Linkershim sotsi-6

  Linkershim

  ( Sovereign of the Seven Isles - 6 )

  David A. Wells

  David A. Wells

  Linkershim

  Chapter 1

  “That was close,” Jack said.

  “A little too close,” Alexander replied.

  The ballista bolt had fallen several yards short, leaving nothing but a patch of white frothy bubbles where it had plunged into the ocean.

  Captain Kalderson’s hoarse voice carried his orders over the wind, pushing his crew to coax more speed out of the sails and oarsmen. And it was working … the gap was widening.

  Hours after Kalderson’s ship had passed out of the protected waters within the ring of sharp stone peaks surrounding the dragons’ home, the watchman in the crow’s nest had called out in warning, pointing to the horizon. Alexander’s all around sight didn’t reach far enough for him to see the threat, but judging from the flare of fear and anxiety in Jack’s and Kalderson’s colors just moments after the alarm, he knew it was bad.

  In the first few minutes after the small armada had been spotted, Alexander chided himself for failing to anticipate Phane’s next move. He knew full well that the Reishi Arch Mage could see nearly as well as he could. It was naive to expect that Phane wouldn’t be waiting for him. A few minutes of clairvoyant reconnaissance would have provided all the warning Alexander needed. And yet, it hadn’t occurred to him. Too many weeks of lying in bed, he rationalized.

  Over the course of the afternoon and early evening, the ships trailing behind them became strung out as each captain pushed his crew to the limit.

  Shortly after the enemy had been spotted, Alexander went to his stateroom and spent a few minutes gathering information about his pursuers. Through his clairvoyance, he discovered that they flew the flag of Tyr, and the lead ship was commanded by the heir of the House of Tyr, the man Alexander had taken the Thinblade from. He suspected the man wanted it back.

  Now, standing at the railing with Jack, blind to the enemy in the distance, Alexander could do nothing but wait while Kalderson’s crew struggled to stay ahead of them.

  He felt the sensation of imminent danger flood his mind just moments before another ballista bolt hit home, high on the hull of the ship. It wasn’t a particularly damaging shot but it was proof positive that at least one of the enemy ships had closed to weapons’ range.

  Captain Kalderson came running up next to them, leaning over the gunnel to inspect the damage.

  “It looks like that bolt has four tines,” Jack said.

  “It’s a shredder. Pirates use them to tear up a ship’s sails.” Kalderson looked out at the enemy ship and shook his head. “Makes no sense. They shouldn’t be gaining on us like that.”

  “They have a wizard on board,” Alexander said.

  Kalderson looked at him and swallowed. “Lord Reishi, I don’t know how long we can keep this up. My rowers are getting tired.”

  “I know,” Alexander said. “It’s after dusk … maybe we can lose them in the dark.”

  Before Kalderson could respond, the watchman in the crow’s nest cried out, pointing dead ahead.

  “Dear Maker,” Kalderson whispered.

  “What do you see?” Alexander asked, frustration welling up in his belly at his blindness.

  “A blockade,” Kalderson said. “Looks like twenty ships or more stretched out between Baden and Almeria … they’re still a long way off, just a string of lights on the horizon.”

  “Douse all your lanterns, wait for dark, and then turn due south,” Alexander said.

  “The wind isn’t with us,” Kalderson said. “We’ll have to rely on the oars.”

  “As long as they can’t see us, it won’t matter,” Alexander said.

  “The strait between Baden and Lorraine is dangerous, shallow in places,” Kalderson said. “Trying to navigate it in the dark is risky.”

  “Not as risky as trying to run a blockade,” Alexander said.

  Night fell, moonless and clear, countless stars casting a soft, eerie glow on the calm water. The ship turned in the dark and set a course along the western coast of Baden. The crew held their breath as the enemy ships slid past them in the night.

  Alexander went to his stateroom and opened the door to his Wizard’s Den. He sat cross-legged inside his magic circle and within seconds, he was floating against the ceiling in the captain’s mess of the enemy ship.

