Meeting the Veeks Chapter

Senestra rode in the boat with Captain Olverd and Leothrad as a few crew members rowed them up to an island that was near the tower. It was wider than the other one and had a lagoon surrounded by smaller strips of land circling the island. There was not much vegetation on the island’s surface, save for the sea plants that grow from the floor to the ocean’s surface. Such plant types would stick to reefs and wrap around them. They would sprout leaves that gave them the appearance of a tree.

Olverd left the Lessiiv under the command of the Vah Shir named Jethaam and Triaunes who could gain more experience in commanding crews. The Delkyr Hunter had its own Captain who still had to take orders from a Crone and a Crowsian Battle Mage who seemed bent on destroying the Cren Warships by himself. Leothrad kept looking over at the small boat next to theirs that had a woman in a cuirass and a mage’s cloak. Her hair was styled in a goddesses’ bun. Captain Olverd saw more ships arrive, she could not see them. The look on his face said everything.There was going to be a battle at sea near the island of Kruskor. Senestra turned around and saw more vessels coming in to join the other vessels.

 “Leothrad, what peoples are we meeting on that island?” she asked the Champion who did not seem to be listening. His sister spoke for him. 

“We are meeting the Crowsians, and the Veeks who are under a Hegemony that wants most of the Angoths to leave. The King of the Hegemony wishes to see our people return to Auxmire. Would your people allow us to return to the homelands of our ancestors?” Levanna asked Senestra.

“My father would ensure some of our land would be available to you once you come to our aid against the Cren Order.” Senestra said telling the Angothic Mage about part of her quest.

She inclined her head and her eyes turned to focus on the island they were approaching. Senestra looked where Levanna’s eyes were looking and saw an island surrounded by a lagoon. Four smaller islands encircled the center island. She was not surprised to see such island formations here in the middle of the ocean. As a girl she saw these islands off the coasts of Auxmire and at the ends of deltas. She was always fond of walking on the sands of the beaches on islands and the coast.

Senestra remembered when she was a little girl a little boy who used to play with her on the sands near the port city of Alcos, which was a trade city of Etras. There were many trading cities along the coasts of the Etrasian kingdom, which was too vast for its population to fill. Etras had a large population, but not enough to fill the vas fields and forests of Etras. Most of the lands were claimed by nobles, landowners and other officials of the Etrasian Council. These lands were still crawling with goblins and ogres that attack anyone who dares trespass into their territories. Many ogres fucked her friends leaving them with spawns they wanted for some odd reason. Most of the spawn that lived turned out to be more human than ogre. She herself found it of fully strange for the spawn to have such traits. One friend had a son who refused to love her since she continued to sleep with others even after the ogre impregnated her.

Senestra reminisced about the past as they approached the island lagoon. Her friend was the daughter of a Religious family in the Civid Kingdoms, which found out they were worshiping other gods. Her friend’s mother worshipped a goddess that was a forbidden deity to worship. The mother was forced to live with an ogre who took her in until her family found her. It was rumored the mother loved multiple men, only one married her giving her four children. Two of those children survived to this day. A daughter and the eldest son, the others died in a fire with the whole family that was caused by Civid Priests.

Senestra also recalled a young boy who was of Veltic origin whose clan was at a constant state of war with another clan as well as the Cren Order. Even though the Cren Order claimed most of their lands the Cren armies are unable to subdue the entire lands of the Velts. This Veltic Prince, her father would have him titled, loved Senestra’s childhood friend, Amber. She could not remember his name, but knew his face. The young warrior stayed with them for a year until Amber was taken back to the Civid lands. She returned with the spawn who did not love her at all. He refused to take Amber’s love even though she was his mother. Amber’s son stayed with his ogre father who kept him from her.

Distraught Amber stayed with them until she was sent to a university where she found him again and mistook him for someone else. Her love for him grew even as she slept with others. He did not know, but grew to love her as well. Amber came back telling her about him and returned to seek his love, but he was forced away from her. Their studies were at an end he returned home to resume his war with another clan and the Cren Order.Senestra’s dear Amber is still looking for him to this day. 

