by Shawn Sodman
“Where are you going?” Michael asks.
“It is obvious that this conflict does not involve us,” Romnelius says. “We are here because some of our ships have been attacked along the east. Now that we know where the orcneas plan to be we will simply not send any more ships to Sheathelm, and we shall be left alone.”
“Then what will you do if the orcneas overtake Sheathelm?” Arioch asks. “Do you really think they will stop then?”
Michael says, “He is right, Romnelius. We have to help in any way we can, or East and West Artos could be next.”
“What would you have us do?” Romnelius asks. “If we send our armies we will be vulnerable to an attack from Bastion. You know full well they are barbaric and ruthless. If they knew we were weak they would attack.”
“That is not true and you know it,” Michael says. “Yes, they are ruthless and barbaric, but they have no interest in leaving the southern jungle. Besides, I am not saying we should send all of our troops.”
Romnelius says, “If East Artos wishes to send their armies, so be it, but I will not be sending the armies of West Artos. Good luck, gentlemen.” He turns and leaves the room.
“Well, Arioch,” Michael says, “You can count on having my support and the support of East Artos. The matter will have to go before the council, of course, but I am confident they will understand the urgency of this matter. I will go immediately.”
Arioch says to him, “Thank you and good luck.”
Michael also leaves the room and Bortak says, “Two days! I better get going too. I have to warn the mines. I just hope I can get there in time.” Bortak rushes out the door.
Arioch says to Chance, “My friend, I have to tell you something else important. It is about the scouting party.”
“What is it?” Chance asks.
“I'll leave you alone to talk about this,” Resheck says, he quickly leaves the room before they can continue their conversation.
“Ya'leigh and Kianna are in that scouting party,” Arioch says.
“Arioch!” A'ranah exclaims. “How could you? Ya'leigh is my granddaughter, and Kianna is our...”
“I know,” Arioch says as he takes her hand. “I am sorry. I had no idea at the time what we were up against.”
“All is not lost,” Chance says, “Arioch, do you know which way they were going?”
“They are delivering a wagon full of medicines to Troven,” Arioch answers. “After that, I believe they were going to go north along the river to Sapphire Lake to the Monastery, and try to find a way over the mountains that way.”
“It sounds like they are taking the same path that our young ones are taking,” A'ranah says.
“Very well,” Chance says. “They couldn't have gotten to the river by now. I will head them off and tell them to return. After that I shall head to the city of Northwind and find out if the orcneas really are going to attack there.”
“Very good,” Arioch replies. “If you do find an orcnea army, evacuate Northwind. Send them south and tell Lord Damion that as soon as we can muster enough troops we will send reinforcements to meet with them and we shall make our stand then.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Chance says to Arioch. “I will leave at once.”
“Chance,” Arioch says. “You haven't gotten any sleep since yesterday.”
“I'll be alright,” Chance says. “I doubt I could sleep right now anyway.”
“Wait!” A'ranah calls to Chance, “After you scout the army, would it be possible for you to check on our sisters?”
“Of course,” Chance says. “I'll check on them after I scout the orcneas and warn them of the danger.”
“No,” Serena interrupts.
“What do you mean, no?” Finna asks.
“Please, I am sorry, sisters,” Serena replies, “but this is their Rite of Passage. We cannot have him interfering with them. They must prove themselves worthy on their own.”
“Serena,” A'ranah interjects, “that was before we knew we were at war. They could be facing an entire army of orcneas. That is not an appropriate challenge for them.”
Serena explains, “But if the plans Chance brought back are accurate, then the real army will march along the eastern coast and strike Northwind. Our sisters will be coming in from the west and may only have to deal with a few scouting parties. If that is all they have to face then it is the ideal challenge for the Rite of Passage.”
They look at each other and finally A'ranah says, “Chance, please look over them. If you find that the orcnea armies are too great of a threat, then inform them what is happening, and have them fall back and find us. If, however, they are only facing scouting and raid parties then perhaps you could make yourself unknown to them.”
