Gareth Ogilvie The Great Sea King

by J W Murison

  ‘I understand,’ he looked across at their host. ‘I think we are causing him some distress.’

  ‘Let’s smile at him,’ Gareth suggested. They did so and their host beamed from ear to ear, he was also sweating profusely. The night progressed with skirted dancers weaving to strange musical instruments. In the village the men also seemed to be having a great time.

  ‘We’d better make sure we don’t eat them out of house and home Graun. I don’t want these people to starve once we have gone.’

  ‘They seem to have plenty but I will make sure.’

  ‘Good.’

  Lulu passed Gareth a hot drink and he tried it. The king laughed at the expression on Gareth's face and popped a spoonful of a white powder into the cup and stirred it. Reluctantly Gareth tried it again, but this time found it pleasurable.

  ‘What do you call this?’

  ‘Coffee, some drink it without the sugar, but I can’t, it’s too bitter, we have black sugar as well, they call it black sweet or sweet black in your lands but I'm not too sure, it’s more of a brown colour actually, but that's for the masses. We of royalty use white sugar, it is more refined and doesn't mask the taste of the coffee.’

  ‘I like it.’

  ‘Then I shall have some sent aboard for you, it’s particularly good for you in the morning. Tell me, when are you returning home.’

  ‘I have no idea,’ Gareth smiled as Lulu’s face fell. ‘Don’t worry we aren’t staying here and we will replace what we eat.’ Lulu smiled with relief, ‘we are going to explore the region beyond these islands.’

  His face fell again, ‘there is nothing beyond these islands but the dark sea, and you can’t reach it. Now and then a great storm will wash giant sea creatures over the reef that protects us from it. They don’t live long in these waters but some can swallow a man and a boat whole.’

  Gareth and Graun laughed, ‘I have never heard of such creatures,’ Gareth admitted.

  Lulu pointed upwards, ‘look closely at the roof above out heads.’

  It took them a moment to realise what they were seeing. They looked around following the curves of the roof downwards. They were sitting inside the head of a monster. The natives had dragged the head ashore and used it as supports for the building they sat in.

  Graun swallowed, ‘fucks sake Gareth, do you really want to go where these fuckers breed?’

  Gareth had gone a little pale, ‘get someone to find Bob will you.’

  A short time later Bob was standing there looking up at the roof nodding to himself.

  ‘What do you make of it?’ Gareth asked.

  ‘It’s the skull of a blue whale, big fucker too.’

  ‘You've seen them before.’

  Bob nodded, ‘I've hunted them.’

  ‘You have got to be shitting me?’

  ‘No, it’s not an occupation I’d recommend if you want to live to an old age, but there are whole communities beyond the Highlands that hunt these things to get them through the winter. The blue is the biggest I have ever come across but there are others almost as big. On the whole they are harmless creatures that will give you a wide berth if you meet them in the open sea. Some move in family groups others by themselves or in pairs. They migrate through our northern waters every year. We don’t know where they come from or where they go to, looks like we might be the first to find out.’

  ‘Do they attack boats?’ Graun asked.

  ‘I've never seen them attack anything like we sail in. Normally they will just pass you bye, but you stick a harpoon in them or their calf and things can go bad in a heartbeat.’

  ‘You must be off your head attacking something like this,’ Graun’s estimation of Bob went up a notch.

  ‘One of these can feed a small community for a whole winter. The oil they provide is valuable to; it’s good for shit loads of stuff.’

  Gareth felt relieved, ‘in that case we won’t be bothering them.’

  Lulu still wasn’t that impressed, ‘you still can’t reach the dark waters. My people have searched for months in either direction and found no way through.’

  Gareth shrugged, ‘if we can’t get through then we can’t get through, that is all part of the fun.’

  Bob excused himself and went to talk to the local fishermen, which was almost everyone, but he found an old toothless character who was full of story’s and legends and liked a drink. So Bob plied him with enough drink to make him talkative but keep him coherent and made notes.

