Nice, short, but nice.....

Pace of this is fast forward...good tho...and by all means.....SAVE THE RUM!!! :)

Short compared to the rest of them, but that's a plus. You got the story where it had to be brought to, with the kind of caring and smoothness that got it there in the best possible way. Another great one :)

Good story.

Nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom. *Gnaws on Crest's arm while he anxiously waits for the next chapter.* :AF1pirates008HL:

Great chapter, mate! (((Crest))) HAHA :buds:

Crest! These are amazing! I had to catch up from page 3, but it was worth it! Can't wait for tomorrow. :D

Solomon's Story
 

Ahoy Mates! My apologies on no chapter last week. Things are a little hectic, aye? But we all get that. However, I do have this new chapter as planned. So, I present to you...

Solomon's Story

:Coin::Coin::Coin::Coin::Coin:

“Alright mate, speak up. What’s your story?” Kat asked.

Solomon settled down on a crate to tell his tale. “Fine, fine. It’s not a long story, but I suppose you should know.

“I began in Tortuga, born to a poor family. My father tried to make a business blacksmithing, but many people in Tortuga liked buying their weapons elsewhere. They preferred getting pirated ones or exotic ones from travels or stealing them from Port Royal. It was much easier for them that way. However, it was because of him that I learned how to wield a sword at an early age.

“It wasn’t until later in my life that I realized the tyranny we all live under. I mostly avoided it living on Tortuga, the only free port left in these seas. Eventually, though, I decided it was high time for me to get out of there, like most young men wish to do, so I took for the seas. I wasn’t a pirate though, not yet at least. I may have grown up with them, but I tried my hand at being a merchant first.

“One day, the ship I was on docked in Port Royal for trading and such. It was my first time there, and I was rather excited about seeing this grand place I’d heard so much about. In my naivety, I didn’t realize the stories were all false. The Navy filched us when we got there, taking everything for themselves and giving us nothing for it. When we protested, they pointed to their uniforms and threatened us with prison.

“While we moped around town, we talked to others who lived there. They told us how it wasn’t the first time the Navy had done such a thing. They took unfairly from the townsfolk as well, yet nothing could be done about it. The Navy had the power.

“It infuriated me that these people were blind to the fact that they could do something. When my merchant ship left, I stayed at Port Royal. I felt the need to do something to help these people. I wanted them to feel freedom.

“There were few people willing to listen to me at first, but I began spreading the idea of a revolution. After a few months, word began to spread. People were hesitant; they didn’t want to go against the crown. In hindsight, it probably didn’t help that I had to hide from the Navy in King’s Run. Very few people were willing to come and talk to me.

“Eventually, I gained an adequate number of people ready and willing to be a part of a revolution. However, just a day before we began with a storming of Fort Charles, my camp in King’s Run was discovered. It was burned to the ground. I was lucky enough to be out preparing last minute plans.

“Perhaps they had thought it would deter me from my plans. They were wrong. The burning of my quarters only made me more infuriated. I was in the throes of fury, and nothing would stop me now from going into that fort with swords swinging.

“My revolutionaries and I gathered at daybreak the next morning. When I counted who all was there, it came up shorter than who had pledged themselves to the cause. The burning of my home had deterred many of them. I did not care though. My plans were going to be carried out.

“We stormed the fort, but we did not expect the militia waiting for us just beyond the gates. Without the rest of our numbers, we were overpowered easily. It seemed there was nowhere to run but back into the arms of the Navy. As they surrounded us, I raised my blade and began striking them down. I realized it was fruitless, but I would not back down easily. It took maybe two minutes for our small group of revolutionaries to fall.

“It was already known that I was the leader, so while the rest of the men were carted off to jail cells, I was escorted to the man in charge of the fort at the time, a Captain Roger or Randolph or something. Not a very impressive bloke, I’ll admit, but he was only temporarily in charge, so he just ordered me to be tossed into jail before my hanging. He said something about disrupting the peace and treason.

“Honestly, those idiots never learn. I had men of my own stationed in case we got captured. With that jail guard constantly being asleep, it wasn’t difficult for someone to slip the keys from his pocket and open the doors for all of us. We could have stayed to try again, but I got the feeling our luck wouldn’t be as good the second time. Darby, one of the secret revolutionaries, provided us with a ship and we escaped easily.

