“My Lords,” she said with a slight inclination of her head towards Tyner. “There is a ship approaching the harbor. It appears to be one of the pirate ships.”
***
Fauwler stood at the bow of the Dreadnaught with the wind in his face. The smell of the salt spray invigorated him as it always did. For the thousandth time he wondered why any man would elect to spend his entire life on dirt. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.
“Captain, are you quite certain of this decision?” The question came from Mal-Bree, First Mate of Fauwler’s flagship.
The Captain opened his eyes and looked at his friend and first officer. Like all of the people in this world he had dark hair and eyes with a complexion that looked like he’d spent many days in the sun. He was of average height, maybe five feet, six inches and had a large ruby in each ear. Unlike most of the Kylee Pirates, Mal-Bree was educated. He had been taught the principles of engineering in the city and kingdom of Marbus on the continent of Bantar. His intelligence had been noted early in his life and he was eventually put on the royal staff. Two years later he snuck away after having been beaten for spilling ink on a drawing. He had made his way to Kylee and offered his services to Fauwler. The young captain had recognized the man’s potential, and now he was second in command of the Dreadnaught.
“Certain, Mal? No, not certain. Hopeful would be a better word.”
“Well, hope is a good thing. Sometimes.”
Fauwler smiled. “Doubting your Captain?”
“Doubting you? Never. Doubting the capacity of a looted city for forgiveness? Absolutely. But I put my coins in your purse a long time ago. You’ve never been wrong one time when it really counted.”
“Never, Mal? What about that time in Aalgun? We barely got out of that one with our lives.”
“Barely, yes, but get out of it, we did.”
Fauwler looked back to the coastal city that they had left just a few days before. He had left the rest of his fleet and those of the other loyal captains in a large natural cove he’d found north of Aspell. Then he had sailed the Dreadnaught close enough to the city to put watchers ashore. They had sat offshore until the pirate fleet had departed, and his spies had signaled him with a simple fire. Now he was preparing to take the greatest risk of his entire life.
The ship dropped all but one sail as it glided gracefully through the entrance to the harbor. Fauwler saw the uniformed military of the city lining the wharf. He was not surprised. Once he was comfortably inside the harbor he ordered the stern anchor released and his boat lowered. He took only two crewmen with him. He refused Mal-Bree’s suggestion that he be one of them.
“No, my friend. If this goes wrong our crew will need a captain. Keep the anchor windlass manned. If you see me coming back in a boat full of their military and my red kerchief is not in my hand you’ll know my gamble failed. Raise anchor, and leave immediately. Take the Dreadnaught, and follow whatever path you choose.”
“I’d argue with you, but that has never worked for me before.”
“And this time would be no different. Now bring me our engineer friend.
Taggart watched from the shore as the small boat approached the wharf. It had four men inside. Two were rowing, the other two talking as the craft was expertly paddled through a light surf and came to rest alongside one of the low level piers. A man hopped ashore and tied the bow and stern lines to cleats then extended a hand to help the other two out of the boat. They were immediately surrounded and searched. A ripple of discussion reached him as the warriors appeared to recognize one of the four men. Taggart saw Jo-Dal part the formation of warriors and join in the discussion. He was surprised to see the Sword of the King embrace one of them. Then they were all walking back toward the castle stronghold.
Taggart, accompanied by Toria, followed the procession up to the castle. While one of the men from the boat was obviously a friend of Jo-Dal’s, the other was treated with suspicion. He wished he was close enough to overhear their conversation, but the warrior detail was clustered around the group and would not allow anyone to get any closer.
Once inside the castle two of the men were given chairs in the expansive foyer while the other two, including the one whom Jo-Dal knew, were hustled into the king’s office. Taggart tried to follow, but he was not surprised that he was kept at a distance.
For three hours he paced the foyer waiting for news. He refused to go with Toria when she left to find something to eat. She returned an hour later with a handful of goat jerky. He refused it at first then angrily snatched it up and devoured it. Toria, never content to sit idle, found an unoccupied corner and began practicing with her knives. She had a choreographed set of movements that she used to keep her movements fluid. After a short time Taggart could see a few off duty warriors watching her. They appeared to be impressed, and one even tried to imitate some of her moves.
The door to the king’s office opened, and a warrior came out. She looked over the crowd that had gathered. Seeing Taggart she beckoned. He strode over. People who saw him coming just naturally got out of his way. Somehow Toria caught up with him. The female warrior who summoned him saw Toria and started to object.
“She’s with me,” he growled. Then they were past her before she could say anything else.
There was a round table which sat in the exact middle of the room. Around it sat the two men from the boat, the king and Jo-dal. Other chairs were occupied by three people whom Taggart did not recognize. The king smiled as they approached and indicated that Taggart should sit in the one unoccupied chair. He seemed surprised to see Toria, but quickly called for a chair to be brought for her.
Jo-Dal quickly laid out the details of their discussion so far. Kal was introduced, and a brief chronology of his ill-fated voyage was given. Then details were shared about Fauwler, his rescue of Kal and the fact that he was telling them that he was offering the services of his ships and crews should Tyner and his advisors decide to believe his story. He had demands, however. Taggart listened quietly until the entire tale had been told. He knew he’d been summoned for a reason, and it wasn’t just to let him in on the developments. He looked to the king with brows raised.
