"I promise!" Tavia jerked awake, sweat dripping off her forehead. Another nightmare of her father. It's been eight years and it still sends her into a whimpering, sweating mess. Her head jerked to the door as she heard footsteps. She walked slowly to her nightstand, grabbing her dagger. She watched as the door opened slightly, grabbing the intruder by the collar. She pushed him against the wall, holding the dagger to his neck. "Niece."

She released her hold on her uncle Northrop's neck before turning away. "Forgive me, Uncle." Northrop rubbed at his throat, nodding. "You should never apologize for having the nightmare of your father." "I saw him die again" "It's been eight years, child." "And what of it uncle? Should the image of my father vanish from my memory just because the years have passed?" Silence filled the room as she grabbed her sword belt and tied it around her waist.

"What of the crew?" "They're at the Salty Sea tavern. Drinking themselves blind." She chuckled, not surprised. Eight years ago, her and her uncle landed on Crook's Island, wind-beaten and starving. The island was filled with drunken pirates and it still is to this very day. She grabbed her hat and placed it on her head, following her uncle out the door. They walked on the deck of her ship, Red Eye. A tribute to the man that raised her. Pay blood with blood, she thought, I will avenge you father. Her uncle followed close behind her as she crossed to the tavern. She opened the door, seeing everyone drinking, jeering and cheering.

"Captain!" She turned to see Eamon, her charming second in command, or so he pretended to be. "What are you doing?" He raised his cup and chuckled, his breath filled with the smell of dark rum. "Enjoying me a drink with the fellas." "Enjoy all the ale and rum you want. We sail for Erstonia on the morrow." The tavern quieted down, as Eamon leaned in. "For true?"

"What are our words, crew?" "Pay blood with blood!" They shouted back at her. "Pay blood with blood. We can't pay anything if we're half an ocean away from Erstonia." The crew of men yelled in excitement. They have waited years for this, just like I have. She smirked a small smile before grabbing a glass of rum and heading to an empty table, her uncle beside her. She gulped down the rum and stared at her uncle's troubled face. "You think we should wait?" "It is unwise to move into Erstonia this early." "Eight years I have waited. Eight years. Would you have me wait eight more to avenge the death of my mother? Of my father?" "How are you to avenge their murders? Just by walking on the King's land and marching into the throne room?"

Tavia banged her cup on the table, asking for a second fill. "I mean to run in there and do what my father would have done. Take the villages one by one, let King Stephen know I'm coming. The daughter of Edric Dred. The Red Eye born again." "You are not your father, child" He still thinks me a child of nine. "I have his blood in me. I am a Dred, as are you. I love you dearly Uncle. And if you think this is a mistake then you are gladly welcome to stay on this damned island filled with drunks. But I am taking mine own crew onto the Red Eye and making my way to Erstonia to fulfill my promise. To pay blood with blood."