Chapter 86: One of a Kind
KABOOM!
SPSHH!
KABOOM!
SPSHH!
The cannons continued to fly through the air as the Solan ship got closer and closer. The archers remained in their spots, trying their best to hit their targets.
However, the wind that accompanied the ocean and a rocking ship were not part of their training. They didn’t have much know how on how to work with it.
Many of their arrows flew at different angles, the wind and the trajectory of the ship knocking the paths to their targets off course.
"Keep firing! One or two must be hitting!" Vos continued to command.
"Archers! Cease fire! Do not waste your arrows!" Tryde shouted.
Vos turned to him with a scowl.
"What do you think you’re doing interrupting my orders?"
Tryde looked him up and down.
"Who made you the General? Besides it’s futile. Our men have no idea what they’re doing, shooting from a ship. They aren’t mounted archers. It’s a waste of our ammo. We’ll need that for the real enemy!"
Vos crossed his arms, "You’re lucky you’re injured and were on the brink of death, otherwise I’d punish you greatly right now."
"Why? Because you know I’m right?" Tryde said as the archers placed their arrows back in their quills.
The Sola ship got closer and closer. Everyone held their breath.
Would the soldiers try to board? Or would they strike them down with cannons?
To approach a four-ship armada with a single warship was either extremely brave or extremely idiotic.
Was their ship truly that strong or were they just trying to intimidate them into surrender?
BOOM!
KRRRCKKKK!!!
A large chunk of the Solan army’s ship blew off as a cannon made contact, spraying the ocean with debris and splinters.
They were close enough now that the Viraaz crew could hear their frantic screams and see them scrambling around their deck.
To their surprise, the Sola ship began to turn and head away.
CEASE FIRE!"
Captain Deka screamed as they watched, ensuring that the ship was truly leaving.
After confirming the facts, Captain Deka and Captain Kam approached their respective crews and began to instruct them to search for any damage that may have been done to the ships.
They hadn’t heard or felt anything hit and were positive they were okay, but with the promise of the Evans Estate and the guarantee of a job well done, they’d both rather be safe than sorry.
The crew members went about checking as the soldiers sat back and relaxed.
"How about I make us a nice meal? Now that we have some more supplies and everyone has been making so many sacrifices, I think it should be alright!" Jinya asked the group, projecting her voice with enthusiasm.
The soldiers perked up at the sound of a meal and began to cheer with excitement, clapping their hands over their heads.
Tryde and Aleiza followed Jinya into the lower deck as she began to search through the ship’s supplies.
"How can we help?" Aleiza asked as Tryde scratched the back of his head.
"Let’s inventory everything first and then I’ll calculate how much we can use."
He hated that he was so weak now. He wasn’t welcome fighting, but waiting around doing anymore ’resting’ wasn’t doing him much good either.
Helping Jinya and Aleiza around the ship was his new position.
The three of them got to work, searching through crates, barrels and nets before calling out each item and how much there was.
"I think I know just the thing to make! Come here, help me with these!" Jinya beckoned the two of them over as she opened up the crate of potatoes.
Dr. Lein peeked out from his hiding spot, hoping no one would have noticed how he hid. He stepped out and smoothed out his clothes before clearing his throat and rolling his shoulders back, his head held high.
’What am I so ashamed of? I’m a doctor, not a warrior. It’s my job to heal, not fight. Anyone would understand! If something bad were to happen to me, then they would all be screwed!’
He attempted to justify it in his head although the guilt was knowing on him deep inside.
He approached Captain Kam and explained Marix’s situation.
"We need to go on shore to Vasis to restock on medical supplies, especially for the General’s healing."
Captain Kam rubbed the back of his head as he sighed.
"We were all just there. Don’t you think we’ll raise suspicion with Vasis if we go on shore now?"
Dr. Lein raised his eyebrows and cocked his head, "Who cares? What will Vasis do? Sola has probably already left. So what if Vasis gets more business!"
A few minutes later, the group departed on their dinghy. It consisted of Dr. Lein, Etil, two of Captain Kam’s men and two of Captain Deka’s men.
They quickly rowed ashore. Now that the Solan army had left the area, they didn’t have to worry so much about being seen.
When they got to the docks, one member stayed with the boat while the others headed into the market place.
It was bustling and much livelier than when they had first arrived, no doubt a result of the Solan army’s absence.
Thanks to the donation made by the Izka Pirates and what was left of what Eilownia had sold in Azuka, the group were able to spend a hefty sum on gauze, herbs, ointments and ingredients for other salves and medications.
Dr. Lein walked with his arms crossed at the head of the group. A huge smile was plastered on his face at the cartful of goods they’d acquired; the other men wheeled the cart behind him.
As they rowed back to their ship without incident, Dr. Lein looked through the supplies and began to think of a treatment plan for Marix.
Eilownia sat at Marix’s bedside holding onto his hand as she watched him sleep peacefully. She couldn’t help but worry, he’d fallen into such a deep sleep so suddenly. No one else seemed to be worried about him but she couldn’t shake her feeling of concern.
She cupped his face with her free hand and gently rubbed his cheek with her thumb.
"Wake up soon, okay? You have to wake up soon. I’m scared you won’t open your eyes again."
She whispered to him just as Dr. Lein entered the room.
"Okay. I’m going to make a salve that will pull out the infection and soothe the inflammation."
Eilownia didn’t fully understand all of the things he was listing out, and she found herself tuning him out and just nodding along as she focused on Marix.
As Dr. Lein worked on Marix, he nodded his head towards the door.
"You should go get yourself a front row seat at the dinner Jinya, Aleiza and Tryde are cooking up. Get yourself the first bowl."
Eilownia shook her head, "I want to stay with Marix."
Dr. Lein nudged her with his shoulder.
"Go on. He’ll be fine. He just needs to replenish his strength. It’s important for you to keep your strength up too."
Eilownia smiled at him and wrinkled her nose, "Captain Deka fed me a good meal. My strength is kept up."
Dr. Lein tsked at her, "You need it constantly. Don’t make him feel worried about you when he wakes up. You know he’ll ask if you’ve eaten, how you’re doing, all of that."
"You’re right....." Eilownia leaned down and kissed Marix on the cheek before getting up and heading back to the other ship to eat.
Jinya, Aleiza, and Tryde had made a potato stew that had a rich, creamy broth and smelled like heaven on earth.
The soldiers salivated before even taking a bite.
"Enjoy it while you can! After tonight, we’re going to have to ration our supply and eat accordingly to make our supplies last the rest of the way to Norain!" Tryde shouted, lifting his arm in the air with his fist balled.
"YAAAAA!" The group yelled, making the same motion before digging in.
The crowd was filled with oohs and ahhs and mms and ’delicious!’ mixed with the sound of clattering silverware and delighted, relaxed chatter.
Eilownia sat quietly on her own, sipping her soup slowly.
She didn’t care to talk to anyone. All she wanted to do was hurry up, finish her meal, and head back to Marix.
"Misssssss Eilownia...slrrrrrrpp...I am glad to sssssee you have returned...slrrrp.....unharmed."
Whimble limped over, rubbing his hands together with his crooked smile.
Eilownia grinned and patted next to her for him to sit down.
"Thank you Whimble~ It was so scary. You should have seen Marix! He’s so wonderful and smart! He’s a genius, I’m sure of it!"
"Yessss...slrrrp....he’s very ssssmart.....slrrrp...that’s why he became the General."
Eilownia gasped as she gathered another spoonful of the soup.
"Really? It wasn’t because Arlon was the first born and got the role of Crown Prince?"
Whimble shrugged, "Maybe that too, but General Marix...is one of a kind."
