Free Fire of the Soul by Flora Speer Page A

countries
claimed the long, nearly impenetrable boundary was the chief reason
why the two lands had lived in peace for several centuries. Seldom
was the other reason mentioned: a mutual fear of the Dominion and
the ever-growing strength of its rulers, fear that had forged a
firm union between successive rulers of the two countries.
    At the mouth of the river, where flatter land
allowed a slower current and ships could be safely moored, lay Port
Moren. A long-ago treaty between Morenia and Sapaudia had
established Port Moren as a location for unimpeded trade,
administered by both countries and guarded by specially trained
men-at-arms. Since most other settlements near the Sea of Lestrac
were subject to raiding and plundering from the wild, seafaring
tribes of Mataram, Port Moren quickly became known as a safe place
to do business. The small town grew into a city that spread out on
both banks of the river, its wharves and warehouses busy day and
night.
    Merchants, traders, a few smugglers, and more
than a few spies all operated within its precincts. So long as the
ever-changing populace kept the peace all were welcome, even folk
from the Dominion or from Chandelar. As a result, Port Moren was a
vital spot where the most secret information could be procured and
where almost anything could be purchased.
    Garit reached the city in late afternoon. He
had come with only Anders and two men-at-arms. After sending Anders
to arrange rooms for them at an inn that he’d frequented during the
days when he passed through the port on trips from Kantia to the
royal Sapaudian court at Calean City, Garit took himself to the
docks in search of the reliable ship his grandmother demanded.
    Captain Pyrsig was easy enough to locate. The Kantian Queen was berthed at a wharf not far from the
high stone breakwater that protected the harbor from the sea.
Pyrsig was a short, barrel-chested man with a bristling red beard
and a head of curly red hair. A missing front tooth and a gold ring
in one ear lent him a piratical air, though Garit knew him for an
honest man, an excellent sailor, and dependable in a fight.
Futhermore, Pyrsig kept his large ship clean and in good repair.
For all of those reasons, Garit had made a point of sailing with
him when travelling between the Kantian capital of Kerun and his
diplomatic duties in Sapaudia.
    “So, now,” Pyrsig hailed him as Garit walked
up the gangplank, “returnin’ to yer homeland, are ye? I’ve heard
yer no longer the emissary to King Henryk. I brought the new man
across durin’ my last sailin’ but one.”
    “That’s true,” Garit responded, shaking the
captain’s rough hand. “This time I need space aboard for my
grandmother, who is determined to visit Kinath Castle, and equally
determined to sail directly there from Port Moren.”
    “Ah, that’s good news.” Pyrsig nodded sagely.
“I feared ye’d be wantin’ to reclaim the castle for yer own. But
not if ye’ll be escortin’ an elderly lady. That’ll be a peaceful
visit.”
    “She’s never met her younger grandsons,”
Garit explained. As soon as he’d agreed to make the trip he had
decided on the story he’d tell. He had other, secret, reasons for
traveling to Kantia, but he’d no intention of revealing those
reasons to his grandmother, or to Captain Pyrsig.
    “As it happens,” Pyrsig said, “I’ve already
taken on a passenger for the next voyage. ‘Tis a fellow who’s
sailed on The Kantian Queen several times. His sister is wed
to one of King Dyfrig’s nobles and he stops at the royal court to
see her. Perhaps ye know him? Lord Durand of Granvey, his name
is.”
    “We’ve met, though I can’t claim to know him
well,” Garit said. “Do you think he’ll mind the delay of putting in
at Kinath Castle before you reach Kerun?”
    “He’s used to makin’ stops when he sails with
me,” Pyrsig said. “I heave to wherever passengers or a cargo need
to be unloaded. A day ashore at Kinath should make no difference