The Scathed

[KeeperOfTheCode]

Originally Posted by muffin pirate

Isn't your best chapter but it does moves the story along....

All depends on your point of view. I like a story to be a little darker.

[Nate Swordwalker]

I like them. I like them a lot. And as Keeper said, it depends on your point of view.

[muffin pirate]

No, I love the whole story. That was my opinion on the chapter...

[Crestshot]

Ahoy Mates! I'm not sure if this qualifies as late night posting yet, but my apologies on getting it out a little late in the day. I've had writer's block for pretty much the entire week. It's been terrible, but it finally ended (...kinda). But before I get too anxious about this chapter and rewrite it (again), here you go.

We



Lawrence walked cautiously through the caves with his sword drawn. He couldn’t be too careful. Skeletons haunted every corner. For some reason, though, the caves were oddly empty. Nobody had ambushed him yet, and he was already a ways into the tunnels.

He turned a corner to see Kat falling to her knees, cutlass and pistol falling from her hands, and let out a hair-raising scream.

Lawrence ran immediately to her side. “Kat,” he murmured, taking her into his arms. She didn’t respond, but still breathed heavily. “Kat!” he yelled desperately. She turned to him with bloodshot eyes.

“He’s just a boy,” she whispered. “Just a boy. He doesn’t deserve it.” Her head fell against his shoulder and she began crying softly. Lawrence held her tight to him, kneeling on the ground in the shaded caverns.

After a few minutes, there could be a shuffling heard echoing through the tunnels. Both Lawrence and Kat stiffened. They separated, and Kat grabbed her weapons while Lawrence took a dagger from his belt. It seemed the skeletons had awoken again.

“Come,” whispered Kat. “I don’t fancy the idea of meeting any more skeletons today.” Her eyes were still bloodshot and her nose still red, but she was done crying. It was time to build the walls back up. There was no more time for weakness.

“Agreed,” Lawrence said softly, and the two began quietly jogging out of the caves. They ran next to each other, Lawrence on Kat’s right, as their sharp eyes checked for any unsavory movement in the shadows. They made it out unscathed and back to Tortuga’s graveyard. For a moment, they stood to rest. Kat finally said, “Come on. I want to see how Hector is doing.” They walked at a brisk pace out of the graveyard and to Fabiola’s.

Kat let herself past the divider in Fabiola’s cart. Lawrence stayed right outside, not wanting to crowd the space any more. Kat looked down at the boy she had taken care of for the past three months. It wasn’t fair that he was sliced and diced in this way. He’s just a boy, he doesn’t deserve this. The luck of the skeletons seemed to be following him from Port Royal. She had ensured his safety while on the seas, but as soon as the journey ended, the lucky streak ended as well. Once their boots touched down on that Tortuga soil, she couldn’t protect him quite as well anymore. She couldn’t protect him here. Looking down at this small man, all she felt was failure.

She continued looking down at Hector for an indefinite time until Fabiola walked in. The gypsy stood next to Kat in silent companionship for a moment before saying, “You shouldn’t feel that way.”

Kat looked at her friend. “Like how?” she asked, but she already knew the answer Fabiola would give.

“You shouldn’t feel the guilt,” Fabiola told her. “It is coming off of you in waves.” Her violet eyes turned to Kat’s hazel. “Go someplace else to think. Right here is not helping you at all, being next to the one you feel you have failed.”

“Where can I go, Fabiola?” Kat asked desperately. “I feel that wherever I go I will have no peace from this feeling.”

Fabiola smiled that knowing smile. “You know exactly where to go, Kat; where you always go. Now leave and find that moment of clarity waiting for you.” She squeezed her arm gently in a gesture of friendship.

Kat followed Fabiola’s advice and left the cart. She passed by Lawrence, who decided to leave her be for a little while. Instead, he went into the cart to see Hector.

Kat climbed into her ship and up the rigging. Was it only a few hours ago her and Hector had docked? It was almost a lifetime in her eyes. No matter, though. All she felt now was the warm Caribbean breeze and the crisp night air. Her eyes shut as she threw herself into the feeling, rather than the thought.

Everything was clear now. There was no more buzzing, no more dazed feeling, no pressure. The height and the purity of the scene chased it all away. Now she could truly think, without all the stress of the day weighing down on her. She was able to think clearly, her thoughts not obscured by fog of guilt.

