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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
Tomb of Immortal
The evening was quite. The breeze halted to see the sun painting the sky scarlet. Vettaiyan walked alone to the Brother's Cemetery. He moaned before the lifeless structure raised over the third tomb that was completely brunt by the fire and the marble monument stood bright over the ashes. It was an oval white gravestone with 5 holes differing in size punctured on it. The entering wind whistled while exiting, and the saddening noise echoed permanently around. A tiny lantern was included inside the structure at the bottom. Vettaiyan lighted the lamp whose flame would thus become immortal. He knelt down before the Tomb of The Poet and carved over the colourless flat stone slab buried over the black grass:
Rest here my Brother, The Hunter in the Wind.
Vettaiyan sat for a while with his eyes closed. Suddenly, he got up quickly and marched towards the palace without turning back. His gesture made the halted breeze to rush to safe corners that they brushed his hair during evasion.
The General was analysing the map that described in detail the route between the Pirate's Bay and the battlefield Karmegha. After gazing at the sketch for a while, he moved to the sand table and placed a tiny model of war ship at the shores of Narukukanna. The silence in the War Room was disturbed by a heavy foot fall. The General stood erect.
Vettaiyan slowly marched inside the War Room. He held a cold smile on his face when he looked around the room. He fixed his eyes on The General and started to circle around the sand table while talking, "Earth and Wind. When they come together, their enemies become Dust."
Vettaiyan paused. He took the tiny war ship model from the sand table and threw it between his hands. He started to speak again between his crooked smile, "Fire and Water, form Steam".
The Emperor laughed arrogantly. He abruptly stopped his laughter. Words peeped out between his clenched teeth, "Sena, Kochadaiyaan and Rana".
Vettaiyan raised his eyebrows towards The General, "The Wind does not blow, and The Water does not flow. Fire and Steam that are still left, shall be buried under the Earth".
Vettaiyan quickly threw the tiny ship over the sand floor and walked back towards the exit. "We must allow them to perform before us", Vettaiyan spoke calmly to his General while standing by the door, "and we will applaud over their blood."
It took time for The General to decipher what the Emperor had just spoken. He knew that Vettaiyan had not conveyed reality, but the Purpose of Power itself.
The Wind dances with the Earth producing Dust - The Poet and The Emperor. Fire and Water make Steam - Kochadaiiyaan and his seeds. All five were indeed the human forms of the Nature's balance, in conflict with one another. One rules the Earth, the other sung around in the Wind. One was born out of a Spark from the Man who came from the Sea, the other was their Energy. These five were the Elements of Nature, and now the remaining Two will battle with the One and Lonely.
A large sweat drop appeared on the temple of The General. He turned towards the exit and saw The Emperor disappearing into the corridor. Vettaiyan's image was shut by the closing door.
The cloth door of the tent opened, and Rana entered into the Planning room at Narukukkana. The usual crowd was gathered inside. Rana checked for Sena. He found his brother standing next to Kali in the corner. Rana bit his lips seeing his brother aloof. He walked back to the sand table and announced:
"General Kalai will lead the foot soldiers of the allied forces."
"I appoint Sultan as the head of animal military."
"Queen Kanakavalli shall command the archers, as well as, the woman troops."
"The pikemen will work under the direct orders from Kacha."
"Kali will operate the secret bomber unit."
"Prince Shamu, positioned currently at Fort Ayan, will continue to direct the salves towards the Palace interiors."
Rana made eye contact with everyone present in the Planning Room. He spoke authoritatively, "Their orders are the echoes of my voice. It shall be executed without delay and without any hesitation."
He gave time for his command to register with his audience. He, then, continued:
"Nobleman will carry the Declaration of War with the battalion that has just reached the shores. He will supervise the camp site at the battle field. On his guidance, the three nation's flags will be hoisted watching the enemy across the battle field Karmegha."
"During the war, in the absence of Yeshodha Putran, I give full authorisation to Nobleman to devise the war formation. Myself, the Chief of Army of Allied Forces Rana, will direct the attack, while, Sena, the second in command, will assure the defence."
He quickly moved closer to the sand table and pointing at the water ways he briefed, "Here is the fleet formation to bring the army of allied forces safely to shore ...", his speech was disturbed by a heavy commotion inside the room. Rana raised his head. He looked around and found everyone in the room standing erect. Few of the commandants and soldiers were on their knees and the others were taking a sincere bow. Rana's face failed to cover the bewilderment when he looked at the entrance.
Vadhana Devi, the Queen of Kottaipatinam and the leader of the allied forces, completely suited up in her war armour, slowly crossed the Planning room greeting everyone present around her.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
Fish and Fleet
Kanakavalli ran towards Vadhana and took her hands inside hers. She quickly verified Vadhana's wrists. Vadhana smiled at Kanakavalli. She made a fist with both her hands and held them firmly before Kanakavalli's face. The ladies hugged each other. Vadhana saw Sena beside Kali who was struggling to keep himself steady on his knees. She walked towards them and helped Kali to raise to his feet. She smiled at him and looked at Sena who held his head facing the floor. She walked back to join the group of men near the sand table.
"Excuses my Queen", Rana spoke to Vadhana while approaching her making impatient strides. He took her by her left arm and pulled her towards the exit.
"What are you doing?" he asked her without hiding his anger.
"'How are you doing?' would have been more appropriate, my love", she replied with a smile.
"Vadhana ...", Rana looked at the sea before fixing his eyes on hers. "You are not only putting yourself in danger, but you are creating a threat to our child", Rana said sympathetically while placing his hands on her abdomen.
"If it wants to live, it will protect me", Vadhana said. Before Rana could argue, she stopped him by throwing her palm before his face, "As the queen I cannot just sleep on the feather bed while being surrounded by families worrying for their loved ones who are battling for our kingdom. I will fight the war by their side and will lead them to victory." Without giving Rana a chance to talk, she started to walk towards the Planning Room. Rana stood watching the sky, just like how his brother used to gaze at the passing clouds.
Vadhana looked at the fleet models on the sand table when Rana walked back in and took his position before everyone assembled inside the Planning Room.
"Your Majesty", Rana nodded respectfully at Vadhana. He briefed once again for the benefit of the Queen, the responsibilities placed over respective members who would lead the allied forces in the war against the Central Kingdom. He then continued to present the fleet formation to safely bring the army across the sea, "The army of the allied forces will set sail at dawn from the Port of Kottaipattinam, and travel through the sea to reach its destination here", and he pointed at the Pirate's Bay on the sand table. "The naval carriers of the soldiers and troops will be grouped into three large units and will be supported by individual strike forces consisting of armoured battleships. Each unit will start one after the other under a defined time interval", Rana positioned the three groups of ships on the sand table.
