The Visund must depart for its next port of call. Maralin has returned to join the farewells before the Norse ship travels the short distance to Ferenis - and another heroes' welcome. Their host, however, has a surprise for some of them.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

38 - Another Day, Another Country

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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"...the fat should be from a six-leg, not a four-leg, we have found that it protects the skin better. In the city we tend to use gavakhan fat from around the theril, it mixes better with the other ingredients although that around the buchir from a gavakhan or zinakh is almost as good," Senior Healer Tabra explained.

Ursula knew that animals based on the six-limbed arrangement had some unusual organs that performed obscure functions. The theril seemed to be similar to a kidney although other fluids passed through it as well as blood. The buchir, on the other hand, was a complete mystery.

Tabra continued, "We mix four parts of fat to two of water and one of ground soap-root and then add the liquor from the stewed herbs, which will amount to another part. I apologize, am I going too fast for you?"

In truth Ursula's fingers were sore from the scribbling but she was never going to admit that.

"I am managing, Tabra, but I have to write small to fit it all on this piece of parchment and that does cause a strain. So, you are making an emulsion, then?"

"You know of such matters? Good. Once mixed it will gradually harden to a stiff paste or ointment. The men can then spread it thinly on any exposed flesh, it will protect them completely from the sun. Of course, it will be washed off by any splash of water so if by chance they get wet it will have to be applied again."

Ursula finished writing and then looked up. "Tabra, I thank you again for this recipe, and also for the tubs of ointment you have given us. This ointment, I am sure, will be available most places we go but it is possible that I may have to make up some myself somewhere upriver. And, of course, it increases my knowledge of herb use and preparation."

"I am always glad to help another healer," the other replied. "You have amply repaid us with your knowledge of pregnancy and childbirth and if this helps you to look after Her Highness's men better, then of course we would pass on the knowledge." Tabra frowned. "Do you not have similar recipes from your own lands?"

"They would be of no use to me here, Tabra, because the herbs are all different," Ursula replied truthfully. "It makes more sense to use what is locally available, after all."

"As you say, Ursula. Well, having brought you the tubs and provided the recipe, I am not sure how much more I can do this afternoon."

"You have done more than enough, Tabra. I would never have realized just what was in the Epp Ale if you had not explained."

The two stood up and Tabra collected her medicine basket. "I should be going. If I do not see you before you all depart, I wish you a safe journey."

"And I wish you success with your patients, although I know as you do that does not always happen."

"Aye. Sometimes a point comes when we may do no more, but that is life, is it not? Good-bye, Ursula."

"Good-bye, Tabra."

Tabra departed and Ursula re-read her notes to ensure that in some future time they might make sense, startled to discover that she had written them in Russian. With the notes added to her growing collection she re-tied the leather folder and stood as Tyra moved the tubs out from under foot.

"What time is it? I have been concentrating on what Tabra was saying so I took little notice of the bells."

"Mistress, I have heard the eighth bell and a half."

"Plenty of time to bathe and change before the evening meal, then." She regarded the chests occupying one side of the sitting room. "What is there left to do here?"

"Mistress, I can do no more until we rise tomorrow morning. Our travel attire is in the dressing room, as is our nightwear and attire for this evening. Apart from your notes almost everything else is in our chests, your basket or my bag."

"Laundry?"

"Everything I asked to be cleaned has been returned. Having a laundry in the palace is strange to me, since in Joth all garments were sent into the city to be cleaned. Everything looks as if it has been cleaned and pressed well, Mistress. I can discover no complaint."

"It is a big palace and they have many visitors passing through their doors. I can see why they would have their own laundry function. It may not be so good further on, you realize."

"I do, Mistress. Shall you bathe now?"

Ursula cast around the room. It was always the same, the last night staying somewhere. She had lost count of the numbers of hotels and lodging houses Valeriy had stayed in during his flight across the world. Was she destined always to be a nomad?

She sighed and gestured. "Lead on, then. Let's get changed."

* * *

When they entered the dining chamber Maralin was already there, wearing plain traveling attire.

"You are back from Ferenis, I see."

He smiled. "So it would seem. Good evening, Ursula, good evening, Tyra. Her Grace tells me that you have had to deal with some strange liquids."

"It is true."

Since few had arrived yet, and the meal would be a little way off, she explained what had happened.

