The Orphans' Promise by Pierre Grimbert

Author:Pierre Grimbert [Pierre Grimbert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
Goodreads: 18100376
Publisher: AmazonCrossing
Published: 2013-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

BOOK IV: DIVINE KNOWLEDGE

The Othenor was a fishing sloop designed for a nine-passenger crew, so the six members of the group had plenty of space. It was also a ship designed for two- or three-day expeditions at most. The architect and the shipowner made little effort to consider passenger comfort, and for their part, the heirs envisioned a voyage of almost a dékade.

The ship had only two cabins: the captain’s quarters, which the men courteously left to Léti and Corenn, and the crew’s quarters, which was furnished with nothing but eight filthy hammocks. A tiny room hiding a bucket acted as the lavatory, and another room that adjoined the cabins filled the roles of dining room, living room, and kitchen all at once.

The hold was reserved for the former owner’s nets and baskets. For the most part it remained empty and would have stored the catch on any usual outing. Lining the hold were barrels of freshwater, salted meats, and a stock of spirits, whose quality Rey tested for the entirety of their crossing. A number of chests fastened to the lower deck held tackle and spare sails.

The heirs bought the vessel through one of Rey’s connections the very day they embarked. The decision was risky, and the possibility of failure high. Lorelia was one of the known-world’s largest harbors though, and Rey was offering to pay in full and on the spot. The heirs eventually stumbled across four vessels that met their criteria and, following Yan’s advice, decided to put their money on the Othenor.

They had made a quick exit from the harbor. The customs officials and royal tax collectors paid little interest to boats exiting the port, and cared much more about the merchant ships over the fishing boats. The Othenor and its passengers sailed past the last Zélanos lighthouse without any trouble in sight.

While the ship may have required a nine-member crew for a fishing outing, it needed far less manpower to navigate and trim the single mast’s sails. Having spent time at sea since childhood, Yan and Léti were savvy enough to sail respectably. Rey tried to lend a helping hand on deck at times, although he couldn’t hide how much he hated it. The others did their best to make themselves useful, at least until they had sailed far enough away from the coast to relax.

It wasn’t until the high spires of Lorelien castles had fallen away from the horizon that the heirs took the time to recount their stories, and they shuddered at the telling. Even after the fact, realizing what great perils they had escaped, a long, cold silence settled over the group. They sympathized with Bowbaq when he shared his disappointment for failing to read the name of the Accuser in the Zü’s mind. Rey counted up all the treasure he had stolen from the Small Palace, an impressive sum that raised eyebrows.

“We’re pirates now!” he announced cheerfully, genuine excitement in his voice.

Bowbaq was sick the entire first day, while Grigán played the part of a watchful pirate.

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