Chapter 14- Oh Captain My Captain

Aven hadn’t slept long before he was awoken by voices outside his door. “I’m here to take your shift.”

“Eh? Already?”

“If you weren’t inebriated by that vile drink, you’d be able to keep track of the fucking time.”

“Inebby what?”

“Just step aside, halfwit.”

A second later, Aven could hear the clicking of the door, and it pushed open. An unfamiliar face loomed. An older man, in his forties - with a familiarly sour look, like he’d just tasted something bad. “Finally,” the old man muttered, shutting the door behind him. “It took me forever to find you.”

Aven blinked a moment, not quite catching on. “…yeah, sorry. Slew a hydra and got special treatment. Got a whole room just to myself.”

“Congratulations, but you’re still my bitch. Get up.”

Recognition dawned on Aven… then a defiant smirk. “I’m sorry, old man, but I’m only a bitch to someone much younger than you.”

“Stop being a fool, Aven.” Lucian drew close. One feature that was ever the same were his icy blue eyes and he pressed his hand to the lock, attempting to open it as his fingers glowed a faded yellow. “I’ve scoped out the interior of this place. The Mindulgulph Company are being held not far from here. If we’re careful, we can reach them. Your weapons are close to their cells, as well. We’ll have to arm you before we storm them.”

Aven hesitated a moment and gave a nervous laugh. “ah…. actually, you can’t free me just yet.”

Lucian had just opened the gate with a click! when his blue eyes shot up and held his gaze. “What do you mean?”

Aven flushed. He looked down to his chains and shrugged his shoulders. “Well… I made an offer. If I lead a heist and capture some noble so their leader can get random money…. I get an army.” He paused. “You get an army. For the island.”

Lucian’s eye twitched. “Aven,” he hissed. “We already have an army! Why do you think I was set on helping the Mindulgulph?”

Aven shook his head. “We need more. Lucian, the Mindulgulph don’t care about human mages. These pirates would have nothing to lose. They’d tear through the place in an instant.”

“Aven, you don’t make these kinds of decisions!”

“What would you have me do?! Refuse an entire army and get myself killed? We could use them… if not for the mages, then to take back your throne.” He drew close. “I know battle…. I know how to get these things done. Please.”

Lucian’s sharp gaze searched him. Aven could see it. A retort. A refusal, biting at the tip of his tongue… and Lucian groaned, leaning forward and placed his hand to Aven’s shackles. “Then I will not allow you to wear another man’s chains.”

The shackle glowed gold, and fell to the floor with a clatter.

Aven rubbed his wrists and turned a much softer gaze to Lucian. “How many times is this now?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Freeing me.” He reached out, taking Lucian’s hand gently in his own. “You make a habit of it, it seems.”

“Why would I have my slave wearing another man’s chains.”

Aven snorted. “Slave no longer,” he reminded. He kissed the top of Lucian’s hand and released.

Lucian tore away as though he’d been burned, rubbing at his skin with burning cheeks. “We have two options,” he muttered, leaning back to the wall. “The Mindulgulph Company. Loyal, powerful, but in smaller quantities. And then we have the Scourges of Amn. Far more numerous. Less practiced, fierce…. but certainly not as trustworthy.”

“Must we choose?”

“Unless you know a way to make the Mindulgulph and pirates who have just kidnapped and murdered their number get along, yes. We must choose.”

“But why?” Aven stepped forward. “I can accompany Kalazure on this mission, and you can stay behind and free the Mindulgulph. We can get both of them as allies.”

Aven could see the gears turning in Lucian’s head. “No,” he decided. “Even if you did manage to pull this off, they’d still have to cooperate all the way back to Aeliorn. We can’t just rob the pirates then expect a rescue to change anything. Besides. Rescuing a noble is in poor taste.”

“But-”

Lucian cut him off with a glare. “Don’t argue. You’re to wait here until I free the Mindulgulph.”

“You’re going alone?”

“I can change my form. I can employ stealth. And you’re about as stealthy as a bull in a chinashop.” He drew close, drawing something from his pack. “Look. I’m not going to just leave you here undefended. If something goes wrong…. Use this.”

Aven felt a weight around his neck as Lucian draped a necklace across his shoulders. The chain was made of solid gold, with five strange glowing red spheres attached. Each one flickered, as though they contained a fiery ember. “What is it?”

