Dragon Clan #5: Tanner's Story

by LeRoy Clary

  “No, just want to be ready in case we’re up late tonight,” Tanner said.

  They left him to patrol the deck. Both were asleep when a crewman knocked on their cabin door. When Tanner opened it the crewman’s eyes were a little too wide, as if scared. “The Captain sent me to tell you that black ship is ahead of us, and downwind.”

  Tanner turned to Carrion, “Don’t tell him you said so.”

  “No problem. Actually, Captain Brice is beginning to get under my skin. I noticed that none of the other captains had anything good to say about him at the Anchor Inn. I also heard a few rumors of him pirating cargo.”

  “Well, this time, he wants the whole ship. All he has to do is take it and get rid of Captain Jamison and the crew, and he can claim he purchased it. Doing his dirty work with two ships would give him the ability to steal more,” Tanner said. “This is the only other fast sailing ship like this that’s still intact. Nothing can outrun it from what I hear.”

  Carrion stretched and yawned. Then he stood and said, “Let’s go see what we have up there.”

  They went to the small wheelhouse. Only the helmsman and Captain were inside, despite the nice weather. From there the black ship stood out on the horizon from the gray smudge that lined the water where it joined the air.

  “Right where you said it would be,” Captain Jamison said, no longer gloating.

  Carrion glanced at the sky, the positions of the two ships, and back at the Captain. “The Far Seeker has an angle on you. Unless you turn tail and sail back to Racine, it’s far enough ahead to intercept you no matter which way you go. If you remain on this course, that will be at around dusk, which is probably his plan.”

  “If I change course, so will he. As you say, unless I turn and run he is positioned to intercept me, the only question is when.”

  Tanner said, “Can you outrun him?”

  “I doubt it. Same hulls. His is the more experienced crew, and he has added a little sail by adding taller masts a few years ago.”

  Carrion said, “He expects you to run, you know. Open the gap. He’s timed his attack with that in mind. Turn directly at him.”

  “Other than temporarily confuse him, what will that fix?”

  “It’ll put doubt in his mind, and unless I’m mistaken, the sun will be almost behind us when it sets. Make sure you put the sun at our tail. If we reach him before dark, their crew will not see us. When my archers stand and fire, Captain Brice will have no idea of what’s happening. It gives us a temporary advantage, but we might put down a couple of their crew.”

  Tanner said, “Pass the word to the crew, including the galley. No lanterns. No candles. If we make a successful first pass and darkness falls, we may lose him in the dark. Issue swords to repel boarders.”

  “We have no swords. This is a merchant ship.”

  “Then knives to slice any ropes with hooks they throw to board. Do not slow down or lower your sails. Fire buckets filled and on deck.” He looked at Carrion. “What else?”

  “Men with pikes, poles, or belaying pins. Men willing to fight.”

  Captain ordered the turn and instructed the helmsman to steer directly for the Far Seeker even if it changed course. Then he turned to Carrion, “Are you sure you two have no experience on the sea?”

  “I have experience with men and war. Some evil. Some good. Same can be said for women,” and he flashed the same smile that used to get him in trouble with his parents and teachers.

  Tanner felt a giggle rising, but managed to stifle it. “I’m going to the bow where I can see better.”

  “If you see our archers on deck, tell them to compensate for the movement of our ship when they fire. No, I change my mind. They already know that. Just tell them to hold their arrows until I order them.”

  Tanner found that walking on the sloping deck was easier if he grabbed something solid before moving and stumbled to the next. The Rose had a breeze that seemed to be slowing as the afternoon drew on. He hoped so. With the two ships coming together at the speed The Rose cut through the water an archer would have time to loose only one arrow, and that would be a hasty and difficult shot. He wanted calmer waters to keep the ship steady, and time enough to get off, at least, three arrows.

  Devlin appeared at his side. “I’ve meant to talk to you if you have time.”

  “Sure. We haven’t talked since we came aboard, it seems. How are you doing?”

