The Battle of Ara's Cove

Alarm bells rang through the harbor town as two massive warships crawled closer to the beach, illuminated by the full moon. Brigands had become a more common threat in recent months, and many towns were forced to raise militias to defend themselves. A small force of sixty guards dug into defensive positions around the harbor, determined to protect their home, or at least buy enough time for the townspeople to evacuate. 

"This is what we've trained for, soldiers!" their commander barked, her gray studded armor gleaming in the moonlight. "This is where we repel these pillagers, this is where we defend our homes, our husbands, wives, and children! For Ara's Cove!" Her voice could barely be heard as the invading ships opened fire, cannon shells descending around them. Soldiers called back, their resolve strengthened by the commander's speech.

"Damn right, Commander Aerin!"

"They won't get inside a single home!"

Cynthia Hightower gripped her lance as if it were about to slip from her hands. Her eyes scanned the marina, searching for any glaring weaknesses in the hastily-made defenses. As the town's tactician, Aerin had entrusted nearly every aspect of their defense to her. Raising her head to the dark sky and pushing her sky-blue hair out of her eyes, Cynthia offered a silent prayer.

"Oh Ara, protect our lives and guide our lances, let us defend our homes and livelihood.."

Roofs of homes on the waterfront collapsed under their own weight as smoke pervaded the salty sea air. The echoes of war cries on both sides rang through Cynthia's head as the ships sailed ever closer to shore.

"Here it comes," She thought as the deafening thunder of cannon fire ceased, and the harbor felt an unnatural silence.

The smoke cleared as the twin ships made landfall. Brigands leaped from the sides, landing in the surf as Aerin's voice hollered frantic orders. Cynthia and the other foot soldiers lowered their spears, a wall ready for the waves of pillagers to crash against them. The defenders were swiftly swarmed by their attackers as the front line descended into chaotic mix of steel and screams. Cynthia thrust her lance into the first pirate, who slumped to the ground. Without a moment to breathe the second pirate was upon her, his bloodied ax raised high in the air, his eyes excited with blood lust. Cynthia stumbled backwards, the cobble street coming up to meet her as the ax landed between her legs. 

"Dammit.." Her gloved hands scrambled for her lance, frantically feeling the stone surface. "Where, where is it!?"

The brigand's shadow loomed over her, his coarse laughter sending a shiver down Cynthia's spine.

"Nowhere to run, girlie. Now, do me a favor and sit still, will ya?" A sinister smile crept across her attacker's face as he raised his ax over his head. Cynthia's hands found her lance, the pole blocking his swing inches from her silver breastplate. She yanked away, the ax flying from her assailant's hands, and struck him in the chest. 

"Y-you-" The bandit gasped as he died. Cynthia retrieved her spear, trying to get her bearings. The militia was winning! Or at least it appeared they were. The waves of invaders were ceaseless, and the wall was crumbling.

"Fall back!" The tactician ordered, cursing herself for underestimating the pirates. "Get to the barracks! We'll make a stand there! Fall bac-" Cynthia's voice died in her throat as someone whacked her with a club. Slumping to the ground, Cynthia could feel herself being lifted by rough hands.

Cynthia awoke to a dark room, feeling herself lightly rocking back and forth. The room was dank, and dried blood decorated the wooden floor and walls. Faint moonlight escaped through the cracks, and indistinct shouting could be heard on the upper decks. "Ah, gods.." Cynthia groaned as pain flared in the back of her head. She raised her arms to rub her back, but could only lift them so far before they were stopped by cold chains. Cynthia's silver eyes slowly adjusted as she realized she was in a brig. She felt her breath grow short, fear gripped her as she desperately tried to escape her shackles. With pirates, a captive's only options were slavery or going overboard.

"Hey, you're awake!" A voice called from across the room. Moonlight beamed through wooden cracks to reveal a woman around Cynthia's age, whose pink hair swept across her forehead and fell at the sides of her head. Cynthia noted the woman's armor, white leather with spheres of sapphire sewn in.

