"Good stock in that lad," said one man. "We need him to add fresh blood."
"Well, Neptarik?" asked Kelanus, laughing. "Do you want to rent yourself out, or inspect the girls first?"
Neptarik grinned. "Inspect them? Why not? Though I have never met an ugly sylph girl yet."
The men in the bar laughed and thumped their tables in appreciation at the sylph's joke.
"My Nirrin's first in the queue," interrupted the man who had spoken earlier. "A pretty one for the gambler."
"It depends how long we stay," put in the sylph helpfully. "Maybe I can get through them all."
Kelanus laughed. "You're one very greedy sylph."
Neptarik grinned.
***
"Cloudy said she would be some time."
Tahena rolled her eyes. "I know that," she replied, "but there's little point in kicking our heels here; we may as well return to Hejiller and wait until the ship is ready. Besides, Matron Ceren will worry about her orphan. We said we'd only be a few days."
Kelanus nodded. "True."
Kytra sat on her heels and ignored the conversation, sparked by the missing Neptarik. Not that they had lost the scout, just that he spent little time at the inn. He gambled with Larna's customers – handing his winnings to Kelanus for safe keeping – and spent a lot of time with all the allegedly frustrated female sylphs.
Kytra crouched beside one the chairs, forgotten by her companions. Which was how she liked her relationship with most humans. She had her own battle to fight. Could she trust Tahena enough to let her continue to try healing her bad earpoint? Should she, dare she? Perhaps only wishful thinking, but she felt more movement in it already.
They had spent the last day resting at the inn and Kytra decided she enjoyed being away from the orphanage. She liked seeing some of the places her ship had seen, and could now share with her latest sylph.
She looked up at the mention of Neptarik.
Kelanus grimaced. "They want to improve their breeding stock in Pensdren and the only way is to use sylphs from outside."
"He is being used as a prostitute."
"How? There's no money changing hands, except through gambling. Besides, it's good for him."
Tahena snorted. "No, it's very, very bad for him. When we return to Marka, he must be married. This does him no good at all in the long run. He must have a wife! At his age he should have two."
"A hundred wives would not be enough for Neptarik," put in Kytra.
Both humans looked at her in surprise. Kelanus recovered first.
"You're getting worked up over nothing. Neither he nor the girls are married, so their owners may do as they see fit."
"The boy's owner isn't here," pointed out Tahena.
"I've not heard any complaints from Neptarik."
"I'm sure you haven't! I bet he's loving every moment of it."
"So what's the problem?"
Tahena threw up her hands in surrender. "What's happening is immoral. It's disgraceful! Even Neptarik has admitted he wants nothing more than a wife."
Kelanus grinned. "If it's any consolation, I've decided we'll return to Hejiller. I'm sure Cloudy's missing him, too."
Tahena's eyes narrowed even further. "You're making fun of me."
The grin widened. "Of course. But you're right, we should return to Hejiller and try and hurry Cloudy up."
"We'll just have to wait for the stud first," sneered Tahena. "Oh well, it'll give me more time to look at Kytra's bad ear."
As if summoned, Neptarik wandered into the room. He smiled and nodded at them, before taking a seat.
"How much longer before we go?" he asked, nodding to Kytra.
"How do you know we're leaving?" demanded Tahena.
"I heard the discussion," replied the sylph. He smiled as the human woman blushed. "From the bottom of the stairs." He bowed to her. "I am pleased to hear that you care so deeply for my morals, donanya." He gave a quick frown. "You are not married, either."
Tahena colored even more and Kelanus rumbled a laugh. Confused, Kytra stared at them.
"You should be whipped!" The southern woman scowled at Neptarik before giving way completely. She threw her hands into the air and laughed. "All right, point taken."
The scout turned to Kelanus. "Do we leave now, or in the morning?"
"Now," replied the General. "Sorry to disappoint you."
Quite a crowd gathered to see them off. Larna Eydren wished Kelanus well in bringing the man who had stolen her father's life and name to justice at last, while a knot of sylph girls wept while taking turns to hug Neptarik goodbye.
