Skirting the coast for hours, the Rapture made even better time than Fray thought it would. He stood at the prow of the sky galleon and scanned the seas for any sign of... anyone of interest. He could barely hear Max telling Zeigler and Liam all about his run-in with the Pirate Witch.
Zeigler listened flippantly as he heard about how, years before he met Fray, Max worked for a shipping company, delivering cargo all over from Mooringside to Diskel to the coast of Verus. They had recieved a shipment bound for Tell, which meant they had to pass throught Mortis Bay. Before they were within a mile of the bay, they were bombarded by a thick cloud of mist and rain. The ship stopped with a jerk, as if they had struck something... of were grabbed by something. After a tense moment, the ship was boarded by a crew of undead pirates, let by the Pirate Witch herself.
Max described her as tall and thin--almost sickly--but attractive in some strange, unavoidable way. It was as if she was using magic to make herself seem attractive. She wore a long, flowing black cloak with a cowl covering her head and face, like the Death Reaper of myth. Her fingernails were long and black, and her eyesglowed crimson behind the black cloth of the cowl. when she boarded, Max was on the far side of the boat, but he could see men falling over dead as she walked by--some convulsed, some vomited blood, others just fell to the deck, stiff as the planks that made it up.
The Pirate Witch walked to the captain of the ship and--according to Max it was the only way to describe such a horrible event--she ripped his soul from his chest. The man screamed only for a moment, then he collapsed into a pile of skin and clothes. Max said he tried not to scream, but a small sound escaped anyway. The Pirate Witch jerked her head up and looked straight into his eyes. He said the scar of her eyes touching him still burns in his own soul. He dove overboard and swam for his life, barely making it to the shores of Verus alive. No one else on that ship was ever heard from again, nor was any wreckage or cargo every recovered.
Zeigler was shaken by the story, but still did not admit being convinced to any degree. Liam, on the other hand, didn't sleep for two nights. He was still awake when Fray called out from the prow.
"Sail on the horizon!"
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Setting Out
When Fray woke up he went to Max's cabin, finding that his first mate was not there. He heard voices down the hall, from where the galley was located. Fray made his way there and found Zeigler, Max, Aeron and Stitch eating breakfast at the table.
"Top of the morning!" said Zeigler. He seemed in a very good mood.
"Yes, good morning," said Fray, taking a seat. "Never fun to be the last one awake, though, is it?"
"At least you woke up," said Aeron. "Better than Flint and some of his men."
"We can only hope. Is there a plan yet, my high-flying friends?"
"Well, that is what we have just been discussing, Fray. I would suggest that we make haste to Mortis Bay and try to cut Westin off before he gets there, since he is doubtless heading that way. That is the first thing--everything else will be determined by what happens in that endeavor."
"But Pirate Witch there. We have kill her this time," Max cut in.
"Yes, I agree, Max," said Fray. "I have never had the pleasure, but from what you tell me, I wouldn't hesitate."
"Oh, here we are with the Pirate Witch again," sighed Zeigler.
"How else do you explain it? Why else would the Fiendsoul be in Mortis? Do you think it's just sitting on a raft in the Bay? If it does have those powers, it makes perfect sense that an evil, supernatural witch is in control of it!" Fray didn't even realize that he had stood up and raised his voice. He sat down apologetically.
"Look, Fray, I will not argue about the reasons of circumstances. The fact that we both agree on is that we we must get to Mortis before Westin does. Am I right?"
Fray nodded, deciding to drop their differences in opinion--for now.
"Yes, let's just get going."
"Right." Zeigler jumped up excitedly. "We can make very good time with the Rapture compared to water-bound ships. Even if Westin sailed from Mooringside a week ago we can get to Mortis before he does."
"Let's hope it's not that close of a race," said Fray.
Thirty minutes later, the Rapture was loaded up and ready to fly. Aeron took the sky galleon into the air and made off south-southwest at Zeigler's command, toward the cursed Bay of Mortis--taking them all into legend.
"Top of the morning!" said Zeigler. He seemed in a very good mood.
"Yes, good morning," said Fray, taking a seat. "Never fun to be the last one awake, though, is it?"
"At least you woke up," said Aeron. "Better than Flint and some of his men."
"We can only hope. Is there a plan yet, my high-flying friends?"
"Well, that is what we have just been discussing, Fray. I would suggest that we make haste to Mortis Bay and try to cut Westin off before he gets there, since he is doubtless heading that way. That is the first thing--everything else will be determined by what happens in that endeavor."
"But Pirate Witch there. We have kill her this time," Max cut in.
"Yes, I agree, Max," said Fray. "I have never had the pleasure, but from what you tell me, I wouldn't hesitate."
"Oh, here we are with the Pirate Witch again," sighed Zeigler.
