Black White and Shades of Greyy

by ElissaBeth Frear

A moment after the fire landed it dissipated in an impressive display of light and power. The low whistling sizzle of hot rocks grew into an explosion that sent a shock wave across the town and far across the waters covering everything in its path with a milky blue haze. When the smoke cleared the heavens released their fury in a rain of fire that had never before been witnessed.

  Sir Gilead was thrown across the clearing and landed at the base of a large tree. In town the crew of “Vharcan” was brought to their knees from the heat of the explosion. Few others of the town understood the impact but all were shaken.

  Chapter 174

  High in trees across the water the Tabaxi of several tribes felt the disturbance in the air. The meteor shower called them out of their hiding places to travel to distant lands. Their presence would soon be required and the deeply spiritual creatures knew better than to ignore such a summons.

  “The Charming” sat bobbing lazy in the harbor; Commander Roland White sat at his desk sipping a fine glass of brandy. The fierce blast shook the water as if it were cup on a table causing the ship to rock violently spilling the expensive liquor across the deck. The hair on the back of Roland’s neck stood on end causing a low groan at yet another quiet moment interrupted by events far beyond his control or understanding.

  When Sir Gil finally came to his senses the only evidence left was a scorched patch of earth where the small stone alter had been. The rage he felt was gone replaced by deep sorrow for the Crew and Captain of “Vharcan” but also for those in the village who had participated in the horrible events of the past several days.

  Port Bistrot had been shaken by subtle tremors along with several neighboring villages. Some of the citizens had felt it others were oblivious to anything unusual. The crew of “Vharcan” had been profoundly touched by the mysterious power that was unleashed. Kegan the Mad ran toward the Pub hoping to find Greyy to ensure she was safe. When he arrived he found most of the other crewmembers had had the same idea.

  No physical evidence was left to show anything out of the ordinary had happened but a feeling of peace rested on those who had gathered. The looming darkness seemed to have breaks allowing for the quiet peace to settle. It was a feeling most had not felt in years. The threat of being on the most wanted list for both Pirates and Navy held little pull or concern on the crew, they were finally being liberated from the curse and all felt it deep in their souls.

  The moment passed quickly as an alarm bell echoed across the town. A messenger galloped full tilt through town loosing an arrow with a summons to a nearby building. The page held an Empirical decree that any and all Pirates would be hunted and brought to justice. It also stated that any knowledge of the substance named “Cradle Rock Ale” should be brought forward immediately. There was a reward for information and capture of pirates and the Cradle Rock Ale.

  With the decree came heightened security in all towns housing any military establishment. Port Bistrot had suddenly become a very dangerous place for Greyy and her crew. They made their way back to the ship seeking quieter waters hoping the tensions would subside quickly. They did not realize the number of Pirates who had been taken at the Regatta nor were they aware of the grand stories that were spread about “Vharcan” and its crew.

  Chapter 175

  The Navy fleet had been decimated by the battle near Minerva’s Cradle and the rebuilding and repairs were far slower than anyone was willing to accept. The Fleet Admiral James Bishop was assigned the task of bringing in those who were responsible for embarrassing the Empire. Ships ran patrols continuously; any vessel afloat ran patrols regardless of condition. Those that needed repairs did while they made rounds.

  “The Charming” had dropped Sir Gilead off at the Port Bistrot harbor before returning to their assigned waters. Lieutenant Commander Roland White had been witness to much of what had befallen Greyylene and her crew. He was convinced she was not a master mind of the horrors that victimized her crew, however the reports he read said different. Roland was amazed at how quickly the pirates had betrayed one of their own.

  As dusk began to kiss the horizon of the open seas the call came from the crow’s nest.

  “Ship off the port side.”

  Roland had been given a lot of freedom in taking charge of the Fleet Admiral’s ship, but he feared that if news of their failure to apprehend Greyylene reached his superior officer the consequences would be more than he could pay. As the vessel approached he recognized it as the “Avenger”, Captain Horatio Washburn commanding. The ships came in close and line cannons were fired to allow for an exchange of crew and commanders to meet.

