Katarina West's Story

Six hours before nightfall

Evelyn watched from the tree line as the crown jewel of the British fleet took anchor, just off shore of the lush island. As she lowered her telescope with a smirk she caught a glimpse of Katarina's scarlet locks near the helm of the ship. She cupped her hands over her mouth mocking a doves coo letting her crew know the plan was under foot. She quickly made her way to the temporary base her crew had taken up.

"Doc I want you and Kid to stay back, I hope we won't have anyone for you to patch up but just in case." Her brow shot up slightly as she heard a groan of disagreement from Etten. Before she had time to react to him she heard Matthew clear his throat just slightly. Etten sighed catching the look of disapproval clear on Winters's face he went to join Eliza with rosy cheeks. Evelyn winked at Winters as she turned her focus to the others. "Al,Matthew, and Kato you three are going in with me. Jack will be rigging the their ship once they make land fall as soon as he has lit the bombs he will head back to be extra support for Doc and the Kid should anything go sour." She unrolled a map placing it on the table before them.

"Kat said that they plan on holding the feast on this side of the island. I want Al and Kato to come in from the west. You will have three to four guards to break through, they need to be taken out as quickly and as quietly as possible. If anything goes wrong fire one warning shot from your pistol and get away. Winters you and I will come in from the east. We will drive the vermin to the water just in time to watch their ship burst in to flames." She drove her dagger into the spot on the map a smile working to her lips as the crew cheered. "And remember don't blow Kat's cover just yet."

Nightfall

Al and Kato made their way over to the western side of the huts as the feast was beginning, and waited for Eve's signal. Eve and Winters finally got over to the eastern edge, and with a sharp one note whistle she gave the others the signal to move into action.

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Six hours before nightfall...

The deck was buzzing with activity as the anchor was lowered into the water. Katarina stood near the helm of the ship, all smiles today. To anyone around her, the bride-to-be was obviously glowing with excitement. Her icy blue hues looked as though they would melt glaciers into tears at any moment as the young woman watched the bustle around her. She could hear the crew members shouting at each other, commands or orders or blaming this person for that or this being out of place. Everything was supposed to be perfect for the small island wedding. It had been her idea- the island wedding. Away from the eyes of court and all the fussing and decorative ballgowns. She just wanted it to be him, the priest, and her-- but of course, that couldn't exactly be done. He was an important man, after all, and so she begrudgingly accepted that his crew and first mate would be there to witness the wedding.

Her parents had died when she was fourteen, leaving her to an elderly aunt who was institutionalized. So naturally, none of her own family were present. 'You're my family now,' she had told him one evening over dinner, her eyes glittering in the candle light. He would provide her a life filled with the finest things a Naval officer could provide... at least- that's what the other women thought. Kat smiled politely to the figure who appeared by her side, offering to help her from the ship. She was a lady, after all, and climbing in and out of ships was not her forte... right?

Nightfall

Within a few hours the feast as set up and Kat found herself pacing anxiously in her tent. What if something went wrong? Forcing herself to take another breath, she turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her dress hugged her figure beautifully, but with the sun going down the hat was simply not needed. Removing the parcel from her outfit, she gently set it down onto her wardrobe. The crew had done a wonderful job of setting up her tent, it was a pity they were all about to be killed. Taking one last look at her hair, which had been curled into ringlets before leaving port, Kat turned and followed the sound of a joyful tune belonging to a flute. The sun was setting just over the water, why she had reasoned she wanted to be on this side of the beach in the first place. Painting on a smile, she made her way over to her husband-to-be. "You look wonderful, darling-- as does this food! Why, I never... There's so... it's beautiful. I love it. Tell me you love it too!"

Her eyes are bright with adoration as she looks up into her fiance's weathered face. He is some years her senior, but by the look on her face- you'd never be able to guess she was thinking anything else. To be sure, she looked madly in love with the man before her- as though she would pull him into an embrace at any moment. The feast was starting. In the distance Kat heard the sound of a sharp whistle and she snapped her head around- in the opposite direction from which it had come. "Did you hear that? That blasted cabinboy. He is always so dirty, my love, I don't know why you allowed him to come." Her lips purse as she looks to Hugh, as though he is to blame for the whistle. Quickly the wrinkles in her face smooth away into a smile as she gently reaches to place a hand upon his cheek, "No matter," she purrs, "soon it will just be you and me..."

