Victoria looked around at the crew. They were still frozen in the awe of Victoria's magical display. Coldly Victoria asked again, "Who is in charge here? Do not make me ask again."
"I am in command here, you mad witch," A male voice came from near the stern of the ship. A rather regal looking, red headed pirate stood at the top of a set of stairs. He looked down on Victoria from his high perch. He did not look like he was impressed by Victoria. He had seen mages before. In fact, he was one. Confidently he spoke for all to hear, "I am Captain Issac Crow. I am a Sea captain of the Raldoran Navy. 8th Captain in the Red Fleet. Who are you, girl! You dare board my ship, kill my crew, DEMAND MY PRESENCE!!! Who are you and by who do you claim authority to do these things?"
Victoria glared up at the man studying him. Long cloak, boots, and one sword that hung on his right hip. The mans appeal did not hint much to Victoria. However his tone and body language suggested a lot of hostility towards her. Victoria smirked and replied, "Your crew tried to disarm me. That was an insult I could not tolerate." Electricity visibly rippled down from Victoria's left shoulder and began to collect in her left hand as she began to silently cast a spell. She spoke again, "I am Sophia PeaceCraft. I claim the authority to do as I please by the right of power alone."
Captain Crow chuckled and waved his hand passively, "I believe I overheard you call yourself Rachel Hargrove before killing my minotaur. Your inability to tell constant lies betrays your nature. Your entire mystic is shattered now. You play all high and mighty, which holds power against those too cowardly to test the waters."
Victoria felt her lightning spell scream as if it needed more mana to complete. Something was not right. It could be the nature of this world that made this spell need more mana than usual or Victoria just got hit with a weak counter spell. Victoria could discern if the latter was true, this sea captain must be a mage. Victoria denied the spell its mana, letting it fizzle out. Victoria stuck the merfolk blade into the wood on the deck of the ship. The captain gave Victoria an opportunity and Victoria was going to use it. Victoria smiled innocently and shrugged. Innocently, Victoria apologized, "You are right. In all the fast actions, I forgot I had already spewed out a name. I am not practiced, but it was a good defence while it lasted. What happens now?"
The Sea Captain shakes his head slowly and replied with the authority of a cold judge, "I have no mercy for you any more than i have for my crew. You lost me my best raid leader. For that, I will smite you." The Captain raised right hand up to the sky. Magical red flames erupted out of no where and began to take the shape of a long spear. Once the spear formed it solidified and descended into the Captain's grasp.
Just as the captain grasped the spear, a wave of fear crashed its way through his body. It chilled him through and through. The flame spear vanished as he gasped to catch his breath. His eyes quickly locked onto Victoria. She was not smiling anymore. She was glaring at him like an angry dragon. Her eyes showed the intent to kill him. Victoria then spoke up, "What is with the lapse of confidence, Captain Crow? Surprised that you are not the only one who knows counter magic?"
The comment reignited the Captain's anger. It overcame his fear. Once again he created the fire spear. This time Victoria decided to use darker magic. Without uttering a word or losing her fixed gaze, she hit him with yet another counter spell. The Sea captain grabbed his chest with his left hand and fell against the ships railing. The crew that had been silent in shock and awe of this confrontation collectively gasped as they saw the captain stumble. The flaming spear never faded from the captain's hand this time. "Damn you!" The captain screamed as he hurled the spear at Victoria in anger.
Victoria did not flinch as the flaming spear passed by her head. She felt the heat of the spear on her cheek as it passed by. Other than a few singed hair the spear completely missed. The crew were blown away by how little Victoria seemed to react to the spear. They had seen that spear murder countless lesser beings. Victoria had not even flinched. Coldly and calmly, Victoria spoke, "I admit, I am surprised that spell did not kill you. Perhaps you should abandon hope of fighting me with magic."
