Leothrad's Personal Prize Chapter

It was midday and Leothrad and his Angoths were thirteen ships deep in the fortress of Cren war galleys linked together. His attacks during the night destroyed a considerable amount of damage to the Cren fleet. He could tell ships were starting to break away and attack the Irkan ships and Crowsians. However, other ships moved to the reefs where they were met with strong currents that drove them into the reefs. Some got caught in whirlpools and sank to the depths as the ocean destroyed them.

Leothrad fought his way deeper into the columns of ships with hundreds of warriors behind him killing the rest of the enemies he forged a path through. Most tried to surround him on each ship, but a storm of arrows rained down on them followed by battle hungry prisoners his men freed along the way. He was please to know more ships came to their aid. Word about a large Cren fleet must have reached the Councils’ ears forcing them to send in more ships. To his dismay the Makool managed to enter the fight using magic to resurface some old ships from the bottom of the ocean.

His Irkan friends were fortunate they had four vessels full of Makool fighters, which fell quickly to arrows and ballistae fired on them. Leothrad was about to board the fourteenth vessel when he realized his men were a whole ship behind him. At his feet were plenty of warriors and creatures to fight. He did not care how many he had to fight as long as the ships behind him were losing troops in the battle fronts over the fleet of ships.

His sword arm ached for more kills as he unsheathed a Kopis he received from General Apkis as a thank you gift for saving him from annihilation at the hands of the Makool on a remote island south of New Angeris. Leothrad swung his sword slashing an enemy in the face then swung it the other way cutting into an enemy’s neck. He took the Kopis and hacked down into a skull as he shoved the other blade into a chest. The Champion twisted both weapons out as he jumped down and commenced the killing. Swinging both blades and twirling around Leothrad made short work of thirty enemies as they backed away from the mad foe their false god despised so much. He sliced more necks and stabbed seven chests killing twelve more then paused to glance at his handy work. There were still plenty of kills to go around in circles.

Nineteen warriors attacked him at once and tossed the Kopis into a Goblin’s chest as he grabbed the weapon of another while cutting another in the back of the neck. He held an axe for a brief moment before burying it in the skull of another, which fell instantly along with five others he killed. Leothrad realized he would get bored of counting if he tried to keep up with how many he killed. So he plunged himself into the crowd of enemies like a mad warrior that was blood drunk. As killed his enemies he glimpsed more came aboard to surround him. He saw it one of his victim’s eyes before its head flew off its shoulders. Most of them tried to swing at him but missed or were kicked back. Some had fled jumping overboard as others fought on or watched the butchery.

He found it hard to have pity on such creatures after hearing what they did to any woman they had in their clutches. Leothrad go the feeling that many of these were spawn from the women captured and felt inclined to kill them. The Angoth was so busy killing his way to the bow that he nearly forgot he was not alone until a shower of arrows killed most of the enemies that gathered behind him.

As the arrows started to hit the deck behind him he had thirty three enemies left to face. He saw his brethren and Freed Allies allow him to continue his killing spree, which littered the entire deck with bodies in large quantities that covered every inch.

“Wait, wait. Before you kill of us, you must know something.” A Goblin said stalling his death at the hands of the ferocious Angoth. The Goblin stood near a Cren Priest-Warrior who looked at him with hateful, betrayed eyes. It was an Elite Goblin that spoke to Leothrad who waved a hand to the other Goblins. Four Goblins grabbed the Cren Servant as one of them slit his throat.

“Best not let him hear what I have to say. There is a descendant of the Cren God who would be of use to you.” The Goblin informed Leothrad, he then pointed behind Leothrad.

“You see that red Galley that is slightly bigger than the rest. That is where the Descendant hides while his servants command us.” The Goblin spat. “Now Angoth, kill us.”

Without so much of a word Leothrad cut the Elite Goblin’s head off and commenced to kill the rest of the Goblins who put up more of a fight than the rest since they were cornered. Their sword arms were no match for his as he cut them down like peasants against a heavily armored Hoplite. When he was done thirty Angoths and Velts climbed on board the galley. They had to face another group of enemies that came aboard. His senses told him the enemy were losing ground and ships faster than ever as others broke away and sailed straight for the island rather than the reefs.

This battle was over despite the numbers of enemies still around to fight. He spotted the main galley the Goblin Elite told him about over the heads of twenty enemies. It was three ships away from him. Ilkabad came to his side with his spear in hand. Blood dripped from the spear point as he prepared to plunge into another battle. His Kopis still sat in its sheath as though he never used it at all.

“Ilkabad, you do the honors.” Leothrad stepped to the side as more warriors gathered behind. He heard some fighting still going on behind him, but slowly subsided as his warriors gained the upper hand. The warrior heard catapults fire in the background and smash into a score of ships. Some projectiles destroyed the links of some ships causing the galleys to drift away.

Iclkabad charged a large goblin shoving his spear into its stomach and pushed it back. The ones behind his kill made way as he forced it into three others behind it. One fell over board and another had the same spear go through him. The third fell to the floor as the Angoth let go of the spear and unsheathed his Kopis. Ilkabad moved swiftly killing numerous enemies leaving the one he knocked to the floor for last. He held onto one that was too confused to even cut him or pull away. The handsome Angoth warrior used his Kopis to cut down twelve more enemies left and right as several began to retreat.

Leothrad watched his handiwork as he forced the rest to route still holding on to one and kept kicking the other to the floor. The Champion smiled as he watched the enemy retreat to other ships to join others on the retreat to make a stand against the allied forces. Ilkabad brings his sword back ready to strike and swings it across severing the enemy’s head off. He turned to the one lying on its back and stabs into its guts.

Leothrad found it amusing and applauded Iclkabad for a few moments as others joined in the applause as though it were a spectator’s event. Borix came to his side with an Ogre’s hand axe. Several other Velts came up behind him. “Are we close to the master of this fleet?” he asked.

“If you’re talking about the so called descendant that is here, then yes he is.” Leothrad said pointing at the red galley a few ships away.

“Then what are waiting for?” Borix exclaimed stepping forward, but Leothrad put his arm in his path stopping the Velt.

“Let the archers send another volley. If our warriors are tired they won’t make it to the main ship without suffering heavy losses.” Leothrad told him

Borix turned his head and yelled. “ARCHERS!”

Somewhere in the back another Angoth officer yelled the same thing. From behind them two separate volleys of arrows were fired into the ranks of the retreating enemy. Some had fallen in between the gaps and drowned others fell to the arrows as scores ducked for cover. “Another volley should do it!” Leothrad yelled as he stepped up to the platform that connected another ship to the one he was on. He was ready to step closer to the main galley and claim his prize. Ilkabad and Borix stood beside him ready to fight their way with him. Scur came in behind them and took position next to Ilkabad.

“Scur? You little rascal you’re fighting with us? Ha ha!” Ilkabad ruffled the young Angoth’s hair and kissed him on the head.

“Splendid you’ll become more famous than our Champion Leothrad.” The lover of Leothrad’s sister boasted as the Champion stepped up and walked across the platform. He would have came in using the other vessel behind their’s, but he felt like using this path instead.

As he came aboard the other vessel scores of warriors and slaves armed with clubs, and maces emerged out of the lower decks of the galley. He had Ilkabad, Borix, Scur and Ilexra the Adorcene armed with a bow. She fired the first shot as Scur killed the second one. Borix hacked at three enemies at once while Ilkabad shoved his spear through a throat. Leothrad joined in killing his way to the other ship. As he made it to the next platform an Ogre raised a massive war club and smashed the platform to pieces forcing Leothrad to back into an enemy. He turned around and killed it. There was only the quarter deck he could take now since the platform was destroyed.

“To the stern!” Leothrad yelled as he cut his way through a group of enemies. His followers were at his heels as he came up on the stern to see how close he was to this main galley. It was surrounded by other war galleys filled with enemies and arrows. Some corpses riddled with arrows could be seen at the feet of the regrouping enemy who saw Leothrad with a small group with him.

One laughed at them until an arrow hit his chest and he fell joining the dead at the feet of his brethren. Leothrad saw he only had two more ships to go. There was the one he had board from the stern and one next to that one. He turned to Iclkabad. “Are there any other warriors in reserves?” he asked.

“I am not sure, but I could get more men as you start the attack.” Ilkabad suggested.

“Thought you’d need more men.” A voice said behind them. Leothrad turned to see Evnar with fifteen able bodied warriors ready to kill the enemy.

“We cannot swing from this stern to the other bow over there, but we can jump to that bow nearest our position.” Leothrad planned a strategy while observing the ships around his target. There were plenty of enemies left to fight, only some were starting to break away in defeat. More prisoners broke free two ships away from the main one drawing some forces away. Leothrad jumped from the stern and onto the bow of the next ship where a few score of enemies sat waiting for orders. They turned their heads and saw the group of warriors board their ship. He turned to see archers notching their arrows to fire. “Ilexra, you and the archers take care of the ones on that ship.”

