High over the sea battle, dodging through the very sky that Princess Nataleigh was watching through the submarine periscope, Chrysolis did her best to bring her passengers safely through to the island shore. The flight proved difficult, especially since some of the shots being fired were coming from the island itself. Prince Nathan, Vonkar and Flindee all held on for their lives as the dragon was forced to bank left to dodge a spinning net one moment, then dive suddenly to avoid a flaming barrel the next. Some of the pirates from both sides had seen the dragon and were aiming directly at them now, making the flight even more dangerous as shots came from every direction.
Looking below, Prince Nathan could see the entire scope of the sea battle taking place almost wholly within the Island’s large bay. Captain Klaw’s immense black galleon, “The Shabby Crab” was unleashing everything it had on board as it’s crew attempted to make land. But in order to keep up the attack with it’s many cannons, the ship was forced to turn sideways and hold it’s position, providing cover for the smaller boats in the Captains fleet as they moved steadily forward.
Of course, the Black Beard brothers weren’t letting up either. Though the three bearded pirate brothers each had a ship of his own and hardened crews to man them, none of their ships could match the Shabby Crab in size or speed or firepower. Therefore they were forced to rely on the many smaller vessels in their fleet which had been rigged with all kinds of strange warlike contraptions to make them more effective in battle.
The most effective tool in keeping Captain Klaw’s forces at bay, however, was the fortress that gave the island it’s name. Skull Rock was a formidable tower of rock in the shape of a skull. Large fangs of rock protruded from the crashing waves of the bay at the mouth of a huge watery cave that looked like an open mouth. The Black Beard Brothers were deeply entrenched at Skull Rock, sending cannonball after cannonball careening out of the two caves that made up the eye sockets of the skull-shaped fortress. One of the caves even had a wooden barricade set up at its entrance with a window just large enough to fire a cannon through. It gave the appearance of an eye patch over one eye, adding to the imagery of the fortress.
On the beaches, various palm trees were being used as makeshift catapults, hurling gigantic boulders out into the bay. The battle was fierce, to say the least, with neither side giving way to the other.
“I wish we could see some sign of my sister from up here.” Nathan shouted over his shoulder to Vonkar. But of course, he knew that was unlikely since she would be in a submarine beneath the surface of the water or possibly within the sea serpent’s lair already somewhere under Skull Rock. The thought gripped his heart and he turned back to Chrysolis. “We’ve gotta get down there to the mouth of that fortress, Chrys! And fast! We’re running out of time!”
“Aye!” Vonkar added. “Get me down on solid ground, and I’ll show these pirates a thing or two.”
“Remember, Vonkar. We’re not here to get involved in a battle.” The prince cautioned. “We’re here to rescue my sister.”
“Aye, that’s our first priority, but to do that, we may have to engage in some battles, especially with a certain two headed beast that lies below.”
Nathan groaned. There was just no denying the Viking when he got it in his head that there was some evil to be defeated; some enemy to be vanquished. When Chrysolis had showed up at Bouldergold Castle yesterday morning, it became clear that not everyone would be able to go with the prince. As huge as Chrysolis was, she couldn’t carry more than three if she was going to be expected to fly all day and all night. The logical choice, then, was to take the two friends who had been with him from the beginning. Vonkar would not be denied, first of all, and the prince felt he needed the assurance of the warrior’s fearless attitude. Of course, that same fearlessness had almost gotten them killed when facing the giant because the Viking refused to back down from anything ever. That time they had been saved by Vonkar’s mighty bear, Grizzle. Unfortunately, a polar bear could not ride on the back of a dragon and Grizzle had to remain behind at the castle, much to everyone’s disappointment.
Flindee had to go because he was the only one who knew how to find the island, or so he had said. As it was, his directions weren’t the greatest. A day of travel and fifteen wrong islands later and they had finally found it. Nathan wondered if they mightn’t have gotten here sooner if they had just searched the whole ocean without the jester.
Another volley of explosive barrels was released and explosions filled the air in front of them! Chrysolis was forced to gain altitude again just as they were nearing the beach.
“This is never going to work!” the prince shouted over the blasts. He was getting frustrated. They had come so far and now they couldn’t get near the place where the map showed that they needed to get to if they were going to find the secret tunnel.
“Pr’aps it’s time we consider a different approach.” Vonkar suggested from behind.
“Like what?” Nathan asked. At this point he was ready to try anything.
“Why not fly AROUND the island and come in from the other side away from the fighting?”
If the prince had not been strapped to the dragon’s saddle, he would have fallen off. Had the fearless Viking just suggested that they NOT engage the enemy in a frontal assault? Maybe he wasn’t as careless as Nathan had thought.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” he replied. “That’s an excellent idea, Vonkar. Thanks!”
“Damsels in distress first, laddie.” He replied. “Then monstrous beasties. There’ll be time enough to deal with this rabble after that!”
Rolling his eyes and sighing deeply, the prince told the plan to Chrysolis. The dragon flapped her great wings, gaining altitude and taking them out of the battle. Soon they were hidden within the clouds and passing over the island safely. It won’t be long now! Nathan thought excitedly.
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