  Roland, Horatio and Fleet Admiral James Bishop gathered on “The Charming” behind closed doors.

  “Roland, I have disturbing news that you were aiding the Pirate Greyylene. Would you please explain how that was an acceptable decision?” Bishop waited for a response.

  “Sir, I read the report and I must say that is not how I witnessed the events that were stated. She was indeed at the outpost but she was not the aggressor. Her vessel was infiltrated by at least one saboteur that I am aware. I had Sir Gilead on board with me. He was the one who helped us find her. Let me tell you, sir, they were in sorry shape by the time we found them. I know I should have taken them into immediate custody, but honestly I couldn’t bring myself to do it. They were beat to hell, Admiral. She didn’t even give me a fight when we boarded; no words, no attempt to hide anything, not even a whimper of objection. They simply had no fight left. It would have been unsporting of me to bring them in especially looking like that.” Roland finished standing at attention awaiting his punishment.

  “Do you know where to find her now?”

  “They have a man in Port Bistrot we have been watching him for months now. If she isn’t there now she will be eventually. We can wait for her there.”

  “Very well, give the order to double patrols and we will wait for her to contact her man there. Roland, you better be right or you will be sharing a cell with your new favorite pirate.”

  Chapter 176

  In the months since the proclamation the world had been plunged into chaos with nowhere to turn. The streets were crawling with guards rounding up anyone who remotely looked like a pirate. A curfew had been set for every coastal town in the Empire. Anyone on the street at dusk was immediately arrested and taken away in the back of a prison wagon, no questions only whisked off to the jails. Small towns that had been accustomed to rowdy behavior found themselves harboring more fugitives than ever thought possible.

  Shop keepers and traders who had seen hard times before were prepared. Some had secret rooms under floorboards that led to underground tunnels. The tavern owners in Port Bistrot, Dragon’s Watch and WayFair had a maps posted in a secret panels located in the storage cellar for those who required an underground escape. The problem they were finding was getting to these places unnoticed by the guards.

  Day and night patrols would hound the streets searching for the missing crew of “Vharcan”. The reports that were released named her as a devil ship. It was well known that not every crewman was aboard when she set sail, and now the Emperor and the Commanders of both the Navy and the Guard wanted to arrest of the “abomination of the seas”.

  Port Bistrot had become a hot spot of military presence. Donny Porter was at the top of the list to find and apprehend. By taking Mister Porter it was believed that Greyylene would come in peacefully to rescue her crewman. So many guards roamed the streets movement of any kind was difficult, and remaining unseen was near to impossible.

  Skulking through the shadows desperately trying to return to his little trade and goods shop Porter realized just how dangerous the town had become. There were guards at every window, door and even the hole in the back wall used for speedy escapes. How they had discovered the tiny opening was horribly troubling. The question of how long they had been watching him shook Donny to his core.

  He stayed to the shadows across the road hoping the darkness would keep him hi
dden from the patrols. The silent streets held an eerie gloom with a menacing aura of irritated unrest. Every sound made the soldiers jump to investigate. Several rats had met a vicious end by scurrying from a rubbish bin or window sill. The stray cats were generally faster and had the added benefit of night vision far superior to that of the soldiers. None the less every noise made the patrols jump and rush to investigate.

  Chapter 177

  As Porter slunk in the darkness the movement of a cat threatened to reveal his location. Its high screech abruptly ended with low purring. Donny studied the darkness hoping to find a friendly face to be the cause of the cat’s change in temper. Finally gazing into a low lying tree he saw two pairs of faint yellow eyes staring back at him. Before he had a moment to respond huge paws had covered his mouth from speaking and hauled him up the tree.

  Terrified Donny perched barely sitting on the tree limb being held by a pair of thick hairy arms that wrapped around him and a paw so large it almost covered his entire face. He watched as the guards rushed the streets below him where only a moment before he had been hiding. When the soldiers past the terrified pirate was carried across the treetops out of the town and down towards the coast. When he was finally able to regain his senses he began to notice the surroundings. He was being taken to the “Vharcan”.

