A fleet of three flat-bottomed ships made their way along the coastline while Usharra Dushallama stood on the deck of the largest and watched the land slowly slide past. The terrible weather that delayed them as the rounded the tip of the Dorian peninsula no longer forced them into inlets, although the cool breeze from the south caused the blue scaled dragon child to shiver and hug his thin hide cloak close about his body.
“Would you like another cloak?” said the red scaled officer as he moved up next to Usharra. The man wore a Dorian style heavy fur cloak wrapped around his sturdy frame.
Usharra shook his head and shivered, “I do not wish to wear any clothes of the Dorians,” he said with a shrug. “There are those who accuse me of dereliction of loyalty to Darag’dal,” he went on and stamped his feet on the ground. “What is the status of the other ships?”
“The Green Dragon is barely seaworthy,” replied the officer with a shake of his head and his tail moved with a similar motion. “The Gray Crocodile is in somewhat better condition but our warriors must work the pumps every hour of the day. Our own ship suffered seriously during that last storm and it slows our progress greatly. The hull cannot take more stress and another storm might well sink us. I reiterate my request to stop at a port and effect repairs. Soon we will pass Delcius, the most western Dorian city. Once we pass the human realm there are only the orc nations of Knog’dal and Adas Jdar neither of which will offer us any ports. If we do not stop here then the entire mission might well end at the bottom of the Southern Sea. Our ships are designed for coastal work not this ocean going travel.”
“I hear your request,” said Usharra and looked at the volcano that rose up out of the morning mist. “We cannot risk word of our mission reaching the freeriders and unless we risk immediate sinking, I cannot accede to requests. I am sorry, my friend.”
The red scaled naval officer stood silently for a moment as the tall volcano came more clearly into his vision, pulled a piece of sealskin parchment from a pouch at his belt, and studied it for a moment. “I think that’s Black Mount,” he said, “although there are so many of them along this coastline I’m not completely certain. We passed the Five Volcanoes yesterday.”
“You’ve never been to these seas before?” said Usharra and looked over the shoulder of the red scaled naval officer and at the chart.
He shook his head no and then handed the chart over to Usharra. “This chart was purchased from Dorian tradesmen but it is several years old at least and probably not completely accurate. If you don’t mind me saying, High Priest…,” he said as his tail once again moved back and forth in an agitated fashion and the red scales around his mouth suddenly turned a slighter deeper shade.
“Go on, captain,” replied Usharra.
“We do not belong in these lands; our people cannot stand the cold, our soldiers cannot march over open expanses, we are suited for the fens and swamps where the shoe wearers do not fare well. If the High Council persists in these expansionary exercises it bodes ill for Darag’dal,” said the captain looking directly at Usharra.
“I am a member of the High Council,” said Usharra his own green scales shaded slightly darker but his tail moved only slightly.
“I am well aware of that,” said the captain. “That is why I bring my concerns to you,” he said as his scales returned to their more normal color but his tail still waved in an agitated fashion. “Your own objections to this current scheme are well known to we in the navy and you have an ally if necessary.”
“What you say is treasonous,” said Usharra looking back towards the shoreline and the tall volcano. “If the High Council finds out, they will execute you.”
“My loyalty is to Darag’dal, minister,” said the captain and held his head high, his tail moved only slowly now, and his skin returned to its normal shade of red. “Not the High Council.”
A small smile appeared on the mouth of Usharra watching the motion of the ship, “Your loyalty is noted, captain,” he said as his own tail moved back and forth at a languid pace. “There are many aboard who do not share your opinion, particularly the general and his staff,” he continued in a quiet tone. “However, the time may well come that I need your support. Until that time though I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself.”
“I understand completely, councilor,” said the captain and turned his gaze towards the shore again just as a spectacularly bedecked dragon child moved onto the deck, his uniform covered with bone medals and patches.
“General,” said Usharra. “The captain and I felt the condition of the ships might merit a stop at the next available port.”
The general, a red scaled dragon child with a thick crest on his head and two small horns over his ears, curled his lip in a sneer as his scales turned almost black, “Out of the question, Usharra,” he spat without a moment’s hesitation. “Secrecy is vital to the success of our mission. Our troops are inexperienced in battling on land and our reports indicate the enemy are expert horsemen. We have little hope of standing against such forces on foreign terrain. Surprise is our most vital ally and we cannot compromise it, no matter the risk.”
“I understand, general,” said Usharra and bowed deeply. “I agree completely but felt it necessary to pass along the captain’s concerns. The ships are badly damaged from the storms we encountered rounding the point and the concern is legitimate.”
“If we sink our warriors can swim ashore,” said the general, “and we can regroup and continue the mission through the orc territories if necessary.”
“Without their equipment,” said the captain and turned his head to face the general.
“With Sakatha’s guidance we will overcome any obstacle put in our path,” said the general with a nod to the captain. “Concern yourself with the ships and leave military matters to me.”
“Yes, sir,” said the captain and also bowed but not as deeply as the councilor. “Remember that I am the commander of this fleet as long as we remain at sea.”
“I remember well enough, captain,” said the general who returned the polite bow although his tail moved in an up and down fashion and he exposed his long and sharp teeth. “You would do well to keep in mind that any failure of the navy in this matter will be reported to the high council without regard for previous service.”
“I take the meaning of your words,” said the captain and this time he did not bow at all. “Yet, I remain the captain.”
“And I,” said the general, “remain the commander of this mission.”
“I,” said Usharra, “am the overall commander of this mission and that is a fact.”
“Of course, councilor,” said the general turning to Usharra and nodding his head slightly. “Naturally this is a dangerous mission and if an unfortunate event might deprive you of the ability to command I stand in readiness to continue the mission.”
“That is always good to know, general,” said Usharra. “I am aware that I can count on you to perform to the best of your abilities. It is that simple fact that drives me to continue in my current role.”
The general stood for a long moment and stared at the councilman as his tail moved back and forth in increasingly agitated fashion until he finally nodded his head and walked over to an unoccupied portion of the deck.
“At our current rate of travel how long until we arrive at the disembarkment point?” said Usharra to the captain.
“At least another week and that is if the charts are accurate,” said the captain and shook his head sadly. “The ships are slowed to half their normal pace and traveling at night is particularly hazardous.”
“Affect what repairs you can,” said the councilor, “we will arrive when we arrive and not before.”