Turn 137

Emmett puts forth the plan that the Hextorian should be left to local justice, which will no doubt be satisfyingly final (Lynden can vouch for that), but that Murphen be taken off-planet to provide substantiation for the story he would like the crew to tell to 3 Trees, the Navy, and anyone else who might influence the situation.
    Ibn Fadil agrees about the disposition of the prisoners and telling Three Trees, "But not the Navy - they meddle, when they can be bothered to get involved at all. And I'll tell the people I know."
    Emmett turns to the acting captain. "Yestin, do you have any contacts with non-giffish mercenariy companies? One thing that could really throw Durrel's plans into a tizzy and help out the side we have contracts with is the High King having some highly mobile troops. If there are people who can bring a 'jammer into play the way we have, that will change quite a lot."
    "That it would," he nods. "Though I fear I do not have such contacts, it should not be difficult to find interested persons, once we return to traveled spheres. Indeed, the coming year may see considerable traffic here once news gets out of so many worlds in this sphere. Whatever the distance, there is surely profit here."
    An enthused Alais then gives a preliminary assessment of the wolf. "Not only far advanced of anything else we've seen on this world, but entirely different from anything I've seen or heard tell of anywhere else. Even the mundane components are highly original, and I haven't touched the thing's 'heart' yet."
    The nearest sphere that serves as something of a trade nexus is several months travel at least; none of them have ever been there. But it will afford ibn Fadil an opportunity to get in touch with his own family, and Emmett with the priests of Gond, and all of them with a 3 Trees office where they can pass on what they've learned.
    After the conference, ibn Fadil sits down with ink, pen, and paper and writes up one of his concise, detailed reports on everything (only in Common), complete with maps of town, fortress (including the spiders' back entrance), and weapons testing area (pausing to quiz anyone who was there and is still awake for that), and a helpful diagram of where the secret door in the tower basement is, and how to operate it. He makes a fair copy for the king, and at the end of it signs his real name in his best - and completely illegible to anyone here - Zakharan calligraphy. He makes a second fair copy for Captain Yestin, keeping the draft for himself with the intention of translating it Zakharan later on. Then he finally turns in, taking that helpful magic ring off *after* he's had a nap.
    When Emmett reminds him that the half-elf still has his ring, he takes that off, starts to toss it, changes his mind and hands it back to Emmett.
    It's a quiet ship for the several days it takes to return to Narain. The Hextorian does not speak to anyone and spends most of his time sleeping. Murphen is amiable and indeed quite likeable in his cynical fashion, chatting freely when given the opportunity. If he's concerned about his fate, he doesn't show it. When Emmett does some digging, it becomes clear that the annual V&S shipment is generally carried by a squidship or hammership, which would make quite a mouthful on which the far smaller _Distraction_ might attempt piracy.
    It has been little more than a week since the _Distraction_left the capital, and there is quite a hubbub when the ship touches down; though it is a small group that waits near the landing area proper, a sizable crowd has found some excuse to be in the vicinity. The sky is overcast and the air relatively warm; more snow on the way.
    General Brosh himself is waiting for them, looking a bit worried; still not fully convinced of the ship's capabilities, he thinks their early return means the mission was aborted. With him are a detachment of guards and servants, Inez, and -- their two missing crew members!
    "Captain!" Yestin fairly bounds down to greet him, visibly checks himself, and throws a crisp salute, though he can't stop grinning. He does refrain from hugging Hiro, who permits himself the smallest hint of a smile. As the crew hurries down after him, a rapid babble of questions and explanations breaks out until everyone remembers that there are important people waiting for them. Inez, who has been standing off a little ways as the reunion takes place, gives a decorous and completely out of character curtsey; if her smile at Emmett has daggers in it no doubt it's in the viewer's imagination.
    When it's explained that they have prisoners, a couple of high-ranking priests are located and brought in. The Hextorian wilts a little bit at that; perhaps he has been thinking of escape, but no attempt is possible under such close watch by adherents of an enemy god. Both captives are marched away under heavy guard.
    When it is further made clear that their mission has met with success and they have important news, a runner is dispatched ahead of the group, which makes its way slowly through the excited crowd to the palace. By the time they arrive, Chancellor Fynn is waiting for them along with the wizard Aron and the high priest Gwidon, in a room well-provided with refreshments. They don't press for details yet, but they do want a summation of events, which is to be immediately followed by an audience with the king, which takes place not in the throne room but in a smaller council chamber.
