Aboard the pristine Memphani caravel on loan to them from King-Priests of the Demon Sands, the members of Venomheart observed their enemies hastening away from a volcanic island. The dragon known as Dracuoatlax passed over them for a moment as a warning, then returned to the side of his allies. Melody the Blade gazed after it impassively, her face not even twitching at the sight of the beast.

“Maybe we should take care of that thing on this trip,” Cobra remarked. He had short black hair, except for the bangs which fell over the left side of his face. His dark-blue leather accouterments made him almost invisible against the ocean.

“Forget it. I'm not in the mood to whip up Dragonsbane in the middle of this churning ocean. I'd probably kill us all instead,” Merc Mandrake spat, his golden hair tied back for a change. He had a bright crimson and green outfit on, and there was a deadly array of steampunk gadgets in the crisscrossing baldrics he wore.

“Tch.” the other spat back, and then a girl's voice rang with shrill laughter.

“Calm down, Cobra love; we have plenty of death for the others without killing the dragon. And if we kill them instead they may lose the beast's loyalty.” Clara Toxin smirked. Her green eyes practically glowed with an almost neon-flair beneath her green hair, accenting her smile with a villainous light.

“Just make sure you pick the right targets this time. The KP's got mad at us a couple nights ago for accidentally getting two of their members along with the enemy.” Jana Foxgloves quipped.

“My, but I never hit anyone by accident,” Clara said with a demure laugh.

“Oh darling, I know.” the other returned with a fiendish grin as she tossed her auburn colored hair back out of her face. A whooping laugh then resounded, and the others looked up towards the mast, where a figure in blue and black leather armor that completely obfuscated his features was sliding down the rigging to join them on the deck.

“Should we swim over now? Should we have Clara magic us over? She probably could! She just won't tell us! Let's do it, Mel, let's do it!” he cackled.

“I've told you once and I'll keep telling you until you drop dead, I don't have portal or teleportation skills.” Clara glared at him.

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“Venomy.” Melody said in a calm but commanding tone, and the ostensible buffoon straightened up like a soldier called to attention by his commander. “Never mind all that; just keep the NPCs here on task. Merc; why didn't you bring the vials of Dragonsbane we already had?”

“C'mon, boss, you know why: they're hard to transport. Even tricking the system with vials you can put in mage storage doesn't guarantee their stability.” Merc replied with a wry shrug.

“You could have done it.” his leader softly reprimanded him.

“There's ingredients for it on the island we're headed for. I'll whip it up then, if Jana and Clara can help me find them.” the other returned.

“Sure thing.” Jana nodded back.

“Just so long as I get my kicks in on the Queens first,” Clara smirked.

“Just remember that Lana is mine.” Melody told them, a smile finally appearing on her face.

“Why's she so important to you, boss?” Venomy asked her. In an instant, Melody drew out her sword and had it at his neck.

“That's none of your business.” she said coolly.

“Grow up, babe.” Clara sighed. “We know she's your school crush. Just get over it already. We have a job to do.” she said, earning her a glare as well. “You think you scare me, even with your real life sword skills? Hon, puh-lease.”

“I know I don't scare you.” Melody grinned back darkly. “Which is why you're my second.” she added, to which the other girl smiled back.

“Then you won't mind if I... how did you say it, Jana? 'Accidentally' get Lana when I start attacking,” she returned with a haughty tone.

“Fine.” Melody said, and then sat down on a chair. “Keep an eye on them, and that dragon, too.” she added, checking her sword to ensure its sharpness and toxicity.

“Hmm...” a deep voice sighed. It was Cyan Idewyll, the poison-necromancer in his hooded black-velvet robes gazing after her as she shut the door behind her.

“Quiet as usual, Cyan?” Clara remarked. Her fellow guild-member blinked, and then looked towards the ship they were chasing. “Them? They're nothing.”

“Don't underestimate them.” Cobra warned.

“Why? Garth?” Jana snorted. “Garth was an idiot. Even that pageant-obsessed Rama is smarter than him.”

“We're finally all together on one assignment.” Melody said as she sheathed her blade, and the other smiled. “Let's enjoy it to the fullest, shall we?” she said with her own wicked smile.

Here we go, Lana... Rachel.