“Quickly!” Han ordered. “If Pluck says there’s something, then there is.”
How could Pluck see from this distance? Ardor thought only animals had that ability.
The group rushed for the Dark Monarch and in the distance, they heard men cry out in alarm and shouts of battle replaced the panic as the Sentinels and sailors engaged an enemy. Many Morgog Bowmen lined the sides of the ship, firing at objects in the air and in the sea while those with swords and knives struck at things on deck.
“Who do they fire upon?” Vim questioned as he squinted. “I see nothing.”
“I don’t know,” Han replied as he drew his sword. “But we shall give them a hand.”
“They’re fighting creatures that fly out of the water,” Pluck answered. “Maybe Quip is right. Maybe the Dark Monarch disturbed these creatures’ brood.”
Hundreds of Breed darted out of the dark blue murk like arrows. Their heavily armored bodies were scaled and colored like beryl, and their long eel forms whipped through the air as they spread their spiked fins. The armor-fish sliced by the sailors and Sentinels. Men cried out cut by the knife like spikes and after their attacks, the Breed glided over top of the ship, darted down for a second wave, and returned to the water. The Morgog Bowmen fired, striking many of the water fiends, but their arrows couldn’t penetrate the creatures' scaled armor. The Breed's relentless attacks continued like an angry swarm of Swamp Wasp.
Princess Virago stayed safely below, listening to her people battle the horrendous creatures. “Why do these fiends attack us?” she questioned Lord Caliber. “I want them to stop. Make them stop!”
“I do not know, my lady,” he answered, gripping his wolf-head staff. “Perhaps a wielder of magic raised this unholy army to prevent us from completing the Amalgamation.”
“How can we fight such sorcery?” Virago asked as she clinched Lady Flaxen’s dress.
“I do not know,” Lord Caliber replied as he paced her cabin.
“Can we not leave this cove?” Flaxen asked.
“I heard the Dark Monarch’s captain tell Avarice the ship takes on water. The continuous bailing is all that keeps her afloat,” Lord Caliber answered as he glanced out the window as a Breed slammed into the wall, sending the advisor scrambling for safety. The translucent aqua armor-fish looked through the window with its large white oval eye. Lord Caliber ran over to the glass, muttered a few words at the creature, it flew off, and he closed the shutters. “Something must be done about these fiends.”
“Where is the commander of my Sentinels?” Virago questioned now safely behind Flaxen.
“Avarice is where he should be, my lady,” Lord Caliber replied as he crept back to the door, listening to the commotion above. “He is on deck commanding his men. Only he can save us.”
Chapter Eleven
The Breed
On the Dark Monarch’s deck...
“Bowmen!” Avarice shouted as he raised his two handed Flamberge sword, shouting over the turmoil. His long gray-black hair was tied back in a braid and his sideburns came to a point at his jaw. “Use flaming arrows. Surely the Fires of Morgog shall vanquish these beasts!”
Sentinel Footsoldiers retrieved small barrels of oil from the hold. Monks collected the fuel from the pools feeding the Capital’s most sacred place. The Footsoldiers set them beside the Bowmen, opened the containers, then torches were lit and handed out. The Bowmen dipped their special arrows in the oil, lit them, and fired upon the Breed. The armor-fish squealed in agony when hit by the flames as oil and fire spread over their scaled bodies. A few dove into the cove, and steam hissed as they hit, but many of the Breed burst into ash and the wind scattered their remains.
“Nock arrows,” Avarice ordered as his pale blue eyes searched the water. “Fire!”
The second wave caused the Breed to retreat to their liquid home. Over fifty of them had been destroyed. Vim, Han, and the others arrived on the beach opposite the Dark Monarch.
“The beasts have retreated,” Vim said as he searched the indigo waters. “At least for now.”
“Perhaps it would be better if the Dark Monarch anchored elsewhere,” Han stated as he looked to the prince.
“Agreed,” Edward said as he scanned the ship, but he didn’t see the princess. “I shall speak with Virago.”
Aboard the Dark Monarch...
“Is it over?” Lord Caliber questioned as he crept on deck. “Are the creatures gone?”