“A necklace of fireballs. If you throw one of the spheres down, it will erupt into flames. Do not use them all at once.” They both spun as they heard the sound of a door opening in the distance. Lucian cursed. “I have to go. But I’ll come back for you, I promise.” He moved to leave…. Then paused, and glanced back. “….you once asked me how much I spent on you.”

The sudden change of subject had Aven reeling. He slowly nodded. “I did.”

“I spent twenty thousand on you.” Aven nearly choked. He let himself collapse back onto the hammock and stared up in shock. “…why?”

Lucian rolled a shoulder. Casual, loose. As though he were discussing the purchase ofa fine looking scabbard or purse. “I simply wanted you. And I always get what I want.” Lucian paused. His gaze focused on Aven, with utter clarity. “It was an unfair bargain. You’re worth so much more. And it could never be paid in gold and jewels.” Lucian said not a single word more, sweeping through the door and it shut behind him.

Aven stared at it for a long while, jarred into silence with shock. He then fell backwards onto his hammock with a sigh, eyes sliding closed. “…. love you too, brat.”

————————————————

It was dawn when Aven was awoken by a sharp knock on his door. “Oi! Get up, boy!” Shouted a voice from outside. “Get dressed! We leave in an hour!”

Aven rolled blearily up into sitting and rubbed his eye. Leaving..? Right. The mission to capture the noble. His visit with Lucian was still fresh in his mind…. He had a direct order. Do not embark on the mission. He could have given an excuse. He was ill? No. Tired? Surely not. They’d likely just gut him here and now if he refused, or simply tossed him in with the rest of the Mindulgulph. And then what? Wait to be rescued by Lucian?

He had a chance to prove himself, here and now. To get Lucian the army he so desperately needed.

He was a free man. It was time to start thinking like one.

“Got it!” He shouted back, and Aven surged for his clothes and armor.

Dressed and pushed out the door, the entirety of the halls were filled to the brim with pirates prepping for their campaign. There was an air of anticipation, like the ambience before a storm. They were sharpening blades and grabbing supplies, laughing about how much gold they were about to make once they found this lass.

It was difficult for Aven to find sympathy for this girl, whoever she was. She was a noble. And his opinion on nobles was less than stellar to begin with. While he scraped about for edible trash in the gutters of Exthellion, this girl likely danced with courters and ate fancy food at fancy tables.

She could likely do with a bit of humility.

Aven and twenty other pirates were herded back into the cove where their ship awaited them. They wore mean scowls, hefting their blades and nudging one another, their foreign tongue swirling in Aven’s mind as they spoke rapidly. He tried to pick up on what they were saying, but even in their own language, they were quite guttural.

“Oi! These are yours, then?” Aven tore his eyes from the ship to the woman who spoke to him. She arched a brow and shoved his axes into his chest and he staggered back a step.

“Yup,” he replied tamely, restoring them to their proper place on his back.

“Good. I’ll be keeping an eye on you while we’re out.” She paused. Her tawny eyes glided up his frame and she smirked, pushing dark hair behind her ear. “A sharp one.”

“Enjoy the view while you can, then.”

The pirates gathered at the base of the ship. There was a buzz of excitement as Kalazure stepped forward and leaned against the ship’s railing, falchion in hand. As Aven squinted, he could see the telltale signs of magic running along the blade in red hot runes. “Tonight, the daughter of Amn’s wealthiest duchess takes to the sea. And who else is to greet her but us?” There was a spur of laughter amongst the pirates. “Tonight, the Scourges of Amn will take their fill, and make sure those pretentious cunts rotting away on their lavish thrones never forget this day!”

Aven was practically shoved onto the ship by a herd of pirates making their way onboard. Every single man knew their place on the ship, and they immediately set to work on the ropes and sails and anchors.

Aven navigated towards the edge of the ship, gripping onto the railing as the ship slowly eased it’s way out of the port, through the illusory wall of stone and back onto the open sea. He grimaced, eyes adjusting to the sudden burst of daylight as he held his hand over his eyes, the warm wind pushing his hair back. And for just a moment… he hesitated. He looked back towards the cove, back where Lucian was.

He was going to be angry when Aven returned… but he’d understand. Especially when Aven returned with an entire army.

“Don’t hold back with those.” The woman had returned to his side and motioned to his axes. Up close - it was easy enough to see she must have been related to Kalazure somehow. They had the same hooked nose and olive brown skin. “While the girl is to survive, her men…” she trailed off. “Well. We’ve seen how good you are at killing men.”

Aven clicked his tongue. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he purred. “As far as I’m concerned, those men knew good and well what they were risking when taking their job. If they get in my way, whatever befalls them isn’t my concern.”

