WHO KNEW CAPTAIN JAMES HAD SUCH SKILL?  I felt ill-suited for this task. I couldn't  defeat him. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't  get to that arrow I wedged in his leg. I was sweating and getting exhausted. Chronic knocked out the rest of the remaining crew he pulled Eric to safety and I was sure that he would be fine. When I was distracted, and that distraction had caused me to stumble backwards. James swiped his blade and poked my arm. I yelped in agony and I rolled my arm. I quickly looked at it and surprisingly James gave me enough time to look at it.

"You can stop  now, and I'll  let you and your friends live." James suggested in a cruel and menacing manner. I cocked my head at him, even though, the rain was still falling plenty hard. I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

"You really think that I am going to give up that easily. Just because you nicked me?" I asked him in bewilderment, and uttermost surprise. I mumbled in a growl and I twirled my sword around.

"It was worth a shot. I guess I'm going to have to kill you." Once he spoke, he was lit on fire. Burning within the rain I stepped back as he attempted to roll on the ground and he screamed, I drove my blade in the back of his body. His body went limp and he groaned before he died. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but I quickly turned to face Chronic and frowned.

"Why the hell would you just incinerate him?" I chided, and waited for the fire to die down. Ot was magic fire, so it took a little longer to dwindle down. Chronic sauntered up the staircase.

"I enchanted the fire to just burn his body, but his possessions remain in tact." Chronic assured me. I didn't  think that the Captain would have anything special on his body except maybe... I turned his charred corpse and checked his pockets. There was a silver key with gold etchings, and a skull-head at the end of the key and elegant carvings at the other to match the lock.

"A key... "I stated bluntly and spun it in my hand around a bit. Chronic and I walked over to Eric, as he was slowly stirring himself awake.

"Eric, are you okay?" I asked him tiredly, I knelt beside him to inspect his body for injuries. He rubbed his head and helped himself up. Chronic held his hand out for me, and I clasped his and he pulled me up.

"Is he did?" He asked over a boom of thunder, I thought I heard him right and I nodded. The rain continued to pour.

"I'll  do what I can to stall the rain." Chronic suggested and waved his hand and his palms glowed and he raised them towards the sky. Instantly, the dark grey clouds dispersed and sunlight poured out. I frowned,  but smiled as I felt the warmth of the sunlight tickle my skin.

"I'm fine. Just glad that he hadn't  killed me." Eric replied and looked around the massive boat. His jaw dropped as he watched Chronic with amazement, and perhaps bewilderment.

"Wr can get Avangeline, and see where this key leads to?" I offered, and showed him the key. I handed it to him, and he inspected it with a look of contemplation and fear. I could see his wide-eyed expression, but I didn't  know what he was thinking. I wanted to ask him, but didn't  want to bother him either. Couldn't see why a key as detailed as this would frighten him the way he is now.

"I'll come with, but with this key. It looks quite dangerous. You think we can trust it?" Eric asked,  he was worried. I shrugged in response, and don't really know what to do.

"We can see. I mean; it can't  be all that bad." I suggested and retrieved the key back from Eric. We made our way to the Captains Office, and opened the door. It was a good thing that the door was unlocked. Eric opened the door.

"Ladies first," he waved me in and I stuck my tongue out at him and sauntered inside. I was amazed at the collection of antiques that Captain James had on a shelf within a display case. There was a tingle as I crept towards it. The numbness in my hand from the key tingled in my hand. It was also making a humming sound too. There was a lock that obviously locked the door of the glass display.  I walked towards it, but Eric stayed back. I ignored him, and slipped the key into the lock. It glowed a vibrant sunshine gold. I twisted the key and it clicked open. I slid the door open and withdrew the key. There was s large box that stood on it's  width, facing upwards.  It was concealed with magic. There was no more audible evidence of a storm at this point.

"The Evil Queen's Staff." A low voice echoed. I jumped and turned to face Chronic.  Eric rubbed his temples, he was probably  wondering what the Staff of the Evil Queen was doing on Captain James' ship?  It was a inquiry that I couldn't  understand. I picked up the box very cautiously, and handed it over to Chronic. He lowered it onto the ground and unveiled it with his magic. The staff was something of it's  own design. I could sense a dark radiance that was within the staff.  It was definitely an equal match to the Evil Queen.