James Wyatt - In the Claws of the Tiger

“I know the feeling,” Dania muttered.

Janik looked at her for the first time. “What do you mean?”

Dania sank down to the floor beside Janik. “The first time we encountered Krael in Atur,” she said slowly, “we were talking, exchanging barbs like we did here last night. But closer, face-to-face-the point of my sword was at his neck, even. I didn’t know yet that he was a vampire. And then the next thing I knew, he was in my head, his voice right in my mind, commanding me-and I couldn’t resist. He made me attack Gered, made me stand by while he drank Gered’s blood. He wanted me to watch my friend die. If Kophran had not returned when he did …”

“You didn’t mention that before,” Janik said quietly.

“Can you blame me? It still hurts to admit it-that I stood by helplessly while my friend nearly died. I know it wasn’t my fault, but …” She shrugged. “Well, I have no intention of doing that again, standing by while a friend dies.”

They sat in silence for a moment, then heard the heavy tramp of feet along the dock that signaled the arrival of the wharf guard. Janik jumped to his feet, and offered a hand to Dania.

“Thanks,” Dania said softly, squeezing his hand before letting it go. She walked toward the cabin door as the sound of feet came up the gangplank and onto the deck. “In here,” she said, and the guard captain came in. A gnome, he had no need to duck through the doorway, and he strode over to Nashan’s body. Two human guards stood outside the doorway, craning their necks to peer in.

“What happened here?” the gnome said, and Janik gave him a quick summary, finishing by handing over the captain’s log. He gave the gnome a description of Krael, though he had little hope of the wharf guard finding the vampire or having the strength to overcome him. An hour later, they were allowed to leave.

“Well,” Janik said, “now it’s even more important that we get underway as soon as possible. Krael is unlikely to stick around for long with that mess in his wake.”

“Let’s find Breddan,” Dania said. “Where’s this wreck of a ship you told us about?”

“Just up there,” Janik said, pointing vaguely ahead. “Unless Krael has sabotaged her.”

“Don’t even joke about it,” Mathas muttered. “I wouldn’t be surprised at this point.”

They quickened their pace and reached Breddan’s ship, Silverknife . To Janik’s relief, the ship was crawling with sailors and shipwrights making repairs, and he quickly spotted Breddan on the poop deck.

“Janik! Dania!” Breddan called out. “Come aboard!” He jumped down to the main deck and met them at the top of the gangplank.

Janik was impressed. The money he had given Breddan had clearly been put to good use. Silverknife looked worlds better than the last time he’d seen her. More than that, Breddan looked better. When they had first met, the hobgoblin seemed awkward and a little slow. Now he was sprightly and agile. Janik wasn’t sure whether the money had put the spring back in Breddan’s step, or whether he was simply more at home on the deck of his ship than he was on land. Perhaps both factors were at work, but the improved appearance of the ship and her captain made Janik feel much better about his chances for success on this journey.

“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?” Breddan said with a small bow.

“You’ve done a fine job fixing up the ship,” Janik said.

“Thank you. I am proud of my ship, and proud to be able to maintain him as he deserves.”

It took Janik a moment to remember that ships were masculine in the goblin tongue. He smiled, casting his eyes on Silverknife again, imagining her as a hulking male bugbear.

Dania hadn’t missed a beat.

“You haven’t met our other companions,” she said. “This is Mathas”-the elf bowed-“and Auftane.” Auftane extended his hand with a wide smile, and Breddan shook it.

“Welcome aboard my vessel. I hope you find him comfortable on your journey.”

“Breddan,” Janik said, “about that journey. You said you’d be ready to leave in two more days, right?”

“The day after tomorrow, yes.” Breddan looked a little nervous, anticipating Janik’s next question. “That was our agreement.”

“What are the chances we could leave earlier? Any earlier. Tomorrow if we have to, or even today? The ship looks great, we’ve got supplies packed and ready to be loaded, and we can help with anything more that needs to be done.”

“Is there trouble?”

“No. No, it’s not like that. Well, not exactly. See, we need to get where we’re going before a rival of ours does. We just learned he has arrived in Stormreach, and he’s not likely to stay long. We want to make sure we set sail before he does and lessen his chances of getting there before us.”

“Hmm.” Breddan did not look happy at this, and he stroked his stringy beard for a moment. “Let me ask my boatswain. Make yourselves at home.” He hurried toward the aft ladder and disappeared into the hold.

Janik looked around. Not seeing any place where he could get comfortable, he stayed on his feet. Mathas sank into a kneeling position, resting his hands on his knees and closing his eyes. Dania leaned against the bulwark behind her, and Auftane stood beside Janik, shifting uncomfortably.

“What do you make of that?” the dwarf asked Janik. “Is he up to something?”

“No,” Dania and Mathas said at once. Mathas did not open his eyes.

“I trust Breddan completely,” Dania said. “He’s got a good heart, and he wants to be treated right. He knows that if he wants fair treatment, he’s got to give it.”

Auftane nodded. “Mathas, what’s your explanation?”

Janik laughed. “You have to understand Mathas,” he said. “He can read volumes from the way someone holds his hands while he talks.”

“At the risk of perpetuating this endless joke, which Janik seems to enjoy so much,” Mathas said, opening his eyes long enough to give Janik a sidelong glare, “when Breddan was not speaking, his eyes were flicking around the ship. They came to rest on each item still needing attention. He was checking off a list of things to do and worrying that he might not be able to get them done in time, even for our original departure time.”

Auftane nodded. “Makes sense to me.” He held his hands behind his back and rocked on the balls of his feet.

A moment later, Breddan returned from the hold, and Mathas rose smoothly to his feet. The hobgoblin was shaking his head, which they all could read as a bad sign.

“To be blunt,” Breddan said, “one week was a hopeful estimate. I think we can still set sail the day after tomorrow, but we will still be making repairs during our first few days of travel. I cannot imagine leaving any earlier than that.” Janik scowled, but said nothing. “There is one thing I wonder about,” Breddan continued. “This rival of yours-is he a very large man with long blond hair?”

“Krael,” Janik said. “Have you seen him?”

“My boatswain tells me that he was here last night, making inquiries about our work. I was not aboard, or I would have sent him on his way.”

“So he knows we’re taking this ship,” Dania said. “Breddan, you are in danger.”

“Cavaan said he seemed dangerous,” Breddan said, stroking his beard.

“He is dangerous,” Dania said. “He’s a vampire. Breddan, listen-we just saw the ship he took from Sharn to get here. He killed every man aboard, the captain last of all. Krael is extremely dangerous.”

Breddan’s eyes were wide, and he fixed them on Dania. “Why don’t you destroy him? Isn’t that the call of the paladin?”

“If an opportunity arises to destroy Krael, be assured that I will take it,” Dania said. “But I know his power, and he is surrounded by many allies. To attack him in his strength would be suicidal, and the Silver Flame calls no one to useless death.”