Akuyun smiled. “And it’s just as true this time as all the others you so rudely reminded me of.”
“I’d ask if you had any more clues about how the High Command will respond to your report,” said Rabia, “if I thought you had any more idea than all the other times I’ve asked. I know you say I shouldn’t worry, since there’s nothing either of us can do about it—but, well, you know.”
“Yes, dear. I know. This time I really believe it will be soon. If it’s not soon, we might find ourselves in serious trouble.”
“Do the others share your concern?” Rabia knew Okan listened to his subordinates, and she probed to know whether he had just divulged his view alone or the consensus opinion.
“Hizer does and, I think, Tuzere and Zulfa. The colonels and Kalcan are having a hard time getting around the idea that the clans are a serious threat to even Preddi City. The two raids surprised us. Either the clans didn’t expect to do as much damage as they did, or, what I suspect, they did exactly what they intended—showed us they could do it and let it serve as a warning against further attacks by us on clan territory.
“Those two raids were only about a thousand men each, but I can’t ignore the possibility it could have been ten thousand, which is something well within the clans’ capabilities. With ten thousand, the northern attack might not have been a raid, but a serious attempt to destroy the fifteen-hundred-man garrison at Hanslow and neutralize the Eywell clan.
“The results of the southern raid could have been worse. With ten thousand men, they could have ravaged much of Preddi Province before we could stop them. Then, with their greater mobility, they could have avoided a battle and withdrawn to threaten a repeat any time they wanted. I’m afraid I’m reduced to hoping the clan leaders aren’t aware of the opportunities.”
“You’ve told me how you’ve been working on the scenario where you slowly pull all troops and civilians into the fortifications here in Preddi City. Do you think the time is here for that?” asked Rabia.
“Not yet, and I hope it doesn’t come to that. Only Tuzere and Ketin are involved in the planning. Tuzere wants to wait at least another few sixdays before we decide if it’s a plausible option, and I’ve agreed. I’ve ordered intense patrols as far out as possible. If the clans start pushing our patrols back aggressively toward Preddi, I’ll be forced to activate the consolidation here, if we’re to get most of our people behind the fortifications.”
CHAPTER 41: THE BEST-LAID PLANS
Great Ocean
Although it wasn’t Jaako Rintala’s first sea voyage, it was the longest. By the time they reached Caedellium, the squadron would have circumnavigated almost three-quarters of Anyar, most of the trip spent sailing over the Great Ocean, the water that covered an entire hemisphere of the planet. They took this longer route to avoid the Narthani, whose increasing number of ships made traversing the Throat, the belt of sea separating the northern and southern continents, a riskier endeavor every year. The longer route also minimized the Narthani realizing that ships of one of their foes were snooping around an island of little interest to the rest of Anyar and of no relevance to wars with the Narthani, until now.
They had already been at sea for four months after leaving Kahmo, the largest port in eastern Fuomon. If Commodore Kyllo was correct, they had another month to go. Then they would see what they would see. Why were the Narthani so interested in Caedellium, and what was happening on that otherwise out-of-the-way island? Only in the last months had Fuomi intelligence uncovered that the Narthani had been up to something on the island for several years, exactly how long wasn’t known. With new developments, Rintala was charged with finding out what was going on.
The Fuomi higher-ups didn’t expect his command to engage the Narthani. The lack of information dictated that Rintala have flexibility in action, which was why the squadron had enough firepower to fight off any Narthani force of their size and the speed to escape otherwise. They also had a thousand Fuomi marines on five troop ships, because they would attempt to make contact with the inhabitants of Caedellium. Based on scanty information, the Caedelli reportedly consisted of clans having no central island authority.
“Wishing the wind were stronger or weaker, Jaako?” said a woman’s voice. He turned and smiled at Eina Saisannin, one of only three women in the squadron. Saisannin was a linguist and an experienced ambassador. The other two women worked as surgeons with the marines.
