She did not notice they were missing for almost half a minute.She did not notice they were missing for almost half a minute. Looking about herself with disgust and barely subdued rage, Jess noticed that the deck was crowded, and not just with sailors. An incredible number of fully armed imperial soldiers in full battle dress stood with them. To the bow of the ship, a light catapult on a pivoting base stood ready, with a supply of stones beside it, identical to the one that had sunk her punt. The catapult's three man crew looked pleased with themselves as they leaned proudly against it; sinking such a small target with one shot and no lights was an impressive feat. Jess fumed silently as she briskly dried her hair. When they were all aboard, the sailor looked at them and said, "Welcome aboard the Imperial ship, The Gryphon. You are all prisoners of the Dark Empire. As prisoners of war, you will remain with us until we can transfer you to a slave transport." "War? What war?" demanded Jess. "I am Jessica Harveld. I am on Imperial Business as a member of the Imperial Merchant's Guild, Slaver's Division. By delaying me, you are committing a grave error. I travel on the authority of the Emperor himself. I have a pass." Taken aback, the sailor stepped aside to permit another man, dressed as a ship's officer, to move closer to the prisoners. Bowing, the officer drew himself up formally. "I am the first mate of this ship, and I speak for my captain," he announced firmly. "Show me your pass, and mayhap apologies will be in order afterward." "You will owe me more than apologies," Jess grumbled as she fumbled for the pass she kept tucked well down in her high boots and slapped it into the waiting hand of the first mate. As he opened the pass and looked at it, Jess pressed him with her earlier question as Agnes tried to quiet the princess. |