270 Oarbreaker

Arthur kept his one good eye on the Wismarine galleys, stifling his breath that could very well be one of his last. They were just dots in his vision, tiny like pollen. But the scouts assured him that the dots were indeed Wismarine galleys. There were more of the Wismarines than the Borondians and Castoniand combined. The Wismarines were well-positioned but everybody assured him that their side had surprise. That would be enough they said. Arthur doesn't know.

"Ashkara guide us Arthur" Ventil said. He didn't know if he should be happy with that. Ventil said that he could trust him. But could he really? If only Lucia was here. She would know.

"Do you really believe in Ashkara?"

"My faith is firm. May his wings flap us into an everlasting flight."

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"I'm sorry. I still cannot believe that the Vice Duke of Borondi takes the Wismarine faith. Why are you telling me of this anyway?"

"To convert you of course." Ventil held his two burly arms around his chest. "I have seen the wind in your spirit Arthur. Ashkara doesn't demand purity like the Omniscient. I think you'll like him."

Arthur cringed on Ventil's poor attempt of preaching. He kept his one eye on the Vice Duke until a soldier went to their front and saluted. Arthur recognized the soldier to be the same Castonian as yesternight.

"The Castonian navy is prepared sire. Awaiting orders."

Arthur looked up to Ventil and the Vice Duke shrugged. "You are the prince of the Union here, not me."

Yes, I am. But what should I do?

Arthur turned his look at the Castonian. He made his face stern though he probably looked stupid in doing so.

"Follow the Borondian galleys. Do not attempt to fight the Wismarines."

"And if some of our vessels gets caught?" The Castonian asked.

"Then..." Arthur again looked up to Ventil. "Rescue them?"

"No we should leave them. Better to lose one or two galleys than losing the entire fleet." Ventil said.

"Well er, yes. Leave them. A sad thing but necessary."

Vulture began to slid on water in a moment. The sails were raised high. The rowers were heaving their oars in rhythm with the beating of the drums.

The entire fleet moved, coursing toward the harbor of Holm. The sea cried splashes as the keels split the water. The Borondians, thirty-one galleys in all, were on the front while the sixteen Castonian galleys were sailing in the rear.

Their sailing hastened with time. They were flying amidst the waves. The strong wind aided their plight. The whole fleet streaked.

Arthur felt like he had wings. The wind ruffled his hair. They could reach in time without worrying about the Wismarines. They could enter the harbor without losing a single man.

And then the Wismarine galleys turned. Most of them were beached but a huge number were on the water.

The Wismarine galleys sailed to block their approach. More than fifty were on the way. Arthur gulped. We are going to die, aren't we?

"Double pace!" Ventil shouted to the sailors of Vulture.

The beating of the drums grew quicker. The rowing became more rigorous. Sweat and saltwater dripped from the muscled rowers, their arms heaving the oars.

"We can make it!" Ventil said, voice booming. "Winds guide us, we can break through them!"

The Wismarine galleys were sailing toward them now instead of blocking their way. They are meaning to sink us all! Arthur worried.

One of the Wismarine galleys, a warship with eyes painted on its front hull, was heading directly toward Vulture. The ram on its bow was the length of a two men and made of iron it seems. Its speed matched that of the Vulture. The two galleys would soon collide.

"Steady!" Ventil shouted. "Steady!"

Arthur's heartbeat slowed. Or maybe it was time itself that slowed. He could see every drop of seawater splashed by Vulture's keel. He could recognize the fear and anguish on the sailors' faces. He could smell salt wafting around his nose. He could hear every splash, every waddle in the water.

"Turn!" Ventil's shout snapped him from the trance. The rowers on the right raised their oars and a smaller sail was raised. Wind blew on that sail, stretching it tight.

Vulture rocked, swaying to the left and then to the right. Arthur almost fell but held on the side in time.

And then an explosion. Woods splintered as Vulture's ram hit the Wismarine's side. The cracking of the wood was thunder. Arthur was thrown forward by the force, his face sliding on the wet hull of the galley.