"The first will carry foot soldiers and materials of war, followed by animal military and the final one will transport food and heavy artillery", Rana explained. Pointing at the ships around each unit he said, "These ironclad battleships equipped with powerful mortars will surround their respective unit. In between the battle ships and the carriers, the light cruisers, the fast and independent warships, will operate to communicate or to navigate supply during the time of an attack."
"According to the Declaration of War, the fleet shall not be attacked on the common waters. The war is declared over land, and only the supply ships will be drowned post the commencement of war." Rana raised his head and talked in a serious tone. "So, we are not in a position to receive reinforcements. The whole population of our army is contained in these vessels and must be transported at a single time. They must be safely guarded all along their journey from potential dangers that might strike them on their route. Each drowned carrier vessel will near us towards defeat."
"Isn't it too risky to carry them all in only three units", one of the noble man questioned, "Can our Chief re-examine the possibility to device a more secure plan, like, despatching several units during the course of war after gaining territories over the sea."
Rana placed his hands on his hips while he replied, "As soon as the war begins, the waters are no more common territories. The Emperor will exercise his full naval power on the sea taking down anything that is swimming which is not a fish. Our only chance is to bring the whole army at the same time before the war. "
"Do you think The Emperor will follow guide lines from the Declaration of War and not attack our fleet", another nobleman interrupted.
"Yes and no. The Emperor will create blocks, but will not attack head on. He will not risk to go against the war treaties. One, he has a reputation to maintain, two, an emperor is always scared of history. Blocks will be created through flagless ships. If our fleets are to be attacked on their way to the war, then, we will be prepared face it too."
Rana got back to the sand table and explained, "The battleships and the cruisers accompanying the carriers are fit to withstand large attacks. They are the trained naval units that will strike the two other harbours at the Central Kingdom, here and here. Once these three harbours are taken into our control, we can envisage reinforcements. But before that we need soldiers to fight on the ground. Kottaipattinam naval is the second largest and joined with Karimedai naval, it shall stand equal to the strength of the Central Kingdom. The only risk we face are the carriers. No shot should land on them and we must bring them all safe to the shore."
"I am summoning three Rocks on the Sea, around the allied army naval fleets:
The Soapstone - Armoured and Heavy Cruisers.
The Carnelian - Frigates and Galleons.
The Amethyst - Destroyers & Fireships."
Rana took three tiny ship models and placed them on three different radius – inner, middle and outer - around the secured carrier units.
"Along with the traditional battleships guarding the carrier fleet, these three Rocks on the Sea will circle around the fleet during their journey towards the shore. One's catch sight - the brief vision over a specific territory, will align at the other's lose sight - the blind territory, thus at any given point of time the surrounding will be watched attentively."
Rana showed the three units of support ships that have formed a triangle around the army fleet. He tapped on the one closer to the army fleet.
"The Soapstone will survey the close territories around the moving ships. They are quick and well armoured to defend as well as to attack."
"The Carnelian, in the middle, will supress any kind of penetration with their fire power. Being dually equipped - sailing and rowing - these ships can easily turn around using manual row or circle around by sailing in the wind."
"The Amethyst are the hell burners. They will secure the outer ring around the carriers by destroying any vessel that tries to near our fleet, by either exploding themselves or creating a wall of fire on the water making it impossible to navigate. The exploding ships will not carry any crew inside and the fireships will be stocked with lamp oil contained in barrels to coat the sea water with the flammable liquid."
"Any pottential threat or a surprise attack must pass through The Amethyst; fight past The Carnelian; drown The Soapstone; penetrate the defence of the battleship, before reaching the carriers. They may suceed in destroying our line of defense, but by the time the whole action ends, the carriers would have reached the shore safely."
"The Soapstone will be operated by Sena and Kacha. The Carnelian will be commanded by General Kalai and Kanakavalli. I and Sultan will lead the The Amethyst. The Rocks on the Sea will ensure the safety of the allied forces."
General Kalai looked at Rana with glitters hanging inside his wide eyes. The Chief of Army waited to take questions, and as there were none, he continued, "At dusk, all three support units will take position and secure the travelling territory before meeting with the carrier ships at dawn. Then, they will circle around the fleet during the entire journey eliminating any threat on the way", Rana closed his briefing when they all heard an explosion outside.
"The Cannon Shot," Rana informed the others while standing on the sand watching the burning light house, "A Warning Shot."
Sena looked at the harbour area. Several of Emperor's ships had assembled around the port, their mortars and cannons directly aimed at the harbour.
"Kali", he called out, "the war shall begin with your fireworks." Sena smiled.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
Guardians of the Temple
The Rocks on the Sea set sail under the moonlight, slowly drifting past the enemy battleships lined up at the shore of Narukkukanna. Kali stood with a torchlight in his hand on the sea shore watching the white masts of the sailing ships disappearing deep into the ink blue blanket. He turned and walked back to the tent where several other men dressed in black outfits with their faces covered were waiting for him.
The moon was dull, managing partially to cream the dark sky and black sea with its pale white light. Sena gazed at the duskiness further ahead of him into which The Carnelian had disappeared. There was calmness on the sea and only the tiny ripples hitting the battleship were audible. Kacha joined him at the main deck. After a while he broke the silence, "Why are we at war?" he asked Sena.
Sena turned and looked at the young man at his side. "You are stressed", he replied, "Combat fear can tickle the mind with such questions during war times. You need to take some rest."
"Not really. I am prepared to fight the war within, but was wondering how our lands have come to conflict in the first place", Kacha said looking at the white foams lining the waves hitting the vessel. "Who is The Emperor? or Why is he the Emperor?"
Sena looked at the obscurity above and narrated the myth to Kacha:
"Several thousands of years ago, when mankind was yet to be civilised, many roaming humans formed groups. They, then, became settlers looking for fertile lands and started to exploit its resources for living. Such smaller groups were united by a leader and as the population grew, the chieftains started to call themselves as the Kings. They provided security to the people from the wild animals and dark forces, but slowly sucked the people’s wealth. They forced a member of each family to enrol in the King's army. They used them to plunder neighbouring independent lands. They made the citizens their salves. The King's wealth started to overflow as and when the Kingdom expanded over the sorrow of its own people who waited desperately for a Saviour.
At a point in time, the surplus wealth created trouble for the Kings. Bandits, robbers and thieves, who were actually the citizens risen from the bed of the suffering society, started to trouble the King. The Kings met secretly and discussed ways to safe guard their wealth.
A Saviour appeared, but not for the people but to the Kings. As they did not have a common leader - An Emperor, the Kings were forced to listen to the Guardians of the Temple.
