[IC] Splinters

[Hidden Lilly]

Daniel listened closely to Iris' warning.

"Yer words be marked." he said in a much lower, more serious tone. He had felt the shift in the air. Avery's crew began to move slower, watching her with reverence and a hint of fear and pity. Daniel noted that it was not pity or fear for themselves so much as for the other vessel.

It had caught up quickly and the crew looked hungry. Their lust for power was almost palpable.

"Ha! A girl..." The other captain purred back loudly. He clearly wanted all parties to hear his words. "An by the looks of it, a Cap'n!" he called, slowly walking through his crew. They leered back at Avery and her crew. The captain was chiding Avery, testing her, the beginnings of insulting her. He was trying to make their crew stupid with anger. Daniel could see it's roots taking hold in very few of the men, and they hid it well but regardless a hint of hatred rippled through the air. "An by the looks of it, there are more ladies aboard..." He continued, leering at Iris herself. Daniel wondered how long Avery or Bane for that matter would let this go since clearly this captain didn't mind either of them.

Daniel caught a shine of steel moving. "Iris..." he said in warning, a hushed tone. Using his thumb he propped his cutlass out of it's scabbard so that an inch of steel could be seen.

"Go have some fun men!" The other captain called, and his crew exploded off the deck. Clearly that was the go command, and this crew was nimble. They had no need for boards to use to get onto the Shadow Strike. They used ropes to swing across.

Without command, Avery's crew responded to the opposing crew's aggression. This included Daniel.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Avery looked at Bane and nodded, saying "Let the men handle the bulk of these spineless sea dogs...but I will let the Strike aid in this fight as well..." Bane nodded and siad "Ay Captain..." He jumped down onto the main deck, ripping two men off of one of his men without a pause in motion.

Avery went to the helm and closed her eyes, rolling her neck. "We were brought together, old friend...lets show this old man why he won't be taking you from me today...or anyone for that matter" She pulled out her pendent that Daniel wore on the other ship and held onto it tightly. Her eyes glowed softly and the ship started to move on its own, not much at first, like it was waking up from a long slumber.

Then the ship started to fight for itself. Iris was pinned by three men against a wall when ropes came flying out of no where and wrapped around their necks and legs, flinging them away into the sea with blood chilling screams. Bane was almost run thru while helping Dante when the door to the underbelly swung open and hit the man hard in the face, Bane spinning around and cutting his throat. Iris bumped into Daniel, breathing hard. "Looks like the Strike didn't take kindly to the old fools words either...its not taking any prisoners."

Avery opened her eyes and saw the fight being taken to the other ship, the other crew running for it once they saw the ship itself was against them. She smirked darkly and her demon side showed a little. "That's what you get for being cocky boys...now that other captain..." She ran for the railing and jumped off the ship, a rope swinging for her to grab and finish her journey to the other side. She smiled and looked around for the captain shouting "Push them back! Lets make them think twice about taking our ship on our terms" She spotted the other captain on the high deck and made a run for him, pulling her blade free and cutting anyone down who got in her way.

Bane came over with Daniel to help Avery, his face worried. "I don't like this...she's in the open...even with the Strike close enough to protect her, its risky even for her"

[Hidden Lilly]

Daniel was hardly distracted that the pendant he wore began to glow, but he was distracted none the less. It was certainly a learning curve to fight with a new crew and on a new vessel. Clearly he was going to have to adjust for a magical ship and demon captain. What was worse was that he couldn't tell if he was at the beginnings of getting swept up in her magic.

The men's screams of terror were chilling to him and he counted it a blessing to be on the same side as Avery and the Shadow Strike. Again, he marked Iris' words. The woman spoke truth if nothing else.

Bane fought bravely, closely following the captain but leaving her side when the men needed him more. Upon his remark Daniel easily countered.

