficulty."

Jarvel shrugged. "As you desire, Captain. It may be that your provisions will offer a welcome change since, as you must realize, our usual diet is very simple."

"Then I will choose some foods that you and your people may enjoy."

Eriana turned and issued a stream of Norse at Adin, who turned and began giving instructions while pointing at sacks and barrels.

Jarvel called up, "If I may ask, Captain, what numbers are you?"

"We are presently twenty, no, twenty-three men and six women. By your leave, I doubt not your honor but I must needs leave a few to mind my ship."

Jarvel bowed. "Captain, we are but poor fisher folk who sometimes offer food and shade for passing river craft. We would not dare interfere with your ship since word would soon travel the river and few others would call here. Plainly put, Captain, the coin we get from travelers is essential to our survival."

"As you say. I have no problem offering coin for your coffers. My men will come ashore to stretch their legs now, and to bring our food to the village."

"As you desire, Captain."

A large area had been set aside between the wharf and the huts of the village for occasional visitors such as themselves to use. It held a number of rough tables and benches, all protected by simple framed awnings of striped cloth. The men all streamed towards the tables and found seats. Jarvel eyed them with interest and a certain amount of trepidation.

"Your men look strange to my eye, Captain. Forgive me, we have had troops from several countries pass through here and your men do not look like any of them. That coloration... you cannot surely be of Palarand?"

Eriana grinned. "Not originally, no. We come from a land much further south, beyond the Palumaks -"

"I beg your pardon, Captain, what are the Palumaks?"

"Why, they are a large range of high mountains on the south side of the mouth of the Sirrel. Our land lies on the coast beyond those. However, I came to Palarand for... personal reasons... in my ship with my retainers and we have all given our oaths to King Robanar."

Jarvel's eyebrows rose. "Robanar? Indeed? Is he as fierce as people say?"

"I found him a considerate and thoughtful man, though others may view him differently." She gave the man a meaningful glance. "He became fierce when those of Yod invaded his lands, to seek to abduct or kill his people."

"Ah?" The man returned her gaze steadily. "Captain, you speak of our Overlords, those who named themselves the Ascendancy. Now their blight has been lifted from our lands and we shall trouble no-one in the river valley in times to come. We of Yod's soil have found our voice and will not be so easily led in future."

Eriana glanced quickly around the village. "Did you have any trouble here?"

A shrug. "Many of our young men were taken for the war, Captain. A few have returned already, some more may do so when everything quietens down again. Those of Ferenis came here early on, once they had crossed the river, but they expected no resistance and got none, especially when we told them what we had done with the local Commissioner."

"Commissioner?"

"Yes, Captain, the official sent by the Overlords to rule us. When word came that Yod City was in disarray, we and others from two other villages he governed took the Commissioner down to the wharf and held him down in the river until he stopped kicking." Jarvel grinned. "Since he cared not to give us orders after that, we decided to conduct our own affairs in the traditional manner. Much better!"

Eriana grinned back but the grin faded. "You know that some of your folk may never return? Oh, I do not speak of the dead, but some of those who survived, perhaps as prisoners, have chosen to remain in other lands. You may never see them again, never even learn of their fate."

Jarvel was solemn. "I understand you, Captain. We always expect that not all will return from battle but your news means that, if others do not return, then we may have problems bringing in the harvest." He nodded. "I thank you for your information, Captain, it means that I must needs speak with the other village elders to decide what to do."

A young man approached and Jarvel asked, "What is it, Marsel?"

"The party is so large that we must needs get some more wood for the fire, Jarvel. Brodo sent me to ask you which pile to take from."

"Ah." He turned. "Captain, if you would excuse me. The quicker the fires are dealt with the quicker your men will have their lunch."

"If I may offer," Eriana said, "my men will help if you need wood moving."

Jarvel brightened. "Of course, Captain, and thank you again."

She walked towards the tables, issuing a stream of orders in Norse.

