The High King: A Tale of Alus

by Wigboldy, Donald

  "Of course. Good luck, little brother," Simon replied as they separated to go their various ways.

  "I may need it," Gerid laughed harshly and rounded the far corner.

  It was very late in the afternoon by the time Gerid returned home to face Carter. His two stops in the city had taken some time and travel was only so quick by horseback. Before going to talk to Carter, he made sure to call for one of the maids to have her put a bouquet of flowers (a mixture of the red tremara and the golden dodera that he knew Catiya favored) into a vase of water before they spoiled. He pocketed the other gift and went to the study where Carter Holtein spent so much of his time.

  The door stood closed and the suitor was forced to knock. Carter appeared surprised to find the young man before him, "Back so soon? I hadn't meant that you had to rush to tell me of your meeting with the king. Has something serious happened?"

  Gerid closed the door behind the two of them and followed the older man inside. Carter looked at him with curiosity and the younger man squirmed slightly beneath his intent stare. "The king has given me a mission as you thought, sir. It will take my entire fleet and perhaps three or four months time to fulfill it completely." Gerid stopped as he thought about his next words.

  The other man held his tongue waiting for the worry to be revealed. Seeing Gerid still musing, the master of the house gestured to one of the chairs before the desk. "Sit down and tell me what is on your mind, Gerid. You can tell me. I won't tell any of your secrets as you know."

  Shaking his head, Gerid started to pace uncomfortably. He stopped and fumbled for the gift in his pocket. Flipping a small box to Carter, he said, "It isn't a secret that needs to be held, at least not for long I hope."

  The older man held the box before his eyes a moment, before opening it. With a small pop, the box flipped open to reveal the glitter of an engagement ring. Carter's eyes narrowed slightly and he sighed. "Who is this for, Gerid?"

  Clearing his suddenly blocked throat, the young man answered, "Your daughter and I would like your permission to marry her."

  Carter shook his head, though not in answer. Instead, he replied, "Well, Sama's already engaged. You aren't trying to dispute that I gather, so this is for Catiya then?"

  Gerid sat in one of the chairs offered earlier. His knees had begun to weaken as he feared the elder man's rejection. Gerid knew that he would marry Catiya with or without permission, but he really hoped to have it. "Catiya and I are willing to wait and, with the mission from the king to deal with anyway, summer would probably be the earliest we could arrange enough time to do so. Sama could marry as scheduled and we'll wed when I return perhaps."

  Carter looked unhappy still and Gerid offered to pay for the ceremony. The older man waved his hand in dismissal. He looked ready to answer when the door flew open. Catiya rushed into the room and spied both men seated within. Brushing at her wrinkled dress, the woman tried to affect an aloof posture. Neither man was fooled. Her nervousness seemed almost palpable in the room. Lifting her head she stated, "I heard right then. You have returned." The woman's eyes strayed nervously to Gerid as she asked, "Did you ask him your question yet?"

  Carter turned the ring in its box to face her. Face paling slightly in surprise, Catiya nodded. Her father reprimanded her calmly, "And why have you interrupted us, daughter? This is usually a discussion reserved for the men involved. Couldn't you have waited for the verdict to come from Gerid or myself first?"

  The woman frowned at her father. Gerid noticed the stamp of her foot, a nervous habit she had come to do often these days. Catiya was intent on her father's face refusing to look at Gerid when her anger was being drawn to Carter. Putting her hands on her hips, the woman retorted angrily, "No, father, I couldn't. It's also my life that you're discussing here as well. So what is your answer, might I ask?"

  Carter's stern look turned to Gerid and changed to that of good humor. "You are sure that you want to marry this girl? I've had only problems with her myself."

  Gerid looked at Catiya and he couldn't help saying, "I have no worries or change of my decision, sir."

  Carter tossed the box back to him. The couple stared at him confused at first and then the older man leaned back and said, "If she really wants you, then you'll need to put that on her finger, boy. I have my doubts about this, but I can hardly tell her what to do or you either. She has always been too willful for me or her mother to control."

