Seaborn Chapter 68

What could possibly go wrong Gerald had said. Climbing up to the main deck, every glance sent my way was a reminder of what could go wrong. Thankfully either their fear of or their desire to be ho without any further incident had pushed them to go along with Billings promise not to fight.

Not because I was particularly worried about losing. The best fighters on this ship were already dead. No, I didnt want to risk any more faces in my nightmares than were already there.

The first mate now Captain had removed my fathers body from the quarterdeck, wrapping it and placing it in storage below. I walked into the broken remains of my fathers cabin, a dozen sets of eyes following my entry but no one daring to get in my way.

This was the room where my father and had had spent most of our ti together. Fitting, I suppose, that it should be broken too. Still, seeing it in the light of the destructive explosion my father had caused was saddening even if my father had hated this assignnt hed still carried ntos of his career with him here. They were no broken or scattered.

I suppose I would never know what my father had been thinking when hed thrown that alchemical bomb I assud thats what it was, anyway did he have a ans of protection from it that hadnt worked as intended, leaving him more damaged than hed been prepared for? Had he simply thought he could tank the damage, and Dom couldnt? Had he ant not to survive the blast at all?

That was a sad consideration indeed: that a father would try a murder/suicide on his own son.

Toeing through the broken kindling and nudging the shattered glass aside, I glanced at the remains of my fathers liquor supply. There hadnt seed like much was left, but it had certainly made a pungent ss. Looking in the corner of his cabinet, so books Id seen before caught my eye. I pulled them down and brushed the glass off before reading the covers.

One was a manual on naval tradition. It had the look of a very old, favorite copy. Another was a codified list of regulations and punishnts for infractions. I was sure my father knew this one well, however little use it had seen over our voyage.

Two others were skill books: The Principles of Sound as Applied to Air Magic and Unlocking and Refining Efficient Communication Spells. My fathers specialization

Steps approaching from outside the cabin had dropping my ruminations on fathers learning even as I dropped the books into my adventurers bag, making them disappear. I claid them as my inheritance.

Mr. Seaborn, Billings Captain Billings said from the doorway. Is there sothing I can do for you?

As first mate the man had ignored everything he possibly could, and now he chose to butt in? I was just looking through my fathers effects. No need to trouble yourself.

Im afraid these effects are under my custody until they can be claid by the late Captains house or remanded to the navy. Billings said, showing the most spine Id ever seen out of him. Ill ask that you leave them be.

I could push the issue, but I hadnt really co for any loot. Even the books Id taken hadnt been sothing Id expected, though now that I had them I wasnt going to give them up.

Very well, Captain. I suppose I should ntion that I have taken both the Tarish cook and the orc prisoner under my protection.

The prisoner is the property of the royal court

Billings, I said, moving closer to the man. To his credit he didnt flinch. His majesty declared war on after Id saved his daughter. Ive since sunken a dozen of his ships, and the only reason the Isa hasnt been added to that count is because of my rcy. Now, you can tell his majesty in person that Im the one who took his forr prisoner. See what a difference it makes. Billings looked away. For so reason I had the urge to lighten his burden and attempted a jest. If youd like, you can say I told you to pass along all kinds of nasty things. It could be your one chance in your life to cuss out a king!

By the look he gave , my attempt at humor hadnt worked on him. Ah well, I for one wouldnt pass up the chance to have a few choice words with the man in charge.

Before I exited, Billings asked a question I couldnt quite hear.

What was that?

I said, was he really your father?

My face tightened, my unbalanced features turning into sothing truly unpleasant before I forcibly relaxed. He disowned . I dont expect this to be believed, but I forgave him for everything before the end. The end was at his insistence, not mine.

I didnt know if he just didnt believe or if my Patricide title was at play, but I didnt like the look in Billings eye when I turned away. I resolved not to underestimate him the way I had Lockwood.

It would be a tricky thing, getting near enough to Antarus to get a ship I needed without letting the Isa sail straight to the nearest port and spreading the alert about . I didnt intend to just let the ship do that, but if I left them to their own devices I had to assu theyd be clever enough to get the word out faster than I wanted them to. I could renege on our agreent, but my reasons for not killing everyone still stood, and I would feel even worse about doing it after having made a bargain with them.

The moons were high, and close to touching each other in the night sky. Uropa would start eclipsing Callis soon. As I often did when things were on my mind, I pondered the heavenly bodies while musing over my own thoughts.

Callis and Uropa each pushing and pulling the tides their own way. Like my father and I. Like Jones and I.

