Champions Vol. 02

The second manual had been even more valuable. It had been a detailed description of naval warfare, and even included a section on warship building. Their ship captain advisors joined forces with a handful of historians, and two inquisitors, to develop their plan for building the Erosian Navy. It would take months to build enough ships to even begin to make a decent coastal defense fleet, but they had already finished building the first two in Sanctuary Port, and crews had begun to train with them. Those men and women would become the future trainers of the Erosian Navy.

"Eros commanded us to be ready by the end of this season, which only gives us another month and a half to rally at Wolfsvale before winter begins," the High Priest explained. "While a single rider can make the trip in as little as ten days, we will be lucky to make it there in fifteen. What's more, Snow Gap Pass will soon be closed to travel once the first snows fall. I know you wish more time to train, but if we do not get the entire army through the pass before it is blocked, then we risk being forced to take the northern road around the Abatinus Mountains."

Nikanor's expression soured at the thought. While Erosius had reasonably mild winters, there were still at least two, and often three, months of snowfall. However, because of the altitude of their highest peaks the Abatinus Mountains were capped in snow year round. It was the melting of these which fed the clear waters of Lake Abat on the mountain chain's northern boundary. It also meant that winter came much sooner to the only navigable pass through them, Snow Gap. Gennadios was absolutely correct; they would need to cross through the pass before it became blocked by snowfall. The southern route might take them as many as fifteen days, but the northern route would likely take at least three times as long.

"You are correct, High Priest Gennadios, I will instruct the lochagos to have their forces ready to march in three weeks, on the 1^st of Maimakterion. That should have us through the pass before the first snow falls, even if we are delayed," Nikanor announced.

"Also pass on to the lochagoes that only the minimum equipment necessary to make the journey through the pass should be carried on the march. I have already made arrangements for trading vessels to deliver the rest to Lexia, and Priestess Agathe sent me word today that she is organizing a caravan to transport it and other goods to the Wolfsvale encampment when it arrives," Gennadios explained. "Our two warships will provide escort for the journey. They can use the time to train on ship maneuvers."

"What of the soldiers' weapons and armor," Nikanor asked. He doubted that the High Priest intended to ship these, but they were without a doubt the heaviest loads that his men and women had to bear.

"They must carry them," Gennadios replied. "A mora without tents, bedding, and other comforts is still a force to be reckoned with. A mora without weapons or armor is merely an organized mob."

*** Chapter 25: The Un-Welcoming Committee ***

030800JUN13 DW

14^th of Pyanepsion, 2351 EC

The Great Sea, en-route to The Isle of Eirini

The night's darkness was not banished by a glorious sunrise that morning. Instead it lightened to a grey haze. The Sophia and Laurena's Chariot found themselves sailing in a fog so thick they could barely see one another from 100 meters away. Both ships cautiously reduced sail, slowing the ships rate of travel, and the Chariot took the lead. Navigator Phaidros was still aboard, and he worked furiously to determine their position on the ancient charts.

Aboard the Sophia Laurena was beginning to feel a premonition. It was as though something was guiding her forward. Confused, she looked to Laurena's Chariot to see if she could spot David. The feeling was similar to what she felt after they had coupled. It was as though a feeling not her own was being shared. However, she could not see him, and it had been nearly a week since she had joined with him and Sapphire. The sharing of feelings only lasted a few hours afterwards, so it could not be that.

Absentmindedly, she reached up to grasp her pendant -- home of Ophelia -- the former Champion of Eros. She was surprised to find it warm to the touch. Concentrating on the sensation of the pendant, she found her mind clear and she suddenly realized that the pendant was directing her on a path.

"Captain Epaphras!" she called out. "I know where to go!"

Turning to Laurena, the captain asked politely, but skeptically, "How do you know, Champion?"

Holding up the miniature sarcophagus pendant, Laurena replied, "Ophelia guides me."

Bowing in acceptance, the captain called out to the Chariot loudly to get their attention, then the crewman assigned to flag duty signaled the other ship to move behind them. Laurena and the Sophia would lead them through the fog.

Moving next to Kallisto, who was manning the ship's wheel, Laurena focused on the guidance she was receiving from the pendant. Moments later she announced, "Port."

