Headaches..

He used all his strength in the hand that held the weapon and slashed at his attacker, slashing the blade at his thigh. The knife skidded from the intended target. By millimetres. He intended to stick the knife right into the bastard's testicles. Cornor yelled in bewilderment and even more angrily under Michael's energetic and furious protests. Christina screamed in fright. Apoplectic, Cornor flung the woman away towards the tables and chairs, gripping the sheath of the knife as blood flowed from his fingers in profusion. The damned woman had nearly castrated him. It had been a close call that she still had her testicles in place.

Kassuim coughed and wheezed, struggling to catch his breath, his body flooded with adrenaline as he landed on the furniture. And angry. He bent his knee, ignoring all the numbness in his legs, forcing his muscles to react. Innate defiance was driving his dormant wolf instincts without her knowing it. Death would be preferable to show any weakness.

-Does not have sufficient competence or ability to command the ship. I will kill you if you ever lay a hand on my brother again or find Ayla injured. - the woman trembled with hatred.

-God, Kassuim! Michael sighed.

-I assume leadership of Revenge. – Kassuim assured victorious and nobody there spoke. Approaching one of the privateers, he drew the man's sword and hurled it nimbly against the wall. –She now openly defied everyone. - Anyone who wants to test, feel free.

Oh, Richard would kill her for sure. It was going to be the fastest career in the Armada. Captain for a day! Her gaze went hard in Cornor's direction. Perhaps the man would kill her first after all. She simply continued to defy the wretch.

-COMPETENCE? Cornor shouted.

She nodded as she crossed her arms nonchalantly.

-If you think you can...

-For God's sake, Cassie! - Michael exploded astonished. "Cornor is already irritated enough to provoke more.

He rolled his eyes helplessly. He shouldn't have brought Christina here. And where was Richard? And Adam, sir? Giles had been gone a long time since the argument had started. The situation was chaos.

-Ability? ABILITY? Cornor could snarl like an animal. - I'm a man!

-KASSUIM! - Michael begged.

-For he should better secure himself in the use of the sword than boast only that he is good for being a man. -Kassuim gasped, his throat burning and hurting. It throbbed. And the anger doubled.

-I'll kill you, you bitch!

-Why, you never beat me with a sword!

Michael gasped in bewilderment, eyeing the men around him in amazement. Also observing the expressions of the serious faces. That wasn't good. Did she intend to take the helm of the ship? A chill washed over him. It was really bad! Oh heavens! Someone needed to put the brakes on that girl quickly. It was... it was going to be a catastrophe. The Armada was going to have a woman in command for the first time.

Where the hell was Richard?

Richard!

By this time a magenta Cornor was rubbing his whiskers as if he could pull them off with his bare hands. Hells!

-Cassie is not serious! Michael managed to protest.

-And why not, Mike? Christina asked.

-What? - Mike felt shivers down his spine. Did the hellish girl really expect to challenge Cornor to a duel? Seriously?

-That's right, Michael Morgan! - Kassuim finally turned to her hurt childhood friend. - Cornor could have destroyed Revenge in that attack. There weren't even any pirates to justify the attack. Completely incompetent.

- Useless woman! - Cornor swore.

-You could have killed Ayla, you miserable bastard! – she continued the even more serious accusation, inflamed and revolted.

If Richard didn't kill her, surely Will would.

-Please, Cassie! - Michael pleaded. – This is a serious accusation. I'm asking.

Oh, that quarrel was sure to end up in Armada court. Will was going to get involved. Oh my God!

The silence fell even heavier. If Cornor expected someone here to raise a voice in his defence, that was it. Thalagar was away to calm tempers. Little by little the men around returned to complain irritably.

- Kill that tomboy? Why are you miserable? I would kill anyone for the pleasure of seeing my sword bathed in the blood of that plague. - He assured grinding the words.

Staggering, Cornor straightened up and with a muffled cry withdrew the knife stuck deep in his leg at thigh level. The slightest movement hurt. The knife had nearly caught his testicle.

It was chaos. Everyone screamed at the same time.

- Cassie, watch out! - Michael returned to fight to free himself.

-He's going to shoot! - Christina was terrified.

Cornor screamed again as he pressed on the wound in his thigh and in excruciating pain.

-I KILL YOU! - He assured hallucinating.

Suddenly, successive pistol shots rose above the screams.

- Do you have the courage for that bum? - Cassie teased and suddenly found herself pulled by iron arms.

-I warned you that the cabin boy was under my protection Cornor! The firm, a cold voice thundered authoritatively rumbling like

Thunder.

Michael smiled as he sighed in relief. Immediately he freed himself with a jerk of the arms that held him. The surrounding men promptly walked away in silence. He stared at Richard silently, unable to see anyone else there. A bodyguard of twenty wolves escorted him. If Cornor didn't kill Kassuim, Rick sure would. The brother's rigid countenance stood out in the stone-hard gaze.

-Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on here? - Richard thundered.

His patience was at its limit, avoiding looking at the woman at all costs. Or this time he would challenge Cornor to a duel himself. The girl was definitely trouble. She looked ready to defy death. And as for Ayla...

Cassie took a deep breath, ignoring the sudden tremor. She told herself resolutely that Richard Morgan didn't intimidate her. Only his eyes burned with fury. The man was furious. Very furious.

Curse! Hell! What was I doing, Goddess?

-Mr. Jones- her voice despite everything was calm. Her stomach was turning with nervousness. – Gather the men and send the crew back to the Revenge. The party is over. There's a lot of work to be done. The fluty needs repairs and caulking services. Let them know that in alternate shifts we will be doing repairs and keeping watch on the ship. Let's set up camp on land.

-YOU'RE NOT IN CHARGE! – Cornor tried to move towards the woman and was stopped.

Richard's eyes rolled with impatience. He was seething with rage.

-Hell! Can anyone here explain all this confusion to me? - he snarled impatiently. - I AM IN CHARGE! Richard was burning with rage.