The Grand Finale

"Then, I will accept those terms."

The moment he said that, he could almost feel Adanita getting a migraine. She pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath. He was very close to apologizing for the distress caused, but there were more important things to do first. The duel, for one.

"In that case," Adanita declared. "The duel shall proceed. I will be the judge. I am certain none have issues to raise regarding my impartiality?" she asked. The question was absolutely a threat. She was their Queen, calling her partial to either side would certainly warrant a challenge to a duel. Nobody spoke up against her.

She continued. "Regarding your seconds, I presume Jason would like her first mate to do the honors?" she asked. The two mumbled some form of agreement. "In that case, Lord Governor's second will be spymaster Ekliptik."
That was an incredibly low blow, and Rosamund was halfway to immediately quitting the duel. He'd not permit a child to take his responsibility should he fail. No, wait, he should look at it from a more positive perspective - this was just additional incentive to deal with Jason quickly and efficiently. If he works fast enough, Ekliptik will never have to hold a weapon in their hand. He looked down at them, and they shrugged. They seemed to be fine with this arrangement. After another moment of hesitation, he gave Adanita a nod.

"Now, regarding weapons," she spoke.
"Captain picked swords!" Cinda interrupted her.
Next to him, Ekliptik took their daggers out, ready to throw them, while Adanita slowly turned on her heel. "Interrupt me again. See what happens," she quietly said. Under her gaze, she took a step back and held her head down. "Jason, Lord Governor. Show me the swords for inspection."
The two approached her, and she took a long look at Jason's sword, before returning it to her. Then she took his sword. "Who gave you this?" she asked.
"The First Mate," Rosamund said. So there was something wrong with it. He could tell it gave him a strange feeling in his hand, despite its nice and polished look.
"Hah."

She unsheathed her cutlass and clashed it against the sword he was given. After that one simple hit, the sword shattered into a thousand pieces.

"As punishment, both sides will use one of my own swords. I believe nobody will have issues with that, either. Woman, we will discuss your punishment for attempting to tamper with a duel later." Rosamund took a sword from her, the weight in his hand already painfully familiar. "Regarding that hook of yours, as amusing as it would be to watch you both fight with an arm tied behind your backs... Lord Governor will be provided with a dagger to even the field. Ekliptik, give him a dagger. I believe that with this, the rules are all set. Witnesses will be all aboard this ship. Clear out the space for the duel, somebody mark it with handkerchiefs. Let's go! And I want a word with each of you before the duel begins," she ordered. "You first."

Captain Lotus started to prepare herself for the duel, removing the golden clothes, while they stepped a bit further away from all the people. He leaned on the rail while Adanita stood intimidatingly close to him, gripping the rail tightly.
"What are you doing?" she hissed quietly.
"I am about to start a duel," he calmly replied, standing his ground.
"Alright, allow me to rephrase this, you pedantic prick. Why are you doing this? The risk is too high!"
"The risk is the same. Your people saw me as an easy target and kidnapped me. Had I backed out when you gave me the chance, I'd be seen as a coward. The moment your people start to think I am unfit for any form of leadership or advisory role, they'll start a mutiny against both of us. I am cutting this at the root."
"And if you lose, then what? I should just go back on my word that I won't cooperate with you?!"
"Of course not!" As if he would ever ask her something like that. She was the most correct person he had ever met. He had no doubt that, should he lose, this plan will fall into water immediately. "Arguing about this at this point is unnecessary. I apologize for my actions, but know I am, as ever, trying to do what I think is the best option. I am aware of the amount of danger I am in, but this wasn't a decision made in the heat of the moment." Challenging Lotus? Absolutely was. Agreeing to the duel anyway, though? No. If he fails this, he will just change tactics in the future. But he was not going to drag a pile of pirates ready to blow at a moment's notice back to Hipparcos as allies. Not without proving himself first.

The Captains saw him at the meeting. Now it was time for these people to see what he is capable of.

"I apologize too, I have misjudged you. I thought you had a brain up there," she said.
"Contrary to your opinion, I can use a sword. Especially if I'm not thrown around in a storm for several hours before that. I am aware I'm not on your level, but I don't need to be. I need to beat her," he said. He could hold a sword! He was taught how to use it! Although, a gun was preferable by far.