“Medryn Senestra, we are here. Aren’t you coming to the meeting? You are required to.” A voice disrupted her reminiscing of the past. She saw a hand stretched out in front of her face. It was an Angoth warrior under the command of Leothrad and Levanna, who stood there waiting for her patiently. Their expressions did not say they were patient, but the air around them was calm, warm and friendly about her lying about on the boat. “We have words to discuss with the Angoths and the other leaders.” Leothrad told her as she was pulled up to her feet.

“Those are the Veeks.” Levanna pointed to a group of figures dressed in different looking Chlamys with different garments added. Around the two diplomatic looking Veeks were Hoplite looking soldiers equipped with the Doru Spear, Xiphos Sword, Aspis Shield, and an ax. Their equipment decorated the Linothorax Armor, which was decorated with colorful beads sewn into an extravagant design on each Hoplite’s armor. Each Aspis Shield had a different image on it. One had an octopus on it while another had a Salamander on it wrapping itself around an axe. The standard helmet was the Corinthian Style with the plume colored green. Senestra saw the greaves had snakes on them and the sandals were the typical leather straps covering the feet in two overlapping layers on a think piece of cloth.

Her thoughts were still on Amber who did not tell anyone about the spawn except for her and a few others in the Etrasian Court. Levanna took her by the arm and locked hers in her own and showed her the other faction, which were the Crowsians. The Crowsians wore their hair in braids, in dreads, or completely bald. Two of the Crowsians wore light blue robes with shawls draped over their right shoulders and tied around the neck. They are escorted by fifteen guards dawning loincloths around their wastes, covering the torso and legs down to the knees. The garb on the guards had square designs all over them, linked to each other like a chain. Leothrad raised a hand in greeting to the representatives.

Olverd had his pet monkey on his shoulder, which hung on as its new master and friend met the other representatives. The Veeks and the Crowsians raised their hands up in greeting to Leothrad’s greeting. One of the Veeks came up to them with a smile across his face.

“You look more like a goddess who has seen war and remained unscathed Lady Levanna. Your beauty was unhindered during your voyage?” The Veek said taking Levanna by the hand. He wore a red striped chlamys with a robe over one shoulder and connected at the waste with a brooch. He also donned a grey beard with two braids held together with a silver ringlet.

“Panakeia you are too flattering and charming for a diplomat. How are your estates?” Levanna said slowly snatching her hand away from him.

“His estates are fine, the vineyards are as profitable as always and olive gardens never die out. Lady Levanna it is a pleasure to see you once more.” The other one bowed before her. He wore a Chlamys with a blue sash over his representing his seat on the Veek hegemony council. He looked younger than Panakeia and less of a charmer. Senestra saw him turn his gaze upon her.

“Who are you and what do you seek from this part of the world?” he asked glaring at her with stern eyes as if he were a snake ready to pounce on its prey.

“I am Medryn Senestra, an Etrasian Emissary from Auxmire. I come in search for help against the Cren Order. There are other kingdoms and other peoples like the Civids, the Velts and the Kingdom of Oross who could help us but the Civids rarely pick up arms against such a threat. They often allow war bands of goblins to slip through their territories and raid our villages and farms. We are only fortunate when the Goblins lose their way and trail off into the lands of the Velts, who destroy the war bands. There is also the Kingdom of Oross, which seems to be protected by natural barriers of mountains, rocky hills and several rivers forming a moat like defense around the Oross lands. I doubt the Kingdom of Oross would be of any help for us.” Senestra explained to the other representatives as two more Crowsians joined the meeting. Their ships landed near the island in the center and came by rowboats. Each one was escorted by a dozen guards with similar garbs to the other Crowsian guards. Senestra looked at and though she recognized one of them.

“And here you are, all the way in the middle of this forsaken ocean that no one seems to understand its dangers.” One of the Crowsian representatives criticized her. He was mostly bald save for a long single braid of hair trailing from his head to his shoulders. His robe and shawl had different patterns on them, his had long crescent shapes with a circle, moon, or flower in the crescent shapes on the robe. His shawl was a turquoise color and had a tartan design all over it.

