"Let me take your position," asked Natia. "You need to be free to make sure all is going according to plan."
Mikal looked up at Natia with full intention of telling her no, but he sensed a challenge in her voice, as if daring him to say that she was a woman and incapable of such a task.
"Are you sure, Natia?" he asked.
"Positive," she nodded. "Do you have doubts about my ability?"
Mikal smiled broadly and rose to his feet. "You are a Knight of Alcea," he said with conviction. "Such is not a title to be bandied about at the pleasure of the king. Remember to coordinate with Tedi on the timing. That is most important."
Natia appeared surprised with Mikal's acceptance, but she smiled broadly and took his place at the harpoon. Mikal was actually relieved that he could now use the scope unhindered by his position. He walked to the helm and stood alongside Captain Gomery.
"It won't be long now," the captain said as he saw Mikal approach. "We have the full wind at our backs."
Mikal raised the scope and scanned the ships. The night was too dark for him to see anyone on the decks of the ships, even with the aid of the scope, but he could see that the two ships were traveling close together. For a moment he thought that he saw the light on one of the ships flicker, and scanned back to focus on it. He inhaled sharply, and the captain looked at him questioningly.
"There are three ships," Mikal said softly.
"I see only two lights," objected the captain.
"Look again," Mikal said as he handed the scope to the captain. "The two rear ships are sailing nearly side by side. The closer one has probably been blocking the light of the other one."
"Mercy," scowled the captain as he handed the scope back. "If we try to turn around now, we will make a racket, plus we will be dead in the water for a time. What do you want to do?"
"We are committed," answered Mikal. "Head into their formation just astern of the lead ship. I will tell my men what I have discovered."
"Mikal," came a soft cry from the stern, "we have a problem."
Mikal turned to see Yolinda approaching.
"There are three ships, not two," Yolinda announced. "Bitsy just returned with the news."
"I know," nodded Mikal. "I was just heading out to let the others know. What about K'sans?"
"None on the decks," Yolinda replied, "but then again, most everyone on the decks is asleep. Are we continuing the attack?"
"We are," declared Mikal. "Send Bitsy up to inform the elves and then tell Tedi and Natia. I am going forward to tell the others."
The Remora sped along with its sails full, and the Zaran ships grew larger by the minute. The lookouts on the enemy ships were either weary or preoccupied with the eastern horizon as they were very late in recognizing the approaching ship coming out of the dark north. Shouts rang out from the lookouts, but even then there appeared to be no response or deviation in course.
"They don't know who we are," remarked the captain. "If they did, they would be splitting up, or at least preparing for battle."
"They will know soon enough," replied Mikal. "Cut through them just behind the lead ship."
"It may not look like it to a landlubber like you," chuckled the captain, "but that is where I am heading. The lead ship will falter somewhat as we take the wind out of her sails."
As it became clear to the Zarans that they were probably under attack, the two trailing ships turned while the lead ship continued on course. The closest of the trailing ships swung her bow into the wind as her archers raced to her starboard rail. The other trailing ship turned southward in a bid to spread the fleet out. Remora's bow harpoon on the starboard side was the first to fire, its metallic quarrel set for maximum range. The sleek missile slammed into the Zaran ship's bow and ignited, the fire glue rapidly devouring the wood.
Moments later the port bow harpoon fired into the stern of the lead ship. While the ship with the burning bow was out of range for bowmen, the elves fired upon the lead ship. One of the arrows struck the helmsman, and his falling body pulled heavily on the wheel. The lead Zaran ship turned sharply to starboard, and her sailors scrambled to try to adjust the sails. Another round of elven arrows struck the deck and masts, and the fires grew quickly out of control. The Zarans who tried to extinguish the fires with buckets of water learned to their dismay that water spread the fire, rather than dampening it.
Captain Gomery shouted orders and turned the Remora to starboard to bring the ship between the two trailing Zaran ships. The two harpoons amidships fired in tandem, the starboard one smashing into the second Zaran ship, and the port one scoring the lead ship. The second Zaran ship was now within bow range and her archers let fly a hail of arrows. The elves retaliated with fire glue-tipped arrows aimed into the bunch of Zaran archers. As three bodies erupted in flames, the other archers ran from the rail.
