Infamy Ascending

By MJ Blehart

What does it look like when the villain wins?

Aria Knight knows that for every problem there is a solution. Learning from the failures and failings of others, she uses tactical and strategic plans to take whatever comes her way.

The Cromah Republic and its foolish belief in democracy has developed an arrogance she sees a need to put to rest. The Huscarn Empire is strong – but Aria can see a path to make it the ultimate, lone power in the world. Under one rule the world can be better.

In the Imperial Huscarn Navy, she has swiftly risen through the ranks. Once she gains command, she sets her sights ever higher.

Unwilling to accept mediocrity, Aria uses kindness, deviousness, manipulation, intent - and just a touch of magic - to propel her to the destiny she believes to be hers.

Using every tool - and follower - at her disposal, Aria knows she will ultimately triumph. As she ascends and brings her allies with her, any who stand in her way must step aside, fall in line, or be destroyed...

By any means necessary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Argent Hedgehog Press
• Release date: Nov 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223815198

MJ Blehart

MJ BLEHART has been writing stories of high fantasy and sci-fi/space opera throughout his life - the first when he was nine years old. Star Wars and Star Trek were some major influences in his youth. He is a history aficionado. MJ has been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA - a medieval re-enactment society) for over 30 years. In the SCA, he studies and teaches 16th century rapier combat (fencing) and court heraldry, enjoys archery, social interactions with people from all over the world, and spending time with friends. MJ blogs regularly, exploring mindfulness, conscious reality creation, positivity, the writing process/business, and creating an amazing life. He's a prolific reader as well. MJ currently resides in south New Jersey with his wife and two feline overlords (cats).

Book preview

Part I

Captain

Chapter 1

She knew immediately that it was not thunder.

The loud cracking sound and the vibration that followed made her certain they were under attack.

She was awake and aware now of shouts and orders being barked. She dropped from her hammock and pulled on her pants, then her tunic. She climbed quickly into her boots and was walking out the door as she draped her charcoal coat over her shoulders.

Another cracking noise, more vibration, and then she had to catch herself on the hatch as the ship lurched.

Now she was on the main deck and surrounded by chaos. It was just after sunrise, though the ever-lightening overcast skies only barely gave evidence of this.

The deck gunners were moving swiftly to put up their mounts, and the officers were barking orders. Sailors all about were doing their jobs, working the controls for the sails, adjusting the rigging, and following the orders of the officers.

The best thing about Captain Arico was that he liked order. He had the crew well disciplined.

It was a pity, though, that he was not at all bold. 

She glanced about and finally noted their attackers: a pair of fast-moving sloops, trailing them. They were gaining, albeit slowly.

The Talon was a galleon, larger and more heavily armed than the sloops, but it lacked their speed.

Of course, with flying ships, speed was more relative.

Ships that sailed the great oceans still plied the waters, but they did so twenty feet above them, using the wave energy to take flight. Magical engines had been added to the fleets to make the ships fly. Wing sails altered their maneuverability, allowing for feats not dreamed of by sailors a century ago.

Thus, speed as dictated by the wind alone was a different story.

Sorcerers were slaves, held by trusted, more powerful wizards. In their labors, the sorcerers produced many wonders. There were amazing weapons, engines, and other unique tools that had - since the enslavement of all sorcerers a few hundred years ago - changed the world. Warfare would never be the same.

She noted now that a third sloop was coming in, slightly more to the port side of the galleon. She moved smartly to the quarter deck, climbing the ladder towards the wheel, the captain, and the navigator.

Helm, maintain course, ordered the captain. Louder, he called, Shift those sails to port and make ready to turn hard to starboard!

He noticed her now. Nice of you to join us, Commander.

Captain, she acknowledged curtly. Theirs was a contentious relationship. On numerous occasions they disagreed, and more than once they had argued outright. He was quite comfortable in his position, and Captain Arico did not aspire to an admiralty nor any higher place.

Her ambition was a nuisance to him, so he offered her little respect.

Make ready, helm, to come hard to starboard, ordered the captain.

Sir, do you want me to prepare a broadside? she asked.

He looked to her. No, Commander Knight. We will be catching the wind and feeding more power to the engine.

She could not hide her disdain. You mean to run, sir?

His hands were on his hips, and the look in his eye was dangerous. They are three and we are one. Yes, Commander, I mean to run.

