Rogue of Gor

29. The Sea Gate: I am Again Within the Holdings of Policrates:

"Had we the support of others, in fuller extent, we could carry this project through," said Callimachus. "As it is, I fear we must fail."

The dock of the low river galley shifted beneath our feet, as the ship nosed through the inlet waters toward the secluded stronghold of Policrates. It lies some two pasangs from the river itself.

"Your original plan," said Callimachus, "was an excellent one, but now in its alteration, I fear we must fail."

Callimachus and I stood on the foredeck of the galley. I wore the mask which I had worn while pretending to be the courier of Ragnar Voskjard. I knew the signs and countersigns for entry into the stronghold through the sea gate. Those had been given to me that I could convey them to Ragnar Voskjard, that he might use them in his entry into the stronghold. It had been my plan to gather sufficient ships, primarily from Port Cos and Ar's Station to simulate the fleet of Ragnar Voskjard, who would be expected by Policrates. It would have seemed simple enough, then, to have brought enough men into the stronghold, posing as the men of Ragnar Voskjard, to take Policrates by surprise. He himself had never met Ragnar Voskjard, no had Voskjard met Policrates. The plan, indeed, was bold, but it had seemed to me sound.

Callimachus, who was experienced in matters of war, had liked the plan, and had concurred. Glyco and Tasdron, too, neither of whom could be tkane as rash fellows, had been taken by the plan. Interestingly enough, it had been the warriors, Callisthenes and Aemilianus, who had tended to regard the plan as dangerous and barren. Callisthenes in particular had been outspoken against it.

It was now near the 20th Ahn, the Gorean midnight. The sky was cloudy. The three moons were high over the trees, bordering the shadowy inlet. I could see the high, dark walls of the stronghold of Policrates in the distance, with its lofty sea gates, with its heavy latticework of iron.

"The fleet of Ragnar Voskjard," had said Callisthenes, "can never join with the fleet of Policrates. It will be prevented from doing so by the chain."Why then," had asked Glyco, "are you so concerned that the topaz never reach Policrates."

"The matter was important to the Merchant Council," said Callisthenes, "I merely do my duty. Some of them are uncertain of the effectiveness of the chain."And I am one of them, " said Glyco.

"That is known to me, " said Callisthenes.

"Has the chain now been placed?" asked Glyco. "Yes," said Callisthenes. "It is now in place."

"This work was done in secrecy, was it not?" I asked. I had not heard of it in Victoria, nor had Callimachus or Tasdron.

"Supposedly," said Callisthenes, "though its existence is now doubtless known to the western towns."It was forged in Cos, in a thousand links," said Glyco, "and brought overland around the delta and on galleys east from Turmus. Its mountings and pylons were mostly done at night. It lies west of Port Cos, that we many be protected from the pirates."It would also allow Port Cost to control trafffice on the river from the west," pointed out Tasdrn, irritably.

"We are under pressure from Cos," said Glyco. "I am not personally in favor of the chain. As a merchant I think a freer trade lies in our best interest. Too the chain will not make Port Cos popular with her sister cities."

"That is certain," said Tasdron. "Victoria, hitherto at least, has been primarily Cosican in her sympathies."

"We of Ar's Station would not have mounted such a chain," said Aemilianus, unnecessarily in my opinion."Possibly you do not have the vision or the resources," said Callisthenes."Our concerns, Captains," said Callimachus, "must now be with ourselves and our immediate dangers, not with the politics of Cos and Ar."Politics?" inquired Callisthenes. "Cos and Ar are at war." "Neither Ar nor Ar's Station, Captain," saidd Aemilianus, "are at war with Port Cos."

"This is true," said Tasdron, hurriedly. It was true. The typical colonizing situation among Gorean politics tends to resemble classical colonization, and not the typical colonization of nation states, in which the colony, in effect, is held subject to alien domination. When a Gorean city founds a colony, usually as a result of internal overpopulation or political dissension, the potential colonists, typically, even before leaving the mother city, develop their own charter, constitution and laws. Most importantly, from the Gorean point of view, when the colony is founded, it will have its own Home Stone. The Home Stone of Port Cos, significantly, was not the Home Stone of Cos. Ar's Station on the other hand did not have its own Home Stone, but its Home Stone remained that of Ar. This is not to deny of course that the colonly will not normally have a close tie with the mother city. It usually will. There are not too many bonds, cultural and historical, between them, for this not to be the case.

"The chain was inordinately expensive," said Glyco, "and, I am certain, it will prove ultimately ineffective." "It was forged in Cos," said Callisthenes. "We shall be expected, in the long run, to bear its expense," said Glyco. "That is probably true," said Callisthenes, "but then too, it is we who will be the direct recipient of its benefits." "If there are any benefits," said Glyco, glumly.