“I like your attitude. Sure you don’t want to join us when this is all over?” She offered him a wink before she was off. She tended to the ship like she was born for it, adjusting the ropes with black hair fastened behind her head.

It was the first time Aven was able to enjoy the open sea as a free man. Somewhat. He leaned over the edge, gazing down at the water as he thumbed the necklace he’d been given between his fingers. He heard a splash, and squinting down, he could see a pod of dolphins cruising along the crests of the ship’s waves. They leapt out of the water before disappearing beneath the surface, again and again.

A smile touched Aven’s lips. Somehow, when he wasn’t bound in chains, sailing was actually quite nice.

“You’re from Aeliorn, aren’t you, boy?”

Kalazure approached from behind, a hand resting leisurely on his falchion. He stood beside Aven, dark eyes fanning out over the surface of the sea.

Aven turned his gaze towards the captain. “What gives it away?”

“Your accent. Those from Aeliorn have a distinct dialect. I’d know, I too came from Aeliorn.” Kalazure looked at him. His eyes searched his features. “You’re a long ways from home… a slave without a master. I’m sure it’s quite a story.”

“As are you.” Aven pushed off the railing. “Let’s just say you weren’t the first to raid a ship I was on.”

Kalazure’s lip twitched upwards into an amused smile. “A man with experience. That’s good. You’ll need it.” Kalazure’s attention was drawn away from the helmsman, and Aven returned his attention to the sea.

The voyage was calm, for the most part. Halfway through the day, a warm rain fell from the sky, but Aven didn’t complain. It felt good as it struck skin that had been baking in the hot sun. His gaze shifted over the edge of the ship, a great shape passing beneath with droplets of rain stirring the surface before it ducked down and disappeared from sight once more.

Aven kept himself busy. He’d been given a great number of duties on the ship. Scrubbing the deck, fastening the ropes, the unfamiliar motions quickly became habit as he did his part in keeping the ship functional. When the sun set, and dinner was passed about, Aven was seated with the rest of the crew on the deck. A bowl of foul smelling food had been shoved into his hands, a tentacle floating about in the muck. Aven had no problem in lifting his bowl to his lips and slurping it down.

He’d eaten far worse in order to survive.

Once he finished his meal, Aven returned to the deck to find a brisk tune being played. A strange instrument that looked like something between a harp and a flute sounding into the night air. One of the pirates took up a staff and torch, lit the ends on fire before he began to dance. Flames ripped down the length of wood as it was twirled and tossed about as the rest of the men danced and cheered.

They really weren’t that bad.

“Ahoy.” The woman dropped down beside him once again, a flush of red upon her cheeks.

“Well now,” Aven said. “It’s been a bit since you’ve popped up.” He didn’t pull his eyes away from the dancing flames. “And here I thought you were keeping a sharp eye on me.”

“Who says I haven’t? Maybe you just weren’t looking.” A crimson bandana kept her hair bound back as she reclined against the railing. She took a swig of ale before passing it over.

“Thanks.” The swig disappeared past his lips and burned down his throat. “Got a name?”

“Giselle. And if we’re asking questions, now it’s my turn. Got a lover back on shore, Aven?”

“A lover?” Aven lowered the bottle and smirked. “Where would I have gotten time to find one of those? First I was a slave. Then I was a human among a company of beasts. Unless you take me for the kind of man to shack it with a gnoll.”

She laughed. “I’m not one to judge. People are bound to have all sorts of tastes.”

He couldn’t help the smile. “I would fear of having puppies,” he snorted.

“Puppies don’t sound too bad. I certainly favor them more than squirming, crying babies. I’m surprised though that you haven’t been taken.” She gave a lamentful sigh. “Most of the scum here are…” a burp resounded from one of the pirates, followed by a stream of laughter and her nose wrinkled. “Unsuitable.”

“Why keep the company, then?

“My brother.” She nodded up towards Kalazure, who reclined back against the railing by the helm.

At that moment - there was a sharp whistle from the Crow’s Nest. It gathered the attention of every pirate as they snapped their heads up. Kalazure pushed up and rushed to the ship’s edge, leaping onto the railing as his hand caught a dangling rope. A wild grin cut across his features. “There she is,” he growled.

Aven pushed his way past the crowd to get a better look. Sure enough, their quarry sailed on the horizon, flag ripping about in the wind. They were so far out. Aven was no expert on sailing, and even he knew there was no possible way they’d be able to catch up, not if they didn’t start dropping weight immediately-

“It’s time! Boys, release the Ladies!”

