All three were chained on the same bench. Valentin at the side, Tamerlane in the middle and Aidar on the aisle place.
"Welcome onboard fellows!" A Chinaman came out of the captain's cabin with a barn book in his hands. He was accompanied by two big black ones with whips. "My name is principal Menglun, I'm your supervisor. My assistants are named Abram and Isaac. They will make sure you behave well."
A slow detour of the rowers began. Some of them were chained, some were not, apparently depending on their status. Looks like a rather colorful rabble from all over the north gathered here. Someone fled from debts, someone was sold for debts, someone decided to earn some extra money.
Valentin sadly looked at the lights of the coast of Kefe.
"What are you thinking about, Uncle Valentin?" Tamerlane asked him.
"I'm thinking about that city," Valentin pointed to Kefe. "A large intermediary trade is thriving here, there is room to expand. You can make a fortune here! This is not for you to wave a saber! Wine, ship wood, fabrics, opium, carpets, Tatar bows, leather..."
"But for me, it's better to wave a saber, once! and the Muscovite's head is off his shoulders, and all his goods and his wife are now mine," Tamerlane yawned.
It was the turn of our cheerful trinity. Vying with each other, Aidar and Valentin began to explain to Menglun that this was a mistake, and they should be released, that they were distinguished and respected warriors. Menglun listened attentively and looked at his barn book.
"There is the thing, here, signed by the respected Jalil, it is written that you were sold to work in the galleys for three years," Menglun raised his hand, and said patiently, "this is the territory of the Ottoman Empire so please leave your northern barbarian squabbles, you will row for three years."
***
A few days later, Abram unchained them. He allowed them to use the cabin of the lieutenant, who had died of dysentery before that and had been thrown overboard. He also gave them out crappy swords.
"Well, great warriors, you are transferring into the ranks of rowing warriors," Abram told him, "Day and night you will row, but in case of an attack you will take up arms."
"Let them just try," Valentin purred as he checked the balance of his sword. "The balance is lousy."