|
|
|
Legend of the Maņana, Chapter 17 |
| Written by Jonathan | |
| Monday, 25 August 2008 | |
The four huddled around the short flight of stairs that led to the top deck. It was extremely quiet, far too quiet for a ship such as this. Scarlet waited at the top of the stairs and leaned down to peak out of a small crack under the door. "Nothing...I've got a bad feeling about this." Scarlet whispered. Yasac shivered while standing in his soaked coat that dripped onto his bare feet. "We told you not to go out there Yasac." Ayafre scolded. "I'm not...complaining...it was well...worth it" Yasac said threw shivers.
Scarlet cautiously opened the door. Letting the sun pour into the dark stairway. They then all carefully crept up the stairway to the top deck. Chives had taken up the rear. Chives then noticed that the stairway was longer then it should be, with the cannon deck's ceiling so low. Was there something in between the first and second decks? Chives pondered for just a moment and quickly followed the rest. The four carefully scanned the deck for their enemy, having no idea what to expect. Chives suddenly heard a creak under his feet, but not of boards. Chives remembered the extended stairway and it all came together He then jumped up and in the air, pulled out his pistol and shot at the floor beneath his feet. A trapdoor was revealed in the middle of the deck and out came ten people. The nine of them lined up behind, a muscular woman with a weathered face and light blue eyes. She wore a powdered wig under a large black hat with white hawk feathers. She had a tight white shirt and black pants. On her shoulders hung a light gray overcoat. She held a staff like Scarlet's except it was simple brown oak-wood and thicker. With a very loud English accent she spoke, "Looks like those wanted posters were pretty accurate this time; you must be the famous Captain Hang-nail. Well, I be Captain White and this is my privateer ship, the Queens-Marrow." Scarlet then answered, "Well, its Hook-nailed Scarlet, and I believe it was you who captured my ship, with little reason as I can't recall insulting you ever." "Ahh I suppose I was a bit forward in my commandeering of "your" ship but I do believe that you took similar action to call it your own aye? In fact the only reason I did not let the Spanish take it back was to draw your good friend Mr. Yasac out here. Yes he has quite a price on his head did you know that? Worth quite a lot to some very powerful...Wait that one is Mr. Yasac correct?" White said confused while looking at Yasac's feet. Scarlet glanced at Yasac suspiciously and then back to Captain White confused. "Something the matter Miss White?" Scarlet asked "Well that one is Yasac right? I was told Yasac was a large terrifying man, with evil eyes, and a large dark coat with many blades. It's just...he's soaked from head to toe, shorter than both of us...and he has no shoes. In fact he looks frail and nervous enough that I almost passed him off as a woman, I'm sorry I'm not sure I have the right Yasac." Yasac makes a noise like he was just punched, quite disappointed. Ayafre can't help but chuckle. "Well uh, I guess...um" Scarlet tried to answer while holding back her laughter. Chives snorts also amused. "I mean he looks like some homeless bum you picked up out of the ocean," "Hey!" Yasac objected. "You know...he never did tell us where he is from; I think he might actually be homeless." Ayafre thought aloud. "But!" Yasac objected again, quite embarrassed that his crew members were agreeing. "Hey your right, didn't we find Yasac in a bar in the first place?" Scarlet answered. "That was pure coincidence!" Yasac shouted. "Well, look at his pants, patched, baggy and so faded they look light gray." Captain White commented. "And he never has paid for any of his meals when we go into town." Ayafre stated. At this point Yasac was slumped over in disbelief. Scarlet clapped Yasac on the back "Don't worry Yasac you're still our Yasac." "Ahh good so he is Yasac," White said suddenly serious. "Well sweethearts the Underground is most displeased with the Mañana's treatment of poor Jortunde." "You work for the Underground!" Scarlet exclaimed. "Work? Don't insult me wretch. I am the Underground, Jortunde was just a pawn meant to lead you along, like a carrot on a stick. "Jortunde set us up from the very beginning!" Scarlet cried. "Jortunde was a fool, when I realized his weakness in Rome, I sent him to Corsica. He disobeyed, and interestingly enough, your crew ended up in the snare that was meant for him," White explained. "You were going to kill Jortunde!" Ayafre yelled. "Why of course. However when the Mañana crew fell into the trap, my men ignorantly cast you all aside." "Why are you trying to kill us!" Ayafre shouted. "Why for the reward money of course. Each one of your heads is worth a ridiculous amount." "I thought the Underground put those prices on our heads," Chives stated. "Really? Are you all so arrogant that you think you are a threat to us? Don't toy with me vermin."
