by Nelson, J P
My breath knocked out, I effected a gaspingly quick *Self Heal* and looked around to see one of the rider-less horses apparently not wanting to be left behind. Getting to my feet I grabbed the saddle on the run, hit my feet to the road and swung up around the rump and into the saddle seat. Slapping my heels and snapping the reins I took after the wagon with renewed determination and a rasping “Hey-yah-yah.”
Chasing the wagon around four roads, I saw it slide and careen and I still don’t know how it kept from turning over. My horse was tired and already out of wind and was slipping and sliding itself, ultimately gaining only a little ground. I saw that we were almost parallel with the docks and only two lines of buildings were between me and the waterfront. Desperately I wanted to get the wagon before it came abreast of the Chikried.
Estimating where the wagon would come out on the dockside, I took a gamble and plunged my resistant and exhausted mount through a narrow passageway. We jumped a couple of obstacles causing more commotion and several chickens almost put my horse to bucking, but we entered the freight wagon area in front of the docks just as the wagon passed by. Getting abreast of the wagon and grabbing the tailgate rail, I climbed again to the top.
The driver saw me coming for him and at the last minute turned to attempt shooting me with a crossbow, but he missed clean. I grabbed him by the hair and delivered a powerful blow to his temple, then seizing him by the front of his tunic I bodily lifted him up and threw him up and over the corner of the wagon to the cobblestone below. Jumping down to the bench, I took the reins and hauled to while slamming the brake with my heel.
The horses were already scared, and the result was a splintering of one wheel and the wagon careening over onto its side as I jumped to the ground and came up with a double roll. The front axle and tongue of the wagon broke off and the horses ran free pulling just the front wheels, but I could hear voices from the men I was sure were inside the box. I unbolted the back gate of the wagon, now lying on its right side, and gave just enough visage of myself to get the desired response … the firing of a crossbow just as I darted away.
In my hand was the head of the broken bolt I had retracted from Jame; instantly I stepped back and whipped the bolt like a dart between the shooter’s eyes. A second man got to his feet from where he had landed on the wagon’s side and lunged at me with a dirk. Stepping back I deflected his thrust and caught his wrist. Stepping under I threw him with a fireman’s carry while wrenching his weapon free with a twist that shattered his forearm and wrist.
A third man came out of the wagon fast in hopes of grabbing me, and ran into my fully extended right side-kick. The kick didn’t finish him, but stopped him long enough for me to turn back to my second playmate, which was rolling up and onto his feet. As I recoiled my right foot, I immediately kicked upward into number two’s groin and then brought my left knee under his jaw.
Seeing number three out of my peripheral vision recover and go for a belt knife, I rolled backward while pressing the appropriate place in my left boot to make a stiletto blade shwict from the front sole. Three ran right into my little surprise as I struck both of my toes into his midriff from my rolling movement. As his full weight fell onto my feet, I retracted the blade, pushed up and over to my left, and threw him far from the wagon.
Yet a fourth and final man had pulled a nasty looking dagger with a curved blade and looked from me to the inert form of the little girl. Using a cruel, deadpan monotone I said, “I dare you.”
He made a lunge toward the girl, then changed direction toward me … I guess he was trying to fake me out. As he lunged I did a side-step while drawing my own dagger, slapping his weapon to the side, and grabbing his weapon hand with my left. There were so many aspects of that blade I had yet to use in combat, including its ability to become blue-white hot. I slashed his left leg, severing all muscles touched, yet cauterizing the wounds so as not to make a mess. With the same circular motion I brought my glowing blade down hard and severed his right forearm with ease.
The momentum of our exchange carried us to the side of the wreckage as I back-swiped the child abductor across the chest, then ran all seven inches my weapon blade into his torso and carried him into the now exposed underside of the wagon … his face beside a still spinning wagon wheel.
My rage was evident as I lifted him up by the front of his tunic and held him up against the wood, his feet dangling. I then hissed, “I’m going to cut you by slices and feed you to the local swine.” His eyes widened and he tried to struggle … for pig food is the lowest of the low of all supposed victuals; to be fed to the swine was believed by most to be spiritual destruction … and then I released the magic of my blade.