  "Is that your blessing, father?" Catiya asked blanching at his words. "It doesn't sound like one."

  Carter shrugged, "Gerid was a slave and a commoner, but he seems to be on the rise. With your sister marrying a merchant nobleman's son, it matters little what station you wed into. With this one, I wouldn't be able to tell you which class he is truly in these days. People won't say anything condescending about a hero like him at least."

  Catiya looked furious, "Station? That is all you care for, father? You should be ashamed of yourself!"

  Gerid arose separating the two. He gently took a hold of both her hands and knelt before the woman as he had in the garden. "It matters little what reason he chooses to give his blessing, Catiya." Taking the engagement ring, he slid it onto her finger. "I'll ask you again, before your father. Will you marry me?"

  Carter jumped up quickly shouting, "Wait before you answer, girl! I want to go get your mother to see this. Hold on. Hold on one moment." The man slipped out the doorway hollering for his wife, an unusual slip of decorum for the man.

  Catiya shrugged and let her hand slide through his hair. "I should have known."

  "Known what?"

  "Father was just toying with us. I think he's glad to get rid of both of us so quickly." She chuckled, "I think all those years of trying to find her a husband has finally made him snap."

  "So that speech about finding a man of your station...?"

  "A smoke screen. Come on. Let's go find my parents and do this right."

  Chapter 26- The Extended Net

  Like a fisher's net casting for the next meal, the fleet sailed west spread out for half a mile looking for prey. They had been nearly two weeks at sea and were almost to the western edge of the continent. It was at that time that trouble was sighted on the horizon. Finneas rushed below deck half stumbling down the narrow stairs to find Gerid in his cabin and alert him of a new opportunity.

  "Sir!" the captain saluted as Gerid answered his knock. "The Sea Horse to our south has signaled that there is a huge battle less than a mile from the fleet. They believe that it's a pair of fleets from Kloste and Tseult. Should I signal for the ships to turn and converge on them?"

  Gerid leaped from his chair excitedly and started back towards the door behind Finneas. "Of course, we go after them, man," he replied quickly. "You should know by now that I never overlook an opportunity. If it involves Kloste or the pirates, then they'll be weakened from battle with our potential allies. If the fleets belong to both, so much the better. We'll let them pound on each other and pick up the pieces. Let's alert the fleet and prepare the men for battle."

  As the two men ran on deck, they turned immediately for the enclosure protecting the helm. There they could find the ship's captain and a pair of helmsmen that were on duty. One of the latter held a spyglass and a mirror at the ready. That was the man Gerid addressed first as he arrived inside the enclosure, "Taman, send word to the others to prepare for battle. Signal the Death Stalker in particular to form up with us and have all the ships sail at best speed to intercept any fleeing vessels. They should know to stay close enough together in their attacks." Frowning into the light sparkling off the water to the south where they would find their quarry, Gerid asked, "Has anyone signaled confirmation about who they are and how many? We're nearly to Malaiy after all and have no quarrel with them."

  The other steersman, Alor, answered for his comrade who was already starting to signal the nearest ships, "It's definitely Kloste fighting a tseulty war fleet. We haven't gotten an exact number yet, but the two fleets combined have at least eight be
tween them." The man smiled excitedly as he added, "The klosten's have a malas warship for their flagship!"

  Gerid let out a low whistle of appreciation at that. Though he had never seen one, the malas was the ultimate warship built on Taltan. With the ability to hold two hundred and twenty men, it was known as a pirate hunter. The Death Stalker was the pirate version of the giant ship. Rumors had begun that the pirates had built a few monsters even larger still, but Gerid had never a met a man who could confirm their existence. If there were such vessels, he felt that the addition of the prized malas to his fleet would help immensely in the future battles with the pirate fleets. "I want it," he declared greedily.

  Finneas looked uneasy at his words and cautioned, "Maybe we shouldn't push the Vengeance and Death Stalker too far ahead of the others, commander. Entering such a battle with only two ships could result in troubling losses."

