The Silent Blade Read online

  For once everyone else just nodded along, instead of seeming like she was teasing him.

  Anders held up a finger.

  “We can do it twice? So that the whole crew can watch. The trip before last, when I did a small entertainment, nearly had those who didn’t get to see it going into mutiny over the fact.” He grinned. “A ship that had been taken by pirates. They’ve turned to honest work now. Which has nothing to do with my show, of course. They were already doing that, at the time.”

  That was all true, but held more of a story to the whole thing.

  Only the crewman, probably the first mate, from the gold-colored stripe down his right arm on the front of it, agreed with his take on things.

  “That’s a real thing, on a ship like this. Good thinking, Anders. I call you that, or is that rude? I’m Fred. The First here, under Captain Farnath. You can call me that, or First, if you want.”

  “I’m Anders Brolly. Anders, like you said. This is Apprentice Lissa and Apprentice Salina. You’re from Modroc, so Eltha Tennet should be called Great One, of course. It’s a new title there, but a real one.”

  Salina frowned.

  “So, I don’t get to be Princess Salina any longer? Just Apprentice? Not even Apprentice Great One?”

  He nodded, his face blank.

  “Exactly. No apprentice gets a fancy title. It could give them a big head, so is never done that way. Besides, here on the ship, everyone needs to know that the Captain is in charge, not some noble person with a title and no knowledge of how not to drown us all.”

  There was the start of a frown from the lovely dark eyed woman, then she stopped and nodded.

  “You know, I was going to whine about that, but it rather makes sense, doesn’t it? I certainly wouldn’t want me to be in charge out here, at least. I’d just get us lost and we’d all starve. I don’t even know how to fish.” She glanced at the water, over the side then.

  Anders nodded.

  “You can do that tomorrow? I’ll show you how. If you catch them, Lissa and I will clean them for you. That’s the gross part.”

  Lissa wrinkled her nose then, shuddered a bit and then cleared her throat.

  “That sounds horrible.”

  Laughing a bit, the First waved and walked off, leaving them to do their work. It meant finding some buckets, after a while, which Lissa did for them. That got them two crewmen, who carried the things, filled with salt water, and carrying swabs that they didn’t need. Still, the men both watched, a bit wide eyed and called out suggestions for what to do next, when they were done.

  That included cleaning the dining rooms, which were large and had fine multi colored linens on the table. Those needed to be tended to however, having stains in places. They were all clean, however, which was impressive for being at sea.

  They got a break for the meal, which, interestingly, was taken with the Captain himself, as well as his First Mate, Fred. They, the four who had been working were there at the large table, with Prince Erold, Princess Sweyn and of course, Clarisse Sett. Also, and a bit surprisingly, Depak and Hoatha.

  The Captain didn’t look at either man a lot, but he was clearly trying not to be harsh with them. Even if he was holding them in low repute. Anders had seen worse responses in similar situations, so didn’t try to smooth things over at all. It wasn’t going to work, unless he used magic for it and the truth was, he didn’t know how to do that, yet.

  Fornath bowed, after a fashion, toward Sweyn, and then everyone else. Depak was last in that, but technically that wasn’t incorrect, Anders realized. To him being a Prince was still a fiction, of course, and Depak Sona was a powerful and important former King and the current Great One of Barquea.

  Everyone else, except Hoatha, was a current noble, or in Eltha’s case, the Great One of their own land, so she needed to be addressed first. That had happened, and mainly in the correct order. Even doing Ganges right before Depak was correct, given he was more aged and possibly going to marry Eltha.

  True, Clarisse Sett had been acknowledged before anyone else, but that was clearly due to her personal fame. A thing that Anders hadn’t really thought of at all. He’d seen her do some small illusions, and imagined that she practiced each day, but the true talent she held wasn’t a thing he’d ever even heard of. She was, apparently, well known for it, among her own people. Enough that she was recognized in passing, even.

