Malspire

  Chapter Thirteen

  “For Ardalrion. For the Empire! Death to the rebels!” I shouted.

  “Death to the rebels!” returned the crew.

  The rebels were travelling in a rough oval formation with the battleships and transports at its heart and frigates surrounding them. The Imperial line, now curving round was already well inside the oval and it was but minutes before the War Tempest would be able to engage the enemy.

  I saw that the rebels were not ready and were completely unaware until this point of impending danger, like a hunter turning to find a lion about to leap upon his back. Another minute passed. Still the enemy did nothing. Still the fleet moved in. Then suddenly I saw one of the rebel grand battleships veer to port. There were two of them. The second now turned too but in the other direction. I could well imagine the panic taking place on the enemy ships as they realised the gravity of the situation that was now upon them - one minute all was quiet and dark, the next, the heavens opened to reveal the sickly sight of an enemy fleet in battle formation so close you could spit at them.

  Then there was darkness again. The clouds hid the moon and the fleets of both the Empire and rebellion vanished. Things fell oddly calm, then after what seemed an age, into this darkness came the sudden and brilliant shock of a double broadside from the distant War Tempest which lit up the night like a god’s hammer striking a white hot iron upon the anvil. She had managed to work her way between the two enemy grand battleships. This was quickly followed by the chest pounding, rolling boom of cannon fire, like the rolling thunder of a lightning bolt ponderously crawling through the clouds.

  Witnessing the awe inspiring full force of a grand battleship’s double broadside brought home to me just how devastating these ships truly are. The enemy responded with the guns they could bring to bear but having turned away, their response was pitiful next to the War Tempest’s full fury.

  Again there was darkness, but this was short lived, as soon fresh cannon fire started up and this time it did not stop. The Imperial fleet stayed in a line of battle and as each ship came within range of any enemy ship, they opened fire. All I could do was follow the light, follow the frigate in front of me and soon it would be the turn of the Lady Ocean to engage the enemy. Soon we would be put through the grinding mill of the line.

  With the thunder and flash of gunfire ahead, I could now see the frigate that was close to starboard. It was not closing but heading for its flagship. Eventually it would close the gap as we both reached the same spot where the War tempest was carving a path through the enemy. What worried me was that we could not match the rebels for firepower.

  The Lady Ocean was not a ship of the line. Not in her current state, and the question was whether or not to pull out of the line and see if we couldn’t find other ways to hurt the rebels? The enemy were still confused. Perhaps we could add a little more by doing the unexpected. I searched ahead and saw the Imperial line moving inexorably through the heart of the rebels. Astonishingly the two enemy grand battleships seemed to be manoeuvring and none the worse for wear after the initial Imperial hammer blow. It was of course hard to tell from this distance, but it was a wonder that anything could survive such a barrage.

  I saw that there was going to be a short lull in the battle as there was a gap between the two foremost Imperial battleships and the next. I waited. The cannons went silent. I made my choice.

  “Hard to starboard, Mister Owman.”

  “Hard to starboard!”

  Owman turned the large wheel and the Lady Ocean leaned into the direction she was travelling as the ship turned away from the line and cut a new path through the waves.

  “Captain?” this was Olvan who gave me a questioning look.

  “Make ready to board the enemy, Mister Olvan. We’re going to board that frigate!”

  “But, the line, sir?”

  “Bugger the line. What difference can we make? You have your orders.”

  “Starboard cannons ready to fire!” shouted Olvan as the battle lit up with renewed cannon fire. “Make ready to board the enemy!”

  The whole ship came to life as those men not needed by the cannons went to fetch weapons and armour. Sergeant Lamtak readied twelve marines to go over the aftcastle.

  “Send over the lot, sergeant. We don’t have enough men to prepare a retreat. All or nothing!” I said, drawing my cutlass and checking that my gutting knife was to hand.

  As the flashes of light lit up the night and the crackling booms thundered over the waves, the Lady Ocean closed quickly with the enemy frigate. One such flash illuminated the enemy ship's name. The Dragonfly! It was the very same frigate that had tried to stop us from entering Sulenfir. Both vessels where probably at full speed, but the Dragonfly was the faster ship. The crew of the Lady Ocean would have to time it well as we came in fast and hard.

  “Ready grappling hooks!” called Olvan who had drawn his sword, anticipation written on his face when he glanced back at me. He looked like a boy. He was a boy. I nodded.