“That was essentially my life before you found me. My crew and I sailed for a few years, roaming the world for ports that we could plant the idea of revolution in. The crew got tired of the idea after a while though, but there was no mutiny until we were captured by that Navy ship. They bargained me and a good chunk of our supplies so that they could continue on their merry way. Lousy dogs. But you know the rest.”

“A revolutionary, eh, Solomon?” Kat asked as she locked eyes with Lawrence briefly.

Solomon scowled at her. “Did you miss that entire story Kat? I’m not telling it again. Yes, a revolutionary.”

Kat laughed and met Solomon’s hard gaze. “Mate, I think you’ll be just fine with us.”

:Coin::Coin::Coin::Coin::Coin:

Not overly long, yes, but tell me what you think. I appreciate reviews mates. :)

Again, I want to thank KeeperoftheCode for the use of his character. I finally got it right this time and sent it off to him before posting. ;)

Well, nothing like this next week. Got a chapter all lined up. Just some minor editing... ;) And with that taunt I'm out! Thanks for reading mates!

-Kat Crestshot

I'm doing this intirely in smilies......

Haha!!!! Nice job cresty......

Me no like taunts...

Well done. This is my favorite chapter so far. I can't put my finger on why, though...

Oh, finally!

Nice job Crest! Your story telling and characterization only ages like wine, better and better as time goes on. These chapters truly are, epic.

I can wait. But not for long. ;)

I enjoy your portrayal of him. You're definitely getting better at it as time goes on.

So, I start reading this chapter, then take my time to read the chapter before it, and what do you know, read the whole thing! Nice story Crest, will be waiting with anticipation for the next installment.

Ahoy mates! My apologies on the late hour of this chapter. Old habits die hard, you know? I was caught up in a lot of things over the past few days, and found myself unable to type it up. However, it is here, so without further ado, I present to you...

The Frigate

:Coin::Coin::Coin::Coin::Coin:

With everything out in the open about Solomon, they were all able to work more fluidly. Him being a possible threat or trouble was no longer in their minds. They continued on Kat’s quest for revenge with ease, using her compass as a guide. It led them faithfully towards many skeletons just waiting to be sunk. At times, though, the arrow was unsteady and followed Lawrence around instead. It was times like that where she snapped it shut quickly and distracted herself with something else.

Things went smoothly for about four months. The group had spent their time successfully sinking skeletal ships and raiding the occasional merchant or EITC ship. Kat was up the crow’s nest checking on the sail’s knots when she stared off into the distance. She squinted her eyes towards the speck in the horizon. “Land ho!” she called down to Solomon, who was presently steering. She scurried down the rigging so she could check on their position.

“No need to look at the maps, Kat. I know where we are,” Lawrence said when her boots hit the deck. HE put a hand to the small of her back to point her towards the island, and she felt that flutter she always quickly tapped down. “You see that smoke?” he asked, pointing. “We’re approaching Padres del Fuego, the volcanic Fathers of Fire indeed.” Lawrence looked at the island with darkened eyes and Kat glanced at him worriedly. She remembered what had happened to him last time he was there.

“Hey, look over there!” Solomon yelled, pointing to port side. They turned to see a Navy frigate patrolling the waters. “How would you like a brand new ship to sail into Padres with, Kat?” he asked with a grin.

“I’d like it very much, Solomon,” she replied, “but exactly how do you plan on acquiring such a fine piece of craftsmanship?” She spoke to him as if he was crazy.

Solomon grinned wider. “I have a plan.”

Solomon had proven time and time again over the past few months how apt he was with strategy, so Kat and Lawrence listened intently. He quickly outlined the actions they would take, with the other two adding their ideas and refinements. When they finished planning it out, they separated on their different jobs, all confident about gaining a new ship.

Solomon had taken Kat’s story about her and Hector tricking the EITC ship into thinking they were lost, and put his own twist on it. They took one of the torn sails they had kept from months before, when they had first found Solomon, and hung them up in place of a good one. Kat went to change into her ragged clothes. Lawrence and Solomon would carry most of their arsenal though; it wouldn’t look good if a woman was carrying a shiny cutlass around.