  The Captain gave a polite smile and then looked at Eltha.

  “My First mentioned that you had these others working already? Cleaning the decks for us? Also, that you requested lessons in ship management and control?” He didn’t seem upset by the idea, just being curious, since it was probably a bit odd to ask after on a passenger vessel.

  Eltha nodded, seeming very proper and serious.

  “Indeed. Dumo Anders is rather pressing us to learn such things, in case it comes up later, in our capacity as Great Ones for our various lands. So that, if need arises, we don’t send people into danger, not knowing how they do what they do and all that? On the nice side, we do get to do that with magic, so far.”

  The man was clever enough that he turned to Salina, and then Lissa, in turn.

  “You’re all Great Ones?”

  Salina shook her head.

  “No? Lissa and I are only apprentices to that position. Hence having to work constantly. It’s a bit different than how I was raised, I think it’s fair to share. Still, it was pointed out to me earlier that, if the need arose, the best I could do was lead a craft like this to its doom, knowing only what I do right now. I’m not even sure which direction land is in, to be honest.”

  Anders smiled at her.

  “Seek that, with your mind. Then point.” It was an order, but he spoke softly.

  It didn’t take her long at all. Lissa and Eltha did it at the same time. Lissa did it first and never closed her eyes. That had Depak smiling at her rather fondly.

  The Captain clapped.

  “You’re wizards, too? Amazing! No wonder you were named as Great One, Miss Tennet. Fred, will you go over navigation and leadership for them? For... Anders Brolly, as well? I...” He shook his head then. “Forgive me, Prince Brolly, but I haven’t truly worked out your place here, as of yet. Goods master and...”

  Hoatha smiled then, for nearly the first time.

  “Anders Brolly is many things, in his own land. Primarily the Headmaster of their grand magical college. That’s new, and not set to truly open for most of a decade. A title earned though, in the war against Yanse. He’s also a fletcher and bow maker, if I understand correctly?” He looked at Depak, who nodded.

  “Indeed. He made my horn bow for me, in fact. He’s also a competent jeweler and better than that at making clothing. His cloaks are rather famous, in Istlan, in fact.”

  The Captain nodded.

  “Ah? All of that and I still can’t say I understand how to treat you! Do I put you to work, learning to guide a ship, or do I feed you sweets and avoid you, as much as possible?”

  The words would have been rude in Istlan, if spoken to a prince and Erold seemed ready to snap at the man over them, but Anders knew that part of that was just the difference in how languages hit the ear. They weren’t meant as rude or abrupt, they just seemed that way, to a man of Istlan.

  “The first one? I brought sweets with us, so I won’t need that kind of thing, most likely. Though Eltha is having me do a small show, in a few days? I need to actually plan that out, if I can. There are improvements needed in my work, I fear.”

  The words had Clarisse nodding in his direction.

  “Don’t we all need to do such? I look forward to seeing your efforts, myself. I agree though, you should all see to learning how to guide a ship like this one. Depak, dear, you mentioned that they can also learn to use the winds to aid us on our way?”

  The bald man nodded.

  “Yes! Anders should go first. That suggestion you had before, of tying the winds to the wheel, so that the ship will always flow in the correct direc
tion? You’ve done that before, but perhaps you could show these others and take the first duty, tonight? If you don’t have to wake early, to prepare food for us?”

  That started to come just then, slightly before being spoken about, and from what he could see, all of it was fine enough, if not truly what he’d figured on eating. The dishes were made of things he’d brought, in the main, he was certain. All of it was different than what he would have made, however.

  It was, truly, like a strange, very well seasoned, version of Barquean food. The dishes had more hot spices in them, which were things that he hadn’t purchased at all. Peppers and the like. Darker things that added savor to the food as well. All of it was good, however, so, when they were finished, he simply gave Depak a look.

  “I doubt that they need me in the galley, to be honest. That was good. I can see to the winds now, if you desire, Captain? The breeze is nice, though we can strengthen it, and as mentioned, give whoever is in control of the ship command of them, if you wish it done?”