  Several men were seated around the worn and stained table bolted to the floor in the middle of the room. Tyr sat at the head of the table, lamplight shining off his bald head as he absentmindedly twisted his jet-black goatee. A wizard sat to his right and the ship’s captain and first mate sat to his left. At the opposite end of the table, facing the captain across the length of it, sat a wraithkin.

  “We know he can cast illusions,” Tyr said, “so it stands to reason he’s still nearby.”

  “Perhaps,” the wizard said, “though he may have simply eluded us in the dark.”

  “So how do we find him?” Tyr asked.

  “Patience,” the wizard said. “All avenues of escape are being watched. You’ve worked tirelessly all winter to prepare for this day. It’s only a matter of time before his ship is disabled and then we’ll have him.”

  The wraithkin started laughing softly, drawing disconcerted and nervous looks from the other men at the table.

  “What’s so funny?” the first mate asked.

  “You underestimate your quarry,” the wraithkin said, vanishing a moment later, leaving faint wisps of black smoke in his wake.

  “I don’t like him,” the first mate said.

  “Neither do I, but he may be useful,” Tyr said.

  “And he may be right,” the wizard said. “Phane has spent the past year trying to kill the pretender and yet he still lives. I would advise caution.”

  Tyr snorted, shaking his head. “I have almost fifty ships under my command. I’ve sold or bartered everything in my hold to make ready for this day. I will have my sword back if it costs me the lives of every single sailor in this fleet.”

  “I’m simply suggesting that you spend the lives of those aboard other ships rather than risk those of us aboard this ship,” the wizard said.

  “That goes without saying,” Tyr said.

  Alexander drifted up through the decks into the sky; then with a thought, he was floating over the blockade stretching between Almeria and Baden. More than twenty ships spanned the gap between the two sub-islands of Tyr. He moved south, the island of Baden passing by in a blur, and found another blockade stretching across the gap between Baden and Lorraine. A few more minutes of exploration told him that all of the channels leading from the interior of the Isles of Tyr to the open ocean were blocked by ships either flying the flag of Tyr or allied with him.

  The only way out was through the enemy. He opened his eyes and sighed, shaking his head as he stepped out of his Wizard’s Den.

  “Anything you want to talk about?” Jack asked from his bunk.

  “Looks like we’re going to have to fight our way through.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  ***

  Dawn brought clear skies and a shift in the wind, but most importantly, a clear horizon.

  “Looks like your gambit worked, Lord Reishi,” Kalderson said, smiling broadly.

  “For now, Captain,” Alexander said. “But I’m afraid we’re headed for another blockade. Fortunately, the dozen or so ships in our way aren’t carrying any wizards.”

  “What are we going to do?” Kalderson asked.

  “Run the blockade,” Alexander said with a shrug.

  “You do remember what happened the last time we ran a blockade, yes?”

  Alexander nodded. “Show me your maps, Ca
ptain.”

  A few minutes later in the captain’s stateroom, Alexander tapped a spot in the channel between Baden and Lorraine.

  “Here. I counted twelve ships, four flying the flag of Baden, seven flying the flag of Lorraine and one flying the flag of Tyr. I suspect that one’s the command ship, since this whole thing has been orchestrated by Tyr.

  “So how do we get through?”

  “We’ll slip through at night,” Alexander said. “How long until we get close enough for them to see us?”

  “Two days, depending on the winds.”

  “Time it so we arrive in the dark,” Alexander said. “That should give your men time to rest. We’ll need all their strength when we make our move.”

  “Understood, Lord Reishi.”

  ***

  They reached the blockade two days later, arriving well after dark. Throughout the night, Alexander scouted the waters ahead, plotting a course through the dangerous channel and guiding the captain through the enemy ships, slipping in and out of the firmament as needed to ensure safe and silent passage.

