Chapter 8 -Prisoners

Lurg looked down onto the crew of the Blood Galleon from the deck of the Hyperion. The pirate crew stood in awe for a moment, seeing their fallen companion for the first time. But awe quickly turned to the rage of betrayal. Many of the pirates drew their weapons and grabbed lines, preparing to swing over onto the Royal ship.

"Captain, I would control your crew. It would be a shame for me to have to give the order to fire."

"Ye know yer cannons cannot penetrate me hull Lurg," replied Barron von Black.

"That may be true, but tell me, does your necklace protect the whole crew, or will the grape shot only bounce off you?"

"Grape shot? Ya scurvy dog, it ain't worth getting dying if we can't even fight."

"ARRHHHHHHH!" came a cry from above them.

Lurg looked up as Flayblade swung down from the rigging of the Blood Galleon, sword in hand. Lurg drew his massive sword just in time to deflect Flayblade's strike. Flayblade began to whirl his dual swords around himself, moving so fast his arms were a blur. Lurg tightened his grip on his sword. Relax, he thought, Be one with the blade. As Flayblade whirled closer, Lurg blinked. When his eyes opened, everything was different. His whole body tingled. He could feel the energy flowing between the sword and his body. Flayblade was no longer a whirlwind, instead he looked like he was trying to fight in water, his movements slow, his arms dragging through the air. The other pirates and the Royal soldiers hardly moved. Out of the corner of his eye, Lurg saw Razorwind jump from the Blood Galleon to the Hyperion. Although he was moving at blinding speed, he too appeared as if he were running in water. The two pirates came at Lurg together, striking over and over, each time Lurg was able to parry the attack. The battle continued like this for several minutes, with Flayblade and Razorwind attacking, and Lurg blocking the attacks. Finally in one movement, Lurg spun around shattering Razorwind's leg with the flat of his blade, and bringing his elbow up to meet Flayblade's jaw at the same time, unhinging it. Both pirates fell to the ground in serious pain, but they were alive. Several soldiers moved forward and dragged the pirates to the brig.

"Now, if there aren't going to be any more unpleasantries, I suggest you throw down your arms," said Lurg.

An explosion rocked the Blood Galleon. The remaining powder keg had been ignited. The blast wasn't large enough to severely damage the ship, but it did destroy both the galley and captain's quarters.

"What the bloody hell was that?" asked Barron von Black.

"That would be any remaining gun powder exploding," sneered Commander Darius, stepping forward, "Better late then never I suppose, the imbecile who detonated it was supposed to set it off while you were enroute to us. We had hoped the blast would take a few of you with it, but what can you really expect from a lowlife pirate? Pity you had to fight all those other ships too, there would have been more powder for the explosion. Oh well, I suppose we can't always get what we want, now can we?"

"BLASTED BETRAYERS!" screamed Barron von Black.

Kittie had been muttering under her breath for some time now. Suddenly her head snapped up.

"DIE!" she screamed as fire leaped from her hand at Lurg.

Lurg raised his sword in a meager attempt to shield himself from the inferno, but to his surprise, the blade stopped the flame. Not only that, but it seemed to be absorbing the magic. As more and more magic was absorbed, the diamond on the pommel began to glow red. The more fire that the sword absorbed, the brighter the diamond grew.

"I...I...can't...stop...it" stammered Kittie, as more power flowed from her into the sword.

Finally when all her mana was exhausted, Kittie collapsed onto the deck of the Blood Galleon. The diamond glowed red like lava and was warm to the touch.

"Kittie, are ye all right?" asked Barron von Black.

"Yes...I'm fine...just....tired."

"Yer just full of surprises ain't ye, ya bastard?"

"Yes," said Lurg, eying his sword, "Sometimes even to myself."

"Arg, I've had enough of this, I challenge ye to a Captain's Duel. If ye can defeat me, we'll surrender without a fight, but if ye lose, ye'll have to use yer cannons on us, cause we won't come with ya alive."

"Fine," said Lurg.

"Yer gonna have to defeat me too, ya traitorous bastard," said Skully One-Eye, finally recovering from the shock of seeing Lurg alive, "How could ye betray us like this?"

"You betrayed me Skully One-Eye, when you left me to die on that forsaken island. Now you pay from your crimes!"

Lurg turned to his soldiers, "None of you will interfere, is that understood? If anyone tries to interfere, I'll kill you myself."

"Arg, that goes the same for me and Skully's crews!" shouted Barron von Black.

Barron von Black removed his hat and handed it to Kittie. He drew his morning star crossed onto the Hyperion with Skully One-Eye. The two pirate captains stood across from Lurg, eying him. Barron von Black's gaze never left Lurg's eyes. Skully One-Eye looked from Lurg to Barron von Black and back again. Barron von Black's eyes clouded over with a dark blue haze as he went into his holy wraith state, his mace erupting with blue flames. Skully One-Eye drew his cutlass with his left arm, and made a jabbing motion with the blade attached to the wooden prosthetic arm he had from the elbow down on his right arm. Lurg held his massive blade with both hands, eying Barron von Black. He knew that he was the man he had to be most careful with, the flames of his holy wraith could burn the flesh from his bone if he wasn't careful. The two pirates came at Lurg. He parried the blow from Barron von Black's mace and ducked under the slash from Skully One-Eye. When Lurg's blade met Barron's morning star, the diamond on the pommel glowed bright red, and the sword erupted with flames of its own. The burning sword surprised Barron von Black and Skully One-Eye temporarily, but they quickly recovered. Barron swung again and Lurg parried once more. Lurg whirled and swung his sword at Skully One-Eye as he came in for an attack, Skully was able to deflect most of the attack, but the tip of the blade niched him on the chest, drawing a thin red line across his shirt. Barron von Black attacked again, Lurg barely got his sword up in time to deflect the blow, he could feel the heat of the flames on his face. Lurg hacked several times at Barron von Black, driving him backwards towards the railing of the deck. Skully took the opportunity to slash at Lurg, hitting him just below the ribs, but his armor prevented the sword from cutting him. Lurg slashed at Skully One-Eye and Skully was able to parry the strike, but the force of the attack knocked his sword from his hand. Barron von Black attacked again and Lurg was forced to defend himself once more. He was able to throw the Barron back a little, and as he feel back, the ankh he wore around his neck slipped from his shirt and was exposed around his neck. Lurg slashed at Skully One-Eye and he raised his arm to defend himself. Lurg's sword cut cleanly through Skully's right arm just below the elbow. Skully One-Eye fell to the deck, clutching at his severed limb. Lurg and Barron von Black clashed again, their weapons locked together as they moved in a circle around the deck. They met in a parry, both pushing hard to try and throw the other back. Seizing an opportunity, Lurg relaxed and released the pressure he had been throwing at the Barron. The sudden shift in the resistance cause Barron von Black to stumble forward, as he did, Lurg sidestepped him, and grabbed his necklace as he fell to the ground. Barron von Black jumped up and attacked Lurg again, but this time Lurg was easily able to deflect the attack, and in the process, sent Barron von Black's morning star clattering across the deck. Lurg slammed his sword down next to Barron von Black's head.

