Through the Gorge Chapter

Serpent Hunter maneuvered through the reefs with uneasy passage towards the Dead Warrior’s Gorge. The waves around the reefs were rough on the vessel. They tossed her around attempting to ram her into the reefs as she tried to make her passage to the gorge entrance. This Angoth vessel would have been crushed by the reefs despite the craftsmanship and design that was put into her construction. She was built to endure the most powerful storms of the sea and the largest of sea serpents in the ocean. However her size made it seem impossible to go through the first group of reefs. With help from the mages on board and the experience of her crew the Angoth vessel made it through unscathed.

When the Serpent Hunter went through the first of the reefs she scraped against a reef when one wave shoved her. The mages on board, Ceinius, Levanna, and the Crone, used their powers to keep the ship steady and steered away from the reefs. Ceinius used his powers to push against the reefs ensuring the vessel didn’t ram into any of them as her crew kept her steady. Levanna used her powers to calm the waters around the ship ensuring its passage to the gorge did not end with its destruction and their deaths.

Thanks to the mages and the experienced crew the Angoths made it through the deadly reefs and to the entrance of the gorge. The waters near the gorge were even rougher and shoved her towards the cliffs. Ceinius used his powers to push against the cliffs as the crew steered her away from the cliffs.

“It’s no wonder you see no other ships come this way. These waters and reefs would shatter a vessel before it made through the first group of reefs.” Ceinius complained as the ship eased its way into the gorge. The current flowing through the Dead Warriors’ Gorge was calmer than the ocean outside and inside the area of the reefs. Each passenger aboard the Serpent Hunter found the path easier to travel through.

“They call this gorge Dead Warriors’ Gorge for a reason Mage!” Clovis criticized Ceinius. “Tales of this island say countless ships sailed to those reefs and nearly all crashed into the first reefs then sank to the bottom! Those lucky enough to pass through the entrance still fall victim to other reefs and the entrance to the gorge!”

“That doesn’t explain the skeletons, skulls and bones hanging down from the walls of this gorge!” Ceinius pointed ahead.

“I do not think there is any need for any explanations behind these unfortunate souls. You two must be quiet and stop arguing while we are on this island. It is the work of the demons lurking on this island. Whether it is the Ipama or other creatures here I cannot say.” Leothrad said demanding the Crowsian Battle Mage and the Angoth Delkyr Hunting Captain to cease their bickering and arguing.

The Angoth Champion looked up at the skeletons and rotting flesh hanging on the walls of the long gorge they had to sail through. His sister appeared next to him and observed the remains of the poor souls that met a gruesome end on the island.

“The flesh on some of them shows they were here not long ago. Few are almost fresh.” She said noticing the recent victims of the island of Kruskor.

“It is good to see that other vessel made it through with no harm done to it.” Leothrad admitted.

“That ship was destined to come here, and so were we. The Gods made our passing harsher and theirs easy. There is some god of this island or some creature guarding the entrance to the reefs that lets certain vessels enter and others die at Kruskor’s doorsteps. Perhaps it was angry ours was returning to its domain after evading destruction numerous times. My old bones can feel it.” The Crone said as she made her way to the brother and sister.

Leothrad looked over at Ceinius who was walking away to the quarter deck of the ship looking this way. Ceinius wanted to protest Levanna’s extended time outside the protection of the cabins, but chose not to say anything. The Crowsian Battle Mage kept his mouth silent since Leothrad told him to keep quiet. His only words concerned the dangers of certain places. He also remained to quiet so he wouldn’t attract unwanted attention.

“There are other creatures that prowl around this part of the island. Those creatures do not come out until it is dark. I’d hate to encounter such creatures here at night.” Leothrad said looking at holes next to the skeletons. He even stared into one hole that was level with his face. Inside he saw nothing but darkness yet he could still make out something hiding in the darkness. It moved in the shadow, shifting around in its slumber or getting impatient with its wait for nightfall to come.

