Once Upon a Time

CHAPTER 4

“Lost Pegasus”

Walking along the path to the pub in the dead of night, the only sounds I hear was the sounds my footsteps and the gentle clanging of the daggers inside my robe. The streets were pretty much deserted except for some dark alleys, where the thieves pretty much live in. I was glancing left and right to try and spot the pub I was looking for. I don’t know this place very well, but my hunches told me that the pub was somewhere around here.

It was proven right as I saw a sign right across the street that points to the direction of the ‘Barrels of Rum’ pub. Hastily heading to that direction, I immediately spotted it. Like the name suggested, the design of the pub was modeled after a barrel, it was kind of like an oversized barrel with doors and windows. Okay…

Unfortunately for me, it was closed but that wouldn’t stop me from breaking in there. Looking at the sky, it was nearing dawn. I estimated I have about half an hour before the sun rises up. The pub wasn’t gonna open until night falls but I can’t let anyone see me exit here. I need to search this place quickly and leave before the townspeople wake up.

I swiftly grabbed the lock pick I bought from the market place and carefully picked the door.  I stopped for a second glanced around to see if there was someone watching me. None.

I continued along expertly picking it and then moments later, I heard the sweet sound of the door unlocking. It was a nice change to finally have lock picks once again rather than trying to pick the door open with daggers.

Entering the pub and slowly closing the door behind me. I immediately looked around for any sign of the blonde pegasus. My eyes slitted eyes quickly adjusted to the dark. There was nothing here but tables and chairs placed unevenly around the room. There was a door at the back but I assumed it heads to the back alley of the pub.

Becoming aware that there is nothing in here, I decided to proceed to the stairs that leads to the second level of the pub.

While I was climbing the stairs I saw a single strand of light yellow hair on the corner of the fourth step of the staircase. The color of the hair was strikingly similar to Surprise’s mane. It makes much sense that it’s from her since the minotaur, dogs, and rats didn’t have hair or fur that match the color.

I picked it up and quickly crept my way upstairs. Like the first floor of the establishment, there was nothing interesting here I could find other than several half empty mugs on top of the tables. Note to self: steal some shit before leaving.

Searching around table by table, there weren’t any clues to where Surprise might be. I know she had been here since I found a strand of her mane at the staircase but nothing to tell me where she was taken.

I began checking for trapdoors, gently knocking and stomping on the walls and floors. So far I haven’t found any but I haven’t tried to check the first floor so there still might be one.

I noticed it was slowly getting brighter around the room. Looking out of the window, it was dawn and the sun is rising. There were a few locals already out and about.

Immediately halting my search, I dashed towards the exit. I’ll return to the pub later at night to find more clues and ask the ones the drink here if they saw her. Even with my time cut short I was a bit happy that I found a clue here.

As I got to the first floor I approached the backdoor right beside the stairs. It might be safer for me if I exit through the back alley where no one can see me leave the pub.

Opening it and stepping outside and to my surprise, there was only a dead end in front of me. Looking around the alley, there was nothing but trashes littered around and a dumpster at the side. With no way to get out of here the only way exit on the pub is through the front door. Man, talk about the fire hazard.

I went inside again and make my way to the entrance. However before I leave the pub I glanced at the window to make sure no one was passing by when I walk out.

When I deemed it safe enough I hastily exit the pub, pulling my hood up and casually walk towards the inn I was staying. I dropped the pouch containing Surprise’s ring at the nightstand before lying down on the bed and collecting my thoughts.

I waited until it was near noon the time, when stalls in the marketplace opens up. There’s something I want to buy there in case I see the kidnappers. As the time comes, I pushed myself out of the bed and grab my things before heading down towards the market.

While walking I stopped for a moment. Wait, I forgot to steal some shit. I grunted and continued on walking.

In there, I searched a stall for plants and potions. Near the center of it, I saw one with a zebra owning it. Thankfully for me, it wasn’t the same one I stole the bits from. Not that I care or anything.

I bought some kind of potion from him; it was kind of like ammonia but instead of waking me up, this one would keep me up. The zebra merchant proclaimed that this potion greatly helps warriors in battle. It gives them a slight advantage on their enemies. If I breathed in the potion then no matter how grave the wounds I suffer, I wouldn’t get unconscious or knocked out. What he doesn’t know, I wasn’t planning on using this on myself instead I was planning on using it on someone.

Before leaving the stall, I bought a couple of ropes and a jar of fire ants. The zebra merchant asked me what do I need those for, but I replied that ‘it was for an experiment’. He shrugged and went back waiting for customers.

I spent the last hour wandering through town and asking the locals if they had seen Surprise last night. My question goes down to ‘Have you seen a winged white pony with blonde mane late last night?’ since every time I used the word ‘pegasus’, they basically asked what that was. Seriously, what’s wrong with these people?

I limit the ones I asked to the ones that didn’t look and act suspicious. I can’t take a chance that I might ask one of the kidnappers that question and risking of them knowing a six foot tall hairless monkey asking about their hostage.

While I was walking on the road to the town square I saw a glimpse cloaked rat eyeing me from the top of the clock tower. Despite the fact that he was well hidden on one of the pillars, he was still clearly visible on my trained eye despite I didn’t look straight in his direction. What he didn’t know is I’m an assassin. Spying or stalking someone is like second nature to me.

I continued to walk and remained to act oblivious of my stalker. I saw a small weapon shop and walk towards it. As I slowly approach the shop, I saw the rat from the tower disappear.

About a minute later before I entered the shop, I briefly glanced on my back and saw the stalker walking towards my direction. He wouldn’t see me glancing at him from the slightly crowded streets with the hood of my robe blocking my face. He was clearly following me and looking from the tower seemed wasn’t enough to him. BIG mistake!

I entered the shop and acted like a typical customer, browsing swords and bows. A few moments later my rat stalker entered the shop and cast me a brief look before turning in to the weapons, lifting some sword and acted like he was checking them out.

To avoid suspicion on me and to continue my oblivious, ignorant everyday shopper act. I bought a parazonium dagger, trying it out with a couple of thrust and swings before paying and leaving the shop. I could tell the pouch I had was lighter than when I first stole it but it worth it.

I spotted an armor shop and move towards it. I could tell the rat waited a couple of minutes before leaving and following me. Cliché ways of stalking, what a surprise…

The moment I entered the shop I immediately bolted to an open window and jumped outside, ignoring the stares from the customers and the shopkeeper inside. Landing at a small alley outside, I looked at the crowded street to find the rat.

I found him walking, his eyes trained at the shop I entered, believing I was inside. Picking up a rock, I threw it at a random walking griffon across the street. It hit him dead on the head, knocking him out causing the ones passing by to gasp and the rat to look.

With a distraction on the way, I quickly glided in the crowded streets, getting myself low to the ground and snatched the stalking rat from his back. I spun him around locking up his arm, cuffing a hand to his mouth and dragging him to an alley. That took me less than a second; he never had a chance to react. His small frame even made the job brief and easy for me.

Thankfully for me no one had seen me dragging the rat to an alley. The distraction I created made them look and scamper to the out cold griffon.

“Mummhhph mmumph!” The rat struggled to break free of my grasp.

“Shhh shhhh.” I cuffed my hand harder on his mouth to make him stop, my nails digging enough to break some skin in his cheeks. “I’ll just ask you a few questions and I’ll be on my way. So let’s get this over with.” I whispered to him as I dragged him further into the alley.

There was a door out back that looked like it hadn’t been opened for years. Before opening it, I placed an ear to hear if anyone is inside…Nothing. Perfect.

