Voyage of Slaves

The big Greek captain scratched Ned’s ear gently. “Ah yes, such a fine dog. I hope you don’t get lonely without the little puppy, Ned. I think he will be as good a friend to me as you are to your master.”

The black Labrador looked soulfully up at Kostas, knowing he could not read his thoughts. “I resent that remark, sir, no dog is more friendly or faithful than I am to this wayward youth. And as to the dreaded Amico—well, I may miss him now and again, but at least my tail won’t be chewed to the bone!”

Ben held forth his hand. “You’d best be going, Captain, good-bye and may good fortune follow you.”

Kostas pulled the boy to him and kissed the top of his head. “Good-bye, Beniamino, the son I never had. I hope you will remember the Krimboti in the years that lie ahead of you. Go now, don’t look back!” He leaped into the boat, sniffing audibly. Grabbing his oar, he pulled away with might and main. “Well, are you going to sit there complaining all night, Yanni? Come on, bend your back, man!”

Ben and Ned strolled back to the taverna, exchanging thoughts.

“Something in your eye, mate?”

Ben wiped his sleeve roughly across his face.“Oh, you know how it is, Ned, always hard to part with good friends.”

The dog nodded. “Aye, it is indeed. D’you know, Ben, I’ve just had a thought. We’ve hardly seen the ghost of the Dutchman lately, nor have we heard from the angel. Who knows, maybe the spell of wandering for eternity might be wearing off?”

The boy stopped. He sat down on the front steps of the taverna, resting his head against Ned’s neck and sighing wistfully. “If only it was! Imagine being able to live your life like others. Never having to keep on the move in case they see you staying young forever. I’m tired, Ned.”

The faithful dog nuzzled his master’s face. “Oh, come on, or you’ll have me moping about soon. Who ever lived through the adventures and excitement that we’ve had together?”

The boy rose slowly and went inside, adding to his friend’s thoughts. “Nobody, I suppose. Nor have they had the sorrow and hardships we’ve been through. Being chased through our dreams by an accursed captain. Hungry, thirsty, frozen by cold weather, roasted by tropical climes. Being enslaved, losing good friends, ordered to travel hither and thither by an angel. . . .”

Ned threw back his head and bayed sorrowfully. It caught the attention of all the taverna customers. Ben tugged at his dog’s tail.“What are you doing?”

Keeping up the mournful din, Ned told him. “I’m yowlingand moaning of course, just like you’re doing, and I won’t shut up until you do, mate, so there!”

Ben was forced to smile—his friend was right. He tugged hard on the drooping tail. “Oh, alright, I’ll quit if you will. Come on, let’s go and see if there’s any of that nice fried beef left before we turn in for the night!”

Ned immediately ceased the noise he had been making. “Now you’re talking, mate. One thing about being a creature of respectable age, you get to taste some pretty decent stuff. Lead me to it, comrade. Or on second thoughts, you follow and I’ll lead you, us dogs have a finer developed sense of smell than mere humans!”

They were halfway through their second supper, accompanied by two portions of cherry pie which a friendly cook had found for them, when Janos Cabar appeared, accompanied by an older woman who looked very hard and capable. Janos whispered to her, “Round the rest of the pack up, we meet down below for the midday meal.”

She turned her attention to Ben and Ned. “You two, clean your plates and get up to bed. Upstairs, second room to the left. You’ll need all the rest you can get if you’re to ride with the Istrani Wolves. Good night!”

Uncoiling her bullwhip, she cracked it several times above her head, shouting in a harsh voice, “Taverna’s closed now, everyone out. Come on, haven’t you got homes or ships to go to? Move!”

No man seemed prepared to argue with her; the customers left immediately. Ned picked up his piece of pie in his mouth and headed for the stairs. “Quick, mate, before she makes us scrub the place out!”

It was a quiet little room, rather sparsely furnished, but spotlessly clean. Ned settled down at the foot of the bed, dropping off into a slumber without further ado. Ben sat up, gazing out of the open window at the harbour and the sea beyond. A half-moon flecked the countless acres of water with silver radiance; the horizon betwixt sea and sky was barely visible. He had seen many such nights over the years, it usually was a calming influence on his mind. Yet Ned’s former thoughts had made him restless. Suppose the visions and voices had left him? Maybe the angel’s command had been brought to an end.