Era of a Red Sky

by Ryan Gilbert

  “Captain, are ye sure she’s not trying to kill us? That witch nearly beached us twice already. What’s to say she ain’t got the Navy waiting for us?” asked Clint, carefully navigating the patches of sand that jutted out from the islands.

  “I’m pretty sure she ain’t tryin’ to kill us. If she wanted us dead, then she wouldn’t have helped us fight Every.”

  Clint shook his head, listening to Riggs’ side of the argument. His friend was forgetting one important detail.

  “Riggs, she helped Every too.”

  Much as he did not want to admit it, the Captain knew Clint was right. Wynona Alystor had helped both sides during their battle against the other. She had said that she liked to watch the chaos, but Riggs was not buying her story. She struck the pirate as strange. If he had ever known a loose cannon, then she was definitely one.

  Taking a step closer to the wheel so that only Clint could hear him, Riggs said, “I know full well that she helped that bony wretch. Right now, if she has information that can help us fight Hades and Ororis, then I’m willin’ to take that chance. Are you?”

  For a moment, Clint could say nothing. Even though he could tell that his captain was frightened, he could also see something else.

  He could see bravery. He could see it clawing at the surface of his friend’s actions, trying to manifest itself fully. In all of the years that he had sailed as a pirate, he had never seen another man with the grit and determination that he saw on his captain’s face at that moment.

  Nodding at last, Clint said, “Aye, Riggs… aye.”

  Riggs grinned, clapping his navigator on the shoulder.

  “That’s the spirit, mate.”

  The rest of the time spent in the cluster of islands was rather uneventful. Thanks to Clint’s navigational abilities, the ship passed through with relatively no more challenges. Some of the crewmembers even silently praised their various gods as they neared an opening in the islands back to the open sea.

  As they were exiting a small formation of islands, a call instantly rang out across the ship. It was a call that none of the men wanted to hear.

  “We’ve got company!”

  The crew rushed around, trying to prepare the ship for battle before Riggs could even say a word. Crewmates ran to and fro, trying desperately to be ready to defend the ship.

  Not even one single shot had been fired yet.

  “What be de orders, Captain?” asked Ripper, standing at the top of the stairs to the lower decks, ready to shout down to his gunners.

  “Hold until I say to fire,” said Riggs, raising a spyglass to his eye.

  Staring through the glass, the pirate captain could see the other ship approaching. To his surprise, it did not look hostile. None of the portholes were open, so they were not expecting a battle. Directing his attention toward the flag, he could not see any sign of a Union Jack or another skull and crossbones. Instead, he saw what looked like blue weighted scales over a white background. As the ship turned to the side, he could see the figure of a woman embroidered on the sail.

  Riggs let out a sigh of relief. The ship was not there to attack them.

  It was the Blind Justice, Margaret Stephenson’s ship.

  After the defeat of Every, his daughter, Maggie, took the remainder of his crew as her own, repairing and repurposing the Fancy into her own vessel. There was no need for alarm.

  “Calm down, ye trigger-happy mongrels. There’s nothin’ to worry about,” Riggs laughed.

  “Who is it, Captain?” asked Eli.

  With a knowing smile on his face, Riggs said, “I think you’d know.”

  The carpenter knew exactly what his captain meant.

  “You mean it’s her?”

  “Aye, mate… your lass.”

  As the pirates signaled for the Blind Justice to come alongside the Red Sky, they laid eyes on the unusual crew of Maggie’s ship. Hands of bone spun the wheel as the skeletons turned the ship to sail beside the pirate vessel. The sight of Every’s former crew was still rather jarring, especially since they were all still no more than bare bones. The only person still technically alive onboard the ship was Margaret. Before long, the vessels had slowed to a stop, resting on the sea.

  The pirates waited calmly as a longboat from the Justice was lowered down to the sea, bringing with it several of the bony crewmembers and Margaret. As members of his own crew let down a ladder, Riggs stood on the deck, waiting to greet the pirates’ guests.

