Crimson Alliance

Crimson Alliance; Chapter 1

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Chapter 1

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Edward

February 20, 1779;

⠀⠀The canons blasted over the rage of thundering water. The ship rocked with every fire. As I erupted from my place below the San Lupus my friends have hurried to their feet and guns. My feet were placed among my boots and followed by my hand movements toward my gun.

⠀⠀I rose to my place in line. The first ship fight in years. My gun staid steady among my palms. Though my palms were sweaty. I quickly swept them down my pans. My fellow crew pressed forward. And we all moved on. Heading up the small stairs and into the chaos. As I stepped out a lead shot flew past my head. Ducking we ran to the edge.

⠀⠀The men around me lifted, aimed and fired. I blinked twice. Thinking it was a dream. We had done the routine but never thought it would be used. I peered my eyes through the railing. The Death Flag. It waved like a raven. It's shadow cascading the two ships. I bit into my lip. Peering forward. Lifting the gun, raising, firing. I hear a wail. To my right I see Capt'n Dre'ado collapse. The Royal Guards surround him. One man crouches and attends him. The rest of the men lift and shot the guns.

⠀⠀We hold the railing. Sweat beating down on my skin. The canons fire once. Twice. And a third shot rings, the pirates that have been fighting a while, now seem to flee. I rose a smile pressed on my face. The men around me rose their fists. Followed by them I did the same. Until the explosion went off.

⠀⠀The ship rocked. Tilting hard to the left. The pirate's had turned around. Their canons hit directly on the front hull. The heavy armor had been penetrated we felt the boat fall. And we heard the French scream. I spun my head towards a good Friend. He screamed. I could barely make it out, the shots made my ears ring.

⠀⠀"Ed! Jump!" His hands swung in the air furiously. And then followed by him pointing at the water.

⠀⠀I trusted Ridly with my life. And with that he flung himself over, followed by myself. I saw bodies flying into the water. Splashing on contact. The ship rocked again. I flew back. Hitting my head to the ground. I rose, slowly. With each step I felt unbalanced. Reaching the railing, I lunged myself into the water. With my unsteady body, my left leg hit the railing causing a sting of pain. I collapsed into the water.

⠀⠀Holding my breathe, I covered my head. Wrapping both hands around my head. I could see wood from the ship slapping the water then like a rocket, sink downwards. With a pop they shot to the surface. Behind me a force pushed the water. The powder reserves. They had contacted with the fires. And now exploded. I paused. I felt the water against my spine. It pushed myself forward.

⠀⠀I rose for air. I felt my lungs collapsing on myself. Once there I saw the San Lupus collapse into the water as I did moments ago. I swam to a plank. Sitting upon it. I coughed some water out them awaited the arrival of others. And I heard Ridly.

⠀⠀"Ed! Edward! Where are you!" The last part muffled. He must of dropped.

⠀⠀I stood upon the steady board. Waving my hands furiously among the air. Followed by my hands two more popped out of the water. One with a rope tattoo, around the whole wrist with small lettering among it. Ridly. He began to swim. I paddled with my knees on the board and my hands in the water. Shooting my arm out as long as it could go. I grabbed a hold of his hand and pulled him up. The board beneath us rocked. Though soon supported both of us.

⠀⠀"Ridly, my good friend." I placed a smile on my face. And a laugh escaped. Soon he chimed in. Though it did not stay. "Where on god's earth is Samuel?"

⠀⠀And before he answered the waves started. We held on closely. Grabbing any extra planks and winding them around with our own string from our clothes. We made a sturdy plank with a small rail. Tying our ankles to the railing. Sitting on our knees we paddled. We knew no where to go for the British did not teach us navigation.

⠀⠀So we paced forward. Trying to beat the setting storm. Though that did not work. Placed in front of us, a wave so massive it would take a full ship to turn away from. We paused. Holding onto the board. Laying flat and gripping the board with all our strength. I let out a small scream as the wave smashed into my leg. It burnt with pain now. And the full wave enclosed around us. Tossing and turning. Until I felt a snap at my ankle. The string had snapped from my ankle. My only hope was strength.

⠀⠀As my eyes peeled open I felt dry. My mouth. My body. My hands. My eyes. I rose slowly. The plank we had been on was shredded. Only two pieces remain. I set my hand to the sand. Balancing myself. My light brown bangs fell over my eye. Sand in them. I threw them back with my hands. Sitting among the ground. I breathed heavily. Each light breathe felt like a weight was on my chest.

⠀⠀As I spun my head, my eyes paused at Ridly. His cheeks had deep cuts. His blonde hair had a rough look to them. His usually hazel eyes were covered. Then I noticed. His thin nose was not moving in and out like breathing. I dug into the sand. Pulling myself beside him. Shaking him repeatedly. Until suddenly his eyes shot open.