Maddie stirred slightly, hearing her name being called. It wasn't Skylar's voice. Who was it? It couldn't be Franz could it? "Franz?" Maddie whispered, her faint voice barely carrying over the sound of the crashing waves.

Skylar walked up and down the beach and called out for Maddie but could not find her. "Ye miserable bitch! I'll find ye yet! And when I do..." He was disgusted with himself that he couldn't find a near dead woman on this tiny patch of sand.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement and ran for the nearest hiding spot he could find. It was that big guy he had seen at the bar. "What's the matter boy? Lost? What ye doin out here all alone? Lookin fer yer girlfriend?" Skylar sneered at Franz from the shadows. Skylar cursed and spat as he had no weapon with which to fight, and fight he would. He would kill him and her. He must have a ship or how else would he have gotten here? Once he was dead he would take it and get off this sandy rock once and for all.

It would be a glorious night indeed.

Hearing Skylar's voice call out to him, taunting him, Franz turned in the direction the voice had come from, and growled out, "Die schau...Show yourself, coward! Come out and fight like a man!"

Franz was furious, but he had to know Maddie was alright, and added, "Where's Maddie?" He already knew Skylar wouldn't answer that question, and if he wasn't so concerned for her safety, he would have immediately regretted asking it of the bastard.

He moved cautiously forward, not knowing what weapons Skylar had on him, and so he kept to the shadows, staying out of the light from the fire. At least Skylar wouldn't be able to see him anymore than he could see Skylar.

"HA HA HA," Skylar laughed, mocking the man. "Who's Maddie? Oh... you mean that treat with the green eyes? Did you know she's a true redhead? Had to check for meself you see... you knows how them women lie."

Skylar looked for a way to circle behind Franz but couldn't quite make him out in the shadows. He took a couple steps forward, peering in to the darkness around him for anything that would serve as a weapon. He found a nice heavy branch that he figured would do him good. He began to shear off the extra twigs and leaves as he spoke, egging the man on to find him.

"That girl...she's a real fighter. Twisted me jewels she did. But she got hers. I made sure I gave it to her just how she wanted it, hard and rough. She took it too, like a good bitch should. Didn't make a sound not once... maybe that's because she was damn near dead after I gone done givin her the beating she deserved for fightin it in the first place. You know women... they need to be taught a lesson. Need to be taught to be compliance."

Franz was silent while Skylar spoke, trying to pinpoint his exact location. He could tell the man was moving as his voice changed direction ever slightly. Franz couldn't make the man out in the darkness, but listening to him, he had a general idea of where the man was headed, and started heading that way himself, making a straight beeline for it, to try and get there before Skylar did.

He moved cautiously, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of movement as he worked his way forward. Skylar's words infuriated him when he informed Franz he'd beaten Maddie, then raped her.

Franz lunged forward, a crazed look of fury in his eyes, sword in hand when he heard Skylar's voice almost directly in front of him, missing Skylar completely.

Franz voice was low and deadly when he told Skylar, "Ich kaltmachen, du Lumpenhund" (I'll kill you, you dirty bastard) He hadn't realized he'd slipped back into his native tongue.

Skylar guffawed at the man's attempt to slice him. "Is that the best ye got?! Ha hahahahaha! Your girlfriend fought better than that!" Skylar could tell the man was close to figuring out where he was and started to creep back and then changed directions on the man. He wanted to draw him out just a little further.

"Oh," Skylar responded in mock surprise. "I'm a dirty bastard and you mean ta kill me eh? Sie ritt mich wie ein Stallion und liebte jede Minute von ihm (She rode me like a stallion and loved every minute of it.)"

It was Skylar's goal to make the man as mad as possible before he struck. Crazed men often made mistakes and since he had a cutlass and Skylar only had essentially a stick, he had to be careful.

Richard, who was bent low to ground, rubbed his ear against the arid dirt, hoping it's sweet lulling whispers would finally proclaim and confirm all of his worldly desires. He stroked the earth as if she were a wanton lover, attempting to kindle her inextinguishable flame, cooing serenely, 'Come now, love, tell me your secrets.'

Alas, the frantic pounding of footsteps invaded their connection, to which he rose to his knees, scowling at the natives that all pranced and danced in anxiety before him, babbling incessantly in their native tongue. His reply was cool and crisp as he allowed his lids to slide to a complacent close, their language simply rolling off his tongue, 'What, pray tell, has knotted up your loincloths?' It was a figure of speech they used quite frequently around him, so naturally, it was the first thing that came to mind, not meant to be barbed, as he was in no way angry or irritated with them.

