"The Lessiiv" Chapter

Leothrad watched from the bow of the ship as they slowly made their way into the jungle of Kruskor. He had never been to this part of the island; however he was aware of the jungles in the center. The Serpent Hunter moved at a slow pace to allow the boarding party search the Cren vessel and kill, capture or take in anyone willing to oppose the Cren Order. They had stopped to allow the boarding party clear out the vessel before returning to the ship. Clovis sent in more boats to help them party bring in the loot from the ship plus prisoners who surrendered. Among the loot and prisoners being brought on board were prisoners and slaves of the Cren servants who aided the Angoth party in taking control of the vessel.

Those prisoners included former warriors from Auxmire and other lands who were forced to row the galleys. Amongst the freed prisoners and slaves was a group of feline looking beings called Vah Shir. The Angoths were very familiar with their race and came across a few colonies of Vah Shir on the islands near their new homes. It is said that one colony came here and vanished possibly due to attacks from the Makool and the Ipama.

There were forty prisoners and slaves aboard the galley twelve of those were the Vah Shir used for their strength to row quickly. Leothrad recalled the galleys that sunk and realized many of those rowers were possibly Vah Shir enslaved by the Cren Order. When he heard these warriors were coming aboard he knew they would want revenge for their fallen brethren. Other news reached his ears that pleased Leothrad. Scur killed ten Cren servants in the squabble over the galley. The young potter’s son proved himself in the raid receiving approval from the crew and the Vah Shir warriors who were impressed with how well he fought. They were surprised to see a young Angoth killing ten enemies so quickly.

Leothrad turned to face the quarter deck and saw the last of the raiding party come aboard from the quarter deck. Ceinius clasped his hands together demanding to see their prisoner and the others they had captured. He was also accompanied by a large Vah Shir who wanted the same thing as the Crowsian.

Crew members gathered to greet the new crew members and the Vah Shir who were grateful for their freedom. One of them approached Leothrad. He had the appearance of a spotted tiger with earrings in his ears and one in his eyebrow. The Vah Shir wore arm braces as gauntlets to protect his forearms and a hide tunic from a cow.

“Your Angoth brothers tell me you are Leothrad the Champion.” He growled.

“They are correct, and who are you great Vah Shir warrior?” Leothrad asked politely.

“My name is Jethaam a former chieftain, but still a renowned warrior to my clan.” The feline warrior introduced himself.

“Where does your clan or kingdom lay might I ask?” Leothrad was curious to know where this Vah Shir came from and why he was a slave in the first place.

“It lies south of the Cren Order’s dominion near other tribes of people who pledged allegiance to a group of Cren’s descendants who proclaim to be deities. We could have further words on that matter, but your ship is headed for that one up ahead.” Jethaam nodded his head indicating the river behind Leothrad.

Leothrad turned back around and saw they were getting closer to the vessel he saw enter the reefs. It had stopped in the middle of the river. He could not tell why there would be any reason for the captain to stop, since most vessels would have kept sailing through in the hopes of avoiding the Ipama. This one was unfamiliar with the area he was in and thought he could find his way through here.

When they were close enough to tell who was on board Leothrad made out Ipama warriors and more of those Cren servants prowling the decks. His eyes caught more Ipama in the trees looking directly at them watching a new vessel enter their waters.

“I recognize this vessel.” Jethaam said notifying Leothrad. “It is called the Lessiiv, its Captain is name is Olverd and he sails for the kingdom of Etras.”

“It looks as though Captain Olverd has met the Ipama and has lost his Lessiiv. He appears to have handed it to them and their new friends.” Leothrad replied chastising the Captain Olverd. He still had his bow and quiver of arrows, which he loaded and strung.

“You would make the first move?” Jethaam asked as the Champion took aim at his first target.

“No they have just made the first move.” Leothrad motioned towards the trees with his loaded bow. On both sides of the river Ipama swung from tree to tree ready to pounce on their next target. On the river more of them rowed on canoes to board the Serpent Hunter. Leothrad turned and shouted for archers to ready their arrows. “Archers ready your arrows the host is here!” he called over his shoulder.

