The two men from the Six Cities are told the truth about the Rains, which they had previously considered tales for unwary travelers. Ursula reveals to Ketko what exactly is in his potion. Following a visit by two Faral officers and a Zebrin, Ursula and Tyra are taken to view the changes being made to the Dhow-nwind Dasher to transport the injured to Bibek, following which Ursula makes a General Order concerning... hats?

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

90 - Clearing the Creek

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) 2024 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

---

Following their afternoon nap Ursula and Tyra returned to the Tent of the Sick. Both their patients were awake but barely so, since that afternoon was particularly hot.

D'Nandis greeted them with, "Good afternoon, Mistress. Even in these tents the air has become hot and stifling. Do you know how long it will be before these Rains begin, that we might have some relief? Of course Kapis and myself have heard of what is to come but the descriptions we have heard sound unbelieveable."

"Good afternoon, D'Nandis. You know as much about the coming rains as I do, since I have not been on Anmar that long." She thought back, frowning. "I do not recall exactly how long, it must be somewhere between two months and three months." A shrug. "From what I have been told, the amount of water which comes down may be as bad to deal with as the sun is at the moment. You may not find the rainy season to be a relief."

"Mistress, if I may," Tyra ventured.

"Of course, Tyra! I keep forgetting that you have already experienced a number of these seasons in your life."

"As you say, Mistress." Tyra turned to D'Nandis. "We have maybe two, perhaps three weeks, I deem, before the Rains begin. Master, you will know when the Rains are about to start since the air becomes very damp and uncomfortable. Within a few days it will begin to rain - and then not stop for maybe eight to ten weeks. During that time the river will rise so much that all this area would be completely flooded. Travel is almost impossible then because it is difficult to see very far. The Sirrel will become so dangerous that my father, who is a fisherman, will not venture upon it for fear of never being seen again." She smiled. "However, that does not mean he will not catch any fish, since the city of Joth, where I was born, becomes sufficiently flooded that all might catch fish in its streets."

D'Nandis stared at Tyra. "This is true? Of course it is, my apologies, Mistress. We believed these tales to be mere idle amusements, fun to be had with passing travelers. It is true? It rains for so long? I struggle to believe it."

"Master, it does. Towards the end there may be brief periods when the sun shines, becoming longer as the days pass, but mostly it just rains more or less heavily."

He frowned. "So how high does the great river rise, then?"

Tyra thought. "I have never been in open country when that happens, Master, but from words mentioned in my Mistress's hearing I believe the waters may rise higher than the roofs of the buildings which the pirates built here. That is one reason everybody is so anxious to move everyone to a safer place. To remain here would be to drown."

Ursula added, "On our way upstream we have called at many cities in different countries, D'Nandis. Almost all of them are built on stilts, mounds or high ground. I believe Tyra when she says the waters will rise that high."

D'Nandis stared into space, attempting to digest what he had been told. Finally he nodded, turning to Ursula and Tyra, saying, "Mistresses both, thank you for what you have just told me. I understand some of what has been going on around me now, and of our peril. I regret that I cannot yet offer assistance of any kind, I must needs become well first. If I may inform Kapis of what I have been told?"

"Yes, of course," Ursula agreed. "We are requisitioning one of the barges here to transport you and the others who cannot move unaided, like Ketko here. We should at least be able to move everyone to Bibek before any serious rainfall occurs."

"You have my gratitude, Mistress."

"It is no problem, D'Nandis. Now I have to speak with Ketko."

She turned to meet the eyes of their other patient.

"That is true? You have no reason to lie to us, do you?"

She shrugged. "I have probably been on Anmar about the same length of time as you, Ketko. I would guess that it is our backgrounds which have meant that we have each learned and remembered different things. You heard Tyra, she is a local girl - well, in the sense that she is familiar with the river and what happens along it - and I have no reason to think she is making anything up."

"I already find the great river much bigger than any of those I am familiar with," he replied. "The thought that so much water will make it even bigger concerns me."

"Do you have anything like this in the Great Plain?"

"We have rain, at least in the regions nearer the mountains. The land there is very green and is mostly forest with pasture on the upper slopes. Away from the mountains and nearer the lake the rain does not fall often and most Hordes dig canals to take from their rivers and water their crops. There is nothing like what you have described, though, no rain falling for so long."

He glanced at Tyra with a puzzled look. "Sword-sister, if it rains so much and for so long, how then do you eat? You surely cannot exist on nothing but fish for two months!"