"Surley Port Cos will find some benefits in eing spared the predations of pirates," said Callisthenes. "The chain will surely be ineffective," said Glyco. "That is why I came to Victoria, to seek out Callimachus, that he might, in these dark times, with the topaz in transit, lend us his council and his blade."

"The topaz, given the existence of the chain," said Callisthenes, "is now meaningless, though to be sure, I am charged with the attempt to intercept it, a charge in which I have, thanks to our young friend here, failed," Callishenes glanced meaningfully at me. "To have actually delivered thetopaz to Policrates," he said, "was little short of an act of idiocy."I shrugged. "You have herad my plan," I said, "that we muster ships and under the cover of darkness posting as the fleet ofRagnar Voskjard, enter and take the stronhold of Policrates."

"It is a foolish plan," said Callisthenes."You would surely be discovered. Spies abound. The pirates are well informed, I am certain."Only we know of this possibility," I said.

"Discuss your plan with Aemilianus," suggested Callisthenes. "The pirates of the eastern Vosk are more your concern than mine. The chain will keep the pirates of the western Vosk out of the waters of Port Cos."

"I do not wish to risk several ships and hundreds of men in such an unusual venture" said Aemilianus. "Besides, how to do I know this is not a pirate trick to lure the fleet of Ar's Station into an ambush in cramped waters?" You have my word on it," said Callimachus, the word of a Warrior."

"Perhaps you too have been fooled," said Aemilianus, "I must think of the security of my men an dmy ships," Aemilianus looked at me. "Are you of Ar?" he asked."No," I said. "Are you of the Warriors?" he asked."No," I said.Aemilianus spread his hands. "How then," he asked the others, "in so great a matter, can I trust him?"

"You must do so," urged Tasdron. "Do so," urged Glyco. "Why should you undertake such risks?" Aemilianus asked me. "There is a girl, a slave, I want in the stronghold of Policrates," I said."You would undergo these risks, these dangers," he asked, "for a girl?" I desire her," I said. "I want to own her."

"It that all?" he asked. I shrugged. "Too," I said, "I have scores to settle with pirates."

Twice I had been demeaned by pirates, once in the tavern of Tasdron and once in the Pirate's Chain, the tavrn of Hibron.

"We are not interested," said Aemilianus. "I am sorry." "His plan is bold," said Callimachus. "It is brilliant."I am sorry," said Aemilianus.

"The plan is not only dangerous," said Callisthenes, "and I would not risk men or ships of Port Cos in such a rash scheme, but it is, at least as far as preventing the gathering of the river pirates goes, unneessary. The chain will keep the pirates of the west to the west of Port Cos."

"The chain will be ineffective," reiterated Glyco, miserably. "It will be quiet effective," saiod Callisthenes. "A chain can be forged, a chain can be cut," I said.

"The chain is patrolled, of course," said Calllisthenes."Too, should there be any massing of pirate ships, we can meet them with the fleet of Port Cos.

"What do you think Callimachus?" asked Glyco. He was not, of course, of the warriors. "With all due respect, my friend, Callisthenes," said Callimachus, "I must concur with Glyco for his judgement in this matter seems sound."He is of the merchants," said Callisthenes."he is a man of shrewd and practical judgement," said Callimachus. "And in my opinion his fears are well founded."

"With the chain in place," said Callisthenes, "we need fear nothing." "Placing the chain," said Callimachus, "is unimaginatively defensive. It will be impossible to defend its length agains determined attacks. Do not permit it to lull you into a false sense of security."

"if there is to be at attack at the chain," said Aemilianus, "I am willing to lend you ships from Ar's Station, to strengthen your defenses."

"We can handle our own affairs in Port Cos," said Callisthenes. "The ships of Ar's Station are not welcome in the waters of Port Cos.

"There is no drop of water in this river," said Aemilianus, quietly,"which we of Ar's Station may not put beneath the keels of our fleet.

"You will do so at your own risk, my dear Captain," said Callisthenes, grimly.

"Our projects are doomed," mounded Tasdron. "Captain, Callisthenes," said I, "surely the pirates as you yourself have suggested, are well informed."

"It seems they know anything that occurs on the river," he admitted. "It that be the case," I said, "surely the forging of the chain, or at least its transport to Turmus and later to Port Cos, and the time and effort spent in preparing its mountings, joining the lengths, and setting the chain in place, must have been known to the pirates."

"Supposedly this was done in secrecy," said Callisthenes, "but I think there is little doubt they must have understood what was being done. Indeedk I have heard that there are rumors of the work in various of the western towns, in Turmus and Ven, in Tetrapoli and Tafa."Indeed," smiled Glyco. "We have even received a protest from Ven in the council."

