The Norse and Zebrins have been confronted by a local force with an officer who wants to shoot first and not bother asking questions. Eriana and Ursula do their best to pacify him but then another vessel arrives... and another, and another! The first of these newcomers is an unexpected surprise but the occupants are able to answer many questions.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

82 - Gathering at Hamalbek

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.

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Eriana, Bennet and Semma emerged from the remaining pirate building as the whistles blew to discover four small craft beaching in front of her. The men on the cutters leapt out and formed a defensive fan, keeping everyone in sight and kneeling with crossbows at the ready. Some men approached the ladders leaning against the nearest galley, hoping to gain the high ground, but Norse with crossbows dissuaded them and they retreated back to their perimeter.

An officer strode to the front and viewed those facing him, nodding. He shouted, "Throw down your weapons, Zebrin scum! We have you trapped, there is no means of escape! I always believed that those of Zebrin were helping the pirates and now I have proof! Throw down your weapons and surrender to Faral!"

Eriana rolled her eyes. "Come on, girls, we must needs enlighten this fellow. He has obviously gotten the wrong idea."

Ignoring the massed crossbows facing her Eriana strode forward to face the officer, who did a double-take.

"Women? In Zebrin service? What manner of uniform is that?"

"I am not in Zebrin service, my man, and this is the uniform of the Palace Guard of Palarand. If you would ask your men to lower your weapons I shall explain the misunderstanding."

"Palace Guard? Palarand? Do you take me for a fool? Palarand is hundreds of marks away! If you are not of Zebrin then you must surely be pirates." His expression showed the faintest beginnings of doubt. "I have never heard of women becoming pirates, though."

"That is because I am not one. I am Princess Eriana of Palarand, traveling the river with my men to discover the peoples who live along it. I also have a commission from the members of the Sirrel Federation to establish a River Patrol which will provide safety and security for its peoples."

"Sirrel Federation? I have never heard of such a thing! This is crazy talk from a puffed-up pirate who seeks to save her skin. That sword you wear? I doubt you even know how to use it properly! Throw it to the ground, now."

Eriana made no move to remove her sword but replied, "The Sirrel Federation was formed at Spring Dawning, when your ruler Margrave Simbran traveled to Palarand to witness the marriage of Keren, King Robanar's son. Sufficient other rulers were present that we sought a means to defeat Yod and the Federation was the answer. One of the results of that meeting was the creation of a joint River Patrol."

The doubt grew stronger. "His Grace did go downstream by barge, it is true, but you could have learned that anywhere." His expression changed. "Enough of this fantasy! Submit to me now or pay the price!"

On the galley deck Ursula turned to Tyra. "We'd better go down or there could be a disaster." She turned to the few Norse aboard. «Who has the bag of grenades? Is it up here?»

Fritjof held up the bag. «Yah, Mistress.»

«How many have we left?»

«Only four, Mistress, but I could take care of all those men in orange, I think.»

«Okay. If I look up at you, wave two about in your hands but do not light them or throw them. These men are supposed to be our allies, remember that.»

Fritjof nodded. «Yah, Mistress.»

She turned. "Come on, Tyra."

The two headed for the nearest ladder and climbed down, finding the experience easier because of the cargo pants they still wore. The distraction was enough to confuse the Faralmark officer as they approached, but several of the crossbows swung their way.

"Is there some problem, First Director?"

"There is, Director Ursula. This fool somehow thinks we are all pirates and he is reluctant to hear any other explanation."

"As you say, First Director."

Ursula swung to the officer, who still waved his sword about indecisively.

"What is your name? You have learned ours, tell us your name and rank."

He stammered, "Another woman! Another uniform! I am Captain of the Field Parnak, not that it should matter to a mere pirate."

"Are you blind? Do I look like a pirate to you?"

He gestured. "What attire is that supposed to be?"

"Attire worn by the marines of the River Patrol, suitable for walking five marks through the forest at night, as it happens, though that is none of your business. What of it?"

"You walked through that forest? In the dark? Impossible!"

"It is not my fault that you do not know the latest methods of modern warfare." Ursula shrugged, then tried to keep a straight face as she added, "It was easy enough, we had a local guide. Along the way we neutralized the pirates' advanced lookout post and arrived in time to meet my superior, who arrived with more marines in her ship, which is behind you. Then we attacked."

Parnak briefly swung to view the Visund, which loomed behind him and was much larger than the small craft he had arrived in. Turning back he was forced to reach an uncomfortable conclusion.

"I must needs admit that you might not be pirates, but if so, you are still in league with those of Zebrin, who I see even now gathered illegally on our soil. Show me some proof why I should not capture you all and present you to His Grace, Margrave Simbran, for judgment."

It was at this point that Eriana discovered the flaw in her own preparations, since both Kalmenar and any supporting documents were aboard the Green Ptuvil, presently somewhere on the Sirrel. However, the reverse also applied.

