by J P Nelson
The good doctor was doing something else, too, I never heard of. He was learning what type of blood we had.
I asked, “It’s all red, isn’t it.”
He looked at me, started to say something and had his hand out, then changed his mind, “Uh-h-h … well … sort of. Watch. When I take this piece of rice straw, dip it in this solution I made---”
“You made this? Like as in you mixed it, or you created it?”
With a bland expression that said I was interrupting he replied, “Well, both, actually.”
“What is it? It looks like plain water.”
“It is not … plain water … so don’t drink it …” he looked at me with an emphatically stern expression, “… I mean it. Do not drink this …” as I nodded he continued, “… so-o-o, anyway … I dip the straw in this solution … then dip it in this little bit of blood … and it will show me a color … and I will know what type of blood it is.”
“What type?”
“What type.”
“How many types are there”
“Four of which I am aware. I get red, blue, yellow and purple.”
“Check mine.”
He looked at me and set his jaw in a half grin, “Very well.”
He pulled out a small needle and I said, “Whoa, what’s that for?”
“I’m going to prick your finger.”
I looked at him, “You’re kidding?”
“Wolf, you do worse when you hit that bag or get into a fight.”
Closing my eyes I turned my head, the thought of a … ow-w-w … needle … just didn’t excite me.
He was shaking his head as I looked at my finger, then put it in my mouth. Wesney did his bit with the straw, then looked perplexed.
“What’s wrong, Wesney?”
There was this vague expression on his face as he said, “I’m going to have to do that again.”
I pulled my hand back to my chest, “Uh-h-h … no. Why?”
He sat back in his chair said with an air of personal surrealism, “Your blood …”
I was concerned, “Yes? What about my blood?”
“It turned green.”
When I joined Jha’Ley, I noticed several crew looking out to sea. The captain asked me with a smile on his face, “How about whales instead of dolphins?”
I watched the enormous creatures as they played and blew, “It works for me.”
We got closer to them and slowed down. As I prepared to enter the water, Jha’Ley was right there beside me, a big grin on his face, “I cannot turn down any reason to go in.”
It was humbling to swim in the water beside a creature that could swallow me whole and not even notice. As for Jha’Ley, he was into the experience.
Using *S’Fahn Muir* I learned the whales knew of a manmade object which had been floating for several suns of time. I asked if we could be led there, and their response was enthusiastic. Before night set we saw the bow of a ship pointing up through the water at a nasty angle. By telescope we could see a lone figure waving his shirt with all the energy he had.
Jha’Ley couldn’t wait. He recognized the man as Pierce, quartermaster’s mate of the Buhasp. He grabbed a canteen and was over the rail. There was no point in me going. If I jumped, they would have to turn around and get me when they were finished doing the rescue … it would take me that long to get there, and I would never make it.
By the time we arrived, Jha’Ley had the whole story. Pierce was one of four left alive, and they were all starving, dehydrated, and two of them were with high fever.
As soon as the four were on board, Jha’Ley ordered Telroy to plot a course for the Rectocy Islands, a small cluster with no great reputation. We were hunting the pirate, Captain Bon Sallan and his ship, the Argon Stag.
Sure enough, the Buhasp met with dire weather of unexpected nature. She was tossed something fierce, losing one mast, and was put off course by a frightful distance. A second and third storm caught them before they could gather their bearings and they came up on the reefs.
Twice they hit hard, but it was the second that compromised their hull. Still, they could have made it in with some patching. But it was not to be. The Stag came upon them by accident, but to turn away from a plump prize was not Sallan’s way.
The Buhasp was an eighty-two foot full-rigged ship, but she did not run with heavy arms. Those she had were not enough to go head-to-head with a pirate ship as the Stag. Her crew was working hard to make repairs when Sallan came up and latched onto her.
Captain Morucai made request of a Truce Parley on behalf of his wounded crew and damaged ship. Captain Sallan gave a nod and his men boarded the Buhasp under promise to lend a courteous aide. As captain met captain, Sallan casually ran Morucai threw with his dirk.
