X.
As Billy emerged onto the main deck, the controlled chaos of battle preparation spilled across the planks. Flint stood on the quarterdeck, spyglass to his eye. As he lowered it, a scowl stole across his features. He glanced up at the sky, expression darkening as thunder boomed in the distance. Angry black clouds were rapidly rolling in, and heavy drops of rain began to patter on the deck.
"Battle stations!" he bellowed. "Cannons at the ready!" Turning to DeGroot, he nodded, then gave the order for the ship to turn in preparation for a broadside.
Billy, ignoring the throbbing pain in his leg, braced himself against one of the masts, and proceed to issue orders in a rapid-fire sequence. The men raced up and down the rigging, deploying the sails in a matter of moments. As the large sheets of canvas unfurled, the Walrus began to execute a perfect swing to the right. However, before the vessel could get into proper position, another cannon fired from the Portsmouth, cutting a lethal arc across the sky to slam into the stern.
The ship shook from the impact, throwing most of the men to the deck. Flint got to his feet within seconds, ignoring the blood streaming down his temple. "Get the hull team down below!" he shouted. "If we take on much water, we're done for!" Turning to the row of cannons, he barked, "On my command!"
The men stationed at the huge iron pieces tensed, smoldering matches at the ready. When Flint bellowed , "Fire!" the guns roared to life. They were answered moments later by belches of black smoke from the Portsmouth. This time, however, the cannonballs fell wide of their mark, sending up sprays of water when they hit the churning waves. As lightning streaked across the sky. Flint squinted up at the heavy clouds, then strode to the wheel, shouting at the helmsman over the din. The ship swung around in a hard turn until it was perpendicular to the naval vessel. The wind had shifted direction, and it filled the sails of the Walrus, sending it speeding towards the Portsmouth.
"Bloody hell!" Jeremy stood next to Billy, staring open-mouthed as the distance between the two vessels rapidly closed. "He means to head straight for her!"
Billy swore under his breath. Since they had been taken by surprise, he knew Flint had little choice. At this point, it would be impossible for them to outrun the larger ship. An aggressive preemptive attack was their only hope.
As the ships neared each other, the cannons felt silent. The seamen of the Portsmouth assumed defensive positions, many arming themselves with pikes to repel a boarding party. Others retreated to the roundhouse, the muzzles of their flintlocks peeping out of the slits that had been carved in the planking for just that purpose.
"On my command," Flint growled, his eyes locking with Billy and Joji, who each held a grenade. As he gripped the weapon, his fingers running over the fuse, Billy could hear Meg's words echoing in his head. You did what you had to do to save an innocent life.
"NOW!"
Billy responded automatically, lighting the fuse and hurling it onto the Portsmouth. Seconds later, a blast came from the desk of the naval ship, sending razor sharp pieces of wood flying through the air.. As if on cue, a dozen grappling hooks were launched from the Walrus. Moments later, the vanguard was swarming the forecastle of the Portsmouth. As lightning flashed again, the rain began in earnest. Billy limped restlessly across the deck, following the battle intently. His hands balled into fists as watched the tide of the battle go back and forth several times. If only I wasn't so damn useless.
The throbbing in his leg a moment was forgotten a moment later. The fighting on the Portsmouth was now concentrated on the gundeck and forecastle. A British petty officer, taking advantage of the lack of focus on the aft part of the ship, led a group of his men in a brazen counterattack on the Walrus. It became clear to Billy that their aim was to storm the Captain's quarters. Taking a deep breath, he charged the group. He was still far from full strength, and a wave of dizziness came over him as he swung his sword, blurring his vision for an instant. The sounds around him seemed to swim together, the metallic clash of swords and the frenzied shouts of men merging into a dull roar.
An instant later, an eerie, ululating cry split the air. Joji leaped from the side of the ship onto the deck, arriving just in time to prevent one of the seamen from planting his sword in Billy's abdomen. The tall boatswain, sprawled on the deck, appeared dazed.
Joji gave him a hand, and pulled him to his feet. Billy shook his head, and his vision cleared, allowing him to regain his balance. Within seconds, they were fighting back to back against three seaman. Joji's slender, curved sword sliced through the air, the blade flashing as he parried an attack from the tall petty officer.
Billy, meanwhile, had his hands full. The two men engaging him were quick and strong. Although he did his best to camouflage his injury, they could not help but notice that he favored his stronger leg. One of the men smirked. "Hardly a fair battle for you, eh pirate scum? But no need to worry about that leg. It won't be troublin' you when you're lyin' at the bottom of the ocean."
A growl came from Billy in response, and he lunged forward. Even wounded, he was a skilled swordsman, with plenty of battle experience. Feinting to one side, he then swung his blade upwards, knocking his opponent's sword from his hand before slicing a deep gash in his arm. The sudden shift in his weight caused a lancing pain to shoot through his thigh, and he lost his balance, stumbling for just an instant. The other seaman pressed the advantage and barreled into Billy, knocking him flat on his back.
