Into the Shallows

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Geoff had already started taking mental notes during the entire disembarking process. From the docking, to the random flood of guards on the ship, to the search before he entered the port, to the armfuls of guns that were removed from the vessel and then guards that remained on deck, he already could ascertain that taking Port Augustine would be a trial.

Back home in Port Vale, they had taken security measures, but nothing to this extent. Sure, ships were searched, but it became routine and almost mundane. With it's location in the Ossining Narrows, Port Vale was not exactly the hub for trade in the Ossining, mainly it was a stop for ships on their way to larger ports like Augustine, or for small traders from the outlands. In many respects, it was easy to capture. Really, all Captain Magnus had to do was send in one of the vessels in his fleet that was easiest to disguise as a trade vessel entering a port, and let the cards play out from there.

Here, however, Geoff was almost certain that it would not be easy. Captain Magnus would have his work cut out for him, and would likely require a much larger fleet, and a simple pirate ship disguised as a trading vessel would not be enough here.

For his part, Geoff managed to stay under the radar on the ship, named The Arrowhead, during the very short passage into Port Augustine, and even now he managed to slip through the crowd and enter into the bustling thoroughfare. Even this time of night, the streets seemed alive with voyager, locals, and barkeeps keeping the lights on for all of them. From what he had heard, The Arrowhead would depart in three days' time, as their cargo was mainly supplies of grain for the local storage during storm season. It would not take too long to unload the cargo, move it into storage, clean and re-stock the vessel, gather payment and be on their way.

Unfortunately, it would take even less time for Captain Magnus to take The Arrowhead from where he lied in wait for them. At the moment, he had scattered his fleet around the trade route and other ports of interests, sailing only The Kingsnake on this particular mission. Geoff figured it was easier to do the sleuthing he needed without a legion of vessels on the horizon.

Three days was not enough time, so Geoff had to stick to the priority that Captain Magnus had given him: find the house of Lord Ashmore, ascertain the man's capacity to lead against an onslaught, report back everything he knew. He had three days.

Glancing around the port, he knew that the Lord's house would be nowhere near this chaos. If being the son of one taught him anything, their homes were on the higher ground, where he could watch over the goings on without getting his hands too dirty. It would be in a place that had the best vantage point in the entire port, with a view of the thoroughfare, the docks and the horizon.

Somewhere like... The forts on the cliffside.

"Bingo." Geoff grinned when he trained his eyes upwards towards the monstrous estate looming over them like an avenging demon. Even though he used to be one himself, he had to admit that aristocracy were not the best at flying under the radar.

As he made his way through the streets of Port Augustine, Geoff kept his ears peeled. He needed to find a way up to that estate. After that, he would attempt to pass as a servant, gather as much information as he could, and then depart under the cover of night on the third day. Not the best plan, but the easier one to conjure up last minute. One minute, he was charged with scrubbing the decks clean, the next he was diving into the cold waters of the Ossining to swim to and board another vessel to play spy in one of the largest ports in the land.

This was the life of adventure he wanted, wasn't it?

"We can't delay the delivery, otherwise Lord Ashmore will have our hides."