I thought I'd just spend a few minutes updating my journal, prior to sorting my hair out, dressing, and collecting the others from their apartments for the ball. It's a little over an hour and a half since we arrived, and a little under 40 minutes since I got the others installed in their rooms. They're not the best rooms in the castle but they're reasonably close to mine.
Robert was quite taken aback by how primitive everything in the castle is, especially the lack of running water in most rooms. He was however impressed by my pool and with the view from my balcony. Given that my pool is 150 feet up a tower he aught to be impressed.
Despite me having to create the trump, which Palrity took a great deal of interest in, forcing me to agree to teach her the basics, in exchange for keeping quite so I could concentrate, I managed to get a decent amount of sleep on the Endeavor, which means I'm reasonably well rested.
From the cabin Palrity and I trumped to my condo, to find Robert, Marcie, and Sulin packed but dozing on the sofa's in the living room. Not surprising really as it was a little after midnight local time. From there I used the courtyard trump, and arrived amid a scene of organised chaos. At least the palace guards are now starting to recognise me and backed off once I stepped through the trump gate. Locating, Plesham, the castle steward proved more difficult, although in the end I found him with Vialle; this at least meant I found out which rooms Marcie, Sulin, and Palrity had been allocated quicker than otherwise. Palrity had been placed in the room Youcheng had previously occupied, primarily because it was the closest one to mine. The others had rooms slightly lower down the castle but both were serviceable and reasonably accessible if not spacious.
So where do I start with the events of last night, not that I surpose there was anything truely significant that happened.
Having dressed, and with Robert taking my arm we collected, Palrity, Sulin, and Marcie from their rooms, and made our way to the ballroom. It was interesting to note that our dresses even managed to turn a few heads amongst the servants, even if they were doing their best not to show it.
We were duely announced, and managed to stop conversation and get a few polite hand claps from the assembled guests. Flora however glared venomously at the four of us. Random and Vialle due arrived at one minute past seven. I think if ettiquette had allowed it he'd have made a bee line directly for us but it was nearly half past before Vialle and him managed to catch up with me. In the meantime, we'd attracted a lot of attention. Bleys, Benedict, and Gerrard, had all insisted on dances, primarily so they could get me to introduce them to Marcie, Sulin, and Palrity, and therefore get on their dance cards. Flora had pounced on Robert, and I'd had no choice but to allow her to dance with him. I managed to rescue him, two dances later, for which he thanked me, and for which she called me a witch. His dance card however was being kept full, and we only managed the occasional dance together through out the whole evening. It was a strange feeling, having to worry about where he was and who he was dancing with, whilst at the same time having to keep the hands of young lords, who on other occasions I'd have encouraged to put them where they were trying to, to keep them either on my waist, in the centre of my back, or on the tops of my arms.
Palrity however didn't have any such qualms and was making the most of the opportunity presented, although it wasn't until close to midnight she settled on her final choice. Marcie, after a very nervous start, seemed to adopt a similar strategy, although I did note her missing for half an hour partway through the evening.
Sulin seemed to be playing a different game. She initally danced with the three brothers, my uncles, then with a few others, before dancing a few more times with Bleys. She them seemed to ignore him for most of the rest of evening, disappearing at various points with a notable from the surrounding area. I did note however, that shortly before Robert and I retired at just before 1am she was again in conversation with Bleys. She also appeared with him at breakfast about half past nine, and whilst we exchanged pleasantries, and sketchy details of what we'd planned for the day ahead, we haven't had a chance to talk properly yet. I get the impression though that she may be considering staying in Amber for a few days. I'm hoping we get the chance to talk this afternoon before I have to leave.
In many ways breakfast proved to be more interesting than the ball. When Robert and I arrived about a quarter to nine, Random, Vialle, Benedict, Fiona, Martin, and Delwin were already there, the latter two also having female partners. Palrity appeared about 10 minutes later, looking rather nervous, until Random got up escorted her to the table and sat her next to him. They'd just about seated themselves when Flora appeared alone. She didn't appear in the best of moods and glared pointedly at me.
Random left about quarter past requesting that I come and see him around lunch time, although Vialle stayed picking up the conversation with Palrity. Gerrard appeared about the same time, looking very much the worse for wear, and made a bee line for Palrity. When Vialle told him in no uncertain terms to get lost he turned his attention to me, until Benedict sent him packing, just before Bleys arrived with Sulin. Bleys looked really angry, and spoke quickly to Benedict before helping Sulin with her breakfast. All I managed to get form her was that Gerrard said something in the corridor but she wouldn't say what.