"Not much of a fighter without this are you?" said Lurg, holding up Barron von Black's ankh.

"Me arm. Ye cut off me arm!" wailed Skully One-Eye.

"Yer an idiot Skully One-Eye," said Barron von Black, "yer arm's fine, he cut off yer wooden arm."

Skully One-Eye looked down at his severed limb for the first time. There was no blood, just a small amount of scorched wood remained attached to his elbow.

"Oy, I feel dumb," he said.

"You lost Barron von Black. Commander Darius, take pirates to the brig, none of them are to be harmed."

"Aye sir, what of our man on their ship?"

"Bring him to me."

"Aye. Pirate, step forward."

A pirate crossed over from the Blood Galleon.

"Why ya scurvy dog, I should have killed ye the first time!" yelled Barron von Black as he was dragged to the brig when he saw who had betrayed him.

Ironfist walked up to Lurg, with a dumb grin on his face.

"I knew I would get even with him one day for allowing that lizard to take me leg," he said.

"So, you are the one who betrayed your friends," said Lurg.

"Aye sir."

"I have no room for traitors on my ship," said Lurg, driving his sword through Ironfist's chest, "Dump him overboard with the rest of the garbage. Have Audra sent to my quarters. I'll be there once everything is taken care of on deck."

"Aye sir," said Commander Darius as he watched as two soldiers threw Ironfist into the ocean. His screams could be heard by the entire ship as the sharks began to eat him.

Chapter 7 -Reunion

Bella Dizzy came up from below deck on the Judith Prosperous. She had just finished packing up the remaining medical supplies from sick bay to transfer onto the Blood Galleon. The damage the Judith Prosperous had suffered was not any serious damage, but the mast was a cause for worry. It had been struck by a cannon ball and there was a large piece missing. Although the mast had not fallen, it would not be able to sustain the stress of her sails on the high seas without major repair, it looked like the whole mast would need to be replaced, but luckily, since they were already at the Kalmorni Island, the crew wouldn't need to sail her anyway. The only thing that remained would be to dock in the morning, once the crew had a chance to rest. Most of the crew had been transferred to the Blood Galleon, the only ones who were staying on board the Judith Prosperous would be a watch crew to make sure no one snuck on and stole anything in the night. The treasure in the hold was to heavy to transfer and it wouldn't be worth the trouble, since it would all need to be brought back in a few days. Bella Dizzy tossed her satchel over to Cannons McGee on the Blood Galleon, the two medics had their work cut out for them. There were many wounded pirates after the battle with the Royal Navy that just ended. Bella Dizzy crossed the plank between the two ships and began looking for Skully One-Eye to inform him that all the medical supplies were now on the Blood Galleon. She saw him on the bow with Barron von Black and Kittie. Suddenly there was a faint whistling in the distance that was steadily growing louder.

"GET DOWN!! CANNON FIRE!!" screamed Skully One-Eye.

The whistle turned into a scream as the shot came closer. There was a massive fireball as the shell smashed into the stern of the Judith Prosperous, opening a gaping hole. The Blood Galleon rocked as the shock wave struck it. Flames from the explosion set fire to both vessels. Kittie sprang into action, using her magic to put out the flames on the Blood Galleon, but the Judith Prosperous had been spun around by the blast, and was too far away for her magic to work. The damage mast was splintered by the explosion and both crews watching horror as it toppled into the sea. Panic and chaos was spreading through the crews.

"What in blazes was that?" shouted Barron von Black, "Oy, Ironfist, do ye see anything?"

Skully One-Eye stood staring at his ship, his mouth open. Part of the hole in her stern was below the water line and she was starting to list.

"Ironfist! DO YE SEE ANYTHING!?!" repeated Barron von Black, looking up into the empty crows nest, "DAMMIT WHERE IS HE? FLAYBLADE, FIND IRONFIST NOW!"

"Are you alright Captain?" asked Bella Dizzy, overcoming her shock and running up to Skully One-Eye.

"I...ah...I...ship..." was all Skully could muster under the circumstances.

"MAN THE GUNS! BOARDING PARTIES PREPARE TO FIGHT!" Barron von Black was shouting orders to both crews, "WHERE THE HELL IS IRONFIST?"

"Here sir," said Ironfist, running up from below deck, "I was getting a drink."

"GET UP IN THE CROW'S NEST AND SEE IF YE CAN SEE SOMETHING!"

"Aye, Captain," said Ironfist, climbing the mast. "Ye'll get yer's one day ya bastard," he added under his breath.

"WELL DO YE SEE ANYTHING?"

"Aye, Captain," he called down, there's a ship to the west, about six miles out."

"Six miles, that's too far for a cannon ball to travel. Galearm, head for the ship, we'll see if they can fight the Blood Galleon and her crew."

There was a loud groan from the Judith Prosperous. She was about half underwater and had stopped sinking. The water around her was clouded with sand, it appears in the twilight hours, the crew had failed to notice how shallow the water was. Although she was still on fire, the ship had sunk far enough that waves were cascading over her and slowly putting out the flames.

As the Blood Galleon moved closer, the ship became easier to see over the glare of the sun. Barron von Black's eyes widened as he saw the immense size of the vessel that was approaching him.

"BRING HER TO BROADSIDE AND FIRE!" shouted the Captain.

*****

Lurg watched as the Blood Galleon approached. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

"Don't waste and shots on her body," he told the master cannoneer, "She's got a mithril lining, target her rudder, its the one unprotected point, we'll disable her and take the crew alive. Arm the grape shot cannons, that should convince them to surrender. No one takes a shot with out my order. Understood?"

"Aye sir."

"No one is to harm any of the pirates unless they board this vessel is that understood?" Lurg addressed his crew, "I want as many of them taken alive as possible. Barron von Black and Skully One-Eye are to be taken alive at all costs. I'm sure my father wants a chance to torture them before they hang and I won't be the one to deny him that. There is also a woman on board that is a princess of Spain, her safety is a priority."

"AYE SIR!"

Lurg walked over to Commander Darius at the helm and overheard the end of his conversation with a deckhand.

"Very good. Signal the Blood Galleon."

"Aye, Commander."

The deckhand ran to the bow and launched a small glider into the air, once it had gotten up into the sky, the small compartment containing kerosene exploded sending a small ball of fire hurtling into the sea.

"What was that about? Why are you signaling the Blood Galleon?" demanded Lurg.

"Don't worry Admiral. We have an operative on board the Blood Galleon, he's going to help us secure the ship."

*****

The Blood Galleon was now close enough to fire on the Hyperion. Her cannons fired but the cannon balls fell into the sea, leaving nothing more then the echo of a hollow thud as they bounced off the sea hull of the behemoth.

"Blimey," said Barron von Black, "Have ya ever seen anything so massive. She's beautiful."

"WHAT!?" said Skully One-Eye, having finally regained his composure, "BEAUTIFUL? ARE YE MAD? That thing destroyed me ship!"