  Jodlin appeared on the aftcastle fully armed and armoured and smiled at me. It seemed that Jodlin had taken to being my personal body guard. It was not requested, but I was pleased to have him close. Harl had probably sent him again.

  Then I addressed the ship. “I want this done quickly and without mercy. Once you're on that ship,” I pointed and was having to shout over the din of engine and guns. “I want you to have at them like the murdering bastards I know you are. Give them steel and lead. Make them bleed and beg for mercy. Drive them off that deck and into the sea!” The men roared with approval. “Kill the rebel turds. Gut them and hammer them. Stab them, kick them, punch them and bite'em! Make them piss their breaches and then call for their mothers. No mercy! Kill them all!” Again they cheered for their captain.

  With only fifty yards now separating the two ships, I saw as the enemy realised that the Lady Ocean had left the line and how close she was. I saw men running along the deck, and others raising muskets. The damned buggers would probably manage a broadside before the Lady Ocean hit them. I toyed with the idea of turning away and delivering our own broadside when parallel with them but we would be outgunned. We would have to get lucky to hurt the enemy, while the enemy would be in a good position to deliver a full salvo. No. It was all or nothing. Take the broadside, then savage them.

  As I watched the enemy, I saw an officer standing next to three enemy marines. The marines vanished in a cloud of smoke and stabbing fire as they fired at us. This was followed by a single smack as one of the shots hit the funnel instantly followed by the crackling noise of the small volley.

  There was a faint snap then crack from the crow's-nest and I saw the enemy officer fall, his head thrown back in a spray of blood. Looking up, I could just make out the Lady Lamient admiring her work. It was all viewed through the flash and glare of the cannon fire. Nothing moved but just changed places from flash of light to flash of light. It was nightmarish and I felt the familiar pang of fear festering in my gut.

  “Remember to aim low," commanded Sergeant Lamtak. "Aim for their balls! Fire!” He had organised his men into a line. The volley crackled deafeningly and again my view was obscured by a stinking cloud of gunpowder smoke which was soon left behind in the breeze.

  “Brace yourselves!” I roared as I saw another rebel officer raise his arm. It dropped.

  There was a sudden silence. The world stopped. The crew of the Lady Ocean stood motionless. I held my breath and gritted my teeth. The enemy ship erupted in a cloud of smoke and jets of fire. It was no more than five guns, the rest probably not ready yet, but the effect was brutal. The crash of thunderous noise hit us as the cannon balls ploughed into the Lady Ocean, cutting great shards of splintered wood that flew across the deck, smashing through both timber and flesh. One man had his leg ripped clean off. Another was impaled and thrown overboard. A ball went right through the aftcastle just below my feet. There were screams and shouts. The effect was demoralising, but it could have been a lot worse
. The enemy had used round shot rather than grapeshot - the tins of lead balls and scrap metal that would disintegrate into a cloud of lethal particles when fired and could reduce a deck of men to a mass of broken and bloody bodies. The enemy had not expected our manoeuvre. They were not prepared, and now they would pay for that mistake. The grappling hooks where thrown across. Gunfire was now being exchanged in a constant crack and rattle, a shot hissing close by my head. Another tugged at my coat sleeve. I was a prime target and felt exposed, but forced myself to remain composed, not to duck.

  "Permission to fire?" called Harl who was standing by the row of cannons.

  The Lady Ocean had turned alongside the rebel and Harl wanted to put a broadside into her before we embraced.

  "Send them to the deepest hell, Mister Harl!"

  Again the world of vision and sounds were dulled as Harl had the five cannons of the Lady Ocean fire at point blank range. It was all I could do just to stay on my feet as the concussive blast enveloped both ships. I thanked the gods for Harl's initiative, for I was not thinking clearly. I was standing at death's door and realised that the next few minutes could be the last of my miserable life.

  “Fix bayonets,” called the marine sergeant.

  "Now. Grappling hooks!" This was Olvan. We were upon the rebels.

  Go! I thought. Go now or run away. I gritted my teeth again and thumbed my gutting knife. I had to go now or the fear would overcome me. I looked at Jodlin who was watching me. The big man was waiting to be let loose. He wanted to go. So be it!

  “The Empire rules these oceans! Have at them! Kill the rebels. Kill them all!” and I ran at the gunwale between two marines. I took the side of my ship with my right boot and leapt into the air. In my eagerness, I had charged earlier than I should have as there was still a distance between the two ships, but I just about made the jump, landing just inside the enemy gunwale and fell upon the enemy with a fury and bitter brutality born of a fear that the instant I showed any timidity, I would be a dead man.

