Golden Age (The Shifting Tides, #1)(71)

The big main sail that hung from upper and lower crossbeams fastened to the mast supplemented the power provided by over a hundred oarsmen. Halfway along the upper deck, the mast plunged through the two lower levels all the way to the vessel’s hull. But where a sailing boat of this size would have had a deep keel, the bireme’s draught was shallow, enabling it to be easily driven straight up onto a beach to unload soldiers on an unsuspecting enemy.

Soon after leaving Lamara the captain had tested the crew by performing maneuvers. Roxana had them turning one hundred and eighty degrees, all while instructing a slave that he wasn’t allowed to take a breath. When they’d completely turned around the slave was gasping, but he’d held his breath the entire time. The arc they had covered was no wider than three ship lengths. Dion couldn’t believe what he’d seen.

Roxana could sail the Anoraxis directly into the wind if she wanted to. She could alter its speed faster than any galley even close to its size. The captain’s intimate knowledge of the vessel and its construction gave her respect with the crew, despite the fact she was a woman.

Now Dion stood close to the bow, gazing ahead and scanning the horizon. He had his bow in his hand and a full quiver of arrows on his shoulder.

The Anoraxis was hunting wildren.

It was one creature in particular that they hunted. A serpent had been destroying fishing boats and devouring the contents: not just the catch but also the crews. The Anoraxis scouted the Maltherean Sea near the isle of Ibris, two days sailing from the coast of Ilea. It was the last place the wildran had been spotted.

Dion heard heavy footsteps on the wooden deck and Roxana joined him in scouring the sea. He glanced at her, taking note of the sun-blasted skin and short hair. She had an expression he knew well. It was the face of someone only truly happy at sea.

‘Nothing yet,’ he said.

‘Really?’ she grunted. ‘I thought perhaps you’d seen our prey but hadn’t found the right moment to tell me.’

Dion smiled. ‘She’s a beautiful ship.’

‘Got any more questions? The others only want to talk about the women they’ll buy with their bonus.’

‘They give the bonus to the entire crew?’

‘No,’ Roxana snorted. ‘Only to the man who makes the kill. They all think it’s going to be them.’

‘What if it’s the Anoraxis that makes the kill? That ram looks sharp.’

‘So it is. And you’re right; more often than not that’s how we do it with serpents. I get the bonus in that case, and I get to decide how it’s shared out. If’—she gave him an evil grin—‘I decide to share it at all.’

‘I do have one question,’ Dion said.

‘What now? You still want to know if it could take less than a year to build a bireme? I told you: it’s possible, but it would take more than just manpower and gold. There’s one final ingredient.’ She tapped the side of her head. ‘Knowledge.’

‘That brings me to my question,’ he said. ‘How did you get to be both shipbuilder and sailor?’

‘Captain, you mean,’ she growled, but there was no menace in it. She peered ahead as she spoke. ‘I was a slave, apprenticed to one of the shipwrights. I learned things quickly. But why build ships and never sail them? The other captains talk about me. Say I’m too informal with my men. But as long as I have my own ship to command I’ll do as I please, and I’m too valued to punish.’

‘Are you wealthy?’ Dion asked, unable to hide his curiosity. ‘A shipbuilder must be prized.’

Roxana chuckled. ‘I’m still a slave. I share a house with seven others.’

‘Why are you here, then? Has Lamara always been your home?’

‘No,’ she said. ‘I’m originally from Efu, in Haria. I sailed in the king of Haria’s navy before Solon’s conquest. Now I’m here, making and sailing ships for the sun king.’

‘Why fight for Solon?’

She fixed him with a puzzled look. ‘Besides Solon, who would have the resources to build ships? One day, I might even have the opportunity to build my dream.’

Dion thought he saw a spray of water in the distance, but decided it was just two waves colliding.

She glared at him. ‘Aren’t you going to ask me about it?’

Dion laughed. ‘Please, I want to hear.’

‘I want to build a trireme,’ she said. Roxana had a wistful expression that appeared out of odds with her broad face and brisk manner. ‘Like this ship, but with three rows of oars. Slightly longer, it would have to be, but with even more power and the same beam. Think about it. One hundred and eighty oars, all pulling the most deadly warship the world has ever seen.’

Dion shared her dream for a moment.

Finally, he spoke, choosing his words carefully. ‘You would be given that opportunity in Galea. In Xanthos or Phalesia.’

She grinned. ‘I thought you were from a tiny village on a tiny island with no name.’

Dion spread his hands. ‘I didn’t say it had no name. I simply said you wouldn’t know it. I’ve spent time in Galea, across the sea. You would be given a villa in Xanthos.’

‘I don’t believe you—’

‘Bahamut!’ a sailor cried.

Dion was puzzled, but Roxana returned his look calmly. ‘Sea serpent,’ she said. ‘Not as big as a leviathan, but big enough. This will be the wildran we’re chasing.’