"Aye, that she did, but she's still beautiful, even if she is against us."

The two ships pasted by without the Hyperion returning fire.

"Why didn't they shoot at us?" asked Bella Dizzy.

"HAHAHAHA, its the mithril! They know they can't break through," laughed Barron von Black.

Just then the Hyperion turned sharply at ninety degrees and fired a single shot into the stern of the Blood Galleon. Her rudder splintered and the ship started to veer off course.

"DAMMIT! How could they have known the rudder wasn't protected?" questioned Barron von Black, "THROW DOWN THE ANCHOR! PREPARE TO BOARD THE ROYAL VESSEL!"

"I would belay that order if I were you," came a familiar voice from the Hyperion.

Chapter 6 -Conflict

The Hyperion left under full sail, with her fins open. As luck would have it, there was a favorable wind and she made excellent time towards Kalmorni Island. Lurg spent the first days few days wandering around his massive ship, surveying every inch. He wanted to know her like the back of her hand. As he stood by the helm, he couldn't help but wish that his first mission wasn't against Barron von Black and Skully One-Eye. He had hoped to have more time so that he could pick his own crew, but it was pointless to second guess fate. He would make due with the crew he was given and would make changes once the Judith Prosperous and Blood Galleon were on the bottom of the ocean. They would not be allowed to destroy a defenseless village.

"We should reach Kalmorni Island early tomorrow," said the helmsman.

"Excellent," said Lurg, "We're a few days ahead of schedule, maybe we will be able to prevent this catastrophe."

Lurg retired to his quarters to plan his attack strategy for the morning.

*****

"We should reach Kalmorni Island tomorrow morning Captain," said Galearm as Barron von Black approached the helm.

"Good show matey," said Barron von Black, "I'll take over for a while, ye look like ye could use some sleep matey."

"Aye, Captain," Galearm turned the wheel over to Barron von Black and left.

A few hours later Skully One-Eye crossed over from the Judith Prosperous.

"Oy, Barron," he started, "How did ye know Cedric Morgan?"

"He was the captain of the first vessel I was on. His and my relationship is similar to me and yers, except I was first mate, not cannon smith."

"Ah, so he was yer captain."

"Aye."

Kittie came up from below deck and walked over to the captains. She looked puzzled.

"What's the matter Kittie?" asked Barron von Black.

"I've had a strange feeling since we left Black Star Island. I wasn't sure until now what is was."

"What is it?" questions Skully One-Eye.

"Lurg is coming," she said.

"AYEEEEEE!"screamed Skully One-Eye jumping behind Barron von Black again, "I don't like ghosts."

"Nay," said Kittie, "He's not a ghost, nor is he dead. But I sense he is troubled."

"I must go tell me crew, they'll be excited to learn Lurg is alive," said Skully One-Eye. He quickly crossed back over to his ship and spread the news.

"This be good news Kittie, why do ye look so troubled?"

"Something is not right," she said, "I fear tomorrow will not be a happy day."

*****

"We have to leave now," shouted Skully. "If we don't we're all gonna end up like Lurg. He gave us a chance, let's not waste it."

"We can't leave him," shouted Audra, Bella and Hackin' Eve in unison.

"We don't have time to argue, I'm the captain, this is my ship, we're leaving NOW."

Lurg awoke sweating, his chest burning. Like every night since the attack, he had the same nightmare. There was cannon fire in the distance. Lurg quickly got up, forgetting the pain in his chest. He put on his breastplate and strapped his sword to his back as he ran out the door. He raced through the hall towards the stairs that would lead up onto the deck, but when he reached the stairs, a sailor blocked his path.

"Admiral, perhaps you should return to your room and plan the attack," the sailor said.

"Out of my way, I need to get on deck."

"I'm sorry sir. I must insist you stay below deck for now."

"This is my ship," began Lurg, drawing his sword, "Now get out of my way."

The sailor paused for a moment, eying the blade, but then quickly moved aside. Lurg raced up the stairs, not bothering to sheath his sword. When Lurg got up on deck, the scene in front of him was not what he expected. Instead of the Blood Galleon and Judith Prosperous firing on Kalmorni Island, there were seven ships flying the Royal colors that were firing on the island. In the distance, coming in from the opposite direction of the Hyperion were the Blood Galleon and Judith Prosperous, moving to engage the Royal fleet. Lurg looked up, the sun was behind them. With the ship being made of all metal, she's probably hard for the other ships to see with all the light refracting off the water.

"Hold this position!' shouted Lurg.

"But Admiral, the pirates are..."

"I know," Lurg cut him off, "We hold here and watch what happens."

*****

"Battle stations! Man the guns!" shouted Barron von Black, "Let's make these Royal dogs pay for their crimes!"

The Blood Galleon shot into the center of the Royal fleet, firing cannons from both its port and starboard sides. The ships from the Royal fleet returned fire, but their cannon balls merely cracked the wood of the outer hull, but could not penetrate the mithril lining of the Blood Galleon. The Blood Galleon erupted with another barrage of cannon fire on the two ships. One of the cannon balls struck the main mast of a royal vessel, sending it crashing onto the deck, and in the process, destroyed the helmsman's wheel. The ship began to veer off course and crashed into another ship, causing gaping holes in both vessels, well below the water line. Both ships began to list and started their slow descent to the bottom of the ocean.

The Judith Prosperous was engaged with a Royal vessel of its own. The two ships exchanged cannon fire as members of the Royal ship began to board the Judith Prosperous to engage the crew in hand-to-hand combat. Jolly Roger aimed his last shot at the Royal ship before joining the melee. He lit the fuse and rushed into the fray. The cannon erupted and the shot crashed through the side of the ship, crashing into the powder room, igniting it. The ensuing explosion rocked the Judith Prosperous and prevented further Royal soldiers from boarding the ship. It did not take long for the crew of the Judith Prosperous to eliminate the small boarding party. When the battle was over, all but one of the Royal soldiers were dead, and the surviving soldier was bound and gagged, and thrown into Bella Dizzy the Bitter's quarters for "interrogation." Cannons McGee and Bella Dizzy began to check on the wounded pirates, but luckily no one was badly injured, and only a few had died, but neither Bella Dizzy nor McGee could remember their names.

The Blood Galleon continued its assault on the Royal fleet. Soon two more vessels were on their way to the bottom of the drink. The remaining two ships had swung around to engage the Judith Prosperous, deciding that the mithril lining of the Blood Galleon could not be penetrated. Razorwind came running up to Barron von Black.

"Sir, we have a slight problem," he began, "We're running low on powder, there's only one keg in the hold, and there are two up on deck."

"Oy, lads, listen up!" shouted the captain, "We're low on gunpowder so make yer shots count! And prepare to board the remaining Royal ships!"

