Legacy of Blood by Michael Ford

Author:Michael Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Published: 2009-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

Dawn came as a surprise, with light peeping through the oar-holes. They were all rowing in a daze, with great heaving breaths, heads lolling on their necks.

‘All rest!’ said Moskos.

As one, the crew drew up their oars, then fell across them with a mighty groan.

‘That felt like the thirteenth labour of Herakles,’ said Drako, gasping.

Lysander was too weak to laugh, but after resting for a few moments, he felt strong enough to stand. He joined the queue heading topside.

After the stench of sweat and vomit, the fresh air tasted divine, and Lysander went to the edge of the deck and sucked in deep lungfuls. The sea had calmed down, and the blue expanse spread all the way to the horizon. A steady wind was blowing, and one of Moskos’ men was halfway up the mast, untying the sail. After it was unfurled, two marines pulled on ropes and it spread open like a seabird extending its wings. The ship lurched into motion.

‘Eurus, God of the eastern winds, is with us,’ cried Moskos.

Lysander looked at his palms. They were smeared with blood and the skin was broken. New blisters had formed beneath the ones that had burst.

‘Get some saltwater on those,’ said one of the marines, tying off the sail. ‘You’ll get used to it soon enough.’

Phemus hobbled out on to the deck, and Lysander joined the crowd of boys around him. Aside from his charred hair, he seemed in good spirits.

‘You had us worried,’ said Lysander. ‘Not many live whom Zeus strikes with his bolt.’

‘My family make their sacrifices regularly,’ said Phemus. ‘The King of the Gods should have nothing against me.’

Orpheus smiled. ‘Did it hurt?’

‘I don’t remember anything about it. Just waking up on board this ship.’ Phemus shifted slightly and grimaced. ‘It hurts now though!’

‘At least you’re spared the rowing,’ said Lysander.

‘One of Moskos’ marines is teaching me how to navigate,’ said Phemus. ‘It’s all to do with the stars, and the sun.’

Bread was passed around – stale and rock hard – with dried fish that smelled worse than it tasted. Lysander had to moisten the bread with water before he could even swallow it.

‘Come over here,’ shouted Demaratos. ‘Look at these!’

He was standing at the deck-rail, pointing at the ocean. Lysander rushed over, to see something smooth as polished metal break the surface of the water. An animal with a long nose. Lysander’s heart jumped. He leant over as another split the water, easily keeping pace with the ship.

Other boys crowded around, as the creatures multiplied. There were five, ten, fifteen of them, cutting through the waves.

‘What are they?’ said Prokles. ‘Are they nymphs?’

One of the marines bent over laughing.

‘They’re dolphins, you imbeciles! We seamen say they’re a good omen for fair sailing.’

‘They’re beautiful,’ said Orpheus, without shame. Lysander marvelled at the way their glistening bodies scythed the waves.

The dolphins stayed with them for much of the morning, then disappeared as quickly as they’d arrived, melting into the water. Lysander hoped that wasn’t an omen too.

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