The Taleweaver

Intermezzo

Mixtla watched the devastation in the harbor. Remains of a once proud fleet. He had known that the towns were defended with stone throwers, but couldn't imagine the amount needed to bring such a total destruction to an entire fleet. The surprise must have been absolute and the aim infallible. Not a single ship had escaped, or at least none they had met on their way back from the patrol.

He had a choice between returning to Mina and report what he knew of the disaster or continue patrolling the waters here, but with only ten ships, and only one of them large enough to take on anything that could be launched at them from the coast, he would need to be very careful. Even though they had subdued all navies mustered by the coastal powers along the northern half of the landmass he simply didn't have enough ships to risk an encounter with what little remained to pose a threat. He had a responsibility to the less than thousand strong defending their gains on the peninsula.

He clicked his jaws. Hard. It was not right. Ages passed and the soft skinned apes spread like wildfire across the world, and now, now not even the seas were safe any longer.

He heard the clattering of claws closing and turned.

"Supreme one, a scout has arrived."

"About time!" Mixtla said.

He waited for his subordinates to bring the informer. Hopefully something could still be salvaged. Mixtla stood still, anticipating whatever news he would be given, and then a broad legged kin was facing him. The wings flickered with self assurance beneath his robes, and Mixtla knew the messenger to be more than merely a scout.

"Supreme one. I am First of the Mother."

A priest. Welcome surprise indeed. "First, I am honored. What are your gifts of knowledge?"

"I have seen those destroying our ships. They have weapons beyond our reach, but they are gone to meet others of their kind. I last saw them marching inland before I jumped here."

Mixtla licked his teeth. "Do you mean we are safe from their weapons?"

"Supreme one, I am."

"And the other ships, are they safe as well?"

"I am afraid there are no other ships."

That confirmed Mixtla's suspicions. Unfortunate, but nothing he could change. "Then we sail for Mina." He looked at the town that had killed so many of them. "First we send a message. Starboard cannons!" He heard the rumbling of gun ports opening as the crew made ready to fire. "We give them a broadside each. After that we turn and leave. Make sure the line holds so we can fire our port guns on the way out."