CHAPTER V ON THE SHORES OF ASEUR While the Captain was touring Merinburg, his companions had in the meantime rested and recovered from the voyage. They had spread out a tablecloth on the deck of The Duck and The Dolphin, and arrayed it with flagons of wine and plates of roasted meat, green vegetables and wheatcakes, freshly obtained from the market at the behest of Stephanola who kept the reason of her sudden generosity to herself. When Trajan came back on board they were still in the midst of taking their supper and enjoying the pulsating glitter of stars and lights over the city and over the pinnacles of the Chine Residence. Once back on board he pulled his headgear off and tossed it away with a frustrated grunt. "I am not wearing it on the ship!" he emphatically told Assiya. He looked at Jeremy and suddenly realized when he had first heard the woman's name. He dragged her along roughly by one arm and he planted her right in front of the astonished boy who had stopped munching, with half of his wheatcake protruding between his teeth. "Look what I've found. Old friends?" Jeremy nearly choked on his wheatcake while Assiya clasped her hands together in stupefaction and overflowing joy: "By the grace of the old god, Micah's ward! We all thought you were lost to us, but you have been preserved by divine intervention indeed. This is a wondrous event!" Trajan fixed on them his brooding gaze. "So, you know each other indeed. And seeing all this food here makes me hungry. "Mistress, have you eaten?" he enquired in a more urbane tone and when Assiya affirmed she had, he seated himself on the deck gesturing with both an inviting and compelling hand that she had to take her place beside Jeremy. "Please, if you've had your supper, share with us a glass of wine while I take my meal, and obviously Jeremy is still taking his. Now, don't let my presence get in the way of your reacquainting yourself with one another. I want to hear what you have to say to each other." When Jeremy could breathe and found his tongue again he naturally was dying to know what happened to his Perceptor and the other Cougars and Assiya told him that the group had made it to the East Coast without encountering serious incidents, except that Underhead Jarez and two other Cougars were killed in a skirmish with deserting Carmelan hirelings. "Are they now in Merinburg?" Jeremy eagerly asked. "Not in the city, but farther up north in the woods on Dominion territory but close to the border with Vespar. I came to Merinburg alone to seek a starcaster." "A starcaster?" Trajan broke in. "Yes, Captain," Assiya answered demurely, "it was one of our purposes for coming to Aseur. There are things which need to be explained by a starcaster. It turned out however that starcasters are as nearly extinct here as on the Setting Continent. They have either died from advanced age or simply persecuted to death. Then, we heard from one source that one well-known for his casting could be still alive in Merinburg, living near the hills of the Chine Residence. I crossed the border into Vespar while the Elder will continue to search elsewhere." "But you didn't find him," Trajan concluded and rose. Assiya quickly dropped her eyes at his searching look. "What are the things which a starcaster need to explain? Why are mysteries so profound here that only the very old can understand them and others fear their truth?" Assiya raised her hands in an imploring gesture. She was cut short by Stephanola's sudden intrusion into their conversation. The ferry mistress pulled Trajan aside to the port bow of the ship. "We have to sail out of the harbour tonight. A new directive appears to have been proclaimed by the Governor General and as bad news it travels fast. Rumours are that Magni-Xandia is preparing for an offensive across the Main and as a precaution they are rounding up all hirelings and strangers. And since you so nobly wanted to share the Jackal's lot, the customs officials have seen two on my ship, in addition to the families and greybeards I am harbouring under deck. It means tons of trouble for me. We must get out of Merinburg fast! I can find some deserted spot further up north to put you all ashore." "Just hold on, Stephanola," Trajan said and beckoned to Assiya to come nearer. He asked her where the Elder and his entourage were billeted and she told him some names and bearings which meant nothing to him but a great deal to Stephanola whose harried expression lifted momentarily. "I know of a concealed cove near a fringe of woods which is on Dominion territory and which is only a few miles' walk from the border village you mentioned, old woman. If that is where you wish to go and disembark your party, people, horses and all, Captain, it suits me admirably. What are we waiting for!" "Is everyone aboard?" Trajan asked and a quick check throughout the ship ascertained Jackal the Cleaver's absence. "You can prepare the ship for departure, Mistress, but we have to wait for Jackal to return." Stephanola curled her lips and shot him a look full of chagrin and