The sight on his one good eye dimmed. The taste of blood was strong on his tongue. Omniscient what in the arse happened?

The crew cheered. Why? Why are they cheering? That was horrible. Terrifying. Insane. Crazy!

Something grabbed Arthur up through the cloth of his coat. He was dazed but he recognized that it was Ventil. The Vice Duke's hair was wet with the sea. His sleeves were folded, showing those thick arms Arthur was envious of.

"Are you alright?"

"What happened?" Arthur forced that reply through his bloody mouth.

"We rammed them. We rammed them bastards hard. Look!"

Arthur turned his head around. The Wismarine galley was split in half. The sailors were drowning and screaming and dying. Chunks of wood were floating on the surface, some men clinging to to them.

The Vulture again sailed, tamer this time. Arthur looked behind, meaning to see if the other galleys made it.

Two Castonian galleys were sinking. Three were damaged and one was being boarded. The Borondians lost one but three were badly damaged. The Wismarine side fared worse. About eleven were sinking and several more were damaged.

"You can't have this in land battles Arthur" Ventil was smiling. Why is he smiling!? "The thrill of a naval engagement pounds my heart with ecstasy. You Vanadians think that you own the sea. Well that might be true but your way of fighting at sea is boring. Hellfire this hellfire that. Hah! Ashkara guide me. That is not naval battle. Good old ramming is."

Arthur could never understand what he was saying. But at least his doubts about Ventil eased. Ventil's faith didn't stop him from sinking those Wismarine galleys.

"Think what you want but Hellfire is supreme. It burns despite being in water."

Ventil clicked his tongue to that. "Ashkara guide you Arthur. My opinion remains, Hellfire is boring."

The enemies were now sending their whole fleet. There were too many of them to fight, even Arthur could see that. The Borondian and Castonian galleys again sailed at full speed toward the harbor.

"Can we make it?" Arthur asked.

"The chain is still raised. You informed them about us right?"

"I wrote three letters. They know."

"But why is the chain still there? We cannot enter with that chain dangling on the mouth of the harbor."

"I don't know" Arthur looked at the chain.

They were close now, a couple thousand paces or so. The Wismarines were hot on their tails. One more Castonian galley was grappled and boarded and another Borodian was rammed.

"We will be slaughtered Arthur!" Ventil shouted. "Why aren't they raising the chain?"

Arthur had no answer for that. He, too, was worried that Holm wouldn't let them inside. His father wouldn't let him die, would he? No he wouldn't. No. He may be inferior to Lucia but he was still a royal of Vanadis. He did his responsibility. He was...

The chain dropped, opening the harbor to them. Catapults then sprang flaming projectiles. Hellfire, Arthur knew. Dozens of flaming projectiles arched into the Wismarine ships, hitting most and burning twelve. Such was the power of Vanadis at sea.

The Wismarines scrambled back but the catapults didn't give them reprieve. A second wave of catapults flung their loads into the enemy galleys. Arthur didn't saw how many burned this time. He had seen the might of Hellfire before and he must say that old ramming action was part of the past in naval encounters. Hellfire's might made sure of that.

What remained of their fleet entered the harbor. The largest harbor in the world looked empty without the Vanadian navy moored.

The Borondians and Castonians were exhausted and bleeding. Most galleys needed repair. But they were safe.

They disembarked and for the first time in months, Arthur felt Holm beneath his wet boots. It was the same beauty he grew up in.

His father met him with an embrace in one of the docks. He was still the same perfumed old man with fine clothes.

"You must be terrified my boy."

I am. I am terrified to my bones. Omniscient's arse. I am shaking.

"Terrified?" He chuckled "No. Why should I be? That was easy. I came to reinforce you father. With the power of Borondi and Greenwater by our side we could..."

Arthur was interrupted by Ventil. The Vice Duke stepped to them. On his hand was a sword, glinting sharp. Ventil looked at his father and then at Arthur himself.

"Many of my men are still fresh and I'm sure the Castonians can still stand. Where should we go?"