All These Things That They've Done

style='color:black'>Two months later, Jake and his crew had come upon what
could have been considered a small war.
They didn’t walk into it willingly, more like accidentally.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> They were beginning to run low on supplies
and stopped at the first port they came across. Mere moments after stepping onto the soil of the rather large
island of Tyrine, everything began to go wrong.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Thinking that it would be necessary
to set up camp, Jake, Nic, Babette, and his friends headed off towards the
wooded area of the island. Jake noticed
that the inhabitants of the island seemed a bit off; very nervous, strangely
quiet. When they walked in among the
trees, they heard a rather large commotion; shouting, gunfire, the unmistakable
sounds of battle. Metal clashed
together indicating swordplay – and, within seconds, they were attacked.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nicolette had her sword out before
Jake had given any orders. In mere
moments, she had already defended herself against three attackers.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> A large man with dark, red hair advanced on
Jake. He was twice Jake’s size and
clearly had bloodlust coursing through him.
He lunged at Jake, his sword catching the last of the setting sun.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Jake moved out of the way of the man’s
sword, but it cut his left arm. Jake
winced, but stayed on his feet. He
glanced in Nic’s direction and saw that she was surrounded by two men and a woman.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She lost her footing and tripped.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Jake felt his feet moving, felt his heart
beating in his throat, but when he went to thrust his sword out, everything
went black.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> The young pirate struggled to open his
eyes, but the pain behind his lids was almost too much to bear.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “N…Nic…” he mumbled.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> His body shot up and he screamed, “Nicolette!”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Shh…still, love.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> It was Babette. Her eyes were tired and flooded with concern.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Wha’s going on?”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Jake soon realized that he was in his cabin
on the Mercenary.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You’ve been out cold for a day,
Jake,” she said softly. “We haven’t set
sail, but…”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Where’s Nicolette?”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Babette was silent, which caused Jake’s
stomach to flip. “Babette, where is
she?”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Jacob…Love, we looked for ‘er
throughout the night…an’ all day today.
Claude lost his life searchin’ for her.
Darling, I think we’ve lost ‘er t’ ‘em.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “No…” Jake felt his body begin to shake. “No!” He got out of bed
and pounded his fist against the wall. His
head ached and he couldn’t understand why.
“What ‘appened to me? Why didn’
I get t’ ‘er in time?”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Babette’s eyes glazed with
tears. “You were attacked from behind, love.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Rather large rock t’ the head, I fear.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I killed the bloke that ‘urt you.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I ‘ave t’ find ‘er!style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I failed ‘er an’…”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “She’s gone, Jake.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I’m sorry, but goin’ back there again will
only bring more death.” Babette saw the
tears forming in the young man’s eyes.
“I’m so sorry.”

“Jus’…go…please.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Babette obeyed his wishes and Jake collapsed
onto his bed, feeling more helpless than he ever had in his life.