“You credit me with wisdom I do not have, My Lady,” Jaascin said with a pleasant smile.  “I did think he was young enough to not have any qualms about taking me aboard.”  The young woman smiled but did not look as if she completely believed him.  She was sure Jaascin knew the captain would be willing to take him on as a passenger. 

     Although Jaascin was an intriguing, very charming and somewhat handsome man, she thought she would be better served by keeping him only as a friend.  She thought Jaascin would be willing.  He seemed to be more interested in her as a sorceress and not as just a woman.  She found that she was actually glad of this.  She would not have to work hard at resisting his great charm.

     In this port, Jaascin had acquired some additional healing supplies and several books.  As he reached the docks, just before he was to board the ship, a hawk swooped down and landed on his shoulder for a moment.  Jaascin seemed to be listening carefully as if the hawk was telling him something.  It then flew away, and Jaascin walked up the gangplank on to the ship.  The captain watched with interest as this happened.  He wondered, who this wizard, who looked and spoke like a noble, really was.   He had heard stories about the fact that hawks were the messengers of wizards.  Jaascin came to the captain and quietly said,

     “It is good we leave tonight.  When safely away from land, bear five points further to the south than you would have planned to do, until you are five turns of the hourglass out.  Then you can correct your course to that you intended to travel.  It will make for a more safe and pleasant voyage.”  The captain merely smiled and nodded his head.  He would do as Jaascin had suggested.  By now he believed, like his sorceress, that Jaascin was truly a great wizard.  He also knew Jaascin wanted his ship to get safely to the port of Scheanatrai.  He was sure Jaascin had a reason he wanted to get to that port.  Therefore Jaascin would do what he could to assure them all of safe passage. 

     By now, the captain was very glad he had agreed to take Jaascin on as a passenger.  He found Jaascin very knowledgeable and willing to share his knowledge.  He was also sure the Jaascin truly was a wizard with formidable powers.  His sorceress told him she was now sure he was a very powerful wizard.  She also said it did not seem important to Jaascin how he was viewed.  The captain had met quite a few wizards and mages in his life at sea, but never one like Jaascin.  The captain was glad he appeared to be a friendly wizard.

     The ship slipped away from port practically unnoticed.  The night was clear and there was a fair moon with only a few clouds drifting along.  It remained this way until they were five hours out.  After the captain had corrected his course and was well on his intended course, it began to cloud up and the wind picked up.  The clouds were much thicker and blacker far to the north and they could see lightening flashes in that direction.  That would have been the area he would have been traveling.  He thanked his gods for having sent Jaascin to him.

     Luckily the very brisk wind that came up was from their stern.  It drove them along at a fast pace.  They were still able to carry full sail.  The ship was a fast ship built for these waters so it could easily ride these rough waves.  The sorceress watched Jaascin as the seas roughened.  It was obvious that Jaascin had sailed before.  He walked the decks like a seasoned sailor.  He seemed to revel in the wind and waves and the rolling of the ship, rather than fear it.  He seemed a man with little fear.  That is how she remembered that young man of many years ago.  Jaascin stayed on deck with the captain until the ship was well along on its intended course.  Only then did he go to his cabin.  The captain made sure everything seemed to be going well, then he too retired to his cabin.

     The next morning the sun was peeking out of the clouds and the wind had calmed down somewhat.  They were still making very good time running before the wind.  They would make the next port in three more days if the wind kept up.  That would be at least a day ahead of their normal schedule.  The captain was now figuring they would reach Scheanatrai at least two and very possibly three days ahead of their schedule.  This ship was capable of making faster time than most ships that sailed these seas.  The captain greeted Jaascin as he came on deck. 

     “We have a good wind and made very good time last night.  I believe we will be ahead of our schedule if everything goes as planned.”  Jaascin smiled at the captain and looked over the ship. 

     “Is this the prevailing wind at this season in these latitudes?” Jaascin asked the captain.

     “Not necessarily, the winds can be capricious in these seas,” the captain replied.  “I do think all indications are that we will have this favorable wind for several days.  That could bring us to our next port of call.  From there we will have a very good chance for favorable winds the rest of our voyage.  We could easily reach Scheanatrai a number of days ahead of our schedule.  That would be very fortunate for me.  I will earn a bonus for bringing my cargo in early.” 

     “Then let us hope you are right.  It would also suit my plans if I reached that port early,” Jaascin said.  He did not tell the captain why.  The captain was not about to question this wizard further on this.  Arriving early would suit Jaascin very well.  It would put him into this port at least four days ahead of what he would be expected to arrive on a normal schedule. 

