With the two crews working together it took only eight days to make the Shakilgimil sea-worthy again. We rounded up the horses, not a daunting task on such a small island, and with the enticement of the diminishing supply of grain lured them back aboard ship while she was still in the small dry dock. Our last night under the stars at Bax Garâkh was as much of a feast as we could make. Tabri, Captain of the Rothbalâk, came down to join us. He was a man large of belly and outward mirth, who could easily be taken for some sort of fool. Yet he was surprisingly swift on his feet and his wits were as sharp as my cutlass. He was not someone to be underestimated. It was plain to see from the manner in which they spoke that, although they were not the closest of friends, our Captain Naraal was of one mind with Tabri. They sat a little aside from the rest of the men on a carpet, and Cook brought them the choicest bits of skewered meat and fish to sate their appetites. They spoke in whispers, interspaced by a lot of nodding and smiles. I could not afford to be obvious, but my wanderings back and forth to check on the crew's drink and ensure their cups were full gleaned the knowledge the King had plans to soon be out and about again. There was something mentioned about an old Dwarf mine, and Mithril, talk of slaves from a hardy folk, and a prospective ‘Queen’. I could not ask for information about the details, of course.
As the fires dimmed, the singing and cheering lessened; the crew settled down to sleep, and I headed over to Naraal.
“Any particular orders, Captain?” I asked.
He shook his head, and bade farewell to Tabri as that captain rose slowly to return to his ship. “Until our next joint venture, Captain Naraal. May it be as profitable.”
“Await my sea hawk. Until then.”
Naraal and I watched Tabri move away into the night, his stomach swaying as he moved staunchly over the sand, and we listened to the vaguely familiar tune that he whistled.
“We need to be off on the morning tide,” Naraal told me as soon as Tabri was out of earshot. “I want as swift a trip as possible to Umbar Bahrabêl. No stopping at Halrax. The King will have been busy. Although I have no set orders from him yet, it would be wise to have the ship checked over in the main port. I have a strong feeling we will be away again before many weeks pass.”
I nodded to him. “So we could be in home port for a few weeks? Of course I am prepared to stay by the ship, but I also have some business to be about further south of the city: will there be a chance for a few weeks’ shore leave?”
Naraal looked up at me, almost with surprise. “You hardly ever leave the city. Why this need?”
“An old debt, Captain. One I should be able to pay in full from this journey’s earnings.”
He laughed, showing a pleasant smile - far too pleasant for his trade. “Wine, or women? I never thought you would be taken in by either.”
I laughed too. “Neither, sir. This is paying off a debt for my father, but the trader I seek is some distance away from the city.
He sighed. “Next time we are in port, Tazakr, you shall have your leave. I shall make sure of it. This time, we will be on standby for the King. I cannot do without you until Balkumagan is back.”
I understood. He was not being unreasonable. I would have time to attend to one debt anyway.
We sailed the next morning. It felt good to be at sea again. The Shakilgimil moved smoothly, and creaked no more than she ever had; the day was fair with a good enough breeze for us to lower the sails. And south we headed. There had been no report of any elven ship, Naraal told me. He had questioned some others while in the city. So the Uinenlindë had disappeared as suddenly as she had followed us. I was no fool to think it the last we would see of her, or her swan headed ilk. But if the King was sailing with us next time, we need have no fear. The mood was high, and the men were talking about where they would spend their time come landfall. I felt my own shoulders loosening somewhat as I actually relaxed. I needed to be relaxed if I wanted to find how I could orchestrate a conversation with Azrazôr.
Naraal was on deck much of the journey back. When he was not, he was ensconced in his cabin with maps, lots of maps. I was used to seeing him and Magan pouring over sea charts there, but some of these were land maps. I caught a few glances when I made my rounds to report to him in the cabin. They were all of the North, of the strip of Forlindon past the island of Himling, and of the Ice Bay of Forochel. Underneath his elbow I could just make out an old land map of Forodwaith. That was not an area I had any existing knowledge of, though my eyes widened on reading the names ‘Carn Dûm, and ‘Mount Gundabad’.
“You want to know our next port of call, don’t you, Tazakr? I doubt you will like it,” said Narral as helped himself to some sticky dates from the bowl atop his desk.
“It is always of interest, Captain. You are thinking of furs, or do you know of some rarer treasure recently unearthed?” I hedged, believing it certainly to not be about furs. We could get plenty of them with far less travelling.
“There are Dwarves in that region. Where there are Dwarves there is oft mining,” he replied, licking his fingers. “There!” he jabbed a finger at the west side of the Bay on the map. “They have a Fortress of note. What is it guarding?”
“No idea sir, but they can be greedy bastards.” ‘He is after Mithril!’ I thought. But why? Rumour had it amongst the crew that the King had gold enough in his coffers - and that is more easily found and traded - he must be searching for Mithril to equip his royal guard!
Naraal was lost in thought for a few moments more while I speculated. He drew a deep breath and turned to face me with a familiar grin. “I know not why we head there, for he has not deigned to tell me yet, so do not bother asking me. My mind turns to various possibilities. If and when we need to know more, he shall tell us. It is a long journey and we will have ample time to think about what he seeks. We shall have to put ashore a couple of times to take on water and food. We also may have some passengers. Again, I only know hints of the King’s mind, and his ideas for our next trip.
“Shall we be sailing as soon as the repairs are complete?
“Probably. I shall attempt to find our First Mate before we do.” He nodded firmly at me and sat down behind the table. “You may go.”
I never pushed it far. Naraal knew me as a quiet but inquisitive officer, who talked little to others when ashore. He trusted me. I found my thoughts focusing on what a good thing it would be if Balkumagan missed the next voyage? Not that I had anything against the man, but I wanted every opportunity I could take to make myself known to the King as a reliable servant. I wanted to learn as much as I could from him. If Balkumagan was absent then I was still Second in Command, and that would serve me well. Yes, that was something to focus on. I returned to the deck and took up one of my favorite spots nigh the prow. The sails were unfurled and the oarsmen were little needed.
“The cape of Umbar, just in sight of the Port side,” shouted the lookout above. “No other ships visible.”
None? Ah well, there would be no grand welcome back for us from any of the Fleet. But there would be a welcome for me of sorts later that night. My poisoned blade and I had a tryst with Ghala, though she knew it not. It would be one from which she would not return alive, and justice and vengeance would be served.