Victoria pulled sword off her hip, sheath and belt all. She began to wrap the belt straps around the hilt to keep the sheath from coming off the blade. Confidently, she took her eyes off the captain as she looked down as she tied the belt straps on the sword. She shook her head fanning disappointment but really looking at the crew. The crew were content to watch this battle, they may even support her now that she has shown their captain to be mortal. "By Iroas," Victoria thought to herself, "What am I doing? There is no option to stop now until I take total control of this ship. I am creating a non-lethal weapon to kill this captain with... Iroas?"
Victoria looked up from her sword to see Captain Crow descending the steps towards her. His sword was held confidently in his left hand. Victoria smiled as she took up her sheathed sword in her left hand to match. She has won this already. The captain growled, "How pathetic that I am forced to fight you like the lowborn scum. Fall, witch!" He swung his sword in a horizontal slashing motion. Victoria ducked quickly. Her knee hit the wood deck with a loud thud. She quickly grabbed the merfolk blade she had set down early with her free right hand and cut at the Captain's abdomen. The blade cut easily, disemboweling the captain. Victoria bolted to her feet and backed away a few steps. The captain howled in pain as he charged Victoria. She effortlessly deflected his sword thrust by hitting his left forearm with her sheathed sword. Immediately she then plunged the merfolk blade through the Captain's heart. This did not stop the captain's momentum though. His bleeding body slammed into Victoria knocking her over. Captain Crow, 8th Captain in the Red fleet, died as he bleed out from his wounds. Victoria had to drop both her swords in order to push the captain's bleeding corpse off of her. She climbed to her feet as a pool of blood gathered at her feet. She grabbed her sheathed sword off the floor and admired her kill.
"Looks like we have a new captain," a merfolk crewman picked up his blade from the captain's pool of blood. It was the same merfolk, she stole the blade from.
"Didn't I throw you off the ship?" Victoria asked curiously while blood dripped off her dress.
"Yes, you did. But as you said Miss Captain. I am a 'fish person'." The merfolk replied, "Name's Clyde. I was the first mate under Captain Crow. I suggest you take my advise and command this ship to set sail to meet up the Admiral's flag ship. You now command one of his ships. It would be unwise to try to use this vessel for long without his blessing."
Victoria looked around at the crew. They were all awaiting orders. "Very well, We sail to the Admiral's flag ship." Victoria commanded, "First Mate Clyde, my beloved dress is now covered with blood. Show me to the captain's quarters so I may change. Then make sure we get where we are going. Sadly, I do not know how to sail"
Clyde motioned Victoria to follow and laughed, "Honestly, neither did Crow!"
--------------
Several days past after Victoria seized command of the ship, apparently named the Black Angel. There was nothing around but ocean. The crew had spotted no other ships nor land. Victoria spent most of her time in the luxurious Captain's quarters. She had finally gained her sea legs so she could finally keep her balance in a fight on deck. Fortunately, Everyone on the crew seemed to accept Victoria's command. Either they were fine with a young woman taking over or they were too terrified to challenge her. Unfortunately, this state of affairs bored Victoria. In her boredom, She actually took time to dismantle Captain Crow's wardrobe. The captain seemed to enjoy dressing formally. Victoria, however, scraped many of the outfits to make more feminine attire.
Victoria was just about to cause trouble for her new crew out of boredom when the call came that they spotted a ship. Victoria came out to see. Three ships were sailing on the horizon. All three bore red sails. Immediately, Victoria began to calculate the odds of winning a fight against such odds. It was doubtful that their would be a fight but Victoria wanted to be prepared. She watched the ships constantly as the Black Angel approached the them.
