Passage to Dawn

only?'

Dunkin pointed a finger and started to reply, but the words apparently did not suffice and he stopped after uttering only a meaningless grunt.

'I have never known of any restrictions placed on vessels desiring to dock,' Deudermont went on. 'Surely my ship is not the only one in Mintarn Harbor flying no colors and with her name covered.' The last statement was true enough. Fully two-thirds of all the vessels that put into the free port did so without any open identification.

'You are Deudermont and your ship is the Sea Sprite, out of

Waterdeep,' Dunkin said, his tone accusing. He tugged at his ear as he spoke, a nervous tick, the captain reasoned.

Deudermont shrugged and nodded.

'A law ship,' Dunkin went on, finding some courage at last. He let go of his ear. 'Pirate hunter, and here, no doubt, to-'

'Do not presume to know my intentions,' Deudermont interrupted sharply.

'The Sea Sprite's intentions are always known,' Dunkin retorted, his voice equally firm. 'She's a pirate hunter, and yes, there are indeed pirates docked in Mintarn, including one you chased this very week.'

Deudermont's expression grew stern. He understood that this man was an official of Mintarn, an emissary from his tyrancy, Tarnheel Embuirhan, himself. Tarnheel had made his intentions of keeping Mintarn in line with its reputation as a free port quite clear to all the lords along the Sword Coast. Mintarn was not a place to settle vendettas, or to chase fugitives.

'If we came in search of pirates,' Deudermont said bluntly, 'the Sea Sprite would have come in under the flag of Waterdeep, openly and without fear.'

'Then you admit your identity,' accused Dunkin.

'We hid it only to prevent trouble for your port,' Deudermont replied easily. 'If any of the pirates now in Mintarn Harbor sought retribution, we would have had to sink them, and I am certain that your overlord would not approve of so many wrecks under the waves of his harbor. Is that not exactly why he sent you to find me in the Freemantle, and why he bade you to come out here with your bluster?'

Dunkin again seemed to not be able to find the words to reply.

'And you are?' Deudermont asked, prompting the nervous man.

Dunkin straightened once more, as if remembering his station. 'Dunkin Tallmast,' he said clearly, 'emissary of His Tyrancy, Lord Tarnheel Embuirhan of the free port of Mintarn.'

Deudermont considered the obviously phoney name. This one had probably crawled onto Mintarn's docks years ago, running from another scalawag, or from the law, and over time had found his way into Tarnheel's island guard. Dunkin was not a great choice, as an emissary, Deudermont realized. Not practiced in diplomacy and not long on courage. But the captain refused to underestimate Tarnheel, reputably a proficient warrior who had kept the relative peace on Mintarn for many years. Dunkin was no imposing diplomat, but Tarnheel had probably decided that he would be the one to meet with Deudermont for a reason, possibly to make the Sea Sprite's captain understand that he and his ship were not considered very important to his tyrancy.

Diplomacy was a curious game.

'The Sea Sprite has not sailed in to engage with any pirates,' Deudermont assured the man. 'Nor in search of any man who might be in hiding on Mintarn. We have come to take on provisions, and in search of information.'

'About a pirate,' Dunkin reasoned, seeming not pleased.

'About an island,' Deudermont replied.

'A pirate island?' Dunkin retorted, and again his tone made the question seem more of an accusation.

Deudermont pulled the pipe from his mouth and stared hard at Dunkin, answering the question without uttering a word.

'It is said that nowhere in all the Realms can a greater concentration of the most seasoned sea dogs be found than on Mintarn,' Deudermont began at length. 'I seek an island that is as much legend as truth, an island known to many through tales, but to only a few by experience.'

Dunkin didn't reply, and didn't seem to have any idea of what Deudermont might be talking about.

'I will make you a deal,' the captain offered.

'What have you to bargain with?' Dunkin replied quickly.

'I, and all of my crew, will remain on the Sea Sprite, quietly, and far out in the harbor. Thus will the peace of Mintarn remain secure. We have no intention of hunting any on your island, even known outlaws, but many might seek us out, foolishly thinking the Sea Sprite vulnerable while in port.'

Dunkin couldn't help but nod. Back in the Freemantle, he had already heard whispers hinting that several of the ships now in port were not pleased to see the Sea Sprite, and might join together against her.

'We will remain out of the immediate dock area,' Deudermont said again, 'and you, Dunkin Tallmast, will find for me the information I desire.' Before Dunkin could respond, Deudermont tossed him a pouch full of gold coins. 'Caerwich,' the captain explained. 'I want a map to Caerwich.'

'Caerwich?' Dunkin echoed skeptically.

'West and south, by tales I've heard,' Deudermont replied.

Dunkin gave a sour look and moved to toss the coins back, but Deudermont raised a hand to stop him. 'The Lords of Waterdeep will not be pleased to learn that Mintarn's hospitality was not extended to one of their ships,' the captain was quick to point out. 'If you are not a free port for the legal ships of Waterdeep, then you proclaim yourself an open haven only to outlaws. Your Lord Tarnheel will not be pleased at the results of such a proclamation.'

It was as close to a threat as Deudermont wanted to get, and he was much relieved when Dunkin clutched the bag of coins tightly once more.

'I will speak with his tyrancy,' the short man asserted. 'If he agrees …' Dunkin let it go at that, waving his hand.

Deudermont popped the pipe back into his mouth and nodded to Catti-brie, who came out of hiding, her bow relaxed, all arrows replaced in her quiver. She never blinked as she walked past Dunkin, and he matched her stare.

His resolve melted a moment later, though, when Drizzt slipped out of the brush to the side. And if the sight of a drow elf wasn't enough to fully unnerve the man, surely the sudden presence of a six-hundred pound black panther dropping to the ground barely five feet to Dunkin's side, was.

* * * * *

Dunkin rowed out to the Sea Sprite the very next day. Despite the fact that Deudermont welcomed him warmly, he came aboard tentatively, as though he was in awe of this vessel that was so fast becoming a legend along the Sword Coast.

They greeted Dunkin on the open deck, in full view of the crew. Guenhwyvar was at rest in her astral home, but Robillard and Harkle joined the others this time, standing together, and Drizzt thought that a good thing. Perhaps Robillard, an adept wizard, could keep Harkle's powers under control, the drow reasoned. And perhaps Harkle's perpetual smile would rub off on the grumpy Robillard!

'You have my information?' Deudermont asked, coming right to the point. The Sea Sprite had sat calm and undisturbed thus

far, but Deudermont held no illusions about their safety in Mintarn Harbor. The captain knew that no less than a dozen ships now in port desired their demise, and the sooner the schooner was out of Mintarn, the better.

Dunkin motioned to the door to the captain's private quarters.

'Out here,' Deudermont insisted. 'Give it over and be gone. I've not the time for any delays, and I need no privacy from my crew.'

Dunkin looked around and nodded, having no desire to debate the point.