  His strategy worked perfectly. They slipped through the enemy lines without even being noticed. Alexander breathed a sigh of relief once they were well into the open ocean and sailing north toward Ruatha.

  He woke with a start the following morning. Sunlight streamed through the porthole, cutting the dusty air with a shaft of pure white light. He lay still, listening. Another shout of alarm filtered through the deck boards to his stateroom. He sat up and pulled on his boots.

  The day was clear but far from calm. A northeasterly wind was driving them across rough waters and the ship was rocking to and fro as it struggled to cut through the waves. Alexander found Kalderson and Jack on the foredeck.

  “I don’t know how they found us, Lord Reishi,” Kalderson said, fighting to keep the wheel steady.

  “How many?” Alexander asked.

  “Twenty or thirty in a blockade ahead and a dozen behind,” Jack said.

  “Well, I guess we don’t have much choice then,” Alexander said. “I’m going to look for a soft spot in their line.”

  “You mean to run the blockade?” Kalderson asked.

  Alexander shrugged. “We’re cornered. The only option left is attack.”

  Several minutes later he saw just how bad it was. They were surrounded and the enemy was closing in. Running their line would just delay the inevitable. Eventually, Kalderson’s men would become exhausted and the enemy would board the ship.

  After looking at the enemy, Alexander appeared in General Talia’s study. The fastidious general officer was reading a history of some battle fought long ago. He looked up, then stood with a smile. “Lord Reishi, I trust you’re well,” he said.

  “I’m afraid not,” Alexander said. “I need your help. We’re sailing up the east coast of Baden trying to get to Ruatha, but there’s a fleet of warships in our way.”

  “I see,” Talia said. “I have eight Sky Knights at my disposal and I can spare a dozen fast-attack boats without diminishing the security of Ruatha’s southern coast. Will that be sufficient?”

  “It’ll have to be,” Alexander said. “We can’t afford to let Andalia put any more Lancers on Ruathan soil.”

  “Understood, Lord Reishi. Help is on the way.”

  “Thank you, General,” Alexander said before vanishing.

  ***

  “How can that ship be moving against the wind?” Kalderson asked, shaking his head.

  “That’s Tyr’s flagship,” Alexander said. “The wizard on board is pushing them with his magic. Turn toward it and ready the fore ballista.”

  “I can’t,” Kalderson said. “The wind isn’t with us and the oars won’t give us enough speed to stay ahead of the dozen ships behind us.”

  “Then turn both ballistae toward them and prepare to fire,” Alexander said.

  “That won’t solve the bigger problem,” Kalderson said. “They’re driving us into the Andalian coast. With this wind, we’ll never make it around the horn without slowing down so much that the entire enemy fleet will catch up with us.”

  “One problem at a time, Captain,” Alexander said. “Kill that ship first, then we’ll worry about the rest of them. Maybe if they see their flagship sink, they’ll lose interest. After all, most of the ships out there are bought and paid for by Tyr.”

  A warning went up from the crow’s nest, drawing all eyes toward the shredder bolt descending on them. It ripped through the mainsail, tearing a gaping hole and slowing the ship significantly.

  “Return fire,” Alexander ordered.

  Both ballistae fired in unison, sending clay firepots toward the enemy vessel. One went wide, but the second shattered against the mainmast, showering the aft deck with fire and igniting the rear sail.

  Another shredder lifted off the deck of the enemy ship, arcing through the clear sky. It tore the mainsail nearly in half, slowing Kalderson’s ship even further.

  Even with the damaged sail, they were able to gain some distance on the single enemy ship within weapons’ range, but the dozen ships behind them were closing fast. They would be in weapons’ range within minutes.

  Kalderson’s crew started cutting the mainsail down, preparing to raise the spare, but the damage was done. They were slowing, the gap was closing, and the only possibility of escape was the looming coastline of Andalia-a prospect that Alexander didn’t relish.

  “Lend me your eyes, Little One.”

