Dark blue water leapt up against the wooden frame of the speedy privateer ship, Doveseye. For being on a ship for the first time, Tymat seemed pretty well-rooted compared to the other ten new recruits, who seemed to all be vomiting every other minute.
    His dark brown wavy hair and deep tanned body shifted easily as his strong legs picked him up onto the grimy wood floor of the ship. Achy at first, Tymat unsheathed his new rapier with its bronze hilt and strong, mithril blade, sharp enough to slice a man strait through without even trying. He started, slowly at first, to toy with swordplay against an invisible target. He did this often to either pass time or when he was deep in thought, in this case a little of both.
    Tymat had just volunteered himself to fight on a privateer merchant ship for the Rilitorian army. The Rilitorians had been fighting in a perilous war against the Dread Dwarves of the West for more than a year over the Iceblood Islands, which were a major source of money because of the magnificent gold mines that they possessed.
    The Doveseye was en route to Crescent Moon Island. Although not ruled by humans, Crescent Moon was a major Shipyard and supply bay for the Rilitorians. The elves of Crescent Moon were very friendly toward all people who did not attack them, so sharing the bay with humans was no big deal. A strong wind swept up and got caught in the sail, sending the ship barreling forward.
    Tymat often wondered about the true purpose of the war. Greed seemed to be the main cause, but that seemed so small of a reason to fight. Could there be some deeper reason? Some terrible secret that was being hidden from the people? He didn’t know. He was so confused as it was, confused about his life, his purpose. A nasty voice snapped his attention to the ship.
    “Looks like we be gittn’ to Crescent Moon a little sooner than expected!” bellowed the drunken voice of a pirate-like man.
    Tymat, who was irritated by the disturbance of his swordplay spat, “I doubt a little wind will get us to Crescent Moon much faster than expected. If anything, a storm is bound to come up and drown all of us!”
    “Oh, so that’s what ye think is going ta happen?! Well that’s not for sure, but I can tell ye what is! It is sure certain that ye won’t last the night if ye keep talkin’ that way ta me!”
    “Well that’s all nice and everything, but how could you kill me if my rapier was in your eye socket!”
In a sloppy, angry movement, the pirate-man ripped his blade out of the scabbard. “So you want to pick a fight with me eh? Well I’ll give you a fight that you’ll never have to remember!”
    Tymat took the threat as a challenge. Before long, fellow sailors who were eager to see bloodshed surrounded the two men. Tymat knew that this was no longer a little “trading of insults.”
    The two combatants shuffled in circles, both eyeing each other intently. The deck made groaning creaks as the two paced, each searching for the correct moment to strike. Tymat made the first move, a quick thrust to the pirate’s stomach, but the attack was a foolish one, because as soon as Tymat threw his blade forward, the pirate slashed back in a hook-like movement, striking Tymat’s blade sideways and throwing him off balance.
    Tymat stumbled to the ground, but he was not hurt. The pirate came charging forward, his blade raised high in the air. As soon as he got a few feet from Tymat, his blade came down like a sledgehammer. Instinctively, Tymat, while crouched on the ground, raised his rapier to block the blow that would have done him in. A loud, ringing “clang” was heard, and a louder roar from the sailors buried the clashing steel blades.
    Tymat was back on his feet now, sweat pouring off of his face. The pirate was a better swordsman than he expected and every time he attacked, he was simply countered by another that almost threw him off balance again.
    “Why do I get myself into these things?” Tymat asked himself aloud.
    The pirate would have made some taunting comment, but his complete focus was centered on his hatred for this new boy with a smart mouth. “He needs to be put in his place” the pirate thought. “Down at the bottom of the sea!”
    Just as he thought this, Tymat swung at his legs unexpectedly. The pirate managed to jump back quickly, but not quick enough. A thin stream of blood oozed down the pirate’s leg.
    “So ye think you’re somethin’ special don’t ye? I’ll show ye I will!” With that, the pirate went into a mad frenzy, slashing away so violently that it forced Tymat to flail backwards in defence. “Yes, yes, I’ll show ye!!!”
    Tymat finally gained his cool wits back and started to advance on the pirate again. Realizing that the pirate was just a drunken fool, Tymat leaped forward and pierced the pirate in the right shoulder. Yelling in pain, the pirate fell to the ground.
    Stepping on the pirates hand to disable his sword, Tymat grabbed the pirate’s rapier and threw it into the sea.
    “Sorry I had to do that to you mate, but I didn’t want a rapier sticking through my eye socket.” Tymat said as he turned to go to his quarters.

Main • Introduction • Chapter One (Struggling to Start) • Chapter Two (Mutineers)
Chapter Three (A New Life) • Chapter Four (In the Court of the King)
Chapter Five (Good Night…It Will Be Your Last) • Chapter Six (Holding the Fort)
Chapter Seven (The End of an Alliance) • Chapter Eight (Journey to the Pirate Islands)