Captain's Will

13. Filigree Rapier

Hongjoong's cutlass connected with the polished steel of the shadows with a deafening crash. He jumped back, his eyes fixed on the slender blade of the rapier that cut the air with almost no resistance. It was a marvellous weapon. Too filigree and refined to be used for battles out at sea, but not just for show either. If Hongjoong got a chance to steal it, he would display it on a wall.

What type of person was wealthy enough to effort such a sword and then went into battle with it? If a bounty hunter had waited for his chance to strike, he wouldn't have attacked Hongjoong with such an elegant weapon. A hidden dagger would have finished the job much quicker.

The person battling Hongjoong was clad in black, not giving their identity away. Their hat shadowed their face and in the room's darkness, the few flashes of a chin and slender hands became unrecognisable. The only thing Hongjoong could tell as their swords clashed, and they strained their muscles to gain the upper hand, was that he fought against a man. Laboured grunts reverberated in Hongjoong's chest as they circled each other in a deadly match.

Hongjoong settled his free hand on the gun on his belt. His left wasn't as steadfast as his right, but he could hit any attacker from this distance. Under the commoner's hat, he couldn't tell if the other man was alerted.

"Dirty tricks," the stranger spat as he dived forward. With a breathless laugh, Hongjoong parried him. The fighting skill of the other wasn't to be underestimated, though Hongjoong felt it was meeker than what he was used to. Did the man need him alive to collect his bounty? Or was he not used to fighting? He had the strength and technique, but not the right willpower to win, no matter the cost.

"Ye ain't aware ye be battlin' a pirate?" Hongjoong chuckled. His teeth gritted when another strike shoved him back, his fingers hesitant on his pistol. Who was this extraordinary stranger and how was he so vaguely familiar to Hongjoong?

"Oh, I know," the other man heaved. With a screeching noise, their blades glided over each other. Deafened for a moment, Hongjoong wondered why his mates hadn't been alerted by the noise yet. "Your stench arrived here a minute before you did."

Hongjoong dropped his body to deliver a kick and flung his wrist at the man's sword at the same time. The other tripped, staggering. His front exposed as his arms lifted on instinct to balance his weight.

"That ain't kind," Hongjoong replied, eyes blazing as he lunged. His free hand knocked into the man's chest, sending his lithe body sprawling onto the ground. When his head thudded against the floor, his hat flew off. Hongjoong had a knee on his lower arm before the wrist holding the sword could surge back up.

With the gun pointed at the man's face in a movement faster than his opponent could understand, Hongjoong throned on top of him. For extra intimidation, his sword rammed between the wooden boards between the man's shoulder and his head. A thick silence spread as they stared at each other.

A smile, both incredulous and nervous, twitched on the corners of Hongjoong's lips. Steely eyes stared back at him over the shiny barrel of his pistol.

Hongjoong's hand wavered, but it didn't lower the weapon. He wondered what path his life would take if he pulled the trigger.

"Commander Park," he said after a long break. His voice had lost its earlier aggression when his surprise shone through.

Of all people, he hadn't expected him to be here. Why was he here? Had he followed them?

"Commodore Park." Seonghwa's voice cut like a whip. It cleared the fog in Hongjoong's mind and reminded him of their current situation. He, seated on the lean body of the naval soldier with his weapons pointed to his face. "I hadn't expected to see you again, Hell-born Captain. You've been ignoring my letters."