by James Dale
"You two look like hell," Jack observed, taking a seat beside them.
"I feel like hell," Dorad admitted, replacing the compress on his eye.
"I hope you appreciate the suffering we went through for your benefit," Tarsus muttered.
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked.
"You mean we went through that battle for nothing?" Dorad cried. "Some match makers we turned out to be."
"Match makers?" Jack said. “Are you saying you got in that fight last night for me?”
"Damn right!" Tarsus swore. "Don’t tell me I got a busted lip for nothing?"
"I think it's time for you to come clean," Jack insisted. "There's more going on here than showing the new guy a good time his first night in port."
"Your right of course," Tarsus sighed, revealing himself to be the chief conspirator. "But hear me out before you pass judgment."
"This better be good," Jack warned.
The Amarian drew a deep breath and began his tale. "Until just a little over a year ago, Kaiddra was involved with a friend of ours. Falco. You never met him. He died during the battle at the temple. He and Kaiddra were close, more than just lovers, but they had a parting of ways. We have never learned exactly why but I've heard rumors from members of her crew, Falco asked her to marry him. She refused because he made it plain once they were united, she would have to give up captaincy of the Huntress."
"Kaiddra became reckless afterwards, began to make foolish decisions, and plan dangerous raids. More dangerous than usual. She was even reprimanded by the council for her actions. Several months ago, she took off for the coast of Amorhad. Dangerous waters for the Brotherhood. When we left Brimcohn a few months ago, we heard heard a rumor she’d been lost in a typhoon."
"And to make a long story shorter," Dorad interrupted. "After we ran into the Huntress, we decided to see if we could curb her reckless ways."
"You thought this up in the few short minutes we were tied together out at sea?" asked Jack.
"Well...not exactly," Tarsus replied, "After seeing how she…took to you, we thought maybe Jack Green Eyes could calm her a bit? Maybe give her something to live for again."
"We care for Kaiddra deeply," Dorad said. "We have also become...fond of you in the short time we've known you. We only sought to help two friends."
"Help her maybe," Jack sighed. "I think you've doomed me to an early grave."
"Then our plan worked?" Dorad asked with a smile.
"It certainly appears so," Tarsus chuckled. "Look, coming down the aisle."
Jack and Dorad both turned to find Kaiddra coming towards them. Behind her walked her two lieutenants...or rather...staggered her two lieutenants. They were forced to support each other as they stumbled down the narrow aisle way. Kaiddra however, virtually bounced along, her face glowing with some inner light.
The captain of the Huntress sat down next to Jack, slipping her arm under his and kissing his cheek. "Jack, these are my lieutenants," she announced. "My First Mate, Randell Anniniass of Donian. My Second Mate, Cullen ErMael. Cullen is a Norgarthan but don't hold that against him. He realized his misfortune at a young age and left that cesspool as soon as he could."
Randell's nodded his head in greeting and Cullen offered a weak, halfhearted smile. "Gentlemen," Jack said, untangling himself from Kaiddra to shake their hands.
"What are you two fools grinning about?" Kaiddra asked Tarsus and Dorad, collecting his arm again as soon as their courtesies were completed.
"Nothing," Tarsus replied, trying to put on a somber face.
"Nothing at all," Dorad agreed, struggling to suppress a laugh.
"You look like hell," she said.
"So we've been told," Dorad chuckled.
"They're both unbalanced," Kaiddra whispered to Braedan. "I'd think twice about sailing with them again if I were you. Are we just going to sit here all day?" she asked, loud enough for all the group to hear. "Or is there going to be a council meeting?"
"I don't know," Tarsus said, looking around the hall. "It seems to be filling up rather quickly."
"Then let's get going," Kaiddra growled. "I've other things to do than waste my time here."
Tarsus and Dorad burst out laughing.
"Lunatics, what did I tell you?" she sighed, snuggled against Jack. "You should really consider jumping ships. The Huntress needs a cabin boy if you're interested."
For the next fifteen or twenty minutes, the officers of the two ships made idle conversation as the hall began to fill with other members of the Brotherhood. In that time, perhaps some one hundred fifty pirates gathered inside. All of them were talking among themselves or greeting friends they had not seen since the last Council of Captains over a year ago. The noise level had grown considerably, nearly working itself into a muffled roar, when a man walked through a door at the rear of the hall's platform and raised his hand for silence.
