by James Dale
Though Tarsus' strategy had halved the force his ship was facing, the Seawolf was still in dire straits. There was one Norgarthan warship left to deal with. Undamaged and fully manned, it was more than a match for the last ship of the Free Brothers of the Sea. Its archers fired another volley of arrows, which fell like steel tipped rain on the deck of the pirate ship. The Norgarthan Marines, smelling victory, crowded the deck of the warship waving their swords and shouting in triumph.
"Up Brothers! Up!" Tarsus shouted at his crew. "Prepare to be boarded!" Abandoning their places at the oars, the pirates grabbed swords and shields and rushed to meet the Norgarthans.
They were met by another hail of arrows from the warship, and though they raised their shields in an attempt to ward off the deadly shafts, the volley once again thinned the ranks of the pirates. Grappling hooks fired from the warship's borelstrades crashed into the Seawolf and held fast. The pirates managed to cut through some of the heavy ropes attached to the hooks, but it was too late. The two ships collided with a splintering roar and locked together.
The Norgarthans initial attempt to board was foiled by the reluctance of the warship's archers to fire so close to their own troops, as well as the sheer number of Marines trying to cross over. The pirates thrust swords and boarding pikes into the tight press of bodies and the unlucky front rank, pinned between the sharp steel and their comrades pushing them from the behind, died without being able to defend themselves.
Enraged, the captain of the Norgarthan warship whipped and beat his archers until he finally convinced them to fire into the melee, and though they killed several of their shipmates in the process, they managed to drive back the pirates long enough for a handful of Marines to spill over onto the Seawolf. The first few were cut down by the pirates before they could establish a foothold, but soon a few more fought their way across and then the trickle became a flood.
"See if you can slow the bastards down!" Tarsus shouted at Braedan, then he leapt over the railing and waded into the chaos, dealing out murderous, two handed blows with his broadsword that sent blood and limbs flying.
Jack directed the borelstrade crews to fire into the Norgarthans charging onto the Seawolf. They quickly loaded their weapon with javelins and loosed them point blank at the Marines. The force of the hurtling spears was devastating, each of them transfixing two or three of the hapless warriors and driving them back onto the warship. The shock of the ferocious attack stunned the Norgarthans and their rush to board the Seawolf was momentarily halted.
The captain of the warship realized the grave error of temporarily ignoring the pirate ship's borelstrades. "There!" he shouted, pointing at the crewmen on the quarterdeck. "Kill them!"
His archers answered with a flight of arrows that swept it clean of pirates, but their moment of opportunity had passed. The Norgarthans had lost the momentum of their initial foothold. Realizing this, Tarsus seized control of the situation.
"Follow me!" the Amarian shouted. "Brimcohn! For Brimcohn! Elar Amar! Elar Tanaevar!" Even though they were outnumbered at least two to one, the pirates attacked, driving the broken Marines back across to their own ship.
Jack watched the miraculous turn of events from the quarterdeck. Although the pirates with him had been killed by the shower of arrows, he had somehow miraculously survived. He drew his sword and prepared to join the fray, just as another volley of arrows struck. Three of the arrows struck him in the chest, and though they did not penetrate the Ithlemere mail Dorad had given him all those months ago, he was driven backwards by the force of the blow and struck his head against the hard wood of the wheelhouse. When he attempted to rise and join in the attack, he grew dizzy and his vision blurred. Braedan suddenly found himself lying face down on the deck. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was Tarsus leaping over the Seawolf's railing and onto the deck of the Norgarthan warship.
Then darkness engulfed him.
PART II
Chapter Seventeen
Prisoners of Doridan
A sharp pain shot through Braedan's skull as he felt himself being lifted, and a moan escaped his lips. His eyes fluttered open and he saw Tarsus peering down at him. The Amarian's face was covered with soot and there was a nasty cut above his left eye, but he was grinning like a fool.
"This is a bad habit you’ve got," Tarsus smiled, gently lowering him to his feet. "Sleeping through the thick of battle."