     This was a busy port and many ships would be coming from many countries.  It seemed the sign of the hawk was truly a good one.  He could be well into the country by the time anyone would be expecting him to arrive.  He interpreted the warning he had received to mean some one would be looking for Jaascin Wanilain.  Jaascin assumed that person would not have his best interests in mind otherwise the dragons would not have warned him.  Why, he did not know at this time.  It did not worry Jaascin.  He had been forewarned, that was all that mattered at the moment.  He would be especially wary.  He would try later to find out who was looking for him and for what reason.  However, at the moment it was not a high priority.

     At the next port, Jaascin again went ashore for the day.  It was a small port that had a rough reputation.  As he walked alone through the narrow streets near the docks, he was wary although he seemed to be very relaxed.  Suddenly his swords warned him of danger.  He moved quickly to the side, drew his swords and whirled around as two men attacked.  He parried the thrust of the first and moved in and drove his other sword into the second man.  Then Jaascin dispatched the first attacker in the same way before he could recover.  A man close by spun on his heel and started to run down an alley.  He suddenly slumped to the ground.  Jaascin walked over to him and recovered his dagger.  Jaascin was sure this was an isolated case of an attempt to rob him.  He was sure someone had noticed him get off the ship and sent these men to rob him.  He did not think this was in any way connected to the warning of danger.  He wiped his swords clean, then sheathed them and continued on his way down the street turning into an Inn on the next corner.  Several other people on the street did not seem to pay any attention to what was happening.  Apparently this was not an unusual occurrence for this port city. 

     He walked in and sat at a table at the back where he could watch the door.  He smiled pleasantly at the barmaid and ordered an ale.  He paid for the ale and then gave the maid a small gold piece.  She looked at it in surprise and then gave Jaascin a curtsey and a bright smile.  Jaascin sat and drank his ale.  An old man dressed as a mage sat close by. 

     “May I buy you a drink old father?” Jaascin inquired.  Before he got his answer a finely attired man with sword drawn came into the room.   He was followed, by two other men who also had drawn their swords.  Looking at Jaascin the man said. 

     “Two of my men were attacked and murdered just now.”  He was looking directly at Jaascin and started purposely walking toward him.  Suddenly he stumbled and somehow fell on his own sword.  The two other men, who had also moved in Jaascin’s direction, halted for a moment in surprise.  Suddenly flames ran up their swords.   They immediately dropped their swords as if they were white hot.  Fear swept their faces as they turned and fled out the door.  Jaascin seemed to be unconcernedly watching this happen as if he couldn’t understand what was going on.

     The old man turned to Jaascin and with a smile said,

     “I would be most delighted to join you in a drink. I have never seen that trick performed before.  Especially as no one seems to have done anything to cause it to happen.  Whoever did it is indeed a great wizard, the likes of which I have never encountered before.”

     Jaascin turned and smiled at the old mage.  “You seem to be the only one in the room who purports to be a mage.  I would assume, if you did not do it, you would be able to determine from where the energy emanated.  Am I not right?” Jaascin asked the old mage.

     The old man smiled pleasantly.  “That should have been so.  However, in this case, I felt nothing.  Only a very, very powerful wizard could have shielded that from me.  Too much energy would be required to perform that, so otherwise I would have easily felt it.  I have never had this experience before.  I felt nothing.”

     At this time the ale arrived and again Jaascin gave the barmaid a small gold piece and a smiling nod of his head.  The old man raised his glass to Jaascin in a toast. 

     “To a very charming and wise man, who values friends above gold.”  Then he smiled at Jaascin and then nodded in the direction of the dead man who was now being removed from the Inn.  “He was a fool who knew not who he was facing.  It is often fatal to underestimate your opponent.”

     “Why did he come in here with sword drawn and why did he say two of his men were attacked and murdered close by?  Did he think the murderer came into here.  That would be fool hardy would it not?” Jaascin commented in a puzzled tone.

     The old man smiled as he replied, “For an ordinary man that would have been very foolhardy.  Perhaps things were not what they seemed or were reported.  I would wager that was the case.”

     Jaascin shook his head as if in wonderment.  “It is all very strange.  Will there be inquiries?” Jaascin asked as if he knew nothing about such things.

     The old mage smiled.  “Men die by the sword everyday in this port.  There will be a few questions and that will be it.  I would doubt they would bother a noble person such as you,” he said.

     As they sat drinking their ale, two guards came into the Inn and talked to the owner and to the barmaid.  They took in Jaascin and the old mage, but as the old mage predicted, they did not come over to them.  Within a short time they left.

     Jaascin turned to the old mage.  “Does this sort of thing happen often here in this city?”

