by J P Nelson
Jann Raul looked his father directly in the eye and yelled to everyone, “Set for impact!”
Albri’s eyes went wide with sudden understanding and grabbed the wheel with his son as the Sangora came up hard against a reef. All were knocked from their feet, and with a sickening crunch the craft went upward from the water and heeled starboard. One of the crewmen was knocked against the ripped portion of the cabin, impaling him on a pointed piece of wood as his crossbow fired … the bolt cutting through Old Uncle’s breeches and slicing him soundly on the thigh.
Jann Raul yelled to G’Tabb, “The rudder is gone …” as his mind ran many solutions in the span of a moment. He had not the experience and there was no time. Were they taking water? An oar for a tiller? Drop sails?
The vessel began correcting its tilt, but …
Old Uncle lifted his harpoon loaded weapon and fired …
Another explosion and Bachi’s head went flying past the front of Jann Raul.
Jann Raul turned to see the schooner only yards away headed for their stern at full speed. How? So fast! Instinctively he braced his foot behind him upon the wheel housing and crouched.
When the Luscious rammed their stern, it raised the smaller vessel’s hull upward so the keel was clear of the waves. But upon impact the lad vaulted from his position and placed a foot on the rising rail and leaped forward … up … into the air … over the bow of the schooner … saw what must be the wizard holding a harpoon shaft embedded in his torso … and landed upon the deck at his feet.
Rolling with the momentum of the jump, the wizard was closest who then looked at his new assailant with disbelief in his eyes. Grabbing the harpoon shaft from the front of the wizard, Jann Raul planted his foot into the man’s belly and sat back to throw him over the starboard-side.
A scream and splash could be heard as pirates were swarming to the bow, some now taking weapons to fight the unwanted guest. The first to close swung a gaff hook, but was met with a Ward-Off technique, then struck hard with a perfect Palm-Press which knocked him into another. The next attempted to run him through, but the pirate’s hand and arm were grabbed and he was hurled over the port rail with Pull the Bull by the Rope.
A hand with a dagger was deflected by a cross-hooking kick followed with a spinning-side kick to the torso. A roll between and past two pirates lunging forward took the intruder further toward midships. Drawing the dao-sword custom made for him, Jann Raul said, “Okay, pop, I could use you right about now …”
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Jann Raul had never been knocked out before, and when he opened his eyes, he was disoriented, a bit nauseated and everything was out of focus. His right shoulder and left lower side were sore and his head felt like a brass bell sounds. He felt himself swinging gently in a hammock and could determine the walls of a cabin, much larger than his on the… the Sangora?!
He tried to sit upright, but as he did, he felt as if his body was made of lead and his head began to swim.
His father’s voice called out to him, “Easy, e-e-easy-y-y, my boy. You have had a good go of it.”
The words came out weakly, “Pop?”
“It is good to go,” he felt a cool cloth wipe his forehead, “you have had a bit of fever the last two days.”
Jann Raul lay still and let his eyes move about the room and settle on his father sitting next to him.
“Relax a bit, the darhilum in your system has you feeling a bit loopy, but it has brought down the infection and is stifling the pain. All is well and we have our prize.”
“But …”
“No buts. Listen and keep still and I will give you the brief of it. We managed to lash onto the Luscious as she plowed by our craft. You were making a bit of a ruckus as we managed to board.
“My blade is still quick and when they saw Old Uncle,” Albri chuckled, “two brave souls jumped overboard. They must have recognized him. It was over quickly. As for you, you took another bolt to your shoulder and an axe nearly laid open your head. Lucky for you it was a glancing blow.
“Your mother is going to thrash me, you know …
“Uncle Liam took those bolt heads out of you, and stitched your head wound. You lost a lot of blood there, Mister Jelly-Roll …”
Jann Raul managed a grin at the longtime joke.
His father affectionately laid hand upon his left shoulder, “… but you will be fine. You have done exceedingly well. You have my pride.”