“Yes, Champion, archers to me!” Ilexra gathered the archers and fired a volley into the ranks of the archers as the warriors attacked the first group.

These goblins had been itching for a fight all day. They rose up with their weapons in hand gazing at the fresh meat they could fight. Leothrad went on with the fight killing as many as he could. He wanted to force his way to the platforms connecting the two galleys and the large vessel in the center. His warriors fought the Goblins who seemed more of a challenge than the rest.

Some managed to block several blows from Leothrad forcing the Angoth to fallback and join his colleagues had similar trouble. They lined up and charged as one making slow progress with the killing. A dozen Goblins fell to his sword once he got where he wanted. More arrows had been fired on the enemies aboard the other vessel, which was the last obstacle in Leothrad’s way.

Leothrad killed his way to the stern of the ship forcing the Goblins and Cren warriors retreat to other vessels as ten more broke away smashing into each other. On board three vessels the slaves were brought out left there. Slaves from others were also left on board. This was something Leothrad never expected to see. When he turned to his left there was a sight he was too familiar with, but was glad to see it.

Cren warriors, servants and slaves fought the Goblin raiders and Ogres on ships surrounding the barge like vessel in the center. He noticed the Veeks, Crowsians and Irkan were five ships away from his prize. His gaze turned to the ship next to his prize and saw Goblins fighting Cren warriors even as arrows showered down on them. He saw two Ogres standing guard at the entrance to the cabin of the barge.

His target was inside the barge that he wanted to board and claim his prize. Leothrad turned to Ilkabad who was fighting an Elite Goblin. “Ilkabad, take command here, I’m going for that barge!”

“Of course Leothrad!” Ilkabad obliged killing the Goblin as six more poured out of the cabins. Leothrad jumped from the stern to the other ship’s stern and clung to an enemy Goblin with one hand and the railing with the other. He pulled himself up pulling the Goblin off and into the water. As he came up he kicked a Cren warrior in the face before jumping down on the deck. He glared at Leothrad with hate in his eyes. Paying no heed to the Cren Leothrad brushed past him as five arrows struck him. Leothrad felt the glory of being near his prize, a descendant of the very god that forced the Angoths from their homeland many years ago.

He stood on the ledge of the stern facing the barge and the two Ogre guards who were busy watching raiders and warriors fight each other as two more ships abandoned the fleet. As he jumped he dove for a pike on the deck and snatched it up as he landed. Leothrad twirled around throwing the pike into the chest of one of the guards. He had no intentions of breaking up any of the enemies who were fighting each other now. His focus was on the last guard, the very last obstacle remaining. The Ogre charged after him with the halberd in its hands. It swung at him and he ducked under the blow going for its knees. He unsheathed his kopis and sliced through he monster’s legs. Leothrad heard it collapse with pain coming out of its jaws as he rushed into the barge. 

Discarded Commando Part 27

Going through the gates of Tsubib Pajibe the commando and his companions found the city resting inside a crater. Just past the gates as more of the road leading downward to the edges of this crater. Tsubib Pajibe's structures filled the entirety of the crater and even overflowed its rim. The city itself had a few levels on top of each other along the inner sides and rim. Inside its center stood towers, citadels and a single keep mixed with a tower. Much of Tsubib Pajibe's architecture was built out of stone slabs, stone cut into perfect rectangular shapes and plenty of mud brick structures. At the end of the crater stood a large palace.

Their focus returned to the road which was flanked by stone huts, wattle and daub styles, adobe style houses. Each structure was inhabited y a family of four or five. Most of these structures were spread out at the beginning of road. There were homes behind others among the typical artisan workshops, patters, sculptors, weavers, some smiths, and most showed they were forest loggers, and small farmers or herdsman. Just like the soldiers, militia, and guards every man wore a sarong but were shirtless or had a less decorative shirt on. As for the women they donned decorative short sleeved dresses with designs and beads. All of the children wore wrapped loincloths for the boys and hide skin dresses for the girls.

They had no time for sightseeing or interacting right now and pressed further into the city limits. Maphai took the lead of their group as they approached the the edges of the crater. Going further down to the Crater they came across buildings with two stories showing the wealth and craftsmanship. Each one had a small totem or decorated masks next to the door or on top of the doorway. As they proceeded deeper, they noticed more militia patrolling around and the buildings getting higher and wider. Among the populace were plenty of those belonging to other tribes and those who were considered foreigners. According to Maphai and Nanim those out of place figures were from the Kinowee, Odaw, Utsali tribes, and other city states such as Oramatra, Khasungai, and Oceanrest Var. The rest of these foreigners Maurice recognized as explorer from Eoth, Evusia, Lybesan, Malvieth. There was a band of explorers sitting at a table in the large patio attached to a local hostel. Maurice counted eleven heads around this table. Only five of them appeared to be dressed for exploration whereas the rest were a guide, three bodyguards and a pair of mercenaries. Maurice recognized one of the mercenaries as an ex- soldier of the Nevoran Federation and the other was an Evusian ex conscript.

Maurice's gaze was drawn by another explorer who sat on a crate. This particular explorer was a woman in a typical explorer's outfit who had set her gaze upon Maurice Viyamor and his companions. She tipped her hat and winked at them while shifting around on her seat. Maphai only shook her head and directed them to a stable where they could place the steeds. While they were settling the cat steeds in the stable a couple of figures approached from behind. One looked like a creepy fellow with a pencil mustache that appeared awful on a bumpy face under a battered stock man hat. His posture looked bad and seemed hunched compared to the other figure next to him. Next to the bumpy faced creepy figure stood an average height man with a handsome face, a stubble for a beard, four scars on the left cheek from the claws of some creature. Both of these figures wore identical suits.

Their suits appeared to be the same style and color as the one's worn by goons of the Caligari Syndicate. Each of them eyed the Sarcagosee soldiers and warriors. Maphai told them not to spill any blood in the streets of Tsubib Pajibe since it would cause panic among locals and anger the authorities. Her words were heeded by the commando and his companions as they somewhat ignored the two goons. Yet these two goons ignored her words and made a move. Believing they were being sneaky these two slowly slipped their hands into their coat pockets. Before either of the goons could draw a weapon all seven mercenaries and warriors drew their firearms.

Seeing the drawn weapons forced the pair to stop in their tracks. They took their hands out of their coats and turned around. Maphai muttered that those two were just a couple out of hundreds of Caligari's army of goons. Maurice's gaze followed these two who were lured over to the winking explorer. She lured the two creeps over to her and led them inside the inn. He presumed it was so she could spread her legs and please someone.

The commando returned to what they were doing. He unloaded his pack and weapons from Cogan's back as Ebony, Warriorblue, Grey Hunter, and Temeenu were also unloaded. Each Sarcagosee and mercenary placed luggage on their backs. Saddle and Harnesses were carefully taken off so they wouldn't anger the cat steeds. When the saddles and harnesses were set aside, they looked at Maphai who was the only one with clear knowledge of Tsubib Pajibe. Realizing she was being put on the spot Maphai said they well be meeting the Council of Tsubib Pajibe. According to Maphai this council had 43 members seated as the main governing power of the city-state. She led the group further down the street. They came upon a bridge linking the rim of the crater to a mid-upper level of the city.

Tsubib Pajibe's levels appeared more like towers and raised platforms linked together by bridges. Some bridges were along others were short depending on where pillars and platforms were located. They were built from stone and wood. Maphai took them through three platforms crossing several bridges. One of the platforms was where they witnessed a brawl. Two armed figures launched themselves onto a trio of other figures armed with goloks and metun daggers. The two assailants wielded barong and pinute blades wearing tattered clothes that appeared more like a bunch of shawls sewn together. Just from looking the clothes one could tell the shawls wrapped around the figures loosely enough to hide weapons.

Maurice glanced at the trio who were red sarongs with a black stripe and turquoise designs all over. Each one wore nothing over the upper body save for a sash. Forced to stay and watch the fighting the commando and his companions witnessed the small bloody squabble. Wielding their blades, the two tattered shawl men quickly attacked two of the sarongs wearing figures. One of the figures died instantly whereas the second sustained a wound as he parried the attack. Retaliating against the attack the second warrior killed the first attacker with several strikes while receiving a few more wounds in the process. Full of adrenaline the second attacker rushed the sarong warrior to the ground defeating him before rushing at the third. Both combatants engaged each other swinging blades, exchanging blows, parrying, dodging, striking at each other in search of weaknesses and holes and their opponent's defenses. For several minutes the pair fought on until one of them grew tired and drained from wounds and bled enough that forced him down. To everyone's surprise the sarong wearing fighter overpowered the attacker bringing him down to his knees. Moments after bringing his assailant down the sarong drove his blade down into the attacker.