"On the assumption that the pirates understood what was occuring," I said to Callisthenes, "does it not seem strange to you that they made no effort to interfere with the placing of the chain?" It was guarded, of course," said Callisthenes. "You, yourself, are presumable well informed," I said. "I trust so," said Callit\sthenes.

"Does this lack of opposition or interference on the part of pirates as powerful and well organized as thoes of Ragnar Voskjard not seem puzzling to you?" Yes," said Callisthenes. "What would you conclude from this lack of interest or action on their part?" I asked."I do not know," said Callisthenes, angrily.

"The conculsion is clear," said Glyuco. "And what do you conclude?" inquired Callisthenes."that they do not fear it," said Glyco, "that they do not regard it as a threat to themselves."Callisthenes scowled at the portly merchant.

"If that is their belief, they are in my opinion surely mistaken," said Callisthenes."Do you truly think a chain will stop the fleet of Ragnar Voskjard?" asked Callimachus."Surely," said Callisthenes, "the chain-and too of course the vessels of Port Cos."

"We know," said Tasdron, "that the topaz was brought to Victoria. It was doubtless brought as a pledge of Ragnar Voskjard to Policrates. It signifies in effect the agreement of Ragnar Voskjard to join forces with Policrates. I do not doubt that the fleet of Ragnar Voskjard in a short time will follow the topaz."Aiii!" whispered Glyco.

"Voskjard may be on the move now," Said Callimachus. "At this very moment his forces may be moving east on the river."Policrates is expecting their arrival," I said. "that I know. Indeed, it is that which gave plausibility to my plan."

"The chain will stop them," said Callisthenes. "The chain must stop them!"

"I must return immediately to Port Cos," said Glyco. "Voskjard must be met at the chain."

We all rose to our feet. "But what of the stronghold of Policrates?" I asked. "Would you leave such an enemy at your back?" It would take ten thousand men to storm that stronghold," said Callisthenes. "Five hundred, entered, through the sea gate, could take it," I said.

"Your plan is the plan of a fool," said Callisthenes. "I have been within the stronghold," I said. "I know it. I tell you it could be so taken."

"I will not risk a large number of men in this," said Callisthenes, "but I will tell you what I might do. I will give you twenty men, if so many will volunteer, and if Aemilianus of Ar's Station will similarly supply another twenty. Then if, truly, you can enter the seat gate and can hold it, set a beacon at the gate. We can then send supporting forces through the narrow waters to the wall. I have some two hundred men in Victoria and Aemilianus, as my intelligence sources indicate, a comparable number."

"There will be presumably some four or five hundred men in the holding," I said. "You would ask some forty men to sand against them, holding the sea gate for perhaps two Ahn?"

"Surely," said Callisthens. "It is not just the sea gate," I said, "and the wall near it, and the tower houseing the windlass, but the walks about the walled cove within, and the entry to the main stronghold."

"It would be difficulty," said Callisthenes. "Our men would be spread too thinly, Jason," said Callimachus. "You must forget the matter."It is sometimes surprising," said Callisthenes regarding me, smiling, "what a few men, determined and skilled, can accomplish."

"Ragnor Voskjar," I said, "would come with a fleet, not one or two ships and forty men."Empty grain ships, towed, their idenity concealed in the darkness, might suggest such a fleet." mused Callisthenes."Accept his plan in its plausible form, my friend, Callisthenes, or let us put it entirely from our minds," sid Callimachus. "Yes," said Glyco. "That is doubtless best," agreed Callisthenes.

"I am willing to try it," said Callisthenes. "Wht chances do you think we might have?" I asked Callimachus. He smiled wryly. "One or two," he guessed, "perhaps one or two in a thousand,"

"Surprise would be on our side," I pointed out. "Support would not be immediately at hand," said Callimachus. "The portals and walks to be defended are sufficiently narrow," I said earnestly."And many in number," said Callimachus. "Too, there may be circuitous passages, secreat, of which y ou are unaware. In this even you might be easily outflanked."

I thought of the slave, she who had once been Miss Beverly Henderson. "Give me twenty men," I said to Callisthenes. "I think I can supply you with twenty volunteres," he said.I looked to Aemilianus. "If Port Cos can give youtwenty men for such a venture," said Aemilianus, "Ar's Station, surely, could supply no smaller a number."

"It is now foolishness and madness, Jason," said Callimachus. "Do not embark upon so mad a venture." "You need not come, my friend." I said. "I shall accompany you, of course," said Callimachus.

We were not beneath the high dark walls of the stronghold of Policrates. I could see them rearing some hundred feet above us.

We nosed toward the sea gte, our oars scarely entering the water.

