A Stolen Crown (11 page)

“Aye, that it be. And ye’ve got business here?”

“Yes, I am Lord Carlis. It seems I have purchased this company,” Carlis told him. The man stood silent for a moment and then his face broke into a wide grin.

“Carlis, aye, Cap’n Carlis! Welcome sir. I’m called Sten, I been first mate to Cap’n Henriks when he was the big boss ‘ere.” Carlis descended from the driver’s seat and the big man Sten pumped his hand and then gave Ehlena a respectful nod as she stepped down from the carriage. “This be yer daughter then?” He held out his hand, which Ehlena took and shook solidly like a true Aghlar.

“I am Ehlena Al-aran. Pleased to meet you Sten,” Ehlena smiled. Sten whistled.

“An Al-aran! Well don’t that beat all!” He exclaimed then furrowed his brow, trying to figure out why the very beautiful but much younger girl was accompanying the new Captain. Carlis noticed the look and interpreted it as such.

“She’s sort of like my niece,” he explained to the man. “Her aunt, Duchess Valamyr is traveling with us as well.”

Lady Elaine opened the door of the carriage and stepped down from it, facing Aghlar for the first time in many years.

“First mate, Sten,” she addressed the man in her most regal tone. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance and wish you fair weather.”

“Fair weather to you ma’am,” Sten replied, in awe of the Maramyrian noblewoman who had suddenly appeared, wearing finery that was in marked contrast to the much simpler apparel usually worn by the women of Aghlar.

“Now would you be most kind as to direct us to the captain’s quarters for we have travelled a long road and spent far too much time overland.”

Sten nodded. It was Aghlar tradition that spending any amount of time away from the sea was considered a hardship worthy of sympathy. He was impressed that the Lady Valamyr spoke with some knowledge of Aglhar custom and decided he might like these new owners.

“We heard ye were comin’ Cap’n, Duchess, and we prepared the ship for yer welcome. Please, follow me.” He gestured toward the walking gate. “One of the lads’ll see to your carriage.”

Surprised to see Elaine so calm and poised, Carlis could do no more than to fall in line behind Elaine, who followed Sten into the shipyard. The passed through the gate and saw that the yard ran further still to either side and there were several of the large ships being built in addition to a number of smaller ones. Men and women worked side by side shaving planks, forging metal pieces and assembling the many-sized wooden hulls that paralleled each other down the yard.

They walked past the large hulk of the ship they had seen from the gate and found themselves nearing the waterfront. Carlis was amazed not only by the ships being built, but also the shipyard itself, with elaborate drydocks so the ships could be easily put to sea once they were finished. Along the shoreline, he could see a number of tall masts running along several large piers that jutted out into the deep water. Sten led them across the yard to a large pier to which was tied several large ships.

Carlis was amazed when Sten led them onto the largest ship. Named the Al-andor which Ehlena told him meant ‘prince of the sea,’ the ship had four tall masts and looked large enough to carry an army. Carlis asked Sten why it was not as wide as some of the other ships docked nearby.

“She’s a warship Cap’n. Then others be built for heavy cargo. This lass were built for speed. Heaviest thing on her’s the cannons.”

“Cannons?” Carlis asked. Sten smiled and pointed at the deck.

“Below decks Cap’n. She’s got thirty-sev’n guns, eighteen to port, eighteen to starboard and one extra most folks ain’t knowin about.” Sten led them up some steps to the door to the large compartment to the back of the ship. “In ‘ere’s the Cap'n’s quarters an’ underneath that, there’s the extra cannon. Not a good place to sleep in a battle but the finest cabins I ever done seen.”

Sten led them into the large outer cabin and showed them through the middle door of three. The door led to a large chamber with the most beautifully ornate woodworking that Carlis had ever seen. He had always been a man who appreciated craftsmanship but the artistry that went into every brace and wall panel was breathtaking. A large intricately worked desk with a large book atop it stood at the center of the chamber and behind it another door led into another chamber.