There was some commotion as Victoria's ship came into the fleet with the other three. Her crew and the nearest ship began shouting insult and chanting their ship's praises as to outdo the other ship. The Merfolk Clyde seemed to be the only one working on actual matters of politics. Finally, the merfolk got the ship alongside the Admiral's. ropes were tossed and planks were layed to allow for moving between the two ships. Victoria and Clyde made their way across to the other ship. There was a handsome human man standing in the middle of this ship next to a hunchbacked goblin. The Goblin snarled at Victoria. The man extended his hand to Victoria, "I am Captain Adam Velvet, 5th Captain in the red Fleet. This goblin here is Captain Tin Tik, 14th Captain in the Red Fleet."
Victoria shook the Captain Velvet's hand, but before she could introduce herself, Clyde did it for her, "This is Victoria Pax. She bested Captain Crow in fair combat, both magical and with steel. She is to replace him as the 8th captain in the Red Fleet."
"That is very interesting. Congratulation at besting Crow." Captain Velvet said with a forced smile, "Best of Luck to you."
"Who replaces Captain Crow?" A booming voice comes from blow deck. Slowly a figure begins to climb out of the ship's hold. Horns were the first thing visible as a massive minotaur emerges.
The two sea captains casually step away from Victoria. Clyde nervously answers the minotaur's question, "Ad-Admiral Hungun. Victoria Pax, this lovely lady standing before you has met the requirements to become... I mean, hold the title of 8th Captain of the Red Fleet. She killed Captain Crow in fair combat, Sir."
The minotaur looked at Victoria with anger and hatred. He stepped forward till he toward over her. Victoria looked up at the minotaur always making eye contact. There was an awkward moment of silence as the minotaur thought. Without warning, the minotaur grabbed Victoria by the neck and lifted her off the deck. Victoria immediately grabbed the minotaur's arm to prevent herself from being choked. Admiral Hungun growled, "Captain Crow was a good friend of mine. Last remaining member of my original crew. Why do you think I should spare your life."
Victoria's mind raced trying to figure a way out of this hold. Her feet dangled in the air. If she reached for her sword, the minotaur would be able to crush her windpipe. She could planeswalk away but she hesitated doing that. Mogis help her if she decided to actually fight her way out. She might be able to dismember the minotaur with a spell, but then she would have to fight four entire crews worth of men. "I demand blood and Gold..." Victoria chocked out.
Admiral Hungun looked confused at this statement. He was taken aback by the sudden demand. "What do you mean you demand blood and gold? You think you can make demands of me!"
"My loyalty is cheap. Just blood and Gold." Victoria replied, "I am a warrior, battlefield tactican. I am also a powerful mage to cover my female weaknesses."
"Female weaknesses?" The minotaur asked curiously.
"Females tend to be physically weaker than males in most species. I use magic to out muscle those physically stronger than me. I am confident that is why Captain Crow used magic too. To cover his female weaknesses." Victoria replied.
The minotaur laughed. He tried not to. He dropped Victoria and turned aways from her. She hit the wooden deck with a thud. Victoria simply sat on the floor and watched. The minotaur regained his self control, "Yeah! I loved Captain Crow, but he was a weird one even for a human. If you really want to claim his title. I have something in mind."
The Minotaur looked at the other two sea captains and began to explain, "As you all know Lady Salna, our King, has given us a mandate to seek artifacts of the old world to further her research. The Viragraf have a large stockpile of artifacts which they constantly refuse to share with her. I thus have personally demanded I conduct a raid against Viragraf. I, however, am unwilling to commit my entire fleet to a single raid against those land lovers. So, this is why I sent for you both, Captain Velvet and Captain Tin Tik. Your crews and mine were supposed to conduct a joint raid. However! The lady 8th Captain here decided to show up just in time. SO, Captain Pax will be leading this raid. If it is successful, then she will have her ship and title. If she fails, she will die. That simple. Questions?"
"What artif- no, is this all the ships that are coming?" Victoria asks still not getting back on her feet.
"Why, do you want more ships?" Captain Velvet asks. Victoria confidently shakes her head no.
"This is what you have to work with, girl." The Admiral minotaur says as he walks away.