“Forgive the criticism my lady Senestra, but I am Ongalas representative of the Crowsian state north of Kruskor Island. I once knew your father before I was sent off as a little boy to colonize other islands. As you can see my Mother State chose poorly and our people are dying out slowly despite the resupply of people. There was a time when we felt safe from invasions until the Makool reemerged from the depths of their watery domains. We lost an entire island off the coast of Auxmire and are still under attack by other Makool in these waters. Perhaps it would be wiser to seek help from the Velts and the Vah Shir, who don’t seem to care about others save for their own civilizations and cultures.” Ongalas lifted his nose up and stared down his nose at her no doubt focused on her breasts. Most Crowsians would do such things against a female emissary as a strategy to shut them up.

“Ongalas please we do not need to make Etras an enemy as well. The Isseults have attacked us numerous times in the last twenty years.” The other one chastised Ongalas. The chastising Crowsian had dreads as long as knives going down his back. His garb was lined with creatures of the sea and elaborately sewn birds of the sea. There were four animals on his robe that appeared to have themselves clung or wrapped around his clothing. His shawl was coated in a gold dye with elegant designs of plants on it. He looked at Senestra apologetically.

“I am truly sorry Medryn Senestra, I am Neptune another representative of the Crowsian States. Our states have been under attack by these Makool. Have you heard of them?”

“Yes we have heard of them, but only came across the Ipama on the Island of Kruskor!” Captain Olverd spat angry about the pace of negotiations and eager to head out and evade the Cren Order as soon as possible. He looked over his shoulder to see more Veeks and Crowsians gathering from the north and intercepting five of the Cren warships.

“I understand you are eager to get out of here, Captain?” Panakeia showed his shared concern for the Cren Warships advancing from the reefs. He looked at Olverd with a look that said he recognized him.

“Are you Captain Olverd of the Lessiiv?” he asked squinting his eyes beneath brushy eye brows. He was uncertain if it was Olverd or not.

“Yes I am Captain Olverd of the Lessiiv, can we get on with this?” The Captain snapped at the Veek diplomat.

“Olverd calm down the ships are intercepting them!” She hissed at Olverd.

Diomedes looked at Leothrad observing him in search of any new scars. “Leothrad, how did you come across the Etrasians on your voyage?”

“My sister, Ceinius, Visdier and I were aboard the Delkyr Hunter on our way from the Crowsian State Edas the Captain of the ship, Clovis wanted to clear out some Delkyr in the area. That was when more Delkyr appeared to attack us at sea. Whoever’s task it was to clear that sea of the monsters failed to clear it up for the past two years. That island was supposed to be blocked off!” Leothrad yelled furious over the tasks of clearing the waters and closing the island of Kruskor off from the rest of the world. “That was when he spotted a ship under attack by the same creatures. Two other Angoths and I plunged in after the monsters and killed a quarter of them before they fled back to the depths of the ocean. Ilkabad and his cousin Evnar did not return, apparently they were aboard the Lessiiv. Wasn’t it the Crowsian’s task to-“ Leothrad tried to finish but Ongalas cut him off.

“The Cren Warships over there explain everything, and ask the late representatives if you wish!” Ongalas was threw talking to the Angoth even though they were allies in a war against common foes.

“Apologies if we are late for the meeting.” One of the late representatives said as he took off his helm. The speaker was dressed in a Hoplite officer’s uniform, while the other was dressed differently. He appeared to be dressed for battle with a bronze cuirass, greaves, and leather arm braces for protecting his limbs. He wore the same type of loincloth the other Crowsian guards wore. His shield was oval shaped and was armed with a sickle sword along with a Xiphos on the other hip. They also had Hoplites guarding them along with the Crowsian guards.

“No need for apologies General Apkis, the Crowsian fleets are doing their jobs while ours are sitting here waiting for your orders.” Panakeias raised his hands up and smiled at the newcomers. “You should meet Medryn Senestra of Etras here to seek allies against the Cren Order.” The Veek gestured towards Senestra.

The other Crowsians and Veeks looked at her and kneeled as did their guards. “My lady these days have not been kind to us either. We are also suffering constant attacks from the Cren Order who keeps sending waves of ships full of goblins, tamed Ipama and Makool who have allied themselves to the demon infested order. You will have us for allies, there is no need for further discussion.”

“Might I have the name of the other representative?” Senestra asked. The other one turned and looked at her with admiring eyes. He looked young, too young to be a leader. The young Veek/Crowsian took off his helm to reveal a portion of his hair dyed white half of it shaved to create a symbol of some sort. “Lady Medryn Senestra…I am Captain Goldis of the Veek- Crowsian state of Eronos my allegiance is to you, your kingdom and your …your beauty!” His eyes opened wide when he said beauty, which was not the word he wanted to say. The others laughed as the youth clasped a hand over his own mouth and walked away embarrassed by what he said. Apkis followed after him ensuring the youth only made a minor mistake.

