Its #piratesunday : Mr Zeke's Silver and Pirating of Dwing’s Story Line!

With his permission of course.

(Selfie by @kerrislravenhill and Flintlock)

I usually have a little Show and Tell right off the bat but this time with a little twist. Meanwhile I’ve Pirated @dwingsworld story line (Should be no surprise after all we’re Pirates!) and give it a little deeper character development as todays GHOST WRITER. Without further ado, let’s go where he left off….

“Without blinking the figure of Lady Ravenhill disappeared into the shadows and appeared right in front of Captain K. Staring as him she whispered from behind her mask "Captain we have much to discuss and many dangers to face before any relics are united."

(Selfie by @kerrislravenhill in Combat Attire)

She pulled back the hood of her cape, “Captain K, I can barely comprehend my purpose being here. But I always know something great is at stake and such actions are not mere random chance”. The Raven began to slowly circle the room, speaking clear, eloquently, and with conviction “the gods play chess….” “We are but one side of the grand game so there is another interest at play here you have yet to realize.”
Then Captain K asked, "Who is this rival?"

As if on cue, Circe stepped to the center of the dias, “There is a another Captain that sails the Lost Sea, a former Admiral of the Mede Empire, Emperor Ikanus, who have assassinated his King and now rules with an Iron fist, he desires power, and knows of the Silver Skull of Destiny.”

“I am required to join your quest at this point of your quest” The Raven steps next to Circe in a show of solidarity, “Captain K, D, Sir Bentley, and brave men of the Dragon fire and Silver Wing. We have a rival that will stop at nothing to acquire the Skull of Destiny, and the consequences will be dire for all life on this world. I believe we were selected by our talents and belief, and we will need them face of the great dangers before us.”

Circre Image by Beatrice Offor License Public Domain

From a silver bowl Circe pours a potion into the pool surrounding the dias, 'Behold!" The sparkling clear water ripples before the pool settles into a mirror reflection, unveiling a terrible vision of hundreds of ships slicing over the iridescent twilight of the Lost Sea waters, Torches highlighting the angular features of their great wooden hulls, the grey triangular sails featuring its feared symbol of military and political power, the Silver Cobra. Each ship armed with Ballista or Catapults. And in their wake villages, cities and ships, all conquered, sacked, and left in flames.

“We believe that Emperor Ikanus has been behind the attacks on Queen Savore’s people for there were only few survivors that have dared come forward.” Said the Raven, “And one more thing, you already have parts of the Silver Skull, and this means we have a big bull’s eye on our backs as of now. His spies can be anywhere and time may be critical.”

“Then without further delay I wish all of you the favor of the gods.” Circe waves her wand and casts her charm.

Ship image Dragon Fire by W.Brigette License CCO

Most of the crew had turned in for the night. Bentley sat up from his bunk; the oil lamp in the middle of the crew quarters was set low. Watching the gentle flicker and feeling the gentle rocking of the ship was not motivating his sleep very well and decided to get some fresh air. The main deck was partially lit by the lanterns that were now set low in case of detection by the Empire. A full moon was splendorous in the star filled sky. A refreshing breeze filled the sails and the calming sound of the surf rushing around the ship. Again he could just perceive the song of Precious in the distance; she’s never too far away. He observed several men keeping vigil up on top, and the Steersman checking the compass bearings. A cloaked woman was making her rounds walking up the steps onto the Quarterdeck. It was odd how the Moonlight made Lady Ravenhill’s presence seemed much more formidable and powerful than in other light. As she checks in with the Steersman he hopped over to share the light of their company. "Hail, Lady Ravenhill. How goes your watch this night"

"All is well Sir Bentley. I like to take the Night watch and I can say we are making good progress, and you?"
"A sleepless night in anticipation of our adventure, I say you are brimming with many tales of your heroic feats, your lightning blade and many tales of courage to share."
"A somewhat of an exaggeration, but oft a grain of truth to them, you know how such tales are." She turned to the Steersman, “Steersman, maintain our westerly bearings.” As he expectantly replied, “Aye aye, westerly bearings it is!”
Bentley hopped onto a barrel and put his right paw on the rail. "Enlighten me." An innocent smile appeared on his expectant face.

