Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent: Voyage of the Omobuay: The Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent, #4

By S. C. Coleman

Following the events of the Glass Empires, Age of the Third Arcon, and Populla's Shadow, and Dawn of the Sun Panther, the Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent follows the exploits of four ships; seeking to make their mark on the coasts of the Greater Continent, and beyond. In these seafaring tales of danger and intrigue, many will succumb to shadow, while others might survive. In the voyage of the Omobuay, a child with a wayward soul, will be challenged to become more than most, forced to evolve from a low state; suddenly encountering incomprehensible technology and power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. C. Coleman
• Release date: Dec 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215619025

Book preview

Summary:

Following the events of the Glass Empires, Age of the Third Arcon, and Populla’s Shadow, and Dawn of the Sun Panther, the Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent follows the exploits of four ships; seeking to make their mark on the coasts of the Greater Continent, and beyond. In these seafaring tales of danger and intrigue, many will succumb to shadow, while others might survive. In the voyage of the Omobuay, a child with a wayward soul, will be challenged to become more than most, forced to evolve from a low state; suddenly encountering incomprehensible technology and power.

Chapter One

Envoy of the Pinnacle

Alone on the vast ocean waters, an odd and solitary ship patrolled. It was a special ship, which was tasked with the duty of watching of the Islands of Serpents; in turn, watched over by the Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent. This vessel was on its return course to the Pinnacle, sailing the last distance that was required; until it would come to dock by that old island spire, which they called the Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent. The Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent was different from the surrounding islands. Sticking up like a long finger, this tall island tower housed a special array of inhabitants. It watched over the islands, attempting to keep peace among those many factions that populated the realm. At their lofty position, a certain council would rule, with the support of a type of priesthood; which conducted their own sort of business at the Pinnacle, and supplied the council with its members. The most prized of priesthood pupils would be kept at the Pinnacle, while the less desired were sent on these patrol missions. Strangely, only one ship was ever launched from the Pinnacle; at least, this was the official story of the Pinnacle authority. It, this ship, was a truly impressive one. However, it was reported, the Pinnacle was attempting to build more ships, and was on the verge of launching another; to replace this older model. The ship in question was more of a combining of three, as it had three hulls to it; with a sheet of crystal connecting each. It was, to what some might refer, a trimaran, with five sails, in total. Each of the three connected wooden ships had a forward sail, while two large rear sails were held by interlocking masts; connected between the vessels, like the crystal sheet.

This oddly designed vessel had a specific purpose, and its design reflected that purpose. The ship was not as regarded as most others, since it did not retain the purpose of transport. Instead, this vessel was a special sort of weapon, used by the Pinnacle to defend the waters around the islands; enforcing a haughty peace over the realm. However, the Pinnacle was not well liked among the other islands, nor was it particularly effective at keeping peace. Still, the constant presence of this weapon, with its expensive and rare, blue colored, sails was enough to keep all out war from breaking out among the islands. On the other hand, many blamed the Pinnacle for instigating most of the conflicts that took place; while using this crystal ship as a leash, to keep things from spiraling out of the Pinnacle’s control. There were many that resented the position of the Pinnacle, and were constantly looking to undermine its authority; with aims of estabilishing themselves as rulers of the realm, no doubt. This ship was a carefully placed piece, in the Pinnacle’s game of influence, and there was only one. Furthermore, it was extremely expensive to build, and was based off of ancient technology, which many charged the Pinnacle as abusing; seeking power and control, rather than a peaceful existence for all. Naturally, such a weapon as this, would need a special crew. Indeed, such a thing was no easy task, since most of the islanders in the realm were compromised by one motive or another.

Therefore, with this aim, the Pinnacle had chosen the worst type of crew to serve aboard their vessel. They had hired mercenaries to pilot the ship. However, after having spent so many moons aboard this sea craft, patrolling the waters around the island realm, the crew had become something different than mere mercenaries. They were once unified only by payment for services, but now they had formed into their own community; bonded together by so many moons at sea, and an excessive amount of peace. None dared challenge the myterious power that this odd vessel retained, so the ship had very little conflict to engage with. They were alone, a proverbial whale shark among minnows, and no one was their equal. The crew had taken to calling the ship the Omobuay, or crystal boat; while the Pinnacle just referred to it as their weapon. Naturally, after gaining such a close relationship to one another, and forming their own ocean going community, the Pinnacle believed it was time for a change in the crew; lest the Pinnacle lose control of this, its own weapon. They, the Pinnacle, knew that they must act quickly, so the vessel’s return to the Pinnacle was so ordered, so new crewmembers could be chosen. The Pinnacle wanted to replace to specific individuals aboard the vessel, which consisted of their own two acolyte representatives, the three captains, and all other possible officers. Adding to the strangeness of this craft, each of the ship captains held their own names for the position, which aligned with the custom of each of their origins. One of the captains came from the far away city of Xelma. All others referred to him as the Head; a common title for the ship captains of Xelma. One captain came from Laene, and he had his men refer to him as the Sea Stag, being of Hohen origin. Meanwhile, the last captain came from the far north of the Lesser Continent. This last captain was simply referred to as the Sea Hunter. Of course, in keeping with the foreign nature of the crew, the members of the ship all came from places different to those of their captains.

Some of the crew came from various parts of the Greater Continent, even as far as the wild northern realm of Ulgar. Still, others had been selected from the islands; where the Pinnacles own agents came from. One of the two agents aboard this vessel came from Oupouaer, originally, and he had been given the title of Book Keeper; since his only job was to guard the crystal book of the Pinnacle. Oupouaer was a city on the famous volcanic island of the realm; home to hot springs and sometimes smoke filled skies. Few in Oupouaer remained on the island, as most sought fortunes outside the volcanic landscape; which kept a steady stream of travelers through the popular port of relay. On the other hand, while this Book Keeper of the Pinnacle had been born there, he had not spent much time in that volcanic city. The Pinnacle sought out the orphans of each island, to be brought to the Pinnacle and serve within its sea bound walls. Once inside the Pinnacle, there was no escape, and this Book Keeper had grown up at the Pinnacle. His counter-part shared a similar story, but had been born among the talls mountains of the Island of the Cloud. Little was known about that place, and the Book Keeper’s partner rarely talked about his birthplace. Of course, it was always possible that the Islander of the Cloud could remember nothing of those distant places, before he was forced to serve at the Pinnacle. This other agent of the Pinnacle was known as the Book Conductor, or Rod Keeper, and he was charged with possession of a crystal wand. Together, they carried the most valuable and dangerous artifacts aboard this ship.

The Book Keeper was named Uaynan, because it was said that he was very bad at keeping secrets, and transparent in his actions. Although this young man, not many moons short of a boy, was born with a different name, he had all but forgotten what he might have been called on his