"How else do you explain it? Why else would the Fiendsoul be in Mortis? Do you think it's just sitting on a raft in the Bay? If it does have those powers, it makes perfect sense that an evil, supernatural witch is in control of it!" Fray didn't even realize that he had stood up and raised his voice. He sat down apologetically.
"Look, Fray, I will not argue about the reasons of circumstances. The fact that we both agree on is that we we must get to Mortis before Westin does. Am I right?"
Fray nodded, deciding to drop their differences in opinion--for now.
"Yes, let's just get going."
"Right." Zeigler jumped up excitedly. "We can make very good time with the Rapture compared to water-bound ships. Even if Westin sailed from Mooringside a week ago we can get to Mortis before he does."
"Let's hope it's not that close of a race," said Fray.
Thirty minutes later, the Rapture was loaded up and ready to fly. Aeron took the sky galleon into the air and made off south-southwest at Zeigler's command, toward the cursed Bay of Mortis--taking them all into legend.
Monday, May 19, 2008
16. Motivations
Commodore Westin set sail for the Bay of Mortis. More specifically, Fort Mortis, resting in the middle of it--home to the Pirate Witch. Respectable people, of course, didn't believe in the Pirate Witch, because it sounded rediculous. But Westin was an exception. He had once conversed with Captain Fray and Max about her when assigning them a job and his interest had been piqued. She was an ancient evil entity, living in a castle-like structure surrounded by water ad guarded by unspeakable creatures, and she had in her possession the Fiendsoul. She had in her possession ultimate power; the aim of Westin's master, Iras Mogellica, King of Verus. The King promised Westin riches and power, if he would lead the army of the Crown against her foes, her neighbors, gobbling up land as she went, until even the horizon belonged to her. The Fiendsoul was his desire.
Captain Flint Maddox barely crawled from the rubble of his Castle as Zeigler's sky galleon flew away to his hidden mountain base. It was a grievous error--a fatal error--to destroy a Red Captain's Castle. But this incident only deepened the grave already dug for Zeigler as far as Flint was concerned. But Fray... that was unexpected. In spite of all the days they fought side by side, Flint knew Fray would leave, and when he did he was sure he would run across him again. He had a special place in mind for Peter Fray, too.
The sea captain and the odd little savage had brought into Flint's presence the body of his only remaining family, and with Zeigler's help, destruction to his way of life there on Cerrafold. But they weren't on the top of his list at the moment. Their time would come eventually. He was more interested in the man who actually killed his brother, not the ones who delivered it. And not an arrogant, cocky, kiniving sky pirate who stole some money from him.
He looked around at the destruction. His home was gone and most of his men were killed. All he was left with was a name--Commodore Westin.
Out from the trees, Nero and his crew hustled over to help.
As Zeigler lay in bed in his cabin at Sanctuary, Fray and Max down the hall, he thought about the Fiendsoul. What if it really did have supernatural powers? What if it could control an undead army? What if Westin got his hands on it and actually could take over the entire world in the name of the Crown and King Mogellica? Or, what if he found it himself first, sold it for a galleon-load of currency from any country or nation he could think to sell it to, and they used it to take over the world? It suddenly became clear that this Fiendsoul, despite how much money it may be worth, he couldn't sell it. Just based on the power that it may have, it was far too dangerous to fall into any human's posession. Which, led his thought processes to another possible conclusion--if the Fiendsoul is capable of allowing some human world domination, and at that moment the world was not overrun by the undead, whoever had it must not be human. In the morning, he would ask Max about this... 'Pirate Witch.'
Fray thought back over how he ended up here. He took a job from a formerly trustworthy Commodore to make some money. It was a simple delivery to a dangerous place. In reality he was tricked into taking the fall for the Commodore, was chased, shot, rescued, involved in a battle on a sky galleon, escaped, and now was stuck in the middle of a four-man murder triangle... or square... or circle, maybe. There was no way to tell how this thing would turn out, but he knew that all the events tying them together have brought them to this showdown. It was ineveitable. Their lives had to collide one final time, and when it was over, no matter who was left alive, it will be as it should be. But, that didn't mean that he wouldn't do everything he could to be one of the ones left alive--even if he had to be the only one. In the end, at least everyone's enemies list would be shorter.
Captain Flint Maddox barely crawled from the rubble of his Castle as Zeigler's sky galleon flew away to his hidden mountain base. It was a grievous error--a fatal error--to destroy a Red Captain's Castle. But this incident only deepened the grave already dug for Zeigler as far as Flint was concerned. But Fray... that was unexpected. In spite of all the days they fought side by side, Flint knew Fray would leave, and when he did he was sure he would run across him again. He had a special place in mind for Peter Fray, too.