  The rebels were still reeling from the cannon fire and Harl, bless the cunning bugger, had used grapeshot. The deck of the Dragonfly was a slaughterhouse of flayed bodies, blood and death. A score of men had been shredded and killed instantly. The stink of gunpowder mixed with blood and piss was what met me, but it only took a second for the rebels to regain their composure after the initial shock. A young marine charged me with his two foot long bayonet. The side of the boy's face was covered in blood and ichor. He had tears in his red eyes and a look of mixed panic and hatred. He screamed as he lunged. I turned away, parrying the bayonet, and then barged into the young marine who, off balance, went over the side of the ship into the dwindling space between the two frigates. Another man hacked at me with a cutlass and I had to step back but managed to slash my gutting knife across the enemy’s face as he did so. The sailor fell back, moaning. Then all of a sudden I was surrounded by my own men. Within seconds, Sergeant Lamtak managed to organise a single volley, then all together we charged at the rebels. Jodlin was now at my side and bellowing a fearful war cry.

  All along the ship, the crew of the Lady Ocean fell upon the enemy, led further down by Sudlas. I knew I had to keep the momentum going in order to overcome the greater odds and so shouted all the while. “Kill them! Don’t stop. Keep killing!” I lunged my cutlass at a scarred sailor who with some skill parried the blow then kicked me, but I just managed to twist away to take the blow on the shin. It hurt like mad but I swung again and again until the enemy was shoved by a fellow seaman and fell upon my blade. I twisted it and pulled it free from the rebel's sucking guts and at the same time drove the gutting knife into the man’s eye. He died instantly with his guts on the deck and blood pouring from his mangled eye socket. Jodlin’s hammer came down on another’s head and crushed the man’s helmet like an egg shell, sending the contents of the rebel's skull down through his neck. Seargeant Lamtak and his men thrust, then stepped forwards, thrust again and stepped forwards. Like a butchering machine, they systematically cleared the aftcastle of the Dragonfly. It was grim but effective work.

  I looked up and saw the crow's-nest of the Dragonfly was silenced with a couple of bodies hanging over the sides. The Lady Lamient and the other sharp shooters must have dispatched them. We drove on, hacking and cursing. Kicking and stabbing. My men and I had managed to drive the enemy crew on the aftcastle back to the steps that lead down to the main deck.

  “A volley I think, Sergeant Lamtak!” I called over the shouting, ragged crackle of gunfire and ring of steel.

  With the aid of some seamen, I took the brunt of the fight as the sergeant ordered his men to stand back and reload. I half saw those men, ten or so, put their muskets before them, and perform the actions required as rehearsed time and time again. It was done quickly and efficiently. Sergeant Lamtak was to be commended.

  “Present!” shouted Lamtak.

  My men and I fell back and out of the way. Those that could not, threw themselves down.

  “Fire!” The ear splitting volley was at such close range that not a single shot missed. Many even passed through two men. The enemy were thrown back down the stairs - some dead, many wounded.

  “Kill them! Charge!” We were on them again. We had secured the aftcastle, but I wanted to keep the momentum going and so I pushed on down the steps. At the foot of the steps we formed a battle line and fought on. I was losing men though. I saw a rebel officer put a pistol shot into the chest of a seaman. The man fell back and began to cough up blood. One of my marines took a cutlass thrust in the neck. It was bloody work for both sides, but the enemy were falling back. They were disorganised and demoralised, stunned by the ferocity of our assault.

  Suddenly from behind our thin line, a charge was called. I turned just in time to see the enemy captain charging from a door set into the aftcastle next to the steps. He was flanked by a group of rebels covered in soot and sweat who I presumed had just been fetched from the engine room. The captain had a crazed look of terror mixed with anger on his face and was aiming his sword straight for my neck. I froze with fear for a split second, and then tried to raise my cutlass to parry the thrust, but it was too late. A strange moment of lucidity brought everything into slow motion as I realised I was going to die. The rebel captain's blade was going to rip through my throat. My cutlass would never parry in time. I could not move away fast enough, and grunted and gritted my teeth in anticipation of the end.

  Then suddenly the side of the man's head exploded and slowly, so slowly he fell sideways, his eyes never leaving mine, even when he hit the deck and lay there motionless.

