Ursula had previously thought that her Navy post would only begin once she arrived in Palarand. How wrong she was! With four different factions to manage plus Norse and Zebrins, wounds and other ills to attend to and near one hundred fifty mouths to feed, suddenly she is the center of attention. Unfortunately her resources are limited but she does what she can.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

81 - Director of Welfare

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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Ursula, Tyra and Zakaros had rejoined the Norse contingent for an early breakfast, the guard and patrol duties being taken for the moment by the Zebrins. It was now full daylight but still much earlier than any of them would have risen had they been staying in a hostel. All were seated on the packed earth just in front of the grounded galley.

Of course, if we had been somewhere else then we would all have had a decent night's sleep. We wouldn't have been up all night tramping through jungle, nor getting involved in an assault at first light.

I am just relieved that I managed to keep us out of the actual fighting. God, those Norse terrify me! A frontal assault and barely more damage than a number of arm wounds, only two of which looked serious.

I am also relieved that we are on the same side! And it was sneaky of Eriana and Lars to keep the existence of that box of grenades a secret. It was a perfect answer to the imbalance in numbers.

"Mistress?" Tyra offered her a water bottle which had come from the maid's backpack.

"Thank you, Tyra, but I have still some of my own left. You need to drink your own, it will be easy to become dehydrated once the sun hits us fully."

"As you say, Mistress."

"...And I'm not sure what the clean water situation is around here. That creek smells terrible."

Hmm. It is just as well we all brought our own rations. How are we going to get those kitchens going?

Careful enquiries had revealed that those who cooked for the whole camp were from what Ursula had named the 'Trusties', those captives the pirates permitted out of their prisons during the day to do their heavy or unpleasant work. Unfortunately, though they were trusted - to a certain extent - by the pirates, it was not clear if they could be trusted by the Norse or Zebrins. Or by any of the other groups, for that matter. Those groups had resolved into 'Pirates', 'Yodans' and 'Slaves'.

Eriana, having breakfasted more speedily, had walked around the small clusters of breakfasting Norse and Zebrins having a word with everyone. She finally reached Ursula's group and sat down beside her with a sigh, reaching for her own water bottle.

"How are you feeling now after that battle, Eriana? Tired?"

"Aye, but there is more. This morning I struggle with my feelings," the tall blonde Princess admitted frankly. "What we did earlier today was just, there can be no doubt, but there was so much blood spilled. You know that I like a good fight, the blood of the War God runs through the veins of all Norse, but that battle showed me that I have limits. And my men have limits too. There are so few of us left, Ursula. I begin to wish there had been a better way to do what we have done."

"You are a woman and women look at life differently," Ursula replied. "Your men will fight anyone at any time, you know that -"

"Aye, I do!"

"- but even for them a time will come when enough is enough. They will want to settle down and raise little Norse daughters and sons."

"Aye. I do not want to deprive them of that. They are sworn to me but that means that I must care for their needs in return."

Ursula gave her a look. "And what about you? Who cares for your needs?"

"I have made my thoughts clear, Ursula," Eriana said, returning a look of her own which suggested much. "But this is not the time nor place for that discussion, as you are aware." She made a dismissive gesture and changed the subject. "If I may ask, you have surely finished your healing duties?"

"I have for now, Eriana, aided by Tyra, the Zebrin surgeon and two men in the Trusty cage who were looking after the sick prisoners."

"Sick prisoners? I wonder that the pirates bothered."

"They have those two galleys, Eriana, and I am guessing that they expected to use them once the rainy season was over, so they needed to keep as many of their prisoners as possible alive and fit enough to man the oars."

"Ah. As you say. What number of injured and sick have you attended, if I may ask? How many dead?"

"The dead is easy, if I can use such a phrase. Seventy-one pirates are dead, including some that were severely injured. Lars did not think it worth attempting to keep them alive just to hang them."

"Agreed. It consumes your time and attention when there are others who deserve it more. Only pirates died? But I thought -"

Ursula held up a finger. "One Zebrin also died when the remains of the central pirate building fell on him. There are three others who were burned in the same incident."

"They were the ones caught between the two buildings when one collapsed?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Other than that, we all survived. The injured are a little more more complicated. Of your own crew nine have cuts, mostly to arms, of which two will probably not heal enough to restore full function."

