Gulraast drummed his tiny fingers on a desk too large for him. He couldn’t tell if the woman was lying, mistaken, or simply confused. Such uncertainty didn’t happen often for him. “And your captain, he is not being seen these last four days?”
Third mate Mai Leng shook her head, annoyed. “Not since dinner at Goritsi Tower. Both him and the first and second mates. Three people. Just missing.”
Gulraast frowned. “Along with my shipment, no? But, and forgive my not speaking common language so well, but this phrase: ‘dinner at Goritsi Tower’… It could have many meanings, yes?”
The sweet woman, barely more than a girl to Gulraast’s eye, looked a little sick, but laughed. “Heh. Yes, but in this case it was actually just a dinner. A thank you dinner. It turned out one of our passengers was Tellorian nobility. We got her here without incident.”
Gulraast sat back in his high-backed chair, nodding. “Ahhh, yes. Always with Goritsi is circles within circles. But now, why would one not be suspecting Goritsi of foul play in this matter? This passenger discovers my shipment, appraises its value, informs her countrymen, and is done, no? Your men go for ‘dinner’, and my shipment goes missing.”
The third mate slammed her fists on the desk. “She wouldn’t do that! And she didn’t find the shipment when she was aboard!”
From behind him, Gulraast’s enormous bodyguard growled, a porcine grunt full of menace. The girl blinked at the huge pig-man and sat back, cowed.
Gulraast waved it off. “There, you see? Voy is agreeing with you. And would not do for me to be discounting Voy’s word, no? Voy often speaks truth.” He sat back and stroked his graying mustache. The girl certainly believed what she was saying about the Tellorian passenger. As for the rest though… Gulraast had his ways. “But now is difficulty. Shipment and officers go missing. Shipment is gold. Many chests. Much weight. And this is being Fructus, an easy port to lose gold in, no?”
The third mate sat silent. Her eyes flicked from Gulraast to the hulking Voy and back. “Well, I’ll certainly keep looking. I can’t see the captain abandoning his ship. Even for that amount.”
Gulraast shrugged. “Is unfortunate, but I can. Speaks poorly of my trust in human nature, no? Ah, but perhaps you do not think us addanii fully human? Is common Achrionian prejudice.”
“What? Oh, no, no, I would never—“
Again Gulraast waved it away. “She is polite for sailor, yes, Voy? No, miss, it would be speaking untruth to say our countries agree on many, many matters. But would also be speaking untruth to say we addanii were at heart of magnificent humanum revolution in Felskar. And is this untruth that is propagated by Achrionian nobility. Is right that they fear Felskar’s triumphant example, for what place have ‘nobility’ in good, honest government? My countrymen did not need addanii intellects to see this.”
The third mate shifted in her chair. “Look, I’m a sailor, not a politician.”
Gulraast clasped his hands together. “Ah, and Voy is reminding me am being impolite to lecture. Is true. Friends do not lecture, no? And we can be friends, yes? Come, let us drink. Voy will do honors.”
The pig-man produced an ornate silver bottle and poured off two shots of crystal-clear liquid. He handed a glass to each of them with deft fingers for such a large creature.
“Zavas!” Gulraast toasted, and tossed it back. The third mate did the same and gasped.
Gulraast grinned. “Is surprise, no? Dreski is greatest gift my people bring to Arikania. Our traditional mountain fatherland sees much sun, but little warmth. Though, as friends, am warning that alcohol does nothing for actual warmth. Temperature at extremities remains constant regardless of consumption. Is illusion alone. Ah, but illusions are often being metaphor for life, no? Which brings us to unpleasant business over missing shipment. And, in absence of captain and superior officers… you are responsible party, no?”
She shot to her feet. “I am a citizen of Achrion! You can’t hold me against my will, nor can you—“
Voy growled again, louder.
She pointed. “Keep that thing on a leash!”
Gulraast grinned to himself. This girl had fire! He raised his hands in conciliation. “Ah, Voy is rebuking me, for my words must sound like threat. Please, no, please! Do be sitting. Is being this common language, you see? We Felskar are always having difficulty, no? When am saying ‘responsible party’ am meaning you are commanding officer now, yes?”
The third mate nodded, mute.
He slid documents across the desk one by one. “Then must be handing you this notice of seizure, this notice of termination for crew, and this reregistration of former independent vessel under new flag of Felskar nationality and House Teknes. All rendered by dutiful and lawful accords of maritime law as undersigned by the five Scion nations and Free Cities.”
Mai Leng looked over the documents, eyes huge. She lingered on the notice of termination.