vexation but she thought better of it and moved away without saying another word. The mainsail was partly unfurled and the ship's engines warmed up. In the hull, where Assiya and Jeremy had gone down to see remnants of the Mountain Clan, the news went quietly around the flock that reunion with their Shepherd and other Cougars would very soon come to pass, probably long before the awakening of another day. In the adjacent hull Ralph, Nagus and Deyron went round to inspect and made the five horses ready for disembarkation. The seconds and minutes crawled close to the stroke of midnight, and still Jackal was nowhere to be seen. "We cannot let this chance slip us by, Captain," Stephanola urged. "We are not in a position to delay our departure any longer. Leave the hireling to his fate. Who knows, he may already be languishing in prison." Trajan remained adamant. "We wait." "I really do not understand this loving concern for a hireling," Stephanola said in disgust. "For one man you are prepared to throw the rest of your people to the wolves. What hold has the Jackal over you, I wonder." "We will wait a little longer," Trajan insisted, "then if he still has not come, you and your ship with the others can leave, Stephanola." "Me and my ship?" Stephanola said, "Does it mean--?" "Exactly." They waited for a further half an hour, straining their eyes on the half-darkened quay. In the end when it became evident that they were pushing their luck too far, Trajan left the ship's bow. At the same moment the tranquility of the night was shattered by a commotion which sounded like a foghorn bawling a song. The foghorn became a megaphone as from a bend in the quayside a silhouette lumbered into view, twirling an empty bottle in one hand and a woman's scarf in the other. "There is our truant!" Trajan said. "You can set sail, Mistress." After pummeling and hauling him up the gangway, they left Jackal in a state of advanced intoxication in a corner of the deck, and lifting anchor The Duck and The Dolphin quietly slipped out of Merinburg's harbour. The sea was calm and the night throbbing with stars. When they had reached the rolling seascape of the Main once more Stephanola joined Trajan on the aft bow where he stood watching the twinkling Merinburg lights melting in the glow of the night. They spoke not for long moments although they were aware of each other's presence. Sidling very close Stephanola whispered: "Do you find me attractive, Captain?" He gave her an oblique smile. "I pity the blind who cannot feast their eyes upon such a marvel of creation." "In that case," Stephanola softly enticed, pressing still closer. kindling him with the softness of her bosom, "we are cut out for each other. Ferrying is a lonely occupation. There is only you and the rolling waves and although I may some day find my end and marry the sea, before that my body would like to taste the heat of manly flesh and passion." Trajan turned and took her by the arms. His grip was so sudden and fierce that her sleeveless tunic slipped off her shoulders and partly down her breasts. "You are indeed beautiful, Stephanola," he said in a gentle voice although his eyes, suddenly the colour of a hot purple summer, blazed with a remarkable fire. "Do you want me to Give you Life? For a moment's pleasure, not for Love?" She clung at him, snatching at the fabric and the buttons of his shirt with delirious hands. "For pleasure perhaps, but maybe also for love. Stephanola does not just take any man who comes along, only those who can prove their worth. I will give you something too, Captain, maybe not Life as you so ardently put it, but a part of mine I don't want you to forget." She twined her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. "I see myself in your eyes which are wells of light, power and of the deepest mystery. I will always remember you, the stranger who hide his face and trueness behind an ugly mask, whose heat of anger is burning against my flesh and whose blazing force is threatening to consume me. Who are you? What are you doing to my mind?" "Stephanola, you are honest," Trajan said, still softly speaking while she winced and gasped at the fierceness of his hands on her body. "Many are cloaking their intentions with promises of honey and gold but your longings are true and genuine. Stephanola, with such green eyes, almost as green as the ones stabbing in my memory. Green as the sea at peace, but not as green as precious stones on a tiara of gold. You will take me as well, to satisfy your needs? Take me and be damned?" He released her body and his hands cupped her face with tender regret. "I cannot let you know who I really am. Although there is desire in my heart, I am afraid what I will do to you. Brave ferry mistress, don't fear that I will forget you. For a moment you have brought something back which I thought I had lost." "I brought back the madness of a lost love, didn't I?" Stephanola said with a sorrowful smile trembling on her shapely lips, "whose eyes are as green as mine but maybe far more beautiful. I know