Eriana sighed. "Much as I expected. I have asked much of my men, I deem."

"And they would do it anyway, as you also know. The Zebrins had, I think, twelve with injuries that required myself or their surgeon to look at, plus the three with burns. No-one still alive is in any danger of dying or losing any body parts. There were some other minor cuts and bruises, of course. There are also a number of sick captives in the Trusty cage as I mentioned before." Ursula frowned. "I am not sure of the numbers any more."

"Ursula, what are we to do with all these people?" Eriana waved a hand around the camp, including the prison cages.

"Admiral, I think someone needs to go around the whole camp and do a census, find out who we have here," Ursula replied. "The numbers keep moving in my head, which is not surprising considering how long we have all been awake now. The whole mess dawned on me when we went over to speak to the Yodans. Eriana, do you realize that between all the groups including us and the Zebrins we must have around three hundred people to look after? We have to feed them, find them shelter - which will be harder now two of the buildings have been burned to the ground - and figure out what to do with them all. It seems to me that a good number of the captives are never going to be able to return to their home countries for one reason or another."

"You are right, Ursula. We planned to defeat the pirates but overlooked that there could be so many here who were not pirates. Add in those Yodans, well, they were completely unexpected. We cannot remain here for much longer, we will soon run out of supplies, but we have no way to move such a mass of men elsewhere. This has become a welfare matter, I deem. Your commands, Director?"

Ursula stared at Eriana a moment before accepting the inevitable. She bowed her head. "As you say, First Director. I think, once we have fed everyone else breakfast -"

"Including the surviving pirates?"

"Yes. Some of them may have redeeming qualities, Eriana. I want to ask around if there is any reason any of them should be shown clemency. Also, we can't try them and execute them all in one day, whatever Lars would prefer to do. Where was I? Oh, yes. Feed everyone, and then we'll go around and do an accurate count of dead and alive, and what state the living are in. Then we hold a meeting - you, me and the top Zebrins - and decide what to do."

Eriana nodded. "Approved. You understand these matters so much better than I, Ursula. How are you going to feed them breakfast, then? I doubt Adin could cope with so many."

Ursula smiled. "I'd like to see the look on his face when you suggest that to him! No, I'll go over and get the Trusties to do it. They apparently fed everyone before."

"The Trusties? You mentioned them before."

"I mentally gave the different groups names to help distinguish them, Eriana. Norse and Zebrins you already know. Then we have the Yodans, the Trusties and the Slaves. Oh, and the Pirates, of course."

"I like not that you call the others the Slaves, Ursula. After all, they are slaves no longer."

"That's essentially what they were, but you are right. I'll think of something else."

"And the Yodans, are they going to be a problem? Almost everyone else here will bear them ill-will."

"I know it, Eriana. They have been away from Yod for a while, so Zakaros spoke to them and brought them up to date. Just like him, they are all men without a country now."

"Zakaros? Think you he is reliable? After all, they are of his ilk, are they not?"

"Maybe. Not all of those Yodans may be members of the Ascendancy. Zakaros himself offered me his sword and swore to be true to me and the River Patrol before he spoke to them. He wants to stay with us long-term, Eriana."

"I wondered... When he first came I did not like him."

"Neither did most of the men, but that has gradually changed. Now he has been working with Tor and the difference - both in everyone's attitude and Tor's efficiency - is noticeable. He is an asset, Eriana, and right now we need assets."

"I cannot disagree, Ursula." Eriana gave a tired smile. "Is this what the Navy is to be? A collection of mongrels from every corner of Alaesia?"

Ursula grinned. "Why stop at Alaesia? I come from somewhere else entirely, as you know."

"Indeed, Ursula. Well," Eriana added as she stood, "my men are at your command, should you need some muscle to handle those... what did you call them? Trusties. Untrustworthy trusties indeed."

"Thank you, Eriana. For my part, I would ask you if you can find a way of getting news out and supplies back in. I am not sure how long the food is going to last or what state any of it is in."

"Done, Ursula."

"And then there's fresh water. All those men have to get through a lot of water every day, Eriana, especially in this heat, where does it come from?"

