were free to disengage themselves at any time to chase a ship that had just come in.
From his tiny Lipel – a small, circular store – a merchant could glide between the larger buildings and sell his wares as he went, resupplying himself from the same. He was surrounded by counters filled with his wares – whether they were linen, fruit, books, or some other commodity – and he would never lose a moment waiting for his customers to come up.
The Floatings was supplied with the freshest seafood: its primary food. The fishing boats were similar to the trader’s, except they were longer and wider. Instead of a shop in the center, they had a hole that communicated with a wooden tub below the ship, open to the water by several small holes. When the catch was brought in, they would dump it into this tub, and whatever was ordered, they would simply reach down and grab it fresh from its native element. No fish were wasted and, as their supply built up, they were able to pass over those days when little was caught without affecting the supply.
In most cities of that time, the tradesmen formed themselves into guilds and built warehouses and guildhalls within the city walls. In Eden, the tradesmen would construct floating bizarres, which were no more than a covered frame in which the tradesmen would dock their boats, while shoppers or traders would float through on their own craft and purchase what it was they wanted. These were invaluable during the busiest times of the day, when the surface of the Floatings was so packed with vessels that the water could not be seen.
There were also a number of transport ships whose only purpose was to carry citizens through the Floatings to conducts their business. These were usually uncovered flatboats, with a row of seats along each side that could raise or lower and extend to reach whatever vessel the occupant was dealing with. To go shopping, the citizens of Eden would pay a fare on one of these and be taxied from place to place around the Floatings, to carry on their business without leaving their seats.
A market or bazaar is a bustling, confusing place. The Floatings were doubly so. There were tens of thousands of vessels constantly moving about its surface, some the size of a city circle. To control things, however, every ship was equipped with flags – color coded according to seller or buyer, wholesale or small-sale. With this, as well as with shouting and yelling, the people were able to communicate. It was for the most part an orderly place, though its magnificent wealth attracted many desperadoes. Under Gylain’s tyrannical rule, however, the only plundering allowed was his own.
It was into this scene that Clifford led the barrels, though it was subdued for the night. The use of lights was strictly forbidden: a fire in such a dense jungle of wooden vessels would be disastrous. Many of the smaller vessels – too small for the owner to live in them – were docked every night after darkness came. At this time the waters were desolate compared to the daytime.
Clifford led the barrels down the river until it emptied into the harbor, then guided them down one of the piers. At its end was
As he approached it, Clifford called out in a loud whisper, “The meat is here, sirs. I’ve brought the meat – the hams and the pork.”
“And the salted beef?” a voice answered.
“Yes, and the salted beef.”
“A bit late, but we will still take it,” and the barrels were stopped by the crew and lifted onto the deck.
“Come aboard to receive your payment,” the voice called to Clifford, who boarded the vessel.
A moment after he was aboard, the crew quietly slipped the ropes and floated out to the harbor. While the pilot and the helmsman were busy navigating through the other vessels, the crew began to pry open the barrels with an iron crowbar. The first to be unsealed was the Admiral, and as the lid came off and showed his head, the sailors stood at attention and saluted him.
“Welcome aboard, sir,” they said, “It does a man good to see you back again.”
“We are not out of hot water yet,” he answered.
“Oh, I don’t know, sir. We haven’t had it too hot since we left the Indies.”
“I meant danger.”
“No, I am with you there. Let me help you up,” the sailors grabbed onto the Admiral’s arms and pulled him from the barrel.
“It is not very authoritative, but I must stretch myself out upon the deck.”
“Go ahead, sir. We won’t think ill of you, after all you’ve brought us through.”
“Good,” the Admiral laughed pleasantly, “I feel like a side of pork,” and he stretched himself upon the deck.
One by one the sailors opened the other barrels, pulling the occupants out and letting them stretch themselves upon the deck. The last barrel left was the largest. As they opened it, one of the sailors said, “Must be a biggun – even the monk with the lightning mustache had a smaller barrel than this.”
“I gamble its a giant, after what we’ve pulled out – a man in golden armor, and two of the prettiest dames I ever seen.”
“Well, let’s see.”
They stuck the crowbar against the barrel and pried it open. There – looking up at them – was a black bear with an odd grin covering its face.
“Eegads!” they shouted and jumped backwards.
“Fear not,” Willard called out, “He is friendly.”
They gave him a hand and pulled him from the barrel, and Horatio went to lay alongside Willard. No one said a thing. They were overcome with relief at having escaped and did not wish to draw attention to themselves by talking. Only Barnes Griffith, the energetic seaman, was upon his feet. He was at the helm, watching their course carefully.
“By the devil!” he exclaimed, “Admiral, come here!”
“You can handle it, my boy. I have faith in you,” he answered from the deck.
“No, you don’t – not for this, anyway. Come here at once!”
“Now, I am the Admiral here, and I give the orders,” he laughed, “What is the matter?”
“There are six ships of war coming toward us – flying Gylain’s colors!”
“What? You must be mistaken,” cried the Admiral as he leapt to his feet and ran to the bow.
“There, sir, off to the port bow.”
“Good God!” the Admiral said. “It’s the whole bloody harbor fleet!”
Chapter 44
“Unfurl the sails, men, and prepare for flight. Archers, take your positions and soldiers stand in front of them. They may outnumber us, but we will not easily go down!” cried the Admiral.
The men were in the act of carrying out his orders when Ivona, still wearing her lovely white dress, stepped forward and said, “No, we must not do that.”
The Admiral turned to her. “For what reason, Ivona?”
“Because, my lord,” she answered humbly, “It is impossible for them to know that we are escaping. While Gylain ate with me, I asked him to send the fleet to the northern part of the island. He did so immediately. They are just now returning and have not had communication with the land since. If we behave as an ordinary frigate, we will not be stopped.”
“Your presence of mind is worthy of your rank and beauty, Ivona,” he said, bowing, “And mine to my own. Men, do nothing to excite suspicion. Archers and soldiers, go below deck and do not show yourselves unless you are summoned.”
“Yes, sir,” and it was done at once.
The Admiral stood facing the oncoming ships of war, the wind coming directly toward him. His stature was straight and manly, his bearing strong and courageous. There were no lights except the moon, and in the semi- darkness his eyes shone forth with the anger that was always kindled within him. A few mere coals, perhaps, yet present nonetheless. The others had arisen, and were standing around the deck toward the port bow, watching the approaching ships. Celestine stood hand-in-hand with Alfonzo, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. They were still strangers to each other, except for their love. Willard stood alongside Horatio, the black cape once more covering his gleaming armor. A few feet to the left, Ivona stood by Oren Lorenzo. The Fardy brothers and Vahan Lee were solemnly assembled in the stern, and Barnes and Blaine Griffith stood directly behind the Admiral, silent in their brotherly companionship. Osbert was near them, looking lost apart from his native element, the forest.
