Gilda turned back towards the girl, shuffling forward into a long stairwell. “Up!” she barked, gesturing up the landings. “Move!”

“Why’s the woman with a bullet in her telling me to move?!” Alice cried, using both her hands and legs to make the climb up easier for herself.

She said nothing, gritting her teeth and climbing up. Finally, she spoke again, spittle flying as she hissed, “Because the next one might kill us.”

Alice fell silent for a short moment. “A-Alright. But I’m not leaving you behind either!”

“Just get out of here!” Gilda snapped. “Haul your ass! That’s an order, you dumb sack of shit!”

“But—” When Alice turned, she saw Gilda’s face and the expression she witnessed could have only been described as ‘furious worry’. She nodded. “Fine! Fine,” she said, gaining more speed.

As they rounded the landing, the sound of footsteps became louder. Alice grew further and further distanced from Gilda, until the woman trailed behind almost an entire floor. Upon feeling the sea breeze upon her face, she started to slow down, hoping Gilda would show up only seconds later.

She waited and waited, but the woman never came. From below, she heard a yell, then the sound of something heavy hitting the floor.

Heart leaping in her chest, Alice went back to way she came, holding out a hand to balance herself as she rapidly descended the stairs.

Gilda lay, sprawled out on the stairway, looking up at the Admiral.

“Hello, girl. Thought you could get away?” He gestured with a gun towards Alice. “Be a dear, child. Help this lost lamb up and climb on up to the deck, yes?” His voice was calm, back to its paternal tone, which conflicted with the rest of him. His perfect uniform had been smudged in places with blood and sweat, but little of it was the Admiral’s. He bore no more than scratches, and the muscle of his body showing through tears and cuts added a primal aura of danger beyond the pistol in his hand.

Alice froze up, eyes drawn more towards the weapon than anything else. She nodded stiffly, her movements almost robotic as she went down to help Gilda up and bring her onto the deck, the Admiral watching every second.

“G-get out…” Gilda said to Alice, staring at her like a drunkard as the girl cupped her hands around Gilda’s arm.

“I-I can’t,” Alice stuttered, dragging Gilda along. “Sorry…”

“You…” Gilda growled, her vision sharpening for a moment, glaring daggers at the child.

Approaching her, the Admiral slammed the butt of his pistol against Gilda’s head. “Silence! No one asked you.” He smiled at Alice. “This dear child merely knows when its best to listen to her elders, unlike some.”

Gilda limply hit the ground, unmoving for a long moment, before she rose her head up. Blood ran down her nostrils and over her lips. Despite the injury, an eerie, queer smile came over her. “Elder is right. You’re burning the candle wick even if someone doesn’t fucking fill you full of lead.”

Ignoring her, he growled at Alice, “Keep moving or she dies, now.”

Alice stood in front of Gilda, jaw dropping as she the amount of blood dripping down the woman’s face. Then she looked at the Admiral, how he stood so apparently tall and mighty, prepared to finish her off when she had beaten her enough already.

Just like a school bully.

“N-No,” Alice stammered, clenching her fists and standing over Gilda.

There was a moment of silence, of stillness, as the Admiral slowly rose a thick eyebrow, focusing it on the girl. “...what?”

“Y-Y’all heard me,” Alice said, trembling. “Or is there too much hair in yer ears for ya to hear proper?”

“Alice. Go,” Gilda quietly said.

“And let this bully kill you?!” Alice shook her head. Her bow, now awfully tatty and worn, swayed with her movements. “Family ‘n’ friends? They stand for one another. That’s… that’s what I’ve always been taught.”

“They got one another’s backs…” Gilda looked over to the Admiral. With a yell, she threw herself to the side in a desperate ploy to tackle him. “Alice!”

But blood loss and the exertions of the fight had left her drained. As she hit him, the wind left her lungs when she slammed into his solid frame. He looked down at her, leering, before backhanding her to the ground. Then, in one swift motion, he reached out and grabbed Alice’s arm, wrenching it powerfully as he lifted her off her feet, bringing them face to face.

“Let me tell you about your ideals, girl. About family. Friends.” He spat the words, twisting them to curses. Then he gestured to the broken and bleeding Gilda, still dazed on the ground. “That is all such drivel leads to. A short and pitiful death. Do you understand?” He placed the gun against her temple. “The only things that matter in this world are power and the strength to obtain it. That is all the world recognizes, all that can change this world to suit you. Nothing else is worth a damn!”