The sea captain and the odd little savage had brought into Flint's presence the body of his only remaining family, and with Zeigler's help, destruction to his way of life there on Cerrafold. But they weren't on the top of his list at the moment. Their time would come eventually. He was more interested in the man who actually killed his brother, not the ones who delivered it. And not an arrogant, cocky, kiniving sky pirate who stole some money from him.
He looked around at the destruction. His home was gone and most of his men were killed. All he was left with was a name--Commodore Westin.
Out from the trees, Nero and his crew hustled over to help.
As Zeigler lay in bed in his cabin at Sanctuary, Fray and Max down the hall, he thought about the Fiendsoul. What if it really did have supernatural powers? What if it could control an undead army? What if Westin got his hands on it and actually could take over the entire world in the name of the Crown and King Mogellica? Or, what if he found it himself first, sold it for a galleon-load of currency from any country or nation he could think to sell it to, and they used it to take over the world? It suddenly became clear that this Fiendsoul, despite how much money it may be worth, he couldn't sell it. Just based on the power that it may have, it was far too dangerous to fall into any human's posession. Which, led his thought processes to another possible conclusion--if the Fiendsoul is capable of allowing some human world domination, and at that moment the world was not overrun by the undead, whoever had it must not be human. In the morning, he would ask Max about this... 'Pirate Witch.'
Fray thought back over how he ended up here. He took a job from a formerly trustworthy Commodore to make some money. It was a simple delivery to a dangerous place. In reality he was tricked into taking the fall for the Commodore, was chased, shot, rescued, involved in a battle on a sky galleon, escaped, and now was stuck in the middle of a four-man murder triangle... or square... or circle, maybe. There was no way to tell how this thing would turn out, but he knew that all the events tying them together have brought them to this showdown. It was ineveitable. Their lives had to collide one final time, and when it was over, no matter who was left alive, it will be as it should be. But, that didn't mean that he wouldn't do everything he could to be one of the ones left alive--even if he had to be the only one. In the end, at least everyone's enemies list would be shorter.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
15. The Plan
Once inside Sanctuary, Zeigler showed Fray and Max around a little. After the quick tour, they learned that the structure started out as a small mining facility. At the time, elections took place in Durge and the newly appointed Mayor decided that mining ore wasn't in the interest of Durge and shut the facility down. He then suggested to Zeigler, his nephew, that perhaps he should relocate. Apparently, Zeigler was usually trying to hide from authorities, due to his less-than-legal behavior and his uncle thought it may be a wise career move. Since that day, about ten years ago, Zeigler had accumulated a crew and added onto the facility, taking it deeper into the mountain.
They trio made their way to the lounge where they were joined for a bite with Liam, the first mate of Rapture.
"Okay, then. What happens now?" asked Zeigler.
"Well, personally, finding Commodore Westin, getting a new ship, and killing Nero and his mutinous rats are top on my list," said Fray.
"My too," affirmed Max.
"Well, as for Nero and the mutinous rats, they are undoubtedly back at Cerrafold, either looking after Flint, or pillaging his dead corpse. We could just fly back by there when things have calmed down and see what's what.
"As for a new ship, well, we could just scan the oceans from above, you could point out one you like, and I'd see no problem just swooping you and your men down and dropping you on board. You can then do what you must to commandeer said ship.
"However, when it comes to Westin, a little extra care must be taken."
Fray, Max and Liam looked at one another. "Meaning what?" asked Fray.
"Meaning, like I said before, there are anywhere from two to three groups of people who want Westin dead now. That makes us either allies or competitors. I say if Flint is alive he won't want help in tracking down the Commodore, and for me personally, I won't want help from him. You I can deal with, but not him. What is your interest?"
"It seems to me that our partnership has worked out well so far. I don't see why it couldn't continue to."
Zeigler studied Fray's face intently. He even looked to Max to see if there was any clues of treachery in the little savage's face.
"Agreed," said Zeigler. "Now, Westin most likely thinks that Flint killed you and me both. And he's probably not interested if Flint is alive or not at the moment. Which means two things.
"One, you already dropped Westin's name to Flint, which the Commodore wouldn't have counted on. So if he is alive, Flint will now be hunting him down unbeknownst to him."
"But Flint may be hunting us down, too," said Fray.
"His family's honor comes first. He'll track down his brother's killer first, then us later. He has prioreties.
"Now, the second thing is this: since Westin believes I am dead, he will search out the Fiendsoul, which only he, Serah, and I knew about."
"What is that?"
"Very valuable, that's what."
"Seriously, what is it?"
"It's an ancient artifact. Very mysterious."
He sat silently, satisfied with his response. Fray and Max stared back, definately not satisfied.