Tahena kept her expression deliberately neutral while watching this emotional display, but she did notice that of those men not yet gone to their work, most looked pleased to see the back of Neptarik. He had probably won too much money; these men did not all enjoy a regular income.
Kytra stood to one side and waited for Neptarik to tell her what to do. The ship's sylph insisted on running with the scout, though she spared a smile for Tahena. Her wariness of Kelanus remained and the human woman doubted if that attitude would change much now. If she did not yet know that Kelanus was a decent man, she never would. At least the sylph's fear had caused no problems.
"All right Neptarik," called Kelanus. "Lead us out."
The male sylph took his place at the head of the small procession, turned his face towards Hejiller and led them out of the village. When Tahena next looked over her shoulder, she saw nothing of Pensdren but smoke rising from the village ovens.
"How's our friend Sallis ti Ath getting on?" asked Kelanus, dropping back to ride alongside Tahena.
"Haven't given him a thought in days," admitted his companion and her dark eyes glittered. "But he's not come any closer. Or further away. He's waiting somewhere."
"Perhaps."
"Sallis ti Ath never gives up. Once that warrant's in his hand, he will not rest until his man is in custody."
"Then why has he come no closer?" Kelanus looked at her. "He's making no effort to find us. We could be anywhere by now."
"He knows we intend to return." Tahena shrugged. "He won't have given up. He may have been summoned back to Marka, but he's not traveled far enough north for that."
"Where do you think he is?"
"Cadister, waiting for us."
"What will happen when we meet?"
Tahena sniffed. "He'll arrest you and escort you back to Marka."
"So he's unlikely to harm me?"
"Unless you try to harm him."
Kelanus smiled. "If he's in Cadister when we get there, I'll follow him quietly. That'll surprise him, I think."
"I don't think there is much left in life to surprise Sallis ti Ath." Tahena smiled. "Let's hope the Flying Cloud is ready to sail."
***
While Kelanus and Neptarik returned the horses to their rightful owner, Tahena returned Kytra to her orphanage. The sylph was surprisingly chatty from the moment Kelanus left their sight and smiled up at Tahena more than once. As she handed the sylph back to Matron Ceren, she realized that perhaps she should listen to her heart... She made a decision.
As the sylph disappeared to her quarters, Ceren turned to Tahena. "I take it she was no trouble? Infertiles rarely are."
"Very well behaved," replied the other woman. "Delightful, if a little wary of us. Especially Kelanus."
"I did warn you." Ceren gave a satisfied nod.
"I'd like to buy her," said Tahena. "She is charming."
Ceren's face grew solemn. "I'm afraid that won't be possible."
"Why not?" Consternation crossed the other's face.
"She has already been sold," replied the matron.
"To whom?"
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you that: such contracts are confidential."
Of course. Tahena knew better than to try and match the third party's offer. Such behavior was frowned upon all over the south.
"Oh well." She turned away.
"I have many other sylphs who would lov
e to enter your service," Ceren quickly added.
"Thank you, but I'd set myself on Kytra. No matter; I'm sure you've found her a good home."
Ceren smiled. "She'll know she's landed on her feet."
Tahena pulled herself together. "I'm sure she'll be happier with her new owner than carrying my books."
Matron Ceren saw her to the main door, but Tahena hardly registered her, returning to the quayside where they had last seen Flying Cloud. Pleased to see the ship had not sailed, she immediately noted a hive of activity aboard. She walked across the gangway, smiling and nodding to the crew. Mate Steffin met her as she stepped onto the deck from the rowing platform and nodded to her.
"What's that smell?" she asked, sniffing the air.
Steffin smiled. "Bacca," he replied. "Gorgeous, isn't it?"
Tahena's dark eyes flashed. "Dangerous," she retorted. "Pulling smoke into nose and lungs cannot be good for you. Faugh! What's going on? We thought you'd be here a couple of weeks yet."
"Ship and Captain have changed their minds," replied Steffin.
Tahena raised an eyebrow.
"Leave's been cut short and we're headed back to Cadister in the next day or so. Just waiting on the final consignment of bacca."
"Why the change of plan?" Looking around, Tahena noted a large number of southern men, all obviously sailors complete with their kitbags, gathering further aft.