"Well I hardly consider ourselves much of a threat to the Spanish either," Scarlet stated. "Ahh but I did not mean the Spanish, No those Spanish brats can keep their pocket change, no far greater powers want your heads for so much more." Captain White explained. "What do you mean?" Scarlet inquired. "Bah! I've really had enough of your stupidity," White suddenly lashed. "Take their toes boys!" White ordered.
The Mañana crew drew weapons, but all the sudden dozens upon dozens of pirates appeared out of the wood work. "It does help to have a full crew hang nail," White taunted. "Yasac, can you take this many?" Scarlet whispered as she lost count of their adversaries. "Don't count on it, but there are alternatives to fighting," Yasac whispered back. "Like what Yasac?" Ayafre inquired. "Like being very thankful I retrieved all my blades and the fact that there a two dinghies on the port side very easy to hide in," Yasac explained as he backed up to the edge of the ship. The others followed suit till all their backs were to the bulwarks. "End of the deck dearies," White said with a sneer. "Ahh so true. See ya around White," Scarlet said with a salute. The four then hopped right off the ship and into the channel.
Meanwhile on the Barge. Sally, Revloc, Tradon, Jane and Legacy land in London's harbor after sailing up the river Thames. The Mañana had been tied to the pier. There was a large crew that had taken residence on the Mañana. They saw an Englishman with a large entourage all with very rich clothing. The Mañana was about five piers down so the four quietly disembarked and snuck over behind some crates. Legacy peered at the man in the kingly style and then quickly ducked back down behind the crates. "That one...that's the Prince Justice who stole my sword, if he's half as arrogant as I know he is then my Zanbatao isn't far off at all." Legacy explained. "Did you see the size of that crew though? I don't think we can take them on without Scarlet," Jane answered worriedly. "Scarlet gave us her orders! If anything her last wish was that no matter what we get the Mañana back." Sally refuted Jane sighed and stared at Revloc who was keenly observing the crew scuttling about on the Mañana. "Good to see we're all of one mind, cause I got an idea. Sally how much explosive power would you say you got on your person?" Revloc questions quickly "I could blow two maybe four piers, not enough for a ship or building..." "Good enough Sally I need you to blow the two piers around the Mañana and also the pier that the other pirate ship is going to dock at." Revloc explained Sally Tradon and Jane's eyes lit up, "Other pirate ship?" they said in unison. Revloc motioned to a ship on the horizon. He handed his spyglass to Jane, "Same one that shot at us too. It won't take long for them to get here." Revloc explained. "What about the Captain..." Jane whimpered. A grim look crawled across Revloc's face as he looked at down at the dock. "We get the sword and the Mañana then we worry about that." Revloc resolved.