"All right, all right," Zeigler huffed. "I don't know exactly, but supposedly it has something to do with immortality, or controlling legions of the undead, or something like that. Personally I don't really believe that sort of thing."
"Why you want?" asked Max.
"I want it because it's valuable. Westin probably wants it because of it's legion-controlling properties."
"But what would a subject of the Crown want with legions of the undead?" asked Fray.
Liam stepped in. "What does every crown want? A bigger head to rest on."
"Too true," concluded Fray. "So," he continued, "Westin is going after this Fiendsoul. Flint, if he's alive, is going after Westin, but has no idea about the Fiendsoul. We are also going after Westin, but purely out of revenge."
"Well," said Zeigler, "I also want the Fiendsoul, but a deader Westin is a plus."
"Right, so you want Westin and the Fiendsoul, and I just want Westin. The good news is, that with everyone wanting Westin dead, there shouldn't be any way he'll make it out of this alive."
"True, but while there is no way Westin can win this, there is also no way Flint can lose; he wants us all dead."
Ater a few moments of silent thought amongst them, Fray eventually spoke up with, "So where is this Fiendsoul?"
Zeigler smiled; Fray had learned to hate it when Zeigler smiled. "Remember when I asked you about Mortis...?"
They trio made their way to the lounge where they were joined for a bite with Liam, the first mate of Rapture.
"Okay, then. What happens now?" asked Zeigler.
"Well, personally, finding Commodore Westin, getting a new ship, and killing Nero and his mutinous rats are top on my list," said Fray.
"My too," affirmed Max.
"Well, as for Nero and the mutinous rats, they are undoubtedly back at Cerrafold, either looking after Flint, or pillaging his dead corpse. We could just fly back by there when things have calmed down and see what's what.
"As for a new ship, well, we could just scan the oceans from above, you could point out one you like, and I'd see no problem just swooping you and your men down and dropping you on board. You can then do what you must to commandeer said ship.
"However, when it comes to Westin, a little extra care must be taken."
Fray, Max and Liam looked at one another. "Meaning what?" asked Fray.
"Meaning, like I said before, there are anywhere from two to three groups of people who want Westin dead now. That makes us either allies or competitors. I say if Flint is alive he won't want help in tracking down the Commodore, and for me personally, I won't want help from him. You I can deal with, but not him. What is your interest?"
"It seems to me that our partnership has worked out well so far. I don't see why it couldn't continue to."
Zeigler studied Fray's face intently. He even looked to Max to see if there was any clues of treachery in the little savage's face.
"Agreed," said Zeigler. "Now, Westin most likely thinks that Flint killed you and me both. And he's probably not interested if Flint is alive or not at the moment. Which means two things.
"One, you already dropped Westin's name to Flint, which the Commodore wouldn't have counted on. So if he is alive, Flint will now be hunting him down unbeknownst to him."
"But Flint may be hunting us down, too," said Fray.
"His family's honor comes first. He'll track down his brother's killer first, then us later. He has prioreties.
"Now, the second thing is this: since Westin believes I am dead, he will search out the Fiendsoul, which only he, Serah, and I knew about."
"What is that?"
"Very valuable, that's what."
"Seriously, what is it?"
"It's an ancient artifact. Very mysterious."
He sat silently, satisfied with his response. Fray and Max stared back, definately not satisfied.
"All right, all right," Zeigler huffed. "I don't know exactly, but supposedly it has something to do with immortality, or controlling legions of the undead, or something like that. Personally I don't really believe that sort of thing."
"Why you want?" asked Max.
"I want it because it's valuable. Westin probably wants it because of it's legion-controlling properties."
"But what would a subject of the Crown want with legions of the undead?" asked Fray.
Liam stepped in. "What does every crown want? A bigger head to rest on."
"Too true," concluded Fray. "So," he continued, "Westin is going after this Fiendsoul. Flint, if he's alive, is going after Westin, but has no idea about the Fiendsoul. We are also going after Westin, but purely out of revenge."
"Well," said Zeigler, "I also want the Fiendsoul, but a deader Westin is a plus."
"Right, so you want Westin and the Fiendsoul, and I just want Westin. The good news is, that with everyone wanting Westin dead, there shouldn't be any way he'll make it out of this alive."
"True, but while there is no way Westin can win this, there is also no way Flint can lose; he wants us all dead."
Ater a few moments of silent thought amongst them, Fray eventually spoke up with, "So where is this Fiendsoul?"
Zeigler smiled; Fray had learned to hate it when Zeigler smiled. "Remember when I asked you about Mortis...?"
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
14. Geography, History, Legend and Sanctuary
"Yes, well, if Flint is still alive, then he'll have something to say to Wesitin as well, won't he?" said Zeigler.
