The Coastal Kingdoms of Olvion: Book Two of The Chronicles of Olvion (6 page)

One good thing about having so many cooks present; the serving of the meal was a quick affair, and all of them set about devouring the offering.  Taggart recognized the venison-like haunches of meat along with huge servings of fresh fish.  For starches they had roasted yams and yellow rice.  The meal was rounded out with two kinds of turnips that had been prepared in the rich butter from the Olvion version of a cow.  He’d never had them prepared in that manner and feared he may have embarrassed himself for taking so many helpings.

Like at Mattus’ house the meal was finished off with a round of spirits.  Taggart was a little disappointed that there was no sween, but at least the offered drink did not taste of licorice.  As they sipped, the conversation naturally drifted around to him and the reason for his journey.  He explained about wanting to be reunited with Dwan.  The others, especially the women, seemed to find that a worthy aim.  Inevitably Toria invited herself into the discussion and again raised the issue of Tinker.  The younger people all found that to be an important topic.  Taggart did his best to explain that he, too, would enjoy connecting with his little friend.  “But you must understand,” he told the youngsters and older listeners that were gathered around the table.  “Tinker is a thinking and intelligent being.  She may look like a cuddly, furry animal, but she is not a pet.  She has her own life to live.  “We were united temporarily because she had been directed to do so by some mysterious entity with which only her kind can communicate.  We worked together to aid in defeating the invasion of the Greys.  That task is now complete.  If she wishes to continue our relationship she is uniquely equipped to find me.  If she doesn’t then it means that she is in her own land enjoying her own life.  She almost died helping me against the Greys.  She deserves to be happy.”

The listeners nodded their agreement with his statements.  Only Toria seemed profoundly disappointed. 

When the wind increased and the temperature dropped, the women shooed the children inside.  Their laughter could be heard coming from the great lodge.  The men and older boys remained outside. Sallum leaned forward with his arms on the table.  He had a grave look on his face.

“I don’t want to disappoint you, Legend, but I was in the city last season.  I overheard a conversation about the Great War while eating in an inn.  I’m not entirely certain, but I think I recall someone saying that Dwan, the Healer, had decided to ply her trade in Aspell.”

Taggart’s heart plunged.  “Who was telling this?” he asked.

Sallum held both palms up.  “Please, I don’t really recall many details.  As I said before, I am not really certain of my recollections.”

Taggart slammed his fist on the table making some of the younger men jump back.  He was immediately regretful and apologized for his outburst.

“Have no fear, Tag-Gar,” Chadd soothed him.  “We all know you have been separated from your woman for far too long and through no fault of your own.  Remember, Warrior, even if she has moved to the Kingdom of Aspell, it is only a journey of six days on foot and two on charon (the Olvioni word for horse).”

Taggart considered this.  Yes, a few days more would matter little considering the time he had already been away.  He again felt shame at his pounding of the table.  “Friends- forgive my outburst.  It was an action unworthy of a Warrior.”

Chadd put a surprisingly strong grip on Taggart’s shoulder.  “Even a warrior is still but a man.”

The conversation went on for a time before the younger ones began drifting away to their beds.  This was a community that rose early and retired early.  Taggart was shown to a comfortable bed with a mattress stuffed with wool.  He gratefully climbed in.  The young women and girls quieted down after only three admonishments from their mothers and one from Chadd.

***

The morning came surprisingly quickly.  Taggart arose eager to continue his journey yet surprised by the aches in his muscles from the previous days exertions.  Though he had made certain to keep himself in shape while back in his own world, he was being reminded of the demands that a less civilized existence required.

He and Toria were treated to a breakfast that would please a royal court.  Several wrapped bundles of bread, pastries and smoked meat were shoved into their packs even as they protested that the hosts had done enough for them.

Before they left, Chadd came out of the lodge with a large, wide-bladed weapon in his hands.  The sword-like object had a rawhide wrapped handle and an odd blade.  There was a sharp point that reminded Taggart of the katana blades used by Japanese Samurai, and the blade had several gentle curves along the length.  It had the feel of a lethal implement and the look of a piece of military art.  It reminded Taggart of the wavy
kris
swords used by the Philippine Huks.  The curves were designed to make a slash deliver more cutting power.

