OUTLANDER
Chapter 16
The Edge of the World
There is an endless sea all around the Windlass as she continues on sunrise to sunrise, day after day, never anchoring, never seeing anything but open sea as far as a man can see from horizon to horizon in all directions. Never varying from a firm westward sail toward where the sun sets on the horizon before them.
At first Dax, or Ruthor maintained the direction with the use of Dax’s dragon effigy. But they had been at sea for full moon phase and Dax, with the help of Ofid, had fashioned new effigies from the ore they collected at Ederwess. They had fashioned four in the shape of a Dire Wolf and one of each were in the possession of Ruthor, Ofid, Vlad and Cran. Then they had made three more, each in the shape of a boar. These were given to Captain Cavidar and his two Mates; Bein and Gaben. All of them now knew how to use the black shiny stone effigies to keep to a course regardless of light, fog or anything except how the stone hung loosely from its leather tong.
During this past moon the crew and Dax’s men had eaten good portions of the fresh vegetables and fruits, which had been stored on the orlop deck. As it was at that deck, at the sea’s level around the ship that kept them fresher for longer than any other deck would. This decision had been made during discussions where all the upper chain of command had agreed. It was deemed best to keep the health of the crew as paramount. Scurvy was one of the worst things that could plague a ship at sea, Dax had introduced fruits and vegetables that were commonly used by the men of the waste and Sand Walkers, where water could be scarce at prolonged times. They had also decided to make use of some of those same foods in a dehydrated form, as well as jerked meats that could both last longer than the fresh ones. Now those perishables were almost gone and soon the cooks would be using only those meat stores that were salted or cured and could last longer. These could be used with the dehydrated fruits and vegetables. There had been several storms with good accumulations of fresh water in the barrels tied at locations on the upper deck. This was the water carried in buckets down below deck to replace the water stored there. The cooks used the water in those barrels for cooking the meals. This could become critical if the voyage had to last during a possible long dry spell without any rain.
There had already been a few days of becalmed wind. During these men had taken two hour shifts at the oars of the orlop deck. Unlike Amish Magdar’s ships from Lagdian where prisoners were chained to oars until they died. There were twenty oars on the ship, ten on each side, placed through portal. These could be stored on the orlop deck when they not being used, or during very severe storms and their portals covered against high waves or the rains intrusion through them.
Two men held watch in the two crow’s nests from dawn to dusk every day. Mostly they kept watch to the west for a first sighting of land on the far horizon. It would be critical for the element of surprise, for the ship to sight land or an oncoming ship from that direction first. No one manned the crow’s nest at night as yet. They were of little use during the dark, here so far from land and away from common sea lanes.
During times when the crew were not busy with sails; oars and other critical tasks, the men continued to practice or be involved in physical pursuits to keep everyone active. This kept lethargy at bay as well as left less time for gambling and the seeds of discontent from starting on board.
A shout came from the main mast crow’s nest. “Storm coming Captain.”
“Where man, and how long?” Captain Cavidar yelled up to him.
“From the Nor’ east Captain, two hours maybe more. You should see the line of dark clouds off the starboard side and to the aft soon.”
“Mister Pendil, go below and have the oars brought in and the portholes secured.” The Captain shouted to his First Mate, who jumped to the order. Then Cavidar shouted the next in rapid succession. “Mister Daring, mind the sails, have them ready to make as much use of these winds as we can.” Jon Daring was the ship’s Boatswain and Emil Filmer was his Boson’s Mate who hopped to at the same time.
Everyone on deck went to work following these men’s commands in the yards and at the spars. The Helmsman on duty kept his heading to the dead west. Dax’s men helped at those tasks they were now practiced at doing during such occasions, no man was idle. Depending on the severity of this storm, shifts of work would be altered to the needs of safety for the ship.
Garth Theold reported to the ship’s surgeon; Garth was one of the newer members of the Pack, with knowledge of healing from Ofid’s platoon. If anyone became hurt or lamed during the storm he and the ship’s surgeon, Mister Dulwer, would be needed immediately.