“His father was once King of Eronos before the Makool King struck him down with a trident on a remote island near the Crowsian State of Menos. He is too young, and could not rule. His uncle is in control and this was his first meeting between the Triangle Alliance forged between four different peoples.” Levanna said watching the Crowsians and Veeks leave them on a short notice.

Senestra watched the two Crowsians Ongalas, and Neptune converse with the Veeks who seemed keen on maintaining patrols around the seas as their fleets battled the Cren Order in the background. There was no point in jumping since she too was new at the diplomacy thing her father sent her on. Her first negotiations were with the Captain Olverd under the table, she was still disgusted from doing that. It was all her idiotic step-brother’s idea who fucked her one night when she was asleep. To him that was a joke he played on her and her friends just for laughs. There was one night when he had Amber drink to near oblivion and suck the cock of a statue thinking it was the Velt she loved, and had common folk fuck her in a tavern. Senestra never forgave her step-brother nor would she get a chance to do so. Helap died in battle with a band of ogres that crossed over the Avas River five months ago. She was pleased to know he was dead and his cronies as well.

“Lady Senestra, care to join in the conversation?” Ongalas asked folding his arms, taping his fingers on a forearm and raising one eyebrow. She felt pressured again like she was being forced into the job as emissary.

“There is nothing else to discuss here, Ongalas!” Levanna snapped at the Crowsian. “Get your ships moving, I see we have wasted time here. More are coming, and through the island’s gorge and river!” Levanna turned on her heel and marched for the boats.

“WAIT!” Senestra yelled her voice echoed in the air carrying all the way to the ships. “Couldn’t we have something inscribe our agreement and make terms to the alliance? If we are to forge one then we need something to declare our alliance! Diomedes does the Veek Hegemony seek to aid us against the Cren Order?”

“The Hegemony is willing to support anyone who is in dire need of aid against any foes. We have the ships, the man power and the money, not to mention an abundance of resources to keep a war going for ten years.” Diomedes boasted with a clear conscience of his claim, which would be put to the test by the Etrasian Emissary.

“Our silver mines will provide the money needed to fund the campaigns.” Panakeia said as he took out a blank scroll from his chlamys. He also had a piece of chalk to write the alliance down. “When this battle is over your ship will be escorted to the Court of the Triangle Alliance, there are the Angoths, us Veeks, and another group known as the Irkan Clans who should be arriving momentarily.” He turned around searching for other ships. By now there were scores of vessels in the waters headed for the Cren Order fleet. Veeks, Crowsians, Angoths and another group of vessels gathered to face the fleet of Cren warships that numbered in the hundreds.

“Do the Crowsians have anything else to aid aside from criticism?” Senestra snapped at the Crowsian Ongalas who was taken aback by this.

“Very well then, we Crowsians are not particularly part of their Triangle Brotherhood, but we do have a loose alliance with all three factions.” Ongalas said with his eyebrows raised at Senestra who seemed to have gained an upper hand over him.

“Then it is settled, each representative must write their name down on the parchment Diomedes has provided and seal our alliance with the Etrasians. Ten ships will escort the Lessiiv and the Delkyr Hunter to the continent of Casma and take them to the Courts of the Brotherhood. Is everyone agreed?” Levanna asked as she glanced at everyone standing around, each representative nodded and wrote their names down beside the faction they represented. Even Captain Olverd added his own name to the declared alliance that was forged on a lagoon island.

As they returned to the boats Senestra looked at Captain Olverd. “You seemed to be eager to get out of here until the end. What kept your tongue from going further?” She asked.

“It seemed to be going our way towards the end. Do you wish to have your quarters back? I believe the new crew members will behave themselves around you.” Olverd asked as he stepped into the boat.

“As long as you keep them busy on the top deck I am fine with that Captain.” Senestra said looking at Leothrad wondering why he was so quiet during the meeting. Their boats rowed off the shore and to the vessels anchored close by with a battle raging on the seas near the reefs and the island called Kruskor.