The Jolly Moon was unexpected by everyone, even Fabiola, who Kat had always seen as one who knew everything. It was impossible for Kat to know what was going to happen. In fact, in all reality, it was Hector’s fault more than her own because he had disobeyed her orders. She didn’t feel the need to punish him though. Being sliced and diced was punishment enough. One thing was for certain though; Hector couldn’t go back out with her when the time came. She had enjoyed having his help on the ship for the time, but she couldn’t allow him back on her ship. He was too inexperienced, and Kat didn’t want to risk his life again on another journey with her.

She sighed and looked up at the stars, the thoughts beginning to weigh again. Hector would not like it when she told him he would not be continuing on with her. Perhaps she could get him a job with O’Malley. He had kept the ship in top shape on the ocean. Still, she knew she would have a more difficult time on this next journey as well without him. His presence had been soothing, in his annoyingly questioning way. Her head fell forward tiredly as she thought over the implications of this single action. Roger was good at ruining everything it seemed.

“Kat!” she heard called from below. Her eyes opened again to see Lawrence standing on the deck of her ship. He waved. “Can I come up?” he yelled.

Kat thought for a moment, then decided, sure, what harm could it do? She waved him up and he began scrambling up the rigging. Kat moved out of the way and he fell into the basket next to her.

“Hey,” Lawrence said as he situated himself more comfortably in the basket. He sat down and leaned his back against the mast. “Everything ok?”

Kat sat down opposite of him. “I suppose it is,” she replied. Then she sighed. “Things are getting…complicated.”

Lawrence tilted his head at her. “Complicated how?”

Kat sighed. “Well, there’s Hector, and there’s Jolly, then there’s all the regular dangers of the Caribbean…” She trailed off.

Lawrence grinned. “Kat, it’s much simpler than you’re making it out to be. Look,” he leaned forward as if sharing a secret. “Hector will be fine. He’s fine Kat. He is going to live. You can stop worrying so much about that. There, that's one thing out of the way." Kat tried to interrupt here, but Lawrence just kept going. "Now, next thing. Jolly is here, and he just put this horror on us. We have to get to him and to his army and make sure he can never do this again. There’s thing two out of the way. Everything else? Well, you’re a pirate, and it seems to me that you know what you’re doing. You have to just keep going.”

“It’s not that simple Lawrence.” Kat tried to argue.

“Yes it is Kat,” he insisted. “Just keep going, keep doing what you’ve been doing. We can annoy the Navy and plunder the EITC and put a dent in Roger’s forces.”

Kat looked at Lawrence closely. “We?” she asked with a smile.

Lawrence grinned back. “Aye, Kat. We.”



(Quick note: This chapter didn't go to Jules since I only finished it about... 5 minutes ago. It may be subject to change because I'm not entirely confident about it. I'll bump if that happens.)

So mates, what did you think? It's a little awkward in my opinion, but it works for now. Please review on if it was good, bad, horrible, never-want-me-to-write-again-in-my-entire-existence (*eyes Del for a reveiw*). Haha, thanks for reading mates!

-Kat Crestshot

[muffin pirate]

Great as always! But, I think the end is near... Lawrence seems invincible which I think, will lead to a ending to the story...

[Jackfiresteel]

Great chapter Crest! I keep expecting them to kiss or something.. then...YES.... no.

[seafox]

That poor, poor boy child....I'm kinda hoping you make this an epic...so I can see him as a young man, as he surely will turn out well for having had known Kat !!

I disagree about an inevitable ending...Lawrence joining Kat ? anything could happen...he could get bit by a tste fly and lie in a coma for a year...ok thats soap operas,,,sorry...

anyways, I read these last two together...and yes, theres a lil difference in detail work...but darn good for having writers block...more please!!

[Nate Swordwalker]

Never a disappointment Kat! Poor Hector... I see no editing needed, one spot here, but not a biggy.

Looking forward to the next one!

[KeeperOfTheCode]

Not bad... Not bad at all. Keep up the good work!

[Crestshot]

Ok mates, got a new chapter for you right here! Here ya go! I present...

Getting Ready Again



The next few days were a flurry of activity. Hector was getting better steadily, and moved onto Kat’s ship rather than stay in Fabiola’s cart. He knew, however, the move wasn’t permanent. Kat explained to him when he woke up that he wouldn’t be allowed to go with her any more. It took a little while and more than a little pouting on Hector’s part, but eventually, he came to understand why he couldn’t go with.

