Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK I - Chapter 26
The newly found captives were moved from the Dracette to the Arbowlan. On discovering that Eartaria had shot and killed one of the hostages, Acalee was not too impressed. Contrarily, Essen was less concerned.
"We're at war. How many people do you think we killed when we attacked the city. Besides, like Eartaria said, the guy pulled out a sword. He made the first move. It's unfortunate, but it's just the nature of war."
Acalee understood the argument, but being familiar with Eartaria, and his often callous attitude, he remained sceptical of the necessity. Still, with the ship now sailing towards the southern tip of Tunida, he found himself more concerned with the mystery of where the small boat had came from. It was clear that the three prisoners were not simply fishermen. Thus far they'd remained silent however, and hadn't revealed a great deal of information. Especially so the young boy, who hadn't spoken a single word since he'd stepped onto the ship.
"The boy is just a boy. He was heading to the capital to begin his training. To be a guard some day, like me. As for why my fellow guardsman said we were fisherman I have no idea ..perhaps he didn't want to get shot."
As this sentence was finished the conversation was noisily interrupted. Out on the sea-edge another settlement was coming into view.
The lighthouse tower itself was painted a soft, but vivid green colour, which offset the orchards and meadows that framed the entire town. Such picturesque beauty made the crewmen lament having to fire yet more ships, but Essen gave the order and they eagerly followed. With little sentiment. They did however refrain from striking the town itself though this time. So, as the harbour erupted in ruinous fire, and a panic engulfed the town, Essen gave the signal to simply pass on by. The four ships carelessly heading westward, in search of more things to wreck - to complete their circular pillage of the entire island.
Then something unexpected happened. As they began to roll on, the wind catching their sails in the now glorious sunshine, they spotted a strange sight in the far-off distance. Heading towards the harbour, from almost the same direction that they themselves had arrived from. It was six large ships, gliding across the peaceful blue; easy on the waves. The Brynnyfirdian crewmen took a moment to register the discordant sight. The appearance almost mirage-like at first.
The Arbowlan continued its pursuit. This time catching two more ships with a cascade of fire. Damaging both, but without quite delivering the fatal blow it had the previous two. It then pirouetted, to fall in behind the Dew Elizabeth and the Sleight. As the ship embowed, Essen looked across to the scenes on the Dracette. By now, most of the crew, outnumbered, had been forced overboard or put to the sword, with just a few battling on in desperate fight. Essen wanted to pull in alongside to help, but focusing on the wider task he resisted the urge. Certain as he watched on that the ship was now undoubtedly lost anyway. He then pressed on to aim another glance of cannon fire at the remaining rival ships. One of which, however, had sensibly avoided the dragon-like Brynnyfirdians, and was now pushing on, full tilt, towards the Sails' End harbour. Hoping for safety.
Acalee understood the argument, but being familiar with Eartaria, and his often callous attitude, he remained sceptical of the necessity. Still, with the ship now sailing towards the southern tip of Tunida, he found himself more concerned with the mystery of where the small boat had came from. It was clear that the three prisoners were not simply fishermen. Thus far they'd remained silent however, and hadn't revealed a great deal of information. Especially so the young boy, who hadn't spoken a single word since he'd stepped onto the ship.
"Where were you travelling from? There's no land to the east," Acalee interrogated, thinking out loud as he did so. "Perhaps you were travelling from the capital ..but then, why not go overland? Likewise, if you were heading from other parts of the island it makes little sense that you'd be so far out to sea. Unless you were leaving, but then turned back because of the storm." He paused for a moment before continuing, not for dramatic effect, but purely fixated on his own chain of thought, "..But even then, where would you be going?? It's a little odd."
"We were heading back to the capital," asserted Coulema Galina, sensing Acalee had reached the end of his thoughts, "We took the short boat ride out just to take us quickly up the coast, so that we could then travel on horse from the bay - where you picked us up. We weren't even that far out really, though the storm did catch us off guard. That's it. We've been stationed in the south of the island and now we're heading back. Or at least we were supposed to be."
