"2567-39" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jerome Bigge - Warlady 5 - The Warlady Of Dularn)"THE WARLADY OF DULARN" 2567 A.D.! By Jerome Bigge Chapter Thirty Nine "They aren't `shortening sail'," Darlanis spoke to Valerie Dunn, lowering her telescope. For an instant Valerie's face ap- peared horribly to be that of a grinning skull as the captain looked at her, then it was "normal" once again. The Empress shuddering to herself, well aware of what such "visions" might imply. She was not a "civilized" woman like we of the 20th Cen- tury are. Not a woman who "had an `answer' for everything". To her there were things that "couldn't be explained", but yet could be "understood". She "knew" then that Valerie Dunn was to die!!! "Maris has always been `reckless'," Valerie answered back. "A woman `driven' by her own `demons'," the red head smiled then. She was well aware of the "rumors" that were spoken about Maris. "Or by that `bitch' from Lorraine's time," Darlanis said... That damm "Carol Simmons" who had made so much "trouble" for ev- eryone. "Lorraine should have killed her, saved us all trouble!" ***************************************************************** "A cautious woman, that one," Maris said to me as I stood there beside her. I had "confidence" in Maris. On land she had- n't seemed all that "impressive", but here at sea she had proved to us all her own fighting abilities, and abilities to command! "`Know' much about her?" I asked. The Celestron had left no doubt that Darlanis had Valerie Dunn in command of the Swiftstar. That fiery red hair had been a dead giveaway! Valerie had im- pressed me as being a competent and capable commander. Perhaps a bit more "conservative" than someone like Maris or Lorraine, but yet a capable, "competent" woman who would be a worthy opponent! She had a "reputation", although nothing like that of Maris Marn. "I'm `better'," Maris answered, giving me a smile. I saw Carol there by the mainmast, giving orders to Anis and Sandi. I had no "worries" on that score. In a fight there is but one wom- an who could possibly match Carol, and she was hopefully far away right now. I did not think Darlanis should have "tried this". I did not think she had made a "wise choice" here. Not against the North Star under the command of Maris Marn, the Queen of Dularn! Not against the finest sailor that has ever sailed under the ma- ple leaf flag of Dularn! I once told Maris what that "flag" ac- tually had stood for back in the 20th Century. Dularn does make "claims" of its own here in northern North America. Such are, of course, no more "valid" than those of California to the south. There is no longer a "Canada" or a "United States of America". I suppose, of course, that there are "memories" yet of such things. Dularn, unlike the Empire, looks to a "time" before Janet Rogers. "Anis," Carol said, looking into the woman's dark eyes. A nod, a smile, much then left "unspoken". She would carry out the orders given her. She would live up to the confidence that Carol had placed in her. "My trust is in you," the Warlady now smiled. "`Freedom' is worth fighting for," Sandi spoke then in turn. The brownette nodded. There was no doubt of what their fate would be should they fall into the hands of California's Empress. There were no "Geneva Conventions" here now in the 26th Century. ***************************************************************** "What is your own plan of attack?" Darlanis asked Valerie, standing there, the bright rays of the sun glistening off her golden attire. Off the precious jewels of her tiara that marked her as the Empress of California. A few clouds like puffs of cotton slowly drifting to the east there in the azure blue above. A fresh cooling breeze from the west brought the odor of the sea. "We have superior speed, perhaps an advantage in maneuver, while she has the heavier firepower if we close with her," Valer- ie answered, lowering the telescope she'd been using just then. Swiftstar mounted the older style ballistae, weapons that shot a heavier bolt, but not as far as the newer Dularnian weapons did. In combat they would be outranged by about a hundred yards now. "It would be wise then," Darlanis smiled, "Not to `close' until we are ready to fire our broadside." Valerie nodding back. "The wind is in her favor," Valerie pointed out then to her. "I assume that there are certain actions that can be taken," the Empress answered, secretly wishing now that she had Lorraine standing there on the quarterdeck with her than this woman. The Warlady was "crafty", a real "bitch" when it