The Voyage of the Visund -98-

Eriana finds that the Visund is overloaded and their departure from Bibek is cautious. Their passage is not helped when they are threatened by a Pakmal galley. In Faralan they visit Count Darkwin and receive an offer of assistance.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

98 - Return to Faralan

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) 2025 Penny Lane. Map copyright (c) 2025 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.

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"Are you sure that is everybody now?"

Zakaros briefly checked the parchment list. "Highness, I have watched every person who is on this list go aboard this morning. None have departed so aye, all are here." He hesitated. "I must add that there may be people who should be on this list but have been forgotten."

Eriana gave a mock scowl. "And what you do not say is that it was I who wrote that list." She held out a hand. "If I may see the list again."

Zakaros handed the parchment to Eriana, who glanced down it and then frowned. "Stine! Where is Stine?"

The Yodan pointed. "Over there, Highness, sitting by those crates. Do you tell me he is not on your list?"

Eriana gave him a smile. "I am embarrassed to say that he is not, Zakaros. Probably because I accounted him among the injured who would be staying here. Did you not notice him as you made your count and wondered why he was not on the list?"

"Ah, Highness, I looked for people on board who were on the list, that I may make a mark by their name. I did not look for others who may have come aboard but were not on the list."

"Ah? I doubt there would be many such! That reminds me, we have had others come aboard in a like fashion, where is Kaldar today?"

Zakaros pointed astern. "He is down there with Adin, Highness. Have no fear, I made certain he was accounted for."

She eyed the accountant with interest. "You are enjoying yourself, are you not?"

He flushed. "Highness, it embarrasses me to admit that I am. This is so different than the life I led before yet so satisfying. I never knew that the wide world had so much to interest me."

"I am the same, Zakaros. We both come from small communities that have isolated themselves for different reasons. To do all this, to see what we have done these past few weeks, has been refreshing, I deem."

"As you say, Highness."

"Very well. Go aboard now, I will join you in a few moments and we can cast off."

"Highness."

Eriana turned to those who remained on the floating dock. "If I may ask, have we forgotten anything or anybody?"

Lars answered, «I see nothing and no-one, Princess. Zakaros does a good job.»

«And I did not know what to do with him when we first met. Ursula is a better judge of character than I am, it seems. You have everything you and Nethra need?»

«Yah, Princess. Margrave is only a short walk away,» he gestured at his leg, «for someone else, if we need anything.»

«Good. We'll see you afterwards, then, aboard the Green Ptuvil.»

«Yah, Princess. Good sailing. Don't kill anyone I wouldn't.»

"Hah." Eriana turned to the man standing beside Lars' chair. "Your Grace. We have to go if we are to arrive in Faralan before dark."

Simbran nodded. "Agreed, even though the days are so long now. You'll be present for the next meeting of the Sirrel Congress in Joth?"

"Aye, so I intend, Your Grace."

"Then depart my demesne, Eriana, with my good wishes for a successful voyage. Fare you well."

She returned a local salutation. "May the Rains enrich your wineberry plantations, Your Grace."

He nodded, so Eriana turned and hopped onto the Visund, ready to depart.

"Let go forward! Ready oars to push us away!"

Tyra unwrapped the forward rope from the mooring post and threw it to the waiting sailor on board, following it herself with a leap onto the thwart near the bow. As the ship gently swung, pushed by two oars, the stern approached the dock, which made casting off that end much easier. Then they were out in the protected pool and free to maneuver. The rest of the oars were pushed out and Toshi beat a slow rhythm to get everyone accustomed to rowing again.

Eriana stood on the raised stern decking, her yellow hair blowing free in the morning breeze, and gave a final wave to those left on the dockside. Once they had passed between the guiding posts she hopped down and Tor took her place alongside Ormund, who held the steering oar. They were riding the Sirrel once more. Tor called down.

«Downstream, Highness?»

«Yes. You'll need to stay on this side for now, but we'll be crossing over about where we pass Jenbek.»

«Understood. Then stay over there until we pass Zebrin and Pakmal?»

«Maybe not. The river kinks left at Paktrin. We might have to cross two more times before then.»

Tor rolled his eyes. «Why make life easy, eh? Understood, Highness.»

A few minutes later he hopped down to join Eriana where she sat with Hashim looking at the local chart.

"A problem, Tor?"

"The ship," he began, then shook his head, switching to Norse. «The ship is very low in the water and heavy to handle, Highness. I think we might have too much aboard.»

She scowled. «We looked at the draft as we were loading, it seemed all right. Do you think we are dangerously low?»

«Manageable, Highness. Unless we get caught in a storm. Then hope all can swim.»

Eriana turned and explained the problem to Hashim, thinking he might have some answer.