“I understand,” Chance says. “I'll make sure they are alright and only interfere if they are in danger. However, I must inform the Monastery of the threat as well as any nearby settlements. If they happen to be there when I arrive, then my information would only be a coincidence.”
“Is this acceptable, Serena?” A'ranah asks.
“Yes,” Serena answers, “I am sorry. Please understand, I do not want any harm to come to them either.”
“I understand,” Chance says, “You would rather they succeed on their own.”
“Yes,” Serena replies, “and if they knew that we sent Chance Na'Moon to watch over them...”
“Say no more,” Chance says, “I will not draw their attention. Well, I better leave now if I am to reach Northwind before nightfall.”
Arioch asks, “Chance, I almost forgot to ask—where did these plans come from?”
“We fought an orcnea ship,” Chance says. He points to the map and says, “We fought them right there. We destroyed them but it took all my mana reserves from my talisman to do it. The Red Dawn is damaged now, but they are on their way to Artos as we speak. Hopefully they will not run in to any more trouble.”
Finna looks at the map and says, “The elven ship, Silver Tide, is on its way from Artos right now. They should encounter each other soon. You said you were aboard the Red Dawn?”
“Yes,” Chance answers, now sounding worried. “Do you think that the Silver Tide will attack the Red Dawn?”
“Well,” Finna says sounding concerned as well, “while The Red Dawn has not been considered a threat in quite some time, I do not know for sure what they will do considering the circumstances.”
A'ranah asks, “Finna, isn't your sister on board the Silver Tide?”
“Yes, Eveoh is aboard,” Finna answers.
“Can you communicate with her so that she can warn the captain?” A'ranah asks.
“I will of course try, but it may take some time,” Finna answers.
“Chance,” A'ranah says, “we will do our best to contact the captain of the Silver Tide. We will ask them to assist The Red Dawn. You should go now, and don't worry, even if the orcneas take Northwind, we will fight at your side.”
“I know,” Chance replies, “Thank you.”
“Not only was Sha'al your wife, she was my daughter,” A'ranah says. “Now go and warn Ya'leigh and Kianna before it’s too late. I do not wish to lose my daughter and granddaughter to these beasts.”
“They will have to kill me first,” Chance says.
Chance begins to leave the room as Finna calls to him, “Chance.” She runs up to her brother and hugs him again and says, “Please be careful, brother.”
“I will,” Chance says with a smile. “I won't let anything happen to them.”
“I know you won't,” Finna replies. She walks back to the others and sits down and begins to meditate as Chance walks outside and transforms once again before taking flight.
Chapter 12
Backfire
On the ocean to the south the new mornings light lifts the darkness from the Red Dawn just as storm's edge begins to overshadow them. Throughout the night Ariella and Torgus have taken turns channeling their spells, and creating winds to help keep the orcnea ship from overtakin
g them.
Fernando comes up from below and immediately goes above to the poop deck. It is Torgus's turn to create the winds, and as he concentrates Fernando looks up at the sky above them. The enormous storm front is almost directly overhead. “Where is the Captain?” he asks, Torgus.
“She is getting some rest,” Torgus answers.
“How much longer can you keep this up?” Fernando asks.
“We have already exhausted the gems,” Torgus says, “They are getting very close.”
Fernando looks around at the still damaged ship and says, “Then I fear we are lost.”
Ariella emerges from her cabin and walks out onto the deck as the clouds become darker and the waves get rougher. Suddenly the lookout calls down, “Ship dead ahead!”
Ariella looks through her looking glass and she can see a small caravel off in the distance. It is coming straight for them. Ariella says under her breath, “Damned elves.”
Torgus asks, “What is it, Captain?”
“A small elven scout ship,” Ariella answers.
“Elves, eh,” Torgus says. “I hope they know we are the least of their problems.”
Ariella calls out, “Raise the white flag.”
“Aye, Captain,” John replies.
