Chapter 126:

The plain wooden ceiling of The Snowberry did nothing to distract Anton. He couldn’t sleep, even though he had more than enough reason to. Verona and Kal lay sleeping in his arms while Luna snoozed in her coil of rough cloth. They weren’t suffering from the thoughts that troubled his mind. He had suspected for a long time that the magic he could use was not his own, not that it was acting against his will but that he was an unnatural existence, beyond simply being a person from another world. Three Glyphs and a truly ludicrous volume of mana were more than enough proof.

Another thought rattled in the back of his mind. If he was to lose the gem what would happen? Would he just die, torn apart from the Glyph’s conflicting powers or be drawn forever into the White Realm. His dreams hadn’t changed in length, perhaps they had but the increments were so slight as to be unnoticeable. Mere speculation was getting him nowhere and only stressing his heart even further. He tried to focus his mind on better things as he gently pulled the two warm bodies sharing his bed closer.

Atros was going very well. As well as could be expected. Anton had used dinner as a chance to determine the people’s magical capacity. Overall he was disappointed that the vast majority had virtually no magical capacity. It was rather tiring to check almost three thousand people, doubly so since the large communal dinners had changed to smaller scattered groups for logistical reasons, Anton was only able to check the old Atros villagers. The stone was more than enough to get cut out those that had no magic, they would need a dial of some sort to determine exactly how much mana people held, as well as the Earth Mana present within Atros. The Dwarves were very eager to build something delicate, a test of their skill they said. Anton was interested to see if the Beast-kin had a higher or lower level of mana than humans, he suspected they might be higher if they were a created-

Metal thumped onto the door. Verona and Kal reached for their weapons as the pounding continued.

“Anton!” The voice was somewhat familiar, perhaps a Dark Elf.

“Yes?”

“Captain Wilford needs you up top right now. Pirates, he says.”

“Fucking hell.” Anton shook his head. “We’ll be right there. Can you wake Cetina? She’s across the hall from us.”

“Understood. I’ll let him know you’re coming.” The voice grew faint. “Sounds like there are four small ships gaining on our rear.”

“Pirates?” Verona threw off the covers, quickly rummaging through their neatly stacked clothes. “Kal? Anton? Ever met them? I mean, not here for you, Anton.”

“They’re just bandits of the sea.” Kal fastened her armoured shirt. “Nothing too impressive.”

“Apart from their seamanship,” Anton noted. “And no, I’ve never seen a real one. They don’t exist in my world anymore. Well, not like what I expect them to be now. More little speedboats with guns.”

Verona and Kal looked confused but didn’t question further.

With everyone ready, Kal’s mask safely secured and Luna nestled in her bed, Anton loudly knocked on Cetina’s door. The Dark Elf had already left though his wet boots had left stains.

“Cetina?” Anton yelled. “You almost ready?”

“Yes, Anton.” Anton heard heavy hopping. “I’m almost there. I just need to get my last boot on.”

The door opened a few seconds later. Cetina was properly dressed for battle, though she appeared still a little tired, perhaps even restless. She nodded them forward and up.

A heavy spray washed onto the deck, buffeting the deck of The Snowberry with cold foamy water. Dwarves and Dark Elves braced themselves on the starboard side. Through the blackness of night, only illuminated by the light of the stars and their few lamps, Anton saw their weapons were nocked and ready. Anton remained silent as they squeezed into the line. Through the rough sea, Anton saw four tiny lights encroaching upon them. Judging by the positioning of their scarce lights they were much smaller than The Snowberry but faster. Galleys perhaps? It was very difficult to tell in such darkness.

Kal nodded. “Four ships.” She scratched her mask. “But I don’t know what they are. I’ve never been near the sea before.”

“You can see that?” Cetina asked, a thought mirrored by everyone nearby.

Anton spoke the night vision prayer aloud. The inky haze of night faded away. Four galleys rapidly closed towards them. Rows of oars plunged into the roiling waves to propel the small low ship beyond what their simple sails could provide. The Snowberry’s sails were all deployed but with the weak wind there was no way they could outrun them.

“Do you want me to just burn them?” Anton asked, summoning a small fireball. “I would like to test out the Octahedron Bomb on a real target, or one of those fire lances, but I’ll need it to come a lot closer first. It has nowhere near the range of this little guy.”

And find out if killing human’s charges this damn tail.

“They’re Blood Sharks!” Wilford shouted.

