Dryw Henge

by Jonathan Forth

  “The down side of the flagship is that it is the largest, fastest and most heavily armed of the ships. So, she’ll be a bugger to take.”

  “What about ourselves?” said the Queen. “You are flying the Jolly Roger.”

  “Aaiiyyaaii old habits are hard to break,” shrugged the captain. “Crusty take down the Jolly Roger and replace it with an Aquamuran ensign or…” he paused, “…would you like a Terramian ensign milady?”

  “Really?” she said. “We don’t even have a vessel, do we?”

  “On occasion, when it suits milady, you do!”

  “Captain you are a very bad man. So be it. The Terramian ensign it is!”

  The crew and guards stood to attention as the flag was carried and then hoisted up the mast. It unfurled in the wind, and a magnificent white prancing lion adorned the ship.

  “You do us proud,” said the Queen. “I think that would bring a tear to King Armanar’s eye.”

  “You’re welcome milady,” said the captain. “Now then, how about we join the melee. Assuming you have nothing better to do this morning?”

  The Queen smiled, “I am quite at my leisure, let’s take the Aquamuran totem back!”

  “Boatswain,” shouted the captain. “Full sails, let’s get amongst them!”

  As The Black Boar approached the battle they could see that the pirates and Aquamurans, perhaps twenty ships apiece, were anchored just off the harbour. The Aquamurans had managed to cut shore side and were blocking a route to the coast, and they had likely engaged each other after the storm. The pirates may have tried to outrun the Aquamurans, however, travelling farther east would take them farther away from their landing point and so they made the decision to stand and fight.

  The Aquamurans had formed a crescent defence, their ships forming a battle line to be able to engage the pirates’ broadsides. Others were close hauled and had trimmed their sails and supplemented the lines. Those with catapults released iron balls with chains attached that would fly with an arched trajectory towards the enemy, splintering decks, breaking masts and disabling ships. Shouts could be heard as crew dived for cover to avoid the falling rigging. Archers dipped their arrows in pitch and sent them fizzing onto enemy sails and boats.

  Crews that were not involved in the battle rushed across the decks to put out the flames with buckets of water before they took hold of the ship, but for some it was too late. Fire licked the white sails, spreading fast and sending black smoke billowing into the air. Crew hung from the booms trying to cut the sails free and shed them away from the vessels. Their faces and clothes covered in black soot from the fires.

  It was clear that a number of boats were already floundering and heeling to one side as they took on water and slowly sank. Sailors were abandoning ships and taking their chances on their swimming abilities and the sharks. Masts lay across decks or had fallen into the sea, the sails and the rigging twisting and dragging men under the water as the weight of the water filled the white canvases.

  The crescent formation was working well for the Aquamurans; the strongest ships were reinforcing the tips, enabling them to fire across the pirate fleet. It prevented the pirates from manoeuvring around the Aquamurans to shore. If they attempted a dash to shore they would be broadside of the Aquamuran ships for the full run to the coast, so it was difficult to see how they would make it in one piece, as the Aquamuran catapults slowly picked them off.

  Emissary Gowan was cutting a frustrated figure, pacing the deck of The Plunderin. “We have got to get to the harbour!” he exclaimed.

  “Well,” said the Captain, “we are struggling in this breeze and with clear skies we can’t outrun them. We would hope for a mist or a fog so we can lose them, but staying here is just suicide, we are being picked off by their catapults. Our best course is to head out to sea and regroup and try another day.”

  “Time is of the essence, we have to deliver the totem to the Dark Lord. I knew all that fannying about sinking other ships would cost us! Are there no other options?”

  “Perhaps one,” suggested the captain. “But it’s a last resort really, and we need a few brave men to make it happen.”

  “Forget about brave men; just pay them gold, enough to make them take the chance. What’s the plan? And make it quick.”

  “Fire ships,” said the captain. “Fire ships are the plan!”