"Highness, it is the difference between fresh water, that of the river, and sea water, which you are all accustomed to. You did tell me the tale of when you had to leave Einnland, Highness. That time you had about as many people on board but I am guessing that, because you left in a hurry, you did not have so much cargo - belongings and such. And you were in salt water then. That is what makes us ride so low now, the fresh water."

"Is it too dangerous to continue?"

"Highness, you must remember that I have never sailed in any other craft that is so low in the water." He held up a hand. "Aye, I know, it makes it possible for the ship to go places no other large vessel can, but all water craft are a compromise, as you know. I cannot tell you if what we do is dangerous enough for us to need to do something about it."

Eriana thought for a long moment and then nodded. "We cannot turn back, the delay would be too much. Let us be careful, then, as we go, and while we do so maybe we can all think of answers to this new problem."

"Agreed, Highness."

"Yah, Highness."

Further forward Ursula had elected to sit near Hashim's family, to offer assistance and advice if that should be necessary. There was a semi-sheltered space with a crate on one side and barrels on the other, with a tarpaulin that could be stretched over the gap if it rained. One of the sailors had just finished knotting a line around four-year-old Omar's waist and had stuck a thumb inside to make sure it was not too tight.

"Is done, Ursula."

She looked up and smiled. "Thank you, Brodgar."

The sailor moved away and Aryam looked curiously at Ursula. "I am not sure if I find it surprising that a real Princess has her own healer on board," she remarked. "I don't think that even His Grace has his own personal healer! If I may ask, is there some particular reason? Does Her Highness have something wrong with her that she has need of you?"

Ursula smiled. "Actually, I am the ship's physician, Mistress. There is little that is medically wrong with Her Highness. The reason why I am aboard at all is somewhat complicated. It might be something we can speak of along the way. Are you and your children comfortable? I know we do not have proper accommodation for passengers."

"It is better than I expected, actually, Mistress. I did not know what to expect, even though we were shown the ship a day or two ago. We have only been traveling for a bell or so, though. Ask me again when we have been traveling for two days and I might give you a different answer."

"I think we can drop the 'Mistress'ing, do you agree? We are all going to be in each other's laps for a week to ten days, we will be familiar with each other by then."

"As you say... Ursula. Should I speak so to all the other women? Are there any of rank aboard?"

"Only Her Highness... who should always be addressed as 'Your Highness' on first meeting each day and then just 'Highness'. You will occasionally hear one or more of her crew, including me, address her in other ways since she has several ranks according to whatever she is doing. Many of the men you see are her personal retainers and what they call her can sometimes be very personal."

"Oh. I'll remember to be careful, then. What about all these men? I have never seen so many together on any ship unless it be a galley, but of course I have never set foot aboard a galley."

Ursula tried to suppress a snort. "I do not know how much your husband has told you about the Visund and those who sail in her but the men and women aboard, including me, come from a large number of different places and with differing reasons for being aboard." She made herself more comfortable. "Let me see if I can give you a quick explanation."

Further forward Benor had managed to squeeze past crew members, protruding oars and passengers to discover Kaldar near the bow waiting for instructions from the bow lookouts.

"Good freshness," he said, sitting down beside Kaldar. "I'm Benor, the older son of Captain Hashim."

Kaldar blinked and then replied, "Good morning. My name's Kaldar. Captain Tor told me that Hashim was bringing his family along." He cocked his head. "Why do you say 'Good freshness'? Is that a custom of Bibek?"

"Yes, it is! They say something different downriver, then? And my father is a Captain so you should always say his rank when you say his name!"

"I was speaking about him, not to him," Kaldar pointed out. "Besides, he isn't captaining anything today, that's Captain Tor's job. He runs the Visund for Her Highness, who owns it."

"Oh. As you say." Benor frowned. "I never thought what might happen if a barge or a ship had two captains aboard. So how is it that you are crew, then? Do they start so early where you come from?"

Kaldar thought for a moment. "In a way. Your father tells me it is not unusual for boys to go on the river even younger than I am. I'm thirteen, by the way. How old are you?"

"I'm fourteen. Where are your mother and father, then? Don't they mind you being out here on the river?"

"Uh, it's... it's a difficult story," Kaldar stammered. "I don't want to talk about it now. The Princess has adopted me and is taking me back to her home in Palarand."

"Adopted! What happened? Did they die or something?"

There was enough slack in Vynil's safety line to allow him to climb down from the foaksul and lean over to Benor. "Not to ask, boy. Talk to Kaldar but not to ask about parents, okay?"

Benor was shocked at the interruption. "Uhh, yes, sir."

Sten leaned down and reached out a hand to help Vynil back onto the raised deck. Both turned their attentions back to the river.

"What are they doing?"