They had been in this place before. He did not like to put his ship or crew at risk, which was commendable, but it was not a way to exude force. Sailing around the ocean and never fighting was not, to her mind, the point of their mission. Sir, with all due respect, we have them outgunned.

That hardly matters, Commander, as they are lighter and faster and outnumber us, said Captain Arico as if explaining the obvious to a child. We can turn to put the wind at our back and escape them.

His logic and cowardice were infuriating to her. Sir, we can take them. Is this not a fighting ship of the Huscarn Empire? We must stand our ground! If we continue to run, the Cromah will keep gaining position on the seas, and we’ll need increasingly greater forces to overcome them.

Do not tell me how to do my duty, Commander. I am not taking a chance on this one, Ms. Knight. It is not an even fight.

It’s plenty even, sir, she pointed out, barely hiding her contempt. We have more guns than all three of them combined!

You do not seem to care that they can fly circles around us, he stated. They can do a lot of damage to my ship, and I will not have it. We leave.

She could not believe the man’s stubbornness. Sir, I strongly advise that we fight. Has not High Command ordered us to engage at every reasonable opportunity? We can catch them off guard and hand them a stinging blow.

Need I remind you, Commander, that my first duty is to my crew? I shall not put them at risk if it is unnecessary! Command has stated clearly that if the odds are not in our favor, we do what we must. Three to one are not acceptable odds, no matter how many more guns we may have. Stand down and see to the deck officers.

He turned to the helmsman. Mr. Crang, make ready to turn hard to starboard.

Mr. Crang, belay that order, she almost shouted. Commander Knight had had enough and would hold her tongue no longer. Captain, I strongly advise we turn to port, and prepare a broadside.

His anger was obvious. You forget your place, First Officer. I am ordering a retreat. Do not think to countermand me today.

You are making a mistake, sir, she stated through nearly gritted teeth. Running is not the answer. We need to face them and show those Cromah who commands the seas. High Command -

"Is not here, Ms. Knight. I am. The Talon is my ship. Stand down and see to the deck officers!"

She glanced down and saw Sergeant Torlan at the foot of the ladder, looking to her. She knew this day would come.

In fact, she was counting on it.

She nodded her head to the sergeant, and he started up the stairs to the command deck.

Commander Knight spoke in her most cold, formal tone. Sir, you are in direct violation of uniform naval code eighteen twenty-two. You are a coward, Captain, and High Command does not stand for cowardice. This cannot be allowed to continue. You are unfit to command. I am doing my duty as first officer and relieving you, Captain Arico.

The captain threw back his head and roared with laughter. He pulled a main gauche from behind his back and pointed it at Commander Knight’s chest. Mutiny, Aria? I should have known it would come to this. You’ve always been far too ambitious for your own good, and that was never lost on me. Sergeant!

Sergeant Torlan had reached him. Captain?

Take Commander Knight to the brig.

Torlan started towards her but swiftly turned on the Captain and removed the long dagger from his hand, placing it at his throat. I am sorry, Captain, but I cannot do that. Commander Knight is correct, sir. You are in violation of uniform naval code, and I am concurring with my superior officer’s assessment. You are to be relieved of duty for your continued cowardice, sir.

Mutiny! hissed Captain Arico. Ignoring the blade at his throat, he shouted, All officers, attend! Commander Knight and Sergeant Torlan are in violation of my orders and are insubordinate! They are committing treason against their commanding officer with this mutiny! Disarm and take them to the brig!

The officers and other crew below looked at the scene upon the command deck. No one moved.

They all knew this was coming. They all knew whom they would side with then this day arrived.

Commander Knight was young but brilliant. She had risen swiftly through the ranks by employing shrewd and tactical manipulations, in addition to her inherent genius. More than half the officers of the ship agreed with her position and were nearly as ambitious, or so they believed.

She knew that when this day came, they agreed to stand beside her. They, too, did not look kindly on the captain’s unwillingness to commit to battle.

The rest of the crew would follow whoever took the lead. The non-commissioned officers were not overly loyal to Arico. Sergeant Torlan had been easy to get on her side. The master at arms of the boat was not an unattractive man, so Commander Knight was willing to share her body with him for his loyalty.

She was certain she was getting the better end of the deal anyhow.

