Myra looked around, saw that Snaga’s men were converging about them, grinning like wolves around a wounded sheep.

“Easy there mister,” said Ruadh with a forced accent. “This lady is just…”

Snaga’s fist lashed out, knocking Ruadh to the ground. He grabbed Myra’s jaw and stared into her face. Her hand reached for her dagger, but she resisted the urge to draw it out. They were surrounded, and Ruadh might be killed or discovered if she started a knife fight in the street.

“Ha! I knew it,” Snaga leered. “Not bad either. Looks like tonight just got a whole lot better, huh boys?” His men chuckled.

Myra pursed her lips and cocked an eyebrow. Trying to look both erotic yet unimpressed. “Looking to blow off steam, is that it? Didn’t get enough of a manhandling from Talon to satisfy you?”

Snaga scowled. “You better shut that mouth of yours while you still have teeth, bitch.”

“That will only make Talon angry, you know.”

“Good.” Snaga pimp-slapped her to ground. Myra only glared up at him, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. “I’m gonna make sure you’re real ugly when I’m done with you. Then I’ll let you crawl back to that dog-faced fuck and tell him that everything I did to you, I’ll do to him as well next time me pisses me off.”

Myra glanced over to Ruadh, who was struggling to rise. They locked eyes, and Ruadh reached for his dagger. Myra shook her head. She had a plan forming. With half-lidded eyes, she looked back up to Snaga.

“Then why don’t you then?”

“What was that?”

“If you weren’t so afraid of Talon, you would go over and mess him up right now. Wouldn’t you?”

“I would be drinking out of his skull by now. He’s lucky that old bastard doesn’t want us fighting in town.”

“Talon is one man, with no more than a dozen fighters under him. Will he really be missed?” Myra stepped closer to Snaga, pressing a hand against his chest.

Snaga chuckled. “Looking to swing up huh? You really are a whore.”

“The sooner you kill Talon and take everything he owns, the sooner you get to find out.”

“You’re trying to seduce your way out of this? Sneaky little vixen. I can tell. You think he can beat me, huh?” He threw back his head and roared with laughter. “Fine by me! It’ll be more satisfying to bugger him first, then you. Hahaha!”

He pushed Myra aside, two of his men taking by the arms. “Come on boys! Get your drinks and popcorn and come watch the show!” His men gave a raucous cheer as they followed him. Myra glanced about and saw Ruadh standing in a dark alley. She nodded at him, and he disappeared into the shadows.

As the group passed through the streets, many people stopped and watched the procession. Many hid themselves, afraid that a battle was beginning. Suddenly a group of soldiers appeared to block Snaga’s way. Among them was Crafter, the leader of the town’s tribal allies, and Calico Flagg, the flamboyantly dressed mercenary captain.

“What’s the meaning of this, Snaga?” barked Crafter. “You’re scaring the locals.”

Snaga spread his arms wide. “What? Me and my crew? Don’t mind us none. We’re just taking the party back to camp.”

Flagg looked sharply at Myra from beneath his wide brimmed hat. “I’m afraid assaulting women and picking fights on our boss’ doorstep won’t sit too well. Didn’t anyone tell you not to piss in your own well. Let that woman go and just forgot about Talon.”

“A handful of jumped up thugs aren’t anything to fret over.”

Crafter shook his head. “Talon is here on Gram’s invitation. We’re all here on the same job. Just get over it already.”

“My job is lead to fighters into battle. How can a captain expect men to follow him into the meat-grinder if he can’t demand respect.”

“Fuck sake Snaga,” said Flagg. “Go to bed already. Kill him after the fight is over.”

“No. No I’m afraid he’s right.”

Passing through the group of soldiers, Talon came striding through. His personal guard, Sting, was beside him, an axe in his belt and Talon’s sheathed longsword in his hand.

“A captain mustn’t allow his honour to be besmirched,” continued Talon, grinning lazily. “Not a good idea to have bad blood amongst comrades either, right? Let’s just settle this, and get it over with.” His eyes shifted to Myra. She waved awkwardly.

“Ah, Myra my dear. I was wondering where you were. This habit of getting into trouble will be bad for your health, you know.”

Myra sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “To be fair, I think this one is on you.”

“Fair enough. Anyways gents. How about a duel? First blood should settle it. Does that sound fair, Mister Snaga?”

Snaga jeered at him. “I can dig it, if you feel gutsy enough for it. You gonna need to settle on some ground rules?”

Talon shrugged. “First blood. No need to get more complicated than that.”