* * *

On the river once more it was hot and sticky. There was a thin haze of cloud high above, making the westering sun look murky but not appreciably offering any respite from the heat. The wind had dropped, too, meaning that the Visund limped along slower than Eriana thought was prudent.

«Shall we use our oars, Tor? If we keep at this pace it will be dark before we get anywhere!»

The steersman looked up at the sail. «A few moments longer, Captain. See,» he pointed north-east, «the clouds thicken, perhaps a squall comes. We will get wet but can take advantage of the wind it will bring.»

The squall failed to arrive but the wind did rise, bringing clean, fresher air from the distant sea. The sail bellied out once more and the ship surged ahead. Soon a forest of black poles appeared on their left bank, indicating a port of some kind. Hashim came to the rear of the ship.

"Captain, the harbor of Yod approaches to your left. When I was here last, as a free man, there were special pontoons reserved for foreign vessels. I do not know if that rule still applies."

"Hmm." Eriana's lips set. "How shall we find out? Do they use the flag system here?"

"They do, Captain." Hashim nodded. "If I may borrow one of your distance-seeing devices."

"What? Oh, my telescope. Of course." Eriana opened the lid of the case and pulled out the brass tube, handing it to Hashim. "What do you seek?"

"Why, any man waving a flag, Captain!"

There was such a man, he had flags, but they were held crossed in front of his legs.

"Captain, he says not here, go further along."

Eriana peered into the distance. "There are a lot of pontoons here, and most of them are busy. Did anyone tell them that we were coming?"

"Surely, Captain, but," Hashim shrugged, "that would have been from Tobeligo, of course, and any message may not have arrived - or not considered important even if it did arrive." He explained, "If those of Yod still govern the harbor they may consider foreign vessels beneath their notice. Before the war they certainly did, though they desired our wines and grain sorely enough. However, if they are not in charge then others may have chosen to order the port a different way."

Eriana sighed and swung to peer briefly at the sun, now heading for the western hills.

"I like this not," she decided. "If we see another man with flags I will heave to nearby and we may have a conversation. I want to get us properly moored as soon as possible. We have two or three hours of light left but we still have to find accommodation and settle ourselves in our quarters, wherever they may be, before it becomes too dark."

"Hours, Captain? I do not know this word."

She grinned down at the pilot. "Think of it as a little shorter than a bell, Hashim. In Einnland, and in... other lands, the days are divided into twenty-four, not twenty. It is the way I and all my crew are accustomed to thinking of time."

"Ah? As you say, Captain. Look, yonder! There is a flag-man."

Eriana turned. "Tor? Steer us near enough to talk. Can you hold us against the current?"

The steersman considered. "Yes, Captain, if I trim the sail slightly."

Tor shouted instructions to the men and the sail was trimmed, both in angle and in length, as he gently steered the Visund close to the pontoon with the man on it. That worthy, who wore a bright uniform, watched with interest and, once the ship was balanced against both river flow and wind, nodded approvingly.

"What vessel?" he shouted.

Eriana looked at him and then turned to Tor. «I do not know that uniform. Do you recognize it?»

«I might, Captain. Do you remember when we were forced to come to land after we tangled with that big fish? Where that Duke was? It seems to me the colors may be those of the men at that town.»

Her eyes narrowed. "Duke Jarwin? Virgulend? Aye," she nodded, "you could be right. At least he is not a Yodan."

She turned back. "We are the Visund, of Palarand, on our way upriver. Where must we moor?"

"If you would excuse me." The man leafed through a wad of parchment notes looking for the name. "Ah, this is..." He looked up abruptly. "The Visund, you say? Are you sure? We did not expect..?" The confusion on his face was evident.

Eriana grinned at him. "Not what you expected? I have heard that before. Where must we moor? Time passes and we must needs find accommodation and so on."

"As you say." He pulled a face. "You are so large..." He thought then pointed. "There is a pole painted red. Turn there and there should be space on your right."

"My thanks to you."