  Mere moments later, several of the skeletons climbed up the ladder, standing in front of the pirates. Riggs and his friends, particularly Eli, could only recognize one of the undead creatures. Ben, Maggie’s first mate, had changed little since the last time that they had seen him, identifiable by a gauge in his jawbone. After he stepped aboard the Red Sky, he shifted to the side, making way for his leader.

  Riggs grinned, giving Eli a teasing nudge.

  “Welcome aboard the Red Sky… Captain Stephenson.”

  Margaret Stephenson climbed aboard the ship, her gray eyes staring at each of the pirates. In front of her previously blind eyes, she watched blue lines pulsate over everyone and everything around her. She had changed considerably since their last encounter.

  Her brown hair had become far more wavy, even as a dark blue bandana wrapped over her forehead. She stood with an elegant confidence, a stark contrast to the timidity that she had displayed for most of her life. A deep maroon coat with black trim lay draped over her shoulders and a knee-length skirt, specifically designed for easy mobility, covered her legs.

  Eli had never seen her look so beautiful.

  “It’s a p-pleasure to be here, Riggs,” she said, her stutter having gradually gotten better over the past couple months.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Riggs saw Eli staring at Maggie in awe. Turning his head toward his carpenter, the Captain raised an eyebrow, amused by the look on his friend’s face. Once Eli noticed Riggs looking at him, he flashed his captain a pitiful, almost begging look.

  Chuckling, Riggs gestured from Eli to Maggie and said, “What? I ain’t stoppin’ ye, mate.”

  “Much obliged, Captain,” said Eli with a smile.

  The carpenter stepped forward, embracing his former fiancée and giving her a quick kiss. Several whistles could be heard coming from the crowd of pirates, but Riggs quickly told them to shut up.

  Turning his attention back to Margaret, Riggs asked, “If I may ask, what brings you this far out on the seas? Last time we saw ye, you were sailin’ away on that dastardly ship.”

  “It’s no l-longer the Fancy, Riggs. I’ve c-changed it to suite my own needs.”

  “I know. I know. It’s still frightenin’ though.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Taking off her coat and handing it to Ben, Maggie said, “We’ve been s-searching for ships and crews that might be able to h-help us battle the Dutchman. That’s what’s brought us all t-the way out here.”

  “Any success?” asked Riggs. Both crews needed all the help that they could get.

  To his despair, Margaret just shook her head.

  “None that we have f-found were willing to fight. They all ran… l-like cowards.”

  Riggs started to say something, but the female captain shushed him.

  “But… we have h-heard rumors of a pirate gathering. Perhaps, if we find them, then they m-may be able to help.”

  “Unlikely… but it’s worth a try,” said Riggs.

  The Captain felt Julia’s hand slide into his, trying to reassure him.

  Julia asked, “Is there anything that we can do, Captain Stephenson?”

  All that Maggie could do was shrug.

  “Pray to God,” she said.

  Riggs threw his hands up in the air. He needed a concrete answer.

  “Anythin’ else?”

  “Just k-keep an eye out for crews who want to fight. We c-can use anyone,” said Margaret.

  “We’ll make sure to,” said Clint, speaking out from behind his captain.


  “Thank you, M-Mr. Wayko. That’ll help immensely.”

  All of the pirates could sense the dread in the conversation. It was unspoken, but still very palpable. As Riggs looked around at his crew, he could see the forlorn looks on their faces. They knew that facing the might of the Navy was a death wish. The Dutchman was much worse.

  Trying to lighten the mood, Riggs brought his attention back to Margaret, saying, “Would ye like to join me and my friends for a drink in my quarters? It’s the most I can offer right now.”

  The female captain reached for Eli’s arm, draping her hand over his elbow. With a smile, she said, “I’d be d-delighted, Riggs.”