“You do not have to concern yourself with my safety dear brother. I am a mage and I am surrounded by Angoths, Guards and Battle Mages. There is also a Champion named Leothrad in our midst.” Levanna reassured him holding his cheek in her palm.

Both siblings looked into the other’s eyes as though they could tell what the other was thinking. He wanted to tell her they will find Ilkabad even if it meant killing everything on this island. The Ipama, the Sleechers, the Makool, and the Vugar were four of several types of creatures on the island of Kruskor. He had fought the Ipama a few times on this island, they were the most populous of the creatures. Leothrad had seen a few Sleechers, terrible looking creatures that look like overgrown leeches mixed with a slug. Their jaws were like those of a crocodile and eyes would only be revealed when it peeled back its skin. Some of those creatures dwelled in this gorge, but they are not the reason behind its name. Other creatures whose names are not known yet are the reason why the gorge got its name.

Makool, and Vugars were the main creatures Leothrad fought whenever he found himself sailing towards this place or other islands near it. The Makool were Reptilian-Frog like beings whose dwellings are mostly along the coasts or on tropical islands inhabited by no other creatures. They emerged from the sea spreading their kingdom to other islands even it meant contact with others. It is said they have a vast empire beneath the seas on the ocean floor. Makool weapons are mainly swords, staffs, tridents or spears. He had faced plenty of these creatures on every island he sailed to. It is a relief that none of them could attack ships in the open sea.

Leothrad envisioned the Vugars he encountered a few years before he was proclaimed Champion of the Angoths and the Council. Vugars had a lobster like appearance, and were often mistaken for giant lobsters despite the upper body appearing more like a human’s. There were Vugars who would just have arms sometimes covered in the shells that would cover claws save for the hands. Others had a claw and an arm to wield shields or weapons. These lobster like creatures dwelled in the caves closest to the shores. An entire family of them could be found on an island that was nothing but coral or stone islands riddled in a labyrinth of caves and caverns.

“Champion, do you think this is the work of the Ipama or those Makool scum?” a young warrior asked Leothrad. He was a young lad about sixteen would turn seventeen after the next full moon. His name was Scur, son of a potter, but nephew to a renowned warrior who died on one of the islands not far from Kruskor. Fortunately Scur’s father had five sons, one daughter and a wife to cook meals, discipline the children and keep him company. Scur left seeking his own destiny rather than face the Mage Councils’ judgment. There was no more need for him since there were two apprentices working for his father.

“If you were paying attention to what your elders and crones told you, you’d know the Makool stay closer to the coast. This is more likely the work of the Ipama. It would be possible that those fresh ones ran from the Makool and found themselves in Ipama territory.” Leothrad lectured the young Angoth.

“And how many Ipama are on this island Great Leothrad?” Levanna asked teasing Leothrad then scratched Scur under the chin. Scur’s face was thin and long, but his body looked strong even if it wasn’t as large as his father or uncle. He was still young and didn’t have the warrior experience yet. Scur turned away embarrassed and lowered his head.

Leothrad turned to face his sister and the youth. “Look at me boy.” She commanded. Scur hesitantly obeyed slowly turning his head to look at Levanna.

“Don’t torture the lad with your beauty sister, his name his Scur son of Scannar the potter. His uncle was Scynn the warrior.” Leothrad said as though she didn’t know who this was.

“Ah yes, the lad you refused to be judged by the Crones and sentenced by the Council. Or was it the other way around?” The Crone Visdiar came up to them. They seemed to ignore the Crone who did not care whether they wanted her now or not. She only came when wisdom was needed to be said.

“You want to become a warrior Scur?” Levanna asked holding his thin face in her hands.

“Yes Mage Levanna.” Scur answered.

Levanna smiled with her lips. “Perhaps we should have our greatest warriors protect you or our Mages? Either way you will survive this island Scur.”

“What about that ship that entered before us?” Scur asked concerned for the vessel they were following.

