The Ocean of the Dead: Ship Kings 4 Page 21

  Had the Chloe’s crew been firing at phantoms, then? Their own reflections maybe, contorted on the night sea? Or had the Sunken truly come, floating in their dead companies beneath the water?

  Below decks and above the debate was waged through the rest of the night. Dow, as shocked as he had been by that one glimpse, argued along with Fidel that of course the faces – if they had been real at all – did not belong to the Dead, that they were not even human in form, they had only looked human. Perhaps it had merely been a school of some unknown species of fish, suggestively shaped, that had been drawn by the lights, and which had then been frightened off by the musket shots.

  But below decks Magliore knew no such doubts. ‘The faces were human all right,’ declared the poet, ‘they were the faces of the drowned; the Sunken. For did I not behold the things myself? And lo – here is the terrible truth, there were faces in the water tonight that I recognised, faces belonging to men and women that I have known well in life and could not mistake, men and women from this very ship! I speak of those snatched away only three nights past! Our own friends and shipmates, drowned, and come to warn us to flee while we can!’

  And even though others argued in reply that the poet was lying, that no such identifiable faces had been seen, the tale ran rampant.

  But it was dawn that unmasked the final atrocity.

  Somehow, unnoticed in the disturbances of the night, three men and one woman had gone missing from the Chloe – a fact realised only when the rising sun revealed their dead bodies.

  Whatever had happened to the eleven who had vanished from the boat, and to the stolen child, these four at least had not been taken away to be drowned and held unseen in the deeps. Instead, they were displayed in plain sight upon one of the floating islands, a little to the south of the two ships. Each had been bound to the trunk of one of the fern-trees that grew there, tied upright with vine-like weeds as ropes.

  Here were no pale faces of the drowned; instead their faces were bloody and bruised, as of those who had died by great violence.

  Also, their eyes had been torn out.

  9. THE WALKERS ON THE WATER

  The rowing was much delayed that day, by the time the bodies had been retrieved and their terrible faces wrapped in shrouds. Indeed, there might have been no rowing at all, so great was the terror of the sea now, but even greater was the dread of spending another night in the same place, and of never escaping these dire waters at all. So finally the boats set out again, armed sentries mounted in the bow of every craft, muskets trained upon the ocean, and slowly the fleet drew away from the site of the massacre.

  That same noon, Dow was summoned by Prince Diego to an urgent council upon the New World.

  He was instructed to bring Fidel as well, and so the two were ferried over to the great flagship. The mood was notably different there, compared to Dow’s first visit. Whereas before all been relaxed and confident, with sailors going unhurriedly about their tasks, and women strolling, now the decks were deserted – other than the men attending the tow lines – and marines stood at attention at every door and hatch, muskets ready.

  This could, of course, merely be a precaution against an attack from the sea – yet somehow Dow sensed otherwise. But Florenze, who met them at the rail, curt and grave, gave no explanation, only led Dow and Fidel swiftly to the stern castle and up to the Great Cabin.

  Diego was waiting for them, seated comfortably in a couch before a low table upon which wine and refreshments had been served. At his right hand stood the wheeled chair of Uyal, its curtains draped as ever to hide the occupant within. And posed on Diego’s left, sharing the couch, was Nell.

  It was more than a month since Dow had been this close to her, and he felt strangely self-conscious about their reunion now. She looked unharmed – a little thinner perhaps, and more drawn – but how did things stand between them after so long apart? How did things stand between her and Diego? Nell herself gave no clear sign. Arranged severely as she sat, legs folded beneath her, she did not rise or greet Dow, only inclined her head formally. Was there a message in her eyes? Maybe. Some emotion glowed there, certainly. But Dow could not read it. Nor, he felt somehow, could he be the one to go to her, or even address her directly, in the presence of the others. So he only nodded in return.

  Diego was watching on, but if he felt anything at Dow’s discomfiture, he did not show it. ‘We’ll get immediately to business,’ he said, indicating chairs for the two guests. ‘It seems we are under a deadly attack.’

  Dow took a seat. ‘So it does.’