"An old friend of the Captain's has agreed to join in a new company. There'll be two ships, so we're rushing north to get things started."
"Are Kelanus and Neptarik aboard yet? Is Cloudy?"
"Yes they are and no she isn't." Steffin grinned again. "Cloudy insisted we keep the cabin for you. Lucky to keep your privacy; we'll be proper crowded headed north with two crews aboard."
"Half the work, surely," laughed Tahena. "Why are they all here?"
"So they can learn to handle a ship like this. Southern ships are different from ours. When the officers are here tomorrow, the training will begin."
"I see." Tahena smiled. "I'd better go and join the others."
Entering the spacious cabin, Tahena found Kelanus in one of the chairs and Neptarik cross-legged on the floor. Her saddlebag looked abandoned on her cot and she nodded thanks to the sylph. She assumed he had sorted the luggage. He smiled back; despite her disapproval of so much he did, he seemed to view her with genuine affection.
"Cloudy or the Captain back yet?" rumbled Kelanus. "The sylph said we'd be welcome and it looks like we're expected, but I'd like to see her first."
"Not yet," replied Tahena. "But they're nearly ready to sail."
Kelanus nodded. "Something about a new ship and a partnership with a Captain Gardo, or some name similar."
"Steffin told me as much." Tahena shrugged.
Shouts from the deck above preceded the sound of pattering feet and Tahena peered out of the stern windows and towards the quayside. "Looks like the last of the cargo has just arrived," she remarked.
"Bacca." Kelanus shook his head. "I wonder how cheap it is to buy down here compared with home."
"It's a disgusting habit," pointed out Tahena. She swung to face Neptarik. "I'm surprised you don't indulge."
The sylph looked affronted. "Bacca?" He shook his head violently and screwed up his face in disgust. "Sylphs neither chew nor smoke it."
"They're not supposed to gamble either," countered the woman, quickly. "Or be busy out of wedlock."
Neptarik's eyes widened momentarily before he grinned. "Not many sylphs gamble," he agreed cautiously, "but many of us are required to breed outside marriage. We must produce a steady supply of sylphs for nasty human owners. But I have never heard of any sylph using bacca."
The southern woman smiled back to show she had finished baiting him.
She turned to Kelanus. "So we're waiting here for the Captain and ship's sylph to return?"
"Unless you have any better ideas," retorted the General. "How did Kytra take her return to the orphanage?"
"She's been sold," replied Tahena. "Sounds like it's to another ship owner so she should be happy enough."
"Unless it's one like the last," pointed out Kelanus. "We can wish her well."
Tahena changed the subject. "Are we staying aboard tonight, or eating in Hejiller?"
"I'd rather stay here." Kelanus shrugged. "I have a lot of writing to do so I know how best to conduct my defense once Sallis ti Ath lays hands on me."
Tahena crossed the small space to stand beside Kelanus. "Everything will work out," she promised. "Look how quickly we discovered the truth about Ranallic. Before we arrived we had no idea what to do or how to go about it. Yet, barely a week later, we're ready to return."
"Yes." Kelanus nodded. "But what will we return to?"
"We're about to find that out." She smiled. "Together."
***
The next morning, Cloudy served their breakfast. An apology for again not being aboard when they arrived and to assure them any rudeness was unintended. Ship sylphs should greet guests personally on arrival.
"Choca!" Neptarik rubbed his hands in glee at the dark sweet on each dish, beside the breakfast proper. His earpoints twitched in excitement and it looked for a moment that he might dance on the table.
The ship sylph nodded. "From my personal stock."
"Personal stock?" Neptarik blinked. "Will you marry me?"
"Oh Cloudy, we're touched but this isn't necessary," protested Tahena. "We've accepted your apologies."
"Please," begged the ship's sylph. "Take, eat, enjoy."
Neptarik nodded agreement and, just in case Tahena or Kelanus persuaded the other sylph to change her mind, popped his share straight into his mouth. Only a fool allowed the rare treat of choca to pass by and he for one intended that his piece ended up in his stomach.
