The Visund searches the Faralmark bank, which is heavily covered with the same kind of vegetation they had encountered at Bakhrad. Strong indications are found before a friendly village is visited - but what they discover there makes the proposed operation more complicated - and risky.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

79 - News at Jenbek

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) 2023 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

---

Baros came to Eriana immediately after lunch. He was not happy.

"Admiral, I am somewhat concerned by the need to remain here on our own for a while. As I mentioned earlier, we have already had several barges approach us asking if we required assistance. It has occurred to me that any one of those could have been pirates and the women would have been at risk."

It did not take Eriana long to see the point. "Aye, Baros, you are right, I should have considered that. What do you suggest you do instead?"

"Head for Vormarin immediately, Admiral," he replied promptly. "We will be traveling upstream under sail, we are light so we will move quickly, it will not take us long to cover that distance. If anyone should approach then I intend to avoid them by any means possible and, if they persist and approach too closely, they will find us well defended."

She nodded. "Agreed. Do you want more men or better weapons?"

"The men we have should be sufficient, Admiral. I know that the safety of the women are important but I do not want to drain even more of your men - or, as an alternative, Zebrin men - which you will sorely need once you have found your quarry. Some more crossbows and bolts would be useful, though. Those men in the Nokan's Pride showed that a spirited defense could make a difference and we will certainly have more men aboard than they did."

"As you say." Eriana considered. "What will you do when you get to Vormarin? If you leave immediately you would arrive long before the rest of us do."

Baros shrugged. "We are a barge, Vormarin is supposed to be a safe port, there should be little concern once we are moored, Admiral. We have no need for a hostel so will not suffer that complication and, because of the extra provisions Mistress Ursula bought in Pakmal, no need to worry about meals either."

"You have thought this through, have you not? Very well, you should depart when we do, I believe, that way any observer may think we simply held a friendly meeting over lunch and then went about our separate journeys."

"As you command, Admiral. The point is good, that there may be observers watching us even as we speak."

"This is a different kind of warfare than what I am accustomed to, Baros. We must all needs take extra care wherever we are. I'll get Lars to come over and talk about more crossbows, you and he can decide what you need."

"Thank you, Admiral."

* * *

Later that afternoon, the Visund slowly crept along the Faralmark bank under oars. Though the wind was in their favor Eriana judged that questions might be asked if the sail was set and yet they were seen not to take full advantage of the breeze. So it was a slow pull on the oars for about half the crew who would be spelled by the other half in due course.

Sending Tyra up the mast would have been too obvious so she was seated with Ursula right in the bow but not on the built-up decking. In any event the yard had been lowered and stowed, meaning that most of those who sat on the river side could observe without being easily visible to anyone on the shore.

Or, in this case, in the trees. Here the 'tanglewood' stopped a spear-cast or so from the present water's edge; when the river was in flood, immediately after the Rains ended, the bottom would be too far down for the trees to maintain trunks and they could not encroach that far in any single year. The mud thus exposed was very soft and showed no footprints of man, animal or avian. That mud extended under the rich foliage which covered almost everything that could be seen, making their task more difficult.

Tyra's voice was hushed. "Do you actually think we'll see anyone, Mistress?"

"I must admit that I thought it might be easier," Ursula replied as quietly. "Having said that, I doubt either of us saw the lookout posts at Bakhrad, did we?"

"As you say, Mistress, but then we were not looking for anything of that kind. Now we are. What's that?"

"A piece of tarpaulin, I think. Yes, look, it is hung up on that branch. Good, we'll be able to see behind it as we go by."

"You think a pirate might be hiding behind it?"

"I could imagine that, when we get near wherever they might be, that they would build a proper lookout post where a watcher could be comfortable, Tyra. Remember, this operation has been going on for a while and they will have had plenty of time to place lookout posts where men could sit in comfort and not be seen. They would camouflage them with scraps like that or with branches and leaves from the trees."

"As you say, Mistress. I am astonished by how much everyone has to think about when looking for pirates or even when being a pirate!"

"That is another thing we do not know, Tyra. This could be another operation by renegade Yodan troops, in which case they will be trained in some way and have knowledge and discipline, or it could be ordinary criminals who have captured barges and used them to make a living, in which case they might not be so careful in the way they do things." She added with a shrug, "Or something else. Until we find them we won't know."

Zakaros came along the deck, stepping carefully over benches and around rowers and cargo, with a waterskin in each hand. When he reached them he offered each a skin.

