Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part 6

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Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part 6

The Golden Lion drifted with the wind towards a westerly bearing according to the position of the stars and the moon. The Steersman was humming a little folk tune for what seems so far an uneventful night. He nodded to his aft Watchman and signals to the Crow's watch that everything is in order.

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It was just before the second watch was about to change over the Aft Watchman notices the subtle change in the darkness of something cutting across their wind. He felt something amiss as the lines slack and the sails go limp; the Golden Lion begins to slow. Moments later a large grey outline now appears with flaming eyes like a silent demon ship like its front horn aimed towards him. It was unthinkable for anyone to attack the Golden Lion. And for a moment he froze in fear as he feels the air chill around him. He turns to tap the Steersman on his shoulder and points to the incoming form. "Yǒu wèntí."
The Steersman turns his head his eyes became like saucers. "Chuán gōngjí! Chuán gōngjí!"

The Watchman grasps the alarm and beats the ship’s gong as hard as he could as he screamed! "Chuán gōngjí! Chuán gōngjí!" Three grenades land upon the deck spewing out copious volumes of bright white smoke obscuring the main deck.

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The crew of the Golden Lion stumbles out from their sleep and clamoring up onto the deck just as the sound of a crying Blackbird resonating from somewhere amongst the sails. He hears the Crow's nest watchman above scream as he plunges headfirst into the water. The Steersman points up as a dark figure’s silhouette appears against the full moon before jumping down onto the deck. Swords, pikes and eyes drawn upon the solitary interloper. A balding thin bearded man elbowed his way to the front of his ship mates, "Invader! Who are you!"

The hooded figure stood up but didn’t make any move to the sword, "Wǒ shì xuèxīng de wūyā. I am the Bloody Raven, surrender and the crew shall be spared."

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"Ahhh!" Two men broke from the ranks raising their swords. The figure steps aside as the first man's down swing struck nothing but space, a back round house kick sent him down onto the deck. The second man thrusts his blade, turning aside the figure grasped his wrist twisting his sword up as he yelped in pain before being thrown over the side with a splash. The first man recovers himself, grim and angry, he approached with more ferocious charge. With lightning speed the katana slashed him from shoulder across to the hip, the blood whipped off the flashing blade and re-sheathed back in its scabbard before the man fell dead upon the deck. She lowered her hood then repeated, "Wǒ shì xuèxīng de wūyā. I am the Bloody Raven, surrender and the crew shall be spared. Where is your Captain?"

"Kill her, no one boards us and lives!" As she drop her cloak, three gangplanks fell simultaneous across the Golden Lion’s midships. The diversion is successful. Flint, Charles and Chang each led their charges aboard.

With the men of the Golden Lion turning to face those of the Storm Crow, the chaotic clash of steel against steel begins.

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“Fight me!” The balding thin-bearded man wearing a gold chain drew his blade made a slashing motion. She backed just enough that his blade missed. "You have such gall to attack the Golden Lion!"
“Are you Poa?” She avoided another swing of his sword.
“I am Foo Sung, Captain Sun Poa’s second in command! Defend yourself!” He lifted his sword to strike again. But his words were such that he revered his Captain’s name. An uncommon trait for a pirate but oft reserved for spirited leaders of fighting men! A wiry Asian man with a spear lunges at her from her right flank. A side step, she grasps the spear with her left hand steering his momentum down exposing his left side. At that moment her right hand falls delivering a blow at the base of his neck sending his limp body crashing to the deck. In a graceful pirouette lifts the spear shaft blocking Sung’s next blow.
In a skillful swing the flat of the spear strikes Sung's sword hand almost dislodging his grip. Sung recovers his grip but not before her foot lands into his midsection throwing him off his feet.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. ~ Gautama Buddha

Cease hostilities!" His voice resonated throughout the Golden Lion clear, patient, and sure. Obedient, the men of the Golden Lion backed away from their opponents keeping their weapons up and ready. The Raven nodded to Flint as he signaled the Storm Crow crew to stand down. Captain Poa stepped out from the shadow of the doorway his sword and flintlock remained at his sides. "I see that the legendary Bloody Raven is a fine and mighty skilled warrior. I am impressed and honored to meet you."

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"Are you Captain Poa?"
"At your service." He didn't appear to be the mad giant as some had described. He clasped his hands and bowed in respect. "I was expecting you; if there were anyone of comparable a Warrior to place my life in the hands of it would be you."
Sung composed himself and knelt to Captain Poa, "Forgive me Master I have failed to defeat her and dishonored you."
"Mr Sung, I did not expect you to defeat a master far beyond your abilities, there is no dishonor but I commend you for being faithful to your ship and brethren."
Sung seemed more a disciple revering his master such that he even emulated his appearance.
"So you were expecting me." replied the Raven.
"I know you are here for me."
"Then you know what I must do as you are accountable to your brethren."
"I am accountable to mere puppets of Shih and her council passing off as a democracy. As for my crimes to pay, it is not to her or Quon Lu, it is a matter for the heavens to decide should you've walked in my boots."
The deal made upon her own honor was beginning to weigh upon her. The politics of Quon Lu becomes more apparent as is vague. The good bargain may not be the bargain she expected. But in this world of pirates, truth can be just as a rare commodity as gold.

Poa passes his flintlock pistol to Sung. "You I put in charge of the Golden Lion, I have faith in you. For I do what I must do and everyone will understand." Poa waves off his crew to make room on the main deck. He smiles to himself as he slowly draws his sword. He seemed relieved and far from malicious. Lifting his eyes to the Raven, "There was an English saying, 'You live by the sword, you die by the sword.' He grinned at the Raven, "I think I have lived by that long enough."

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1, My own photos/pictures 2. Extra Pirates from Pirates of the Caribbean At World’s End 20073. Chow Yun Fat as Captain Poa/Seng from Pirates of the Caribbean At World’s End 2007W Wiki CommonsR Clip art vectors from 123RF

Previous Episodes

Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part One
Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Two
Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Three
Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Four
Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Five
Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Six

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“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”