As the Rains ominously approach the Visunders make a last desperate dash for safety to their friends in Joth. Their path includes navigating the Cauldron, a fearsome eddy below the fortress of Boldan's Rock. Unfortunately, the low river levels have made the passage even more dangerous and the stress causes unexpected problems.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

103 - Maelstrom

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2025 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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Still feeling the effects of the fight two nights previously, the five women dressed and packed their chests ready for collection.

"Eriana, you don't look as though you had a good night's sleep," Ursula told her as they folded and stored. "I know we had an interruption but you should be young enough to cope with something like that. Is there something else worrying you?"

"Everything, Ursula," the Princess replied with a sigh. "Instead of sleeping my mind went around and around with all that must happen today. I feel like I am being pushed into a corner with no choices to make. I am not in control of my own life any more."

"Welcome to the world of adults, Eriana. We all face the same limitations but everyone does even if most do not realize it. You need to make an adjustment to your thinking so that you understand that what you are experiencing is actually normal."

Her reply was short. "Normal! If you say so."

"Is there anything particular that concerns you?"

The Princess showed her teeth in a grimace. "We may not remain here because of Denethar. I could deal with him were it not for Gathol. Should we depart, as we must, then we will likely face the full force of these Rains, a thought which terrifies me. It is my decision to stay or go, yet if we go we may all die in the storm and it will be my fault. It is a decision I must needs make but one I do not desire to."

"The Rains have not begun yet," Ursula pointed out, "and the awning should be enough to keep us safe until we reach Joth, we have already tested it against two storms. My feeling is that it will and we will arrive there later today wet but safe."

"If we may depart cleanly without interference," Eriana mused, "we should have an entire day to reach Joth and it is not so far. I cannot see that even a storm or two would deny us our destination."

"You would think so," cautioned Ursula, "but, in my experience, it is always factors you did not think of that can cause trouble. For instance -"

She paused. Telling Eriana about a problem caused by an aircraft being diverted to another airport and delaying her own departure would take half the morning to explain and nobody would understand most of it.

"Never mind," she said instead. "My own experiences will not help us here. Just be ready for the unexpected, that is all."

"As you say."

Ursula had a thought. "As a matter of interest, what are we going to do about lunch? Stopping almost anywhere today is going to be awkward."

"Indeed, Ursula. I believe that Adin is obtaining such supplies that we may eat and drink as we drift downstream with the current, as we did the other day. We have done so before, the food will be plain but it will only be for one day."

Ursula nodded. "That's good. That gives us options if nothing else."

"As you say. If you have finished packing, mayhap we should go and break our fast."

A little later, just as they were finishing their breakfast, a wagon pulled by four frayen entered the courtyard accompanied by a number of the crew.

"Ah! Good, they have come to collect our chests. Ladies, let us go upstairs and clear our chambers."

With all those who were from the Visund gathered downstairs in the porch, the way was cleared for manservants from the hostel to go and bring their chests downstairs, from where the Visund's crewmen could place them in the wagon. Ursula watched this with a frown.

"They are using frayen to pull the wagon," she muttered. "What happened to all the dranakhs?"

The hostel proprietor was there, observing, and overheard.

"By your leave, Mistress, when the Rains come all the dranakhs are released by their owners and left to fend for themselves while the Rains yet come. Did you not know this?"

"I did not, goodman. I am - most of us are - strangers to the Great Valley. Why? What do the dranakhs do? Is there some special reason?"

The proprietor spread his hands. "While it yet rains, Mistress, neither dranakh nor frayen can do much work, although at extreme need frayen may travel short distances in the downpour. The problem is feeding them, mainly. For frayen you may know we have compressed feed blocks, have you seen them? Aye? And we must needs keep our beasts sheltered inside with the rest of us.

"Dranakhs are of such a size that they must needs eat so much food every day. It is difficult for all but the richest noble to store enough food to feed all his dranakhs for so long as the Rains, and we cannot compress what they eat either. However, we have learned that dranakhs can forage in the fields even during the worst weather, so by custom their owners release them to find food where they will. It is said that they can even forage for food under water, so some farmers deliberately leave certain crops in the fields for any of the great beasts who may pass by."

That makes a kind of sense. Hippos can do that as well, so I understand. And, of course, wherever they roam they will always return to their owners when the Rains finally cease.

"Ah, thank you. That does make sense. I wondered why I hadn't seen any dranakhs for a while."

"As you say, Mistress. Are you traveling far today? From the change in the air I have no doubt that by tonight the Rains will be fully upon us."

"Her Highness intends to reach Joth. We have friends there. We think the journey will be straightforward."

"It should be, Mistress. I doubt you will find anyone else on the river today."

* * *

When the party arrived at the Visund the men from two of the other hostels were already there and they soon helped load all the baggage and secure it. As the wagon was taken away the men who had been in the third and fourth hostels arrived and soon there was a bustle of activity as the ship was made ready to depart. Eriana climbed the length of the ship checking that everyone and everything was ready and having a word with all as she passed.

"Matta, Vellana. You have survived visits to several hostels now, I deem. How comfortable do you feel amongst other men and women?"

"Highness," Matta replied, "it was hard at first but we came to understand that most people just wanted to go about their own business and had little interest in us. We have also visited more cities than we ever knew existed and discovered that the world is a different place than we imagined. We are still cautious around men, especially those who take an interest in us, but we have learned that usually we can deflect without causing offense."

"That is good," Eriana said with a nod. "I know it will still take time for you to adapt to your new circumstances but you both have the right attitude, I deem."

Vellana asked, "Highness, is there some special reason you ask us now? We have heard talk of Joth but know not what it is."

"Just as the cities you have visited have all been different so is the city of Joth. It is all made of brick and wood and completely surrounded by a high wall, which regrettably did little when those of Yod came to call. I ask because, as you are now my personal maids, you will likely be asked to reside with me in the mansion of His Grace Duke Wallesan. When we were there before we were his guests and his home is different than anywhere you will have stayed before. Be prepared for somewhere different but also be prepared to reside amongst friends."

"Ah. Thank you for telling us, Highness."

A little further on she found Kaldar who was eating a zurin roll and holding a beaker of fruit juice.

"Good morning, Kaldar. Did you have a peaceful night?"

"Good morning, Your Highness. I slept well though there were some interruptions."

"Oh?"

"The men said that some others came in the night but were made to go away once they discovered a guard had been set on the ship. There was an argument and the port Watch was called." He grinned. "I learned a few new words, Highness, though I won't use them in front of you or the other women."

Eriana smiled. "As you say. I would ask among the men quietly so that you know exactly what those new words mean, do you understand? It is possible to make mistakes when cursing someone, especially if you do not know them well."

"So the men have told me, Highness. I much prefer the Norse swearwords the men have been teaching me."

"What! Oh, it is only natural, I suppose. Will you be ready to help us as we make this last journey to Joth?"

"Of course, Highness. Between your men and Tyra I have learned much since I jumped aboard."

"And I am impressed that you have done so, Kaldar. It shows how right we were to accept you when you sought sanctuary with us."

"Thank you, Highness."

At the stern she found Hashim and Tor poring over the charts Hashim had obtained in the port office.

"Highness, these charts, while the latest available, do not show everything we might need to know as we travel downriver," Hashim began. "It seems that some strange things happen when the water level is so low, but since few care to travel in these times the information is scanty."

"Ah? Anything that should concern us, do you know?"

"The information about the Cauldron is... confused, Highness. It is said that it is passable, at least in the direction we are going, but it is also said that because the water level is so low the Cauldron may look different than when you passed on the way upstream."

"Yet we may pass downstream."

"So it is said, Highness." Hashim paused. "The water level is the lowest I can recall and many shoals are visible which have never been seen before." He looked her in the eye. "When we reach the Cauldron it may be necessary for quick decisions to be made, Highness."

"I understand, Hashim. Good work. I'll return to the bow ready to make those decisions. Tor? By your leave, I am going to ask for that extra awning over the foaksul to be rolled back so that the lookouts can see properly. It only occurred to me last night. From the stern deck, and without the mast in the way, you can see a man standing on the foaksul clearly, can you not? And if a storm comes the awning can be put back quickly enough."

Tor looked surprised. «True, Highness. Standing up there he can signal left or right by just stretching out an arm.»

Eriana frowned. «I had not thought about signals yet, Tor, but you are right.»

A simple set of arm signals was discussed.

«I'll go and tell the lookouts what we have decided,» she ended the conversation. «When can we depart?»

«Just as soon as I can stop gossiping, get up on the stern deck and issue casting off instructions, Admiral.»

She grinned at Tor. «I can take a hint, Captain. Go attend to your ship.»

As Eriana laboriously made her way forward Tor began the business of leaving port. With Stine on the drum again the Visund was pushed off the foreshore and turned, heading for the river. Soon they were back in a familiar routine. The longship headed north-west, downstream, aimed at the north Wall, from where they would turn north-east to pass between Forguland and Gylfi's Rest and then turn again below the brooding granite mass that bore the fortress of Boldan's Rock.

For this leg one of the forward lookouts was sitting on the foaksul with his legs dangling over the right-hand side of the bow while the other lookout was standing centrally behind him, braced against the post which held the end of the redeployed mast. Both had safety lines attached, secured to the post. Behind them, on the first few benches, sat Eriana, Ursula, Tyra, Bennet and also Porthan Swiftrider, whom Eriana was questioning about his knowledge of the river.

"I do not know this stretch at all, Director," the latter told Eriana. "Almost all my service has been in Yodan waters or upstream of Yod. Before the, ah, recent conflict our duties were mainly in keeping the river free for all traffic and countering interference from the galleys of Pakmal, who were generally obstructive to any vessel not bearing their own colors."

She nodded. "Aye. That has been our own experience as well. There are good men in Pakmal, it is true, but they are a minority among their fellows, it seems. But we discuss the waters this side of Yod. You have never traveled this far at all? Not even before you joined the military?"

"Director, I joined the water forces as soon as I finished my studies, I had a brief time at home and then I immediately began officer training. I will add that even by road I have never departed from Yodan lands, it was discouraged." Porthan's eyes flicked up at the distant wall of rock, now looming larger. "Ah, Director, where does the river go? We head directly for the cliff!"

"Ah. Below Yod, it seems, the river wanders completely from one side of the Valley to the other, making sharp turns when it approaches the walls closely. I am told that eventually the river can cut through where each land is attached to one side or other, making it first an island and then attaching it to the other side."

Porthan was startled. "Do you tell me? I have not heard of that happening!"

Eriana waved a hand. "The process may take many tens or even hundreds of years to happen so you might not be told of it in Yod. I have seen that above Yod the river's course is less extreme in some ways. It has happened to Palarand and that was many centuries ago."

Ursula added, "Captain Hashim was going to find me a map of the lower Valley but I have not seen it yet, he is too busy. Remind me later and we can have a look at it together, you will see what the Director is saying."

Eventually the Visund made the turn and headed, as it seemed, directly towards the Rock. Ursula was looking forward as they turned and she saw, above the usual skyline ahead, a curious thin darkened line which ran across the Great Valley and extended either side.

Strange. I do not remember seeing anything like that before. Some kind of atmospheric effect? If so, what of?

She looked straight up to see a mixture of dark rain clouds laden with water and bright sunshine.

You can get some odd effects in the distant air, I remember. Some kind of inversion layer? I was not very interested in meteorology.

Eriana joined Ursula to stand just behind the foaksul and gazed at the right side of the river. She appeared uncharacteristically unsure of herself and spoke quietly.

"Am I right to gamble our lives this way, Ursula? Should we not have accepted what others have said and taken shelter in one of the ports we have already passed? I like not the smell the air has now, surely we have left it too late?"

Ursula considered her answer. "Eriana, you have made your decision based on the facts that you know and I have no argument with that. If we make it to Joth, then good, but if we do not, then we are in the lap of the Gods, as you would say. I have trust in the Visund and the abilities of our crew to do their best should anything unfortunate happen. Personally, if I had been making the decision I might have chosen to stop earlier, but then I do not have your problem with Denethar." She gestured ahead. "This way may be the best way of all."

The Princess grimaced. "I still have this feeling -" She pointed to the rising ground becoming more pronounced on their right. "Should we try to land at Forguland? I know Hashim said that the docks were not approachable, but maybe we can -"

"If we cannot get the Visund out of the water and onto high ground, Eriana, then we are likely to lose it - permanently. Remember, the waters may reach as high as the uppermost levels of the Forguland docks by the end of the Rains. And if we hauled up on the mud we would be unable to unload everything in time. Landing nearby might save our lives but we could lose everything else."

"It is as you say, though I am reluctant to agree. Very well, we must accept whatever the Gods throw at us."

Eriana is deteriorating! I have never seen her like this before. Is this depression? Is she still safe to command, especially when our actions could be forced upon us? I have not the medical knowledge to handle this!

It may have been a trick of the light but the thin dark band across the north-east somehow looked a little larger. And were there flickers of lightning visible near the top edge?

Soon the mud flats which had been exposed by the low water levels became visible, showing that Forguland was indeed cut off for a time from the Sirrel. The dock area appeared, high and dry, all of the levels having been completely stripped of small craft, huts, derricks, flagpoles and anything else removeable, indicating that the locals expected the levels to be swept clean by the flood.

By now a growing noise could be heard, its source as yet undefined. On the left, they passed the wharfage of Gylfi's Rest, equally stripped, while on the right the low-lying island looked much wider than they had previously observed.

Porthan asked from behind them, "Director, what is that noise?"

"Oh, that must be the sound of the Cauldron," Eriana replied, "a fearsome eddy which lies just below Boldan's Rock. It is thought that the rock deflects the river and causes it to swirl. It looks dangerous but only if you do not know the region and approach it too close."

"The Cauldron? I have heard of it, Director, but of course I have never seen it."

"Director!" The call came from a lookout, the voice alarmed. "You must see this!"

Eriana leaned forward, resting her hands on the raised deck. The sitting lookout was now scrambling to his feet. Her face went as white as a sheet.

"Mother of the Gods, save us!"

- - -

On the stern deck Tor and Hashim were making similar remarks, each in his own native tongue. Ahead and to their right, the river turned and poured over what seemed like a broken weir with a thunderous sound, spray initially masking what lay beyond.

"Maker, I have never..! Tor, what do we do?"

"What is this? A waterfall? How?"

Perhaps hundreds of thousands of years previously a tall stack of the granite which composed Boldan's Rock had tumbled, falling right across the course of the Sirrel. The stack had shattered on the way down, causing a series of obstructions in the river bed. Over time the upstream side had been filled with deposits while the downstream side had been scoured away by the changed water flow. Normally concealed by the depth of water, only at the very lowest water level could this hidden feature become noticeable - and at a time when nobody would be on the river to notice and record it.

"It was not here when we came upriver," Hashim said. "I have never seen this before."

"We did not come this way," Tor said. "Came through docks."

"Maker, yes! Everybody goes that way, do they not? What exactly is all that?"

From this side the edge of the water surface was mostly smooth, just like a weir, but there were raised areas where the current forced its way through gaps in the obstructions. Just beyond, visible as the Visund came closer, was the Cauldron.

Tor pointed. "There. Those. Find largest one to go through."

This situation was entirely outside Hashim's experience. "Largest one? Why?"

Tor's finger lowered to the awning halfway along. "Ship widest there. Rocks either side, need room."

They both peered at the approaching hazard, their view partially obscured by the spray.

"There! It has to be the one right at the end, doesn't it?"

"Yah. We use that one. Safest. Need to avoid maelstrom."

"Maelstrom?"

Tor could not remember the local name in such circumstances. He described a horizontal circle with his finger. "In river. Like big pot."

"Oh, Maker, the Cauldron! We have to avoid that as well! Need a hand on that oar?"

"Yah."

- - -

Most of the crew had turned by now, alerted by the noise, and were watching the scene with horror. Ursula's question was directed to the lookouts.

«Can you see Tor and Hashim? What are they doing?»

One of the lookouts turned and waved, then ducked his head to reply to Ursula. «They wave back, Director. Know what they are doing.»

Eriana overheard and turned, frantic. "No! We cannot! The ship will be lost and we will all die!"

She turned and swiftly began climbing over the benches to make her way aft but the low roof of the awning made her passage difficult. She stumbled over the end of an oar.

Ursula looked at the river, then at the lookouts. «Hang on to something!» Turning, she shouted to the others, "Stop her! She'll kill us all!"

Bennet just managed to grab her trailing foot and Eriana tumbled. Tyra climbed back and tried to calm the struggling Princess but she fought them both off.

«Let me go! Let me go!»

Ursula arrived and added her weight to the others. «No, Eriana. Let the men do their jobs.»

The men immediately beyond turned and stared at the mass of women, uncertain what to do as their liege was apparently attacked.

Ursula looked up at them. «Do you trust me?» she panted.

There was a hesitation before the nearest answered, «Yah, Mistress. What is happening?»

She glanced at the weir, now only ten strides away. «No time. Trust Tor and Hashim. Hang on! This could be rough.»

Eriana tried to remove Ursula's hands. «Let! Me! Go!»

«Eriana, you are not safe, I cannot release you, not when the situation is so dangerous.»

The Visund tilted forward, cargo straining against ropes and loose items rattling below the seats. Eriana gripped Ursula's arms and closed her eyes tightly, tears streaming down both sides of her face. For a long moment the ship remained tilted and then it slid down perhaps two strides to the level on the downstream side of the weir. There was a shower of spray as the bow dug in and an ominous crack before everything righted again.

- - -

"Two maelstroms?"

"Maker! Tor, we have to go right down the middle between the two or we are dead either way."

"Yah."

On their right the Cauldron circled lazily like water going down a drain, the bottom still being out of sight despite the low level of the river. On their left was another whirlpool, circling the other direction, doubtless caused by that same low water level. A jumble of rocks showed at the bottom of that one, at least five strides below their own level. The two eddies were divided by a ridge of water upon which the Visund was precariously perched.

"At least the bow came up," Hashim muttered as the two fought to keep the steering steady, "I was afraid we would plow straight in."

"Yah. Heard something break though. Which way to go after?"

Hashim did a quick review of their options. "Left, I think, Tor, which means going around that thing. Can you see if there is enough water that side?"

Tor risked a glance to his left side. "Enough water for Visund, I think. Tell Princess?"

"Yes, but I don't think we have any choice which way to go. Look at that sky!"

"Thor's balls! Look, boy is down there, he can go."

- - -

A thin stream of water started coming up from between the first two seats and the two nearest crewmen squirmed past the mass of women to investigate the leak and begin bailing. Eriana's grip slackened but she still held on to Ursula. By now she was weeping uncontrollably.

Kaldar scrambled through from aft. "Mistress, Captain Hashim says - " He caught sight of the tableau. "What happened?"

"She is unwell," Ursula replied. This could be difficult to explain. "The stress is too much for her. Do you know where my basket is?" Kaldar looked at Tyra but Ursula shook her head. "We cannot leave her, she is too strong. I need something to calm her."

"I think your basket is back near Karan, Mistress. Shall I bring it?"

"Yes, please, and a bottle of water from Adin. I'll need to give her something to drink."

"Immediately, Mistress." Kaldar vanished.

- - -

Hashim briefly looked at Tor, then back at the water either side. The situation was too strange for him to take his eyes off it for any length of time. The water surface sloped away both sides, one leading to the depths of the Cauldron and the other down to the jagged rocks at the bottom of the Cauldron's evil twin sister. The Visund rode the ridge between two certain disasters - and had to be kept there. All too soon the decision had to be made and Tor carefully nudged the ship to the left, with the inevitable result.

- - -

The Visund lurched, this time with a tilt to the left.

Bennet asked, "Why are we tilting, Mistress? Are we sinking?"

We are tilted to the left, but the Cauldron goes clockwise, so we ought to be tilted the other way if we were caught by it. So what..?

Ursula raised slightly so that she could see over the left side. "Another one?"

Bennet risked a look. "Maker! Mistress, this cannot be good."

"But Kaldar came to give us a message. The captains must have seen this from the stern deck and are doing something about it."

"I hope you are right, Mistress."

"So do I, Bennet."

Eriana was now limp and sobbing quietly. Her grip was now slight enough that Ursula could free herself and sit more comfortably on the nearest seat. With Bennet's help she carefully raised an unresisting Eriana and laid her across two seats, the hull not being wide enough yet for her to be laid lengthways along one. One of the men who was not bailing arrived with dunnage bags to pack the gap between the seats.

Ursula sat up and looked out at the heart-stopping sight. The ship was going around the rim of a slightly smaller version of the Cauldron, but this one went counter-clockwise. Already they had managed a quarter of the circuit and she hoped the men steering would be strong enough to lift them off when they got round far enough.

We could have just gone straight ahead between these two eddies but that would have meant taking the long way around Joth to get to the city. This way is going to be quicker and - look at that sky! - maybe we can get far enough downstream before that hits us. I am glad that Tor and Hashim were level-headed enough to attempt this.

The sky had definitely become worse. What had been a thin line of darkness against the horizon had become a threatening black mass kilometers high which was rolling steadily up-valley, consuming everything in its path. The upper parts of the leading edge roiled with massive arcs of lightning - she could think of no other words to describe what she saw. Occasionally, some of those stabbed down at the ground below.

Now that is the Rains, no doubt about it! She tried to estimate distance and rate of advance. We might get as far as the home stretch before that lot hits us.

It abruptly dawned on her what she was looking at - and what was about to happen.

I have to take command, there is no choice. Eriana is not fit to command and would not be able to handle what is about to hit us. I am the logical second.

Before she could even open her mouth Karan climbed forward, carrying the basket, followed by Semma with a water bottle and a beaker.

"Kaldar told us," he told her, looking nervously outside. "I told him to go sit with Hashim's family and rig a safety line."

"Good idea, Karan. Thank you."

She took the basket and pulled the canvas lid open. Semma sat down beside her.

"Mistress, what happened to her?"

The Visund suddenly righted and headed straight for the cliffs beside the Rock.

"Difficult to know," Ursula replied, pulling out a small bottle, "a kind of mental breakdown, I think. She has had too many things to deal with, too much pressure and it was too much stress for her." She waved a hand outside. "Then that had to happen."

The younger guardswoman frowned. "Mental breakdown? A disease of the mind, you mean?"

"Something like that. Maybe we can talk about it whenever we get to Joth?"

"As you wish, Mistress. Uh, maybe it is a bad Call this time? I know some women can go crazy when their Call comes, if it is a bad one."

Ursula realized what Semma was suggesting and nodded. "It is possible. I do not know what day her... Calls... are supposed to come. Right. Can you fill that beaker about half with water, please?"

Karan did the pouring. When there was enough in the beaker Ursula estimated a dose and tipped a small amount of her bottle's contents in as well. She gave the potion bottle to Semma in exchange for the beaker.

"Can you put the stopper in it, please, while I try to get some of this into Eriana." She looked up. "Karan, give that water to Tyra, please. Karan, Bennet, I want you each to go down one side of the ship and tell everybody, Orders from Director Ursula. Everyone is to put on all their wet-weather clothing immediately. When you get to the stern tell the two captains as well - oh, and I want whoever goes on the stern deck to have a safety line rigged."

Karan nodded. "As you command, Director."

Bennet added, "I can see the need for it, Director."

The two disappeared aft, separating when they reached the line of cargo along the center, telling the crew as they passed.

"Semma, I have to get some of this into Her Highness." Around them the view wheeled as the Visund turned from north-west to north-east. "Can you help?"

"Surely, Director. If I lift her this side -"

They managed to prop Eriana half up, enough to enable her to drink.

"Eriana? I have something to help you here."

"It is too late," the Princess mumbled, exhausted. "We are all going to die."

"Well, maybe this will help you die peacefully." Ursula looked up and gave Semma a significant look.

She managed to get most of the contents into her patient, who then relaxed back and closed her eyes.

Semma asked low, "What did you give her, Director?"

"Just something to relax her and let her sleep," Ursula replied. "It shouldn't hurt her but we'll probably have to carry her out of the ship when we get to Joth."

Semma's eyes flicked briefly up at the oncoming storm. "Do you think we can still get there, Director?"

"This is the Visund. It withstood four storms out at sea bringing Her Highness and her men to Palarand, so I understand. I think we have a better chance than many of those river barges would."

Semma took a harder look at the storm front. "I believe you are right, Director. Maker! I have grown up living with the Rains every year and I have never seen it like that!"

Ursula turned around and climbed back towards the foaksul. «You two, get that awning back up and make certain it is secure, then come down one by one and get your wet weather gear on. It's going to get rough.»

"Yah, Director."

They had to move Eriana a little further aft to make room for the lookouts to come down and change while others carried on bailing from around the sprung boards. A pair of oars was shipped and those two men moved aft which meant that the Princess could, just, be laid flat across the width of the Visund. All around the crew and passengers were finding room to struggle into the standard wet weather outfits which were, fortunately, fairly easy to put on in the limited space.

Ursula decided that this was probably the best moment to ask for food and water to be served out, before the line of the storm front reached them. Soon everyone was munching on rolls and drinking water, not knowing when - or even if - their next meal would arrive. The storm would make everyone's activities much more difficult.

The Visund arrived at the end of the north-east reach and turned south-east, the last major course correction before arriving at Joth. Ursula knew that the Sirrel made several kinks and curves before then but hoped that staying in the main current would keep them out of trouble.

With the change of direction and the bow awning now set up again the view outside became restricted. No-one could now see the storm front approaching which may have been a good thing in the circumstances. What Ursula had not expected as they followed the current past the ferry port of Thorn was the sound, a roaring which sounded like a distant waterfall rapidly approaching.

If I am right that is a waterfall! Coming directly from the sky! However do these people survive in such extreme weather?

But she answered her own question.

Because it refreshes the land, that's why. The soil becomes so rich they can harvest two crops before the Rains and one afterwards. To grow such plenty, that frees them from many of the problems that other lands will have, they will risk much and reap the benefits.

With a tremendous BANG! that deafened everyone the storm hit the Visund. Everything outside the ship immediately disappeared, including the surface of the river. It was no longer possible to tell where the water ended and the atmosphere began. The rain pounded on the awning and poured off the sides in sheets. All sense of direction vanished.

With a word to Semma and Tyra to keep an eye on Eriana she climbed back forward, making her way past the two men bailing. Looking down she saw that, although water was coming in, the men appeared to be keeping pace with the flow. How long they could do that before tiring she did not know. She reached the foaksul and leaned forward to tug at the yellow wet weather gear of the nearest lookout.

He turned and said something but the noise was too great. She shook her head and he turned and leaned down. He tried again.

«Can see nothing, Director.»

«Didn't think you could. How are we going to know when we reach Joth?»

The look of alarm on his face told her that he had not considered that problem.

«We need to move over to that side of the river,» she shouted. «I'll go and talk to the captains. Keep looking out for shoals and debris in the water.»

And if they do spot anything, how are they going to tell anyone about it?

He nodded and turned back to speak to his companion. Ursula climbed back to where Semma sat beside Eriana.

The guardswoman shouted, "She sleeps, Director."

"Good. I don't think she can handle this. Look, I need to go back to the stern. Are you happy here just with Tyra? I'll send Bennet forward whenever I see her."

"As long as she stays asleep, Director. If she wakes and struggles -"

"Noted. I'll send help as soon as I can."

BOOM! Everybody flinched.

I am really, really glad we took the mast down!

"Director," Tyra shouted, "you, Semma and I are not wearing our wet weather gear."

If it isn't one thing...

"Where are our things?"

"I think they are somewhere closer to the stern."

"Right. Change of plan. You come with me to find our gear. When we reach Bennet she can bring Semma's gear back here with her."

The two clambered back along the ship, splitting when they reached the cargo to make sure that they did not pass Bennet going the other way before speaking to her. As it happened they found her near the stern pulling her own waterproofs on. The conversation had to be shouted.

"Director? Is Her Highness all right?"

"She is asleep which is probably best for her. Can you take Semma's wet weather gear forward and then keep watch over Eriana while she puts her gear on? I need to talk to the captains."

"Surely, Director."

"Do you know where ours are?"

"Here, Director." Bennet held up a dunnage bag. "I put yours, Tyra's and Semma's in here and was going to bring it forward once I had my own on."

Ursula gave her a smile. "Thank you, Bennet, good thinking. Let us have ours. I'll need mine to go right to the stern."

Bennet handed over their gear and then moved forward as the two helped each other wrap themselves in the waxed, yellow waterproofs. The hardest part was putting the boots on and making sure the tops were safely under the skirts of the 'pinafores'.

She asked Tyra, "Where is Karan? Have you seen him?"

"Yes, Director, he was with Aryam and the children."

"Good. Will you keep watch here while I speak to the captains?"

"One moment, Director."

