Chapter 10: The Journeys End

Steelcrest's a twisted cruel look flashed in his eyes," No you will lose." Merrick was lead toward him. When he shoved his wounded prisoner forward and a shot rang out.

Her own desperate cry echoed all around her. She rushed toward her husband. Merrick took two steps forward when he fell to his knees. Steels crests pistol still had wisps of smoke flowing off it. Mich caught Merrick.," No, no, please stay with me."

Recognition crossed his face," I knew you'd be able to follow my clues."

Michelle forced the words out of her mouth. The sadness was too much to bare. "just hold on, please." She held his face gently, tears flowing freely Even after he gave his last breath. She whispered one last soft plea, that the moment had been a bad dream. Fighting erupted around her. Dead, he was truly dead. Now there was no doubt, and no reason to cage her anger. Slowly Mich watched as Steelcrests crew surrounded them, she focused on the two large crew guarding him. The slash of her blade was too fast to be seen. From a distance Isz was shouting at her, but all Michelle knew was her target was Steelcrest. In moments the two crew who stood in her way had fallen to the ground in pain, unable to continue fighting.

She turned her angry directly at the villous captain, Michelle didn't hesitate to step toward him and swung her blade in a wide arc. Surprised he tried to avoid it but the edge caught him in the shoulder. He lunged at her, by instinct she blocked it and pushed his sword away. Suddenly thrust his sword at her full force, she blocked it but it knocked her onto her back. He kept up his attacks. She barely defended against him. She had to get back on her feet. He paused for a second before his swing, she waited. As he pulled back his arm, she thrust her sword through the handle of his sword. It bit into his hand as she twisted his weapon to the ground and a foot away.

He appeared slightly winded and annoyed. She took pride that he had a deep cut across his wrist and shoulder. "I was reasonable, until you arrived. I would have let him live, a fair deal says I, into the jungle if he led me to my mountain of gold. Instead he took the boy and the treasure from me, buried in all over the island."

Isz stood beside Mich "You mean you'd let him go find the treasure for you, then kill him and the boy. It doesn't take a scholar to realize your greed is greater than your word. Maybe your crew knows it too. You want the treasure all to yourself. I think you would happily allow your men to die getting it piece by piece." With that Steelcrest's crew all glanced over at them, with flickers of doubt.

"I'm the captain! It's what I'm owed! I made the Governor make me a lord, I control the sea. He gave me this land, all that's on it is for me. I will destroy his navy ships and hunt his son till I get my fortune. All that and the treasure will be mine. This man hid the boy from me and took gold owed to me and me alone."

Mich did what he least expected she sheathed her sword and pulled her bow and a single arrow into the sky. It landed on the upper deck of the ship. A moment later the sound of cannon fire echoed from the Unknown. Three of Steelcrest's men jumped ship. Mich smirked.

Three more of Steelcrest's men started to swing across to The unknown. They began battling Mich's crew for control. Luckily Worley was quick to show them his sword skills. She had no idea if his men meant to take it for themselves or for Steelcrest. Meanwhile, His ship began to rock and sink. The ship lurched causing the middle mast to break, two of the Brethren were hit by the mast as it fell. The ship's movement caused Isz's knife landing in his shoulder. A second lurch sent Isz, Mich, Steelcrest and his last two men flying off the ship into the shallow water. The ship itself sank deeper off the islands edge. A Loud crack was heard as the hull split in half. Mich landed a few feet from Steelcrest, "You murdered my husband so I'm going to make sure you lose the things you so desperately want. Soon you will see, Mathis you have been outwitted by your least favorite kind a pirates. Women."

Mathis steelcrest began to charge at Michelle. She dropped her bow and pulled her sword. She turned to avoid his blade, one block. She ducked and rolled past him to her knees. Mich made a wide diagonal swing up to his back. He turned and slammed his blade down with the goal of slicing her head open no doubt. Isabel's blade joined hers and they pushed him back.

"I can take him!" Michelle shouted at Isz

"I'm not letting you fight him alone. Stick to the plan!" Isz argued back. Michelle nodded but it took all her will power to pull back her urge to avenge Merrick's death with blood.

Mich and Isz traded blocking and attacking Stealcrest. Sweat dripped from his brow.

Jack casually strolled toward them and spoke," You know what you fail to understand? Piracy is about the freedom to choose. So We gave your men the choice you wouldn't. Fight you or take the gold for themselves and leave."

"What?" Mathis hesitated a moment to look around. Gabriel, Worley, and the twins were closing in. None of his men were anywhere in sight.

Mich held her sword at the ready," While you were fighting us, Jack directed them to another ship that I know a few officers won't miss for at least a few days, they could choose a new captain and do what they wanted. No more rules. By the silence, it looks like they accepted. No Ship, no land, no power and I hope you enjoy the sunset because that the only gold you'll get." The Crew of the unknown held him down and shackled him. He was placed below decks in the brig. They would take him back to the governor. Those families deserved justice too. Michelle watched as Steelcrest's crew sailed out of sight, it amused her that Calloway would be stranded. If he even noticed it was missing, at least the ship would be better taken care of. If this was any other adventure she would be relieved Mich knew now there was no other next step. It was time to prepare find a resting place for Merrick's body and time to speak to her daughter.

It was a long walk back to the wreck that once was Steelcrests ship. Isz walked beside her never pushing. She felt frozen as she gently closed his eyes and released the shackles. The Local people and the chef lined the beach coming out of the tree line. The Chef nodded and rested his hand over his heart," The metal men have left, all have the thanks of myself and my people. We will honor him." Mich had no words just a nod in acceptance. The chef nodded in return.

They prepared the body and laid him to rest on a hill that over looked the sea. Four children ran out of the tree line. The governor's son, the two ophans Merrick had rescued and the local people all alive because Merrick made the choice to stay. The truth was he was a good pirate but he was always a good man.

She hugged her Diana and told her what had happened. Seeing her pain reflected back at her in her daughters eyes was difficult to watch but she could not protect her from the loss.

Diana's small voice broke through the unbearable silence, "Will papa's adventure become myths and legends now? Like the stories Aunt Isz and Uncle Jack talk about?"

Mich really looked at her daughter and allowed herself a small smile," Yes Little starfish because we will make sure everyone knows your father stood up to the imposter Pirate King, He even managed to save the governor's son, and make new friends on an island he had never been to before. What matter most is he knew to keep fighting, as we must continue to do now. We loved him and he loved us. We hold on to that."

The Governor's boy emerged cautiously and held out a makeshift envelope. He stopped short and turned away. The boy had fold an envelope. Merrick's handwriting graced the other side. A goodbye letter.