The eyes of the Princess narrowed and then she nodded. "As you say. Mayhap you will discover the source when you speak to these so-called Trusties."

"I will wager I know where it all ends up, though. That creek smells bad."

"Aye. Because of the time of year there is almost no flow along that creek, I deem. And the absence of the Sirrel does not help." Eriana scowled. "Mayhap they are being poisoned by their own filth, Ursula. Find out what you can, I will ask the others to keep their eyes open as well."

Eriana's intentions were interrupted by the arrival of the three senior Zebrins, who approached her and bowed.

"Admiral," Signar Zoran began, "we of Zebrin are disturbed by the magic weapons you and your armswomen used to end the battle. If it may be possible for you to inform us of them."

"Magic weapons? Oh, the..." Eriana stopped. "Gentlemen, this is a difficult subject that has serious implications for all of Alaesia. I am embarrassed, I cannot tell you all you would desire to know, but I will satisfy you as much as I can. If you would walk with me?"

At a gesture Semma and Bennet stood and joined Eriana. The six moved off to find a place she could speak to them without being overheard.

"Signar," she began, "what I am about to tell you must not be spoken of to anyone else in this camp. Graf Nuel knows the whole truth, he may consent to reveal more to you at his leisure when you return. Shall you three swear?"

"Serious implications for all of Alaesia? Maker!" Zoran swallowed. "Admiral, I shall swear. Merion, Anthar, I would ask you to swear as well, you have the immediate need to calm your men."

After the three men swore oaths, witnessed by Bennet, Eriana began. "These weapons are not magic, and in fact a crude version of them could be made by any smith who understands the art. But they are so dangerous that the art must needs be kept secret or every land could suffer. Yod first had the idea, obtained by duress from a traveler from a distant land. They used what he told them to make Thunder Pipes, as you might know them, to use in their war against Ferenis and Forguland."

Zoran nodded. "I have heard of Thunder Pipes, but in Zebrin it is only a wild tale from downriver. Do you tell me that such is real? Is that what you used?"

"Yes and no, Signar. The Thunder Pipes were what you saw used by the pirates when they faced us. They were originally wielded by the Yodan crew, I deem, and then only by a trained portion of their officers. The pirates took the weapons and, fortunately for us, did not know how to use them properly. They have been used, twice, in attacks against those of Palarand and both times that attack failed. However, if one of those Pipes is used against you then you and many of those standing around you would certainly have been killed or seriously injured. Gentlemen, those weapons can kill many with a single shot, which no crossbow can do."

Zoran nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. One must needs be trained to use such a weapon, then, and the pirates would have only seen from a distance whatever the crew did. But what of your own weapons, Admiral?"

"Those of Palarand took the weapons they captured after those battles and devised new ones for use against those of Yod in the war, since both of those battles had been fought on the soil of Palarand. Fortunately Palarand has its own traveler from afar who knew of such weapons and named them guns. A gun is a general term for all weapons of that kind, much as we may speak of swords or knives. Certain new kinds of gun were made and other weapons of a similar nature were also produced.

"The weapons that I and my girls carry are called Personal Pistols and are designed to deal with a close attacker who threatens our lives. They may only be used once and must be cleaned and recharged elsewhere before they can be used again. Here, you may examine my own, it is perfectly safe."

Eriana lifted her skirt and removed her pistol, handing it to Zoran. Despite her words he handled it gingerly, recoiling slightly from the powder smell which remained. He offered it to Merion and Anthar but both shook their heads, so he returned it.

"A complicated object, indeed," he remarked. "But, as you say, I can see that it would not be difficult for any master of smiths to make such a device."

"Now, gentlemen," she resumed, "consider if this knowledge should fall into the hands of a band of brigands, pirates or, mayhap, into the hands of an unfriendly ruler of a nearby land. No caravan, no traveler, no merchant, no messenger would be safe. No noble would be safe! An army equipped with weapons like these and similar devices could destroy Zebrin in but a week."

"I take your point, Admiral," Zoran agreed heavily. "But, surely, those of Palarand already have these weapons. Who is to say if Palarand should not seek to gain sway over the lesser lands of the Great Valley?"