  “Great. I love sailing and working. The men look up to me even though I’m new. That’s what I wanted to talk about.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Well, I want you to know that I’ll do anything you tell me. You saved me. But when this is over, can I come back to the ship?”

  Tanner took them to the railing that ran down the high side of the ship, in this case, the starboard side. They watched the horizon and the small, black dot that was the Far Seeker directly ahead. “You owe us nothing, Devlin. We’re friends, and I think working on a ship is perfect if you like it. You’ll have a future. But there is more to discuss. In the last few days, Carrion and I have found new information that concerns you.”

  Tanner paused while looking around to make sure no other sailors had come closer. Devlin sensed the mood was changing and leaned closer. “Tell me.”

  “Those tattoos on your arms. In the foreign land, the one we’re sailing to, people with them are called Crabs. That information is between us. The crew is not to know.”

  “That sounds . . . Well, it sounds bad.”

  “I’m only telling you because there will be jeopardy. To them, Crabs are the lowest of people. Lower than slaves, they say. Freemen are in the middle, and the Royals are kings and so on. But Crabs cannot hold jobs. They are marked for life with dragon tattoos on their arms so everyone knows who they are.”

  “We’re worthless.” It was not a question.

  “Worse. Almost invisible. A slave and the owner have rights. Slaves can be freed and become freemen. Crabs are nothing.”

  Devlin’s excitement of a few moments earlier had evaporated like dew on summer grass.

  Tanner placed a hand on his shoulder. “When we’re in port from here on you will wear long sleeves. Always. I’ve spoken with Captain Jamison, and he will want you on his crew. He’ll be honored. For now, you and I are operating on scant information so you’ll hide the tattoos until we understand more. Don’t make a big deal of it. Just say you’re getting sunburned or something.”

  Devlin nodded and stood straighter. “They say we’re going to fight with that ship up ahead.”

  “It may be less of a fight than people think, but yes.”

  “I’ll make you proud, Tanner.”

  “You already have. Go back to work and keep this conversation to yourself.”

  Devlin left, and Tanner watched the ship ahead draw slightly closer. He thought he could see a little white water as the bow sliced ahead. What would the men on that ship be thinking? It was six or seven days’ sail to the Marlstones. Only one day out of port.

  Then he felt the touch of a dragon. The small of his back itched, but it was more than an itch. He glanced at the sky, knowing he wouldn’t see it because the dragon was too far away. It was on the mainland, probably keeping pace with the ship until the distance became too great. He assumed that Carrion would have it fly to the Marlstones when the time came.

  Carrion could also have it fly closer, keeping it just out of sight until the black ship attacked. The dragon could attack the black ship and sink it anytime Carrion ordered. But only the two of them knew that. The next question was about a dragon crossing the Endless Sea.

  Dragons are not known for swimming, although there were a few tales that said they could. But there had to be a maximum distance. The ship would take six or seven days to sail to the Marlstones. He knew dragons could fly that far in a single day, but it would take from dawn to dark. Dragons do not like to fly after dark.

  The distance from the Marlstones to Breslau was probably three times that far. The chart. He
thought back to when Captain Jamison spread it before them and Carrion’s intense interest. Now he understood. The distance to the wide bay and the largest city was not the shortest route to the coast. If a dragon didn’t fly southeast, as they would sail, but went northeast, it would arrive in half the distance.

  Of course, it would have to rest and eat from the long flight, but then it could fly south and join them. That was why Carrion had studied the northern portion of the chart so intently. Without the chart, Carrion and Tanner would be without the help of the red dragon.

  The shorter crossing would be another reason why the Royalty of Breslau paid for maps and charts to be destroyed. They didn’t want the Dragon Clan to learn how a dragon could cross the Endless Sea. Indeed, they may have named the water ‘Endless’ just to prevent the Dragon Clan from attempting to cross. It had worked until now.

