They were halfway through the south passage and, to Thugard's relief, the ice was not so thick that the mages couldn't handle it. In places, the ship could push through it without effort. Where it was solid, the mages had been able to open it up so the warship could make its way through. Unfortunately, this slowed the warship considerably and the passage behind them was now occupied by their pursuers. Thugard knew that the moment they broke free they would run but no more than half a day would pass before the first pursuer was within catapult range.
It couldn't be helped. The cold wind that blew off the ice wasn't in their favor either but at least the mages were doing all they could. Barik had found some wool blankets which he had draped over the shoulders of the mages to keep them warm in the bitter cold. A small fire pot burned with embers from the cook stove and the crew took turns warming their hands over it. The only one who seemed oblivious to the cold was Cha'Rai. For thousands of years her people had flown the currents of the sky where the air was often colder than this. While Cha'rai'swings had been cruelly burned off at birth she still retained the other gifts of her people, including their ability to keep warm in the coldest air.
"Captain? Clear seas ahead," Barik, Thugard's first mate pointed to where the ice ended. Thugard nodded.
"As soon as we are clear of the ice, give us all the sail you can. Have the cook distribute some hot soup to all the men then clear for battle." Thugard turned to look at the mages. "I need to see if the mages have anything left to aid us in the fight."
"Yes, Captain." Barik went below to advise the cook then came back up on deck. As soon as the last ice was behind them, he began bellowing orders and the crew scrambled to make sail. The ship lurched slightly as Thugard ordered it turned to match the wind. Now we can use the wind instead of fighting it. Thugard looked astern and saw that the first pursuer would be through the ice soon.
"Sails ahead, Captain!" the lookout called. "Three masts on the horizon!"
"What the hell?" Thugard was stunned. How did those Islanders manage that? Now we are trapped between those behind us and those ahead. "Barik, belay my previous orders. Clear the ship for battle!"
Aeronwyn and the mages were moving stiffly and slowly towards the cabin when the lookout called out. Aeronwyn walked to the bow, stretching as she did to loosen muscles that had not moved for hours. "Thugard, they may not be enemy vessels."
"What on earth are you talking about. No one else knows we are here!" Thugard demanded.
"Just keep an eye on them. I can't be certain but they may be a response to a message I sent when we left the Spires." Aeronwyn shivered in the cold.
"Get below and get some food. We will need you mages to be able to fight and you can't do that with no energy." Thugard looked out to sea. "I will wait before I fire to make sure they are foes, I promise. Just go."
Thugard called to Cha'rai. She dropped from the rigging and landed spritely on the deck. The small Skyfolk girl was proving to be quite a sailor! "Cha'rai, you have better eyes than any of us. Get up to the Crow's Nest and see if you can confirm Aeronwyn's suspicions. If these are friends or even neutral I need to know as soon as possible." She nodded an leapt back into the rigging, climbing with a speed and confidence any sailor would envy.
Behind them the first ship had cleared the passage and was putting on sail. Thugard could see that the slow pace had allowed most of the pursuers to catch up. At least five ships would join the chase within the next few hours. Damn. No way we can outrun them and no way to defeat so many. He slammed his hand onto the rail in frustration.
