75 Southern Ocean
Though Asaddan still suffered from bouts of seasickness, the return voyage was far less harrowing than their uncertain outbound trip. This time, they knew the voyage was possible. At Ishalem, Soldan-Shah Omra had filled their cargo hold with exotic goods to awe and tempt the other Nunghal-Su. Considering the gold, jewels, and silk fabrics stowed belowdecks, Asaddan concluded that the results were worth a few weeks of discomfort and nausea. Every man aboard was going to be rich upon returning to the Nunghal clans.
Triumphant, Shipkhan Ruad was an entirely different person from the man who had been disgraced by the wreck of his ship. Now his crew treated him as a hero, forgetting his mistakes. Ruad loved to stand at the bow of the ship, looking at the curling waves and daydreaming.
Asaddan stood beside his Nunghal cousin. “Aren't you glad you listened to my advice and dared to take this voyage? You'll be celebrated among the clans—you know that, don't you?”
“That was my plan, friend. There's gold and jewels in our treasure chests, but I'll take my treasure in respect and prestige among the Nunghal-Su.”
“Oh, does that mean you grant me your share of the profits?”
Ruad laughed. “I wouldn't go that far!”
They voyaged south for weeks and rounded the coast, heading east until they entered familiar waters. After dispersing from a clan gathering, Nunghal-Su ships wandered the waters in a loose confederation, living off of the sea.
Ruad's ship finally encountered a group of fourteen vessels from allied families. The shipkhan sent up signal flags to request a meeting of clan elders. Some of the other shipkhans were gruff or skeptical, making snide comments. “So, Ruad, lost any ships lately?”
But Ruad paraded across the deck of his own ship, wearing colorful clothing given to him by the soldan-shah. “I lost nothing and gained much. My ship voyaged far past any explored coastline, headed north, and discovered a route to the land of Uraba.”
One of the captains scoffed. “Did you find sea witches and mermaids as well?”
“I was too busy filling my cargo hold with riches. Would you like to see?” Planting his hands on his hips, Ruad commanded his sailors to carry a sample of the chests over to the other ship to show the bounty Omra had given him. “Uraba is a wealthy land, and the people are eager to trade with us. I can lead you there, if you're interested in being rich.”
The proof of Ruad's claims immediately changed the attitude of the clan elders. He continued to tempt them with the promise of riches. “We braved the unknown and marked our charts. Soldan-Shah Omra and the Urabans are our friends and allies—not to mention rich trading partners. Once we reprovision, I intend to go back there. We invite you to accompany us—if you have the balls for it. I promised the soldan-shah we'd bring more Nunghals next time, but if the dangers worry you too much…”
“The Urabans are in the middle of a war and need fighters,” Asaddan interjected. “The soldan-shah promises to pay well for any man who is not afraid of an adventure.”
“This will require a council meeting.” One of the stern older shipkhans shook his head. “That isn't where we had planned to sail.”
Ruad rolled his eyes with a confident, lighthearted disrespect he would never have dared show the elders before. “And where did you plan to sail? Nowhere! I know what courses you set. Your families move across the waters like aimless buffalo move across the plains. Why not choose a destination with a purpose?”
Next to Ruad, Asaddan gave a nonchalant shrug. “Of course, if you're not interested, we'll find other Nunghal-Su ships whose shipkhans are fond enough of profits.”
Ruad directed his sailors to pack up the samples of treasure, then he and Asaddan headed back to their own ship. When they were out of earshot, the shipkhan whispered enthusiastically to his friend, “They will join us—I saw it in their eyes!”
“Why stop there? There must be other groups out in the waters. Let's assemble the largest flotilla possible.”
“By our course, I can make sure we encounter more clan groupings before we head for Lahjar again. By the time we leave, even those who don't decide to go with us will have heard of my travels. The story will spread, and the rumors will grow. The great Shipkhan Ruad—that's what I want.”
Asaddan chuckled. “In that case, cousin, I shall help spread the rumors myself.”