Despite a complete victory, the visiting Nunghals were appalled by their first experience with naval warfare. Memories of the horrors they had inflicted on the Tierran ships—the explosions, the blood and flames, the screams of the dying—shamed and sickened even the bravest Nunghals.
Asaddan was not surprised when all but seven of the hundred shipkhans decided to sail away in a large flotilla and head back to familiar coastlines. They would leave Ishalem behind. His friend Shipkhan Ruad and Kel Unwar joined him at the docks in the western harbor to say goodbye.
Unwar had built the impregnable wall above Ishalem, and was nearly finished excavating the canal across the isthmus, but losing these allies seemed to be a challenge he didn’t know how to face. From his distraught expression, the city’s provisional governor could not understand the Nunghal reluctance to stay and fight. “Your comrades know how much devastation the Aidenists meant to inflict on us. Do they not see we were right to use any means to crush them?”
Asaddan looked out at the ships in the harbor and tried to explain. “They don’t understand war at all. Our clans have rivalries, but nothing that justifies outright slaughter. For the most part, we want to explore the world and make a profit.” He shrugged by way of apology. “After that sea battle, the shipkhans and their crews just want to go home.”
Since he couldn’t speak the Uraban language, Shipkhan Ruad did not understand the conversation between the other two men. Impatient, he prepared to climb into the small boat that would ferry him from the docks out to his gray-sailed ship. He and Asaddan slapped each other on the back. “Are you certain you won’t come with us, cousin?”
Asaddan shook his head. “The offer is tempting, but not yet. There are still parts of Uraba that I want to see. Khan Jikaris can rule well enough without me.”
“You’re just afraid of getting seasick again,” Ruad said with teasing disappointment.
“I’ll admit the voyage aboard your ships isn’t a gentle one, but sailing with you was more comfortable than walking across the Great Desert. The new sea trade route will benefit all of our clans, but next time I think I’ll go home aboard a sand coracle.”
Surprisingly, tears sparkled in Ruad’s eyes, and he turned his thin face away. “Thanks to you, Asaddan, I am no longer viewed as a joke among my people.” He adjusted his sharkskin vest, brushed a hand across his eyes. “Long ago I made mistakes that cost me my ship and my crew, but I’ve redeemed myself. The khans will remember my name with honor now—and yours.”
“Oh, they always would have remembered mine.” Asaddan smiled, then noticed Kel Unwar fidgeting, not understanding a word they said. He lowered his voice and continued, “I wish you would stay, cousin. As soon as the new canal is open, you can sail through to the Middlesea! Think of all that coastline to explore.”
Ruad shook his head. “It is tempting, but I’m looking forward to the next clan gathering.…” He broke into a grin. “Just imagine how many women will throw themselves on me, now that I am a famed explorer.”
Asaddan whistled through the gap in his teeth. “Yes, I suppose they might even charge you less for their affections.” Ruad winced and burst into laughter.
After a formal farewell to Unwar, with Asaddan serving as translator, the shipkhan climbed into the boat and rowed out to the clustered ships. Before long, the Nunghal vessels set their accordioned gray sails, weighed anchor, and caught the afternoon breezes to sail out into the deep Oceansea. From the dock, Asaddan and Unwar heard a loud succession of booms as the departing ships fired their cannons into the air in farewell.
At the very least, Asaddan was sure that Ruad’s successful voyage had reawakened the spark of curiosity among the Nunghals. From now on, the clans would no longer be content to sail the familiar southern coastlines, but would strike out and expand their knowledge of the world.
When he did return home, Asaddan intended to speak to Khan Jikaris. The nomadic Nunghal-Ari wandered across the great plains, caring little where they were, so long as they had water and game. On the flat grasslands, the terrain was monotonous, but Asaddan suspected that ambitious riders might find wonders if they ventured beyond their familiar territories. Perhaps next season, when the winds changed, he would fly back to see his clans.…
As the Nunghal vessels sailed away, Kel Unwar was clearly troubled. “Losing all those warships is a great blow. I was able to buy four large cannons from your cousins—only four—but the other shipkhans would not part with them.”
“They need them to defend against sea serpents on the long voyage.”
Unwar blew out a slow breath. “Maybe so, but without the rest of the Nunghal cannons, Ishalem will be hard-pressed to defend itself. The Aidenists are sure to come again.”
“Their war fleet was destroyed—they will think twice before they attack. You have some time.”
“Time for what?”
The answer seemed obvious to Asaddan. “Time to install those four cannon in emplacements at the opening to the harbor.” By now, most of the gray-sailed Nunghal ships had disappeared into the distance. “And time to complete your canal.”