  The man stood, suddenly and with vigor, ignoring the soft rocking of the deck below him. So far no one had been getting sick due to the motion, at least. If they had, they’d been silent on the matter, at any rate. The older man, his weathered features seeming pleasant, walked quickly to the top deck, near the back, where the wheel was. Everyone at the meal had followed along, including Duma Sett.

  So Anders nodded at her, directly.

  “You know basic magician spell work, don’t you Duma?” He glanced at Eltha then. “It was your task to see to that, while we were in Istlan, so if she didn’t have that instruction we all get to mock you for the rest of the trip while she learns.” He tried to seem almost angry at her. A thing that worked surprisingly well in Modroc.

  She actually frowned back at him.

  “Of course I taught her. Daily. She’s at the same level I am. Perhaps better in some ways.”

  He let his face light up then.

  “Excellent. I’ll go over the basic spell. Duma, you’ll take over in the morning, after the first meal? Then Prince Erold, Apprentice Lissa and... Princess Sweyn.” That last one was almost mean of him to add, since she was rather weak in magic. She could do the spell though and a few hours of heavy breathing shouldn’t hurt the baby at all.

  That last one had the woman sticking her tongue out at him, as if annoyed at his antics.

  “Fine. We can spend an hour barely moving, before everyone gets frustrated with that and someone else takes over.”

  He nodded, and narrowed his eyes.

  “Two hours. You can do it. Now, everyone, pay attention.”

  The spell took a while to perform, since he wasn’t just calling the winds, he was directing them to only fill the sails and hit the ship, and how they needed to guide with the wheel, constantly. He tried to make certain that not even a wisp of the wind would be wasted, since it was his personal energy powering the whole thing. The better the spell crafting, the less power it took to make it work.

  “Fen ot.” On the last word, the spell came into being, the wind blowing with nice power into the sails above.

  The Captain nodded.

  “This will hold? How long?”

  “Until I say the last word of the spell. It’s a useful trick, really. Well, or until I die, of course.”

  Depak Sona nodded, then looked up at the sails, as the five sheets barely moved or flapped, the winds being so constant and certain.

  “You didn’t add in a way for the man at the wheel to increase or decrease the speed of the winds?”

  Anders had a choice then. One of those was to glare at the man, for making unreasonable demands. The other was to simply admit that he didn’t have a way to do that yet. Even if it was an interesting idea.

  “On my next turn? I have nothing for that, yet. Let me think on the idea for a while.”

  “See to that. Now, we should all see to getting some sleep, if possible? That or other light tasks.” Depak strode away, making his escape from the groans that came then.

  Anders was kind of tired, so nodded at the idea, for himself.

  “That’s a good idea. I need to be up early anyway.” So that he could plan what his entertainment was going to be. Everyone had been underselling it, so far, but he truly did need to improve what he was doing, if he was being asked in to perform for the Sulat and his family. His previous efforts, while possibly fine enough for a boy, weren’t what he wanted to be known for.

  Truly, what he wanted was to take the audience to a different land, one of his creation, filled with objects that looked and felt real, and beings that could pass as actually existing, in a way that was so perfect, no one could tell it was illusion.

  Except for the music and other sounds that surrounded them.

  At the moment, that was totally outside of what he could hope to manage. He had a few days to get better though, so, rather than go straight to sleep, he went to find his cabin, which was being shared with Depak, Brenner and Sondra. Having an attractive woman in there seemed a bit off, to Anders, but she explained, before anyone could ask after the idea.

  “It was Sweyn’s idea. We had an odd woman out, so she put me in here, with the good men, who will at least marry me if they get me pregnant. That means you’re not getting to play, Brenner. You have orders not to marry on this trip. Dumo Depak is out as well, so I just crawl in with you, Anders?” She oddly enough seemed to be saying that as a serious thing.

