Heart of a Lion by Stephen Zimmer

Author:Stephen Zimmer [Zimmer, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Seventh Star Press
Published: 2015-02-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“Mauranium, as I thought. At least eight ships,” Annocrates told Doros and Rayden, who shared brief glances with each other.

The patter of rain sounded on the tent, the early phase of a building storm. The winds outside picking up faster, cooler air flowed throughout the rebel encampment and brought a chill inside the shelter.

“And you are sure these are slave ships?” Doros questioned him. “Not merchant vessels? Or even warships?”

Annocrates nodded. “We are positive. They have set up a camp on land, but have left the slaves in the hulls of the ships. We spoke to a fisherman who told us this group of ships is taking slaves out of the villas in this region. They belong to many who have sought the safety of the Divine City’s great walls.”

“To make sure we do not free them,” Doros commented, anger creeping into her tone as her expression darkened.

“It is likely those hulls are tightly packed, a great number contained within,” Annocrates said.

“We kill every last one of the Teverens from the ships,” Crassor growled from the shadows. Adding potency to his words, thunder rolled through the skies outside.

Recalling the criss-crossing mass of scars filling the man’s back, Rayden held no doubts that he meant every word. He knew the sting of the Teveren lash all too well and intended to repay them many times over.

“It is what they deserve,” Doros said. “But we must not be reckless. First we must make certain to free those enslaved. Then the Teverens can pay in blood.”

“Are you certain they do not know of us?” Rayden asked Annocrates.

He shook his head emphatically. “Nobody we have spoken with is aware of this encampment. The Teverens show no signs of knowing.”

“How long will they remain?” Rayden questioned him.

“They are almost done with repairs to the vessels that suffered damage. They had been awaiting one more ship to join them before they departed,” Annocrates answered. “That ship arrived earlier today, just before this latest storm rolled in.”

“They don’t intend to wait around long,” Rayden observed.

“We must move with haste. When the weather clears, they will be taking up anchor and heading southward,” Doros said. “We must strike.”

“If they have good position, they can hold it despite your greater numbers,” Rayden cautioned Doros.

Doros grinned. “I am not suggesting that we attack them on land.”

Another wave of thunder unfurled outside as Doros proceeded to elaborate an idea she had in mind. Listening to the concept, Rayden came to admire both the ingenuity and boldness of it.

While drawing upon the skills she possessed, Doros showed that she had a mind for war. When she finished her description, all within the tent, including Rayden, agreed with the proposed plan.

***

Low-profile structures huddled around the shore of a small bay, the village would have appeared an image of rustic tranquility were it not for the cluster of larger vessels dotting the moonlit water. With scant cloud cover, Rayden and the others enjoyed adequate visibility on their approach, a welcome boon to their mission.

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