She ran her fingers through her hair. "Fine. Go at it, get yourself killed. I did what I could." She looked highly distressed. "At least I got her sword out of the way," she said.
Her what? "It will be alright. Keep your head up, no matter what happens," he said. Not much of an encouragement, but he did what he could for the time being. She marched away to speak to Lotus, while he went to prepare for the duel as well.

He took off his coat and vest. The shirt he wore was loose, which was acceptable, but he really didn't want his movements restricted by other clothes. He took off the cravat Adanita gave him, too, and neatly folded it before putting it away in the pocket of his coat. The fine bixbite pin was too precious to be left unattended... and perhaps it will serve as his good luck charm. He put it in his pocket. They will be alright.

He decided to hold the dagger Ekliptik gave him in his left hand. After all, it was his stronger and more dexterous hand. It would be better for defending himself. While Adanita was speaking to Lotus, he used the time to consider his opponent. She was about two decades older than his current body, so he will be stronger than her. However, considering that she lived to be this old in her line of work probably meant she was highly skilled and not to be underestimated. She was also a mage, but considering everything, that shouldn't worry him at this time. Lilac was also a mage, but that was wholly unrelated to how much better he was with the blade compared to him. However, he was bothered by another little thing that Adanita mentioned. Why did she want to remove Lotus' sword from her? Was there something special about it? Perhaps he shouldn't worry about it at this time - after all it won't come into play now that they both had her cutlasses. Fighting with two weapons was what worried him. It was a skill that took a lot of careful practice, and Lotus probably had a lot of experience with her hook. He could handle himself, but her skill with this was at this time unknown. However, considering a human needed two eyes to have proper depth perception...

The quiet conversation between Adanita and Jason came to an end, and the people spread out, forming a ring around them on the deck. Adanita climbed on the deck above, looking down at them intently.
He stood twenty paces away from Lotus, ready. His heart was drumming in his ears. Everything was at stake including, once again, his life. He kept his face calm as he took the correct stance. His hands were cold, but his breathing controlled.

His mind cleared instantly as she charged at him.

Compared to Adanita, Lotus was painfully slow.

He blocked her sword arm with his forearm, and her hook with his sword. He was certain he could win- She hit his side with her knee, and he sharply exhaled in pain, throwing her away.

Fine. Two can tango her way.

He dodged her next slash with the hook, luring her closer to him, and slammed the pommel of the dagger into her left temple, using her half-blindness to his advantage. She staggered, trying to keep balance. She blindly swung her hook, and he stepped out of her reach, looking to see what was behind him before turning back to her. His next attack was interrupted by a sudden wave that rocked the ship, and it was his turn to stumble. She struck at him before he could get up, but he managed to dodge out of the way and kick her in the chest, putting some distance between them.

They both stood up at the same time. Jason was widely grinning. She made an elegant flourish with her sword, showing off. There was no need to waste energy this way. He carefully walked in a half circle around her, waiting for another opportunity to strike at her. So far Adanita didn't interrupt their fight, meaning that, as dirty as this was, it was fine according to their rules. Fine. He will use every advantage he can, be it her age, difference in size, or partial blindness. He slowly started approaching her, cautious and ready for when her little show would come to an end.

And then something new happened. While swinging her sword, the tip of it glowed in a strange silvery light. The strange slash that cut the air flashed and flew towards his head. He reflexively ducked out of its way, and easily blocked Jason that ran at him nearly defenseless. He kicked the shocked woman away again.

She did not expect him to dodge that, he realized. Several light bulbs flashed in his head at once, and he left out a quiet laugh.

Her face was pale, and the witch tried her little magic trick again. He easily dodged. After all, he could see what was coming at him. The woman was only wasting her energy and growing more and more frightened. He could tell with how erratic her movements became. Did she try to feint her own magic? No can do. Now thoroughly aware of the scope of her abilities, Rosamund began his offensive. He was pacing himself better than she was, consumed by her panic. His attacks were either blocked or dodged, but he could tell she was growing tired.
Nonetheless dangerous. He blocked her sword with his hand guard. A moment of carelessness and he screamed as her hook cut through his right arm. This was the closest he'll get - this was worth it! He used the chance he got, ignoring the pain, and lodged his dagger deep into her leg.
His hand was barely holding onto the sword from the pain he was in, but at least she won't be able to walk for the time being. She grabbed onto him, dropping her blade, and attacked with the hook, intent on striking his eye. The hook slit his cheek, but thankfully his eye was still undamaged. He grabbed her arm to stop her from attacking again, and kicked the sword out of her reach. The lunatic then took the dagger out of her own leg and sliced at his back. The painful injury was thankfully shallow due to the awkward angle she hit him at. He slammed her into the railing and stepped back out of her reach.

