Voyage of Slaves

She smiled at the horrified look on the boy’s face. “Relax, my Istrani Wolves have never been caught. Huh, those Revenue oafs don’t even know whether we’re men or women. In a day or two, these ladies will be back in their homes, looking after their families.”

Ned’s thoughts sounded rather scathing. “Oh, wonderful, I’m so pleased for them!”

Ben interrupted, “But why do you take such dreadful risks?”

The face of Janos Cabar hardened. “What would you do if you were a mother with a family and a husband who could not find work, or even a widow, with young children to care for? Men are watched by the authorities, women are not so noticeable. So boy, what would you do, sit at home and watch your young ’uns starve? I did, when I was a much younger woman, because I knew no better then. But not now!”

Ben heard his dog’s thoughts. “So now we know, eh!”

He stared at the tailboard. “I’m sorry, it was a foolish question to ask.”

Janos Cabar ruffled his hair. “We all ask foolish questions at some time, Ben. Cheer up, you’ll be eating breakfast in Piran just after dawn.”

Ned’s ears waggled. “Did I hear the word breakfast?”

Ben shook the smuggler’s hand gratefully. “Thank you, I can’t wait to get there.”

Janos Cabar cautioned him solemnly. “Hark to me boy, slow down a little, or you may go rushing straight into unforeseen trouble. Tell me more about these friends of yours, and this slaver from the Barbary Coast who owns the big ship.”

As the wagon cantered through the night, Ben related his tale to Janos Cabar. Ned gave him constant mental reminders of any points he missed. When he had finished his narrative, Janos looked from one to the other quizzically.

“Does that dog know what you are saying?”

The boy patted the black Labrador’s back. “Of course he does. When nobody’s watching us we talk together quite a lot, don’t we, Ned?”

His dog remained impassive, mentally chiding him. “Y’know, one day somebody’s going to believe you!”

As if to confirm Ned’s thoughts, Janos chuckled. “I believe you, Ben, but whether he talks to you or not, that dog is a good and faithful friend to you.”

Resting his head on Ben’s knee, Ned closed his eyes. “What a splendid lady she is, recognises quality the moment she sees it. My thanks to you, marm!”

Janos Cabar continued, “When we get to Piran, I will make enquiries about the slave ship. I want you and the dog to stay out of sight, so I will get you a room at the Inn of the Grey Swan, which is owned by an old friend of mine. Tell me, are those big gold coins all the money you have?”

The boy nodded.

Janos handed him some small gold and silver currency from her pouch.“Take these. No, don’t shake your head at me like that, take them! Piran is a dangerous place, a young ’un like yourself should not be seen spending large, valuable coins in that town. You must stay unnoticed. Sit tight at the Grey Swan and wait until I get back to you.”

Ben accepted the small coins. “You are a true friend— thank you!”

Without further incident on the road, the wagons rolled into the port of Piran as dawn was wakening the birds. It was like a lot of other coastal towns Ben and Ned had seen. The convoy halted in a quiet back lane, outside the Inn of the Grey Swan, a modest establishment built in a quaint, old-fashioned style. Janos accompanied Ben and Ned inside. A thin, dignified old lady in traditional dress came from the kitchen to greet them. She and Janos embraced, kissing one another’s cheeks. The smuggler was obviously very fond of the old lady.

“Annalisa, you never changed since I was a child. Still as beautiful as ever, such clear skin and bright eyes, you look marvelous!”

The old lady, Annalisa, smacked Janos’s hand in mock reproof. “I see you haven’t changed either, Nadia Valeska. Still the notorious smuggler Janos Cabar, running the Revenue blockades with your outlaws and carrying a bullwhip. A real lady, eh?”

Janos had obviously heard it all before from Annalisa. She beckoned the boy and his dog forward. “This is Ben, the dog’s name is Ned. I hope you’ll let them stay with you awhile.”

The old lady sized her new guests up carefully. “A handsome boy, fair-haired, too, with strange eyes. Is your dog well-behaved?”

Ned urged Ben to sing his praises. “Go on, mate, tell her I’m totally adorable and trustworthy, good-looking and highly intelligent!”

Ben ignored his friend. “He’s no trouble, marm!”

Ned was dumbfounded. “No trouble, is that the best you can do?”

Annalisa interrupted his train of thought. “Good, as long as he doesn’t bother Pandora.”

A huge, white, shaggy-haired Persian cat appeared around the kitchen doorway. It bounded onto a table, preening itself under the old lady’s hand.

Ned chuckled. “Look, mate, a walking doormat!”

The cat stared balefully at Ned, who glared right back at it, sending out a thought. “Aye, and the same to you, fat-head fish whiskers!”

Ben tugged the Labrador’s ear. “Ahoy, what’s going on here, mate?”

Ned continued glaring at Pandora. “She called me a big black bonehead!”