The room was the captain’s personal quarters and it held a large bed, several sitting chairs, a long bunk bench built into one of the walls and what looked to be a large bathing tub made of finely polished wood. Light beamed in from a series of glass portals set thick into the wood. The curved wooden walls looked to have been freshly polished and several bookshelves were neatly dusted and ready to accommodate whatever books the new captain might want. The bed itself was covered in rich fabric covers and several large cushions. Carlis was impressed, and he hoped that his partner in this new venture might be as well. Lady Elaine walked over to the bath and, resting her hand on it turned to Sten.

“Is there fresh water aboard?” she asked. Sten nodded.

“Aye milady. Shall I have Jessup and the lads bring some heatstones as well?”

“Please do.” She turned at the noise of several of the other workers carrying the large trunks they had brought from Maramyr in through the door of the chamber.  She looked at Carlis.

"It's cosy," he said with a slightly nervous laugh. Elaine did not respond. Instead she turned to Sten and the men who had deposited all the travel cases.

“Thank you, first mate Sten,” she said.

“Happy to oblige, milady.” Sten smiled.

Carlis decided that perhaps they had all better make themselves scarce while Elaine freshened up. This was the first Carlis had seen of her all day, and the first words she had spoken in longer than that. Elaine had not been in the best of moods since having to leave her life behind in Maramyr.

“Sten, I am sure Lady Valamyr would like some privacy after her long journey. Perhaps you can give me a tour of the ship in the meantime," Carlis suggested. Sten nodded happily and followed him above-deck. Ehlena followed him out.

"I'd like to see the ship as well, Captain Carlis," she said with a smile. Carlis laughed. He supposed he would have to get used to his new title. He would also have to find out what it meant to be a captain in Aghlar society.

They emerged from belowdecks to find a motley assortment of men and women lined up shoulder to shoulder on either side of the deck. He glanced at the shipyard and saw that a large number of people were still busily working away. The former magistrate wondered if these were perhaps the people who sailed the great ship that now belonged to him and Lady Valamyr.

“Your crew, Cap’n.” Sten confirmed with a gesture. Carlis nodded.

“Very good. Impressive,” Carlis told him, not knowing what else to say. “Are they the ones who have kept up this ship?” He thought he should ask.

“Aye sir. The crew takes pride in her and wanted to make a good impression on the new Cap’n,” Sten told him. Carlis turned to look at the crew who stood silently under his gaze.

“Crew of the Al-andor,” he said using his best orator’s voice. “Your care of this ship and dedication to your duties is commendable. I thank you for your diligence and look forward to getting to know each and every one of you.” Carlis thought he could see a few smiles appear on the faces before him. He turned to Sten in a lower voice. “Is there anything else I should tell them?” Sten chuckled.

“Wish ‘em fair weather and currents o’ fortune, then tell them to get back to work,” the bearded man told him. “You might call them a bunch o' laggards, while you're at it.”

“Currents of fortune?” Carlis asked. He recognized it as sounding something like what a priestess of the Lady might say. “Isn’t that a blessing of the Lady?” Sten shrugged.

“’Tis a might similar. Many o’ the folks here at Aglhar follow the Lady,” he told his new captain and wondered whether the former magistrate was at all familiar with the Aghlar's favorite goddess. Sten knew that Maramyrians, like many other peoples, had stopped worshiping the old gods since the time of the Mage Wars. He had heard that many of the people of Maramyr also followed the new religion of the mage priests and hoped that Carlis was not one of them. Carlis gave Sten a thoughtful look and then addressed the crew.

“By the Lady, I wish us the fairest weather and currents of excellent fortune,” Carlis told them and he thought he saw their faces brighten a little. “Now back to work, you laggards!”

Sten gestured some command and the two lines of sailors turned and saluted Carlis, then broke ranks and went back to work.

“How was that?” Carlis asked Sten.

"Sounded right pirate like, Cap'n," Sten told him with a grin.

“That's a good thing?”

“'Round these parts,” Sten told him with a nod and a laugh.

