Chapter 9 – Safe Travels
For the first time in her life, Sonata was grateful that Fellfang had disobeyed her orders. It was near noon before she was released from the Duke’s Tower—with signed contract in hand—and the bullmastiff was still at Madam Carla’s. He had done his business in a few places inside the burned-out shell to register his dissatisfaction with her delay, but he hadn’t left as she had directed. What a relief! She was worried that she’d have to comb the city to find him before they departed. Now, the only thing they had to worry about were the guards that Duke Ernesto had assigned to shadow her movements to ensure that she lived up to her side of the agreement. It was indeed tempting to take the contract, grab some jerky and a few hard wheat rolls, and hit the Red Road. But no. She had to go north, across the Sorrow Sea. She had to find Uncle Galo, and perhaps, with any luck, she could figure out a way to stop this war before it even began. If Sacudente do Mundo would allow.
Two days later, with Fellfang and the satchel of masks, she boarded Duke Ernesto’s personal carrack, O Dragão de Viscano, the Dragon of Viscano. She was given command of a small cadre of six guards, all rookies it seemed, fresh out of training and expendable. Rodrigo Vaasco’s doing, no doubt, to give her inexperienced men that would easily die on their first engagement, and therefore guarantee her failure. There was not a single one of them that had ever fought in a real fight, and she wondered if this security detail was their very first assignment. They were eager, at least, showing her deference and respect, though Sonata wondered if she deserved it. She hadn’t been in charge of anything in her life, but herself and Fellfang. That was the extent of her management qualifications. But Uncle Galo had always told her that if she ever found herself in charge of men, then act like it.
So, she did her best. She met each in order and gave them their first assignments on board, though there was very little to protect save for when they would be above or below decks. Weapons were distributed, deck patrol rotations were set, and duties were finalized.
Next, she met the captain and crew. The captain made it clear who was in charge.
“On my ship, young lady,” said Captain Osorio Seda, in as gruff a sea voice as Sonata had ever heard, “I’m captain and king. No one else. Do you understand?”
Sonata smiled and tried to remain calm. “I understand the chain of command onboard a Viscano ship, Captain. I may be young in your eyes, but I have traveled to the North Kingdoms many times. I am in charge of delegation security on your ship, and that will undoubtedly include security of you and the crew as well. My men are ready to die to ensure that this ship makes it safely to Corodana, so let’s not waste time comparing cock sizes. You have one: I do not. You must think that puts me at a disadvantage. I assure you, it does not. I understand the chain of command, but first and foremost, I will ensure the safe delivery of the delegation per Duke Ernesto’s orders. And I’m sure you feel the same way.”
Captain Seda cursed her under his breath. He stalked away in a huff and began shouting orders to his crew. Then the delegation arrived.
Five in total. Three men, two women. They each had personal assistants. Sonata recognized none of them. They were undoubtedly members of Duke Ernesto’s government, people from important Viscano families. She would learn their names in due time, but the only one she needed to know now was the head of the delegation.
Marco Galioto stood a head taller than she. He was a handsome man, with clean-shaven face, a tender smile, fresh clothing, and a genial demeanor that put Sonata right at ease. She could see why Duke Ernesto had picked this man to head the delegation.
“Rumor has it,” he said, as they shook hands, “that you caused quite a stir in Ernesto’s Tower the other night.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear,” Sonata said, ruffling Fellfang’s ears as he sat beside her on the wet dock. “Rumor is deceptive.”
Marco laughed. “It is indeed. Well, I hope that you will carry out your duties as you have agreed to. The meeting with Corodana is vitally important. The fate of Cragsport, of Viscano, hangs in the balance.”
A little over-dramatized, but very well. “My men and I, and Fellfang, will deliver you safely to your destination, sir.”
Marco looked down at Fellfang and smiled. “No need for ‘sir.’ ‘Marco’ will do just fine.”
“Very well, Marco. If you and your people will board, we will depart as soon as Captain Seda gives the order.”
An hour later, the Dragon of Viscano was unmoored from the northern docks. Shortly after that, they rendezvoused with three caravels, each armed with ballistas, flame catapults, and a squadron of armed men.
“Escorts,” Captain Seda said as he and Sonata stood on the stern, looking back at the now distant Viscano shoreline. “And I guarantee you don’t have authority over them, Miss Diamante.”
His grating cackle made her want to draw Chefe and run him through. She resisted and instead, kept her eyes on Cragsport, now engulfed in Adriana’s Breath.
Was Cragsport still her home? It was hard to say. So much had changed since she had left. The city just didn’t feel right anymore. Sonata didn’t feel right anymore. But perhaps once she found Uncle Galo, once she learned the true nature of Sacudente do Mundo, and perhaps who her father was, everything would fall back into place. When she found out how to control her power, or better yet, destroy it, she would feel like herself again.
Perhaps. . .
✽✽✽
Rodrigo Vaasco stood beside Duke Ernesto. Their view of the Sorrow Sea from the open veranda atop the Duke’s Tower was wonderful, and revealing. Four ships sailed into a rising sun, and the Captain of the Night Guard was frustrated and in pain, humiliated, and more than angry.
“Was it wise, Your Grace,” he asked, “to give a young girl so much authority and power? The delegation must reach Corodana safely. Even with my wounds, I would have been the better choice.”
Duke Ernesto huffed. “Wounds, Rodrigo, that you acquired from that young girl.”
Rodrigo bit back his anger. “Yes, Your Grace, I understand, but—”
“No, Rodrigo, I don’t think you do understand. There is more at play here than you understand. Perhaps I don’t understand all of it either. But Frederico Bomba gave me more than moedas for Borshen Galo. He gave me information. Information which pertains to Galo’s niece, who resides on that ship yonder. It’s best that she be removed from Cragsport, sent north, so that Bomba may do what it is he does best, to both her and her infernal uncle.”
“And what is that, Your Grace?”
Duke Ernesto turned toward his Captain, smiled, and winked, “Torture . . . then death. And then we won’t have to worry about the Galos ever again.”
The duke was very pleased with himself, with all his plans and scheming. Rodrigo had seen that glare in the duke’s eyes before. But this time, perhaps his cleverness wouldn’t pan out.
For Rodrigo knew one thing that Duke Ernesto did not. Not only did Rodrigo release the most incompetent guards to aide Sonata with the safety of the delegation, but there was someone else on board charged with the “removal” of Sonata as they sailed north . . . just in case the duke’s plans failed.
Rodrigo watched as Ernesto left the veranda to attend his morning duties. If Sonata Diamante’s death is what you seek, my duke, he thought, than you shall have it. She will never reach Corodana alive.