Dearest Readers, may your own headwaters flow clear, unimpeded, and always true to your spirit.
"For all beings should walk free of fear, with the right to live their lives as they wish."
- The Harper Code
THE HIDDEN SWORD: A TALE OF BALDUR'S GATE
Book One: From the Earth | Chapter 11: Headwaters
Starting the evening of that same day the girls had come aboard, Irse was tasked to distribute food to them. Okami accompanied her to the cargo hold, reasoning that some tools might have been misplaced among the crates.
Not much heed was paid to them by the two guards, secure that the young elf and the lean Kozakuran wouldn't do anything stupid. That, or her Teacher's warning had been passed to them. Either way, Irse tried to put it out of her mind and concentrate on the job at hand.
Loaves of near-stale bread were dispensed, broken in halves, sometimes in quarters for the little ones, to make them last for the rest of the voyage. Not a single thanks was uttered when given their rations; instead, she was met with a myriad of misery reflected in their eyes – sunken, dejected, terrified, defeated. If their lips moved at all, it was only in murmured prayer, muffled sobs, or to shush the homesick cries of the younger ones.
When she had reached the edge of the room and kneeled to hand out a piece of bread, one of the older girls grabbed at her wrist.
"You're an elf," she whispered.
Irse could only nod, fearing the guards might see.
Fingers tightened against her skin. On the girl's wrist were newly-inflicted cuts, healing poorly.
"My brother, he used to tell stories – that your people are good with sword and magic. Maybe that's why. So you could protect yourselves from monsters and them." The girl let go and leaned against the wall, hands falling limp at her lap.
"I wish he was still here. I wish I still have him… anyone… to protect me too."
At a loss for words, she gently pressed the bread down on the girl's open palm and walked away.
"Irse…"
He called after her, clearly noticing the sudden haste with which she had dumped the empty sack in a crate and had rushed up the stairs to the deck and then to the stern.
Heart pounding and outrage welling up, the elf grasped at the railings. If only it were easy to numb oneself or if one's conscience could be hurled, from stomach to throat, over the edge to be carried away with the currents behind them.
Her Teacher stepped in beside her.
Irse turned to him and whispered fiercely, "This is wrong, isn't it? Maybe they won't get caught but we got to do something! We can't let this happen."
Okami canted his head towards their quarters and walked away without another word. She followed until they were both inside and he shut the door behind him.
"You wish to do something about this?"
"My father would've."
He crossed his arms and leaned against the door. "And how would stopping them achieve anything?"
"What do you mean? "
"You cut off an arm, but like the worms of the deep, it sprouts another and another. You take down Safana and her men, but someone perhaps even more cruel, will rise and fill the void. Evil cannot be eradicated in this world, Irse. It will always be there. Not a matter of balance, simply that it is in the nature of mortals and immortals. Even so, while slavery is forbidden in the cities of the Coast, it is practiced and even governed by law in the nation states in the south and the east. Now what can one such as you do about it? Why must you even concern yourself?"
She stared at him, stunned, unbelieving. How could he say such things? Did he really believe that?
But the girl took a deep breath, eyed him, not as a sudden stranger to her, but as a new puzzle.
"I guess you're right," she accepted. "Grownups around me always complain of how there's just so many of these horrible people no matter what those in position try to do about them. I've heard from talk at the caravan of what really happens to slaves – I couldn't believe it myself. Those girls. Maybe no one cares about them that's why they ended up here."
In a flash, a recollection of seeing her foster father conversing with a visiting nobleman from the southern states whose pompous name she never found out and never cared for.
A meddlesome band of vigilantes disguising themselves as self-righteous do-gooders, interfering with kingdoms and sowing discord, that man had said of the Harpers.
Through the nobleman's rants, Gorion had stood, unspeaking. Not once did he counter the other's words. But when the man had said that there was no purpose in their work in drawing the ire of powerful and less-than benevolent forces merely for the sake of some wretched slaves and undeserving people when commerce and wealth are better off flourishing under the guise of peace, Gorion stepped forward.
