The Trading Company

Your eyes squint in the spy glass as you spot an orange flag with a familiar white cross flying from the main mast. The Eastern Trade Company vessels do frequent these waters, searching for pirates, checking merchant documents, and enforcing tariff laws.

Lowering the spyglass you look over at Azul and tell her, " Its a Eastern Trade Company patrol boat... looks like they mean to board us." You reply.

"They always harassed my husband and I when we traded our apples, care more about their cut than enforcing the law!" Grace snaps with anger.

Azul takes the spy glass and looks across the deck, "Looks like over a dozen sailors and marines... we should take our chances. They will probably leave us alone when they see we aren't merchants."

"Unless any of them recognize John... they would not hesitate to sell us to the highest bidder." Grace replies with frustration.

"Doubtful they will... but even if they do recognize me they don't have much love for my Uncle..." You respond, pausing a moment before adding, "We should stay... they are known for their skill on the water. If we run they will catch us and hang us before sundown."

"How do we explain my leg? Not to mention this boat is stolen..." Grace points out.

"We can tell them the truth... that we were attacked by raiders. We just have to hope they don't know about the boat." You reply as you stand and wave at the approaching patrol boat, slowing as it tosses you a line.

You look up at Azul as you tie it up to the bow of your boat, "We can get through this..."

"Ahoy! I am Captain Turid of the Eastern Company...." You hear a middle aged man dressed in plate mail and a leather helmet shout as his marines point their bows at you. His eyes wandering across your boat as he asks, "What brings you miserable lot to my river...?"

"Just passing through... heading to see my family." Azul responds quickly.

"Ah... then you wont mind if we take a look at your boat do we...? Can never be too careful." He replies with a grin as the rope pulls you closer. Two marines pulling Azul onto the long boat, followed by you and Grace.

"Nasty wound there...." The man says eyeing the blood on Grace's thigh, "How did you get that?"

"Raiding party... we got in the boat to get away from them. Barely escaped with our lives." You respond.

Holding up his hand, he looks over at you and snarls, "I didn't ask you..." Stepping towards you he removes his helmet. Several scars breaking up his short beard. He smiles as he adds, "Such an authoritative tone for a common man..." His eyes wandering across your face he grins, "Spoken like a soldier..."

"Sir I found these in their boat...." One of the marines shouts as he holds up a pair of swords. You curse yourself for not tossing them overboard.

One of the marines scoffs, "Another deserter I reckon..."

"Perhaps..." Turid says with a look of curiosity. His eyes studying you for a moment before asking, "Where have I seen you before...?"

"You have me mistaken for someone else Captain..." You reply as you shrug your shoulders.

"Mmmm no... I never forget a face..." He says as he shakes his head. Motioning to his marines he orders, "Clap them in irons and take them below..." Pausing he points to Grace and adds, "....and do send the medicus to their cell."

"Let us go! We've done nothing wrong!" Azul shouts as she struggles against a pair of burly marines.

"We shall see about that..." Turid replies with a grin as you are taken below.