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Chapter 8
Solomon’s ship made its way slowly to the war frigate. The lone pirate ship should be an easy battle for a SOTL. But Solomon had learned that even the biggest ship can be destroyed by the smallest of ships. Solomon did not let his guard down. As they made progress towards reaching the pirates Commodore Solomon commanded his crew to load cannons on both sides, just in case. The hot sun only worsened the crews mood, saying, “This day be too hot to go to war, well drown in our own sweat” The pirate ship drew nearer and the rest of the navy fleet drew further away.
The ship was almost in range, they just had to turn so the broadside cannons could line up with the enemy ship. BOOM! Cannons on the front of the enemy ship fired, splintering wood as it hit Solo’s navy Ship Of The Line. The navy ship turned and so did the pirate ship. On a quick change of plans Solomon ordered to shoot at the masts instead. BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!! After the initial broadside form Solomon’s ship there was a low creak, then another and another. 3 masts came tumbling down from the pirate ship. Another few cannon shots rang out over the water. These were fired from the almost de-masted pirate ship. Huge chunks of wood flew away from the SOTL, these were no ordinary shots. Solomon noticed that each shot was on fire.
Even more shots rang out from the pirate ship. Grappling hooks landed on Solomon ship. Soon both ships were next to each other. After a few gun shots, pirates swung across from their ship. Solo drew his sword; hacking through a pirate that was charging towards him. Even more pirates boarded the ship. Solomon sliced at an opponent, but his attack was parried, Solo quickly blocked a cleave from the opponent he attacked. They exchanged blows for a short while. The pirate dropped to the floor when Solo did a move he learned from Captain John; twirling the sword by your side – that distracts the opponent- then quickly stab them in he chest. Yells of pain ran across the deck as pirates and navy alike where wounded. Soon even more pirates boarded the ship, along with them was a man that walked with an air of command and power. Was this their captain? Solo Wondered. His thoughts were confirmed when he issued orders; “Kill them all if ye want to get home, me ship be de-masted! We need this ship, mateys” He noticed Solo, and more importantly, his commander lapels and badges. He charged on over to Solomon with a wicked sword raised.
Solo parried the attack. Dang it, he’s Strong, Thought Solo. Solomon retaliated the attack with 3 quick slices. This attack disarmed the Pirate Captain, but he drew a dagger and continued fighting. Solomon fought the opponent for what seemed a long time. “Me be having to admit, matey, ye be a very goo fighter, says I” yelled the pirate during the battle. Knowing that he would loose this battle Solomon ran away from his opponent. The pirate started chasing him but got distracted by Solo’s best swordsmen, second only to himself; Liz.
After leaving his opponent Solo had time to evaluate the fight. Neither side was winning, but Solo knew he had to call for help in order to win. He rang over to the alarm bell. DING, DING, DING!!! Three times it rung, to summon only Hectors ship, he did not want others to get involved yet. Solo glanced over to the fleet. A moment later the sails on Hector ship were raised. Now, all they had to do was wait. Solo ran back over to Liz. She was still fighting the captain but she was getting very tired. The Pirate brought his dagger down in a cleave for what would have been Liz’s death, if not Solo had blocked the attack. Solo pushed Liz away and continued to exchange mighty blows with the pirate Captain. Cannons blasted from Hector’s ship into the pirate ship, before he rounded to the other side of Solomon’s ship and boarded it as well. He came over with about 100 men. Solo hoped this would be enough to win the battle.
The pirate captain embraced the oldest and noblest pirate tradition and ran away. Solomon didn’t give chase. Instead he went over to Hector. “They are very hard to kill, and the ship takes little damage to cannons” Stated Solo as Hector examined the battle.
“Voodoo” Hector cursed.
“Voodoo” agreed Solomon.
The fighting went on for another few hours. The navy grew tired. The pirates however, didn’t tire because of some voodoo spell guessed Solo. One by one the navy dropped, dead or exhausted. Solomon was proud of them. But they had lost. As a final act, Solo ran over to the bell. He rang it 8 times. This would tell the fleet to retreat. Solo was surprised when they hadn’t fled after the pirate ships mast magically reappeared. The pirate captain was fooling with them earlier. Hector ordered anybody to go back to his ship. The navy ran and used ropes to swing across. Leaving Solo, Hector and Liz behind.
“Commodore, Captain, The Cook, Board the ship!!!!” Yelled a navy officer. Solo looked at Hector then Liz. They nodded saying; “We must”
“Nay,” Yelled Solomon, “Cast off that’s an Order” The navy ship soon had he sails raised and sailing away. Leaving the 2 navy soldiers and the 1 cook aboard the SOTL with a whole army of pirates ready to kill them. “Throw them in the brig or it be the devil to pay!” shouted the pirate Captain. With that order Solomon, Liz and Hector where thrown into the jail. Along with unconscious navy soldiers that had passed out in the heat off battle. Liz was thrown into a cell with two other soldiers; another cell contained 4 more soldiers. In Solo’s cell was Hector….
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