Seafarers

Chapter 15

Chapter 15- Gamble at Acheron

Eutha and Ilta were wandering in the sea to the land of Acheron that waited. Into the heart of the empire Eutha thought to herself. Soon, the island and royal ships guarding it could be seen. They were metal boats, elegant, unlike the wooden ragtag vessels used by Revolutionaries, clay boats of the Demon Empire. A Parrot cawed in the air as it perched upon the Light Love, it dropped a note that read, 'Identity yourself. We have not seen a vessel like yours'. "How do we respond?" Ilta asked Eutha. Eutha thought. She had not anticipated this. Nova also sat playing around with the other Parrot. Eutha then spoke, "We're gonna put a nice hole in the face of these bastards". Ilta put up a cruel smile. Get the cannons ready. They fired at the other ships, who weren't ready. The ships fired back, but Ilta's agility was unmatched. Though the boats looked as elegant as they did, they were clearly horrible in combat and actual, practical use. Eutha and Ilta had made their grand entrance. Hundreds of guards stood poised to kill Ilta and Eutha. But, Eutha had a plan. "I call you out, people of Acheron! I mean no harm to you. But the Demons had captured my people. Have you heard of the Verline Isles? It was destroyed by the Demons and their now destroyed Shrine. I don't know what lies they've fed you, but they will eventually do the same to you, and everyone else in this world. I want my people back and then I will leave in peace." Eutha announced as she reached the shore. Then the guards all lowered their weapons. One man stepped up, "I have your people. The Demons paid me good money to keep them. I'll release it in exchange for one... favor. A game of 5th corner, against me, the pirate, Veniman. And if you lose, I will deliver you and the captives to the Demons" he chuckled, "In the tavern". "This is dangerous," Ilta warned. "Of course it is." Eutha whispered back. Then he smiled and then said, "I accept your challenge, but, first I want to see how many you have as your captives as proof", Eutha said as she and Ilta walked and climbed down the sides of the starboard. Eutha, Ilta and Veniman walked through the majestic trading city and walked to a bustling tavern where they would play their game. She watched as drunkards smashed bottles of liquor, and some men smoking tobacco. The Tavern felt like a hellish, dim-lighted world. There was a group of Kujira playing music. The people eating were in little booths and seemed to be having the time of their lives. Some pirates were gathered right in front of the bartender, with hundreds of shots. At least a drunk man tells no lies, Ilta remarked in her own mind, disgusted by the behavior. The trio descended down a secret set of stairs. Veniman laughed, as hundreds of men, women and children were handcuffed. Every one had at least a scar, or torn clothes, or a bruise. "Princess Eutha!", one of the men called out, "I'm Nico, I've been leading us through. I cannot express how excited I am to meet you". Suddenly, the door at the top of the staircase cracked open and Shadows stormed from it. "No!" Eutha panicked, "I thought we had a deal, you son of bitch!" She held a dagger and drove it straight into Veniman's head as his body fell to the ground dripping with blood. All the people were cuffed. There was no chance of defeating the Shadows. The scoundrel had betrayed them. Suddenly, spears drove straight into all of the black-suited Shadows, as they too fell to the ground. Then Randell, Bishan and Peleg appeared. "You have a responsibility that we won't stop you from, but we can help you", Peleg smiled. "Thank you," she said finally. "It's time to go home," Eutha said, "a new home. Our home was the wasn't place itself, but the people within it".