Manorborn: The Battles Between

Chapter 7

The morning sun lit the mist with red, gold, and soft pink hues, setting the folds of gray-white in the air to a flame-like hue as the great orange-gold orb crested the horizon and sent its rays over land and sea. Gold danced over the waves and sparkled in the surf as the celestial orb began to climb into the sky, and a soft morning breeze drifted over the faces of those gathered on the deck.

Mahrmia, in black blouse trimmed in silver lace, red vest, and black leather leggings and boots, had her hair bound under a long scarlet scarf, her pistol in her belt and her sword on her hip. She looked every inc the pirate captain as she stood before her men, hand on the hilt of her blade, her other on her hip as she looked out over her crew with smile on her lips. Beside her, clad in her leather breastplate, sleeveless tunic of dark blue, gray legging and black boots, her axe across her back, and twin pistols in her belt, Beag looked ready to support her captain and friend through any circumstance that may come. Hume, on her left, was a broad wall in gray blouse, black pantaloons, tucked into black boots, a red sash across his waist, and a sword belt with cutlass on one hip and a long bladed knife on the other.

The three presented a solid, powerful, force as they faced the men and women that made up the crew of the Leal.

Off to the side, on the main deck, Jaryd, Benjamin and Galen stood leaning against the railing. Clad in blouse, tunic, leggings,and boots, they did and did not fit in with the rest of the crew. Jaryd especially, wearing his usual hooded cloak and bearing his staff, caused a few of the crew to wonder just who he and his brothers were, and why the captian had not only taken them on board, but into her confidence as well.

"Men and women of the Leal," Mahrmia called out, her voice carrying over the deck with ease as she spoke. "I've news I wish to tell you."

She gestured to the Manorborn as they stood off to the side of the main gathering.

"First, let us welcome three new crew members. They come to help us against the Blood Sails and the Ursurper. Without their help, I would not have been able to set your all free from Crow and his men. You owe them your gratitude for that."

Many turned and doffed their caps, or touched their foreheads toward the three young men as a sign of respect at their captain's words.

"Second, be ready, for we leave this place today! We have been on the run for too long. It is time we took the fight to our pursuers, time WE become the hunters and they become the prey! You're the finest crew a captain could ask for, and I am proud to say it! When we leave this mist, we leave to fight!"

A cheer went up from the crew at this news. They had been on the run from the cursed scarlet sails for too long, been in fear of them for far longers than any man might wish, and they were itching for a fight. Several reached for their swords in eagerness, and a few looked out past the mist, as if they could see their blasted foe out there and wanted to leap over the clouds to take them on personally.

But, Mahrmia had an open policy on her ship, and any person could speak up in moments like this.

One did.

A sturdy looking dwarf, kerchief upon his head, beard in braids, halberd in hand, thumped the deck with the butt of his weapon.

"Captain! I claim Right of Speech!"

"Granted, Skuggs, what's on your mind?"

The dwarf, Skuggs by name, pointed a stubby finger out at the mist, indicating the ships beyond it.

"Last we knew, there were at least three of those soulless, scum-crewed Blood Sails out there waiting for us. The Leal be a good ship, none better, with a crew finer than any I'ver served with before. But we have one ship, and they have three. We are outgunned and outnumbered. How do you suggest we beat them?"