He did pose an interesting question though. “Why can Lawrence go with you instead, Kat?” he had asked while lying in her bed resting. The young woman was silent for just the right amount of time for Hector to go, “Aha! See, he can go with you without any reason!”

Kat turned from the papers she was looking over to glare at him. “I have very good reasons, Hector, none of which I have to explain to you,” she snapped. He looked ready to argue again, so she elaborated. “However, he has many more years experience than you on the seas, and he has a better understanding of how the Caribbean works, not to mention being an excellent swordsman.” Hector looked crestfallen again. Kat sighed. “Look, I can’t worry about you out there. It will make everything worse for the both of us. I know that Lawrence can take care of himself, ok?” Hector just glared down with folded arms. “Ok?” Kat asked again, emphasizing it. Hector glanced up at her. “Ok…” he grumbled.

Kat went and talked to O’malley as well. She explained how Hector couldn’t sail with her any more. O’malley didn’t understand why she didn’t just leave the boy to fend for himself. “He’ll just be one more face in Tortuga Kat. I don’t see why I have to give him a job,” he objected. Kat rattled a bag of coins in his face and O’malley eyed it hungrily. She moved the bag out of reach and into her coat. “You want the money, you give the boy a job, savvy?” O’malley eyed her for a moment, then said, “Aye, agreed.” They shook hands and Kat handed him the bag, then left quickly. She didn’t want to be around when the shipwright figured out that an inch on the outside of the bag was nothing but rocks.

Lawrence and Kat made sure that anything that could be sold from Kat’s last trip was. There were plenty of takers, especially when Dajin Ming saw the treasures Kat had acquired from a Navy ship en route to His Majesty in England.

Kat charged Lawrence with acquiring all the weaponry they would need. She gave him a bag of coins and told him to get whatever he felt was necessary. He returned later with very few items and not even half of the money bag gone. Kat glared at him. “Lawrence, I’d prefer not to die or be captured out there. Go buy more. I don’t care if you spend the entirety of that money, just go,” she told him and pushed him off the ship onto the dock. He reluctantly returned to town and bought more supplies, and returned with armfuls of grenades and gunpowder with bullets, as well as got some help bringing some cannonballs down to the ship. Kat grinned and nodded in approval when he brought it all back and he felt a flutter of excitement go through him.

The day finally came for the two to leave. Hector was left in the care of O’malley, but Kat had asked Fabiola to check in on him from time to time. She couldn’t be expected to just completely let go of her worry for the young man.

Lawrence walked up to Kat on the deck of the Cutthroat Wolf. “Ready?” he asked her.

Kat looked out onto the dock where Hector stood, watching her Wolf. He saw her looking at him and waved. Kat grinned and waved back. “Aye,” she said to Lawrence. She turned to look at him. “I’m ready. Hoist anchor!” she ordered. It was time to switch to captain mode. She released the sails and took the wheel to head them out of the harbor. One last glanced was spared to Hector, who walked back to O’malley. She grinned. “Alright, Roger. It’s time to play, mate.”



Insanely short chapter. Sorry! But I have next weeks already half done, and it's already longer I think, haha. This was essentially a transition chapter. More excitement coming soon, I promise! In the meantime, however, the character of Hector has been transferred over to Blaze Skullshield for his story. I think I'm gonna check it out.

So mates, reviews? Feel free to criticize me on this chapter, haha. I don't mind. Thanks for reading!

-Kat Crestshot

[muffin pirate]

Another Fine Chapter Crest!

[Crestshot]

I want to apologize real quick for not having a chapter last week. Unfortunately, there is none this week either. Real life has really gotten in the way, and there's been a lot of stress. I didn't need to add the story on top of that. I start school next week, and so I've been finishing all the homework that I need (there's a lot of it), and I've also had family in town for the past week, so almost every waking moment has been spent with them. I'm sorry mates, but the story will be back up and running soon!

-Kat Crestshot

[KeeperOfTheCode]

Have you considered putting Muffin Pirate into one of your stories? A deadly, cutlass-swinging pastry!