  Following a rather jovial meal, the two crews decided to part ways for the time being. Everyone left with their spirits lifted, at least temporarily. After giving Eli a goodbye kiss and bidding farewell to the rest of the pirate crew, Maggie and her band of skeletons rowed back over to the Blind Justice. In minutes, the sails dropped, filling with wind and driving the ship forward. The two mighty vessels sailed away from each other, the Red Sky following the green path in the heavens and the Blind Justice following its own path to finding crews willing to battle.

  They could only hope.

  For the next couple hours, the pirate ship sailed alone, the canvas pulled taut by the wind. There was a calmness over the seas that gave the pirates some comfort, but not much. The bow of the Red Sky cut through the waves, making its way toward their destination.

  The sun fell from the sky and past the horizon, letting the bright light of the full moon shine down on the ship and the sea. As the moon hung suspended in the night sky, the pirates soon noticed a familiar sight as Alystor’s green line in the sky started to glow brighter. Even with the light of the moon, they had found it difficult to see exactly where they had arrived until they were a bit closer to it.

  It was Jamaica… and Alystor was leading them straight past Rebelde.

  As they passed the inlet where the town had rested, they could still see the broken vessels resting in the water. In the light of the night stars, they could tell that many of the buildings had been destroyed, the fires extinguishing themselves long ago. The watchtower had fallen, crushing the building next to it. The air smelled musty and dank, the smell sticking with the pirates until they sailed by. The entire scene evoked horrific memories from the crew. In that instant, every single one of them remembered the moment they had to watch the Navy massacre the citizens of Rebelde.

  Nearly all of the pirates stood on the deck, staring at the remnants of the town, hoping to get sailing down the coastline as soon as possible. Thankfully for them, they did. None of them could stand to see the wanton destruction and death that rested so close to them, but at the same time, they could not look away.

  Merely ten minutes later, the Red Sky finally seemed to reach where Alystor was hidden. The green line darted down from the sky, plunging into the water beside the shore. The pirates could see the green still glowing, albeit more dispersed in the water.

  “Drop the anchor,” Riggs ordered, “We’re here.”

  At his captain’s side, Clint said, “I don’t like this, Captain. I’ve got a bad feeling in the pit o’ my stomach.”

  “And ye don’t think I have the same feelin’?” asked Riggs.

  “I’m just saying, Captain…”

  “I know, mate. I know.”

  As his crewmates started to prepare a longboat for the short trip to shore, Riggs made his way to the rail, saying, “Julia, Coral Jack, Ripper, Eli, and Sapphire… I want all of you to come with me. Clint and Valera, stay and guard the ship.”

  The mermaid started to protest, begging, “Captain, can I please come along?”

  “Val, I need you to stay here. If someone attacks the ship, let out a screech.”

  “But Captain…”

  Riggs held up a hand to quiet the mermaid. He could see the hurt in her eyes, but he had no other choice. No one else had the ability to summon them like she could. Calmly, he took her aside so that he could talk to her apart from the rest of the crew.

  “Listen to me. I am sorry, Valera. I am so very sorry… but I cannot let you come along. I need you here.”

  Subtly pointing a finger back at Coral Jack, Riggs said, “I will keep him safe this time. You have me word.”

  “Promise?” asked the mermaid.

  “I promise.”

  Valera nodded her head, showing that she understood.

  “Would anyone else like to speak up?” Riggs asked the rest of his crew.

  None said anything. They knew what to do.

  The six pirates in the search party climbed down into the longboat, taking with them a lighted lantern. With the moon still high in the sky, they needed all the light that they could get.

  It took mere minutes to reach the shore, the pirates pulling the longboat out of the reach of the tide and securing it so that it could not float away. There was an eerie silence hanging over the beach. It was disconcerting for the crew as none of them knew what to expect.

  In a hushed voice, Riggs said, “Keep an eye out, mates.”

  Coral Jack asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.

  “Keep an eye out for what exactly, Captain?”

  “For me.”

  A calm voice emanated from the trees at the edge of the beach, drawing every ounce of the pirates’ attention. Startled, Sapphire crouched behind Ripper. All of their eyes darted to the location of the voice, watching the branches get pulled away to reveal who had spoken.

