Tycon felt a sudden rush of wind flutter his hair, followed by a distant tap. He gazed up toward the large ship and saw before him, Grey, perched on a railing with his bow in hand and staring down at him. He reached for his bandana and pulled it down, revealing his scarred lower face. One side of his mouth and cheek sagged as if being pulled by gravity itself. His gaze was intense, not faltering for a moment.

"Leave now and I'll let you live," Grey shouted, waving his bow.

"You and I both know I can't do that, Grey."

He didn't reply but instead pulled an arrow from his quiver and fired. Tycon launched himself aside, landing hard on the ground. Another arrow flew by and Tycon scurried from his prone position, making his way toward an empty market stall. The tap of arrows hitting the stone road behind him with every step.

He hugged tightly against the stall, taking cover from the barrage of arrows. He knew he didn't have time for this, the ship would set sail any minute. Tycon peeked from the stall, glancing at the ship to see several archers perched with Grey, but a barrage of arrows caused him to retreat back behind. He waited and the firing quickly stopped, but he wasn't about to take any chances and waited a few moments more.

When he was confident he wasn't going to be pierced by an obscene amount of arrows, he peeked out again. This time to find the archers gone and the ship moving slowly.

Shit.

Tycon sprang from the stall, trying his best to catch up before the ship had completely left the dock. The thumping of many footsteps and clanking armor suddenly sounded from behind him. He didn't have time to look back and instead pushed on toward the ship. He ran on to a wooden jetty, now looking to the tail of the ship. He was close, he could make it. Reaching the end of the jetty, Tycon leaped toward the back of the ship and latched onto a loose piece of wood. His grip almost slipped instantly but he managed to regain it, silently hoping the loose wood would hold.

He glanced back and saw Balin, Vera, Eva and several of the Duchess' guard standing by the end of the jetty. He saw Vera turn back, waving her arms and shouted something. Tycon returned to the task at hand, and slowly climbed toward the window of the captain's cabin.

Peeking in, he saw nothing - empty. Not a single light shone inside, nor was there a single piece of furniture. He studied the windows frame, looking for a latch to open it and slip inside. He soon realized that the window could only be opened from the inside, swearing, he continued climbing the rear end of the ship. Hugging close as to not be spotted.

Above Tycon, he could hear Grey shouting orders to his crew. He was close and Tycon knew he may have a chance to catch him off guard and use him as a hostage. Although he wasn't entirely convinced the idea would work. The crew was full of thieving and conniving degenerates, they'd sooner kill their leader than surrender, but it was a chance he had to take. 

Upon reaching the top of the ship's rear end, a hand suddenly reached over and yanked him onto the deck. The soft sea-weathered wood somewhat lessened the impact, falling to his back. Tycon glanced up to find himself in a circle of blades with Grey inside the middle with him, staring down. His eyes, cold and unfeeling. A shiver suddenly cascaded down his spine and he felt the fear stir in his gut. Amongst the crowd around him, stood both Jinx and Sinclair. Jinx's unnaturally wide smile mocking him. Sinclair, on the other hand, paid no attention and soon disappeared to the back of the crowd. Tycon studied Jinx a moment, searching for his lost daggers but saw nothing. Jinx snickered and reached behind his back and pulled the daggers from behind and dangled them in front of him, mocking him again.

"Looking for these?" He laughed.

Tycon didn't reply and continued to stare intensely at him when suddenly he felt a kick jolt him on his side. The pain sudden and abrupt, he clutched his ribs with a grunt.

"Get up," Grey ordered as he studied Tycon.

He slowly crawled to his feet, trying his best not to show his trembling and attempted to stand firm. Grey was quick, Tycon felt the blow connect with his stomach, taking his breath away. He gasped and stepped back but felt the tip of a blade behind, ushering him forward again. 

Another blow.

This time to the face, knocking his head to the side. The all familiar copper taste seeping within his mouth, he spat on the deck and wiped. Anger began to swell within him.

"You're a real fucking piece o-"

another blow. 

Tycon curled and dropped to the ground, his face numb and throbbing pain.

"I never took you for a coward," Tycon coughed.

Grey squatted beside Tycon and tilted his head.

"I never took you for a fool."