Tor leaned on the steering oar, changing the direction slightly, and this was enough to overcome the current and cause the Visund to ease upstream. After the red pole, Tor pulled the oar hard over and the bow turned into the wind. As it was now facing upwind, several oars were deployed to draw the ship among the other craft moored to either side. The sail, no longer of use, was lowered and stowed.

"There! Head for that space there!"

The Visund was large enough to overlap the pontoons at either end but there was just space to fit in between the other craft moored on that side. As two sailors jumped across carrying mooring lines two men ran along the pontoons from the land end.

"Stop! You cannot moor here! This space is reserved for an important visitor!"

Eriana rolled her eyes but waited until the mooring lines were secure before she jumped across.

"We were told to moor here by one of your colleagues. Who would be so important that such a space would be reserved for them?"

The two were wearing similar uniforms to the man she had spoken to before but neither was obviously an officer. The older of the two bridled at her tone.

"I do not see how it is any of your business, Mistress." He glanced at the Visund with a curled lip. "Someone who would not be seen on such a crude vessel, I deem. Why, it does not even have a deck, let alone a cabin fit for a noble!"

He failed to notice the glare she bestowed upon him. "I suppose you will tell me that you are expecting a Princess from Palarand. I am she."

"What? Impossible! I cannot believe..." He ran out of words, just staring at Eriana.

"Since you refuse to believe me, I must needs fetch my credentials."

She turned and hopped back on board, disappearing among the crew to the stern of the ship. Shortly she returned, sword in place and accompanied by Lars, Eirik and Tor, all fully armed, together with Kalmenar. The two men goggled at the sword hilt looming over her right shoulder and the several large, fearsome men accompanying her.

"I am Eriana, by the decree of King Robanar styled Princess of Palarand. This is my ship and these are my men." She gestured. "Here is Baron Kalmenar, my diplomatic advisor."

Kalmenar moved forward and held out a scroll. "If you may observe, His Majesty provides this document to prove Her Highness's title."

With nerveless fingers the man took the scroll, unrolled it and read. His color paled as they watched. He managed to hand it back without dropping it in the water.

He bowed low, his companion following. "A thousand pardons, Your Highness! If you will forgive my mistaken assumption. We are not so used to receiving visitors of such rank in Yod's port, I assumed that your vessel would be the barge of a noble, not this, this..."

"...Ship like those which customarily sail the wide oceans of Anmar? Indeed. So, are you content that we may moor here? I am anxious to settle myself, my party and my crew before it becomes too dark."

"Of course, Your Highness! This berth was provided for your... vessel... so of course you may use it." His gaze swung from end to end of the Visund. "Though we did not expect it to be so large."

She sniffed. "I have seen galleys of like size."

"As you say, Your Highness, but they have mooring differently arranged further along the port." He licked his lips. "If I may ask how many of you there are?"

"We are presently six women and twenty-three men. What provision is there for guarding my ship? As you may see, everything we possess is open to view. Some we will take to our lodgings, of course, but I would not wish for the rest to be stolen while we slept."

The other man spoke. "Highness, we of the port administration are all of Virgulend. We are honor bound to provide a secure watch over all the craft that come here. You may have no fear over the safety of your goods and materials."

Her eyes narrowed. "You so swear?"

"Highness, I do."

Kalmenar said, "Heard and witnessed."

Eriana told the man, "By chance we spent a night in Virgulend as guests of Duke Jarwin. It was not a pleasant experience and we were not impressed by the honor of those who attended him. Be aware that I and my men will hold you and yours to your word."

The man gulped and bowed.

Eriana turned and issued instructions to the crew. Tor and Lars went back on board to organize the exodus. Once space had been made the other female members of the crew climbed off and Eriana turned to the men.

"If you would lead the way."

Although the layout of the port was different the arrangement was much as it had been in Tobeligo. The women had been provided a room together in the local transit hostel while most of the men were billeted some distance away in what had once been a barracks for Yod's waterborne forces. The six went immediately down to the bathing facilities and, by the time they had returned, their chests had been delivered.

Bennet asked, "What should we wear this evening, Highness?"

