She boarded again went below and found what she wanted.

“And I thought he was lying about more dazzling things in his cabin!” muttered Firiel as she opened the door.

In the middle of the moderately sized quarters stood a dining table, able to seat six but at present richly set for two. Rugs, apparently from the Elves’ treasury, ornamented the floor with soft patterns of swan-prowed ships on the high seas. The Captain’s luxuriously canopied bed occupied the far corner. Firiel would have smiled at the gold silks and scarlet tassels arrayed about her head in a happier moment. Now, however, she was preoccupied with searching the CaptainÂ’s desk. She found his log. Next to it there was also a smaller black book. Firiel scarcely noticed it, taking up a pen and a bottle of ink, until she realized there were no loose sheets of paper to be found. With a shrug the girl distractedly opened up the black book to tear out a blank page if there were any.

There were. Plenty. Hastily, for she did not know when the sailors would waken and find her below, Firiel scribbled a note, laid it on the side of the table closest to the door, and pinned it down with a bejeweled dagger. Firiel shuddered to think what business that knife had in the CaptainÂ’s suite. Not until she had hurried out and was about to board her escape craft did she realize the little black book was still in her hand.

“What do I want this for?” Firiel laughed at herself nervously, attempting to climb over the side and toss the book back simultaneously. She missed. It bounced off the side and into her boat.

“Oh, very well. Somebody wants me to have it apparently. Cast off!”

As the tide was with her Firiel more or less only utilized the broad swords as rudders. Halfway to the beach she thought she heard the sailors cursing, and sincerely hoped they would not row or swim out after her. It was some time, however, before the men regained their wits and realized what had happened. By then Firiel had beached and unloaded her booty. She carelessly dropped the stuffs just inside the door, locked the door, and stumbled away to her bed.

On board, the sailors were extremely frightened and angry. They blamed the Captain for bringing a witch on board. They were angry at having lost their spoils, though in fact Firiel had taken only a small fraction of the treasures. Some spoke of mutiny, and others were preoccupied with the expedient of leaving the accursed cove.

Rian was annoyed at having his sword stolen, but he spent a long time staring at the cottage wistfully, until the Captain strode past with the face of one who is about to be executed. Anxiously, Rian followed.

When Hyarmen came to his senses, he was in despair. Blind, deaf, all he could think of was his cabin. In his cabin there was a knife. Stumbling below, Hyarmen entered the cabin and shut the door. Suddenly he became quite cool. He completely ignored the table, rummaging his desk for the instrument of death. There was no sign of it. Becoming frantic, Hyarmen searched the rest of his cabin, until at last his eye lighted upon the note. Hesitantly, he removed the sought for knife and read the message:

‘Now don’t be so sad and sunk down in despair.
Ay, you should have known me before I sang you to sleep and robbed you of wealth, as promised long ago. Well, again I’m a ‘Maid on the Shore’.

‘Firiel Felaswen’

Captain Hyarmen stared at the note. Who knows the thoughts that raced through his mind. Perhaps memories of the bewitching maiden Firiel, or perhaps his short, brilliant, but corrupt career as a sailor. He opened the door and found Rian waiting.

“Give the order to weigh anchor,” said Hyarmen tersely.

“They’re already making way, sir. I couldn’t stop them,” replied the first mate, relieved.

“Wonderful woman, that Firiel Felaswen.” commented the Captain vaguely, and shut the door again. Rian grinned.

“ Ice, did I say? That’s a spirited lass if ever there was one, as can make the captain ignore disobedience from his crew!” Hyarmen’s door swung open again.

“Everyman who helped make way without orders will be flogged when we put into Umbar!”

Rian shrugged helplessly, and indulged in a colorful round of curses.