A group of eight men who called themselves the Guardians of the Temple proposed their service to the Kings. They suggested to collect all the wealth, account them by names, order them by date and keep them in an undisclosed vault, the safest depository ever known to mankind which they called as the Temple. And their leader, the Guardian of the Eight Directions, was Komokuten.
Komokuten sketched the first route, a kind of a map, connecting the kingdoms spread across the land and span beyond the sea. He studied the lands and drew an imaginary vertical line at the centre of his map, the top end he called the Zenith and the bottom he named as Nadir. He treated the lands as though they were inside a sphere and derived the eight directions to transport the riches. He then appointed one Guardian for each direction as the prime conveyor and indicated the directions on his map with the weapon the respective Guardian carried with them:
Uttara (North) - Gada (mace)
Daksina (South) - Danda (staff)
Purva (East) - Vajra (thunderbolt)
Pratici (West) - Pasa (noose)
Isanya (Nort-East) - Trisula (trident)
Agneya (South-East) - Sakti (spear)
Vayavya (North-West) - Ankusa (goad)
Nairtya (South-West) - Khadga (sword)
After designing the directions, Komokuten sketched six paths crossing and intersecting these direction to safely transfer the King’s wealth to the Temple. He called them the Paths of Pain and lined them according to the dangers they held:
Deva Gati (Path of Riches; Kings Deposits)
Manusya Gati (Path of Re-Travel; Common Path)
Tiryagyoni Gati (Animal Path; Jungles and forests)
Preta Gati (Uninhabited Path; Deserts)
Asura Gati (Path of Fierce Envy; Bandit hills)
Naraka Gati (Path of Shawdows; Terrible lands of dark forces and black magic).
The Guardians of the Temple looked at their leader Komokuten as 'He who sees All'. The operations were successful. The Kings started to plunder more and the Guardians of the Temple kept their wealth safe for them. The Temple became more dominant over anything standing on the land, but its location was known only to Komokuten and his eight faithful Guardians.
The Guardians of the Temple grew in size and soon became more powerful than the Kings, as they controled the wealth of every kingdom. They charged more for the same service, and at times even threatened the Kings who tried to reclaim their wealth. Tension prevailed between the Kings and The Guardians of the Temple. Komokuten clearly demonstrated his plans through his actions - he wished to abduct the resourceful lands that produce the wealth from the Kings.
The Kings regrouped again to find ways to recover their wealth, at the same time, to eliminate Komokuten. But the Guardians practised a kind of combat skills new to the prevailing era. No army could battle to victory before them. So the Kings tricked Komokuten with their sweet language of women and liquor to train their soldiers. The Guardians not only taught the soldiers the new art of battle, but also enrolled a few to transport the wealth. These soldiers were agents to the Kings, but they were unable to know the location of the Temple. After arriving at a particular intersecting point of the directions, the wealth was then taken away by the Eight Guardians to a secret location - The Temple.
One night, the Kings invited the Rulers of the Directions to dine with them. A massive dinner was served and the Kings showed immense respect to Komokuten. Immersed in their courtesy, the Guardians of the Temple failed to notice that they were surrounded by armed soldiers, mainly by the ones whom they had trained. One of the Eight Guardians realised the danger and stood up to warn the other, but fell back to the floor. Blood fountained out of his mouth. Three others fell face down over the table and laid motionless over the stream of red fluid leaking between their lips. The remaining Guardians surrounded Komokuten and tried to escape the murderous plot of the Kings.
Anger filled every part of Komokuten. He charged at the soldiers as a mad bull and none could stand before him. His valiant warriors fought fiercely while coughing blood. One by one they all fell beside Komokuten. They did not die by sword but by the poison served in their supper.
Komokuten stood alone surrounded by the Kings. They demanded him for the Temple's location. Komokuten stood smiling at the Kings, looking at them as a bunch of fools. They threatened to torture him in the cruellest way. Komokuten took a fire torch lying beside him and alighted himself.
The Kings ordered their men to put the fire off. Many tried to approach Komokuten, but he chased them all away with his sword while still burning in the flames of anger. After slaying down any who tried to cool him down, his burnt body knelt on the ground. A deep voice spoke out of the flames, "I see All, The End and The Beginning. I will return to rule you All."
The Kings watched Komokuten turn to ashes. They still did not have the location of the Temple. For several years the Kings searched every corner on Earth, but could not find the Temple.
Even today, treasure hunters, like Rana and yourself, are still searching for the entrance to the Temple, but Komokuten was brilliant to hide it inside his imaginary sphere. It is believed that Komokuten’s directional map was hidden in the Zenith, and it shows the way to the Temple located at the Nadir.
The death of their leader did not go well with the followers and the recruits of the Guardians of Temple. They enrolled themselves in several activities for the Kings. Some even became ministers, medicine men, architects, spies and army chiefs. Since that time, they plotted against the Kings preparing themselves for the Rise of Komokuten as the King of Kings, The Emperor of the New World. Many wars were fought since then, and in each, the Guardians of Temple played a major role.
But never one shall know, who they really are and as what they are disguised as.
Several thousands of years after, they have elected their new leader, Vettaiyan. The Emperor will not rest until there is an independent King ruling a piece of land."
Kacha blinked at Sena who smiled back at him and said, "It's late, take some rest, a huge dawn awaits us."
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
Heights of Insight
General Kalai was staring at the single star glowing in the darkness above when Kanakavalli walked over the deck and stood beside him over The Matsya, the thirty two long gun frigate, floating on the darkness below. Kalai smiled at Kanakavalli, her face reflected the shine of the twinkle in the sky. Kanakavalli surveyed the darkness in front of her to catch any alien movement.
"You remind me of my sister", Kalai spoke to Kanakavalli, "Kartika, the beauty, as you are."
Kanakavalli looked straight into his eyes, a gesture seeking to know more about his sister.
"Kartika never grew up, she was playful and cheerful", Kalai rejoiced in his memory when he told Kanakavalli about Kartika while still gazing at the glowing star above, "We quarrelled a lot. People around us found it difficult to separate us when we rolled over each other in the mud. We fought with each other for no particular reason, but finding every reason to fight – even if my mango was more golden than hers”, Kalai made a mild laughter.
"Our father, Ibhanan, the Great General of Katrupuzha enrolled me in a military unit when I was only eleven, Kartika was eight then. She cried holding my father’s foot pleading him not to take me away from the family. But my father dragged her along with him until she could not hold on to his foot anymore. I turned to see her weeping on the floor, and that was when I decided to meet her as often as possible."
"Kartika was very much interested in knowing military combats. We met secretly at the banks of the river bordering the jungle and I used to teach her the new techniques I had learnt recently."