Tyner pointed to the pirate leader. “As we said before, Fauwler here…”
“Captain Fauwler,” the pirate interjected.
Jo-Dal started to object to the lack of deference to his king, but Tyner stopped him with a gesture.
“Quite right, Captain Fauwler has offered the use of his ships and men should we decide to mount any sort of rescue effort of our women. He…”
Now it was Taggart who interrupted the king. “Fine. When do we leave?”
Jo-Dal looked quite bothered at the lack of etiquette, but he held his anger in check.
The king looked at Taggart with a sympathetic expression. “Yes, I thought you would be eager to be included if we were to decide to join forces with Fau…Captain Fauwler. He was just about to give us his conditions when I asked for you to be brought in. I saw no need to have his tale told twice.” He looked over to Fauwler and held out his hand palm up. “Captain, if you would please continue.”
The pirate looked over at Jo-Dal and smiled, seeming to enjoy the military man’s frustrations. Then he looked around the table to everyone gathered there. “My conditions are simple. There are more good people in our community than bad. They are as hard-working and honest as any in here.” He winked at Jo-Dal. “If I agree to help you, you must assure me that those people will not be harmed.”
The people around the table continued to look at the pirate, expecting more. When it did not come, Jo-Dal stood. “So we are to believe that you will help us to assault your home port for no more than the fact that it is the right thing to do?” He laughed briefly then turned to address the king. “Your Majesty, this defies logic. First this man joins the effort to attack our city then he has a simple change of heart? As a warrior I have learned that when an enemy seeks terms it is always to his benefit. Either he knows he wil
l eventually be defeated or he sees a path to betray a former ally and enrich himself.” He looked back at Fauwler. “I don’t know what this man seeks, but I would urge caution.”
There was discussion around the table. Tyner let it continue for a moment then rapped his knuckles for silence. He looked at Fauwler. “My Sword has a point, Captain. What else do you want?”
Fauwler at first seemed angered. He glared at Jo-Dal and then looked down at the table. When he looked back up he was calm. “You ask me what I want. First I must tell you what I already have. I have the ships to get your army to Kylee. I have the knowledge to guide you to Kylee. I have the information that you will require in order to put your fighters where they will succeed. I have personal friendships with people who can sway large numbers of our people to simply stand aside and not oppose your actions. In short, I have the key to the successful rescue of your people.
“Now, as to why I will help you, as you suspect it will be to my advantage.” He gestured to Kal. “I have had many conversations with this man. Either he is an excellent liar or you and your people have a system of government that values the life and the dignity of every man, woman and child under its control. That is what I want. I want it for my people.” There were a few expressions of doubt whispered around the table. Fauwler ignored them. “Unlike you, the kings and nobles in our land, the land that we call Bantar, hold absolute power over their subjects. There are some who are…kind…to their people, but they are few and can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Most rule with abject cruelty. They are the reason that Kylee exists. Some people simply will not submit to that type of treatment. Those people will always find each other. We of Kylee have lived by a code which has allowed us to make a living by attacking and looting the ships and cities of tyrants. The treasure we take is shared with the victims of those tyrants. Every man and woman in Kylee is there by their own choice.” His expression gradually changed from determined to angry. “Until now. The people of Kylee have always been governed by a Council of Captains. We have few laws; no killing, no thievery. And no slavery. Slavery is what we have all come to Kylee to escape. Now, that governing body has been usurped by self-serving fools. They are not concerned with human dignity, they are motivated only by profit and satisfying their own warped cravings.
“I am not the only captain who has rejected their rules. Those other captains have offered me their loyalty. There are now eighty six ships gathered at a secret location and awaiting my orders. There are many people in Kylee who will join us when they learn of the situation.
“Yes, the overthrow of the Council of Captains will be to my advantage. It will give us the opportunity that most of the people of Kylee have been seeking for years. The time of piracy is past. We would become a free city open to fair trade among the people of our land and yours. It is my hope that, as a self-governing seaport, we will set an example for all of the people of Bantar.” The captain stood. “That is the totality of my expectations for helping you.”
***
All who were present at the meeting with Captain Fauwler agreed that he was sincere. Jo-Dal was initially reluctant, but, after hearing of his rescue of Kal Da’ Brann at the risk of his own life, he was swayed. Indeed the two men seemed to develop a friendship.
Plans were proposed and examined throughout the night. Tyner impressed Taggart with his intelligence. He had the ability to look at a plan and immediately see the weaknesses and devise remedies. Jo-Dal was no military genius like King Ruguer, but he was close. He added many valuable insights.
Before the pinkish sun of Olvion rose in the sky, warriors were lining up, carrying their battle gear. Tyner was sending five hundred fighters, and that included Jo-Dal. He had resisted at first, but Jo-Dal correctly pointed out that this entire mission was for the benefit of his kingdom and for the purpose of rescuing citizens of Aspell. Sending the King’s Sword would show Tyner’s commitment to the project.