  Fidel’s observation was pointed. ‘Is that why your ship is locked down so straitly, Diego? I’m impressed at your caution. Especially as the things from the sea have made no attacks by daylight. Or are you guarding against internal troubles? An unhappy crew turned mutinous, perhaps?’

  Diego shook his head stiffly. ‘There’s no mutiny. But there has been much foolish rumour afoot, against which I’ve had to protect my ship. All this talk of the Sunken – my folk have picked it up from your people, Fidel, and now have themselves turned nervous and reluctant. But no matter. I’ve made it clear to all that we will not be retreating. The current security measures are just temporary – once we’re away from here, there’ll be no need of them.’ He looked at Dow. ‘But what of your crew? Do they remain loyal? I’m willing to issue a troop of marines to the Chloe, to keep order there, if you feel there’s a danger.’

  Dow pondered this offer uneasily a moment. ‘There’s no need for marines,’ he said at last. ‘As long as you remain in command of the New World, then your cannon are reminder enough that the Chloe can’t go its own way, whatever my own crew might want.’

  ‘And morale on your ship?’

  ‘Low. And that won’t change while we remain as ignorant of our attackers as we are now.’

  ‘Yes,’ mused Diego, ‘at the least, we must quash this talk of ghosts and of the Dead.’ He glanced diffidently at Fidel, an officer he had long ago served under, and then later served over, and whom, in the latter instance, he had gone to much effort to humiliate. ‘You, Commander – you were ever the naturalist and historian. What are these creatures in truth? Are they hinted at by any known science, or mentioned in any account of old?’

  Fidel shrugged. ‘What do your own scholars say?’

  The prince frowned. ‘I’ve somewhat lost faith in those on this ship who claim high learning. By their reckoning, we should already be in the world of wind and clear seas again; but behold, here in the inner Barrier we remain. As your calculations always suggested. But in any case, there have been more attacks on the Chloe than we have seen on the New World, so you have had more chance to study these invaders than have my own advisors.’

  ‘As to that,’ answered Fidel coolly, ‘I’ve been wondering myself why the New World has so far been spared – and I don’t think you should count on it continuing. Whatever these things are, my belief is that they’ve been testing their strength first against the Chloe simply because it’s the smaller of our two vessels. But having met little resistance, I don’t doubt that they will dare an assault upon the New World soon. You have closed your lower gunports, I note, but if you want my advice, I would close the upper ones as well – at least when night comes.’

  Diego smiled thinly. ‘And leave myself defenceless against your own ship, should you rise against me? I don’t think so. I’ll take my chances with these sea beings. But again I ask you, what can they be?’

  Fidel sighed. ‘I can only theorise. Nothing is known in our biology of such creatures, and the old accounts of the Doldrums speak merely of dead things that walk upon the water – ghosts, in other words. But these things are not ghosts, that much any man of science must attest. Still, they are not as we are. They inhabit the deeps, and yet can move about in the open air. No doubt the floating islands are the key to it. How else could a species that lives underwater also develop the ability to live above it, when there is no dry land, so to speak, anywhere nearby? And this would
also explain the old tales – for to walk upon a platform of seaweed is almost the same as walking on the water. Otherwise, however, all we can say is that the creatures are nocturnal, hostile and dangerous.’

  Momentarily, dread showed in Diego. ‘But they had faces, by all report . . . human faces. How can that be?’

  ‘They had what seemed to be human faces, but little can be said for certain from the few glimpses we’ve been granted, in the dark, and through water. The resemblance may be far less than fear makes it.’

  ‘And why are they so hostile to us, as you say?’

  ‘It may be merely that we are a strange sight to them, here where ships are unknown. But to theorise again, I think they’re attacking us for a more specific reason. Consider: before recent events, we’d already spent weeks in this zone of floating islands – which I assume to be their territory – without incident. Then, only a few days after we discovered fresh water on the isles, and gathered our fill of it, the assaults upon us began.’

  ‘The water! That’s what this is about?’

  ‘In all likelihood. I would guess that, in cutting down the fern-trees and collecting the water, we committed what these creatures consider to be a crime: we stole property that belongs to them, that is maybe even necessary for their own survival. And so they seek redress. Note that in their first intrusion it was the water barrels that were vandalised. That was a warning, maybe. As we ignored it, they have progressed to murder and mutilation.’

