Chapter Twenty-Five – First Duties

  Luxaday, 12 Tamihr, Year of Folivor the Restful Sloth, 489 years AWA

  Aboard The Danrorr’s Fury, Matalis Ocean

  The Danrorr's Fury had been underway for nearly an hour when Captain Rasharo made his way across the deck toward where Kere stood at the rail, watching Meri's sleek form cut through the waves alongside the ship. The dolphin surfaced periodically, her distinctive markings visible in the morning light.

  "Your dolphin keeps pace well," the captain observed, his grey eyes assessing both the animal and the druid with equal interest. His accent was slight, unfamiliar—not Andovarran, though Kere couldn't quite place it.

  Kere turned to face him properly. "She does.” She then held out her left hand. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced. Kere Brynan, druid of the sea."

  "Gereon Rasharo." His handshake was firm, the grip of someone accustomed to both command and manual labor. "Captain of The Danrorr's Fury, and I have already been introduced to your companions. Sondil, on the other hand, I have known for many years."

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain,” she replied. “I hope we have an uneventful journey.”

  “As do I,” replied the captain. "You said you're a druid of the sea. That suggests more than just an animal companion. What's your experience with sailing itself?"

  "I have some skill both sailing and navigating," Kere replied. "I've even earned my captain's permit, although I've only sailed once in the deep sea before this voyage."

  The captain's eyebrows rose slightly. "You have your own vessel?"

  "I do not, although I hope to own a craft perhaps a bit smaller than this one in the future."

  "For what purpose do you hope to sail?"

  "I hope to become a caretaker and guardian of the underwater world, once I become a bit stronger and can stay underwater for extended periods of time."

  A flicker of surprise crossed Rasharo's weathered face, quickly suppressed. He regarded her with what might have been new respect. "An ambitious goal." He turned slightly, raising his voice to carry across the deck. "Thydek!"

  "Aye, cap'n," came the deepest voice Kere had ever heard. It belonged to a Dwarf of indeterminate age who stood about 4'2". He had beady brown eyes and his beard was black, split into two braids on either side of his mouth before flowing freely down to his solar plexus. He wore common sailor's clothes, though there was something wild and untamed in the way he moved. He eyed Kere curiously as he approached.

  "It is unusual to see one of your race away from the mountains, son of stone," Kere greeted him.

  "Me kin an' I do not see eye ta eye on certain things," replied the Dwarf with a dour smile. "I am fortunate ta have been taken in by the good captain, although I do miss the stones o' me 'ome." He turned to Rasharo. "What do ye need, cap'n?"

  "This is Thydek, my first mate," Rasharo said to Kere. Then, to the Dwarf: "I want the Half-Elf in charge of Sondil and the rest of her group. Have her bring me the other two with sailing experience—the Aquatic Elf and the older Human. I'll need to assess their skills before assigning them."

  "Aye, cap'n." Thydek nodded, then gestured for Kere to follow. "Come along then, miss. Let's gather yer folk an' get 'em sorted."

  Kere followed the first mate below deck, where most of her companions were in their assigned quarters—some already looking slightly green from the ship's motion. It took only a few minutes to collect Jori and Perx and return to the main deck.

  Captain Rasharo put them through their paces with businesslike efficiency. He had them demonstrate various knots, asked pointed questions about their experience, and watched carefully as each took a brief turn at different stations on the ship. Perx moved with the comfortable familiarity of someone who'd spent years at sea, though his responses were characteristically gruff. Jori showed solid competence, particularly when discussing navigation.

  When Rasharo was satisfied, he turned to Thydek. "The older one can join the crew rotation. Pair him with Marzin—they should work well enough together."

  Perx simply nodded and followed the Halfling sailor that Thydek called over.

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  "The Aquatic Elf can assist Loq with navigation," Rasharo continued. "His coastal experience will be useful, and Loq could use a second pair of eyes on the charts."

  Jori acknowledged this with a brief inclination of his head before being introduced to Loq—an Elven man who appeared to be at least a century older than him, with the patient demeanor of someone who'd spent decades reading stars and currents.

  The captain's attention returned to Kere. "As for you—" He paused, considering. "I want you in charge of both Sondil and your group. Make sure they stay out of trouble and out of the crew's way. Your dolphin is your responsibility, obviously. Beyond that, you'll work with our helmsman—or in this case, helmswoman."

  "I'd be happy to work with your helmswoman, Captain," Kere replied evenly.

  Rasharo's expression suggested he found something amusing in that response, though he didn't elaborate. "Thydek will show you and your people the layout of the ship—galley, heads, quarters, what areas are off-limits. Once that's done, report to the helm. Kridiane will be... interested to meet you."

  There was definitely something ironic in his tone, but Kere decided not to press. "Understood, Captain."

  "One more thing." Rasharo's grey eyes held hers. "If your dolphin notices anything unusual in the water—anything at all—you report it immediately. To me or to Thydek. Don't wait, don't wonder if it's important enough. Understood?"

  "Yes, Captain."