"Hail Brothers!" the man shouted loudly.
"Hail Marc!" shouted the gathered pirates.
"Welcome Free Brothers of the Sea!" he cried. "All rise for the Council of Admirals! Admiral Jon Kailmax will act as Admiral of the Fleet for today's meeting."
Cheers erupted in the council hall as the five admirals of the Brotherhood took center stage. Narkirk of Hoss was the first to enter, followed by Poul Larkin, who had been captain of the Seawolf before being elevated to admiral. Before him in a wheelchair he pushed the legless Yanis Kuldar of Kadin. Next came white haired Civin of Brimcohn, the oldest member of the council of Admirals. Last of all to come through the door was Jon Kailmax, a large, redhaired man who walked with a slight limp. When he took the platform, the cheers became deafening.
"BloodEE Max!" the pirates roared. "BloodEE Max!"
Kailmax acknowledged the shouts with a wave, then motioned for quiet. When the cheers only grew louder his face split into a broad smile. "Enough!" he cried above the thunderous applause. "Enough!" The pirates reluctantly resumed their seats as the cheers slowly died.
"Marc, call the roll and let's get this meeting underway," he said, and went to take a seat with the other four admirals.
"Captain Aetomas of the Blacksail," Marc called.
"Aye!" came a voice from the back of the hall.
"Captain Alnordel Halfelf of the Laughing Dragon."
"Aye."
"Captain Barek Dhor of the Southwind."
"Aye!"
"Captain Cullibranos of the Seawolf."
The call was met with silence.
"Captain Cullibranos of the Seawolf?" he called again.
Still no answer. A third time he called Cullibranos' name, as was demanded by custom, and finally Tarsus answered. "Dead!" he replied, standing to address the admirals. "I, Tarsus Aernin now command the Seawolf."
Dorad rose in support of his friend. “Standing as First Mate of the Seawolf, I Dorad Ellgereth, bore witness to the vote that confirmed Tarsus Aernin as captain.”
"Let it be duly noted that Tarsus Aernin of Amar, now commands the Seawolf," Lieutenant Marc said. "He will be properly recognized when time and conditions permit."
Tarsus bowed in acknowledgment and resumed his seat.
"Captain Dirk Iron Hand of the Stormrider," Marc continued.
"Aye!" the captain of the Stormrider answered.
The calling of the roll was long and tedious. Of the forty-nine captains of the Brotherhood, three were known to be dead, their ships lost with all hands, two others were reported missing at sea. Seven others were not in attendance, having yet to answer the summons of the council. Four of the five captains of the Brotherhood's dreadnoughts were also absent, patrolling the Felnors. Finally, the roll call was finished and Marc closed the roster book. "Let it be recorded," he announced. "There are thirty-three captains present on the fifth day of the month of Maey, in the Year of Light 814. Two above the number required for a quorum. The Council of the Free Brothers of the Sea may begin."
At the announcement another cheer erupted from the pirates. It was a rare day indeed
when a quorum was met on the first calling of the roll. Admiral Kailmax rose from his seat and walked around the table. "Thank you, Lieutenant Marc," he said when the cheers subsided. "I will take it from here. Let me open by saying I am honored to be in the presence of such august company, and doubly honored to be presiding over this meeting of the Brotherhood."
This brought another lusty cheer from the gathered assembly, and it became clear to Jack that Jon Kailmax was the favorite admiral of the Brotherhood. "What he'd do to get so popular?" he asked Kaiddra in a whisper.
"You have never heard of Jon Kailmax?" she asked incredulously. “Where were you when these two miscreants found you? Living under a rock?”
"Let me also extend congratulations to Tarsus Aernin," he continued. "He is a well-known member of the Brotherhood and will make a fine addition to the Council of Captains." The pirates cheered again and Tarsus shook hands offered from all around. "Now to business," said the admiral, beginning to pace the platform. "A serious problem confronts the Brotherhood. Perhaps the most serious in living memory. It seems once again a nation of Aralon has taken it upon itself to rid the seas of piracy. This time it is Norgarth that seeks to wipe us from the seas."
"Low born dogs!" shouted someone in the back of the hall.
