Ilyatha relayed Kof's plan. Tailonna passed her waist bag to him, then she helped Ilyatha to his feet and the two of them churned their legs to take them out of the cavern. Fritzen picked up the morkoth and wrapped it in the net. He laid a hand on the minotaur's shoulder and nodded. Then he pushed off, with his wounded prize in tow.
Alone, Koraf started about his work, prying emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and jacinths out of the walls of the morkoth's lair and stuffing handfuls of them into his pockets and Tailonna's bag. He selected the largest gems, the ones that best caught the light of the magical fire overhead. By the time he could carry no more and was certain he had a fortune, he began to get lightheaded. He suspected he had been gathering the treasure for a few hours. Fumbling about in the pouch at his waist, he retrieved his second potion and downed it.
Then he found his way out of the cave.
The ki-rin had taken the morkoth to the ship and returned for Bas-Ohn Koraf. The grateful minotaur, laden with his sparkling treasure, accepted Belwar's invitation and climbed upon his back. Within the hour they were approaching the deck of the Perechon.
Maquesta's fever was gone. She was on the port bow, talking animatedly to a still-soaked Fritzen and a blanket-wrapped Tailonna. A thin, white bandage was wrapped about Maq's leg, and she leaned against a spear for support, but it appeared the captain was much improved.
Ilyatha was nearby, babbling at the kuo-toa king, whose hands and feet were tied. The other kuo-toa had been herded up on deck, and they stood by the railing as the Perechon crew kept them at a distance with spears and harpoons. The ki-rin landed behind Maquesta, and she turned and grinned at Belwar and the minotaur.
"Belwar, thank you for returning my first mate. Lendle's watching the morkoth. The beast is in Attat's cage, which we've managed to lash to the aft of the ship-just enough of it underwater so the thing won't die. Lendle thinks he can pull the beast through; he's been sprinkling herbs in the water all around it. But we'll have to keep a close watch to make certain the morkoth doesn't use any of its nasty tricks. I think everything will work out," she gushed. "We'll be able to get my father back-and the Perechon."
The ki-rin nodded to her, but its eyes were sad. "I do hope everything works out for you, Maquesta. I must go now, but I will return if you need me."
The minotaur felt in his pockets for the gems, letting his fingers run around their smooth, faceted surfaces. Then he patted Tailonna's bulging bag at his side. "I have insurance, Captain," he told her, when he made sure the rest of the crew was occupied elsewhere. He produced a large emerald, holding it where she could see. "There are more. Enough to buy several ships, perhaps enough to buy every ship in Lacynos and pay for crews to man them."
The minotaur gave her Tailonna's bag and walked with Maquesta to her cabin, where he spilled the gems from his pockets across the top of her table. Maq's eyes sparkled. It was more wealth than she had seen in her entire lifetime, as much wealth as lined the Lacynos merchant's treasure cave.
"I hope we won't need all of these at Attat's," she said. "I can think of much better uses for them, including paying a crew that has been without full compensation for too long."
Maquesta secured the treasure under her bed, then she and Kof returned to the deck. Tailonna rushed toward the pair, requesting that the remaining kuo-toa be slain.
"We killed well more than half of the colony when they attacked the ship last night," Maquesta argued. "I think that is quite a significant loss, one that will take them years to recover from. To slay captive foes is butchery."
The sea elf nodded reluctantly. "Their numbers may no longer pose a threat to my people. If they do, we can deal with them now. The odds are in our favor."
With that, Maquesta motioned to Ilyatha, who cut the king's ropes and ordered the creature over the side. The crew prodded the other kuo-toa to jump into the water, as well.
"The king's sons are in the hold," Maq told Tailonna. "When we are far from here, they'll be released. The king has guaranteed us safe passage as long as they are all right. Now we sail for deep water. We'll bury our dead at sea, then be on our way to Attat's."
Chapter 15
"You don't have to stay with us any longer," Maquesta told Tailonna. "We can ease into the Endscape port for you. It's not far, and there's a deep harbor that we can move all the way into. It won't set us back more than hour, two at the most."
The women stood near the bow of the ship, looking out at the early morning sky and the rough water. The sails were full of wind and crackled with each gust, and the ship crested one wave after the next, rising and falling and spraying water over Maq and Tailonna. Despite the strong breeze, they were not making good time. Dragging the morkoth's cage slowed their progress considerably.
The sea elf turned to Maquesta, a grin forming on her thin lips. "I know I could leave," she said softly. "With the morkoth captured, my obligation ends. But…" She paused and looked up at the cloudless sky. "I have to know how this all turns out, Maquesta. I've come this far, and I want to see this journey through. Besides, you can't afford to lose an hour or two."
"And after that?"
"This is a fine ship. I've learned you make an excellent captain, and you have an able crew. But if you keep traveling waters like these, you're going to need someone with a little magic." She winked at Maq. "Maybe I'll stay. For a while anyway."
"I think the crew would like that," Maq replied, still not sure if she would like the presence of the sea elf on board.
"I should catch some fish for the morkoth," Tailonna added. "My people said the beast eats only live animals, and I trust you want the morkoth returned healthy to Lord Attat. So with your permission…" The sea elf pointed over the railing.
Maquesta nodded, not accustomed to having Tailonna ask permission to do anything. Then Maq turned and walked toward the port side of the ship. Behind her, she heard a splash, signaling that the sea elf was overboard. Maquesta hoped Tailonna managed to catch plenty of fish. She and the crew could use some fresh food for dinner.
Maq passed by Kof, who was obviously enjoying his time at the wheel. She wondered what he was thinking. They were returning to Lacynos, where he would be the property of Lord Attat again. She would talk to him about this later, as she had been mulling over the idea of purchasing his services from Attat on a permanent basis. Waving to him, she sped her pace. The minotaur nodded a greeting in return.
Her leg had recovered, thanks to the sea elf's magical balm and Lendle's herbs, though it was still a little stiff. She vowed to walk as much as possible today to help it limber up-the gnome's orders. For a moment she thought about going belowdecks and looking for Fritzen. She enjoyed his company, and she would like to hear again the story about the morkoth's capture and the twisting tunnels of its lair. But then she changed her mind. The half-ogre was with several of the other crewmembers, resting-hopefully sleeping. They would take over when night fell. With the cage slowing them more than she had anticipated, the Perechon had to continue moving, no matter the threats of traveling on the Blood Sea at night. There would be no more stops, and Ilyatha would use the flute of wind dancing each evening as long as its magic held out.
She spied Lendle leaning over the railing near the morkoth cage and decided to chat with him for a few moments. She wanted to thank the gnome for his help in mending her leg. She hadn't thanked him earlier-she was concerned about her ship, worried about the morkoth. In short, she thought to herself, she was taking the gnome for granted. That was a situation that would end now, she decided.