came to fighting. Valerie was "competent", but not in the same class as Lorraine... "Our ballistae are inferior in range to their's," Valerie spoke, well aware that she was not Lorraine despite her own expe- rience. The Warlady would have doubtless had some "trick" up her sleeve. At the time Lorraine had fought Maris the "edge" in weaponry had been on Lorraine's side although the North Star had enjoyed a total greater firepower due to its more numerous weap- ons. Now they were both outgunned and out ranged by the Dularni- an raider. "We are, however, both a bit `faster' and `handier'." "Their crew will be `larger'," Darlanis pointed out then. A thought going through her mind of the weapon she had used there in Deimos when the Women had won their freedom from the Lorr. A weapon much like the military rifles of the 21st Century, but firing highly explosive bullets at the rate of some ten a second! That was before the Priestesses of Lys had showed their own awe- some power and ordered both the Women and the Lorr off the Earth. "There may be a lack of `discipline'," Valerie ventured. It was a known fact that a part of the North Star's crew consisted of former slave girls. Women unused to the rigors of "combat"... "Their `Warlady' would have seen to that," Darlanis said. She had been an "eye witness" to Carol's abilities at "command". "A very capable woman, if `inexperienced'," Valerie smiled. Carol was "crafty", but not truly experienced in the ways of war. "Who does not `belong' in this time," Darlanis answered her. She was well aware of the capabilities of the Priestesses of Lys. Of the fact that they were the "masters" of both time and space. Obviously Carol had been brought here to this time to be a coun- terpart to Lorraine. The Priestesses had selected well, Darlanis thought to herself. On the other hand, if she could "take" the North Star, such a "victory" could alter history in this era now! And with the "rumors" she'd heard about Maris, it was possible... "A woman with the body of an `houri', but with the fighting skills of Lorraine herself," Valerie Dunn answered, looking again at the approaching North Star through her telescope, and thus missing the swift frown that passed over her Empress' features... "We have the better Warlady," Darlanis suddenly now snapped. Valerie intelligent enough not to argue the point with Darlanis! ***************************************************************** "What are their `options'," I asked, seeing Maris' eyes meet mine. In a way she reminded one of Darlanis, although when I'd seen the two standing side by side there had been much less of a resemblance between the two. Maris was "plump", a "softer" woman than Darlanis. Not "fat" as such, but she didn't have the hard firm taut figure like Carol or the Empress of the Californians. She was also a more "submissive" woman, not as "assertive" as one like Carol. She reminded me a bit of one I'd once known, back in our own time, a woman who I'd once thought highly of before I met my delightful and provocative brownette who meant so much to me! "Lorraine would swing broadside to us at about three hundred yards and fire a full broadside, then she would continue sailing in a circle until she had made a full `three sixty'," Maris said. "We carry a heavier broadside than they do," I pointed out. Our ballistae were also of the new compound type, firing a light- er bolt to a greater distance. Lorraine I knew had such weapons. "It will be `easier' for them to turn than it will for us," Maris answered. "They can use the wind more effectively right now to maneuver than we can with it now blowing nearly astern." "If you change course to north then they will have to come to a parallel course with us," I replied, visualizing the situa- tion and what could be done giving the wind, the distances now... We could let Darlanis do the "work", make her chase us instead! "Yes, it could be done...," Maris breathed, looking at me. "Then I suggest we do it," I smiled back at the blonde. ***************************************************************** "What in the name of Lys are they doing?" Darlanis muttered, seeing the North Star now changing course, turning towards the north. Valerie already giving orders, the Swiftstar following. Far in the distance now the clipper was coming about, following. The Empress had given her "orders". They would be "followed"... "Lorraine probably `educated' Maris last year," she said, well aware that Maris Marn was considered to be Dularn's "best"!! "Maris is now `forcing' us to fight broadside to broadside if we press the