At their hostel the Visunders are alert for any trouble in the night and, sure enough, something is tried. Unfortunately, the results include a body which means their departure from Ferenis will be delayed. Eriana becomes more desperate as the Rains approach, wanting to put some distance between the Visund and Denethar before they are forced to find shelter.
The Voyage of the Visund
A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane
102 - Night Visitations
Author's note: I am shocked by how long it has taken to produce this chapter. For once it has been a number of different things, all beyond my control. Hopefully (!) I will be able to do better in future.
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.
All rights reserved.
It was the creak of the stable door which woke Ambronar. He leaned over and prodded his partner, who surfaced and poked the other two. They were all awake, in varying degrees, when the four newcomers came to stand in front of their stall.
"What have we here? Vagrants?"
Ambronar replied, "Uh, no." He squinted as the light from the men's lantern hit his eyes. "Guests. Real guests. No room above, none at all. We're only overnighting, we have a contract to get to Forguland before the Rains, so they said we could sleep here. Who are you, asking questions in the middle of the night?"
"City Watch," the spokesman answered shortly.
The four newcomers seemed, in the poor light, to be wearing ordinary attire with no indication they belonged to any official organization of Ferenis. Two had swords, scabbarded, the other two loosely held clubs. None wore the white neckerchiefs or sashes which customarily indicated law and order, but Ambronar wasn't about to cause problems.
The spokesman scoffed. "Off to Forguland, eh? What in? Not that big ship that came in late, surely? Must need more than four to handle a beast that size."
"What ship is that?" Ambronar responded. "Don't know nothing about no ship. I'm owner of the Hopvalk, a skater originally from Bibek. These are my crew. We came in this afternoon, found there was nowhere left to bed down and ended up here."
"A skater? What's that?"
"It has a very shallow hull which is smooth underneath so it can slide over shoals and sandbanks. Useful this time of year."
"Oh, that thing? I wondered what it was for. Very well, apologies for disturbing you, you can go back to sleep."
"Well, thanks for nothing." Ambronar gave them an ungrateful reply. "That's all we needed, interrupted sleep just before the most dangerous part of our journey."
"Sorry again." The man turned and cast a glance at the other stalls. "Are you the only ones down here?"
"So far as I know it is just me and my crew in this one stall, that's all."
A grunt. "Come on, boys. Just another false alarm."
The four men walked off, the light diminishing as they got further away. None of the four guests said a word but just looked at one another. Soon it was pitch dark again.
"It was right what I said before," Ambronar told them in a low mutter. "Tomorrow could be easy or it could be bad, depending on the weather. Best get some sleep."
Up in the hayloft over the stalls, Kaldar listened to the final words and then relaxed onto his own bed of straw.
- - -
There were very quiet mutterings as the four men crept up the stairs which led to the women's accommodation and the family rooms. Unfortunately for them their deep tones carried, even if the words did not, and certain people became alert.
"That side is the Women's Dormitory, we was told. I hope the stupid cow isn't in there, we'd never get her out."
"Nah. The informant said they had three rooms the other side. Trouble is, we don't know which three rooms, look, there must be at least eight doors. Do we have to look in each one? That increases the risk, specially if someone's awake."
A different voice asked, "You sure about all this? I heard that Princess can look after herself in a fight."
The first voice replied, "It's all rumor spread about to put folk like us off. I seen her, she's tall but just a young woman, nothing really. Besides which I doubt she's a real Princess at all, just some stuck-up cow trying to make herself seem important."
"That big strange ship is supposed to be hers."
"Pshaw. It ain't hers, that's for sure. I bet daddy owns it and she just thinks she does. Enough noise! Let's get this job done and out of here."
"Boss."
By listening at doors for the sounds within they managed to rule out the first two rooms. The third door turned out to be for a big linen closet. Moving on the leader gently turned the handle and opened the next door just enough to see inside. He closed the door.
"Family. Father and mother, I guess, three children, couldn't see if those were boys or girls or how big. We'll come back to this one if we can't find her further on."
The next door he tried produced an anxious, "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Ah, sorry, lady, wrong room. Looking for my wife and kids."
"Not in here."
He closed the door and led the others a little way on. "Just four women, is my guess. No-one young enough to be the one we want. Maybe the next one."