"Watching out for anything dangerous that is in the water," Kaldar explained. "If a log or other debris hits the hull it could make a hole and let water in."

"Oh, of course. But why do they have ropes tied around their waists?"

Kaldar thought. "I wasn't aboard when it happened, but there was some trouble with a gogon and one of the lookouts went in the river. The men say it took some time to find him and the gogon was still around so now they have safety lines."

"A gogon?" Benor made something between an incredulous splutter and a laugh. "There is no such thing! They are telling you stories! All the bargemen I know have tall tales to tell young ones like us."

Vynil turned and called down. "Tale is true, boy. I was man who went in water. Did not see big fish but saw damage to ship."

Benor sat there open-mouthed, unwilling to challenge Vynil's words. Instead, after a few moments, he bent down towards Kaldar and said quietly, "That man speaks funny. Is there something wrong with his head?"

"Not at all," was the immediate reply. "Her Highness and her men come from a distant land far beyond the end of the Sirrel, over the sea, and they speak a different tongue called Norse. I have been learning some of their words, it is a different way of talking from what we do in the Valley."

"Another tongue? I thought everyone talked the same way!"

"They don't, even along the river, even though we use the same tongue. The accents change as you go through different lands, you'll see. Have you seen the two men with black skin? They speak another different tongue and those two over there with the straight black hair speak another different tongue."

Benor considered this and then stood up. "I'm not sure I believe anything you've told me. I have better things to do than to listen to nonsense." He set off aft, climbing over boxes and crates to avoid the inboard ends of the oars which were helping the ship downstream.

Kaldar watched him go. Vynil called down, "Boy that age knows everything, Kaldar. He learn different by the time we arrive in Palarand."

"Thank you, Vynil. Some things do sound crazy when we tell others, though. Is it always like this?"

Vynil grinned. «Yah, Kaldar. Tell stories when drinking ale with friends. No-one would believe the truth.» The grin changed. «Can you fetch us some water, please?»

«Yah, Vynil.» Kaldar stood and made his own way aft.

The Visund steadily made its oar-assisted passage downstream. Since they wanted to remain in the fastest current there was no rough water when the current crossed to the other bank and Eriana breathed a sigh of relief. Their route took them on the opposite side to Hamalbek, where the widened entrance could now be plainly seen, with the last remaining building just visible between the trees.

The current took the Visund across twice more and then they were approaching the big bend where the River Pak entered the Sirrel on the outside. Since this was the main access used by both Zebrin City and Pakmal, the area was expected to be busier than they had encountered so far. The lookouts were warned and the men readied to take avoiding action should that be necessary.

Eriana regarded the chart with a jaundiced eye. "Hashim, I believe we could manage this next stretch with our sail as far as Faralan," she said. "What do you think? Should it complicate matters if the sail was raised?"

Hashim bent over the chart. "Highness, you are right, it would certainly be possible to use the sail." He shook his head. "I am not used to a craft which can sail as close to the wind as the Visund can." His finger dabbed at a bend. "Even here?"

"I believe so. Tor, if you would join us."

The three held a quick conference and then Eriana stood on the stern deck where most of the crew could see her.

«The direction of the river is such that we can use the sail between here and our next landing at Faralan,» she explained to them. «That means we must needs hoist the yard now, and to your sword sides. Once we do so we can pull the oars in for a while. Make room for the sailors to do their jobs.»

There was a certain amount of shuffling among the other crew members as some of the men gathered around the mast. Joining them was Kaldar, who by chance met Benor coming the other way.

"What is going on, Kaldar? I couldn't hear what Her Highness was saying from along there."

"She was speaking in Norse so you wouldn't have understood her anyway. They are going to raise the yard but, as you can see, the ropes which keep the mast straight have to be moved out of the way. Want to help?"

"Maybe. What needs to be done?"

Just aft of the widest part of the ship, a stout horizontal timber on top of the hull anchored four ropes which went to the mast-head. These stays helped spread the forces the sail would generate when the wind was captured by it. Each stay had a short rope at the bottom ending in a loop, through which a toggle, on a longer rope attached to the top of the mast, was fed.

"We have to undo these toggles and hold onto the ropes until they can be moved round to the other side of the yard when it goes up. Can you do that?"

Benor looked up and down the stay. "Looks easy enough. There are four, do we have to do two each?"

Kaldar pointed. "No, here comes Tyra and Semma. We have done this before."

Benor found the idea of two women doing men's work even more unsettling than having Kaldar do it but he kept his comments to himself. Life aboard this strange, low ship was obviously nothing like he had been told that life on a barge would be.

"What do I do?"

"Wait until the men have raised the yard a little, then we slacken off the ropes so we can unhitch the toggles."

The yard was raised a short distance by some of the larger men while others controlled the ends with lines.

