by J P Nelson
Jha’Ley turned on all of his speed to catch the enemy vessel before it could gain much distance. It was perhaps one hundred feet underway when he laid hands upon the rudder. Wrapping two coils of the rope around it and tying it secure, he hung onto the other end as he searched for an outcropping. He was beginning to be concerned he had committed folly, when he saw a yard arm of a sunken vessel protruding in just the right angle.
Waiting his moment, he swam like a dart to the protrusion and ducked under, then swam in a circle around it twice. Tying it quickly, the rope came tight almost before he could complete his chore. Pushing off with his feet, he could feel the groaning of the old wood and rudder through the water. But wait, there was more.
As the wood lurched, it must have jolted a family of creatures living beneath. Four figures of long slithering nature, ten to twelve feet in length, came fast for Jha’Ley. Not good. He turned hard in evasion and angled hard in multiple directions. Enough of that. He determined it would be safer aboard the enemy vessel.
One creature came much too close and he grabbed it around the neck. Giving it all of his speed, he shot upward as hard as he could go and cleared the water, up the side of the vessel, almost up to the sail, then back down on the deck as with both hands he held a writhing, angry sea snake. As soon as he touched down he came up with a roll, stepped around into a spin and hurled it at the closest group of men to him. Then he drew his blade and went to work.
The sea snake on deck helped as much as anything to buy time for Jha’Ley as the Clarise made way to aid its captain. It only took a few minutes, but one minute is an eternity in bladed combat.
G’Tabb said it best when he described the event later, “I will tell you gentlemen this, he favored a whirlwind aboard deck. His blade made damage wherever it lay touch, and his feet, by Poseidon’s Beard his feet were weapons all to themselves.”
A select few of the third vessel were taken as prisoner, the captain included. But there was no saving either of the three enemy ships, as their hulls were sufficiently compromised. The first was already well foundered, even as the schooner turned to lend what aid they could to the frigate.
As they came up on the combat vessel, it was clear Vedoan crew were in control. Jha’Ley had some of his own cross ship to see what could be done, but he wanted to check the Luhai. As it was, the old merchant ship was abandoned by crew into small boats, one of which was apprehended to question and clap prisoners into irons. Jha’Ley wanted to know the fate of a man named Dover, but the ship had been taken almost a year before. Any refusing to serve had been whipped to death or sold to slavery.
Jha’Ley dove down to inspect the vessel as it sunk deeper into the murk, but no sign of his friend could be found. Returning to ship, he instructed his first officer, “Mister Cynric, lock these louts tight. Then ball the other boats. The men need more practice and we haven’t room to make our vessel a prison. Then let us return to our sister.”
Cynric responded with a simple, “Aye captain.”
Jha’Ley then returned to his room to don proper attire.
When all was done, the assailants had surmised a brace of war craft had rounded the rock and went into a panic. Jha’Ley, however, was not in a mood to entertain the complete report. Within a few moments he concluded the captain had acted poorly, resulting in a skirmish resulting in his and his first officer’s death. Jha’Ley just wanted to get to home port. The Clarise, Qua’Korr and the frigate, a vessel named the VNS Gaff, returned to Engeas without further incident.
War was on, and as Ervis had surmised, exploration was a thing of the past, at least for now. Tension was high in Vedoa as she was involved in combat on all four sides. To the north there was conflict in the Gulf of Sabelle, to south conflict in the Ponskitan Sea, to the west she was being marched upon by land, and to the east her merchant vessels were being hunted in the Mon’Cique Ocean.
It was the latter that Admiral Sark wished to speak with Captain Jha’Ley. The day after his return, the admiral honored commanding officers of the Clarise with a formal dinner at his estate. Afterward, he took Jha’Ley for a walk about his stables, full of immaculate horses of charger quality. There he discussed his plans with the young captain.
“We are under dire threat of invasion, and the queen is not well. Yours is a capable vessel, but in fleet it would be but one of many in general numbers. It is of my opinion, you and your crew would be of best service in solo operation.
