| Chapter Twelve - Coming of Age |
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The town was quiet the next day and the coastal wind was biting through my clothes as I headed back towards the Inn. I had risen early and skipped breakfast to make my way back to our ship. I felt an urgency to make sense of exactly what was unfolding around me and I had returned there to look for the book which had so tantalisingly lay before me two mornings ago - the tome relating the captains lineage. A thorough search had revealed nothing but a stowaway pigeon caught in the cargo nets which was enduring most reluctant stay in its enforced home. It had taken a great deal of coaxing in its distressed state before it would allow me to free it. It was comforting to handle a bird again, even if it was a less majestic example than I would have preferred. I had taken a wrong turn on my way back to the Inn and was pondering where to go next when I jumped at the sound of a shot ring out, then another, reverberating around the buildings around me. It is a curious habit of the young that one instinctively heads towards the sound of danger. We are driven by the urge of knowledge when the more sensible option would be to run the other way, and it was an instinct that fuelled my actions that morning. Perhaps it was the events of the previous night which prompted me, for I produced my own pistol and headed towards the where the noise had come from. I strode cautiously but purposefully forward, heading down a winding alleyway when what sounded like a volley of shots rang out and footsteps echoed on the cobbles ahead. I cocked my pistol as a now familiar form dived headlong into the alleyway, landing heavily with a gasp and then, clutching his knee came slowly but painfully to his feet - the captain.
I lowered my weapon and ran to his aid. It seemed that he had injured himself in the fall. "A most timely appearance Will" He uttered through gritted teeth, "It appears that our appearance has been anticipated, I rather fancy a retreat to the Inn is in order before whats left of my pursuer is found", he said, forcing a grin. I suggested he make his way back to the inn while I ensure that his hasty exit was not being followed. I must confess that my suggestions were not 100% noble. I wanted answers and I wanted them there and then. "Its an exposed square, be careful Will", the captain breathed, "Let me help you - its the building with the black frontage". The captain fired some distracting shots and I charged across the square to pause in the doorway of the specified building. Glancing back across the square, I saw that the captain had now left to tend his wounds at the inn. Nodding, I turned and kicked down the door before me inwards, splintering the frame. I was now emboldened by youthful impulse and it felt good to be taking matters into my own hands. I systematically searched each room in sequence, making my way methodically through the building, finding nothing and heading ever upwards. The house was uninhabited and the dusty furniture betrayed the fact that it had been for some time. As I headed up the spiral staircase to the top floor I heard a creaking from the floorboards above. The door to the attic was ajar and I slowly pushed it open with the tip of my pistol, grimacing as it creaked gently while swinging open. "...I'll get him, and if I don’t one of the others will Charles - hang in there." I heard whispered from behind a small pile of ruined furniture ahead of me. I could hear small groans and ragged breathing from there also, mixed in with some footsteps, I had two targets to deal with. Staying low, I crept painstakingly into the room, the sound of my pulse pounding in my ears. I suddenly realised that I was in a very dangerous scenario with no military training to fall back on. I mused that I would have to see if the captain could help me remedy that - if I got out of the room alive that was. I then learned my first lesson of warfare, concentrate on what you’re doing and the terrain around you. I stepped on a fragment of china which cracked underfoot, betraying my position. I froze momentarily in panic, unsure of my next move before throwing myself forward into a roll, which proved to be not a moment too soon as lead shot zipped through the air and left a large hole in the wall behind where I had been standing. I heard a curse and instinctively hurled myself blindly towards it, hoping to surprise my assailant. Crashing through the furniture, which was thankfully brittle, I connected forcefully with a heavy set individual and sent us both crashing to the floor, hearing his breath exploding from his lungs as we landed. My head spun and I attempted to blink the dust from my eyes following its collision with the floor, fumbling around unsuccessfully for my dropped pistol. My vision finally cleared to focus on a boot making its way with alarming speed towards my face whilst its owner fumbled with a rifle. He was obviously a more seasoned brawler than I, and had recovered quickly. I rolled to my right and succeeded in deflecting the blow with a shoulder. "Time's up for you, kite boy" hissed my attacker lowering his rifle at me. The next few moments seemed to stretch out forever, in the manner that near death experiences seem to. My roll had sent me sliding into a now inert body propped up against a wall, his weapon by his side. It was cocked and ready to fire, which I owe to my continued survival. I desperately angled it upwards over my shoulder from my sideways on position and squeezed the trigger. If I close my eyes I can still recall the sickening sounds that followed now, the sounds of death. I have heard them many times since but the first occasion that I was the cause of them has stayed with me. The sound of tearing flesh and splintering bone mingled with a surprised pained gasp filled the air. I turned to see what was left of my counterparts face locked in a bloodied rictus of surprise as his knees failed and he slumped to the floor, his gasp turning to a pitiful gurgling attempt to continue to breathe, his rifle falling to the floor. Blood poured from the mangled mess of his mouth as his eyes glazed over and he expired. I sat for several moments, horrified by the sight before me, unable to move. I was dragged back to rational thought by a severe pain in my left shoulder and the smell of seared flesh. I looked down to observe an impressive powder burn due to my unorthodox firing position. Containing my growing nausea, I looked around and focussed on the task in hand. I wanted answers and performed a hurried search of my attacker, taking some scraps of paper and a purse from his pockets. I had no time to scrutinise these now and realised I must leave this place immediately. Turning to leave, I recovered my pistol from the feet of the second inert body, which stared up at me with sightless eyes. This I assumed was the Captain's attacker who had an evil looking wound to his shoulder, which had a crude and ineffectual blood-soaked bandage pressed to it. I scooped up a plumed, wide brimmed hat from the floor which would help obscure my features during my flight. I left both bodies where they lay and exited the building by its rear door. Feeling shocked to the core by what had just transpired I unsteadily followed the most darkened, narrow, alleyways I could back to the Inn. It was time to leave this place. |
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