The girl saluted him with a bony hand. “Aye, aye, Captain.”

* * *

The ship rocked back and forth as it crested one wave after another. Some of the soldiers turned green, and a few rushed to vomit over the rail. They raced the sunrise to the island. If the sun rose before they landed, they’d lose the element of surprise. When the boys in the mast signaled that they neared the dock, Valek and the others donned their disguises.

Thuds vibrated through the ship as it bumped against the wooden pylons. The young teens hopped off and tied the ropes.

A gruff voice smashed through the clatter. “Why’s the ship moving? Where’s that bitch Zohav?”

“She got sick, sir,” one of the boys said. “She’s down below.”

Good thinking. Valek approved.

“What took you so long?”

The same boy said, “One of them steers freaked, sir. Devil to get him on board.”

Another smooth reply. The boy had recruitment potential.

“Hurry up with that gangplank,” Gruff ordered.

The crew scrambled to comply. The boy paused near Valek. “That’s Jibben.” Then he hurried away.

Happy that he wouldn’t have to chase Jibben down, Valek wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword and thought of that girl’s sister. The gangplank eased toward the dock, revealing a number of men and women. Valek had seconds to assess the enemy before they realized they faced armed soldiers and not a herd of beef. He counted six pirates on the dock and another four on land. The others must be nearby. Perhaps in the woods. They’d want to hide the buildings from the ships that passed by, but wouldn’t want to be too far from the dock.

A big brute stood with his thick arms crossed over his chest. Two long braids flowed over his shoulders and a sharp curved blade hung from his leather belt—a cross between a scimitar and a cutlass. The brute had to be the infamous Jibben.

“What in hell? Who picked these scrawny steer?” Jibben asked.

Next to Jibben, a tall man with colorful tattoos along his arms peered at them. “They look...odd, Jib.” He pointed. “That one’s wearing boots.”

And that was his cue. Valek yelled and tossed off the still-damp material. He ripped the mask from his face before drawing his sword. The soldiers followed his lead. They rushed onto the dock in a wedge formation.

The pirates cried a warning, called for backup and drew their weapons in time to meet the rush. While surprised, they didn’t panic like the crew of the ship. His men bypassed Jibben, who squinted at the melee, confused, until Valek approached him. He smiled, revealing sharp teeth. Jibben appeared quite calm. So much for Valek being the most feared man in Ixia.

“Ah, the Commander’s attack dog. I heard you were in town.”

Valek wondered where he’d gotten the intel. “Then why did you send your crew to steal the steers?”

The man kept his smile, but tightened his grip on his strange sword in response.

“Was it greed or stupidity?” Valek asked. “Probably both. You really don’t need those steers, but you just had to finish your shopping list.” He tsked. “Greed and stupidity, the downfall of so many.”

“Shut up.” Jibben swung his sword, aiming for Valek’s neck.

Valek ducked and spun, hooking his heel behind Jibben’s left boot. But the man’s stance was as solid as a tree trunk. Jibben swiped down at Valek’s head. Valek rolled to the right and regained his feet. Okay, time for Plan B.

Jibben pressed his advantage, keeping his longer blade in motion like a pendulum on a clock. Valek backed away until he neared the edge of the dock. Timing it just right, Valek stepped forward and parried Jibben’s swinging weapon with his broadsword. The man’s curved blade slid right along Valek’s, and its tip stabbed right into his abdomen.

Valek gasped as pain ringed his waist.

“Your fancy moves won’t save you here.” Jibben twisted his wrist.

Before Jibben could disembowel him, Valek jabbed his sword into Jibben’s thigh. The man growled, shuffling back.

“At least I know enough to disarm my opponent first, then claim victory.” Valek rubbed the fingers of his free hand along the cut on his stomach. Despite the searing burn, the injury wasn’t deep. Relief energized him.

Now that Valek had an idea of what that curved blade could do, he changed the line of his attack from head-on to an angled approach. Jibben was strong like Ari, but also surprisingly quick. Not as quick as Janco, but only a few could make that claim.

This time, when Valek parried Jibben’s sword, he deflected the blade down. The tip of the curved sword missed him and Valek was able to cut into Jibben’s arm. When he blocked Jibben’s blade, knocking it high, Valek nicked the man’s thick leg. Each near miss increased Jibben’s frustration, causing him to make small but critical mistakes. Blood soon soaked the brute’s sleeves and pants. The man swayed.

Valek tried his takedown again, spinning and hooking his heel. Jibben landed with an oomph and Valek pricked him with a dart filled with sleeping potion. When the brute relaxed, Valek stood and surveyed the scene.

Most of the soldiers held their own, but a few struggled with their opponents. Valek helped those in need as they advanced inland. The sun rose and the trees cast long shadows. He engaged in a couple fights that ended in a few moves. Jibben should have trained his crew better. Weaving in and out of the other matches, Valek pricked the pirates with darts.

The last pirate fell not long after the sun’s arrival. Endre searched the buildings, while Mikus compiled a list of the stolen goods they found. Two other soldiers interviewed the young teens, who had been smart enough to keep away from the fighting.