"Mistress. The sun is hot and it is now on your side of the ship. I thought to bring you some water."

Ursula briefly looked up and then down again, blinking against the glare and wishing she had worn her sunglasses, knowing the reason why that was not yet possible. "Thank you, Zakaros, that was a good idea. Unfortunately we'll have the sun on this side for the rest of the day and there are not enough clouds in the sky to make any difference."

"Unlike the other day, Mistress. I must reluctantly admit that I am not used to spending so much of my time under the open sky. While the fresh air is invigorating sometimes the sun can be too hot."

"This is not something I have done much of in the past either," she agreed. "Even when I was traveling alone in the wilds I was in forest most of the time and thus sheltered from the sun. You will come and tell me if you get burned again, won't you?"

"Of course, Mistress. After the last time - you see I have kept my hat on."

"Yes, you did not realize that your neck would be so exposed. If your skin is not used to being in the sun it can burn any exposed parts very quickly. How are you managing?"

"Since I have been working with - working for - Captain Tor, Mistress, Her Highness's men now understand that I am not the man they supposed me to be. They now greet me each time I board, though briefly, and I am even learning a few words of Norse. It is but a beginning, of course, but I feel safe among the crew now. After our recent adventures I now understand how stifling and strange the land of Yod is compared to most lands beyond."

"Eriana's men are very straightforward people as you have discovered, Zakaros. They are not used to intrigue, complicated custom or even someone's supposed status. If they do not like what they see they will just pull out their swords."

"Aye." The Yodan's response was dry. "I thought them mad at everybody but each has a heart purer than my own, Mistress. It is difficult for one such as myself to understand how they can live thus but they do." Momentarily distracted, he jerked his head in the direction of the bank. "What is that? Is it another village, do you know?"

"Hmm. There is supposed to be one around here but that fisherman said that, since the river moved away from them, they may have had trouble getting their fishing vessels in and out any more. Yes, look, it is opening up!"

The gap in the treeline was wide enough but at river level the channel was narrow and obviously man-made. It may have been just wide enough for two barges to pass and the Visund would just about fit inside, assuming the oars were used to fend them away from either bank. It had not been maintained for some time, though, and the 'tanglewood' grew right down to the waterline.

If the Visund had attempted entry it would have managed no further than two ship's lengths, since the end of the channel was completely blocked by more forest. It grew a little lower here, the new growth not having reached the height of the rest of the canopy.

Brodgar, standing on the fore deck, loudly called aft as prearranged, "Look for salvage along here, Captain?"

Tor called back, "There is nothing of interest here. Carry on."

The oars, momentarily paused when the channel appeared, resumed their slow cadence. Those on the river side of the sail studied the shoreline closely.

Ursula ducked down. "That was Hamalbek, that is where they are. Did you see?"

"I saw nothing I did not expect, Mistress. What did you see?"

She held up a finger. "The growth along the sides of the channel has been trimmed to keep it open. You can see where the roots and branches have been cut away." Another finger. "If you looked at the tops of the trees which grow across the channel you could see that it actually carries on behind that obstruction."

"But it was blocked, Mistress! That was solid forest in front of us!"

"There are ways of making it look like that, Tyra. It is more camouflage, that's all. Even if they could have found and supported trees as tall as those either side, you would have been able to see the sky through them, showing they are just a thin barrier." A third finger. "The trees on that barrier are dying, you could see the leaves beginning to shrivel in the heat. I am guessing that they have to replace them fairly often or the deception would be obvious."

"Ah, you are right, I did see that but thought little of it. After all, the trees along here do not all grow exactly the same way. I assumed it was natural."

"And that was what most bargemen would think. They would only have a brief glimpse as they passed by, after all. A local fisherman might notice something but we haven't seen any around this particular stretch." Ursula held up a fourth finger. "There were lookout posts, or maybe two of them were guard posts, one either side of that channel. Not easy to see through the leaves on the trees but they were rectangular, probably huts, and covered with more leaves.

"There was also a real lookout post high in the treetops on the upriver side. That looked like an overgrown avian nest, but since the sun was on our side I caught a flash of metal. I admit I was not looking that high but the flash caught my attention."

"So that's where they are! Shall you go and tell the Admiral?"

"I'll wait until later, I think. These people are supposed to be experienced in this kind of warfare, I am assuming that someone else saw what I saw. If no-one says anything I will tell them what I saw when we have that meeting."