  Chloe buzzed into existence in a ball of light and Alexander sent her his mind, looking at the danger surrounding him through her eyes. The ships behind, driven by the strong wind, were fanning out so each could bring their weapons to bear. The blockade to the north remained in place with the exception of the burning flagship and two ships that were moving to assist. The rocky coast of Andalia filled the eastern horizon.

  A whistler arrow shrieked in the distance and a dozen shredders lifted from the fleet behind them, arcing gracefully and silently through the air, crashing into the deck with ruinous effect, tearing holes in the fore and aft sails and killing a number of crewmen where they stood.

  “Captain, head for the coast and prepare to abandon ship,” Alexander said.

  Kalderson looked like he wanted to protest, but couldn’t find an argument worthy of putting into words. With grim resignation, he nodded to his first mate manning the wheel and the ship turned east toward the shore while the crew began to make the longboats ready.

  “What’s happening?”

  Alexander’s heart skipped a beat. He whirled to find Anja standing next to a hatch on the ship’s deck.

  “What are you doing here?” he demanded, dumbfounded and chagrined at the same time. She’d made it clear that she wanted to come with him but he hadn’t expected her to stow away. Another mistake based on a false assumption.

  “I wanted to be with you,” Anja said.

  “You can’t be here,” Alexander said to the child-dragon, taking her by the shoulders. “You’re not safe here, Anja. You need to change into your true form and fly home right now.”

  “No,” she said, facing him squarely, her chin held high. “I’m staying with you.”

  Before he could say another word, the sensation of danger flooded his mind. Instinctively, he stretched out with his all around sight and saw the threat descending toward him-another volley of shredders. He grabbed Anja and spun her out of the way as a multi-tined ballista bolt slammed into the deck where they’d just been standing. He pulled her behind the wheelhouse and pressed her against the wall.

  “It’s not safe here. You have to go home. Please, Anja, do as I ask.”

  “No, I belong with you.”

  “Don’t be so stubborn, child. We’re under attack and we’re about to abandon ship in hostile territory. I don’t know if I can protect you, and trying to could easily put everything else in jeopardy.”

  “You don’t have to protect me. I can protect myself.”

  “Please go home,” Alexander wh
ispered. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

  She shook her head slowly, defiantly. “I’m not leaving you.”

  He closed his eyes and turned away from her, striding purposefully toward his stateroom.

  “Where are you going?” Anja asked, trailing behind him.

  “Keep an eye on her, Jack,” Alexander said, ignoring Anja’s question.

  She caught up to him and grabbed his arm, turning him toward her.

  “Wait, where are you going? What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to talk with your mother. I’m going to ask her to come get you and take you home whether you like it or not.”

  He twisted his arm free of her grip and left her standing there pouting.

  ***

  “Hello Bragador,” Alexander said, a moment after appearing before her. She had been sleeping in her magnificent true form atop a pile of gold and silver coins.

  “I had hoped it would be some time before we spoke again.”

  “Anja has stowed away on my ship,” Alexander said. “I just discovered her a few minutes ago. I told her to go home, but she refused.”

  “I see,” Bragador whispered.

  “We’re under attack. I’ve ordered the captain to make for the coast of Andalia. We have to abandon ship. If I could turn the ship around and bring her home to you, I would.”

  “I know that you would, Alexander. I do not doubt your feelings for my daughter.”

  “Please, come get her,” Alexander said. “I can’t keep her safe.”

  “She hasn’t listened to my counsel on this matter before. What makes you think she will now?”

  “Bragador, I don’t care if she listens, just come and get her.”

  Bragador cocked her head and looked at Alexander quizzically. “Would not such a thing violate the very Old Law that you have argued so forcefully for?”

  “Anja is a child. She isn’t old enough to know what’s good for her yet.”

  “And yet, she is a sovereign being with free will granted to her by the Maker. Who am I to force her to act according to my will?”

  “You’re her mother! A child needs limitations and guidance or they could get hurt.”