He whistled. "Epp Ale! I must remember that one, it would certainly have caught me out. But everyone has recovered now, I understand?"

"They have, and I suspect none of them will look at a mug of beer in quite the same way again! We were lucky, it could have been much worse. Particularly since we had to get the ship back to Forguland with almost everyone incapacitated."

Maralin whistled again. "Especially with the Cauldron downstream, eh? I do not envy you that trip, even though you all managed it well enough in the end."

"It was an interesting journey, I agree."

Gwilli came into the room and joined them then. Since Maralin was not in uniform he bowed briefly to the General.

"Sir? Good evening. Ursula tells me you have a new career as a steerer of ships."

Gwilli smiled. "Aye, Maralin. Good evening to you, to Ursula and to Tyra. A soldier must needs turn his hand to any task that has to be done but I never imagined that I would be holding a great big steering oar!" He grinned at Ursula and Tyra. "We managed well enough, did we not?"

"We did, General. I am not sure that I would desire to make it a regular occurrence, though."

"Agreed! But I would not have missed the experience, even so." Gwilli turned to Maralin. "Any news from Ferenis, Tenant?"

Maralin shrugged. "There are armies returning from Yod, Sir, now that the local population seems to be recovering, and those armies are causing a little trouble in Ferenis as they pass through. They are unlikely to be back again so they do not seem to care to look after the places they pass through."

"Do you tell me? I will inform the City Watch as soon as I may. Ferenis is different than Forguland, of course, but we must act to prevent any trouble before it starts."

"As you say, Sir, but don't you put armies up in camps here? I didn't think that many actually came into the city."

"It varies, Tenant. On their way out, it is true, most spend their time in the appointed camps but on the return journey they know that their time as levies is coming to an end and many will desire to celebrate. Even if they are camped outside, I am certain that many will seek drink and entertainment inside the walls, as has happened before."

"I understand, Sir. Of course, I have never experienced this kind of movement of men before and I do not know what to expect."

"The circumstances are different every time, Tenant, as you can imagine." He bowed to Ursula. "Mistress, if you would give me leave, I will go now and warn the Watch while there are some moments before the meal begins."

As Gwilli walked out of the chamber Ursula asked, "How is he going to do that and be back in time to eat?"

"As I understand matters there is a Watch post inside the walls of the palace compound. It will only take him five minutes or so to give his warning. They will send it forward from there."

"Oh, I see."

Count Fard and Countess Windra entered the chamber. Ursula curtseyed while Maralin bowed.

"Tenant," Fard acknowledged. "You have returned."

"Aye, My Lord, about a bell ago. Good evening to you, My Lord. Good evening, My Lady."

Fard asked, "What news from Ferenis, Tenant?"

"Troops returning from Yod are becoming rowdy in the city, Milord. General Gwilli is off to warn the Watch here."

"Is that so? We passed him in the corridor and I wondered why he was in such a hurry."

Windra said to Ursula, "I understand that you are all leaving tomorrow."

"Yes, My Lady," she replied. "I have heard that it is an easy passage to Ferenis."

"Are you comfortable on that ship?" the Countess asked. "I am not sure that I could travel on so open a vessel."

Ursula shrugged. "I have yet to experience rain while on the Visund but doubtless that will happen one day. It was awkward the first day or two, until we all became used to the arrangements, but it is comfortable enough now. I am still impressed that these men would sail on the open ocean, though. It will not be the same as traveling on the Sirrel."

"As I have never seen the ocean, but only heard accounts of it, I could not comment, Ursula. To see nothing but water in any direction, that seems strange to me."

"It isn't as bad as that, My Lady. As I understand matters, the Norse generally sail away from their coast but keep it just in sight. It would still be, let me see, about twenty marks away but having it in sight makes navigation easier."

"Twenty marks?" Fard asked. "Could they not go further?"

Ursula looked at Maralin with a raised eyebrow. How much should they explain?

"Milord," he said, "If they sailed much further away then the coast would slip below the horizon. It is a complicated subject to understand but it depends on the notion that the... world is round like a ball. I do not know if such matters have been explained to you."

"Ah, I see. Aye, we are taught that Anmar is round and that is necessary to explain the movements of the sun and our moons. Of course, if one travels further away from the coast, the land must needs disappear, then?"

"As you say, Milord."