Victoria smiles, "Good, we will attack at the morning's twilight. Just before dawn tomorrow. We catch them as they awake from their sleep."
"I am in command here, you mad witch," A male voice came from near the stern of the ship. A rather regal looking, red headed pirate stood at the top of a set of stairs. He looked down on Victoria from his high perch. He did not look like he was impressed by Victoria. He had seen mages before. In fact, he was one. Confidently he spoke for all to hear, "I am Captain Issac Crow. I am a Sea captain of the Raldoran Navy. 8th Captain in the Red Fleet. Who are you, girl! You dare board my ship, kill my crew, DEMAND MY PRESENCE!!! Who are you and by who do you claim authority to do these things?"
Victoria glared up at the man studying him. Long cloak, boots, and one sword that hung on his right hip. The mans appeal did not hint much to Victoria. However his tone and body language suggested a lot of hostility towards her. Victoria smirked and replied, "Your crew tried to disarm me. That was an insult I could not tolerate." Electricity visibly rippled down from Victoria's left shoulder and began to collect in her left hand as she began to silently cast a spell. She spoke again, "I am Sophia PeaceCraft. I claim the authority to do as I please by the right of power alone."
Captain Crow chuckled and waved his hand passively, "I believe I overheard you call yourself Rachel Hargrove before killing my minotaur. Your inability to tell constant lies betrays your nature. Your entire mystic is shattered now. You play all high and mighty, which holds power against those too cowardly to test the waters."
Victoria felt her lightning spell scream as if it needed more mana to complete. Something was not right. It could be the nature of this world that made this spell need more mana than usual or Victoria just got hit with a weak counter spell. Victoria could discern if the latter was true, this sea captain must be a mage. Victoria denied the spell its mana, letting it fizzle out. Victoria stuck the merfolk blade into the wood on the deck of the ship. The captain gave Victoria an opportunity and Victoria was going to use it. Victoria smiled innocently and shrugged. Innocently, Victoria apologized, "You are right. In all the fast actions, I forgot I had already spewed out a name. I am not practiced, but it was a good defence while it lasted. What happens now?"
The Sea Captain shakes his head slowly and replied with the authority of a cold judge, "I have no mercy for you any more than i have for my crew. You lost me my best raid leader. For that, I will smite you." The Captain raised right hand up to the sky. Magical red flames erupted out of no where and began to take the shape of a long spear. Once the spear formed it solidified and descended into the Captain's grasp.
Just as the captain grasped the spear, a wave of fear crashed its way through his body. It chilled him through and through. The flame spear vanished as he gasped to catch his breath. His eyes quickly locked onto Victoria. She was not smiling anymore. She was glaring at him like an angry dragon. Her eyes showed the intent to kill him. Victoria then spoke up, "What is with the lapse of confidence, Captain Crow? Surprised that you are not the only one who knows counter magic?"
The comment reignited the Captain's anger. It overcame his fear. Once again he created the fire spear. This time Victoria decided to use darker magic. Without uttering a word or losing her fixed gaze, she hit him with yet another counter spell. The Sea captain grabbed his chest with his left hand and fell against the ships railing. The crew that had been silent in shock and awe of this confrontation collectively gasped as they saw the captain stumble. The flaming spear never faded from the captain's hand this time. "Damn you!" The captain screamed as he hurled the spear at Victoria in anger.
Victoria did not flinch as the flaming spear passed by her head. She felt the heat of the spear on her cheek as it passed by. Other than a few singed hair the spear completely missed. The crew were blown away by how little Victoria seemed to react to the spear. They had seen that spear murder countless lesser beings. Victoria had not even flinched. Coldly and calmly, Victoria spoke, "I admit, I am surprised that spell did not kill you. Perhaps you should abandon hope of fighting me with magic."