when to admit defeat but don't think I feel slighted. Not at all, if my looks alone are able to rouse such passion in you, Stephanola is satisfied. She knows she can take any man by storm!" "Stephanola's charm will always tame any man as she has tamed the sea, but I will be ungracious if I don't grant her at least one of her wishes." Trajan smiled and he bent meeting her upturned face. They stood against the stern bow clasping one another in a long and enduring kiss. Long after its fire had burnt out Stephanola still stood pressed against his chest, leaning her head against his shoulder with eyes closed, and he had her arms around her, comforting, stroking her richly braided hair. At last she awoke from her dreams, gently disengaging herself from his arms with a haunting smile and moved away to prepare the ship for landing. Trajan remained at the stern staring at the ship's wake of grey foam. I cannot forget, he told himself in bitterness. Either here, living as a barbarian and fighting for his life, or elsewhere as Lar Protector of Ermizgarth, nothing could make him forget the hole in his heart that could only be filled with unquenchable pain. A soft touch at his elbow made him aware that Assiya had come and joined him on the bow. "We will shortly be going ashore," she informed him. "Is there anything that you would like me to do, help you with your clothes and belongings?" Receiving no reply, Assiya stood like riveted upon the wooden deck. "My presence displeases and annoys you, Captain. It makes you uncomfortable." "Assiya," Trajan spoke in a tensely controlled voice, "forgive my harshness but look at me when you speak! I am not an ogre. You are damn right that I am annoyed. I don't like surprises, especially coming from someone I have never met before in my whole life, least of all when she appears to know so much about me than I do myself. I want the truth, Mistress!" "Captain," Assiya argued in a shaking voice, "the truth will come, all of it, but first you must hear the voice of a starcaster and listen to him how he speaks about the Legend, and how he makes his Prophecy about the Return. Then you will know and even as you know you are foreclosed from telling it to anyone." "And what about this gadget?" Trajan took out from under his jacket the so-called Frame that had guided the old woman onto his path. Perceiving Assiya's blank look, Trajan wryly twisted his mouth. "You don't know what it is. At least tell me how did you come by it?" "My old teacher gave it to me when I was a young girl. We were on the run, like so many people now still are. She never told me what it was, only that it was a device linking people together but that it had stopped working. She told me to keep it always, because if it starts working again it will mean that the beginning of the end has come." "And that's all you can tell me at the present time?" "Yes, Captain, until we have talked with the starcaster, anything I say now will be meaningless. But I have come to warn you, too. Soon you will meet the Elder, Jeremy's Perceptor. Don't tell him on any account about what happened between us, how we have met and what words we have spoken. I don't trust him and he also has a Frame just like this. My Frame came to life again when you were nearby. I fear his Frame will do the same and he will be asking all kinds of questions." Assiya's widened as he fished out his microcom from his pocket. "Yes, I have my own too but a smaller one. The Frame used to link people together, you said. Now, let's see if I turn off my device. See, your Frame turns itself off too. It's the seekerpulse on my microcom that triggers the Frames in your Sphere and in that case you don't have to worry. We just have to turn off all our hand-held equipment." --And cool off my own impulses as well--. "Still, with so much knowledge, I feel you are very vulnerable. Please be careful with the Perceptor. I want to protect you, Captain. In this short time you have become so dear to me!" Anguish was plain in Assiya's eyes which still looked young and vibrant with life despite her age. Trajan heaved a sigh and frowned to hide his embarrassment. Finally he said quietly: "I will heed your advice. Come, the ship is dropping anchor and we have plenty of people and goods to unload." The waters of the narrow cove were deep enough for Stephanola to navigate as closely to the beach as she thought prudent. Even then, the passengers and the horses had to swim and wade through a strip of deep water before coming on land. The Duck and The Dolphin only had one inflatable raft at her disposal to assist with the various stages of unloading which commenced in deep night and went ahead at a snail's pace until dawn. It soon became evident that Trajan, Deyron and Nagus were the only ones able to swim, apart from the ferry mistress herself, but a strong breeze blowing in from the north made her presence on board a great necessity. Leading Brightloft by the reins down the wide wooden ramp Trajan slipped into the sea, and similarly guided by Nagus the remainder of the