He could see the unspoken concern for his vessel as Albri was solemn, but maintained an enthusiastic spirit, “G’Tabb and I patched your craft, but she is going to take some work to refit. We will be able to tow her in when we return, but we have a greater challenge.”
The door to the cabin opened and Commodore Sark stepped in, once more in naval uniform, “Mister Jha’Ley, you are one shiking brave son-or’a-jym!” Of Albri he asked, “How is he doing?”
“He will be well, but it will take some time.”
“Of course. The ship is well stocked, we can wait as long as it takes.” To Jann Raul he said, “Outstanding work, Mister Jha’Ley. Get well, but quickly, we are still engaged in our mission.” With that, the commodore left.
Albri watched the man leave, then dabbed his son’s head a bit more, “We are sitting at anchor, waiting for you to steer us out. While we were fighting we ran into yet another reef. I do not think the Luscious can take another one, not without some refurbishing. Her hull is like a solid oak, but even such a tree will come down with enough battery.”
Questions were in Jann Raul’s eyes, so his father spoke just a bit more, “We lost Bachi, but we took Captain Mitchell, he is below in irons. Of the pirate crew six are left alive. They have agreed to sail under premise of reduced judgment, but they will be under watch until we, they, return to Sherrils Island. It is either that, or they can take chances with the plank.
“By the way, your friends the Scorpion Rays are patrolling all about us.” In typical humor Albri added, “I think they are hungry for more pirates, as they made short work of the others. I saw one of them take the wizard below when you threw him over.”
At the door was a knock, Albri gave the word, “Enter, please,” and one of their two remaining crewmen, a slightly stocky fellow of medium height, with a shock of straight black hair and pleasant way about him came in with a steaming pot of soup.
Jann Raul addressed him, albeit weakly, “I never took your name.”
The fellow nodded deeply and smiled. With a thick Sha’Ming accent, indicating a native of southwest Rok’Shutai, replied, “They cau’ me Yeau.”
With what energy he could muster and attempting the accent, the lad’s own smile crossed his face, “Hey, Yeau.”
“Yessuh … Yeau, that iss me.”
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It was another day before Jann Raul was out of the hammock, but the commodore refused to allow him to take the wheel for another two days. Then the return voyage to Robinto Island began. Carefully weaving through the reefs, the Luscious set course with the Sangora in tow. The weather held and with Jha’Ley at the wheel, both vessels made safe port at the docks of Essontown.
There was no time to tarry; Mitchell was subject to judgment before the court of Vedoa, and though all confidence was with the security of his holding, only arrogance would allow to overlook the man’s craftiness. Getting him to Vedoa was of utmost priority.
Jann Raul, as a different matter, had demonstrated his skill and knowledge of sea and sailing, quite well according to Commodore Sark, and proved a valiant warrior such as is favored for officers in Her Majesty’s Navy.
There had been much time to make all discussions pertaining to a career at sea, in particular in service to the world’s most powerful navy. A lineage of captains, Ruben and Liam who were many times decorated, and legendary Raul Vier, all of whom were recognized among the top twenty naval commanders in Vedoan history, as well as a Writ of Recommendation by Captain Liam, bode well in the lad’s favour.
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bsp; “But,” admonished Sark, “Take heed such will get you into the door of naval service. It is your own merit which will solidify your career and advancement. B’Shull came from a line of captains, yet was stripped of position due to ineptness. And Jo’Morri, descendant of the great Admiral Monshu, became known for deceit and conduct unbecoming. He was sentenced to gibbet and cage to be hung from Cooke’s Rock, where all who enter the Straits of Deppinga can see.”
Sark paused to let the magnitude of what he was saying sink in. Then he added, “After Jo’Morri decomposed a bit, a wizard was hired to make permanent his form, so that he can hang there for all time as a testament. The judgment was over two hundred years ago, but he is still there. To this day the name Jo’Morri is used in reference to anyone characterized by wanton treachery, guile and cowardice, and one without moral code whose word is without honor.
“Even among some of the worst pirates, word given is word kept. And while your opposing commander may slay you in battle, valor by wit or weapon is respected by all.”
