A Fight Till Dusk

The sound of colliding metal rung throughout the Mediterranean Sea, as two sabers crossed each other in a fight for life or death. The gargantuan wooden ship had been sailing for days with hostages kept aboard as a prize for the pesky pirates, but not everything was sailing smoothly.

Barin, a normal man who lived his life to the fullest. He had a bucket list of expeditions waiting to happen, yet being captured by a band of pirates wasn't one of them. It just so happened to be a day where he had nothing planned, that he was blinded and his hands were bound together.

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The men were given just enough food to survive every day, sometimes they only got the meer scraps from the crew. A few of them had lost their bondings from their hands, but if they dared to move they'd receive the plank. Very little words were exchanged between the men held captive as they were all too caught up in their thoughts. Barin in particular raked his mind of different tactics for escaping. Running wasn't an option considering he was on a boat and he didn't have the energy to swim. The only thing left was to fight.

Looking around for some sort of weapon, he noticed that some of the crew would leave their sabers up against the ship. In order to have his plan work, the timing would need to be perfect.

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Barin's saber clashed with the captain's own as the fight for life had just begun. Their eyes met each other with harsh glares.

"Why look at this boys, it seems this biscuit eater wants to challenge me, Captain Edwin of the Emerald Falcon!"

"I could care less who you are or if you even run this ship! I am fighting for not only my own life but everyone's life." Barin went to swipe at his legs, but Edwin was one step ahead of him.

"Oooo looks like we have a feisty one boys! If it's death you want then it's your lucky day, come on give it your best shot!"

Barin swung his saber again, this time nicking his prey in the shoulder. A smirk rose onto his face as a painful hiss escaped him. But, it fell quickly as Captain Edwin rebutted with a strong jab towards his torso. Forcing his body back and falling to his side with a grunt, rolling to the side to dodge another incoming jab. The long metal rod rammed into the wooden floor right next to his head.

Barin forced himself up, nearly falling forward but found a balance. Raising his hand he was met with yet another clash of metal. Each swing that was swung was beautifully blocked, it was almost breathtaking to watch the two duel. The crew watched from aside, knowing this wasn't their fight to overtake.

It had seemed like hours have gone by as the two continued to swipe at each other. Some cuts and scratches were made, but they were mostly dodged. Barin refused to back down from this fight, but the Captain was far too skillful. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a barrel full of miscellaneous cutlasses and backswords. Maybe I can use this to my advantage.

Stepping back towards the barrel, his plan was slowly beginning to fall in line as the Captain followed. When he got close enough, he quickly ran behind the barrel to carry out his plan. Pushing over the barrel, it rolled into the Captain's legs, flipping him onto his back. Barin used this to his advantage and grabbed the Captain's fallen saber.

The Captain was stuck on the floor. Eye wide. Fear filled him as he didn't know what would happen next.

"I do not wish to kill you, but if it comes down to our freedom then I will. Take the rope off their hands and turn this ship around." Barin's voice was stern and was filled with pride.

"I'd rather dance the hempen jig than listen to you."

"Well, the planks right over there. I hope you like swimming with the sharks."

Captain Edwin did something that surprised everyone on board. He got up from the ground and walked straight for the plank. Walking without a care in the world, he spoke his final sentence.

"I'd rather feed the sharks instead of taking you and your little friends back to the mainland. " Everyone watched him walk back towards the edge of the wooden board. Everyone saw a man who was said to take no mercy, salute one last time. Everyone saw Captain Edwin of the Emerald Falcon fall from the ship that was once his.

Only the sound of waves crashing against the side of the boat could be heard. No words. Just pure silence. Now that Edwin was gone, Barin had to find his way home on his own.

"I want someone to get me a map immediately, we're heading back to the mainland and I need all hands on board," Barin said with assertiveness, "and that is not a request it's an order."

All of what was once Edwin's crew took their orders as they came from Barin. They knew they couldn't fight back because they'd have to walk the plank.

"I need you, men, to unite these boys from the lookout pole. Raise the sail and turn this ship around! I'm going to need all men to prepare the ship for any incoming storms as we are heading South."

Barin's head was held high as he walked back to the wheelhouse of the boat. He felt like he was on top of the world and could conquer anything that came his way. Looking out at the sky, he noticed the sun was beginning to fall against the water. It was nearly dusk and he had many more of these days to come in his new adventure back home.

"If only I knew a few days ago I was finally sailing across the Mediterranean, I would have been able to check it off my list." Barin chuckled at himself as he realized one of his biggest goals was accomplished all thanks to a band of sea thieves.