" Gather around mateys as I tell of the tale of Pirate Captain John D. Rogers and give me some ale while you are at it," I said to the knaves huddled around. 

"It is a tale of swords, guns, of swashbuckling adventure and of course gold." I said, "What pirate tale would not be complete without gold."

"Most adventures start with a wizard and in this case none other than Alric Stormbringer bid our brave captain to sail to the World's End in order to capture the Heart of the Frost." This legendary artifact is needed in order to summon the Frost Giants as the great war will begin soon. 

Our captain sailed away aboard his ship, The DreemSteem. A beautiful ship made to glide over the calm waters and to break the waves of a stormy sea. Outfitted with 50 guns it has taken down navies, whales, and mythical monsters. 

Fast and powerful, it was a sight to behold. 

Thus began the journey Pirate Captain John. D. Rogers

![image.png](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmUrc8Y5xeHZ8YsWKsexppCrBNfojLUoWvKwkfc3FG5eqs)

Several times he was beset by other pirate captains looking to make a name for themselves by defeating and capturing The DreemSteem and collecting the bounty set on our dear captain's head. Several times he sent more souls to Davey Jone's locker. 

He was not a cruel man but one that knows the law of the sea. Only the strong survive. 

I remember a Kraken attacking the ship, its tentacles snaking around one of the main mast, trying to either pull us down or haul itself up. My mind was filled with fear but there I saw Pirate Captain John. D. Rogers ran towards the beast and hack its tentacle with his cutlass and moved to the monster's head and fired his flintlock pistol point black at the Kraken's eye! 

He drew another and shot again making a bigger hole and he lit one grenade and stuffed it inside. He turned away and boom, brain, mucus, blood and flesh rained behind him. The monster was dead. It was but one of the many monsters that would fall before our captain. 

Forces of nature were no match as well as we sailed the strait of Messina and was captured in the maelstrom of the  Charybdis. With navigational skill, a little luck and blessing from the sea gods we were able to escape and proceed towards the World's End. 

Here we were met by mischievous mermaids who swam near our ship, beckoning us with their song. The captain ordered the men to start firing the cannons but making sure not to hit the mermaids. 

A lone island stood before the World's End, the largest waterfall as the ocean empties into a seemingly bottomless fall. Many a ship has tried to find what was beyond it but were said to be destroyed by the dragons . 

Here in this island The Heart of the Frost is said to be protected by the Nagas. A non-melting chunk of ice said to be the heart of a powerful Jotun wizard. Even in death he still commands the Frost Giants. 

Captain made landfall and set up camp. We would need to prepare before we go to the temple of the Nagas. 

We entered the Temple brightly lit and not a single soul. As we made our way to the center we saw the altar where the artifact was kept. 

A lone figure, dressed in a low flowing robe stood beside it. 

"Welcome adventurer to the temple of the Nagas. State your business or begone." said the female voice with a hiss. 

"We have come to claim the Heart of the Frost as requested by Alric Stormbringer." Captain John said. "He has seen a vision of a great war and he bids everyone to be ready. We will need the power of the Frost Giant if we are to have a chance of survival."

"Our sages have seen the same vision and my people are ready for it. We will repel the dragons and all who tries to subdue us." said the hooded figure. "We do not need a mortal man's help." 

"Yet we need yours." Captain John said with grim determination. " And I will take the artifact back to the wizard."

"Such strong words but will your action be as strong human? I am Karhazs, Warrior-Priestess of the Naga." She said her name with a long hiss " I will judge you if you are worthy in one on one combat! and prove that you are weak like all adventurers and their crew that came before you."

We began to hear hissing sounds and the sound of metal sliding on the temple floor. We saw a hundred eyes glowing as the Nagas emerged from the shadows. We were surrounded!

"I take what I want, when I want it, such is my life." said Captain John as he drew both pistols from his belt. He ran towards Karhazs and fired the pistols, the bullets embedding themselves deeply on the wooden shield. 

Karhazs flowed like water towards the captain with her falchion glowing a bluish tint, cold air streaming around it. She was fast as she struck down and the captain parried with his cutlass. He drew another pistol and aimed at Karhazs'face. 

Boom went off the gun but snake-like Karhazs arched her neck with an impossible angle and tail whipped the captain away. 

Blood streamed down the lips of Captain John as the smack split his lip. Tasting blood he charged at his foe. 

The swordplay was magnificent to watch, equal in skill and speed they poked and parried each blow. Like an elaborate dance they flowed. Captain John drew a bowie knife from his boot and threw it at Karhazs striking her shield, weighing it down. 

She had to let go of her shield and the captain changed stance an aggressive two-handed overhand style. No more defense as the captain will go all out. 

Metal clanked against metal as the hits got stronger. Karhazs struck and the captain fell down on one knee. 

"It is over, your energy is spent: Karhazs smiled with glee, and a blast of small shrapnels covered her face as the hilt exploded. "You are a sneaky bastard!" she said. 

"No I am a pirate!" Captain John laughed as he began his assault anew and let loose a flurry of strikes, making Karhazs fall back. 

"Enough! I know when I am bested." She said " You have shown cunning and intelligence in fighting a stronger foe, these traits are admired with the snake people. I reward you the artifact and my vow to have the Naga fight alongside you mortals."

"Well and good that you see it my way now and I appreciate the offer of help. Now that we are done with that tell me more about these adventurers that failed and what happened to their ships and stuff." The captain answered with a glint in his eyes and smile on his face. 

"Follow me and I will take you to where all their stuff have been kept." Karhazs smiled back.

![PM_line_2.png](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmUeW19iqgmqgwxb8ZQvfGCeBqQk4da9iuZ3nYwjCk39iB)


This is my entry to @steemmonsters newest common monster story [Steem Monsters Common Card Fantasy Story Contest! // Week 7](https://steemit.com/steemmonsters/@steemmonsters/steem-monsters-common-card-fantasy-story-contest-week-7) 

If you are interested to join please click on that link for the details.