The Scarlet King (24 page)

Captain Cook responded, "The game of cat and
mouse, then?"

Jason but nodded and was silent for a moment
before responding. "I would not wish to risk the lives of your
crew, but feel we must test the capability of the invaders. I
expect our cannons will give us a significant advantage in
battle."

Captain Cook stared at the distant sails in
the fading light and thought for a moment before replying,
"Assuming our speeds remain stable, it will be dawn before they
draw near enough to do battle. You are sailing with partially
reefed sails and we have some margin of safety. I think we can play
the part of the mouse safely enough." He added, "There are two of
their ships with larger crews. It is a dangerous game we play."

There was intensity on Jason's face that
Captain Cook had not noted before, and he replied, "I have been
studying the writings of the last war and need to prove that my
calculations are correct. It is time we joined this battle and did
our part."

Captain Cook replied only, "I will inform the
crew and doubt that there will be any dissent." He asked, "When
would you do battle?"

Jason thought for a bit before replying, "The
weather seems stable, so I assume the wind will remain from the
west. I would we gradually change course after morning light to the
east, allowing the black ships to gain further on us. I would then
again change direction and race abeam the wind to test their
ability." He added, "We can then either flee upwind or turn and do
battle with our cannons."

Captain Cook replied not for some time as he
considered Jason's plan. He finally spoke: "I will take this watch.
You should get some rest, for tomorrow there will be little
rest."

Jason headed below, stopping at the galley
for some food that he ate while pacing back and forth in the small
galley space. He headed to his cabin and lay on his bunk with his
mind racing, trying to analyze fully what he had read of the last
battle. The motion of the ship and the regular creaking sounds
finally relaxed him enough for sleep. Dawn was approaching when he
finally awoke. The galley was already busy serving the crew, but
room was made for Jason who, despite his royalty, was well accepted
by all aboard the ship for his natural ability to be of the
sea.

When Jason arrived topside, Captain Cook
explained, "The black ships of the East have closed on us a bit
more than I expected, but I have not yet fully raised our sails.
They sail with lamps lit so they must fear us not."

Jason asked, “How long until they close to
within striking distance?"

Captain Cook rubbed the course stubble on his
chin while he thought, before replying, "If we changed not our
sails or course they are probably four to six hours from catching
us."

Jason stared long at the black ships which
were slowly closing upon them before replying, "I would we continue
the role of the mouse for a while yet so I can document their
speed, and then fully raise our sails to measure the speed
difference." He added, "Then we shall become the cat."

Captain Cook but nodded in agreement, saying
only, "I would get a little sleep while you do your
calculations."

Jason had one of the seamen take the helm
while he used a measuring stick held at arms length to get a
relative width of the pursuing ships. He repeated this measurement
several times while drawing triangles on his notepad and comparing
the change to their speed, which they measured by dropping a float
at the bow of the ship, and timing how long it took to reach the
aft end. When he was happy with his figuring he had the sails
raised slowly so as not to alarm the pursuing black ships.

He repeated his measurements and, as he had
read, found that the black ships were indeed slightly faster on
this downwind run. They began a slow turn to starboard until they
were abeam the wind. Jason repeated his measurements but was
troubled by the slight change in angle of the pursuing ships and
knew not how to correct his measurements. He had filled several
pages of his log with his triangular diagrams and calculations.
Racing abeam the wind, the speed difference between the pursuers
and the pursued had decreased but still favored the pursuers.

While Jason perused his mathematics and speed
measurements, the crew prepared for battle as best as they could.
The individual crew members aboard the black ships were now visible
as the distance between the cat and mouse ever so slowly decreased.
Jason seemed concerned not, and mostly concentrated on his studies.
When he had finished the calculations he ordered the helmsman to
head into the wind by again gradually turning to starboard. Once
again Jason took his measurements and drew his multiple triangles
calculating the relative speed of both their own ship and the black
ships pursuing them. It was as he had read, and indeed their boat
made better speed heading into the wind. There was not much
difference but enough that Jason felt secure in their ability to
escape.