engagement," the red headed captain added for Darlanis. There was no need to mention that they would be "outgunned" too! "Or perhaps another," Darlanis breathed softly to herself, thinking. Carol probably knew very "little" about sailing ships. "The man from the past was a `Warrior' of that era," Valerie said. "I understand he served in his country's military forces. What was called in his era the `Marines', I believe," she added. "They were `selected' for their `mission' here," Darlanis spoke in reply, more to herself than to Valerie Dunn just then. The Swiftstar was "faster" than the North Star, but not by much. "If we decide to `engage' it will be broadside to broadside..." "If this was a `Squala' class," Valerie muttered softly. "We will have to `make do' with what we have," Darlanis smiled back. She was of the Warrioresses. If she could gain the deck of the North Star, cold steel might be the deciding factor! ***************************************************************** "The Swiftstar is closing up with us," Maris said to me. I was well aware of that "fact". On the other hand we carried a heavier broadside than did the Swiftstar. At distances of less than two hundred and fifty yards our compound bows would be ef- fective. Due to our larger crew we could maintain a heavier rate of fire than could the Swiftstar now, it also appearing as if Darlanis had not "manned" the Swiftstar quite as heavily as she could have done considering the fact that she sailed in "friendly waters" for her with "friendly" ports almost everywhere for sup- plies. On the other hand many of our "crew" consisted of women, mostly former slave girls who in any hand to hand fight would be no "match" of course for those now aboard the Imperial warship. "A `moment' with my wife," I said to the Queen of Dularn. "It is wise to make one's peace with Lys," Maris smiled. "How are you doing?" I asked, well aware that Carol had nev- er seen "combat" of this sort. As an ex-Marine I was well aware of what could go through a person's mind at these times. Carol's eyes glowing up into mine as she smiled back, her arms going about me, her lips for a too short brief moment brushing mine... "I think I also understand the meaning of the words, `these are times that try men's souls'," she now smiled back at me then. The Swiftstar was only about a mile or so now behind us, I knew. "You're always more `scared' before the `fighting' starts than during it," I answered, recalling my experiences in Vietnam. On the other hand this was not the 20th Century, but the 26th... Carol's beautiful hazel eyes looking up into mine as she nodded. "It will be a contest of `seamanship," she answered back. "Of `woman' against `woman'," I "corrected" with a smile. "There is only one `woman' I fear," Carol answered softly. "Don't underestimate Darlanis," I warned my brownette then. "I have `confidence' in Maris," Carol said, "And in you..." ***************************************************************** "Hoist more sail, close the `gap' between us," Darlanis snapped. This was not a sort of "warfare" that she much "liked". Valerie regarded her, well aware that such an action would not be "wise". On the other hand Darlanis was not one that you dared to disobey. Valerie snapped out the orders in a loud voice, watch- ing the men scurrying about the lithe two masted schooner's deck. With so much sail hoisted the Swiftstar would lose some of its maneuverability. And it was such maneuverability that would be the deciding factor in this battle, the red headed captain knew!! ***************************************************************** "I think Darlanis has `taken command'," Maris said to me. The Swiftstar was pulling up fast on us now, the spray from time to time spraying high over her bow. The ship was being driven hard. I wondered then how well the pirates had "maintained" her? "Consider the possibility of damage to sails and masts," I said to Maris as she stood there swaying with the roll of the ship. I saw her nod, her eyes like azure gems glowing into mine. "It is doubtful that Darlanis had time for a `refit'," she said thoughtfully. Whatever Darlanis was as a ruler, she was not a competent captain in my opinion, or much of a commanding offi- cer either. She was incredibly brave, almost fearless, but some- thing of a "dumb blonde" in a way when it came to actual battle. "Perhaps...," Maris mused for a second, then suddenly snap- ping orders that sent men and women dashing over our decks to hoist up more sail. I knew the "condition" of the North Star. I did not think that the Swiftstar could