Drew ArcheronWriting feels so lonely sometimes. If you are loving this tale, I would love to hear from you. Please consider leaving a comment, a thumbs up, smoke signals. anything to let me know you are still with me on this epic journey.
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Valkyrie Black Chapter 76: Sea Games
The next morning began with a flurry of activity. Before the sun had even risen, crew members were rushing around setting final preparations into motion. Val make it to the pier just as the sun began to peak over the horizon. Tarra had opted to remain with captain Talwater’s crew. It seemed the safest place for her being the luna Marra was filled with men intent on Valkyrie’s life.Tarra would easily become a point of leverage. With Talwater atleast she was a known factor. Val also got the sense that Gunner at set several of his marines to guard the girl. She wondered at that for a while but decided to let it go for now.The Luna Marra dipped low, dropping slowly from the sky until it hovered only fifty feet from the ocean. Gale force winds blew towards the ship and upward, maintaining its elevation. When the Luna marra was close enough to the water below, two huge crane arms were pushed out over the open expanse and her new ship, the Soul Cairn was l
Valkyrie Black Chapter 77: Ambush
“Fine, Make for the northern shore of the first island. The mortar crews would have seen the flair and should be ready.”“Aye, Lady Reaper. We will see it done.”“And be ready to drop the target buoys as well.”Gunner grinned. “Aye, Miss. The buoys will be ready.”The crew quickly pulled in the anchor and began moving toward the island, moving almost perpendicular to the oncoming enemy ship. Val knew there was a good chance it might catch them so she once again stepped to the back rail, looking down at the foaming sea below. As before, when she sent her mental call to the sea scath, they responded in small numbers. About seven showed this time, leaping in the water as the ship cut through the waves.Val marveled at the clear blue aura around these scath and wondered what kind of torture and evil it must take to taint them as black as the Lurkers, thrashers and other dark fury spectre she had dealt wit
Valkyrie Black Chapter 78: Impulsive plans
Valkyrie considered her experience with the Ancients. Aquitaine had formed herself into an ice saw that had taken the head of Balor the giant on the island of whispers. Could the lesser perhaps do something similar? She wasn’t looking to take the head off anything, just cut some rather thick sea rope.“I am not sure I can cut it all the way, but you have a point about getting them frayed. This is not about destroying the other ships. Its just getting them out of the game.”“We will be around the back side of the island shortly. If we do it there, the last two ships will be blind. When we are the only ship to emerge… we might be able to head for the back of the fortress island before they realize which ship we are.”“But, Tim, that ship is twice our size. You really think that will confuse them?” Val asked“Not for long. But all we need is a head start. It's six miles to the fortress island. Shou
Valkyrie Black Chapter 79: Sea Ranger
“What’s your play, girlie? You are on my ship, with my crew. You really think you are going to sway them?Val looked around the crew, and was pleased to see most of the men content to stand and watch, their attention more on the captain’s face than hers.“I will give them a choice. Faithfully serve me, the future head of the Black fleet, or you, a oath breaker,” Val said loudly.There were mutterings from below as the men talked.Captain Damos fumed, “You lot dare consider mutiny for her? have I not brought us glory over the past six years?”Damos did not receive the answer he was looking for and pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Valkyrie.“Don’t do it.” She said, trying to use the threat to the helmsman as leverage against the captain.“You kill him and its just you and my bullet.” Captain Damos said with a sneer.What Valkyrie didn’t expect was fo
Valkyrie Black Chapter 80: Black Demon
Val maneuvered the ship so they would come along broadside with the enemy ships long boats that trailed in their wake. As they drew within firing range, val realized an instant too late that Jimson was no longer blocking her from view. Frantic calls were raised on the Sea Banshee as Captain Talwater tried to take evasive action and turn towards her.It was too late for him. Valkyrie had already brought the Sea Ranger into position for a broadside attack on the longboats.“Fire!”20 cannons let loose a barrage of grape shot, full charges of fist-size cannons tightly packed together that acted like a huge shotgun. At this distance, they ripped through the long boats with ruthless efficiency.Val grinned as she spotted Talwater staring at her slack-jawed. After a moment of stunned silence and a few glances at his destroyed longboats, he bowed slightly in her direction in acknowledgment.Val liked Talwater. Their first meeting had been unpl
Valkyrie Black Chapter 81: Promises
“Looks like they know they are beaten,” Jimson said cheerfully. “I am glad. Now we can head for the Luna Marra, and you can work on repairs. Where do you need to go for that?” “Well, normally the fort is where we do some repairs. But the best shipwrights are aboard the Luna Marra. She would have to land before we could get the Sea Ranger onto the drydock.” “I see. Well, if you think you can mount repairs at what is left of the fort, I suggest you do it there. Until I can secure my place, I am not sure the Luna Marra will be safe for you.” “The fort is fine. Captain Talwater set them back a peg with his broadside but he didn’t damage the docks. Mostly just bloodied the cocky bastards.” “If you will signal Captain Talwater, I can return to the Luna on board the Sea Banshee and leave you to the repairs. If I secure my place, I promise you this, I will reimburse you for any costs. I appreciate you and this crew’s willingness to serve. Those who support me from the start will be rememb
Valkyrie Black Chapter 82: Final challenge
Talwater didn’t acknowledge her further as he strode forward to meet with the Admiral and other captains. Val wondered if he would still be alive at the end of this. She wouldn’t put it past the Admiral to kill all who defied him or even had hints of descent. Val made her way to the room she had stayed in previously, and after ensuring the four men guarding her door were in place, she barred it from the inside and sat on the floor. She needed counsel and only Lilith was here to provide it. It took her longer than she wanted to reach the peaceful mindset needed to interact with the starry meadow. When she did, there was little peace within. The stars above were dim and the tree line was brown and the leaves fading. The grass had turned to charred ash and cracks ran the length of the meadow. “Lilith?” Val called. It was a long moment before Lilith materialized. “I am sorry, Val. It is all I can do to maintain this place. You are almost out of Scath units. You were already low but tr
Valkyrie Black Chapter 83: Cages
Val drew closer to the guards and realized they were some of Captain Talwater’s marines! One smiled as she approached and waved her over. “Think I could slip past?” she asked hopeful that they might grant her this boon. “No, lady Reaper. But the lads did manage to work something out for ya,” he said softly, nodding to the edge of the bridge where a harness sat with two carabiner straps. “The riggers call ‘em lobster claws. The side of the bridge is rigged with cable. You can clip in with the harness and move along as you will. Hell you could clip to the bottom and not worry about a fall, or just rest of you needed to. Sorry, we couldn’t get ‘em to ya sooner. Too many eyes.” Val nearly wept with gratitude. It would still be an exhausting climb along the edge or bottom of Luna Marra, but at least now she was far less likely to die due to a slip or a misplaced hand. Valkyrie quickly pulled on the harness and flipped the two clawed straps over her shoulder. “Hurry, Miss Reaper. Not a
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