Dragon Clan #5: Tanner's Story

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Standing in the morning sun on the deck, Tanner watched the crew perform one drill after another. The deck still slanted to his left, or port, as sails were lowered and raised again. Slack from ropes that had already stretched from use were taken in, a new canvas cover sewn to protect the helmsman from the sun was cut from sparkling white canvas. Small ropes lashed it to the frame.

Twice he caught sight of Devlin high in the rigging moving about as if he had ten years of experience. The two archers arrived and introduced themselves. Both were ex-soldiers. One limped on a bad leg, and the other had taken an arrow in his chest and survived, but neither could march the distance required in King Ember’s army. However, they could pull longbows. Both were broad of chest, and their upper arms revealed the muscles required to be an archer for the King.

With their help, Carrion examined several places on the deck where an archer could stand and be protected from the weather and enemy. Together they each selected a place where they could stand and be out of the way of the sailors who would be rushing about their duties while under attack.

The ship was long and narrow. Instead of shoving its way through the water, it sliced. Finding the four places that were the best took time, but Tanner was satisfied as he heard the Captain shouting new commands and the ship veered off its course and the wind struck it from the other side. The deck now slanted the opposite way, and a few items slid across the deck to the derisive shouts of Fisher, the first mate.

The first to slide was a half-filled bucket of dirty water. It made it almost amid ship before spilling the contents. A paint scraper and a piece of a board followed.

Carrion motioned to all three to gather closer. He said, “That black ship may be waiting for us to make a turn. If so, she’ll be ahead, but probably won’t catch up with us until dark. They will use the black ship to hide, but we’re going to surprise them. We each have a place on each side of the ship.”

Tanner picked up when Carrion slowed. “I’ll tell you this once. I don’t want to waste our arrows by missing the ship and watching them fall into the water. I also don’t want that ship to know about us until they are almost ready to throw the grappling hooks and climb aboard. You will not let any arrows fly, and you will not let them see your longbows until they cannot escape. Do I make myself clear?”

Two broad smiles told him the archers liked what he said. Carrion said, “Rapid fire for the King is on a four count. We don’t need that. These ships can’t turn and escape so we have plenty of time to make our shots count.”

One of them asked, “Ten men on that ship?”

“Ten crewmen, a mate and probably two officers. Why?” Tanner said.

“From this close, if you two are any good, that is about three arrows each. If they attack us, they’ll be sorry.”

Carrion nodded and said, “I expect so. Just do not get too anxious to fire. When the first arrow flies they’ll know we’re more than babes. Get some rest. If that ship shows up, none of us will get any sleep tonight.”

The archers left for the crew's quarters. Captain Jamison continued running more drills so the new crew knew what to do. If they were slow, they did them again. The midday bell allowed half to head for the galley. Later the other half ate. After the meal, the Captain ordered the first mate to have the crew strip wood bare and paint it, all but the decks. They stayed bare wood and were scrubbed daily so they didn’t become slippery.

Near mid-afternoon, Captain Jamison’s inspections carried him to where Carrion and Tanner were standing at a rail. His voice was a little smug. “Well, no sign of the Far Seeker.”

“I hope it stays that way,” Carrion said.

“This is one of the best crews I’ve had the pleasure to command in some time. Fisher was wasted as a deckhand. I have to thank you for seeing his potential.”

Tanner said, “I think we’re going to try and get some sleep.”

“Up late last night?” The Captain asked with a grin.

“No, just want to be ready in case we’re up late tonight,” Tanner said.

They left him to patrol the deck. Both were asleep when a crewman knocked on their cabin door. When Tanner opened it the crewman’s eyes were a little too wide, as if scared. “The Captain sent me to tell you that black ship is ahead of us, and downwind.”

Tanner turned to Carrion, “Don’t tell him you said so.”

“No problem. Actually, Captain Brice is beginning to get under my skin. I noticed that none of the other captains had anything good to say about him at the Anchor Inn. I also heard a few rumors of him pirating cargo.”

“Well, this time, he wants the whole ship. All he has to do is take it and get rid of Captain Jamison and the crew, and he can claim he purchased it. Doing his dirty work with two ships would give him the ability to steal more,” Tanner said. “This is the only other fast sailing ship like this that’s still intact. Nothing can outrun it from what I hear.”