Alice squirmed, trying to wiggle herself free from the iron like grip the Admiral had on her arm. She looked him in the eyes. “I’d feel sorry for ya… but I think yer jus’ a li’l wuss.” With those words, she defiantly spat at his face.

The pressure on her arm exploded as he gripped tighter then slung her against the railing. Picking her back up, he brought her close. “I brought together some of the hardest, most difficult men these seas have to offer, whelp. They listened to me. They fear me. No w-wuss could do that! These men who terrorize you soft, pathetic civilians. You all hide behind your Navy, your Guard, your Queen. And I’m the one you hide from. I deserve respect! So I won’t have you showing me such insolence, you insignificant fucking insect!”

A shot rang out, exploding a block of concrete near his ear. A giant of a man stared up at the Admiral, slowly walking up the stairs. “Only bug I see here is ‘bout ta get stepped on.”

The Admiral turned, moving Alice between himself and the farmer, holding the gun back to her head. “Enough! Interruptions! Fire again and she’ll face the consequences!”

Feeling the cold metal rest against her skin and seeing her brother for the first time in way too long, Alice’s vision started to blur with tears. “Oh God, Mac… help me!!”

Mac hesitated, looking towards Alice, then staring up at the man. “You wouldn’t,” he said plainly.

“Wouldn’t I!” he screamed. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. With more composure, he added, “I won’t, provided you do all I say. Exactly as I say it. Prove as much a fool as these wenches, and I will. Make no mistakes, boy. I will no longer be tested.” He paused, taking a careful look at Alice and Mac. “I take it, by that unholy shade of red in her hair that you share, you’re related. A daughter, perhaps?”

“Sister,” he said, his face a mask of calculated indifference as he lazily observed the man.

“Sister then,” the Admiral said with a nod. “Well then, be a good brother and drop the weapon. I’ll be taking my leave off this ship--when I reach the gig, I’ll release her. You have my word.”

“So far, ‘yer word’ involves beatin’ women-folk and snatchin’ kids.” He narrowed his brow.

“Tsk tsk. That’s merely etiquette. My subordinates know the price for betrayal. It’s simple proof: I keep my word. And I will keep this, rest assured.” He glared hard. “Now your weapon. Throw it aside. I grow impatient.”

He rubbed his palm on the pistol’s grip, debating. A part of him thought he could take the shot from here. But Alice might…

Finally, he sighed, stepping forward and letting the weapon drop off the railing. “Let her go.”

With a hearty chuckle, the Admiral nodded his head slightly. “Good man. A good brother, who knows who his betters are.” A wicked grin split his face. “Shame to kill you all, then. But I didn’t get where I am by leaving enemies alive. Goodbye, girl,” he said to Alice as his finger squeezed the trigger.

There was a loud crack, nearly drowned by the scream of fury and anguish from Mac’s throat, and then silence as the Admiral fell back, reflexively throwing Alice to the ground. A glimmer in the sky caught Mac’s eye and faded as he caught sight of the Admiral’s pistol flying through the air.

“Move again and the next shot goes between your eyes, Forthright,” called out a voice from the far side of the deck. Kneeling, rifle aimed and steady, was Lew, with Zecora right behind him, her spear in a reverse grip, ready to be thrown. “Alice, you alright?”

Alice rubbed her arm, a sore looking red imprint now on it. She gazed up at the sky, which seemed to move by itself. “I’m okay… who… wha…?”

“Alice, I need you to get up, OK?” Lew said calmly. “Grab Gilda and go to Mac.”

Her head pounding, Alice rubbed her eyes, vision slowly focusing. “Right, right… on it.” She rolled over, getting onto her hands and knees and crawled her way to Gilda.

“You’re… Captain Shields? Lewellyn Shields?” asked the Admiral conversationally.

“Quiet,” he replied.

“So young to be a Captain of the Guard… But, really, boy, we’re on the sea now. Do you really think you’ve won? With your landlocked Guard and this pirate rabble?”

“I said quiet! Mac, get your gun, get your sister.”

Mac took a step forward. “A gun?” He took another step forward, popping his neck. “Nah.” Slowly ambling forward, he took to rolling his wrist, popping his fingers, then, when he was mere feet away from the Admiral, he shook his head. “Know somethin’?” he asked the man.

With a slight tilt of his head, he asked, “What?”

