The Legend of Captains Thod and Riva ((Prologue and chapter one))
In the year of 2015A.D. the humans had done a lot to improve themselves and their technologies. Global warming, pollution and other events where still being combated by some while others continued to harm the planet. A certain number of animals from each species began to evolve and by the year 2030A.D. they could walk, talk and act like humans. They joined forces with the human groups who where combating these monstrosities but it wasn't enough. They prayed to their deities for a miracle.
The Gods and Goddesses took pity and gave in to the prayers and cries of mercy. They reformed the planet, and took away the technologies and the memories associated with them. The inhabitants of earth found themselves in a more pristine and beautiful planet. Some animals where just that, animals, While others mingled with the humans and built cities and ships. Some even married and took husbands or wives amongst the humans.
Magic reappeared in both humans and Sapient-animals, while peace and prosperity flourished. Sadly it could not last. A massive war broke out between the Democratic continent of one and the Hierarchy of the other continent. The Northern and southern Ice continents where uninhabitable and became refuges for casualties of war and those who wished to no be a part of it. From the Islands and all across habitable land people where being called to war.
Chapter 1
Thod
The grey, black and white form of The first mate filled the doorway as the brown painted oak door was suddenly swung open. "Cap'n Thod!" The wolf shouted at the prone figure in the hammock. His brown breeches and white shirt covered most of his fur.
"You better have a good reason for waking me, Michael." Another wolf spoke from the frayed hammock in a corner of the oak paneled cabin.
"We've spotted a ship, off our stern Cap'n." Michael said with a nervous salute, his brown boots clicking together at the heel. The captain was an intimidating Wolf and many a cabin boy had been thrown out, literately, when they awakened him.
"Your in luck, that is a good reason." he said getting to his feet and pushing his way out the door, his green doublet and black breeches swayed in the wind as his black boots thudded on the planking. "Set full sail, Selinder keep to the course!" His voice Rang out like thunder over the sound of distant cannon fire.
"Aye, Aye, Cap'n!" Selinder's voice called out from the helm. His own blue doublet and tan breeches where billowing on his fur while his black boots remained steady at base of the helm. His Pantherin tail billowing out behind him like a flag of a ship.
The ropes and timbers creaked from the strain of the mast as the ship swayed with the force of the ocean. The smell of brine and salt lay heavy on the air and the calls of seagulls came and went like the tide.
"Steady on the main lines." Thod shouted from the shrouds of the mizzen of the three masted Frigate. "Load the guns with chain shot and roll 'em out." His voice roared over the boom of another ships cannons and the crash of the waves.
The men onboard scrambled to follow his orders. Some of the new recruits slipping on the sea washed deck as they wrestled with grapple hooks and rope.
"Put your backs into it!" Selinder roared again from the helm. "Cap'n, they're gainin' on us!" His black pantherin fur glistened in the sunlight as another cannonball crashed a few feet off the starboard aft.
"Drop the port anchor and turn hard port." Thod roared a few feet from the crows nest, his blue eyes shining with excitement. His white fur blended in with the sails, while his men scrambled yet again following his orders.
"Prepare to fire on my-..." His head jerked and the rest of his words where lost as the anchor stuck the sandy seabed and the ship turned, violently. As it began to level out a cannonball from the other ship blasted through the chain holding the anchor with a screech of iron on iron.
The two ships sped toward each other, closing the distance between them in an alarming rate. "Fire all!" Thod's order was taken up by each man before the deafening roar of ten and four cannons, firing simultaneously, drowned out everything and the ship listed to its starboard.
The sound of timbers splintering and men screaming followed soon after that. The four masted ship of the Royal Navy listed to starboard throwing men into the ocean. Its masts followed suit as the chain shot did it's job, splintering the masts.
"Selinder, bring her around and get the boarding parties on that ship!" He shouted from the crow's nest, taking up a rope. As the ships where drawn up broadside to broadside, grapple hooks where thrown, their steely teeth biting into the soft wood. The mixed species that made up Thod's crew heaved on the lines drawing the ships together with a crunch of wood on wood.
Taking the line in one paw he swung down from the crows nest, the wind whistling in his ears. He collided into one of the riflemen on the other ship before he drew his cutlass and ran 'em through as he passed by. His eyes scanned fathoms of gold filigree and jewel encrusted windows set into the boards around them..
"Whoever the captain of this ship is sure doesn't know how to hide the best stuff." he thought to himself as he began cutting his way through those who decided to fight. The ones who didn't threw their weapons down and placed their hands behind their heads, while taking a knee. The small skirmish was over just as soon as it started.
"So, what did they have for cargo?" He asked as Clint came up alongside him. The Wolf mage had been a recent addition to his crew and so far hadn't led them astray with his magic.
"They were mostly transporting slaves." Clint said the anger in his voice didn't escape Thod as they both headed for the Captain's cabin. "We did find a few hundred chests of gold and gems, a few spell books, one of those new electrical generators, an electric heater and plenty of vittles." he said, eyes glazing at the thought of learning some more magic.
"Sounds like a nice haul. Selinder, have one of the crew tie a tow line and place enough guards to keep this tub in our clutches." Thod ordered when he saw Selinder looking through the barrels.
"Aye, Aye, Cap'n." He said around a mouthful of chocolates.
"Now, let's have a little chat with the Cap'n of this ship. Feel free to keep the books Clint. Knowing you though you already added them to that satchel of yours. " Thod said, a wicked grin on his wolfish face.