Winds of Torsham (The Kohrinju Tai Saga Book 2)

by J P Nelson

  Queen Morella passed on in her sleep a bit more than a month after the expedition left Vedoa. She had publically appointed, then later confirmed her successor as Lord Benjamin, her great-grandson and at the time her only known living descendant. There were many dissenters who were not happy and much talk of succession, overthrow of house, and all manner of conspiracy arose.

  G’Tabb, loyal to Morella’s House, became part of a clandestine organization to learn and keep track of goings on. Bannock was enlisted by G’Tabb.

  Once, an assassination attempt was thwarted, but recently the House of Amilrod succeeded in a well-planned attack which left Benjamin dead. The apparent intent was to wipe out the whole house. But four groups of escapees were seen, each in their own direction, of which each was pursued.

  G’Tabb and Bannock then casually left, dressed as common laborers, one of significant girth, and a prostitute, eventually boarding a tender boat to a fishing vessel. The shabby vessel sluggishly made for the open water. The prostitute was the queen, from within G’Tabb’s huge girth was hidden eight-year-old Prince Terrence. G’Tabb had worn the guise of an obese house servant for more than a year in preparation for such a possible maneuver.

  How Bannock ensured six frigates to meet them for escort was never disclosed, but G’Tabb did not care. They were escorted into a small cove in Lychiwal only two weeks prior. A full army unit was there to ensure the Prince’s safety until all was clear, if ever.

  General Lipoll, an elderly man Jha’Ley remembered as having won some major battles … many years ago … had just been declared by the boy as his representative, effectively titled his Chancellor of War. The general was even then preparing to return, unite those leaders loyal to their side, and fight in the name of Terrence.

  It was up to Jha’Ley right then to decide his loyalty. Would he … and the rest of them, for that matter … be willing to meet the general and prince, right then, and declare his loyalty?

  Yes, reluctantly, but yes.

  Into the hard rain they made the stable where several horses were already waiting. G’Tabb explained, “For sake of security. It is not likely anyone will see, but … we will go out the back way.” With a smile of condolence he added, “We will ride slowly … I promise.” With a courteous glance to S’Getti and his cane he asked, “Will you be able to manage?”

  S’Getti looked ominously at his mount and asked, “I would to make query, perchance does this one respond to the tiller?”

  Two hours of soggy riding into the hills, and they came upon a well guarded encampment making use of an abandoned cabin and buildings. Off in the distance they could hear crashing of waves.

  My moving past all formalities, they met the general and some staff. The old man laid it upon the line, “Tell me commodore, I know your reputation and thoughts of her majesty with your regard. Make your intentions known this instant.”

  “With all respects, my intentions are to complete my voyage and remit resignation.”

  The general passed him a shrewd, disapproving eye, “Your country, sir, needs you! And you are backing away?”

  Jha’Ley was calm, but his men knew him well. Jha’Ley was … in my way of saying it … he was pissed off. This was not the way to talk to Jann Raul. His reply was carefully said, “Sir, Vedoa is---”

  A young voice entered the air. Prince Terrence entered the room and everyone was to feet at once. He did not speak as a spoiled child, nor was his lip trembling.

  The prince reminded Jha’Ley of Covy when he first stepped aboard the Clarise, “Good commodore, I know your tales, told me by my na’nah. She called you her captain. We need you sir, will you not lend us your aide?”

  Mature beyond his years, the child-heir-to-be-king looked about the room and added, “With witnesses to bear speech, lend service past this dark hour, and when we win the day I will grant your price.”

  It was a long moment that Jha’Ley took, but he bowed low, to the general’s chagrin he kept his eyes up to the lad, then said, “Upon such agreement, your majesty, I will tender what aide I can.”

  Afterward the general said, “You can find easy promotion now.”

  Jha’Ley leveled his eyes at the man, “I do not want promotion.”

  A thought occurred to the commodore, “General, we developed a new set of signals, both of flag and horn.” He discussed advantages of distinctly different codes, based on their own experience.

  The general liked it, “You say these are simple codes?”

  “Some are, sir, one of my men could teach a handful of yours in a short while. I can have a parchment prepared for you, as well.”

