Bloodtide

Part 4

"Captain, get up!" Bonham shouted as I drank the last drop of liquor, the burn of the alcohol doing little to dull the noise.

"Why are you shouting this bloody loud?" I barked, pushing past him with a groggy stumble. My head pounded, a combination of the hangover and the incessant shouting.

"The Duke's men are on their way. We need to move now!" Bonham urged, grabbing my arm to steady me. His face was etched with urgency and concern.

"Duke's men?" I repeated, my mind slowly processing the gravity of the situation. "Why are they here," I muttered, shaking off the last remnants of sleep and drunkenness.

"A whole squadron," he replied, his voice tense. "A pirate crew invaded this land and now all the kings men are rounding each up."

I cursed under my breath, the haze of the liquor giving way to the clarity of impending danger. "Well let's find my ship and get out of here," I ordered, my voice steadying as adrenaline kicked in.

Bonham nodded and rushed out. Darn those rogue pirates, ruining what could have been a great day. This land was nice, with a wedding happening and everything. Now the military would be on my tail.

Gathering all the gold I could get, I stuffed my pockets, feeling the reassuring weight of the coins. I followed after him, my mind racing with plans and contingencies.

The streets were a mess as I watched the soldiers chase after a few pirates. Waiting for a clear moment, I ran down the alley, trying to avoid detection. Unfortunately, my luck ran out as a guard stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"Captain Black Eye... what a surprise," he smirked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of finally catching me.

I quickly assessed my surroundings, noting the narrow alleyway and the guard's stance. "Didn't think you'd have the guts to face me alone," I retorted, trying to buy time and gauge his intentions.

"Oh, I'm not alone," he replied, and with a sharp whistle, more guards appeared, surrounding me. Their weapons were drawn, and escape routes were rapidly closing.

"Well, this is quite the welcome party," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. My mind raced, searching for a way out of this predicament. The weight of the gold in my pockets felt heavier now, a reminder of what was at stake.

The guard stepped closer, his smirk widening. "The Duke will be pleased to finally have you in chains," he said. "Surrender now, and maybe we'll go easy on you."

I laughed, a harsh, defiant sound. "You really think it's that easy?" With a swift motion, I drew my sword, the blade glinting in the dim light of the alley. "I've faced worse than you."

A tense silence hung in the air as the guards tightened their circle. I knew I was outnumbered, but surrender was not an option. Just as the first guard lunged, a loud crash echoed from the street, diverting their attention momentarily.

Taking advantage of the distraction, I swung my sword with precision, knocking the closest guard off balance and making a break for the street. The chaos provided cover as I weaved through the debris and fleeing townspeople.

I could hear the shouts of the guards behind me, but the adrenaline fueled my movements. Dodging through the busy crowd, I weaved between stalls and carts, finally ducking into a smaller building that appeared to be a blacksmith's workshop.

Inside, I paused, catching my breath as I listened to the sounds of the town outside. The air was thick with tension and fear, but I had little time to linger. I soon heard voices approaching from the back of the shop.

"The dock is just ahead, and we can hide there," a man's voice said urgently.

"What about the pirates? Won't they capture or worse, kill us?" a woman replied, her voice filled with apprehension.

The two voices sounded young and wary, yet their conversation intrigued me. They seemed to be seeking refuge, just as I was. Perhaps they could provide a way out of this predicament.

Quietly, I stepped closer to where the voices were coming from, peeking around a corner to see a young couple huddled together, their faces drawn with worry.

Without revealing myself fully, I spoke in a low voice. "Pirates won't harm you if you're not in their way," I assured them, stepping into view. Their eyes widened in surprise at the sight of me, recognizing Captain Black Eye, the notorious figure of the seas.

"I need to get to the docks," I continued, keeping my tone calm. "My ship is there, and we can escape together."

The young man exchanged a glance with the woman, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. "But how do we know we can trust you?" he asked cautiously.

"You have my word," I replied earnestly, hoping they would see the desperation in my eyes. "The guards are after me, not you. Together, we stand a better chance of slipping past them."

The woman hesitated, but the young man nodded resolutely. "Alright," she said, extending her hand.

"No!" the younger man shouted suddenly, drawing a sword and pointing it directly at me. His eyes blazed with defiance and distrust. "We can't trust a pirate, Ella," he declared, his voice tinged with fear and anger.

I sighed inwardly, realizing my charm was falling flat. "I suggest we listen to the pretty lady and trust me," I smirked, trying to reason with him. Despite my words, the young man seemed undeterred, his grip on the sword tightening as he took a step forward.

The tension in the room was palpable as I held my ground, assessing the situation. The woman looked torn, torn between trusting me and the fear instilled by years of tales about pirates.

"The guards will be here any moment. Shall we really fight right here and now?"

The young man hesitated, wavering between his protective instincts and the urgency of our situation. The woman placed a calming hand on his arm, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of uncertainty and determination.

"We'll trust you... for now," she said finally, her voice steady. "But one wrong move, and that sword won't miss."

"Of course," I smiled, bowing slightly to acknowledge their tentative trust.

We hurried out of the blacksmith's workshop and made our way swiftly through the chaotic streets towards the docks. The town was in disarray, people scrambling to find safety amidst the sudden invasion of pirates. It was a stark contrast to the peaceful scene I had witnessed earlier, before everything had spiraled out of control.

As we ran, I couldn't help but wonder where all these pirates had come from. It seemed like they had sprung up out of nowhere, throwing the once-peaceful town into turmoil. I had hoped for a brief respite, a small vacation away from the constant struggle of life at sea, but fate had other plans.

"This place is a mess," the young man muttered beside me, echoing my thoughts. His grip on his sword remained tight, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

"We'll be safe once we're aboard my ship," I reassured them, pushing forward with determination. "Just a little farther."

The docks came into view, but my smile faded as I scanned the horizon and saw no ship in sight.