Blood of the Righteous

Lady Malcoeur

Port Cauldwell was the largest port David had seen thus far. Elgannan's Port Cirill was said to be larger, but it escaped David as to how this was possible. Docks filled with ships lined the city for a quarter league in each direction from where the Waverunner put in. Everywhere were strongbacks and hawkers, sailors and merchants, all taking part in the whirlwind of commerce going on in the Decian capital.

When they came in sight of it, the first thing that struck David was the sprawling alabaster-colored buildings that went from the sea right up to the mountainside. Ships with flags of every color were coming and going. Gualian and Germanian long-distance cargo ships, usually rare this far north, were peppered throughout the port. Over the past several generations, many people from the port cities of Elgannan and Gylinia had fled to Port Cauldwell in order to avoid the war and the press gangs, as able-bodied sailors who imbibed too much ale at a seaside tavern often found themselves an involuntary member of the navy. With the war having been quiet the last twelve years, the flow to Decia had slowed, until recently. Aragil's surprise attack a mere six months after King Nicolae renewed his offensive to retake Denning had once again caused the mass migration to Decia to take hold.

To the Waverunner, that meant cheap labor for unloading and hauling goods, plus a plethora of able-bodied and experienced sailors. Before the landing party had even stepped off of the gangplank, a score of men had shouted offers for their services to Karinga. He had selected six of them to carry some sample wares to his contact's place of business.

In addition to David, Captain Karinga had brought along Edge and Fyke. This was a guild-run port, and Gaeceric had men stationed all throughout the city. Gaeceric was demanding that Karinga pay 20 gold per month in dues to be allowed to trade. Karinga, of course, had refused. Although in principle David could understand why, their level of profit was quickly rising to make 20 gold a drop in the bucket. David was waiting for the right moment to broach the subject with the captain, as not having to live in fear of an attack at sea or in port might be worth it.

Over the last twelve years, since Gaeceric became the leader, the Sea Merchants' Guild had grown in power and influence. It had also grown in reputation, and not for the better. After Gaeceric's predecessor had led a mercenary army to Pirates' Cove and rid the region of most of the large pirate fleets and captains, the guild had quickly sunk to fill their place. As a result, many of the former members had disassociated themselves from the guild, only to become targets for guild piracy themselves.

Since Karinga was a small operator, and not overly successful, he had mostly passed unnoticed by the guild. However, after the altercation in New Portsmouth and David's subsequent enlistment as the Waverunner's Yeoman, David believed that was about to change.

Slowly the group made their way through the throngs of people. David had purchased several pears from street vendors, although due to the stink of the refuse and waste that filled the alleyways of the city, he quickly lost his appetite. He had ended up giving the pears away to a pair of thin little orphans, most likely brother and sister, who now followed them. The two had quickly eaten the pears, cores and all. David was about to turn and give them some silver when Fyke tapped him on the shoulder.

"Here we are, Tanner. This warehouse is run by Lady Malcoeur. She and Jax go back a long way, but watch yourself in these negotiations, lad. She could sell a king a shack in the Devon swamps, and have him pay twice as much as a manor on the Thane costs. We shall definitely know your true mettle as Yeoman after this."

David was ushered by Fyke into the warehouse office area. Immediately his senses were assailed by the contrast with the outside world. The whites of the city gave way to a myriad of colors. The filthy stink of the streets were replaced by the sweet smell of incense. The walls were painted with a bright sky blue and pictures of landscapes that few eyes had seen were captured by the imaginations of their creators. Expensive furniture was sparsely but tastefully placed throughout the large waiting area and light streamed in from high, small windows spaced every two feet across the entire room. David was overwhelmed by the sheer elegance. Even his father's castle couldn't match Lady Malcoer's tastes. This fact brought butterflies to David's stomach, as he feared he might be in over his head.