Leah walked along the deck enjoying the afternoon. She watched as the crew worked in the rigging. She turned her attention to the open sea that lay before her. It looked so peaceful! She was finding it harder and harder to believe that she had ever been a part of it. She had been on land for only a short time but so much had happened to her! She was slowly starting to enjoy being a part of this new world. She wondered if this was how her aunt Ariel felt when she left the sea to be with her true love. She blushed at the thought. The first thing she would do when she saw her grandfather would be to ask him if he could change both her and Terence back into merpeople. She wondered if her grandfather knew about the slaves and their evil master. She wondered if she should send another message to her family. She knew that now would be a bad time. Everyone would see her and would quickly figure it out. She would have to do it tonight when no one was around. She was about to go below when something on the horizon caught her eye. She stared at the shape until she realized that it was a ship! Mr. Bill! She called. He came over and she pointed to the ship on the horizon which was getting closer every second. He studied it for a moment then tuned and with more speed than she thought he had he ran to Roberts's cabin. Cap'n! cap'n!!! He called as he ran into the cabin. He soon emerged with Roberts who had grabbed his telescope and ran to the side. He seemed to study the ship for a moment and then sighed. Gentlemen! He called to the crew. We have company! Prepare the cannons! The men all cheered and moved faster than Leah had ever seen them move! Mr. Bill ran over and grabbed Leah by the arm. Best to come with me miss! He called. This could get messy! Leah allowed herself to be dragged to the captain's cabin. Once inside she ran to the window to watch the action. Outside the men were loading the cannons and preparing their weapons. Finally the battle began! Leah watched as men boarded the ship and some of the Serpent's crew boarded the other ship. She watched as the swords clashed and the men fought.
King Eric's crew was all skilled fighters and they wasted no time in attacking the Pirate ship. Eric could tell that the ship was the Scurvy Serpent. Very few Captains ever dared to go against the Serpent. He knew he couldn't win the fight but his crew did their best. Finally he saw a chance to get his crew away. He gave the order and the crew retreated. They left just as quickly as they had come. Eric would deal with Captain Roberts another time. He was sick of the pirates picking fights! Roberts time would come, whether by his hand or another's, his time would come.
Leah waited until the sounds of fighting had died down before she looked out the window. The crew seemed to be cleaning up wounds and doing a head count. She slowly proceeded from the cabin out to the deck. The first person she searched for was Terence. He was over near the helm trying to dress a sword wound. Leah ran over to him. He smiled and breathed a sigh of relief as he saw her. She ran up and hugged him tight! He hugged her right back not caring how much his arm hurt. Suddenly she pulled away! Your arm!!! She exclaimed. He looked back to his wound. Here, she said, let me take a look at it! She began to wash and dress the wound. Why did they attack us? She asked. THEY didn't. We attacked THEM. What? She asked concerned. What do you mean? Our wonderful captain decided to pick a fight with the opposing ship. Glad to here you think so highly of me laddie! A familiar and unwelcome voice said. Captain Roberts! Terence half yelled. What was all that about? Why did you attack that ship? They were going to let us pass peacefully! Not from where I was standing. Roberts said. The Royal armadas are always looking for a way to pick a fight with us. Sometimes the best defense is to beat them at their own game. So you just plan on picking a fight with every ship that passes us? Is that it? Look boy, Roberts said getting very serious; this is a more serious matter than you think. We Pirates have developed a rather unpleasant reputation with the law. We have accepted it. So you have a choice: you can accept the hard truth as we have, or you can swim to your destination, your choice. With that he walked away into his cabin and slammed the door. Leah turned to Terence, don't upset him. She said sadly. I understand that you're upset but he is the captain. We'll be okay. All we have to do is agree with him until we get to my cousins. Then we never have to think of this place again! Leah don't you understand. Terence said sadly. What if we don't make it to Caledonia? What if we end up dying because Captain Roberts decides to pick a fight with the wrong ship? Leah our lives are at stake here. Not only ours but also the lives of all those slaves that are counting on us? Leah this is one risk we cannot afford. Leah put her hand on Terence's arm. I will contact my family the when it gets dark, she said calmly, I'll tell my grandfather about the slaves and we WILL make it to Caledonia. You need to relax. I understand you worried but picking fights with the Captain isn't going to fix anything. Trust that Roberts knows what he is doing. Besides we're only a few days away. I'm sure it can't be much further. Terence didn't seem convinced but he did calm down a little. Leah smiled. I'll tell you when the coast is clear. Terence said. Then you can contact your family.