“Hush young warrior you have a future ahead of you. I can foresee that. Stick with the finest warriors and you will learn many things and live to share that knowledge with other warriors.” Levanna told Scur staring into his young eyes.

“I know my time will come. I am eager to fight this island.” Scur said gulping and felt he was lying to himself.

Leothrad and Levanna chuckled happy to hear the youth showed his true nature. Scur may be young, inexperienced, and showed fear, but he was destined to survive this island.

“This is your time to shine, young Scur. Come help an old Crone find her quarters. Do not fret about your future for this island will test you like it did to Leothrad. Levanna join us and help him find my way this Crone needs her sleep.”

Before the three of them left Leothrad he turned to answer his sister’s question. “There are ten thousand Ipama on this island and hundreds of Vugars, and Makool roaming the same island.”

Levanna paused and nodded her head once acknowledging what he just told her. She escorted the Crone back to the cabins of the ship. Clovis had given command of the vessel to a first mate and joined Leothrad.

“Do you think Scur is ready for Kruskor?” Clovis asked.

“Scur may me inexperienced in battle, he may not show the confidence most Chieftains look for, and he shows some fear. Nonetheless Scur is a good pupil, he trained well, knows how to fight with a sickle weapon, sword and is handy with an axe. It does not take the most confident warrior to survive an island like this. Lads like him are more wary of the dangers where others allow over-confidence and prides get the best of them.”

“From what I heard that is how you were when you were a young warrior. Only you showed all those traits you just . . . hid your cowardice!” Clovis smiled and laughed slapping Leothrad on the back.

“Scur is no Crowsian that I can tell you Clovis.” Leothrad said looking over at the bow of the ship. He noticed they were almost out of the gorge and could see something in the river. Something else caught his eye from the top of the gorge. It wasn’t the bones or the holes on the walls, but a figure looking down on them. This figure appeared to be looking down at them, but his head was not set on their vessel. Leothrad noticed this figure was dressed differently. From where he stood the Angoth could make out a hood over the figure’s head and a dark long sleeved tunic over his body. He wore black baggy trousers over his legs. His face has covered with a dark cloth revealing only the eyes. This figure dawned a curved sword as well. As they got closer to where the figure was he drew his sword and two makeshift doors appeared from behind the gorge blocking their path.

It was obvious whoever he was working with wanted them to die in this gorge. This was a trap laid out by someone more cunning than the average Ipama. It was not possible for the Makool to do so since they dwelled on the beaches and in the caves with the Vugar. A sailor at the quarter deck cried to the Captain as the Serpent Hunter came to a halt. Fortunate for the Angoths it was not dark yet. The sailor called for the Captain again this time he heard it.

“Captain Clovis we have company!” the sailor yelled.

Leothrad and Clovis rushed to the quarter deck of the ship joined by some of the crew while others climbed up to see who was behind them. When he got to the top of the quarter deck Leothrad saw what the others saw. A long black sailed vessel rowed in through the gorge in a quick pace. As it rushed through the gorge towards its target it took a sharp turn and smashed into the wall of the gorge. The black sailed galley sank to the bottom taking its crew and cargo down with it. Behind it another galley came in keeping to the middle of the gorge to avoid its predecessor. Arrows fired from it hitting the water and the bottom of the Angoth vessel. There was another one behind this one coming in too fast and inched on the back of the one with archers shooting at the Angoths. Two or three arrows hit the back of the stern of the ship.

Clovis called for archers and for the men to man their stations. Twelve archers came up as sailors went down to grab weapons. Leothrad spied one archer with an extra bow and grabbed it from him then took arrow from another. He placed the shaft in the bow and turned to the hooded figure who was still watching them. “What a fool!” he muttered to himself.

