8
"There is one problem," said Stragos. "Just one?" Locke rolled his eyes. "There are only forty left of the forty-four I selected." "How will that suit the needs of the ship?"
"We've got food and water for a hundred days with sixty," said Caldris. "And she can be handled well with half that number. Once we've got them sorted out, we'll do fine for hands at the lines."
"So you will," said Stragos. "The missing four are women. I had them placed in a separate cell. One of them developed a gaol-fever and soon they all had it. I had no choice but to move them to shore; they're too weak to lift their arms, let alone join this expedition."
"We're for sea with not a woman aboard," said Caldris. "Will not Merrain be coming with us, then?"
"I'm afraid," she said sweetly, "that my talents will be required elsewhere." "This is mad," cried Caldris. "We taunt the Father of Storms!" ^
"You can find women for your crew in Port Prodigal, perhaps even good officers." Stragos spread his hands. "Surely you'll be fine for the duration of a single voyage down."
"Would that it were mine to so declare," said Caldris, a haunted look in his eyes. "Master Kosta, this is a poor way to start. We must have cats. A basket of cats, for the Red Messenger. We need what luck we can steal. All gods as your witness, you must not fail to have cats aboard that ship before we put to sea." "Nor shall I," said Locke.
"Then it's settled," said Stragos. "Heed this now, Kosta. Concerning the… depth of your deception. In case you have any misgivings. None of the men you'll be taking from the Windward Rock have ever served in my navy, so they" ve little notion of what to expect from one of my officers. And soon enough you'll be Ravelle the pirate rather than Ravelle the naval captain, so you may tailor the impersonation as you see fit, and worry little over small details."
"That's good," said Locke. "I" ve got enough of those crammed into my head just now."
"I have one last stipulation," Stragos continued. "The men and women who serve at the Windward Rock, even those who are not party to this scheme, are among my finest and most loyal. I will provide means for you to disable them without rendering permanent harm. In no way are they to be otherwise injured, not by you nor your crew, and gods help you if you leave any dead." "Curious sentiments for a man who claims to be no stranger to risks."
"I would send them into battle at any time, Kosta, and lose them willingly. But none who wear my colours honestly are to die as part of this; that much my honour compels me to grant them. You are supposed to be professionals. Consider this a test of your professionalism."
"We're not bloody murderers," said Locke. "We kill for good reason, when we kill at all."
"So much the better," said Stragos. "That is all I have to say, then. This day is yours to do with as you see fit. Tomorrow evening, just before midnight, you'll land on the Windward Rock and start this business." "We need our antidote," said Locke. Jean and Caldris nodded.
"Of course. You three will get your last vials just before you leave. After that… I shall expect your first return within two months. And a report of your progress."
9
Locke and Jean managed a ragged muster of their new crew just inside the entrance hall. Jean had to demonstrate his physical strength to several men who attempted to vent their frustrations on the sleeping guards.
"I said you touch them at your peril," Locke snarled for the third time. "Let them be! If we leave them dead behind us, we'll lose all sympathy with anyone. Let them live, and Verrari will be laughing about this for months to come.
"Now," he said, "move out quietly to the dockside. Take your ease, stretch your legs, have a good long look at the sea and sky. I" ve a boat to fetch before we can be away. For the sake of us all, keep your mouths shut."
They mostly obeyed this admonition, breaking up into little whispering groups as they moved out of the tower. Locke noticed that some of the men hung back near the door, their hands on the stones, as though afraid to step out beneath the open sky. He couldn't say he blamed them after months or years in the vault.
"That's lovely," said Jabril, who fell into step beside Locke as they approached the dock where Caldris still paced with his lantern. "Fuckin" lovely. Almost as lovely as not having to smell us all at once." "You'll be crammed together again soon enough," said Locke. "Aye. Same but different."
"Jabril," said Locke, raising his voice, "in time, as we come to know one another's strengths, we can hold proper votes for some of the officers we'll need. For now, I'm naming you acting mate." "Mate of what?"
"Mate of whatever." Locke grinned and slapped him on the back. "I'm not in the navy any more, remember? You'll answer to Jerome. Keep the men in order. Take the weapons from that soldier tied to the dock, just in case we need to pull a little steel this evening. I don't expect a fight, but we should be ready."
"Good evening, Captain Ravelle," said Caldris. "I see you" ve fetched them out just as you planned."
"Aye," said Locke. "Jabril, this is Caldris, my sailing master. Caldris, Jabril is acting mate under Jerome. Listen to me!" Locke raised his voice without shouting, lest it echo across the water to unseen ears. "I came with a boat for six. I have a boat for forty nearby. I need two men to help me row. Won't be half an hour, and then we'll be away."
Two younger prisoners stepped forward, looking eager for anything that would relieve the tedium of what thed'r been through.
"Right," said Locke as he stepped down into their little boat, after Caldris and the two sailors. "Jerome, Jabril, keep order and quiet. Try to sort out those that can work right away from those that will need a few days to recover their strength."
Anchored half a mile out from the Windward Rock was a long launch, invisible in the moonlight until Caldris's lantern found it from about fifty yards away. Locke and Caldris worked quickly to rig the boat's small sail; then, slowly but surely, they steered their way back toward the Rock with the two ex-prisoners rowing the little boat beside them. Locke glanced around nervously, spotting a sail or two gleaming palely on the far horizons, but nothing closer.
"Listen well," he said when the launch was tied up below the dock and surrounded by his would-be crew. He was pleasantly surprised at how quickly thed'r settled down to the business at hand. Of course, that made sense — they were the crews of impounded ships, not hardcases imprisoned for individual crimes. It didn't make saints of them, but it was nice to have something unforeseen working in his favour for once.
"Able hands take the oars. Don't be shy if you're less than able for the time being; I know some of you have been down there too damn long. Just sit in the middle of the launch and take it easy. You can recover yourselves on the voyage out. We've plenty to eat."
That lent them some cheer. Once at sea, Locke knew, the state of their rations might easily approach that of the prison slop they were leaving behind, but for a fair few days thed'r have a supply of fresh meat and vegetables to look forward to.
In good order the former prisoners clambered aboard the launch; soon the gunwales were lined with those claiming to be able-bodied and oars were being slipped into their locks. Jabril took the bow, waving up at Locke and Caldris when all was in readiness.
"Right," said Locke. "The Messenger is anchored south of the Sword Marina on the seaward side, wanting nothing save her crew. One guard stands watch for the night, and I'll deal with him. Just follow us and go aboard once I" ve done that; the nets are lowered over the side and the defences are stowed."