“Crusty,” said Blade to his quartermaster.
“Aye captain.”
“See to it the Queen and her men have appropriate quarters and provisions. Your Majesty, this ship is the finest on the Aquamuran Sea. We will catch your Gamuran in two shakes of a walrus’s tail.
“Musicians a tune to steer us out of port!” A couple of fiddlers stood up. They kicked off a rude and boorish sea shanty.
The Queen turned to Crusty and muttered, “It is a good job I am not put out of countenance easily!
“Are you coming Rolden?”
“Sorry milady, I think I just need some air,” and he staggered to the side of the ship.
*
As Sumnar closed the door behind them it went pitch black. The girl whimpered and the Princess said, “What now?”
“Wait,” said Sumnar. He muttered an incantation and struck his staff on the floor. Instantly the head of the staff started to glow and provided them with light to find their way. They were stood on a ledge and stairs dropped away from them into darkness.
“Right.” Sumnar took the cloak of invisibility and tied it into a pouch that Fayette could wear over her shoulder in which to carry the totem. “So, let’s get going.
“Do you have the map, Fayette? Then lead the way. Girl, I will carry you.”
“Sumnar!” said Fayette. “Her name is Milly. You can call her Milly.”
“Right,” said Sumnar. “Never had much occasion to hang around with children. I may need to depend on you for some advice. Do you know what happened to her parents?”
“I think they are probably alright. I believe Milly just lost contact with them as there were so many people rushing through corridors. She found a room to hide in and waited for them to come back and find her.”
Sumnar nodded, “It is what it is. Milly, hang onto my back.”
The Princess watched. “It may not be so manly, but if you carry her seated on your hip, it’s much easier for you both. Your hip will take her weight.”
Sumnar nodded and hitched Milly up and Fayette led the way. “We do not know how long the passageways are and hence how far we have to travel. Do you know how many junctions there are?”
“Perhaps fifty or so,” said the Princess.
“Should we mark the walls in case we need to retrace our steps?”
“Not a bad idea,” said Sumnar. He picked up a chalkstone from the floor of the catacomb then marked both where they came from and their chosen route each time they reached a junction. He numbered them as they went.
The walls were damp and covered in moss, but the chalk was soft enough to leave a trail. Initially as they walked they continued to head downwards, whether on a sloping path or descending crude steps hewn from the base rock.
The tunnels were formed by ancient water flows that had dried up or had been redirected over the years. There were narrower passageways that were widened by man and the smoother weathered rock gave way to roughly hacked walls, where the markings of picks or hammers and chisels could be seen.
Still some sections were so narrow they had to turn sideways to progress or duck down on their haunches.
There did not appear to be an end to the tunnels. The darkness and closeness of the surroundings weighed down on their spirits and so when they reached a wider cave area, they sat and rested.
“It is quite scary here. Your mind starts playing tricks on you,” said Fayette. “Sometimes you find yourself wondering what may be around the corner. Perhaps something will jump out at you.”
She’d half expected Sumnar to give a few comforting words.
However, he replied, “Yes, keep Defiance handy you never know what creatures live in these godforsaken tunnels.” Milly started whimpering.
“Really Sumnar, you are scaring her!”
“Well she might be terrified, there could be all manner of monsters down here.”
“Sumnar!” said the Princess. “Reassuring words please. God you were right when you said you were useless with kids. Milly don’t listen to the silly knight, he’s just scared of the dark.”
“Really?” Milly said; smiling and putting on a brave face as she gripped Sumnar’s hand. “Don’t worry,” she said, “Fayette and I will protect you.”
Then she turned to the Princess. “I thought that knights were brave, not scared of the dark?”
Fayette nodded. “Yes normally, but I think we’ve found ourselves a real scaredy cat,” and smiled.
“What happened at the castle?” asked Fayette when they had a moment. Sumnar nodded, “Ladryn was the spy. He used his magic to open the main gate, but I just managed to overpower him. The drawbridge was up and the battle still raging but I think the King and Logar had the upper hand. I think Ampheus will be safe.
“However, there was still a chance of defeat so it was wise for us to leave. Also, I sense there is still a part for the totem to play. So, it may be foresighted for it to escape the grip of Ampheus.
“We will journey to find Aron and his companions. We can perhaps head him off in the north as they return with Saturnus from the Misty Mountains.”
Fayette paused, “You never finished your story about your time with the wizard.”
“You are right,” said Sumnar. “But let’s save that for a more fitting time. It’s a tale for campfires, full stomachs and a jar of warm ale.” He smiled.
“Now cup your hands both of you and drink a little water.” He pointed to a small rock stream dribbling from the passageway wall. “We don’t want to become dehydrated down here.”
Chapter 2
Stanley the Dragon
That night the Queen and Rolden stood on the deck and discussed their strategy with the Captain. Her Majesty was speaking. “As the Gamuran is heading east, he will no doubt seek somewhere to drop anchor or make port so that he can then go overland to link up with the Horde.
“He won’t go too far, as the farther east he sails, the farther he’ll need to backtrack on land. We have to assume this was a predetermined plan, and hence he already has forces and provisions waiting for him. We should try to cut him off before he drops anchor, else I fear we will not be able to intercept him.”