The dove call signaled the end of Al's reading time. He placed the book into his "on-shore" satchel that lay in the dirt next to him. Whenever the captain had the crew go land-side Alphonse would bring a small bag with a book and a candle, for lulls in the action where he could take up a comfortable spot and study. He swung the book over his shoulder and hopped down from his tree just nearby the make-shift pirate camp.

He landed silently and made his way to the meeting. Most everyone else was already in attendance when he arrived, and he found himself between the cabin boy Etten, and the Quartermaster Kato. Al smiled to each upon his arrival and quietly awaited the Captain's orders with his hands behind his back.

A disagreement about his assignment put the Kid in the doghouse, and lead him away from Al's side and over to Doc's. Al let out a small chuckle, then perked up when he heard his name. He, Kato, and Winters were going into action, which is usually the plan anyway. Kid and Doc did not have the combat experience that the rest of the crew did, so they usually stood behind. Al knew though, that among the 'fighters' of the crew he was the least experienced. Still, the Sea Artist could hold his own.

He was to be teamed up with Kato. This was good news, as even if he had trouble, Kato would most definitely be able to pick up the slack.



Al was situated behind a boulder overlooking the still 'in construction' feast. He could see the guard he was to get rid of, but they were the far from his mind at the moment. He was much more focused on Katarina.

He could see her silhouette from his spot. She was pacing about her tent while they set up the feast. He could only imagine how she must be feeling. She had to pretend to be in love with that Navy captain, and she had been for so long. It had been so long since they'd last spoken. It was tough to see her with him.

He was shaken from his day dreaming by the whistle. He placed his hand on the hilt of the rapier at his side and rose from his hiding spot, casting a look across the treeline to Kato, waiting for the second signal from him. Al, was to take the two nearest himself, while Kato was to do the same.

Al switched his glance to Katarina, who was unfortunately not facing him. He'd hoped they would share a glance or something of the like. He would have to toss the though aside and focus on the mission. Kat would be safe. Alphonse had a job to do.

To say that men are not nervous on their wedding day would be, in the case of one Hugh Marlow, a blatant lie smothered in falsity with a good dose of fabrication. Beneath his calm and authoritative facade as he bustled around the chaotic deck, calling out orders and in general keeping himself as busy as he could get away with without actually taking someone's duty from them, he was a bundle of nerves ready to snap at any moment. It was partially due to his own disbelief at the current events, moving in almost a daze, waiting nervously to be woken up to a harsh reality where a young woman like Katarina, his Kat, would hardly bat an eye at a man like him, aged prematurely by battles and the harsh realities of the sea. But there was no sudden awakening; he was still there, boat anchored beside the lush little island with preparations for a wedding- his wedding- very much underway.

Well, if he were to be more accurate, it was more Katarina's wedding than his own, not that he'd ever begrudge her anything she fancied. She had chosen the destination with the kind of delightful determination she always had, insisting on something personal, something away from the stuffy courts and balls where they'd first met one another. It hadn't taken much arguing and, while his father had been certainly furious when his son had announced their wedding plans, if it was for Katarina, he was willing to face his father's displeasure. In fact, the only thing that Hugh had insisted on was the presence of his men, his crew, his family, all wrapped into one. Yes, Katarina had done her best to pout and simper and cajole him into changing his mind, but on this one thing he remained firm. He wanted- no, he needed the support of the men he'd handpicked to be by his side through thick and thin because he was getting married. He was getting married.

The thought spun around in his head, and he couldn't help the small smile that tugged on his lips. This would, no doubt, be the happiest day of his life. Tomorrow he could worry about his father, about his job, about the difficulties of a long-distance marriage since Katarina was much to delicate to be kept in a rough naval boat full of men, about pirates. Today, however, today was a day for celebration. Today was going to be one of the happiest in his life.





