Prince of Kilscar Orvain

Outside the boarding the party climbed down to the outer deck where one of them set up a few inflatable boats. On the outer deck of the U-boat stood the two Deck guns and AA gun were located on the U-boat. It was decent weaponry to stave off attacks from patrol boats, enemy aircraft, or smaller enemy craft such as steel sloops, corvettes, and smaller frigates. Captain Griffin-Spear observed their surroundings and the vessels around them. There wasn’t much to look at other than the waters of the vast oceans and their own vessels of the Vestrisian Navy. His gaze turned towards the direction of their objective. Up ahead the Ganonoque sat motionless with nowhere to go. Its crew stood out on deck watching the approach of the Vestrisian U-boats. Her two allied ships were now heading back to Iperantos. Both vessels broke away from the convoy formation beginning a U turn course. This act seemed to anger the Gantronese who opened fire on the two fleeing vessels.

            “Well, well men looks as though those Iperantosee will be facing the wrath of the Gantronese Empire.” Degrast commented drawing his men’s attention on the ships trying to make a run for it. As his men prepared the inflatable boats the Captain turned to see several other Vestrisian boats had sent out boarding parties. Although he could not see the rest of the fleet behind him Degrast knew the Admiral had them circling the area like sharks.

            Returning to the task at hand Degrast climbed down to the boat with help from his crewmen. He seated himself in the boat while his boarding party set off with two boarding craft. Both groups paddled their way up to the motionless ship that sat like a sitting duck. Taking another look behind them Degrast saw seven sailors emerge out of the conning tower. They manned the three guns in case the Ganonoque’s crew or passengers opened fire on the boarding parties. Within several minutes the two boarding crafts reached the Ganonoque. Using their grappling hooks the boarding party hooked their craft on to starboard side. Ten members of his boarding party climbed aboard with their Captain.

            The crew of the Ganonoque was caught unawares by the torpedo hits. Plenty of them were scrambling on deck in panic trying to quell the flames and attempting to get her moving again. Many of them were getting ready to abandon ship, but their Captain had forbid it. Aboard the Ganonoque Griffin-Spear’s boarding party began to round up the crew on the outer deck. Outside they managed to capture seventeen of the crew members. Degrast had his sailors tie them up to ensure they wouldn’t resist the takeover of their ship. Wasting no time Degrast took six men up to the ship’s main command bridge. There they found the Captain and five more of the Ganonoque’s crew. Degrast looked at the Captain of the Ganonoque.

            He had a nicely trimmed dark beard on a round brownish tan skinned face. This Captain wore the royal colors of Kilscar Orvain and a green sash representing Gantronese support. The crew wore the standard sailing layers, fleeces, and trousers. Almost ignoring their fine dressed Captain Degrast looked out the bridge window. Several more boarding parties came aboard to reinforce his own party.

            “Where is the prince of Kilscar Orvain?” Degrast demanded from the Captain.

            “I am Captain Vorir Nabon of the Ganonoque you have n-“ he was cut off before he could continue.

            “My question did not concern your name!” Degrast roared in the Captain’s face who remained silent and still from Degrast’s sudden snap at him. While the sailors stood in the bridge sounds of naval guns could be heard outside. Gantronese vessels exchanged fire with the two Iperantosee ships that tried to get away. Both sides kept exchanging fire causing a number of onlookers to watch the battle. The Gantronese and Iperontosee ships fought on ferociously. One side fought out of insult for abandoning a single ally and the other side fought to flee enemy hands.

            “Now listen Captain…Nabon we are here for Prince Vannok-Rathi who happens to be aboard your vessel. I need you to cooperate, understand?” Degrast snapped at the arrogant ass of a Captain.

            “Prince Lord Uchon Vannok-Rathi is in the mid-section of the ship’s passenger level.” Captain Nabon answered Captain Griffin-Spear. He looked at Degrast in a way that said the Vestrisian had little to no authority and was almost a lowlife peasant compared to him.