Jack tested his balance and found he could stand without assistance. He reached up to feel where he'd struck his head and his hand came away covered in blood. Though his head ached terribly, he wasn't dizzy or disoriented. Luckily, he didn’t have a concussion as hard as he’d hit his head. Looking around he saw both ships were aflame and in danger of sinking. Dead pirates and Norgarthan Marines lay everywhere. Only a few men could be seen moving on either deck. "What's happened?"
"I'll fill you in later," Tarsus replied. "We've got to get off the ship. Can you walk?"
"I think so," Jack said.
"Then do it," the Amarian said.
"Where's my sword?" Jack asked, looking around for the blade Dorad had given him.
"Here," Tarsus said, reaching down to the deck and handing it to him. "Let's go."
“My katana!” Jack cried.
“We don’t have time to grab every little trinket,” Tarsus argued. “The bloody ship is on fire!”
Jack sighed deeply. He would miss that sword, but he would not risk being burned to death searching for it. "Who's left?" he asked as they began picking their way down to the main deck, stepping over the dead as they went.
"Besides us? Only a couple of the men."
"Belizet?"
"Gone," Tarsus said quietly. “I saw him run the Norgarthan captain through before they took him down. It was glorious.”
"And the Norgarthans?"
"I didn't stop to count heads," replied the Amarian, "I imagine a few of them still live, but they will have to fend for themselves. We're going to have enough trouble saving our own skins."
"Are any of the long boats useable?" Jack asked.
"I don't know," Tarsus shrugged. "I sent one of the lads ahead to check."
All the boats on the port side had been crushed when the Norgarthan warship collided with the Seawolf, but one on the starboard was discovered to be undamaged. The pulley mechanism used to lower the boat however, had been destroyed during the fighting. Tarsus had two of the surviving crewmen cut the ropes securing the boat and it fell free into the water below. The men then dove into the ocean after it and scrambled onto the craft. Only Tarsus and Jack remained on the burning ship.
The Amarian dropped his broadsword and prepared to follow his crewmen over them side, but he noticed Braedan had not done the same. He was still holding his sword and his wearing Ithlemere coat.
"Don't get sentimental now," Tarsus argued. "The Doridanians will take them from you anyway."
"I left my katana, I’m not leaving this one. It was Dorad’s. I'm not leaving it," Jack insisted. "Better they have it than leave it to sink."
"Gods!" the captain swore. "All right then."
He picked up his broadsword and hacked a length of rope from the ship's rigging. “Take it off,” he said, motioning toward his sheath and belt. Jack quickly did as he asked and Tarsus looped the rope several times then tied it securely. “Tie the other end around your waist,” Tarsus instructed him. “It’ll be easier to swim that way.
The two men climbed onto the railing, then leapt into the ocean below. Jack struggled a bit, the weight of the sword pulling at him, but Tarsus grabbed him by the collar of his mail and helped him stay afloat. Eager hands pulled the pair out of the water and into the long boat. Once they were safely aboard the pirates broke out oars and they rowed a safe distance away from the burning ships.
There were seven men on the boat including Tarsus and Jack. All that remained of the Seawolf's crew. With them was Dario Martel, Maett Jardis of Ciladar, Eddar Sarten of the Reach, Lars Aelfson, and Luak Ma
ezel of Raashan. Belizet was gone. Rhonn the galley chief was also dead, an arrow in his throat. Camin WiIlim, Laurel Aelfson, the list was longer than Jack could count. Kaiddra was dead on the Huntress. Heath and Dorad were missing. So many good men gone.
The Seawolf soon followed.
The mainmast collapsed with a splintering roar as flames swept across the ship. Eventually she rolled over onto her side and water rushed into her hold. The fires extinguished with a prolonged hiss then Aeralnen Widewater claimed her. The two Norgarthan warships took longer to die but their fate was the same as the last ship of the Free Brothers of the Sea. Soon only the Seawolf's longboat remained afloat with the fast approaching Doridanian patrol.
"Now what?" Tarsus asked, turning to Braedan.
"Please don't ask us to try and outrun them Mister Jack," Dario pleaded.
Tarsus burst out laughing. He was soon joined by the rest of the survivors, each man expressing his relief at simply still being alive after the encounter with the two Norgarthan warships.