"Than lets cover 'er openin's." It was a simple statement and about all he could muster as he fought side by side with Bane. His cutlass requiring only one hand most of the time but every now and again he would need to use the other for a particularly hard blow. He had yet to mortally wound someone, to his relief, but there had been some close calls. Daniel was doing well in knocking men unconscious after disarming them. Together the men of vary different stature chased after Avery, making a way for her where needed and covering her back.

~~~

The other ships Captain had bravely called orders against the cursed vessel. His crew responded with vigilance for the most part, some ran and hid with fear. He spat curses at the opposing crew for making him take the defensive but when he saw the lady captain cross to his deck, he saw a chance at vengeance. Enraged he began to fight his own way towards her with the full intention of cutting her down. This was a change from his original plan of simply keeping to her to be 'entertainment'.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Bane nodded and started to make his way to where his captain was, wanting to be there if he was needed. Iris was taking command on the Strike and yelling orders.

Scarlet got up when she heard the fighting and frowned. "I am not liking this..." She pulled her pistol free and aimed at door, pulling her young friend behind her. She closed her eyes and listened closely then said "No one is below deck...hopefully it stays that way..."

Avery jumped onto the high deck, smiling at the captain. "You look a little worried captain...you plan take my ship and make me your wench not working out for you?" She leaned against the railing, her eyes glowing red in the smokey war zone. "I gave you a way out, captain...I wanted to show mercy...and now you've pissed me off.." She kicked him hard to the ground, standing over him. "My ship is my home...and my crew is my family...and you threatened both. And I don't take that very lightly..." She put her blade on his neck and said "Now...what means more to you...your sad pathinic life...or your crew and ship?"

[Hidden Lilly]

Amelia squeaked as Scarlet pulled her close in a rather protective manner. The young lady found herself to be quivering, unable to get used to the noise of clashing swords and screams of terror.

~~~

Danial cried out as he landed swift and effective blows on a man not many years older than himself. There was a sickening shift in strength through the man's arm as the blow twisted his sword, torquing the mans hand and fracturing some bones. Daniel remained serious, awaiting the right moment to strike the man with the hilt of his cutlass.

Bane and himself not long ago had reached Avery. They covered her well and she fought very effectively. Among the craze of the battle and cries of terror a cry of pain stuck out to him. Momentarily swiveling his head around, Daniel saw a young boy be cut down by the opposing captain. He thought Avery would not like that, if she caught it. The heavy set captain continued to make his way over to... them.

"Miss Avery, g't o'er 'ere." Daniel barked, feeling the pressure of a need for a simple and swift course of action. The man he had been fighting lunged at Daniel only to find the bite of his cutlass.

Having created an opening and Avery not responding to him he reached over to her and pulled her from her own scrimish. He was not the strongest man on any crew but he could haul weight, thus when he grabbed her by the waist there was little she could do to protest. Having moved her behind himself, more so than behind Bane but it would be good to note that he was helping as well, he pulled his pistol. Daniel, aimed and shot the man she was fighting, a fatal wound to the chest cavity. He slipped his empty pistol away and pulled Avery's from her jacket. He took aim on the opposing captain and fired.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Avery glared at Daniel and said "he was mine! You had no right..." Bane sighed and hit her hard across the face, closing his eyes as he did so. Avery blinked, the red fading from her eyes. She looked at Bane who then said "Are we good?" Avery nodded and grabbed her pistol from the doctor. "Get back to the Strike, I'll finish this..." Before Bane said his thoughts she added "Not that way. The demon had her fun for the day...we blow the helms and leave them. The navy can find whats left" She made a bee line back to to the helms and Bane sighed.

"Good thinking Doc...if she had kept going we would have had to deal with the other side..."

[Hidden Lilly]

"Aye." Daniel responded, quickly following Bane through the scrimish on deck back to their own vessel. He had been around ofr less than a day and it seemed as through he was getting his bearings on how Avery's demon behavior was... triggered. "Back t' th' Shadowstrike!" he called all the while, warning their crew of what was to come.

Bane and Daniel found themselves barely across when the boards were drawn back, all the ties between the boats were cut and the Shadowstrike began to pull away for the Spanish vessel. Over the many sounds of battle, Daniel heard her voice faintly call something. That must have been the signal since the two men had just enough time to cover their ears before the Shadowstrike shuddered with the first volley of cannon fire. There was a pause, a lul for reloading. The men on the opposite vessel had varying reactions. Captain-less and clearly without structure, the crew had fallen to shambles. Some seemed to fall to their knees and beg the Shadowstrike for mercy while others climbed the ropes and spat obscenities like angry monkies. The smart ones had knelt where they were and prayed to their various deities. Daniel, still covering his ears, watched them all with pity as the second and final volley was launched.