Taggart tried to refuse the gift saying it was simply too much after all they had already done for him.  Chadd waved away his protests saying that his large farm complex was well armed, and that the weight of the blade made it too clumsy for most Olvionis to wield.

“The thing was actually made for a Sub-Monarch by a renowned blade smith.  The quality of the steel is excellent even though its intended purpose was to be a wall ornament.  I dare say the weight will not be a problem for you.  Really Warrior, I will consider it an honor if you were to take it.”

Taggart thanked his host profusely and took a few practice swipes eliciting happy smiles from Chadd and his wife.  There was much crying and hugging before he could extricate Toria from the throng of girls surrounding her.  He noted that there were also a number of boys and young men in the crowd.  They appeared even more disappointed.

They took off down the packed dirt path leading from the farm.  Toria turned and waved back many times until they finally rounded a curve, and the farm was lost from sight.  She was quiet for about thirty seconds before noticing the unusual blade on Taggart’s hip.  She asked, wheedled and finally begged until he drew it and handed it to her so she could examine it.  She made a comment about the weight of the weapon, then began attacking every tree they came close to on the trail.  After some twenty minutes he noticed that she had actually worked out a method to twist her hips and follow through with her shoulders to score deep gashes on the vegetation.  When he finally asked for it back she looked disappointed but then quickly asked to carry his spear.  He turned it over and exhaled a deep breath he had taken.  It was going to be a long journey.

Dwan picked her way through the crowd and tried to find an unoccupied place on the second level of the redoubt for the city kingdom of Aspell.  The alarm bells had caused many in the castle to seek a place from which they could see what was happening.  Unlike the city of Olvion which had an enormous defensive wall that encompassed many square miles of territory, Aspell had only a citadel which protected the castle and several large building complexes which were critical to the defense of the kingdom.  This meant that any invasion or attack would leave most of the citizens of Aspell unprotected except for their ability to disappear into the countryside.

Aspell had never developed any more effective defenses because they had always assumed that any attack would come at them through the Lion’s Road in the east.  That route was guarded by the mighty kingdom of Olvion.  Even though the population and resources of that kingdom had been largely depleted by the Great War, no real threat was expected.  The last invasion of the Grey Ones had been repelled and their army, for all foreseeable purposes, destroyed.  Since the four kingdoms had long ago stopped warring among themselves, there was no other threat to worry about.  The Grey Ones were the only real existential threat they had ever faced.  In the history of this world, which was also called Olvion, no trace of any kind of civilization, human or otherwise, had ever materialized from the sea.  That was the main reason that none of the three Coastal Kingdoms, Aspell, Northland nor Archer’s Gate, had spent much of their wealth on exploring the possible existence of other land masses beyond the horizon.  Small, short forays had been attempted, but they always turned back after a few days at sea.

So it was that, until this very moment, it had always been assumed that the sea they bordered on was devoid of any other land masses.  Now, as Dwan finally was able to elbow her way in between two overfed wash women, she saw numerous sailed ships entering their harbor.

There was a lot of noise on the wall.  Many were shouting and cheering the arrival of the strangers.  It promised to be an exciting event, and many looked forward to interacting with the exotic strangers.

Dwan was not so sure.  She thought the approaching ships had a war-like appearance to them.  The sides were festooned with rows of wooden shields, and there were platforms built up among the rigging that looked to be places where archers could be stationed.  She was not certain of her impressions of the ships themselves, but one thing was too obvious to miss.  The number of them that were now dropping anchor was too many for a diplomatic or trading mission.  She stopped counting when the number exceeded forty.  She suddenly felt as if a stone had formed in her chest.

Though most of the ships had now anchored in the harbor, one continued on toward the quay wall with obvious intentions of tying up.  That ship was different from the others in ways that she had not been able to immediately identify.  After some examination she realized that the sails on that ship were whiter, and it did not have the military appearance that she had noted on the others.  Then she placed it.  It was the ship that had been launched from this very port with much fanfare over two months prior.  It was called the Wind of Aspell, and it had a mission to seek out any civilizations which might lie beyond the horizon.  No one really thought they would find anything other than more water, but here she was, back in port and escorted by dozens of strange ships.

