The Opius Chronicles

The sun rose over Striker as she sailed along the side of the wooden pier. Egan dropped from the deck, a thick rope held in his hands and a loop woven onto the end. The brute slung the rope over a post at the end of the pier and Yeamon tugged the rope from atop the deck, holding Striker against the wood of the pier. Hawk opened a section of the railing, swinging on two rusty hinges as Yeamon lowered a ramp, interlocking the end onto the deck.

Hellion knelt in front of the bolt thrower at the bow of his ship. He smiled fondly as he glanced over the town that lay before him. Ashfall was a home away from home for the young pirate captain. He had started his piracy career when he left the Ashfall dockyard several years ago and he always returned after securing a new prize.

The small town had embraced the pirate crew, ignoring their crimes and accepting the influx of coins the boisterous men would spend. As a close neighbouring port of the large North Port and north Jensorian capital of Azmar, Ashfall suffered economically to compete and the mayor welcomed any resources that assisted his town to flourish.

Egan stretched on the pier as three figures walked towards them. Hellion slightly raised his head, staring at the potential threat. Ashfall may welcome them, but they are still pirates. The three men stopped in a line, blocking the width of the pier as Yeamon and Hawk moved to flank Egan, rushing down the ramp. Hellion smirked, noting the uniform the men wore. A simple grey shirt, black pants, boots and a grey metal helm that covered the top half of the men’s head. The two flanking men had a short sword each, attached at their hips while the middle man had a blue vest over his grey shirt and a long sword on his hip. Jensorian authority tends to favour grey and blue patterns of colour. These men were part of Ashfall’s small town guard. Hellion moved to the ramp, glaring down at the three men.

“What is your business in Ashfall?” The long sword hilt was gripped as the man spoke. He was new to Ashfall and a captain of the town guard. Hellion cracked his knuckles as he realised this new captain perceived Striker as a threat.

“Hey Junior.” Egan spoke, ignoring the captain and looking at the skinny, short, young teenager to the right flank.

“Welcome back, Egan.” Junior spoke, his clean shaven smooth skin was tanned, Hellion smiled as he noticed the skinny arms were slowly forming muscle definition. The captain scrunched his face, he had heard of Striker and the captain glanced at Junior.

“I am Captain Logan.” The guard captain was the same height as Yeamon, but his body was thick from years of training. Hellion knew the captain had planned to earn respect from his men by standing over the pirates, but now stood embarrassed at his lack of knowledge. “I must ask you to leave your weapons aboard the ship.” Logan was trying to save face, prove he is a man to be feared. Hellion chuckled as the Ashfall captain unsheathed part of his sword blade.

Egan scoffed as Junior and his fellow guard stepped back slightly, a smirk broke across Logan’s face as he continued to draw his sword until the tip came into view. Yeamon looked to Hellion, his hands hovering over his knives, but clenched his empty fists as Hellion shook his head. Logan’s sword swung out; aiming the tip at Egan, smirk bright on his face as he took a step forward.

Suddenly, the long sword jolted from his hand, crashing onto the wood and the Striker crew laughed loudly, muffling Junior’s snickers. Logan looked up onto the deck, the lookout Blake stood topless next to Hellion. The crimson long bow held in one hand, his shaven ginger hair reflecting in the morning light, his dark blue eyes focused on Logan. Hellion noticed the wrist guard on Blake’s forearm as Logan frowned at them.

“Leave your weapons on board.” Hellion ordered as he strutted down the ramp, Logan knelt down, grasping his sword hilt, rising as Hellion stood within a foot of him.

“Thank you.” Logan grunted, angrily turning and rushing up the pier. Junior nodded to Hellion before following his captain away from Striker.

“I love this town.” Hellion chuckled