⛵ ⛵ ⛵ ⛵...(Tour of "High Island")...
[Last times...]
“There my lord!” The soldier pointed towards a dark silhouette moving slowly across the entrance to the small harbor, “I can see her hull clearly Lord!”
Hussam squinted as his eyes adjusted to the dimmer light of the bay. Then he saw it…the sleek, dark lines of an Arabian war dhow slicing through the waters of the bay, its oars rising and falling in a smooth rhythm…
“Thanks be to God! It is Nabil at last!” He ranted in a hopeful glee, ”We are saved!”
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[On the lawns of the Palace of Victoria, Seychelles...]
As the first volley of arrows from the palace guard scattered aimlessly into the waters of the cove, only one unfortunate warrior let blood from a slight wound to his arm. The rest of the shore-bound warriors dove low into the reeds about the shore, providing little target in the light of the moon.
The Jinn used the pause to his best advantage and jumped to his feet, followed by Commander Meerab!
“Allah akbar! Allah akbar!” He yelled out in a loud voice as he held his sword high in his only hand and charged across the south lawn of the palace.
With the Commander right behind him, the first of the dozens of warriors coming ashore climbed the shallow slope of the cove and dashed out onto the dark lawn!
Of the thirty or so soldiers outside the palace walls. Only eight were archers and they had little stomach for a protracted fight with heavy metal! Shouldering their bows quickly, they ran full-on into the bushes west of the southern wall of the palace!
Now the jinn’s men were on them! The clank and clash of sword upon sword rang-out through the night like a choir of bells gone mad! Two, then three of Husam’s palace guards went down in a cry of pain! And then...it was over...
"Nhin nstslum! la taqtalna!" (We surrender! Don’t kill us!) They screamed for their lives as they stood shaking in terror at the front gates of the palace.
Tossing their swords to the ground, they held their hands high!
The Jinn cautiously stepped forward, sword still in hand. He knew that of all of the soldiers Husam had, the last and most loyal of his men would be inside the walls. There would be fighting yet to be done…
“Drag the burning timbers from the fire! Pile them against the doors!” He yelled to his men, “Tie these prisoners and remove them from the isthmus!”
The Jinn then peered high up the palace wall towards the towering refuge of his enemy...
[In the palace tower…]
“Your Majesty! The palace guards have yielded and have been taken prisoner!” A sturdy soldier relayed to Husam as he ran out onto the tower platform.
”Cowards! Traitors!” Husam cursed as he peered over the wall at the growing band of rebel fighters about the south wall...
“After all that I offered them, they still will not fight for me!” He said in anguish.
“They are local soldiers Lord, not dependable in a true fight.” The guard reminded cautiously.
”Yes, but Nabil is here at last! We still have a chance! Quickly, set-up a signal fire on the platform! He should be in gun range soon! Show him where we are!” Husam ordered with a slight inkling of desperation in his voice.
“Yes your Majesty!”
[On the Jinn’s war Dhow, one thousand feet east of the palace…]
“Ready the guns on the starboard side!” Saleem called out as he pushed his rudder hard bringing the bow about to the south.
With his broadside now in position, he peered carefully into the night, seeking the dim outlines of the palace walls. Then he saw it, a bright yellow-orange fire flickering high above the palace lawns!
“Wuha! Husam gives us light!” He yelled out in joy as he jumped down the bridge steps and stood behind his gunners, “Fire on that light and kill the tyrant of Seychelles!!!”
⛵ ⛵ ⛵ ⛵
"Confused? Ascared? Seasick? Need a private chat with the Captain?" - Skelp th' 'Reply' button!"
Disclaimer: "Ahh'm nae a precious metals advisor, nor do Ahh wants ta be. Ahh'm jist a dedicated silvers stacker in search of hodden silver an' adventure! Any attempt ta paint me otherwise will likely get you rin-through!" - Keptin Joshua Slane
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References: Pictures from: www.freeimages.com, www.pexels.com, pixabay.com, steemit.com, Wikipedia an’ www.google.com/maps. Data loosely interpretted froms: Wikipedia, an' sometimes finely crafted reit from th' author's extensiff personal experience an' such.