The feast had been arranged with no issues to speak of, the tents had been set up with the quick efficiency that he had come to expect from his crew… Everything was ready. Well, apart from Hugh himself as he stood a little ways away from it all, breathing in deeply the salty night air. He tugged helplessly at his uniform sleeves, but did not say a word, too busy staring out at the calm ocean in front of him, the stars mirrored from the Heavens above into the deep abyss that had become his second home. There were no chores to be taken care of, no last minute details to be arranged- nothing to distract him from the even before him. He fiddled with his sleeves again, anxiety still coiled in his stomach, tearing his nerves to shreds as the sly seeds of doubt began to be planted in his mind. What if- what if Katarina decided to call it off? She would have every right to- he'd never fault her for it, never fault her for anything. After all, what did he have to offer her? A husband who was constantly at sea? A weathered visage when he was not? There was no way she could be happy with him-

"You look wonderful, darling-- as does this food! Why, I never... There's so... it's beautiful. I love it. Tell me you love it too!"

Her words were like the waves of the sea, washing away his anxieties with a single exhale. He turned, a small half-smile tugging at his lips as he gazed back at her with the same loving, passionate intensity. She was gorgeous as she always was, her dress only serving to accentuate her natural good looks in such a way that he was completely convinced that he was the luckiest man alive.

"My dear," He said lowly, voice thick with adoration, "I… I must admit it's all lost on me. I simply cannot keep my eyes off of you." The words were achingly saccharine, but one must forgive a man in love for his sentimental follies. It was only a sharp whistle that caused him to tear his gaze away from the lovely creature in front of him, blinking and gazing around for the source.

"Did you hear that? That blasted cabinboy. He is always so dirty, my love, I don't know why you allowed him to come." The moment was broken then with a look of distaste overtaking his fiancée's face and one of mild exasperation falling over his. It was a conversation they'd had countless times, but it kept rearing its ugly head when Katarina had been among his crew for too long.

"Katarina," He sighed lightly, "I could not ask for a better cabin boy than Henry. I think that we can forgive some dirt and childish behavior for all of his virtues." His words were lost on her, apparently, as her face transformed from irritation to one of a sweet sort of composure.

"No matter, soon it will just be you and me..." His rough, calloused hand came up to meet hers, delicately pressed against her smooth skin as she cupped his face.

"That's all I've ever wanted, my dear," He replied with a delighted smile of his own.

Henry peel these? Henry wash this, now go pour drinks, wash these, dump out this rubish. This list went on and on, the fact that this whole wedding thing was going on was aggravating in the first place, but now it was proving to be anything but fun.

"Maybe I'll steal some scraps later." she thought as she dumped another bucket of peels and other rubbish of in a patch of bushes.

Making her way back to the Cookie she sighed, the Capn's bride to be had been almost more than Lavinia could stand.

"That dirty little cabin boy how could you let him mess up my beautiful day.", Lavina said in a sing song voice as she feigned a a faint. "Spoiled brat, I bet she never had to do a bloody thing for herself her whole life. Could've been anything whistling out in the jungle, but nooo. How dare something offend her precious little ears and she turns right to me. Insufferable twit, I can't wait till she goes back to the main land where she belongs."

As she drew nearer to the party once again the sounds of laughter and music being played filled her ears again. The smell of the cooking fire's, rum, ale, and wine hung strong in the air.

"Oi Kid!" said the Cookie motioning her over to his preparation area where he was tending to what looked like a large pig to Lavinia. "Henry, I got this other bucket of slop that needs tossed, now off with ya." he turned his back to her without another word.

"Why didn't ya just give me two the last time?" Lavinia asked with a bit of annoyance in her voice.

"Don't sass me I'll knock ya teeth clear down ya throat welp. The reason ya didn't get two the last time was cause it wasn't full yet, and the Cap'n would rather me keep ya busy with the trash then mussing things up. Now get ya arse in gear and do what I told ya." the cookie explained.