  From above, I saw the Lady looking down at me from her perch. She did not smile, as though she regretted having to save my life. Then the screams of the enemy from below came back to me as they were now upon us. I was still half frozen - shocked to have been so close to death, yet still alive - confused. I managed to parry the first blow, but a pistol was raised. Then from nowhere Sudlas stepped in front of me as the gun was fired. My face and open mouth were splattered with blood from his shoulder, but the man somehow fought on with a cry of pain and anger. He cut into the rebels even as the others discharged their guns into Sudlas who was now the more imminent threat to their lives. The brave Mister Sudlas cut three of them down with his sword before he fell to the deck, motionless, dead.

  Jodlin barged me aside as the big fellow hammered into the blackened enemy with a mighty roar of anger, stepping over the body of Sudlas, continuing the gruesome work of subduing these men and avenging the death of his fellow crewman and friend. Sudlas had ever teased and taunted the big man, yet Jodlin was obviously enraged at seeing him fall.

  The fight ended shortly thereafter. We won. We should have lost but we captured the frigate. A senior officer surrendered his sword to Mister Olvan and the rest of the rebel crew began to drop their weapons. The crew of the Lady Ocean cheered and some patted their captain on his back. I hated anyone touching it, but was willing to overlook this now. I was however far from
happy. We had lost many good men. Most hard to swallow was the loss of Mister Sudlas who had now saved my life twice. There was still some gun fire from below deck, but it soon dissipated. There had probably been a pocket of resistance below, but it did not last long.

  In the short time it had taken to overcome the vessel, the seas had become an inferno of blazing ships and furious cannon fire. The enemy were in total disarray. I could see that the leading Imperial ships were still in a line and following the War Tempest in a wide arc, making ready for a second run at the rebel fleet. All the frigates and one of the rear battleships had been forced to leave the line and enter the melee.

  “What now, sir?” This was Olvan. I saw a look of sheer joy on the young officer’s face, and why not? He had fought and survived his first hostile boarding.

  “What now indeed, Mister Olvan," I said. "We won a small victory but the battle is just begun.”

  “And the prize?” asked the young officer indicating the ship we had taken.

  I considered this. We were desperately short of crew. I could send the ship back with a skeleton crew but wanted the men for the battle which we now had to re-join. Or did we? We were not expected to join the fleet in the first place.

  Olvan seemed to sense my thoughts. “We are to re-join the fight?” he asked, eager for more.

  I nodded. Of course we were. It was not an option. I was sworn to the Navy and my duty was to hit the enemies of the Empire when and wherever we found them. My breath was still heaving from the fight, my arms tired. What about the Dragonfly though? We could burn her, but she was valuable. Not only to me and my crew but to the Empire. She also had cannon that the Lady Ocean needed. There was something else too. Something told me that the Dragonfly was not ready to die yet, and she still had a role to play.

  “Eight seamen and two marines are to take the prize back to Umuron. Pick a good man to command her, but I want Mister Harl with us.”

  “Aye aye, Captain.”

  “Lock the prisoners up in the Dragonfly. Put Mister Banton in the engine room.”

  It was not enough men, I knew, but we would have to risk it. They would get no sleep until they reached Umuron if they made it at all, but it was a risk we had to take. Again both ships were blacked out. I feared a rebel ship coming for us whilst so vulnerable and wanted to be as invisible as possible. The battle raged on as Olvan organised the prize party and put the prisoners below under lock and key.

  The Imperial line came round again and this time got caught up in the melee. The rebels had more ships but they had taken a terrible beating so far. We could see a rebel battleship ablaze and retreating from the fight, heading back west. Fires where a ship’s worst enemy but if the battleship was given some respite, they would probably be able to get it under control. Those old ships may be made of wood, but it was centuries old, hardened to rock wood and so made poor tinder and it took a long time for fire to work its way to the heartwood.

  Finally we were ready to move again. Before us was a chaos that stank of the rotten black powder. There was so much smoke that the flames and blasts were hazed as though seen through a mist.

  “Full speed ahead, Mister Owman.”

  “Full speed, Captain!”