Fray looked confused by this. "If Flint is still alive, I would guess that he'd probably have something to say, or stab into, you and me. Not so sure he'd be able to look past us to see Westin."
"But Westin killed his brother."
"And you, or we, destroyed his Castle. And, again, he's probably dead.
Zeigler looked back at the distant plume of smoke from Cerrafold and smirked. "I don't know. I wouldn't underestimate Flint Maddox."
After a moment of quiet reflection, Fray decided to drop the subject for a while and asked, "So where are we going now?"
"To my haven, in the mountains of Durge. See them?"
Zeigler pointed north ahead of them and Fray could see a handful of mountains peeking up out of a forest. Beyone them was more forest as far as he could see.
"Over there, to the east, is Verus City, the capital of the Crown. Far, far beyond that to the north east is Garland, the desolate land destroyed by the first Omen over a hundred years ago. Now, nothing is alive there, save the Wandering Barbarian."
"Wandering Barbarian?"
"Have you never heard the legends?"
"No, I've never even heard of Garland. My whole life, has been spen on, in, or near the sea; mostly the coast of Verus and through the Solitary Nations to the south. I never had reason or calling to go inland. I think even now we've travelled more miles over a solid land mass than I ever have in my life."
Zeigler turned and faced Fray. "Even been to Mortis, to the west?" Mortis Bay cut into the Land of Tell, Verus' neighboring kingdom. The city on the coast, Mortis, gave the bay its name.
"I've never set keel in Mortis Bay, and have no plans to. But I've sailed as far east as Diskel."
"But not to Mortis?"
"No. All of Tell is a cursed land, full of demons and the undead."
"I've heard of strange goings on there."
"Strange indeed," said Fray.
"Was it caused by an Omen? Tell is far from Garland."
"No. It was caused by the Pirate Witch's curse."
Zeigler stared at Fray questioningly. "The Pirate Witch? Seriously?"
"Oh, yes," said Fray. "It's very serious. Max could tell you more. He's actually met her."
"While I'd love to hear the story of the, um... Pirate Witch, it will have to wait. We've arrived."
Fray looked up and saw a structure built into the southern face of the mountain, as if it had been pushing out from the inside slowly over the years, trying to escape. There were massive windows in the front observation window, overlooking the town of Durge at the mountain's feet far below. It was impossible to tell how large the structure was because it was built deep into the mountain. Once inside, it may reach all the way through to the north face and as far down as the base of the mountain.
The sky galleon dropped into a shallow indention near the peak of the mountain that had been turned into a landing pad. A few smaller sky ships were at rest there.
"What is this place, Zeigler?" asked Fray.
"Sanctuary."
Fray looked confused by this. "If Flint is still alive, I would guess that he'd probably have something to say, or stab into, you and me. Not so sure he'd be able to look past us to see Westin."
"But Westin killed his brother."
"And you, or we, destroyed his Castle. And, again, he's probably dead.
Zeigler looked back at the distant plume of smoke from Cerrafold and smirked. "I don't know. I wouldn't underestimate Flint Maddox."
After a moment of quiet reflection, Fray decided to drop the subject for a while and asked, "So where are we going now?"
"To my haven, in the mountains of Durge. See them?"
Zeigler pointed north ahead of them and Fray could see a handful of mountains peeking up out of a forest. Beyone them was more forest as far as he could see.
"Over there, to the east, is Verus City, the capital of the Crown. Far, far beyond that to the north east is Garland, the desolate land destroyed by the first Omen over a hundred years ago. Now, nothing is alive there, save the Wandering Barbarian."
"Wandering Barbarian?"
"Have you never heard the legends?"
"No, I've never even heard of Garland. My whole life, has been spen on, in, or near the sea; mostly the coast of Verus and through the Solitary Nations to the south. I never had reason or calling to go inland. I think even now we've travelled more miles over a solid land mass than I ever have in my life."
Zeigler turned and faced Fray. "Even been to Mortis, to the west?" Mortis Bay cut into the Land of Tell, Verus' neighboring kingdom. The city on the coast, Mortis, gave the bay its name.
"I've never set keel in Mortis Bay, and have no plans to. But I've sailed as far east as Diskel."
"But not to Mortis?"
"No. All of Tell is a cursed land, full of demons and the undead."
"I've heard of strange goings on there."
"Strange indeed," said Fray.
"Was it caused by an Omen? Tell is far from Garland."
"No. It was caused by the Pirate Witch's curse."
Zeigler stared at Fray questioningly. "The Pirate Witch? Seriously?"
"Oh, yes," said Fray. "It's very serious. Max could tell you more. He's actually met her."
"While I'd love to hear the story of the, um... Pirate Witch, it will have to wait. We've arrived."
