Voyage of the Lanternfish

by C S Boyack

  "Um, sir? What are my orders today?" Mule asked.

  "I wonder if old George would have parted with his map of Grandelor if he knew his son were sailing into battle there?"

  "Doubt it, sir. He always said he spent ten minutes making me and fifty years making his maps."

  James chuckled. "I suppose that's true at that. Wish I'd paid more attention when I had the chance. Tell you what, find Stuttering Lewis and tell him you need a sash for your weapons. Tell him the sails are more important, but when he has the time."

  "Ain't got any weapons."

  "James pulled the set of pistols from his drawer. I knew the snuff box wouldn't last, and I wanted you to learn a lesson. I chose these pistols for you. I think you earned them during the big fight.

  "The proof marks show they came from the foundry at Tusconi, so they have good steel. I don't know about the gunsmith, but they appear to be well made. One day, Stowaway might tell you more about them. He worked in the foundry. Best I can do for now. Marksmanship will have to wait until we make land again."

  "Thank... I don't..." Mule fumbled for words.

  "Off with you now, before you earn the toe of my boot. After you speak with Stuttering Lewis, find Chappie and help him sew bags again."

  Mule dashed off without another word.

  James stared at the charts. He checked their position on the map using compass angles and an estimate of the wind. They should be about eighty miles off the Hollish coast, and would get within jumping distance of Maldron before sunrise. In fact, they were closer to home than Maldron.

  Bonnie and Dan's father was there. It was peaceful, for now. The war could change all that, and Dan knew it too.

  He closed his eyes and tried to force his mind to divulge something from George's map. There was the high water mark. The outlay of the tower. A secret tunnel system. The elevation of the port had to be there. If he'd even seen it, the memory was gone.

  Mule burst back into his cabin, trailing a blue sash. "Stuttering Lewis said it was on one of the artillery uniforms you captured."

  "Very good then. Let's show you how to wrap it, then you can tuck the pistols inside."

  The sash wrapped around Mule four times and still had length to tie the knot.

  "How do you tuck the pistols?"

  "Any way you like, but I prefer both of them to be cross draw. It's a foolish man that fires one with each hand. Then you're empty. Better to choose your target, fire, then do it again. Or you could keep one in reserve for an emergency. Might save your life, or one of your mates. Some like them in back, some in front, and some like one of each. How you prefer it is up to you."

  Mule tucked the pistols over his left hip so he could draw them with his right hand.

  "If that doesn't suit you as you go about your duties, you can try them another way."

  "How far away can I shoot someone?"

  "Pistols aren't incredibly accurate. They aren't like Johnny's fancy rifle." James drew his cutlass then stepped back until the point was about a foot away from Mule's throat. "I suggest no farther than this."

  "Meaning, I ain't supposed to shoot them unless someone's about to kill me."

  "Exactly. Once we can practice a bit of marksmanship we can adjust the rules, but to be safe, that's your limit."

  "Can I go ask Stowaway about them?"

  "If he's up to it, then I still need bags sewn."

  Mule ran from the room once more.

  James turned to his charts once more when the horn sounded. He burst from his room then looked toward the crows nest.

  Root monsters pointed and yelled, "Ship!" One pointed to starboard, the other to port.

  "Damn!" James went back for his glass, then sprinted for the poop deck.

  "I don't see nothin," Dan said.

  "They're up higher. They can see farther." James scanned the horizon to the west. On his third pass, the top of a mast rose above the waves, then ducked back down.

  He moved to the starboard side, and another mast appeared to be closer. He studied it to make the flag out. It was the right color to be the Hollish Navy.

  Mule ran up to join them.

  James grabbed him before he could take a look. "Find my officers and get them all up here. Move it."

  Mule took off running.

  "What do you make of it?"

  James watched for the western mast to come back into view. "I don't know, but one of them looks like the navy is onto us."

  "Do you mean to fight them?"

  "I still don't know. It would help if the other one were Prelonian. Maybe we got between someone else's battle."