From within the enchanted handle, the heat of the flame absorbed at the Jame’s home was pushed into number four’s body. His body temperature soared as he screamed, his blood began to boil, and his clothes caught fire. Pulling the cleaned blade from his body, I watched his burning form a moment and then darted into the wagon box to retrieve the girl.
As I gently picked her up I could tell from her clothing she was as yet untouched from molesting hands. But it would have only been a matter of time, if my suspicions were correct, had she been put on that ship. My heart broke as I saw her little arm dangling from having been fractured in multiple places. I looked into her angel’s face and saw she was … she was about the same age as Riana’s child, perhaps eight years old … she could be my child, my own little girl. I wanted to resurrect the vermin who kidnapped her and kill them again.
As I carried her out of the wagon, several dockhands were gathering around and they didn’t look happy. One fellow with skin as dark as a shadow and muscles that made me take notice demanded harshly, “What is going on here!” He had a gaff hook in his hand as well.
“Good sir, I need a pillow for this child, quickly. She is hurt.”
He thought about it for only an instant, and took off his own tunic and rolled it up neatly. Either this guy wasn’t a worker who just happened to grab that hook, or he was and just hadn’t started sweating yet, for that tunic was clean muslin. It was then I noticed the Lohra Lai was only rods away. In the commotion I hadn’t recognized where I was on the dock. Was this some of her crew?
The fellow watched me carefully as I focused, taking her little arm I poured all I had left into it. The arm came back together with several popping sounds and then she coughed and sneezed several times. She had been drugged to keep quiet during the abduction. Someone else had noticed the little girl and brought something to cover her with.
Gingerly picking her up, I offered her to the big fellow and said, “Her name is Einna. Would you please be her guardian until a lady in a carriage gets down here?”
Out of reflex, he took Einna as I handed her to his chest. He looked down at her with awkwardness and said, “And where are you going?” I noticed he had an educated accent that spoke of Lh’Gohria.
Loud enough so everyone could hear me, I said, “Children are being stolen by the crew of the Chikried and taken for who knows what.” I broke off a piece of the wagon’s broken wheel spoke, and using *Thorn Blade* made it grow into a pointed staff which I whirled a movement or two to get the feel, and then added, “These could be your children. I’m going to stop it. Who has the honor to join me?”
I know several of those sailors had tossed with many a young pleasure in the taverns and pubs of the sea. But those are for the most part girls who have chosen their vocation for one reason or the other, and they knew what they were about. But this night the feeling was strong in protecting the innocent child, to safeguard those who can not yet stand for themselves.
Was it my imagination, or did I hear the drums of battle? For it truly is a war to stand up for the weak and the trodden. The number of men who advanced with me was astonishing. From the sharp dressed gentlemen visiting the dock pubs to negotiate business, to the most raggedly clothed sailor; even a couple of drunks from under the pier joined in.
When we reached the Chikried,
her captain and crew knew what was about. They had already tossed their lines and were trying to make for the ocean, but they were too late. We fired her sails and boarded her side. The fight was against her and her crew from the start.
From her starboard several of the crew tried to jump, and one well dressed fellow, who happened to be a judge in the courts of Foljur, was found trying to run with a sack of coin. There was no investigation, there was no trial. Every manjack from the ship was held through the night and hung the next morning so the town could see, including the judge, a testament that the children of these isles were not to be molested.
Fifty-three young girls were found in that dark hold, only some from this fair town, and many from N’Ville.
All of the crew had one important common thread, along with being fellow crewmembers, they all wore a tattoo on their inside right arm of five serpents intertwined with a boar’s head. A cult, some of the dockworkers said, from the Island of Xun-Xiudanga. Their belief was that their god was going to rise up from the volcano in the center of their island, and when he did he was going to rule the world with his worshipers. In exchange he wanted his priests to provide him with a harem, the finest women trained from childhood, and then sacrificed into immortality to serve him and his most loyal followers.
For me it was that same story of the alignment deal. Hoscoe had been right, the notion was all around the world, and the alignment was only what, seventeen or eighteen years away.