Mac offered a wry smile. “I don’t give a shit ‘bout ya.” He let a hand rise and fall around him. “Or any of this. There’s always gonna be people like you. People that think they’re bigger than everyone else walkin’ the street. News fer ya: where I’m standin’ at? Yer awfully small. Like a—how’d ya put it?—fuckin’ insect. Nothin’ else needs said.”

“Grrr.... You…”

“Mac, back away. We’ve got him,” instructed Lew.

“No, no, Captain,” the Admiral cut in. “By all means. Let the little man justify his ignorance.” He idly flexed his arms, shrugging them lazily. “Go on, brother Mac. I’m the insect? Prove it.”

Mac glanced over to Lew, nodding. “If he pulls a gun…” he instructed, not needing to finish the sentence. The captain nodded back, keeping his rifle at the ready.

Shrugging off his torn coat and revealing the muscular physique underneath a simple vest, the Admiral laughed. “I shan’t need one. Not for this.” Turning to Lew, he asked, “And if I win? Let me go, Captain. Consider this a sanctioned duel, yes?” Lew said nothing, but he knew the man had a point. The Admiral rolled an arm and cracked his knuckles. “This will be fun.”

“For me? Eyup.” Mac’s expression finally broke into a hard grimace. “Hope yer fists are as quick as yer mouth.”

“And I hope whatever pitiful little job you do has prepared you. I’ve taken down men twice your size, over the years. First in the Navy, three times a day, then amongst the seediest, nastiest back alley scum you could imagine. I’ve overcome all the cheats, all the drunken, drugged-up berserkers I’ve ever come across. And I’ve never been beaten. Putting it simply...” Slamming a fist into his palm, he said, “I will annihilate you.”

“Ya talk too much,” the man said. “Quit stallin’. Yer boys ain’t gonna bail ya out of this.”

The Admiral responded by taking his stance--it was a fairly standard boxer’s stance, but looser, owing to the man’s recent years of fighting dirty more often than not. It wouldn’t just be about skill, and certainly not about form. There was a fire behind his eyes, a hidden rage that had sparked but was only now being allowed to blaze to life. It cried for bloody murder.

With a building yell, the Admiral stepped forward and launched a left swing for Mac, powerful but controlled. A testing blow. Mac brought up a forearm, blocking it, then took a left-handed jab of his own toward the Admiral’s stomach.

He took the blow, giving a small grunt before grabbing Mac’s wrist and slamming down with his right palm right in the middle of the farmer’s forearm.

Ignoring the painful sting, but mentally thinking how much that damn thing would swell later, Mac went even closer to the Admiral, snapping his forehead towards the man. This caught him off guard, but only for a moment.

“You’ll have to do better than that,” he roared, emphasizing the last word with a tight spin that shot his elbow for Mac’s sternum.

Mac let out a pained oof! at the strike, nearly buckling in two. Forgoing finesse, he shot forward, wrapping his powerful biceps around the other man in a bear hug. The Admiral glared hate at him as he pushed out, a vein popping out in his neck the only evidence of his struggle against Mac’s immense strength. Smirking, he slammed the heel of his foot onto Mac’s toes, grinding in viciously.

Mac aggressively grinned, showing off his teeth. “Fighitin’ dirty? I can too.” he mocked. With a turn of his body, he shot a knee forward, aiming for the Admiral’s groin.

But the older man caught it deftly, turning it to the side and landing a left hook in the process, pushing Mac away. “When you fight with pirates, boy, you learn anything goes--anything to be the one that walks away alive.” He charged, bringing a series of haymakers, right, left, right.

One caught his face and he recoiled, stumbling back. The rest he caught the tempo, blocking high, low, center, then offered a sudden uppercut at the other man’s jaw. The Admiral fell back. He wiped at his mouth, then spat a gob of blood to the deck before coming at Mac again, this time more controlled, more cautious.

Lew watched carefully, amazed at the fight. He was tough, Guard-trained and able to handle his own, but both Mac and the Admiral were just so damned strong. They gave terrible blows and took them, only showing pain at the sharpest of hits. As the pair slugged and grappled their way around the deck, Lew could only root silently for his friend’s success.

Mac pushed the Admiral back and brought a hammerblow down onto his head, then swung once more for the man’s jaw. This one merely connected with a raised shoulder and then Mac found himself falling back as the heft of his enemy slammed into him, bringing them both to the ground.

The Admiral tried to give a headbutt of his own, but it lacked any real power behind it as they hit the deck. He jabbed his fist into Mac’s side again and again. Mac shifted focus, turning and pinning the man to the ground. Wrapping his meaty hands around the Admiral’s neck, he squeezed, hard enough to set the veins in his arms alive.