  The tingle on his back was still there. If anything, it had intensified slightly. Carrion was probably going to keep it flying just out of sight unless needed. The dragon would have to fly back in the dark, but with Carrion sharing its eyes, there would be no problem. Carrion would search for fires, lanterns, or other man-made sources of light to guide him. He could always locate the shoreline and white breaking waves. Landing on a deserted beach was not ideal, but would work.

  His attention went back to the Far Seeker. Twice now he’d felt a slight shift in the ship and the motion of how it pitched. Small adjustments by the helmsman at the direction of the Captain and confirmed when Tanner looked behind The Rose and saw the wake change direction.

  The sun was settling lower, right behind the stern. The black ship took on detail. It sailed directly at them, a curl of white in contrast to the black hull at the bow. That sight must have made the crews of other ships cringe.

  It was still too far off to see individually, but the closing speed was fast. He went to his cabin and found only half the arrows and a single bow remained. Carrion was already getting prepared. He went back to the deck; to the position he’d chosen earlier. One glance told him he was the last to take his place.

  A crewman ran to his side, “The Captain said to tell you he intends to keep them on his port.”

  “Meaning we’ll pass the other ship on our left?”

  “That’s what I said, right?”

  “Just making sure,” Tanner smiled. As the other ship drew closer, the tingling on his back increased. The red dragon must sense Carrion’s fear and readiness to fight. And mine, too.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Tanner sat on a mushroom-shaped device at the bow. There were two of them, used to tie the ship to the pier when in port. The huge ropes were wrapped around them. When he crouched behind them, he would be safe.

  When he stood with his bow, his surprise for them would be that his arrow would be ready to fly. They were expecting minimal opposition. As quickly as he found a target, the first arrow would be released and another fitted to the bowstring.

  He anticipated getting off three arrows before ducking to safety. In the space of two breaths, he would loose three arrows. If only one stuck a target, and one from each of his archers, the fighting men of the Far Seeker was reduced by a quarter.

  The wind had slackened and now only rippled the surface of the water. The Rose stood up straighter and moved at half the speed of earlier. There was little movement of the deck. He glanced behind and saw the other three archers in their positions. He was at the bow, and they’d take his lead. When he stood, so would they. There was no reason to speak or issue orders. All knew their duties.

  He saw men on the other ship moving about. Most were either on the starboard side or heading there. Their starboard side would pass The Rose’s port. The Far Seeker was the faster ship. If Tanner were the captain, he would have chased The Rose until he caught her. Why was Captain Brice attacking from the bow?

  Fear. The move was intended to create fear on The Rose. He was allowing them to see and understand he was going to take their ship. Brice would slash by them; the crew armed with bows of their own. They’d shoot so many arrows that a normal cargo ship would drop their sails and surrender. If they didn’t, Captain Brice would make a sharp turn and give chase, since his ship was the fastest on the sea. When Captain Brice caught up with them, grappling hooks would be thrown to draw The Rose close enough for his crew to board.

  Captain Brice wanted to take The Rose intact. Tanner didn’t have the same objective. He would burn the Far Seeker and sink her. That difference could turn the battle.

  “Steady,” he heard Captain Jamison call.

  Tanner looked behind again. He saw no crewmen exposed. Then back to the other ship. He could make out individuals now. Even some of their dress. More than a few trimmed their black uniforms with red bandanas or red sashes around their waists. They appeared fierce.

  Some shook blades of one sort or another in the air for the sunlight to glint off. Another scare tactic only. The blades would do nothing on the first pass, except to terrify a crew. Others held bows. Short bows half the size of the longbows Tanner and his people held. Of course, it took upper arm strength and practice to use a longbow.

  Their bows made perfect sense—at other times. This time, things would be different. Tanner heard the shouting and taunting. The time was getting close. A few of the ten at the rail of the Far Seeker shielded their eyes from the sun.

  Tanner had three arrows laid out in front of him where they would be easy to reach without looking. He knelt. An arrow was fitted and ready.

