“You expect us to abandon a thousand years of Naval tradition based on one engagement?” The gruff rumbling voice of Lord Hirak’s Chief Sea Master snarked. “Our warships have been the Pride of the Ascendancy for generations and feared by all comers for nearly as long.”
“I am, Sir,” Benjamin stated simply, “whether you wish it or not, war is coming; And the enemy has a head start.” Benjamin stared down at a table holding the small model of the Galleon from their desperate fight to save Lord Hirak. “I’ll give you that your… ‘cannons’ will be incredibly useful aboard our vessels” the Sea Master admitted, “But you yourself stated that, with your design, we have the advantage in aiming and reloading, why could you possibly require us to abandon our entire fleet and start over.”
“I doubt you will have the time,” Benjamin responded, meeting the Leader of the Ascendency’s navy with a steady gaze, “I feel you need some context.” Benjamin’s eyes glowed as he produced a pile of small wood strips and glue before laying them on the table. In an instant, the model galleon disintegrated only to be reformed at twice its size. The model stood nearly eight inches tall from the waterline to the rail, and almost a foot and a half tall at its peak. More importantly, the model sat nearly another 4 inches below the waterline, and over two feet in length.
The Chief Sea Master shifted uncomfortably, as Benjamin conjured together an exact copy of Riooliuu. The model of the Ascendency Longship stood at nearly half the height and length of the enemy Galleon, and it was obvious that the size discrepancy did not sit well with the Aquilar. “This is what you truly face. And that is just the beginning.” Benjamin then pulled ash from a nearby fire, and used it to paint the cannon ports of the Galleon “Each square represents one cannon, and then there are the chase armaments,” Benjamin added two small cannon models to the forecastle. “You cannot board what you cannot reach.” For dramatic effect, Benjamin used the last of the ash to simulate a broadside volley, then violently reduced the Riooliuu model to scrap to simulate impact. The Chief Sea Master puffed his cheeks in what Benjamin had learned was a sort of ‘Harrumph’ gesture. “A rousing trick, Champion, but model’s are one thing. Wind, wave, blood, and Iron are something entirely different.”
Benjamin winced at the title, but it could not be helped. Word spread quickly of Suelin’s appearance in the throne room. The resulting reverence, or in some cases worship, of Valtrya and himself bordered on the fanatical. There were others less enthusiastic of his status, this Sea Master was one of them. There were a few, those who held the old stories in low regard, who had seen all too many Charlatans come on the wings of the gifted. He did not fault the grizzled veteran, nor held his tone against him. “Then a proper demonstration. One Vessel, Commanded and crewed by hands of my choosing.” The Sea Master stiffened visibly at the proposal, but Benjamin raised a calming hand, “No, I am not proposing blood sport, Sea Master. What I am proposing is a demonstration. Pick a sturdy hull, and fill it with supplies and hung meat to replicate the crew, set her a-sail toward my vessel at anchor and evacuate the crew on boats. If the longship manages to pass before being sunk, we shall look to see what type of fighting force would be available for a boarding party based on the damage.”
The Chief Sea Master pursed his lips, running a heavy paw across the fur atop his head, “I see. It would at least provide us with useful proof of concept at a minimum. I am sure you see the inaccuracies present in this type of test.” Benjamin nodded, “And I accept them, but I believe it to be the best we can do without needless loss of life.” “I agree,” responded the Sea Master, “Pic your Crew, and your building slip. I assume you will be using your… gifts… to accelerate the building process?” Benjamin nodded, “A vessel I will build would usually take almost 8 months to complete It should take us about a four to get the basics needed for the test, She won't be fully furnished, but she will be combat representative.” The Sea Master nodded, “Very well, Champion. I will notify the shipyard.”
A week later, Benjamin set his eyes on the construction berth his vessel was to be created. Tons of seasoned wood lay in neat piles along the edge along with a pair of massive round pylons that were to be his masts and spars. Viola and Valtrya were attending to the on-site Forge, quickly bringing it up to temperature for the iron and bronze work needed in such an undertaking. Over a hundred shipwrights, master craftsmen, and journeymen stood about the table Benjamin had set out before them. Benjamin pulled a tube from his back and uncapped it, rolling out a four-foot square of bluish paper before tacking down the edges. Instantly, the murmurs started, and Benjamin could understand why. His gift of Recall had allowed him to conjure up accurate blueprints from almost any vessel from his own existence’s history, and the options were many. Luckily for him there was something akin to a Galleon inside this reality. Their merchant vessels were large Galleys, but with two to three masts, all holding a single lateen sail in order to reduce the rower's slots in favor of more cargo. Benjamin drew on this to modify the one vessel that enamored him as a child into a ship that had a prayer of being understood. “Master Champion… I..” Benjamin waved off the bowing Aquilar, “Just Benjamin. Yes I am a ‘Champion’ as you call it, but I demand no title, and no honorifics. Treat me as you would without such accolades.” The Head Shipwright nodded, “Very well, Benjamin… what in all the salts… is this….”
