Lights of agramont trilo.., p.79
Lights of Agramont Trilogy, page 79
Kriv looks down at the deck. “I know, okay. He was … persuasive.”
“Did he hurt you? If he hurt you again, I am going to kill him.”
“There’s no time for this right now, Serilom. If we survive, I will talk to you later.”
Serilom watches the Cierson ships get closer and he knows that this isn’t going to end well. He can’t cast that much magic right now. Even what he did at the fort was extremely difficult for him. No one is listening to him about this. He’s serious. He may be an Honored, but his magic is failing him and draining his energy ten times more than it usually does.
“Now, Serilom!” Kriv calls out.
Serilom closes his eyes and focuses on his magic and the ocean. He has to control the currents. He stretches out his hands, but nothing happens. Come on. Why does it choose now to stop working? He has to calm down and focus. Like Nivalaya taught him … he has to concentrate on his magic no matter what is going on around him. The waves begin to move, but then they stop completely and Serilom drops to his knees. He can’t. He can’t do it.
“Serilom, what are you doing?” Kriv asks.
“I can’t do it, Kriv. I’m sorry.”
“You very well might have killed us all.”
The currents begin to shift and swirl. The enemy ships slow and try to avoid the circulating currents.
“Finally. This buys us some time. Keep it up, Serilom.” Kriv says.
“That’s not me. It’s Faren. I forgot he was my mage.”
“Get off your ass and be productive. We are about to be in a lot of trouble. Be prepared for anything.” Kriv says.
Serilom stands and steadies himself. This is hell. He is already exhausted and he knows that Kriv is going to demand more from him. This is precisely why he hates being on ships like this.
Kriv flashes a signal on his mirror to Zixis. “Myar, bring about and get us between those two ships. Then we will release hell with our broadsides.”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
“Slow us down. Bring to and prepare to engage.” When they are in position, Kriv holds up his hand. “Fire!”
The cannons ring out and Serilom watches the hull of the enemy frigates splinter and crack as all sixty broadside shots connect.
Kriv laughs and shouts out with his fists raised high. “Fire when ready!”
A second volley of cannon fire is all it takes and the ships begin to sink.
“Starboard, Captain.” Myar says.
An enemy brig is approaching quickly, but Kriv only smiles. “Fire when ready.” As the cannons eat through the hull of the ship, Kriv starts picking off the enemy crewmembers two at a time with his revolvers. Just as the enemy brig is about to fire, Kriv calls to Serilom. “Serilom, put up a shield of water.”
“No. I’m tired of taking orders from you.”
Kriv’s glare could pierce stone. “What did you just say?”
“I said no. I’m not going to do that.”
The cannons fire and Kriv and Serilom are knocked from their feet as the shots connect with the hull.
“We’re sustaining damage, Captain.” Someone calls.
Kriv stands and pulls Serilom to his feet. He yells at him. “Put up a shield. That’s an order.”
“Who do you think you are?” Serilom screams.
Kriv shakes Serilom and throws him backwards then pins him against the mast. “One more word. Say one more word, Orrentius and see what happens to you. Now put a fucking shield up before we take another hit.”
“Oh, I’m so scared. Leave me alone.” Serilom pushes Kriv off of him.
“I warned you. I warned you. Do not defy me in front of my crew. Just wait. You’ll get what’s coming for you.” Kriv goes back to signaling the ships.
What the hell is wrong with him? Serilom doesn’t care what fancy title Kriv has. No one is going to talk to him that way. He’s tired of being pushed around.
“Fire.” Kriv says again.
The two ships exchange fire, the brig taking a significantly greater amount of damage.
Kriv looks over the side and laughs. The cannonballs bounce off the hull and splash in the waves.
Kriv kneels and kisses the deck. “This is the best damn ship in the universe.” He says as he stands and takes aim at the other ship again.
The Cierson ships begin to sail away as Zixis flanks them and fires with his cannons.
“Myar, don’t let them get away. Get that chain shot ready. We’re going to make sure they can’t run.” Kriv orders.
“Ready, sir.”