"That is one reason for the formation of the Sirrel Federation, gentlemen. We have a Council which seeks to understand how any new device or idea may cause trouble and, if so, how and when it may be released for ordinary folk to use. You should know that Joth also has the knowledge of guns, since they were used by those of Yod when they took that city. In time, others will also know but that knowledge will be measured against their need."

"Much has now been made plain, Admiral, and I now understand why His Grace desires a close association with the Federation and, particularly, your River Patrol." Zoran nodded thoughtfully. "I have more questions, if I may continue this conversation at some future, more convenient time?"

"Of course, Signar. Gentlemen?" She turned to Merion and Anthar. "Have you anything more you desire to know?"

Merion bowed. "Thank you, Admiral, for your explanation. I have many questions... but I suspect I will not receive the answers I desire. However, there is one matter. Admiral Lars, he used something which was not a gun, unless I misunderstand that word."

"That is true, Commodore. A gun generally, as I understand it, has a pipe or tube to contain the... material which is delivered to the enemy. Lars used a grenade, which is a disposable object to be thrown at an approaching mass of enemy. It will destroy itself in their midst with great violence and cause many injuries and deaths. We carried a very small supply on the Visund and we were not certain that they would still function after so long a time. It did, which made our task that much shorter, saving many lives... our lives, that is."

"I understand, Admiral. Thank you."

* * *

As Eriana strode off Ursula looked at her companions. Tyra and Zakaros had been joined, on Eriana's orders, by Ursula's usual bodyguards of Torvin and Ragnar, the latter now sporting a bandage on his upper left arm but claiming it did not affect his abilities.

"Let's go. First, we have to let out enough Trusties to feed the others."

She led the way over to the cage holding the Trusties, which was presently guarded by four Zebrins. They saluted as she approached.

"Mistress?"

"I was told that some of the men inside were the ones who fed the whole camp. I need to let some or all of them out to give everyone breakfast."

"Of course, Mistress."

"Do you have the key for that lock?"

"It is here, Mistress, along with all the others. The Sarjant thought we should have them because the men in here would likely be those allowed to walk the camp, since they know where everything is. Ah, Mistress, it would seem to me that you should be the keeper of these keys."

"Me? I suppose..." Ursula took the offered keys which were a bunch of large, ill-matched keys on an iron ring the size of her hand. "Thank you. If anyone needs these tell them I have them for now. Are you going to remain on guard here?"

"If you desire us to do so, Mistress. Is there some danger now the pirates are vanquished?"

"Yes, there is! The men in here were trusted by the pirates to do their dirty work for them and that means the other groups may want revenge on one or more. Your job will be to keep them safe until we know who everyone is and why they are in these separate groups."

"Ah, as you say, Mistress. The Sarjant, he just told us to come over here and guard the building."

"You understand my point? Good. Thank you. Now, let us find out who did what for the pirates."

She turned to the prison doors to find the lattice filled with curious faces.

"Are you really in charge, Mistress?"

She raised her voice so that everyone could hear. "For the moment I am, as I appear to have more experience of doing this than the others. First things first. I have heard that some of you prepared the food for everyone in the camp, is that so?"

The man who had asked the first question replied, "Aye, Mistress. If we did not do it we would starve... or mayhap die on the frame, at the whim of our captors. What is your will?"

"We, the River Patrol, aided by a strong force of Zebrins, have fed ourselves from our own rations but we did not know that there were so many prisoners here. You will all need feeding before we can do anything else with you. Oh, that includes the surviving pirates - and I must make sure you understand they are to be fed properly. If we are to see justice done then we need to know everything we can find out about this operation before any sentences are carried out. That means questioning everybody who is now alive in the camp. Do I make myself clear?"

"As you command, Mistress. What will happen then? Will we be let out?"

"There is a problem. We have four separate groups which might not like each other too much: yourselves, the other captives who were in the next cage, the surviving pirates who have now been put into that cage, and the Yodans in the third cage. Any of you could in theory be a target for any of the other groups."

He snorted. "Mistress, I doubt the Yodans would do much. They are as condemned men. But you are right about the others, I deem. What do you intend?"

"The war with Yod has been over for some months now. The surviving Yodans may have the option of returning home."

"Do you tell me? It seems much has changed since we were brought here."