Zakaros added, "Mistress, your powers of observation are remarkable. I saw none of that though there was a thought that something did not seem right. However, this view of the river is new to me and I would probably have accepted what I saw."

"A lot is what you are used to," she replied. "You are the sum of your past experiences and, if they did not include the river, why would you notice anything odd? If you remain with us you will soon begin to see what we see."

* * *

A little later, Ursula got up with a word to Tyra to remain where she was and picked her way aft to reach Eriana, Merion and Tor.

"Admiral, do not turn around, but did you notice that we have just passed another lookout post? It is disguised as a large avian nest near the top of the forest edge."

Eriana twitched and then controlled herself. "Do you tell me? We are two marks... no, maybe three from that blocked channel. What makes you so sure, Ursula?"

Merion was facing the right way so merely needed to flick his gaze up at the treeline.

"Admiral, it is as plain to me as it must be to the Mistress. The river side is branches and foliage, as one would expect, but from this side one can just see regular planks and even a hint of a roof. But why would they place a lookout post so far away, if Hamalbek is really where they are laired?"

Ursula said, "I think the reason may be to give them advance warning of possible targets, Commodore. Most of the grain traffic will be downstream, after all, and those are the barges they would want to grab now, if my theory is correct."

Eriana added, "And much of the downstream traffic is on the far side of the channel here, which means they might have to come out of their hiding place earlier and cross the river to capture barges. Commodore, has anyone on the Zebrin side made reports of attacks recently?"

Merion shook his head. "Not recently, Admiral, no. Of course attacks may be reported when barges reach Zebrin City but the Zebrin finger is a remote place and the villages there mostly self-sufficient. There is a road leading all the way to Zoon, for the ferry to Bibek in Faralmark, but little other reason for folk to travel that way, or for news to find a way back to the capital."

Ursula's eyebrows raised. "So the pirates could have been busy all along here and no-one would have been notified?"

He shrugged. "Notified, possibly not, Mistress, but all who live near the river may have seen something and wondered if it was an attack. There is much traffic along here, you should understand, and sometimes it can be difficult to see what is happening at a distance. Barges have problems, a torn sail, shifting cargo, perhaps a grounding when the river is low, someone is always nearby to offer assistance. Who knows what others may think of what they see?"

"So they get away with it."

Eriana grinned. "Until we came along, Ursula. They will not find us so easy to subdue, should they try us."

Merion agreed. "Indeed, Admiral, which is why we have improved Vormarin so that a galley such as Zebrin's Tusk may be stationed there. We are aware that our knowledge of events this far upstream is incomplete."

Eriana asked Ursula, "What did you see when we passed that channel, Ursula?"

"It was blocked, of course," she replied, "but the vegetation across the channel had begun to wilt which suggests to me that it was planted there recently, possibly on top of a barge or perhaps a pontoon or two. It was also not as tall as what was on either side and you could see right through the upper parts, which says to me that it is just a thin strip, nowhere as deep as the rest of that forest."

Merion raised any eyebrow. "You saw all that, Mistress? I am impressed. If I may ask how you know so much of the military arts."

Ursula shrugged. "That is a long story but briefly, in my native lands all young people have to serve in our military for a short period of time. Both men and women, that is. I do not claim to be an expert. Later on in my life, I had reason to take more notice of what was happening in my surroundings."

"Interesting. Thank you, Mistress. Did you also notice the lookout post near the channel?"

"I did, and the two guard posts, one either side of the channel. Both were heavily camouflaged with leaves and undergrowth, they were difficult to see."

Eriana broke in. "You saw two? I only saw one on the left, underneath the lookout post in the trees!"

"I have been thinking about that," Ursula replied. "If there is a barge wedged in that channel hiding it, then it would have to be secured both sides to prevent it drifting in or out. Somebody has to be stationed there to release the ropes whenever a barge goes out or returns."

"Ah, as you say. That means that, should we desire to take the Visund in, we must needs secure both guard posts and the lookout above." She frowned. "We have men enough but it will be more awkward."

Merion said, "Admiral, I can of course offer you more of my men and even the use of Zebrin's Tusk. I do not think the difference in uniforms will be that important if you intend to attack by night."

"As you say but it must needs be done quietly, so as not to rouse those beyond. Let us wait until we reach Vormarin before we form a definite plan."

"Admiral."

