Chapter 39 { Escape}
Category: Writing and Poetry

You know. You might find this strange. Here we were, at the point of gaining our freedom from bondage. And all I could think of is what Davon told me when I asked him did we really have a chance of escaping.

He told me that we were dealing with two points of view. Advantage and Disadvantage.

We were on a pirate ship that had little experience in dealing with slaves. Advantage: Us....Disadvantage The Pirates.

The Pirates outnumbered us. Advantage: The Pirates....Disadvantage: Us.

Our feet were shackled, But not attached to the benches. Advantage: Us.....Disadvantage: The Pirates.

The Pirates were armed. Advantage: The Pirates.....Disadvantage: Us.

There were only two guards watching us, and they both were both in a drunken slumber. Advantage: Us.... Disadvantage: The Pirates.

The Pirates were killers. And they showed little mercy against there enemies. Advantage: The Pirates.......Disadvantage: Us.

And the biggest advantage for us was that some of us were NOT whipped and broken men.
And the biggest disadvantage was the fact that the Pirates did NOT know this.

As I said before our legs were not manacled to the benches. But our arms were. Well most of us were. Several of us were chained to the benches. And Davon was one of them.

It was time we showed them the error of there disadvantage towards us.

Suddenly, Davon brought his chained hand close to him. And with a sharp and violent twist and jerk. He slipped his hand free of the chain. He sat motionless for several seconds, his free hand slightly shaking. At that moment I thought that he broke his hand freeing himself. I was about to speak when he looked over at me and smiled.

"I haven't done that in years, my brother." he said, rubbing his hand around his palm area.

"That had to hurt." I whispered.

"You don't know how bad I wish to scream out loud right now."

I was going to say something else when Davon brought a finger to his lips to keep us quite.
He silently rose from his bench, heading for the sleeping guard. He moved very slowly so that his shackled feet did not make a sound as the chain dragged along the floor. Me, Rerri and his men watched as Davon was right in front of the sleeping guard. Davon steadied himself and brought a single fist over his head. He slightly twisted his head to listen to the man's breathing. Suddenly his fist came crashing down across the man's chest. The guard partly rose to his feet, as his mouth opened to cry out but not a sound came out. He shot a hand out across his mouth as his eyes rolled to the back of his head as he slumped back down onto his seat. Davon reached into the dead man's tunic and produced a ring of keys then reached to his side and removed his dagger and sword.

I sat there stunned. "Why didn't the guard cry out when you hit him?" I whispered as he moved towards me.

"I waited for him to breath outward, my brother," He said as he brought the key to unshackled my manacled arm. "And when I hit him, there was no air in his lungs for him to cry out."

I rose to my feet and smiled. I would of never thought of that. I was convinced that the gods blessed me to have Davon as a brother of the faith. For I told him a year ago that I would be a part of the Tine faith, as he was.

As Davon quietly moved to free Rerri and the others. I went over to deal with the other sleeping guard. I did as Davon did, moved slowly towards the man until I stood behind him. I brought my fist up and cocked it back and listened for the man's breathing. At that moment I thought about all that happened to me these last few years. And all I could see was sheet of red rage before my eyes.

As soon as I heard the exhale of air, I swung my fist as hard as I could and connected at the side of his head. And just as I other guard, his mouth opened but not a sound came out. He feel to the floor in an unconscious heap. I followed him down to the ground and continued to pound away at his head. By the third blow I felt his skull crack. By the fifth blow a gush of blood hit me across the face.

"Gunner, stop!" Davon said. making sure he didn't raise his voice as he grabbed me from behind and pulled me away from the dead man. He forced me onto my back and placed his hands against my shoulders. And without warning he slapped me hard across my face. I tasted blood in my mouth, when he told me to close my eyes and breathe. I looked up at him in rage as he slapped me a second time and told me to close my eyes and breathe again. I did as he said. I closed my eyes and started breathing loudly. I listened to his voice, telling me to come back to my senses. After a few moments, I opened my eyes and looked up at him with calm eyes. He looked at me for a moment and helped me to feet.

"Thank you, my brother." I said softly. I couldn't stop myself." I wanted to say more but Davon told me that we had to get moving.