Lavinia was sure that if she said much more the cook would definitely fulfill his promise of knocked out teeth, she had been on the receiving end several times of a slap or a smack to the face for being foolish or clumsy. So with a bit of a groan, she picked up the other bucket leaving the empty one she had just returned with.

"It ain't my fault his bride is offended by a the sight of dirt on a kid. She's sure as hell gonna be in a rude awakening when the Cap'n knocks er up. But then again she'll have coin enough not to sully er hands with tending to children." the grumbling went on and on as she walked along the path she had taken before to dump the refuse. She dumped the bucket again, but something caught her ears suddenly, it sounded like something was moving out in the bushes. She swallowed with a bit of nervousness, it was like the air around her changed a certain uneasiness enveloped her.

It could have been anything, the island wasn't inhabited by natives but there were certainly plenty of large animals that could possibly be out there in the dark, unknown, jungle that surrounded the camp. There was another snap of twigs, the suddenness made Lavinia jump back and drop the bucket in her hands. She was about to make a run back to Cookie and take a beating for leaving behind the bucket. But she stopped when her eyes saw a small furry creature come out of the dark jungle. Lavinia stood there watching the small animal as it trotted up to the pile of food that was mounding up from her trips back and forth. She knelt down but didn't move any closer to the animal fearing that she might scare it off.

"Well aren't you a cute little.... whatever you are.", she rested her arms onto her knees leaning forward slightly as she watched the animal nibble on the meal she had unintentionally provided. "Well aren't you the lucky one.... at least someone small and insignificant gets to eat around here. Wonder what they'd think if'n they new some jungle creature is eat'n their lovely dinner. Guess they wouldn't care much, considering they call all this rubbish. You know several years ago... I would've called their rubbish a feast. I guess that's what you're thinking huh? An easy meal?".

Lavinia's stomach grumbled a bit, "Maybe I ought to go steal something to eat now, you enjoy yours though can't be too bad what yer eat'n all that fancy wedding food and all." She stood up and dusted her pants off.

"Ya know... I think I've learned one thing mister whatever the hell ya are. I'm not the marry'n type all this fuss, and she'll liable to be dead as soon as she has a baby or if'n something happens to the Cap'n at sea. Not that ya really care much, yer just some little animal eat'n rubbish, ya probably are wondering what the hell I am as much as I wondering about you. All this chatting to an animal, anybody else see me doing this would think I'm a nutter. Maybe I am... well hope like that, there's more where that came from so ya might want to tell yer friends. Just have yer party over here though, you try to crash the big one and ya might find yerself on the table."

She dumped out the rest of the bucked, and then started to head back towards the party once again. She started to think to herself about the decision she had made to join the ships crew. If she had stayed where she was before, she would have never had the pleasure of having conversations with animals like that, well except for maybe a rat or two. But nothing like the thing she had just saw. Anything was better than being treated no better than a dog... sometimes worse depending on what kind of mood her uncle had been in. Either way that was a past she chose not to think about as much as possible, as she made her way back over the path she had gone through before.

Arms across his torso held handles of two flintlock pistols, and a hawk-like gaze scanned the gallant feast for any misconduct. Nothing was going to go wrong this evening. Nothing. He stood silently in the corner, one eye on Captain Marlow at all times. This was a happy day. The captain's wedding day was certainly a cause for celebration, but it was not in Shester's nature to let his guard down. No matter the situation, there was always cause for a watchful eye.

Clay shifted uncomfortably in his tuxedo. As the first mate it was his duty to be the best man, while he would much rather be in charge of security detail, it was an honor nonetheless. He wished however, that he would not be forced to wear this despicable white suit. He missed the black leather of his that lied on the table in his quarters, white just wasn't his thing. He'd asked, almost begged, numerous times for the Captain to don the traditional black dress for his wedding, but that miserable woman would not let it go.

The captain and his fiance sat nearby eating together, living in blissful ignorance. They disgustingly fed the little cakes to each other. Smiles, giggles, blushes... This woman had the captain completely brainwashed. Clay just couldn't believe how fast the Captain had jumped into this relationship. It seemed too... artificial.