Maphai informed her friends there were at least seven assassin guilds and gangs within Tsubib Pajibe and the city of Waikun. Most of the gangs remained unknown except for one called the Dragorse Snakes. Up to three guilds existed within the confines of both cities. They were known as the Doombows, Patient Jaguars, and the Venomcry of Dawn. Other guilds and gangs existed but were lesser known, shrinking, dying, or too small. According to rumors one of the assassin guilds served the city-state's council.

Once the violence was over and the last combatant left the area for the lower levels things seemed to calm down. Moments later Maphai herded the Sarcagosee along to the next section. Wasting no time, the small group made their way to the palace where the council governed the city. This palace stood about four stories high and as wide as a large hill. It had an adobe shape and style. Up close the palace's windows balconies, and a few spires. The doors to the palace were purple with a basket handle arch frame.

Ten guards stood at the gates with a ranking officer as captain. Maphai had them stop at the edge of the path leading up to the palace. She and Nanim went up to speak with the leading guard officer. The two mercenaries spoke with the officer negotiating their way inside. Several minutes passed before they made an agreement. Maphai returned with Nanim in tow behind her. The council of Tsubib Pajibe had given audience to them, but only the leaders could speak to the leaders. Maphai looked at Maurice who nodded agreeing with these terms.

As Maphai explained to Maurice the arrangements Nanim took the rest of their group back to the stables. His gaze was focused entirely on Maphai who told Maurice they had to dress according to the city customs. For a few seconds the commando was confused. He scratched his head until he realized they had to dress up in order to meet the Council. This 43-seat council would meet them in two hours. Maphai grabbed Maurice by the arm as she started for the door. She pulled him towards the palace doors. Both doors opened to them as a head servant approached the pair. He beckoned them to follow him inside. Maphai replied to this servant with a word Maurice assumed was a yes. The mercenary kept pulling him along as she followed the servant through the main entrance hall of the palace.

What they had walked into was a complex arrangement of support beams, pillars, rooms, raised catwalks leading to different locations in the palace. This was only center part which occupied a large portion of the palace's area. The servant led Maphai and Maurice to a side door. He took them through this side door, which brought them to another hallway. From there they were taken to a guest room that appeared to be a mixture of a dressing room and a cleansing room. Several tubs made from carved stone sat against one of the walls. Wasting no time both leaders undressed, got in the tub and cleaned themselves. A few hand maidens scrubbed their backs clean as they scrubbed everything else in the hot waters of the bathtubs.

Once they had cleaned up the two leaders got out, letting the maidens dry them off. When they were dry enough the handmaidens picked out traditional clothing for each one to wear according to gender. Within an hour of bathing and dressing the two were led straight to the room they would be meeting the council.

Maurice and Maphai entered a room that was in the shape of an auditorium or amphitheater with a roof over it. In place a usual section of seats to fill the space where forty-three raised chairs sitting upon a stone piece crafted to resembled a wide ramp. In these seats sat the members of the 43-seat council of Tsubib Pajibe. 

Boarding the Cren Fleet Cbapter

Apkis stood next to Goldis as their fleet of thirty ships lined up into two rows of ships. Their allies the Crowsians also lined up in attack formations as the Irkan Clansmen guarded their rear flanks. The Angoths were also preparing for battle under the leadership of Leothrad himself. “Where the blazes are Servestine and Eron? They should be back by now! Servestine you have disobeyed my orders.” Apkis gritted his teeth wanting to punish something. He thought of punishing Aimal at this very moment, but his conscience said no. It reminded him of the wife and children he had back home in the Veek homeland.

Leothrad’s fleet of five ships lined up ready for battle as other Angoth vessels filed in behind his ships. Each one had drums of war beating in the air. None of the Cren warships bothered to stir. Some or most were too scared to come out or even command their troops to do anything. It was likely they were all still asleep as dawn crept around the corner with some light from the sun illuminating the battlefield. Apkis waited for the dawn to emerge before the mass assault was executed under the command of Commander Goldis. Goldis was the commander who waited for the right moment to strike.

Leothrad had his own ships and the Angoths stop within an arrow’s distance away from the Cren fleet, which are just moments away from stirring awake. Another volley of arrows are fired from the Angoth vessels. Goldis raised his sword and signaled for the attack to commence. Oarsmen and sailors put their vessels at full speed as others ready the battering rams and grapnels for boarding.

“Sharpen your blades boys this war is just the beginning!” Apkis hollered to the crews, Marines, and Hoplites aboard the thirty ships gathered in the Veek fleet. Crowsian vessels did the same as they prepared to attack the Cren galleys and board the linked ships for prize and glory. Masts had every sail down increasing the speed of each vessel as the wind blew in their favor, some believed it was the work of the sea god Nepotus, others the Sky god Erusina, Apkis believed it was the work of the Crowsian Mages who believed in this alliance. All along the lines Crowsian and Veek alike gathered at the bows of their vessels ready to ram into the enemy ships as their crews scrambled to prepare for battle.

Goldis ordered for archers and ballistae to be fired at the ships in front. He had ballistae fire on the masts and archers loose arrows on the decks killing crew and warriors alike. There were loads of them running a muck on the decks trying to figure what to do while others stood ready to face sixty ships full of enemy troops coming at them in return. Ten vessels rammed into three vessels at once. The impact was so tremendous it could have caused the vessels to sink immediately. None of the ships sank since the rams connected the ships to the galleys, which smashed into ships behind them and next to them. Goldis swung first onto the galley followed by Apkis and fifty men aided by scores of archers and peltasts who acted as marines. They threw their harpoons and javelins into the ranks of the enemy before Goldis swept across with his boarding party. Other ships did the same as they dropped down onto enemy decks.

Apkis swung down onto a Goblin breaking its leg as he landed the wretched creature was cured with a blade through its heart as the Crowsian-Veek swung at his second opponent. Scores of enemies fell to their blades as they fought for control of the galley. There was not much for them to lose as the Cren forces threw themselves into the spears and shields of the Hoplite forces.

The ship they boarded felt crooked from the impact and its hull smashed up against two other vessels whose crew and warriors joined in the furry. Apkis swung his Xiphos defending his position as more men piled on board from behind them. He sliced through four goblins and seven Cren demons that fell at his feet the moment his blade went through them. Hoplites next to him had greater success as they fought side-by side with brothers and commanders. Arrows and javelins flew over head into the ranks of the enemy as more boarded vessels to get to them. Archers aboard vessels behind them fired volleys into crowds of enemies as they passed by.

Apkis felt victory was assured as they formed a phalanx formation in a circular shape. He looked over at other vessels that had Crowsians and Veeks alike doing the same formations slaughtering the enemy. Only a few Hoplites fell in the battle over control of the first ten vessels they boarded. Some started to climb back on to the ships they came from leaving possession of the crooked ship to the Veeks.

Cheers and hurrahs sprang up as the enemy back away, some had arrows shot at them as others fell in the gaps in between ships. Apkis saw nineteen receive arrow shafts in the back and head as they tried to retreat. He turned to Goldis whose face was painted in enemy blood. The young Commander howled with joy with his men as a victory could be smelt in the air. Even Apkis could smell it.

“Sir, shall we press on?” Apkis yelled above the noise of shouts of victory and joy.

“What?” Goldis yelled back unable to hear Apkis.

Apkis shouldered his way to the Commander so he could hear him. “I said, should we press on?” Apkis shouted in his ear.

“No we should search the ships and loot them, but have men and archers here to defend what we have taken here!” Goldis replied as he sheathed his Xiphos for the moment. Out of the cabins chained warriors sprung out killing Cren guardsmen and holding a Cren Priestess hostage, plus a Cren Captain’s severed head is flung in Goldis’ direction.

The warrior is a large man with tribal tattoos on his arms and face. “Are you here against the Cren Order’s will?” the tattooed warrior asked. Goldis nodded and had a Hoplite pick up the head and place it on a pike. He turned to Apkis who glanced at the girl then at his Commander.

“Shall we then Commander?” he asked smiling.

“VEEKS! FORWARD!” Goldis shouted at the Hoplites and Marines whom advanced onto the next vessel as other groups board others at the same time. The Cren forces were waiting for them, but were too stunned to fight back well enough to curb the tide of the battle. Hoplites formed their phalanx lines with their leaders and captains mixed in. Spears pierced through bodies like a needle through cloth. Apkis paused as he came aboard the second vessel. He climbed up on the ropes of the vessel to get a better view of the battle. Crowsians advanced quiker than they did and swept across a column of eight ships already armed with Veek equipment, but Crowsian weapons. Their sickles and Kopis sliced through the enemy easy enough, decapitating numerous foes as they advanced forward. It was hard to tell if the Crowsians were freeing prisoners since he saw mainly bald heads, braided heads and heads with dreads.