One foot forward, and the noble had backed down, suddenly small and spooked before a man, aged yet towering above him in both height and principle.
"My Lord, you are correct. It is undeniable that a disruption of the status quo has its own inconvenience."
"But greater than the mandate of kings and the wealth of the realms are freedom and dignity as is the right of all beings – all and none are exempt from that privilege."
And then Gorion had fixed him with a gaze, hard as flint, unyielding as rock.
"Except when you deny it from others, whether by word or deed. And that is how you earn the enmity of the Harpers."
"For all beings should walk free of fear, with the right to live their lives as they wish."
Irse breathed in deeply, slowly.
"But they… they have family and lives. Much like me. If I was in their place, I'd want someone to help me. My father would've wanted someone to help me. Maybe you're right – in this world we'll never be rid of bad folks. But who cares if there's always more of them than us, or what the lords or the law says is allowed or not. You do what's right because…"
She straightened herself, remembering once more the words of Gorion, and looked him the eye. "Whether big or small in our world – we have the right to live, be safe and free. And it should be the same for them and for all."
Okami smiled and uncrossed his arms, satisfied at her response.
"Good. I see your resolve runs deeper than obedience to the dictates of law; that you will be swayed neither by the odds nor fear from doing what is right. Then I am assured of an ally in this endeavor."
Irse exhaled in relief and rubbed her hands in excitement. "So you got a plan, Teacher?"
"A modest scheme that I have not yet perfected. But now with your aid, it might be."
"Not that I want to pry, but why are you letting it down?" Nells quizzed her.
The elf froze, sounding line dangling inches above the water.
As with the pranks she used to pull at the Keep, it was easy to fib when the crime was already done. Not so easy though when the crime was still in progress and botching it could put their necks in fatally boiling water.
"Ahhh…"
"I have sailed this way before, and if memory serves, there are unseen shoals before we come upon Berdusk. Shallows that may already be in our midst even now. I prefer to put my mind at rest," Okami replied, rising from his seat.
"You're right about that. But here at the side instead of at the bow before we pass over what's ahead of us?"
"I prefer to keep her out of Safana's sight. The child is not in good graces with her at the moment on account of a slight misunderstanding."
Her back turned to them and lowering the lead to dip below the water, Irse scowled.
"Child" her pointy-eared bum! She's already almost nearing a bump close to sixteen. And "good graces" her knickers! That's because Safana couldn't take an honest mistake and a "no" for an answer. If only the meteorites and her bokken weren't too precious to stuff down that evil harpy's hungry…
"Oh, yes. That little mix-up," Nells agreed and followed with her usual nervous laugh.
Now, while she isn't looking!
"The lead! It's caught on something!" the girl exclaimed in alarm and yanked at the line a few times.
Then let go. More like, tossed it.
She heard panicked footsteps from behind, and Nells leaned over the railings. For a moment, she expected the woman to jump after it.
"That was our only sounding line! We've had it for years, and I'm always careful not to lose it," the first mate lamented.
Irse curled her fingers close to her chest, true guilt felt at the loss. "Sorry! I didn't mean to. We'll get a new one at the next port, won't we? Maybe, Teacher could… pay for it?"
The half-elf dismissed the offer with a wave of the hand. "It's all right. Except…" Nells frowned. "Mister Okami's correct about the shallows. The river starts becoming treacherous the nearer we approach Berdusk, and even close to its port are rapids that could destroy barges if in the hands of unskilled pilots. For now without something to test for depth, we run the risk of running aground if we veer from course even slightly. But, Shar-Teel knows what she's doing, we've been through this river many times before."
Thwap!
Irse yelped and grabbed at the top of her head where Okami had smacked her with a rolled-up map, with convincing force. Even Nells was startled.
"And now I must pay for damages from your neglect when each coin must be expended with care. Let this be a lesson to you. Exercise the greatest caution when handling another's possessions. Be mindful of other people's property," he scolded.