Me, Davon, Rerri and his crewmen moved quietly out of the rowing area in a single file with Davon taking the lead. Rerri ask was we going to free any other slaves. Davon told him not until we get a hold of more weapons. We headed towards the Aft section of the ship. We moved as quietly as possible, for we did not know if the guard on patrol in this area was drinking as well.

After a few minutes we reached the area where the guard was standing. We couldn't tell if he was drinking or not. But he was in our way, and he had to go. Davon whispered the plan to me and I smiled.

The guard was a heavy set man armed with two short swords at each hip. and a bow and quiver of arrows up against the wall near him. He stretched and yawned, clearly bored at what he was doing. Suddenly Rerri was from around the corner and walked past the man as if he owned the ship. "Watch it, fool!" He shouted. "The Captain wants more wine."

"Where you think you're....." He did not get the rest of his words out as a dagger was drove into the back of his head and a sword was driven into his back. He was dead before he hit the floor in a pool of his blood. Suddenly the rest of the men came from around the corner to help drag the dead man down into the guarded area. One of our men stood guard in the dead man's place.

When we reached the back of the guarded area, we all stood with our mouth opened in shock. Weapons, and armor. The room was filled with it. Enough to supply an small army. We all looked at each other and begin to peel off our rags and reach for clothing. We more or less wore the same clothing. White shirt, leather tunic, brown pants and high black boots that reached up to our calves. Me and Davon looked like skeletons in the clothes we were wearing but it felt better then the rags were wearing for more then two years. Davon removed the weapon belt from the dead man's body and hooked it around his waist. He drew the two short swords. To my surprise, tears flowed down his cheeks.

Davon, my brother?" I called out to him. "What is it?"

He looked at me and smiled. "I am a warrior again." I knew he wanted to shout it to the heavens. But thought better of it. "I am Davon the Agile once again. Even if I die this day. I die a warrior."

"And I am Falco." I said strapping the bow and Quiver of arrows across my back and a sword at my side. "I greet you as a fellow warrior." As we clasped hands in a warrior's bond. Rerri was searching a small chest that was sitting on the floor against the back wall. When he opened it, he gasped out loud.

"Gods bless me! I'm rich!" He shouted.

The chest was filled with gold coins and small gems. A man could live comfortably for the rest of his life with what was inside that chest. But Davon grabbed Rerri and pulled him to his feet. "You damned fool!" Davon shouted. "We're trying to get free from here. And here you are thinking about treasure!"

He tried to say that we would need it for if we escaped. The treasure would help us later on. Davon was about to say something, when I told him that Rerri was right. The money would help us when we got away. He looked at me and grumbled something under his breath. He told me to keep an eye on him while he freed some more slaves.

After a while Davon managed to free another eight slaves, where the others were beyond help. We still didn't have enough men to row the red ship. After the others were dressed and armed. Davon ordered the men to stay here while we go up top and scout the area.

When we reached top side. the two of us groaned. there were more then twenty men, drinking or unconscious on the deck. "There's no way we can get them off the ship." I whispered to him. He looked back at me and smiled.

"I do not think we have to.........look!" he said pointing to the smaller escort ship that was docked next to the pirate ship.

"Take the smaller ship......yes!" I said. "There's more then enough of us to row that ship."

We went back down the aft section of the ship and told them of the change in plans. Me and Davon would go first. Get past all the drunken pirates and get aboard the smaller ship. But first we needed to get these chains off our legs. If we have to move fast, the manacles would spell death for us.

We gathered several swords, and stacked them three blades high. We tied them together using our discarded rags and placed it on the floor. Davon told me to lay on the floor with my legs sprayed apart and the chain over the pile of tied swords. Davon produced a large Axe and brought it down across the chain. The chain broke away into two pieces. Two more chops and most of the chain was chopped off.

Soon as everyone chains were cut free. Davon and I made our way back up top. Quietly we made our way along the side of the ship, avoiding anywhere near the middle of the ship where some men were still drinking. We got half way towards the ship when one of the pirates that was in a stupor started to come around. Davon quickly knelt down next to him and plunged a dagger into his throat while covering his mouth. We turned him on his side that faced away from prying eyes. Anyone looking would see him sleeping away from them and pay him no mind. We had to knife two more pirates to make a path of dead and drunken sleeping men to reach the ship. We peeked over to the other ship and saw no one on deck. Quietly we made it over to the other ship. Knelling we paused for the moment. Suddenly I could hear voices down below.