The ship was bound in absolute silence.

"So," he said. "Nice trick. Let me guess, you had everybody fooled, claiming your sword was enchanted?" Nobody from the surrounding crowd seemed to be injured. He assumed it meant her weak magic could, at best, shock her opponent with a weak invisible strike. In a duel or a battle where every second counts, it was an amazing advantage. Even if it only affected the opponent psychologically. Unfortunately for her, that advantage was turned against her. It was shocking to be struck with an invisible attack, and it was even more terrifying to realize someone could avoid such a thing.
"How did you dodge me?" she asked.
"Would it matter to you even if I told you? Surrender before you bleed out." He wondered if that convenient sudden rocking of the ship was also her doing.
"No."
Blood was dripping down his arm and back, dyeing his shirt. Despite the injury, he held onto his sword tightly. "I have no plans to kill you," he mused. "Perhaps I should wait until you pass out and claim the victory. Well, if you pass out, I suppose you'll be halfway to hell from blood loss anyway..."
"I invoke the right of seconds!" she shouted.
"You lost, fair and square," he said, keeping the panic out of his voice. No, no, NO! Ekliptik will not fight in his place! "Surrender now!"

He heard Adanita shouting. "First Mate! Come in!"

"Adanita!" he yelled. Oh gods, his voice cracked. "I will fight her, too!"

"You can't be bloody serious - look at the state you're in man!"

"I can hold my sword, can't I?!" His body burned in pain as he lifted it high above his head. "Get Lotus some treatment. I'll be alright. I'll fight her too, instead of Ekliptik."

"Hah! Fine, you maniac! You, woman, get in there before I change my mind. And no more daggers or hooks from this point on!"

He lowered his arm, breathing heavily. Dots danced at the corners of his vision, threatening to engulf him in darkness, but he focused on the woman that hurriedly came to the circle. He kicked the sword that belonged to Lotus closer to her, and she picked it up, standing straight and mirroring the pose he held at the start of the duel. Her left fist was gripped so tightly that her knuckles were white. Despite her apparent nervousness, she looked quite determined.

He took a deep breath, visibly relaxing. Finally, a proper opponent. This woman was certainly taught the same rules of duels as he was. Her style was a familiar one, too. Finally, someone who will fight him correctly.

He straightened out.

He wasn't even given the time to switch to his good hand - she struck at him immediately, and he fumbled to the right from her blade. She used the chance to lift her fist at him, and what he expected to turn into a punch ended up being a trick. Can none of these people fight fair?! The woman had gunpowder in her hand all along! She threw it into his eyes! Shocked and half-blinded by the powder, he forced himself to look through the pain, and threw a fist of his own.

A satisfying noise of breaking bones let him know that he hit her straight in the face. Truly a melody for the tired soul. She stepped back, trying to regain balance, but it was too late. He followed up with an uppercut that made more of that fine crackling music.

Cinda fell back, hitting the wooden deck with a similar sound he made upon boarding.

His left eye was less afflicted by the powder, so he forced himself to keep it open and kicked the sword out of her hand. He stepped on her shoulder and leaned on his sword, its blade dangerously near her neck.

"Yield," he said, rubbing his eyes.

There was no response.

Well this was properly infuriating. "Yield I say!" He lifted his foot, ready to stomp her, but he stopped himself in time.


She was unconscious already. He let out a breath, stepping away. Both of his hands were now covered in blood, and to his absolute dismay he realized that some of his fingers played a part in the symphony of shattered bones. The pain was climbing up his elbow, towards his shoulder and his brain. He was cold from the blood loss and tired from two consecutive duels. He will feel ecstatic about his victory later, but for now he only took solace from pain in knowing it was worth it.


He looked up towards the blurry vision of Adanita. "The First Mate cannot surrender at this time. May I claim my victory now?"