Chapter 12 (Original edit)

Chapter XII

The voyage from Rendor to the Isle of Mists was uneventful until the middle of the second five-day out of port. For the first six days of the voyage, Wavestrider had slipped between the small, barren, wreckage-strewn islets that gave the archipelago its name like ghosts slipping through the shadows. Not a trace of other mariners -- at least ones who were still among the living -- had manifested, and, on the whole, for the moment at least things seemed to Jerrod to be well in hand. There had been no sign of trolls or of any other potential foes. Of course, the lack of trolls wasn't surprising. Even if they could get over their fear of the water, the idea of trolls manning a sailing vessel was ludicrous. Though relatively unconcerned about trollkin, Jerrod had worried that some other foes would appear and attempt to slay him and his companions them and so end their quest, but none were evident. Jerrod crossed his fingers and hoped fervently that that would remain the case.

The full moon was still three days distant, so Jerrod an his companions had more than a week left to accomplish their task of acquiring the blade that was reputed to be located on the enchanted island. The young mage, having found inside himself a deep love for the sea on his last voyage, split his time between the deck learning as much as he could from the crewmen about sailing and ocean as they had time to tell him, and Berit, who was teaching him the intricacies of ilvan magic. Over the past seven days both Berit and the crew had become much more friendly with Jerrod than they had been ere then. Berit, in particular, had warmed to Jerrod and he could see why the sea spawned so many tales of shipboard romances. The crew had also become more and more forthcoming as they got to know Jerrod and, by now, nearly every one of them was willing to tell him whatever he wished to learn. He was on deck questioning the first mate about the wind and how one went about judging its vagaries, when a call came out from the watch, "Sail ho! Bearing south by southwest just over the horizon."

Jerrod looked sternward in the direction indicated. Sure enough, there was a dark speck on the horizon. The young mage couldn't discern whether or not it was a ship from this distance, but he suspected that the lookout knew his business.

"Can you make out anything about her?" the first mate called out.

"No sir, naught but that she is a warship. Her silhouette is too sleek for a tub of a merchantman. I don't see any colors on her though," the crewman called back.

"Pirates," the first mate muttered. "Well, let them come. We'll show them what a Royal Rendorian warship can do. If they've the nerve to try it, they'll rue the day they ever challenged a ship of Rendor. Likely though, they'll just bolt when they recognize us for what we are."

Sure enough, the words had scarce left the mate's mouth when the lookout called out another message, "She's turning away, sir. Heading back into the setting sun toward the other side of the horizon. Looks like that'll be the last that we see of her."

The mate nodded and returned his attention to Jerrod, "Sorry, Jerrod, but that it all the time I have right now. I have to go below and speak with Frothbreaker." With something that lay somewhere between a wave and a salute, the mate turned and went below.

Jerrod didn't think too much more about the incident. His ruminations didn't delve beyond the realization that those were the first pirates he had seen and that he hoped all of his meetings with that ilk proved equally harmless. Instead, he turned his thoughts back to the sea and perhaps, just a little, toward romantic daydreams. Another day passed and the ship slid ever nearer to its destination over the smooth seas. The weather had been nearly perfect with a steady wind blowing in the direction that they wished to travel under balmy, clear skies.

Jerrod was once more on deck gazing off into the distance, when he once again heard the lookout call, "Sail ho, just over the horizon bearing south by southwest!"

This time the captain was on deck. "Can you make out anything else about her?" he called.

"Yes sir," his crewman shouted back. "Strike me if she doesn't appear to be the same ship as yesterday, sir. Same sail configuration and silhouette. Those pirates are getting bold as brass these days."

"It would seem that they have forgotten the battle of Wolf Cove," the captain muttered. "The buccaneers should know better, either they are stupider or more bold than I would have deemed or there is some pressing need that pushes them along our route."

Just as before, it wasn't long ere the call came from the crow's nest once more. "She's sheering off, captain. Look's like she doesn't want to get too close."

