Open Wardrobes

I know, I know, I forgot to post yesterday's progress last night. In my own defense I was out at a concert last night, the CD release party of my friend John (JD) Valerio. But before I left I had managed another 1500 words for the day and broke the 10,000 word mark (like the Dow Jones it's something of a psychological barrier, but in this case one I can't dip back down below).


I haven't been feeling too well today (and yes, it actually could be H1N1) and so I only managed about a thousand words, but thankfully I'm far enough ahead of the game that I can afford the occasional day of low word count. So here I offer up two days worth of progress and shall look to improve the count more tomorrow.




"Full stop," Lemuel ordered and Flint passed the command onto the rest of the men. Soon the Savage slowed to a crawl in order to wait the arrival of the other ship. It was but a mite of a vessel, manned by perhaps no more than twenty, and crafted solely for the sake of speed. Lemuel knew the Sorcerer kept a score of such vessels placed strategically throughout the Coral Seas for the purpose of running his cryptic errands. How he passed along these messages to his vessels from such a great distance, Lemuel could not say.
Soon the Sorcerer's ship lay moored next to the Savage as the Sorcerer's herald climbed on board. She wore clothes of all scarlet and silver, the Sorcerer's colors, and a thin silver band around her short, fair hair.
"The Sorcerer of the Stone Kingdom offers his greetings to you, Captain Drake," she said, offering Lemuel a quick bow in ceremony.
"We return his greetings," Lemuel said in return. "How fares the Sorcerer?"
"Well, when I saw him last some weeks ago," the herald answered with a smile. Lemuel knew that the question he dared not ask was obvious to her. She clearly enjoyed the mystery.
"What business does the Sorcerer have with the Shipwright's Kingdom?" Lemuel asked instead.
"None, nor the Ruined Kingdom neither," she stated and ignored Flint's scowl. Lemuel let it pass. It was an insult they had become accustomed to. "The Sorcerer does, however," she continued, "have business with you, Captain Drake."
"You may be out with it then," Lemuel told her. "We are now on a pressing errand."
"I would say your pressing errand lies behind you," the herald said, looking towards the Shepherd's Isle.
"Say what you have to say," Flint spat. All the men knew the danger of agitating the Sorcerer, yet it seemed to Lemuel that his minions seemed to delight in provoking that very response.
"The Sorcerer offers you, Captain Drake, his most heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father."
"And how comes he to know that?" Flint exclaimed, irritation changing at once to surprise. "We have not laid the Admiral to rest but an hour past!"
"The Sorcerer sees much that occurs within the Five Kingdoms," the herald retorted, "and it is not for me to reveal his methods."
"If you even know them yourself," Lemuel said calmly. He had bantered such with the Sorcerer's servants, or watched his father do so, many times before.
"The Sorcerer grieves with you, Captain," the herald continued, "and asks that you visit him in his fortress at a time of your choosing."
A murmur of surprise ran through the crew. Never had Lemuel heard of the Sorcerer asking anyone, even the other kings, to come to his fortress.
"And to what do I owe such an... honor?" Lemuel asked warily.
"With the death of your father and Captain Grey Foxx certain events have now been put in motion," the herald answered. "It is time you saw the Sorcerer."