  The officers gathered and awaited orders. Rain drizzled down, but it stayed light and consistent.

  James relayed the situation and they waited. The starboard ship turned out to be a Hollish battle frigate. She would be fast and maneuverable. She couldn't out slug Lanternfish, but she could hit and run with some consistency. It might take her several turns, but she could sink the larger ship that way.

  They awaited news of the ship on their port side. While they waited, Johnny wheeled out the guns on the starboard side. That ship was a confirmed enemy.

  The ship to port took its time. It had less favorable winds, and appeared to be larger and slower. Her flag came into view, she was also Hollish Navy.

  She had three masts, and turned out to be just as large as Lanternfish. James studied her through his glass. "Remember me saying the Saphish built three ships like Lanternfish, but we could only account for two?"

  "Aye," Dan and Johnny both said.

  "We just accounted for the third one."

  "Shit!" Johnny said.

  "Don't panic. We're an even match for her, and I dare say our crew is more seasoned," James said.

  "But what about the other one?" Fala asked. "Add that in, and we're overmatched."

  "I'll not have panic among my officers. Contain yourself, or report to your quarters."

  "We're with you, Capitan," Don Velasco said.

  "Ya ya," Boss chimed in.

  James glanced at the sky. The edge of the storm seemed to be ahead of them, and beams of light spotlighted the open sea. "Dan, make for the edge of that storm. Head for that light. Johnny, ready the guns on the port side too. Then we wait."

  Drums sounded from the larger ship, they echoed over Lanternfish's decks. They were answered by drums from the frigate. Both ships adjusted course at the same time.

  "Does anyone know what they're saying?" James asked.

  "Every captain has different cadences," Johnny said. "The fact the ships can even communicate concerns me the most. Means one man is in charge of both ships. Like a fleet as it were."

  "The ranking officer would assume command," James said.

  "No, sir. Takes time to learn the cadences. These ships have practiced and set out together. These are your pirate hunters. There's no doubt," Johnny said.

  "There's no reason to panic. Their mission doesn't matter to us. They still fire cannon just like any other ship. It isn't like pirate hunters have any special weapons or anything else. Don't let the title freeze in your veins."

  "Where to you want to focus the mortars?" Johnny asked.

  "One each," James said. "The fact that we can aim them gives us an advantage over the frigate. We might actually sink her with the mortars. But we have to clear the decks on that dreadnought too."

  He grabbed Fala then handed her his telescope. "Mule is your runner. Keep an eye on them and keep me updated."

  "Where are you going?" Dan asked.

  "To get my books and sextant. I can lug it all up by myself. McCormack, you're on the forecastle."

  "What am I watching, sir?" McCormack asked.

  "You're watching out for a third ship." James left the poop deck then returned to his quarters. He carried the books, and the box with the sextant up then placed them beside one of the huge lanterns. Then he walked around the rail and lit the lamps.

  "It isn't dark yet," Dan said from the wheel.


  "It will be when the festivities get underway. I don't want to take time to light them later." He moved Dan's chair near the lamp then had Mule sit with his calculations on his lap.

  "So are we going to run?" Dan asked.

  "Depends on the cloud cover, and the stars."

  The Hollish ships moved closer. The dreadnought was a sight to behold, and the men seemed to focus on her.

  "Remember, lads, we're just as big as she is. That's how they feel gazing upon us too," James said.

  The drum cadence returned, and both ships turned. The frigate would come from behind on their starboard side. The dreadnought would come from ahead along their port side.

  "They mean to get us in a cross fire and chew us to bits," Johnny said.

  "Get below and man your post," James ordered. "Take Mister McCormack to his post too."

  Serang had all the small arms placed along the rails. She elected not to place grapnels under the situation. She stretched then twirled her glaive to be ready.

  "Alright for me to get my blunderbuss?" Fala asked.

  "Perfect idea," James said. "Try to find some cover, and wait until boarding happens. Maybe you can handle one of the swivel guns while you wait."