Contorted in rage, the Admiral’s face turned brighter than a beet before slowly darkening as he tried to jerk his body one way or the other, hoping to dislodge the big farmer.

“Ain’t so brave now, are ya?” Mac hissed out. “Know what I see in yer eyes right now? Yer scared.”

From between his lips, reddened spittle bubbled, the only result of his trying to talk. His nostrils flared as he pulled an arm out from under Mac’s leg, then another. He gripped Mac’s wrists and dug into them with his thumbs, then clawed both his hands to dig in with all his fingers. He scratched and twisted frantically, finally striking lucky and getting a finger in Mac’s eye. The farmer let out a surprised gasp, pulling back reflexively and rubbing at it, before delivering a kick to the man’s side.

Breathing heavily, the Admiral let out an animalistic scream and scrambled to his feet and tackling at Mac, low. He slammed into the farmer’s stomach before ramming his palm into his side. He lifted up his head, catching Mac’s chin. Balling his hands together, he raised them high and brought them down into his neck.

He followed it with another slam, and then another, driving Mac down to his knees. Seething, the man said, “No one bests me, no one!” He reared back and delivered a crushing left to the farmer’s jaw. “Me, scared? Meeee!?” A wild right. “I will show you your place!”

Furious, the man grabbed Mac’s shoulders and delivered a powerful knee to his chest. He took a few steps around Mac, saying, “This is what happens to those who think less of me.” A swift kick to the side. “And when I’ve crushed your skull, know this. For your transgressions, the girl?” Here he gestured over to Alice. “She will pay the price. A bullet is too good for her, a complete waste of a golden opportunity! While not my usual stock in trade, I do happen to know one little island, off the Kvaat mainland, where she’ll make a killing on auction. Oh yes--nothing to the bounty on the Princess, but a fine little treasure trove in her own right!”

And he laughed. He roared with laughter.

One of his eyes had already swelled far beyond being able to see out of it, but his other sparked to life at the man’s words. Snapping a powerful leg forward, he struck true at the man’s kneecap. The way it seemed to buckle said one thing to Mac. It was shattered. The bastard’s howl of pain as he fell to his one good knee confirmed it. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Mac rose, towering over the crippled man. He reached down, hoisting the man up by the scruff of his shirt, effortlessly bringing him eye to eye.

“Go on. Think ya were sayin’ somethin’ funny.” Mac snapped. For added measure he adjusted his grip, once more wrapping a hand around the Admiral’s neck, while his other went to the man’s injured knee. He delivered a hard punch to it without even a flinch of remorse. “Ya can pound on me all ya want. But nobody, nobody touches our girl.”

“W-w-wait…” the Admiral hissed.

“Told ya earlier. Ya talk too much.” Mac adjusted his grip on the man, throwing him effortlessly over his shoulder as if he were a sack of grain. Taking a deliberately slow march to the edge of the roof, he lifted him up in both his hands. “Nice view,” he commented, turning the man to let him see the long fall down. Mac paused for only a moment, looking behind him towards Lew and Alice.

Lew gave him a small nod, seeming to say, “Put an end to it.”

He turned his gaze forward, standing on the edge. “Look away, Alice,” Mac instructed.

“M-Mac…?” she stuttered, holding Gilda’s hand as she lay on the floor.

“I don’t want ya ta see this.”

The girl slowly nodded, looking down at the floor before closing her eyes.

With that done, Mac gave one more adjustment of the dead weight in his hands, then threw the Admiral over his head.

Time seemed to slow as Forthright fell. He started backward, but quickly turned and plummeted headfirst. The scream that escaped his lips was terror and rage and frustration as he saw the deck approach, felt the chains of his death that he couldn’t avoid. His plans, his ships, his men… It was lost. Lost like his blue horizons, now replaced by polished woodgrain.

And then it was black for Admiral Forthright.

“Can—can I open my eyes now?” Alice asked, her eyes tightly shut.

“Don’t look down,” Mac said. “Don’t look over the edge.”

“O-Okay,” she replied, opening her eyes. She looked to her brother, then down at the woman beside her. “Gilda…?”

Gilda wiped at her bloody face and weakly rose to a kneel. “Kinda beat up, but…” She sighed. “I’ll live.”