  Just before dusk, the pirates sailed six burning ships into the Aquamuran crescent. They caught the Aquamurans off guard, as they sent larger sturdier galleons for the attack rather than smaller boats that was the typical. The ships had been coated with pitch. Skeleton crews steered a course for the Aquamuran fleet, and then set the fire ships ablaze as they neared.

  They targeted the boats on the tips first and then raked along the crescent brushing fire against the wooden hulls of the Aquamuran ships. The few archers that remained on the galleons braved the heat and let loose flaming arrows. Grappling hooks were thrown to pull the Aquamuran boats towards the fire ships. The Aquamurans panicked, cut their anchors, and split to the east and the west to avoid the flames. The Plunderin made for the gap in the middle and followed the blazing corridor to the coast.

  “Captain, that was inspirational,” said Emissary Gowan.

  “Well,” said the captain, “as long as Gorath does not forget his promise; that the seas are all mine when he rules this world.”

  The Plunderin was a square-rigged, three-masted galley. A beautiful ship in full sail, but she was slower and less well armed than her opponents. She was not designed for open sea warfare and instead used for ramming and boarding actions. A burning Aquamuran vessel drifted into their path and the Plunderin’s solid bulkhead slammed her side sending a shudder through the ship and leaving it to sink. Water gushed into the gaping hole that had been made.

  The Black Boar was a slightly smaller galleon than The Plunderin and had the advantage of speed and manoeuvrability. Captain Blade barked orders from the deck as they closed in on the Gamurans. He ordered the boatswain to set all sheets. It risked damage to the sails, but meant The Black Boar bridged the gap with The Plunderin more quickly.

  With the melee of burning ships around them, The Black Boar sailed into battle, its white sheets contrasting to the smoke darkened skies above, and the Terramian white lion rallying to the battle.

  “Oars!” he ordered, and the crew set the oars out of the galley and plunged them into the water. They pulled with all their might, muscles in backs and arms rippling with the strain. The Black Boar seemed to surge into the breach like a knight on horseback carving through infantry and by the time The Plunderin knew what was happening it was too late.

  “Oars in port side,” bellowed the captain. The Black Boar swerved in upwind on Plunderin and slammed into her midships sending The Plunderin’s crew staggering on the decks.

  “Ballista fire!” The trapdoors opened on the galley’s hull and two iron arrows fired into the side of The Plunderin. The crew attached the chains into winches and turned on the cranks pulling the two galleons together. The momentum of The Black Boar turning the boats in a spiral and swaying in the waves. Those on the rigging who did not have a solid grip were thrown free into the sea or clattering on the decks.

  They locked masts further, destabilising the boats, forcing them to lean into each other. White water churned up between them and splashed upwards like a water spout. The Black Boar’s archers fired into The Plunderin taking a few men down. Despite the shock The Plunderin’s men recovered from the impact and started to arm themselves and regroup on the deck.

  “Rolden,” said Captain Blade. “Care to lead the assault?”

  “I would be honoured captain.”

  At which point the captain hollered, “Right you horrible lot, let’s stick it to these buggers, board her!”

  The crew of The Black Boar leapt with cutlasses and daggers across to The Plunderin meeting its men on its
decks. Others swung down from the rigging landing on the ship and causing confusion. They now had to fight assailants from both the front and rear.

  The captain and the Queen watched from the raised deck above his quarters.

  “You are really quite good at this,” said the Queen. “You have done this before.”

  “Aaiiyyaaii milady, we may be pirates but we are a well-drilled crew, not many finer. Pirate or Navy. It makes me very proud.” A tear welled up in his good eye.

  “Don’t wipe that with your hook,” said the Queen as the captain looked at her quizzically.

  “Just keep your head down milady. We don’t want to be known as the ship where the Queen of Ampheus got killed by an errant arrow.”

  At which point an arrow fizzed through the air slicing the captain’s left ear clean off.

  “Are you alright captain?” asked the Queen.

  “Just a mere scratch,” said the captain as he ripped the sleeve off his shirt. “Would you be so kind as to wrap this round my head milady? Not over my good eye mind you, I want to see the next arrow coming!”