"Master," Tyra replied, "we must needs store food against the Rains. Every house will do so, they will bring grain, root vegetables and preserved meat and fish inside and above where the waters would rise. Of course, not every house may provide for the entire period, they may be too poor, but our lord the Duke of Joth sends boats about the streets providing aid for all who may be desperate. Those who live in our city would not refuse any who sought help, we must live with them afterwards."

He nodded. "It is the proper thing to do."

Ursula asked him, "How are you feeling now?"

"As D'Nandis said, Honored Mother, it is unpleasantly hot this afternoon. I understand there is little anyone may do about it except endure. I can tell you that, while I feel hot, it does not feel the same to me as the fever did. Whatever that potion of yours is, it has made the difference." He noticed her expression. "Honored Mother, you are about to tell me that the potion is something simple."

She gave him a wry smile. "Do you want me to tell you the truth? Whatever I say, you will need to keep taking the potion until you are well again."

Now he looked wary. "If you instruct me to continue taking the potion, Honored Mother, then I shall do so, since it is apparent that it is what keeps me from the fever. But you appear to hide a secret and I do not wish to appear a fool."

"You will not seem foolish, Ketko. All that has happened is that a custom from Zeniak has prevented you from doing what everyone else in the camp is doing, and that is to drink pel. For reasons we have not yet been able to learn it is pel which keeps everyone - and I do mean everyone - healthy in these regions."

"Pel? You refer to that drink I watch everyone else drink? But I will not, it is made with hot water... Oh. But I did not drink what you did, what you give me was cold." His face asked a question.

"Yes, we simply let what was in the pot grow cold and then gave it to you. There appears to be something in the herbs which are used to make pel that prevents your fever and it requires hot water to get that something out and into the water. It just so happens that we all like the taste and drink it all the time."

"Then it is safe to drink it as you do, while it is warm?" He looked unsettled. "I am so used to the customs of the Great Plain, it will be hard for me to break them."

"You will not know until you try, will you? But I can tell you that it is just a custom, it is not a universal rule. Here on Anmar hot drinks should offer you no danger - except to burn your mouth if they are too hot. I will add that the original reason for your custom, drinking out of hot springs, that is sensible. Water that comes direct out of the ground may contain unknown chemicals which could be poisonous. Liquids which are hot because they were boiled present little danger, indeed, most water around here is boiled first to ensure it is safe to drink."

"You boil water first? What might be in it that requires you to do such a thing?"

She paused, wondering what the level of knowledge was on Zeniak. "We have learned, often the hard way, that river water may not be clean and can contain creatures too small to be seen without special devices. Some of those creatures, if they can get inside you, can cause diseases like diarrhea and vomiting, perhaps worse diseases. Boiling the water kills them. Of course we do not drink the water when it is too hot, we let it cool down enough to be comfortable. So, will you at least try to drink some hot pel?"

"Honored Mother, this is your instruction? That I should drink my potions when they are still hot?"

"I would not force you to do anything that you might find distasteful, Ketko. If you choose to drink pel the same way we do then it becomes more convenient for everyone, that is all. Call it advice from a healer."

Ketko stared at Ursula a while before giving a reluctant nod. "Honored Mother, I will consider your words carefully. You are a strange people."

She smiled. "So it has been said."

There were voices beyond and shortly a head poked through the flap. "Director, by your leave. If I do not interrupt anything?"

She recognized one of the Faral under-marshals. "Nothing that cannot wait. We'll come outside."

On the walkway she found two Faral under-marshals, a Zebrin captain and two men dressed in attire which suggested they might be workmen.

"Gentlemen. What can I do to help?"

The Faral who had entered the tent saluted her. "Director, I am Under-Marshal Nabron. I have been asked to prepare the barge for use by yourself to transport the injured men to Bibek. Under-Marshal Fard and Field-Captain Venek have identified some problems that may require your judgment before we can proceed."

"Oh?"

Fard replied, "Director, it is chiefly because of the limited supply of timber to make the alterations," he explained. He looked uncertain. "If we could ask you to accompany us to the barge, Director, it would be easier for us to describe."

She nodded. "Of course, but first I must leave instructions for our two healers."

Having done so, she let Nabron led the way along the walkway to the top, across and behind what used to be the Pirate King's residence and down alongside the stripped galley. As they walked Ursula could see that there were ropes strung across the creek as preparations were being made to shift the stranded vessel, should that be possible.

She also noticed men up to their waists in the shallow water around the galley, using shovels to try and expose the lower regions of the hull to permit it to float.