“The problem is,” said Rolden, “we don’t know how many ships the Gamuran has in his fleet. We also don’t know where the Aquamuran Navy is, so it may become a little messy.”
The captain nodded, “Right you are. Though you can trust in The Black Boar. She can catch a speeding dolphin; go fin to fin with a shark; turn tail and skedaddle like a squid if we need to.”
The Queen was not sure how helpful the analogy was. However, Captain Blade continued and started making more sense thankfully.
“There are perhaps three possible anchorages to the east. Given the sheer height of the Lumines cliffs, the first is about a three-day sail from here. We have a full set of sails and are making good ground. We’ll plot a course as close to the cliffs as possible, so we may catch them and cut off their path to land. If the wind drops the crew will use the oars to keep us moving.”
Rolden spoke, “What happens if we do find them, how will we stop them?”
“Aaiiyyaaii,” said Captain Blade, “this ship has a few surprises.”
The captain strode down the deck. “This catapult is fixed into the main deck, but it can swivel round to fire both to the port and starboard sides. We have iron balls, ‘catapult balls’ we calls them, that can reach over a hundred yards. If we are lucky we’ll crack a mast or two and disable the Gamuran ship. If we are unlucky we’ll bash a hole in the hull and she may sink before we can board her.”
He led them down below decks, “There are a number of small ballistas on the port and starboard sides. We either can fire iron darts to hole a ship, or harpoons. If we can dig a few harpoons into the hull we can pull the Gamuran galley alongside to board her.”
Next he showed
them the armoury brimming with swords and other weapons. “Well I’m not a seafaring man,” said Rolden, “but from what I see, he packs quite a punch.”
“Aaiiyyaaii Rolden ‘She’! She! packs a knockout punch and will kick you in the catapult balls for good measure!”
The Queen walked along the deck and stood leaning on the rail. She gazed up at the heavens and was amazed by the darkness of the ocean, the vastness of the sky and the brilliance of the stars above. The wind tussled her hair as she listened to the rhythmic swishing of the waves glide along the side of the ship, and the groans and creaks of the boat as it cut through the sea.
She stroked her palm along the solid wood of the ship’s rails and spoke to no one in particular. “Well milady, you are a fine ship, hopefully you will serve us well in the coming days.” She pulled her cloak around her and smiled at four of the crew resting on a pile of ropes and playing cards.
“It must be a wonderful life being a sailor, though the ocean is so dark and brooding, I can’t help but feel a little afraid. We are just a speck and yet the ocean is deep and mysterious.”
“Aye, you are right to be fearful milady. The ocean can make the bravest of men weak kneed. I don’t mean the storms or the tales of sea serpents or sirens tempting sailors to their doom. No, we have all seen or heard things that we can’t explain and would rather forget.”
The Queen joined them. “Would you tell me, I always liked a ripping yarn?”
The seaman’s face took on a sober look. “Very well milady, but we don’t apologise if they make you a little jittery.”
An older pirate with a big grey bushy beard and small spectacles put down his cards. “I remember a time we were marooned in a fog. The sea was flat and silent. You could just hear the lap of waves on the hull of the ship.
“Without warning we spotted a small boat with three ghostly crew in the mist. They were standing and beckoning us towards them. We shouted to them to see if they were all right, but they never answered. One of them with black raggedly clothes started walking towards us through the waves. The captain demanded we man the oars and we rowed away from the boat. A slight gust swirled the mist and when we looked again they were gone. He never explained why he did that but he was clearly spooked!”
“That’s nothing,” said a young brawny sailor with a deep scar down his cheek. “I had just joined the ship and was sat on a hanging seat off the side of the boat, scrubbing off the barnacles. It was a dark and gloomy day.
“As I take a rest, suddenly I see an arm rise up out of the water. It grabs the back of the bench I was sitting on. I was absolutely terrified and shouted out to my crewmates.
“Then the hand slowly sinks back into the waves and out of sight. I can still see it in my head. The memory of those long black nails scraping on the wood. Still makes me shiver when I think of it.”
The older sailor with the beard peered out beyond the deck.
“When all is black and the day’s toil tires eyes,
The demon spirits of the sea awake,
They seeketh those becalmed,
And taketh them to shift with the tides,
Looking up arms stretched pleading from the gloomy bed,
Hoping for a glimpse of the sun’s warmth,
But the sea does not give up its grip.”
The Queen shivered, “Well that’s enough to make you want to stay onshore.”
“Aye,” laughed the seaman who was tidying the ropes nearby. “Though Milady, we’ve also seen some unexplainables that are beautiful as well.
“I remember once on the ocean, we saw a flash of light below the ship. Then more and more as the men ran to the railings of the boat. The whole sea around us was an array of colours shimmering and streaking around the hull of the boat.
“The whole ocean around was bathed in a bright illumination that throbbed with changing colours and intensity. Perhaps a star had fallen from heaven and it was floating beneath us. I don’t know what it was but it was the most dazzling thing I ever saw.”