“Yes, my lord,” Avarice replied as he looked over his scratched and tattered men. “For the most part, the beasts were no more than a painful nuisance. We lost no one. The cuts shall heal with time.”
“Cuts?” Lord Caliber questioned as he glanced around the ship. “Ah yes, the men... so then we are safe?”
Virago stepped on deck with Lady Flaxen.
“My princess, you shouldn’t be on deck. The fiends could attack again,” Avarice spoke as his war hardened face wrinkled with concern. “If something should happen to you, our hope for the Amalgamation...”
“Thank you for your concern, commander, but the ship is filling with water, and I wish to depart. Have your men follow us to shore. The Captain and sailors can deal with the Dark Monarch. There are many supplies and my presents that need to be unloaded.”
“At once,” Avarice said and started preparations.
Sailors lowered several long boats to the water and rowed them to shore. After many trips, Dark Monarch’s Sentinels were on the beach along with half the ship’s sailors.
“Princess...” Avarice spoke as he bowed with Vim and four Footsoldiers. “All my men aboard the Dark Monarch are accounted for. The captain and a few sailors remain on the ship to salvage what they can before she sinks.” He motioned to Vim and then said, “My Second informs me that the Sea Sprite sank. He does not know how many survived save the men he left with the High Guards.”
Edward approached with Han, Ardor, and Melee and told them, “We lost both of our ships to the spouts.”
Avarice glared at the High Guards and exclaimed, “Arrogant mongrels! Bow before your princess when you enter her presence.”
Han looked to the prince, and Edward nodded. The three High Guards bowed to her.
“My apologies princess, my men are not used to having such a beautiful woman in their presence,” Han said.
Virago smiled.
“What do we do now?” Lord Caliber asked as he walked to the group, stomping his staff across the sand.
“We should set up camp,” Han suggested.
Avarice sneered and hid his dislike for the Fletching Commander as he said, “I concur.” He looked around the cove and the jungle. “A place that is defendable.”
Pluck approached and stated, “Han we found a cave, but it isn’t very large.”
“A cave,” Virago said as she made a face. “I do not think I would want to stay in a dark dank place.”
Pluck continued, “We also came across a large clearing with two hills. I recommend this spot.”
“It sounds like an ideal place to defend,” Avarice commented.
“Then let us set up camp before night is upon us,” the prince ordered.
Morgog and Fletching worked together to set up camp. Most of the supplies used were salvaged from the Dark Monarch, but a few crates and items from the others ships were found along the shore. Virago and Lord Caliber’s rectangular tents were set up one on each hill top. The princess made Lord Caliber give his tent to Edward so the lord bunked with Avarice. The large rectangular tents had three sections. The first had a parlor with chairs, couches, and tables; the second housed clothing chests and was used for changing; and the third held the bed. A flap divided each section. Avarice set up his round tent at the bottom of the hill on the east side as Sentinels and Morgog sailors made camp around him. Han, borrowing a Morgog round tent, set his up on the west side as High Guards and Fletching sailors set up around him. Many shared housing to compensate for
the supplies lost at sea.
Out of the 200 High Guards and 38 Fletching sailors, 32 High Guards and 11 sailors were missing or found dead. The Morgogs fared better. Out of 200 Sentinels and 40 sailors, 21 Sentinels and 9 sailors were missing or found dead. Most of the horses were found alive, and only three had to be put down for their injuries. The group had little food and most of their water was contaminated by the sea except that on the Dark Monarch. Night came and torches were lit as sentries walked the perimeter of the hills.
A new sun’s cycle came as Avarice, Vim, and Lord Caliber made their way to the prince’s tent. Outside Melee and Bulwark stood guard. The three Morgogs entered, finding Han, Ardor, and Edward looking over a map.
“The map does us no good,” Ardor said. “It does not tell us where we are or how to reach Kismet. We have wasted enough time.”
“I agree,” Avarice spoke up. “We sailed Coblet’s Route to catch up on the other Kingdoms. We have only lost time.”
Lord Caliber walked to the table the map laid on and spoke, “That is apparent to all of us commander, but how do we leave Wellspring. The Dark Monarch is not sea worthy nor do we have the supplies to repair her.”