  He tensed, but waited. Tanner quickly stood, noting the shock of surprise on the men no more than fifty paces away. Since he was at the bow, he took aim at the last in the row, thinking Carrion and the two archers would aim at those closest.

  His arrow flew as he reached full height, but instead of watching where it landed, he reached for the next arrow. Without aiming, he used instinct to let it fly as he noticed that the first had struck its mark. The arrow stood out from the man’s chest, his hands clasping the shaft.

  Tanner reached for the third, as the ship quickly slipped past. He fired after it, at the single man he saw still standing. It was Captain Brice.

  The first part of the battle was over. He didn’t see if any of his other arrows struck their targets, and he didn’t see Captain Brice fall. He assumed he’d missed when the Far Seeker began a sharp turn.

  It turned and took chase. Tanner almost smiled. The Far Seeker had expected an easy capture. At least one man took an arrow to his chest, and The Rose had fought back.

  Captain Jamison held the course steady, directly for the main port in the Marlstones. The sun touched the horizon as they all let out collective sighs. A sailor ran to Tanner’s side. “Sir, the Captain wishes to know if you want flames for your bows.”

  “Yes. Small bowls of oil, rags, and two men to light the arrows and hand them to us. All of us will be at the stern.” Tanner gave him a pat on his shoulder as the sailor raced to tell the Captain. Tanner moved down the deck to the first of the archers. “How’d you do?”

  “The ship took a dip as I released my first. I only managed to put it in his leg.”

  “Any others?”

  “Can’t rightly say. I was busy trying to get them off before that ship went out of range.”

  “I had one direct hit, so with yours, they’re down two. I’m going to talk to the others A sailor will bring oil, flame, and wrap them for you when it gets closer.”

  “Yes sir, this is where that damned black learns what a longbow is for. I’ll put ten into her before she gets close enough for one of those little bows to reach to us.”

  “Meet us on the stern.” Tanner gave him a slap on his shoulder as he went there next. The archer knew one of his, hit an arm, and he believed another hit a man’s stomach, but the man may have been ducking instead of being hit, it was impossible to be sure. Tanner passed on the information about the arrows and moved to where Carrion waited.

  “How’d you do?” Tanner asked the men when all four were on the s
tern.

  “Missed all three. My first went high when the ship shifted. The others were off the mark, too. What about you?”

  “Between us, there are three definite hits, maybe one more. Two wounded and one dead, perhaps two,” Tanner explained, sounding proud of their success.

  “Three men out of commission and they know we’re not going to roll over for them,” Carrion snarled. “Any chance of them turning away? No, I suppose not.”

  Tanner explained where the oil and rags waited. Together they watched the black ship overtaking them. He ran to the wheelhouse and felt like saluting as he entered. The air was tense, the Captain checking on a hundred items as he prepared to defend his ship.

  Tanner said, “They’ll plan to board. When that doesn’t work, they’ll shoot flaming arrows. Have your men standing by with buckets. They can fill barrels with seawater before the Far Seeker gets here.”

  “What if they board us?” Captain Jamison said, a tremor betraying his fear.

  “They won’t. We’ll take care of that. Have at least three or four men ready to run to the rail and cut the ropes to the grappling hooks. But I doubt if there will be any.”

  “No? Why?”

  “Numbers. At least three of them are already down. Maybe four. Someone has to steer the ship. That leaves only ten men at the most. Probably less. Not enough to board and fight.”

  “We have a few more men, but they are not pirates who are used to fighting.”

  Tanner shrugged. “Count to three slowly. In that space of time, I can put three arrows into three men at fifty paces. The distance will be less, and the other three archers are at least as good with a longbow as I.”

  “You don’t think they’ll ever come alongside.”

  “No, I don’t. Before we can shoot at men, we’ll use fire. We’ll be prepared, but as the Far Seeker gets closer to us, we’ll have time to put fifty flaming arrows into her. All over the ship. They’ll be too busy putting out fires to use their bows or try to board. After their ship has a dozen fires, I’ll switch to regular arrows and hit anyone trying to put them out.”