     The old mage smiled.  “Attacks and murders, yes,” he replied.  “Things like what just happened in this room, no.  We do not have a great wizard visiting us that often.”

Jaascin looked at the mage with a questioning glance. 

     “Do you think that was the doing of a wizard.  But to what end.”

     “That I do not know.  I would not pretend to know the mind of a great wizard.  Perhaps he saw evil in those men and it annoyed him.”

     “Could a sorceress have done that?” questioned Jaascin.

     “A very great sorceress, but we have none of those in this city.  Nor for that matter a wizard that has powers such as that.”

     “It is a great mystery then,” Jaascin said thoughtfully.

     The old mage smiled as he agreed, “A very great mystery.”

     Jaascin then changed the subject. 

     “Do you know of a fine Inn where we could get a good dinner, and would you care to join me.  I prefer not to dine alone,” Jaascin asked.

     “There is one such as that, but we would best get a carriage.  We can get one within a short distance,” the mage said.  “I would be honored to join you for dinner.”  The old mage found Jaascin intriguing.  He suspected that Jaascin might not be just what he appeared to be.  However, he knew he really had no basis for suspecting that.  He knew Jaascin was highly educated from his speech.  Jaascin had the manners and charm of a noble person.  By his clothes and the gold he had given the barmaid, he judged Jaascin must be very wealthy.  The swords he wore would indicate he was an excellent swordsman.  He was also intrigued, because Jaascin was not acting like an ordinary noble would.

     They left the Inn and found a carriage, as the old mage had said they would.  The carriage brought them to the Inn, the old mage had recommended.  They went in and found a table where Jaascin could look over the people.  The old mage thought that Jaascin had made sure they got the table he wanted.  However, Jaascin seemed to have done nothing to bring this about.

     “As you can see,” the old mage said, “the people who dine here are such as you.  It is a very nice place.”

     Jaascin surveyed the room and could find no danger here.  He could enjoy the old mage’s company and learn some things from him.  He knew the old mage had traveled rather widely earlier in his lifetime.  He had just settled here in this port because he could continue to meet and talk to travelers from around the world.

      Jaascin would make it back to the ship in time before the ship slipped out of port tonight.  There promised to be a full moon tonight.  However, Jaascin would see that no one noted their leaving the port, nor would they be visible to anyone watching at sea.  He could do this with little effort until sunup.  

     The sorceress would detect what Jaascin was doing, but she would say nothing.  Jaascin actually allowed her to do this.  She was sure that was what happened.  They would then be far enough away with the favorable wind.  Jaascin had been warned there might be some attempt on the ship.  He did not want to use his wizard power so close to port in case the sorceress might need some assistance.  Some one might be looking for wizard energy.  Because he was doing this alone, he could easily shield the energy from any except the greatest of mages or wizards.  He would use the two stones to accomplish this.

     They were able to slip out of the harbor and out to sea.  It was a beautiful night with a brisk wind driving them once they got out away from land.  There was a full moon but to any other eyes the ship was invisible.  The ship did not even seem to leave a wake.  The sorceress knew it was Jaascin doing this, but she did not understand how he could accomplish that.  Jaascin stayed on deck until after midnight, then retired to his cabin.  He would be warned if any danger threatened.  The sun was well up before he awoke and came up on deck.  These were waters that often saw pirates.  Jaascin could find no sign of any immediate danger.  He knew the sorceress was watchful and was searching for any sign of danger to the ship. 

     As Jaascin walked up to her she turned and said, “I can find no immediate danger although these are sometimes dangerous waters for trading vessels.”  She looked questioningly at Jaascin.

     “I cannot find any immediate danger.  All seems to be calm and unthreatening in the area.” Jaascin replied to her unspoken question.  “I assume in these waters we must be constantly on the alert.”

     “At least for the first two or three days, then we will be in safer waters.  We will then be just a few days out of our final port,” was the sorceress’ reply.

     “I take it those waters are patrolled rather regularly,” Jaascin inquired.  “That is a major port for this part of the world.”

     “Yes, many a pirate has learned that to his sorrow.  No quarter is given.  Trade is very important to the city and its ruler.”

     Jaascin thought back of what he knew of this port.  His father had sailed from it on several occasions.  Jaascin had been through it a few times many years ago.  This time he would not wish to meet any of his old friends who might still be here.  He did not wish to be known.  He would stay only long enough to get certain information and what things he needed for his trip inland.  He was sorry that this was the case.  He would have liked to become reacquainted with this port city.  Once he was several days out, he would again become Jaascin Wanilain, a wanderer who knew the arts of a healer and some little wizard tricks.  Some one, that carried the papers of a wandering trader.  He would have to pick some village or town where he could accomplish this without raising any suspicions.  He would be much happier then.  He was much more comfortable as Jaascin Wanilain, the wanderer.

