Hawkes of the Sea: a pirate fantasy

[Clarrissa]

The infirmary

The trip back to the hall was slow in progression for fear of doing more harm to the injured shaman.

Arriving at the infirmary I order the aged man gently placed upon a waiting pallet. His eyes were closed but his breath steady, with any luck he would remain in that state until i can finish the task at hand.

Unbinding the wound I see little blood, but knew that would be short lived. Making haste I prepare what i would need to remove the imbedded arrow tip.

Ordering a good hot fire built and stoked I sanitize my knife in the flames. I order two stout guards to hold the old man still least he thrash in pain and cause further harm to himself. Pouring strong rum on the wound and my hands to wash away any impurities I slide the edge of my knife down along the arrows tip and use it as leverage to pry the tip from the old mans flesh.

Blood flows freely from the wound but not in great abundance, I gingerly probe the wound to be sure all the fragments are out. Washing the wound again with the strong drink I set my knife blade to the fire. The wound will need to be sealed. Mixing a paste of herbs and boiled water I wait for my knife to glow red in the hearth.

Giving further instruction to the guards "Hold him still, If he is to move now will be the time". With a final swipe of a cloth I set the red hot blade against the old mans skin searing the skin closed with the heat, steming the flow of blood. His body jerked in pain even in his state of unconsciousness. The acrid smell of burnt flesh tinges the air as I turn my head, my stomach revolting at what I must do. Washing the now burnt flesh with the boiled water I pack the wound with healing herbs and rebind it with fresh bandages. The task finished I again set my knife to the hearth

Dismissing the guards I sit with the old one for a time, a silent prayer sent up that no fever will set in. I have done all I can for the time.

 

[divinity]

bella-shaman

I hear the prayer being sent on high. I reach out and grasp it. I pray to the four winds to carry my breath. Soon my breath is encircling the Shaman. No fever will rise from this brow.

Your prayer is answered Clarissa.

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps

After shooting the serpent in the tail, he had a sudden urge. I looked down from the treetops, and was overcome by a sudden impulse. He imagined himself, falling down, and dieing. He suddenly lifted up his arms, and prepared to hurl himself off the tall tree.

 

[divinity]

jezebella

It has been a long time Bart. Do you remember me? Search your soul and there you willl find me. I have waited a long time for you. Shall I show myself to you Black Bart? Is the fear real? You need not fear me Bart. I am here as a friend. Come to me Bart. Come back to me.

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps

Before I jump, I realized something. I didn't want to die, at least not yet. I put down my arms, and decide to stick around for a while. I continue to do my job, protecting the Raven. Afterall, if I die now, then I won't be paid.

 

[divinity]

creep

I turn my head. Distress is ringing through the wind. Sprading my wings I fly. Creep? I think not. You MAY not die this day. I have not saved you from the blade for nothing. I see you change your mind. I land in front of you immediately changing into that beautiful woman you fist saw.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

Bart's aim is true and the intense heat of the Greek fire drives me back against the cliff. I watch the snarling reptile writhe beneath the unberable flame. It's mouth opens at last and I hear Bart's triumphant shout.

Egads! If such a snaky face could wear an expression of surprise, it is this one's. For a moment, I am tempted to laugh as it swallows. The poison is quick and the beast falls. I dodge it's tails as it lashes against the cliff, barely escaping at times.

We watch until it finally shudders one last time and is still.

I turn and jog back to where the path leads to the cliff. Climbing, I find Black Bart and the bearers. I clap Bart on the shoulder.

"Well done, well done indeed!" I tell him. "A pity no sport exists that requires such arm and aim, for indeed you would be a prince among pitchers!"

"Come, let us go now back to the cave and rescue the two ladies who await us there."

Together, we descend the cliff. Those who await us remain, save for the thief. I am in a somewhat magnamious mood, so I call out.

"Hey, thief! If you can hear me, come forth. We shan't do you harm. Indeed, we might have a place for ye among us...provided you can help us with a wee task."

 

[sojournerwolf]

some thoughts on this thread and new thread direction

OOC: Please see the following link, as well as previous and post posts at

http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=687256&t=3749#post687256

Thanks!

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps

I look at the bird lady for a while, but then I hear the group call me, "sorry lady, but will have to chat another time", I slide down the tree like a snake. I appear in front of the captain like I just poped out the ground, or something. I smile, and say, "does this, 'wee task', involve money?" It had better involve money, cause if it didn't, I would have to dissapear again, and get back to doing my duty.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

I cannot help but grin. This thief is a bold rogue indeed to suggest reward.

"Well, thief," I say to him. "Mayhap we can find a few coins for your pains. I am not known for stinginess. But the immediate task is to find two of our people who are in yonder cave. I need a scout to go ahead of us to be sure there are no traps set by our late foe. Think you can manage that?"

I wait to hear his reply to my challenge.

 

[divinity]

demise

From where I stand it is far to the earth below. I spread my arms and keeping my feathers from appearing I lean forward and fall. I land hard. The breath is taken from my lungs. As I look upwards with open eyes I see him. My lost love. My Wizard. A smile highlights my eyes and then there is darkness.

Thank you Black Bart for guiding me here.

 

[THEBRAT]

The Black Raven

I watched Bart as his aim was true yes the giant beast has at last been sent to its eternal Rest !t is now finally safe for My Children & I to come out of Hiding completely!

I must get back to the Cave before anyone else can get there and to make sure that they are safe!