  The general looked to his two senior officers in the room, “Do we have anyone out there with little to no use?”

  A lieutenant said to the captain, “There is Jaytor.”

  The captain rolled his eyes, “General, Jaytor is dumb as a rock, a bad shot, and spent ten years driving mules. At eleven years he is still a corporal.”

  The lieutenant added, “Sir, we tried him a few months in supply, but he was incompetent. Things like hardtack, rolls of bologna and wheels of cheese were always coming up short in inventory, so we put him back with the mules.”

  The general demanded, “Why did you keep him, then?”

  Captain and lieutenant sheepishly looked at each other; the former reported, “Jaytor is a damn good ditch-digger, sir. We do not like wasting good men on ditch-dig details, except as punishment.”

  Lipoll was aggravated, “Pull him in as part of a dozen, put them to this new signal thing. The ones who make it, make them sergeants and we will let them teach others. Any who cannot cut it, get rid of them.” He looked to Jha’Ley as if for his approval, “You want to meet him, or them, commodore?”

  “Not at all. Permission to be dismissed?”

  “Dismissed.”

  They got up from seats and Lipoll suddenly asked, “Hold up. You there, with the cane … what is your name?”

  “Captain Villiam S’Getti, sir, formerly of the VNS Ubank.”

  “Formerly?”

  “She went down, sir.”

  “Went down?”

  Jha’Ley added, “Sir, the Ubank went down in combat, in valiant defense and saving the expedition.”

  Lipoll sat back and mussed, “I see. Captain, what is the nature of your injury?”

  There was a hesitation, the he lifted his pant leg and showed the metal rod between shoe and knee.

  The general’s eyebrows went up, “I see. Well then, we shall put you in administrative advisory status.”

  S’Getti’s face went white, “Sir, I am not to be recommissioned?”

  In casual matter-of-fact tone Lipoll replied, “Not to a ship. We cannot have a battleship captioned by a man who may slip and slide.”

  S’Getti started to speak, to argue his case, but Jha’Ley held a hand up to him and addressed the general without emotion, “We made use of a trading ship to complete our voyage here. Would the general have objection to my releasing the vessel to her captain from our service? We shall then recall all men I assigned to the ship, and we shall be under way.”

  The general seemed to be growing impatient, “Yes, yes. No, I have no objection.”

  There was a moment’s hesitation, “General, sir, may I have a writ of authority to do so? To make it all militarily proper? Signed by your hand?”

  Lipoll looked to his captain and with grumbling tone said, “Will you get me a vial and parchment?”

  As they left, G’Tabb’s tone was sincerely apologetic, “I am sorry my friend.”

  Jha’Ley gave him a smile of irony and said, “No worries. Mister Fhascully, as the working keeper of records, scribe carefully that Captain S’Getti successfully completed the voyage, which was terminated here, by order of the general. Villiam?”

  S’Getti was still stunned, “Yes …?”

  Jha’Ley punched him solidly, but not with great force, in the chest, “Mister Fhascully, report that Captain S’Getti then suffered a sudden heart att
ack and is no longer with us. But wait to scribe that down until tomorrow morning.

  “Villiam, take quarter in the town. I will personally bring you a writ of release and ownership of … what would you like you and your ship’s name to be?”

  Before they parted ways G’Tabb said to Jha’Ley, “Oh, I thought you might want to know, a year ago Hastings and a select crew took possession of the Esmeralda. Just boarded her and set sail. Have not seen ship, captain or crew since.”

  At Jha’Ley’s amazed look, G’Tabb added, “Nobody expected such. He was a regular captain and all …”

  The next morning Jann Raul Jha’Ley sailed with full crew aboard the Clarise, into raging weather, to meet a cluster of frigates to fight another war he did not want to fight.

  Bannock, G’Tabb, Tammin, Fizer, Anu and S’Getti watched the Clarise leave port. G’Tabb elbowed Bannock, “Now there goes a good friend, and a good man.” To S’Getti he asked, “Think he will make it through?”

  The captain took no time to weigh the issue, “Aye … I would dahst not place wager against that man.”

