by Tina Daniell
Fritzen quietly padded up behind her, intending to surprise her.
"Feeling better?" she asked, not bothering to turn around.
"How?"
"That healing poultice on your shoulder. It stinks. It smells like dead fish. In fact, it probably has dead fish in it."
Fritzen grinned sheepishly. "I see you're headed to the cove. Excellent choice. It's where I would've gone. Safer from the wind, harder to spot from the open sea."
She finally turned and caught his gaze. For an instant their eyes locked, and he edged closer, then she broke the moment and glanced at his shoulder.
"I'm fine, Maq. Really," Fritz responded to her unvoiced concern. "Tailonna makes wonderful magical healing potions. Lendle is feeling better, too. He was hard at work on a diagram when I left him, then he intended to visit the galley and instruct Hvel and Vartan in the art of seasoning soup. And speaking of food, dinner should be ready soon. Join me?"
"After we drop anchor," she said, returning her attention to the shore. "Then I want to check the sails and the rigging and lash everything down. Look at the clouds overhead. It's the stormy season on this part of the sea, and if those clouds are any indication, we could be facing a gale tonight. If so, the cove should keep some of the wind at bay."
Fritzen stayed with her until the Perechon pulled as close to shore as was safe given the draw of the ship, and he waited until Maq was certain the sails were lowered and in good condition. She fretted over this and that for another hour, then she, Kof, and Fritzen sat cross-legged on the deck and ate bowls of warm and filling oyster soup. As the clouds moved on, taking the hint of a storm with them, and the stars came out, the trio took turns pointing at the various constellations and telling old stories about sea monsters and about the gods coming to Krynn and meddling in the affairs of sailors. For the first time since leaving Attat's palace, the three began to relax and enjoy each other's company. But the mood was shattered as Maquesta yawned and rose from the deck.
"Time for us to get some rest," she announced. "Most of the crew turned in more than an hour ago. I told them we were going to get an early start." She wiped at a spot of soup that had spilled on her tunic. "Kof, stay up top for awhile. I don't like these waters—even near the safety of the land. Fritz, send up Berem and a lookout to keep him company. I'll relieve you later. We sail at dawn."
Fritz rose to go below, and Maq whirled and headed toward the steps. "Thanks for a pleasant evening, gentlemen," she added.
"Maq…" Kof's hushed voice halted her halfway to her cabin.
She turned and watched as the minotaur stiffened. His nose twitched, and a ridge of short, bristly hair stood up on the back of his neck. "There's something out there."
Maquesta started toward the capstan, where her sword rested. But she stopped short as she spied a clawed, webbed hand reach over the railing.
A scratching sound behind her sent her whirling around. Several more pairs of claws were on the other side of the ship—all attached to horrid bodies.
"Kuo-toa!" Kof yelled. "Dozens of them. Devils of the deep!"
"Fritz!" she barked. "Get below and sound the alarm. We're being boarded!" With that she dashed toward the capstan, flinging herself the last few yards and sliding on her stomach across the polished deck. She stopped herself as her fingers closed about the hilt of her sword, and she pulled herself to her knees and unsheathed the blade just in time to see a dark shape lumber toward her. The creature had a massive head like that of a sea bass, but its mouth was filled with jagged teeth that gleamed in the moonlight. It was covered with slime that glistened dully, and it stank of rotting seaweed. Maquesta swallowed hard and concentrated on not retching. The creature's torso was like a man's, though a little larger and covered with blue and green scales, and its arms and legs were nearly humanlike. But its feet were long flippers that trailed strands of kelp, and it had a fishtail that hung behind it and scraped across the deck. The kuo-toa wore crossed leather straps about its chest, with daggers evenly stuck into sheaths on them. Held by a thin cord to its back was a spear, which the thing reached for with its webbed claws as it slogged forward. Maq pulled her sword free of the scabbard and swung it in an upward arc that sliced the creature's belly open as it leaned toward her.