"I do not customarily carry my commission of rank with me to an assault, my man. Why, it might be damaged! I must needs ask you if you have brought your own commission with you, that we might know your own authority."

Parnak puffed up. "This is my land, I do not need to justify myself to some foreigner, especially a woman! Do as you are instructed or I will order my men to attack!"

Eriana immediately responded, "I would advise you not to do that. If by chance I am injured or, worse, killed, then your life once Margrave Simbran learns of it will be measured in moments. He and I know each other well and both our signatures are on the document which created the Sirrel Federation."

Ursula added, "If you attack, do not be so sure that many of you would survive." She turned and looked up at the galley deck, where Fritjof obligingly hefted a grenade in each hand. "Those weapons he holds can kill many at once. They did so, early this morning, when we killed seventy-one of the pirates. If you give the order to shoot right now, we might die but I guarantee that three-quarters of your men would also be dead within a heartbeat, probably including you."

What the heck. A little exaggeration to prevent this man doing something stupid. I did not say that all the pirates were killed by grenades...

Parnak turned pale and his sword tip drooped. "Do you expect me to surrender? I cannot do something so dishonorable, not standing on my own land."

Eriana looked at Ursula, seeing that the other might have some solution.

"Perhaps," Ursula said, "we might agree to some kind of truce. What we are doing here is only what you and your men would have done if you had the information that we obtained yesterday. We are working towards the same ends after all, the capture and elimination of the pirates, which affects all lands, not just Faralmark."

He snorted in derision. "Faralmark? Faralmark no longer exists! This land is now the Duchy of Faral, though His Grace has decided to keep his title of Margrave for now. How is it that you, supposedly of some so-called River Patrol I have never heard of, do not know that Faralmark joined with our brothers of Upper Faral some weeks ago?"

Eriana stared at Parnak. "Do you tell me? We were in Faralan only a few days ago and nobody mentioned the matter then. If this is old news to you then it did not travel very fast downriver."

"Faralan." They heard the contempt in his voice. "You obviously paid no attention, then. Did you spend your time carousing in the bars and taverns, Director?"

Eriana tried to keep her temper. "While we were there we spoke with both Count Darkwin and Count Olva, oh, and Marshal Vikzas and Captain Torban, and assisted the local troops to put down a rebellion, killing some hundreds of men from the hills. Mayhap we were too busy to listen to idle gossip concerning other lands. Now, shall you agree to a truce? Your position is awkward and we have no desire to kill Faralmark... Faral troops who have blundered into something they were not informed about."

"Marshal Vikzas? Of course he..." Parnak trailed off in confusion, but it appeared he was still reluctant.

"I may have an answer," Ursula proposed. "The pirates recenty captured a small cutter of yours taking two healers downstream. Five of the men survived. Do you want to meet them?"

"A cutter? They are here? We thought them dead! Aye, fetch them, they will tell me the truth of this absurd tale."

Ursula turned. "Tyra, go and find the five Farals and bring them here, would you?"

"Of course... Director."

As Tyra turned to go Eriana instructed, "Semma, go with her. It may be needful."

"As you command, First Director."

As Tyra and Semma trotted off around the remains of the end pirate building Parnak shook his head. He muttered, "Women with swords... In charge! And why are there so many different uniforms?"

Eriana replied, "Partly a work in progress, Captain, and partly they are different attire for different functions. I would not travel through a forest at night attired as I am, do you not agree? It would not be wise. That is why Ursula has chosen to wear one of her other uniforms, a more practical design."

She lies through her teeth! These were designed two days ago in a panic because we had nothing appropriate to wear. Still, he will never discover the truth, will he? And Eriana's words will fulfil themselves in the future anyway.

Parnak struggled not to stare at the bare legs beneath Eriana's skirt but failed. "As you say, ah, Director. Is your attire customary, ah, for women in the forces of Palarand, if that is where you really come from?"

"This is actually the parade attire for the women of His Majesty's Palace Guard," she explained, "in which I hold an honorary rank of Captain. I doubt any of the women there would in practice go to battle attired thus. As we journey upstream our choice of garments is more limited and we are more likely to attend the rulers of those lands we pass, so these are mostly what we wear when we are ashore."

And you can spend the rest of your life working out the implications of that, Captain know-it-all. What will he do if and when he accepts the truth?

Parnak forced his eyes away from Eriana's legs and instead settled themselves on Bennet, who stared implacably back at him. The armswoman - Guardswoman? - frightened him more than Eriana did, even though the supposed leader carried a ridiculously large sword slung across her back. Both women looked fit and well-muscled but while Eriana was a healthy young woman, barely more than an adult, Bennet was taller than him, older than him, probably weighed more and almost none of it was womanly fat. If the two ever met in combat he knew who would be the loser.