With two ships firing on her, the Judith Prosperous was taking damage. She already had several holes in her hull, but luckily none were below the waterline. She returned fire, but a shot from one of the attacking ships struck her mast, removing a sizable chunk. The mast teetered, but did not fall. Luckily, but this point, the Blood Galleon had moved into position on the port side of the Royal ship and opened fire. Cannon balls crashed into the hull of the ship, blowing large holes into it, some below the waterline. As the ship filled with water, the pirate ships fired another volley, splitting it in two.

The final ship tried to flee, but the pirate ships gave chase. The Blood Galleon quickly closed the gap and boarded the vessel. The melee combat did not last long, with the Royal soldiers demoralized by the destruction of their fleet. A few sailors were kept as prisoners for questioning, but the majority were killed. Cats Eyes went below deck to scuttle the ship. She emerged from the hold, pouring the last of the gunpowder onto the ground. Once everyone was back on board the Blood Galleon, she ignited the powder and crossed over herself. Shortly after the Blood Galleon pulled away, the Royal ship exploded.

*****

"Shouldn't we help out ships?" questioned the navigator.

"No. Something is not right..." began Lurg.

"Raise anchor! Prepare to engage the pirates!" shouted Commander Darius, the first mate.

"Belay that order!" shouted Lurg. To the commander, "I would appreciate it if you obeyed my orders on my ship."

"Yes sir. It won't happen again sir. But we should assist the ships."

"Not yet. These ships shouldn't be here."

"Perhaps they were sent to assist us."

"Then why were we not informed? And why would they attack Kalmorni Island if we are supposed to be preventing the attack?"

"Regardless, it is your mission to capture Barron von Black and Skully One-Eye, you must complete it."

Just then an explosion could be seen across the ocean, the last of the Royal ships was sinking below the surface.

"You're right commander. Helmsman, move us into position to attack the Judith Prosperous. Commander, tell the master cannon smith I would like a demonstration of the main gun."

Commander Darius smiled, "Of course sir."

*****

Barron von Black was standing at the bow of the Blood Galleon with Skully One-Eye and Kittie watching the sunset.

"Oy, that was a long battle me friend."

"Aye, it was, but I think it brought back some of the spark of my crew, although the ship took some heavy damage. Its a shame that we did not find Lurg either, perhaps he is in the village?"

"Nay," said Kittie, "I still sense him. Out there." She pointed out in the direction of the setting sun.

"Ye should be able to get the damage repaired tomorrow once we can dock at Kalmorni Village, hopefully most of the villagers survived the attack. Oy, did ye see that?"

There was a flash a light in the blinding sunset.

"Aye," said Skully One-Eye, "It was probably just a wave. Do any of ye here that whistling sound?"

Chapter 5 -A Ship and A Storm

The Blood Galleon and the Judith Prosperous sailed towards Kalmorni Island. They were still over a week away and the two crews were enjoying their time together, especially Jolly Roger, Cannons McGee, and Flayblade, who were originally part of the Blood Galleons crew, but left to join the Judith Prosperous after the incident with the Bluebeard Pirate Clan. Skully One-Eye and Barron von Black were standing on the bow of the Blood Galleon, discussing their course of action over the next week.

"Aye, we be about a weeks sail from Kalmorni Island," said Barron von Black, "Ye will like Cedric Morgan, he be the leader of the village on Kalmorni Island. He's an ol' friend of mine, I actually used to sail with him before I was a captain. He always had the best rum."

"So ya knew him from a long time ago? That's good, I'm not sure me crew is ready to fight. They're still getting over Lurg's death. It took them two months to even start drinking again."

"Oy, that's hard for me to believe, a pirate not drinking, if not for Kittie, I'd still enjoy the drink."

Their conversation drifted as they began to reminisce about the days were they sailed together on the Blood Galleon, back when Skully One-Eye was just a cannon smith, and he had two arms.

"Oy matey," began Barron von Black, "Did I every tell ye about the time I gave Captain Albatross a barrel of frogs?"

"Aye, many times."

A strong wind began blowing into their faces, drastically slowing down the vessels.

"Oy, lads! Raise the sails! This head wind is slowing us down!" shouted Barron von Black to his crew, "Skully shouldn't ye be getting over to yer ship?"

"Nay, Me first mate always handles the day to day ship activities. I mostly just drink the rum."

"Arg, so that be why ye was lost without Lurg."

"Aye."

"A storm is brewing. This will slow us down."

"A storm? How can you tell? The skies are clear."

"A captain knows."

Moments later, black clouds began to form and the skies opened, unleashing their fury on the two ships. Lightning flashed and struck the main mast of the Blood Galleon.

"AYEEEE!" Skully One-Eye screamed, jumping behind Barron von Black to shield himself.

"No worries mate. Lightning always strikes the masts because of their mithril lining."

The storm raged from a day and a half. Tossing both ships around like dingys. When it was over, the ships had been blown so far off course, they were now two weeks away from their destination.

*****

Admiral Serathagar led Lurg down to the Fortress' docks. They passed many of the Navy's largest vessels on the way to Lurg's ship. Finally they stopped before a steel behemoth.

"Here she is," said Admiral Serathagar, "The Hyperion. She's the largest ship in the fleet, and she's yours."

The giant ship was three hundred feet long and eight feet wide at her widest point. She had seven masts, each one sixty feet high, with the main central mast a towering seventy-five feet. Each mast contained five massive sails. On each side she had forty standard cannons that fired twelve pound shot, but unlike the normal round cannon ball, her guns fired cone shaped shells, which were far more accurate then the round cannon balls and also traveled farther and could penetrate armor plating. There were an additional twenty cannons designed to fire the anti-personal grape shot, and ten cannons that fired chain shot used to knock down masts. The ships stern housed ten of the standard guns, but her bow was most impressive. The bow had two quad-cannons, which rotated after each shot, making them capable of instantly firing again, allowing for a massive amount of damage in a relatively short time. The figure head on the bow was a roaring lion's head. Halfway down the port and starboard sides of the ship where forty foot metal spines. There was also a set of spines on each side of the stern.

"She's faster then any ship in the world when she needs to be," said Admiral Serathagar.

"Needs to be?"

"Aye. Open the fins! he shouted.

The metal spines on the ship opened to reveal giant ribbed sails.

"When her fins are open her speed doubles. And by closing the fins on one side, she can make ninety degree turns, making her capable of outmaneuvering anyone."

"Amazing."

"Aye. The figure head is a cannon too. It fires a hollow round that can be filled with gun powder or kerosene, making it explosive. The round is capped with a wooden cone that ignites when the cannon is fired."

"When can I take her out?"

"Now. We've lured several small time pirates into the area. It will take sometime to get used to commanding your sailors. This vessel needs twice the crew of a normal ship because of her size.

Just then a soldier came running down the dock. He stopped infront of Lurg and Admiral Serathagar. He handed the Admiral a note and bent over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath as the Admiral read the note.

"This is disturbing," he said, "There is a change of plans. It appears that Barron von Black and Skully One-Eye are preparing to launch an attack on the village of Kalmorni. They are less then a week away. Even with your ship, it may take over a week to get there, but you have to try. Hmmmm, it appears that the Royal Navy has given you a promotion as well. Congratulations Admiral Lurg. Its time for you to leave."