Gulraast shrugged his apology. “Is unfortunate, no? Your captain, man of authority and trust for your eyes, does betray his people for want of shiny metals. Is again having similarity with life, yes? Always authority corrupts those unsuited for task. And yet, is always those unsuited which seek authority. But again I am lecturing. Forgive this old revolutionary. It was my honor and privilege to play part in glorious people’s uprising. I cannot help but think fondly of those days.”
She held up the second document. “So this means my crew is dismissed? I thought Felskar was about the working man. And your ‘humanum revolution’ was about freedom from over-reaching authority. Yet here you are seizing a ship and turning out her crew ‘for want of your shiny metals’ as you put it. Where will they find work? Fructus is awash with sailors looking for berths!”
Gulraast grinned. “Ha!” He slapped the table. “Ha! She makes point, does she not, Voy? Straight to heart of matter! Am being convinced, myself. But one more document perhaps shows us truth of matter? Suppose am telling you this is due, eh?” He passed Mai Leng her own letter of debt.
Her eyes flared and she threw the parchment to the desk. “And how in the heavens can I pay this back without a job? And how did you get this? And why?”
“Ha ha! Yes! Is truth she speaks, does she not, Voy? Concern for men, concern for self, these things I hear ringing with depth and conviction. A woman rich with ill-gotten treasure would not show same passion, not by half. Am reminded of beloved wife back in Valisdaan, no? She is on Ruling Committee there, and such debates they have… my ears ring to even think on them.”
Mai Leng was still angry. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“But you have answered mine. And either you are being phenomenal charlatan, or you truly know nothing of missing gold and captain.” He drew another letter from his stack of papers and touched his quill to his tongue. “Am pleased to be putting name to commission, warranting you as captain of ship.” He handed the signed warrant across. “You will be noting rate of pay. Is higher than most navies, along with percentage of shipments safely arrived to destinations for captain and officers.”
Mai Leng scanned the document, her surprise plain. “I could pay off my debt in a single voyage!”
“Eh, let us not be so hasty. Not put all cogs in one contraption, no? This debt will remain with myself, and let us look to banish it within three voyages.”
She lowered the letter. “But what of the captain?”
He shrugged. “Who cares? If he is being found with missing gold is one matter. Am thinking unlikely, however. If I find no trace, then there is no trace to find. Am liking new arrangement.”
“That gold could’ve bought two ships like mine.”
Gulraast shrugged again. “In time, perhaps, but a ship on the dock is worth two on stocks, eh? Ha! Gold is wonderful thing but it does not sail so well as wood and canvas, no? Is better yourself and crew accept employment offer. More pay, better terms, and respect for skilled labor. These are the simplest humanum tenets, no?”
She looked back at the offer, re-reading. “I’m… going to need a few more hands. At least two more officers. And maybe an instrument or two, if I can’t find the captain’s sextant and—“
“Bah! Instruments. Are we not Felskar? Is our house not Teknes? Such precise tools we can offer, wonders of technology and science. For you, I write waivers, and port authority sees me for fees, no? As for officers, your profession is yours. I am no judge of sailors, nor is Voy, despite his many talents with dreski.” He laughed again and scribbled two quick notes. “Be handing these to steward downstairs. She will assist.”
Captain Leng looked over the writs, took a breath and nodded. “Okay. You have a ship and a crew, those that are willing. What are your orders?”
“Ha! More and more you are reminding me of third son and fourth daughter. Dutiful, professional, and perfect aides to their mother. She is important woman in her city, and I am humbly important man here on Fructus. Little known, perhaps, but still a man of stature. I make height joke, no? Ha! You smile! Is fun and games when good friends talk! But, for now, is not known when we depart or what destination.”
Mai Leng was indeed smiling, but she persisted. “Well, if you have some hint as to how long the voyage might take, I can lay in the non-perishables at least. It can take a few days to properly stock for even a trip of modest length, to say nothing of stowing the hold properly. That’s easy enough to do at dock, but at sea it takes a bit of luck with the weather.”
Gulraast mulled. “Hm, yes, is good sense you make. And is interesting you mention luck. As a sailor, you are big believer in luck, no? As old revolutionary, so am I. Luck is being factor on which armies rise and fall. On which people fall in love. On which king steals crown. But luck is factor of chance, no? Is like playing cards. Decks can be stacked. That is being my function. Am dealer in luck. Preparation is stacking. Foresight is stacking. Intelligence, eh… spying, to be blunt. This too is stacking, no?