"Let us pray that there are not many pirates down there." Davon said, drawing one of his swords. I nodded as I followed him into the ship. As we reached the bottom of the ship we clearly heard women crying near the rear of the ship.Moments later we saw the women locked in the storage cage. There was one pirate that was raping one of them right on the floor next to the cell. Some of them saw us heading towards them. But we both put fingers to our lips telling them not to give us away.

The bastard never saw what hit him. I grabbed him by his hair, pulled it back and Davon sliced his throat with his dagger. Several of the girls started screaming as we pulled him off the girl and dragged the corpse to the other side of the ship. I tried to tell them that we were not pirates and we were not going to hurt any of them. But most of them cowered from us when we got close to them.

The girl that was raped by the pirate was still laying on the floor. Her eyes did not blink. No doubt in shock. There was nothing we could do for her at the moment. Time was of the essence. We opened the cell and placed her back in with the other women. Davon told them that we were going to escape and bring other men to row the ship away from here. Some of them nodded, understanding what we were planning.

We hurried back to the red ship and went below. We told some of the men to grab some skins of ale and wine, dried meats and fish. Davon made sure there was going to be more then enough for all of us. For we might be on the sea for a long time.

One at a time, each man quietly walked around the edge of the ship to reach the smaller ship. After what seemed like hours, we were all aboard the smaller escort ship without no one noticing us. Rerri carried two small chest of coins. He was telling the other men what he was planing to do with 'his' treasure. But Davon had a surprise for him later.

Some of the men were staring hungrily at the women. But we had to make our escape. We told them to get to the rowing benches. and the few who didn't listen. Davon put the whip to them. "The only thing some of them understand." He said sadly.

I went top side and cut away the ropes that held us to the red ship. Ever so quietly, we started rowing away from the pirate ship. Within a span of an hour. We escaped. about a half hour of silent rowing. we all put our backs into it and rowed as hard as we could. To our surprise several of the women walked over to empty benches and took oars and started rowing with us.

Rerri took the helm. Like it or not. When it cam to steering a ship. Few were as good as Rerri.

"I guess he has some value, my brother." Davon whispered between strokes of the oars.

All I could do grumble in agreement. But Rerri fate was still not decided as of yet. We had to get away first. Everything else had to wait.

So all though the night, we rowed.

Rowed for our freedom.

"No way there going to catch us!" I shouted between rows. No way in hell!"

Gunner stopped his story to take a drink of water. No one said nothing. Merc looked at him.


"Here I thought you was nothing more than a rude, brash, womanizing fool. But I.....I guess I was wrong about you." she thought to herself, quietly sighing under her breath. "But don't think I won't bash your head in if you try to hit on me again."

Gunner looked over at her with a small smile on his face, as if he heard what she was thinking. Merc blushed in spite of herself.


Gunner took a deep breath and continued his story.


A little more then a week after the plans was set up by Davon. Rerri told us that he told his crewmen about the plan, they agreed eagerly. For they did not wish to die shackled to an oar.

For several days, I looked at the things all around me. I took the time to think about what I saw before I spoke to anyone. I've finally came to the conclusion that when the raiders captured a ship, there means of watching us when down, while there desire to drink themselves into a stupor clearly went up. When I passed this on to Davon and Rerri, they both nodded in agreement. The plan was simple. We would make our move shortly after we take a ship.
The bigger the better.

For the next several weeks we sailed the southern oceans without a single ship captured. We were getting worried that we might get the blame for for it, yet for some reason no one said anything. We used this time to also gather supplies, and no matter what we brought into the ship's cargo holds. There was one section of the ship we were not allowed to enter. It was the forward aft section of the ship. The path leading to his area was guarded. This is were they had to supply there treasures and most importantly there weapons.

Another good thing, being on this ship was that, unlike Rerri, they feed us well. Rerri would feed us enough, that we were strong enough to row and nothing else. Davon noticed that the two of us was putting on weight. We made sure that we said nothing about this to Rerri or his men. Instead, we would say how weak we were feeling and we could only guess that the weren't feeling us enough. We made sure to say it when Rerri or his men were in ear shot of us. Even though they were on our side to gain freedom. We trusted them as far as we could throw them. And we'd be damned to let Rerri have any advantages on us. For we knew first hand of his smarts and ruthlessness. During these times Davon and I made plans of our own, using spit or blood on the cell floor.