Two marks later Tor called down, "Admiral, there is another channel here."

Everyone looked at the bank, now receding. A creek opened up at a sharp reverse angle and disappeared into the forest. It looked wide enough for the Visund to enter and, with care, even turn around if required.

"Aye. Let us investigate this one too. Hashim? Where should this one take us?"

The pilot replied, "Admiral, I believe this should be Jenbek. Looking at the chart, it could be at one end of the slice of river that was abandoned. I am guessing that the creek was here first and that is the only reason Jenbek survives."

Tor leaned on the steering oar and the Visund turned almost completely around to enter the creek. A very short way ahead it forked, the way ahead being reduced to little more than a narrow, overgrown ditch while a wide pool appeared to their left, with a smaller channel continuing from there into the forest. The pool was otherwise surrounded by deep forest but four pontoons were secured to the lower roots of some of the farther trees, with a number of small fishing craft moored to them.

«Tor, if we moor end on to that leftmost pontoon we should be out of everyone's way.»

«Yah, Admiral. Turn around first?»

«Yes, please. If we have to make a quick departure...»

The Visund was spun and backed onto the pontoon. By the time that they had completed the maneuver three villagers had clambered down through the trees and walked out to take the thrown lines. At the bow an anchor had been dropped to prevent the ship from swinging in the current.

The villager who approached the ship was both amazed and confused.

"Greetings, strange ship! I have not seen your like before. Do you need our help? Jenbek is only a small fishing village, it is true, but we will always help someone in trouble. If I may ask, who is captain here? I see strange attire, are those uniforms?"

Eriana replied, "We have more than captains aboard, my good man. I am the leader of this expedition and, indeed, owner of this ship the Visund. We may use ranks that are strange to you, I am Admiral Eriana, in charge of the new River Patrol to which Faralmark is a party. Here is Commodore Merion, presently an observer to discuss how the craft in his own care may join our organization and this is my ship's captain, Captain Tor.

"We are in no need of help from you, you may be relieved to know, but I would welcome a chance for my crew to stretch their legs and for us to exchange news with you. We shall not remain here long, perhaps no more than a bell, since we have arranged to meet others elsewhere this evening."

"My Lady, I am Gorus, Headman of Jenbek," the man replied, then gestured. "These are my brother Tenvar and our woodsman Ensaran. If you and your people would follow us to our village, My Lady, we will welcome you and answer your questions - perhaps over a mug of pel?"

Eriana smiled. "Invitation accepted, Master Gorus. My men will try and keep out of your way."

Jenbek was very small and the locals were completely outnumbered by the visitors. Nonetheless some were sent off to find firewood, with several of the Norse helping. Most of the rest of the crew gathered in the small clearing at the center of the village, looking around them with interest but with weapons within easy reach.

The arrangement was similar to Bakhrad but smaller. Mindful of the yearly flooding the dwellings were well up above the present ground level and constructed much the same way as the Yodan village had been, using the trees themselves as structural elements. Since they were a little off the main routes there was no hostel but awnings could be raised should anyone chance by and wish to stay overnight.

Tor had asked Adin to contribute some of their stock of fruits and delicacies which would be 'foreign' to these people and they were received with interest and gratitude. Once the pel had been brewed, in a large tureen which was apparently used for many other purposes, the discussions began in earnest.

Eriana began by giving a potted history of the Norse travels suitable for village ears. Most had heard of Yod but few knew anything about it except that Yod didn't like anyone else. That was fine, Yod was far away and could not concern them, until she explained that the Yodans had reached as far upriver as Faralan, barely thirty marks away overland, and caused much death and destruction before they were defeated.

"They also preyed upon the river traffic," she explained. "Some of their war galleys were not surrendered at the end but turned to piracy. We were chased by one such but managed to lure them onto a shoal they could not escape from. We have heard rumor of pirates operating along this reach, can you tell us any more? We wondered if this was the same people."

"Pirates? Aye, we know of pirates though they mostly leave us alone." Gorus nodded thoughtfully. "It is true, My Lady, that we noticed galleys earlier in the year but thought them belonging to Faralmark or to Zebrin, over the other side. We know that His Grace Lord Simbran has some, they have called here in other years but not this year. But the river is mostly too low now for galleys. We do not know if the pirates use other craft."

"We think they might be using captured barges. We actually saw one attack two days ago and drove off the attackers. We have also found wrecks of barges on the shoals and sandbanks."