Chapter 4 - The Fortress

One week after leaving the Jamaican doctor's house, Lurg and Admiral Serathagar arrived at the Royal Command Fortress on the island of BakoBaki. Admiral Serathagar gave Lurg a tour of the complex. The Command Fortress was the largest military installation in the Caribbean. It covered almost the entirety of the island, which was about two square miles. It housed fifty thousand soldiers, ten thousand sailors, and nine hundred war ships. The fortress had sixty-five forward cannons on each of its five walls, with their shot ranging from 5 lbs to 20 lbs, and a range of over six miles. The walls of the fortress were made of five foot thick concrete with a steel overlay that was an additional three feet thick. The fortress even had its own agriculture system and it was built around the source of a river, so there was plenty of water. An iron mine deep in the fortress provided iron ore for the forge to craft into steel for weapons and armor, as well as raw materials for cannon balls. The powder magazine was the size of a large house. All in all, the fortress was impregnable, as well as self sufficient, and could withstand siege and blockade for years if need be.

Once Lurg had seen most of the fortress, Admiral Serathagar showed him to his quarters. His room consisted of three rooms, each one larger then anything he had ever stayed in before, and much larger then his quarters on board the Judith Prosperous. There was a small coal stove he could use to cook on, as well as a pool that was filled with water that had been used to cool the equipment in the forge, so it was always warm as it constantly followed in and out of the pool.

"This is amazing," said Lurg, walking around the room.

"Aye, we take care of our own. Eat some food Lurg, you haven't had anything but the witch doctors potion for two months, you must be famished. Make sure you get some sleep tonight, tomorrow begins your training."

Lurg wandered around his new home, examining every corner. He walked over to the marble table in the center of the eating area. On it was a variety of fruits, cheeses, and breads, as well as several roasted turkey legs and an entire cask of rum.. Lurg ate until he could eat no more, he tried everything and the food was the best tasting food he had ever eaten, although he could not be sure if this was because he had not eaten any real food for over two months or if it was because the food really was that good. Either way, Lurg did not care, he just ate. When the feast was over, Lurg staggered around the rooms searching for the bed. He had finished nearly all of the rum, and it took him several looks in each room to find the bed. Once found, he laid down and decided that this was the right way to live. The bed was the most comfortable of his life, filled with the down feathers of a rare bird, it was like sleeping on air. It did not take long for him to fall asleep.

"We have to leave now," shouted Skully. "If we don't we're all gonna end up like Lurg. He gave us a chance, let's not waste it."

"We can't leave him," shouted Audra, Bella and Hackin' Eve in unison.

"We don't have time to argue, I'm the captain, this is my ship, we're leaving NOW."

"Arggh!"

Lurg awoke screaming, his chest on fire. He clutched at the scar on his chest, waiting for the pain to subside. Sitting up in bed, drenched in sweat, Lurg's body shook as another wave of pain wracked through him. It was quickly followed by a wave of nausea. Lurg leaned over the side of the bed and wretched. Most of his dinner was now in a fairly large puddle next to his bed. Lurg stood up and spit the vomit that remained in his mouth onto the floor. He paced around the room for a while, finally heading out to the main room. He picked up the cask of rum and finished it off.

"Arggh!" he screamed as he threw the empty cask across the room, shattering it against the wall. "Enjoy your time while you still have it Skully One-Eye, for when I find you, it will be over."

Lurg laid awake in bed for the rest of the night, unable to sleep after his dream.

There was a knock on the door in the early hours of the morning. Admiral Serathagar walked in, followed by two soldiers.

"Good morning Lurg," said Admiral Serathagar, "Rough night?" he questioned when he noticed the large pool of vomit near the bed. One of the soldiers accompanying him turned and threw up into the sink.

"I had the dream again. Every time I close my eyes, I see it. I see them leaving."

"And did your chest hurt as well?"

"Yes. Just like it always does after the dream."

"Curious," said Admiral Serathagar, "Perhaps it is your subconscious preventing you from forgetting what happened. Perhaps you will not be able to rid yourself of these dreams and pain until you resolve it. You must kill Skully One-Eye."

"I intend to. I will make him suffer for what he has done."

"We must get going. There is not much time and you have much training to complete if you want to destroy Skully One-Eye and Barron von Black. Remember that von Black is the man who originally trained Skully One-Eye. If not for him, Skully One-Eye could never have hurt you."

"Yes. They both shall die by my hand."

"Then let us go, your training begins now."

Admiral Serathagar led Lurg to the training grounds and introduced him to Commander Deforge, the Royal Drillmaster. Deforge had Lurg complete many tedious tasks to determine the degree of his capabilities. When it was over, Deforge was impressed with Lurg. In fact, he was the finest physical specimen Deforge had ever seen. The only thing holding him back was his technique. Deforge handed Lurg a large wooden claymore.

"Attack me," he commanded.

Lurg lunged forward and slashed wildly with his blade. The commander dodged easily and knocked Lurg to the ground.

"Get up. Again."

Lurg attacked again, and again he ended up on the ground, looking up at Commander Deforge.

"Again, and this time hit me."

Lurg attacked and was rebuffed again and again. Each time he was knocked down. His frustration was mounting and it was obvious as his attacks became more aggressive but also more wild.

"No. No. No. How do you expect to defeat Barron von Black and Skully One-Eye when you can't even hit an unarmed man? I heard many good things about your ability with a sword. Obviously I was misinformed. You cannot continue to fight like a common soldier if you wish to enact your revenge against Barron von Black and Skully One-Eye. You must become one with your blade. Anticipate its movements, its desires. Feel its energy flow through you. When you are one with your blade, only then will you defeat Skully One-Eye and Barron von Black. Only then will you be unstoppable. Now attack me again."

Lurg continued to train with Commander Deforge for six days. Each day he made more progress and by the end of the sixth day, it was Commander Deforge who was on the ground looking up at Lurg more often then not.

Clap. Clap. Clap. Admiral Serathagar had entered the training room and watched the end of the fight.

"Excellent my son. I had not expected you to progress so quickly."

"Commander Deforge is an excellent teacher."

"Aye. He is."

"Unfortunately, I cannont take credit for his prowess,"said Commander Deforge, "Lurg has amazing natural ability and talent. I just helped him bring it to the surface. As much as I would love to continue to train with him. I believe he is ready."

"Excellent," said Admiral Serathagar, "Well you have done amazingly well Lurg. I have something for you, a gift for completing your training."

Admiral Serathagar motioned to two soldiers across the courtyard. They walked over carrying two large boxes. Lurg opened the smaller of the two and in it was a shining breast plate. Crafted to fit Lurg's body perfectly, the armor was made from the finest steel, with a silver overlay that shined in the sun. The insignia on the breast plate was the head of a roaring lion, made out of pure gold. The second box contained a giant claymore. The massive sword had a six foot blade that was four inches wide. Unlike most swords, the blade is not form a sharp point at the tip of the blade, but instead had a slight incline that formed an almost flat tip. The hilt of the sword was made from braided leather, with a very large diamond embedded in the pommel. The guard of the sword was a lions head with its mouth open in mid roar, and from its open mouth erupted the massive blade. The sword itself was made form steel, but had a silver overlay similar to the armor that made the blade gleam. Lurg just stood admiring his new weapon and armor.