Countless enemies fell to the blades, and spears of Veek and Crowsian alike. He looked down to check on the progress of his men who were halfway through the second ship as thousands of Cren warriors met them. It seemed to stall them for awhile with bodies of enemies littering the decks. He watched as Hoplites and Marines forced their way into the cabin to free more prisoners. Apkis spotted Goldis who was leading the advance as a few hundred Hoplites were ordered to press as one against five times their numbers. A thousand Cren warriors were all over three galleys with platforms set up to connect them. Apkis watched the young commander force his way through the numerous enemies.

The Hoplites and Flax warriors sliced, and speared their way through the crowd of enemies. Goldis’ Hoplites killed their way to the other side of the ship as another group of Hoplites aboard another craft took over another vessel and were about to board another one. Prisoners poured out of the cabins and lower decks armed with weapons of their captors and so called masters. His first thoughts were of how many slaves did the Cren Fleet bring and what were their true numbers.

Apkis looked over to his left and saw the Crowsians were having trouble with Goblins and Ogres aboard the vessels. He looked down and saw fifty Hoplites and thirty Peltasts resting their arms from battle. Apkis took a quick glance seeing the Irkan warriors were guarding their rear flanks. He even caught a glimpse of some Cren vessels breaking away in attempt to flank them. The Veek Supervisor slid down watching Goldis’ progress as he lead four-hundred men across his second prized vessel as prisoners armed with bows covered his flanks and rear. Another faction appeared on the battlefield, but Apkis could guess who it was. He felt its presence approaching. For now he had to get more men to help the Crowsians who were losing ground to the Ogres. Apkis landed in the center of the resting group and looked around, seeing well rested men.

“What the Hern are you doing? Do you want the goddess Atheyan fucked in all three holes by ogres?” he shouted at them.

“No!” they all said at once, standing at attention. Apkis pointed his Xiphos in the direction of the Crowsians who needed help.

“On the other side of that quarter deck our Crowsian Allies are being forced back by the enemy! Join me and flank the enemy and be rich with spoils of war!” Apkis preached, arousing the men to fight on in a battle over the sea. He charged towards the quarter deck as the men followed him up a ramp to the quarter deck. Apkis had Peltasts throw their Javelins at the nearest enemies who were about to flank the Crowsians from another vessel. Another group of Hoplites occupied the space at the bow of the galley the Crowsians were fighting over. Apkis yelled for them to stay there and hold the line as he lead his own group over to the other ship next to it, riddled with Cren Warriors, and Goblin Raiders.

Fifty Hoplites boarded the vessel as Peltasts followed close behind. More Cren Vessels feel to the combined forces of the Veek and Crowsian Forces with help from the prisoners they keep freeing. Hundreds of prisoners made up their own force as they fought their way alongside Crowsian and Veek. Apkis and his fifty Hoplites plunged into the flank of Cren warriors and Ogres that never suspected them. His sword slashed through five enemies before he came face to face with a towering Ogre that reached for him. Acting quickly Apkis sliced the palm of the monster’s hand forcing its arm back. It backed away hurt trampling those behind him. A javelin was thrown and struck the creature in the throat killing it. More Ogres turned to them as arrows flew at them.

It was clear this battle was far from over. They may have caught the enemy by surprise, but the enemy brought more men than the Veeks, Angoths, Crowsians and Irkan warriors combined. Before he resumed the fight aboard his third vessel for capture Apkis spotted ships in the back broke away and fled towards the reefs. He turned to his left and saw ten Irkan warships engage the Cren galleys and board others linked together with platforms and hooks. What he also glimpsed were vessels surfacing from the ocean full of Makool attack the Irkan Longboats.

A large hand snatched him up as his men fought the Goblins and Ogres. It was huge beared ogre with a scar on his nose and one eye covered up. His instincts took over as the monster brought him to up to its face. Gripping his Xiphos Apkis shoved it into the Ogre’s other eye stabbing away as it cried in pain. He grabbed it by the nostril hairs to hold on as he shoved his blade further in as blood covered blade and arm. Another Hoplite shoved a spear into its gut right as Apkis dealt a lethal blow stabbing its brain. The creature fell on its back crushing several behind it.

He yanked the Xiphos from the corpses head and drove it into the guts of a Goblin Elite as a hundred more Cren warriors came aboard from other ships deeper in the linked fortress of ships. It was midday already and they had made some dent in the fleet. Crowsians appeared from his left flanking the Goblins and Cren warriors. His mind went to Leothrad and what he was doing as arrows rained down on ships just beyond his reach.

“Are the Angoths still harassing the Cren bastards?” He asked a Crowsian warrior who was more mage-healer than a warrior who looked him in the eyes.

“The Angoths are attacking on the other side and are making their way through the ranks of enemies, sir. More of your Veek brethren are here….” The healer’s voice trailed off and disappeared as the adrenaline of war swept over Apkis in the heat of battle. The healer hollered at him as the fight went as he sat there with bodies and arrows falling around them. He could tell they were mostly winning as twenty prisoners poured out after some mutiny spread. 

Flames in the Night Chapter

Goldis came in to find Apkis and four other men sitting in a circle with a woman sucking them off. She was nude with body paint all over her body. Her face was the only thing that wasn’t painted. Her reddish-brown hair was messed up from being grabbed by the head and forced to suck. Goldis watched her stroke one cock and she swallowed another that she gagged on for a minute before turning to the next one. It was enough if Apkis was fucking the woman, but to have five cocks out for one woman was too much for the young Commander. His focus was mainly on the woman whose breasts were painted with a large yellow flower and a white rose. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye sucking an Angoth who seemed hung like a horse.

Goldis knitted his eyes at her trying to remember her name. She was a whore one of his own men brought on board for entertainment. He himself had the pleasure of her company. Her name escaped forcing him to give up. The young Commander turned to Apkis who stood up to screw a woman in the ass as he spoke to the Commander.

“She came wandering in sir and started stripping none of us could help ourselves. We decided after a long battle yesterday that some sex was required for celebrating. Isn’t that right Aimal?” Apkis thrust in her harder and faster forcing the other warrior’s cock down her throat. Her choking and orgasms came at once repeating over and over in the cabin. It was starting to annoy Goldis who grew angry at this fashion of celebration.

“ENOUGH! GET THAT WHORE OFF THIS SHIP AND ONTO SOME FUCKING ISLAND!” Goldis roared. The woman stopped and looked up at him in fear. Apkis stopped and gave him a fearful look.

“Well Aimal I guess this is goodbye for you. Our Commander doesn’t want this now or any time.” Apkis told her releasing her as did the warrior she was fucking. Each warrior stood up and put their clothes back on and exited the cabin. Apkis put his chiton back on him looking down with shame.

“I…I ….I am truly sorry sir…Apologies…please.” These were words that Aimal could be saying, but it was Apkis saying them for the whole group. He started to help her gather her clothes. “Here let me help you find your clothes. Calm down, no one will harm you.”

Aimal was on the floor tears rolling down her cheeks fearing her life had come to an end at last. Goldis looked at her with pity. His anger subsided when he noticed his cock was hard. “Very well then you can stay aboard this ship, but after this victory tomorrow you’ll be with the Commander’s Cock for the rest of the trip back.”

“Oh thank you!” Aimal said jumping after his cock and rubbing it with joy. Goldis couldn’t believe a woman like her was hungry for pleasure every day. Was it because she never had true love and chose the life of a whore or was she forced into it to gain wealth. His guess would be both as she began fucking him ferociously. She ate him for ten minutes when someone entered the cabin.

“Sirs, the Cren fleet is on fire, Leothrad must have sprung his assault!” the person yelled not taking any notice to the whore fucking their commander. Apkis tossed a robe over Aimal telling her to get back to her quarters. She rushed away with her head bowed low.

Goldis tucked his cock back in his undergarments and rushed out of the cabin to see what the crew member was babbling on about. Apkis joined him as he wrapped his blue robe over his nude body. As Goldis came out of the deck his gaze is caught by a vast light in the ocean. When he focused his eyes he realized it was the Cren Fleet set on fire.

The flames lit the night sky like a line of candles in a dark temple. They couldn’t tell exactly what was going on, but it was obvious ships were burning and sinking. Goldis knitted his brows together confused as to why some ships were catching fire quicker than usual. If a fire were to be set upon a formation like theirs it wouldn’t spread as fast.

“Apkis, they don’t have their ships hooked together do they?” he asked the General, and newly appointed Supervisor. Another ship caught fire as a burning mast fell on the ship closest to it. There must have been hundreds or thousands of Cren servants and slaves dying at once. It was never good to see prisoners of galleys die in a battle like this, especially when they could be useful in future battles or conflicts.

