The galley entered the docks of the Floating City under the cover of darkness, having evaded Churashi naval patrols earlier in the night. Usually the Harlequins would have been fine to pass through their home waters unmolested, only this time they stood upon a pirate vessel, which could have instigated a shoot first ask questions later scenario.

Dolon had been his usual talkative self, conversing with the crew and his comrades throughout the journey. This was, however, not true to his feelings. He was livid, as angry as angry could be, despite his ability to hide it. Niall, as a threat to the pirates that had made him wait, laid waste to the smuggling vessel before leaving for Churash. “This is what will happen if you dare do me wrong.” Dolon had to stand and watch as that cheerful, happy, deeply involved Captain's ship burnt and sank. Dolon had to hold his rage inside, and it hurt him.

He leapt from the deck of the pirate galley and on to the bobbing wooden side walks of the city. This was home ground, he was relieved to be here. Dolon ignored his comrades, his leader, the pirates, he ignored the denizens of the city and lastly he ignored his need to hold a false front. Walking quickly through the city, he unleashed profanity after profanity, cursing Niall and grieving for the crew of the smuggling boat. He looked a loon to those he passed, but venting helped. By the time he had reached a city square, a small grassy island that was connected to floating city blocks via wood and rope bridges, he had calmed considerably.

He took a breath and leant tiresomely against a pointed rock jutting from the ground, around him were people meeting and talking, or picnicking on the soft grass. Orange and yellow lanterns lit the place up, hung all over the towering buildings surrounding the island, their warm colours soothing the troubled Sniper. His calm did not last, Niall's voice came from behind, having tracked Dolon some how.

'We meet with Tanda soon.' His hand touched Dolon's shoulder, who shuddered. 'I want you to get some sleep, I need you looking fresh. She won't trust us with the location of the cache if we don't look the part, look capable.'

'Right.' Dolon turned to Niall. 'I'll be sleeping soon.'

'Good, you've been active a lot lately.' Niall, like Dolon, kept their language safe from outer game terminology. No “logging out”, it was sleeping. No “playing”, it was being active.

'Yeah, I could use the rest.' Dolon patted Niall on the arm in a friendly manner, then he walked away. Niall was left alone in the city square while Dolon found the busiest street at this time of night and melted into the moving crowd.

Music was playing high in the air, a chorus of flutes and horns. Songs of the sea were sung amongst them, though not in rhythm or tune. Sailors of varying job classes, Soldiers, Swordsmen, Archers and Spear-men walked the pathways that floated either side of the waterways, where long narrow rowing boats and gondolas made journeys through the city. Dolon noted unusual numbers of western people, Knights and their Squires, Grapplers, Wrestlers and Strikers, even some who looked like Druids. Then he realised that a representation of eastern players was amongst the population too, Duellists, Fire Breathers, a rare number of Long Arms, then someone he presumed to be a Spiritualist or its progression of a Monk. Though most people on the Spiritualist progression appeared calm, friendly and accepting, this man walked as if everyone around him was a lesser being. Dolon scowled then quickly moved past.

The influx of foreigners drew Dolon's curiosity, he tapped a man on the shoulder next to him, a local Churashi Soldier, by the looks of his half pirate - half tribal attire. 'What's with the Hurdies and the Easties?'

'They're all here for the duels.' He said.

Duels? Dolon was surprised, he knew nothing about it. The last duel tournament was held months before in Amaratsu's City of Bones, it ended abruptly when a Hurdland group sabotaged the arena and brought down stone and wood on top of the Amaratese audience. The event had not been held since. 'There's a tournament here?'

'Yeah, it starts tomorrow.'

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

'Who's fighting?'

The man's eyes looked to the side as he thought. 'I don't know everyone, only the big names.'

'Go on.' Dolon prodded as they walked together.

'Sir Daniels, Li Tsun, Captain Deluge, Auryon of the Black Foot, and Wolf. And if you know anything about her, you're in for a surprise.'

'Wolf is here?' Wolf was a famous Hurdland warrior, a Wrestler of great renown. Dolon did not know much about the others, though he had heard of Li Tsun, and Auryon. 'I think this tourney might be the break I need!'

'Good luck with that, it sold out over a month ago.' The Soldier informed Dolon. 'There's no way anyone else is getting in to see these fights.'

'God damn it!' Dolon sighed.

The Soldier laughed. 'That's what I said when I found out.' He walked on quicker and waved to Dolon. 'I've got to hurry, see you around!'

'See you.' Dolon replied.

'I can get you in.' A voice came from his left.

'Stacey!' The Sniper faced the masked man behind him. 'What are you doing here?' Is he following me? First Niall, now him. I need to keep my eyes peeled.

'Just taking a walk, I happened to come across your conversation.' Stacey shrugged.

I hope so. 'What did you hear?'

'That there's a tourney and you can't get in to see.'

'Yeah, you heard right.' Dolon stepped aside for a passing woman, the foot traffic being too heavy to stand still in one place. 'Come on.' He prompted Stacey to walk. 'So you think you can get me in?'

'I can get both of us in. If you want to.'

Dolon considered it. 'How?'

'I'm a Ghostform.' He whispered. 'I can shift through the arena walls and open a door or window for you. We sneak in.'

'That's...' He wanted to say cheap, but he had to play out his role. Plus, he really wanted to see the tournament. 'A really good idea.'

'I know.' Stacey lifted his head up proudly. 'So, you want to?'

'Yes. Yes I do.' Said Dolon.

'Cool.'

'Cool.'

'When is this thing?'

'I have no idea, I guess we ask.' Suggested Dolon.

'Ah yes, ask.' Stacey giggled. 'Working under Niall, I'm not used to taking the initiative.'

Is he just as annoyed by Niall as I am? Dolon dared not laugh, just in case. When Stacey noticed Dolon's lack of reaction, his smile disappeared from his face. Dolon noticed this. Maybe he's thinking the same thing as me? He doesn't like Niall either, but doesn't want to say it. It was an interesting thought.

Time went without a word after, a quiet awkwardness destroying any chance of conversation. As soon as the two came across an inn, Dolon took his leave from Stacey and said his goodbyes, they would meet again once Dolon knew the time and place. Until then, he needed to escape the silence and at last find rest. The Sniper eyed the peripheral bar, the options window that only he could see opened up in front of him.

With a number of quick glances, he navigated to a world map that was shaded in black over all the places he had yet to visit. He focused in on the floating city and marked a save location on it. Usually in death, the game itself would respawn a player at the last safe space they had spent some time visiting beforehand, but this manual save would act as a secondary respawn point for when the first was not so accommodating.

Dolon logged out. The world turned to white and then black, until his head rushed cold and his comfortable chair could be felt at his back.