He then asked that Captain Cook be advised
that it was time for a decision. As a crew member went to awaken
Captain Cook, Jason ordered the sails lowered ever so slightly to
maintain a set distance between their ship and the black ships
pursuing them. When Captain Cook arrived on deck he first estimated
the time by looking at the sun, and then checked their course
before looking aft at the pursuing ships which seemed much closer
and much more menacing. He noticed the partially reefed sails
automatically and that the ship was well trimmed, but said not. He
had come to learn to trust Jason's ability and knew his crew well.
He said only, "Your game of cat and mouse seems to be coming to an
end."

Jason replied, "It is as I had read, and the
black ships do indeed outperform ours except for upwind
sailing."

Captain Cook asked, "What is the next step in
your plan?"

Jason looked back at the black ships, which
had now split apart and were sailing parallel to each other so as
to be able to attack from both sides. He said, "The black ships of
the East have moved into attack position, but this has robbed them
of a little wind and slowed them somewhat. I would suggest we reef
our sails slightly to allow them to slowly gain and prepare our
cannons for battle."

"And if our cannons are not effective, what
then?"

Jason responded, "I would that we fired not
until the ships approached close enough that our cannonballs could
strike a crippling blow. Then I would raise sails and flee into the
wind."

Captain Cook stared at the black ships for
some time before responding, "Your plan seems reasonable, but I
fear our enemy may have surprises of their own. We do not want to
be boarded, for if we are, all will be lost."

Jason studied the concern so evident on
Captain Cook’s face before replying, "I would trust your judgment
and would you make the decision on the firing of the cannons and
raising of the sails." He added, "You are of the sea and this ship
knows you. Do as you must."

Captain Cook but nodded in acceptance of
Jason's command and began giving orders, lowering and trimming the
sails ever so slightly, which allowed their ship to slow and the
black ships from the East to close. Jason could make out not only
the individual sailors aboard the pursuing ships, but even some
details of the men. As he studied the ships’ characteristics, he
noticed that each ship carried a small machine of war which he
assumed was for launching stones or other projectiles.

Time seemed to progress ever so slowly, as
the black ships gradually closed the distance to the point that
Jason could hear the orders shouted from the most upwind ship. A
flickering of light brought his attention to the activity amidships
of the downwind vessel. He stared intently, and then realized what
he was seeing was a burning torch. The crew appeared to be
preparing their catapult to launch small barrels.

The realization that the enemy was preparing
to bombard them with burning oil suddenly hit Jason. He yelled at
Captain Cook, "We must flee into the wind now!"

Captain Cook responded by giving the order to
fire the cannons and raise the sails. The smoke had no sooner
cleared from the first firing than Jason could see those of the
black ships responding by firing their catapults. It was probably
only the fact that they were going upwind which saved them, for the
first barrels of burning oil fell just short of their ship, setting
the sea afire. As the cannons prepared to fire again, Jason studied
the ships. Both cannonballs had struck their target, damaging only
some of the superstructure. He advised Captain Cook, "We must
either try to take out their mast or hole the ships at the water
line."

Captain Cook gave orders to those aiming the
cannons, and again the sky filled with smoke with the firing of the
cannons. Jason took time to measure the distance. They were indeed
pulling slightly away from their pursuers, who had launched more
burning oil, but only one barrel of burning oil actually hit the
stern of their ship. The crew immediately began dousing the flames
with buckets of water and the fire was soon enough
extinguished.

After the fourth firing of the cannons, Jason
was sure that they had damaged both ships to the point that their
ability to give any further pursuit was markedly impaired. The
crews aboard the black ships were no longer concerned with pursuit,
but rather saving themselves and the ships. The sun was getting
lower in the sky, and yet the sea continued to burn from all of the
oil that had been launched.

