Lone Ranger Chapter 50

50.

The deck shook with the explosions that landed on it. The deck took on the second onslaught before the dirigibles hovered overhead and some figures were seen jumping overboard to land on the ship deck. Their landing was assisted by the ropes that reached the deck. They were not of Man but demons in assorted shapes. There were twenty of them and then one of them stepped out.

“We come in peace and will do so unless you are forced to act.” The one who spoke looked like a Man and was disfigured with the hunchback and the extended limbs. He was dressed in a loose tunic and tight pants tucked into cloth shoes with the pointed front tip.

“We ask for is only you leave. And fast.” The figure spoke on while the assembled behind took to space out into a line facing the trio. They wore an assorted impression that resembled more of the land creatures with four limbs firmed to the ground. The one that stood next to the hunchback had the looks of a pig with the extended snort and protruded fangs. It did add character to the rascal impression but the snarling make the pig a wolf in the sheep’s clothing. The dressing was a sheepskin or may resemble one over the same design as the hunchback.

“Quasimodo, I say we chase them away.” The piggy snorted out. “The Master will not have it any other way.”

“Mentioned not the Master’s name or I will have you banished.” The one named Quasimodo replied. “Mr. Lance, do we have an understanding.”

Before Lance could reply, he was brushed aside by Falstaff who rushed forth with the pike. He was followed by the pirate crew led by Silver. The pirate crews were unarmed but their brawn approached was augmented by their muscular limbs. The crew was as described earlier rushed into the twenty so named demons. Lance was to call them off but he was surprised by the others. They were nimble on their movements with the acrobatic moves that will shame some of the best Lance had seen. The pig jumped up and did a series of somersault to lay the kick on Captain Silver. The lower limbs kicked out with a crossed kick at Silver’s face. He did not see it coming then and got himself landed at the rear with the sore bump.

“Leave out the pansy, lads. We are going for the full sail now.” Silver called out while he reached for the hidden weapon on the back of his waist. He pulled out the dirk that was modified with a knuckle handle. The blade stood out at the top and it glistens then. The pig had rushed then at Silver but the later had taken to lash out what may be termed in Savate fighting term as ‘fouette’.The tip of the boots worn by Silver impacted at the face and caused the pig figure to fall flat. It was then he whipped out the modified dirk to slash it across the neck severing the jugular veins. The pig figure squealed while holding the neck which was sprouting blood. Silver kicked the wounded pig aside and then crouched up. Another that resembled a mule had rushed at him and he could roll away to the side. His escape however was cut short when he got his right ribs kicked at by the attacker.

“Yowl!” Silver called out in pain and did a few more rolls. He then saw his attacker pursuing him for more kicks but Silver was ready for it. The kick came at Silver’s face but the later had prepared for it. He lashed out with his modified dirk at the rear heel of the attacker. He cut in deep to topple the attacker. Once the later had fallen, Silver thrust the dirk into the throat once more.

“A pig and now a mule. Both are animals that deserved no more than the cut across the throat.” Silver muttered out and then he looked at his other crews. They were in engagement with the others and then he saw Quasimodo facing Lance. The former was holding one of Silver’s crew by the neck.

“We could have ended this amicably.” Quasimodo voiced out when he dropped the dead crew. “I desire not a fight with you.”

“An uncanny request than when it was your group that prompted us to defend ourselves.” Tonto was the one who replied. “I might add that even in Hades, the souls could die.”

“We all die but some of us had to die more than once,” Quasimodo replied. “They just earned their passage to die once more. I was told you did not die. So it will be your first death then.”

“Not if I could stop it.” Falstaff had sneaked in on the rear and thrust the pike into Quasimodo. “That’s my third time I have done you in. Die thrice, my good friend. A pity we served two different Masters now.”

Quasimodo stared at the protruded pike at his navel. The bloodied pike head had pulled some of his innards on the thrust and it hurt every time. He looked at Lance and struggle a smile. He hollered out that to the others to call a truce. The fatalities read as four demons and three crews with five on each side with injuries not including Quasimodo. 

“Looks like I bungled it once more. We were good friends then and having served the one Master then but since Lucifer went missing, we sort of went separate ways. I did not understand it but we are individuals with our allegiance.”

“Masters?” Lance was puzzled then. “Someone enlighten me please.”

Vlad who stood on the sideline had decided to parley in. He stepped up to Quasimodo and held the wounded figure up by the shoulder.

“It’s unfortunate for you that your task here is riddled with unknowns and empty spaces,” Vlad spoke up. “You are the Lone Ranger and about to embark on a task for the Angel to capture Lucifer. Are you sure you are on the right trail or the right condemned figure?’

“Stop it!” Lance hit out. “I will not have you blind me to my task.”

“Blind? None as blind as those who choose not to see.” Vlad snapped back.  “Perhaps if you hear my side, you might be more puzzled. My version involved Lucifer and your family.”

“Yes, the Lamberts including your father, the Colonel and his so-named Master, Father Dennis, or previously known as Aamon.”