“Did you hear that brat? Now we’re even.” Goldjack said, and Craven adjusted his glasses. “Thank you. It’s exactly as I suspected.” He replied, and the well adorned Dwarf sighed.

“Do you have a plan? As nimble as she is, the Miliana will not last ten seconds against two fleets. And one of them is a Draconic war party.” Goldjack said and the spectacled Captain smiled. “Of course, I do.” He replied. “Well? Spit it out. What is your plan?” Bokbaard asked as he appeared on the ship, with a bright flash.

“She is an amazing thespian. Who will call for aid, while we stall for time.” Craven replied, and he adjusted his glasses. “We?” Goldjack asked, with a smile. “Not bad lad. Beat him at his own game. Whoever wins the battle loses the war.” The old pirate said with a mad grin.

“We may be fine, but how will you survive, old man?” the dwarven Captain asked. “Ha! I am sturdier than I look, and I have no intention of giving up my freedom to a slaver.” Bokbaard replied, before he spat on the ground.

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t spit on my ship.” The spectacled Captain said, and the old pirate growled. Craven clenched his fist and Bokbaard smiled from ear to ear. “It’s beginning. See you in Valhalla.” He said menacingly.

The pirate ships circled one another. The tense seconds ticked away and the powerful energy signatures drew nearer. The radars beeped and crewmates exchanged worried and excited expressions. Seven orbs of light appeared, with a flash of light.

“Open fire!” Commodore Greeves and his captains roared. “Evasive manoeuvres!” Crane, Bokbaard, Goldjack, Feng and the remaining captains shouted. 

“The shields won’t hold!” a navigator shouted. “They would if we shot back.” One of the gunners chimed in. 

“No! We will not fire a single shot. Mr Craven! Get us out of this maelstrom!” Captain Crane instructed to his helmsman.

“Aye aye Captain.” The young man said with a smile. He gripped the helm and magical circles were written around his wrists. 

James closed his eyes and dozens of monitors orbited him. He poked, swiped, typed and clicked on every screen and the Miliana dropped her anchor. She stopped abruptly, dipped beneath the other ships, peeled away and sailed against the flow.

Feng saw her opportunity. Her ship followed Crane’s and the red sails opened fully. The long vessel skimmed the sea water before it pulled up and crashed through a wave. Bokbaard and Goldjack brought up the rear and Greeves smiled.

“They’re playing right into our hands. Crush them between the two fleets. Did you get the package?” the bald Captain asked.

 “Yes, the crude maps are a nice touch. Now it looks like we’re chasing a bunch of slavers.” The pale Captain said with a wicked grin.

“I told you our little gamble would pay off. Get your men ready and make sure they’re carrying the Transport Crystals. They’ll need to make a speedy escape, if we want our plan to work.” Greeves replied, and Captain Marauder frowned. “And these crystals? Where will they transport my men?” he asked curiously and Greeves laughed.

“A safe location. There is no time to question the plan. If you want your share, you will need a way out and I have supplied it. You honour your part of the deal and I will honour mine.” The bald Captain assured him, with a big smile. “Emergency broadcast! It’s coming from the Shenlong!” the navigator reported, and Greeve’s smile faded away.

“Mayday! Mayday! We are under attack and request help!” Feng pleaded. “To anyone that will listen, we are being chased by a band of pirates! Please, anyone, help!” she cried out, and the broadcast ended. 

“It looks like there’s been a change of plans. Sorry, Ludo. Nothing personal.” Captain Marauder said, before he severed the connection to Greeve’s ship. The monitor turned black and the bald Captain stared at his enraged expression.

*

A few more ships peeled away from the maelstrom, while the rest fired at the escapees. The pirates exchanged confused looks and their hails fell on deaf ears. A moment of realisation set in and the remaining ships didn’t know who to trust. The pirate alliance shattered, and the ships fired at one another.

The Milinna and the Shenlong fled the battle, with a few ships in tow. They sought refuge near the three-hundred-metre-long whale ships and turned around to face their attackers boldly. Duke growled, and Kagiso chuckled.

“Pirates. We should see if they want to join us.” The two-horned man said to his brother. “There is no place on my ship for their kind.” The imposing man replied. 

“We will conscript them. It would not be the first time I turned a group of murderers and thieves into warriors.” Jane added eagerly.

“Absolutely not. The last thing we need are more power-hungry rulers in the making. How many of your generals were promised land in return for their service?” Gloria asked, and the two-horned woman laughed. “As many as there are territories in my clan.” She replied, and the tension grew thicker.

“There is no point in arguing about this matter. The pirates have no bearing on this mission. Jane may do as she pleases with them.” Raymond decided and Duke opened his eyes. “Are you okay with this?” he asked Kagiso, and the two-horned man gave it some thought.

“What happened to pirates have no place on your ship?” Kagiso asked. “They don’t. However, they may follow us if you can keep them in line.” Duke replied and the two-horned man chuckled. “Then you have noticed it as well?” he asked, and the imposing man sighed.

“Father has placed too much of a burden on his shoulders.” Duke said, and Kagiso stared at the ceiling. “It is not father. He has been like this for a while now. Did he tell you about what happened at the temple?” the two-horned man asked, and his brother turned to face him.

Kagiso locked eyes with Duke and he shared the events that took place at the dojo. The imposing man saw the golden light, the long line of refugees and the tall woman at the end of the journey. He rewound the memory and paused it just as the first assassin bit down on the pill. Raymond stayed his hand and let the pill devour his body.

“I’ve spent these last few years travelling. I’ve learned a thing or two about figuring out people’s true intentions. We both know what he’s capable of. He had all the time in the world to stop that assassin.” Kagiso said, before he sighed sadly.

“He has seen something that he is keeping from us.” Duke deduced.

“Aye and it likely has something to do with The Council and this suicide mission. How many do you think are going to die, knowing what you do now?” the two-horned man asked solemnly.

“Too many. Only a handful are strong enough to face a demi-God and even then, it would take years of training to prepare for such a battle. So, our sacrifice is to ignite the flames of war.” the imposing man deduced and he closed his eyes slowly. 

“Go. I will support whatever you decide to do.” Duke replied and Kagiso nodded, before he vanished without a trace.