Chapter 33

Despite the best efforts of the crew of the Drake, and the island craftspeople, the ship was still docked at the pier when the sun set, and Night fell. The last traces of the yellow light of Primaris shone across the white sand beaches and blue waters of the bay, before finally dipping below the horizon.

The black moon, nearly filling the sky, rose quickly, and the multitude of stars shone overhead as the Night fully took hold.

Normally, the islanders didn’t fear the night, not like the people on the continents, due to the protection of the Azure Lord. Lately, however, their protector had been absent, and the cruel creatures of the ocean depths had taken that as an opportunity to leave the darkness of the deep ocean and venture onto land, or the shallow bay of Miquelon.

Annabelle Quentin stood on the deck of the Drake, watching the Black Moon overhead, the stars shining brightly on the clear ocean waters in front of her.

Sophia, the priestess of Aruna, had informed them that the past few Nights had been more dangerous than usual, and the Islanders were prepared. They had evacuated most of the village to the higher grounds of the mountain that dominated their island, while a handful stayed back to defend their property.

Even now, Quentin could see the torchlights patrolling the village, heavily armed men and women walking the roads, keeping an eye on the surrounding beaches for the first signs of trouble.

She couldn’t sense mana, not like Wil and the others, she was a Rank-less. But, according to Garman, the remaining island defenders were low Ranked, only a handful reaching Rank 2. If they were attacked by a determined enemy, like the Sahuagin, the former auxiliary commander didn’t give them much chance of surviving.

Sighing deeply in worry, Quentin stared out the ocean, wondering if Wil would be back soon. The defense of the Drake was shared between Bell and Edvard, with the former leading the defense while Edvard would direct the crew in the case they needed to leave quickly.

The Drake wasn’t fully repaired, but they could limp along fast enough if required. But from the tales the other merchant ships shared, the island afforded better protection from some of the larger, more aggressive creatures that patrolled the Azure Sea. Without the Dragon Turtle safeguarding the crossing, a slow-moving ship would be a ripe target.

“We’re as ready as we’ll ever be, Miss.” Bell said gruffly, coming to stand next to her to look over the waters. Unlike usual, Bell was completely sober, a sign that he took what was about to happen incredibly serious. Fully armed and armored, the older man looked every bit a warrior, unlike his usual appearance of a half-drunk merchant’s guard.

Nodding, Quentin didn’t look at her friend, before responding.

“I won’t leave without him, Bell. We need to hold the Drake until Wil returns.” She said, determination in her tone.

“Aye, we’ll hold. Never saw myself running from a bunch of fish before, to be honest. First time for everything, Miss.” Bell said, chuckling before patting her on the shoulder.

“The lad will be fine, Annabelle. He’s been through worse than helping a sick turtle.” Bell reassured her.

“He’d better be, or I’ll kill him.” The woman said, smiling at Bell.

“Come on, best for you to be in your cabin for what happens next. Leave everything to me.” Bell led her from the deck towards her cabin, eager to have her out of danger in case of an attack.

They didn’t have to wait for long, the sun had only set for a short while before the ocean stirred, large waves crashing against the beach, without the wind having picked up at all. The odd behavior of the sea set off the villagers, who scrambled down to the shore, shouting to alert the others, while lighting additional torches to drive back the darkness.

Bell and Garman, along with the majority of the Drake’s crew, watched from the deck as the seas became violent, as if something large were lurking out of the bay.

Even in the darkness, the water bulged as something massive prowled just beneath the surface, glimpses of its body breaking the surface, but unable to make it into the more shallow waters of the sheltered, island bay.

From the water, figures appeared, walking slowly out of the surf, each step bringing them into view from the faint moonlight.

Greyish, greenish skin glistened in the night air, silky smooth and covered in small, shimmering scales. The creatures walked on two legs, and gripped weapons in their hands. Their webbed fingers held swords and spears, long pikes with large hooks. The faces of the creatures were almost human, but with large gills on their necks. Hairless, the fish people had fins rising from their scalps, each unique in some way, whether color or shape.

For a moment, Bell and the others could almost think they may have come with peaceful intentions, despite the weapons. They gathered briefly at the water’s edge, waiting silently as they stared at the frightened humans standing on the beach.

All thoughts of a peaceful engagement were lost when the first of the creatures screamed into the night, its sharp teeth shining white. As one, the creatures charged up the shore, raising weapons and howling in fury as the leapt at the humans.

The islanders, to their credit, didn’t back down at all, and with their screams matching the Sahaugin, they met their enemy on the beach, the white sand quickly coloring red with human blood, and the black of the sea devils.

“That’s it! Everyone on guard, the bastards will be on us quick!” Garman roared, charging towards the gangplank and the dock, his large axe already in his hands.

Already, the islanders were being overwhelmed by the Sahuagin, an endless tide of the creatures emerging from beneath the waves. One after another, the human’s fell, before being dragged to the sea, where they disappeared beneath the surface.

Despite their bravery, in only minutes, the islanders had suffered enough losses that they could only reluctantly fall back, taking shelter within the buildings and streets of the village. The Sahuagin, despite being sea creatures, moved swiftly up the shore, giving chase as many more made for the docks, the valuable prize of the merchant vessels being too valuable to pass up.

The sea devils were neither mindless beasts, or enraged, single minded murderers. They may have come to kill and feast, but also to pillage and steal.

From the deck, the crew watched as the monsters raided the village, the fighting taking place between the buildings barely slowing them as they raided. Kicking open locked doors and taking everything they could steal back to the beach.

Bell and the other defenders waited at the end of the dock. The large Drake was berthed at the farthest point from land, the ship requiring the depth of water it allowed. This position allowed them to be at the end of the line of merchant ships, giving them time to watch as the sea devils climbed the other vessels, intent on stealing goods and claiming the dead for food.

“Gods Above, I could use a drink.” Garman muttered from where he stood next the Bell, behind a barricade of crates and other debris they had gathered to build a defense. From behind the piles, the pair watched the enemy come closer, the sounds of fighting coming from the other ships a prelude for what they now faced.

From where they stood, they would soon be facing at least a few dozen of the creatures. From what Bell could sense, the creatures were only Rank 2 or 3 at most, but they were numerous. As a Rank 4, Bell could handle quite a few himself, while Garman next to him could cut a path through most of the creatures crowding the dock without a worry.

But it was the ones still climbing from the beach that worried him the most. Bell, Garman and Mara were strong, when compared to the villagers and the Sahuagin, but like any human, their strength wasn’t endless. When fighting hundreds, all while protecting the Drake, they were heading towards a difficult situation.

Bell lifted his sword as the first of the creatures leapt against the barrier, its claws slashing desperately towards him. With a grim expression on his face, Bell stabbed his sword forward, piercing the creature’s neck. Before he could haul the sword free, the dying Sahuagin was replaced by another, its spear trusting towards his unprotected face.

Cursing, Bell stepped to the side, gripping the spear with his free hand, yanking it out of his opponent’s hand. Flipping the spear, he stabbed the weaponless sea devil in the chest, before slashing at another that had taken the opportunity to climb the barricade.

With a roar, Garman jumped the barricade, his axe swinging wildly as he entered the battle. Laughing, the Sahuagin were driven back temporarily by the ferocity he displayed.

The dock became slick with blood, dark black and bright red mixing as the losses mounted on both sides and the Night dragged on.