  Gareth was in for an unpleasant surprise that night when two of King Lulu’s daughters turned up to offer their bodies to the Great Sea King. Gareth had never seen young woman so fat and turned them away after giving Aswari a stern talking too. The following day Lulu was aloof and uncommunicative, it took Aswari a great deal of time to make his King understand that Gareth did not find fat women attractive, for his people obesity was the height of beauty. He also found it hard to believe that Gareth didn't just take any woman he found attractive. It was Lulu’s opinion there was little point in being a king if you didn't indulge yourself in every whim or fantasy. They stayed for two weeks then left.

  CHAPTER 32

  Bob stood at the chart table and pointed out his course to Gareth, ‘according to the old fisherman a strange current, a cold one appears from nowhere once or twice a year and brings shoals of large fish with it. It comes down through these islands here, they are little more than coral outposts, there are no vegetation on them. Only a couple at the extreme range of the far end of this chain have trees on them but they have no beaches to land on. Just very high cliffs, as far as he knows no man has ever set foot on them.

  Water cascades of both at a number of places but the current between both islands is swift and the water deep, a very dangerous place. The locals call it the devils gateway. They believe that once you are dead, if you have lived a bad life this is the journey your soul takes on its way to hell and they will not journey through it in life. I believe if we are going to find a way to this dark sea then it’s going to be through these rocks. A journal kept on board this vessel states this is the farthest anyone from the civilised world has travelled too. An expedition that went this far ended in disaster as two of the ships, desperate for water; went to close to one of the islands and was sucked against the cliffs. Both ships and all hands were lost, but it describes the channel as very deep.’

  Gareth smiled as the excitement began to build, ‘to the edge of the known world it is then.’

  It took them two months to reach the devils gateway and all were impressed by the sight. It had been slow going with the large vessels; frequent stops at night because of the shallow reefs were to blame for most of the nightly stops. The farther out they got the less and less vegetation there was on these islands until they came to one with a single palm on it. Gareth had watched it pass for a very long time.

  Bob was standing at the rail as the linesman tossed out a line. Gareth was curious, ‘we are in deep enough water aren’t we Bob?’

  ‘Oh aye but that's not what I'm looking for,’ he pointed, ‘there it goes.’ The line shot aft. ‘That means we have a deep underwater current.’ He turned to his sailor that was holding the line. ‘Reel it out another fathom and tie it off. Keep a close eye on it. I want to know if it changes direction or dangles straight in the water and note the times if it does.’

  Gareth realised what he was saying, ‘does this mean there is a deep water channel all the way to the dark sea?’

  ‘It could do. I want to know if this current is permanent or tidal.’

  ‘What would that prove?’

  ‘Not much, but it will make a difference to the speed the water will flow through those bloody rocks.’

  Gareth shouted forward, ‘scouts to me.’

  Billy gathered his people, ‘Billy I want every Eagle up there, check out those islands. Is there food there, fresh fruit, I can see water cascading off the mountains, is it fresh is it drinkable. I want the currents around them mapped out.’
r />   ‘How?’ Billy asked.

  Gareth turned to Bob who supplied the answer, ‘we need something that will dye the water, then you watch the way it flows and how fast it goes.’

  The Eagles took off and as soon as they approached the island there was an explosion of birds as the giant Eagles sent them into a panic. An hour later four of them flew back and requested an audience with Gareth. The senior man saluted him.

  ‘Sire we have discovered something on the island you need to see, will we rig up your harness.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘A building Sire, and its reforming.’

  ‘Reforming, you mean it was built by Eagles.’

  ‘Yes sir, shall we get your harness.’

  ‘Will you be able to carry me to there?’

  ‘Yes Sire, no problem.’

