Dearest Readers, may your plans in all of your adventures come to sweet fruition. :)
THE HIDDEN SWORD: A TALE OF BALDUR'S GATE
Book One: From the Earth | Chapter 12: Sand in Water
First to greet her in the waking world were hornworts, floating scrubby river greens, clinging to her face, suffocating her. Suspended between the surface and the riverbed, limbs weightless, frantic hands scrambled for anything to anchor her.
Realization screamed – the plan, it worked too well! Overnight as they slept, the water must have surged from the forcibly ruptured hull and into the hold, pulling them to the bottom much faster than they expected.
In the murky darkness, her mind sought to where Okami and the crew might be in the midst of this, if they were hurt, awake, had at least swum away from the wreckage... The girls! They were housed in the hold; had they been let loose to save themselves? If only she could right herself, pull free and break through the surface…
And then she hit the cold hard wooden planks of the cabin floor.
Dry. The floor was dry! Well, sort of.
One foot still raised and tangled at the hammock, Irse laughed in sweet relief. She would have gladly kissed the somewhat clammy wood but she knew just how disgusting that would be and resigned to patting the floor with familiar affection.
Chalk it up to feeling a bit too nervous about the plan. Well, she shouldn't be. Everything will be all right.
Nerves of steel, nerves of steel, she chanted to herself.
And then her stomach of iron reminded her of breakfast.
"Boo!"
Irse twitched in surprise, nearly dropping the rag in her hand.
"Sleepin' with yer eyes open again," Dotie heckled, turning her back on the elf to pick up the slack lines on the deck.
The girl stuck her tongue out in response and went back to polishing the railings at the bow. Not daydreaming, only antsy about the plan. Again she tried to reassure herself that no one would ever suspect Okami of puncturing the hull – it was his profession to fix and make things, not break them. Sort of like a blacksmith's code. The elf stared into space and wondered for a moment if blacksmiths do have oaths and codes, like paladins and priests.
"Irse."
"Yes, Teacher?" she turned around and walked over to him.
Okami handed her a small bundle, wrapped in a clean kerchief. Curious, the girl took it from his hands and unwrapped the parcel.
Biscuits! Irse smiled with pleased surprise and immediately stuffed an entire one in her mouth, cheeks puffed with effort to chew the whole piece inside. She mumbled her thanks, readying the next one as soon as she could swallow the first.
"You seemed hungry," Okami reasoned as he observed her. The elf beamed like a delighted child, crumbs on the chin and lips.
"Hmmm. This reminds me of an old trick our commander would often use before battle to calm the nerves of new recruits. A simple act unrelated to the situation at hand, such as chewing, serves to distract the mind from worries. Though of course, it was unbecoming to be eating while in formation, but he preferred wholeness of mind and spirit over the fragile mask of decorum," he recounted nonchalantly, turning his attention to the rigging.
Irse slowed her munching, nodding and understanding what he really meant to do. Help her deal with the jitters lest the others suspect them of anything. A good thing too, because she was indeed still hungry.
"Do not consume all of it at once. Lay aside a portion for later," he reminded her, a wry expression on his face.
Right. The girl grinned sheepishly but devoured one more piece, enfolded the rest and stuffed them in her pocket. Well, he was right about eating while in the middle of something, though. Seeing him calm about the whole thing was reassuring as well.
After all, they were doing the right thing. The gods should bless that and at the very least, not help the bad folks in this.
What's the worse that could happen? Stub her toe while sneaking out? Be given away by a rumbling stomach? Again.
Well, she has the biscuits for that now. Irse patted at her pocket with renewed sureness.
The rest of the morning sailed on without event.
"Of all people, you should be most concerned why Berdusk isn't behind us yet," Safana complained, standing next to the captain at the helm, impatience wrinkling her otherwise near-smooth brow.
"We're a mite heavier now the ship's taken on more weight - in people, if you took time off from preening like a bedecked turkey to notice at all," Shar-Teel retorted.
The captain leaned over the wheel as if to yell a command at the crew working in front of her. "And maybe if someone hadn't lost the sounding line back there, we'd be cruising without knotting our knickers that we'd run ourselves aground in the shallows 'round here!"
At the bow and hearing the captain's words, Irse guiltily scrunched her shoulders and wiped the banister with more contrived diligence.
"You should know the river by heart, with or without whatever it was you lost. Negligence and delays aren't good for my business and yours," Safana said bitingly.
The elf refrained from glancing at her Teacher who was busy with the rigging. Not far from her, Dotie was coiling a line. Act casual, don't wipe too fast or too slow, pretend it's all normal.
Shar-Teel merely snorted, one hand on the wheel. "Maybe the winds don't give a whippin' sard about your business. Why don't you jump off and push the boat yourself if you're in such a hurry! Go do something useful other than dandling on every pus-crusted prick that wags itself in your face."
Normally the Calishite would brush off the insult, even relish the Captain's ire while reminding Shar-Teel that talking back was the only thing she could do to her employer; but this time Safana seemed in no mood to trade barbs.
