“Start your
“Start your routine. We must go over the side.” Using the party as cover they slipped like rats over the far gunwale. Keilin had just time to catch Shael’s eye and nod towards the steersman.
There was a trailing rope hanging from the anchor port, down into the water. It sluiced by green and cold as the barge moved downcurrent. They hung onto the rope like fruit, listening to the boarding party. “We’ve had a tip-off from a jewel merchant in Riverport that three jewel thieves are coming downriver on a barge. We’re searching each vessel for three men. One hairy, short and broad one, like that man,” the official pointed at Bey. “One bald one . . . could be you, sir, except that the description is of someone far shorter, and a boy with an aquiline nose and green eyes. About five foot eight.”
Cap looked down his prow of a nose at the man. “I am offended by your assertions. We are the only people on board.”
“Meaning no disrespect, but I’ll have to look below, sir.” The man was slightly cowed by Cap, but still plainly determined. Keilin thanked heaven that the bedding had all been dragged up and spread in the sunshine.
A few minutes later he heard them come up again. “Well, no one down there. My apologies.”
Another voice. “We’d better just check they’re not hidin’ in a small boat over the side. Remember, like the Dumara ones.”
S’kith had evolved a bizarre teaching method. He and Keilin would touch the core section. Then S’kith would do the exercise. It was an awesome way to learn. Keilin literally felt each step from his mentor’s viewpoint. It had taken only hours to impart the skills taught to S’kith over years.
Keilin took that deep breath and slid down into the water. His nerves were pain-blocked, his eyes saw the world through the faint red shift of human fear-strength, his muscles ready to continue even until their own destruction. He was still unprepared for the cold assault.
He counted. He could feel the numbness creeping inwards. His hands could still feel the rope. By the bumping on his back the water flow had pulled them at least