  Rolden stepped onto the enemy deck flanked by his guards. Their military training and drills ensuring they cut and thrust at their disorganised foe, littering the decks with fallen pirates. He plunged his sword into the guts of the first pirate; slashed across the chest of the next; head-butted the third and drove his dagger into the pirate’s neck. Rolden saw the emissary cowering at the far side of the deck.

  “The Gamuran scum at two o’clock,” he yelled to his men and they adjusted their angle of attack. They stepped over the fallen pirates and headed in his direction. In fact, it was a relatively short-lived engagement. The swiftness and force of the assault by The Black Boar had sapped the fight out of the pirates. More and more started to fall, any resistance, particularly that paid by gold, faded away.

  “Fight them, fight them,” screamed the emissary. “I’ll double your wages!” A quick calculation told the pirates that if they were dead, they would have just as much trouble spending double the money as they would their original wages and so the crew of The Plunderin threw their cutlasses down and surrendered.

  The crew of The Black Boar gathered up the weapons. The surviving prisoners were forced to sit on one side of the deck with their hands on their heads. Captain Blade and Queen Laila stepped on board the captured galleon.

  “What do you think of your new boat Crusty?” said the captain.

  “She’s a beauty captain,” Crusty responded. “With a half decent crew, unlike this bunch of buffoons, she’ll make a fine pirate ship!”

  The captain and the Queen stood in front of the emissary and the ex-captain of The Plunderin. “I believe you have something of mine,” said the Queen.

  “I’m not answering to no Terramian!” spat Gowan.

  “Rolden!” called the Queen, “could you remind Emissary Gowan of his manners.”

  “Certainly Your Majesty.” Rolden stepped forward and punched the Emissary in his kidneys, forced him down on his knees, then twisted his right arm behind his back and snapped it. There was a rather audible crack followed by a scream.

  The Queen raised her eyebrows. “Actually, I was just thinking about a short lesson in etiquette. But I suppose that will do. Now emissary where is the totem? Or Rolden will give you a lesson in etiquette on your left arm.”

  “The Dark Lord will bring you peasants to your knees until you beg for him to kill you!” he cursed.

  “Oh dear, Rolden.” There was another snap and the emissary screamed again and fainted.

  “Oh!” Said the Queen, “I was going to say, search his quarters.”

  “Really?” said Rolden.

  “Really!”

  Rolden sent his men below decks, and two minutes later they emerged with a leather pouch and inside it the totem.

  “Apologies Your Majesty, I may have been a little hasty.”

  Emissary Gowan came round just to see the Queen opening the bag to take out the totem.

  “May you and your family suffer a death at the teeth of a thousand rats!”

  “Rolden,” said the Queen.

  “I know Your Majesty.” He turned to the emissary and cuffed him over the head. “When you speak to the Queen please show the respect she should be accorded and call her Your Majesty.”

  “Rolden,” responded the Queen curtly. “Interrupting me again! I was going to say throw him overboard!”

  “Oh, but both his arms are broken.”

  “I am well aware of that,” said the Queen, “now do as I say.” Rolden threw the emissary overboard, his arms flopping helplessly by his sides.

  Captain Blade approached the captain of The Plunderin. “Arrghhh, I like the parrot, I always wanted one! I think I’ll offer him a pardon,” and placed the parrot on his shoulder.

  “Squawk, fancy an ale and a pipe!” it said.

  “Aaiiyyaaii I like him already. As for you, the ex-captain of this fine vessel, I suggest you start swimming too. Men toss him overboard.”

  He turned to the rest of the crew, “Anyone like to join him or will you pledge to sail under Captain Crusty here?” There was a shout of “Long live Captain Crusty” then a chorus of For he’s a jolly good fellow which may have been a little over the top. But so be it.

  “Well that all seems fine and dandy indeed. Now then Your Majesty, let’s put you ashore and on your way.”

  The tender had brought them to the beach near a small fishing port. “Captain, we can’t thank you enough, we are in your debt.”

  “No, it is I milady. I would be swinging from the yardarm if you had not intervened, sure as night and day!”