With my good hand cuffed on his mouth and my paralyzed one was locked on his arms, I had no choice but to kick to door open. Looking at the hinges the door seemed to open inwards so I wouldn’t have a hard time breaking it down.

On my second kick, the door opened. I dragged the struggling rat with me inside. The look inside appears to be an abandoned meat shop. Thank god, there weren’t any rotting meat.

With no one to hear his screams and wails, I removed the hand cuffing his mouth and replaced it by putting a dagger in his throat. The rat struggled to break free even further as he felt the cold blade pressing on his windpipe.

“What do you want?” he hissed, his voice slightly cracking.

“Like I said earlier, I’m just going to ask you a few questions and then we’re done here. For the first one; why are you following me?”

“Fat chance monkey. No matter what you do, you wouldn’t get any of us to talk and I would rather die than to tell you.” Hmm…us? He didn’t seem to know that he unwillingly said that he didn’t work alone. What a dumbass. I could even tell that he’s bluffing when he said he’d rather die than to tell me.

“Oh really?” I slowly traced a dagger to his throat letting out small streams of blood, causing him cry in pain. It wasn’t enough to kill him but enough to get my point across.

“Okay s-stop!” I did. “I would tell you everything right now but why? You’ll just kill me when you get your answers.”

“You don’t have a choice on this” I continued. “But okay tell you what, after you answer my questions then we’ll have a coin toss to see if you get to live your life. What do you say?”

He was silent for a moment before nodding. “I was following you because I was planning on kidnapping you.” I raised an eyebrow. “You see I work for a group. If I kidnap someone I’ll get bits double if the one we kidnap is a strange creature like you. Then we sell them to the diamond dogs to work for the as a slave. Easy money.”

“So a group of kidnappers huh… Have any of you captured a white pegasus with blonde mane?”

He was about to nod but he realized there was a dagger pressed in his throat. “Y-yeah she came in our hideout last night knocked out, being carried towards the holding cell.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Where is this hideout you’re talking about?” I asked coldly.

The rat shivered a bit when he heard the tone of my voice “A-at the back of the Barrels of Rum, the pub near the town square. There’s an opening at the back of the dumpster. That’s the entrance we use on our hideout.”

I nodded. “Okay, you’ve satisfied my curiosity.” I reached out to my pouch of bits. “Now for the coin toss.” I heard him gulp.

What I didn’t realized when I proposed for a coin toss is that I can’t open my pouch grab a coin since my good hand was pressing a knife on the rat’s throat and using my paralyzed hand wouldn’t make sense. No shit. And letting him go would be a bad idea since I know he’ll just try to escape.

I grinned. “Well shit. Looks like we’ll have a slight change of plans…” I said, my voice getting darker.

I felt the rat shook lightly at that. “What do you mea--.”

Before he finished, I slit his throat and let him go, pushing him down to the ground. The rat’s body harshly met the cold hard floor as he gurgled incoherent words and choke from his blood. I didn’t slit his throat hard to kill him instantly but enough to cut open his windpipe, making him slowly and painfully die in suffocation.

I grabbed a bit from the pouch and turned to the dying rat. “I wonder, if we played the game then could have you won?” I asked him even though he couldn’t respond, just gurgling incoherent words. Since his windpipe is cut open and all.

I looked over the bit. “Okay I’m head, the one with the ten bits sign at top and your is tails, the one with the crown at the center.” I tossed it in the air and let it hit the ground. It bounced and spun around a little bit before settling down….head.

I chuckled. “Well, it looks like it’s just your bad day after all.” I spun around to the door and left the rat bathing in his own blood. It was just a matter of time before he dies of suffocation anyway.

I left the alley and casually walked around town like nothing happened. I would have barge in their hideout and take Surprise but I need to scout and confirm first if he was indeed telling the truth about the location.

While I was walking on a road near the dock, I spotted a familiar rat wearing pirate clothing and a tricorne on its head on the path ahead not far from me. He turned to look at me and we stared at each other for a few seconds before he waved a hand and yelled. “Miko old pal, good to see yer.” He took a few steps to get closer to me. “How ye been? I never thought I’d see ye in this place.”

“Yeah yeah, it’s good to see you too and I’d like hear your bullshit pirate tales but now is not the time.” I whispered bullshit and he didn’t seemed to have heard it.

He tilted is head. “What the problem lass, and where’s Miss Surprise?”

“That’s the problem. She was kidnap last night by a group called…eh who cares, they’re planning on selling her to the dogs for slavery. Have you ever heard of the group like that?”

He eyes narrowed as I explained. “Aye, they be the same reason I was the Tartarus hole slave’s den for weeks.”

He took towards the docks. “Come with me on me ship lass, I’ll explain on the way.”

As I follow Winsor I noticed he was now wearing some sort of an eye patch on his left eye. His eye seemed fine the last time I saw him. Was it some sorts of a pirate captain’s fashion style or something?

Winsor’s head turned to look at me. “The group name is Silver Shackles. They be responsible for all the kidnapping happening round the port. Only a few know their group. They work at night so no one will witness when they kidnap somerat. Even if somerat saw them they be too afraid to tell the anyrat about it.”

“Looks like the town guards are doing quite shitty on their jobs.” I commented.

He chuckled. “Ye really think a town full of pirates and thieves will have town guards?” He laughed. “If ye ever see one, they be just workin for the bits.”

That seemed to make sense. Who would work as a guard on a town littered with these bastards anyway. “So how did you managed to get captured by them. I killed one of their group earlier and they weren’t that skilled or dangerous to me.”

“Are ye sure it’s one of them?” I nodded.  “How, I can’t see a single scratch on ye.”

I shrugged. “I have my own ways.”

“Well to answer yer question, I was quite drunk when I fought them. They seem to get a kick on kidnapping pirates because of the reward money they’re getting.” He crossed his arms. “But to tell ye the truth, I would have defeated the three that we’re coming to me if I ain’t drunk.”

“I’m calling bullshit on that but since you’re my one way ticket out of here…eh I’ll let it slide.”

He looked confused. “What ticket?”

“I’ll tell you later.” I answered as I looked ahead of the road.

He shrugged as we continued our walk in silence and minutes later we stopped in front of his ship. “We’re here.”

Winsor turned to me with a big grin. “Let me welcome you aboard to me ship. The gal’s name is--.”

“Mickey.” I cut him off. “Yeah, I’ve been here.”

He sighed. “Well, there goes the surprise.”

We boarded the ship. In time we saw Ratatouille sitting on a crate thinking deeply. The moment his eyes drifted towards us his eyes suddenly widened and stared at us dumbfounded, mostly at Winsor.

He immediately stood up and saluted. “Captain!” he moved closer to us. “It’s good to see yer. Where have ye been? the crew and I we’re beginning to get worried.”

As soon as he said that, the crews from the ship suddenly turned to our direction and some even poke their heads out of the window.

“Aye mateys, I’m back from being kidnapped.” Ratatouille and some of the crew gasped. “While I appreciate yer concern we have a bit of a problem here.”

“Umm yer been kidnapped, but how did ye manage to escape Captain?”

“I’ll tell yer that story some other time but now, they be a problem that concerns us. They be a group called Silver Shackles that centers on capturing us pirates and either turning us in for the reward money or selling us to the dogs for slavery.”

Ratatouille’s eyes narrowed upon hearing that and slowly nodded. “So that’s why we been hearing some of our fellow pirates have been gone missing.”

“Aye and apparently my friend Miss Surprise have also been captured by the scallywags.”

Ratatouille scratched his head in confusion. “Umm Captain, who’s Miss Surprise?”

