Wizards, witches and heroes

This one is about sword and sorcery kind of adventure with wizards, kings, heroes, witches and demons...

Ten thousand years later the world was covered by an impenetrable fog. All land had vanished beneath a vast ocean, except a few small islands where the last few men and women eked out a miserable and precarious existence in emptiness and sweat. They had sunk back into the obscurity they had come from, long, long ago.

Within the fog was a ship being inexorably drawn towards the island by a power other than the wind. The people on board the ship had set sail some days previously from the main island that was no longer there anymore. By a process of magicry they had passed from their own time into their distant future and unbeknownst to them it was a one way trip.

They had been in the swirling white fog since daybreak of the preceding day. Nothing could be heard except hushed whispers from the frightened watch-weary crew scattered to all points of the sailing ship, each straining to hear or see something to break the spell hanging over them.

No wind was blowing, yet the ship ploughed through the still sea as if pushed by a giant invisible hand.

Suddenly from very close to the vessel the sound of water running off a very large body brought alarmed shouts from the crew. This was the only sound that was heard by the waiting men, until, from up forward, a man’s scream was horribly cut off midway by the squelch of his flesh and the crunch of his bones followed by the slobbering of something very big. Men cried out and ran from side to side as if to escape but their panic rocked the ship.

Kelek, the big swordsman beside the captain, both with their backs to the mast, had his sword out and up, held two-handed and was trying to listen but the shouts of the terrified crew made it impossible to hear anything other in the fog.

The captain was shouting for the men to be quiet but only added to the confusion.

Near to Kelek stood his friend, George, a dwarf who was waving his sword back and fore. It passed close to Kelek’s head.
“George my friend,” shouted Kelek. “Be careful with that thing will you, you’re almost giving me a close shave.”

“Better to have a close shave than be fish-bait,” shouted George still flinging his sword about haphazardly in the fog.

“Well just stand back a little then,” shouted Kelek.

George moved away and as he did so he fell over one of the oarsmen’s benches. He tumbled to the deck of the boat cursing.

“What happened?” shouted Kelek.

“I fell over,” George shouted back.

Another scream pierced the fog, followed by the same cut-off and then the scrunching of their bones in massive teeth.
There were only eight left in the boat now that once held over thirty at the start of the voyage.

“Hold your peace. The next man to break silence is going to get thrown over the side,” shouted Kelek in a voice of thunder.

His voice carried its message and the men quietened so that all that was heard was the sound of their ragged breathing.
“Listen now,” said Kelek.

Each there waited for the monster to strike again and each hoping he would not be its next meal.

The sound of water splashing off the side of something enormous came to them and each man knew that in a moment something from the sea would pluck another unfortunate to a horrible death.

Kelek was straining his very being to the fog trying to perceive some movement or sound to warn him of the thing’s attack. His whole massive body was taught and ready to explode into action at the slightest difference in the fog: a smell, a sound, a change in air pressure. Out of the corner of his eye the fog went darker. With the reflexes of a wild animal in the split second before his death, he turned and lunged with his sword; it found resistance and sank in half way to the hilt. His sword was almost wrenched from his hands, then the resistance was gone and a terrible splashing came from the sea.

“I think I got it,” said Kelek.

“Did you kill it?” asked one of the crew.

“I don’t know, but it’ll think twice before coming back again,” said Kelek to those listening.

From the stern a woman’s voice rang out:

“You should have let me have a go,” she cried.

The men laughed releasing some of their pent up fear.

“You can have a go next time Zen,” said Kelek.

“There’s not many of us left for a next time,” said George.

“How many did we lose this time?” asked one of the crew from the fog.

“Two I think,” said another voice from the bow.

“Who?” asked another one from the fog somewhere in the boat.

“Joran’s gone,” said the man at the bow.

“The captain too,” said Kelek.

There was silence at this while the men pondered their fate. Then a cry of anger rang out from the man at the bow.

“It’s that cursed woman’s fault, she brought this on us. I say we throw her to the fish and have done with it,” cried one man nameless in the fog.

There were murmurs of agreement.

“Will you dogs never stop picking on me,” screamed a woman.

“Let’s take her lads, there’s enough of us,” shouted the man from the bow.

“If you want my blood come and get it but I’ll take some of you dogs with me first,” said the woman.

“If anyone takes anyone’s blood it will be me who takes it,” roared Kelek to all there, his voice booming from the fog as if he were right next to each one there. No one said more on the matter but muttering could be heard for hours after.