Irse resisted the urge to remind him that they were already sailing for free.
"Yes, Teacher," the elf said, rubbing at the sore spot. Bet he used both hands for that.
The first mate looked uncomfortable. "Oh, dear! Shouldn't have made such a fuss! It's just a silly little thing, you know. Completely forgot we're getting paid for this trip. Please don't think about it. Tomorrow we should sail past Berdusk then a couple days more 'til Iriaebor where I'll get a new one."
As Nells walked away, master and student traded knowing glances.
"Did you really have to?" Irse griped.
Okami shrugged his shoulders, lips quirked.
"Please forgive the excessive force. I am a blacksmith, not a thespian."
Behind a paneled section of the hold, Dotie opened the hatch to the bilge and eyed them with her usual distrust.
"Tell me again why yer goin' down this stinkin' hole?"
"You may be the boatswain on this ship, but my duties are specific to repairs. I would inspect the bilge myself for leaks and weaknesses and arrest the problem before it grows," Okami explained.
"And I be the one doin' all the checks here below. Yer sayin' I've done it wrong the whole time?"
"It is wisdom to send two scouts. What the first pair of eyes may miss, the second may find. Not for lack of diligence, but for the difference in what each of them seeks."
"Whatever! It's yer trouble this time, not mine. Gimme the keys again when yer done." Dotie tossed the ring over to Okami and left, a little too eagerly.
"Let me do it. I'm smaller and I see better with little light," Irse volunteered.
"And what manner of man would I be to allow you to perform a perilous task in my stead?"
"Oh," she stammered. "But you - "
"Especially with your skill or lack thereof with the hammer, you are likely to puncture a hole larger-than-planned and send us all to the bottom sooner than we anticipated. You would sink the entire ship to drown the rats."
All thoughts of worry for him had fizzled at hearing his jibe. Maybe he'd like it if she locked the hatch and let him steep down there for a good while like a moldy teabag!
Lantern in hand, a small hammer and chisel hanging at his belt, the blacksmith lowered himself into the hatch which merely came up a little past his waist – a less than comforting indication of the limited crawl space in the bilge.
"Close it after me."
"What if something goes wrong?"
"It should not take long and none must hear of my work."
She pushed down at the trapdoor and sat on the floor to wait. Fiddling the keys between her fingers, she thought back on their little plan.
Scuttling the ship. In other words, deliberately punch holes in the hull of the bilge; Not to sink the vessel but to take on water, enough to slow them down and force a stop at Berdusk.
But the crew and the safety of the girls. They were also why Okami wouldn't risk outright confrontation, aside from the two of them already outnumbered in a confined space. While it seemed that Nells was being forced into this, her loyalty might still be with her captain. Hopefully, that wouldn't be the case if things do go south.
Clutching at the keys, she closed her eyes and recalled what they would have to do upon docking at Berdusk. Okami will stay at the ship and stall them, probably pretend to fix things. In turn she would sneak out and alert the city guards; maybe run into some Harpers there. How would she know if someone's a Harper, though?
Would they have "I'm A Harper" or "I Harp" tattooed on their foreheads?
It didn't take much to figure out that Okami was sending his apprentice to seek help, mainly to put her out of harm's way. Her brows furrowed with determination. She would have to be quick about it then – get back before they suspect anything and turn on him instead.
Jump ship quietly. Get help. Arrive with the cavalry. Have Safana and her men arrested. Free the slaves. Job well done, easy-peasy.
Did her foster father ever go on missions against slavers? If ever he did in his youth, it should have been a walk in the garden for him – he's got magic and other Harpers at his side. Maybe all he had to do was blast his way through doors and his warrior friends would do the slicing and stabbing for him.
But what could a blacksmith and a runaway do? Not much, she guessed, but hopefully just enough.
After what felt like hours, there was a knock from other side of the hatch and she scrambled to lift it up. Okami emerged from the trapdoor, face smudged and clothes drenched, reeking of foul water. Irse wrinkled her nose as she took the lantern and tools from him.