Winsor smiled. “Just the most gleeful pony yer ever meet. Sadly though I don’t know where those bandits are staying. I was knocked out when they brought me there. So I’m blind here.”

I step up. “Eh, I know where they are.” That got their attention to me. “One of their rat I killed earlier told me it’s at the back alley of the Barrels of Rum’, although I can’t tell if he was telling the truth or not.”

Winsor nodded. “Aye, I’ll send one of me crew to scout for it and can ye tell where did ye leave the body of the dead rat?”

“It’s at the back of some kind of meat shop, the one in front of the armor shop and near the town square.”

“Aye, hopefully his clothes will make a great disguise for one of me crew if they scout there.” He turned to Ratatouille. “Lass yer in charge for that one. Pick one of our crew that most resembles the dead rat.”

He saluted. “Aye aye, Captain.” He said. “But what about our fellow pirates, should we warn them about the group?”

He swayed his hand, dismissing it. “Nay lass if the word about them gets around, they might move out of their hideout or they’ll be ready to expect us when we attack. We’ll make sure we limit the ones who know.” He grinned. “And I know just the right pirate for the job.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

There we are, inside the captain’s cabin of the biggest ship on the port. I was sitting there chillin’ beside Winsor as he explained the situation to the captain of the ship. I was quite impressed at the ship we were in. It was three times the size of Winsor’s ship Mickey and it was littered with ballistas and at the ship’s sides and even some motherfucking big ass trebuchet at the middle. The whole ship just screams ‘Don’t fuck with me or I’ll sink yo ass’.

The interior of the ship was incredible either mind you as we’re currently on the expensive looking captain’s cabin, it’s almost like it was designed for royalty. It was filled by priceless pieces decorations and some portrait of the ship’s Captain. Although as impressive and big as this ship is there was one thing wrong in it. Winsor told me the ship’s name is Gondola... What the fuck?

“So we have a rag tag group that abducts our fellow pirates right here at the port.” The captain said. She was a sexy fox woman wearing blue pirate attire with a matching tricorne on her head, similar to Winsor’s black attire and tricorne except there were no holes and loose stitches littered around her clothing. Her voice was smooth, sounding a bit seductive. I would have guessed if she was a temptress either. “I guess that explains why some of my ship’s crew suddenly went missing a few days ago. It’s good to know I’m the first one you told me about this Winsor and you bet they’ll certainly pay for what they did. I’ll help you bring this a stop, even though I don’t like working with you.”

Winsor smiled. ”That’s great to hear Captain Quinn.”

“Oh don’t get giddy over it.” She said. “So what’s the plan old rat?”

Winsor turned to me as if he already knows that I already have a plan laid out for him. And I have!

I nodded. “Okay, bring me a map of the port and I’ll explain to you my plan.”

Quinn looked at me. “Oh and who are you,” she smiled seductively. “I’m guessing you’re one of those rare creatures like me huh?” she asked biting her lip.

I would have played along with her but now isn’t the time for it. “I concentrate on the problem here, now is not that time for that. I’ll ask your questions later...well maybe. Now the map would you please kindly.” She nodded and brought it out, laying it on her table.

She grinned and turned to Winsor as I scrolled over the map. “Now that’s leadership. Serious and eager to get down to business, not the kind of traits you have.” She mocked eyeing Winsor.

“What are ye talking about Quinn?” Winsor argued. “I’m a great leader. Ye can even ask me crew all about it.”

“Well if you say so…” She turned to me. “Sorry umm--.”

“Michorean.”

“Yes sorry Michorean, I was just joking around. I’m not really that kind of fox, if that’s what you’re thinking.” She grinned sheepishly.

“Yeah, I know. Now listen, Winsor’s crew will be infiltrating their hideout, preferably the one that wears the disguise and another one just to keep it safe. While they’re inside confirming if the Surprise and the captured pirates are in fact there, we’ll be out hiding in the shadows waiting for the infiltrator’s signal. It’s nothing too complicated really, just a wave in our direction will do.”

Winsor spoke up. “Where we’ll be hiding lass?”

“Any of the dark alleys will do but for me I prefer us wait on the roof of the houses just in near the pub just so we’ll be well hidden and we can quickly move out.” I explained, tracing my finger on the map. “Once we get the signal, at that we’ll bust right in the pub. Then after we get in you’ll know what to do.”

Winsor tiled his head as if he was waiting for me to finish. “Wait, that’s it? After we get in ‘you’ll know what to do’, what kind of plan is that?”

“What, if you’re expecting me to be some sort of general carefully planning it all to you one by one, then you’re dead wrong.” I leaned back in my seat. “I’m an assassin. I don’t actually plan it all in advance, I just sort of wing myself out of the situations I’m in. I always expect the unexpected.”

Quinn stood up. “Well I better relay the plan on my crew. Although I’ll add something on the plan to them other than ‘you’ll know what to do’.”

I waved a hand. “Eh, go ahead. The only thing I’m in for is getting Surprise out and to do something to them.”

After she left I turned to Winsor. “I’ve been wondering.” I started. “What’s with the eye patch you’re wearing? Your eye seemed fine last time I saw you.”

He placed his hand over it and lifted his eye patch for me to see a…big ass black eye.

“The hell happened to that?”

He gave a short suppressed laugh. “Hehe, well you see when me missus found out that me ring got stolen…she wasn’t very happy about it.”

“So, she beat the shit out of you.” He nodded. “Well, shit.”

Later at night, just an hour after sunset, I found myself at the roof of one of the houses just in front of the Barrels of Rum. We got into our position a bit early so no one would see us climbing roofs and shit. Beside me was Winsor who was busy shining his cutlass for some reason. Meanwhile I was checking over my daggers and the short sword I got from the armory have which found out was named a cinquedea.

“Yer sure ye don’t want a sword lass? I got a spare cutlass here.” Winsor suggested.

I shook my head. “Nah I’m good, I don’t really know how to use swords much. I prefer dagger and spears. It’s just that I don’t know much about sword fighting other than to swing it like an extension of my arm.” I shrugged. “I never really got a chance to learn how to use one since I got the Benevolence with me.”

“Hmm, how about I teach ye lass. If I say so myself, I’m one of the best pirates when it comes to sword fighting you’ll ever find.”

“There goes that ego of yours again Winsor.” Quinn appeared behind us, Winsor in turn snorted.

“I’m merely stating the facts Quinn. Nothing wrong that.”

She shook her head and turned to me. “I’m quite surprised that you don’t know how to wield a sword. I could have sworn you’re a sword type.”

“Well you’re wrong about that.” I said. “But I gotta say, I might take your offer on teacher me sword fighting Winsor. Any new skill would be a plus for me but let’s do that some other time. We’ve got some killing to do.”

Winsor grinned. “I’ll take yer word then, but know this it’ll not be easy as you thought it will be.”

“I didn’t think it will be. I always expect the worst but I think it’s nothing I can’t handle.” I continued. “Whatever you’re planning I’ve been through a lot worse than that.” I said as I turned to the road below me.

The infiltrators already the pub half an hour ago so it’ll be only a few moments before they signal us.

“The infiltrators had been in there awfully long.” Winsor commented. “Ye think they’ve been caught?

Quinn laughed at the rat’s comments. “That’s unlikely. If they’ve been caught then we would’ve have seen a commotion down there.” She said. “But judging it’s your crew I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“You’re a bit of a bitch aren’t you?” I turned my head to Quinn. “You just love to shit on everyone.”

She giggled. “Not really. Just to my fellow pirate captains. I’m a bit competitive to them so I’ll have a good reputation to them. Nobody loves a softie.” She explained. “And by the way why did you call me a bitch?” she looked over herself.