Jones and I werent quite through. I had broken away from him, but I wasnt entirely free. That would be sothing that would have to be rectified. First though, I had obligations and promises to keep.

The first being to Hali. Shed offered hope when I was at my lowest, I couldnt refuse helping her when she was the one in need.

My crew was still out there too. Apparently they were going undetected from any pursuit, but they were still cursed and tied to the Deaths Consort. Id promised them freedom, once, and I intended to learn how to give it back to them. Even though they had all turned on , I owed that to them.

Burdette now for at least one of my mutinous crew freedom wouldnt an much. I intended to make that conniving, subversive eel pay for his role in the ships downfall.

Mr. Seaborn? said one of the crew from a respectful distance behind . I turned to find Travis, the sailor with such a heavy accent. The man knuckled his brow. Beggin yer pardon, sir. I was picked to talk with ya. See, a few things co up in awkward spaces like this; an we need to know iffin theres any rules you have or spaces ya want set all off-limits like, see?

I understand, Travis. I will be moving with the orc to the forward artillery deck. I do not expect anyone to need to use the ballistae, and that should open up the other spaces to be used. I think it best that the crew doesnt try to interact with the three of us, wouldnt you say?

Yessir, that does sound like a good idea. We all kinda figured that; and as I was picked fer it, Ill be the bloke acting as a middle-man for ya.

Im sure that will do, pass along our arrangent to the Captain. Please note that he understands if anything of importance occurs, I will be going to him. You understand ?

Eh yessir. I think I follow where yer towing. If youll, uh excuse

The man scampered off directly to Billings cabin, apparently to give his report imdiately. I took one last look at the stars before going below and helping Jorgagu move the items he was enchanting to the artillery deck. The orc was taking advantage of his semi-free position to enchant things that he wanted to enchant, and as much as I wanted to ask him about it I instead fell asleep while Gerald stood watch.

We made it three days without trouble. For three days I kept a tab on what was happening in the ship through my domain, and if there were any sneaky things going on I couldnt sense them that way.

What tipped my hat to trouble wasnt any clandestine etings or stealthily arming the crew, it was the lack of response to sothing new. Through my domain, I sensed the lookout in the crows nest from where I reclined in a nest near the prow on the artillery deck. The lookout was waving, and once he got the attention he was looking for began signaling.

They were avoiding making any shouts. They had spotted ships on the horizon, and rather than call out that information or running to about the protection Id promised them from the Madu, they were trying to keep it under wraps.

Gerald, I said, nudging the dozing Tarish. Jorgagu had deliberately worked while I slept and slept while I kept watch, but the Tarish it seed had a previously undiscovered skill the ability to lightly doze nearly around the clock when he had nothing better to do. (Id forbidden him from working in the kitchen because it was too easy to be cornered, and he hadnt objected likely because of what had happened when he was last in there.)

Hmm? He asked, awake nearly instantly.

Get him up, I said, nodding my head to the orc. Expect trouble.

Gerald didnt second guess . I cast my movent buffs and checked the blades I still had concealed on , but didnt draw a weapon or make any other overt move. I took a deep breath and stolled onto the main deck.

Imdiately, the man in the crows nest stopped his signaling and went back to scanning the horizon quickly turning about so he was scanning the opposite horizon instead. Everyone on deck was on their toes and watching , for all that they acted casual. Ignoring them, I strolled to the prow.

Far in the distance were sails. With my theory confird, I paid close attention to what the crew was doing. They were all looking at , apart from the one who went to Billings cabin to pass the news.

Sothing was happening, and I knew about it.

This charade couldnt last. I strolled to the hatch Id co from and called for my companions to co up. They did, just as Billings appeared on deck.

On one hand I was glad the man was coming out himself. I wanted to hear from him what he had to say. On the other hand, I wished hed remained the spineless man hed been the first few weeks. We might have avoided trouble that way.

Captain, I said diplomatically. Would you are to explain the situation?

Weve spotted a ship on the horizon, Mr. Seaborn.

I exploded with curses, none of which made the man even blink. What have you done, Billings? Im trying to turn over a new chapter and be rciful but you seem intent on reinforcing my life lesson that rcy only brings trouble!

The late Captain Darius had secretly learned of your identity, Billings said calmly. He had reached out to the fleet days before you confronted him. You demanded we sail for Antarus I simply said nothing when I discovered there were ships heading our way looking for you.

I growled, but the man hadnt broken the terms of our agreent technically. Captain, you will take the crew below decks and stay there until you are released.

