148 Pessimist and Optimis (1/2)
”Their ships appear far less impressive than we thought, captain.”
”Hmm.”
While Bas had his spyglass directed south, Atau only stared ahead. Past the main deck and the forecastle, he looked upon the roaring waves on their course, and the depths beneath. To most sailors, the darkness of the sea was a great terror, but it was much worse for a Yaku like him. After all, they believed the underworld to sleep right beneath the waves. Nothing would be harsher than to sink into the waters, without a proper burial, without a way to defend oneself.
”What's wrong, captain? The enemy has been left behind the horizon and we have near made our way out of the reefs. Shouldn't we revel?” Bas asked.
”We can't celebrate until we're out of this patch of weather,” the captain answered, still focused ahead. ”Even when we make it out of the dangerous terrain, we can't know how many more Bornish ships are waiting along the coastline.”
As he thought about the implications of a Bornish fleet in Yaku waters, his mouth pulled down as if he had eaten something bitter. How many more were there? How many more would come? What were their goals?
”Sire... doesn't your attitude seem a bit defeatist?”
A deep breath smoothed the captain's face, as his hands tightened around the balustrade.
”A captain remains a pessimist in victory, and turns optimist only in the face of certain death. Remember this well, Lieutenant. One day you'll command your own ship, just like Orin.”
”Of course, Captain Atau,” a somber voice came back.
As his bitter look turned into a shallow smile, Atau leaned into the rain.
”Pessimism is good, it keeps us grounded, and it keeps us focused. Though even if it is unfounded, caution never hurts.”
”Ship ahead!” a scream echoed towards the captain's command post. When he received the news, Atau's hands further tightened around the wood. At the same time, his smile turned so big his jaws clenched.
”And sometimes, the caution can be well-founded too,” he added through his teeth.
__________________________
”Report! What's going on?” As soon as Atau reached the forecastle, he shouted into the crowd of sailors.
”It's Ekuo, sire,” a portly man with a scruffy, gray-streaked beard replied,. ”he says he saw a ship in the rains, and sure enough, there it is.” His finger pointed beyond the Homeward's bough. Even without a spyglass, anyone could see the tattered sails and crooked mast of the vessel in the waves before them.
”You spotted it?” Atau stared at a small, dark-skinned man to the side. Awkward on his feet, he stood up straight and answered in the best Yakua.
”Yes, Official Atau. This servant has spotted the ship from his outpost up high, as ordered.”
Although he wasn't happy with the man's answer, Atau still nodded. There was no reason to lower morale in the face of the enemy.
”Lieutenant Bas, this man has earned his entire watch an extra portion of brandy for tonight,” he said.
Of course the men cheered like Atau had known they would. Aboard a ship, there was little else to do but drink, song and superstition. Apart from the gambling of course, if one could keep off the eyes of the commanders. Into the cheers of the sailors, Bas interrupted.
”Well done, lookout. Though even in your enthusiasm, you're to call the captain by his proper title. There are no 'officials' at sea.”
”Of course, Lieutenant. Excuse me, Lieutenant.” Ekuo the lookout bowed.
”...better.”
During the exchange of his men, Atau was happy to see his new Yaku sailors find their place in his crew well enough. Ever since Corco had established the southern kingdom, the two of them had begun to mix members of the ghost warriors into his crews. For all sorts of reasons, cultivators had special value at sea, especially scouts like Ekuo. With their importance to the survival of all the men aboard, it would be the perfect place to let the cultures mingle, even more so since his old crew was well-used to strange folk and strange customs. Though of course, Atau only cared about their immediate use as sailors.
In the end, Atau still decided to get some help from his tool. They needed to know their enemy after all. Even more, he needed to know where this one had come from, and whether or not they could expect more of them.
From up close, the enemy ship appeared wounded, if not dead. Not only was the fore-mast crooked, much of the rigging had also been cut or snapped. Only the proud, washed-out 'X' of the Bornish flag told Atau that the ship and her crew were still very much alive.
”Must have lost its way,” he mumbled.
”Lost its way? Could you enlighten us, captain?” Bas asked.
”Through the night, the bad weather and the rough terrain, the Bornish followed us all the way. In their pursuit they must have struggled to keep together. If any of their ships would have some trouble with the currents or reefs, they would be left behind to continue the chase. She should be one of the unlucky ones. While we maneuvered around in the center of the reefs, this one skirted the edges, lost and confused. Just about managed to not sink, by the looks of it.”
”In that case, shall we lend the reefs a hand?” the first mate asked.
”No time.” Atau reholstered his spyglass. ”If we waste out time with combat, the Bornish behind us will get time to catch up again.”
”Then what do we do?”
While his fingers ran through his beard, Atau thought about their options. They couldn't stay and fight. Any delay could bring back the rest of the Bornish fleet. Even worse, they didn't know whether or not they might encounter another enemy ship. At the same time, the strong currents and narrow waterways led them onto a collision course. At last, the captain's hand returned to the railing. He had made his decision.
”Tell the rest of the fleet to slow down. We'll go past them on their starboard side and catch up with the front.”
”Signal the fleet to slow down! Change course north north-east!” Bas shouted over the deck. While the commanders got ready with megaphones and signal fires to coordinate their fleet and crew, the first mate turned to his captain for answers.
”Captain, what is our plan?” Bas asked again. Of course the captain would never have to explain his orders to anyone. However, they would need many captains in the future, and Bas was a good man. Thus, he considered it a learning opportunity for the young sailor.
”Our Homeward is an older dame by now, but she's been built for the future. Even though her sleek lines give her speed, she is far from our fastest ship. Why do you think that is?”
”...I am unsure.”
”It's because Corco knew how naval combat would develop over the years. These days, modern ships are built with a thicker hull, since they have to withstand cannon fire. However, among all of our ships, the Homeward is the most modern. The homeward can take cannon fire the best.”