And like just that, I leave Kehina undetected. I have not heed about Lady Anda's authorization of my embarkment. I depart with a small galley and I am at the sea. Hence, my actions are not acceded therefore, Lady Anda might send a dispatch troops to retrieve my entourage back to Kehina. But I am skeptical about that response. Kehina is too spread to infuse all sides of the fronts.
"At the sea, at last." I sigh out of relief, where we are fifteen thousand steps away from Kehina.
It is not that I am circumventing Lady Anda. I just failed to fare with her a final biddings so as I was to have the Queen Kehina's blessings on this journey. I set out this for myself and with me, a bunch of disposal unrefined levies who will die because of scurvy and sea sickness. Eventually, I suppose. The Odreth Clan and Captain Pierre, together with his trustees - Chief Mate Seniçal and First Mate Conrad Ma. La Fayette-St. Cruz, his crew and behind with his nation - apocryphal 'Arancia', have stayed to protect the kingdom during my absence. Zechary also has left behind on my behalf to intercede between the deeds and transgressions of the two camps. At home, I assume everything will be fine as long as my second-in-command is doing the best he could and not slacking over petty grievances within the nation.
"No Codemna, no Corder... see you around, girls! Be jovial at the docks of Kehina..." I exhale, as I am saying it obliviously out of my lips, referring to the ships that had lent for us in the erstwhile sea venture.
I am not a navigator but will see through it to the sea route that the Arancian captains had laid for us. I confide my guts to this endeavor. I, eventually, would have to view this outcome into a somewhat winning selection. Well, perhaps, it is upon my judgment. The surge of the tide is raging. The current of the influx is going hard southward. At minimum speed, we can reach it in about a week-time. And if there's a storm, two weeks at most. While the rest, if we are on the chase then it varies upon how swift we can outfox those chasers on our tail. 'Tis maybe a heathenry or a blasphemy and this might be the third time calling her name: 'Praise be to Lady Wellicia'. Nonetheless, I care not at all because I can do so.
"Captain, what shall we do on this daybreak?" says one of the levies whom I brainwashed- -... I mean, I 'recruited' at the shores of Kehina.
"Secure the hull, prepare the oars, and man the mast". ordering my crew, replying.
"Aye, milord." where he bows in response.
And to Alcanzatré, we go! The same path, the same fate and of course, hopefully, akin to the initial voyage we'd had captained by Pierre, Seniçal, and La Fayette-St. Cruz. I am complacent not because of how things are doing so well. Though, we are still far - distance-wise… I assume that the coverage is a slight oversight on the 'Sea Reconnaissance' and the 'Coast Guards' yet again. On the double! Dead ahead!
After many days have passed; we make it to the vicinity of beaches and shores, the provision is quite ample for us still, no casualties, no damages, welfare in good condition, everything seems to be doing great. No Kraken, no Leviathan, no sea terrors. Three days wandering from north to south - from Kehina to Inglovia. And by a boat. I roll the dice and all I've got is a six-point die. In a day's due time, we are at the bosom of northern harbor. I do anticipate the worst coming out at the last moment as I fear it will transpire, however. Lord up high, I seek guidance! Lady Wellicia, defend us from all the dread lurking from our sights!
"Lo, entities from above, give us a shed of protection!" I pray, where my arms and my palms are highly exposed.
I hear a huge and rapid succession of thuds on my door. I hear one crying: 'Captain in the cabin'. I rush to the egress to respond to the distress. I do know not if I am going to get angry or whatnot as long as it is crucial. Otherwise, they are just producing false alarms like they did several days prior.
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"Reporting, milord."
"Out with it."
After interrupting my daybreak meditation, all I can say is: 'Abyss and brimstones'. The levy sailor blares the horn from up high in the mast. The second lad who is also mounted on the center pole barks the coordinates of the incoming ships. I dash out to the bannister to assess the circumstances. I see. We are within the canyon, several ships tend to intercept our way while there are also who are blocking our path in the exit. Starboard side and as well as port side have cannons erected along the coast. They came prepared. The Inglovians have had expectations for us to traverse this unguarded waterway.
"Inglovians!" says the man who handles the binoculars.
"I did underestimate them. This time is twice. Second time in my life that I have been outsmarted. No more third undertaking. I'm sorry, Lady Anda." I accept my fate, where I breathe my last.
I have at my expense as of now: people with nothing to minimal training in the art of fighting, no weapons, no talents. They do follow me for wealth and prestige, nothing else. Hoping that I'm going to promise them those wishes. I'm sorry, boys. That's not going to happen. Please, do forgive me. And BOOM! The sound of cannons have fired. And Swoosh! The whirring echoes resonate across the surroundings by the flying arrows. While us, defeated preemptively - we await what fate installs for us. These people really don't know how to distinguish boats. From unarmed vessels to hostile ships - they just assault people indiscriminately. This is plain disgusting and unmanly!
"Commander, we've been hit!" the man at the mast cries.
Of course, we are. And we don't have the resources to retaliate. Several of my men are being hit with arrows, mortar shots, and cannon balls. Our galley is shouldering most of the damage given by the enemies. If we only have the medium to fight back, we can somehow demolish just a ship. Just ONE SHIP! We can do it by ramming at least a boat. Ramming ourselves towards the vanguard screening ship, however, there are guns pointing at us head-on.
"Milord, since we are going to die. Why won't we gamble this forward thrust? Dragging them to the fifth abyss with us…" the sailor whose duty to report to me directly suggests.
This is the last stand, anyways. I will accept any suggestions not for survival but for carnage and desperation. After a moment of familiarization, I can recognize both of the standards from the otherside - they are the 'Sea Reconnaissance' and the 'Coast Guards'! Holy f*- … it's only the moment that I know, we're screwed. Well, we are going to damn them with us.
"Prepare the oars!" I order to raise the tenacity of the speed, where I croak like a frog.
"Aye, Captain!" they shout in a unison response.
Minute by minute, my men are pouring their strength to each heave they do - sweats from their bodies are divulging… the liquids are flicking around. We're near the collision. The enemies are still firing balls and arrows at us. While my men are dwindling constantly, our spirit is unfazed. About fifty steps away before we collide with the targeted boat. We are all determined to die - I've seen my past life with the boys. Pardon me for being so arrogant and upfront with you. Albeit, I can hear this… I'm sorry. As same as with Lady Anda, please forgive me for overriding your command despite all of the efforts you thwarted me to. I'm sorry, milady, for slitting through and as of now, I realize.
"Goodbye, Lady Anda" where my left eye tears "Goodbye, gentlemen. Take care of the queen." as also my right eye oozes too.
We smash through to the middle hull of the pinpointed ship. Most of them are drowning, seeking to the surface. I see them from above. I am in the depth inside the sea as I descend in a slow fashion. Extending my right hand where I am about to sense the state of hypoxia. My lungs are failing and soon my eyes follow suit. My vision is blurring.
"For Lady Anda!" I swallow a huge amount of water "For the lads of inner circles of the council!" My last ditch of air exhales out of my lungs "FOR KEHINA!"
After a while, I hear a loud cannon fire. Furying towards the Inglovians. I guess those troops have come to retrieve me, huh? A loose dog without leash. So be it, then.