Clay was, of course, not against love in any fashion. It was something he had hoped he'd find in his travels. Though with all of his trust issues, his paranoia, and his accelerated ageing he feared he would never find the right woman, but he was happy for his captain. There was just something about Katarina that he simply didn't trust. He would not have his captain played the fool, so if the woman was not who she said she was, he would deal with her personally.

A whistle in the darkness...

Clay quietly moved from his post, heading in the direction of the sound. His hands tightened on the handles of his pistols, ready to draw at the slightest issue. The bride was quick to diagnose the whistle as the cabin boy, but Clay had to be sure. He approached the west corner of the perimeter, where he'd stationed the first guard unit. He leaned in to the superior officer.

"Be on point soldier, nothing is going to interrupt the Captain's special night." a nod was all he needed as confirmation, and he headed across to the second guard unit on the opposite side. Maybe he was being too paranoid. Maybe he should calm down and enjoy the feast. He knew that just wouldn't happen. Clayton Shester does not slow down, not even at a wedding.

Eve watched the Clay carefully as he made his way towards them, she spoke barely above a whisper to Winters "Stealth will be the better choice, but who ever that is we need to take extra care around, he noticed my call." She tilted her head towards Clay as she spoke. She glanced back over at Kat watching the Captain hang on her every motion, a pang of guilt washed over her until she caught his voice. It lit the fire in her as strong as before, the voiced echoed his fathers in her ears. She let her teeth grit together to keep herself from charging him right then and there.

She watched Clay waiting until he had made his way back towards the Captain and Kat. One of the men let out a sigh as the man walked away "It is a party and he act like we are in the middle of a fight. I am going to take a piss." Eve and Winters eyes met she flicked to fingers to the left as she headed right after the man who wasn't taking his job seriously, a smirk worked to her lips seeing the mans weapons at his post.

Eve followed the man, who thankful walked a decent distance from camp. She slipped her hand gently on to his shoulder, "Christ what is wrong with you..." He stop his sentence eyeing Eve up and down. "It dangerous for a lady such as yourself out in the night." The man said as he turned grabbing her right wrist "You could get hurt Miss." Eve laughed venom clear in her tone "You poor dull dim witted little man, have you any idea whom you have just tried to man handle? I will have your guts for garters" He lifted his lantern to look her more clearly, dropping it at his feet when he saw her dress. "PIR...." She clapped her hand over his mouth "You should have followed your damned orders." She buried her dagger into the mans throat running a slit from ear to ear letting him fall to the ground. She waited her body tense staying frozen as she heard the music stop. It only to a matter of moments before it picked up with a new song. She let out a jagged breath. Before she cleaned her dagger off on the mans shirt and made her way back over to where she had left Winters, who got back around the same time he did.

She glanced over at the other side, before she spoke to Winters "No trouble on your part then?"

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Katarina looked up at him lovingly as he replied, "That's all I've ever wanted, my dear." With a smile, she looked to the chef as he approached. "Dinner, is served!" She was nervous. How would she be able to eat? Her stomach twisted in knots as she walked after Hugh and took a seat by his side. As they sat down, Katarina looked over the many different dishes the chef had prepared. Most of the meal was seafood- and she had expected as much. After all, they were on an extremely remote island. The dot of land wasn't even on most maps and the ones it was on were few and far between. She had picked this location because it is owned by her family, one of their many plots of land given to them by the King. Yes, Katarina had managed to wiggle, claw, craw and pull herself to the very top of the British hierarchy. The plan Eve had developed years ago was finally about to bloom- but oh! How her insides twisted. What if something went wrong? Her neck was on the line. If she was exposed, she would be hung for sure. The thought of her delicate neck being wrapped with rope made her throat turn dry. Reaching for her goblet of wine, she took a dainty sip and continued to pick at her food. She hoped that Hugh wouldn't notice, but of course he probably would. He seemed to notice everything- it was something she pretended to love about him.