horses followed and swam to the beach. Deyron stayed on deck to oversee the loading and several comings and goings of the raft while Jeremy and Jackal, who nursed his hangover with rough language, took turns in steering it. At long last when the sun was peeking over the green tops of the grove along the lip of the beach, only a last load of equipment remained to be hauled across. Stephanola came down from her wheelhouse, crossed the deck and stood gazing at Trajan who had come back on board to take stock of his apparatus. Taking her by the shoulders he asked: "What are you going to do?" She shrugged, smiling lightly. "Since Penari and the rest of the ports along the southeastern coast are closed, maybe I'll go and try my luck up north. An embargo on trading with Magni-Xandians has not yet been declared and there are always plenty of opportunities in the North for a quick Nuke or two." "I have a feeling my uncle has also been taken up north, as a captive from the warzone. Could you try keeping eyes and ears open for any news which may come your way? I will be forever grateful." "Sure," Stephanola said, "and also for a pair of gorgeous green eyes. Captain, since you can read my thoughts, you know that I mean what I say." "And you read me like an open book," Trajan responded with a smile. They kissed each other on the lips, briefly. Trajan stepped onto the raft and pushed it off the ship's ramp for the final trip to the beach. When all of his equipment had been carried off onto the sand, the ship retrieved the raft and The Duck and the Dolphin, a couple of wares, people and horses lighter, unfurled all her sails and set off on a northwesterly course. * * * Assiya informed Trajan that if the travellers, old and young included, were strong enough not to take a rest but to follow her straight to a village only an hour's walk away, they would arrive at their destination just in time for lunch. Trajan agreed, instructing Jeremy to allow the sick, children and the elderly of his clan to ride on the backs of the horses. With Assiya in the lead, the procession, after much haranguing and lamenting by men, women and children, got underway. "Captain," Deyron said, running up to him, "we seem to have landed in a place astoundingly different and peaceful than where we once were. Do we still have to wear our headgears?" "Of course not, Superpre," Trajan said, "I thought you knew." He coded his Insignia. "Nagus, could you come and join us, please?" He gave Deyron a puzzled look and tried his communicator again. "What is wrong with his optic strip?" Deyron flashed his teeth at him in a wide grin and with hands cupped around his mouth trumpeted "Wherever you are, Lar Nagus! Come here and hear your Captain's voice!" Presently Nagus came running over from the end of the line and Trajan frowned at Deyron: "Why can't you behave and speak like a cultured youngslady. I didn't mean you to advertise our little conference like this, but anyway, listen to me!" While the little column was moving ahead through the grove he drew them to a grassy clearing, eying each of them fondly, two of his companions from Iucari-Tres left to him whom he must protect and preserve. "We are approaching a village which means that for the first time since we left the Great Divide and the Hungry Plains, we will be making real contact with the indigenes not merely as passers-by but as co-inhabitants. For our own sake we must remain as inconspicuous as possible and try to blend with the population as best as we can. Put rephars and stings away so that they cannot be seen and button up your collars to cover your Insignias. I have secured all my apparatus save for my multilyzer which I'll be keeping handy in my pocket but I won't turn it on. I will only wear my poniard at my belt, nothing else. Above all, pretend as if you have been living here for all your lives. You can always learn a little deceit!" He observed them intently. "Soon Jeremy will again meet his Elder. The boy already knows as much as we have allowed him to, but I don't know how close his relationship is with his Perceptor. I have a feeling however Jeremy is our friend. Nonetheless not to take unnecessary risk I advise you to stay out of the Perceptor's way as much as you can. Nagus, what is your opinion of the boy, Ralph? He is the other one who already knows too much." "I can vouch for Ralph," Nagus affirmed. "He seems to be a quiet boy and prefers being on his own rather than mingle." "Yes, and quite attached to you, it would also seem. Any more suggestions?" "Well," Deyron hesitated, scratching his tawny mane, "in such a short time you have covered all the grounds, methinks. If we cannot use our rephars, do you think at least we could have one of those cumbersome armory that Jackal is using? I cannot immediately think of anything else useful." "You can always approach Jackal with your request, but he would insist that you buy it from him. Do you have enough Nukes at hand? " Trajan raised his eyebrows in doubt. "And one more thing. Keep your big mouth shut. I am Captain Ermiz