  As if the flat cots they had were big enough for two. Plus, there were four in the room with them.

  “Perhaps later, if we find a place with actual beds? Not that I didn’t get the rest of the teasing there. I might just take you up on that though, if you keep it up. Just to warn you.” That probably wouldn’t be happening, but she reached out and touched his shoulder, then gave it a squeeze.

  “All right. Later. I won’t forget you said that.”

  Then all the men had to leave, so she could change for the night, and then that part was reversed. It made it all take twice as long, but propriety, what they could rescue of that sort of thing, needed to be maintained. The woman was cute. It occurred to him that she was also a spy. One that Sweyn had put in with him, for some reason.

  Also with Depak Sona. Dumo Depak, as she’d called him. That was just the male form of duma, and meant something like master, or possibly master teacher. So it was very polite, and showed that Sondra at least, was thinking of him in that type of a role, not as the killer of those from her land. Possibly that too, of course. It was, unfortunately, true.

  War required that kind of thing of people.

  Instead of dwelling on that, or the sound of others breathing, Anders used the time before sleep to plan out what he wanted people to see. A land that would form on all sides of them, with music in the distance, and birds in the sky. Running water, as well. It needed to be small, and close to him, or it would be too tasking by far.

  There needed to be a story, as well. One that was acted out, in the center of the space, so that everyone could watch it. It would limit the audience size, of course. Then, each part of the whole vision had to be given a scent, and made to be touched.

  He felt overwhelmed, at first, as he tried to hold everything that would be needed. Finally, he dropped into the hall of memory inside his mind, created a new side tunnel, and then, carefully, placed each plant, bird, tree and creature he wanted into it, each being given a name and a number, so that he could simply call up a group of things rapidly. Each was different from the others, of course. He wasn’t even close to finished when he finally let himself sleep. He woke at five bells, getting himself up, cleaned and dressed for the day.

  Even though most wouldn’t be getting up for several hours. Then he sat on the deck, his legs crossed like a tailor, in the strong breeze. The one he was creating. He kept at it until he heard a voice.

  “Hey, boy... Time to break your fast. You don’t want to miss that.” A hand shook his shoulder, and he opened his eyes to find a man in a beige shi
rt and trousers, with sandals on his feet, standing there. One of the crew. An older man, who wasn’t smiling or seeming teasing about whatever Anders had been getting up to.

  “Thanks be unto you, sir. I’ll go and see to that directly.”

  The words had the man backing away, so that standing was possible.

  “I know I hate sleeping through meals. This is a good enough place to nap, I suppose.” It was clear that the man didn’t get that idea at all, but was being tolerant of the stranger.

  “I was working on the show I’m to give in a few days. Memorizing different factors I need for it. My goal is for something better than what I’ve done in the past, so it’s taking some work. Even if that work looks a lot like a nap.”

  The man seemed considering, instead of doubting, at least.

  “Heh. That’s new then. We’re making good time so far this trip, so don’t take too long getting that ready? I’ll want to see that. I heard you were doing juggling and going to sing?”

  Anders stood then, a bit unsteady, from sitting on the hard wood. His right leg had fallen asleep on him. That meant limping, as he walked. Then doing more of that, when his foot turned to needles that he felt as bright sparkles, for some reason. Blue and white ones that glowed. Only they weren’t visible at all. It was, he figured an artifact of having been in a fairly deep memory trance for several hours.

  “It should, I hope, be a bit different than that. For one thing, I don’t really sing well, so... You get me on that, right? I have to press into other things. Reciting stories and things like that?”

  The sound he got was considering.

  “That sounds fun then! Captain said that we might get to see it, if you actually do anything. Entertainment is always prized out here. You ever been on a boat before?”

  “Oh, certainly. I traveled to Barquea, last year. On the Leopard going out, and then the Limpet on the way back.”

  The man gave him a funny look then.

  “Enna’s Leopard?”

  “That’s the one.”