She stopped. "A moment, if you would."

"Director?"

"Who is in charge of these men digging out the galley?"

Under-Marshal Fard straightened. "Director, that would be me. Have you seen a problem?"

"There could be one if precautions are not taken," she replied. "The water those men are standing in is very unclean. I do not doubt that the new latrines are carefully made and perform as designed but the water is discharged into the creek your men are standing in, water that was already fouled by the pirates before you arrived. I must give you instructions for the safety of your men."

Fard's eyes widened as he realized the situation. "Maker! Director, it is as you say, yet there is no other way we could free the galley but to enter the water to excavate." He turned. "Men! Stop working immediately while I receive instructions!" He turned back as the men stopped working and stared at him. "Director, what must we do?"

Ursula thought. "You may continue but with precautions. Tell your men to go on working, but to keep their hands away from their faces. It is important that no river water - or mud - gets into their eyes, nose or mouth. Have someone with clean hands go round and wipe the sweat from their faces with a clean cloth when needed. Once they have completed their task, have them all go to the bathing tent and have a thorough clean - and I mean thorough, I know what men can be like when they say they are washing."

Fard's lips compressed. "Director, I take your meaning. Twicks, to me!"

As two non-commissioned officers made their way towards Fard Nabron suggested, "Director, if I may show you the barge while Fard gives fresh orders to his men."

"Of course." She briefly glanced up at the sun. "It is too hot to stand out here any longer than we have to."

Ahead of them the situation had changed once more. The Visund had disappeared to be replaced by the Dhow-nwind Dasher, presently lying next to the Green Ptuvil and with a plank connecting the two. Other than those barges only two Faral cutters were drawn up on the foreshore.

"What happened to the Visund?"

"Director, it has gone out into the river to collect a new boom for the barge," Nabron explained. "You will understand that such a length of timber is too long for most smaller craft to carry. Captain Tor offered the use of his ship for the task."

"Ah, I see. Thank you."

Ursula, Tyra, Nabron and Venek climbed the gangway to reach the Green Ptuvil with the two workmen remaining on the shore. Baros was waiting for them and gave Ursula a nod. There was no-one else in sight. Nabron then led the way over the short plank to the Dhow-nwind Dasher. He gestured into the main hold.

"As you can see, Director, we have managed to bail out the accumulated water and clean up the hull somewhat. I doubt that any barge owner would care to risk his cargo in the hold until it has been properly washed down and maybe even sanded back, but I would judge it clean enough to carry your patients for the short voyage from here to Bibek."

Ursula peered into the hold, seeing the many sturdy ribs which supported the hull timbers. It certainly looked as if there would be plenty of room for her patients, it might even be possible to transport some of the less fit ex-captives as well.

"It looks clean enough to me, Marshal. What is the problem?"

"Timber, Director." He turned to face the Green Ptuvil. "Captain Baros permitted us to inspect the alterations made to his barge -" Ursula did not correct the assumption, "- and we even climbed down into the two holds to examine the interior fittings. Director, I am impressed by the work done by those of Ferenis, especially in so short a time! Unfortunately, neither we of Faral or those of Zebrin will be able to transform this barge so quickly. To do so would require additional timber which must needs be brought from Bibek or from somewhere in Zebrin."

"Yes. But we would probably not require anything as elaborate as that for just one short voyage."

"As you say, Director. The main problem is providing a floor for the patients' beds to lie on. As you can see, the ribs present an awkward surface which do not inconvenience any cargo. To provide timber for a level floor will take two, maybe three days to find and supply and as many as three or four to cut and fit."

"Yes, I see." Ursula stared into the hull, studying the ribs and the problems they presented. "Wait a moment. You said that any cargo would not be bothered by an uneven surface."

"As you say, Director." Nabron looked puzzled.

She gestured over beyond the Green Ptuvil. "Over there we have barges full of grain, some of which is probably no longer safe to eat. However, there is no reason we could not take some of that to create a level surface in these holds."

"Sacks of grain? Director, of course. We can take the sacks and mold them between the ribs to provide a level surface, on top of which we can lay flooring like that of the walkways. Indeed, since the whole camp must needs be dismantled soon, we may already have such materials on site. Director, I will speak to one of the other Zebrin officers about the use of some of those walkway materials."

She nodded. "I'm sure they will be willing to help out, especially if they can be sure of getting their materials back afterwards."

