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Ingrid was fighting like a true Norghanian warrior. She had dropped her bow, and was now fighting with knife and short axe, launching cuts, kicks and punches with tremendous power. When the pirates saw that she was a woman, they mocked her. It was a massive error. Ingrid, with fire in her eyes and fury in her heart, made them pay for those sneering insults with their lives. Then she smiled as she stepped over their bodies. Nilsa went to help her, but in fact Ingrid did not really need it, because she felled any pirate in her way in three blows. Nilsa focused on protecting her friend’s flanks, just in case. You never knew where a treacherous attack might come from, and these were pirates, the least honorable and respectful fighters in Tremia.
In the midst of the fray was Viggo, with Astrid helping him. They were surrounded by pirates who were trying and failing to hit them with swords, knives and clubs. Viggo was moving with amazing speed, agility and balance, dodging attacks and counterattacks with lethal slashes, Astrid was practically his shadow, with almost identical movements, swift and precise. Between the two of them they were wreaking havoc among the assailants.
At the bow, a group of four pirates set on Eicewald, thinking he would be easy prey. Their mistake was to cost them dearly. The Mage made a movement with his staff and conjured up Ice Stakes. A dozen stakes appeared in front of him, suspended in the air, aiming at the pirates, who were approaching at a run. The pirates stopped short at the sight, eyes and mouths wide, choking back a yell. The Mage lowered the staff, then with one word of power launched the ice stakes against them. The icy missiles pierced their bodies, killing them instantly.
Beside the mast, Olsen launched a tremendous blow diagonally downward. It would have split the pirate captain in two if it had hit him, but instead he dodged to one side out of reach. He countered by feinting with his sword, which Olsen managed to block with difficulty. Unfortunately, he was not able to stop the dagger which followed and buried itself in his right shoulder. He grunted in pain and took a step back. The pirate seized his chance and with another quick deceptive movement wounded him on the hip.
“Skill’s worth more than strength,” he said with a smile of triumph.
Olsen realized that he was lost. “Everyone fights with what he has,” he grunted.
“Very true,” the pirate said. “It’s been an honor, but now it’s time to end this duel.”
He attacked with tremendous speed, and his sword went straight to Olsen’s heart. The captain tried to deflect it with his own sword, and he opened his eyes in horror, knowing that the stroke was going to kill him.
Suddenly the pirate’s sword was deflected to one side. Olsen was so surprised that he tripped and fell backwards.
The pirate captain looked around, but could see nothing. He was standing beside the sail, and could not understand how his sword had moved aside. He tried to kill Olsen where he lay on the deck, but an invisible force pushed the pirate away from him. He was left staring in bewilderment at the sail. It was as if it had pushed him, and yet there was no wind. What was happening?
Viggo appeared behind Olsen. “Nice sword and dagger,” he said casually. “Worthy of a nobleman from inland. Certainly not of a sea pirate.”
“What’s going on here? Magic? Was it you?”
“Me? Not at all. Magic? Yeah, it might be that.” Viggo could see that something was pushing the sail inwards. He could imagine who it was. “There are things the human eye doesn’t see, but they’re there all the same.”
The pirate captain faced up to him. “Magic or no magic, I’m going to finish you off, and the captain of this ship too.”
“I don’t think you’re going to. And as for killing the captain of the ship, it’d be a terrible loss. We need him to steer this ship.”
“I’m here to do that, and that’s what I’m going to do, just as soon as I’ve killed you all.”
“You don’t seem very reliable to me, and even less respectable. We’d do much better to keep our own captain. We trust him.” Viggo indicated Olsen, who was unable to get up.
“Wrong choice,” the pirate said, with a look of feigned disappointment. “This sword and dagger are going to put an end to your life now. You shouldn’t have interfered in a duel between captains.”
Viggo gestured at the pirate’s weapons with his own two black knives, as if this threat did not trouble him in the least. “They’re a set. Some craftsman must’ve made them for someone with a lot of gold. Where did you get them? Looting?”
The pirate smiled. “I see you appreciate quality and luxury, like me. Unfortunately for you, that’s the closest you’re going to get to these beauties.”
“I think you’re wrong there. Those weapons are going to have a new owner very soon.” Viggo smiled, sure of himself, and gave his opponent a threatening look.
“There are plenty who’ve wanted them and tried to take them from me. They all failed, as you will. These beauties are going to pierce your heart.”
Viggo tilted his head, undaunted. “I doubt it. This evening
