**Chapter 26: "Pirates Plundered"**

Scorch swooped down onto the pirate ship, Sir Valoric and Eira clinging tightly to her back as she landed with a thud on the deck. The pirates were caught off guard, and for a moment, there was chaos and confusion as they struggled to respond to the sudden attack. Scorch, Sir Valoric, and Eira took advantage of the momentary confusion, quickly picking apart the crew. Sir Valoric charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light of the setting sun as he cut down any pirate who dared to stand in his way. Eira moved with deadly precision, her daggers striking true time and time again as she took down pirate after pirate. Scorch, meanwhile, used her wings to knock pirates off balance, creating openings for her companions to strike. The pirates redoubled their efforts, shouting and scrambling to regroup as they realized they were outnumbered and outmatched. But just as it seemed like they were starting to gain the upper hand, a loud crash echoed across the deck as Finnley leapt aboard, wielding a massive anchor on a chain like a spear. The young sailor charged forward, the anchor swinging in wide arcs as he cleared a path through the pirates. "Ha!" he shouted, grinning from ear to ear. "I've got your backs!" The party worked together seamlessly, their movements practiced and deadly as they cut down pirate after pirate. The deck was soon slick with blood and oil, and the pirates were beginning to falter. But one pirate remained, a burly man with a scar across his cheek and a sword in his hand. He was the captain, and he was determined to go down fighting. "You think you can take me down?" he snarled, advancing on Scorch and her companions. "I'll show you what a real pirate looks like!" The captain charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light as he clashed with Sir Valoric. Scorch, Eira, and Finnley moved to surround him, but the captain was a skilled fighter, and he parried and riposted with ease. For a moment, it seemed like the tide of the battle might turn in the pirates' favor. But Scorch and her companions were not about to let that happen. With a fierce cry, Scorch launched herself at the captain, her claws extended as she prepared to strike...