"No," the captain assured the exhausted pirate when his fit of laughing fit passed. "Now we wait to be picked up."
As they drifted closer to the approaching Doridanian ships, the seven survivors debated on the story they would tell their rescuers. Neither Norgarthan warship had managed to launch life rafts before they had sunk. It was possible both of the dreadnoughts had been lost with all hands. If that were true then the pirates might be able to conceal their true identity from Doridanians. They soon agreed upon the tale they were merchant traders out of Din'Dalia, a small agricultural kingdom beyond the Great Eriden Forest. They had been sailing to Dorihil with a load of spices when they had been set upon by the Norgarthans as they sailed past the Gulf of Nor. They had no idea why the warships had chased them all the way into Doridanian waters and were only glad fortune had sent a patrol of saviors to chase them off. If any Norgarthans had survived to refute the story the pirates would just swear it was the truth and leave it up to the Doridanian sailors to choose whom they believed, their ancient enemies or poor, helpless traders.
As the Doridanian warships drew closer three broke formation to pursue the pair of fleeing Norgarthans, presumably to ensure they continued to make their way back to their own waters. The last remaining warship reached the drifting pirates about a half an hour later. As it pulled alongside the longboat the Doridanian vessel lowered a rope ladder down to the stranded seamen and they climbed up to the side of the tremendous dreadnought.
They were met by helpful sailors who assisted them the last few feet up the ladder and onto the deck. "Thanks lads!" Tarsus smiled as the Doridanians helped him over the railing. "Can't tell you how glad we are to see you! Be careful with that one," he said pointing at Jack. "He's had a knock on the head.”
"I am Lieutenant Donal Elldar," announced a young officer coming to the front of the sailors gathered around the men they had just rescued. "What went on here this morning?"
"A tragedy sir!" Tarsus said, speaking for the group. "A real tragedy!"
"Where's your captain?" Lieutenant Donal asked.
"He's dead sir," the Amarian lamented, then launched straight into the harrowing tale they had concocted about the misfortune which had befallen them. Warm blankets and mugs of ale were brought for the water-soaked men and a bandage was produced for Jack's head wound. Tarsus was halfway through the telling of the dramatic battle with the Norgarthan warships when he was suddenly interrupted.
"That will be enough of these lies, I think," announced a tall, gray haired officer, stepping through the group enthralled by the Amarian's recounting of the morning's events.
"I assure you sir," Tarsus cried with a wounded look. "Every word is Yh’s truth!"
"Oh, I'm sure your tale of the battle is probably close to what happened," the officer smiled. "We watched a part of it. But I just cannot quite bring myself to believe you have taken to running spices out of Din' Dalia."
"Do we know each other sir?" Tarsus asked, smiling nervously at the Doridanian. Braedan did not miss his friend's worried look.
"Do not pretend you have forgotten me," the man smiled. "I certainly remember you, Tarsus Aernin."
The Amarian swore under his breath and though Braedan had not made a move he found his arms grasped roughly by Doridanian sailors and Dorad’s sword was taken from him.
"Let me refresh your memory," the officer continued. "It has only been a few years, but I know you are getting old. You were a mercenary captain of some minor nobleman's body guard. His name escapes me at the moment, but that doesn't matter. You were dicing at a tavern in Dorshev called the Raging Bull. How you managed to sneak into such a decent establishment still amazes me.
Tarsus' face was unreadable.
"You won...or rather cheated an important naval officer’s son out of a rather large amount of Dorkarrs," the man continued. "When he called you out on it, you could have simply returned the coin and quietly slipped away into oblivion. But that is not your style, is it Tarsus?"
"Devin Ellgaer," Tarsus muttered.
"Ah," Captain Ellgaer smiled. "So, you do remember. I had actually almost forgotten about you Tarsus. Then a few weeks ago I attended a banquet in Dorshev for Countess Thessa Arthol. When she recounted how she had sailed into Doridanian waters aboard your ship Tarsus, I just couldn't resist the opportunity to come out here and take a look around. Two days out of Wheslake I see ships on the horizon, and to my immense pleasure, here you are. The odds of that happening must be astounding, wouldn't you think?"
