Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe

by James M. Ward

  "In any event, I've brought you down here to see if you can have any effect on this ice you created. Attend me if you will, young Halcyon."

  "Certainly, sir, I'll do whatever I can," Halcyon said, coming next to the side of the wizard.

  "This ice is filled with magic," Daton observed. "Normally, ice would harm the tissue of the heart after prolonged exposure. That was my first concern when I saw this ice wasn't melting. Naturally, because of the blast gel we can't bring fire in here, but notice this."

  The wizard placed his large hand on the surface of the ice.

  "My hand's warmth would normally melt ice and it isn't doing a thing. I've also carefully chipped at the ice and it doesn't come away at all. Try your hand on that same spot."

  The ice was several feet thick where the wizard pointed. The top half of the heart was free of the ice. Halcyon reached out as instructed and placed his hand on the ice. He felt the cold, instantly, but it was a pleasant tingling on his palm.

  The white ice turned clear under his touch and his hand did indeed melt the ice.

  "There, I thought so," Daton said, pleased with his speculation. "Let's have a look at your palm."

  Halcyon showed his open palm to the commander. He was surprised to see the black scar of his cursing gone from the lifeline on his palm. "How did that happen?" he asked.

  "The high magic is tied somehow to the wisher. I'm sure you will be able to make this entire ice sheath all go away with a little time and effort. It's a healing magic so it healed the scar on your palm. I know it will heal the other one if you want."

  "Why can't we just leave the ice on the heart if it helps our dragon?" Halcyon wanted to know.

  "The blast gel is of course the problem," Daton said as he moved over to the section of the heart covered in the blast gel. He waved his hand in a magical spell and the white ice turned clear on that side of the heart. The large patch of green blast gel was clearly visible under the many inches of ice. "It's between the heart and the ice. Blast gel is nasty stuff and very poisonous. That's why I suspect the ice has such great healing properties. It's restoring, second by second, the damage to the heart that the gel is doing.

  "I also suspect a strong blow to the ice will still set off the gel under the ice," Commander Giantson said. "When we get to port, we'll bring in a fire wizard and you and the wizard will work on this ice and the gel. I've every reason to believe if you died suddenly, the ice would vanish, and the gel would explode. Try hard not to die. That's an order, young Halcyon."

  "I'll do my best, sir," Halcyon said in all seriousness. He looked at his left hand and the scar on his palm. "I'm going to keep this one. It's a good reminder of what happened to me."

  They spent the rest of the watch taking measurements of the heart and the ice. Halcyon had several technical questions about defensive spells he'd been meaning to ask. Daton asked Halcyon about his experience with pixies.

  The midshipwizard wardroom was relatively quiet with only the creaking of the ship and the snores of a few of the sleepers to break the silence. Suddenly, the hatch flew open.

  "Get up! Move your bones, for battle stations!" Hackle screamed out to the sleeping boys in the wardroom.

  At the words "battle stations," all of them rushed out of their beds.

  "Drums, where's the sound of drums?" Grunseth asked.

  "Commander Wily wants you on the quarterdeck in full battle gear. We're a day away from a fight, but he wants to know you're all ready. So get a move on. Wily doesn't want to wait for slugabeds like you all," Hackle said with too much relish at waking the tired boys.

  Throwing open his sea chest, Halcyon reached in for the equipment he'd need. All of his things were brand-new. Other, older brothers had gotten magical equipment from former Blithes. He didn't care; he cherished every one of the things he'd received, because they came to him at the order of his father. As Halcyon put on the enchanted bracers, the luck ring, the water ring, and the belt of strength, he could remember his father giving him every one of them.

  His father's words came to mind. "Halcyon, we Blithes send our sons and daughters off to war generation after generation. I know you'll do the family proud. We give each of our new recruits the best equipment we can afford. Bring it all back and give it to your son when you retire. I love you, my son, and I'm proud of you."

  Halcyon's father was gone now, but his spirit still lived on in Halcyon. The midshipwizard strapped on his saber and ignored Hackle's badgering. Walking out of the wardroom, Halcyon was as ready as he could be for whatever battle would bring him.