“I think you'll fit right in, Carlis” Ehlena told him, “as soon as you grow a beard.”

“What's that?”

“I wasn't gonna say nothin' Cap'n, an' I know yer from Maramyr, but a beard would suit you better 'round Aghlar.”

Carlis put his hand to the side of his face, realizing that he was the only man present who did not have some kind of beard or moustache. He chuckled, knowing that Elaine would not be pleased, but the idea growing a beard had always appealed to him and now he had a legitimate excuse. He was about to ask Ehlena what kind of beard she thought might look good on him when he heard a shout from the direction of the shore followed by the sound of booted feet marching down the pier toward the ship.

“Ahoy, Al-andor!” a voice called and the boots stopped. “Prepare to be boarded!” Carlis looked to Sten whose concern was shared by the rest of the crew, their smiling faces were now drawn serious. The same voice called out, “Make way for the king!”

Carlis watched as the sailors who had stood at attention for him previously now quickly reassembled and stood even straighter and more still than he thought humanly possible. Sten gestured that Carlis and Ehlena should descend to the main deck with him and they followed the big sailor down. Sten took his place as first mate behind Carlis as twenty guards marched up the deck toward them, taking up positions in front of the sailors. A large man with a big blonde beard that flowed into his long golden mane of hair walked up through the center of the group with two other very large bearded men behind him, with their hands warily at their swords. Carlis guessed that this man must be the king of the Aglhar people and wondered why his arrival at Maramyr would warrant such attention. Something about the blonde man's features also struck Carlis as looking familiar.

“Father!” Ehlena exclaimed and ran toward the man.

“Hello, my darling!” He beamed as Ehlena leapt into his massive arms.

Carlis smiled at the unexpected turn of events, though he was slightly confused. From what he had been told of Ehlena's upbringing, he thought Elaine's niece was the step daughter of the king's brother, which he had hoped would help in establishing friendly relations for the three of them in Aghlar, but it seemed that there was a lot about which he was still unclear regarding Ehlena's parentage. He would have to have a little talk with the girl at some point. When Ehlena was back down on her feet, she glanced at all the soldiers her father had brought with him.

“Why all the soldiers? Have you come to greet aunt Elaine?” she asked.

The king's eyes widened slightly and Carlis thought he detected a hint of trepidation.

“The Lady Valamyr is with you?” he asked.

“Of course. She and Lord Carlis travelled with me from Maramyr,” Ehlena told him as though he should already know such things. The blond man stepped forward and reached out his hand.

“You are Carlis,” he said. Carlis accepted the handshake and nodded. “I am Toren Al-aran, King of Aghlar. Once you have grown a proper beard you will attend my court. Until then, be welcome at Aghlar, Captain,” Toren said, adding Carlis' new title a little tentatively.

Toren had heard that the Maramyrian who had bought the Shipping and Trading company had been a court magistrate and a merchant of some kind but not a warrior. In Aghlar, even the tamest scribe prided himself on the size of his arms and the girth of his chest. He was unsure what to think of this small man and skeptical that he would be able to command the proper respect of his men, but there was something sharp in Carlis’ eyes that suggested he might have some kind of strength. Unlike many of the Aghlar people who were quick to size people up and also proudly displayed their own attributes, Toren tried not to judge other people before they had a chance to demonstrate their nature and decided that he should let this Maramyrian demonstrate his before he made up his mind whether to respect him or not. After all, if Carlis’ new company and its crews mutinied on him, Toren would be the one to step in, and then he would get what he wanted anyway.

“We are honored by your visit, good King Al-aran,” Carlis told him.

“Please, call me Toren. We are not at court,” the bearded king said.

“Very well. Thank you, King Toren. I am happy to offer any assistance that that I or the Aghlar Shipping and Trading Company might be in a position to provide.” Toren smiled at Carlis’ offer. He wanted ships built, that was what he wanted. He wondered if Carlis was, as yet, unfamiliar with Aghlar custom and the laws of trade for it sounded almost as if he had just committed his entire resources to serving the needs of the king.