Coggler's Brood (Work in Progress)

Chapter 7

From my cabin, where I am practicing a six-point kata star – turn, breach, cock, point, fire, turn - I hear the lookout's cries.

"Sail Ho!"

"Where away?"

"Two points off the starboard bow."

"Sail Ho!"

"Where away?

"One point off the port stern."

"Land Ho! Two points high."

After five days of running quietly alone, everything it hitting off at once.

I replace my beautiful pistols in their case and mount the steps to the quarterdeck, trying my best not to run; to appear calm and collected--as befits a captain of authority.

Magnus and Jack are already at the Stern rail staring through telescopes. As I joined them Magnus hands me a scope. "Two Constabulary ships directly in our wake and overhauling us fast."

I peer through the glass at the Constabulary ships, bristling with guns, tracking our bearing as if we left a path for them to follow.

I stride purposefully across the quarterdeck, down the steps, and cross to the bow of the ship. There I raise my glass again. Two points off the starboard bow is another airship, dropping fast from the high atmosphere. There are no distinguishing marks or obvious design style to tell us who it might be. It is impossible to tell if this ship is friend or foe. Best to assume the worst.

From what I can see of this new ship, it appears to be heading fast for the port of Summertown, which has appeared dead ahead and above of us. To pick up the best of the fading trade winds we're flying almost at sea level, buffeted by turbulence generated by the choppy sea below.

Are we sandwiched between a constable pincer movement, or is the ship ahead of us merely a coincidence? Only time will tell.

Judging by how fast the Constabulary are gaining on us, they will catch up before we reach Summertown.

The small port of Summertown is a mini Reaver hive. I can see three home ships joined together, forming a circle. Projecting from the circle are pontoons, attached to the sides of the home ships and supported by balloons, forming a quay that encircles the entire hive at deck Level. The whole arrangement is repeated at hull level to give the hive a double layered port arrangement.

Many of the pontoons in the lower port are already occupied by Reaver ships, while most of the upper ports are empty: no doubt reserved for trading vessels.

I return to the quarterdeck. "Summertown is dead ahead," I tell Magnus and Jack. "It's a quick sprint from here to safety. I want everyone running the hamster wheels as fast as they can, in quick rotation--we need to increase speed or we're dead.

A nerve wracking hour later, a dull thud sounds from behind us. Even with our increased speed, the lead pursuer is close enough to try a shot. The projectile falls short, but I can see the Constables in their navy blue uniforms, reloading a forward gun.

We are still too far away from the safety of Summertown, at this rate the Constables will soon overhauled us. The next shot bounces weakly off our stern, they are in range, but not yet close enough to do real damage, however, it is only a matter of time.

People are coming alive to our situation in Summertown. One ship has already cast off and others appear to be preparing for departure, whether to come to our aid or just protect the hive, is anyone's guess. Only when our pursuers are in range of the hive's big guns will they back off, though, they could still continue to take pot-shots at us until we are fully out of range.