"Do you tell me? Then it is chance, My Lady, that we are not accosted when we are fishing. But that is not all we know about pirates, strangers called here once to warn us away. We believe they might be hiding somewhere in the forest beyond Hamalbek. Have you yet called there?"

Eriana decided not to reveal their observations. "Hamalbek is no more, at least as far as the river is concerned. The channel that was dug is all silted up and grown over. They have called here? How? By boat?"

"No, My Lady, a party came unexpectedly through the trees. I think they might have offered violence but there were two wild dranakh nearby who protected us. The ruffians warned us not to go eastwards, downstream, through the forest but to only go upstream should we desire wood for our fires. This we were content to do."

Merion asked Gorus, "How were those men attired, do you recall? Were they wearing uniforms of any kind?"

"No, Master, no uniforms, just normal attire like any man of the village might wear - though, as I recall, none of it was very clean or well-kept."

Ursula had a powerful feeling then and turned. Nothing was visible but she knew they were there.

"Come forward, friends," she called, "and tell me what you know."

Two dranakh ambled into the small village gathering space, causing everyone to scatter.

"That is them!" Gorus exclaimed. "I know not whom they belong to, My Lady, or their names, but they have been a help to us poor villagers."

"This one is Senni," she indicated the smaller and slightly paler one, "and the other one is Loti. They are female and male but not mated."

Gorus was astonished. "Mistress? How do you know that? Are these beasts yours?"

"They belong to no-one but themselves, Master Gorus. I have never seen them before. I can in some small way communicate with dranakhs but it is not talking. Let me greet them properly."

She walked to Senni and gently placed a hand on her head, receiving the customary complex bleat in reply.

"Greetings, Senni. Can you tell me anything about the bad men who hunt along the river?"

There were images, hazy ones, but most were of the other dranakh. Ursula bowed to Senni and withdrew. "Thank you, Senni. May you live a long and more peaceful life."

She walked to the other, larger dranakh and placed her hand on its head. The powerful response nearly knocked her off her feet. This dranakh had been wild a long time and may have been the oldest one she had so far met. It had been keeping out of close contact with humans for some years and the 'flavor' of its images was somewhat different to Ursula.

"Greetings, Loti. I am not of your kind but we can talk to one another. Do you have something to tell me?"

The vocal response was a deep-throated rumble but still carefully articulated. Ursula kept her hand in contact and closed her eyes.

- - -

"Ursula! Are you all right?"

Her head was spinning and she appeared to be sitting on the ground. "What..? What happened?"

Someone thrust a mug of pel at her. She took it and managed a sip, then several gulps. It was enough to bring her to her senses.

"The beasts have gone," Eriana told her. "You stood there almost half a bell talking to that big one before staggering away and sitting down."

Ursula drank more pel before she spoke. "He has been wild for many years, Eriana. Because of that it was not so easy to connect with him. But once I did, I got the whole story."

She handed the mug back to Eriana and then struggled to her feet, aided by helping hands. She looked at Eriana, Merion, Tor, Lars and the others gathered concerned around her.

"It isn't good," she explained, her expression grim. "The pirates took Hamalbek and made it their base. They killed all the villagers and burned most of the buildings to the ground. It looks as if they don't know how to use the trees to make fresh buildings so they have spread out. They have cleared the forest to about a mark in all directions except the river and built some strange-looking houses. There are two galleys there and a number of barges. Eriana, there are a lot of them. Dranakhs are not good with numbers but from the images I was shown we could be looking at two to three hundred pirates altogether."

"Two to three hundred? Hammer of the Gods!" Eriana was shocked. "We must needs plan carefully if we are to prevail, I deem."

"It is likely that few of the pirates are fit enough to fight, Admiral," Ursula replied, "But the numbers are of concern."

Eriana's eyes narrowed and she switched tongues. «We have been unwise, Ursula. Are those of Jenbek in league with the pirates? Would the beasts know?»

«Admiral, when the pirates came here they threatened the villagers as Gorus reported. What he did not say was that Loti killed several of the pirates to keep the villagers safe and drove the others away. I do not think any of the locals would be friendly with the pirates.»

Eriana was satisfied and changed back to the local tongue. "Have you learned any more about the beasts themselves?"

"Senni belonged to one of the Hamalbek villagers. When the pirates arrived they shot Senni's mate with a Thunder Pipe. Loti happened to be nearby and was watching, since Senni is the daughter of one of his sons. Not knowing if they would also kill her, he urged her to run away and join with him. She is still heavily affected by the loss of her mate."