Standing on dock watching the Chikried being towed out to sea, there to be sunk into the deep with the grizzly remains of her crew hanging by the yardarms, I was joined by Wesney and Bannock. Bannock had been on the vessel with me, Wesney had seen to the girls and administered what medical attention was needed.
Wesney broke the quiet as he asked, “Well, Wolf … are we out and about saving the world again?”
As I glanced at him his facial expression was somewhat humorous and supportive.
Bannock said, “I would vote for a round of Condroy Tea.”
“Perhaps a couple of rounds, if Mister Wolf wishes.” The deep voice came up from the side unexpected.
Captain Jha’Ley walked up from Lushandri’s carriage as she, herself, came quickly to my side, touched me on the arm with concern, and then took my hands and asked, “Are you alright?”
Wesney did a modest double-take as Jha’Ley expressed an arm folding quirky grin. Bannock? Well, I think Bannock always has an “I know what you think I don’t know” mischievous look in his eye.
“I’m fine.” I said. “I’m sorry …”
“No …” she shook her head, and then breathed deep before saying, “… you did the right thing.” She closed her eyes in the sensual way I had grown to like, then opened them again as she added with an exhale of relief, “I’m glad you are …” she seemed not sure what to say and I gave her hands a gentle squeeze.
“Captain Jha’Ley?” I asked.
“Yes Mister Wolf?”
“Is your offer still good?”
Lushandri bit her lip, but I could tell she was pleased as she glanced from me to him, and then back to me. The Captain had his subdued grin in place.
“Yes, it is.”
“Then I would like to request permission to finish packing and come aboard.”
“Permission granted. But take an extra day.” Looking to the Chikried he said, “This endeavor has put us off departure a day, or so. And I don’t like leaving port on Sabboday, which is tomorrow. Therefore, I believe we’ll wait ‘til the morning after to cast off.”
Bowing my head in a salute, I asked, “I thought I heard drums beating to quarters. Was that you?”
The corner of his mouth went up and his eyebrow raised, “When my bosun told me an elvin man put a little girl in his arms for protection, and a touch of the story … well, we can’t have slave ships taking off into the waters now can we?”
“You were going to cast off and chase her?”
“Of course.” He paused and then added with mirth, “I couldn’t think of anything better to do at the moment.”
Returning my gaze to Lushandri I said quietly, “Well, it looks like I have another couple of days. Would you care for a Condroy Tea … and maybe Sabboday we could spend the day swimming?”
She smiled and I saw a twinkle in her eye, “Yes, I would like that very much.”
Epilogue
________________________
Standing on the bow of the Lohra Lai, I see all about me the endless horizon of the ocean. Where will my path lead? I do not know. But I have a purpose in life, now. Hoscoe once told me of learning from three teachers, and he was my first. Now I would learn from the finest captain on the sea, on perhaps the strongest vessel in the world.
I have a combined heritage from my momma and the man I have come to recognize as my blood father, and I have skills which set me apart from most of those in our time. My learning is still a work in progress but I have friends from whom I can learn from and share experiences with. Born as a slave, yet I need not live chained to my past. I will look back to learn, but ever will I hold fast to the forward of life.
My sheaf of personal logbooks I will keep for such time as I shall see Lushandri again and will write daily … and somehow, I feel in my heart that the day will indeed come about. I have a special friend in Lushandri, but I also have new friends on this vessel and an old one.
Crewmen from several species have set sail under the leadership of a visionary to perform a task others believe impossible. We’re headed into unknown waters with only our collective skills, and maps drawn by my momma’s hand.
As I try to formulate the first thoughts of which to write, I draw my favorite flute while standing at the bow of our ship, and looking to the distant horizon I begin to play my momma’s favorite song to the rhythm of the waves, the clean salty smell of the air, and the pitch of the Lohra Lai ………
The End …
… Of the Beginning
Phonetic Pronunciation Guide
Through-out this book there are many new names and terms, most of which are sounded as written. But for those who take pride in pronouncing a word as it is intended, especially for the sake of cultural flavor, here is a guide for such words and names that may be a bit of a challenge. After all, even a short-lived town wants its name remembered correctly.
