21
Sometime just before dawn the storm abated. Thunder echoed dully, far off across pale, slate-streaked skies. Rain slacked to a drizzling curtain in wan daylight. The sea was still running high. Shogg and Triss were sleeping, sitting draped over the tiller, worn out and exhausted after their tempestuous ordeal. The otter slid forward bit by bit, until his nose bumped against the tiller arm. He sat up straight, blinking through salt-crusted eyes, immediately aware of the sound of waves pounding across reefs and breaking on the shore.
Triss, wake up, mate! Tis land, straight ahead. Land! The squirrelmaid woke, shivering, damp and cold. She stared at the approaching coastline, rocks and shingle broken by patches of sandy shore. It did not appear very welcoming, but it was a marvellous sight to a pair of escaped slaves.
Where are we, Shogg?
Her friend applied his attention to the tiller. I ain’t got a clue, but well be in big trouble if we runs afoul o’ those reefs, matey. Let’s try to slide in easy-like.
Recalling the previous night, Triss scanned the horizon. Where’s the big ship gone, d’you see it anywhere?
Shogg smiled grimly. T’the bottom o’ the sea, I’ope. I don’t see it about, but there ain’t any sense in takin’ chances. We won’t put up the sail in case it gives us awayÑa sail can be seen from a good distance off. You see if’n there’s any dry vittles left, an’ water, too. I’d give me rudder for a mouthful of fresh water right now. Attend to that an’ keep yore eyes peeled. I’ll try an’ get us to shore safely.
Viewing the strange new land, Shogg felt a thrill of anticipation as the shore loomed closer. He used all his skills to tack between the perilous rocks, some poking up out of the sea, others lying beneath the surface. Centering his attention at a sprawling stone outcrop on the tideline, Shogg sent the vessel toward it.
Triss found some apples that were undamaged. She uncorked a flagon of drinking water and tipped it to her mouth, washing out the heavy salt taste of the sea. It was sweet and refreshing. She passed it to Shogg, who wedged it against the tiller.
I’ll take a drop when I gets us past this tricky bit, mate. There!’Tis a straight run to land now. Let’s drink to our escape, Triss, we made it!
As the keel scraped upon sand, Shogg leaped over into the shallows and hauled on the headrope. Triss was about to join him when she spotted the double sails bellying out on the horizon.
It’s the big ship! Look!
The otter acted promptly as he sighted the Seascab. Quick, let’s pull’er in behind these rocks. I’ope they ain’t caught sight of us!
Between them they managed to push and shove the vessel to the lee side of the outcrop. Shogg began stripping the sail from the mast and rolling it up, whilst Triss salvaged what food she could from their spoiled stores.
Empty grog flagons rolled about on Plugg’s cabin floor as the ship swayed gently. He sat with his head on the table, snoring in his chair.
Laaaaaand hoooooooo!
A moment later the silver fox was stumbling out on deck. Land ye say, where away?
Tazzin, who was on duty as steersbeast, pointed. Straight on as she lies, Cap’n, dead ahead!
Kurda came bounding up from amidships. De land, mine new captain see it first, yarr. He say somet’ink move, over by der rocks. See!
Plugg was too preoccupied with their position to pay the Princess much heed. He scanned the coast up and down.
Kurda slapped her sabre blade against the rail. Vot you lookin’ for, vy you don’t listen to me?
Plugg spoke as he continued inspecting the shoreline. There should be a river runnin’ out across the beach. That’s where the chart says we make our landfall. I’m lis-senin’ to yer, missy. Now who saw wot, eh?
Kurda beckoned a tall, grave-faced Ratguard to her side. Diss von, he is Vorto, mine new captainÑTell him!
Vorto saluted with his spear before reporting to Plugg. I saw it, a liddle boat, runnin’ fer those rocks, showin’ no sail. May’ap ‘tis moored behind the rocks, Cap’n.
Plugg turned, bringing his face close to the new officer and squinting into his eyes. Vorto, eh, you got a fair ole pair o’ peepers on ye.
Oh well, I’ll ‘ave to take ‘er in an’ scout the coast ‘til I finds a landmark. Tazzin, you steer ‘er landwards, but stop before those big reefs. I’ll be in me cabin, a-studyin’ the chart. Shout out when yore droppin’ anchor.
Kurda blocked Plugg’s way, gesturing with her sabre. You t’row down de anchor by de reefs, how ve get ashore?
The Freebooter pushed past her, heading for his cabin. Yore free to wade or swim, but if’n you stops playin’ wid that toy sword, I’ll let ye ride in the ship’s boat wid me. Slitty, make ready the jollyboat fer when we anchors.
From their cover in the rocks, Shogg and Triss watched the Seascab heading in a direct line for the outcrop. The otter shouldered the rolled-up sail. Cut an’ run, Triss, ‘tis all that’s left to us. We ain’t stoppin’ round ‘ere fer Kurda to practise ‘er sabre on us.
The squirrelmaid hefted a stone-tipped spear, part of the simple weaponry Bistort had left aboard for them. I wish I could stay and pay her back for murdering poor old Drufo. I’d give her the same chance she gave him. None!
Shogg weighed the bag of slingstones and the sling he had armed himself with. Aye, but there’s prob’ly a full crew o’ Freebooters an’ a pack o’ Ratguards with ‘er. We wouldn’t stand a chance, Triss. Right, we’d best move. Let’s go east an’ a touch north, keepin’ those rocks atween us an’ them so they don’t see us. Kurda will try to track us, ye can rely on it.
They set off at a brisk jog toward some dunes.
Kurda did not wait for Vorto to assist her. She leaped from the jollyboat and splashed off through the shallows toward the rocks. Plugg had brought Prince Bladd along with him but, when the Freebooter captain jumped overboard into the shallows, the fat young princeling kept his seat in the jollyboat’s centre.
I get mine paws vetted if I jump in dere, I not like vet paws!
Plugg shook his head in despair. Slitty, you ‘n’ Ripper give Prince slobberchops a lift ashore, an’ don’t get ‘is paws wet, ‘e don’t like it!
Vorto waited until all the Ratguards had waded ashore. Lining them up, he marched off to find the Princess.
Kurda was standing on the lee side of the rocks, leaning against the stolen boat, studying the pawprints that ran off toward the dunes. Vorto arrived with the Ratguards and saluted smartly.
The Princess smiled. Yarr, mine good Vorto, you vere right. Here is der ship, and der tracks, see!
Plugg came swaggering up with a few of his crew. He inspected the vessel, stroking its sides and patting the stern in admiration. The Freebooter liked what he saw.
Haharr, she’s an’andsome liddle beauty. The slaves who built this’n knowed wot they was doin’. Now then, yer’igh royalness, I wouldn’t be stannin’ gapin’ at those pawtracks all day, if’n I was you. This drizzle will soon wash’em out.
Kurda gave him a supercilious stare and drew her sabre. Tchah! You know about der sea, but I know all about der land. Vere is Riggan?
At Vorto’s command, a rat stepped forward. She was of wiry build, older than the rest, with a long nose and slitted eyes. Kurda’s sabre pointed to the fugitive tracks.
You can find dese creatures, yarr?