“And weapons?”

“I’ve picked mine.” Sting offered up the long-sword hilt, and Talon drew the thin blade and did some swish in the air that looks cool, trust me. “Pick your fancy.”

Snaga whistled. Two dudes appeared, each carrying a big fuck off axe. Snaga took one in either hand and twirled them around like they was nothing. He struck a cool pose. “Don’t get upset if you get messed up.”

Talon ignored him and looked towards the other captains. “Any objections?”

Crafter sighed heavily, since he was getting sick of this shit. “Fine. Just get it over with. Just keep your men civil afterwards.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Shall I do the countdown?” said Flagg.

“Wait just a moment,” said Talon. “It wouldn’t be honourable to fight a drunk man.” Talon clicked his fingers and somebody put a vodka bottle in his hand. Talon chugged away, Snaga glaring angrily. Talon gagged and splattered, throwing up a little. “Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea,” he coughed.

Talon tried to compose himself and square off with Snaga. The sea-raiders cheered for their captain. When flagged had counted down to one, Snaga dashed forward, swinging his axes in a wide arc. Talon stumbled backwards, his sword nearly flying from his hands. With Talon’s guard wide open, Snaga attacked with a flurry of swings. He was doing little but knock his opponent’s sword around, while Talon tried to keep up a desperate guard.

“Ha! You’re nothing but an empty boaster! ” howled Snaga. “You bitch-ass bushwhacker!”

“Kill him already chief!” cried one of the sea-wolves.

“Mess him up!”

Snaga reeled back for a decapitating blow. Talon’s foot slipped and fell backwards, just in time to dodge the axe-head. He flailed his sword around as he rolled back and somehow land on his feet. He was breathing heavily.

“Look at you. Pathetic,” jeered Snaga. He jabbed his axe at Talon’s direction. “I thought you would put up a better fight than that. Why don’t you just call it quits already?”

Talon stilled his breath, and smiled. “You’re right. It is over.”

Suddenly, Snaga noticed that his wrist was squirting blood like crazy. A small cut had opened an artery. Snaga stared at it in shock and anger.

“First blood. That means I win, right?” Talon grinned and fixed up his collar. He went to turn away, but Snaga howled and lunged forward, axes raised. But Talon turned on the spot. Suddenly, Talon’s sword lashed out, blurring like a whip. On blood gushed from slash across Snaga’s bicep, and again just above his hip. But Snaga continued to attack, while Talon dodged his blows and landed hit after hit, covering Snaga in cuts.

Snaga back offed, nearly drenched in his own blood. He glared with a mad light in his eyes.

“You know I do love to show off, but this is just overkill,” said Talon. “Why don’t you just call it quits already?”

But Talon only charged again. Talon dashed forward to meet him. He ran past each-other like samurai. All was quiet for a moment, until blood fucking exploded from Snaga’s severed stumps where his arms were just a moment before.

Snaga cried in pain and fell to his knees. Talon kicked him in the back and planted his boot on the back his head, burying Snaga’s face into the dirt. Myra watched in silent horror as Talon held down the wounded man, who was writhing desperately for air.

“You bastard! Get off our captain!” a sea-raider cried out, lifting up a pistol (which are things now). But suddenly, an axe came flying through the air to bury itself in the man’s head. “Don’t interrupt a duel,” growled Sting.

Eventually, Snaga’s writhing stopped. Talon handed his bloodied sword back to Fang, and fixed up his collar again.

“That settles it then.”

“You didn’t need to go that far,” muttered Crafter.

“He came at first. You saw that.” Talon smiled. “Now then, as for the rest of you…” He strode toward the sea-raiders, who were silent with anger and fear.

“It seems your crew has a position available. How about I vote in my name for the job, eh?”

The me looked at each other in uncertainty.

“I’ll take you fellas under my wing for this fight. You can go your seperate ways afterward, but if you fight in my name, I can guarantee a better share of the spoils. My name fetches a high price, you know.”

“We don’t know you for shit,” snapped one the sea-raiders. “Why should we take an outsider for captain over one of our own.”

“You guys are in this for money, right? So am I. I’d say we’re on the same team. But perhaps I should try and make a better impression. Here.” Sting handed over a bulging sack, obviously filled with coin. Talon nonchalantly flinging it at the raiders. Gold coins spilling about their feet. “There’ll be more, much more. But I’ll leave you guys to think it till tomorrow. Goodnight gents.” Talon turned around, while the raiders cheered and snapped up the gold, chanting Talon’s name and forgetting their former captain as his body lay in a growing pool of his own blood.