Thirty archers rushed to the bow of the ship and spread out along the edges of the ship claiming their targets as they approached the vessel. Leothrad fired the first arrow at a canoe hitting one of the Ipama enraging the others who rowed faster. Other archers fired their arrows hitting and missing targets in the trees and water. He fired another arrow hitting the canoe, missing his next target, which was hit with three arrows.

Their arrows hit more targets as the Ipama came closer to their ship. Most never made it to the ship where three out of four canoes managed to get within twenty feet of the Serpent Hunter. There were others loaded with dead Ipama that floated in the river. The ones that made it were killed at the bottom of the ship when archers showered arrows down on them. Leothrad looked ahead and saw a few canoes were left, which rowed away from the battle while their brethren in the trees continued to swing their way to the Angoths.

Clovis ordered for the ship to continue on down the wide river as the Ipama flanked them in the trees. Many swung down and landed on the deck. Several were hit with arrows as the rest landed on their target. They were met with scores of warriors who cut them down as soon as they came aboard. Some archers turned around and fired arrows at those who swung towards them on vines. The archers at the bow shot the Ipama as they jumped from tree to tree towards the moving ship. Leothrad fired an arrow at a chieftain who fell into the brush below. Others fell into the river when the arrows hit them as they swung after the Angoths. The number of Ipama that attacked lessened as they came closer to the Lessiiv.

As the Serpent Hunter neared the sitting Lessiiv the last of the Ipama in the trees retreated to the ship in order to defend their prize. Others left fleeing back into the jungle. It was likely they would never attack these warriors again, and hide. Others would run into rival groups and die at their hands. Some would abandon their tribe entirely becoming outcasts and hunted down by their own.

A large number of Ipama and Cren servants could be seen aboard the ship. A score of Ipama and a dozen Cren servants stood on the quarter deck of the ship. These new friends were ready to board the oncoming vessel from the quarter deck and jump on the bow of the Serpent Hunter. Leothrad commanded the archers at the bow to aim for the group on the quarter deck. “Archers lose your arrows on the quarter deck of that ship!”

Thirty one arrows fired on the group that waited on the quarter deck. Half of the group died causing some panic among the Ipama. They had never fought battles like this before. Another volley was fired killing the rest of the ones still on the quarter deck. In their panic some of the Ipama jumped into the water and ran off into the jungles. Other jumped from the quarter deck onto the deck and attacked the Cren servants.

The archers stopped firing their arrows as the last of the Ipama fled into the jungles. When the bow of the Serpent Hunter reached close enough to the Lessiiv’s quarter deck grappling hooks were tossed over. Leothrad led a boarding party of twenty while the archers stayed on board and watched the jungles from the starboard and broadside of the Serpent Hunter. Jethaam joined Leothrad on the quarter deck. Their boarding party was made up of four Vah Shir warriors, and the rest of the party was Angoths. None of them jumped on quietly expecting a battle over the Lessiiv. On the deck were more Ipama and Cren soldiers who looked up and saw twenty warriors leap from the quarter deck. Leothrad killed five of the enemies closest to the cabin door and opened the door as the other party members attacked the rest of the enemies on the deck.

As he entered the cabin a Cren Soldier stood in the doorway blocking his path. Leothrad stabbed the Cren servant before he could react. He watched the demonic eyes of his foe widen as he drove the blade into his stomach. The Cren corpse fell to his feet when Leothrad twisted his sword out of him.

Inside Leothrad found himself in a hall with doors leading to other cabins. The front cabin had a nice table and furniture set up around it. He looked down the hall at a window at the end. The champion nosed around searching the cabins on the first hall he encountered. When he finished checking the first set of cabins finding nothing but empty rooms Leothrad found some stairs leading down. He took the steps down to the lower sections of the cabins, exploring the vast cabin of the Lessiiv.

As he explored he found the map room, and other quarters in what must have been the mid-section of the ship. One of the rooms he found had two dead bodies inside and the room close to it had blood all over the door and the floor in front of it. He checked the room finding it smaller than the one with two corpses and discovered a third corpse larger than the other two put together. As he looked at the blood he noticed there blood trailed to a door that led to the deck of the ship.