     He had decided he wanted to meet the brother of the young sorceress.  As a merchant in that port, it was possible he would have information that would be important to Jaascin.  In addition, he might have good contacts that Jaascin could utilize in the country where he would be traveling.  Jaascin was not worried about what might be ahead of him, but he wanted to be prepared.  Good information was the best preparation. 

     They were out about two days when Jaascin detected some warning of danger.  He went on deck to find the sorceress.  She had a worried look on her face.  As Jaascin came up to her she turned to him and said,

     “I detect some pirate ships and some sorcerer energy with it.”

     “I also detected some type of danger,” Jaascin told her.  Then he said, “Send out a probe and I will ride your probe without revealing my presence on board.  I can breach the shield, without the sorcerer detecting that, as long as I am riding your probe.  I will signal you when you should pull back your probe.  I want the sorcerer to try to ride your probe back to us.  I will see that he sees only what we want him to see.”

     The young sorceress smiled at Jaascin.  “I can see you will be a formidable opponent.”

     “Surprise and misinformation are very powerful weapons I have learned.  We will use them to their greatest extent.”

     The sorceress waited until Jaascin gave her the signal to send out her probe.  He rode it in and found two pirate ships and one sorcerer slightly more powerful than the young sorceress.  He was nothing Jaascin would need to worry about.  Jaascin decided to cause the pirates to send the two ships on either side of the ship they were on.  He wanted to divide their forces.   Jaascin could then take on the ship with the sorcerer and destroy the sorcerer.  He was counting on surprise to allow him to accomplish this without the other ship knowing what was happening.  Then he would cause fire to rain down on the first ship igniting their powder and blowing up the ship.  The young sorceress would keep the other ship at bay until that was accomplished and then with Jaascin’s help they would destroy the other pirate ship.

     Jaascin’s plan was temporarily in danger because the first ship lagged behind.  It looked like he was doing this in hopes of learning if this merchant ship had weapons aboard.  The second ship was being used as a decoy.  Jaascin told the captain to put on full sail as if to outrun the pirate ships.  This caused the first ship to quickly pull in to position on their side.  Jaascin then quickly destroyed the sorcerer and then the ship. 

     Meantime the young sorceress was having some problems with the other ship and it was closing in on them.  Jaascin sent a burst of wizard energy that shirred their main mast and caused them to start falling behind.  Then as soon as they were at a safe distance, Jaascin and the young sorceress destroyed the second ship.

     “It is too bad we must allow their booty to go to the bottom, but it is more important that we make port as soon as we can,” Jaascin commented with a smile.  The captain agreed.  He had valuable cargo on board that would earn him much gold.  He knew the weather was changing and he preferred to try to reach port before the storms broke.  He figured they were three days out and he was sure they could make the port before the full fury of the storms hit. 

     The sorceress was glad to have this challenge behind her.  She had never had to deal with two pirate ships at the same time.  Also this was the first time she had to deal with a pirate ship with a somewhat powerful sorcerer on board.  She thought, perhaps the sorcerer was really the person in command. This was the first time she had run into this situation.  She wondered if they were looking for this particular ship.  Jaascin, she knew, would have her take full credit and the captain would not say any different.  She knew Jaascin really didn’t want people to know he was a powerful wizard.  That is what could make him so dangerous to anyone opposing him.   

     This would also help the sorceress and the captain.  It would give any other pirates pause before trying to attack his ship while he had this sorceress on board.  With the sorceress taking credit, Jaascin could appear to be only a wandering trader from the north country.  He would be planning to go inland on a buying expedition and to gather orders for products from his country.  He would be incidentally looking for unusual gems for his clients.

CHAPTER TWO

     They reached the port of Scheanatrai many days ahead of schedule.  The captain reported that two pirate ships had tried to attack them, but they were able fight them off.  Because there was no visible damage to his ship, it was assumed that the sorceress was able to fend them off, if not destroy them.  It was not said what happened to the pirate ships.  The crew merely said they got away from the pirates.  They did not say that the two attacked at the same time.  This was learned much later when the story was told of a dying sailor who had been picked up at sea.  He said he was on the crew of a powerful pirate and that their ships had been destroyed by some powerful sorcerer who was on the ship they tried to attack.  He had seen the figure of the hawk on the bow of the ship. 