Aerall (AY-rall)
Aeshea (ay-SHEE-ah)
Aggatha Ro’Yahl (agg-ah-thuh, roe-YALL)
Ahjokus (ah-JOKE-us)
Ahl’Tohku (all-TOE-koo)
Ahnushain (AHN-yew-shane)
Ahrnema (are-NEE-mah)
Ahvohriu (ah-VOR-oo)
Albri (ALL-bree)
Alburin (all-BIUR-in)
Aldivert (ALL-dee-vert)
Allena, Robanno (ah-LEE-nah, roe-BAH-noe)
Almadin (all-MAH-dinn)
Alohra-Mae Hahnah (ah-lore-ah-may, HAH-nah)
Anu-Rah (ah-new, RAH)
Apndiul (APP-in-dewl)
Aquars (AK-wars)
Aquastikarr (ah-KWAS-teh-kar)
Arles (ARE-leez)
Arnahtua (are-NOT-yew-ah)
Autler (OUGHT-ler)
Aydrian (AYE-dree-ann)
Bahquanjiu (bah-KWON-jew)
Bantlrog (BAN-till-rogg)
Banupodai (ban-OO-poe-dye)
Bai’Yeuntite (BYE-yoon-tite)
Behn (BINN)
Bhuat-che (BOO-hot-CHAY)
Biunang (BEW-nang)
Bouli (BOH-lee)
Brakstein (BRAK-steen)
Bristahven (BRISS-tah-vun)
Burnea (burr-NEE-ah)
Caebus (KAY-buss)
Cahf Nl’Ouan (caff-nel-OH-wan)
Caroleen (kair-oh-LEEN)
Ch’Hahnju (cha-HAN-jew)
Ch’ua Llou, Foh (chwa-lyow-FOE)
Ch’upia Fai (chew-pee-ah-FYE)
Chazon (CHAY-
zun)
Chitivias (chih-TEE-vee-us)
Chogiu (choh-gee-YEW)
Chymthina (chim-THEE-nah)
Cielizabeg (sil-LEEZ-uh-beg)
Ciquoa’Stän (SEEK-kwah-STAHN)
Colsti (COHL-stee)
Copius dan’Shalleen (COE-pee-us, dan-shall-LEEN)
Cordis (KOR-dess)
Costien (koe-STEEN)
Cudty (KUD-ee)
D’Rhoatna Ieshintow (dah-ROTE-nah, ESH-in-tohw)
D’Warv (dwarv)
Dahnté (DAHN-tay)
Dahrbus Yuban (DAR-buss, YEW-bann)
Davolet (DAHV-oh-let)
Deakir (DEE-cur)
Debohra (deh-DOHR-ah)
Deyan (DAY-yan)
Di’Yamohn (dye-YAH-moan)
Dianbo (dee-AHN-boe)
Dinosuet (DEE-noh-soo-et)
Diustahn (DEW-stahn)
Diustahntei (dew-STAHN-tay)
Dorla (DOOR-lah)
Dsh’Nyarr (dish-nye-AHR-R)
Dsh’Tharr (DISH-thar-r)
Dugan (DOO-gun)
Eayah (AEY-yuh)
Ehx’Hual (ex-HALL)
Einna (EE-nah)
Eldohrich (EL-doh-rich)
Ehl’Rohlahn (EL-roh-lahn)
Ehleshuvah Dm’Fahrlnah (el-LEE-shoo-vah, dim-FARL-nah)
Emdejon (EM-dee-zhon)
Ernt (UR-ntt)
Esh’Niufahrr (ESH-new-far-r)
Etwarryn (et-WAR-rinn)
Eui’Lau (yew-LOHW)
F’Hauth (fawth)
Faethurayng (FAY-thur-rung)
Fahlmazhar (FALL-mah-zarr)
Falcohn (foul-KONE)
Faldahlon (foul-deh-LOHN)
Famatsu-Tonte (fah-MAT-soo-THAN-tay)
Fel’Caden (fell-KAY-den)