Tyra moved forward and returned with a coil of thin line. She tied the end around Ursula's waist and then wrapped the rest around one of the rearmost seats.

"Safe now, Director."

At the stern deck Ursula found that someone had crudely nailed a short scrap of a plank, edge on, onto the edge of the stern deck, which meant that a prodigious volume of water gushed off both sides instead of filling the hull. Outside it was as if she glimpsed an unrecorded level of Hell. The volume of water descending was so great that the stern post, curling up behind the steering position, was almost out of vision. Two figures in waterproofs stood side by side, each with one hand on the steering oar. They noticed the yellow figure below, had some kind of conversation and then one carefully and awkwardly clambered down into the hull and under the edge of the awning, water streaming everywhere from his waterproofs.

"Director," Hashim shouted. "What happened?"

"Eriana had a mental breakdown," Ursula shouted back. "She is sleeping now. Look, soon we are going to reach Joth but how will we know? Can we edge over to that side of the river?"

He nodded. "We talked about that and are moving that way but carefully. The river is still low and we do not want to get stuck out here in this. There are supposed to be posts marking the entrance to the channel into Joth but if we will see them in this I could not say."

"We do not want to go past Joth! I doubt that even we could survive until the next available port."

"Agreed, Director. The next stop would likely be Smordan and it will be night by then as well - if darkness means much in this." He waved an arm at the downpour beyond the awning. The cloud layer was so thick that it could possibly be night already.

"Do your best. Could we anchor until this eases up? How long before that happens, do you know?"

Hashim grimaced. "That could be three days, it could be a week, Director. We have all too much water to drink but not enough food for that many days."

"Understood. Oh, what about that bucket thing? To keep us pointing in the right direction?"

"Tor sent it over the side the moment he saw the storm was coming, Director."

"Good. Keep looking. I'll stay down here for a while until we find Joth."

"As you say, Director. I'm going back up there, that steering oar is heavy."

Hashim laborously clambered back up and rejoined Tor with the oar.

This is impossible! It was madness to even consider sailing in this!

But we did not know... Now we do.

She tried to peer out from under the awning to see if there was anything visible which might indicate where they were but it was futile. Above them the lightning flashed almost continuously, lighting up the area and in theory giving them a better view, but the amount of water coming down made 'better' a moot point. Occasionally the view did lift but there was nothing but disturbed water in sight.

There was a movement forward and she saw someone making their way aft to her, climbing carefully around the rowers, all of whom were presently doing nothing. As the figure got closer the face resolved into that of Toshi. He looked disturbed.

"Director, there is... a face... in the river, watching us. I did not think that river spirits were supposed to exist any more."

"A what?"

He turned and pointed. "Off to our right, ahead. Two red eyes, moving."

Ursula crouched down to try and see this phenomenon for herself but the awning was lower right at the rear of the ship.

"I'll come and look."

She followed him down almost to the middle and then looked out where he pointed. Two red eyes showed themselves through the downpour, each flickering, each below a dark eyebrow. The skin along her spine began to raise goosebumps.

That's... impossible! That can't be anything alive, not in this downpour - and I was told there are no spirits or other magical beings on Anmar.

So what is it? Is it some kind of artifact of the storm? Something struck by lightning, perhaps? Unlikely, not two similar structures close together like that.

Then they flickered again and she knew. She leant close to Toshi's ear.

"Beacons! They have lit beacons to guide us in! Prepare the crew to get ready to row us in through the channel between those two fires."

"Beacons, Director? In this rain?"

"Those eyebrows are roofs over the fires to keep the rain off. I must go or we'll miss the channel."

"Hai. I'll order the oars out ready."

She hurried all the way back to the stern and attracted the attention of the two on the deck. Tor came forward and leaned down.

«Over there! Between those two fires!»

«What?» He looked up. «Yah. Wondered what those were. Steer between?»

«Yes! Toshi is getting the rowers ready.»

He stood, turned and immediately began hauling on a line which went over the stern, pulling in the 'sea bucket' that had been used to keep them facing the right direction. Then he stood and, with Hashim, began to steer towards the beacons and safety. Ursula turned to Stine and told him to start sounding the beat, but wondered whether anyone would be able to hear it.

Somebody further forward had a better idea and blew some blasts on a bugle. With those men nearest to Stine pulling their oars in a steady rhythm, those behind took their cue from them and began joining in. Soon it was obvious that they had turned out of the main stream and headed for the channel.

Reaching the beacons, she could see the sturdy construction with a wide roof over each to ensure that any downpour could not extinguish the fires yet still permit them to be visible from the river. Yellow-clad figures tended each, but as soon as the Visund came in sight they abandoned their posts and began walking back towards the city, their job done.

That was a clever thing to do, but they knew we were out there somewhere. We would have seen them if we had been forced to approach Joth from the other direction as well. I guess they'll just leave those to burn out, and in a week or two they might even be under water.

Ursula tried to remember what she could of the day they had sailed out of Joth but failed. Too much had been happening then and river navigation had not been her concern as it was now. She just hoped that there were no shoals along this channel!

After a while the dock piers loomed out of the gloom. At the end of each a brave yellow clad watcher waited for them, directing that the Visund should go to the left side of all the piers. Once they saw that their directions had been noticed those men made their way back to the hardstanding to join a crowd of others waiting for the ship to arrive.

Now that the situation was under control, and they were no longer at the mercy of river currents, Hashim climbed down to join Ursula.

"What do we do now, Director? Tor wants to run up on that slope but it is full of people!"

"They are waiting for us, they must have some kind of plan. I hope so! If we just beach the Visund as usual we'll have to unload in the rain and everything will be ruined. And then the river will rise..."

"Good point. I hope they have a clever plan, that is all."

"I'll go forward. Tell Tor we might have to stop rowing in a hurry."

"As you command."

It occurred to Ursula that there was one person aboard who might have some idea what was intended.

"Tyra? We have to go to the foaksul now."

"Coming, Director."

As they clambered over bench after bench she asked Tyra, "You must know what happens to the port when the Rains begin. Do you know what they might do with the Visund?"

"No, Director. I do know they clear everything off the area between the walls and the piers and even pull all the pontoons out of the water and store them. All the small boats get taken into the city. My father hangs his up in the space under our house."

They reached the bow just as the ship came to the present waterline. A long blast on a bugle behind them made everyone cease rowing and lift their oars out of the water. Several yellow-clad figures waded into the water and grabbed hold of the ends of the nearest oars, holding the ship in place. Others moved forward, pairs carrying long lengths of timber which puzzled Ursula at first. Two men came with a thick rope and passed it up to the two lookouts, making gestures which seemed to indicate they should pass it around the stem and then back down to them.

A light dawned. "Oh! Those timbers are rollers. They want to pull us completely out of the water."

"Can they do that, Director? This must be the largest ship ever to come to Joth."

"They are certainly going to try... but I still think everything and everybody is going to get wet."

The lookouts passed the rope around the stem and then threw the end back down to the crowd. It was somehow secured and then most of the crowd tailed onto the rope and began heaving. As the bow came out of the water other men slipped a roller underneath. This continued with more rollers being fed underneath. The Visund moved up surprisingly well for a while and then progress slowed.

"We are too heavy," Ursula said as she surveyed the lack of progress. "Of course, as more of the ship comes out of the water... Eirik! Blow a long blast on that bugle and try and get those below to stop pulling for a moment."

As the bugle sounded Ursula turned and began making her way aft, raising her voice over the roar of the downpour as she repeated what she wanted done.

"Men! We need to lighten the ship. As soon as you can, climb off and help those ashore by pulling or pushing the ship up onto land. Leave your gear here for now. Be careful those rollers don't trap your feet. Women and children stay aboard for now." Ursula repeated these instructions in Norse.

With most of the crew now ashore the Visund made rapid progress up onto the hardstanding. Ursula was surprised when the movement did not stop but watched as the ship was pulled towards the gate and then part way through it before coming to a stop. The gatehouse over the gate was perhaps four to five strides wide and provided some shelter for the bow end of the ship.

Ladders were placed against the hull so that the rest of the occupants could disembark under cover. Ursula and Tyra remained aboard, helping those who were unused to such activity. Getting Eriana out was difficult and required a stretcher to be brought aboard, with a loose tarpaulin as a temporary shelter. The last to come forward were the two captains.

Tor saluted. «Well handled, Director.»

Hashim added, "A well thought out plan, Director." He gestured at their surroundings. "I trust those of Joth have made provision for this ship but I cannot think what."

Ursula smiled. "I have no idea either, Hashim. This whole business is a total surprise to me but these folk obviously know what they are doing." She made her own gesture. "After you."

"As you wish, Director. Coming, Tor?"

"You go now. Family awaits. I must be last to leave."

"As you wish, Tor."

As Hashim climbed down Ursula said to Tor, «We're not sinking, you know! We have just docked, essentially.»

«I know, Director. Call it Captain's choice. You follow?»

Ursula looked over the side. «Might as well, they are all waiting.»

At the bottom she waited for Tyra and gave her a steadying hand, although the younger woman probably didn't need it, even wrapped up in waterproofs as everyone was.

"Welcome home to Joth, Tyra. We have returned as we said we would."

The Visund has arrived at Joth at the same time as the edge of the Rains rolls over the Great Valley. The ship must somehow be unloaded and safe shelter found for the crew, but Eriana is indisposed and medical help takes priority. A nearby establishment may be just the place to take her.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

104 - At the Clinic

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2025 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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At the bottom of the ladder they were greeted by a man who, dressed in the customary enveloping wet-weather gear, looked just like everybody else.

He shouted, "Welcome back to Joth, Mistress Ursula."

The voice was familiar but in the dim light under the gatehouse - and the light outside being little better - she struggled to remember who it might be.

She shouted back, "I must apologize, dressed this way and in this light, everyone looks the same. Who are you?"

The man bowed. "I must in turn apologize, Mistress. You may remember me, I am Count Luthan, we have met before. If you would climb aboard the wagon, please. We have already loaded Her Highness and some few other women. Inside the warehouse it will be easier to speak."

"As you wish, My Lord."

So much water was coming down that the feet of Ursula's boots were already covered by the excess which was flowing out through the gate and towards the river. She turned to find that, backed partly under the gate, a covered wagon stood beside the ship. Several faces could just be seen aboard who might have been the other women from the crew. Tyra helped Ursula climb aboard and then followed. There she found, beside the stretcher bearing Eriana, most of the women except Bennet and Semma, with Hashim's family squashed against the front along with Kaldar.

With most of the wagon being outside the gatehouse arch the noise from the rain was deafening. Wondering if the roof would withstand the downpour she looked up to find the whole wagon body was made of carefully-crafted wood panels, well able to withstand the forces involved. Luthan waved a hand and the wagon lurched into motion, traveling a very short distance before entering one of the warehouses which were situated either side of the Dock Gate. Once completely inside the noise eased somewhat and men came forward to help the occupants out.

Ursula turned and studied her surroundings as the others climbed out. The warehouse was long, the ground level being completely empty apart from the reception committee and the Visund's crew, everyone clad in the customary yellow waterproofs. As yet there appeared to be little water coming into the building from the doors. Covering about three-quarters of the floor space, and reached by a ramp, a mezzanine could be seen in the dim lantern light. This was about five strides up, supported by brick columns and appeared to be packed with sacks and crates.

Luthan joined them, his gear streaming with water. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the pounding on the roof. "If you would all join the others under the mezzanine, please."

"Mistress?" That was Tyra. "What about Her Highness?"

"Leave her in there for now," Ursula decided. "It is obvious we cannot remain here for long."

"As you say, Mistress," Luthan confirmed. "If you would join the others yonder, it will be easier to speak and be heard."

Under the mezzanine the goods above, and the well-built roof above that, muffled the rain sufficiently that normal conversation was possible. Luthan walked forward, removing his cape and hood, and gestured for everyone to gather around him, particularly beckoning Ursula to his side.

"Mistress, if I may ask you to repeat what I am about to say to those of your crew who may not speak our tongue so well. I know that you are familiar with the tongue of Her Highness."

"And several others, My Lord. I will do as you request."

Luthan turned. "Friends, welcome to Joth, or in many cases, welcome back to Joth. I am Count Luthan of Hulmar, my father the Duke bade me come to welcome you to our city and to explain what we must needs do now. The water coming down outside is too powerful for anyone to travel any distance presently, even inside the city. It will relent somewhat but only perhaps in two to five days time.

"Until then we have arranged for most of you to lodge with the fisher folk of Foti Lane who reside close enough to safely reach today, many of whom I know you already account friends. Later, when the tumult outside reduces to that of a mere storm it is possible that many of you could move to other lodgings in the city should you so desire.

"For now I will make arrangements with Mistress Ursula here for you to help bring your belongings inside the warehouse where they may be stored above, away from the flood. For this we will use the wagon you see just inside the entrance."

Luthan remembered who was still in the wagon. "Ah, to discover that Her Highness is not well, that is unexpected. She is presently laying in the wagon and I must find out what we can do to help her before the wagon can be used for any other purpose."

He turned back to Ursula. "Mistress, if you would explain what has happened to her."

"Her Highness is not injured but has had what I would describe as a mental breakdown," Ursula explained, loud enough for everyone to hear. "She has had too many matters to manage, she has suffered too much stress. I had to sedate her - give her something to keep her quiet - because she was about to do something which could have threatened all our lives and risked the ship. She will recover but it could be a long process."

"I understand, I have seen it affect men when we were fighting those of Yod. But she cannot remain here, I deem. It is not a suitable place for anyone's patient."

Ursula cast a glance around. "I agree. What about the Clinic? That is, what, four streets away? Could we reach that in the wagon?"

"The Clinic! I had forgotten about that!" He looked doubtful. "Aye, that is about as far as I would risk the wagon. I do not know if anyone is there now or what may be there, should anyone require the services of a healer. There may not even be any food or firewood stored there."

"I cannot believe that the Clinic would be left unoccupied over the Rains, My Lord. After all, people are still going to have accidents and so on. Besides, the wagon has to come back here whether we stay or not so if the Clinic is empty we can just come back with it."

Luthan nodded. "As you say, Mistress."

She gave him a small smile. "Oh, and while we are here, calling me Mistress is fine but you should know that I am now a senior officer of the Federation Navy and my rank is Director of Welfare."

"Do you tell me? My apologies, ah, Director. For Her Highness, it would be better if she was taken as soon as possible, despite the delay it will cause in unloading your ship. By your leave, I must needs ask for volunteers to haul the wagon to the clinic and back."

Ursula held up a finger. "My Lord, that will not work. If we are going to the Clinic those who are going - and it could be a number of us - could be stuck there some days, by your account. We would require at least a change of clothing and some of our other belongings. I for one will want to have a good wash when I get there and I am sure that many of our other women will too."

Luthan frowned. "Other women? Surely you and your maid would be all that attend Her Highness?"

"My Lord, it is not that simple. Tyra is now more my companion than just a maid and may even be entitled to call herself a woman-at-arms. Her Highness now has two maids of her own and she has also adopted a boy who is twelve years old." Ursula paused, thinking. "We could probably manage without her own armswomen, Bennet and Semma, and my journeyman healer, Karan, could probably remain here with the others as well. Oh. I have just realized a point which may become important to you and to those who live in Joth."

"Director?"

"Our company now includes a number of new travelers who come from other lands. Some of those are Yodans who, I might add, have all given Her Highness their oath. That includes her two maids and my journeyman as well as," she counted up, "four others, two of whom are members of my staff. All of those want no more to do with Yod but your people may not see matters the same way."

"Yodans! Maker, I did not expect... Never mind, we must needs deal with that another time. How do you advise that we should proceed, then, in moving people?"

"My Lord, the ship needs to be emptied so that we can all find our belongings and take whatever we need, or Her Highness needs, with us. I suggest that, with the aid of our men that can be done fairly quickly. We can then load up what will be needed to go to the Clinic and get that journey out of the way. Perhaps while we are transferring Her Highness some of the men could be helped to their lodgings. I do not know if that is possible."

Luthan nodded thoughtfully. "You are good at this, Director. Aye, I agree. Let us do it while we are all still fresh enough."

Orders were issued and Eriana's stretcher was carefully lifted out and placed to one side. A number of Norse then climbed into the back of the wagon. Locals went to the front of the wagon which Ursula now saw had a drawbar which was fitted with four crossbars, meaning eight men on foot could pull it. The wagon was turned in the empty warehouse and headed out the double doors into the rain.

Ursula took the time while they were waiting for the wagon to reappear to check Eriana's condition. The Princess appeared to be sleeping deeply and could not be roused.

I only roughly estimated the dosage. I wonder if I overdid it? I do not think that anything bad will happen if I had but she might wake up with a hangover.

Wouldn't be the first time!

She also had a word with the other women, all of whom had gathered together away from the men. The children made another small group nearby, under the watchful eye of the women.

"Matta, Vellana, you heard? We are going to take Her Highness away from here in that wagon to a place called the Clinic. This is a new establishment for the sick and injured of Joth but for now I doubt there are many people there. If you go with her you'll be away from most people in Joth who would of course all be strangers. What do you say?"

"We will come, of course, Mistress," Matta replied. "She will need us to attend her until she is well again, and again afterwards. What is this place like?"

Ursula had to think about that one. "I can tell you but I doubt that either of you will understand the description. It is a converted weaving loft four streets away from here. There are three floors but, like this place, I imagine that the ground level will become flooded like this warehouse will be, so will be empty. The middle floor is where patients recover until they are well enough to go home and the upper floor is offices, storage and where we will actually do some of the difficult parts of healing when required. Her Highness will likely remain on the middle floor the whole time."

They both frowned. Vellana asked, "Will we have to climb up and down stairs all the time, Mistress?"

"No, there are ramps and I doubt you will have much reason to go to the other floors anyway."

"We'll come," Matta confirmed. Vellana nodded.

"Thank you." Ursula turned to the others. "I have no idea what facilities are there so, to begin with at least, I do not want to take too many more. I will take Kaldar, for reasons you know, and probably Ketko. For everyone else it looks as if His Grace has found room in Foti Lane although you'll probably be split up." She grinned. "Don't worry, all the housing is in two blocks and the dwellings in each block are connected by a deep covered balcony. You might sleep in different dwellings but you should all be able to visit each other easily and under cover. Bennet, Semma, are you happy with this arrangement?"

"Director, our commands from His Majesty are to remain with Her Highness," Bennet replied, "but the circumstances are unusual. I did expect to be back in the palace by now! But I can understand what you suggest and I am content to reside in Foti Lane until called for."

Semma added, "As she says, Director."

"Thank you. I'm sure Lord Luthan will inform us when it will be safe to transfer to the Duke's Mansion and there you can resume your duties as before."

"It is not so, Director," Bennet disagreed. "Her Highness now has maids for her personal needs and we will all be safe inside the Mansion. We will, of course, be required should Her Highness venture into the city or beyond but otherwise I imagine we will spend much of our time training with His Grace's men."

"Oh. Yes, things will be different, won't they? I'm sure we'll manage."

Semma said, "Director, if we may travel with you to the Clinic. We may not desire to stay there but you do not yet know what or whom is there. There may be trouble. We can always return with the wagon once it is known to be safe there."

Ursula grimaced. "I was trying to avoid taking too many people, Semma, since we'll have chests as well as people aboard this time. You do raise a good point, though. Let us see what space there will be when we load the wagon."

It seemed that some time passed before the wagon reappeared, water streaming from both the wagon and the men who had pulled it. Once completely inside the warehouse the Norse, who had kept dry inside the wagon and beneath the Visund's awning, climbed out and began unloading what they had brought. Ursula walked over to them.

«Did you have any problems?»

Tor replied, «No, Director. There is a little water inside at the stern but it has not affected any of our belongings. The man from the Mansion,» he pointed to the yellow-clad figure supervising the unloading, «asks us to empty the ship so it will be easier to move. We will need at least another journey to do that. Can Princess wait that long?»

«I am not sure that she will awaken for some time, Tor. Do what you need to. I will look after her.»

«Yah, Director.»

«Uh, did he say what they were going to do with the ship? I cannot imagine that anyone will remain aboard so it is going to be abandoned in the rain, possibly for some weeks.»

Tor nodded. «If the awning does not collapse then the Visund will be moved outside the walls, Director. They have moored some of those pontoons to the wall in such a way they will rise as the river rises. The Visund will be berthed to those pontoons.» He added with a shrug, «If too much water gets in and it sinks, we should be able to salvage it when the river level goes down again. It wouldn't be going anywhere except down.»

Ursula thought about this and then nodded. «They probably have a number of vessels stuck here when the Rains come, so must have procedures for dealing with them.The only difference is the Visund is an unusual shape and big.»

«Yah. Okay, time for next load.»

Ursula smiled. «Okay?»

Tor shrugged. «Princess Garia's words are everywhere, Director. Makes sense, too.»

He moved off to issue instructions and Ursula watched the proceedings. The unloaded material had been placed away from the entrance, under which water had now begun spreading across the floor. Others of the welcoming committee were taking the items and carrying them up the ramp to be stored safely away from the flood.

"Mistress, should we be checking what they take above? We might need some of those chests."

"Of course. There is no point taking them up if we have to bring some of them down again. Let's go."

Some conversation to the men meant that the items they might need at the Clinic were separated and stashed at the lower end of the ramp while everything else was carried to the top. The wagon reappeared as they were finishing and the next batch was unloaded, the wagon then disappearing again. When it arrived once more it was full of oars, some spare cordage and the rolled-up canvas of every scrap of sail the Visund had carried. Tor came over to them.

«We were told to bring it all in, Director, since the oars could get lost and the sails would surely rot.»

She nodded. «A sensible precaution, Tor. They must do this kind of thing every year, after all. Will the sails be looked after, do you know? Left in here, with water all over the floor, the sails could still rot.»

«Yah, Director. We will be able to come down later on and air the cloth out, even with water below.»

With the ship emptied, the wagon was filled with the nine chests Ursula thought they might need and Eriana was carefully placed aboard on top of them. The selected few climbed in and found room to stand, sit or squat. Outside, only Ursula remained as Luthan called for seven volunteers, who all turned out to be Norse crew members.

"Seven? An unusual number, My Lord."

"I will be the eighth, Director. I must needs go since none of your crew will know the way. The wagon has a seat for the wagoneer but if I sat there I could not tell those at the front when to turn or stop, so I will be one of those at the front bar."

"Are you sure? I know the route is reasonably flat but in this rain..."

"Aye. Ask me when we arrive, Director. If you would climb aboard now."

The wagon was less crowded than when they had transferred from the ship but the chests made movement awkward. The front and back had tarpaulin curtains which were mostly closed, allowing a small amount of light to enter under the overhanging roof while keeping the water out. There was a shout, a jolt and then the wagon was turning, rolling through the open doors and out into an unbelievable level of noise.

Now I know why Luthan couldn't give instructions to the pullers. Wow! I just hope nobody's hearing is damaged by all this.

Looking out through the gaps in the curtains showed absolutely nothing front or back. The rain hid everything.

How is he going to find where we want to go? I am amazed by the bravery of that man.

The wagon seemed to rumble along the half-drowned street for ages, stopping several times, once for what seemed like a long time and she wondered if there had been some problem. Eventually it turned off and rumbled along another street - she supposed - before halting again. This time there was a longer wait before another abrupt turn, a short ride and then they were suddenly into blissful silence.

The tarpaulins were twitched aside and a female voice called in, "You can climb out now."

The passengers all laboriously climbed out, most removing their capes and headgear with relief. Nearly all had remained completely dry, having transferred from ship to warehouse and from warehouse to clinic without suffering the deluge at all, which meant that they had become sweaty inside their rain gear. By contrast their team of pullers were leaning against the walls, too exhausted to even remove their dripping gear.

Ursula managed a quick look around the single gloomy space, expecting it to be empty except for the ramp climbing above, but finding that it was partly filled. The carriage had disappeared, doubtless to somewhere safe from the rising waters. Instead, filling the back half of the space was a grid of odd, box-like containers resting on the floor, each loosely roped to the ones around it. These containers were each filled with a stack of cut firewood.

Ah. Those will float up with the water as it rises. No need to make them navigable, they are just for internal storage so can be a simple structure and yet they will keep the contents dry.

"Oh! Mistress Ursula! Welcome back."

Ursula turned to the woman who had spoken, discovering a strange face. "Mistress, I do not know you."

"It is true, Mistress, but all in Joth now know you at least by sight. I am Healer Hanida, one of Senia's colleagues and I welcome you and those with you to Joth's clinic. My Lord there tells me you bring a patient to us, is there any need for urgency in their treatment?"

"It is Her Highness who is our patient, Hanida. She suffered... something like a panic attack during our journey and I was forced to give her something to calm her."

"Oh. Then -"

Luthan joined them, his face showing the strain of their short journey. "Mistresses, if I may suggest that we ask everyone to climb the ramp, I do not know how soon the waters will rise in this part of the city."

Hanida started. "As you say, My Lord!" She turned and frowned at the pullers. "Maker! These are Her Highness's men, I deem. Do they yet understand our tongue, Mistress?"

"Most now do, Mistress, but some of them may not speak so easily yet," Ursula replied. "I will translate if needed. Do we take off our wet weather gear down here or above? I would not want to carry the water up with us."

Hanida pointed. "As you say. We have provided pegs along the ramp there, to hang waterproof attire on. If the water rises so far then we can always move them higher, they will have dried by then."

"Ah. Thank you."

Ursula relayed this information to the Norse who began to slowly take off their waterproofs. She saw that many were so drained that they could barely hold their garments, so asked the girls to collect them and hang them up for the men. The Norse then began slowly making their way up the ramp.

There were two men with Hanida and they managed to extract Eriana's stretcher from the wagon and start taking it up the ramp as well. The healer looked at what was left in the wagon and turned to Ursula.

"So many chests! I did not expect... Do all of you intend to remain here in the clinic? We might struggle to provide for so many."

Ursula shook her head. "No, Mistress, the men who pulled us here are going to take the wagon back to the warehouse beside the gate so that the others in the crew can be taken, with their baggage, to Foti Lane until the rain slackens. You may recognize Guardswomen Bennet and Semma, who normally travel with Her Highness, they came with us in case there was any problem here but as all seems peaceful they will return with the wagon."

Hanida nodded to the two. "Welcome back, ladies."

Ursula considered her next words carefully. "By your leave, I would prefer to remain here with Tyra, my companion, along with Vellana and Matta," she gestured, "who are now Her Highness's personal maids. We have also brought the young boy there, Kaldar, who Her Highness has adopted, and also Master Ketko, a traveler from a distant land who has joined Her Highness's company. Will that be too many for you?"

"Personal maids? A traveler? Curious." Hanida smiled at Ursula. "Yes, we can find room for those you name. We have days of hard rain, doubtless you will find time to tell me what I need to know about these new folk. We will have plenty of bells to fill, after all."

"As you say."

Bennet and Semma pulled out a chest and began lugging it up the ramp. Ursula looked at Tyra.

"Can we manage a chest, do you think?"

"Some of them are not too heavy, Mistress. If we may try one? It will save the men and Bennet and Semma some journeys."

Hanida looked at the pair. "Are you sure? It is not a woman's job, I deem, but the days of the Rains are strange days."

"We'll manage," Ursula assured her.

"Then, by your leave, I will go above and start some water boiling. These fine men should have a hot drink before they pull that wagon away."

As Hanida walked away Ursula turned to Kaldar and Ketko, who had stood nearby, not knowing what to do.

"I do not know if you two can manage it, but could you carry my basket and bag up the ramp, please? We might need them above but we will be carrying a chest which I don't think either of you should be doing yet."

Ketko made a slight bow. "Of course, Honored Mother... ah, should I call you Director this time?"

Ursula smiled. "I do not really mind, Ketko. Let's get all this above so that the water cannot reach it."

By the time that Ursula and Tyra had carried a second chest up the ramp and stacked it tidily along with all the others the pulling crew had revived somewhat and all were now standing around the corridor in the middle level with steaming mugs in their hands. There was also a basket of fresh fruit from which Hanida encouraged all to take from, saying that it would help their energy going back and also prevent the fruit from possibly being wasted.

"You see," she explained to the others grouped around her, "we must needs exist on what foods we can store before the Rains come, since, as you now know, it becomes impossible to go out and collect more once it begins. That means eating the fresh food first before any of it goes off, and whether we can eat it all depends on how many are here. Of course, once the torrent slackens then it may be possible to go forth and obtain further supplies, and I know that His Grace," a nod towards Luthan, "will send boats around the city to provide for those whose stocks were small or already used up."

Ursula asked, "So whoever is here, then, has to exist only on the food stocks actually in the Clinic when the Rains start? For some time?"

