The formalities had ended, and Borin hurriedly made his way back to Iris, the ship he had only glimpsed from the castle windows over the past two days. The morning after the christening had been far from pleasant. Not only did he have to endure a pounding headache and a tense conversation with his father, but he also had to deal with the shame of his drunken escapade. The arrival of the Zhar family had taken up the next day, and only now, today, could he finally see the ship again. He hadn’t visited in nearly two days, and he missed it dearly. The shame of that night still lingered, but he didn’t encounter any disapproving looks—just the usual ones filled with annoyance. For some reason, people didn’t like seeing the king’s son hanging around the docks. They spoke differently when he treated them to wine.

  "Borin!" a voice called out.

  Borin turned to see Uther Zhar. Just when he thought he could leave all the formalities and the people he had met at the castle behind, he now had to deal with yet another one of the Zhars. All of Uther's sons had struck him as annoyingly arrogant and strange. He had no desire to see any more of this family.

  "Sir?" he responded out of respect.

  "Good morning, Borin. I figured I’d find you heading this way. I know the type who’s in love with the sea."

  "And how do you know them so well?" Borin asked, though he wasn’t really interested. Still, since they were both heading toward the ship, he asked out of politeness.

  "I was like you in my youth, but my enthusiasm for the sea cooled quickly and led me away from the water."

  "And why was that?"

  "Let’s just say it was due to an unpleasant memory and an unfortunate end to an idea," Uther replied without breaking stride. "Since I’m here for just a little longer, would you be so kind as to give me a tour of your ship? I’ve heard from your father that it’s the finest he’s ever seen. I’m inclined to agree, and it’s certainly the finest I’ve ever seen."

  Borin didn’t want to, of course, but what could he do? Tell Uther to leave? Impossible. Uther would just go straight to his father and tell him everything. Borin didn’t want more trouble; he just wanted to enjoy Iris and, if his crew or Cassius the Blue were there, discuss the final preparations. He was ready to set sail, even now. Nothing was holding him back in his father’s lands. And if he stayed any longer, there was a chance his father might try to keep him here. He didn’t want to stay.

  Sir Uther was tall and thin, with exceptionally long arms. He moved slowly, limping on one leg. He was dressed in fine clothes, better than anything Borin had seen even on his father, despite being a king of one of the largest kingdoms. Uther's eyes were small and dark, and his mustache proudly sprawled over his upper lip.

  "We’ll need to walk a bit slower because of this leg..."

  "Did you injure it on a ship, Sir Uther?"

  "On a ship? No. But it was because of one. When I was young, I worked for a carpenter who made parts for ships."

  "A carpenter? Weren’t you the son of a lord?"

  "My father was very strict and made all his children apprentice with craftsmen. I was assigned to a carpenter." Uther indeed walked slowly, and Iris was now visible on the horizon. "One day, a beam fell on my leg while I was working. A dull story, but it left me with a lifelong injury. Poor Ruth thought my leg was gone."

  "Gone? You mean cut off?"

  "He called the healer to amputate it. The healer was about to do just that, but I was so terrified of the pain that I ran away, using my good leg. I came out and told them that I’d rather die than lose my leg."

  "And what happened to your leg?"

  "Well, here it is." Uther pointed down. "I spent several days in excruciating pain. Of course, I didn’t tell anyone. I pretended nothing was wrong. In the meantime, my father heard about the incident and summoned Ruth for an explanation. I defended the carpenter; it wasn’t his fault."

  "And you never returned to work with Ruth, I assume?"

  "No. I was too scared. But he was even more scared of me," Uther stopped. Borin had seen heavyset men get winded from a little walking, but he hadn’t expected Sir Uther to tire so quickly. Then again, with his injured leg, it must have been difficult. "On the fourth day, I couldn’t bear the pain any longer and went to the healer. He nearly fainted when he saw me. It was the first and last time I saw a healer almost pass out at the sight of something."