  “Ready the guns, Mister Harl. Round shot this time!” We would board no more ships. I wanted to harass the bigger ships and avoid any boarding actions. With round shot, we would be able to sting them and perhaps distract them while the Imperial battleships did their work. The Lady Ocean moved on, leaving the Dragonfly and its minimal crew to their fate. We set a course for the centre of the battle where the big ships danced a cumbersome waltz, lashing each other with fire and iron. The fury was greatest around the Imperial flagship, the War Tempest. She was no longer firing volleys but each gun would fire, clean out the barrel, ram down a new charge and shot, run out the gun and then fire again. The War Tempest was burning in a few places, but she seemed to be under control and was fighting grimly. The grand battleship she was facing off with was in worse shape, and listing to one side. The noise was like a constant rolling thunder, the flashes and fire lighting up the night. There was an almighty blast off to the west where a frigate’s magazine went up in smoke. We could not tell if it was a rebel or Imperial.

  As the Lady Ocean entered the maelstrom of cannon fire, I steered her towards two rebel battleships that were taking on an Imperial battleship. I kept her at full speed knowing that we did not stand a chance against such vessels, but if we could get a few shots in, it would help the Imperial ship in a small way.

  “Give me the helm,” I barked, taking the wheel from Owman. The two boys still stood ready to help. I had to manoeuvre quickly now and did not want the delay in passing on orders. We came at the enemy from the front, and then turned hard to starboard, aiming to put a broadside down the rebels bow. A lucky shot would run a good distance through the ship, hopefully doing some damage.

  “Fire as we pass her, Mister Olvan. Inform Harl.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  Olvan ran down the steps to Harl who nodded when told what to do. I wanted to get close, but I got too close for comfort as the bow of the enemy ship suddenly loomed over us. The rebel battleship was moving deceptively quickly and if she rammed the Lady Ocean, they would hardly notice the obstacle as the great ship ploughed through us, crushing our small ship to a woody pulp.

  Some musket fire started up as men on both ships fired at one another. The marines of the Lady Ocean had to fire upwards and the rebels fired down. A forward chaser cannon on the rebel ship blasted a shot at us but it went high. The Lady Ocean was too close for the enemy cannon which were placed on higher decks. The angle was too steep and frustrated the rebel gunners.

  Another musket shot hit the deck between my feet just as Harl shouted, “Fire!”

  Five guns belched long jets of flame, smoke and iron in quick succession into the bow of the rebel ship. We saw the shots throw up chunks of wood and heard the iron rammed down the enemies throat. I turned hard and continued past this fight and sought a new target. The rebel fired a few shots after us, but none found their mark.

  There were so many ships. We could not afford to get tangled up in a close fight, so instead, simply weaved and cut our way around the various vessels, both Imperial and rebel. I considered going after the support vessels which would not be as heavily armed, but could not see the glory in that. Glory? I had to admit that pride was playing a role now. I had never considered myself particularly proud but now that I had a ship and crew, I felt pride in them both. No, we would find worthier targets.

  "You may fire at will, Mister Harl," I shouted over the din. "As soon as a target presents itself!"

  "Aye aye, Captain. Fire at will!"

  The Lady Ocean hovered like a stinging wasp round the enemy battleships and danced away from the nimble frigates. It was tiring work and also dangerous. I had the two young seamen help me turn the great wheel. Seaman Gogloy! That was his name, remembering one of the boys.

  We had taken many cannon and musket shots and a fire was even started below which Olvan managed to put out with the help of some crewmen. A lucky shot from a rebel frigate at long range had killed two men. Others lay dead or wounded. The screaming from the surgeon’s room was painful to listen to, but the battle raged on and I knew we could keep going for a while longer before pulling out. As long as the engine was running and the guns where firing, we could fight.

  A particularly persistent rebel frigate was chasing the Lady Ocean when one of her forward chasers hit the rear of my ship, blasting away one of the paddle boards, then continuing into the engine room where I heard it send metal and men flying. There was a nasty clang followed by loud rattling and hissing. The paddle wheel slowed and I knew then that we were in desperate trouble. The enemy frigate was closing fast. To starboard a rebel battleship was turning towards us. To port three or even four battleships where heading in our direction including a grand battleship. It was total confusion. There was so much smoke on the water that
it was hard to make things out anymore. Before us was open water but the engine was stuttering and dying. I cursed and clenched the wheel. What could we do?

  “Lady Lamient!” I called up to the crow's-nest. She looked down at me. Her face was blackened by the gun powder, her hair a mess. I pointed to the frigate. “Slow them down!”