Maralin was saved from having to give an impromptu geometry lesson by the arrival of Duke, Duchess and Princess, accompanied by their retainers. All already present bowed and curtseyed to them.

"Ah, you are already here, I see," Sildenar noted. He looked around at those present. "Where is Gwilli? Does he not dine with us tonight?"

Maralin explained, "Your Grace, I have told him that some returning troops have been making trouble in Ferenis and he has gone to warn the Watch."

Sildenar nodded. "I see. We will wait for him to return, then."

Eriana joined Ursula and Maralin. To Ursula she asked, "Are you ready to depart on the morrow?"

"We are, Highness. Once we have dressed in the morning it will not take us long to close up the chests."

"Good. Though the distance we must travel tomorrow seems small I do not want to depart too late. Another chance encounter on the river could delay us until late afternoon or even sunset, which would be embarrassing."

"As you say, Highness."

Gwilli returned, puffing, and the Duke led everybody to the table.

~o~O~o~

There were inevitable delays before the Visund slipped its moorings. These would not have occurred had the vessel been an ordinary trading craft but this was the personal transport of a Princess who had resided with the reigning Duke. Certain formalities - and informalities - had to be observed, but Eriana bore them stoically.

Finally, the commands were given and the Visund slipped away from the tiered wharves of Forguland and proceeded under oars along the channel between the land and the sheltering island. Once clear of traffic, Tor gave the order for the yard to be raised and the sail lowered. The morning breeze was more than adequate to propel the ship along and the oars were hauled in and stowed.

"Highness - ah, I mean Captain, I do not think that I have ever seen another vessel like this one."

"I have seen no other such from Dekarran to here, Master Hashim," she replied. "That surprises me, as the design, to my eyes, is a simple one. Yet I know that the river has different demands on the hull than the sea, perhaps that is the reason why."

"I must agree, Captain. I do not think that I have ever seen a ship flex the way this one does, when crossing the wake of another craft."

"Indeed. If you had ever seen the waves we have on the ocean, you would understand. In a storm, some can be as high as the mast. Were our ships built rigidly, as many I see on the Sirrel, we would surely break in two when we crossed even a small wave."

"Do you tell me?" Hashim shook his head. "Of course we all hear rumors of life on the Shan but how much is tall traveler's tales I could not say. A wave as tall as the mast? I am astonished that anyone has lived to describe such a thing!"

"It is true, but of course that would be a very rare event and, as you have suggested, oft times no-one does survive such a sighting. However, we who customarily travel such waters are well aware of what may be there and how to deal with it."

"I wonder. Sometimes I have had a desire to view the ocean and sail upon it. You make it sound forbidding."

Eriana smiled. "Master Hashim, it is anything but forbidding! When the weather is fine, which it will be much of the time, to sail at sea is where I would rather be. As I am the daughter of a King I understand the necessity of custom and formality, but I would rather be on a ship with water beneath the hull, testing myself and my craft against wind and waves."

"I can only agree, Captain." Hashim leaned out over the side of the hull, careful to keep hold of a line. "Captain, if you would adjust the course to the right a small amount. Shortly we will approach the bend before entering the Ferenis Reach and the bottom will be shallow inside the bend."

"As you say. We have been told that this is the way that the course of the river moves, that it eats away at the outside of any bend, making it larger, and leaves deposits on the inside, making the land larger there."

"You are well informed, Captain. However, sometimes matters are not so clear and that is where my knowledge of the currents and banks will be of use, especially once we go past Ferenis and enter the Yodan stretches."

"You will inquire at Ferenis for the latest information?"

"Of course, Captain, and I will try to obtain a copy of the latest charts available."

Hashim paused, considering his position, and then asked, "Captain, if it is not an impertinent request, where do your men obtain their attire? It seems to me that such garments as they wear will be more comfortable in the heat of the day and less onerous. Is it a military design?"

Eriana grinned at him. "Yes and no, Master Hashim. The design was not originally intended to be a uniform but merely practical shipboard wear for my men, who are used to colder climes. However, the seamstresses of Joth misunderstood me and made them as you see. They are fairly simple to make if you should have the right cloth. Do you sew, Master Hashim? I would not suggest that you make some the same color as that which my men wear but I doubt not you would be cooler."

"Captain, of course I can mend attire as any bargeman can, but sewing a complete garment, that may be beyond me."