Field-Captain Venek assured her, "Director, it will be no problem. Since this is to be a Navy matter we expect the crew to be a mixed one from Faral, Zebrin and the First Director's people." He added, "We have assumed that you would likely be in command of this barge when it sails, as it will have your patients aboard."

"Me?"

Ursula thought. It is logical. I can be in command for that short trip even if I know nothing about handling watercraft. It is, after all, just a barge and most of the men at Hamalbek will be familiar with handling them. I just have to find someone like Baros who knows what he is doing.

She gave a brief nod. "It is a thought. You understand that while I have traveled the river I have little experience of handling something like this? I leave that to the experts. But by your expressions you have other concerns."

"Aye, Director," Nabron said. "We can make a raised roof like that of the Green Ptuvil, to let in light and air while keeping out the rain, but because of the timber problem it would not be a solid one. We had thought to essentially provide a canvas awning such as you have already seen used on the Zebrin galley. Does this meet with your approval?"

She considered. "Yes, I think so. In this weather I would not want anything too heavy which will trap the hot air."

"Which is what we thought, Director. The other main problem, which will also affect the placement of that roof, is how to get your patients into the hold. As you can see, each hold has sets of rungs fixed in either side for access, as is customary, but your patients will not be able to descend by that means. It might be possible to provide a companionway, as you have on the other barge, but that might still be too difficult for some of those men to use."

"Oh. You are right, of course. What do you propose?"

He gestured at the mast. "We use the hoist, Director. It will be simple enough to rig some kind of chair or sling for your patients, we do that all the time for maintenance work on our larger vessels. But the hoist cannot be used when the awning is completely in place. We must needs load your patients and then finish the awning."

It did not take her long to agree. "Yes, do that. The sooner we can move everyone away from here the happier I will be."

"Thank you, Director. This will make our task simpler and faster to complete. Oh, there is an associated matter, which is that, once the awning is secured in place, the only means in and out of the holds will be by using the rungs. I, er," Nabron paused and looked embarrassed, "I am not certain if you would desire to climb in and out of the holds wearing your present attire."

I didn't think that far ahead. Fortunately, the solution is obvious.

"Indeed. We will use our Marine uniforms for the journey. They include cargo pants."

"Director?"

"Oh, you were not here when we captured the camp, were you? We had to walk some marks through the forest at night and these ship dresses would not have been appropriate then either. Our Marine uniforms are a shirt the same as our men wear, and trousers, but in green to obscure us from any enemy."

"Ah? As you say." Nabron frowned. "Trousers? It seems to me that I have seen some men in the camp wearing such attire. I did not know whose men they were. This is customary attire for Palarand Marines, then?"

"These are Navy uniforms, Marshal. We wear different attire according to task and to the time of year. Yes, we both have such attire and we can wear it for the voyage."

Any further conversation was cut off by a loud creaking followed by a groaning, then sucking sounds. All turned to look at the galley beside them, which suddenly heeled right over before righting itself with the stern swinging away from them. The backwash rocked the two barges so violently that they all had to grab the nearest section of hull to avoid falling over. The plank connecting the two fell into the water and the barges, now no longer grounded, began to drift out into the creek.

The stern of the Green Ptuvil swung and banged against that of the Dhow-nwind Dasher, pushing it further into the creek, where it collided with the now-floating galley. That pushed the barge towards the entrance channel, where shouts could be heard from the men stationed there.

Nabron looked frightened. "Director, we have no sail, we have no rigging, we cannot yet control this barge. What can we do?"

"I'm sure that help will come, Marshal. Once we get into the channel we can be caught and secured."

Help did come but from an unexpected quarter. The incident had brought the crew of the Green Ptuvil out of their cabin and they had quickly assessed the situation.

"Director! Catch the rope!"

One of the men threw a line at the Dhow-nwind Dasher. Because of the relative movements of the two craft it fell towards the bow, away from them, but Tyra quickly skipped past the others and caught the end before it could slide back into the water. She secured the line to a mooring post on deck and let the men opposite haul the two barges together. Once the two had made initial contact the men threw other lines which Tyra used to pull the two barges side-by-side before securing.

Baros climbed over, grinning at Ursula.

"More trouble, Director? Leave it to us, we will use our poles to move us back to safety. Maker, that thing is a monster, is it not?"

He was looking at the galley, which, because it had been stripped, rode high in the water next to them, rocking because it was now so buoyant.

"It looks bigger from here," she remarked, "but we have seen it all before, Baros. Remember that chase?"

