Meliu by L. James Rice

Author:L. James Rice [Rice, L. James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L. James Rice

Raised near a spine of mountains in a mining camp didn’t prepare Meliu for the creaking scramble of boards some fishermen called boats, nor what variety of filth captained them. Reputable vessels were full or suspicious of strangers, in truth most were gone already, and the tubs which remained wreaked of profiteering. Several larger ships, and a dozen square-sailed raiders, bobbed in the open waters of the bay, clear of the peninsula of ice, but they were Choerkin controlled. She considered tracking down Eredin and flirting their way aboard a skiff to one of these ships, but then if those same ships went into battle?

Better to die dry.

She plied her and Deelee’s tale to sailor after sailor, with no small number of whimpers and tears from the girl, but unless her tears were gold Meliu figured not a one would pay their sorrow no mind. One woman spat in her face when she offered a hundred songs for passage, but most turned their backs with a snort and dismissive wave. If she threw on her priestess’ robes might buy a favor, but just as likely they’d squeeze her for every song she had or thought she had. Prayers and wealth were what priests were known for here on the docks.

Meliu set eyes on a three-masted ship, also bristling with a bank of oars, mooring at the furthest western dock. It was a breath of hope until she noted the swarm of souls as desperate as they were waiting on the dock already. More would follow swift as swallows. “Hurry.”

Deelee’s feet carried her faster than her short legs would suggest, but everyone always underestimated Meliu too. A man’s voice rang out as they approached: “We’ve space and supplies for a hundred, and that’s piling the mule’s back! A hundred, no more! A short trip to the Watch, and we’ll be back to load as many as we’re able.” Sailors lined the rails of the ship, each armed with an axe, cutlass, or bow. “We keep it tidy, the cap’n points to you, you board. Any other catches an arrow!”

Pleading shouts and angry curses answered, but no bowstrings sang. People were filing aboard by the time they reached the line. Meliu’s heart beat and it was hard as hell to keep her feet still. There were more than a hundred in front of them, but while the Captain fingered men, he weighted boarding toward women and children; if they’d arrived quicker, they’d be on deck. Damn every moment I spent haggling. I’m two steps behind.

They jostled and bounced as folks pressed in from the rear. Meliu lifted Deelee onto her shoulders. “Count.” And she figured it didn’t hurt to raise a youngster to the Captain’s eyes.

“Ten already on deck… maybe? Close.”

“Keep counting.”

“Seventeen. Twenty-five.”

Meliu’s knees buckled when kneed from behind, and she stumbled, but kept the girl aloft.

“Thirty-seven, now forty?”

Meliu nudged a dozen steps closer, close enough she caught glances of the Captain through gaps in the crowd. Clean shaven, broad shouldered, and ordinary as any man except for his broad-brimmed hat and authoritative stare.

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