A shadow flashed and began to loom over the ship, quickly followed by a crash and the smell of gunpowder. The entire ship shook. Grey stumbled and with the crew distracted by the sudden motion, Tycon lunged at him, tackling him to the deck.  

Grey struggled to slip from beneath Tycon's weight and was interrupted with a sharp punch to the face. The ship continued to shake, the sound of wood being split periodically consumed the shouts and cries of Grey's crewman as they scrambled to their posts, and a cloud of thick smoke obscured the deck.

"Guard ship! Starboard side!" Tycon heard a voice shout.

Thank you, Vera.

Grey shook violently trying to cause Tycon to lose his grip, but he had the advantage or so he thought. A blade slipped down Greys sleeve and into his hand, Tycon didn't have a chance to react in time and a stinging pain pierced his flesh. He recoiled, the cold blade now stuck between his ribs.

Tycon glanced down momentarily to quickly assess the wound, he soon realized the stupidity of that crucial mistake when he found himself tumbled back to the floor of the deck. Gasping as he hit it. Tycon clawed at the wood, struggling to regain his footing. He felt Grey's presence gaining on him and grabbed the shortsword from the scabbard, drawing it just in time to block an incoming blow.

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Grey now had his own sword and stood, holding it in one hand in front of himself. The two danced around in a circle, studying the other. Waiting for the first move. Tycon hoped to bluff Grey into a feint but he knew that wasn't likely. Grey lunged at Tycon, his sword pointed directly towards him. Tycon dodged to his left and danced a pirouette, striking Grey's thigh in unison. He didn't waste any time and spun back for a second attack, Grey parried and kicked Tycon backward, regaining his composure and pushing to the offense.

 An arrow slipped by his head, missing it by mere centimeters. Tycon looked up to the stern of the ship to see Jinx holding a bow and reaching into a quiver to line up his next shot. Tycon knew full well that he couldn't continue dueling Grey or he'd risk being struck by an arrow. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a flurry of attacks from Grey, Tycon darted his eyes, trying to keep track of both Grey and Jinx. He couldn't lose focus, one fatal mistake and it was all over.

Jinx fired another arrow, missing again. The time between shots, long and drawn out. He figured Jinx was trying not to hit Grey and decided to use that to his advantage. Tycon continued to block Greys strong blows, fast and efficient. He was beginning to doubt his survival if it kept up. 

Grey stopped his offensive barrage of attacks to do a swift and precise left side swipe, Tycon blocked with the flat of his blade, letting Grey's sword slide across his. Using the momentum he spun and slashed Grey across the stomach. His sword dropped and Tycon grabbed him by his leather suit and began pushing forward, using Grey as a human shield. Grey clawed at him between gasping breaths, attempting to escape but he was clearly in shock. His attempts were pitiful and desperate. 

Jinx quickly shifted from his bow to Tycon's daggers as he approached. Standing at the ready, though he appeared shaken and afraid. The ship had now begun to sink from cannon fire, the rest of the crew abandoned ship into the ocean along with it. They'd gone a good distance from the dock since they'd left and he doubted the crew would make it far before drowning or being captured. Jinx's eyes darted to the abandoning crew and back to Tycon who now let Grey's body drop to the floor. He whimpered, clutching his stomach. Both Jinx and Tycon watched as he set himself to lean on a railing by the wheel.

Grey reached into a pouch on his suit and removed the gemstone and ogled it, the transparent crystal reflecting rainbows. Tycon took a step back, watching the two men. Grey stopped looking into the gem and cast his gaze to Tycon, his eyes a mix of defeat and content.

"You have no idea the power this holds?" He said, his voice raspy.

"The power to rule Selenicar," Tycon replied.

Grey mustered a short laugh, "No, so much more."

Jinx watched in silence, his face engulfed in rage.

"Give it to me!" He demanded.

Grey simply looked to Jinx then back to the Gem and laughed again.

"No."

He tossed it overboard.

"No!" Jinx shouted and dropped the daggers, rushing to the edge and throwing himself overboard after it.

Grey chuckled and coughed.

"You have no clue what the Duchess planned, do you?" 

Tycon shook his head "I imagine you planned on doing just the same."

"Yeah..." He trailed off, the last of his breath poured from his mouth as his life left him.

Tycon had more questions than answers, answers he knew he would never get.

                                                                ********************************************

 "Get him up, now!" Vera shouted.

