The City that Time forgot

by Patrick McClafferty

  “So.” Captain Athan murmured as he came closer. “How do you plan on getting by the chain barricade the raiders have set across the Phila River, just north of their city?”

  Gareth gave the man a mirthless smile. “I’m not going to get us by. You are.”

  Athan frowned. “How am I to do that small miracle?” His voice had taken on a mean pitch.

  “That’s very easy, Captain. You’re going to lie.” When the captain frowned, he continued. “In three weeks, this is what we’re going to do…” Paldeen Athan’s heavy eyebrows rose almost to his hairline as he listened.

  It was so dark at an hour before midnight that the forward lookouts could barely see the chain that the raiders had stretched across the entire river, despite the white floats that ensured the chain would catch any that attempted to force passage. The only safe route was through a rigidly controlled deep water portal set close to shore, guarded by a score of armed guards.

  “Ahoy the Arrow.” A sleepy sounding guard called out as the boat slid toward him. “What’s the password?”

  “How the bloody hell do I know.” Athan roared back.

  “You don’t sound like Captain Chobvan.” The guard was beginning to get nervous as the boat neared.

  “Of course I’m not Chobvab, you idiot. He caught an arrow in the chest and we threw him overboard. He didn’t remember to tell me the password. If’n ye don’t believe me, then take a look at our cargo.” He gave a curt gesture and Gareth and two other seamen removed a tarp from the scantily dressed Chiu and Lyndra.

  “Well well.” The guard was no more than fifteen meters from the women and could easily see the acres of exposed skin. “Maybe you should just pull over and we’ll talk about it.”

  “Pull over? Are you insane? I’m late as it is. That idiot Chobvan didn’t know his ass from his elbow, so let us pass, dammit, or I’ll put an arrow into ye.”

  “Don’t get your knickers in a twist.” The guard called back, making a curt gesture to the gate handlers. The Arrow slid by the barrier that would have stopped them cold with barely a meter to spare.

  As the women went below decks to change, Athan sought out Gareth. “That worked slicker than I thought it would. Now, do we make for the open ocean?” He asked with a hopeful note.

  Gareth stood on the deck and closed his eyes as the stiff breeze from the east filled the sails. “Not quite yet. I bought a few crossbows while we were in Phila. Have your men bring them up, with a handful of bolts, some strips of cloth and a pot of flammable cooking grease. We’ll leave the raiders with something besides us to talk about.”

  The captain’s eyes were wide. “With this wind, you’ll burn the entire city down.”

  Gareth’s reply was as cold as the grave. “That is my intention. You didn’t see what these same raiders did to Dherngrom. They will never do it again if I can help it.”

  Athan swallowed. “What do you want me to do now?”

  Gareth looked at the rapidly approaching dock, and the ranks of raider ships moored side to side in the dark water. On the shore near to the docks stood six huge multi-storied warehouses. “Put us within bowshot of those moored boats.” He said slowly. “And have your men fire when they get within range. I’ll take care of the warehouses.”

  Athan shook his head in disbelief, but gave the orders. As they slowed their approach slightly, Gareth counted three ranks of ten raider ships each. He bent to the archers. “Put your shots into the first boat in each row. The wind will take care of the rest. Make sure that first boat catches fire. After that use your own discretion.” The men with the crossbows gave him chilling grins as he turned for the quarterdeck.

  Chiu touched his shoulder as he looked over the rail. “What are you doing?”

