Chapter 69: Amelia

Ironically the Purists are more-or-less doing what we were trying to get them to do. However, they are sending unwilling captives, and many more than we wanted. The threat of more to follow means that Madiana could be overrun by those deported from Thur. We’ve no housing or food for them, and the Tomyris are likely to resent so many arrivals reducing them to a tiny minority of the population.

“We must return to the inlet and alert Hinano and the others,” I say. “Then we need to go to Bardos and prepare the authorities for the arrival of the Hesperus. Do you think the Hesperus may have arrived already?”

“They could only reach Bardos by now if they travelled directly across the ocean,” says Jaro. “That would be a huge gamble on the weather and fuel supply. The Hesperus isn’t fitted with a sail, so if they run out of coal, or if the engine breaks down, then they are stranded in mid-ocean with very little prospect of rescue.”

“Then let’s hope the captain of the Hesperus isn’t a reckless gambler,” I reply.

We retrieve Valeria and Maia from shore. They’ve gathered a good supply of fruit, so at least we will have some variety in our diet. By midday we’re on our way to the inlet to meet with the Tomyris. Needless to say, our news is far from welcome, but at least Hinano and Teuila are willing to discuss a way forward. They both agree to join us on our trip to Bardos, leaving Akamu and Taito to continue their work. Jaro agrees to leave Harry and Roland to help them.

An overnight journey to Bardos has us arriving in the port shortly after dawn. There’s no sign of the Hesperus, although that proves nothing. We only have a Thurnian dockworker’s gossip identifying Bardos as the Hesperus’s destination. However, it’s a reasonable assumption that the Purists will send the Hesperus to Bardos. Hopefully the crew of the Hesperus aren’t all genocidal maniacs who have disposed of their unwilling passengers while far out at sea.

The Bardos harbourmaster confirms the Hesperus hasn’t already been and gone. Jaro’s earlier assessment of the likely response to any attempt by the captain of the Hesperus to abandon his passengers in Bardos is accurate, so we need to find a solution quickly. Given the Bardos population’s widespread negativity towards those of us descended from one of Potiora races, our only option is to take the elves to Madiana. I suspect the existing Tomyris population at Aegle Harbour is only tolerated because they are few in number.

“How are we going to house and feed so many?” asks Teuila of our gathered group.

“Bardos has a plentiful supply of food and building materials,” says Jaro. “There are also skilled workers available for hire.”

“Yes. But we need money to pay for all that,” replies Hinano. “Where are we going to obtain that?”

We all go thoughtful for a while. I stare at the harbour around us and study the various boats and ships moored along the quayside and moving about the harbour. While they vary in size and purpose, the one common thing I notice about them is their antiquated design compared to similar vessels I’ve seen in Thur and Tewhanga.

“Technology!” I say as soon as a thought strikes my mind. “The Tomyris have access to technological advances through the Aegle Potiora. Surely those in Bardos would be willing to trade for some of that technology?”

Having suggested the idea, I promptly realise that there are numerous obstacles to overcome. Time isn’t on our side, and we’ve no idea how to go about achieving our goal.

“We need someone who is a Bardos resident to help us,” says Akamu.

“Kora, Mohi and Tayn!” Hinano and I say together.

Hinano and I tell the others of our idea to enlist the three Tomyris we met on our previous trip to Bardos. They are local Bardos residents and the nature of their business means they may have the contacts and skills to act as intermediaries for the Madiana Tomyris. In the absence of any better suggestions, Hinano and I work our way through the back streets to where the three Tomyris live and work. We find the small alley where we met Kora, Mohi and Tayn before. Despite being located on the fringe of the main market, their stall has several customers examining the odd selection of ancient artefacts that the Tomyris sell. I’ve no idea what most of the items are, and many seem damaged. That doesn’t stop people from wanting to buy them.