The North's Galleon

Chapter 9: Steel

Steel rang against steel as Denise came out on the deck just behind Sebastian. "What's going on?" Sebastian bellowed.

"They're putting on a show for us." Big Man smiled.

"Oh ho ho, we get a show tonight?" Sebastian grinned.

"Who's doing what?" Denise tried to see from behind the two large men. Finally, she caught a glimpse of Gunther and Lawrence going at each other, this time with weapons in hand.

"Oh my gosh!" She yelped.

"Off to the side!" Paul bellowed. "Don't wanna get stabbed over there."

Big Man picked up Denise and walked over to where Paul was leaning up against the wall. "What are they fighting for this time?"

"Not sure. Just saw Gunther pull his sword, and Lawrence went for his daggers, and now they're going at it."

"Where's the Captain?"

"Still in his cabin. Apparently, he's not been well since he boarded again yesterday, but was feeling a bit better this afternoon, and is hoping to be back up top tomorrow."

"Who found that out?"

"The only one ballsy enough to disturb him, obviously. Gunther."

"Course he did."

"They're going to kill each other!" Denise exclaimed, watching Gunther just barely miss Lawrence's neck.

"We keep hoping, they haven't yet."

"Go for the jugular!" Jackal screamed.

The screech of Gunther's rapier dragging along Lawrence's dagger made Denise wince. Sebastian chuckled. "20 diir on Lawrence."

"I'll take Gunther." Paul responded.

"Eh, my bet's on Lawrence." Big Man mumbled.

"Who's got bets?" Paul bellowed.

"10 on Lawrence!" Jackal yelled back.

"Just because you don't like Gunther doesn't mean it's smart to bet against him. 30 on Gunther!" Millard elbowed Jackal.

Tommy scrambled on deck at that moment. "Who's winning?"

"They just started!" Paul laughed. "Who's your bet on?"

Tommy seemed to think about it for a moment before pulling a handful of 10-diir coins out of his pocket. "All of this on Gunther."

As if on cue, a dagger rattled across the deck, landing at Denise's feet.

Gunther was beaming, and Lawrence was unarmed.

Or so it seemed.

Before Gunther could react, Lawrence had clocked him upside the head with a small black baton and made a break for the crow's nest.

Possum howled and leapt from his perch, quickly scooting down to the deck next to Denise. He signed something to her, and she slightly regretted never learning sign language.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand." She smiled sheepishly.

"That's fine, it was probably vulgar." Paul chuckled.

Denise turned back to the fight just in time to watch Lawrence launch into the air. It took a moment for her to realize what had happened.

The baton had split in half, and the half that was still in his hand had a thin wire running out of it and up to the top of the mast. She had to assume the other half of the baton was latched to something at the top.

"Bastard!" Gunther bellowed.

"Coward!" Lawrence jeered as he got a grip at the top.

Gunther frowned. It was quiet for a moment. Slowly, the redhead turned to Denise and began to walk over. She flinched back, not entirely sure what he was doing now.

And then in one quick motion, the dagger at her feet was flying toward Lawrence.

Lawrence snatched it out of the air, but it was just enough distraction for Gunther to grab one of the ropes for the main sail.

And then he was flying into the air.

Steel rang against steel, and Denise watched as Gunther came falling back down the other side. As soon as his feet hit the deck, he took off running, rope still in his hand. After only a few steps, he was once again in the air, swinging back around to where Denise stood and landing with a thud.

And then he let go. Denise could see the grin that split his face, and she followed his line of sight to see Lawrence had also fallen, barely managing to hold onto a different rope.

Gunther took off in a sprint again, grabbing the other rope for the main sail, and once again launching into the air.

"Imagine being so small the sail can throw you." Paul chuckled.

Big Man let out a roar of a laugh.

This time, both Lawrence and Gunther landed on the deck with a thud, Lawrence quickly scrambling to get away.

Not fast enough.

A crack caught Denise's attention, and Lawrence yelped in pain.

Gunther now had Lawrence's wrist caught in a whip. Lawrence shook it off, but it was immediately met with another crack of the whip, catching his other wrist.

This repeated a few more times until Gunther had Lawrence's back against a wall.

His rapier stabbed into the wall right next to Lawrence's head. "Give. It. Back." He whispered harshly.

"Fine, fine." Lawrence relented, dropping something into Gunther's hand.

Gunther immediately relaxed, sheathing his sword and wrapping the whip around a hook on his belt. As he walked back across the deck, Denise caught him putting a gold ring into his shirt pocket.

"What's that?"

"Hm? This?" He pulled it back out to show her.

She immediately furrowed her brow and pursed her lips. "Where did you get that?"

"It's an engagement ring. From my fiance." Lawrence made a gagging noise as he walked past. "Shut up!" Gunther retorted. "I'm not going to marry her. Never wanted to. She was like, my best friend."

"She's my best friend!" Lawrence mocked. "And what am I?"

"My bicker buddy." Gunther folded his arms.

"I've been reduced to a bicker buddy!" Lawrence exclaimed loudly, acting as if he was genuinely hurt.

"Take your theatrics to the Captain." Gunther scoffed.

Lawrence huffed. "No one appreciates good acting these days."

Gunther snorted. "Oh, I appreciate good acting, but that? You should be paying me to watch that garbage."

This earned him a middle finger as Lawrence continued his walk of shame below deck.

Denise frowned. "Seriously, where'd you get that?"

Gunther shrugged. "I can't remember, I got it a long time ago. Probably from a slimy merchant. Who knows, maybe it was the prince's engagement ring first." He smirked mockingly and followed Lawrence below deck.