The cargo hatch above moved, and a voice shouted downward, Knute?
Lower away! commanded the little thief.
The cargo net descended and Knute quickly released it. Get down here! he shouted as he spread the large net across the centre of the deck. Were taking on water fast!
Four sailors slid down ropes and started moving the heavy cargo chests to the centre of the net. Get the small one first! instructed Knute. Theyll be gems. Worth more than gold, pound for pound.
The sailors were driven by two goals: greed and fear of Bear. The massive captain was smashing through the door above with inhuman strength, and everyone in the crew knew as well as Knute that Bear was becoming more violent by the day. Even his own crew now feared to be noticed by Bear.
One of the men paused to listen to the fiendish shout as Bear finally smashed through the door. A half-dozen pirates, finished with butchering the ships crew, descended the ropes from the deck above and looked questioningly at the pilot. Knute said, The captain said everything else was ours for the taking if he got that damn stone the priests were guarding. You going to let all this sink?
They shook their heads and set to, working in pairs to move the larger chests and sacks into the nets, although Knute could see the doubt on their faces. But they hurried and got most of the booty in the net and tied it off.
Haul away! Knute shouted to the men above.
Pirates grabbed small chests and sacks and attempted to get back to the forward ladder. The ship was now heading down by the bow, picking up speed and rocking slightly from side to side. Tell them to back water! shouted Knute, as he negotiated the ladder to the upper deck, clutching the small wooden chest as a mother would a baby. He saw a brilliant light coming through the captains cabin door and his eyes widened. Bear stood outlined against the glare, obviously struggling through the water as if engaged with a foe of some kind. Get out! shouted Knute. Youre going to drown! Not that Knute would shed a tear if that happened, but if Bear somehow came to his senses and made good his escape, Knute wanted to appear convincing in his role as loyal and concerned pilot.
Knute hurried to the gunwale and nimbly leaped atop it. Glancing at those behind him who were sliding across the deck, trying for the boat below, he called, Hurry! The galley was backing away, and water rushed quickly into the hull of the Ishapian ship. Knute knew that, had he not given the order to back the galley, the weight of the dying ship might have pulled its bow under the waves.
A longboat bobbed on the water a few yards below and he muttered, By the gods, Ive gotta get out of this business.
He glanced upward and saw the cargo boom with the net loaded with treasure being lowered to the deck of the galley. With a quick prayer to every god he could remember, Knute leaped from the sinking ship, hitting the water while he clutched the small chest with all his might. Weight pulled him downward and he struggled, and finally his head broke the surface as voices echoed across the water. With his free arm he struck out for the longboat, reaching it quickly. Strong hands reached over the side and pulled him aboard.
The ship sinks! men yelled as they leaped from the deck into the foam.
Leave the rest! shouted a man holding what appeared to be a large sack of gold coins. He hit the water, and after a minute his head broke the surface. He struggled mightily to get the sack aboard Knutes boat.
No! Noooo! came Bears anguished cry from the bowels of the sinking ship as Knute helped the pirate aboard the boat.
Sounds like the boss is having a problem, said the drenched pirate.
Row, instructed Knute. The sailor complied and Knute looked over his shoulder. Whatever the bosss problems, theyre no longer ours.
You going to leave him? said one of Knutes men.
Lets see if that cursed amulet keeps him alive on the bottom of the sea.
One of the pirates grinned. Like the rest of his brethren he had been obedient out of fear as much as any loyalty to Bear. If it does, hes going to kill you, Knute.
Hes got to find me first, said the wily pilot. Ive sailed with that murdering lunatic three times, which is two too many. Youve been his slaves long enough. Now its our turn to live the high life!
The pirates rowed. One of Bears crew said, If he does make it out alive, hell find others to follow him, you know that? Why shouldnt I cut your throat now and gain his favour?
Because youre greedy, like me. If you cut my throat, youll never get that galley safely out of these rocks. Besides, even if Bear lives, itll be too late, said Knute. Well all be safely gone.
They reached the galley and quickly climbed aboard, other longboats and a few swimmers reaching the ship at the same time. The ship creaked as the longboats were hoisted aboard. Men scrambled up ropes while others lowered nets to haul the riches taken from the Ishapian ship. The crew moved with an efficiency rarely seen, spurred on by equal shares of avarice and the fear that Bear would suddenly appear. Finally they lashed the cargo to the centre deck and Knute said, Get underway!
Where are we going? asked one of the pirates who had rowed Knute to the galley.
To a rendezvous down the coast. Ive got some men waiting for us who will offload this cargo, then we row this galley out to sea and sink it.
Why? asked another man as the crew gathered around Knute.
Why? echoed Knute. Ill tell you why, fool. That ship we took was the property of the Temple of Ishap. In a few days the entire world is going to be looking for the men who sank it. Bears got that ward against priests, but we dont. Well divide up our shares and go our separate ways, tonight!
Sounds good, said one of the sailors.
Then get to the oars! The slaves are half dead and I want us split up and every man on his own by sunrise! shouted Knute.
Just then, Bears voice cut through the storm. Its mine!! I had it in my hands!
All eyes turned to the sinking ship, and against a lightning flash they could see Bear standing at the rail. Slowly, he climbed atop it, shook his fist as the retreating galley, and leaped into the water.
Like a spur to a horse, the sight of Bear plunging into the water as if to swim after them caused the sailors to spring to action. Below, the hortators drum began to sound as slaves were unchained and pushed aside by frantic pirates. Knute paused a moment to look where Bear had stood outlined against the lightning flashes. For an instant Knute could have sworn Bears eye had been glowing red.
Knute shuddered and turned his mind away from Bear. The man was terrible in his anger and his strength was unmatched, but even Bear wouldnt be able to storm into the Princes city and find Knute.
Knute smiled. The men waiting for him were expecting a ship full of riches and a dead crew. Poisoned wine and ale waited below, and Knute would pass it out minutes before reaching the rendezvous. By the time the cargo was offloaded and aboard the wagons, every pirate and slave below would be a corpse. His own men would also be departed, but that was an unfortunate circumstance he couldnt avoid. Besides, it meant more for him and those driving the wagons.
All his life he had waited for an opportunity like this and he was going to be ruthless in taking advantage of it. None of these men would lift a finger to help Knute, he knew, if his life was at risk, so what did he owe them? Honour among thieves might exist with the Mockers, where the Upright Mans bashers ensured honourable behaviour, but on a ship like Bears, the rule was strictly survival by strength, or by wits.