The Vengeful Tide Ch. 09

Three more days passed on my voyage and I began to notice some changes occurring in the witch aboard my ship. The most shocking of these changes was that for two days she remained outside the ship. She would watch the waves below our vessel, she would listen to the songs the crew would sing, and she would stroll down the lower decks for no mere point other than interest. She wasn't disturbing the workers, aside from giving the men the hardest erections they would ever get, so I didn't see much of a problem. However, it did seem odd to me that she would leave a solitary place since that was all she seemed to do when I had known her. She only stayed in one place. I had been expecting that place to be her room for the rest of the voyage aside from Hilvir.

The next change, albeit a rather subtle one, was that she began speaking with some of the crewmembers during their baths. I didn't know about what and I didn't really care to ask. As long as no one touched her, or said anything that would greatly displease her, then it wasn't my business what they discussed. Although, my mother did inform me that Liara had taken to asking her about stories of her times as a pirate. I didn't know what the witch had to gain from doing this, but I left that alone as well.

The next change would have been one that was subtle to everyone outside my mother, Ellen, the elves, and myself. Liara...had begun to spend quite a bit of time around me. She began taking her meals with me in my room. She began discussing the results of some of her magical research. It's thanks to my memories of my time's Liara that I can hold a somewhat intelligent conversation with her regarding the matters.

While I work, read, or even lounge about my quarters, Liara is there with a book in hand. I have to say that the first few times she did this, even I was a tad unnerved by her presence. Granted, I did not stop her. I raised neither hand nor voice to her to remove herself from my presence. Instead, I allowed her to be as close as she wished so long as the more private of my affairs were kept to myself.

She would spend hours in my room unless Diane or Goron called her away. I had asked her a few times what she was doing, but she only answered with a smile that gave me no insight. In the end, I had stopped trying to guess. If she was going to be around me so much, then I was going to take the time to partake of her beauty. There was no inopportune moment for not to do so.

That said, I could not only stare at Liara over this time. I quickly began making preparations because our ship had sailed into the Barlorian Sea. These tides would carry us into the lands of Fiolomir. There, I would retrieve what I needed to ease the troubles my crew would face on the Lost Isles of Delverhold. Plus, walking somewhere in those lands was Boreli Astell, a man I thought to be my own brother of the sea until the beginning of my untimely demise.

I shall sum up Boreli in one simple term.

Eager.

Boreli was born as the bastard from an affair between a noblewoman and a man of modest beginnings. His mother had pushed him into his father's arms and they were fated never to be a whole family every again. Because of this, Boreli had grown up with a pursuit of fame and glory that could nearly rival my own. There was no ocean too deep, no danger too fierce, and...no low he wouldn't go, to seek the greatest coin he could. He had told me that he hoped to achieve so much fame that his mother would be forced to seek him out. I remember asking him what happened to his father, but he never found the strength to tell me.

When I was but a young, brass captain, I had managed to get my hands on a treasure map which led me to an unknown island. Unfortunately, I could not confidently sail the waters as I do now. I sought a guide. Boreli was that guide and he came to me in the form of a pickpocket. He had taken my map. Luckily for me, I was a bit used to my powers over the sea and restrained him easily. He then bargained for his life. He could navigate my ship to the island.

At the time I thought he was just blowing smoke out his ass, but he did guide me to the island. That trip had turned into him and me with our backs to each other facing off against knights, swords, and guns. When it was over, I offered Boreli to chase the greater fame and fortune with me. He did so and he became one of the greatest friends a bastard like me could have...or so I had thought.

"Eric, in another two hours we be finding our fate in the Barlorian Sea and the lands of Fiolomir. What be our course?" my mother asked as the helmsman continued to sail us forward.

I stared out into the open sea for a minute or so before I answered.

"We shall sail for the ports of the city of C'ula. I'll turn in the bounty on Saviara there. We'll stay in that city for no less than two days and no more than a week," I told her.

My mother looked over my shoulder at the map curiously. I pointed her to the rough estimate of where we were at and she merely looked at me in confusion.