The wind started to pick up in intensity within less than an hour, then the rain started shortly after that. First it was a mist, then the soaking rain came in large almost hurting droplets. The winds continued to increase in speed until the rain was howling almost sideways. Men had to maneuver around holding onto the ropes that had been stationed all over the upper deck. Most of the men in the yards were now down and working on the upper deck and some of Dax’s men were working the bilge pumps below decks. The bleats and cackles of the livestock could be heard from beneath their canvas coverings, like the wails of specters borne on the wind. Orders were being shouted as loud as possible over the din of noise. By now the storm had become a gale and the Windlass was being tossed into waves and then crashing over the tops of others. At one point the bowsprit sail ripped down its center and the canvas now whipped loudly, adding to the thunderous noise. Several of the crew quickly responded, trying to get it lowered before it was blown out completely or damaged the spar itself. At just before dawn the next day the gale finally started to abate, dying back to just a thundering heavy rain. The rain did not start to calm until the following afternoon.
Once the storm had passed, it could still be seen advancing to the southwest for another day. By then the winds had fallen back to their usual gentle breath. It took the crew and men two more days to repair all the damage. Unfortunately, one of the ship’s crew had gone missing during the storm, obviously the seaman had been blown overboard during the melee. The entire crew amassed on the upper deck and held a brief moment of silence for their lost shipmate and beckoned his soul to the deep, as was their fashion. Dax and the Wolf Pack mourned him with the same reverence.
Several days later the ship and men were becalmed, sails hanging limp and useless, all twenty oars were now in use at all hours of the day and night. Again men rowed putting their backs to the oars in two hour shifts, moving the ship no faster than a slug crawls along moist earth and soil.
For an entire half phase on the moon there was no breeze strong enough to give the slightest movement in the dangling sails. The monotony of blazing sun from dawn to dusk, with not a hint of a breeze to help cool sweat drenched bodies, men were becoming disenchanted with the continued course the Windlass pursued ever toward the horizo;. where the sun would eventually disappear as dusk settled into darkness. Although the food supplies were still holding out well, the meals were becoming just as monotonous as the nonexistent wind. Salted meats, dried vegetables mixed with water mixed into stews served with breads. Men were rationed on drinking fresh water, and bathed or washed with sea water. Each man had a ration of beer and two of ale for each day’s consumption, this kept them hydrated but became less than enjoyable.
Tempers now flared easier at seemingly little provocations, a few fights had already been broken up by the Mates and Boatswain. Corporal punishment had to be enforced so that loss of control by the chain of commands was not lost. Usually only a few lashes were given, confinements would have been contrary to the needs of men manning the oars for forward movement of the ship. All of this meant that morale was becoming dangerously low, something needed to change and it needed to happen soon.
Finally after another several days, not quite a half moon phase more, breezes started to lift the limp sails, then they became just strong enough to fill them, now shifts at the oars could be lessened accordingly and speed was better. Two days after that a small rain shower dampened the ship with men dancing on the upper decks and stripping down to cool their bodies with heightening spirits. After a short welcome display of joyous abandon, men rushed to tasks of collecting and hauling the fresh water into every barrel, cask and container available. Men apologized to their crew mates for any recent displays of quarrelsome behavior. Dax mused to himself and then talked with Ruthor, sharing his thoughts that was probably when some previous attempts at finding the island failed. This repeated cycle of brief days of wind, followed by short periods of being becalmed lasted for another half-moon phase. Now rations were becoming even lower and half rations were now the order of the day.
*****
Ceric, Lord Daka and Thane Erik were seated in the council chambers discussing matters of state. Weban and Seffa had just left the room when Thane Erik turned to Ceric and asked the question he thought he already knew the answer to. “Lord Ceric has there been any word from Captain Dax, or rumors from Mages in the West?”
“No, my Thane, nothing since they shipped out of the Port of Jav. The three wives still live with my old friend Neven Salas and work in the Under Emissary’s office in Jav. But nothing from the ship or crew in three moon phases.”
“Salas would have sent a bird if he or they had heard anything, that I am sure of.” Lord Daka added.
“This is the worst part of such an endeavor for those left behind. The waiting without any news, good or bad. In this one we have no way of knowing how long we might have to wait.”
*****
Renal knocked on the door to Fargyn’s house and heard a loud yell to enter, Renal was now captain of the second ship in Fargyn’s small fleet. He had been promoted from being his First Mate after its capture. He opened the door, walked into the bed chamber. But he was unaffected by the sight within the room. Fargyn was sitting up with his back against large pillows. One of the captive women was in the bed beside him completely naked, bruised and bleeding from an apparent beating she had received at the hands of Fargyn. She had a look of total fear for her life in her eyes. Renal had seen this many times since women had started being taken captive, during at both the capture of a ship or a ship’s destruction. It was rumored among these women that Fargyn could not achieve an erection to violate them, without beating them first. One had even died during a night with the man.
