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Chapter 7: Aboard the Naristral
 The sky was just beginning to lighten in the East the following morning when Kalen, Jad, Bertram and Taluk arrived at the pier where the Naristral was docked. Kalen didn’t know that much about sea-faring craft, but to him at least the ship that appeared out of the morning fog as they approached was impressive – even intimidating. A large caravel, she had three square-rigged masts, a forecastle and a two-level aft castle. She was at least a hundred feet long, far larger than any river barge Kalen had ever set foot on. In a way, the Naristral’s size was reassuring. He had seen the open sea for the first time in his life the day before, and the sight of that endless vista was more than a little daunting. But what troubled him even more than being afloat in the open sea was the seemingly obscure science of crossing it. How did one find their way across such a featureless expanse?
A few crewmen were at work on her sails while others were loading cargo via a bow gangplank. Two men stood by the stern plank, which had a rope railing and was lit by lamps. Jad led the way to the latter, hailing the men as they approached.
The shorter of the two waved, and the other hurried up to help them with their bags. Jad introduced the shorter man as Verilas, the First Mate. The Mate, a Shay man of perhaps thirty years, seemed friendly enough, smiling broadly and bowing after shaking Kalen’s hand. Though small of stature, he had a muscular build that was apparent even beneath his loose-fitting tunic. His brown hair was clipped short and he was clean-shaven, which was unusual for Shay sailors. (Men of the Shay race had heavy beards and few took the time and effort to shave unless it was important to their profession or status. The noble Laan men, by contrast, grew sparse or downy facial hair if any, and the Elves had none at all.) As they shook hands, Kalen also noted with surprise the large gold hoops Verilas wore in each ear -- though he’d heard that sailors sported such.
As they started up the gangplank after the Mate, Kalen looked back at Bertram. The young man wore an expression of dread that deepened every time the plank bobbed with the gentle motion of the ship. On deck, Verilas led them through a louvered door in the side of the lower aft deck. They followed him down a very narrow corridor with three doors on either side, to the last door on the right.
“Here’s yours and Sir Jad’s cabin, m’Lord, I hope you find it acceptable.” He swung the door open. “The forward cabin to this one on the port side is for the other gentlemen; the two rooms are connected. The door at the end of the hall is a private privy.” Verilas lit two lamps set on the wall. “Elerik is the ship’s cabin-boy; he’ll be serving your meals and keeping things tidy for you.”
The room was small of course, but actually well-appointed. It had large leaded windows facing aft with a built-in settee beneath, smaller portholes along the side, bunk beds, a fold-down desk and a compact washstand. All the furnishings were of a fine-grained dark reddish wood, and the fixtures were polished brass and copper.
“Quite acceptable, thank you.” Kalen nodded, setting his bags down.
“Thanks, Verilas.” Jad grunted as he relieved himself of a trunk and two other large bags he’d been lugging, then shook his hands out as if trying to bring the blood back into his cramped fingers.
“Then I’ll leave you to settle in. I expect we’ll be sailing shortly. We only await a few more passengers before the captain will summon the Navigator.”
Bertram opened the door to the other cabin. As he stepped through Kalen heard him mutter, “I can feel the floor moving even here in the dock. What will it be like out on the sea?”
“Quit whining!” Taluk chided him. “You drank your tea already, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I hope I have enough to last the voyage.”
“I hope so too! You’re getting the bottom bunk in any case!” Taluk snapped as he shut the door between their cabins, leaving Kalen and Jad to themselves.
The Marquess shook his head. It was going to be an interesting trip. He hoped that seasickness didn’t claim him as well. Trips on the lake near home had never bothered him, but this was his first real ocean voyage, and the Melurian Straits between Jaiman and Emer were well known to be rough seas, Navigator or not.
Jad flopped on the lower bunk. “I hope this is all right, cousin. I’m not that experienced in booking sea cruises.”
“It’s fine, nicer than I expected in fact. How much did it set us back?”
“Well... the fee for passage for each of us, including meals, was four gold coins.” Jad hesitated before adding with a grimace, “It was an additional five gold each because of the Navigator.”
Kalen blanched. “I knew it would be expensive, but mother insisted. And with a Navigator we don’t have to worry about storms, or even more than moderately choppy seas.”