  "Was it that bad?"

  "Quite the opposite. My foot was full of blood. Anisto, as the healer was called, pressed in several places. I screamed, of course—it hurt. But when he was done, he said I’d recover."

  "Seems he got it wrong the first time," Borin chuckled.

  "Yes, he apologized. But an apology wouldn’t give me back a good leg. He did predict that I’d struggle with it for the rest of my life. You see, Borin, I don’t feel pain, but I can’t feel it well either. I suspect the bones are shattered. Anisto told me about another healer who could have fixed it completely, but by then I wasn’t too interested. I was just glad to be alive. So was my father."

  Borin didn’t respond. The story was interesting, but he didn’t see how it concerned him. By the end, he was just nodding, eager for the tale to conclude. And when it did, they were almost at Iris. Borin decided to change the subject before Uther could launch into another story.

  "Was it while working with the carpenter that you developed your love for ships?"

  "I’m only an enthusiast, Borin, just like you. I don’t know much about ships. But as for their beauty... Oh, I can recognize when something is beautifully made. And from here, your ship looks magnificent. Though from the outside, it seems unfinished. The colors look a bit dull. It lacks a little vibrancy."

  Borin hadn’t looked at the ship from this angle before. And indeed, upon closer inspection, the planks seemed plain, with nails sticking out in places and splinters jutting from the edges. It was as if Uther had pulled him out of his enchantment with the ship.

  "But that’s not a major issue, Borin," Uther seemed to sense his unease. "What matters is that the ship floats and stays above water, right? What more could a captain want?"

  "I’m not the captain. I have a captain, and he has a crew. I’m just the one paying for it," Borin explained, though it felt like he had to do so every time.

  "Hmm, a wise decision. Wise indeed."

  They approached the ship. The earlier rain had driven most people away from the docks, leaving only the fishermen, whose numbers had increased. The fish went wild in such weather, and the fishermen just needed to be there. Fishermen and captains were the only ones who loved gloomy, rainy weather. For fishermen, it filled their baskets, and for captains, it cleared the way. The smell of fish was everywhere. Perhaps that was why his father didn’t care much for this place. But Borin liked it. And now, with the air a bit more humid and the breeze fresher, he felt like he could stay here forever.

  "Iris? A fine name. Did you come up with it?"

  "Yes."

  The memories of Iris flooded his mind again, but only briefly. He remembered Iris. They were young, and she died. That was all. Why did he still think of her so often? But she would have liked the ship.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "Good, good. The woodwork is well done. Even though the paint isn’t great, the craftsmanship is solid. We have the best carpenters in our rocky homeland, but yours isn’t bad either. Not bad at all. Can we board? Take a look inside? Or is it off-limits?"

  Borin looked at the ship. He had only boarded it once, just before Elric finished building it. There was a superstition, much like the one about weapons: when the captain is on the ship, it must sail. It was considered bad luck if it was used as a stationary home floating on the water.

  Borin glanced around and spotted one of the boys who worked on the docks. He gestured for the boy to come over.

  "Boy," he tossed a coin into the boy’s hand. The boy didn’t need further instructions. He grabbed one of the planks specially made to serve as a bridge to the ships, leaned it against the dock, and rested the other end on the ship. The plank was thick, with wooden railings on either side for people to hold onto. It was a simple construction but very sturdy.

  "No." Borin tried to let Uther go first, but he stopped him. "The captain should go first. It’s only right. This is your home, and it’s right that you enter first."

  "I’m not the captain."

  "Even so, I’m a guest. Please, you first."

  Borin stepped onto the plank, crossed the water, and boarded his ship. The fresh scent of new wood, mixed with the salty sea air, filled his nostrils and spread through his entire body. He loved everything about the sea and wood. It brought nostalgia, youth, and the desire to stay connected to the sea forever. And it reminded him of Raven Star. And of Iris.