"Who else has been offered such an invitation?" Lemuel asked.
"Perhaps if you accept," the herald said, "you shall learn for yourself."
Flint took hold of his pistol and drew it halfway out of his belt.
"Hold, Flint!" Lemuel ordered. "This is all?" he asked the herald.
"One thing more I am commanded to ask: do you seek the Heart of Destiny?" the herald asked him.
"I do not, nor do I care anything for it," Lemuel replied. "For the sake of this rock Grey Foxx brought devastation upon our land. Should I ever lay eyes on it I shall toss it into the deepest reaches of the seas, if for no other reason than to spite his heir."
The herald regarded Lemuel carefully. "I think you speak the truth," she said, "but if that is so then you are the greatest fool in the Five Kingdoms. But perhaps you simply do not know of what you speak."
"If you have no further insults..." Flint growled.
"Does the Sorcerer seek it?" Lemuel asked as the herald made ready to return to her vessel.
"The Sorcerer has no need of it, for he has his own ways of seeing," said the herald, "but he is much concerned with its fate. As you say, much disaster has already resulted from the struggle over it. But I advise you, Captain, not to be too quick to assume from whence your troubles come." With that she climbed down and returned to the deck of the Sorcerer's ship. Lemuel's crew let loose the ropes that bound the two vessels together and they drifted apart.
"Do not wait too long to come!" the herald shouted back to Lemuel as they parted. "You may find that delay causes you even greater misfortune!"
The Sorcerer's ship disappeared as quickly as it had come and Lemuel ordered the crew to resume their course for Harbarrow. As they were again underway Flint leaned in to speak privately with the captain.
"What do you make of that, sir?" he asked.
"It is... unusual," Lemuel admitted. He hadn't thought much of it, to be fair. What could the Sorcerer possibly want, the moment the Admiral was dead? He did not think the two of them had ever met and the affectation of grief seemed to Lemuel much put upon.
"I think it of little consequence," Lemuel told the First Mate. "We have other errands to attend to."
"Then you will not heed the invitation?"
"Does that surprise you, Flint?"
"In honesty? Aye, it does," Flint admitted. "I've never heard tell of the Sorcerer asking to see anyone. All the more rare is it to catch of glimpse of what may lie beyond his fortress walls."
"You are curious then, I take it."
"What man could be otherwise, Captain?"
"If we find ourselves near his realm in the future, I shall consider it," Lemuel consented. "And since you seem so eager to see these things for yourself, I see no reason why you shouldn't accompany me if do pay the Sorcerer a visit."
"Aye, Captain," Flint said a mite uneasily, and he left before Lemuel could further bestow upon him such dubious honors. Lemuel smiled as he climbed to the bow of the ship. That would stifle Flint's curiosity for the time being. Men might well wonder about what took place within the Sorcerer's wall, but Lemuel also knew that such men preferred to learn these tales secondhand.
Lemuel watched the water below as the ship cut through it. It sparkled in the light of the fresh day, the spray dancing high as the ship tossed it into the air. He had loved the sea since he could remember. So vast and timeless, filled with power. Most times it was the sailor's greatest friend, yet it could be a fickle mistress. For now it gave him comfort and he remained where he was, staring at the sea, until long after night had fallen and the moon had risen.