"There is nothing more to do but wait, my brother." Davon said, running his hand across the plans on the floor. "Row and wait. If Rerri betrays us. I pray one of us is close enough to kill him." I nodded grimly.

"We'll gain our freedom or we will die," I muttered softly. "By the gods mercy, even if we have to do it alone."

After we finished talking, Davon said when we gained weapons we would strike as one. Davon would strike high, chest or head area where I would strike low, groin and legs.
At that time before my capture, my father taught me how to use a bow. I had no skill in using a sword or a knife. It wasn't like I did not know how to stab or slash an enemy. I just had no knowledge on how to counterstrike an enemy. In the cell, Davon would put me though the motions of slash, parry and cut over and over again. He told me to picture the sword or knife in my hand. Feel it's weight, sense the sharpness of the blade as I ran my finger across it. And after a while I could feel it in my hand as I slashed it across a raider's chest.

Shortly before we called it a night, I asked Davon the two questions that was bugging me since he though up this plans.

"Davon?" I called out.

"What is it, my brother?"

"Were planning to take over this ship to gain our freedom.....am I wrong?"

"Beats swimming for our freedom, my brother." he chuckled. I had to laugh also. "There is something else that is troubling you? I nodded.

"What about Rerri?" I said softly "If he come though and we are successful in our escape. Do we let him live?"

Davon said nothing for a long time. No doubt he asked himself the same question in the past. "I really do not know my brother." he said taking a long breath. "For three years I dreamed of killing him. Countless ways. So many ways, it made my head hurt. So many ways, I thought I would lose my mind. And what about you Gunner?"

"I want to kill so bad, I can taste it." I muttered. " I want to rip into his guts and pull out his innards for him to see.......but do I push these feelings aside if he does help us. My mother always taught me about giving mercy to those who deserve it....." I took a long breath and let out a loud sigh.

"Do not think on this, Gunner," He said. "All this will do is make you ill. Think about the plan. We have enough to worry about, my friend. Odds are slim and none against us. And we will most likely end up dead in a pool of our own blood."

I couldn't help but shutter when he said that. The two of us suffered too much to meet our end such as that. But I knew he was right, I had no misconceptions about this. As much as I wanted to live. I'd rather be dead, then live like this. A slave shackled to an oar til my dying day. With that though seared onto my brain. I closed my eyes and slept until the guard woke us several hours later to replace other slaves.

Several days later we capture a small merchant ship off the Featuring coast. But unlike Rerri and his men, they chose to fight and were slaughtered without mercy. We saw first hand how skilled they were in killing. They just swarmed over the men with superior numbers and wiped them out. Davon, Rerri and I looked at each other with blank stares. Five slaves were the only survivors of the slaughter. They all had the look of men that were already dead on the inside. Good for rowing probably nothing else.

And just like the Fina, it was stripped of everything of value and sent to the bottom of the sea. The merchant ship was filled with armor and weapons. A great haul indeed. But what made the pirates really happy was that the merchants was carrying several barrels of wine and ale.

And just like we figured, most of the pirates drank until they were passed out on the ship's deck. Again we all looked at each other and nodded at what we saw and heard.

This was the plan. We was sure this would work. But we needed a larger ship. And several months later, the gods truly smiled unto us. For off the star port bow in the northern seas we saw a ship. And not just any ship. It was a huge Royal Merchant with a smaller escort ship.

This was it! Our one shot at freedom. When the guard told us to row. we all put our back into it and gave it everything we had. The helmsmen put us on a course to take out the escort ship first. As he rowed towards them, most of the pirates were already armed and really for battle. We came at them with such speed. They never had a chance to set up a defense to stop us. As the pirates boarded the escort ship, the larger merchant slowly turned away, to escape.

We could only her the sounds of battle. But we were sure the pirates were making short work of the men in the escort ship. After fifteen or twenty minutes of fighting, were we ordered to go after the larger shot. Once again we all rowed as one, putting our backs into it. That ship's captured meant our freedom. And there was no way we were going to let it get away. Even though the Merchant ship was larger with at least fifty rowers. It couldn't match speed with our ship. And in less then an hour, we caught up with the merchant ship and immediately started to board her.

