Title: Daughters of the Empire
Chapter 5: Night on the Town
Author: Grizzled Rose
A/N: Happy beginning of the holiday season all.
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A few days past, and the date of the hanging was approaching fast. William had found no way out, and would kill those two bliters if only he could reach them.
The night was cool and a heavy fog was settling over the city and bay. Elisabeth sat in bed reading, as Dawn made her way out of the house. She was suppose to be in bed, but had to meet her friend, Herr Heinrich the German swordsmen from down at one the gentlemen's club. Lt. Finn and the Governor sat in the Lieutenant's office discussing how they were going to stop the pirate threat that just seemed to be growing. The guards down at the docks were settling down for another night of a quite watch.
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In a moment the peace that had settled over the city was blown to bits, along with some of the docks. Soon it was store fronts, shacks and houses along the shore line that began exploding and burning. Screaming people started to fill the streets, as row boats landed on shore. Dozens of dirty and dangerous men jumped to shore weapons drawn.
The Lieutenant jumped to his feet as the cannon fire began, quickly followed by the sound of his door being thrown open.
"Sir we're under attack!" A soldier yelled and then ran down the hall and out onto the street. The Lieutenant grabbed a rifle and turned to the governor.
"Barricade yourself in here and don't open the door unless if it's me." The Lieutenant barked as he ran out the door. The Governor just stared at the open door until the screams started again; he ran up to the door and slammed it shut. He then spent his time moving all the furniture in front of the door.
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Out on the street the Lieutenant and his men fought the pirates hand to hand. Citizens fought as well as the pirates started to burn everything in site that they couldn't steal. Dawn found herself fighting once again for her life and she was loving it. Her blade already carried the blood of one man tonight and there seemed to be plenty that wished to join it. Her sword was locked with one of a round, dirty man that smelt of booze and was missing his teeth. She looked the bastard in the eyes and smiled at him, right before picking up a hand full of dust and dirt and throwing it into his face. The pirate growled in pain as Dawn then ran him threw with her blade. She removed her blade and turned to the next man, he was a much bigger man with skin the color of coal. The most distinct thing was that he was missing his right eye. He looked at her and then the dead man in the dirt. With a shout he charged at Dawn sword shining in the moon light.
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The Governor's house was under attack and already the pirates had broken through the outside gate. Elisabeth turned to the very shaken Anya, "What's happening?"
"It's pirates, their attacking the city!" Anya cried out.
Elisabeth ran to her sister's room. "Dawn! Quickly." The words died on her lips as she saw that her sister was not with in her room. Elisabeth knew that she wasn't in the house, after her fight with that pirate her father had ordered Dawn to her room, and not to be let out. Everyone in the house was to see that this rule stood. "Damn it Dawn, why now!" Elisabeth growled as the banging down stairs began. Elisabeth ran to the top of the stairs and watched as the doorman and butler tried to keep the door closed. In a moment it was of no use, the pirates were in the house. Some one shot the men and began collecting loot but two men looked up and stared at her. Elisabeth turned and ran back up stairs.
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Echoes of cannon fire and fighting floated up to the prison cells. The two crewmen looked up from their new game of cockroach racing; they shared a glace and quickly turned to the small barred window. The two smiled wide as they jumped to their feet. Both ran to the small window and clawed their way over the high sill. The two climbed up on to the sill and looked out over the bay bellow.
William sat in a pile of straw in the corner of his cell and watched his cell mates from across the bars. As the cannon's fired again William's face went slack and his eyes lost focus of the present for a moment. The laughter of the two twits brought him back to the here and now.
"It's the Vampyr!" The little bearded pirate shouted in between their merriment. William gritted his teeth, and then returned as if he had not moved. "The captain's com for us!" The little pirate said as he jumped down from the window sill. "I told you Tucker didn't I? I said the captain would come fer us. Yes sir that I did." The little pirate mumbled as he got his cap from the floor and placed it on his head. He continued to wipe the dirt and mess off of his clothes, as the other pirate Tucker, turned to face inward.
"Warren, I thought the cap'in." Tucker started to say, until he was interrupted by William's laughter. "What's funny?" Tucker growled in William's direction.
"The Vampyr rescues no man mate." William said as he smirked at the two twits.
"Don't listen to him Tuck," Warren said as he climbed back on the window sill. "Just bitter 'cause he'll be swinging and we won't." Warren grabbed Tucker's neck and pointed his head back to the windows bars. "See that, that's the captain come to get us." Warren finished with a smile.
