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 I don t understand, the mage said. The imp squirmed in his robe, but went unnoticed.
 We are not the first expedition to search for the Western Continent. There was one in fact there were
two who went before us, and both ended in disaster; the second because the ship had a werewolf on
board.
There was a pause. The racket and clamour of the carrack went on heedlessly outside.
 I was never informed of this, Hawkwood said coldly.
 I did not think it necessary, but I do now with things the way they are. It would seem that western
expeditions have a way of coming to grief that is similar.
 Explain, please, Bardolin said. Sweat was trickling down his temples and dripping off his battered nose.
Briefly, Murad informed them both of the fate of the Cartigellan Faulcon, over a century before. He
also told them of the references in the rutter to an even earlier voyage west, one undertaken by a group
of mages fleeing persecution in the Ramusian kingdoms.
 The information is fragmentary, and obscure, but I have tried to glean what I can from it, he said.
 What disturbs me are the similarities between the three voyages. Werewolves, Dweomerfolk. Murders
on board ship.
 And ultimate disaster, Hawkwood added.  We should turn back for Abrusio, get the boats out and
tow the ship s head into a wind. That Inceptine is right: this voyage is cursed.
Murad brought a fist down on the desk with a startling thump. Dust rose from the pages of the ancient
book.
 There will be no turning back. Whatever demon has taken ship with us wants precisely that. You heard
what Bardolin said. Someone or something has been sabotaging westward voyages for three centuries or
more. I intend to find out why.
 Do you think the Western Continent is inhabited then? Bardolin enquired.
 Yes, I do.
 What about the Grace of God? Hawkwood asked suddenly.  Could her disappearance be the result
of some kind of sabotage also?
 Perhaps. Who can say?
Hawkwood cursed bitterly.
 If the caravel is lost, Captain, don t you want to find out how or why? And who it was that destroyed
your ship and killed your crew? Murad s voice was low, but as hard as frost.
 Not at the expense of this ship and the lives of her company, Hawkwood said.
 That may not be necessary, if we are vigilant enough. We have been warned by the fate of the previous
ships; we need not go the same way.
 Then how do we track this thing down? You heard Bardolin there is no telling which man on this ship
is the shifter.
 Perhaps the priest can tell. I have heard it rumoured that the clergy can somehow sniff out these things.
 No, Bardolin put in quickly.  That is a fallacy. The only way to weed out a shifter is to wait until it
changes and be ready for it.
 What makes it change? Hawkwood asked.  You said it was rational after a fashion, even in its beast
form.
 Yes. And I also said it is impulsive, uncontrollable. But if we turn back it will, I believe, have got what it
wants and may not find the need to shift again. On the other hand, if we announce that we are sticking to
our course it may feel forced to persuade us otherwise.
 Excellent, Murad said.  There you are, Captain. We must continue westwards if we want to hunt this
thing out into the open.
 Continue westwards! Hawkwood laughed.  We are not continuing anywhere at the moment. The sails
are as slack as a beggar s purse. The ship is becalmed.
 There must be something we can do, Murad said irritably.  Bardolin, you are supposed to be a mage.
Can t you whistle up a wind?
 A mage is master of only four of the Seven Disciplines, Bardolin replied.  Weather-working is not one
of mine.
 What about the other passengers? They re mages and witches to a man, else they would not be here.
Surely one of them could do something?
Bardolin smiled wryly.  Pernicus was the only one gifted in that particular field. Perhaps you should ask
Brother Ortelius to pray for a wind, my lord.
 Do not be insolent, Murad snapped.
 I only point out that the dregs of Ramusian society have suddenly become sought-after in a crisis.
 Only because one of those dregs jeopardizes the entire ship s safety with his own accursed brand of
hellish sorcery, Murad said icily.  Set a thief to catch a thief, it is said.
Bardolin s eyes glinted in his old-soldier face.  I will catch your thief for you, then, but I will not do it for
nothing.
 Aha! Here s the rub. And what would you like in way of payment, Mage?
 I will let you know that at the appropriate time. For now, let us just say that you will owe me a favour.
 The damn thing isn t caught yet, Hawkwood said quietly.  Worry about obligations after we have its
head on a pike.
 Well said, Captain, Murad agreed.  And here  he threw the rutter into Hawkwood s lap  peruse
that at your leisure. It may be of use.
 I doubt it. We are far off our course, Murad. The rutter is no longer any use to me. From now on, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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