"During one such training session, we saw a human body floating in the water. Without hesitation she jumped into the rivers and pulled the body to the shore. I panicked. I insisted on leaving as I was scared about the stranger. He could be anyone - a spy or a terrorist. I always feared angering my father. But she stood firm on nursing the unconscious man who was severely wounded, his face completely torn. His white dress was wet not with the water, but by his own blood. I explained to Kartika the state of the stranger and persuaded her to leave, as the man shall not be alive by dawn. Kartika refused, and anger mixed with fear made me abandon my sister with the stranger in the dark jungles beside the river bed."
"I could not sleep that night. I returned to look for my sister by creeping past the military camp. I found Kartika inside a hut, handmade made out of dry branches and leaves. She had dressed the wounds of the unconscious stranger, his head and face heavily bandaged. The man struggled to breathe through the tiny holes between the bloody cloths spun around his face. His body was drilled by arrow head. All the tiny holes were leaking blood even after stuffed with medicinal herbs", Kalai paused to recollect the horrors that he saw through the wounded stranger, "The green and the red produced a frightening gore", he said after a while.
"When she saw me", Kalai continued, "Karthika handed me a lump of mud and guided me back to the bank. I admired her strength, her courage and her will she had put to save the wounded man. We created a small earthen oven with the clay and placed the wounded man inside. Kartika filled the kiln with several herbs and rolling couple of sticks, she produced fire that gently burnt the leaves causing dense smoke. I once again pleaded her to return to home as our father was scheduled to visit our house at dawn. Finally she agreed and we both parted ways - she went to the village, and I crawled back into my tent at the camp."
"The stranger laid inside the oven treated by the medicinal smoke throughout the night. After that day, we never spoke about the man whom we had saved."
"I was busy trying to become a soldier, but did not fail to notice a change in Kartika. She looked more beautiful and quarrelled less. I provoked her but soon realised that she had grown into a pretty lady just like a bud blossoming into a flower during the course of the night. And then, she confessed that she was in love. I was happy for her, but again, feared how my father would react. I was under an impression that she was in love with a local young man, and even asked her to introduce him to me, she shied; the pleasant expression that I noticed for the first time on her face."
"One evening when I returned home, I was shocked to find my father dragging her out of the house. It reminded me the day when he took me to the military camp while Kartika clung to his foot. I ran and tried to stop him, but he pushed me away. Kartika lied on the ground weeping and surrounded by the villagers. I felt ashamed. A washer man had informed my family about himself witnessing Kartika with a man near the banks of the river which had erupted an emotional turmoil inside my father.”
"That night my father locked her in the cellar and I heard my sister weeping nonstop. I could not take it anymore, so I went to see her. Kartika informed me that she was in love with the stranger we had saved at the river bank. And that they met each other secretly since then. She told me about her plan to elope with the stranger to the village Svaha. I tried to ask her more about the man with whom she was in love, but she assured me that she will tell me everything once she had reached Svaha, for that she had to be at the banks before dawn. Initially I refused to help her, but her tears melted me. I was conscious about what my father was capable of. I insisted on going with her to the banks, but she denied my proposal stating that if our father found out, then I will be in a miserable condition before him for the rest of my life."
"I liberated her that night, an action that I regret forever."
Kanakavalli noticed a huge drop of tear waiting at the corner of his eyes. The glittering drop of affection fell down to the deck of The Matsya unable to control the weights of sorrow.
Kalai spoke again, "My family abandoned Kartika, they became rocks sculpted with insult., but not me. For several months I had no news from Kartika. Worried, I went to Svaha and enquired about my sister and her anonymous lover. None claimed to have seen or heard about such a couple. After all these years, I still look for Kartika like a madman in search of his own mind. Never could I trace her. And never had I seen the face of that stranger to identify him."
Kalai pulled his head down and wept, "My fault. I should have left her in the cellar that night, she would have hated me, but at least she would have been with me."
Kanakavalli took Kalai's head and placed it on her chest. She hummed to calm Kalai, the sweetest sound that Kalai had ever heard. Under the glowing star Kartika, Kanakavalli and Kalai sat on the deck watching the fated moon.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
Will kill end a War
"I would have run down the Palace and put the Emperor on his knees, allowing him to plead for his life before me", Sultan said confidently to Rana.
They were seated inside the captain's cabin on The Scorpion, the small merchant vessel equipped to spit fire. Rana smiled back at Sultan through the candle light.
"You travel a lot and have been hearing to many tales", Rana replied, "Your heroic approach is legendry but denies reality".
"Why all these strategies, troops and formations? Just enter and kill", Sultan said firmly.
Rana laughed. "A war is not what you think it is. A battle is not about two warring groups running towards each other and meeting at the middle of a battlefield and starting to chop each other into pieces. That's fictional, an epic story told around a camp fire for entertainment."
"A war is an exercise to showcase the power that not only tests the strengths but also the intelligence of the warring parties", Rana declared.
"Of course there are invasions", he continued, "but only barbarians carry out such brutal massacre. Brave men go to war. The level of advancement and technology is drawn by a war. Even when a king invades another land, he or one of his messenger informs the opponent ruler. Very rarely wars are fought on the grounds, most of them are resolved with treaties or by other means without meeting at a battlefield. Mainly because, going for a war is costly, plus many human life’s are at stake. In the end, a ruler needs his people to rule over."
"Civilised men carryout modern methods. For instance, the Declaration of War and the negotiations carried out before announcing the rupture. Plus, the way the supports were gained and the respect shown during the meetings."
"Previously, when a war was declared, the night before the battle, the invading or the challenging army will be worshiped on the battlefield. The mothers, wives and daughters of the opponent army light lamps and decorate the forehead of the enemy soldiers, so that, the single night's bond will serve as a seed of thought when the soldier is about to slay a man on the battle field."
"In a war, not the kills that count, but the skill which leads to the victory."
"Once a king invaded a rich kingdom for its wealth. The talks did not pave way for peace. The rulers decided to meet at the battlefield. When the invading king saw the size of the opponent's army in front of him, he merely laughed. With just few of his commandants, he instantly jumped into action and attacked defending soldiers. To his surprise, the little army before him gave him a tough fight. The charging king enjoyed the battle cherishing every moment with the valiant warriors defending their motherland with grace and style. He encountered several formations that were new to him and found it a bit difficult to break them and penetrate beyond the war filed to charge at the palace."
"Impressed with the defeated army, the invading king marched over the fallen soldiers to claim the throne. When he neared the walls, he saw the citizens of the kingdom fortifying the palace. He laughed again at the peasants and merchants trying to stop his giant army. His admiration over the citizens grew when he saw the women and children well dressed with dazzling ornaments. There were abandon food storage around and the houses were made of solid roofs. There were new designs of cooking vessels and the streets were named on a board hung at each corner. The lanes were well lit and the houses decorated with bright colours had a number written on their wodden doors."