Suddenly William's eyes hurt as the cell wall that the two men sat on exploded into a fire ball and large cloud of dust, smoke and debris. Tucker's smoldering corpse lay against the opposite wall, his chest blown open. As Warren screamed in pain before the gurgling gasps as he chocked to death on his own blood.
William rested his head back on the stone wall and sighed. "Bloody idiots deserved that." William said as he closed his eyes and listened to the echoes of the fighting coming from the outside world. William hated to miss a good brawl, but more so hated the feeling of a caged animal.
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Elisabeth and Anya were hiding in the silver room adjacent to the main dinning room as the pirate's ransacked the house. "What are they looking for?" Elisabeth asked, shed didn't expect an answer.
"You." Anya stated. "You're the governor's daughter; they could ransom you, or use you as a hostage." Anya said as if it were so simple. Elisabeth took it all in for a moment and then grabbed Anya by the shoulders.
"Listen to me, I want you to hide and as soon as the way is clear run to the fort." Elisabeth said. Before Anya could reply Elisabeth ran out into the dinning room and into the site of the two pirates. She then headed for the kitchen, the pirates following behind her.
As soon as they left the room, Anya ran out and headed for the Lieutenant's office. The two pirates beat on the kitchen door, following after their prey. If they returned empty handed the captain would kill them for sure. On the fourth try the kitchen door flew open. The first pirate, the tallest of the two, with dirty blonde hair entered the room. Only to be hit directly in the face with a frying pan.
"Owww." The blonde pirate whined from the floor. The other pirate, a short man with a littler build stepped over him.
"Quit playing around Andrew." The second pirate said as he looked around the room. Just then a pan full of coals was thrown on him. He screeched in pain then charged the woman. Elisabeth ducked to the side and the charging man ran head first into the metal stove. He then dropped to the floor. Two arms grabbed around her as Andrew the first pirate picked her off her feet. Elisabeth brought her knee up and kicked backwards with all of her strength. Andrew screamed with pain, and dropped Elisabeth as he sunk to the floor cradling his crotch. A loud click echoed in the room, Elisabeth turned quickly only to find that she was looking down the wrong end of a pistol at the second pirate. She felt a sharp pain at the base of her skull.
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William sat as still as the dead, smiling to himself when the creak of the door's hinges announced some ones presents. William looked up to the cell door as two figures walked into the moon light. One man was of a slight build and a face covered in fuzz. His teeth were green and rotten in his mouth. He wore an old Celtic stocking cap and two flintlocks in the front of his belt. Next to him stood a large black man, he's arms and chest covered in unique tattoos. He carried a huge cutlass strapped around his chest.
"Don't know why we are the lads that is always cleaning messes now. If in those two boys survived that, there ain't no way they gonna survive da rope." The fuzzy pirate said, as the two looked over the cell next to William's. It took a moment for the two to notice the figure in the other cell, in that moment a look was shared between the three men.
"Well, if it ain't William the Bloody." The Blackman said, a smile growing across his face. "Been awhile ain't it Willy. I didn't know, what do ya say Doyle, when was the last time we saw Willy here?" The tow shared a quick laugh.
"Charlie me lad why would 'ave been." Doyle, the fuzzy pirate, was cut off by a tin plate and the slop that the prison called food flew into the cell door. Spraying the two pirates with grainy bits of the slop.
"Why ya soddin' bastard, I'll kill ya!" Charlie yelled, as he pounded on the cell door. William stood and began jumping foot to foot and laughed to himself. He rolled his shoulders and sneered at the two.
"Give it a go boy." William snarled at Charlie. "Come on Charlie what you gonna to do with out the captain and his thugs to help you?"
"Come on lad, don't want to leave the captain waiting now." Doyle said as he tried to drag Charlie away from the cell. "Let him meet his end by the rope. Don't give him the honor." Charlie shook Doyle's hands from his person and turned to away from the cell door.
"You're right he don't deserve it." The two left and William leaned against the prison's bars and watched them walk away.
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Dawn wasn't doing so well, not good at all. She lasted a few minutes fighting that giant African then survival kicked in and she ran. Dawn knew he was still behind her, even though she'd been zigzagging through the dark alleys. She had to think of something fast, the weight of her skirts were making it impossible to continue to move like she had been. Physically she wouldn't be able to defeat this monster, she'll just have to out smart him.
She was down by the docks in the warehouse area it was there she saw the perfect area to make her last stand. She raced to the side of the warehouse and turned preparing her sword just in time. The pirates axe smashed into her sword, the man then grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off her feet.
