Waves Breaking, Chapter Four
An Old Friend
Days passed as they charted a course into the unknown, heading for a mysterious place called Hollow Verge moving as swiftly as the Deathwind could sail.1
They made good time, with the wind at their backs.
On the third day, the man in the crow’s nest spotted a ship and called it out.
Harrow scanned the horizon, spotting it. It was large, a galleon, too far to make out any details, but the boom of cannons could be heard.
It was in the midst of battle.
He couldn’t make out the flag or see who the galleon was fighting. “Approach!” he called out.
“You sure you want to get involved? It’s unlikely to be an ally in these seas,” Kaito said, standing at Harrow’s side.
“We have no allies,” Harrow shrugged. “But let’s see what we find and what advantage we may gain from it.”
As they approached, the scope of the battle became clear through Harrow’s spyglass. The galleon fought a frigate and was losing, already ravaged by flames. The galleon’s flag depicted a black eagle against a white background.
Harrow described the flag to Kaito.
“That’s the flag of the Unchained Fleet, an organization of sailors well-established in these waters,” Kaito said. “Who are they fighting?”
“I don’t know but they’re losing,” Harrow said, focusing on the frigate. “The frigate’s flag is some kind of demon in red on a black background.”
“Unknown to me,” Kaito said. “Pirates?”
“Maybe,” Harrow said. “Get us into range of the frigate.”
“Why, Cap? Why get involved?”
“We have no allies in these waters. Would be good to gain some, wouldn’t it?”2
Kaito started hollering out orders. “Man the cannons! Full sails ahead! Get us close to that frigate and blast it out of the water!”
The frigate tried to swing around, now having to face two enemies in battle, as the Deathwind closed distance.3
“Hold!” Harrow shouted, hand up, as the Deathwind swung around for the perfect moment, getting as close as possible, the bigger ship looming in front of them. “FIRE!” he yelled.
The cannons boomed and the ship shook under his feet.4
Every shot missed.
The frigate returned fire, blasting into the side of the Deathwind.
Wood splintered and crew members screamed.
Harrow felt a moment of panic. What have I gotten us into?
He ignored it and bellowed out orders to reload and maneuver into position.5
Another barrage of cannonballs struck the Deathwind as it swung around, the ship shuddering under Harrow’s feet. “Fire! Fire! Fire!” He called out, knowing they couldn’t take many more hits like that. The Deathwind returned fire.6
Cannonballs ripped into the frigate, punching holes in the sides.
The crew of the Deathwind cheered.
“Reload! Fire!” Harrow called out, keeping in close with the enemy.7
Another barrage blasted into the frigate.
The Galleon had doused the flames on board and re-engaged in the battle.
The smell of gunfire and smoke filled the air.
Harrow called out orders to swing around and position behind the frigate as it frantically tried to manage the damage it’d taken and return fire, Kaito scrambled across the deck, repeating the orders and helping out when needed.8
“Fire!” Harrow had his rapier out and thrust it forward in the direction of the frigate as he yelled.
The cannons boomed in response.9
Cannonballs slammed into the backside of the frigate, bursting through the deck and railings, sending debris flying into the air.
But the frigate had been turning in anticipation, and the Deathwind found itself broadside and vulnerable.
“Hold fast!” Harrow said, ducking low.10
The frigate’s cannons thundered.
The Deathwind took the hit well, shots causing only minimal or cosmetic damage.
“Now’s the time! Pull alongside! Cast the hooks!”11
As the Deathwind pulled alongside, the size of the frigate loomed above. The crew threw grappling hooks, catching the frigate’s railing and began climbing, as crew from both ships began firing at each other with guns.
Harrow holstered his blade and climbed, hand over hand, pulling himself up and over, feeling adrenaline coursing through him. He remembered this feeling, his body moved almost on it’s own.
Coming over the railing with his crew, he faced the opposing crew and drew his blades.
The deck was strewn with corpses and debris, and most of the frigate’s crew were trying to repair damage or return fire with the Galleon, but that still left a large number to face the Deathwind’s boarding crew.
“Send them back to the depths!” An crusty old fellow called out, waving a cavalry saber in the air.
“Attack!” Harrow screamed and threw himself at the nearest enemy sailor.12 In a flash, Harrow knocked the foe’s own blade aside with his rapier and thrust his dirk into the man’s throat, dropping him.
The two forces merged in a bloody melee. Guns fired, blades slicing and stabbing, hands grabbing and grappling, punching and throwing.
Chaos.
Harrow pushed forward until he found himself surrounded by enemies. With a cry of anger he spun, slashed and stabbed any who came close.13
Two attackers fell and the rest backed off, as Deathwind’s crew surged forward.