“Still, I begrudge paying for something that we might not even need.” Jad groused. He hauled himself to his feet and began going through the bags. “It’s more than three hundred and fifty leagues to Sel-kai by way of Artha. We’ll be here at least a week, so I might as well unpack our things.”
“You could ask Taluk and Bertram to do that; isn’t that why they are here?” Kalen asked, as he rooted through his own satchel looking for his journal and pen-case.
Jad paused and looked at his cousin, an indulgent expression on his youthful face. “Kalen, Kalen! Yes, I suppose that is partly why they are here, but they aren’t just valets to launder our undergarments for us. They are both men-at-arms, supposedly here to protect us as well.”
Kalen made a skeptical face back. “Please! Taluk is twenty and Bertram hasn’t even seen his 18th summer. I grant you that they probably are more skilled with a sword than I am, but my father hardly sent his best knights to guard us. You’re a far better swordsman, and there you are folding my nightshirts!”
“First of all, you underrate your swordsmanship, as usual.” Jad slammed a drawer shut and turned to face his cousin, hands on hips. “Second, I don’t mind serving as your valet when we travel, and I know you appreciate it. But, third, Taluk and Bertram don’t know us like we know each other. It’s true their role here isn’t very clear, and they are young, but they are trained swordsmen, and they have their pride. I hate to ask them to wait on us.”
“Well when you put it that way.” Kalen was a little taken aback by Jad’s earnestness – not to mention the implicit rebellion against the cultural assumptions of aristocrat vs. commoner -- and he appreciated his cousin’s sensitivity to the other boys’ feelings. On the other hand, he didn’t want his cousin working while Bertram and Taluk lounged at their ease with no responsibilities in a luxurious cabin. “But I must point out that I was there when they signed on to this duty, and they understood that their duties would include performing household services. Bertram should be waiting on you, rather than you waiting on me!”
“But… I like waiting on you!” Jad stammered, and his cheeks went crimson.
On hearing that frank admission, Kalen felt a lump in his throat. He was constantly plagued by the fear that Jad would grow away from him, move closer to friends like Bertram and Taluk who had more in common with the Squire. But that Jad would prefer to act as a servant to Kalen than equal or superior to the others… it was very moving. “I’m… just glad you’re here.” He finally managed to say, then quickly returned to rummaging in his bag.
“If I wasn’t here, you’d never find anything!” Jad exploded in mock exasperation, trying to diffuse the emotional moment. “You’re looking for your journal, aren’t you? It’s in that other bag, the old black leather one.”
“What would I do without you?” Kalen tried to sound gently mocking, but the sincerity came out instead. His journal and pen case were indeed in the black satchel. He put them on the desk, then paused and stretched. “Well, maybe writing and unpacking can wait. Don’t you want to be on deck when we cast off, maybe watch our Navigator in action?”
“I would indeed! Perhaps this Navigator could give us a show and earn some small portion of his fee!” Jad grinned, pushing the bags into a corner.
Kalen, in a motion that was becoming second nature since leaving Gryphonburgh, felt in his breast pocket to be sure that the Phoenix pendant was there.
Together the cousins made their way back on deck. Cargo was still being loaded into the amidships hold by crewmen operating winches and pulleys, so the boys stayed out of the way towards the stern as they headed to the balustrade. As luck would have it, they were in time to see two other passengers arrive: an elderly man with a long snow-white beard, accompanied by a very young woman with flowing blonde hair. Both wore hooded pale grey robes, and the man walked with the aid of a staff of white wood. They — led by Verilas — came to the top of the gangplank just as Kalen and Jad arrived there. The Mate gave them a smile and nod as he passed. The old man ignored them entirely. But as the woman (who was quite lovely) swept by, Kalen saw her favor his cousin with what seemed to him like an overly friendly smile. The young Marquess thought he saw pointed Elven ears beneath her hair, though it was difficult to be certain.
“Sort of a strange couple, don’t you think?” Jad whispered after the two had passed inside the cabin area.
“Maybe he’s her grandfather or her guardian or something.” Kalen ventured.
“Maybe.” Jad favored his cousin with a smirk.