Bane turned to the crew and yelled out orders. Daniel followed suit, helping where he could to move the vessel away from the Spanish one. It was damned to Davy Jones' Locker, and he doubted that the Shadowstrike crew would want to follow. After frantic heaving and hauling, moving and adjusting riggers and such on the Shadowstrike, they had pulled away enough to be at a safe distance to watch the Spanish vessel be sucked into the deep.

Daniel had another job to attend to now. Among the tired and restless men he found Iris.

"Tell yer men I' be waitin' in' me quarters." He said, slowly trudging to his work-space. Along the way he made a point to reload his pistol. He always kept a small amount of gun powder on him, just enough for 3 shots total. He would have to refill it a little when he got back to his room.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Iris was wrapping up and wounded Dante as she nodded. "Ay, I'll spread the word. A few will be needing your services, Doctor" Bane was yelling orders, then saw his Captain Swing back to the Strike and land at the helms, pulling her hood up and making a bee line to her cabin, shutting the door behind her.

In the below cabin Scalret had been hugging Amelia tightly as the door opened and Iris stood there. "The fight is over, ladies...it's safe to come topside" scarlet sighed with relief and stood up. "Thank goodness. I was about to have a heart attack"

Avery landed on the floor, her whole body shaking badly. She moved to lean against her desk, panting heavily. "That was too close...far too close..." She opened her gloved hand to show a black stone in her hand. "But that's another one down....six more to go...." She signed and fell against the desk, passing out from stress and from fighting back her other side.

[Hidden Lilly]

There was a slow trickle of people who came and waited to see Daniel. He had to stitch many men, no amputations and no broken bones. There were a few broken noses that he did his best to reset. Often he made a small bit of salve to dress a wound and sent the man away. He held onto any excess since he told the men that he would need to check and redress the wounds at a later time. Diligently, Daniel took notes on each person that came through his threshold. Mostly it was the person's name, a quick description of their injury and the actions he needed to take with their treatment. Finally everyone had been seen that had come to him. He noticed that none of the higher ups had come to see him. He figured it would be worth checking on them.

For the time being though, he was exhausted. He grabbed a bottle of something he had yet to touch. The cloudy liquid was a nice spice rum and he took a good long drink. It was his own personal policy to not drink on the job, and in truth his obligation for the day had been fulfilled. With the Shadowstrike as it was, sustained little damaged and seemed to self heal the rest. Daniel sat on his examination table for a moment and took another swig of the strong drink. He sat, waited, quiet... he held onto it like a child would their mother. The finality of silence was what he loved most, it was a comfort he could indulge in on the high seas. Nothing but Amphitrite or Brizo to interrupt him.

~~~

Amelia was relieved to follow Scarlet out from their hiding place.

"Thank you." She sofly spoke, looking up at the strong and confident Iris. The trio moved to the upper desks, since that's where they had to go to get back down to the kitchen. Amelia covered her mouth at what she found. Though the men seemed to be alright there was a rank smell that settled over the Shadowstrike when the salty wind forgot to blow. She looked up and cried out in horror at the sight she saw. She was not prepared for the men, clearly not of their crew strung up among the sails and riggers. She leaned into Scarlet. "Is...that common?" she inquired, terror written across her face believing that it was their crew that put up the display.

~~~

After sitting for a while, Daniel decided it was time to seek out his superiors. He figured it would be best to start with the captain. After all, she was vital to the crew. Hoisting himself off the table he left the bottle back on the shelf and headed out the door. He brought very little supplies on him for minor injuries just in case. He climbed the stairs slowly so not as to trip, he had a mild buzz but was still very much so functional. Daniel had drank a little more than he meant to but his conscience urged him to check on Avery. Before long he found himself in front of her door, knocking as a request for entrence. He paused, no responce.

"Cap'n?" he raised his voice, knocking again. "Cap'n?" he asked again a little louder. Concerned for Avery's well being Daniel lowered the handle and crossed the threshold. To his surprise he found Avery slumped over her desk. As quickly as he could Daniel crossed the room to her side. "Avery." He said sternly, loudly, slamming his hand on the desk beside her head. If she was asleep, it would wake her and if not it would give him an idea of her current consciousness status.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Scarlet pulled the girl to her side and said "Sadly...its been happening a lot more lately. Lets get these men some food shall we? The crew will be in need of a huge meal after this fight" She pulled her with her to the kitchen to start cooking, nodding to Bane and Iris who were to sitting at the helms.