Apkis came to his side with the blue robe on to see the event himself. He only took a second to look before he returned inside. “By the gods of Olintas Leothrad keeps screwing around with the enemy every time we’re in a full fledged battle!”

Goldis turned his head watching his blue robed supervisor sprint into the cabin to arm himself for battle. Leothrad knew how to harass the enemy enough to force them to retreat and piss his allies off at the same time. His strategies were his own and hardly involved collaboration with others. A figure climbed on to the deck at the bow. Crew members and Hoplites drew their weapons.

“Who goes there?” one Hoplite demanded with his Spear pointed at the figure.

“It’s Eron your assholeness!” growled the figure who shoved past the Hoplites and crew members. He walked up to Goldis and kneeled as he saluted.
“I have reported to the outpost and they say more Cren vessels are coming. Fortunately they are ramming into hidden reefs that it blocking their movements. Some say their slaves and prisoners are in a mutiny as a result. General Apkis is there a reward?” Eron looked up at Goldis.

“Eron, you have done well, but have mistaken the Commander Goldis for General Apkis. That is one mistake you have made tonight due to the darkness. Dress yourself for battle and come back up here with me! Do you understand?”

“Yes sir, my apologies sir!” Eron said standing up.

“Fuck the apology and get in your Hoplite uniform! Now!” Goldis barked as his gaze was caught by fire thrown into the air. Did Leothrad have catapults somehow? Goldis asked himself. If the Champion did then a quarter of this Cren fleet would perish tonight and half of what was left would die the next morning. Goldis did not feel like sleeping as he watched fire rain down on the linked ships of the Cren navy.

“What damned fools! They’re not fighting back?” Apkis cried as he came to Goldis’ side to watch the flames crash into the fleet. They stopped as more lights emerged in the dark as though archers were readying their bows. A volley of flaming arrows rained down from five vessels and hit the sails and decks of thirteen more Cren Vessels. Goldis squinted his eyes spotting the lights of the cabins and lanterns aboard the vessels. “There do you see those lights Apkis? It’s Leothrad and his own smaller fleet! Send word to the Crowsians to prepare a frontal assault before the crack of dawn, we’ll wait out here if we have to.”

Apkis summoned for another swimmer to send word over to their allies of the strategy as Leothrad’s rain of fire ended for the night. It was late very late, morning would be upon them all within four hours. Goldis donned his helmet as more Hoplites and crew members prepared for a longer battle the next morning. The flames ate many ships, and created a beautiful orange-red light in the night skies. No stars shined that night as the Veeks roused their allies for another assault on the Cren Fleet. 

Leothrad's Assault Chapter

Leothrad looked about him seeing four more ships gathered around him. Two were Cren War Galleys taken earlier that day, and two Angoth Vessels that joined him when the Angoths arrived. He was pleased to see his own brethren sent in more ships so the extras could make up the ones he took into his own fleet. Leothrad was Champion after all and an Officer of the Triangle Brotherhood. His new vessels had artillery aboard that was easily dismantled and brought to the upper decks and put together. His intentions were to set fire to several ships within the Cren fleet to create havoc among the enemy ranks.

Hundreds of warriors were armed and ready aboard each vessel he had under his command. Most of them knew how to fire a bow, whereas few knew how to operate the machines they had at their disposal against the Cren Order. Leothrad spotted the Cren fleet near the reefs, because of the lights in the lamps aboard each vessel. It made it appear like a field of camp fires sitting on the ocean’s surface.

“Champion, there is an Angoth swimmer from one of the Veek vessels. He was sent by General Apkis to know what your plans are for the morning attack.” Clovis informed Leothrad as he sat at a table with the maps of the regions under his nose.

“Send him in.” Leothrad told the Captain. “I’ll ask him what his General wants. Is he from the Angoth colony under the Veek Hegemony?” Leothrad asked turning his head towards the door, looking over his left shoulder.

“Yes Champion he is, I will bring him here at once.” Clovis left Leothrad to his maps and room.

His room was empty ever since the warrior who slept in here was dead from drowning. During one of the battles at sea a group of heavily armored Goblins grabbed him and dove into the ocean with an anchor tied to them. He was unfortunately brought down with them to a watery grave below the sea’s surface. Leothrad missed the young warrior named Toranon III. His father and brother had the same name so he was named the third of his name. Leothrad was growing fond of the warrior until that moment when he died. An Angoth warrior with four rings in his beard and a chain linked belt to hold up his trousers stood in the doorway.

“Are you Leothrad?” the swimmer asked the Champion of all Angoths. Leothrad stood up from his seat at the small bedside table he was given when they were looting Galleys.

“Yes, I am. Who are you? What is your name is the correct question then.”

“I am Servestine, I served the Veek Hegemony and I still do so with happiness and honor.” Servestine bowed and saluted Leothrad.

“Who is your Commander and General?” Leothrad asked, he felt as though he was interrogating the Angoth rather than asking him questions.

“The young Goldis is our Commander and General Apkis supervises him as Goldis commands us.” Servestine told Leothrad.

“Apkis sent you to see what my plans are, didn’t he?” Leothrad asked with a hand on his hip. Servestine nodded then turned to leave the room, but Leothrad raised his hand to stop him.

“Wait, why don’t you rest your eyes? My attack is about to commence. It would be best if you conserved your energy for another day. Rest here and I shall send my own swimmer to the Veeks and tell them of my attacks.” Leothrad encouraged Servestine to take the empty bed and sleep for the rest of the night as he brushed past him.

Leothrad went over to Clovis’ cabin and found him asleep as the ship rocked. He kicked Clovis awake who shot up with a start. He looked at Leothrad with an disgruntled look that wanted to sleep more.

“It is time get the men ready this battle was only beginning.” Leothrad said before exiting and started banging on the walls to wake up the rest of the inhabitants in cabin.

“WAKE UP! It’s time for a war!” He roared at the top of his lungs as dozens of warriors scrambled out of their rooms and rushed to the deck. All the commotion woke up more men below deck who got the message and went up to their stations. His army of warriors, archers and engineers waited for him on all the decks of the ships in his fleet. Each one was armed and ready for an assault on the sleeping Cren fleet. There were onagers, and catapults aboard one side of the deck while the other side had ballistae armed and loaded with spears tipped with points for destroying sails.

The onagers and Catapults were cranked and loaded with flammable projectiles to shoot at the Cren vessels. Leothrad climbed up on the stern side to assume command. He barked orders at the fleets and crews, telling the ships closer to the Cren fleet to begin the line formation. His ship followed the first two as the others followed the Delkyr Hunter. As the ships got close enough for firing range they turned and fired the ballistae first. No one knew what happened over there nor did they care. Most of the Cren vessels were manned by demons, and spawn not worthy of life. Leothrad thought he saw some ships sink in the dark dragged one with them. He had no doubt the crews were trying to cut their vessels loose from the ones that were hit in the hull. Seven masts were cut down as the projectiles probably shot into the ships in the back. Those masts fell onto other ships causing considerable amounts of damage to the Cren fleet.

None of the ships knew where this was coming from and panicked. Leothrad’s fleet then circled around to fire the catapults and Onagers with flaming projectiles. Those shot into the ships behind the ones in front. Flames spread from ship to ship killing crews, slaves, warriors and causing ships to sink. More problems were created by this assault as the Cren forces fought to put out the fires and cut ships loose from the ones that were sinking.

“Shall we do this again?” Leothrad asked his crew as he drew his sword. 

Sending Scouts Chapter

Dusk brought an end to the battle that lasted long enough for the Veeks, Crowsians and Angoths to drive the Cren Warships back towards the island and the wall of reefs north of it. Apkis paced the room as Goldis glanced over maps of the area marking where the Cren fleet laid waiting for dawn.

“We should send swimmers to scout out the area!” Goldis suggested as he placed a pebble in a bowl after setting them up to represent the ships on the map.

“Why, we know the enemy is there and the Cren Order will not attack until it is day light. We should wait until it is day break before we attack.” A Lieutenant suggested who acted as an adviser Goldis’ uncle appointed for the young Commander on the campaign against the Cren Order and the Makool Domain. Apkis never like the Lieutenant named Herocules. Herocules was never smart about his strategies and had half a unit of men killed the instant they engaged the enemy.

Apkis recalled a battle at the tip of the Veek mainland near an Angoth settlement that became part of the Hegemony. Herocules was in command of three-thousand Hoplites with orders from the Hegemon to destroy a legion of Makool troops camped out on the beachhead. The foolish Lieutenant led his entire army into a marsh that lay next to the beachhead. This was Horocules’ strategy to take the Makool by surprise. The strategy would have worked if the marsh had trees and brush thick enough to hide an army like most of the swamps in the lands south west of the Angoth settlements.