"How far?" asked Kallisto.

"I do not know," replied Laurena calmly, "keep turning till I tell you to stop."

Annoyed at the imprecise guidance Kallisto slowly turned.

"You need to turn faster," Laurena said urgently.

"Why?" Kallisto demanded.

Before Laurena could reply the forward lookout shouted, "Rocks! Rocks ahead! Hard to port!"

Kallisto spun the ship's wheel as fast as she could, but her slow reaction earlier had delayed them too much. The ship lurched to port and they all heard an ominous grinding sound as the starboard side of the hull scraped against the rocks.

"You need to turn faster," Laurena replied crossly.

"Yes, Champion," Kallisto replied, chastened.

Captain Epaphras stood nearby nervously, that had been a dangerously close call, and lone rocks did not simply jump out of the sea. Where there was one there were more.

"Drop sail, we'll wait out the fog," he announced, and the deckhands moved swiftly to obey.

"No!" shouted Laurena. Then remembering the terminology she had learned aboard ship added, "Belay that!"

"Champion, this is dangerous," Epaphras beseeched her. "We could run aground, or worse hit a rock square on and destroy the hull."

"I am sorry, Captain," Laurena said, only half listening, "but my guidance is clear. This fog will not lift, it protects the island. We must maintain this speed for now. Tell the Chariot to close with us, and follow directly in our path."

Sighing in frustration, he did as she bade. He also instructed the signaler to relay the turns to the Chariot behind them.

For the next half hour the atmosphere aboard both ships was tense. In the fog they witnessed rocky outcroppings frequently, some of them decorated by the remains of decaying ships. There were also sunken vessels, the tips of their masts visible just below the surface. However, Laurena continued to calmly give directions to Kallisto, and they never again brushed an obstacle. Finally Laurena announced, "Stop! And tell the Chariot to pull to our starboard side, our port is not safe."

Epaphras gladly called out to drop sail and anchor, and bade the signalman to send the instructions to the Chariot. Lysandros vessel had already begun lowering their sails, but delayed dropping anchor until they had slid into place next to the Sophia. The two ships were tied together, and a gang plank was run between them.

Lysandros led David and Sapphire across to the Sophia, greeting his adoptive father as he arrived.

"That was bracing," the young captain announced good naturedly.

"Imagine what it was like for us," Epaphras replied with a chuckle. Their voyage through the fog seemed a lot less intimidating now that it was finished.

"Definitely a pucker moment," David added.

The entire group looked at him in confusion.

"A pucker moment is when your sphincter tightens, usually right before you shit yourself in terror," David explained calmly.

"Ahh," replied Epaphras and Lysandros in understanding, "Eww," added Laurena in disgust, "Could you be any more crass?" demanded Sapphire, slapping him on the arm. David just shrugged. "Yes," he answered his love cheekily. Sapphire's huff of annoyance in response caused him to smile.

"What now?" Epaphras asked Laurena, changing the subject.

"We need to lower a dinghy, and proceed on to the island," she replied.

"Who should go with you," he asked, after ordering two crewmembers to lower the craft.

"Ophelia's guidance says no one," Laurena began, "but I want David and Sapphire with me. The rest of the crew should remain."

"Are you certain that you do not want two of my people with you, if only to row you ashore?" Epaphras asked politely.

"Why do you think I want David along?" Laurena replied cheekily.

* * *

David grumbled as he pulled the dinghy onto the beach. He and Sapphire had returned to the cabin on Laurena's Chariot and gathered their weapons and his armored vest. Laurena had announced that her pendant was indicating that weapons were unnecessary, but David had been adamant. He would rather have his weapons and not need them than need them and not have them. Laurena chose not to argue.

After rowing at the young Champion's direction for fifteen minutes, they had started to hear the crashing of waves on the shore. It was coming from the direction that they were traveling. As they grew closer the fog began to dissipate, until they were suddenly in the bright sunlight, the shore now visible 200 meters away. Finally able to see clearly, they noted that they were in a small cove, about 400 meters across, with high rocky walls on both sides and a narrow beach ahead. Just past the beach were trees, which David identified as palms. Neither Sapphire nor Laurena had seen palm trees before, and they were eager for him to tell them everything he knew. He figured that since they were here he would snag a few coconuts and see if he could whip up something.