"What's there?" she asked me.

How I love the way she jumped and shivered when I stole a kiss from her lips. She didn't even have time to properly register it before I pulled away.

"Simple, mother. Within that city, I hope, lies the thing I need that might spare our men having their souls trapped in a realm of neverending torment," I whispered to her.

I must have worried her because she had a concerned look on her face, but there be time for buttered legs and that time was not now. We all be in this for the long haul. Nevertheless, I soothed any inner concerns she might have had as best I could.

Once I managed to convince her that I still had a handle on this upcoming situation, I went below the deck. I passed by Ellen's quarters. She seemed deep in thought with a few papers in front of her. She jotted down whatever was on her mind with a quill pen. So gone in her thoughts and her work was she that I didn't have the heart to interrupt her.

Instead, I left her and headed further down into the ship. Those men and women who've finished their shifts or waited for their shifts to start occupied themselves with more cards, story-telling, lounging, and...the occasional fuck. I could hear the sounds of at least four people rutting like dogs behind closed doors.

It didn't bother me. So long as no...unexpected increases in my crew appeared, then I allowed them to do as they wished. Yes, I am indeed aware that I be not one to talk. With how hard I had fucked my mother in recent weeks, I be surprised that she be not with child as well. Whether that is good fortune or not is up to anyone's perception.

Anyway, I stepped down until I came to see Lady Knight sitting on a stool in front of the storage room that held all my ship's treasures. Beside her, resting against the wall, was a sword I had given her for the time being. It was by no means of the same quality a knight like her was used to carrying, but it wasn't like she had the right to complain.

In her hands was a book. I suppose I should wonder where she got this piece of literature from since I was sure that, aside from Liara and myself, no one else had books that I can recall. Most of the poor men and women of Draegnar couldn't read since they weren't taught so. Of course, I don't know why I'm comparing a highborn woman to the low classes of Draegnar, but...that be where my thoughts led me.

My steps alerted her to my presence. She turned to me and began to place her book down. I quickly stopped her.

"No need to get up or put the book away. I'm just down here to tell you we'll be reaching the lands of Fiolomir in a few hours," I said.

Alteria sat back down and faced me.

"Was there a need for you to make the lengthy trip down here just to inform me of that?" she asked. I be unsure of why the fire in her voice made smile, but I cast any underlying thoughts for later.

"Can I not traverse my own ship? Also, you'd best find the methods to soothe that steel in your voice. I have been fairly more accommodating than any other bastard of the sea that would take you. We be allies, but don't think we be equals" I replied.

Balamar didn't answer me. Instead, she closed her book and exhaled. She then fully faced me. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't glance down at her long legs when she did this. I don't believe I was caught, but I must have moved my eyes too fast for her to think otherwise.

"Fiolomir is currently in the midst of a great war that plagues both its land and its people. You would be sailing into turbulent waters. What reason is there to head into these lands? I don't know how a man such as you has such a strong affinity for water magic, but I don't believe even you can handle the armies of three kingdoms," she said.

I had not the heart to argue with her. The visages of shock and awe upon the faces of those captivated by the might I wield is more than any talk can bless me with. That said, I found no harm in messing with her.

"And here I thought you knights were the first to charge into the battlefield and shed blood for your countries. How you have proven me wrong. If you be worried, then you can stay below the ship if you desire," I said.

I did not wait for her reply. Instead, I turned around and proceeded to walk back to the deck. I suppose I should count my blessings because one of the crewmembers came running towards me.

"Captain! Three ships port side with cannons at the ready! They aim to sink us!" this person said.

I think I ran out of blessings to count rather quickly when I saw the defensive magic array that protects the ship appear before the thunderous booms and heavy quakes of cannon fire that assaulted my ship. The boat rocked as if a mighty eruption had fallen over it. So great was it that I fell off balance and my head bumped into the side of the wall.

My head rattled and my eyes were dazed. Rather than a sense of urgency, I only felt annoyance. I stood to my feet and helped up the person who had conveyed this attack to me. My mind was such a flurry of thoughts that I don't remember the orders that I barked at people who rushed to the deck of the ship. When I was aware of myself, I was above the deck with over a hundred members of my crew.

