Follow up of previous 2 entrees regarding my story REDEMPTION.

Chapter 2:

Landon loved his little town, the way the waves washed up on the shore and the people bustled around, ignorant of fear or worry. It was very small village and it was the only one located on the island. However it had its own beauty. The way it was silent at night while the stars twinkled overhead, and the wildlife chirped and fluttered as it settled down for the evening.  Landon stood up from the table anxious to be gone. He always finished dinner early, but it wasn’t always because his food way delicious. This night was like any other, dinner with his nosy father. He was always asking questions and expecting, well, successful answers. He was always glad to go into his cozy room and wash-up from a hard days work. His freckled face was covered in dirt and soot from his chores and blacksmith apprenticeship. His bright blue eyes twinkled in the sunset as he made his way around his familiar room. His skin was brown from the sun, hair light blond each setting off the other. Finished, clean and wide awake, Landon sat curled up at his window, watching the stars shine and the waves wash up on the shore. He sat there a long while, content with the view, not willing or tired enough to go to sleep. In the dead of night he noticed three small rowboats pull up to shore, mostly holding burly men, one a small poised maiden. Landon was startled, feverently wishing they wouldn’t be pirates. No pirates had ever banked on their shores before their small village had no value to anyone. Even though they weren’t far off from the mainland, sometimes Landon wasn’t even sure if the King of the Isles even remembered they existed! The strangers got out silently and lined up, the maiden facing them. There was a bright flash as the maiden lit her torch, also igniting the others. As she spun around to face their small town, the light briefly flitted across her face. Landon gasped and ducked down. Had she seen him? Slowly he rose up and peeked out his window. No he had not been discovered. They had however started dividing into groups. The one with the girl made their way toward his house. Landon made his way to the door of his bedroom, opening it just a crack hoping to catch a glimpse of the activity about to take place. The girl opened the door and her companions filed in. They discovered his dad lying on the couch. Rendering him as irrelevant and unfit for capture and work they left him alone. The group swiftly looted the main room, careful not to wake Landon’s father. When they were done they went out the way they came. Landon sucked in a breath hoping they would leave and not check into his room. Thankfully the men left, leaving the girl curiously stepping toward his bedroom. Landon flew across his room as quietly as he could grabbing the sword he forged at the blacksmiths, hoping that his skill would be enough to hold off the girl. Landon briefly considered jumping out the window. Unfortunately he would never escape notice with all the pirates wandering around. Landon tightened his grasp on his sword crouching in the corner of his room, he would have to take his chances with the maiden. She flung open the door and Landon flew at her with all his might. Surprise showed in her eyes but that didn’t slow her down, she had sharp, well trained reflexes, an amature attack would have never thrown her off. She quickly blocked, returning the blow and Landon’s fight for freedom began. The maiden gestured while fighting for them to stay as silent as possible. She didn’t want to arouse anyone, he agreed not wanting to attract her comrades. They fought very well together their skills were almost equally matched. However Landon was not a pirate,so even though he had her at sword point she won. The girl fought dirty, and in one leap she swept his legs out from under him. Leaving Landon laying on the ground panting, sword to his throat, hands up in the air as a sign of defeat. He tried to calm himself, as he came to the realization that he may die. He clenched his teeth, waiting for the pain. The girl smiled, “I’m not going to kill you.” she removed her sword. Landon was confused, “You’re not?” Still grinning she held out her hand, and helping him up she said, “No. Anyone who is that good with a weapon deserves to live. Not many people have your skill. She sheathed her sword and tossed Landon’s back to him. “You are going to come with me.”she said thinking aloud, “You’re going to train under my mine and my fathers watch.” Landon stared at her in disbelief. He couldn’t figure out how he had gone from almost dying to having the pirate as his mentor? She nodded her head, “Yep, this could just work. Follow me.” The girl crept back through his house, shutting the door quietly behind them. “I’m Mal by the way, you?” she asked grabbing her torch from the side of the house. “Landon.” he replied. She grunted in reply to his response, motioning for him to follow as she ran to the boat. They simultaneously jumped in, rowing toward the three grand ships, anchored farther out in the deeper water. “How are the men going to get back?”Landon wondered out loud. Mal shrugged, “A swim would do them good, I do need to tell them I left though.” She took off the ivory horn hanging across her chest, blowing three times then returning it to its place. Mal got a response of a dull roar made by her companions. It didn’t matter if they woke the villagers now. They had already looted the place and were making their way to the last two row boats. Landon looked at Mal, she was covered in dirt and weapons, determined to make it back to the ship. He looked forward the up, the pirate ship looming above them. Landon gulped, whatever was waiting for him on that ship was most likely not going to be pleasant.