As the Sun slowly dipped below the horizon they continued. The moon rose and the stars in the sky flickered to life, highlighted by the inky black sky. 13 scales lay on the boat after the fight, only one charged by the power of lightning. They rowed through the night, every now and then taking breaks to rest their limbs. Archie even took part in some of the rowing, even though his leg gave him trouble. They sped through the icy water and they made great speed upon the pirate fleet. There was only around 2 days until the pirates reached their destination and they had to catch up. The stars shone in the millions. All of the crew wondered if they were all far away moons. So far away that they were just a speck in the sky. They thought that, if they built high enough, would they be able to reach the moon. This continued until 3 white squares appeared on the horizon. They had caught up to the fleet. But this time they were tired and exhausted by the expedition through the night and they had no choice but to fight, or die trying.

 As before one of the fleet ships split off from the group to attack them. The slowest ship was only now protected by the last guard. Then they would retrieve the stolen goods of their village and return it to their land to fix their broken home. But for now they had to take care of the ship heading for them. They could tell by the water that this ship had a ram built on their prow, just like theirs. That meant either careful and precise manoeuvring or hand to hand combat. The pirate ship had 13 oars per side and they quickly sped up their speed. The wind rushed around them. Max pulled the ship to the side The enemy pirates yelling curses as they flew past, their oars narrowly missing each other. Giving Max an idea. “Oars in!” Shouted Max to the crew. The crew looked at each other puzzled but did as he told. They swerved back around. The enemy ship’s oars moving in perfect unison as they built up speed. Like a bull to a challenger it charged full speed at them. Max waited, and waited, and waited. Just before collision he swerved the ship. The sound of oars snapping and shattering as their prow cut through them. It had been timed perfectly so that their prow had rammed through their oars. The yells of the pirates filled the air as thei oars flung up and hit them in the face or simply shattered in their hands. The crew yelled and cheered in success. Archie took a few shots. But their victory was short lived the pirates shot arrows with rope tied to them at their hull. The enemy crew started to pull them in. Archie leapt to the ropes and started cutting just befor the rest of the crew joined in. Halfway to the enemy ship which was swarming with the enemy pirates and one of the lines was cut. Then another. Then the next. But it was too late, numerous pirates leapt over the small gap left, while the others pulled it over the remaining space. They covered the deck and the crew was forced to take a defensive semicircle against the railing. The pirates were cut down, but always another took his place. They were like immortals. They ran in like a wave, but they smashed against the crew like a rock bouncing back or lying motionless. A line of men that was always replenished, that would never die.