The boat carried on across the water and the men went back to their private thoughts. Kelek and the dwarf sat back to back, swords on their knees. The woman stood at the stern listening and waiting.

The brightness went from the fog as the sun sank down and the lanterns were lit, it made no difference to their blindness. Some of the men slept, their weariness overcoming their vigilance, others whispered to themselves.

Several interminable hours after the sun set, Kelek slept, his snoring filled the boat.

“Now’s our chance,” whispered a voice. “Whatever you do don’t wake up Kelek or the dwarf.”

The whispering stopped. Only the boat’s creaking as it sped across the water could be heard as five men silently crept to the stern. They had to feel their way inch by inch but they knew their boat from years of sailing in her so managed not to make much noise. The men loved her for she had always brought them home. Until now. The Sea Spit, fifteen men to man the oars at each side. The bow specially strengthened for ramming, and had sent many other craft to a watery grave. None manned her now as some other force propelled her to the gods only knew where.

The crew hadn’t liked a woman coming on board, even a fighting woman, but double pay for the duration of the voyage had persuaded most of them to put their fears and prejudices aside; but ever since becoming trapped in the fog the men had nursed a growing hatred towards her and only Kelek had stopped her from being thrown overboard.

Only five men of the crew were left of the thirty who had started the voyage. Twenty five men and the captain plucked from their ship by something no-one could see to fight.

Desperation made desperate men and not even Kelek’s wrath could dissuade them from their purpose. So five men, the last of the crew of the Sea Spit crept towards the stern to throw the witch to the sea god to appease his anger at them for going against the tradition and luck of the sea.

Deathly silent the first man began to draw past the sleeping swordsman and the dwarf. Breath was held in as he felt his way past; but it was not to be; his time ran out suddenly as Kelek’s sword whistled down on him and cleaved him in half, he had not even time to scream, only a faint huh as his lungs lost their air, but not through his mouth. The other four men rushed upon the sound of the fight with shouts, and screams as they died from Kelek’s deadly sweeping blade, limbs and bodies slashed and hacked in two as Kelek’s sword passed through them. It was all over in moments, Kelek not even breathing hard.

“They wouldn’t listen, the fools,” said Kelek.

The woman came and stood beside him.

“You could have left one or two for me,” she said.

“This is no time for jest woman. These men died for their beliefs. And it was their ship,” he said to her with some force in his voice.

"Poor beliefs to die for." she said.

"Help me throw them over the side before they start to smell," said Kelek.

Kelek bent down and felt around in the fog until his hand came upon a torso of one of the sailors, picking it up he heaved it over the side. It went to the fish with a splash and soon all the other bits and pieces of what was left of the crew followed.

"Not many left on this boat now." said George.No more comment was made as they returned to their sleeping places. The rest of that night passed uneventfully until the sun rose up next morning and brightened the fog again. All that day the boat sailed on. When early evening came George spoke for the first time in hours.

"I'm getting worried about Kelek. This fog seems to go on forever."

Kelek was wearied by the fog, nothing to see, no one to fight, no wine, he couldn't even play a game to while away the time and so he answered his friend with a curt reply. "You worry too much." Nothing more was said. From the stern came the renewed sounds of a sword being sharpened. Kelek was just about to remark on how annoying it was when a warm wind blew through the boat and fetched away the fog.

"At last," roared Kelek jumping up.

"We've made it." shouted George.

"Not quite." said Zen coming to join them from the stern, her ebony skin polished by the rays of the sinking sun.

"What do you mean?" said George, looking comical in a swashbucklers outfit and a hat set at a rakish slant with his hair curling out in a mass of locks.

"I mean we're in the middle of nowhere without a crew to sail this ship." she said.

The sun cast a reddish light as it balanced on the horizon but nothing could be seen but sea.

"Climb up the mast George and see if you can see anything," said Kelek, who was wearing only a loin cloth to cover his muscular body.

George climbed to the top of the mast and looked around, then shouted down: "There's a faint smudge towards the sun."

"Is it land?" shouted back Kelek.

"I think so," said George.

"Then we'll head towards it then," said Kelek.

As the sails were still unfurled and filled with wind and they were pointed in the right direction anyway there was not much for them to do; but they were in better spirits so the time passed more pleasantly.

"Kelek!" said Zen, "I'm going back to the barge to see if Rainbow is alright. Will you pull me back again when I'm ready?"
"Glad to. I can do with the exercise," said Kelek.