“I think you can tell that I’m far from looking like a female dog. I’m a fox, one of the rarest creatures of Equis. There are only about a thousand of us, how can you get wrong to that?”

I facepalmed. “Nah, that’s not really what I meant. When I said bitch, it means you’re…well an asshole.” She glared at me. “That’s enough grammar lessons for today, it seems there’s our signal.” I pointed to Ratatouille waving at us. He appeared to be wearing the clothes of the rat I killed earlier. Guess he plays the part well.

Winsor stood up. “Well, it’s show time!” he grabbed the rope we placed earlier and repelled down letting out a battle cry. Well, there goes our surprise attack…

I followed suit while Quinn just jumped down the house since she is a fox or part fox...eh I don’t know.

As I entered the pub, ignoring the screaming innocent patrons trying to get out of the fight, I beelined to the back of the pub I was in earlier today. When I got there, I saw the dumpster already pushed aside, revealing the entrance of the hideout. The entrance appeared to be a flight of stairs going down. I saw a couple shadows climbing it.

At an instant, I drew a dagger from my sleeve and threw it just in time for a rat to emerge and hit him squarely on the neck. He stumbled down bleeding profusely, grasping his neck in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding. He wouldn’t last long.

“Good throw there lass.” I heard Winsor from behind me commented. He drew his cutlass and charge towards the nearest bandit. “Now watch this!” I didn’t.

I quickly dashed down the stairs to find where they put the prisoners. The place seemed to have three tunnels that I didn’t know where they headed. So far there is no resistance.

Winsor emerged from the stairs behind me. “Ye see that laddie.” No I didn’t. “That’s how ye fight with a sword.”

I rolled my eyes. “Where are the infiltrators?” I asked. “They’re the only ones that have been here. They’re our map in this place.”

“Right here!” Ratatouille and the other infiltrator step inside. Ratatouille pointed to the tunnels and started explaining. “The center tunnel leads to the cages of the prisoners while the other ones are connected to the houses of the other bandits. They have a leader that be named Big Daddy. The big lass is the one in charge on who’s to kidnap who. Me best bet is that he’s somewhere deep in the hideout, I can’t be sure though. That’s about it.”

I nodded. “Okay then, Winsor.” I called for him. “Take the tunnel in the middle and break free Surprise and the pirates. And remember kill everyone, no prisoners. If you bring one, then I’ll kill them off myself.” I turned to Ratatouille. “You and your group make sure no one escapes here.” He saluted.

Quinn winced as I said that. “That seems to be a bit umm...overkill.”

“Yeah, I’m a bit of a crazy, sadistic bastard when you kidnap someone from me.” I smiled. “Now while Winsor breaks free the prisoners we’ll be taking the other tunnels hunting down the rest of the bandits and hopefully the Big Daddy guy.”

She grinned at me coyly. “I thought you said you don’t plan it all.”

“I didn’t, I’m just winging it right now. As I said expect the unexpected. I thought when we first enter here we’ll be fighting their resistance right away.”

“Umm…those we’re just the guards.” Ratatouille pointed out. “Whiskey and I killed off the patrols in this area so they won’t know we’re coming. I can tell they’re not really organized but they should probably know by now that somerat’s raiding their hideout judging by yer rather loud entrance.”

Quinn quickly glared at Winsor who in turn found the ceiling suddenly interesting. “Okay, Quinn.” She turned to me. “Since some of the tunnel leads to the houses on top so we’ll likely be going door to door, I need you to group you’re crew to as many as you think we can safely fight the bandits off. Some of us are expected to split up depending on the number of houses this tunnel’s connected.

She nodded and started to group us. Winsor and his crew had already gone to the middle tunnel to let the prisoners out. Quinn named each group Dawn, Sunrise and some shit like that and assigned a leader to it. The group will then have its new name and leader if it splits up like civil, nautical and astronomical. It was kind of brilliant if you ask me.

After sometime she finished and I found myself part of some of her group. “Wait. Why did you put me in a group?” I asked, scratching my head. “I prefer to work alone. I tend to use anyone beside me as a meat shield.”

“Don’t worry it’s all part of my plan.” Quinn explained. “You’ll find out why later.”

I shrugged. “Well, who’s the unlucky group I’m with?”

She grinned. “That would be mine.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I said. “Now let’s go.”

Our group ran towards the tunnel to the right. A few seconds later, the tunnel seemed to shift into somewhat like a hallway of some sorts.

Quinn motioned for us to slow down. The hallway we’re in seemed to be littered with huge portrait depicting gory paintings, ranging from a griffon being brutally rape to a rat getting decapitated. It was rather umm…disturbing, more of the fact that the large paintings were coincidently placed at the side of this hallway. This whole area just seems to scream…

“Something is wrong here.” I heard Quinn mused, rattling me from my internal monologue there. “It has been fifteen minutes since we entered their hideout, still no resistance from them. I know the infiltrators killed the patrols but they can’t be that deaf considering the noise we created when we got here.”

“That’s because there is.” Quinn stopped and looked at me, confused.

“What?”

“We’re in a trap, stupid.” I replied grabbing hold of the Benevolence.

Just as I said that, the giant portraits on our sides opened like doors and a swarm of bandits came rushing out, charging to our group with a deafening battle cry.

At an instant, I extended the Benevolence to its full length and quickly swung in a wide arc. The swing managed to hit all of the incoming bandits and even some of our group. But hey, I don’t give a shit.

Quinn took a step back from my evading my swing, drawing her dual swords in the process before charging at the bandits.

Meanwhile I dodged and block the swings of the bandits around me. It was kind of hard to fight with one hand mind you but I won’t see me complain, I’ll just find another way to use my paralyzed hand.

Most of the bandits quickly surround me as they saw I was the one dealing the most damage to them wielding the Benevolence. A lone griffon bandit was the first one to charge and flew to me with blinding speed gripping a cutlass in his talons, intending to slice and dice me. I wasn’t having any of it. I threw the motherfucking Benevolence like a javelin right at his face. The griffon froze from the sudden, unexpected attack.

He didn’t have time to dodge the spear in time as the Benevolence cleanly tore through his skull with ease and exit through his rear, leaving a gaping hole to him from top to bottom. Well, shit!

The other bandits stared wide-eyed at their dead comrade before charging to me all at once, but this time however with slight hesitation and fear. Some of them even stayed behind and tried to lift the Benevolence. I grinned a little at that. I know they wouldn’t be able to fight with it. For them it’s just a super heavy piece of dull metal pole.

I threw a couple of daggers on the charging bandits, some managed to hit them but some got blocked. With a group of bandits charging at me, I did what I had to do. I ran away from them like a bitch while throwing daggers at my back. It was with reason, of course.

Two of the charging bandits went down for the count as one got hit at the heart while the other one was hit at the knee. When I ran out of daggers to throw, the bandits charging me went something from ten to two, a gruff looking diamond dog and a lean looking griffon. With the battle even out I instantly spun around and drew a cinquedea I had with me and charged at them.

Now when I said I suck at using swords, I really mean it. Somewhat… But luckily the weapon I had was a short sword, so it had some kind of resemblance of a dagger. It was light enough for me to quickly block the blows from the sword of the dog and griffon. As much as I suck at using swords, I did land quite a few good hits on them as I nearly chopped the griffon’s wings off. Maybe all I need is a little practice after all.

But with this weapon I’m holding, I can only do so much. The fight was pretty much one sided. Heck why didn’t I throw the short sword instead of the last dagger I had anyway? I wormed my way out of the two bandits and made a break towards my daggers. I may somewhat suck at sword fighting but I can surely dodge their swings and blows with ease.