Viola took a deep breath, the familiar smells of the Forge working loose the last of the tension that seemed to hang from her shoulders with the last few days. Valtrya seemed to still be Valtrya, at least for now; and her sister swore to her that Viola herself was safe. Still, It bothered her that her sister, essentially her twin, kept this from her. The roaring furnace drew her attention as the first ingots were set to heating. They were in a position that neither woman ever dared dream of. They were in command of a hoard of iron and metal workers, armed with a task and their own set of blueprints for the fittings needed for Benjamin’s vessel. They were giving commands… telling others to do their bidding… Viola’s mind flickered through a set of unpleasant memories for just a moment, remembering when… A shout bellowed from behind her as one of the furnaces flared heavily, almost setting the awning overhead ablaze with a wildly out of control roaring blast. She quickly sent extra hands to deal with it before turning back to the blueprints in front of her. “Alright, everyone! Let’s start at the bow and work our way back! You three, Begin on the Anchor rollers and the Capsain. The rest, lets hammer out the foresails’ tackle and Gaff Saddle!” Instantly, the forge was ablaze in activity.
Valtrya nodded, finishing her own instructions to her crew, “Are you ok? I felt that.” Vi smiled at Her sister's speech. One of the silver linings of Val’s pact with their goddess, her timid sister’s voice had completely returned to her, taking on a calm confident edge that left little resemblance to the mentally decimated slave girl barely clinging to life, “I’m ok, just some bad memories.” Vi smiled at her sister, “Let’s get going, the more we can do now, the less Benjamin must exert himself on.” Val laughed a little, pointing to the main yard, “I don’t think he’ll be taking things slow.”
Both women turned to see a massive set of timber rising in mid air, instantly carved into the correct shape and settle next to others as Benjamin demonstrated the finished product he expected. Vi smirked a playful pouting smirk, “Such a pity, He’ll be too exhausted to fend us off, I suspe..” she laughed outright as Val slapped her sister on the arm and returned to her own work. “When has he ever fended us off.” Val tossed the statement over her shoulder as she departed.
Late winter flowed into early spring, and the days progressively became hotter. Viola’s prediction had indeed come true. Benjamin worked himself to the bone, driven by a grim desperate determination. Time flowed as the ribs and bulkheads were erected. The forge was another story… plagued with furnace flares and overheated stock. Vi found herself forced to help remake several heavy pieces, and It was getting to her. She considered herself too good of a Forgemaster to make these kinds of mistakes. Val had come to help her. Val quickly found that she could control Suelin’s power well enough to apply it to what she knew of the forge, and the pace finally accelerated in the metalworks alongside the hull construction.
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Today, however, was a special day. Viola lowered her hammer and stepped out into the main yard. The titanic vessel before her was two-thirds sheathed in a double layer of seasoned hardwood, but today was the day the masts were to be dry fit to the keel to ensure a sturdy rig. Benjamin was atop a massive crane. He was not lifting the Masts themselves, but his sleeveless attire betrayed the blazing scars. His Majik was concentrated on stabilizing the massive spars as they were shifted into place, and lowered through the deck and down to the keel. Vi found herself clenching the head of her hammer, nervously looking on as over a thousand pounds of irreplaceable craftsmanship hung in the balance.
A shuddering thunk announced the base of the masts settling onto the keel timber, and dozens of shipwrights clambered through the ribs of the vessel to take measurements and inspect the mast step sights. For over an hour, the craftsmen worked like ants across the underbelly of the half-constructed beast until the all-clear was called and the masts beat a slow retreat. Viola sighed a deep relieving breath, glad that this critical effort had succ… a thunderous snap echoed through the yard, and the mizzen mast began to fall towards their half-built charge. “LOOK OUT!!!” Viola heard herself howl, knowing that she could do nothing but watch the events unfold. The Massive aft spar speared down toward the vessel, only to pause less than a foot from her sparsely planked weather deck. Viola snapped her eyes to Benjamin who was hanging by one hand and a foot, with another outstretched toward the mast, He could not hold it for long, but he was able to shift the massive hardwood shaft over and control its descent until it was laying upon the ground next to the ship itself. “Clear?” She heard his voice boom, amplified artificially. Several shipwrights sprang out from their hiding spots, and quickly checked over the mast, “UNDAMAGED” one bellowed back, and Benjamin slowly crawled back into the crane, then down to the ground below.