*****

As the Black Arrow glided into the bay at Harbarrow Captain Red Foxx stood high atop the crow's next. He loved the bustle of this well-used port, filled as it always was with great comings and goings. Countless ships filled the harbor, and the cacophony to Red's ear was glorious. Hulls creaking, crates pounding, and men shouting, it was the kind of bedlam he loved best. All the Five Kingdoms used this port, even the Mountain Kingdom far inland maintained a small fleet and could be found here regularly. There was nowhere better to conduct trade with the other kingdoms, islands, and places yet beyond. And the chaos made a perfect screen for all the captains of the Island Kingdom to meet, even if it was on their own territory, without word of it making it very far. Red could see his ships, a practiced eye like his knew the hull of every vessel and to who it belonged without looking up at a single flag. All the pirate ships wore their banners furled, as did many of the other vessels, and so the old Admiral's ship could come upon them here and not likely be the wiser if the pirates did not wish it. Jat steered the vessel towards land, finding a dock already reserved and made ready for them. Word had gone ahead to the master of the port that the illustrious Captain Foxx would be arriving. He knew his business well enough to keep quiet when the situation demanded. Though Harbarrow was used as a free port by all, the harbormaster knew to whom his loyalty was owed. Once the crew had cast the anchor and the ship was safely moored, Red grasped the rope and slid down to deck, alighting with a slight hop that put him two paces from the gangplank. Jat met him there and the two disembarked. The rest of the crew made busy in securing new provisions and the like, so as to be ready in an instant when the Captain demanded.
"I've had word from the harbormaster," Jat said as they walked into the throng of sailors, traders, and so on, "that the captains be already waitin' for us in the Black Tavern. Off the beaten path, to be sure, but less open to any prying eyes of the Admiral."
"Agreed," Red said and walked on.
"What will you be sayin' to them, Captain?" Jat asked. "That is, if ye don't mind me askin'."
"Why should I mind?" Red asked in return. He pushed a path ahead through the crowds that grew ever thicker. Red did not wear the hat of Foxx, better to blend into the crowd that hustled and bustled in the busy square, and he watched warily for any spies that might be searching for him.
"Ye banter prettily, Captain," Jat grinned, "yet ye have a way of ne'er answering a question with it doesn't suit ye."
"True enough, Jat," Red agreed, "but at the moment I am thinking more of other things than avoiding your question."
"Aye." Jat looked around as they walked. "But I cannot say I see any that look to be of the Admiral's men."
"I would think that if you saw them they would most certainly not look to be of the Admiral's men," Red noted.
"Aye, Captain, I suppose that would be true. Though if you be afraid of that, there's always the Stone."
They turned aside into a darker street, less crowded than before. Filled more with taverns than places of trade it was not yet busy here so early in the day.
"Not without a need greater than that," Red warned. "It's not for idle use, or had you forgot all my father's warnings?"
"Nay, Captain," Jat said, fingering the cool stone hidden around his own next, "just idle talk."
"Understood," Red said, keeping still a close watch on all the faces around. "To answer your other question, Jat, I have thought much of what to say to the captains."
"Aye, Captain?"
"We have spent much effort in the chase of the Admiral as of late," Red said, "of his and his many vessels."
"And on the run they be," Jat interrupted. "We have but to tighten the noose and..."
"How long have we said that?" Red demanded. "For all these years on the Arrow, serving my father's wishes. For the years before on the ship of the old Foxx himself. Always have we been but one step away and always they take one step ahead."
"Then what would ye be havin' us do? Ye swore an oath..."
"Do not presume to lecture me on my duties, First Mate," Red said sternly. "What I have sworn I will accomplish, but in the manner and time of my choosing. My father has passed, and you would best remember who now is command."
"Aye, Captain, forgive me if I've been too bold. We did always much agree, yer father and I, e'en when the two of you will not. I'll not be forgettin' who's the Captain again. But if I may..."
"The map," Red answered. "That is where we shall put our energies. If you wish to see my father's wishes done, that is our path."
Jat frowned. "They'll not be agreein' to that willingly. Bad enough, they'll think it, to be called off the chase even for such a day as this."
"Of that I am most keenly aware, Jat," Red said and they came to the street they had been seeking.
Red looked ahead to to the Black Tavern and saw Howl Matton, captain of the Sea Wolf, standing watch outside the door with his pipe. He nodded when he caught sight of Red Foxx. All was clear. Red and Jat ducked and entered the low door of the tavern and Howl followed. He gestured to one of his own crew who would take over his duties now that the Captain of captains had arrived. Howl led them into the back room, where other of the pirate folk stood as guard from whatever spies or enemies may be about. The tables inside were filled with the captains Red had known almost from childhood. Most had served his father since the days of Red's youth and while none openly questions his inheritance, to accept the word of one much younger would not come easily to all. It was for this reason Grey Foxx had laid some plans so carefully.
"They've arrived," Howl announced to the general din and they turned to face him.
Red Foxx had removed the Captain's Stone upon entering the tavern and wore it now in full view. It was the sign they would expect. Red had not been certain of what reception would await him, for the pirate-folk were nothing if not reluctant to bend themselves to new ways and ideas. It was one thing to know they would follow him because that was the law they lived by, and quite another to know they would obey his will through a trust born of devotion. Red had that in his own crew, but as of yet he did not know how far beyond.
All voices had dropped and eyes turned to size up the Captain. Many had not seen the young Foxx for many a year. The seas were large and often news and orders were passed along through those who a crew did chance to meet.
A voice buried deep in the far corners of the room spoke first.
"Three cheers for Captain Red Foxx!" And all other voices joined the cry.
"May the old Grey Foxx rest in peace," Howl shouted above the rest and he shoved a glass into Red's hands. "And long live Red Foxx, our captain and king!"
Relief broke over Red. If they were all as far drunk as this already so much easier would his own job be. Jat slapped Red on the back, just as glad as he of the warm reception so far, and was more than glad to accept Howl's offer of a particularly large mug of ale.