“Fire!” Kriv shouts.
The chain shot rips through the mast of the boat sending splinters of wood into the waves. The mast falls into the water and the ship slows.
Kriv points to the bow of the ship. “Ready the bow chasers and get more of that rigging down. We can’t have them getting to Admiral Faren’s ship. He’s not prepared for this kind of fight.”
They sail up beside the sinking ship. Kriv grins. “We’re boarding this one, men. Get over there and take whatever supplies you can find. Kill anyone who gets in the way.”
The crew tosses grappling hooks over to the other ship and begins boarding as Kriv paces back and forth and checks on the other ships. He takes occasional shots at the crew members as the men search the ship. Zixis has engaged a frigate and seems to be holding his own against it. Zixis is a pirate, after all. This is what he lives for.
When the crew has plundered all they can, they bring the goods on board and Kriv orders them to sink the ship.
The cannons ring out and Serilom watches the ship collapse and crumble into the water. He had no idea how powerful Kriv’s galleon is. Kriv was right. Seventy-two cannons are a lot of cannons, especially when the enemy ships have between six and twelve on each side. They don’t stand a chance against a man-of-war like this.
“They’re leaving, sir.” Captain Myar says.
“We did it! Good job, everyone. We did it.” Kriv says as he signals to Zixis’s ship.
Zixis sails up close and his crew cheers. “Nice sailing, buddy.” Zixis says.
Kriv removes his hat and waves it in the air. “Victory is ours, men. Well done. Well done.”
“You saved us, Divine Commander.” Someone shouts.
Kriv puts his hat back on and shakes his head. His smile is gone. “No thanks to Serilom.” He glares at Serilom then goes into his cabin and slams the door.
Lens Aren pats Serilom’s back. “It’s okay. You tried. You did all you could.”
“No. I didn’t. I couldn’t. I let him down.”
“Things happen, Serilom. Kriv will get over it. Let’s hope the crew didn’t see your little tussle.”
“But I don’t know if I will get over it.” Serilom says as he goes to the cabin and steps inside.
9
Kriv is waiting for him inside the cabin. He grabs Serilom and pushes him against the wall. “What is wrong with you? You’re an Honored. Use your bloody magic. We could have all died back there. Worse than that, we could have been captured and taken. Do you want to go back to Argrin?”
“No.”
“Then follow my orders. I’m in command for a reason and you have to do what I say. I swear, if you were just one of my crew, I would have you flogged and I’d do it myself.”
“Kriv … I’m sorry.” Serilom says.
Kriv pushes Serilom away from him. “Save your words. As long as we are at sea, you are below me. Do you understand? I am the captain of this ship and I am the Divine Commander of this entire operation. Countless lives depend on me and my orders. If one person doesn’t do what I order, then everything can come crashing down. Disobeying orders is unacceptable. Maybe I should have you flogged so you will understand the severity of what you did.”
Serilom sits at the table and hides his face in his hands. “I tried. I did. I truly did.”
“You disobeyed orders. Not only that, but you’re an Honored. What Honored can’t cast magic?” Kriv asks.
“I’m dealing with so much right now. I got scared and I physically couldn’t do it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m sorry, Kriv.”
“There is no excuse for you blatantly disregarding my orders. You don’t tell a captain no to his face, especially in front of his crew.”
“I’m new to this. I really am sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”
“Okay. It’s okay. There’s no need to fight over this. You don’t comprehend the seriousness of what you did. You don’t. I pray for your sake that no one saw that.” Kriv takes him in his arms. “I’ll do what I can to help you figure this out. You have to listen to me, though. We can’t have my crew seeing you act like that especially in a life or death situation like that. It will push me to do something I don’t want to do.”
Lens Aren opens the door and steps inside. He shuts the door and shakes his head. “Kriv … the crew is not happy.”
Kriv sighs and crosses his arms. “I think I know what this is about.”
