The Corsairs never saw it coming, the Gondorian vessel on the horizon kept it's back to the rising Sun to blind any scouts who may be looking, as it closed quickly on the enemy ship. And then chaos ensued, fires breaking out all over the Corsair Ship's deck as large balista bolts carrying explosives came raining down. The wicked men en route to Pelargir had fallen behind the rest of their Fleet, making them an easy target for those still attempting to secure the Kingdom of Gondor. They ran about attempting to put out the spreading flames, as the attacking ship pulled up alongside it, boarders at the ready.
"Show these Pirates to their end!!" Brinhelm bellowed, giving the signal to board.
Within moments, volunteers from the Order of the White Flame alongside loyal Men of Gondor swung from their own ship and onto the deck of the Corsair's, engaging the disorganized invaders with sword and shield in glorious battle. The pirates, caught unaware, were out-matched, and either fell in battle or tossed from the ship to be left in the middle of the Bay of Belfalas to drown.
Having taken the helm, the attackers took control of the ship itself, and protected the area well as more Corsairs scurried out from below-deck. Then a crash from the Aft cabin's door, the pirates having released their Half Troll Crusher to aid their attempt at reclaiming their ship, as it burst onto the deck and roared viciously.
"We've got trouble!" Cried one of the Gondorians, as the monstrous half-breed charged him.
And with one massive swing of the beast's giant hammer, the Gondorian was gone, sent flying from the ship in an instant with nothing but a faint scream echoing left behind. This immediately gained Brin's attention, not wanting to lose any more of his brave Men to the creature, he pointed the tip of his beautiful sword 'Diminuendo' at the foe, and let loose a ear-piercing sound akin to a whistle from his lips, earning the brute's attention and ire.
Charging through the ongoing battle, the beast knocked both enemy and ally down as it headed straight at Brinhelm, snarling and drooling as it ran. As the Half Troll reached the bottom of the steps he stood atop, Brin prepared for the brute and changed his footing, raising his shield to absorb the impact. As the monstrous foe collided with Brinhelm's shield, it grunted and pushed with all its strength, sending Brin sliding back several feet before coming to a stop, but never losing his balance.
"I do not break so easily, abomination..." Brin taunted, and darted forward towards the beast. "This will be the last thing you ever learn."
Easily avoiding the strong but slow and ill-trained brute's swing, Brinhelm stepped to the side and spun, slashing the monsters upper leg deeply with the razor-sharp 'Diminuendo' in the process. Then followed it up with a strong stab, piercing the enemy's side, just below his ribs. With a thunderous roar, the Half Troll gripped the sword, still sheathed within its own body, preventing Brin from removing it to inflict further injury, and raised its massive hammer high.
Raising his shield above his head, Brin struggled to get his blade free, quite concerned with the impending blow from the monstrous enemy, when again it cried out a roar of pain, and let its grip loose long enough for the sword to be removed. Adjusting to the change, Brinhelm took a step back and saw it now, a bolt from the Ballista he'd installed on the front of the Ship he came on, piercing the Half Troll's chest as it flailed about wildly.
Watching closely, he waited for the right moment, and before long the brute turned his back to Brin, at which point the Minstrel charged full-speed at his enemy. Arriving just as the brute finished removing the large harpoon from its chest, Brin swung his sword gracefully as he sped past the waining foe, stopping a few yards past it, his back still turned to the beast.
"And so endeth the lesson..." Brin said quietly.
Behind him, the Half Troll fell to it's knees and then forward, it's head rolling across the deck having been severed by the last strike, and bounced over the side and into the water. The few remaining Corsairs last hope had now faded, causing them to surrender, or abandon ship all-together, and risk the long swim to shore.
"Well fought Men! But our job is not over yet." Commanded Brinhelm to his victorious Men. "Put those still alive in chains and get them aboard the Umbar Star, then search below deck for any hold-outs or supplies."
With a brief cheer, the crew went about their jobs as instructed, and Brin appointed one of his friends from the Order to Captain the Corsair vessel back to port, having him take four other of the crew along to help. As the two ships raised their sails, the commandeered Corsair boat was headed for Dol Amroth and the Umbar Star returned to its ambush spot in the hopes of another lagging vessel coming by.
"Get that cargo stowed fast." Ordered Brin as he oversaw the crew from next to the Helm. "If luck is with us that won't be the last of the day."
"Sir!" One of the crewman spoke up. "You should see what we found in their hold."
Nodding once, the Gondorian approached Brinhelm, and handed him an extremely old and sizable book. Examining the old tome carefully, Brin arched a brow as he cautiously opened it, to see what was written inside.
"Who knew those Pirate scum even knew HOW to read!?" Joked the crew member, inciting the laughter of several others.
"You have no idea what this is, do you?" Brin inquired, his eyes wide from surprise at what he now held in his hands.
"Of course, Captain, it's a book of some sort..." Replied the Gondorian Sailor.
"It's more than that..." Brin said with a smile.
"It's the Tome of Lost Melody."
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