be driven as hard anymore! "THE WARLADY OF DULARN" 2567 A.D.! By Jerome Bigge Chapter Thirty Nine "They aren't `shortening sail'," Darlanis spoke to Valerie Dunn, lowering her telescope. For an instant Valerie's face ap- peared horribly to be that of a grinning skull as the captain looked at her, then it was "normal" once again. The Empress shuddering to herself, well aware of what such "visions" might imply. She was not a "civilized" woman like we of the 20th Cen- tury are. Not a woman who "had an `answer' for everything". To her there were things that "couldn't be explained", but yet could be "understood". She "knew" then that Valerie Dunn was to die!!! "Maris has always been `reckless'," Valerie answered back. "A woman `driven' by her own `demons'," the red head smiled then. She was well aware of the "rumors" that were spoken about Maris. "Or by that `bitch' from Lorraine's time," Darlanis said... That damm "Carol Simmons" who had made so much "trouble" for ev- eryone. "Lorraine should have killed her, saved us all trouble!" ***************************************************************** "A cautious woman, that one," Maris said to me as I stood there beside her. I had "confidence" in Maris. On land she had- n't seemed all that "impressive", but here at sea she had proved to us all her own fighting abilities, and abilities to command! "`Know' much about her?" I asked. The Celestron had left no doubt that Darlanis had Valerie Dunn in command of the Swiftstar. That fiery red hair had been a dead giveaway! Valerie had im- pressed me as being a competent and capable commander. Perhaps a bit more "conservative" than someone like Maris or Lorraine, but yet a capable, "competent" woman who would be a worthy opponent! She had a "reputation", although nothing like that of Maris Marn. "I'm `better'," Maris answered, giving me a smile. I saw Carol there by the mainmast, giving orders to Anis and Sandi. I had no "worries" on that score. In a fight there is but one wom- an who could possibly match Carol, and she was hopefully far away right now. I did not think Darlanis should have "tried this". I did not think she had made a "wise choice" here. Not against the North Star under the command of Maris Marn, the Queen of Dularn! Not against the finest sailor that has ever sailed under the ma- ple leaf flag of Dularn! I once told Maris what that "flag" ac- tually had stood for back in the 20th Century. Dularn does make "claims" of its own here in northern North America. Such are, of course, no more "valid" than those of California to the south. There is no longer a "Canada" or a "United States of America". I suppose, of course, that there are "memories" yet of such things. Dularn, unlike the Empire, looks to a "time" before Janet Rogers. "Anis," Carol said, looking into the woman's dark eyes. A nod, a smile, much then left "unspoken". She would carry out the orders given her. She would live up to the confidence that Carol had placed in her. "My trust is in you," the Warlady now smiled. "`Freedom' is worth fighting for," Sandi spoke then in turn. The brownette nodded. There was no doubt of what their fate would be should they fall into the hands of California's Empress. There were no "Geneva Conventions" here now in the 26th Century. ***************************************************************** "What is your own plan of attack?" Darlanis asked Valerie, standing there, the bright rays of the sun glistening off her golden attire. Off the precious jewels of her tiara that marked her as the Empress of California. A few clouds like puffs of cotton slowly drifting to the east there in the azure blue above. A fresh cooling breeze from the west brought the odor of the sea. "We have superior speed, perhaps an advantage in maneuver, while she has the heavier firepower if we close with her," Valer- ie answered, lowering the telescope she'd been using just then. Swiftstar mounted the older style ballistae, weapons that shot a heavier bolt, but not as far as the newer Dularnian weapons did. In combat they would be outranged by about a hundred yards now. "It would be wise then," Darlanis smiled, "Not to `close' until we are ready to fire our broadside." Valerie nodding back. "The wind is in her favor," Valerie pointed out then to her. "I assume that there are certain actions that can be taken," the Empress answered, secretly wishing now that she had Lorraine standing there on the quarterdeck with her than this woman. The Warlady was "crafty", a real "bitch" when it came to fighting. Valerie was "competent", but not in the same class as Lorraine... "Our