"Indeed!" cried another. "With one hand they take all that we can steal, giving us good recompense, and with the other they strike off our heads and feed us to the fishes."
"It has gone beyond simple double dealing," Admiral Narkirk said, rising from his seat. "We get that from every kingdom of Aralon. The Norgarthan's have taken to persecuting us, pursuing our ships, sometimes for days. If one is captured, they are no longer simply content put our brothers to death but torture them in an attempt to wring our secret locations from their broken bodies!"
"If I may?" asked Dorad, rising.
"The floor recognizes Dorad Ellgereth of the Seawolf," Admiral Kailmax announced. "Former Prince of Doridan."
Dorad bowed to Kailmax for honoring him with his lost title. "While on expedition in the Ailsantain Forest," he began, "a landing party of the Seawolf was attacked by a Forlegion from Norgarth. That in itself isn't so unusual, but during the battle it was revealed to us, Captain Tarsus and myself, that the man leading the patrol was…possessed by a demon."
Dorad's statement was met by mutters of disbelief.
"Order!" Bloody Max shouted. "Order! Continue Prince Dorad."
"I realize this is difficult to believe," Dorad admitted. "There has not been a proven account of demon possession since the dark King was defeated eight hundred years ago. Why? Because only a Sorcerer of the Sa'tan, working with the power of the Bloodstone, can summon a demon from Ul’gogrond. And their foul kind have been in hiding since the High King Ljmarn overthrew the Iron Tower."
"Then how was this man possessed by a demon?" Kailmax asked.
"If indeed he was," someone among pirates muttered.
"He was," Dorad nodded. "The demon even named itself as One of the Seven! Urioch, Duke of the Second Hell. Tarsus is witness!"
"Urioch!" Kailmax hissed. "One of such power could..."
"One of such power could only be summoned by a Gollem of Sorcerers," Dorad interrupted. "Or one conjuring in close proximity to the Bloodstone."
"But that would mean..."
"Someone has found the Bloodstone,” Dorad finished for the admiral. "Or...or the dark King is risen again. Either of those possibilities makes me shudder just to consider them. But someone is summoning demons for Norgarth, and for some reason their attention has been turned toward the Brotherhood."
"This is preposterous," snorted a tall, dark man standing to address the admiral.
"Kreel Ess, Captain of the Ravisher, is recognized by the council," Kailmax stated.
"I say again," Kreel Ess repeated. "This is preposterous. Even if the dark King has somehow risen from his grave, I think he could find other things for his sorcerers and demons to do than sending them to destroy pirates who could more easily be bought into an alliance with him."
"If the dark King Graith has risen," Dorad retorted, "or if someone else has found his Blood-stone, it bodes ill for all of Aralon, including the Brotherhood."
"Perhaps it is ill tidings for the decadent Kings of the Whesguard, and the craven House of Ellgereth," the captain of the Ravisher sneered. "It seems to me the lands of the east, as well as the Free Brothers of the Sea, would profit from the dark King's resurrection."
"Bullshit," Jack muttered, a little louder than he had intended.
"What?" Kreel Ess asked in astonishment.
"Bullshit," he said again, standing to face him.
"And just who the hell are you?" shouted Ess.
"Order!" Kailmax cried, quelling the rising verbal conflict. "State your name and ship sir. I do not recognize you."
"Umm...Jack Braedan, sir." he said, "Second Mate on the Seawolf under Captain Tarsus."
"Ah..." Admiral Kailmax smiled. "The scourge of the bazaar. Do you have some point to make, or are you just trying to destroy the council hall as you did the market place yesterday?"
"I assure you admiral," Jack grinned, "I do indeed have a point to make if Keel Less..."
"Kreel Ess!" shouted the outraged captain of the Ravisher, giving him a venomous look.
"Whatever," Jack shrugged. "If I may admiral, I don't know much about demons, other than if you take off the top of their head, they seem to die just like everyone else. I don’t know who or what this...dark King is, but I do know if history teaches us anything, it is no one profits under the reign of an evil tyrant but evil men. Sooner or later he is everyone's problem. I would also like to point out that Kreel Ess," he said emphasizing the man's name sarcastically, "in his haste to insult my friend, is ignoring the fact that the Brotherhood is already under attack from these...Sorcerers of the Sa'tan? And you certainly aren't profiting from them."