Apkis witnessed the massacre that day as the Makool who saw their approach hid half of their force in the marsh then sprung the ambush. Herocules lost eighteen-hundred men in the first minutes of the massacre, which he still calls a battle to this day. The damned Lieutenant was captured along with another four-hundred Hoplites. General Apkis had command of over ten-thousand Hoplites and three-thousand Peltasts. The Hegemony sent him and the thirteen thousand troops down to attack another Makool force in the area, which banded together with the one Herocules was to attack.

As the day grew ill for the Veeks under the captured Lieutenant’s forces Apkis split his force into three groups, he took half of his Hoplite army to intercept the retreating Hoplites. His Peltasts were sent to a high ridge next to the beachhead where they found four-hundred Angoth and Veek archers camped out at its base. His other half of Hoplites marched down to the camps of the Makool armies. There they attacked lightly fortified positions while Peltasts and archers rained hell down on the Makool still reaping over spoils of their swift victory. Another force of Angoths came up from some villages near the beach some three-hundred strong attacked the Makool camps on the west flank. Apkis had rallied Herocules’ fleeing Hoplites and assumed command over them and pressed against the Makool. In one full hour the combined armies of Angoths and Hoplites drove the Makool back into the sea butchering as many as they could.

His mind returned to the present as Herocules went on his rampage about strategy thinking himself clever. “You’re a damned fool to listen to Herocules Goldis! You fared better than he would have in today’s battle at sea! Yes, it would be best to send out swimmers from each ship to see where our allies sit and what the Cren Order are up to!” Apkis glared at Herocules with a mistrustful gaze.

“Not this time Herocules you’ve lost too many men during your career as officer and most of your men flocked to my command!” he rubbed it in the Lieutenant’s face.

“Say what you will Apkis, who cares whether you command sixteen-thousand now. The gods granted me this pos-.“ Goldis waved a hand shutting him up.

“Herocules your count of defeats is beyond measure and counting. As commander it is my duty to strip you of your rank and life for putting tens of thousands of people at risk aside from your own armies.” Goldis said tossing a reed of banishment at him. It was knotted up into a symbol of ill-omen, and represented the Makool God Ukrok. Insulted Herocules drew his sickle weapon.
“Your mother was a whore to the entire court while you were gone! Your uncle saw to that! He had her fuck every noble and guard as the courts went on. She even fucked two Makool for his pleasure and to keep the peac-“ Goldis drove a knife into the Lieutenant’s throat to shut him up. His body fell on the floor with a thud and his weapon clattered next to the corpse. Apkis leaned over to rip the weapon from the corpse. “No, leave it and have his body thrown overboard. I do not need the likes of his kind commanding me. You are suitable for the job as adviser.”

Goldis handed Apkis a ring of military status. The General felt overwhelmed with honor and pride at this promotion. “I…have no words… to thank you…” Apkis had no idea what to say.

“You clearly need none. Your service to me, the Hegemony and Eronos in the future are enough thanks. My friend, my dearest brother in arms.” Goldis embraced Apkis with a bear hug that nearly caused Apkis to lose his super. They let go to attend to the business at hand.

“Now, shall we send out the Angoth swimmers, or the Irkan?” Goldis asked with curiosity.

“I’d send both, Angoths are faster swimmers and the Irkans are apt to holding their breath in any temperature for long periods of time. Each can get to the enemy undetected.” Apkis suggested placing his new prized ring on his left hand.

“Your uncle will be furious.” Apkis said indicating to his new status, and the corpse of Lieutenant Herocules.

“Let him, guards, messenger, scribe!” Five Veeks entered their quarters, three Falx wielding Hoplites without armor, a messenger and a scribe with some parchment to write on. Goldis motioned to the body and the guards got the message. He stopped for a split second and gazed at the corpse with curiosity in his eyes.

“Strip him of any coin, jewelry, heirlooms, status and armor, keep the coins for yourselves. Bring the rest to me once you’ve tossed the body overboard. Scribe I will be with you in a moment, Messenger go rouse the Angoths and Irkan swimmers aboard and have them come up here.” They each bowed and saluted before attending to their given tasks. Apkis stood idle as he waited for more commands from the young Goldis’ mouth.

“Apkis, you command the swimmers to their intended targets and have them return to us at once. Scribe come with me to my quarters I have a message to write for someone.” Goldis went to his own quarters as Apkis took a seat at the table that had a map of the area and several serving bowls of fruit, fish and bread. There were stacks of scrolls sitting on a rack next to the table, each one had information of past campaigns, strategies that worked and military formations.

The messenger returned with seven Angoths and Irkan swimmers who were also renowned warriors among the Hegemony’s armies. They stood in line before the entrance of the cabins. Apkis stood and beckoned them all inside.

“Please, stand at attention as I give you orders from our esteemed Commander Goldis who is in his quarters and has handed command to me for the moment. Each of you must swim to a designated area I will assign you. There you will find out what our allies are doing and what the enemy is doing.” He looked at each warrior who had something different about him to separate himself from the others.

“Are each of you from a different vessel?” Apkis asked.

“Yes, General.” They said in unison.

“Good, your Captains choose wisely.” He complemented. Apkis started with the one on the end of the line. He was tall, but not nearly as tall as Leothrad, his beard was short with four rings tied to it. “What is your name Angoth?” Apkis asked.

“Servestine, General Sir.” The Angoth with the four rings in his beard answered.

Apkis turned to the warrior next to Servestine who was an Irkan Clansmen with a kilt and sash with the colors of his clan. His face had a thick black beard and a scar across one eye. There was no hair on his head, it seemed he shaved it for warfare. “You’re an Irkan warrior, what is your name?”

“I am Chadwick of the Clan Bailor.” Chadwick answered. Apkis nodded his head taking a look at Chadwick.

“You will swim over to the other Irkan clansmen and see what their commander has in store for the Cren Order.” Chadwick saluted Apkis before leaving the ship. Apkis turned to another Irkan warrior who had war paint over the left side of his face. He wore scaled chain mail armor over a leather jerkin-tunic. His weapon was a long dirk, long enough to be considered a short sword. Apkis thought of sending him to the Crowsians and see if they were mobilizing their formations for the morning attack.

“The Crowsians are north of our positions, what is your name?” Apkis asked the bald Irkan.

“I am Amborix, I have no clan other than the hegemony. I will do as you command General.” Amborix bowed down and saluted Apkis before leaving the cabin.

Apkis glanced at the Angoth Servestine. “Servestine you shall go to Leothrad, you can easily find his ship and report back to me. If he asks you to stay with him, don’t.”

“As you command, General.” Servestine bowed and left for Leothrad’s vessel.

Apkis turned to the last four swimmers remaining. “State your names when I walk up to you and leave once I give you a location.” Apkis walked up to an Angoth who resembled a Veek with blonde curly hair.
“Your name Angoth.” Apkis commanded.

“Arnos, General sir.” The blonde Angoth answered.

“Go see the other Angoth fleets and see if more vessels have arrived.” Apkis ordered Arnos.

Arnos left in a hurry to swim to the other Angoth ships in the area. Apkis looked at the remaining warriors who appeared to be Angoths. He knew Angoths made better swimmers when it came to speed and long distances. He looked at one with four braids in his hair.

“You there are you the one they call Fyre?” Apkis asked him.

“Yes, General Apkis and these two are my cousins Ultan and Eron. They are from Angeris the anvil and circular islands. Where do you want us to swim to sir?”

“You Fyre will swim your way to the Cren fleet and see how they are mobilized. Ultan, you swim to the fortified island nearby and give the tower-guards and update. Eron go a remote outpost past the Crowsian positions feel free to stay aboard one of the vessel just make sure you get there. Are my orders clear warriors?”

“Yes, General sir!” the Angoths cried. Apkis dismissed them before he sat in a cushion chair at the head of the table. He picked an olive from a bowl of fruit and vegetables sitting next to the map. All he had to do now was wait for their return, it could take some time before he heard back from the other leaders including Leothrad.

He knew Leothrad would have other plans for defeating the Cren fleet waiting at the edge of Kruskor reefs. It was only a matter of time before that Angoth Champion acts before anyone else. His arrival at the first phase of the battle took him by surprise. Apkis’ only hope was that Leothrad could lead his people back to this Auxmire soon and reduce the tensions brewing over lands in Emnos. There were plenty of wildernesses both Angoths and Irkan clansmen could take from the Ipama, Goblins, and Troglodytes. To the north-west of the Irkans is an entire civilization of cannibals the Irkans planned to destroy before the Angoths came along. His thoughts would have suggested the groups fight side by side decimating the cannibalistic civilization. To the dismay of his Veek forefathers none of that happened.

The Angoths came like a storm from the seas bearing hundreds of thousands of men, women and children. Warriors were hungry for a war and fought both the Veeks and Irkan clans for land. Of course that was after they ousted the Goblins, Ipama, and Makool out of the lands they inhabit now. Entire kingdoms of Ipama and Goblins were wiped out in the Angoths’ rampage for land. Over the years this cost them dearly, but gave them a suitable home to graze, and farm on with their furry livestock of sheep, longhorns, swine, and mares of many breeds.