"Captain, there!" Aesteal pointed outward. I followed her finger and just like the messenger had said prior, there were three royal blue ships with armor fashioned in pure silver and gold. Rich in beauty and in valor, these were the type of ships that make pirates tremble in fear since only the most wealthy captains can attain even half of what those are.

A breeze on its face, I gazed up at the ship's flag. The colors were a dead giveaway, but the kingdom's crest painted on the face of the flag only made it more obvious.

"Just like in my time, the Kingdoms of Evir and Callamum wage war upon my domain," I thought to myself. The ships of Callamum that have assaulted me are vastly inferior to the ones that sailed in my time. If I recall correctly, then the Kingdom of Callamum would reach an upheaval in naval warfare compared to the other nations. Naturally, I sank them just like the rest but...that kingdom be no dead slug in the tides of war.

Soon heavy eruptions as if a volley of thunder rolling across the sky had assaulted my ears. I watched as another volley of cannonballs sailed through the air before exploding against the magic barrier that surrounded the ship. Explosions loud enough to deafen any normal man's ears rang through the air.

The force of the impact brought us to our knees as some of my crewmembers started to panic. Ellen growled as she stared out into the open seas.

"Not even five minutes into these waters and we're already facing the dogshit bastards from the Callamum kingdom! I'd like to sink the bastards right now," she said. This caused me to chuckle, but I think my laughter was drowned out by the rumbling in the air.

Once the rumbling stopped, my mother grabbed my shoulder. "Eric, what are your orders?" she asked.

I turned my head and before my eyes was my temporary crew eagerly awaiting the paths in which I would direct them. Perhaps for my crew, this be the final test that they would give to me. I had given them food, treasure, and the life a pirate begins to yearn for. Now, could I protect these bastards and bitches aboard my vessel? Could I make them see that they had not made the wrong choice in lending their lives to me?

HA! What kind of son of a bitch do they think me to be?

I stood up and jumped onto the wooden railing of the ship. Though they were still far out, I could tell they were readying for another volley. Of course, it be a very simple matter to crush these ships from where I stood, but...for my crew to behold what I be showing them would need such grander flair than this.

I turned to Ellen.

"None of you need to intervene. I'll take care of this myself. They shall witness the might of the Son of Poseidon," I said.

Ellen widened her eyes as did Maeloson and Aesteal. I could even see that Liara, Diane, and Goron, the big lug, were paying attention to my words. Of course, noble Lady Knight be no different.

However, my mother looked at me as if I had gone utterly insane, which be a very clear statement to make. I faced her and grinned.

"Remember mother, a good slut...," I told her. I then jumped off the side of the ship.

On my way down, I could hear my mother scream for me as members of my crew deemed me glorious titles such as coward or crazy. I would forgive the shitty comments just this once since...this was rather stupid of any other person were performing such a feat.

I splashed into the seas below my ship and the waters covered my body. I had not the time to savor this feeling that I always find myself with when I be submerged. Despite the waters clogging my ears, I could still hear the muffled sounds of the enemy ship's cannons.

With a wave of my left hand, and then a wave of my right, the sea swirled around my body. I then garbled a shout as the waters rose to the surface like a great squall to appear from the depths below.

I arose from the sea with a tower of the tides to steady my footing. Those aboard my ship stood in utter awe of my use of my abilities. The volley of cannons that had been fired upon my vessel swam through the air. I swung my arms as I pulled up about five walls of water one after the other. I then compressed each wall together as much as I could. So woven together were they that nothing could get through them.

I could feel the explosion of the cannonballs against my walls of water. It felt like a ripple went through the very core of my brain.

Once the explosions settled, I swung my right arm. From the walls of the sea that I had crafted, a compressed blast of water expelled from the right side of my defensive structure. I then swung my left arm and the same occurred from the left side of the wall. Two blasts of the great tides assaulted the air like a great tidal wave be set to descend upon my enemies.