He and the human sailors, armed with simple weapons and armour, rushed towards the starboard side. Their trembling fingers conveyed their fear.

“Absolute arseholes.” Wilford spat into the pools spilling water receding back into the sea. “Bunch of seriously demented lunatics. Just raiding a ship isn’t enough for them. They’ll kill anyone they get their hands on, or if they haven’t paid them off.”

“And we didn’t meet them the first time because?”

“Probably because they were attacking some other poor bastard.” Wilford shrugged. “Normally I would pay them off but I didn’t have the chance this time.”

“Wonderful.” Anton turned back to the ships.

“Usually they don’t come this far south…They do have a bounty on them.” Wilford offered, his voice slightly softer than normal. “Quite a bit too.”

“Lord Umbris?” Anton asked. “What does he think of these people?”

“Hates them.” Wilford chuckled. “I don’t see how he wouldn’t.”

“Do we have any way to fish them out of the sea or not?”

“Why…” Wilford looked at the small fireball. “Oh. Yes, we do. But they might choose to drown rather than be taken prisoner.”

“I’m sure everyone says that right before death has them in its grasp.” Anton slapped the wet railing. “Everyone get behind a shield or some piece of armour. I don’t want anyone to die tonight if that start firing at us.”

“I think most pirates will do that.” Umikgruid laughed. He pushed Gosthilda behind him. “This is nothing new.”

“Pirate Dwarves?” Anton raised a brow.

“Never. But we have had to deal with humans…And the odd Dark Elf Pirates.”

“Don’t remind us,” Ceccitol grumbled.

Anton waited until the ship drew close. Cetina moved her dented tower shield in front of Anton for protection and ensured Verona and Kal were protected as well. Anton waved them back and to watch the other side, just in case. Pirates, poorly armed but highly motivated for loot and plunder, shouting and jeering, prepared to throw hooks onto the ship. A sock of chain linked metal covered the first meter of the rope from the hook. There would be no way for someone to cut the rope without exposing themselves to arrows and bolts.

The fireball glowed brighter and brighter until his eyes winced with pain. He pushed it high above the space between the two ships. The pirates were stunned, they looked to one another for assurance, their hands tightened around their weapons while others allowed them to drop low. Regardless of what they expected to pillage from a ship as large as The Snowberry, a Fire Mage was not one of them.

“Surrender!” Anton yelled. His throat hurt slightly from the force, very rarely had he shouted in this world. “I can destroy your ship with a flick of my wrist. Give up now before I burn your ship and leave you to the mercy of the waves.”

Now the pirates were completely stunned. Their attention slowly coalesced towards the rear of the ship. A large pirate emerged, his muscles as large as Jonathan or Zac but riddled with cuts and scars.

“We won’t surrender to the likes of you!” The pirate shouted back. “We eat your kind. I’ve killed mages before, you think you’ll be any different? We’ll just see how long you can keep that magic going. Not much longer I bet. But we’ll keep the women for a while. They can watch you sink beneath the waves.”

Ceccitol leaned close. “You have fire above your head. Is this one just stupid or…”

“Last chance!” Anton yelled to the Pirate Captain.

He must be an idiot. Or think it’s a trick.

The Pirate Captain laughed, so too did the crew. But theirs was forced while his felt true. True that he didn’t understand what a situation he was in. Two of the four pirate boats had already begun to peel away. Their captains understood. It was just these two fools that were still closing in.

“Still leaves me a target.” Anton said. “I really hope there aren’t any captives on that other ship.”

Anton created a fire lance and threw it at the second ship. The pirate’s eyes followed the dart of flame with a mixture of awe and fear. The lance struck the prow of the second ship, throwing up splinters of wood and flame in all directions. Fire spread across the sails and the hull, probably coated with some sort of tar to keep the ship sealed. The crashing waves weren’t loud enough to drown out the sounds of fear and panic. Waves of water extinguished the flames on the outside but the deck quickly began to burn. The pirates, illuminated by the bright flickering flames, desperately tried to douse the flame but it wasn’t enough. Fire spread uncontrollably, especially after Anton threw two more fire lances. Pirates jumped into the water, some couldn’t swim and simply dropped beneath the waves. Anton felt a pang of pity for them. Despite what they were he didn’t want them to sink to a deathly cold embrace. However, they were pirates. They knew the dangers of their work. Anton didn’t feel a charge rushing up his tail even when some had clearly died. Humans had no effect, only the Goblins, and probably the other four races named in that book.