“What is it, Renal? This is early for you to be waking me up.”
“There has been some loose talk among a few of the men overnight, my Lord. Men are wondering why we have not sailed out in so long. They are hungry for plunder and action.”
“What kind of loose talk? Does anyone think they can take control of our brotherhood?”
“Not yet, from what I heard rumored, Fargyn. But it has now been quite a while since we ventured out of port. These are not men to sit idle for too long a time.”
“Better that they sit idle and bask in the pleasures of our conquests, instead of dying as a traitor to me. Tell them that. It is that simple. Now, leave me, I feel the need for pleasure.”
As Renal turned and closed the door he heard frightened whimpers coming from the already battered woman lying beside Fargyn.
*****
“How are you feeling this morning?” Gayla asked Melody as they were preparing to leave for the Emissary building.
“Queasy, but I am fine.”
“Gayla is right, it will all pass and then you will have a little one to keep you busy.” Aiela and Gayla chuckle as Aiela said this.
“You will get used to that. We may have to think about when, you will stop going into the Emissary to work.”
“Not for a while yet. We have things to keep us busy there. It helps keep our minds off other issues.”
“I understand, it’s been three moons already and we have no idea when they may return. At least, we have a fine house and Mage Salas for our protection.”
“I agree, now let us get ready to leave.”
The three young women said their good days to the old Mage, then walked into the room that had been converted into a nursery for Iben Dom and Balen. Neven Salas’s house keeper, Dena, had been overjoyed at adding on the duties of a babysitter for the two young boys. The mothers kissed their young ones and then all three left the house and walked down the streets toward the Emissary Building.
*****
Dawn was breaking early on the eastern horizon, as it always did when at sea. Vlad knocked on Dax’s door, but did not wait for an answer before stepping inside an excited statement for his Captain and friend. “Dax, you need to come on deck immediately.”
“What is it?” Dax replied not yet fully awake.
“We have birds sitting on the upper deck railing and bowsprit spar.”
Dax scurried out of his bed, hurriedly pulled on boots and followed Vlad out of his room and through the door of the forecastle to the outer deck. There sitting on the portside railing and also on the bowsprit spar were several sea gulls. Dax could see that Captain Cavidar had just emerged from his cabin as well at the bow of the ship.
Cavidar turned his head to the Crow’s nest and shouted to the man on watch yelling. “Do ye see any sight of land?”
“Ney Sir, not so much as a cloud yet.”
“Well, keep your eyes peeled from now on. Where there are gulls, land cannot be that far behind them.”
“Aye Sir.”
The decks were now filled with sailors and Wolf Pack men standing along both the port and starboard sides, staring at the western horizon. All the disparity now vanished into excitement of imminent sighting of land.
Dax walked to the Captain who had now been joined by his First and Second Mates, Ruthor had joined Dax and walked beside him. The five men entered into a fervent discussion. Moments later the First Mate turned from the talk and shouted to several of the seamen standing about the deck. “You men get into the yards and quickly take down any and all of the flags and pennants hanging atop the masts. Then store them away properly.”
Several men scurried up the ropes, climbing high to the tops of the Main, Fore and Mizzen Masts. As soon as they had all the flags and pennants unattached they climbed back down and stored them away in the crates close to the extra canvases, on the Half Deck below. While this was going on he commented to the Captain and Mates, “That is good, surprise is the one thing we cannot lose any sooner than has to be. We can be seen from shore easier than we can see what is on the shore at its first sighting. We will standout against a blank horizon. Anyone of the island will be hidden from us until we are close enough to distinguish ships or buildings that may be there.”
Ruthor then added, “Maybe once we can see land, we should take in the sails as well?”
“A good idea, we could row in closer, but just close enough for the crow’s nest watch to distinguish what is on the shore. With luck they will not be expecting a ship on the horizon, and with only masts visible, miss them in the vast horizon.”
“We may still be far off shore, and we are not sure if it will be due west or to either side of that direction as yet. Our next problem will be at night, we cannot see well enough in the dark. We should cease rowing at dusk and wait to establish what can be found on the western horizon, before we start rowing during the day.” Captain Cavidar offered.
“Agreed, once we have confirmed what is on the shore then we can decide our direction of approach.” Dax added.