As expected they put up a fight and most of the men.....soldiers, were cut down and thrown overboard. I could only guess that the soldiers were spit up among the two ships, and they just didn't have the numbers to properly defend themselves against such an attack. After an hour it was all over the Royal Merchant ship was taken.

"I've only dreamed about owning a ship like that Rerri said.

"And that is all you will do.....Dream about it." the guard said as he struck the whip across Rerri's back.

Several hours later the escort ship docked next to us. We didn't understand why they did this. But after a while we found out why. The Royal Merchant ship was filled with a large amount of supplies. Skins, whale oil, ingots of copper, bronze and silver. Salted meats, and many other things. But the most valuables thing was the fact that the ship was carrying was slaves. And not just any slaves. The ship was carrying Female slaves.

Davon whispered to me why the second ship was brought along side of us. They just did not have enough room to carry all the supplies, and the slaves on our ship. He believed that the women would be placed upon the small escort ship. But he was sure some of them would be part of the pirates little celebration.

And as expected, soon after most of the supplies were bought aboard the ship. The party kicked into gear. Soon we heard shouts of laughter from the men and screams and shouts from the women. We could only guess that the ale and wine must of been flowing like water.

The sounds of the women's cries cut into me. Davon saw the expression on my face.

"I know what your feeling, my brother." Davon whispered. "But we must think about ourselves. About our own freedom. I know it is cruel and selfish. But we have no choice." A single tear rolled down my cheek, as I nodded.

Shortly there after, a small barrel of ale was taken down to where we were sitting on our benches. None of it was for us. It was for the free rowers and the guards. Most of the free rowers left there benches and went up topside to enjoy themselves. After a while there were only two guards watching us. And just like Davon planned along. We watched the two guards drink themselves into oblivion. After a while one was clearly snoring, and the other was nodding off in a half drunking sleep.

Now it was the time for our escape!

Several of Rerri's crewmen openly wept as the Fina burned in the distance. It was stripped of everything of value and usage to the raiders. Seeing that the red ship was a far larger ship then the Fina. It was decided without much fan fair to send it to the bottom of the sea. Davon and myself was a little upset about it also. We were also thankful that we wasn't on the ship when they did it.

All of us slaves were taken to the lower hull to the benches to take over for most of the free crew men manning the oars. The Fina was rigged, with benches for sixteen rowers. But the red ship held nearly twice as many. There were twelve of us slaves plus Rerri and his five crew men. After several minutes of moving everyone around. We numbered twenty four of us and had one empty row that separated the free workers from the slaves.

Once again Davon and myself were seated next to each other. And almost instantly we looked over were Rerri was manning an oar not to far from us. We could see the fear in his eyes as he looked over towards. The two of us smiled broadly and mouthed silent words of his death to him. This lasted for several minutes, until one of the raiders whipped us to began rowing. They were no more brutal then Rerri, but I could see that they did not run a ship as good as Rerri. I was sure Rerri noticed it also.


The man who watched us was armed with a sword. But he did not watch us as Rerri's men watched us. He was clearly bored with the task of watching us. And they didn't work us to and past the point of exhaustion as Rerri did. Some of us were replaced with other slaves. This went on for several days until one night Rerri was locked in the same holding cell as me and Davon was when we were relieved. Rerri begged and pleaded that we were going to kill him if he stayed in here with us. The guard just laughed and pushed him inside and locked the cell. As we heard the man's footsteps leaving the area. He turned slowly to face us.

"You can not begin to understand how I prayed to the gods for this moment, Rerri." I said, as I clenched and unclenched my hands.

I knew I was no where near in condition to fight Rerri. But my arms and hands were more then strong enough from two years of rowing to easily break his neck. I was just about to take a leap towards Rerri, when Davon stepped in front of me.

"Gunner, no!" He shouted, his arms out stretched blocking my way. "Stay your hand!"

His words and actions stopped my in place. "Davon?! What are you doing?" I shouted. "My soul and spirit screams for vengeance! Stand aside!"

"Gunner.......no,.... Falco! Please hear me out."