The next room looked very promising. Like the first room he had tried there was a Night Lantern which made seeing the contents much easier, though this lantern had been turned down very low. There were six beds, three each side, and all were occupied, five with adult women and the sixth -
He pushed the door fully open and the four rushed in, swords ready to threaten the sleeping occupants. The door slammed shut behind them and they were immediately attacked. One took a heavy fist to the side of his head, sending him flying against the wall on the other side to bounce off it and slump to the floor. Another took a foot to the gut which folded him up to fall down beside his compatriot.
A tall girl - the Princess? - grabbed hold of the third one's tunic, twisted and heaved him over her shoulder to land heavily and awkwardly across one of the beds. His sword clattered away under another bed. The fourth man, his sword still in hand, suddenly found himself facing a younger girl who was pushing the point of her sword into his chest. His own momentum couldn't stop him impaling himself but striking back seemed pointless. Fight a girl? He dropped his sword.
"Idiots," the tall girl snarled. "Cannot a guest get a quiet night's sleep in this place?"
She turned and searched on the floor beside one of the beds, coming up with a shuttered lantern. She opened this, bringing better light to the room, and put it on a nightstand. There were two men on the floor, one of which was holding his belly and groaning. The other was motionless. Another lay stretched out across a bed, also groaning, one hand behind his back. The fourth was at the point of Tyra's sword but seemed more interested in keeping his own bodily fluids inside his chest.
"Do you yield?" Eriana asked. There were three groans which she assumed indicated assent. "Gods above! What a mess! Bennet, go outside and stop others entering. Send someone for the owner."
"Aye, Highness."
The fifth woman climbed off her bed and approached Tyra's captive. The woman looked closely at the tip of the young girl's sword and then told the man, "You need immediate attention. Sit there on that bed."
Sitting, he realized that the "occupant" of the bed his boss had seen was just a roll of bedclothes set up to look like someone asleep. He noticed that all the women were fully dressed and therefore this whole adventure had been doomed from the start.
"Lie down," she told him. "I can't get a look at your wound if you sit like that."
He took his hand away from the cut and looked at the blood. "I need a healer, Mistress."
"Didn't they tell you anything? I am a healer and a surgeon as well. Now lie down and let me do my job."
"But -"
She looked at him patiently. "Look. It doesn't matter much to me if you live or die but you might see things differently. Now lie down."
He lay down and relaxed. The woman released his belt and pulled up his tunic, muttering in a foreign tongue. She leaned over and lifted up a basket, searching in it for cleaning materials.
"Difficult to see in this light but I think you've been lucky," she told him. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye as she added, "Depending on what you might consider lucky to mean right now. Tyra's sword didn't get through your ribs so your heart and lungs are untouched. I'll need to clean you up some more and put some stitches in." She turned slightly. "What about the others, Eriana?"
Eriana had pulled up the man who Semma had kicked and was now tying his hands behind him.
"This one's going to be sore for a while but that's all. The one Bennet hit is dead, though."
"Dead?"
"Aye, Ursula. I do not know if it was whatever she did or when he hit the wall. His neck is broken."
"Ouch. Is that going to cause complications?"
"Probably. Do you remember what happened when you met those men in Joth?"
"Oh. Yes. But this is a straightforward robbery attempt that went wrong, isn't it?"
"Perhaps. It is time, Ursula. We have no time for adventures like this - or the questions which will come after."
By the time Ursula had sewn up the wound, covered it in salve and wrapped a bandage around the man's chest, Eriana had pulled up the one she had thrown and arranged him tidily on the bed he had fallen on. He was still holding his back and groaning. By this time there was a small crowd outside the door, kept at bay by Bennet with her naked sword. Eventually the proprietor arrived, still in his nightshirt, and Bennet let him pass.
"Oh! Your Highness. What happened here?"
"We think this is just a robbery attempt, my good man. Unfortunately, in the fight in the dark one of the men fell and broke his neck. He is dead. Another," she pointed, "has a sword wound to the chest which our ship's Healer has just finished attending. That man," she pointed to the groaning man on the bed, "appears to have damaged his back. Our Healer has not yet attended him, feeling the open wound to be the most urgent."
"As you say, Highness. Ah, what are your instructions?"
Eriana relaxed as she realized the proprietor was going to be co-operative. "This is awkward. It is the middle of the night and we are on a floor crowded with women. I doubt neither they nor the Watch will wish to be in each other's company, even when morning comes. You have sent for the Watch?"
