Tanner said, “Pass the word to the crew, including the galley. No lanterns. No candles. If we make a successful first pass and darkness falls, we may lose him in the dark. Issue swords to repel boarders.”
“We have no swords. This is a merchant ship.”
“Then knives to slice any ropes with hooks they throw to board. Do not slow down or lower your sails. Fire buckets filled and on deck.” He looked at Carrion. “What else?”
“Men with pikes, poles, or belaying pins. Men willing to fight.”
Captain ordered the turn and instructed the helmsman to steer directly for the Far Seeker even if it changed course. Then he turned to Carrion, “Are you sure you two have no experience on the sea?”
“I have experience with men and war. Some evil. Some good. Same can be said for women,” and he flashed the same smile that used to get him in trouble with his parents and teachers.
Tanner felt a giggle rising, but managed to stifle it. “I’m going to the bow where I can see better.”
“If you see our archers on deck, tell them to compensate for the movement of our ship when they fire. No, I change my mind. They already know that. Just tell them to hold their arrows until I order them.”
Tanner found that walking on the sloping deck was easier if he grabbed something solid before moving and stumbled to the next. The Rose had a breeze that seemed to be slowing as the afternoon drew on. He hoped so. With the two ships coming together at the speed The Rose cut through the water an archer would have time to loose only one arrow, and that would be a hasty and difficult shot. He wanted calmer waters to keep the ship steady, and time enough to get off, at least, three arrows.
Devlin appeared at his side. “I’ve meant to talk to you if you have time.”
“Sure. We haven’t talked since we came aboard, it seems. How are you doing?”
“Great. I love sailing and working. The men look up to me even though I’m new. That’s what I wanted to talk about.”
“Go ahead.”
“Well, I want you to know that I’ll do anything you tell me. You saved me. But when this is over, can I come back to the ship?”
Tanner took them to the railing that ran down the high side of the ship, in this case, the starboard side. They watched the horizon and the small, black dot that was the Far Seeker directly ahead. “You owe us nothing, Devlin. We’re friends, and I think working on a ship is perfect if you like it. You’ll have a future. But there is more to discuss. In the last few days, Carrion and I have found new information that concerns you.”
Tanner paused while looking around to make sure no other sailors had come closer. Devlin sensed the mood was changing and leaned closer. “Tell me.”
“Those tattoos on your arms. In the foreign land, the one we’re sailing to, people with them are called Crabs. That information is between us. The crew is not to know.”
“That sounds . . . Well, it sounds bad.”
“I’m only telling you because there will be jeopardy. To them, Crabs are the lowest of people. Lower than slaves, they say. Freemen are in the middle, and the Royals are kings and so on. But Crabs cannot hold jobs. They are marked for life with dragon tattoos on their arms so everyone knows who they are.”
“We’re worthless.” It was not a question.
“Worse. Almost invisible. A slave and the owner have rights. Slaves can be freed and become freemen. Crabs are nothing.”
Devlin’s excitement of a few moments earlier had evaporated like dew on summer grass.
Tanner placed a hand on his shoulder. “When we’re in port from here on you will wear long sleeves. Always. I’ve spoken with Captain Jamison, and he will want you on his crew. He’ll be honored. For now, you and I are operating on scant information so you’ll hide the tattoos until we understand more. Don’t make a big deal of it. Just say you’re getting sunburned or something.”
Devlin nodded and stood straighter. “They say we’re going to fight with that ship up ahead.”
“It may be less of a fight than people think, but yes.”
“I’ll make you proud, Tanner.”
“You already have. Go back to work and keep this conversation to yourself.”
Devlin left, and Tanner watched the ship ahead draw slightly closer. He thought he could see a little white water as the bow sliced ahead. What would the men on that ship be thinking? It was six or seven days’ sail to the Marlstones. Only one day out of port.
Then he felt the touch of a dragon. The small of his back itched, but it was more than an itch. He glanced at the sky, knowing he wouldn’t see it because the dragon was too far away. It was on the mainland, probably keeping pace with the ship until the distance became too great. He assumed that Carrion would have it fly to the Marlstones when the time came.
Carrion could also have it fly closer, keeping it just out of sight until the black ship attacked. The dragon could attack the black ship and sink it anytime Carrion ordered. But only the two of them knew that. The next question was about a dragon crossing the Endless Sea.
Dragons are not known for swimming, although there were a few tales that said they could. But there had to be a maximum distance. The ship would take six or seven days to sail to the Marlstones. He knew dragons could fly that far in a single day, but it would take from dawn to dark. Dragons do not like to fly after dark.
The distance from the Marlstones to Breslau was probably three times that far. The chart. He thought back to when Captain Jamison spread it before them and Carrion’s intense interest. Now he understood. The distance to the wide bay and the largest city was not the shortest route to the coast. If a dragon didn’t fly southeast, as they would sail, but went northeast, it would arrive in half the distance.
Of course, it would have to rest and eat from the long flight, but then it could fly south and join them. That was why Carrion had studied the northern portion of the chart so intently. Without the chart, Carrion and Tanner would be without the help of the red dragon.
The shorter crossing would be another reason why the Royalty of Breslau paid for maps and charts to be destroyed. They didn’t want the Dragon Clan to learn how a dragon could cross the Endless Sea. Indeed, they may have named the water ‘Endless’ just to prevent the Dragon Clan from attempting to cross. It had worked until now.
The tingle on his back was still there. If anything, it had intensified slightly. Carrion was probably going to keep it flying just out of sight unless needed. The dragon would have to fly back in the dark, but with Carrion sharing its eyes, there would be no problem. Carrion would search for fires, lanterns, or other man-made sources of light to guide him. He could always locate the shoreline and white breaking waves. Landing on a deserted beach was not ideal, but would work.
His attention went back to the Far Seeker. Twice now he’d felt a slight shift in the ship and the motion of how it pitched. Small adjustments by the helmsman at the direction of the Captain and confirmed when Tanner looked behind The Rose and saw the wake change direction.
The sun was settling lower, right behind the stern. The black ship took on detail. It sailed directly at them, a curl of white in contrast to the black hull at the bow. That sight must have made the crews of other ships cringe.
It was still too far off to see individually, but the closing speed was fast. He went to his cabin and found only half the arrows and a single bow remained. Carrion was already getting prepared. He went back to the deck; to the position he’d chosen earlier. One glance told him he was the last to take his place.