“Surrender!” Anton shouted over the screams of the drowning pirates.

The Captain stared shocked until one of his crew hit him and pointed to The Snowberry. Anton held up another dozen small fireballs ready to strike.

“Okay!” The Captain grit his teeth. “We surrender.”

The pirates threw down their weapons and hooks, raised their hands as they winced while the screams continued.

“That wasn’t so bad.” Anton smiled at the rest of the crew. “Do we have enough space for them?”

“We still have the chains from the Beast-kin.” Wilford offered. “Whatever you did to them…Can you do that to these pirates?”

“No.” Anton smiled. “But I think we should just make sure that everyone is searched extremely thoroughly. How far are we from Rusaddir anyway?”

“Two days. So long as we have good wind.”

“We’ll drop them off there,” Anton said. “You did end up paying up everything you owed, right?”

“We did. But…I don’t know if they’ll like to see us.”

Anton turned to the galley trailing their side. “Bring your ship closer and climb on board. Leave all your weapons there. If any of you try something I’ll burn your ship with everyone still in it and throw everyone into the sea.”

The pirates glumly agreed and slowly manoeuvred the galley alongside The Snowberry. Anton kept a close eye but he saw the two retreating pirate galleys return for their friends. At least there was some honour amongst them. Some.

“Anything from the other side?” Anton asked Kal.

“Nothing.” Kal kept her bow nocked. “It is just the four ships. For now, at least.”

Anton backed away as the galley gently crashed into the hull of The Snowberry. No pirate wanted to go first, so Anton lowered the fireball as a reminder. The Captain ran a hand through his short greasy hair and pushed the nearest pirate forward. With a dejected shuffle, they began their ascent.

“No weapons!” Umikgruid shouted down, the pirate had only made a few rungs before stopping dead. His wet face was stained in fear, a hand reached down for the short sword at his waist. He unclasped it and threw it down to the galley. It struck the edge and tumbled into the sea. A few idle hands reached for the precious sword but couldn’t save it.

“That’s better.” Umikgruid laughed. “Come on up.”

The pirate shuddered in relief and continued the climb. Everyone backed away and gave the pirates some space. The first set of hands hauled themselves up, a stream of weathered sun-tanned bodies flowed onto the ship.

“No weapons!” A Dark Elf shouted at a pirate. He had a small dagger on his belt.

The Dark Elf yelled again but the pirate didn’t follow his order. He looked at Anton, who returned a nod. An arrow sunk into the pirate's arm, throwing his screaming body off the ladder and smashed back first into the side of the galley. Anton heard something snap as he slid limply into the cold water. Again, no sensation. The pirates dropped any pretence of smuggling. Some jumped into the water to swim for freedom, many sinking into the darkness, but most weren’t willing to give up on life just yet.

Wilford separated the pirates into small groups before sending them below. When the Captain emerged, a man much larger than the others, the remaining pirates regained some of their strength.

“You’re not that big.” The Captain sniggered.

“Mages don’t need to be physically strong.”

A Dark Elf grabbed the man, he was very careful to not let his loose clothes shift.

“Is there something on your wrist?”

The Captain frowned and turned his hand. An old circular tattoo lay underneath a ragged piece of cloth. Anton probably wouldn’t have noticed if he didn’t bring attention to it.

“That wouldn’t happen to be something from Tullas Mad Eye’s Gang, would it?”

The Captain clicked his tongue. A hand slowly reached for the non-existent weapon on his side.

“I think we’re going to have to have a bit of a chat.”

---[]---

The Pirate Captain grumbled as he was fastened to the wooden pillar that once held Marion and Kristof. Anton saw that Rasha’s chain link, almost ripped free, had not been repaired. The Captain frowned upon seeing. Nevertheless, he remained calm. Was it bravado or some sort of fatalistic realisation? Time would tell.

“Now what?” The pirate grumbled, the iron links clanking as his arms relaxed.

“There’s still someone up top keeping an eye on the other ships?” Anton asked Wilford.

“There is. But, if what’s about to happen is about to happen, I don’t want to be here.”

“Go back up.” Anton nodded. “And take us to Rusaddir with all haste.”

Wilford bade a hasty retreat with the few human sailors.

“Well, at least you got rid of him.” The Captain spat onto the ground. “So, what are you lot going to do now? I don’t know anything.”

“I think you do,” Anton said. “Lord Cassius is still having trouble with that gang.”

He pointed at the tattoo, the Captain’s face turned to a grimace.