"Who are you?" Cynthia asked as she examined her chains. "You don't look like a member of the militia."

"Militia? Oh no no no, Rhaenys Deepwater of The Blue Shields mercenary company at your service. I'd offer my hand to you, but I see we're both a bit tied up. Don't worry though, I'll have us out in a moment."

"A mercenary." Cynthia thought to herself. She had met mercenaries before, but they were stoic warriors with no allegiance but to cash. She couldn't quite explain how, but as Cynthia looked into Rhaenys' violet eyes, she could feel she could trust her. "Cynthia Hightower. I haven't heard of The Blue Shields. Are you famous?"

"Hah, well, no.." Rhaenys let out an awkward laugh as she continued to fiddle with her chains. "It's just me. I was staying at the inn in town when those ships appeared, I tried to join the fight, buuuut I got myself captured pretty early on, and now you showed up. How about you?"

"I'm the tactician for the militia. I was trying to rally the soldiers but now I'm on the ship, and-" Cynthia's mind was working at a mile a minute. "I'm..on their ship.." An idea formulated itself in the tactician's head. It was daring, and very stupid, but she knew how she and Rhaenys could turn the tide. "Rhaenys. You're getting us out, right? I have a plan."

"Well, I'd rather not end up on the auction block." The mercenary replied as the chains around her arms fell to the floor with a clang. "Here, let me get you out." The mercenary wedged a small dirk into Cynthia's locks, and within moments, her hands were freed.

"Where did you learn to do that? Thieving?"

"Thieving?" Rhaenys let out an exaggerated gasp, a smile curling on the edges of her mouth. "Cynthia, I am offended! My mother was a blacksmith, I just picked up some things about locks from her." The mercenary sheathed her dirk and helped Cynthia up. "So Cynthia, What's the strategy?"

Before the blue-haired tactician coulf reply, an angered voice bellowed from behind. A pirate stood in the brig entrance, a gleaming sword and spear in hand. Bloodlust filled his eyes as he staggered forward. "I'm sure the boss'll understand we had some rowdy prisoners. A few cuts never hurt the price tags too much.." He threatened, the two escapees standing their ground.

"Hey, my sword!" Rhaenys exclaimed. "I'll be taking that back, thanks." With lightning fast motions, she dashed forward, her dirk in hand.

"Hah, like hell you will!" The brigand charged forward, lunging at Rhaenys' head. Rhaenys sidestepped, swiping her dirk into the pirate's arm. The assailant cried in pain, releasing the sword from his grip as he fell to the wooden floor, clutching his wound. "I'll be taking that!" Rhaenys exclaimed as she snatched her sword. Cynthia stole the lance as well, finishing off the brigand with a swift thrust.

"Now, what was the plan, Cynthia?" Rhaenys asked, sheathing her sword.

"Okay. So, these ships were raining cannon fire earlier, right? They have to have gunpowder stores on board. If we can rig them to blow, the explosion should be enough to sink this ship, and if we're lucky, the flames should spread to the other. If the battle is going in the militia's favor, the brigands will have nowhere to go."

"Woah, that's ingenious! No wonder they made you tactician." Rhaenys grinned. The flattery and her smile gave Cynthia even more confidence in her own plan. "Thanks Rhaenys, now let's find those powder stores."

The two snuck out into the bowels of the warship, determined to turn the tide.

The gun deck was filthy. Crumbs, dirty rags, and weapons in various shapes of use were strewn about the dim hall. The cannons themselves ranged from rusted to unusable, year at sea having taken their toll, and the floor was spattered with seawater and mud. Cynthia's nose crinkled from the abhorrent smell, but kept her lance up, ready for anyone to jump out at her. Rhaenys stood guard by the stairs they had come from, carefully listening for any nearby bandits on deck, as well as the the faint sounds of battle on shore.