  For two years, what has now been called the Vedoan War of Shoans went on with the tilt of balance leaning toward Amilrod and their appointed successor, the would-be king, Martain. Everywhere they went buildings were laid to waste and destruction rendered.

  When meetings were held, Jha’Ley advocated further development of the Marines into a full-fledged division of their military, not just as a support unit aboard ships.

  Jha’Ley declared, “Their versatility and potential as a special force is limitless.”

  Lipoll insisted, “We do not need a second branch to fight upon land, commodore. Stick to the water which you know.”

  Then the day came when the aged general was struck by seizures beside his tent in the field, dropping over dead. In a pivotal meeting Admiral Sark was appointed Chancellor of War, pending approval of the prince. It took three months to get a signed parchment through, but when it came Sark was ready.

  A new commanding general of the army was appointed, General E. Rackney, who seemed to know just what was needed and how to do it. Reorganization of The Vedoan Marines was immediately put into effect, with ranks remaining equal to the army in enlisted corps, but equal to the navy among officers. As a result, three men gained commission to Lieutenant Major; Dessi was one of the three, with one Major of the Marines as their senior. That’s how it began.

  He was transferred from the Clarise, but that is the way of the military. It was not without proper accolades from his mates that he left with duffle across his shoulder.

  Things began to swing the way of Prince Terrence, but into the third year, it was made known Hastings, as well as a few others, had been commissioned as privateer for Queen Wydorra of the island kingdom of Siaco. What was even worse, he commanded three ships as commodore and had Balder Ballistae.

  To the south, Amilrod had solicited Antillias to raise a huge force. Their intention was to sail up the western Ponskitan Sea and send forth their armies to march in between approving countries from Vedoa’s most vulnerable point.

  Still denying advancement to Admiral, Jha’Ley was sent with six squads to aid Rear Admiral Kichens in his patrol of the southeastern Aeshea coast. There were many battles in the Ponskitan Sea; you should read History of the Vedoan Navy, two of every three involved Clarise. But in one heavy skirmish, Kichens was killed.

  Without any hesitation, Jha’Ley took command. By means of the signal codes he launched an offensive which led to overwhelming victory for Vedoa.

  It was at close of the third year after war had been declared that Jha’Ley returned to Engeas. He had the honor of being at a place of importance to see eleven-year-old Prince Terrence crowned as king. But war wasn’t over … only the War of Shoans side of it.

  Sark had Jha’Ley to the side and in grave tone said, “You are tired Jann Raul, I know it. But that bitch Wydorra is taking control of the Mon’Cique. She intends to bring her navy here, sweeping all ships in her wake.”

  “But, can she?”

  “Our chief spies report she has our ship’s technology. They are building a fleet of vessels, smaller, but along design of Esmeralda.”

  Sark let the information rest, “We need to send a fleet, a large fleet, and Lychiwal is in with us. It will be like nothing ever to cross the seas … even beyond myths of elvin battles.”

  Jha’Ley closed his eyes and mused, “It will take a good admiral, and an understanding of reefs, that is big reef territory, how to …” he suddenly opened his eyes, “… No! I am not---”

  “Hey … no one is more qualified---”

  “Cynric would be wonderful. He is fearless. He under---”

  “He is not you. The men, everyone, they think you are touched by Poseidon himself.”

  “But I am not. No they do not …”

  “Jann Raul … with you at con, we have the greatest chance.”

  “Damn you … were Stanlius here---”

  “He would agree with me.”

  “Did … anyone ever find …”

  Sark was quiet, then a slow grin crossed his face …

  Jha’Ley became excited, “Where?”

  “I cannot tell you, not yet.”

  Jha’Ley nodded, partially satisfied. Since the beginning of the war he had thought his friend dead.

  “So … ? There is not time for deliberation, my friend.”

  “Alright … but only on one condition.”

  “And what is that?”

  “After this, it is over. I want it in writing.”

  Sark closed his eyes and bowed his head, “Agreed.”

  Jha’Ley sighed heavy and slow and looked toward the people in celebration, a half-full glass of wine in his hand. He redirected his gaze to Sark and said, “Now that the king has been crowned, we have something else to discuss.”