"Say good bye little one." The pirate growled. With the last bit of strength Dawn threw out her sword and cut threw the rope that was tied to the warehouse. A high pitched squeaking filled the air. The pirate looked up to see a net full of barrels fell right above him. He let go of Dawn and threw his arms over his head. Dawn had just enough time to roll out of the way as the pirate was crushed beneath the mound of cargo.
She could feel herself slipping; she tried to regain her feet. Only to fall once again, blood from a few wounds that escaped her notice, now began to blind her. With her adrenalin gone, the pain washed over her body. Lying in the street she faded into sleep.
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Aboard the Vampyr the captain stood watching the chaos run wild on the streets, a smile on his face. He walked over to the main mast and pulled a cow horn that hung there. He then inhaled deeply and let out a long note from the horn. With in moments the city was empty of pirates and the bay full of heavily laden boats. The captain watched as his men unloaded silver, gold, rum, weapons, and other bits of swag and loot. Another smile appeared on his face as Andrew climbed aboard the ship.
"Where is she?" The captain asked in a low, stern voice. Andrew shook with fear, his voice wavered.
"Jonathon has her Sir, bringing her up now." As he said it Johnathon the second pirate from the Governor's house dragged the girl up on to the deck.
"Stow her in the secondary cabin, make sure it's locked. Prepare to set sail I want to be gone from this bay in 20 minutes!" The captain barked out. The deck was a mass of activity as the crew prepared to sail.
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Dawn awoke in pain, it wasn't too bad, and she thought it hurt in almost a good way. She had won. Willow one of the serving maids came into the room.
"Good to see you awake miss." She said, though there was no joy in her voice.
"What's happening?" Dawn asked.
"Your father is quite upset with you for starters," Willow said with a glare in Dawn's direction. "Also, Mr. Parker and Ethen are dead." Dawn lowered her head, she never really knew the male servants but she knew they must have given their lives protecting the house. Then it hit her.
"Father and Elisabeth?" Dawn asked, Willow froze Dawn could feel the tension in the room grow.
"Your father is at the fort." Willow stopped for a moment. "Miss Elisabeth has been kidnapped." Willow looked at Dawn, sorrow written on her face. "I'm very sorry dear."
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Chapter 5: Night on the Town
Author: Grizzled Rose
A/N: Happy beginning of the holiday season all.
@@@
A few days past, and the date of the hanging was approaching fast. William had found no way out, and would kill those two bliters if only he could reach them.
The night was cool and a heavy fog was settling over the city and bay. Elisabeth sat in bed reading, as Dawn made her way out of the house. She was suppose to be in bed, but had to meet her friend, Herr Heinrich the German swordsmen from down at one the gentlemen's club. Lt. Finn and the Governor sat in the Lieutenant's office discussing how they were going to stop the pirate threat that just seemed to be growing. The guards down at the docks were settling down for another night of a quite watch.
@@@
In a moment the peace that had settled over the city was blown to bits, along with some of the docks. Soon it was store fronts, shacks and houses along the shore line that began exploding and burning. Screaming people started to fill the streets, as row boats landed on shore. Dozens of dirty and dangerous men jumped to shore weapons drawn.
The Lieutenant jumped to his feet as the cannon fire began, quickly followed by the sound of his door being thrown open.
"Sir we're under attack!" A soldier yelled and then ran down the hall and out onto the street. The Lieutenant grabbed a rifle and turned to the governor.
"Barricade yourself in here and don't open the door unless if it's me." The Lieutenant barked as he ran out the door. The Governor just stared at the open door until the screams started again; he ran up to the door and slammed it shut. He then spent his time moving all the furniture in front of the door.
@@@
Out on the street the Lieutenant and his men fought the pirates hand to hand. Citizens fought as well as the pirates started to burn everything in site that they couldn't steal. Dawn found herself fighting once again for her life and she was loving it. Her blade already carried the blood of one man tonight and there seemed to be plenty that wished to join it. Her sword was locked with one of a round, dirty man that smelt of booze and was missing his teeth. She looked the bastard in the eyes and smiled at him, right before picking up a hand full of dust and dirt and throwing it into his face. The pirate growled in pain as Dawn then ran him threw with her blade. She removed her blade and turned to the next man, he was a much bigger man with skin the color of coal. The most distinct thing was that he was missing his right eye. He looked at her and then the dead man in the dirt. With a shout he charged at Dawn sword shining in the moon light.
