During a celebration of historical significance underway in Tasur'ke
Harbour recently (Events post #340), I experienced a darker side of
seafaring, a hint of a rough and brutal maritime 'justice'.

I'm penning it here in hopes that some Achaeans will find my experience
interesting and will get inspired to take on the challenges of
seafaring.

Whilst the finest cigars were being passed around in the Tasur'ke
Harbour that day, and a jingle of hundreds of thousands of sovereigns
were promising future riches in a new Ship Trade opportunities, strange
and unexpected things were becoming evident to me.

First, the Baarian merchant captain, the very same one we just
successfully escorted and whose life we possibly saved while endangering
ours, was snarling, insulting and not only yelling at us but slapping
and spitting in our faces.

Our host, Captain Maelstrom seemed amused, chuckling long and heartily
at the oddly behaving captain. Therefore, I confidently followed the
example of seasoned seafarers of simply ignoring the Baarian captain's
orders to "Go to Hell!" and all his other insults.

Then I noticed the Baarian merchant captain exchanging a strange look
with his crew. I was rather disturbed to see him moments later staring
meaningfully at me and furtively making a small gesture in front of his
neck.

Still, like everyone else, I tried to ignore it all. I saw Captain
Maelstrom flashing the Baarian merchant captain a joyous smile. There
was clearly nothing to worry about, it was all in good humour, an
integral part of seafaring fun which I know nothing about as yet. After
all it was only my second sailing experience ever, my marque not even
fully attested.

When I saw the Zanzibaar crew murmuring amongst themselves, getting
ropes and a sack ready for something, I tried hard to focus on
announcements just made and news about Harbours opened to trading for
anyone interested.

Still, I couldn't help noticing the Baarian crew quietly and subtly
spreading out through the assembled crowd, encircling me, all the while
there were more of the friendly and jovial exchanges amongst all the
captains present. Captain Maelstrom clapping the Baarian merchant
captain on the back was again laughing heartily and Baarian merchant
captain was confirming: "I look forward to future business dealings with
you, Captain". General good cheer reigned amongst the celebrating crowd.

I felt encouraged seeing the well meaning snuke on Baarian merchant
captain's face, even though he was glaring at me and fuming with anger
immediately after.

Finally, Captain Maelstrom waved goodbye to us all and swaggered out to
the West.

As on clue, a sack at the ready, and ropes in hand, the Baarian crew
lunged at me, swiftly and expertly binding my hands behind my back!

Baarian merchant captain slapped me on the cheek one more time and I was
dragged kicking and struggling aboard 'The Wind of Fortune'. Actually
not quite, I was obviously tossed on the deck of the ship, but when the
sack on my head got loose for a moment I saw that I was on the
quarterdeck of 'The Dark Illusion', not of the Zanzibaar's ship.

Here, bound with heavy ropes, I was beaten senseless by swarthy
swashbucklers, lashing out at me with their blades. Covered in blood, on
a brink of death, I was then thrown aboard 'The Wind of Fortune' to face
11, that's 'eleven!', jeering bare-chested sailors and a vicious glare
of their Baarian merchant captain.

As a golden flag bearing the arms of Zanzibaar fluttered proudly from
the mainmast high above, I was told that a good bounty for me was
expected by the sailors. And that I'll 'get what's coming all right.' I
was apparently seen 'reaving and murdering on Zanzibaar'. And didn't I
think that they would catch up with me? Well, truth is that while
getting my marque attested just a month earlier on Zanzibaar we did hunt
and slayed few drunken sailors on the docks there.

I was too stunned to even open my bloodied and swollen mouth and, I'm
ashamed to say, when I saw an opportunity to escape, I did just that
before the gangplank was raised.

Back in the Harbour, Captain Delphinus Windancer, the Gatecrasher
laughingly said to me, "I doubt you would have gotten a fair trial at
sea. Maritime justice can be... rough."

Yes, 'justice' at sea is a totally different beast it seems, there is no
forgiveness, tolerance nor pity to be found and respect needs to be
earned. On the other hand, doesn't that sound familiar?

I learned that day that entering seafaring we enter a strange and brutal
world and anything and everything can happen in the most unexpected
moment. But then, isn't that the truth and the beauty of our mortal
lives anyway?

I wish to thank Captain Artanis for the privilege of being part of his
crew on that occasion. And Captain Scatter for help with getting my
marque almost fully attested and making this trip possible. And all
other Captains in attendance and their crew for the great example of
what true seamanship is all about. Of course, thank you Captain
Maelstrom for hosting an event which unwittingly turned out to be a
truly an eye opening event for me, in every sense of the word.


Tyehr



Penned by my hand on the 6th of Daedalan, in the year 557 AF.