  She looked at the frigate then shrugged her shoulders. It was a long shot. A musket would never manage it but I had seen how accurate her weapon was and at that distance, she stood a chance. I saw the long barrel of her gun rise to take aim. Then I turned to the enemy and put my glass to my eye. I found the helmsman and also saw a couple of rebel officers standing close by him. She did not fire. I watched them getting closer through the glass. Still she did not fire. The enemy vanished in a cloud of smoke as their forecastle chasers fired again. This was quickly followed by the loud rush of a cannon ball hurtling past my head.

  Again I could make out the enemy. “Fire damn it!” I hissed. She did. As soon as I heard the crack of the riffle I saw the helmsman spin back with blood flying from his shoulder. The man, whipping round fast, fell back onto the wheel, sending the wheel spinning and the rebel frigate’s bow lurched sideways, heading for the enemy battleship to the Lady Ocean’s starboard.

  “Now the next one!” I called up to the lady. “Keep that wheel free. Keep their heads down!”

  She raised her eyebrows as though to say that she was lucky the first time, but she nodded, then proceeded to reload. Within ten seconds she had reloaded and shot an officer just as he took the wheel. Then Marine Ekstam fired his bow and hit another rebel crewman. Now I looked to port. The great ships where emerging from the smoke in heated battle. It was the War Tempest again and she was surrounded by three rebel battleships including a grand battleship. Both sides of the Tempest blasted away at the enemy but they fired back and it seemed as though the rebel ships were wearing her down. Added to this was the enemy battleship coming at her head on. The War Tempest was in trouble and about to be boxed in and fired upon from all four sides. Looking round, there was no friendly battleship able to come to her aid. The Lady Ocean was the only help to hand. Feeble as it was we had to do something and so I turned her into the oncoming ships.

  Kristan Olvan ran up to the aftcastle. He was dirty from musket and cannon smoke. His fine coat was torn and there was blood at his temple. He carried a musket which he had been using between giving orders to the men. “She won’t last long in that firestorm, sir,” shouted the young officer.

  “I know. We must help her.”

  “Of course. Perhaps board the enemy?”

  I thought about this. It would be suicide, but if we could distract the enemy just a little, the War Tempest might be able to break free. “No,” I finally said. It would be futile and pointless. How many able men could I muster for such a fight? Thirty at the most. We would have to climb a wall of solid timber, all the while being shot at and then met by a hundred enemy at least. We would hardly bother a battleship, let alone a grand battleship.

  “Give that monster a broadside and hope for a lucky shot then, eh sir?” Olvan pointed at the enemy grand battleship and smiled. There was a nasty streak to the boy that I liked. It was a terrible plan but it was also the best plan so far.

  “Warn, Mister Harl. Double the shots!”

  High quality cannon could be loaded with double shots. It was risky as any flaw in the metal work of the barrel would cause the cannon to explode under the pressure, I knew, but we had little to lose now and probably only one chance at hurting the monstrous enemy vessel.

  The rebel grand battleship was coming up fast now on the port side. The poor Lady Ocean’s engine rattled and banged and hissed, but I kept my course and knew that as soon as the enemy could, they would open a withering bombardment and I could only hope that we managed to fire our five guns before being blown out of the water. Luckily, not many enemy marines were firing at the Lady Ocean. I presumed that they must be on the other side, firing upon the War Tempest. So much lead and iron being exchanged. So much blood being spilt. War is horror.

  The monstrous grand battleship loomed above us. I kept the Lady Ocean as close to the enemy hull as possible, and as we came at one another the small frigate rocked and yawed in the enemy’s bow wave, then hit hard on the side of the mighty vessel and began dancing down the side of the rebel sea fortress. The enemy where ready and began firing cannon at point blank range into the Lady Ocean. Most of those balls of iron passed right through the ship, ripping out her innards in a violent row of concussive blasts.

  “Fire! Fire now!” I screamed down to the deck. I wanted our shots fired before the enemy whipped away my pitiful handful of guns. Perhaps we would open enough holes on the battleship to let in some water and slow her down but at this close range, most of the shots would be above the waterline.

  The side of the Lady Ocean came to life as her guns fired her load of iron at the enemy. All the shots went into the bows of the battleship and also knocked out a cannon. The world vanished in thunderous smoke. What now? We could turn away but then the enemy would be feeding iron shot and grapeshot down the length of the Lady Ocean’s deck. The best and only hope we had now was to keep going and take the broadside. It would not be a full broadside as most of the rebel cannons could not angle down so low, but all the lower guns would get their turn at punishing our little boat.