As both women stewed in livid silence, one of the guards rushed up from the cargo hold and reported to them in a low voice. Irse caught a few words –water coming through the planks. The look of surprise and disbelief on their faces were proof enough.
"How the nine hells did that happen?" Shar-Teel demanded.
The first mate had arrived from the galley and had heard part of their talk. "I'll look into it myself, Captain," she offered. Shar-Teel grunted in assent, seeing she was needed more to pilot the ship. Nells called for Okami to come along and strode ahead towards the stairs, tailed by Safana and her guard.
The girl watched them disappear down into the cargo hold, worried eyes on her Teacher as he quietly followed them without a backward glance.
"Looks like yer Master missed a spot."
Irse heard the dwarf sneer at her, but the elf was too uneasy to talk back.
Minutes waved by until half an hour had passed and they were still down there. The captain muttered and cussed with growing impatience; even Dotie appeared restless and unable to concentrate on the ropes as she undid and re-did what she had already done.
The girl kept glancing at the door to the cargo hold. What could be happening down there? Have they been found out? Pretty sure that given his work, her Teacher could throw them off with whatever excuse he could come up with. Even with that short but sour non-history between him and Safana, they ought to assume he wouldn't meddle at all to keep them both, especially the elf, out of that woman's crosshairs.
But still, anything could always go wrong. The thought of her Teacher down there by himself, surrounded by Safana and her guards was disconcerting. What if someone ratted on them and they took him down there because they already knew?
Unable to contain her worry, Irse was about to volunteer to fetch news for them when Okami alone returned to the deck. Seeing him unharmed eased her mind somewhat.
"What happened?" she asked as coolly as she could muster.
"I explained to them how yesterday's inspection revealed no breach. But with the bilge having been flushed infrequently, all the collected water may have disguised the minor leaks which can do naught but worsen given the hull's questionable integrity," he replied, his voice a bit louder but more for Shar-Teel's and Dotie's hearing.
Well then, they should buy it, and the plan is still on course. Irse fought the urge to grin with respite.
They were about to resume their work when Safana and Nells emerged from the cargo hold. Irse turned to look and was startled at what she saw behind them.
The four guards and all of the slaves. Perhaps they wanted to keep their precious cargo dry. How thoughtful.
The first mate took her place at the captain's side while Safana walked to the center of the deck.
"It appears we have a minor setback. It's quite obvious to everyone that our ship is taking on water," the Calishite announced.
"So are we gonna dock in Harper Hole, boss?" Shar-Teel mocked.
"No," Safana said. "We will stop for repairs but not in Berdusk. Though I will know first who sabotaged my ship."
She raised a hand and the guards drew their daggers; each one seized a girl and forced them on their knees. Safana nodded at her men and the blades were thrust at their throats. The hostages and some of the slaves cried in fear while a number of the older girls hugged the younger ones who began to sob.
From the corner of her vision, Irse saw her Teacher's fist clench. She shuffled closer and grasped at his elbow from behind, a gesture to hold him back. As he glanced at her questioningly, she subtly mouthed the word "bluff" at him.
That woman's far too greedy to lose one of her precious merchandise. Irse would know of course. She had heard it straight from the horse's own mouth.
"No one? Are honesty and honor truly dead in these times?" Safana goaded. She raised a finger and the guards removed the blades.
"But I'm not a complete monster," she purred sweetly. "Why would I take their lives when I could simply take their sight?"
The men then roughly locked their hostages' heads in their arms, and pointed the tips of their daggers at the girl's temples.
Irse bit at her knuckle. All right, it's not a bluff then.
Finger still raised, Safana raised an expectant eyebrow. Slowly she let down her hand while the guards edged the blades closer to the hostages' eyes. Not a few of the slaves screamed in terror and begged for mercy.
Her grip on his elbow tightened. What are they going to do now?
They had talked about it – a backup plan in case they were found out before reaching Berdusk.
And that was to fight their way out. No, he would fight his way out, but she was to hide in their room, bar the door and wait it out. The elf insisted she was ready and that all of those drills, both real and only in mind, shouldn't have to go to waste. But he counter-insisted and even made her promise she would do as instructed in the worst scenario. Irse wanted to argue some more though nevertheless agreed, but only to reassure him. And because it was nearly supper at the time.
One of the guards let out a nasty chuckle and pricked his captive's temple with the point of his dagger, drawing a trickle of blood. The unfortunate girl wailed, sure of her fate.
The elf felt her Teacher shift forward slightly. Is he going to confess? Irse breathed in. Here goes…
"Wait! I know who did it. I will tell."
All eyes turned to the helm in surprise.
"Nells?" Shar-Teel croaked.
Safana smiled and motioned for the guards to hold back.
The first mate exhaled, "It was Mister Okami and he was helped by Irse."
Amazingly, Dotie stared at them, mouth open in disbelief.
"I realized it wasn't an accident, nor was Irse that clumsy to lose the sounding line."