to you and everyone." He turned to Nagus putting a hand on his shoulder. "I tried to raise you on your communicator but you did not respond. Is it working all right, let me examine it." "There is nothing wrong with it," Nagus admitted blushingly. "I just deactivated it because the static noise irritates me. It feels as though a bug is snoring on your shoulder!" "Do not repeat this idiocy!" Trajan ordered sternly, "There, I have reactivated it. Keep the frequency open at all times. Your life may depend on it and you'll see, you'll get use to it in due course." "It will become like a third ear to you," said Deyron grinning. "One final point, Deyron," Trajan said, "before we go and catch up with the group, I'll teach how to use the secret codes by which Commanders of the Spacio Command communicate to each other when they are in danger. No doubt, in Iucari-Tres I am not to divulge these codes to you but we are far away from home, somewhere in the Great Beyond, and I cannot see what harm it can do to the Command in our situation." When they came out of the glade, the other travellers had already gone ahead along the narrow trail that wound through the grove and had vanished out of sight. Trajan was satisfied from the analytics of his multilyzer that no one was in the vicinity when they were having their secret meeting, and no menace lurked amongst the shrubs or lines of citruses. They plucked several of those captivating red golden globes hanging from the branches, peeled off the hard skin, sniffed and nibbled at them in wonder. The red- yellow juice had a sharp tang which bit their tongue and stung their eyes. After spitting it out several times, and throwing orange peels at each other in jest they started to find its sweet-tart taste quite pleasant. Following the trails in the dirt path they relaxed into a stroll. The sun had already climbed high in the sky and showered the woods with pools of golden light. A smattering of bird music flowed down from the trees. The seashore air brought a stream of warmth and dampness, and they peeled off their jackets, slinging them over their shoulders, laughing as the day looked so glorious. The One Sun had browned their skins to a glowing tan, making Deyron look even darker than he was before. With his deep tawny hair and moustache bleached by the solar rays almost to a pale blond, he presented a remarkable sight. Trajan joked that his Calidan compatriots would truly envy him for his present transmutation whereby Deyron retorted in a sardonic voice there dwelled little of Phycel or Praecel origins about their likenesses, only uncivilized shades of Steppetrekkers or Marauding Mariners on Evening Star. "What I would give to see Evening Star again shining in the sky," Deyron mournfully said as the path began broadening and sloping down into a dell where the green woodland fell away and brown cabins cluttered before their eyes. The party had already arrived in the hamlet for a long half an hour and seemed to have left the remaining threesome far behind. Many were wondering and worrying what had delayed them when they appeared out of the grove, walking abreast, bantering and chatting. They fell silent however as they approached a paved circle in the centre of the village where a group of people awaited them. Remembering Trajan's words of warning, Deyron and Nagus quickly slipped away into the more familiar multitude of the Mountain Clan. At the same time Jeremy came forward, almost stumbling in his haste and excitement, and with him came a tall, imposing figure, with white hair draping his shoulders. The face, looking nobly of a sort, was clean shaven except for a crescent of hair that flowed like an escutcheon of white silk from chin to chest. "Captain," Jeremy spoke with a shaking voice, "may I present to you the Perceptor of my Clan." "Captain Ermiz," the Elder said and offered his right hand, his piercing blue eyes taking in every detail of the young savage before him, sodden with seawater, unkempt, but with eyes shining like colouring stars in his dirty face. "Jeremy, my ward, told me how you faced grave danger and went through innumerable hazards to bring my people safely to the shores of Aseur. Above all, you have brought back Jeremy to my side and you protected him when I thought I had lost him. I am unable to find enough words to express the depths and sincerity of my gratitude but be assured of my trust, and my friendship." Trajan shook the Elder's hand, trying to look as non-committal and unconcerned as he could. "No more words need to be said, Perceptor. I only carried out the wishes of your people and luck was with us, I would say, when we took a different route to the coast. But now as we are all here together, safe and sound, I consider everything is settled between us in exchange for shelter, a meal and a refreshing bath." The Perceptor smiled. "You are magnanimous, Captain. Food and bathwater has already been made ready in the brickhouse." "If you don't mind, Micah," interrupted Assiya, who had approached them stealthily. "I have prepared