Eriana considered. "For now I would suggest that we wear what we wore earlier. There is something about this place I do not like. Better that we show them we are like them than that they consider us their entertainment."

Semma remarked, "It is certainly noisy enough."

Ursula peered out through one of the windows, which overlooked the central courtyard. There were a number of men, mugs and steins in hand, standing around talking, while bright lights came from the open doors to her left. There was certainly a noticeable level of noise coming from the common room.

"Highness, I am not sure that what we wear is going to make any difference. There are a lot of men down there and it sounds as if most of them have already begun drinking heavily."

Eriana shrugged. "They are there, we must needs eat. We will do whatever we must."

Bennett asked, "Swords, Highness?"

"To eat our meal? I do not think so. Bring your eating knives and your forks, of course, but we go to eat, not to do battle."

There were no servants about when they emerged from their chamber so Eriana led them down the front stairs and automatically turned towards the common room. At their appearance in the doorway there was a sudden hush and then a cheer.

"Hey, lads! Look! The entertainment has arrived!"

Oh, no. Ursula suddenly realized what the six would look like. There were no marks of unit or rank so the three in uniforms with short skirts could have been taken for dancers, while Tyra, Kaldara and herself would have been 'company' for the men, perhaps later.

One of the men approached and confirmed her fears. "Shall we clear a space for your dances, Mistress?"

Eriana looked coldly at him. "We are not here for you, but to obtain food. Stand away from us!"

By that time others had pushed forward until they were surrounded on three sides by men who had only one thing on their minds.

"Why bother with dances?" one said. "That big one will take some wrestling so I'll have first go with that smaller one to her right."

Another said, "I prefer something a little softer myself. How about that little one on the end?"

Ursula instinctively put a protective arm around Kaldara.

His mate replied, "I didn't take you for a child botherer, Kento! She's way too young for the likes of you. Now that one, she's more your size and I'll bet she has the experience too."

A biggish man somewhat more inebriated than his mates leaned forward, his hand grasping. "C'mere, darling, gi'us a jig!"

Eriana backhanded him, sending him sprawling on the floor and scattering some of the others. At the same time, Bennett and Semma went into ready positions, hands poised.

There was a hush in the room.

"What's happening?" asked someone from the back.

"Dunno - she just attacked him - I think."

Another voice, a little less befuddled, suddenly spoke up. "Hey, they ain't dance outfits, they're uniforms."

There was some scattered laughter at this. One shouted, "Women? In uniforms? You're crazy!"

Someone else said, "Maybe not. Remember our Women's Auxiliary outfit, though these ain't dressed right for that."

"Dead right there," a third stated. "What decent women would go around showing that much leg?"

Someone else snickered. "Looks about just the right amount of leg to me!"

Eriana had had enough. "SILENCE! I am Princess Eriana of Palarand and this is the uniform of the Palace Guard. We are NOT your entertainment!"

"If you ain't, then wotcha doin' in 'ere, then? Are you sure you ain't got time for a dance or two?"

"Tsss!" Eriana turned. "It seems that we have come to the wrong chamber. Let us go and see if -"

"Mistress?"

A female hostel servant had caught up to them. Eriana turned some more and began to glare, then realized that she was dressed exactly the same as Bennett and Semma. Who would know who was the leader of the party, if any?

A hand reached out and yanked Ursula back into the room. "Give us a kiss, darling."

Bennet took the arm the hand was attached to, twisted, bent and sent the owner flying into the crowd. There was a roar. "Fight!"

Ursula backed rapidly towards the door as the others hastily escaped through it. At the same time she saw other men come in through the side doors into the courtyard, some carrying heavy sticks. The servant's voice took her attention.

"Mistresses, you should not have gone in there, we have a separate dining chamber for any female guests. If you would all follow me."

One of the newcomers came through the doorway after them. He was wearing a white neckerchief. He saw the servant and spoke.

"This time we got here before it went too far. Who are these?"

Eriana answered. "I am Her Highness Princess Eriana of Palarand and these ladies are my companions. We came down to seek food."