"Ah. Perhaps we can do something when we reach Ferenis, of course they will have seamstresses there, will they not? When we arrive you shall be measured, and I will ask for two suits to be made for you."

"Captain, you are too kind. I did not intend -"

"Nonsense! If you are to travel with us some way then you must be made as comfortable as you see my men are. We have a long way to go and the weather can only become warmer, is that not so?"

"It is true, Captain, and I thank you for it. But I cannot repay you -"

"You will repay me by taking us safely to Faralmark, Master Hashim. That is all we ask."

Hashim bowed low to hide the tears of gratitude.

* * *

The land seemed flatter here. Ursula looked at both banks seeing low reeds stretching into the distance beyond the drying mud. Once again the Visund was crossing from the northern side of the Great Valley to the southern but they would arrive at Ferenis before reaching the southern wall. Presently the ship was sailing almost east as the river kinked left before slowly trending right once more. Surprisingly to Ursula, they were still under sail, the yard having been heaved around almost fore and aft but still permitting the wind to drive the ship against the current.

Kalmenar asked the women, "Have any of you ventured so far west before?"

He received unanimous shakes of the head.

"I have been twice," he told them, "once when I was much younger and before I took up any official position. You may find Ferenis the city to be a strange place. Though built upon a rock, Forguland was familiar to me, but beyond that land ways of building, of speaking, of customs and styles of attire can change dramatically. Do not be alarmed at what you see, visitors from downriver are common and your own attire may only provoke friendly interest."

Semma was hesitant. "My Lord, what may we expect? I had thought that other lands would be much as Palarand is, but I have already learned that it is not so - sometimes."

"As you say, my dear. In many ways the almost-familiar can be more dangerous than the completely strange." He offered a reassuring smile. "You should have little occasion for concern in Ferenis, I deem, especially as we should have the favor of Duke Gathol and Duchess Karinet. Just enjoy your visit, it should be less exciting than in Forguland, since there should be no occasion to sample unusual wines or beers."

"I understand you, My Lord. And beyond Ferenis? What should we expect?"

Kalmenar held up his hands. "Frankly, I have little idea of what we will find in Yod. I visited there once, it is true, but that was under the Ascendancy which no longer exists. What we will find there I do not know. It may be a settled land, anxious for peace, a land which toils under the yoke of those they see as invaders, or it maybe a wild land where every man seeks his own advantage. Or, mayhap, all three in different parts.

"Beyond Yod, once we pass those lands which Yod took by force and are now returned to their rightful rulers, will be lands new to all of us. Of course I know what should be there, from accounts and reports received in Palarand, but the reality is always different than the impressions one makes from another's account.

"We can only wait and see."

"Thank you, My Lord."

As the ship sailed on the river gradually swung a little right and, as it did so, revealed a forest of black piles near the right-hand river bank. As one of the double-hull ferries was pulling across their course Ursula understood that the piles, and the pontoons which they restrained, were likely their next destination.

Her surmise proved right as Eriana ordered the oars out and the bow of the Visund began to swing right. Pontoons began to come into view, some set so far out into the river that they were anchored rather than set between piles. On one of these two men stood, waving flags. Wanting more control, the yard was lowered and the sail stowed. The men pulled on the oars to approach the pontoon since the number of lines of pontoons and piles was confusing to the eye.

With the rowers just doing enough to keep the vessel steady, Eriana called across to the men.

"I do not understand your flags. If you can tell me where we must moor."

One of them replied with a question. "Is that the ship bearing Princess Eriana?"

"Aye, I am she."

"Welcome to Ferenis, Your Highness. If you would come to the left side of this pontoon and travel as far as you can alongside. There should be enough water here for you to moor."

"The Visund is of very shallow draft. How far should we go?"

"Do you tell me? As far as you desire, Highness. That side of these pontoons has been cleared especially for your arrival. The further you can go, the less distance you must needs walk when you alight."

"I understand you. My thanks for your information." She turned to Tor. "You understood? The left side of this pontoon, which will then be at our right side."

"Aye, Captain. And as far as we can go."

There was such a profusion of piles, pontoons and river craft that Ursula found it difficult to picture the setup. It was almost like one of the marinas on Earth, used by yacht owners to keep their boats when they were not in use. The spacing between the rows of pontoons was wide enough that Tor had no problem avoiding either the pontoon to their right or the moored vessels of all shapes and sizes secured to the line of pontoons to their left.