[muffin pirate]

Ok, I was starting to worry there... I would love to be in your story! Just make sure you get my good side

[Crestshot]

First off, I want to apologize for how long it has taken to get this chapter out. However, we all understand real life. It comes first. I've kept everyone waiting long enough though, so I present to you...


Sea Dangers



Kat and Lawrence sailed for a few days, getting used to each other mostly, and finally happening upon a broken and tattered skeleton ship. The revenge Kat felt in her heart led them straight to it, with some help from her compass. When the torn sails appeared on the horizon, the pair quickly decided on a plan of action to take the servants of Jolly Roger down. The broadsides were loaded and Kat took the wheel to lead them to battle.

Kat sailed up to the skeletons and lined up the starboard side with the back. “Starboard side!” she yelled down to Lawrence. He went across all the lower deck cannons, setting each of the three off with a deafening bang. They were loaded again as quickly as possible, but the skeletal frigate began turning towards them.

“Hurry it up down there, Lawrence!” Kat hollered. She attempted to keep them behind the ship, but it was difficult. Her ship may have been faster, but the enormity of the skeleton’s frigate was almost overpowering.

Meanwhile, Lawrence was below deck loading up the cannons as fast as he could. He fired one that he had loaded, and then moved on to the next one. His ears rang from the force of the blast. Now he could understand why Gunner yelled so much.

As his last cannon rang out, an idea came to him. He sprinted to the top deck and the starboard cannon. It was already loaded, so he didn’t worry about taking that time.

“What are you doing?!” Kat yelled at him. “Get back to the stronger cannons!”

“Just trust me!” he told her. He adjusted the cannon, aiming for the bottom of the already damaged hull. The fuse was lit, the shot rang out, and a single cannonball hit the ship. At that the skeletons stopped turning and began sailing straight. Lawrence had hit the rudder, severely damaging the enemy boat.

Kat’s eyes went wide. That had been one of the most incredible shots she had ever seen. Lawrence gave a whoop of joy and loaded the cannon back up. When he was finished with that, he ran back down to the other cannons. He stayed below for the remainder of the time they attacked. Finally, the ship went down, sinking with horrible clanking and groaning noises as it headed to the Locker.

Lawrence jumped back up on deck with a shout of laughter. He began dancing in the glow of their victory. Kat couldn’t help but laugh with him. She let go of the wheel and danced with him. They linked arms and spun around, kicking their feet up, merriment evident on their faces.

“Our first victory together!” Kat cried. She stopped suddenly. “This calls for rum!” Lawrence looked at her as she began walking towards the hold. They were on top of the world!

A crash rocked the ship, brutally ending the glee. Kat fell down the stairs in the hold, and Lawrence fell onto the mast. She popped her head back up with a grimace. “What in the bloody love of Blackbeard was that?!” she yelled.

Lawrence shrugged. A blast rocked the ship again, making Kat fall over again. “For the love of mother and child, Lawrence, take the wheel!” she yelled from below. He ran to it and began turning the ship. We must have hit a reef, he thought.

Kat was still down below, checking on the cannons. She looked out the cannon window to the sight of red and white sails.

“Navy,” she whispered in shock. “Navy! Port side!” she yelled up at Lawrence. He looked to port, and sure enough, he saw a Navy galleon sailing steadily towards them.

Kat ran up from the hold frenetically. “We’ll never take that thing down, or even outrun it!” she yelled. “We need to figure out a way to board it. I’m going to look for a chain shot. Keep us steady!” She ran around, gathering supplies they would need. There were a few chain shots, some grappling hooks, and he watched her slip a grenade into her pocket.

“Direct us towards that swine, Lawrence!” she ordered as she loaded a chain shot to the deck cannon. Lawrence began sailing head on to the Navy ship. Kat braced herself for the battle about to come.

When they got in range, Kat shot off the first chain, making a solid hit on the front sail of the galleon. The next shot was quickly loaded, fired, and connected with one of the main sails. It created a grand tear in it, making Kat grin.

The grin quickly disappeared as the naval ship returned the fire. It’s broadsides were high enough that no shot connected with the hull, but the sails took a beating. Kat grimaced. “Alright, it’s serious now,” she growled. She took a grappling hook and swung it around, gathering momentum so that it could connect with the naval ship.

A red and black hat popped into view from the other ship. “Pirates!” the Navy soldier yelled. “Surrender and give us control of your ship, or be sunk!”

