By the time Niko arrived at Aeon Osprey’s berth, the rest of his party was there waiting for him with an assortment of sacks and packages piled on the dock around them. Redbeard stood stolidly next to the gangplank, arms crossed over his chest. Niko produced the diamond from his pack and grudgingly dropped it in the captain’s hand, whereupon they all climbed the gangplank to the boat’s upper deck.

The captain spit in the water, “They’s a cabin up forward for y’all t’ use. Stay outta the crew's way. Stay outta my way. It’ll take ‘bout seven days to get to DerRand, longer if we're attacked.”

“Attacked?" Arabella asked nervously.

“Yep. Been some pirates hittin’ some o’ the merchant boats tryin’ to cross Lake Serpens Ventris lately." Spit. Splash. ”They’re taking advantage of the Baronies being distracted by the critters what’s coming over from the beastlands." He turned and shouted at the rough-looking crewmen idling around the deck, ”Ship that gangplank, cast off, and get this tub moving, ya shiftless slobs! I don't pay ya fer lollygaggin’!" They hopped to it and began readying for departure, and Redbeard turned back to Niko and his group, ”I expect ya to help out if we get attacked. Usually we can outrun them what comes after us, since we ain't dependin’ on wind, but if we can't we'll need what help we can get.”

Timm stepped out from behind Arabella’s robes, ”Uncle Niko isn't afraid of no pirates! I bet he can beat them all by hisself!" he declared, crossing his arms over his chest.

“‘Zat so?" Redbeard replied dryly, eyeing Timm and then Niko. He sent a stream of spit over the side, ”That mebbe so, but I'd rather not have to find out."

Pointing out a hatch in the forecastle leading to their cabin, he left them to get their gear settled and climbed to the bridge. He grabbed the ship’s wheel with one hand, and laid the palm of the other hand atop a small glowing orb that was mounted over to one side of the helm. The crew had cast off the mooring lines by this time, and the Aeon Osprey slid silently back away from the dock, then turned to head upriver. Without a sound, nor any visible means of propulsion, the large boat began to move upstream, picking up speed as it went.

Now that he was aboard and could see the ship more closely, Niko noticed that the vessel was actually quite sturdy and well-maintained. The appearance of grime and disrepair seemed to be the result of deliberate artifice coupled with some kind of magical glamour. Realizing that this rendered the ship less tempting to potential raiders, he tipped his mental hat to Captain Redbeard’s cleverness.

Alert!

Your bind point has now been relocated to the Aeon Osprey. If you are killed while bound to this location, you will respawn in your quarters on the ship. If the ship is overrun or destroyed, you will spawn on a safe riverbank nearest the point where the ship was destroyed.

Niko felt a light tug on his hand. “Uncle Niko, I wanna go look around the boat, and then I want to go fishing, and can I steer the boat? I wanna be a sailor like those guys — well, not like that one who has a stick for a leg. I wonder why he only has one leg? I'm gonna go ask him how he only got one leg!” He let go of Niko’s hand and sprinted across the deck, where he started peppering the one-legged sailor with questions.

Niko ran a hand over his head as he addressed his crew, ”Let's go get squared away, and then we can figure out what to do from there.”

“Okay, but before we do, everyone set your duel challenge status to auto-accept,” Kristius advised.

“Why are we doing this?" Niko asked, as he pulled up his HUD and made the suggested change.

“‘Cause we have seven days on a boat with just us, and it'll be a perfect time to get in some good PvP training, ‘specially for you guys that are new at it. When we’re set for auto-accept, then any one of us can attack any of the rest of us at any time. It’ll be an uber way to train our reflexes. We’ll learn to be ready for a fight, anywhere, anytime, oh mighty bald one!”

Niko nodded agreement, “Yeah, that makes sen — "

You have been killed by Kristius. Since this was a teammate duel, no items will be looted from your inventory. You will respawn at your established bind point in five minutes. This death will not be recorded on your PvP summary count.

