The Scathed

[Captain Del]

Excellent as always, Crest! It's amazing to see how far along the character of Kat Crestshot has made it since "Her Beginning", but how you've done it so slyly and smoothly stuns me. Well done, indeed!

[swordshot]

More please :P This story is VERY good, crest!

[Amelia Burnhawk]

I haven't been on te forums in ages, and I've just finished reading the whole thing so far and WOW! I'm loving it so far! My favourite scene had to be Sarah and Fabiola's conversation about voodoo.

[charlottegold]

I just really love Sarah ... I think she could be my FAVE - ok I love Kat so much too but Sarah is just like me...please keep being good to her

[muffin pirate]

Crest, everytime I read your chapters, they make me smile.... Keep it up!

[Luckie OClover]

I seriously love how you have developed each character to be individuals
Each one is so strong & it shows how much you have put yourself into each of them

(excuse the cheesiness here) It is magic how you write their discovery of their special talents & skills
It really pulls the readers in & builds a bond with the characters

How I can't wait to read more, & yet dread it because it brings me that much closer to the final chapters

Keep up the excellent writing!

[Catherine Ironcutter]

I just read all the chapters.

In the chapters on page 6, guess what ran through my mind?

"In real life, she'd have pitched him."

"Pitching... and mooning?"

True Anne of Green Gables will recognize the reference, haha.

I'm absolutely loving the story. I'll definitely keep reading it.

[Crestshot]

Ahoy there mates! My apologies on this chapter being a day late. With the PIC Anniversary and my being sick most of the week, things have been a little hectic, haha. Fear not though! It is here now!

Terrorizing Bart



Charles’ face quickly fell from excitement to the distraught, frazzled look it had been before. He looked completely defeated, a look Kat wasn’t used to on his face. “We don’t know, Katherine. Sarah ran off two days ago, and hasn’t returned.”

Kat felt her heart fall. To come so close to reunion with her family, and then have one of them disappear. She was not to be discouraged, though. “Have you looked for her?” she asked her brother.

Charles rolled his eyes and stepped back. “Have we looked for her,” he muttered. “What do you think, Katherine, of course we’ve looked for her! We’ve turned half of Tortuga upside down doing so! And we still have…” He trailed off slowly. His gaze was fixed on something past her back, out of the window. She turned to see a group of men passing by the shop, laughing uproariously. “Bart,” Charles murmured, and before she knew what was happening, he had sped past her, the bell on the door indicating his departure from the shop.

“Oh bloody…” Kat muttered, and followed after him.

Charles had Bart held by his tattered shirt, pressed up against the building next door. Bart’s friends were shouting and trying to pry Charles off, but he would not be moved. “What have you done with her!” he yelled directly into the man’s face. “Tell me now, Bart!”

“Blimey, ya stupid boy, lemme go!” Bart spluttered, struggling against the hold, but Charles’ grip was firm.

Kat pushed her way past the other men and grabbed her brother’s shoulder. “Good god, Charles, let the man go!” Kat cried. Bart’s friends still surrounded her, pushing and trying to pull at Charles. She gnashed her teeth together in frustration and spun quickly around. There was a small smack as her ponytail hit someone in the face. “Now mates, you wouldn’t be hitting a lady, would you? Back off!” She flashed her cutlass from underneath her coat, and the men closest backed off, mumbling. Satisfied, she went back to Charles. “Hello Bart,” she said shortly.

“Ms. Crestshot,” he muttered back. “Ya wouldn’t mind gettin’ this lad offa me, would ya?”

Kat leveled a glare at her brother. “Charles! Let him be!” she barked in her best Captain voice.

“No, Katherine!” Charles yelled, giving Bart another shove. “You haven’t been here! He’s been after Sarah since we got here! I’m sure-”

“It’s your bleedin’ sister?! That’s what this is all about?!” Bart cut across. “And how am I supposed ta get to her when she’s locked up, eh?”

Charles stilled, but Kat could see his anger was close to boiling point. “What do you mean, locked up?” Kat pressed.

“Well they made a righ’ scene of it, didn’t they?” Bart said, eager at the opportunity to tell his story. “Navy carried her straight through town, hands behind her back, like some common criminal. Wanted to make an example of her, I suppose. Led her straight to the jail. She’s probably sittin’ in there now.” He finished his story with a grin, as if saying ‘Ok, you’ll let me go now, right?’

Charles held steady for a moment, then shoved Bart into the street. “Get out of here,” he growled.

Bart nodded quickly and began scurrying off, but Kat called him back. “Don’t you owe me something from my last trip here, Bart?” she asked with a hint of venom.

