Jason and Abraham had talked it over the past few days and
came to the conclusion that Jason would have to do the talking. Abraham muttered slightly at this, but could
not deny the truth of the matter. He was
rather hotheaded and his companion definitely would have to restrain him if he
were to do the talking. They knew that
their fate was in the balance of this interview, so they would have to make the
most of it.
Of course they had thought of escaping, but where would they
go? They didn’t know how far they were
from shore. And they didn’t even know
where they were. So that thought was
quickly dismissed. But if they did come
in sight of shore, they vowed to try to make their escape. Both were capable swimmers, and both were in
love with fencing. Neither loved
pirates. So the obvious solution was to try
to possibly capture one of the landing boats.
But it all was up to the Maker.
Finally they were shoved into the captain’s cabin and were
forced to sit down on the chairs at the edge of a well-oiled table. Captain Bradford was on the opposite end, staring
at them. When the pirates had left the
room, after tying Ab's and Jason’s hands behind their back, the silence seemed
to stretch on forever.
“Where are you from?” He almost sounded polite.
“We’re from Washington.”
“Washington?” He
sounded like it was the first time he ever heard the word.
Abraham spoke up, “You know.
Like the state?”
He looked at Abraham, “Never heard of it.”
Ab gawked, “Seriously?”
Jason quickly interrupted, “Would you tell us where we are?”
“You mean you don’t know?”
When only silence answered him, he continued, “You are on the ship of
one of the Captain’s of the Majesties’ navy.
The rightful heir to the throne, might I add.” He glared at the two across the table.
Jason questioned, “Majesty?
You mean pirates serve a king now?”
He scoffed. “Pirates are still the same. We merely became the masters. Instead of us being the nomads, we now rule
the ocean and land.”
“You have got to be kidding!
Since when did Pirates settle down?”
“Oh, they have always had settlements! But the Empire of the Skull will last
forever! Alepp will always remain under
the yoke of the Pirate.” He pounded the
table for emphasis.
Alepp? Empire of the
Skull? Where are we? These thoughts flew
through the boys heads.
Abraham demanded, “What are you going to do with us?”
“Kill you. You’re a
burden. And to tell you the truth, I
need a good hunting dog with me.”
Jason stood up abruptly, “What do we mean to you? We’re not threatening. Or atleast not right now.” He dropped his rope behind his back. "You should tell your men how to tie knots." He bent and untied Abraham's.
“I guess I can tell you," He said furiously,"Because you’re going to be dead
before the setting of the sun. You
actually are a threat, to the entire empire.
And I can’t allow that to go unchallenged.” Before he could continue one of the men
rapped on the door, and opened it.
“Sir, we’re coming into the harbor.”
“Alright. Please
escort these youngsters back to the brig.
I will have them executed when I get back from my business from the
port.”
As the sailor came in and escorted them out the door, Jason
shouted. “Abraham, time to kick some butt.”
So saying, both landed their elbows in the sailor’s rib cage and pushed
him over. He lay there gasping for
breath. Jason grabbed the cutlass hanging
from the sailor’s waist.
“Ab, we need to find you another sword. Where’s Frodo?” After whistling, Frodo came bounding through
the crowd of pirates who were hard at work with the sails.
Finally swallowing enough air, their escort shouted to his
fellow seamen alerting them of the two prisoner’s attempt to escape. “Slay them!
Don’t let them leave this vessel alive!”
With a blow from the hilt Jason had in hand he fell silent. When one of the pirates rushed him, Jason
stepped to the side and delivered a piercing blow to the head. Picking the sword up and tossing it to
Abraham, and the trio rushed the group of sailors battling for the side of the
ships and then to the landing boats. Jason
fought ahead with Frodo at his side, and Abraham defended the rear, finally they
appeared to make head way against their confused enemy. But just as they seemed to be in the clear,
the Captain of the ship planted his one good leg and spread the stump of his
left leg until he was firmly in the way of Jason’s path.
“Where do you think you’re going, boy?”
“Off this ship, my kind sir.” He said impersonating an English gentleman.
“So be it.” Saying
this the pirate lunged forward swinging in with a killing blow. Just in time, Jason parried the blow. Back and forth they went, but the only room
they were allowed was the half circle the pirates formed around them, Frodo and
Abraham stood on the edge, prepared to strike at a moments notice. The captain was so infuriated that a mere boy
was giving him a battle. Finally,
anxious to finish the fight, he over reached and stumbled, seeing his chance
Jason lunged in and dealt a backhanded blow to the shoulder blade.
Seeing the captain disabled, Abraham and Frodo leapt to
Jason’s side and jumped to the boats.
While Abraham loosened one of the ropes holding the boat, Jason and
Frodo fought off the angry sailors.
“Just cut the ropes Ab!
We don’t have much time.”
“Fine, fine, come on.
We’ll have to be inside it.”
So saying Jason and Frodo leapt into the boat just in time,
while Abraham chopped through the ropes securing the vessel. As it fell to the water, Abraham told Jason
to grab on to an oar. As they hit the
water, the two of them hooked the oar and rowed to a land unknown. With pirates chasing them.
********************
Just an announcement. I am thinking of making this book into a Trilogy.
The Sterling Trilogy:
1. The Sterling Prophecy
2. The Door Between Worlds
3. The Rightful Heir.
1. The Sterling Prophecy
2. The Door Between Worlds
3. The Rightful Heir.
Your thoughts?
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