Soon, the corsairs had dipped below the horizon, but Jerrod couldn't help the feeling of foreboding that now gripped him tightly within its grasp. It appeared as if they were being followed, but how did the pirates know when they had left Rendor, and why would they want to follow a naval vessel that apparently was their acknowledged superior in combat? Perhaps he'd better mention this to Urki and the others. Together they might be able to come up with an answer or two.

That he wanted to discuss things with Urki struck Jerrod as remarkable. It had only been a few days earlier that he had withheld information from the warrior for fear of his acerbic wit. Responsibility seemed to have mellowed the sellsword, however. Ever since the five adventurers going to the Isle of Mists had boarded Wavestrider, Urki had been relatively restrained in indulging in his sense of humor. Apparently, his sense of duty was far stronger than his need to jest. The change in Urki had resulted in growing trust and comfort being placed in the young warrior's leadership by the others, including Jerrod. Secretly, Jerrod was relieved that he hadn't been sent in search of the trail that led through the pirates' lair. He still hadn't told anyone about those fears that he had held back from Ordolf and Urki as the companions sailed on the Mermaid's Tit, even though his foreboding had gotten stronger when they had decided to split the party in two.

His worries about the pirate craft that seemed to be shadowing them were a different matter, however. There was something tangible on which to base his trepidation. Besides, Urki seemed far more sympathetic to Jerrod now than he had last week. Jerrod nodded to himself as he moved toward the hatch which led to their cabins.

Wavestrider was a far more spacious ship than was the Mermaid's Tit. There were three guest cabins and, after two of the officers of the ship had been moved in with two of their colleagues to accommodate the adventurers, Jerrod and each of his companions had their own cabin. So instead of going to his own cabin to find Urki as he would have had to do on their last voyage, once he had gone below, Jerrod walked down the companion way to Urki's private chamber and knocked.

"Come!" called Urki.

Jerrod entered and saw the warrior bent over several maps and charts scanning them intently. All of them seemed extremely old and worn and, from what Jerrod could tell, they were decorated with fanciful beasts along their edges. The maps were scattered across a large table upon which was also set a single candle for illumination.

"Ah, come in, Jerrod, come in! What can I do for you?" Urki asked. No jokes. No jibes. Jerrod had seen a silent struggle going on on the warrior's face, so evidently there was still at least a trace of the old wag in Urki, but no jape escaped the young warrior's lips. Still, the evidence of the latent humorist that was still lurking within Urki put Jerrod a little more on his guard than he had been out on deck. Urki was making a valiant attempt to master his impulses, though, and so far he was succeeding. So despite the boost that his wariness had received from the visible conflict that had flashed across his companion's features, Jerrod decided to give his comrade the benefit of the doubt.

"Well," began the mage, "It isn't so much a case of what you can do for me, as what I need to tell you. It isn't a request for advice on love," Jerrod smile ruefully and Urki grinned, "or anything like that. I thought I should warn you that it appears as if we are being shadowed by a pirate vessel."

"What?!!" Urki blurted. "Why didn't the captain tell me this earlier? How long have you known?"

"That's just it, we just found out," Jerrod replied. The ship appeared yesterday late yesterday afternoon and disappeared almost as soon as we saw and identified it. No one thought much about it because it looked as if it was just a pirate out in search of a victim and, when they saw what their search had found, decided that a more congenial sort of quarry was called for. Then we saw it again. That was just a few moments ago. It did the same thing. It appeared briefly on the horizon and then disappeared again. I came straight down to let you know after its image dwindled into the distance."

"Hmmm, well, I suppose there's nothing for it, but I wish that people, especially the captain, would think to keep me informed of things that might affect the mission. After all, I am in supposed to be in command of the damn thing," Urki growled. "Oh well, tell me lad, what is known of this piratical vessel?"

"Naught, or nearly so. It appears as if it is a warship. More than that though I haven't heard, except that it showed no colors," said Jerrod in response.

"And there was only the one?" asked Urki.

"Yes, so far as the lookout could see."