Release the Ladies? What ladies? Aven heard a snap, a woosh and the sound of sails catching the wind as another pair was dropped down from the foremast. And as it caught on the breeze, Aven gawked. “Never in my life….”

The sails resembled a large, towering corset. The bosoms filled with wind, expanding them to max capacity and the ship surged forward. “You’ve got to be shitting me,” Aven snorted, axes materialized into his hands.

As soon as the ship came into range, Kalazure waved his hand. “Fire!”

Aven’s eardrums shook at the sound of cannons blasting to his side. The cannonballs crashed into the side of the ship, exploding into bursts of fire and debris. The ship was speeding forward, hurtling towards the duchess’ vessel like a spear. Kalazure twisted his hands into the ropes and turned to regard his men. “As soon as we make contact, board! Leave no man alive, we come for the duchess’ daughter!”

Aven grimaced as the ship came ever closer. He could see the sailors on board, desperately rushing for their weapons and shouting orders. His fingers drummed along the hilt of his axe in anticipation.

This is it… don’t hold back. They knew what they were getting into.

As soon as the ships connected, Aven was launching. His boot pressed into the railing and with a roar, flew through the air and rolled onto one knee on the deck of the other ship. “Protect the lady!” A man shouts before surging forward to connect his blade with a pirate’s.

Battle exploded around him.

Seasoned soldiers against bloodthirsty pirates, it seemed they were evenly matched. Aven drew up his blades to deflect the axes from several sailors. Over to his right, he could see Kalazure trading blows with who could only be the captain as more and more pirates began to swing onto the ship. “Find her!” One of them snaps as they fight their way towards the door leading below deck.

Aven cut through two sailors and moved to follow - when two others blocked his way. An older man, his hair salt and pepper grey, and a lad perhaps just barely out of his teens. His face was green, as though he were ready to be sick.

Aven’s stomach wrenched. His face twisted into a horrible visage and he hefted his axes. “I’d suggest backing the fuck off,” he said in a low, monstrous snarl. “Or jumping overboard before I splatter your entrails across the deck.”

The younger of the pair flinched. He looked desperately over towards the older man for direction, whose gaze had been locked unwaveringly on Aven’s. “Stand your ground!” He snapped at the boy. “Don’t let these vermin get to the little one!”

The little one. That must be her.

But damn it. He didn’t want to cut through these guys. He’d spilled enough blood. Aven grit his teeth, his fingers tightening around his axes until his knuckles were white.

Fuck it.

Both of them charged him at once. He sidestepped the boy’s clumsy strike and brought up his axe, narrowly slicing through his arm. He spun, momentum carrying his other axe and it slammed against the veteran’s blade, nearly forcing it from the man’s grip.

The soldier stumbled backwards. It didn’t take him long to recover before he leapt back into combat, blade skating across Aven’s axe and slicing far too close to his head. Aven could feel blood trickling down his ear.

Their weapons were locked, and Aven leaned his weight forward, threatening to throw the man off his feet when out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the kid. The boy’s sword struck air as Aven swiftly backed up, grinding his teeth together.

“Damn it, you have one more chance to jump overboard, or I’ll run you through!” He snapped. Another cannon ball smashed against the ship behind him, splinters of board flying.

The two soldiers looked at one another with a single nod. An unspoken agreement passing between them - and the younger boy bolted. He leapt past the deadly slash of a pirate’s blade, tumbled through flames and down through the doors leading deeper into the ship. The man positioned himself between Aven and the boy, lifting his blade.

“Stubborn ass,” Aven growled. “Now you and the boy are screwed.”

The man didn’t respond to the taunt. Old, crinkled eyes narrowed and he surged forward with his blade.

The fight was over before it had begun. Superior experience had nothing on raw youth and strength. Aven snarled, heaving his axe forward and it landed straight into the man’s gut. He hadn’t even hit the ground before Aven was barreling forward, shoving past a couple pirates and a soldier, and racing into the hall. Ahead, he could see the boy charging and shoving his way down the corridor - towards what looked to be the last door in the hall.

Aven had just reached the end as the boy slipped inside and slammed the door behind him. Aven could hear the click of a lock and he bared his teeth. “You can’t hide in there forever!” He shouted. “I know she’s in there with you! Just hand her over, and no one else has to get hurt!”

No answer. Aven snarled. “Fine.”