Niko read the message and let out a string of curses that would have been the envy of any of the sailors in the ship’s crew.

***

Niko rolled aside just as Kristius' axe buried itself in the deck where his head had just been. Redbeard would not be pleased. Lashing out with his legs, he kicked the big man’s feet out from under him, dropping him to his backside on the deck. Niko sprung to his feet facing Kristius as the warrior jumped up and yanked his axe free, swinging around to attack the monk.

Niko held his hands up, palms out. “Wait!" he yelled.

Kristius hesitated. “Huh?" Niko landed a debilitating snap kick right in the big man’s groin, and Kristius dropped his axe, clapped his hands to his genitals, and fell to his knees, uttering a husky keening noise. As the fighter landed on his knees, Niko clapped his cupped palms against both of the man’s ears, rupturing the drums. When Kristius threw his head back in reaction, Niko pulled his dagger and slashed it across the big man’s throat, sending him down into a heap of bones.

You have killed Kristius. Since this was a teammate duel, there is no item or experience gain. This kill will not be recorded on your PvP summary count.

Niko smiled in satisfaction as he bent over, hands on his knees, catching his breath.

You have been killed by Lucius. Since this was a teammate duel, no items will be looted from your inventory. You will respawn at your established bind point in five minutes. This death will not be recorded on your PvP summary count.

The following days continued in much the same way, with the group fighting one another, both in organized contests and in spontaneous attacks. With Redbeard’s permission, Kristius even managed to get the crew of the Aeon Osprey involved, having them throw a random attack now and again. The crew found great delight in this turn of events, and complied with enthusiasm — adding the random thrown dagger or linchpin to fuel Niko’s sense of paranoia. In a case of karmic justice, Kristius once lost a duel as a result of getting knocked senseless by a flying wooden leg. At first, Niko felt like it was accomplishing nothing short of frazzled nerves and growing paranoia, but eventually he found that he was a great deal more aware of his surroundings, and was able to anticipate and counter many of the attacks. It gradually grew noticeably more difficult to launch a successful assault on any of their party.

They all agreed to observe quiet periods, during which the group usually worked on studying and practicing the various crafting skills they had picked up in Wellsport. Niko spent much of his free time in the galley, trying to perfect Mrs. Magen’s mutton recipe, only to have it fail again and again. The results were barely edible, and definitely didn’t have the regenerative qualities of the batch they’d originally gotten from the shepherd.

The cook, Gabby, finally suggested saltily that it was probably the fact that Niko sucked as a cook. He pointed out, in rather colorful language, that Niko was lacking in the most basic of culinary skills, and that he needed to master easier stuff before working his way up to more complex recipes. Wondering what exactly a ‘broke-finned spicklefish’ might be, Niko asked the cook what he meant by easier stuff. Gabby flashed a gap-toothed smile and declared, “Rat, o’ course!”

He then proceeded to give Niko several recipes for which the main ingredient was rat meat, and told the monk there was always a plentiful supply of them down in the hold. However, when Niko went down to hunt some rodents for practice, he found Timm already there, leaned contentedly against a bulkhead and belching.

The boy looked up at him with big round eyes, “Oh! Don’t worry, there’ll be more real soon, Uncle Niko! It don’t take long, I promise!" he said with his too-toothy grin.

“I'm not your uncle… ”, Niko muttered grumpily.

***

Niko left the salon after dinner and climbed up to the foredeck, and from there he climbed up to the forecastle — which Redbeard and his crew referred to as the ‘fo'c'sle’ — to stand at the bow, leaning on the railing and gazing out over the river ahead. The orange sun was melting down into the distant horizon in the twilight of the sixth day of their journey north, and the river had widened out considerably, signaling their approach to the delta where the river issued from Lake Serpens Ventris.

Kristius stepped up and leaned on the rail beside him. “Sloppy, oh mighty bald one. I came up behind ya and you never moved," he observed as he looked out at the river rolling past.

