Chapter 5

Goodbye Love

The next several days, Arieda and Toren didn't speak to each other a bit. Plus, it seemed as if the whole crew knew why! Arieda remained jittery and grumpy, standing there beside the wheel as she gazed at the compass. Toren took his place next to the railing, gazing out upon the briny deep.

"Why so glum, mate?" Came the familiar voice of Luna. Flopping down suddenly beside him, she raised a brow. Toren's eyes went wide and his palms began to sweat. He gazed shortly at her and then, speedily looked away.

"I-I'm not glum! There's n-nothing wrong, honest!" He stammered in protest.

"Ye kissed her, didn't ye?"

"I-I don't...y-yes."

"And she kissed ye back."

"Y-Yes. But, it meant nothing! It was just a few kisses and some promising words, nothing more!"

"Ye liked the captain the minute ye laid eyes on her!"

Toren swallowed hard and he felt himself grow hotter. Luna was unfortunately, true. Yes, ever since he had first seen Arieda, he produced a sudden infatuation with her. He didn't know why. He guessed it must be her personality. Witty and oddly adorable, unique and adventurous; they all interested him. Plus, her strange yet attractive beauty. The dark brown hair, tanned, soft skin, the perfect body; it all was so irresistible to him.

Toren was in love and he was far too determined to go unnoticed. Holding a straight face, he gazed dreamily toward the captain as he replied to Luna.

"You are right...but who wouldn't? I mean, she's gorgeous!"

"Ye're hopeless, mate! Love ain't welcome aboard this ship, it brings weakness. The captain loves nothing but treasure and rum." Luna informed him with absolutely no emotion. Toren frowned and then let out a sigh of disappointment. But suddenly, Tai-Tai rushed down from the crow's nest and shouted at Arieda, "Cap'n, ship coming up on starboard!"

Arieda snapped the compass close and jumped into action, waving her hands about as she ordered loudly, "All hands on deck! Bring out the guns!"

The crew scattered like ants, following commands and calling out to each other.

"Klepto! Hoist the colors!" Tai-Tai shouted loudly and quite demandingly.

Klepto did exactly like he was told. The Sparrow's Horizon flag looked like Jack Sparrow's tattoo; with the sparrow, the waves, and the sunset. Tai-Tai came up to the spot were Arieda stood and Arieda gave her a nod, then stepped aside.

"Alright, follow orders and I assure ya, there will be spoils for all of ya!" Tai-Tai spoke with authority, "Savvy, ya scallywags?"

"YO HO!" The crew shouted back in reply. No one should ever reply to 'Savvy' with an 'Aye'. Tai-Tai grinned proudly and then the enemy ship begun to steer into view. The minute Toren saw it, he froze. There, on the end of that main mast, flew a red and black flag. The flag had the head of a dragon in front of a ball of fire. On one side of the dragon were some symbolic Chinese writing. Ye, it was the Dragon Fire!

"Argh, tis that bloody beast, Bellar!" Arieda cursed loudly. She then gave Tai-Tai a firm look and Tai-Tai smirked, nodding in reply. Stepping forward, Tai-Tai shouted,

"Bring out the triple guns! Load them with chain balls and fire bombs! Fire at my ready!"

The crew grinned mischievously and followed the Quartermaster's orders. As they were loading, the ship jolted as the Dragon Fire released on the Sparrow's Horizon, causing the ship to sway awkwardly.

"FIRE! FIRE!" Tai-Tai screeched suddenly and the crew responded immediately. Soon enough, cannon balls and fire bombs were flying about.

As the ships drew closer, the Dragon Fire raised a white flag. Captain Bellar gazed over the railing and then gasped," HOW IN BLOODY NAME DID YOU GET TOREN ON YER SHIP?"

Arieda just grinned proudly and then said," Ohhhhh...so he was a Dragon Fire pirate? That explains how stupid he is! Did ye want him back now?" The crew gasped and shouted out at Arieda, wanting her to change her mind about trading Toren. Toren glared at Arieda, disgusted by her sudden rudeness. And to think he called her pretty!

Captain Bellar grinned and then said, "COURSE I DO! GIVE HIM HERE!"

"ARIEDA! TOREN'S VALUE IS MORE THAN GOLD!"

"DON'T TRADE HIM OVER, LASSIE! HE'LL BE GOOD LEVERAGE WHEN THE TIME COMES!"

"BAH! Fine then...we'll have ourselves a little duel to decide who gets Toren!" Arieda smirked rather grimly. Captain Bellar snickered and then swung across, cutlass in hand. Arieda was rather eager to finish this, knowing she would win. She pulled out her cutlass and spun it with pride. Toren watched the battle begin, only to find Arieda had caught Captain Bellar, a sword beside his neck! Though, he gasped as he realized something so terrible, it made him feel guilty. Captain Bellar was secretly pointing a large pistol at Arieda's stomach.

To Be Continued...

"Any last words?" Arieda sneered with a dark grin.

Captain Bellar cackled evil and then whispered with a grim voice, "This is the day that you will always remember as the day I killed Arieda...Marie...Sparrow!"

There was a gun shot, a gasp, and Arieda...fell limply to the ground!