Or perhaps it was something that she genuinely loved about him. The thought made her pause, and she slowly looked up to the weathered face of her soon-to-be husband. Had she actually started to fall for this man? Through the many balls and parties they had been through together. No, of course not. But then, she could remember their first kiss. Standing on the balcony of her estate as her birthday party went on downstairs. Had it been her duty to Eve that had prompted her to bat her eyes at him, to take a hesitant step forward, to lift her chin just under his. had it been her obligation to the crew that pushed her to kiss him again after the first one? She snapped back into reality when she noticed she was staring intently at her plate and had missed a question asked to her by one of Hugh's men. Blinking like a curious owl for a moment, she allowed the memory to fade away before she blushed. "Forgive me, what were you saying?"

"PIRATES!"

Her heart stopped in her chest. Something was wrong. It was supposed to be just a simple 1-2-out-of-here. Her blue hues scanned the treeline as she bolted from her chair, effectively knocking over her wine goblet. "Pirates?" The alarm in her voice was genuine as her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. "Hugh? What's going on?" Katarina looked down the table at the selected men her fiance had chosen to come. They were all getting from their chairs as well, as if to respond to the call. Her mind instantly went to Al. How could she have thought for even a moment that she loved this man? He was going to hurt her sweet Alph. Her heart hammered in her chest as she desperately looked around the edges of the treeline- as if searching for him. Was he alright? What had gone wrong? She looked back Hugh, the color having drained from her face. To anyone who didn't know the situation, she would look genuinely terrified- as if she were afraid the pirates were going to get her. With this in mind, she stepped into Hugh's side- as though asking for protection. She knew he would undoubtedly send her to her tent with a guard and tell her to wait here-- or worse, ask her to go to the ship. The idea of being escorted to a vessel she knew was about to explode turned her blood cold. How would she get herself out of this?

Captain Hugh Marlow

The moment lingered in the cool night air, and, honestly, Hugh wouldn't have minded if it lasted forever. It was just the two of them, and of that one moment he fell just a little bit more in love because this was his wife, his wife, a thought that made his chest swell with pride and affection.

But no moment can last forever, no matter how hard we pray, and it was shattered seconds later by the announcement of dinner. Everything was perfect, he realized as both he and Katarina took their seats and looked out at the prodigious amount of food spread out before them. Everyone had outdone themselves, each moment of day perfected to the last shellfish, the last goblet of wine shined to perfection. As he took a sip of wine, Hugh had to admit to himself that the island was nice or, at least, a wonderful option in comparison to the stuffy ball that his father would still probably insist they have when they reached port. For one, here at least he could be surrounded by those he actually liked, not the nobles, the aristocrats, and those other captains whose idea of leading their men involved too much delegation and indulgence on their parts, all of whom he merely endured. Here he had his men, as imperfectly perfect as they always were, and, of course, the apple of his eye was seated right next to him.

How long had they known each other? How many years had gone by since she'd transformed from just some pretty young thing attempting to flatter a stalwart captain to the delightful creature next to him who he'd devoted his life to? It had taken some time, he remembered with a slight smile, sampling something spread out before him- it was delicious(his chef was no cordon bleu, but he had the talent of cooking to the captain's tastes) but he hardly even noticed what it was- before that change had occurred. When they'd first met, she'd been so young, no different from the many other girls flouncing and flitting around the ball with a single-minded desire to either have fun with as many young men as possible or find prospective husbands. When Katarina had found her way over to him, insisting on a dance, he'd only assumed that she was part of the latter and it had taken her until almost the last dance to convince him to come out anyways. That had begun their association, their little relationship that slowly but surely transformed into something more. He'd been leery, so leery of anyone who tried to catch his eye, but his Katarina had managed to worm her way past his defenses and carve out her own little place in his heart before Hugh had even realized it was happening.

"PIRATES!"

Hugh jumped to his feet, blood running cold in his veins. Pirates? Here? Now? No, no this was- this was madness. His hand went to the sword by his side and, with some slight horror, he realized it was the ceremonial one Katarina had given him some days ago, insisting that it looked so much more dashing with his uniform than his old, weathered one that, despite lacking beauty, was sharp as you please and ten times as sturdy as anything he'd had before.

