He took another step toward them, and his knees sagged. He staggered erect and closed his eyes for a moment. He was short and stocky, with powerfully muscled arms and legs. Below the breastplate he wore a short skirt of blue cloth. On his forearms were bracers, and on his legs, greaves that looked like leather, above thonged sandals. He put his hand to his face and shook his head. His eyes opened, and he regarded the boys again. Once more he spoke in his alien tongue. When the boys said nothing, he appeared to grow angry and yelled another series of strange words, from the tone seemingly questions.
Pug gauged the distance necessary to run past the man, who blocked the narrow strip of beach. He decided it wasn’t worth the risk of finding out if the man was in a condition to use that wicked-looking sword. As if sensing the boy’s thoughts, the soldier staggered a few feet to his right, cutting off any escape. He closed his eyes again, and what little color there was in his face drained away. His gaze began to wander, and the sword slipped from limp fingers Pug started to take a step toward him, for it was now obvious that he could do them no harm.
As he neared the man, shouts sounded up the beach Pug and Tomas saw Prince Arutha riding before a troop of horsemen. The wounded soldier turned his head painfully at the sound of approaching horses, and his eyes widened. A look of pure horror crossed his face, and he tried to flee. He took three staggering steps toward the water and fell forward into the sand.
Pug stood near the door of the Duke’s council chamber. Several feet away a concerned group sat at Duke Borric’s round council table. Besides the Duke and his sons, Father Tully, Kulgan, who had returned only an hour before, Swordmaster Fannon, and Horsemaster Algon sat in assembly. The tone was serious, for the arrival of the alien ship was viewed as potentially dangerous to the Kingdom.
Pug threw a quick glance at Tomas, standing on the opposite side of the door Tomas had never been in the presence of nobility, other than serving in the dining hall, and being in the Duke’s council chamber was making him nervous. Master Fannon spoke, and Pug returned his attention to the table.
“Reviewing what we know,” said the old Swordmaster, “it is obvious that these people are completely alien to us.” He picked up the bowl Tomas had taken from the ship. “This bowl is fashioned in a way unknown to our Masterpotter. At first he thought it was simply a fired and glazed clay, but upon closer inspection it proved otherwise. It is fashioned from some sort of hide, parchment-thin strips being wound around a mold—perhaps wood—then laminated with resins of some type. It is much stronger than anything we know.”
To demonstrate, he struck the bowl hard against the table. Instead of shattering, as a clay bowl would have, it made a dull sound. “Now, even more perplexing are these weapons and armor.” He pointed to the blue breastplate, helmet, sword, and dagger. “They appear to be fashioned in a similar manner.” He lifted the dagger and let it drop. It made the same dull sound as the bowl. “For all its lightness, it is nearly as strong as our best steel.”
Borric nodded. “Tully, you’ve been around longer than any of us. Have you heard of any ship constructed like that?”
“No.” Tully absently stroked his beardless chin. “Not from the Bitter Sea, the Kingdom Sea, or even from Great Kesh have I heard of such a ship I might send word to the Temple of Ishap in Krondor. They have records that go further back than any others. Perhaps they have some knowledge of these people.”
The Duke nodded “Please do. Also we must send word to the elves and dwarves. They have abided here longer than we by ages, and we would do well to seek their wisdom.”
Tully indicated agreement. “Queen Aglaranna might have knowledge of these people if they are travelers from across the Endless Sea. Perhaps they have visited these shores before.”
“Preposterous,” snorted Horsemaster Algon. “There are no nations across the Endless Sea. Otherwise it wouldn’t be endless.”
Kulgan took on an indulgent expression. “There are theories that other lands exist across the Endless Sea. It is only that we have no ships capable of making such a long journey.”
“Theories,” was all Algon said.
“Whoever these strangers are,” said Arutha, “we had best make sure we can find out as much as possible about them.”
Algon and Lyam gave him a questioning look, while Kulgan and Tully looked on without expression. Borric and Fannon nodded as Arutha continued. “From the boys’ description, the ship was obviously a warship. The heavy prow with bowsprit is designed for ramming, and the high foredeck is a perfect place for bowmen, as the low middle deck is suitable for boarding other vessels when they have been grappled. I would imagine the rear deck was also high If more of the hull had survived, I would guess we would have found rowers’ benches as well.”