  Gareth always felt a little trepidation within the harness and swinging hundreds of feet above the ground. He was close enough to hear their thoughts as they coordinated their efforts but never let on he could hear them. By the time they reached the plateau on top of the island the building had rebuilt itself. It was only large enough for half a dozen people and Gareth wondered at its purpose until he saw the pedestal. He had to wait for a while until it was fully repaired.

  It was a journal of some kind. Graun arrived in harness, ‘sorry, I was just getting too curious.’

  Gareth nodded, ‘don’t blame you, what’s Bob up to.’

  ‘Said to tell you the current is tidal, he has ordered all ships to anchor well out of the current in the shallows. Some are trying their luck at fishing again, what you got.’

  ‘Tell you in a moment,’ he opened the first page and read aloud, ‘I prince Asher seventh in line to the Eagle throne built this receptacle of knowledge to mark our passing into the great unknown through the devils teeth in the years of our Lord 2020395. Scouts have shown us a safe passage into the dark waters beyond. These monoliths were barren so I have constructed pools on their summit and lain soil and seed for those who follow.

  Two years ago my father the great king of our people sent all of his sons out with a thousand men and women each in an effort to find sanctuary beyond the reach of the human horde that wish to see out complete destruction. Wait that is not fair, my anger blinds me. The humans who serve us and those we have traded with for thousands of years have never lifted a hand against us. These people come from a different land entirely and are motivated by lust and greed.

  So many of our city’s have been destroyed now my father has taken it upon himself to seek out new territory beyond the reach and knowledge of those who would destroy us completely. We will use these islands as a resting place on route to wherever this journey takes us. I only hope it does not lead us to the east coast of our own lands, if so then all hope for our people will be lost.

  I embarked upon this journey with a thousand souls and it has taken us two years to reach this place. With me I only have a hundred Eagles and twenty servants. The rest are settled on the shores of the sea we left behind waiting for us to find a new land. We could not take them with us for there weren’t enough boats.

  The rain has come to these barren rocks and water begins to flow. I travelled back to the shores we left our people at and found them in good heart. From there I travelled to where my father waited for news from his sons. I was well received and urged to hurry as fast as I could. Our people are forced to move continually and starve as a result; our enemy is always pressing us.

  It took us six months to reach a new land, a beautiful land of tall trees and fresh water, we have barely began to explore our new home but have found no sign of intelligent life yet so we have began to build. A few days after we reached this land I began to moult and to my horror grew in the feathers of kingship.

  I stopped at this place first and saw how well it was coming along, because of the vast distance’s involved it is wise to stop for a few hours here and rest. I then went to where I left the rest of my people only to find a scene of horror. Our enemy had caught up with them. There was nothing left but rotting corpses. I called to my people and here and there a lonely voice answered.

  I have not visited this place for many years; I am old now nearing the end of my reign and wish to make a final entry. We were only able to save a few thousand out of a population of millions. I spread the word as best as I could but never realised there were so few left. I know my father was captured and assume his death or I would not have grown the feathers of kingship. Our city’s are occupied by men but already they begin to crumble which can only mean one thing, none of our kind are alive within their walls. What a hallow victory these fools have won and they don’t even know it yet.

  We have visited all our lands at night and spent days in hiding but not a single Eagle did any of us see. Some have said they saw some of our people being banded by golden rings, but I see no reason for this and wonder at their sanity.

  As for our new home we have found we are not alone. There are native humans but they are very primitive, as are the Eagle people of these lands, yes I say Eagle people, but they are not of the chosen as we are, they are not golden. Their head is white and their feathers a slate gray. I tell you now to warn any who follow of their primitive and violent nature. They can transform into human form as we do but prefer to live in mud huts rather than in great city’s as we do.

  Their nature is violate, they may be friendly one second and kill you the next. Avoid them if you see them or simply kill them if you have the advantage. Still the map we leave upon this pedestal should see you safely to our new home and city. Welcome home weary traveller.’ Gareth's heart was thumping in his chest and Graun was similarly impressed.

