Malspire

  ***

  It was the fifth day in Umuron, and I knew my brother would be heading for Norlan the next, so I made my way over to the Grand Oak to say farewell. I was still heartbroken but it could be months before I saw Ajator again, and so I steeled myself and searched him out. After asking some crew, I eventually found Ajator behind a stacked pile of stock, oddly hidden away from prying eyes. I did not call out to him as Ajator seemed to be in conversation with a stranger clad in fine furs with a top hat and golden rings upon his fingers that were wrapped around a silver topped cane. The man was wearing a pair of dark goggles, and had his collar turned up so it was hard for me to make out his face. The stranger was pointing a long finger at Ajator, and telling him something that I could not hear. I backed away round the side of the stack and waited. When Ajator finally appeared, he was surprised to see me and shot a glance back, but it seemed the stranger had gone.

  “I was looking for you,” I said.

  “I was inspecting the stock. A ship that size has a lot to take on and we leave in the morning,” said Ajator indicating the stack.

  “We leave today. My captain returned last night with orders to patrol the region. We’re to hunt rebels, stop piracy and smugglers from supplying the enemy. The Sea Huntress is ready to leave, so I wanted to say goodbye.”

  Ajator smiled, and took me by the shoulder. “I came looking for you, but you've been busy. Is all well? Are your ship and crew ready for action?”

  “All is well, and yes, we're ready.” I did not want to ask but I couldn’t help myself. “Did you visit her?”

  Ajator stopped for a moment. “I did.” He looked at me with a pained expression. “We've grown close, but it weighs heavy on my heart, brother. I know you like her.”

  “Please. Of course I like her, but as I said, she's not my type. Don't feel bad. I much prefer the simplicity and demands of a common girl. Miss Havlon will demand a lot more of you than a couple of coppers and a bottle of wine if you're not careful!”

  “She likes you. She said you were kind and tried to please her and her father, but you were like a fox trying to entertain a hen. She told me you're a true hero. I agree with her.”

  “Shut up, Ajator,” I said, but not in anger. Ajator laughed. I smiled too. How could I not? His smile, the twinkle in his eye. The man had a good heart and deserved happiness.

  “She's coming aboard the Grand Oak as my guest for the return trip to Norlan.”

  “I see. She will be safe then.”

  “Indeed!”

  “And so will you.” This thought at least was a little comfort to me. The two people in the world that meant something to me would be safe for a while on a battleship and then at port in Norlan away from the frontiers and war. I wanted to ask about the stranger, but Ajator had obviously seen him in private and it was none of my business anyway. If Ajator wanted to share it with me, he would have.

  “I had best return,” I mumbled as we walked along the dock.

  “Why so morose? We'll meet again soon, and we'll hunt together for rebels and pirates. Soon we'll be captains of our own ships, and then we'll wreak hellish fire upon the Empire's enemies, eh?”

  “Yes. Soon we shall. Farewell.” Again I smiled to put my brother at ease.

  “One more thing, Mal,” said Ajator. He stepped closer and in a quieter voice so as not to be overheard, said, “Are you a member of the Ship of Mariners?”

  Ajator was referring to a club which was meant to be secret but everybody knew about it. The organisation had lodges all over the Empire. Members had secret signs and performed secret rituals which I assumed they found amusing. I myself was not interested in being asked to join and doubted I would ever fit the mould for membership anyway.

  “Of course not. Are you?”

  “No.” Ajator looked troubled. “I was though. I was asked to join a few months ago by a fellow I had drinks with in the city. Odd man, but a good drinking partner. Name of Obein Klarans. Flame red hair, lost his ear and two fingers in a fight. Intelligent man, but not boring.”

  "Why did you leave? Did the masks and handshakes not amuse you?"

  “At first, yes.” Ajator responded frowning at some further thought.

  “Tell me Ajator, what's bothering you?”

  “Something happened. But...” Ajator paused.

  “But what?”

  "I might be mistaken. I felt the group, including Klarans were not all they seemed to be after a while. Talk would often be of the Empire and rebellion and I somehow felt questioned."

  "Questioned?"

  "As though they were trying to ascertain my feelings for the rebellion."

  "Nothing odd about that. On the Sea Huntress we have little else to talk about other than the possibility of Captain Crosp having an unfortunate accident."

  "Yes, but when I said that the rebels had a point, things took an odd turn."

  "What? Use your head, Ajator. We all know that war isn't simple. The rebels fight for an idea. They fight the blood system, a system you know that I don't hold with, but we also know our place and know that we fight for an even greater plan. Don't expect others to understand this though! The Secret Servants probably have agents in the Ship of Mariners and they will keep a close eye on you if you say things like that."

  "You don't understand, Mal. Shortly after, Klarans approached me and openly offered me a place in the rebellion. He told me that I would be able to keep the title and lands when the rebels win the war. He openly admitted to being a rebel agent!"

  "Oh, I see. It's a test."

  "A test? I thought of that. At first I thought that they were testing my loyalty to the Emperor after my statements, but he seemed so sincere."

  "So what did you do?"

  "I don't like these games of shadow and secrecy and tests. You know me. I left the Ship of Mariners. If they can't think for themselves then it's not for me."

  "Good. What if he was sincere?" I had to ask. I knew it was not so, but my darker side just had to pick that thread.

  "That has me worried," said Ajator and meant it. "Perhaps I should report it to the Secret Servants."

  I did not like the thought of that. Stay as far away from the secret police of the Emperor as possible was my gut feeling. "Leave it be, Ajator. Don't dwell on it. Thinking too much has always been a problem of mine. Perhaps it runs in the family and only now have you fallen victim to this malady.”

  “Ha! You say that I don't think?”

  “You have the looks, Ajator. You don't need to think. I really must go now. I'm expected.”

  I said my goodbyes and left quickly as a carriage pull up which I thought could have been Veinara and her father. I did not want to see her for fear of betraying my true feelings of anger and disappointment. I felt betrayed, but it was nothing a bottle of Deep Lorcant wine would not drown and so I headed back to the Sea Huntress, giving little further thought to my brother's words, but in time I would come to regret that. In time I would wish I had stayed with my brother, for Ajator, myself and the house of Ardalrion were set on the road to disaster.