Pirates of the Sorcerean II

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As the ship bore down on the two empire ships ahead, Percival started to feel his blood thicken. This was what he lived for.

At that moment, the escort peeled off from the Charlaine, and started to come about. Meanwhile the Charlaine headed toward the cove. Since the Escort was coming to engage, Percival turned to Eldon.

"Hoist our flag Eldon. Let 'em see our colours." With a grim smile, the escort and Black Wind steadily closed their ground.

 

Seeing the escort ship tack towards them, even though it wasn't yet apparent how she would align herself for an attack, Zillah put the trumpet to her lips and blew a loud fanfare. She was pleased with the clear tone she managed to produce from the old horn, and when she swapped it out for a spyglass she saw that the sailors on the escort ship had definitely heard the challenge.

 

The dawn broke, and the light of the slow rising sun was glittering across the sparkling mirror of the sea. William called all hands to stations and as the sail was hoistened, they caught wind and set off with speed. It was a glorious morning for battle.

Coming out of the bay as a shark from below, the Crimson Dagger with all oars manned, sailed with incredible speed towards the Charlaine. The slow prison ship had little chance to outrun the Dagger, and in a mere ten minutes of sailing, the crew of the Crimson Dagger could hear the call of their captain.
"LOAD ALL CANNONS! PREPARE TO BOARD!"

Scurrying around the ship, the men loaded the guns and prepared the necessary arrangements for boarding, grappling hooks and pistols at the ready. As the Dagger crossed Charlaine's front it released the first broadside, the cannon balls shredding the wooden deck of the prison ship sending terror into the hearts of the soldiers.

"LOOAAAAAAAD"

The pirates followed their orders, and as the ships where laying side to side, both of them fired off their cannons causing havoc upon the enemy ship. No more than a single volley hit the Crimson Dagger however, before the crew where jumping onto the prison ship as an angried hornets nest.

 

As soon as she spotted the crimson sails, Zillah shouted down to Percival, "Another ship approaches the Charlaine! She's got red sails!"

 

Upon hearing of the approach of another pirate vessel, Percival slamed his hand into his fist with a broad grin on his face. He was right. Archer was waiting in the Cove. The fight should well be theirs.

Getting out a spy glass, he observed that Archer's vessel was smaller, and was after the Charlaine. Setting his smile straight he concentrated on the aprroaching Escort ship, the "wave crest".

Turning to the master Gunner, he told him to prepare the port battery. Then grabbing the helm, he swung the mighty oak wheel. With a great groan, the Black Wind cut across the bow of the Escort ship. Upon giving his Cannon line of sight, the Gunner shouted "FIRE!"

 

Zillah watched as the first volley from the Black Wind raked the escort ship and sent men diving for cover from the flying splinters. One lucky shot knocked one of the guns off its mount. The crew, having just lit the fuse, scrambled to get out of the way of both the ten-pound ball that would soon fly and the cannon's recoil. Zillah spared a moment of pity for the man who was crushed between the heavy gun and the ship's rail in the moment before they all plunged into the sea.

The crow's nest swayed violently as Mr. McSween brought the Black Wind around for a volley from the starboard guns.

 

Anger overcame Eldon, he knew he had to act. The escort ship was an important target, a one they had to fight.

"I'm on the wrong ship.... PERCIVAL" Eldon hollered. "We need to get over there, Lets end this quick!"

With that Eldon ran toward the forward mast, drawing his sword Gisors and pointed it in the direction of the prison ship. "I'll get to you soon"

 

Old Jack took charge of the Dagger and lead it away from the Charlaine after having unloaded around 25 pirates upon the unsuspecting ship.
Getting the guns ready, he steered to engage the escort that was already struggling with the Black Wind. It seemed an easy target as a captain having to concentrate on two moving ships would be a hard bargain to do effeciently.

"FIIIIIIIIIREEEEEE!!!!" the old pirate cried out as the escort came into the range of the long nines that roared as they fired smashing into the rear of the already damaged ship.

Meanwhile on the deck of the Charlaine, William was fighting his way rapier in one hand and dagger in the other trying to find his way to the prison deck. Following Pierre's instructions he had a fairly good guess of how to get there.
..Now I bloody hope she's still alive..