"Not yet, Highness, since I did not know what had happened here. I must needs do so now. If I may ask what you intend to do with these men."
"Have you somewhere secure to put them downstairs until the Watch arrives? That way at least you will not have the Watch tramping all over this part of the building."
"Aye, Highness, we have a chamber where we put drunks until the Watch comes to collect them, it is necessary so near to the port. If I may ask for my men to come and move... the body and he on the bed? They will need stretchers."
"Of course, my good man, and the sooner they are all moved the sooner these women can return to their beds. Oh, and I would suggest a sentry at each of the stairs to this part of the building for the rest of the night. I do not know if there are others who have like ideas."
The man bowed. "As you command, Highness. By your leave."
The man departed and Eriana turned to find that Ursula had moved to the man laying on the bed.
"I need you to turn onto your side. No, not that way, the other! I want to look at your back."
The man reluctantly rolled so that he was facing away from Ursula, emitting several hisses as the pain stabbed at his back. She used her fingers to gently explore the skin along the spine, looking for possible breaks. She found none, but there was a part at the side of one vertebra which seemed particularly sore.
"I am going to put some strong ointment onto your back," she told him, "which should stop the pain but won't do anything to help the injury to heal. So you will have to be very careful how you move around until a healer can take a proper look at your back in the daylight. If you do not you could be paralysed from the waist down. Do you understand me?"
There was stillness for a moment and then a grunt and a nod. Ursula pulled out the bundle of flat sticks she used for various purposes and extracted one.
"If I may help, Mistress?" Tyra had joined her.
"Oh, yes, please. Put these back and then - you remember that man on the Joth dockside? I had to put this ointment on his arm to find out if it was broken?"
"Oh, yes, Mistress, I do, that was Kardron the mason."
"I'll need to have this stick burned once I have finished with it."
"As you say, Mistress. If you give it to me I can go - maybe with Semma - and take it to the kitchens. There is always at least one stove left alight."
Ursula painted a small area, perhaps a hands-breadth, around the injured area, before carefully handing the stick to Tyra. At a nod from Eriana Semma joined her as they both departed to head for the kitchens. Once the powerful anesthetic had taken hold the man was able to sit up, carefully, and hold his tunic out of the way to permit Ursula to wind a bandage around him, covering the painted area.
"Right," she told him. "I do not know what the Watch will do with you but no-one must touch that bandaged area at all until a healer had had a good look at it in the daylight. Get that ointment on someone's fingers and then into their mouth and they could die, it is that strong. Do you understand me?"
A reluctant nod. "Aye, Mistress. If you would so tell the Watch."
"I'll do that. Now, lie yourself down again, flat on your back. You'll be taken out of here on a stretcher."
"Mistress."
Eriana hadn't finished with the men, though. She addressed the one with Tyra's sword wound.
"Who was your leader tonight?"
He pointed to the corpse on the floor.
She gave him a baleful look, then asked, "What was your purpose here? Did somebody send you? If so, who?"
The man looked at the other two, the one who Semma had kicked shook his head slightly. The first man turned back to Eriana and replied, "I could not say... Are you the Princess?"
"I am, my father is the King of Einnland, which is a long way away from here. I and my men have given our oaths to King Robanar of Palarand, who graciously permits me to keep my rank and title. What of it?"
He lowered his eyes. "I have never even seen somebody who is royal before... Your Highness. He who led us said you were no real Princess but..." he left the implication in the air.
"So now you know. Yet you will not tell me why you came here in the middle of the night, causing disturbance to all who thought to sleep here."
The man grimaced. "Highness... I am more afraid of he who sent us here."
"Would that be Denethar, by chance? Ah, by the look in your eyes I have hit the mark, I deem." She offered him a small smile. "Your secret is safe with me, but I cannot answer for those others outside the door who are listening to every word."
His head spun as he turned to the open doorway, through which could be seen part of Bennet and several nightgown-clad women of various ages. He sagged.
"Highness, I cannot deny it. He wanted his property back, he said. Get it any way we could, he said. They are just a group of women and they are away from their men who might interfere, he said. We should have little problem so late in the night, he said."