  “Arranging a little payback.” He whispered. Since she could read his thoughts, he felt her energy pour into him, and was grateful for it. As the first arrows arched out for the moored boats, Gareth raised his palm. “Ignis Pila!” He said softy. A baseball sized fireball appeared, and he hurled it at the first warehouse where it streaked like a fiery bolt. The front of the building exploded in flames. As fast as he could, he created and launched five more fireballs, and then slumped to the deck, Chiu at his side. “Take us out into the Great Ocean Captain.” He said weakly. “We’re done here.” The captain began shouting orders, and the sails cracked as they filled with wind. Dimly he felt Wokeg helping him to his feet, while Lyndra and Kuan aided Chiu. Against his back the heat of the burning boats beat on him, and distantly he heard screams. Fireballs were wonderful stuff, but there was a price to pay for using real magic, and he’d used almost more than he and Chiu had to give put together. Far behind the Arrow Strizruofast burned.

  ~~~

  Lovat colored water surged past the bow of the Arrow, more gray than green today, and Gareth was bored. Hiring the crew had put him squarely in the owner’s seat of the boat, and the fray with the raider fleet at Strizruofast had put him in a class to be feared. Biting his lip, he stared at the back of the helmsman with envy. Life was so much simpler, he thought to himself, as a Gunnery Sergeant in the marines. Follow orders, keep your head down, your mouth shut and always let the Lieutenant make the hard decisions. His hazel eyes followed the sun bronzed crewmen on the deck as he realized that, in a way, he was now responsible for them too. After a week of running due south, he could feel the difference in the autumn air, as it became warmer day by day. Dolphins frolicked alongside the racing hull, and occasionally the topsail lookout sighted a whale. Gareth was enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face, when the dolphins abruptly turned and dove. He saw the lookout staring at the suddenly empty ocean. A chill ran up Gareth’s back, and a moment later the Arrow trembled, the shudder quickly escalating into a heavy convulsion. Whitecaps frothed in the surrounding water. Beside the helmsman the Captain of the Arrow stood frozen.

  “Captain Athan!” Gareth shouted, breaking the man’s immobility. “There is an earthquake kilometers below our feet. Have the men standby the sails, and secure the deck of loose items. We’re in deep water and should be safe.”

  “Deep water?” The captain shouted back. “We should make for the safety of shore.”

  “My last captain thought so too, and our ship was wrecked. Trust me.” The shuddering subsided, and Gareth studied the unexpectedly calm sea.

  “Port bow ahoy. It be a big wave, Capin’!” the lookout yelled. Gareth turned and stared at the forming wave.

  Captain Athan turned his way. “Your recommendations?”

  Gareth studied the oncoming wave. “Turn into the wave, Captain. Run diagonally up the front and let it pass under us while the wind pushes us over the top.”

  Athan nodded after a moment of thought. “We’ll try it yer way, though it goes against my better judgement.” He began shouting orders, and the ship reluctantly turned into the wave. Sails cracked as they filled with wind, and the Arrow surged forward, icy spray stinging Gareth’s face. There were shouts from below decks as the ship climbed the rising face of the wave, but their speed and the wind proved enough to push the schooner over the top. The tidal wave, still growing, continued away on their starboard side, and Captain Athan sagged. “I thought we were all dead men.” He said, wiping his brow. “Ye are a canny sailor, Mister Gareth.”

  Gareth took a deep breath to stop his own heart from pounding. “It was just luck and a little experience.” Without going into the theory of plate tectonics, he simply said; “There’s something in this area that is prone to earthquakes and tidal waves.”

  “A tidal wave?” Chiu said at his shoulder. Her hair was mussed, and beside her Lyndra was rubbing a dark bruise on her own cheek. Behind them Wokeg looked around, wide-eyed.

  Gareth gave the women a quick kiss. “Yeah. There’s something about this part of the ocean. This is where we lost Spray, if you remember.”

  “I’ve been trying to forget the damned slugs ever since.” Lyndra growled. “I still have nightmares.”

  Captain Athan looked from
one person to the other before finally stopping at Gareth. “You four travel quite a bit, don’t you?”