Talon turned to Myra. “Sorry for the gruesome show. But you’ve got to make a point with crooks like these.” He offered up his arm. “Did he hurt you?”

Myra shook her head and wiped the blood for the corner of her mouth. “He was all bluff. But… I didn’t know you could fight like that.”

Talon grinned. “Nothing but hard practice. Come on, let's get back to camp.”

So Talon, Myra and Sting did exactly that. They found Thorn (who’s a chick now), waiting for them just outside Talon’s own large tent. She smiled, flashing her unusually sharp canines. “How did it go?”

“I think we made some new friends,” said Talon. “And I found Myra along the way. All in all, pretty good night. And what about Fang…

“You’ll be happy to know he just got back. He’s inside right now.”

“Even better. Come ladies, let’s go entertain our guest. They stepped into the tent, within the tent, stood the swordsman with the Ranger cloak. At his feet, bound and gagged, was Ruadh. Myra nearly jumped out of her skin.

“Ah, Fang! What took you so long?” said Talon.

Fang drew back his hood and grinned at Myra. “You’re little stray-cat here, boss. She took it upon herself to rescue our old Ranger here by herself. Confused the shit outta me.”

“My, you are one for surprises, Myra,” said Talon. “But all’s well that ends well. Rescue is complete.”

Fang ripped the gag from Ruadh’s mouth. “What is this?” he wheezed. “Your no Ranger. Where did you get that cloak?”

Fang shrugged. “Can’t remember, other than it being a pain in the ass to clean the blood out of. Knew it would come in handy though.”

“Talon, what’s going on?” asked Myra.

“You’ve gone and betrayed your allies,” said Ruadh. “What do you want from me?”

Talon smiled. “I’m just a businessman. All that stuff about revenge and wiping you out, that’s all just my employer. Myself, I don’t want to see you Rangers wiped out. In fact, I want to get friendly with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You see, I’m actually very curious about you lot. You guys are quite the intriguing mystery. I’ve heard plenty of stories. A very controversial reputation, certainly. But all the stories share two elements. That you are all fierce fighters, which I can… personally attest to.” He motioned towards the massive scar that was retconned onto his face.

“And of course, that you are also expert healers. Able to perform… miracles… as some would have it. I wouldn’t know anything about that, until of course, I found this…” He pulled out a flask with a red liquid inside. Gasp horror. It was a magic potion.

Ruadh’s eyes went wide. Talon grinned like a fox. “I see from your expression that this is indeed a unique item. But I figured that already. The Ranger we took this from fought like a hellcat over it. It is indeed precious to you, isn’t it? My guess of course, is that this has something to do your miracles. Right?”

Ruadh scowled. He dared not speak for any chance of revealing something he shouldn’t.

“I haven’t tested it myself. Never know when you get your hand on something that might be so valuable. But however, I would be willing to give this back to its rightful owners. For a price, of course.”

“Just ask your damn question.”

“Alright then. I’ll give you this, and send you back on your way to your Rangers, if you tell me everything there is to know about this. How much more is there? Where do they come from? Go ahead, satisfy my curiosity.

Ruadh spat. “Never.”

Talon shook his head. “I could threaten you with violence, of course.”

“Do you think I hold my own life that dearly? I’m an old man already. Death holds no longer holds any terrors for me.”

Talon sighed. “Very well then. He grabbed his sword hilt and drew it out, slowly.

“Talon! Wait!” Myra grabbed his arm. “Please. Don’t hurt him…”

Talon looked into Myra’s frightened eyes and smiled softly, he stroked her cheek. “Don’t you fret, Myra my dear. The thought never even crossed my mind.”

Myra didn’t even feel the blade slide between her ribs, and emerge out her back, pinning her to the wooden tent post. Blood started trickling from her mouth, her eyes wide yet numb.

“Whoops,” Talon smirked. “Hand must have slipped.”

“You douchebag!” cried Ruadh. “What are you doing! He threw off Fang’s hand and hurried over to Myra, his hands reaching for the sword.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I’m no doctor, but I think I got her lung there. That blade is the only thing stopping her from choking on her blood.” Talon shook his head. “Looks pretty grim, right? No helping her, it would take a miracle, wouldn’t it”

Ruadh grit his teeth in anger, sweat beading on his brow. He looked at Myra, swiftly losing her consciousness, and back to Talon. The man grinned and dangled the phial in his hand.

“Well? How about it? Satisfy my curiosity.”