    Both discussions take considerable time. There are details to be explained and reiterated, about the mechanical creatures, the supplies in the fortress, and what they learned from the two captives. General Brosh issues quiet orders to servants, who run in and out with maps and messages as the extent of Durrell's preparations is made clear.
    "We thank you for all that you have done," Roald concludes the audience. "And we have not forgotten our promise before your departure. With the information your wife has provided," he looks at Emmett, "we can see the benefits to be had, to which your discoveries have only added. Our ministers will discuss the matter with you as soon as you have recovered from your journey."
    Afterward, there is ample opportunity for the crew and their local acquaintances to discuss the events since they parted. Valarin shares the story of his capture and escape (and absolutely nothing of what might have passed between himself and Mela on the journey back to Myrr). Hiro, on the other hand, will say only that he was asked to undertake a task of some difficulty, and upon so doing had been returned to the city. But he seems to be more relaxed than he used to be, if no more talkative.
    * * *
    "Tell me everything," is Bendek's simple order to Lynden, his eyes alight with interest.
    * * * A couple of days after meeting with the king:
    "I understand that you wished to see me," Steelhand says to Emmett once the courtesies are out of the way and the wine has been poured. "Your mission for the king accomplished a great deal, or so one hears?"
    * * *
    Several more days pass in hasty conferences with the general and other officials of the court to clarify this or that in their report, and in arranging the details of the trade agreement with the newly appointed (and ennobled) Lord Tomas, who has emerged from the struggle among the city's merchants as the man best suited to handle dealing with offworlders. In the near term, the Rigolians will buy as many finished weapons as the company cares to ship, to be paid for in a combination of cash and goods, which will include substantial quantities of ivory, amber, and timber. Supplies for the journey begin to show up at the ship, including some of that remarkable wine. If nothing else, the Victor & Sons monopoly is at an end, though it might take some time for the news to reach them.
    There are also several days' worth of argument on the disposition of Emil Murphen, who has been languishing solitary while the discussion goes on, but eventually the _Distraction_ crew succeeds in having him turned over to their custody.
    * * *
    And then there is the final audience. Everyone is dressed in their finest, and the great room is full of people. The king makes a brief speech of gratitude, and a servant comes forward bearing a leather-bound copy of the contract on a pillow, followed by a string of others.
    "In token of the service done to us, it pleases us to present you these gifts."
    Captain Valarin receives an elaborately silver-chased scabbard, Yestin a wooden shield made to his size, with runes set all around the edges, and Lynden a mace inlaid with the signs of his god and many charms.
    When it's Emmett's turn, Aron steps forward. "It is my understanding that you have an ensorceled item in need of attention. It will be my pleasure to do what I can for you in removing the spell."
    Ibn Fadil is given a ring set with a chunk of amber in which a spider's preserved form can be seen in minute detail. Alais hums with delight over several books. The women receive nothing but the sufferance of their presence, but who knows how that might change over the ensuing years, as the Rigolians encounter more and more offworlders?
    "For your ship, we have prepared these additional items." Another servant comes forward, carrying an ebony tray on which are set three ivory vessels: a tall pitcher; a wide, shallow bowl with a cover, and a small jar, all carved with hunting scenes in the local style. "This ewer and bowl hold enchantments to ensure that however long your journeys and to whatever strange places, you need not fear hunger or thirst. We have also supplied a particular healing salve known to our people, to ensure that whatever enemies you encounter, you will find relief from your injuries." He nods to the steward, who raps the floor with his staff, unleashing applause from the court.
    * * *
    The next day, Emmett takes a break from anxiously minding his egg -- free of the stasis spell at long last -- to inquire, "Lynden, are you coming with us off planet? Your people would be well served by an ambassador of some sort learning what the spheres are like, and, well, you're one we trust and we're the only way off." The half man did not go into how comfortable he was with the young priest, instead changing tack. "Plus, many gods find it helpful to have priesthoods on multiple worlds - you might not want to carry the message quite the same way as the Hextorians, but there are advantages."
    
    

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