Pierce said later, when he told Jha’Ley that, his expression grew stark and his eyes cold.
An engagement erupted on deck with many of Buhasp’s crew slain forthright. The one passenger who did the most damage was a female dwarf named Dy’Nda who killed eight pirates on her own.
Jha’Ley was astounded, “A dwarf … on a ship?”
Pierce replied, “Aye … she was of hire to deliver a chest to you, Cap’n Jha’Ley. She was to sit with it in Yhonder ‘till you came to make claim.”
“What happened? Did they kill her?”
“Nah cap’n. She faltered what with not bein’ used to waves, then they took her. Clapped her t’chain with five more, an left the rest of us to rot. They stripped her of everthin’ an that chest too. Then they torched the sails and busted the boats. She’s been a long time sinkin’”
The food was taken and the water barrels busted. Only the remains of one barrel was salvaged to collect rain water. There had been seven wounded men, but three had died.
Pierce heard them talking of heading for the Rectocy Islands, so it was there we headed at full speed. Once we got there, it turned out the Argon Stag had stayed briefly in port, long enough to spend some money on women and booze, but no trading was done.
Bannock had some leads for where they might have headed next, “I think they may be tracing the old Red Collins route,” he was looking at the maps and pointed, “from here, to here, to here, then the long haul to eastern Lh’Gohria.”
Jha’Ley looked to him, “You may well be correct.” He pointed to Bannock’s final location, “And the haul Pierce says was aboard would bring much in the market of Aul’Stonn.”
Telroy grinned, “Aye, and if she carries the load the whole way, even with a three week lead, we might could catch her by then. She will be sailing heavy and slow.”
Jha’Ley said, “Full speed, Mister Telroy, one heading at a time.”
Bannock was dead on in his assessment, each location we tied in we learned the Argon Stag had been there recently … and we were gaining, fast. No trade had been made, only the use of booze and bawdy women. All reports were that the ship was heavy but inquiries for potential buyers were not made.
Watching Bannock work was an education. Usually I went with him on his intelligence gathering forays. Out timing was excellent as I learned just what to say, when, and how to take cues from him. Our conversations in pubs and taverns had a multitude of purposes. I was his rebound and he was a true master at gaining knowledge.
When we reached Grainger of the great island of Hosh’Una, we were only two days behind. She was still heavy and seemed to be in a hurry. With fortune and hard sailing, we would catch the pirates before they made Aul’Stonn.
As we prepared to set out, however, the skies were getting black and the wind bad. Jha’Ley paced in his cabin with G’Tabb, Telroy, Caroll, Bannock, Wesney, me and a few others in there.
He wiped his mouth and asked for our opinions, and there were many, but all led to one thought … this was shaping up to be the worst storm in these parts in a hundred years. The captain looked to be ready to punch a wall, then he said, “Baton down, make all secure … but be ready to cast off on the instant. On the Lohri, we may be safer at sea than t
his port.”
Yup, the storm hit. We were between big land masses, but the hurricane that hit from the north was certainly the worst in this area’s recorded human history. The Lohri’s crew was safe, but Jha’Ley was champing at the bit. I was busy with Wesney, but otherwise I was bored stiff. I thought the weather was nice, myself.
Four days we were at dock; the weather still hadn’t cleared, but the word was given to cast off and the Lohra Lai was in launch. We were working way through the frigid waters of the Scaptul Islands, on Lh’Gohria’s southeast border, when we saw sail … headed straight in our direction.
They must have recognized us as we recognized them; just as Jha’Ley was saying the words, ‘Argon Stag,’ they veered hard for the big rocks to our starboard and shook out all the sail they had. The chase was on.
The drums were beating-to-quarters, Jha’Ley himself was at the wheel and Telroy was yelling instructions. The marines were on the rail with weapons, and the ballista teams were ready with all flaps open, their instructions already assigned.
