The Chronicles of Rapina
Chapter 21, Death Takes a Holiday
Turnmoor's square was packed with people. All eyes were trained on the execution platform. The big day had finally arrived and people from far and wide had come to see the death of the infamous Red Jack. Guards surrounded a man bound in shackles as a few of the town officials conferred with some of the local lords. Meanwhile, the executioner prepared for the torture and hanging scheduled of the day.
Red Jack held his head up high. He would not give these people the satisfaction of breaking him. If it were time for him to die, then he would die with dignity.
A thin hawkish looking man stepped forward and unrolled a scroll. He cleared his throat and signaled for silence. "Good people of Turnmoor we are gathered here today to see that justice be done," he said in a loud strong voice. "To my right stands a man who has committed crimes and acts so foul as to be unmentionable..."
Jack smiled roguishly. "Like docking me schooner in the port of Henrich's wife," he thought. Searching the crowd he found Lord Li' Yeiraun sitting with his entourage in a specially constructed booth. Both Cynid and Adriana were there.
His smile faded when he saw Adriana. A sadness overcame him. He hadn't seen his daughter since she was a babe. The fool Henrich probably still believed that she was his own daughter. Jack knew better. He could see his own features in her face.
"Better she grows up a spoiled brat than a pirate," he mused. Cynid would see that Adriana was well cared for. Jack closed his eyes and a tear streaked down his face.
The offical droned on in the background, "...of Turnmoor find you, Red Jack, Captain of the pirate ship Dirty Minx guilty of piracy, murder, kidnapping, and treason against the crown! Therefore you are to be tortured and hanged by the neck until dead!" The official finished with a flourish and pointed an accusing finger at the pirate.
"Do you have any last words or requests? If not then now would be a good time to beg for mercy," the hawkish man quipped.
"As a matter of fact I would like to say a few words," Red Jack said as he shuffled forward in his manacles. "There's this lady in the crowd who's caught me eye. And I'd like the pleasure of getting ta know her better if ye knows what I mean," he winked melodramatically at the crowd.
Some laughter erupted from the crowd as Jack shuffled forward and pointed at Cynid Li Y' eiraun. "Ain't she just tha sweetest thing ye ever seen?" Cynid blushed and smiled. Henrich Li'Yeiraun's scowl just deepened and his face turned red with rage.
"How dare you!!!!!", Henrich shouted. "Nobody speaks to me or my wife in that manner and..."
"...lives to tell the tale?" he finished. "Not to worry 'Lord' Li'Yeiraun for if I'm not mistaken the whole reason we're all here today, you especially, is to watch me die.
The crowd burst into laughter and Jack smiled. That last jibe had shut Henrich up in a hurry.
"Enough!" an official man shouted. "You have plagued this land for far too long. The time for your reckoning has come! Guards..."
------------------------
Arzael sat on his rooftop perch surveying the scene. He could not hear what Jack was saying, but judging by the crowd's reaction it was good. Leave it to Jack to spoil a perfectly somber execution. The half-elf glanced behind him as he nocked one of his homemade arrows. A small brazier burned next to him propped up high enough for him to just lean over and ignite the fuses on his arrows. The remaining five arrows rested within easy reach in his quiver.
The archer that had been stationed there lay hidden beneath a pile of trash in a nearby alley. He wouldn't be raising an alarm anytime soon. The knife slipped through his ribs by Arzael had seen to that. Arzael waited until they began to move Jack towards the torture devices before he lit the fuse on the first arrow. The fuse crackled and hissed as the master archer took aim. His target was a small cluster of barrels thirty yards away. When the fuse had burned down just enough Arzael loosed the arrow. Only a few people caught sight of it before it slammed into the barrels...
-----------------------
Brackston pushed his way as close to the platform as he dared. No use in getting spotted before the fireworks began. He and Skitch had just finished putting one of Arzael's specially made barrels in one of the shops on the square. The shop had been closed for the executions, but Skitch had made short work of the locks on the door.
The diminutive pirate hoped that the fuse he had attached to the barrel was not too long. Once Rage lit it, they would probably have a minute or two before it went off. Timing was of utmost importance to the plan...
-------------------------
Drake stood behind Pike near the platform. Both pirates were smiling broadly. Jack definitely knew how to work a crowd. That was probably why he was such a good captain. The young pirate was nervous, however. Soon it would be time for action. All they were waiting for was Arzael's 'signal'."