“I met with Her Majesty only this morning of the matter. We wish you to make the Mon’Cique your personal domain. We wish, Mister Jha’Ley, for you to hunt down every name of every ship of a list which you shall be provided, and put them into the deep. We wish to license you not only as a war vessel of Vedoa, but as a privateer for our cause.”
Jha’Ley stared at the admiral with uncertain eyes, “You wish me to loot vessels in the name of Vedoa?”
Sark’s face was grim, and he looked tired, “We wish you to cut the roots of some of the best fighting sailors upon the sea. These are sailors who, we believe, if not for certain, have agreed commitment to assist in the overthrow of our government.
“Vedoa is not a perfect land, but we represent freedom upon the sea. We have waged war against ocean trade tyranny since our founding. Indeed, it was the basis of which our country was born. Many of the southern lands grew due to our labor. Our merchants have opened up trade routes which have benefitted the known world.
“Now, some of these upstarts wish to control various waters, extort vast taxes and more. These names we shall avail you are such we have deemed necessary marks, but for any flag you may conquer and deliver to us of such countries in question, you shall be paid a lucrative bounty. Any spoils you may acquire in process shall be your own, of which a percentage shall be rendered unto Vedoa.”
“The Mon’Cique is to be my domain?”
“From Capes Faldahlon, Vesufai, Jodi, to Thenahgo.”
Jha’Ley’s eyebrow raised, “Vesufai? All the way to Fn’Jaht? Now, that is a range.”
“Are you up to the challenge?”
“Am I permitted to use discretion?”
“Kill these captains and sink these ships, we don’t care how you do it.” Then the Admiral showed a bit of mirth, “Although, we suggest wearing your clothing … at least most of the time.”
Both chuckled at the image of Jha’Ley fighting in his underwear. The captain was still quietly surprised no one had made mention of his swimming feat. G’Tabb later made it known to him his crew swore themselves to silence in loyalty of their captain.
Before returning to the main house, Sark added in a quiet, hushed tone, “There is a thing we wish you to do, however, before you set upon your mission of seek and sink. We need you to make haste to Troas of Lh’Gohria. There is a man we need you to bring here, and it must be kept a secret.”
___________________________
Soan Botthay was a genius of technology for his time. His many inventions were usually cast off as useless, but his ideas ran to extravagant and complex. One might say he was far ahead of his time. But Her Majesty wished him involved in what Admiral Sark believed would revolutionize naval warfare. Commander Redding was involved, as was Fhascully, which Jha’Ley found interesting.
Once more, Etmond Kravieu’s services were invaluable, as it was he who confided with and negotiated agreement for the eccentric professor to return with them to Vedoa. Then it was on to patrol of the Mon’Cique Ocean for the Clarise.
Captains Raemon, Chursi, One-Eye-Shiry, Black Smit, Manube, C’Lar and Waltin were among those who fell to Captain Jann Raul Jha’Ley in the oncoming times. Vedoa was engaged in what has become known as the East Aeshean War, a war which lasted for six years and saw the collapse of four countries, splitting of two, and the emergence of three.
The most significant political result was of Lychiwal’s absorbance of the often troublesome Uendi. As Lychiwal is a longtime ally of Vedoa, this is a good thing; the two now being the only countries to have coastline wit
h the Gulf of Sabelle and Mon’Cique Ocean.
Although this tale is not to recount military history or world events of a general nature, it needs be understood the stones cast by these events set forth ripples in the waters to affect the course of men well into the next age.
Of those involved in naval combat of the time, it was Captain Jha’Ley who took prominence in a culture which relied on ocean trade. His name became synonymous with ingenuity, fearlessness and seaborne savvy. Twice, enemy captains who saw the flag of Vedoa and what must be the Clarise, spilled sail and waited for the opportunity to surrender.
Of particular note was Captain Sprague of the Blue Findle, a one hundred forty-foot vessel, fast and solid. Late in 5133 ED, Jha’Ley foiled an attempt by Sprague on a Vedoan merchant vessel. The encounter took place within sight of Franswa, a coastal town of Lychiwal. Both levied fire at the other, but a major storm was brewing and separated the two vessels.