The captain’s eyes went wide as his crew ignored him. Roughly, Torlan pushed him towards the stairs, down to the main deck and the brig below.

You will all hang for this! barked Captain Arico. I will see to it this mutiny will not go unpunished! You will all pay! None of you will ever see the light of day again once High Command is through with you!

He continued shouting as Sergeant Torlan escorted him belowdecks to the brig.

Time, she determined, to show them why it was in their best interests to support her.

Helm, prepare to come hard a-port, ordered Commander Knight. She raised her voice now. Mr. Arlen, prepare starboard batteries to fire!

Starboard batteries, prepare to fire! barked the gunnery officer. His orders were repeated, and the cannon were readied.

Mr. Crang, make certain that the sloop we will be turning towards will be facing our starboard batteries.

Aye, Captain.

Hard a-port!

The galleon lurched and swiveled, turning almost instantly on the air and changing course into the wind. Her starboard side now faced across the bows of the pursuing sloops.

Fire broadside! ordered Knight.

The Talon slid slightly to the left as the cannons fired their first volley. Both of the pursuing sloops could not get away from the wide range of shot.

It was standard practice to shoot off two rounds in rapid succession when a broadside firing was ordered.

There was only a brief moment’s pause as the crew used the automated system to expertly reload the cannons. Then the second volley was fired.

The pursuing Cromah sloops obviously were not communicating with one another, and rather than turn away, they turned into each other. It was accompanied by a sickening sound of cracking and shattering wood. Then noth ships fell to the wavetops. They were no longer a threat.

Ready the portside batteries! Commander Knight ordered as the sloops hit the water.

The sloop that had been approaching them from port was about to pass their left side. The captain was slowing but had waited too long to choose a new course. As each ship presented their side to one another, the dozen cannons of the sloop were obviously outgunned by the three dozen of the galleon.

They were close enough that Commander Knight heard the opposing captain bark the order to fire as she shouted a second later Give ‘em the broadside!

All hands brace for impact! cried another of her officers.

The Talon shuddered again and shifted slightly right to the right as the cannon opened fire. There was a tremendous crash as the opposing sloop also fired.

Theirs, she knew, was the better technology. While the Talon certainly took some damage from the close-range cannon fire, the thirty-six cannon at her disposal did much greater damage to the opposing sloop, shredding it on impact.

Before the enemy could fire a second volley, her gunners opened up again.

The engine of the sloop must have taken a hit, for an enormous plume of fire erupted just before the poop deck. The flying ship crashed hard upon the ocean’s surface and split. The rear was afire, and the sloop could fight no more as it burned and sank.

The crew of the Talon let out a whoop. Damage control teams moved without needing to be ordered to assess and hold at bay any issues resulting from the fire they had taken.

Mister Crang, come about. Let’s see to their survivors and find if we can take on any prisoners.

Aye, Captain.

Ms. Palvern, she called. The officer turned. Prepare to take on survivors. We give quarter and put them in the brig.

Aye, Captain, she replied.

She picked up the transmitter for cross-ship communications. Crows nest, she requested, then, are the seas clear of further pursuit?

Aye, Captain! came the reply. Commander Knight replaced the transmitter.

Mr. Gorvam, she called. The quartermaster came to the bottom of the stairs. Take the conn. I have business to attend to. I shall be back in a moment.

Aye, Captain, replied the highest-ranking NCO. His price had been gold, unlike Sergeant Torlan’s. Considering how unkempt the canny quartermaster kept himself, she was rather glad of that.

The crew of the Talon was now wholly hers. Just as she had expected, the victory would be an easy one.

If nothing else, Captain Arico had trained them well.

With their first real fight under their belts, they finally had a much-needed sense of pride. The crew of the Talon were now comrades in arms. Their loyalty belonged entirely to the victorious Commander Knight.

She made her way along the deck, entering the forecastle and descending towards the lower levels, past some damage that was largely superficial, and towards the brig.

Sergeant Torlan awaited her, and Captain Arico was within, pacing. Torlan had armed himself with an energy crossbow, its power pack slung casually across his shoulder. He saluted Commander Knight.

Arico reacted to her presence immediately.

"Aria Knight, this is your one and only chance at leniency! Release me now and stand down. I will see to it you do not suffer at the hands of High Command. You will return command of the Talon to me and confine yourself to quarters. Your actions, your mutiny will not stand."