I plucked my dagger right off the chest of a dead bandit. I quickly turned around just in time for me to duck the dog’s axe swinging right in front of my face. If that swing happened half a second earlier then my neck would be cut open by now.

With now a trusty dagger at hand, I can now safely end this fight. The dog tried to swing his axe again but this time I was ready for it. I managed to grip the haft of his axe stopping the swing from hitting me before landing a swift, powerful kick right at his nuts. And I swear I heard some cracking in there. The dog lost his grip on his axe and grab hold of his aching balls.

In the corner of my vision I saw the griffon rushing at me with his sword thrust forward to stab me. I took a hold of the dog in front of me, turning him to block the blow for me, making him my meat shield. The bandit dog let out a blood curdling scream as he got stab by his fellow bandit, the blade going right through his body.

I shifted the body a little to get the sword stuck between the bones. It proved to be successful as the griffon struggled to pull his sword out, tugging it with reckless abandon. When he finally noticed the sword isn’t coming out he quickly back off and attempted to flee from me. His eyes trained to me, bringing his talons up as the last means of defense.

Unfortunately for him, he was too focused on me that he didn’t notice one of my group member was sneaking from his back. My group mate stabbed the griffon from his back, the blade cleanly tearing through his chest. He roared in pain for a second before going down the floor limp.

“Thanks.” I said to the rat.

He silently nodded to me before running back out to fight. The battle went on for a few more minutes before we managed to kill off all of the bandits. I smiled a bit as everyone took my order and didn’t let any of them live or escape alive.

I went back to where I left the Benevolence and saw an interesting sight of Quinn having a hard time trying to lift the Benevolence off the ground.

She snorted. “How can you even lift thing?”

I moved towards the Benevolence and casually pick it up. “Like this.”

Her jaw dropped. “B-but how?”

“It wasn’t given to you wasn’t it? That’s why.”

“Well who gave it to you then?”

“Just someone you don’t know.” I answered. “Now come on, I just saw some doors and hatches just ahead. Let’s check them out.”

She sighed and nodded to her crew who then began to split up, checking every doors and hatches. The group had gotten significantly smaller since the ambush but there were still plenty of us, I think. I counted twelve, well shit.

I picked up all my daggers that were scattered from the battle and went to the farthest hatch on the hallway. As I was getting there, I heard the sounds of fight going on a couple of doors beside me. I assumed it was Quinn’s crew killing of the hiding bandits. Good job.

Looking at the hatch, I saw it was bigger and a bit more decorative than the other ones. I had no doubt this was the hatch to the house of Big Daddy or what his name. It was a bit stupid for them to put a hatch that’s quite noticeable it belong to their leader at the first glance if you ask me, but I guess they didn’t expect anyone to be this far in their hideout.

“Quinn!” I called for her.

“What?” she screamed. She was fighting a minotaur bandit that busted from a door. “I’m kind of busy right now.” She jumped back as the minotaur took a swing, smacking the ground with his huge battle axe.

It took a dagger out and aimed it to the minotaur for a second before throwing it with a vicious overhand motion. The minotaur flinched as the dagger hit its hand, making him lose the grip of his battle axe. That distraction seemed enough for Quinn as she spun and swung her swords in an opposite direction of each other right to the neck of the minotaur, decapitating its head.

“Good now bring some of your crews here; I found the hatch to Big Daddy’s house.”

She brought two griffons and a rat with her but right after ordering her remaining crew to sweep the area for hiding bandits. “Thanks for the assist there, that mangy bull was getting a move on me.” She said, panting looking tired from all the battles.

“No problem, but we’re not done yet. We still need to kill Big Daddy. Come on let’s climb the hatch.” I pointed to the rat. “You, you’re going first.”

He nodded and started climbing the hatch, followed by me, Quinn, and lastly the griffon since he can fly and all. As the rat opened the hatch and the moment he pokes his head out, an arrow suddenly shot through his eye killing him instantly. I managed to move out of the way as his body dropped to the ground like a ragdoll.

“…Shit. I knew they were expecting us, but damn they got archers.” I turned to the griffon. “Toss the body through the hatch.”

He looked at me confused.

“No questions just do it!”

He did. He flew to the ground retrieving the body before flying up and tossing the body through the hatch. The moment it went through the hatch, I quickly climbed up and jumped out towards the body. I grabbed it and turned it around just in time to shield myself from a barrage of arrows coming to me.

Thankfully none went through the body. Looking around I’m appeared to be in a huge lobby, probably from a mansion. Using the body as a makeshift shield, I quickly dive in the back of a counter, putting my back against it.

“Don’t come out yet!” I yelled to the hatch. I got a response but I didn’t understand what they said, so I’m assuming it is ‘okay’ or ‘got it’.

I weighed my options. Those arrows seemed to be shot at a five o’clock direction. “So, it probably takes about half a second to load a bow and a whole second to aim and shoot it. Give and take on the distance of a target, but seeing this is just a lobby they might not be far off.” I mused.

Suddenly, a large butcher knife appeared on my field of vision. I luckily dodge it in time as it struck the wall, carving the wall of the counter where my head was just half a second ago but not before leaving a light gash on my cheek.

I reached my hand up, over the counter and grabbed what feels to be the assailants head and violently tossed him to the wall, leaving a small dent from the impact. I saw the attacker was a rat and it seemed a bit fazed from the crash. Before he can collect himself, I quickly rushed to him and hacked his throat, killing him instantly.

With two corpses at my disposal, I immediately thought of a way for Quinn and the griffon to get here. Grabbing one body at one hand and using the clothes lock my other arm for me to carry it. I carried them close to myself and went to the hatch, getting barrage by arrows once more.

“Okay you can get out but stay close to me.” I some metal tapping before seeing Quinn emerge below.

“It’s about time, my hands are aching holding on to the ladder.” She said, drawing out her dual swords.

“Quit bitching, we got archers in here.” Suddenly I felt the arrows stop hitting my meat shield. I took a quick peek by the body and saw the rat archers gesturing something to each other. They were on the second floor just above the staircase. They nodded to each other and began split up, one of them are going to our side while to other one was going in the opposite side in an attempt to flank us. It was a bit clever but risky.

And it just gave us a window of opening when they stopped shooting arrows towards us. I immediately drop my meat shields and shouted. “Move!” we scrambled out.

The rat archers saw this and instantly aimed their bows towards us, but before they could fire, I quickly threw my each of daggers at the two of them, making halt their shot and hide on a nearest cover. I ran towards the rat on the left while Quinn and the griffon rushed the one on the right. The griffon threw my meat shield he was carrying towards the archer knocking him down.

Quinn then proceeded to fucking jump to the second level without the need of a staircase and began to chase the archer down. Meanwhile I used a chandelier to quickly get to my archer. Grabbing hold of the rope supporting it, I cut it bringing it down while shooting me up towards the ceiling.

Up in the air I immediately saw the rat archer hiding behind a statue. I rapidly throw all of my daggers at him, while going down. Landing beside him, I hurriedly walk towards the bleeding archer. He succeeded in dodging the first two daggers I threw at him but the last two ones managed to hit him on the shoulders and the stomach, he was bleeding to death from the looks of it.

The rat was flat out shaking in fear the moment I neared him. “P-please don’t kill me!” he covered himself with his hand in desperation.

His face seemed familiar to me and also his voice. “Wait, you’re the pussy coxswain rat from the port yesterday.” I shrugged. Now I know what he meant when he said he’ll get Big Daddy. I brought his face close to mine. “Now, where’s the Big Daddy you’re talking about?”