A rope ladder dropped from the ship and into the ocean, Tycon climbed clumsily. The swim across to the ship was difficult, carrying his daggers and fully clothed. The wet fabrics clung tightly to his body. For a moment he had feared drowning. 

Climbing on to the deck, he saw Vera, Balin, and Evaline standing before him with two guards in tow. Vera stood ahead of them, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. Balin and Eva didn't look too impressed either. Tycon got to his feet and stood, soaking wet and dripping all over the deck.

"Explain yourself," Vera said, her voice sharp.

Tycon lowered his head for a moment.

"You know something seemed off during the parade, right?"

Vera didn't respond.

"Well, I began to feel it and decided to check on the Duchess... And I found her murdered and Grey there with her. He took the Gem."

"Where is it now?" 

Tycon pointed his thumb backward, "Grey threw it into the ocean."

Vera studied him then gestured to the two guards behind her.

"Search him."

The two guards marched over to him and soon he found himself stripped to his underwear. He wasn't too bothered, at least he was able to dry off faster. The two guards went through his tunic, shirt, pants, and cloak then tossed them back on the deck.

"Nothing," one declared.

Vera frowned but then gave a brief smile "At least you weren't lying. Your face tells it all."

The reminder made his swollen face throb again, the numbness making it hard to smile, though he forced one regardless.

"Excuse me, Captain," Another guard marched over to Vera, "We have another one."

As soon as the guard had finished, Tycon heard swearing coming from the ocean. He leaned over the railing to see Jinx being dragged through the water by a rope towards the ship. At that moment Tycon almost laughed. For someone who tried so hard to be intimidating, it was hilarious to see him in such a predicament.

"Hey, Tycon. You okay?" Balin said, leaning on the railing beside him and watching Jinx.

"Yeah. Just been a crazy couple of days."

"You're looking pretty beat up."

Tycon nodded and tried his best to smile.

"Just another day."

                                                         ************************************************

"So two of three have been caught or killed?" Evaline said, scratching her chin.

They were now back in the "Sea of Sin" Inn, standing over a small table. The trip back to the dock had been short, yet slow. Needing to stop briefly on the prison island to get rid of Jinx. The city was in a state of confusion, the celebrations quickly turning to uncertainty. It was a coincidence such a tragedy unfolded during a time of celebration.

Tycon felt a pang of strong guilt. It followed him closely, he felt like an idiot for letting the Duchess die. He knew that something could have been done if he hadn't been so naive. He should've watched Grey more closely, not trusting in him for a second. He was foolish. It wouldn't happen again. Ever. He knew of course that the guard blamed him. His reward from the two bounties was halved, what remained of Grey's reward was split between Evaline and Balin, obviously in spite of Tycon's failure.

"He's gone then," Balin said, leaning on the table.

"There's no way he'd stick around here," Evaline replied.

Tycon stood there in silence, leaning on a nearby wall and listening to them go back and forth. His mind continued to wander, he began to doubt that he was cut out for the job after all. He had his reward for at least two bounties, half of it at least. It was better to just cut and run, learn from his failures and become better. He had no other real talents than fighting and he wasn't interested in joining the military.

"So you two are gonna go after Sinclair then?" Tycon asked.

They both turned to him and Balin nodded.

"You're not coming with us?" He asked.

Tycon shook his head and moved from the wall over to Balin. 

"I think I need to move on from here."

"It wasn't your fault," Balin said, "despite what they say. You did your best with what you had. Nobody expected Grey to turn on us."

"Maybe, but regardless I can't stay here anymore. I'm sorry."

Balin sighed and Evaline watched in silence, frowning. Balin raised a hand and grasped Tycon's shoulder, smiling.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Tycon. I hope someday our paths cross again. Maybe by a campfire and we can share stories of our adventures."

Tycon laughed "I hope by then you have a family, a big house and not working in this dangerous business anymore."

Balin smiled and pulled Evaline under his arm.

"Goodbye Tycon," Evaline said, "I wish you the best on your adventures and I hope you find whatever it is that you're looking for."

With a smile and a nod, Tycon left the Inn. Making his way to the dock in search of passage out of the city of Selenicar. Upon reaching the docks, he turned and took one last look at the white city of stone. He breathed in the salty air and let the sounds of the seaside overcome him one last time.

"Til' next time."