“And having you all wrapped up will be very nice for him.”

The Captain laughed and shook his head.

“What are you trying to find?” Ceccitol asked.

“There’s a large, powerful gang that’s causing a lot of trouble for a benefactor of mine, Lord Cassius of Graterious. And it seems that he’s a part of this…But I don’t know anything about extracting information.”

The Captain laughed again. “If you think cutting me will work you’re going to be sorely mistaken.” He raised his arm exposing the hundreds of scars and burns. “Do your worst little man.”

Tuccac drew his slim blade. “I believe that I can extract the information required.”

He grabbed the Captain’s hand and drove the blade underneath his fingernail. A strangled cry emanated from his lips as Tuccac ripped the fingernail free.

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Tuccac leant close enough for his lips to brush against the Captain’s beard. “And we have many more to go.”

“I haven’t even asked any questions yet.” Anton mused.

Tuccac shrugged. “No. But this way he’ll behave when you do.”

“This…” Verona pulled on his sleeve. “I don’t like this at all.”

Tuccac raised a brow as he skewered another finger.

“There must be another way to get information out of him,” Anton said. Tuccac finished ripping out the next fingernail before sheathing his blade. Ceccitol remained completely calm as her husband returned to her side. “One that won’t ruin his body.”

“Surely you can just heal him when we’re done.” Tuccac shrugged idly. “If that’s true then it really doesn’t matter what we do to him, so long as we don’t kill him.”

“I’d still prefer not to. Let’s see if Tethra can do something that doesn't involve ripping your fingernails out. One part, scurried away in the corner of the last few pages, talked about Tethra's Arbiters being a problem. Forcing people to confess their sins and crimes. So...” Anton approached the man and laid his hand on his head. The Captain grit his teeth but managed to raise a brow. “Tethra, Goddess of Prayer, compel this man to speak only the truth until I release my hand.”

His eyes widened in terror as an alien force surged through his body.

“Wh-"

“What is your name?”

“Diaus.” The Captain’s eye shot wide open. “What have you done-”

“It actually works.” Anton smiled. “What age did you lose your virginity and to whom?”

“Fifteen winters. To Lucy, a farm hand.” He growled at Anton. “Fuck you.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Anton chuckled. “Now, do you work for Tullas Mad-Eye?”

“Yes.” The Captain tried to shake Anton’s hand free but couldn’t. “How-”

“In what capacity?”

The Captain’s face visibly strained as he tried to hold his mouth shut. “We raid the coast of Lord Umbris’s territory. We capture every ship we can to weaken support for Lord Umbris.”

“That seems a little coordinated for a simple gang.” Anton mused. “Sounds like it’s being co-ordinated by someone very powerful. Not that there isn’t someone that fits that bill to a tee. Tell me, have you met Tullas Mad-Eye himself?”

“No.”

“Have you met any of his commanders? Cells? Locations of bases?”

The captain bared his teeth and refused to speak.

“I suppose I asked too many questions. Where are their bases?”

Again he struggled but Tethra’s power compelled him. “One in Porswea, Capua and Noreia.”

“I think the one near Porswea has been destroyed. Where are those other cities?”

“Capua is near the capital and Noreia is the Lord Umbris’s capital city.”

“Nothing in Vissulis’s territory?”

“No. Not that I know of.”

“I don’t think it’s difficult to figure out who’s benefiting from this.” Anton frowned lightly. “Though that could just be a distraction. It’s not like the upcoming civil war is a great secret. Tullas might be hiding his activity outside of Cassius’s territory with other bandit and pirate groups like these guys. Cells, hard to trace back to the leaders. Unless you get a commander, of course.”

“This is a lot easier than torture.” Tuccac spun the small blade in his hands.

“It is…Still makes me wonder why Tethra ended up the way she is.” Anton turned back to the terrified Captain. “So you don’t know what Tullas looks like…Do you know anything about him?”

“Only that he’s related to the royal family somehow.” The Captain gave up trying to fight. “That’s all I know. I don’t even know if it’s a man or a woman.”

“Or even a human.”

Perhaps a Strega Witch? There’s no presence of their magic on him. But…I don’t know enough to speculate further without wasting time.

“Can you get in contact with Tullas? Or someone high up in his command chain?”

“I can. But it’ll take some time.”

“Are you the only one in your gang that has these connections?”

“Yes. Fuck you!”

Anton ignored his screams. “Then it’ll take some time before they realise the truth. I’m sure Cassius will be pleased to have you to play with.”

