1880 The Queen's Pride, Off the Coast of Boston

Rain. It fell from the sky in heavy sheets, mingling with the briny waves washing over the deck. The bow bucked and pitched underfoot, foam crested waves towering as high as mountains, tossing the small merchant ship high, before plunging the boat into deep watery caverns that seemed to go straight to the ocean bottom.  The crew aboard the Queen's Pride stumbled over the deck, numb fingers struggling to tighten lines, reef the sails. What little clothing they had was plastered to their bodies like a second skin, and still they fought on, despite fatigue, to keep their ship afloat.

In the midst of it was Captain George Haynes, one of the finest swordsmen to serve in the Queen's Navy before he retired. As the storm had gotten worse he had cast off his hat and worked shoulder to shoulder with his crew, the rain plastering his iron gray hair to his head; his hands, covered with numerous scars, gripped the wheel in an effort to keep the ship on course. 

"Captain!" came a cry and Captain Haynes turned slightly as his first mate moved toward him, carefully keeping his footing on the slick deck. A giant of an Irishman, first mate McGinty was fiercely loyal to the bone.

"Captain," McGinty gasped. "Bates in the crow's nest spotted a ship sir, just off the starboard side. If we can hold until they get here-"

"Aye, we just may have a chance to survive the storm. Try and get their attention, Mr. McGinty."

"Aye sir."

Suddenly Captain Haynes spotted a flash of red in the bucket line and his jaw tightened slightly in anger. He handed the wheel to a crewmember.

"Keep the ship steady man, there's something I must attend to."

He strode over the deck, towards the crew bailing water and seized a small, slender figure with tangled flame-red hair and pulled them out of line.

"Katherine Elizabeth Haynes! What the devil do you think you're up to in this storm?"

Grey blue eyes, exactly like her mother's, blinked innocently up at him, as she tried to wrench free.

"You called for all hands on deck, Father."

"Don't try that hogwash on me Katherine, your youngest sister is more skilled than you and I don't have the patience. I told you specifically to stay in our cabin."

            "I want to help, Father!" she protested, but Captain Haynes tightened his grip on her and pulled her towards the aft cabin.

            "Aye, I know lass, but your mother would skin me alive if you caught your death of cold. "  He opened the cabin door, the wind threatening to blow it shut. "Now get inside."

"But I-"

"I'm the captain around here lass, that's an order!" he roared, and Katherine's mouth drooped into a sulk. She stomped inside just as the wind yanked the door handle from Captain Hayne's grasp. It slammed shut behind her.

"Captain! The ship has spotted us! " Captain Haynes turned toward the shout, pushing his matted hair back in relief. Bates, sandy hair saturated with water, swung down from crow's nest with a triumphant grin on his face.  Captain Haynes clapped him on the shoulder and bellowed above the rain, " Good work Bates! Did you hear that lads? Help is on the way! Keep those bucket lines going! McGinty, give me the wheel! If we can survive this storm, tis a tale to tell our grandchildren!"

Ragged cheers could be heard from the crew as they resumed work with renewed spirit this time.

Farther away, on The Black Hawk

            First mate Yale wiped raindrops off the spyglass with a grubby rag and peered through it. He could barely make out the golden glow in the gloom.

"Merchant ship you say? How could you tell she was in distress, Mr. Morris?" Morris, a small, wiry, monkey-like man shrugged his shoulders.

"Yer not goin' ta signal with a lantern if yer not, sir. She waved that light around for a good while before I responded. Most likely she sprung a leak somewheres."

Yale closed the glass decisively and nodded, a small smirk appearing on his vulpine-like face. He handed the spyglass back to Morris.

"Have all hands seize extra arms and be ready to board that vessel.  Would be bad manners not to assist them, don't you think Mr. Morris?"

Morris smirked as well.

"Aye sir." He scampered off, spreading the word. "Ship off the starboard side! All hands be ready ta board!"

At the wheel, Smith, a stout man with a bushy beard, skillfully nosed the pirate ship closer to the unsuspecting Queen's Pride. All crewmen remained at their posts but they were tensed and waiting, eyes on the ship as they moved closer, and closer...

The Queen's Pride

Inside the cabin she shared with her father, Katherine scowled at the ceiling, while the ship rocked violently around her. "Tis not fair" she muttered to herself, "I could have helped." She snuggled down under her wool blanket, her eyelids drooping, as the weariness overcame her. "I could have helped," she murmured as she drifted off.

They attacked without warning or mercy,           swinging from the Black Hawk over to the almost defenseless Queen's Pride. Pistols in hand, swords at the ready, they cut down everyone in their path. Haynes' crew was exhausted and unprepared but they fought back with whatever they had. Fists struck, daggers were wielded, and tarred rope used in attempt to keep the pirates at bay.

In the thick of it McGinty and Haynes fought, their backs to the aft cabin door, swords darting out like silver snakes, striking almost too fast for the eye to follow. McGinty was younger and still strong, but Haynes was flagging, sweat forming on his brow, only to be washed away by the rain that was still falling. Though a better swordsman than most of the opposing force, he could not continue to fight against the overwhelming numbers indefinitely.