I could see a lamp lit on a wall, more than three hundred feet within, inside the sea gate. The sea gate itself was fifty feet in height, large enough, when the barred latticwork was lifted, to accomodte a masted cargo galley. It was reinforced on two sides with keeplike towers. The tower on the right, as I faced the gate, housed the windlass which lifted and lowered the gate. It was turned by prisoners and slaves, chained to its bars, but these men, without the assistance of the gigantic counterweights, also within the tower, could not have moved it.

"Who is there?" called a man from the wall."Step back," I said to Callimachus. "You might be recognized,"

I then stood alone onthe foredeck of the galley. I climbed to the foot of the prow and stood there, my left arm about the prow. I wore the mastk I had worn when I had pretened to be the courier of Ragnar Voskjard.

"Who is there?" repeated the man.

"I am the courier of Ragnar Voskjard!" I called. "We are sent ahead, the scout ships of his fleet!" We had only four ships iwth us and three were substantially empty. Tasdron had arranged them in Victoria, on the pretense of fetching a consignment of Sa-Tarna from Siba, to be brought to the Brewery of Lucian, near Fina, east of Victoria, with which brewery he occasionally did business.

"The fleet of Ragnar Voskjard is not due for ten days," called the man. "We are the souut ships," I called. "It is only two days behind us!"

"The Voskjard is eager," called the man.

"There are towns to be burned," I called, "loots to be gathered, women to tie in or slave slacks!" How did you pass the chain?" called the man.

The batther has been fought," I said, "It has been cut!"

"I do not like it," said Callimachus, behind me. "Tere are too few men on the walls."I surely have not object to that," I said, "Hopefully most of the ships and men of Policrates are abroad."Now," asked Callimachus, "when they are waiting for Ragnar Voskjard?"

"He is not due in their opinion for ten days," I said. "Let us withdraw," advised Callimachus.

"The cups of Cos," I cried to the man on the wall, "are not the cups of Ar!" Yes each may be filled with a splendid wine," he called down.

"The ships of Cos," I called to the man on the wall, "are not the ships of Ar!" But the holds of each may contain fine treasures," he answered.

"The Robes of Concealment of Cos are not the Robes of Conealment of Ar," I called. "What do they have in common?" called the man. "Both conceal the bodies of slaves! I called to him.

"Raise the gate," called the man, turning about. Slowly, creakingk foot by foot, I saw the heavy latticwork of the sea gate lifting ot of the water, dripping, shiny in its wet blackness, in the light of the three moons.

"It is too easy," said Callimachus. "Let us withdraw while we can."Surprise is with us," I told him. "It is the one hope we have. On it all depends."

"Enter, Friends!" called down the man.

I, standing on the prow, motioned with my right arm to the oar master, and he in turn not on the stern deck, but among the benches, spoke softly to the men. He was from Port Cos. I looked upward at the high gate, now hung almost above us. We began to move slowly through the opening.

"Now!" cried a voice above us on the wall.I suddenly heart a gigantic, rapid, rattling sound.

"Back oars!" cried the oar matser, the fellow from Por Cos, "Back oars!"

But there was no time. A few feet behind me, hurtling downward, crashing through the fordeck of the galley, fell the great gate of iron.

I was pitched upward, the prow of the galley, the forward gunnels seeming to leapupward. There had been a horrendous sound of splintering as the heavy gate had cut through the strakes of the galley like an ax through twigs. In that moment I had seen, through the closely set latticework of the gate, the chopped galley leaping upward. I saw Callimachus thrown into the water, and the men, suddenly, lifted up with the galley, some clinging to benches, thers rolling on the deck.Almost at the same time the walls, on the inside, seemed alive with archers, who much have been hidden behind the parapets. The prow to which I clung, then fell back towards the water, and I leaped from it. In a moment I rose to the surface gasphing, trying to see. The debris of the forequarters of the galley was floating about me. Outside the gate I saw the rest of the galley subsiding into the water. From the walls arrows were raining down upon its settling timbers. The men were not in the water, swimming from the scattered wood, darting arrows piercing the water about them, then bobbing upward. I swam underwater to the base of the sea gate. I could not push through the closely set latticework. There was no passage under or about the iron. Its iron posts were received by rounded holes, six inches in width, drilled in a flat, horizontal sill. At last, lungs bursting, shaking water from my eyes, I rose the the surface and clutched at the iron latticework. It was dark outside the gate. I could see some shattered wood, floating in the moonlight.Too, there were numerous arrows, like sticks, floating about. Doubtless they would later be collected and dried. The three galleys we had towed were now adrift, aimlessly, almost lost in the shadows. I heard laughter on the wall. I was aware then of a lanters, and a smlal boat, behind me. I felt as I clung to the iron a rope put upon my neck.