"That's just it, my friend, it was `so far' as the lookout could see." A look of predatory concentration had suffused the features of the mercenary. "The trick is to see a little bit further. Now, why would a single pirate ship be shadowing a Rendorian warship. Are the pirates better sailors than the ilfs? Do they expect a quick and easy victory?"

Jerrod shook his head.

"No. That's right, they don't look on the Wavestrider as easy prey. Perhaps they look at it as rich prey then?" Urki asked didactically.

"I don't see why they would," Jerrod replied realizing that Urki was giving him a lesson in tactics. "Warships rarely carry much booty."

"No, that's right. Warships rarely carry anything of value -- except occasionally people. And if a warcraft is carrying valuable people, then it is probably one of the better ships in a navy's fleet. Not something a lone pirate would want to attack. So why would a single corsair be following a ship of the line, eh, Jerrod? Answer me that," Urki scowled.

"Uh, perhaps, they know our mission, but don't know where it is that we are going. So they are following us and, when they learn our destination, then they will try to beat us to our goal," Jerrod suggested.

"That is a definite possibility, boyo. A definite possibility. The Isle of Mists is difficult enough to locate even when you know what you are looking for and have excellent resources available," Urki said indicating the charts scattered throughout the chamber. "If you are right, though, it implies a frighteningly good knowledge of our activities on the part of our foes. But that doesn't answer my question. You missed the emphasis. The question is why would a single enemy vessel be shadowing us."

Jerrod, slightly abashed, shrugged.

"Nothing to be ashamed of Jerrod," Urki smiled. "You saw much that most would miss. No, the answer is both simple and difficult to grasp. The answer is: it would not. No, single pirate ship would remain near a naval warcraft by choice. If it was out on a regular raiding foray, it would disappear as soon as it realized that danger lurked. If it was sent to do us specifically harm, it is clearly not easily up to the task. We are on a top-notch war vessel of the Rendorian fleet, a single buccaneer, no matter how talented, would be unable to overmatch her on the sea or even once we landed."

"So, what you are saying is that there isn't one ship following us, there are at least two and perhaps even more?" Jerrod paled slightly.

"You have the right of it I deem, Jerrod. There is more than one of them out there. And I think you had the right of it earlier as well, they seek the blade on the Isle Mists just as we do, but they know its location not. I wonder if they know what exactly it is that they seek or perhaps know only that we seek something of great worth?" Urki mused. "Well, Jerrod, the answer to that last we cannot know at present. We do know that the buccaneers are there. And I'll wager that they'll wait to see exactly where it is we travel ere they make their move. It seems to me that we should arrange an appropriate greeting for them when get there, what do you think?"

At Jerrod's answering nod, Urki continued, "Well then, we'd best be about it hadn't we. Do me a favor, my friend, tell Captain Frothbreaker that I would deem it wise if we were to have a conference on this matter. Ask him to come here to speak with me as soon as his duties permit." With that the warrior went back to his perusal of the maps that he had been studying when Jerrod entered.

* * * * *

The last three days of the voyage passed with the same strange cat-and-mouse game between the pirate craft and the ilvan warship continuing that had begun seven days after Wavestrider had left port. Every day just before twilight the pirate ship would appear on the horizon in the direction of the setting sun. It would disappear nearly as quickly as it had come, apparently only making a visual check to ensure that its quarry was still on the course that it had been.

There was an important difference between the games a cat plays with a mouse and the one that was being played out between the corsairs and Wavestrider, however. This ilvan "mouse" had claws and teeth and the "cat" didn't dare come too close. That would certainly change shortly when the company reached its destination, but, for now, the buccaneers were content to stay well away from the ilvan vessel.