“Ah…yes Kat, of course. I’ll get that for you shortly,” he said quickly, then took off again.

Kat rolled her eyes at him. “Yah, you’ll just steal my rum again, you rat,” she said, but there was amusement behind her voice. She chuckled, then followed Charles back into the bakery.

She walked in to find Charles pacing while Luckie and Lawrence looked on. Kat went to stand on the wall next to Lawrence, who asked softly, “Mind telling me what’s going on?”

“Later,” she said back. Lawrence looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “I promise,” she grinned.

“What are we going to do, Luckie?” Charles burst out.

Kat couldn’t help but laugh at that statement. Charles whirled on her. “What’s so funny?” he demanded.

Kat continued to chuckle. “Oh, little brother, you have so much to learn.” She pushed herself off the wall she was leaning on and placed an arm around him. “Never ask 'What are we going to do? You have a cutlass?” Charles nodded. “Lawrence, got your dagger?” He flipped it out and spun it around. “Good, good. Luckie, want to come with?”

The woman looked startled that Kat included her. “Depends. Where might we be goin’?”

Kat grinned that special crooked grin that always forewarned troublemaking. “We’re going to jail break Sarah, of course.”



My apologies for it being rather short, but (to quote TSC) it has to be done so we can have fun!

I want to thank everyone who read and reviewed this past week. It truly does warm my heart to see all those reviews and how much people enjoy my story, and encourages me to write more. I think this week has been the most I have ever received. From the bottom of my piratey, rum soaked and gold encrusted heart, I thank you.

And of course, thanks always go to Luckie O'Clover for letting me mess with her emotions and actions.

Alright mates! Another chapter next week! Be sure to tune in, aye? Haha, Thanks for reading!

-Kat Crestshot

[SEAKING23]

Must... have.. MORE!!!

[SEAKING23]

Whens the next chapter coming out mate?

[Crestshot]

Ahoy mates! At the realization that I wouldn't have my computer come Friday afternoon, this chapter is being posted a little early. Thank god I had this one finished already, haha. So, just for you POF (and whichever other guests may be lurking around this neck of the woods)...

Miss Me?



In the darkness of the Tortuga night, in that short time before dawn where the rowdiness was not quite as high and the bartenders cleaned up broken glass, four figures crept quietly towards the jail. Charles and Luckie were rather jumpy, while Kat and Lawrence took the lead. All were tired from being up well past 24 hours, and Kat was beginning to feel it. Priorities, though. Sarah had to come first.

It wasn’t difficult to get to the jail, or even to get in. The Navy was lenient on Tortuga; the locks to the main door had been broken long ago. It creaked softly as Kat pushed it open, making her cringe. She slowly drew her cutlass and walked down the stairs, trying to muffle the click of her boots on the stone. When she reached the bottom, though, she saw there was no need to worry. The guard had fallen into a deep slumber, his cap falling over his eyes and his bayonet lying on the ground. Kat eyed the man critically while she sheathed her sword, shaking her head, but then noticed the glint of something on the pole above him. A set of keys dangled from a rusted nail. With a grin, Kat picked them up and jingled them a little in victory.

“Kat, over here!” whispered Charles, who had been searching the cells. Kat sped to where he stood, and there, curled in the corner of a dirtied cell, was Sarah. She began rapidly shuffling through the keys in her hand, trying first one, then another, searching for the one that would free her sister.

The clanking of the keys made Sarah stir. She shifted on the hard stone floor and began to whimper. “No… no please, not again…” she moaned. Her eyes fluttered beneath her eyelids, and a single, shimmering tear escaped and muddled the dirt.

Finally finding the right key, Kat shoved it in the lock and turned, feeling something in the door give way. She flung it open, not caring about the loud groan that sounded from it, only caring about her crying sister. Luckily for her, Lawrence caught it before it could crash into the wall. She gingerly picked up her sister, sitting next to her on the cold floor. “Shh, Sarah, shh, it’s me,” she murmured consolingly.

“No…no…” Sarah whimpered, and Kat felt her heart break. Sarah’s breath was shallow, coming in short gasps, and she still hadn’t opened her eyes. Her clothes were torn, and as the shirt moved, Kat saw dark bruises littering her arms. She gasped softly. What had they done to her?

“Please Sarah, open your eyes,” Kat pleaded softly, stroking her dark hair. It was a comforting gesture Sarah hadn’t felt in a long time. Not since childhood. Her eyes fluttered open, and Kat saw that their blue was all too similar to Barbossa’s; they were dead.

But a spark came to them as the gaze met Kat. “Katherine?” Sarah whispered in disbelief.

