“Ship off port bow!” One of the lookouts high above shouted down. Immediately, the captain asked for identifications, while a flurry of activity ensued, as deckhands prepared the on-deck ballistae while the soldiers suited up and armed themselves. Meanwhile, the group leaders ordered the deck cleared and the huge bolts for the ballistae brought up and prepared. Another shout from the lookout announced that the ship bore the Imperial insignia, and was thus a ship likely hailing from the human continent.

“Think they’ll fight us?” Tizare spat into the sea, while watching the approaching vessel with disdain.

“Hopefully, they only want to trade. Elven ships are usually brimming with exotic trade goods, and this vessel is no exception.” Daristan took a bite off his piece of bread while musing. “Besides, provoking a war with the elves while being busy invading the demon continent, would just be detrimental, regardless of how divided the elves are.”

“Ah. Good morning Mariel.” Tizare turned to face her as she approached.

They stood along the railing, watching as the ship drew closer and closer. The ship’s armed contingent had lined up and manned the ballistae along the sides, waiting in complete silence for any new orders. Soon, the ship drew up alongside, and some rope were thrown across to link the two ships together.

“Good morning fellow seafarers!” A man appeared on the other ship, wearing the clothes of an Imperial magistrate. “Would it be possible to come onboard?”

“Certainly human, step over and be welcome.”

With that, the man jumped across the small span. Once he landed, he bowed gracefully before Yvrain.

“The Emperor offers his greetings, and asks your cooperation. We know that on board your vessel are several fugitives on the run from Imperial authority. Our glorious Emperor asks that they are turned over to me immediately, and without resistance.”

“Welcome aboard the Gilded Shard, envoy of the Empire. I’m Yvrain, and I assure you that your information is positively false. In addition, this is a diplomatic vessel, all passengers and crew, are under my protection and by extension enjoy the protection of the elven grand council.”

The envoy’s impeccable smile twisted into a snarl.

“Listen here squirt, hand over the fugitives and I’ll let you sail on. Resist, and I’ll have the ship sunk, and all onboard killed.”

The envoy raised his hand, and all along the railing of the human ship, a forest of bows appeared. In response, the elves turned their ballistae in unison and took aim.

“Now now… There’s no need for violence.” Daristan interjected. Walking slowly towards the two with his usual disarming smile.

“Daristan Weisslilien… So, the sources were correct.” The envoy laughed, and waved his hand in a certain way. The aimed bows were lowered.

“How are you doing Rhynak? It’s been what, six years now?”

“You two know each other?” Yvrain looked at the two in turn before taking a step back.

“Yes. He’s a traitor to the Empire, and I’m sanctioned to bring him back in a casket.” The man named Rhynak scoffed. “But allow me to say, it saddens me to find you like this, shrinking from your responsibilities as Grand Hunter and conspiring with elves and demonkin, our sworn enemies.”

“Don’t worry, soon the war will be over, status quo restored and any and all threats to peace will be eliminated.”

“Lofty words from a traitor. You have no means, no money, no friends and no chance to influence the world. Nothing you can do, will keep Sourceblaze from conquering the demon continent… That said. I suggest you surrender yourself to me, so that nobody else will have to die for your foolishness.”

“Really… You intend to apprehend me, on what is effectively elven soil, in front of one of its ambassadors, while being on said ambassador’s ship? I suppose I should feel honoured that you’d provoke a war with the elves just to get -me-.” Daristan bowed deeply, much to the chagrin of Rhynak who looked just about ready to explode.

“I bet, you don’t even have an official sanction to carry out this action! You just thought that bringing me in would get you off that lousy raft and back into a comfortable position again!” He smiled provocatively, took a step back and shrugged his shoulders. “So, I’ll give you one last chance, back off.”

“Not a chance… Archers! Kill that traitor!”

A volley of arrows was released moments later. Mariel expected to see him turned into a pincushion, but instead, the arrows caught fire as they approached, and burned up, leaving only the metal head which soon began melting and together with all the others, formed into a small orb in his hand.

A series of cascading hits followed, as the protective sphere around Daristan was struck by a variety of coloured lances, all of which dissipated and left no visible trances.

Yvrain stood close by, and the hesitation in his eyes shone through his outwardly outraged appearance. He had his hand raised, and the soldiers had moved in to shield him. The archers had drawn their bows and taken aim on the human archers opposite and waited for an order to fire.

Mariel and had sought cover behind a nearby coil of rope, and watched with adrenaline-infused dread at what might happen. Before a second volley of any sort could be launched, Daristan leaned over the railing, and threw the small orb down towards the side of the human vessel. It pierced the wooden side of the ship, and for a while nothing seemed to have happened.

A second later, a deafening crash was followed by the human vessel rocking over to one side. The archers in the masts and rigging who were not firmly secured, lost their grip and plummeted to the deck below. A loud crack followed, and the mainmast seemed to collapse into the deck. Any rivets began to give way as the wood was bent and broken. A mixture of screams and the sounds of wooden collapse filled the air as the ship slowly at first began to crumble, then sink with unnerving speed.

Where the big ship had been only moments ago was now left only a fading island of flotsam and a few survivors frantically trying to thread water.

Daristan nodded and drew his sword. “Unfortunately, your ship seems to have been destroyed by me, consider yourself lucky. You might’ve started a war if it wasn’t for me!”

Without blinking, Rhynak had drawn his sword and charged at Daristan. Without flinching, he parried his raised sword, grabbed the furious man by the face and threw him to the deck.

“Now, would be a good time to surrender to me.”