  The ship swayed beneath his feet. The main deck was the lowest, and it was there that Borin first stepped. Uther followed. Three masts, evenly spaced along the length of the ship, stretched into the sky, their raindrops merging and trickling down like tiny rivers. There was a small staircase near the bow leading to the front of the ship. The stern was three steps higher. The first was slightly elevated, with a narrow platform, and the second was a level above, where the captain’s post spread across nearly the entire base. Beneath both the bow and stern were two cabins. One would be his, the other Cassius’s. And below the main deck was where the rest of the crew slept. That was also where the supplies were stored. They had already begun stocking up on food—enough to last them a long time. And wine… no ship set sail without wine. Especially not with Cassius.

  "Beautifully crafted. A ship like the one I’ve always imagined having. And it smells new. Like wood. That will disappear once you set sail. In time, all you’ll smell is dampness and fish. But you’ll get used to it. Unless you have a bad leg like mine. Then the dampness will destroy you and put you in constant agony."

  Uther seemed genuinely impressed. Borin thought he wasn’t lying.

  "Borin, I’d be delighted if this beauty one day docked at our port. I don’t know where your journey will take you or what destination you’ve chosen, but our dock is always open to Iris. Especially after your brother’s wedding to my daughter." Uther looked up at the masts. They were white and plain. The rain didn’t bother him. "This is truly a fine ship. I’d like to meet the carpenter."

  "Elric often stops by. I’m surprised he’s not here today."

  A noise came from the cabin. They both ignored it. But when it happened again, both Uther and Borin turned toward it almost simultaneously. Borin took a few tentative steps, drawing his sword as he moved. Uther stayed behind. Borin motioned for Uther to stay put, though with his bad leg, there wasn’t much he could do anyway. Borin approached the cabin door beneath the bow, low enough that one had to stoop slightly to enter.

  The first time, Borin knocked lightly with his sword without saying a word. There was no response. But there was definitely someone inside. He could hear noises. The second time, he didn’t knock—he just walked in. And froze. He turned to Uther, who was watching with interest but didn’t dare approach. Borin wondered how to stop him from coming closer. He was embarrassed by what was happening inside. Not so much by Cassius lying on the captain’s bed with a woman, but by the thought of Uther seeing them. What would he think? And what if he told Borin’s father?

  "Cassius?" Borin called softly.

  The ship’s captain was half-naked, with only the most intimate parts of his body covered. On one side of him lay a dark-haired woman, her hair covering most of her face. On the other side was another dark-haired woman. She was awake, sitting on the bed beside him. When she saw Borin, she covered herself and, like a frightened deer, jumped to the other side of the cabin, her eyes wide as if ready to scream. She acted as if Borin were a predator.

  "Oh, oh, Your Highness," Cassius slowly stood. His bloated body, previously sprawled across the bed, now slumped toward the floor. Only the blankets prevented the scene from becoming even more grotesque. The sleeping dark-haired woman still didn’t move. Now the entire blanket fell. Cassius was naked, and like a barrel about to roll over, he headed toward Borin.

  Borin glanced back at Sir Uther. The lord of the Sunlit Rocks was peering over Borin’s shoulder, trying to see what was happening inside. The only good thing was that he couldn’t quite see yet. Borin stepped forward and blocked the cabin door completely. His shadow cast darkness inside the cabin.

  "Cassius?" Borin repeated. He didn’t know what else to say.

  "Captain Cassius the Blue, at your service." Cassius bowed his head, then glanced at the girl in the other part of the cabin. His greasy body parts dangled from his sides. "This is a bit awkward. Well, we christened the ship the other night, but someone had to give it some life… if you understand what I mean." Cassius chuckled, trying to lighten the situation. "It would have been better if you had told me you were coming... Your Highness."

  "Life? We haven’t even set sail yet. What life?" Borin felt his upper lip starting to twitch. He gripped his sword tightly. He wanted to snap it in his hands. If not, he’d snap it over Cassius’s head.

