Feist, Raymond E - Riftwar Cycle 09 - The King's Buccaneer by Feist Raymond E

Author:Feist, Raymond E [Feist, Raymond E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0586203222
Publisher: Collins
Published: 2008-11-29T05:00:00+00:00

Brisa let out a groan of aggravation. ‘Who called it becalmed!’ Glancing at her companions, she said, ‘The noise is making me crazy!’

Nicholas shared a sympathetic glance with Harry. They understood how the girl felt. Within minutes of the magic that stole their wind, they all became aware of the thousand sounds they’d never noticed before. In a brisk wind, the sound of the bow cutting the water, the hum of ropes, and the noise of men going about their business were the only noticeable sounds.

Now the ropes hung loosely from the spars and canvas limply from the yards. The ship rocked lazily with the rise and fall of ground swells. The hull groaned as planks and timbers shifted and flexed. A hundred blocks and pulleys swung on loose ropes, cracking into masts or each other, setting up a clatter that was constant. Planks creaked, hinges squealed, and always there was the distant sound of the surf upon the shore.

The rowers had pulled the ship nearly five miles, with no relief. Nakor had decided the spell was moving with the ship and was at a loss as to how to counter it. ‘It’s a very good trick,’ was all he would say on the matter.

For the rest of the day they had watched in frustration as the black ship sailed off. Amos had ordered the crews in the longboat relieved, and the ship was now drifting on the current as those in the boat rowed back to the ship to turn it over to their replacements. He swore and paced the quarterdeck, then left to join Nicholas and the others on the bow. ‘Is there anything you can do?’ he asked Nakor.

The little man shrugged and said, ‘Maybe, if I think about it long enough. Maybe not. It’s hard to say.’

Anthony said, ‘There’s a spell I’ve studied, but never used: a weather control incantation. But it may not work.

Amos fixed him with a baleful eye. ‘And what else?’

‘It’s dangerous.’

Nakor said, ‘Doing tricks you don’t know how to do is always dangerous.’

Amos scratched his beard. ‘What’s your guess about this spell we’re trapped in?’

Anthony said, ‘It’s the same sort of magic -’

‘Trick,’ interrupted Nakor.

‘ - that I’m proposing to try. If we do nothing, it will linger for at least another day, perhaps longer. If the magician who cast it is especially gifted or learned, it could last as long as a week.’

Amos swore, then said, ‘What other choice do we have?’

Nicholas said, ‘If we can get to that ship before they dock or not long after, we stand some hope of finding the prisoners. But if they reach port more than a few days ahead of us, it might be impossible to find them.’

Amos didn’t look pleased, but he nodded agreement. He said to Anthony, ‘Do you need anything special?’

Anthony said, ‘Just all the luck you can muster.’

Amos snouted, ‘I want all hands on deck, Mr Rhodes.’

When the crew was mustered, Amos addressed them from the foredeck. ‘Men, we’re going to try to break this spell that becalms us.

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