"The third ship is getting away," Mikal said anxiously.
"Our speed will overwhelm them," the captain replied confidently, "but your little experiment with the stern harpoons will not be used this night. Cut the line between those harpoons and get them taken to the bow devices. And be quick about it," he shouted as Mikal raced to the stern. "I can't block his wind forever."
Mikal shouted instructions to Tedi and Natia as he ran. Tedi had his harpoon out of the device first, so Mikal ran to Natia and took the harpoon from her. He ran to the bow and handed the harpoon to Max. As Max and Clint loaded their devices, Mikal turned to gaze upon the two burning Zaran ships behind them.
"You should see to Ecaro," Max said as he adjusted the device for maximum range. "He got an arrow in his leg."
Mikal nodded and ran off in search of the wounded sailor. Max swiveled the device as far towards the bow as he could and waited for the third Zaran ship to present a target. The Zaran captain was doing a fair job of weaving as he tried to get maximum wind in his sails, but Captain Gomery kept compensating and kept gaining. One of the elves let fly an arrow in a hopeless attempt to start a fire on the Zaran ship, but the arrow splashed into the sea, creating a small bubble of boiling water as the arrow burned intensely. The captain had seen the arrow and swung to starboard to avoid it. For a brief moment, Max saw his target, and he did not hesitate. He fired his harpoon and watched in dismay as it entered the water just short of the Zaran ship.
"I should have waited," Max verbally castigated himself.
"Clint's device is still loaded," replied Natia who was standing behind the Ranger. "If need be, I am sure we will chase him and reload the harpoons if necessary. We aren't going to let them get away."
"I am more concerned with finishing them off quickly before they get reinforcements," replied Max Caber as he looked back at Natia. "I should have waited."
"Perhaps," Natia replied as her lips spread into a wide grin. "Then again, you might want to look forward."
Max turned around and gazed at the Zaran ship. Flames were climbing up the stern from under the water. Panicked cries rang out from the Zaran ship as sailors raced with buckets of water. The mizzen burst into flames, and the third ship faltered just a bit. It was just the break Captain Gomery was waiting for. He shouted orders, and the Remora swung sharply to port. Clint's quarrel sailed through the air and slammed into the already-burning stern, smashing through the weakened wood into the captain's quarters. The Zaran ship began to sway erratically and lose headway.
"Her rudder must be gone," commented Max. "I never realized how powerful this fire glue is. It must burn until there is nothing left to consume."
The Zaran ship was now within range for the elven archers atop the masts. Arrows peppered the crew and deck of the Zaran ship until the ship was a flaming inferno. With a shouted command, Captain Gomery turned the Remora westward, leaving three burning hulks in his wake.
"How is he?" Mikal asked Yolinda as he returned from his walk of the deck and sat down next to a sleeping Ecaro.
"He will be fine," Yolinda replied. "He will need to keep off the leg for a bit, but there was no serious dama
ge done. We were fortunate tonight," she added as she turned and saw the fiery glow of the wreckage on the eastern horizon. "How many more nights do we have to hope for such fortunes?"
"I never claimed that this would be an easy journey," Mikal replied softly. "We've had a storm and a couple of naval battles, but that is far less than I expected for the number of weeks we have been on the sea. I half expected to see a sea monster or two." Mikal grinned as he looked at his wife's horror at the mention of sea monsters. "There always seems to be a bit of truth in those old sailors' ditties," he chuckled.
"If we come across a sea monster, you will be cooking it," laughed Yolinda. "You didn't answer my question," she continued more seriously. "How much longer are we to be at sea?"
"Our original estimate was around two months," answered Mikal. "If that is still valid, we should be in Zara within a week. I could check with the captain if you truly need to know."
"No," sighed Yolinda. "I am just weary of the confinement. Carry Ecaro down to our cabin. I think he should spend some time in a bed at least."
