'I love the sea.' Dolon leant over the edge of the bow, one hand holding back his shoulder slung rifle, ensuring he did not lose it to the water.

Stacey stood back from the rail, not trusting his life to the wind and the waves. 'I love it from afar.' He said, motioning for the two to go below deck. 'Let's head inside.'

'You go.' Dolon was enjoying himself. 'I'll be down when it gets dark.' It was a lie, he really did not want to share his time with the Harlequins, but his lies kept him safe and sound within the group.

Stacey awkwardly stumbled down to the hold, there being no other sleeping quarters on this small vessel. It was a light and nimble sail boat, a smuggler's boat, smaller than the ships often used by the pirates at Port Moonlight. A number of sailors worked the decks, mostly Swimmers and Scrappers. Niall stood on the quarter deck with the Captain of the vessel, a large man, dark skinned and muscular, his trousers and shirt pulled taut around his limbs. Two pistols were strapped to his belt, though Dolon did not know his face from the Shooting Range. He was guiding the ship from the wheel.

Niall was in conversation with the Captain, but Dolon could not hear him clearly over the crash of the waves and the wind in his ears. He walked casually to the rear of the ship, hoping to hear more. Purely out of curiosity. 'Three days?' Niall was asking.

'Three days.' The Captain responded. 'Do you have a problem with that?' The man had attitude, something Dolon was aware would never go over well with Niall.

'I actually thought it would take longer.' Niall smiled and patted the man on the back. 'I'm quite happy.'

Odd. Dolon was surprised that Niall hadn't thrown the man overboard. He looked out to sea, but kept his ears open.

'Do you think we'll see much danger out here?' Niall inquired.

'Serpents come up often, but I can outrun them in my old sloop. I like to slow down sometimes and have a good fight with 'em though!' The big man laughed. 'You up for the challenge?'

'Oh dear no!' Niall looked shocked.

He's acting soft, why? Dolon pretended to scrape something off the deck with his boot.

'Don't worry, lad.' The Captain laughed. 'I'll keep you and your boys safe!'

'Thank you.' Niall said shyly. 'I'm going below deck for a spell, I could do with a lay down.'

'Aye!' The Captain laughed again as Niall walked from the wheel and toward Dolon.

When Niall was close to the Sniper, he spoke softly with a seriousness not demonstrated only a moment before. 'Down.' He ordered.

Dolon waited a minute to enjoy the air, then he followed his leader down wooden steps to the inside of the hull. Crates were lined up and secured on each side of the inside of the vessel, bed rolls were scattered on the floor with the members of the Harlequins laying on them. Stacey was sitting on his backside hugging his knees, while Gerome and Archer were laying down quite comfortably. The crew were all on deck, the Harlequins were alone.

Niall was standing off to one side, waiting for Dolon. When he saw the Sniper descend he waved him over.

'I heard the Captain say the voyage will take three days, I thought four myself.' Dolon said quietly, sensing the desired tone from Niall.

'Yes, three days for Dragon's eye.' Dolon was smiling his dark smile.

'Dragon's Eye?' Dolon was confused. So were the others. 'That's back in Hurdland...'

Niall motioned for everyone to gather closely to him. His voice was low. 'I'm so sorry that I forgot to inform you all.' His tone said otherwise. 'I couldn't find us simple passage to Churash, so I've made a special deal to get us there.'

'Go on.' Gerome was intrigued, excited.

Niall continued. 'This boat's going nowhere near Churash. Originally I had asked a larger pirate vessel, but they denied us. When I pressed the matter they offered me a deal. They pointed me in the direction of the Captain of this ship and asked me to deal with him and his crew while out at sea, then await the pirate ship to come and steal the cargo. They get their goods and then they'll take us to Churash after. To the Floating City in fact.'

Stacey was nodding. Gerome looked positively giddy, his killer instinct fuelled with excitement. Archer was as emotionless as usual, but there was a twinkle in his eye. It made Dolon's skin crawl. 'When do we do this?' Dolon asked.

'Tomorrow, before we head west around Slug Island. The pirate ship will find us there.'

'What are our roles?' Dolon feigned interest in taking part.

'Gerome, Archer and I will take care of the crew. I want you and Stacey to disarm and capture the Captain, we'll need him to control the ship. We can't let the wind take us off course.' Niall found a crate to sit on.

'Why didn't you tell us this earlier?' Dolon pressed.

Niall gave Dolon a hard glance, his eyes speaking for him. No one questions the man.

Dolon maintained eye contact, not wanting to appear weak, but knew this to be a bad choice. He looked away, letting Niall win.

The day passed and the others logged off for the night, Dolon was left alone on the vessel. On deck the crew had also left the game for the night, yet the Captain still stood at the wheel, guiding his ship gently under the stars. Dolon could see that he was at peace here, at his most joyous. And I have to ruin his morning. Damn it.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

'Ho!' Dolon called to the other man. 'Nice night.'

'Aye!' The Captain was cheerful. 'Bet you're glad you've stayed up to see it!'

'Yeah, but I'm up every night.' Dolon made his way to the Captain's side. 'How come you're up late?'

'Most crews take shifts to make sure the boat reaches its next port, but I like to take responsibility myself.'