"Abell! Abell!" he cried as he jumped down the stairs, ramming his sword through a soldier that was on his way up. Shiver me timbers!
William only just managed to jump behind a table and knocking it over before several shots hit the wall behind where he had just stood. Quickly loading his pistol, he heard footsteps on the stairs and sighed of relief before firing randomly down the aisle between the prison cells.
Seeing five more pirates coming down the stairway, William could hear the cries of surrender from the other end of the aisle. Peeking over his table, he saw a white shirt on the end of a rifle being wavered back and forth from behind a few barrels.

"Drop your weapons and come out with arms raised! And your lives shall not end in slavery or a slow painful death!"
Following his lead, they came out, and the pirates ran towards them, securing the weapons. William quickly found the keys to the woman cells and opened the door with dagger raised, you never knew what such prisoners would do when panicked.

 

After the first pass, The Black Wind inflicted some heavy damage on the decks of the Wave Crest. Coming around, the return fire was a little shaken. However, some shot pounded into Percival's vessel. Over the smoke and smell of copper, as blood was spilt, Percival grinned his teeth.

At that moment the Starboard battery opened fire. Huge holes were rent in the gun decks of the enemy vessel. Secondary explosions from powder igniting blew a big hole in the Wave Crest.

Taking advantage of this, Percival moved his ship toward the stricken vessel. At that point, The Crimson Dagger opened up on the Wave Crest's stern. Cannon shot tore through her hull, and shot bounced down the deck, killing and maiming all in their path.

As the two ships closed together, the smoke was thick in the air. The mix of sharp powder mingled with the smell of spilt blood, leaving an unmistakable impact on Percival's senses. The screams from the wounded filled the air, and Percival's eyes watered from the smoke.

Getting closer, he shouted "Graples away! Hook that beast and bring her into our teeth!"

Looking to the Crimson Dagger, he could see the ship holding station, clearly with her boarding crew already on the Charlaine.

 

Pirates swung from the slightly higher deck of the Black Wind. Screams of joy and fear mixed in one terrible moment. Shots fired from both sides with it taking some pirates and soldiers several seconds to notice if they were hit, some didn't even get that far, they just dropped to the floor, lifeless.

Eldon was in the second wave. Not that he was afraid of going first, but he knew that the chances of surviving in the second row were double that of the first. Percival didn't have that luxury. Eldon swung his head round to check on his friend, he was still alive. The battle seemed to stop for a moment as Eldon thought of his first real battle on the HMS Seastar "They are all the same" he thought as he raised Gisors deflecting a random sword swing. A scrawny, badly dressed privateer was thrown out of the hussle of pirates and soldiers, hurtling toward Eldon who had not really had much trouble so far. The privateer raised his sword, an almost laughable comment echoed from his lungs...."Stand down and surrender, scum!!" It always amazed Eldon how many soldiers did this... Eldon threw his sword arm into a forward thrust impaling the unwitting soldier with is blade. Dropping to his knees a second later, Eldon quickly sliced across his neck, killing him within moments.

Not sparing a single thought for his fallen foe he launched himself into the crowd.

 

Standing in the thick of the battle, Percival was struggling with many foes. The memory of the day he lost his eye came back to him.

He was a lad, no more than 21, fighting in yet another boarding action. He was coming across another buccaneer, who clearly had less battle experience than Percival. Confident of victory, Percival let his mind wander, and recived a fast blow form his enemy. The slash caught his face, slicing his right side, and blinding his right eye.

From that day on, he had the scar, and a glass eye for a replacement. Ever since, he never let his mind wander far from battle. Spearing yet another guard on his saber, a sword creaed his ribs. With a grunt, he dropped to his knee. Quickly slaying his attacker, Percival staggered to the side of the ship.

 

The smoke from the fuming cannons filled the air on the top deck.

"I'll head to the gun deck" bellowed Eldon toward Percival

"We need to stop that firing or the Black Wind may be in trouble"

A volley thudded into the side of the Wave Crest.