Anton removed his hand. Something left the pirate and his breath became more haggard.

If Tethra can do this then why was she nearly dead? She really only had two allies when I first met her, perhaps the rest teamed up against her to stop this. Or someone really powerful didn’t like their dirty secrets exposed and silenced every Tethra follower…That sounds more likely. Some sort of Thought Police?

“You son of a bitch!” He screamed at Anton. “By all the gods what did you do to me?!”

“Tuccac, Ceccitol. Could you make sure he doesn’t try to kill himself? I would prefer to hand over a person than a cold corpse.”

The Dark Elves advanced on the panicking pirate. They forced cloth between his teeth. It was enough to keep him from biting off his own tongue, though how they’d feed him before reaching Rusaddir was another question.

It’s dehydration that gets people before starvation. Always. Plus I think we could just pour some water in until he swallows. Sounds very familiar to waterboarding…

“Better than ripping the man’s fingers apart.” Gosthilda smiled bitterly at Verona and Kal.

“I just didn’t want to see Anton try something with his fire or lightning magic for that,” Verona said. “Battle is one thing."

“We should have someone down here at all times. Just in case something happens.”

“Three of my warriors will keep an eye on him,” Ceccitol spoke proudly. “He’ll reach this human port in alive and in one piece.”

“Thanks...” Anton sighed. “Let’s go back to bed, everyone. I don’t think the pirates are going to try another attack so soon.”

“You’d be surprised.” Umikgruid chuckled.

They left the small room and returned to their quarters. Cetina gave a small wave, her face tired from mental exhaustion, and retired to her room. Anton would have enjoyed nothing more than return to bed, the idea of having a little more fun was thoroughly dampened, but his head was still a little unsettled.

“You two go back to bed for a bit.” Anton pushed their rears forward. “I’m heading up top for a bit of fresh air.”

Kal held her bow tight. “Do you want us to come with you? It wouldn’t be a problem.”

“I’m fine.” Anton moved the mask and kissed her, then Verona. “I just need a little bit of fresh air. That’s all.”

“Okay…” Verona glanced at Kal. “But don’t take too long. We don’t want to have to come and get you.”

Anton gave them another kiss and returned to the deck. Only a few Dwarves and Dark Elves were on patrol, most of the human sailors were resting and trying their best to peer into the dark. Anton realised his night vision enhancement was still active. He walked to the edge and looked into the sea. Well behind them he saw the still burning remains of the second galley, the first had spun away and drifted aimlessly, tossed about by the waves.

A ghost ship. I wonder if someone’s going to reclaim it. Maybe the pirates will get it back, or maybe it’ll wash ashore and some fishermen will get a prize…What’s that?

At the limit of his vision, several humps moved through the water towards them.

Anton found a human sailor nearby coiling ropes. “Hey. Come here a moment.”

“Is there a problem, my lord?” His breath reeked of fish, how Kal could put up with theirs he had no idea.

“No. But, I want you to stand still for a moment.”

Anton held the man’s shoulder. He received an odd look but Anton chanted a night vision enhancement prayer. The sailor gasped in surprise.

“Don’t be too alarmed.” Anton pointed towards the humps. “Do you know what those things are? Are they coming towards us?”

The sailor strained his enhanced eyes. “I…I see them. I don’t know what they are. They might be Leviathans.”

Anton stared at the man. He had an idea what to expect but didn’t want to reveal his lack of knowledge.

“Forgive me, my lord.” The sailor bowed his head low. “Leviathans are giant sea creatures, a giant sea snake that preys on wounded whales, sharks and dolphins. They’re probably after the dead pirates.”

“Let’s keep an eye on them, just in case.”

Anton and the sailor looked into the sea as the two lumps approached the stranded galley. Just before they reached the ships they slinked beneath the waves. Anton wondered why two leviathans would act in such a coordinated way. The water exploded as a giant creature emerged, water cascading off its head. Anton only then realised the two humps in the water were actually the upper ridges of its eye sockets. A giant eel mouth picked up the burning galley and threw it into the air. Flailing oars and splintering wood smacked the creatures head but it completely ignored them. For a moment Anton thought it was trying to swallow the ship whole. A long tongue wrapped itself around the burned bodies before slurping them down its enormous mouth. It shook the boat to free bodies that had melted into the husk of the ship. Neither said a word but the others on the deck slowly investigated their stupor. Though they lacked night vision the glistening water on the Leviathans thick hide was more than enough to illuminate the giant beast under the gentle light of the stars.

