Face of Courage

Ill fortune
Cast by the winds
into the Face of Fear

A lass alone on a teak deck
The rattle of chains
The slice of oars
A desolate moan of enslavement
The answering crack of a whip

A shiver of desperate certainty
Pirates - seeking
Her innocence a siren's song

Rum soaked breath
Searing blood lust
Greed a rush of need

Small hands surround
A briar wrapped heart
Magic depleted
Alone…

The first arrives

A sneering smirk
Then battle cry
Little feet seek purchase
Wood awash with salt and blood
A call to courage
His faith her only answer
No sword stronger
then belief

The first falls.

Not a moment to rest.
Footsteps pound behind her
They are coming.
Still she hesitates
One touch to her lips in memory
A soft blush, a nod of thanks
Then…

Magic renewed she vanishes -
Cast by the wind away from death
Screams of rage echo behind her.

He smiles at her small victory.

Somewhere, she closes her eyes
Etching a memory of her silent witness
Knowing he forever wears
The Face of Courage.