"Now," said Admiral Serathagar, "Would you like to see your ship?"

Chapter 3 -The Despair

The crew of the Judith Prosperous was wracked with grief. Their friend and commanding officer was slain before as they watched. Audra was especially distrought watching her husband die a horrible death before her eyes. She had spent the entire two months since the accident in her quarters, barely eating. There was no joy left in the crew. For two months the Judith Prosperous had drifted along without a destination, her crew unable to bring themselves to attack any villages that they passed. When Lurg died, he seemed to take the entire crew with him. Skully called the crew into the galley to discuss their situation and to fill the post that Lurg had left behind.

"I know we all miss Lurg," began Skully, "but is this how we want to honor him? Do ya think he would want us to drift around, moaning and crying about him? He wouldn't. He would want us to keep on living. We must continue to fight on. We have passed many a village by, but we did not stop to plunder. This cannot go on. I have decided that we need to meet up with our old friends aboard the Blood Galleon. We are sailing to meet Captain Barron von Black at first light. Now, there is the matter of new positions."

Skully's speech seemed to have stirred the crew. Heads that were sunken had risen up while he spoke. Tears that were streaming down cheeks had run dry. Shaking bodies now stood perfectly still. The crew was slowly beginning to come back to life.

"Yellow Condi Hackins, you are promoted to First Mate, I trust you will preform admirably."

"Thank you Captain."

"Jolly Roger, you are the new Second Mate."

"Aye Captain."

"Hackin' Eve Bones, you are the new head cannonsmith."

"YES! IN YOUR FACE!!" she said pointing at Finale the Periwinkle. "Sorry everyone," she said when she realized her outburst.

"Audra Bellamy. You are relieved of your duties until you believe that you are ready to fulfill them once again."

Audra was silent, she just nodded her head.

"Enough of this," said Skully One-Eye. "Let's drink. To Lurg the Fist. A great first mate and a better friend."

"To Lurg," shouted the crew.

For the rest of the night, the crew drank and told their favorite stories of Lurg, and for the first time in months, there was laughter aboard the Judith Prosperous.

The next day, the ship set sail for Black Star Island in search of the Blood Galleon. After four days, the Judith Prosperous arrived at Black Star Island and fired off a volley from her cannons. A few minutes later, the Blood Galleon appeared out of the storm that forever rages around the island. The blood from the ships magic paint marking a trail where the mighty vessel had been.

"Ahoy matey!" came a shout from the Blood Galleon.

Standing on the deck near the wheel was Captain Barron von Black. Next to him was Gale Arm his navigator and Kittie, his captiness, holding their child.

"What brings ye to me island?"

"There is much I have to discuss with you Barron," said Skully, "May I come aboard?"

"Yar always welcome on the Blood Galleon m' lad. Oy, FlayBlade, throw a rope over to the Judith Prosperous and allow Skully One-Eye to cross."

Skully crossed over to the Blood Galleon and he and Barron von Black descended below deck to the captain's quarters.

"Arr, tis horrible news to learn that Lurg has perished. He was a good lad. Fine swordsman too, I reckon he could have defeated FlayBlade in a duel. Have ye sent him to rest yet?"

"Nay, the crew was pretty distraught over the whole ordeal. I was hoping that you would conduct the ceremony."

"I would be honored matey."

"Thank you Barron. Do you think it would be possible to have our ships sail together for awhile? It would be great for my ships morale."

"Aye, I have no plans now, I don't see why not. It would be good to see some of my old mates that you stole away from me too. Har har har."

A few days later, Lurg was laid to rest in traditional pirate fashion, but since there was no body to cast into the sea, Barron von Black just gave a short speech and then the two pirate crews drank and told stories of Lurg, just as they had done earlier. Several days passed as the two crews drank to their friend, it was one of the grandest funerals in pirate history. Shortly after sunrise of the third day, the two ships sailed off in search of the village of Kalmorni, for the Barron had heard that the chieftain of the village knew of an island that housed a great treasure, and great treasure was just what the pirates needed to keep their spirits high. The only problem was that Kalmorni was over a three week sail from their current location.

Chapter 2 -The Truth

Two months had passed since Lurg had woken up in the Jamaican doctor's house. His wound had finally healed completely, all the remained were the scars on his chest and back. How he had survived such a horrific injury, even he did not know, but after months of being stuck in bed, it was time for him to leave. He needed answers, he needed to find his crew. Lurg searched the small room for his cutlass and other possessions, but could not find anything. He sat on the bed, and waited for the Jamaican doctor to return.

"Where's my sword?" asked Lurg as the door opened.

"Gone, and you won't be needing it where you are going."

The man who entered the room was not the doctor, but Lurg recognized him immediately as the commander of the Royal Navy.

"General Serathagar."

"No, General Serathagar is my brother, my twin. My name is Admiral Serathagar, commander of the Royal ground forces," said the man who had entered the room.

Lurg was puzzled by this strange information.

"Wait, so General Serathagar is commander of the Royal navy and Admiral Serathagar is the commander of the ground forces? How does that make sense?" questioned Lurg.

"Bureaucratic mix up," answered Admiral Serathagar, "but it would take far too much time and effort to have the titles changed, so we just let it be."

"What do you want with me?"

"You are Lurg the Fist. First mate of the Judith Prosperous and one of the greatest strategists of all time, I want you to help me eliminate Skully One-Eye and Captain Barron von Black."

"Why would I help you? Your brother is evil. I'm sure you are too."

"What do you remember about the Mantaloid attack? Why did Skully One-Eye bring you here?"

"I...I remember running from the insects. Then fighting them to give the crew a chance to get on the ship. I was hurt, one of the mantaloids stabbed me. I remember..."

"We have to leave now," shouted Skully. "If we don't we're all gonna end up like Lurg. He gave us a chance, let's not waste it."

"We can't leave him," shouted Audra, Bella and Hackin' Eve in unison.

"We don't have time to argue, I'm the captain, this is my ship, we're leaving NOW."

Everything came back to Lurg in a rush of images and sounds. He clutched his head with both hands and writhed in pain as the memories flooded back.

"Is that all you remember?"

"No, the ship, it sailed away. I saw it leave."

"You mean you were still conscious? Then why didn't they go back for you?"

"The Mantaloids. They were all around me. It was too dangerous."

"If they were all around you, then how are you still alive? The Mantaloids are carnivorous you know, they should have stripped your flesh from the bone if there had been any around you. Yet here you are."

Lurg sat with his head in his hands.

"No, its not possible, they wouldn't abandon me. I don't believe you."

"You should trust me Lurg, I have much to offer you. You are a great sailor, superb warrior, but a first mate? Skully was holding you back, how long had you been on his ship?"

"Five years."