            Degrast looked at this Captain Nabon unsure if he should believe him or not. For a few seconds Degrast pondered over this. He thought to himself contemplating what the Captain told him. Wondering if the Captain was lying to him Degrast put a hand on his pistol. Silence filled the bridge since the other crewmembers were rounded up and gagged. Even the captain of the Ganonoque stood quiet. Degrast was at first cool faced even though he was frustrated by the stubbornness from the captain. He began to get impatient with this Captain Nabon. His expression grew stern and serious as he stared into the other Captain’s face.

            “You will take me to him, now.” Degrast insisted in a demanding tone that seemed to intimidate the Captain. A face of surprise appeared on Nabon’s face. Degrast was pleased to see the look of surprise on Nabon’s face. Now the foolish Captain would not be so damned stubborn. To ensure Captain Nabon would cooperate, Degrast drew his pistol from its holster. Although he did not aim the pistol at Nabon yet just holding it got his attention.

            Looking at the pistol Captain Nabon nodded silently obliging to take this Vestrisian Captain to the Prince of Kilscar Orvain. Nabon’s fear of being shot dead was evident on his brown bearded face. Realizing he had the Captain’s full cooperation Degrast urged him on to the Prince’s location. Captain Nabon sighed with regret and fear. He opened a door in the back of the bridge then led Griffin-Spear. This back door opened to some stairs that led to the lower levels of the Ganonoque’s hull. Degrast motioned for two men to join him leaving four to guard the other prisoners.

            When the two armed U-boat sailors joined them they started down the steps. Descending four short sets of stairs they made it to the middle section of the ship. Captain Nabon led them through another hallway passing rooms, storage and some crew members who stayed clear of these armed Vestrisians. At gun point the Captain took the Vestrisians straight to the passenger’s quarters where they would find the prince. After opening three other hatch doors they entered the passenger section. This section had a hallway lined with rooms for the passengers. Each one had numbers and letters on every door.

            “Good, lead us to his quarters!” Degrast hissed pressing his gun into the Captain’s back.

            Obeying his captor without any objections or protests Nabon took the trio of Vestrisian Sailors over to one of these rooms on the hallway. He knocked on a door that read 86 C. A young male’s voice called out from the other side of the door.

            “Yes, who is it?” the male’s voice asked from behind the door to 86 C.

            “It is Captain Nabon can I have entrance?” Nabon asked whoever was behind the door.

            “My prince it is Captain Nabon here to check on us.” The male’s voice cried out with relieved joy. The sounds of multiple voices emerged like an argument was occurring on the other side. Shuffling could also be heard as the occupants moved around. Within moments the door swung open. Inside were four people a manservant, a Gantronese officer envoy, some woman, and the Prince himself. Prince Uchon Vannok-Rathi wore the colorful loose tunic over trousers and a gold cap. The servant wore a gold tunic over black trousers. Holding the prince in her grip the woman wore a loose flutter garb and an overlapping skirt around her legs.

            Acting fast to complete his mission Degrast aimed for the Gantronese officer envoy. He fired twice into the Gantronese. The woman screamed and the servant about pissed himself. Behind one of his own crew shoved Nabon to the side. Degrast went straight for Prince Vannok-Rathi. He grabbed the Prince by the arm and pulled him over to their side. This woman clung to the prince trying to pull back. She appeared to be a mute, the prince’s silent mistress or concubine of some sort. As he found himself in a tug of war Degrast wanted to shoot or at least hit this suborn woman. To his better judgment and conscience he did not. If any civilians were shot during this operation and word reached ears of his superiors Degrast would likely face court martial.

            Practically forced to drag the woman along the U-boat Captain hauled the Prince down the hall. With the prize in their possession the Vestrisians went straight outside. In a huge hurry Degrast ordered his party to rally on him as the Prince was forced onto the boat. Both captives were gaged and hands bound together. Once Prince Vannok-Rathi and his mistress sat down with Degrast his boarding party rowed away from the Ganonoque. The entire time they rode back to the “Hidden Sorrow” Uchon glanced at him whereas the mistress kept her gaze looking down. Uchon’s glanced held glares that showed how he really felt about this whole captive situation.

