Dark and Keera entered the boat wrapped in their towels. Keera barked an order to the two men,
“
Both of you out and having a bath, now!”
The two men went outside to leave the girls to dry and get dressed. Dark slipped on a shirt, pants and a piece of rope for a belt. It would have to do. She slipped on the soldier boots, too large but again, for now they had nothing better. Keera did the same but left her boots off. She had blisters just as she had anticipated and her feet were tender. The loose baggy clothes were comfortable though.
They both moved out and sat on the prow of the boat, Keera stole a glance towards the men bathing and spotted two tight butts glistening with wetness as they stood facing away from the boat and washing, 'Mm not a bad picture at all.' she thought, smiling she turned back looking around at the hive of activity.
The occasional ship was pulling in and tying off. A Man o’ war started to move from the wharf, it was low, black and ugly to look at. It’s sails unfurled as it drifted out, slowly the sails were pulled up and then a light breeze filled them only a little but it was enough and the craft began to ease out and pull away. Once it got close to the ends of the protective walls it would find the sea winds and pick up speed quickly. Dark and Keera couldn’t have known they were watching Wollfen sailing away, down in that hold, caged and drugged.
Dark decided it was time to grill Vaughn for any useful information and she returned inside. Both the men had washed and dressed by the time she had entered. She motioned Vaughn to sit down,
“
I need to pick your brain to work out what we can do next.”
“
Fire away, I am only too happy to help.”
Vaughn had developed a respect for Dark from their long conversation last night and she made him feel more important than any girl he had bedded had ever done.
“
First of all, who do you know that has their finger on the pulse of what goes on around town here?”
He thought about that,
“
Cadomedd is the most likely candidate, but it might be a bit tough catching up with him since most Taverns have gone dry. We can go look for him down in the slum quarter. I know that’s where he sleeps, he has a couple of brats he is responsible for there so he shouldn’t be too far away.”
“
Good, then he will be our first port of call so to speak. Now we will also need to gather some new clothes and supplies of varying types.”
“
That won’t be hard, we are on a wharf. There is always produce of all kinds I can steal. And since it is all commandeered for ‘the war effort’ I won’t feel any pangs of guilt about taking it. I am due to go to work in about half an hour. I shall pick up a range of items for you and deposit them here in the boat around midday. Keera knows Cadomedd so she will recognize him. Keera, I advise you show your friends the way.”
Keera nodded.
Vaughn thought for a second.
“
One more thing, as you know the water extends right under this jetty to the stone wall at the back edge. If you step from my platform into the water behind the mooring pylon you will feel a submerged walkway underfoot. Even at low tide it remains covered. Follow it directly to the rearmost pylon of that row, it will take you to a ladder of sorts on the back of that pylon. When you go up it, there is a trap door that leads into a small storeroom. The room is used for extra furniture and such. No one will be found in there usually, but that room opens onto the warehouse floor where it is always busy. I have kept it secret with the idea it may save my life one day, I suggest you use it sparingly when you need to for comings and goings from this boat. We don’t want harbor patrol to become aware of too much activity here.”
Dark agreed, the more discreet they could be the better. It was decided they would all move together and get cracking. Vaughn left by his usual route up onto the jetty. The others with boots slung over their shoulders, stepped out onto the slippery walkway then very carefully felt their way to the rearmost pylon. From there it was easy enough to enter the room, dry their feet off and put their boots on. They waited for an opportune moment then slipped out into the open area where they found their way out and made off for the slum district.
With Keera in the lead, they casually went about their business, not drawing any undue attention. They had left their swords back at the boat being too big and cumbersome to hide under their light clothing. Their only weapons were some daggers they had hidden away.
Winding their way through the streets, the group found that as the district got poorer and more decrepit, the less they saw of foot soldiers moving about. It was as if they shunned the area altogether. Keera was keeping a watchful eye out for a pasty-faced man of slim build and receding hairline. He was rather ordinary to look at so it was hard to describe any distinctive feature to the others for them to look for. It was basically up to her to spot him. The others on the other hand were watching for any potential dangers. There may be no soldiers here, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t some group or crazy ready to attack for whatever gain.
They spent an hour walking up one narrow street then down the next crisscrossing back and forth on the chance they would come across him. And by chance they did, Keera spotted him and she pointed him out.
Unfortunately, he also spotted them watching him and off he went, it was time to give chase. Justin managed to leap ahead. He was fit, tall and strong managing to gain on him very quickly, but the little man would keep ducking down a side alley at the last second. Around and around they went, back and forth moving slowly away from the slums as Cadomedd tried to lose his pursuers.
Ultimately it was in vain. Turning into an alley that he had traveled the night before, a pile of rubbish blocked it and as he pulled up Justin grabbed him from behind. The little man let out a squeal not unlike a rat and began struggling. The others approached and Cadomedd produced a dagger that he swung at Justin’s arm who promptly dropped him, but there was nowhere to go. Cadomedd hunched over baring his teeth like a caged animal.
“
Cadomedd!”
It was Keera and at the sight of her he looked up surprised and stood tall, well as tall as he could which wasn’t much.
“
Keera?”
He looked around at the others.
“
It’s alright Cadomedd we only wanted to talk, but you made us chase you, please, can we talk?”
He studied the group with a dour look, all rough looking individuals he thought, but then that wasn’t anything different to what Keera usually hung out with.
