The Queen's first arrow struck true. She hadn't lost her touch. A voice behind her praised her, but she was too jubilant to respond as she nocked another arrow.
The adrenaline was beginning to excite the Rune, and voices howled in her mind. She felt an urge to direct it towards the oncoming pirate ships and obliterate them all with its power but she pushed the idea down inside and let another arrow fly high.
Obel's Saviour listed as it turned to port. As she steadied herself, sounds of the Rune cannons below being readied could be heard, soon to be fired towards the oncoming pirates. There was no doubt the Obel ship could handle both of enemy ships. Pirates weren't known for possessing large amounts of Rune cannons. Another arrow whistled through the air and stayed true, towards another victim of the Queen's prowess.
A flash of vibrant green burned her retinas and the boom of the cannon almost popped her ear drums. Falling to her knees, she dropped her bow and rubbed her eyes. Someone grabbed her shoulder, she turned and seen the faint outline of her husband. His voice was muffled. Shouting a reply she said: "I'm okay, Lino."
His reply was muffled. Standing back up became an effort as her balance was thrown off. Before she could grab her bow another bright flash, this time a warming orange glow, followed by the ear popping boom. This time their ship jolted violently and her legs gave way, sending her crashing into the nearby railing. The ringing in her ears was as unbearable as the pain she felt in her right arm.
Lying there partially blinded by contrasting colours, thoughts of the Rune pulsed through her mind. She could feel it stirring and demanding to be used. The voices cut through the ringing. More intense than she had felt previously. Gingerly, she stood up and looked around as the intense light in her vision died down. One of the ships had hooked on to Obel's Saviour and preparing to board. Her husband was preparing the fighting men, barking at them and gesticulating wildly, spear in hand. For the kids.
Lifting her left hand, a crimson swirl of light began emitting from the outline of the Rune. The voices called out in jubilation, sensing death was near. Light shot into the sky, the colour of wine spilling across the clear blue canvas. Or was it blood?
Memories of previous bearers filled her mind, the death and destruction they had brought forth to people and objects. It felt good. The enemy ships were clear in her mind now, and she released the energy from her left hand. A ghastly scream pierced the air. She could see soldiers holding their ears, even Lino had fallen to his knees holding his.
The nearby ships began imploding. Only sounds of the men screaming could be heard now as the Rune's deathly crimson light began vaporising them as it engulfed them. The Queen had never felt better. The Rune was feasting and the lifeforms it took energised it and her.
Flare appeared in her peripheral vision holding her brother. The trance she was in ceased, however, the Rune continued on its deathly crusade. Panic set in. Her left hand would not move from the air, but with her right she waved Flare away frantically. Lino ran to his children, shielding them.
The Rune finally finished with its human feast. Another scream pierced the air before it retreated back into her left hand. For an instant she looked over at her husband and children, and then another scream howled. A blast of energy surged from her and threw her back into the railing. The ringing had returned. Strangely, if not comforting, it sounded like her music box. The chimes were soothing.
She closed her eyes.