Lady Ravenhill picked the adjacent barrel and sat with him setting her sword ‘Fang’ aside. A few of the idle crew joined in, "Perchance are you related to the Warriors of 'The' Warren?
"Why do you ask my Lady?"
"Just a hunch, I have been to another world with intelligent creatures much like you..."
As his ears eagerly perked, "Go on my Lady.”
"They are of a most unlikely of ally I have had the honor to know. The four Regents made a call to arms of all who will answer to the defense of Narnia. While many great noble fauna of shapes and good numbers came forward, the Amondeen Warren answered by the thousands."
"I...see." His eyes sensed some troubling familiarity.
"King Edmund was reluctant in committing them to front line ranks against the Winter Witch's front line shock troops of ogres and trolls that were like giants to the brave little hares."
Sir Bentley's head hung, his eyes closed, his grip tightened on the ship's rail, his ears were upright carefully taking in every nuance and syllable Lady Ravenhill uttered.
"Even though King Edmund ordered them into the third rank thereby placing them in a supportive role behind the larger and stronger fauna warriors, they still raced past them plunging straight into the enemy’s vanguard with their small silver spears, swords and shields."
Bentley's face became dour. Tears glistened in corners of his little eyes as he pulled out a kerchief from a pocket, "P.. please continue... I... I just got something in...in my eyes."

"The battle was terrible and victory was in doubt. Even with my speed I couldn't dispatch the enemy fast enough. Things seemed lost until Aslan finally arrived and without any rest sent his forces straight into the enemy flank. At the end of the day, the victory came at a high cost, but no one paid higher than The Warren warriors, among the various fauna clans it was unanimously agreed that heroic little warriors became the bulwark of the Narnian defenses up until Aslan finally defeated the enemy forces.” The Raven’s voice raised her voice more to emphasize her personal witness. “Even when their casualties were at a heart wrenching 80% they refused the call to withdraw, It is because they believed and trusted in Aslan and his heavenly kingdom!"

"Queen Lucy's potion of healing wasn't nearly enough to go around."
"So gallant were their actions and sacrifice by the Warren warriors that it even moved Aslan to weep over their many lifeless bodies."

Aslan Image from Stocksnap by Tom Skarbeck Wazynski licensed CCO

Bentley’s face was buried in his paws, his body shook struggling to hold back his muffled sobs. Then the tone of her voice brightened."As in all things good, true honest faith has been rewarded! Queen Lucy found that Aslan's tears could heal and bring back these warriors to life!" There was such joy in the land when the Hares were reunited with their does and families. Their accounts’ were written in the Rememberance of Heros, their little silver swords, spears and shields were cast into the money of Narnia.

Photo by @kerrislravenhill Silver of Narnia by Mr.Zeke

“I swore that day, that if any members or kin of the Amoodeen Warren were to appear in my world I would not hesitate to offer him membership of my Black Blade Order.”
The Raven now stared admiringly at Sir Bentley, “I’ve wondered if you are of that very honorable warrior stock Sir Bentley?” He slowly raised his eyes to meet hers as the truth was coming to the fore. Then his eyes parted hers, “Wow, that is some story!” his chest lifted in pride. “I wish I can live in that land where we Rabbits get respect like that, Yessiree!” Sir Bentley wiggled off the barrel,” You know I’m now feeling tired so….so I’m calling it a night …thank you so much for the mem… fine story Lady Ravenhill.”
“And forgive me for being presumptuous, have a good night Sir Bentley.”

The Watch on the Crows nest bellowed, “Land ho! Due West!”
As the Island appeared over the horizon, Captain K came out from his quarters from updating his charts. The Puzzle box was pulsating with a slow glow. “We’re getting close, find a sheltered harbor to weigh anchor.”
D agreed, “Just as when we exposed it to the map showing a Western bearing.”
The island was rocky with little lush vegetation. The windswept craggy shores transitioned to barren leafless gnarled trees as they traveled further inland, the trek taking longer than expected and night fall was coming. A natural opening in the scraggy brush led to a rugged rocky trail to and open edifice surrounded by steep impassible walls. A foreboding feature of a skull adorned rock face provided the landmark to indicate the right destination, or a cursed warning to those ignorant of it’s purpose. Perhaps a trap.

