Siren's Kiss

15: Taming the Tempest

The night was thick with shadows as Ladyqueen and Barny sprinted through the narrow alleyways, their hearts pounding in sync with their hurried footsteps. The sound of their pursuers echoed behind them threateningly, they could clearly hear the clinking of armor and the cries growing louder by the second.

"We can't keep this here to the sky," Barny gasped, his eyes darting around for an escape route. "They're gainin' on us!"

Ladyqueen's gaze was steely as she scanned the area. "We need to take them out an' disguise ourselves. It's the only way we'll get close enough to Hawk."

They ducked into a dimly lit courtyard, pressing themselves against the cold stone walls. Ladyqueen drew her sword, her eyes flashing with grit. "Ready?" She asked, turning to her first mate.

Barny nodded, drawing his own blade. "Aye, Cap'n!"

As the first of their pursuers rounded the corner, Ladyqueen lunged, her sword flashing in the moonlight. The guard barely had time to react before he was disarmed and knocked to the ground. Barny followed suit, his movements swift and efficient as he dispatched another guard with a quick strike.

"Hurry," Ladyqueen urged, already working to strip the uniform of one of the unconscious guards. Barny followed her lead, pulling the armor and tunic from the other guard.

They quickly donned the stolen uniforms, adjusting the armor and helmets to fit. Ladyqueen pulled her long hair into a tight bun and tucked it under the helmet, while Barny did the same with his shorter locks, hiding his stout belly as best as he could. The disguises were convincing, though the urgency of their movements left little room for perfection.

"We need to blend in," Ladyqueen whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant sounds of the city. "Act natural, an' stay close."

They stepped back into the main street, their new identities as guards providing a temporary shield. Their steps were measured, confident, as they walked through the throngs of people and patrols. Every now and then, Ladyqueen would give a nod to passing guards, her heart racing more from excitement rather than the fear of being discovered. This kind of situation reminded her of her youthful days alongside Drake and Hawk. Who would've thought that three of them would end up as pirate captains?

As they passed by the well-known fleet known only as "The Aegis of Sanctum," Ladyqueen caught a glimpse of the regally billowing sails and made a face. The skeletal remains of four pirates, clad in buccaneer rags, hung from gallows erected on a rocky promontory, a stark warning to all who dared to defy. "PIRATES, YE BE WARNED," she scoffed at the sight, a mix of contempt and amusement on her expression.

As they finally approached the gallows, Ladyqueen's mind was already on the next phase of their plan. "Act normal, Barny, an' don't ye dare lose yer appetite on me!" she murmured a warning to her first mate. "This is where it gets tricky."

Barny nodded while wiping the sweat off his forehead, but his eyes skimmed through the area for any signs of familiar faces that might've known them. "Just say the word, Cap'n."

They moved with a solid goal in mind, their disguises granting them passage into the heavily guarded area. The gallows loomed ahead, a grim reminder of what was at stake. Ladyqueen's grip tightened on the hilt of her sword, ready for any action that might ensue.

They entered the dimly lit confines of the prison, the oppressive air brought forth such a tyrannical, controlling sanctum. Ladyqueen's eyes locked onto Hawk King, chained and seated on a cold stone bench. She couldn't understand why, but relief rushed through her veins when she found him safe. Well, he could've been in a lot worse situation, so this was more favorable as far as Ladyqueen was concerned.