Eventually one of the lookouts in the bow gave a double whistle and Tor ordered the men to cease rowing. The Visund was steered right, within reach of the floating walkways, and willing hands caught the thrown lines. A few brief heaves later they were securely tied. The Visund had arrived.

The usual instant confusion then occurred as all the men made themselves presentable and collected their dunnage bags. The women, who had chests, had little to do other than tidy their hair and keep out of everybody else's way. While this was happening, three men approached from the land end of the pontoon line.

"Greetings, the ship! Are you the Visund of Palarand, just arrived from Forguland?"

"Aye, we are," Eriana replied, "and I am owner and Captain, Princess Eriana of Palarand."

The men all bowed. "You and all your men are very welcome to Ferenis, Your Highness," The first man said, explaining, "Since our pontoon lines must needs be so long, His Grace the Duke, Her Grace and others of the court await your arrival at the land end, to avoid crowding the walkways. When you are content, if you would all make your way towards the land."

"I understand. What of our baggage? My ladies and I have chests which must needs be brought to wherever we will be staying."

"Highness, we have porters for that duty, if you would permit them. If you are concerned about them your men could bring them as far as the land."

"Porters?"

"Highness, in this case, since we know where all who are aboard are to be housed, the porters will be retainers of His Grace's household. You need have no fear that anything will go amiss."

"Then by all means let the porters come. What about my ship? Shall any stand guard over it, or is none considered necessary?"

"Highness, there are many troops from a number of countries presently in Ferenis. Some think they are still at war and seek to plunder, others attempt to find quicker ways home, perhaps by stealing boats. For that reason, His Grace keeps a strong guard preventing access to the port area. Regrettably that will also mean that any of your crew who seek to attend your ship must needs have a pass issued by a member of the city watch."

Eriana at first glared at the man but then realized that, with numbers of foreign troops around the capital, some kind of control would be necessary. She softened her expression and nodded.

"Aye. It is unwelcome but I understand the need."

"Then, if we may summon the porters?"

"You may."

The first man turned to one of the others, who produced a bugle. He held this facing the city and blew a careful set of tones before lowering the instrument.

"If you and your men would follow me, Your Highness."

Eriana leaped lightly onto the pontoon and stalked off without further comment. The men looked surprised but took off after her in an attempt to keep up.

Ursula looked at Tyra. "Ready? We'd better get going or we'll hold everyone else up."

She led the way onto the pontoon, the two swordswomen next, Kalmenar and Hashim following and then the crew. Ahead, the double line of poles which constrained the walkway stretched into the distance. After a short while they came to a wider pontoon which was slightly tilted, since this was the present waterline. At one side of the pontoon a number of men in Ducal colors were gathered, waiting for the procession to pass. The man with the bugle was also there so it appeared that these were the promised porters.

One of the men called, "Highness! If you would wait there."

A ramp led down from the wide pontoon onto the silt of the bank, where cart tracks could be seen, as could a carriage with the Ducal shield on the door and four frayen at the front.

They caught up with Eriana, one pointing at the carriage.

"Highness, we understand your desire to greet His Grace. If you would use the carriage then you will arrive more quickly."

Eriana glanced at the carriage as the other women joined the group. "We will not all fit in that, I deem. And my men? What of them?"

"Ah, Your Highness," said another, "we assumed that your men would walk the whole way."

"Then I will walk as well. With me are four other women and a noble of Palarand's court. I would not ride while any of them or my men must needs walk. Send your carriage away."

Muttering, one of the men ran down the ramp and gave instructions. The carriage headed inland while Eriana carried on along the pontoon line. This continued on dry land, with a wider pontoon every so often to permit parties to pass in safety. They had walked a fair distance before Ursula muttered to Tyra, "How much further?"

From somewhere behind, Kalmenar answered, "Mistress, about a mark and a half."

"What?" She turned to face the little diplomat in disbelief.

Kalmenar eased himself past Bennet and Semma. "Mistress, it is both the blessing and the curse of Ferenis. The land is so flat that the river advances and recedes by many marks during the year. When the Sirrel floods during the rains, it deposits rich silt upon the land which makes Ferenis one of the most fertile countries in this part of the Valley." He spread his hands. "However, during the spring and summer months the waters recede so far that these long pontoons are required just to reach a point where vessels may safely dock."