As Bleys and Sulin seated themselves, Flora got up in a huff, called me a tramp and a whore and stormed out. Benedict rose as if to go after her, now wearing an expression similar to the one Bleys had been when he'd first entered. I told him not to bother as she wasn't worth it. He considered it for a couple of seconds then sat down. "You're really difficult to fathom at times, your father would have tanned her hide for that sort of remark."
"I'll take that as a compliment, and as you're well aware I'm not my father." I smiled at him.
"Yes I know. That really took me by surprise". He burst out laughing and I joined him. Robert wanted to know what was so funny. I said I'd tell him later. He didn't think it funny when I did.
The rest of breakfast passed peacefully. I said I'd collect Palrity at 11 and take her sight seeing. We stopped at Marcie's room on the way back to my appartment. I was about to knock when I had a flash of intuition and thought better of it. As I steered Robert away, he wanted to know why I'd changed my mind. I told him she was busy. He had to look at me twice before the penny dropped.
My question now is do I wake Robert again. He is rather tired this morning, and his performance when we got back from breakfast wasn't up to last night's.
In the end I didn't. I put my journal away in my second trunk, dressed, and went to check on Marcie again. She was alone this time, and in the middle of eating breakfast, but jumped at the chance to go sight seeing. We started with a tour of the castle, including a quick visit to the Pattern room which Palrity gazed at in awe. With the time about to pass twelve thirty I sent a message to Random that I'd be at Dave's around two if he could get away, otherwise I'd be back around four thirty.
We started by descending the East Stair, which gave us a view of the posh district of the city, where the richest of the merchants live, the out lying nobles had their town houses, and where most of the embassies were located. It also afforded us a view of the harbour and the plains to the East of the city. We skirted the docks and the ship yards, both Palrty and Marcie remarking on the number of ships moored and docked, and the level of traffic and activity. I also skirted the market and the "shopping" district saying we'd return after lunch if they wished.
When I headed into what appeared to be the poor quarter they got slightly nervous, especially when I turned down the alley that led to Dave's. They were less than impressed when I went in.
I could tell immediately that Random was already here. There were more than the usual number of apparent drunk bums in the outer bar. A couple of them looked up from their drinks when I walked in then went back to their apparent stupors. I walked down the length of the bar and knocked on the door. Palrity and Marcie were still hovering reluctantly by the door. "Come on, you're not going to catch anything." The spy hole opened, closed, bars and locks moved and the door opened. I walked through, noting that not only was Random here, but Bleys and Sulin were as well. I turned and waited for the other two. As they walked through to where I was waiting there was a definate look of surprise, "Things aren't always what they seem.". We made our way across to the table where the others were sitting.
"Cordelia, Miss Delaman, Miss Gray, I take it you've have a pleasant morning. What do you think of our fair city?"
They made suitably appreciative noises as we sat. Marlene appeared to take drink and food orders, which duely arrived with their normal speed. Like us Sulin had spent the morning touring the castle although she'd being doing at a more leisurely pace. Bleys was going to show her parts of the city this afternoon, then the were going to go riding in Arden tomorrow, and perhaps tour some of the vinyards the day after, before travelling to Kashfa. He did express his hope that it wouldn't inconvenience me if she could stay for a few days. I had to admit that it wouldn't and that Sulin was free to do as she pleased, as long as she was happy.
This gave Random the opening to check that I'd be at the Kashfa ball, which I said I didn't see why not, but as I said previously I'd need somebody to trump me in. Sulin then asked if Bleys could do it, as she'd left her other dresses and clothes that I'd brought in my condo and she'd need them for the ball. He said he couldn't see a reason why not, and I should trump him about five pm Amber time.
When I asked what the problem was he said he'd get back to me. I pointed out that if I didn't know what the problem was then I'd couldn't even begin to arrive at a solution and neither could anybody else. He said it was all logistics, there were cargo's that were needed in Carnelian and <new port> that could only be obtained and moved by one of the family. When I asked why he said that as they weren't on tied routes the normal merchant fleet couldn't just sail to them as they'd just couldn't reach them.
"Sorry you'll have to explain in more detail, what's a tied route and how does the merchant fleet make use of them?"
"The more one of us travels a route, the more real it becomes. Over the centuries we've traded so much with Kashfa, Erignor, Begma, Ashan, Arden, and the rest of the states that form what is called the 'Golden Circle', that despite them existing in their own shadows they've become permanently attached to Amber, and provided you sail a specific course or travel the right road you can cross between them, even if you have no innate ability to traverse shadow. A similar thing happens in the Courts, with what they call 'Ways'. They're just permanently accessible pockets in shadow carved out with Logrus tendrils."
