WALKING ALONG THE shoreline, Bert was shocked the number of fishing vessels and wide trading cogs with their single square sail blowing in the breeze. Bert was a capable swimmer, but the small fishing boats frightened him. Each held a single person or sometimes two, but they were so small and looked as if even a small wave would flood them. Still, the men and women on board seemed as sure-footed as mountain goats and they pulled nets and traps from the water with ease. “Tell me about the warships, Cat. They are enormous!” he said in awe, looking further into the sea where several were moored.
“It’s nothing to be concerned with. There are always several warships in Keelwick. They move troops and resources between here, the capital and even our foreign wars. My father left from here when he went to fight as well. I have never been on one myself, but from what Darian has told me, they are incredibly expensive and difficult to build, but not so complicated to understand. The key is to be large and heavy enough to be battered by both waves and ramming by enemy ships, but fast enough to move on the water to arrive on time to a crisis. They use several masts depending on their specific role and have row upon row of oarsmen down below to add speed or move when the wind is gone. They prefer not to do battle at sea, but when necessary, men can fire arrows—even fire-tipped—or jump from the deck to other ships to try and destroy or capture them.”
Bert nodded his understanding, his mind racing with what it would be like to do battle at sea. “Has Darian ever fought on one himself?”
Cat shook her head. “He has sailed on them of course, but never fought. As the youngest brother, his longterm place would never be at sea. The fleet here at Keelwick is what keeps the trade alive and the city relevant. Fleetmaster is a job that falls to the king himself or the eldest son if he becomes to old, as Rowan has. The ships are too important and valuable to trust to Darian.”
Bert liked Darian as a person, but internally still saw him as a rival for Cat’s heart. Hearing of the way he was treated as simply an extra made him feel bad for the man. Whatever his situation, he didn’t deserve that. “I’m glad he was able to find his true calling as a knight in Wyrmguard at least.”
Cat simply nodded, clearly not wanting to talk of it.
Bert took the cue and changed the subject. “And the fast little ships zipping about the harbor?” He pointed at one that was tied up against a trading cog just in front of them. “The one with the cloud and lightning bolt sigil there…”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
“Ah, those are city ships of the Harbormaster. Another job only trusted to an older son. They are the ones who really power Keelwick. They collect their share of goods or money as taxes that go directly to the royal family. Traders will whine about it in the taverns, but they all come here because the fees are a fair exchange for the safety offered by the warships further out. People think the warships are the key to Keelwick, but it’s the learned men and women in those boats who are the real power here.”
Bert smiled, beginning to understand how this city seemed to thrive on the edge of the sea. It was amazing what a group of people could build. All the small little pieces that made up the puzzle that was Keelwick. They had been making their way slowly to the covered docks that Elayne had mentioned at the Red Turkey. “And these?” he asked simply.
“These are a mystery to me. Usually the building of a new vessel here is a thing of civic pride. The shipbuilders usually work in the sun, and the building of ships is a family affair. It’s not just that children will pick up the trade of their parents, but also that mothers and grandparents will sit around the shipyards, eating midday meals as a family. The launching of a new vessel is a day for celebration as well, with the entire city coming to watch as Queen Aldera names the ship and it’s launched to sea to the cheers and dancing of all.” She trailed off, smiling at what Bert assumed was a memory. “The covering of a shipyard might just be so men and women could work in all weather, but Elayne’s words make me think something more sinister is going on. We will have to look. There’s no better way to figure it out in a faster time. We still race against word of my father and Crowe’s return.”
Bert nodded quickly. “So, do we pretend to be there on official business of some sort? An inspection team? Your knowledge of the royal family might be convincing enough, along with your royal voice,” he smiled.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. As you saw at the gates, part of the success of Keelwick is the organization. They know who is in the city at all times and where they are supposed to be. We’ve probably already caused a stir by not being at the Three Wheels as told to the gate guards.” She smiled at the thought. “No, we won’t be able to go in the front door this time. Remember the day we spied on Crowe in the catacombs?”
Bert smiled at the memory. “Of course!” He remembered how pretty Cat had looked even covered in ash, but kept the thought to himself. “Some sneaking around then?”
She nodded and pointed to a window about two person’s-lengths from the ground. It was open, allowing the hot air inside the covered shipyard to escape with sawdust from inside.