"An aged man, dressed in civilian clothes approached the vainqueur. The winning king did not recognise the stranger kneeling before him. The man introduced himself as the King and accepted his defeat. He surrendered after demanding an assurance from the invader that his people will not be revoked of their happiness. If be the case, he challenged the king seated on the horseback, as he shall not live to see his people suffer."
"The invading king was shocked to hear the words from the defeated king. He looked around him and saw the government and its people standing hand in hand. As a ruler he thought about his own governance. He looked deep inside himself to find out how much his people regarded him. Upon enquiry, he learnt about the social policies adapted by the rival king and the civics sense used to construct his kingdom. Thus, the kingdom was not only rich, but healthy too. The invading king learnt a hard lesson during that war."
"He got down from his horse, and lifted the defeated king. He hugged him and made him his ally. He requested to adopt the ministers of the kingdom as the prize for his victory, so that he can turn his own kingdom into a healthy wealth."
"So, Sultan, war is not about crossing swords. We are into warfare, a combination of wits and will."
"Never underestimate the Emperor, he can remove your head even before your tongue can roll out a threat."
Under the glow of the candle light, Rana assured Sultan, "This war will see how much civilised we have become, the trace of the path mankind had taken to reach its height. History shall register how a battle should be fought - with glory always a step ahead of victory."
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
The World of Waters (Part 1/2)
The orange ball of fire slowly peeped over the horizon dissolving the darkness around the Emperor's fleet stationed at the harbour of the Pirate's village which was under the occupation of the allied forces that was in war with the Emperor and led by the Vadhana Devi, the Queen of Kottaipatinam.
Soft drum rolls sounded around the Hell’s Sea Shore indicating the march of the first battalion of the allied forces towards the battlefield Karmegha. The square sets of ground forces faced their Queen awaiting her order to move forward. Nobleman stood in front of Vadhana and registered his worry about leaving her while being circled by enemy ships. He urged her to come along with him.
Vadhana smiled at Nobleman who was appointed to guide the first army to Karmegha by carrying the Declaration of War. She brought her hand in front of her face and turned them into fists, "Don’t fear, the noblest of all, these hands got names." She brought forward her left arm and said "This is Swathi", and bringing the other to the front she announced, "and this is Swetha."
A young lady dressed in green military outfit jumped down from the tent behind Vadhana holding an archer’s bow in her hands. Another one, dressed in brown clothes cut through the sands and glided to a stop using her sword. "Swathi and Swetha are the twin brigadiers who will lead the archers and sword wielders of the great women army of Kottaipatinam."
"Men need trainers to become soldiers. We, the womanhood, train ourselves. When need comes, she will be a mother and a daughter. As a wife, she lights the fire in the kitchen and if there is a threat to the loved one, she will burn the menaces into ashes by tunining into a soldier. A woman is the saviour of the society, be it while nourishing it with her care or guarding it with her life."
"My hands, the noblest one, will keep me safe during your absence. And I must stay here to invite the army of the allied forces. I wish you a safe journey and give my word to meet you soon at Karmegha where we will reap victory together."
Nobleman turned to look around. Several women soldiers in green and brown military uniforms stood facing the enemy ships taking a defensive stand on the sand.
"You see, even the sea breeze shall not pass without gracing their sharp arrows. They shall bow to their flat baldes and seek entry", Vadhana said proudly.
Nobleman nodded his head in appreciation and announced his departure to the Queen of Allied Forces, "Permission to march the first battalion, my Queen". Vadhana smiled and gestured her authorisation. Nobleman joined the band of drummers, and the infantry square followed their leader.
The bell carved with the name 'The Scorpio' rang twice. In case of a shipwreck, the ship's bell was the only identifier of the drowned ship as the name of the vessel was embedded on it. The time between dawn and dusk at sea was divided into seven watches, the bell was rung at every fourth position of the sun from the time of its rise upto the moment it sets. The alert continues for every fourth position of the hovering moon until dawn. During the timely phases, the set of two rings increases respectively - for instance at dawn it was rung twice and for the next it was 'rung twice - brief pause - rung twice again' - a pattern to identify the time of the day.
Rana and Sultan walked out of the captain's cabin and watched the dawn along with The Scorpio's crew. Another ship's bell was heard at a distance. It sounded once. After the first wave had hit The Scorpio, the distant bell rang again. The sound of the bell echoed across the sea in regular intervals.
"Aproaching Fleet. Aproaching Fleet. Give a way", the watch guard at the crow's nest shouted from the top of the main mast. A crow's nest was a tiny structure suited to hold a single guard on top of the highest post of a ship. Each time the ship's boy rang the watch bell, the duty guard changed. Initially crows were caged on top of the mast. A crow was released during the poor visibility and the ships course was navigated corresponding to the crow's flight path, as the crow always headed towards the nearest land. Spotting scopes replaced the crows, and this strategic spot on the ship got its name to retain the tradition.
Rana smiled when huge ships started to appear through the mists. Sultan watched wide mouthed at the marvellous fleet of floating vessels against the backdrop of the rising sun. The crew men waved at each other. The soldiers over the destroyers, the tiny boats equipped with combustibles, cheered at the passing giant ships. The winds favoured the vessels and the fleet entered and exited the defensive circle of The Amethyst.
Rana quickly turned his sand watch. He ordered the ship boys to convert the watch time to fourteen, instead of seven. This shall permit them to be on the navigational track fixed for the Rock on the Sea. Rana walked to the other side of the deck and watched the fleet of the allied forces disappear into the deep blue.
The ship's bell rang twice, three times. At the same time, the watch guard from the crow’s nest of The Scorpio sounded the distress call, "Pirates. Danger. Pirates."
The Scorpio crew quickly became vigilant and the mast were thrown to half sail to control its navigational speed. The fire cannons on the deck were set to operational. Several bell boys rang their respective hand bells in quick succession while descending the two floor running under the deck of the ship while repeatedly shouting, "In cabin, On deck. Captain's Order". Each floor of The Scorpio was equipped with fire cannons. The tail of The Scorpio held a long shaft called The Pincer, which spit lamp oil. Once ignited, the tail becomes a blazing barb of fire.
Rana looked into his telescope. The mist were dissolving quickly in front of him and then, the bow (front of a ship) appeared under his lens. "Yasabella", Rana exclaimed.
Sultan watched Yasabella while standing beside Rana on the deck of The Scorpio. "You didn't expect her here, did you?" he asked Rana.
"No", replied Rana without removing his focus set upon Yasabella - the powerful warship propelled with oars for faster navigation, which was installed with hundreds of double cannon guns on either side of each of its six floors and possessed two separate gun decks, one at the front and one at the back; a monstrous ship that can carry three battalions of heavily armed soldiers - which sailed towards The Scorpio, bringing along with her a dozen of quick frigates for support.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
The World of Waters (Part 2/3)
The fleet of the allied forces, floating elegantly over the soft waves, sailed past The Carnelian .