"So what Bleys is saying is if the route isn't established one of the family is needed to shadow walk a ship or several to where the cargo is available, collect it and then bring it back, or in the case of Carnelian take it directly there. In the case of <new port> a route exists into the shadow so Captains just have to navigate from the known crossing point to the location of the new port."
"So you want to know when I'm back so you can send me scurrying off into shadow again, in search of cargo's not obtainable in Amber or the rest of the Golden Circle?"
"In essence yes, but as you've been to neither Carnelian nor <new port> it wouldn't matter anyway as you're as likely to find a shadow version of it as you are to find the real one. I was hoping that you'd be back a lot sooner so that I could send you out with the fleet under Gerrard's command. The only problem is they're scheduled to depart in 5 or 6 days, so it's pretty much academic anyway."
Bleys burst out laughing. "You really think Gerrard would have her aboard the fleet after she humiliated him in Dakota? He'd toss her overboard the first opportunity he got, and certainly within 24 hours of leaving port, then claim it was an accident."
"He'll bloody well do as he's told
"Piffle. If Fiona nor Benedict were there to stand over him yes, otherwise you know as well as I do that no matter what you said he'd toss her over the side, more than likely after fucking her senseless first."
"So I take it you're volunteering in his stead then?"
"No. I was just saying...."
"Yeah I know. You've got stuff to do, cities to tour, forests to ride in, vineyards to see, whores - no offense intend Sulin - to fuck, and a hundred and one other pet projects to complete, and are therefore far too busy to try and extricate our family arses from the proverbial fire."
The two of them glared at one another."Can I make a suggestion?" neither made a comment but at least they stopped glaring at each other briefly.
"Why don't you take Sulin home Bleys, and I'll meet you in Tulbranich. That'll take 3 days off my journey and give us another ship to carry cargo in. Of course if I had enough silver and gems to cover the costs I could possibly locate it on the crossing from Calderar, and hire additional ships as required."
"It's not that simple, there's trade agreements, and quota's, and all sorts of other shit involved."
"Just wait a minute before you dismiss it. She may have a point. What cargo's are we committed to? Inbound or Outbound?"
"Depends on the line, but I don't see how taking them all to Tulbranich would work. It's not that big a port, smaller even than Hygria, and I doubt we'd be unable to a cargo at a profit or even pick one up."
"Surely that depends on what they're carrying. We could sweeten the deal by clearing some of the stock that Gerrard maintains that's been sitting around for years."
"But that commits us to outlay without necessarily guaranteeing a return on the investment."
"No it doesn't. There are more important things than money, and goodwill can sometime be worth a lot more."
"That may be, but after Dakota, and don't either of you say "I told you so", we're a little short, and this whole Ashan/Nancheng/Dakota deal is going to put an even bigger hole in our finances, at least in the short term."
"I thought the Dakota issue was closed. Now do you want me to command the fleet or are you going to risk it with Gerrard?"
"If you're sure you can spare the time, then why the hell not. I'll get the paper work sorted. He's going to scream blue murder, you know that."
"Benedict can handle him if he gets out of order."
"Do I take it that's settled then. Bleys is taking Sulin back to Tulbranich, and I'm meeting him there."
"It looks that way, but you're also going to be at the ball in Kashfa and Bleys is going to pull you through along with cloths for Sulin, although I'm not exactly sure what she's going to wear between now an then if all hers are in your condo."
"I wouldn't worry, she'll do the tour naked given half the chance."
She half choked on her wine then tried to swat me, "You're a fine one to talk."
"Did I miss something?"
Both of us said "No" simultaneously.
Random looked at me, whilst Bleys started laughing. "O brother of mine if you only knew."
Random sat back sulkily in his chair. "Why am I never in the right place at the right time?"
"Quit moaning, you have an unerring knack of turning up when I'm in my pool, or at my condo. Now I'm dying of thirst here, so is there any chance of another bottle of wine?"
Palrity, Marcie, and I left about an hour later and headed for the market. It was the first time I'd really spent any time there and by the time I realised it was quarter past four. Cutting short our shopping spree, I dragged them both, now fairly heavily laden with bits and pieces back to the castle.