“Okay, o-okay…” Alice breathed, lying down on her back. Her body ached, her ears were ringing and her mind felt like it was about to implode on itself. She lay there, biting her lip, trying not to show any tears.

“We’ll make sure of it,” said Lew from behind her. “A medic is on his way. So don’t make any trouble, deal?” His face was smiling, but his hand hovered near a pistol holstered at his belt.

Gilda let out a small laugh and winced at the motion. “If I had a gun on me, I would of shot him already.”

Lew laughed with her, but his hand never moved as he stood. He walked over to Mac. “He’ll have some pain meds for you too. Not much he can do for your face, though.”

“Ain’t too bad. Ever been bucked by a cow?” Mac asked, reaching up to touch the swelling and wincing despite the dismissal.

“Can’t, uh, can’t say that I have, no.”

“Guess it’s right ‘bout how it feels.”

“Well, let the medic look you over. That was one helluva fight! Remind me to never piss you off,” Lew said, gently clapping the big man on his shoulder.

Mac snorted. “Doubt ya have it in ya ta make me that mad.” He returned the clap, then glanced over to Alice. “Excuse me.”

He approached the girl and dropped down to a knee, spreading his arms out for her.

She didn’t need any prompting. Immediately she got up and ran to the big man, burying her face in his chest and crying into it. “I-I’m… I’m so sorry!!”

“I thought…” Mac swallowed, tears leaking from his good eye. “I thought I mighta lost ya.”

Alice shook as she cried, hugging Mac as tightly as she was able. “I’m sorry… I j-just wanna go home. I missed,” she sniffled, “I missed you, I missed Jack, I missed the farm! I’m sorry I’m sorry…” she kept repeating, sobbing.

“Al… ya…” He was halfway debating between hugging or strangling her through his tears. “Ya can’t never do somethin’ like that again. If ya were gone… ain’t no way me or Jack’d manage, understand?”

“B-But… I’m not as useful as y’all. That’s why I went off, to try and be, I dunno… useful.” She sniffled again, wiping at her eye. “I’m an idiot.”

“We’ll find some way ya can help. Jus’ not this. Alright?” He hugged her once more, pressing her tightly against his chest, as if he couldn’t believe she was there in front of him. “Elondrie…” he stammered out. “It’s like a damn dream.”

“I’m sorry, Mac,” she said once again. “I love ya.”

“Love ya too, girl.” He reluctantly broke from her and rose, grimacing. “Now, come on. Let’s get everyone taken care of.”

Alice nodded, rising with him. She held his hand, grasping it tightly.

Lew was talking with some of his men that had arrived, but when he saw the pair approach he turned to them. “The battle should be about over--but we can’t risk the rest of the Admiral’s ships deciding to fire on us. We need to get back to the Crystal Chaser now that we’ve got everyone,” ordered Lew. He started heading for the stairs down, then stopped in his tracks, slapping his hand against his forehead. “Not everyone--the Princess!”

As if on cue, a terrible screeching sound filled the fair. A quick look brought to attention a loudspeaker near the cabin wall. The screeching continued for a moment, followed by silence. Then, “This is Luna Aldis Orleith, rightful sovereign ruler of the Torani nation. It is my immense pleasure to report that this ship, stolen property of the Torani Navy, has been rendered completely under my control. For any in doubt, the traitorous, so-called Admiral’s corpse marks the bloody proof. You are defeated. Lay down your arms, or they will be removed by force, and surrender to the nearest Royal Guard. By order of your prin--by order of your Captain.”

Lew smiled and looked at the others. “Well, I guess that should come as no surprise.”

“An’ ya said ya didn’t wanna get on my bad side.” Mac chuckled.

“You’ve no idea,” Lew replied, laughing himself. “And look! The remaining pirate ships--are they leaving?”

Sure enough, most of the ships had already disengaged and were fleeing the waters. All save for one with ropes attached to the Indomitable’s port side.

It took her several long moments, but Gilda rose and limped towards the group. “Figured those fucks would be too stubborn to let me go,” she commented, though her voice housed a pleased tone to it.

“I was impressed, believe it or not,” Lew said. “They fought well. They’re very loyal, your crew. For pirates.”

“You’re Goddamn right,” she smugly agreed. “Best in the business. Could probably even take on your Navy, if we gave some thought on our attack.”

Cocking an eyebrow, Lew said flatly, “Let’s not test that.”

Gilda smirked, but said nothing. She turned, giving a limp towards the stairwell. “Well. I guess I should get while the getting’s good, huh?”