"And what about the boy?" cross-examined Acalee, the reasonableness of the response annoying him a little, "If you were just heading back to the capital, why did you lie and say you were fishermen?"
"We were heading back to the capital," asserted Coulema Galina, sensing Acalee had reached the end of his thoughts, "We took the short boat ride out just to take us quickly up the coast, so that we could then travel on horse from the bay - where you picked us up. We weren't even that far out really, though the storm did catch us off guard. That's it. We've been stationed in the south of the island and now we're heading back. Or at least we were supposed to be."
"And what about the boy?" cross-examined Acalee, the reasonableness of the response annoying him a little, "If you were just heading back to the capital, why did you lie and say you were fishermen?"
This last point lessened his annoyance somewhat; the quickness with which his brain had asked it reasserting his sense of self-confidence.
"The boy is just a boy. He was heading to the capital to begin his training. To be a guard some day, like me. As for why my fellow guardsman said we were fisherman I have no idea ..perhaps he didn't want to get shot."
As this sentence was finished the conversation was noisily interrupted. Out on the sea-edge another settlement was coming into view.
"Don't worry, no one else will be getting shot," expressed Acalee, as he left the cabin in response to the commotion, "Though I do think you're guarding the boy, and it would be sensible if you started being honest."
(click to enlarge)
The settlement rising up from the sea was Sails' End. A peaceful harbour town, on the south-eastern edge of the island. Aesthetically it near-matched the capital Woodville, only on a tinier scale. Standing in the harbour there was one ornate, but very sea-worthy tall ship, along with numerous other smaller boats of varying style and design. As with Woodville, there were limited fortifications. As was to be expected, given it was one of the most southerly places in all the world kingdoms. And again, as the Brynnyfirdian ships sailed into view, as at Woodville, it was the first time the inhabitants had ever seen hostile ships in their waters.
The buildings these townsfolk lived in weren't quite as grandiose as those found in the capital, but they were generally stone built, and here were painted in bright keen colours. With the exception being the few buildings where the marble was left naked, revealing the fractured, branching grains. The most impressive structure, and the one that immediately struck Acalee and the rest of the crew was the lighthouse. The bottom of its tower was spread out broadly like a woman's skirt. A billowing, almost-pyramidal shape; tapering, waist-like, up towards its higher parts. Where, at the top, it spread out again, to form a gentle plateau. From here a silver-coloured funnel or pipe extended metres into the air, which then spread out into a broad dish. The circumference about twice the width of the tower itself. At night the oil in this dish would be lit, creating a brilliant luminous flame. Though in the bright daylight the Brynnyfirdian strangers could only guess at its function and purpose.
The buildings these townsfolk lived in weren't quite as grandiose as those found in the capital, but they were generally stone built, and here were painted in bright keen colours. With the exception being the few buildings where the marble was left naked, revealing the fractured, branching grains. The most impressive structure, and the one that immediately struck Acalee and the rest of the crew was the lighthouse. The bottom of its tower was spread out broadly like a woman's skirt. A billowing, almost-pyramidal shape; tapering, waist-like, up towards its higher parts. Where, at the top, it spread out again, to form a gentle plateau. From here a silver-coloured funnel or pipe extended metres into the air, which then spread out into a broad dish. The circumference about twice the width of the tower itself. At night the oil in this dish would be lit, creating a brilliant luminous flame. Though in the bright daylight the Brynnyfirdian strangers could only guess at its function and purpose.
The lighthouse tower itself was painted a soft, but vivid green colour, which offset the orchards and meadows that framed the entire town. Such picturesque beauty made the crewmen lament having to fire yet more ships, but Essen gave the order and they eagerly followed. With little sentiment. They did however refrain from striking the town itself though this time. So, as the harbour erupted in ruinous fire, and a panic engulfed the town, Essen gave the signal to simply pass on by. The four ships carelessly heading westward, in search of more things to wreck - to complete their circular pillage of the entire island.