Niko smirked up at Kristius as he pressed the point of his dagger lightly into the big man’s ribs before sliding it back into its sheath at his belt.

“Ow! Okay, maybe not so sloppy. We should be arriving at DerRand sometime late tomorrow, according to the captain. I gotta say, I'm starting to feel alot better about this whole PK thing. With the drills and exercises we’ve been doing, our little crew is really coming together, and their senses have really sharpened," Kristius remarked.

“Wish I had your confidence," Niko muttered. He turned to lean his back against the rail, watching the crew move about their chores on the boat deck below.

“Why so glum, bald and shoeless one? We might not be up to Sheriam’s level yet, but we're getting there. We have a solid core team, and everyone seems committed to win. I’m actually kinda sad we can't tell them everything, but I'd prefer not having Helga make our game lives miserable." He turned his head and looked over at Niko, ”And it’s nice having folks I trust for once. In the other games, I was always pretty much a solo kinda guy. Hell, I even forgive you for the nut smash the other day.”

Niko looked up at his friend, hearing the sincerity in his voice, and exhaled a long breath, ”Yeah, that was kind of a cheap shot, but the whole charisma thing did work — you hesitated. Boosting that was your advice, remember?” He shook his head slowly, “No, it’s not the group, or Sheriam, or even the whole ‘save Otherverse’ thing,” he said reflectively as he turned around to stare out at the water again, ”This entire conspiracy thing is turning out to be way bigger than I ever imagined, and I'm really not sure what the hell to do about it.”

Kristius gave him a serious look, “Speak on, oh bald and philosophical. I will gladly lend you my vast years of wisdom and experience.”

Niko looked over his shoulder, as if looking for spies, and shook his head, ”No, not here, not in game. I have no idea if IR… uh, someone might be watching or listening in. Shit, I may have said too much already. Dammit!” he slammed a fist down on the rail, ”I'm not the right guy for this shit! Why the fuck is it on me?”

“Whoa, dude! You gotta relax! You're turning red enough, you look like a thermometer — the rectal kind, not the mouth one, ‘cause those're silver.”

Niko stared at his companion for a moment, speechless, then burst out laughing, ”One minute you’re deep and serious, and the next you're a complete knucklehead again!" He shook his head, chuckling, ”Which one is real?”

Kristius quirked a small smile, ”Depends on the time of day and the amount of booze involved. Seriously though, you have something you want to say, but can't say it here. Where do you live in the realverse?”

“Whoa man, isn't that a cast-in-stone rule — never give out personal information? How do I know you're not some deranged serial killer?" Niko asked.

Kristius turned to present himself with his arms out, ”Well, just look at me!'' he replied, with a wide smile.

Niko grunted, ”Huh. Okay, I stand corrected — how do I know you're not some deranged serial axe killer?”

“Ouch! Very unkind, oh mighty bald one.”

Niko laughed, ”Collinsville, I live in Collinsville, Oklahoma.”

“Okay dude, I live in KC Mo — you know, Kansas City. It’s a thirty-minute trip to Tulsa by atmo-drop.” The dark beard parted in a grin, “I love those slingshot rides! I'd be glad to drop down there in a couple weeks and see ya. You could unload on me then.”

Niko ran a hand over his head, considering, ”Yeah man, I think I'd like that. I gotta talk to someone about this, and since you're up to your neck in it too, you're my best choice. It’s bad bud, I mean it is seriously messed up.”

“Okay, then it’s a date. Well, not like a real date, since my gate doesn't swing that way, but more like a ‘buddies drinking a six-pack’ kinda date. How about a ‘bro get-together’? That sounds a little more buddy-like — I mean, not that I’m against — “

Kristius stopped talking as Captain Redbeard strode purposefully up to them. The captain spit a gob over the rail. “We got a problem,” he stated, pointing ahead in the direction of the widening river.

Both of them turned to look where he was pointing. In the deepening twilight, they could just make out the sail of an approaching ship.

“Pirates,” Redbeard said disgustedly, spitting again.

