It was late spring the night wind ripped through me.  The air tasted of blood, as the fog came in thick the battle raged.

Dawn approaches and the fog begins to lifts and reveals the body layin battle field. My mind races why am I the only one here were are my campaigns the women and children that couldn't fight. Were are the ones that did. Then to my horror I stop to stand over the one that I shared 4 cycles with. His older brother lay's feet from him as does the man that killed them both.

My sword soked with blood of the enemy. I find only six of my campagins dead. Considering we entered into this fight with fifty men to find only six brings fear to my very soul.

Being true to the gods I morn for my fallen family and talk to them a make ready there bodies and beds for the next life. It takes a day to erect a bed of sleep for them. As I morn for them one last time I release there souls. By morning the last of the embers have gone out. I must make my way back to the ship. 

I made my way west for three days. When I got back to the ship it was abandon.  The crew was gone or dead. I stood for a few on the deck just in shock. I ran to the captains apartment swung the door wide.

All I saw was his boots. I darted up the stairs and around the desk.

Father!  I gasped as my knees hit the floor at his side.

He had taken a blade by the looks of it twice in the stomach.

In this moment I felt I  could no longer hold the tears. On tear trickled done my ash washed face leaving a line of flesh peeking through.  I heard scraping from the doorway. Drawing my sword i siftly made my way aliently back across the apartment and swug open the door raised my blade ready to strick.

A scream rang in my ears and I lowerd my sword to my side.  Captain! You alright. A mousey little voice spoke as the scream was cut off instantly.

I am fine and don't call me Captain. I snapped harshly.

But Captain, you are because your father is...

I know Mistress my voice was loud, too loud. I sighed heavily, in almost a whisper I reapeat the statement letting the facts sink in...I know.

I think to myself,  I was now the Captain of the Wicked Wench a titled I had wanted since I was a fondling, only not under these conditions. I shake the thoughts from my head.

Mistress Victoria please bring me some water and a large drink.

Mistress Victoria was back in a falsh with a pitcher of water which she poured intot the basin for me, then sat a tall tankard of rum in front of me.

My thanks Misstress.I spoke sincerely she smiledas she left closing the door behind here.

I held my face hand leaning over the basin. Looked at myself in the mirror splashed more water on my face,  three tipped the glass, climbed topside and set my barring cast my sails. Four days out to sea I gave my men and my father a word of kind and sent them to there beloved sea.

Now I needed a crew and to put as much water between the Wicked Wench and the Mortaean. 

First order of business go to the queen,  inform her Lord Attins has been captured along with most of the men and women and to report that her Naval Comander has died. 

Then...Then I find my campaigns.