Victoria pulled sword off her hip, sheath and belt all. She began to wrap the belt straps around the hilt to keep the sheath from coming off the blade. Confidently, she took her eyes off the captain as she looked down as she tied the belt straps on the sword. She shook her head fanning disappointment but really looking at the crew. The crew were content to watch this battle, they may even support her now that she has shown their captain to be mortal. "By Iroas," Victoria thought to herself, "What am I doing? There is no option to stop now until I take total control of this ship. I am creating a non-lethal weapon to kill this captain with... Iroas?"
Victoria looked up from her sword to see Captain Crow descending the steps towards her. His sword was held confidently in his left hand. Victoria smiled as she took up her sheathed sword in her left hand to match. She has won this already. The captain growled, "How pathetic that I am forced to fight you like the lowborn scum. Fall, witch!" He swung his sword in a horizontal slashing motion. Victoria ducked quickly. Her knee hit the wood deck with a loud thud. She quickly grabbed the merfolk blade she had set down early with her free right hand and cut at the Captain's abdomen. The blade cut easily, disemboweling the captain. Victoria bolted to her feet and backed away a few steps. The captain howled in pain as he charged Victoria. She effortlessly deflected his sword thrust by hitting his left forearm with her sheathed sword. Immediately she then plunged the merfolk blade through the Captain's heart. This did not stop the captain's momentum though. His bleeding body slammed into Victoria knocking her over. Captain Crow, 8th Captain in the Red fleet, died as he bleed out from his wounds. Victoria had to drop both her swords in order to push the captain's bleeding corpse off of her. She climbed to her feet as a pool of blood gathered at her feet. She grabbed her sheathed sword off the floor and admired her kill.
"Looks like we have a new captain," a merfolk crewman picked up his blade from the captain's pool of blood. It was the same merfolk, she stole the blade from.
"Didn't I throw you off the ship?" Victoria asked curiously while blood dripped off her dress.
"Yes, you did. But as you said Miss Captain. I am a 'fish person'." The merfolk replied, "Name's Clyde. I was the first mate under Captain Crow. I suggest you take my advise and command this ship to set sail to meet up the Admiral's flag ship. You now command one of his ships. It would be unwise to try to use this vessel for long without his blessing."
Victoria looked around at the crew. They were all awaiting orders. "Very well, We sail to the Admiral's flag ship." Victoria commanded, "First Mate Clyde, my beloved dress is now covered with blood. Show me to the captain's quarters so I may change. Then make sure we get where we are going. Sadly, I do not know how to sail"
Clyde motioned Victoria to follow and laughed, "Honestly, neither did Crow!"
--------------
Several days past after Victoria seized command of the ship, apparently named the Black Angel. There was nothing around but ocean. The crew had spotted no other ships nor land. Victoria spent most of her time in the luxurious Captain's quarters. She had finally gained her sea legs so she could finally keep her balance in a fight on deck. Fortunately, Everyone on the crew seemed to accept Victoria's command. Either they were fine with a young woman taking over or they were too terrified to challenge her. Unfortunately, this state of affairs bored Victoria. In her boredom, She actually took time to dismantle Captain Crow's wardrobe. The captain seemed to enjoy dressing formally. Victoria, however, scraped many of the outfits to make more feminine attire.
Victoria was just about to cause trouble for her new crew out of boredom when the call came that they spotted a ship. Victoria came out to see. Three ships were sailing on the horizon. All three bore red sails. Immediately, Victoria began to calculate the odds of winning a fight against such odds. It was doubtful that their would be a fight but Victoria wanted to be prepared. She watched the ships constantly as the Black Angel approached the them.
There was some commotion as Victoria's ship came into the fleet with the other three. Her crew and the nearest ship began shouting insult and chanting their ship's praises as to outdo the other ship. The Merfolk Clyde seemed to be the only one working on actual matters of politics. Finally, the merfolk got the ship alongside the Admiral's. ropes were tossed and planks were layed to allow for moving between the two ships. Victoria and Clyde made their way across to the other ship. There was a handsome human man standing in the middle of this ship next to a hunchbacked goblin. The Goblin snarled at Victoria. The man extended his hand to Victoria, "I am Captain Adam Velvet, 5th Captain in the red Fleet. This goblin here is Captain Tin Tik, 14th Captain in the Red Fleet."
