Wrought Iron, Book 1 of Merlin's Message

Chapter 15 - Battle of Port City Bay

Gavin studied the approaching bay and city through his monocular. The ring on his finger itched, and he twirled it around with his thumb. The bay was almost perfectly circular. The entrance was a narrow piece of water, a small break in the circle. There did not seem to be a tide, and they sailed into the bay without difficulty.

"I've got a bad feeling about this place," he murmured.

"I think I've heard that line before," Dafydd scoffed.

The two were at the bow. Mike was on the tiller. Taeko and Hannah handled the lines which controlled the angle of the big square sail.

"Ah, I'm probably just being nervous. I don't think there's any way they've gotten word from the fishing village."

"Probably not," Dafydd grinned. "But like I told you, mate. Trust your gut."

"You think we should turn around?" Gavin worried.

"Didn't say that. But we can be on our guard."

"Right," Gavin turned around and spoke to everyone.

"Let's make sure we have weapons ready. Hannah, take the tiller, okay? Mike and Taeko, be ready with your bows but don't be too obvious about it. Keep your pistols ready but let's not use them except as a last resort."

"Hey, man," Mike cut in as he brought his bow and quiver close. "You really think this might go sour on us? We're just visiting, right? They can't know about our run-in this morning. Not yet. And how do I be ready to shoot without being obvious?"

Taeko sat her bow and quiver on a rowing bench. "He's just telling us to be cautious, Mike. We don't know anything about this place. That fishing town was freaky enough. What do you think, Hannah?"

The ship glided farther into the bay, about a football field away from the docks.

"I don't know," Hannah sighed. "But should we worry about the boats behind us?"

"What?" Gavin shot back as he whipped around.

Sure enough, two schooner-rigged ships were coming in behind them from either side. The two were about fifty feet long each and full of men.

"The land must have hidden the buggers on either side of the bay," Dafydd growled. "And there's a group of armed men in each one. See the red coats? Look just like the Enforcers back in that village. And about half of them are archers."

"This escalated quickly," Mike quipped.

"Yeah," Gavin looked ahead. "There's a couple of dozen redcoats on the pier. And a few VIP-looking guys too. But I don't think they're a welcoming committee."

Suddenly, Gavin's eyesight dimmed. Darkness fell around him like a storm cloud. Anger and hate stabbed at him like a physical force. He faltered, and his knees buckled. As if from a great distance, he heard Taeko's voice shouting something.

No! Gavin projected his will like firing a weapon. Back off! You're nothing! Nothing but the absence of light! I will not be cowed! The ring burned on his finger, and its jewel burst into red flame.

The darkness disappeared. Gavin saw everyone looking at him as he straightened up. The pier was getting closer. He made a decision.

"Hannah! Hard left on the rudder! Taeko! Mike! Haul the sail over! Dafydd, get your bow! We're not putting our heads in a noose!"