I had to stop. Davon called me by my given name. The name that we agreed not to say, unless we were free or one of us is dead. I took several deep breaths, calming the fires of rage I was feeling. After a few moments, my breathing calmed and my tunnel vision cleared. I took a step back and spoke.

"Very well, my bother.....I will hear what you have to say. I owe you so much."

He smiled and lowered is arms. He lead me to the back of he cell, where the two of us sat on the ground. "I'm sure you noticed that the pirates on this ship is no where near as good as Rerri when it comes to keeping an eyes on us slaves." I looked over towards Rerri and nodded my head. I clearly remembered one of the guards sleep while on watch.
"I believe this is our chance to escape. With Rerri and his men, I'm believe there is a slim chance for us to pull this off."

I asked why do we need Rerri, of all people.

"Even though that you and I are warriors, we are only TWO warriors. We may have the will and desire to fight. But even I, doubt that the two of us can take on a whole ship of pirates. Rerri was correct when he said the other slaves were whipped. There are broken. They've lost all hope. I'm sure we can not depend on any of them."

I looked over at Rerri once again and nodded. "We need every healthy body we can find. Even if they are only merchants."

"So, 'Captain'?" Davon asked. "What do you think? Care to join us? Or are you and your men determined to spend the rest of you lives chained to an oar?"

Rerri had terror in eyes. But we could see that he understood what Davon said. "H-how do know you won't try and kill me if.....if we gain our freedom."

"That is right......You don't!" Davon shouted. "But it's the only chance you and your men have to gain freedom. So I'll ask you one last time........are you with us?" Rerri nodded eagerly.

"The gods must be laughing at us right now." I muttered angrily, lowering my head into my hands. "I begged the gods for revenge. Now joining forces with our former master. Something is truly wrong about this!"

Davon got up and walked over to sit next to Rerri. He told him that he had to get in contact with his men, if they had a chance for this to work. I could only guess how long Davon took to think this plan up. After several minutes of talking the plan was put in place. I told them that Rerri was most likely put in here with us for us to kill him. So we have to do something about this.

"Don't worry, Gunner. I've got a idea..... But I'm sure you will hate everything about it."

And he was right.

"Are you mad?" I shouted. "I'd sooner have them throw me overboard and end it all!"

"Told you would hate it." He said slightly chuckling under his breath.

The plan was simple enough. We would have the guard think that Rerri beat us in a fight. When he returned he would see the two of us laid out on the floor. Davon said that our time on this ship was most likely numbered. When I asked him, what made him think this.

"You have to remember that we're dealing with pirates here." Davon said. "I'm sure they know little to nothing about dealing with slaves. As you know we only seemed to be used when we are chasing down other ships. I believe we have only two options here. First.... hoping they free us and offer us to join them. And second.....they'll have us killed when we are no longer useful to them."

I took a moment to think about it, and I knew Davon was most likely was right. I asked him to go over the plan once more. Even though I heard it a second time, the thought made me sick to my stomach.


The guard came back to the cell and what he saw left him in opened mouth shock.

"You whoresons want some more of me?" Rerri shouted, at the two of us laid our on the cell floor, battered and bloody. "To think, I was actually scared of these two. Let me out of this cell so I can tell the others of what I did. Damn! I think I broke my knuckle on this fool's face." The guard fumbled with his key to the cell door to let him out.

"This........isn't over, You piece of shit!" I shouted, as I tried to rise to my feet only to collapse once again.

"I'll be more then happy to beat on you some more. Hahahaha!"

As Rerri walked off laughing, the guard looked at us with anger in his eyes. "I thought you worthless bastards was going to kill him." He slammed the cell door shut and locked it. We waited to make sure the guard was out of site until the two of us got to our feet.

"I hope this works, brother. " I said wiping the blood from my face. "Gods! you didn't have to hit me so hard."

"Would you liked it better if Rerri hit you instead?" he asked. All I do was groan under my breath.

"Do you really think this will work?" I finally asked.

"I don't know, Gunner." He said with some doubt in his voice. "Like it or not, my friend. Now it is all up to Rerri. And who he fears or trust more. Besides, if it doesn't work. We will be in no more trouble then right now."

I nodded my head, knowing full well what he meant. But we could do now is wait. And I thought this was worse then anything. Depending on Rerri and his men for our freedom.

I was sure the gods were laughing at us a little bit louder.