"And now you know different, I deem." Her gaze sharpened. "His property? He considers his own family to be property? I thought slavery was forbidden in these regions." Her temper began to rise. "Did you not know, he signed a document on the pontoon, in front of myself, His Grace and many witnesses in which he released his rights over that child to someone who would treat them more kindly? To seek to obtain that young person again in defiance of the law is a serious matter of honor, I deem. If I were not pressed by the approaching storms then I would demand to meet him in the ring, as is proper!"
The man blanched and lowered his head. "Highness, I can only agree with you, but he is one who may not be denied anything he desires. I do not think he will permit even the Rains to interfere with anything he does."
"And you? Does he have some hold over you and these others, that you do his bidding?"
"Highness, you have the right of it. He lends coin to those of us who have little and then uses that to persuade us to do his bidding. He is well-known for it but few can escape his clutches for long, even those of high status."
"As we discovered after we visited previously. It is possible -"
Eriana was interrupted by a commotion outside and the onlookers faded rapidly away to be replaced by four men, apparently hostel staff who had been roused from their beds. Two of them bore stretchers.
"Hallo? We heard you had some trouble up here, Mistress... Oh." The lead man had caught sight of the body on the floor. "Is he dead?"
"Very dead," Eriana replied. "His neck is broken. Ursula?"
"Highness." Ursula explained to the lead man, "These four men burst into our chamber with swords ready, hoping to take us unawares while we were asleep, but we were not. That one is dead, this one on the bed," she pointed, "has some kind of back injury and must remain flat until a local healer has closely examined him."
"By your leave, Mistress, who are you?"
"I am Ursula, Healer and Surgeon to Her Highness Princess Eriana there and her ship's company. I have given him something strong to take away the pain but you must not touch his bandages nor make him sit up or stand, do you understand?"
He gave a brief nod. "As you command, Mistress. What of these other two?"
"That one is also bandaged, he has a chest wound, the other one was, I think, kicked in the stomach." She gave him a small smile. "Everything happened so quickly, and in the near dark, you understand, I did not see all of what happened."
"As you say, Mistress. If I may ask, what is to be done with them?"
"The proprietor said you have a place where drunks are put until the Watch can collect them."
The man nodded. "We'll take them all there, Mistress. Ah, we'll take the two who can walk first and come back for the others."
While the servants were downstairs dealing with the two mobile intruders four other men appeared who were wearing white scarves and sashes. Their leader paused at the doorway.
"By your leave, if I may enter? We have received a report -" He saw the body on the floor. "Ah. Who is in charge in this place?"
Eriana replied, "I am Her Highness Princess Eriana of Palarand, my good man, and these women are all members of my company. If I may indicate my companions Guardswoman Bennet and Guardswoman Semma of His Majesty's Palace Guard, Director Ursula of the Federation Navy and her own companion and shieldmaiden Tyra."
"His Majesty..? Palarand? Maker! Your Highness, I recognize you now. If I may offer our apologies for the disturbance you have suffered this night. If I may ask what has happened here?"
"Thank you." Eriana ran through the short fight and explained that two of the men had already been removed. "You should know that we think these men were sent at the behest of Denethar, who may consider that something of his was taken from him by guile."
The four men grew still. "That name is known to us, Highness. Fortunately I was present at the docks when that incident took place and I know that all was dealt with in a lawful manner, even if I did not catch the particular details of what happened that time. Guile, indeed! But dealing with this new incident, with the Rains almost upon us, could take several days. If I may ask, do you and your party intend to remain at this hostel until the Rains cease? If so, I must needs arrange some extra protection for you and those with you."
"The rest of my crew - thirty men - reside tonight at other hostels, my man. Your offer of help is welcome but may not be required - except, perhaps, for the rest of tonight. Tomorrow we depart to see if we can reach Joth before the storm breaks."
"Ah, Highness, a man has died and an accounting will be required, even if the circumstances are clear. I doubt that even His Grace will permit you to depart so soon as tomorrow."
Eriana nodded reluctantly. "It is as I expected, but I do not care to spend two months within arm's reach of that monster, I deem. Either we must depart before these Rains begin or," her eyes bored into those of the lead man, "I and my men will deal with the monster."
The man paled but said, "Highness, I fear that I must needs put this matter before His Grace. Begging your pardon, I can understand your desire for retribution but what you propose is... questionable. Laws may already have been broken but that is no excuse for breaking any more."
"If it must be."
The four servants returned and, overlooked by the Watch men, loaded the living and the dead onto stretchers and carried them away, accompanied by the Watch. Eriana looked at her companions as Tyra closed the door.
