Pyn continued, “This isn’t to say they are dead.” Anger spread across Xane’s face for a bare moment. This guy was getting on his nerves with his sly and misdirecting way of talking. “Calm down Xane. They may have not been seen for months but we have been in contact. Well the second in command says she has been in contact with the Lord of Iron for a while. I can tell you where she is.”

“Go ahead.”

“Her name is Ligros, don’t think she has a surname. Last I heard she was left in charge of running the island itself and organizing the next raid. The next raid is in I think 3 days. Better get sailing.”

This wasn’t good. They could get to the island in 2 days. But trying to go all the way to Crescent City would take too long. “Information on her. Class, abilities, weapons.”

“Her class is Swashbuckler. A melee based class. Sea based. Wields a rapier like you. Calls it Skewer. An ivory blade that has immense piercing capabilities. I lose most times I spar with her. Doubt even your friend Calrin could defeat her one on one. No less you.” He grinned apathetically.

This brought something to mind he hadn’t even thought about. Pyn didn’t use a single perk on Xane. At least he didn’t notice any. If Pyn had told the truth that he lost on purpose then this gave credence to that. Xane could have been in true trouble if Pyn had truly wanted to kill him. Xane did have a few aces left but unlike the brute of a bear a person was harder to kill in the higher levels. No wittling them down.

Another thing was that even though Xane had a powerful class. He didn’t get any bonuses to his rapier. Something he wanted so badly to have. So he would have to rely on the skill instead. And train more.

“I have one last question. Why are you doing this?” Pyn asked, “And no bullshit about not. It's clear by not what your goal is. Heroics? Fame and fortune? I can tell you all you’ll get in following your fool's quest is a quick death.”

“Because I need to.” Xane said walking away, “You stay here. We are done for now.”

“Not like I can go anywhere.”

Xane decided to train with Calrin more. If he was to fight these people he would need it. His small arms was lagging behind only at 7 compared to his 9 in gunmanship. Sadly the gun is mightier than the sword. In most cases at least. He didn’t gain a rank in this session but it still helped him in other ways.

He also talked to Calrin during the session. About what Pyn had told him. What they thought they should do. Mostly about how Calrin didn’t think it a good idea to try and stop the raid. There would probably be multiple vessels instead of the one like before. With more than one captain that didn’t put up such a great fight. Calrin too was starting to think that Pyn wanted this to happen. He wanted to be free of the Iron Lords shackles. But the reasons why was beyond them.

“I don't think we should try and attack this Ligros person. Could be a trap. For all we know Pyn is truly second in charge. Or this Ligros is some low rung pirate.” He didn’t look confident on this.

“I don’t think he is lying.” Xane countered. “I think we should help. Morally we should try and help. But I agree it is a suicide mission. Just us wouldn’t be able to do it. If Pyn isn’t lying then Ligros will give you a run for your money.”

“A run for my money?” Calrin looked confused but not enough for Xane to get in a hit.

Xane found that some sayings were similar to earth but not all. “Sorry just means she might be equally skilled as you or more.” Xane said not fully dodging a strike. The cut hurt but he managed.

The swordsman looked offended. “You think that possible? Have you not known me long enough?” Xane retaliated while Calrin was mock flexing, he barely nicked him.

Xane backed off needing to activate dodge, “Of course not. You could probably win. I think we should heed the warning and not test fate.”

This conversation went on for a while. They always talked while fighting. It felt more natural somehow. The consensus was to not fully trust Pyn but take his words into consideration. They still planned on turning him in. Why give up the nice bounty. They might be flush with coins but could still use more.

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On the second day those plans were ruined. Now that they knew ships could be invisible they focused on the water and waves to see if it moves weirdly. As well as Huntress started periodically using a perk of hers that let her see heat signatures. Invisible or not. Xane used his sight as well hoping maybe it would pick it up.

What warned them was Huntress in the end. She got our attention stealthy. There was apparently 2 vessels around the same size as Sierra’s Song heading our way in a pincer maneuver. Xane could see the water shift as they approached.

The plan was simple. Xane had already charged up an infused shot. He learned that it lasted for 1 minute before dissipating. Xane would blast the hull of one while Huntress would use one of her few exploding arrows on the other. They would do this while the ships are further out so as to pelt them and surprise them.

