Chapter 11

Voyage

As the salt seawater sprayed into her face she gave a sigh of relief. It had been three long weeks but here they were, almost to an island so they could restock on supplies, she'd gotten her sea legs only just a week and a half ago. She was thankful she'd gotten over her fear of heights because yesterday Aari had asked her to climb up into the crow's nest. The view was spectacular from everywhere on the ship, up there and here on the bow.

She climbed onto the bow and enjoyed the wind whipping through her hair and the view of the sunset; the color was so much like her hair: golden orange with tinges of red.

"In a swift ending the flower you bore for me

Is snatched from dying bliss still cool from your

Faint lips imprinted on mine the tears that fall-"

Kel paused "What's the next line? Ugh! What song is this?"

Kel sighed and suddenly her peaceful bliss was interrupted by a shout from above. Looking up she saw a crew member waving his arms franticly "Enemy ship on the horizon! It's Peter!"

Kel ran to her room and put her armor on, her weapons came next then finally she picked up her glaive as she bolted out the door. Joren was already outside standing next to Aari, the cold anticipation and blood lust was evident on his face.

Kel's eyes were hard and when she caught sight of an unarmed Art she grew worried as well. "Art. Where are your weapons?"

He shook his head "I haven't any, I am only a musician."

Kel looked over at Joren, why didn't he give him anything? Art saw her look and placed a hand on her arm "Me and Joren are on uneasy terms about that. But don't worry, he's a great body guard and I do have a stave."

He picked up his staff, which was leaning against the wall; it was made of hard wood and was very study. She handed it back to him "Well good luck okay. I'm needed at Aari's side. We both have the same score to settle."

Her expression turned cold as she went to stand beside the handsome young captain. "Aari, good luck and hope you get to Peter before I do because I won't leave him alive."

Aari turned to look at her "My lady. I regret to inform you but Peter isn't on his ship, but there are four ships headed our way, all allies of his. At least a hundred men in total."

Kel paled "How many of us?"

Aari sighed "Thirty."

Kel nodded and headed to Joren "We won't stand a chance, their equipment is much better and they have at least triple the amount of men at their disposal."

Joren was beyond worried, Art didn't know how to swim if the need would arise and neither did he. "We'll be slaughtered. Is it too late to turn back?"

Aari appeared at his side "No, our ship is faster but it'll be close. If the wind is on our side we may escape."

Kel nodded "Then turn this ship around and let down the sails. The wind is perfect."

Aari nodded trusting her judgment, he'd heard of her from the stories his men told. She was a formidable crewmate.

"Turn this ship around Justin! Get those sails down! What are you waiting for? You heard the lady! We can beat them!" Aari barked orders to his crew.

Kel watched with anxiety as the men she'd come to know run around trying to keep themselves alive by following what Aari told them to do.

She wasn't one to sit down and watch though. She had watched them enough to know what needed to be done, not to mention they all seemed to want to tutor her in the life and ways of a pirate.

Kel ran to the nearest net/ladder and climbed up to the sail. There was no time for untying the complicated ropes so the men had just cut ropes. Kel sliced through the necessary ropes with her glaive and swung on a rope to reach the next ladder cutting away ties and ropes as she went causing the sails to fall and fill with air as the strong wind blew their ship to hopeful safety.

The sails down and the ship turned around Kel climbed up to the crows nest and pulled out her telescope.

She looked at the four ships that were only a few hundred yards behind them. She turned her attention to the ropes binding the sails and concentrated hard. The flame was small but enough. The sails were soon on fire. The next ship received the same treatment but the last two she just ignited the mast itself.

She looked down at Aari's crew and smiled as they shouted in joy. She scanned the faces and spotted Joren's. He was looking up at her, a knowing look on his face and the faintest trace of a smile on his lips.

Art watched as she climbed down and gave Joren a hug. The look on his brothers face... Art turned his head away in refutation as he realized something his own brother probably didn't know.

He didn't watch as his brother held his Lady Red close to him. Art walked away and refused to acknowledge what went on behind him, Joren clutched Kel protectively to his body. Art sighed "Brother..."

Dum Dum Dum! What happens next?

Tune in next time to find out

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