Everyone waited patiently as the sun began to set. Simon had passed along Eris's messege about attacking the ship after dark. Anxiety and apprehension ate away at Logan's stomach. He'd been in a few fights before, but he'd never been put in the position of having to take someone's life. Logan brought some handmade bread rolls to Charlie. The sailing master was unable to leave his post at the ship's wheel and couldn't come down to get his own food. "Thanks for that, friend! I never want to miss eating Aileen's bread!" Charlie immediately shoved one entire bread roll in his mouth while it was still steaming. For the first time in two days, Logan smiled. "Be careful. You'll choke if you keep eating like that." "But it's so good!" The sun sat over the sea in the west, slowly disappearing from view. "Where's the captain? I haven't seen her for a while." "She's in her cabin. She always goes in there for a long time before we go to battle. I think she's making up strategies."

Although she had been kind to him so far, Eris was still a mystery to him. He couldn't be sure of what kind of person she was. Her crew was loyal to her for sure, and they respected her for the most part. "How long have you been part of this crew?" "I've been here for a year now. I joined when I was sixteen. I was learning how to sail in the school I got into. You see, my parents died when I was really little. But that's ok, it was a long time ago. And the orphanage where I grew up sent me to school to learn how to sail so I could work for the navy. But I want to see the world and go on adventures! Then the captain found me and let me join her crew. It's the most fun I've ever had! And we're a family." Charlie's energy and enthusiasm was something to be envied.

"I'm sorry, I know you lost your family. But... I hope you can find a new family with us. I know that they would want you to be happy." Charlie's words were thoughtful and full of sincerity. But hearing them felt like a stab in the chest to Logan. The internal wound was still fresh and not even close to healing. Its alright. I'll have justice for them soon. "... Thanks, Charlie. I'll try to." The teenage boy gave him a toothy grin and patted his back. "Just remember we're here to help! Family never abandons each other!" "That's right, they don't" "Captain!" Logan turned to see the woman standing on the deck just below them. She looked up at them with a small smile. "I trust you've both eaten a decent meal?" "Yes, ma'am!" Logan nodded in response. "That's good. Aileen certainly does a lot to make sure everyone can have good food." The woman walked up to be on the same level as them. "Logan, have you ever used a musket?" He nodded again. "Yes. My father had one. I used to use it while hunting. Aileen gave me a pistol." "Good. I"m going to bring you a musket from Martin. I want you to snipe from the ship. Is that acceptable to you?" "Yes."

"Tonight... will be hard. Violence isn't something I enjoy. But it is necessary at times. I hope you understand." "I do. They need to pay for what they've done. I can't let them get away with it. I'll do whatever I need to do so my family can rest in peace." Eris raised a hand to place it on his shoulder. "I admire your spirit. I assure you that we will triumph tonight." The young captain turned her attention to the sailing master. "I feel much better knowing that Charlie will have a partner to help him. The both of you will stay together and cover us from the ship. When the cannons go off and when we're in range, I want you to start with the higher ranking officers and work your way down. That will create panic and confusion among the lower ranks." Charlie's face fell. His bright green eyes were wide with apprehension and terror. Eris moved her hand from Logan's shoulder to Charlie's. "Steady, Charlie. We're going to get in range and fire the cannons first." She squeezed the boy's shoulder one last time before descending back down to the main deck to fetch their gunner.

"...I always get so scared before we fight. I can't help it. I know the people we attack have done bad things and are bad people most of the time, but... I still don't like killing them. But I don't want my friends to get hurt or killed either, and these people started that awful fire in your home." Logan could see the dilemma going on with his new friend. He felt for him deeply. He's too gentle to do something like this. I understand everyone needs to fend for themselves and why she's having him snipe from the ship. But...Logan hugged Charlie tightly. "It's alright. Just stay close tonight. I'll try and do most of the sniping." Charlie sniffled, returning Logan's hug before pulling away quicly. "Thank you. I've done it before, it's just..." "I understand. I just want to help you." Charlie bit his trembling lower lip. "You're so kind, thank you!" "

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Eris paused for a moment to watch Logan and Charlie. Her stormy grey eyes softened when the older boy reassured the crew's youngest member. "Captain, I have the muskets you asked for." She turned her attention to Martin, who was holding two long rifles on his back. "Thank you. I appreciate it. Are the cannons ready?" "Yes ma'am. I checked everyone else's weapons, too. Everything should be ready to go." "Excellent, thank you. We'll begin the assault shortly. We're going to sail within range and begin firing the cannon balls." The older man grinned, the wrinkiles sinking into the scars on his face. "That sounds good to me. They won't be ready for an ambush at night." "No. Go give the guns to the boys up there." "Yes, yes. Oh, your cutless, captain." Martin pulled the curved blade in it's sheath from the belt around his waist, holding it out to her. "I sharpened it." Eris smiled at the weapon, taking it from the gunner. "You can be so thoughtful, Martin. I value that trait in you. Now, please return to your station. I must prepare the rest of the crew. It is vital that we proceed with caution. We can't afford to lose anyone, so we won't."

As the night deepened, the Tiger Lily inched closer and closer to the English vessel. Until starteled chatter and cries came from the target ship over the water. The crew of the the Tiger Lily no longer had the elimate of surprise, so they had to move quickly. "Make ready! They've spotted us!" Everyone scrambled to get into their positions and brace themselves for cannon fire. "Martin, fire the first round!" The deafening sound rang out into the night. "Again! Steer us closer and prepare to board!" Just then, the ship quakied. A large part of the ship's railing was blasted apart. "Get back! They're firing, too!" "Quickly!" The Tiger Lily fired the next round of cannons before the English could have another opportunity. "Prepare to board! Logan, Charlie, get in position now! Remember what I told you both!" Logan could hardly stop his hands from shaking as he crouched behind the oak barrier of the ship and aimed the musket. They killed my family. They're getting what they deserve, just do it. They can't hurt anyone else if they're dead. And then he fired the first shot. His target officer fell to his knees, red coat stained a deeper crimson. He fired again and again, covering each and every ally he saw in danger. The enemy ship would sink soon, so they had to make quick work of them.

Logan's heart stopped when he barely spotted one commanding officer pull out a pistol and aim it. He was aiming for Eris, who was engaged in combat with her back turned. Logan fired at him at the same time as he fired at the captain. He breathed a sigh of relief when the commanding officer dropped to the floor and his captain remained standing. For a moment, they locked eyes. Briefly nodding in approval, she quickly cut down another charging soldier. Soon, the night quieted down. Bodies lay strewn about the slowly faltering English ship. Blood stained the finely crafted wood. Charlie peered out from he and Logan's shelter and began counting. "Phew! Thank heaven," he expressed his relief that none of his friends were killed in the skirmish. "I'm going to tell Aileen! She was put in charge of guarding the supplies. She can come out now." Logan barely heard him. He just felt numb. But grateful that he was allowed the opportunity to avenge his fallen people. You can rest now. I'll do my best to make you proud. Just like you wanted, mother and father. Blood meant nothing. They were his mother and father regardless. Now all that was left was to try to heal on this voyage. It's what they would've wanted.