Once they were close enough they rode the small waves in, and as soon as their vessel began to touch sand David grabbed a guide rope and started hauling them to shore. Even with his increased strength he struggled against the weight of the boat and the waves that threatened to drag it back into the sea.

"You two could help, you know," David finally called out in annoyance.

Snickering at him, the pair replied, "Of course, David," in synch. Sigh. He hated when they did that.

Sapphire chanted a quick spell, and suddenly the ship lifted from the ocean and hovered weightless two feet above the waves. David just shook his head. He was an idiot. He could have done that. Hell, he should have done that. Shrugging he walked forward out of the surf and onto the sandy beach. As soon as he had pulled their dinghy up past the high tide line in the sand he stopped and motioned for Sapphire to lower it. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye Sapphire brought the hull of the boat down gently upon the sand.

"You could have reminded me about that," he grumbled to his lover.

"You could have asked my advice...or waited five seconds for me to mention it...or had the forethought to figure it out for yourself. You did none of these, my love. You leapt from the boat and into the water without a backwards glance. Perhaps in the future this will teach you to think before you act," she teased him as Laurena giggled at them both.

David sighed. She did have a point, but she also forgot that he grew up in a world without magic. Using it would probably never be the first method of problem solving that would come to him. Shaking his head at his own foolishness he cast a spell of cleansing, and added a spell of warmth to hurry along the drying of his boots and trousers. Then he moved back to the boat and began donning his body armor and helmet. Sapphire and Laurena were already prepared, so they just chatted while they waited for David to finish.

Once he was ready the three of them headed off into the trees. Laurena insisted that she could 'feel' the right path, and David insisted that he would walk point. Despite the ladies' annoyance he was firm. This wasn't chauvinism, he was better armed, better trained, and had more combat experienced than either woman. It just made sense for him to walk in front.

Laurena was becoming annoyed with his stubbornness. This was her mission. She was the reason why they were here, and the spirit of Ophelia guiding her insisted that this island was only a danger to those who brought ill intentions with them.

"David, I appreciate your concern, your skill, and your desire to protect us," Laurena began as politely as she was able to at that moment -- which was not very politely. "But this task was assigned to me by Eros. He asked you and Sapphire to accompany me," she stressed the words, "not do it for me. Now get out of my way and let me do this."

David fixed Laurena with a hard stare, and the determined woman stared right back, unblinking. Finally he sighed in resignation and stepped aside. If she wanted to do things her way then fine, let her deal with the consequences.

As Laurena moved past him she shot a triumphant look back at Sapphire, who returned it with an impudent grin and a 'thumbs up'. David was good man, who tried hard to protect them both, but sometimes he needed to be reminded that he was only 'in charge' when they let him be.

Following the guidance of her pendant, Laurena led them along a narrow game trail through the thick forest. After about half an hour of walking they came to a clearing, at the far end of which was a small hut. They could see a thin tendril of smoke drifting lazily from the chimney at the back.

Moving forward cautiously, they had barely covered a third of the distance to the hut when a figure stormed out of the front door.

"Hey you, what are you doing here," the man yelled. "Whatever you're selling I ain't buying. Now get lost, before I sick Bertha on you."

Surprised by the man and his hostility, the three of them just stopped and stared. It was impossible to guess his age, because his hair and beard were so filthy and matted that they could not tell what color it was supposed to be. There were streaks of gray, white, brown, black, and auburn amidst the dirty tangled mass, and it was impossible to tell which color was the original. In addition, he wore a tattered and stained robe that was more haphazard patches than original cloth. To say that it had seen better days would be too polite. It looked so old that it had likely seen better decades.

The first to react was Sapphire. Looking around she could see no one else in the area. Returning her attention to the man she inquired, "Bertha?"

"Yeah," the man replied. "She's in charge of security," he added, pointing with a thumb to his side. All three looked in the direction he indicated, and saw a small white mass resting on the chair beside the door. It looked like a fuzzy pillow. Seeing their interest the man puffed up, as though his reinforcements had arrived. Looking closer, he noticed the look of confusion on these interlopers' faces and turned to look at 'Bertha' himself.

