Chapter 2
I could hear the dripping of water as I laid awake in the dark cave. I thought about everything that had happened: my brother dying, the pursuing un-dead army, and what would happen if I ever managed to get off the island. I had no idea whether it was night time or daytime in the deep caverns, and the only way I knew which direction to go was by following a small stream that flowed through.
I eventually decided to keep moving towards the exit and I grabbed the few belongings that I still had. As I reached the lit path near the stream, I heard footsteps coming and ducked into the shadows.
"I want you to search the cave systems until you find every last one of those cowardly villagers." It was Jolly Roger.
"Yes, Captain." I recognized the voice of General Darkhart. Then they continued down another path leading away from me and I sprinted away to the end of the cave.
~~~~~
When I finally reached the end of the cave, I could clearly hear the crack of gunfire and ringing of clashing swords echo up from the dark caverns. I knew that the un-dead had found everyone else, and I knew that I was lucky to have left early.
I could also see the water and the docks up ahead of me, and a wave of relief swept over me. I saw that there was a ship in the dock, but it wasn't just any ship, it was the Shadow King... one of the most legendary pirate ships to sail the seas. My only choice was to board the ship and hope the Captain would give me mercy. So I ran across the beach and onto the mighty ship, only to be face to face with the Captain himself!
“What do we have ‘ere?” I was surprised at the kind voice that came from this fearsome pirate and I suddenly felt a little safer. “Mr. Awesome!”
I saw a tall man with a large beard came rushing over. “Yes, Captain?”
“Take this boy to the cabins and get him comfortable.” And with that, I was taken to get cleaned up and fed before we left the island.
~~~~~
“BROADSIDE STARBOARD!” I heard Tiberius bellow over the blasting of cannons. I learned that the Captain never liked being referred to as Captain Fireskull… but rather, by his true name, Tiberius Fireskull. I also learned that his crew wasn’t so much a ship crew, as it was a Guild or Court, and that he was really the Captain of it.
I sprinted over to the starboard side and fired a cannon at the first un-dead ship I saw. We had to fight our way to the open seas because Jolly Roger had begun to set up a blockade around the island. Mr. Awesome came rushing up to the cannon next to me and started firing and reloading, too. Mr. Awesome was practically in the same situation as me… he had just evacuated the caverns and ended up part of this crew.
“They’re retreating back towards the island!” I heard a Deadly Nightshade, another of the newer recruits, announce. “We can sail freely to Tortuga, Tiberius.”
“That’s one battle won by us, mates. But we still must defeat Jolly Roger.” Tiberius said. “I heard a couple of Jolly’s corrupted minions talking about something called The Dark Idol. I think it may help in the defeat of Jolly, so we’re going to Tortuga to try and find out anything more about it.”
So we sailed on to Tortuga to start our search.