"The Crimson Dagger is still firing. I is be all for decisive victory but I like to stay alive long enough to enjoy it." he continued

Running down a short flight of tightly packed stairs holding Gisors pointing down as if it were a dagger, flat against his left arm. A gaurd to the gun deck was holding position. As Eldon ran forward he decided on using a feint to throw the gaurd off ballence. As he reached striking distance, Eldon suddenly shifted his weight from his left foot to his right side. As the guard tried to strike at where he percieved his attacker to go he hardly saw his mistake. The sudden shift, led Eldon into a controlled spin allowing him to drive his sword into the left ribs of the imperial. He pulled his sword out and spun it quickly above his head pointing downward leading to a clean strike to the neck. He proceeded through the door.

 

Taking a few easy breaths Percival made it to the helm. The wound on his ribs wasnt severe, but would ache for a while. Signaling to the Crimson Dagger, he warned her from Firing anymore. The battle on deck was subsiding, and the ship was theirs.

As Eldon entered the gun decks, he winessed a scene of carnage. Several large holes were torn in the side, and blood, dead bodies, and body parts were everywhere. Also, she was clearly taking on water, though not fast at that time. Only one cannon was still firing, and with a short attack, the crew lay dead. Satisfied that his work here was done, Eldon headed back up on deck.

[ July 09, 2004, 01:07: Message edited by: Takara ]

 

Firing a last volley into the escort ship, just to make sure, the Crimson Dagger moved around in a elegant circle to once more have the prison ship in sight of the cannons, trying to determine the outcome of the battle.

 

Kraine wearily opened his eyes and became conscious to the pain he was in. The floor was solid beneath him, the only thing that seemed real. dragging his grey hair out of his eyes, he looked around, and relaised that he was at the bottom of a heap of bodies, though he couldn't tell how many were still alive, and how many were simply unconscious, like he has been. Dragging himself to the door of the cell, he tried to piece together what had happened.

One minute he was a prisoner, sitting in his cell and trying his best not to end up a corpse, then the attack and... His head thumped with questions. Who has attacked? and why? He listened carefully and heard voices, but they were not the guards he was used to.

Pirates maybe? he couldn't be sure. With a groan he dragged himself to his feet and in a rasping voice, called out "anyone?"

 

Elgon stood there, Gisors dripping with blood. As he looked to the heap of bodies he saw a flicker of movement, but dismissed it as a trick of the eyes. He had not gained his revenge. He had not avenged his old captain. Was the messenger dead. He did not know his name, but knew his face and rank. Eldon would have to find the body. He had to.

As he walked up on deck he saw Percival standing outside the sturdy wodden door to the bridge.

"I lost my vengence but gained something in return." he said ambiguously.

Percival looked at him perplexed.

"I see that duty is more important than personal whim, something that you had emphasised from the beginning of our friendship." Percival looked down, pleased that he had helped in creating such a fine man.

"You only do what you feel is right" Percival replied modestly.

Eldon saw the characteristics he held within himself flower in Percival, for that is where he gained them.

"We won the battle easily. Shame there was so much bloodshed. Simple soldiers could have been assimilated into our crew."

"They may have been slightly untrustworthy, but still a crew." Eldon continued.

The curremt crew of the Black Wind was minute, and the battle fought had reduced the numbers even more. The crew would need to be reinforced if it were to be successful in the future.

The morning sun was in full glare now and the pounding heat was soaring down on the backs of the laboured men.

Several prisoners had been taken, including men named Mikhail, Validen and Kraine. These were seen as the most promising of the captives as they were not sworn soldiers, but prisoners of the goverment themselves. Still, whether or not they were the proverbial 'enemy of my enemy - and therefore my friend' was yet to be seen.

Eldon slumped against the Wave Crest's central mast, contemplating whether he was glad his vengance wad left unfullfilled or if he had the chance to continue his adventure.

 

Pierre was one of the last to board the Charlaine, but once he did he was swift in battle. At first, the soldiers were hesitant to attack him, but once the commander pointed out that he was in fact a pirate, the weapons came sweeping to him, and he was surrounded.

Bloody hell.

He dodged several strikes before drawing his own sword and, after a moment's thought, lunged at one of the hat-wearing soldier whom he is sure he didn't know. The man's skill was pitiful. Parry, parry, dodge, parry, dodge, thrust, and then it was over. Pierre's sword ended up deep in his guts, and then relization dawned on his face as the fellow's hat was swept off by the wind.