"Gods! What a night! If we should attempt to regain our sleep? There will be much to do tomorrow and we all must needs have our wits about us."
~o~O~o~
Morning came and the five women came belatedly awake after a knock at their door. Despite their relatively young ages all had suffered disturbed sleep following the nocturnal interruption and the subsequent questioning. Tyra climbed out of bed and answered the door, closing it almost immediately.
"Highness, that was Mistress Aryam. The hotel staff understand why we have overslept but breakfast has been available for at least two bells already."
Eriana sat up in her bed and shuddered. "Gods! And we have much to do today." She groaned, adding, "...but there will be yet more questions, I deem. Ladies! We must needs attend the bathing block and soon. Come, let us rise and refresh ourselves before all the food is gone."
Because this was a hostel near a major ferry port the toilet and washing facilities were large enough that there was almost no waiting for toilet or tub. All dressed for further travel, despite what the Watch leader had cautioned. In the large dining room they discovered the crew of the Hopvalk, sitting nursing mugs of pel.
"Ah, good morning, Captain."
"Your Highness," Ambronar said, rising from his seat, "Good morning to you and to your ladies. I heard you had some trouble last night."
"Aye. Four men, sometime after midnight, I would guess. Did they visit you?"
"Aye, Highness, they did, telling us they were the Watch but none wore any white cloth as is customary." He grinned. "They saw what they expected to see and went away. I am not sure where the boy is now."
"Ursula?"
"Highness, Captain, I know but would rather not say anything that might be used later. He is safe, that is all you need to know."
Ambronar bowed his head. "As you wish, Mistress. I am sure that, should it be necessary, you will tell us later what we need to know."
"I am sure that we will."
Eriana told him, "Captain, I have instructions for you if you are willing to continue traveling downstream."
"Aye, Highness, it is what we agreed."
"We are likely to be held here a day or so because one of those four men died during the attack."
"Do you tell me? There were rumors among the kitchen staff, it is true."
"Aye. We were expecting possible intruders but, a confused fight, in the dark..." She shrugged. "Because of that, I would like you to continue downstream today by yourselves as far as Joth, if you are able, and bring word to His Grace the Duke down there. He will need to know that we are following and to keep a lookout for us. It may be that the last part of our journey could be just as these Rains have started. Will you do that for us?"
"Surely, Highness. It is not so far." He looked at the others around the table. "Boys? Think we can make Joth today?"
His Mate replied, "Shouldn't be a problem, Boss."
Ormund said in Norse, «Good craft, Highness. Interesting to sail. I stay with it?»
«If you feel you can manage,» Eriana replied. «You know who to talk to when you get to Joth?»
«Yah, Highness. Know the men who run the port. I'll tell them you are following us.»
"Good." She told Ambronar, "Ormund is comfortable sailing with you. He knows who to talk to when you arrive. Benekar, what about you?"
The bargeman's expression was unhappy. "Highness, when I volunteered I thought I would be fit enough to do whatever was needed on such a small craft but it is not so. It moves quickly and so the crew must needs move quickly also. If I may ask to rejoin the ship."
"Of course. There is no shame in admitting to such a weakness, not after so long in captivity." Eriana pursed her lips. "We are heavily loaded, so if you do not go with Ambronar I must needs send someone else. They will need a sailor, I deem. Now who..?"
Ormund suggested, "Brodgar, Highness?"
«Yah.» Eriana looked around the emptying dining room, not finding the person she wanted. «Go find him, Ormund, and ask him if he will go with you. The Visund doesn't have the mast or sail up so I think we can spare him for this next portion of the voyage.»
«Yah, Highness.» Ormund thumped his chest and departed.
Eriana told Ambronar, "I have asked Ormund to find another of my Norse sailors, Brodgar, to sail with you. You should find him fitter than Benekar presently is."
Ambronar inclined his head. "Thank you, Highness."
The head cook approached. "Good morning, Your Highness. If I may ask if you and your ladies intend taking breakfast with us today?"
"Good morning, my man. Aye, we have had a disturbed night and require refreshment before," she rolled her eyes, "any officials arrive with their inevitable questions. What is left? Have your other residents eaten everything?"
The cook smiled. "Highness, we are prepared for the Rains and presently have abundant stocks of most foods. Ask me in six or seven weeks time and I regret that you may receive a different answer then. If I should bring the usual breakfast stuffs for you?"