The eldest of the group made a slicing motion with his hand, the others silencing immediately as he replied, 'Mastar Ritard, there is commotion on the beach!' He jutted a ragged, bony finger at the horizon now bearing the unfamiliar pillar of smoke, which brought a mysterious gleam to Richard's otherwise callous ruby gaze. Immediately, Richard hopped to his feet, dusting off his knees before nodding at them thoughtfully.

'I'll be back, Mazuhati,' he replied, dipping down to snatch up his trusty broom, promptly whisking off into a series of bushes. It wasn't long before he finally reached the shore, he kneeling just on the outskirts to scout out the commotion, rather than burst into it like a brazen moron. He heard a faint whisper, startling him halfway out of his skin and back a few paces. 'Ijole!' he swore up and down, latching onto hs broom more firmly, his hissing voice barely that of a whisper, as he atttempted to search to the tiny squeaking sound. Futile that was, given the darkness of the night that was acting as an excellent cover. Not to mention, a furious exchange in German that immediately garnered his interest, his gaze shooting upward. 'Rode like a stallion?' he inquired lowly, blinking curiously as he questioned, 'The hell?'

If Skylar could have seen Franz's eyes in the darkness, he'd have seen the burning rage seething behind them and known he was successful at baiting Franz with his hateful words.

Franz lunged forward once more, slicing his sword through the air in a motion perpendicular to the ground, in an attempt to slice the bastard in half.

He was finished with speaking to Skylar. He would not waste anymore breath on the coward. When he missed Skylar again, he let out a carnal cry of frustration, spinning around immediately to face Skylar once more.

Maddie's head lolled back and forth in the sand. She could hear footsteps and angry shouting in the same language that Franz sometimes slipped in to. One pair of footsteps was very near to her while the others were a bit of a distance off. "Wait", she whispered, her voice hoarse and small against the waves and the commotion.

Skylar laughed once more as the man sliced at nothing. He was in a perfect spot now, so Skylar lowered himself on his haunches and sprung forward, a gutteral growl escaping his lips, and he swung the branch as hard as he could at the man's head. He didn't catch him full on, only clipping him with the tip of the branch. He began circling him, arms out to his sides, branch in one hand. He continued to chide him, his eyes narrow slits of hate. "She was a fine piece of ass. I took as much as I wanted and more. Now she be lying out there somewhere dying and all you kin do is stand there and fight with me. What kind of man are ye anyway? Don't even take time to save your girl."

Franz felt the branch as it skimmed past his head, just grazing him. Skylar had made a grave mistake as his words registered in Franz's mind, bringing him back to his senses. Fortunately for him, the dark night hid this information from Skylar.

Skylar was right, Maddie was out there somewhere, and she needed his help. He was wasting time on this fool.

Franz tossed his sword away, reached into his right pocket, slipping his fingers through the knuckle band hidden there. He circled slowly around Skylar like a cat waiting to pounce upon it's prey, just waiting for the right moment, waiting for Skylar to lunge at him.

Skylar grinned as the man tossed the sword to the ground. He circled over to the fire keeping his gaze fixed on the man in front of him. He dipped the branch in to the dying fire and it almost immediately jumped to life, flames dancing on the end. He wanted the man to see his face just before he killed him so he would know who he was dealing with.

"Ye ain't gonna talk to me no mores. Had enough of me has ye?!" Skylar's voice was dark and menacing. "Let's finish this." He circled once more and kicked sand up at the man's face and swung the flaming branch; the momentum carrying him forward

Franz had known the bastard would attack, but what Skylar did next, Franz had not anticipated. The idiot lit the branch on fire. That was Skylar's second mistake, as it permitted Franz to see the attack coming, and exactly where it came from.

Franz brought up his left hand to catch the burning branch in his palm, ignoring the searing pain and the smell of burning flesh as he held the branch back, swinging his right arm up in an undercut aimed right for Skylar's chin, with enough force to do some damage, but not enough force to kill Skylar. Franz needed him alive right now, or Skylar would not have lasted another minute.

Angie stood near Pearl on the edge of the light circle, watching Franz and Skylar. Looking over to Pearl, she wondering if Pearl planned on stepping in on the fight. Angie felt that no, she probably wouldn't, and she felt that instead she should look for Maddie.