  Once aboard his ship he was released and finally able to meet his protector. A large Tabaxi towered over him smiling in a menacing feline manner that sent a chill down Porter’s spine. The smile was meant to be reassuring but showed as malevolent grin of a beast staring down its next meal. Soft paw prints from behind caused the sailor to jump, and the clawed hand that settled on his shoulder sent the poor boy into a raging panic and in need of being subdued.

  A silky soft paw descended from the darkness square between his eyes. The blank stare before Donny hit the deck was almost comical had it not been so terribly pathetic. Once he regained his senses Porter found that had been pinned to the deck by the backside of the large catlike warrior that rescued him from town. The graceful tail that flicked at the air gave evidence of not dreaming. A long slender blade lay across the lap of the Tabaxi, assumedly so as not to slice off the hapless pirate’s head at any sudden movement.

  The tall warrior peered down at the silly human studying him long enough to determine if releasing him was warranted. Rising to stand on his back legs the true height of the creature was astonishing. How one so huge could travel so quickly and quietly was a marvel. A low purr emanated through the Tabaxi’s entire being vibrating the wood decking. Donny gave a little giggle at the tickling sensation caused by the purr garnering odd looks from others on deck.

  “Where we goin?” Porter asked the tall warrior.

  All he received in reply was a nod of the head as the cat leapt toward the wheelhouse. Donny followed still a bit shaken. He had spent so much time on land that much of his sea legs had been left behind. The gentle sway of the ship to other sailors was easy to maneuver but for Porter it was an obstacle course.

  Kegan the Mad, Doc, Bullseye and several other crewmembers had gathered at the wheel. The only one missing was their Captain. Her absence made any thought of being covered by the curse and therefore protected fizzle into oblivion. Having Sir Gil and the Tabaxi on board helped to solidify the fact “Vharcan” was no longer an untouchable vessel. They were in trouble and it was painfully apparent outside assistance was required.

  “All hands report.” The order was sounded by Kegan who had the only voice deep enough to reach into every crevice of the ship.

  The crew gathered quietly on deck the leader of the Tabaxi patrol stepped from the Captain’s quarters to address them.

  “It is our desire to assist you in this time of hardship. We owe your captain a debt of gratitude and for this we will hide this vessel until a time where the rest of the circumstances can be resolved. You will remain with us as part of our clan and we will protect you. If you dare to leave our protection the seas will take their revenge.”

  As the Tabaxi leader was speaking a low fog bank began to gather and form around the ship.

  “Your Captain has taken a new voyage. She will break the curse that holds this vessel in the icy grip of anger and hate. What she does is her burden alone, and she wished none of the crew to suffer further for her mistake.”

  When he finished speaking an entire island paradise had mysteriously enveloped them hiding them from the powers that sought to capture them.

  Chapter 178

  Preparations were complete; the crew safely tucked away from Pirate and Navy prying eyes, the “Vharcan” was hidden with her Savages. Greyy set her jaw to her next great adventure and rode horse back to the Navy Headquarters building. The horse was a magnificent creature but something less than what her sea legs were used to. Sir Gilead rode with her as much for a companion as for a guide.

  Several days ride they arrived at their destination without incident. The Monk quietly blessed the Pirate Captain allowing her to continue alone on her quest. She was determined to end the Navy hunt for her allowing her clan to recover in peace. Sir Gilead would return to a quiet place and to research a cure for the dire Cradle Rock illness and Greyy would satisfy Horatio’s need to be promoted. It was a grand plan with far reaching consequences, but the omens were positive that it was not in vain.

  The quiet morning erupted in chaos as the great beast holding Captain Greyylene charged up the marble staircase outside the Headquarter building. Guards and officers scrambled to bring the outlaw to order. Swinging her longbow around her head and body Greyy knocked over lamps, chairs and guards who were far too comfortable to have been prepared for such an outburst. The horse leapt over a desk nearly smashing the secretary in the head with a hoof as the mount landed its rider flew through the air grabbing the edge of a chandelier raining glass crystals beneath her all to swing across the room and land against a tapestry. As the weight of her body strained the fittings of the ornate artwork ripped into shreds. The once lovely map that had been on the wall was now in a crumpled pile on the floor.

