The barge bumped up against the shore and ropes were thrown out to the infantrymen standing on the bank. Some grumbles were heard from other boats using the river as the barge had cut across traffic and now blocked a significant portion of the eastern side of the river. Kilthanis nursed the vain hope that he wasn’t the target of this sudden stoppage, although he knew it to be pointless. Still, his instincts caused him to remain unobtrusively out of sight.

A tall man with blond hair and the insignia of a major strode down from the top of the river bank and joined the men holding the ropes. An array of other men remained standing on the high ground. Kilthanis noticed that some of them held short bows loosely in one hand. There were no arrows knocked, but the men looked ready should the need arise.

“Hail and well met,” shouted the major, his arms waving expansively. “Permission to come aboard, barge master?”

The barge master looked on the verge of denying permission, but after a brief hesitation, he nodded. “Of course, Major. Always happy to have members of the customs service aboard.”

Kilthanis’s head snapped up as a wave of relief washed over him. Customs service? He couldn’t believe his ears, but as he looked more closely at the major, he noticed that his uniform did indeed bear the insignia of the Imperial Customs Service, rather than the infantry. Suddenly, the events of the last few minutes made sense. These men must have some illicit cargo on board. It explained the cursing of the master and the hesitation of the men. Even the general disinterest of the master at Kilthanis’s own cover story could be explained away by this fact.

As these thoughts were running quickly through Kilthanis’s mind, the major had been walking around the deck, inspecting the crates stacked there. “Duties all paid on these, barge master?” Again, the wide sweep of his hands encompassed the barge, the motion marking the major as a native of Kimath Loma.

“Of course, major. You know me. I’m an honest businessman!”

The major chuckled mirthlessly. “You’re right, Ulik. I do know you. Which is why I think my men and I might take the afternoon to take your barge apart, board by board.”

Ulik looked nervous. “Now, now, major. The day is hot and your men look thirsty. Perhaps they’d like something nice to drink, rather than spend all day ripping this barge apart. There’s some fine wine from Reth’methil around here somewhere.”

“And I’m sure there’s someone waiting for it at the head of the river.”

“Accidents happen, major. Occasionally, fording the rapids, some cargo is lost overboard…” Ulik let it hang in the air.

Kilthanis was shocked. Of course he knew smuggling occurred. He was also aware that customs officials were subject to bribery on occasion. But this was the first time he’d ever seen it and it left him feeling slightly ill. Still, if it kept the major from asking too many questions, Kilthanis would swallow his discomfort.

The major seemed to consider it, although Kilthanis sensed he had made up his mind before he ever hailed the barge. It had the feeling of a well-worn tradition between the two men. Without a word, the major signaled to two more of his men on the bank, and they quickly came down to the barge. Ulik pointed to a large crate and the men heaved it up and off the barge. The major slapped him on the back.

“Well, Ulik. Your customs seals seem to be in order here. I’d best let you get on your way. I’ve heard there’s rough waters ahead.” He winked conspiratorily.

“Thank you for the warning major. We’ll be sure to keep our eyes open.”

The major nodded as he stepped off the deck of the barge, and his men tossed the ropes back. With a heave of the poles, the barge drifted back toward the center of the river and resumed its slow crawl northward.