ballistae are inferior in range to their's," Valerie spoke, well aware that she was not Lorraine despite her own expe- rience. The Warlady would have doubtless had some "trick" up her sleeve. At the time Lorraine had fought Maris the "edge" in weaponry had been on Lorraine's side although the North Star had enjoyed a total greater firepower due to its more numerous weap- ons. Now they were both outgunned and out ranged by the Dularni- an raider. "We are, however, both a bit `faster' and `handier'." "Their crew will be `larger'," Darlanis pointed out then. A thought going through her mind of the weapon she had used there in Deimos when the Women had won their freedom from the Lorr. A weapon much like the military rifles of the 21st Century, but firing highly explosive bullets at the rate of some ten a second! That was before the Priestesses of Lys had showed their own awe- some power and ordered both the Women and the Lorr off the Earth. "There may be a lack of `discipline'," Valerie ventured. It was a known fact that a part of the North Star's crew consisted of former slave girls. Women unused to the rigors of "combat"... "Their `Warlady' would have seen to that," Darlanis said. She had been an "eye witness" to Carol's abilities at "command". "A very capable woman, if `inexperienced'," Valerie smiled. Carol was "crafty", but not truly experienced in the ways of war. "Who does not `belong' in this time," Darlanis answered her. She was well aware of the capabilities of the Priestesses of Lys. Of the fact that they were the "masters" of both time and space. Obviously Carol had been brought here to this time to be a coun- terpart to Lorraine. The Priestesses had selected well, Darlanis thought to herself. On the other hand, if she could "take" the North Star, such a "victory" could alter history in this era now! And with the "rumors" she'd heard about Maris, it was possible... "A woman with the body of an `houri', but with the fighting skills of Lorraine herself," Valerie Dunn answered, looking again at the approaching North Star through her telescope, and thus missing the swift frown that passed over her Empress' features... "We have the better Warlady," Darlanis suddenly now snapped. Valerie intelligent enough not to argue the point with Darlanis! ***************************************************************** "What are their `options'," I asked, seeing Maris' eyes meet mine. In a way she reminded one of Darlanis, although when I'd seen the two standing side by side there had been much less of a resemblance between the two. Maris was "plump", a "softer" woman than Darlanis. Not "fat" as such, but she didn't have the hard firm taut figure like Carol or the Empress of the Californians. She was also a more "submissive" woman, not as "assertive" as one like Carol. She reminded me a bit of one I'd once known, back in our own time, a woman who I'd once thought highly of before I met my delightful and provocative brownette who meant so much to me! "Lorraine would swing broadside to us at about three hundred yards and fire a full broadside, then she would continue sailing in a circle until she had made a full `three sixty'," Maris said. "We carry a heavier broadside than they do," I pointed out. Our ballistae were also of the new compound type, firing a light- er bolt to a greater distance. Lorraine I knew had such weapons. "It will be `easier' for them to turn than it will for us," Maris answered. "They can use the wind more effectively right now to maneuver than we can with it now blowing nearly astern." "If you change course to north then they will have to come to a parallel course with us," I replied, visualizing the situa- tion and what could be done giving the wind, the distances now... We could let Darlanis do the "work", make her chase us instead! "Yes, it could be done...," Maris breathed, looking at me. "Then I suggest we do it," I smiled back at the blonde. ***************************************************************** "What in the name of Lys are they doing?" Darlanis muttered, seeing the North Star now changing course, turning towards the north. Valerie already giving orders, the Swiftstar following. Far in the distance now the clipper was coming about, following. The Empress had given her "orders". They would be "followed"... "Lorraine probably `educated' Maris last year," she said, well aware that Maris Marn was considered to be Dularn's "best"!! "Maris is now `forcing' us to fight broadside to broadside if we press the engagement," the red headed captain added for Darlanis. There was no need to mention that