Carrion stretched and yawned. Then he stood and said, “Let’s go see what we have up there.”

They went to the small wheelhouse. Only the helmsman and Captain were inside, despite the nice weather. From there the black ship stood out on the horizon from the gray smudge that lined the water where it joined the air.

“Right where you said it would be,” Captain Jamison said, no longer gloating.

Carrion glanced at the sky, the positions of the two ships, and back at the Captain. “The Far Seeker has an angle on you. Unless you turn tail and sail back to Racine, it’s far enough ahead to intercept you no matter which way you go. If you remain on this course, that will be at around dusk, which is probably his plan.”

“If I change course, so will he. As you say, unless I turn and run he is positioned to intercept me, the only question is when.”

Tanner said, “Can you outrun him?”

“I doubt it. Same hulls. His is the more experienced crew, and he has added a little sail by adding taller masts a few years ago.”

Carrion said, “He expects you to run, you know. Open the gap. He’s timed his attack with that in mind. Turn directly at him.”

“Other than temporarily confuse him, what will that fix?”

“It’ll put doubt in his mind, and unless I’m mistaken, the sun will be almost behind us when it sets. Make sure you put the sun at our tail. If we reach him before dark, their crew will not see us. When my archers stand and fire, Captain Brice will have no idea of what’s happening. It gives us a temporary advantage, but we might put down a couple of their crew.”

Tanner said, “Pass the word to the crew, including the galley. No lanterns. No candles. If we make a successful first pass and darkness falls, we may lose him in the dark. Issue swords to repel boarders.”

“We have no swords. This is a merchant ship.”

“Then knives to slice any ropes with hooks they throw to board. Do not slow down or lower your sails. Fire buckets filled and on deck.” He looked at Carrion. “What else?”

“Men with pikes, poles, or belaying pins. Men willing to fight.”

Captain ordered the turn and instructed the helmsman to steer directly for the Far Seeker even if it changed course. Then he turned to Carrion, “Are you sure you two have no experience on the sea?”

“I have experience with men and war. Some evil. Some good. Same can be said for women,” and he flashed the same smile that used to get him in trouble with his parents and teachers.

Tanner felt a giggle rising, but managed to stifle it. “I’m going to the bow where I can see better.”

“If you see our archers on deck, tell them to compensate for the movement of our ship when they fire. No, I change my mind. They already know that. Just tell them to hold their arrows until I order them.”

Tanner found that walking on the sloping deck was easier if he grabbed something solid before moving and stumbled to the next. The Rose had a breeze that seemed to be slowing as the afternoon drew on. He hoped so. With the two ships coming together at the speed The Rose cut through the water an archer would have time to loose only one arrow, and that would be a hasty and difficult shot. He wanted calmer waters to keep the ship steady, and time enough to get off, at least, three arrows.

Devlin appeared at his side. “I’ve meant to talk to you if you have time.”

“Sure. We haven’t talked since we came aboard, it seems. How are you doing?”

“Great. I love sailing and working. The men look up to me even though I’m new. That’s what I wanted to talk about.”

“Go ahead.”

“Well, I want you to know that I’ll do anything you tell me. You saved me. But when this is over, can I come back to the ship?”

Tanner took them to the railing that ran down the high side of the ship, in this case, the starboard side. They watched the horizon and the small, black dot that was the Far Seeker directly ahead. “You owe us nothing, Devlin. We’re friends, and I think working on a ship is perfect if you like it. You’ll have a future. But there is more to discuss. In the last few days, Carrion and I have found new information that concerns you.”

Tanner paused while looking around to make sure no other sailors had come closer. Devlin sensed the mood was changing and leaned closer. “Tell me.”

“Those tattoos on your arms. In the foreign land, the one we’re sailing to, people with them are called Crabs. That information is between us. The crew is not to know.”

“That sounds . . . Well, it sounds bad.”

“I’m only telling you because there will be jeopardy. To them, Crabs are the lowest of people. Lower than slaves, they say. Freemen are in the middle, and the Royals are kings and so on. But Crabs cannot hold jobs. They are marked for life with dragon tattoos on their arms so everyone knows who they are.”

