Teldin waved away the disgusting stuff. "You've made your point."
"Good," Rozloom murmured distractedly, no longer interested in the lesson. His small black eyes followed an elven woman who was carrying a stack of nested bowls toward what appeared to be a larder. She shot an arch, inviting glance over her shoulder before she disappeared. The aperusa was on his feet instantly, preening his massive beard with an air of anticipation.
"Ah, but hypocrisy is a wonderful thing in an elven woman!" he noted with deep satisfaction. "My apologies, Captain, but you understand?"
Rozloom was gone before Teldin could reply. With amazing speed for one of his bulk, the gypsy made his way across the galley and shut the larder door firmly behind him and his latest conquest.
The strange conversation left Teldin puzzled and suddenly exhausted. He made his way back to his cabin, and was just tugging off his boots when a crisp knock sounded at the door. "Come in," he called wearily.
Vallus Leafbower stepped into the room, resplendent in his blue-and-silver uniform. "You look much different from when we last spoke. I trust you're feeling better?"
"Well, I'm a little tired," he hinted.
"I'll leave you to your rest momentarily. You should know that we make landfall tomorrow, three bells into the first watch."
Suddenly alert, Teldin motioned the elf into the room. "Where are we going?"
"Toril."
Teldrin's blue eyes narrowed. "Why Toril? And don't bother to tell me you were on your way there when you just happened to bump into my ship."
Vallus took the chair at the side of Teldin's cot and faced down the angry human. "We are going to do what I advised you to do months ago: We are going to seek answers to your cloak and your quest from the sages of Evermeet," he said with quiet finality.
"Really. And do I have any choice in the matter?"
"Have you another destination in mind?" the elf asked mildly. "My orders are to help you find the Spelljammer. If you can suggest a better way to go about it, I'd be happy to listen."
That stopped Teldin. As he thought it over, he realized that Vallus's choice fit his own plans rather well. If he wanted to continue his search without relying on the elves for transportation, he would have to purchase a new ship. That problem had been pressing on his mind for days, and perhaps Evermeet presented a solution. There was enough gold left in his bag for a modest down payment, but Teldin knew that as an unknown, inexperienced captain making a voyage of exploration into deep space, he was not exactly a good risk. He doubted anyone would be willing to extend him credit. The elves, perhaps, might prove an exception. They regretted the treacherous behavior of one of their own, Admiral Cirathorn. Although Teldin didn't like the idea, he figured he would have to find out how far the elves would go to make amends.
"Evermeet's fine," he muttered grudgingly. "Hectate and I will be looking for another ship."
Vallus shook his head. "I'm afraid that's out of the question."
So it was true, Teldin thought. He was a prisoner of the elves. "You're saying I can't leave the swan ship?"
The elf s surprise seemed genuine. "Not at all. You may come and go as you will, but Hectate Kir cannot set foot on Evermeet."
Teldin's resentment over his friend's treatment returned in full measure. "Why? Because he's half-elven?"
"Yes."
Teldin shot both hands through his hair, astounded that the elven wizard didn't even bother to hide his bigotry. "That's ridiculous," he sputtered.
"I agree," Vallus said evenly, "but the decision is not mine to make. I personally have no objection to Hectare Kir."
"Is that so? Then why is the crew treating him like a pariah? Why is a skilled navigator-the best I've seen!-washing dishes instead of taking shifts on the bridge?"
The elf s green eyes remained steady. "I am the captain of the Trumpeter, and therefore my dictates are followed. I cannot, however, transfer my beliefs and values to the crew. Elves tend to be an insular people, and many of my crewmen distrust the half-elf. Putting your friend on the bridge would create more tension that the exercise merits."
Teldin shook his head adamantly. "No. I can't agree that you should abandon a principle merely because upholding it might create a little discomfort," he said with scathing sarcasm. To his surprise, his wrathful answer brought a smile to Vallus's face.
"You do not disappoint me, Teldin Moore."
He threw up his hands in exasperation. "I live to please. Now, I'm sorry if this ruffles a few elven feathers, but I need to bring Hectate with me. If I'm to purchase a new ship, I need the advice of someone I can trust, someone from my own crew."
"Surely you know that the swan ship is at your disposal," Vallus told him. "After we visit Evermeet, you may choose whatever course you wish. You do not need another ship."
"Sorry, but I don't care for the strings attached to your offer," Teldin said bluntly.
The elf received this information with a long silence. "Very well. I ask only that you keep an open mind and not make your final decision until after we speak with the elves of Evermeet."
The human shrugged. "If you like, but Hectate comes with me," he insisted.
"That is not possible," Vallus repeated. "No half-elves are allowed on Evermeet. It is not permitted for me as an ambassador of the Imperial Fleet to violate a rule of the groundling elves. If you wish, you may bring other, more acceptable crew members."
"Like Rozloom?" Teldin asked with heavy irony.
Vallus had the grace to smile. "That choice might not further diplomatic relations. Actually, I had the dracons in mind."
"Chirp and Trivit?" echoed Teldin in disbelief.
"Why not? They are fine sailors, born and raised in the void. Since they now are part of your family, so to speak, they have a very personal stake in choosing your next ship."
Teldin's eyes narrowed. He suspect that Vallus was teasing him, but he could detect no sign on humor on the elf s angular, aristocratic face. Neither could he see any real reason for leaving the dracons behind, so he gave in with a gut-deep sigh. "All right. They can come."
"Then only one minor matter remains." Vallus excused himself and left the cabin. He returned almost immediately with a large, paper-wrapped bundle, which he handed to Teldin. "Since your possessions were either lost or damaged in the last battle, we took the liberty of replacing some of them."
With a feeling of apprehension, Teldin untied the string. He had a mental picture of himself gadding about in the shining silver favored by the Imperial Fleet. He didn't particularly like the idea of appearing before elven royalty in his only set of battered clothing, but wearing an elven uniform would be making a statement of allegiance that he could not support.
To his surprise, the bundle contained several dark garments. He shook out the first, a shirt of fine black silk. Black trousers, a dark jacket, and several other garments completed the package. The cut of the clothing was almost identical to his old wardrobe, except that the quality of fabric and workmanship far surpassed anything he'd ever owned. At the bottom of the package were finely tooled leather items: boots, a belt and scabbard, even a new money sack.