     There was only one ship that sailed these waters that had a figure of a hawk on its bow.  That ship carried a sorceress.  The word soon got around that she was a very powerful sorceress.  This was the homeport of this captain’s ship so the story did reach the port before he made another long trip.  He again, in his mind, thanked his gods for sending that wizard as a passenger on his ship on that trip.  Pirates would think twice before attacking the ship with the hawk on its bow.  This ship had not only a sorceress on board, but she was a very powerful sorceress.  One who could take on and defeat two pirate ships with a powerful sorcerer on board.  This kind of news traveled fast.

     When they disembarked, Sulazan did arrange to have Jaascin meet her brother.  Jaascin picked up his belongings that he had shipped ahead.  He took them to an Inn on the outskirts of the city, which had been suggested to him.  He was still using the name of Shalezar Norentime.  It seemed no one was inquiring about a person by that name.  Jaascin did not think anyone would be looking for him for about another week.  That is when he would normally expected to arrive if the weather was good.  As Shalezar Norentime he could take his time getting ready for his trip across country to the land of the Great Raj. 

     Sulazan sent word for Shalezar to meet she and her brother for dinner at a very fine Inn in a very nice section of the city.  Apparently Kanarton, Sulazan’s brother had become a very successful merchant.  Jaascin was sure that Sulazan had been helpful in bringing about that success.  Jaascin was sure he would not be recognized by anyone there.  His fine clothes and his Elven short sword would make him fit right in at this Inn.  That would also assure no one from his past would be liable to recognize him.  Jaascin did not think anyone would be looking for him looking like he did now.  He also couldn’t think of any of his friends, in this town, who would want to be looking for him.

     He came to the Inn and surveyed the crowd.  It was an Inn frequented by well-to-do merchants and nobles.  He spotted Sulazan seated with a tall young man and a striking young woman.  Jaascin assumed this woman was the wife of the brother.  Jaascin came up to them and bowed to the two women.  Her brother looked Jaascin over very intently.  Sulazan smiled at Jaascin. 

     “This is the man I told you about, brother,” said Sulazan. Then with a smile she added, “This is Shalezar Norentime, at least that is the name he now goes by.”  Then she turned to Jaascin.  “This is my brother Kanarton and his wife Trutella.”

Then before Kanarton could say a word she asked, “Do you not think he is the same one I said he is?”

     Before her brother could answer, Jaascin said, “Your sister ascribes a wonderful character to me.  I do not think I could live up to it.”

     Kanarton smiled.  “I do think you are right.  That is exactly what I would expect him to say.  He has the looks and the manners although much more polished now.”  Then he turned to Jaascin.  “Welcome to Scheanatrai.  We will try to make your visit here very pleasant.  I am at your service.  I think my sister is right that you are who she thinks you are.”

     “You honor me greatly, Kanarton,” Jaascin said very graciously.  “I cannot rightfully claim to have done such a deed.”  Kanarton smiled, but it was obvious he thought his sister was right.

     Jaascin joined them at their table sitting between Sulazan and Trutella.  Trutella turned to Jaascin with a smile. 

     “You do truly have the manners, looks and charms of a Prince and the speech of a scholar.”

     Jaascin inclined his head to her in thanks.  “I claim only to be a wandering trader from a land where there are no Princes nor even any nobles,” he told her with a charming smile.

     “But Sulazan claims you are a very powerful wizard.  One who was glad to share his secrets with her and teach her to be a much more powerful sorceress.  I for one have never heard of such a wizard unless it was at a school for wizards,” said Trutella. 

     Jaascin smiled.  “I have always believed that knowledge is of little value unless shared.  Therefore I am very willing to share what small knowledge I may have.”

     Kanarton laughed.  “I would wager, Shalezar, the knowledge you possess, is anything but small.  My sister believes it is very great and very broad.  I am quite willing to believe her in this.”

     “It seems that everyone keeps insisting I am much more than I claim.  I cannot see why that should be,” Jaascin said with a sigh in resignation.  The group around the table laughed at Jaascin’s act.  None of them were willing to believe him.  They were willing to believe he was what Sulazan claimed him to be.

     The evening was pleasant and Jaascin and Kanarton set a date to meet tomorrow at Kanarton’s office.  Jaascin was also invited to a dinner at Kanarton’s home in three days.  There would be a group of Kanarton and Sulazan’s friends there also.  Jaascin was glad no one asked him to show any wizard tricks.  Of course, Sulazan was a sorceress, so they were not ignorant of what wizards could do. 

     Kanarton did introduce Jaascin to selected people during the next three days.  His act, as Shalezar Norentime was very convincing.  To everyone he met he really was a trader from a country far to the north.   He was very knowledgeable regarding that country and could speak of other traders from that area.