Chapter 17
The Sky Battle
Within the sky a great battle began. King Evil’s fleet sought to lay siege upon the Men of Lion, determent to recapture his princess. However, when it came to taking a ship named The Raging Buttercup, it was proving to be somewhat difficult...
‘Fire!’ yelled Captain Frances, ‘all hands on deck – we make ready to board!’
‘We need to end this now,’ said Professor Clayton, ‘if we sustain another hit it will surely see us downed!’
‘Agreed,’ replied Captain Frances, ‘but not if I have anything to say about it!’ He raised his hand to command Queen Lioness Somichi’s archers, ‘ready...!’ he yelled, his ship taking damage once more, ‘fire!’
Cast forth came many lines of rope attracted to arrows. Aimed high, they fell upon an orc’s ship with a thunderous rain. Holding firmly within their chosen mark, they tightened sharply as both vessels drew closer and closer until the might of hull clashed against hull.
‘This is the moment of honour,’ roared Queen Lioness Somichi, casting her spear high into the burning sky, ‘for Queen, life and freedom we stand united!’
Above the fallen realm of the Creed, the boarding of ships had begun.
Droc neared the end of his climb – Click? – He hadn’t anticipated seeing the front–end of a pistol when reaching the top!
‘Ah me hearty, it’s a fine wee day for the old leisurely stroll, eh?’ said Captain Silver, ‘I’d give you a hand, but as you can see...’ He gestured to his crew whom stood by his side, ‘they don’t seem to have one to spare as it were.’
‘Ach sorry lad,’ replied the Magical–Pirates embarrassedly, ‘but wee privy Cap’s orders.’
‘I’d be Captain Wide Front Silver,’ explained the honourable Captain as Droc cautiously stepped aboard, ‘and this here is my fair and occasionally loyal crew. Perhaps I may be permitted to introduce myself a little less formally,’ he continued, ‘it won’t take but a mere second or two... I can assure you.’ – Whack! – The butt of a pistol crossed Droc’s head. Promptly, he hit the deck.
In the business of piracy, Captain Silver did try to make your experience worthwhile. The problem was you never actually knew when you were going to be a customer.
Suzan struggled to climb the rope ladder. Further ahead she could see that the Dwarves had reached the top. However, there seemed to be some sort of commotion taking place. Something about the way Samif wiggled his feet told her so? But she hadn’t time to think of that right now. If she failed to reach the top soon, by the look of things she might not reach it at all?
Above, the Magical Lock hopped aboard with Cara soon to follow. Droc son of Oric and his mighty fellows seemed to have everything under control – ‘Stand still you wee bugger!’ – Well, almost.
Soon the Magical–Pirates abandoned their position, coming to their chief’s side. But through the air came the roar of many engines. Out from the darkened clouds of war a small fleet of double winged aircrafts came swift in their flight. And a rain of pellets tore across the deck, the tail gunner striking the ship’s rudder as it daringly passed. Under heavy damage, Captain Silver’s ship began to lose control. Slowly, it drifted on a collision course with that of another!
Swiftly the Magical–Pirates jumped into action,‘prepare to return fire!’ yelled the Chief Magical Lock, huddling his clan about a cannon with eyes set upon its fuse line, ‘On my wee mark...’
‘Ach aye wee privy Cap, aye!’ they replied, ready to ignite the cannon.
‘I don’t know about this?’ said Cara worriedly, ‘maybe we should leave this one to the professionals – What do you say?’
‘Three...’
‘Hit the deck,’ she panicked, ‘Section–Eight is on the loose!’
‘Too...’
‘Step away from the cannon and assume the position!’
‘One...’
‘We’ve got innocent lives at stake here people?!’
‘Fire!’
The fuse was lit. It burned like wildfire, closer and closer to its core. Cara plugged her ears... but nothing seemed to happen?
Aimlessly, they stared about the cannon – BANG! – ‘Ach wee crivens?!’ – With a mighty roar it shot backwards, fuse still burning at its core. Across the ship’s deck it thundered, crashing through the far side and on... into the unknown?