His speculations ended as Tyra returned leading two of the Trusties, Semma some steps behind with three of the Captives.

"I am Captain of the Field Parnak. You are the two healers, I deem, who we requested from Bibek some weeks ago. I apologize, I do not know your names."

"Captain, I am Healer Sarrik," the first one replied, "and this is Healer Netheran. When the pirates discovered we were healers, they spared us so long as we provided service to them and to their captives." His voice was dry as he added, "To have the chance to save our own lives was enough incentive for us to oblige them, Sir, though it pains me to say it."

The other three now arrived and Parnak recognized them at once.

"Marrot! I thought you dead!"

"Aye, Sir, so did I. Only the five of us were permitted to live at their convenience."

"As you say. Twick Marrot, report!"

"Aye, Sir." Marrot turned and glanced at Eriana who returned a nod. "We made Bibek in good time and collected Healers Sarrik and Netheran, setting off with the hopes of making a quick return journey downstream. However, we were hailed by a barge apparently in distress as we reached somewhere near Paktrin, as close as I can remember it. They wanted help and our healers thought we had enough time to investigate and then continue.

"Once we reached them and made fast their hatches opened and men poured out, using swords and crossbows with abandon. Most of the crew was slain immediately, Sir, particularly those who resisted. The five of us had been below deck collecting the healers' bags and potions before returning to the deck to offer help to the barge, we submitted to the pirates who demanded to know who we were. Once they learned of the two healers we were hustled aboard their barge and bound. I do not know what became of the cutter but some of the other prisoners said that they usually fired vessels they did not care to capture.

"Then we arrived here, Sir, and we three were shut in with the other prisoners. Sarrik and Netheran were sent to another of their prisons to minister to the few prisoners who were sick or injured, as well as to tend any pirates. That was five weeks ago, Sir, it is no wonder you thought us all dead."

"Thank you, Marrot. If we ever return to our base then I may ask you for a written report. Tell me, what of those who surround you? What is their part in this?"

Marrot gave a warm smile. "They arrived late last night, Sir, or maybe early this morning. The Zebrin force, led by that woman in green, emerged from the forest and waited at the edge for another party to arrive from another direction. She and her assistant crept over to our prisons in the dark, accompanied by a great dranakh.

"She explained what was happening and then we heard alarms. Those two buildings there behind us, which most of the pirates used as quarters, were set on fire. That was the signal for the Zebrins to attack, while the other force came from, I believe, the river on that great ship behind you. While that happened she came around the front of our prison and cut open the doors, telling us we were now free, but also explaining that until the attack had finished we should stay inside for fear of being mistaken for pirates ourselves.

"Then it was over, the surviving pirates were rounded up and put into our prison while we were given liberty to roam the site and help out if we so desired. I have to report, Sir, that most of the prisoners have been poorly fed and some are so weak that they can barely stand unaided. The Zebrins have helped by providing extra food for us, though the diet is still tedious."

Parnak thought and then asked, "So, you would swear that these folk are not in league with the pirates?"

"No, Sir! They are definitely not! I have with my own eyes seen some of the pirates slain by these newcomers. They are our saviours, Sir, make no mistake about it."

"And think you they may be in league with those of Zebrin? Is that some design by their ruler to gain an entry into our lands?"

That caused Marrot to think. He response was slower. "Sir, they spoke of a River Patrol made up of folk from all lands that belong to some kind of Federation. The Mistress even claimed that Faralmark was now part of this Federation. What I do know is that she and her men are not Zebrins, they have strange accents, they come from some land well beyond Yod. More than that I could not say, Sir. But I will add that I believe they intend us no ill-will."

"Faralmark! Of course, you do not yet know."

"Sir?"

"After talks between Our Margrave and Magel Gorgay of Upper Faral, it was decided to once again unite with our brothers as one land. We are now known simply as Faral though our liege intends to remain titled as Margrave for some further time."

"Sir? That is interesting news. If I may ask what happens now, Sir?"

"A good question, Twick, and one that I must needs negotiate with these people."

Parnak turned to Eriana and executed a low bow. "Director, I will not offer you an apology as I believe my actions and decisions were made as the result of the only information in my possession. However, Twick Marrot has proven - partly proven - that your presence here is what you have described to me, therefore I am willing to offer a truce to you."

"Partly, Captain?"

"You speak of a Federation and a River Patrol which none of us have ever heard of until now, Director. If what you say is true then it has significant implications for myself and everyone under my command. I ask you to forgive me if I should wait until I have spoken to my superiors and been given such proof as may satisfy me."

Eriana thought about this and nodded. "I understand your caution, Captain. If someone strange landed on the coasts of my lands, telling me that some unknown new organization had come into being and that I was now part of it, I, too, would be sceptical. I only ask that our two parties should work together, but I would also suggest that we have already organized the camp and that your men should not disturb that organization."

