Masquerades - Kate Novak [83]
"In a bit," Alias declined. "I'd like to see the ship first."
From Victor's smile, Alias could see he was inordinately pleased with the chance to show off the new ship. Taking her arm, he steered her toward the bow as he began a lecture that sounded spontaneous, but must have been partially rehearsed.
"Most of the ships in our family's fleet are carracks, multisailed roundships," the young noble explained. "Useful for hauling large shipments of cargo, but not very fast, with maneuverability still dependent on the wind." Victor pointed to a Dhostar carrack in dock. It was, Alias realized, the same one that had been cut off at the harbor entrance by the Thalavar ship two days ago.
"For the past ten years," Victor continued, "while merchants along the Sword Coast have been adding even larger carracks, the so-called galleons, to their fleets, merchants of the Inner Sea, including House Dhostar,
have invested instead in great galleys. Such ships are large enough to carry perishable and luxury cargoes: silks, spices, perfumes, wines, fruits, messengers, and passengers. They are also maneuverable enough to guarantee safe entry into any harbor.
"Most importantly, they are quick enough to outrun the swarms of pirates haunting the Inner Sea: those making their homes in the Pirate Isles, as well as those along the coastline of Thay and Mulhorand, nations that are not exactly quick to rout out such predators. Should a great galley, despite its speed, be boarded by enemies, the rowers can abandon their oars for swords in the ship's defense." Victor led her up a staircase to the top of the foc's'le. Standing behind the musicians, they were able to look out over the bow.
"The Gleason is classed as a galleass," Victor said. "It's basically a refitted great galley. It's much wider and somewhat longer, for more cargo space. It has fewer but larger oars, giving the captain more flexibility in assigning duties. Finally, of course, the galleass is fitted with more armament." Victor gave a nod toward the battering ram mounted in the fore and then removed a tarp from one of the ballistae to show it off. Alias peered at its well-oiled parts as Victor said, "We choose to have the ballistae manufactured in Neverwinter-their mechanisms are superior to any others. The local Gondsmen suggested we use bombards of smoke powder, but we consider that far too dangerous to transport. For projectiles we've settled on iron shot, and oil and flaming arrows." Victor flipped the tarp back over the ballista and led Alias back down the foc'sle stair.
"This is our first ship of this sort. We plan to use it as an escort for our carracks traveling to the Easting Reach."
"Have the other merchant houses in Westgate been building galleasses?" Alias asked.
"House Guldar built two, but they were lost at sea, no doubt due to the treachery of Thay's Red Wizards. House Vhammos has had one even larger than this half-finished in dry dock for a year, as they muster the resources to
finish it. House Athagdal had one nearly finished two years ago, but their dockyard was prey to a mysterious fire, and they lost it as well as three other ships."
"Night Masks?" Alias asked.
"They may have started the fire," Victor answered, "but it's very likely they were paid to do so by House Thorsar. Thorsar and Athagdal have a long-standing feud, fueled by petty jealousy."
At the bottom of the foc's'le stair stood a tall, heavy man with long, puffed-out black hair-Haztor Urdo. Alias remained on the stair, glaring down at the Night Mask merchant, her hand resting on her sword.
With a venomous look at Alias, the young merchant greeted Victor with a simple, "Dhostar."
"Urdo," Victor responded in kind, his tone chill.
"Hiring swordswomen for your company now?" Urdo taunted Victor with a sly grin.
With an expertly executed shove, Victor pressed Haztor against the wall of the foc's'le and held him there with a finger pressed against the younger man's windpipe. With his face close to Haztor's, Victor replied, "Considering the company you are known