Prologue

It was March 15, during the 1700s when it happened. I never expected something like this to happen to me in years... a pirate raid on my home... my home. I remember it like it was yesterday too, the bastards came during the night and set Ravenswood Cove ablaze. My eyes snapped open at the sound of cannon fire coming from outside and the screams of the residents as they fled for their lives...

"Sara-Beth!" I heard my father call out.

I turned and saw my father come into my room, he was wearing his old pirate uniform and he had an alarmed look on his face.

"Father, what's wrong? Is it a raid?" I asked.

"Sara-Beth, there's no time to explain, I need you to hide," he said, "hide and don't come out until it's over."

I could only nod and hide under the bed as my father closed the door behind him and head out to go join the soldiers who were trying to repel the invaders. I didn't stay hidden for long though, I crawled out from under my bed and looked out of my window, I gasped in horror when I saw the soldiers get cut down from the pirates who were attacking us. The pirates were all garbed in black or bright red clothing, I didn't know who they were, and my father never told me about them whenever he told me one of his pirate stories before I went to sleep.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my father cutting down the pirates with lightning fast speed, I was completely shocked, I've never seen my father move that fast before, even at his age! My father blocked one pirate's attack and shot him in the heart with his first pistol, killing him. Another pirate was struck across the face with my father's second pistol, took a bullet to the shoulder and was sliced across the throat, killing him. Just then, I saw two more pirates' storm towards my father, who sheathed his sword, drew his last two pistols and fired, killing them both. I smiled.

Suddenly, I heard the door to the house burst open, causing me to jump and run under my bed. I covered my mouth as I heard multiple footsteps along with numerous voices. There were pirates in my house! I heard my mother scream.

"Mommy!" I called out.

I covered my mouth again, realizing that I screwed up. Unfortunately, my horrors came to light as a pirate entered my room and dragged me out from under my bed. I screamed and started thrashing like crazy as the pirate carried me into the living room and planted me right next to my mother, who was tied up. I looked up and saw one pirate step up and look me right in the face, he was garbed in a heavy trench coat, naval boats, pants, heavy gloves, and a three cornered hat with two cards in the rim and a red rose. Judging by his attire, I could only guess he was the pirate leader.

"You are... a very pretty bird, aren't you?" he asked, "how old are you lass? Ten?"

I shuddered and said, "Y...Yes."

The pirate cackled along with a few of his men. I was beyond terrified, I didn't know what was going to happen next... I didn't even want to know.

"Oh fair lass, would you like to know what we do to little ones like you?" he asked.

"You lay one hand on my daughter or my wife and I'll fucking kill you, Captain Blackheart," growled a voice.

I turned and saw my father standing nearby, both of his swords in each hand. I smiled.

"Daddy!" I called out.

The pirate, er... Captain Blackheart, turned and drew his sword. I swallowed.

"Alright then, Rowland, if that's how we're going to do it. Here's what we're going to do," he said, "you and me, 1 on 1, if you win, my crew leaves and your family lives. If I win, your wife dies and I take your daughter."

My throat went tight as I saw my father grip his swords and lunge at Captain Blackheart with incredible speed. My father lashed out with a flurry of slashes, as he and Captain Blackheart battled it out inside of the house.

"Get him daddy," I thought, "get him."

My father ducked and dodged as Blackheart swung on him numerous times, my father blocked, parried, ducked and struck Blackheart in the face with a twist kick. Before he could recoup, my father struck him in the jaw with another twist kick and kicked him right in the ribs, causing him to double over. As my father went for a double sword slash, Blackheart dropped to the ground, hopped back up and knocked him over with a shoulder tackle. I let out an alarmed gasp.

"You've lost your edge old man," said Blackheart.

My father rose and got in his battle stance again before jumping at his opponent. Blackheart battled it out with my father again for another five minutes, my heart was racing rapidly as these two hashed it out in a very vicious fight.

"I might be old, but I'll still kick your ass," my father growled.

My father caught another one of Blackheart's swings with a cross block, shoved him away and struck him across the face with a spinning kick. Blood flew off of Blackheart's lip from the blow, he quickly recouped and attacked again, forcing my father on his back foot. I grew worried, unless if my father did something quick, he would lose this fight.

"I have to do something," I thought.

Thinking fast, I jumped up, swiped a sword from one of Blackheart's crew and went to go help my father.

"Sara-Beth!" my mother called out.

But I didn't listen, I used my strength to pull up the sword and swing with all of my might, slashing Blackheart across the back of the leg. It might've been a knick, but it was enough to bring him down. Unfortunately, he turned and struck me in the face with the back of his hand.

"Sara-Beth!" I heard my father call out.

I slowly rose up and saw Blackheart draw one of his pistols. Before anyone could react, Blackheart fired, and shot my father right in the chest, causing him to go down to one knee. I. Was. Mortified.

"DADDY!" I screamed.

"You brought this one yourself child, for you, your father, and your own mother," Blackheart growled in anger, "kill the bitch."

I turned and saw one of his pirates draw his sword and take my mother's head off, killing her. I was even more mortified.

"Hey captain, what about the girl?" asked one of the pirates.

"Leave her here," said Blackheart, "let her stew in her own misery."

I ran over to my father as Blackheart and his crew filed out. My father looked up at me and wiped away my tears.

"Va bene il mio bambino (It's alright my child)," he whispered, "era inevitabile (it was inevitable)."

I could only sob as my father closed his eyes and went still. I was destroyed. My home, my family, my life, all of that was taken from me by Blackheart and his crew. In a fit of rage, I marched outside and called out, "Hey!"

Luckily, Blackheart and his crew hadn't walked too far, so they were able to hear me. I beckoned him over to me, Blackheart chuckled and walked over, with a wicked grin on his face.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"I never got your name, bub," I growled.

Blackheart chuckled and got down on one knee so he could look me right in the eye.

"My name is Blackheart, I'm Captain of the Blackfire Pirates," he said, "why do you ask child?"

"So I can find you, and kill you," I growled.

Captain Blackheart laughed and stood up.

"I'm going to hold you to that child," he said as he walked away.

I watched as Blackheart and his crew board their ship and set sail into the night. I was so angry, I was so very angry, I clenched my fists so tight that my knuckles turned white. I wanted to kill Blackheart, I wanted revenge, but I knew that if I were to draw a sword on him... I'd be dead. If I wanted to get my revenge, I'd need to become the very thing that I just now began to despise: I'd need to become a pirate.

My name is Sara-Beth Ravenswood, and this is my story...