"It has, and someone will tell you all after breakfast. Then we'll come and speak with you all individually. I would like you all to remain in these cages for now, but the doors will be left open and the guards will be here to ensure your safety. You are no longer to be considered prisoners but as a group who may be vulnerable to personal attack."

"Now that you describe it, Mistress, I can understand the need. Boys? You hear that? We're not prisoners no more but they need to keep us separate for a while. Cooks to the gate! The pirates may have been defeated but everyone who is left still needs feeding. Mistress, what do we feed everyone?"

"What did you normally feed for breakfast?"

"Grain porridge made with water and more water to drink, Mistress. The pirates also had fresh bread. There is little else."

"Then do the same for now, but you can give everyone, including the pirates, as much as they can eat, including the bread. We need to build everyone up so that they will be able to travel. Once you have done that we can talk about what supplies there may be here. We may have to stay here for a few days until everyone is fit to travel - and we only have one ship that can fit through that entrance."

"Ship? You mean that strange thing over there? What land does that come from?"

"Breakfast first, if you please, questions answered later."

"As you command, Mistress. Come on, boys. We have mouths to feed. Water detail, we'll need you as well."

* * *

"Zakaros, what have we got that we can write on? We're going to need lists, possibly of every man in the camp."

"I have three small sheets of parchment in my bag, Mistress, which should suffice to count the numbers, but I only have charcoal with which to write so it will not be possible to make such lists as you require. I do not know if the Pirates had any need for writing materials, or, indeed, if any should have survived."

The surviving pirates had been penned into the prison cage formerly occupied by the Slaves... no, Captives, Ursula decided. That meant that she would be free to go and investigate the one building which remained of those the Pirates has used. The small group walked over to the entrance and the two Zebrins standing guard saluted her.

"Mistress?"

"What is the situation here? Can we go inside?"

"Ah, Mistress, we are set to guard this place since the leaders of the pirates kept much of their booty within. It was thought necessary to prevent looting or possible destruction of what they had stolen, since much might eventually be returned to its rightful owners. As to your entering, of course you may do so, Mistress. If I may ask what you intend?"

"We need to find materials to write on, and with, mainly," Ursula replied. "I have to make a list of who is here and what they are, so that we can give the victims justice."

A brief nod. "A worthy purpose, Mistress."

"It is worth noting that this man," she indicated Zakaros, "is an accountant and he could come back later and do an inventory of the contents."

"Do you tell me, Mistress? I have wondered how we could prevent any of the contents departing privately."

"Well, listing the contents will not prevent any theft but we would quickly know what is missing."

"As you say, Mistress. And then it may be searched for." He gestured. "If you and your team would enter."

Inside it was still relatively dark, lit only by oil lamps hanging from the rafters. There were glassless windows set high on either side, under the roof overhang, but until the sun moved round much of the interior would stay in deep shadow. In the center was a space surrounding an open fire, presently nothing but ashes. To both sides were internal walls with a central passage leading into deeper gloom.

"Like Einnlander long house," Ragnar remarked. "Not well made, though."

"The pirates were originally the captives used by the Yodans to row the galleys," Ursula reminded him. "Many were criminals and deserters, others were taken from barges as Hashim was. I doubt many of those knew how to build houses properly."

"Yah, Mistress. Whole camp badly made. Surprised it survived any storms."

They turned to the right and moved along the passage. There were cubicles either side, one of which had a bed made up as a mattress set upon crates with looted bedding covering it. The matching cubicle the other side held chests and some hanging clothing. Other cubicles held stacks of crates and chests, probably booty. Continuing along the passage led to what Ursula thought of as a Throne Room.

This occupied the rest of that end of the building. Crew quarters and cargoes of plundered vessels had provided for furniture, but not as much as Ursula had expected, most of the seating being padded pallets set upon a floor carpeted with rush matting. Around the walls were chests, crates and boxes looted from the pirates' victims over their reign. In the center of the end was a carved chair, obviously salvaged, which had provided a throne for the now deceased Pirate King.

"What we require might be within one of these chests or crates, Mistress," Zakaros suggested.

"Probably. Let us have a quick look at the rest of the building first, then come back here. By then there should be enough light to investigate these chests and boxes."