Merion asked, "Thunder Pipes? What are those?"

Eriana replied heavily, "An invention of those of Yod, a weapon which can kill many men at once. Merion, you will not understand until you have seen one used. I know of another battle when a dranakh was killed by a Thunder Pipe... but there were more dranakhs there and they hunted down all of the Yodans in that party and killed them. Only some few who immediately surrendered were spared."

She shook her head and asked Lars, «Do you think their powder will be any good after all this time?»

«If they took as much care of it as those at the farmhouse did, then we have nothing to worry about, Princess.» He shrugged. «But they may know better. It is a concern. The numbers and the open ground are a bigger concern.»

«Then we'll just have to change the odds, won't we?»

She turned back to Gorus. "We are going to make plans to attack the pirates," she told him. "Their activities do not just affect Faralmark but also Zebrin and every vessel that passes by as well. After we leave here we will cross the river to meet those of Zebrin elsewhere. It is possible that we could use Jenbek as a starting point for our assault. Would you object?"

"My Lady, pirates are a pestilence on all who use the river, whether to travel or to find food. If you can clear out their nest then we would be willing to help, though I am not sure what we villagers can do that your men could not."

"Merely giving us a safe haven would be a start," she answered with a smile. "But, tell me, do you fish at night, as we have seen others do downstream?"

"Of course, My Lady. We can fish by day or by night, since some kinds prefer to feed at night and remain in the deeps during the heat of day. What did you have in mind?"

Eriana shook her head. "I do not yet know, Goodman, but that you go out at night may provide us with an extra opportunity. Be assured that I do not intend to put you or any of your people in danger if I can avoid it."

"You think to gain entry by night, then." Gorus nodded. "My Lady, we will do what we can when you return."

* * *

Ursula unfolded a sheet of parchment and laid it on the hatch cover.

"I have sketched a map of Hamalbek, as much of it as I could make out," she explained. "The distances are probably not correct but the buildings and vessels are in more or less the right places. I have shaded all the land which is still covered by forest but there might be sentry posts within the tree-line."

Merion bent over the map and studied it while the others clustered round. There being no place available in Vormarin to hold a meeting, the officers of the two parties had gathered under the awning aboard Zebrin's Pride. There they bent over a hatch cover, lit by lanterns and the setting evening sun.

The senior Zebrin civilian, Signar Zoran, glanced at the map and then looked sceptically at Ursula. "Mistress, how can you possibly have made such a map as this without going near the village? You must have visited Hamalbek, I deem, which means you must needs be in league with the pirates!"

Eriana was fast losing her patience. "My Lord, this was explained to you. Ursula has been no closer to Hamalbek than I have. She has the ability, in some small amount, to communicate with the dranakhs, we have seen this happen in many places as we have traveled along the Sirrel. They do not use words as we do but somehow convey images of what they see between themselves. They can apparently in some small measure also obtain images from the thoughts of people, which is how they may know what their owners require, sometimes before the owners know themselves."

"But what you say is magic and magic does not exist," Zoran objected.

"Then explain to me how a dranakh may know that its owner desires it to be harnessed to a wagon and to know where that wagon is to be delivered? There are forces in this world you know nothing of, My Lord." She gave him a knowing smile. "Wait until someone attempts to describe electricity to you!"

"Elect-" He stumbled over the word. "What? I do not know that word."

"Indeed, but I will wager that before a year passes you will have seen the results of electricity even if you have no idea what it is or how it may do what it does. I certainly do not, I am no Questor. Neither does anyone know how dranakhs talk one to the other but mayhap one day in the future we will discover how 'tis done."

"I must bow to your knowledge, Admiral, though it pains me to admit it." He turned. "Mistress, if you could explain how you drew this map."

"The dranakh, Loti, has lived wild in that forest for some time, My Lord," she explained. "It was hard to understand scenes from that long ago but I think he belonged to a farmer who lived on his own. The farmer died and his farmstead was abandoned. Loti now wanders around the forest, observing whatever else goes on but keeping out of sight. I am told that it is not a good idea to kill dranakhs."

"No, indeed, Mistress! The anger of other nearby dranakhs can be terrifying."