Verilas joined them then. “I have a feeling you gentlemen are on deck in the hopes of seeing the Navigator?”
“You got that quite correct!” Jad grinned. “We want to see where our gold is going – well, Kalen’s gold I mean.” He added quickly, blushing.
“Understandable. Oh, just a minute.” The Mate nodded back down towards the pier. “This fills our passenger list!” He said over his shoulder as he started down the gangplank.
An enclosed carriage had pulled up to the dock, and two men in dark hooded cloaks emerged from the interior while the driver unloaded trunks and bags. One of the hooded passengers then paid the coachman while the other started up the plank. He looked up and Kalen got a glimpse of a familiar face: a handsome young man with piercing pale blue eyes. Though Kalen had not seen him in more than two years, he was sure it was Lukas Austrenos -- the Viscount Ridgeston -- son of the Duke of Lathornia (a friend of his father’s). Lukas was a year or so younger than Kalen, only child and sole heir like himself. Though it was quite a coincidence that these two should find themselves on the same ship, it was not altogether unlikely. As the war intensified, the nobles -- looking to preserve their blood lines and family rights to granted titles -- were sending at least one son away where they would be safe. Northern Emer was a logical choice.
Kalen stepped up to greet Lukas as he arrived at the top of the plank with Verilas. “Lord Ridgeston, a pleasure to see you. I am –“
“— Kalen Avanir, Marquess of Endar!” Lukas interrupted with a smile that was even more dazzling than Kalen remembered. “The pleasure is mine to see you once again!” He took Kalen’s offered hand in his and fixed the young Marquess with that riveting azure gaze for a long moment. “And this is…?” He raised his eyebrows then as he looked to Jad. Kalen thought he saw Lukas’ smile widen a fraction further.
“Jad Hurok, my cousin, and my squire.” Kalen gripped Jad’s shoulder, a gesture he knew was somewhat possessive. But for some reason he found that the handsome young Viscount’s presence made him feel a bit… uncomfortable. Something about the way he was smiling at Jad.
“This is my guardian and tutor, Yandar Vit.” Lukas indicated the tall, dark-haired Elf who was just reaching the top of the plank.
Vit surveyed Kalen and Jad with a dour expression, nodded curtly and started to turn away, apparently dismissing them. But at that moment Kalen suddenly got a strange feeling, like a chill sweeping through his body, leaving an odd tingling over his left breast… where the Phoenix lay hidden in his pocket. Even as this happened, Lukas’ guardian whirled around and fixed Kalen with a penetrating — almost accusing — stare.
At that moment Verilas reached the top of the gangplank, dragging a large trunk behind him. As he did so it hit the deck with a thud, distracting Vit.
“Have a care with our luggage, crewman!” Snapped the Elf. Then he turned to Lukas with a softer expression and said in a silky voice, “We should get settled, my Lord. I believe we will be casting off very soon.”
“Very well.” The Viscount sighed, then gave the cousins a sympathetic look and a shrug before turning to join his tutor. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other later.” He said over his shoulder.
Verilas hailed a couple of crewman to take over the trunk, then turned back to Kalen and Jad. “Those were our last passengers and the cargo is just about loaded, so the captain will be summoning the Navigator any time now. He’ll be arriving on the aft deck, so go on up. Just stay clear of the steersman and the moving spars.”
They thanked the First Mate and climbed up the steep stairway to the second level aft deck. This level was smaller than the one below, and there were three cabin doors opening directly onto the deck. Another ladder led up to the uncovered top level, where the steersman — a powerful, tanned Shay man — stood behind a great spoked wheel facing forward and set just off center. Next to him was another man (of the Laan race by his height, fair skin and black hair) who Kalen presumed to be the captain.
The Laan was looking at a small writing tablet and conferring with the steersman when he spied the cousins. “You must be the Marquess of Endar and his Squire. I am Captain N’tagen. Here to watch us cast off, and perhaps see a Navigator?” His tone was neither hostile nor inviting, and his face expressionless as he gave a slight nod of recognition — the minimal acknowledgement of Kalen’s nobility. Though, since he wasn’t of Rhakhaan, he technically didn’t even owe them that much deference. Kalen was impressed that the captain was familiar enough with his passenger list that he would know who they were.