  Wynona Alystor stepped out from the brush, finally revealing herself to the crew of the Red Sky. Her green eyes had a glow about them that caught every pirate’s eye. Her dark hair hung from her head in a disheveled mess, but she did not seem to care. The dress that she wore looked grimy and covered in dirt, but her posture was befitting that of an arrogant princess.

  “At last, we meet in person, Captain Riggs,” said Alystor, opening her hands in a gesture of showmanship.

  Keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword, Riggs said, “Aye… Wynona Alystor, I assume?”

  “In the flesh,” she said with a calm smile.

  The two parties stood in silence for a moment, each observing the other. The pirates did not know what to make of the strange woman. She looked like nothing more than a crazy beggar wench.

  “Can you prove that ye are who you say ye are?” asked Riggs.

  He needed to make sure they were not falling into a trap.

  Without even a word, Wynona opened her palms wide. A green glow started to run up her arms and stop at her throat. Suddenly, behind Ripper, Sapphire wretched, her hands clutching at her chest.

  As the fairy’s blue eyes turned green, the pirates heard the voice of Alystor, except this time, it came from two people.

  “I think this proves exactly who I am, Captain,” said both Alystor and Sapphire.

  Just as abruptly as she took control of the fairy, Wynona let her free. Sapphire dropped to her knees, trying to regain her breath. With Ripper helping her stand, the fairy turned toward the magic-user with anger in her eyes.

  “Why… you… witch!” Sapphire shouted, whipping out her wand.

  Before the pirates could stop her, the fairy blasted a ball of light at Alystor. For a brief second, Riggs thought he could see a look of panic on the strange woman’s face, but he must have been wrong. She effortlessly deflected the magical attack into the ground.

  “Saph, what the bloody hell are ye thinkin’?” Riggs shouted.

  A laugh from Alystor cut him off.

  “Don’t blame the fairy, Captain. She was merely reacting to my intrusion.”

  Wynona shot Sapphire a sinister smile and said, “Regardless, it would take a lot more than that to harm me.”

  “So you’re the one who’s been taking control of me?” the fairy blurted out in a fit of rage.

  With a sneer on her face, Alystor said, “Trust me, darling, you’re not my first.”

  Sapphire brought her wand
back to try to attack the magic-user once again, but Riggs caught hold of her wrist just in time. They did not need to start a fight. They just needed answers.

  “Sapphire, I order ye to stop this right now!” Riggs exclaimed, glaring at his friend.

  “Yes, Captain Riggs. Try to control your crewmate. You can’t have her getting hurt, now can you?” Wynona said, taunting the pirates.

  The pirate captain was starting to get frustrated. He and his crew had not come this far to just be ridiculed.

  “Ms. Alystor…”

  “Forget the formality, Captain,” Wynona interrupted, “Alystor will suffice.”

  “Fine then… Alystor… why’d ye bring us here?”

  The sneaky sneer still would not leave the woman’s face. Staring deep into Riggs’ eyes, she raised a finger and wagged it at the Captain, seemingly scolding him.

  “For the answer to that, you need to follow me,” she said, turning her back to the crew and walking back toward the trees.

  Riggs sighed.

  “Bloody hell…” he said, following behind the magic-user. It was all that he could do.

  Wynona led them away from the beach, deep into the woods. The pirates had no choice but to follow. She led them over a tangled mess of tree roots, causing several of the pirates to fall as they caught their feet in the wood. As the group reached a clearing, Riggs felt a crunch underneath the heel of his boot. Looking down, he jumped backwards, nearly knocking Julia to the ground.

  Beneath him was a decomposing corpse whose neck looked like it had been broken.

  “I see you met Captain Every’s victim,” said Alystor.

  She did not even bother to turn around.

  “You mean he’s…”

  “Yes, Captain Riggs, he’s been here since Every arrived to see me,” answered Wynona, seemingly not caring one bit.

  “You didn’t even give him a proper burial?” asked an astonished Julia.