The commodore chuckled, a condescending chuckle at that, “But then, there are the Jo’Morri; those for whom no respect is given, even among those who would lift your coin from your hammock.
“So stand forth on your own merits, Mister Jha’Ley. Seek and strive to your destiny. You will find friend and foe alike, foe even among those you may hold close to favor. But in all things, follow The Code.”
Albri knew well his son’s direction, there was no question his path lay with the sea. It was only a manner of nature and time of his departure. To serve in the Navy of Vedoa would give him the very best of formal training and the most diverse range of experience.
J’Hene knew this, as well. It had never mattered this son had not grown from her womb; he had grown from her heart. The years she had savored and memories were implanted deep within her soul.
Many are the parents who raise their children to follow certain paths, most often to follow their parent’s way and to not get above their raising. Albri and J’Hene, however, chose to raise this boy to be a man, to follow his own heart, but to do it with integrity and respect for others.
These years had been few, but the two took satisfaction they had given what was once a rag-a-muffin from the street, the best of love and teaching they could manifest.
The family of Albri stood proud in the formal ceremony in which Commodore Sark awarded the commission of Junior Grade Officer, Sailing Master’s Mate to Jann Raul Jha’Ley, to serve and train directly under Sailing Master G’Tabb of the Cortain.
A celebration was held by the town and many was the young lass who fretted to see a favorite lad depart. But upon the next morning, depart he did.
The Sangora was to be graced with refit and become Albri’s personal vessel. The Luscious had been inspected inside and out, and while there were issues to address, her hull had shown remarkable resilience in collision with multiple reefs. Such collisions had been indirect in nature, but nevertheless, they had been solid. She would warrant full inspection in the shipyard of her birth before being recommissioned.
Upon return to Sherrils Island, Jann Jha’Ley took position upon the Cortain, of which First Officer, Lieutenant Ormond Hastings was promoted to Ship’s Commander. The return voyage to Vedoa saw its fair share of challenges, all lending experience to the new sailing master’s mate.
Sailing through the Straits of Deppinga and into the Gulf of Sabelle, Jha’Ley saw Cooke’s Rock, a tall formation rising two hundred sixty feet above sea level. Clear for all to see was Jo’Morri’s gibbet.
In Vedoa’s capitol city of Engeas, said to be the oldest city in eastern Aeshea, Commodore Sark, Lieutenant Redding, Sailing Master G’Tabb, Seaman First Class Yeau, Seaman Chako, and Sailing Master’s Mate Jha’Ley were awarded Medals of Merit by Queen Morella, herself.
Often temperamental, sometimes aloof, occasionally charming, the Queen of Vedoa was always elegant and considered the most powerful woman in the world. She had been on the throne for sixty-eight years, since marrying seventy-three year old King Jeffry IV, fifty-seven years her senior, and supreme monarch after his death a scant one year later. Many stories and rumors abounded with regards to the queen, but this much was true, the era of prosperity ushered in by her late husband was maintained and intensified during her reign.
Queen Morella had a propensity for doing things with style, and after awards to the six men were made, a large banquet was held in their honor. Not only had they recovered an expensive vessel, they had apprehended and brought back alive a villain she had special plans for.
Although portrayed by several as manly and brusque, when she approached him at the banquet, Jann Jha’Ley found the queen to be aged for sure, but rather than masculine he found her to be handsome in a feminine manner. Her appraisal of him seemed to be one of approval, and when he smiled at her he thought she was surprised. Her own smile in return led him to believe she felt alone and removed from any true happiness.
Albri had often told him the most powerful leaders often feel alone in their world, dedicated to their cause, they have made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of resolution. Their life is most often not their own. What had this woman given up for her own cause? Was her cause the people, or personal gain? On the instant’s whim, he decided, her cause was her people.
The next morning he witnessed first hand the queen’s wrath. In public fashion, Mitchell was stretched out naked in chains and suspended by gibbet, then oil was boiled beneath him. What transpired over the next few hours were things the young mate would rather not remember, but they never left his mind.
