Free The Pogrom of Mages: The Healers of Glastamear: Volume One by Charles Williamson

Michael would meet him there in two hours. He went to the market closest to the docks and purchased ten oyster-shucking knives, some used fishermen’s clothing, twenty clay vessels of olive oil, and other supplies for an oyster fishing trip.
    He took his supplies in a wheelbarrow he’d purchased to his rented warehouse, watching to make certain he wasn’t followed. The healers had all slept some since arriving, and Jim was still sleeping.
    “How’s he doing?” Michael asked Lady Agnes.
    “Weak. There’s no way he could ride a horse. It’ll be a month before he can do much. I’m keeping him asleep so he can heal. There’s a lot of damage that doesn’t show from the cursed Perry’s fire spells the vicious monsters used on him.”
    Michael asked Herb if he was familiar with oyster boats.
    “I’ve fished oysters every spring and autumn from when I was seven until I joined the healers at fifteen, and I know a good boat when I see one. Let me go with you to select it, since our lives will be dependent on this boat staying afloat.”
    Michael smiled and agreed since that was exactly why he had stopped at the warehouse. He gave Herb his razor and soap and asked him to shave his wispy beard and head. It was the best he could do to change his appearance on short notice. He gave him a set of oystermen’s pants and tunic to replace his healer’s robe. Oystermen often shaved their hair in cool weather because it was always wet from diving.
    When they reached Arthur’s dock, he was waiting with one of his assistants. They indicated which six boats were Arthur’s, and Michael nodded to Herb. Herb dropped his clothing on the dock and dove into the murky water. He swam under each boat, holding his breath for what seemed like an impossible length of time, something only a true oysterman could do.
    Finally Herb pulled himself up onto the dock and said, “These boats are here because no one in their right mind would go to sea in them. Five of them have rough patches of the sort a crewman would do on a beach after holing her on the reef. One has several dry-dock patches of better quality, but she needs a new coat of pitch before the worms eat her whole.
    “Excuse me,” Arthur said and moved away to hold an animated conversation with his assistant.
    A few minutes later he returned and said to Michael, “I didn’t know their condition was that bad. I own one of the dry docks, and I can have a new coat of pitch on that third one by morning if we still have a deal. I expect to do a lot of future business with you Michael, and I want you to be completely satisfied.”
    “We have a deal if Herb can go with your men to the dry dock and see the work is done right.” They shook hands and exchanged the money. Michael had the boat he needed to get his healers to Black Sand Beach. Because of Herb’s comments, Michael no longer thought he could send the healers all the way to Rock Point on an oyster boat, and he dared not take the chance of buying another boat in Northport so soon after the healers’ escape.

Chapter 15
     
    That night, Michael went back to the warehouse to discuss the escape options with the healers.
    “Herb, could we sail the oyster boat all the way to the west shore of Mitchell Island if the sea was calm the whole way?”
    “I’d give us only even odds of reaching it alive even in perfect weather. Oyster boats are terrible on the high seas and sink all the time. The trick in using one safely is staying within swimming distance of shore. You’ll need a line-fisher for the longer journey. That’s the largest boat Gail and I can crew without help. They’re designed for long fishing trips and usually have a three-man crew. They can take more wind and sea than any ship smaller than a clipper. It’d be best if you bought a new one since you’d have trouble picking a good used one.”
    Michael thought it over. “Herb, I want you to take everyone to Black Sand Beach tomorrow night after the boat is repaired and