"Now! Make some slack, undo your rope, and keep hold of the toggle end." The four did so. "Now we have to pass the rope around the yard but keep hold of some part of it all the time!"

The other three were prepared and maneuvered their ropes successfully but Benor had not allowed enough slack. He fumbled as he bent under and lost the toggle. The breeze immediately took the line and blew it out of his hands and away into the air.

The young girl next to him said, "Don't worry about it, I will go and fetch it back. It is important that we connect up the other three before the mast bends too much."

With the three stays now reconnected but slackly beneath the yard, the men hauled it up until it was about halfway up the mast.

Tor came forward. «What happened to that stay?» he asked, pointing to the errant rope, now blowing in the breeze and only secured at the mast-head.

Kaldar replied, «Boy wanted to help but does not know ropes.»

Tyra added, «I will bring it down, Tor.»

He nodded. «Good. Wait until we drop sail?»

Tyra shook her head. «I do it now. When sail is up, mast will rock.»

«Yah.» He gestured. «Then go.»

Benor was still trying to accept the fact that all three were speaking this strange language when Tyra grasped the stay she had been holding and climbed up it with ease, despite the fact that it was still slack. She reached the top, leaned out and with one hand grabbed the errant rope. She pulled it in, length by length, finally reaching the toggle. Holding this she climbed back down to the deck, slackened off the rope and put the toggle back through the waiting loop.

Tor pulled out his whistle and blew some commands. The angle of the yard was adjusted then the sail was lowered as the yard was raised to its normal position. As soon as the wind had lifted the lower edge away from the mast, the stays were tightened and made tidy, Tyra helping Benor with the final task.

She smiled at him. "Is this the first time you have been on the river?"

He could barely speak. "Uh, no, I went with father once on a barge he was on. This is unlike anything I thought could go on the river." With an effort he asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm Tyra from Joth. My father is a fisherman there. I am Mistress Ursula's assistant."

"I saw you yesterday. How can you do all that jumping and climbing? I'd fall off or over if I tried anything like that."

Tyra smiled. "It is to do with where I grew up. You see, the buildings -"

There was an urgent whistle and she looked up. Answering whistles from forward and aft made her tense.

"Enemy in sight, they say," she explained. "Excuse me, I might have to go up again."

"Enemy? What enemy? There is only Yod and they are defeated!"

"I don't know. Don't forget about the pirates."

Tor had been on his way back and now came forward again, stopping when he reached Tyra.

«Galley behind, aiming directly at us,» he explained, pointing. «Can you go up and have a look? I have Princess's seeing-tube for you.»

«Use the chair?»

He pushed the brass cylinder into her hands and waved at the mast. «No time. Go. Sit on yard.»

She used one of the ropes which had hauled the yard up to climb. Once there she sat on the yard, wrapped one arm around the mast and with difficulty extended the telescope with the other. One look at the approaching galley, even out of focus, was enough to identify the vessel.

She called down, "Pakmal!"

Tor said something impolite in Norse and beckoned her down. By this time Eriana had joined Tor and the two waited for Tyra.

"It is definitely from Pakmal, Captain, that blue color is very distinctive."

Tor asked Eriana, «Should we wait for them? Find out what they want?»

The Princess grimaced. «Nothing good, Tor. Remember, we had to depart in a hurry, maybe it is something connected to Korboro's death? Ssss! We have a tight schedule to keep if we are to arrive at Faralan today. Ah, Ursula. Tyra says it is a galley of Pakmal and I do not want us to be delayed.»

«Agreed. Can we use the ploy we did before and move to shallower water? I think that galley captain would refuse to follow us for fear of grounding.»

Another grimace from Eriana. «Ursula, we are too deeply loaded for us to risk the shallower waters this time. Besides, the current will drop off if we stray from the center. If the galley stays in the center and we do not, it could easily pass us and then we are trapped.»

«You are right, I forgot about the current.» Ursula pointed at the right bank. «How much of that is Pakmal?»

«All of it, Ursula, all the way to Faralan and then a long reach downstream beyond there.»

Ursula looked up at the sail, now bellying out in the breeze and noticeably helping the Visund along. She thought about their previous meetings with Pakmal sailors and finally remembered something.

She smiled. «Make sure we stay in the center of the current and keep that sail trimmed to give us the best speed,» she told them. «I just remembered that Pakmals do not like to row. While the wind is in our favor we can just about keep ahead of them and tire them out. If they insist on rowing all the way to Faralan then I'm sure they will get an interesting reception when they reach there.»

«Yes! Ursula, I like your ideas.»

Tor cautioned, «Highness, if we use the sail like that the ship will naturally heel and water might come in.»

«Yah. I will be careful. Tell the men to watch out if we heel too far. I'm going back to oversee the steering, make sure we are in the best current. Tyra, will you go up and keep an eye on them?»