Lew gave her a blank smile. “Oh you’re not going anywhere, Miss, uh, Gilda, was it?”

Her smile faded and she observed the man, her eyes slowly turning cold. “That a fact?”

Clasping his hands behind his back, Lew took a few steps, his back turned, saying, “Well, there’s the obvious fact that you and your men are pirates. That would be enough. But on top of that, we have consorting with traitors to the crown; we could probably swing attempted murder of the island natives since you were in league with the Admiral; and, of course, there’s plenty who would believe you kidnapped my friend’s sister, there.”

She bristled, taking a step towards him and clenching her fists. “You shut the fuck up about the last two. Part of the reason I stabbed the cocksucker in the back is because he wanted to go after the fuckin’ grass-skirt spear-chuckers!” She threw a palm to the side, towards Alice. “And this little shit was a stowaway. By code, I’d have to toss her overboard! Don’t you pin that on me too!”

“Hey, wait a minute!” Alice cried, wiping her eyes and walking over to Gilda, standing in front of her. “So what if she’s a pirate? What if she had to become one? That doesn’t mean anything! I know that sometimes she can seem a bit…” Alice grimaced, looking up at Gilda. “Difficult, but that doesn’t mean she’s bad. All she’s ever wanted in this madness is me safe. She was doing all she could to make sure I was away from her. I didn’t leave though, ‘cause…” She smiled at the captain. “She’s my friend.”

“Kid…” Gilda shook her head, amazed at the girl’s defense. She muttered an almost unhearable “Thanks.”

Alice grinned up at her. “Still think I’m a dumb sack of sh—” She quickly shut herself off, looking at Mac.

The captain took this all in, then nodded his head. “Mmm, perhaps.”

“Besides,” Gilda continued, starting out calmly, but getting more heated with every word,” there are enough people out there that’d put you as deserters and betrayers to the crown! Don’t you dare get high and mighty with me you pissant!”

“I serve the crown,” Lew snapped back. “Princess Luna is Torani’s rightful ruler. The law is, ultimately, on our side. And you have broken it, Elondrie knows how many times. I must do my job…” He paused and let out a low sigh. “The fact remains, you’re pirates. You would have kidnapped the Princess had your internal feud gotten in the way.”

“And we could do that right now if you don’t let us walk away right now.” Gilda grit her teeth. “What you say? Wanna test my boys?”

“Both of ya shut the hell up!” Mac roared, drowning the two out. They stopped for a moment, looking over at him. “Gilda. Yer a pirate, ain’t no gettin’ ‘round that. But—” He raised a finger towards Lew. “But she’s a pirate that took care-a my sister. What if she had taken care-a Twila? Would ya shut the books on her that quick?” He shook his head. “All this bickerin’ ain’t doin’ us no favors. We’ll talk this out. Calmly.”

“Your words are appreciated, Mac, but I’ve already made up my mind. I just have two more questions,” Lew said quietly. “One: You care about the men under your leadership, right, Gilda?”

Gilda seemed ready to snap again, but she glanced over at Mac and Alice and sighed. “As much as I’m guessing you do yours.”

Another nod. “Then don’t be so quick to throw their lives away for your pride. Most are wounded, some are dead. They’re in no shape to fight. And second--now wait a minute before you yell at me--second…” He tilted his head ever so slightly. “I’m somewhat unfamiliar with them, and you don’t have the strongest accent, so forgive me if I’m wrong but… You’re from Kvaan, aren’t you?”

She stood for a moment before she gave a small gesture, an open armed bow, as if to self-insultingly say here I am. “The Hawk Soars, knight-captain.”

“Well, then…” Lew turned and, to her surprise, he was genuinely smiling. “My mind was made up when I saw that Alice was still alive and unharmed. Captain Gilda, you’re a criminal, there’s no doubts on that score. But you’re also, in your own way, a good person.” He held out a hand to her. “I think a pardon might be in order in exchange for your services. If that suits you?”

She looked down at his hand, then back up to his face. “Services. Such as…?”

His face hardened, just a bit. “Yes or no, Captain? A gift horse like this doesn’t come around so often you can look it in the mouth.”

Gilda shook her head. “This shit is why we don’t like Torani politics. Ultimatums out the ass.” Finally, she reached forward, shaking his hand. “I’ll have my eye on you.”

“Maybe not,” he said, shaking her hand solidly. “How do you feel about going home?”

Gilda froze, looking both confused and suspicious. “Home?” she repeated.