The Adventures of Exodus Creed & Co.

In Which There is a Duel and an Abduction

A month later, it was starting to get cold. The air seemed thinner, and the sun was not as warm. Lochland pulled out his stash of winter outfits and found Exodus and Cassiopeia a jacket.

"What do you do during the colder winter months?" Cassie asked, missing Lochland's blush as she pulled on his jacket, which was adorably too big.

"I, uh, we, go...down. Yeah, we go down. To the...ground. Earth." Lochland stuttered, busily trying to untangle a knotted rope and only making it worse.

"Really?" Exodus exclaimed, "I've never been on the ground. Is it nice?"

"In some places, yes. I have a country house in Florida where we'll be warm. It's kind of small, but that keeps it cozy."

"I adore Florida!" Cassie cried happily and then proceeded to describe it to Exodus, who listened in rapture. No one noticed the airship swiftly approaching from the stern until it was right up next to them, and only when they heard a voice did they turn around to look.

"It is I! Jull..." The voice shouted, and then was quickly lost as the ship, which had been going too quickly, sped on past. Confused, everyone aboard The Queen's Haven waited until the ship backed up, much more slowly, until they were side by side.

"Bloody stupid driver..." Julliard Quinn grumbled, adjusting his outrageous hat before clearing his throat and flourishing his sword. "It is I! The villainous Captain Julliard of..."

"Yes, yes, we know who you are." Lochland interrupted with a roll of his eyes. "Now what the flimflam do you want?"

"We have a duel to finish, Lochland Reign!" Julliard roared, furious that his carefully rehearsed speech had been interrupted. His eyes met Cassie's and he smiled. "My lady! My queen! Are you well?"

"Yes, perfectly, thank you," Cassie answered, lifting her hand to hide her smile. 

"I did not expect to see you still with this vagrant." Julliard sneered at Lochland, who rolled his eyes again.

"You don't even know what vagrant means."

"I do so...!"

"Are you dueling on The Spikenard or The Queen's Haven?" Exodus interrupted quickly, and everyone looked at him with surprise.

"The Queen's Haven!" Julliard shouted. "I will not allow Lochland's blood to stain The Spikenard's decks!"

"Fine. Get over here, then!" Lochland taunted and withdrew his sword. Exodus watched Cassie to see how she would react, but she merely smiled and sat down next to him on a barrel. Pulling Aristotle out of his pocket where he had been napping, Exodus placed him on his open palm so he could watch.

Julliard jumped onto The Queen's Haven deck, stumbled, righted himself, and handed his hat to Exodus, who promptly put it on, much to Julliard's dismay. But he didn't have time to complain as Lochland swished his rapier and knicked Julliard's fancy lace collar.

"I say, not the French lace!" Julliard cried.

"Oh, sorry. What are my boundaries?"

"No throat, heart, liver, or below the belt. Avoid the jacket as well, it's silk. Oh, but the face is free game. A roguish scar is always popular with the ladies."

"Sure." Lochland chuckled, and they began in earnest.

Exodus did not know what to expect when they began fighting, but he was pleasantly surprised. Lochland and Julliard didn't fight.

They danced.

The swords were definitely used. Julliard purposefully dropped his guard just enough that Lochland knicked his cheek, drawing a thin streak of blood, but otherwise, the swords were used for a flashy show. They swirled and leaped and ducked and dodged and high kicked. The swords whistled and swished through the air, miles from their marks, and the two young men engaged in 'witty banter'.