«Yah, Highness.»

Tor said, «Use the chair this time.»

«Yah, Captain.»

Back at the stern both Kalmenar and Hashim had questions, so Eriana explained the problem, pointing at the galley which was now visibly closer.

"All we can do is to try and outrun them," she explained. "It is the wind against their muscle power, and to hope they wear themselves out first."

Kalmenar had a thought. "Highness, if you should raise the standard of Palarand, that should tell them this is a diplomatic vessel. It might give pause to those who pursue us."

Hashim added, "And, since we carry packets from Bibek for rulers downstream, you might add the Messenger streamer. It is unusual for mails to be carried this way but not impossible."

"The streamer, yes, it is nothing but a long yellow ribbon, but the standard will slow us down, did you not know that? A compromise, gentlemen. We need our speed so we will raise no standards or streamers now but if they come too close then they will go up."

They both bowed. "As you wish, Highness."

Eriana scowled again. "With them behind us we dare not stop anywhere for lunch and a nap," she said finally. "Where is Adin? Oh, along there. Kaldar, Benor, go along to Adin and ask him to provide rolls and water for everyone. Tell the men that we dare not stop and to take food, drink and rest where they can."

Kaldar replied, "Aye, Highness. Come on, Benor."

Adin looked up as they approached. "What is happening?"

Kaldar explained and the cook immediately turned to find the sack of fresh bread he had collected that morning. Soon he was providing rolls or chunks filled with either sliced meat or cheese which the two boys took to each of the crew at their stations. They then went back and fetched water bottles for the men to drink from. When they had fed everyone they collapsed near Adin to eat their own lunches.

"That was busy," Benor remarked. "Does this happen all the time?"

"Not often," Kaldar replied. "Only when we are being chased by something. That has only happened once since I joined the company and I was on the Green Ptuvil, a converted barge, when that happened."

"When what happened?"

"Oh there was a galley from Yod out looking for trouble. Problem was, I was on a barge that had all our women on it and they did not want those of Yod to find it, so the Visund pretended it was badly sailed and lured the galley away from the barge and onto a sandbank."

"Really? You're not just making up more stories?"

Kaldar looked patient. "Benor, I don't have to make up stories. What has happened to us is stranger than any story could be."

The galley had been very gradually getting nearer and Ursula thought that she could just hear the timekeeper beating the drum. She glanced up at the sail, noting that there were sailors at each lower corner making certain that it caught all the wind possible. Eriana noticed Ursula's glance.

"Aye, it will be a close thing," she said. "If our sail were in front we should lose them easily but with it to the side we only have part of the benefit. Skreyja oskilgetinn! I get tired of this interference! If we had time to turn and fight I would teach these kamphundr some manners!"

The main current switched to the Faral side and both craft followed it, the galley managing to make a few strides in the process. They could clearly hear the splash of the oars now and could make out people standing at the bow of the higher vessel, looking down on the Visund.

Tor came forward. «Time to raise flags?»

Eriana turned, watched the galley inch ever nearer and reluctantly nodded. «Yah. Do it.»

«I'll call Tyra down first. That flag could knock her off the mast as it goes up.»

Tyra came down and the flags were sent up, the large standard of Palarand, purple over green, above the thin yellow streamer that indicated the vessel carried protected mail. The drag caused by the standard made an immediate effect on the Visund's speed. It also caused the longship to heel just enough extra to let water come in through some of the lowest oar holes. This in turn made Eriana issue commands for everyone who could to move to the higher side to counteract the heel, while others grabbed anything to hand and began bailing.

Ursula, watching the galley, saw those at the bow pointing at the flags and having a hurried conversation. Suddenly all the oars came raggedly out of the water and remained that way, the galley immediately receding into the distance behind, now only carried by the current.

Eriana blew out an explosive breath in relief. "Gods! I am glad that they saw sense!" She turned to Ursula. "I did not know what we would do if those kamphundr had caught up with us. We have too much cargo and too few of those aboard are able to fight if it was needed."

Ursula said, "Agreed, Highness. We do not have time to spare for whatever Pakmal thinks they want us for." A memory came. "Oh, do we have any of those grenades left?"

Startled, Eriana swung to Ursula with a grin. "Aye! I had forgotten those! I do not know if they are easy to get hold of with all this other cargo covering everything. I believe there were two left of the twelve we began the voyage with. Hmm, aye. One of those tossed onto the bow when they came up to us would have concentrated their minds, do you not think? Still, they are not needed now." She turned. «Tor, I think we should pull those flags down now, please. The faster we can move away from these idiots the better and there will be less to bail.»

«Yah, Highness.»