The healer nodded. "As you say, Mistress. His Grace knows that sickness and injury do not stop when the waters start, so we are well provided should new patients be able to come here during that period. We have grain for breakfast, though we must needs make our porridge with water, we have flour for bread, fresh and preserved meats, cheeses, vegetables and fruits and a certain amount of wine, small beer and clean drinking water. Oh, and of course sufficient wood for any cooking and washing we must needs do, provided we are careful."

"Oh. That is a relief. I did not know how much this place had progressed after I left Joth. I was not even certain we would find anyone here at all."

"But Mistress! We knew that since you suggested it the Clinic would become an important place for we healers to use, and so it has proved. I doubt there has been a single day when we have not had some injury or other brought here to be treated. Even now we have two, who must needs remain here until the waters calm sufficiently."

They have treated my suggestions like words handed down from on high, which was not what I intended!

Still, if it works, good enough. That is Russian way.

"I am relieved to hear that, Hanida. I was half afraid that it would be left empty with people not knowing what to do with it."

"It has proved very useful, Mistress. We may keep more potions and other materials here than we can carry in our usual baskets and we have stocks here of many of the herbs needed to make more if required. Being able to treat patients in a familiar open space instead of a cramped bedroom or other chamber helps, too. The only problem we face is bringing the patient here in the first place, since the journey might cause their injury to worsen."

Ursula nodded. "It is a problem where I came from as well, but there may be ways around that. I will speak to you about our procedures once we have settled in and helped these fine gentlemen to depart."

One of those men turned at a sound and then addressed Ursula. «Director, Princess awakens.»

«Oh, right. About time!» She turned to Hanida. "It looks like Her Highness is reviving, I must attend to her."

"If I may assist?"

Ursula briefly thought. "There is nothing physically wrong with her, she has just been overburdened with everything that this voyage has involved - and the Rains hitting us has pushed her over the edge." She had another thought. "Yes, join me, you might need to attend her when I am... busy elsewhere or resting."

"As you say, Mistress -"

"Call me Ursula, please. We are healers doing the same work in the same place, there is no need to be so formal."

"Why, thank you... Ursula. It makes life easier if one can speak as to a friend."

Each went to different sides of the bed which held Eriana. The Princess moved as though disturbed and her eyes were only part way open, staring at nothing.

"Eriana. Can you hear me?" Ursula asked.

"Unh." The eyes moved, but covered the ceiling rather than those standing either side. The voice was slurred. «What place is this?»

Hanida frowned. "What did she say?"

"It is her birth language. She does speak ours very well but I would expect her to regress under these conditions. She should understand everything we say, though."

"Ah, as you say. Highness, would you like some water?"

The tongue came out a little to explore dried lips. "Yah. Water." Her eyes closed again.

Hanida went to fetch a beaker of water. When she returned she said to Eriana, "I have water, Highness."

Between them they managed to lift her up by arranging pillows behind in order that she could drink a little. Afterwards she sighed and relaxed, her eyes closing again.

Hanida looked puzzled. "She sleeps too much, Ursula. What exactly did you give her?"

A grimace. "It was all done in haste, Hanida. We were attempting to pass the Cauldron but it had changed since we went upstream weeks ago. Her Highness became terrified we would lose the ship and everybody on board would die. We had to hold her down while my basket and some water was fetched. I put some tasan into a beaker of water and made her drink it."

The healer made a sharp intake of breath. "Tasan, you say?" Her look was intent. "Did you measure it into the beaker?"

"In a ship which had just gone over a small waterfall and was navigating between two Cauldrons? No, Hanida. I had to do it by eye. I did suspect that I had given her too much but, even so, she should have revived by now."

"A waterfall? Two Cauldrons? Maker, no wonder you are all exhausted! I must needs hear this tale, I deem, but first... Did you have no anoteris root with you? That would have been safer."

"Anoteris? No..." Ursula then remembered Senia using it when they operated on Mamoot all those weeks ago. "Senia had some which she used when we needed it for Mamoot. Why? Should I not have used tasan?"

"It acts differently, Ursula, so we have observed. Anoteris usually lasts about two to three bells and is reasonably safe to use but tasan has a deeper effect on the patient's body. We tend to use it on badly injured patients who must needs be moved to somewhere safer before treatment - for example, if someone fell from the city walls and yet survived. But surely you knew this when you added the tasan to your basket."

"I was given the tasan in Bibek, Hanida, by one of the Margrave's healers. I did mention that I had nothing with me that could be used to render a patient unconscious if I needed to. They have slightly different ways of making up some of their potions and salves and we spent some time talking about the differences. I probably have a note somewhere but I have not had the time to review my notes or decide what if anything was important."

"Ah. What is done is done, I deem. She may be very confused when she does wake up." Hanida looked at the Norse. "What of these men? Do you think they are yet recovered enough to depart?"

Ursula smiled. "If I were to ask them they would all answer yes but I think they should wait a little, even though it is going to cause delay the other end." She turned to the men. «Boys? I want you to rest a little more before you go out into that rain again. I know there are people waiting the other end but I want to make sure you are going to get there at all. That rain is unbelievable.»

There was a mutter of agreement from the men.

«Do you need more food or drink before you go? I know that last stretch in the ship was difficult.»

Eirik stepped forward. «Director, you know it was. If there is food to eat, it makes sense to have some more before we leave.»

«I'll ask.»

Ursula turned to Hanida. "I have suggested they eat and drink some more before they go. Pulling the wagon through that torrent is hard work. What else is available apart from the fruit? Is there any bread?"

"There is bread," Hanida replied with hesitation. "but including your own party, these... eight men and the two women-at-arms will eat everything we have, since we had not planned to have so many here during the worst of the weather."

Bennet looked at Semma, receiving a shake of the head, and then turned to Hanida. "By your leave, Mistress, we did not pull so we are not in such a need of extra food - yet. Feed the men, we will wait until we reach our assigned billets."

Ursula added, "Hanida, you need not feed those who are going to remain here either. We can eat later on."

Hanida nodded. "That is a little more manageable, then." She waved a hand. "If you would all follow me. Ursula, if you would remain with our patients while I feed this crowd."

"Of course, Hanida."

The men moved off towards the front of the building leaving Ursula, Tyra, Kaldar, Ketko, Matta and Vellana standing in the cubicle which held Eriana.

Matta asked, "Mistress, if you could explain this place. it appears very complicated to my eyes."

"Actually, Matta, I can't tell you all about it since they were still building the partitions and offices when I departed Joth. I can tell you what I do know, though." She gestured around and across the corridor. "These cubicles are where patients will stay while they are recovering from whatever brought them here. I see that there are six over there, I assume there are the same number this side. I don't know how they are ordering them, whether it will be to just use any one as needed or, for example, to have women one side and men the other."

Vellana objected, "But there are no doors, Mistress!"

"That is deliberate, for two reasons. Firstly it will allow anyone walking past to notice if a patient needs immediate attention and secondly to prevent them becoming completely isolated. They can see healers walking around and maybe even talk to people opposite."

"But what happens when they want to dress or undress? It would be unseemly to do that in front of strangers."

"Agreed." Ursula looked at the top of the partition. "Oh, there are supposed to be curtains which can be closed when someone needs privacy, such as when a healer is examining them or they need cleaning up, changing clothes or having dressings changed. Perhaps I didn't tell them that? Hmm. Maybe I need to make a good inspection when we have some better light."

"They would permit you to do that, Mistress?"

"This whole building is my idea, Vellana. Before I arrived all patients would be treated in their own homes, usually in an upstairs bedroom where they would be left on their own for most of the day. If they had serious injuries, or something else that needed a healer's attention, sometimes a bedroom is not the best place to do anything about it."

They are both village girls who probably have no idea how any of this works. It is not surprising they find it all complicated!

"As for the rest of the building, at the front, the whole width of the building should be a large room where patients who can move about can sit and talk to one another or merely just rest in the sunshine - when there is any. Behind that are two smaller rooms where healers can speak to patients and examine them in private. At the back," she gestured, "should be a toilet, a special bathing chamber patients can use and a kitchen to feed everyone from.

"Upstairs... I mean, up the second ramp, should be store-rooms for healer's supplies, offices for the healers who will work here and perhaps places where they can rest between sessions. Right at the back, where the weaving looms used to be, is where we will perform any major work which has to be done to a patient - such as amputations, for example."

I'm not going to go into detail, they wouldn't understand it and I might just frighten them.

"That chamber has large windows to get the best of the light and also chandeliers for when it becomes as dark as it is today. If someone has a bad accident just as the sun sets we would not want to wait until the following day to have enough light to work by."

"As you say, Mistress."

Tyra asked, "Director, you mentioned a toilet. If we may investigate where it might be?"

"You have a need? Of course you do. We have been on that ship a while since we departed Ferenis. Oh - they hadn't even built a toilet or bathroom when we were here last. I remember the plumber arriving just as -" Ursula paused.

"- Just as Lord Mathenar arrived," Tyra completed the thought.

"Yes. I wonder where he is now? Matta, Vellana, Tyra and I will go and discover the facilities at the back of this floor and use them. I'm sure you'll need them soon enough. Can you keep an eye on Her Highness while we are gone?"

"Of course, Mistress, that is our duty."

"Any problems, one of you go to the front and fetch Healer Hanida."

"Aye, Mistress."

The toilet was a larger chamber than Ursula had expected.

Of course, they may have to maneuver patients in here sometimes. Perhaps Maralin gave them some advice about dimensions. He must have had at least some experience of visiting a hospital in Chicago.

Ursula and Tyra did what they needed to and cleaned up. A kind of hand pump with a long lever was used to flush the toilet which made Ursula frown.

I wonder where the tank is? Is this using their fresh drinking water? Probably not, not with all that coming down outside. These buildings appear to be more sophisticated than I remember from before.

"While we are here, let's look at what else is this end."

The bathing chamber had a raised bath, still big enough to accommodate eight people, but with the interior split into two levels to permit semi-mobile patients to be cleaned up safely. On the other side of the rear door was a large kitchen space which had an impressive range and a brick bread oven. Ursula had noticed the range when they had been there previously but the oven was new. One side of the kitchen was stacked high with chopped firewood while many sacks of various food items nearly filled the rest of the floor space.

A lot of this will disappear soon enough, especially with so many here. But the Rains will last two months or so...

Ursula briefly opened the back door to discover that it was now completely dark outside. The rain roared down, making speech impossible, so she closed the door swiftly again.

"Hmm. At least the balcony appears to be dry enough to walk along if we have to get out that way," she remarked. "But there is nowhere to go at the moment. Okay, let's go back to the others so that they can use the toilet if they need to."

Back at Eriana's cubicle they relieved Matta and Vellana who walked fairly rapidly off to the rear. Ursula looked at Kaldar and Ketko.

"There is a toilet back there but you'll probably have a line of women wanting to use it first," she told them. "I suggest that if you cannot wait, then in an emergency you could open the back door and do your business from the balcony behind these buildings. The rain will soon wash everything away. The balcony has a roof but it is very noisy out there so don't stay too long."

"Your words are my instructions, Director."

Hanida appeared then. "Ah, Ursula. Have any of you yet discovered our toilet? Bennet and Semma desire to make use of it but I thought I would ask you and your people first."

"Tyra and I have been, Hanida, and I have sent Her Highness's two maids off in that direction. Is there only one toilet in the whole building, for everyone to use?"

"Indeed not, Ursula, there is another toilet and bathroom installed upstairs. Tenant Maralin, as he was then, advised us what would be required and suggested that, after any healers had used the... operating theater, is that right? ...they would require their own place to clean themselves up, so a toilet and bathroom were installed upstairs as well."

"That is good to know. If you have enough patients here to fill all these beds and the healers to manage them, then one toilet would not really be enough."

"Indeed, that is what he said. Now, tell me, are you any good at baking bread? Because -"

Eriana groaned. Everyone turned to look at her and then surrounded her bed. She opened her eyes, rubbing them with a hand, and then turned her head to inspect all those who were around her.

«Where am I? What is this place? It does not look like Valhalla, Asgard or even Midgard.»

Ursula, the only person there who could understand Norse, replied, "Highness, you are in Joth on the world Anmar, which is part of Midgard."

Eriana regarded Ursula with a frown. "Who are you? Where are my thralls? What is this place?"

"I am Healer Ursula, Highness. I have traveled with you on your ship as far as Bibek and back to Joth. Your maids have gone to the toilet, they will be back in a few moments."

Eriana's frown turned to a grimace. "Maids? I do not understand. Bibek? You make no sense. My ship? It is lost." The grimace turned to pain, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "All my crew are dead. Why am I still here? I need to join them in Valhalla."

Ursula said, patiently, "Highness, your crew is not dead and neither are you. We have all survived and are resting in safety, out of the storm."

Her gaze sharpened and fixed on Ursula. "Liar. I remember the sea - it was too much for us - the sea took us. Leave me alone. Go away."

Eriana turned on her side away from Ursula, closed her eyes and began sobbing.

Eriana has had a nervous breakdown and is being treated at Joth's new Clinic. The ferocity of the Rains mean that those inside are trapped there, forced to fall back on their own knowledge.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

105 - Eriana Adrift

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2025 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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Hanida and Ursula exchanged glances, the resident healer twitching her head to ask that Ursula follow her away to a quieter spot to speak. Ursula looked undecided until Bennet and Semma approached from the front, wanting to know what was happening.

She spoke low to them. "Could you keep watch over Her Highness while we have a talk, please. She appears not to recognize anyone and thinks the ship and everyone on it was lost. You may have to restrain her if she tries to get off the bed. Will you do that?"

Bennet replied just as quietly, "Director, we saw what she was like on the ship. I am not surprised this has happened. We will do as you ask."

"Thank you."

Hanida led Ursula over to the other side where they could stand in one of the empty cubicles to muffle their voices.

"Do you know what is wrong, Ursula?"

"I think it is just overwork, the stress of having too much to think about and then to do. Her Highness has been appointed the head of the new Federation Navy and I believe the demands are too much for her."

"Ah, Federation Navy? What is that?"

Ursula briefly explained, then added, "I think the..." straw that broke the camel's back? "...extra load that broke her was our passage downstream past the Cauldron. Have you ever been that way on the river?"

"No, Ursula, I have never left Joth. I have heard of it, of course, but do not really know what it is."

"Hmm. Let me think. It is a little like... can you imagine a sink full of water? What happens when you pull the plug out?"

"Why, the water goes down, of course... Ah! It swirls around and around, does it not? Do you tell me the Cauldron is like that only much bigger?"

"Much bigger! It could swallow any barge you have ever seen, Hanida. It could swallow this building whole! Fortunately it is well known and understood and it is straightforward enough to circle around the outside to pass by either way. I did not say it was easy, it does need an experienced pilot to make the passage."

"Ah, as you say. But you have already made this passage once, I deem, so what caused the difference this time? Had you been caught by the Rains at that point, that you could not see the Cauldron?"

"No, not at that time, that came later. It seems that when the river level drops very low then unseen things on the river bed start having noticeable effects. It looks as if some hidden obstructions caused a small waterfall, just before we reached the Cauldron."

"A waterfall! Maker! This is what you mentioned before, is it?"

"Yes. Fortunately it was only - only! - about two... strides... high and we were able to slide over it and drop onto the lower level. Any higher and a vessel as big as ours might have broken in two."

"As large as yours? If I may ask how large?"

"I was told about thirty strides long and that sounds about right to me. Now Her Highness was sitting, with the rest of us women, near the front of the ship and of course the man steering was right at the back. She saw the water disappearing over the fall and thought it was going to be a long way down so began to panic. We had to hold her down to stop her going to the back and issuing instructions which could have put us all in danger.

"Then, once we were safely over, I saw that there were two Cauldrons and we would have to steer exactly between the two of them to survive. I made the decision that Her Highness should have a sedative to prevent her panicking again. I had to ask someone - it may have been Bennet - to go and fetch my basket. Finding the potion and putting some in a beaker with some water was done in a hurry. I'm sorry, Hanida, it was unprofessional of me, I should have been more careful."

"I do not think any one of us could have behaved any different, Ursula. I cannot imagine what pressure you must have been under, with the river taking you along and things that had not been there before causing you all to make decisions quickly. If I may ask how you knew that Her Highness was panicking? There is, as you know, little difference between outright fear and losing control because of it."

"I do know! I have been in that same position... on occasions in my past... before I came to the Great Valley. I recognized the symptoms but did not think, until that happened, that I needed to intervene. You see, she had already been doubting herself for some days before and I wondered if she was beginning to crack under the strain. That's why I was able to do something immediately it happened."

"Ah. And yet you have all arrived safely at Joth, I deem. The past cannot be changed, what is done is done, have you any thoughts for the future?"

A call came from the other side. "Director!"

Ursula called back, "Coming." She turned to Hanida. "You had better join us. I need to know more about tasan and what effect it is going to have on Her Highness."

"As you say."

They arrived at the same time as Luthan, but he gestured to them to attend Eriana and just stood back, watching. As before, her eyes were open but she looked distinctly disoriented. She fixed her gaze on Ursula with a frown.

"Ursula? I thought we left you in Joth when we departed?"

Ursula opened her mouth but could not find anything appropriate to say that would not cause more confusion. She turned to Hanida with a tiny shake of her head.

Hanida took the simple option and asked Eriana, "Your Highness, are you hungry or thirsty? We can bring you food and drink, though our selection may be more limited than you are used to."

"I -" Eriana tried to concentrate, then replied, "If you would. Not beer. I feel as if I have already had too much beer."

"I will fetch something appropriate, Highness. By your leave."

Hanida bobbed and then went to the kitchen area. Eriana gazed at each remaining face in turn but there was little sign of recognition.

"What is this place? Why are you here, Ursula? Is this a Chamber of the Sick?"

"It is a whole building of the sick, Highness." I'll keep the explanation simple. "I am here to look after you. You have been very unwell. It may be some time before everything returns to you."

Eriana sighed. "Aye. It is a bad hangover, I deem, like that other one." A frown. "When did that one happen? I do not recall."

"At Gylfi's Rest, Highness."

"Gylfi? He is here? One of the best of my brave men. I would greet him."

Oh dear. Her memories are really scrambled. This could take some time.

Trying to keep a straight face Ursula replied, "Gylfi is resting now, Highness. He was very tired, it would be a shame to wake him now."

"Ah. As you say." Her eyes closed and she relaxed onto the bed.

Bennet came to Ursula and spoke low. "This sounds bad, Director. Do you know if she will recover completely?"

"I'm not sure, Bennet. Apparently I either used the wrong potion or gave her too much of it. But you know what state we were all in when that happened."

The Guardswoman nodded. "You did your best, Director. If you do not know this potion, would the other healer?"

"Apparently so. Let us all get settled and then we can decide on a course of recovery for her."

Another nod. "We trust you, Director. I know that injuries of the mind can take time to heal."

But on Earth I did not deal with injuries of the mind, not really. Not when I could hand them off to someone who did know how to handle them.

Hanida returned with a mug of pel and a plate containing some sliced meat, cheese and a few small fruits.

"I regret all the bread has been eaten so - Oh, does she sleep?"

"She drifted off but I'm sure she is not deeply asleep yet. I'll try and wake her."

Ursula moved Eriana's shoulder in the way she would have tried to waken a patient on Earth. Eriana started, then shuddered before opening her eyes.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my chamber?"

"We have brought food, Highness," Ursula replied. "The larder is almost empty, but it should be enough to satisfy you for the moment."

"What?" She sounded suspicious. "Where are my maids?"

"They are about other business for you, Highness. You have a bad hangover and are recovering. Do you not remember?"

"Uhhh. Food, you say?" She reached out, not for the plate but for the mug. "What is this in here? I do not know it."

Ursula remembered what had happened with Ketko. "It is a special potion, Highness, to help with your hangover. You have had it before, you like the taste."

"I have? I do?" Eriana took a sip. "It is as you say." She frowned. «Why is everyone speaking the Northern tongue?»

"Because that is where you are, Highness. Do you not remember?"

The Princess frowned. "No." She took a good drink from the mug. "What is that food? Ah, good meats and cheeses. Oh, and fruits from the north as well! Give me the plate."

She almost grabbed the plate from Hanida and began eating the contents, using her bare fingers to stuff slices of meat in her mouth. After a while she finished most of it and turned to the pel, which she drained in one gulp. Suddenly she looked about the cubicle with an almost guilty look on her face.

"Does my father know that you are all here in my chamber?"

Ursula replied, "He does, Highness."

Not knowing how her father might have treated her she was careful not to say any more. Hanida opened her mouth but Ursula gave her a look which prevented the healer from causing any potential problems.

"If you would return the mug and plate to me you can rest a little longer, Highness," Ursula suggested. "I am sure your head will feel better after a good sleep."

Eriana handed the plate and mug over, asking, "I have not seen you in my father's hall before. What is your name?"

"I am Ursula, Highness."

"Ursula? I know that name, it is in one of our sagas." She frowned. "I don't - That's strange." There was a pause. "Maybe you are right, I will rest a while."

Eriana lay back and closed her eyes. The crowd around her bed looked at each other.

Luthan suggested, "We have matters to decide. If we may move some distance away so that we do not disturb Her Highness."

They moved to the top of the ramp, from where they could still see Eriana but their voices would be partly obscured by the rainfall on the roof.

He said, "The men tell me they are ready to attempt the return to the warehouse. Director, are the people you named still intent on remaining here?"

"They are, My Lord."

"And all the chests have been brought up, I have seen them... Are you content that you will have everything you need to attend Her Highness? Once we depart, no-one will know what transpires here for maybe a week or so, till the downpour slackens, so I must know now if you might require further supplies - of anything."

Ursula replied, "For myself, I think we have brought all we might need to just camp out here for that time. However, I think Hanida is concerned that the extra numbers will go through her supplies quicker. Hanida? Do we need more medical supplies or anything else?"

"Milord, Director, we probably have enough to last us for at least a month with those numbers. Wood for cooking or for washing may be more of a problem, as it is for everybody during the Rains. As I told Ursula before you joined us, Milord, we have good stocks of medical supplies so should be able to manage.

"My main problem will be baking bread, since my own efforts are at best edible and the other healer who would have joined us, who does bake, did not arrive in time. I was going to ask Ursula if she knew sufficient of the art to help."

"I have worked in restaurants - places serving food to passers-by for coin - but I have never made any here," on Anmar, "in the Great Valley. I do not know the ingredients well enough. I can peel vegetables, I have made cakes and pastries in His Grace's kitchen, but I have never made bread."

"Oh. Then -"

"By your leave," Bennet interrupted, "before I became a Guardswoman for the King I worked in Palarand's palace kitchens. Because of my size and strength I was frequently asked to knead and prove their bread. Director, if I stay here I could be of use preparing food for everyone."

Hanida turned to Bennet, interested. "You can make bread for us, if I show you our ingredients? I hesitate to ask but you would be a great help to those who remain if so."

"I can make bread, aye, as I have said." Bennet had an idea. "With your bread oven I can also make a food new to Palarand, something called peet-zers. If you have sausage and cheese, I can -"

Hanida held up a hand. "Hold, Mistress! It was Tenant Maralin who gave all Joth the recipe for peet-zers some months ago. We do, of course, have all the ingredients for peet-zers in the Clinic, but they are foods we would normally only consume once the fresh food is gone."

"Ah." Bennet nodded. "I had forgotten that it was Maralin who brought the recipe to the palace in the first place! As you say, they can be left for later. But I can make loaves of bread so my offer is still open. Director? Would it cause any problems for you if I should remain here?"

Things are beginning to get out of hand! Where is everyone going to sleep?

"In theory, Bennet, I have no problem with you being here instead of in Foti Lane."

"By your leave," Luthan interrupted, "If Guardswoman Bennet remains here then that must mean that Guardswoman Semma would return with the wagon to the warehouse - on her own. Is this wise?"

I was trying to avoid overcrowding the Clinic. What do I do?

"Director," Tyra suggested, "if it would help the numbers then I could return with Semma to Foti Lane. I would prefer to remain by your side but the more who stay here the more difficult it will be to find room for everyone, and it would mean another mouth to feed."

"It is a sensible thought, Tyra, and thank you. I assume you'll go back to your family?"

"Of course, Director. Perhaps, when the Rains slacken, I could return here and resume my duties."

Bennet said, "I have acted as companion to you before, Director. If you would accept my assistance for this short while I would be willing to help until Tyra returns."

"Are you both sure?"

"I am, Director."

"Aye, Director."

"Then we'd better sort out your clothing from the chests. Hanida, do you have a bag we could borrow to put Tyra's things in? There are not that many, most of our things we have left at the warehouse, thinking we wouldn't need them for a while."

"I may, Ursula. It depends on how much attire Tyra has brought with her."

"I'm not sure. Tyra?"

"We picked out the chest containing my travel attire, Director. That could go back in the wagon with me. There should be no need to only take part. The other chests are still in the warehouse."

Hanida was surprised. "The other chests? Why, Tyra, how many did you have?"

"Both the Director and I have three chests, Mistress. One of each is our traveling day and night wear, which we would take into a hostel or campsite along the way. Another pair has evening gowns for the Director and some of our less-used uniform attire while our third has riding gear, helmets and, for my Mistress, some medical supplies and for me, my swords, knives and other armswoman's attire."

The healer stared at both of them. "Riding gear? Swords? Maker! I see there are questions I would ask but not now, we must get these men back to the warehouse. If you would point out your chest, Tyra, I will ask two of the men to carry it back to the wagon. Oh, and of course we'll need to return Guardswoman Semma's chest as well." Hanida was struck by a thought. "Guardswoman, I suspect that you and Guardswoman Bennet also have other chests, is it not so?"

Semma replied, "Aye, Mistress, and so does Her Highness. We all ride and, apart from Director Ursula, we all train and exercise with armsmen of whichever forces we happen to be visiting." She pointed to one in the stack. "This is my chest, Mistress."

With Bennet, Ketko and Kaldar keeping an eye on Eriana, most of the others went below, carrying the two required chests. These were then loaded onto the wagon. The space was just about wide enough to turn the wagon inside the front of the loading area before the doors were opened onto the torrent outside. All who were leaving donned their wet-weather gear and positioned themselves inside or in front of the wagon.

Ursula leaned into the back of the wagon. "Tyra, say hello to your family for me. When it is possible for me to follow you I will come to Foti Lane and meet all of them again."

"Of course, Director. They will be delighted to see you - even Teen."

Luthan had a word before he went to the front. "Director, I am somewhat disturbed by the ailment which afflicts Her Highness. Like the others I will be stuck in Foti Lane until this," he gestured at the wall of water outside, "relents, but immediately it slackens I will return here to discover any improvement - or lack of it. Both she, and you, Director, are important to the future of the Great Valley and my father will do everything he can to ensure that you are both safe and well."

"Thank you, My Lord," Ursula replied. She cocked her head. "You seem different since we met before, My Lord."

"I will not argue with you, Director. I respect you too much. By your leave."

Luthan bowed, turned and made his way to the front of the drawbar. With an arm raised and then swept forward, the men began pulling the wagon outside into the downpour. Within a few short steps it had completely disappeared from view. Hanida shook her head and pushed the double doors shut, reducing the noise levels considerably.

"That's that. Shall we go above, Director? We must begin to prepare an evening meal, I deem, and then - we have much to discuss one with the other."

* * *

As the bread was baking all the women took advantage of the hot water which was the by-product to have a quick wash down, all helping each other in the same tub and afterwards, which resulted in the usual conversation.

"You are wearing bras! I have heard of them, of course, since Her Grace showed them to our seamstresses, but I have not seen anyone wearing one until today. They look different than our usual bodices."

Ursula explained that it was the women aboard the Visund who had arrived wearing them. And that the patterns had eventually followed the actual garments from Palarand. Since some of the women had joined the voyage later they had not been able to obtain bras yet. Ursula had not mentioned how she herself had joined the company so Hanida naturally assumed that she had started the journey in Palarand and no-one cared to correct that impression.

Then the talk turned to ship dresses and the matching underthings and the implication was that they had been created in Joth, which was mostly correct. There followed a wide-ranging discussion on fashions and fabrics, with the travelers contributing what they had observed as they had ventured further upstream.

"Oh, that reminds me, Ursula. There are some other new garments stored here which I understand were your idea."

"Other garments? Here? Oh, do you mean the scrubs? Has anybody looked at them yet?"

"Of course, Ursula! A curious name but they are most practical for some of the heavier work any Healer must needs do. The trousers were strange to wear at first, but they do keep the mess from one's legs. Your design of the Clinic and its contents is very agreeable, Ursula. I assume that these ideas are what are familiar to you in your own lands?"

"In a way, Hanida, but there is a lot of variation in the equipment and clothing available there. I can describe what I was brought up with when we have some free time."

