11
Aboard The Wasp

Eryn had done well. Understandably amazed and disturbed by Tor’s story, she had vowed never to share a word of it with anyone. After a slow, final helping of Tor’s body, she left to find the captain of The Wasp. Tor did not know what passed between Eryn and Blackhand that day but he was at the Caradoon docks by mid-afternoon, hugging her farewell. She had procured for him a tiny but secure cabin on board The Wasp which was bound for the Exotic Isles.

‘How to thank you, Eryn,’ he said, wishing he did not have to say goodbye to this lovely woman again so soon.

‘Just keep safe, Tor. Come back and find your Alyssa. You deserve to be together.’

He tried to lighten her sombre mood. ‘Ah…and I thought you were hoping I’d stay safe so I could come back to you.’ He found his very best smile and used it.

‘Your heart belonged to her first, and…’ she added, very sadly now as she looked at her boots, ‘I suspect it always will.’

A young lad scampered up to them, a seasoned member of the crew by the look of his badly windburned face. ‘Captain Blackhand is anxious to set sail, sir. You will have to come aboard now.’ He did not wait for a reply.

‘Please, Eryn, cheer up. I can’t leave you so maudlin.’

‘I’ll be fine,’ she said, mustering a smile. ‘Last night was lovely. I’m glad you stayed.’

‘Er…you won’t be mentioning it to your husband, will you?’ he said, feigning anxiety and at this she did manage a genuine grin.

‘Just another paying guest, Tor. No one will be any the wiser. By the way, there’s a surprise on board from me.’

He looked at her quizzically but there was no more time. Someone whistled loudly from the deck which meant they were serious about departing. Tor could linger no longer so he kissed her lips, squeezed her hand and walked up the gangplank.

The pirate known as The Black Hand had won his curious nom de guerre as a result of the forty-three withered hands tied to the main mast of his ship, The Wasp. These were his prizes from the men and two women whom he felt had slighted him seriously enough to lose this precious part of their body. He proudly showcased his spoils to Tor, precisely recalling which hand had belonged to whom and why they lost it. Captain Blackhand, as he had come to be known, used this treasure as a ghoulish reminder to all who sailed with him, and especially those who did not, that he was a man to be reckoned with.

Almost as tall as Tor and twice as broad, he was an imposing figure, loud of voice with a mouth filled with yellowed teeth and bleeding gums. His breath stank so his crew gave him a wide berth whenever they could. He knew this and used his ailment to intimidate them further. Tor weaved a silent spell to counter the stench and Captain Blackhand was surprised when his new ‘guest’, as he called him, did not recoil the moment he stepped within a foot of him.

The same boy sailor who had called Tor for departure came to his cabin with a terse message from Blackhand.

‘Captain hopes you’ll take supper with him tonight, sir,’ was all he said before disappearing hurriedly.

Well, I simply can’t wait for that treat, Tor thought, as he imagined the bleeding mouth of the captain leering at him across the table.

He looked around the airless cabin, wondering what the surprise from Eryn could be. She had done more than enough for him already. Her disquiet at his tale had left them both silent towards morning. She had not doubted any of what he had told her, but he had carefully crafted the story. It would do her no good to know of his sentient abilities and so he had been careful to leave out anything which would be inexplicable without the magical component. And she knew nothing of his public execution. Miss Vylet, Eryn’s source of information, had died before it occurred and Tor was glad that news of the famous physic’s death had not reached as far north as Caradoon.

To Eryn’s ears, it was a tragic tale of love lost, found and brutally taken away again. It appealed to her romantic soul and she drank in his words like sweet wine. He did not like hiding the truth from her but knew that it would not help her to know the full extent of his history. It might even harm her.

Eryn, he realised, lived in a cocoon. All trade was carried out off shore; the pirates never brought home their spoils, only the proceeds of them. The revenue was ploughed straight back into Caradoon’s economy and, with good arable soil surrounding most of it, the pirate town was able to function virtually autonomously from the rest of the Kingdom. Tor had wondered how this could occur, but as Eryn had explained, why scratch at what does not itch. It had taken him a moment to work out her odd logic but then he realised that Tal probably found it more convenient to observe from a distance. Caradoon operated as a very tiny separate duchy might, and providing its dubious population and their ways did not seep further south, why try to police this northern state from such a great distance?

‘But what of the slaves?’ Tor had asked. ‘From where are they sourced?’