“They see you giving unfair favoritism towards Serilom. If it had been one of them to defy orders, there would be consequences. They are even more upset because Serilom is an Honored and there was no reason he couldn’t do what you told him. They see it as a serious challenge to your authority. If not addressed, they will see this as an opportunity to do the same and I’m sure you don’t want mutiny on your hands.”
Kriv removes his hat and tosses it on the bed. “How mad are they?”
“You don’t want me to answer that question. Someone has to pay for this and it’s not going to be any of the crew. I’m sorry. I truly am, but it’s what has to be done.”
Kriv runs his fingers through his hair. “Remove your shirt, Serilom. Then follow Lens Aren to the main mast.”
Serilom stands and backs away from them. “What? Are you serious?”
“Just come with us, Serilom.” Lens Aren says.
“No.”
“Don’t make this any worse on yourself than it is already going to be.” Kriv says. “Do you think I want to do this to you? I warned you many times to not challenge me like that in front of the crew. I have to do what needs to be done. If I don’t, then the crew will lose respect for me and in a time like this, I can’t have that. You can either come willingly or we will make you. The more you resist, the more lashes you get.”
This isn’t happening. “You’re going to flog me?”
“Welcome to life on a ship.” Lens Aren says. “Please don’t fight us. It won’t be that bad.”
“I’m an Honored. You wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me.” Serilom says as he reaches for his sword.
“You’re on a ship now, Serilom Orrentius.” Lens Aren says. “We follow different laws out here on the water. At sea, Tide-Storm’s word is law. I don’t give a damn if you’re The Creator himself. You take orders and obey your captain. If you pick up that sword, you will receive double the punishment.”
Serilom draws the Lullaby Blade and holds it up in front of him. No one is touching him. They’re all insane.
Zixis enters the room. “What’s going on? I swung over here from my ship when I heard the commotion among your crew.”
“I’m about to have to do the thing that is the worst part of being a captain.” Kriv says.
“Ration the rum?” Zixis asks with a smile.
“No. It’s not funny, Zixis. What happens to someone who disobeys orders on a ship?” Kriv asks.
“Oh. Who is it?”
Kriv holds his face in his hand. “Serilom. We had a scuffle on deck during the fighting.”
“Damn. What are you going to do? You can’t let the crew see you let someone challenge you.” Zixis says.
“I know. I’ll do what I have to do.”
Serilom can’t believe what he’s hearing. He grabs Kriv’s hand. “Please, don’t. Isn’t there anything else I can do? I’m sorry. Kriv … don’t.”
Kriv pulls his hand away. “I don’t have another choice, Serilom. You don’t understand how things work around here. Next time, you will know to listen to me when I tell you to do something. Zixis, Lens Aren … take him outside.”
Despite Serilom’s best attempts to fight them off, Zixis pulls the sword from his hands and they take his arms. The entire crew stops what they are doing to watch. Serilom looks at the deck and tries to not make eye contact with anyone. Zixis and Lens Aren drag him to the mast and push him against the wood. Is this really happening? They pull his shirt off and his hands are bound around the mast with course rope. Serilom closes his eyes. They can’t be serious. Is Kriv actually going to let them do this to him?
Zixis takes the cat-o’-nine-tails from Kriv. “Give me that. I’ll do it. You won’t hit him hard enough. The crew will notice.”
“Don’t kill him, Zixis.” Kriv says.
“I’m a pirate. We know how to beat people until they wish they were dead.”
Kriv grabs Zixis’s coat and whispers angrily at him. “You will wish you were dead if you hurt him too bad. He’s tiny. Don’t break him. I’m warning you right now. Don’t test me. I don’t want to do this in the first place.”
“Don’t worry. He needs a little roughing up. He’s a man. He’ll be okay.”
Kriv pushes Zixis and turns away from everyone so he won’t see it. “Twelve lashes.”
Zixis turns to Serilom and raises the whip. “Count out loud.”
The first one strikes him across the shoulders. Serilom gasps with the pain. “One.” Another hits him across his lower back. “Two.” Now they really start to hurt. He grits his teeth. “Three.” As the lashes continue, Serilom swears that Zixis is hitting him harder.
Kriv makes a whimpering noise then goes into his cabin and slams the door.