Kanakavalli watched the huge fleet carrier heaving in front of her. She smiled back at the crew who were waving at her. A sudden eruption from the sailing soldiers surprised her. She turned to cherish the moment with the enthusiastic Katrupuzha infantry cheering for their Chief Kalai. Their General stood on top of the captain's cabin of The Matysa with his left hand on his hip and the other griping his long sword flowing down his right leg. He proudly faced the passing fleet. The ships gradually pitched into the guarding circle of The Soapstone with a passionate devotion.
Genral Kalai growled, "Watch time to twelve boys", and quickly placed a sand watch on a wooden box beside him.
"Advance the galleon towards the enemy fleet", Rana ordered, "Surge the frigate to inform The Carnelian. They must be ready, as we will not be able to stop this monster."
The multi-deck cargo ship, The Scorpion, operated by armed merchants, drifted on the water to face the enemy threat while its four masts were entirely powered by wind. Yasabella slowly crawled over the sea nearing the first defence stance of the allied forces.
"Keepers of trade", Sultan shouted, "It’s time to reveal who owns these waters. Yasabella is no more a myth, we will be the part of the legend that sings the drowning of devil by just few merchant ships."
The crew shouted back their courage in unison. Several row ships parted from The Scorpion to collect the sailors from the destroyers which were floating beyond the marked territory lined with explosive barrels. Rana watched through his telescope and found Yasabella's emblem erased with a black varnish, but looking at it from the top to bottom, he made out its initial - the emblem of Kalingapuri - VM.
"The naval belongs to Veera Mahendran", Rana informed Sultan, "They have washed out the evidence of an attack by striping the ship's emblem", Rana handed the scope to Sutan who rotated it to watch the surrounding of Yasabella.
The destroyers were abandoned and the crew rapidly sailed back on the row boats towards The Scorpion, when the first set of cannons were fired from Yasabella which struck the returning boats like a hammer head. The explosion shattered the wooden boats launching them up towards the sky, and only debris of the boats and sailors fell back into the waters turning the area into a tiny red pond over the massive blue sea. Two enemy frigates advanced to align with The Scorpion aiming to destroy its rigging and the masts.
Over The Scorpion, The Pincer cap was removed and the lamp oil briskly started to flow into the sea. The front and the back cannons were charged with huge metal ball rounds to slam into the opponent’s ship. The swivel-guns placed at the four corners of the galleon was occupied by vigilant sailors. The shot from the small cannons mounted on a swivelin, provides a wide arc of fast movements targeting the enemies on board of the attacking frigates. It can also neutralise threats trying to jump over to The Scorpion. The destroyers, loaded with barrels, were circling aimlessly between The Scorpion and the advancing enemy war ships.
The enemy frigates started to circle close to The Scorpion. Few of the galleon's crew members panicked in fear when watching the enemy ships surrounding them. The others were holding to their positions and the sailor squad handling the mortar guns watched Sultan and waited for his command without even minding the salt water jumping from the frigates fast movements and hitting them on their face. Sultan had his hand raised beside Rana.
The enemy frigates prepared for an attack from both sides of The Scorpion. Cannon shots were fired from both that hit the galleon mercilessly. The Scorpion took mild damage on both sides, but her massive haul made from single barks withstood the charge of the enemy metal cannon balls. The ship rocked sending few sailors on to the deck. Reloading noise echoed from the frigates admits the sounds of the wave.
Rana did not remove his eyes that were set upon Yasabella and the other frigates trying to pass through The Amethyst, the first line of defence. He watched wide eyed at the enemy fleet's navigation when slivers of wood from the first attack of the frigates flew past him. When the enemy ships finished loading and were prepared for the second attack, Rana gave his nod and Sultan brought his raised hand down.
Only one shot was fired from The Scorpion’s mortar gun. A flaming metal ball projected out and travelled across the blue sky to land over the blue sea. There was silence for a moment and then, the sea turned into a blazing waves of fire. The water on the navigational path between The Scorpion and Yasabella was coated with lamp oil which spread under the destroyers and around the line of oil barrels. The fire quickly spread on the water igniting the oil containers. The destroyers struck in the middle started to explode one by one. A wall of fire quickly mounted between The Scorpion and Yasabella.
"Light them up", shouted Rana. A torch was introduced to The Pincer and a rope of flames started to sway as the tail of The Scorpion. The soldiers rotated The Pincer towards the first frigate that was close to their right hand side. The Pincer spit fire over the enemy ship and the explosive cannons and the barrels lined over the deck of the light frigate started to explode. The men handling the swivel-guns fired tiny metal balls at the enemies over the burning frigate. Most of the shots reached their victims who were either thrown out of their ship into the water or fell down on the deck with their bones broken. At the same time, the front and the back cannons of The Scorpion shot their metal balls at the second frigate. The cannonballs slammed the light frigate and damaged it by sending out broken wooden pieces that impaled anyone near. The impact crippled the side of the frigate and several enemy soldiers were cramped below deck.
A third enemy ship neared The Scorpion, fastly breaking its way through the debris of the fallen ship. Rana and Sultan immediately ran towards the bowsprit of the Scorpion that was facing the charging enemy frigate. They both managed to roll over the deck while running to collect a rope sling. The special rope with a hook attached to one end is used to cross from one ship to another. Jumping from the bowsprit, Rana threw the hook at the rope ladder of the enemy frigate and in one swing motion landed on the enemy ship, quickly followed by Sultan. Several other warriors jumped onto the enemy ship and took the surprised enemies down over the deck of the third frigate. Rana's cutlass slashed any enemy walking past him while Sultan's broad sabre made sure the enemies met the floor and stayed there. An explosion on the other side of the deck announced the capture of the enemy frigate.
Couple more of enemy ships were damaged by the exploding destroyers and another one was stranded in the middle of the sea unable to navigate through the wall of fire produced by the oil barrels. Its crew abandoned the ships and jumped into the sea.
From the captured frigate which was completely damaged and unnavigable, Rana watched Yasabella advancing towards the fleet carrying the entire army of the allied forces, breaking the defence of The Amethyst, while still being surrounded by six light frigates to defend her.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
The World of Waters (Part 3/3)
"Messenger ship in line", shouted the guard from the crow's nest of The Matsya. General Kalai quickly dug out his scope tugged under his belt and watched the approaching ship from The Amethyst's fleet. Immediately he jumped down from the top of the captain's cabin and took the ship's wheel. Kanakavalli ran from the deck and climbed over the tiny wooden stairs and stood beside him. Her eyes were painted with concern and terror. Kalai turned the ship to face the direction of the messenger ship.