Mr. Seaborn, now is the ti I think

GET BELOW, STORMS TAKE YOU! I bellowed, making the man finally flinch. He hesitated, glancing at the ship on the horizon, before looking defiantly at once more and ordering his n below. For their part, they didnt hesitate more than a mont. They knew that even if I didnt target them, a battle was brewing with the incoming ship and they wanted to be inside the skin of the ship. I oversaw their descent with my domain, and didnt do more than grumble when I saw Billings order the ballistae loaded and turned towards the entrances. I guess I wasnt the only one to have thought of that before.

All the crew scurried below except one. One remained hidden, and not through any stealth abilities either. I quickly marched towards the ruins of the Captains cabin where hed ducked into and found Travis there. Didnt you hear say get below? I asked in a nacing voice.

I want to go with you! He replied, stopping my next ready intimidating phrase on my tongue and making my mouth fall open.

Go with I started to argue, then threw up my hands. I dont have ti for this! Storming out of the cabin, I pulled a spyglass out of my bag even as I directed Gerald and Jorgagu to make sure all the hatches below were well secured so no one could surprise us from below.

My spyglass found not one but two ships on the horizon. They were distant to each other apparently spread out in a wide net. You could see for miles on a flat ocean, and while that let see the incoming ships long in advance, it also let them cast a wide net.

What are we doing? Gerald called, shifting a heavy crate to cover a hatch.

Sothing I was going to wind up doing anyway, I said. I went into my list of professional abilities and picked the one I knew Id have to get sooner or later.

Summon crew

50,000

Spend mana to create a temporary magical construct to fill crew positions.

From the very beginning Id avoided spending the XP on the ability because the constructs I could summon would be inferior to a skilled crew. When I had a ship to manage, however, without a single able-bodied seaman besides myself, at least I had my profession to make up the difference. 50,000 points wasnt cheap, but between my quest rewards and those Id killed aboard the Isa, Justice, Mockingjay, and those ships before well, I could afford the second-cheapest professional ability on my list without fretting.

I purchased the ability and the knowledge to summon my crew ca to like my ability to raise ships had co to .

I held out my hand and magic flared. Seawater poured from like when I conjured freshwater, except this water filled into a humanoid shaped. It took only seconds for my creation to form, and soon I was looking at a watery reflection of myself. I couldnt quite see through the construct, and its details were unrefined, but it did match my own build.

Weirdly, I extended my arm to shake its hand, and the construct did. It didnt say anything it couldnt but it sohow knew that I wanted to shake hands and did so. Its grip was cold but didnt leave my hand wet. I estimated its strength to be about 10 why was I guesstimating that?

Summoned Construct

Level

1

Health

10

Mana

Stamina

N/A

Strength

10

Agility

10

Dexterity

10

Constitution

1

Endurance

N/A

Intelligence

N/A

Wisdom

N/A

Charisma

N/A

Luck

N/A

Id never seen so many not applicable stats, and it seed like a stiff breeze would knock their health down. It hadnt seed weak, though, and while its Intelligence and such being not applicable ant it had no capability for it, not having any stamina or Endurance spoke to not having a limit on those

In essence, Id summoned a creature with the strength and mobility of an average man, and which would work until it disappeared or took minor damage. How well they could function, however, was limited by my ability. If I could have them all function at my own level of seamanship, I would have gotten them rather than train a crew. There had never existed an entire crew with 19 levels in seamanship, and it would have been worth it.

However, my constructs were limited to a proficiency grade, putting them at around level 10 of seamanship. That was a solidly knowledgeable seaman, but I could train a crew to be better. I could also invest in the ability, but it would take a long ti and a whole lot of XP to raise their proficiency by much the next upgrade only dealt with the duration and health of the summons.

20 points of mana was the cost for a single construct, and they would work tirelessly for 8 hours the length of their summons. I gave the construct in front of an order, and it imdiately complied, heading to the line Id directed. Satisfied with its performance, I began summoning as many as I needed to man the ship.

Only after a dozen watery figures had appeared and rushed off did I realize Gerald and Jorgagu were both staring at .

What?

Gerald closed his mouth and Jorgagu simply shook his head.

Oh co on, you believe stories about the terrible Donic Seaborn destroying ships left and right but this surprises you?

Ive never seen a construct like that before, Gerald said.

Weak, Jorgagu interjected, demonstrating by taking a quick step towards one and swinging a pair of hard punches through it. The construct collapsed in a puddle.

Jorgagu! I snapped and lectured him in orcish. These are the things that are sailing us. You just cost mana, and I do not have extra. Do not warm by wasting more.