With the pursuit now abandoned Tor slackened the sail to reduce speed slightly. This move meant that there was even less chance of water slopping into the open hull. One man each end had been assigned to do nothing but bail any further water that managed to find its way into the lower parts of the ship.

In this way the afternoon passed without further incident, but just as the Sirrel bent slightly to the left Tyra sent down a warning: Vessel approaching fast. It soon became obvious that the approaching craft was another galley but nothing could yet be seen of any colors.

"I like this not," Eriana fumed. "They have the advantage of us and we do not even know who they are!"

She decided prudence was the best course and whistled for the men to have their weapons ready. Ursula had come aft to join Eriana, Hashim and Tor and agreed with Eriana's caution. They all watched as the oars of the galley flashed into the water with commendable regularity. Ursula was the first to notice a difference.

"Highness, we have been here before. That is not a Pakmal galley, the design of the bow is slightly different compared to the one we left behind and their rowing is much better."

"We have not been here before, Ursula, unless by that you mean something different."

Ursula pointed across to the Pakmal bank, two marks to their right side. "We were over there, Highness, with the Visund leading the Green Ptuvil. This galley came up to us and hailed us, because -"

"Aye! I remember! They saw you and Tyra on board and thought you were me! These folk are those of Upper Fanir, I deem!"

As the galley approached it adjusted course to pass them to their right, the note of the drum easing slightly to slow them down. A bugle could be heard aboard and, as it came past, two figures at the bow gave her a salute which Eriana returned. The galley swept past, the oars stopped in the water forming an effective brake, then the whole thing spun in its own length and came up behind.

"I thought so," Ursula said. "That is the Ten-legged Brakky."

A shout came from the galley as it came close. "Hallo the Visund!"

"Hallo there!" Eriana called back. "Marshal Tevos, I presume?"

"Admiral, he awaits your arrival at Faralan. I am Under-Marshal Kodal and with me is Under-Marshal Orvan. Welcome to Faralan!"

* * *

Their berth was the same one that they had used before so the immediate formalities were quickly dealt with. Marshal Tevos was indeed waiting on the pontoon to greet them, along with Count Olva. At the end of the pontoon were two galleys, as before, but these both carried the colors of the new country of Faralan.

"Did you have any trouble today, Admiral?" Tevos asked after they had all become reacquainted.

"We were pursued by a Pakmal galley, Marshal," Eriana told him. "We had to show the standard of Palarand to make them abandon the chase. Have you had such problems yourself?"

"Not us, Admiral! When those of Pakmal sight us they find some other course to follow." He grinned. "I think we frighten them somewhat."

"They could do with frightening, Marshal! We guess that they only followed us because the Visund is so distinctive... and, if you did not know it, some, ah, irregularities occurred while we visited their capital. None caused by us, I swear, but they hear what they wish to hear. We would have had less trouble today but we are heavily laden as you can see."

Tevos peered over the side of the pontoon at the side of the Visund and whistled. "Highness, I would not care to sail in a ship that rides so low. How many of you are there?"

"Fifty-one adults and two children, Marshal. The Visund is more used to salt water, which carries it higher and easier. Our cargo is only the needs of each person aboard, though of course we women require more in the way of attire." She paused, then added reluctantly, "I doubt there is much aboard which could be unloaded and sent on later. If you may suggest some remedy, Marshal, we would be obliged."

Tevos frowned. "I recall that you had a barge when you came before."

"Aye, the Green Ptuvil, but the water level is now so low we were advised to leave it in Bibek until after the Rains have ceased. They will follow us down afterwards with others of our company."

"Ah! I understand. Hmm." Tevos rubbed his chin. "Must all your cargo needs be carried aboard your ship, Admiral? I understand that you do not desire a whole barge to attend you but we might find a smaller craft which you could then tow. In fact, depending on what we can find for you, you might put a crew on it and sail in company. Would that relieve your concerns?"

"Why, yes, Marshal, it would! But can such a vessel be found in time? Our schedule is tight, we must needs make a call at Fanir which could take a day, it is a long way from here to Fanir, it is a longer distance from there to Sheldane."

Tevos's mouth compressed but after a moment he nodded. "I will ask around if such a craft may be found for you, Admiral. It is the least we may do for you after what you and your men have done for us."

"Thank you, Marshal." Eriana scanned around, seeing the pontoons filled with craft laid up to ride out the Rains. "If I may ask, have you room for us tonight? Your port looks busy."

"We had word of your arrival, Admiral. Since we last met there has been a steady traffic of Valley Messengers along the road between here and Bibek. We have kept room for you all in the hostel you used when you came before, though some of the chambers may be different this time."

"Valley Messengers? That reminds me, I have a packet here for personal delivery to Count Darkwin from His Grace the Margrave. If I may be permitted to deliver it tonight? I would prefer a prompt departure in the morning, if that can be arranged."