I was surprised to find Robert missing, and even more surprised when 10 minutes later he appeared accompanied by Vialle. I thanked her for looking after him, to which she responded that no the pleasure had been all hers, and that I was to bring him again sometime. He also thanked her for her time and the tour. She said that hopefully next time, she'd be able to show him something of the city, that is if Cordelia doesn't mind. I said I didn't noting a slight twinge of jealousy as I did so.
She was about to leave when I remembered I'd managed to get a couple of the items on her shopping list. I retrieved them, which also reminded me I had a number of the items that Fiona, and Benedict had wanted. She said that if I left them in my parlour she'd arrange for them to be collected and delivered to their respective recepients.
It was then a simple matter of putting a few bits and pieces in my rucksack before gathering up Robert, Marcie, and Palrity and trumping back to the Condo.
It was about 2 in the afternoon when we arrived back, and I was surprised to find Linda Wong present in addition to Hou-Jin. He was a little surprised to see us especially without Sulin. I said there'd been a change in plan and she was staying in Amber, but if wanted he was welcome to stay on for a few days. Not having the house empty with all the recent media attention I thought to be a good idea. I hugged Robert and kissed him goodbye reminding him I'd collect him at about one thirty am on the morning of the twenty first.
I then withdrew the sketch of my cabin on the Endeavor and activated it, sending Palrity through before following myself.
After the relative coolness of Amber, and the low humidity of California, the combination of heat and humidity in the cabin was quite a shock. I quickly changed into something more appropriate, both in terms of culture and comfort, then went in search of the Captain. There appeared to be a great deal of anger on board with the first mate was barely holding in check. They'd docked about four hours previously, and disembarked their guests. The Captain had then gone to settle up with the port authorities and see what cargo might be available. He hadn't yet returned, but about half an hour after he'd left a whole load of men had appeared on the dockside and refused to allow anyone to disembark. His men were all for using the weapons I'd given them, storming the dock, then going in search of the Captain. How much longer he could forestall them he didn't know.
I said that if I wasn't back or hadn't sent word by sundown that he was to put to sea heading for Kualalumpa. If I hadn't returned with the Captain by the time he reached there then he should do what he thought best.
By the time I reached the top of the gang plank I'd identified at least half a dozen men apparently occcupied but actaully doing nothing in addition to the half dozen overtly acting to block access. I suspect there were at least a dozen more within shouting distance. As I walked down the gang plank, Palrity following about 10 feet behind, figures moved. One of them, electing himself leader, told me I was to accompany them. I asked where we were going. He said to see his boss. I asked what would happen if I refused. He suggested it would be unwise if I did so. I suggested he better lead on then, but if he expected me to walk he would have to think again. When he started to argue, I hit him straight fingered in the throat. As he collapsed to the floor I suggested that if they wanted me to go anywhere the'd get Taipan's here for myself and my colleague and be quick about it. There was a flurry and blades appeared. I remained standing quite calmly exactly where I was, whilst the original leader finished expiring on the floor.
There was a certain amount of agitation but nobody moved. Somebody had given orders and they were more frightened of them than of me. A new commander elected himself, blades were sheathed, two men were ordered forward. They made to grab me. I sidestepped the first, using the momentum gained to slam my elbow into the ribs of the second. As the first turned I applied a couple of quick kicks, then delivered a sharp blow to his neck as he fell. The second had recovered slightly, enough for me to spin kick him off the side of the dock. They now all looked distinctly nervous. The couldn't rush me because of my position on the gang plank and I wasn't going anywhere except on my terms.
The standoff continued for about 3 minutes until a pair Taipan appeared, carried by 4 puffing men, they'd obviously had to run. I waited a couple of minutes, giving them a chance to get their breath back, then crossed to the furthest of the two, indicating as I did so that Palrity should take the nearest one.
One seated, we were picked up, and we moved off sedately through the trafic, accompanied by our body guard. We travelled for about half an hour before we were set down again. I got out to find we were in a narrow street of reasonably spacious 3 storey houses, each with a few feet of space seperating it from the street. Our guard indicated I should preceed him through a gateway where two rather better dressed goons were standing guard outside the entrace to the house. They moved to bar my way as I approached, then requested my sword. I stood impassively, waited, then broke one goons arm, and punched the other in the groin as they tried to remove it. Without waiting for them to recover I went inside.
Two more goons alerted by the disturbance were frantically trying to get to the door and were surprised by my appearance, which gave me more than sufficient time to render them incapable of lending any further assistance to the proceedings. Another goon had appeared meanwhile and taken in the situation. He appeared slightly more intelligent. "If you'd care to come with me Miss Chan, Mr Chung is expecting you."