“Yes, captain, if that is permitted.” Kalen didn’t want to come off like some arrogant, spoiled royal brat.
“Just try to keep out of the way, watch the booms and spars, and hold on to the railings. Sometimes Navigator control will cause the ship to lurch and move in unexpected ways.” After saying this the captain turned back to the steersman, obviously dismissing the boys.
They shuffled over to the starboard balustrade and waited. After a minute or so Jad asked, with careful matter-of-factness, “So, where did you meet the Viscount Ridgeston?”
“That time I had to go to Haalkitaine with father, about two years ago, for that big fealty ceremony. I was introduced to him at some boring reception. I barely remembered him.”
“Well, he obviously remembered you.” Jad ended the sentence with a strange, almost accusing, sidelong look and a smirk.
“I suppose so, though it surprises me that he did. What are you suggesting with that face, cousin?”
“Oh come on!” Jad rolled his eyes. “I haven’t been to Haalkitaine in four years and I’ve still heard the rumors.”
“What rumors?” Kalen looked back at him blankly, honestly not knowing.
Jad glanced around as if looking for eavesdroppers before leaning close to his cousin and whispering, “That he’s a…Sher— that he likes… that he sleeps… with guys— men.” He finally managed to stutter out.
Kalen’s jaw dropped. Lukas was…?
Just then, both young men realized that the captain was staring at them from across the deck. “You wanted to see a Navigator appear, now’s the time.” Captain N’tagen said when he had their attention. Not waiting for further acknowledgement, he retrieved something resembling a large gold coin from his pocket. Pressing his thumb in the center of the disk he announced to no one in particular “I require a Navigator!”
Instantly Kalen felt a tingling on his skin, and the little hairs on his forearms and the back of his neck stood up. He heard Jad’s sudden intake of breath and knew his cousin felt it too. Then a faint bluish light appeared a few feet in front of the captain. It grew brighter and larger, becoming a swirling cluster of smaller lights, leaving luminous trails as they whipped around like a whirlwind of stars. The lights defined a column perhaps three feet across and eight feet high and within that column a human figure began to appear, bathed in a sapphire halo. Then this hypnotic display ended in a flash, leaving a tall man standing in its aftermath. The entire process lasted perhaps three breaths.
Even taller than the captain, he was a lordly Elf, with black hair and grey eyes. Silver hoop earrings dangled from his delicately pointed ears. He wore a tunic, breeches and boots all of grey leather, accented with elaborate fasteners of some dull silvery metal. The left sleeve of his tunic was shorter than the right, and on his bare forearm was a silvery cuff, unadorned except for a large cabochon that glowed with a prismatic light. This bracelet, Kalen suspected, was the Navigator’s enchanted Compass, the instrument giving him power over the very Flows of Essænce.
Turning towards the captain, yet seeming to be looking at some invisible point in space nearby but not directly at him, the Elf spoke with a quiet but penetrating voice. “Ah, Captain, N’tagen, I presume? I am Tar-esiir.of the Navigators. Do you desire the usual service?”
“Yes, full sail and calm waters to Artha, then on to Sel-kai.”
“How many passengers?”
“Fourteen.”
“Very well, the fee has been deducted. Are you ready to cast off?”
“At your command.” The captain nodded. Only then did Kalen notice the crew waiting expectantly at various locations on deck and on the yards above, ready to release the sails. He could barely see some of them through the still-thick predawn fog. They must put great trust in the Navigator’s skills to leave port under these conditions, he thought.
Tar-esiir closed his eyes, and the gem on his bracelet suddenly glowed brighter. “Release the mooring ropes.”
The captain barked a command and men on the docks released the heavy hopes holding the Naristral in place. The ship began to move slowly and deliberately away from the pier. Kalen and Jad leaned over the balustrade; below them they could see the water against the ship’s hull churning and bubbling. Somehow the Navigator was controlling the waters around the Naristral, gently guiding her away from the dock.
The ship creaked and groaned beneath them, turning as she edged away from the dock.
“This doesn’t seem quite natural.” Jad muttered under his breath.