“I’ve never seen one so large.” A Dwarf spoke very softly, with almost a reverence as the giant beast thrashed the galley until it broke in half. “They swim near the Dwarven Isles but they don’t attack ships. Not normally. Usually it’s whales and giant turtles.”

“I think he’s just after a snack.” Anton smiled. “Some roasted meat.”

The crew watched as the Leviathan discarded the galley and began to rummage through the flotsam. Occasionally it would lick up another dead body, a picky child rummaging through sweets for its favourite. When it was finally content it began to sink into the water but not before an eye, as large as a car, flicked towards them. The iris constricted to a pinprick. For a moment Anton feared for his life as the Leviathan’s tongue flicked at the air. Another moment passed and the creature slowly slinked beneath the waves.

“Are we safe?” The sailor asked.

“Should be.” The Dwarf slapped the wet wooden railing. “They usually don’t go for wooden boats. What good does that have for them?”

“The tasty little morsels inside for one.” Anton glibly replied. The Dwarf grumbled but didn’t disagree.

“So long as it decides to go after the other dead pirates we should be fine.” A Dark Elf spoke very softly, as if the vibrations from his words were enough to lure the beast. “Surely? Could you have killed it?

Anton smiled at the starry skies. “I don’t know. Maybe, but I don’t know if it’s immune to magic. If it came from below we’ve got no chance. What else lurks just beyond our sight?”

No one had a real answer. Anton’s sleep that night was very short and troubled, every noise and groan of the hull hinted of the Leviathan return.

---[]---

The incidents with the Pirates and the Leviathan were by far the most exciting parts of the journey across the sea. Most of the time the Dwarves simply returned to Atros for the day to continue upgrading the city. Anton remained on The Snowberry, just in case someone dared to attack. The Beast-kin had been checked for magical potential and they were nearly the same as the humans were. No real discernible pattern. Ulyaa’s potential was quite high but the other Beast-kin girls had very little. Anton didn’t know if it was wise to try and teach everyone, even if they could only use a few magical spells each day like Duchess Belinda. The Earth Mana dial had been finished. On a scale of zero to twenty they currently used twelve and a half; four for the four bound Lightning Crows, the four active portals, one to the mine, the forest and the portal back and forth and the secret portal in their home, used another two each and the half from the hot stone. The communication pens used nothing until they began to write and that was only one unit at a time. How they could create a node was still beyond them and Ferula promised to investigate. Cetina was loathed to have her assistance but recognised the necessity of their help.

Rusaddir, as the sun scorched his head, came into view. Seagulls squawked loudly, landing on the railings with inquisitive eyes, hoping to snatch food from their hands. Some were successful before the sailors began to chase them away. They were determined scavengers and quickly returned to eye off potential morsels.

“Just supplies?” Wilford asked.

Anton nodded. “Well, that and handing over these pirates. They’ve been well behaved, all things considered.

“I think after seeing your magic, and hearing about the Leviathan, the thought of escaping faded away."

“You should have told us it was there.” Verona pouted lightly. “I really wanted to see it. It sounded like it was really cool.”

“If you say so.” Kal scratched her arms. “I don’t think there’s much even you could do against something like that.”

Verona laughed, waving down Kal’s concern. “I know that we’d win. Somehow.”

The Snowberry slowly returned to its original wharf. Sailors threw down large ropes to eagerly awaiting dockhands. With the crash of the wooden ramp, Anton knew they would have a few hours of respite from the seas.

Anton clapped and drew the attention of the Dark Elves and human sailors, there were only two Dwarves left on the ship. “We aren’t going to be here long. So the furthest you can go is the end of this wharf. I don’t want you to even go as far as the city. But as long as you are back before we leave then it’s not a problem.

“I think we’ll just be on the wharf.” Tuccac nodded to the deckhands. They chatted furiously amongst themselves as they pointed at the Dark Elves. “We’re already attracting quite a crowd.”

“Not every day you see a Dark Elf.” Anton smiled. “At least that’s what they tell me. And none of you look like slack-jawed yokels either.”

“What?” Tuccac tilted his head. He understood it wasn’t an insult but that was all. Anton wasn’t about to push it further.

“We have to see the Harbor Master about these pirates.” Wilford began walking down the wooden ramp. “Otherwise they’ll arrest us for having human slaves without a permit.”