“Yes milady, I too!” said a man carving a figure from fishbone. “We were just off the coast one night, when we saw a pod of whales drifting alongside the ship. We thought one might be dying. Its fountain from its blowhole was getting weaker and weaker and the whale’s cries were faint beneath the surface.
“The rest of the pod took it in turns nudging up to the dying whale, letting out a high-pitched cry. The heartache and grief was palpable in the air. As the whale stopped breathing and rolled over on its side, the others left, one by one. The saddest thing I ever saw, so the first thing I did when I got back to shore was hug the wife and kids. Did not even stop at the ‘Little Tiddler Inn’ for a pint on the way home, and that’s saying summit.”
The Queen laughed, “Well thank you for your stories. I better go to rest.”
“Milady,” said the seaman who had been carving a figurine. He threaded a leather string through a hole at the end. “I was making this for my daughter, but instead I give it to you, it’s a necklace of the whale from my story. May it remind you of the good things of the sea and your love of your family.”
The Queen took it and tied it round her neck. “Be safe on your watch. Goodnight gentlemen,” and she returned to her quarters.
*
The Princess and Sumnar followed the map. As they approached the last couple of markings they felt the excitement and anticipation of getting out of the dark and dank caves. They took the last turn into a final tunnel and traversed it as it meandered to an opening. They sensed they were coming to the end and stepped out into a huge cavern. Sumnar held out his staff and it glowed brighter, lighting the ceiling and sides of the cave. It was perhaps a half a league long and a couple of hundred yards wide.
Smooth rocks and boulders were scattered on the ground, and ancient stalactites hung from the ceiling and stalagmites stood growing from the ground like a rock forest. Fayette studied the map and turned it over for good measure. Nothing.
“There is nothing else,” she said. “Well apart from the picture of the dragon,” she added doubtfully.
Sumnar was deep in thought, “I don’t think there is a dragon down here, everything is pretty undisturbed. Dragons can make quite a mess.
“I think we need to check around; there may be some other markings that can direct us. I can’t believe this is a dead end.”
They stepped into the cave. It was a beautiful sight as the light from Sumnar’s staff flickered off the white shiny stone columns. Some contained an array of colours that the water had picked up as they flowed through the rocks above, splashing and then depositing them on the cave floor.
Fayette and Milly felt one: it was cold, smooth and damp to the touch. They scampered around.
“Be careful!” shouted Sumnar.
“It’s beautiful,” said Fayette. “That looks like a fairyland landscape. I can almost see the fairies fluttering between the toadstools. This one appears like a giant jellyfish; that one a pagoda; a snake wrapped around a column; that one over there is like pine trees covered in snow. It’s like an ice palace.”
“Try and stay on the path,” said Sumnar. “And do not touch anything!”
As they walked they could hear cracks and crashes as stalactites broke free and dropped from the ceiling. At one point they had to jump back to avoid shards of stone that scattered just in front of them. Sumnar paused as they stepped deeper into the cave and glanced up at the ceiling towards the far end. It was a mass of black bodies, and as they got closer they could hear their chirrups.
“A colony of bats, there must be thousands of them.” All of a sudden a stalactite broke off and fell crashing to the floor. It disturbed the bats, which lifted off in unison and swirled like a black whirlwind. The chirrups and squeaks amplified around the cavern.
The girls put their hands over their ears and Sumnar crouched over them with his cloak to
prevent any errant bats flying into them. He waited for them to settle down again and stood up and looked around the cave once more.
Slowly, but scarily, an enormous white mound, perhaps the size of an elifant, shifted and cracked next to them and then blinked.
Milly screamed and ran to cling to Fayette’s legs. Sumnar sighed, “Well I guess that’s why there was a picture of the dragon on the map. This should be interesting, just stay where you are. I’ll take it from here. Princess toss over the food pouch.”
The dragon pulled itself up to its full height, shook off the rubble and stretched its arms and legs one at a time as if waking from a deep sleep. It could be said to be a very dapper dragon. Its scales were well kept; its long tail snaked behind it; its wings extended and folded; and, every now and then, a very cute puff of smoke popped out of its nostrils.
The one overwhelming feature, however, was that the dragon was pink like the stalagmites around it. The deposits from the rocks also infusing into the dragon’s scales over the years as it had lain down asleep. The Princess wondered if the other dragons would take him seriously.
It blinked its eyes and said, “Now, now, what do we have here, who’s making all that commotion?”
The Princess said, “I’m sorry it was us!”
“Oh,” said the dragon, “I forgot how tiddly you humans are. Well I am delighted to meet you. Let me introduce myself. I am known by many names but you can call me Stanley.”
Sumnar chuckled.
“I am Fayette. This is Milly and Sumnar.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Stanley. “What brings you to my cave?”
“We are lost in these tunnels and need to find our way out. We had a map that brought us here. But we can’t seem to find where to go next.”
“Ahhh,” said Stanley. “It’s easy, all you have to do is turn the map round and go back the way you came.”
Sumnar shook his head, “No we need to find another way out. The way behind us is blocked.”
“Most unfortunate,” said Stanley. “The remains of those who trespassed here are strewn around this cave from the centuries past.” Fayette looked at the floor of the cavern but oddly could not see any bones lying around.
Dryw Henge Page 2