When Wavestrider at last came to the site that seemed to be indicated on the charts and maps that Urki had been studying so avidly, it was late afternoon on the day of the beginning of the full moon. Urki fervently hoped that the spot they had sailed to was the place where the Isle of Mists was to appear. The charts had been very vague, but between his own skills and those of Frothbreaker, the young warrior was fairly confident that they had correctly determined the location of the phantom island. He couldn't be completely certain, however, and if they had calculated wrongly the treasure reputed to be on the Isle would be lost for another thousand years. The quests that the eight companions had set out upon would be crippled if not doomed and Seremoreh and the rest of Zemelia quite probably lost to the tyranny of Iskandar and his hordes. Yet, if he and Frothbreaker had been too successful, they might be right on top of the spot where the island would reemerge and who knew what would happen if it did so with the ship occupying its space. So it was with some relief that Urki detected a shimmering as of a mist beginning to form about two thousand strides off of the port bow of Wavestrider as evening began to fall.

The other adventurers soon gathered on deck. Berit and Jerrod were the first to arrive, having detected a disturbance in the mana even before the ilvan lookout noticed what Urki had seen and called out the information. Brianna followed on their heels, her shamanic senses a little less attuned to this particular kind of disruption of the mana flow than were those of the two mages. Derazha followed moments later when she heard the call of the lookout.

"It would appear that our calculations were correct," Urki said to the gathered adventurers as the island itself began to peek through the thickening bank of fog. "There it is, the Isle of Mists. It is clear how it became so named. I wonder whether it holds the Sword of Might or some other token of power? Nearly as pivotal, what dangers are there to guard its hidden treasure? Well, surely there will be much that is at present unknown to us to discover there, but I ween that the first thing that we had better do is prepare our welcome for our piratical friends. I don't doubt but that they will be paying us a visit shortly."

"This is my plan. It is something of a double ambush. One on land and one at sea. Brianna, I know that you have magic, but I've never seen you cast a spell. Can you cast one which can kill many foes at once? Or perhaps you command fire?" the young warrior asked.

The shaman shook her head. "I can not do either. Doing harm to another with my magic is not a skill I possess. And I have little use for fire in the art of healing. That is why I carry an axe."

Urki frowned, "That creates a bit of a problem. While your axe will be needed on the shore, I had planned on using your magical talents to help even the odds, for I believe that we will be outnumbered and I am certain that we will have need of spell like that which Ordolf cast at the Laughing Cavalier in Nova Ekirigilio."

Brianna smiled, "I did not say that my magic was useless in combat, only that I could not command fire or cast a spell which directly harms another." The cleric continued, "I do have a spell I think can be converted to the sort of use you suggest. "I can cast a version of the spell I used on you and the others when I healed you after the battle. I am certain that I can cause our foes to lapse into a deep slumber that will render them useless for combat."

Urki breath a sigh of relief, "That's something of a bonus. I'd counted on you for the fire, Jerrod. I know you can start fires, but if Brianna had not the ability to neutralize several of the foe at once, I would have had to alter my plans. At any rate, I may as well ask: can you kill large numbers at once with any of your magic?"

"I suppose I can in theory. I don't know about in practice though, I've never tried anything like that in combat," replied the younger mage.

Urki turned to the newest of the companions, "What about you, Berit? You are reputed to be magically inclined. Can you light fires or perhaps warp wood from a distance?"

"Yes, either or both. Why?" asked the ilf.

"As I said, I had something of a double ambush in mind. While we have only seen one pirate ship at any one time, I have reason to believe that there are at least two and perhaps more pirate vessels dogging us. I suspect that they will send a landing party to shore which will far outnumber our party, so that they may either take our prize from us or go and capture it themselves. I want to wait for that landing party in the fringe of the jungle just past the beach with Derazha, Brianna, and a party of ilvan marines from Wavestrider. As they are landing, we break cover and slay them. It's a simple plan, but it gives both the advantage of surprise and that of favorable terrain when we face our foes. They still will almost certainly outnumber us and our edges may not be sufficient. That is why I want a puissant spellcaster who can defeat many at once with me. Since Brianna is both such a spellcaster and a warrior, I'd like her to accompany me. Derazha's prowess in combat also makes her indispensable on the beach, so I deem she should be by my side as well."

