The Return of Kavin Read Online Free

beyond. There were wild shrieks from other parts of the ship, where the women had been dragged to their fate; and quarreling over them had evidently broken out, from the sounds.
    “We’d be no more than twenty or thirty miles from the Quenda shore,” Zamor said, frowning. “And there’s no man at the rudder now.”
    “Could we find a sober man,” Hugon said, and moved into the riot, Zamor behind him. He pushed open the door to the quarterdeck, and stepped out into the torch-splashed darkness. He stopped, staring into the night, and stiffened.
    “Damnation!”
    The starlight on the sea was bright enough to outline a row of jagged masses, black against the dim light. Beneath, flashes of lightness appeared, and there was a distant thunder.
    “Surf,” Zamor said, behind him.
    “You were wrong about the coast, I think,” Hugon said. He stared at the chaos on the deck, and then glanced up at the slanted sails. “Could we tack, with no hands at the lines?”
    “It’s worth trying,” Zamor grunted. “Else we’ll be aboard those breakers in another hour.”
    Together, they went swiftly aft, to where the twelve-foot whipstaff swung idly; stepping over bodies as they went. There were three more dead men, one hanging limply over the staff itself; Zamor plucked the corpse away, and dropped it as Hugon seized the staff and thrust it hard over.
    Slowly, the galley began to turn away from the threatening white line of surf. As the sails caught on the other tack, the booms slammed over, and the ship heeled slightly; Zamor lent his own huge strength to the work, holding the turn.
    Now, the ship moved in a straighter course, with more speed, since the wind set slightly away from the land. Hugon let go, and found a line coiled on deck, which he looped around the staff, holding it in place.
    “Knowing something of that lady down there,” Hugon said, “I’d feel better if I could see her with my eyes. Come on, Zamor.”
    The cabin was undisturbed; the dragonet, in its cage, squawked a greeting, and the closet door was still closed.
    “Hello, aak!” the dragonet squawked. Hugon chuckled, and moved closer to the silver cage; he lifted the hook that closed its door, and opened it.
    The dragonet uttered a high, musical trill and leaped out, its wings spreading for a moment. Hugon’s arm was extended, like a falconer’s, and the creature landed there, and clung, its tail wrapping around Hugon’s arm. It emitted a thrumming musical note, and a small puff of smoke, obviously pleased.
    “My name is Fraak!” it sang, preening. “I like you, man!”
    It was a handsome little monster, its scales a coppery red, shading into purple, bright yellow eyes, and whiskers that seemed to be made of gold wire. Zamor reached out and touched it, gingerly, and it uttered another pleased note.
    “I’ve seen the bones of such a beast, in the west country,” Zamor said, “but much larger, bigger than ten horses. This one is so small. Is it a young one?”
    “It seems full grown,” Hugon answered, absently. He was staring at the closet. “Lady Gwynna?” he called out, softly.
    “Pig,” came the muffled reply.
    “Good, our prize is untouched,” Hugon said, satisfied. He stroked the dragonet’s scaled head. “A beautiful specimen, this one. Male, I think… they are rare, and hard to catch, but some wealthy lords like to keep them, as we keep falcons in the west. Also, they sing beautifully, and talk most amusingly.”
    “I like you,” Fraak repeated, emphatically, lifting his wings. “You let me out of cage.” He trilled a scale, and sailed off, flying to a cornice where he sat, chuckling.
    Zamor had been rummaging in chests and cabinets; now, he straightened, with a broad grin, holding a long scabbard and belt out before him.
    “A decent sword!” he crowed, drawing the blade half out and testing its edge with his thumb. “A piece of Grothan steel, by Lord Snake! Ach, if I’ve had this beauty in my hand an hour