Hares of the Seas
Chapter 1
The Water "Logged" Patrol
Now, of the many new Water Long Patrol there was one in particular that stuck out. Most of the ships, if it came across a pirate ship, would board it and slay the beasts. But the Dingywave, under the command of Captain Trobley, did it different. The Dingywave was set up like a corsair ship, and when the crew spotted an enemy, they would don costumes of searats and fool the ship to come too close. This way, fewer lives were lost. But to most hares it seemed undignified to wear corsair clothing, except the crew of the Dingywave. Soon the patrol earned the name the Water "Logged" Patrol; though no one said this to the badger lord.
But deep down every hare knew that Captain Trobley's way was better; they never lost a battle. But now, after many sea battles, the Dingywave was returning to Salamandastron for a very special reason; two of the crewmembers were to be wed. Their names were Kirock and Victoria. Every battle they had gone through had brought them closer together. Then the night after their last battle, Kirock had purposed.
The couple would have been married on the ship, but the Badger lord wouldn't hear it. He insisted that they return to Salamandastron. But because of their position at sea they were forced to go through Scleocion cliff islands; great stone pillars that rose from the sea. But the vessel Seahawk had gone through the area a week before and reported no pirates around. So there was no concern.
Since hares are mostly land creatures and not used to the sea yet, they had not learned that searats are unpredictable. Their ships are fast, and can not be in one area one week and be there the next. And this was no ordinary gang of corsairs; the Skulltooth, under the command of Captain Yellowback the water moccasin, showed no mercy, not even to other searats. So when the Dingywave came through the Sceolcion cliff islands, the Skulltooth intercepted it.
" Ahoy, chaps, a corsair ship approach'n!" Garten the lookout hare shouted to the rest of the crew of the Dingywave.
" Wot? There aren't supposed to be any ships here!" Captain Trobely yelled, coming out of his cabin.
" Aye, sah, but the scum are getting closer! I can see about twoscore rats and a large snake!" Garten replied to his captain. Trobely ran to a bell on the mast and rang it several times, shouting,
" All 'ands on deck! Corsairs coming!" All the members of the brave crew appeared on the deck. Kirock stepped up to the Captain.
" What's going on, sah?" he asked.
" Corsairs. Be ready for battle. I believe the vermin are going to board the ship!" Trobely panted, rushing off to inform other hares. Kirock went back into his cabin to tell his finance.
" What is it, Kirock?" Victoria asked him. He told her what he knew. She stood up, grabbed her sword, and walked out with Kirock to defend the ship.
~*~
Aboard the Skulltooth, the evil Captain Yellowback prepared his crew for the board.
" Yesss, men, get ready. Sail up next to the haresssss ssship, then jump into the deck. Yesss, then put a plank down so I may crosss, yesss, good, very good." The ship pulled up next to the Dingywave. A score of rats jumped from the deck of the Skulltooth. Trirag, Yellowback's second in command, put a plank down from deck to deck. Yellowback slithered across, and the battle began...