The man's eyes widened but he nodded and then bowed. "Your Highness, I apologize for the disturbance." He winced as the 'disturbance' could be loudly heard behind him. "If you would follow Minna, she will take you to a safe chamber." He shook his head. "There are too many troops in the city, I deem, and all want what men have always wanted. Ah, have you any men of your own staying at the hostel?"

"They are all staying elsewhere, my man. Your name?"

He bowed. "Darro, late of Smordan and in charge of the street patrol. If you would excuse me, Your Highness."

"Of course." As the man bowed and turned away Eriana said to the servant, "If you would lead the way."

Minna led them back to the stairway and off in the other direction. There was a large chamber overlooking the courtyard with tables and chairs. Beyond that Ursula could see a dining room which took up the whole of the width of the building, but there were few travelers presently in it.

"If you and your party would be seated, Your Highness, I will ask Cook to come and tell you what is available." She made an apologetic face. "I regret the food may not be of the standard you are accustomed to."

Eriana waved a hand. "We are seasoned travelers, Minna. We have eaten with Kings, Princes and Dukes but also in many places like this one and, occasionally, food we have prepared and cooked ourselves over open fires in wild places. I doubt not that your kitchen can provide a meal that will satisfy all of us."

Minna curtseyed, pleased that Eriana had used her name. "You are gracious, Your Highness. If I may depart to the kitchen."

The servant returned after a short while with an older man who bowed towards the table.

"I am told one of you is a Princess?"

"That would be me," Eriana confirmed. "What can you offer us?"

"Your Highness, welcome to our hostel. Today we have roast brifil and gavakhan, regrettably most of the vegetables will be boiled rather than roasted." He was also apologetic. "With all those mouths in the common room to feed it is difficult to provide our customary choice. For the same reason I cannot offer you fish today nor any of the several pies that we have made in the past. There is plenty of fruit to follow, and, if I may, I will reserve the better of our cheeses for you to end with."

Eriana nodded. "It will be good enough. What have you to drink? I do not like wine but the beer the men drink will suffice. My companions may have other desires."

"Of course, Your Highness. We have some local white wine, red wine from Faralmark, small beer, pel, of course and we may be able to provide some fruit juice, though I must needs check my stock before naming the choices."

Selections were made and Cook and servant returned to their duties. Before they could return, a commotion was heard in the corridor, resulting in four men wearing a different uniform entering the chamber. Their leader was a short, young man with a close-cut black beard who was obviously in charge of the group. He looked at the women seated around the table and put his hands on his hips.

"Who the kavak are you? Who gave you permission to come to this hostel and cause trouble? It is difficult enough for us to keep order here without some troupe of dancing girls getting the men excited. Name yourselves and tell me your business in Yod, or I'll have you thrown out!"

Eriana rose to her full height and stared at the newcomer. "If you had bothered to ask, the hostel owner would have told you that I am Princess Eriana of Palarand and that my business here is my own. This, should you not know, is the uniform of the Palace Guard and these two are members of that Guard."

"Pah! Princess of Palarand? Impossible! I know the palace well, since my father serves King Robanar. I know the uniform of the Palace Guard which, it is true, your attire somewhat resembles, but I do not think that anyone would be foolish enough to admit women to it. I also know the two daughters of the King, Elizet and Malann, and I know that both have married and moved away. He has no other daughters, only a son."

"That is no longer true. Prince Keren has taken a wife who is now Princess Garia of Palarand." The man started. "For myself," Eriana continued, "I am the daughter of another King, estranged from my father, and I and my men have been granted sanctuary in Palarand as reward for a task done during the war. Robanar has graciously permitted me to retain my style and title. Who are you, who know so much about Palarand and its peoples? I did not see you at Garia's wedding."

He grimaced at hearing Garia's name, but replied. "I am Count Marlin of Brikant, and I am Under-Marshal of the troops controlling the docks of Yod. You may speak of Palarand matters as though you are familiar with them but I do not believe any of what you say. I would have proof of your words before I accept your presence in this place!"