I turned in the wind, looking for any sight of a ship. There haven't been many ships, and it felt too suspicious. I knew there were others out here, but I guessed that it's too cold for them down here. Not for the fire pirates, though. They're why I'm up here, keeping a sharp eye out. The fire pirates never just took treasure from other pirates, they blew the ship to pieces. No one has ever survived.
I stood there with the wind blowing my red hair, trying not to think of how sea sick I am or how cold it is up here in the lookout. I jumped as I looked through the telescope my owner gave me, before I left home and went on adventures, and saw a ship. I looked more closely and sighed in relief, as I saw it was another pirate ship, with a black flag. Black flags are good, they mean give me what you want and I'll let you live. With red flags it's even if you do give me what you want, I'll still blow your ship to pieces. With black flags you have a fighting chance, but with red flags, you're done for. I heard a small mumble. I stood there waiting for it again, and then I heard my name.
"Kitty! Get down here, or ya be walking the plank!" A broken up voice said. I could still figure out the words though.
I carefully walked down each wooden step, each one creaking, seeming like they're going to snap any second. By the time I got down there on the deck of the ship, I knew who had called my name, a pirate Draik named Zathura. Even the first time I met her, she didn't get my name right. I guess it was my fault since I kind of mumbled it. Now the name has just stuck and she calls me it.
"What?" Asked.
The Draik turned to me, "The captain want to see ya. Pronto!"
"The captain wants to see me?" I asked. The captain never wants to see anyone unless it's about something worrying him or if he knows something is wrong. "What if I'm in trouble!" I think as I start to shake. I did sneak some food from the storage because I was so hungry, and everyone was sleeping. Maybe somebody saw me and turned me in. Since I know where their treasure is, they'll make me walk the plank! I walked through the hidden door in the food storage where the captain's quarters are.
"Come in Kit." He said in a low voice. He never called me by my name, always calling me Kitty, like Zathura. I shut the door behind me.
He looked at me right in my eyes,"I called you here for a special reason...” |
Author: sparkleeze
Date: Mar 7th
|
..."If it's about the food that I took last night, I am so sorry, but I was just so hungry-" I said. It came out much faster than I thought it would.
"What are you talking about, taking food?" the captain asked. The blue Krawk stood up.
I cowered a little bit. "Captain Cyro, I said I was sorry-"
Captain Cyro held up a hand, signalling me to stop. I bit my tongue immediately. "Kitty, I do not care about the food that you took last night. What I want to speak to you about is much more important."
I began to relax. "Then what do you want to talk to me about?"
"Kitty, as you know, the threat of the fire pirates is growing. I want you to find these pirates and take them down."
Remember when I said I began to relax? That relaxation was going away really fast. Captain Cyro wanted me to do that? He was a good captain, but this was crazy even for him.
"Captain Cyro, I hate to argue, but I can't do that on my own," I explained.
"And you are not. I will be going with you," Captain Cyro. The Krawk smiled. "Kitty, can I trust you to do this with me?"
I was rather flattered that Captain Cyro trusted me enough to do this. I quickly nodded. "You can trust me, Captain..."
| Author: chasing_stars44 Date: Mar 7th |
"Good," he said, and motion for me to sit down across from him.
"But I - I don't understand how we're meant to fight that kind of threat, Cap'n," I said. My mind was reeling with this new information, and I was struggling to get my words out without stuttering.
Captain Cyro leaned forward, and his voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.
"I've found one of the bays that most of those fire pirates frequent - and tonight is one of their celebrations, so nearly all of them will be moored there, drinking their ship's weight in grog. We're to go there tonight, and reek absolute chaos!"
I swallowed, loud in the small cabin, my throat getting noticeable drier as he went on talking.
"But - but Cap'n, we can't take on that many pirates with just the two of us! We'll be overrun and they'll have done away with us in no time."
The Krawk smiled, as if he'd been waiting for that objection.
"That's alright, young 'un. After all, I have a trick up my sleeve, and I'll tell you what it is..."
| Author: phoenix_through_fire Date: Mar 8th |
“We’ll be arrivin’ at their bay before dark, an the fire pirates won’t arrive until the sun sets. We’ll set traps all over the island, then wait in the trees for an ambush. When they’re all gathered around with their grog we’ll set the trees ablaze. They’ll all come running like Gelerts!” Captain Cyro chuckled slightly.
I laughed along nervously, this idea was crazy! We’d never make it out alive. Captain Cyro must have noticed the look of worry on my face, “You have to trust me, Kitty. If someone doesn’t do something the fire pirates will take over the seas!”