  Gerid shook his head emphatically, "No, that is exactly why we should separate and attack first. The tseulties should wear them down considerably before we get there. We don't know whose numbers are superior out there just yet, but I would judge that neither fleet's commander is foolish enough to attack too strong a foe. Most warships are strong enough to run away and hold off their pursuers, right?" Not waiting for an answer, he continued, "I am assuming that neither commander is a fool, so I think that if we attack with the Vengeance and Death Stalker together we can do enough damage with our archers first. I'll do what I do best. I'll be our attack force aboard the malas. With a battle-axe and sword in my hands, we have yet to find a group of sailors that can bring me down."

  Frowning, Finneas shook his head, "But, commander, two hundred men? You still don't know how many cuts you can take before dying truly. Trying this, may well push your body too far, sir."

  Gerid tried to show no doubts or fears as he replied calmly, "Have I failed yet?"

  Knowing that he could not change the younger man's mind, Finneas let the matter drop.

  The Vengeance had completed its turn and was already under full sail by the end of the conversation. With the much larger Death Stalker following close behind, the two fastest ships in the fleet began to pull past the southernmost ships in the line. The four klereons and the scereon Dragon formed slowly into a constricting wall as they sailed abreast of each other. Gerid could see that the captains knew his mind well enough to stay together. They were all controlled to stay even as they followed the two fastest ships.

  The slowest two ships of the fleet, the former pirate ship, Raven, and the fighter-merchant, Emerald, did the best they could to keep up, but they were not as strong and soon began to fall behind the others. They knew, as he did, that their presence would most likely not be needed. Seven warships preceded them and there were few fleets in the water that could match their concentrated power.

  Gerid used a spyglass to keep an eye on those following him. Movement was everywhere in the fleet. The excitement of battle was upon everyone. It was what they were paid to do. Gerid took the time to return to his cabin to gather his weapons. Finneas and his man-atarms, James, were there to help him slide on his custom made shield. It was used much like that of the shell of a turtle and was comfortable enough to not hinder his movements. He also added a pair of soft leather gloves for their slight protection before taking his giant battleaxe in one hand. Weighing just over forty pounds, it was a weapon that only he had ever been able to use easily.

  He patted the pommel of his sword where it was sheathed in its scabbard at his side and returned to the deck to watch and wait for battle. Archers were already crowding the foredeck and masts. On the deck, shield men stood calmly before them to stop any deaths from enemy arrows that they could. The gangplank he would use was ready for him as well. If his plans went as he hoped, the Vengeance would be able to stay out of a direct fight with the enemy malas. Just off their port side, he noted that the Death Stalker appeared to be bristling with weapons and just spoiling for a fight.

  As they closed on the battling ships, one of the tseulty klereons caught on fire next to the malas. From the news given from the crow's nest look out, Gerid knew that the battle had worsened for the tseulties. The burning vessel had originally been in battle with another enemy klereon. From the Vengeance, it had been hard to tell who was winning that individual battle. When the malas had joined in from the other side, however, the battle was all but concluded. Apparently either the klostens had used fire arrows or more likely the tseulties had refused to leave any spoils of war and had lit their own ship on fire.

  Fortunately for Gerid, the smoke from the burning vessel seemed to be obscuring their approach from the enemy. Between the distraction of battle and the smoke, it wasn't until the Vengeance was almost upon them that there was a scramble aboard the malas to bring fighters to the rear of their ship in preparation for attack. Shouting could be heard as they neared, even over the more distant sounds of the other clashing ships. The Vengeance ignored it all and swung cleanly in behind the huge warship.

  "Captain Braigham, Finneas, check on that enemy klereon that was fighting on the other side of the burner," Gerid ordered as he adjusted his equipment one last time. "If she's still strong, just use the archers until the others arrive. Otherwise grab her as another prize while I even things out over here."