"So far?"

"Aye, Mistress."

She began walking again with Kalmenar beside her. "But why don't they build banks or something? I would have thought that there was enough timber about to do that - look at all those poles!"

"Indeed, Mistress, but if they did that the the waters would not flood the land, would they, and the land would not be as fertile. As I said, it is both a blessing and a curse."

Ursula spent the rest of the walk trying to think of ways to improve the situation without success. Without more information on what seemed to be an unusual phenomenon she was wary of making any suggestions.

Besides, who would listen to someone like me? I am not even an expert in the field!

But this Princess Garia was of school age, so she could not be an expert either, yet look at how much difference she appears to have made!

A sturdy ramp signaled the end of the pontoon line, by which time Ursula's legs were beginning to tire. Beyond was an area of hardstanding paved with brick upon which stood the welcoming committee. Eriana strode down the ramp to the oldest man present and curtseyed.

"Your Grace. We have walked almost all the way from Forguland, I deem."

He held out his hands. "Rise, Eriana. Be welcome in my house, you and all your company. As you have guessed, I am Gathol, Duke of this rather large slab of Sirrel mud. Here is Karinet, my Duchess and wife. I believe that you have already met Saram and Bartra, is that not so?"

"I have, Your Grace, and recently. You can be sure that your son presented the concerns of Ferenis to the Sirrel Congress without fear or favor. He also gave a good account of the progress of the war in your lands. As a representative of His Majesty, I must add that King Robanar sends warm greetings to you and your wife and regrets that it was not possible for him to greet both of you in person."

"Ah, you may tell Robanar that the regret is mutual but of course he knows the reason why, as do you." Gathol surveyed the crowd from the Visund, now all standing in a group behind Eriana. "Is this all your folk, Eriana?"

"Your Grace, some few of the crew remain to supervise the unloading of our chests and other items. The rest of my men, and all of my women companions, are here with me. If I may introduce Baron Kalmenar, who attends me as diplomatic aide. Here also is Ursula, a Healer who has knowledge not yet available in the Great Valley, and here are Bennet and Semma, Guardswomen of His Majesty who accompany me as female companions. Commander Lars, there, is leader of my men, subordinate only to myself."

Gathol's eyebrows rose. "Interesting! We will have much to speak of while you are with us, Eriana. And, I beg you, you may use our names. You are the daughter of a King, it is only seemly." The Duke stood straight and addressed the crowd. "Men and women of the Visund! Your courageous actions on the wharves of Gylfi's Rest are known to all in Ferenis. Be assured that you are all very welcome in our lands. While you are with us you should know that you will be welcomed by all and that you may go where you will without let or hindrance.

"However, in Ferenis are many soldiers from other lands, most waiting their turn to return home. Some of these chafe at the delay and may seek to cause mischief. Perhaps they will tell you that their own experiences of battle are greater than yours but of course that can never be true. We will endeavor to prevent any trouble but, as I know you are honorable men, I would ask that each of you take care on your dealings with these people. Enough blood has been spilled in this war, we do not need battles between friends."

There was a dead silence at this announcement.

Eriana turned. «Lars? Did you understand?»

«Most of it, Highness. Men seeking trouble in the city could start brawls. I do not think they would like the result. I will explain now to the men.»

Lars turned and warned the men in Norse. Many nodded but others looked annoyed.

"What is the problem, Eriana?"

"It means that my men must needs be careful in your city, Gathol. Lars is explaining the problem to them. I think that many of them just wanted to enjoy themselves but they cannot."

The Duke nodded. "As you say. The situation is unfortunate. We do what we can to prevent trouble but," he shrugged, "my men cannot be everywhere and there are just so many troops camped nearby. If I may offer my apologies."

"Of course. We understand that you have had the enemy on your soil, others have come to assist you to remove them. Of course there will be those who will desire to take advantage of the situation." Eriana grinned at the Duke. "In another life I might have been one of those! I am more responsible now, I deem."

"Your Highness," Gathol said with a straight face, "I cannot believe that of you or your men! I can however offer them some compensation. If I may, I would invite them all to a feast at the palace this evening. Would that help?"

"Your Grace, indeed it will! Lars, tell the men that His Grace offers a feast at the palace this evening."

"Yah, Captain."

The announcement cheered up the men considerably.