Eryn had shrugged. ‘Well, not from here and hardly from Tallinor. Most come from the fragmented, tiny islands of the south west which are, as I understand it, linked by shallow waterways. Janus says they are nomadic people who live by moving between these islands. They are not aggressive, which makes them easy to capture.’

A knock on the cabin door interrupted Tor’s thoughts.

‘Come in,’ he called, turning.

A rangy lad stepped into the room. He was of middling height, around thirteen summers, with a thatch of unruly dark hair.

He grinned broadly. ‘Remember me?’

Tor looked puzzled. ‘I can’t say I do,’ he said, after a pause.

Green eyes regarded him with mirth. ‘A ship on fire…a brothel…three dukes and—’

‘Locky!’ Tor exclaimed. ‘Light, boy, look at you.’

Eryn’s cocky brother showed off his best profile. ‘Handsome, eh?’

‘And modest,’ Tor added, before grabbing the boy’s hand. ‘It’s good to see you, Locky. Eryn has told me so much about you.’

The boy smirked. ‘I’m surprised she found the time,’ he said, eyebrows arching.

Tor had forgotten how direct the small child of eight had been. The boy of thirteen had not lost the smart mouth; he was simply taller. But Tor was taller still and he used this now to good effect.

‘Being disrespectful towards your sister is rather ignoble of you, considering that it is her wealth—no matter how she has earned it—which has allowed you to look forward to being an educated man with choices.’

It was a rare occasion when Locky Gylbyt was speechless. But he was now.

Tor had not finished; he surprised himself at how angry he sounded. ‘Furthermore, she is an exceptional woman with more sophistication and intelligence than you would find in all the whorehouses of Tallinor put together. Honour her, Locky, for she is worth every ounce of your respect.’

That hurt the boy, Tor could tell. He knew deep down that Locky was simply being witty but he was not in the mood for it. Seeing Eryn again had reminded him of how much pleasure a woman could bring to a man’s life. The physical benefit was obvious, but he could not remember a time since those early halcyon days in the Heartwood, newly married and deeply in love with Alyssa, when he had enjoyed such companionship. His friendship with Cloot was something else—they had shared their bodies more intimately than anyone could imagine possible—but to hold a woman close, to laugh with her, to hear her thoughts and to love her…it was as though one had glimpsed the paradise of the gods.

And now, as he accepted the uncomfortable fact of sailing with Blackhand for at least an Eighthday on a long and tedious voyage to who knows what, and suffering the cramped and stifling conditions of this cabin…well, Locky just happened to be a convenient target for Tor’s bad temper that afternoon.

‘Tor, I’m sorry, I…I didn’t mean to—’

‘I know you didn’t. It’s all right. Don’t dwell on it, just try and remember—when you are insulting someone, be sure they really deserve it.’

‘I will. Again, my apologies.’

Tor watched him close the door quietly and instantly regretted the incident. He would have to make it up to Locky later. He knew his heavy handling was an over-reaction; he was worried about Cloot and concerned at how Alyssa would react to the news of Goth being alive. He was anxious that in chasing down Janus Quist, he may have let his real enemy slip through his fingers. Where would Goth run to? Tor asked himself over and again. Would he stay with Xantia? The questions tumbled around until he could stand it no longer and decided to head out onto the deck.

There he found Blackhand’s second mate speaking to the crew. The Wasp’s sails were being swelled by a handy late afternoon wind, which ensured that she cut swiftly through the narrow pass and out into the open sea. Tor leaned against the rail and half listened to the mate briefing the men. The Wasp’s first stop would be a rendezvous with Blackhand’s first mate at one of the uncharted islands of the Trefel archipelago. Here slaves would be boarded before they made for Cipres, the capital of the Exotic Isles.

Tor had vaguely heard of Cipres, an immensely wealthy city ruled by a Queen Sylven. Merkhud had once told him that it was rumoured she kept a harem of men to ‘service her needs’. Tor remembered how they had both smirked at the thought of it. Nevertheless, Cipres was a powerful city within a powerful nation run by a powerful woman. It demanded respect, even though it was involved in only minor trade with Tallinor.

‘There’s talk of storms coming through,’ the deputy finished. ‘We must be especially alert.’

The ship’s boy, Ryk, who had summoned Tor aboard earlier, sidled up to him.

‘This is our last sailing for the season, sir,’ he offered.

‘Is that right?’ Tor replied, turning around to look at the lad.

