“Come aboard ladies. I don’t bite.” Shawshanks said with a toothy grin. He motioned for the girls to join him on his boat. In all honesty it looked more like a canoe. Luna let out a sigh. Of course the knights wouldn’t provide proper transport. She cursed under her breath. She needed a distraction. She looked at Yadi and she had a bored expression as they propelled forward to the island. She turned to Drippy and she saw her smiling from ear to ear.

“Green one. I see you enjoy sailing as much as I do.” Shawshanks said his smile matching Drippy’s

“I do the ocean spray and the rocking of the boat makes me feel at ease.” Drippy stated.

“Aye. I am the same way. Kindred spirits you and I.” Shawshanks said. “Nice and peaceful.”

BOOM

The girls nearly fell off the boat as Shashanks struggled to regain control. “It’s those blasted fake pirates ruining my peaceful afternoon!” The air around shawshanks had changed. He went from an easy going guy into someone who looked ready to fight. “Little do they know a friend of mine saw fit to equip my ship with some new toys!” Shawshanks hit a switch and the floor started to shake violently. 

“What the?” Yadi had said as metal started to rise around the ship. The boat had gotten a metal shell put around it. Covering it from further damage. The boat started to rise.

“Get a load of this!” Shawshanks hit a button and a loud blast fired near them. The boat rocked slightly.

“A load of what!” Luna yelled.

“That!” Drippy pointed to a large ball of fire that was heading toward an approaching ship. The fireball collided with the ship and the people aboard burst into flames. 

“How do we know if those people are our enemies?” Luna asked. Something crashed against the side of the boat. Nearly knocking all the girls off balance.

“Is that enough of an answer for you?” Shawshanks laughed as he tried to move the boat away from the enemy. The boat while being excellent at defending was not great at evasion. “This is where you girls come in. Think you can get those fakes away from me.”

“Aye! Aye! Cap’n!” Drippy said as she leaped through a window and onto the enemy ship. 

“Atta girl!” Shawshanks said proudly.

Yadi went to chase after Drippy, but once her eyes met with an enemy she felt a chill run down her spine. Their eyes the same blood red that haunted her nightly. Drippy approached the enemy and grabbed their head then brought it swiftly to her knee. A loud crunch sound had come from the enemy's face.

“Shake it off!” Luna yelled to Yadi. Provide support for Drippy!” Yadi came back to the present and took aim with her bow. An enemy approached Drippy from behind. Yadi had shot them in the head as they fell over and into the ocean down below. 

“Thanks!” Drippy yelled to Yadi. Drippy found another enemy and raised her leg lightning quick and just as fast dropped it on the enemies face. Drippy thanked Ollie’s mother for her training. “I think that’s all of them.” Drippy hunched over and sprung back into Shawshanks boat. “That was fun!” 

“Yo-ho-ho! I like your spirit!” Shawshanks shouted gleefully. 

“Let’s not celebrate too soon.” Luna said as she eyed an enemy ship fast approaching. “Yadi!” Luna gave Yadi a look and she immediately knew what she was thinking. Luna had tossed Yadi one of her vials of blood. Yadi caught it and secured it to her arrow. Yadi loaded up her bow and shot at the approaching ship through the opening. Her aim was true as it went towards the enemy steering the ship. The enemy caught it and began to laugh. Luna surged her magic as the arrow exploded taking down the enemy and the ship as well.

“YO-HO-HO! YOU GIRLS ARE A RIOT!” Shawshanks couldn’t stop smiling. He couldn’t remember the last time he was this happy. “Sadly our journey ends here.” Shawshanks maneuvered his boat and docked it on the beach. “Here we are girls, iron hand island. Be sure to say hello to my friend, the blacksmith. She doesn’t care much for people but I get the feeling she will like you girls. “

Drippy was the first off the ship followed by Yadi and then Luna. They waved Shawshanks goodbye and then went into the forest in search of the blacksmith. Shawshanks said he would wait and keep watch for enemies.