Avery didn't move, blood running from her nose. She had over done it and it would hurt for a while.

[Hidden Lilly]

Amelia obediently followed Scarlet to the kitchen and began her work. Her mind reeled at what she had seen, not even back with her family had she even seen a hanging let alone the bodies strung up after. Mother had always said it was crude and improper for a lady to enjoy such a spectical. It became a little easier with time for Amelia to steady her hands enough to effectively chop up some of the vegetables.

~~~

Daniel pulled a small bunch of fabric from his pack, noting her bloody nose. For the time being he would have to treat her bloody nose. He hoped that was all it was. If she was draining blood then that could be another disease entirely, and one that no man lived long enough to tell the tale of after encountering. With one hand he slid it under her hair and gripped the base of her scull, leveraging her head up just enough that he could get his other hand with the pad to her nose. Having her in this position, the blood should drain quicker and stop faster too.

"Why d' ye d' this t' yerslef, Miss Avery." He said, assuming no-one was watching. Since he had seen her in a state similar to this only a day before, Daniel assumed that what the crew said was true and that she would be fine within a couple hours. Every now and again he checked to see if the bleeding had stopped. Once it finally had he picked her up out of the chair and brought her to lay down on her bed. Using a towel and basin he washed her face and placed the cool towel on her forehead. Daniel then proceeded to check her pulse. He was temped to take it from her neck, just as an excuse to touch her... her skin always looked and felt so lush. Clearing his throat in an attempt to clear his mind, Daniel decided to use her wrist instead.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Scarlet looked down at her and siad "you alright, little one? I take it you don't see many bloody battles when you're at home..." She sighed and said "I hoped to keep you away from any of that..." She tossed meat into the stew she was working on, looking sadly at her hands. Memories of screams and flames jumped to her mind and she rubbed her eyes, fighting to push back the terrible sights.

When he started to check her vitals Avery stirred slightly, her eyes moving under the lids and she moaned softly. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, the light in the room bright at first. "Bane...how many times have I told you not to..." Then she saw it was the doctor and she tried to sit up, looking around quickly. "What happened? I..." She got dizzy sitting up fast and held her head, catching the cold towel. She looked at the Doc and said "Where did you find me?"

[Hidden Lilly]

Despite her best efforts, the stinging behind Amelia's eyes shook her voice when she responded;

"It was... not what I was expecting." Still she tried to continue, recognizing that her upbringing as a lady meant nothing on the high seas where one had to be callous as opposed to soft.

~~~

"Lay back,-" He ordered, catching her name in the back of his throat. It didn't seem right to call her captain in the moment and he would die before she ever caught him calling her Miss Avery again, all that was left was to call her Avery and that was beyond inappropriate. He waited for her to lay back down before continuing.

"I found ye on yer desk wi' a bloody noose." He said his voice softening in tone compared to the sentence he uttered before. "It's th' same day. Middle o' th' night. If ye be feelin' better, ye should sleep." Daniel began to roughly put his supplies back in his bag. He pulled out a small vial of what looked like oil. "Tis Jasmine and Chamomile, dab a bit on yer finger and rub i' on yer upper lip. I' will help ye fall t' sleep." he instructed, holding it out to her while he stood beside her bed. The thought crossed his mind to sit on the edge of her bed and do it for her but such an act would likely be unwelcome.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Scarlet pulled to girl to her and hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry you had to see that...its nothing for a young thing like you to see. I swear I won't let anything happen to you...and that we will get you home safe and sound...I swear it"

Avery laid back down and rubbed her eyes. She looked up at him and said "I didn't get a chance to say thank you for stopped me before...if I had spilled that captain's blood, I don't know what would have happened..." She sighed then said "How is the rest of the crew? I saw Bane had a nasty cut on his shoulder...and Iris's knee gives her trouble after fights...make sure to look at that will you? And Amelia and Scarlet...I didn't see them so could you check on them for me?" She rubbed her head again, feeling tired.

