The Flashes. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The raiders checked the boats and then carried them down to the water. Two of them stopped behind with the carts and the rest filled the boats and began rowing towards the pirate ship.

         The first boat got close and the man at the front waved a white flag.

         “What is your business here,” a pirate called down while pointing a pistol at the boat.

         “Trade, we have come to trade with you.”

         The pirate laughed. “You come here with two boats full of men and say you want to trade. Do you take us for fools? Why should our cannons not blast you from the water?”

         “These men are not here to trade. These men are slaves, they are the trade. We know you are short of men. All those that went ashore were killed on the beach or ambushed by the locals on the way back from Mossley. They are all dead.”

         “It is true our men should have returned long before now. But how do I know it was not your men who ambushed them?"

         "We come here as friends and we can help each other. Those that killed your crew are also our enemies and we have been at war with them for many months. With your help, we can destroy them."

         "All right, come aboard and we can talk," the pirate said. "But come on your own.”

         Once onboard the Vialian discreetly scanned the deck for the pirates. Only six but all had pistols.

         “So,” The pirate said. “We could use some men to make up the crew to full strength but what is it you want in return?”

         “Powder, we need some gunpowder to breach the defences at Mossley. We have ten slaves for ten barrels.”

         “We’ll take your slaves, but for five barrels.”

         “Throw in a barrel of spirit and we have a deal.”

         “The pirate gave a nod. "You can start bringing the slaves up,” he said. He walked over to one of his men. “Start to bring the barrels on deck, and make sure you all have loaded pistols. There are more than ten men so they might be up to something. When all the slaves are on board wait for my order and then shoot the trader and let loose with the cannon at the boats.”

         The ten came on board and the pirate began looking them over.

         The pirate went to the end of the row. He began frisking the first man and felt a knife through the man’s coat. “What! This man has a knife.” They were his last words as the next man thrust a dagger into his heart. Shots were fired but the Vialians, joined by those still on the longboat, soon put all the pirates to death at the loss of only three of them.

         “Let’s get all the barrels ashore. It may take a few trips so take all the powder first, and then we’ll have a look for the pirate’s loot.”

* * * * *

         Baldwin and Elfwine were looking over at the ship when they heard the pistols firing followed by shouts and screams.

         “Looks like we won’t have to worry about them joining forces then,” Baldwin said. “I wonder which lot were the treacherous ones.”

         “Probably both,” Elfwine said. “But look, one of those two that were left behind is walking over here.” He picked up his bow. The Vialian carried on walking and got to within twenty feet of the cave. “That’s far enough," Elfwine shouted. "This can go two ways, either you turn around and walk back to your friend, or you die.”

         The man was a bearded, scruffy man but he had a menacing look about him. He looked at Elfwine’s tensed arrow aimed at his chest and gave a laugh which was more like a growl. “We are a bit busy today,” he said. But maybe we can come back and have this party another time.” He spat on the floor, turned around, and walked off.

         They looked back to the ship. “They are loading off barrels,” Baldwin said. “Either they are planning to get very drunk, or they are unloading gunpowder.”

         “If it’s gunpowder, then Mossley could be in big trouble. They could blow a breach in the fence line and collapse the ditch.”

         “I’d best go and warn Morgan,” Baldwin said.

         “I’ll go,” Elfwine said.

         “It’s better if you stay here.”

         “I said I’ll go. I’m not arguing about this. There are too many of them if they decide to attack us. So just go and join the others in safety.”

         “Well try to get to the marsh without those two cretins seeing you,” Baldwin said.

         “I’ll try. But if they see me and come after me, I'll just outrun them.”

         "It would be easy to go down there and deal with them. Your arrows could even take them out before we get there."

         "Yes it would be easy," Elfwine said. "But the Vialians may seek retribution and the only way would be to attack the cave. We don't want that and if we don't bother them they might just think it is more important to get away with the powder."

         Elfwine waited until the two men were looking out to sea then dashed to the marshes. One of the Raiders turned and saw Elfwine running. He called to his companion and they both gave chase.

The Flashes. Chapter 17  (18+) Another spy is found. #2147087 by Bruce.