From the ranks of the warriors from Archer’s Gate their commander agreed to send another five hundred. He wanted to send more, but, with the quickness of the schedule, he would not have been able to receive the permissions he needed from his king.
The warrior in charge of the detail from Northland hung his head in shame and said he would be severely disciplined if he allowed even one warrior to accompany the fleet. Taggart could see the embarrassment in the man. He put his hand on the warrior’s shoulder and told him that everyone knew he was a warrior and, as such, was honor-bound to carry out the dictates of his monarch.
Vynn took note of the available space on the ships and concluded that his warriors were better used in Olvion. The fleet would be taxed to accommodate a thousand warriors as it was, and the kingdom still faced danger from the roving bands of Greys. He sent twenty warriors from Olvion and allowed Tag to choose them. He chose Geraar and told him to pick the rest.
Taggart was hauling his weapons and armor to the wharf when he saw Toria standing off to the side of a cobbled road that led to the water. She was standing in front of a bulging pack out of which protruded weapons and stuffed-in clothing. Taggart was expecting this and going to flatly deny her expected pleas to come along. This was a war, and it was a type of war in which they had never before engaged. The unknown dangers could not be planned for and avoided. He knew she would push him because this was just the type of adventure that she was yearning to experience. He slung his pack over his shoulder and started to call out to her, but then he stopped.
There was something not right about her posture. She was standing motionless with both arms dangling. Her eyes were open, but they did not appear to be focused on anything. He stepped closer and looked at her face more closely. She did not react or acknowledge his presence. He held a hand in front of her and snapped his fingers. No reaction.
Now he came around and stood directly in front of her. Her eyes were glazed and unblinking. This young woman who appeared to be in a constant state of motion whenever awake was now like a statue. Taggart first thought she was acting, putting on a show as a prelude to some elaborate plan to make him agree to let her come with them. Now, as he studied her closely, he could tell this was no pose. Something about her condition seemed familiar. He had seen this behavior before.
No! He had not just seen it. He had experienced it.
He remained quiet, giving the girl the time that she required. While he waited he scanned the surrounding dunes and heights to the east, looking for traces of what he believed was causing Toria’s present condition. He saw Jo-Dal loaded down with weapons and other gear. He had been heading to the ship and diverted to a route to join them. Taggart caught his eye and gestured for him to give them privacy. The warrior furrowed his brow but nodded and turned back to his original path.
While he waited, Taggart considered the possibility that Toria might be epileptic, but he saw no indications of that, no shuddering or shaking. And, besides, she was standing and everything he had heard about epilepsy made him think that a seizure would result in the victim falling to the ground.
Time stretched on. People making their way to the wharf looked at them as they passed. Taggart was basically standing guard, making certain that her…experience…was not interrupted. He watched the sun. Captain Fauwler had told everyone that they had to be aboard by midday in order to catch the tide. It was still early morning, but Taggart had no idea how long her interlude would go on. He wondered what he should do if the time to depart arrived before she “returned”.
Finally, he saw her eyes blink. A few moments later she closed them. She remained that way for almost a full minute then she opened them and focused on Taggart.
“Tag? Whoa, what’s happening?”
Taggart put both of his hands on her shoulders. “Try to relax. Calm yourself, and tell me what you have been shown.”
She looked at him with bunched brows. “Shown?”
“Yes. I think you have been contacted. I have experienced such a contact myself not very long ago. Think. Did you see any vision
s?”
Toria chewed the inside of her lip. She seemed almost embarrassed. “I did see something, but I don’t think you’ll believe me. I fear you will think I’m only trying to get my way.”
Taggart considered this. Yes, it was possible that she had constructed an elaborate scheme designed to convince him to bring her with the expedition, but he had watched her stand unblinking for close to an hour. No one had that much control over their bodies.
“Forget what you fear. Tell me what you saw.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. She opened them and looked at him. “Tag, I saw you and I on the ship, and there was nothing but water all around us. I saw glimpses of other surroundings. There were sandy beaches, high cliffs and a seaside town with pretty streets and lots of people. There was some evil there, but there was also a lot of good. I would not be going alone, though. I mean, yes, you were there, but…there was something else, and it would be coming with me. Does that make sense?”
She was convincing, but everything that she had said could have been taken from what they already knew about their impending trip. Taggart examined her eyes looking for any hint of dishonesty. He saw none.
“Do you remember anything else?”
She looked thoughtful. Then she smiled and turned around to view the dunes behind them. “Yes, I do. We have to go up into the dunes.” She pointed. “You and I, up that way.”
He turned his head to look. He could see nothing.
She expected an argument. It didn’t come.
“All right, let’s go up into the dunes. I’ll follow you.”
She was delighted in his trust and threw her arms around his neck leaping up to get high enough to kiss his cheek. Taggart smiled and put his pack on the sand. After a moment’s thought he fished out his dagger and slid it into his belt then he nodded and gestured for her to lead on. The two left their gear on the beach trusting that no one would steal it. There were enough warriors about to discourage any such actions.
The Coastal Kingdoms of Olvion: Book Two of The Chronicles of Olvion Page 25