They bought some horses at an inn outside Sündalǚ. They discussed stealing them, but Miguel convinced everyone they were in enough trouble as it was. The fens meant there were few places to go in a hurry, and the breakfast pie was good. Gecko contributed some extra crowns for the horses, and the deal was done.
Tortoise’s saddle presented something of a challenge, but in short order Miguel had rigged up a solution with what was to hand that was surprisingly comfortable, though Tortoise felt a little precarious atop it. When the saddle was ready, Miguel fetched the others and they gathered in the stable. Gecko passed out green silk armbands, which he said Anya had given him for safe passage on the road. Everyone tied them on.
The gang mounted up and headed east in the morning sun, tiny birds flitting about in the fens. The highway was the best and widest road they’d ever seen, with elaborate drains and culverts. They shared the road with farmers returning home from the city, and pilgrims and drifters of one kind or other. Despite the tangle of stooped trees on either side, or because of them, the sky seemed big.
The discussion quickly turned, again, to where they should go next. A few of them were still for retracing their steps to Lagh, and even wondered about heading back to Kersnik. But none of them were very enthusiastic about going back, even if it did seem the only logical way to find out what had happened to the Pegasus. The taverns in Sündalǚ had been full of rumours of the war spreading south, and no one wanted to be conscripted, least of all by the Laudanese.
Ibrahim suggested continuing on to the next port, a small town called Djǚbá, and seeing if they could find another ship to join, perhaps trusting fate and heading west for the summer trade, or finding another wagon train to hire themselves out to, perhaps heading south through the Gap and into Oka. The thought of signing on to another ship reminded them of their missing comrades, and they fell into despondent silence. No one wanted to mention the other option, which was to part ways. Djǚbá seemed like the best compromise, or at least a compromise, so they agreed on it without much enthusiasm.
It was in this mood that they came upon a guard post straddling the road, the fens extending out on either side. Frogs were croaking. The soldiers on duty were bored but watchful.
“Shall we take them out?” Penny asked casually.
“No,” Miguel said in a low voice. “Let’s play it cool, comrades. But be ready.”
“I have an ace in the hole,” Gecko whispered. “Everyone pretend I’m the leader.”
Before Miguel could reply, the lead soldier stopped them with an upraised hand.
“Good morning,” Gecko said, in a voice no one had heard him use before. “What seems to be the problem?”
“Documents, please.”
“Certainly.” Gecko took out an intricate wooden pass and passed it down to the man. “I think you’ll find that everything is in order.” The pass glinted in the sunlight as the soldier turned it over and examined the inlays.
“Yes, milord… everything… seems to be in order. Your warrant is valid until next Sunday.”
“Excellent. Well, if you’ll excuse us…”
“Please state your name and business, milord.”
“I am Lord Fleetfoot of Owari. His Majesty assured me that despite the differences between our nations my party would be completely respected on our return journey. Has His Majesty changed his mind?”
“I—”
“Perhaps we can ride back together and ask him?”
“No, no that won’t be necessary, milord. Just following procedures. Everything is in order.” He passed back the document. “Thank you—safe journey.” He gestured to the other soldiers, who stepped back.
“A pleasure,” Gecko said. “Good to see men of the law carry out their duties so scrupulously. May your children be a blessing and the sun shine brightly on your fields.”
“Thank you, milord.” He dipped his head. “Good day, milord.”
“What was that?” Ibrahim asked after they had ridden out of earshot.
“What was that?” Gecko replied. He seemed quite pleased with himself.
“Yes, what was that?” Penny repeated, trotting up beside them. ““May your children be a blessing?””
“What? It’s a traditional valediction. Soldiers expect lords to say random things. Besides, he liked it.”
“No, I mean the wooden thing,” Ibrahim said.
“Oh, that. It’s an official pass.”
“For people who don’t have names?” Penguin asked.
“Yes, rich people.”
“There can’t be many of those. Official passes, I mean.”
“No, well, they’re usually rather difficult to get your hands on.”
“So how did you get one?” Everyone was curious by this point.
“Well, it’s a long story. Basically I was in the right place at the right time.”
“In Sündalǚ?” Dee said incredulously. “Come on, that’s the worst answer ever.”
“Look, if you must know, I did some work to make some extra money, and I saw it on the desk.”
“You stole it.”
“Okay, fine! I stole it.”
“Oh. Why didn’t you just say so?”
“Yeah, we’re pirates, right?”
“Yes, but piracy’s supposed to be dramatic. I mean, I didn’t stab anyone.”
“Who cares?” Ibrahim said. “Dying is overrated.”
“I know what he means though,” Penny said. “Stealing bits of wood from an office isn’t as much fun as flying the Jolly Roger.”
Tortoise was surprised. “You were working in an office?”
“No! Look, just be grateful, okay?” Gecko sounded exasperated. “It’s an embarrassing story and to be honest I’d rather not go into it. We got out of Sündalǚ. Let’s just say that sometimes things work out for the best.”
“How much worried should we be?” Miguel didn’t look happy. “Here, show me the pass.”
“We’ve got trouble,” Ibrahim said, wheeling his horse around. They paused and looked back at the low rise.
The five soldiers were riding fast.
“Shouldn’t we get off the road and hide?” Ibrahim asked nervously.
“No,” Miguel said. “They see us already. We showed them the pass, they know how many of us. I think they would’ve sent more.” He shrugged. “We deal if we have to. Let’s make space for them.”
A couple of minutes later, the Sündalesi thundered by.
That evening, at dusk, as they were about to stop and set up camp for the night, they saw in the mauve sky a murmuration—swooping, swerving, and sweeping above the fens.
They slept well.
Next episode: Ghustloch