"Pearl, ye plan on just spectatin or we gonna look fer Maddie and my treasure?" Not waiting for an answer Angie loosened her cutlass and started to move towards the wooded area, keeping low to the ground so she could see where she was walking. If the beatings Skylar boasted of were true than Maddie would be in a world of hurt and probably on the ground somewhere.

Pearl stood with her arms folded and watched as the two men fought and became engrossed in the action. If she had had a chair and something to eat she would have sat down and watched. She loved watching men fight.

"Pearl, ye plan on just spectatin or we gonna look fer Maddie and my treasure?"

Pearl had gotten caught up in the action and was a little embarrassed by the fact that she of all people should know better but thankfully the night hid her face. "Aye we ought to go and look fer Maddie first." The two walked further down the beach when Pearl suddenly stopped and withdrew her cutlass. She cocked her head and turned her ear to the wind, straining to hear something over the waves and the fighting. "Ye go that way by that stump. There's somethin thar." she whispered. "I'm going this way...somethin's movin in the brush."

Angie nodded at Pearl's instructions and also drew her cutlass, ready to fight but also hoping that Pearl heard Maddie and not another of Skylar's friends.

Slowly and as quietly as possible Angie moved towards the indicated stump, keeping her eyes wide open and what felt like one on the ground and up ahead at the same time.

The noise of the men fighting was distracting, but Angie was pretty sure she heard a whimper that was not part of the fighting.

Maddie heard footsteps getting closer to her and felt sand landing on her as whomever it was came closer. She hoped it wasn't Skylar but she was unable to move. If he killed her, he killed her. "Help me" she murmured and then passed out once more.

Skylar realized his mistake when the uppercut clipped his chin and he staggared back, letting go of the branch. He regained his footing and rushed the man, grabbing his legs and sending them both toppling to the ground.

Franz found himself on the ground, Skylar on top of him. The gun he kept within the folds of his shirt had fallen loose on the ground above his head, with the force of his fall. He felt a stab of pain as Skylar's fist made contact with his face. Forcefully rolling himself over on top of Skylar, then wrapping his left hand around Skylar's throat, placing pressure on his Adam's apple, he brought his iron-clad fist down at an angle, intent on disabling him.

He would only keep Skylar alive as long as necessary in order to find Maddie, then he would kill him, strangling the life from him with his bare hands. His eyes burned with a hatred he'd never felt before, towards anyone. Skylar was no man, and Franz would not see him as such. He was an animal, no, even that was too good for him, he was scum, pure and simple.

Skylar gasped and flailed as his attacker crushed his windpipe. He put his leg on the man's chest and tried to push him off with all his might. The man wouldn't budge, instead squeezing harder and his fingers wrapping tighter around his throat. He felt something hard smash against is head and felt a warm trickle of blood running down his face.

"She's....a....whore...no...need for....this...deserved...it....gave it way....before....me...." Skylar gasped, hoping to make the man see that she was not untainted goods, even before him. "Used... to... work...for...money...men...loved...her"

It was no use, Skylar could see in the man's eyes that his opinion of Maddie would not be swayed and for the first time felt afraid but he would die fighting and would get the last barb in before he went. "sie mochte es von hinten" (she liked it from behind)

[ Note to self, check pirates more often.xD ]

Richard heard the voice again, dropping to his knees in the soft sand, once again pressing his trusty ear to the ground. The whisperings of the Earth had yet to fail him; surely in this matter it would amplify this tiny mouse voice, which he was now determined to find. It was one key to increasingly baffling mystery, and the answers to mysteries was what this archeologist craved ravenously. Despite his acute hearing, the great amount of foot traffic, both from the dueling men, and by the sounds of it, at least two more accomplices, was highly distracting, making his task much more impossible than it should've been. Why must they all walk so near? he thought as he strained harder in an attempt to diffuse the pounding footsteps and focus on the pure silence the Earth generally wielded to his attentive ears. Without their distractions, he might've been able to trace fainter noises, he hoped for a breathing pattern, however, now that all of this bloody chaos that was afoot, he doubted he'd be able to. Help me she screamed, her weak voice amplified and clear as day, his usually blank features flooding with an exorbitant amount of surprise. She was within the sand! It was no wonder he hadn't been able to hear her clearly before. He scuttled along in the sand much like a crab, halting only a couple meters northeast of his previous position, delving into the sand. He haphazardly chucked massive amounts of of the loose substance behind him, digging and digging until he finally struck something that was soft, and most definitely fleshy. He latched onto it, so sure it was the girl that was silently begging for repreave, and heaved.