When is was time they both fired at once. Xane had to hope he was aiming correctly. When the loud bang happened he knew he had. Unlike the other ship. This one must have been weaker. The cloaking dissipated and Xane saw a huge basketball hole in the ship. Water starting to pour in.

There was another explosion just after his from the other side. Xane didn’t relent as he aimed for the surprised people. Those of which not having expected them to have been spotted. Xane felt a surge of energy as he instantly killed 4 people. Another 3 fell quickly as he unloaded both of his guns.

Arrows and bolts started flying in his direction as he ducked down. Thuds reverberated on the hull. Most though not even having enough power to pierce. Just falling into the sea. When he was reloaded he popped out again and started his rhythm of shots. At least he intended too. A wave of water came from the ocean threatening to capsize the ship.

Lukickly part of the enchanting of Sierra’s Song was that it was much harder to knock about. The wave wasn’t to be taken so lightly. As it hit, Xane was thrown back almost clear of the deck and over the edge. He grabbed onto the railing and hoisted himself back on. Looking back to his foe he noticed that the person who had cast the wave spell was preparing another.

“Not today.” Xane aimed and fired. A barely visible barrier sprang up to defend the long casting mage. It came from another mage visibly concentrating on the shield. That didn’t deter Xane. He started charging up his infused shot again as he fired with his secondary. The shield started to crack but the mage seemed to be hitting a crescendo. Xane fired the infused shot.

The round slammed into the barrier and destroyed it as if it was paper. The bullet hit and exploded on the mage. Xane didn’t expect it but he had instantly killed the mage. Then again they did have very little health. Xane vowed to continue in his own defense and health seeing how easy it is to kill a mage type.

The other looked down in horror at the mutilated body of his higher up. Fear one out as the other mage called for a retreat. Xane wasn’t going to let them just get away scot free. He charged up another infused shot and made hole after hole in the haul of the ship. They will either sink or repair fast enough to survive. Though Xane didn’t see too many left aboard to do the job.

Xane felt a headache coming on as his mana was drained and his adrenaline waned. The other vessel had started sinking already. Huntress' arrow was strong as well as all the bonuses she got towards it, making the first shot destroy enough to start the process faster than Xane’s attacks.

They though weren’t going to give up. A few on a rowboat comically started rowing away. It was like the scene in Peter Pan with Captain Hook. Only needed a croctor to finish the entire scene off.

A few just started swimming. Huntress either hadn’t killed as many as Xane or there were just more because 18 in total started escaping. “Should we just…you know. Take them out before they can become a problem?”

Calrin walked up to Xane looking overboard and put his hand on Xane’s shoulder, “No. We can’t think like that. Though if we see them again. Next time we won’t be so kind.”

Back below deck Xane walked into the room housing Pyn. “What was all that racket?” Pyn asked as Xane went in to make sure the pirate was still there.

“Just more pirates. Easily dealt with. No need to worry yourself. We are still on track to Crescent City.”

“So you aren’t going to stop the raids?”

Xane started to walk out seeing Pyn was still right where he should be. “Why bother? We aren’t strong enough to win such a battle.”

It was another 4 days till they made it to Crescent City. It was a beautiful sight to behold. The buildings were made from dark blue stone and sparkled as if it had stars in them. The entire place looked like it was forever night for as they approached in the mid day the sky started to turn to night faster than it should have. Xane was told about this already but that didn’t change the excitement and beauty of it all.

The people were even more interesting. They too resembled the night sky deep dark blue with specks of starlight moving across their skin. Like he was told it didn’t stop at one race. There were humans and elves, dwarves and gnomes, even goblins and he swore he saw a Gremlin. He was surprised for a moment to see orcs and minotaurs. But of course not all orcs and minotaurs were contributing to the war against Tortoga.

The best part was the giant crescent moon that floated above a grand temple. It shone as bright as the sun. Though no light of the sun pierced the magic holding it back.

As they got even closer they were ushered to a dock by people who just floated around on crescent shaped disks. They wore armor and looked like the official army or guards. One spoke, “Hello travelers.” The melodic male voice said, “Welcome to the Crescent City. May your stay be forever light.”

Xane was so mesmerized he barely heard the voice at first. No not the guard welcoming them. A different one.

“You dare walk into my city again, Lyenn?”