The Chronicles of Crallick by Brad C. Baker

Author:Brad C. Baker [Baker, Brad C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wallace Publishing
Published: 2017-11-15T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Knights of the Cairn avenged their fallen brethren

Slaying thousands of foes and the water drake too.

With heroics, they'd be proud to tell their children,

With their dwindling forces, many a foe they slew.”

Verse 10: Ballad of Ser Crallick Carnage-born

Pulling alongside the Flamerunner at the edge of the thicket of ships in Jamtown’s harbor was a tricky prospect. Even though it was a naturally sheltered bay, there was much in the way of navigation that needed to be done. Also, the tide was wrong for the current to be cooperative. Eventually, the task was completed without mishap. The landing party and launch were brought aboard and the stunned crew were confronted by a stunningly beautiful, barely attired ephemeron woman.

“Ahem,” Vlados cleared his throat. “Crallick, is there something we need to discuss?”

“Oh, I’m sure there is,” Crallick pined. “In your quarters.”

“I’d say…” Vlados began, but then was swiftly interrupted by the righteous ranting of Wanda.

“By the goddess’s benevolence! Why in the serene grotto is there a naked woman on the ship?” Her piercing eyes swiftly found Crallick. “You know about this?! What were you thinking? You were supposed to go there for information, nothing more!”

She would have continued, except Vlados stepped in front of her and said quietly, “Hush. Not here. My quarters. Now.”

Heeding his advice, she turned and stormed off to Vlados’s cabin. Before following, Vlados turned to Crallick and sighed. “Good luck mate,” was all he could muster.

“You’re telling me,” Crallick muttered. As he led his slave to follow Vlados, he overheard the gossip swiftly running the ranks of the crew. He knew by the time he was done with Vlados and Wanda, even those off watch would know of the sultry slave girl.

Upon entering Vlados’s cabin, Crallick was again set upon by Wanda. Vlados had to sit her down in a chair and admonish her that if she never gave Crallick a chance to speak, she would never get to the truth.

With a reluctant “Fine, speak!” she crossed her arms over her breast and sat in judgement over Crallick.

‘Of all the sanctimonious shite,’ Crallick thought. He shook his head.

Vlados broke the increasingly awkward silence. “Crallick, what is this?” he gestured at the girl hiding behind Crallick’s shoulder.

“It’s a woman, Vlados. That is plain to see,” Crallick sarcastically chided.

“Of course it is. She’s not wearing anything to disguise that, is she?” Wanda scathed.

“Give it a rest!” Crallick snapped.

“Just tell us what happened,” Vlados soothed in his best bartending voice. And, not knowing what else to do, he pulled out his personal bottle of rum, three glasses, and began to pour.

“Look,” Crallick began. “I just had to go wandering through a disgusting flesh market, pretending that I had an interest in owning a slave. After making a scene with the help of Jetten, I managed to get onto the right track. I was introduced to some Vitani who fancied himself, called Mr. Dazzle.”

Wanda scoffed at this. Vlados rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Crallick agreed. “Anyways, Mr. Dazzle says that he’s

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