  Stowaway showed up with his mortar crew then took bearings of the dreadnought.

  "Star!" Mule pointed.

  "That's Merdine. Not the best navigational star, but she's in your mother's book." James opened the book then started scribbling a formula on the paper Mule held.

  The gun ports opened on the dreadnought. Every port wheeled out a gun.

  "Looks they didn't strip guns from her," Dan said.

  James took a reading on Merdine with his sextant.

  The frigate pulled closer, but stayed out of angle for the rear guns to hit them.

  James started his calculations.

  Fala returned. "Should we run up the flags to let them know we're privateers?"

  "No, run up our own colors only. They have reason to fear us, so let's give them what we have." He stood up straight and snatched the paper away from Mule.

  "Orders, sir?" Mule asked.

  "Light my fish."

  Mule streaked toward the forward deck.

  "And stay in there."

  "Even ten miles would help?" Dan begged.

  "Enough screwing around," James said. "And may god have mercy on our souls."

  The cadence stopped abruptly. Smoke belched from both enemy ships.

  James turned the key in the sextant.

  The pirate hunters chewed each other to pieces as Lanternfish disappeared.

  Chapter Forty

  Couples strolled along the lakeshore inside the walls of Grandelor. Oil lamps lit the walkways, while food and alcohol vendors peddled refreshments from their carts.

  A woman screamed as the huge ship appeared ten feet above the surface of the lake. The glowing eyes and lantern of the figurehead caused several faintings along the walkways.

  Mule sounded his conch shell, and the echo from inside the figurehead turned more faces toward what sounded like the roaring of a dragon inside the city walls.

  Lanternfish dropped then hit the bottom of the lake.

  Waves washed away the pedestrians and carts. The canals overflowed with the swell and washed more people away.

  James jumped to his feet, then grabbed the wheel.

  Dan rolled to the rail and got his leg tangled in the balusters.

  James wrenched the wheel hard to starboard until the guns lined up with the barracks. He stepped forward, then yanked up on all three of the monkey's head knots.

  Lanternfish belched forth a volley from her starboard side that evaporated the barracks and a large church.

  James jerked up on the lines once more.

  The volley from the port side tore apart the quarters for the city watch. A stray shell hit a munitions room and exploded, leveling two city blocks.

  James leaned over the rail and shouted at the first gun port. "Reload!" He then turned his attention to Stowaway. "Those guns along the wall are your targets. If anyone tries to turn them around to face us, kill them." He spun the wheel to port then headed for the canal system.

  "You'll run us aground," Dan protested.

  "Don't care if I sink us. I want a broadside at LeForge's front door. Right down the main avenue."

  "But, Bonnie's in there."

  "I'm aware of that, but she isn't on the ground floor. I'll tell Johnny to be careful with his aim."

  Lanternfish ground around the corner as James made the turn. They moved into position to face the keep. "Drop anchor!"

  "We ain't going anywhere," Dan said.

  "I want a stable position to put a hole in that tower. Bonnie is in there."

  James ran below decks. The smoke from the cannon made it like feeling his way through fog. He reached the bell system and found Johnny.

  "What the hell have you done?" Johnny demanded.

  "We're rescuing my fiancée tonight. Besides, Grandelor is a decent prize for those who aren't interested in my love life. I need you to knock on the door of the Earl's keep for me. I need a hole big enough to storm through. Your port side faces the main city gate. They'll surely try to rush us from the port, so don't let them. The only other way in is the canal system, and the swivel guns will have to cover that. There's a gate beyond the tower, but it goes to open fields. I doubt there's anyone to come to their aid from there."

  "Wait for this smoke to clear, so I can take good aim."

  "They're your gunners. At your command. Then you defend the ship while we go ashore."

  "Aye aye, Captain."

  James rushed back topside. Serang met him on the main deck, along with Dan, Fala, Mal, and Mule. The root monsters swarmed alongside the rail, ready for a fight.