  Leaping as if there were springs in her feet the Greyylene launched herself over two approaching guards flipping in the air to notch an arrow into her bow. When she landed the arrow took flight pinning the arm of another officer to a nearby pillar. The reception area had filled with men trying to capture the flying creature with no success. At the end of the chamber a tall door opened just enough for Horatio to step out into a picture of utter mayhem.

  When she saw the door open she took another flying leap spinning over the top of one guard, landing and sliding between the legs of two others before coming face to face with Horatio. Pausing long enough to give a saucy wink she climbed the sides of the door entering the office. She took another running start before sliding across the floor between two more secretaries and Roland before mounting a chair knocking it over to tuck and roll across to the desk sitting in the middle of the spacious room. The heavy ornate desk was full of papers a few ink bottles, a tall bottle of some kind of ale and a cup with tea perched delicately on a matching saucer. With a wicked smile Greyy launched herself across the deep mahogany surface sending papers and bottles flying.

  Horatio knew better than to try to catch the wild woman in her flight of chaos and madness. Instead he strode over to Roland and watched as the office exploded with papers, glass and furniture. Finally it was over and Horatio merely stood gazing up at his prize smirking at the pandemonium left in her wake.

  “Well, sir, I hear ye were looking for me.” She said standing on the desk holding the bottle of ale that she had rescued from certain doom.

  With that Horatio and Roland simply applauded.

  Horatio’s trouble has just begun even with his little sparrow tucked nicely in her cage. As proud as he is to be credited with her capture deep down he knows she stole his glory with her grand entrance and dramatic display of turning herself over to authorities. His disappointment was shared with Roland and accented by the nagging feeling that
the adventure was far from finished.

  He was now floundering in… “The Greyy Area”

  The Greyy Area

  Chapter 1

  Lights sounds colors added to the cacophony of celebration erupting in the center of the Imperial city. The streets were lined with banners proudly saluting the Guards and Navy. Parade routs were laid and throngs of citizens were gathering for the grand spectacle. The conquering heroes of the realm were on approach dragging their “spoils of war” to present to the Emperor and his Empress.

  The clanging of keys on metal bars and the grand display of cutlery by the guards and the guard captain announced to the prisoners that another inspection was forthcoming.

  “Ready this lot for the parade.” the guard captain ordered.

  Fast as lightning, an arm reached through the bars and grabbed a tight hold to the first guard that passed. Yanking hard, trying to pull free, the guard jammed the offending arm into the jagged bars tearing cloth and flesh against it. As blood flowed, the raspy voice from within the darkened cell whispered a low warning that turned the guard’s blood to ice.

  “I tell ye sure as the sun shines, if ye take those two to the public display there will be an insanity that’ll ravage dis city in epidemic proportions the likes o which ye haint seen in ye’r life time. Der be reason me crew ‘n me be stayin’ clear o dat dark wickedness. Already de insanity takes ‘em. Keep ‘m in der own cell n let it run its course.” With her warning spoken Greyylene released the guard and stepped back to the wall of her cell.

  The guard was terrified at her warning and chose to do as she suggested. He could already see the inky veining spread through the prisoner’s bodies.

  “What should I do with them then, if you got all the right answers?” he asked, muttering curses and oaths under his breath to keep from catching their illness.

  “Ye really want’n me to answer ye will be keepin me outta dat parade o ye’rs.” She sat back in her dark shadows.

  “I want answers, scurvy wench! If they choose to parade you around like a show pony that is not up to me!”

  “Fine!” She shot from her corner so fast he almost fell back when she slammed against the bars. “Keep them in their own li’l box away from any ot’r. Let the rats be their company and I dare say wi’t’n a week they’ll be nutt’n but a pile o rotted flesh!” She spit the words in the guards face making a point to be as menacing as she could.