"As you say, Ursula."

Both Ursula and Bennet wanted a change after bathing so they selected other items from their traveler's chests, giving them the opportunity to wash and hang up what they had taken off. Ursula found a thinnish day dress and Bennet wore the one that had been picked up in the Terban market.

Then it was time for their meal. They all sat in the front chamber with plates on their laps, eating bread that was still hot and meats, cheeses, fruit and the inevitable mugs of pel.

"Mistress Bennet, you make a good loaf of bread, I deem. This is delicious!"

"Thank you, Mistress Hanida. I have had plenty of practice, as I said earlier, but with a different oven I was not sure of the results. I am pleased that it has come out acceptable to you."

"I must ask if you would consider preparing some of our other meals while you are with us. We do cook for ourselves, of course, and share the chores, but a fresh face who has experience elsewhere may help to improve our diets, which as you may realize will become tedious as the Rains continue."

Bennet was reluctant. "Mistress, I will of course help where I can but I was not a cook in the palace, merely a strong helper in the kitchens. I do have some ability, it is true, but I would suggest that Director Ursula has as much experience as I do."

Hanida turned, surprised. "Ursula?"

Thank you, Bennet, but I suppose there are few of us here and we'll all need to tackle whatever jobs need doing.

"Um, I have indeed some experience of working in kitchens and, when I was in Joth previously, I helped out Farren in the Mansion. But my experience is probably no better than that of Bennet, Hanida. I peeled vegetables, jointed meat and made pastries, that is all. Still, If I can help I will - assuming of course that our patients let us."

"Ah. As you say. At least it will share the work around a little."

"You did mention you had other patients here."

"As you say. Mistress Larna slipped and fell down the stairs at home, causing bruising to her back and spine and, we think, breaking one or more of the small bones in her ankle. It has been set in a cast but," she shook her head, "we do not think she will regain full mobility of that foot. I am told that you have different experience, is it possible that you can find out more?"

What can I do without X-rays? Probably not much more than the locals can.

I guess that I could open up the ankle and find out what might be broken, but then I'd probably need metal plates and screws to fix it. Can't do that because I'd need someone like a silversmith and advance knowledge of what I'd need him to make. And suitable tools. And with all that rain coming down outside... She'll just have to learn to limp.

She shook her head. "In the future there will be ways but there is nothing available to us here today. Sometimes it is possible to find a fracture by feel but it is probably too late for that. I'm sorry, Hanida."

Hanida nodded. "I did not expect to be able to do more, Ursula. Mistress Larna's husband Dibenar accompanies her, he has proved most useful as we made sure that our provisions were safely stored. Our other patient is Lord Beresan, he is the youngest son of Baron Vanderel, a noble whose demesne is to the west of the city. He presently resides here in the city and managed to injure his left calf this morning during weapons practise. He was brought here for immediate attention but the storm has arrived before he could be properly attended and returned home. The wound is not long but it is deep and diagonally across the muscle. He has a manservant, Mordon, with him who has also been of help in the Clinic. You may have seen the two men when we unloaded the wagon."

"Oh, yes, I did. A calf wound? He is going to be limping as well. I'll look at both, Hanida, but I cannot promise anything."

"I was not expecting anything, Ursula, since I did not know that you would be here during the worst of the Rains. But when you arrived I did wonder if you could do anything more for these people."

Ursula shrugged. "I did not know I would be here either! We had some diversions along our route which meant we lost days here and there. There was a time I thought we would be forced to stop in Hulmar or even in Ferenis. I think the storm hit us when we were about ten or twelve marks from here so we were very lucky to survive." She had a thought. "Those patients and their relatives, have they eaten yet? We're sitting here while they might be going hungry."

"I have reserved some of this excellent bread for them," Hanida replied, "but thought that you and those who came with you had more need of food than those who were already here, who have had little to do today except listen to the storm as it swallowed Joth." She put her mug down on the table. "By your leave, I shall take their share to them now. If you would wish to be introduced?"

Ursula added her mug and plate to the table. "It would be as well, considering we will all be here for some days to come."

Hanida stood so she followed, with a gesture to the others to remain where they were and to finish their meals without haste.

Ursula had noticed the other patients and attendants as she had moved around but her attention had been elsewhere. Now, as she followed Hanida into the gloomy center of the middle floor she put on her best Healer's face and directed her attention to the cubicles. The first one held a middle-aged woman who semi-reclined on her bed, her right foot in plaster, with her husband sitting beside her. He stood as the two approached.

"If I may introduce Mistress Ursula, a recent visitor to Joth, a Healer of some experience in other lands and the person who suggested to His Grace that we build this Clinic. Ursula, this is Mistress Larna and her husband Dibenar, who are presently as trapped in the Clinic for some few days as we are. Ursula, Mistress Larna suffered a fall down her stairs, on her back, after her foot turned on one of the steps. She has bruising down her back, which I do not consider to be serious, fortunately, but there is sufficient damage to her ankle that I judge something must needs be broken."

Ursula inclined her head to the two. "I could say that I was pleased to meet you but most meetings with healers are usually something people do not want to have. I just hope that your time here will not be too uncomfortable and that it will aid your recovery."

The man bowed. "Thank you, Mistress. I have seen you on occasion at the market, I would normally have my stall there but for now," he gestured towards the front, where the rain could be heard pounding against the front windows, "I may tend my wife instead. If I may ask, do you intend to remain in Joth now that you have returned? I have heard nothing but good words about you."

"I am a healer, Master Dibenar, and if I can help someone in need then I will do so. I will of course remain in Joth while the rain falls but I am, in fact, now part of a larger organization which will serve the whole of the Great Valley. Her Highness Princess Eriana leads that organization and so, when she leaves, it is likely that I will go with her. Is there some particular reason why you wanted me to stay in Joth?"

"Only the words I have heard about you, Mistress. A new organization? I have not heard of anything, but then I am only a trader in the market."

"Have you heard of the Sirrel Federation?"

Dibenar was cautious. "Aye, I have heard the name but know nothing about it. I assumed that it had something to do with the war against those of Yod. If you can explain?"

"I was not there when the Federation was formed but Her Highness was. She could tell you many details which I cannot. Briefly, all those countries which fought against Yod have come together in a loose association designed both to prevent further trouble from Yod and to ease trade and communications between each other. Each will continue as it did before but there will be a... Congress... I believe was the term, which will oversee all and guide future developments. Have you seen any of the things which came from Palarand just before we sailed away from Joth?"

He nodded. "Aye, there was something named an exhibition in the Great Hall. Ah! I believe I understand now. This Federation will help us as we begin to use these new inventions?"

"That is part of it, yes. There may be other benefits as well. One of those is that I will try to make my... healing... knowledge available to as many healers up and down the Great Valley as possible."

Dibenar nodded sagely. "I understand now, Mistress. I know that my wife and others will remain in good hands, either yours or that of your fellow healers."

"Thank you, Master. Is there anything you or your wife need at the moment?"

"Only something to eat and drink, by your leave."

Hanida said, "I will fetch food for you both now, if Ursula will stay here until I return."

"Of course, Hanida."

The healer bustled off to fill two plates and two mugs.

Ursula asked the wife, "Can I ask you how your fall happened, Mistress?"

She looked apologetic. "It was a silly thing, Mistress, you see, at the top of our stairs... I cannot explain. Dib, if you would tell the Mistress how our stairs is arranged."

"Ah, of course, dear. Mistress, our stairs is not straight but turns at the top so that the top three steps are but triangles. If one should chance to put a foot on the narrow end it is possible to slip and lose your step. I believe that is what my wife did."

Ursula nodded. "I know what you mean, Master. I have stayed in houses with similar arrangements. An unfortunate accident, then."

She added, "I was carrying linen at the time so did not see where my foot was placed. I doubt I shall make that mistake again!"

"Yes. Sometimes one can get away with doing that but other times the result is pain and, in your case, a possible permanent injury. Very well. Has Hanida said when she will likely change your cast? I would like to examine your foot then to see how much permanent damage might have been caused."

The husband said, "She has not said, Mistress, but from experience it will be two days, perhaps, maybe three."

Ursula nodded. "I will have a look when the cast is removed."

After a short while Hanida returned with a tray bearing the food and drink, which she held in front of the husband.

"By your leave, Master Dibenar, if you would remove a plate and mug for yourself and put them on the nightstand, your wife may sit up and eat from the tray."

With the two feeding themselves Hanida excused them and they moved on. The next cubicle was empty but the third held a youngish man, lying on the bed, with what was obviously an older manservant in the chair beside him. When the young man saw Ursula he gave her a disarming smile.

"Greetings, Mistress. I have listened to your words spoken earlier on either side. I am Lord Beresan, the youngest son of Baron Vanderel and unlikely to inherit anything." He gestured to the servant. "This is Mordon, one of my father's manservants, who I asked to accompany me here, seeing as I have damaged my leg and may not be able to walk far."

Hanida responded sharply, "My Lord, you should not be walking at all! If your over-sensitive ears did not catch her name I will tell you that this is Ursula, a reputable healer recently arrived in the Great Valley. Ursula, he came this morning and we have been so busy preparing for the Rains that I have been able to do nothing for him but clean the wound and wrap it for later examination. My Lord, I see no blood upon your bandage, have you any discomfort that I should know about?"

"Indeed yes, Mistress! There is a insistent stinging sensation around the wound, which I have just been able to avoid scratching, for fear of any further damage I might cause."

"Stinging?" Ursula and Hanida exchanged glances. "My Lord, you should have told us sooner... but mayhap I was below greeting these unexpected arrivals. Ursula, can I put you to work immediately? I deem his wound requires particular attention."

"Of course, Hanida. Oh, where is my basket? Tyra... Tyra is gone. I wonder where I left it?"

"Probably near Her Highness," Hanida suggested. "I'll fetch it."

Ursula went to the bed and began unwrapping the left leg, wishing that the light was better. The cut was only about six or seven centimeters long and right in the bulge of the calf. She cautiously ran her fingertips around the edges of the wound and felt crustiness.

"My Lord, it is difficult to see in this light but I suspect your wound has become infected, which is a concern if you only received it this morning." She considered. "Perhaps it would help if you could tell me exactly what happened."

He gave a slight chuckle. "It was not my fault this time, Mistress. My family residence is some four marks to the west of the city but presently I am staying with a friend of my father's, Baron Chanar, here in the city. Have you ever seen a melee, where the opposing teams mix and fight as in a tavern brawl?"

"Yes, I have, at the Mansion. I have also tended the various wounds, sprains and bruises afterwards."

"Ah, then you will know what confusion there can be. Well, I was fighting sword-to-sword with one of the Baron's men and must needs step back to avoid a thrust. What I did not reckon was that two more faced each other behind me, one with a spear, and the point was knocked downwards by his opponent at that very moment. I stepped back right into the point."

"Ow. You were indeed unlucky, My Lord. If you could -"

Hanida returned with Ursula's basket and satchel. "Here you are, Ursula. Your opinion?"

"The wound has become infected. He only got it this morning, so I was asking him just what happened."

"Infected? How? Oh, let me find a better light."

She walked off again to look for a lantern.

"Mistress? You were about to ask something."

"Yes. Can you roll onto your right side, please. That will put the wound where we can get at it easier."

"As you wish, Mistress."

He had rolled and made himself comfortable before Hanida returned with an oil lamp, which threw a much better level of light. She bent down to inspect the wound.

"You are right, Ursula! Look, the edge is all inflamed."

Ursula said, "I'm wondering if that spear point was not properly clean before the bout began."

"Ah, a likely reason, I deem. If I may ask what you would suggest."

"Of course. We'll have to clean the wound thoroughly, which probably means we'll need to give our patient something to dull the pain while we do it. Then -"

There followed a technical discussion which proved to Hanida that the reports about Ursula's abilities were correct.

"But how do you propose to clean out inside the wound? It does not remain open by itself."

"In the satchel I have some special tools to help with such problems. Let me get them out and show you."

Ursula pulled out the tool roll and unwrapped it, laying it out on the bed behind Beresan. Hanida was impressed.

"These are clever, Ursula! Do you use tools like this where you came from?"

"Some. Most are intended for use when one has to do something... more involved... for a patient, like in that chamber upstairs."

Hanida took the point. "What shall you use for this patient, then?"

"The retractors. I have two for different size openings." She pulled the small set out and demonstrated. "But first we need some analgesics."

That word was translated, so Ursula did not have to explain further. She selected a bottle from her basket and offered it to Hanida.

"Extract of Pameris bark, good. My Lord, I must needs ask you to drink a small potion which will serve to lessen the pain while we attend your wound."

"Of course, Mistress. Do what you must."

With Beresan suitably numb and mentally floating somewhere else entirely the two women cleaned the wound, using the retractor and some of Ursula's remaining alcohol. Having flushed that away with drinkable water the wound was then closed and sewn together, Ursula being careful to avoid the thread going into the muscle. The calf was then wrapped fairly tightly to prevent the muscle mass tearing the stitching when he moved the leg.

As Ursula did the minimal amount of tidying required, Hanida went off and prepared food for Beresan and his servant. The young noble had partially revived when she returned, enough that the servant could help him eat and drink. By the time he had finished his meal he had also completely revived.

"Uh, my leg feels different, Mistress."

"It will do, My Lord," Ursula replied. "We had to clean out the infection and then I have stitched across the wound to help it grow back together. I regret that you will probably have a slight limp the rest of your life."

He nodded. "I anticipated some penalty for my lack of awareness." He tried to smile. "I am not expected to make my living as an armsman and a limp is no great barrier to any other calling."

She tried to get a sense of somebody whom she would be stuck with for a week or so.

He's reasonably fit, or he was until he stepped backwards this morning, and it sounds as if he has a reasonable brain between those ears. He's about my age or so, but why is he in the city instead of elsewhere with his family?

"Can I ask why you are here in Joth instead of with your own people?" She offered him a smile. "I am a stranger around here and I have little knowledge of the way noble families like yours might work. I would have thought that you'd be at home with them, preparing for these Rains."

He smiled back. "It is no mystery, Mistress. I am the third son and both my older brothers are married with children, so there is little chance that I will inherit my father's title. Aye, there is work to do around the Manor House to prepare for the coming floods but with two large families already there Father thought it better that I should go to a friend of his here in the city to help them instead.

He spread his arms. "I was not needed, Mistress. Old Baron Chanar has two grown sons of his own and their mansion in the city is, uh, compact, shall we say. But he will still accommodate me with his folk during the Rains and I might find some use with the city parties as they make sure that all have enough food, drink and fuel to survive until the waters recede. This morning I was spending some time keeping active with his men when I was stuck from behind."

"Oh. Thank you, My Lord. I have never experienced the Rains before so I do not know how matters are arranged, here in the city or elsewhere."

He was surprised. "You do not know the Rains? Oh, Mistress Hanida said you had recently arrived in the Valley. You were spared all this water, then."

"Almost, My Lord. Instead we had to deal with a strides' worth of snow and temperatures so low the river sometimes froze."

"Maker! How much snow?"

"Waist deep, My Lord. But we were used to it and, like yourselves here, knew how to deal with the consequences."

He frowned. "So... you are from the deep south, then."

How much do I tell him? He looks to have a functioning brain so might be able to infer more from anything I say. Best to follow Maralin's advice and keep the story simple, then.

"I do not really know, My Lord. I come from a distant land where such weather is common in the winter time." True enough. "However, I became ill at some point in my journey and that has caused me to lose certain parts of my memory. In fact, when I was found here, on a bank along the Sirrel, I had lost all of my memory and only regained some of it after a week or so. That being so, I could not tell you where I came from or how far away it is."

He was surprised. "I am amazed, Mistress! Yet here you are, with enough of your wits about you to design such a building as this," he waved a hand about, "and speaking the Valley tongue as though born here."

"My Lord, I have always found it easy to learn languages. I presently speak eight... or is it more now? I have learned much that is new during our voyage as far as Bibek and back."

"Do you tell me? Mistress, you become more interesting by the moment."

He seems easy to speak with. I must be careful here that I do not become too close. He is a patient, after all.

"Thank you for your interest, My Lord. Now, by your leave, we have another patient to examine. Do you require anything else before we move on?"

"I should not keep you from your duties, Mistresses. When do you consider I might be able to leave this bed?"

Hanida replied, "My Lord, you should not put any weight at all on that leg for several days. Should you require the toilet or the bathroom then there are sufficient folk here to help you to those places. Perhaps tomorrow you may join us in the Common Room at the front of this floor, though I regret the view is presently only of falling water."

He grinned. "Thank you, Mistress Hanida. Until tomorrow, then."

But he watched Ursula as the two moved away.

The two healers passed by another empty cubicle. Ursula supposed that it was to permit the few patients they had taken so far to have a little more privacy than would be possible with all six in use.

"Common Room?"

"Aye, Ursula, we thought long for a suitable name and decided that would be the most suitable." Hanida looked at her uncertainly. "Have we chosen wrong? Did you have another name for that chamber?"

"Oh, no, Hanida! I am not sure I considered a name at all. Common Room is fine, it describes the use exactly."

In the fifth cubicle Eriana was looked sleepily at Matta, Vellana and Ketko, all of whom must have passed Ursula and Hanida probably while they were dealing with Beresan. She turned when the two came into view, dark rings around her eyes and still looking exhausted.

"Oh, Ursula. Thank the Gods you are here. I feel terrible. What happened? Did the ship survive? What of our men?"

"The Visund is fine, Highness, and so are all your men. Do you know where we are?"

Eriana was uncertain. "I do not, Ursula. We are in some kind of strange building, I deem. Are we in Yod? What is that noise?"

"We have managed to arrive at Joth, just as the Rains began. The noise you can hear is the rain on the roof and you will be hearing it for maybe eight or nine weeks more. All your men have been found billets with the fisherfolk of Foti Lane and are tired but well."

"Tired! I am so tired, Ursula. I do not think I can do what is asked of me any longer."

"You have been overworked, Highness and it has caused you too much stress. Because of the Rains nothing much can be done until after it finishes so there will be plenty of time for you to recover and get back to your normal self."

"I do not think that is possible," she replied. "It is all gone, I have nothing left that anyone would want of me."

Not good. She has depression and I do not know what to do. I repair bodies, I cannot deal with mental disturbance of this nature. At least we'll have some time to discover remedy, or someone who can provide one.

Ursula settles in to life in the Clinic. Eriana seems a little calmer and recognizes that something must be wrong with her. Events mean that Ursula has to spend time talking to Hanida.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

106 - Explanations in the Wet

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2026 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

---

Ursula awoke. There was a nearby noise of continuous drumming but it was sufficiently constant that it had not disturbed her sleep, in fact it had probably helped her to go to sleep the previous evening.

It must be like living in a house at the side of Niagara Falls. I suspect the volume of water here is considerably greater, though...

Above her was no ceiling but just the roof timbers, barely visible in the gloom of early morning.

If that is what time it is! With so much cloud cover how do they ever know the time of day?

There were skylights up there, originally installed to help give the weavers as much light as possible, but the locals knew what the volume of water would do to them and they were all protected now by stout hatch covers. The only light leaked in from the windows at front and back of the property. Since the Clinic had to rely only on its own resources for some weeks there was insufficient oil to have a lamp burning all night except around the patients' area. There was just enough light to see one's way around.

Beside her, on another mattress on the floor of the small office, Bennet still slumbered. One of the store-rooms on the upper level had held a stack of well-made canvas mattresses stuffed with pakh wool intended for patients and these had been doled out to the visitors, along with light blankets. Although it was high summer, the sunshine which would have made the Clinic uncomfortably warm during the day had shone impotently on the tops of the dense cloud cover, leaving a slight chill overnight.

I have to go. I do not want to wake Bennet up, since I do not want to disturb her much-needed sleep, but I have to go.

For the night just ended all had decided to sleep fully dressed because they were all so tired from the exertions of the previous day. That would change for future nights, once they had determined more permanent sleeping arrangements. For now, Ursula still wore the day dress she had changed into after bathing the previous afternoon.

Can I take this dress off by myself? I don't want to struggle and I don't want to wake someone to help me. There is only one way to find out, I guess. Very well, no more delays.

She carefully and quietly stood, avoiding Bennet and opening the office door as silently as she could, slipped outside into the corridor and closed the door behind her. A ghostly half-light was all that illuminated the space, but there was enough to help her on her way. She moved to the rear of the building, carefully avoiding the ramp down to the middle floor.

The toilet and bathing chamber on this floor were smaller than those below, since it was expected that they would only be used by healers and any other staff. Still, they were adequate and Ursula slipped inside the toilet to relieve herself. There were some tense moments as she reached behind her back to loosen the laces but discovered that attempting to do so as a female was easier than she anticipated. Completing her business, she tidied herself as well as she could and opened the door.

"Kaldar! You gave me a fright!"

His response was as hushed as her exclamation. "Sorry, Mistress, I heard you moving and thought to make sure I used the toilet before anyone else awoke."

"Of course. Go on, then. While you are in there I will go and fetch my basket so you can have your morning dose without too many questions being asked." She jerked a thumb in the direction of the Operating Theater as they passed. "We'll do it in there, there is more light."

"Aye, Mistress."

When Ursula opened the office door Bennet was half sitting up, looking at her sleepily.

"Director? Is there some alarm?"

"No, just a toilet run. Now I have to see to Kaldar. Nothing for you to get up for. It is a while before dawn, you could sleep another bell or so if you wanted to."

Bennet yawned. "Unh. Now that I am awake, talk of toilets has caused a need to go myself, Director. As you suggest, I will likely come back and lie down for a while afterwards."

Ursula moved inside, fetched her basket and retreated. When she reached the theater she found Kaldar looking about himself with interest.

"A curious chamber, Mistress. If I may ask what is done in here?"

As she found and opened the medications he needed she explained, "Originally this chamber was where they had their weaving looms, Kaldar, to have the most light while they worked. All of the other buildings either side of this street are weavers' lofts like this one was. This one became available and the healers of Joth decided to have it made into a central point where many of the more difficult tasks could be done. You have seen downstairs?"

He knew what she meant. "Aye, Mistress. Beds for sick and injured to recover."

"Up here are mostly offices and store-rooms but this chamber is set up for... awkward tasks, like straightening broken bones, fixing serious injuries and, in time, perhaps much more, like going inside patients' bodies and correcting serious problems."

His eyes were round. "Going inside patients' bodies, Mistress? Is this something that is done on the other world?"

"Yes, we have been doing it for a long time now, but it requires detailed knowledge of what is inside and how it is supposed to work. Okay, here is the first spoonful."

She gave him the first potion, then looked at the spoon and realised it would have to be rinsed before giving him the next.

"The first time I had to do something like that," she continued, "to save somebody's life, we had to use a side chamber in the kitchen at the Duke's Mansion, and I did not even have any tools so we had to invent or borrow things as we worked. But the operation was successful and the patient is, I hope, still alive."

"What was wrong with him, that you had to do such a thing?"

"Do you have an idea what happens inside you when you eat food?"

Ursula explained in simple terms how the stomach, intestines and bowel worked, then added, "I have to go and rinse this spoon. Wait here a moment."

When she returned Bennet was there as well. "Director, I decided that I was unlikely to get more sleep even though we have woken early. As a guardswoman we begin our shifts early and must dress, break our fast and prepare ourselves before we do so, so this is not a problem for me. I will doubtless have a longer nap after lunch to make up for it."

Ursula nodded and reached for the second jar, looking at the low level of the contents.

"That is no problem, Bennet. With that outside," she gestured at the windows, "I doubt we have any reason to rush today. Let me just - ah, it looks as if I'll need to make up some more of this later. Here you are, Kaldar."

Hanida is almost certainly going to ask me what I am doing and she might already know about tsuft root. Looks like I have an awkward conversation ahead of me, but it could be said that I am educating the local healers, if they do not already know about tsuft root.

But Kaldar is a different matter. Will she approve or disapprove?

As she packed things away Bennet remarked to her, "I have not been up here before, Director. Is this where you would have brought Mamoot if it had existed then?"

"It is. We managed at the Mansion, I was just telling Kaldar what happened and why the healers of Joth decided to create this space. I do not know if they have used it for much since we departed before, though at least downstairs seems to be in use."

Bennet nodded. "In many ways it must be like the business of the Palace Guard, Director. Most of the time our activities are of a small and steady nature and then something unpleasant happens and we suddenly discover how well our training has been done. At least your patients are not threatening your life."

"Actually, Bennet, that does happen from time to time. Other times it might not be the patient but someone who is with them. People can have very strange ideas sometimes, when faced with their own deaths or that of someone close to them. We do what we can, but sometimes the situation can be... not ideal."

Bennet gave a twisted smile. "Understood, Director. If I may suggest, we might go below and begin the process of making breakfast? I am sure that Healer Hanida will appreciate a little help."

"A good idea. Let me stow this basket in our room and we'll follow you down."

Both ramps went downwards towards the front of the building, so when they reached the middle floor it was necessary to turn and walk to the rear to reach the main kitchen. This meant that they walked past their patients and naturally Ursula gave each a glance as they passed. The woman was asleep but Beresan was already attempting to hoist himself up into a comfortable half-sitting position. She paused.

"My Lord, good morning. Do you require anything?"

"Good morning, Mistress Ursula, or should that be Director?"

"The situation is complicated, Milord. I am called various things from moment to moment but Mistress will be good enough while you are here with us. You are not one of my military patients."

His eyebrows rose. "Military? Do you tell me you are one of those strange women who fights?"

She replied primly, "Indeed I am not, Milord. I am a healer and my job is to put people together, not take them apart. I leave that to people like you."

He grinned. "Ouch. I am answered, Mistress. As to my needs, I will shortly have to attend to my bladder and then I expect that I will be delivered some kind of breakfast."

"We're on our way to help with breakfast. As to your bladder, I saw some urinal bottles on a shelf near the toilet, so you can pee without having to hobble there. Where is your manservant? I do not think you would be happy if one of us helped you to use it."

He jerked a thumb to his right. "Mistress Hanida told him to make use of the bed in the next cubicle, Mistress, that he might be close at hand should I require - Ah, here he is!"

Mordon shuffled into view, apparently roused by the sound of voices. He yawned. "My Lord, good morning."

"Good morning, Mordon. If you would go with these people and fetch some kind of bottle, I anticipate I will shortly need to relieve myself."

The manservant bowed. "As you command, Milord." He blinked, still only half awake.

Ursula told him, "Follow me."

She set off towards the back of the building. Near the bathroom and toilet doors were some shelves which held towels and bathing necessities on upper shelves and urinal bottles and bedpans on lower ones. She picked up one of the bottles, handed it to Mordon and he nodded before turning and retreating forward. Ursula followed slowly, since she had spotted movement in Eriana's cubicle. When she arrived she found Bennet attempting to stop Eriana climbing out of bed.

"But I do not want to be in this place! Take your hands off me!"

"Highness," Bennet replied, "you are unwell. You must needs stay here until a healer comes. Ah, here is Healer Ursula."

Eriana turned to Ursula. "You are a healer? There is nothing wrong with me! Why am I here? What is this dark place? I do not know it."

Looks like she is either still under the influence or the damage is going to take time to resolve - and the results could cause us problems in the future.

"Your Highness, you must not get out of bed without a healer attending you. Do you need to go to the toilet?"

"I need to get out of this place! There is nothing wrong with me!"

Ursula came to a decision. "Very well, Highness. Come with me. Bennet, you should come as well."

Eriana climbed out of bed and wobbled for a moment before steadying.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked suspiciously.

"Outside, Highness, as you wish."

"Very well. Let me see what strange place this is."

Ursula led Eriana back towards the rear of the building, passing the kitchen area where Hanida had already begun preparing breakfast. She turned with surprise as the group appeared.

Ursula told her, "Her Highness wants to go outside. I am showing her the way."

Putting down the cloth she held, Hanida watched as Ursula opened the back door and walked outside. In the gloom of pre-dawn the rain still roared down making any conversation impossible. Eriana took one step outside onto the balcony and stopped, looking shocked. She mouthed something but Ursula shook her head to indicate that she could not hear and gestured inside. The two returned and Ursula thankfully closed the door.

"Gods! What is all that water? Are we at the bottom of the sea?"

"Highness, what do you remember last?"

Eriana looked uncertain. "I am not sure..." There was a long pause as she tried to recollect before asking, "Ursula? Is it you? Where are we?"

"We are in the Clinic in Joth, Highness, and you have been given too much of a potion which has affected your memory. We are trying to help you recover."

"Joth? Ah, I remember. Was there not a man there, one who came from the mother world? What was his name, I wonder?"

Ursula did not want that line of questioning to go any further. "Your memory, Highness. It is affected. It might be something you just dreamt. All should come back to you in time. Now, do you need to visit the toilet? It is just there."