"Five years, and not once did you wish you were in command? Not once did you desire your own ship? To be captain? To be the one to give the orders?"

"But...but they were my friends."

"And they left you to die, after you saved them. They left you to DIE."

"No..."

"Come with me Lurg. Join me and help me crush them. I can give you everything you desire. Your own ship, your own command. Come with me Lurg. Come with me, my son."

"What...son?"

"Did your mother not tell you who your father was?"

"I never knew my mother. She died when I was young. I grew up in an orphanage."

"And why did Skully One-Eye bring you here?"

"To find the greatest treasure that the world has ever seen."

"What was it?"

"I don't know, he wouldn't tell us."

"That's because he wanted it for himself. He was given a phony map by one of my men to get him to bring you here. I wanted to finally meet my son, and hopefully dispose of Skully One-Eye in the process, the Mantaloid attack was an unfortunate miscalculation on my part."

"What was the treasure?"

"He was told there was a jar that could summon a wench that would fulfill his every desire whenever he wanted, but only he would be able to use it."

"So he brought us here to get this for himself?"

"Yes, but it does not even exist. I knew that a sex starved pervert like Skully One-Eye wouldn't turn down the chance to have a new girl every night."

"So he put everyone's lives in danger for nothing. Just to benefit himself...."

"Yes Lurg, he did."

".....I....I don't know what to say."

"Its time Lurg, time to claim your birthright. Come with me and destroy Barron von Black and Skully One-Eye."

"Yes. I will join you father. Skully One-Eye must suffer."

Lurg rose from the bed and walked out of the door, followed by Admiral Serathagar, his father.

Chapter 1 -The Awakening

Lurg opened his eyes but saw nothing but darkness. His head was pounding, his chest heaved as he struggled to breathe.

"Arggh," he tried to sit up but the pain was excruciating. His chest seared as if a hot iron had been pressed against it.

"Calm down and don't move," ordered a voice form the darkness, "Yah've been through a lot mon, yah don't wanna go hurtin' yahself more."

"Who are you? Where am I? What happened?" demanded Lurg.

"Patience mon, yah vision will return soon, its loss was a side effect of the medicine I used to cure yah. There was quite an infection growing in that cut on yah have on yah chest."

Lurg felt his chest but it was tightly bandaged.

"How was I hurt?" he asked. "The last thing I remember is...."

Images began flooding into Lurg's mind.

"Skully had found a map. It was supposed to lead to vast treasure beyond anything any of us had seen. But....the creatures. They ambushed us. We ran. The crew. My mates. What happened to them? Do you know?"

"They left yah mon. Yah were hurt something fierce. They thought yah was dead, and yah would be if I hadn't found yah. Strange that the Mantaliods didn't come and finish yah off though."

"What are Mantaliods? You still haven't told me what happened to the crew."

"They be the creatures that attacked yah. This be their island. There's no treasure here either mon. That map of yahs is a fake. No one be coming here for a long time. Not since that Englishmon, Serathagar."

"General Serathagar came here? Why?"

"Rest mon, yah wound needs to heal. I'll be here to talk with yah more once yah've gotten yahself some sleep. Drink this potion. It will help with the pain. Yah injuries would have killed any other mon, yah're one tough pirate, Lurg the Fist."

"How do you...How do you know my..."

The potion's power overcame him quickly and he succumbed to sleep.

When Lurg woke up, the pain in his head had subsided, but his chest still burned and he was careful to not try to sit up again. He opened his eyes to find that his vision had partially returned. He could see shadows and blurred images but nothing more. For what he could see, he knew the room was fairly small and disorderly. There was a small amount of life streaming in through a tiny window in the wall. There was a sound outside and the door creaked as it opened. Lurg shut his eyes and laid perfectly still.

"How is the wound healing?" This voice had a dignified tone and an English accent.

"It's not healing much at all mon." This was the voice he had spoken to earlier, the Jamaican man. "I've tried every bit of healing that I know, voodoo and yah Western medicine, but his wound is too great, I'm surprised he has survived this long. He should be dead."

"What's preventing it from properly healing?" The English man again.

"I'm not sure mon. Perhaps the Mantaliods have some kind of venom that I don't know about."

"No, the Mantaliod that I brought back with me was carefully studied by our finest scientists. They reported no toxins or venoms of any kind. It must be something else."

"I'll give him more of the potion then, and we'll let him rest, maybe it just needs more time to heal."

"Fine, I'll return in one week. Keep me informed."

There were footsteps, followed by the door opening and closing, then silence. The Jamaican doctor was standing over Lurg's bed. He was gathering items from one of the cabinets and he began to mix them together.

"Open yah eyes Lurg, I know yah awake. Yah need to drink this potion, it might be the only thing keeping yah alive."

"Who was that man? Why is he so interested in me?"

"Drink the potion mon. I'll answer yah questions once yah drink."

"Fine," Lurg drank the potion, "Tell me what happened here, and who was tha..." He voice trailed off as the potion took effect.


"Sleep Lurg, everything will become clear soon enough."

Prologue

The Judith Prosperous was docked at the port of San Montepaco, a large city that had everything a man could desire. Now after several months at sea, Skully One-Eye thought his crew deserved some well needed rest and relaxation.

"Lurg, tell the men that they can take shore leave for a few days," Skully told Lurg, as they sat in the captain's quarters, "Make sure that the treasure is divided up and the crew gets their fair share."

"Aye, Captain, anything else?"

"Nay, that be all Commander, dismissed."

"Aye sir!" Lurg stood up and saluted the Captain. Skully began to salute back, but his stump made for an awkward gesture.

"Argh, I told ya to stop saluting me, ya bastard, ya know I feel like a fool when I forget that me arm was cut off."

"Aye Captain. I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again," stated Lurg. He saluted again, turned and left Skully standing mid salute.

Damn him, thought Skully, he's always making me look like a fool.

Lurg smiled to himself as he headed up on deck. Its almost so easy its not fun anymore, he thought, Nay, its still fun. He climbed on deck and summoned the crew.

"All hands report! The Captain has granted us some shore leave, let's make the most of it. One at a time step forward to receive yer portion of the loot, yer gonna need it."

Once the treasure was divided, the crew headed into town. Hackin' Eve and Finale went to the Rodent's Den, a bar that featured the only live hamster death matches in the Caribbean. Condi went off to find a brothel, and Maximo tagged along with her, hoping to find another jackalope. Bella Dizzy the Bitter headed off to the lumber yard, knowing that she would be able to find a few Mexicans hoping to find work, and they would be willing to do anything for money. Lurg and Audra headed out to find some real food to eat, the groul served on board the Judith Prosperous daily was pretty bad. The remaining crew dispersed throughout the city, searching for either excitement, relaxation or both. Only Skully One-Eye remained on the ship.

"I need a drink," Skully said to himself, "And I really need to stop talking to myself."

Skully left the ship and headed out to find a bar that had large breasted wenches.

Skully arrived at the Twin Mountains Inn. This establishment featured wenches with the largest breasts in the area, hence the name. Skully sat down and ordered a drink.