they would be "outgunned" too! "Or perhaps another," Darlanis breathed softly to herself, thinking. Carol probably knew very "little" about sailing ships. "The man from the past was a `Warrior' of that era," Valerie said. "I understand he served in his country's military forces. What was called in his era the `Marines', I believe," she added. "They were `selected' for their `mission' here," Darlanis spoke in reply, more to herself than to Valerie Dunn just then. The Swiftstar was "faster" than the North Star, but not by much. "If we decide to `engage' it will be broadside to broadside..." "If this was a `Squala' class," Valerie muttered softly. "We will have to `make do' with what we have," Darlanis smiled back. She was of the Warrioresses. If she could gain the deck of the North Star, cold steel might be the deciding factor! ***************************************************************** "The Swiftstar is closing up with us," Maris said to me. I was well aware of that "fact". On the other hand we carried a heavier broadside than did the Swiftstar. At distances of less than two hundred and fifty yards our compound bows would be ef- fective. Due to our larger crew we could maintain a heavier rate of fire than could the Swiftstar now, it also appearing as if Darlanis had not "manned" the Swiftstar quite as heavily as she could have done considering the fact that she sailed in "friendly waters" for her with "friendly" ports almost everywhere for sup- plies. On the other hand many of our "crew" consisted of women, mostly former slave girls who in any hand to hand fight would be no "match" of course for those now aboard the Imperial warship. "A `moment' with my wife," I said to the Queen of Dularn. "It is wise to make one's peace with Lys," Maris smiled. "How are you doing?" I asked, well aware that Carol had nev- er seen "combat" of this sort. As an ex-Marine I was well aware of what could go through a person's mind at these times. Carol's eyes glowing up into mine as she smiled back, her arms going about me, her lips for a too short brief moment brushing mine... "I think I also understand the meaning of the words, `these are times that try men's souls'," she now smiled back at me then. The Swiftstar was only about a mile or so now behind us, I knew. "You're always more `scared' before the `fighting' starts than during it," I answered, recalling my experiences in Vietnam. On the other hand this was not the 20th Century, but the 26th... Carol's beautiful hazel eyes looking up into mine as she nodded. "It will be a contest of `seamanship," she answered back. "Of `woman' against `woman'," I "corrected" with a smile. "There is only one `woman' I fear," Carol answered softly. "Don't underestimate Darlanis," I warned my brownette then. "I have `confidence' in Maris," Carol said, "And in you..." ***************************************************************** "Hoist more sail, close the `gap' between us," Darlanis snapped. This was not a sort of "warfare" that she much "liked". Valerie regarded her, well aware that such an action would not be "wise". On the other hand Darlanis was not one that you dared to disobey. Valerie snapped out the orders in a loud voice, watch- ing the men scurrying about the lithe two masted schooner's deck. With so much sail hoisted the Swiftstar would lose some of its maneuverability. And it was such maneuverability that would be the deciding factor in this battle, the red headed captain knew!! ***************************************************************** "I think Darlanis has `taken command'," Maris said to me. The Swiftstar was pulling up fast on us now, the spray from time to time spraying high over her bow. The ship was being driven hard. I wondered then how well the pirates had "maintained" her? "Consider the possibility of damage to sails and masts," I said to Maris as she stood there swaying with the roll of the ship. I saw her nod, her eyes like azure gems glowing into mine. "It is doubtful that Darlanis had time for a `refit'," she said thoughtfully. Whatever Darlanis was as a ruler, she was not a competent captain in my opinion, or much of a commanding offi- cer either. She was incredibly brave, almost fearless, but some- thing of a "dumb blonde" in a way when it came to actual battle. "Perhaps...," Maris mused for a second, then suddenly snap- ping orders that sent men and women dashing over our decks to hoist up more sail. I knew the "condition" of the North Star. I did not think that the Swiftstar could be driven as hard anymore! |
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