Pirates of Cevaria

Chapter Nine: The Rising Struggle

Vilarai stared at me with a horrified look. I knew she didn't expect me to survive after leaving when I was younger. But avast, she was wrong of course.

She cursed under her breath.

"Ye little bitch. I should've killed ya when I had the chance. Worry not, Zyrena, I won't be making the same mistake twice."

Ha.

Goodluck.

"Aye, I'd like to see you try and see where that gets you," I shot back.

I postured up so that my cutlasses were in front of me, ready.

She gritted her teeth, angrily.

"Oh I'll send ye to hell where ye belong little one, just wait and see." Despite her bleeding or her wounds, she picked up her fallen cutlass and came back again. My back was against the rail of the deck this time. When she thrust her arm forward, recklessly, I dodged to the side and jumped on top of several of the barrels. She leaped on them as well, with great effort. She kept swinging, without any particular aim.

I blocked each with my own blades. We were going back and forth until there was no more room to stand on the barrels. I leapt backward and kicked the barrel below her, which sent her falling in between several of them. She cursed and if it were possible, became even more furious.

I could see more men coming after me.

I tried to think.

I wasn't planning on killing her, but I needed to buy enough time for my crew to make a clear path through the islands. I quickly glanced over to the ship, and my heart felt lighter.

They were clearing the path ahead.

Only two beasts stood in their way.

I hastily turned back around.

The men coming after me drew their pistols, and acting quickly on impulse, I found a rope that connected to their sail just a few feet up ahead. I leaped up as the pistols fired, clung to the rope and swung. It began circling the ship, giving me enough time to draw my pistol while I sheathed my blades.

I began firing with precision.

One by one the men were falling to the ground with terrible blasts to the legs and arms. Their sloppy shots weren't hitting me. Only one nearly grazed the side of my cheek.

Aye, they're fools.

But then a strange feeling rose within.

These are not the Queen's men. These scallywags are simpletons who mop and tend to the care of the ship. I've come across her men long before, and each of them exhausted my energy. They weren't sloppy or reckless.

I didn't have the time to fear or concern myself wondering where they were.

Vilarai was glaring at me with such hatred that for a moment it felt as though the sky were becoming black.

Shit, wait ...

I looked up for a moment and the sky was turning black, but how? This side was clear moments ago?

The sea monsters ...

I've read about it in a book once...in some parts of the ocean, the beasts below the sea can control the weather in order to aid them in destroying their prey.

Blast it all.

I miscalculated terribly.

Now I have to finish this to get my crew out of here and somewhere safe. This is my burden to carry -