The fleet carrier entered the final defence circle of the Rocks on the Sea. Passing The Amethyst, the group of destroyers and fire ships led by Rana, the soldiers of the allied forces over the carriers had waved at Kalai, the captain of The Carnelian who commanded the light galleons and the army carried by the fleet of warships safely joined The Soapstone, the heavily armoured cruisers of brigs operating under the direct orders of Sena.
From the top of The Braha, the heavy rammer brig, Sena and Kacha watched the fleet carriers assembling at the centre of the defence circle. When the support ships and the three main carriers - infantry, war animals & supply - had maneuvered towards the direction of the destination and were powered up to sail to the harbour of the Pirate's Bay, Sena placed the conch between his lips and blew into the shell trumpet. The sound from the seashell horn vibrated around the floating ships cutting the wind with buzzing noise. The fleet carriers glided swiftly over the waters closely circled by heavily armed support ships and surrounded by Sena's brigs.
"We have to tail her", Sultan demanded Rana, "we can take her down".
Rana looked around him. Flaming wooden pieces from fallen ships were floating over the sea. He lifted his head and looked ahead of him. Yasabella and her six support ships had disappeared into the blue.
"Our heavy galleon is not fast enough to catch up with the multi-squared masts Yasabella", Rana informed. "All the destroyers have exploded and after the battle with the three frigates, our fireship is now out of ammunition. We won't stand a chance to counter another heavy attack."
Rana paused and looked up at the sky while talking, "Hope that there will not be a second wave of enemy attack and have faith in our men who are further down the sea." Rana turned and lightly tapped the shoulders of Sultan and said, "Let get back to the shore."
Upon collecting the information on the attack of Yasabella, General Kalai ordered the single light frigate under his procession to set sail in full mast and inform the danger to The Soapstone. He issued direct command to two other galleons and four heavy frigates to navigate on full sail and controlled The Matsya which was now rowed with full power by soldiers from the bottom of its deck.
Kanakavalli watched him with wide eyes. Kalai turned the ship's wheel while talking to Kanakavalli, "We are going to chase the monster and with a bit of luck, we will may take her down. Our light galleons are no match with her, but we can attack her from the tail end and at least weaken Yasabella."
The wooden sea monster effortlessly glided over the waters and when Yasabella was in line of sight with the fleet of The Carnelian, four frigates departed from either side and the huge war ship continued sailing towards the interiors of the sea surrounded by only two frigates.
The heavy frigates of The Canelian glided fast towards Yasabella. Each turned quickly and took position at the four sides of the huge enemy warship. There was still no attack from Yasabella, but once the frigates came into the range of the monster ship, only few shots were fired from the four corners of Yasabella in unison, which completely drowned the heavy frigates within a blink of an eye.
The Matsya moved fast over the waters towards its target but was blocked by an enemy's light frigate. Pulling the masts to half and halting the rowing, The Matsya directly engaged a massive attack on the enemy frigate. The two other galleons chased the other two light frigates and sailed away too far from the defence circle in the process. Heavy shots from The Matsya landed on the enemy frigate. Admits the explosions, several enemy sailor jumped onto The Matsya. General Kalai and Kanakavali fought the attacking enemies over the deck. The warriors were well trained in hand-to-hand combat, but Kalai and Kanakavalli fought back to back with each other and slayed the enemies. The sea water, in effect with the rocking ships, jumped over to the deck of The Matsya and washed away the blood and human remains. The final shot from The Matsya disabled the enemy frigate. General Kalai dripping wet in enemy’s blood watched the fourth frigate roaming in the waters. He ordered to go full mast behind the isolated ship and The Matsya began the chase at the sea.
The light frigate from the Carnelian delivered the message to Sena who turned and monitored the moving fleets. He admired the calmness of the sea and looked up at the sunset sky. Sena smiled.
"No. No. No!" General Kalai cursed at himself and planted his long sword beside his feet on the deck when The Matsya aligned to the side of the fourth frigate it was chasing. Kanakavalli rushed to him and touched his shoulders. "We have been separated. Distracted by the free navigation of the ememy frigates." He turned and looked at Yasabella and saw the wooden monster navigating without any hindrance towards the carrier fleet. "She is too far now. Our galleons are dispersed in the sea."
At the same moment an enemy soldier from the fourth enemy frigate that The Matsya had caught up with, jumped across and positioning himself above General Kalai, he jumped down with is short sword raised. Without looking up, Kalai removed his long sword standing straight over the floor of the deck and lifted it above his head. The jumping enemy landed on the sharp blade of Kalai's sword and the General held the dead soldier above his head while speaking in anger, "The Soapstone are on their own now."
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
Running From Rain
Nobleman and the first battalion reached the battle grounds just before dusk. They had crossed several villages, few abandoned ones and the habitants of the remaining were not welcoming. Upon reaching Karmegha, Nobleman was shocked to see the state of the camping site. All the trees were chopped down and pools of water were stagnant on the ground. The floor was marshy and unfriendly to set up camps.
Veera Mahendran stood beside The General of Vettaiyan and watched the arrival of the enemy forces. A crooked smile sat at the corners of the General’s lips. Upon his instructions, the other side of the battle field was destroyed to make it difficult for the enemies to tent.
"Do you have news from the waters", he asked an army captain beside him.
"Sailing strong, Sir", the reply he got made The General share smiles with Veera Mahendran. With much authority in his voice The General said, "No word shall reach the Emperor about the waters. Only the halted ships at the harbour should be brought to his notice", and the army captain nodded his head affirmatively.
"Raja Mahendran was an ally of the Emperor", Sena informed Kacha. They both were facing each other inside the captain's cabin of The Braha. "Kalingapuri has the largest naval army among the five nations, and Raja Mahendran offered the Emperor the wildest war ship that could come handy to secure the wealth transported by the Emperor's ship using sea routes. The wealth was the huge tax money that each leader paid to the Emperor. Overwhelmed by the courteous offer, The Emperor named the wooden monster Yasabella and handed her back to Raja Mahendran. He generously offered him the opputunity to serve as the naval security in unexplored water territories for the Central Kingdom. Since then, Kalingapuri transported wealth, salves and prisoners for the Emperor. No sea pirate would approach the cargo. The shadow of Yasabella has the power to drown a whole army fleet."
"Once I was tasked to loot the Emperor's wealth. The day I saw Suganthi for the first time was the same day I watched Yasabella anchored further from the harbour. The six deck multi-masts wildest ship I had ever seen. I wished to board her, and circumstance did not permit me then, but now I shall ...", their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the cabin's door, and after gaining permission eight captains of the armoured ships walked inside and stood in circle around Sena and Kacha.