"What about me?" Jerrod and Berit both blurted at once.

The warrior smiled. "I was coming to that. We will be outnumbered by at least two to one at sea as well. That is why I am asking Frothbreaker to sail away with the two of you as soon as his marines and the three of us are ashore."

The young mage and the ilvan wizard chimed in unison once more, "What?!"

Urki's smile turned to a grin, "Don't worry, I'm not sending the two of you to bed so the grownups can play!"

The young mercenary winked. "No, as I was saying I'm sending Frothbreaker and the two of you away, so the pirate ships will be caught between Wavestrider and the Isle when you sail back. Frothbreaker assures me that Wavestrider can defeat a single pirate vessel easily. It might even be able to defeat two. I believe that the corsairs must know this and have either sent their best two ships or have sent more to ensure themselves that Wavestrider will end up at the bottom of the sea. That is why I want you two aboard her."

Seeing the look of consternation on the faces of the two youngest members of the part, Urki laughed. "No, not so you can earn a watery grave. So you can take care of the reinforcements that would be beyond the captain and his crew. I thought you might burn a ship with that firestarting spell I saw you use on the way to Pond Eddy, Jerrod. Do you think that you can?"

"I think I can do better than just start a little fire like that one, Urki. I believe I can arrange for the whole ship to catch fire at once!" Jerrod responded excitedly.

"Good, my friend, good. That takes care of one of the pirate ships then." Urki said as he clapped Jerrod on the shoulder and turned to Berit, "Can you do something similar? Or at least sink another ship should on appear, lady Berit?"

The ilvan maiden nodded. "Perhaps not spectacularly as Jerrod, but I believe I can send a pirate ship to the bottom of the ocean. It will tax my strength almost to the breaking point though to do so from a distance. I will be good for naught else for many hours after."

"It should suffice. Should we need you to do more after that, well, sink me if we wouldn't be in a great deal of trouble if that were the case." Urki scowled and continued. "We all know our roles now. If there are no questions or objections, let us get to it."

There was little time before the buccaneers appeared if they followed their old pattern. It was nearly sunset so Urki, Derazha, and Brianna took two boats ashore with Wavestrider's complement of marines and secreted themselves in the fringes of the woods along the beach. Moments after they had gone, the lookout on Wavestrider called out a warning when he saw a pirate sail appear on the edge of the horizon. Frothbreaker signaled the news to those ashore and then ordered his crew to make ready to get underway. Soon, the anchor was back aboard and the sails were rigged. By the time the ship was ready to sail, two more corsairs had appeared on the skyline.

Jerrod watched the pirates while Wavestrider's crew attempted to appear convincing in their role of a ship that was fleeing from a superior foe. The corsairs seemed to be buying the ruse as Urki had hoped they would. Things looked to be going well. Something about the raider flotilla bothered Jerrod though. He peered closer to see if he could determine exactly what was troubling him. As he did so, he realized what it was. There was some sort of spell covering the pirates. Focusing his spirit and muttering an incantation, Jerrod cast his senses toward the marauders.

Gradually, Jerrod began to penetrate the enchantment adhering to the pirate vessels without alerting their mage to his presence. It was less difficult than he had feared to pierce the veil that covered the foe. Although the spell was the work of a powerful spellcaster, it was shamanic not hermetic in nature and so had a less than rigorous structure. It also seemed to be a simple ward that was not actively being tended by its maker. Jerrod insinuated his senses through the fabric of the enchantment. As he did so, a vision different from that which his eyes alone had shown him began to come into focus. There were not three ships in the corsair flotilla, but four, five, no, six vessels.

"Berit," the young mage called. "Cast your astral senses toward the buccaneers. What do you espy when you see them?"

The ilvan maiden did as she was bid. "There is a spell covering their squadron. It is a spell of deception. It hides one ship for everyone that appears. Jerrod, that means that there are six enemy warcraft approaching! We may be foredone! Can we warn Urki and at least give him a fighting chance?"