Victoria shook the Captain Velvet's hand, but before she could introduce herself, Clyde did it for her, "This is Victoria Pax. She bested Captain Crow in fair combat, both magical and with steel. She is to replace him as the 8th captain in the Red Fleet."
"That is very interesting. Congratulation at besting Crow." Captain Velvet said with a forced smile, "Best of Luck to you."
"Who replaces Captain Crow?" A booming voice comes from blow deck. Slowly a figure begins to climb out of the ship's hold. Horns were the first thing visible as a massive minotaur emerges.
The two sea captains casually step away from Victoria. Clyde nervously answers the minotaur's question, "Ad-Admiral Hungun. Victoria Pax, this lovely lady standing before you has met the requirements to become... I mean, hold the title of 8th Captain of the Red Fleet. She killed Captain Crow in fair combat, Sir."
The minotaur looked at Victoria with anger and hatred. He stepped forward till he toward over her. Victoria looked up at the minotaur always making eye contact. There was an awkward moment of silence as the minotaur thought. Without warning, the minotaur grabbed Victoria by the neck and lifted her off the deck. Victoria immediately grabbed the minotaur's arm to prevent herself from being choked. Admiral Hungun growled, "Captain Crow was a good friend of mine. Last remaining member of my original crew. Why do you think I should spare your life."
Victoria's mind raced trying to figure a way out of this hold. Her feet dangled in the air. If she reached for her sword, the minotaur would be able to crush her windpipe. She could planeswalk away but she hesitated doing that. Mogis help her if she decided to actually fight her way out. She might be able to dismember the minotaur with a spell, but then she would have to fight four entire crews worth of men. "I demand blood and Gold..." Victoria chocked out.
Admiral Hungun looked confused at this statement. He was taken aback by the sudden demand. "What do you mean you demand blood and gold? You think you can make demands of me!"
"My loyalty is cheap. Just blood and Gold." Victoria replied, "I am a warrior, battlefield tactican. I am also a powerful mage to cover my female weaknesses."
"Female weaknesses?" The minotaur asked curiously.
"Females tend to be physically weaker than males in most species. I use magic to out muscle those physically stronger than me. I am confident that is why Captain Crow used magic too. To cover his female weaknesses." Victoria replied.
The minotaur laughed. He tried not to. He dropped Victoria and turned aways from her. She hit the wooden deck with a thud. Victoria simply sat on the floor and watched. The minotaur regained his self control, "Yeah! I loved Captain Crow, but he was a weird one even for a human. If you really want to claim his title. I have something in mind."
The Minotaur looked at the other two sea captains and began to explain, "As you all know Lady Salna, our King, has given us a mandate to seek artifacts of the old world to further her research. The Viragraf have a large stockpile of artifacts which they constantly refuse to share with her. I thus have personally demanded I conduct a raid against Viragraf. I, however, am unwilling to commit my entire fleet to a single raid against those land lovers. So, this is why I sent for you both, Captain Velvet and Captain Tin Tik. Your crews and mine were supposed to conduct a joint raid. However! The lady 8th Captain here decided to show up just in time. SO, Captain Pax will be leading this raid. If it is successful, then she will have her ship and title. If she fails, she will die. That simple. Questions?"
"What artif- no, is this all the ships that are coming?" Victoria asks still not getting back on her feet.
"Why, do you want more ships?" Captain Velvet asks. Victoria confidently shakes her head no.
"This is what you have to work with, girl." The Admiral minotaur says as he walks away.
Victoria smiles, "Good, we will attack at the morning's twilight. Just before dawn tomorrow. We catch them as they awake from their sleep."