The Pyrate's Daughter

Part Three

Heart in her throat, Izzy took a step back. She was shoulder-to-shoulder with Sam. "What are we going to do?" Sam whispered, his voice full of fear.

She didn't blame him for being afraid. She felt afraid, and she wasn't the one who had been kidnapped and left tied up in a blacksmith shop! However, she knew that she couldn't let her fear control her.

Izzy used one hand to push Sam behind her and used her other hand to grab a sword off the table closest to her. "Run, Sam. I'll hold them off."

"I'm not leaving you," Sam protested, grabbing a hammer from the workbench. There was fear in his eyes, but his face held determination.

"How sweet," Captain Thorn said mockingly. He drew his sword. "What makes you think I'm going to let either of you get away?"

Taking a deep breath, Izzy adjusted her grip on the hilt of the blade, feeling its weight in her grip, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. This wasn't her first time holding a sword, but it wasn't as though she'd been trained.

How hard can it be?

Captain Thorn stood before her, his own sword at the ready. His eyes were cold, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"Do you honestly think you can beat me, girl?"

Izzy tightened her grip and raised her blade, mirroring his stance. "You're drunk," she accused, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins. "I'm not afraid of you."

Scoffing, Captain Thorn advanced, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Izzy parried, their blades clashing with a metallic ring. The force of the impact vibrated through her arm, but she held her ground.

Thorn circled her, his movements predatory and precise. Izzy watched him carefully, her mind racing to anticipate his next move. He lunged, and she sidestepped, swinging her sword in a wide arc. Thorn blocked easily, their swords locking together.

She was almost certain he was toying with her.

Izzy gritted her teeth, her frustration mounting. She knew she needed to be faster, more agile. She feinted to the left, then quickly darted to the right, aiming for Thorn's exposed side. He countered, their blades clashing again.

"My, my," Thorn said, his tone mocking. "Someone thinks they're the next Anne Bonny."

Izzy glanced around the room, her mind racing. She took a step back, trying to decide what would be the best thing to do. Thorn followed, his eyes gleaming with amusement. She dodged around the table, then swung out, her blade aiming low. Thorn jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike.

"Be careful, Izzy!" Sam exclaimed. He had exchanged the hammer for a sword of his own, but the weight of it was clearly more than he was used to.

Emboldened by her small success, Izzy pressed the attack, her sword flashing in the sunlight. She parried and struck, her movements becoming more confident. Thorn deflected her blows, his expression unreadable.

Finally, Thorn advanced again, faster this time. Izzy struggled to keep up, her arms growing tired. He disarmed her with a swift motion, her sword clattering to the floor. Thorn pointed his blade at her throat, but there was no mercy in his eyes.

"Get away from her!" Sam shouted, his voice cracking but filled with resolve.

The boy ran forward. His eyes were wide with fear as he swung his sword. Startled, Captain Thorn blocked the attack but had to take a step back.

"And what are you going to do, boy?" the man sneered. "You think you can take me on? I could have you hanged for this."

Sam swallowed hard but didn't back down. "I said, get away from her!" he said. He glanced down for just a moment. "Are you alright, Izzy?"