"I do, Director, and a fine piece of work that was, too. Now, by your leave, my men will move us away from the galley and back to shore. If I may ask, will you be using this barge to move your patients?"

"I think so, yes. That is what the two Marshals and the Field-Captain are here for, to discuss the modifications."

He nodded. "Good. I always liked the look of Master Yussuf's barges and now that I have seen one close I can see how well-designed and built they are. Oh, I must ask for some help over here, by your leave."

He called out instructions and two of the crew came over carrying a long pole. This they placed vertically in the water as Baros walked back and grabbed hold of the tiller. He shouted more instructions to men on both barges and the assembly moved slowly back towards the shore. Once they had moved as far as the shoreline other lines were thrown to men on the shore and the barges hauled as far up as possible, before the lines were tied off to prevent them floating away again.

"The men on your barge are very efficient, I deem," Nabron remarked. "Yet they do not look like the rest of your men."

"That is because they are not," Ursula explained. "Look. Issue whatever commands you need to, then the three of you should come to the mess tent with us, have a drink and make sure we all know what each other is doing. After that I have a story to tell you."

"Ah?"

"Yes. We rescued those men, and the women who are also on board, from slavery to a regiment of renegade Yodans," she replied briefly.

His eyes widened. "Do you tell me? Then we must needs know more of these folk, that we may treat them properly. Venek? Let us do what we must and then join the Director in the mess tent."

A gangway was soon re-installed so that people could leave the barges in relative safety. After the men had departed Ursula had an idea.

"Before we go down," she said to Tyra, "let us have a look at the accommodation on this barge."

"Oh? As you say, Mistress! Were you thinking where we might sleep on the voyage?"

Ursula paused her walk towards the stern and turned, with a look on her face. "I hope that the voyage does not last long enough for us to need to sleep, Tyra. But if the cabins are good enough, Her Highness might have some ideas of her own."

"It might be more convenient, I agree, to use such cabins as we might find, but surely this barge will need to be restored to its owner once we reach Bibek?"

"That is the theory, yes, but Her Highness might wish to use it or borrow it afterwards. Let us look, anyway."

The two walked to the stern and went down the companionway into the barge's main cabin. Like all those of which they had some experience, this was where the crew cooked, ate and spent most of their time when they were not out on deck. The Dhow-nwind Dasher was wider than most, which meant that the accommodation appeared less cramped than usual. There was the usual bench to one side with a fixed table in front of it, a movable bench facing the table and the cooking range and sink on the other side.

Two narrow doorways led forwards. Ursula opened one of these to see a pair of bunks either side with a small hanging space in front and drawers underneath. The other door revealed a double bed against the center bulkhead and drawers and a wardrobe on the hull side. Everything had been emptied.

"We'll need some pots and pans, Mistress."

"Depends how long we are on it, Tyra. Enough to make pel, perhaps. Plates for a snack, we can use our own knives. There is nothing in any of this storage, no pots, pans, mugs, plates nor cutlery. The pirates stripped everything out. And I think everything they stole and used has now been taken to Bibek with the rest of the loot."

"What about our patients? Surely they must needs feeding as well?"

"Yes. We need to plan all this out well before we go."

* * *

Nabron put down his mug, his expression one of amazement. "Maker! Magic weapons, night assaults, villagers held hostage! It is a wonder your people prevailed, if I may say so, Director."

Ursula sipped from her own mug and lowered it. In the heat of the afternoon pel was proving to be useful at keeping thirst at bay.

"No magic involved, Marshal, just chemistry of a particular kind, that is all. Terrifying, yes, these new weapons certainly are that, and it will change the way you all think of warfare, both on land and on the river."

"Do you tell me? If we may know more, Director."

She hesitated. "That presents me with a problem, gentlemen. Once the principles of how such weapons work is understood, then any country smith may make a crude enough weapon which any robber or bandit can use to create mayhem along any of your country roads. For this reason, the exact nature of the mixtures involved and the way the devices are constructed are, for now, not being made known except to a select few."

The three men stared at Ursula with disbelief.

Venek stammered, "Palarand seeks to reserve this information to itself?"

"No, indeed, Field Director. Remember, those weapons were first used by those of Yod against everyone else. Palarand does know how to make weapons of this kind, but by general agreement the knowledge and expertise has been left to Joth, which was where the weapons were first used when Yod took the city of Joth and expelled the inhabitants the preceding winter."

"Ah." Nabron nodded slowly. "That makes a certain kind of sense, I deem." He looked at Ursula keenly. "When those of Joth reclaimed their city, no doubt they captured many of the Yodan weapons?"

