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  The agent ran up to the ship, which was already gliding slowly along the pier under half raised sails. She jumped on the rope hanging from the boom and a sharp turn of the rudder dropped her on the deck in the middle of a fore-stay turn setting the ship on course to leave the harbour. The girl grabbed the sinewy arm of the bosun and stood up on her feet while the gunners accelerated the ship with long oars the and sailors put up and hauling sails. When they sailed into the departure corridor, the wind intensified, and the ship leaned slightly on tack.

  The “Thunder Led” passed the head of the breakwater and went beyond the area closed by the line of the guarding forts’ walls On their battlements such consternation reigned, that the cannons went absolutely silent, forgetting even the occasional salvo to deter the hostile ships of the line. Kristoff ordered to put up all the sails, and Sparks in a surge of adrenaline yelled to the sailors churning on board that if they come out of this alive, she would spend the entire way back topless. She actually took off her shirt and tied it between the stays to show the crew that she was not joking, and add the crew some motivation before an inevitable salvo of the port fortifications. Her bare breasts acted as a properly used spur and the sailors rushed without any orders to long oars trying to propel the ship faster. The captain flushed shyly as if he were a teenage lordling from a religious school, not a smuggler seasoned in the battles of love with a well established reputation. The ship was sailing on broad reach using the daily breeze. With every moment she was picking up speed, heading straight into the forest of masts of the hostile Eastern Company ships of the line waiting for them beyond the reach of the harbour’s artillery.

  The inevitable battle was not their concern just yet. At this point, the only significant threat was still the artillery of the Smiteverden forts. The sailors pulled in the oars paddles and manned their posts at the rigging, to efficiently perform the turns necessary to avoid the deadly salvoes. The walls of the forts were silent. None of the line commanders dared to shoot at a ship flying the colours of an ally. It must have taken at least a few minutes before messengers made their way to the walls with orders to sink the ship. Around the “Thunder Led” a true pandemonium broke loose. A hell, that Spark had not expected, could not describe later, and trembled with spasms and shivers at the mere recollection of it. The crew was performing miracles of efficiency, making a turn after turn, and Kristoff, standing at the helm, was cursing the whole world laying the ship in tight turns, to avoid high fountains risen by cannon shots and missiles hurled from the walls.

  Sparks, looking at his slim, tall figure topped by a triangular hat while crossing behind him after being thrown from one side to the other by the ship’s heeling, for the first time in her life felt a true admiration for another man’s skills, which she would never be able to grasp. For the first time she also felt fear. Fear so paralysing that countering the deep rolls of the deck posed serious balance problems for her, while he stood unmoved at the helm, without a shadow of doubt on the strong face.

  Dozens of turns later, when she thought that the worst was finally behind them... the worst was yet to come. Using the few minutes break in the shelling from the walls and the current concentration of fire on the “Thunder Led”, four ships of the line sailed into the area protected by the artillery, as their captains came to a conclusion that without going into the reasons for which the fortalice had been shooting at an allied ship, sinking an enemy unit was always appreciated by their superiors. The four ships of the line were sailing on beam reach and after having taken their positions in a line formation fired with their whole boards in the direction of the weaving ship. The salvo etched in the waters of the bay just a few feet away from the side of the “Thunder Led”. Were gunners dealing with a heavy, western frigate, their missiles would reach the hull of the ship below the waterline, where they could inflict massive damage almost certainly synonymous with the sinking of the unit. Lightweight design of Kristoff’s vessel was flying over the water being carried by the front runners, making the salvo pass under the ship. The captain, knowing that at this point the eastern gunners were reloading their cannons with chain-shots and setting the bearings of the gun carriages to sweep away the sails of the fleeing ship, made a sharp turn into the wind countering the manoeuvre of the ships of the line passing ahead and trying to leave as little sail in target as possible. The turn slowed the “Thunder Led”, but positioned it perpendicular to the opponents at the exact time of their salvo, thus helping to avoid major damage. Kristoff immediately reached away from the wind leading his ship in a tight loop until it caught the downwind. The unexpected manoeuvre put the ships of the line behind his stern before their gunners had time to reload. The sloop came out of the loop with the wind in her back, and the captain shouted something to the bosun. A whistle sounded and the crew rushed below the deck. The gunners took their places by the windlasses, and sailors carried out the new sails onto the deck, then dropped the foresail, and fitted it to the front mechanism. In less than a minute a foremast and mizzenmast began to rise from the deck with already mounted sails, which almost immediately began to fill with wind. The captain leading the line took up the chase reaching away from the wind in a wide arc. Thus, he sailed directly into the fire of the port artillery, which forced him to a sharp turn greatly reducing his speed. That was enough. The “Thunder Led” put up all sails already as a three-masted schooner and sailed along the shore to escape hostile warships. Losing a possible pursuit was only a matter of time then.