“There must be more bodies stuffed in the deck behind that door.” He observed to himself. He did not care if he was alone or talked to himself, his task was to find the missing Angoths and save anyone they’re with. The door to the lower decks encouraged his curiosity enabling the urge to explore this ship even more. As he walked up to the door Leothrad heard someone coming down to join him.

Leothrad opened the door and found some Ipama corpses at the foot of the door and an entire deck full of crates, barrels and sacks of supplies shoved to the sides of the deck. There were also crates and sacks that lined the center of the deck. Sleeping Hammocks and cots lined the floorboards showing where some of the crew slept. On the other side of the mid-deck a group of Cren and Ipama were tormenting their prisoners. As others joined him from behind Leothrad made his way to the enemies in the deck.

An Ipama saw him and charged the Champion and his companions. Leothrad took one swing of his sword and killed the Ipama as it approached him. The body made a loud thud drawing the rest to him. From behind him an axe was thrown and hit one of the Cren warriors then a spear flew past his shoulder nailing an Ipama to a barrel. A Vah Shir charged past him lunging himself on the enemies. The rest got up and attacked Leothrad and his companions. He parried a blow or two before cutting his opponent down. The warriors who joined him made short work of the Cren and Ipama who attacked them. It wasn’t long enough to be called a skirmish. Thirteen bodies lay at their feet leaving the prisoners unguarded.

“Those must be part of Olverd’s crew.” Jethaam stated as Leothrad walked up to one of them and kneeled next to him.

“What of the women?” Another warrior asked.

“Wenches or servants I presume.” Jethaam answered.

Leothrad looked at one of the Lessiiv’s crew who was tied to a barrel and gagged. He looked to be battered and bruised from head to toe. Blood covered his limbs, head and the tattered clothes he wore. The unfortunate sailor wore a white shirt and green trousers. His beard was soaked in blood. And the gag had bits of blood from his mouth where he had been hit. Leothrad snatched the gag off the man’s face and he opened his eyes to see the Angoth before him.

“Thank the gods someone came to our rescue. I am Amekonese and these three are Mern, Sophis, and Thusydese.” Leothrad looked and saw a dark haired sailor in a red sailor’s vest, and leather trousers dipped in tar. The one next to him had red hair and stubble for a beard over a tan skin tone. The red haired sailor named Sophis donned a bandana, shirtless save for a sash for his weapon and linen trousers. The third one was Thusydese a brown haired man in a tunic with elaborate designs on the sleeves and hem.

None of the three sailors spoke except for Amekonese who spoke for all of them. “You probably know who attacked us and why.” He said guessing Leothrad knew someone was with them.

“Are there two Angoths with you? They’re names are Ilkabad and Evnar. Did you see them?” Leothrad asked Akemonese.

“Yes when we were attacked by sea serpents before we made our way here. You see the four of us never saw us come to this island until those beasts and Cren servants dragged us out then slammed us back in.”

“Where were the others taken?” Leothrad asked.

Sophis answered this time. “The Cren servants took the others prisoner and dragged them all into the jungle. Those monkey demons appeared to be under the command of the Cren scum!”

“What does the Cren Order want from you? Was Captain Olverd carrying anything valuable?” Jethaam asked. “Excuse me I Jethaam and former Chief of my clan. I am familiar with your Captain Olverd and this ship.”

“Nice to make your acquaintance and future friendship, we were carrying an Emissary in search of help beyond the Crowsian seas.” Akomenes answered.

As the crew member explained their mission to the rescuers, Leothrad cut them all loose and ordered for some refreshments to be given to them. He turned to them. “I hope you will allow us to explore the rest of your ship. Are there any other crew members below that could be hiding?” Leothrad asked Akomenes.

The sailor shrugged. “I do not know, but help yourself we won’t stop you. As long as you have enough men to keep those hairy savages away from the vessel we’ll be fine.”

“I don’t think the Ipama will bother us after what their tribe has gone through. There are numerous tribes of Ipama who fight amongst each other constantly. It is impossible to keep the loyalty of most of them since many do not comply unless it benefits their sacrifice rituals whenever strangers arrive. Tribes do fight over who gets to sacrifice trespassers.”