He glared at , but eventually relented. You ant insult not warm.

I replayed the words in my head and muttered an orcish curse under my breath. That made him smirk.

So, you have a crew of water now. Gerald said.

I do, were going to avoid those ships.

What about getting back to Antarus and rescuing Hali?

I intend to, but I have no idea how many ships are converging on us and I dont trust my abilities to take on whatever they throw at . They know Im here, rember.

But they were hoping to take you by surprise, right?

Presumably. Billings doesnt understand that this is less of a trap than an inconvenience, but my father would have. Hed have prepared them with strategies to attack if I wasnt caught by surprise, though. He was thorough in that regard.

Jorgagu grunted, and I didnt know what he ant by it.

So, Gerald said. Were hoping to slip around them?

We cant, I said in frustration. If I claid the ship I could just go under them, but Im not even sure they dont have a counter for that. Instead, were changing course.

Bandarn, Jorgagu said, tasting the word like it was a delicacy.

Bandarn, I confird. I dont think I can outrun them either, but I think I can get us to the coast of Bandarn. You two can go ashore, I can reevaluate, maybe give them so unpleasant surprises. Well see.

Youre sure?

I dont have many choices. Sure I could fight the ships and try to take one over but even if I succeed what then? They just reorient on that ship. Im in the sa position, and like I said I dont trust that I can take whatever they throw at .

So were in, Gerald said. Bandarn it is, well do whatever we need to afterwards. My father passed on a lot of stories of the place from my grandfather, Im curious to see how accurate they were.

Your family been there? Jorgagu asked in surprise.

I told you, it was only a few decades back the Tarish and orcs were having a war of their own. What do you think my grandfather was doing during that?

Jorgagu smiled. And I thought you co from weak family! Is good to know you have potential beyond what you are.

Gerald glared at him. I wanted to be a cook, thank you very much. Insult my family or my profession and well see how many debuffs you find yourself with after your next al!

I left them to squabble, not thinking theyd get too rough with it, and directed my crew of constructs to adjust the spars. We were changing course!

After 8 hours, my summons collapsed. I staggered out their summoning into shifts so they didnt all turn into puddles at once, and so that re-summoning didnt impact my mana pool so heavily. With my Wisdom I regenerated enough mana between shifts not to need any of my limited mana potions.

Billings had ard his n below and tested each of the hatches, but hadnt forced anything. The ships had honed in on us and a third joined the first two, but we were still ahead of them even as they closed the gap.

We maintained that gap for two more days. Two days of taking watches between the three of us and summoning constructs to keep the ship moving.

Travis stayed up top, and while I didnt trust him to take a shift with us, I didnt send him below either. I had a long discussion with him and discovered the man ca from a colony that was looked down upon and found himself at sea in the place of soone richer. He expected to be a basic deckhand until he died in so engagent or else was indentured after the war ended. He had never given any thought to fighting for a different side or escaping until I ca along. Sohow he liked despite my charisma issues, and rather than change his opinion when he found out who I was decided that Seaborn must not be such a bad fellow.

I didnt imdiately pull him into my crew, but with the story hed given I didnt actually object to him joining with his eyes wide open. I told him to think about it so more, as well as consider whether he thought hed be doing any better safety-wise by joining a man being hunted by half the nations on the ocean.

While Id wanted to reach the coast, even run the ship aground sowhere, the Isa with my constructs was not fast enough to outpace the fully staffed ships behind us. We were in range of one ship, and the second was coming up while I cursed at the chart I was hovering over, myself and my companions. I was upset, they were scared.

How long Gerald started.

Too long, I said. We have just under 100 miles until we hit the coast, and its deep water the whole way. Theres no shoals or anything I can use. The terrain is the open ocean, and unfortunately good weather.

So howd you escape situations like this before?

A magic ship. Even then it wasnt always unscathed.

Jorgagu growled and thumped his fist on the deck.

Could you do what you did to the Justice? I an, you single-handedly took on them

Im going to have to try! But theyre going to be ready for and focused on . Those are things that dont exactly push the odds in my favor. All they need is a few professional warriors buffed up by a mage and Im overwheld.

Ho, the Isa! Cried an amplified voice from our pursuit. Lacking any similar spell, I grabbed the horn and used the power of my lungs to shout back.

Ahoy there!

Cut speed and prepare to be boarded!

We cannot!

Let us speak with Captain Darius!

He cannot speak with you.

Let us speak with the officer in command!