  Exposing the abilities of his ship was not to Kristoff’s liking. He always treated changing the ship’s silhouette while outsiders were watching as the last resort. When the outsiders were also direct enemies, issuing the order to change the ship’s rigging was even harder. Finding no other option, he had nevertheless taken a decision that probably saved their lives. Under full sail on three masts the “Thunder Led” was impossible to catch up to regardless of the starting positions and weather conditions. The distance between them and their pursuers was increasing in plain sight.

  Kristoff handed over the helm to his first officer and stood at the stern next half-naked Sparks staring through binoculars at the ships of the line they were leaving behind.

  - Seriously? You intend to walk the deck with bare tits all the time?

  - Well... We did escape... the word has been said, tits are released...

  - And Breiig?

  - Dead.

  - Killed during the escape?

  - I killed him personally while he tried to betray me. - She put away the binoculars and looked at the captain. - At least I think he tried. I'm not really sure.

  - Glad that I'm on your side... and my attitude does not arouse your suspicions.

  - Stop fooling around. I killed him accidentally because he had a weak heart. I just wanted to interrogate him. He died of shock. Didn’t survive being paralysed.

  - Why the confidence in his betrayal?

  - He was not in chains. He was sitting at the table with the bearded one and the head of the guards, as equals. It seems to me that he teamed up with them and defected. They arrested us to give him a chance to set up a pretend escape and act out our release. That is why the guards’ headquarters were empty. To make our escape easier.

  - Why the masquerade?

  - So he would sail home with us and without the rest of his men. His network of agents was either non-existent from the start or rounded up earlier and obviously our enemies did not want to risk Breiig being exposed by anyone. Regardless of whom they would send to Daelwynn, their agents or our own. You know... The fewer witnesses, the greater chance of success. Breiig would become their agent in Daelwynn. And with good access level.

  - And you deduced all this from the fact that he was sitting there without shackles?

  - These are all... indisputable facts. The only correct interpretation of them. Breiig had to die. Daelwynn must remain secure.

  - Even at the cost of human life?

  - The cost is merely a life of a tra
itor.

  - And if you're wrong?

  - I am not wrong. Besides, there is another thing. They could have sunk us immediately after we left the port, but they began shooting only after a good few minutes. It seems to me that the forts’ crews had been ordered to let us go, and tried to sink us only when messengers brought them the news that their charade had failed.

  Kristoff took the binoculars from her hand and put it to his eyes to gain some time. He looked at the ships of the line loosing more and more distance, and thought about what he had just heard from Sparks. Making sure that they are safe and no ship was no longer a threat, he put his binoculars away and turned to face the agent.

  - Perhaps you're right. Now, it does not matter though. We survived and escaped and will safely reach Haaven. You will move on to Daelwynn, and I will lie low somewhere on the Karahams. Just remember that the next time we meet, you’d better have a privateer commission of the Daelwynnian navy for me... Sparkles. - Kristoff gave her the binoculars and shamelessly stared at her naked breasts. Sparks was not going to disturb him.

  - You’ve got my word... And it is still Sparks, Thank you very much.

  - Well... I don't know about that. - The captain grinned still looking at her breasts - After all... you did flash me...

  The End

  (although you will find a few surprises on the following pages)

  A short guide to some places described above:

  Karaham Islands - An archipelago of nearly a thousand volcanic and coral islands on the East Sea. The islands, some of them floating, are inhabited by indigenous groups loosely connected ethnically, however considering only the largest settlements, most of the population are immigrants from Herbion and Ipion, although the latter is much less common. Local communities are peaceful to each other and to the outside world, and the whole archipelago is a worldwide synonym for limitless freedom, often resembling anarchy. Despite the lack of a proper state organism most of the islands recognize the flag shown above as a symbol of their homeland, although in different colour configurations. According to tradition, the ships coming from the islands fly the flag of the captain below their island's banner.

  Trogar - the largest settlement on the Karahams. If there existed any formal state organization, this city would undoubtedly be its capital, due to the size and being located almost in the middle the entire archipelago. An unwritten home-port for most pirates, smugglers and adventurers sailing the East Sea and the Inner Ocean. Widely regarded as a safe, neutral port for each seafaring vessel.

  Free City of Daelwynn – a town-state situated in the middle of Herbion. Although it was founded by merchants from Haaven as a settlement on the trade route leading north, it has never been part of the Trade Guild Federation, however many citizens of Daelwynn are still its members. As a meeting point between the territories of the Principality of Woodland, Daegan Independent Republic and the Northern Kaesary, and also being a natural foothold for the mainland interests of the Trade Guild, with Daelwynn was connected by a customs union, the city became a natural arena for the neighbourly struggle for influences. Formally Daelwynn had always been independent, although over the centuries the doges that ruled the city, elected for life by the City Council, often represented the interests of one of the neighbours.

