A great schooner and a valuable cargo. What could go wrong?
That was the captain's thought as she watched her crew drop the hooks and lead the charge. A prize fit for a king lay on that ship's deck. The Revenge was going to take all the cargo.
But there were some difficulties. Cassie saw the Black Order troops and soldiers for the first time.
-It's a damn trap!
Zagorra's voice was annoyed. The woman was reckless and stubborn. The African repressed a curse, his body displaying beautiful tattoos on his chest, strong and robust despite his age. He watched from afar the woman under Will's orders.
-And you just found out about that?- Cassie lost all patience pulling out the pistol.
Patience if it was a damn trap. On the deck and on the quarterdeck, in small groups, the pirates attacked and defended themselves. He carried his rapier in his left hand and his sword in his right, forcing the enemy troops to retreat under combat.
-What are you going to do? Fight?- There was perplexity in Zagorra's gaze before his protégé.
Intolerant. Difficult temperament. He hardly ever got anything or advantage out of the woman by making her angry like that.
-And what did you think I was going to do? -She faced him, checking the remaining gunpowder she had in reserve. She saw with irritation Zagorra grab her arm forcing her to face him: Do you know who's coming with them? Valerius! Are you really going to face this man?
-I'm going to kill that damn fanatic and his bunch.
Zagorra whistles perplexed. Valerius had for years been a trusted man under the white order and loyal to the Coven ruler. Before his downfall as a trusted man leading the troops.
-In extreme situations, retreating may be...
Cassie laughed. Back off?
-Back off? Do you mean accepting defeat? Did you really believe for a moment that I was going to retreat from the enemy? Everyone dies one day. That's the only certainty we have every time the day dawns. If today is the day... To die free. I will not back down or lay down weapons. You can choose to die as a free man or as a slave to this rabble.
Zagorra had no words. He didn't quite know what to say... The damn Council... ah, the fallout had caused all the ruin. He never got an opportunity to talk to the woman. She was an angry wolf ready to attack. He always stayed away.
"Are you going to lead a war against these people?" he tried to be persuasive.
-I think the sign said... Pirate. The reward of a thousand piastres. I didn't start the war, but I'm not going to end it either, my friend. To combat!
The order sounded forward in front of the pirates who shouted in glee as they charged.
-Perhaps parliamentary with Philip Morgan...
-I prefer death in combat. You should know me and know what I think about the subject.- she countered with all sternness maintaining a look of reproach. Then she took aim at her crew: Attack... Load and take all that's ours, men. A king's booty awaits us.
Zagorra hissed in amazement. Maybe Jackie hadn't been so reckless in the attack... The farthest Star was close to rocks that were a danger. Corner was never quite sure how to handle the helm of the vessel. The clashes between the two...
-You will get serious problems with Thalagar and his lover...
Cassie eyed him with disdain.
-Much more than you can imagine.
-Cassie...
- To the quarterdeck, all of you! -She screamed with adrenaline running strong in her veins. - We're going to need fire to face these things.
-Fire? Zagorra stared at her without understanding. - Oh, this just keeps getting better. Do you intend to set the ship on fire? How do you expect to fight these things? They don't die.
He now watched sceptically as the man he had shot in the forehead with the pistol shot stood up.
-They could be killed. All it takes is the right ammo. Get on a damn ship full of ICHICHOS. You didn't believe it was going to be easy, did you?
Zagorra searched for words. He found no arguments. Those hideous creatures brought the tear powder. They killed sorcerers without mercy or mercy in a slow and agonizing death.
He arrived still hearing screams. The sound of cannon fire and feeling the timbers under your feet shake. He had no perception of pain. The bullet fired towards him took aim at his chest. He could still see the murderer's face. Corner glared at him.
Pure ebony black skin stained the open shirt red. The seasoned, agile warrior tried to brace himself and struggled to draw in air. There was no air in her lungs. He fell to the floor without strength with a mute wail of pain and regret. Gaia... he was waiting for news from Gaia that never came. he should have known that betraying Philip Morgan's orders brought only one reward. The death. It had been a stroke of luck before surviving the first ambush.
-Cassie...
-I prefer a quick death. In combat than their lifeless promises.
Philip Morgan lowered the spyglass and watched the small schooner from afar.
The Star of Tomorrow attacked the vessel. And the Revenge... He could smell gunpowder in the heavy air. He watched the armed combats in an attempt by the crew, who transported the contraband, to save the precious cargo. A cargo he could very well imagine the destination: Chabone.
At the last moment, his mind was invaded by the memory of impeccably smooth skin, unruly undulating hair and tempting lips that looked like roses. There was even no way to win her captain's sympathy.
The smell of blood, gunpowder and sea had given way to another: delicate, intoxicating and disturbing. Philip had never been able to decipher the scent of that perfume that drove him out of his mind. The essence of an untouched, mysterious, indecipherable woman who would never belong to him. Magic no longer worked to contain his usual rebellious temper.
Months... He was finally back in Chabone. He longed to find her again. Touch her skin, hug her and hear her voice. He sighed in dismay. That angel of mercy that had saved his life had simply disappeared. Without any trace.
Richard Morgan hoped to prove his innocence of all charges...
- Morgan, where is your head? Richard! I've asked you several times what the orders are. - Michael complained visibly irritated. - We're practically in the middle of a fight and you're daydreaming. Heavens! It's her, isn't it?
Richard grunted in disgust.
The words of Michael, younger brother, put him on alert. His gaze returned to Estrela. Heavens! Who commanded that ship in Thalagar's absence? Didn't he see that the craft was dangerously close to rocks that could damage the timbers? That ship was carrying more than one hundred corsairs loyal to the Armada. And as for Revenge... Damn it, Jackie always got him in trouble with his looting attacks. Who was the infernal captain of the Revenge?
- So, man? Do I order the men to fire the approach shots? - Adam, the younger brother teased.
Richard Morgan still couldn't believe it. Those orders... Hell! He was a captain. The Black Coral was one of the most well-armed fluty that the corsairs had, as well as the Gaia. She was a large vessel with a crew that could hold two hundred men and one of the most powerful in the armada with its forty cannons and flamethrowers. Yet he had been reduced to the nursemaid of a likely annoying boy. He tried unsuccessfully to recall the image of the boy. What the hell was Black Coral doing in those waters?
- Come on, man. Make up your mind! Or you'll end up showing damaged material to the soon-to-be Mrs Morgan. If... And I'm emphasizing this time... If you find her...- Michael teased.
The brothers laughed.
-Hmmmm... - Adam participated in the provocation. - He really managed to lose his wife after...
Morgan glared at both of them.
- Either you order them to shoot or it's better to drive away the fluty. These waters are treacherous. Look at those waves of foam... - Michael's serious appeal.
The warnings put Richard on high alert. The submerged rocks posed problems. This was no time to let anything distract him. He raised his arm to the helmsman and ordered them to load the mortars at his command.
The acrid odor of gunpowder filled the air. Morgan wondered how many times he had been in this situation. Soon his name would be appointed to the command of the Corsair Armada. For a moment he remembered the worst danger he had ever faced in his life. The ambush. He was injured and vision impaired. He couldn't see. The images were fuzzy and distorted. Someone had surprised their attackers.
Well, he had survived all that and now he would only need to complete the last mission before taking the lead. Soon his exile would end.
I was going to find that woman... Cassie...