"Of course, Admiral, of course." Tevos gestured. "If I may lead the way to the hostel, you may make yourself and your men comfortable. Then I will provide an escort for you to go to Count Darkwin's mansion."

* * *

The small party that arrived at Count Darkwin's mansion were surprised when he came to greet them himself. Admittedly he had just climbed out of his wheeled chair and walked the few steps to the door, and he was also wearing lightly tinted spectacles, but they appreciated the honor he had given them. Eriana climbed the steps first and gave him a deep curtsey.

"Good afternoon, My Lord. You are looking well today."

"Your Highness, friends, greetings, welcome to my house," Darkwin replied in his light voice. "This is an unexpected pleasure. We heard that you had begun your journey back to Palarand but I did not expect to meet you personally this time. Enter, enter, please."

He gestured inside and then retreated back to his chair, apparently sitting down again with relief. Mistress Chara turned the chair and led the procession into the dimly-lit sitting room they had used before.

Another gesture. "Please find yourself seats, ladies and gentlemen. Ah, I do not see the leader of your armsmen with you today, Highness. I trust he is well?"

"Force-Admiral Lars is still in Bibek, My Lord, recovering from an accident in which he managed to both burn his hand and arm and twist an ankle. Having such injuries prevents him sailing comfortably with us, so he remains in Bibek while the Rains fall and will join us afterwards in our barge the Green Ptuvil."

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that. I trust that he mends well, with the aid of your clever healer?"

"He does, My Lord, and with the aid of those of Faral."

"Well, I'm sure you have not come here to exchange pleasantries but for some special purpose, Highness."

"Indeed, My Lord. His Grace the Margrave gave me a packet for you since he knew that we would call here. I was not told what it concerned. Kalmenar, the packet, if you please."

Kalmenar pulled the packet out of his satchel and handed it to the Count with a bow.

"If I may offer you a blade to open it, My Lord." Kalmenar held out his own knife, hilt first.

"If you would cut the ribbons for me, My Lord. I can probably read what is inside but I fear to let blood if I were to open the packet myself. Ah, thank you."

Darkwin pulled open the parchment covering and pulled out a bundle of documents. The top one was a letter which he read carefully.

"Ah." He turned to his audience. "As you are all aware, much has changed along the river since the Federation was created. This letter is official notification of the union - or should I say reunion - of the two parts of Faral into one land again. It also recognizes what was once Upper Fanir as the new, independent land of Faralan. It confirms that we are, both, now officially part of the Sirrel Federation. Any treaties which had been made before we joined are now considered to be revoked."

Eriana said, "Then, My Lord, you may be sure that the River Patrol will be at your service whenever it is required."

"Thank you, Admiral." Darkwin looked at the other enclosures. "Ah, these are signed copies of the details of the various and many regulations which now govern the relations between Faralan and Faral. Customs, border duties, that kind of thing. I must needs read them and then pass them on to those who deal with such matters." He looked up at Eriana. "Admiral, is there anything else?"

"Nothing, My Lord, except that it is a pleasure to see you looking much better than the last time we met."

Tevos cleared his throat. "My Lord, by chance the ship of Her Highness is somewhat overburdened such that a rough passage would threaten to sink her."

"Do you tell me?"

"Aye, My Lord. I have offered to find her a small craft, able to contest the river when it is this low, to take some of their cargo and, mayhap, a few of her men to manage it. I trust this meets with your approval?"

"Marshal, it does. If you must needs purchase such a vessel, ensure the present owner that I will fairly compense him for his donation. It will mean much to these folk to help them on their way."

"Thank you, My Lord."

"Then I will let you all go about your business now. If we do not meet again before you depart, take my good wishes with you for a safe and successful voyage."

* * *

When they returned to the hostel Under-Marshal Kodal was waiting for them with two men in civilian attire. Eriana found them in the dining room finishing a late snack. Kodal rose, saluted her and gestured to the two men.

"Admiral. If I may introduce Ambronar, the owner of a craft you may be interested in. With him is his First Mate, Myros, if I should dignify him with such a rank. While you were elsewhere I enquired around the dockside and, to my surprise, several men volunteered themselves and their craft to help you on your way. It seems the water folk of Faralan hold you and your men in high esteem after the, ah, happenings at the Shevesty field.

"I inspected several of those which were offered and chose the one owned by these two men, as I deemed it the most suitable for your needs. It is a shallow-draft vessel we name a skate which is suitable for transporting goods to some of the harder-to-reach villages along our banks. It can be sailed by these two alone but, so Ambronar tells me, handles better when there are three or four aboard. I would not presume to tell you your business, you may decide for yourself whether these men and their skate will satisfy your needs."