He turned and gestured in the direction he'd come. "After you". Being possed of greater intelect he didn't argue. I followed him into a courtyard then up a flight of steps, along the balcony, before he stopped outside another set of doors. I gestured that he was to enter.
Chung was not at all pleased by the manner of my entrance, especially when he realised I was still very much armed. Apart from Chung there were 3 others seated close enough to him to be equals plus one of the men from the families on the ship. Two goons were located discretely behind the entrance door and another stood just behind the chair on which the Captain of the Endeavor had been tied. Whilst, conscious the Captain had been badly beaten, was wearing only trousers, and was bleeding from numerours wounds.
"Miss Chan, thankyou for joining us. My friend here, he gestured to the man from the ship, told us a most unusual tale, about strange worlds and technologies, encountered on his voyage here. He claimed that all of these things you were directly responsible for, something which your Captain eventually confirmed. Now amongst these items are I believe a number of weapons far superior to anything that currently exists. You are, as a gesture of good faith going to hand them over to me, and then you are going to go to where ever it is you get these weapons, load the cargo hold full, and bring them to me, for which I shall pay you 300 sovereigns. And before you decide on doing anything else any further trouble and my men have orders to fire your ship."
This last statement gave me pause. There were too many here for me to kill or over power quickly, and I assumed there was at least one watcher somewhere, who could trigger some form of signal, most likely a flare or rocket of some sort. Now assuming the First mate did as I'd instructed then it'd be just under two hours before he put to sea. Unless Chung had men watching and could see the ship from here, or had some form of signalling, it'd be about 10 minutes before he knew what was happening. The problem was I couldn't do anything until he found out. Now it was a matter of working out how I could play for time.
"As much as I dislike the manner of your invitation, it appears that you temporarily have the better of me. That aside, it does not mean, I'm going acceed to either of your requests. So if you'll just untie my Captain we'll be leaving."
"You're in no position to bargain. Your Captain stays here. You are free to return to your ship. When you get there you will turn the guns over or you'll never get out of the harbour. You then have 5 days to return with the cargo or your Captain dies."
"Really? And what happens if I choose to simply stay here?"
"Then you'll watch you Captain die"
"And apart from irritating me that will make me leave will it?"
"You will then be forceibly escorted to your ship and the young lady with you will remain in his place."
"The first person that touches either of us dies."
"No. That will result in the destruction of your ship."
"Which means you fail to get the weapons, you lose all your men, and I still remain here."
"You fail to understand who is in control here. Get the girl and bring her over here."
I waited. The goon who'd been behind the Captain moved across to Palrity. There was a scream, and he fell to the floor clutching what was left of his face. I risked a quick glance and noted razor talons where her fingers had been.
I smiled. "You were saying about who was in control here."
His eyes blazed in anger, and I had what I was looking for. So there was indeed a signal tower and 2 men watching. Unfortunately they could also see the ship from there. There was a concealed door behind him, with his 2 body guards behind that. In the room next door there were another half dozen men, and about a dozen more down stairs in various rooms off the Courtyard.
"Kill her and her pet demon but I want the ship intact."
I forced him to sit. "Palrity, keep them busy and keep the Captain alive, I'll be as quick as I can."
I crossed the room drawing my sword as I did so. One of the goons by the door tried to intercept me and died for his trouble, along with both bodyguards, their swords putting up as much resistance to mine as cardboard would to theirs. I sprinted across the room beyond and leapt onto ladder to the floor above. As I hit the rungs I sprang again turning as I did so and launching my sword through the opening. I caught the edge of the opening, swung, then lifted myself through rolling onto the floor and retrieving my sword as I did so. One of the observers hesitated before attempting to skewer me with a spear. I rolled, loped the head off, then advanced. The second one was frantically trying to climb the ladder which lead to the roof and the tower. Two more slashes with sword reduced the spear shaft to half it's length, then removed the means to hold the left hand half. He gave up being interested in me prefering to scream and hold the stump where his right arm had been. His compatriat had now reached roof level and was in the process of climbing onto it.
I leapt onto the ladder and began to climb. As I neared the top I had one of my warning premonitions. I stopped, adjusted my grip on the ladder , and thrust upwards with the sword about a foot behind the ladder opening. I was rewarded with a scream and the clatter of something being dropped. I thrust a couple more times and was rewarded by the sound of somebody scrabbling away.