Before returning to the entrance Tyra relit their beam lantern and held it up as they crossed into the other side of the building. Here were cubicles either side with two pallets each, showing where the rest of the pirates slept. A number had small crates bearing some personal possessions or acquisitions. Ursula counted the cubicles as they walked through to the end.

"Eight each side, that makes room for thirty-two possible occupants, oh, plus the man who thought he was the Pirate King," she said. "I am assuming everyone in this building was in favor with the King for one reason or another."

"He might have been a major criminal before ending up as a galley slave," Zakaros thought. "Such a one would naturally gain command over common thieves and other criminals. He would play one off against another, gaining advantage for himself as he did so."

"Likely," she agreed. "In the land of my birth similar things happened. Oh!" They had reached the end of the passage. "I did not expect that!"

The two end cubicles were larger and each held three immense barrels which lay on their sides, one perched on top of the other two. Tyra directed the lantern at the markings on the end of one barrel and the others leaned forward to try and read them.

"Wine! Of course, they must have found barges full of wine, purely by chance," Ursula said. "And if the top pirates drank that, they would have no concerns about bad water."

"Leaving everyone else to suffer," noted Zakaros. "Does this wine present us with a problem, Mistress? I know the Norse do not favor wine but it would be as a bait dangled before those of Zebrin."

"It is a thought, Zakaros. I do not know what the discipline is like among the Zebrin force." She considered. "We might not have six barrels left, of course, they will have drunk some of it by now. Bear it in mind for that inventory, please, and don't speak of it except when we meet the senior officers later."

"As you wish, Mistress."

Back in the Throne Room their search revealed a crate filled with many river charts taken from prey. A smaller box held a significant collection of looted reeds and ink.

"We could use the back of these charts," she decided. "I have seen Hashim do it, I think it is a common enough custom in places that don't yet have paper."

Zakaros had leafed through the pile. "As you say, Mistress. There are several copies of most of the nearby parts of the Sirrel, some look old enough to have been made before or during the war. I do not think anyone will object if we use some."

"Done, Zakaros. Pick out what you think we need and let's get started. This could take us all day and possibly part of tomorrow."

"As you say, Mistress." He nodded and began pulling parchment sheets from the pile.

* * *

Ursula sank to the ground and wiped her forehead with the back of a hand.

Of course, it was a night operation, wasn't it? That's why I didn't think to bring a hat! I don't think anyone did.

Next time...

"Tired?" asked a solicitous Eriana.

"That was tough, Admiral," she replied. "I have never asked so many people the same questions! Poor Zakaros here had the worst of it, though, he had to write down all the important facts and figures."

"Aye, Admiral," Zakaros agreed, sitting down beside Ursula. "Though fortunately much was repetitive which meant that I could just put 'same' marks against some of the entries." He shook his head. "Some of those names, though! I have never heard the like and it took some time to discover how they should be spelled."

Eriana was curious. "Names? I have yet to hear any name in the Great Valley that I would consider difficult."

"Those men come from some land far to the west called the Six Cities, Admiral. I had never heard of that land before. Their naming sounds strange to the ear of someone used to valley names."

"The Six Cities! Those? They?" Eriana sounded excited. "You say there is more than one here?"

Ursula said, "Yes, Admiral, one in the sick quarters and another in what I am now just naming the Captives. What is so special about them?"

"We have some back in Palarand, they are wanderers like Toshi but from a different part of the west coast. Garia has one in her retinue and there are at least two, I believe, in the palace guard. Ursula, they are good men to have at one's back. They value oaths highly."

"Ah. Since they are not local to the valley you consider they might want to join us?"

"It is a possibility, Ursula. Are there other foreigners of that ilk on your lists?"

"There is a Kittrin, from his name it sounds as if he could be from a different island in their Empire. Problem is, until they meet we won't know if Toshi would be friendly towards him or not."

"We'll let the two of them decide but I will not permit nonsense, Ursula. If we must needs put the other ashore somewhere I will do it."

"Agreed. Zakaros, pass me those lists, please."

"Mistress."

Ursula glanced down the scribbled notes. "One from Palarand, actually, from somewhere you might have mentioned... Sheldane?"

"Oh? That is in Brikant, on the Sirrel. It is a port that I have been considering for the base of the Navy. That Palarandi could be useful when we return downstream. Anyone else?"