"Thank you, yes, my man." She hesitated. "Ladies, I doubt we will require grain porridge this morning, do you agree? If we may save these overworked kitchen workers the task of cooking yet another pot just for us."
There were nods all round. "Bread, fruit, cheese, sliced meats, quantities of pel, of course," she told the cook. "For me, small beer if you have any left."
"We do, Highness. I will order your food immediately." The cook bowed and turned away.
Eriana asked Ambronar, "Captain, have you seen Captain Tor this morning?"
"Highness, I have, he was here earlier but left with Captain Hashim. I do not know their purpose or where they went."
She scowled. "Hmm. Mayhap they have gone to investigate that leak. Very well, Captain, and thank you."
* * *
"Highness, somebody arrives." Bennet, facing the courtyard window, had seen two carriages and escort pull into the yard and halt. "There are escort riders, it may be the Duke himself."
Eriana picked up her tankard and drained it. Breakfast had ended but everyone had remained seated around the table, discussing the events of the previous night, while finishing the last of their drinks. She glanced around the large room, noting that they were almost the last guests still there, even the servants had finished clearing the other tables and departed.
"We will receive our visitors in here," she decided. "With so many residing here I am not sure what other chambers may be available."
They stood up as Duke Gathol, accompanied by Saram and four more of the Watch, entered the dining room. Eriana made a brief curtsey and then indicated that the Duke and his son should join them at their table.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Gathol began. "You had some excitement in the night, I understand."
"Good morning, Your Grace. Aye, though I would not name it excitement, by your leave. It has left us all tired and twitchy this morning, not something we desire when we must needs attempt the Sirrel once more. Have you yet spoken to the Watch about last night? We spent almost a bell explaining the circumstances to them."
"I have, though all those who were on duty last night have now retired to their homes to rest. Four men, it was said, entered your chamber with drawn swords yet were overcome almost immediately, causing the death of one of them."
"Aye, Your Grace." Eriana shrugged. "It was after midnight, I deem, dark, and not easy to see who had entered or what weapons they bore. One man took a flesh wound to the chest, another has hurt his back and a third somehow broke his neck when he fell. We had been asleep, our memories of what happened are confused, you understand."
Gathol grunted. "I see. Do you know why they came to you? Was any word spoken?"
"Not during the fight, no, but afterwards one did admit that Denethar had tasked them with recovering his daughter for him, property he named her. There was always the possibility that he would attempt something when we arrived here and so we made certain that the child concerned was kept in a safe place last night."
"Denethar." Gathol did not seem surprised to hear that name.
"Aye, Your Grace. Despite signing an agreed document, at the docks, in front of many witnesses, that man seeks to deny his transfer of rights and kidnap back someone he no longer has any legal interest in. Is there any remedy for this denial of justice?"
"Mayhap, Highness. I must admit that by this deed he becomes more brazen by the bell." Gathol glanced through the nearest window. "But, given the Rains, it will prove difficult to deal with him as quickly as you may desire. He will, of course deny everything, saying those men are but common thieves who seek to divert the blame to another. He has done so before."
"Then let me take some few of my men and deal with him directly. He cannot hide behind laws and lies forever."
Gathol grimaced. "Highness, I wish that I could but the laws of Ferenis do not presently permit such a remedy. If I may ask, the Rains are so close, maybe later today, certainly by tomorrow, will you and your crew accept my invitation to remain in Ferenis until the waters have subsided once more? I have thought about those in my palace and it is possible I can find room for you, your adopted child and perhaps your two companions."
Eriana fumed. "Your Grace, we thank you for your gracious offer but I cannot accept. I shall not care to reside anywhere in Ferenis so long as Denethar yet draws breath. Either he goes or we do, there is no other choice."
His eyebrows shot up. "You would set forth, knowing the Rains to come if you do so, just to avoid this man?"
"Your Grace, I certainly shall. That child cannot live with the fear of being kidnapped by a man who they know will cause them harm for what, two months? No, Your Grace, it is better that we take our chances with the weather. Even if we only manage to travel as far as Forguland the child will be safe from that monster."
"Forguland? But..." Gathol was about to add something but decided to remain silent. "Very well, Highness," he said instead. "I will instruct the Watch to keep an extra guard about this hostel until you depart."