  ‘Property?’ challenged Diego in surprise. ‘Redress? You talk as if we are dealing with rational beings. But surely these are just wild creatures? Beasts that are fierce and deadly maybe, but mindless?’

  From the wheeled chair, the child voice spoke. ‘Mindless? Do not be so sure. These beings have shown cunning enough in their dealings with us to date, if only in their calculation to disturb; the display of the dead sailors shows cruel but clear thinking.’

  ‘You have seen this,’ Diego enquired, sceptical. ‘Your foresight has revealed the nature of these creatures to you? If so, you are late in speaking up. You could have warned us of the danger weeks ago!’

  Light laughter came from behind the gauze. ‘Did I not say to you that the Ocean of the Dead would claim us? And lo, here were are, assailed by the very drowned, it seems. You require more of me? Would you have your every exact day mapped out for you ahead of time, so that nothing can surprise you? If so, you will be ever disappointed, my prince. Prophecy always hides as much as it reveals, even from the prophet. So no, I had no specific foreknowledge of these Sunken before we came into these waters. But I have pondered much, in these last days.’

  ‘You think them intelligent, Uyal?’ Fidel asked.

  ‘Perhaps. I sense . . . something here, and have sensed it ever since we came among the floating islands. I confess I am at a loss to describe the feeling. But there is an awareness around us now, of that I am certain. And it is not the awareness of mere wild beasts.’

  ‘Can you conceive of any way to communicate with them?’ Fidel wondered. ‘To explain that we meant them no offence, and are merely passing by? Perhaps then they would leave us be.’

  Dow had found himself watching Nell sidelong, and though she had not moved or spoken, she was following this exchange with a particular intensity – and at Fidel’s words, leave us be, something flared in her gaze, a yearning, a hope, a sorrow, then it was gone.

  ‘Explain ourselves!’ Diego snorted. ‘To animals? No. I see no sign of intelligence here – no ships, no weapons, no structures of any kind. Nor will I beg permission for my passage. Force is what savages respect. I have gunpowder aplenty, and it’s time to make use of it!’

  Fidel said, ‘Your cannon, you mean? Cannon fire might startle the things, true enough. But against creatures that possess no ships or fortresses, as you point out, cannon shot itself will be of little use.’

  Diego was unruffled. ‘Rightly said. But I don’t mean cannon. I’ve been inspired instead by those very Twin Isles weapons that did so much damage to the Ship Kings fleets during the war: mines. My weapons master has devised several dozen such devices in small form. When thrown into the water, they will sink to a depth of a fathom or so and then detonate, wreaking great havoc upon any creature that floats or swims nearby.’

  Dow sat up, exchanging an abashed glance with Fidel. Mines! Why hadn’t they thought of that? They had gunpowder still in the Chloe’s magazines, but the notion of mines had simply not occurred to them.

  ‘Tonight,’ Diego went on, ‘we will make trial of the weapons, filling the sea about the New World with fire. This will surely drive our attackers away, primitives as they are, and no doubt easily daunted by flame and noise. Once the mines are proven, I expect we’ll be able to begin rowing again by night as well as by day, as long as the boats are likewise protected.’

  Dow was nodding in reluctant acknowledgment; Diego had proved a surprise yet again.

  ‘Nor have I forgotten the Chloe,’ the prince continued. ‘No doubt you’ll be able to make your own mines later on, but for tonight we have sufficient to share.’ He turned to Fidel. ‘Commander, you’ll be taken to consult with my weapons master. You may then return to your ship and ready its defence – but alone, I’m afraid.’

  What was this? ‘Alone?’ Dow demanded.

  Diego considered him blandly. ‘You won’t be returning to the Chloe tonight – nor for the next several nights, until this present danger is behind us. It’s not my idea! I don’t want you on board any more than you want to be here. But Uyal has insisted on this.’

  Uyal? Dow turned in outrage to the wheeled chair. ‘I can’t stay here! My place is with my ship!’