‘Captain Blackhand agreed to one more run, even though the weather’s contrary, sir, and he doesn’t like to argue with it.’

‘Are the slaves so important that he would chance an argument with the skies, young Ryk?’

‘Oh, it’s not the slaves, sir. It’s the guests. Madame Eryna paid handsomely for your carriage and we have another special guest on board. I overheard Captain Blackhand saying this man paid enough coin to make anything else we bring on board cold profit, sir.’

Ryk’s eyes widened as he realised he may have shared too much and Tor, keen not to frighten the lad, for he could be useful during the voyage, quickly turned his attention away from talk of money.

‘And this other guest—will I meet him tonight at dinner?

‘Oh no, sir. He is not to be disturbed for the whole voyage.’ Ryk swelled up with importance. ‘I am personally responsible for his needs, sir,’ he added.

‘I see. That’s an important job you have there, Ryk. And he must be very important to warrant your undivided attention.’

Ryk beamed at the compliment. ‘Oh yes, sir, he is. He is a holy man and very wealthy.’

‘Well, if your priest gets lonely for conversation, I shall be more than happy to discuss the argumentative weather with him during the voyage.’

Ryk grinned. ‘I shall mention it, Physic Petersyn, when I am next in his cabin.’

Tor realised Eryn had kept his true identity a secret and he thanked his stars once more that she was so quick. Not promoting his real name was extremely wise. One never knew who might be eavesdropping on the Link, he reminded himself, recalling Merkhud’s regular grave warnings to be cautious in the use of it while teaching Tor how to shield his mind effectively against outside probing.

The first few days of the voyage were uneventful. The wind had calmed to a light breeze so progress was slow; far slower than Blackhand liked and Tor noticed the captain’s good humour draining away during their evening meals. These dinners were tedious but the pirate insisted on Tor’s presence. Tor had to sit through hours of Blackhand regaling him with tales of his most prosperous voyages, when he had successfully pirated another ship or filled the bowels of The Wasp to overflowing with the Moruk slaves.

‘Who cares if half of them died?’ he would slur between sips of his strong liquor. ‘The live ones fetch a high price in Cipres.’

Tor found the conversation boring and the company offensive. He longed for dry land and the opportunity to do something positive towards finding Cloot. The only moments of the voyage he enjoyed were those spent with Ryk or Locky. Between running errands for Captain Blackhand and the mysterious priest, Ryk was kept very busy, though he always managed to find stolen minutes to talk with Tor, who sensed the boy had something of a crush on him. He could see the awe written on the lad’s face. Locky, he discovered, was working his passage to the Exotic Isles but was on fairly light duties because of his connection to Quist.

‘Blackhand won’t risk giving me anything which might cause him trouble with Janus,’ Locky explained.

‘Is everyone so scared of him?’

‘He is the most successful of the Caradoon pirates and that means they respect him. He’s also known for playing fair. When he pirates, he takes only half the ship’s cargo and no blood is shed, unless the other ship’s crew puts up a physical fight. He quite likes it if they run though. Quist loves the chase, you see, but he isn’t partial to the kill.’

‘And by taking only half, the victims give it willingly?’ Tor said.

‘Yes. Because they know he won’t kill for the sake of it, it’s all quite gentlemanly and amicable. That means he loses no men, it all takes a lot less time and he can profiteer from the captured goods more quickly.’

‘He’s clever,’ said Tor, impressed.

‘He is indeed. I’m sure Eryn told you about how he does not get involved with the slave trade, but his network of listeners, as he calls them, are so adept that he knows every ship and its goods even before it leaves its port. He never misses; every voyage is profitable. He also pays his crew well and looks after them properly, which makes a huge difference to their performance. None of the other pirates seem to understand this,’ Locky continued, a look of distaste on his face. ‘Take Blackhand, for example. He rules with fear and if he doesn’t like the way someone looks at him, he’ll chop off their hand. Light, he’s so thick-skulled! One day someone will finish him off. For now, his crew is made up of the scum of Caradoon; they’re the only men who will take their chance with him.’

Tor picked up the thread, thinking aloud. ‘Yes, this crew is slovenly and ineffective most of the time. The food is woeful and I’ve noticed that the ship is not in good repair.’

‘You’re right. Pray we aren’t hit by a storm because, in honesty, I’m not sure The Wasp is up to it.’

‘I heard this was the last sailing this season. I presume Blackhand will spend the winter in port and fix up the ship?’