Sophis grinned at hearing this. “Sounds like we should have more ships come and encourage the monkeys to kill each other.”

“The Ipama would only band together and form new tribes to combat the trespassers. It has happened on other islands. There is more than just the Ipama.” Leothrad presumed to explain the other creatures of Kruskor to the four sailors. He told them about the Vugar, the Sleechers, and the Makool who were enemies of the Ipama. “On islands like Kruskor Ipama tribes and Makool often engage in conflicts from time to time. It is either started by the Makool expanding into Ipama territory or Ipama trying to drive the Makool off their islands. Neither of these two groups got along nor would they ever even if both were controlled by some sorcerer.”

“Do not ask how they breed!” another Angoth growled at the sailors thinking they would ask more questions.

“Calm yourself Warrior.” Leothrad commanded with the authority only a Champion could wield over an Angoth besides the Mages, Crones and Council. He turned to the four sailors. “We will finish searching the ship you make your way up and refresh yourselves. You’ve dealt with enough already.”

Leothrad left them and took Jethaam and another warrior with him to explore the rest of the Lessiiv. “This is more like the mid-section of the ship. We will let the sailors rest and heal.” He shoved a hand in a warrior’s face who was about to protest this and suggest one of the Etrasians guide them.

Leothrad spotted another door on the deck. When he approached the door he found it did not lead to stairs but to a ladder that led down to the bottom deck of the Lessiiv. He descended down the ladder slowly letting each step creak under his feet. When he came to the bottom he heard rustling somewhere in the middle of the room. Someone was still down in the lower decks and avoided capture or laying a trap for whoever tries to recover the stolen ship. Leothrad decided to warn whoever was hiding in the bottom decks.

“I am Leothrad, Champion of the Angoths are you members of the Lessiiv Crew? Or are you of the Cren Order?” he shouted not caring who was there now.

He heard movement in the dark and a figure pushed a barrel to the side and approached him. “Do not draw your weapon, please. We are members of the Lessiiv Crew and enemies of the Cren Order. Hello Leothrad I am Jenas from the port city of Kalcos near the borders of Etras.”

“Hello Jenas are there more of you?” Leothrad asked.

There was more movement and shoving around as others pushed objects out of the way. Six more figures emerged next to Jenas. They all looked unscathed from whatever battle took place on the decks of the Lessiiv. Each one looked at the Angoth relieved to see a friendly face and not some hairy savage or Cren servant ready to kill them all.

“You see, you see I told you the gods would answer our prayers!” one of the sailors cried happy to see Leothrad.

“Is there anyone else back there?” Leothrad asked the seven sailors.

“No it is just the seven of us who were down here when the ship came under attack. We thought it would be best to hide here once the Cren servants and their hairy pets took over the ship. We did manage to kill a dozen of them when they came snooping down here one by one. Most were sent down to search for others.” One of the sailors explained.

“You should be glad they didn’t send in a large force down here to kill you. I guess they never bothered seeing as one could get lost in this vessel.” Leothrad said complementing the ships design of mazes and halls in the cabins. That also included the way cargo was arranged in the hull.

“Are you in command Leothrad?” Jenas asked.

“No, I am only a Champion on a Delkyr hunt with other Angoths when we spotted your ship out at sea. We had a fleet of nine vessels hunting for sea serpents and other sea creatures that attack vessels beyond their feasting grounds. My leaders are my sister Mage Levanna, Battle Mage Ceinius and Crone Visdiar. They will accommodate you all once you get to the ships.”

The seven sailors looked at each other wanting to consult this idea, but they made a unanimous decision. Jenas turned to Leothrad with the decision the group had made. “Please Leothrad, lead us to your masters and your Captain. I do not know if our Captain is dead or not. We seven and anyone else alive aboard this ship will serve you.”

Leothrad nodded acknowledging the sailor’s proposal. “Come with me and join four others who survived the battle. You will learn more of what happened while you hid in the lower decks.” The Angoth Champion ascended the ladder followed by seven sailors.