"I do not know the exact details, gentlemen, but probably. However, the Yodan weapons proved to be very crude and unreliable. I doubt anyone would have dared use them, they can be as much a danger to the user as to the target."

"You seem unusually familiar with these weapons, Director," Venek observed quietly, "more so than I might have expected a healer to be."

"I have learned much since we originally arrived at Joth," she said blandly, "including how to treat the injuries made by such weapons." She added, deflecting the line of questioning, "Most of the success of the village assaults was due to the training of the Norse, who use warfare in a different way than most use it here in the Great Valley. Their knowledge will form the basis for the training all our Navy Marines will undergo. We have no problem passing that on to any of the units which will form the River Patrol."

"Ah? New fighting techniques are always useful to learn," muttered Fard.

"That is what Hamalbek will be for," explained Nabron. "Once the Rains cease and we discover what the river has left behind, a training base for the new River Patrol will be established here. His Grace has ceded the land entirely to First Director Eriana but it will be mainly Farals and Zebrins who will make most use of the new base at first, I deem."

"I must have missed that, Nabron. Are you saying that the First Director will not herself be based here?"

The three men looked at Ursula.

"It is my understanding," she told them, "that the First Director intends to establish a headquarters for the Navy at a place called Sheldane, which is near to the mouth of the Sirrel. Her concerns are wider than just the River Patrol, but include an ocean-going division as well, to explore the coasts of Alaesia on that side and perhaps to venture further in time.

"In addition there will be other divisions concerned with ship-building, navigation, supply of food and materials and care of personnel who can no longer serve aboard any vessel. It is not the Navy's intent to abandon any crew member should they suffer from injury or old age."

Realizing who they were speaking to, the three straightened. "Thank you, Director, for this information. Worthy aims indeed for the new Navy."

Distant shouts made them all turn to discover if there was a problem.

"Director, it seems that the Visund has returned," Tyra reported from her end position.

"Then, gentlemen, it appears that our meeting is ended," Ursula told them. "I must find out if there is anything else I should know about."

By the time that Ursula and Tyra had reached the barges the Visund had been secured next to the Dhow-nwind Dasher and Farals were already deploying the hoist to move the new boom across to the barge. Other men were transferring sacks of grain from a cutter and Ursula noticed a small party who appeared to be busy with small kegs of painting materials, cleaning down the sides of the cabin just below the roofline.

"What are they doing?"

A passing Faral heard Ursula and stopped to answer. "Director? Is there some problem?"

She pointed. "Are those men painting? I would have thought that there would be more important things to do."

"Director, it is to make certain that the name of the barge can be clearly seen," the man replied. "Here at Hamalbek it may not matter but you can be sure that some official may complain once you reach Bibek. It is a customary law of the river that the name of every vessel must be clearly made out at all times. No doubt some busybody will take delight in issuing a fine if the name of this one cannot be read when you arrive."

Her eyebrows rose. "Even though we have effectively just salvaged this barge? You can see what state it is in!"

"It is as you say, Director. I am sure that you have already met such officials in your journey up-river."

"Oh, yes. Several times. Thank you, my man."

"Delighted to help, Director."

He moved on and the two women headed for the gangway up to the Green Ptuvil. Once aboard Ursula headed for the women's cabin.

"Director? What do we need from here?" Tyra asked as she followed Ursula down into the cabin.

"Hats," was the brief reply. "I have not yet gotten into the habit of taking a hat with me on these hot days. In this heat that could be dangerous." She considered. "In fact, let me make that a general order, perhaps the first I will have ever issued... but I will need to check with... the First Director first."

"I think I saw her on the Visund," Tyra mentioned as she pulled out a chest to find her own hat. "Ah, here is mine, and this is yours, Mistress."

"Thank you, Tyra."

Ursula looked around at the four remaining women, now all sprawled on their bunks.

"Too hot to do anything?" she asked Banest.

"Too hot to think, Mistress!" came the reply. "It would be better if we could be outside while it is this hot, but you know the reasons why we may not do that yet."

"I do, and I am sad that it has to be this way. Have you all enough water? I can ask for more to be brought if you need it."

"We have enough, Mistress," Larys said. "Do you know what will happen once we reach Bibek?"

"I do not," Ursula replied. "Getting us all out of here into a cool hostel would be a good start."

There were murmurs of agreement from the four.

Back on deck they looked at the Dhow-nwind Dasher, now teeming with bodies, and the Visund beyond.