Gathol asked Eriana, "If I may ask, your men address you as Captain. Surely your rank is greater than that?"

"It is a historic matter. When we sailed from Einnland, our ship was owned by Balrik Fork-beard, who joined me and my men with all his family. We suffered four ferocious storms on the first part of our voyage, and in the first much was lost including Balrik, his wife, daughter and maids. I thus inherited the ship and am accounted Captain and owner. When Robanar asked some of us to attempt Boldan's Rock, I also had the rank of Captain of that party, but it was a land rank and not that of the sea. My men are now accustomed to address me as Captain, though as you may know I am now a Princess of Palarand, by Robanar's gracious decree."

"Ah. I wondered if it was something of the sort. Four storms, eh? Shall you tell us that story later?"

"As you desire, Gathol."

"Then let us proceed to the palace. There is accommodation there for all your party and we have brought carriages and wagons to take you there. If you would all follow me."

Eriana and Kalmenar went in the first carriage with the Duke and Duchess while Saram and Bartra fitted into the second with Bartra's maid. Ursula, Bennet, Semma and Tyra took the third and final carriage. A number of large wagons carried the men. The procession rumbled over the brick-laid paving and through the palisade which encircled the port area before heading along a broad avenue toward the city of Ferenis.

All looked around when they reached the first buildings.

"This is an odd place," Tyra remarked.

"I have to agree," Ursula said. "It looks like Ferenis gets more flooded than Joth, which means they have to build with that in mind."

The buildings were all of wood, uniformly of two stories and set on piles at least two strides high. Many were set even higher. The walkways between each building were almost as high up as the buildings themselves and, at junctions, went up and over the roads.

The spaces under the buildings were, as in parts of Joth, used for temporary storage. Washing was hung up underneath, and there were stacks of firewood and a number of shallow, wide, boats waiting for the river to flood. Most buildings had a heavy wooden pole hanging beyond the walkways and over the road in order to provide a way to hoist goods and belongings up and into the properties.

Further along were buildings with a different kind of structure. These had a solid wooden base, again about two strides high, with a town house or shop perched on top. The walkways here were cantilevered out from the tops of the bases. Ursula puzzled briefly over these before realizing that the whole thing was a large barge or pontoon, designed to rise with the waters and keep their owners safe that way.

There were many people about their business in this strange place and almost all were up on the walkways. Many had seen their Duke and Duchess process past in open carriages and, knowing that they would return, word had spread. In places there were crowds on the walkways, many leaning carefully on the safety rails to catch a glimpse as the procession returned to the palace. They cheered as the carriages and wagons went past.

The attire of those people was different than Ursula had become accustomed to. That of the women more resembled European peasant costumes, the skirts of the women being long despite the warm weather. These were brightly patterned, to contrast with a plain short-sleeved blouse on top. Every woman wore an apron and a small linen cap. The men wore loose linen tunics over thin hose, all of dull colors, all had straw hats to keep the sun at bay.

Semma remarked, "I do not like those skirts, Mistress. They are too long for such a warm season. What will they do when summer comes?"

"I think they might be thin enough," Ursula replied after some observation. "I am guessing that the skirts are long because the walkways are so high up. Someone on the street might see too much."

"Oh! I did not think of that! Why have they made the walkways so high?"

Bennet said, "I have heard that because the waters are so deep, Semma, they must needs build so high. I am glad that we do not have that problem in Palarand!"

The palace, when they reached it, was not built on stilts. A cleared area surrounded a heavy wooden palisade which the road went over by means of a ramp. Once they reached the top it could be seen that the whole interior of the structure had been filled almost to the brim with soil, probably laboriously brought in over the centuries. The palace, again a two-story structure of wood, stood in the middle of this artificial island. Just visible beyond it were other buildings but no detail could be discerned.

The carriage swung and pulled up in front of the imposing main entrance. Ferenis might be built entirely from wood, but their builders had carved and decorated the palace in a similar fashion to that of the Great Hall in Joth. Here the wood was stained various shades of brown rather than being painted but the effect was of a rich and ornate piece of furniture.

Servants came to their carriage and opened the door. Ursula descended first and waited for the others. When all were ready they joined Eriana and Kalmenar at the entrance with the Duke and Duchess. The crew of the Visund tumbled out of the wagons and surrounded the Ducal party at the entrance.