"Agreed, Director." Parnak turned to his men. "Lower your weapons, men! Slacken the crossbow strings. The circumstances are unusual but I believe we are in no immediate danger. Twicks, issue water to the men."

Eriana turned. "Ursula?"

"Director," she replied, "all I can see immediately is that we have another hundred mouths to feed!"

Parnak asked, "What is this?"

Ursula replied, "Captain, Seventy-one pirates were slain but forty-four remain alive to be judged. In various categories there are ninety-eight who were prisoners plus sixty-six from Zebrin and thirty of our own troops which means we already have two hundred forty or so, all of whom require food and shelter. I estimate your own numbers at about a hundred, would you agree?"

Parnak shook his head. "Not so many, Mistress, uh, Director. Twenty to a cutter for such an expedition as this, a Twick to each boat and myself makes eighty-five. You may rest easy, we have brought enough rations for two days, by which time my urgent message to Bibek should have provided results."

"Interesting," Eriana mused. "We have also sent urgent messages to Bibek. I wonder what will happen when Simbran reads them?"

There was no time for speculation since at that moment whistle codes sounded from aboard the galleys.

"More arrivals?" Eriana spoke as she looked up for more information. She called, «Who this time?»

Above Fritjof merely pointed at the channel leading to the Sirrel.

Parnak stood on tiptoe to peer over the clutter of the beached cutters. "I believe it is the Spirit," he reported. Turning around and seeing Eriana's raised eyebrow he explained, "The Spirit of Bibek, Director. It is our State Barge."

Eriana whistled 'friends' up to Fritjof, which effected surprise and interest from Parnak. Fritjof acknowledged with a short sequence and then turned to face the approaching barge, indicating with his arms where it could safely go. Those aboard the barge took the hint and headed for the end of the foreshore away from the galleys, almost right behind the first burned-out building.

The barge gently grounded and securing ropes were thrown down, one to be picked up by a Zebrin and another by Torvald. The two lines were made fast to corner timber stumps of the burned building as a gangplank was carefully lowered to the ground by two crewmen in orange and yellow. These then walked down and stood either side at the bottom with drawn swords. The next man down was Marshal Vikzas.

He spotted Eriana and Ursula and his face broke into a smile. He approached with his hand out ready.

"Well met, First Director! I was attending His Grace when your urgent message arrived this morning. Considering our recent business at Faralan I am not surprised that I find you in so unusual a setting. I trust all goes well?"

"Well met indeed, Marshal. Aye, mostly, although there was nearly an unfortunate misunderstanding when these marines of yours arrived."

The two grasped each other's arms and then Vikzas stood back and saluted. "First Director, if we may be of service."

She gestured. "Your Captain of the Field Parnak arrived with some eighty troops not half a bell before you did," she explained. "It took some time to convince him that we were not his enemy and, indeed, that the pirates were already defeated."

"Ah, good, we are in time then. By your leave?"

She gestured again. "They are your troops, Marshal, to do with as you desire."

Before Vikzas could do anything more, however, a second person had stepped off the barge. He was older than Vikzas and slightly shorter, but it was plain who he had to be. Both Eriana and the newcomer exchanged smiles as they advanced towards one another. Eriana curtseyed and was then gripped in a hug.

"Maker!" Simbran said, his voice a deep rumble. "It is good to see you again, Eriana, doing what you know best. Fare you and your men well?"

"Your Grace," she replied when the two had separated, "well enough, though my circumstances have changed several times since last we met." A slight frown. "I did not think this business so serious as to bring you here yourself, though. My apologies for disturbing your day."

"After receiving a most unusual message from a most unusual source and considering what it might foretell, I could do no other," he replied. "To see you here with your men, that is one thing, you have the right, but with a goodly force of Zebrins, well... I could see the opportunity for mischief and so I hastened here as soon as I could. I would not usurp your command position here but there are matters which require my personal attention. By your leave, Director?"

She made a wide gesture."These are your lands, Your Grace. I ask only that you leave me my ship."

He snorted. "Hah! You at least have my full confidence, Director. However..."

Simbran turned and walked over to join Vikzas. Parnak remembered to close his mouth as the Margrave addressed him.

"Captain, report!" Simbran's tone was uncompromising.

Parnak stuttered, "Uh, Sir... Your Grace. When today's first messenger cutter from Bibek arrived at Farso early this morning the Twick told of strange happenings along the bank where Hamalbek once stood. He reported that the channel, once blocked, was now open once more and that as their craft passed the gap he could see strange flashes and hear unusual thumps. I realized that we now had proof where the pirates operated from and gathered as many men together as were available and set out to end this scourge on our waters.