  “Well let’s call it quits,” said the Queen. “If you ever find your land legs, you are always welcome in Ampheus. Also, I’ll sleep a little easier at night knowing Terramis has such a fine navy at its disposal.”

  The captain chuckled a throaty laugh, “Yes, as long as you don’t mind us doing piratey things while not in Your Majesty’s service!”

  She shook his goodish hand, gave him a hug and started walking up the beach. “Milady, you’ll probably be needing this,” he said, and tossed her a bag of gold coins.

  “For horses and the like, the Queen of Terramis can’t walk all the way to Ampheus now can she? It would not be so becoming.”

  “Thank you captain.” She smiled and strode away with her guards.

  *

  As the Queen and her guard strode up the gravelly hard, they relaxed with the familiar feeling of solid ground under their feet. The salty air, mussel beds and seaweed filled their nostrils with the fresh smell of the sea. Small boats were tied to their moorings, their rigging flapping in the breeze keeping a rhythmic tapping. The harbour seemed deserted which was a little strange, as though it was a small port, they would have expected more business from small fishing boats delivering fish to the small market at the dock.

  “Keep your eyes open,” said Rolden to his sergeant as they came to the top of the harbour. “See if you can find any signs of life.” As he spoke a weathered wooden door of one of the warehouses opened and standing there were ten Janshai.

  “Your Majesty, welcome. I believe you went to a lot of trouble to make it here today. Quite admirable I would say. Unfortunately, the Janshai were always going to be waiting on the coast to collect the Water Totem.

  “I had anticipated that Emissary Gowan would be the one to deliver it though you showed remarkable initiative to snatch it from him, the result though is the same, and the added bonus is that you have delivered yourself into our hands as well. Today is a good day. Tell your men to drop their arms.”

  The Queen paused, weighed up their options and turned to her men. “Rolden, have the men drop their swords.”

  Rolden nodded, “Guards, your weapons. Your Majesty it has been a pleasure serving you. Please tell our families we love th
em.”

  The Queen turned back to the Janshai who had raised their bows. The Queen heard her own voice shout “No,” but it was too late.

  Four of the men crumpled on the spot. Rolden staggered backwards and fell back off the jetty and disappeared under the sea.

  The arrows were fired, her men slain. “No, no, no, they were unarmed,” she cried.

  “Unarmed yes,” said the Janshai. “But not harmless.”

  The Queen shook her head. “Have you no humanity? My men would have followed my orders.”

  “Your Majesty, you have no authority here. You are simply a pawn. Our job will be to hold you, and keep you alive until Gorath has a need for you.”

  Chapter 6

  Everstead

  Sumnar, Sister Hulda and Fayette approached Everstead from the forest in the south. The woods slowly petered out and a large trading settlement appeared ahead of them. The outer reaches of the town were smallholdings with wooden houses and thatched roofs. The closer they got to the centre, the wooden buildings gave way to houses mainly constructed of wattle and daubed soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw. In the town centre itself they became stone walled dwellings with slate roofs, occupied by traders, local professionals and dignitaries.

  A small river flowed through Everstead that required several arched bridges to traverse it, with numerous wooden walkways to shorten the pathways for pedestrians. As they approached the city, they passed a vertical watermill that was grinding flour. Sumnar stopped at a stable on the outskirts of the town and left the cart and horses in the care of the stable hand. He would muck out the stables, feed the horses from the hayloft above and exercise and groom them.

  “Not from these parts?” he asked Sumnar, who acknowledged the lad and casually responded, “We are just passing through.”

  Sumnar tipped him well and upfront so that the horses would receive the best treatment. Also, perhaps implying that the stable hand’s discretion would be appreciated. The stable hand nodded and said, “Best keep your wits about you while you are here sir. Everstead attracts all sorts, not all are who they seem: gentlemen who are scoundrels; well presented children who are pickpockets; government officials who are thieves. The local mayor runs the place like his own; taxes the local businesses; and has hired a small militia who strong-arm its folk.