Rising tide - Mel Odom [134]
"Aye," Jherek admitted, but he was reluctant to repeat the terrible things Aysel had said.
"Was she here?"
"No, sir. She's been looking for you."
"I know that," Tynnel said in a clipped voice. "I just came from her when I heard one of my crewmen had been involved^ in a brawl here. I don't allow fighting in the ports we ship in, not if you're a part of my crew. I could have lost three crewmen in this debacle that I can presently ill afford to lose."
"He started it, Cap'n," Aysel shouted. "Raised his hand against me, and I had every right to defend myself. My mates were there to make sure he didn't slit my gullet before I had a chance to defend myself."
Surprise lighted the captain's eyes. "Is that true?" Tynnel demanded of Jherek. "Did you strike the first blow?"
Before Jherek could answer, the old man spoke up. "It wasn't the boy, Cap'n," he said. "The big man there had a foul mouth on him, goaded the boy into the fight."
Tynnel's eyes never left Jherek's. "Thank you for your comments, sir, but I live in a world where fights are fought with words or with swords. If you find yourself outclassed in either, that's fine, but they are to remain separate on my ship, and swords are not allowed." His words carried an edge.
"It was the big man," the old warrior said, "who threw the first blow. I saw him, and so did most of those in the tavern."
Confirmation of the old man's statement echoed in the tavern as the others took up the young sailor's defense. Jherek looked around them, totally surprised.
"Don't you worry none, boy," the old man whispered. "A scrapper like you with his heart in the right place, even rogues such as these will come around and stand up for him. Your cap'n's a tough but fair man, but his rules are his own and he sticks by 'em."
"Is that what happened, Malorrie?" Tynnel demanded.
The captain's use of the alias Jherek had borrowed for the voyage underscored the liberties he'd taken with the truth already. He didn't hesitate about his answer. "No, sir. It was I who made the argument physical."
Tynnel's harsh gaze softened a bit then, and his voice as well. "That's too bad. When I hired Sabyna on as ship's mage, we were both aware of the complications a woman brought to a ship of men. There's a rule about-"
"I'm not a crewman," Jherek interrupted, "nor was this fight over her."
"If nothing had been said about Sabyna, would you have fought these men?"
Jherek took a deep breath in through his nose. Even with only one eye, he saw there was no arguing with Tynnel's position. The fear that rode him clawed its way through his stomach, tightening his muscles so his ribs pained him even more. "No, sir."
"I say that the argument was over her," Tynnel stated. He reached into his coin purse and took out coins. "I'm returning your ship's passage, and I'm adding what I think is a fair price for the work you did aboard."
Jherek listened to the captain's words, not believing he'd just been thrown off the ship. It wasn't right, but the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach told him Tynnel wouldn't entertain any arguments about the matter. Despite everything, his ill luck held true, the most constant companion he'd ever had.
"Keep the coins," Jherek said in defeat. What silver he had wouldn't leave him much to buy another berth on a ship bound for Baldur's Gate, but it was only fair.
"I can't keep it," Tynnel said.
"You didn't have a hand in this fight," Jherek said. "You earned your pay."
"I won't keep the passage fare," Tynnel stated, "and you earned the extra."
Jherek saw the determination in the captain's eyes and respected it. "Then keep it for the boy we rescued from the shipwreck. Even the orphanage here in Athkatla can use a donation while they try to find his family." It was as close as he could figure to balancing the score between them.
Tynnel stared at him a moment longer, then put the coins away. "I'll do as you ask." Tynnel lowered his voice then, speaking so he could be heard only by Jherek. "I'm sorry this has to happen,"