Indeed, it wasn’t natural. The Navigator’s Compass was giving off a brilliant light that seemed to shift through a rainbow of colors. He was facing forward, his hand extended in front of him. He spoke a word which echoed in the still air. Kalen felt a rush of wind, and the fog retreated away from the Navigator, rolling off the ship… back over the waters, revealing the harbor clearly to perhaps a stone’s throw away. They continued to move away from the dock, the ship bobbing slightly as she swung round. “Raise the sails!” Tar-esiir commanded.
With a word from the captain, the crew scrambled to comply, unfurling the center sails on each mast. The Navigator gestured and Kalen felt another breath of wind across his face. The sails filled, and the Marquess was glad for the captain’s advice to hold on, for the Naristral surged forward with such suddenness that he nearly lost his balance. There were a few calls of surprise from the rigging, but apparently all the crew were uninjured. The ship’s movement steadied, and she headed out of the harbor, the crew slowly adding additional sails as they reached the open waters of the Nea Bay. The Navigator’s bracelet dimmed and he lowered his hand. “I apologize for the rough start, Captain, there was an unexpected Essænce surge.”
“No harm done.” Grunted N’tagen.
The boys remained on deck for awhile longer, though there didn’t seem to be any more excitement forthcoming. The Navigator just stared ahead, keeping his thoughts to himself. Behind them the sky began to grow light and the fog thinned, making the bubble of clear air around them less distinct.
They were joined then by another passenger, climbing carefully up the steep stairs. She was of the Laan race, apparently of middle years, her black wavy hair shot with strands of grey. Mumbling something apparently to herself, and casting a disparaging glance towards the Navigator, she pulled her heavy wool cloak closer about her shoulders and raised her hood. Only then did she appear to notice the boys, her brows knitting in disapproval. “You two should have coats on, there’s a damp chill out here!” She scolded. “You wouldn’t want to catch a fever!”
“Thank you for your concern, ma’am, but we’re from north Rhakhaan and quite comfortable.” Jad smiled, obviously amused at her concern.
“I see, and I suppose because you have some Elven blood you think you’re immune as well! Just don’t come crying to me halfway to Sel-kai complaining that you caught the Shakes!”
For some reason Kalen found this woman’s querulousness endearing, perhaps it was because he could tell she was just masking genuine concern. “We’ll take care, ma’am; actually I think we were about to go below anyway. If I may, I am Kalen Avanir, and this is my cousin Jad Hurok.” They bowed. Kalen noticed a scent about the woman then, not a fragrance like perfume, more like basil or similar spice.
“Ruuth S’chaard, a pleasure to meet polite young men for a change; most northerners seem rather unfriendly to outsiders.” She smiled briefly. “Heading to Sel-kai I take it?”
“Yes, hoping to avoid the worst of the winter.” Kalen offered, hoping she didn’t press for details.
“I don’t blame you; trouble brewing all over Jaiman it seems. I’m eager to get home to my shop. I hope my assistant hasn’t killed all my plants in my absence.” She clucked her tongue. “I’m an herbalist by trade, you see. Ah here we go, a little sunlight!” Ruuth lifted her face up.
True enough, the sun peeked over the hills to the southwest and lit the sea and mist with a golden glow.
Captain N’tagen joined the passengers. “We’ll sail along the coast of Lathoria for the rest of today and tonight, reaching the point of Crædinor around dawn tomorrow. Then it is open water until we pass the north coast of Aranmor the morning of the following day.”
“Not too close to Aranmor, I trust, Captain?” Ruuth asked with a shudder.
“No, ma’am, we will stay well clear of the boiling waters, just keeping the island in view.”
“Boiling waters!?” Jad exclaimed in alarm.
Ruuth smiled indulgently. “Aranmor is an island with an active volcano. Or rather it is an active volcano. Undersea heat vents all around it make the waters boil and steam. It is very treacherous, but only if you get close to the island.”
Really!” Jad looked at her as if he doubted her word, but the captain nodded in affirmation. “You should travel more, young sir, learn about the world around you. Now if you will excuse me, I have duties to attend to. I believe that breakfast will be available in your cabins shortly.” N’tagen bow crisply and strode away.
“’Boiling seas!’ what next?” Jad whistled.
Ruuth just chuckled to herself and wandered back towards her cabin. “See you later, boys!” She called back with a little wave.
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