“We’re worthless.” It was not a question.

“Worse. Almost invisible. A slave and the owner have rights. Slaves can be freed and become freemen. Crabs are nothing.”

Devlin’s excitement of a few moments earlier had evaporated like dew on summer grass.

Tanner placed a hand on his shoulder. “When we’re in port from here on you will wear long sleeves. Always. I’ve spoken with Captain Jamison, and he will want you on his crew. He’ll be honored. For now, you and I are operating on scant information so you’ll hide the tattoos until we understand more. Don’t make a big deal of it. Just say you’re getting sunburned or something.”

Devlin nodded and stood straighter. “They say we’re going to fight with that ship up ahead.”

“It may be less of a fight than people think, but yes.”

“I’ll make you proud, Tanner.”

“You already have. Go back to work and keep this conversation to yourself.”

Devlin left, and Tanner watched the ship ahead draw slightly closer. He thought he could see a little white water as the bow sliced ahead. What would the men on that ship be thinking? It was six or seven days’ sail to the Marlstones. Only one day out of port.

Then he felt the touch of a dragon. The small of his back itched, but it was more than an itch. He glanced at the sky, knowing he wouldn’t see it because the dragon was too far away. It was on the mainland, probably keeping pace with the ship until the distance became too great. He assumed that Carrion would have it fly to the Marlstones when the time came.

Carrion could also have it fly closer, keeping it just out of sight until the black ship attacked. The dragon could attack the black ship and sink it anytime Carrion ordered. But only the two of them knew that. The next question was about a dragon crossing the Endless Sea.

Dragons are not known for swimming, although there were a few tales that said they could. But there had to be a maximum distance. The ship would take six or seven days to sail to the Marlstones. He knew dragons could fly that far in a single day, but it would take from dawn to dark. Dragons do not like to fly after dark.

The distance from the Marlstones to Breslau was probably three times that far. The chart. He thought back to when Captain Jamison spread it before them and Carrion’s intense interest. Now he understood. The distance to the wide bay and the largest city was not the shortest route to the coast. If a dragon didn’t fly southeast, as they would sail, but went northeast, it would arrive in half the distance.

Of course, it would have to rest and eat from the long flight, but then it could fly south and join them. That was why Carrion had studied the northern portion of the chart so intently. Without the chart, Carrion and Tanner would be without the help of the red dragon.

The shorter crossing would be another reason why the Royalty of Breslau paid for maps and charts to be destroyed. They didn’t want the Dragon Clan to learn how a dragon could cross the Endless Sea. Indeed, they may have named the water ‘Endless’ just to prevent the Dragon Clan from attempting to cross. It had worked until now.

The tingle on his back was still there. If anything, it had intensified slightly. Carrion was probably going to keep it flying just out of sight unless needed. The dragon would have to fly back in the dark, but with Carrion sharing its eyes, there would be no problem. Carrion would search for fires, lanterns, or other man-made sources of light to guide him. He could always locate the shoreline and white breaking waves. Landing on a deserted beach was not ideal, but would work.

His attention went back to the Far Seeker. Twice now he’d felt a slight shift in the ship and the motion of how it pitched. Small adjustments by the helmsman at the direction of the Captain and confirmed when Tanner looked behind The Rose and saw the wake change direction.

The sun was settling lower, right behind the stern. The black ship took on detail. It sailed directly at them, a curl of white in contrast to the black hull at the bow. That sight must have made the crews of other ships cringe.

It was still too far off to see individually, but the closing speed was fast. He went to his cabin and found only half the arrows and a single bow remained. Carrion was already getting prepared. He went back to the deck; to the position he’d chosen earlier. One glance told him he was the last to take his place.

A crewman ran to his side, “The Captain said to tell you he intends to keep them on his port.”

“Meaning we’ll pass the other ship on our left?”

“That’s what I said, right?”

“Just making sure,” Tanner smiled. As the other ship drew closer, the tingling on his back increased. The red dragon must sense Carrion’s fear and readiness to fight. And mine, too.