I now see the fear in the Callamum vessels because their cannon bombardment had gotten even faster. The ships tried to maneuver as best they could, but how could such trifles dare compete against my will?

More cannons sailed through the air. I raised two of my fingers and the wall of water that I had made to guard my ship quickly rushed out to meet these exploding balls of iron. Violent beasts of eruptions soon followed beneath the beat of the sun's harsh gaze.

During the brief reprieve of the assault of the Callamum ships, I quickly crushed the smallest vessel. Within the seas, I could feel the weight of each ship around my immediate vicinity. The smallest ship laid to the very right of the largest. I clenched my right hand and the blasting force of the tides that had been expelled from my hand formed a great spear fit to sink a vessel with ease.

...And sink that vessel it did. The fires that lit up the ship gave me a great vision of my successful assault. I willed the waters to pull the ship out of the water and they did so. Pierced through its body, the water pulled and pulled until this Callamum vessel rained men from its body and into the oceans below. Then came the crushing fires of the ship before it collapsed beneath its own weight. I felt no pity for the souls it crushed as it made its way back down with enough force to create massive waves that not only reached me but reached my ship as well.

I turned back to view my crew for a moment. I'd rather those idiots not be turned into collateral damage during my performance. Naturally, I was greeted with wide eyes and dropped jaws. I had captivated everyone, even Ilzahold.

When I turned back, a large magical array of various colors greeted me. Intrigued, I allowed this little...spell to complete. Then, from its face release a strong blast of lightning. Based on the hundreds of spells that be in my brain from my Ilzahold's memories, I could tell that this spell was of the fifth-class variety. Obviously, there be a rather talented mage or mages on that ship. Too bad this would be their last voyage.

As the lightning traveled towards me, the water that I had pulled from the left side of the wall I had made earlier became known. I swung my arm and this body of ocean appeared in front of the blast of magic ready to fry my body like cooked fish.

The lightning struck this body of water and I quickly formed this piece that I had as much as I could. Surge after surge of lightning magic coursed through this giant floating orb of water that I had created. Thousands of sea critters that had been unfortunately caught within its grasp had died from the shock of lightning rushing through its form.

I then swiped my left arm upwards. The ball of conducted water rushed into the sky so high that it was covered in the clouds. I didn't even have to wait long for those clouds to darken. I pulled them together and the lightning struck them all allowed the crack and boom of thunderclouds.

I concentrated as much of the water as I could to where this attack would not hurt my crew too much. If anything too dreadful happened then the barrier of the ship should protect it.

...I say should because this was one of my favorite, if destructive attacks my mind could think of.

I swung my hand down. I be wondering about the thoughts of my crew when they saw over a thousand showers of lightning spears fall from the sky. Like a golden descent of heavenly blades, they crashed into the two remaining ships with relentlessly cruel precision. There was no place left to stand that was safe.

Perhaps, this be the best time to point out for the last time, I be capable of only commanding all forms of water. I do not control the thunder or lightning that circulates in the skies. However, water infused with lightning magic is certainly a close second to wielding the powers of the great storms.

I chuckled at the pitiful attempts the enemy mages, or mage, made against me in the form of a large barrier around the ships. How I wished I could see the horror on their faces when their powerful magics were subdued by the unwavering onslaught my descent of water and lightning.

CRACK!

CRACK!

CRACK!

The ship's arcane barrier broke into feeble pieces of energy and...my assault of these bottomfeeders continued.

Over the seas of Fiolomir, a rainstorm of water, lightning, and fire danced through the Callamum ships. Ah, it is a sight I have long since beheld during my time. The smell of burning wood and metal, the screams of those unlucky enough to rouse my ire, and the majesty of the seas once held within my grasp. I now be reminded of the time in my life when I truly was...the ruler over the Great Seas.

I slowed the assault of the raining lightning-infused droplets until only the storming clouds remained. If I let the rest of nature take its course then it would be raining again in about half an hour. Of course, I could stop it, but the feeling of the rain on me be a welcoming feeling to come.