A New Land

Looking around him, Ray could tell that the enemy ships were achieving their desired effect on his shipmates. The atmosphere on board the ship was tense as crew, soldiers and passengers went about preparing themselves for the coming trial. Those women who were not adventurers were herded below decks along with the smaller children and such aged persons as had come along. Meanwhile, the maritime soldiers positioned themselves at their assigned stations to await the coming attack. On nearly every face was a look ranging in varying degrees from concern to outright fear. Everyone knew the two large ships carrying the bulk of Candlewynd’s refugees could not maneuver well enough to spar with faster warships; even with the magical aide. The various fishing boats and other assorted smaller craft that had followed along with them would also be easy prey. Their only real defense was the two Kloridites frigates that had escorted them. But how could two frigates hope to prevail over a squadron of warships? Though Ray tried as hard as he might to suppress his fear, something of it must have shown on his face because one of the crewmen fell in beside him and clapped him on the shoulder. Ray recognized him as one of the men who had earlier laughed at his bouts of seasickness. There was no mirth in the man’s gaze now, however, as he looked down at Ray with something akin to pity in his eyes. “Ye can go below, if ye like, lad,” said the seaman, shifting his cutlass to rest on his shoulder. “No one’ll think any less of ye in the mornin’, of that I can assure ye.” I knew the man was expressing some measure of kindness in telling me that I could sneak below with the women and children, but I had no intention of doing so. “I am a squire, sir, and I will do my duty,” I said training to sound brave and proud. The crewman smiled at Ray and said, “Aye, lad, so ye will.” He then moved on down the line to take up his station near the aft catapult. Bleakly, I stared out across the expanse of ocean separating me and the black ships of the enemy. I thought of home, the manor, and other property that had been left behind when my family was forced to flee. I longed to curl up once more in my own bed. My thoughts turned to mother, Cord, and Megan – I knew that it was my responsibility to do whatever I could to keep them safe. Father is depending on me to protect our family. I thought about father and wondered where he was and how the battle for the city was going. I offered a short prayer to God, praying father was well, and then briefly murmured another silent prayer that God would keep him safe. Then I thought about Kelvin, who had died so young in the fight against Chimera, but was still four years older than I am. I remembered fondly the time we had spent together. Even though I, along with the rest of his family, had mourned for Kelvin, I had never really admitted to anyone how much I missed my older brother. It was a brief interlude of thought, that all of these things and more had come to me. I thought about all of the unhappy things that had occurred in the preceding months and, although I was still afraid, I began to get angry. It seemed as if this small black fleet threatening us had become the embodiment of everything wicked and cruel in my world. It may be that they would all die that day, but I was determined that I would not die a coward’s death, skewered like a boar in some hole within the depths of the ship. I’ll swing my long sword until I could swing it no more and I’ll take as many of the enemy with me as I can. Ray’s reverie was broken as he caught a flash of light in the corner of his eye. The flash appeared to have come from the quarterdeck of the king’s ship, the Golden Quiver. As he turned in that direction, several other flashes of light followed in rapid succession. Ray was startled at first, but he soon realized that the captains were gathering to confer with the King on the quarterdeck and the flashes of light were caused by dimension doors opened for the captains by their ships’ mages. Captains Ramirez and Duran of the Kloridites frigates were joined by Captain Drake from the Silver Goose, the ship Ray was on, one of the large Candlewyndian passenger ship. As one, they doffed their hats and made their bows to King Harold. Also, present on the crowded quarterdeck were Captain James of the flagship along with his executive officer and most of his staff officers. Finally, to one side, seemingly unaware of the military personnel around him, stood Gerron, the King’s wizard. The enigmatic wizard was staring in the direction of the enemy warships and his concentration was so intense that Ray thought nothing could possibly distract him.