A few moments later, He sank down onto a bench that was part of the open-air mess hall for the shipyard, Vi turned to head toward him, but a familiar hand halted her, “Vi… what… Oh goddess…” It was Val, “What Vi, I’m fine.. What’s going on..” Val just looked up at her sister, searching her eyes for a hint of something only she knew, “Vi, Sister… your hammer..” Val whispered. Vi looked down in confusion, then in surprise. Her forge hammer’s head was a mangled melted mess, and her fingers sunk deeply into the steel creating deep grooves. “Sister…” Val said, “Come,” She led Val to a secluded corner, “Vi, I need you to hold still,” Val took her sister's hand, and pulled her forehead to Vi’s. She held her like that for several seconds before Viola felt it, a fire flickering in her chest, and she jumped back as several sparks flew from the fingertips of her right hand, and the hammer melted completely in her left… “Val?!?” Viola cried out in panic but Val did not let go, instead pulling Viola into a tight embrace, flaring with her own power. The fire flickered inside Viola and died, leaving a soft warm ember in its wake, “I’m sorry, She promised… I’m so sorry…”
My child, peace the voice was heard by both sisters, I did not expect this, but your bargain will be honored, I swear it. Viola jumped at the voice she had both never heard in her life, and recognized instantly, ‘Goddess?’ a long pause followed before the voice returned, and Vi saw her sister’s eyes flash golden, Yes, dear… Now, how to solve this new… development
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Benjamin lay there in silence, awoken by another nightmare. It had been nearly 5 months since the attempted coup in the throne room. Val lay snoring softly beside him with Vi wrapped around her sister. It was a familiar position for them, born of the starvation of small comforts during their century long captivity. He often found them this way, especially on days he returned late from speaking with Lord Hirak and his council. His ship was almost complete, and the launching was only a week away. The Cannon and new ammunition were almost completed as well, set to be loaded aboard after she was floated, but the chronic exhaustion only seemed to trigger the haunted memories of his death, or his premonition.
Ben groaned softly, the first rays of sunlight announcing that he had once again spent most of another night staring at the ceiling. His exhaustion left little mark on his mind however, the images of Val’s incineration, and Viola’s brutal death continued to haunt him. Another night ruined by one of the few things that terrified him in this world, losing the two beings yet to be awakened by the first rays of a new….
My Champion the voice slammed into his mind just before the familiar rubber band feeling of astral form being ripped from his body announced his arrival to a familiar in-between dimension.
Now standing over his own body, Benjamin turned toward the windows to find Sol, known as Suelin by many, standing next to someone precious to him. “Val, what are you…” his eyes seared as he turned toward Sol. The Ancient avatar smiled softly, “This was my Oracle’s request,”
Benjamin’s gaze softened as Val’s form stepped up to him, pulling him into a soft embrace, she wore no material clothing, but her slender curves were sheathed in the same royal purple gown of pure energy that he had seen in the courtroom. “My Ben, I know you. You tire, yet cannot find rest; and It is because of me.” She stepped back holding his hands, “I needed you to see me, like this, separate from my goddess. I needed you to know, I am still your Val.”
Benjamin smiled down at her, “My love, I believe you, but I am not blind. I see the tether between you,” He gave a stern look to Sol before continuing, “I need to know more, more than what you allowed her to tell Vilora.” Sol’s expression shifted to one of mild surprise mixed with approval, “Very well.” She nodded, “My Oracle has spoken all truth, but there is some knowledge yet unknown to even herself,” she paused as Val shifted uncomfortably, then continued, “Your mate is strong, Benjamin. Her soul, forged in the first of a century of torment, is the first one in this realm's existence to survive…. Me.”
Benjamin pulled Val’s form close to him, feeling the added warmth of the ornate purple inferno that flowed about her, but did not harm him, “Survive you?” Sol raised a single hand, palm up, “I have had Oracles before, but none survived the process fully intact. The vast majority of souls became little more than charred whispers whose body I used as an earthly avatar to the mortal realm. Many have offered themselves, some in Devotion, some in arrogant confidence, only a few truly willing to be destroyed in the process, only one who was willing to sacrifice for another but with the strength to live.”
Sol reached out, taking Val’s hand, and guiding her back to her side, “She is precious, as much to me, as she is to you. She is Unique, a singular soul shared between two, but capable of harnessing the power of a goddess.” Val turned to Sol, bowing in reverence before turning back to Benjamin, “My Ben, the other reason I wanted this, is to make a request. Suelen speaks the truth, I do borrow but a fraction of her power; but I have no real understanding of it. I… I need you to teach me, I need you to teach both of us.”
Benjamin raised an eyebrow, “Both of you?” Val smirked sheepishly, “Not us,” she nodded to Suelin.
“Us” Viola answered from behind Benjamin, “Her power is beginning to bleed over between us..” Benjamin spun to see Vi’s form standing behind him, she had projected with her nightgown, but Benjamin could see the flickers of power sparking intermittently about her person.
“Fear not, my Champion. As I said, they are singular value, a powerful incorruptible soul shared between two.” Sol interjected, “Together, they are safe from the power I share with them.” Benjamin whirled on Sol, his eyes ablaze, “Now the only two people I do not want in danger are destined for it… WHAT exactly could you possibly get out of this that would make it worth it,” Both sisters looked on in shock at the irreverence and vitriolic tone in Benjamin’s voice.
To their equal surprise, Sol seemed neither offended, nor fazed by his aggression, “My champion, remember the beginning, what I told you of my… limitations upon the mortal world. Your mates have given me something almost more precious than yourself.” She put a gentle hand on Valtrya’s shoulder, “A direct hand in the mortal world, one that frees me to act more directly in the aid of yourself, and this existence… from what is coming.”
