Salt… stiff breeze…. The soft grumbling of wave against shore…
The frigid early morning air seared his lungs, but Benjamin couldn’t care less. He allowed his senses to be assailed by sensations he believed lost to him forever. It awakened a side of him buried deep in the blood of his father’s side of the family.
The Scaife family, under Benjamin’s great-grandfather, were relatively late to immigrate to the United States. Bjorne Scaife had brought his family over in the closing years of the 19th century. His plan had been to travel west, but the universal constant, Murphy, had other plans. He found himself ill, unable to make the trip, destitute, and desperate for work.
He survived his illness, and took to the one thing he knew better than most, the sea. He spent the next decade plying his skills on coasts and coves as a deckhand on fishing trawlers, saving and scrounging until he purchased a vessel of his own. He was one of the last fishermen on the east coast to ply his trade under sail, but his family was able to live relatively comfortably. The vessel's name was lost to history, but it resurrected a tradition that endured.
Benjamin took a second deep breath of salty air from his place atop the Pycrete ramparts, remembering the beginning of his 14th summer, stepping off the airliner onto the tarmac at Bergen Lufthavn airport. He had been terrified, only told that he was to meet “family”. Family he had met, and a long, grueling, and exciting adventure in “the old country” began.
For the next 4 summers, Benjamin would repeat the journey to his family's ancestral home in the Fjords of Norway, learning the old tongue, commercial fishing during the week, then climbing the mountains, and generally getting into mischief with relatives and friends on the weekend. This period in his life also introduced him to the one hobby that almost took him on another path, sailing. He spent two summers helping his cousins build a 60-foot traditional longship as part of a traditional sailing club. He spent his final 2 summers sailing her with them. That experience sparked his love of engineering, even if his Nautical infatuations ultimately fell second place to a decidedly more… American… outlet.
“Benjamin?” Val’s voice pulled him from his thoughts, “It is time”. Benjamin smothered a laugh at her comically overdressed visage, “Yes, but time for what.” Val wrinkled her nose at the statement. The ‘Lord Regent’ was the quintessential politician, ever bloviating whilst saying very little. It had become obvious that their…. Sequestered… trip to the Ascendancy’s capital of Hrisenea was a failure in one regard. Absolutely everyone seemed to know that the Queen Mother of the Vin had reached out to the Ascendancy once more, seemingly just as their search for their Monarch reached the edges of desperation.
The Lord Regent played his part well, but Quiiruu’s entourage proved to of a lesser acting acumen. Benjamin noticed the discreet glares, and almost imperceptible whispers that betrayed both their displeasure and unease at the new dynamic at court. So, the dance commenced. Over the last month, a mind-numbing charade of platitudes, and counter platitudes wrapped in the thin veneer of the velvet prison inside the walls of the Pykrete castle.
Today, was its own bipolar situation. Benjamin was simultaneously terrified to have dragged the two women he loved into this new danger… and positively ecstatic to be released from their suffocating confinement inside the hybrid ice and sawdust parapets. His thoughts drew to a close as the two rounded the final corner to the same armory counter where they first were forced to surrender their weapons.
Jukha, Vilora, Yilarran, and Viola were already retrieving their equipment, but something felt off.. Benjamin noticed that the grizzled old armorer was no longer there, replaced by an almost catatonically terrified, and much younger Aquilar. Benjamin turned in his rack number, and watched as this new armorer looked up at him in terror before walking over to where his rifle was placed. The Aquilar picked the long gun up, holding it outstretched away from him as he walked it to Benjamin.
‘Oh for fucks sake’ he glared at the Aquilar before inspecting his weapon. The weapon was immaculately cleaned, without a spot of rust on it… and that was the problem… Benjamin had not been given time to properly clean his weapon upon arrival. So, while he had kept the metal protected during the journey, the rifle was placed in the rack much dirtier than it was returned to him.
“Is he at least alive?” Ben asked, but this new Armory Sargent simply stayed silent. Looking at him with a mixture of awe, and terror. Several seconds passed until Benjamin realized that both the old, grizzled armorer was most likely dead, and that he was not going to get any admissions from this armorer or anyone else.
He gave up, and the group was ushered into their wagons and “escorted” down to the harbor. Familiar scents of butchered and drying fish mixed with pit, tar, and lumber of the mass of traditionally rigged sailing vessels. Their small convoy trundled through the mass of men and merchandise until they halted in front of the largest vessel moored to the docks.