"We arrived expecting to fight, Your Grace, but found not only Zebrins here but others, in strange uniforms, who wove some fantastic tale of a Federation and a River Patrol, all led by these women with swords. I did not know what to think but endeavored to discover the truth of these wild claims. Then you arrived, Your Grace, to rectify whatever is amiss here."

"Parnak, you weave a silken tale yourself, I deem, to obscure your own part in this. Word has long reached me concerning your obsession with those of Zebrin and your belief that they were behind the recent piracy." Parnak blanched. "It is true that your attendance here with your men may be helpful but your fixations about Zebrin are not. You are relieved of your command and will return to Bibek with me aboard the Spirit, is that clear?"

A trembling Parnak lowered his eyes to the ground as he replied, "As you command, Your Grace."

A third man had now disembarked from the Spirit and joined the group. "Your Grace."

"Signar Zoran. I believe that you know most of these here?"

"Of course, Your Grace. It is not even twenty bells since we parted yester eve in Vormarin. If I may report to the Admiral?"

"Admiral?" Simbran looked puzzled.

Eriana smiled. "Your Grace, it seems to be my fate to wear some number of different hats as occasion requires. In the Federation Navy, a full Admiral is in charge of a fleet, and that is what I was when we sailed from Zebrin City. In Hamalbek, however, the task is greater thus I have chosen to assume my proper rank here as First Director of the Federation Navy."

"Ah, I see. Are we then to be beset by numbers of new ranks that everyone must needs learn?"

"I regret that it may be so, Your Grace, however I would remind you that, as we traveled the Sirrel, almost every land uses different ranks for its militaries but the Navy will use the same ranks everywhere."

Simbran grinned. "I am suitably admonished, Eriana. Signar, make your report if you would."

"Your Grace." Zoran turned to Eriana. "First Director, when your fishing boat arrived in Vormarin with Commodore Merion to report your success here, I agreed that one of the Zoon ferries should be borrowed for a few days. He suggested that he should go to Bibek himself with the news but it occurred to me that, as Zebrin troops had now set deliberate foot on Faral soil, it might be more appropriate for me to carry the news myself.

"You may or may not be pleased to know," he grinned, "that I have been given the authority by my cousin Graf Nuel not for Zebrin to join the Federation, as you will know from your recent words with him, but, if the operation here was successful, to petition for Zebrin's water forces to immediately become part of the new River Patrol. His Grace Margrave Simbran has provisionally agreed pending your own approval."

Eriana realized her mouth was open and closed it. "This is unexpected, Signar Zoran. However, it will make our efforts here much simpler and, if I may observe, completely legal. Do you know your cousin's thinking behind this decision?"

"First Director, my cousin was very impressed by your description of the Federation and the need for a combined force to maintain order along the Sirrel. Your demonstration at the barracks showed him that we have much to learn from you and your men and he desired to begin that process as soon as possible. The voyage from Zebrin City to Bibek was to be a test of your claims and, from what Merion has reported to me, you have been spectacularly successful. I decided to implement my Graf's desires and here we are."

"Well! This is all unexpected, I deem, and will require some thought - at a later date, and somewhere more comfortable - once the present mess has been dealt with. Ursula, if you may tell His Grace and Signar Zoran the numbers here, that they might know what we are dealing with."

But there were further whistle signals from above, this time even Ursula understood 'friends'. They all turned to look at the channel to see the Green Ptuvil arriving, followed by Zebrin's Tusk.

Simbran studied the procession. "Maker, the port is already full! Where shall these vessels go?"

Eriana realized who would be on board the Green Ptuvil and thought about the crowd now present at Hamalbek. She called up some instructions in Norse to Fritjof and he acknowledged them before turning to guide the arrivals to mooring spots. The Green Ptuvil came up to the Visund and was made fast to the stern while Zebrin's Tusk was sent to moor behind the two galleys.

Baros and Kalmenar clambered carefully from the Green Ptuvil into the Visund, along its length and then down to the ground to join the group of leaders. Baros gave a brief nod to Simbran before turning and saluting Eriana.

"Admiral, you asked for us, we are here."

"Captain Baros, Lord Kalmenar, welcome to Hamalbek. If I may introduce His Grace Margrave Simbran of what, I am told, is now simply the Duchy of Faral. Your Grace, this is Captain Baros of the Navy barge Green Ptuvil, which has been converted to carry myself and other passengers. With him is Lord Kalmenar of Palarand, who is my legal advisor."

Baros bowed to Simbran. "Your Grace. We have never met but I believe that I have seen you in Bibek, it must have been at least two years ago. I am - was - a man of Faralmark before those of Yod took me after the war."

Simbran acknowledged Baros with a nod. "Captain. I am pleased to see one of my subjects free and hale once more." He frowned. "After the war? If you would explain."

Eriana intervened. "Your Grace, if I may interrupt, that is a longer tale for a later time. Briefly, they were taken by renegade Yodan soldiers and treated extremely poorly. We rescued six men and five women from utter bestiality. Baros is one of them."

