[1x1] To High Seas (DrHuggies & SC)

[sleeplessCartoonist]

After some trial and error, Cassandra was finally able to light and build up a fire on the beach, a bit further away from the pirates. She sat by it for a while, cooking some food and eating, always on the horizon. She had to keep the fire going, and ensured that there was plenty of smoke that would be viewable from a distance. Her eyes still searching for anything of importance, she soon spotted a boat. As it drew closer to the island, she sighed. To her relief, it didn't seem to belong to any more pirates. She stood, placing her hat aside and unbuttoning her shirt slightly, her eyes wide and hopeful as she watched the approaching Navy vessel.

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai's crew had seized Captain Jace's boat and had sailed towards the sight of smoke. When they arrived at the island they saw the Navy vessel. Although it was probably unwise, they docked the boat and walked towards the fire. Kai awoke to the sound of chattering. He was groggy and was in immense pain from the battle. He yelled out in pain as he felt like a sword was jabbed through him. He clenched his jaw hard as fire ran up through his veins. Where were his crew? Where was Kai?

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

When the Navy vessel docked, she quickly got on board, relieved to see Edward's familiar face. She immediately wrapped her arms around her, thanking him repeatedly for finding her, hardly even caring if her act seemed very cheesy.


"What a wonderful man you are, Edison!"


"Edwin, uh-- what happened to you, you look--" he began, frowning slightly as he was cut off.


"Oh, Edmund, it was awful! They cut my hair, look! And I was beaten, and given these awful ratty clothes." she glanced back, her eyes wide. "Oh, my captors are coming! See those few men down there? They brought me here and killed all the inhabitants of this poor island! Please, Edgar, please take me inside before they get here! Oh, I can't bear to look at them!"


The man nodded, quickly escorting her below deck. He let her sit quietly, and turned to leave before she spoke up again.


"And, dear Edwin...?" she asked sweetly, peering up at him with her wide, green eyes.


He hesitated for a moment when she spoke his actual name, turning to face her.


She tilted her head a little, sitting up. "Please, do keep the captain alive. I want to see him hanged back at home. I want to see them all back home, actually."


"We'll do what we can." Edwin said with a nod, hurrying above deck to face the approaching ship.

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai got up slowly, using a nearby musket to steady himself. He hobbled out the door and saw them at the island. Seeing the navy ship he quickly forgot his wounds and drew his pistols. "THE NAVY!" Kai yelled and all his crewmen immediately leaped up, armed and ready. Kai hobbled up onto the navy boat and up to the leader looking man and spat at his shoes. "What are you navy scum doing in pirate waters!" Kai said staring aggressively at the man.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Cassandra quietly approached the door, placing her ear against it to listen once Edwin had left. She listened quietly to what was happening above deck, frowning slightly.


When Kai approached the man, he glared down at him. "We're here to rescue a hostage and capture a wanted man. We have a warrant for your arrest. Murder, theft and kidnapping, among other things." he looked over at Edwin for a moment. "Officer Somerset, I trust you've escorted the hostage to safety?"


"Yes, sir."


He looked back down at Kai. "Now then, you can come without a fight and get an easier punishment, or you can be difficult and you'll inevitably be hanged for your crimes. What do you choose?"

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai grinned and quickly drew his knife and stabbed the man in the stomach. He then whispered into the mans ear. "I do not fear death." Kai then slid forwards and drew his pistol. He grabbed Edwin and placed the gun to his head. Kai then swung him around so Kai's arm was around his neck. Kai cocked the pistol and laughed as the navy men rushed onto the deck. While this was happening, Kai's crew were beside the ship, waiting for their captain's command. The were right on the side of the ship so anyone on the ship would not be able to spot them.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

The moment Kai moved to stab the man, the ship's crew moved immediately, aiming their muskets or drawing their swords, though they froze when he grabbed Edwin.


"Hold your fire!" Edwin called, his eyes wide. He glanced around at the men, biting his lip as he thought. Though he kept his expression neutral, he seemed to understand that Kai would probably kill him anyways. He turned his head slightly when he spotted Cassandra emerging from below deck.


"Oh! That's the captain. What a beast he is! Please, don't hurt my dear Edward!" she said, her eyes wide.


Edwin stared blankly for a few long moments. "Uh-- Edwin! And- and get back below deck! Somebody escort her back down--"


"Please, captain, if there's anything I can do to keep you from hurting him!"

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai looked at Cassandra surprised, he was quite confused whether she was acting or not. "I am sorry mistress but your husband here has just threatened me. And I don't take threats well. Do I!?" Kai asked. Kai's crew emerged onto the deck, behind the navy guards. Kai's first mate grinned an evil grin. "No you don't cap'n." The crew all had their pistols and cutlasses drawn, the blades and barrels facing the navy men. "If anyone turns around or even shuffles, they are dead!" The first mate yelled and cocked his pistol for effect.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Cassandra froze, glancing around the ship quickly as she thought. "Oh... oh, I'm back in this sticky situation again. Except, well, everyone but me has a gun to their head..." she chuckled awkwardly, running a hand through her hair.