“H-he in his panic room, there’s a trap door behind his portrait. The room is heavily guarded.” He said, his voice cracking. “That’s all I know, I promise.” Another trap door, really?

I nodded and brought a hand and an arm to his neck.

He tried to move out my grasp but was too weak to do so. “W-what are y-ou doing to me?!”

In a swift execution, I snapped his neck, making a rather noticeable crack sound. His eyes closed and his body instantly becomes limp. Before I leave his body I pulled out two daggers that were embedded on him. Well, I got to have some of this in case there’s an emergency.

I stood up and walk over to Quinn who was pulling her sword that was stabbed at the back of a dead rat archer with the griffon beside her grinning. “Well, you seem to be having a blast.” I said to the smiling griffon.

“Indeed I am. I haven’t felt like this kind of rush in my life it’s like I drank a whole keg of rum but still sober.”

“Well that’s good.” I shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean by that but we’ve got another one, possibly the last one.” I looked at Quinn. “I found out the big guy is hiding at his panic room. He’s stupid enough not to move out of here and trust his hiding spot. He didn’t think that one of his henchmen was gonna sing for his life though.”

“How did you find out where he’s hiding?” Quinn asked.

I just pointed to the dead rat behind me.

We got to his room in record time, there are a couple of bandits we encountered on the way but we quickly got rid of them. We entered the room and just as I thought, it was empty. On the right side of the room, there’s a huge portrait of what I think is Big Daddy. The name kind of suits him. Even though that’s a pimp name. Big Daddy is a fat diamond dog wearing a high class tunic, with a smile that says ‘I’m rich and powerful’. Well, let’s see about that.

We approached the portrait and began checking it out. “It’s locked but the whole thing seems to be hollow.” Quinn inquired. “One good hit and this might break into pieces.”

I nodded and approached an office desk and began to lift it.

Quinn and the griffon looked at me confused. Quinn took a step towards me. “Michorean, what are you doing?”

“Don’t ask just help me throw this shit through the trap door.” She grinned knowing where this was going. No pun intended. “They might be expecting us but they wouldn’t expect their fucking office desk crashing towards them.”

“A bit bold if you ask me, but clever. Let’s do this.”

“Okay just remember once we throw this, then we immediately bust right in there and slit throats, got it?”

Quinn and the griffon nodded. We threw the office desk at the portrait. Just as planned, we got right in as the desk crashed through the painting. The smoke and the splinters from the crash kind of help us as I saw a couple of archers knocked out covered with splinters.

I pulled out the Benevolence and began to butcher everyone in front of me. Our sudden, unexpected entrance left them fazed, surprised and confused, easily taking them down. I shortened the Benevolence for it to be effective in these tight spaces. The panic room just appears to look like a private library, books and shelves surrounding our sides.

Suddenly I heard a rather loud snort behind me, quite sounding like it belonged to a bull. I spun around to see a pair of minotaurs ready to swing their huge axes to me. I successfully dodge their attack that would’ve split me into two, jumping out towards them. Unfortunately for me, one of the minotaur quickly recovered and backhanded me with huge force, sending me flying to the other side of the room and hitting one of the bookshelves, making a pile of books land on top of me.

“Quinn, the minotaurs!” I shouted under the pile of books.

The fox captain quickly noticed my distress and charged at the two of them. One of them saw her charging and quickly swings his axe to her. She saw this and ducked, bringing herself to the ground sliding her body on the floor. She brought out her dual swords and swung it at the calves of each of the minotaur maiming both of their legs.

At the same time, I wouldn’t take this fight sitting down. I immediately stood up and run towards the minotaurs. With their calves sliced, they have a trouble getting up so Quinn easily killed one of them with a swift strike on the chest.

While approaching them, I got hit at the back by something. The impact knocked me to the ground, faceplanting myself to the floor. “Michorean!” Quinn shouted behind me.

Painfully pulling out the thing that hit me on the back, I saw it was an arrow. Shit, there’s still an archer on the loose.

Suddenly I heard the string of the bow firing. I quickly rolled over dodging the arrow and stood up, looking for the shooter. I saw him right beside our griffon teammate that was clashing swords with a rat. I would’ve thrown my dagger to the archer but he hid himself behind the clashing rat and griffin.

“Griffon, the archer!” he shifted his head towards the archer, hiding on the bookshelves.

I saw the rat battling him grinned and was about to take advantage of the situation. But that ain’t happening.

Right before he made a move, his throat suddenly catches the dagger I thrown at him, knocking him dead to the ground.

With the rat dead the griffon flew towards the archer. He shot an arrow to the charging griffon but he easily dodged it with a simple spin in the air. The archer didn’t had time to run or reload his bolt as the griffon collides to him, thrusting his sword to the archer’s chest and sends him flying to the bookshelves.

Glancing around the room we’re in. I saw Quinn killed the remaining minotaur and was currently wiping the blood off her swords. I chuckled at the sight of the minotaur she had just killed. He was completely cut in half, the body and the legs seperated. Don’t mess with the sexy pirate fox.

Quinn sheathed her swords and looked around the bloodied panic room. “Wait, where’s Big Daddy? Is he supposed to be here?”

A small whimper came out from back of the panic room. I approached it and saw the fat bastard hiding at the back of a chair, shaking like a leaf. “Well, look who we have here.” I walk towards the chair and tossed it out of him, making him crouch to the ground more. “What, fat bitch can’t fight?”

He whimpered a bit more at the tone of my voice. “P-please, whatever you want I can give it to you. Is it money, bitches, powe—“

“I don’t want any of that shit.” I spat. “I just want to see you die.” I brought out the rope I bought earlier on my backpack and tied him to the chair he was hiding. I turned to Quinn and the griffon behind me. “I think it’s best for you to leave. This might get ugly…nah this’ll get ugly. I’ll meet you outside of the pub a bit, I’ll make this quick.” I turned back to Big Daddy. “Well quick for me, but not to you.”

They stared at me wide-eyed before leaving the room silently, knowing where this was going. I ripped out a piece of cloth from a dead minotaur and reached out to my backpack bringing out the tunic I bought earlier. I generously soaked the cloth with the liquid and brought it towards Big Daddy.

He started struggling from his chair. “What are you going to do wi—hmmpumphmm“ I gagged him with the cloth.

“Don’t worry that’s not poison.” I grinned. “It’ll just help you stay awake from this torture session.” I brought out a dagger. “Now for the fun part, this would’ve been normally done slowly but since their waiting for me…eh I’ll just shut the fuck up.”

I tore open his stomach, revealing his guts. He let out a blood curdling scream and his breathing became ragged but sadly for him, no matter how painful this was he couldn’t pass out from it.

I pulled up the sleeves of my robe to avoid the blood from staining it. Not that it was stained enough but to keep it from getting more blood to it. I placed my hand inside of him and grab hold of his intestines, pulling a part of them out to get some sort of opening.

“Ruwrnmumphhumm!” I heard his muffled screams, his body jerking back and forth in an attempt to get my hand off his insides.

When I deemed the hole big enough, I pulled my hand out of him and pulled out the jar of fire ants. Opening it, I violently stuffed it inside his guts. If the internal bleeding wouldn’t kill him, then the fire ants will do.

I wiped my blood soaked hand on his tunic. “Aaand that’s that. I told you it’ll be quick.” I turn around and head to the exit. “Well, enjoy the fire ants eating you alive inside out.” I chuckled as I leave him on his own devices, hearing his muffled screams as I leave the manor.