"You play a dangerous game," Tarsus said as Jack resumed his seat. "I don't doubt you could probably take him in single combat, but Kreel Ess doesn't fight that way. He'll put a knife in your back if you're not careful."
"I didn't like the way he talked to Dorad." Jack muttered.
"Dorad can look after his own honor," Kaiddra said anxiously. "Listen to Tarsus and watch your back from now on."
"Why not a treaty with the Norgarthans?" suggested Captain Jennsen of the Fallen Maiden.
"And become lackeys of their king?" asked Captain Klaus Geor of the Firestarter. "I would take my own life first."
"A treaty with them is not the answer," agreed Yanis Kuldur. "We would cease to be the Brotherhood. We would only be privateers of the Norgarthans."
"How about kidnaping one of Urgiss' sons?" suggested Captain Jaimz Pauli of the Barracuda. "We could hold him and force Norgarth to comply with our demands."
"King Urgiss has a dozen heirs," said Kaiddra rising to her feet. "I think the loss of one would cause him little concern. The action we must take against Norgarth should be of a military nature, I think, to be of any worth."
"I agree," said another captain. "But the Norgarthan navy outnumbers our fleet at least four or five to one. In open battle, they would darken the seas with our blood."
"You are right brother," agreed Admiral Kailmax. "They are too numerous to meet in open warfare."
Much to Kaiddra’s displeasure, Jack stood again, raising his hand. "Excuse me admiral? I'm new to the Brotherhood, I admit, and I know as much about navel strategy as some in this room seem to know about…proper hygiene.” That brought laughs from many of the gathering, and he paused until it was quiet again, “But I am no stranger to war and warfighting. Before you can discuss any plan of action, you have to define your objective. Does the Brotherhood want to cripple the Norgarthan navy? Punish them for killing some of the Free Brothers of the Sea? Or just send a message to back off? What is it we wish to accomplish?"
"I see your point," said Admiral Poul Larkin. "Well brothers, what is our objective?"
"To crush them!"
shouted Captain Barek of the Southwind.
"Yes!" someone else cried. "Crush them!"
The entire council hall erupted in shouts of agreement, and cried with a mighty voice. "Crush them! Crush them!" The building rang with their shouts of vengeance. The people gathered outside the Council Hall of Brimcohn heard the shouts clearly, and knew some monumental event was in the making. When the shouting had run its course, Admiral Civin rose shakily to his feet and spoke for the first time. "If I may?"
"Admiral Civin of Brimcohn," announced Admiral Kailmax.
"It is agreed then?" Civin asked. "Our goal is to strike a crippling blow to the Norgarthan navy?"
"Aye!" the assembly shouted as one.
"Then the question arises, how?" Civin asked, and began to slowly pace the stage. "As it has been correctly pointed out, we are vastly outnumbered by the Norgarthans, so stealth and cunning must come into play if we are to have any hope of success. It is now about two hours past noon. I suggest, Admiral Kailmax, we form a strategy committee of five captains, five lieutenants, and the Council of Admirals to formulate a plan. We will call a recess, and once the committee has agreed upon a course of action, the council will reconvene and vote on the plan."
"A wise suggestion Admiral Civin," said Kailmax. "Will you appoint the members of this committee for us?"
"Certainly," he nodded. "Captain Alnordel Half-elven will be needed for his wisdom; Captain Barek for his zeal. Captain Kaiddra, because she is as devious as she is beautiful. Captain Tarsus, for a chance to prove his worth to the Brotherhood. Last but not least, Captain Jennsen. His cautious approach and level head will not let us decide upon anything too outrageous."
"And the five lieutenants?" asked Kailmax.
"Cullen ErMael,” answered Civin. “He is a Norgarthan and can fully understand the quirks and curious behavior of King Urgiss and his court. Dagus Haer of the Blacksail. He will be a captain soon, when Aetomas finally decides to put away his cutlass and replace me on the Council. Ross Cuevor of the Ravisher, to appease Kreel Ess. Lieutenant Marc, who will act as our Sergeant at Arms and crack any skulls should things get out of and finally...I think Jack Braedan of the Seawolf. For his boasted knowledge of warfighting and…proper hygiene?”
