laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The dock and cluster of buildings housed the merchants and their families who had become wealthy tending to the maritime arm of the baron's holdings. Ships from Davos and Fletcher's Point farther west had visited the small port for years and amazingly survived the wars with the Kuzomen navy nearly a hundred years ago, though at that time the dot on the map would've gone unnoticed for those looking for fat plunder. Amphelice's father and uncles had made their name in these waters but, smartly as privateers for the kingdom.

As far as anyone else knew the Roberts family were a strong line of sailors loyal to the crown. This daughter had found other pursuits more entertaining and far more lucrative however.

Now, instead of as a conquering pirate, she was entering the small hamlet on a fact finding mission. Instead of a sword and dagger in hand, she held a small boy who's identity was unknown and she had to find out who he was and why such a lovely gift was abandoned like this.

As she passed sweaty men unloading cargo from three caravels into wagons and carts, all eyes gazed to the woman with the baby in her arms with passing curiousity.

"Roberts," one of them called out and she glanced to the lanky sailor as he stood from the back of a cart. "Where did you get that," he chuckled in amusement.

Amber eyes scanned those around them as most went back to work under the scrutinizing eyes of wealthy captains and merchants just wishing to get their wares and supplies to Milford. "I found him this morning on the beach. Just wanted to find his mother."

A quiet nod as the first mate smiled. "Never thought I'd ever see you cradling a child, that's all."

"Yeah, well," she grinned. "I'm heading to the White Gull to question the wenches there. I'll probably see you there later."

"Alright." He shook his head and chuckled as she continued on to the two story building just beyond the large warehouse. Now full of bartering businessmen and their prospective clients, the agile woman entering the establishment barely gained a second glance as she walked between the lines of tables, most of them empty until their crewmen finished their chores.

"Leese," the heavyset, balding man whose grey hair barely masked his rounded head greeted warmly. "What have you there?"

"I was curious if any of your girls had given birth recently," she motioned with her eyes to the quiet boy in her arms. "I found him this morning on the beach."

A heavy, calloused hand rubbed his stubbled chin. "No," he shook his head. "No one here. Perhaps someone from Milford that had something to hide," he suggested and shrugged his broad shoulders.

She sighed. "Perhaps." Amber eyes glanced to the attentive pair of men sitting at the nearest table to her right and knew them well having grown up in the area also. "Arthur, Martin, you happen to know anyone wishing to lose a son within the past day or so?"

They both shook their heads, tankards in hand. "No," Arthur replied. "We've been out to sea all yesterday looking for survivors of the Sea Sprite." A fact that piqued her curiousity.

"How far out was it?"

"Several leagues," he straightened. "I seriously doubt that child would've survived drifting that long without being taken by the Lady herself. Probably some young girl ashamed of her state."

"Or perhaps one that offered him to the Lady in thanks of some vow," Martin added.

Amphelice thought on all those possibilities long and hard then shook her head. "I saw no footprints on the beach in either direction, so," she drifted off for a moment. "Though, he could've been left there during the night and high tide washed any evidence of the person's travel before I found him."

"If you don't wish to care for him," Lyle continued. "Take him to the church in Milford. Maybe they can find out who his mother is."

She agreed. "That was my last stop actually." He certainly had no business growing up with someone like her. "Thanks fellas."

Arthur lifted his tankard, "Best of fortunes to you".