"Because they have this mind link Loti knew immediately when Drof was shot... killed. He was not far away and he managed to persuade Drof's mate, Senni, to run away since neither could understand what had happened and either or both could also have been killed. From then on both lived deep in the forest away from people, but kept watch on the pirates. They intervened when the pirates threatened Jenbek and, I think, killed a number of them to make their point. That means that the two dranakhs have been left alone to wander without interference.

"On several occasions Loti went to the edge of the pirates' camp to find out what was happening and so there are memories in his mind of the way the camp developed. I have seen images from several angles and used those to make out this map."

Zoran stared at Ursula and then very reluctantly nodded. "An unusual but valuable ability, Mistress. If you would describe these markings for us."

She pointed. "This is the original creek going back from the original line of the river. You can see that it has a widening at the old mouth just as Vormarin has. These two craft here are both galleys. I am not sure whether they would still be floating, given the present level of the river. One or more likely both would be aground by now. If they are both Yodan craft each crew would be more than sixty, maybe more than seventy.

"These three blocks I am guessing are placed roughly where the old village stood. They are big enough that I estimate they could each accommodate around forty men in comfort. They are not built above ground on supports but flat on the ground, meaning that I doubt the occupants understand just how high the river will come when it floods.

"There is an open-air cooking area at the end here. There are also several open-sided shelters of unknown purpose, possibly to prepare or to store food. Now these other three blocks I am less sure about. You will note that they are positioned some distance from the old village and from each other. What that means I do not know. Each of those could hold perhaps fifty to sixty men.

"Lastly, in the channel the Sirrel left when it threw up the new bank, there are a number of barges all packed in. None is actually moored to the bank but they are all anchored in a clump away from it, possibly to deter vermin. Nearly all have sailcloth draped over them which I assume is to keep the sun out. If they were gathering food to prepare for the rainy season, I would guess that is where it is stored."

"And they are preparing for the Rains, I deem. That is why they choose grain barges. Your dranakh, it could not tell you who those people are, then?"

"My Lord, we do not understand dranakhs nor they us. All they can do is offer me pictures of scenes they have seen and let me make up my own mind what is there. Sometimes they can tell intent in a human's mind but they have no idea of spoken language nor how we do most of what we do. I think that they believe that we also speak mind-to-mind but have to make noises when we do so, which is why they do it to us. Our minds are too different.

"More importantly they can get to know who is to be trusted and who should not be. Remember, they can read your mind and decide for themselves if you are to be an enemy or a friend. What they cannot do, that I know of, is tell others that you are a Zebrin and the Admiral is from Palarand, or where a pirate is from."

Zoran bowed. "Your warning is understood and noted, Mistress. Do you expect to meet this dranakh again?"

Eriana responded, "Aye, Signar Zoran, we will. My thought is that both our vessels travel tomorrow evening, just after the sun sets, across the river to Jenbek and leave one or both there - with a strong guard, of course. Then my men will attack from the river and your men will attack by land. That way we will cause confusion in the enemy and divide his forces."

"Of course Zebrin will willingly aid your men in this enterprise, Admiral. I do not know enough of the art of war to comment further. Merion? What say you?"

"It is about what I had considered, My Lord. From words spoken earlier in Jenbek, I am assuming that the Admiral desires to sneak some men into that channel in the dark using fishing boats from Jenbek."

"To do what? You told me that the channel is as the front gates of a fortress, how shall they prevail?"

Eriana explained, "We must needs use stealth to attack the guard posts which control the obstruction in the channel, My Lord. Once we have done that, we can push it out of the way and the Visund can be rowed inside."

Merion added, "My Lord, that is when the fun will begin. The Visund appearing suddenly will cause an uproar which will turn every eye towards the channel. At that moment our men can attack safely across the open ground to hit them in the rear."

Eriana shrugged. "Or it may happen the other way. The Zebrins may attack first which could create a diversion, permitting the Visund to reach the village against less opposition. That is what we have to plan tonight, gentlemen."

Zoran objected, "Admiral, by our charts Jenbek is too far away to reach Hamalbek except by water. I doubt that it is possible to find a path through the tanglewood by night, even if the men know which direction to go."

She smiled. "Ah, but we already know that there are good paths through the forest, My Lord. The dranakhs made them. I propose that we - or more accurately Ursula - asks Loti to lead the way to the pirates' lair."

The Zebrin thought this through. "But, Admiral, you would have a healer lead a force of Zebrins through the wood and fight a battle when we arrive. Does she use arms? Will she require some of our men to defend her at need? Is this sensible?"