Cynthia combed the deck, looking for any sign of a magazine. "Here!" She whispered to herself. A displaced plank gave away the hiding spot. Lifting the plank and neighboring ones to it, the tactician found four barrels of powder, all ripe to explode. Dragging one out of the hole, Cynthia stabbed it with her lance, black powder spilling out onto the floor. Cynthia created a trail behind her as she carried the barrel to the steps, where Rhaenys was waiting.

"Now, once we light this," Cynthia whispered looking to Rhaenys, "we run like hell." Giving a nod in response, Rhaenys grabbed a fire starter off a table.

"Ready, Cynthia? Here goes nothing." Rhaenys ignited the fire starter, sparks falling like stars onto the waiting powder trail. The powder ignited, burning down the fuse towards the stores. The two scrambled up the steps, onto the main deck, over the rails, and leaped into the ocean.

As the two dived under, the ship rocked violently, shaking itself apart as flames consumed the lower decks. Cynthia felt the explosion rock her body under the water, bubbling out some of her air in a grunt as she dodged sinking debris around her. Above her, the second ship gradually succumbed to the onslaught of flame, and its own magazine ignited instantaneously. The two warships sank into the harbor, masses of mast and cannon spilling into the ocean. With the worst of the explosions subsided, Cynthia swam for the surface. Gasping for air, Cynthia scanned the water, looking for any sign of her comrade. "Rhaenys! Rhaenys, are you out there?" she called out, no sign of her new friend.

"Here!" a familiar voice called in response behind her, and Cynthia felt her comrade's arm around her as Rhaenys laughed in glee. "Cynthia, that was incredible!"

Cynthia couldn't help but beam back at her. "Thank you. But I couldn't have done it if you didn't get me out of those chains. The praise is yours too."

Together, the two swam through the warm, calming waters of the cove to shore, where the battle was ending. Commander Aerin and the militia were cleaning the streets of debris, caring for the wounded and dead, and imprisoning surrendered brigands. Cynthia smiled again, and collapsed on the beach from exhaustion.

"Cynthia?" "Cynthia!?" Rhaenys' voice faded from her ears.

The morning light on the infirmary walls greeted Cynthia as her eyes fluttered open. Rhaenys was seated next to her, who embraced Cynthia as soon as she saw the mercenary. Even though her entire body ached, Cynthia returned the hug without a second thought.

"Cynthia, I'm so glad you're okay."

"Rhaenys, it's okay, I'm fine, I'm fine."

"The doctor said it was just exhaustion, you'll have a little pain but you're good to walk."

"What happened last night, after the ships..?"

"Without any other escape, the bandits just surrendered on the spot." Rhaenys began, "The Commander- Aerin, I think? She wanted me to tell you that your plan saved a lot of lives, and the town is still standing because of you. You're a hero, Cynthia." Rhaenys smiled as Cynthia took in the information.

"Rhaenys, what did I say? *We* saved the town. You're a hero as much as me."

Rhaenys' eyes gleamed at Cynthia's response. "Aww, that means a lot to me, thanks Cynthia."

The mercenary paused before speaking up again. "You know, for the past month it's just been me on the road, trying to help people where I can. I became a mercenary not because of money, but because I want to help those in need, like a hero. Cynthia, I was wondering if you'd like to be my partner?" Rhaenys extended her hand to Cynthia, who was hesitant.

Cynthia thought the proposal over. Sure, she'd thought about becoming a travelling mercenary before, but there was so much she'd have to do beforehand! She'd have to quit her job, leave town and her soft bed, and endure hardships she hadn't faced since childhood. It was a dangerous life. But she'd be on the road with Rhaenys, helping those in need. Something Cynthia had heard since childhood rang in her ears: "Even one good deed can make a difference in someone's life."

"Well, I'd have to talk to my parents, and my commander, but.. I'll do it. If it's with you Rhaenys, I'd gladly join you on the road." Cynthia sat up, gripping Rhaenys' hand in hers.

"Welcome to The Blue Shields, Cynthia."