Island Confederation

Chapter 7

The Storm

The next day the army marched to the docks were the ships were kept. A familiar face waved, Bakalos. I walked over to him, with Itrust right behind. "Hello, my lord," he said in that fast paced babbling of his. "I have spread word of you valor from the east to the west. Every islander has heard of your name and of your righteousness. They know of your family legacy and your noble blood. Most importantly, they know of your desire to free them from elvish expansion westward."

"Now we just need to get the native elves to raid some of the islands."

"Consider it as good as done my lord."

Let's hope he doesn't do anything stupid while I'm gone. As he walked away a piece of a leaf fell from his clothes. Itrust ran over to pick it up and ran onto the ship, a large sea faring vessel. It was the pinnacle of naval technology, but the new government on the Islands cut the navy's budget, leaving many sailors and shipworkers jobless. The ships, each at least 150 feet long, were all carvel designed, providing more durability than any other fleet with the notable exception of the Island Confederation's national fleet. The deep brown wood of the hull, despite being covered in barnacles was in excellent ocean-faring condition. Three towering masts graced each ship, two square, and one triangular. We had twenty of these marvels of maritime engineering. The beginnings of a powerful navy bought with golden hair. These people must be getting desperate. I walked onto the ship passing the crew, a group of tired, yet capable men and women.   

After an hour and a half, all the soldiers and crew were boarded. The anchor was raised and the ships, each with sails on three masts, set sail. I stood by the helm and looked towards the horizon. The sun rose in front of us, we sailed to its homeland. I turned around and saw Itrust practicing with his stick. When did raptors start practicing how to stab? I went below deck to read the maps and plan the course.

It's been three days at sea. The skies were a perpetual grey, winds rushing from the north. The ships were thrust off course by the increasing stronger gales, sending us farther south than expected. Instead of landing close to the border of Guangmei's homeland, the Exakre Empire, we would land in the middle of Adju Tribe lands if the storm keeps up. I looked out at the sea, waves crashing on the bows of my ships. It was going to be rough sailing.

The next day, the rains came; torrential, icy rains. The winds turned the rain into pellets that whipped eyes and stung skin. Lightning flashed across the skies as the storm bore down upon our fleet. Sails were lowered, men and women, sailor and elves ran below deck, but not before the winds took a few out to the dark expanse of the Aturah Ocean, never to be heard of again. With winds howling like foreign beasts of legend, a ship was lifted from the ocean. I looked out with astonishment and fear. Guangmei's ship was thrust above ours. For a few precious moments, the elves and sailors were able to jump aboard the vessel I was heading, but only a few. The ship crashed 30 yards away, splintering upon impact and being devoured by the waves. This is madness! The whole ship! The whole damned ship, gone! I see Guangmei climb over the side of my ship. "Too close," she said panicking. "Hurry and help me out here!" A sailor and I rush over to her, knocked side to side by sheets of rain and sea. We each grab an arm and yank her on board. As we rushed back below deck, we hear a screech, a call of panic. I turn around, searching for the familiar sound. I hear a large object crash into the waters. The crests of the waves turned red and started to glitter. Another screech was accompanied by a powerful gust of wind nearly knocking my ship under. The ship to my left wasn't so lucky. It was engulfed by the wrathful ocean, hungry for blood. But that didn't matter to me as much as what I saw in the sky, a sea serpent, bloodied and battered in the air, screeching, begging the seas for the mercy it will never get. She was thrown by the waves and winds, struggling to dive under the water to safety, but unable to. The young serpent was alone, separate from her pack, and unable to fend for herself. How? Why? Please live young one. I ran back down under the deck, noticing how Guangmei and the sailor already did so.