  Running forward, Gerid leaped onto the extended gangplank as he had many times before at sea. At full speed and near its end, the giant sprang with a mighty leap to cross through mid-air. "Surrender or die!" the warrior shouted gleefully as he landed solidly on the ship's deck. Swinging his axe towards the nearest men, the Klosten's saw the serious threat this was.

  Nearly twenty men surged forward to meet him to try and put him down by sheer force of numbers. No matter his size, they would hardly surrender to a single man. Another part of the horde aboard ship was in movement to defend against the Death Stalker closing from the other side. The Death Stalker slowed to a crawl and fired arrows, however, and waited for Gerid to thin the crowded deck. Gerid had instilled caution in his men and captains in particular, especially when their commander was there to do the dirty work. Many had fallen under Finneas' faith in him as a near god.

  Gerid saw little of this as he swung his axe mightily into the men. A spray of blood and body parts flew in gory trails through the air as four of the nearest klostens were torn apart by the mighty blade. In seconds, he dispatched nearly the entire score of fighters.

  Suddenly, the klosten's took up a new cry as they realized who they were up against. It was a new cry of terror and anger, "The white haired demon! Hurry before he kills us all!"

  With his sword drawn now as well, Gerid continued to tear through their ranks. The officers aboard the warship tried desperately to keep the sailors and soldiers in check. When the battle cry of the Death Stalker's attack suddenly washed over the ship, however, what little control they had managed to maintain failed. Several klostens jumped overboard praying that whichever side won would take pity on them. Many of those still remaining to fight were pressed towards the prow of the ship and again some were forced to jump. With so little room left to maneuver, the soldiers became more and more desperate.

  Gerid finally signaled his men to fall back and give the klostens a chance to surrender once more. If they failed to do so, a final charge would settle the matter soon enough anyway. The captain of the malas was no fool and had his men surrender their weapons.

  As his men began the process of taking weapons and binding the defeated men, Gerid moved forward to accept the captain's formal declaration of surrender as protocol demanded. The commander noticed an unusual set of markings on the man's sleeve as he approached. Gerid had never seen this pattern before and began to wonder. "Who do I have the pleasure of defeating this day, sir?" the conqueror asked chidingly.

  "I am Teraid," the officer responded angrily. The redness of anger lit his face brightly. A proud man, even in defeat, Gerid thought.

  "What is your rank? I sense that you are no mere captain. Am I right? Come on or I
'll just have to force it out of one of your men. You won't be able to hide your identity if they know that it is their lives versus yours, I think. I hold their future as well as yours in my hands, after all. You can no longer deny as much, so out with it. Your pride can no longer help you here."

  Teraid ground his teeth a moment before revealing his identity, "I am Admiral of the Fifth Fleet of Kloste."

  Gerid smiled like a newly fed predator. "The fifth fleet? Well, I am indeed honored, Admiral," he replied with a bow. "To think that I should be so lucky as to find a prize like you here."

  "Laugh all you want to, you pirate scum!" the man snarled and leapt at him followed closely by three of his officers.

  Gerid's face showed no surprise at the attack. He had read their intent from the tension in their bodies and faces before he had spoken to the admiral. His hands were empty as they attacked. The commander didn't want to lose the possible information that the admiral could provide. At worst, Teraid could be held for ransom. Admirals weren't that common after all.

  The admiral had led the attack personally, so Gerid simply grabbed his knife hand and twisted. The man crashed to the ground hard and the knife simply skittered away across the planking. Gerid could sense his own soldiers tense in readiness to help him, if they needed. It was only a first impulse, which they would have for any other man in their crew, but he was undying and would need no help from them. They stayed alert even so as they settled in to watch the show.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Gerid noticed another pair of officers joining their comrades despite their fallen admiral. They thought him nearly defenseless without his weapons in hand. He rebuffed two of the first three men with crunching blows that could heard by everyone on deck. The third man was unable to elude his grasp, but occupied Gerid long enough for one of the trailing pair to move in behind him. The ambusher's dagger drove deeply into the giant's flesh searching for his heart. Angrily, Gerid slammed the man he was holding into his other comrade before wheeling around to face his backstabber.