            Acknowledging the Prince’s glares and anger Degrast looked at Uchon with a smug look. He felt very satisfied capturing a Princes of Kilscar Orvain. Not saying a word the crewmen made it to the Hidden Sorrow. Just as dusk was approaching Degrast’s boarding party packed everything back in place and joined the rest of their fellow crewmembers. Uchon and his mistress were taken to an empty space in U-boat where they would stay for duration of the new voyage.

            Immediately after putting the captives in their quarters the Hidden Sorrow’s crew prepared to sail onward. Leaving the Ganonoque in the ocean the Vestrian fleet of U-boats headed back to base. Under the cover of darkness Vestrisian U-boats slipped away from Gantronese detection. Finding he had time to speak with Prince Uchon Degrast went to see their guests. The two captives sat quietly in a corner. No gags, no ropes or bindings held their hands or legs together.

            “Prince Uchon Vannok-Rathi, I am Captain Degrast Griffin-Spear of the Vestrisian Navy. I hope-“ Degrast was cut off by the Prince’s sudden burst of anger. He seemed quite calmed and cool for one held captive, but it was only a mask hiding his true feelings.

            “DO NOT SPEAK TO ME AS THOUGH WE ARE EQUALS!!” The Prince barked at Degrast reminding him of a furious dog back home. “Release me slug for I am a Prince of Kilscar Orvain!” Uchon growled at the Captain. Uchon’s pride in his birthright and his status gave him the sense of superiority over all common men no matter how wealthy, strong, pious, or experienced. It appeared to have gotten the best of him explaining the outbursts. It showed stubbornness and carelessness despite his captivity at the hands of the Vestrisians.

            “Very well Prince, you are also a prisoner of the Vestrisian Union of the Vestrisian Republics. In order for us to release you, your father is to break whatever alliance Kilscar has made with the Gantronese. He is also to withdraw all forces and any support from this war.”Degrast informed the Prince as though these were charges made against his kingdom.

            “Why, why would he heed the Vestrisians. Our state is a proud kingdom and will ally itself with anyone it chooses to!” Uchon spat at Degrast showing further pride and blind arrogance.

            You arrogant, stubborn, royal slurcog you do not see it do you? Degrast whispered in his own mind. The Gantronese saw these kingdoms as nothing more than servants, and slaves to act as pons in war, or future pack mules and laborers of their completed empire over Calorn. They cared nothing about the sovereignty of those who allied themselves with them. Degrast looked at Uchon in the eyes and approached him even closer. The Prince stood up staring him back in the face with his chin up and full of pride. Without thinking Degrast flat out told the Prince the truth.

            “You do realize the Gantronese care nothing about your sovereignty, kingdom, subjects, royal bloodline or your father’s throne? Of course you don’t they have brain washed you and other kingdoms into thinking you are in an alliance. No you are not, you see Prince Uchon the Gantronese see you all as nothing more than pons in war to spread their empire, slaves, servants, and pack mule laborers to build up their expanding empire. I hope that shows you how blind you are.” Degrast informed him like a teacher or school master lecturing an unruly, lazy and overly proud student.

            To Degrast’s surprise Prince Uchon listened. His face held the attentive, awestruck expression. The U-boat Captain had the Prince’s full attention. Uchon seemed to realize the way things would be from now on. He looked at Degrast with eyes that asked if he’d ever see home again. It was the kind of look Degrast saw plenty of times and had great sympathy for those who held it.

            “So where will you take me?” Uchon asked the Captain.

            “To Ruhonthra, there you will be in custody until your father agrees to our terms.” Degrast told him not wanting to give him the full details. He left the prince to his thoughts and mistress. As he left the prisoners he joined his officers for dinner.