“So, listen when I say, war is not far off for Arikania. You live as long as myself, you gain sense for it. Hadross and Kartoresh stare each other down across Free Cities who themselves fret like nervous children when parents fight. I am no warmonger, but my country will not stand idly to one side if our allies go to war, and Achrion is known to take opposite side in any issue involving Felskar. Achrion and Felskar, eh, our fight is old one, no? And Telloria, well, Telloria sits in darkness and watches, as ever, no? So, let us say prepare for journey as far as Ophion in Hadross. By radius, would take us anywhere in Felskar or Achrion or even to Telloria, should needs arise.”
At the door, Captain Leng paused. “I won’t fight my country. Just so you know.”
“No, no! Of course not! Your ship is fast one, yes? Is built for speed, not fighting. But now, must be saying reluctant farewell. Have many things to be attending. My ambassador… well, he is not in good way. But he is new to Fructus, and knows not the rules of our fine city’s game.”
Gulraast watched his new employee leave with a broad smile on his face that vanished the moment the door closed. He hopped down from his chair, and headed downstairs to the sub-levels. He and Voy trooped past secret labs where dangerous experiments could go safely awry and hidden armories, some slumbering beneath a decade of dust. He stopped in the barracks for two cylinders of turgid green liquid tipped with needles designed to bite, and a heavy gauntlet that crackled with voltaic power.
He didn’t like the prison. He didn’t like what it was needed for, though he had to admit it proved useful on occasion as both an incentive and a recruitment center.
Ambassador Rotakin and the former ship’s captain were chained in the same cell where they could hurl insults at each other for the debacle they’d wrought.
“You said this was foolproof!” shouted the captain.
Rotakin growled back, “And you should not be moving gold until ordered!”
“How was I supposed to know they’d steal it?”
“Your crew is being your responsibility! I should not be in here. Gulraast oversteps himself and will be first to pay.”
“Good. Get it out, and then we’ll find that gold,” Rotakin sneered.
“Oh no, no, my friend, I am not deserving this treatment. You, on other hand, you are staying here.”
The captain strained at his chains and snarled by way of retort, but both fell silent as they noticed Gulraast standing beyond the bars. “Please, do be continuing. Is not often Voy gets belly laugh.”
The pig-man behind Gulraast simply glared.
Rotakin puffed himself up. He was a tall man, but then all true humans were tall to Gulraast. “Gulraast, you will be releasing me now, or Ruling Committee will be having your head!”
Gulraast ignored the ambassador’s threats like a duck ignores rain. He said to the captain, “Will be pleased to know that third mate has graciously accepted offer of captaincy. Am certain she will be taking good care of crew and ship.”
“Mai Leng?” the captain spat. “That girl can barely find noon! I wouldn’t trust her with a launch let alone a ship!”
“And yet she was being third mate, no? Do not sow doubt in fields already planted, my friend. And crew will not make fuss over change of command, am sure. Am thinking low wages buys low loyalty, no? Whereas Felskar knows how to pay its labor. Ah, but Voy is reminding me even this is lost on some people, is not so, Rotakin?”
“I will not accept judgment from mere Ironward, Gulraast. I am leader of delegation, and am highest ranking member of government on Fructus Island. Is you who are reporting to me, and is you who will be releasing me, and begging for leniency while I am considering transgressions.”
Gulraast unlocked the cell and considered Rotakin for a moment. He turned to the captain. “You see this man here? He is reason Felskar earns bad reputation, no? Consider words. ‘Mere Ironward.’ As if honored rank within humanum revolution is simple thing for dismissal, no? As if ‘ambassador’ is so much more grand, so much more vital. Is true, society function well with hierarchy, but is thin thing, captain, is very thin indeed.”
“Is not so thin as ahhhh—!!” Electricity coursed through Rotakin and ozone burnt the air.
Gulraast released his grip on Rotakin’s leg and held up the crackling gauntlet. “You see, captain? Rotakin is very poor example of humanum principles. Thinks himself in untouchable position. Is why he believes good, honest bribe for Hadross Ambassador is being his to steal, no?” Gulraast shocked the chained ambassador again. “Money is useful thing. Few know this so well as myself. Is what moves armies and razes cities. Let the historians talk battles and tactics all they wish. Is money that wins fights. You have archers? They are needing arrows. You have swordsmen? They are needing swords. And all need food, clothing, and protection from elements. Is supplies wins battles before they are fought. Is gold that is buying supplies.” Another jolt. “So, am wondering what my country’s gold is buying instead, hmm? And is being bought by who?”
Rotakin screamed in pain. “I do not know!”
“Am not asking you, Rotakin, no, your fate is fixed. Am asking captain.”