“Well, what took ye so long lass?” Winsor asked as he approached me.

We were currently outside of the pub collecting ourselves. “I just did a few things along the way here.” I replied. “Quite understandable given that we fought a fucking army getting to this Big Daddy. What did you fought?”

He snickered. “Just some scallywags guarding the prison, quite few if ye ask me. We finished busting the prisoners out an hour ago and waited for ye and Quinn here.”

I glanced at the freed pirates. Quinn was helping her crew get rid of their shackles on them but still, no sign of the white pony. “Winsor, where’s Surprise?”

“Riiight here!” suddenly I felt a pair of hooves wrapped around the back of my waist, giving me a bone crushing hug. Looking at Surprise, it seems nothing wrong happened to her except for splotches of dirt and grime covering her coat, but overall she still wearing that smile on her face.

The whole kidnapping didn’t appear to traumatize her, but as expected since she just got enslaved by the diamond dogs a couple of days ago so this wouldn’t be a problem to her at all.

“Hey, are you alright?” I patted her head.

“Yup!” she answered still hugging me.

“Can you get off me?”

“Nope!”

I placed a hand on my chin and tried to think of something. “Oh, hey I got your ring.” I grabbed the pouch from my backpack.

“Really?!” She beamed and pulled herself off me, grabbing the pouch with her wings and opened it. “I thought I lost it I—wait where’s your ring?”

“I already put it on.” I showed her my finger.

She beamed even further and hastily placed it on her hooves. So that’s why it’s the size of an orange. Well, no shit!

“Michorean!” Quinn stepped forward, wearing a smile. “You’ve help me free my crew and help get rid of the bandits. I-I don’t how to thank you, but I’m in your debt.” She was about to bow her head to me but instead she quickly wrapped me in a hug. It lasted about a couple of seconds before she pulled herself off me.

“Umm, no problem. To be honest I only did it because they got Surprise.” I shrugged.

Winsor snickered. “My my, is the famous Captain Quinn getting soft?” he mocked.

I saw Quinn blushed and looked away. “It was just a way for me giving gratitude.” She snorted. “An old fleabag like you wouldn’t understand.”

“Hehehe, whatever ye say.” He left us, giggling on the way.

Surprise’s ears perked up. “Whoa, Michoroonie did you hear that she’s a queen,” she looked at Quinn and yelled. ”you’re a queen?” she suddenly looked like in thought. “Wait, but a queen of what exactly?”

Quinn chuckled and shook her head. “No I’m not a queen of anything. It’s Quinn not queen, Q-U-I-N-N. My Quinn is short for Quinnley. I hope that cleared that up.”

Surprise vigorously nodded. “Uhuh, so you’re saying you’re not really a queen.”

Quinn shook her head smiling and turned to me. “I’m gonna go to look over crew now. If you need anything, just ask.” I nodded. “It was nice meeting you Miss Surprise.”

“It was nice meeting you too, Quinnie!” Quinn froze for a second before continuing on walking.

With that she left, leaving me with Surprise. I nudged her and she looked at me. “Come on; let’s go back to our room. We’ve got enough of shits for today.”

Later next day I found myself at the Mickey, inside the captain’s quarters talking to a rather confused pirate rat. “Yer want to cross the ocean, are ye crazy?” he paced around the room. “And ye want to use me ship?”

“Yeah, that’s what I just said. I need to get to the pony lands, and I think you owe me when I helped you bust your ass from the den distracting a motherfucking dragon for you.”

“Ye volunteered for it…”

“It doesn’t make any difference to me whatsoever. I still save your ass.”

He was silent for a moment, before he let out a slow sigh. “Alright lass, I’ll take ye through the ocean.” Wait what, that’s it? I thought I need another half hour of convincing him or something. “But me crew will be the one to decide if they want to come or not. I won’t be able ta sleep at night knowing me crew died at my own hands.”

“Well, it sounds reasonable go ahead.”

We went to the deck of the ship where we find Winsor’s crew doing…eh pirates stuff. Well, mostly talking and drinking some rum they’re holding.

Suddenly, Surprise came into my field of vision and grab hold of my cheek. “Are you okay, did something happen?” she asked, checking over my head. She’s been like ever since she saw the arrow wound I had on my back last night when we got in our room. She became concerned and a bit disturbingly protective to me. “Did Winsor hurt you? I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”

I stopped her. “I’m fine. He didn’t do anything to me. We just talked and stop being so damn protective to me. Who are you, my creator?”

“You’ve got a hole in your upper back,” she waved her hooves around. “A hole!” she yelled at me. “How is that fine?”

“It’s just an arrow wound.” I shrugged. “I’ve taken worse shots before, don’t worry about it.” I continued. “Oh yeah, and good news we got a ride to the pony lands. You’ll see your fellow ponies again.”

She smiled. “That’s great.” She said before looking at me like a mother scolding her child. “But you need to be more careful, I’m the one that’ll keep you from doing something stupid and I’m gonna do a great job. Got it?”

I waved a hand. “Yeah yeah…”

Looking around, I saw Winsor at the center of the deck. “Aye gather around me mateys, I got news that be telling.” The crew stopped whatever they’re doing and walked towards the captain.

“What be the news Captain, are we finally going set sail and leave the port?” Ratatouille asked stepping forward.

Winsor nodded. “Aye,” the crew cheered. “But we’re gonna set sail to the pony lands across the high seas.” They stopped and froze. “If any of yer don’t want to be part of this journey I understand, ye can stay here in the port to wait for us. Keep in mind that we’ll be the twentieth ship that’ll try and to cross the high seas and there’s a possibility that we’ll never come back.”

The crew went deep in thought, some muttering to each other. About a minute pass, most of the crew shook their heads and left the ship. The only remaining ones are Ratatouille and eight crews, the infiltrator rat from last night, four griffons, two minotaur, and one rat.

Ratatouille spoke up. “There might be a few of us Captain, but we nine remain loyal to yer.” They simultaneously saluted.

Winsor smiled. “That be good ta her me trusty first mate. Maybe twenty is our lucky number, and we might be able ta cross it.” He giggled.

“So, when do we expect to leave here?” I asked Winsor, looking over the ship.

“Soon lass, just give us a few days to ready the ship in tip top shape. Going to the pony land might take us about a month.” He answered. “That’s the fastest any ship can get there, and this is the fastest ship in the sea so yer in luck.”

“That’s good. We need to get set too and buy the some things we might need, like food. I’ve heard about the type of food you pirates prepare while traveling. And I ain’t gonna let Surprise and I eat that shit.”

He chuckled. “How wrong you are lass.” He shook his head. “We’re different than those other dirty ‘ol ships, we have someone they don’t. We have Ratatouille, the best cook there is.”

“If you say so…but still, I’m gonna buy some food for Surprise and I. In case it turns out you’re bullshitting me.”

“It’s your call lass, I won’t mind. Just don’t knock it till ya try it.”

While walking around town, buying some stuff for our journey like food, water, a new sword for my training with Winsor… and some shit ton of daggers. Hey, I only recovered two of my eight daggers from the raid.

“I still don’t get why you love daggers, Michorean.” I heard a voice say behind me. It was Quinn’s.

I picked up the dagger I just bought and tucked in under one of my sleeves before turning to her. “Well this is my favorite you know, for throwing shit to people.”

“Why not buy yourself a proper throwing knife if you’re just looking to throw them. Those daggers aren’t made for that kind of use you know.”

“Yeah I know, but I got used to it. Plus I also use my daggers as a weapon to slit throats, so that’s a plus to me.”

She giggled and shook her head. “I’ll never understand you.”