  There was no chance to reload the guns. Men took cover as best they could as a ton of lead and iron with fire was thrown at us. The Lady Ocean was like a leaf in a storm and all I could do was try to keep the ship straight and level as she was smashed and thrown about. I expected to die any second now and hoped our little broadside might help the War Tempest. I thought of Ajator and prayed he was well, and wished Veinara happiness and forgave her. I looked back on my life and had no regrets. Life was short but I had lived it and sometimes even enjoyed it.

  A bit of splintered wood cut my cheek but I held onto the wheel. Something burned my hand and still I held the ship steady. All along the deck, cannon fire ripped both men and guns away like feathers in a storm. Young Seaman Gogloy was thrown back by a blast. Both the terrified second boy and I looked at the dead seaman with his opened rib cage. Seaman? He was just a child who would now never see manhood.

  Below deck would be the same scenes of a fiery cleansing and I felt cleansed. I felt alive like never before and found it odd that such lucidity should find me now at the moment of my death. But I did think clearly, and now laughed as a cannon shot nearly took off my head. The wind of the ball sent my hat flying. The Lady Ocean kept going and I wanted more and called for Olvan. Olvan stumbled and ran hunched up to the aftcastle.

  “We’re doomed!” I laughed above the din. A marine flew over the side of the deck as a shot hit him in the chest.

  “Yes, Captain,” Olvan said and returned an odd smile. Was I smiling like that, doomed and insane?

  “We might as well sacrifice ourselves now.”

  “I thought we already had, sir!”

  “We might get through this, but there won’t be much of us left. Where’s Jodlin?”

  We both looked down at the deck and could just make the big man out in the smoke. He was heaving cannon balls at the enemy. It was pointless, but I laughed at the big man who had to vent his frustration somehow.

  “Hold the wheel,” I said. “When we pass the bastard, come round close behind her. As close as you can!”

  I then ran down the steps to the deck. There was an almighty crash as the ship’s funnel crumpled and fell down over the side having taken a direct hit. A few marines and the Lady Lamient where coming down the crow's-nest mast. There was blood on her bare shoulder. I ran past them. Reaching Jodlin, I took him by the shoulder and then shouted in his ear, “Take that grappling hook and line then follow me.”

  I continued to the wreckage that was the forecastle. It was a mess of wounded men, splinters and burning wood. The anchor chain was lying amongst the debris. I turned to take the rope from Jod
lin. Working fast, I tied it to the anchor chain as close to the anchor as I could reach, and then handed the metal hook to the big man. Finally we were reaching the end of the hellish ordeal and the stern of the grand battleship was coming up. In the bright blasts of battle, I could see the wheel churning white water in the big ship’s wake.

  “Take this hook, Jod. You will throw it into the rebel’s paddle as we pass. Can you do that?”

  He smiled as he felt the weight of the hook. Harl joined us, cradling a bloody arm.

  “I can lob it as far you like, Captain,” said Jodlin.

  “Are you doing what I think you’re doing, Captain?” asked the wounded Harl.

  “Yes Harl. If we can slow that big bugger down, then the Tempest might break free of the trap.”

  Harl nodded and ran down the length of the ship telling men to get to the rear of the ship, and carry those that cannot walk or crawl. There was a mighty bang followed by a belch of black smoke and steam where the funnel had been. The Lady Ocean’s engine finally gave and the paddle wheel stopped it’s churning. The cannons stopped firing. Things went deadly silent on this side of the fight. There was still the rumble of canon from the other side of the grand battleship and a constant crackling of musket fire but compared to the thunderous broadside we had been enduring, things were positively peaceful.

  With the little momentum the ruined ship had left, Olvan turned the ship’s wheel and the Lady Ocean came about behind the grand battleship and was faced with a torrent of turbulent water where the massive rebel paddlewheel made the sea boil. Jodlin stood at what was left of the gunwale and swung the hook round and round, picking up speed with every rotation. I saw that it would have to be a perfect throw for the paddlewheel was protected most of the way down to the waterline by thick wooden shielding with metal bands and rivets.

  “I have faith in you Mister Jodlin,” I said, and with a bellowing grunt, the big man let the hook fly.