“Not a chance, you scum!” Kat yelled back, and she launched the hook. “Come on Lawrence!” she said. He left the wheel and tied the rope down so they could climb across. Kat lit the grenade from her pocket and flung it to the other ship. There was a pause… and then they heard the grenade explode to the cries of the Navy. She gave a satisfied nod and began climbing across.

On the other side, there was chaos. Some people stood on deck, avoiding a fire from Kat’s grenade. She looked around satisfactorily at the damage caused before a man noticed them. “Pirates! They’re here!” he yelled. There was a thundering of feet. Kat drew her sword with a grin, and she heard Lawrence do the same next to her.

“Hello gentlemen!” she greeted them brightly. “Nice weather we’re having, isn’t it?” she acted jovial, but really, she was nervous. There were a few too many people here that she could handle confidently, even with Lawrence by her side. The grin stayed up and steady though, so the Navy were never the wiser.

One of the men (Kat assumed he was Captain by the rank on his collar) stepped forward. “Pirates, you are under arrest by the charge of the Royal Navy of England for-”

“Oh, shove off you,” Kat cut across him. “Your words mean nothing. They’re just there to make you feel high and mighty, and make you feel like you’re actually doing something good.” She raised her eyebrow sardonically. “Savvy?”

“Very well. Men, into position!” the captain ordered. Kat grinned a little wider. Perhaps this wouldn’t be nearly as difficult as she thought. The men with bayonets kneeled down in front while the back row drew swords. “Aim.” The rustling of bayonets. “Fire!”

Kat and Lawrence worked as one mind, diving to opposite sides of the ship. Kat rolled towards the soldiers and landed swiftly on her feet to being fighting the nearest soldier, while Lawrence just ran towards them, taking a dagger from his belt and throwing it at the captain. It hit him solidly in the shoulder, making him fall.

With the loss of leadership, the soldiers scattered. Their formation broke, and instead, they charged the two pirates. Kat and Lawrence ended up back to back in the center of the group of redcoats. A few had already been taken down, but it was still a formidable group.

“What do you think the odds are?” Kat muttered.

Lawrence glanced around. “1 to 3, 1 to 4?” he guessed.

Kat nodded. “Aye, we’ll be fine,” and they moved. She slashed the shoulder of a soldier nearest to her, making him step backwards into his comrade. The clumsiness presented a gap big enough for Kat to slip through, and she ended up on the outside of the ring. She broadly slashed the two soldiers and caught them in the back.

Lawrence stayed in the center, tapping away strikes launched at him with swiftness and fluidity. He caught this soldier in the leg, stabbed that one through the shoulder, all while dodging and ducking the swords and bayonets.

Again, there was that feeling of unity between the two. Each took as many Navy as they could handle, but they were fine tuned to each other. One would warn if the other was in an unnoticed danger. Once, Lawrence yelled at Kat to duck. She listened without hesitation, and he swung his blade over her head, taking out the man about to cleave her in half.

Finally, there were only two left, but these two seemed to be the fiercest fighters. They each took one, hoping they would wear out and stop fighting, but it seemed the pirates were the ones tiring. Their strikes became slower and their wits dimmed. The man Kat fought charged at her with blurring speed, and Kat had to jump backwards to avoid him.

She didn’t realize that was exactly what he had wanted until she was already tumbling down the hold.

“Second time today…” she muttered, sitting up and rubbing her head. “That bloke is tricky enough to be a pirate.”

A shadow suddenly fell over her from above and she rolled out of the way as Lawrence came crashing down next to her. He recovered quickly and grabbed the doors to the hold, shutting and locking them before the Navy could come down.

Kat was looking at him like he was insane. “What?” he replied to the look. “I saw you fall.” Kat just shook her head at him.

They began wandering down in the hold, looking for anything of interest. There wasn’t too much near the top – mostly things for the soldiers – but it was in the lowest depths of the ship they found a real treasure.

“Well what the bloody hell are you looking at? Get me out of this cage!”



Well, there it is mates. Took forever, but it's finally here. I know some of you were like (*COUGHDELCOUGH*) but I have another chapter finished already, so no worries. I won't be late again for at least a week.

So mates, loved it, hated it, horrible and tragical? Haha. Thanks for reading mates!

-Kat Crestshot