Billy instinctively tried to roll to the side, but his opponent was a heavy man, and easily pinned him to the deck. As the rain intensified, the seaman's hands tightened around Billy's throat. The boatswain delivered a vicious punch to the man's side, causing him to grunt in pain and release his hold. In that moment, Billy succeeded in wrapping his arms around his opponent and reversing their positions. Once he was on top, he pummeled the man with a series of punishing blows, until his opponent finally slumped into unconsciousness.
Scrambling to his feet, Billy saw another wave of British seamen reaching the deck of the Walrus. Although the pirates had initially had the advantage of taking the Portsmouth by surprise with their unconventional tactics, the fighters now appeared evenly matched. The sailors evidently were seasoned veterans. He involuntarily glanced back at the cabin, only to freeze when he saw Meg standing just outside the open door. The rain was falling in sheets now, and she was soaked to the skin.
"What the hell are you doing?" He covered the distance between them in a few quick strides, towering over her with a commanding look. "I told you to keep inside! This is no place for a woman!"
"Billy, that man could have killed you!" She was pale with shock, her wet hair plastered against her head.
"But he didn't," he said evenly, trying to keep his emotions under control.
"Only by the grace of God! You are in no condition to keep fighting!"
A strong hand suddenly seized Meg by the arm, dragging her away from Billy. She felt a solid chest press against her back, and her stomach dropped when she heard the Captain's smooth voice.
"I doubt God had anything to do with it," said Flint coldly. "But it is quite providential that you happen to be with us, Miss Davies. You might just prove to be the most useful weapon we have in our armamentarium." He threw a challenging look at Billy, a streak of lightning illuminating his angular features.
In an instant, Billy's pistol was pointed directly at his Captain's head. Jaw set grimly, the boatswain growled, "Whatever you've got in mind, the answer is no."
"I don't recall asking your permission." Flint replied, his voice mocking.
"If you don't release her this instant, I swear-"
Just at that moment, five heavily armed seamen came around the corner, led by an officer. In a flash, Flint had his knife at Meg's throat. "I advise you to back your men off, Lieutenant. We've a hostage with us-a very valuable one. Should she be hurt in any way, I can assure you that there will be hell to pay."
The naval officer gave him a wary glance. "How do I know she isn't just some whore along for the ride?"
"Does she look like a whore to you?" Flint inquired, tightening his grip on Meg and nodding at her sober dress.
Billy stood next to him, his pistol having swiveled to face the lieutenant. The muscles in his powerful arms were taut with adrenaline.
The officer scrutinized Meg closely, then called out, "Who are you, miss?"
Flint's whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "You're terrified. Be convincing."
"Mar-Margaret Davies," she stammered, raising her voice to be heard over the thunder. "My father was a-a minister in Kensington. He died some months ago, and I am under the guardianship of Mr. Tobias Nelson."
The expression on the officer's face tightened. "Have these men harmed you, Miss Davies?"
"No...at least, not yet. But they've-made threats." Her voice quavered as Flint pushed the tip of his dagger against her soft skin of her neck.
Flint locked eyes with the man facing him. "You and your men will get the fuck off my ship-now. Or the girl dies, and your career is over."
Billy cocked the pistol. "You heard the Captain."
The lieutenant stepped back, and waved his men off. He then directed his attention to Meg, and spoke to her earnestly. "My name is Lieutenant Simon Chalmers, Miss Davies. I promise you that I will not rest until I see you safe." Glancing up at Flint, he said in a low voice, "Give me your pledge that you will not molest her in any way."
"You have our word," replied Billy levelly. "Despite what you may think, the British Navy does not have a monopoly on honor."
An explosion was heard from the Portsmouth, and Chalmers glanced over his shoulder. He motioned for his men to retreat, then gave Flint a cold look. "I'd advise you to remember my name, Captain. We will meet again. And next time, I'll be ready for you."
He pulled out a small silver whistle, then blew on it. At the shrill sound that followed, the seamen abandoned the Walrus. The pirates still on the Portsmouth retreated back to their own vessel, bringing the grappling hooks with them. In a matter of moments, the two ships separated, the Walrus scudding across the water, her black flag flapping in the wind.
Flint released Meg, and pushed her towards Billy. "Take her back to the cabin," he barked. "I don't want to see either of you until morning. That's an order." Turning, he strode off.
Billy gave him a hard stare, then steered Meg into the cabin, shutting and bolting the door behind them. He grasped her by the shoulders and swung her around to face him, his blue eyes darkening. "Do you realize you just took years off my life?"
She lifted her chin. "I'm not going to apologize for what I did."
"For-" he curbed his tongue with effort, struggling to control his anger. "For- God's sake, Meg! This is not a game! I told you to stay put, and you deliberately disobeyed me."
Meg shook her head, her voice trembling. "Is that what you want to focus on? Me disobeying your orders? Who do you think got Joji's attention? I saved your life, Billy! So I could have been killed-I realize that. But at this point, what do I have to live for? My family is dead, my reputation is ruined, I-"
"You want something to live for?" he snapped, drawing her against his chest. "Then I'll damn well give you something."
Next update should be soon! I'm thinking Meg and Billy need to let off some steam...