Ch - 26 Run!!
Lewis held his sword tightly, prepared to face the attacking enemies. But Ser Green stopped him, telling him to leave the fortress before it completely fell. Lewis wanted to stay and fight, but Ser Green insisted that he should escape for his own safety.
"You must run, my lord," Ser Green urged. "As the captain of Witton's guard, I plead with you - use the sally port to get out before everything is lost here. Live to fight another day." Though it was hard for Lewis, he understood the reason in Ser Green's words. The fortress walls were falling, and his outnumbered men couldn't hold on much longer. If Lewis stayed, he might not make it. Despite the pain, he knew he had to live and continue the fight. Holding onto Ser Green's arm, Lewis nodded slowly. "May God be with you," he said with a heavy heart. Then he hurried away alone into the darkness, the sounds of battle fading behind him.
Following Ser Green's advice, Lewis took about 20 soldiers with him and quickly made his way to the sally port. The fortress was in chaos, with the enemy forces overwhelming Witton's defenders. Lewis felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, knowing that he had to escape to live and fight another day.
As they passed through the sally port, the sounds of battle echoed behind them. The night was filled with the clashing of swords, the shouts of soldiers, and the crumbling of the fortress walls. Lewis couldn't help but glance back at the place he was entrusted, now engulfed in turmoil. The group moved through the shadows, trying to avoid detection.
The next day, the royal guard walked triumphantly into the now-burned Witton Fortress. His laughter echoed through the desolate halls, a chilling sound that filled the air with an unsettling aura of victory. The conquest of Witton Fortress had taken a total of two weeks, and the once-mighty stronghold now lay in ruins.
The royal guard reveled in his achievement, relishing the sight of the scorched walls and the remnants of the once-proud Witton. The flames had consumed much of the fortress, leaving behind a scene of destruction. The courtyard, once bustling with life, was now a graveyard of fallen soldiers and broken battlements.
As he walked through the wreckage, the royal guard couldn't contain his amusement. He had successfully vanquished the defenders, and the mighty Witton had fallen under his control. His laughter echoed off the blackened stones, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere that now enveloped the conquered fortress.
The royal guard, seething with fury, barked orders at his soldiers to search every nook and cranny of the conquered Witton Fortress. Their mission was clear: find Lewis at all costs. The king had a sinister plan in motion, intending to use Lewis as leverage to force his father to surrender.
The soldiers diligently combed through the charred remnants of the fortress, their footsteps echoing in the eerily quiet halls. The once-imposing Witton now echoed with the sounds of destruction and conquest. They searched for over half a day, turning every stone and inspecting every hiding spot, but Lewis seemed to have vanished without a trace.
The royal guard's frustration grew with each passing moment. The success of the entire mission hinged on capturing Lewis, and the elusiveness of the young man threatened to undermine the king's devious scheme. The royal guard knew that without Lewis, the leverage they hoped to gain over his father would be amount to nothing.
As the soldiers returned empty-handed, the royal guard's anger intensified. The king's plan hung in the balance, and the Lewis remained a thorn in their side. The royal guard knew that their failure to capture Lewis might have far-reaching consequences, and the repercussions from the king would be severe. The pursuit of Lewis continued.
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Nearly a month passes with Aesa settled into her role attending the blinded castaway. To her relief, the boorish pirates leave her alone, only occasionally shooting furtive glances her way before turning aside muttering.
The work itself proves minimal - leading her sightless charge along the deck for exercise or bringing his meals from the galley. But the pay is extravagant for such simple duties.
At first Aesa feels uneasy under the hungry stares from the marauders. But gradually their gaze shifts from leering to something more akin to veiled awe when looking upon the waif or her secretive master.
One evening after supper she works up the courage to ask what caused this change. The blind man pauses, as if weighing how much to reveal. Finally, he rasps, "Let's just say the crew recently witnessed a demonstration that I am not entirely helpless, nor kind to those wishing me ill."
Aesa's dawn began with an indescribable sense of disquiet that clung to her like an unwelcome shadow. Despite going about her usual early routines with the bandaged, sightless man she cared for, an unsettling anticipation weighed heavily on her.
The morning unfolded without incident as Aesa carried out her tasks—rousing her ward, preparing his meal, and guiding him topside for their customary exercise. Yet, an intangible unease persisted, casting a pall over what would have otherwise been an ordinary day.
It wasn't until the early afternoon that Aesa finally glimpsed the first tangible clue affirming her instincts. Aesa's gaze sweeps across the vast expanse of the sea from the ship's deck, her eyes widening as a massive fleet rapidly emerges on the horizon. It's an armada, multiple times larger than their own, and a surge of tension grips her initially. However, her apprehension fades as she spots identical banners unfurling – the black pirate's flag adorned with Captain Samuel's sigil, the undisputed ruler of these seas.
To her surprise, there's no sense of alarm from her commander and crewmates. Excitement reverberates through the air as shouts of recognition spread from deck to deck. It becomes evident that this approaching squadron is not a threat but another allied fleet sailing under Captain Samuel's banners and under his broad command.
Squinting hard at the colossal lead ship, Aesa discerns the foresail emblem, recognizing the one-eyed rooster that marks the infamous reaver Mad Hanz. "What is happening?" inquires her blind master, his tone tinged with dark anticipation, as the two sizable pirate fleets draw near, extending boards in hearty welcome.
As her blind master queries, the unfolding situation, Aesa swiftly responds, "It appears we've come across another fleet under Captain Samuel's command, led by none other than Mad Hanz." The revelation prompts a curse from her master, who abruptly turns and hastens away from the deck towards his room.
Concern etches itself on her face, and Aesa follows him, attempting to keep pace. However, just as they reach the threshold of his quarters, the blind man stumbles and crashes to the floor. Without hesitation, Aesa rushes to his side, helping him back onto his feet.
Supporting him towards a chair, she questions, "What happened? Why did you react like that?" Her master takes a moment to regain his composure before speaking, his voice heavy with unease.
Initially, the blind man weeps, and Aesa, unsure of what else to do, offers comfort with a reassuring hug. His sobs shake his body, and she holds him tighter, carrying the weight of his pain. As the blind man's tears gradually subside, he begins to share, unveiling a dark chapter from his past.
"It was Mad Hanz," he confesses, his voice strained and raw. "He's the one who plucked my eyes out."
Aesa gasps, a mixture of shock and empathy washing over her. She continues to embrace him, silently extending solace. In that tender moment, she realizes that the man she has been tending to is not just a seasoned warrior; he's a young boy, the sound of his crying echoing the innocence cruelly stripped away.
Pulling back slightly, Aesa gazes into his sightless eyes and gently asks, "What happened to you? Who are you?" The blind man hesitates for a moment before whispering, "My name is...." Aesa's heart aches for the young man who has endured more than someone his age should ever have to bear.
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