The creature screamed shrilly and looked down to see its entrails spill out. Maq jumped to her feet and swung again, this time higher. Her sword connected with the thing's chest, coaxing another horrid cry that trailed away. As Maquesta's victim pitched forward onto the deck, she leapt back and stared in mute horror as two more waddled forward to take its place. One had an ornate shield and was larger, more than seven feet tall. It wore an impressive necklace of coral and bones, signifying it was of some importance. The kuo-toa spouted a string of gargling gibberish, then thrust forward with its barbed spear. The smaller creature did likewise, jabbing at Maq's middle. She crouched to avoid being skewered and felt the creatures' slime drip onto her shoulders. Behind her, she heard Kof struggling with more of the creatures, his grunts mingling with their babbling gibberish and screams.
"Monsters!" she spat, as she released her sword and sprang to her feet. "You'll not take my ship!" She reached out and grabbed the smaller kuo-toa's spear and pulled hard. The surprised creature was momentarily thrown off balance and let go of its weapon to keep from falling. Avoiding another spear thrust from the larger creature, Maq twirled her borrowed weapon like a baton until the sharp metal head pointed toward her massive attacker. She took a step back, spread her feet for better balance, and waved the spear in front of her to keep the kuo-toa at bay and to give herself a moment to think.
The big kuo-toa's huge eyes rotated to take in the battle on the deck. Maq risked a glance over her shoulder and cringed as she saw Kof being borne to the timbers by a half-dozen of the kuo-toa. Thundering footsteps heralded the arrival of the Perechon's crew, with Fritzen in the lead, but Maquesta knew her men might be no match for the malicious sea creatures.
A growl drew her attention back to the big kuo-toa. It, too, had its spear extended to keep her at a distance. To her horror, she saw the smaller creature pull daggers from its leather harness. She nimbly stepped to the side, avoiding the first missile, but the second nicked her arm and she nearly dropped the spear. Fire coursed through her limb. "Take care!" she cried to the crew. "I think they're using poison!" Out of the corner of her eye she saw the smaller kuo-toa catch a javelin in its chest and go down.
The large kuo-toa threw back its head and made a cackling-gurgling noise that sounded somewhat like laughter. Then it darted in, faster than Maq would have believed possible, and stabbed her thigh. The spear sank in deep, and Maquesta yelped in surprise and pain. She felt the warm blood flow down her leg as her attacker pulled the spear free, sending another jolt of pain through her. But she gritted her teeth, remained standing, and thrust forward with her spear at the same time. The large kuo-toa brought up its boiled leather shield, and Maq's spear tip lodged in it. The creature made a rumbling sound deep in its throat and tossed its shield—and Maq's spear—to the deck. Its eyes focused forward, and it took a step toward her. Behind her Maq heard the cries of her crewmen—shouts of pain and victory merging.
"See to the minotaur; he's down!" she heard one sailor cry.
"I can't get to him," called another. "We're surrounded!"
"Look out! There's more coming over the aft deck!"
"Ohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmy!"
"Where's the sea elf? Wait, she's coming on deck. Do something, Tailonna!"
"Start a fire! See if that'll keep them back!" yelled the helmsman.
"They've got weighted nets! I'm trapped!"
"Maquesta?" It was Fritzen's voice. "No! Maq!"
She felt the creature's webbed hands fold about her waist and lift her as easily as a child would carry a doll. Its claws dug in hard, and she slammed her eyes shut as the big kuo-toa gripped her in a bearhug. She felt the air rush out of her lungs, needles of pain poking her everywhere, and her world started spinning.
Then she felt herself thrown backward, and she landed roughly on the deck, her head smacking hard against the wood.
Dazed, she slowly opened her eyes to see the halfogre straddling her, pushing the big kuo-toa away. Fritzen danced forward, keeping the creature off balance, until the pair were clear of her. Then Fritzen leaped up and brought his leg straight out to strike the kuo-toa's chest, knocking it backward onto its rump. The half-ogre pressed the attack and jabbed his heel into the kuo-toa's face. But the sea creature quickly retaliated, grabbing Fritzen's ankle and yanking him down to the deck. As the pair grappled, Maquesta shook off her dizziness and sluggishly pulled herself up. The arm nicked by the dagger tingled all over.
She spotted Ilyatha hugging the shadows and creeping toward the forward mast. He motioned her to be silent, and she watched in fascination as he darted around behind a pair of kuo-toa occupying Lendle. He moved so silently not a board creaked, then he raised twin daggers and plunged them into the backs of the unsuspecting creatures. Lendle yipped his thanks and skidded to the side to avoid the falling bodies.