Pike had secreted one of Arzael's barrels near a stack of other barrels. He had had Drake stock a few extra barrels filled with oil nearby. Doanthalas was waiting by the barrels at that very moment. He would light the fuse before moving on to...well...that part was up to the elf. He was 'wildcard' support after all. It would not be much of a 'wildcard' if Pike knew exactly what he was up to.
-------------------------
Rage was one of the first to see Arzael's arrow streaking towards the barrels. In his excitement he fumbled with the tinder he was using to light the fuse. It took him four tries, but finally he got it lit. The first explosion rocked the square as Rage raced to put as much distance between him and the barrels as possible...
--------------------------
The elf saw the arrow streaking through the air and moved to light the fuse. The end of the fuse sputtered and crackled to life. Doanthalas was not sure what was going to happen, but Pike had told him to put a lot of distance between him and the barrels after lighting the fuse. As Doanthalas saw it there was no reason to question Pike's assessment of the situation. He moved quickly and stealthily through the streets as he moved closer to Arzael's position.
----------------------------
Finding a tattooed elf amongst all the humans crowded into the square was harder than Elisabetta had imagined. She figured Doanthalas would stick out like a sore thumb. Unfortunately, things were not working out exactly as she had hoped. Paolo had been intrigued by her story of the sylvan elf. He had asked her to find out more about the elf. Perhaps he would want to join their little 'group'. An elf's skills would prove invaluable.
Elisabetta hoped that Doanthalas would join. Partly because of his obvious skill, but mainly for purely personal reasons. A smile crept onto her face and her body tingled with the memory of that night. Suddenly an explosion thundered through the square. Elisabetta headed for cover. Flames and smoke billowed up not far from the platform. People started to panic and run about in frenzy.
Elisabetta shrank back into the shadows. "No use in getting trampled to death," she thought. Two more explosions rocked the square and a moment later the female assassin caught sight of the elf disappearing down an alleyway "Now what exactly are you up to?" she mused. "I wonder..." Elisabetta slipped out of the shadows and down the alleyway behind Doanthalas.
------------------------------
Jack smiled as flaming debris fell to the ground around him. Some of his crew HAD survived AND returned to rescue him. He sensed Arzael's hand in the pyrotechnics. The half-elf had always loved to watch things burn. Another explosion rocked the platform as Jack scanned the crowd. They were out there somewhere amidst all the frightened people.
A third explosion engulfed a building to the left of the platform. Flames poured from its windows and doors. "Ha! Lookit em run!" the pirate shouted in glee. The guards that had been surrounding the platform were busy trying to keep from being trampled by the panicked crowd. The few guards that did not get trampled turned tail and fled with the crowd. The only things between Jack and freedom were the dozen or so guards that had managed to make it to the relative safety of the platform.
Brackston fought his way to the platform with Skitch following on his heels. When they broke through the crowd he pulled the hand crossbow he had taken from the spy and said, "The two on Jack! I've got the left..."
"...and I've got the right!" Skitch finished. He had the hand crossbow from the other spy. The two pirates took aim and fired.
The two guards flanking the pirate captain fell back clutching the arrows embedded in their chests. He laughed loudly and looked for the guard carrying the keys to his manacles. Jack saw Brackston turn his back to Skitch and lift his cloak. "Not now you two! Fight now! Play later!" he joked.
Brackston frowned as Skitch unstrapped the short swords he had concealed on his back. He wondered how the captain could continue to joke around considering their precarious situation.
"Behind ya captain! Thar's more of em comin'!" the diminutive pirate shouted as he and Brackston leapt onto the stage. The remaining ten or so guards were advancing on the pirates as the hawkish looking official cowered behind them. Suddenly an arrow struck one of the guards heads and exploded. A handful of the men managed to avoid the blast, but the others were either dead or dying. The hawkish man squealed as Pike and Drake leapt onto the platform.
"Ah good! I see you've left a few for me an Drake," Pike bellowed. He raised his sword and charged. Drake took up the charge beside him. To their credit the guards fought valiantly, unfortunately for them the pirates were better warriors. Pike looked around at the dead guards in disappointment. "Ya mean ta tell me that's all the fightin' I get ta do?"
"Actually...no," Drake interrupted as he pointed to about twenty guards advancing on the platform.
"Brackston! Grab that axe and cut these chains," the captain ordered. "We've got to go while we've got the chance."
Brackston grabbed the executioner's axe and cut the chains on Jack's manacles.
"Perhaps ye should clear a path for us Pike," Skitch suggested, "but...headin' that way!" He indicated the direction opposite the twenty guards.