“It’s that easy,” Verona mumbled, looking up at Anton then to Kal. “Isn’t it?”

Anton glumly nodded and squeezed her shoulders. As they reached the stone ground, Cetina close behind with her sheathed sword, Anton saw a familiar face coming along the wharf towards them. A travelling companion they had picked up in Soulthor, a man whose morals seemed loose at best.

“Do you think Virgil would know something about the pirates?” Anton asked Verona.

“Would a mercenary from hundreds of miles away know that?”

“Probably not. But I wonder if he’ll be glad to see us.”

When they reached the halfway point they peeled off the main thoroughfare to a raised wooden platform. It appeared to be used for storing goods but was currently empty. Wilford nodded towards the Harbor Master building and continued through the crowds. Having no knowledge of Wilford he passed the man by without a word.

Virgil stepped onto the wooden platform, a silly smile on his face. “Good to see you three, no, four again. Cassius will be glad to see that you’re taking good care of The Snowberry.”

He stepped towards the water and raised his gloved hand to his brow. “And you appear to have some Seocurians with you too. No. Their skin’s too light. And their ears…Are they Dark Elves?”

“Yes.”

“You have a crew of Dark Elves?” Virgil threw an almost sassy pose.

“Indeed." Anton smiled. “And what a surprise they were.”

Virgil raised a brow. “A surprise? Nothing out of the ordinary for you lot it seems. Take out an army of Ghlotsm, some giant dog creatures, Demons they say, in Fort Acidava, discover that Lord Cassius is being manipulated by Strega Witches and then fight said Strega Witches. I think that’s more than what most people do in their whole lives.”

“I doubt most people leave the village they were born in.” Anton chuckled. “But do you have something for us?”

“Yes indeed.” Virgil produced a fine piece of paper.

Delight washed over Anton when he read the writ. Cassius held true to his words.

“Fantastic. But I have something extra for you."

“I believe that Cassius said that another batch of those fancy pens would be more than sufficient.” Virgil opened a small bag. “I bought these for you.”

“We did. But I have…I wouldn’t say equal but something he’d like.”

“Oh?”

“We were attacked by pirates on the way here. And one of them is working with Tullas.”

“They mainly operate in Cassius’s territory.” Virgil held his chin. “It would make sense they would expand.”

“They operate underneath another name but he has their tattoo. I don’t know how much he really knows but he knows a few locations of some bases and a few other things. I’m sure you could ask him more specific questions.”

“Normally high ranking members don’t talk much.” Virgil frowned. “Not even when you start peeling their skin. So how did you get it out?”

“It wasn’t a knife ripping out his fingernails,” Verona said idly.

Virgil laughed. “From what I’ve heard Tullas hates traitors more than he hates us. We’ve tried that and it doesn’t work. Very little does, for the higher ones at least. Those few you found in the weapon and armour store were pretty low so it didn’t take much.”

“Magic can do such wonderful things.” Anton smiled. “We also have the rest of a galley’s worth of pirates too.”

“Ah. Umbris will surely reward you with some lovely coins.”

Not that we really need it, especially once we retake Balefire Mine.

Anton passed the writ to Kal, who stuffed it in her quiver. “Do you want him now or…?"

“Let’s wait for your captain.” Virgil waved down Anton’s enthusiasm. “If they see me leading away a man in chains they’ll get very suspicious.”

“Is it really just you?” Verona asked.

Kal pointed into the crowd. “I see eight people that were following you that have stopped.” Some that she pointed at took great pains to avoid attention while others ignored it.

Virgil clicked his tongue. “Seems like I need to give my men some more training. If someone wearing a mask can spot them…”

By the time Wilford returned Anton and Kal had enchanted the pens. Virgil was very happy to receive them, Anton felt that he would have left that very second if he wasn’t getting a warm body. Wilford and the Harbor Master raced past with almost a hundred soldiers in tow. They quickly boarded The Snowberry after Wilford waved down the protective Dark Elves. Though the soldiers were professional there was no way they would not gawk at the rare sight of a Dark Elf, let alone thirty. The pirates began to disembark under heavy guard, all had seemingly resigned themselves to their fate.

“What’s going to happen to them?” Anton asked the Harbor Master, speaking furiously with Wilford.

“The mines.” He waved at the glum procession. “It’s lucky that Lord Umbris needs their services. Otherwise, they’d hang for their crimes.”

“Seems the Blood Sharks are well known,” Anton mumbled to Virgil.

