The ship rocked on the water, the wind bending to the sail. Edric Dred, the one they called the Red Eye, stood on the deck of his ship, The Devil's Smile feeling the world darken. "Man the deck, you bunch of motherless bastards." The sound of drums followed them, close behind. Edric felt his red eye water, knowing that a battle is coming. Being a sailor was never easy, and being a pirate didn't make it any easier. "Captain." He turned to see his brother. A fierce warrior and his greatest companion. "What is it, Northrop?"

"It's the child. She goes asking for you." What am I to tell her? He nodded. "I'll got to her. Make sure this lot readies for what is to come for us." Northrop stood fiercely before marching to his orders. The Red Eye took one more glance before turning his way towards the cabin below. The child. Tavia. A small thing of 9 years old, left for him after his beloved Alisa was killed. Slaughtered more like. By the King Stephen and his men. Edric stood by the door, hearing the child's soft singing. "The child has been met with nothing but death. And she is to see more." he whispered, talking to no one. "Who goes there? Uncle Northrop?" She opened the door, swinging it with a might no child should have.

"No child, it's your father. Can I come in?" She nodded. She watched her father walk in and sit. She knew him for her father but he still felt like a stranger to him. "I heard drums." "Aye, and I fear you'll hear more before the night is over. Come here." Tavia moved closer, trying to ignore his red eye. The eye was blood red, a horrifying sight but she never said a word about it. "You look like her. I wonder what she would say about this now." "What is going to happen?" He placed his hand on her cheek. "Child."

A sound interrupted him, then a clash came upon the ship. He held Tavia close, as the ship sway. Sounds of destruction all around them. Tavia heard hurried footsteps run into the cabin. Northrop leaned in, sweat wetting his brow. "They're on the ship. Our man our trying to fight them." Edric stood up, Tavia's hand in his. "How many of them?" "Two ships of them." Tavia winced quietly as he squeezed her hand. "Bloody hell. Northrop, fetch me sword." He lowered down to Tavia. "I'll come with you." "Now listen here, things might not end the way we want. And I may die. But I don't want your weeping at night. I want you to stay quiet and build. Build strong men and avenge me, child. Pay blood with blood."

Northrop returned, the sword in hand. Edric removed his chain, slipping it into her neck. "Never take it off. Promise me, child." "I promise." He nodded and kissed her forehead. He stood up and looked at Northrop, grabbing his sword. "Take her and keep her safe, brother." Northrop nodded grabbing Tavia. Edric tightened his fingers around his sword hilt, the sounds of battle above him. He walked on deck. Watching men struggle against one another.

One screaming before getting a sword through the belly. Another slicing an already dying man's throat. He looked back to see Northrop and Tavia. He turned and shouted "Pay blood with blood!" Tavia nodded and watched. She watched as a man crept behind her father. "No!" Her voice reaching The Red Eye too late. The man slid a sword against his throat, his blood spilling out. He grunted as he dropped to his knees, his red eye seeing Tavia as she left before closing forever.

Northrop carried the child, frozen from grief and fear. "I promise. I promise!"