“We’re in Grumpy’s territory? Is this safe?” My-re asked from the aft section of the Nightie by the navigation wheel.
Lady Sheila Greywand clasped My-re’s shoulder and gave a slight squeeze of reassurance and nodded. She descended a short flight of steps and announced as she walked through her contingent of Primus Lord Protectors from her elite Tower Guard. “I want every sconce lit and place lanterns everywhere else just south of risking fire to the trireme. I want enough light, so the gods in the heavens could find us if they looked down.”
My-re prayed to the gods of the plains that Sheila knew what she was doing. She stretched and went into a tired yawn. Her eyes watered and slightly burned with fatigue. Rubbing them and then looking to the stars in the nighttime sky, she regretted not taking a nap earlier in the day. It was going to be a long night. However, there was a nice cool breeze and it wasn’t humid on the lake, so at least her short, dark hair wouldn’t go flat. Waves lapped against the hull with a soothing rhythm.
Ssskah of the Castaways stable purred as she came up to My-re. Her eyes reflected in the nearby light giving off a creepy glow usually seen from cats in the bushes hunting prey. “I would think a stealthier approach would be better.”
As the Lord Protectors followed Sheila’s orders, My-re was thinking the same thing. Wait until the beast presents itself. However, since the creature would likely search for prey underwater, they might not even see an attack. It made sense to use light to draw it to us, but it did little to ease her nervous stomach.
As more and more lanterns were lit, soon the illumination caused the crew to squint and even the heat from the torch sconces caused sweat droplets from My-re’s armpits. Lady Greywand re-joined them at the navigation wheel.
“Hold this position,” Sheila said.
“All stop!” Captain Phetmolge bellowed.
The oars ceased, raised up, and locked into place. The sails were drawn up and tied down. Soon the Nightie drifted on the Lake of the Mist. The only sounds were the dripping of water from the oars, the crackling wood from nearby torches, and waves licking against the hull.
“Lady Greywand, in this part of the lake there is a concern of drifting into a shallow reef,” Phetmolge said.
“Understood, Captain.”
“Shall I release the anchor?”
“Leave it resting. Speed may be a necessity in pursuit of the creature, so maintain position.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
A couple hours passed and the contingent of Lord Protectors’ attention was focused out onto the lake. Every third man held an oversized fishing pole with its line in the water. My-re walked among them, but the lake’s thick mist and brightness of the lanterns limited her vision out to sea and caused her to sneeze twice. She felt bored, useless, and so decided to go below deck to see if the rowers, also fellow Lord Protectors, wanted anything to drink. At least she could make some coin while they waited.
The lower ceiling, the lack of windows, and confined wooden quarters held the odor of mildew and now feet quite well. Lanterns hung from ceiling beams providing ample light. The men and women Lord Protectors were milling about below deck. Several played cards, rolled dice, a few arm-wrestled, and tested each other in feats of strength, while some sharpened weapons with whet stones. They were all from the Tayahya arena and a little more relaxed and less disciplined than the Primus Lord Protectors above.
“Ah, the scullery maid has finally come to serve us drinks,” Rao of the Skull Squadron stable said standing. This brought a few chuckles. “Put a smile on that frowning face and bring me some grog.”
My-re did not smile as she sauntered up to him. The troop turned their attention to her and some made room.
“I did not become the Blood Game champion of Valamantis by smiling. I did not become a Lord Protector of Alastari by smiling. I did not get to where I’m at today by smiling. I am not in this world to be some object to look pretty for your own benefit. I maybe a scullery maid, but this scullery maid is serving you last,” My-re said and then poked him hard in the chest.
The force caused Rao to lean back and slightly lose his balance, which caused laughs from the protectors.
Rao looked at his chest in disbelief and then to her. Regaining his composure and rubbing the point of impact he said, “By the gods woman, you are stronger than you appear.”
My-re narrowed her eyes watching for a ploy.
“Smarts, strength, and sass are things I admire and welcomed by my side. This mighty Rirorni warrior will serve you a drink tonight,” Rao said.
A few protectors gave nods of approval as the confrontation was adverted. The room went back to their normal gambling and drinking ways.
An hour passed, the rowers had been served, and everyone below deck was in a good mood. This included My-re’s coin purse. Loud laughter and a few drinking songs, some fit for only the worst of taverns, were underway. Even Tim the Enchanter of the Knights of Ni stable, who had been sulking in a corner, had a drink in hand and wore an oversized smile. My-re and the others were having the time of their lives, until.
“Enjoying ourselves are we?” Lady Sheila Greywand asked descending down the creaking stairs.
The room fell quiet and all activity ceased. It was as if their mother had come into their room while they were doing things they shouldn’t be doing.
Lady Greywand walked through the hull, looking at the Lord Protectors to her left and right. A few moved as she advanced. Tim the Enchanter began scowling in a disapproving nature at the others’ activities as he hid his mug behind him. She approached a makeshift bar, with a chest, candle, and cups. She reached for a glass, put it down, and picked up another cleaner one. She grabbed a bottle, examined it, and asked, “Grog?”
Rao nodded.
Pouring herself a helping she downed it. Her eyes went slightly wide in surprise at the taste and then put the glass down slowly. She didn’t pour another.
“Your pardon Lady Greywand, were we making too much noise?” Rao asked.
“Considering, the ruckus was heard above deck, through the thick hull, and water…” Sheila’s voice trailed off as her eyes turned upward in thought. She slammed her boot into the hull floor and a dull thud reverberated under it. She repeated it a second time. A few heartbeats of silence passed and then she continued, “Carry on.”
Sheila smiled to herself and stomped her boot a third time on the floor with a dull echoing thud.
This time, another, brasher THUD answered back. The room went silent.
Sheila hit her boot to the floor again, but softer than before.
The thud answered back. Then repeated. The wood in the hull bulged.
A splash emanated from above deck.
“Man overboard!”
A moment later, a scream. It was quickly silenced with another resounding splash.
The thunder of numerous footsteps rained down from the ceiling, above deck. Ssskah appeared at the top stairs.
“We’re under attack!”