  It went in a low ark through the night sky, flying through stinking smoke and trailing a hemp rope which unwound as the hook flew. The hook just missed the armour and went into the white water under it. For a second I thought Jodlin had missed, but suddenly the rope was pulled violently and Jodlin and I had to dive out of the way as the rope was yanked taught. Then there was no rope left to give so the Lady Ocean’s main anchor was dragged up and pulled into the sea. I laughed and ran back along the ship dodging shots and jumping obstacles. Jodlin was just behind me. I must have looked like a madman dancing with joy amongst the dead and wreckage. The Undertaker indeed. I had doomed the ship and its crew with a laugh and a dance.

  “Hold tight! Hold tight!” I was calling. “Grab something to hold onto!”

  I saw Olvan on the aftcastle gripping the wheel. Harl put his good arm round the crow's-nest mast. I made it to the banister of the aftcastle steps just as the Lady Ocean heaved with an almighty, sickening lurch to port as the rebel grand battleship pulled her round far too violently for the small ship which creaked and cracked under the strain, bulkheads snapping and planks popping. She was yanked around leaning over in a steep turn that at first made her bow dig deeper and deeper until water started flooding over her deck. One seaman screamed as his grip failed and he fell into the cold waters. I held on for dear life hanging from the banister.

  Then just as suddenly, the bow was pulled up again by the power of the rebel paddle wheel which groaned and cracked under the sudden weight of the frigate. The Lady Ocean snapped round and bobbed up as she was forced into the same heading as the enemy. Quickly the gigantic paddlewheel reeled in the Lady Ocean and with a crashing roar of splintering wood and mangled metal; the small frigate was pulled into the armour and wheel. At first the paddle wheel ate away at the frigate sending wood and metal flying. Men were thrown about the ship which was being lifted clear out of the water. The paddle wheel ground on but it was straining and slowing. Another crack and a drop, then an almighty crashing and groaning from deep within the enemy hulk was followed by the wheel grinding to a slow painful halt.

  I looked up and through the smoke I could see how the wheel had eaten a good portion of my ship before finally the Lady Ocean had wedged itself between the wheel and hull taking a large chunk of the wheel armour with it. There was however only a moment’s respite as the air then filled with the sound of crackling muskets, and lead balls thudding like deadly rain across the deck.

  “Take cover!” I called and dived into the aftcastle's interior. “Sergeant Lamtak. Are you alive?”

  “Sir!” said the sergeant appearing from the darkness.

  “I expect those rebels will try to board us very soon. They need to cut us free, and I want to make it hard for them to do so. How many men have you got left?”

  “Haven’t got a clue. sir.”

  I gave what must have been a rueful smile. The terrible punishment of the last few minutes would have shaken any man. “Take whatever men are standing, marines and seamen and shoot anyone that tries to board this vessel.”

  “Aye aye, Captain.”

  We were drifting now. The giant battleship and the little frigate were one on the waters and helpless as the battle raged on about us. I tried to get an idea of how the fight was going but it was hard with the enemy laying down a constant barrage of musket fire, and the smoke so thick you could chew it. I went to the rear of my cabin and looked out of the broken windows and was surprised to see how close I was to the water. The stern of the Lady Ocean was slowly sinking although the bow was being held in place by the grand battleship.

  The cannon fire from the rebel ceased and I knew that the War Tempest was now beyond the rebel's broadsides. I made my way back to the deck, and then half ran, half climbed and dodged my way to the port side and took cover in the shadow of a broken beam of wood. Gritting my teeth, I snarled at the enemy. Men then cheered as they saw the War Tempest come about, free of her trap, opening fire on the enemy grand battleship, sending iron, fire and death down the length of her hull. Each shot would now do twice the damage and each shot felt like a victory to me and my jubilant crew. We may have been hammered, crushed, burnt and thrashed about, but we had taken it like Ardalrion seamen should. We had taken it and struck back, beating this charging bull with a single shot. Now it was up to the War Tempest to finish the job so she came round, still firing a continuous and thunderous hail of shot at the rebel ship. The manoeuvre meant that she had lost the other, smaller rebel battleships that must now come round the grand battleship before they can attack her again. I looked to starboard and saw two Imperial battleships and three or four frigates racing to the aid of our flagship.

  “Well done men,” I called. “We did it. We stopped the rebel and now the Tempest is free to land the killing blow!”

  There was another cheer from the men still standing. There were cries of pain and groans of misery from the wounded, but right then I could only feel the elation of winning a battle. The War Tempest came in close to the rebel ship and I saw that she meant to board her and I knew then that we had defeated the rebel fleet.