It didn’t take long to get everything set up, and when they did, they attempted to sail towards the naval ship. Solomon hid in the hold and Kat and Lawrence tried crying out for ‘Help’ when they got close enough.

The Navy launched a small dinghy so a group of them could board the small Cutthroat Wolf. “What is the problem?” the leader of the troop asked on the ship.

Kat felt ridiculous playing the part of hapless woman, but did it anyway. “Please, you must help us!” she cried, desperately hanging on to the closest soldier. “We were attacked by pirates! Somehow we got away, but my husband,” Lawrence’s eyebrows shot up for a moment, “caught one of them! Please, you must help us!”

“Please calm down ma’am,” the soldier she clutched to said as he disentangled her from him. “We shall take care of him.”

Kat ran to Lawrence instead now. “Please, I don’t want to be here when you see him! He scares me!”

Lawrence wrapped his arms around her in fake comfort. “Please take my wife,” he lightly emphasized the word, “onto your ship while we take care of the pirate,” he requested of the Navy men.

The leader thought for a moment, then accepted. “Very well. Figgins!” One of the men stood up a little straighter. “Take this woman back to our ship!”

A young sergeant from the back saluted. “Aye aye sir! Come with me miss.” He came to escort her from Lawrence’s arms, gripping her shoulder gently.

“Be careful, Sam,” she told him as she got into the dinghy.

He winked at her. “Always am, love.” The small boat splashed into the waters and she lost sight of Lawrence. Figgins began rowing them to the red and white sails, and Kat couldn’t help but really worry about Lawrence and Solomon.

“What’s your name, miss?” the young sergeant asked her, as if trying to make conversation.

“Katherine,” she responded without thought, still concerned for her men. It took her a moment to realize her mistake, but when she did, her eyes widened and she felt like hitting herself. Figgins didn’t notice though.

“Well, it is nice to meet you, miss, even under these circumstances.” He was a rather friendly bloke, rather relaxed, and Kat felt a kind of affinity towards him. He was unlike any Navy man she’d ever met, even in the time she was still married. They were silent until they reached the frigate.

There weren’t as many Navy uniforms on the other side as she had anticipated. That would make things easier when the time came. She wandered around the ship, subtly examining it as any captain would inspect a new piece of equipment. It seemed to be in very good shape, likely just commissioned not long ago.

Figgins came up beside her. “Everything alright ma’am?” he asked.

Kat nodded lightly. “Yes, everything is fine, I suppose,” she said. She noticed a small telescope hanging off of the sergeant’s belt. “Figgins, do you mind if I borrow that?” she asked him, pointing to the spyglass. “I would like to be able to see what is going on with my husband.”

Figgins looked hesitant. “Ma’am, I’m not entirely certain if that’s the wisest idea…”

“Please, Figgins? Just give it to me,” she said, holding out her hand. The man reluctantly unclipped it from his belt and handed over his telescope. Kat raised it to her eye and focused in on her ship.

Lawrence was talking to the Navy as he leaned down to open the hold. Kat felt her shoulders tense and her breathing hitch. Solomon leaped out with a sword in each hand and pointed them at the soldiers. They began backing up slowly as Lawrence drew his sword as well. One brave soul tried drawing his blade and charging them, but Lawrence just parried and punched him in the face. He stumbled to the ground, much to the shock of his comrades. Kat saw Solomon’s lips move and his face harden as he spoke harshly to the other soldiers. They began marching down into the hold, where she figured the boys would tie them of lock them up.

She lowered the eyeglass to find Figgins staring at her worriedly. It was rather odd to see such a soft look attached to that uniform. She couldn’t help but smile gently at him. “He’s fine, mate,” she said softly. She looked through the telescope again to see Lawrence and Solomon getting in a row boat and come towards the frigate.

Kat looked back at Figgins and grimaced. “Sorry mate,” she said, and she punched him cleanly across the face, then took a piece of wood from inside her shirt and knocked him on the back of the head. He fell over, unconscious. Kat stole his sword and swung a length of rope just sitting on deck over her shoulders. She licked her lips nervously as she waited for Lawrence and Solomon to get to the ship.

A soldier came down from the front of the ship where she was. “Hey, wha’ happened to him?” the man asked.

