Turning on to his side, he pulled the covers up against him and closed his eyes. As he felt himself slowly slide towards sleep, he heard that insistent whisper begin again.

Nir-akuu …

15

Almer was waiting with his cousin at the dockside when Fleya and Lann came down the wooden walkway. The overweight merchant bowed low when he saw Fleya, who, to Lann’s surprise, held out her hand for the man to press to his lips.

‘Didn’t I tell you she was a beauty?’ Almer said to his cousin as he straightened, receiving only a grunt in response. The merchant’s expression changed to one of seriousness. ‘Fariz has bad news. He is reluctant to sail directly to Stromgard – a number of incidents have befallen vessels on that same journey in the last few weeks.’

‘What sort of incidents?’ Lann asked.

‘Pirates,’ Fariz said, looking at his aunt and speaking for the first time. He was slimmer than Almer, with a muscular build and hard eyes, but the familial connection was clear.

Almer continued. ‘Rather than go directly across the Gulf of Rikkor, he will be skirting the coast—’

‘No. That was not the deal we made,’ Fleya responded, her voice steely.

‘I know, I know. Believe me when I say I am as unhappy about this as you. It hurts Honest Almer to go back on a deal that has been struck, and I would—’

‘Enough,’ Fleya interrupted. Her voice was commanding. ‘My requirements are simple. I need urgent passage to my destination and my nephew and I are not in a position to take a longer trip around the coast.’ She turned to the seaman. ‘Captain Fariz, I understand how, as a good captain, you do not wish to endanger the lives of your crew un-necessarily. But your ship needs repairs, and you need supplies. So here is what I propose. You, Captain Fariz, will get me and my nephew to Stromgard by the fastest route across the gulf. In return I will give you this.’ She held out a small drawstring purse. Opening it, she shook out eight large gold coins. The startled look on the sailor’s face told Lann it was far more than he had anticipated. ‘I’m sure it will adequately compensate both you and your crew for your efforts.’ Placing the coins back into the purse, she made a small movement of her hand and it disappeared. ‘What do you say, Captain? Is the reward worth the risk?’

Fariz bit his lip. ‘It is difficult to spend gold when you are dead.’

‘It is. It is equally hard for me to pay you if I find myself in that same state. I am willing to put my own life in the hands of you and your crew, Captain, and I would like nothing more than to pass that purse and its contents to you when we get to Stromgard.’