I jump into action.
The HMS Clark's members run back to their ship. Jared sprints past me. I catch his arm.
"Jared, tell me you'll stay and fight with us."
"I can't, I'm sorry Puss. As much as I'd love to stick around for after the battle," he says with a saucy wink, "I've gotta stay out of this one. I'll leave so you don't get into even more trouble."
I stare at him for a moment and growl, "You're a coward Joseph Jared." "Sorry Jack-o, crew before you." "Real funny," I grumble.
He salutes me and begins to walk away but then stops. He spins around and plants a kiss on my mouth yet again. I pull away angrily.
Jared smiles at me, "Call me when you're done playing with the boys, Puss." I shove him towards the Clark.
Think, think, think, think, think! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! They're getting closer! Damn!
"All hands on aloft to make sail! Helmsmen turn this brig around!
The emergency bell rings, summoning the crew up through the hatchway. Ravi runs out holding my weapons. I choose a sword, two pistols and a bow with poison tipped arrows. Just to be safe.
I then shoo Ravi below decks. I don't need to worry during this.
"All hands to battle stations!" My bully boys report to their gun stations within a minute. I run to the stern gun after giving the order that I get the first shot. I deftly fill the barrel with ball and powder. Peering out gunhole, I spy our adversaries and aim. I pull the cord then quickly jump away.
Crack!
The shot rings out but falls short of our pursuers bow.
Other cannons ring out as well but the wind is howling and all the shots miss terribly because of it.
Damn they're getting closer. Damn!
A few more cannons ring out in vain. I leave my station and sprint up to the main deck. Cutlasses are being passed out. I hear hooks coming over the rail. My mates are so brave.
They will fight for my protection. I will fight for theirs.
Roaring Brits come pouring over the rail of the Lorelei Lee. I slash my way through the crowd. I spot Jaimy in battle with an angry able bodied seaman. I fight my way over.
When I reach them then seaman has Jaimy backing up until he's on his knees.
I bite my lip, but then ran my sword through his back. He falls to the floor deader than a doornail.
Jaimy takes my hand in his and kisses it. "I owe you my life yet again, my warrior princess."
"Oh no you don't!" "But- !" "I will deal with you later James Emerson Fletcher! Now go somewhere where I won't have to worry about you! Please!" I kiss him deeply and then push him away. "Now go!"
Another notch on Rooster Charlie's knife today. Hopefully only one.
While many battle, I see a slain Brit and a dead man of mine lying on top of each other.
Poor John Conwell. He was a good lad.
A huge hand suddenly grasps my arm. "Captain! Jacky Fa-!" He never finishes his sentence. He drops to the floor too.
Davy, me mate, fellow former street urchin and employee of my own Faber Shipping Company is revealed holding a bloody shiv. "We street kids gotta stick together don' we?" "Aw thanks Davy." "Anytime Jack-o, although yer a giant pain in me arse, yer m' mate and it wouldn't do for the crown t' hear of ye." He grins and then darts away.
I see gunners on all the tops. I take out an arrow and shoot one down. I flinch when I see him fall dead off the mizzentop and into the sea.
My eyes then go to the Captain of the other brig. I know that on a British Man O' War if the Captain is brought down all fighting stops. He notices me and unsheathes his sword. Most men will pause before drawing on a lady, especially a young one like me, but this man has obviously been warned about me. He and I battle.
SLASH CLANK SLASH SLASH, go our swords, SLASH CLANG CLANG! All of a sudden there is no sword in my hand at all.
I am disarmed.