"The only way to take down Yasabella is by firing all our ships at the same time", suggested a captain. The other captains murmured their agreement.
"What's the cannon’s reload time in your vessel, captain?", Sena inquired. "Yasabella's six decks with two side plus a front and a back platforms can be operated at the same time. The deck cannons function in relay. One deck fires, and when it’s reloading, the other will take charge. By the time the sixth deck is fired, deck one is ready for a new attack. By this, Yasabella will shower a non-stop heavy cannon attacks. Her body is made with two layers of thick and full barks that can withstand severe attack a full night before starting to leak."
"After firing in unison and our cannons are empty, can our ships sustain five direct and massive attack for Yasabella before our cannons are reloaded?" There was silence in the captain's cabin.
"One side will attack her target – that’s the carrier fleet carrying the army - the other side will defend her from our charging war ships. The front, back and side cannons of Yasabella fire chain-shot, each shot will break the masts into two, and in no time our ships will be unnavigable. Row boats can hardly near her. And her huge deck is a mini battleground, and easily two battalion would be working on board."
"Why can't we just follow the route and reach the shore. We must be so close to the harbour by now", Kacha interrupted.
"Can you run from the rain, Kacha?" Sena asked calmly. "Yasabella is multiple time faster than light frigates. Manually rowed and with squared mast, she will cut through the water and catch up with the flying fleet in no time. And once she starts her attack, only pieces of wood from our fleet will reach the shore by the mercy of the waves."
Sena looked at the members present around him and then spoke confidently, "The only way to destroy Yasabella is by being on board of her itself."
Murmurs echoed around the cabin. When the noise settled down, Sena continued, "The belly of the beast is where the ammunitions are stocked. Blow it up and Yasabella will become a spectacle of fireworks. But once the belly is cut, the beast will swallow its slayer. It is a martyr operation."
"Even if we succeed on boarding Yasabella, who will bell the beast?" another captain questioned.
"I will", Kacha came forward, and at the same time distant drum beats announced the arrival of Yasabella.
... to be continued ...
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Chaturmukha Part 3 - mRdayopaliptaM
Chapter Five - The War Within
Fire in the Belly part (1/2)
The planks at both sides of the brigs were brought down. Using knotted ropes, several sailors dropped from the deck of the brigs and landed on to the wooden platforms which were attached to the brigs and were gliding swiftly over the waters. The soldiers pulled the ropes and tied them to the hook at the borders of the floating slabs. Several other warriors jumped onto the lumber platform on both side of the brig and squatted holding the rope to sustain their balance. The brigs advanced gradually towards Yasabella.
Six heavy galleons fully powered and loaded, rifted in opposite directions to gain momentum and shifted the ship's position to align with Yasabella. Four heavy frigates closed in and each one positioned beside the two light frigates guarding the monster ship. Several light and heavy warships surrounded the three carrier vessels operating as a wooden wall and sailed prepared to take heavy cannon attacks to block the damage from reaching the fleet carriers.
On the brig The Braha, Sena and Kacha, along with a group of short swordsmen were ready for the impact. The heavy ram of The Braha can cause enough damage to any ship it hits upon. Light ships like schooners or gunboats will be shattered to pieces upon first contact. The recoil effect of ramming is controlled by the thick head of the ram itself that the brig will not suffer any damage from the shock, but items over the deck of ship will react to the recoil by throwing themselves into the air. A similar phenomena will occur when the charging brigs impact with Yasabella. The damage caused over the enemy war ship will be minimum but the soldiers squatted over the wooden planks will be catapulted towards the monster ship. With enough training in sea battles, the warriors will hold on to the sides of Yasabella using tumba axes, whose sharp blades will immediately stick to the wooden surface on which they were struck up. Using double-bit throwing axes for grip and the wooden railing present on the haul of Yasabella for stability, the soldiers would gradually climb to the deck.
In the meantime, the six heavy galleons and the four heavy frigates shall keep Yasabella busy. The monster would ignore the brigs attack presuming that the threat through ramming will be minimal, and she would concentrate on sending heavy cannons at the fleet carriers which would be temporarily stopped by the tiny fleet walled around.
The heavy frigates effortlessly took down both the light frigates, and started to fire at Yasabella while stirring themselves in opposite direction. Several of the cannons shots from the enemy war ship missed its target. The other side of Yasabella was attacked by three heavy galleons, and kept her cannons busy. Into the centre, five brigs supported by the remaining three heavy galleons rammed Yasabella.
Sena and Kacha were thrown into the air and after a moment of free swinging, they stuck themselves to the side of the wooden monster, shortly followed by several other soldiers. Several warrior missed to hit over the target vessel and splashed onto the sea. Three decks above them, the main deck was crowded with heavily armed enemy soldiers. Sena and his short swordsmen gradually climbed Yasabella amidst the cannon shots and explosions and jumped on to the main deck.
Initially Sena defended himself with the two double-bit throwing axes, but when several enemy soldiers started to appear through the opened doors of the deck, he threw the axes at the charging warriors. He turned and jumped over the upper deck when his axes took the life of its two victims. Sena quickly removed his short sword and using his feet, he picked up a rapier lying beside him. The thin long sword magically landed between his palms. Dual wielding the swords, Sena tried to clear as many enemies as possible to create a safe path for Kacha, so that he can get into the lower decks.
The head count of Sena's short swordsmen was gradually decreasing, even though they fought valiantly with quick strikes and attacks. The enemies were appearing non-stop from every direction on the deck. Sena rolled over and took out five enemies blocking the way to the lower deck. He quickly pulled Kacha and pushed him inside. He locked back the door and ran quickly to the otherside and climbed onto to its upper deck creating a distraction on the enemies below.
The remaining short swordsmen joined their Captain on top of the deck. Sena looked behind his shoulders. He saw three warriors to his right and two over his left. And before him the huge deck was pouring with raged enemies. At the same moment one of The Soapstone’s galleon blew up into the air. The enemies standing before Sena cheered.
The enemy soldiers slowly gathered around the six helpless men. Their leader approached Sena and threatened him with his cruel smile. Sena griped his two swords and prepared himself for one last stance and hoped Kacha would reach the ammunition room and set fire to the belly of the beast.
After slaying several enemies moments ago, Sena was tired and his arms ached. The task of sending Kacha inside the decks was accomplished. Sena weakly raised his rapier and struck it at the man before him. The leader elegantly blocked Sena’s strike. Two more enemies jumped to the side and introduced their weapons to the chest and stomach of Sena’s men respectively. With one strong motion, the enemy leader kicked the short sword from Sena's hand. He aimed his sharp blade at the neck of Sena and slashed his sword downwards.
... to be continued ...