"Do you tell me? Then I will await this tale, I deem. So, First Director, what must needs happen in this place now you have conquered the pirates?"

Eriana turned. "Ursula? Your priorities, please."

"The evening meal," she replied promptly, "we have two hundred forty or so to feed so the cooking will need to be started soon. That has to be followed by secure and comfortable places for everyone to sleep tonight. I do not think we can evacuate all of these people today, nor would I wish to. Some need the attention of healers, some the judgment of Margraves. Then we have to decide what to do with everyone and what to do with the plunder and booty they have collected."

Simbran was interested. "Ah? If you would describe this plunder - in general terms, of course."

Ursula pointed. "Your Grace, the pirates lived in these three buildings. We burned two of them early this morning during the attack, which reduced their numbers considerably. The third building was where the self-titled King of the pirates and his closest followers lived and it also contained much that they stripped out of the barges and other craft they attacked. I assume that most of the booty would be returned to their owners, should they still be alive."

"I would agree, although it is likely that many will not, of course. Is everything then in that remaining building?"

"No, Your Grace." Her arm shifted to behind the Spirit of Bibek. "Over there are some barges which they kept, they appear to be loaded with stolen grain and perhaps other foodstuffs which I believe were intended to feed the pirates and their prisoners during the rainy season. I don't know how many, what is in them or what the condition of the barges or their contents is. We think they are moored there so that vermin cannot reach the food."

"Prisoners? Why would they keep prisoners? Hostages, perhaps?"

"There were ninety-eight prisoners found here still alive, Your Grace. I have spoken to almost all those who were taken captive and most were kept in order to man the oars of the further galley behind me once the river level had risen again after the rainy season. I believe that they planned to make this place a permanent center for piracy along this stretch of the river."

"On my soil? I do not think so! They would have been discovered in time, I deem, had you not found them first." Simbran's gaze swung to examine the galleys. "Whose galleys are those? Are they booty as well?"

Ursula took a breath. "Your Grace, I have learned the story and I can tell it to you, but now is not the right time or place. I had intended to give this information to all the senior officers later today but our meeting was interrupted by unexpected arrivals."

He smiled. "As you say, uh..." He examined the epaulettes on the shoulders of all those who bore them before returning his attention to Ursula. "Your leader bears four stars, you have two, are you then a Director also?"

Ursula inclined her head. "I have been given the rank of Director of Welfare, Your Grace."

"You do not appear to be entirely comfortable with that rank, I deem."

"It is true, Your Grace, but I have the knowledge, the experience and, apparently, the ability, so I do whatever I am able to do."

"As must we all, Director. Your arguments are sound, I would not have the men in this camp go hungry because I asked too many questions. Eriana?"

"Surely, Your Grace. Ursula, issue what commands you require."

"Thank you, First Director."

Ursula turned first to the inlet visible just beyond the galleys, where Lars had moved the barge and pontoons which had blocked the channel and now also held Zebrin's Tusk. He had been standing on the nearest pontoon watching the developments, an ax in his hand.

«Lars! We need a lot of firewood for this evening's meal. Do you think there is enough there?»

«No, Ursula. I'll send some men over to the channel to begin finding windfalls and cutting there, but I suspect that most has already been gleaned.»

«Cut what you need. We have a lot of mouths to feed over here.»

«Yah. I can see. Did you invite any more?»

«I didn't but His Grace might have.»

«Understood.»

He gave her a wave and then turned to issue his own orders. Ursula turned back and stared at the Trusties' cage.

"Tyra, we need to go over to the Trusties and get them going."

"As you say, Director."

* * *

Simbran had invited the senior officers to dine on the Spirit of Bibek as the main cabin offered just enough room to seat them all, and it meant that they could have a quiet conference without the troops overhearing. Eriana had taken the opportunity to get all the women back to the Green Ptuvil where all had cleaned up and changed into ship dresses, thus presenting a united front. Bennet and Semma had objected, saying that they would not be able to wear their swords to protect Eriana, but it was pointed out that there was nobody around who would be able to get near her anyway. It turned out that there was insufficient room for Bennet, Semma or Tyra so the three returned to the Green Ptuvil and ate with the barge's crew.

The change of attire had surprised and impressed Simbran and his officers, just as Eriana had expected it would. What Eriana had not expected was the low ceiling height, she was the tallest person present and was forced to stoop. The meal on board the Spirit of Bibek was probably of much better fare than anyone else would be served at Hamalbek, but Simbran was conscious of this and the barge's galley was limited so the dishes were not elaborate. Once they had finished, with Eriana once again having to be satisfied with pel, the table was cleared and the conference began.

"Nay, Your Grace, it is not I who knows what happened here. Ursula is the one who has discovered the history of this place."

"Director Ursula?"