"Cassandra, I thought you'd died. What happened?" Edwin asked quietly, still scanning the ship.


"Oh, he'd... faked my death, and I was tied up below deck for a couple days. My dress was ruined, he cut my hair, and I was given these awful, ratty clothes." she said with a pout. "And I thought I had a chance to get away, but now we're in this mess. And-- oh, wasn't there something about a bounty on his head?"


"The bounty-- why are you bringing up the bounty now?"


She paused for a moment, shifting her weight anxiously. "...well, father didn't have much money left, you know? I was hoping I could help you arrest the captain and crew and we would get a bounty for it. Not that it would matter if I married you, of course..."

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai imitated a gagging noise when Cassandra said marry Edwin. He then tightened his grip on Edwin so he couldn't speak and could hardly breath. "Men," Kai said, "what about the bounty?" Kai flexed his fingers. That was the signal. All of Kai's men stepped forward and slit the throats of the Navy men. There were still many Navy men remaining and a battle began between Kai's crew and the Navy men. If Cassandra wanted to marry Edwin and it made her happy, he didn't have the heart to take him from her. He threw him overboard and raced towards his men to assist them in battle.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Cassandra's eyes widened when the pirates moved to slit their throats, and she ran to the edge of the ship when Edwin was thrown off. She hesitated for a few moments, before looking back at Kai. She bit her lip, unsure if there was a way to convey her message to him, though she quickly hurried off of the ship to meet Edwin on the shore.


"Cassandra, you must get below deck -- or, even better, wait down here where it's safe." he said between clenched teeth, drawing his sword.


Staring at him blankly for a few moments, she then nodded. "Of course, dear... but, um, do try to keep them alive. The captain, at least."


"I can't make any promises now, dearest. But I'll try." he said, hurrying back onto the ship.

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai raced forward slashing and shooting, making sure he didnt kill or hit Edwin. Kai's crew had lesser numbers bur were domination throughout the battle. Kai turned around and block a wild slash from Edwin. Kai snarled and looked at Edwin, an evil glare in his eyes.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Edwin had charged back on board, joining the fight immediately, and Cassandra simply watched from a distance. When Edwin swung and Kai blocked it, she stormed onto the ship, picking up a dropped cutlass. She approached quickly, careful to avoid any fighting men, gripping onto her sword. When she swung, she aimed for Kai's sword rather than him, managing to push Edwin out of the way.


"What the hell? Why are you fighting--?" he jumped back a bit, glancing around at the crowd of fighting people. "And why did no one stop you?"


"Get another ship over here. There has to be more than one, right?"


"Well, yes... but I can't leave you here!"


"Leave!" she shouted between clenched teeth, glancing back briefly as he ran off. "...oh, I didn't expect him to walk off that easily. Rude. Why are you putting up such a fight?" she asked quietly, keeping her sword raised.

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai lunged forward with his blade, purposely lunging into her block. "I really do not want to be hanged," he replied grinning. He lunged forward again, slashing at her block. "Rather protective fellow isnt Edwin," Kai said smiling as he stabbed an approaching navy soldier. "All these men just for you."

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

"I know, it's annoying." she muttered her response, glancing around quickly. "Listen, if you come easily, I get a bounty. And then--" she flinched as two fighting men came too near, turning slightly to kick the pirate away. Spotting another navy vessel in the distance, she continued to speak quietly. "And then, I take that few thousand, get you a new ship and rescue you. New crew, too, seeing as a bunch of your men have died. How'd the fight go, by the way? I take it you won, but not by much, it seems."

 

[DrHuggies]

"Mm," Kai acknowledged, lowering his blade and surveying the battle. He then explained Cassandra's plans to his crew and got them to flee. He then turned to Cassandra, "stab me," he said, opening his guard, "quick!"

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Her eyes widened, and she suddenly lunged forwards, aiming for what she believed to be a safe spot to hit. She didn't drive the blade in too deep, and didn't remove it, either, though leaned in when she stabbed him. "If they suspect me of anything because what you did was suspicious," she whispered between clenched teeth, "I will let them hang you." then, she stumbled back, looking as if she was surprised at her own actions. Edwin hurried to her side, pausing at the sight of the sword.


"You stabbed him!"


"I... I did." she said with a nod, eyes wide.

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai made a fake gurgling sound and looked up, pretending to be weak. He gasped, "I thought I could trust you Cassandra," he said and 'fell unconscious'


Kai's crew watched from afar and laughed at the scene unfolding, they knew their captain was fine and they weren't worried at all.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Edwin glanced over at Kai's crew for a few moments, frowning. "This seems terribly suspicious..."


"...does it?"