Eriana's face went through some obscure expressions before she replied, "Aye. I do need to visit... what did you name it? The toilet, that is right. In my father's hall it has another name, not so polite."

Bennet said, "Director, I will help Her Highness. Highness, if you would come with me."

The two walked the short distance to the toilet and entered. Hanida looked at Ursula.

"What a strange conversation! Can I assume that Her Highness does not normally speak in such a fashion?"

"You assume correctly, Hanida. Good morning. She wanted to leave her bed and depart so I had to show her why that was not possible. Her mind is all jumbled up, fact, fantasy, the past, stories and dreams and you and I have not yet spoken about what tasan does."

"Ah, as you say! Her Highness shows well-known symptoms, so you'll know what to look for in future. Oh, if you would pass me that tray of rolls, please? Bennet made them to rise overnight and I know I could never get them to look like that! They will be hot and fresh for breakfast, I deem."

"I have to wash my hands first, Hanida. I can do that here?"

"Aye, of course."

With Ursula holding the tray filled with pallid rows of risen dough, Hanida opened the door of the range oven and, using a large wooden spatula, caught and removed two loaves of bread, placing them on a board to cool. She then used the spatula to feed the rolls into the oven before closing the door.

"There! Now tasan comes from the leaves of a certain wayside plant and, many years ago, farmers noticed that when their animals ate it, it sometimes caused them to stagger and behave strangely. When they tried an infusion of it themselves, in low doses, it proved to have numbing qualities which are useful to healers and suchlike. In higher doses it has those symptoms you have seen in Her Highness, that the mind becomes jumbled as if drunk, but too much can cause permanent derangement to the person such that they in effect become someone different in character. Thus we are generally very careful in our use of it. Were you not warned of this when you were given it?"

"Now that you tell me about it that way, yes I do remember, but there were a number of potions I was given at the same time that were new to me. I wrote everything down but perhaps I have confused it with something else. Hanida, you have my apologies for causing unnecessary injury to a patient."

"It is done, Ursula, and I have no doubt that you will not make that mistake again."

"No doubt at all. But to my mind, those effects are unusual to see from a plant. Is there anything special about it or the way it is harvested or prepared?"

"There is, the leaves must only be picked when they have a certain ripeness in the summer. The color changes and the surface gains a patchy bloom."

"I suspected as much. I believe this potion is nothing to do with that plant, or very little, and more to do with the bloom. You see, where I come from, the effects I have seen are similar to some that come from certain kinds of fungus. Those can definitely addle the mind."

"A fungus? I though all fungus were pallid sprouting things with a stalk and a domed hat, that grow close to the ground. We even eat some of them!"

"There are many different kinds of fungus and what you describe is just what some of them look like. Some are edible, others are poisonous. Others can look like fans, or a plush on woodwork or even a kind of network like some spiders weave."

"Do you tell me? Oh - the water is boiling, can you put six of those big spoonfuls of pel herbs into that pot? Thank you, mind the hot water."

"Yes," Ursula continued after the water had been poured. "I know of a fungus called ergot which can affect grains. People have to be very careful it doesn't get into a crop when it is harvested or there is trouble when the result is eaten."

"This is something we must needs be aware of, then. I will pass on this information to the others."

"Oh, and I have a warning, if you did not already know before. Low doses of some of these mind-affecting fungi can become addictive. Just as people drink to forget things or relieve an intolerable situation, so people use certain fungi the same way."

"Indeed. Do you think that we should not be using potions like tasan, then?"

"They can be safe... safer when dispensed by a healer who knows what they are doing, Hanida."

"And you did not? I cannot believe that of you, Ursula, not after what I have seen you do here, and what I have heard of your work before."

"I am still young and learning, Hanida. I specialized in emergency surgery, not general practice. I have learned much as we traveled from land to land, but I do not claim to be an expert at much except immediate attention to accident or other injuries."

"Yet your knowledge is already much better than my own in many ways, Ursula. There is much that each healer knows and much that we do not know and often the two are different in each person. I look forward to exchanging more of what we know, each to the other."

"As do I, Hanida. I think the difference is in the education we receive when we are younger. We begin earlier and by the time we leave school, at sixteen, we know most of what we need to be able to live in our societies. But to be able to change things, to improve our lives or invent new ways of doing things, we need to spend maybe three to six years more at somewhere we call a University. But this is something we should be talking about after breakfast, not before."

"Ah, as you say. So long learning? I have many questions."

"I know and I have much to tell you."

Hanida's eyes narrowed. "Does this mean - No. Later. If you will look in that cupboard, Ursula, you will find the slab of cheese we have presently started. We must needs slice some of it for ourselves and our patients. Ah! Here come Her Highness and her companion."

Eriana walked into the kitchen area and came straight to the point. "Ursula, something has happened inside my head. I have had many strange dreams recently and seen terrifying things which can not possibly exist! I accept your words, I must have some illness and you are the only person who can help me. What is it I must needs do?"

Ursula thought. "Highness, I do not think you need to remain in your bed, you are capable of walking around but this place can be dangerous for someone who is unfamiliar with the layout. If you need to go from one room to another then someone should be with you to protect you. These dreams of yours can happen again, while you are awake as well as when you are asleep, and can make you do things which could cause you injury."

She gestured. "Hanida is in charge here, not me, and if she tells you to do something I would ask you to follow her instructions. We will work out the best way to make you better but it could take you some time. Do you understand what I have just said?"

"Aye... but where are we?"

Ursula sighed. Again. "In the Clinic in Sabbar Street in Joth, Highness. The Visund is safe, all your men are safe and in good hands nearby, but because of the annual Rains we are stuck in this building for a while. We are making breakfast, Bennet will take you to the Common Room at the front and we will bring it to you there when it is ready."

"Joth! Gods!" Eriana pointed out the window beside the rear door. "Are we in any danger from that?"

"This building must have already survived a number of seasons of Rains, Highness, so I do not think we have a great cause to concern ourselves." Ursula looked at Hanida, who nodded confirmation. "Our main problem is that nobody can leave and nobody can arrive for a few days and that includes you." She turned to the Guardswoman. "Bennet, can you take Her Highness through to the Common Room and get her settled, someone will be along in a few minutes with a mug of pel for her."

Bennet gave a brief nod. "As you request, Director." To Eriana she said, "If you would walk with me, Highness."

As the two moved off Hanida asked, "If I may ask, Ursula, what are minutes? I do not know what that word means yet both Her Highness and the armswoman seemed to know already."

Oops. Yet Hanida is right, they do know. How? Is it something to do with these "new" clocks the people from Palarand were talking about? We left before I saw one but somebody mentioned "hours" when those people - guildsmen? that's right - when they were talking at that welcome meal.

Better be careful in future until I know what I'm talking about!

"I think minutes are something they use in Palarand," she replied cautiously. "I'm not certain how they work but I believe it is a small portion of time. I said it because I know Bennet would know what I meant."

"Ah, it would be like our moments, then. I understand." She turned to the others now standing in the kitchen area. "Goodman Mordon, I assume that you will take a mug to your master." He bowed assent. "Master Dilbenar, I will have mugs here for you and your wife, if you would take them?" The man nodded. "Who will take the other drinks along to the Common Room for me while I check how these rolls are cooking?"

Kaldar stepped forward. "If it please you, Mistress Hanida, I can take a tray."

"Can you now? What a polite young boy. If you would wait until I have poured the pel out into the mugs."

Mugs were distributed to Mordon and Dibenar, the woman patient's husband, for themselves and their injured companions, with instructions to come back later to collect breakfast trays. Kaldar was given another tray with mugs for the others. Pel dispensed, Hanida watched with a frown as Kaldar walked off.

Ketko asked Ursula, "Director, is there anything I can do to help?"

"There is little at the moment, Ketko -" Ursula had a thought, "- but Bennet may later come out here to help with lunch. Could you follow Kaldar into the Common Room and be available if Her Highness requires help? It would be safer if someone she knows is nearby."

He bowed. "Of course, Director."

He walked off and the two healers were left alone in the kitchen area.

"If I may ask, Ursula, do you know why that boy is with you? I do not believe that Her Highness is yet married or is of an age to be mother to a twelve-year-old child."

"I do, Hanida, since I was there when he came aboard, running away from his father. Since we are both healers and you will certainly ask me about such matters while we are stuck here together, and because Kaldar is actually my patient, I will tell you but it is privileged information. Bennet knows because she was there as well but no-one else does."

Hanida's eyebrows shot up. "Do you tell me? Your patient? Then we must needs find a quiet place for a chat, I deem. Is the boy in any danger?"

Ursula shook her head. "No, not of a medical kind. But there are other dangers... which means secrets that must be kept."

"Even more intriguing! Well! Not what I expected to hear this morning! Let us see how these rolls are doing."

* * *

Everybody agreed the warm, fresh rolls were delicious, especially with some butter and a slice of cheese or ham inside. Hanida did know what zurin was but had not considered that it would be suitable to put into rolls. There were, of course, none on the premises to make the experiment.

As they were finishing their pel the noise from outside suddenly stopped, making them all think they had become deaf, and then the sound of dripping could be heard. Several of them turned towards the window to see what was beyond.

"Oh, make yourselves ready, everyone! Don't look out the window!" Hanida called. "We are about to have -"

There was a very close flash and then an incredible BANG which made the previous rain noise sound like a single drip. Almost instantly the whole building shook as the shock wave passed over them. From above could be heard the faint sounds of items falling to the floor, but most missed that as their ears became overloaded. Few had been looking directly outside so were spared the direct effects of the flash but it was still some time before anyone could see clearly again.

"Anyone hurt?" Hanida asked. "Answer if you can hear me."

There were faint replies and it was a few moments before ears came back to near normal and eyes recovered from the overload.

Hanida repeated her question. "Is anybody hurt? Does your hearing sound as it should?"

There were shakes of the head to the first question. Ursula remarked, "Perhaps this is the right place to be if you had a burst eardrum. I'm not sure what we could do about it, though."

Hanida cocked her head. "Do you tell me that, where you come from, there is a way of curing such an injury?"

"Not really. Sometimes there is permanent injury, sometimes eardrum grows together again but some hearing loss is always expected."

"You know how the ear works inside, don't you?"

"I do, and I can probably draw you diagrams when we have some free time." Ursula gently snorted. "Assuming that ever happens, Hanida. It seems to me that we'll all be busy all the time until the Rains finally cease."

Hanida chuckled. "It seems that way, does it not? But the routine will soon settle down, I deem."

"I hope you are right. Tell me, when the lightning strikes like just now, is there much damage caused? Where would it hit, do you know?"

"There is damage, yes, but very often only temporary repairs can be contrived and proper repairs must needs wait until after the Rains stop completely - and the waters drain somewhat. From the closeness of that strike I would guess that it hit the tower above the Dock Gate, that being the highest point nearby. I imagine many blocks of stone will have been destroyed or thrown in every direction."

"Oh. And after the masons have spent many weeks repairing the wall and gateway, as well. But fortunately I do not think that anyone will try and invade Joth just at the moment."

"Fortunately! Although your own example shows us that it is possible to travel the river in such weather, even though I still find it unbelieveable that you all did so."

"We could not see anything, Hanida. That downpour hides everything, we could not even see the surface of the river. The only reason we got here at all was that we were almost here anyway, maybe two marks or three when it began, and the people here had set up two large fires, one each side of the entrance channel."

"Fires? Surely the rain would have put them out!"

"They were underneath some very wide roofs so we could see them from the river but they would be protected from the water. I suspect they were only put there because Joth had warning that we would be coming."

"Ah, as you say, so no-one else can possibly surprise us as those of Yod did. Good." Hanida stood up. "And now we must needs tidy breakfast away and attend our duties. Should I consider you to be one of the staff for now, Ursula, or would you rather remain just as a helpful guest?"

"I have a patient here so I must consider myself staff while I am here, Hanida. Do you mind?"

"No, indeed, Ursula! Every time we speak together I learn something new. If you would grab that tray, I will collect the plates."

* * *

"Good morning, Mistress Larna, Master Dibenar. I see that you have both had breakfast, did you have everything you wanted?"

Dibenar bowed to Hanida and then to Ursula. "Good morning, Mistresses. Thank you, the breakfast was good and fresh, we especially liked the rolls. Even our baker cannot make them taste like that! Have you come to examine my wife?"

"We have, but as agreed we will leave any close examination until the cast is removed. Mistress, are you in any pain or discomfort? I can provide a potion if it is needful."

The woman winced. "There is but a slight dull ache, Mistress, for which I do not think I require assistance. It itches, of course, but I know to leave it alone. However, other parts of me are becoming stiff from lying so long in this bed." She gave Hanida a knowing look. "You must know that most wives will have customary duties which mean that they are active all day and that keeps our bodies supple enough. My body is not used to this extended rest, I deem."

"As you say. We have some tidying up to do, after breakfast, and then we'll see if you can climb out and spend some time in the Common Room at the front."

"Ah, I do believe that I might need to wash myself sometime today. Would that be possible, do you know?"

"Surely, Mistress. All know that every woman requires frequent visits to the nearest bathroom! If your husband can help you there, you may attempt to wash yourself but you must not climb completely in. The cast on your foot must needs remain dry else it crumble and fail."

"Of course, Mistress Hanida. As you desire." She looked up at her husband. "If we could attempt the bathroom later this morning?"

"Of course, my dear," he replied. He looked at Hanida. "Doubtless the healers will let us know when the bathroom will be free, since there are others who might also wish to use it."

Hanida inclined her head. "It is true, Master Dibenar. We will bring you word when you may try the bathroom. By your leave, we must move on now."

In the third cubicle along Beresan was waiting for them with a smile.

"Good morning to you, ladies."

"Good morning again, My Lord. Do you also desire the use of the bathroom?"

He shook his head and laughed. "I heard what you said to Mistress Larna, I am a mere man and can manage without so many soakings as every woman requires. But it is true that I do take care of myself more than some other men might, mayhap I could find time later today, by your leave."

"I am sure we can come to some agreement, My Lord. If I may ask after your leg. Have you had any problems since we attended it?"

"None at all, Mistress. Whatever you did has made the difference, I deem. Uh, if I may also climb out and go to the Common Room today? I heard what the lady said, I notice that parts of my own body are also becoming stiff."

"Surely, My Lord. If your servant can help you there you may certainly go. You must be careful, though, that the foot on your injured leg does not touch the floor, else your calf muscles may break the stitching."

He nodded. "Ah, I understand, Mistress. Aye, we will be careful."

"Then we have other chores to do, My Lord. By your leave?"

* * *

"...And, so I was informed by those at Bibek, using this recipe makes an ointment which is more stable during the hotter days of summer."

"Ah, I see." Hanida examined the jar again, giving it another sniff to memorize the odor of the contents. "It is an interesting idea, I deem, and one that we might make good use of here in Joth. But... I did not think that summers in Bibek were so much hotter than those here? Surely the weather cannot be that different just those few marks away?"

They were sitting in a store-room on the upper floor, both chairs facing the open door in order to obtain the most daylight and so that they could see if someone climbed the ramp to disturb them. The noise of the incessant downpour was louder here than on the middle floor but not so much that they could not hear each other speak over it. The noise also served to muffle the private discussions which they were having from anyone on the other floor.

"I do not think so, Hanida. It might be that the weather has just been warmer this year than in some of the previous years. I have not been... in the Great Valley long enough to know what a normal summer is like."

"Ah, as you say." The other healer considered. "I do believe that it is warmer this year than recently."

She handed back the jar and Ursula stowed it in her basket. Hanida pointed to the four containers still on the small table.

"What of these? Are they what the boy must needs take?"

"They are. I make up that bottle," Ursula pointed, "with a carefully measured amount of powdered tsuft root from the big jar and some water, flavored with just a little fruit juice. The green bottle has a potion made from some herbs which like the tsuft root are only obtainable the other side of Yod. The potion in the brown bottle is made with aknil which grows everywhere along the riverside, so I was told." Now for the hard part. "But before I tell you about Kaldar and why he is taking these potions I have to tell you about myself, since the two have an unusual connection."

Hanida's eyes were bright as she leaned forward. "Ah?"

"Ye-es. You are aware that I was not originally born anywhere near the Great Valley."

"As you say. You speak our tongue very well but there is just a hint that you pronounce some of the words differently. But there are many who now reside among us who come from elsewhere."

"True, but I do not come from Alaesia or even Anmar. In fact, I was born on another world named Earth."

Ursula then gave Hanida a potted version of her story, omitting unimportant details like Russian mobsters and international flights. She finished by describing how she had been found by Eriana's crew on a sandbank in the Sirrel and her confusion when her memory returned and found that she was, actually, now a female. She also mentioned her medical abilities and how she had begun to introduce them in Joth before sailing away again with Eriana and her crew.

"That sounds so unbelievable! And yet, it explains much that has puzzled many of the healing sisterhood in Joth." Hanida stopped suddenly, her expression wary. "I assume from your expression that you do not want this information to be widely known?"

"That would be one way of describing it," Ursula's response was dry, "seeing as the existence of another girl from Earth has just caused a major war here."

"Another girl?! But we -" Her expression changed again. "That girl in Palarand, the one who married the Prince -" Her mouth became a big 'O'. "You surely cannot mean..." Her finger jabbed down below.

"Oh, Eriana? No, no, Hanida! She is a real Princess of a people who live a long way away to the south and east of here. But talking to people as we traveled I saw how easy it was for people to mix up the two Princesses. No, I am speaking of Princess Garia... whom I do not know and have never met. She, also, has come from Earth but from a completely different part of it many thousands of marks from where I lived.

"Hanida, Yod also had a traveler from Earth, a boy whom they forced to give them the secret of guns. Yod went to war, so I was told, to prevent anyone else gaining knowledge like that they had from the boy. It seems that on Earth it is as if we are some two hundred years or so into the future here so that, even though we are young and inexperienced we all know things that could change life here and... give advantage to someone who was ruthless enough to force that knowledge out.

"That is why, Hanida, this information must be restricted to only those who have a need to know and who can be trusted. There are still people out there who would take advantage of us if they could."

"Of course I will not speak of it to anyone... but some few must already know, surely? I cannot believe that you have done all you have and yet nobody has asked why or how?"

"Of course. Everybody aboard the Visund when I was found knows, and that includes Duke Wallesan and those with him. A small number of other people in Joth know including Senia. We have found it necessary to tell some other rulers in lands as the Visund traveled along the Sirrel but they all understand that it is privileged information and should not be spoken of in wider company."

"Senia? Oh, naturally, since you spent a lot of time with her when you were here before. Ah, do you know if there are any others here like you? I do not ask names or such, just if you are aware of others."

"Yes, there are a small number who have been found along our journey. Of course we do not know if there are any elsewhere on Anmar. Unlike myself and Princess Garia, most have not been changed from man to woman or woman to man but were transferred just as they were on Earth."

"This is fascinating! I would naturally like to learn more... but you also mentioned the boy Kaldar. Is he also from your other world?"

"No, he is a local and, I believe, was born and raised in Ferenis. Have you heard of a man, who might be a trader, named Denethar?"

Hanida frowned. "That name is known to me but that is all, Ursula. Do you tell me that Kaldar is this man's son?"

"Not... exactly. Those potions I give him every morning are what is making his body into that of a young man. He was born with the body of a girl but the mind of a boy, the opposite way around to my own situation."

Hanida's mouth was another 'O'. "But how did you come by the boy... child? Surely his father -"

"His father did not understand and beat him. As we were departing Ferenis Kaldar leapt aboard the Visund and claimed sanctuary. Once we discovered that he had been beaten Eriana was forced to give him shelter and bring him with us. She legally adopted him to prevent his birth father trying to claim him back - which did not stop Denethar, however, when we returned to Ferenis on our return journey."

"You had trouble, I deem."

"Oh, yes. Four men broke into our waterfront hostel room and tried to, I think, kill us all and kidnap Kaldar back to his father. He was safely somewhere else and the four men had a rude shock when they came in. Bennet accidentally killed one, Tyra poked a second man in the chest with her sword and another fell badly, injuring his back. That was why we were so late arriving here, dead bodies cause unwanted complications everywhere, it seems."

"Indeed it is so! Ursula, it seems that you find adventure wherever you go, often not of a pleasant kind. So Kaldar has the body of a girl but considers himself to be a boy, yes? These herbs, how did you even find out that they existed?"

"You would be surprised, Hanida. At every place we landed I learned that a very small number, maybe one in every hundred or less, might feel as Kaldar does, and so there is local knowledge of herbs which have certain modifying effects on the body. This one," she tapped the large jar, "is only available in countries the other side of Yod, which is why I have brought a large amount back with me. It is ground dried tsuft root, which must be mixed with water to be taken. It is very powerful and I would caution you not even to sniff it in case you take some in."

"Maker! What does it do, then?"

"Ah. I suppose this is the point in which I explain about hormones..."

There followed a bell of explanation with Hanida furiously scribbling notes on scraps of parchment.

"And that means... Oh, I see. How fascinating, to discover what makes a newborn grow in a certain way! Thus, I assume that this," she consulted her notes, "tsuft root provides a body with the hormone which our men normally have, is that right?"

"Actually, no, that would be the potion in the green bottle, the grennwort. Once his body has developed as far as we feel safe then the grennwort should provide enough testosterone to keep him stable. Grennwort should be available in many of the rough areas along the riverside, so I was told, but you may know it by another name here. The aknil in the brown bottle is used to reduce Calls to Kalikan. The tsuft root is used to suppress the female hormones his body would normally generate and it will eventually stop his ovaries producing any at all, which also means no more Calls of Kalikan. We can then stop administering it, the grennwort should be sufficient."

Hanida nodded. "Ah, of course. You need all three at the start, one to reduce what his body would normally make, another to replace it with what a man's body produces and the third to stop Calls."

"That's right. The tsuft has also reduced his breasts completely so that his chest is flat and very boy-like, the only difference anyone will see is that his nipples will be larger than usual." Ursula shrugged. "This happens to some men anyway so it should not cause too many questions to be asked."

"But what about what is between his legs? I assume that he must retain a woman's opening down there."

"Unfortunately, yes. He will always be at the same risk that all women face from men but at least, once we have finished the course, he would never bear another's child even if he was to be raped. He will be completely sterile."

"But he could not, say, give a wife his own child."

"Regretfully, no, but he understands and accepts that."

There followed a distant rumble which began to grow louder over the roar of the downpour.

"Looks like another storm coming," Hanida remarked. "We'll have two or three of these a day until the rain slackens and then, until it ceases, they come as they will, just as at other times."

There were two flashes which came in the front windows and leaked along the corridor towards them, then louder rumbles above. Since talking was impossible they simply sat and studied their notes as well as possible in the erratic light. The flashes began coming in through the Operating Theater windows, strongly at first and then fainter as the storm moved west across Joth.

"That's better, I can hear myself think! Well, Ursula, you have given me much to consider which is what I expected. These new potions of yours will have limited use, I deem, but it is well to know of them."

Ursula held up a finger. "I was told that you should already know about the aknil since it can be used to help women who have heavy or painful Calls."

"Oh! Yes, you are right, Ursula. And that salve, I will make some up to your recipe and try it, it may prove better than our usual mixture." Hanida rose. "I must needs stop now, since it will soon become necessary to think about lunch. Shall you join me?"

Ursula also stood up and tidied the contents of her basket. "Of course, Hanida. Lead the way."

While Ursula is having a professional discussion with Hanida, in the Common Room Eriana finds herself joined by the other patients and their helpers, all who want to find out more about their exotic companion. Unfortunately her depression is making that difficult, but Ursula has an idea.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

107 - The Black Cloud

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2026 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

---

Beresan hopped into the Common Room, holding his injured leg off the floor, assisted on one side by Mordon and on the other by Dibenar. They made their way to a vacant chair and eased him down onto it.

"Ahhh. That's better! My thanks to you, Master Dibenar and to you, Mordon. I doubt that either of you have done as much before."

"It is not so, My Lord," Dibenar replied, "since I must presently assist my own wife in a like manner, but I thank you for the thought. Oh! You will need something to prop your leg up, I deem."

"As you say."

Mordon moved to the side of the room where some sacks of what might be grain were stacked, picked one up and brought it back to position it under Benesar's injured leg. Looking at the result, he fetched another and raised the leg further.

"Is that comfortable, My Lord?"

"I think so, Mordon. It is difficult since I must not put pressure on the wound itself. We'll see. Maybe one of the healers will come and suggest something better but," he smiled at the servant, "we have no idea so this will do for now." Benesar gestured at the remaining empty seats. "I suggest you sit down somewhere and relax, Mordon. There is going to be very little for you to do - until lunch time comes, I would guess."

As he gestured his gaze wandered and took in the other occupants of the room. Near the window, and talking low together, were a young man with a curiously-colored skin and a youth of about twelve winters. Nearer was a small group of four women. Two looked like young girls but he was not sure if they were servants or some other relationship to their principle. These seemed wary of the three men who had just entered. The third was the armswoman he had seen the previous day, now dressed in a curious but simple dress which was apparently some kind of uniform. The fourth -

He bowed from the waist. "Your Highness, if I may introduce myself. I am Beresan, son of Baron Vanderel of Joth."

The tall, fit blonde girl who faced him returned the look but there was little life in her eyes. She raised a lax hand in reply and let it drop.

"My Lord."

She did not seem to want to start a conversation. Beresan opened his mouth and then thought better of saying something. Instead he turned to the patient on his other side.

"Mistress Larna."

She inclined her head and replied, "My Lord, good morning. It seems that you and I each have a damaged leg."

"Aye, but at least you came by yours honestly, Mistress. I must admit to not paying attention so must needs bear some of the blame for my own injury."

"Not knowing your abilities I could not say, Milord. It is fortunate, however, that we have two of Joth's best healers with us while we are prisoned here by the Rains. I doubt not they will give us their complete attention until we depart."

"As you say, Mistress. But we have a third patient with us and I do not know what ails her."

"Nor I, Milord. I do not move in such company but it seems that someone like you may know her."

"I know of her, Mistress, but we have never formally met until today. She is Princess Eriana of Palarand, the same who passed through Joth some months ago during the war with her men after defeating those of Yod at Boldan's Rock."

"Do you tell me? All Joth knows that tale, I deem."

The words Boldan's Rock seemed to awaken something in the blonde girl. She spoke but her expression was still dull. "Boldan's Rock? I remember... but that was years ago, and I was another person then."

"Years? Not so, Highness, just a few scant months, I deem. We would be honored if you would tell us of that adventure, there is little else to do while the heavens descend outside."

"I - I do not know, My Lord. My memory, it has been very strange these last few days. I know that I did such a thing, that I led my men there and brought most of them back to Palarand again, but to me it seems a long time ago." Her expression changed. "But I and my men have had other adventures since then. And we have met many folk along the Sirrel both good and bad." The dullness returned. "Another time, My Lord. For now I desire just to watch the rain outside."

Eriana turned her gaze back to the window, though what she saw was a mystery to Beresan. Out of Eriana's vision the armswoman made some gestures he could not interpret, but he nodded and leaned back. If she had accompanied the Princess on her latest voyage then maybe later she would explain what was wrong with her.

Well, this looks like it is going to be a tedious time. Why did I have to get poked the very day the Rains arrived?

He turned and smiled at Larna. "Well! She presently desires no company, it seems."

"As you say, Milord. From her actions I suspect she may suffer the Black Cloud this day, though I am no healer."

"Nor I, Mistress! The Black Cloud? Know you that I have two brothers and two sisters and Harinet, my older sister, on occasion suffers from the same ailment." He lowered his voice. "It is said that sometimes it can be provoked by... Kalikan, do you think it might be the same for Her Highness?"

"I have heard that also, Milord," Larna replied, "but I know not of any such connection. For Her Highness," she shrugged, "we know nothing of her so I do not think it would be wise to make such assumptions."

"Indeed, Mistress. We must needs leave her administrations to our healers, who doubtless know more of such matters. By your leave, I would speak briefly to your husband." Beresan switched his attention to Dibenar. "Master, I have passed your booth in the market many a time but I regret that I had no occasion to enter. What is it you sell?"

Dibenar coughed, and with a glance at his wife, answered, "My Lord, it is like this. The womenfolk of Joth have certain desires, and other requirements, and it has been my family's honor for three generations now to supply them. For example -"

* * *

"- and that is why Captain Nebbik refused to let me go to Yod with the rest of the regiment," Beresan concluded with a rueful grin. "He thought that if I should reach the fighting I would cause more injuries to the regiment than those of Yod would!"