"As you wish, Your Grace. The two galleys are of Yod, though they arrived here at different times. When Yod first began preparations for invasion upstream, they sent small craft - barges, sloops, things like that, to quietly survey the banks either side for suitable landing places. One of their ideas was that they would set up a secret base from which one or more galleys would operate to assist the various invasions that were planned, including, Signar Zoran, that of Zebrin.

"Hamalbek seemed to fit their needs but nothing further happened until the invasion had started and most of Upper Fanir had been overrun. Then a galley set out, possibly under cover of darkness, and came and sacked Hamalbek, killing everyone in the village. Those who were on the galley did not know how to live in this type of forest so simply cleared a large area and began erecting barracks on the land."

"All that cleared land we saw as we arrived? Surely not!"

Ursula shook her head. "Only an area around the inlet was cleared, Your Grace, where the original village would have been. They began operations but realized that they would soon be discovered so found a way of blocking the channel so that it seemed that Hamalbek had become deserted, had gone back into the forest. They used the village pontoons and some fishing boats with cuts of trees and shrubs on them.

"Shortly after they had this base in operation, the Yodan officers made a fatal mistake - fatal for them, that is. Their slave rowers of convicted men managed to revolt and take over the base. Almost all the officers were killed immediately, a few were kept and executed one by one for the men's entertainment. Then the convicts decided that, as they had a galley and some of the new Yodan weapons, they would turn to piracy to keep themselves in food and drink.

"This carried on at a very low level for some time, Your Grace, just enough to sustain the operation and keep from too many questions being asked along the river. Then the war ended and Yod's other galleys were loose up and down the river, looking for places to hide. One came near here and met the pirate galley. Some quick thinking of the pirate captain - he did not call himself King of the Pirates then - meant that the other galley thought them friendly and the two met mid-river.

"The pirates went aboard and subdued the Yodan officers and crew, setting the slave rowers free to join them as more pirates. The captured officers were shut away here at Hamalbek and brought out one by one to be executed by hanging stretched out on a frame until they died. They were working from the lowest ranks to the highest, meaning that the Yodan captain would watch all his men die before his turn came."

"Maker!" Zoran muttered. "Evil men indeed."

"Signar, they were all convicted men, though a few were only at the oars because they broke some minor Yodan law. Others were proper career criminals and the two galleys were an opportunity they could not ignore."

"As you say, Director."

"Then the numbers turned against them," she continued. "To have enough men to row two galleys, and pirate crews to man them, meant their food requirements increased greatly, as did the need for firewood to cook that food. That is why such a large area is cleared, Your Grace, it was all used for firewood. As were several entire barges and their cargoes of timber, plus all the fitments of that nearer galley except the upper deck. It is nothing but a shell inside."

Simbran gestured. "Why, then, did they not simply dismantle the entire thing?"

"Partly I think it was to provide a high point from which they could cover the entrance with their Yodan weapons, Your Grace. Partly because they might have needed it as accommodation once the river began to rise again. I am told that, once the rainy season has begun, this whole cleared area will be completely flooded."

"Ah, of course. And then?"

"The river level has lowered and the other galley is now trapped in here until the rainy season ends. Instead they began using captured barges as pirate vessels to collect more food, keeping some of the new captured craft as storage and sinking or burning others. Many of the captives they originally kept had died for various reasons, fever and malnutrition being two of them, so they also began taking more barge crews to make up the numbers.

"Then, aboard the Visund two days ago, we actually saw a barge being taken. We chased the pirate barge away but had to help their target vessel upon which five of the crew of seven had survived, but wounded. We escorted them to Paktrin, along with another barge we found stuck on a sandbank but containing only corpses. From that barge I realized they were looking for shipments of grain and other foodstuffs to feed themselves when the rains fell.

"We decided to go and look for them. Very few of the pirates had any kind of military training and their disguised lookout posts were just visible as we rowed along this bank, so we worked out where they were. We divided our forces, First Director Eriana led her men in the Visund to attack the channel entrance while I took a force of Zebrins through the forest to attack from another direction. That happened just before first light this morning."

Simbran's eyebrows raised. "You led a force of Zebrins through such a forest as this in the dark? How is this possible?"

Ursula glanced at Eriana, who nodded, Simbran noting the byplay.

"Your Grace," Ursula resumed, "during our voyage upriver I have discovered that the dranakhs we have met along the way seemed attracted to me for some reason. It was a while before I realized that they were sending me images of what they saw. This has developed such that I can now hold a sort of conversation with them, but it is not speech as you would know it and our understanding of how we see each other's world is poor.

"After we passed Hamalbek we called at Jenbek for information and we were joined there by two dranakh from the forest. One is the grand-daughter of the other and was present when Hamalbek was destroyed. The Yodans used a Thunder Pipe then to kill her mate. Normally dranakh do not back away from trouble but the use of the Yodan weapon was unknown to them and seemingly impossible to defeat so the grandfather, Loti, who had been watching from the forest, encouraged Senni to run away with him.