"Aye!" the Norseman readily agreed. He couldn't help but smile when he saw another of Arzeal's explosive arrows sailing towards the guards. His smile turned to a frown when a few arrows from the Turnmoor archer's emplacements rained down around him.
"It's been fun," Jack said to the cowering official, "but right now I've gotta run. Maybe we can do this again sometime..." The captain spotted Henrich rallying his personal guards as he turned to run. "Slipped through yer fingers once again. Eh Henrich?" he taunted.
"Don't count on it knave!" Henrich shouted as he shook his fist in the air. "Guards! Seize them!"
Drake noticed the exchange between Henrich and Jack with amusement. Then he noticed Adriana sitting in the booth with him. "Gods! She's a Li'Yeiraun! This just keeps getting better!" He still wanted to help her, but had enough to deal with for the moment. What with over twenty guards advancing on him and arrows raining down around him.
Another arrow exploded, but this time it was Henrich's guards who bore the brunt of the attack. Jack and his men used the diversion to flee into the back streets and alleys of Turnmoor. Henrich and his men and the remaining city guards followed them through the streets. The panicked people and fires that had started to burn out of control hampered them.
Fire brigades were slowly forming as some of the people and panicked guards managed to regain some self-control. If the fires were not dealt with swiftly Turnmoor would burn to the ground. The sheer number of the town's guard needed to battle the fires and deal with the wounded left only a few to continue the pursuit of Jack and his men. Henrich and his men cared neither for the well being of the people or the town and so continued in their pursuit of the pirates.
---------------------
As the elf quickly moved down the streets, he found himself distracted by the movement of the humans. He still did not comprehend the whole concept of streets and buildings and towns. His people had never needed such things. Besides why would one want to alter the beautiful form of the world?
Doanthalas took a deep breath and cleared his mind of such frivolous thoughts. At the moment he had more pressing matters to concern himself with. It stood to reason that by now the city guard knew of Arzael's position. His fears were confirmed as he rounded the corner. A group of eight guards was positioning a ladder so they could reach the master archer. The hairs on the back of Doanthalas' neck stood on end as he watched.
The tattooed elf turned to look behind him, but did not see anything or anyone out of the ordinary. Although, he really was not sure what was ordinary for humans he had to admit. Somebody was following him; he was sure of it. But he had to worry about Arzael at the moment. The guards would swarm him and capture or kill the half-elf if Doanthalas did not act soon. One hand slipped beneath his vest and emerged holding two throwing knives.
The first guard to climb the ladder noticed the elf out of the corner of his eye. Two of his comrades had fallen before he could even shout a warning. Four of the other guards drew their weapons and took chase. That left one other guard with him to take care of the deadly archer. Eric waited at the top while Talmon ascended the ladder. Both men were nervous, but both bravely moved onward.
They could not let these assassins hurt more innocent people. They burst around to where the archer was only to find him gone. All that was left were a few arrows and a small brazier with a fire burning in it. Talmon noticed that one of the arrows was lit and pointed it out to Eric who turned pale the moment he beheld it. It was one of Arzael's explosive arrows lit and burning fast. Eric's last thoughts were of his wife and daughter. The arrow exploded seconds later sending the bodies of both men plummeting to the ground.
--------------------
The half-elf smiled roguishly when he heard the last of his arrows go off. He had heard the guards coming thanks to Doanthalas. Silently he moved through the streets trying to avoid the guards and panicked people. He was not sure where Jack and the others were so he randomly chose streets to follow. If he happened upon them he would do what he could to help. Otherwise he's get out of Turnmoor and make for the meeting place.
---------------------
Elisabetta was impressed. Doanthalas was good. Whoever his friends were, they were professionals. They had single handedly reduced the civilized city of Turnmoor to one big chaotic mess. She guessed that they were somehow involved with Red Jack. Maybe some of his crew had survived after all. She had heard they were all killed. With a shrug and a tilt of her head, she moved to follow Doanthalas and his pursuers. It was obvious that the tattooed elf did not know the streets too well. He had just run down a dead end alley. Elisabetta drew her dagger and followed them into the alley.
The four guards advanced confidently on the elf. They had their swords drawn and figured it would be relatively easy to subdue the unarmed elf.
"By the authority of the city of Turnmoor I order you to surrender!" the first guard began. "Now we can do this the easy way or..."
Doanthalas whipped both arms forward and two daggers appeared in his hands. The rogue who had tried to mug the elf had graciously offered the spring-loaded wrist-sheathes in exchange for his life. The sylvan elf had accepted, but not before he had taken the rogue's vest and throwing knives first.