‘Yes, but I’ve heard from the men that he should be doing it now, except his avarice ensures poor judgement. You know he’s risking this one last voyage because of you and that creepy priest on board. Apparently the priest has paid a fortune for passage.’

‘Who is he?’

‘No idea. I haven’t even so much as glimpsed him. It’s all very secretive. Even Ryk, who would normally blab everything, is terrified into silence.’

‘Ryk tells me the man has some sort of physical affliction but will not divulge anything further.’

‘Well, that’s the story but I think that’s all it is. Perhaps he’s fleeing something and needs to hide his identity.’

‘Hmmm, interesting.’ Tor determined to find some way of making contact with the elusive stranger. At least conversation with someone new would be a means of passing the time and would take his mind off his incapacity for action whilst aboard the ship.

‘Tell me,’ he said, switching the subject, ‘why are you on board anyway?’

‘Oh, didn’t Eryn tell you?’

Tor shook his head.

‘Well, she thought it unlikely that Janus would trust you. He doesn’t trust anyone, to be honest, except Eryn. And no matter how much you tried to convince him, he wouldn’t have acknowledged you or your story. Eryn figured that if I came along to vouch for you, Janus would pay attention. You could say that I’m your security,’ Locky said, falling back on his cocky nature.

Tor was relieved to see it had not deserted him. ‘Your clever sister thinks of everything,’ he said, impressed once again by the diminutive girl who had picked him for her King of the Sea when life had been more simple and he had had everything to look forward to.

‘Look, I really am sorry about what I said the other day. I love Eryn. If it wasn’t for her I—’

Tor squeezed Locky’s shoulder. The gesture was enough. It told Locky that no more needed to be said on the subject.

Tor had lost all curiosity about the other guest by the fourth day at sea. The rolling of the waves had given him a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach and he had decided he was no sailor. But when the cry went up from the crow’s nest, he forgot all about his churning belly.

‘Weather coming in from the west!’ the lookout shouted and the crew jumped into action.

Tor looked towards the angry, purple clouds ahead. Heavy rain threatened. It reminded him of the day when Merkhud had arrived at his parents’ house in Flat Meadows. The skies had been a similar colour that evening, and what a great storm had hit, lashing the region with heavy rains and winds.

So much had happened since that night when the Royal Physic had asked Tor to become his apprentice at the palace in Tal. That same night he had shared with Merkhud the image of the three magical orbs, their iridescent colours weaving and circling around and between his fingers. Tor had watched the colour drain from the old man’s cheeks when he saw the orbs. The Stones of Ordolt, he had called them.

Tor wondered about the orbs now as he stared at the threatening skies. He had given the three Stones to Sorrel in those desperate last seconds in the Heartwood when his beautiful children were taken from him. It had been all he could think of to give them and somehow he had felt that the Stones might keep the three of them, Gidyon, Lauryn and Sorrel, safe as they fled. The orbs were his only link with his secret past and he hoped they would be his children’s link to their true parents.

His instincts had been correct. He had learned from the Writings of Nanak that the Stones were deeply enchanted. They derived from the three flowers which the infant god Orlac had been holding when he was stolen from The Glade. Tor had also learned that the mysterious phenomenon of The Glade was known to the gods by another name: Ordolt. In the passing through the portals, between worlds, the three flowers had shrivelled and dried to hard stones, the Stones of Ordolt. These three magical orbs had found their way to Tor’s adopted parents and had been kept safely by them until he was of an age to receive them.

What were they for? Tor asked himself now. What power would they wield in this baffling quest?

A burly sailor interrupted his thoughts. ‘Better go below, sir. She’s going to burst any moment,’ he said, pointing to the bruised-looking clouds which were almost directly above them now.

Tor nodded and headed below, thoughts of the orbs once again put into a safe place in his mind to be pondered on another time.

Tor spent an uncomfortable night in his cabin whilst rolling seas and rain lashed The Wasp. The two days following were mild, but Tor was warned not to be fooled by the calmer weather. Blackhand had ordered running repairs on the ship but neither Tor nor Locky believed much would be achieved. In fact, Tor now agreed with Eryn’s brother that if a big wave hit or the storm re-presented itself, The Wasp would surely founder.

‘How many more days until we reach the Trefel archipelago?’ he asked Ryk, who was sharing a few minutes on deck.

‘Captain says we’ve lost some time but we should make the rendezvous point in two more nights.’