The captain strained against his chains. His eyes bulged, desperate to flee the sight. “I don’t know! I swear it!”
Gulraast sighed. “Ah, and Voy is reminding me that I trust too easily. You are sounding sincere, no? Is difficult to judge. Trust is difficult matter.” He wiggled his fingers in the gauntlet. Hissing sparks played between them. “You are Kartoreshian, no? You have not seen something like this in your country? Ah, is wonder of technology. I like your Scion Nasier, but he is being too taken with magic and elementals. Is true, they grant significant advantages, particularly in military might. But is needing ‘deals’ and ‘bargains’ with alien powers. Is no trustworthy, yes? Not without proper control.” He shocked the nearly unconscious ambassador again.
“Taking Rotakin here. Trusted by Ruling Committee to come to Fructus and conclude negotiations which are being planned these last seven years. Is why I have been here. Laying groundwork, you see? Solid foundation. And still there is betrayal! A man is only trustworthy so long as his authority does not exceed his conscience. For Rotakin, being ambassador was too much. Now he is criminal. Can rest easy. We trust him with this.” He produced one of the syringes and poked Rotakin’s leg. Rotakin murmured and drooled.
Gulraast motioned. “Voy.”
The pig-man leaned down and pinned Rotakin’s legs. Gulraast climbed on Voy’s back and lifted one of Rotakin’s eyelids. Gaze vacant, eyes dilated. Gulraast grunted and nodded. He held up the syringe for the captain to see. “Another wonder of technology and science. Is bottled spirit here. You are knowing how vampires and Ashmen and Deepmen gain powers, yes? Is alien spirit within human host. Voy is being much the same.” Gulraast jammed the synringe deep in Rotakin’s chest and pushed the plunger. “Rotakin is being lucky. In years before gauntlet, could take days of pain to lower mind’s defenses. Now, zap-zap! And is ready in minutes. With minimal damage to host, no? Is wonderful thing, science.”
Rotakin’s eyes flew open. He struggled and kicked and screamed. Gulraast hopped down and away. Voy shoved off, as Rotakin fought against the chains. The transformation didn’t take long. Flesh ran as molasses and human screams took on animalistic tones. In mere moments, the ambassador was gone, and a pig-man sagged in the chains, grunting and drooling, quite unconscious.
Gulraast turned to the captain who stared, speechless with horror. “There. You see? Can trust Rotakin again. As a good Union man, now he is worth something once more.” He held up the remaining syringe. “Technology is means by which humankind can honestly and safely trust outsiders. All these forces in the cosmos… eh, they are not seeing humans as equals, no? Elemental lords and spirits, the Hadross Deep Ones, even the Celestial gods, all these things are being intruders on man’s world. Learn the world. Learn its ways, and how it works, and how it powers itself, and now you are learning true independence. From magic and gods and other foolish whimsy. These things become resources to be properly exploited and controlled. Is how we empower Union men like Rotakin and Voy here.”
“You can’t do this!” the captain cried. “You can’t! I’m not a Felskar! And I don’t know where the gold is!”
Gulraast nodded. “Ah, am believing you. Yes, am hearing truth. But there is matter of conspiracy to steal people’s gold, no? Is crime to steal even in Kartoresh, yes?”
The captain was desperate. “If anyone can find my thieving officers it’s me. Let me loose, and give me a day. I’ll track them down. I swear it!”
Gulraast felt tired. “Is always the same with criminals. They beg for trust they have thrown aside. They are being very sorry, but only after being caught. Let you free? Of course. But you are not being needed in old job. Ship has new captain. And her I am trusting. And you… well, not so much. Not in that state.” Gulraast raised the gauntlet and grinned.
Five minutes later Voy led two slack-jawed pig-men from the dungeons to the Union barracks for quarters and uniforms. Gulraast returned to his office and mediated the variables until Voy silently returned. “You are being right, of course, Voy. Now must be conducting negotiations myself. Bah! I despise talks. Am wishing wife was here. Could be using good counsel now, no? Can only hope Hadross Ambassador sees wisdom in not fighting three wars across two fronts. Reason must now win out where gold could have prevailed. And Hadross Ambassador is not steeped in reason, no?”
Voy stood mute.
“Ah, and you are right, of course. Have not seen last of missing shipment. Only am getting feeling that there is more to stolen gold than petty officers. Am making another joke, no? Ha!”
Voy stood mute.
Gulraast sighed. “Ah, my talent for humor is wasted some days. Send for Sachen. There are tasks he can be performing while I am stuck playing ambassador, no? Each man to his talents. This is the humanum way.”