  The black veil undulated gently as the soft voice spoke. ‘No doubt, Dow Amber. But more important even than that is your place in this expedition. If you do not survive the Doldrums to witness the discovery of new land, then it will not happen at all. And yet I sense that in these next few nights the danger and threat to life that faces us here will come to a peak. Thus you must remain on the New World, which not only has suffered fewer attacks, but which is far better placed to defend against them. In short, you will be safer here.’

  ‘Safer! I refuse—’

  ‘Peace, Dow Amber. You know that Diego can compel you if he wishes. If you resist, it will only mean that you spend your days here in the brig. So why not accept what must be, and pass your time here as a guest, with the freedom of the ship – and the company of your Ignella. After all, the two of you have been separated for many weeks now, and that is not a happy affair for a pair who have endured so much together.’

  Dow glanced hotly to Nell, almost as if to enquire whether this was all her doing. But her face was set in surprise, and she shook her head at him.

  Nor was such an arrangement to Diego’s expectation, apparently. ‘Wait a moment,’ he declared, bridling, ‘I always intended he be kept under close arrest. Freedom of the ship is out of the question!’

  The shape behind the gauze made an irritated sound. ‘I know what you fear, Highness. But trust me in this, it will make no difference to the longer future, or to your hopes that Nell will change her heart, if these two are granted a little time together in these next few days.’

  A loaded silence followed.

  ‘Again, Uyal,’ Diego said, lips thin, ‘you presume too much, and speak of what you do not know.’ Then, with notable effort, he waved a hand. ‘But have it your way. Dow may move about at will, and see whomever he wants. But he will not be returning to the Chloe.’

  Nell unfolded her legs finally, staring coldly at Diego. ‘You lied to me. You promised this was only a meeting, that Dow would not be harassed. And all along you intended to keep him here as prisoner!’

  Diego had risen. ‘I should have told you?’ he enquired, mildly. ‘And given you time to find some way to warn him? I don’t think so. Or did you expect that after a few smiles from you, I would reveal all my secrets?’

  And with that, the prince strode from the room.
>
  *

  So it was that Dow and Nell stood on the New World’s high deck together, and watched Fidel depart for the Chloe alone.

  As Diego had promised, the commander took with him a supply of the experimental mines; small canvas-wrapped objects, each about the size of a fist, with a fuse attached that would burn underwater. Also as Diego had promised, Dow had not been confined or restricted in any way – except that an armed marine had been assigned to watch over his every move.

  Nell said, ‘In one respect at least you need not fear. Fidel will defend the Chloe as staunchly as you ever could yourself.’

  It was true, but did little to assuage Dow’s frustration. He glanced behind. His marine guard stood at a respectful distance, and appeared to be making no attempt to eavesdrop, but even so, Dow kept his voice low as he studied Nell. ‘You truly had no idea about this?’

  She too glanced at the guard. ‘It was not my doing. Nor could I prevent it. But in truth, I did know about, yes. Uyal told me you would be held here.’

  ‘What? Then that play in there with Diego . . .?’

  ‘I didn’t want him to know that I knew. If Diego learned that Uyal was revealing such things to me, there would be trouble.’

  Dow hardly knew where to begin. ‘But—’

  ‘I know. You want to be with the Chloe. But Uyal assured me that it will make no difference to the fate of the ship in these next few days if you are there or not. Uyal insists it is better that you’re here. And I won’t deny, I’m glad of it.’

  ‘Glad?’ Dow retorted. ‘Why?’ He was being unfair, he knew. It wasn’t her fault. And after so long apart, he should at least have been pleased to be close to her again. But he kept on. ‘What use am I to anyone here? Or are you just getting tired of Diego’s company?’

  A flash of the old Nell lit in her eyes. ‘Idiot. What do you think I’ve been doing with him all this time? It’s been for your sake! I’ve been trying – by pretence of our old intimacy – to lull him into an indiscretion, to learn some of his secrets. Especially the secret that matters most: his plans for the day when the New World is discovered, when he hopes to rob you of your place as its founder.’ She shook her head, cooling. ‘But I underestimated him in that regard. Oh, he has been glad of my attentions, no doubt. But as he just said, he is not to be fooled by mere goodwill. I’ve pried no secrets from him.’