'Doesn't the ship...' Dolon lowered his voice out of habit, as he was talking out of character. 'You know, disappear when you log out?'

'Yeah, and reappear in the exact same spot.' The man said plainly, then a smile crossed his happy face. 'And so does my cargo. I have people to please and more cargo to shift, so I use my time wisely.'

Dolon understood. 'Good man, you work hard.'

'Aye, up until I need to eat.'

'I hear that.' Dolon agreed.

Time went by and Dolon stood and enjoyed the stars, his thoughts wandered and he considered the Captain's dedication, comparing it to his own role. How they both found a way to utilise their skills within this virtual reality. At least he assumed the Captain had brought real life sailing skills from his real world experience, the way Dolon brought his marksmanship.

It then occurred to him, the Captain had previously been confident that they would make the journey north in three days, but like most, Dolon thought that this may have been a little fast, an over-estimation of their speed. He thought, like most, that the Captain would be leaving the game to sleep, eat, and work like everyone else. Unless he's like me, and he has to dedicate his time in game for some reason.

If this was the case, apart from it being intriguing, it meant that the ship would see the coastline of Slug Island much earlier than Niall had known, and his plans for the robbery would be ruined. They would be beyond Slug Island and out of reach of the Pirates far too soon, and Niall may never log into the world in time to see the robbery through.

At least it means I don't have to stab this poor guy in the back now, since we're going to be too late to act. Dolon thought to himself, then recalled the wroth of Niall. Maybe I should do something... But what? He eyed the Captain up and down, took note of the dual pistols at his belt and saw no other weapons. What Job Class is he? I'm sure I've never seen him at the Range. May as well ask. 'Captain.' He called out in friendly tones. 'Sorry to pry, but what's your job?'

'Smuggler!' The Captain laughed.

Dolon faked a laugh with him, playing the part. 'You know what I mean! I can't figure it out, I've been guessing to myself.'

'Between me and you?'

Dolon nodded. 'Yeah.'

'I'm a Jacker.'

'A Jacker?' Dolon was surprised, Jacker's were rare, people who chose to progress in two Job Classes. It was as difficult as progressing in an elite Job Class, so it was hardly attempted at all. The only people Dolon knew who were Jackers were Niall, of the Harlequins and Broadway Mohon, of the Winged Men. He looked the Captain up and down again. 'Let me guess... Swimmer and Pistoleer?'

'Wrong!' The Captain laughed. 'Guess again!'

He has to have been cross trained in the Shooting Range. 'Pistoleer and Trader?'

'Nope!' His laugh was bellowing. 'Want some help?'

I don't have too much time for this, I need to come up with a plan before we reach the island. 'Sure.'

'I'm not a Pistoleer.'

'What? You've got two guns strapped to your belt, how are you not a Pistoleer?' Dolon rubbed his hair, confused.

'You don't have to be a Pistoleer in order to use a pistol, just like you don't need to be a Swordsman to use a sword. I just don't get my proficiency bonus.'

'OK, I knew that.' He guessed again. 'Swimmer and Scrapper?'

'You'll never get it... It's Shifter and Climber!' The Captain laughed. 'You lose!'

'That's an odd combination for someone at sea.'

'No lad, it's the best combination.' He was as pleasant as ever, talking about his ways of playing. 'The Shifter allows me to breath under water, gills you see.' He pointed to his neck. 'I can go under and make repairs and clean the hull easily. The Climber in me makes it easier to get about this ship, up the masts to fix the sails. They're perfect for being on a ship.'

Dolon had to agree. 'Good choice.' His shifter abilities will give him all sorts of fighting advantages, just like Niall. All I need is for this guy to whip out bear claws and ruin my day. And climbing? He could use that to sabotage the ship before we can rob the thing, cut the sails and leave us to the ocean current? I wonder if Niall knew this much? Dolon pondered. I could tie him to the wheel, maybe blow out an arm or a leg, take the fight out of him. Then when his crew appear, take care of them as quick as I can. I'll have to wait until we reach Slug Island first.

'You OK lad? You look lost.' The Captain asked with concern.

Dolon smiled. 'Yeah, sorry. Just thinking.' Thinking about what? 'You've made me think on something.'

'Fair enough.'

Dolon walked to the stern, behind the Captain. 'My boss says we're passing Slug Island.'

'Aye.' The muscular man said.

'I've never been.' A lie. 'What's it like?'

'It's as boring as the name.' The Captain laughed his laugh.

'Many slugs?'

'Maybe, I don't go often. Too much fighting there.'

'Fair enough.' Dolon leant up against the stern rail. 'Let me know when we get there, I'd still like to get a good look, even from afar.'

'Wait no more, lad, it's ahead of us now. North-east.'

What? Even sooner than I thought! It was dark, Dolon could not see land. Damn it! He took his rifle from his shoulder and reversed it, striking the Captain in the back of his neck and head. I can tie him up while he's unconscious.

The man's body fell forward on to the wheel, a split second later he shuddered and shouted. 'What the hell!?' He turned and faced Dolon, a snarl on his lips.

That should have worked. Dolon struck out with the butt of the rifle once more, catching the man in the temple. This time he fell to the planked floor and remained there. 'I'm really sorry Captain, I am.'