One swift kick to the right of the doorknob and it was busted open. Dust and fragments of wood flew and Aven stepped through the debris….

Into a nursery.

Drapes of soft pink cascaded down over the windows, and from beyond, Aven could see explosions of fire. A small little crib was placed next to an ivory white armoire, baby toys scattered across the room.

The boy stood cornered at the back of the room. He trembled violently, blade held aloft in front of him… and a tiny bundle pressed against his chest, clutching it protectively. “Move,” the boy snarled out, eyes desperate and frantic, like a cornered animal.

Aven’s gaze was still locked on the bundle. You have to be shitting me. “What is that.”

The boy didn’t answer. He turned the bundle so that it was further from view. “Step aside,” the boy said, a waver to his voice. “Or I’ll cut you down.” Upclose, Aven could see he was no older than sixteen. Black hair was pulled back behind his head, and while frantic, his teal eyes gleamed with the ferocity of a man who had a duty, and would see it fulfilled. No matter what.

Something vile seized Aven’s chest. His jaw twitched. “Fucking hell,” he hissed. “You go out there, and you’re dead in an instant. Why the hell are you transporting a baby? I thought it was a woman..? What idiot decided the seas were safe?”

“We had guards! Everything was going perfectly until you.”

“Right, and what great guards they turned out to be. Why do they want her?”

The boy didn’t get a chance to answer. They pivoted on their heels as they heard someone approaching down the hall. “Fuck,” Aven hissed. “Hide her, now!”

The boy’s eyes were locked on him. It was immediately apparent he didn’t trust Aven as far as he could throw him - which wasn’t far - but it was clear he had no choice. He kissed the baby on top of her head and raced towards the armoire. “Love you,” he hissed under his breath, ripping the door open and shoved her in - just as Kalazure pushed into the room.

Lazy. Confident. By the sound of it, the pirates were fighting a winning battle as the sporadic sounds of steel on steel faded. The tip of the man’s sword was stained red. “Well, well,” he purred. “What have we here?”

Aven side stepped in front of the boy. “You wanted to… steal a baby?” He asked.

“Yes. As I said, a few years younger than yourself.”

Aven ground his teeth. “You lied to me.”

“Have you suddenly gained a conscience, Beast Tamer?”

“You told me this was a girl!” Aven snarled. “My conscience knows a girl is capable of caring for herself and surviving what need be until she’s returned. This is a baby. Her life has just started, and you want to use her and ensure she grows up with trauma?” His eyes narrowed to slits. “You wanted to do the same thing to her that was done to me.”

“And what will you do to stop me, boy?” The threat hung in the air, hot and heavy. Kalazure’s boots clicked against wood as he approached, falchion at his hip.

Out of the corner of Aven’s eye, he could see the boy poised, ready to strike…. And the way his eyes shot over towards the armoire. Damn it. If they drew this out any longer, Kalazure…

Aven’s axes fell an inch, and he laughed. Tired. Exasperated. “Damn it. Okay. Don’t run me through just yet…I let the other soldier in here run with her. He reached the deck. I can help you find him before he escapes, or you can kill me now, and lose what you came for.”

“I’ll get what I came for regardless of whether or not I run you through,” Kalazure said, voice low. “Kill this one, Beast Tamer. And I’ll find the girl.”

No. Aven’s eyes shot towards the boy. The color had drained from his face. Aven could practically see the gears turning in his head. The boy could grab the baby and flee… but he wouldn’t make it far before being cut down. Abandoning her wasn’t an option.

There was only one thing he could do.

The boy lashed forward with a sudden fierceness that demanded every ounce of Aven’s reflexes to guard himself. Sword clashed against axes as he struck, again and again and again. As hard as he could possibly fight.

Aven had to play along.

His axe caught the boy’s heel, throwing his legs out from under him and as he landed, hard on his back, Aven leveled his axe at him. “You should have stayed quiet and surrendered.”

He swung his axes downwards. They were embedded into wood as the boy rolled to the side, drawing his sword back into his hands. Kalazure was reclined against the wall, eyeing the battle with an entertained expression.

It filled Aven with rage. He ducked down, dodging a blow from the boy as his sword bit into the wall. A swift punch to the jaw and the boy staggered back. The boy’s armor was ripped. Aven could see red staining his white shirt as he bled beneath his tunic.

“Let’s see one of your famous gladiatorial finishes,” Kalazure hummed.

Aven’s shoulders heaved. His hands shook around his axes.

