A Pirate's Revenge

Chapter Four - Kat

I didn't know who this guy was, but if he wanted to be thrashed, I had no qualms doing so. Who knew? Maybe it would knock some sense into him.

This went through my head as I was directing Marcus and Christian to let our prisoner out of his cell.

"And get our lady friends too. They might enjoy the show," I ordered.

I turned to go above-decks again only to hear my challenger call after me.

"Where are you going?" he demanded in his deliciously accented English.

I swiveled back to him. "To announce our impending duel, of course."

"But..."

"But what?"

"Well...you know... you're a girl."

"Really? Hadn't noticed. Thank you for that revealing observation." I rolled my eyes. Turning to George and Christian who were smirking openly, I said,"Come on, boys. Let's get our challenger up on deck," and walked away from his startled face.

As I stepped out onto the deck, the sunlight made me squint. I walked across to the forecastle where both Matt's quarters and mine were located.

Upon entering my cabin, I ignored the hastily made bed, the stacks of shirts and trousers thrown over the back of my chair, and the papers that had fallen off of my desk. Snatching up my sword belt from where it leaned against my sea chest, I turned on my heel and walked out again.

When I looked up from belting on my sword, I saw Christian drawing his own sword for my challenger. He couldn't be much older than myself, I realized. I had hear his companions call him Luka, and the name fit him, though I couldn't say why.

Luka accepted the proffered sword and weighed it in his hand for a moment. Stepping towards me into the middle of the deck, we faced off.

As I lifted my sword hand and prepared to strike at Christian's signal, I heard my brother step out on deck.

"What the hell is going on?" He asked.

I sighed and lowered my sword. "I have been challenged, brother mine."

"Oh?" Matt's eyebrow quirked upwards.

"Er..yes. Captain Willison, I presume?" Luka jumped in. When Matt only looked at him, Luka continued awkwardly. "Well, um...I had challenged your first mate to a duel, the terms being if I won, you set me and my companions free, unharmed. And if I lost, then we would stay and serve according to your command."

"Is that so? Well then, proceed. I'll give the signal though, Christian."

After a nod from Christian, Matt settled back against the rail of the forecastle.

Looking at each of us in turn, Matt said, "Combatants, on my mark. Ready? Begin!"

Having raised our swords at 'ready', Luka and I struck simultaneously. I toyed with him for a few minutes, gauging his skill. I got the feeling he was doing the same for me.

We thrusted and parried, utilizing the space of the deck. By now, much of the crew had been drawn by the sounds of metal on metal. Letting him back me around the mast, I manipulated him into 'forcing' me to step back and 'yield' to his blows. As a result, he became more confident, striking at me more and more haphazardly.

Flipping a switch, I turned the attack back on him, forcing him back the way we had come. His eyes widened as he realized I had let him have the upper hand, but narrowed them determinedly.

He had true skill, but was out of his element, fighting on the rocking ship. With a final thrust of my arm, I locked my sword blade close to the guard of his, twisted sharply, and disarmed him.

I heard it clatter to the ground as I locked stares with him and let my sword point settle at the hollow of is throat. Luka swallowed, causing his Adam's apple to brush against the tip of my blade. He flinch away from the contact and closed his eyes in defeat.

All around us, the crew members gave raucous cheers, while the two female members of Luka's party burst into tears. Matt stood and the crew hushed almost immediately.

"You have been defeated. The terms of your challenge started that if you lost, you and our other prisoners would stay as part of my crew. Will you accept that, or will I need to worry about waking up in the middle of the night with a sword at my throat?"

There was a pause as we all looked at my defeated opponent. I could see his female companions on the verge of veritable hysterics behind him, probably dreading facing the prospect of dirtying their flawless hands. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the boy in front of me.

"I am a man of my word," he said.

If this boy was over the age of twenty, I would eat my boots. Both of them. Any younger, and you have to earn the right to call yourself a man. He glared at me and continued.

"We will stay on as crew, per the arrangement. I can speak for myself, my companion, Kit, Lady Rosemarie, and her ladies maid when I say that you will never fear for your life. The three men in the brig, I cannot speak for, as they are not my company."

"Good! Christian, escort them to their quarters, and give them some menial labor to do."

"Aye, aye, Cappin'."

I sheathed my sword, and stalked to my room. One of my father's rules was to always trust your gut. My gut was telling me that something wasn't quite right. This group of prisoners- turned-crewmembers were trouble.