“Both,” said Rintala. “I wish for stronger winds to get us where we’re going faster and weaker winds to make the voyage calmer. I know Fuomi are supposed to be Anyar’s greatest seamen, but I’d prefer that others demonstrate that talent.”
“I agree, Jaako. I’ve sailed before, though always shorter trips and on single ships.” She motioned to the lines of ships arrayed right and left of the flagship they rode on. “It’s impressive to see so many ships under sail and so orderly.”
Rintala agreed, though he didn’t say so. Their frigate was followed by a line of five troop ships, each one carrying two hundred marines. Fuomi troop ships were nothing like the lumbering troop ships of the Narthani. Fuomi naval doctrine mandated that every ship be capable of running with frigates, even if it sacrificed other features.
Following the troop ships were two supply ships, two more frigates flanked the central line right and left, and three sloops picketed forward and to the flanks. They didn’t need any sloops astern, because no navy in the world could catch a Fuomi squadron or fleet.
Saisannin braced herself as the ship rolled over a large wave. “I’ve been going over all the reports and information we have on Caedellium and speculations on why the Narthani are so interested. Whatever is going on won’t be good for the poor islanders. I’m afraid they’re going to learn what it’s like to become part of the Narthon Empire. If they were closer to us or one of the Narthani’s other enemies, they might have gotten aid, but out where they are, they’re on their own.”
“It’s a shame,” agreed Rintala. “There’s nothing we can do for them. We’ll see if there’s any part of the island not already subjugated, so we can try to understand the longer-term plans the Narthani have for the island. They don’t make moves like this without having something in mind. Something we’re sure not to like.”
“Well,” said Saisannin, “if the Narthani have completely put down the Caedellium inhabitants by now, it’ll have been a long voyage to no purpose. Here’s hoping there’s some part of the island not yet subjugated.”
Narthani Sloop Saber, 100 Miles Northeast of Caedellium
“Sail to the northeast!” shouted a lookout on the top mast.
All motion stopped, as crew and officers heard the call.
“Any identification yet?” the watch officer called up.
“Too far to tell, but it’s headed this way.”
Five minutes later the watch officer alerted the captain, who’d been awake all night because of a series of squalls.
“Captain, lookout reports a Narthani sloop under full sail headed straight to Caedellium. Do you think it’s the one Admiral Kalcan has been waiting for?”
“How would I know?” groused the captain. “But orders are clear. I’ll be on deck shortly. Begin turning us around and make all sail to Preddi City. If it’s word from Narthon, Admiral Kalcan will want General Akuyun to be prepared.”
THE END OF BOOK 3
MAJOR CHARACTERS
Akuyun, Okan. Commander of Narthani mission to conquer Caedellium.
Akuyun, Rabia. Wife of Okan.
Bakalacs, Feren. Hetman of Farkesh Clan.
Balcan, Mamduk. Narthani religious prelate.
Beynom, Cadwulf. Mathematics scholastic. Son of Diera and Sistian. Friend and employee of Yozef.
Beynom, Diera. A medicant. Abbess of St. Sidryn’s abbey. Wife of Sistian.
Beynom, Sistian. A theophist. Abbot of St. Sidryn’s abbey. Husband of Diera.
Bolwyn, Elton. A medicant at St. Sidryn’s abbey.
Brison, Rhaedri. Most r
espected theophist on Caedellium.
Bultecki, Teresz. Hetman of Bultecki Clan.
Drifwich, Gethin (a.k.a. Eluk Sargol). Nyvaks clansman spying for the Narthani
Dyllis, Saoul. A medicant at St. Sidryn’s abbey.
Erdelin, Memas. Narthani colonel.
Eywell, Brandor. Hetman of Eywell Clan.
Eywell, Biltin. Son of Brandor Eywell.
Faughns, Brak and Elian. Elderly home staff couple of Yozef.
Fitham, Petros. Elderly theophist at St. Sidryn’s abbey.
Fuller, Filtin. Skilled worker and friend to Yozef.
Gwillamer, Cadoc. Hetman of Gwillamer Clan.
Harlie. Name given by Yozef to alien artificial intelligence created to interact with Yozef.