Sprague had made many the boast that no vessel or captain alive could take him, as he had a special charm obtained by Bayou Sue, a voodoo witch woman from the Sutherland region of Aeshea, but it was no matter of concern to Captain Jha’Ley. The chase was on with both making scores on the other, but no decisive victory for either. Let it be remembered, however, it was the Findle which fled the Clarise, and there be none other to counter the claim.
Above the Arctic Circle the course ran, along the B’Frios Ridge, Cape of Nyr’Hun, up the coast of Mittugahr and past Cape Faldahlon to the east. Five hundred miles north of Avalon the two ships engaged in yet another battle. ‘Avalon,’ thought Jha’Ley, ‘where the Kelshinua was built by my mother’s people.’ Yet there was no time for musing. During an exchange of combat Sprague was heard to yell at Jha’Ley, “Yiu art one plaguing son or’a beech …”
All aboard the Clarise were sure they had dealt a critical blow to their adversary, but blocks of ice were in the way. As they sailed about one in question, the Findle wasn’t to be found. A gifted swimmer Jha’Ley may be, but immune to the frigid waters he is not. Diving below just did not ring to criteria. Yet, even if the vessel was foundering, she wouldn’t have had time to go full bottom.
A call came from the top spar as a crewman sighted their quarry perhaps a mile east-by-southeast. How it could get that far so quickly was a mystery, but do it she did. Again the chase was on, a chase which would run for more than four days and nearly one thousand miles; a chase to see the Clarise ever slowly making gain.
The compass had begun spinning erratically on the fourth day, and if the Findle hadn’t been so close, Jha’Ley would have turned back. They were now within the dreaded V’Pohra Tanzhi, and the crew was freezing, ill-equipped as they were for sailing such a clime.
By eighth bell of the morning watch, the fleeing ship could not have been more than a quarter-mile distant, when a mist suddenly rose up from the sea lasting all of perhaps two minutes. But when it lifted, the Findle was gone.
Immediately, Jha’Ley ordered the sails at half as concern creased his frosty face. A bit further they sailed when they noticed a vessel seeming to be headed their way. The ship was the Findle, but her sails were ragged and torn and nary a soul upon her deck.
Jha’Ley himself led Mister Seedle, Coxswain Buckles, and Sergeant Dessi with three of his Marines aboard to investigate. There was no sign of anyone aboard. One small boat was missing, but it was as if the crew just vanished. Even the hammocks had personal articles about them.
Jha’Ley remembered to claim the flag, but as he came back aboard he told his sailing master, “Mister G’Tabb … get us the Hades out of here.”
They were sure they were returning by exact route, but as the sun began to set, they saw an island with heavy smoke billowing upward in puffs; a universal signal for help. On this island they rescued two sailors who swore they had been there for forty years. The men insisted they had been stranded when their vessel, a caravel named the Horasheo, collided with an iceberg on the north side of their island. They were all that survived of their crew of eighty-six.
Jha’Ley knew of the vessel by stories told in port pubs, she had cast off from Cape Faldahlon three years past in hopes of finding gold and glory in the lost lands of Dalshinju. But the vessel never returned. Larney and Ehjay, their names were, the helmsman and cook’s mate, respectively. Larney had been a known man.
Concerned that the compass was still not functioning correctly, Jha’Ley elected to circle the small island, and sure enough found the remains of what must be the Horasheo. Once the voyage west was resumed, the compass began working correctly again on the morning of the next day. Upon arrival at Cape Faldahlon’s port, they were relieved to find they were at the when and where they were supposed to be.
Returning to Engeas from their arctic hunt, Jha’Ley learned the Vedoan Navy had released a new craft, the world’s first functioning submersible vessel. It was based on the structure of the Scorpion Ray and could hold up to twelve crew members. It was a matter of pride for Redding, as this was his brainchild, and the captain was taken below for a jaunt in the gulf aboard the VSS Redding, VSS standing for Vedoa Submersible Ship.
Her purpose was to attack vessels from below and had successfully run her first mission. Sark was convinced this would help win the war, from the naval side, at least.