‘Oh boy, a galley.’ Benjamin mused. The vessel measured roughly 80 feet long, by his estimation, and appeared to have at least two decks. For all Benjamin’s estimation, it looked like a Viking longship, mixed with a Mediterranean galley stretched to its absolute limit of development. Looking up at the rigging, Benjamin realized, to his mild surprise, that the ship was Lanteen rigged instead of square-rigged. Its singular titanic triangular sail flapped lazily in the breeze as crewmen fussed and tinkered with it, no doubt checking last-minute repairs and performing final inspections.
“This is where we must leave you.” Benjamin turned at the sound of Vilora’s voice, and a lead weight sank in his gut. “It is a great risk, but something deeper is happening here, I can feel it, and Victoria agrees. I must remain,” Benjamin took a quick step forward, “I don’t understand. You are the only one capable of understanding my…. Physiology… this is reckless.”
Vilora took his hand, “it cannot be helped.” She waved over one of the Vin lancers, “This is Veiran, she can be trusted.” Benjamin eyed her with suspicion, and she seemed to shrink under his gaze until he softened it. “I have taught her what I know of you, she will be accompanied by Vailin.”
The captain of the guard stepped up next to Veiran, “It’s an Honor, Benjamin.” She gave a quick bow before shifting to stand at a relaxed readiness that Ben had come to expect from the captain of Victoria’s lancer Corp.
Benjamin pinched the bridge of his nose, “I still think I would be more co….”
“Quit yer gill flapping and come aboard!” A new bellow in rough orcish roared from the ship behind them, “If, yee make me miss the tide, I’ll have yer Hide for a keel scrub!” Benjamin turned to the speaker. The Aquilar stepping down the boarding ramp wore a boiled leather breastplate that showed heavy signs of repaired damage. A broad iron scimitar rode at his right hip, denoting him as a left-handed swordsman. He was missing a large portion of fur on the right side of his face. It was an odd site, and Benjamin wondered at the reason he did not simply have himself healed. ‘The Armorer we met when we arrived bore his own injuries’ he remembered, watching the taller Aquilar approach the group.
“SO,” he huffed, “Two concubines, a couple o’ lancers, and an Albino,” he took a long inhale, “all landlubbers by the.. no.. all but one of yee, by the smell of ya.” He leaned in to Benjamin, “I smell the touch of the ocean on yee,” a massive paw napped out, capturing Benjamin’s hand in a vice like grip before the Being’s other paw slapped him on the palm of the captured hand, “Aye, its faint though. Salt mixed with Fire. Welcome, Albino. I’ll be Your guardian for this little expedition. Captain Olioorin, Master of the warship Ruuiigriloo” he released Benjamin’s hand and clipped a short bow, “Captain, or Skipper will do whilst on deck, mind yee. Now, ABOARD!! We’ve a tide to catch!”
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Goodbyes rushed by, and the heavily truncated party boarded the longship, carrying their kit. A quick gasp by Valtrya alerted Benjamin to final surprise. The beasts of burden bellowed in surprised pain as several Aquilar butchered them alive, on the spot, slashing their throats with long knives to bleed them out before quartering them upon the dock themselves. The quarters were this deftly wrapped in parchment and hefted up the ramp and down through the main hatch of the vessel.
“Extra mouths,” Captain Olioorin rumbled from behind them. Benjamin, Viola and Valtrya turned to see him eyeing them up. He turned and barked a command in the Aquilar tongue. Lines were loosed, and boat hooks flashed as the galley was pushed away from the dock. No sooner had the boat swung her head toward the open ocean, than a second order resounded. A new clattering betrayed the deploying of oars, and the steady thumping of drums echoed as the ship made way under oars alone.
Benjamin watched in fascination and leaned up against the railing. The steady pulses of thrust from the oars carried the galley out past the wind shadow of land. Again, orders in the rolling Aquilar tongue had the oars stowed, and the massive Lanteen canvas billowing in the freshening breeze. The sheets and halyards were manned, turning the flapping overhead yards into a hardened triangular shape. Benjamin had another answer provided as a massive leeboard pair of Leeboards were hauled out of the main hatch and mounted to the outer hull with heavy iron furnishings… the board to leeward was dipped into the water, and a heading change was called. The longship heeled significantly to the change in wind pressure, but the deployed leeboard did its job. Soon, Ruuiigriloo’s bow wave boiled in the slow rolling waves coming into the bay from the open ocean.