"When do we sail?" asked Tahena. "I'm pleased to say we discovered what we came here to find."
Cloudy smiled. "As soon as the new ship's officers are aboard and the tide is in our favor. We had to wait for you anyway, so the ship is pleased that your quest was completed before you thought it might be."
"Had to wait for us?" asked Kelanus.
The sylph ignored the question. "Enjoy your meal," she said, bobbing a quick curtsy before dashing out of the cabin.
Neptarik fixed his gaze on the others' plates. "If you do not want your choca," he said, "I am more than happy to help you out."
After breakfast, the passengers stepped onto the stern walkway where they leaned against the rail to stare at the quayside and city, already gleaming in the strong sunlight. Tahena suddenly pointed.
"I wonder if those are the officers we're waiting for."
Seven men strode purposefully towards the Flying Cloud. A patch of blue betrayed a sylph's presence. The men were southerners with slanted eyes and sun-darkened faces, all smartly dressed in sailors' clothing. Neptarik, whose eyes were sharpest, suddenly scrambled back inside the cabin and disappeared onto the upper deck, where his companions heard him calling to Cloudy.
Tahena and Kelanus exchanged a look before following the sylph topside, where a grinning ship's sylph met them. She nodded towards the men still striding along the quayside.
"Here they are," smiled Cloudy. "We will sail as soon as the tide turns."
Tahena stared at the newcomers as they crossed the gangway to board the ship, where their crew greeted them. The sylph with them started shyly up the gangway, only hurrying when one of the newcomers with graying hair turned and called to her. Reaching the deck, the shy sylph smiled at Tahena and Neptarik, and glanced warily at Kelanus. Her one good earpoint twitched a couple of times.
"Hello," said Kytra.
Tahena grinned and Neptarik stepped forward to hug her.
Cloudy took her turn to hug the smaller ship's sylph. "I hope your time with your new ship is happier than with your old, Vel. Welcome to my decks."
Kytra grinned and bobbed her head. "So happy to stand aboard a ship again," she said. "Thank you for your welcome. We
are grateful for it."
Tahena patted the sylph on her back. "I'm so pleased for you," she said. "I tried to buy you, but Matron Ceren said you'd already been sold."
Kytra's smile broadened. "Thank you donanya." She gestured with her hand. "I hope we can still be friends."
Tahena hugged the sylph. "Of course," she replied.
***
Chapter 21
The Wraiths Attack
Marcus Vintner crept across the room, headed for the door. Everybody's food ration had shrunk again and cut most for those Olista rather chillingly referred to as "non-essential". That included domestic sylphs, so those who were not scouts or nurses spent most of their time asleep, barely breathing.
Jenn looked peaceful, curled up in her blankets with her earpoints tucked away, and Marcus did not want to wake her. Awake and active for about three hours a day, she managed to pack quite a lot of work into that time.
Usually, Marcus would be unable to pass without waking her, thanks to some strange sense, but she slept deeply now.
An auxiliary nurse in the field, her services were not needed in the city and so her rations were cut with all other domestic sylphs. Marcus feared the sylphs were slowly starving to death.
He stepped out of his rooms and into the hallway beyond.
As most light crystals in the hall were left uncovered, he blinked his eyes while they adjusted to the sudden brightness. He closed the door quietly behind him and a scout rose smoothly to his feet.
"Enya."
"Good morning, Belaika."
"We are going now?" asked the sylph, while his owner paused.
Marcus nodded. With no meal until midmorning, they had nothing to wait for. The Emperor had even rationed alovak. As Marcus and his scout left the palace, a knot of Guardsmen surrounded them in a swirl of purple-lined cloaks. A Guard Lieutenant made a short report.
"There has been no bombardment during the night, sire," he said.
Marcus's plan to raid Hingast by opening the gates at night had proved stillborn. Hingast had expected something of the sort and ensured plenty of light at the gates. The one attempt at a breakout ended in disaster as Hingast's concealed archers cut down his men as they left the city.
The extra light enabled the defenders to see any assault from the enemy. Hingast then began dousing the fires before sending men against the gates, so some of that advantage was lost. Sometimes he doused the fires just to panic the defenders.