Free Ranger's Apprentice 10: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja by John Flanagan Page A

latest clauses stationed a Skandian wolfship each year at a base on the coast of Araluen, with its crew at the disposal of the Araluan King. Since wolfships were among the fastest craft in the world, it was a valuable addition. In return, King Duncan paid a fee to Skandia and granted favourable trading terms to other wolfships seeking to buy water, firewood and provisions. In reply to other nations like Iberion and Gallica, who complained that Duncan was helping the Skandians to raid their coastlines, the King merely shrugged.
    ‘No system is perfect,’ he’d say. ‘And besides, they could always pay the Skandians not to raid.’
    Which was, of course, true.
    ‘I imagine we’ll take the wolfship on to Nihon-Ja?’ Halt said.
    Evanlyn nodded. ‘My father has given permission for that. It’ll be faster than any commercial vessel we could charter. And besides, Gundar is eager to see Nihon-Ja. He’d be the first Skandian to visit there.’
    ‘Gundar?’ Will said. It was a fairly common name among Skandians, he knew, but he couldn’t help hoping that it was an old friend. Evanlyn was already nodding.
    ‘Yes. It’s Gundar Hardstriker’s ship. He’s eager to see you and Alyss again and he has a crewman who said nothing would stop him from rescuing the General. I assume he means Horace?’
    Will and Alyss exchanged amused glances. ‘Yes. That’s what Gundar’s crew call Horace. Sounds as if Nils is still with him,’ Will said.
    ‘He’ll be a handy person to have along,’ Alyss put in, recalling Nils Ropehander’s massive build and ferocious skill with a battleaxe.
    ‘Any Skandian is handy to have around if there’s a fight in the offing,’ Halt said. Then, changing the subject, he turned to Evanlyn. ‘Is there any need for you to present yourself to the Toscan Emperor’s court? Do you have any official duties to attend to?’
    Evanlyn shook her head. ‘Officially, I’m not here. That’s why I’m travelling as the Lady Evanlyn. So no, I’m free to come and go.’
    ‘Then I suggest we do go, and as soon as possible. We’ve already made our official goodbyes. We’ll get a good night’s sleep and get down to the docks first thing in the morning.’
    ‘You can take my room, Lady Evanlyn. I’ll sleep on one of the couches,’ Alyss said quickly. But Evanlyn shook her head.
    ‘We’ll share the room, Alyss,’ she said firmly. ‘I don’t want any special privileges. We may as well get used to it. A wolfship is too small for all that nonsense.’
    Alyss was astute enough to recognise an olive branch when she saw one. She smiled at Evanlyn – a genuine smile for the first time.
    ‘It’ll be my pleasure to share with you,’ she said.
    The others had risen now and Selethen shook hands with them all as he bade them farewell.
    ‘Good luck to you,’ he said. Then he added, a little wistfully, ‘It sounds like an interesting trip. I’m tempted to join you. Horace is a friend of mine as well. But…’ He made a graceful hand gesture, dismissing the idea.
    Halt nodded. ‘You’d be welcome to join us any time, Selethen. But you have your own duties to attend to. We understand.’
    Selethen made the Arridi gesture of greeting and farewell, touching his hand to mouth, brow and mouth again.
    ‘Yes,’ he said finally. ‘I have my duty, and it’s a hard mistress. But as I say, I am tempted.’
    He smiled at them all and left to return to his own quarters.

    They arrived at the docks just after first light. Gundar’s wolfship, named Wolfwill in Will’s honour, was moored alongside the jetty. Will frowned as he caught his first sight of her. He’d seen the ship when she’d been launched. But now there was something different about her.
    ‘Something looks odd,’ he said thoughtfully.
    Halt was studying the ship too. ‘Have they moved the mast?’ he asked of no one in particular. ‘It seems a little further aft than I remember.’
    ‘And where’s the cross-tree?’ Will asked. Normally, the