  Coming up on deck, he tipped his battle helm to the quarterdeck. Looking past the prow, he would make out his enemy ship still more than twenty miles in the distance. However, the Sanguine was catching up.

  "Good work," he thought to the dragon. The dragon's head turned and looked back at him in response. He waved up at it and then climbed those quarterdeck steps. Dart and Elan were there at attention already beside Commander Wily. Dart winked at Halcyon as he came up.

  "Reporting for inspection, sir," Halcyon said as he saluted Wily.

  "Stand with the others, Mr. Blithe" was all Wily said to him.

  Eventually all of the midshipwizards came onto the quarterdeck.

  "Mr. Forrest, you are the last to report again," Commander Wily barked. "What is the nineteenth Article of War?"

  "Sir: 'Every officer or other person in the fleet who shall knowingly make or sign a false muster or muster book, or who shall command, counsel, or procure the making or signing thereof, or who shall aid or abet any other person in the making or signing thereof, shall, upon proof of any such offense being made before a court-martial, be cashiered, and rendered incapable of further employment in His Majesty's naval service.' " Mark quoted the article without hesitation.

  "Mr. Forrest, you will be the first or second crew member to muster for the next three watches or I will know the reason why. Do you understand me, sir?" Wily's tone of voice was grimmer than his smiling face would indicate.

  "Sir, yes sir," Forrest said, standing at attention.

  "At ease, everyone," Wily ordered.

  The group came to parade rest on the rocking deck.

  "Midshipwizard Merand, I have to compliment you on this batch of midshipwizards. I've never known a group of young officers that knew their Articles so well," Wily said.

  Alvena just stood with the rest, a big smile on her face.

  "I've called you all here to talk of the upcoming battle. Some of you have seen action before, but most haven't. I was young once and know how your heart races and your bones ache to come to grips with the enemy. He's out there right now. I want you all to take a look at him." Wily pointed to the northwest, and all eyes turned to the ship in the distance.

  Halcyon noticed the captain standing by the great wheel. The captain's eyes turned as well. He was clearly listening to what Wily was saying.

  Wily continued, "That's a first-rater we will be facing. The standard Maleen battle tactic is to close with the enemy and board. That ship has at least one hundred blast-tubes. They have a huge boarding plank called a corvus. It comes over our deck and crashes down with a spike at its end. That maneuver will be difficult for them, as this dragonship is taller than they are.

  "Mr. Haywhen, front and center, draw your weapon and come on guard," barked Wily.

  Tupper drew his saber. The weapon glowed from some type of magic. Halcyon hadn't seen that glow before. This wasn't a practice weapon; its edge was magically razor-sharp, and its point could kill.

  Wily started circling Tupper. He gestured with his hand and the red glow of the Drusan shield came alive around the commander's body.

  Halcyon had talked to Commander Giantson about the Drusan magical shield and learned a great deal about its properties. He also now knew that Commander Wily had to be an unusually capable spellcaster to make that shield happen with just a simple gesture. Halcyon noted a look of concern on the captain's face.

  Wily drew his own sab
er. The weapon was longer and thicker than Tupper's. "Arcanians come to battle wearing helms. None of our enemies wear such equipment, much to their regret."

  Tupper refused to stand still as Dire Wily circled him. He stayed on guard, his body tense, just as if he faced a real enemy. Halcyon thought Tupper was itching to lunge at the commander.

  "The marines of the enemy are slightly larger than I am, and all of them wear a chest plate that few of you could punch through with your weapons. Mr. Haywhen, when you are ready please lunge for my chest. Let me worry about any damage you might inflict. When you are ready, sir," Wily said casually. The commander was almost twice as tall as little twelve-year-old Tupper. Today his arms bulged with thick muscles, and Halcyon wondered if maybe the commander hadn't cast some type of strengthening spell.

  The commander went a full circle around Tupper. "I..."

  Tupper had been waiting for the commander to start his next sentence before he struck. He feinted left and lunged straight into the chest of the commander.

