The Death Ship of Dartmouth: (Knights Templar 21) by Michael Jecks Page A

comprehension of the rules of the sea or of land. Well, what can you expect from a bunch of peasants from Dorset, when all’s said and done.’
    ‘But why should they pick on your ship?’
    ‘I think it all began when some Dartmouth men found some rich fishing fields. When the men from Lyme heard about it, they barged in and tried to take the fishing from them.’
    ‘I see,’ Simon said. This was one of those disputes that had started in the mists of history, and which was kept aliveby a number of unscrupulous folk who saw benefit in being able to steal from others who had worked for their rewards. ‘And the last fight was two years ago?’
    ‘About that. They helped the men of Weymouth and Portland when those thieving churls robbed a Plymouth cog. They took the ship, killed the men aboard, stole all the goods and scuttled her.’
    ‘Is it normal for them to sink an enemy’s ship?’
    ‘What else do you do with it if the thing’s clearly recognisable? Better to burn and sink her than leave her as evidence of your crime.’
    Simon was tempted to ask whether Pyckard himself had engaged in such actions, but somehow this did not feel like the right time. The man was looking weaker and weaker, and his hand, as he reached for his wine, trembled like one who had the ague. If, as he had said, he had already confessed to his own crimes, what was the point in Simon’s asking too? He wasn’t going to be around for much longer, for good or ill.
    ‘There was nothing on the ship that would have tempted a man to rob it?’ he tried.
    Pyckard’s hand stilled, as though he was concentrating with a massive effort. Then the goblet rose to his mouth, and he slurped at it thirstily, as if it was an elixir that could save him. ‘The cargo was all there – I’ve already said. There was nothing too valuable, anyway. The more expensive items I’d saved to be sent on my next sailing.’
    ‘And the crew were all dead. No one remained?’
    He sighed and sat back again. ‘Apparently so.’
    ‘How many crewmen were there?’
    ‘Eleven all told, I think. The master and ten more. Yes, eleven.’
    ‘What can you tell me about them? Who were they?’
    ‘Oh, the master was Adam. I regret losing him, for he was my best man. He’s been with me for years. I trusted him with my life, and many times he has repaid my trust. Then there were Odo and Vincent, two men I’ve also known since they were young. They were rough and ready types, but sound in the ways of the sea. They were brought up to it from childhood, so it’s no surprise. They certainly knew how to sail, but they were bastards on board …
and
on land!’
    ‘Why do you say that?’
    Pyckard stared at him and, for a moment, Simon thought there was genuine hatred in his eyes. ‘They would drink and fight, or even try to rape women in the town. I will not miss them, the churls! But there are others who deserve to be mourned: like young Danny from Hardness. He was an orphan I took in some years ago, along with his brother Moses, when his father died at sea. He always wanted to follow his father …’ his gaze turned inward sorrowfully, ‘and I suppose he has had his wish, poor Danny. There were others – three brothers from Exmouth I’ve used for many years … Why do you need to know?’
    ‘What of the others? That’s only half of them.’
    With asperity, Pyckard spat, ‘There were men from Hardness, and some few from farther afield! Strangers, all of ’em. That black-hearted piece of hog’s dung Kena bought up four or five of my men just as the ship was sailing. I had to find new crew in a hurry, damn him! Who are they? I don’t know. I’ll see them in hell soon, so I’ll ask them then! Right– what more do you want to know? I’ve told you most of them. The rest are dead, so their names hardly matter, do they?’ The merchant settled back and closed his eyes, drawing several deep breaths. ‘I am sorry, but this slow death is exasperating! A dagger in the throat