This was all wrong. He fucked up. He should have just listened to Lucian. There had to be some way he could fix this, to save this baby, to save this boy-

The boy swung his sword. Instinct took over. Aven deflected the blade, pushing it to the side - and his axe buried deep into the boy’s chest.

Blood blossomed at his lips as he coughed. It filled his lungs, his mouth. Shock was plastered across his face as he staggered forward, body leaning to Aven’s.

Kalazure clapped from behind. “Very good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a child to find.”

The moment he left, Aven’s axes clattered to the ground. He lurched forward, arms catching the boy as his legs crumbled beneath him and lowered to the ground. No no no. A hand pushed up slick between torn and tattered armor, the rush of red seeping through fingers.

“I’m sorry,” Aven grated, his throat tight.

Hate never met the boy’s eyes as he lifted his head, curving his fingers into Aven’s bloodied tunic. A ragged breath rattled in his chest, specks of red clinging to the corners of his lips. There was a brief moment their gazes met.

They both knew.

It didn’t deter Aven from applying more pressure onto the wound cutting across his chest. Determined to fix his mistakes. A hiss drew from beneath, the fist curled into his tunic tightening in silent protest. “No,” the boy choked.

His head rolled to the side, gazing past towards the wardrobe and Aven’s grip loosened. He caught the glisten of tears in the boy’s eyes, the desperation. The pressure faded to something of comfort and Aven hung his head grimly.

“I won’t let them take her. I promise.”

Another choke had blood dribbling down the boy’s chin, his hand falling to his side. Fingers fumbled to tug free a simple golden ring, pushing it into Aven’s grasp.

“Elissa,” the boy ushered, voice laced with strain. It was quiet, nearly carried away by the sounds of battle that raged above deck. “Her name…”

“She’ll get home safe.”

Aven tore his gaze away only for a moment to eye the ring, a name inscribed on its inner side. When he looked back, the boy had grown still. Mouth open and eyes staring blankly up to the ceiling. It was part of the job. He knew what he had been risking, and he died doing exactly what he was supposed to.

But the bitter weight pressed down heavy on Aven. He curled his fingers into a white-knuckled fist, the ring trapped in its confines as he tore up to his feet. He didn’t have any more time to waste if he were to make good on his promise. He owed it.

Crossing to the wardrobe with arms stained the color of red, he found the bundle sitting soundlessly within. Aven tucked the baby into an arm, flicking one last look to the innocent life he’d stolen away. Eyes stared lifelessly up at the ceiling.

Another innocent dead, by his hand.

He dragged a pained breath from his lungs. “Well shit,” he uttered, voice barely above a whisper. “It’s me and a baby against two different armies.”

Outside, the pirates were tearing the ship to pieces. Every single room was being ransacked. Aven stepped over the bodies of soldiers and servants, covered in blood and eyes staring vacant into the distance. He felt the stir of nausea in his stomach as he made his way onto the deck. They searched, frantic as Kalazure shouted commands. He looked enraged. Frustrated.

His eyes met Aven’s as soon as he stepped out onto the deck, and narrowed in on the bundle in his arms. Hatred lashed over his features. He drew his blade and pointed it towards Aven, his roar echoing out over the ship. “Take him! He has the girl!”

Fuck. Aven cursed, staggering back a step. Pirates approached him from all sides, blades out and glittering in the light of the fires spreading throughout the ship. How could he…

Fire.

“Thank you, Lucian,” he whispered under his breath. He ripped the necklace off from around his throat and charged towards the edge of the railing. He shoved past two pirates, swung around to slug another directly in the jaw, carving a path towards the lifeboat.

“Stop him!”

Aven grit his teeth. Right before he reached the railing, he threw the necklace over his shoulder - and leapt. Leapt as each of the necklace’s five glass beads shattered against the wood floor. Fireballs exploded behind him, incinerating pirates instantly and blasting the rest in an impossible wave of heat. He could feel the fires eating through the armor on his back, his shirt, and he held the baby close to his chest as he plummeted towards the lifeboat and down into the sea.

The boat slammed against the water, Aven tossing up against its inside. The baby in his arms screamed in fright, thrashing about in her bundle. Aven’s vision swam and numbly, he looked up. Flames ate through the ship that now burned bright in the night like a beacon.

As his little rowboat began to push its way out to sea - the last thing he saw before losing consciousness was a figure stepping up to the railing. Limping, burnt beyond recognition, and red hot blade glowing in the dark.

Picture of the boat is from the book Peter and the Star Catchers!