"And where will we sleep?" frowned Mikal.
"I will bunk with Natia," grinned Yolinda. "I will send Tedi up here to sleep with you."
Mikal feigned rejection as he carried Ecaro to his cabin, but he knew that Yolinda was right. The deck of a ship was not the place for a mending body. Mikal returned to the deck along with Tedi and they settled down with the Rangers and elves. After a night of battle everyone was tired enough to promptly drift off to sleep.
A couple of hours later, as the sky was just beginning to lighten before the dawn, a scream ripped through the night. Mikal was on his feet in an eye blink and he raced forward towards the quickly dying sound. His eyes took in the situation as he slid to a halt alongside the open hatch to the hold. A sailor's body lay on the deck, a stream of blood flowing across the wood planks. A small pouch rested on the deck just inches from the dead man's hands, and Barakis stood a pace away with a bloody knife in his hand.
"Drop the knife," commanded Mikal as the Rangers and elves crowded around.
Barakis bent down and placed the knife on the deck. "He was going into the hold," the sailor said. "You expressly told us that it was forbidden to do that. I tried to stop him, but he pulled a knife on me."
"Did you have to kill him?" asked Clint as he knelt next to the body.
"I don't want to die drinking poisoned water," retorted Barakis. "If I had gone for help, he would have thrown the pouch overboard and tried to blame me, or he would have gone ahead and did his dirty deed, and we wouldn't have any idea if he had succeeded or not. No," Barakis continued defiantly, "I ordered him to stop. The choice to use knives was his, and as I told Tyroma, no one pulls a knife on me."
Clint bent down and picked up the pouch. He examined the contents and nodded to Mikal. "It is the same poison," he declared. "Why would a fool poison the water supply when it would mean his own death?"
"That's just it," Barakis interjected. "Feldskar hasn't been drinking the water much. He has a couple of flasks of rum hidden under the forward winch. He thought that no one knew when he went to tip one, but he wasn't as clever as he thought."
Chapter 8
Feeding the Fish
The Knights of Alcea gathered in the galley with Captain Gomery as dawn broke over the eastern sky.
"I really apologize," said the captain. "I should have known better than to bring Feldskar onto this ship, but I was desperate. He knew his trade well enough, and he did his duties without fail, but his background was unbelievable. I am sorry for that."
"What do you mean about his background?" asked Tedi.
"He claimed to be a Cordonian sailor," answered the captain, "but I had never heard of him before. That should have tipped me off."
"We can't expect you to know all of the Cordonian sailors," Yolinda said soothingly. "There must be hundreds of them."
"Aye," nodded the captain, "but I have sailed Cordonian waters for many years. I have spent many a night in each and every common room in the province, and I never once laid eyes on Feldskar. It's just not possible that he could be a sailor from Cordonia without me sharing an ale with him at one time or another." The captain sighed wearily and then shrugged. "At least Barakis got to him before he poisoned our food or water."
"His skill with a knife might have something to say to Tyroma as well," Mikal mused.
"Aye," the captain nodded. "It was Tyroma that last pulled a knife on him, wasn't it? The time you broke up the fight."
"It was," confirmed Mikal, "and Barakis said the very same words that day. No one pulls a knife on him. I guess he means it."
"Did you find the rum?" asked Tedi.
"Aye, we did," answered Captain Gomery. "Two flasks just like Barakis said. Back in Cordonia I would have a man flogged for that alone. I don't mind a touch of drink when a man's off duty, but I won't stand for it when a man has work to do. The safety of others depends on the clear heads of the sailors."
"With Ecaro laid up," Yolinda interjected, "you are two men short now. Will that affect our journey?"
"Ecaro will only be off for a day or two," Mikal replied before the captain could answer. "I think Max Caber and Clint McFarren can stand in and help out. They both have experience on ships."
