Page 20 of Potions & Pints
“That orc of yours,” the captain said.
“He’s not my orc,” Tan said.
“He’s very strange.”
“Strange is putting it mildly,” Pili said as he walked by. “I never had much use for orcs personally.”
Tan ignored Pili. They were going to be at sea for…a while. Perhaps the rest of their lives, however short those might be. No sense in fighting with him right from the start.
“What I mean,” the captain said, shooting a glare at Pili’s back. “Is that he’s working. Hard. He single handedly finished arranging the cargo. Those other three I’m stuck with—”
“You mean Valar’s guards?” Tan asked.
“Yes. I don’t expect they’ll be very useful. But your orc—”
“He’s not my orc,” Tan said as forcefully as he thought was wise. No sense in getting the captain peeved off at him either. “But I think, if you trust me, we can handle the fore mast. I know what to do and he’s strong enough.”
The captain nodded.
“Vir,” he yelled. “Raise the gangplank.”
Tan watched Vir pick it up with one hand and drop it on the deck. Instantly every sailor on the deck screamed at him.
“He’ll learn,” Tan said, wincing.
The captain steered them carefully out of the harbor. Vir pulled on the brace when Tan told him. The sail rose and unfurled quicker than Tan had ever seen. It was a glorious sight.
Tan went over to Vir who instantly put his arm around Tan’s shoulder.
“Now we’ll really be moving,” Tan said. “Good job.”
“What do I do now?” Vir asked.
“Nothing, till the captain gives us directions.”
Tan was content to stand on the deck, looking out to sea. Vir quickly got bored and, after badgering a crew member, attempted to swab the deck. That also proved to be too delicate a task for the orc’s massive hands and limbs. When he kicked the bucket over accidentally for the third time, the sailor shooed him away.
“Attention,” the captain said at dinner, clinking his fork on his glass.
When the mess hall fell silent, he announced that the dishes would be the prisoners’ job. Not just for tonight but for every meal.
Smart,Tan thought ruefully as the crew cheered.
There was barely room in the galley for Vir alone. Pili ended up standing in the hall. Tan passed the crockery Vir washed to Pili to dry. As Tan received back each piece he stacked them, then carefully maneuvered around the orc to put them away.
They were almost done when they got word to go above deck.
“What’s going on?” Tan asked the man who had come to fetch them.
“Strong headwind,” was the answer.
Tan quickly explained to Vir that the booms would have to move back and forth repeatedly. This was called tacking and it was the only way to stay somewhat on course.
“A ship can’t sail directly into the wind,” Vir said.
“That’s right,” Tan said.
This time he patted Vir on the back. The orc bounded off, his excitement obvious.