  It wasn't until Benedictus Petri-Verfalden had been elected doge about twenty years before the events described herein, that Daelwynn was led to extraordinary prosperity. His army reform, establishment of special forces and visionary diplomatic actions made Daelwynn one of the most important players on the political arena of the continent, and the increasing wealth of the city and its citizens allowed to carry out more and more daring plans of the ambitious doge.

  Trade Guild Federation - an ancient organization founded by the merchants of the First Empire. During the Great War, Haaven was the only southern city that defended itself against the invaders, which, however, resulted in the independence of the city. Merchants from Haaven spread their influence over the entire northern coast of the Azure Gulf founding numerous factories and settlements, which over the next centuries, expanded as cities united under the coat of arms of the Trade Guild. Marine expeditions resulted in setting up trading outposts on the far Northern Peninsula and sunny Spindle Islands. The growing importance of Daelwynn during several years before the events described in this book, encouraged the Spindle Islands' settlements, which founded their own organization called the Eastern Company. Following their example Smiteverden announced its secession and founded the Artificers' Guild.

  Haaven - the capital of the Trade Guild and the largest port in the world. Once that could put the largest and most modern fleet, is still a sea power, but without so overwhelming advantage over its rivals.

  Port Sud - the second largest city of the Trade Guild located on the furthest inside point of the Gulf of Azure.

  Artificers' Guild - an organization created as a result of Smiteverden's detachment from the Trade Guild Federation and its alliance with the tribes living in the fjords and tundra of the Northern Peninsula. The name refers to the production of all kinds of leather garments and utensils and the wider metalworking. In the course of the events described in this book, this organization has only existed for less than two years. The refusal to accede to the Eastern Company led to the war and blockade the port customs in Smiteverden.

  Smiteverden - a port city on the northern peninsula formed as a trade outpost of the Trade Guild Federation to allow the exchange with the barbaric tribes living in the fjords of the Northern Peninsula. Repeatedly invaded by the Karahamian pirates and Ipionese ships belonging both to Mandarinate's Navy, as well as to private, but surprisingly well-organized, adventurers. Over time, sturdy walls were built around the city, and the harbour was defended by two brick forts initially equipped with catapults, then trebuchets, and finally with mortars and cannons. Municipal policy of adding new weapons, rather than replacing the old ones, made the fortalices' artillery extremely diverse and numerous.

  Northern Kaesary - the country, whose traditions fade into the mists of history. Founded by the legendary ruler of the First Men - Alkasender The Heavendescended. In the days of the so-called First Empire it arose from a small settlement on the northern shore of the Outer Ocean and spilled across the continent of Herbion. Northern Kaesary was established after the secession of the six oldest imperial provinces from the falling Empire of the Two Cultures also known as the Middle State, which itself did not survive the war that followed. A side effect was also the rise of a small trading settlement - Daelwynn - to the status of a free city.

  Ulhn - the capital of the Northern Kaesary, and the River Province, located in the delta of the Trail on the islands and islets formed by the river and both its banks.

  Rixburg - a city of culture, the capital of the Land Province, in which the richest estates in the empire are situated. The fertile lands and thick forests in the south and the abundance of coal and iron in the north make it the richest province of the Kaesary.

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  About the Author

  G.H. Guzik - Born in Opole, Poland, in 1979, a bilingual writer, writing in Polish and English. His first science fiction story was written at the age of ten, but changing dreams into reality and pursuing the writer's path took him more than a quarter of the century. In the meantime, he gathered helpful experience.

  He was educated at Elizabeth College of Guernsey and Warsaw School of Economics, He worked in Poland, Finland, Ireland and on Guernsey. He has been a driver, a bartender, a security guard and an interpreter to finally abandon a flourishing career in finance and devote himself to writing. The passion for fantasy, steampunk and science-fiction was instilled in him during countless hours of RPG sessions held for many years with his friends, in which he most frequently assumed the role of the game-master.

  Thanks to his versatile knowledge, experience and imagination his stories take a breathtaking pace and unexpected twists while putting the fundamental va
lues in question. Written with a rich language and thought through in every detail, they also allow to explore the meanders of the psyche of the complex characters. For lovers of fantasy they are a must-read, but they are sure to charm even a reader, who has never before opted for this particular genre.

  Privately, he is an avid gamer and a great lover of literature. If time permits he loves to watch soccer, basketball and American football, especially looking on the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Green Bay Packers.

  IN PREPARATION:

  TALES OF THE ION CONTINENTS:

  • Ballroom

  • Roadhouse

  • Mountain Pass

  • Shipwrecked

  • Night Cap

  • Headlong

  • Deep Woods

  Against All Odds

  WILHELM MOLL CHRONICLES:

  • Singer's Machine

  • (Extra)Ordinary Circumstances

  OTHER:

  • AOXD

  • First Blood

  Table of Contents

  Gunpowder