Beresan's tale of calamities had entertained the rest of the group such that most had expressions of humor and even Eriana seemed to be paying him some attention. It appeared that the young noble was a liability any time he was within a spear's length of any weapon and had caused mayhem while the levies were being raised and trained.

Dibenar asked, "But, Milord, surely there was something useful you could do during the war? Other than your recent injury you appear to my eyes to be fit and able. Was there nothing else you could do for Joth?"

"Aye, Master, there was and I did, but only by chance. You know of course that all armies must be kept fed and supplied, so there are many along the route who provide such services to those who bear arms?"

Dibenar nodded.

Beresan explained, "I was attached as overseer to a supply company at Hulmar, handling mostly food and shelter necessities, it being thought that my noble status would be best used that way." He waved a hand. "I did not mind such a billet, I deem, but it became apparent that the men, merchants all, some of whom you may know, struggled with the numbers involved in the process.

"Now one thing I did know that they did not was the Garian numbers, have you heard of them?"

Dibenar nodded. "I have heard of them, aye, but find the shapes involved to be awkward to understand. Milord, I cannot understand how they are said to be much better than our customary numbers."

"I am not surprised, Master. To understand the secret takes some small time and effort which most merchants and suchlike would consider better spent elsewhere. But my father had received a sheet describing the process and the reasoning and, as I was at home at that time and with little to do, I spent that time and effort. Mayhap now that you are forcibly prisoned here, as your wife puts it, you could yourself take the time to understand how it may help you with your stall once we may depart."

"Your thoughts are wise, Milord, and I will consider it. But you spoke of a sheet, I assume you meant a sheet of parchment?"

Beresan grinned. "No indeed, Master! The formulas are somehow inscribed on a new substance called paper which is apparently easier and cheaper to make than parchment." The grin faded. "But all my gear is either at the family mansion or at my lodgings here in the city. If you would accept my tuition, Master, perhaps I may make use of materials nearby to show you how 'tis done."

Dibenar waved a hand at the deluge outside the window. "The water restricts what else we may do, Milord, so I would agree to your suggestion, provided it does not interfere with whatever the healers desire us to do. But you were telling us about your time in Hulmar, I believe."

"Ah! As you say. So, with my new knowledge, it proved easy for me to show that I could work out the required numbers much quicker than any of them could and so I must needs teach them the methods also. That proved to be easy to do as we worked with the stocks we were transferring.

"And then by chance I discovered that I have a talent for doing such work, even though it would normally be thought unseemly for any noble to dabble in such details of trade. By your leave, Master, I do not intend any insult to you or any merchant or trader. I have often wondered what place there would be for me in Joth since I doubt there will be any in my family. I am, after all, the third son of a minor noble and his fourth child. He already has competent managers for our estates."

Dibenar considered. "Milord, I understand your position, indeed it may be worse than that some of our more lowly inhabitants are forced to occupy. I can offer you no remedy, it is beyond my wit."

Beresan managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Master. I am young enough, there is still time for me to find something useful to make of my life. It may be that some of these new ideas coming from the east will suggest some suitable way in which I may make myself useful."

There was a commotion as Eriana stood up, thus causing the other three women to also stand. Dibenar and Mordon stood and bowed towards her. There was a conversation between the Princess and her attendants and all four made their way slowly out of the room without a word to the other occupants. Shortly afterwards the Guardswoman returned and strode straight to Beresan's side.

She bent. "My Lord, it seems that I am to be of use preparing lunch for all so I do not join Her Highness this morning. If I may ask you to gently attract the attention of Her Highness later on. She suffers a mental problem and requires gentle conversation to help her recover. I saw how she looked at you as you spoke before."

"If I may ask, it seems to us this side that she suffers the Black Cloud, is this so?"

"Aye, she has many responsibilities and it has proven too much for her. I believe that you may be of help in two ways, firstly by helping draw her out of the Black Cloud, and to return her to some sense of who she used to be and secondly, I have also heard your words and believe we may be able to find you work, if you should be willing to travel to Palarand when you are fit again."

"Me? I would join her retinue, you mean? As you have heard, I am no warrior."

Bennet shook her head. "Not exactly, Milord. Her Highness has many armsmen who are sworn to her, she does not desire more. But she heads a large organization which requires staff of just the kind you described yourself as being. Ah, I cannot give you details now, I must needs go to the kitchen, if I may ask you to have a private word sometime with our healer, Mistress Ursula."

Beresan felt the conversation had suddenly taken a strange turn. "Your Healer? I would be working for a healer?"

Bennet smiled. "No, indeed, Milord. She is also Director Ursula, Head of Welfare of the Federation Navy. The Navy will operate all the patrol craft along the river and will also send new, large ships exploring out to sea. All this will require supply and management."

He was stunned. "Uh, Mistress..?"

Bennet momentarily stood to attention. "My apologies, Milord. I am Guardswoman Bennet of His Majesty's Palace Guard, presently attached to Her Highness as female companion during our voyage."

"His Majesty? Of course! Guardswoman, thank you for your advice, I am intrigued, I will attempt to consult your healer when I can." He gestured at his wrapped leg. "As you can see, my movements are presently somewhat limited."

"We will contrive something, Milord. By your leave."

"Aye." He smiled at Bennet. "Lunch is much more important, I deem!"

She stiffened again, turned on her heel and walked out.

Larna said, "Well! That was unexpected, Milord."

"As you say, Mistress. A Guardswoman, she said. Do you think she can fight as a man does?"

From where they were sitting, the boy turned and called, "My Lord, she can, I have seen her. She can fight with and without a sword. Before I joined Her Highness I did not know such things were possible."

"Nor I. My apologies, you are?"

The boy stood. "My Lord, I am Kaldar, ship's boy and adopted by Her Highness." He gestured to the seated man. "With me is Ketko, another traveler. We both joined the ship at separate times as it traveled upstream towards Bibek."

Beresan raised an eyebrow. "And this involved fighting?"

"Aye, My Lord, we have had several adventures along the way, including assassins, pirates, river chases, a revolt and night assaults. Both of Her Highness's female companions took part in those battles, as did Mistress Ursula, though she only fought once."

"Maker! Your journey sounds most alarming. Companions? Those other two who are with her?"

"No, My Lord, her companions are two women of the Guard, as I understand it. Those other two were rescued from a band of renegade Yodan soldiers who had captured two villages and a farm. I... should not say more, it is not my place, but those two were treated badly by the renegades and are fearful of most men. If you would treat them both with care."

"Do you tell me? Maker!" Beresan thought. "You have been of help, young master, since you have given me an idea how I may help Her Highness." He saw the look of alarm on Kaldar's face. "Do not be concerned, I will treat her and her women folk very gently. If I may help her to recover, then I will do so."

Kaldar nodded and sat down again.

Beresan turned to Dibenar and Larna. "I thought my time here would be very boring but it seems that I might be wrong. There are tales to tell and it seems our friends will be telling them. All I must needs do is to encourage them." He frowned. "But what of this Navy she mentioned? What is it? Do you know aught of it?"

They both shook their heads. Dibenar replied, "No, Milord, but I have heard of the Federation that was mentioned. It seems -"

* * *

When the healers and helpers brought the lunches in Beresan noticed that Bennet bent and spoke quietly in the ear of the guest healer, who he now realized wore a dress like that of the Guardswoman, though the epaulets looked different. That woman briefly turned and looked at Bennet before nodding. A little later, as everyone was settling down to eat, the healer spoke a word or two to Healer Hanida, who also nodded. Nothing more was said until after the plates, bowls and mugs had been taken back to the kitchen.

She bent down beside Beresan's chair and spoke. "My Lord, I would like to take you to another room and have a good look at that leg of yours while we have at least some daylight," she explained. "We will not go far, there are two consulting rooms just behind this one. Can I ask your manservant to help you that far?"

He turned to look at her and his eyes flicked to the epaulets.

"Of course, Mistress... or should that be Director again? Is that what those rank marks on your shoulders mean? I have not seen the like before."

"Mistress is good enough, My Lord. I should have removed the epaulets before I dressed today, they mean nothing here." Seeing his look she was forced to add, "But if you would come with me, I will explain some of it without disturbing everyone else."

He grinned at her. "With an invitation like that, how can I refuse? Of course I will come." He turned. "Mordon, if you would help me up. I must needs go to another chamber to be attended to."

"As you wish, My Lord."

Bennet, who Beresan discovered was actually taller than him, also helped and the procession made its way into one of the two Consulting Rooms behind the Common Room. There was a couch and he was laid down on it. Unfortunately, because the roof windows had been shuttered against the downpour the light was not as good as Ursula had expected, but some oil lamps were lit and she decided the illumination was just about adequate.

After dismissing Mordon, Ursula pulled up a chair beside the couch. Bennet stood against a wall behind them.

"Now, My Lord, I do want to check your leg but I also wanted to have a private word with you. Have you any objections?"

He was not entirely surprised. "No, Mistress. I guess that," he gestured behind them with an arm, "this is Bennet's suggestion."

"More or less, but some of what she told me interests me for various reasons. Now, let me look at your leg first, get the physical side done before we talk. Can you roll right over onto your front? That's good."

Ursula unwrapped the leg and checked the condition and stitching, pronouncing herself satisfied with progress. She cleaned the wound, applied fresh salve and then wrapped it in a clean bandage before instructing Beresan to make himself more comfortable.

"Bennet? Tell me your thoughts, where they concern Her Highness."

"He talks, Mistress. Some few men have the knack of turning almost everything they do into an entertainment of some kind and, I deem, Lord Beresan is one of those. You saw how Her Highness was sitting, almost lifeless, just staring out of the window at the pouring rain? I have known others with the Black Cloud and it can be difficult to bring them back to what they can otherwise be.

"I noticed after a while that even she had been captivated by the tales he was telling, which made me wonder if, by your leave, My Lord, he could be of some use helping Her Highness recover. We are all stuck here together and I know that the longer any treatment is left, the harder matters will be to put right. Then he spoke of his abilities at the supply depot and I wondered if there was also an opportunity to be had."

"Supply depot?" Ursula asked.

"Aye, Mistress," Beresan explained, "it seems I am so dangerous with weapons I should be kept far away from any battle, lest I injure more friends than enemy. So they sent me to oversee a supply depot at Hulmar where I discovered that I knew the Garian numbers and none of the merchants running the warehouse had even heard of them. I taught them the numbers and showed how useful they could be and by-the-by discovered that I had some talent for the business of organizing goods destined for the war."

"Ah! A light dawns." Ursula looked up at Bennet. "Good catch, Bennet, for both reasons." She considered. "Very well. My Lord, there are two separate matters here and if you agree I would ask you to consider both. I know the Black Cloud by another name and I know it can be difficult to treat, but what Her Highness has is not the normal kind - if I should call it that. If you would agree to talk gently to her about anything and everything I would welcome your help."

Beresan spread his hands wide. "Of course, Mistress. I am stuck here, as we all are, and if I may break the boredom by helping a fellow patient then certainly I will do as you ask. But if I may ask you for some information concerning Her Highness. After all, we have barely been introduced and I understand that she is not from anywhere nearby. Even her title confuses me, since all know that King Robanar of Palarand has two daughters and both have married rulers of other realms. I have heard of Princess Garia but I know she has married into the family. Her Highness, so I understand, has married no prince so from where does she obtain her title? Do you know?"

"I do, and I will briefly tell you, but if you want to find out more then it might be a suitable topic for conversation."

Beresan grinned. "Ah! I understand you, Mistress."

"Princess Eriana is indeed the daughter of a King, but of a country far away called Einnland, beyond the end of the Sirrel and far to the south where it is colder. There are no near neighbors and they do not have the marriage rules they have here in the Great Valley. She is his eldest child but her father did not want her to follow him onto the throne after he died, preferring a male child.

"He tried to make her marry a commoner which would apparently have disqualified her. Naturally Eriana objected and ran away to sea, in a ship owned by a trusted supporter, with all her sworn warriors and retainers. They were pursued, but the weather was very bad and there were terrible storms. The ship's owner and all his family were lost and the ship nearly sank. They just made it as far as Plif.

"There the local Duke took her in and she learned that Palarand's Crown Prince needed a bride. There was some trouble... it is not clear... but Prince Keren chose Princess Garia instead. Robanar gave Eriana and her crew sanctuary but asked her if her men could attack Boldan's Rock."

"Ah! Of course, all Joth know of that amazing feat." Beresan nodded thoughtfully. "Much becomes clear now. I heard of Her Highness and her men when they returned through Hulmar and Thorn, but of course there were many tales and I knew not what was true and what was fantasy."

"You may get an opportunity to learn the truth, then. So, after returning from Boldan's Rock, most of the lands along the Sirrel were at war with Yod. The rulers had all traveled to Palarand for Prince Keren's wedding and they met there and decided to form the Sirrel Federation to prevent Yod from ever behaving that way again. As part of that process they decided to amalgamate all the official river functions of the different lands together into a single organization called the Federation Navy. Other parts of that will venture out onto the ocean to begin exploring the rest of the world."

"A bold decision, I deem."

"Bold but probably necessary, I think. Since Eriana had the most experience of matters relating to the sea and travel on the water, she was made head of the Navy. Apart from those who sail or row ships the Navy will need other functions like healers, recruitment and training, supply and support for retired personnel so I, apparently having the most experience of such matters, have been made Head of Welfare. That is why I have the rank of Director."

"Indeed? I ask your pardon, Mistress... Director. I did not know that you held such an exalted position."

Ursula pulled a face. "I am not so sure that the position is exalted, My Lord. I have some of the required abilities but the service is destined to grow very large in future. We are struggling to find people to organize and run it. According to Bennet, you appear to be a possible volunteer."

"Oh. Oh! Mistress, my interest has been awakened. Aye, my prospects, should I remain in Joth, are limited. As a noble I do not desire to turn my hand in trade, you understand, if I can avoid the prospect, but from what you tell me this Navy is outside the normal rules of precedence, am I correct?"

Ursula nodded. "That is true, but it will be organized along military lines so it will have its own system of ranks and titles - as you have noticed. However, in the Welfare department we also anticipate employing civilians, for certain jobs where a military rank might not be appropriate. For example, we will require uniforms, and it will be mainly women making them."

He looked at Ursula intently. "If I were to agree, how would I join you?"

"My Lord, I am not yet sure what you can do. We would have a proper conversation once your leg has healed. We will have to wait until the Rains end anyway. We have plenty of time before the Visund leaves Joth again."

"I would travel aboard your ship? The Visund, you named it?"

"Yes, it is Eriana's ship but I warn you, it is an open vessel with almost no deck at all and presently we have too many crew and too much cargo aboard. We need to come up with a solution before we can sail any further."

Beresan was silent for a while, then said, "I do not think I would mind such a journey, I deem. After all, it sailed from Palarand all the way to Bibek and back to Joth, surely it is safe enough for someone like me."

"Provided you are not as accident prone aboard ship as you are with weapons, yes. But there may be ways around the problem, we are in no hurry. Perhaps during your conversations you can ask about the Visund as well."

"As you say! This whole business is becoming more interesting by the moment, I deem. If I may also ask you and Bennet for further information in future?"

"Of course. And now, perhaps we should get you back into the Common Room, unless you desire to visit the toilet or bathroom?"

"The toilet, please. And I will leave my conversations, as you name them, until tomorrow, when I will by chance find a seat closer to Her Highness."

"As you wish. I will ask you to forget that I spoke to you about Eriana, you have to appear naturally interested, which should not be difficult for someone like you."

"Of course, Mistress. The interest is there, I will make use of it."

"Good. Bennet, can you fetch Mordon, please? We'll need his help."

* * *

Ursula and Bennet were in the kitchen area peeling vegetables for the evening meal when Ursula suddenly stopped.

"Can you stop a moment? I thought I could hear something."

Hanida turned from where she was browning meat on the stove. "What is it, Ursula?"

Ursula frowned. "I thought I heard - ah, can you take that off the heat a moment? The sizzling is hiding the sound - thank you. Yes! Can you hear that?"

In the sudden silence - relative silence because of the continuing noise from outside - a very slow but steady drip could be heard from somewhere else in the building. The three women looked at each other.

"A leak, I deem," Hanida remarked. "I expected that we might have something of that kind. It is a big, old building after all." She shook her head. "It requires attention but does not sound as if it could cause serious trouble. I would be more concerned if I heard a steady trickle instead of just a drip like that."

Ursula nodded. "Do you want us to go and have a look? You should not leave that meat half cooked."

"If you would, Ursula. I doubt it will take you long to find it. Ah, you'll probably need a bucket or two, there are some by the back door there." She gestured.

"Yes, of course. Coming, Bennet?"

Bennet grabbed one of the cut-down kegs everyone in Joth used as buckets and the two headed out of the kitchen. They did a first pass through the middle floor, finding nothing but taking the opportunity to inform everyone else what they were doing. Kaldar decided to help them and the three went up the ramp to the top floor and separated. Inevitably, Kaldar found the leak.

"Mistress! It is in here!"

In one of the store-rooms, a puddle on the floor indicated where the water ended up. On this level there were no ceilings so the water could drip straight down from the roof above.

Bennet eyed the shelving around the walls. "Mistress, it is fortunate that the leak was not over any of the shelves. It might have ruined some of the supplies."

"Yes." Ursula looked up into the gloom. "I cannot see any obvious place where it is getting in. Let me go and find a mop before you put that bucket down."

The cleaning materials up here were kept in a closet next to the Operating Theater in case that chamber needed cleaning before or after any operation. By the time Ursula had grabbed a mop and returned, Kaldar had climbed up some of the shelves and was now peering into the gloom.

"There, Mistress! I can see the line of wetness from up here. It comes in near the top and runs down that timber there, then drips off at that joint."

"Good work, Kaldar. Come down now before I have another patient."

The boy grinned and climbed down as easily as he had gone up. "Tyra has been teaching me how to safely climb up and down, Mistress. She says that I will need to practise for when I have to climb the rigging later."

"She's right and you are still light enough to do it without hurting yourself too much." She had a thought and smiled. "I think you might have some more education once we get to Foti Lane. You will not believe what the local children can do around their houses!"

Ursula mopped what had already dripped and then Bennet carefully positioned the bucket so that the next drip fell in the middle with a satisfying pock.

"That will take a long time to fill," Bennet observed, "but I will still come and check it before every mealtime, Mistress. If something should change, well..."

"As you say. The last thing we need is to have our supplies ruined when we have no alternative. We'd better get back to the kitchen, we still have food to prepare. Kaldar, how are things in the Common Room?"

"Fairly quiet, Mistress, as you might expect. Lord Beresan is teaching Master Dibenar the Garian numbers, I think Mistress Larna is taking an interest as well. Her Highness still does very little." He looked concerned. "Can you make her well again, Mistress?"

"I will not give you false hope, Kaldar. We'll do everything we can but there are no guarantees for ailments like this. If it works it will be a slow process, much like your own treatment."

"As you say, Mistress."

"What about Ketko? I've been overlooking him since we arrived here and I do not think Her Highness has paid him much attention either."

"He asks many questions, Mistress, as you would expect. He has never seen rain like that which falls outside."

"Neither have I, Kaldar. We just come from parts of our worlds where such things don't happen, or happen somewhere else. But we are here now and we just have to get used to it. Do either of you need anything?"

Kaldar thought. "Not now, Mistress, though we must needs wash some clothes soon, I deem. That should be easy enough but how do we dry them in here?"

"No idea, Kaldar. When you lived... with your family, how did you dry clothes during the Rains in previous years?"

"Ah, we had a Drying Room next to the kitchen. I do not remember seeing such a chamber here, though."

"No, because these buildings were never intended to be a residence for anyone, apart from maybe brief overnight stays. Hmm. Something to ask Hanida about later, perhaps." Ursula looked around. "Have we finished here? I need to do something with this mop and then we should get back downstairs, Bennet and I were helping make the evening meal."

"Of course, Mistress."

Back in the kitchen, Hanida half turned from where she was adding liquid to a big pot.

"You found the leak, then."

"Yes - how do you know?"

"The sound changed when you put the bucket under it. Where was it? Has it damaged anything?"

"It was in one of the store rooms this side, fortunately not one anyone was sleeping in. We were lucky, wet bedding would be hard to dry at the moment. The drips fell in the middle of the floor so haven't damaged anything on the shelves, but the actual leak seems to be somewhere along the ridge line."

"Ah? You have some knowledge of building matters, then?"

"Me? Probably not much more than you, Hanida. Are leaks common when the Rains come? Should we be preparing in case there are others?"

"Oh, if you two could finish the peeling, please, so I can get the stew going. Leaks? Most buildings in Joth, and probably elsewhere, will likely have small leaks when the Rains first come, Ursula. Because the buildings bake in the summer sun the wood shrinks and water can get in when so much comes down as now. Soon enough the wood swells again and it all stops, we are used to such things happening.

"Of course, if there is a nearby lightning strike then anything may happen. You saw what happened when the Dock Gate was struck, the shock may have shifted tiles or thrown heavy debris onto roofs causing damage. If that happened here we must needs wait for the rain to slacken before anyone dare attempt a temporary repair."

Ursula's eyebrows raised. "You would attempt a repair while it was still raining?"

Hanida nodded. "Aye, sometimes there is no choice. Often it will just mean a tarpaulin stretched over the roof and secured below. You have finished? Good, thank you. That looks sufficient for all of us, I deem, if you could tip them into this pot... ah, I need to add some more water... just so. Now we wait until it boils, then I will use this sand-dropper while it simmers. It should be ready in..." Hanida cocked her head, thinking, "...between one and a half and two bells, I deem. Bennet, if you would bring some more firewood over here, I must needs top up the stove."

"As you wish, Mistress."

"Oh, before I forget," Ursula said, "Kaldar raised the small matter of washing clothes. I assume we can do that easily enough but where can we dry them? I understand these places do not have the facilities most domestic houses would."

"Aye," Hanida nodded, "this building was never designed to be a place of healing, it just happened to be available when His Grace issued his request. This kitchen area would likely be the warmest and driest for such activities, I deem, but we have no suitable racks for drying nor any irons for smoothing out creases."

"I am guessing that it is not yet fully fitted out. If I had not left with Her Highness we would have noticed some of these problems earlier and fixed them. But we didn't so we will have to find our own solutions while we wait for better weather."

"As you say, but I am no artisan to attempt woodwork nor can I conjure an iron out of the empty air. Have you any suggestions?"

Ursula looked at Bennet, who shook her head. "I do not know those arts either, Mistress."

"We'll think of something," Ursula said. "If necessary we'll have to wash our clothes, hang them on lines around the kitchen area and wear them as they are, wrinkles and all."

"It is the Rains," Hanida said. "All must needs do what they can until the waters subside, it is the only way."

* * *

"Can you eat just a little more, Highness? We're not doing very much now but our bodies still need the nourishment."

Eriana turned her head towards Ursula. "I know I must eat but there seems little point, Ursula. There is nothing for me now."

"That is hardly true, Highness! You will have a whole crew waiting for your commands once this rainy season ends. And I know what you are like, by that time you will be itching to have a moving hull beneath your feet, not the boards of a converted weaving loft."

A faint glimmer of recognition came. "Ah, the sea! How I loved to be on the waves, feeling the spray upon my face as we sailed. But those times are finished now, my ship is sunk, my men are dead or scattered to the winds."

"The Visund is not sunk, Highness. It is moored just beyond Joth's walls and your men are safe inside. Now, what about the stew?"

A pause, then another spoonful taken. "It is tasty, that I must agree. It is more like the food we ate at home, though there we mostly ate fish stew." Another pause. "I do not like the food of the west, all those green things and pungent dressings instead of comforting sauces."

"The west is warmer and drier, Highness, as you have seen for yourself. Of course the food has to change as one travels west because different things grow there. But we are going the other way now, back to cooler lands and nearer the sea. Just a little more, Highness."

"If I must. Is there any ale in this place?"

"I don't think so, Highness." Across the table, Hanida shook her head. "Because of the Rains, the house has to be stocked with foodstuffs that will last a few weeks, so no ale or beer this time. You like the taste of pel, though."

"I do? I do. It is strange, such a drink is unknown in... my homeland... yet everyone drinks it here. This valley is a strange place."

Eriana managed to finish the bowl of stew and put the bowl back on the table. Hanida stood and began collecting the bowls to take them out to the kitchen.

"We still have some fresh fruit left, Highness. If I may bring some in?"

Eriana seemed disinterested. She lazily waved a hand. "Aye. You may as well. If I do not eat any then somebody else might."

Ursula winced internally. This is going to be a difficult job, bringing her back. If I do not see much change in a day or two then I have to face the prospect that I have personally damaged a fierce and active personality. If I were still on Earth I would walk away from my job, I think. I dare not risk damaging any other patient.

But I am not on Earth any longer and Eriana is not just a patient. What do I do now?

Hanida bustled out of the Common Room and returned with two baskets of fruit which she placed on the table.

"Highness? What shall you choose?"

Eriana wrinkled her nose. "Do I have to?"

"You do, Highness. As any healer will tell you, your body requires a varied diet to function properly and that includes fruit. Very soon we will have eaten it all and must then manage with any dried fruit that is left, but that has less nutrition in it, so I would ask you to make good use of the fresh while we still have any."

"As you wish, Mistress Hanida."

She took two pieces of fruit and started eating one, though it was plain she only did so because she had been asked to. The second item, a purplish globe, had a hard rind which Bennet peeled away for her while she ate the other.

Hanida asked, "What about you two girls? The fruit is there for you as well. I would suggest that you eat some while we have it."

Matta replied, "Mistress, we are not used to food as rich as this. We did eat fruit, it is true, but few of the kinds we see here."

"What kind of -" Hanida stopped and glanced at Ursula. "I suspect that you are going to tell me, and that I am not going to like it."

"That is true, Hanida. I suggest we leave that tale for a few days until everyone is better accustomed to our surroundings. I will just say that both Matta and Vellana come from very rural villages in the further part of Yod and almost everything they have seen since leaving is new and strange to them. We rescued them from circumstances that cannot be repeated in polite company."

"Yod! Yet now they are maids to Her Highness?"

"Her Highness is their protector, Hanida. They do not willingly approach any man if they can avoid it, though they have now become used - mostly - to the ship's crew."

"Do you tell me? Your ship carries a strange crew, Ursula."

You do not know the half of it. But you do not need to know it all.

"Circumstances, Hanida. Bennet, could you pass the basket over here, please?"

"Surely, Mistress."

In truth the fruit was just as strange to Ursula but she had gained more experience over the months since her arrival. She picked two items with flavors she knew she liked and began eating. Hanida also selected a yellow-orange ovoid and started peeling the rind.

Dibenar spoke to Beresan. "My Lord, I must thank you for your explanation of this new method of numbering. I can already see how it will be of great use to my business, once I become familiar with the shapes."

"Master Dibenar, I will tell you that the more you use the Garian numbers the easier it becomes to use them. I found them awkward at first but now I can count up in my head sums which I would have needed to write down before."

Ursula's interest was roused. Knowing how and where those numbers came from, she wanted to see if the shapes and usage had been passed down accurately.

This is one thing I may have to intervene in, since any variation is going to propagate through whoever learns from these two and it will cause confusion when it comes up against others who have been taught the correct way.

"My Lord," she began, "where I come from we also use the Garian numbers, that is the way we were taught when we were young. Would it be possible for me to see what you have been explaining," I won't use the word teaching, "to Master Dibenar? In situations like these it becomes easy for slight changes to creep in and then your numbers could cause problems when they are seen by others."

Beresan's eyebrows shot up. "You understand the Garian numbers, Mistress? I did not know that."

"As I said, they are the way we are taught to count and when I came to the Great Valley it took me some time to adapt to the numbering method you use here. I do not want to criticize what you have done, I just want to make sure the numbers look like everyone elsewhere would expect them to."

Beresan dipped his head. "Then, Mistress, I must needs bow to your better knowledge. Of course such shapes must be recognizable to others. Tomorrow, perhaps, I will show you what we have done and you can tell us if they are sufficient for the purpose."

"Done, My Lord."

Larna said to Dibenar, "Husband, I find the new numbers to be easy as well! If there may be some way to make use of this new knowledge?"

He looked pensive. "My dear, I do not know what to say. Once you can walk again it will make your visits to the market so much easier, I suppose." A pause, then, "I cannot see there are many ways that such numbers may be of use to you."

Ursula commented, "Master Dibenar, I thought that you were a market trader. Do you not have any assistance from your wife with your efforts?"

He looked uncomfortable. "Mistress, Larna is my wife, not a partner."

That's an interesting distinction to make, for many reasons! I could attempt to drag him out of the Stone Age but we are stuck here together for at least another week, minimum. Let's see if I can find a way.