The Duke spoke. "Friends! This is my home, welcome to you all. As it is already time for lunch, I ask that you eat now before being shown to your chambers to rest and relax. Eriana?"

"Your Grace?"

"If you would tell your men that servants will show them to places where they may relieve themselves and make themselves clean before eating. Because your ship has arrived when you did, lunch has already been prepared, so today will be a standing lunch for us all." The Duke smiled. "A proper feast will be provided this evening, when you shall eat the foods I am told you may prefer. To eat so heavily at lunch on such a hot day as this would be unwise."

"As you say, Gathol. If I may ask, what is a standing lunch?"

Bennet said, "If it please you, Highness, a standing lunch is where the tables are laid out with food and each person may serve themselves onto a plate as they walk past. I have attended several such in the palace of our King."

"Ah, I understand. Aye, we have done such things in the hall of my father, when a meal must needs be taken in haste."

Gathol nodded his thanks to Bennet, who promptly blushed. Eriana waved her hand for silence and then relayed the instructions in Norse. When she had finished, Gathol gestured.

"It is time to go in. The sun is becoming hot."

Inside it was much cooler. Ursula noticed that, though the building was only two stories, the lower level at least had high ceilings and this contributed to the flow of cooling air. They were shown to a whole corridor that seemed to consist of toilets and washing chambers, where they could do what was needful and then clean themselves up.

A woman servant led them through the building to a courtyard which had wide awnings set against all four sides. Tables laden with food and drink were arranged against the walls under these and they were ushered without ceremony to lines where they could go along and load the plates a server had handed them.

"Mistress, do you wish to have your fork?"

"Yes, Tyra, please. This style of eating is easiest when one uses a fork. Have you yours? Bennet? Semma?"

"Aye, Mistress," Bennet replied for the two guardswomen. "I would never be anywhere without a fork now. It is too useful. I see what you mean about eating these meals. If I must needs stand, I have to hold the plate in one hand and eat with the other. A fork makes that task so much easier."

Tyra pointed. "Mistress Bennet, if you would look over there. There are chairs and tables where some are now sitting themselves down."

Bennet looked at Ursula. "Mistress?"

"Yes, let's go," she decided. "Nobody seems to be doing anything formal at the moment. We can take the weight off our legs and then Tyra can find us some drinks. Follow me."

At the table all four put their plates down on the table and then Tyra went for drinks as the others sat down.

"This is so different than in the palace," Semma remarked. "I do not think that I have ever had so casual a meal, when in the presence of so great a noble. Lord Kalmenar was right when he said that customs would be different in other lands."

They ate and watched as the men appeared, took plates and mugs of drink and found their own tables. Soon the whole perimeter of the courtyard was full of diners and a hum of conversation rose from every direction. Servers circulated with pitchers of various drinks to top up mugs or goblets. Occasionally someone would go back to the serving tables for more food. In the center the sun beat down on the bricks of the enclosed space but nobody ventured there.

Towards the end Duke Gathol, who had been circulating as well, came to their table.

"Greetings, my dears. Is everything to your satisfaction?"

Ursula stood up, curtseyed, and answered for them. "Your Grace, it is."

"If you would excuse the informality of today's meal. Had your ship arrived at some other bell then we may have made different arrangements, but this seemed appropriate. It is something we do sometimes when the weather is fine but not during the extreme heat of summer. Now I have been given word of all of you from Maralin, who departed here yesterday. It seems that you each have tales that are of interest to either myself or the Duchess. If I may ask you to join us this evening after we have eaten."

"Of course, Your Grace."

Bennet and Semma nodded their agreement.

Tyra had wide eyes. "Me, Your Grace? What have I done?"

Gathol smiled gently at her. "My dear, you are the daughter of a fisherman who became a servant in Joth's court. So much I could expect of any of my own people. However, you now are maid to someone not of this world and you aspire to be a female warrior. Of course you are of interest! My own folk may see you and wonder if they might do more than they once thought possible."

She stammered, "As you say, Your Grace. It is only what I thought -" She dried up, then added, "I will tell you what I thought, Your Grace, but it is only the dreams of a fisherman's daughter."

"I shall not ask for more, my dear, but what are we if we do not dream?" He looked at the others. "Until this evening, then. Enjoy your nap, relax, refresh yourselves this afternoon. And now, I must needs move on to other tables."

The Duke walked off leaving four bemused women.