Harrow stepped up onto a barrel, pointing his rapier in the enemy captain’s direction. “Surrender or doom your entire crew,” he called out.14
A pistol fired.
Pain exploded in Harrow’s shoulder and he fell back, caught by some of his crew, as the battle continued and the Deathwind’s forces were pushed back.
“Get me up,” Harrow growled. his crew helping him stand. He staggered forward, brandishing his rapier. “Fight, you dogs, fight to the death!” He charged forward into the fray.15 His crew, seeing their wounded captain still fighting, gave a roar and joined him, mercilessly cutting into their enemies.
The tide was turning and Harrow found himself face to face with the enemy captain.
The old man came at Harrow, swing and slashing with his saber.
Wounded, Harrow barely managed to block and dodge the vicious blows.
“Do you know who I am?” The enemy captain snarled.
“I don’t even know who I am,” Harrow spat back before knocking the saber aside and going on the offensive.16
The captain was forced back by the ferocity of Harrow’s assault.
“It’s over,” Harrow said, knocking the saber aside and going for the killing blow.17
“Harrow, you fool,” a voice, low and harsh, spoke. “You should have stayed dead.” A mysterious man stood a couple places away, pointing a double-barreled pistol at Harrow.
Harrow lowered his weapons, the enemy captain scrambling away. “Who the hell are you?” Harrow asked.
The man smirked. “An old ‘friend’,” he said and fired.
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Check out the Table of Contents for previous games I’ve played as well as other stuff I’ve written.
Undertake an Expedition. Name: Voyage to Hollow Verge. Rank: Formidable.
Moving at speed + Edge: 8 vs 3,1 → Strong Hit. Reach Waypoint. Envision location. Mark Progress (1/10).
The Approach: Secure an Advantage + Iron: 9 vs 1,5 → Strong Hit.
+2 momentum. +1 on next move.
Enter the Fray. Objective: Weaken + Board the Enemy Ship. Rank: Formidable
ETF + Iron + 1: 5 vs 1,8 → Weak Hit. In Control.
Strike + Iron: 9 vs 9,10 → Miss. Put in a bad Spot. Pay The Price. -2 Integrity (3/5). Withstand Damage + Integrity: 9 vs 7,6 → Strong Hit. +1 Integrity (4).
React Under Fire + Edge: 3 vs 4,9 → Miss. -2 Integrity (2/5). Withstand Damage + Integrity: 7 vs 6,5 → Strong Hit. +1 Integrity (3/5).
Clash + Iron: 8 vs 7,1 → Strong Hit. Mark Progress twice (2/10). In Control.
Strike + Iron: 8 vs 2,2 → Strong Hit. Mark Progress twice (4/10). Stay In Control.
Gain Ground + Edge + Bond (Deckhand): 4 vs 2,8 → Weak Hit. Stay In Control. Mark Progress (5/10).
Strike + Edge: 4 vs 3,7 → Weak Hit. Mark Progress Twice (7/10) but in a Bad Spot.
React Under Fire + Iron: 6 vs 2,6 → Weak Hit. Burn Momentum. Momentum drops to (1/10). 9 vs 2,6 → Strong Hit. Succeed and In Control. +1 Momentum (2/10)
Take Decisive Action: 7 vs 6,4 → Strong Hit. Succeed, stay in control, +1 Momentum (3/10). Next Objective: Defeat the Frigate’s Crew. Rank: Formidable.
Strike + Iron + Cutthroat: 7 vs 8,1 → Weak Hit: Mark Progress Twice (2/10) but put in a bad spot.
Clash + Iron: 5 vs 3,4 → Strong Hit. Mark Progress Twice (4/10). Overwhelm your opponent and regain control.
Gain Ground + Iron: 5 vs 10,9 → Miss. Foe gains the upper hand. You are in a bad spot and must Pay The Price. -2 Health (1/5).
Clash + Iron: 8 vs 1,1 → Strong Hit with a Match. Clear Jinx Impact and add tick to Bond Legacy Track. Mark Progress Twice (6/10) and are in control.
Strike + Iron + Cutthroat: 7 vs 1,3 → Strong Hit. Mark Progress Twice (8/10). Stay in control.
Take Decisive Action: 8 vs 10,10 → Miss with a Match. You are defeated or your objective is lost. Pay The Price. Story Complication: Old Enemy Resurfaces. -3 Health (-2/5). Resist: 9 vs 3,10 → Weak Hit.
At first, I thought that was the end of Harrow.
That was a wild ride!