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	Lord Hempt. Captain Gossamer.
	Lord Hempt looked apprehensively at Squrhad, his trusted advisor. He knew that his anxiety showed on his face. He was never good with dealing with problems like the ones he faced. "Well?" he asked the thin man who sat, wondering, before him. "What should I do? We can't rely on the pirates for trade, and Jeilk needs money. I'm not sure any ships will sail to Callemi for a while, not with a supposed dragon flying around out of control." Squrhad regarded Hempt, as if he regarded a child who had asked him something he could not answer. " We could get trade from North of the Charl River, from Trulg. No doubt they get trade from Port Krussk, which trades with Zylx. That would be until the dragon gets tired of harassing their southern shore. If that doesn't bring enough money, you'll have to ask Gossamer what he'll do to help, he might be brave enough to continue trading with Callemi." He scratched his beard. "Squrhad, you're right! Ask Gossamer to ready some barges to go upriver and talk to the traders in Charl. After that, I'll ask him about going to Callemi. We might be able to make enough money, after all! Oh, what a relief!" Hempt grinned. "As you wish, M'lord." Squrhad nodded. They noticed a girl standing at the door as he left the room. "Ah, can I help you?" Squrhad asked. "P-pardon me Sir, but, Sir you see, there's, uh, rumours, uh, pirates in the Lord's study…" She curtsied and dashed away, mousy brown hair flying around her shoulders. Squrhad paled, and faced Lord Hempt. "The study." Was all Squrhad could say. It was Hempt's turn to pale. "Squrhad, to my study with me! The charts were in there, and letters from Onyx…" He said breathlessly. They hurried to the dark corridor where Hempt's study was. It was the place he went with Squrhad to do the paperwork, the private things. When Hempt searched his desk, he cried out. "GONE!" He squealed. "All, gone!" "Oh my Lord, but how? We didn't hear a thing…" "A conspiracy!" He hissed. "Intercepting letters, eavesdropping amongst servants - oh Squrhad how have I been so foolish? I'll have assassins after me next!" His eyes were wide. He was already realising the plans against him; it all made sense. "Lord Hempt, I - "Squrhad began. "No! Fetch Gossamer, immediately! He'll know what to do. He'll help me, I know it." Hempt's earlier relief had dissolved in the fear he felt rushing through him. He had to have those charts back, they were for Jaik, his son, the heir to everything he owned. The charts were so valuable, or at least what they led to was so valuable. He could not bear the thought of denying his son that. Dismayed, Hempt left the study a while after Squrhad. He trudged back to his room, and wished that the people didn't hate him so. "I only ever tried to do what was best for the people!" He wailed dramatically. Gossamer was outraged when he heard what had happened. He stormed up to the manor, Squrhad's messenger jogging behind him, and found Hempt staring blankly at him in his chamber. "Gossamer!" Hempt's eyes widened when he saw the broad shouldered, strong and decisive Captain. "Lord Hempt; what happened?!" "Charts, stolen!" "Stand up, focus," Gossamer heaved the heavy Lord to his feet. "What was on the parchment?" Hempt drew closer to his friend. In low tones, he explained. "For a while, I had Onyx tell me about a chart he had sent me, as he was sure I could make better use of it than him. On the chart, a treasure is marked. An amulet in a chest, preserved by the first human King in the times of war, he had taken it from the castle in Vorzel. It was lost with the ship it sailed on when he sent men to the near legendary land of Konda. Long life, strength and wealth is promised of the amulet. Old magic and tales…" "Could it be true, my lord?" Gossamer raised an eyebrow. "Well of course! With dragons flying about, and mysterious dwarves, who knows what can come from the North?" Hempt was being serious. Gossamer was glad he was there to befriend the man. He glanced at Squrhad, who hovered by the door. So skinny and fragile was that man, even skinner when he stood beside Hempt. "I see," claimed the Captain. "What would you have me do, Hempt?" "Find out who stole the charts. I'll be fine is there are assassination attempts in your absence, I'll had Squrhad send for guards, don't worry." Hempt looked appreciatively at Squrhad. "Right." Gossamer concluded, he was expected to find out who stole the charts? He was a trader, not a detective. He doubted anybody would assassinae Lord Hempt. Nobody feared him or his decisions, heck, Squrhad was more likely to be killed. "I'll get down to the tavers, we'll start there. I'll see what ships have docked lately, probably the work of pirates. If not, I'll come back and