I nodded, and swallowed the lump in my throat. “You can count on me, sir,” I gave a pathetic salute. “Aye, good. We’ll be arriving at the bay in a few hours, be prepared."
| Author: _d_o_g_ Date: Mar 8th |
I don’t know exactly how long it was before our ship reached the bay. The whole way there I could only think of the irony, how we would literally be fighting fire with fire. I was terrified of the fire pirates, but I knew that to lie down and do nothing was the same as being compliant. It was cowardice, and the seas had no room for cowardice.
We arrived in total silence, under the cover of dusk. The captain had been right; we made it before dark, but only barely. The sound of partying fire pirates could be heard in the distance, through the thick jungle.
I was ready to prove myself.
| Author: bizniscorg Date: Mar 9th |
Captain Cyro whispered, “We arrived a bit late, but don’t worry, they’re on the other side of the island. We can set the traps on this side then lure them here with the fire.”
“What if they see us setting the traps?”
“That won’t happen” Captain Cyro replied, “Now grab the nets, ropes and other tools in that pile. Let’s get to work before it’s too late.”
I obediently did as I was told, as I grabbed the ropes and other tools I wondered if I should be crossing my fingers for good luck.
“Kitty, hurry up!” Captain Cyro urged. I finished gathering everything in my arms then ran after the captain. We began setting traps all over the ground and under brush, everywhere we could. I jumped every time the wind blew a tree branch, or a twig cracked. But the fire pirates did not discover us. Then it was time. Captain Cyro lit his torch, and set several trees ablaze. As the fire grew, I heard the fire pirates yelling about smoke, and I heard they’re footsteps coming closer. We ducked behind a pile of tall rocks, just as...
| Author: _d_o_g_ Date: Mar 9th |
...three pirates walked by. I recognized one as Inferno, the captain of the fire pirates. That fire Draik signalled the other two pirates to stop walking.
"Who be setting fire to trees? We only set fire to ships," one pirate, a green Vandagyre, said. She crossed her arms.
"Captain, isnit not dangerous to be out here with these trees ablaze?" the second pirate asked. The yellow Ruki covered his mouth and coughed from the smoke. I fought the urge to do the same.
"Nobody from our crew set fire to these trees," Inferno said coldly, contrasting his name. "Everyone knows better. Besides, we were all at the party."
"Well who did it, then?"
Inferno grinned. I hated that grin. "I have an idea who. You two, stay here."
Inferno left. I couldn't see where he went. I turned to Captain Cyro. He had as much of an idea as to where he went as I did.
Suddenly, someone grabbed the collar of my shirt. I yelped as I was lifted out of the bush. Captain Cyro was much more calm at this.
I heard Inferno growl from behind me, "I have a stinking suspicion it was these two..."
| Author: chasing_stars44 Date: Mar 10th |
He flung us to the ground. I fell sideways while Captain Cyro landed on his rear. Gee, how strong was Inferno?
"These two wasn' at the party, isnit?" the Ruki commented.
"Arr," the Vandagyre replied. She looked cross.
"Care to tell us why?" Inferno asked, his eyes boring into mine. I quickly turned my head away. That one second of eye contact sent a chill down my spine.
"How would you -" Captain Cyro started but was interrupted by Inferno.
"That reaction clearly tells me so," he said. I saw the fire Draik point at me and smirk in my peripheral vision. It set me on edge. I had just revealed it to them unintentionally.
I didn't dare look at the expression on my captain's face. I had got the both of us into trouble so he must be really mad.
The Vandagyre interrupted my thoughts. "What do we do with 'em, Captain?"
The grin that I hated appeared on Inferno's face again. "I have a good idea..."
| Author: azusa_k Date: Mar 11th |
"I'll..." Inferno was interrupted with a loud boom. The ship once belonging to the fire pirates had blown up!
"What was that!" Inferno furiously shouted, "My ship! It's gone! Forget these two, save my treasure!!!" She ran to the ship and the other two pirates followed.
"Lets get out of here!" I shouted as we started to run to our hidden ship, but it wasn't hidden anymore. Our ship had caused the explosion! A small boat with two of our crew started to come to shore to pick us up and we sailed away laughing at the fire pirates, who were scrambling along the shore shouting at us...
It was late at night now and Captain Cyro finally called me to his quarters. "Come in." He said, "Thanks for helping me with the fire pirates, you did a good job. So did they crew, if it weren’t for them, we'd be in a heap of trouble..." We both laughed.
After I stopped laughing, I then replied, "Thanks sir. I did my best!"
"Yes, that is all. Now, run along..." the blue Krawk smiled, "And, you should work on your guilty face too."
I laughed and wondered what next exciting adventure I would go on...
The End
| Author: sparkleeze Date: Mar 11th |