Fray looked up and saw a structure built into the southern face of the mountain, as if it had been pushing out from the inside slowly over the years, trying to escape. There were massive windows in the front observation window, overlooking the town of Durge at the mountain's feet far below. It was impossible to tell how large the structure was because it was built deep into the mountain. Once inside, it may reach all the way through to the north face and as far down as the base of the mountain.
The sky galleon dropped into a shallow indention near the peak of the mountain that had been turned into a landing pad. A few smaller sky ships were at rest there.
"What is this place, Zeigler?" asked Fray.
"Sanctuary."
Friday, May 9, 2008
13. Clarity
"And how do you know Westin?" Fray asked Zeigler. The sky galleon soared through the open air towards a small chain of mountains in the distance to the north of Cerrafold.
"Well, it's a long story, but basically, I was once married to his sister, Serah."
"Once?"
"She's dead; killed by... mistake."
"Oh, I'm... sorry." Fray didn't want to press the matter.
Zeigler was silent for a moment before responding. Fray could tell he was lost in the memeory. "I was on Flint's black list. I made a delivery for him down to the Solitary Nations. After the drop was made, the buyers came after me and attacked me. They had the cargo and the money, leaving me with nothing to give to Flint. Needless to say, he did't believe me; he thought I was trying to pull one over on him. So, that put me in sights.
"Anyway, Serah... she was standing at the bow of the ship. She always like it there; she liked the way the wind blew her through hair. Flint had been following me, keeping under the clouds and using them as cover. He had mounted vertical-firing cannons on board his ship, equipped with extra large chainshot, just for me. He took a shot, and the massive, tumbling chain tore the entire bow off the ship. I lost sight of her in the splinters, but when the fragments cleared, she was gone forever.
"Her brother, Marcus, the Commodore, blamed me for it. He never approved of our relationship, no matter how many times she told him how happy she was. He didn't like having a sister who was involved in piracy."
A moment passed in silence. Fray didn't want to talk right now, but he had to get to the bottom of this.
"So," Fray began. "What about Flint's brother?"
"Well, he was also a pirate, and had his own carreer. Actually, they didn't get along that well. Anyway, Black Maddox, that was his name, had a bounty on his head, and it was collected by Westin."
"So, Westin killed him?"
"Yes. Now, he sent me a letter about a week ago saying that he had something for me. Knowing that I was not his favorite family member, I was naturally suspicious. He said that he would send the crate to Cerrafold, and that he would like me to receive it. He said it was some of Serah's things that he wanted me to have. You see, I had nothing to remember her by, and I desperately wanted... something, anything. A scarf, a handkerchief, a stuffed animal, some jewelry."
"You knew it was a trap though, right? I mean, you knew that Cerrafold was Flint's grounds."
"I did. But in the letter, Marcus said that he was sorry for the way he treated me, and that because of his anger toward me he never got to have a realationship with his sister. I hoped that he was genuine; and if he was I would never forgive myself if I ignored it.
"He gave me a description of your ship's flag, and it's name, and told me to meet you at the docks."
Fray looked intensely at Zeigler. "Wait, so you were supposed to meet me? Why did Flint's men get to me so fast? Where were you?"
"I was hiding. I knew that he would have a close eye on all incoming and outgoing shipments. My plan was to watch things play out, and make sure my suspicions were correct before leaving Cerrafold."
"But you let them take me in, and you risked my life."
"I didn't know you. But I also didn't know what was in the crate, until you just told me. I couldn't get close enough to the Castle without being identified, so I kept my distance. When I heard the gunshots and the commotion, and saw you and your friend jump out of the window, I stepped in."
Fray stroked his black beard thoughtfully. "So, why would Westin sent Black Maddox's body to Flint?"
"Look what happened to you. That was supposed to be me, and I was supposed to be killed. Yuo were just collateral; he needed you to deliver it and figured that Flint's men would drag in the one delivering the cargo as well as the one receiving it."
"So," Fray said, "now we both have a bone to pick with Westin."
"Actually, all three of us do."
"Well, it's a long story, but basically, I was once married to his sister, Serah."
"Once?"
"She's dead; killed by... mistake."
"Oh, I'm... sorry." Fray didn't want to press the matter.
Zeigler was silent for a moment before responding. Fray could tell he was lost in the memeory. "I was on Flint's black list. I made a delivery for him down to the Solitary Nations. After the drop was made, the buyers came after me and attacked me. They had the cargo and the money, leaving me with nothing to give to Flint. Needless to say, he did't believe me; he thought I was trying to pull one over on him. So, that put me in sights.