"Yes. Obviously, they're planning something, and you need to be escorted to safety right away! Someone lead her below deck to one of the cabins, everyone else apprehend the pirates."


The moment he said the word, the men were grabbing Kai's crew, leading them below deck to the cells.


"As for the captain," Edwin said, kneeling beside Kai and frowning. "I'll make sure he's patched up. And then it's off to the gallows."


Cassandra smiled, brushing a few loose strands of hair out of her face. "Oh? Good. And I'll want a front row seat to their execution!"


Edwin nodded, turning to a few other of the crew members. "Keep your guard up, men, we don't know if they have backup. Take any injured men below deck to be fixed up. Was anyone killed?"


"Three men, sir." one of the seamen called.


"Damn. I'll make sure they'll pay for it dearly."

 

[DrHuggies]

Once Kai was patched up and the people left he cracked up laughing and so did his crew mates. They all erupted into laughter at the stupidity of Edwin. Then Kai realized, how would Cassandra save his crew, she said she would save him, but all the other men? Kai had to plan a way for them all to escape, except him.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Edwin had set up a few men to guard the crew, and even more keeping watch for another pirate ship. Cassandra had eventually sweet-talked him into allowing her to stay above deck, and as they started on their way home, she thought quietly, sitting off to the side. She had made a mental note to get better clothes for traveling with Kai's crew, and she knew she could probably buy a ship off of someone. Hell, she could probably just steal it. Her thoughts were interrupted when Edwin approached her, sitting beside her.


"Your father is going to be overjoyed when we return home..." he said, smiling at her. "He was heartbroken, you know. Any father would be."


"Yes, I trust he would be." she said, running a hand through her hair.


Edwin shifted a bit, staring at her for a few moments. "You know, I'm overjoyed that we found you in one piece, as well."


"Oh? Well, it was awfully sweet of you to scour the sea just for me."


"Well, er, actually it was because he was a wanted criminal, but that too. Absolutely." he said, sitting up a bit. "...anyways, we'll be home sometime tomorrow. So that's great. We can go home, and--"


"And move on with our lives." she said, smiling sweetly at him.


"...yes, that. Move on from this awful experience. Um, and--"


She tilted her head a little. "Yes, Edmund?"


"...never mind. Have a nice night." he said, standing.

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai whistled for a guard and when that guard came, Kai quickly turned him around and held his hidden knife to the mans neck. With his other hand, he grabbed the keys and threw them to his crew members. "You guys escape, I have a plan to get a new ship, meet at the island before," he whispered. The crew crept up and killed the remaining guards. They then cut a hole in the wall with an axe and leaped into the sea. Kaithen cut the throat of the guard and sat back down, satisfied.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Cassandra sat quietly until sunset, returning below deck to her cabin to sleep. When the guards were supposed to switch at sunset, the corpses and lack of prisoners were quickly noticed.


"How the hell did they escape?" Edwin asked, glaring at the hole in the wall. "And, even more -- how did- how did they cut a hole in the ship? Did no one hear?! This navy is supposed to be the best and about a dozen men just escaped hanging through a hole in the wall!"


"Well, sir, they must have jumped into the sea. They all probably drowned half an hour ago." one of the guards said with a shrug.


Edwin was silent for a moment, before turning to glare at Kai. "And you! Why didn't you go with them, hm? Probably thought you'd drown, too! Oh, I know what your plan is. You think you'll be able to escape, don't you? Well, I can assure you that you'll be hanging from the gallows by the end of the week, you fiend!"

 

[DrHuggies]

Kai laughed and stood up in his cage. He showed Edwin the wound, "I can't escape, your b**** of a wife made sure of that." Kai spat into Edwin's face. "Go f*** your mistress wh**e you son of a b****." Kai slumped down inside the cage and rested his back on the bars. The wound was only hurting slightly, Cassandra had done well, she had missed all vital organs and had only given him a minor wound.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Edwin glared at him for a few long moments, before looking over at the guards. "Keep an eye on him anyways. And, uh... someone do something about that hole. Put a tarp over it, at least. And we need these bodies taken care of..." he sighed quietly, walking off. "The best of the best, we're supposed to be, and yet prisoners can cut a hole in the wall of our navy ship and jump out..." he muttered under his breath.


Cassandra was standing by the door quietly, and watched him as he exited the room. "They can be a slippery bunch, huh?"


He glanced over at her, eyes wide. "Oh, goodness, did you overhear all of that?"


"I did. Cut a hole in the wall of a navy vessel?"


"It's mad. I'll never understand why those pirates are so determined. Or why no one heard them hacking away at the wall with... whatever it is they used." Edwin said with a sigh, running a hand through his hair.


She tilted her head a little, before grinning up at him. "I never heard you speak like that, Edwin."


"What, me calling him a fiend?"


"I must say, I like you a lot more in this setting than having tea back at my father's manor..." she said, moving a bit closer to him. "Of course, I always had a soft spot for a man in uniform..."