The first guard swallowed hard. He didn't like the crazed look in the elf's eyes. Obviously, this was going to be done the hard way. He motioned his men forward. One of the guards pitched forward and fell flat on his face. A pool of blood began to spread out from his body. Turning around the leader noticed an attractive woman holding a bloody dagger. She was smiling at them. He cursed himself for having foolishly walked into such an obvious ambush. "Take the elf men! I've got the other one," he ordered.
The elf was just as surprised to see Elisabetta as the guards were. He did not have time to reflect on this recent development as the two guards advanced on him. They handled their swords well, but were unpracticed in fighting in concert. Doanthalas deftly moved, weaved, and parried as the guards attacked. He had to work harder since their weapons had a longer reach, but in the end his skill won out. One of the guards overextended himself and Doanthalas stepped under his attack. The elf's dagger plunged deep into the guard's abdomen as he grabbed the man and spun him around to face the other guard. The other guard could not stop his attack in time and plunged his sword into his comrade. Doanthalas seized the opportunity and spun the dead guard away from him. The move wrenched the sword from the remaining guard's grip. The guard backpedaled and drew his dagger. The elf feinted with one dagger and struck with the other. The guard fell back and collapsed on the ground. A necklace with a locket on it fell out of his shirt.
"Well if you're finished playing," Elisabetta teased, "maybe we can get out of here before more guards arrive." She tilted her head to the side and smiled flirtatiously.
The elf snatched up the locket and turned to face the woman. He was not sure why he had grabbed the locket, but for some reason it seemed important to him. The sight of Elisabetta stirred something within him again. "Why have you..." he began.
"I couldn't let those nasty men hurt my ma...elf," she said as she grabbed his arm and smiled.
The sylvan elf felt a tug at the corner of his mouth as he beheld Elisabetta. If anything she looked more beautiful to him today than she had the other day.
This was a first. Doanthalas had not smiled the whole time she had seen him before. "You should smile more often, " she teased, "it greatly improves your looks."
The elf was at a loss for words as Elisabetta led him through the streets.
"Come on! I know a safe place for us to go. We can hide out there for a little while...besides there's someone I want you to meet there," she said as she led the way through Turnmoor.
-------------------------
Adriana was blown away. Drake was a pirate! Not only that, but he had just helped the infamous Red Jack escape, and with only a handful of other men! Her imagination ran wild with the vision of Drake swashbuckling his way through hundreds of bumbling guards. Of course he was the leader of the group; one of Jacks most trusted and skilled officers.
A plan was beginning to form in her mind. Her father hated Red Jack and the pirates with a passion. He would be devastated if his beloved daughter took off and joined them. She frowned. He probably would not even notice. No. He would notice. It would be a serious blow to his pride and his pride was the only way to get through to him. Adriana had made up her mind. She would find a way to join Red Jack and Drake as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
-------------------------
The young pirate watched and waited as the pirates ran towards his position. He unstoppered the small barrel at his feet and soaked a rag with some of the oil from it. As the pirates ran past he stood up holding the burning piece of tinder he had grabbed from a nearby building.
There was a fairly large group of men chasing Jack and the pirates. Rage waited until they were close before he lit the rag and kicked the barrel off the roof. The barrel splintered when it hit the ground sending burning oil flying everywhere.
Jack looked back just in time to see the first few of Henrich's men go up in flames. He smiled and looked to the rooftop. Rage smiled and waved to the captain. "Good boy Rage," the captain said proudly. He had bought Jack and the rest of the pirates enough time to escape. Hopefully, Rage would be able to get away from Henrich's men in time.
--------------------------
Turnmoor remained in chaos for over three days as the people battled the raging fires and tended to those wounded by the fires, explosions, and riots. Eventually the fires were either put out or burned out by themselves. Most of Turnmoor had made it through unscathed. The death and destruction had been mostly confined to the square and few surrounding blocks.
Those that had been present for the execution had suffered greatly. Some had died during the explosions; some had been trampled to death by the stampeding masses; and others had been burned alive by the raging fires. Henrich Li'Yeiraun was not the only person with a reason to hate the pirate Red Jack anymore. The price on the pirate captain's head nearly quadrupled during the three days it took to battle the fires and tend the wounded and dead. Every bounty hunter in Turnmoor and his brother made preparations to hunt down the infamous Red Jack. The wanted posters had previously said dead or alive. Now they just said dead.
-------
This ends Death Takes a Holiday, Chapter 21 of The Chronicles of Rapina.
The story continues in, Chapter 22, Wizardry.