"Then Thessa made it safely to Dorshev?" Braedan asked, speaking for the first time.
"And who are you sir?" Captain Ellgaer asked.
"Jack Braedan."
Captain Ellgaer raised an appraising eyebrow. "Really? By the way the countess spoke of you, I imagined you'd be seven feet tall at least. Well, well. The man responsible for the burning of Norgarth. No wonder they chased you to the mouth of Wheslake. And where is that misguided youth Dorad?"
"On business elsewhere," Tarsus replied coldly.
"Pity," Captain Ellgaer sighed. "Kiathan would have been most pleased to get his hands on that whelp as well. But I've captured him quite a pair even without the miscreant prince. Lieutenant Elldar?"
"Sir?" replied the young officer.
"Ensure these murderers are disarmed and take them below," Ellgaer smiled. With a contemptuous sneer, he turned and headed toward his quarters in the aft of the warship.
"Aye sir."
Jack's sword belt was quickly removed and all seven of the Seawolf's survivors were subjected to a thorough search.
"Sir!" Lieutenant Elldar cried.
"Yes?" sighed the captain replied, turning back to the prisoners.
"His sword and sheath, sir!" the lieutenant said, holding out the blade he had confiscated from Braedan. "They bear the royal seal."
"Let me see," Ellgaer instructed, returning to take the sword from his lieutenant. He drew the blade and held it up so it caught the sun. "So, it does. How did you come by this?"
"Dorad gave it to me," Jack replied. "For saving his life in the Ailsantain."
"It will make an excellent wedding gift for Duke Kiathan," Captain Ellgaer smiled. "Of course, I'll have to give it to my cousin in private," he continued, lowering his voice so that only Tarsus and Braedan could hear. "Princess Annawyn would not be pleased to learn he has her beloved brother's sword."
He slammed the blade back in its scabbard and smiled. "Make sure you take that scalemail also Donal. It's Ithlemere unless my eyes deceive me."
"Aye sir."
"Gentlemen," Captain Ellgaer bowed to the pirates. "No doubt I'll see you again at your trial…and execution."
"Take them away," Lieutenant Elldar ordered several of the sailors. "And separate these two from the others." Tarsus and Braedan were quickly hustled away from the other five pirates and taken below deck to the ship's brig. Jack was relieved of his Ithlemere coat and his Rolex watch, which looked to be a pretty enough bracelet. The
only item they permitted him to keep was the silver crucifix around his neck. Even pirates were allowed religious trinkets, it seemed. Then he and Tarsus were ushered into a small cell barely large enough for the two cots bolted to its floor. They were placed in leg irons and the heavy bars of the cell door were slammed shut with a solid thunk.
"Can we at least get some water?" Tarsus asked the young sailor who had been left outside as their guard.
The freckled face youth couldn't have been older than eighteen or nineteen. He glanced warily at the two prisoners and moved his chair farther away from the cell as if it contained a pair of monsters.
"Come on lad, we've had a rough morning."
He rose from his seat and approached the cell cautiously.
"What do you say?" the Amarian smiled at the boy. "Killing Norgarthan Marines is thirsty work."
"I...guess water would be permissible," the youth replied. "Someone who sinks two Norgarthan warships can't be all bad."
"That's the spirit."
The boy left to get them a pitcher of water.
"Of all the rotten, thrice damned luck!" Tarsus swore when the boy was out of earshot. "Devin Ellgaer! All the captains in the Doridanian Navy and we had to be saved by that son of a bitch! Tarsus grabbed his leg irons and gave them a tremendous yank, his muscles bulging with the effort. "I was drunk of course, during the encounter he mentioned, but I can still hear his son’s whining voice as plain as day! 'I've been cheated! I've been cheated!' I should have killed the whore-son and improved the Ellgaer bloodline! We'll probably not even make it to Dorshev for our execution. And it's your fault!"
"I suppose you'd be happier on the bottom of the ocean with your ship?" Braedan sighed, testing the softness of his bunk.
"Damn right I would!" the Amarian muttered. He threw down his chains in disgust. "And just what the hell are you grinning about? In case you haven't noticed, we're in a tight spot here."