"Two rums m'lady and keep them coming," said Skully when a serving wench approached him. He slapped her ass with his good hand as she walked past. "Ahhhh, tis good to relax for once."

Some time later, Skully was into his fourth round of rum, the door to the inn opened and a cloaked figure walked in and sat at the bar. After a short time, it stood up and walked over to Skully.

"You're Skully One-Eye right?" questioned the man.

"No, hic, I'm Skully One-Arm," replied a drunk Skully, holding up his stub, "Wait. Hic, I am Skully One-Eye. I always forget when I'm drinking."

"Let me buy you another drink, I'd love to hear the exploits of the great Skully One-Eye."

"Ah, good, hic, man. Wench, another round, on my good friend here," said Skully, reaching over to slap the man on the shoulder, but he only succeeded in falling out of his chair. "Oy, maybe two rounds, it appears I haven't lost me sea legs yet."

After listening to Skully for over two hours, the man held up his hand to silence him.

"Enough stories, I have something you might be interested in," said the man.

"Oh, and what might it be?" asked Skully leaning in and falling forward onto the table.

"A map, to the greatest treasure in the world."

"The greatest treasure? I like treasure."

"Aye, but you can't tell your crew what the treasure is, only tell them that it is the greatest treasure in the world, for this treasure is a single item, good for only one man. I think it is the prefect treasure for you, and I think you have the ability to get it."

"Tell me, what is the treasure?" asked Skully.

"It is a small empty jar, but whoever opens it, will control its power. With a simple incantation, you will be able to summon a --"

"Genie?" asked Skully.

"What?"

"I'll summon a genie."

"I think you may have had too many rums tonight Skully. Genies do not exist."

"Oy, I'm hardly drunk. I think you've had too many," said Skully as he fell backwards out of his chair. "Then what does it summon, ye haven't told me yet."

"I was getting to it. Again with a simple incantation, you will be able to summon a large breasted wench who will obey your every command, until you dismiss her, and every time you summon one, the wench will be different, you will never have the same wench twice."

"I want it," said Skully, "Give me the map."

"Aye, I'll give you the map Skully, but you must promise not to tell anyone where you got it, or what the treasure is."

"I give ye me pirate's oath," said Skully. "Oy, I need the incantation."

"Send me a wench to fulfill my desires. Good-bye Skully One-Eye."

Skully took the map and put it in his pocket. This is perfect thought Skully One-Eye, its been awhile since someone waxed me mast. Skully had just finished paying the bill when Bella Dizzy the Bitter stumbled into the inn.

"Skully!" she sobbed, "There weren't any Mexicans at the lumber yard."

"Oy, I'm sorry mate." Lucky bastards thought Skully, They don't know how lucky they are. "Bella Dizzy, you seem drunk."

"Aye, I was so upset that the Mexicans where gone that I drank a whole bottle of rum," she said, lifting a bottle of rum that appeared to have had only a few sips taken from it.

Oy, Bella could never hold her liquor, thought Skully.

"Let me buy ye a room in the inn to sleep it off, said Skully, taking Bella upstairs to put her to bed.

Skully left Bella Dizzy by the stairs and went to paid for a room, then he brought her to her room and opened the door. Once inside Bella Dizzy transformed from a drunken girl to a sex starved maniac. She ripped Skully's pants off and shoved him into the bed.

"Wait. Stop. Please," said Skully, tears forming in his eyes.

"No, Skully, I need this, its been a long time. Too long."

That night the entire inn was kept up by the sound of a bed banging against the wall, and by the sobs of Skully One-Eye as he was raped by Bella Dizzy the Bitter. The next morning Skully and Bella both pretended that it had not happened, just like they did every time Bella raped Skully, which had become a common occurrence whenever Bella Dizzy couldn't find Mexicans to have sex with. Back on the Judith Prosperous, Skully informed the crew that he had found a map to the greatest treasure in the world. But keeping to his promise, he did not tell the crew who gave him the map or what the treasure was. After one week at sea the Judith Prosperous arrived at an island who's name has long been forgotten.

Once on the island, the crew began the long trek to the center of the island, where the treasure was supposed to lie. The whole time they were traveling there was a horrible buzzing sound surrounding them.

"Arggh, what is that horrible noise?" asked Bella Dizzy the Bitter.

"You've asked five times already, said Lurg, "but I was lying the other four times when I said I didn't know."

"Ye don't have to be so mean Lurg," said Audra.

"Aye, I'm sorry Bella Dizzy the Complainer," said Lurg.

"I'll kill ye, ya bastard!" shouted Bella Dizzy, drawing her dagger.

There was a quick whistle and Lurg's cutlass was pressed against Bella's throat.

"Try me wench," said Lurg, his eyes locked on Bella Dizzy.

"Enough," said Skully, "I'm gonna need both of ya to get this treasure, so why don't we all just get along?"

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Now, Bella, we all hear the noise and no one knows what it is, so why not stop....." began Skully.

Skully's eye had widened as he looked past the quarreling pirates. There was a large insect walking towards the crew. It was slightly shorter then a man, just under five feet tall. It looked like a giant praying mantis, but instead of the praying pincers that a mantis has, it had sharp blade like claws. As it moved closer to the crew, it began to make the same horrible buzzing sound that they had been hearing. Suddenly, it let out a screech and rushed the crew. Lurg, sword already drawn, whirled and removed its head from the body, spraying green goo on Bella Dizzy and Skully. A strong smell began to emanate from the corpse of the mantis. As the smell grew stronger, the buzzing surrounding them grew louder.

"I think we're in trouble, said Lurg.

Just then, a swarm of the mantises burst through the trees across the clearing from the pirates. There were hundreds of mantises, more appearing every second.

"RUN!!" screamed Skully, "BACK TO THE SHIP!"

The crew turned and fled, but the mantises chased them, and could move much faster then the pirates. By the time the pirates reached the beach, the mantises where almost on top of them. Lurg turned and began to cut down the mantises as they reached the beach. Lurg was able to slow the mantises enough for the crew to board the Judith Prosperous, but not at cost. As Lurg hacked down another mantis, he turned and began to run towards the ship. He took only four steps before a mantis blade erupted from his chest. Screams arose from the Judith Prosperous as the crew witnessed their first mate and good friend severely wounded. Lurg turned and slashed the head of the mantis that had wounded him, but as he turned to go to the ship, he collapsed in the sand. Hackin' Eve and Audra Bellamy began to descend from the ship to get him, when more mantises began to emerge from the forest.

"We have to leave now," shouted Skully. "If we don't we're all gonna end up like Lurg. He gave us a chance, let's not waste it."

"We can't leave him," shouted Audra, Bella and Hackin' Eve in unison.

"We don't have time to argue, I'm the captain, this is my ship, we're leaving NOW."

The Judith Prosperous sailed away, leaving her first mate on the beach, surrounded by hundreds of the mantis creatures. Lurg watched as his ship sailed away, but soon his eyes closed as darkness overcame him.