Seemingly content with the state of things, Captain Olioorin lumbered up the where Benjamin and the sisters were still observing. “So, a pair of healthy Aereseen, and from outside of the Ascendency. You must enjoy living dangerously, and Life Bound to you, an impressive feat.” He glanced around a moment, “Well, if Yee aren’t here for the usual services of your kind, what exactly are Yee good for.” Benjamin’s eyes widened as the Captain spoke loudly enough for the crew to hear, “This vessel bears only salts, and warriors..” he shouted, “with the occasional whore for good company.” He turned to Viola, “So, little lady, which one are.. ooof!” Olioorin stumbled three full steps back as Viola drove the pommel of her rapier into his chest, just below his rib cage.
The blow drove him to the middle of the relatively open main deck, and Viola followed him out, shedding her heavy overcoat to reveal her pristine armored breastplate and gleaming shield arm. “Come and find out” she hissed, pulling her buckler from her belt before drawing her rapier fully. “Viola.. I don..” Benjamin began but Val stopped him with a firm hand on his arm, “My Ben, wait… look.” Benjamin paused and watched as the crew took notice. Ceasing what they were doing to watch with excitedly hungry gazes, “we must do this,” she whispered to Benjamin before shedding her own coat and pulling her shield and spear from where she had concealed it in her luggage.
“Oh, the pair of you wish to play the Warrior,” the Captain growled, turning toward Benjamin, “You’re women play a dangerous charade, care to reel them in before it gets ugly?” Benjamin’s fury vanished in a completely inappropriate guffa. “You fucked around, skipper. I’m not gonna save you from finding out.” Benjamin shouted back, forcing himself to push a face of complete confidence. He made a show of walking over to the mainmast, and casually leaning on the massive spar casually, “Leave enough for the healers to fix up, will ya girls?” He spoke loudly enough for the crew to hear, and a roar of laughter from the observers. Val gave him an approving smirk before turning her attention back to the captain.
“Ha! Very well then, Shall I take both of you then!?!” Olioorin growled, but to his surprise, Viola and Valtrya looked at each other. No words were spoken, but Val nodded, and stepped to the side, resting her shield on the ground in a very “alright then” expression on her face. Olioorin gave a toothy smile, “Very well, SHOW ME!” He bellowed, and drew his scimitar.
The Aquilar raised his heavy iron blade in a possible approximation of a two-handed Falcone guard, but his eyes narrowed as Viola bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, despite being significantly more heavily armored than himself. She took a couple of slashing swings with her sword to set the grip of her gauntlet into the handle of her rapier. She did not bother with her helmet, to Benjamin’s preeminent displeasure, ceased her bouncing, and blatantly strutted toward the Aquilar Captain.
Olioorin proved himself to be no fool, quickly changing his stance to a left-handed mid guard, and he ripped a round wooden shield from its place on its storage hooks before charging straight at Viola with a roaring bellow. The charge ended Viola’s approach, being forced to parry a heavy overhead blow from the scimitar with her shield arm. The blow appeared to send her pinwheeling, but Benjamin grinned fiercely as she used the blows own momentum to spin out of measure only to dart back in. Her ornate blade flashed in a triplicate of blows. The first two added to the inertia of the captains swing, driving his shield to the side, and Olioorin took a second swing the Viola slipped deftly under before her final strike connected.. she had timed her final strike with the captains second swing, and her blade slipped past his guard, driving almost a foot through his shoulder before he twisted the blade to break any suction, with drawing it before dancing out of the way of a wild swipe of Olioorin’s shield.
The Aquilar captain roared in pain, and responded with a series of arching cuts of his own. He was much taller than Viola, and used his reach and his stride to force her to give ground. Benjamin saw it a split second two late as the Aquilar set the strap by lowering his shield guard slightly, and Viola lunged only to be hammered in the chest by a powerful sweeping kick. Val stifled a yelp, trying desperately to stay upright as Viola tumbled hard before standing again with a slight wobble. Benjamin's eyes widened, catching Viola’s enraged expression moments before she charged Olioorin at a full sprint. It became the Aquilar’s turn to give ground to as flurry of quick stabs and precise slashes drove him backward, and Benjamin saw it again.. that small droop in his shield arm, and again he saw Viola pounce.
