Not a challenge

The first man rushes you, his greenish skin hinting at orcish ancestry. You don’t have time to think about that, however, as he swings a notched cutlass at your head. You duck under the inexpert attack, and kick at the inside of his knee. There’s a crunch, and his leg gives way beneath him, dropping him to the ground. You deliver a second heavy kick to his temple and he falls unconscious.

To one side of you, Ferra leaps forward to meet the charge with much more vigor. Ignoring defense, she lets blades clang off her as she slashed out with her bladed arms. Within moments, five men lie dead on the deck, with others looking on in shock. Ferra stalks forward, carving a merciless path through the pirate crew.

To the other side of you, Heather has disarmed her opponent with a clever sword stroke, and clubs him in the head to knock him out. However, the pressure from Ferra’s rampage has pushed more opponents to that side, and you see a lean pirate about to attack from Heather’s blind side. You leap in to intercept him, swinging Caliburn in a downward arc. The man throws up his sword to parry, planting his feet as he turns to you.

Your potent blade slows only a fraction as it cleaves through his sword, and continues on to cleave through his torso with similar ease. Hot blood splashes you as his bifurcated body drops to the deck. You freeze, staring in shock and horror. You stare at the lifeless body until Heather punches your shoulder. “Wake up! You can feel bad about killing later!”

Ferra shows no such compassion, and just as you predicted, she’s a bloody whirlwind. She leaves a trail of destruction behind her, and combined with your more subdued swordplay, Heather’s skill, and Eileen’s archery, the battle is over quickly. A few pirates lie unconscious, and the crew work quickly to tie them up. You don’t see anyone resembling a captain, however, and you go to Ben for advice.

The Captain looks at the carnage with a sigh, and has the crew begins he cleanup. Looking at you, he nods. “I’d like you to search their ship, if you would. A steamship that size would need fuel stores or something, along with charts and maps. Find out how the ship is powered, and find their maps, so we can figure out a destination.”

You nod. “Good idea. Ferra and I will go. If the ones still alive wake up, ask where their captain is.”

With that, you and Ferra board the other ship. She has changed back to her usual form, the blood covering her simply fading somehow. It’s not long before you’re able to find some charts, including the location of a nearby port, and the location of the pirate’s lair.

Heading below deck, you’re also easily able to find the power source, although how it functions is beyond you. A large metal sphere radiates heat, with some associated pipes and small tanks attached to it. As you walk around the strange contraption, Ferra cocks her head. “Nicholas, I hear something. It sounds like…crying. There’s someone inside this sphere.”

You approach, listening carefully. Now you can hear it too, very faintly.