the privacy of a stand-alone cabin for the Captain which is, in my view, more quiet and comfortable. He may want to take a rest after his long and tiring voyage." "If you say so." The Elder bowed and took his leave, pulling Jeremy along. Assiya directed Trajan to a wooden cabin which was built at the far rear of the village against a scarp under the eaves of the grove. A young man, the same age of Jeremy, stood near the open door. "This is Conrad, Captain, my pupil and ward. I have instructed him to stand by you and attend to your needs. Warm water, clean clothes and towels have been prepared in the kitchen." "That is very thoughtful, Assiya, but a bath and rest is everything I need right now." He dallied on the threshold, frowning a little. "Maybe you can do one thing for me. Could you arrange the same privacy for my two close friends?" "There is no problem with that whatsoever, Captain." Conrad stated cheerfully. "I'll see to it right away." Trajan flung his jacket on the floor and went straight into the kitchen which was in truth a makeshift shack, measuring two by four, of roughly sawn planks hitched together with wiring. Washing off the grime and dust of the long journey with warm water from a wooden tub he could hear Assiya scurrying around like a busy bee in the adjacent quarters which served as a dining, living and sleeping room. Coming out from the kitchen, reasonably clean and smelling of soap, he perceived that a meal fit for a Lar had been laid out on the table. Since good meals were scarce on the dangerous roads, he felt quite pleased for all this ceremony and attentiveness. Both Assiya and her ward, Conrad, seemed to have gone away attending errands, but obviously they would not want him to wait and hesitating no longer he sat down at the table and enjoyed himself. Assiya reentered the cabin when he was only half way through his lunch and placed herself at a respectful distance with a piece of black garb over her arms. Trajan grumbled: "If you want to pretend I am only a captain, you'd better put up a better show. Sit down at the table with me. You are not my chamberlain!" Taking the chair at the opposite end of the table Assiya said earnestly, while she absent-mindedly folded up the garment on her lap, "It is no longer wise wearing a hireling's headgear, either here on the frontier or in Vespar, but I have brought you a cloak with a hood. The villagers here will pose no threat as they are mostly ignorant and not well schooled. The situation will be entirely different if you wish to venture into the cities. I still caution you not to expose yourself unnecessarily to strangers." Trajan offered no argument, his concentration entirely focussed on his plate, and Assiya further spoke: "The Elder has found the starcaster that we were seeking a few miles up the hills across the border in Vespar. Tonight we, the Elder and me, will go and see him, and I want you to come with us. The Elder may find it a little strange but after what you have done for his people and Jeremy, he is not likely to make objections. We have to be extra cautious when we crossed over into Vesparan territory. Word has come to our ears that the Governor General have posted his soldiers everywhere along the frontier. He is taking no chances as the Magni-Xandian threat is growing in the West." "What do you know of this Governor General?" Trajan enquired. "Nearly nothing," Assiya answered uncertainly, "he seems to have shot up from obscurity into prominence during the Rebellion and since then has assumed absolute control over Vespar. After the old king's death he was also made Regent until the coming of age of the young Queen Fleuridi. He has won the admiration of his people, but many fear him too." She paused and put forward hesitantly: "The Elder may know more about him." "It can wait," Trajan said, stretching his arms and legs. "What I want now is just sleep." Hastily leaving her seat Assiya told him that a bed had already been made up behind a curtained alcove where he could lie down in all comfort. She would make certain that no one disturbed him and there would be no noise as she tidied up the room. Feeling reassured Trajan did just that, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillows; the first sound and untroubled sleep he enjoyed since his arrival in this Sphere. He did not even stir when Assiya slipped a sheet over him, and studied every curve and contour of his slumbering face. She drew the curtains softly and tiptoed out of the room. The languor of an afternoon siesta deadened every sound and scurry in the village. Assiya sat down on the cabin's porch with her wrinkled hands clasped in her lap, reminiscing how once, epochs ago, she had set her eyes upon a face, similarly fair and adored by decent folk, blown to pieces by the creed of Terra-Purism. She will not let it happen again, she will defend the Captain, as he so calls himself, with her life. It was her new chosen way, to follow him wherever he went, whatever the Prophecy, into hideous perils, into death and even Eternal Damnation.