  Chui gave a clear ringing laugh. “You have no idea.”

  “Do I want to know where you’re headed this time?” He asked in an unsteady voice.

  Gareth considered asking the captain if he knew the location of the City that Time Forgot, or Jafelon, took another look at the rigid lines on his face and dismissed the idea immediately. “No.”

  Athan bit his lip. “So, where are we going then?”

  Gareth frowned, recalling the map. “On the southern side of Luxoroth is the city of Gioqury. We’ll stop there and unload our cargo before we head out. South of Luxoroth is the Island of Ischrichi, and on the southern end of the island on the shore of a large sheltered cove is the ruins of a great city. That is our destination.”

  Athan’s eyes lit. “Yer after treasure then?”

  Gareth opened his mouth to say no, looked at the captain’s stony face and imagined all the explanations he would have to make. Instead he winked at the captain, and gave him a nudge with his elbow. “Of course, I’m not after treasure. I’m after archeological relics of great historical value.” (wink wink) For a long moment Gareth wondered if he was going to have to kick the thick-headed captain in the ankle to make his point, and then Captain Athan’s eyes widened and he smirked.

  “Of course, yer not looking for treasure. What was I thinking?” His grin was wide and his teeth yellow. Gareth shuddered.

  The weather changed almost as soon as the Arrow altered her course from south to east, around the bottom of Pellonon and onward toward Luxoroth. Gareth had heard the stories of the storms in these waters, but had written it off as a mere nautical enthusiasm. Compared with the stories, the reality was much much worse. Storm after storm battered the tough raider ship. Two men went over the side in the very first gale when the foretop mast went by the way, taking the two good topmen with it. Three days the storm blew, and the Arrow fought to keep from running aground. The fourth day dawned clear and Captain Athan drove the men mercilessly to make repairs. On the sixth day another storm arrived that made the first appear an unpretentious breeze by comparison. Six days the storm blew, and four more men died. If the storm hadn’t turned, blowing them toward their destination rather than away, the ship would have foundered. As it was, Gareth, Wokeg, Chiu, Lyndra and even little Kuan were all manning the pumps when the port of Gioqury finally came into view.

  Captain Paldeen Athan looked at Gareth with red, salt rimmed eyes, and the owner of the Arrow looked back with the same. “That was the worst journey I’ve ever been on.” The captain grumbled in a hoarse voice as the stumbling sailors tied the ship off at a waiting pier. “We’re looking at three weeks refit time, and I’ll need a few new crewmen.”

  Gareth nodded, not paying much attention. “Sell the cargo, and take the money that you need for the ship, wages and new crew… in that order. Replace the water casks, they’re getting wormy and get plenty of fresh vegetables and limes.”

  The older man had a small smile on his face as he nodded. “Ye’v done this before, I take it?”

  Gareth gave him a flat unfriendly look. “Once or twice.” He glanced down at the worn deck. “Hire a crew to man the pumps until we can get repairs.” He looked down at his blistered hands. “I don’t feel like pumping anymore.”

  Athan laughed and slapped his shoulder. “Yer not such a lubber after all, young man.”

  Gareth, unfortunately hadn’t been paying attention, but staring at a tall ornate white building overlooking the docks. “I think I’m going to get a few rooms for myself and my friends at the local inn.” He gave the captain a sparing smile. “You’re welcome to stay at the inn, until repairs are completed. You did a very good job, and I reward good service.”

  Captain Athan looked stunned. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Don’t say a thing then. I’ll be taking four rooms. Three will be used. Come if you will.” Gareth rubbed his tired eyes. “My friends and I need a bath and a drink, not necessarily in that order. You should hire that crew as soon as you can. We’re leaving, and the Arrow is still leaking. It would be a shame to see her sink while sitting at the dock.”

  Athan chuckled. “I can do that.”

  After bathing, eating and sipping a single glass of wine, Gareth and the others headed for bed, where he slept for sixteen hours. Staggering downstairs at almost noon the next day, he found a dejected looking Wokeg sitting in front of the fire.

  Gareth slapped the young man on the shoulder. “What’s the problem, Wokeg?” He asked, setting his tankard down and sitting on the wide, raised hearth.