Pearl hunkered down low and moved forward very slowly. She could make out the silhouette of someone digging in the sand. It wasn't Angie Ray. She was making her way forward only a few feet from her. Who the hell was it? As she got closer she saw what the man was digging out and started running toward him. "What the hell are ye doin?!" she screamed.

She was intent on chopping the man's head clean off until she saw he was digging Maddie out, not burying her. She dropped the cutlass and fell to her knees in the sand and helped dig. "Maddie".

Angie jumped when Pearl screamed and started running and so she took off after Pearl, ready to fight - but then she saw that there was a man uncovering Maddie. She dropped her cutlass next to her and joined Pearl and the gentleman in uncovering Maddie. "Oh Maddie, you poor thing, we're gonna help ya."

The sand she was digging out was clumped and sticky with blood and it made Angie's stomach do flip flops with worry about this poor woman and what she had probably been through.

Franz spotted his pistol above Skylar, and had to shift positions to grab at it as it was out of his reach in his current position. Without lifting his choke hold on Skylar, he grabbed the pistol, then placed it to Skylar's temple, his words a growled whisper but sounding just as deadly as the last words he had spoken, "Ich würde übersetzen ihre kopf, im augenblick! Wo ist Maddie?" (I should put a bullet through your head, right now! Where's Maddie?)

He released his hold on SKylar's windpipe, keeping his hand there ready to resume if necessary. The first sign of trouble and Franz would start choking the life out of him again.

'Holy fuck!' he cried out, the butchered English knocking him completely off guard, almost to the point of nearly dropping the girl. He managed to retain his firm grasp, despite the menacing shadow that loomed over him, the glimmer of her threatening cutlass striking fear deep within his gut, his insides like a swarm of buzzing bees, all of which deserted him the instant this insane woman let the weapon fall from her barbaric grasp. Maddie? he thought as she began to furiously dig away at the sand, creating a great deal of slack for him, which increased only more when yet another cutlass-weilding woman joined in their efforts, to which he heaved with all his might, this Maddie girl's dead weight sending them toppling backwards as she was finally released from her claw-like prison.

((feel free to kill him off whenever))

Skylar choked and inhaled deeply in a vain attempt to catch his breath. His chokes turned to laughter which soon quieted when he felt the cold steel of the gun pressed against his temple. There was no way he could win. The man was going to kill him no matter what. He'd rather die than tell him anything.

"Ich erkläre Ihnen nichts. Insoweit ich betroffen werde, daß Dirne im Sand sterben kann. Und Sie können zur Hölle gehen!" (I will tell you nothing. As far as I'm concerned that whore can die in the sand. And you can go to hell!

Franz was infuriated by Skylar's words. He knew then Skylar wasn't going to talk. He wasn't a gruesome man, but Skylar had made Maddie suffer, and he wanted Skylar to suffer in return. Only knowing that Maddie was lying out there in the cold somewhere, needing help, was all that kept him from torturing the bastard with a slow and painful death.

Franz placed the pistol between Skylar's eyes and pulled the trigger. He stood up, and wiping the blood off the barrel of his pistol, he slipped it back into the folds of his shirt. He slipped the knuckler back into his right pocket, calling out "Angie! Pearl! Hast du...Have you found Maddie yet?" Retrieving his sword and sheathing it, he stumbled into the darkness in the direction he'd last seen them go.

Pearl jumped a bit when she heard the sound of a gun shot. She had no idea that he had been carrying one when he had gotten on the ship. No matter really. Pirates always needed extra security, especially when sailing since naval entanglements were always a possibility, not to mention raids and squabbles with other pirates.

She turned her attention back to Maddie as the man pulled her from the sand. She wasn't sure if Franz could handle seeing her this way and saw him heading toward them. She hopped up as quickly as she could to intercept him. She couldn't quite make out his features but could tell that whoever it was that was hit with the bullet was done so at very close range. She ran in front of him, grabbing him by his upper arms and attempted to spin him in the opposite direction.

"Franz, look at me. Stop. We found her but..." she turned to look back at Angie Ray and the stranger and then back to Franz. "I don't know how badly she's injured yet or what has happened to her. She's unconscious and barely hanging on."