  ‘Call that third wife of your Graun.’ She wasn’t very far away. Gareth smiled, ‘we have made a discovery here of great significance to your people, could you please go fetch your king.’

  Wynona looked at him strangely for a moment then stepped forward and placed her hand against Gareth's chest, ‘you are my king Sire, you and no other.’

  Gareth was touched and a little embarrassed, ‘ah well, um could you please go fetch the Eagle king for me please.’

  ‘Yes Sire.’

  She stepped into a small pool and disappeared, Graun was scowling at Gareth, ‘dinna get any ideas Ogilvie.’

  Gareth suddenly laughed, ‘my god what a suspicious old bastard. I would never do that to a friend. Or anyone for that matter.’

  Graun suddenly grinned, ‘I’d kill you if you did.’

  Gareth roared with laughter and slapped him on the back, ‘come on let’s see if we can find some fresh fruit and a wild pig or two.’

  ‘Now you’re talking man.’

  It took them an hour. They found plenty fresh fruit but no animals of any kind. Simply bees to pollinate the many different flowers. Gareth and Graun were standing in front of a giant bees nest their mouths simply drooling. They had never seen anything like it before in their lives.

  ‘Ever been stung by a Bee before,’ Graun asked.

  ‘Aye, it hurts like bloody hell.’

  There was movement in the grass and the Eagle king showed face, ‘what are you two up to now?’ He noted the determined look on the two men’s faces.

  ‘Just trying to figure out how many times we’re going to get stung when we steal the honey,’ Graun admitted.

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ the Eagle king waved his hand and in an instant the hive fell silent. ‘Help yourselves.’

  Gareth stepped forward, snatched some honeycomb and passed it back to Graun, ‘were going to need a shit load of buckets.’

  ‘Barrels,’ Graun suggested. Gareth just grunted with a mouthful of honeycomb. The Eagle king waved his hand and the bees began buzzing again. The two men jumped back and scowled at him.

  ‘Later please, can we deal with this first?’ The two men followed him back to the small building.

  ‘So what can you tell me about this King Asher?’ Gareth asked sucking at his fingers.

  �
�Nothing actually, the Eagle king at the time only has two sons on record before they were forced to flee the city. However he never died, he was captured and enslaved. I am not sure why this Asher grew the feathers of kingship; it must have been the blocking of the magic flow that caused it.’ He was grinning from ear to ear, ‘this is so exciting Gareth, we had no idea some of our people actually survived, I wonder how many sons there actually were and if some others made it to safety. I propose that some of us go there immediately.’

  Gareth pointed, ‘not naked surely.’

  He laughed, ‘perhaps you are right. I will find a slip to put on I never had time to fetch one.’

  ‘I would also like some of my men here with us.’

  ‘You will have nothing to fear in an Eagle city Gareth. I can follow the map on the dais without any problem.’

  He finished sucking his fingers, ‘not the point is it, I prefer to go in prepared, they had trouble if you took the time to read the whole document.’

  The king sighed, ‘I suppose I should listen to you. Let’s get your men up here then.’

  Bird appeared and they arranged to have the men Gareth detailed air lifted up to them. When Gareth was satisfied the Eagle king closed his eyes and in an instant they found themselves in an overgrown ruined city. Moments after their arrival it began to repair itself and transform. It happened so fast most never had time to react, none but Gareth. A streak of grey came at him from the corner of his eye, but he wasn’t the target, his father-in-law was. Gareth's shield came up between them and he slammed the boss hard into the birds head. There was a flurry of wings and his shield came back round with a crack, the bird fell unconscious at his feet.

  It was a young female, ‘let’s get back now, Beast bind her and let’s take her with us.’

  A few minutes later they were back where they started from. The unconscious Eagle was trust up like a chicken and they waited. She came round and quickly discovered the situation she was in, in an instant she transformed and threw off her bonds but before she could transform again the Beast looped a rope around her neck and drew it tight but not tight enough so she would choke.