said, “is there something I can do for you?”
Carefully, as if she had to be weary of her head, she nodded. Slowly she came closer. “You are the man who was on the Pricosine.”
“Yes.” Daniel was not sure what he had to do next, so he waited.
“Do you know what happened to them?”
“No. I am sorry. I don’t. Please believe me that I want to know also. May I know who you are?”
The tiny woman shook her head and stepped back. “No. No, that is not important. I just want to know how they are…” Quickly she walked off and disappeared to the street.
Daniel frowned. “Do you know who that was?” he asked the barkeeper.
“Who?” the man asked.
“Hmm. Never mind.” Daniel paid for his beer and left the Tub.
As he was cruising down the street to a place he knew to serve a good supper, his hydger rattled in his pocket. He flipped the box open and saw the black triangle. “This’d better be good…” After finding a quiet spot, he flipped the switch.
The familiar brushing sound was there again. “Have you found people to sail the boat?” There was no beating around the bush this time.
“Yes. I have a few people, that should be okay. Not experienced sailors, but they can put up a fight if need be.”
“You will need people like that. Listen. I will tell you where the boat is.”
Daniel listened carefully as the mysterious person detailed where in the harbour the boat was. Daniel understood that it had to be a very old and deserted area, but the directions were clear and concise. “Okay. I got that.”
“Inspect the boat,” the brushing voice said, “I will get in touch again in a while.” Then the black triangle disappeared.
“Looks like we got us a boat,” Daniel mumbled, sticking the hydger in his pocket. Then he pulled it out again and called Tomlin.
“You got word of a boat? That is good. We should have a look as soon as we can,” said Tomlin as he heard the news. They agreed to meet at the harbour entrance in two hours, that would give everyone time for a quick bite and get there.
Daniel waited at the harbour until Tomlin arrived. There was another man with him, who turned out to be Tomlin’s friend Gerolf.
“Our captain was not able to make it, but I think we can trust your judgement, Daniel.”
Daniel felt a bit overasked, but they could at least take a look, so he went ahead and followed the instructions the brushing voice had given him. They reached a small pier. It was hewn from natural rock, aeons ago.
“That’s it?” Gerolf looked at the vessel.
“That must be it. It’s the only boat around,” Daniel said. “And it’s… small. As promised.” He stepped onto the boat. It was in good shape, that was clear, but the thing could probably hold six people. And there would already be four sailing in it.
Tomlin and Gerolf also got on board. “I could use this for the family,” Tomlin said. “Once I learn how to sail, that is.” There was a slight movement of the boat as Daniel walked around it, and Tomlin grabbed hold of the single mast with both arms.
“Learn to sail, you said?” Daniel grinned. “That’ll be the day.”
“Tomlin,” Gerolf said. “Maybe strange Aldrick knows something.”
“Who?” Daniel had never heard that name before.
“That’s an idea…” Tomlin said, holding the mast with only one hand now. “He has always something up his sleeve. He could have something for us…”
“Who is strange Aldrick, Tomlin?”
“Maybe we should pay him a visit. I have some time this evening, Gerolf. You?”
“Hello? I am still here, right?” Daniel tapped Tomlin on the shoulder.
“I know, Daniel. Strange Aldrick is an inventor. So far he has not blown up his house, but rumour has it that this is his second one.” Tomlin and Gerolf laughed over what had to be some local joke. “We are going to look him up and see if he has something better than this bathtub.”
“I’m coming with you,” Daniel decided.
“Nope, you’re not. Aldrick is strange for a reason, and strangers is one of them. We have to look him up alone. He knows us.”
Daniel was not a happy camper with this answer, but he had to trust his friend. He guided the two off the harbour area and then saw them roll away in a carriage. All he had was the promise that Tomlin would get in touch as soon as he knew something.
33. Shipyard
The next day started in a highly unusual way. Daniel had never had problems with any of his ‘neighbours’ in the hall where his apartment was, but this day was intent on making that change, it seemed. A lot of screaming and what sounded like fighting woke him up. It was still dark.
For a moment Daniel hoped that the noise had been in a dream, but when something seemed to crash into the front door of his place, that bubble burst. He dragged himself to his feet and went to the door. After listening to the noise that did not relent, and making sure his door was out of the line of combat, he peeked outside. Two men were fighting in the hall, rolling left and right, attempting to punch each others’ lights out. From several other apartments, sleepy faces were staring at the scene.
“I hate this,” Daniel muttered. He stepped into the hall and grabbed the man who was on top at that moment in the collar and dragged him away from the other one. “What the hell are you doing here, you idiots?” he barked at the two men. The one on the floor was someone who lived in the building, on this floor. His name was Crissom or something like that.
Instead of supplying him with an answer, the man on the floor scrambled to his feet and launched a blow at the surprised man hanging from Daniel’s hand. Daniel grabbed the attacker by the shirt and pressed him against the wall.
“Folks, some assistance would be good,” he suggested to the people who were looking and not acting. That helped: one of the men in the hall came out and took one of Daniel’s captives in some kind of wrench grip. Daniel knew this man only by his nickname, the Bull. He lived up to it.
“Now what’s this fight about?” Daniel asked.
“Yeah, we all want to know, bunch of imbeciles.” Several voices now dared to express their feelings.
The man who was pressed against the wall pointed at the man in the wrench grip. “He started it. He lost the game and now he doesn’t want to come true!”
“Okay… what’s the game and what’s the problem?” The Bull, who had come to help Daniel shook his victim slightly.
The two men held under control explained that the loser had promised, when losing the game of cards they had been playing, to work at the other man’s workplace for a day. It was quite a strange deal they had cut, but things were the way they were. The loser claimed that he had not known up front that the ante would be working a day at the shipyard, working on building new boats and ships. “I am not cut out for that kind of work!” he raised to his defence.
“No, you’re cut out to take other people’s wages,” the winner growled, “and running off as soon as there’s trouble!” He tried to struggle himself free, but Daniel’s grip on him was beyond his might.
“I’ll give you all your money back,” the loser attempted, “just let me go…” The man’s words ended in a whimper.
The man in Daniel’s grip growled again. “The money is mine to start with, that won’t buy you off, you scum. You’ll hold your end of the deal, or I’ll-” He attempted another go at the man, in vain.
