chronology: after ship battle
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Coiled Serpent
Zandos smirked as the pirate ship disappeared beneath the uncaring waves. It was unlike any pirate vessel he had ever seen, though, and had given as good as they got. The
Spirit of Seiryu
had taken several hits. He scowled across the waters at the crimson-sailed vessel. Flames guttered in the midsection and a stream of thick black smoke was drifting upwards into the midday sky, coiling like some great dark snake amidst the pale clouds.
The
Spirit of Moai
adjusted heading to come to the aid of her wounded sister ship. Zandos frowned as a commotion on the other side of the mast caught his attention. He stalked around the wooden obstacle, nocking an arrow.
An aging man in ragged but unmistakeable pirate garb was in a heap on the deck, coughing up water whilst gasping for air. Several sailors were clustered round, arguing about what to do with him now that they’d hauled him aboard.
“’captain won’t like that,” a deckhand mumbled. “Says we should be humane, like.”
The snarled response of the ranger was swallowed when he saw Zandos approaching.
The old pirate spluttered saltwater down his soggy white beard, eyes bulging in fear. “Help,” he pleaded.
Zandos considered him for a short moment that stretched to eternity. Then in one smooth motion, he drew his bow and shot the nocked arrow into the captive’s head at point-blank range. The projectile made a dull
thud
as it buried itself deep in the man’s eye socket, tip protruding from the back of his skull. The crewmembers stepped back hurriedly as Captain Kiyori came down from the helm. He glared at Zandos, eyes blazing. “In my quarters. Now.”