The culture the Angoths brought was different from the others. Yet it was similar to the Veeks and Irkan Clans at the same time. The Veeks had their class system, multitude of Gods, city-states, art, philosophy, democracy, hegemony, and athletic events. Their Irkan neighbors had the clan system set up where each clan was given power over the rest. After a decade that power would go to another clan. However if two clans were unified they both shared the power and it would pass on to another. Each Irkan Clan had their own tartan colors to represent their clans. Irkans were cattle grazers, fishermen, farmers, bards, craftsmen of wood and the forge. Most men had to fight in the Irkan army to represent their clans. All clans were once their own tribes who fought one another until one War Lord unified all of them and gave them a code to live by.

Apkis found himself writing all of this down on a piece of parchment when Amborix entered the cabin as water dripped from him and onto the wooden planks. He held a large shell in his right hand with the Crowsian Symbol on it.

“What news from the Crowsians?” Apkis demanded as he rolled the parchment up.

“They’re mobilized sir, and I came across Eron on my way back who was just about to board a Crowsian vessel.” Amborix told Apkis. “They will be ready to attack at dawn, sir.”

“Good, go dry yourself off and dine with me.” Apkis told the Irkan warrior. An hour later Chadwick, and Arnos entered the cabin. Each had something that represented the Angoths and the Irkan Clans. They looked at each other realizing they had the same message from the two separate fleets. “They are both mobilized and ready for battle at dawn, sir.”

 “Exus is with us.” Apkis smiled and raised a goblet up, Amborix filled the goblet with wine before offering the others some. Both warriors grabbed a stool from the wall and sat down. Chadwick contemplated the maps and the pieces marking the enemy ships and their ships. Fyre came in with nothing in his hands.

“The Cren fleet has their ships linked together and moored at the reefs. They don’t seem like they have any intentions of attacking us yet.” Fyre said snatching a grape from the bowl.

“Shouldn’t we wait for Leothrad or let him do something first?” Chadwick suggested. Apkis stared at him with stern eyes over his goblet as he drank slowly from it. 

Leothrad's First Prize Chapter

One lone vessel bearing the banners of the Cren Order managed to escape the trap and head for the other vessels, which were mobilizing near the reefs. Their brethren were slaughtered in the attempt to take on the battle-hardened Veeks on the sea. The Captain Elgoag believed it was useless now serve the deity that was destined to rule the world. He sailed on as if nothing had happened, but when he turned his head right he spotted another vessel headed for his at a fast pace.

Leothrad’s vessel speeds towards the last Cren vessel of the first wave that attacked them. His vessel caught up to it after an hour of sailing and rowing at full speed. Each of warriors were eager to plunder the Cren warship and free any slaves that could be aboard. Leothrad saw what happened at the Veek area and wished the young Captain had known there were slaves aboard those vessels.

“Perhaps those galleys were rowed by ogres. I mean they were coming towards the Veeks pretty fast from where I was watching. The only reason why ours was able to catch up to this one was because of the contraptions those Veeks and Crowsian engineers put in the hull to make it run faster.” Clovis said glaring at the hull of the Delkyr hunter where a steam powered engine made into the ship that generates wind through the holes in the masts.

Leothrad was not concerned about what the Crowsians and Veeks did to their vessel. His concern was for the slaves aboard the galleys and how useful they would be in an all-out war with the Cren Order. His intentions were to capture the vessel and free whatever slaves were in the hull forced to row the galleys to their deaths.

“Clovis tell the warriors to prepare the grappling hooks we’re boarding that Galley!” Leothrad ordered as he stood on the bow of the ship clinging to a rope that was dangling from the fore mast. He watched as the goblins on board scrambled all over the deck and their archers manned their stations. Each archer fired an arrow or two at the Delkyr Hunter before being answered with a single volley of arrows from the Angoths under the leadership of Leothrad. His target was a tall Goblin that appeared to be the Captain of the vessel. Goblins tried to duck as another volley of arrows were fired at them. Leothrad tightened his grip on the line as the Angoths pulled up to the side of the Goblin Galley ready to swing over and board it.

Once they were close warriors tossed grappling hooks while archers focused their arrows on the decks and stern. Leothrad drew his sword encouraging his warriors to follow him into battle. He swung from the bow of the ship onto the deck of the Goblin infested galley. The Champion landed on the corpse of a Goblin surrounded by others who were dead, dying or hiding from the archers. Soon other Angoths swung down onto the deck.

One goblin stood up and raised its axe at him and was struck down the instant he approached Leothrad. Twenty Angoths boarded the galley wiping out the Goblins on board the outer deck of the galley. He fought five Goblins at once playing around with the foolish creatures cutting one down and letting another get shot with an arrow. Leothrad beheaded one and shoved his sword into the last killed as the fifth one was cut down by an Angoth armed with an axe. He twisted his blade out of the Goblin making quick work of his latest kill.

There was hardly any time left of the day to be messing around on the sea as the Cren Order was building up its force at the reefs of Kruskor Island. Thirty Goblins charged out of the lower decks into the slaughter as the Angoths waited for them to come up. His appetite for a prize grew with each kill he made on his way towards the cabin. He stepped over corpses seeing none of his men were killed or scraped. It seemed they had caught the fleeing vessel unawares and its crew was too frightened to give them much of a fight. Leothrad made it to the Cabin and smashed the door down with several blows with his foot and shoulder. An Angoth came up from behind him as the door fell open broken from its hinges. 

“Do you want us to join you Champion?” he asked Leothrad with a bloody ax in his hand.

“No, stay here, clean the ship, gather the weapons, arrows and pile them up or stick them into barrels. I can handle myself. Protect the ship, I believe our friends from the Cren Order are just know figuring out a route through the Island of Kruskor.” Leothrad pointed towards the island. There Cren Galleys and Warships were finally making their way through the estuary, only they had difficulty from the Ipama tribes. The Ipama on the other side of the river were disturbed that one tribe crossed the river to ambush a vessel and went over to check it out. Leothrad imagined this as he entered the cabin. Lamps lit the inside of the dark cabin flickering in the breeze that came in.

Leothrad explored the cabin finding furniture of all types, shapes and sizes. He even found a bed with a Cren priest with his throat slit and his cock out. Cum was splattered about his robe and bed. “Someone must have been sucking your cock before we attacked.” He said to the corpse. His eyes scanned the room searching for signs of the person who did this. It was most likely a slave girl bought for pleasure and used as a sex tool. Such practices would be banned all across Auxmire if the Angoths were still in power. It is so in New Angothia, any man caught with any type of sex slave was doomed to be killed. Those who owned slaves for other purposes were allowed to live despite the anger it inspired in every warrior’s blood within the Triangle Brotherhood.

Leothrad saw that the door had been locked on the inside which explained why he had to force it open. He looked over to a corner and saw a hatch had an overturned cabinet over it to keep others from coming up. “Whoever you are you can come out from wherever you’re hiding. It is safe now. I am Leothrad Champion of the Angoths, perhaps you have heard of me, if not maybe the name Angoth rings a bell from stories your nanny or wet nurse told you?”

There was no reply just the creaking of the vessel as it rocked softly in the water. He wandered deeper into the cabin to look inside another room, which was empty save for bottles of powder, plants and liquids. He turned away from that room and found another room which was locked. He smiled and knocked on the door.

“Hello is there anyone inside?” He asked as nicely as possible.

“Yea there is, who are you? Are you one of the Goblins? Is the battle over?” the voice sounded human and young. Leothrad grinned thinking this was some foolish Cren worshiper he could bring along to hear the bullshit about Cren the Magnificent God who would do no wrong against his people.

“Yes I am the Goblin First Mate Nine Feet of Cock! The battle is over and we are here to rescue slaves.” Leothrad said making up a name that would sound too funny to take seriously. “You damned fool, tell me you’re not this stupid?” Leothrad muttered under his breath as he waited for an answer.

“Very nice to meet you First Mate Cock I am Oephus the Minstrel of Lord Avakosh, his concubine went mad and killed our master, this is why I am here in this room alone!” Oephus answered as a fool he sounded to be. Leothrad heard something approach from behind as Oephus went on about how violent the slaves were down below when the vessel was nearly wiped out with the others. The champion felt the presence of someone else creeping up behind him possibly armed with a dagger. He heard the blood still dripping from the blade that should have been cleaned after slicing the Cren Priests throat. The person must have cut themselves as well in the attempt.

He twirled around raising his sword to intimidate rather than kill. His honor kept his sword from harming women. That was the work of dogs without honor, cowards, and demons. He was face to face with a woman with the dagger in both hands and covered in blood. She had some cum dripping from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes were wide and sacred ready to drive the sharp point into Leothrad’s eye.