  "Orders, my Captain?" Serang said.

  "Once Johnny knocks on the door, we're storming the keep. That's the only plan I have."

  Serang gathered two dozen more pirates, then equipped them with muskets. "Even the locals can put up a fight. We'll need some help."

  "Thank you."

  The seconds passed with excruciating slowness. Wounded men moaned from the rubble of the barracks. Townsfolk came with lanterns to see what happened. A woman with a long wet dress crawled from an alley that had flooded.

  Lanternfish gave the tower a volley. Before the smoke cleared, James ordered, "Over the nets."

  The root monsters were the first ones over the side and onto the wet walkway. Serang was next. "Spread out. Defend the Captain."

  "I I I I." The monsters moved their groups to the outer edges of the landing site.

  When the smoke cleared, both sides of the main avenue were destroyed. Once thriving businesses were piles of burning rubble, ignited from the shattered street lamps.

  "What 'bout the rest of us, Captain?" Chappy yelled down from the deck.

  James looked back up and spread his arms. "You're pirates, aren't you? Loot something."

  A cheer went up from the deck.

  "Boss, your group is with me," James said. He reached in his pockets and brought forth a fist full of matches. "Look, matches. The rest of you spread out and have a good time."

  Flattops crew and Trouble's crew leaned forward. "Oooooo!"

  "Half of us will go up each side of the street," James ordered. "Dan, we each have a vested interest so we'll go up opposite sides, to insure Bonnie has someone left to fight for her."

  Pirates and monsters scattered, then headed down the avenue.

  Gunfire spread across the city as pirates invaded stores and homes. The sound of clashing swords rang through the night.

  A small group of city watchmen rushed them. James moved his muskets into position.

  "No!" Serang said. "Save your shot and keep moving." She stepped forward to face them while spinning her glaive.

  The pirates pressed on. The guards paused at the sight of a young woman standing so fierce before them. Their leader rushed forward brandishing a great sword with both hands. />
  He swung from the side, but Serang spun toward her attacker, forcing him to hit her with the quillons and not the blade.

  He elbowed her back hard to reset for his next blow.

  Serang removed her hat and placed it over the man's face. He froze in place for a split-second. It was long enough for Serang to choke up on her glaive, then shove it through his chest.

  The rest of the guards roared in defiance and rushed her. She dropped her medallion on the ground then called forth the fu dogs.

  James and Dan kept moving. A soldier rushed them with a sword, but Fala dropped him with her blunderbuss.

  She fell back to reload. James put a hand on Mule. "Defend her until she reloads, then catch up."

  Mule crossed the street, then drew a pistol.

  A cluster of soldiers stumbled from the tower, then stacked rubble in a defensive position.

  The pirates moved forward. More soldiers joined their comrades.

  Fire spread throughout the city, lighting their way. The roaring of the fu dogs echoed down the streets.

  The soldiers leveled muskets at the pirates.

  "Take cover," James said. "When they fire, rush them."

  The soldiers heard him and held their fire.

  One glowing ember, moving fast, arched across the sky.

  "Duck!" Dan yelled from across the street.

  The report of one of the mortars echoed. The shell exploded above the soldier's position.

  James looked back and Johnny waved from the ship.

  Five soldiers stumbled from behind the barricade and rushed them. James' musketeers made short work of them.

  The pirates scrambled over the barricade, but Mal broke off from the group. He seemed focused on a horse and open buggy that came their way.

  Mal stepped into the street ahead of the horse. The driver pulled back on the reins. The pirates scrambled through the shattered door of the keep.

  "Willard, what are you doing?" a man yelled from the carriage. "Run him over and get my family out of here." He crawled over the cabin and yanked the reins away from his slave, whipping the horse mercilessly.

  Mal reached inside his bag, then blew powder toward the horse. Vipers swarmed the street ahead of him, and the horse reared. "Man comes with me."

  "That man is my property," the white man said. He drew a pistol.