“You don’t have to, and you won’t. I always do things that are unexpected, so trying to will just give you a headache.” We were currently walking out of the marketplace and to the town square. “What brings you here, out of your ship anyway?”

“Oh, just for some breath of fresh air. I got bored just sitting around my ship, so decided to go for a walk through town and then I found you.” She glanced at my new sword attached to my waist. “And by the way, it’s nice that you’re finally getting Winsor to teach you to use swords.”

“When I get an opportunity, I take it. I kill for a living so any new skill I learn is a bonus.”

“Mind if I test it?” she pointed at my new sword.

I unsheathed it and handed it to her. “Nah, go ahead.” She took it and gave it a few graceful swings. “Hmm… I’m wondering, who’s better at using swords, you or Winsor?” I’m kinda guessing it’s Quinn, but since I haven’t seen Winsor fight I’ll give him the benefit of a doubt.

She giggled, giving it a last swing before handing the sword back to me. “I’m not really bragging or anything, but I can honestly say I got a slight edge over the old rat. Every day I work my skills to perfection while Winsor just hangs in a pub getting drunk off his rear, and also I managed to beat him on a spar a few months ago when he challenge me. ” She answered. “Hey, how about we get your sword in a test run and spar a bit. Maybe teach you a quick lesson while I’m at it.”

I shrugged. “Meh why not, I’ll get it a shot.”

We went to a clearing just outside the port. I sat my backpack and my row of daggers down by the base of a tree and proceeded to get ready to spar. I still kept the Benevolence with me by the way. In case she tries something sneaky to me.

She pulled out one of her dual swords and assumes in an en garde position. I unsheathed my sword and went to my position.

Quinn proceeded to eye me from top to bottom. “Hmm…excellent stance, the feet is evenly spread, the balance is great…but you seem to hold your sword like a dagger. Swords are longer and heavier, that’s not how you hold it. Try holding it with both hands, see what you can do.”

“I can’t.”

“Huh, why not?”

“My left hand is paralyzed.” I waved for her to see it.

“What, ho—nevermind.” She brought readied her sword. “Let’s dance.”

She swiftly took a step forward lunged her sword into me. I immediately reacted and parried it. She quickly spun around and brought her sword towards my neck. I let out a small gasp and ducked, narrowly missing the blade that would’ve beheaded me. Quinn seemed to use it as a distraction and thrust her sword to me. Shit! I narrowly avoided it again with a quick spin before back flipping out of range.  We continued clashing swords before she gave a last hard swing to me, making me almost lose the grip of my sword and took a step back.

“Your defense is great, excellent even. But you need to be more aggressive, in fact I think you didn’t even take a swing to me.” She commented.

I regained my bearings and assumed my stance again. “I’m quite patient to wait for an opening.” I answered. “And are you sure we should be fighting with real blades. One wrong swing and one of us could get killed.” Mostly me.

She giggled. “Don’t worry about it, we’ll be fine. Trust me.” She assumes an en garde position. “Now let’s see your footwork. If your stance is right then you shouldn’t have a hard time keeping your balance.”

I nodded. Then at an instant she lunge her sword to me. This time however, she was more mobile on her attacks. I took Quinn’s advice to be more aggressive and took a few steps towards her, thrusting my sword to her. She looked a bit shocked at my newfound aggression but regained herself almost immediately. With a quick spin she fends off my every attack with ease, almost like she had no trouble blocking every last one of it. Her movements were fluid and coordinated, graceful even like she was dancing to a song. She took the ‘let’s dance’ seriously.

I noticed we were circling each other like dogs. We’re now on the same exact opposite of our initial position five times already. She pause a bit as we clashed swords together, still moving at an opposite direction, circling each other. “That’s it. Every step dictates how you are going to attack or defend yourself. Take one wrong move and your opponent might take advantage of this.”

Okay… I mentally grinned; if that’s even possible and faked my footwork to look like it could get me off balance. Quinn took notice of my feet and lunged herself to me moving forward. I quickly regained of my footing and spun around to her side, dodging her thrusts. She let out a small gasp as I brought a foot down to her side, making her stumble a bit. She made a giant leap backwards creating some space for us before assuming her en garde stance.

I can’t put a finger on it but this time I noticed her stance is a bit different than the last time. Her sword was tilted a bit downward. I saw a small smirk on her face for a second before returning to a stoic expression. She took a quick few steps forward and lunge her sword to me. This time however I can feel her swings are twice as hard and fast, making my grip of the blade loosened. Holy shit!

She was now incorporating a few jabs and kicks towards me, determined to make me lose my balance. With a powerful thrust, our blades met. She began to twirl her sword around making me lose mine. At the instant I lost the grip on my sword, her sword is immediately trained on my neck.

I froze. My hand just above the Benevolence in case she tried to do something further. Oh, the paranoia…

She eyed me with a stoic expression before grinning and taking her sword off me. “That was the best spar I’ve ever had.” She moved over and picked up my sword, handing it to me. “I can tell you can immediately adapt to the things being handed to you, a sign of an experienced fighter if I might say. Well that’s all I can teach you, for now.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem Michorean, it was my pleasure.” She pulled her other sword out. “Say, how about we spar one last time. I want to see how you fight with that spear of yours.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Wait, didn’t you already see. I fought beside you on the bandit’s hideout remember?”

“It…was different. I want to know how it’s like to fight you. That’s the reason why I joined you in my group the first place.” Ohh…

I sighed. She doesn’t know what she’s up against. “Well if you say so…” I sheathed my sword and drew out the Benevolence.

She grinned and charged into me. We clashed weapons at each other. I could tell she was more comfortable and deadly at using duals swords, but with the Benevolence she’s on my territory now.

Every time she tried to get a swing on me, I just blocked it with the Benevolence and immediately extending it. She was having a hard time dodging my attacks and breaking down my defense with the Benevolence constantly changing in length with every swing and thrust.

I took advantage of the power of the spear repeatedly changing the length of the Benevolence every second, giving Quinn a hard time. Whenever she got near, I shorten it and wait for her to come close before lengthening it as a surprise.

The fox pirate quickly jumped high in the air backwards, narrowly missing the tip of the spear. She landed at the side of the clearing. I grinned as I sew a tree just behind her. Gotcha.

I shortened the Benevolence and threw it up in the air. She looked confused at my move but she proceeded herself to charge to me. However with my only working hand free of the spear, I immediately reached for my dagger and threw it to her.

The dagger caught her clothing’s sleeve and threw her arm to the tree, pinning it. And before she could even react, I caught the Benevolence in the air and lengthened it so it’s right in front of her face.

“Gotcha” I said smugly, shortening my spear and holstering it.

I pulled out the dagger pinning her arm and help her up. “Now I realized what you meant by you do things unpredictably.” She said with a smile on her face. ”On the other hand, you cheated. You threw the dagger to my arm.”

“Well, you said you want to fight me and that how I fight.”

She sighed. “I still had fun by the way. You’re the first one that managed to defeat me in a spar.” She looked up and saw that it was nearing sunset. “Well, I need go back to my ship, my crew needs me.” She turned back to me, smiling. “We need to do this some other time. And I guarantee that I’m going win next time we fight.”

“Well, that’s your opinion. Thanks for the lesson by the way.”

“No problem, see ya Michorean.”

After she left, I picked up my backpack and daggers to where I left them. I slung the bag around my shoulders and set track to the inn. While walking towards the inn my mind went towards my paralyzed hand. Raising the hand up, I stared it for a moment before sighing. “Soon…” Soon I’ll be able to fix this hand and finish what Astra ask me to do. Stop the windigos.