  Wily tried to beat away Tupper's blade, but was completely fooled by the left action, and Tupper's tip struck deeply into the chest of the officer. Only the bright red flair of the shield stopped the blade from taking the commander's heart.

  Tupper stood back, a look of shock on his face. If not for the magic of Wily, he would have killed his commander.

  "Well done!" Captain Olden shouted.

  Wily stood there surprised as well.

  "Urh, yes, Mr. Haywhen, fall back in line. You obviously have the ability to pierce a Maleen's chest. Mr. Spangler, front and center. Draw your weapon, man, and be prepared to use it," ordered Wily.

  The thirteen-year-old Spangler was a little larger than Tupper, but still looked small next to Dire Wily.

  Wily again circled the boy and talked to the rest of them. "Young Spangler here hasn't fastened his battle helm, notice his strap is dangling at his neck."

  Robert reached to fasten the strap.

  In a blur of motion, Wily closed chest-to-chest. Using his off hand, he struck off Robert's helm; then he smashed him in the face with a head butt. The boy dropped his weapon and went down on one knee in pain.

  "It's no good having a helm if the first enemy you encounter can knock it off. Also, my first rule of battle is, no one expects a head butt. Remember that and it could save your life someday." Wily bent down to help Robert up. The boy's nose was bleeding. "It hurts now, I know, but I venture to say you'll never forget to fasten your helm again. Back in line, boy."

  Wily paced back and forth in front of all of the midshipwizards. He looked each one of them over. "Mr. Blithe, front and center. Draw your weapon, boy, and don't let me get close, I warn you now."

  Halcyon, his heart beating faster than it ever had before, drew his weapon and pointed it unwaveringly at the chest of Commander Wily.

  The commander began circling Halcyon and suddenly stopped. His blade pointed over at Surehand and Boatson. "Gentlemen, please move to the stern part of our little circle, I see the enemy ship is changing position."

  Everyone's eyes shifted to see the enemy ship—everyone's eyes but Halcyon's. His weapon and his eyes remained focused on the chest of Mr. Wily. Halcyon thought he noticed an irritated expression briefly cross the smiling face of the commander.

  Suddenly Dire lifted his off hand into the air and made a fist. "Torna, teseact!" he shouted. A dark mass covered his fist and he threw that mass at Halcyon.

  For the boy's part he tried ducking the spell, but couldn't. He felt his bracers gently squeeze his arms. The darkness turned to dust and fell all around him.

  Failing the spell, Wily came in attacking. Half lunging, slashing when that failed, he managed to cut into the sleeve of Halcyon's jacket.

  "There, notice those very special bracers Mr. Blithe is wearing," Wily said. "The magic I used should have captured our Halcyon's mind, but failed because of those bracers. Such equipment is not standard in our navy. Those bracers are of pixie work, I wager, aren't they, Mr. Blithe?"

  "Yes, they..." Halcyon stopped talking, interrupted by Wily's lunge at him. He barely parried it and stopped talking.

  "Hold a moment," Captain Olden ordered as he moved between the two officers. The captain had his saber drawn. "Our Mr. Wily is a skilled swordsman. He's stronger than you are, Mr. Blithe, and he has far more experience. You must fight him absence-of-blade. Don't let his blade strike yours so that his stronger wrist and arm can batter at your defenses. On guard, Mr. Wily."

  The look on Dire Wily's face told Halcyon he didn't really want to do what the captain asked, but the captain's weapon didn't give him any choice. Their blades passed back and forth for many minutes. Every time Commander Wily tried to slash at the captain's weapon, it moved aside, as did the captain. The amazing tactic of not allowing the enemy weapon to strike the captain's sword revealed itself to all of the midshipwizards. They were all swordsmen enough to realize how to perform the tactic they saw revealed in the captain's action.

  "Halt," the captain ordered. Both men stopped and lowered their weapons. Wily was breathing hard, but the captain seemed totally fresh. "Mr. Wily is giving you all an important lesson here, but I just wanted to break in to give you a possible new tool to use in your fencing bag of tricks. When we all fence together again, I'll work you all on the absence-of-blade technique. Carry on."

