Chapter 97: A Courageous Ploy
What was actually a rhyme felt like a summoning spell for the pirates. All the entourage and cog ship’s crews watched in awe as Anna chanted her words.
Her voice carried a power that filled them with wonder. By then, the knights and the healer realised it was a clever ploy orchestrated by the cunning little lady.
The wind suddenly picked up. It blew hard from the north, whipping the sail and sending shivers down the pirates’ spines.
A swarm of thick black clouds appeared from the horizon, moving swiftly towards them and shrouding the once-bright sky in darkness. Like the enchantment, the bright day had turned into a dark ’night’. The pirates looked on in terror as lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the distance.
Rafe was amazed by Anna’s ability to use the legend and tale she learned from the ship’s crew to outsmart the pirates. Her quick thinking left him filled with admiration and astonishment, as he had never seen anyone do something like that before.
The acting was so convincing that even the crews of the cog ship started to believe it despite being aware of the weather forecast.
The pirates were perplexed by the abrupt climate change. They were now overwhelmed with fear, realising that the fabled tale they had heard was unfolding right before their very eyes.
"Avast ye, cap’n! Be retreatin’ now!" the quartermaster urged.
"Nay, hold yer tongue! This wench be runnin’ a rig!" cried the captain with doubt. "The sailin’ master did say the weather shan’t be fine!"
’Dumm!’
A loud crack of thunder echoed across the sky when a lightning bolt struck down from the incoming black clouds. The pirates jumped in fright. Their faces contorted with trepidation and confusion.