The Sea’s Sword dropped anchor near the border buoys of the Noress-That-Was harbour. The light red mainsail, with its Gallendris coiled sword emblem, was hoisted up and a section of the ship’s side rail was thrown open to allow a rope ladder to be run down the hull. They were taking on more passengers—the delegates who would join Lord Gallendris’ voyage.
Already aboard House Gallendris’ largest galley was Farek, his servants: Teman and Erek, and his guards—the trusted regulars: Matek, Diaren, Sievus, Ralla, and Ayvim—and those recommended by Jannia’s guard captain as additional reinforcements: Sheem, Oakeb, and Alvar. They had assembled on deck—to the chagrin of the ship’s trusty crew—to welcome aboard the new lords and ladies that would help them seek allies for the war to come.
A few minutes later, a pair of rowboats approached, and the party grew. The first man aboard was a servant filling the role of a herald. He declared, “Sha, Lord of Insight and his guards.”
Lord Sha came aboard. He had freshly shaven, wore a steel-grey robe with a green cape, and muttered, “Farek,” as he brushed past in search of his quarters. The sailors obliged him, though Farek would have left him to scrounge up some makeshift cubby between crates for his sleeping position. Two additional guards and two servants went with him.
Next was: “Ambassador Tolia of Var Nordos,” a woman nearly 50 years of age whose renown had long preceded Farek’s acquaintance of her. As she and Farek exchanged mutual bows and words of greeting, Tolia’s four servants brought aboard an assortment of luggage, while six more guards clambered up the ladder in various states of armour. She left Farek with an assurance that, “We should meet again soon to discuss our plans in Radregar, Lord Gallendris.”
Farek agreed and beckoned a sailor to give her a tour of the Sea’s Sword.
“Enora Roek, Master Cartographer and Ward of Matriarch Valakono,” intoned the crier, as the last delegate came aboard. Farek raised an eyebrow as a short-haired brunette in a tight-fitting leather jerkin pulled herself up the rope ladder. She couldn’t have been older than Farek himself. When Valakono had told him that she was sending a map-maker and geographer, Farek had expected a sixty-year-old hunchback with yellowed jowls and dusty old books. Enora’s single servant brought her books and a few wooden map tubes, but she carried her own pack.
When she bowed to him, Farek awkwardly returned the gesture though he suspected his rank made it unnecessary. “Do not hesitate to call on me for any information that is unclear for wise Tolia,” she said with a sparkle in her eye.
Farek found her so gorgeous he stammered out a thanks. “I am certain you’ll be instrumental to our mission,” he said, then immediately regretted it. He used to get drunk with women as pretty as she was, partying away into the night at lavish estates in Soros. But that felt like years ago and he was sure he had just come off as incredible awkward.
“Thank you,” Miss Roek replied, and followed her single guard down the deck of the ship.
By the time Farek’s entourage had dispersed from the deck, Farek found Devender and Tolia recollecting below-deck. Apparently, they had met during Devender’s time in Noress-That-Was. The magician planned to depart from Sheld once the Sea’s Sword reached their next stop. It would be hard for Farek to see him go.
Enora passed through the corridor and Farek hurriedly got out of the way for her. It was going to be a crowded ship, he realized, but he certainly didn’t mind being crowded with their cartographer.