"From images they sent me I was able to construct a rough map of the clearing and that enabled us to plan our assault. Loti also acted as guide last night... Boje! Was it only last night? So much has happened! Um, yes, Loti guided us through the forest and showed us where the advanced lookout post was. When we arrived at the edge of the clearing I realized that the three buildings nearest us were actually cages for their captives. I crept over to the cages and was able to speak to the men inside without being seen. While I was doing that the Visund arrived through the channel and her men attacked."

Simban nodded. "An amazing tale, Director."

"Amazing but true, Your Grace." She added, "There is something you ought to know."

"Ah?"

"The three cages each have different categories of captives inside. The one nearest the river has what I named Trusties, that is, prisoners who the pirates trusted to do work for them during the day. Some are cooks, some chop wood, some fetch water and others dig graves."

"Graves? You mean - to put bodies into the ground? Savages!"

Ursula shrugged. "They could do little else, Your Grace. They had barely enough wood for cooking and boiling drinking water as it is. Besides, the smoke from pyres might have given observers ideas, seeing that Hamalbek was supposed to be deserted."

"Ah, as you say. What, then of the other cages, as you name them?"

She held up a finger. "First, Your Grace, I must add there were others in that trusty cage. Your two healers, to begin with, and twelve sick and injured, some with fever and others with sprains, burns or other minor injuries. For the rest, the middle cage held everyone who the pirates were going to use as rowing crew once the river rose again. There are thirty-seven in there, from almost everywhere along the Sirrel and well beyond. The third cage holds twenty-seven surviving Yodans."

"Yodans?"

"The surviving officers and crew of the second galley, Your Grace. The pirates, who of course are also almost all Yodans, had kept them to execute them one by one as I mentioned before."

"Maker, the evil that some will do to others," Simbran muttered. "Do any of the pirates survive? I would not wish that end on anyone but surely that has sealed their fate."

"There are forty-four surviving pirates, Your Grace, and seventy-one who did not. For now we have the survivors shut up in the middle cage awaiting your judgment. I would add that it is possible that one or two might not be as guilty as the others but were merely convicted men caught up in the general revolt and who had no choice but to go along."

Simbran's expression was grim. "I note your caution, Director. We do not consider all to be of the same stripe as the worst may be but even so, piracy has been committed and some penalty must needs be paid. I give you my oath that each of them will have my individual attention when they are brought before me."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"Do you have a plan for what to do with all these rescued folk, Director?"

"Most of the prisoners are too weak to travel, Your Grace, so I doubt we could move them all today or for a few days until they regain some strength. That borrowed ferry was supposed to be bringing fresh food, meat, vegetables and fruit, to help that process along. There are also twelve prisoners who are sick or injured. I am not sure if some of them can be moved immediately."

Simbran nodded. "I wondered when Signar Zoran explained what he wanted the ferry for. So. You will be here for what, a week?"

"Probably, Your Grace. There is also the plunder which has to be cataloged and packaged up for transport. And then there are the surviving pirates to consider."

"As you say. I am minded to -" He turned. "Director, are we boring you?"

Eriana tried and failed to smother another yawn. "If I may apologize, Your Grace. We have had a disturbed night."

He started. "Why, of course! You and your men have been busy for too many bells, I deem. We will end this meeting now, I think, and begin again tomorrow after we have all had some well-earned rest. If I may ask Director Ursula some few questions before you retire."

"As you wish, Your Grace."

"Director," Simbran turned to Ursula, "I would leave the organization of the camp in the hands of the Zebrins, since they already know your desires. Do you approve of this?"

"I do, Your Grace." Ursula gave a nod to Zoran. "They know what needs doing... but most of them have been up all night as well."

Zoran said, "Your Grace, while our men know what needs to be done, help from yours would not be turned away."

"Thank you, Signar. Director, where shall you and your men sleep tonight? What buildings there are here are either full of men or burned to the ground."

"The prisoners who we released to make room for the pirates will go in the stripped galley, Your Grace. The Zebrins, so I am told, have accommodation aboard their own craft which they can use. Our own men will use the further galley and we women have our own cabin aboard the Green Ptuvil."

There was admiration in Simbran's voice as he remarked, "You do have it all planned out, Director. Impressive."

"I do what I can, Your Grace," Ursula agreed, stifling a yawn of her own.

"Then I must needs ask you and your fearsome leader to retire, Director. We of Faral shall manage whatever remains to do today."

"As you command, Your Grace."

It did not take long for Eriana and Ursula to join the others in their cabin aboard the Green Ptuvil. It also did not take long for either to strip off their clothes and join the others who were already in their bunks. Both were asleep within moments.