No, Captain Arico, your cowardice does not stand, she stated calmly, keeping her tone utterly formal. "The Talon and her crew are now mine. I am the captain and will do what must be done."

How dare you, little girl! I have been a naval officer since you still sucked at your mommy’s teat.

Commander Knight laughed genuinely. Ah, yes, old school misogyny. You would be an admiral by now, Lowan Arico, if you were anything more than a mediocre officer. As I predicted, we won that fight rather handily. Even outnumbered, our casualties and damage were minimal. We sank all three of those sloops and won the day.

Our casualties and damage would be none, had you followed my orders and taken us out of here.

She chuckled, now, her tone darkening. "You really believe in your own righteousness, don’t you, Captain? No matter. I command the Talon now, and you will give no further orders."

High Command does not trust you, Ms. Knight, remarked the captain. He paused a moment, but she waited for him to continue. That’s why you were commissioned to serve under my command. They do not hold well with your continued ascension and tasked me to bring you in line. They will never let you claim I was in violation of uniform naval code. They will court martial you for mutiny. I see first-hand that their concerns are well founded, and your life will be forfeit.

Do you really believe you will get to counter my claim? she asked sweetly.

You wouldn’t dare! remarked Arico, his eyes giving away a moment’s concern about what she might do.

The smile did not leave her face as Commander Knight reached out her hand. Sergeant Torlan passed her the pack, which she draped over her shoulder, before taking ahold of the energy crossbow.

Murder? You don’t have the guts for that, stated Captain Arico. He placed his hands on his hips, determination in his eyes. You may be a conniving bitch, but you are no murderer. You cannot and will not kill me in cold blood.

She said nothing but raised the weapon to point at Arico. His tone changed. You’re mad. You will never get away with this. Everyone will know it was you who killed me. The crew will never stand for it.

Commander Knight made a show of glancing around the cabin. The crew is not here. Only I am. Sergeant Torlan is the only one who will be any the wiser.

She pointed towards the ragged hole a cannonball had punched in the hull. The rest of the crew will believe that the sergeant survived when the broadside hit us, while you, unfortunately, were not so lucky.

She pulled the trigger and an energy bolt discharged from the weapon. The golden blue bolt pierced the Captain’s stomach, and he was thrown by the force of it into the opposite wall of the cell. His eyes went wide with fear and betrayal.

The shot, she knew, was not a lethal one.

I will not be held at bay by a sniveling idiot such as you, Lowan Arico. Your lackluster career is over. You were killed when you were thrown across your cabin in the initial attack - since I was the officer of the deck, and you were sleeping when they struck. All the officers will attest to this. The crew will only know that you died. They will not be questioned, and after this victory, they are all mine. We will return to port victorious.

She sweetened her tone. It will, however, be a bittersweet victory as I must bear the sad news of your passing.

He was too pained to speak, she knew. But she was certain he heard her every word. She aimed for his head and pulled the trigger.

Captain Lowan Arico was no more.

Sergeant Torlan opened the cell and roughly handled the captain’s body. He dragged the late captain towards the hole the sloops’ broadside had left in the hull and tossed him out into the unforgiving ocean.

Torlan turned to her and grinned. It is done.

Commander Knight nodded her head in agreement but said, Almost.

She aimed the crossbow at Torlan’s chest and fired. As he was pushed towards the edge of the raggedy hole, she fired again. The second shot connected and threw him out into the sea.

Now it is done, she said aloud.

Chapter 2

Commodore Rand Brillvo of the Cromah Navy had always been fascinated by world history.

For millennia, the peoples of the two continents of Alagar warred with one another. The technologies, for a long time, were primitive. Sorcerers did not serve then as they did now.

Sorcerers were considered cursed. Usually, the abilities they exhibited to control unseen power and make amazing wonders emerged around puberty. But the price was immense, as over the next few years, they would slowly become less and less capable of anything beyond attempts to practice acts of sorcery. Then they would lose all willpower, and they were then easily directed and controlled by strong-willed people.

But more often than not, with no understanding of the limitation of sorcerous power, any attempt to control the sorcerers resulted in the sorcerer’s destruction.

Most would die before they reached the age of thirty - from a combination of malnutrition, neglect, and an overall inability to do much of anything