Malspire Read Free Page B

had passed on my gratitude.
    Eventually I returned to duty. I was still weak and could have spent another few days in my cot, but boredom was ever my worst enemy. The first thing I did was wash and shave as best I could from a bowl, then tenderly put on my uniform, my long dark waxed coat and old fashioned tricorn hat as well as the three buttoned cloak, then I made my way to the captain's cabin. It was getting late, the sun had set and the stars were out. There was a fresh easterly breeze of welcome clean air that I breathed in as deeply as I could without hurting my bandaged back. To starboard one could just make out the distant silhouette of land with the odd flare of coastal settlements. I reckoned we were off the western coast of Horat, the northern most peninsula of the Southern Lands. A few shadows stood at the helm watching the seas, but took no notice of me as I made my way to the captain's door. Knocking, I was left standing for a while.
    "Enter!"
    On entering the captain's cabin I found Crosp sitting at his desk surrounded by his ridiculous stuffed pets, eyes glistening in the light of a single lantern hanging from the beams above the desk and a candle on the desk itself. Crosp had been studying a small chart. He said nothing as I stood to attention before him, fixing my gaze on a point on the rear windows as always.
    "The doctor told me you were recovering," Crosp then said. "Took you long enough, Ardalrion."
    "I wish to report for duty, sir," I said, ignoring the captain's criticism.
    "I see. I presume you have learnt your lesson?"
    "I have, sir." I had learnt to watch out for Crosp. I had learnt that I needed allies. I had learnt that I would shoot Crosp point blank in the face with my pistol before taking another lashing. The man had tried to murder me, but there was no way to prove it. Not now. Crosp was the highest authority on the ship. I just had to play it safe for now.
    The captain seemed disappointed. The news that I might not survive my wounds had probably raised his hopes, but now I stood before him. Of course there would have been awkward questions asked if the son of a lord admiral had died from a flogging, but I knew that Crosp was well aware of the Lord Admiral's low regard for me and Crosp probably reckoned he would get off lightly. Cynically, I thought my father probably would have promoted the swine.
    Crosp looked over at a large wood and brass encased sea clock, "It would seem you are in time for the night watch. You may resume your duties, Mister Ardalrion. The night watch is yours. Check with the navigation officer." Crosp went back to studying his chart.
    And so I simply walked out and took the castle. The night watch was a long stint at the helm which ran through the night from the first watch which ended at midnight to the forenoon watch which started at breakfast. I had hoped to return to this watch as it enabled me to avoid the other officers and captain most of the time. It gave me time to think and watch the stars. I loved the stars, always have, and long to see them again. I knew the stars well by now and would marvel at the spectacle on a clear night when there were no other lights about, and wonder at how crystal clear the galaxy was. The masters of astromancy wrote that the heavens where made up of a million stars, all of which were gathered into the galaxy and that the sun was but one of them. Of course the Church of Creation riled at such a notion, but it made sense to me. Tonight the moon was out and half full, riding low on the horizon.
    Kravda, a portly sailor whom I remembered seeing enjoy the prospect of my flogging was at the wheel. A man was in the crow's-nest and a couple more were on the aftcastle acting as lookouts. The compass told me we were heading directly north and after checking with the navigation officer, I was pleased to discover that I had been right in thinking that we were passing the Horat peninsula to the east. Willan, the cabin boy soon appeared and