  "Yes, quite. Thank you, Captain. Mr. Blithe, if you please, come on guard again." Wily gave the order, but he was looking past Halcyon toward the enemy ship. There was a questioning look on his face.

  Halcyon refused to be distracted. His blade point and his eyes never left Wily's chest.

  Failing to distract him, Wily threw a lightning bolt at Halcyon.

  The midshipwizard's luck ring flashed briefly and he did manage to duck the attack. The bolt went through the space recently vacated by Dart and Jacom.

  "What a surprising array of things you have, Mr. Blithe. The luck ring I now see you wearing is also an unusual piece of equipment. I hope none of your enchanted things ever fail you, forcing you to have to count on just yourself. Return to the line," Wily ordered briskly.

  Halcyon sheathed his saber, happy to be out of the spotlight. Now he glanced at the enemy ship in the distance, and it did seem closer. He also looked back at the captain, noting a friendly grin in response. It quite warmed Halcyon's heart to see the encouraging glance from the captain.

  "We stand on the deck of the Sanguine as ready as we can be for the upcoming battle." Wily's words were bold. "The enemy we face is strong and ruthless. It will take all of our skill and abilities to survive and win the day, and maybe even then it won't be enough. You men and women are the backbone of this ship. You must display heart and courage in front of the rest of the crew. When the heat and terrible destruction of battle crashes all around you, be strong when others are running in fear. When twice your numbers of enemy troops come boiling over the railing at you and yours, work to save the lives of the crew and the Sanguine. Take your battle stations until the next ship's bell. Carry on," Wily ordered.

  Halcyon shook his head at Wily's speech. Half of his speech needed saying and was good to know. The other half, Halcyon thought, only sent chills down one's spine.

  "Sir, Dori didn't mean to," one of the crew said, shaking Halcyon out of his thought.

  "What did you say, sailor?" Halcyon asked.

  "Begging your pardon, sir, Deadly Dori, that's the blast-tube here. The one that pulled loose in the storm, it didn't mean to break loose." The sailor was nervous; he kept twisting his sailor cap in his hands. There were five other men all looking expectantly up at Blithe.

  "I should hope not. Next time we have a storm, make sure it's tied tight." Halcyon was smiling at the men, but there was a tinge of guilt in the statement, as it was the storm he caused that made the blast-tube tear loose.

  "It won't tear loose again, and old Dori will make us all proud in the coming battle, mark my words, sir. We just wanted to say thank you for saving it and us. We
were on deck that day and would have been killed for sure in the storm if you hadn't acted the way you did."

  "Think nothing of that. I appreciate your words. The damn storm shouldn't have happened in the first place. If Dori there does well in the coming battle, I'll stand you all to a drink at the first inn we come to. Continue on, men, continue on." Halcyon walked away, feeling good at having done something right as a result of that foolish storm.

  his majesty's articles of war: article xviii

  All robbery committed by any person in the fleet shall be punished with death, or otherwise, as a court-martial, upon consideration of the circumstances, shall find meet.

  "What did you say?" Halcyon couldn't believe what Midshipwizard First Class Alvena Merand was telling him.

  "I said, the captain has requested the presence of both of us at his table tonight for supper." Her tone showed her own nervousness.

  "I still don't understand. Why in the world, before a major battle, would he ask for you and me at his table? Captains never ask midshipmen, wizards or not, to come to supper, do they?" Halcyon started pacing back and forth in the wardroom.

  "That of course isn't the worst thing that's going to happen to you. Halcyon, you have to sing a supper song," Alvena said in all seriousness.

  "I have to what?" Halcyon felt himself go pale.

  "The lowest-ranking member of the captain's table must lead the rest in a song at meal's end. It's the custom of the captain's. I wanted to warn you so you wouldn't go all cotton-mouthed in front of the others. I know it's going to be hard; you'll just have to stiffen your spine. I'll be by tonight at almost seven bells. See that you're dressed and ready in your best. Do you have any questions, Midshipwizard?" Alvena asked.