A Promise to be Kept - Book One

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Title: A Promise to be Kept - Book One

Author: Aewin the Elf


The wind snapped the flags upon the tower walls, th noise which combined with the sound of the waves against the cliff wall and the docks gave Firstmate Theron the chills. Sailing in winds like this was always a challenge. Not that he hasn't sailed worst, but winds like these gave pirates a certain advantage of speed, especially against a cargo laden vessel like the Lion's Key. Still he had no time to worry, the passengers would be arriving soon.

Justice noticed the nervousness of the firstmate, he noticed alot, but that was his job. See danger and head it off, fight it if need be, and face the real risk of death. Tis the job of an escort and gaurd. Ever since Lord British had installed his own private gaurd to every town found to be worthy of protection, Justice and his band of former gaurds, mages, and archers have traveled the length and breadth of Brittania protecting the innocent and weak, making a meager living. I mean look at his current charges who are now arriving on the peir.

Gillian's brown robe wrapped around his sandal clad feet. His pack was ladened with cloth and bandages. He was nervous, he had never crossed water and he was not looking forward to this experience either, but whatever Father Talos said was done. Father Talos, an Empath Abby graduate realized that recent influx of people with the opening of the moongate brought new tempations to his students and these visitors tended to disrupt the studies as they called out BANK! from down the stairs. So using his influence Father Talos gathered the funds needed to build a small healer's college on an island nearly the opposite side of the world.

Gillian looked upon the Lion's Key with amazement, for he knew within the hold of this vessel was enough wood, stone, plaster, cloth and stuff to create 3 small houses. That and 15 of his brothers and sisters, that and a few craftsmen and their families who were to come along and help build a training center to be proud of.

Gillian eyed the gaurds of their little ship, a bunch of rough looking individuals who had clearly seen their share of fighting. Their many scars showed the life they led and lived was frought with danger, for them to be alive made them either lucky or very skilled, probably both.

Justice watched the gangly youth in brown board the Lion's Key and soon they were setting sail. The captain was busy with the crew and navigating the vessel from Trinsic Docks. The passengers were below. Justice and his gaurds watched the seas. Not only could the weather and rocks kill you, but there were other dangers. Elementals, sea serpents, and most dangerous of all, Pirates.

Hours passed away as the coastline of Brittania faded behind them. Theron now felt a bit more at home, with nothing but blue in all directions he was in his element. He noticed the ever watchfull eyes of the hired marines. All decked out in heavy armor like they wore make Theron a bit nervous, with that much metal they would surely sink like a rock should they be tossed over the side. Still he was glad to have them on board. With the Pirate known only as Raven stalking these sea lanes every extra blade was welcomed.

Day had turned to night, the Lion's Key made good progress, Gillian had made his way to the upper deck and watched the moons of Britannia set into the sea, bringing out the stars of the night to their fullest glory. The winds were still against them, as the Lion's Key tacked and turned, but Gillian did not notice as he lay back on the deck to soak in the stars. He must of fallen asleep for he heard the approach of another, when he opened his eyes he expected to see one of the crew or gaurds. But when he opened his eyes he saw a black clad man moving stealthfully along the gaurd rail. Just as he noticed the black intruder he noticed a ship pull along side the Lion's Key, black as night were its sails and its hull. The Raven.

Justice came up from the hold to relieve the night gaurd when he heard he sound he knew so well, a sword leaving its sheath. Instinct took over as he drew his own and blocked what would have been a fatal blow. What happened next is all but a blur, the Ravens Crew of cutthroats faced the seasoned warriors under Justice's command, words of power such as IN VAS MANI and CORP POR rang over sounds of the sea and sword. Arrows and bolts crossed the decks as cutthroat and crewmen fought to the bitter end.

Justice was chasing one of the Raven's men through the bulkhead when he rounded the corner he saw his target had grabbed a hostage, Father Talos. "Drop you sword." The cutthroat warned as he brought his blade to the healer's throat.

Father Talos looked at Justice as the warrior considered his options, Father Talos knew if Justice dropped his blade, both he and the warrior would be sain anyway. He gave a solid and stern look to Justice and said "Promise."

Justice nodded and said, "I do" and charged. Father Talos was dead before he hit the ship's hold, but so was the murderer. Justice made his way to the upper deck, and waded into the battle helping friends and allies fight the dark crew of the Raven.

The battle was an even match with the Justice's heavily armored men holding their own against the fast and lightly armored cutthroats. But soon the forces against Raven had the upper hand, that's when Theron noticed the ship was slowing. He raced below deck and found water pouring in. Someone of the Ravens crew had holed the ship. He raced to warn the captain.

"Capt'n, the ship, she be flooding!" Cried out Theron as he approached the captain. The captain turned and, as he did, a Viking sword split him in twain. Theron looked up at the horrible visage of the one known as Raven. Dressed in plate as black as night, he wielded that Viking sword as though it was a toy. He walked forward to Theron, and Theron swore that he heard laughter coming from behind the helm.

Justice saw the black plate clad warrior slay the captain and approach the helpless firstmate. He charged across the deck. The raven was fast in response as the steel met steel. The dark warrior was a good fighter, but so was Justice. Flashing steel, and the clanging of armor brought the rest of the battle to a halt as Justice and Raven fought.