@@@
The Governor's house was under attack and already the pirates had broken through the outside gate. Elisabeth turned to the very shaken Anya, "What's happening?"
"It's pirates, their attacking the city!" Anya cried out.
Elisabeth ran to her sister's room. "Dawn! Quickly." The words died on her lips as she saw that her sister was not with in her room. Elisabeth knew that she wasn't in the house, after her fight with that pirate her father had ordered Dawn to her room, and not to be let out. Everyone in the house was to see that this rule stood. "Damn it Dawn, why now!" Elisabeth growled as the banging down stairs began. Elisabeth ran to the top of the stairs and watched as the doorman and butler tried to keep the door closed. In a moment it was of no use, the pirates were in the house. Some one shot the men and began collecting loot but two men looked up and stared at her. Elisabeth turned and ran back up stairs.
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Echoes of cannon fire and fighting floated up to the prison cells. The two crewmen looked up from their new game of cockroach racing; they shared a glace and quickly turned to the small barred window. The two smiled wide as they jumped to their feet. Both ran to the small window and clawed their way over the high sill. The two climbed up on to the sill and looked out over the bay bellow.
William sat in a pile of straw in the corner of his cell and watched his cell mates from across the bars. As the cannon's fired again William's face went slack and his eyes lost focus of the present for a moment. The laughter of the two twits brought him back to the here and now.
"It's the Vampyr!" The little bearded pirate shouted in between their merriment. William gritted his teeth, and then returned as if he had not moved. "The captain's com for us!" The little pirate said as he jumped down from the window sill. "I told you Tucker didn't I? I said the captain would come fer us. Yes sir that I did." The little pirate mumbled as he got his cap from the floor and placed it on his head. He continued to wipe the dirt and mess off of his clothes, as the other pirate Tucker, turned to face inward.
"Warren, I thought the cap'in." Tucker started to say, until he was interrupted by William's laughter. "What's funny?" Tucker growled in William's direction.
"The Vampyr rescues no man mate." William said as he smirked at the two twits.
"Don't listen to him Tuck," Warren said as he climbed back on the window sill. "Just bitter 'cause he'll be swinging and we won't." Warren grabbed Tucker's neck and pointed his head back to the windows bars. "See that, that's the captain come to get us." Warren finished with a smile.
Suddenly William's eyes hurt as the cell wall that the two men sat on exploded into a fire ball and large cloud of dust, smoke and debris. Tucker's smoldering corpse lay against the opposite wall, his chest blown open. As Warren screamed in pain before the gurgling gasps as he chocked to death on his own blood.
William rested his head back on the stone wall and sighed. "Bloody idiots deserved that." William said as he closed his eyes and listened to the echoes of the fighting coming from the outside world. William hated to miss a good brawl, but more so hated the feeling of a caged animal.
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Elisabeth and Anya were hiding in the silver room adjacent to the main dinning room as the pirate's ransacked the house. "What are they looking for?" Elisabeth asked, shed didn't expect an answer.
"You." Anya stated. "You're the governor's daughter; they could ransom you, or use you as a hostage." Anya said as if it were so simple. Elisabeth took it all in for a moment and then grabbed Anya by the shoulders.
"Listen to me, I want you to hide and as soon as the way is clear run to the fort." Elisabeth said. Before Anya could reply Elisabeth ran out into the dinning room and into the site of the two pirates. She then headed for the kitchen, the pirates following behind her.
As soon as they left the room, Anya ran out and headed for the Lieutenant's office. The two pirates beat on the kitchen door, following after their prey. If they returned empty handed the captain would kill them for sure. On the fourth try the kitchen door flew open. The first pirate, the tallest of the two, with dirty blonde hair entered the room. Only to be hit directly in the face with a frying pan.
"Owww." The blonde pirate whined from the floor. The other pirate, a short man with a littler build stepped over him.
"Quit playing around Andrew." The second pirate said as he looked around the room. Just then a pan full of coals was thrown on him. He screeched in pain then charged the woman. Elisabeth ducked to the side and the charging man ran head first into the metal stove. He then dropped to the floor. Two arms grabbed around her as Andrew the first pirate picked her off her feet. Elisabeth brought her knee up and kicked backwards with all of her strength. Andrew screamed with pain, and dropped Elisabeth as he sunk to the floor cradling his crotch. A loud click echoed in the room, Elisabeth turned quickly only to find that she was looking down the wrong end of a pistol at the second pirate. She felt a sharp pain at the base of her skull.