Before casting off to return to the Mon’Cique, the admiral let Jha’Ley know, “The Clarise now has a sister ship, the VNS Cowel. She is captained by Hastings. I thought you would want to know.”
As Jha’Ley’s reputation grew, it became known the captain took pleasure in Foljur Sound, and though he may not make a showing for as much as a year at a time, piracy in the vicinity of Ozzati’s Rock dwindled to a fragment of previous frequency.
Stops in Foljur were military in nature, more than once to escort a merchant vessel of Vedoa, but always a visit with Lushandri was in order. Some speculated a romantic passing, but their friendship grew in a manner more akin to mentorship and student than of a sexual nature. Jha’Ley found in Lushandri a woman of maturity, knowledge and wisdom he wished to learn from.
Eventually she shared with Jha’Ley her Aquatic Elvin heritage, kept secret from nearly all who knew her, and he shared with her his own, as much as he knew. Their visits would often consist of long hours just talking, laughing and sharing stories. When time allowed, they would explore the depths of the sound and about Ozzati’s Rock. Lushandri also described the Bai’Yeuntite Crater, of which he was very interested.
The day came when the Clarise came into port for longer than an overnight stop for supplies. She had escorted the Qua’Korr into port to acquire a heavy cargo for Merceil. They would be in for two nights and Lushandri suggested a quick jaunt to view the crater, first hand, “I have my own craft, so you would not need to compromise your crew in any way.”
“Your own vessel? But what of pirates? It is not safe …”
She put a hand to his lips, “Trust me.”
After placing Cynric in charge, the two made way for a secluded beach and entered the water. Descending deep beneath Ozzati’s Rock, they followed a dark tunnel, then rose upward into a hollowed chamber with a forty-five-foot catamaran floating in the center pool. The vessel was old, but beautifully maintained and sported a single-mast for fore and aft sails.
“Stay here,” she instructed, and quickly she made way through one of three tunnels he saw. He figured the chamber to be one hundred feet long by seventy feet wide, with a ceiling perhaps eighty-five feet tall. The pool took most of the space and was shaped in a somewhat horseshoe fashion. All around was a ledge between five and ten feet in breadth.
There were benches, cabinets, weapons and fishing tools upon the wall, a sofa, some padded chairs, and a table with several thick towels. Of the later he took one and began drying himself while studying the name on the stern of the vessel, the Ahmbia.
After several minutes, she returned with two native men of Foljur, each carrying a sack of what must be supplies.
“Quickly, get in,” she ins
tructed Jha’Ley. She was excited, but of a hurry as well.
All were aboard and Jha’Ley was curious as to where they were to go, let alone how the catamaran got there. Then the men took poles and Lushandri looked past the bow, closed her eyes, and spoke words in a voice the surprised man could not comprehend … then … he was startled at a grating sound as the wall began to roll starboard, giving full view to a rock lined passage leading to the Mon’Cique.
Jha’Ley helped pole the craft through the small canal, all of which must be one hundred rods long and well hidden from the ocean. They raised sail and as the wind caught, Lushandri passed her hand across one of many runes carved into the gunwale, closed her eyes, and uttered another word in a strange tongue. She took his hand as suddenly the vessel, the sails, his hands, her smiling face, everything aboard ship turned to mist, then faded into nothingness.
Chapter 13
“THIS WAS MY father’s vessel,” Lushandri explained, “and it is full of little surprises. Many of which are most helpful when sailing in unknown waters, or where discretion is a must for survival. This is a cloaking effect …” she laughed, “… for discretion.”
Jha’Ley could hear her well, but just barely see her outline. He could make out the lines of the vessel, but if he knew not what he was searching for, he was sure he could not see it from one hundred feet away, and most certainly not a person. The smile upon her ghostly face was so surreal.
When they were about two miles into the ocean the effect dissipated and all was normal. The vessel reminded him of the Max Cat, only larger. His thoughts went to Old Uncle and his leaving to never return. Why had he done that? A man of his age … Jha’Ley had been of mind the old captain would want to spend his last days with family. And why sail off to the south, there was nothing there?