Then something unexpected happened. As they began to roll on, the wind catching their sails in the now glorious sunshine, they spotted a strange sight in the far-off distance. Heading towards the harbour, from almost the same direction that they themselves had arrived from. It was six large ships, gliding across the peaceful blue; easy on the waves. The Brynnyfirdian crewmen took a moment to register the discordant sight. The appearance almost mirage-like at first.
Where have these ships came from? Have Tunidan vessels been out making manoeuvres in the eastern ocean? Were they ships from somewhere else entirely?
After a moment's pause Essen was the first to react:
"We need to engage them!"
The Brynnyfirdian ships then hightailed around, and quickly circled, as they once again readied their cannon. Slowly forming a loose battle line as they headed onward in the direction of the freshly spotted foe. Now they had a closer view they could see that the ships they were engaging were particularly large. With each as large, if not larger, than the Arbowlan itself. As they edged further they could see that on the decks of some of these ships were countless men. Armed and well equipped. As if reinforcements had arrived to bolster the little harbour town's defences. As the Arbowlan, leading the line, finally came side on with the first ship it fired off a volley of cannon. The opponent, not designed or prepared to deal with such an attack, found itself almost instantly obliterated. With smoke and dust clouding the air, those not flung into sea leapt overboard in an attempt escape the sinking flames. This sorry ship quickly despatched, the Arbowlan then, with purpose, moved along in readiness to engage the next. Followed in tow by, first, the Dracette, then the Sleight. With the doughty Dew Elizabeth pulling up the rear of the aggressive armada.
The Brynnyfirdian ships then hightailed around, and quickly circled, as they once again readied their cannon. Slowly forming a loose battle line as they headed onward in the direction of the freshly spotted foe. Now they had a closer view they could see that the ships they were engaging were particularly large. With each as large, if not larger, than the Arbowlan itself. As they edged further they could see that on the decks of some of these ships were countless men. Armed and well equipped. As if reinforcements had arrived to bolster the little harbour town's defences. As the Arbowlan, leading the line, finally came side on with the first ship it fired off a volley of cannon. The opponent, not designed or prepared to deal with such an attack, found itself almost instantly obliterated. With smoke and dust clouding the air, those not flung into sea leapt overboard in an attempt escape the sinking flames. This sorry ship quickly despatched, the Arbowlan then, with purpose, moved along in readiness to engage the next. Followed in tow by, first, the Dracette, then the Sleight. With the doughty Dew Elizabeth pulling up the rear of the aggressive armada.
The second enemy ship suffered precisely the same fate as the first. Unable to cope with the brutal force of the cannon blast, it was instantly splintered to ruin. The smell of blood now caught on the air, and the preponderance of smoke began to lessen the visibility of those on both sides of the divide. With this, there finally came a response. One of the large, presumably Tunidan ships, showing some initiative, arched towards the battle line and rammed its prow into the Dracette, cracking its hull, and pushing it off course. The Sleight and the Dew Elizabeth were likewise forced to break the line, and headed out from the melee to circle back around for another attack. With the Dracette engaged, hoards of soldiers rushed across to board. Eartaria, with sword in hand, headed down onto the main deck.
The Arbowlan continued its pursuit. This time catching two more ships with a cascade of fire. Damaging both, but without quite delivering the fatal blow it had the previous two. It then pirouetted, to fall in behind the Dew Elizabeth and the Sleight. As the ship embowed, Essen looked across to the scenes on the Dracette. By now, most of the crew, outnumbered, had been forced overboard or put to the sword, with just a few battling on in desperate fight. Essen wanted to pull in alongside to help, but focusing on the wider task he resisted the urge. Certain as he watched on that the ship was now undoubtedly lost anyway. He then pressed on to aim another glance of cannon fire at the remaining rival ships. One of which, however, had sensibly avoided the dragon-like Brynnyfirdians, and was now pushing on, full tilt, towards the Sails' End harbour. Hoping for safety.
The Dew Elizabeth clocked this motion and tacked off in pursuit.