As Jason watched, the ship which had turned
to the upwind to escape their cannons began to heel to port, as
water flooded into the damaged hull. In slow motion the leaning
became ever steeper, and before sunset the ship disappeared beneath
the waves. The second ship responded not to the sinking of their
sister ship, for they were struggling, trying to save their own
ship and lives.

Captain Cook came to stand by Jason as he
watched the sinking of their enemy. Jason asked, "Should we not try
to rescue any survivors?"

Captain Cook answered not for some time. He
finally responded in a gentle voice, "I think not. Sailors do not
swim and the oil yet burns. If you wish we can check with morning
light."

Jason asked, "Why do sailors not swim?"

Captain Cook shrugged his shoulders, saying
only, "When you go to sea you give your life to the sea, and she
takes it when she wants to. Fighting this serves no purpose."

When they had sailed far enough away that
Captain Cook felt secure, he lowered the sails and pointed the ship
into the wind, putting her in irons to maintain their position.
Those aboard celebrated their victory in their own way, but Jason
could not clear his mind of the image of the burning oil being
launched at their ship. He had not foreseen this nor was it in the
writings of the last war. He had risked their ship and the lives of
all the crew because of his failure. His sleep was tortured by
images of fire spreading across their ship and crew members leaping
into the ocean and certain death just to escape the inferno aboard
ship.

When morning came Jason found he was hungry
not and avoided the galley as he went to relieve Captain Cook. As
quiet as Jason was, Captain Cook was unusually talkative. He had
many questions about Jason's speed calculations and the boat
configurations. Jason answered the questions somewhat mechanically.
Finally Captain Cook asked, "What bothers you so heavily this
morning?"

Jason at first said nothing and simply
shrugged his shoulders. But then he spoke up, saying, "My desire to
learn of the enemy almost caused the destruction of our ship and
the lives of all aboard. My dreams were most unpleasant last
night."

Captain Cook stood at the helm rubbing the
rough stubble on his chin, saying nothing for some time before
answering, "Did you learn what you needed to learn?"

Jason but nodded in the affirmative and
Captain Cook continued, "Your plan was a good plan but not without
risk. You as a leader carry a heavy burden, but the sea requires
such of those who it has chosen to lead. As ship’s Captain I
understand to some extent the burden you carry, but I also know
that all of our peoples depend upon your leadership."

Captain Cook departed for some much-needed
rest and Jason assumed command of the helm. The crewman on watch
continued the course back towards the site of battle, and for some
time said not. They had worked together much and respected each
other, so when the sailor spoke up, asking, "What is your plan for
our next attack?"

Jason turned his head and looked at the young
sailor who was concentrating on watching for any debris in the
ocean. The young man's face revealed no evidence of malice or
sarcasm, and Jason realized he was most serious about continuing
the battle. He responded, "If I had the courage I would sail into
the harbor of the Great City and destroy the enemy ships most
certainly anchored there."

The young man chewed on his lip for some time
before responding, "You plan and we'll do it."

Jason’s jaw was clamped tight, his lips
compressed; he responded, "I think the risk is too great to ask of
you."

The sailor responded, "What is the risk if we
hide out here in safety and the battle is lost?"

They sailed on in a zigzag pattern looking
for debris from the ship they knew went down. The sun was past its
midday high before some floating debris was discovered. They
lowered sails and searched in vain for any signs of survivors.
Jason finally gave up his search, acknowledging that Captain Cook
had been right. But as they raised sails the lookout called out,
"There is somebody ahead and to starboard."

Jason turned the ship into the wind and had
the sails adjusted, putting her in irons so that they would
maintain their position. He was about to send for Captain Cook, but
the change in the ship had already awakened him and he was soon
topside. They had a boat lowered with two rowers and two armed
guards. The boat slowly made its way towards the individual, who
was waving vigorously with one arm while holding onto a large wood
plank with the other.