We departed Dwarkaa Farrin at dawn, the dim light of the morning sun highlighting the dark clouds. Damp air clung to my leather garb and skin like an unwanted leech. My finely tailored, leather captain’s uniform kept out most of the chill.
The treacherous ocean battled our advancement southeast at every crest of a wave and every plunging descent between. The relentless waves would have turned a novice green and leaning over the rail to empty his stomach. Being a seasoned Dwarkaa Apolake Sea Warrior assisted in keeping my breakfast in place.
I was informed earlier that the Tonrar would assist us in a speedy trip to the southeast. After all, this was a scouting mission which Casimer placed in the highest importance. He and the High Sentinel Command were eager to know what happened to the previous ship and its crew and why it never returned to Dwarkaa Farrin. The Tonrar were obliged to accommodate our assignments expeditious end. I also received instruction on how to enforce Casimer’s rule when I would arrive at the southeastern land masses, especially if the assumed demised ship and crew had not arrived at the farrins to carry out their job.
My ship crew was efficient and respectful. Every one of them was hand picked to assist on this voyage, even though they had not voluntarily place their names in the ballot. I would have felt more valorous if they had. Obligation could make a man useful and I counted on that. They were, regardless, all brave, strong men eager to gain advancement in Casimer’s regime.
At midday I was in my cabin looking over the notes I’d scribed when I noticed the ship slowing its pace significantly. I hurried to my door and ascended to the deck. Shouting from the bow drew my attention. An Apolake Warrior came running toward me.
“Captain, there’s trouble. Come quickly.”
I followed him as he ran toward the bow. I withdrew my sword in preparation. As we drew nearer I heard loud scraping and grinding sounds which did not bode well for my vessel.
“Has the helmsman been notified?” I asked.
“Yes sir! A warrior has informed him and he has slowed our advance.”
My ship was still in forward propulsion. A vessel this size was difficult to bring to a swift stop. As I looked over the rail I was dumbfounded at the vast amount of debris, boards, ropes, sections of a broken ship that battered the bow and sides of our vessel.
I pointed to two men. “Quickly, go below and assist in repairing any damage. Tell the crew below to prepare ropes to support the hull if needed.”
They ran off to do my bidding. I watched in horror as the vast debris continued to ram my ship and wondered where it had come from. I turned and glanced up at the Crow’s Nest to see if the warrior in the lookout was in position. He was there, his eyes caught mine and he looked afraid. I waved him down.
When he arrived before me, he cowered and said, “I didn’t see it coming in time to warn anyone. By the time I noticed, the debris and wreckage was upon us. The men below saw the danger the same time I did.”
“You’re sure of this? You didn’t notice anything in advance?” Anger rode my spine and I was tempted to cut him down with my sword for such carelessness.
“I’m sure.” But he didn’t look sure. His eyes couldn’t hold mine and he twitched nervously.
“I’m reassigning you to the hull. You will join the men there to ensure we don’t sink.”
He nodded, turned and left. If the ship would sink he would be one of the first to die.
I continued to watch as the remnants of a former ship threatened the veracity of mine. I was determined not to die on my first day as a Dwarkaa Ship Captain. My men worked feverishly to save the ship. Ropes were slung beneath the vessel in an attempt to secure the hull and to keep the side boards of the ship from splintering apart. It was a daunting task with the violent sea fighting us at every opportunity. The ropes got tangled in debris, were frequently swept to the side by tossing waves and some were ripped out of hands and lost to the violent water by the constant resistance of wreckage and wind.
Regularly, I headed down to the hull to see the steps being taken below to ensure we wouldn’t sink. Extra boards were being put in place at the bow to give the ship a chance to survive the constant strikes it was enduring. I noticed a few spots where sea water was beginning to seep into the base of my ship. Apolake Warriors were working tirelessly to repair every new hole that formed.
I pitched in when help was needed but I mostly monitored the progress and went back and forth from deck to hull to make sure the damage was being mitigated as much as possible.
We fought the danger through most of the afternoon. Slowly the fragments of the ill-fated ship grew less intense until only a sporadic board here and there could be seen. What I found fascinating is that I did not once see a dead warrior floating among the wreckage. I wondered what caused the ship’s demise and where the crew could be, unless the sea monsters dined well right after the ship’s destruction. My stomach turned at the thought.
I relayed a message through one of the warriors that the entire crew would meet in the large room below deck right after the evening meal. I assigned two new men to the Crow’s Nest, they would take shifts. One of them was Andrei. If what he told me was true, that he’d volunteered for this mission, perhaps he was determined to live through this and would make a good lookout.
Later that night, we all met below, except for a few men left in charge on deck and two men in the hull monitoring the repairs.
“Tell me,” I started, “how were we made susceptible to the attack we endured.”
“The Tonrar weren’t called in to help,” one man said. His answer was a clear attack on my leadership. I glared at him but he refused to meet my gaze.
Another man said, “Calling for their help would have wasted precious time. Our ship would have endured a great deal of damage in the time it would have taken them to show up.”
I took note of the man. He shared my views. The Tonrar were unreliable at the best of times. In moments of high anxiety they tended to only exacerbate our fears and torment.