“Perhaps we should find a city or a port and get what supplies we need or even buy a ship,” Han suggested as he glanced around. “Has anyone seen the Trife? He could assist us.”
“The Trife?” Avarice questioned.
Vim leaned to his commander and told him, “It’s a creature that assisted us in finding you. It is a talking beast.”
“A Necrom?” Lord Caliber asked.
“No,” Vim replied as he shook his head, and the black braid lying over his right shoulder moved. He leveled his hand near his leg. “Smaller like a dog but walks upright.”
“Pluck and Quip went to the beach to search for survivors,” Ardor answered. “They said they would return this morning.”
Han’s brow wrinkled with thought and then he said, “Perhaps we should busy our men with finding water and food then when the Trife returns we can have him make a map of this area. He may even know of a city.”
“Can we trust this creature?” Avarice asked. “Necrom or not, a beast that talks can only mean magic.”
Han answered, “Vim told me a word is nothing to Morgogs only actions. The Trife has proven he can help and has done nothing to revoke my trust.”
“Your trust, perhaps,” Avarice stated. “Fine, but I am leery of any beast that talks.”
“As the Necroms proved to our forefathers,” Lord Caliber added. “Talking beasts cannot be trusted.”
Avarice looked to Vim and the lord and told them, “Come, there is much to do.”
Ardor went to the entrance, waiting for the Morgogs to enter their camp. “Commander...” He turned walking to Han and then he spoke, “I’ve never heard you talk so... so...”
“Without command,” Edward said.
Han nodded as he stated, “There is a lesson here, my Second. Our alliance is a delicate one, so there shall be many power struggles. It is best to walk lightly.”
“You believe Avarice might challenge Edward or you?”
He answered, “The Morgog Commander would never challenge Edward, but me...” Han paused and then said, “Avarice might be thinking ahead. How many commanders can there be? What shall become of our armies? It is best for now not to let him think I’m threatening him.”
Chapter Twelve
Dreadgons
Pluck and Quip returned, having found several more men. Soldiers, Fletching and Morgog alike, set about their daily chores. Some stoked the fires while others gathered wood. Large cast iron pots were placed over flames to boil water for Sable Coffee, a very black liquid served straight, and Chip Tea. It was made from a brownish-red bitter root sweetened with Forest Bee’s honey. Supplies were divided as Fletching Archers and Morgog Bowmen checked their equipment, made new arrows, and repaired old. Many High Guards and Sentinel Calvary sat, sharpening their swords. Trackers set out, scouting the area and led parties to hunt game. Sailors searched for springs and gathered fruits and nuts while the princess and Lady Flaxen slept through the morning. Before midday, the Fletching circle and Quip met with the Morgog command.
“I say we send a party to this Great City the Trif...”
“Me Trife,” Quip interrupted Vim.
The Morgog Second growled, and the rat-monkey said no more, returning to his drawing.
“As I was saying, we should send a party to this Great City the Trife speaks of,” Vim said as he leaned on the table, looking at the map Quip drew of MayPah. He didn’t like dealing with the small creature. It reminded him too much of what Necroms supposedly looked like. “Surely they shall have ships we can hire to sail us to Kismet.”
“We are too few. We shouldn’t send a group,” Ardor insisted. “Let us move as a whole and send scouts ahead of us and that should save time.”
“There... Me done,” Quip stated as he stood on the sketch, examining his creation. “Good map.” He pointed with the quill which was nearly half his size and told them, “Shangra beyond Echo Marsh. Take riding animals three sun cycles, but travel through Land of Mud People. Me travel long way around. Mud People no like visitors.”
“What other options are there than going to this city?” Edward questioned as he scanned the map. The gold medallion of a charging Black Elk dangled from his neck.
Lord Caliber scanned the prince’s hands, looking for markings then turned to the Morgog Commander and shook his head.
Avarice frowned and turned his attention to Edward’s question and stated, “Other options?”
The Morgog Commander and Han glanced at each other and shrugged.