[Hidden Lilly]

"Aye, jus' doin' me duty." Daniel said. Taking his hand back since she hadn't taken the vial. "Aye, aye. Th' crew be well, those tha' are still breathin'. I was making me rounds fer th' superiors, I'll get t' Bane an' Iris. Scarlet an' Miss Amelia will be next." Daniel couldn't help but empathize with Avery's exhaustion. "Capn', can I speak freely?" He asked, he had one comment to leave with her before he left her to sleep.

~~~

Amelia immediately dissolved into tears when Scarlet brought her into her arms. It was awful, and she felt horrible for crying in front of someone.

"That was just so awful, I would not wish that on any soul, may God save them." Her body shook and shivered as she sobbed. She thought of how she missed home, and how she longed to go back to the life of a lady at port. Despite all the trouble and pain it would be better than the uncertainty of being on a pirate ship.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Scarlet picked the girl up and hugged her tightly, rocking her softly and started humming to her. She understood the girls fear and sadness. She once felt the same when she was forced to a life on the sea. She was happy now, but when she was Amelia's age that was not the case. She sat in the chair in the corner in the room and held the girl tightly against her, singing softly to her to help calm her.

Avery looked up at him and said "You can always speak freely here, Daniel...everyone can express themselves on the Strike..." She rubbed her head, sighing deeply.

Bane was nursing a bottle of rum, Iris wrapping his shoulder with a clean bandage. "Thanks for this Iris...I wanted the Doc to stay with the Cap as long as he could...how is your leg?" Iris shook her head and said "Its fine...a little tender but I will live. It still surprises me when I feel the old pain come back from the old break..." Bane smiled sadly at her and said "The way it was broken I doubt it will ever heal perfectly..."

[Hidden Lilly]

"We need t' find those pieces." Daniel said, noting that from the reactions of the crew her condition was worsening. "Come mornin' we wi'' speak more. Sleep fer now." He continued before turning his heel to leave. He walked slowly towards the doors of her cabin.

~~~

"Thank you, Scarlet." Amelia snuffled. She lightly rubbed her face and dabbed her nose in a loose piece of cloth. After a time she had becun to compose herself.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Avery nodded, rolling over and soon was fast asleep. Little did anyone know, the darkness of those Jade Pieces were about to make things much harder for the crew, and would make them question a lot of what they understood of life on the seas.

Scarlet smiled and kissed her head, then went back to working on dinner for the crew. When she paused to take off her long jacket, Amelia would see scars all over her arms and what she could see of her back. Cut marks and burns covered the cook's skin, looking old and stretched on her skin.

[Hidden Lilly]

Daniel left Avery to sleep and quietly shut the door behind himself. He guessed he was on to the rest of the supririors. God he was tired, there was no need of grog to make him drowsy. Still, checking on the others was a priority. As the doctor, he was always last to get to sleep after a battle. He saw to each person as best he could, stopping by to see sailors along the way. It was about half an hour until he finally stumbled into his treatment room and quarters. He felt somewhat relieved upon entering and seeing Bane and Iris chatting away, but it also memphasized his own fatigue and he was not enjoying entertaining the idea of having more to treat.

"Evenin'." He began, stepping heavily into his space. "How be yer sail'ers?" He asked, unpacking his bag while still leaving his body open to them. He awaited their response before asking a further question; "Is there anythin' I can do fer ye?"

~~~

Amelia found herself staring at the old lady's scars. She wondered what could have possibly put them there and it began to resonate with her just how dangerous life on the sea was. This was no fairytale, that was for certain. Feeling better, Amelia came up beside Scarlet and began putting her hands to work once more. It wasn't very long until the two had a large pot of hearty stew all set to be served. Amelia was particularly amazed that they had altered the ship to allow for a fire. Scarlet was very responsible and kept a constant close watch on it as to not let the vessel catch fire.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Bane looked up and said "The crew is alright. Iris and I went around and checked on the others. Doc, you look like you could use a look over" Iris shook her head and got up, stopping the Doctor's hands and said "We are alright. Its time for you to get some sleep." Bane looked at her and said "Iris, maybe the Doc should look at your leg...it wouldn't hurt to see if he can help..." Iris shot him a dirty look and said "I have lived it with it for years, a couple days won't make a big wave...besides, the others need more help then I"

Scarlet caught the girl looking at her scars and she smiled, pouring the stew into a serving pot. "Those aren't all from the sea, love...most are from the life the captain saved me from..." She opened the door and carried the stew out, a sad smile on her face.