Read Online Bactine by Paul Kater - Free Book Online Page B

Pricosine."
     
    "Daniel Zacharias."
     
    The handshake was formidable. The captain grinned. This man was worth a good handshake. "Welcome aboard, Seigner Zacharias."
     
    "Daniel will suffice, Captain Xhylor."
     
    "Great. I am sure we'll get along well. Call me Ulaman. Mr. Slindris, I thank you for escorting the man up here. You must be busy."
     
    Daniel turned to a window and grinned at the way the captain was sending the serving man on his way.
     
    Gaguran Slindris did not mind the hint, though. He did not like being on the ship, so he said his goodbyes and proceeded the journey back to the street where he would call for a carriage again.
     
    Daniel immediately felt at home with the big sailor. Ulaman called for his wife, Xandree and introduced them. Then he gave Daniel the grand tour of the ship, which took just about the rest of the day. The knowledge Ulaman had of the ship was scary. Daniel was shown to a cabin he could call his and was also introduced to the crew, which was just a handful of people.
     
    Daniel was surprised to find that the cook was a woman, the only other female on the ship, together with Ulaman's wife. Draiky Trelodah was, to be honest, not the kind of woman that would get in trouble quickly. Her posture made it clear that she would start it, though.
     
    The fact that he had taken off his coat and jacket, rolled up his sleeves and also that he did not wear a hat was definitely in his favour. He was invited to share a meal with them, which he gladly accepted. As the crew was eating, Ulaman told Daniel that he should be present the next day before noon.
     
    "We're sailing around the mid-day hour, when the tide is there to help us out," the big man said. "It's not a big run we make, the cargo is not very precious, but we're one of the few that can carry the load."
     
    "I'll be here, Ulaman. No problem. I am looking forward to learning more about this world, so if you have time, I am all ears."
     
    "Harumpf. I need you to be all ears, Daniel. That is what you are here for. Ears and brains."
     
    The crew waited for Daniel's surprised face before they all laughed. He knew then that he would fit in with that gang.
     
    -=-=-
     
    Daniel was up early and packed some normal clothes in his bag. They would do on board. He picked up his special case also and made his way to the harbour. For that trip he had dressed in one of the suits. The previous day had shown him that the citizens of Skarak did pay attention to how he was dressed, the more as his appearance was quite off already, with his Bactine skin and his size. The people here were accepting foreigners, yes, as long as they followed the etiquette.
     
    Daniel wondered how long it would take him to walk to the harbour. His training as a soldier and his Bactine body would certainly come in useful, but the clothes proved to be the restricting factor. He called for a carriage.
     
    Once he reached the Pricosine, he quickly stowed his gear away and changed into something a lot more comfortable. He had talked about that with Ulaman who was all in favour of Daniel being comfortable.
     
    Daniel walked out on the deck of the giant ship.
     
    "Good morning!" The voice came from high up.
     
    Daniel looked up and saw someone wave. He waved back. "Good morning, Stroro!"
     
    Stroro Ettekos was one of the sailors. The man stood in the rigging halfway up the fourth mast and was obviously on his way up. Daniel wondered about the man's eyesight. He had to be related to hawks or their counterpart on NGC6637-VIII.
     
    As he was looking around where he could climb up also, he heard his name again, this time from behind. "Hello, Bilk."
     
    Bilk was a strange character. He only went by Bilk. He was not from the planet, but lived here since long and had done nothing but sail the boats for Clelem Dandra ko Galem. If that wasn't a sign of a good employer, nothing was.
     
    "You are early," said Bilk. "Ulaman is still at the house of the Seigner, for last information.