Outlander Ch. 02

Her sails were down and there were three lanterns casting a wan yellow light situated on the main deck, forecastle, and poop deck. The dim light was designed to allow the sea dogs to see well enough to fight on deck without killing their shipmates if attacked at night, but not hinder their ability to see approaching raiders in the darkness.

They quickly crossed the open area and made their way past the sentry guarding the gangplank. The sea dogs who waited on deck let out sighs of relief as the party made their way through the gangway and on to the main deck. The women burst out of a hatch that led below deck and hurried to embrace their loved ones. Betta, Ithos's wife, pulled her husband and son into a fierce embrace, and Ithos slipped one arm around her and the other around his son. His earlier anger was apparently forgotten.

Garek smiled as his wife Emma slipped into his arms. "I'm all right my love," he said as she squeezed him tightly. He ran his fingers through her long hair that was as much gray now as black, and smiled at his daughter Ava over his wife's shoulder. She was the image of her mother 25 years ago.

"Is it true this man is an outlander?" Ava asked curiously, her emerald green eyes looking over Jack who lay forgotten on the deck amidst the joy of their safe return. "He doesn't look like much," she said coolly after her father nodded.

"Well Ava," he said. "Let us hope, for all our sakes that he is more than he appears to be."

Garek and Ava's heads turned sharply when the hatchway that led below deck slammed open with a bang. A tall man with shoulders an wide as an axe handle spilled onto the deck. He was a big man, though lean, and his long dark hair swayed as his head swung searchingly. His dark child-like eyes found who he was looking for, and with a cry of delight ran toward Garek. Crewmembers scrambled out of the big man's path as he barreled through them.

Emma barely had time to remove herself from her husbands embrace before the man caught Garek up in a massive hug. Garek gasped as the man's well-muscled arms squeezed the air out of him.

The members of the crew looked away respectfully. They were familiar with this scene but no matter how many times they witnessed it, they always felt the heartbreak that hung heavy in the air. The man was Aiden, Garek's son. He had once been the most famous swordsman in the land. He had been hailed as a hero by the people of Aramoor for the battles he had fought against the Karokai. His skill with a blade had been legendary until in the confusion of battle a Karokai cudgel caved in the back of his head. Though a witch of the covenant had healed his physical injuries, his mind had been reduced to that of a child.

"Son," Garek said with a laugh, finally catching his breath. "I am happy to see you too, but if you want your surprise you will have to put me down."

"Aiden honey, put your father down," Emma said. She tried to sound loving but couldn't keep a hint of sadness out of her voice.

As Aiden quickly put his father down and trembled with excitement, Garek saw Viviane, Aiden's wife, come onto the deck. She was tall for a woman and her lustrous golden hair hung in gentle waves, framing a face so delicate and beautiful that many men had lost their hearts with barely a glance. She met Garek's dark eyes with her brilliant blue. They shared a look of profound sadness that eschewed the need for words.

"Now, where did I put it?" Garek asked, returning his attention to his son. He patted his pockets as though he had forgotten where he placed the prize. Aiden practically quivered in anticipation. His eyes followed Garek's hands as he pretended to search his clothing for the trinket. "Here it is," he said and with a flourish produced a little carved wooden horse.

The little horse was carved of lime wood and small enough to fit in the palm of Garek's calloused hand. It had been painted black with white spots and had a tiny saddle made of leather. It had become Garek's habit to pick up some little trinket or toy each time he made port. The toys were one of the few things that brought Aiden happiness since his wounding at the hands of the Karokai.

Aiden's face lit up and he reverently took the little horse from his father's hand. He wandered over to a clear spot on the deck and sat down. He removed a leather pouch that fastened to his waist and dumped its contents on the deck. An assortment of figures, toys, and other oddments spilled onto the deck in front of him. He added the little horse to his collection and began to play.

Viviane smiled and moved gracefully to her husband's side and knelt beside him. He looked up at her beautiful face. "Pretty," he said. Since his injury, it was the only word he ever said. She smiled and arranged her gray dress around her as she sat. The simplicity of the dress somehow enhanced her beauty and elegance as she sat on the deck and watched her husband play.

Garek gave everyone a few more moments then began issuing orders. He commanded the crew to move the ship a mile off shore and make anchor until morning. If the Maelstrom Sea could be navigated at night, he would have ordered them to raise sails for the port city of Antyor immediately. As it was, they would have to wait for morning before setting sail.

He ordered Jack moved below deck and into one of the guest cabins, and for the sea dogs to keep watch in shifts through the night in case Drebin and the Kraken left port for another attempt at snatching the outlander.

Garek stood at the main deck rail, staring at the pale twin moons in the night sky as the crew cut the moors, and manned the oars. He listened to the sound of the oars dipping in and out of the still water. The Arabella slowly pulled away from the dock and turned out to sea. At that moment, it seemed peaceful but he knew that the dangers ahead would test his resolve like never before. He only hoped he and Jack Forester had the strength to see it through to the end.

**********

Drebin cursed as he stalked up the gangplank and onto the deck of the Kraken. Wounded and dead sea dogs littered the deck. The moans of the injured only fueled his anger. "Who the fuck sneezed?" he barked and looked from man to man as though he couldn't decide which of them should be the focus of his fury.

"Sir, it was Danner," one of the men spoke up.

"Where is he so I can kill him?" his head snapped in the direction of the man who spoke.

"He's already dead, sir," another man called out.

Rage contorted Drebin's face for a moment before he regained control of himself. "Very well," he said, his anger still burning but under control. He turned to his First Mate. "Mohanjo," he barked.

"Aye sir," Mohanjo answered. He stood a head taller than his captain did. And where Drebin's clothing was foppish and extravagant, his was simple leather and wool. He wore two short curved swords in scabbards strapped to his back so that his swords crossed and the hilts stood up above his shoulders. His hair was black and cropped close to his scalp. His eyes were cold and black, the eyes of a killer.

"Send someone to the covenant house to fetch a few witches; I need these men healed," he said. He would have to act quickly to salvage the situation, but if he was anything, it was cunning. "Take a few men back to the tavern. Kill Ulfes and have them dispose of the body. While you're there send a bird to the king. Inform his majesty that Captain Liaman murdered Master Ulfes and seized the outlander for reasons unknown. Add that we are in pursuit of the traitor in the name of his majesty's justice."

Mohanjo nodded. His dead eyes revealed nothing of his thoughts, but his hard thin lips turned up slightly at the corners. Soon he would be unleashed, and blood would run. He had almost defied the captain in the market when ordered to let Captain Liaman and his men pass. He wanted blood; he needed it. At least he could amuse himself with Ulfes for a few minutes. He laughed inwardly at the thought of the tavern keeper tied up in his own storeroom, awaiting rescue, unaware that death was coming for him.

"Once that is finished," Drebin continued. "Round up as many swords for hire as you can find. I don't care if you have to roust every hostel, tavern, and inn in the village. I need men. Be back before dawn for we sail at first light."

Drebin turned and stared across the bay where the Arabella was currently pulling away from her mooring. The outlander was going to be his ticket to riches beyond his wildest dreams, and Liaman would not stand in his way. Tomorrow the chase would begin.