"It will be a concern," Eriana acknowledged, "but I trust Ursula to take care of herself. You overlook two important facts, My Lord. Firstly, I doubt that any dranakh would permit any harm at all to come to Ursula. She is not his owner but every dranakh we have met along our journey holds her in high regard. Secondly, your men will be a force of armed Zebrins operating in Faralmark lands, however remote. Ursula is a Federation officer and, since Faralmark is a member of the Federation, has authority to make their presence legal."

His eyebrows rose. "She is a Federation officer? I did not know that. So, those symbols on her shoulders are not there for appearances but signify a real rank, then?" His eyes slid to Eriana's shoulders. "Ah, I see that you have four stars on your shoulders, Mistress Ursula has but two. If you would explain, Admiral."

"The lands which are part of the Federation have determined to create a water-borne military force which is common to all of them," she explained. "That organization will be called the Federation Navy."

Zoran nodded impatiently. "Aye, Admiral, I was there when you explained as much to His Grace."

"As I was the person present who had most experience of operations and warfare on the open ocean and along the coasts, I was chosen to be the head of the Navy. But the Federation also requires, to begin with, a force able to deal with happenings along the Sirrel. It will be part of the Navy and it will be named the River Patrol. The River Patrol will use existing forces from each of the member lands, but will have a common structure, uniform and flag so that all may know whom they represent."

"As you say, Admiral."

"Nothing much then happened," she continued, "until we reached Faralan, where we discovered that Faralmark had sent a galley to train Upper Faral water forces in Federation ways. Shortly after we arrived there was an insurrection, which those of Faralmark and ourselves helped to defeat. Upper Faral then determined to join the Federation immediately and, after the signing, we were forced to make apparent the rough ideas we already had concerning the structure of the Navy and its parts.

"Thus, my full title is presently First Director of the Federation Navy and Ursula is Director of Welfare. Our ranks are actually higher than that of any Admiral but, as you do with your Captains, we use the title of Admiral in normal conversation. Ursula is thus legally able to command any troops on Federation lands for any purpose related to safety and security upon the Sirrel - which of course includes prevention of piracy."

Zoran shook his head. "Admiral... Director, if I may ask your pardon. If this was explained when we were at Zebrin City I either did not hear it or misunderstood."

"I understand, My Lord. Much was said during those meetings and I am sure that you were not the only person to miss some of what was said. For the present purposes, though, this is not an administrative matter, you should address me just as Admiral."

"As you command... Admiral. And how should I address... Director Ursula?"

"Ursula?"

"My Lord, the situation has become very complicated. Everybody calls me Mistress, I suggest that you continue to do so unless we are in a more formal setting. My task with the Navy will only begin once we return to Palarand. Until I step off a ship at Jenbek again I am little more than the ship's healer."

"It is an unusual request, Mistress, since we hold rank in high regard in Zebrin, but I will endeavor to do as you request."

Eriana said, "Good. Now, if everyone is agreed that the approach I have outlined should offer success, I suggest we should examine our parts in more detail."

* * *

"I agree that I should have asked you first, Ursula, but the notion came to me during that conversation and it made perfect sense to do it that way. Have I upset you?"

The two were standing at the bow of the Green Ptuvil having a quiet word before retiring.

"I was somewhat surprised, Eriana, but logically it has to be done that way. We have two forces, each one has to be led by a Federation officer and I cannot see you wanting to send the Visund into battle without yourself being aboard."

"You know me too well, Ursula. It could be done, I deem, with Lars leading one force, perhaps, but the crucial point is that the dranakh will co-operate much better with you. It might even refuse to work with another, Faral, Zebrin or Norse. Without Loti to find the way through the forest tomorrow night the task would be impossible."

"Agreed. In that jungle, with no sight of the stars? There will be ways in the distant future when it could be done but not now."

"Do you tell me? More magic from Earth, I deem?"

"Not magic, as you know, but many, many years of experiment and development. GPS and night scopes are definitely things for the future. If Loti leads us, he will also give us warnings should we stumble across a sentry post or, worse, a night patrol of some kind, since he will sense their minds. Our way will be better, Eriana."

"Are you concerned what we will find there?"

"Always, Eriana. I cannot get that farm out of my head."

"Sss! I meant the opposing forces but you are right as well. At least we will have double the numbers we had the last time."

"I just hope that they will be enough."