Another man spoke up, “The man in the lookout must have been distracted. He didn’t notice the danger in time. He should be thrown over board as punishment or run through with a sword. We could have all perished because of him. He’s an unwanted risk.”
The man being spoken of stood in the corner, terror on his face at what was being suggested. He was as good as dead already if the men were speaking of this openly. Clearly, no one trusted him.
I said, “We need every man we have on this mission. We can’t afford to lose him.”
“We can’t take the risk of keeping him.”
“He stays. My decision is final and you will respect it. I’ve reassigned him to the hull where he will pose little threat to our lives.”
Quiet murmuring filled the space.
“What could we have done differently or more effectively to have alleviated damage to our vessel?” I asked.
Silence followed.
One man finally said, “We all worked like slaves to save the ship.”
I let the men discuss between themselves.
One man said, “We did everything we knew to do and the ship is still sea worthy.”
Someone else responded, “That’s debatable. We did take some major hits. There’s no guarantee that the wounds in the hull won’t rupture again.”
A hull crew member spoke. “We have contained all the damage and have secured every puncture. The ship is not leaking anywhere and has been reinforced at every point of entry and has been tarred sufficiently. We will watch it diligently for the remainder of our tour to ensure that no further damage occurs or no leaks develop.”
“And what if this happens again? There are other ships that are reported to have been lost to the sea. What if we are bombarded by wreckage again?”
“That’s right. At night it’s impossible to see the danger coming. The lookout is basically useless when the sun goes down.”
“The Tonrar would know of dangers to our lives. They could warn us.”
“The Tonrar are as divisive as they are a help. They might enjoy watching us suffer as they look on.”
“They are required by Casimer to assist us. Why wouldn’t we invite their help?”
“Yes,” said another man. “If they refuse they will be punished by being assigned to the caverns and dungeons below Casimer’s Grand Palace. They know what their disobedience will cost them.”
“Their freedom.”
There were a few grunts of agreement.
I commented, “So is that the decision then? We summon the Tonrar to assist us?”
“They won’t come willingly.”
“They rarely do.” I had barely spoken the words when I felt heavy oppressive waves reach for me with gnarled hands. The Tonrar wouldn’t come below deck but their aura seeped through the wood boards above and notified us of their presence. “They’ve come on their own.”
Every face registered acknowledgement of the Tonrar’s presence. Fear and anguish were displayed in the eyes of each of my warriors.
I chose ten men to go with me to the deck to address the Tonrar. The other men looked relieved to be absconded from this duty. As we arrived on deck, the heavy oppression felt as though it might swallow me whole. Dark mist hovered just above the masts and rigging of my ship.
“Tonrar appear!” I demanded.
The dark mist swirled down to our level and the leader materialized slowly until his wraith-like form took on more substance. He was a large hulking mass, a mixture of bull, lion and horse, his teeth long and jagged and his eyes oozing hatred.
“What do you want?” his lion snout growled.
“We need protection from the sea. We were battered by a ship’s wreckage and sustained damage. We cannot endure another such attack and fulfill our mission.”
“What is that to us?”
“And I also demand a speedy transfer south to the farrins we are to inspect.” I could feel some Tonrar swirling above and at my back, eager to attack from behind. There were a few warriors positioned behind me and I was counting on them to offer support.
The leader chuckled haughtily. “You are making a demand on me? I will make a demand on you.”
“You are obligated to help us by the High Name of Casimer.”
He cringed slightly at that command but still had the gall to say. “I demand that the man responsible, the man at the lookout be sacrificed for the damage sustained. Hand him over to us and we will do as you wish.”
I was surprised that they knew of our situation. They must have been watching all along and did nothing to stop the damage. “No! You have no legal right to him. The man is under my jurisdiction. Now do as I have commanded you.”
The animal/wraith apparition snarled and hissed in frustration. “We could simply destroy you all.”
“And you’d be subject to punishment along with it. I could report your laxity to the High Sentinel Command for not doing your part on this mission. You’ve already shown your neglect in protecting this assignment. Do Casimer’s caverns and dungeons seem that appealing?”
The apparition opened his mouth wide and let out an intimidating roar.
“You decide which one you choose, help us or be bound in chains forever.”
The Tonrar wraith wilted in acquiescence and vanished into cloud and smoke.
I knew I’d won the battle and looked forward to a safe and speedy journey south. I dreaded any retribution the Tonrar might inflict at a later time. They were always eager to stir up revenge, trouble and death in any situation.
I stationed men around the deck to keep an eye on the Tonrar and any trouble they might brew up. The lookout post would need backup with the Tonrar present. The sky was dark and ominous and the air heavy as I left the deck.
Retreating to my room, I scribed the day’s happenings. I longed for the morning and hoped that the evil wraiths would transport us to our destination during the night.
Something bothered me about the day’s events. Tarman Farrin hadn’t sent help when my ship was in danger. Or perhaps I was mistaken. Suma had promised protection and that I’d return home to Dwarkaa. I hoped I hadn’t been duped and lied to. I determined to demand some answers the next time she would appear. I could not afford to place my trust, my very life, in the hands of a liar.