«Highness,» Ursula interrupted, «Denethar could cause damage to the ship and prevent us leaving.» And strand Kaldar in Ferenis for two months, she carefully did not add.
«Ah. I had overlooked that consequence of our not departing today. Thank you, Ursula.»
Eriana explained to Gathol, "Ursula reminds me that if this Denethar is so bold as to send his hirelings to the Ladies' Stair at night, it is possible he may try other mischief while we yet remain in Ferenis. If I desire to place some of my men aboard the Visund, to keep it safe, shall you object?"
Gathol waved a dismissive hand. "After last night I have no objections, Highness. I will inform the port officials that some of your men will remain on board or nearby until your ship departs."
"Thank you, Your Grace. I regret that we must needs part without remedy but until you can find a way to take your lands back from this monster I am reluctant to remain here. Mayhap the next time we come matters will be different."
"As you say, Highness. Well. Saram and I came out in a hurry when we heard of what happened last night, we have other places to be this morning. By your leave."
"Of course, Your Grace. I must needs give thanks to you for finding room for us at such short notice."
"You are travelers upon the Sirrel. It is our duty to provide for all who use the river. Good morning, Highness."
Gathol rose and departed, followed by his son. Eriana looked at the four Watch members who had stood listening patiently to the previous conversation.
"You are not those who we saw last night."
One stepped forward. "No, Your Highness. His Grace thought that those on night duty would be too tired by now to function properly so we are sent instead. If I may introduce myself, I am Kambanar, Senior Watchman, tasked with writing down what happened to you last night."
"Well, Kambanar, we all spent some time awake last night, we are still feeling the effects of a disturbed sleep, and I am not certain that we can give you sufficient detail of what happened when those men appeared. I warn you, we shall depart either later today or early tomorrow morning, whatever we say to you today must needs satisfy your requirements."
Kambanar bowed his head. "Highness, that is understood. Be assured that you all are but witnesses to what happened, by His Grace's command no blame will be attached to you nor any member of your party. However, hearing what you just told His Grace, I will remind you all that the laws of Ferenis may apply to anything else you may do before you depart."
"We understand."
He turned. "Jeron, the writing materials, if you please."
- - -
Kambanar put down his reed pen and flexed his fingers with relief. "Highness, I must admit that you have given us more detail than I expected. I feel certain that His Grace will be content with this testimony from you and your companions."
"Master Kambanar, in Palarand we are practised in a custom which we do after any happening like that of last night, named a debriefing. All who were present recount their part in whatever happened without consideration of blame, that we might learn from that happening before the like may occur again. Because of this our recent memories have, it seems, improved somewhat. I commend this practice to you and your men."
"Indeed? Highness, I will consider your words carefully. Uh, if I may ask each of you to sign this document before I take it away."
"Of course."
Eriana watched the men pack up and walk away before turning to Ursula. "Think you we should depart today and make for Forguland? The days are yet long, I do not think we would take so long to arrive there which will make the next portion so much shorter."
On cue there was a rumble of thunder which was almost immediately swallowed by the sound of pouring rain. All looked at the downpour visible through the windows.
"If this is not the Rains themselves," Ursula replied, "then it looks like a storm which will probably delay any departure until after lunch - which might mean after a nap. By the time we all packed and moved everything down to the Visund it will be mid-afternoon, Eriana. That is more than half the day gone."
The princess looked downcast. "As you say. Still -" She fell silent.
"Sometimes our actions get taken out of our hands," Ursula gently told her. "We have been on the move for days, now, and one day of rest will do us all good, I think, especially after last night! We can spend the time packing up properly and then set out early tomorrow morning. What do you say?"
Eriana sighed. "Your counsel is wise, Ursula. Very well, we shall remain here today and tonight and plan to depart as early as possible -"
"- after a good breakfast!"
"Indeed. After a good breakfast, then, and hope to reach Joth before dark tomorrow. I will send runners to the other hostels explaining our plan and asking for volunteers to guard the Visund today and overnight." She paused, then asked, "If it should prove too difficult to reach Joth, what alternatives are there for us? I know of Forguland, of course, but there must needs be ferry ports we could come to if the weather is too bad."
"I have little idea, Eriana. Hashim would be the person to ask and I thought he was going to fetch some charts of the next section, plus a map for me of the whole lower valley from here to the sea."
"Ah, as you say. Then I must needs impatiently await his return, I deem."