The Magical Lock shook his head, glancing down to its clan’s feet where a red hot cannonball now lay? Cara simply fainted. String that cannon was proving to be somewhat difficult!
Below, Suzan felt the ship crash against the hull of another. Its force flung her from the rope ladder. Through the air she helplessly fell. Luckily, however, her date had arrived just in time; King Evil’s ship making way for a swift sail now that she had finally decided to drop in.
Captain Silver was busy coming to terms with the phrase “Problematic Customer’s”. On the bright side however, business never looked so good.
‘Hold still ya wee bugger,’ he yelled, ‘you won’t feel a thing for I give you me solemn word – hand on chip!’
When faced with the barrel of a loaded pistol, Droc couldn’t help but feel somewhat uncertain?
‘I think that I would much prefer a full refund if it’s all the same,’ he boldly stated, dead–eyed in the face of his attacker.
‘Sorry,’ replied Captain Silver sincerely, ‘but terms and conditions clearly state that we only do store credit, plus the occasional discount voucher between the wee hours of nine to five.’
Damn!
The pistol clicked nervously before him. It was time for some quick thinking; perhaps they had a twenty–four–hour helpline? On closer inspection, Captain Silver did seem to have a red call service button placed at his side; a slim slot marked with a dollar sign shining brightly underneath?
The problem being, he was fresh out of quarters!
A Cannon rolled aimlessly across the deck of an orc’s ship. Finding a doorway, it plummeted down a steep flight of steps, disappearing within the shadows below. A foot crossed the doorway; Captain Frances was eager to finish this boarding. After all, it seemed that he now had pirates to deal with too, Captain Silver’s ship helplessly wedged between his and the orcs.
Below deck, orcs hurried to and fro. Some carried orders to join the battle above. Others were to stay put, guarding entry to the lower decks – nobody mentioned anything about a frantic fairy strapped to the end of a Cannon?!
Quickly, they decided to get the heck out of the way. It seemed like the most sensible thing to do at the time.
Meanwhile, their Commanding Officer was busy preparing to set its prize free, as a large cage of iron filled with water held the captivity of a furious beast. ‘The battle is not yet lost,’ he said, gesturing to his crew to open a hatch door within the roof above, ‘just make sure to keep it on a tight leash. I don’t want it crushing the entire ship!’
‘But she’s hungry,’ said an orc, hunchbacked and frothing at the mouth, ‘needs more room to feed.’
‘I said a sort leash,’ he roared, ‘do not forget to whom you speak with!’
‘But we must please her,’ began another orc, nervously edging away from the cage, ‘the King would...’
Slash!
The crude edge of a blackened blade pierced his gut, ‘sort leash,’ he roared, ‘now open the damn hatch.’
On deck a cargo hatch began to part. Within the watery prison below many tentacles, monstrous in size, uncoiled toward the light. And rows of teeth lined the way to the ill bowels of its lair as the beast came forth, wrapped in a mass of chain. And its eyes were many, curved in pupil and intent on seeking out its prey with an ill watchfulness. The Air–Kraken had awoken, turning the battle now in favour not of orc nor of lion... but of its self!
Upon the Ribbon Dunes Kimchiku came at last, but those of the Creed would not be so easily defeated. It would take both he and Estarù to hold the Lord of Earth to battle. Within the shimmering heat they fought, as those lost to the b
attle above crashed to the earth with trails of distant fires burning in the sky. But about them many jackals entered the water, charging the Men of Lion with vile frowns set to the ill drool of teeth. However, Wasikiy’s braves would lay them slain, sticking their hearts with arrow or snaring their hideous form within netting. They would never give in, not while Kimchiku still held hope in defeating the Lord of Earth.
As for Zack, he could do no more than to survive the battle. But a lone Raider would seek him out, forcing him to the edge of dune beneath the tip of its spear. And Zack seemed helpless now for none could come to his aid in time. And the tip of spear did steady it’s self, willing to strike, unaware of a great span of wings that hovered above?
The dragon whipped its tail. The Raider was no more!
Quickly, Earru beckoning Zack to climb atop, assuring him that it was safe to do so. Together, they now sought to find Suzan.