I was at bow with my own weapons, ready to do what needed doing. Then … I thought I heard a different kind of drum … something deep, like a tall bass tribal drum … and that smell of pine. It quickened my blood. I saw the glimmer of a huge bonfire against the night sky … the shadows of elf warriors dancing …
The visage lasted only a moment, but it was there. I shook my head, it was broad daylight.
Sergeant Andeza was beside me looking out, “You screw us up, and I will run you through …”
I said not a word.
In and out of the rocks we angled. The Stag was a third our size, she had the advantage, but Jha’Ley was grim-faced and determined. Twice I was sure we were going to heel completely over. I thought, ‘Oh-h-h-h-h-h … by Zaeghun’s Lair … I’m going to be sick …’
Wisps of fog were beginning to drift all about us, then several someones yelled at once, “Wa-a-atch-h-h ou-u-u-ut!” But wait … who was yelling?!
Around one large point of rock to our port-side, the enemy ship shot out of the mist and collided with the Lohri from an angle. Even as the Stag’s nose emerged Jha’Ley was yelling, “Line one fire!”
All our port main-deck ballistae fired fragmenting rounds into the Stag, meaning when those balls hit something solid, they shattered into multiple jagged projectiles that sheered any flesh they hit. As the enemy tried to veer away, Jha’Ley turned hard into her. He was yelling again … but I couldn’t hear …
Suddenly I wasn’t there … I mean I could have sworn I was somewhere else, in another time and place, standing right there in the same spot … but a woman was standing next to me, an elvin woman. She was in war garb, an elvin blade in hand and painted with fierce colors of battle. In her hair were multiple feathers hanging from a leather headband. There was a wild look in her eye as she looked at me and asked, “Are you ready son?”
I heard myself say in a voice that wasn’t my own, but sounded like me, “Yes mohnutha.”
Mohnutha? I never called her that …
She said, “Follow me,” then she looked about to hundreds of elvin warriors looking to her, right here on this ship, as she yelled, “Haht’swei!”
I saw the woman I knew as my momma leap across to the enemy ship and I was right with her, sounding my battle-cry in harmony with the elvin hoard … only … when I landed and rolled to my feet … I realized I was on my own aboard the Argon Stag.
No matter, my blade and hatchet were out and I engaged. There were already bloody pirates about and mayhem filled the air. Crewmen of the Lohri were swinging over, and I think I saw the marines making the jump.
Down below there was a crash, then here came Jha’Ley. I parried a wild blow, hammered my hatchet into a chest, then slashed a hamstring. A marine was caught from behind with a choke hold as he dropped his weapon and tried doing Chin’Na like he was taught. Before I could get to him, the pirate had run a dirk through his ribs.
Mister pirate grabbed his cutlass, but he should have already had it out. I don’t fight fair … I deflected his attempt and with a spinning back-sweep lopped off his head.
A pirate flew up and out of the companionway … literally. Then I saw a short, bulky figure carry a thrashing pirate out, run across the deck, and ram the person into the port-side rail with both breaking through and out into the water.
I yelled, “Prisoner overboard!”
Sliding my weapons back to sheath as I ran, remembering this time to *Adapt* as I jumped, it dawned upon me the water was ice cold. Yup, it was cold alright. I like being in the cold, actually I love it, but not wet and cold.
I was thankful the base of the rock we just sailed around was wide. The dwarf had let go of her mark, and I don’t think he was feeling anything, but I saw the fear in her eyes and thrashing of her arms and legs. She couldn’t swim.
Dwarf? She was no dwarf … she was d’warvec. There is a big difference between the two. One is a human of small stature, but the other is a whole different species.
Swimming frantically while trying to think warm-warm-warm thoughts, I got a hold of her, but she was panicked. I circled my arm around her neck to choke her out, knocking her in the back of the head probably wouldn’t do any good. I had fought D’Warvec before, and they don’t knock out easily.
As she quit thrashing, we touched on the edge of the rock. Those warm thoughts weren’t helping and I could feel my bones freezing. Hanging on to her, I tried *Adhere to Wood* only to the rock, instead of wood. I think it was working, but not as good.