‘That’s good, we’re not so far behind the original schedule then.’

‘No, sir,’ Ryk agreed. ‘I have enjoyed you being on board, Physic Petersyn, and hope one day to serve you again.’

Tor smiled at the lad, whom he guessed to be around eleven, possibly twelve summers. He was so slight and had a nervous disposition yet when they relaxed and chatted over trivia like this, Ryk became fluent and charming. It must be Blackhand, Tor decided, who made the boy so jittery.

‘Do you imagine yourself being a sailor when you’re grown up, Ryk?’

‘No, sir, I have always dreamed of being a great chef.’

Tor checked the laugh which formed in his throat as he realised that the wistful look on Ryk’s face was real.

‘But that’s wonderful, Ryk. Tell me more.’

‘All the men in my family have been chefs, Physic Petersyn. It is rumoured that my great-great-great-grandfather, Orr Savyl, once cooked in the old palace for the King.’

Tor was impressed. ‘Indeed? So how is it that his great-great-great-grandchild is now working for a pirate?’

Ryk sighed. ‘Our family has fallen on hard times, sir. Two of my eldest brothers died, as did my sister and mother, from the green fever. My father was left with three baby girls—triplets—and myself to run his dining room at Ildagarth.’

‘Your family is from Ildagarth? Well, I never—I visited that city once. It is very beautiful, even in its ruin.’

‘That it is, sir. My father ran the most famous of dining halls, called The Tapestry, which was his special way of noting the work which came out of Ildagarth’s famous looms.’

‘So what happened, Ryk?’

‘Hard times, as I said, sir. With all the older children dying and my mother gone, my father could no longer work the kitchen. To be honest, sir, I don’t think his heart was in it any longer,’ the lad said, his eyes a little misty. ‘My mother was a fine cook herself and she was a wonderful person too. I think his heart broke and he no longer felt the love for his food.’

Tor put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. ‘And so you had to find work, is that it?’

‘My father turned to the drink, sir, and there were baby sisters to feed. All my earnings go back to them. My mother’s sister cares for them as best she can, but it’s a poor life for my pretty girls. You know, sir, one day I will be a famous chef like my father, and his father before him. And my sisters will wear beautiful silks and dance with princes.’

Tor could hardly believe this sad little story from the boy squatting next to him.

‘And can you cook, Ryk?’

‘Of course I can but no one on board knows,’ he answered. ‘I was my father’s right-hand man in the kitchen. My mother said no child of hers had ever learned the trade as fast. I learned his recipes and, although I am young, sir, I can recall them in their detail. I knew from seven summers how to run a kitchen.’

‘And how old are you now, may I ask?’

‘I am twelve, sir.’

‘Well, Ryk, if I can ever help you make that dream come true, I promise you I will.’

‘Thank you,’ the boy said, his eyes shining. ‘You are very good to me.’

Ryk heard his name being bellowed by the second mate. ‘Back to the scullery for me, sir. It’s hare tonight and a pea soup to start.’

Tor dreaded the thought of eating hare after his experience with Cloot. ‘I wish it was by your hand, Ryk.’

The boy grinned. ‘Yes, Therd is too heavy-handed with the seasoning, sir. One day, Physic Petersyn, I shall cook you a grand meal.’

He scampered away, terrified of the captain finding out he was a moment late for his chores.

Tor shook his head. He would have to see if there was anything he could do for Ryk. Perhaps he could talk with Blackhand that evening.

His chance came as they were eating the exceptionally peppery pea soup. Blackhand was in a foul mood and Tor managed to match it; his stomach lurched along with the ship’s motion and his mouth burned from Therd’s heavy hand.

‘Don’t be misguided by this calmer weather, Physic. Did you notice how still it became today?’

Tor nodded, hoping if he kept his mouth shut he would not return the spoonful of dreadful soup he had just swallowed. Some of Blackhand’s soup had dribbled down his chin and as he licked at it with his tongue, flecks of blood from his diseased gums contrasted horribly with the green liquid.

‘That’s our warning,’ the captain continued.

‘You mean the stillness?’ Tor spooned another tiny amount into his mouth, refusing to look at the captain.

‘I do. It’s gathering. I have to tell you, Physic, it makes me nervous. But we shall try to outrun it. I have hopes we might just sneak around it and reach the safety of the archipelago in time.’

‘I hope so too,’ Tor said politely.

‘Boy!’ the captain bellowed.