Beyond the gnome she saw a young sailor struggling with another creature. The man was stuck between the sea creature's shield and the railing, and he flailed about helplessly while the kuo-toa beat him. Maq grabbed the capstan for support. Her wounded leg and arm throbbed horribly, and she had to focus her thoughts to keep from blacking out. She looked about for a weapon, but there were none in easy reach. Dimly, she wondered where her sword was.
Still, she was determined to stay in the battle to its bloody conclusion, which she feared might come all too soon—signaling the end of the Perechon's crew and her father's life. Pushing herself forward, she staggered toward the center of the deck, where she knew javelins and harpoons waited. Behind her she heard slapping sounds: kuo-toan feet moving over the polished wood. At least one of the creatures was after her, she realized as she bit her bottom Hp and tried to move faster.
"Get down, Maquesta!" The voice belonged to Tailonna. Maq fell forward onto the deck. She lifted her head just in time to see a gossamer webnet fly through the air. Getting to her hands and knees, she whirled to spot a trio of kuo-toa caught like insects in a spiderweb. Tailonna slid to Maq's side and helped her up. Then the sea elf pulled a second of the tiny nets from her hair. Flinging it toward another group of kuo-toa, Tailonna gestured with her fingers and mouthed the words of a spell. The tiny net shimmered in the air and grew to the size of a fishing net. It landed on the sea elf's intended victims, trapping them. Another net Tailonna tossed toward the big creature struggling with Fritzen. Again a magical net found its mark, engulfing the massive kuo-toa. The half-ogre's legs were caught in the filmy tendrils, too, but he struggled to get himself free.
"Over there!" Maq pointed. Lendle, armed with a dagger and a wooden spoon, had become the center of attention again—this time with a quartet of kuo-toa circling him.
Tailonna nodded and released another web. This one struck the sea creatures about their heads and torsos, leaving Lendle space to dart free between their legs. "I told him to stay in the infirmary," the sea elf muttered. 'Doesn't he ever listen?"
"HelpKofheisintroubledosomethingplease!" Lendle was pointing.
Maq and Tailonna glanced beyond the forward mast and saw a kuo-toa pushing the prone minotaur toward the rail. Unconscious, he would quickly drown. Again arcane words came to the sea elf's lips, but this time they produced lavender darts of light that flew from her fingers. They struck the kuo-toa in the shoulder and spun it around in time for it to receive another set of magic darts in the chest. Amid cheers from the Perechon's sailors, the sea creature fell backward on top of Kof. The tide of battle had turned, thanks to the elf, and the sailors rushed forward to swarm the remaining kuo-toa.
"That must be their leader!" Fritzen called above the cacophony. He was pointing at the large kuo-toa in the net, the one that had wounded Maq. "I heard it snapping orders at the others, but I've got it." The half-ogre had retrieved Maq's sword and had the tip pointed through the webnet at the creature's throat.
Tailonna and Maquesta slowly moved toward the tall kuo-toa. "What will we do with it?" Maq posed. "We can't just let it go, but we're after a morkoth, not a sea-devil." She gritted her teeth and shook her injured arm; it was numb now, all but useless.
Fritzen rushed forward and grabbed Maquesta, hoisting her like a baby in his muscular arms and leaving Tailonna free to create more webnets. "I think you're the one in need of an awful-smelling healing poultice this time." His dark eyes showed concern, though his voice was light. "I'm taking you to the armory, where you'll be safe. Your crew can handle what's left of these things."
"Kof is going to be all right," Lendle called across the deck. He pushed the dead kuo-toa off the minotaur and grinned. Then he scowled when he saw Maq's bloody leg. "He's just stunned, in better shape than you are. I'll check on the others. Then I'll tend to you, Maquesta Kar-Thon."
"There're more kuo-toa in the water," Maquesta whispered to Fritzen. "I can see them. There must be at least two dozen. You're not taking me anywhere until I know for certain the Perechon is safe."
The half-ogre scanned the water and shook his head. "I don't see anything."
"Trust me. They're are out there."
Tailonna moved to the bow, where she had six more kuo-toa trapped in her nets. Several yards behind her, Vartan and Hvel had convinced a dozen of the creatures to drop their weapons and surrender. The battle was finally over.
