The Cry of Liberty

Chapter Five: Mutiny

Jack lunged at Sasha, hitting her in the knee and knocking her to the ground. He swung to hit her as she struggled to get up but managed to parry every blow. Elias watched silently at the two young sailors sparring, impressed at how far along Sasha had come. This was the last time they'd be able to help the woman improve her skill with a sword before she'd have to rely on it to survive the revolt.

"When this is all over, no matter the outcome, I will be forever grateful that I crossed paths with you two." Sasha spoke between dodges and attacks. She was trying to remain calm despite the fact she would be solely responsible for every death in the coming mutiny.

"I've never met a woman as determined to right the wrong as you are, Sasha." Jack landed a blow to her side.

"Aye, lass. It's been an honor to help you reclaim your honor." Elias raised a hand to halt the fight. "Rest, it's going to be a rough couple of days."

Sasha headed upstairs to the crew's quarters. A few were still awake, nodding to her as she passed. She sent a silent prayer up to the heavens for the ears of any diety that would hear it, God, Poseidon, Anansi, whoever would aid them. She wasn't sure what she believed anymore but if any of them would watch over them then that was good enough for her.

"You won't win." A gruff voice spoke behind her, startling her. Roland was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "And even if you do, you'll be captured and killed."

"We will win, and I'd gladly walk to the gallows with a clear conscience." She retorted. "Can you say the same?"

"I could tell him. I could have told him weeks ago when I caught wind of your little mutiny. Well within my rights too, to tell my captain of his scheming wife and crew."

"But you didn't. So whose side are you on, Roland?" Sasha challenged, drawing herself up to show she wasn't afraid of him. "Loyalty to your captain or doing what's right?" She walked away.

"I could have told him." He echoed. A small smile set itself on her face.

"I'll need the keys, then." She called back to him, disappearing into the crew's sleeping quarters.

Tensions were high the next night, everyone involved in place. Elias, Sasha, and Jack were in the slave's hold, going over everything one more time with Davu and his assembled fighters. On her way downstairs, she met Roland and he slid the ring of keys into her hands as she passed. She knew he wouldn't fight against Thomas but she was grateful he had offered this major bit of help to the cause.

"They are outnumbered, we can end this quickly if we target the watchmen first. Any loyalists will be weeded out afterwards." Elias passed out what weapons he could.

"Our biggest threat is going to be Madok and his three cohorts." Jack chimed in. "And what of the captain?"

"He's mine. Till death us do part and all that, no?" Sasha smiled at them.

"We can take Madok and his men." Davu nodded.

"Then we're ready." Elias looked at Sasha with pride. "It's now or never." The group of ragtag sailors and captives made their way back to the deck, taking out any enemies along the way. They were met with Thomas, Madok, and about a dozen men waiting for them on deck. Madok had a cocky smirk on his face as they emerged.

"So it's come to this." Thomas growled, glaring at Sasha. "I tolerated you joining the crew but to lead my own men against me? And to bring the livestock along to the slaughter no less."

"Stand down now or we will do what we must." Sasha called out, raising her blade at him. He flicked his hand and his men raised their swords and guns, all aimed at her and her alone.

"Then do what you must." With a flick of a finger, they opened fire. She was pushed away from the barrage by one of the captives, her men firing and charging at the enemy. Sasha scrambled to her feet and tried to catch sight of her husband. She fought off one of the deckhands, forcing her way through the fray.

"Watch it." Jack pulled her away from a coming blade, blocking it with his own. "He's up top." He nodded towards the man near the wheel, firing into the crowd of fighters. Jack pushed her past the man he was fighting and she hurried to the steps that led to her prey.

Everyone stumbled as the anchor was dropped, bracing as the ship lurched to a halt. She crawled up the stairs and was brought face to face with Thomas. He had his pistol trained on her.

"What will you do now, you treacherous bitch?" He shouted over the fracas below. He fired at her, catching her in the arm as she tried to dodge it. He threw the gun away and drew his sword.

"I'm going to end you, Thomas. For all the souls you've damned to slavery, I will be their avenger. For every man, woman, and child who lost their lives on your voyages, I'll see to it that you burn in hell." She raised her blade as well, hands shaking as they circled one another. Thomas barked with laughter at her proclamation.

"You can barely hold your blade steady." He lunged at her but she managed to block the hit. His face contorted from cocky amusement to rage.

The two began a vicious duel, both giving their all. Sasha ducked under him and caught his side, leaving a nasty slash. He cursed, hitting back with a sloppy swing which she easily parried. Thomas kicked her down the stairs, jumping over the railing to meet her at the bottom. He kicked her again to keep her down, bringing his sword down to stab her in the chest. Sasha managed to roll out of the way, grabbing his ankle and tripping him. She stumbled to her feet and jumped over his swipe. She tried to catch her breath but had to dodge another attack from Thomas, who had made it back to his feet.

"I have no qualms about killing you, Sasha." Thomas spat at her. He sliced into her leg. She cried out but used the rush of adrenaline to rush him, driving her sword into his gut and twisting. Thomas fell backwards, grabbing her and pulling her down with him.

"Oh God..." She rolled off of him and looked at the wound she had inflicted. He grabbed at the blade protruding from his stomach and looked up at her with shock in his eyes. He reached up and pulled her down by her shirt, coughing up blood.

"It seems it was for worse, not better." He kissed her tenderly. "I'll keep your place in hell warm, wife." He spat in her face, pushing her away. Sasha sat on her knees, staring blankly as he slowly bled out. The clashing of steel seemed to die out around her as they realized she had won. She stood up, his blood gleaming on her skin.

"Bring me his loyalists." She shouted. The remaining men were lined up before her.

"What should we do with them?" Elias called out. She blinked, unable to process everything that was happening.

"Set them adrift in one of the longboats." She turned away, stepping over the body of her husband and slowly climbing to the wheel deck. Sasha braced herself on the back railing, vomiting over the edge. She could hear the men shouting as they went about sending the loyalists off. She stared down as the blood dripped from her chin to her trembling hands. Someone came to stand next to her.

"Elias has seen to it that the rest of the captives were set free and are getting fed. What should we do with the slain?" Jack leaned back on the rail. His brow furrowed when she stayed silent. "Captain, we need to do something with the bodies." Sasha jerked her head up at him, blue eyes filled with a hurricane of emotions.

"What did you call me?" Jack grinned down at her, wiping some of the blood from her face.

"Captain."