Kat smiled gently down. “Hey sister. Did you miss me?” she asked. Sarah gasped and wrapped her arms around her sister’s middle, crying freely now. Kat continued to stroke Sarah’s hair and hold her close, feeling complete and, for the moment, content.

It couldn’t last forever, though, as Kat realized where they were. “Come on, we need to get you out of here,” she said urgently, taking Sarah under the arms and lifting her up. Her plain white skirt shifted for a moment, revealing more bruises dotting her legs. Kat felt anger flash through her, but she would deal with that later. The priority now was getting Sarah out. Kat supported her through the cell door, sensing she couldn’t carry herself out.

“Hey duckie, what about me, eh?” a voice called from another cell. “I don’t get a rescue too?”

“You’re not worth my time, James,” she spat back. Cries of protest began sounding up from all the cells, all begging to be freed. It was no surprise when the Navy guard woke.

“Alright, alright, settle down criminals,” the man groaned groggily. Kat’s eyes widened, and she mouthed ‘Go!’ to the others. They all began creeping quietly up the steps, until a loud shout made them stop in their tracks. “Hey, what’s this cell doing open?!” The guard turned to see the tail of Kat’s coat whip around the edge of the stairs as they all began fleeing. “Escape!” The word echoed after them, and a bell began ringing.

Lawrence let out a low curse and drew his dagger. Sarah still hung on Kat’s shoulder, rendering her unable to fight, so all they did was run, with Luckie and Charles taking the lead, and Lawrence tailing behind the sisters. They had made it a few streets away when uneven marching sounded behind them.

“Over here!” Kat whispered loudly. The group ducked into an alleyway behind a few large barrels, and just in time too. Red uniforms created shadows in the lamplight from a nearby house. They marched quickly by, and soon rounded another corner. The group sighed collectively in relief.

“Charles, do you think you can carry her?” Kat asked. He nodded quickly and scooped his sister into his arms. Kat nodded in approval. “Alright, come on, we’re almost to the bakery.” So they took off again, moving faster now that Charles had Sarah.

When they were approaching the shop, however, they began slowing. An odd smell was wafting into their noses, the smell of something… burning? Everyone looked at Luckie in alarm, who took off directly towards the plume of smoke that was rising into the sky. They followed slower, still careful of Sarah and cautious of any Navy that may be watching nearby.

Luckie had fallen to her knees in front of the flames that had once been her bakery. Tears trickled down her face as they approached with looks of anger and awe at what they knew the Navy had done. Kat shook her head in disgust. When did Tortuga, of all places, become somewhere to fear?

She moved to stand next to Luckie and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come on,” she said softly. “We’ll go to my ship instead.” Luckie nodded numbly and rose. The trip to the Mercenary was not as rushed and frenzied as the one from the jail. They knew the Navy had their revenge. There was no more they would do tonight.

Up the plank they went and Kat was greeted by the men on watch. She saluted to her crew briefly, and continued to escort everyone to her cabin. Sarah had fallen asleep in Charles’ arms long ago. Kat lit a lantern, revealing the bed, and he reverently set Sarah down in it. Everyone moved towards different seats in the room and rested. Kat sat on the floor next to her sister and just stared at her now peaceful face.

“They took all tha’ I had,” Luckie muttered bleakly. Her tears had run dry by this point, but the tracks still remained. “Everythin’. I don’ have a thin’ left.” She put her head in her hands and moaned softly. Kat met Lawrence’s eyes over Luckie’s bent form and communicated silently. Her first mate nodded slightly in approval of the idea.

Kat used the bed to lift herself up, careful not to jostle Sarah, and stood next to Luckie. Her gentle hand on her back made Luckie’s head rise. “Luckie,” she said softly, as if speaking to a child, “I’d like to offer you a place aboard my ship.”

To her surprise, Luckie let out a low, unamused chuckle. “Wha’, a place o’ pity? Thanks, but no thanks Kat. I’ll find me own way.”

Kat opened her mouth to protest, but Sarah shifted in her sleep and groaned softly. She swiftly moved to kneel beside the bed and brushed the hair out of her face. On her cheekbone was a deep purple bruise, reminding Kat of the others scattered about her body. She lifted herself up again and made her way to a cabinet, wherein lay a small, old chest she had gotten so long ago. Opening it, she rummaged through the contents, passing by an old journal and some useless coins, finally coming upon a small container. She unscrewed the cap and sniffed briefly, seemingly satisfied with the contents.

“Lawrence, Charles, leave the room,” she ordered. The two looked at her in confusion.

“But why-” Charles began.

Kat turned back out to the room. “I’m going to be treating her. You two should not be here.” She took a small stick and began stirring whatever was in the jar.