“Um… Caribbean sun,” Kat responded. With fluidity, she unraveled part of the rope and wrapped it around the soldier’s neck. He spluttered and struggled against it, but Kat just pulled tighter. His body soon fell limp and he flopped on top of Figgins. Kat reached down and lightly touched his neck. A soft pulse fluttered back up to the tips of her fingers. She nodded lightly and waited for Lawrence and Solomon to arrive.

She threw part of the rope over side, letting them climb up. They all barely spoke, just knowing what they needed to do. Kat left the men to go talk to the captain, and they waited until she was out of sight to begin their strike.

“Sir?” Kat asked timidly to the back of the captain. The man turned towards her, his back now to the rest of the ship. She smiled lightly at him. “I want to thank you for your hospitality, sir,” she said as she watched Lawrence and Solomon take out the other Navy quickly and quietly. “It is truly appreciated, and I hope you’ll let my husband and I stay on the ship.”

The captain nodded briskly. “But of course, ma’am. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”

Kat grinned that mischievous smirk of a pirate. “I was hoping you’d say that.” At the tail end of her words, one of the Navy soldiers cried out, making the captain turn to see the disturbance. Kat took the loop of rope she’d had behind her back and caught the man in it. She tightened it around his arms and tied it off, ignoring the cries of protest. The captain was spluttering in fury as she tugged him close by the rope, his back to her. “Again, I’d like to thank you for your welcome, captain,” she murmured threateningly in his ear. “I do, in fact, plan on staying as long as I like.” He growled and tried to kick her. It wasn’t difficult for her to dodge it. “Come now captain, you wouldn’t hit a lady, would you?” she didn’t give him a chance to answer before she slammed his head against the mast, effectively knocking him out.

Unsheathing the sword she had stolen from Figgins and taking the one from the captain’s belt, she went to help her boys. They easily dispatched of the soldiers, swords slashing and crashing in the sea air. Somehow, Kat made her way back to the front of the ship. One of the fallen men had stood, and Kat moved without thought to strike him down.

“Katherine!” the body cried. With her name falling from his lips, the fighting, cold hearted Kat fell. Now she was able to see the person standing in front of her. Teeth unclenched and stance relaxed as Figgins stood there with his hands raised, looking as if he feared for his life. It was then Kat noticed one of her swords was pointing directly at his heart. She let her arm drop a little, and Figgins visibly relaxed.

“What shall be your choice, mate?” she asked him lowly. “Shall you be coming with me, choose the life outside the law, or shall I set you off in a dinghy with your Navy friends?”

“Let me come with you, please,” Figgins begged. “I’m tired of the Navy. I want to live a new life.”

“Very well then,” Kat nodded. She suddenly felt very tired. “Here, take your bloody sword back,” she muttered, tossing him the blade from her left hand. “Lawrence, Solomon!” The two appeared from around the corner. “Wrap it up mates, I think we’re done here.”

They loaded up the Navy into a few life boats and set them out to sea. Kat wasn’t completely without mercy; she placed oars in the boats so that they may have a fighting chance. Lawrence went back over to the sloop, while the other three took over the now pirated frigate, and all began towards Padres del Fuego.

As Kat took the wheel, Solomon came up to her with a grin. “What is it?” she asked.

Solomon grinned wider. Your name is Katherine?” Kat just groaned and directed them towards the volcanic island.

:Coin::Coin::Coin::Coin::Coin:

Thanks go out again to KeeperoftheCode for letting me move Solomon around like my little doll. :)

I apologize for any grammatical/random errors in this chapter. I am very tired, and am not going through and proof reading it before posting. Oh, and I also apologize for saying last week, "Nothing like this next week." I'm terrible, I know.

Well mates, you know how I work by now, yes? Haha, I kid. Reviews are always appreciated, but not necessary. Thanks for reading mates!

-Kat Crestshot

PS: I forgot to mention this last night, but I shall be changing my posting days to Fridays. I find that I come home and have too much to do on Thursday nights, and with the weekend open on Fridays for me to do whatever work needed, I am able to type on those nights. Thank you!

I like this one! It is very close to me favorite, second to the last chapter.

I hope ye keep in mind what we just discussed, yes? Hehe... :laughks2:

I can see Figgins doing some amazing things in the following chapters...