All men not rowing during their two hours shifts were now out on decks scanning the horizons for any sighting of land or clouds to the west, southwest and northwest. No one saw anything in those directions the remainder of that day. All rowing was stopped as dusk fell into the dark of night. Only the helmsmen stayed the ships afloat course from dusk until the eventual dawn with the aid of men using their effigies for navigation.
Everyone on the Windlass were on deck as the first rays of dawn broke on the eastern horizon to the aft of the ship. All that is except the twenty who awaited orders to start rowing. The two men on watch in the crow’s nests searched the horizon only briefly before the man at the main mast shouted down to the Captain. “Land Sir, directly west. But Captain, the land stretches all along the western horizon. You should be able to glimpse it soon.”
Dax, Captain Cavidar and everyone strained to see the evidence of land on the western horizon as the man had said. Then it was the First Mate who spoke first, he had taken up a position just off the deck and in the yards. “Captain, there it is, and by all the gods that ever were he is right, this is more than any small island.”
Within moments everyone could sight the thin strip of land coming into distant view stretching all along the western horizon. Captain Cavidar shouted to the Second Mate, “Start the oars, but ever so gently, slow as she goes, until we can make out more details of what there is along this coastline.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Within the next hour the Crow’s nest watch was yelling down again what he was seeing. “Captain, I can make out a bay being used as a harbor. It looks like there are three ships anchored there. This bay is three points off due west to the north.”
“Keep your lookout.” Cavidar yelled back then turned to Dax for his thoughts.
“Three points off to the north. I think we should change our course to 5 points off west to the south. But continue at slow speed until we are out of their sightline. What do you think?”
“I agree, right now we are about 15 leagues away, if we go 5 points south then we could just stay out of their sight before we can turn due west again. Hopefully we can find another good place to anchor south of them.”
“I agree.”
Cavidar shouted back to the Helmsman and First Mate now standing beside him. “Five points south of due north but keep it slow, until the crow’s nest sees we are out of that bays sightline.”
“Aye Captain, five points south it is.” Then he turned to yell below decks. “Steady as she goes Mr. Slogin, Steady as she goes.”
“Aye.” Could be heard shouted back.
You could feel the change in course even though the speed never changed. Now men watched for any apparent signs that could be spotted. Over the next three hours all looked well, or at least as well as could be from this distance. By now the harbor was out of sight, beyond its southern point that now blocked it from view. After the next hour the ship changed course again, back to due west. At mid-day the Windlass was cruising within less than a half a league of shore and had now changed her direction again, now paralleling the shoreline, men watching for a good spot to anchor and let men lower boats so Dax and his men could row to shore.
It was just before dusk when they sighted a rather small inlet, one that had a good point of land on its north side that would help block the view of the ship anchored within it and maybe only a hundred yards offshore. At this time of day it was decided to drop anchor, set watches and not attempt a shore landing until dawn. Dax and the Wolf Pack started making their final preparations for that landing. During the evening meal, which they were eating on the upper deck that night, taking in the cool breeze along the shore. Dax, stood to say a few words to everyone there. “Gentlemen, we have accomplished the first part of our mission, we have found this fabled island that most people did not believe existed. You will all go down in the annals of time as being the first legitimate crew to accomplish this great adventure. I am proud to have been with you in doing just that. And we did this with only one loss of life. Any loss of life is sorrowful to us all, but just one in the over three moons, will be considered a feat in itself. Now we are getting ready to start the second part of our mission, that being taking this island from the cutthroats who are hiding here. I am just as confident we will accomplish this part just as well.”
As Dax sat down again next to Ruthor, he could hear the claps of hand all around the ship and boisterous, HOO RAHS, accompanying the claps. It was not very long later that men started making their way to berths and beds. Tomorrow would come all too quickly.
Dax, all his men and their Dire Wolves stepped into the boats and were lowered down to the water. This was the best way to keep the wolves content. It took two boats to ferry them all to shore and it took a few minutes for men and wolves to get their land legs back, after being on board the ship for three moons. The Wolf Pack shouldered their gear and weapons and with Eron in the lead they started inland. They knew the harbor was several leagues north of here along the shore. So they only went inland for cover, keeping the shoreline and or any bluff over it within sight. Tramping as quietly as they could took hours to maneuver to where Eron first heard voices in the near distance. All thirteen men and ten wolves hunkered down and froze in place. Only Eron crawled forward, his Dire Wolf walking beside him, hairs prickled along his high neck. They made not one slight sound. Vlad and his two remaining soldiers started to creep slowly behind Eron, keeping him in sight for any signals. Dax and Ruthor crawled next in line, followed by the rest of Dax’s men.