"Calm down!"[/green] The exclamation carried over the resulting chaos from the exclamation, Hugh's face serious and full of a calmness barely keeping back the boiling hatred that had begun in his heart. [color=green]"Men, get to your stations! Clay, to me! Someone fetch me my sword!" He may not have been the largest man who demanded attention by sheer physicality, nor was he the oldest man whose sheer age was one to be respected, but he was their captain, a man who demanded attention because he'd earned it. He continued barking orders until he felt soft flesh being pressed against his side, a small, terrified voice somehow making itself heard.

"I-" He froze before softening his voice and expression- Katarina was a lady, she was not prepared for this, "I am so sorry, my darling. I never thought that-"[/green] He stopped himself again because it was going to be fine. He'd never let anything hurt her, this would all be fine. He waved over a crewman, Jacobs, who, despite being an excellent fighter tended to avoid the chaotic situations during raids and attacks and was therefore expendable and worthy of this so delicate task.

[color=green]"Jacobs, I need you to take care of Katarina. Take her back to her tent and protect her with your life." As the giant man waited, pulling his sword out as he went, Hugh turned to Katarina. "It will be fine, my love. Wait for me." And with that, Jacobs was guiding Katarina away and Hugh was turning back to the situation at hand. Already men were filing onto their ship, getting weapons to return to the island or going to their stations to prepare cannons or get ready for a hasty retreat if needed. But they, the British Naval force, had an advantage, Hugh was sure. They knew this island better than any pirate would, and it wasn't as if the pirates knew he was getting married. No, they'd be attacking near the shore hard and fast, and that, he was certain, they were prepared for.

The poor fool had no idea what was about to happen, but everyone is a fool when it comes to love.

Before she could listen to Winters report her heart felt like it stop and exploded all at ones as a yell pierced the darkness.

"PIRATES!"

she grabbed her sword in her hand watching everyone scrabble like rats to get away. She saw Al across the way from her, "Get to the dove!" She yell hoping her voice would reach his ears, Kat was in bigger danger.

She came out into the opening bringing her blade across two guards throats; as she walked over to where Hugh was standing. She cut down a few more guards, she flicked the blood off her sword landing a few drops on Hugh.

"All you have to do is give up and come with me and no more of your crew will have to die it is really rather simple." A small smirk worked to her lips matching her venomous tone as she spoke. "How many more of your men will spill blood for you, or better yet how much do you love that pretty little doll that was on your arm, It would be a shame if anything was to happen to her now wouldn't it be. So tell me Captain to Captain what will it be."

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Hugh was, as always, strong, confident, and prepared. Just as she knew he would be. Kat played her part to the 'T', looking dazed and confused until Hugh turned to her and wrapped her in his attention. I am so sorry, my darling. I never thought that-Jacobs, I need you to take care of Katarina. Take her back to her tent and protect her with your life." Kat looked to the poor devil who had been assigned to her. He'd be one of the first to go. She looked back to Hugh, eyes wide with what surely looked like fear, "It will be fine, my love. Wait for me." "Until the end of time, my darling," she said softly as Jacobs moved to escort her away.

They didn't make it very many steps before she heard her dearest friend taking down the guards around them-- including Jacobs, who had made a mad dash for her in an attempt to save his captain- the brave lad. Katarina had remained still, watching him with an innocent look of 'oh, what do I do now?' before she turned to run for her tent. She didn't even make it to turning completely before she felt arms around her. Genuinely surprised, she let out a scream. The feeling of a blade against her throat was all too familiar. With a little whimper, for show of course, she looked to Hugh as the bandit whispered in her ear, "Careful my dear, we wouldn't want to mess up this pretty dress of yours." Al. Her heart nearly faltered, and her words did. By the gods, it was Alphonse. Her sweet, sweet artist. "You'll want to tell these men to lower their weapons," she heard him add, as his attention remained focused on Hugh.