Dwan searched the defense level walkway, which was below her.  The construction was restricted to warriors of the watch only.  She saw much activity, people running back and forth, orders being shouted.  To her left she saw the king emerge from the castle flying bridge.  King Tyner was a short man of advanced age, his hair frosting to white and his eyes going cloudy.  He still possessed one of the sharpest minds among the four kingdoms.  He declined the offer of a scope, probably because it would be of little help to him anyway, he was very close to being totally blind.  Instead he leaned over as the situation was described to him by Jo-Dal, the King’s Sword.  Tyner listened intently as Dwan watched them.  He then nodded and looked out over the harbor, no doubt seeing only the dark blues and bright pink of the sea and sky.

As Dwan observed them she saw Tyner lean forward again, this time to whisper into Jo-Dal’s ear.  The Military Commander listened, nodded then began shouting and pointing.  Dwan knew they were having the same concerns as she had.  The collection of ships in their beautiful harbor gave every indication of being a war armada.

Alarm bells were struck in every part of the walled section of the kingdom.  Rumbles and heavy vibrations in her feet told her the many gates that gave other access to the main part of the city were being closed.  In no time at all the people such as Dwan who resided within the redoubt walls were locked in.  Even more disturbing, the vast majority of the citizens who worked the markets and tilled the soil were now locked out.  Warriors were forming up in the staging ground below.  Dwan saw young men rushing from the surrounding areas.  They would be the warriors who had family who lived with them outside of the walls.  It was heartbreaking for her to know that they had to abandon their wives and children in order to perform their duties.  They would be verified by the gate sentries and passed within through the smaller doors which were situated within the larger gates.  She felt tears gathering in her eyes as she saw a young man kiss a young woman who was holding an infant.  He reached over to gently wipe the woman’s tears away then turned and ran to report to his officer.

Dwan watched now as all of the ships were putting boats into the water.  All of them were carrying rough-looking men who were armed for combat.  She had to clutch the side of the wall in front of her.  The people on the wall who had first mistaken the arrival of the fleet as cause to celebrate were now silent.  Six months ago she thought it was all over, the death, the killing, the horrible injuries that she had worked on.  It wasn’t.  The Kingdom of Aspell was now in a state of war.

***

Kal Da’ Brann stood at the forecastle of the ship that he loved and wished he had been able to devise a way to sink her on the voyage home.  That would have meant the deaths of a third of his crew, as well as himself and Captain Gann.  He didn’t care.  It would not have stopped the invasion of his kingdom, but it would have saved him the dishonor that was his responsibility alone.  Though Gann was the captain of the Wind of Aspell, he, Kal, had been in charge.  He could have turned his ship and ran at the first sight of sails.  It meant nothing to him now that such action would have been contrary to his instructions from King Tyner.  It had all been up to his discretion, and now he was on a ship that was actually leading the attack on his home.

Kal had repeatedly asked Tallun to grant him the consolation of a quick death.  He had been denied and then kept tied below for fear he would throw himself into the ocean.  He would have done so, but now he was above decks for the first time in over a full moon’s cycle.  He had been untied.  There was no sense in causing his own death now. 

Tallun was standing beside him.  Kal wished he had the courage to snatch the knife from the pirate’s sash and open his throat.  The huge and scowling first mate Bonn was behind him and would surely snap his neck.  That wasn’t what stopped him.  It was the knowledge that he would not succeed, and he could not bear to suffer another failure.

Tallun pointed a finger at the redoubt situated high on a rise of solid rock.  “It appears your very egalitarian king has decided that he and his noblemen are the only ones worthy of a defensive structure.  Surely the entire kingdom cannot squeeze themselves into that small fortification.”

Kal remained silent.  He had no inclination to explain again the history and political structure of Aspell or how it had decided to defend itself from invasion.  He could hear the alarm bells being struck and took a small comfort in the fact that the king had seen the fleet for what it actually represented.

Tallun looked over at him.  He appeared to be annoyed that his observation had not been commented upon.  “I say, Bonn, it would seem that my engineer friend is under the weather.  Small wonder after having been kept below for so long.  I had hoped the fresh air and the sight of his home would revive him.  My mistake.  Please take him back to his lair.  Have the cooks furnish him with a bucket of warm water and soap.  He can’t very well enter his city in triumph looking like a beggar.  Give him back his clothing.   They were supposed to have been laundered.  If they haven’t please render the appropriate punishment to my attendants.”

