A Dragon's Ascension - Ed Greenwood [118]
The winds were strong and the sea under them a rhythmic series of large but gentle swells. Perfect sailing weather, even to the high cloud and complete lack of storm smell. They were making good time, south to Teln, and had already left Coelortar astern and sighted the long green coast of Elgarth, ahead.
"Goodwoman Orathlee," Master Telgaert said carefully, " 'tis good to see you on deck. Most of the few passengers I get huddle below, with buckets to hand, if you know what I mean."
Oradilee gave him a pleasant smile. "Master, I do. Yet this is fair passage thus far"-she let him see the warding gesture that all make when saying such things at sea, to keep fortune from turning-"and I and my daughters are very grateful to you for taking us aboard in such haste, and with no warning."
Telgaert looked out to sea and shrugged. "The cabin was empty." Carefully not looking at her, he observed, "You seemed to be in some need-and in great hurry."
The words hung between them, and Orathlee smiled ruefully to herself, sighed as soundlessly as she could, and squared her shoulders. This seemed the right time, and it had to be said sooner or later.
"Master Telgaert," she said firmly, putting a hand on his arm so that he turned to look at her, and then stepping smoothly back, "you seem in some need of reassurance. Let me speak plainly: I and my daughters are not running from a brutal husband, I am not guilty of or suspected of a murder, a theft, or an abduction-and you can probably tell, if you look into their faces and mine, that Meleira and Talace are my daughters. I am not fleeing a feud or debts, no one in Sirlptar knows or cares that I am gone, and I am not secretly a princess, a shapeshifting monster, or a sorceress. I am not even a young, bored noblewoman out to see the world on a lark. I'm looking for no husband nor lost treasure, and lack all intention of piracy. I'm not even going to rape you."
His embarrassed chuckles had begun way back in her list; her last sentence made his eyes widen, left him in surprised silence for a moment-and then plunged him into a guffaw. A guffaw that built into a full-throated roar of delight.
Telgaert slapped his thigh as crewmen here and there turned their heads to see what was afoot-and knowing they'd be looking, he took a careful pace away from Orathlee, recovered himself, and said, "Well, that's a relief. By the Three, but I like you, Goodwoman!" His grin flashed. "Take that not the wrong way, mind."
"Master, I will not," she said with a smile, "and assure you of one thing more: every word I have told you is true. Plain, on-any-altar truth. You have nothing to fear from me."
Telgaert bowed his head as if they were two master merchants sealing a bargain, and said, "That is always good to hear. Please understand that I'm not trying to pry, but only curious, and perhaps desirous of offering aid if it's something within my power. Oradilee, forgive me, but 'twas clear to me then, as it is now: you left Sirl town in haste, unwillingly, and upset, fleeing something. Is the 'something' a matter you wish to share?"
"Master Telgaert, it is not. Please understand me: not becau-"
Out of a clear sky, a clap of thunder that smote the ears like a fist broke over the ship, and darkness flashed across the blue vault-flashed and was gone again, as sailors shouted their alarm and Telgaert gaped up at the sky.
"What by all the Claws of the Dar-"
"There, Master-look there!" Orathlee snapped, pointing north and east across the decks, at the horizon.
Telgaert stared at her, and then along her pointing arm, and saw. Tiny, it was, and yet clear, through the Coelortar Gap: the head of a serpent, rising to brush the clouds, spreading fearsome fangs, and men plunging down out of sight, striking as he'd seen many a fang-viper take a rat in sagging warehouses in