“
I suppose, so what’s in it for me?”
“
We can reward you in some way I’m sure, we are only after some information.” Dark offered.
At the mention of reward his whole demeanor changed,
“
Well why didn’t you say so? Follow me, there is a local tavern that isn’t doing business anymore and it is nice and quiet.”
With that he trotted past them and led off in another direction. The others could do nothing but follow. Upon entering the tavern, Cadomedd nodded at the barkeep who made himself scarce and he motioned for all of them to sit down.
“
So what is it that you want to know? Ask what you will and I will name my price.”
Dark spoke up with no hesitation,
“
At Duggan’s tavern yesterday there was a commotion, a man was taken by the army. We want to know what happened to him and where he is now.”
Cadomedd had heard the story, at the time he didn’t think it important. The soldiers were always dragging back deserters.
“
Well my dear, to give you all that information, will cost you five gold pieces.”
He was aiming high. Dark looked at him,
“
Done.”
The other two looked at each other; who had any gold? Dark produced the pouch that Wollfen had taken from the dead Sergeant on the field, she opened it into her hand and counted out five gold pieces, all with the mark of a foreign King. Cadomedd couldn’t help but lick his lips, this was a special day indeed.
“
Well it seems they have taken him and put him away where no one can get to him. He was drugged and tied, an unusual practice for a soldier but from what I understand he took on a sorceress and had her under his control till one of the soldiers clocked him one. Um, my memory is a little vague a little cloudy…”
Cadomedd looked out the corner of his eye at Dark, she responded by dropping two more coins on the table in front of him.
“
Ah yes it just became clearer again. They grabbed him up and fed him some sort of liquid to drug him. Then they dragged him down to the wharves and put him on a boat, but which boat?”
Again Cadomedd hesitated hoping for more pay off. At that moment Justin swung his arm hard and drove his dagger straight down into the table in front of him, the two gold coins practically stood to attention as the wood splintered. The tip of the blade passed right through the table and stopped two inches from Cadomedd’s crotch,
“
They uh, they uh.. they took him and put him on a Man o War a black one! It sailed this morning! It's all I know!” he stammered, he grabbed his coins and shot out the door.
Dark looked on wide-eyed, Wollfen was on that black boat! How were they to get him back now? Dark couldn’t help but gasp at this turn in events. She had always thought he was close by in some holding cell but now on the open sea,what could they do? And she had watched him sail away. She felt her heart constrict as the full realization dawned on her.
“
We have to leave now, back to the wharf!”
They all stood and went to leave out the front door. Dark dropped two more gold coins on the counter for the barman as he came back into the room. After they left he swiftly scooped them up and into his shirt. The barman called out to his son. A little boy scurried in and he whispered into his ear, then he sent him on his way, the boy scampering out the back door. He would make more than two gold coins this day.
The group quickly wound their way back to the wharves, sneaking into the storeroom, down the hatch and wading to the boat. It was midday so Vaughn was there and as they entered he started telling the three about what prizes he had brought them but Dark cut him short,
“
Quickly Vaughn are there any large boats or vessels in harbor that could be for hire that would be able to catch up with a Man O War?”
Taken aback and a little surprised by her abruptness, Vaughn hesitated for a bit then answered,
“
Um no, any ship found in harbor was pressed into service by the occupying forces.”
Dark looked downtrodden. All her plans were falling apart, Vaughn turned to the others with a questioning look.
“
Wollfen is being shipped out to who knows where as we speak,” Justin explained while pointing with his thumb out the porthole towards the warships, “It is a six month voyage back to this lots homeland, we can only hope that's not their destination.”
“
There is a port further down the coast, about two day’s ride and there you could find such a vessel.”
It was the best he could offer but he could see a spark in Dark’s eyes at that. There was hope yet. Dark turned to him and thanked him. She looked around at all the stuff laid out on the bed and table. It was ample clothing, belts and footwear of all types, even hats of varying descriptions. They certainly could pass off as any type of traveler with this lot, but they only needed enough for practicality. She immediately started looking through them and rejecting the ones of no use, throwing them in one pile out of the way. They all started to pick out what could be used and dressing. Even Vaughn did so Dark noticed, was he planning something?
Dark looked at him and asked him why.
“
I wish to come with you three. I don’t want to stay here to rot in this godforsaken place. I have a good strong back and I’m a fast learner. I also know the area from here to Port Valderus. I can be of real help.”
Dark considered his offer, she couldn’t think of any reason why not, so she nodded,
“
Yes, you are welcome to join us.”
Vaughn smiled and dove to the back of the boat, from deep down under the bilge boards he produced a sword and scabbard of his own. Then he reached in again, smiling at all of them,
“
This is my most prized possession.”
With a flourish he pulled out a beautiful gold inlaid crossbow of wonderful craftsmanship. They all looked on appreciatively and nodded their approval.
Justin spoke up while looking out of the porthole.
“
Somebody seems to have taken an interest in us. There is a harbor patrol boat rowing this way.”
Dark looked out the window. There was no mistake, they couldn’t just jump out and head back up the underwater walkway, they would be easily seen, so what to do? Vaughn stepped in.
“
Leave it to me, get out of the boat and stand on the platform outside, when I come out I will be coming fast, I have a small barrel of fuel oil here that I am going to splash about and when I set it alight, the flames and smoke will mask our escape.”