  Wokeg looked up with red eyes, as if he’d not slept a wink. “I’m going home, Gareth. I don’t even remember home, or what other ogres are like.” He looked at the floor. “I’m scared.”

  Gareth thought about his big friend’s problem. “You have two choices as far as I can see. When we get to Iystrichi you can go to find the other ogres. If you like we will all go with you. Your second choice is that you can stay with us and we will be about our business and go on our merry way. You are a part of our family now, and it goes without saying that you are welcome.”

  The young man looked up with grateful eyes. “Thank you, Gareth. That means more to me than you know. I will go to visit my kind because I have to, and I will go alone.”

  “But…”

  “No, Gareth - I will go alone. Things will be hard enough without having humans along. I can take care of myself.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Gareth replied, scowling.

  Wokeg smiled. “It’s not your decision, my friend.”

  He knew when he’d run into a stone wall, and Gareth sighed. “Have it your way. We still have a couple more weeks here for you to think about it.”

  “I’ve thought about it since we left Strizruofast, almost two months ago.”

  Gareth knew from the tone it was a hopeless battle, so he smiled. “You probably don’t want to share whatever it is the other ogres drink.”

  Wokeg’s smile was gloomy. “I don’t know what my kind drink, Gareth. I know so little.”

  Standing, he gave Wokeg’s shoulder a squeeze. “Soon I suspect, you’ll know more about ogres than you could ever have imagined.”

  “I suppose.”

  Shaking his head in frustration, Gareth turned away.

  Captain Athan was sitting in the dining area drinking a liter tankard of ale that dwarfed the plate of bread and cheese he had before him. Washed, shaved and wearing clean clothes, the tall captain had a smile of contentment on his weathered face. He raised his tankard, no small feat, and gestured to the other seat at his table.

  “Good morning, Captain.” Gareth said with a note of suspicion creeping into his voice. “You’re in a good humor.”

  The smile widened on the captain’s face. “You would be in a good mood too, if ye just sold yer cargo for three times the normal asking price.”

  Gareth blinked. “Three times? Are you sure?” He glared at the grinning man. “Why?”

  Athan paused to nibble a piece of yellow cheese, which he held up to study like some fine delicacy. “Because of this. The storms have cut the food supplies to almost nothing, and with no ships expected in…” His smile held only bliss. “It were a seller’s market.” Leaning forward, his eyes sparkled. “Some of the cargo got a little… damp like, from the foul weather. I sold that for twice the going value. With no ships in port, or expected, business for the shipyard was slow, and I was able to get our repairs done for half of what I expected, and to be completed in two weeks rather than three.” The dark eyes of the captain became intent. “Where we be going next, sir?”

  “Iystrichi first, where we’ll spend a week to ten days, and then to the coast near Draealea. We can stop in the port first to sell our cargo, if you wish, and then probably off to Oseothan.” Gareth babbled, pulling names out of the air. He had made no real plans for stops after Iystrichi.

&n
bsp; Athan stroked his smooth chin and looked thoughtful. “Draealea and Oseothan.” He muttered. “This could work out right well.” He held Gareth with his eyes. “In Oseothan I might consider buying you out, if the price was right.”

  Gareth rubbed his own chin, and tried not to grin. “I might consider accepting your offer, if the price was right.”

  Chiu and Lyndra joined the two men at the table, both women grinning like cats that had gotten the proverbial canaries. Gareth took in the damp hair and fresh scrubbed look. “Another bath?”

  Chiu couldn’t erase her smug grin. “I plan on taking a bath every day that we are in port. I have a lot to make up for.”

  Gareth rolled his eyes. “It’s a waste of water… but it’s your choice.” He added quickly to avoid an argument. “What shall we do today? Kuan is wandering and getting into trouble, Wokeg is sulking and the ship is being repaired. The day is ours.”

  Chiu couldn’t meet his eyes. “I thought we might go for a ride. Before we met, I lived just a little north of here. Wadeps Marsh, they used to call it, because of the noise the local frogs made during the mating season.” She chuckled, still looking at the table. “It was horrible.”