McGinty glanced back at the door they were protecting. For once, the captain's daughter hadn't come out to investigate the commotion. He sent a silent prayer she had the sense to stay where she was.

Bailey surveyed the scene of chaos on the deck, automatically dodging a blow from a desperate seaman, parrying his second attack and killing him efficiently. A grizzled, fit man in his fifties, Bailey was a veteran fighter, known for his skill with the blade. He fought with the instinct honed over thirty years, disarming the crewmen around him while keeping an eye out for a worthy opponent.  

The waves washing over the deck where red with blood; Bailey sidestepped carefully as the ship rocked underneath him and a dead crewman, rolled past him. Farther down the deck Yale fought, a pair of daggers in his hand. A giant of a man charged him, wielding a piece of spar like a club. Yale calmly stepped back a pace, sighting his target and threw. The blade whistled through the air, burying itself in the giant's chest. He fell forward, landing on two unsuspecting crewmen. They screamed and tried to free themselves as Yale moved toward them, smiling cruelly.

Bailey turned away in disgust. Then, he saw them, there by the Captain's cabin; two men, veterans themselves, fighting almost back to back with skill that surpassed those of their colleges. Worthy opponents indeed, Bailey thought, and began to fight his way toward them.

"We can't keep this up much longer sir!" McGinty shouted. He was parrying with a dark-haired pirate armed with a cutlass.

"Keep your sword up, man!" Haynes shouted, and grunted in pain as his opponent nicked him in the arm. He glanced back at the door fearfully, but it remained closed. "About turn!" he yelled to McGinty, and understanding the old move, each man rotated, back to back, switching fighting partners and attacking the other with reknewed vigor. Haynes dodged the dark-haired pirate's lunge and calmly ran him through, kicking him off the blade in an almost effortless motion.

God, he must be getting old, he thought to himself as he ducked, avoiding a swing from a pirate wielding a club. Old wounds ached as he held his sword, his knees complained as he ducked again, this time following through with a backhand cut, slicing into the calf of the club-bearing pirate. The man screamed and dropped his weapon, Haynes stepped forward with another downward cut, and the man screamed no more.

Another man appeared out of the fray and Haynes seized him up, noting the easy way he held his sword, how he remained balanced on the balls of his feet. This was more than a merciless pirate with a sword, he was a merciless pirate who knew how to use his sword. A second pirate moved in as well, and Bailey waved him away.

"No!" he yelled. "This is my fight!" The pirate moved off.

Haynes stepped forward, raising his sword up to an inch away from his forehead in salute, than sweeping it low. Bailey returned the greeting. They circled carefully, than both stuck at the same time, steel ringing on steel. Their swords flashed, moving almost too fast for the eye to see, the blades singing their deadly song as each man struggled to gain the advantage. Around them the rest of the battle continued, the rain still fell, the deck heaved under their feet, men still died. Then suddenly, an enormous wave crashed onto the deck, drenching them both. Each sputtered, wiped the water from their eyes, lunged with their swords again, but Haynes was half a second too slow. His blade struck empty air as Bailey sidestepped, and sliced into his right arm, blood staining his shirt crimson.

Haynes cried out in pain, still managing to hold onto his sword. He started to raise his blade again, then McGinty suddenly stepped in front of him, parrying Bailey's ferocious onslaught. Bailey barely registered the switch, but continued his attack while McGinty did his best to defend. Haynes hesitated, watching.  McGinty glanced back, and Haynes saw death already in his friend's eyes.

"Go on Captain!" McGinty yelled, "I can hold him off for a little longer!"

Haynes staggered to the cabin door and managed to wrench it open. He barked his knee on something hard as he stepped into the gloom and saw his desk and chairs had been piled against the door. He shoved through it, slamming the door and heard an intake in breath from the shadows, and the slight whisper of steel.

"Put down the sword Katherine Elizabeth." He said, and heard the ring of a blade being thrown on the floor. He staggered as she threw herself at him with a cry.

"Father!" What is going on out there?"

"Pirates, lass. There's no time to loose. Help me get the window open."

If he could get his daughter and himself out the window, there was a jollyboat tied down below in case of emergency. 

The bolts complained as they were released, then the windows opened, wind rushing into the room, rifling papers, sending them flying. Haynes looked down and groaned in despair.  The boat's line hung severed, the rope slapping the side. At the same time he heard McGinty scream, and knew his friend was gone. The door shook as someone began battering it down.

"What are we going to do, Father?" Katherine whispered, her face white with fear. Captain Haynes tore the hem of his shirt, and used the long strip to bandage his injured arm.

"Tie this off lass, I cannot manage at the moment." She obeyed, fingers trembling slightly. He looked around the room, searching for a suitable hiding place. The desk and chairs were still against the door, leaving the bunk, bolted to the wall. It was the only thing that offered cover, and while an obvious place, with luck, no one would suspect him to have an extra passenger.

