The Road To Kalbakar, Wyrms of Pasandir #1

CHAPTER 2 - SEA COWS AND FISHBEASTS

Sea monster! I forgot everything else and stared at the patch of white sails on the horizon. We approached agonizingly slow, as if the Tipred was afraid to commit herself. Finally, we could see the coaler from the deck. The Ahaude's armament of four wheeled carronades was even less impressive than ours, and of those, only one was still firing at... something big. A puff of white smoke spewed from its muzzle, followed by a muffled bang.

I nearly screamed as a long tentacle rose from the water and swept both gun and crew into the sea. Then it curled around the ship's hull and held her tight.

Behind me, someone whimpered like a child. I turned my head and saw our gallant first officer stared at the scene, his face splotchy and his fat body shaking. Curse it! Bluster-boy, with his name-calling and his stamping feet, was scared! I almost spat at him, but instead I turned to the sea and the now frightfully nearby monster.

My good hand gripped the railing as I tried to understand what I saw. I mean, a cow? With tentacles for legs? Twice as long as a threemaster coal barkentine? Sweat broke out all over me. Such beasts didn't exist – but it did, and it was immense; ugly and terrifying. Two of its tentacles kept the poor Ahaude in a firm grip while the others waved about wildly; flaying the sea and lathering up foam like it were going to shave.

Captain Malkim snatched the telescope from the first officer's trembling hand.

'Chottapan's Blessing!' I heard him mutter. 'What is that creature?' Of course the sea god didn't answer; none of them deities ever do.

Our brave sailors on the main deck stood frozen, staring at the distant scene, useless as a pack of ninepins. The captain must've seen it, too, for he swallowed a curse.

'Prepare the guns!' he shouted, breaking the spell. At once, the sailors sprang into action.

Two-pounder balls – against a 400-foot monster, I thought, feeling sick in my stomach. Like killing a whale with snowballs.

At my side, Kellani had been screaming curses and pounding the railing, but now she took a deep breath and turned formal.

'I'll ride up and attack the beast from the air,' she said, and with a practiced flourish, snatched the crooked-handle wicker broom from her back.

The captain shook his head and tried to look both stern and apologetic. 'You cannot, my lady. I have strict instructions to keep you out of combat.'

I saw Kellani stiffen. If you've never seen a Kell warrioress do that before, it's awesome. All those big muscles tensing, hands balling to fists and eyes flashing made a fearful sight. Wow, was I jealous!

'I'm a broomrider, Captain,' she said firmly. 'The Ahaude is one of our ships and I'm as oath-bound to aid her as any other broomrider.'

The captain coughed. It was clear from his face he was unwilling to let her go into danger. 'I should order you to fly to Port Naar and let us battle it out, but...' He glanced at the Ahaude and swallowed.

I knew the Old Man hadn't much of a choice. I'd no idea what a broomer's special tricks were, but any help was welcome. The Tipred with her tiny guns was next to useless on her own.

'Go then, but be careful, my lady,' he said heavily.

Kellani whooped, pounded my arm and mounted her broomstick. Then she shot away, up in the sky like a bluewing gull.

'Go, girl!' I shouted after her, gripped by her enthusiasm. Then I swallowed, feeling the Old Man's eyes upon me. Before he could chew me out for my breach of discipline, the first officer returned from overseeing the guns.