"Damn it woman," he cursed, kicking the chair lightly, "you're supposed to be stopping idiots from trespassing."

The fuzzy white ball moved, and as 'Bertha' rose up on her hind legs her ears stuck up at attention and her pink nose sniffed rapidly, scenting the air. The old man's 'security' was a rabbit.

Glowering at the creature, the man began to shout scathing admonishments about dereliction of duty, sleeping on duty, insubordination, and a variety other offenses.

Turning to Laurena, Sapphire whispered, "Is that the Keeper?"

"I really hope not," Laurena whispered back.

Looking down at the pouches on his chest, David opened up one of the grenade pouches and inspected the contents. "If I draw a cross on it does it count as 'holy'?" he muttered to himself.

*** Chapter 26: The Trial of Patience ***

031400JUN13 DW

14^th of Pyanepsion, 2351 EC

The Isle of Eirini

Standing in the clearing the three companions tried to decide what to do. David wanted to leave the crazy man alone, and continue on. According to him he did not speak 'bat-shit crazy'. Sapphire wanted to speak with the man and see if he was the Keeper of the Tomb. Laurena was torn between the two. She could see the value in speaking with the man if he was the Keeper, but he was obviously unstable. It was possible that any conversation with him could go badly. Further, her pendant was pulling away from the man towards the other side of the clearing and further into the island.

Deciding that it would not hurt them to at least ask if he was the Keeper of the Tomb, Laurena moved a little closer and waited for the angry man to stop yelling at the rabbit. And she waited. And she waited some more.

Realizing that he was unlikely to cease spouting invectives any time soon, Laurena interrupted. "Excuse me sir, but are..."

"SIR?!" he thundered, interrupting her. "SIR?! Do I look like a SIR to you missy?" he continued, directing his anger at the Champion.

"Well I do not know your name," she replied as calmly as she could, "so I felt that 'sir' was the polite way to address you. Is there something else you would prefer?"

"Yeah," he grumbled angrily, "how about my name?"

"And what might that be?"

The name's [eek]," he said, ending with a high pitched squeak.

"I'm sorry, what was that again?" Laurena asked bewildered.

"[eek]," he squeaked again. "Ain't you ever hear of the name [eek] before?"

David began softly snickering behind Laurena as she tried to figure out what the man was talking about. She heard a thump and David groaned, and assumed that Sapphire had not appreciated his reaction.

"What," David responded, continuing to chuckle behind her, "haven't you ever heard of the name Squeak before?" (thump) "It's all the rage" (thud) "where I'm from." (slap) Sapphire was obviously unappreciative of his humor.

"It's not 'Squeak' young man," [eek] replied. "It's [eek]. The 'Squ' is silent."

That was when David lost it, and began howling with unrestrained laughter. Laurena turned and looked at him in annoyance, an expression mirrored by Sapphire who was standing beside him and massaging her stinging right hand.

Turning back to the strange man Laurena saw that he was no longer angry, and instead looking upon David with mild amusement. "He's not quite right in the head is he?" the man asked, pointing at David.

"No [eek] he is not," Laurena replied, exasperated by the entire situation.

Returning his attention to Laurena [eek] off-handedly commented, "You're pretty."

"Thank you," Laurena replied calmly.

[eek] shrugged.

Seeing a window of opportunity now that [eek] had calmed down, Laurena asked him, "Would you happen to know where we can find the Keeper of the Tomb?"

Hearing her, David tried to quiet his laughter to a chuckle so he could listen in.

"The Keeper, the Keeper, hmm," he muttered to himself. "Let's see, I haven't seen the Keeper in a long time. He was a bit annoying, and not terribly helpful. Seemed to think rather highly of himself, like his shit didn't stink or something," he explained. "Nope, can't say that I know where the Keeper is at the moment. He's probably around here somewhere, cleaning something all solemn-like. Bloody boring way to spend the day if you ask me."

Nodding, Laurena thanked him for his help and returned to David and Sapphire. It had been a rather strange conversation, but she was thankful that the obviously unstable man was not the person she was looking for.

"I apologize, Laurena and Sapphire," David said chuckling. "I was wrong. Taking a few moments to talk to him was absolutely the right call," he continued. "I haven't laughed like that in a while."