It seed obvious to that this ship was not under naval command, no matter that Id left the flag flying. The constructs of water so obviously about the deck and rigging were not standard aboard the Isa, and Captain Darius had dropped out of communications with them days ago. When they sighted us we ran. I didnt understand what they were hoping to accomplish, it was obvious Id taken over. Still, I could be grateful they made the attempt rather than just opening fire.

The crew of the Isa is below decks. They will remain there for ransom, and be ransod peacefully, but only with one ship! Have the others drop back! Maybe I could buy so more ti, which equaled more distance. Worst case, I might convince them to put one of their ships out of position.

There was a pause while they considered what Id said. In my domain, I saw one of those crewn below stick their arms out the artillery holes and begin signaling. I marched to the side and shouted at him, and he ducked back in. Both ships were now in range.

Are we speaking with Captain Seaborn? Ca the reply.

You are, I declared.

We did not get another reply from them, only a bombardnt.

Ballista bolts flashed with professional skills enhancing them. Enchanted munitions rained down, and siege spells from mage teams reached out across the distance to slap us like a spurned lover.

I ducked next to Gerald and cast a water shield around the two of us. I wasnt able to make it any larger, but Jorgagu stepped in front of us and held up an item in each hand. A pearlescent shield sprang up around us, and then another two layered above it. Explosive bolts landing about the deck proved only a minor wear, but direct hits sapped more energy. A beam of light struck the shield and was reflected, but the damage still ate through the first line of defense. An arrow of all things struck the next layer, and while just the arrowhead penetrated, the pearlescent color of the shield darkened and then flickered, the entire layer of the shield disappearing. A fireball nearly the size of a jib sail hit the last shield and exploded in liquid fire that adhered to everything it touched, including the shield.

The orc gave a shout of rage and defiance even as I sensed the fire eating through the last shield his enchantnts could supply.

I dropped my own water shield and blasted upwards with air even as the last shield failed. My air push did not dissipate the unnatural flas, but they did push them away to land outside of the sphere of safety the orc had created for us.

I cursed as the heat from the burning ship washed over us, along with the screams of n below. Can you do that again? I shouted to Jorgagu.

No!

I cursed again. Looking up, I had so constructs still in the rigging, but all on deck had been destroyed. I set them to try and turn the ship to collide with our starboard pursuers. A glance showed that the pursuit wasnt done, just reloading and reorienting. With only one significant patch of the main deck not in flas, I could expect the next bombardnt to focus specifically on this spot.

Bloody magical opening strikes, I muttered as I summoned water whips to grab everyone and four more to grab one of the spars and jerk the combined weight of everyone through the air and over the side of the ship. Wed scarcely crossed over the gunwale when the next bombardnt of strikes landed where we just were, the force and heat of them pushing us away even as is scalded us.

I lost control over my flight with that force and started tumbling, so the sea engulfed while I was staring at the sky. I was ho again, even if it was with enemies on my doorstep.

I quickly oriented on the orc scrambling madly for the surface. Jorgagu had no skill with swimming, and while he probably could have held his breath for several minutes with his stats he panicked and was in danger of drowning. I ca up behind the large guy and grabbed him, dragging him to the surface.

Gerald was there, thankfully, already treading water. He wasnt a particularly skilled swimr, but he could tread water for a few minutes at least. Travis, too, seed to be able to hold his own.

The Isa had been set on a collision course with the starboard ship, though with the last of my constructs destroyed the vessel avoided it easily enough, coming alongside. I didnt know what they intended to do to it next or if they planned to try and save any of their n, but I didnt consider that my concern. The ship that had been coming up on the port side had seen us escape, and now that it saw us bobbing in the water was redirecting their next barrage.

Jorgagu, I said, sputtering as I used my ability to make the other three an offer. You have to join my crew!

Never! The orc said, declining my invitation. Travis imdiately accepted, and while Gerald hesitated he accepted as well.

Jorgagu! I snapped. Theyre going to kill you! You have to accept! Ill do what I can to release you later but WEVE GOT TO GO!

Argh curse you human! He shouted, but accepted.

Dive! I shouted, even as I anchored myself and dropped like a stone downwards, grabbing onto the orc by the leg and dragging him down as well, flailing in panic as he didnt know he could breathe.

We descended, the water getting colder. I set myself adrift again and released Jorgagu, bleeding off my downward montum as I looked for Gerald and Travis.

A mont later a wave of sonic bolts screeched through the surface like a hive creature, each causing damage in a broad area of effect. Right behind it was an explosion of light and fire that boiled the surface and coated the water in golden flas.

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