have a word with your servants. We'll find 'em Hempt, don't you fret." Hempt nodded vigorously. "I know you would, Gossamer." As he left the room, Gossamer frowned. What had happened to his friend? Hempt was more paranoid than ever. "Slurk!" Yelled Gossamer. The first mate was waiting for him. "Here, we're going to ask questions about any suspicious sailors, newcomers, anyone. Anyone seen last night with charts or scrolls. Get the whole crew on to it. The sooner this is done, the sooner we can get back to business." "Aye Sir." Slurk slipped away to the village. Gossamer noticed a small servant girl hanging around behind him. He faced her. "Anything you'd like to get on and do?" Gossamer suggested. She pushed her mousy brown hair out of her eyes, and in doing so revealed a small cut to her neck. "Pirates," She whispered. Gossamer frowned, and wiped his brow. The girl's pallid, sorrowful face made her seem quite eerie, plus how she had been stood there so silently. He wondered if Slurk had noticed her. "Name? I have a name for you. Oswyn." "Your name? That's odd, Oswyn is a boy's name," Gossamer was confused. "No! The one who made me tell him about the manor." Gossamer blinked. The girl irritated and intrigued him. "Oh," he said. "Thanks." He hurried off, stunned at how unusual the girl was. He had a name, that was the most important thing. It was a good thing he knew where to find Slurk. In the inn, he found the ship's boy Chip, instead. "Captain!" The boy greeted him. "Lovely day, eh?" "Chip," The Captain acknowledged him. "Where's the first mate?" "Off asking the harbourmaster questions." "Ah, not here flirting with Belta, then. Well, I'll ask her myself." Gossamer went to the bar. Chip followed. Most of the crew adored Belta. "Belta!" "Captain Gossamer, how pleasant to see you!" The blonde woman smiled. "Pleasantries aside Belta, despite popular opinion, I'm not as infatuated with you. Have you seen anyone with some charts? Or mentioning some charts? Anyone named Oswyn been here?" "Nay, Gossamer. How for?" 'How for' was the was Belta asked 'why'. It was a habit she picked up from her father. "He's a thief. Keep him and alert me if he passes by." "But Papa doesn't let pirates in." "Let me know, Belta." He was impressed that she had deduced that from his demands it was pirates he spoke of. "Cap'n, Slurk's been yelling about pirates." Chip informed the Captain. Gossamer didn't reply. He grimaced, Slurk was about as cunning as a pigeon. The pirates were more likely to escape if they knew they were being looked for. Gossamer led Chip to the docks, where Slurk was, heading toward them. Gossamer could barely see Slurk though, the bright sunlight near blinded him. He realised how dark and stuffy it had been in the inn. "Captain, the harbourmaster reported of a rather suspicious ship named 'The Remorseless', he's not seen it in these waters before. Other than that, nothing." Slurk dutifully reported. "The Remorseless? Such a name for a pirate's ship, surely? Interesting no doubt. Where is she docked? We might have a look." "Left Port Jeilk this morning, Sir." Slurk's tone wavered, he realised what that meant as he said it. "Sorry Captain," He added quietly. "Slurk! Captain Gossamer!" Gossamer turned to see Frikt, a rigger on his ship, and a few of the crew with him. A scrawny woman followed. " We have some interesting news for ye!" "Aye?" Slurk went to them. The woman stepped forwards. "I know of some pirates that came here with silk from the far east, sir." She declared. "Few get that kind of trade without facing pirates! Only made it there twice, meself!" Gossamer answered heartily. "It's them, ain't it Sir?" Chip asked. "The ones you're looking for?" Frikt was nodding thoughtfully behind Chip. "We'll follow 'The Remorseless', I think. It's not much to go by, but I don't think any ship with that name has docked here. The harbourmaster has confirmed that! All too much of a coincidence if they are innocent." Gossamer hoped that, as he had always believed, there were never coincidences. "Get to 'Vindicta', lads. Frikt, I'm leaving it to you to round the rest of the crew up. We'll see if we can find this mysterious vessel. I'll have a message sent to Hempt - ah, Chip, sort that, would you?" The men jumped as Slurk repeated Gossamer's orders, only much louder. As they dispersed in the afternoon sunlight, Chip rushed off with Frikt, both with their orders in mind. Gossamer winced a t how much he was trusting chance. It had certainly made Hempt agitated, having his charts stolen, he was ready for rash action to get them back, without any good, solid evidence. Gossamer never normally trusted chance. "For fools!" He muttered, making his way back to the sparkling waters and his beloved ship. * * *
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