Virgil laughed. “They’re known even in Porswea. He’s right, they are lucky.”

Cetina frowned, her hand gripping tight on her sword. “But they’re about to spend the rest of their lives-”

“Short lives.” Virgil corrected.

“-Short lives breaking and hauling rocks. How is that any better?”

“Actually, now that I think about it, I don’t know. I guess they could attack the guards if they really don’t want try their luck and escape. But there’s every chance they could escape the mines and become bandits again.” Virgil laughed. “Not that they’ll ever get that chance. I know those mines.” He looked at Anton. “You go in, but you don’t come out.”

“I wonder if the Pirate Captain has the better deal from this.” Anton mused.

Wilford stopped the Pirate Captain and pointed at Virgil. The Harbour Master confirmed his orders and released him to Virgil’s men.

Virgil inspected the defeated Pirate Captain. “You don’t look like much. You’re big, but I think that’s about it.”

The Pirate Captain snorted, his first sign of action in some time.

“I see that he has all his fingernails.” Virgil turned to Anton. “Don’t tell me this all a scam?”

Anton approached and raised his hand.

“Keep him away from me.” He struggled against his captors with the strength of ten men, but it wasn’t enough, especially with his bound legs and feet.

“Looks like you did do something.” Virgil enjoyed the spectacle.

“Better than what it could have been,” Verona said. Virgil glanced at her, raised a brow but dropped it when Verona didn’t elaborate.

Anton chanted a prayer aloud to ensure the Pirate spoke only the truth until the next dawn. His body was left shaking by the rush of mana. Virgil didn’t’ bother to notice, too enticed by the possibility of a perfectly truthful interrogation.

“Well then.” Virgil stopped a meter from the Pirate Captain. “Did you say that he knew of some bases?”

“He said there was one in Capua, I think it was called. And the other in the capital of Umbris’s territory.”

“Noreia,” Kal said softly.

“Capua. Where is the base?”

The Pirate Captain struggled again against Tethra’s magic, knowing now he was before someone of some authority, but the magic won out.

“The central royal barracks. The entrance is behind the Sweet Deer Tavern, in the storage room there’s a secret door at the back. That leads to the underground base underneath the royal barracks.”

“And how come they don’t know you’re there?” Virgil asked calmly.

“The stone floor is very thick and everyone moves as quietly as possible. Smoke is sent up with those coming from the barracks itself.”

Virgil smiled and patted Anton’s shoulder. “This is fantastic. If you ever need money you could just offer yourself to Cassius. He’d pay your weight in gold to have something like this. Maybe my cheating ex wouldn’t have done something if someone like you were around.”

“You had sex with Sancha,” Verona said flatly, Cetina twitched at her mention. “So…”

“That’s different. But you understand my point-”

Virgil jumped forward, avoiding a swing at the back of his head by a hair’s breadth. The Pirate Captain wrestled with the eight men, rapidly subdued and pinned to the ground. Virgil drew his sword and plunged it into the man’s hand.

Virgil twisted the blade. “I don’t think you’re a big shot in this organisation. I think you just got lucky. So I was going to let you go once I’d got what I wanted. Let you go to the mines. But, but you just had to do that.” Virgil looked up. “Take a good look at the sky. It’ll be the last time you it.”

The Pirate Captain tried to speak but Virgil stuffed a wad of cloth into his mouth. His men picked up the giant of a man and hauled him away. Passer-bys gave plenty of space.

“Thank you, Anton.” Virgil held out his hand. “Even if that’s all he’s got Cassius will be very happy. He’ll be sure to remember this.”

Anton returned the shake.

“See you soon.” Virgil threw his hand over his head. “Good luck with your journey.”

Anton waited until they were very far away before sighing with relief. “That wasn’t so bad."

“I do feel a little bad for the pirates.” Verona shrugged. “Only a little bit. I’ve never had to dig for a whole day so…”

“It’s not fun,” Cetina smirked. “Just one of the types of training that’s good for building a soldier. And for punishment.”

“Back to The Snowberry.” Anton waved the girls back. “Next stop is Seocuria. It’s a shame that we don’t have the time to head to the Royal Academy. Or trust someone to take the portal stones. But I don’t know how we could convince some Principle Mage to just drop everything and follow us.”

Verona laughed, worming her way underneath his arm and pulling it into her chest. She said nothing but her wicked smile spoke more than words could possibly. Kal took his other arm, not willing to be left out, as they returned to The Snowberry and soon back to the open sea.