"Though I prefer the springs and baths of my homeland, for now a bucket of clean water would be heaven-sent," he said with distaste, wringing the hem of his short robe.
The elf smirked as she wiped the tools with a rag.
It would take more than a bucket of water to clean all of that.
From behind the screen came the sounds of splashing, vigorous scrubbing, and a whiff of soap.
Out in the open air and at a corner of the stern, they had set up a small wooden tub, a barrel of water, and a dressing panel – all requested through Nells and borrowed from Shar-Teel, everything carefully timed at when Safana had retreated to the captain's quarters for an unmissable beauty nap. Since putting to shore was out of the question, Okami would have to make do with the makeshift bathhouse on board.
Her Teacher insisted on being left alone, that the screen and a guard were unnecessary but his apprentice had insisted otherwise.
And so Irse sat at a stool, a dressing panel between them as he bathed. What would he say if he spied the wooden sword concealed under her cloak – which she also insisted donning despite the afternoon heat?
Well, there's no telling what could be lurking around and looking for trouble. Nobody said that witches only come out at night. Best to be ready.
"Don't you think it's weird the captain would have something like this in the ship?" She tapped at the screen. It wobbled briefly and the elf panicked, expecting the whole thing to come crashing down on her Teacher. Fortunately, there were no great waves in the river and both ship and panel remained stable, much to her relief.
"Do not be so hasty in your judgment. Captains of trading vessels might also find the need to make themselves presentable," Okami answered back.
"Yeah, but… Shar-Teel?"
The screen was of thin yet sturdy cherry wood, corners gilded with gold leaf though mostly cracked, the lacquered surface painted with idyllic scenes of forests and gardens, perhaps bright and colorful once but now dull and faded. Something quite not Shar-Teel. Perhaps something from home or reminded her of it.
Ears pricked at the approaching tramping of leather boots on wood. One of the guards emerged from the port side, threw a casual glance at her, then went over to the railings, stepped on a low box, and proceeded to undo his trousers.
Irse cleared her throat and stared icily at him. The man glared back.
"Do you mind?" he snapped at her.
"Well, excuse me! You got a choice of port or starboard, even at the bow if you want the captain to see. Go do your business in any of them, just not here!"
Mumbling to himself, the guard re-clasped his belt buckle and stepped down from the box.
"And whoever of your friends are peeing in the bilge… tell them that's not what it's for!"
"Friggin' knife-ears!" he groused while walking away.
"Idiots," she muttered back.
Soon the sloshing stopped and she heard Okami step out of the tub. Irse gathered his clean clothes, a towel, and bandages, all folded.
Looking at the roll of white cotton cloth, the elf wondered why her Teacher wrapped them around his abdomen most of the time. Certainly he wasn't nursing a festering wound. Or maybe he had an ugly scar. Either way, it seemed rude to ask if it was something he wasn't showing out in the open.
Irse handed them over by the side of the screen, eyes averted just in case. He thanked her and took them from her hands. After a while, he stepped out from behind the panel, fully dressed but hair still dripping wet; oblivious to the dark strands which clung to his face and neck.
The elf snickered at the rare sight.
"The towel was already soaked to its capacity."
"Maybe shake yourself all over? Works for a dog," she suggested with a smirk.
Okami ran his hands through his damp locks. "And for a wolf?"
Irse paused. "I dunno. Never even seen one up close myself."
"Hmm," he mused for a while, then without warning, he shook and swung his head wildly, hands wagging his hair, seemingly taking great care to send most of the droplets at her direction.
"Hey! Watch it!" she cried and swatted at the spray with her hands. As she wiped her face and arms, her Teacher proceeded to fold the screen.
"If you are done idling," he chided her. The elf snorted and grabbed a mop and bucket, swabbing at the floor as the blacksmith emptied the tub over the side.
Wordlessly they nodded at each other.
It was done. Now they wait for river and water to do their part.