"Master Dibenar," she began slowly, "I have traveled widely and learned a number of different languages during that time. I can speak eight now and in almost all of them the words 'wife', 'husband' and 'partner' mean almost the same thing. I am surprised to discover that they mean different things here in the Great Valley."

He goggled at Ursula. "You can speak eight languages, Mistress?"

"I think that's right." She smiled to defuse any potential confrontation. "I have discovered that I learn languages very easily. What I'm trying to say is that almost anywhere else in the world a husband and wife would automatically be considered partners, and if the wife wanted to help her husband at his work, or he with hers, then it would not be thought unusual. Oh," she added hastily, "that would depend on what the work was, of course. I doubt many women would want to be miners or warriors or stone masons but even so some do.

"For yourself, considering that you deal in items owned or worn by women I am surprised that your wife is not involved in some way. Do you not trust her judgment?"

Dibenar rocked back as he considered this radical idea. "Well, of course I trust her, but..." He dried up.

Ursula's eyes slid to meet Larna's and she raised an eyebrow, receiving a faint shake of the head in response.

Better to leave it there, I think. Let the seed grow.

"Husband, we shall speak of these matters, I deem, once we return home."

"As you wish, my dear."

Bennet asks if they can start doing the Tai Chi again, which naturally provokes questions. Ursula examines Larna's injured ankle before following Hanida down to the lower floor to assess how much the water level had risen.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

108 - Talk and Exercise

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2026 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

---

Bennet rose from her bed and stood, twisting and stretching to try and make her body and limbs a little more flexible. In the gloom of early morning Ursula watched her, waiting until the Guardswoman had finished to allow room for her to climb out of her own bed.

"This is not good, Mistress," Bennet remarked with a groan. "We have not done the Tai Chi for some days now and my body is beginning to feel the need for it. If we may attempt to do it some mornings? I am sure your own body will also appreciate the movements."

"As you say, Bennet." Having now finished her stretches, Bennet moved aside so that Ursula could stand. "It is interesting to hear you suggest medical advice to me but I do not disagree with your assessment. Yes, we should begin again, possibly starting this morning? It is unfortunate that there are only two of us -"

"Mistress, then we will be able to do it as we may without disturbing anyone else... Ah! Kaldar now knows the Tai Chi, I deem. If we three do it in the Operating Theater after you have given him his potions then we would not disturb anyone else."

"That's a good idea, Bennet, but I have just had a different thought. Her Highness also knows the Tai Chi. I wonder if we could use that to help her recover?"

"Mistress, you are wise. If there is one thing I know that Tai Chi can do apart from make my body ready for the day it is to also clear my mind. I find that I can think much better once I have done it."

"Agreed... First, then, I'll need to give Kaldar his potions and then we'll all go and try to get Her Highness to join us." Ursula wrinkled her nose as she thought through the process. "We'd have to do it in the Common Room then, there is little point coming back up here just for that."

"As you say, Mistress. By your leave, I have a pressing need."

"Of course. Go on, I'll be right behind you."

After attending to the usual bodily functions, dressing and giving Kaldar his medication the three walked down the ramp and went to the entrance to Eriana's cubicle, but she was not there. Dibenar joined them.

"Ah, good morning, ladies, and young master. If you seek Her Highness, I believe that she has gone to the toilet and bathroom with her two maids." He paused, uncertain. "Those are her maids, Mistress?"

Ursula replied, "I think that in time they will become her maids but they are relatively untrained as yet, Master Dibenar. Good morning to you. As I mentioned yesterday, they are both from rural villages deep in the countryside and have probably never even seen any kind of noble until they met Her Highness, so they will have had no idea what to do or how to behave. But they will stay close to her and she will keep them safe while introducing them to the delights of civilization."

Dibenar's mouth twitched. "Aye, it seems a shame to tarnish the minds of such innocents, I deem, but did you also not say that they had suffered under rogue soldiery?"

Ursula grimaced. "I did, Master, and they have, and one day I will tell you what happened, but not while your wife is in hearing of us, the story is too evil for most women to hear."

"Do you tell me? Then I will await the telling with some trepidation, I deem."

Hanida bustled in from the kitchen and joined the group.

"Ah! Good morning, all." She noticed where they were standing. "If you seek Her Highness, she is presently in the bathroom with her attendants. I wonder if I may have some help preparing our breakfasts."

Ursula replied for them, "Good morning, Hanida. Of course we will come and help. It is early, about how long will it be before breakfast will be ready this morning? I do not remember you making any dough last night."

"I did not, Ursula. Our numbers are such that we would have used all the flour within two weeks if we made bread every day, so I decided that we would not have bread today but porridge. After all, it is good practice to vary what we eat from time to time, do you not agree?"

"I do, it is a good thought."

Hanida's eyes narrowed. "You asked for a time until we may eat, is there some particular reason?"

"Yes, those of us who came on the ship have a special exercise we do every morning, circumstances permitting, of course. It is gentle and helps prepare our bodies and our minds for the day ahead."

"Ah? I see now why you sought Her Highness. Does this... exercise take very long?"

"Not really. It does take a week or two to learn and all may do it from young to old but not, of course, those who are stuck in bed with injuries. I had hoped we could do ours before breakfast, but if Her Highness is not available, then perhaps today we can do it afterwards."

"Intriguing! Something else that is new for me to discover."

"Yes... we are probably going to be here long enough for you to learn to do it yourself, though I do not think it will be possible for you learn enough to teach it to any future patients." Ursula had a thought. "I believe that, before we left, some of those at His Grace's mansion would have been taught the moves. You might find that others in Joth already know how to do the Tai Chi."

"Ah? Then I will ask, next time that my duties take me that way... but that will not be for two months or more."

"True. These Rains have a larger effect on what people in the Great Valley do than I realized."

Dibenar observed, "Mistress, it is all we know. We are accustomed to the Rains, we are used to what happens and act appropriately."

"As you say. Hanida? If you want help we had better go to the kitchen. You must have left porridge on the stove?"

"As you say! Come, come!"

There was a little bread left over from the previous day but breakfast would be mainly porridge accompanied by the usual sliced meats, fruits and cheeses. Ursula, Hanida and Kaldar carried the extras in while Bennet brought the tureen of porridge to the table. Dibenar and Mordon followed with plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery. When they arrived they found Eriana, Larna and Beresan already in their chairs and waiting. Eriana eyed the tureen with distaste.

"I have tasted the porridge of Palarand and did not care for it. This does not seem to be better but looks even less appealing."

Hanida briefly dipped. "Highness, there is no milk for anyone while the Rains descend upon us. In this weather the narakh cannot feed normally and must needs be kept inside and fed on forage. Even if it should be possible to milk them, no-one could venture outside to supply anyone with it. Thus, our porridge must needs be made with water, but to improve it I have added certain spices. You may also slice fruit into it to add to the flavor."

Eriana's face wrinkled. "As you say. Unless you command me I would prefer to break my fast with bread, meats and cheese."

"As you wish, Highness." Hanida added, "You should know that, as time passes, our choice of foodstuffs will become smaller and we will be obliged to eat whatever remains of our stocks until fresh can be supplied."

"I will note your warning, Mistress. In the lands of my birth, we suffer a similar circumstance in the winter-time. Even my father the King cannot command certain foods if none should be available."

"Indeed, Highness."

Ursula had noticed the sacks of dried pel herbs on the upper floor but now wondered if they would last the deluge or if they would be reduced to drinking water at some point.

At least we wouldn't become short of water. It will only be necessary to place buckets at the outside edge of the rear walkway and we'd have fresh water within minutes!

I wonder if I will still be here towards the end of the Rains? Being in the Clinic is good and allows me to practise my profession - one of them, at least - but it is a very restricted location and I would like to socialize a little more. I'd like to be able to join Tyra in Foti Lane at some point, meet her family again and find out what the rest of the crew are doing.

No chance in this downpour, though.

Breakfast was consumed in near silence, Ursula noticing that Eriana seemed a little more alert that morning. Bennet and Kaldar helped Hanida remove the table debris back to the kitchen and then returned, waiting. Ursula took the hint and turned to the Princess.

"Highness, it is now necessary that we begin to do the Tai Chi once more. Because of our activities these last few days I do not think anyone has done it and we are beginning to notice the effects."

"Hmm? You desire me to do this exercise?"

"I do, Highness. It is something else that will help you to recover more quickly."

Eriana groaned and grimaced in disgust. "If I must. Where shall it be done? We cannot go outside, I deem."

Ursula pointed. "We'll go over there, I think, behind those empty chairs. If we move them we should have enough room for the four of us."

"Four?" Eriana looked surprised and then glanced at all the other occupants, apparently noticing Bennet and Kaldar for the first time. "Ah, as you say. I did not realize... it is not just myself who requires such exercise, I deem."

The four made space at the side of the Common Room, Ursula realizing that she had, without consciously thinking about it, deliberately placed them so that the other occupants would have a clear view of the proceedings. Those occupants had puzzled expressions as the four positioned themselves in suitable spaces.

"Mistress?" Beresan asked. "If I may ask, what is it you do now?"

"This is a special exercise that the people of Palarand do each morning," she replied. "Anyone may do it, from young to old, and it helps prepare the body and mind for the day ahead. Normally we would do this before breakfast but Her Highness had... some more urgent needs today. It may be of particular use to you, once you can walk again, to help you overcome your co-ordination problems. I can explain in more detail once we have finished."

Beresan gestured towards Ketko, who sat on another chair and looked just as puzzled as the patients did. "What of your other traveler? Should he not also do these exercises?"

"One day, perhaps," Ursula answered. "He has not been traveling with us long enough to learn them and he is also recovering from a serious illness. Bennet? I suggest you lead us today."

"Of course, Mistress."

Bennet would have been taught, Ursula knew, back at Palarand's palace and probably by Princess Garia, since Tai Chi had obviously been introduced from Earth. It was possible that Eriana was as familiar with it as Bennet was but Ursula did not want to trust the Princess's flaky memory. Both Ursula and Kaldar had learned during the voyage and neither was completely familiar with the succession of moves the discipline required.

Their audience watched as Bennet led them through the various evolutions and then, afterwards, corrected Ursula on two minor differences she had noticed towards the end. Kaldar, of course, was centimeter perfect with his placement and only had to adjust his timing slightly.

At the end Eriana turned to Ursula with a smile. "That was enjoyable, Ursula. I had forgotten how much it helped when we did it every morning in the palace."

"That was the intention, Highness." Ursula hesitated, wondering if further conversation ought to be carried out in private, but then asked, "How are you feeling this morning? Has the Tai Chi made your thoughts any clearer?"

"Indeed it has, Ursula." She frowned. "My mind... I seem to have spent the last several days in some kind of bad dream. I did not know where I was nor whom anyone I spoke to was. Do you think I am recovered now?"

"That is difficult to say, Highness. Yes, you are certainly getting better but there might be occasional relapses." Ursula waved a hand at the rain outside. "In any event no-one can go anywhere so there will be several days yet during which we can make sure that you have completely recovered."

Assuming that you can completely recover.

Eriana nodded. "As you say. I remember that I had many tasks before me, many, many tasks, and I feel a certain relief that I may put them aside for a day or two. However I am by nature an impatient person and wonder what I may do while the rain still falls."

By this time Hanida had returned from the kitchen and said, "Highness, if you do not mind helping around the Clinic I can always find things for you to do, things you might not consider to be beneath someone of your status. For this morning, however, I would ask you to relax and mayhap enjoy some conversation with the others here. You are, after all, still a patient of ours."

"As you say, Mistress..? Ah, I forget your name."

Hanida curtseyed. "Healer Hanida, Highness, at your service."

"Hanida, aye, of course. Do not concern yourself about my status, it is purely an accident of birth. Aboard any ship it is necessary for everyone to do whatever must needs be done, so I have pulled oars, heaved ropes and even managed the steering oar on occasion. If you should ask me to do something to help, I will attempt to do it."

"Thank you, Highness. But it is not needful today. Your exercise today looked gentle enough but I would not want to strain you before you have recovered completely. As I mentioned, you are still our patient."

"As you wish, Hanida."

Beresan looked up at Ursula. "Mistress, you said you would explain what you have just done, it looked interesting."

Ursula sat down, leaving an empty seat between herself and Beresan. "I did and it is, My Lord. It is actually, so I was told, part of an ancient system of unarmed combat from a region a long way away from where I was born. What it does is -"

Ursula explained what she knew or had deduced about Tai Chi, considering she had never personally encountered it before she had joined the company in Joth. She told him as much, indicating that Eriana might be able to tell him more.

Eriana took the empty seat and leaned back, relaxing. Unfortunately her first words blew a hole through Ursula's careful explanation.

"Princess Garia brought the Tai Chi with her when she arrived from the mother world," she told Beresan. "She used it herself to help regain her fitness after her arrival and then began to teach it to the Palace Guard, which is why Bennet knows how to do it. Soon, most of those in the palace, even the King and Queen, began to join in and discovered the benefits."

Beresan frowned. "The mother world? What is that?"

"A distant world named Earth, My Lord. It is where the sagas of my own people tell us we came from a thousand years ago, and where the Chivans came from a thousand years before that."

"I intend you no insult, Highness, but the Great Convocation showed that such other worlds cannot exist!"

"That is not so, My Lord. The Great Convocation requires proof of such matters and I have been shown sufficient proof that Earth is real." Eriana abruptly realized that she was mentioning confidential matters. "If you desire to learn more, My Lord, you must needs travel to Palarand and apply to King Robanar."

"Highness, I might just do that once I am fit again." Beresan turned towards Ursula, who had understood Eriana's unfortunate statement. "Mistress, you said that the exercise was from a place a long way from where you were born. Are you then also of this mother world?"

She thought quickly. "I said that it came from a region a long way away from where I was born, My Lord, that is all. I now know that region to be Palarand, a land I have not yet visited. I learned the Tai Chi here in Joth from Her Highness's crew, not on some other world."

He seemed unsatisfied with the answer but let the question drop.

Near call! Almost everything I said was true but I didn't say everything I might have.

Hmm. If he joins us he'll probably learn the truth but that needs to be at a time of our own choosing. Unfortunately Eriana still is not in control of herself and may let other matters slip. Nothing I can do about that but it does mean I'll have to be careful around her.

Hanida spoke up. "Ursula, you said that you would help this morning when I remove Mistress Larna's cast. Are you still willing?"

Ursula stood up. "Of course, Hanida." At least that gets me out of this room and any other awkward questions. "Can we have some help getting Mistress Larna into the consulting room?"

Dibenar and Bennet helped Larna into the Consulting Room and onto the couch before both remained standing against the wall. They stayed with her while the two healers fetched their kits from where they had previously been left. Hanida pulled some fearsome looking tools out of her basket, raising an eyebrow at Ursula when she did so.

"I do not know how your people do this, Ursula. If there might be something to be learned if you did this? I would not be insulted."

Ursula waved a hand. "Remember that I am also learning the local methods, Hanida. I would rather find out how such procedures are done here than do something which may be different and cause you problems later on."

"Ah, as you say. You will help, of course?"

"Yes, just tell me what you need."

Hanida patted her lower arm with her other hand. "If this were a straight cast on an arm or leg I would do something a little different, but as this is the ankle I have to take the plaster off in small pieces. Do you see these loops poking out of the cast?"

Ursula nodded. "Yes, I wondered if they were deliberate or just some custom or artistic flourish."

"They are deliberate! We use them to guide our cuts and to avoid injuring the patient. First, I will make a groove along the outside of the cast from end to end. Mistress Larna, if I may ask you to turn on your left side so that I can reach the back of the plaster cast. Ah, Bennet, if you would come and attend the Mistress's skirt to ensure modesty."

With Ursula holding the cast firmly Hanida used a saw blade to carefully score a groove all the way down the back and around the heel to the sole of the foot. Dibenar was asked to use a brush and small leather bucket to sweep up the dust and any debris from the cut. Once that was finished Hanida began sawing from one loop to another but at a sharp angle, so that triangular sections could be isolated and snapped off in sequence. These joined the debris in the bucket.

"If I may ask," Hanida asked as she sawed, "how would you do this, Ursula?"

Careful, now. "As a rule we try to take the cast off in two pieces, Hanida. It is difficult to explain but we have a tool which vibrates and cuts the cast that way without injuring the patient. I doubt I could use that here."

"I see. And you would take even an ankle cast off that way?"

"Nearly every cast, yes. There are certain parts of the body where it would not be a good idea but generally we can work around those. Your way means more work but is simpler to do and safe enough for the patient." Given that you have no access to power tools, and I'm not going to explain that!

Eventually the last two pieces were able to be snapped apart and Ursula was left holding a bandaged ankle with the bandage covered in dust and fragments. Dibenar handed her the brush and she briefly cleaned the debris off before looking at Hanida.

"Do you want to take the bandage off, Ursula? I assume that you want to use your own methods to examine the ankle."

"If that is acceptable to you and to Mistress Larna."

With nods from both Ursula undid the knot securing the bandage and began to unroll it before pausing.

"Mistress Larna, I ask your pardon, I should have asked if you are in any pain now."

"There is a dull pain, as I expected, but nothing as bad as it was when I fell, Mistress Ursula. What will you do?"

"I want to feel around the ankle and try to detect any breaks or other problems in the many bones that are down there. To do that I would like to continue without any numbing salves or potions since I'll need you to tell me where and when it hurts. Do you think you can manage that? I will be as gentle as I can."

Dibenar asked, "Mistress? Breaks I may understand but what might other problems be?"

"Bones may have become dislocated, Master Dibenar. Between each bone and another is thin cushion of cartilage which may have moved or broken. There may have been bleeding. I should be able to detect if anything like that has happened."

He nodded. "I understand, Mistress. I admit, my only thought had been that a bone had been broken."

"That is understandable, Master Dibenar. The ankle joint is complicated and there are a number of things that can go wrong without bones being broken, all of which can be painful."

She finished taking the bandage off and handed it to Hanida for disposal. Looking at the color of the skin she asked Hanida, "I assume that you had put some salve on the joint first?"

"Aye, Ursula, to help with the pain."

"Then we'd better give this foot and ankle a wash."

Bennet offered, "If I may go and fetch some warm water, Mistress."

Ursula looked at Hanida who replied, "Yes, please do, Bennet. If you look at the shelves beneath the kitchen sink you should find a suitable bowl. I have cloths to hand here so there is no need to find others."

"As you say, Mistress." Bennet departed.

Hanida commented to Ursula, "Those bowls are mealtime items, really, but trying to explain to Bennet where the medical equivalent is would be more complicated than I desire at the present." She shrugged. "The bowls are much the same anyway."

Bennet returned with a bowl of lukewarm water, Hanida handed over a cloth and Ursula went to work. Once clean the ankle showed discoloring from bruises but otherwise looked more or less normal. She began to carefully examine the joint with the tips of her fingers, causing the occasional gasp from Larna but no more. Finally she sat back.

"I think that you have been very lucky, Mistress. If anything had been broken or moved out of place then you would certainly have let me know. I think that it is just a bad sprain, complicated by the fact that the ankle probably bounced off the steps on the way down."

"Mistress, it does still hurt," Larna admitted, "but the pain is not as bad as it was when the accident happened. Will it heal completely?"

"I think so but of course every injury heals in different ways for different patients so there might be a slight twinge once you can walk again." Ursula gave her a reassuring smile. "I doubt that you will even have a limp."

"Oh, thank you, Mistress!"

Hanida asked Ursula, "What do you suggest now? More plaster?"

"The joint seems to be recovering well so I think it just needs some support while it heals, Hanida. Maybe a tight bandage? The plaster held everything in place but a bandage will be less limiting for the Mistress."

"I agree. If I may do it?"

Ursula stood and moved back with a gesture. "Of course."

Some more salve was spread all over the ankle. There were as yet no stretch bandages available on Anmar so Hanida had to make a elaborate construction around the complex shape of the joint to bind it closely. Ursula watched with approval, thinking that she could not have done as well with the materials to hand. When she had finished Dibenar was able to help his wife out of the room on his own and back to the Common Room.

Hanida stood up, dusting her hands. "If we may wash up and then make some pel. I think we need it."

"Agreed. Do you intend to look at Lord Beresan's leg this morning?"

"I think it will be better if we leave it to heal without disturbing it, Ursula. Unless it is customary to examine such wounds more often where you come from?"

"No, Hanida. Normally he would be stitched and bandaged and then sent home with instructions to keep off the leg and to return in three or four days to have the stitches examined and possibly removed. Most minor wounds heal themselves without our interference."

Hanida's eyebrows raised. "You call that a minor wound?"

"Yes, considering what else I was used to dealing with. We didn't walk around with swords or crossbows but there were much worse dangers, many of them to do with speeding vehicles."

I don't think I should tell her about gang warfare or some of the associated problems like addicts.

"Speeding... vehicles? You mean like a carriage?"

"Yes. Imagine a carriage or wagon which is self-propelled by means of something like a steam engine which can travel at... I don't know, maybe eighty to a hundred marks in every bell."

Hanida stared at Ursula. "You do not exaggerate?"

"Not at all. I may have trouble translating our speeds into the local measures, that is all. Now those carriages or wagons are all made of metal which makes them much heavier than what you have here. Imagine what might happen if one of them hits a pedestrian, another carriage or wagon or a building, bridge support or something like that. The injuries can be much more complicated to deal with, assuming that they are not fatal."

Hanida blew out a breath. "Maker! The land of your birth sounds a dangerous place."

Ursula shrugged. "Probably no more dangerous than where we are now, Hanida. We grow up familiar with the conditions and adjust, so we know to keep out of the way of such dangers. Of course, things can always go wrong, which is why accidents happen in the first place."

"As you say." Hanida looked nervous. "I am not sure that I desire to learn more about where you came from, Ursula."

Another shrug. "As I said, it is what you grow up with. But while I am content to tell you more about medical matters, Hanida, there is much else in my past which should remain private. I have spoken of such matters to His Grace and he has told me that some of what I know could become dangerous to myself or others if I should speak more widely of it, and I agree."

Hanida nodded. "His Grace is wise, I deem." They had reached the kitchen. "Here, empty that bucket into the bigger one over there, if you would. While the Rains fall there is no way to dispose of our waste so it must needs be collected until afterwards."

"Oh. Is this going to be a big problem?"

"That depends. We have a number of women residing here and Kalikan does not cease to call while the Rains fall. Fortunately this time we are not likely to have much medical waste, though some of that we could burn."

I am often amazed by how practical these people are. I suppose that most pre-industrial societies on Earth were like that. Nothing would be wasted if at all possible.

"That makes sense." Ursula's train of thought wandered into fuel for the stove and boiler and then to where most of the firewood was stored. "Thinking of firewood, is the lower level going to be flooded yet? How fast does the water rise around here?"

"I could not say, Ursula. This is the first time that I have been this close to the dock area when the Rains come. My guess is that there will be some water down there but not much, not yet. It is usually a week or two before the levels begin to rise, since first of all the waters must need fill up that empty river and then spill over. For now, if there is water there, it will be because it cannot drain down to the river fast enough."

Ursula nodded. "Of course. Presumably you live somewhere else in the city?"

"Aye, near the Western Gate. Though it may not be apparent to the eye the city is not flat but slopes very slightly down towards the Sirrel. All is eventually flooded, of course, but I expect that in this area it will be a little deeper than I am accustomed to at home."

"Oh. Are we in any danger here?"

"Not at all, Ursula! If it were not so then buildings this side would have been wrought differently. It is why the lower level is as high as it is, so that all above, which would normally be looms and other weaving gear, may be kept safely dry while the Rains fall."

"Ah, I did wonder."

Hanida considered. "Having said that we should be safe, it would not be any trouble to keep an eye on the conditions down below from time to time in case there might be concern. As I mentioned, these premises are usually left unoccupied during the Rains. Mayhap we can have a look after we have had our pel."

"Yes, that could be interesting."

The pel was made and Ursula carried a trayful of mugs back to the Common Room while Hanida brought another with some remaining nibbles on it. Ursula was encouraged to see that Eriana and Beresan were having a conversation together, both apparently enjoying the exchange. She left them to their talk and sat down next to Kaldar and Ketko.

"I apologize, there is very little for either of you to do while the weather is like this."

Kaldar replied, "As you noticed, Mistress, I have found several ways I may make myself useful." He looked anxious. "Do you tell me I should not do that?"

"No, Kaldar, definitely not! Mistress Hanida did not expect to be stuck in here with all of us and if we can make her own time here more comfortable then carry on. I am sure she appreciates your help."

"There may be more that I can do... but much of it is woman's work."

"What do you mean?"

"Cooking, cleaning, washing, what my mother and the female servants were made to do."

Ursula looked sidelong at Kaldar. "I think you may have to adjust your ideas a little, young man," she told him. "Almost all that women customarily do around here can also be done by men. You already know that most of those tasks are done by men on the ship, for example. Who does the cooking aboard the ship?"

His eyes were downcast. "Uh, Adin, Mistress."

"Exactly. And who washes their clothes? Who repairs them when they are torn?"

"Uh, the men do, Mistress. But -" Kaldar paused, unable to articulate his thoughts.

"But customs build up and build up until everybody forgets why the custom existed in the first place. It is easier for men to go out and hunt the larger animals, it is easier for them to build houses and make tools and furniture so that's what they began doing. Then everybody begins to think that is what only men should do. Women can do all of that but it takes us a little longer, that's all. And while the men are away the women do all the other jobs like washing, cleaning and cooking. But it is only a custom. Men can and will do all of that if they need to."

"As you say, Mistress."

She gave him a smile. "So if some vegetables or fruit need peeling or slicing, you would be ready to help?"

"Yes, Mistress."

"Don't worry, I'm sure there will be more time to do all the other things that men usually do once we can go back and join them."

"As you say, Mistress."

Ketko remarked, "Mistress, I am fascinated by the water which comes down outside. I do not remember anything like this happening in the Great Plain. Do you understand what is happening, why it does this? Does it happen very often?"

"I do, I was taught the basic features of how weather works, but where I come from we did not experience this either. However, I do know of places where something similar happens so it is not entirely strange to me." I have to be careful what I say here. "I can and will tell you but it will require some careful thought for me to work out what to say, so I regret the explanation will have to wait."

"Thank you, Mistress. I await your explanation with interest."

He's calling me Mistress now. Does that mean he is responding to what everybody else is saying? We've both been dumped into a strange new world but mine is disturbingly more similar to Anmar than his seems to be.

"As for what these people call 'The Rains', they occur around about this time every year," she added. "I have been told they can last from six to ten weeks but those would be the extremes, I imagine. For reasons you know this is the first time I have ever experienced anything like this. Of course all that water has to go somewhere and around here it is into the river Sirrel. That can only take so much so the water comes over the banks and covers the land - and any buildings that happen to be nearby.

"The people who live in the Great Valley are used to this and have adapted the way they live to cope with what happens. Where I came from what these people call Harvest Festival would be held a month and a half to two months later in each year, but they cannot do that here. They have to gather in as much as possible before the Rains begin to have enough to last them until afterwards.

"Fortunately the flooding which the river brings leaves behind very fertile soil which means that food grows quicker here. I have been told that they can have two harvests each year and often, for certain crops, even three before it gets too cold in the winter." She gestured at the sacks stacked each end of the Common Room. "That is why we have all this here, it is to provide us until the Rains end and the waters subside enough to be able to plant the next crop."

Ketko nodded. "Thank you, Mistress. It explains to me why the cities and towns, and even the ports we have visited, look so strange to my eyes. Does this happen all over this world, do you know?"

"Probably not," she replied with a warning glance. "Even where I came from these weather processes are limited to certain areas. Until we can begin building larger ships which can go out and explore we are not going to know, are we?"

"As you say, Mistress."

Kaldar put up a hand. "Mistress! Did you hear that?"

"What?"

"I think it is another leak! If I may go and look?"

Hanida turned from where she sat beside Larna and nodded. Ursula replied, "Yes, go on, we don't want any of our stores ruined."

The boy stood and ran off, heading for the ramp upwards.

Bennet stood. "I will go and keep an eye open on him, Mistress."

"As you wish, Bennet, and thank you."

* * *

There were two leaks, which required all the able-bodied, excepting Eriana, to go above and shift the Clinic's stocks of mattresses, linen and blankets to safer places before they were damaged. With re-arrangements completed and buckets in position most returned to the Common Room and settled down around the patients. Hanida and Ursula pulled on their waterproof boots, lit lanterns and ventured down the lower ramp. Down below the rain sounded louder and they had to raise their voices to communicate.

"There is water down here!"

"Aye. I did not know how soon it would come, Ursula. It does not look very high yet, I will venture a boot onto the floor."

The water almost covered Hanida's ankle.