At the same time, on the deck of the elven ship, the Silver Tide, Captain Resif is peering through his looking glass. The elf at the helm asks. “Who are they, Captain?”
“If my eyes do not deceive me,” Resif says, “we are looking at the Red Dawn.”
“The Red Dawn?” another crewman asks. “I thought Red Beard was dead.”
“Red Beard is dead,” Resif replies, “His daughter, however, is another matter.”
On the top deck another elf who is also looking out at the Red Dawn says, “Captain, it looks like she is damaged.”
“It would appear so,” Resif says. “Everyone be alert! The daughter of Red Beard should never be taken lightly.”
The helmsman asks, “Captain, what about the storm?”
“The storm is what we were sent to investigate,” Resif replies. “There are rumors of orcnea ships hiding inside. If it is true, I just need to know what side Captain Stormrage is on. It's not likely the daughter of Red Beard would fight on the side of orcneas, but we must be ready for anything.”
Just then, Eveoh runs up from below deck. With her light blonde hair just like her sister, Finna, she runs straight to the captain and says, “Captain Resif, Captain, wait.”
“What is it, Eveoh?” Resif asks.
“Is that the Red Dawn?” she asks.
“Yes, it is. How did you know?” he asks
“I just received a message from my sister, Finna,” Eveoh explains. “She is in Sheathelm; and she tells me that The Red Dawn has been fighting the orcneas and may be in need of our assistance.”
Just then the lookout calls down, “Captain, look! They have raised the white flag.”
“So they have,” Resif says. “Come about and match their heading. We will allow them catch up.”
The helmsman spins the wheel and Silver Tide turns about.
On the Red Dawn, Ariella says, “Looks like they are going to let us close in. I hope that means they want to talk.”
Soon the ships are alongside each other. Resif says to his first mate, “I'll be right back.” He walks over to the edge of the ship while two crewmen lay down a long plank creating a pathway to the Red Dawn. John and Jacob hold it down on the other side as Resif quickly runs across.
When he steps foot on the Red Dawn, Ariella greats him. “Welcome aboard the Red Dawn, I am Captain Stormrage.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Resif says, “I am Resif, captain of the Silver Tide. I understand, Captain, that you have been in contact with orcneas?”
“You could call it contact, I guess,” Ariella says. “We had a battle with one of their ships yesterday, and now another is looking to finish us off.”
Resif nods and says, “Captain, I have to be completely honest with you. While I have no personal grudge against you, I do have my concerns. Even though your father redeemed himself during the Second Orcnea War, the Red Dawn has always remained a name that most captains are still leery of. However on this day we have a common foe once again.”
“Agreed,” Ariella says.
“Furthermore, we have gotten word from Sheathelm that King Arioch wishes us to aid you.” Resif says, “While we have no duty to the human king, we respect King Arioch and will honor his request. So I assume you can no longer out run the orcneas?”
“That would be correct,” Ariella says.
“How many aboard your ship can catch and return spells?” Resif asks.
“Only Torgus,” Ariella answers.
“I see,” Resif says, “I will send over someone to assist you. We have more than enough spell casters who can defend us from those incoming spells.”
“Thank you,” Ariella replies.
“Now, what do you say we turn around and face the orcneas head on?” Resif asks, “We will stand with you, daughter of Red Beard, and send these beasts to the bottom of the sea.”
“Nothing would make me happier,” Ariella says, “Shall we then?”
“I shall take the Silver Tide to the north and try to come in and flank them,” Resif says. “We should be fast enough to reach them by the time you do.”
“Very well,” Ariella replies.
Resif nods to Ariella and then looking to Torgus he nods to him as well. Torgus grunts a little to himself and reluctantly nods back. Resif makes his way back to the edge of the ship. He quickly runs across the plank back to the Silver Tide. Fernando watches as Resif walks over to Eveoh and says something to her. She nods, and then in a blink of an eye, she disappears from the deck of the ship and immediately appears on deck of the Red Dawn.