Ryk arrived at the captain’s side. Blackhand belched into the lad’s face. ‘More soup! And be quick or I’ll tan your arse for you.’

This was his chance. ‘Did you know, captain,’ Tor said, forcing a genial expression to his face, ‘that young Ryk, your cabin boy, is the son of a famous chef?’

‘What of it?’ Blackhand looked at Tor suspiciously.

‘Nothing more than the notion that his services might be put to good use in your kitchen. Rumour has it the boy is adept with food.’

‘Is he indeed?’ the captain said, staring at Ryk over his bulbous nose as the boy approached with the soup tureen. It made Ryk nervous.

‘Yes, captain, sir?’

‘Are you adept with food, boy?’

Ryk shot a nervous glance at Tor. ‘I…I can cook. Yes, sir.’

Blackhand sneered. ‘A bloody squit like you? Don’t try and foist yourself upon my private guests, boy. From now on you are forbidden to leave the scullery unless on my express order. Is that understood?’

‘Yes, sir,’ the boy answered, his voice wavering.

Tor was mortified. This was not what he had intended. He had thought to do the young lad a good turn but now he had just made his life worse aboard this intolerable ship.

‘Now pour me some more soup, you witless brat!’

It was too much for Ryk’s nerves. Terror, combined with the sickening lurch of the ship from a rogue wave, saw the entire contents of the soup tureen spill into the captain’s lap. The captain screamed so loud that Ryk turned and fled from the room. Clinging to the table in an attempt to remain upright, Tor had no idea how Ryk had stayed on his feet long enough to get out of the cabin. Fortunately the soup had not been piping hot but Tor did not doubt that Blackhand’s agony was genuine. If Ryk had not been the cause, he might have enjoyed it. It seemed like divine intervention. But as he staggered over to help the captain back into his chair, his thoughts immediately flew to how he might save the boy’s skin from a thrashing.

As it turned out, it was not Ryk’s skin he needed to worry over.

Suffering from the return of the stormy weather, Tor remained in his cot the following morning, wishing the voyage was all a bad dream and that he could wake up on firm land. He woke from a disjointed doze to the sound of Locky banging persistently on his door and calling his name. He sounded very anxious. Tor lurched to let him in; it was the one occasion that he was glad for the tiny width of his cabin.

‘Come quickly, Tor, it’s Ryk.’

‘Oh no, don’t tell me Blackhand’s punishing him. What now? A public flogging, I suppose,’ he said wearily, looking for his breeches.

‘Much worse. Blackhand’s feeling especially nasty. He’s ordered that Ryk must lose a hand.’

That got Tor’s attention. Suddenly his stomach was steady and his mind calm. ‘That bastard,’ was all he said before pushing past Locky. ‘Where?’

‘On deck.’

They both ran. On the way, Locky added that the second mate appeared to have miscalculated their course. ‘I think we might be in the eye of the storm,’ he yelled as they burst onto the deck.

It was horribly still outside. The sky was the oddest colour; a dirty yellow. Tor could hardly breathe. It was as though all the air had been sucked out of the area where they floated. All was silent and eerie.

But far worse was the scene on deck.

Little Ryk had been tied to the main mast with one arm pinioned above his head. He was petrified; his eyes were glazed like those of a terrified deer. Tor saw that the small boy had lost his water in his fright. The crew stood around laughing and jeering whilst Blackhand, limping from his scalded groin, bellowed that this was how he treated anyone who mistreated him. It was a ghastly picture.

All Tor could think of was Cloot. He saw him again as he had first seen him, nailed by his ear to a post and surrounded by a jeering crowd howling for the brute Corlin to inflict more pain on the poor mute. Tor felt the same immense anger rising in him again now. He dimly heard Locky speaking as the Colours roared up inside him.

‘Tor, there is nothing we can do, or we shall lose our own hands. These men are frightened of the storm; they know their lives might be lost today. They care little for the boy. They just want to see the blood and let someone else suffer.’

Blackhand raged at the boy. ‘Are you ready, young Ryk? A cook, are you, eh? Well, you’ll never chop meat again once your hand is nailed to my mast.’

Suddenly the air turned so thick everyone had trouble breathing. Ryk sucked in great gulps; his eyes flicking from sailor to sailor, imploring for their help. They just laughed. They wanted to see his hand fly off, wanted to watch his arm pump its lifeblood and see the tiny trophy nailed to the ship to bring Blackhand’s macabre count to forty-four.