Another hits Serilom and brings him back to reality. “Six!” Halfway? Only halfway? He can’t do this. “Please stop. I’m sorry.”
“Five more for talking.”
Damn it. As the lashes break through his skin, Serilom grows weaker and the tears stream down his face. He can’t stop himself from screaming. He loses count of the number of hits. He struggles to get away and pulls against the ropes, but they won’t come lose. One more hit and he swears that he is going to pass out.
“If you lose count, we start over.” Zixis says.
Serilom doesn’t know. His mind is reeling from the pain. It is all he can do to understand what is being said to him.
Another lash slices through his shoulders and his legs buckle under him.
“Count out loud, Serilom. One.”
“One.” The next one makes his body collapse and he struggles to breathe. Is this ever going to end? He is crying uncontrollably. “Two.” Serilom whimpers. When the next one hits him, he screams out and his body goes limp. He can’t take anymore. “Please. Please. I beg you … stop.”
“Five more for talking.” Zixis says.
Serilom knows he looks ridiculous crying with the entire crew watching him, but he doesn’t care. He screams again and writhes with pain as the lashes continue and he manages to keep counting because he doesn’t want more. He focuses solely on the number even though he knows he is going to die.
The sound of a gunshot sounds in the air around them and Kriv’s voice commands everyone’s attention. “That’s enough, Zixis. I said twelve lashes. He’s taken twenty-one. I don’t care what you do on your ship but on mine, twelve lashes means twelve lashes. Cut him loose.”
When they cut the ropes lose, Serilom slumps to the deck and cries. He continues to cry as they carry him into Kriv’s cabin and lay him on the bed. Serilom can’t even imagine the pain that Kriv went through when he received over seven hundred lashes. It’s not something he can even fathom. Serilom is ready to die after twenty-one and Kriv’s cat-o’-nine-tails doesn’t have broken glass tied in the ends like Ievas’s did.
Kriv looks worried as he looks over Serilom’s wounds. “Damn it, Zixis. I told you to go easy on him.”
“I did you a favor. I kept your crew from rising against you. A little blood never killed anyone.” Zixis says.
“He’s a hundred pounds. You could have broken his back. Get out of my quarters.” Kriv orders.
“Don’t be like this, Kriv.” Zixis says as he wipes Serilom’s blood from the whip and tosses it on the table.
“It’s Divine Commander Tide-Storm and I told you to leave.”
Zixis bows then leaves and the door slams behind him.
Kriv turns back to Lens Aren. “Is he going to be all right?”
“He’s fine.”
“No … I’m not.” Serilom mutters.
“Just be quiet, Serilom.” Lens Aren says as he gives him pain medication.
Kriv sits next to him and smoothes Serilom’s hair. “I’m so sorry. The pain medicine will start working very soon. Please … for your own sake, listen to me next time. Please. Don’t make me do this to you again.” He takes Serilom’s hand. “I can’t see you in pain like that. So please do what I ask. I will try not to ask you to do things that you can’t do. Okay? But once you defy orders, it’s out of my hands.”
10
The ocean’s sweet breath blows through Serilom’s short hair as he steps out of the cabin. His back is doing fine after Lens Aren’s healing and medicine. He is still in shock that it even happened. He wants off of this ship as soon as he can and never wants to get on a ship again. This is too much and he never signed up for this. Do people not get warnings around here? Serilom sighs. He knows he messed up and he probably deserved some of that. But still … he didn’t think that Kriv would put him through that. However, he can understand why they had to do that to him. That doesn’t make it hurt any less.
Where could Kriv have gone? He’s not inside and he’s not below deck. None of the crew has seen him for hours and some are worried that he has been lost at sea. Serilom doubts that. Kriv could never be lost at sea because it is a part of his soul. Kriv was there when Serilom had fallen asleep, but he was gone when he woke up.
Looking up at the starry sky with the purple and red haze from where the other reality has been ripped away, Serilom spots something at the very top of the main mast. “Kriv? Is that you up there? We’ve been looking for you.”