Zen climbed down to the little boat that was being towed, and Kelek unleased the rope and braced himself as he let it out hand by hand until the boat knocked against the barge that was being towed. It had been especially made to transport Zen's horse and looked more like a floating box than a barge. With the boat bumping against the barge Kelek tied the rope securely and sat back to await her return. Zen heaved her six foot lithe form up the side of the box until she was looking over the top. Rainbow her jet black mare was grazing on the last of the hay that had been put down before the fog had made it impossible to get to the barge.

"Hello Rainbow, how are you?" said Zen with a warmth in her voice few people had known. The horse raised its head and snorted with pleasure to see Zen. Zen climbed down beside Rainbow and the horse nuzzled her outstretched hand.

For a few moments they stood enjoying each other's company. Then Zen threw her arms around Rainbow's neck and hugged the horse lightly.

"I missed you," she said.

The horse nodded as if to say - I did too. Then Zen walked around Rainbow inspecting the mare for any damage. Her inspection complete with no visible sign of any harm to Rainbow, Zen picked a brush from a compartment in the wall and gave Rainbow a good brush-down, talking as she did it. Rainbow enjoyed the attention and listened to every word with a nod and a snort thrown in.

"It won't be long now before we are off this damn boat and on firm land again, then we can go for a good run." Zen finished her grooming of Rainbow then spent a few minutes cleaning the makeshift stable, then as she was setting out more fodder for the horse she heard a shout. Quickly she scaled the wall to peer over the top at the Sea Spit. Kelek and George were looking ahead at the coastline that was growing bigger with every minute. Kelek turned and shouted.
"Land Ahoy." Then he spotted Zen's head at the top of the wall.

"Come back over now Zen and lend a hand to steer this ship," he shouted. Zen waved to say she had heard then she clambered back down and went to Rainbow and hugged her again.

"Not long now, almost there."

Then she was in the little boat being pulled back by Kelek. Cliffs hove in sight, and built over the cliffs was a castle towering huge into the sky. It stood dark and forbidding and cast a gloom all around.

George shivered at its oppressiveness.

No flags or pennants flew from its battlements but oily smoke poured from chimneys to show it was inhabited even though it looked as if no life could possibly be tolerated within its gloomy walls. There was an air of doom about the place as if something evil dwelt there.

As they drew nearer they could see raw sewage pouring from an opening at the base of the castle, it was all stained and puce like an open wound oozing puss and festering. Gulls flew around the scattered outpouring, many of them floating dead in the scummy water.

Zen steered the boat while Kelek and George looked after the sail. They were headed for a little natural harbour set further over from the castle where the cliffs ended.

As they sailed into the harbour they could see it was full of small fishing boats and at the quay were tied two sailing ships. Waves gently hugged the shore of sand which reached to a cobbled road. Behind the road were stone houses built haphazardly up the steep side of the hill. It seemed to be at first glance a thriving fishing village.

“Run her up on the sand,” shouted Kelek.

Zen turned the tiller to head the ship straight through the middle of the harbour and as they raced along, small boats raced to get out of the way.

It normally took thirty men to man the Sea Spit so it was a marvel that only three now sailed her. But stopping her was another matter.

The Sea Spit smashed to pulp one of the small fishing boats that couldn’t get out of the way in time, its crew jumping out at the last moment.

All was movement and angry shouting in the harbour as the huge boat that came from nowhere raced through the water of the harbour with its sails filled out to catch the wind. Another small boat was smashed aside, then the Sea Spit hit bottom, but such was her speed that fully half her length came out of the water onto the sand before she shuddered to a halt. Her three passenger-crew picked themselves up and prepared to face the angry crowd that was racing to surround the boat. The barge beached up beside them and as it did the box structure holding Rainbow collapsed. Rainbow whinnied then reared up snorting and angry.

The hostile crowd quietened at the horse’s display. Rainbow trotted back and fore on the deck. Then suddenly galloped in a frightening burst of speed and flew over the side in a magnificent leap to land on the sand. The crowd scattered in all directions as Rainbow charged straight towards them.

“That’s my girl,” shouted Zen.

“Now’s our chance,” said Kelek making ready to jump over the side to escape the crowd.

“Wait,” said Zen, “I have to get Rainbow first.”

"There’s not enough time,” said Kelek.

“You go then. I’m staying to get Rainbow.”