* * *
Hashim did return with charts, but it was shortly before the evening meal and he arrived wearing filthy attire. He immediately went to his family's chamber to collect clean clothes before going to the bath house to clean himself up and change. Since it would be impractical to discuss the charts over the meal Eriana had to wait until everyone had finished before her desires could be satisfied. With most of those from the Visund around one table Hashim began.
"Highness, I have news from downstream which may complicate our onward journey a little. This morning you thought of Forguland as a possible refuge should the heavens open too soon but that will not be possible now. Because of Bolden's Rock the current is forced to the north side of the river and the south side is almost dry. The Forguland docks cannot now be reached at all. Indeed, the island which shelters the dock area is presently no longer an island.
"It would be possible to land on the north side, of course, at Gylfi's Rest, but the docks there, which I believe you used, were built after last year's Rains and may not be relied on. In addition there is almost nowhere that side which may be used as accommodation for so many, especially for two months or more."
Eriana grimaced but she did not appear too concerned. "Hashim, Forguland was indeed spoken of but I have always wanted to go further if at all possible. If you may tell me of Joth. Think you we can reach the city, or must we needs take shelter at Hulmar or Thorn?"
"The information I have, Highness, is that all three places can still be reached from the river by such a shallow craft as the Visund. Of the three I would assume you wish to reach Joth itself but of the other two Thorn would be preferable since it might, might, be possible for you to travel to Joth by road should the Rains force us to stop at Thorn. I am assuming that you would wish to reside with His Grace even if the rest of us have to stay at the ferry port."
"You assume correctly, Hashim, if it is possible. What of Hulmar? It is closer to Forguland and would be easier to reach if we are caught too soon."
"Aye, that might be necessary, Highness, but the road from Hulmar to Joth city is many marks longer. In normal times that journey can just be made in a day but when the Rains fall that same journey may take you three, four or even five days."
"So long? Gods! Hashim, I am not sure that I desire to experience these Rains which everyone speaks of."
Hashim gave her a twisted smile. "Whether you desire it or not, Highness, the experience is about to come your way and soon. I can smell the change in the air already. If we reach the docks at Joth before the Rains begin I will be surprised."
"Do you tell me? Everywhere we turn we have been beset by delays. Speaking of such matters, I noticed you return this evening covered in mud. Were you at the Visund looking at that leak?"
"Highness, I was. I made the mistake of going to the port office and Tor was there asking about a forge for his nails. I became involved and went down to the ship with him, to see if I could offer advice. I thought the ship could be careened -"
"Careened? I do not know this word."
"It is simply when a vessel is beached, it can then be rolled to one side or the other to reach the lowest parts of the hull, Highness. Unfortunately the widest part of the Visund is flat underneath so it cannot be rolled in that way, which meant we must needs grovel in the mud instead."
"Ah, I see. And did Tor manage to fix the problem?"
"We think so, Highness. A nail was replaced but two others could not be. A port official who came to view progress suggested anointing both inside and outside with hot wax which is what we did. Only sailing will tell us if the patch will be safe enough."
Eriana nodded. "Good. Tor has sufficient experience of Einnland vessels like the Visund and I respect his judgment. We have just one more leg of our journey to make, that is all, and I trust that we may make a proper repair in Joth when the waters subside once more."
"As you say, Highness." Hashim thought and then lowered his voice, leaning over the table so that anyone passing could not make out his words. "Ah, four men are guarding the ship overnight, Highness, but it is not just the ship that they watch over. We had men aboard shifting the cargo so that the nails could be exposed and... they have created a concealed hideaway where Kaldar will rest tonight. Tor thought it would be the safest place for him to be."
"Ah, thank you, Hashim. The Hopvalk has departed, as you know, and we could not use the same ruse tonight that we used last night. Who thought of that idea?"
Hashim nodded in Ursula's direction. "Highness, the Mistress sent a note to Zakaros just before lunch and a party of men, including Kaldar, went down to the ship after lunch to help with the repairs. Nobody thought anything of the Ship's Boy being around to lend a hand."
Ursula explained, "Once I knew that we were not sailing today I had to do something, Highness, otherwise he would have had to sleep up here with us - and raise questions nobody could answer."
"As you say."Eriana blew out a big breath. "Could this skein become any more tangled? What have I done to the Gods that they mock me so? Come, let us retire that we might rise early tomorrow and depart this unpleasant place."