Dusk, The Delta
~Cassius’ Perspective~
“How’d it go?” asks Pollux. He hands me a note.
I nod.
“It went ok, I guess,” I reply quietly. “Get the ship ready for combat. We’re going to raid some ships.”
I walk into the captain’s quarters and look at the map on my desk.
South of here is an island that was once the home of the Altavistans. Now, it’s deserted, its original inhabitants in hiding or dead. And it is where the main fleet of the Emerald Skull Pirates is located.
But far northeast of here is an unassuming island we call Dawn’s Refuge. Within its caverns hide the surviving Altavistans.
We discovered them by accident. And it is imperative that as few people know about them as possible. If the Emerald Skull Pirates catch wind of this information, they will not hesitate to finish what they started. Averill knows, and probably other members he trusts.
Our mission here is done. The trap is set. And we might as well do something else while we wait for the next stage of the plan.
Avery, Castor, Alex, and Pollux will stay here while we go get the supplies.
I pull out the note Averill sent to me and read it.
One of our contacts in the Underworld has been found out by the AG. Find a way to take care of him and prevent the AG from making him talk. Our spies at the Miss Molly reported that Kellan Bellona, a high-ranking AG member, has enlisted the help of mercenary and bounty hunter Selene Liannos, in exchange for her home’s release from the heavy taxes. Do not respond to this message. Other captains have also been enlisted as well to eliminate the contact. The contact is a high-ranking member of the Underworld.
I feel my chest ache at the mention of my childhood friend. We’ve clashed before and I don’t want to fight her again. My vision flashes to the beach where we fought 2 years ago. I stand over the woman who was once my childhood friend, her eyes filled with hate as the downpour continues. She’s wounded, a stab wound on her leg. She spits at me. And in a voice filled with hate, she said the words that haunt me to this day.
“I swear to you, Cassius,” she had said. “I swear to you that one day, I will hunt you down and kill you for what you did to our home. I will avenge my master and make you pay for what you and your friends did.”
I shake my head, blinking. Now is not the time to dwell on the past. We have people to help.
~Emerald Skull Pirate’s Perspective~
I run frantically to my captain. He turns around.
“What is it?” he asks.
“The Shining Pirates,” I gasp. “They’re gathering at the Spiral Rocks. I overheard one of their captains talking about it.”
He smiles.
“Those idiots. Send a bird to the local captains. Tell them it’s time. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. We sail at dawn.”
I nod. In the corner of my eye, I notice a brig leaving the harbor without colors. Probably a merchant ship. No need to worry.
Meanwhile, Wilderness Island
~Averill’s Perspective~
I note the ship leaving Oblitesco. Cassius’ words to me at Trinity Oasis cross my mind.
“We’ll probably have to leave the island when we’re done,” he had said. “Those refugees need supplies and we’re the only ones they trust.”
Looks like they’re done. Good.
If it goes well, those pirates will go to the Spiral Rocks, where they believe our fleet lies in wait. But what they don’t know is that we’re waiting for them to enter. And then we’ll sail in right behind them and destroy them. The plan truly begins there.
If I’m going to be honest, I can’t wait for it to start.
End of Chapter XVIII