Sally made sure her explosives were water proof as possible as she lowered herself from the dock into the water. Revloc, Legacy and Jane all waited for a bit as the Prince's entourage began to scatter from their once tight nit formation around the Prince Justice. "There's my lovely!" Legacy exclaimed as quiet as possible as he spotted his sword near the prince. There it lie wrapped in linen it was six feet of blade length if not more, it had no hilt only a metal rod that was cast out of the center of the foot wide width of the blade. It was thick too, almost two whole inches of solid steel. It was on a large wheeled rack by the Prince's feet. Now was their time to strike. Legacy at the lead; Revloc, Tradon and Jane followed him as he boldly strode right up to the royal group on the docks. The prince stood speaking with a ragged little man. The English royal guards surrounding the prince stopped the three and quietly asked their business. The guards argued with Legacy intent on not letting them pass. Legacy saw talk was not the answer. He then pushed past the guards walked right up behind the prince. Legacy boldly announced, "Your Highness, I demand that you return to me my weapon and I will return to my banishment gladly." Prince Justice slowly turned around angrily. "Ahh it's you...So the Great Legacy returns for his great sword, you have a greater willingness to die then I thought! Bah! Worthless red coated buffoons, if you want this sword Legacy then come...take it." The strong prince eagerly lifted the Zanbatao and swung it once to the side removing the linen cloth. Just then the Queen's Marrow sailed into the dock with White standing proudly on the railing. "Oh excellent! You found the rest of that cursed Scarlet's crew, bravo your highness I look forward to this execution you seem to be putting on. Too bad their captain be floating back down the river; we'd have a grand ole execution extravaganza!" White yelled Revloc gave a gulp as Scarlet and the rest were no where to be seen. After the linen at completely been removed, the prince pointed it at the Knight. "Ah! Guards, arrest those other criminals!" The guards drew weapons and surrounded Revloc, Tradon and Jane. While Captain White and her crew all disembarked the Queen's Marrow to meet with Prince Justice. All the prince's men backed away as the Prince began to swing the Zanbatou around. Legacy raised his deadly right fist and drew out his shield. The two began to fight, but with such a great weapon Justice had the upper hand. He smashed the boards of the dock with every strike. Legacy backed off, leading him off the dock and onto dry land. The prince then jumped high in the air and came down upon Legacy with the Zanbatou. Legacy blocked with his shield, but was forced to his knees under the pressure. The prince pushed harder until the Legacy's very shield broke. The Legacy quickly rolled out of the way, nearly losing his hand as the Zanbatao smashed into the street. The Prince snickered and drew the weapon from the ground. But the Zanbatao was stuck firm, Legacy saw his chance, and charged at the prince, smashing him hard with his body. Legacy leapt over to pull his Zanbatao from the ground, but suddenly the prince pulled a pistol and aimed at the Legacy's head. Legacy froze. "Can you ever fight honorably?" Said Legacy as he removed his hands from his sword and gave a sigh of defeat. Jane, Tradon and Revloc too had already dropped their weapons, with White and her crew joining in. Revloc pondered calling for Sally. Somehow Revloc ruled out the possibility of the prince beating the knight, and banked on the chance that their luck will hold. The prince quickly decided Legacy's fate. "For treason against the English empire for refusing to obey a direct banishment and for aiding criminals, and being criminals! I herby sentence you all to death, starting with you self proclaimed knight! Goodbye Legacy you shaln't be missed" Prince Justice announced. Justice squeezed the trigger and a shot was fired. The prince's pistol flew out of his hand and the Prince grabbed his hand in pain. He looked out to the river, but there was nothing. He then saw four figures on the Queen's Marrow. "What! You wretched little wench! I thought you drowned! Get off my ship and take what's coming to you!" White seethed with burning hatred. Chives stood behind the railing of the Queens Marrow reloading his rifle. With Scarlet, Yasac and Ayafre standing right next to him. "Arrh! Avast me heartys, bring me my ship and lets scone these little red bulldogs into the sea!" Scarlet's voice rang over the entire harbor. White then cried "Alright gents enough fooling around get your bottoms off that worthless ship and get back on mine! And you Scarlet bloody cursed Scarlet! I hope you enjoy watching your friends right here being sent to hell!" White pointed her pistol at Jane's head. Chives faster than lightning had White in his sights. Scarlet put her hand on his shoulder "Easy, her bullet is closer." Scarlet whispered to him. White's crew were scrambling off the Mañana and rushing over to the Queen's Marrow during this uneasy turn of events which didn't make room for much bargaining for Scarlet. Just as White's attention was off, Jane grabbed white's arm and aimed the pistol upwards high. White quickly turned her attention to Jane, while Chives regained his aim but now Jane was in his line of fire. "Now Sally!" Jane screamed. Sally who was waiting ever so patiently under the dock in the water. Eagerly lit a very fast fuse and then swam deep into the water. The whole dock went up in explosion each pier going off just about at the same time. White's main crew all tumbled into the water. Planks, crates and all kinds of wooden wreckage floated in the water. White, the Prince, Revloc, Jane and Tradon all were plunged into the channel. In fact the Legacy seemed to be the only one who had escaped the blast, but was no where to be seen, including the great Zanbatao. With tables so favorly turned. Scarlet, Yasac, Chives and Ayafre leapt onto a large piece of dock that was floating on the water between the Mañana and Queen's Marrow. Jane, Revloc and Sally had already begun their swim to the Mañana, while the Prince and his entourage were in complete distress. White and her crew we too a mess, all stunned by the blast and lack of dock.