Katherine jumped as the door cracked. It wouldn't hold much longer.

"Hide under the bed, Katherine."

"No." He glared at her and saw her chin was stuck out in defiance. The door cracked, splintering.

"This is no time to argue with me lass! Hide, stay quiet, and wait until I say it's safe."  Katherine picked up the sword she had thrown on the ground and gripped it in her hand. Raised her eyes to meet his calmly.

"I'm fighting with you Father." She said, and Captain Haynes felt the pride and love for his daughter prickle his throat. She balanced naturally, holding the sword he had made for her two years ago in her hand, and watched as she brought it up in defense as the door cracked in half. They had the same stubborn jaw-had had the same wild red hair- and now they stood, side by side, facing death together. She was already growing into her looks, he saw with a tinge of sadness, and it pained him that it would be over in a few minutes.  He chucked her lightly on the chin and smiled at her one last time.

"Be brave," He whispered. "You're a Haynes." Then the desk was shoved out of the way and three pirates, Bailey included, strode in.

Haynes turned, sword up-raised, towards the intruders. A bear of a man with a silver hair and beard, he stood tall and proud, defending the last part of the ship that was still his.

"All right you murdering swine, " he growled, "you may have captured my ship and murdered my crew, but I'll be damned if I die and don't take at least one of you with me. " Katherine stepped up beside him and raised her sword.

"That goes for me too." 

Bailey hesitated, his eyes on Katherine, as did the other two, but not for long. Yale stepped forward, a cruel smile on his face.

"An old man and a girl; will not make for much of a challenge. " He moved toward Katherine, but Bailey stepped in front of him. There was a clash of steel as Yale met his attack, meeting skill with brute force as the second pirate advanced on Katherine.

He staggered back in surprise as Katherine skillfully parried his attacks, then sidestepped a lunge and sliced a cut into his arm. He howled in fury.

"Damn hellcat! I'll kill you!" He swung wildly, then gasped in agony as Haynes sidestepped Yale's attack and ran Katherine's attacker through without missing a beat.

"Leave my daughter alone." He said coldly. Yale swung at Hayne's unprotected side and Katherine met his attack, parrying and scoring a shallow cut on the man's cheek.

Yale turned towards Bailey and snapped, "Bailey! Cease napping and help me!"

Haynes used the distraction to kick Yale's feet out from under him, so he landed on his back, gasping . Haynes levered his sword at Yale's throat.

"Last words, pirate?" Haynes asked.

"Aye," Yale spat, " die!" He gripped Hayne's blade and pushed it away from him, plucking a throwing knife from his belt in the same motion. He threw, the knife piercing Captain Haynes in the chest. Slowly, Haynes sank to his knees, the sword falling from his grip.

Dimly, he heard Katherine screaming, saw the room as it faded around him, felt the rough wood floor of his cabin as he collapsed. And then, there was nothing.

She saw, as though from far away, Yale grab the sword, saw the blood on his hands as he forced it away from his throat. Then the small blade flying though the air and her father was falling; crumpling on the floor.

Katherine was suddenly aware of someone screaming, and realized it was herself. The two men were looking at her, the man who had just killed her father watching her, cruel features making him look like a hungry fox. The other, graying and tough, more like a giant bear.

Yale stood up, and began tying a scrap of cloth around his hand for a bandage.

" Now then," he said, "What shall we do with you?"

Katherine adjusted her grip, levering her blade at the two men.

"Keep back," she hissed, "next time I won't leave you with a graze." Yale laughed, circling her.

"A blow of luck, little girl. It won't happen again."

He lunged suddenly and Katherine parried, holding the weapon in two hands like a broadsword. The blades tangled, disengaged and came together again. Yale was using brute force, each blow sending shocks up Katherine's fingers to her arms. She shifted her weight, pivoting as Yale lunged at her and the force of the thrust sent him stumbling past her. As he did she stuck out her foot, tripping him. He sprawled out on the floor for the second time, loosing his sword in the process. He scrambled for it and turned to find Katherine's sword at his throat.

Yale looked wildly around for an escape. There was none.

"Bailey..." he said quietly, but the large man did not move.

"Bad luck to kill a child, Mr. Yale." Bailey said.

"Aye and worse luck to ignore orders from an officer." Yale snapped, He started to rise, but Katherine stopped him, touching his throat with the tip of her blade. She stopped moving.

"Bailey!" He said angrily, and Katherine glanced briefly in his direction.

"Move and he dies, pirate." She said, her voice shaking slightly. Yale began to laugh.

"The girl has spirit at least," he said bitterly. "That's the first thing I'll break before I kill her."

"You first, murderer," Katherine said, steeling herself to strike the blow. Suddenly she was struck from behind. Stars exploded across her vision as she collapsed on the floor beside her father. Before unconsciousness claimed her she heard Bailey yelling, "No! Don't kill her!"