[Envinyatar]

‘I have some maps and sailing charts of that area. Why do you wish to know?’ Khaz reached across the table for the wine, his nose wrinkling as the breeze shifted, bringing him the strong scent of the man. ‘Your sailors may not have had their pleasures this evening, but you stink of them. Cheap scent and old sweat!’ He laughed, pouring himself another glass, and one for Saldan. ‘And that scar,’ he pointed to the one that puckered the skin from nose to ear, leaving an angry trail across the right cheek, ‘it’s a new one isn’t it?’ He snorted. ‘No need to tell me what happened to the one who gave it to you.’

Saldan gave a wicked half-smile to Khaz and sipped his wine. ‘Right on all accounts, Kestrel.’ He looked toward the darkened waters of the bay. Get your gear and stow it on board tonight. We’re leaving before the sun’s above the rim of the sea tomorrow. The winds are good this time of year and five days of sailing will bring us to our position.’

Khaz drank his wine quickly and stood to leave. ‘I should return within the hour. I am staying near and have little gear.’ He turned and strode quickly down the plank, then south to his quarters. ‘So,’ he thought to himself, calculating quickly where five days of good sailing would take them, ‘we are bound for Dol Amroth.’

********************

The small fleet set sail. Ten trim ships loaded with “merchandise” – “merchant ships” bound for trade with Gondor. Khaz watched Yr Saldan as he paced the bow, eyes gleaming, looking ever north. ‘He has more than a small diversion planned.’ he said, noting the number of men who were on board each ship. ‘He’ll need close watching if I am to turn the situation to my advantage.’

He climbed the rigging to the crow’s nest and settled in, for his turn at the watch.