Some of the angry crowd were coming back, other were in a bunch trying to throw ropes around the horse’s neck, while three men lay trampled in the sand.

“So be it then,” said Kelek and waited.

Many angry fishermen and sailors gathered around the beached boat, all with weapons of some sort: swords, oars, short lengths of rope with weights attached to the end; an ugly throng after the blood of the supposed invaders.

When the expected explosion of fighting didn’t happen a man climbed the side of the ship and looked over the side.

“There’s only the three of them,” he shouted down to the crowd.

His language was strange and nasally but understandable. At his shout there was much relief and lowering of weapons.

From the back of the crowd a short fat man pushed his way through.

“Make way for the harbour master,” he called.

A passage opened up for him and he walked to the front.

“You can’t put that there, you’re supposed to tie up at the quay with the others, see.” He said, pointing to the quay where two ships were at rest. “Not supposed to crash into my harbour as if you were going to invade us.”

“Sorry,” said Kelek, “we couldn’t stop.”

“What do you mean you couldn’t stop?” exploded the little man. “Who’s in charge of this ship? Where’s the captain? Let me speak to the captain.”

“How’d you like to be captain?” said kelek quietly aside and part jokingly to George.

“Not really,” said George.

“Done then, you’re captain.” Said Kelek, clapping George on the back and pushing him forwards.

“This is the captain,” said Kelek to the waiting harbour master. Kelek pushed George a little more towards the harbour master, then he sat down at the side and watched the outcome.

“I’ll get you for this,” said George under his breath.

“Are you the captain of this vessel?” demanded the harbour master angrily.

“Suppose I am,” said George.

“What is the meaning of this outrage? How dare you run your ship like this. Who gave you permission to do this? Are you drunk or what? You must be crazy. You’ll pay for this,” said the harbour master ranting on.

“How much and to who do we pay?” asked George.

The harbour master quietened down at the smell of money.

“I will decide after I have made a full inventory of the damage you’ve caused in my harbour. Until then I will have to impound your ship,” said the little man to George.

“Alright, that seems fair to me,” said George.

The harbour master spluttered in surprise, expecting to be argued with. The men around the boat had broken up into small groups, some had wandered back to what they were doing before but most stayed out of an amused interest.

“There’s three men back here busted up by that horse of theirs,” said a burly sailor coming forward.

All this time Zen had been keeping an eye on Rainbow who had broken free and was now galloping along the beach of the little harbour.

“That horse should be impounded to pay for the wounds of these three men,” said the burly sailor with a glint in his eye.
“Nobody touches my horse,” shouted Zen.

“I’ll decide on this matter in my office. The boat will have to stay there for now. You three come with me,” ordered the harbour master.

They jumped down and followed the harbour master along the beach to his office. Zen whistled and Rainbow galloped towards her.

“I expect there will be a pretty heavy fine,” said the harbour master as everyone gathered in his office at the head of the quay.

Kelek lounged on a chair with an amused look on his face. Zen stood by the door, with Rainbow just outside, and George faced the harbour master across his desk piled with paperwork and old compasses and other paraphernalia of the sea.

“Whatever you say,” said George hoping the harbour master would hurry up and get it all sorted out so he could get to an ale house and slake a huge thirst with Kelek.

“Your ship of course will have to stay where it is until I’ve worked out how much the fine will be,” said the harbour master.

“Of course,” said George.

The harbour master was too busy with running up charge to notice how little George could care.

“Sign this,” said the harbour master pushing a form towards George.

“What is it?” asked George.

“It gives me permission to sell your ship if you don’t come back in thirty days to pay whatever will be outstanding against you,” said the harbour master.

George pulled the form towards him but hesitated for a moment.

“How much do you think she would bring at sale?” asked George.

The harbour master with a glint in his eye got up from his seat and went in to a back room. A minute later he came back carrying three small sacks of coin. He threw them on the desk.

“That much,” he said.

“Done,” said George reaching to pick up the coin.

The harbour master put another form on the desk.

“This signs over all ownership to me,” said the harbour master.

George signed the boat over to him.

“Will that be all then? Can we go now?” asked George.

“For now yes,” said the harbour master.

“Right, where’s the nearest watering hole,” said George exiting the office with Kelek right behind him.

End of part one

This is an old one of mine from about 30 years ago. I don't think it's published anywhere else...

Link to part two https://steemit.com/steemitbloggers/@wales/the-city-of-dongor

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