I shoved the trapdoor open and risked a careful peek. He was sitting a little way up the roof waiting for me to attempt to climb out. It was time for a different solution. Hanging onto the ladder with one hand I reached up under my dress and released the Glock from it's holster. Aiming as best I could I fired 3 times. I was relieved to hear a scream, followed by the sound of somebody sliding down the roof. A shape briefly shaddowed the top of the trap door before disappearing from view. Carefully I climbed out on to the roof. No further assailants appeared. I reholstered the Glock and made my way along the roof and into the tower. 3 rockets sat in tubes below a sheltering cover, with a launch tube attached to one of the roof supports. Beyond the dock front warehouses I could just make out the masts of the Endeavor.
I cut the bindings that held the launch tube vertical and placed it so that it was roughly horizontal and inline with the dockside warehouses. I then bound the three rockets together, having snapped the tail sticks off two of them. I placed them in the launch tube, and applied a hot ember to the fuse. There was a brief delay, during which time I retreated onto the roof, then a whoosh as the rocket left the tube dislodging it in the process. This meant that it didn't quite go in the direction I'd aimed it, but vierd to the left. It also fell short of the intended target. There was a short delay, then an explosion and half a second later a much bigger series of explosions, as the other two rockets detonated. I made my way back across the roof and had reached the trap door when there was a very much larger explosion and the warehouse to the left and behind where I had originally aimed exploded, throwing flaming barrels into the air. I hope it would have the desired effect and make the Endeavor put to sea rather than be caught in a fire in the harbour.
I dropped though the trap door rolling to absorb the force of the landing. I crossed the room then dropped through the trap door on to the second floor. I rolled to my feet and made my way back to the original room, drawing my sword as I did so.
My reappearance servered as something as a suprise. The half a dozen unwounded men still standing had managed to back Palrity, now in full demonic raptor form into the corner to my left, using a combination of upturned tables, chairs, and spears. The situation appeared to be something of a stalemate. She didn't seem to be able to get away, and they seemed to be unable to get close enough to injure her. Shouting from below alerted me to the fact that re-inforcements were on the way.
Only one of the pair I appeared behind got any chance to react, and that didn't save his life. "Where's the Captain?"
"Under the broken table to my left."
I rolled sideways to avoid a flung chair, creating further problems for the assailants as all bar one of them were now between Palrity and I. The one who'd thrown the chair dived into the gap I'd just vacated, and his mate realising what was happening suffered momentary indecision and part turned to face me. Palrity didn't wait and sprang, inflicting a deep series of lacerations from shoulder to elbow, and rendering his right arm useless. The goon between him and the wall dropped his spear, and attempted to back away, falling over the upturned table. As the two spears hit the ground, Palrity stepped forward and plunged her claws into his chest. The sound of running feet alerted me to re-inforcements on the balcony. I backed in Palrity's direction, sheathing my sword and extracting the Glock afrom its holster. "Get the Captain, we're leaving."
A figure appeared in the open door way. I fired once and he went down. Two more appeared. I fired twice, and two more went down. There was a pause. Palrity hadn't moved, "Palrity, I don't have time for this. Get the fucking Captain."
She moved hesitantly at first, then with more haste. Another two figures appeared, the second one managing to avoid my first shot. I pulled the trump of the cabin and started to form the gateway. Palrity pulled the table off the Captain and picked him up. There was a shout from outside. Figures appeared in both doorways. I fired three times hitting two of those that entered from the closer doorway to my right. Palrity waited until those that had entered from the other door way were about 4 feet away then spoke a single word. Power flared briefly, and they stopped abruptly, terror etched on their faces. She jumped through the trump gate as those behind the stricken tried to avoid colliding with them as they turned to flee. I dived after her avoiding a lunging blow by one of the spearmen that had entered via the door to my right. As I rolled to my feet I cancelled the trump connection, surprising the spearman who'd followed me. He looked down, noting the missing portions of his left arm, spear, and left leg. He fell sideways and screamed. I stepped forward and punched him in the throat silencing him. Gunfire, shouts, and sounds of sails being rigged, indicated that the Endeavor was indeed trying to leave port. I sheathed my sword, pulled my shotgun from my pack, picked up the canvas bag I'd prepared, and went on deck.
At first glance the scene on deck appered to be complete chaos, with sailors appearing to be running about with no purpose, and buring arrows and wood splinters embedded in parts of the deck and masts. The dockside was well alight and we were not the only ship attempting to leave in a hurry. A rocket whistled through the rigging narrowly missing the mast and sail. Mentally I began to walk the pattern. We needed to get out of here and fast..
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| Supporting Cast - Cordelia | The Keep of the Thirteenth Hour |