Guardians

The shores on the Northern Sea were calmer than usual, the light glistening against the quiet waters. Two men blissfully were sailing hoping to catch a good load of fish for the day. But calm waters do not indicate a peaceful voyage, for off to the west sailed a much larger ship filled with murderous men. "Captain!" said the crewman, "I see two fishermen on a small boat about five miles east." The captain smirked. He saw a chance to gather an easy score, so he rouses his men. "Alright lads! Let's go and meet our new guests. We can always use some more slaves!" The men laugh and head directly for the fishermen.

As the small boat sails the men are relaxing. "I hope this works, we have some really good bait. The seas are calm and..." "Can this get anymore boring?" the other sailor interjects. "I mean I don't understand why we have to be here, I don't understand why you chose this location! There has got to be more lively areas where we don't have to just sit and stare at each other for hours." "Are you done?" the first sailor asks mockingly. "You know this is a good place, if you focused better maybe you'd catch something. Besides they're plenty of worse places we could be right now." "They're also plenty of better places we could be my friend."

The two men continue talking and fishing and the peaceful waters suddenly begin to stir. A loud horn is heard from the west. A big ship with dark sails comes speeding to its prey. The horn continues and the men are stirred prepared to torment their new guests. The fishermen can do nothing to outrun the ship. They try to move out of the way of the approaching vessel but they know they have to abandon the boat. A loud crack is heard as the small boat is smashed. Sploosh! Into the water the fishermen go. The pirate ship turns around and throws a net to the men, hoping to lead them to captivity. As the two men climb up and take a breath, the captain addresses the men and his crew. "Well boys looks like we just saved two men! I don't need yer to say thanks or anything, you just come down to the cell we have for ya." The men sneer and draw their blades, ready to kill in an instant. The fishermen are unalarmed and calm, as if they've rehearsed this moment.

One of the fishermen speaks up, "Your name, is it not Claudus Veras?" The captain's face drops immediately, a suspicious fear now rises. "Who are yer?" he asks angrily. "My name is not important, but we've been looking for this ship and we've been looking for you!" Caught off guard momentarily, the crew are attacked by the two men. These pirates usually enjoy torturing, robbing, and killing those they come across, but today they sailed upon the wrong boat. For the two men are experienced warriors, trained since youth. The hunters have tricked their prey and are on the prowl. The two warriors make quick work disarming and incapacitating the crew. The captain runs down to the lower decks hoping to find some safety. There is nowhere he can run out on the open seas. The two men Kail and Lance take their time binding the unconscious crew. "Looks like you were right about this one, well eventually you were. We have been at sea all week." Lance says teasing his friend. "Well maybe they took a break, we can ask the captain. Where did he go anyway?" "He's down below, trying to hide. I'm surprised he hasn't tried to swim it he was so scared." They calmly change course to head back to land and then they head below decks.

The captain is hiding in a quiet small room, he hears the footsteps of the two men and he cowers in fear. The door smashes open as Lance kicks it in. The captain is unarmed and doesn't resist as he's dragged to the deck and tied up. Kail addresses him again, "Now Veras, we've been looking for you and we have some questions. You will answer those questions." "Where are yer taking me? Why do you want me?" Veras asks in fear. "We'll get to that soon," Kail continues. "For now just know that the Guardians have you now." Veras is knocked unconscious as the two Guardians head to shore. Awaiting them is a company of men and a place set up to interrogate and hold Veras.