M’Dahz looked just as it always had from the sea: a sprawl of tangled narrow streets and alleyways winding their way among white blocks as they snaked up the slope to the crest where the walls and towers of the governor’s palace complex stood proud of the lower roofs. Though in truth all they could smell on board the ‘Spirit of Redemption’ was the fresh, if salty, air of the sea, the mind filtered in the mixed aroma of spice and dung that they remembered from their youth.
Samir sighed. They had been at sea for more than two weeks, including the occasional stopovers in one port or another. Much as he hated to admit it, Samir found he rather liked the life of a legitimate merchant. While it was less exciting on a physical basis, the challenges inherent in business gave his mind something to work on even in quiet restful periods. Moreover, Asima played the Imperial noblewoman so well that she had charmed and impressed many otherwise shrewd traders into extremely favourable deals.
No real surprise to Samir was it that his lady passenger was capable of taking on a role and playing it with no slip or hiccup, but on these occasions, her devious mind and slippery morals had played to the advantage of all concerned.
And yet, with every hop between ports bringing them closer to their destination, Samir found that a cloud hung over his mood and darkened with every league they passed. Not only was a trip to M’Dahz not the most pleasant on his list of things to do, but this was where everything would change and each detail had to go well. He hoped in the name of whatever Gods were still interested in watching his hometown that he had not underestimated Asima. He doubted he had, but there was still a nagging doubt. He could nudge her in the right direction, but she was almost as subtle as he and she might just notice that.
He turned and looked along the rail upon which they leaned, casting a non-committal glance at his passenger in her expensive northern-style dress. He had to admit that not only did she look the part, but she was extraordinarily alluring.
“I’m never entirely happy coming back here” he said sadly.
“It is a stinking hole” Asima nodded absently.
“That’s not what I meant” Samir snapped at her. “I feel happy, sad, disappointed and angry all at once when I even look at the place. It tears me in too many directions at the same time. And, of course, with the path that I follow these days, I can never truly let my guard down when I’m here, so I’m also tense and jumpy.”
“How long til we dock?” she asked.
“Five minutes.”
The woman nodded.
“What will you do now?” Samir enquired.
“I will sell on my few expensive items and find myself safe passage back to Pelasia. I shall have to avoid any contact with the governor or the military, though, as they’re the ones who sent me into exile across the sea. I expect I can find the right sort of people given a few hours.”
“I have a little money put aside for you. You made us rather a good profit on the voyage, my lady of Velutio, so I thought a small token of our thanks might help you find your way safely to where you’re going as fast as possible.”
Asima smiled.
“Thank you, Samir. I will have to stay at least one night in the town, though. My father passed away a few years back and I’ve never had a chance to visit his grave, so I think I ought to take the opportunity while I’m here.”
“Indeed. I considered visiting our old neighbourhood, but there are too many people in M’Dahz that might know or recognise me. Safer that I spend the night on board and venture no further than the docks. If you’re spending time in the town, perhaps you would look in at my mother’s house and pass on my regards to her ghost?”
Asima nodded.
“Of course.”
The pair fell silent and watched the sprawl of M’Dahz drifting toward them. Minutes passed as the two, deep in thought, leaned on the rail, their eyes locked on their destination.
“Prepare for docking!” a voice from the command deck called.
Samir looked back up at his first officer who was also concentrating on the town ahead. The crew moved around them, preparing the mooring ropes, taking seats with the oars and furling sails. Samir barely paid them any attention, still carefully concentrating on figuring Asima’s likely activities.
Straightening, he adjusted the tight and itchy Imperial green jacket and flattened his hair for neatness. Reaching down beside him, he undid the bag he’d brought out from his cabin, removed a leather wallet and then slung the bag over his shoulder.
“Don’t let your act slip now, Asima.”
She nodded and allowed her face to fall into the grave and serious mask she had worn so often over recent weeks. A few moments later, the ship came slowly alongside the jetty, the oars retreating within the hull and being set down as other sailors threw out the lines. Samir glanced along the wooden walkway to the small group awaiting them. Two of the town guard stood at the shoulders of a small, weasel-like man with a tablet and stylus, who was frowning at the new arrival.
Carefully and diplomatically, Samir waited until the ship had come to a complete stop and the lines were being tied and then took Asima’s arm in a respectful fashion. As the sailors ran out the gangplank and lowered it to the jetty, Samir and his passenger stepped across to it. In the age-old manner of a captain with an honoured guest, he bowed to her and then slowly backed down the plank, holding his arm out before him for the lady to grasp.
The board was slippery and Asima made a point of skittering once in her expensive slippers, just for the look of the thing. Samir almost smiled at that. Attention to detail; that was what made her good. It was also what made her dangerous.
They alighted on the walkway and he escorted her forward, her hand on his arm, until they came to a halt before the group of men. Samir nodded his head professionally while Asima graced them with a superior smile.
“Good morning captain… lady.”
Samir smiled.
“Good morning officer. May I present the lady Lyria, once of Calphoris and lately of Velutio.”
The port official bowed seriously and then gestured at the ship with his stylus.
“Your name, cargo and destination, as well as port of origin, captain?”
Professionally, Samir nodded and passed the leather folder over. The official opened it, glanced briefly at the documents and turned the page to check the one below. Nodding, he passed it back and gestured with his stylus to go on.
“Captain Halvus of the Spirit of Redemption, out of Velutio these past four weeks” Samir announced. “Varied cargo, mostly of fabrics and grain. Nothing restricted. We’re simply on one leg of our journey. From here we head for Calphoris in a day or two, then the ports of the east coast and up to Germalla before returning to Velutio.”
As he spoke, the official nodded and made marks on his tablet.
“Long journey, captain.”
“Roundabout trip, keeping to coastlines for safety. Too many stories of pirates in your waters, I’m afraid, officer.”
The official shot him a miserable look and then returned to his marking.
“Sadly, you’re not the first to say that. At least you came, though. Many keep away altogether.”
“Will you be wanting to do a search of the hold? No trouble, if so, but the lady will be staying on in M’Dahz for a few days to visit an acquaintance and I would like to have her escorted to meet her friends before we begin, so as not to inconvenience her too much.”
The official looked Samir up and down and then smiled superciliously at Asima.
“Everything appears to be in order, captain, so I think we can forgo such formalities. Welcome to M’Dahz, my lady. I hope you enjoy your time here. The town is in a state of extreme busyness at the moment. We are preparing for the first full-week festival since the city was freed and it will be rather a large celebration. I hope you can stay for it.”
Asima smiled a dazzling smile at the man.
“I shall make every effort to attend, sir.”
He smiled at her once more and then lowered his face respectfully as he stepped aside. The two guardsmen