"That's good enough, I deem. Now look here, Ursula. There are two ropes, this one will pull the line of boxes of firewood towards the ramp, this other one with the knot should pull a small skate to the ramp. Depending how high the water rises the skate may be our only means of departing the building, should something bad happen to it."

"A skate? Oh, yes, you mean a flat kind of boat with floats built into it."

"Aye. Have you seen them? Some folk use punts but they will fill up with water very quickly with the rain this powerful so skates are more useful though harder to build."

"Yes. There were too many men and too much cargo on our ship so Her Highness contracted a skate to bring a man and some cargo as far as Joth, but that was a fairly large craft with a mast and sail. I assume that you mean something smaller here?"

"A mast and sail? Of course we would have no need of such aid in the streets of Joth! No, all our small water craft are moved by poles, since the waters have never been high enough that the bottom could not be reached."

"Ah, of course." Ursula remembered something. "Do those folk who have boats, like the fishermen, use those at this time?"

"No, Ursula, since they would also fill with water straight away. They can only use such craft towards the very end of the Rains, when there are bells or even part days when the rain does not fall, or falls lightly. Then the fishermen may venture out with their nets and catch fish in the streets of Joth."

"Of course, I was forgetting. Having this amount of water fill your city every year must mean that everything has to be thought out very carefully."

"Aye, and we have had centuries to do so, Ursula. So, we have seen all there is to see and there is nothing here I would consider a problem for the future. Let us return above, then. There are plates and cutlery to wash and then I must needs began thinking about our evening meal. I wonder if Bennet will agree to make some more of that delicious bread today?"

After the initial onslaught the Rains gradually slacken, though only partially. The patients in the Clinic are examined and released, but it will be a while before they can return to their friends and family. Ursula discovers that while Eriana's behavior is seemingly normal now, she has lost some important memories.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

109 - The Storm Slackens

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2026 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

---

By the time the initial deluge slackened, two days later, there were five buckets under as many leaks in various rooms in the Clinic. Fortunately none had caused too much inconvenience other than some hasty rearrangements of the various categories of stored items.

It was just after breakfast on that sixth day. Hanida and Kaldar had taken the last of the breakfast things out to the kitchen area. Eriana and Beresan were deep in yet another conversation while Ursula had been talking to Ketko about various weather-related phenomena - which, surprisingly, he seemed to understand despite never having experienced them himself.

He paused, alert. "Mistress, do you notice the difference? It is quieter now than when we sat down to eat."

Ursula blinked and listened for a moment. "Yes, you are right, Ketko." She turned, looking at the windows of the Common Room. "The rain does not seem to be hitting the windows so hard. Maybe a change in the wind direction?"

He pointed a finger straight up. "Possible, but I think it sounds quieter from above as well. Did not Mistress Hanida speak of a change in the rain after so many days? Perhaps this is of what she spoke."

Ursula cocked an ear to listen to the sound of water hitting the building. "You could be right. If it is, then I have no idea how long the change might take or what happens once it has done so. Do not forget, this weather is supposed to last for several more weeks before it eventually ceases altogether."

"What happens after it does cease, Mistress? Do you know?"

"Asking me, or Her Highness, will be of no help since we have never experienced the Rains before, or what happens afterwards. One of the others will know, though."

"Yes. I forget that your own origins are as strange as my own." He looked at Eriana and Beresan, engrossed in comparing something or other. "Her Highness would not know and I would not want to interrupt Lord Beresan 's conversation. Maybe -"

Hanida came back into the room, wiping her hands on a towel. "Ursula, if I may ask your assistance again. It is three days since we last examined Lord Beresan or Mistress Larna, I deem it is time that we should be replacing their dressings."

Ursula stood. "You are correct, Hanida, I should have thought of it myself." She considered. "It is possible that one or both may need no further dressings but we will not know until we have unwrapped everything."

Larna looked up at this statement. "Do you tell me? Then, by your leave, I look forward to using my ankle again. There has been almost no pain since you wrapped it the last time."

Hanida inclined her head. "It is as you say, Mistress. If you would ask your husband to help you into the examination room."

As Larna was helped to stand by her husband Beresan looked up from his conversation. "What of me, Mistresses? I chafe at having to lie here but I understand the need. How much longer do you think it will take my own leg to heal?"

Hanida looked at Ursula, who replied, "Yours is a different kind of injury, My Lord. I will assess it once we have unwrapped it again and cleaned it up. Judging by similar previous injuries I have treated it may be healed enough for the air to finish off the process - but I would still be careful putting your weight on it."

"Ah, as you say, Mistress," he nodded. "I will await your summons."

With Larna on the examination couch Hanida carefully unwrapped the bandage and cleaned the old salve away. The two healers examined the ankle all over and Ursula repeated her touch examination which resulted in very little discomfort to the patient.

"Mistress, I deem that you might try to stand upon your leg as it is," Hanida suggested. "That will tell us how much the healing process has done so far. If you would try not to put too much weight on it to start with."

With Dibenar's help Larna stood and tentatively began to try putting weight on her injured ankle, moving it about to see what the limitations were. Apart from one minor twinge there appeared to be little to concern the healers.

"I regret that we do not have any crutches in the building," Hanida told her. "Almost all the building materials and other stuff was cleared out of here to prepare for the Rains. Still, if your husband helps you, you may chance to move carefully about this level since movement can only help the healing to continue."

"Mistresses," Larna replied, "thank you for your attentions. If I may venture, what I most presently desire is a bath! It has been awkward being half in and half out of the tub since coming here."

"As you say, Mistress!" Hanida responded. "All know that such matters are more difficult during the Rains but you need wait no longer to venture a proper bath." Her eyes flicked up at Dibenar. "Shall you require assistance, or..?"

Larna blushed. "Aye, I would welcome female assistance today for such a purpose. But who may I ask?"

Hanida looked at Ursula for inspiration. She replied, "We have Lord Beresan to inspect yet so perhaps one of the other women? Bennet, perhaps?"

"As you say. I would not care to ask Her Highness to do such a duty and I am not sure that either of her two maids may yet attempt such a task. Bennet present washes the breakfast dishes, I will go and ask her."

Hanida stood and walked out. Ursula looked at Dibenar. "Master, I'm sure you understand the reasoning."

"As you say, Mistress. I have helped my wife attend such tasks at home but would hesitate to do so in such a place as this. Besides, I do know that women may be of such help to each other that few men may equal. I am not one of those men, I regret."

"Do not concern yourself, Master. Men and women are different and have differing needs. I know that there are things which men do together which most women would not find of interest. While there is someone here to help, why not make use of them?"

"It is as you say, Mistress." He looked uncertain. "Ah, will I be sufficient on my own to help my wife to the bathing chamber? Do you think that would be wise?"

Ursula nodded. "You will only know by trying, Master. If it proves too much then a shout will bring help. I'm sure Mistress Hanida and Bennet are not too far away."

Dibenar helped his wife out of the chamber and Ursula began tidying up after them, making ready for the next patient. She was surprised, then, when Beresan appeared, supported by Mordon on one side and Eriana on the other.

Ursula raised an eyebrow to which Eriana replied, "As you have reminded me several times, Ursula, it is my mind which suffered the injury, not my body. I am certainly capable of helping Lord Beresan to travel this short distance."

"As you wish, Highness." Ursula considered. "Help him to the couch, please. After we have seen Lord Beresan then I should probably have a talk with you next."

"Of course, Ursula. I am feeling much better - but that can wait until later, I deem."

Both Eriana and Mordon turned and departed. Ursula had unwrapped the wound by the time that Hanida reappeared, but the former had paused there so that Hanida could view the exposed injury.

"That looks as if it is knitting together well," she remarked. "Do you plan to remove the stitches today?"

Ursula examined the wound. "It is healing very well, Hanida. I am always surprised just how good the salves are that you use in the Great Valley. Yes, the stitches can certainly come out today."

Beresan looked apprehensive. "Mistresses, should there be pain when you do that?"

"If everything works as it should, My Lord," Ursula replied, "then you should not feel anything. It is possible there could be some slight bleeding, that is all."

With Hanida watching the process carefully Ursula pulled tweezers and scalpel out of her tool roll and wiped them with a little alcohol.

"I would normally boil these before use," she explained, "but the stitches are on the surface so these won't be going into his body. The healing looks good enough that there should be little risk of further infection."

She lifted each stitch with the tweezers and cut them, then pulled the stitch out of the skin.

"There. Did you feel anything?"

"You have done it? I did not feel a thing!"

"That is how it should be, My Lord. Now, can I ask you to sit up, turn and put your feet on the floor - gently."

Beresan sat up, turned and cautiously placed his feet on the floor.

"Mistress, I do not wish to break anything. How should I move? If I stand, surely I will open the wound!"

"It is difficult, My Lord. The muscles in your calf are used to adjust your feet to different angles so some of them will be in action almost all the time you are standing or walking. The best way to prevent too much movement is probably to make sure your heel is always on the floor and to make sure your put your weight on the heel as you walk."

"Ah, I understand, Mistress."

Hanida asked, "Ursula, is this what you would recommend to a patient, ah, where you come from?"

"Back there we would use something like a plaster cast to prevent the foot from moving, but instead of an actual cast it would be something like a rigid boot. That means that it could be taken on and off for cleaning and for bathing."

"Ah? Could we use boots the same way here?"

"You'd have to ask the bootmaker to arrange a stiff ankle joint and I suspect many would find that unusual, Hanida. Maybe sometime in the future. I doubt that you'll have too many injuries like those we have in the Clinic today to make it worth while."

Though about half the injuries I have encountered so far on my journey have involved feet, ankles or lower legs. I wonder if that is culture specific, or just because they are at a particular stage in their development? Only time will tell.

"As you say. Well, Milord, shall you attempt a short walk to test your progress? You may ask one of us for assistance to keep your balance."

Beresan limped several short steps, favoring the injured leg and using the heel. He did not ask for help.

"That feels better, Mistresses! You have my thanks for attending an injury that should never have happened."

"Take it slowly, Milord," Hanida instructed him. "You will need several more days of careful movement before either of us will consider you healed enough to depart."

"Hah! As if I could depart with all that happening outside!" Beresan paused and listened. "Though the Rains slacken, I deem. Mayhap the first heavy fall is coming to its end. If someone may call for Mordon to help me back to the Common Room?"

Hanida was nearest so she summoned the manservant. The changes and limitations were explained to him and he helped the young nobleman out of the treatment room, leaving the two healers to do the small amount of tidying up. Cleaning the tweezers and scalpel that she had used with more alcohol, Ursula reassembled the tool roll before replacing it in her bag.

Hanida sighed. "That is done and our two patients are recovering well. Your help is greatly appreciated, Ursula. Oh! I have forgotten your own patient, haven't I? Will you be speaking to her now? I regret that I must needs spend some time in the kitchen thinking about lunch, particularly if Bennet should be elsewhere, so I could not stay even if you desired it so."

Ursula shook her head. "Thank you, Hanida, it should be fine with just me. I think a quiet talk is what is needed now. From what I have seen the last few days it appears that Her Highness has almost completely recovered."

"As you say, yet occasionally she still grasps at some forgotten memory. I watched her do so during breakfast earlier."

Ursula grimaced. "Yes. Something is not as it was before, though she seems to talk to Lord Beresan easily enough."

"And he has helped her recovery greatly, I deem. Well, I must depart to attend lunch."

Hanida bustled off to the kitchen while Ursula asked Eriana to join her in the treatment room. The Princess looked more alive than she had done for a long while and Ursula put this down to her engaging in conversation with the others. But something still didn't feel right.

"I feel much better now, Ursula," Eriana said. "The extra few days of rest can only have improved my recovery, do you not agree?"

Ursula nodded. "I do agree, Highness. But memory can be a strange thing. Can I ask you some questions about your past to see if there are any gaps remaining? After all, you do not know what you do not know."

"Why of course, Ursula." Eriana looked attentive but somehow... softer than Ursula remembered. "What did you desire to know?"

"Well, let us begin with what happened when the Visund first spotted me on that island in the Sirrel. Can you tell me what happened?" Ursula smiled faintly. "My own memory of that time is very poor so I would be interested in what you and the men saw."

"Of course! Let me see... I do not recall who saw you first, but -"

Ursula's questions revealed that Eriana remembered almost all that she was asked about but some of the episodes were oddly light on detail in certain respects.

There is definite problem here, but I do not know enough to narrow it down to specific reasons or areas of memory. What she has told me sounds good enough that she can be released back to crew when outside conditions permit.

I must continue learning about problem! If she has forgotten her men or which court she now belongs to there could be confusion - and trouble.

"You sound as if your memory is recovering, Highness. On that basis I think you can rejoin your men when the weather permits."

"You have my thanks, Ursula," Eriana replied with a smile. "I will be pleased to see them all again." Her next words derailed Ursula's thoughts completely as Eriana gestured. "I notice you have flaps upon your shoulders as the local armsmen do. What do they mean? Surely you are not a military person?"

Oh, dear. I never thought to ask about military matters, I assumed that she had full grasp of what happened including her own position!

"Um, Highness, you do remember that you are actually part of the same organization that I am in and that you are the head of it?"

Eriana shook her head. "No... Ah, wait!" She concentrated. "The Federation, is that right? I remember talking with Garia and Maralin about something to do with ships and other vessels... in Dekarran? Is that what you mean?"

"I do, Highness, and it looks like you may be missing part of that memory. Since that meeting, which you recall was before I was found, you have spent time beginning the organization of the Federation Navy. When we reached Faralan... Do you remember that?"

"Faralan, aye. That was where we met a Count who could not tolerate bright light, I recall. Is that where you mean?"

"That is correct, Highness, but there were waterborne troops there both from Faralan and from... Faral. With the commanders of those troops we spent some time laying out the topmost parts of the organization, with you at the head as First Director and myself one level down as Director of Welfare."

Eriana looked shocked. "Do you tell me? I do not remember any of that! But if it is so then I must believe your words, Ursula. What must I do? Shall you explain it all to me?"

"Of course I can and I will, Highness, but you spent a number of weeks on our journey to Bibek and back in planning the future of the Navy. I am not sure that I can tell you everything you knew and did before. I might be able to recover some of your own memories by recounting to you what I remember but if the memories are not there they cannot be recovered."

"Oh, as you say, Ursula. This is a surprise!" Eriana thought. "Is there anyone else here who may be able to help? Lord Beresan, for example, would he know about the Navy?"

Ursula shook her head. "He only knows what I have told him, Highness, which is little more than a brief description. There may be one or two others with better knowledge who will be with the rest of our crew in Foti Lane."

There is potential crisis here. Who might be able to help? Maybe Lord Kalmenar? He has copies of treaties we have signed. Maybe those will help her understand position.

"Foti Lane? Where is that?"

Ursula pointed through the wall in the right direction. "About three or four streets that way, Highness. It might be possible to get there if the rain should slacken some more. I don't know if anybody has made any plans for what happens when we can get out of this building."

"But before then you will tell me what you know of this... Navy, then."

"Of course, Highness. This is going to sound somewhat odd, since it was you who explained it all to me in the first place!"

"But it is I who needs that knowledge now. Begin."

Ursula took a deep breath to stifle any feelings of frustration. "As you wish, Highness. First, I think we will have to go back a little to explain why all those rulers were in Palarand in the first place."

"Oh, I remember that! Keren was getting married to Garia. Some numbers of rulers from nearby and far away attended the ceremony." Eriana frowned. "But I do not think I remember all their names, Ursula. Are they important?"

"Not really, Highness. It is what they did after the wedding that is important. You see, many of their countries had been at war with Yod for a while and -"

* * *

Eriana closed her eyes, concentrating. After a while she opened them and said, "Aye. Much of what you have just told me is there, but as seen through a sea-fog. Is this what you meant when you told us that your first few days after we found you, before your own memory returned, are similarly misty?"

Ursula nodded. "Yes, that's exactly how those days seem to me now, Highness. But there is an important difference between our two experiences, since they were caused by different reasons. I now have all of my original memory back and it seems even better than before but I do not know if yours will ever return the same way."

The Princess nodded. "As you say." She smiled. "But I will always have you beside me to advise, shall I not? If I may not rely on my own memory then surely I may rely on yours."

"That seems likely, Highness, but as you know the future is unknown and may change everything. I think that I can release you back to normal duties now. Returning to Foti Lane and mixing with your men can only help your memory recover faster."

A smile. "That will be good! Aye, some casual talk with my men will be good for me, I deem. Oh, there is a small request I would make, Ursula."

"Oh?"

"If Lord Beresan can join us there. You mentioned that he appears to have some abilities of use to us, I desire to test him and discover what he may do for us. Will that be possible?"

"Hmm. His leg is recovering but he should not be walking around on it as he would normally do." Ursula paused and stared through the wall at where the front windows would be. "It may depend on how they decide to fetch us, Highness. If we have to walk through that then no, but if they send that wagon then of course he can come - assuming there will be room for him somewhere in Foti Lane."

"Agreed."

Ursula gestured. "Perhaps I had better see you settled in the Common Room, Highness, and then go and see if Hanida needs any help preparing lunch."

"As you wish, Ursula."

Ursula watched Eriana return to the Common Room where the Princess sat down beside Beresan in her original seat. She then went to the kitchen area to discover Hanida busy preparing lunch.

"Your talk went as you expected, Ursula?"

"Ye-es. Mostly. Her Highness appears to have recovered enough of her memory that she should be able to function in a normal way with the rest of the ship's company," Ursula reported, "but there are still a number of disturbing gaps. I'm guessing that some will come back naturally, some will come back if we help her remember but a certain proportion will have been permanently lost. The problem, of course, is that she will never know what is missing until she needs it. I still feel bad about having to do that to her -"

"- But your situation was desperate, Ursula. If you must needs admit to any fault it would be that your basket did not have appropriate potions available when you needed them."

"Anoteris root."

"As you say. We of Joth have less need for such immediate remedies, I deem, but your circumstances are different. You attend a whole ship's company on a working river craft and there is always the chance that some severe injury may be caused for which you need a suitable potion. If we may compare baskets, say, after lunch, and I may suggest certain herbs and potions which might be more appropriate."

"You are right, the work I do is going to be different than what is customary around here. Yes, that is a good idea, Hanida. Now, what would you like me to do today?"

"There is the last of a cooked zinakh joint in the meat locker, it needs slicing for lunch today. And there is always cheese and fruit to select."

"Of course."

* * *

Kaldar turned from the window. "Mistress! There are people outside!"

"Oh?"

Ursula rose from her seat, where she had begun to doze following lunch, and walked over to join Kaldar at the front windows. Outside there were three yellow-clad men who appeared to be navigating along the flooded street on outsize paddleboards, the only difference being that they used poles instead of paddles. The men were going along the center of the street and looking upwards at the roofs of the buildings as they passed.

Of course. If they can now get out and about, even though it is still raining, then they need to check for any damage, especially to buildings which would normally be unoccupied.

One of the men looked up at the Clinic and Kaldar waved back. The man turned and shouted to his fellows and the three promptly turned around and headed for the Clinic doors.

Ursula turned. "Hanida! We have company calling!"

Hanida rose from her own seat and headed for the corridor. "I'll light some lanterns, it will be dark down below."

Ursula called after her, "Can those men get in?"

"Aye, of course, the doors are closed but not locked. A patient may arrive at any time."

"I'll join you."

Each holding up a lantern, the two carefully made their way down the ramp towards the lower floor. There was water there but it was not obvious how deep it was, so they stopped at the margin. The man-sized front door in one of the big double doors was open and a man was poling his way across to the bottom of the ramp. The other two hovered just outside.

"Hello, there! We thought all these buildings to be empty. If I may ask what you are doing here? Were you trapped when the Rains began?"

"Indeed not! I am Healer Hanida and this is Healer Ursula. This is Joth's Clinic and will remain open during the Rains should anyone suffer such an accident as would require our attention."

"Clinic? Healers? Ah! I ask your pardon, Mistresses, we had forgotten that any of these buildings would be occupied while the Rains fell. Fare you well?"

"Aye, we do, we were well prepared."

"If I may ask how many of you there are here? Do you yet have any patients?"

"There are us two and... ten others above, three of whom are patients. Know you that one of our patients is her Highness Princess Eriana of Palarand, whose ship arrived at the docks maybe a bell after the Rains began. All are well and we have enough provisions for some weeks, but Her Highness and those who came with her may be returning soon to join the rest of her entourage who presently shelter in Foti Lane."

"Highness? Princess? Ah, her ship has returned! That is good, His Grace will be relieved, I deem. If I may take word of this to the Mansion? He will surely wish to know they are all safe... They are all safe?"

Ursula replied, "We have some with wounds, since we have given and received battle along our journey to and from Bibek. Apart from Her Highness, all the others have been attended to and do not need to be brought to the Clinic. Um, I do not know how to describe this. As we returned past Boldan's Rock and the Cauldron Her Highness had a... panic attack, shall I say. It has caused some mental disturbance which has required a period of calm here."

Hanida added with a nod, "Aye, you may let His Grace know that all is now well. Her Highness may remain here for a day or two more before she rejoins her men, do you know if it is yet safe to travel about the city?"

"At the moment it is only us few who go about looking for damage, Mistress, when we can. It may be another week before all can move around more freely. Ah, battle?"

Ursula replied, "We called at a number of different ports and there were some... incidents. If I told you everything that happened we would still be here when it gets dark." The man looked disappointed, so she added, "It is possible that the story of our voyage will be written down so that everyone can discover what happened to us. There are no secrets here, just too many incidents."

"I look forward to that telling, Mistress. Well, we have a task to do and must return to it while the downpour relents. Ah, I will instruct that someone comes and checks on the Clinic at least once a week should you begin to suffer any shortages."

Hanida nodded. "As you say. Thank you. Have you discovered much damage so far?"

"The Dock Gate was struck and debris from that has damaged some nearby roofs. Other than that, only the usual leaks. If I may ask if you have had any leaks here?"

"A few small drips, nothing to concern anyone - so far. These buildings have proved their solidity, I deem."

"As you say. Well, we must be away, we have another street to inspect yet. Good day to you both."

"Good day to you, Master."

* * *

"Thank you for the anoteris root."

Hanida and Ursula were on the uppermost floor, the entire contents of Ursula's basket filling the small table in the 'office' they were using.

Hanida shrugged. "We had a small stock of the root here, it made sense to make you up a bottle of it for your own use."

"And you'll take the tasan off me in exchange."

"If you so desire, Ursula. It does have uses but if you feel safer with it here then I will take it."

"Certainly, Hanida! Besides, to make room for the anoteris root in my basket I have to leave something else behind and it seems to me that I do not need the complication that tasan seems to bring."

"Indeed." Hanida glanced over the bottles, jars and pots on the table. Her eyes fell on a fat jar half full of something green. "Have you enough kredis leaf for the women aboard your ship? I know there are more than when you departed Joth but I do not know how many."

"That is a good point, Hanida. When we left there was me, Her Highness, Bennet, Semma and Tyra. Of course Her Highness already had supplies for the three of them but the presence of Tyra and myself meant we needed extra. I have been able to top up supplies as we progressed, after all every woman needs such stuff or suitable alternatives. Passing through Yod we gained five more women -"

"I remember you telling me."

"- so I made sure we had enough whenever we stopped after that. Then there was Kaldar, who did have two Calls before his potions began to work, and at Bibek we also took on Hashim's wife and two daughters." Ursula smiled. "I doubt that those will be the last women who join the company, the list just seems to keep growing."

"And of course their needs grow in proportion," Hanida added thoughtfully. "I can let you have some more kredis leaf though as you know our supplies are whatever we harvested before the Rains began. There should be enough, I deem. Of course you will also need poryne juice to make the leaves palatable."

"Ah, now beyond Yod they do not use poryne juice but something else they call ptash, which I believe is another fruit like an oval blue berry the size of a hawbrier fruit."

Hanida leaned forward. "Do you tell me? As a healer I would like to learn more."

There followed a discussion about fruits, berries and their juices which could be added to various potions. Some of those fruit juices were also active medicines. The lands beyond Yod were warmer and drier than those downstream so other herbs, fruits and vegetables began to predominate, which meant that preparation of remedies also had to change.

"Ah, I understand now," Hanida agreed, nodding. "I believe the lands this side are too wet for those to grow successfully here. Still, it is good to know that such recipes exist and of course we may come across them whenever a vessel comes to Joth's ports. I will write down what you have told me so that our other healers can make use of the knowledge."

"That is exactly the right way to do it, Hanida, one of the reasons I set up this Clinic in the first place."

"Good. I believe that might be everything?"

Ursula gave the contents another look-over. "I cannot see that we have missed much, Hanida. Thank you for the extra information."

"Thank you for your extra information! As you may be aware healers do not often travel very much, unless they are in the retinue of a noble or other such who is traveling. It is always useful to discover what is done in other lands."

Ursula began to repack her basket. "I do what I can. It seems to me that we healers need some kind of information sheet which passes up and down the Sirrel once, say, every so often, so that other healers can be kept informed about matters that concern them. Do you think that is a good idea?"

Hanida looked thoughtful. "That is an interesting thought, Ursula. But how may it be done? You propose something entirely new, I deem."

"I do, and Palarand may be the key to that idea, assuming I ever get there! I was told that there they have the means of... accurately copying, let me say, information many times without error onto sheets of paper. You know about paper?"

"I have seen some samples, aye, at the Mansion, when they held that exhibition."

"So every so often they would make copies of what might be called a news-sheet onto paper and dispatch them to healers in all the countries as far as, say, Ferenis to begin with. That means the healers of Joth would have their own copy to keep and could always refer to it whenever they needed to."

"Ah. This is something which happens where you came from?"

"It does. It is only a beginning but I think it is something that we could need in the future."

"Then you must needs present this thought to His Grace, I deem. Such a procedure will require consent from higher powers, it is always so."

"I'll do that, once we can move about the city more freely."

* * *

The evening meal was a delicious stew made from the remains of three previously-carved zinakh leg joints with vegetables and selected herbs which produced a thick tasty gravy and was enjoyed by everyone. Ursula was mopping her bowl with the last of her bread roll when she had a disturbing thought.

"Hanida, if the front door is always open, that means that anyone could just come in, doesn't it? Now I'm not suggesting that someone might come here with ill intent but I have had experience of the rougher side of the city. Suppose someone came in during the night? The noise from the rain means that we would never hear them. What is to stop them doing whatever they want?"

Hanida put down her spoon, alarmed. "I never considered that! What do you suggest?"

"I have only just thought of the idea, Hanida. I don't know enough about Joth to know how people secure their properties, or even if they have a need to."

"Aye, you are right, most folk lock their doors at night, we are a closely packed city as you know." She thought. "Of course, most of the rest of the year the Watch makes nightly patrols to deter such adventures but those must needs stop when the Rains come." A frown. "Aye, we could lock the doors below but then, how may someone in need of our services tell us they wait outside?"

Dibenar provided an answer. "By your leave, Mistresses, the answer is to do what we traders must needs do. When we close our stalls or counters at night no-one may enter, it is true, but we have a chain or cord which can be used to make a bell sound above or wherever we may reside inside. Could not something similar be done here?"

"Of course! We are overlooking the obvious. I will add it to the list of matters still to be done to the Clinic. I assume that someone nearby could provide such an arrangement?"

"I would think so, Mistress. After all, such bells are often installed in the larger dwellings around here. Surely you have smiths making parts for this building?"

Hanida glanced at Ursula. "Aye, we do, Master Dibenar. When the waters permit I will ask someone to propose such an addition to the Clinic."

* * *

Ursula lay on her mattress and listened to the noise from the roof, her thoughts wandering as sleep claimed her.

It is no longer a torrent but it is still more than just a light shower. This goes on for another month and a half? More?

I am relieved that it seems possible to move around in this weather. It is likely that most will stay where they are but getting help is at least possible.

I think I would like to get back to Foti Lane if it is possible. Staying here is good but I'm beginning to feel like most patients seem to do after a while, I want to leave the Clinic, return to the rest of the company and begin to look after them. I wonder how Tyra is managing?

I am pleased that Eriana seems to be out of that dark place but disappointed that all her memory could not be recovered. I am forced to consider the episode a failure of medical practice on my part. Of course, we will never know what would have happened if we had not subdued her. Perhaps we would all be at the bottom of the Cauldron now.

It looks like Lord Beresan could be a lucky find. He has certainly lifted Eriana out of the dark place and made her more like her old self. Only there is something different, she treats him as an equal and not like she would if he had been a retainer. Is that because he is a noble, if only a minor one? I don't know, I have met nobles of many ranks now but I still have trouble working out how the hierarchy works on a personal level.

Speaking of personal levels, Eriana has made no mention yet of our own relationship. Is that something that was lost, or is she just waiting until we can find somewhere more private to talk about it?

Only time will tell.