  "Good." He turned away, already focused on the next task. "Thydek, get them oriented. We'll bring in the rest of their group for knot training tomorrow if the weather holds."

  "Aye, cap'n." The Dwarf gestured for Kere to follow. "Come along then. Let's get yer folk an' show 'em the lay o' things."

  Kere collected the rest of her companions from their quarters—most looking grateful for the distraction from their seasickness—and Thydek led them on a brisk tour of the ship. The Dwarf moved with surprising speed for someone of his stature, pointing out the galley, the heads at bow and stern, and the boundaries of the main deck where passengers were permitted.

  "We take meals 'alf a bell after droppin' anchor for the night and afore raisin' anchor in the mornin'," he explained as they walked. "And ye women should use the head in the stern, as that one can be locked fer privacy. Kere, I figure ye can fill in fer me when I'm supposed ta fill in fer t' captain, though he don't step down much when we're at sea. That'll give ye some captainin' practice. Any questions, find me or the captain, an' don't pay no mind to none o' the others, 'specially the ones that like bossin' folk around."

  After ensuring everyone understood the ship's layout and rules, Thydek dismissed the non-sailing members of the group back to their quarters—much to Wenthe's visible frustration—and led Kere toward the helm.

  The helmswoman stood with her back to them, hands steady on the wheel, her deep red hair falling to her mid-back in a long, unbound cascade. She didn't turn as they approached.

  "Dee," Thydek called. "Cap'n's assigned ye a partner fer the voyage. This here's Kere Brynan, Half-Elf druid with a captain's permit."

  The woman's shoulders tensed visibly. She turned slowly, revealing icy blue eyes that swept over Kere with immediate disapproval. "Kridiane," she corrected sharply.

  "Only the captain and Thydek call me Dee." Her gaze returned to Kere. "I don't like sharing the helm, but I obviously have no choice in the matter. Don't tell me what to do, and don't try to help me when I'm at the helm. I don't want to be your friend, and I don't want to chat. If you can work with me in silence, we'll get along fine."

  Kere studied the woman's prickly demeanor, recognizing the signs of someone with old wounds that had nothing to do with her. "How do you want to work out which one of us takes the helm?"

  "I'll tell you when I want you to take the helm. Unless Thydek needs you, always defer to me." Kridiane's tone was clipped. "You might as well take it now, so I can judge your skill." She stepped away from the wheel, gesturing for Kere to take her place.

  Thydek gave Kere an apologetic look but said nothing, then withdrew to attend to other duties.

  Kere immediately stepped up and took the wheel, feeling the ship's response through her hands. The Fury handled differently than the coastal vessels she'd trained on—heavier, less responsive to subtle corrections, but steady. She made small adjustments, reading the wind and waves.

  After about ten minutes, Kridiane practically wrenched the wheel away. "How in the ever-loving name of Tekiro did you ever earn a captain's permit?"

  Kere kept her voice level. "What do you think I'm doing wrong?"

  "It's not what I think you're doing wrong, it's what I know you're doing wrong." Kridiane’s icy glare could have frozen seawater.

  "Then explain my error." Kere met the woman's eyes calmly. "I'll freely admit my deep sea experience is limited. If there's something that could damage the ship or put us off course, I need to know."

  Kridiane glared at her as though she'd uttered the most offensive curse imaginable. "I don't give a fragging souped up jerrydelver if you've been sailing your entire life."

  Kere studied her for a long moment. "If you're unwilling to teach me, then I'll simply do the best I can with what I know. I'm here to help helm this ship, not to make your life difficult."

  Kridiane's jaw worked, but she said nothing. She turned back to the wheel, dismissing Kere entirely.

  Kere felt the familiar sting of unfair criticism—she wasn't incompetent, whatever Kridiane seemed to think. But some people couldn't be reasoned with, and pushing harder would only create more tension on a ship where they'd be working together for weeks. Better to focus on what she could control: doing her job well and staying out of Kridiane's way when possible.

  Kridiane, however, remained silent, a fact for which Kere was grateful. After about two hours, she asked the helmswoman, “So how do you guys handle midday meals? Thydek showed us the galley and mentioned breakfast and dinner, but not lunch.”

  “We usually go half-staffed for noonings,” replied Kridiane. “Thydek can tell you whether you should take first or second nooning. I would imagine we provisioned your group, since you’re with the Prince, but Thydek can tell you that for sure.”

  “How long until first nooning? I’m feeling a bit peckish.”

  “Shouldn’t be long now. Ship’s bell will sound three times.”

  “Which nooning do you normally take?”

  “We switch it up every time we go to sea. Since you and I are paired and you’re technically a guest, I imagine you’ll take first nooning and then I’ll go second. It will depend on whether they decide to split your group, since it is somewhat large.”

  Just then, three gongs of the ship’s bell sounded. Kere told Kridiane, “I’ll go check with Thydek on when my group is doing nooning. If I don’t come back here, assume you’re on second nooning.”

  Kridiane nodded glumly.