Havant, Esyl (a.k.a. Istem Sokulu). Narthani spy.
Hewell, Lordum. Hetman of Hewell Clan.
Hizer, Sadek. Narthani Assessor reporting direct to Narthani High Command.
Kalcan, Morfred. Narthani naval commander.
Kales, Wyfor. Abersford citizen. Tutor to Yozef for blade fighting and occasional bodyguard.
Keelan, Breda. Wife of Culich. Mother of Maera.
Keelan, Ceinwyn. 2nd daughter of Culich and Breda.
Keelan, Culich. Hetman of Clan Keelan. Father of Maera.
Keelan, Anid. 3rd daughter of Culich and Breda.
Keelan, Maera. Eldest daughter of Culich and Breda.
Keelan, Mared. Youngest daughter of Culich and Breda.
Kennrick, Pedr. Advisor to Hetman Culich Keelan.
Ketin, Erkan. Narthani colonel.
Kolsko, Yozef (a.k.a. Joseph Colsco). California chemistry graduate student who boards an ill-fated flight to a conference and meets an unimagined future.
Linton (Merton), Bronwyn. Owner of farm near Abersford. Mother of Aragorn, Yozef’s son.
Metin, Nuthrat. Narthani colonel.
Mittack, Hulwyn. Hetman of Mittack Clan.
Moreland, Anarynd (a.k.a. Ana). Friend of Maera Keelan. Related to Moreland Clan hetman.
Moreland, Brym. Father of Anarynd. Cousin to Moreland hetman.
Moreland, Gynfor. Hetman of Moreland Clan.
Orosz, Tomis. Hetman of Orosz Clan.
Stent, Welman. Hetman of Stent Clan.
Puvey, Carnigan. Physically imposing member of abbey staff. Friend of Yozef.
Tuzere, Nizam. Narthani civilian administrator.
Vega, Denes. Magistrate and sheriff-equivalent in town of Abersford. Commander of Abersford fighting levy.
Vortig, Luwis. Advisor to Hetman Culich Keelan.
Luwis, Mulron. Son of Vortig Luwis. Commander Caernford garrison.
Vorwich, Longnor. Keelan Clan boyerman (district chief) of Abersford and St. Sidryn’s area.
Walstyn, Gwyned. Ex-Narthani slave, friend of Anarynd.
Watchers. Name given by Yozef to alien creators of Harlie and whose spaceship destroyed Yozef’s flight to Chicago.
Zulfa, Aivacs. Brigadier. Commander of Narthani group troops on Caedellium.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to my wife, Kathleen, for encouragement, tolerating my sequestering away for endless hours writing and revising, and for reading drafts. Thanks to editors Felicia Sullivan and Patricia Waldygo for contributions and teaching me those things about writing and grammar that I didn’t learn in school and for encouragement. Cover by Damonza.com.
About the Author
Olan Thorensen is a pen name. He’s a long-time science fiction fan (emphasis on ‘long’) who has jumped into independent publication with all its pitfalls and unknowns. He thinks all colors go together: clash, what clash? A fan of Dilbert, Non Sequitur, Peanuts (even if old strips), and still thinks the end of The Far Side was a tragedy. In his youth, served in the US Special Forces (Vietnam:SOG). Has a Phd in Genetics, around 200 science publications as author and co-author, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Lives in the Blue Ridge country of Virginia. Thinks it’s totally cool someone can read his stories and enjoy them. Loves fireflies, thunderstorms, is eclectic in music, and thinks four seasons are better than one. His web page is olanthorensen.com and he hopes his books sell enough he can afford a better web site, better maps, and faster publication. All input from readers is appreciated.
Please email me with any comments at [email protected] or through my web site at olanthorensen.com where color maps of Anyar are available. I promise to read all emails, though I won’t be able to answer personally every one. Also, if you enjoyed the story, please leave a comment/review on appropriate venues, such as Amazon and Goodreads.
Heavier Than a Mountain (Destiny's Crucible Book 3) Page 56