Bart you always knew that I was hiding something from everyone!

It was imparitive that nobody knew not even yourself to know The Whole Truth of why that I came to Hawkes Island to hide ourselves away!

I go into the Cave and pick up my little loves from their hiding place.As I go outside with My Children I see that Hawke has arrived I walk right by without a word!

Hawke I must ask for your forgiveness in not telling you the whole truth of my story but as you can see not just my own life was in Danger as I look up I see a Question in Hawkes Eyes!

How did you hide without my knowing about it?

I will answer your Question Hawke!

I had help to hide My Family even from yourself by a Very Great Man of Wisdom your Foster Father!

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps

I raise an eyebrow, "Is that all? Then I'll do it". Without any other word I begin to scout ahead. Using darkness to my advantage. When I was close to the cave, I noticed a movement in the bushes. The man had a small gang behind him, probably bandits. They all seemed to fancy clubs, and axes. Without further ado I decide to take them out. One by one.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

I laugh as Raven reveals her secret.

"Well done," I say. "Once we have retrieved our missing ladies, i would indeed make the acquanitance of your family.

I turn to the thief. His eyes seem to be considering something and I have some idea what.

"Hold, thief," I say with a sigh. "You mayhap not know about this island. There are many peoples of different lands, considered primitive and material for slavery that make their home here. This island has been sanctuary for them ever since I and my first crew landed here and began raiding slavers.

"I request, firmly request, you give thought to that...and consider carefully any hasty actions against them. Though my allies and friends, they do tend to get upset when assaulted. And, should there be danger threatening us, well, many of them are here, as you may no doubt have discerned, watching in the bushes. Men of Africa and the Southern portions of the New World and a new continet just discovered as well as the the last tribes of the Amazons.

"Now," I say, pointing to the mouth of the cave. "Shall we be about our business? Go first, good scout, and we shall follow."

I gesture for Black Bart to come with me, snapping my fingers for the great hound Heracles, and together with some of our most trusted crew, follow the thief into the cave.

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps

I didn't trust those men behind the bushes, they didn't look like natives to me, and they did have a lot of gold in their pouches. But I had my orders. I silently sneak past the, 'natives', and enter the cave. It was dark, and damp, perfect place for a thief like me. I quickly search the area. Sure enough, I notice a campfire, and two women huddled around it. I also could have sworn I heard some growling, but I thought nothing of it, and quickly signal the others to come in.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

Heracles is growling beside me, evidently the great hound has doubts about htose the thief has sighted as well. My lips draw into a thin smile as behind me I hear something of a commotion, some shouts, then the triumphant chant of our friends.

The thief beckons us forward, and we follow him. The women look up at us, begrimed, weary, wary...and I step forward. Elizabeth and Amanda both rush into my arms and cling there as the three of us laugh and weep, and Heracles bounds around quite uncharacteristically like a puppy.

With the help of Black Bart, the crew members, and the thief, we escort the ladies back into the light of day. A great shout arises from the crew members who guarded the cave entrance and our native friends.

An' if there be some boots peeping out of the bushes, and stains upon upraised spears and swords, none think to comment.

We hurry as best we can back to the village where those who live there, our great family comes out to meet us. I commend Elizabeth and Amanda into the care of the physician. Clarrissa comes out to stand by Black Bart's side. From her smile, I know my foster father will be well.

The thief looks confused until a guard I sent off a little earlier returns with a bag of gold. The thief maintains his composure, but I can see him watch speculatively as to whether there may be more. I nod and say to him, "Indeed, for one who might join our crew."

I leave him to ponder his future employment opportunities as I walk to the platform in the village square.

"My friends," I say, "nay, my family. We have been together through many trials, and today has seen the end of one of the greatest we have ever faced. My beloved sister Elizabeth, and Lady Amanda have been returned to us. More," I gesture towards the Black Raven and her family, and the thief, "we have found new friends along the way.

"What can be said of such as the magician who threatened us, who seemed to have the power to destroy all we have worked so hard to build? And then, cast his life away finding he could not live without his lady love?

"What can be said of this woman, the Black Raven, who risked her life, and perhaps her very soul to warn her brother of the dangers that faced us?

"What can be said of such as de la Vega, a Spaniard who having escaped, returned so that our Monique might survive her injuries?

"And what might be said for those of us, who even in the midst of crisis have found our hearts turned from mere gold to higher thoughts and feelings?

"Indeed, what may be said but that of all the powers on earth, in the heavens, or in hell, none is so mysterious, nor yet so powerful
as that of love.

"Come the morrow, we will honor our enemy whose heart was greater than his ambition with a grand and glorious funeral that he and his amour might be laid to rest together.

"And after, we will feast and rejoice, we and yes, our captives who shall be set free, returned to their homelands.

"This is my will and desire, as your Captain. Grand and glorious adventures yet await us in our quest for justice for those uanble to seek it for themselves."

Thus ends Hawkes of the Sea I. Yet, the Hawkes and their friends, and foes, still have much in store for them. Where will it lead, you ask? Watch the boards, dear reader, for in the next month or so, Hawkes of the Sea II will begin.

I wish to express my deep and abiding gratitude to all of you who have worked so hard to make Hawkes such a success. The writing has been outstanding and I hope with all my heart that together, and with such new writers as join us, Hawkes II will be as good, if not better.

And to you, the readers, thank you for your enthusiasm and devotion to the reading of this thread. I hope you will come back to read, if not write with us, in Hawkes

Sojourner Wolf