Leothrad strung the bow and aimed for the hooded figure on top of the gorge then let the arrow loose. It shot up and hit the hooded figure in the stomach. His target staggered for a second holding his stomach then leaned forward. He stumbled and plummeted down from the gorge and landed on the deck of the Serpent Hunter. Behind Leothrad the twelve archers fired their arrows killing their targets aboard the galley. Ceinius came storming out of the cabins to find a makeshift barricade that he blew away with the flick of his wrist. The Crowsian battle mage came up to watch the archers deal with the fools who were pursuing them. The fight was going the Angoths’ way as their number of archers increased. They sent a volley of arrows then another forcing the galley back and hoping it would smash into the other one. Someone handed Leothrad a quiver of arrows, he took it and placed it over his arm and neck. He took a single arrow out and placed it in the bow string. Ceinius came up to him and set the arrow tip on fire before he could fire it.

“Now Champion finish these fools off so we can get to our target.” Ceinius ordered.

Leothrad strung the bow and released sending the flaming projectile into the sails of the galley. The dark sails of the galley were engulfed in flames causing some on board to jump into the water, some drowned while others swam to the other vessel they were after. Angoth archers found them to be excellent targets and fired on the swimming enemies. They were just random sailors coming into the gorge after someone now they were enemies of the Angoth Delkyr hunters. Many of them died as the rest swam to the holes in the walls and crawled inside unaware of what lay waiting. The second galley to enter the gorge lost its sails and stopped. It was now floating in the gorge with the other so close it that the third lightly bumped into it. Its crew tried to row backwards and rammed into the other wall of the gorge. The galley with no sails drifted a little and skimmed the edges of the wall while it was still under fire from the Angoths who killed most of the crew. It sat dead in the gorge with no sails and barely enough crewmen to row her out.

“Captain Clovis, send fifteen warriors to check that ship. Have anyone kill those who resist or get in the way and capture anyone useful. I will accompany those warriors.” Ceinius barked in the Captain’s ear.

The Crowsian turned away and descended down the steps to the deck. “Someone bring me that hooded figure to the brig! If he is alive that is if he’s dead throw him over board!” Ceinius shouted as he entered the cabin.

Leothrad looked at Clovis as the archers descended the steps to the lower decks of the ship. Clovis looked at him in return. Both Angoths though the same thing. “Send in Scur.” They said simultaneously.

Later that day Clovis and Leothrad organized a boarding party to search the floating galley. Fifteen warriors were chosen plus Scur and Ceinius were added. This made the boarding party number eighteen. Three long boats used as life boats or to row a shore were prepared for the boarding. Six people boarding the smaller craft and each one was lowered down from the back of the stern. Ceinius and Scur boarded the last one when the first craft made it to the floating galley.

As this went on the dark hooded figure was brought down to the brig. Leothrad’s arrow was pulled out of his stomach. He was still alive slowly breathing with broken ribs, a broken back and a wound from an arrow. This figure was brought before the Crone Visdiar and Mage Levanna whom healed the mysterious figure for future questioning. Once he was healed the prisoner was shoved into the brig and given a meal, which he reluctantly ate in peace until Leothrad came down to question him.

The mysterious figure looked up from his meal with his hood and cloth removed from his face. He looked half human and half demon with greyish skin tone around the eyes but the rest of his body was a brownish tone. His hair was the color of charcoal save for a few streaks that were bleach colored. The eyes were red and hazelnut brown; one was the human color and the other demonic.

Leothrad looked down at him through the bars of the brig.

“Who are you?” he demanded the half demon.

“A demon sent from the underworld!” he mocked Leothrad thinking he was a barbarian.

“I am not your typical barbarian! If I were would I attack you? I would join the ranks of your masters’ hordes if I was you. Now what is your name? Who do you serve?” Leothrad questioned.

“Zeknam, I am a servant of the Cren Order in Auxmire. That Emissary will never reach the Angoths. You’ve probably heard of them from your grandmother or elder telling those false legends about the mighty Angoths.” Zeknam returned to his meal and scoffed.

“We are the Angoths.” Leothrad said in a threatening tone to the servant of the Cren Order. Zeknam looked at him with a look of awe and disbelief. The half demon dropped the plate he was eating from letting it clatter on the floor.