Skull Cave entrance image from Pixabay by Kellepics licensing COO

The clearing opened up into a rocky pathway guarded with a statue of a Reaper. Captain K took the lead stepping into the clearing. People have been recently here before them. A makeshift remains of a campfire and litter. They just didn’t know who yet. “Fires cold.”
“Spooky, I got a bad feeling about this,” said K’s first mate as he clutched his rifle tighter.
D had to reassure the landing party, “Steady men, and remember our quest. Torches up, keep your spacing, don’t huddle in groups, and keep your eye peeled. ”
The cave meandered a short distance leading to an opening into a very large anti-chamber. A mound of flourishing moss covered earth leading up to a pair rocky altars. A single shaft of bright moon light illuminated the top of the mound.

The Cave altar, image from stocksnap by Daniel Burka Licensing CCO

The near altar was an empty table with a square impression at the far end. Lettering on the table surface lightly covered with debris, lichen and wax from candles of previous visitors.
“Over here, look.” K’s first mate pointed over the side of the mound. “Look like I found our previous visitors.” There were corpses littering the side of the mound. The newer bodies, their hands burned, eyes and mouth wide open as if they screamed in death their death throes.
“They have the mark of the Cobra on the uniform,” Observed Captain K. “looks no more than a few weeks ago, poor souls.”
“There are other uniforms, older skeletons, years ago, some decades ago. What’s this a tourist destination? There are dead everywhere here but no signs of a battle of any sort, odd.”
Captain K pulled out the puzzle box out from a satchel, it’s glow much brighter and it began to gently vibrate. “Something is going on here.”

@dixersilverminer The Legendary Captain K of the Dragon Fire

The Raven glanced at the puzzle box, then at the table, then to the second altar at the opposite side of the mound piecing the clues together. The second altar was a stone enclosure that housed something, that is something of great value? The next relic! Unusually clean and polished with the proportions that matched…the puzzle box! “Hold on to it as I study this Puzzle box.” She scanned the table surface; the markings were all Greek letters. All capitals, and should be read from left to right. But it appeared to be a jumble rather than any succinct or proper sentence structure.

Captain K cradled the puzzle box on his palms. The puzzle box almost had a life of its own the lid magically changes into the lid similar to the enclosure. He also felt a tug on the box as if some invisible hand was pulling it to the table, his eyes then focused on the indentation on the far side of the table.
“Working on a theory…”, The Raven removed her glove to test the enclosure with her finger. Her eyes squinted as she barely touched the relic enclosure. A brief flash as a static discharge instantly burned her left finger “OW! Ow, ow…Crickets that smarts!”
“I guess that’s what happened to those Cobra soldiers. I bet they were ordered to open the enclosure and paid with their lives without any success”, Concluded Captain K.

Everyone could see the box tremble again, the glow from the seams becoming more intense, the stars in the sky disappeared, the moon became blood red and the shadows of the grove became darker and darker. The puzzle box top beckons the young Captain to open it.
“I just bet this relic enclosure is also cursed.” Her voice became stern and more direct, “Don’t open it yet, you have to trust me! “

Sir Bentley nodded to Captain K. “It’s your call Captain; I believe we can trust her.”
With her right finger she pointed to a set of glowing marks on the box, “See these three Greek symbols? Lambda Sigma Omega followed by that cursed symbol of Ares!” Apparently there were a set of symbols in the Enchantment of objects any of the Twenty, The twenty curses of the Greek gods. This one was almost unique to Ares as he wasn’t that popular as the god of war and Hephaestus wasn’t in very good terms with him anyway. He was jealous of the other gods as their followers freely making sacrifices to them. She lifted her head to the heavens. “I know this is your work Ares! And I’m not laughing from your style of irony!”

He carefully placed the puzzle box upon the indentation. A perfect fit, a powerful glow emanated upon the carved text of the table. It becomes a flame illuminating a line of letters; Theta, eta, upsilon, sigma, iota, alpha… that’s Θυσία or Thysía meaning….
The Raven spoke slowly to make sure everyone clearly hears her warning, “By opening it you will be killed! Its curse will instantly take the life of any mortal that opens it. That's the price.” The box writhed and wriggled on the table. “It knows we must open it to complete this part of the quest.” The Raven looked at each member of the party in the eye, the atmosphere became cold and grave, “The Puzzle box is a key and the symbols call for a sacrifice in order for this relic enclosure to be opened. Opening the puzzle box thus opens the relic enclosure.”
Silence filled the air, just the sound of a nearby trickling stream.

"I won’t order any one to open it. Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe there are spiritual laws that govern the spiritual realm. And D was right; those poor souls were likely ordered against their will. There has to be a willing volunteer. I will volunteer.”

Some Clip art vectors are from 123RF

“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”