  "Oh, come now. It’s not as if you little princes and lords' sons are innocent and don’t visit the royal brothel. Or do they service you in your rooms? Either way, let’s not pretend you’re pure."

  "Watch how you speak to me, Cassius. I don’t bring women to other people’s ships. What made you think…? Why are these whores here? On my ship. Aren’t there enough places in the castle and around it? Even here in the fishing bay?"

  "Oh, come on, Prince. Whores? These are regular girls who, like me, wanted a little fun. I’m a big man. One isn’t enough for me. Ulma and Yorki agreed to help me out."

  "Impressive that you even know their names."

  "Well, legends are told about them here. If you want, I can introduce you."

  "I don’t want to."

  The awake woman remained still, while the other continued to sleep.

  Uther placed a hand on Borin’s shoulder and gently moved him aside. There was nothing Borin could do, so he let Uther look. The sight made Sir Uther burst into laughter. Borin felt more ashamed than he had the morning he woke up with no memory of the drunken night before. And that, too, was because of Cassius. They hadn’t even set sail yet, and twice now he had been shamed because of him.

  "Well, you’re in for a lively seafaring life," Uther finally said.

  Borin couldn’t decide whether he was more annoyed with Cassius for doing all this without permission or embarrassed in front of Uther.

  "You’ll have to get used to it, Borin," Uther continued. "Captains often behave this way. It’s part of their charm."

  "Listen to the man. He knows the seafaring life. Captains are lonely most of the time. That’s why they occasionally make up for it. And excuse me, Your Highness, but you’re just the man with the money. Leave it to me to know what to do on my ship."

  "Your ship?"

  His palms began to sweat, and his forearm itched. Borin’s fingers started twitching on their own. In his mind, he had already drawn his sword and aimed it at Cassius’s throat. What would stop him? Nothing. But in reality, he still held it at his side.

  "Come on, Borin. Let’s leave the captain to himself." Uther pulled him back.

  Borin complied and stepped back. He took one last look into the cabin. Cassius was smiling. Borin didn’t like him anymore. He had never liked him. Now even less. He wanted to kill him. Cassius had humiliated him. Humiliated him in front of someone close to the kingdom. Someone he respected.

  "I’m sorry, Sir Uther. For what you saw..."

  Uther laughed and turned his back to him.

  "Get used to it, Borin. On land, you might be a prince, but on the water, captains and their crew rule. You may be important here, but once you set sail, be careful. These are men who could simply throw you overboard. What would stop them? No one would know what happened to you, and they’d never return to Volkar. Even your father would have given you up for lost. And they’d have a ship built with your money. I hope you made your choice wisely."

  "You won’t tell my father, will you?"

  "I won’t," Uther laughed. "Although your father isn’t stupid. He knows what happens here. He knows what captains do. He hasn’t banned the ships only because of his sister. He simply doesn’t like this revelry. That’s why he, and your grandfather, as far as I remember him, didn’t like ships and hated what your aunt did."

  "A lot of goods come in through here too."

  "Goods can also come from the east, from the Middle Sea. That’s not why this dock exists. Yes, having a port is twice as good, but it’s not crucial."

  Borin didn’t catch everything Uther said, but his worry was growing. How could he trust Cassius? He had only known him for a few days. He was somewhat comforted by the fact that Elric, the man who built the ship, vouched for the Blue. But what about the crew? No one vouched for the crew. Except Cassius.

  Another noise came from the captain’s cabin. Then there was a woman’s laugh. The laughter grew louder. Borin took one last look and started back. Iris felt tainted. He imagined stepping down, grabbing a torch from those by the wooden dock, and setting the ship on fire. Then he’d listen to Cassius’s screams and curses. He would enjoy watching that lard ball squirm in the flames. He didn’t like him anymore. Even more than before.

  The day remained rainy until the end. Borin felt disgusted with his ship again.