"How are we going to attract her attention?"

Tyra pulled out her whistle and blew a sequence. The Norse on the Visund immediately looked up, saw Ursula and Tyra and waved.

"What did you blow? I do not know that one."

"It was 'Captain to report aboard', Mistress. Only we want Her Highness, not Captain Tor."

Eriana climbed up onto the edge of the hull, balancing herself with the aid of a hand on a rigging line. With the aid of some hand-waving she understood that it was herself who was wanted. She leapt aboard the barge, threaded her way easily through the busy men, and stepped onto the Green Ptuvil.

"Ursula. Is there some problem?"

"I want to issue a general order, I think, Eriana. The sun is too hot and almost all these men are bare-headed. I want to order that all who have hats should be wearing them, especially after noon. What do you think?"

Eriana considered briefly. "We all have them, of course. I do not know how many of the Farals and Zebrins have brought hats. It is a sensible idea. We do not want to make our own circumstances worse by having troops affected by the sun. But why ask me?"

"I was not sure of the jurisdiction, Eriana. You, me, the Farals, the Zebrins."

"Why, Ursula, you are in charge here! Were any of these craft out on the Sirrel then it would properly be a matter for the captains of each vessel, but even there you could make an order requiring hats to be worn as a medical necessity. Here in harbor you have the final word. Do you want to order hats to be worn?"

"I do. In fact, I begin to think I should have worn my own once I left the Green Ptuvil this morning to go and have breakfast."

"A wise move, I deem. I fully agree. I'll tell our boys and maybe we can talk about it this evening with the Under-Marshals and the rest."

"Thank you, Eriana."

"Oh, I have been thinking about this barge of yours. I assume that you would not be comfortable commanding it yourself?"

"I thought I might stand around and look official while someone who knew what they were doing actually sailed the barge," Ursula admitted, "but no, I would not be comfortable."

Eriana smiled. "Then I may have a solution for you. Hashim worked for Master Yussuf, he knows this model of barge well, indeed he told me he was aboard one such when the Yodans scooped him up. Shall I make him Captain?"

"You mean, give him the rank? Will he not go back to Master Yussuf once we reach Bibek?"

"No, Ursula. He wants to stay with us. The barge may be returned to its owner but we will have other barges - and other craft in time. Besides, he is building an impressive collection of charts. He is good at that and it is a skill we will need."

"Done, Eriana."

"Ow." Eriana winced and raised a hand to her neck. "I must needs go below and find my own hat, I deem. You should have made this order days ago."

"Yes. With your fair skin you do need to take more care of it when the sun is this hot. That goes for most of the Norse, too."

"Many of them are already wearing hats but I will make sure that all do. By your leave, Ursula."

Eriana disappeared down the companionway leaving Ursula and Tyra looking at one another.

* * *

The evening meal was nearly over when a Zebrin Captain approached Ursula where she sat with the other officers.

"Director?"

"Captain Anthar! I did not know you were at Hamalbek. Will you join us for some food or drink?"

He saluted. "Director, thank you but I have already eaten. Zebrin's Tusk has recently arrived to assist with the evacuation of the site, but that is not what brings me to you right now."

"Oh? Something we have overlooked?"

"Not something but someone, Director. I think he wants to talk to you."

"Who -" Suddenly, she realized that a certain presence had been in the back of her mind for a while but she had not recognized it for what it was. She looked at Anthar. "He called to you?"

"Aye, Director, in a way. I discovered that I wanted to go right out of the back of the camp but could not understand the reason. Then I saw the beast."

Ursula turned. "First Director? I must go and talk to Loti. I do not know what he wants but he certainly wants my attention."

Eriana was surprised at first but then nodded. "The dranakh? Of course, Ursula. If you can tell him what we intend to do with this place after the rains stop falling."

"If I get the chance, First Director. Tyra? You'd better come too."

They followed Anthar along the walkway and then onto the earth beyond the tented encampment. Here much of the ground was scorched from the funeral pyres, but even here work parties had been busy probing for any more bodies buried in the soft mud. Loti was waiting near the forest, he apparently did not desire to approach such a crowd of humans.

Ursula gave him a half-bow before gently placing a hand on his head. "Greetings, Loti. Some days I have wondered where you were but decided that you were elsewhere looking for food."

There came a succession of images which initially confused Ursula. Then the truth dawned, the dranakh had been 'reading' people in the camp, mostly men, and trying to determine what was going to happen in the future. This had failed since there were just too many humans around and there were far too many different thoughts to make sense of.