"There is a group of seven from Faralmark, two of whom are healers and are helping out in the sick quarters, the other five were crew. Apparently they were all on a cutter going downstream to help somebody with a complicated medical problem when the pirates grabbed them. All seem to be in reasonable condition, considering."

"And I would judge desire to return to Bibek as soon as may be."

"Agreed. Who else? There is a bargeman from Joth whom Tyra thinks she knows, many other watermen from lands all up and down the Sirrel. Then there's a man who from his color comes from somewhere tropical like Mamoot did, he called it Tel Botro, is that right?"

Eriana nodded. "Aye, it is far to the north, there is what Garia called a 'Tropical Jungle' there. She spoke of heavy vegetation even worse than this forest, hot and sweaty and full of dangerous insects and other life. I do not think I care to visit such a place."

"I agree, especially considering what you were used to. Oh, there are two mystery men in the sick room part of that cage who they don't know much about except their names since they have a fever. One is from a land named... Vosanal, is that right? Nobody knows where the other one comes from. And finally," Ursula smiled, "a man who says he comes from a Norse Kingdom on the west coast. His accent is terrible."

"A Norse? From the remote west? We have tales of those who could not bear to remain in Einnland and swore to find a better land further west. Do you tell me that it really exists?"

Ursula grinned. "You can ask him yourself, though you might need me as an interpreter. Yes, he speaks a kind of Norse so that proves there must have been some sort of link, long ago."

"Interesting... Are there any who might cause us particular problems?"

"Apart from the Yodans, who are a separate problem, I do not think so, Admiral. About half just want to go home and find out if they still have families, the other half are more or less rootless. I think that if we get them to Bibek, some of those will just sign on the first barge that comes past. Others, though, have been asking about the Navy, the River Patrol and the Federation, which of course none of them knew existed before last night."

"Think you that some of those men might think to join our Navy?"

"Maybe. You were complaining earlier about the Navy becoming mongrels."

Eriana grinned. "Aye! But we need people, Ursula, and this may be the place to find some of them. How many names are on those lists? Many of the pirates are dead, I know, but we still have mouths to feed and I would know the size of the problem."

"Not as many as I feared, Admiral. We thought they were all pirates, remember? And I was estimating the numbers based on the size of the buildings. So, we have forty-four pirates left alive -"

"For now."

"For now, as you say. Then there are twenty-seven Yodans, twenty-two Trusties including the two healers, twelve sick and injured and thirty-seven Captives, giving a total of one hundred forty-two. I am relieved, I expected to spend all day and part of tomorrow questioning them. Still a fair number to feed, as you say. Have you decided what to do with the Captives? Unless you let Lars slaughter all the pirates they have nowhere to shelter."

"I have been considering using the galleys, actually. Lars did a simple inspection and both appear to be sound, so far as the weather is concerned. The grounded one," she pointed, "has been stripped of everything, even oars and the lower-level deck planks. I do not believe that the pirates ever intended it should float again, but only to use it as a defensive high point."

"That makes sense, but only if you keep it manned properly. After all this time they were far too lax."

"As you say, though Lars was prepared to deal with any resistance from there." Eriana frowned. "Do you know why they might have wanted so much wood? It seems strange to me, the way the land has been stripped and now even a usable galley."

"Firewood, Admiral. They needed a lot of wood to feed this many mouths and they have been doing this for many months now, possibly more than a year. I was told that they have even dismantled barges and fed them to the kitchen fires. If Nokan's Pride had been taken, they would have simply burned all that precious hardwood paneling to make grain porridge."

Eriana let fly some colorful Norse oaths, then added, "And they named us barbarians! Still, pirates only care about themselves, I deem. Have you discovered any more of the history of this place?"

"I have, Admiral, but I will leave the telling until we all gather for that conference later. If I may ask, I do not see Commodore Merion about."

Eriana smiled. "That is both my doing and his, Ursula. We had borrowed two fishing boats, I have sent one with Brodgar and Adin over to Vormarin to ask Baros to bring the Green Ptuvil back here. The Commodore had a smart idea, he went with them to see if extra transport could be arranged. The ferry from Zoon to Bibek has three vessels, he seeks to borrow one for a time as a transport. Firstly he will use it to bring fresh food and other supplies back here and then we can use it to take some of the former prisoners away. One of the other ferries will carry an urgent message to those of Faralmark, which means that help should also arrive from Bibek in a day or two."