“But I’m her brother,” Charles said firmly. “Surely I should-”

“Charles!” Kat snapped. Then her face softened. “Please, just let me care for her.” The siblings stared each other down for a moment, highly reminiscent of some days in England, but Charles sighed and broke the gaze. He slowly followed Lawrence, closing the door behind him with a final glance backwards.

“Get the windows please, Luckie?” Kat requested. Luckie rose from her seat to shut the blinds on the various windows as Kat applied the salve to Sarah’s face. She jerked at the touch and whimpered. “Shh, Sarah, it’s alright,” Kat murmured slightly.

Sarah’s eyes fluttered open for the second time that night. “Katherine… it is you?” she gasped out. Her eyes flicked around, taking in the cabin. “Where am I?”

Kat smiled softly. “You’re on my ship. We got you free from that jail.” She dipped her finger in the salve again and moved to Sarah’s arm. “You look like you’ve had a rough time of it.”

Sarah flinched away from Kat’s touch, but relaxed when she saw what she was doing. “You could say that,” she sighed.

Kat lifted Sarah’s shirt to get a few bruises on her stomach. “Are you planning on telling me what happened?” she prodded gently.

Sarah shook her head slightly and tears sparkled in her eyes. It was plain to see she wouldn’t – or couldn’t – talk about it. Not now, at the very least. Kat moved the ointment to a few cuts on Sarah’s legs instead.

“Sarah.” Luckie’s voice came from the corner of the room. “I found this when we were in the jail.” She began pulling a small bundle from her pocket. “I figured ye migh’-”

“No!” Sarah shrieked. She tumbled off the bed in fright and crawled to the opposite corner of Luckie. “No, I don’t want it!” she yelled, curling up into a ball and trembling.

Kat immediately moved to wrap her arms around her sister. She urgently motioned to Luckie to put whatever she had away, and the other woman shoved the doll hastily into her pocket.

Sarah was hyperventilating in Kat’s arms. “Sarah, Sarah, it’s alright!” she cried, but her sister was not calmed. “Look at me, sweetheart,” she pleaded with her. “Sarah, I’m here. I’m right here!” She took her sister by the chin and forced her to face Kat. Blue eyes met hazel, and Kat felt Sarah calm. Her breathing slowed and her eyes became less frantic. With a sigh, Sarah let her head fall onto Kat’s shoulder.

Kat caught Luckie’s alarmed eyes and nodded towards the door. She wanted a few minutes alone with her sister. Luckie gulped and nodded, and moved silently to the door to exit. Kat’s hand found Sarah’s and she grasped it tightly, rubbing her thumb along her sister’s hand comfortingly.

“They found me in the woods,” Sarah said quietly. Her breathing had begun to even and she gripped Kat’s hand tightly back. “I don’t know how they snuck up on me… I expected the voodoo to protect me. It was a lie.” Sarah accentuated this with a squeeze to Kat’s hand. “The voodoo almost destroyed me. I won’t let it touch me again.”

Sarah snuggled closer into Kat’s side. “They called me unnatural, that they were going to beat it out of me. It wasn’t the pain that hurt the most, though. It was the laughter. They enjoyed it, Katherine. In England, I never thought of the Navy as cruel, but now… the Caribbean is so different. Before, they were just doing their jobs. Now, they are the men who’s evil laughter rings in my ears.”

Kat did not respond, but she felt lava instead of blood in her veins, as if she had turned into the island of Padres del Fuego. Later, though. It could all be dealt with later. For now, the sisters just sat close on the wall of a pirate ship, and let the waves rock them into slumber.



I think I live to write moments like those.

Char, I'm sorry about Sarah. While I wrote this I went, "Shoot. Charlotte is gonna get me."

And, as always, thanks to Luckie for letting me burn down her bakery. Ahh... Rum's on me this time, mate.

Well mates, I'm always eager for reviews! Whether it be on the good site of the spectrum, or the opposite, it's always welcome. I'll wait on the buzz, haha. Another chapter next Friday! Thanks for reading!

-Kat Crestshot

[SEAKING23]

I feel sad for the navy.

[angel 4ever]

:O :O :O :O poor sarah! hurray they got her out that was a really really good chapter crest all the drama lol

[Nate Redburn]

Brilliant! I swear that I could smell the sea air as I was entangled in this gem.....*****

[Luckie OClover]

An AMAZING chapter Crest! very emotional indeed
I am just in awe of how you portray the love these siblings have for each other

I cant wait to read the next chapters to find out what is in store for the Navy
There is a ship with an angry piratess & her crew to exact revenge on their ruthlessness



Not to mention a certain Irish baker from Tortuga