This time was different however, and he watched Viola bind Olioorin’s blade in her own. The Aquilar leaned into the bind, ready to easily overpower the smaller Aereseen, right up until she used his strength against him. She released her pressure on the bind and slipping both blades over her head before spinning on her feet. Her heavily armored hand snapped out as she completed the pirouette and her spiked buckler slammed into the side of Olioorin’s face. Fresh Aquilar blood splattered on the both of them but Olioorin found him self on his back with and an enraged Aereseen atop him with her blade to his throat.
Viola leaned in and Olioorin’s eyes widened when her teeth parted and her fangs slipped from her gumline and began dripping venom. Olioorin froze at the very real threat of an agonizing death, and the two stared at each other for a long moment “Do.. I… pass… your… goddess fucking… test..” Viola hissed down at him. She held him there another half a second before pushing herself up indignantly and taking three steps back. She didn’t bother to retract her fangs, drawing several panicked exclamations, and readied herself for a second bout.
Olioorin stood slowly, eyeing his opponent with blood pouring from the gash to the side of his face, as well as beginning to soak through his fur on his shoulder, “Aye, I see it is no part that you play. You have taken life,” with that, a smile slowly spread across his face, “WELL DONE, now join us, welcome as warriors!”
A chorus of rousing shouts erupted, and the crew cheered a moment before returning to their duties. Two or three crewman, one a healer, rushed to the Captains side as Benjamin, Viola, and Valtrya walked over to him confused.
“No, Priurrin, she did not bite me, but I suspect it was a near thing.. patch me up in my quarters, but leave the scars. It has given with honor, and shall be worn as such.” Olioorin patted the healer on the shoulder and turned to Benjamin, “The Three of you will accompany me. Stow your gear, then we shall dine and talk of the voyage ahead.” Benjamin looked over to Viola, who was only now retracting her fangs while panting heavily. Valtrya was gently stroking her sisters arm while the three of them dropped their gear into the cramped quarters they were to share. It was little more than a small cot room with three hammocks, and they found the rest of their supplies and personal effects piled on the floor in the corner. Val left her shield but retained her dagger, knuckle dusters, and pistol. Viola simply sheathed her sword and clipped her bucker back to her belt. Benjamin left his rifle in the room, but retained his saber and pistol. He felt exposed, uncertain as to ‘what the hell is really going on.’
So the three of them reached the captain’s quarters, and a singular guard/orderly was waiting to open the door for them. Captain Olioorin sat in a modest but comfortable chair, being attended to by his healer, “Come, sit. I shall be with you shortly.” The change in tone was almost bipolar, throwing Benjamin further into suspicion. The three sat at a long table that showed several stains soaked into the wood gains, most of them appeared to be some form of blood or bodily fluid. “Thank you Priurrin, send in dinner then take the night off.” Captain Olioorin stood, dragging his chair to the head of the table. Priurrin departed only to be swiftly replaced by another Aquilar crewman bearing a white cloth and cutlery. Soon the table was set, and yet a third crewman appeared with various cuts of fish, oysters, and a few terrestrial vegetables and starches. “I hope you like seafood.” The captain mused as they all settled in. Benjamin reached for nothing, Viola and Valtrya following his lead. After a moment, Captain Olioorin sighed, “Forgive me, I should have known you would not understand.” He began putting down his own food, eyeing Benjamin with an intensity, “You may be the calmest iron blood to ever walk this dirt, or to sail the salts.” He said at last, to the gasping of Both Vi and Val, but Olioorin continued. “Understand me, Benjamin. My Lord Regent passed on many such tidbits to me before your arrival. In all frankness, he wants you… disposed of… before you become lucky enough to find Lord Hirak, or discover his fate.” Benjamin sat back, boring into Olioorin with a deadly gaze. To his credit, the captain did not flinch, and continued still, “Fortunately for you, there are many of us who still hold their loyalty to the Hirakan line, and more importantly to their brothers in arms. Know me when I tell you this, young Benjamin, It is by no mistake that I am your captain for this voyage. Uiroliuu sends his compliments…”