Had it been happier times, the elf would have thanked her and wished everyone back at the Keep had heard the rare praise.
"But Dotie mentioned that Mister Okami asked to check the hull yesterday. This morning I noticed the mark was submerged far below the water line. That can't be, no matter the depth. I was about to look into the bilge myself when the guard reported a flood starting in the cargo hold. Mister Okami's reasons earlier might have been convincing, but I know this ship and how much it can take, better than anyone. And then we couldn't speed ourselves along whether by sail or oars for without the sounding line, we wouldn't be sure of the river lest we run ourselves blind through the rocks we know beneath the surface and shallows in these parts. It was no coincidence; they're trying to slow us down and get us to stop at Berdusk where the Harpers are."
"But they didn't know! They wouldn't have known!" The half-elf looked pleadingly at Safana, then at the blacksmith and his apprentice.
"Nells!" the captain shouted angrily in warning.
"I know it's wrong but we had no choice! We couldn't pay it all back and we were out of time; they're taking the boat away! Safana came along and promised to help us, but she had Shar-Teel put under a geas before we knew we were supposed to transport slaves bound for Westgate!"
Safana clapped her hands in mocking fashion. "Well done," she said, approached the first mate and slapped her in the face. The half-elf reeled backwards and Shar-Teel rushed to hold Nells at the shoulders and steady her, glaring in helpless rage at the Calishite.
"That's for not telling me sooner." Safana waved a hand and the guards tightened their hold on the hostages, daggers pointed once more at their faces.
"Throw your sword at my feet and get down on your knees, both of you, if you wish for no harm to come to them," the Calishite commanded the pair.
Sensing their hesitation, the woman added, "You're in no position to fight nor bargain, smith. I have the lives of not only the girls but their captain as well. With the geas, Shar-Teel can do no harm to me and nothing else, other than obey every word of my command."
Irse gritted her teeth in frustration. The woman was right. No matter the deal, the crew had no choice but to go with their captain. She knew what a geas was and how serious such a curse could be.
Not too long ago, one of the Avowed had fallen victim to one of their pranks, a harmless but humiliating one. Despite apologies from Irse and Imoen, in his wrath he had threatened to put them under a geas as punishment but Gorion got wind of his words. It was no secret that the said monk was visited by her foster father for a "small talk" and soon afterwards with hysterical tears and free-flowing snot, the monk apologized and begged the two girls to understand he was only jesting. When the young elf had asked her father about it, Gorion gently explained what it was, along with a grave admonition against depriving another of their freedom and will whether by law or magic.
Now it was all clear to her – Nells' constant state of agitation and fear for her friend, Shar-Teel's testy defiance against carrying out the work, and Safana acting as if she completely owned the crew.
"To sell living souls and compel the desperate against their will to aid you in your crimes – no tallowed lead can measure the depths of such wickedness," Okami began as he stepped forward. "But a geas can be removed – either by a powerful priest which the Harpers would surely have among their numbers or allies."
Okami gripped at the scabbard, sword hand rising slightly. "Or by the death of the imposer. I offer you a choice between the two. Which shall be it then?"
The guards retained their hold on the girls but looked uncertainly at their leader yet the Calishite remained unfazed. "You're wasting your breath. You think I won't do what needs to be done? I'm taking no chances!" she scoffed.
Safana raised a hand and was about to give command to blind the hostages when harsh laughter rang out and echoed across the deck. The odd outburst of hilarity gave everyone pause as they turned to see it was the captain, leaning on the wheel and sniggering, tears in her eyes.
"Funny you should say that," Shar-Teel said with a smirk. "Never thought I'd say this myself but for once in my life…" The captain gripped the wheel.
"I'm taking my chances with a man!"
Shar-Teel suddenly steered the wheel to drive the vessel to portside.
"What are you doing? You've gone mad! You'll jeopardize everything!" Safana shrieked as she dived at Shar-Teel. The captain shoved her away and the Calishite fell to the floor. Safana crawled to the nearest mast, clung to it and barked at her guards to stop the captain.
Okami stepped forward and made to draw his sword and intervene, giving the men pause even as they still held on to their captives. The ship began to lurch dangerously; everyone now feeling their balance falter.
Shar-Teel had resumed turning the wheel but disobedience has its limits. The captain cried in agony as her body suddenly spasmed violently, fighting against the magical bond placed upon her.
Just as Shar-Teel's hold faltered, another set of hands grasped at the handles. Nells threw an apologetic smile at her friend, then with all her might, spun the wheel to the left.
It was clear what they intended to do. Everyone scrambled to brace themselves, some at the railings and others dropping flat to the floor.
Okami grasped Irse and Dotie by the scruff of their necks and pushed them to the side, shouting at them to grab hold. He draped himself over the two to shield them, likewise gripping the railings as firmly as he could.
The boat crashed into a sand bank.
In one moment the whole world heaved forward with force to knock out breath and wit, the whiplash pulling everything back with equal violence.
Then all went still.