Bonn grasped the thin white shirt that Kal was wearing and started to drag him away.  Kal wrenched himself away and addressed Tallun.  “Mock me if you wish, it is the sign of a small mind, but that is the Kingdom of Aspell you see there before you.  It is no small ship that can be surrounded and boarded with overwhelming numbers.”  Bonn made to grab him again, but he was stopped by a raised finger from his captain.  Kal continued.  “You once told Gann that you admired him for the concern he had for his crew.  Look around you now, Captain.  By the time a tenday has passed I predict many of your crew will be feeding the birds.”

Tallun’s face, for a fraction of a moment, reflected doubt.  Kal saw it.  It raised his spirits anew, but the look was quickly wiped away.  Tallun made a shooing motion with his hand, and Bonn shoved Kal toward the ladder leading back to the voids.

The pirate captain put both hands behind his back and strolled the deck.  It was important that the crew see him appearing to be relaxed and casual. 

Three days after the Aspellian ship was captured he had divided its crew up among his ships to reduce the chances of sabotage or an attempt to take back their ship.  Crew and ship were then taken to the Isle of Kylee where a meeting of the Council of Captains had quickly been called.  The news of an entirely new civilization lying far to the east of their continent of Bantar had spread quickly. 

The people of Kylee were pirates. They had raided the small coastal towns of Bantar and seized shipping for generations.  They had a loose system of governing themselves, preferring maximum freedom with a minimum of rules and laws.  The unique geological construction of the Isle of Kylee had made their outlaw stronghold city almost impossible to attack.  Any fleet intending to approach the harbor would have to navigate their way single file through the narrow entry which had numerous submerged reefs.  Any Captain that was ignorant of the safe course through would quickly wind up on the rocks.  Even if a navy ship was successful at getting through the narrow channel there were bluffs and cliffs which overlooked the harbor approach.  A ship’s captain fortunate enough to escape the reefs would find his ship suffering devastating bombardments of rocks and arrows.  There were also three catapults and two trebuchets constructed along the channel that could reduce a ship to splinters in a matter of minutes.

For those reasons the more civilized cities and kingdoms of the continent had long ago regarded them as an evil to be tolerated.  Shipping was very expensive because any cargo ships had to be escorted by armed mercenaries.  Indeed sometimes the escort ships themselves were overtaken and stolen.  Often, in violation of standing orders, the crews were given the choice of being thrown overboard or swearing allegiance to the pirate community.  It was a fairly easy choice to make. 

The last few summers had not been as kind to the pirates’ efforts as previous ones had.  Over a period of years the coastal towns had slowly perfected their defenses against attack.  None could really repel a large assault forever, but along with many years of experience came the advantage of lessons learned.  More and more the attacks on the land targets were becoming too expensive for the raiders.  It was simply not reasonable for them to lose sixty or seventy men for the paltry booty that would result.  Treasuries were now hidden in places that very few townsmen were aware of.  At the first sight of the pirate fleet offshore, the town’s gold and silver, already pre-loaded and stored on hand-drawn carts would be transferred in a relay configuration that would ensure that only the last man to handle it would know where it was hidden.  The pirates found that their threats benefitted them nothing because the information they sought was simply not available.

To make matters worse, shipping in the areas near the pirate home base had been severely reduced or stopped altogether.  It had just become too expensive so goods were, instead, transported by wagon caravan.

In that way, the pirate community of the Isle of Kylee was becoming a victim of their own success.  Their economy was collapsing, and some of their captains and ships were sailing off to look for booty and never returning.  There were other, more profitable ventures for a good ship and crew.  So it was that the news of proof of an entirely new continent was causing ripples of excitement among the pirate captains.  If such a thing actually existed it opened up virgin avenues of plunder.

The Council of Captains convened mere hours after Tallun and the Necromancer brought the Wind of Aspell into the harbor.  Tallun himself, still dirty and smelling of twenty two days at sea was seated at the far end of the long meeting table.  He was a member of the twenty-man council but was considered a small player.  He had only five ships while other captains commanded as many as thirty five.  Every time he had sat in on a meeting of the council, it galled his pride to be considered so lightly.  Every night he lay in his rope cot within the small adobe hut he called home and tried to devise ways of becoming one of the major players.  Now, with this ship and the enormously important news that came with it, he began to feel the possibilities emerging.  Certainly the knowledge of an entirely new collection of soft coastal targets and shipping was worth his being elevated in the council.