"Anyway, Serah... she was standing at the bow of the ship. She always like it there; she liked the way the wind blew her through hair. Flint had been following me, keeping under the clouds and using them as cover. He had mounted vertical-firing cannons on board his ship, equipped with extra large chainshot, just for me. He took a shot, and the massive, tumbling chain tore the entire bow off the ship. I lost sight of her in the splinters, but when the fragments cleared, she was gone forever.
"Her brother, Marcus, the Commodore, blamed me for it. He never approved of our relationship, no matter how many times she told him how happy she was. He didn't like having a sister who was involved in piracy."
A moment passed in silence. Fray didn't want to talk right now, but he had to get to the bottom of this.
"So," Fray began. "What about Flint's brother?"
"Well, he was also a pirate, and had his own carreer. Actually, they didn't get along that well. Anyway, Black Maddox, that was his name, had a bounty on his head, and it was collected by Westin."
"So, Westin killed him?"
"Yes. Now, he sent me a letter about a week ago saying that he had something for me. Knowing that I was not his favorite family member, I was naturally suspicious. He said that he would send the crate to Cerrafold, and that he would like me to receive it. He said it was some of Serah's things that he wanted me to have. You see, I had nothing to remember her by, and I desperately wanted... something, anything. A scarf, a handkerchief, a stuffed animal, some jewelry."
"You knew it was a trap though, right? I mean, you knew that Cerrafold was Flint's grounds."
"I did. But in the letter, Marcus said that he was sorry for the way he treated me, and that because of his anger toward me he never got to have a realationship with his sister. I hoped that he was genuine; and if he was I would never forgive myself if I ignored it.
"He gave me a description of your ship's flag, and it's name, and told me to meet you at the docks."
Fray looked intensely at Zeigler. "Wait, so you were supposed to meet me? Why did Flint's men get to me so fast? Where were you?"
"I was hiding. I knew that he would have a close eye on all incoming and outgoing shipments. My plan was to watch things play out, and make sure my suspicions were correct before leaving Cerrafold."
"But you let them take me in, and you risked my life."
"I didn't know you. But I also didn't know what was in the crate, until you just told me. I couldn't get close enough to the Castle without being identified, so I kept my distance. When I heard the gunshots and the commotion, and saw you and your friend jump out of the window, I stepped in."
Fray stroked his black beard thoughtfully. "So, why would Westin sent Black Maddox's body to Flint?"
"Look what happened to you. That was supposed to be me, and I was supposed to be killed. Yuo were just collateral; he needed you to deliver it and figured that Flint's men would drag in the one delivering the cargo as well as the one receiving it."
"So," Fray said, "now we both have a bone to pick with Westin."
"Actually, all three of us do."
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
12. The Head of the Snake
"WAIT!" screamed Fray. "HOLD YOUR FIRE!"
Zeigler looked at him in surprise. He stamped his foot on the deck, signaling Liam and those below to cease firing, but it was too late. The first volley of cannonballs blasted the Nomadic.
One of the four masts fell into the sea, three holes were punched in throught the deck and out the bottom of the hull, filling the bilge with water. In a few minutes the ship would be sitting on the sea bed, which was only about fifteen feet below. It wouldn't sink completely, but they would be bailing and repairing for weeks if they wanted it back up again.
After the first volley the cannoneers didn't fire again. Zeigler turned his attention to Fray.
"What are you doing? Didn't you want me to sink her?"
"I did, but I changed my mind."
"You changed your mind?!"
"It was my first ship," Fray said sadly.
Zeigler, frustrated with the sea captain, grabbed Fray by the collar and pulled him close. "What do you want from me? I've saved your life and brought you aboard my ship. Your ship is as good as sunk at this point, which is what you asked me to do. And now you're whining about the sentimental value of what is now a barely floating hunk of wood that your own crew stole from you in your absence? WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!" With that, Zeigler smacked Fray hard in the side of the head.
Instinctively, Fray drew his cutlass but before he had it weilded in front of him, he had two of Zeigler's revolvers under his chin. Fray knew the man was right.
"Yes... thank you. I... I lost my mind for a second. It's just a ship, and I really would rather see her sunk than in Nero's hands. I apologize for my-"
Before he could finish a cannonball smashed through the gunwale, sending splinters of wood in all directions. Fray and Zeigler hit the now level deck.
"Where did that come from?" asked Zeigler. "Do those cannons fire up?"
"No," said Fray. "It came from the fort."
Sure enough, as they two captains peered over the side towards Flint's Castle, more cannon fire spat at them.
"Aeron, hard to starboard! Bring us around! Liam, all guns starboard, fire on my signal!"
Zeigler pace to the other side of the deck as the galleon came around. The fast, unpredictable movements of the Rapture caused the cannons to miss their mark.
"Full tilt, Aeron!" screamed Zeigler.
