The Swords of Corium by B. V. Larson Read Free Book Online Page B

high above, their bodies broken.
    Then the sylphs set themselves close to the sails, one stationed at each of the nine masts. They created a gale that set Gruum’s hair and cloak to flying.

-12-

    The Royal Ark approached Corium at unnatural speeds. Gruum stood upon the command deck in the stern, with Therian pacing in front of him. The winds caused their clothes to fly and flap like pennants high above a castle. He marveled most, however, when he looked over the side of the ship and noted the white furls of water. Birds flapped overhead, working hard to keep up with the giant vessel. The wind spirits had frightened away most of the seagulls, but for a few determined ones. The sylphs worked at the sails, pushing them with their breath as slaves might push a cart.
    “Milord!” Viscount Bryg shouted over the howling winds. He stood at the King’s side. “We should dampen the winds. The sails are beginning to tatter.”
    Therian glanced up and eyed the sails. “I’ll not break the spell yet. We may have need of it for maneuvering.”
    Bryg scowled, but said nothing. He stalked away to check upon the catapults and the boarding parties.
    Gruum eyed the mountains of Hyborean, which stood tall and gray in the distance. At their foot a white skirt of ice grew and grew until it filled the horizon. A thinner, darker row of ships became visible dotting the ice shelf like stones cast over a snowy field. Gruum nodded to himself, knowing he saw the enemy fleet. It seemed to stretch for miles. There was no counting of them, but there had to be hundreds of brigs and galleys.
    Above the fleet stood Corium, her walls of dark, carven stone blocks stacked a hundred feet high. Surely, thought Gruum, no army could breach those walls. Even as he had this thought, a brilliant flare rose up from the ships aligned against them. It was hued an unnaturally deep shade of red. The flames gushed toward the walls of Corium and scorched them. The fireball struck the gates, but to Gruum, it seemed they survived the blast.
    “Sorcerous fire!” Gruum shouted, stepping up to Therian. “Vosh wields his magic against your walls, sire!”
    Therian nodded. His eyes and mouth were flat lines. “The breath of the Dragon,” the King said. “He is truly Yserth’s champion.”
    Bryg climbed the stair to join them on the command deck. This time, his scowl was gone. His eyes were wide with fear. “Sire! What can we do against such a foe?”
    “We can slay them.”
    “But milord, they’ve spotted us…” Byrg trailed off, gazing toward the line of ships. Moving as they were at great speed, the enemy fleet was visibly closer every minute. Two squadrons of galleys had left the edge of the ice and wheeled, coming out to meet the Royal Ark.
    “Excellent,” Therian said.
    Byrg gaped at him. “This can’t be what you planned, milord!”
    Therian glanced at him in surprise. “This is exactly what I planned.”
    “But sire, what if they turn that flame against us? This ship will become a torch!”
    “Then we will burn to death. But I doubt Vosh can summon the Dragon’s breath freely. He needs it to breach the walls, not burn ships. In any case, your lack of resolve is irritating to witness. I suggest you return to your duties, Viscount, or I will have to appoint a new Admiral.”
    Chastened and red-faced, Bryg stalked away again.
    “Perhaps you should not taunt him so, milord,” Gruum said.
    “Why would such a thing concern you, Gruum?” Therian asked.
    “It is my duty as your bodyguard to give you such warnings.”
    Therian glanced at him with eyebrows arched. “I was not aware I had a bodyguard. But it is a small matter. If it is your duty to protect me, then it is equally mine as King to command the defense of my kingdom as I see fit.”
    “Of course, sire.”
    The Royal Ark met the two squadrons of galleys and simply plowed into them. The massive prow smashed into three of the galleys and caused them to capsize. The enemy rowed furiously,