Tailonna motioned for Fritzen and Maq to join her. "I can understand what these things are saying. Well, a little of what they're saying. Their language is crude."
"I can understand everything they say." Ilyatha stepped forward and sheathed his daggers. "Though I'm not sure you want it translated. They are a malicious and insulting lot."
"I do want to know," Maq stated, nudging Fritzen to let her down.
Fritzen frowned, but he gently set her on the deck, supporting her to keep the weight off her wounded leg. All about them the Perechon crew pushed the dead kuo-toa overboard and were in the process of tying up those that were injured or had surrendered. Four Perechon crewmembers had died in the struggle and were laid out on the deck. Maquesta cringed. The price for her father's life had risen again, and now the Perechon would be operating with a skeleton crew.
Ilyatha began spouting the same gibberish Maq had heard the big kuo-toa speak. The shadowperson was bent over a pair tied back-to-back. A handful of sailors stood nearby trying to pick words out of the garbled noises.
"Their king ordered the raid," Ilyatha said, turning to face Maq and drawing her attention away from the dead sailors. "It seems you have royalty aboard—and practically an entire colony of kuo-toa." He pointed to the big creature Maq and Fritzen had fought. The tall kuo-toa was tied to the forward mast, where three sailors stood guard. "It was leading the colony to an underwater shrine. They were planning a special worship service to honor the Sea Mother, their evil goddess. They spotted the Perechon as we approached the point and decided to capture the crew for slaves and food—saving some of us for sacrifices to the Sea Mother, of course."
Maquesta stepped away from Fritzen. Ignoring the half-ogre's protests, she limped toward the king. "I didn't want to fight your kind," she said, suspecting that the creature couldn't understand and she was talking to herself, but continuing anyway. "We were going to bypass your territory. You shouldn't have attacked us." Maq fingered the coral necklace about the creature's neck and tugged the bauble free.
"I figured you were important. I just didn't realize how important. We're going to use you, Your Majesty. You're going to tell us where to find the morkoth. In fact, I think some of your loyal subjects should lead us to the beast—if they want to see their king live past dawn."
Fritzen's stern face broke into a broad grin. "You're brilliant, Maq."
He and Ilyatha rushed to the king, and once again Ilyatha voiced the weird kuo-toa tongue that sounded like growls, hisses, and gurgling water. The king's reply was
loud, harsh, and punctuated by spitting. The other captured kuo-toa began to hiss and babble, too, and they struggled futilely against their bonds.
"He's telling them to escape," Ilyatha said. "He says they should free themselves in the name of the Sea Mother."
Fritzen growled and kicked the king harshly in the side. "Maybe he doesn't realize we're serious," he taunted. Standing on one leg he raised the other higher than his head—until his foot was even with the king's scowling visage. Quick like a cat, he brought the leg down, and the other swung up to miss the kuo-toa's head by less than an inch. "Maybe we should convince him we're serious."
Tailonna padded forward and began mumbling, weaving a pattern in the air with her hands. "We don't need any more bloodshed, though I cannot convey how pleased I am at the number of dead kuo-toa. Killing this beast will gain you nothing other than my satisfaction. But I can make it more cooperative. I can make it quite reasonable, in fact." A small blue orb appeared in the palm of her right hand. She blew on it, and it floated forward, enlarged, then surrounded the king's head. For an instant, the kuo-toa's face shimmered with the same blue light, then the color disappeared, as if the magic never existed. "Now try."
Ilyatha stared into the kuo-toa king's eyes and babbled in the creature's strange language.
"I can pick up a few words," Tailonna told Maq. "Ilyatha's telling it that its life will be spared—as will those of its captive warriors. But…"
"But it has to provide a guide to the morkoth's lair. Which it has just agreed to do," Ilyatha finished. "The pair by the bow are its sons. They'll take us to the morkoth, though the king warns that the beast is dangerous. Now we will not have to search for its cave. Hours will be saved. This cursed attack on us has turned into a blessing."
"ButyoucannotgoMaquestaKarThon." Lendle was at her side, pointing at her bleeding leg. He stuck out his stubby index finger and started wagging it at her as if she were a misbehaving child.