The crimson witch

knifed the captain over some petty argument about black-marketing a crate of fruit.”
        “What's so supernatural about that? Drunken brawls and petty theft are common among seamen- as Golgoth bears testimony to.”
        The rain fell harder.
        “Then,” Kaliglia said, pausing dramatically, “rats infested the supplies.”
        “So?”
        “Don't you see?” the dragon snorted. “Murder and rats. Murder and rats. What more could you wish to see to prove that something wicked and debased is bound to happen?”
        “There are always rats around docks, and they are always infesting ships and supplies and cargoes.”
        “Okay,” the dragon rumbled. “Then I will get on with Golgoth's story and see if you think that's normal!”
        “Please do.”
        Both took another tongue wetting, sucking at the rain, before Kaliglia continued with Golgoth's tale.
        “Golgoth, as I said, planned to escape from the ship and set up life in Lelar. His superiors-the second mate was made captain by a vote of the crew-were not as aware of his status as were the original captain and the first mate (who was now confined to the brig and ordered to live on bread and water until their return to Salamanthe, where he could be given a fair trial and summarily executed for murder). The watch that had been kept over Golgoth was neglected by the new officers, and the criminal found his escape much easier than he had anticipated. On the third day of their docking-rather, on the third night-while the ship waited only to lay in new provisions and cleanse the craft of vermin, he slipped out of the common quarters and onto the deck. He snapped a hand into the neck of the lone watchman, and disappeared over the railing without so much as a whimper of protest or notice from anyone. He was again a free man. But not for very long.
        “Seems he drank too much in a dockside grog house and entered into roulette with the house as his opponent. The game, apparently somewhat less than honest, had soon drained his pockets of all that jingled and all that crackled when folded. He found himself out in the streets, staggering about with no coin either to quench his thirst and belay the onrushing headache that pounded dully at the rear of his brain or to rent a bed in a one-night rooming house. He lurked about the docks, forcing his befuddled mind to come to grasps with some plan of action to rescue him from what could prove to be very dire circumstances indeed. Finally, he tried beating a smaller sailor with the idea of making off with his money. But the smaller sailor happened to be a foot-fighting expert of some renown in the area. Ten minutes later, Golgoth was sitting in a jail cell, three of his teeth missing, and a bruise splotching one entire cheek and half his chin. He moaned about his misfortune for a time until cellmates threatened to bruise more of him than his miserable face. Then he began examining the circumstances from an optimistic point of view, deciding that-no matter what else might happen-he had a bed and a meal coming. He settled down to sleep, the liquor temporarily mollifying the pain in his mouth. Yes, he reasoned, he was well-off. If the new officers realized he was a convict doing time on the ship, they would certainly not extend their search to the jail. That would be the last place they would look. When he got out, they would be gone, and it would be safe to walk the streets of the capital. And when he was released, he would not be so foolish as to pick a male victim no matter what his size.
        “But Golgoth was planning uselessly. It was not to be that simple. In the blackest part of the night, some hours before dawn, guards liveried as under the House of Lelar came into the jail and collected the four prisoners in custody there. They were chained together and led away, all of their protests and questions answered only by the slam of club to groin. They sooned learned their lessons and grew moodily silent, not daring even to talk among themselves. They were marched through the streets to the castle of King Lelar where they were put into private rooms, the doors locked behind them.
        “These rooms were sumptuously decorated. The walls were covered with brilliant crimson velveteen. The floor was a swirl of golden-threaded marble. Later, servants delivered the best of foods and large quantities of it. Golgoth was served wine that had been processed from the best vineyards of