147 Splitting Up (1/2)

”How are they still behind us?” Atau asked, more to himself than to anyone. Even so, his first mate gave his dutiful answer.

”They might have learned their lesson after last time,” a smooth voice answered him. ”Although we managed to run rings around them back in the day, even the Bornish would learn their lesson. I think they might have come up with some trick to cope with our superior navigation techniques.”

”While I do appreciate the thorough answer, first mate Orin, I wasn't really looking for one.”

Only a shrug answered the captain's terse answer. After years of co-dependence, the captain and his first mate had developed a proper understanding beyond the stiff command structure. Rather than bother with his smart-ass subordinate, Atau looked through his spyglass for another one of countless times. In the distance, the enemy ships had gotten closer again.

”Damn it, since when do the Bornish build their ships this well?” Orin cursed. When Atau looked to the side, the sailor had raised his own spyglass, to follow his captain's example.

”It's a problem of dimensions,” Atau said. ”Before we left for Medala, we increased the size of our fleet by a lot. In that process, we couldn't really pick and choose the type of ship we'd end up with. After all, we didn't have the time to commission a whole batch of new vessels. So we ended up with the refuse of the Arcavian lordships. Some of ours were already old when you were born and are only held together by rope and laquer. Even worse, some of those ships carry a heavy load of grain right now. On the other side, the Bornish have only sent their sleekest, fastest ships after us. Look how elegant that vessel's bow glides through the waves. Of course we would be slower.”

”It appears as if Captain has great respect for the enemy.”

”The Bornish might not be much in terms of character, but they can build one hell of a ship. Once Saniya's new shipyard starts to launch our newest vessels we'll overtake in a heartbeat, but for now they are still number one in the world, and it's showing.”

A call of thunder returned Atau's attention to the ship behind them. Not even halfway between the two vessels, a fountain sprayed into the air. For one awkward moment, the captain shared a look with his first mate.

”Well, they're number one in terms of ship building. Never said anything about marksmanship.”

”Even if they are terrible shots, we can't assume that they will waste all of their powder before they come within firing distance,” Orin warned.

”Yeah, I got that,” Atau sighed. ”I'd rather not do this.”

”Do what?” First Orin's eyes narrowed, as he stared down his captain. After only a few seconds of silence, the first mate's eyes widened back to normal size, and then kept going.

”Oh no, you're not... that's not your plan, is it? That's ridiculous.”

”What's ridiculous?” Atau smirked. ”I didn't even say it yet.”

”Captain,” Orin stared down his captain hard, ”do you plan to split the fleet in two? You want to sacrifice half the fleet to guarantee the arrival of the cargo ships in the south?”

”Hey, that's a pretty good idea.” Atau slapped Orin's shoulder. ”I think I will listen to the advice of my first mate for once.”

After the first mate had looked over his shoulder to make sure no one listened in, he leaned closer to the captain. ”It's little more than suicide! What are we doing, giving up half the fleet to save the other?”

”First off, it's hardly suicidal. We can save both fleets, just not if we stick together. After all, our problem is that our cargo ships aren't fast enough to get away from the Bornish. If we split our fleet, we solve all our problems: Without the Bornish on their trail, the slow cargo ships can travel south in safety, while the faster ships get chased by the enemy.

”Setting it up is easy too. Those guys have no spyglasses, that much they have made abundantly clear. More likely than not, they can only just see the tail-end of our formation, if that. So long as we manage to break line of sight for only a moment, we can pull all the fast ships to the back. When the Bornish find us again, they run after the tail, while the head breaks off into a different direction.”

After he had heard Atau's plan, Orin stood up straight again, his voice loud once more.

”In that case, I will volunteer as commander of the fast fleet.”

”Are you kidding me? I'm not giving up command of the Homeward.”

”But-”

”Stand down. That's an order! So what if the Bornish have a few new ships? Even if they catch up to us, we can still wipe them no problem.” Of course, Atau's words were nothing more than bravado. Those ships behind them had made quite the impression on him, but he would be damned if he let his crew face the dangers of war without him.

”Aye, captain.” Orin showed a crisp salute, the kind Atau had become used to. However, only a second later his first mate's frown had returned. ”All this time, we've sailed out on the open sea, so where will we hide from the enemy to rearrange our formation?”

”Isn't that easy?” Atau smiled a dangerous smile ”We have the perfect hiding spot just up ahead.”

”No, wait, you mean-”

”Tell the men we're headed due east. We're going for the Serpent Reefs. Let's show those Bornish just who owns the sea around here.”