Eriana examined the two men, one in his late thirties, the other five to eight years younger, both by appearance experienced watermen.

"Gentlemen. By your leave, let us sit to table and talk. Ursula, Tor, you had better join us. Lord Kalmenar, thank you for your assistance this afternoon, I suggest you retire for the night. I doubt we will be long behind you."

With everyone sitting around the dining table she began. "If Marshal Kodal has not informed you, I own a large ship named the Visund," she told them. "It is perhaps thirty strides long and has been known to carry seventy warriors when we have voyaged on the eastern ocean. Today we number fifty-one including ten women and two children and we attempt to journey the Sirrel as far as Sheldane in Palarand before the Rains begin.

"Unfortunately so many crew and passengers require sufficient cargo that our ship is slightly overloaded. It would not be possible for us to leave a portion of cargo behind to follow once the Rains have ended." The two men nodded. "Thus, I desire another vessel, shallow enough to sail the Sirrel when it is so low, to carry some of our cargo and mayhap two or three of my men, who would be able to help you sail your craft."

The two men nodded again. The older one said, "We understand, er, by your leave, what title should we address you? Some have called you Highness, others call you Admiral. We do not know what an Admiral is."

Eriana smiled tiredly. "I am a Princess by birth, thus I should be addressed as Your Highness when circumstances require. I am also head of the Federation Navy, a new organization which will manage all the galleys and other official craft presently run by those lands who are part of the Federation - which now includes Faralan and Palarand. I have other titles which may be used from time to time. For now I suggest you address me as Admiral, since that is my Navy rank and what we do will be a function of the Navy."

"Ah, then, Admiral, I believe we may be able to satisfy your needs. I own the Hopvalk and can choose to ply my trade anywhere along the Sirrel. Downstream we have only ventured as far as West Haral in Brugan but I have no doubt the remaining distance will be of little concern to us."

"As you say. If I may ask what kind of cargo you can manage and how much?"

"As always, ah, Admiral, it depends on the cargo. This side of Yod, for example, we frequently take barrels of wine from Bibek and Faralan to places which the usual barges cannot reach. Four barrels we can take almost everywhere, we may manage six when visiting certain deeper creeks." He added, "Six would fill our hold, with the barrels about halfway exposed."

"Ah, I see. If I may ask how big these barrels are? I have seen them different sizes, you understand."

"Admiral, a barrel is a standard size and," Ambronar stood and raised his hand to the height of his armpit, "will stand about this high."

Ursula noted, "Admiral, that is about the size of those barrels we found in the pirates' lair."

"Ah! So big? I doubt that what we desire to remove from the Visund will weigh so much or be as bulky. Tell me, do you have a sail? We have both sail and oars but intend to move with the current so will use our oars only when we must needs come to shore. We have used our sail today but will use it no further downstream."

"We have the customary lateen sail, Admiral, and use it almost all the time. We do have two oars for use whenever we arrive or depart and also two poles for places like the canals of Pakmal and Zebrin. For this journey I expect that we will use the current as you do. It is not unusual for small vessels to travel downstream that way."

"Then, Master Ambronar, we may have an agreement. In return for conveying such goods and people as far as Palarand, what would you expect to receive?"

"That depends on what we may do when when our business with you is finished, Admiral. We change coin according to where each contract ends. I have seen and used coin of Palarand but am not that familiar with it. In coin of Faral, let us say, we would probably ask half a Dram a day and then add the cost of food and lodging." Ambronar remembered something important. "Oh! And since we must needs shelter in Palarand against the Rains, we will need food and lodging for that time as well."

"You need not concern yourself with food or lodging, gentlemen. If you work for me then I will provide food and lodging for you. If you desire half a Dram a day then you shall have it - and that will include the period when you may not work because of the Rains, since your contract with us will have prevented it."

"That is very generous of you, Admiral. Done." Ambronar leaned across the table and shook Eriana's hand. "You desire to depart early tomorrow, I deem?"

"Aye. We have a request for a meeting with those of Fanir, that will be our next destination."

Ambronar considered. "That is why you desire an early start, I deem. With the current as it is, the length of the day and most river folk making ready for the Rains, it should be possible. Of course we can start early but we must needs bring the Hopvalk around to the Royal Dock and then transfer whatever you deem necessary."

"You can accommodate three of my men?"

"Aye, Admiral, though space below will be tight if we do not find a hostel along the way."

"I'm sure there will be no problem." Eriana rose, so did everyone else. "Then, gentlemen, we will see you early tomorrow morning."

"As you say, Admiral. Until then."

The two men bowed and made their way out of the dining room.

* Author's note: skreya - incompetent. oskilgettinn - born out of wedlock, bastards. kamphundr - camp dogs, carrion eaters.