"Aye," agreed the captain. "Either of them will do just fine until Ecaro gets back on his feet, but I think we can make do without your Rangers after that. The crew has adapted to my style fairly well during this voyage, and that counts for a great deal. Plus the brothers are some of the finest seamen I have ever had. I can actually work with fewer men now, although I am not keen on the idea."
"Well," Tedi said as he stood and yawned, "if you women are not using my bed right now, I plan to catch up on my sleep."
"That is fine by me," offered Yolinda, "but you will miss a fine morning meal."
Tedi shrugged, indicating a greater desire for sleep than food. Natia giggled.
"I think I might go up and spar with the Rangers this morning," she said teasingly. "I bet they aren't tired."
"I wouldn't wager on that," laughed Tedi. "I don't mind sleeping on the ground, but the deck of a ship leaves a lot to be desired, especially when Karl rolls into you."
"It's not my fault," Karl protested with a smile. "Talk to the captain if you want a smoother ride."
Tedi laughed with the rest, but he slipped out of the galley and headed to bed. Natia also left and went up on deck. Much to her chagrin, the Rangers were also sleeping. She thought about accidentally waking one of them so she could get in some practice, but she realized how cruel that would be. The previous day and night had been hard on everyone. Instead she meandered around the deck, finally settling down by leaning on the bow rail and watching the waves. She loved the feel of the salt air on her face, even though it was horrid on her hair.
"We don't often get visitors this far forward," Warren said softly as he leaned on the rail beside her.
"Warren!" greeted Natia. "I hope being up here is not a problem?"
"Not at all," smiled the sailor. "I am actually glad for the company." He hesitated a moment and then said cautiously, "If you don't mind that is. I do not mean to intrude on your private time."
"I don't mind at all," smiled Natia. "Besides, I never thanked you for lending me some of your clothes so I could go ashore at Turtle Key."
"I hardly lent them," chuckled the sailor. "I seem to remember a few coins changing hands."
"It was only a few," grinned Natia. "I really was feeling confined on the ship, and I am truly grateful for your help."
They stood there in silence for a long time, letting the wind blow over their faces.
"There truly is something about the sea air that is invigorating," Natia finally said. "It gives you a feeling of boundless energy, but when you go back inside, you feel exhausted."
"The trick is to never go inside," laughed Warren. "The feeling is even better up on the masts."
"Do you go up there often?" asked Natia.
"Some days," nodded Warren. "I prefer the solitude up there so I volunteer to do repairs on the lines and rigging. The others let me do it rather than go up themselves."
"When do you go up again?" asked Natia. "Maybe I can get permission to go up with you."
"I was just up there this morning," answered Warren. "I had to check everything to see if the enemy's arrows caused any damage."
"You must have a good grip on things," said Natia. "If I had been up there when Feldskar screamed, I think I would have fallen off in shock."
"That was disturbing," frowned Warren, "but I always have a good grip up there. If you don't you can easily fall and die."
"I can't imagine what makes a person like Feldskar tick," sighed Natia. "I mean, I am a warrior, and I know that battles bring death, but poison seems so sinister to me. It is almost like murder."
"It is murder," Warren replied. "I still can't believe Feldskar could do such a thing. He seemed like such a harmless soul."
"I guess anyone can put on a good show for a couple of weeks," mused Natia. "We just never got to know the true him."
"I don't mean just on this voyage," Warren retorted. "Feldskar has always been a gentle man. He never ever got into a fight with anyone, even though some surely deserved a thrashing."
"You knew him before this voyage?" asked Natia.
"Aye," nodded Warren. "I've sailed with him before."
"In Cordonia?" Natia asked, her interest suddenly aroused.
"In Cordonia," nodded the sailor. "We've crewed together several times over the years. He has always been a gentle soul."
"But Captain Gomery said that he had never met Feldskar before this voyage," Natia stated.
"Could be," shrugged Warren. "Maybe Feldskar never sailed on one of Captain Gomery's ships."
"It is more than that," Natia frowned. "The captain said he had sailed all over Cordonia and been in every common room and never remembers bumping into Feldskar."
Final Voyage of the Remora Page 10