Jann Jha’Ley did not have long to think about it, however, as two days later he was sailing at post to engage in war.
Chapter 9
IT WAS THE year 5126 ED according to Elvish Dating, nine hundred five years since founding of the Vedoan Empire under Dhioné Merceil, he for whom the city of Merceil was named. There was much unrest among several of her Aeshean neighbors, including Baum, Neah and Ardia, as well as the Island Kingdom of Siaco … all of which frequent the Mon’Cique Ocean.
Due to the geographic structure of these countries, much shoreline is involved and each rely heavily on trade and travel by sea. As a result, much fighting was conducted by sea, as well.
Five countries and an island shared border with the Gulf of Sabelle, the northernmost being Uendi, second in size to Vedoa, the largest Aeshean country in the east. Relations with Uendi had been strained of late, but divination by a dependable wizard within Engeas revealed a small fleet of combat-ready vessels and transports of warriors en route to do battle.
What else may be transpiring as part of Uendi’s strategy, Jann Jha’Ley did not know. What he did know was; he was aboard the Cortain as Vedoa’s Tegras Fleet, of which Commodore Sark’s full squadron was a part, was launched less than a week of his entering the Straits of Deppinga.
It was a time when naval combat included the ramming of stern into a ship’s side, getting into position to fire crossbows and coming up alongside to board ship with blades and belaying pins. Some of the larger vessels carried ballistae and on rare occasions catapults were used. Even more rarely, a wizard might be found.
There were myths and legends how the men of ancient times possessed magic powders; such powder could propel metal pellets further than the eye could see to penetrate the body of a foe. But the Elves of Dorhune were said to have forbidden such practices. Ultimately they manifested an effect to cause all magic powder of men to turn to useless dust, then all who knew the secrets of the powder’s making were slain upon finding. In that way, the Dorhune took human power away and forced them into subjugation.
The myth is rather absurd as even the most powerful wizards, sorcerers, or what-have-you cannot simulate such an effect. Turn flesh into stone, stone into mud, mud into crystal, make carpets fly … wizards have been seen to perform all of these things and more. But to hurl an object the size of a thumbnail, in an accurate path to sink deep into flesh a thousand rods aw
ay, that is a bit beyond belief.
Any who speak casually of combat and war have not felt the blade slice their own flesh, smelled the iron of blood spilled and splashed, watched a dear friend or comrade in arms fall with their last breath, or closed the lids of a dead man’s eyes.
Alas, the eyes, to have a foe expire upon your own blade … to know it was you who ended that life. Was it a life who only wished to return to a loved one at home, were there children awaiting a father who would never return? Was this soul who you have just run through a child himself, just barely in adolescence and who does not understand the very cause for which he has been pressed to serve?
There are those who relish in taking of life and call it glory, others do that which needs be done because the responsibility has been laid upon their feet. Jann Jha’Ley was the latter of these, fighting with regret of the necessity, but fighting well and with a level coolness that earned respect and admiration from all who saw.
When he wasn’t fighting, the lad was learning. Never could it be said Sailing Master G’Tabb had a student of equal studious intent or retention as the man from Essontown. From the beginning Jha’Ley wrote in his journals; a note of sailing, an anecdote heard, a story heard from one of the crew. He was particularly interested in stories and tales, if possible he sought what he could of Dorian’s Purse and the V’Pohra Tanzhi.
Although a young officer, Jha’Ley was cordial and well-liked among the enlisted crew. This was a trait approved of by G’Tabb, but frowned upon by Commander Hastings.
Hastings had been a ship’s boy with Captain Liam’s last command. An orphan of the streets, he had opted for a life at sea to stay away from the urchin houses and had taken well to it. Working his way up from ship’s boy to able-bodied seaman, eventually to midshipman, he then finally qualified for commission as lieutenant aboard Captain Sark’s own vessel.
Once he gained commission, Hastings stood himself apart from common crewmen, but he was shrewd in the ways of seaborne combat. And though he was hard and unfriendly, he was good to his men in the sense a poorly treated crew will perform badly when needed.