Both Alan and Saihrena had changed into their pirate garb, complete with scarves and hats to hide their hair and make them look like men. Between both ships there were over eighty crew members, they had only taken thirty for this venture. The ships had to be prepared to leave once they gathered the concubines, not all of the woman would want to leave but there would be some that were kidnapped and wanted to go home, those they would help.
They were split into groups of five, ostensibly to find their contact, but in reality they didn't want to draw attention to themselves. Night was coming and they wanted to break in under the cover of darkness. So they were acting like any group of men who had just been at sea, drinking, carousing, and generally being a nuisance. Alan found herself under intense scrutiny from Davin when she pulled a whore onto her lap in a playful manner. She smiled at him and sent him a glare that said if he tried to do the same thing he'd find himself less than a man.
When night had fully taken over the day the groups began to disengage themselves from whatever company they had and quietly left the taverns on the story that the Captain needed them back. Everyone was clearheaded and ready for a fight when they neared the Palace.
They continued walking by it, ignoring the guards that snapped to attention when they moved in front of it. They were still in their groups of five, her father and mother leading one group quietly around the back while Jessie led her group, with Gabby's group, on one of the sides, and Davin and Jon had their groups on the other side. They were finding the quickest and quietest way inside. Alan made her way to the meeting spot, gleaning more information than the guards had intended.
Everyone began to appear within ten minutes, they all had ideas.
"The front gate is guarded by two men," Alan began in a quiet voice when everyone was accounted for. "Beyond the gate there is a garrison of another twenty or so men, and at the Palace doors there are four."
"The back is guarded in much the same way," Jack said, "which is a problem cus that's where the concubine's quarters are. There are four guards at the back wall, a garrison, and then another four guard the doors inside."
"The West side of the Palace is guarded by only five men," Davin said smiling. "And the walls are low enough for us to scale."
"It's the same with the East side, only difference is there are a few more guards," Gabby said.
"So the West side would be the best place to get in," Alan murmured as a plan began to form. "Father you and I will scale first and take out the four as quietly as possible. If they yell a warning our plan is ruined. How vigilant were they?" She asked, turning back to Davin and Jon.
"Not very, they were chatting with each other about women and their plans when they were off in the morning," Jon replied.
"Good, once we take the guards out the rest of you hop over and we will make our way inside. Are there doors on the West side?"
"No, but there are some windows there, no glass in em."
"Even better, that's our way in and out. Father and I will remain at the front, mother and Jessie behind us, Gabby and Jon you two take the rear. Everyone happy with the plan?"
"What about me?" Davin pouted, making everyone laugh.
"You stay close to me love," Alan smirked. The plan was set, and again was so simple that it made Alan wonder if it would really work. Jack smirked and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"That's me girl, you said exactly what I woulda done."
"Well that's no good, I know how your plans go fa," she laughed quietly as they made their way back to the West side of the Palace.
"Shame on ye, maligning yer dad like that, not right girl, not right."
Everyone grew quiet then, they had reached the wall. Alan turned and nodded at Jack who was pulling out his sword. Alan pulled out her katabos and put a foot into the hands Davin offered her, Jack was putting his into Jon's hand. Davin and Jon pushed up, throwing them up so they cleared the wall and landed in a whirlwind of blows that sent the four guards into coma's or death as they hit.
They made it. She heard the sound of boots hitting the ground beside her, the others were coming over. They waited until everyone was there before they started off towards the windows. Jack jumped into the window feet first and Alan heard the sound of a blade biting into flesh as she jumped through, a single man had been stationed in the hall.
"Which way?" Alan murmured. Her father turned and began to walk quietly down the hall, Alan at his shoulder, her mother, Jessie, and Davin coming in behind her, and the rest of the thirty behind them.
The halls were mostly empty, a few of the concubines and some servants were running about, those that they met they gave 3 choices, freedom, death, or their silence. Most elected for freedom and those that did were sent back to the Pearl with a man or two, they were down five men when they finally reached their destination. Two guards stood at the entrance, Alan and Jack took them out silently before motioning the others to join them.
Alan threw open the doors and stepped inside. Every woman and child turned to stare at her and her coterie of pirates. When she saw the little boys lying around her throat tightened.
"We have come to free those of you who wish to go home, we will take whoever wants to come. I am searching for my brother Logan," Alan said in a loud, clear voice. The people just stared at her until one woman stood up, carrying a boy of about five with her.
"How do we know we can trust you?" She whispered.
"Because if you don't then you will be stuck here forever, we haven't got much time, those of you that wish freedom gather what you want and follow us out."
The woman nodded, then walked to her area, picked up some clothing and jewelry, then walked to Alan, the boy still clutched in her arms. "I am leaving." As if that were a cue, most of the other women began gathering things and walking to the pirates.
Alan turned to the first woman, "do you know my brother Logan? He would be a boy of thirteen and new here."
"He is with the Sultan tonight, along with my friend Deanna," the woman whispered sadly.
Alan got angry at that. "Where are his rooms? And what is your name; I will get your friend and tell her you wait for her on the ship."
"His rooms are down the hall, but you mustn't go there, you will be killed."
Alan and her father laughed at that, "don't you worry none, me and me daughter will be fine," Jack smirked.
"My name is Sharon; I wish you luck retrieving your brother and son."
Alan smiled and nodded. When all the woman that were coming were ready she turned to speak to them all, "we have two ships that you can go on, follow these men quietly back there and then split up on the two ships, we will get you all to your homes I swear it." Alan, followed by her mother, father, sister, and lover, pushed through the crowd and out of the concubine quarters, they would get Logan back or her name wasn't Alandra Sparrow.
revised his age, everything else is teh same though, love for all those who review!