  “And that is?”

  “The expedition … I have reports, artifacts and major concerns.”

  Sark was quiet and looked to Jha’Ley with a nod, who asked, “Can you imagine a well organized, intelligent race of trolls led by wizards of their own kind?”

  At first Sark was unbelieving, then he studied the seriousness of Jha’Ley’s face, “Are you certain?”

  “Oh-h-h yes, very certain.”

  “Then let us discuss it first thing in the morning. As we are at it, we can discuss Siaco.”

  Four days later, in mid-5146 ED, thirty-nine-year-old Admiral Jha’Ley led the single most powerful consolidated fleet of warships in known ages, across the Mon’Cique Ocean to do battle with Siaco, an island kingdom known for juju magic, dark happenings, and ruled by the woman, Queen Wydorra.

  For more than a year they did battle. Dessi was reunited with the Clarise and it was his unit which garnered the most action.

  Again, I am not going to go into details, this is all very well documented. But the experience in fighting magical forces, way up in the Uordak Gulf, prepared these core leaders to win over Wydorra and put her on the run.

  Stories held she was a dangerous foe, allowing her to rule with an iron hand. But when compared to what they had seen, Dessi, Seedle, Fhascully, Caroll … none of them were impressed. And when Seedle blasted Wydorra’s juju priest into the next life with his rod … I just wished I could have seen that.

  The biggest and determining conflict was the Battle of Tur’Key, the location of Siaco’s secret shipyard. Telroy painted a rendition that showed ships plowed into ships and decks used as battle-grounds for a half-mile around. Jha’Ley had a personal thing going, in that he wanted to fish out Hastings and take him in.

  The way it is written, the Clarise was free from the carnage and Jha’Ley saw a huge vessel break free of secluded cover, a vessel nearly three hundred feet LOD. At its helm was none other than Hastings, trying to sail away with their unfinished weapon. Void of Balder ammunition, the admiral ordered a direct ram into the port-side of the vessel. The crashing sound was said to be deafening and the crewmen engaged
in their battle, but Jha’Ley leaped into the water as someone saw Hastings running on the docks.

  The deck-bound fight was led by Lieutenant Major Dessi and Commander Dalton. As all was secured, the admiral was seen walking across the shipyard, bloody, sword in hand, but without Hastings. No word was ever offered, no explanation put to record.

  Wydorra had fled to the mountains, the fleet burned to the last vessel, the day was won for Vedoa. Of the Clarise, however, she was done, shattered. Together with the unnamed huge ship, she sank. All properties were salvaged, but the only tender boat saved was the Waddles. This small craft had made many memories with Jha’Ley and he did not intend to part with her.

  Back to their homes the vessels sailed. At Engeas the fleet was greeted with much celebration. At a grand ball Jha’Ley received the highest medals to be conferred upon anyone in Vedoa. Later, the young king was accompanied by Sark at a formal tea with Jha’Ley.

  Terrence the First spoke his words with solemn pronunciation, “I have made Admiral Sark to be my Personal Advisor.” He looked potently at Jha’Ley, “It gives an opening to fulfill, Admiral of the Navy. My wish is to make this an offer for you.”

  Jha’Ley winced, supped his tea, gave proper reverence to the honor, then spoke gently, “Your highness, you offer me the greatest of honors … but in truth …” he sighed.

  Terrence offered, “You wish to find passage about the world.”

  Jha’Ley looked at him carefully, to see if the lad thought him insane, “Yes-s-s your highness. That is what I wish.”

  “Would you grant me a parting favor?”

  Jha’Ley looked to Sark, who in turn shrugged his shoulders.

  At the Vedoan shipyard Jha’Ley saw his old friend, who turned to look at the stern of a new ship with the words, VNS Clarise III. It was an Esmeralda Class vessel, but with a few improvements.

  Sark came up beside him and said, “We thought it would only be fitting for you to take her out on her maiden run. And if you really want to retire, you might wish to formally commission Dalton as her first official captain.”

  Jha’Ley smiled his famous smile, “Yes … I would like that.”