"Cap'n LeVarde?" he said, gasping.
Pierre looked for a moment, and then realized him. The cabin boy. Tom. Memories swirled back once again, and he cringed.
"'tis me. I'm sorry -" he began, but it was no use.
"Traitor." Tom spat, and then struggled off Pierre's sword, falling to the ground.

A tear fell from Pierre's eye and travelled to his feet.

It seemed like an eternity, but in truth it was less than a minute. Pierre looked up again. The soldiers surrounding him didn't seem to know what to do, as they knew who LeVarde is. Or was.

Pierre suddenly shook with rage. "Attack me, damn you! I killed your friend!" with a yell, he drew his blunderbuss and shot the men in front of him, and throwing them backwards with great force. Tucking it away, he drew another flintlock, and fought feriously on with sword and pistol.

 

With the battle aboard the Wave Crest over, Percival went about doing his job. He organised the looters, and personally went around deciding on all the things to take. After rummaging through the captains cabin, he came across a box of documents, and a small box of gems. Taking both, he headed for the hold. When he got there, the hold had been nearly emptied by his crew. Making sure the last of it was taken, he headed for the powder magazine. Setting a short fuse, he ran back on deck. Telling the crew to get back aboard the Black Wind, he jumped across, and the ship moved away from the doomed escort.

Very shortly, the powder magazine went up, a great fireball tearing through the ship. Splinters of wood flew in all directions, as the ship paritally disintegrated under the explosion. The remains, and all the dead quickly sank to Davy Jones locker. Knowing that some survivors went with it, Percival felt some sadness, but knew that dead men tell no tales. It was a necessary evil.

The Black Wind headed over toward the Charlain, keen to see if any help was needed. Also, so that Percival could get his crew a share of the loot and prisoners. He'd like to have a personal talk with William Archer.

 

All this for one person? Eldon thought. Was it worth it?

The morning sea breeze was tinted with the fumes of burning ships. Not a pleasent smell but who was complaining. He was still alive. Back aboard the Black Wind, he had already stored away his loot from the Wave Crest, a small silver pocket watch and 28 pounds. His sword had not been thrown overboard thankfully and was undamaged. He had instructed Fredo to get up to the crows nest oppisite Matty to help scout for other Navy vessels incase of retribution. If that was the case they would probably have to take flight.

As they sailed to the Charlaine , Eldon grew increasingly tense. His fingers started to twitch, a sign that was usually followed by taking someones head off. He wanted to see his target, the mysterious messenger from his past, still alive.

[ July 09, 2004, 16:17: Message edited by: Malovae ]

 

Freeing the prisoners and giving them a spare weapon here and there, so their numbers seemed multiplied, William had them follow him up on the maindeck, making sure a pair of faithful hands were guarding the women cell.

"Follow me ye scurvy dogs! If your lives worth anything than an ended tale!"
William cried out and as they once against amassed onto the deck, they had managed to equip 16 prisoners. Standing with a lot more men, William fought his way to the helm, getting close to the gunners there.
How I hate these things!

In close combat however, the muskets where of little use and with a quick stab to the first ones throat, and a roll to avoid the end of the rifle smashing into his skull. The rifle however, did connect to his shoulder, briefly paralyzing his arm and he dropped the rapier. Quickly hopping to his feet, he could feel the adrenaline pumping, the sounds of war along with the smell and smoke of death where in the air.
Glaring at the young soldier, William realized it he would be no match for his strength. Grapping the rifle to avoid any more hits, he aimed a solid kick into his gut. Now having control of the rifle, he smacked him hard on the side of the head, knocking him unconscious. Making a quick look to see if there where any more on the bridge, William found none and watched the battle from behind the wheel. It was a victory before long. He roared out and fired the rifle he held, then shouted across the deck; "Surrender and your lives shall be spared!! The ship has been taken, you're fighting in vain!! Surrender!"

A lot of soldiers seemed to value their lives more than their honour and dropped their weapons, realizing they were outnumbering and outgunned as the two looming pirate ships where sailing around the Charlaine. However, a few insisting battle hardened pirate hunters would hear of no such thing and immediately took chance to kill the Jackal, firing their guns against the wheel before continueing their fencing off the pirates, trying to take down as many devil spawn as they could before facing their inevitable doom.

[ July 09, 2004, 16:10: Message edited by: Lokken ]