"What are you doing?" Fray asked Zeigler, following him closely around the deck.
"Attacking the head of the snake," he said with a sly smile.
Rapture was hit with two more cannonballs before they were in firing position. Once they were, Zeigler gave the command and all guns boomed away. When the first volley was over, the guns were pulled back and reloaded while a second set were pushed into the gun ports.
This continued for volley after volley while the Rapture circled the fort. After the cannons were switched the fifth time, Zeigler stomped on the deck to cease the firing. The fort was split wide open, walls were caving in and something inside had caught fire. It was a disaster area. The eight men that were lead away from the Nomadic in chains had run away in the confusion, hiding in the trees. They came out now and waved at the sky galleon.
"Aeron, steady tilt and drop the ladder. Pick those soldiers up!"
It was done, and in five minutes the men were on board and the ship was off.
"Nice job, captain," said Fray.
"Thank you, captain," replied Zeigler. "Think Flint was in there?"
"I don't know. I hope so."
They sailed off to the north, back over the ruined fort and over the water between Cerrafold and the mainland. After a few minutes, Zeigler asked "What will you do now?"
"Not sure how to go about it," said Fray. "but I have to see what exactly it was that Commodore Westin had in mind sending me here with that body."
"Westin sent you with a body? Let me guess; Flint's brother?"
Fray studied the other man's face. "Yeah. What do you know about it?"
Zeigler looked at him in surprise. He stamped his foot on the deck, signaling Liam and those below to cease firing, but it was too late. The first volley of cannonballs blasted the Nomadic.
One of the four masts fell into the sea, three holes were punched in throught the deck and out the bottom of the hull, filling the bilge with water. In a few minutes the ship would be sitting on the sea bed, which was only about fifteen feet below. It wouldn't sink completely, but they would be bailing and repairing for weeks if they wanted it back up again.
After the first volley the cannoneers didn't fire again. Zeigler turned his attention to Fray.
"What are you doing? Didn't you want me to sink her?"
"I did, but I changed my mind."
"You changed your mind?!"
"It was my first ship," Fray said sadly.
Zeigler, frustrated with the sea captain, grabbed Fray by the collar and pulled him close. "What do you want from me? I've saved your life and brought you aboard my ship. Your ship is as good as sunk at this point, which is what you asked me to do. And now you're whining about the sentimental value of what is now a barely floating hunk of wood that your own crew stole from you in your absence? WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!" With that, Zeigler smacked Fray hard in the side of the head.
Instinctively, Fray drew his cutlass but before he had it weilded in front of him, he had two of Zeigler's revolvers under his chin. Fray knew the man was right.
"Yes... thank you. I... I lost my mind for a second. It's just a ship, and I really would rather see her sunk than in Nero's hands. I apologize for my-"
Before he could finish a cannonball smashed through the gunwale, sending splinters of wood in all directions. Fray and Zeigler hit the now level deck.
"Where did that come from?" asked Zeigler. "Do those cannons fire up?"
"No," said Fray. "It came from the fort."
Sure enough, as they two captains peered over the side towards Flint's Castle, more cannon fire spat at them.
"Aeron, hard to starboard! Bring us around! Liam, all guns starboard, fire on my signal!"
Zeigler pace to the other side of the deck as the galleon came around. The fast, unpredictable movements of the Rapture caused the cannons to miss their mark.
"Full tilt, Aeron!" screamed Zeigler.
"What are you doing?" Fray asked Zeigler, following him closely around the deck.
"Attacking the head of the snake," he said with a sly smile.
Rapture was hit with two more cannonballs before they were in firing position. Once they were, Zeigler gave the command and all guns boomed away. When the first volley was over, the guns were pulled back and reloaded while a second set were pushed into the gun ports.
This continued for volley after volley while the Rapture circled the fort. After the cannons were switched the fifth time, Zeigler stomped on the deck to cease the firing. The fort was split wide open, walls were caving in and something inside had caught fire. It was a disaster area. The eight men that were lead away from the Nomadic in chains had run away in the confusion, hiding in the trees. They came out now and waved at the sky galleon.
"Aeron, steady tilt and drop the ladder. Pick those soldiers up!"
It was done, and in five minutes the men were on board and the ship was off.
"Nice job, captain," said Fray.
"Thank you, captain," replied Zeigler. "Think Flint was in there?"
"I don't know. I hope so."
They sailed off to the north, back over the ruined fort and over the water between Cerrafold and the mainland. After a few minutes, Zeigler asked "What will you do now?"
"Not sure how to go about it," said Fray. "but I have to see what exactly it was that Commodore Westin had in mind sending me here with that body."
"Westin sent you with a body? Let me guess; Flint's brother?"
Fray studied the other man's face. "Yeah. What do you know about it?"
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