Loti is confused by the crowd babble. He can pick out individual thoughts but there are just too many people here for him to cope with. That makes sense if he was used to a farm or a small village.

Note to self: How do dranakhs in towns and cities manage? Do they develop some kind of coping mechanism to filter out most of the human noise?

"I think I can tell you what is going to happen but it could be difficult for me to describe it for you in ways you might understand."

She received a feeling of great relief.

She turned to Anthar and Tyra. "I need to describe what is about to happen to Hamalbek, both now as we evacuate and afterwards, once the waters subside. This might take me some time and you both remember what happened when I spoke to Loti at Jenbek. You might need to catch me if it becomes too much."

Anthar said, "We understand, Director," and Tyra nodded agreement.

"Thank you." Ursula turned back to the dranakh, put her hands on his head and closed her eyes, trying to visualize the pictures she wanted.

= = =

Ursula opened her eyes to find Anthar and Tyra hovering over her. Behind were Sarrik and Karan, each holding the end of a stretcher. Then there were Eriana, Merion, Nabron and Venek, who had cautiously followed Ursula and Tyra from the mess tent but kept out of the way.

"Oh," she said, levering herself to a sitting position. "I'm all right, I think. I just need to collect my thoughts. Will you help me up, Tyra?"

Eriana pushed her way forward as Ursula regained her feet. "What happened? What did that dranakh do to you?"

"Listened, mostly, although watched might be a more accurate description. Loti was trying to find out what was going to happen to the camp but had trouble because there are too many humans around and their thoughts are all different. Um, can we go back to the mess tent please, I need some pel to help my head settle down."

"Surely, Ursula. Here, take my arm."

In the mess tent she was seated and surrounded by the others. Some mouthfuls from a mug of fresh pel soon restored her senses.

"What did happen?" Eriana repeated. "You spoke to the dranakh."

Ursula included all her watchers as she answered. "Speaking is the wrong way to describe it, First Director. Dranakhs have a means of communicating directly from mind to mind," she explained. "The way they do this is with pictures of what they can see. They can keep these pictures in their memories and pass them on from one to another, even over large distances if necessary."

"Large distances?" Merion asked. "Do you know how large, Director?"

"Possibly from town to town, at least, but remember, there will always be dranakhs on farms in the lands in between who can pass information on. Certainly, if the dranakhs involved know one another, it could be several marks."

Eriana added, "When Garia's party was attacked on the moors above Blackstone, their dranakhs appeared when last seen nine marks away. Go on, Ursula."

"They can read humans' minds to a certain extent," Ursula resumed, "but the pictures they get are fuzzy and not easy to interpret. After a time they realized that we humans made noises when we communicated with each other and used those noises to help understand the pictures. But they still think we talk the same way they do - mind to mind. They don't know that speech is all we have.

"Loti wanted to find out what would happen to Hamalbek and so I attempted to construct some pictures of what we were doing, to reassure him about the future. He now knows we will evacuate the camp before it begins to rain and that, once the water levels drop, we'll - some of us - will be back to set up some kind of permanent camp. Can you imagine explaining training to a dranakh brought up on a remote forest farm? And in pictures? That was hard and I do not know if I succeeded."

Nabron asked, "Director? They can read what we think?"

"Not really. They can pick up pictures from the thoughts of human minds but do not know what most of the pictures mean. They find us very hard to understand. But they soon find out who is good and who is evil. I was once shown pictures from the minds of some men who were supposed to take Tyra and me to meet someone, but they were going to murder us when we got there.

"They showed me the men and their weapons, even down to which boot one of them would hide his knife in. Let me just say that the meeting did not go the way they had thought it would."

"They can do that? Maker!"

Merion said, "But we know that anyway, Nabron. We just did not know how they did what they do. Director, I find this information most interesting. Did the dranakh go away satisfied?"

Ursula shook her head. "I have no idea how far I got, Commodore. I can remember some of what I did but not all. If Loti went, then I am guessing he got whatever he needed. When you come back after the waters subside, I expect that you will find him here but whether he wants to help or not will be up to him."

"If he is here, Director, he will be treated with respect. He has certainly earned it after what happened on the night of the assault."

Ursula suddenly felt the weight of the effort she had expended that day. She drained her mug and stood.

"That conversation was tiring, gentlemen, and it is beginning to get late. By your leave, I think I will retire now. We have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Aye, truly," Eriana agreed, also standing. "I will help you back to the Green Ptuvil. Good night, gentlemen."