Ursula nodded. "A good use of journeys and resources, Admiral. You mentioned two boats."

"Aye. The other one returns to Jenbek with five Zebrins, they will return that boat to its owner and then the Tusk will make its way here with a reduced crew. That should be possible with so small a crew since they will be following the current."

"But surely they will not be able to get through the channel?"

"Captain Anthar thinks they can, Ursula. The hulls have flat bottoms designed for just such a purpose. I have also sent the praam out with two men to take soundings of the channel, the creek and the nearer parts of the Sirrel. We will soon discover what is possible for whom."

Lars sat down between Ursula and Eriana. "Here, Mistress, a fresh bottle of water."

"Is it clean, Lars? Where does their water come from?"

"Yah, Mistress. Boiled water. Comes from well over there."

Lars pointed across the creek in the direction of the forest on the far side. Near the edge of the cleared area could just be seen a tripod of branches with a mound of earth either side.

"Ah, that's what the water detail was for! I wondered how they were going to provide fresh water."

Lars began to explain and then switched tongues to make it easier.

«Mistress, the pirates realized a while back that the water from the river could not be relied on. They set some of their captives to dig that well sometime last year to make sure their water was good enough.»

«Oh. Thank you, Lars. But I assume the water is still poor enough they have to boil it first.»

«Yah, Mistress.»

Ursula turned to Eriana. "That relieves my mind of one worry, that of fresh water for everyone." She frowned. "But we'll still have to boil it and that means yet more firewood."

Eriana waved at the surrounding forest. "We have men, we have axes, we can provide any amount of wood, Ursula."

Ursula considered. "There is probably a good reason why the pirates didn't go very far to take wood. Maybe, if they cut too far, they would get too close to any other villages that might be around here." She smiled. "The answer is easy enough, I think. We have no reason for Hamalbek to remain hidden, we can start by taking that fake forest off the barge they used to block the channel and using that."

"And then?"

"Carry on with the trees which have grown on the narrow strip of land either side of the channel, Eriana. We want others to find Hamalbek now. You've been there, is the wood any good?"

"Good enough for a fire, I deem. Lars, you heard?"

"Yah, Princess."

"Let's do it."

* * *

Urgent-sounding whistles and a pounding at the door roused Ursula from her afternoon nap. It took a moment to remember where she was and what the general situation had been. Tyra came to beside her and the two shared a puzzled glance.

They were in the Captain's cabin of the more serviceable of the two galleys, thought a safer place for the five women to share their afternoon naps, but Eriana, Bennet and Semma were nowhere to be seen. As the cabin door was closed she thought that they must have risen and gone out earlier, leaving the other two to gain some more much-needed rest.

"What is it?" Ursula called.

«Mistress, we are under attack!» came Torvin's response.

«What? Never mind, we're coming out.»

She relayed to Tyra, "Torvin says we are under attack! Come on, better strap on your sword."

They scrambled to their feet and opened the door. No-one else was visible, meaning everyone else who had been on the lower deck had gone upstairs.

«I cannot advise you, Mistress,» Torvin said, «except if you go upstairs to keep your head down.»

She gave him a curt nod. «Any idea who? Are there more pirates we didn't know about?»

«They wear uniforms, Mistress, orange and yellow.»

Ursula was stunned. «But that's Faralmark! We're in Faralmark! Why would they attack us?»

He shrugged. «Princess may know.»

Ursula quickly climbed the companionway and emerged onto the deck. Fortunately their galley floated lower than the older one, which meant they could use its bulk to scramble along to the end without being seen, where a peep over the bow revealed the situation.

Four cutters full of troops had landed, two either side of the Visund, and were busy disgorging their men onto the beaten soil of the waterfront. Each was armed with a crossbow and were fanning out to face the astonished and bemused Zebrins and Norse. Some ran to the ladders to gain access to the galleys but the Norse already on board, also armed with crossbows, prevented them. Two from each cutter remained behind to cover their mates.

An officer came forward and 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!"