Eveoh walks up to Ariella and says, “Captain, my name is Eveoh, I am here to assist you. Where would you like me to deflect the orcneas incoming spells from?”
Ariella looks at Torgus for a moment and then says, “Torgus, you take the bow of the ship and, Eveoh, you take the stern.”
“Aye, Captain,” Torgus says.
“As you wish, Captain,” Eveoh answers.
Ariella looks at the crew and yells, “Bring us about and let’s go kill us some orcneas.”
The crew cheers loudly as the ship turns into the storm.
Meanwhile in the eye of the storm, on the orcnea ship, one of the crew members enters a room with the captain. The ship is crude and built with large split logs. Even the rooms have a rugged look. The grunt walks up to the captain and says, “Captain, the Red Dawn is finally turning to fight. There was another smaller ship with them, but they seem to be leaving the Red Dawn behind.”
The captain stands up from his chair and says, “Good. Now prepare the weapons that we got from the goblin ship.”
“Yes, sir,” the grunt says. He then leaves the room as the captain sits back down in his chair and begins to laugh.
On deck of the Red Dawn, the storm is raging and the rain is making it hard to see. Ariella is next to Chris at the wheel. She yells out, “Can anyone see them yet?”
Eveoh yells back over the storm, “I can see them, Captain, they are approaching just off the port bow.”
“How the hell can you see them through the storm?” Ariella asks over the sound of the howling wind.
“Elves have keener senses, Captain,” Eveoh answers, “and I have a spell that helps me see through the rain.”
Ariella looks ahead and sees only the raging storm. She then mutters to herself in a mocking tone. “Elves have keener senses, Captain.” Still under her breath she adds, “I have that same spell, you damned elf.”
“What did you say, Captain?” Chris asks.
“I said, I am glad we have the help of that elf,” Ariella answers.
Torgus is at the bow of the ship. Fernando is there behind him along with Drake and Leon. Fernando asks, “Any sign of them?”
“As a matter of fact,” Tor
gus answers, “Yes, here they come.” He points out and through the dark storm, the orcnea ship appears. Off the port bow the two ships come along side of one another. Torgus summons a large stone and magically hurls it at the orcnea ship. It impacts, and pieces of the ship splinter into the air. The orcneas scatter in fear.
From the orcnea ship, lightning is thrown from the shamans. Torgus manages to catch one bolt and sends it back. Three more bolts fly past him. One hits the mast with a thunderous impact. Shards of wood explode from it. Though it is heavily damaged, the mast remains standing.
The second bolt almost hits the captain as she dives for cover. It hits the cabin wall behind her and causes an explosion, leaving a hole in the wall large enough to put a man’s head through. Ariella quickly gets back to her feet.
The final bolt comes towards Eveoh and she catches it like Torgus. She takes a moment to aim carefully at the shaman who fired it, and launches it back at the attacker. With a simple wave of his hand the shaman magically deflects the bolt harmlessly away. Eveoh clinches her fist in frustration.
The orcnea ship is now alongside the Red Dawn. Expecting orcneas to board them, Fernando draws his sword. Drake and Leon also stand ready, eager for battle. Allen stands further back and while he has his sword drawn he looks very nervous. The rest of the crew also stands ready, waiting for hand to hand combat. Unlike the day before, this time the orcneas do not board.
Instead of boarding, five long rounded chambers made of iron are pushed up along the orcnea ship's port side. The crew of the Red Dawn look on, confused.
“What the hell are those?” Drake asks Leon.
“I have no idea,” Leon answers, “Some kind of mini catapult maybe.”
Then they all watch as an orcnea gives a command to the others. Five orcneas hold torches to the back of the long iron tubes. Only a second later there is a deafening boom that surprises everyone, including the orcneas.
*****
“Cannons,” Josh says, interrupting the story. “They were cannons.”
Kyle looks at him with a smile and replies, “Very good. You are correct.”