Thugard was relieved for the moment. The two mages had come back with a direction, an approximate sailing time and even a rough idea of the coastland they should expect to find. The water and provisions were a bonus. Still, he looked worried.
"A penny for your thoughts, Thugard." Bron, Aeronwyn's protector had pretty much stayed out of sight the entire voyage until now. With the exception of holding drills with the young mages each evening he had spent all of his time below, oiling and sharpening his weapons. Thugard was surprised when he spoke as Thugard had not heard anyone behind him at all.
"Damn you Bron. For a landlubber you move like a water snake!" Thugard spat out his surprise.
"Don't change the subject. You look worried and for good reason. We have been uncommonly lucky to this point and we both know that luck changes when you least want it to!" Bron looked out over the ocean as he spoke. "So what are you expecting?"
Thugard nodded at the older man's words. "Clearly the years of campaigning and fighting on land haven't dulled your senses. Yes, we have been lucky. Too lucky. I don't trust luck. As for what I am expecting..." Thugard pointed to their stern.
"I can't see anything," said Bron.
"No. I wouldn't have either but a brief moment of high water under our bow gave me perhaps another mile or so of sight. We have a warship on our tail and it will catch us within day or so at most." Thugard looked grim.
"All that from a brief glimpse? Are you sure." Bron regretted the question as soon as he asked it. "I apologize. Of course you are sure. So what now?"
"Now? We keep doing what we have been doing until nightfall. That is our only hope. Perhaps yon mages have a trick or two as well. We can't outrun it, we sure as hell can't outfight it so we try and outsmart it." Thugard grinned suddenly. "If not, we shall have to hope a few mages can change the shape of a battle with a certain outcome!"
Bron nodded. "They certainly will be a surprise for whoever if following us. Still, I will go dress for battle. If battle is certain might as well be ready." Bron turned towards the stern then stopped and turned back to Thugard. "We must win. No matter how. I failed once to protect Aeronwyn. I wasn't there for her when the sea took her and I won't fail her again."
"Me too," Thugard replied softly. Bron nodded and moved off.
When night had fallen, Thugard called a war council in his cabin. Bron, Jerrill, Cadeyrn, Moiril, Cha-rai and Thugard were joined by Thugard's officers. It was cramped as they sat around the Captain's table. Thugard outlined the situation.
"We are being followed by a warship. I suspect that something we did at port may have given us away or perhaps it is just the direction we sailed. I don't care. By dawn's light they will be on us. This trader cannot match a warship for weapons or manoeuvrability so conventional seamanship will not decide this. I am open to your ideas."
His words were met by silence. Finally, Moiril spoke up. "Captain, I can't offer tactical advice but I can promise you that when that ship engages us they will find they can't manoeuvre any better than we can. That much I can do." Thugard nodded. He was hoping her magic in regards to water might add some small advantage. Cadeyrn and Jerrill both started to speak at once, the Cadeyrn looked at Jerrill and said, "You first."
Jerrill smiled, "Thugard, we can promise you that fire will wreak havoc on the deck of that ship when it attacks us." Thugard looked thoughtful.
"Maybe it shouldn't." he said simply.
Bron looked up sharply. "You are thinking of the Great Battle between the Sessailaine and the Empire of Mornan? Is that even possible here?" Thugard's officers looked at each other, slow smiles spreading across their faces.
"What? What battle?" asked Cha'rai.
"I was," Thugard replied, ignoring Cha'rai's question. "They certainly would not expect it and we have a nice moonless, cloudy night."
"It is risky. The Mornanian's were arrogant and caught off guard. You also had spies aboard their vessels that helped create chaos. Still, it does have the advantage of being the complete opposite of what any sane crew would even consider." Bron looked almost eager. "I like it!"
"Any objections?" Thugard asked. When he received none, he turned to his officers. "Spread the word, quietly. Moiril, can your water magic help silence us?" She nodded. Thugard grinned wickedly. "Then let's get ready to pay these Islanders a little visit!"
Cha'rai looked frustrated. "What battle?" she asked again. No one answered.