Upon a small table stood a candle; Smoothly King Evil clicked his fingers, two napkins, one red rose and some romantic melody setting the evening’s mood. With his guest seated his faithful butler presented the menu.
Suzan didn’t seem pleased – The duck–tape may have been a little extreme for her liking, but unfortunately, when it comes to dating these days you never can be too careful.
‘Ah, one does love to watch the sun set,’ began King Evil, ‘though I must admit, the view is a tad bit dull this evening?’ Suzan tried to reply but her gag piece wasn’t helping, ‘yes, you’re quite right of course; I too enjoy more of an intimate atmosphere. Unfortunately, however, that’s what happens when you make reservation at the last minute.’ He turned, looking deep into her eyes while resting his head in a swing of webbed fingers, ‘Suzie – may I call you Suzie, mill Lady? – let us get to the point...’
A pocket knife flicked open with a menacing glint. Promptly, his faithful butler uncorked the Champagne.
‘May I suggest the veal? It’s quite tender this time of year and a personal favoured of mine,’ he continued, snapping the menu closed, ‘now, where was I... ah yes, wee, wee lovers ma dame. Traditionally I would begin by wooing you with words of poetry, flowers for show of affection and evening picnics by the lakeside. But I’m afraid by today’s standards, one email and an arranged marriage is about the most you can hope for.’ He leaned closer, ‘allow me be perfectly frank; I need a kiss and I need it now!’
His faithful butler gave a discreet cough, ‘your Majesty, if the spell is to be truly lifted you must concede to a more...’ he tried to find the right words to say, ‘...respected vow of honour.’
King Evil sighed. Another marriage could seriously spell bankruptcy. However, there was little time for thought. Apparently, a dragon carrying a certain Prince Charming was hot on their trail.
Things, it seemed, were shaping up to be just like his first marriage; simply outrageous!
The aircraft fighters came sharp and sudden. A fiery glow of rounds shot forth as the dragon swirled over and over, using the sky battle as a treacherous maze in an attempt to evade those whom would daringly follow. King Evil’s ship was close, but as Zack gave chase, upon the Ribbon Dunes Estarù and Kimchiku fought bravely against the Lord of Earth. However, the earthly being would prove to be a most formidable opponent, with point of spear and edge of blade of little use to his solid form of rock. However, Estarù was growing cunning to the ways of Sand Raiders. Drawing his blade once more, he anticipated the Lord of Earth’s path of reform. Once his effort found its mark, the water’s of the dune would serve him well!
...PLEASE HOLD WHILE WE ARE PLACING YOUR CALL...
‘Just great!’ said Droc while struggling with Captain Silver, ‘at $4.27 per minute, it’s a good thing I called collect!’
...WE APOLOGISE, ALL ARE OPERATORS ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED...
‘It a’d be a wee scam if ever there was,’ confessed the Captain, impatiently waiting for the dwarf’s call to be connected. After all, ever customer had the right to make a formal complaint, didn’t they?
...PLEASE HOLD WHILE WE ARE PLACING YOUR CALL...
They both sighed with annoyance. This was going to take some time.
Samif struck his axe across the path of two orcs. Their yellow bloodshot eyes narrowed to the glint of his blade while the hideous screeching of the Kraken filled the air about them. Under the creaking of the ship’s deck, the orcs dared a foot closer. Samif came to meet with them – Snap?! – A rope, shaped in the form of a noose lying somewhat suspiciously upon the ship’s deck, wrapped tightly around his left foot?
The orcs swung their blades. The rope whipped high into the air. With Key–blades at the ready, a small clan of Magical–Pirates swung halfway down to swiftly strike their prey – Admittedly, their timing may have been slightly off?
Samif awkwardly glanced to his side, finding Airtu and Morku beside him. They looked like they were smiling. But then again, they were upside down!
...YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE SHIVER ME TIMBERS SHIP MATES & CO Ltd, A LUCRATIVE TRADING DESTINATIONS COMPANY, FUNDED IN PART BY THE MARINE ENTERPRISE BOARD AND OTHER PRIVATE INVESTORS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH A MEMBER OF OUR FINANCE DE
The Fallen Prince That Never Was Page 18