"Hugh!" she had managed to find her voice, but upon speaking, she pretended to have felt her captor's grip tighten on her. She'd wince and make quite a show of being in distress, eyes going wide as Alphonse added, "Or would you prefer the young miss here lose her head?" "Hugh, don't! Just take the ship and leave, just leave, please! You're the captain of the Navy, don't let them do this! Ow, that hurts! Stop it!" she gasps, twisting and pulling on Alphonse's hold. Oh, the irony... to be fighting against the pair of arms you fought so hard to find your way back to- only to try and break away from them and run into the arms you've spent years trying to escape.

One moment Clay was silently sipping his drink from his post across the party from the captain. The next everything went wrong.

"PIRATES!!!"

Clay was on his feet before the captain and was, and charged to defend his captain. "Clay, Get to me!" He heard the voice, but was already en route. He shoved the frenzied crewmen aside as they got in his way. He cursed these simple cabin workers for their ignorance, and he cursed himself as well for taking position so far from his charge. Suddenly a sea of marines flooded over him, blocking his vision of the captain.

"Damn you you useless cretins, move the hell out of the way!" he growled into the crowd. These untrained and unprepared cockroaches were keeping him from his captain. He resolved to use force. He threw a punch knocking the ingrate in front of him to the dust, following with another to a different crewman. A few bruises were nothing compared to what he would do to them if the captain were hurt. He continued to hammer away through his crew, eventually finding his way out of the crowd. His hands shot to his holsters and drew on the scene.

The captain was held by the blade by some filthy woman pirate. One pistol was trained on her, and the other on the pirate scum holding Katarina at knife-point. His eyes shot lasers to his targets. The only reason he hadn't fired was because the captain would not like his fiance to be drained of blood.

"let the girl free, and your death will be short and painless." He commanded.

The five stood in the most exemplary stand-off he'd ever seen. In one corner stood the pirate man holding Katarina, next to him stood Marlow brandishing a sword, on his right stood the lady-pirate with her own blade, and the whole thing rounded off with Clay, holding a pistol to each pirate's head.

Eve glanced over her shoulder at Clayton her brow arching slowly. "You see Sir," She tossed her sword to her left hand spinning the hilt in her hand in such a way to show she hadn't been using her dominant hand. She pulled a pistol from her belt aiming it back at the man behind her "This bullet ain't meant for you darlin' but it can find it's home in your skull as easily. Be a good little lamb." Her tone was as sweet as it was venomous. "Besides are you certain your aim is true, hate for you to kill you dear old cap wouldn't you?"

She finally noticed movement in the woods behind her, her face quickly turned on a look of fear. As she had hoped it had caused Clayton to make a quick glance over his shoulder. It was all the distraction she needed, just a moment. She spun on her heel tucking her gun back in her belt she cleared the distance between the two of them. She used the flat of her sword to smack the man's hand hard enough for him to drop his gun. "You wanna dance pretty boy we play by my terms." She kicked his gun away from him. "Best me with a blade and my men and I will leave with only his little doll in tow. If you lose well then I get everything I came here for." She mocked a bow as she brought her blade up taking a fencing stance. "Age before beauty."

This accursed woman, playing dirty tricks just like a pirate would. He stared down the silver blade in her hand. His gun was several feet away lying in the grass, out of reach. He had three more on hand, but he wouldn't take the chance of the male pirate decapitating Katarina. He'd have to play by her rules for now, but he was without a saber.

" Age before beauty."

He held up a hand to slow her down. "Please, Let me hold a blade first." He whistled over a nearby soldier. "Relinquish your sabre soldier" The soldier nodded silently and handed the curved blade over. Clay turned back to the pirate, touching the tip of his blade to hers. They locked eyes for a moment before Clay lunged forward with murderous intent. This was not a battle he could lose.

She stopped him at every thrust, every slice, every single attack he sent would be deflected with ease. He was not one for sword-play. He hated it in fact, but he was trained in it nonetheless. She was much more skilled than he. He had to find a way to get her to drop her guard, she had to have some kind of weakness.