Hamund and Ken are escorted through dark halls, Hamund pressing his right hand against the wall, in an attempt to keep his composure. The stench of rot thickening with every step. The walls seemed to close in on them, rusted metal groaned under the weight of every step. As they approached the dining hall they saw bones lining the walls, detailed by the fire that was dimly lighting the hall from above.

The room was filled with a nauseating cloud of death and rot. Sitting on the other end of the table was a creature much different from the others they had seen. Although his appearance was that of a rodent, he was much taller and fatter than any other member of his crew. The creature's belly was exposed under his tightly fit clothes, his short fir was covered in remnants of prior meals.

“You must be the captain of this ship.” Hamund said as he took a seat at the table in front of him.

“How dare you sit without prior acknowledgement!” The creature blurted out as chunks of his current meal shot across the table.

Hamund leaned forward wiping off the scraps of food from the table in front of him. “You aren’t in a position to make demands, so lets talk about your surrender.” Hamund ordered as he beckoned Ken to take a seat.

Ken, hesitantly, took a seat next to Hamund. Ken was unsure who to fear in this situation, he knew of Hamund’s ruthlessness but he had been at the wrong end of Ratvos’s wrath once before in his voyage.

Hamund grew a wide smile on his face as his stare was glued to Ratvos. “I offered the chance for us to be diplomatic, that was met with threats. I sit here at your table now to make things clear. Should we be engaged I will obliterate everything you have, down to the last molecule.”

Ratvos smacked his hands on the table with a resounding thud, rattling the scattered bones and sending a half-eaten chunk of meat rolling off his plate. His beady eyes glinted with rage, yet something else lurked behind them–fear. Hamunds calmness even when met by his rage unnerved him, as did the sheer calmness of his threat. Ratvos bared his yellowed teeth, gnashing them in frustration.

“You dare come aboard my ship, sit at my table, and speak to me in such a manner?” Ratvos hissed, his voice dripping with Venom. He leaned forward, his massive belly pressing against the edge of the table as he pointed his greasy fingers towards Hamund. “You think you hold the power? Your just one man, one ship.” Ratvos picked food from his teeth and continued “I command armies!”

Hamund’s confidence didn't waiver, neither did his smile. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of him, his glare glued to Ratvos, he watched the rodent leader gnash his teeth and flick bits of food across the table, seeing him as nothing more than a petulant child.

Ratvos waved to his crew as they surrounded the table he asked “Tell me there mortal, what are you without your suit?”

Hamund looked around the room as it progressively filled with more of Ratvos’s tuskers. Their beady eyes were all fixed on him with sinister intent. They were armed, their jagged weapons glinted in the fire light, showcasing their primitive build.

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Ken’s hands trembled as he looked around the room, this is a scene he had known once before. One that ended him up without a crew, he peered over at Hamund and whispered, “Remember when you told me to keep us alive?”

Hamunds smile faded and was replaced by a look of determination. He knew his position had changed but he wasn't one to be bested.

Hamund eyes glanced over at Ken, catching the terror in kens voice and the unease as he rocked slightly back and forth. Hamund returned his attention to Ratvos, observing the rodent's mannerisms, his confidence in the situation was clear, he licked the grease of his fingers, slow and deliberate as if to show Hamund he did not fear him.

“Tell me rat, do you think I need my suit to kill you?” Hamund’s voice remained low, laced with his calm and calculated tone. “This suit is nothing more than a convenience.”

Ratvos hissed a loud and sharp laugh, his yellowed teeth gleaming in the firelight. “You speak big words for such a small man.” Ratvos waved his troops closer to Hamund as he said “Arriving on my ship was a big mistake, here you are nothing more than prey.”

Ken, noticing Hamund’s growing irritation with the rat leader, quickly stood up ripping a crystalline device out of his pocket. Ken thought to himself “this better work!” as he threw the device to the center of the table, hoping Hamund didn’t notice what he had.

Ratvos and Hamund peered at the device, stunned by Ken’s sudden outburst.

Hamund looked over at Ken and loudly questioned “What do you think your doing?”

“What trinket have you thrown at me” Ratvos uttered as he broke free from his confused state.

“We will call this an insurance policy!” Ken shouted as he hid his shaking hands behind his back. “It is clear our negotiations are only going to be one sided. So, either you listen or that device will decimate your ship and all of us on it.”

Hamund stood trying to take advantage of the building tension and unknown peril in the room. “Send me your best warrior, I will fight him in combat. Every other member must depart the room.”

Ratvos, still hesitant of the device, asked “What is in this for me?”

Ken went to reply but was quickly stopped by Hamund placing his hand on his shoulder “A ship, a crew, and a map to unimaginable fortune.”

Ratvos’s eyes blistered with excitement “What would you receive should you win?”

“An ally, someone to come to my beckoning call, should the time arise.” Hamund says as he climbs onto the greasy table. Hamund walks to the center of the table, bending down to pick up the device that Ken had thrown. Hamund looked over the device, he felt no presence of a threat from it.

Hamund tossed the device back to Ken and asked “So, what will it be?”

Ratvos nods towards his tuskers and they depart the room, each tusker was hesitant and departed sporadically. Hamund observed each one departing, he took notice of how they left, disorganized and seemingly lacking in any training.

Ratvos observed the remaining figures in the room–the confident Hamund, the scared and anxious Ken, and a sturdy built member of his crew. His champion was about the same height as Hamund, but he appeared to be more battle worn than Hamund, he had scars across his body signifying years of experience.

The warrior climbed up onto the table, he stood, matching Hamund posture, cracking his neck as he prepared himself for the oncoming combat.