As a loud blast rattled the ship that was still entangled with the Dracette, Meamya aimed his musket towards an oncoming soldier, hitting him fatally in the flush of the body. Turning to take aim at another, a heavy blade from somewhere unseen came down upon his shoulder. As he raised his arm to block a second sword blow with the shaft of his gun, yet another, this time from behind, pierced through his back. He dropped dead to the ground. Eartaria, fighting frantically in the chaos, looked across at his brother lying in a bloody pool on the deck. He cut through one last opponent with rage, then dropped his sword to the ground and dived overboard. His numerous opponents, although successful in winning the ship, equally at a loss as to their next move. Swamped as they were in smoke and blood. Sitting like ducks in the face of any further fire. With their own ship now redundant, most elected to take Eartaria's option, and threw themselves headlong into the deep.
With the ocean now swimming with men, both dead and living, the Dew Elizabeth followed in behind the one remaining ship. The escaping vessel making good ground towards the harbour, hoping to dock and at least save one shipment of soldiers from obliteration. As they raced on a large crowd of inhabitants organised themselves on the harbour's edge. Ready to help their endangered compatriots. Hoping to somehow offer offence against the foreign assailants. The ship tapered its speed as it crossed in towards the haven. The Dew Elizabeth gaining with each moment. Then, out from nowhere, a huge arrow came whizzing from the harbour's edge. Oil-soaked and ablaze. Driving spear-like from a huge wooden crossbow. Before the crew of the Dew Elizabeth could register the counterstroke it pierced the side of their vessel. As the flames ripped through the body they caught the black powder nestled in the hold. Explosion! Huge pieces of the ship flew hundreds of feet into the air. Fire engulfing the wooden shards of all that was left. The swampy all-consuming sea slowly taking with it the entire crew.
Eartaria heard the enormous blast from a distance as he struggled to swim to safety, but exhausted he didn't attempt to look round to witness the devastation. Powering through the water in his own desperation he eventually reached the Sleight and clambered aboard.
As a loud blast rattled the ship that was still entangled with the Dracette, Meamya aimed his musket towards an oncoming soldier, hitting him fatally in the flush of the body. Turning to take aim at another, a heavy blade from somewhere unseen came down upon his shoulder. As he raised his arm to block a second sword blow with the shaft of his gun, yet another, this time from behind, pierced through his back. He dropped dead to the ground. Eartaria, fighting frantically in the chaos, looked across at his brother lying in a bloody pool on the deck. He cut through one last opponent with rage, then dropped his sword to the ground and dived overboard. His numerous opponents, although successful in winning the ship, equally at a loss as to their next move. Swamped as they were in smoke and blood. Sitting like ducks in the face of any further fire. With their own ship now redundant, most elected to take Eartaria's option, and threw themselves headlong into the deep.
With the ocean now swimming with men, both dead and living, the Dew Elizabeth followed in behind the one remaining ship. The escaping vessel making good ground towards the harbour, hoping to dock and at least save one shipment of soldiers from obliteration. As they raced on a large crowd of inhabitants organised themselves on the harbour's edge. Ready to help their endangered compatriots. Hoping to somehow offer offence against the foreign assailants. The ship tapered its speed as it crossed in towards the haven. The Dew Elizabeth gaining with each moment. Then, out from nowhere, a huge arrow came whizzing from the harbour's edge. Oil-soaked and ablaze. Driving spear-like from a huge wooden crossbow. Before the crew of the Dew Elizabeth could register the counterstroke it pierced the side of their vessel. As the flames ripped through the body they caught the black powder nestled in the hold. Explosion! Huge pieces of the ship flew hundreds of feet into the air. Fire engulfing the wooden shards of all that was left. The swampy all-consuming sea slowly taking with it the entire crew.
Eartaria heard the enormous blast from a distance as he struggled to swim to safety, but exhausted he didn't attempt to look round to witness the devastation. Powering through the water in his own desperation he eventually reached the Sleight and clambered aboard.
As Essen, Acalee and the rest of the remaining crewmen surveyed this strange carnage, set as it was against the beauty of the little harbour port, they decided it was time to head back to Brynnyfirdia.
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