Daniel did not grin, but he knew Ulaman was hiding his own concern. Had the crew been there, he’d have heard it. “I will come to the harbour tomorrow, okay? A friend comes over today to pick me up and visit his family. Mr. Barker, I told you about him?”
“Yes, I remember. Well, I am glad that… the crew will be glad if you can come over tomorrow. There is nothing like smelling the water to get you back on your feet, Daniel. And let me know if you cannot come after all.”
“Certainly, skipper. I’ll let you know. But I am rather certain I can show up.”
“Good, Daniel. Now get up, man!” The big face grinned before the screen went grey.
Daniel laughed, winced as there was a sting from his belly, and dropped the hydger on the bed. “Ouch. Still no laughing today, Mr. Zacharias.” He got up and showered. He worshipped the shower since the surgery: it made his new skin soft and supple and chased the little pains away for a long time.
He got dressed and waited for his friend to show up, spending the time reading.
“Daniel? Are you in there?” The question was followed by a careful tap on the door. Tomlin grinned as Daniel let him in. “You look less bad today,” he stated. “Ready to go?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be. I am curious to see where you are living, Tomlin.”
The trip to Tomlin’s house did not take very long. It was located in one of the better neighbourhoods of Skarak.
Tomlin pointed out several places of interest and historical fame as they came past them. The carriage took them up into the mountainous area, where almost every residence had a magnificent outlook over the town, the harbour and the sea. Daniel had never been up there, so he was astounded by the view.
“We’re here, Daniel,” Tomlin said as the carriage slowed down. “Prepare yourself to be invaded by my offspring.”
After exiting the carriage, they stood in front of what in this area was an average sized house. Remarkable was the small building in front of it that Tomlin walked up to. He used his ring to open the door and let Daniel in. “Welcome to my humble home.”
It turned out to be far from humble. The small building turned out to be a sort of reception area and it had a wardrobe. From there, they walked through a short transparent tunnel that brought them into the actual house. Tomlin’s wife was a very friendly woman, and the offspring-based invasion Tomlin had warned Daniel for did not happen. Clearly the children, two boys and a girl, had been instructed very well about Daniel’s condition. They were very careful and, Daniel found, polite beyond limits.
He had a really nice day out with the Barker family, and when Tomlin took him back home in the evening, Daniel was yawning.
“My friend,” Tomlin grinned, “I think you have lost the ability to stay sober while drinking.”
It certainly felt so, Daniel had to admit. “Thank you for today, Tomlin. I really appreciate it. It was great to see where you live. You did the right thing, staying here. You have a lovely family.”
“I know. And thank you for the compliments. I’ll carry them on. Stay well, and in touch.” After shaking hands, Tomlin ordered the carriage to take him home again.
Daniel dragged himself to his apartment, could barely be bothered to hang up his suit and crashed into bed. He was out before his head had actually touched down on the pillow.
The next morning, Daniel was awake quite early, compared to the days before. After the relieving shower, which seemed less needed today, he dressed and went out for breakfast. It felt good, and he was pleased about that. It told him he was definitely on the mend.
As he left the restaurant, he called Ulaman. “I am on my way to the harbour now, Ulaman, but I come walking. The exercise is good for me, so it will take a while before I am there. I’m on my way, already.”
Ulaman clearly was happy with that news.
The walk was a nice one. The weather was glorious. His coat held away the teasing sea wind. His thoughts revolved around Tomlin, families, and Rhonda. But he felt so good that this time nothing seemed able to destroy his mood. Not even the thought of Malcolm that floated by.
When Daniel approached the harbour he smiled. There is nothing like smelling the water, Ulaman had said, and bugger it all, there was truth in his words. Soon the large super-clipper came into view and he started the climb up the long gangway. It cost him more effort than before, but he had already prepared for that. Slowing down was the solution.
Daniel stepped onto the deck. The men were working various chores and did not even seem to notice him, at first. He casually sauntered towards the staircase that led up to the bridge, when Darigyn caught sight of the man in the suit.
“DANIEL!!” The man’s voice thundered over the deck, and soon he was engulfed in sailors who all wanted to shake Daniel’s hand, something he appreciated but was not ready for yet, he knew. That made for a rather awkward greeting, but it all came out well.
He answered to a number of the question they fired at him, until Ulaman and Lidrin came down from the bridge and liberated him from all the attention.
Xandree had gone down to the galley and brought Draiky along to greet Daniel. He bent down to carefully hug her. He saw how happy she was to see him back on board.
Draiky would have loved to drag Daniel along for some tea, but had to postpone that urge, as Ulaman had some things he wanted to talk about with Daniel. She therefore did the next best thing: she went to get tea and told them she’d take it up to the bridge.
Once tea and a few biscuits were on the table, and the people were around all that, Ulaman started to talk. “The workmen discovered and fixed a few more problems with the ship, Daniel. We won’t be taking her out for cargo in the coming days, it is merely tests after fixes. Nothing serious, but I am sure you want to know this.”
Daniel nodded. “I’m sorry to hear that. It worries me that such a small pirate ship can cause so much damage.”
Ulaman nodded. “I have never heard of this kind of attack before. The Seigner is looking into having the hull strengthened, but that could mean it makes the ship behave differently. It was designed to be the way it is.”
That, of course, was a serious thing to consider. There was little reason in making the ship less reliable.
“There is something else, Daniel. Something you should feel honoured about.” Ulaman got up, went to a drawer and took an envelope from it. He handed it to Daniel.
It was dark brown, carried a blue seal and it was written in a beautiful hand. ‘To the attention of Mr. Daniel Zacharias’, it read. The seal was the symbol of Seigner Dandra ko Galem, Daniel recognised it as he had seen it on his hydger a few times.
“What’s this?”
“Open it,” was Xandree’s simple solution.
He did so and pulled out a letter, written in the same way as the envelope.
’Mr. Daniel Zacharias,
The family of Seigner Clelem Dandra ko Galem cordially invites you to attend a soiree at their house.
The soiree will be held on the eighteenth day of this month, you are welcome to arrive at any time after the sun starts setting.
Appropriate attire will be appreciated.’
The invitation ended with a series of numbers, which made up the carriage address for the house.
Daniel read the invitation twice, then stared at the people at the table. “They are inviting me for a party?”
“Yes. And rather you than me, Daniel,” Ulaman said. “You will be able to fit in there. The Seigner sometimes has such a thing, and the mouse, who gave me this, told me you were invited as you have been so crucial in saving the cargo and the Pricosine.”
Daniel looked at the paper. “The eighteenth day. That’s tomorrow!”
“Yes. That is why I wanted you to come over today. Otherwise I would have brought it to you,” Ulaman grinned.
“Right. Should I be worried about the bit on appropriate attire?” Daniel had the distinct feeling that his regular suits would be far from appropriate for a soiree.
“I suggest you find a clothing shop that can help you, Daniel. Your ship’s clothes are probably not nice