I was getting numb in that water. I told myself, ‘Reach deeper, Wolf, find that heat … where ar-r-r-r-re yo-o-o-ou-u-u heat?!’
It seemed like I was there forever, slowly climbing up that rock when something grabbed me by the tunic. Ah, Jha’Ley. It wasn’t long before I was on deck of the Lohri wrapped in a blanket and headed for the companionway down toward my quarters.
I had just stepped onto the missile-deck when Sergeant Andeza and some of his boys intercepted me. He poked his finger, “You, you got three of my men killed with that shit you pulled. We work as a team, do you---”
My quarters were not far away and I was cold.
He grabbed me by the arm and said, “Hey! I am talki---”
I spun about, grabbed him with one hand and felt heat wash all through me. With the one hand I lifted him off his feet and slammed him into the bulkhead. A growl came to my lips as I said, “Don’t … touch me … ever … again.”
The tall kid who I racked before tried a grab. Bad move. I dropped my blanket and grabbed him back, snapped his arm at the elbow, then slung him to my shoulder and brought him down on my knee, shattering his collar bone. I tossed him to the side like a rag doll as R’Wick came hurtling through the air in his monkey-mode.
Have you ever played catch with a medicine ball? That’s how I caught Darlee R’Wick. I wrapped my left arm around his neck as a dozen of his rinky-dick disciples stopped in their tracks and watched as I manhandled their grandmaster.
As R’Wick tried in vain to poke fingers into the tightened muscles of my arm, I decided to hold a class of my own, “See here boys? Acu-points and Chin’Na is great … if … you know not only how … but when to use them.”
Suddenly R’Wick’s neck popped. It was nothing I had done, it was his own stupid-ass squirming around. I swung him to the side as he collapsed and groaned. He wasn’t dead, he wasn’t even hurt bad.
I said, “Maybe you should open a laundry …”
That’s when I noticed Jha’Ley standing there … and Bannock, and G’Tabb, and Wesney, and a bunch of others. Shaels! I knew I was in trouble now.
The captain looked to Andeza sitting on the floor, “When we get to next port, I want you off my ship. Mister Caroll …” he indicated the corporal, Andeza and R’Wick, “… stock ‘em and lock ‘em.”
With a stern eye he looked to the rest of the marine boys, “Dismissed.”
I learned later Jha’Ley had nailed Bon Sallan to his main ma
st. Even as he was speaking to me right then, the Lohri was coming about for some target practice against the Argon Stag, some flaming missile practice.
Jha’Ley walked up to me, his face was stern and I braced myself for it, “The chest was given as a gift to Captain Lawson of the Dymji. Sallan said all that was in it were some old clothes, a book and a broken telescope. Lawson was an old friend and liked the chest.”
I was still waiting for my own rebuttal. He added, “Dymji set out for Fn’Jaht.”
“Layuno?”
“The same. A city run by pirates, for pirates, and some select wizards and such things.”
“Shaels ...”
“I have created a position called Tactical Warrant Officer. It is an advisory and teaching position for combat personal …”
“I’m not a Marine.”
“Neither are they.”
“Can I think about it?”
“No. I need those boys trained, now. I have a solid man, Sergeant Rahno, committed when we get to Vedoa. Until then …?”
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
He gave a tired, resolute smile, “Thank you. By the way, Dy’Nda is going to be fine. She wants to sign on. I am going to put her with the Marines. You did good, Wolf.”
“Thank you.”
Jha’Ley was tired, and frustrated. I watched him walk away and looked to Wesney and Bannock and thought, ‘Me and a D’Warvec, working together. This was going to be fun.’
Bannock brought me out of my thoughts, “Would you care to put your blanket back on? I just scrubbed this floor.”
Chapter 78
IN ABSOLUTE DARK and nothingness, I drift in harmonious rapture. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I hear soft music with a resonance the human ear can only imagine. I feel myself gently swaying from side to side in rhythm to the music. Is that my momma humming to me, her hand ever so slowly rocking my cradle? I swaddle my thoughts in peace and contentment …