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William sat as still as the dead, smiling to himself when the creak of the door's hinges announced some ones presents. William looked up to the cell door as two figures walked into the moon light. One man was of a slight build and a face covered in fuzz. His teeth were green and rotten in his mouth. He wore an old Celtic stocking cap and two flintlocks in the front of his belt. Next to him stood a large black man, he's arms and chest covered in unique tattoos. He carried a huge cutlass strapped around his chest.
"Don't know why we are the lads that is always cleaning messes now. If in those two boys survived that, there ain't no way they gonna survive da rope." The fuzzy pirate said, as the two looked over the cell next to William's. It took a moment for the two to notice the figure in the other cell, in that moment a look was shared between the three men.
"Well, if it ain't William the Bloody." The Blackman said, a smile growing across his face. "Been awhile ain't it Willy. I didn't know, what do ya say Doyle, when was the last time we saw Willy here?" The tow shared a quick laugh.
"Charlie me lad why would 'ave been." Doyle, the fuzzy pirate, was cut off by a tin plate and the slop that the prison called food flew into the cell door. Spraying the two pirates with grainy bits of the slop.
"Why ya soddin' bastard, I'll kill ya!" Charlie yelled, as he pounded on the cell door. William stood and began jumping foot to foot and laughed to himself. He rolled his shoulders and sneered at the two.
"Give it a go boy." William snarled at Charlie. "Come on Charlie what you gonna to do with out the captain and his thugs to help you?"
"Come on lad, don't want to leave the captain waiting now." Doyle said as he tried to drag Charlie away from the cell. "Let him meet his end by the rope. Don't give him the honor." Charlie shook Doyle's hands from his person and turned to away from the cell door.
"You're right he don't deserve it." The two left and William leaned against the prison's bars and watched them walk away.
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Dawn wasn't doing so well, not good at all. She lasted a few minutes fighting that giant African then survival kicked in and she ran. Dawn knew he was still behind her, even though she'd been zigzagging through the dark alleys. She had to think of something fast, the weight of her skirts were making it impossible to continue to move like she had been. Physically she wouldn't be able to defeat this monster, she'll just have to out smart him.
She was down by the docks in the warehouse area it was there she saw the perfect area to make her last stand. She raced to the side of the warehouse and turned preparing her sword just in time. The pirates axe smashed into her sword, the man then grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off her feet.
"Say good bye little one." The pirate growled. With the last bit of strength Dawn threw out her sword and cut threw the rope that was tied to the warehouse. A high pitched squeaking filled the air. The pirate looked up to see a net full of barrels fell right above him. He let go of Dawn and threw his arms over his head. Dawn had just enough time to roll out of the way as the pirate was crushed beneath the mound of cargo.
She could feel herself slipping; she tried to regain her feet. Only to fall once again, blood from a few wounds that escaped her notice, now began to blind her. With her adrenalin gone, the pain washed over her body. Lying in the street she faded into sleep.
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Aboard the Vampyr the captain stood watching the chaos run wild on the streets, a smile on his face. He walked over to the main mast and pulled a cow horn that hung there. He then inhaled deeply and let out a long note from the horn. With in moments the city was empty of pirates and the bay full of heavily laden boats. The captain watched as his men unloaded silver, gold, rum, weapons, and other bits of swag and loot. Another smile appeared on his face as Andrew climbed aboard the ship.
"Where is she?" The captain asked in a low, stern voice. Andrew shook with fear, his voice wavered.
"Jonathon has her Sir, bringing her up now." As he said it Johnathon the second pirate from the Governor's house dragged the girl up on to the deck.
"Stow her in the secondary cabin, make sure it's locked. Prepare to set sail I want to be gone from this bay in 20 minutes!" The captain barked out. The deck was a mass of activity as the crew prepared to sail.
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Dawn awoke in pain, it wasn't too bad, and she thought it hurt in almost a good way. She had won. Willow one of the serving maids came into the room.
"Good to see you awake miss." She said, though there was no joy in her voice.
"What's happening?" Dawn asked.
"Your father is quite upset with you for starters," Willow said with a glare in Dawn's direction. "Also, Mr. Parker and Ethen are dead." Dawn lowered her head, she never really knew the male servants but she knew they must have given their lives protecting the house. Then it hit her.
"Father and Elisabeth?" Dawn asked, Willow froze Dawn could feel the tension in the room grow.
"Your father is at the fort." Willow stopped for a moment. "Miss Elisabeth has been kidnapped." Willow looked at Dawn, sorrow written on her face. "I'm very sorry dear."
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