Yasac, Ayafre, Chives and Scarlet hopped their way to the Mañana on various debris in the water. Scarlet fell behind out of a lack of floating things to cross over on. But stopping was a mistake. Suddenly White burst out of the water in front of Scarlet, knife in her mouth and staff in her hands. Captain White landed on a plank between Scarlet and the Mañana. Scarlet took a hold her own staff and wearily looked around at her dueling field which only consisted of unstable floating objects. Scarlet took a risk and jumped high and came down upon White with her staff. White blocked and kicked Scarlet away. Scarlet carefully landed on a plank and regained her balance. White kicked a stray piece of plank, causing it to fly into Scarlet. Scarlet quickly parried the missile away. Only to see White throw the knife as well. The knife hurled at Scarlet, Scarlet leaned sideways attempting to avoid it. The knife sliced open the side of her white tunic cutting open her flesh spitting blood. Scarlet winced away the pain knowing she had to maintain balance. Scarlet boldly jumped at White again. The fight was fierce. They traded blow for blow and block for block. They balanced on planks and continued to fight. Scarlet stabbed at White. Who parried easily but to Scarlet's advantage. Scarlet then pulled up on the end of her staff causing White's staff out of her hands and into the water. Scarlet shot White a smirk, but White was not done. Captain White picked up a stray piece of plank and swung at Scarlet. Scarlet blocked and the plank splintered and broke in two, but the sharp edge of the plank hit Scarlet's hand, forcing her to drop her own staff into the water. Scarlet's staff however floated. White swung again with the broken plank. Scarlet put her hands up to protect her face as the plank broke into pieces on her hands. Scarlet screamed in horror, but not out of pain. When Scarlet blocked, her finger nails, her perfectly refined long nails had been broken. Scarlet's eyes filled with tears and she squatted down on her plank to mourn for her nails of which she was so proud. She then became filled with rage as she looked up and saw Captain White still between her and her Mañana, Scarlet would have no more. Captain Hook Nail Scarlet then reached for her staff and jumped at White. Scarlet roared and smacked White across the face. Several of White's teeth shot out of her mouth from Scarlet's massive blow. Scarlet then came back and smacked her across the nose and a horrid crack was heard and blood spilled out like a faucet. Scarlet then swung upward catching under White's chin. Scarlet stabbed in and launched Captain White up and behind Scarlet and into the water soundly defeated.
Scarlet ran to the Mañana like a mother to her child. It wasn't long before Scarlet returned to her place at the ship's wheel. All the sudden The Queens-Marrow began to fire at the Mañana. White's crew had retaken their ship. Scarlet's crew raced to their own cannons and quickly returned fire. But the Queens-Marrow had far more firepower. "Mr. Chives we need more firepower, Twist Haired Jane get those sails in order! We are taking too many hits!" Scarlet exclaimed
Queens-Marrow's bow suddenly was shattered. "Nice shot Chives!" Scarlet shouted. "Wasn't me! Our cannons can't do that!" Chives cried quite surprised. Back on land Legacy had returned with a cannon, and shot again at the bow and the Queen's Marrow's cannon fire stopped abruptly. Without a captain and with the forward mast threatening to fall the crew raised their colors. But from behind the Legacy came a wave of English army men who were most displeased with the Legacy's use of their cannon. "Let down the sails we need a broadside on that harbor now!" Scarlet ordered Legacy ran from the cannon over to the wrecked dock with his long missed Zanbatou in hand. He got down to his knees in water when he heard the English close behind. "Ahh I shouldn't leave without giving you all a goodbye." Legacy snickered as the English guardsmen charged at him. Legacy turned around and faced the incoming British. The Legacy dipped his sword into the water waited for them to come in range. Legacy gave a mighty swing of his great sword, creating a rather large wave. Just with that five men went flying. Legacy swung again working the sea like Poseidon himself, not a single man could come near him. Legacy slowly but easily worked his way threw the many guardsmen who dared oppose. Soon the English organized and began to collaborate into musket lines. Just in time for the Mañana's broadside. Mañana fired all cannon, the English scattered trying to avoid the cannon fire rocketing towards them. While Legacy rushed over to the Mañana. With the barrage complete and all crew on board, the Mañana made its escape.