Eron put his closed fist in the air, calling for another halt in place. Now several mixed voices could be heard ahead but sounding slightly below where Eron knelt. He signaled for men to move both to his right and left and then kneel. One finger in the air and a downward movement of his arm was the signal for Dax and Ruthor to join him where he knelt. It was long minutes before all the men were in place again. They were on a high bluff above the bay below, probably the one that jutted out beyond the bay and just south of it, on the coast that they had seen from the ship.
Down along the bay they could see most of the harbor, dock and buildings just inland from the sandy shore. Tied to the dock were three ships; the Galley that Fargyn had acquired from Lagdian in the initial attack by Tripolian Marauders, a Caravel and a Cog. Both of the last two were evidently merchant ships, which looked like some renovations had occurred to alter them for attack purposes. This meant that there were probably enough men to at least have full crews for each ship. None of them were made ready for departing port at this moment. In from the beach buildings were built of various sizes, most were little better than rudimentary; wood framed with windows, doors and simple roofs and most looked to house several men each. One though was larger and at it they could see several women working at washing clothes, hanging clean ones on lines strung between poles. A few of these women looked as though they were starting to prepare a meal. Then they noted a few more coming in and out of other buildings as if they had been cleaning them. In all there could be at least thirty women or more, none of them appeared to be very happy in their labors though. Meaning they were probably captives taken from attacked merchant ships. At least 60 men were counted during the time. Dax and his men surveyed this stretch of bay. There were chickens and ducks wandering around indiscriminately, a few pigs were heard from somewhere but not seen. A few of the men were working on the Cog while they watched, at one end of the buildings were three men working in a lean-to where it appeared they were working at a simple forge. Finally, Dax spotted Fargyn himself, emerge from one of the buildings behind a woman who looked as if she had been beaten recently, he yelled at the woman and she ran away toward the building where most of the other women were. Getting there, she and two other women following her went inside the building.
Dax sent hand signals in both directions to his men to back away slowly and regroup. In all the time they had lain hidden and watched the area below, not one of them spoke a word, not even a whisper. They grouped back up several moments later, when they were approximately fifty feet away and slightly deeper back into the forest.
Dax, spoke in hushed undertones to his men. “Eron, you take the lead again and Vlad, you and your men behind him, the rest of us will follow. We go back to the boats and then the ship. We will discuss all we have seen and make a plan. For now let us get away from here as unseen as we have come.”
It was close to dusk as they came to the beach where the boats were still beached and the four seamen standing watch. Dax turned to Vlad and Eron and asked, “If we all shared what provisions we carried today, could you and your two other men get back to where we were and stand watch this night. At dawn return to here. I will have one boat waiting for you then. I would like to know what they do doing at evening.”
“Of course, my Captain. We will make a cold camp and then be here sometime after full daylight.”
“Good, make it be thus. Be careful and we will see you then.”
Dax, had everyone give Vlad’s platoon their provisions. Then Vlad, had his men returned to the forest and disappeared into them. As soon as they had, everyone else boarded the boats, shoved off the beach and oared toward the Windlass.
Vlad and his men made their way to the bluff overlooking the Bay, and set up a system of watches for the night after they had made additional scrutiny before the sun passed over the mountains, bringing the dusk settling over the bay.
Once on the ship, Dax and Ruthor met with Captain Cavidar to discuss what they had seen. They told him that it would be better to wait until Vlad’s platoon returned in the morning before they made any decisions on how they would all proceed with the mission of taking control of the port. The ships there and the oncoming fight with Fargyn and his men. After the evening meal Dax, Ruthor, Cran and Ofid did however discuss what they knew before retiring to their beds for rest. Sleep did not come quickly to any of them though, there was too much to consider to fall into truly restful sleep.
With the dawn Vlad and his platoon arrived back at the beach close to where the ship was anchored. A boat was there as promised. The men climbed into the boat as they shoved it off the beach, and men took oars in hand to make haste for the ship. Once on board the meeting started in the Captain’s cabin with Dax, Ruthor, Cran, Ofid, Vlad, Captain Cavidar, Bien Pendil and Gaben Slogin all there.
Dax looked to Vlad first and said, “What did you see before dusk, through the night and at dawn this morning that would add to what we should consider in planning an attack of the bay area?”