The mage replied, "I don't see how we may other than perhaps to attack them right away rather than fleeing as Urki has ordered. That will let him know that something is wrong at least a few minutes ere he would realize it on his own. Little enough, but I don't see what more we can do unless you know the communication spell which the archmages use and can use it with a non-participatory subject."

Berit looked at Jerrod a little strangely, "That I do not. Do you believe that the captain will accede to your request?"

"It isn't a request. Wavestrider is under our command for this quest. Frothbreaker must do as we say," said abstractedly as he stared out at the approaching enemy.

Berit shook her head and sighed admiringly at the mage and his resolve. "I don't know of he will see it quite that way, but I'm sure you will convince him, Jerrod."

Jerrod nodded, still fully absorbed in whatever he was planning, as he started toward the afterdeck. Berit followed as the young mage headed toward Captain Frothbreaker like an avalanche heading for a tree.

The captain looked up to see Jerrod suddenly looming over him. "What is it Jerrod? I don't really have time for your questions right now. As you might have noticed, there are a few more pirates than we had anticipated and we need to devise an alternate plan for I don't know that the current version will work."

Jerrod nodded vigorously, "Exactly. But the situation is more dire than you know. There are six ships approaching, not three. There is a mage aboard the pirate squadron who has hidden half of their number."

Without pausing for breath the mage continued, "Now, the first thing we must do is warn Urki, although he will now soon enough, every extra moment of awareness is as valuable as gold. So what I want you to do is abandon the ruse of fleeing. We must engage them now and slay as many as we may ere we fall. That will mean fewer will get to the shore to cross blades with Urki and the others. If we slay enough, perhaps they will flee altogether or, barring that, be few enough for the shore party to defeat."

"I have no intention of doing as you suggest, youngster!" the captain cried indignantly. "We don't stand a chance should we follow such a suicidal plan, and I may have to take orders from your colleague on shore, but I certainly do not have to sacrifice my ship on the advice of a wet-behind-the-ears, scruffy young mage's apprentice who doesn't even have an inkling of how to fight a naval battle!"

"Perhaps not, captain, although I think if you examine your orders a bit more carefully than you seem to have at present, you will realize you are wrong and you are subject to my guidance. However, I think that even if you simply think about the situation, you will change your mind. Listen, we are all here to rebind Iskandar. This blade that is on the Isle here is reputed to be one of the keys. We need to acquire it at all costs. Barring that, we must prevent Iskandar's minions from bringing it to their terrible lord. Should that happen he is one step closer to freedom and our doom. We must not, we can not, let that happen even if it should mean your life, my life, all of our lives. We must cripple the pirate fleet ere they can land. Urki must have a chance to defeat them on shore!"

Frothbreaker looked stricken. On the one hand there was his ship. He did not wish to send her forth on a what seemed as if it would surely be a suicide mission. On the other hand, he did not wish to be responsible for Iskandar's ultimate triumph.

"What about you? From what I understand, none of you may fall or your entire plan fails and Iskandar triumphs anyway," the captain said, reaching for any straw that might save his ship.

The young mage shook his head, "True, he may. But mayhap it will take longer and the victory will not be some complete as it would should the vile wight get his hands on any one of the keys to the chains that bind him. No, we must warn Urki and slay as many of the foe as we can ere we fall, for if we do not Urki and the others will be slain and the blade will be lost to Iskandar's minions. My companions are as important as I in the final confrontation with the archlich, and there are three of them ashore, so should they fall the world will be far worse off than it would should I alone be slain. Finally, should we lose the blade here we will never recover it. You must do as I say, captain. There is no other option."

Finally understanding that the quest that he had been sent upon was real and not just a final test of his skills by Astall, Jerrod knew in his heart that what he was telling Frothbreaker was the truth. If they did not attack the pirates now in contravention of Urki's stratagem, all would be lost. So it was not odd that he breathed a sigh of relief when Frothbreaker grudgingly nodded his agreement to a plan that would almost surely mean the death of all who were still aboard Wavestrider.