"Mmm it's good to be back at home" Scarlet purred as she rubbed her cheek against her wheel. "Well it sure has been fun my friends, if you would be so kind as to drop me off in Ireland it would be most appreciated." Legacy inquired. "Won't you join our crew? Please! You would be a valuable member." Ayafre said sweetly "That's a fine idea what do you say good sir!" Sally chimed in "I am honored for sure, however perhaps another time, I do wish to find some old contacts and see what has been going on during my banishment. But yes perhaps I will join this crew one day." Legacy answered Ayafre smiled but was slightly dismayed.
White's words about bounties rung in Yasac's ears, "We don't have much time... what should I do? The letter!" Yasac whispered quietly to himself. Yasac dug in his pocket for it. Yasac found it and pulled it out. It was blank on the front but as he turned it over he saw the seal of Scranton. Yasac smiled and went to his room to read it.
Scarlet stood at the wheel carefully guiding the Mañana through the English Channel. "Hey! Oh Legacy, where you at?" Scarlet shouted. "Chives be a dear and fetch me Legacy please," Chives went down into the living quarters to find him. "Oi! Legacy you down here?" Ayafre opened the door behind Chives and squeezes past him down the hall, to make her way over to the cannon deck. "Hey Ayafre what's for dinner?" Chives asked impatiently. "Well I was going to check our stocks down in the kitchen, so send Revloc down would ya? I want his inventory in case our visitors moved stuff around." Chives grunted. "Notta messenger, stinkin girl cook." Chives muttered quietly to himself. "Oh if Legacy is down there..." Chives started. "I will one eye!" Ayafre shouted all the way from the supplies room on the other side of the cannon deck. Chives made his way back up to the main deck to see Sally, Tradon and Revloc swabbing the deck, with Jane swinging around the sails checking for damage. "Oy! Quartermaster Trigger, Ayafre wants your inventory! And please tell me we have some rum left." Chives shouted Revloc tossed his mop into a corner near Scarlet's cabin. "Sure thing, but man, do you really think those extra pirates wouldn't have cleaned out our rum?" Revloc said as he walked down into the hull. Chives sighed and picked up Revloc's mop to swab the deck. A few moments later Legacy appeared out of the hull with an unopened bottle of lager in his hand. "Hey Chives, Revloc sent this your way, says it's one of the last bits of drink we have aboard so savor it," "I appreciate it, now go see the Captain," Chives stated. Legacy made his way to the wheel while tossing the bottle to Chives, who opened it greedily. Scarlet greeted Legacy warmly. "Now Legacy, are you sure you don't want to join my crew? I could really use a strong hand like yourself." Scarlet tried to persuade "Tempting, but no thank you." Legacy said politely. "Well I'll give you that ride to Ireland. Of course White might have had a good idea when she pretended to give you a ride somewhere" Scarlet said deviously with a wink. Legacy smiled and rolled his eyes. "Oh could you run and get Yasac real quick? And then go help Jane reinforce the mast, you may not join my crew but as long as you're on my ship you can make yourself useful." Scarlet ordered slyly. Legacy chuckled, "Alright me hearties! We're off to Ireland!" Scarlet yelled. Copyright 2008 Jonathan |
|
| Last Updated ( Sunday, 19 October 2008 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
via Email