“Most of what we saw was very similar to what the entire Pack saw earlier yesterday. I still think there are about 60 men there. The captive women all live in the one building as we thought. Early in the evening, some of Fargyn’s men come and go but none spend the night. Fargyn is the only man staying in the building we saw him come out of yesterday. The ships in the harbor are practically unmanned once night sets in. There is only one man on guard and he is on the dock between the ships at night. They change that guard every four hours, the last shift change is about four hours before dawn.”
“Anything else useful?”
“One thing maybe. My man-at arms, Tervil, grew up in a port town. His father was a merchant seamen and before he was full grown, he was with his father on a few voyages to different ports of call. Before dusk and then again this morning he mentioned one thing he believed about the bay we had not noticed before.”
“What was that?”
“He thinks there is a reef or shoal about a half league in front of the bay. He says he sees it in the way the waves break as they come in from the sea. He also thinks that whatever it is doesn’t block the entire bay but only the central part and that there are deeper channels on both the north and south ends. But he cannot say just how shallow the sea would be over the reef. Only that it could damage a ship that tried to make a direct entry into the bay.”
“That is important to know. What do you think, Captain?’
“Yes, that is something we need to consider in any plan of attack. Also, the knowledge that they are being so lax in their guarding of the three ships is valuable as well. If we decide to make the attack at night, then this shoal or reef would make it too risky for the Windlass to make a frontal entry into the Bay. And with no knowledge of the exact location of a channel or its depth to get closer than a half league, it would make use of the ships armaments to be effective.”
“I was having the same thoughts. Could we say, be in place close enough for men in boats to approach the dock after the last watch posts, but before dawn? To effect taking possession of the dock and the three ships? “
“Yes, that could be possible. We would have to anchor beyond the reef. Then get boats to the docks without being detected and silence the watchman before he can sound an alarm. If that happened we could put men on the three ships at the dock. Depending on what they find on those ships as armaments then we could use those in an attack against the men in the town, if you want to call it that. Some men could train their attention on the docks themselves to ward off a counter-attack trying to retake the ships.”
“How many men would need to stay on the Windlass?’
“I would say ten at most, if we anchored her.”
“So, ten left on the Windlass to protect her. And say, thirty on the docks and ships there. Then twenty could accompany my men in the attack on shore?”
“Yes, that would be logical to assume.”
“Good that would give us thirty seven for the land assault. If you could give me that many, then I can plan the tactics for that portion of the joint attack.”
“When do you think we should attempt this?”
“Tonight. The longer we are here, the riskier it is we will be spotted. The men involved in the land assault would go ashore after dusk, make their way to preplanned positions and wait for a prearranged time. You and the men who are going to take the docks and ships would be in the boats ready for the dock watch to change, and then have them protected and ready to assist from there before dawn. The night will be our best time to get everyone in place and ready. The assault should take place as the first graying of the predawn appears on the eastern horizon, before many of Fargyn’s men are fully awake.”
“That would make complete sense.”
“We need every good archer ready at the moment the attack starts. The more of Fargyn’s men we kill at the beginning, the better our chances of success are. Cran, you and your archers need to concentrate specifically on the building Fargyn is living in. The sooner he is killed, the more likely others will lose any heart to fight. You and the archers, I am hoping there will be four seamen good with bows to be with you, to take your position on the bluff south of the bay; it is your best vantage point. Vlad your platoon needs to concentrate on the building the women are in, take your position above or behind it in the trees. Try to get as many as you can out of that building and to safety as quickly as you can, we have no quarrels with them. I will lead six of the seamen from the middle position, from the trees west of their town. Ruthor will take another six to my right, Ofid you will leads your men to my left. If we can be positioned well before dawn and all are ready, we would have them in a cross fire. Captain, I am hoping that Fargyn has such small catapults and, hopefully, Hwacha’s for you to be able to use from the ships. If not then at least have men not using the catapults use bows as well. Again, the more men we kill the sooner before they have time to form a good counter-attack the better our chances for success are. We will surely be in hand-to-hand sword play quickly, and there is our greatest risk of losing men of our own.”
“I agree, Captain Dax. The men of our crew are the best we found in Marden’s Navy; they will make a good accounting of themselves I am sure.”
“As am I Captain, as am I. Let’s pass the word then. Have men rest as they may early today. Then we will make ready for a long night and a hard fight on the dawn tomorrow.”
An “Aye” resounded all around the Captain’s cabin.