“None that we can come up with, my lord,” Han spoke as he studied the Callow Jungle. “Quip, what dangers might we face, trekking this land besides these Mud People you spoke of?”
“Dangers?” he questioned as he scratched his rat nose.
“Yes, are there other creatures like the Breed that we might face? Even though we are running out of time, I would prefer a safe route.”
“Many...” the Trife replied as he shuttered. “Me avoid. Me not like conflict.”
“Avoidance is best,” Han said. “Can you draw us the best course to the Great City Shangra?”
Quip nodded and went to work.
Sinew rushed in as sweat ran down the tracker’s bald head and he said, “Commander, quickly outside.” His pale face shone of terror.
Everyone hurried out.
“What is it?” Ardor demanded.
“There!” Sinew shouted as he pointed.
The camp was up in arms, looking down at the jungle where the tracker motioned. In the distance, trees swayed and cracked, toppling to the ground as a tidal wave of leaves and branches headed for the camp. The ground trembled as a great weight stumped across the land, and the wave of trees continued their way.
Han turned to Sinew and uttered,“By Fletching! What manner of creature is approaching us?”
The tracker told him, “I don’t know. A man from my hunting party came, screaming to us about monsters. When the ground shook, I told the men to run.” He pleaded with his hands as he said, “Please forgive me, I wasn’t thinking. I led the creatures here.”
“Creatures?” Han spoke as he turned to Avarice. “Let us ready the Archers and Bowmen, so they may attack whatever emerges from the jungle if these things are hostile.” He faced his men and ordered them, “Melee and Pluck take Edward, go retrieve the princess, and take them to a more protective area.” He looked down for the Trife. “Quip.”
“Me know place,” he said as he turned to Pluck. “Hurry, me don’t like what comes.” Quip muttered, “Very big. Very bad.”
“I shall join you,” Lord Caliber spoke as he followed Edward.
Pluck stared at the unknown menace as part of her wished to stay and face this enemy. Reluctantly she obeyed Han, following Edward and Melee, but she
paused once more as the ground shook. She was apprehensive and felt like she needed to stay. Something was going to happen that would shape the future. Dread gripped her heart as she feared it wouldn't be for the good. Pluck watched as Archers and Bowmen readied themselves, and she felt their terror and those in the camp. Whatever came even the trees couldn't stop them. Pluck obeyed Han through her mounting fears and followed the prince.
Han and his men mounted their horses and unsheathed their silver handled rapiers. The Sentinel Cavalry mounted their horses, drawing their Flamberges as their Footsoldiers readied their spears. The last tree fell just short of the clearing, shooting leaves up in a whirlwind. The undergrowth settled and there was silence. No one dared move as a few restless horses neighed and stomped the dirt.
A deep voice roared from the jungle, “Violators!” Trees shook, and the voice like a Mountain Bear shouted, “We are Dreadgons and we’re infuriated. You violated our swamp and stole our food.” The ground shook as the Dreadgon yelled, “We demand retribution!”
“Swamp?” Han looked to the Morgog Commander and asked him, “Did any of your men report coming upon a swamp?”
“Yes,” Avarice replied as he kept his gaze to the jungle. “Some of my men found several birds nesting in the area and took their eggs.” He steadied his anxious horse.
Han said, “We should give them back.”
“It is too late.” For the first time, Avarice looked at the Fletching Commander like he was something he’d wiped from his boot and then he said, “My men already boiled and ate them.”
Ardor murmured to the commander, “Eggs? They didn’t mention this before.” He spoke, “They were hoarding them. Now we are about to pay for food we had no taste off.”
“Quiet,” Han ordered, stifling his own rage. “Now is not the time.” He yelled, “We didn’t know the eggs were yours. We are strangers here and had no knowledge anyone claimed the swamp. We wouldn’t have taken them if we had known.” Han looked over their combined forces and knew they couldn't afford a battle, so he asked, “What can we give you to compensate for what we took?”
Quip returned, climbed a nearby tree for a better view, tilted his head, and listened to the Dreadgons discuss the matter. Only his sensitive rat ears could hear the conversation.
All Worlds: Fantasy And Science Fiction Series Starters Page 12