The Call of Crows

Chapter 30: Regret

Against Cecile's very insistent word, Ruhak had joined the crew of pirates and now Ascommani on a trip to the salvage they'd been using to find planks. It was the third day of working on the galley for him and his allies, and it was going along swimmingly.

Yes, there was the looming threat of the black powder weapons atop the giant armored ship constantly circling the island, but Ruhak was feeling optimistic. It was mostly thanks to Taya, as she had made it a habit to squash any paranoias, he thought up before he could say them.

Ruhak had accompanied this group of salvagers primarily because his wires were useful for stripping off wood or helping to bind things. Bjorn had gone with him, now that the Ascommani was up on his feet again. Ruhak still wanted to ask what all the looks from the other Ascommani were about. But that was likely a private matter Bjorn would tell him about when he wanted to share.

He listened in on the conversations between the pirates and Ascommani. Apparently, a high number of ships crashed on the south shore. A wise sailor rarely traveled this neck of the Isles, but it made for a handy shortcut from Hikuptah to Koinelia instead of sailing around the Isles. But currents led to unfortunate places.

Of course, the ever-more invincible ironclad was too heavy to be dragged in by such currents.

Some men gossiped about bodies they'd seen in the wreckage. They almost always wore old military uniforms. Perhaps a fleet had crashed there all together. Though, it would have to be a rather nasty crash for so many to die on the shore.

As they spoke, Ruhak tugged at a cape that wasn't there. He was still accustomed to his uniform during his time in the military.

"Here it is, boys." the rugged pirate named Ricco announced, "Though I'll be honest, it was more scenic before we started moving things around."

Ruhak followed him down a somewhat steep path through the fringes of the woods and onto yet another pearly white beach.

The wreck comprised about five or six dromons. Some of them looked as though they'd been impaled on the jagged rock formations Ruhak could view upon peering further out. One ship was barely more than just a frame. Though it was too small to accommodate the longer ship the pirates owned.

"Alright, we haven't cracked into the furthest one down for supplies yet. Hikupti, you wanna help us break in?" Ricco asked.

Ruhak nodded without responding and followed a small group of pirates and Ascommani, including Bjorn

The ship furthest from where they came onto the beach was probably the most decrepit of the wrecked dromons, which was really saying something.

With Ruhak's help, they stripped off two decently intact planks from the bottom of the hull. They lit a few torches and stepped into the broken down imperial warship. Ruhak ascended to the upper deck and was startled by the sight of a bleached skeleton in imperial armor, wrist tied to the mast. The corpse's uniform looked eerily like his own when he served.

The deck was plenty sturdy and could probably be put to good use. Using his abilities, he ripped out several nails telekinetically and called for a few people to help him move the planks.

"Hey, see if that skeleton has anything useful on him." One pirate suggested, "Whether to sell or somethin' like a compass."

Ruhak knelt down next to the corpse and rifled through its lamellar armor and woolen tunic. The dead man had a rusted dagger on his belt and a scroll attached to the back. He reached under the corpse's filthy red cape and felt a small medallion underneath.

Ruhak pulled the medallion out that identified what fleet this group of boats belonged to.

Classis Hikuptae. Ruhak whispered the words on his lips, but no sound came out.