“Lower your blade and clean yourself up.” He said to her glancing done taking notice to her nudity. Behind her an Angoth entered ready to tackle her and rip the blade from her. Leothrad raised a hand. “Stay back I can handle this!” he commanded.

The woman lowered her blade and relaxed. “Apologies, that wretched demon has been fucking me since I was thirteen!” she said through gritted teeth.

“Glad to be rid of him are you?” Leothrad asked. She nodded and silently went to the door and banged on it with her fist.

“Oephus you stupid slug open up! This is an Angoth here to rescue us from slavery!” She hollered at the top of her lungs.

“I don’t trust Nine Feet! He killed those Goblins didn’t he?” Oephus complained.

The woman’s eyebrow twitched in anger. “At least let me in and get some clothes on while I clean myself up!” She screamed at the door.

“Okay savvy flower named Ursella.” Oephus sang as he unlocked the door to the room. A chiton wearing Crowsian looking slave appeared at the door as it swung open. He smiled both of them holding a Lute in his hand. “Oephus the singer at your-“

“Out of the way!” Ursella hissed pulling the skinny singer out of the room and slammed the door shut as she entered.

“Have you always been a slave Oephus?” Leothrad asked folding his arms across his chest.

“Yes born and raised to serve master Avakosh, it was rumored he raped my mum, but I never believed sweet Avakosh would never do that, no, no.” Oephus smiled the widest smile Leothrad ever saw on any slave’s face. It was enough to make the Angoth lose himself and laugh so hard no noise came out.

“FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODS OEPHUS HE DRUGGED YOU TO BELIEVE HE WAS YOUR FRIEND!” Ursella screeched from behind the door.

“Do have anything in there you need?” Leothrad asked sheathing his sword.

“No my room is down stairs, but it appears Ursella tipped over the dresser on to it.” Oephus said observing the room.

“A strong woman, no doubt.” Leothrad said complimenting Ursella. “Get that cabinet off the trap door I am going down, join me if you wish. You Oephus can wait right here.”

Oephus did as he was told and held his lute against his chest like it was a kitten wanting to be held. Leothrad helped the warrior shove the furniture aside and opened the hatch to the lower levels of the galley. He descended the ladder and discovered more rooms full and empty. There was a Cren guard asleep in a chair and a girl lying in bed under the covers. The guard had three mugs around him indicating he had been drinking on the way here. He slept next to a door that must have led to the oars of the galley. Leothrad could here shuffling and rattling of chains behind the door.

He turned to the guard who was asleep and saw he was armed with a dagger. Leothrad took the dagger and shoves it in the guard’s chest waking him to a startling death. It was now to the door with the guard out of the way. He burst in shoving it open finding a whole deck full of slaves at the oars and twelve Goblins remaining to keep them in line. These were a large breed of Goblins that were taller than the average Veek. Leothrad grabs his own knife and throws it at the first Goblin he sees when he entered.

Another Goblin charges after him, but a prisoner trips him and strangles him with his chains. Leothrad steps up to protect the slave as more Goblins come to the aid of their comrade. A tall strong looking woman stands up with her chains ripped from the floor and hits the first Goblin taking his sword. In moments other prisoners stand up and attack the rest of the Goblins as one slowly dies from being strangled.

Leothrad turned to his right and saw an ogre sleeping in the corner just now waking up. He grabs a spike from the floor and lunges after the ogre jabbing the weapon into the beast’s neck. The Ogre gave out a gurgling sound as it died in its sleep. As the oarsmen heard this they all cheered and roared with approval until a loud thump silenced them. On the other side of oars deck was another door to a room.

“It is wear more of their troops are garrisoned we awoke one of their elite warriors inside.” A tattooed slave informed Leothrad. His tattoos showed his past tribal status among a group known as the Velts, a group that was nomadic around the time Leothrad’s people were forced out of Auxmire.

“Thank you, friend give me your name and where you’re from.” Leothrad said thanking him.

“The name is Borix of the Veltic clan Epuntine my lord.” Borix asked for Leothrad’s name.

“I am an Angoth Champion named Leothrad. I am here to set you all free! Cut their chains if you can find clippers otherwise find the keys.” He told the Angoth warrior behind him.

Leothrad walked down the line of oars as the warriors unshackled the prisoners and broke the chains freeing them all as he walked by. Some freed themselves before freeing others some grabbed a pair of keys or knives to set free the rest. As Leothrad came up to the door and looked up at the ceiling. He realized the galley had three lower decks and he had passed the first lower deck. Leothrad pursed his lips listening to the thumping and watching the doors budges but not open for whoever was trying to get out. The door was barred with a metal bar. He moved the bar to the side to see what was behind the doors. His expectations were impressed as an armored Goblin stepped forth from the room that was riddled with Goblins armed with clubs. The leading Goblin warned the others not to touch Leothrad but fight the others. Above them they heard more fighting, but ended like skirmishes do.

Goblins charged past Leothrad attacking the freed prisoners who outnumbered them this time. Twenty seven ill-equipped Goblins faced one hundred and thirty-eight freed prisoners who overwhelmed the Goblins easily enough. Leothrad waited for his fight with the Elite Goblin who raised both arms as a way of saying “Aren’t we going to Dance?” inviting Leothrad.

He swung first and the Goblin swept it aside. His determination encouraged him to keep up the attacks as he pressed on the Elite. The Goblin parried each blow until Leothrad cut down on its hand and scraped part of its palm. It stopped to hold its wrist as it looked at Leothrad accusingly. “You cheater!” it hissed, “Fight with honor, damn you!”

Not with you, Leothrad thought as he kicked the Goblin in the stomach forcing it to stagger back. Leothrad swung again forcing the blade out of the Goblins hand. It clattered on the floor before Leothrad cut at its legs, bringing it down to its knees. Leothrad did not give it a chance to beg and shoved his blade through the gap exposing its neck. He pulled his blade out of the Goblin letting the Goblin and its blood fall on the floor.

“Are there any more prisoners aboard this ship?” Leothrad asked turning around to face the freed prisoners.

“Yes, there are a hundred more down below most are men bound for the islands for some reason. I could not tell you, but do you know Great Leothrad?” a woman asked tossing her shackles to the floor. There were tribal markings on her arms and legs indicating she must be a Velt as well. Leothrad suspected more than half of the prisoners were of Veltic stock aside from other groups he may not recognize.

“Are all of you Velts, or something?” An Angoth named Erden asked.

“Most of us, I am Ilexra from an independent state known as Adorce. It was once an Angoth city that my forefathers discovered and restored to create our home. I suspect you’ll be wanting it back once you Angoths return.” Another woman said tossing her head to the side waving her hair in the Angoths face.

She walked past Leothrad to pick up the Goblins weapon and searched around for a hatch to the lower deck below. “We’ll free our own from now on, you attend to your own business and we’ll do ours, Champion.” The Adorcene named Ilexra fixed her hair into a single braid, which was wrapped then tried around her neck with a brooch traded from a Veltic craftsman.

Leothrad turned to Borix who placed a Goblin arm band around his own arm. “Have you ever commanded a ship before?” Leothrad asked as more warriors joined Ilexra to free their comrades in the lowest deck of the galley.

“Yes, I was given the opportunity to do so with a Morvanese Captain who then sold me into slavery to serve the Cren Order.” Borix answered and bowed, acknowledging what Leothrad was about to bestow upon him.

“Then I name Borix of the Clan Epuntine as Captain of this Galley, all of you will follow his orders. Tell the others when they are freed. I leave you all to do as you wish. Join me or go on your own paths I cannot stop you nor should anyone else!” Leothrad received approval from all the freed warriors who cleared the way for him as he went to return to the upper decks. He made it up to the cabin where Ursella and Oephus were waiting for him.

“Are we free to go?” She asked looking at him with an impatient look.

“Yes follow me, there is a room for each of you since the previous passengers are aboard another ship. Leothrad led both of the former slaves to the outer deck where the sun was dipping down over the horizon in the west. He looked over where the Cren Order were still fighting Crowsian and Irkan ships as more were boarded following his example. Other Cren vessels arrived and mobilized not bothering to enter the battle on behalf of their brethren.

“Some help you’ve become.” Leothrad snorted at the mobilizing fleet of blood red sails. Dusk was coming and those who were not engaged in battle backed off and returned to the mobilized fleet of red sails as the last victims fell to the allied forces. Leothrad felt the Cren Order believed they were all at war with each other and it would be easy to defeat them.

He turned his head to see the island of Kruskor slightly closer to him than he wished. More Cren galleys came out of the island with Ipama aboard the vessel killing crew and warriors alike. They must have been Ipama from the other side of the island that were disturbed by the idea of another tribe using their territory to ambush vessels sailing through the gorge.