Ryk locked onto Tor. ‘Physic Petersyn,’ he screamed, ‘save me, sir!’

Blackhand looked at Tor. ‘This is none of your business, Physic. If you interfere, I will chop off both his hands and throw what’s left of him into the sea.’

The wind was picking up. It began to swirl madly around them.

‘He’s just a lad, captain,’ Tor yelled back over the howl.

‘He offends me, Physic. Stay out of this.’

‘I can’t.’

Blackhand motioned to his henchmen nearby and rough hands gripped Tor and pinned him back against the ship’s rail. Tor let them hold him; he did not need his arms anyway. The Colours were ready. He could call on them at any time.

The captain smiled and turned back to the child, whose body was now shaking so hard that his knees were giving way beneath him. If it was not for the rope holding him in place, he would not be standing. His fingers balled into a fist as he struggled.

‘Help me!’ he shrieked as Blackhand stepped up to him.

‘Off with his hand,’ one of the crew yelled. Everyone but Tor, Locky and the hooded stranger who had suddenly appeared on deck, laughed.

Locky looked sideways at Tor. ‘That’s the creepy priest.’

Tor nodded and returned his attention to Blackhand. The captain took a short-handled axe from his first mate and showed it to the crew. They cheered.

‘Let it fly,’ some wit yelled again.

Ryk was sobbing now and staring at Tor.

Stay calm, Ryk, Tor thought, wishing he could communicate it to the boy.

Blackhand took aim at the boy’s wrist.

Tor closed his eyes; he weaved the Colours.

With a loud grunt, the captain swung his arm through a mighty arc. Tor heard a bloodcurdling scream, which could only be Ryk, followed by a thud and then a groan. He opened his eyes to see the axe buried in the captain’s chest. Blackhand wore a look of such surprise, it was almost comical. Blood was spewing from the fatal wound and, though he tried to utter something, the words died as he did.

His enormous bulk fell to the deck with a crash, splattering blood on everyone nearby. All fell silent, the only sound the howling of the wind which had increased in intensity.

Ryk’s eyes were wide with amazement at still being whole. The men holding Tor let go of him and went to their captain, unsure of how such a thing could have happened.

‘Cut Ryk free,’ Tor said sharply to Locky. ‘Now!’

The men milled around their captain’s body; some nudged him with their boots. Locky had to carry Ryk over to Tor; the boy was in such shock he could not speak, let alone walk.

All the while, the storm was gathering in ferocity. A crack of lightning erupted above their heads, so powerful it split the main mast in two, just where Ryk had been tied moments earlier. The sparks leapt to Blackhand’s body, which began to burn.

‘The liquor!’ Locky yelled. ‘He drank a whole bottle this morning to dull the pain and spilled another half bottle over himself in his efforts. It’s ignited.’

Tor nodded. Another lightning strike and then a loud thunderclap directly overhead. He realised that the ship was beginning to spin in a sickening circle as the water started to boil around them.

‘Locky, we have to get off the ship.’

Cracks were opening in the timber. He reckoned it would be barely moments before the whole ship broke apart from the pressure. The wind was still raging. Many men would die today. He saw bodies being thrown against the sides of the ship; others leapt into the high waves, only to be knocked back against the ship. The captain’s corpse was being flung from side to side and his blood smeared across the flaming deck.

Locky was terrified. He could taste death. Ryk was no longer whimpering; he had become stiff and silent in Locky’s arms.

‘Give him to me,’ Tor yelled, fighting to stay upright.

Another bolt of lightning hit, but the ship was burning heartily now anyway. It would give itself up to its fiery death in moments.

Locky wrapped Ryk’s hands around Tor’s neck and the boy buried his head into his protector’s shoulder. He was feather-light.

‘Now hold onto me, Locky,’ Tor shouted over the wind as they clambered onto the side of the railing. ‘Whatever happens, don’t let go.’

‘We’ll never survive this,’ Locky screamed back, awed by nature’s anger around him.

As they jumped, Tor’s sharp eyes caught the movement of a black-robed figure also leaping. The priest. His hood had been blown back and Tor could finally see the man’s face.

Amidst the clammy warmth of the storm’s eye, Tor felt a chill crawl across his skin. The stranger’s twisted, scarred flesh was all too familiar; the small, cold eyes regarded him, just for a fleeting second, with menace.

Tor felt as if his own horror was being mirrored in that terrible face.

It was Goth.