“Seriously? Like ‘Arr, I be swabbing ya with the mizzenmast on the gangplank, matey, while I talk to me parrot’ kind of pirates?" Kristius asked, squinting his eyes to try to get a better view.

The captain snorted, ”More like the ‘I'll burn your ship to the water line, gut the lot of ya, rape your women, and then sell them as slaves’ kind. I been doing this run long enough as I know the cut of every ship what runs these parts, and that ain't one o’ them.”

“Hmm. Can we outrun them?" Niko watched the pirate ship bearing down on them on an intercepting course, ”This ship is propelled by magic — isn't it? — so we don't need the wind.”

Redbeard watched the other ship with narrowed eyes, ”Yes and no — we’re powered by magic, aye, but ‘t’isn't aimed for speed. Th’ magic just keeps the ship moving steady, no matter the wind or weather, and that one is comin’ downriver with the current.” He turned hard eyes to Niko, ”I told ye you'd have to help out in a fight. Guess you're gonna have your chance.” He turned and headed briskly amidships, bellowing orders as he went.

Niko looked out at the steadily approaching ship. It was impossible to make out details in the growing dusk, but he could tell that it was a smaller craft than the Osprey, built narrow and sleek to cut rapidly through the water. A large, unmarked triangular sail billowed tight in the breeze. He could barely make out movement on the deck, but it was too dark to get a reliable count. Judging from the size of the vessel, he guessed at a crew size of maybe eight to ten men. Or women. Or creatures — whatever.

Kristius, squinting hard, suddenly broke out into a chuckle. “Well, shiver me timbers — wait, do I have timbers? I know I've had wood before. Anyhow, we’re gonna get a chance to test our PK skills. Those are PCs," he announced, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, ”Time for some action!”

Niko raised a brow, “How can you tell they're players? It’s too dark to tell from here.”

“This barbarian fighter build has a skill called Eagle Eye. It's kinda like the zoom function in a holovid. There are eight dudes over there with red player marks, no other crew on deck that I can see. Any ideas, oh mighty bald leader?”

Niko scrubbed a hand over his head as his mind raced furiously, ”Okay, I have a plan, but Aengus might not like it much." He turned and watched as Redbeard alternately threatened and cajoled his men into some semblance of a fighting force. ”We don't have any archers, but we might have something even better.” He messaged the rest of the party to meet him amidships, and motioned for Kristius to follow as he climbed down to the lower deck. When the others arrived, Niko called Redbeard over and explained his plan to all of them. As predicted, Aengus required a great deal of persuasion before grudgingly consenting to his role in the upcoming engagement.

***

Redbeard stood alongside a line of six of his crewmen and watched the pirate galley close in on the Aeon Osprey. He had dropped anchor, since they already knew they couldn't outrun the other ship. He looked over at his men, who were shifting nervously in their line.

“If any of you sorry bastards try to desert, by Hydros, I'll strangle ye with your own guts!" he growled menacingly. Casting fearful looks at their captain, the restless men quieted down. They stood in a line, shoulder to shoulder, along the starboard side of the deck as the pirate vessel sailed up on the port side of the ship. Each man had a dagger in hand and another clamped between his teeth. Squatting below the level of the port rail, two other deckhands bore kegs whose tops had been broken open. Each barrel was full of cooking oil — Redbeard had cursed a blue streak over the cost when he heard what Niko had planned for it.

The pirate ship surged alongside the Osprey, and two of the raiders threw grappling hooks across the space between them, locking the two ships together. Several others swiftly tossed a pair of gangplanks across the narrow gap. As Niko had predicted, two heavily armored warriors immediately came charging across the boarding planks and leapt to the deck — only to slip uncontrollably and fall gracelessly in the spreading pool of oil that Osprey’s waiting deckhands had just dumped out on the deck ahead of them.

As soon as the initial skirmishers dropped, Redbeard bellowed “Loose!” and the six men standing by him simultaneously flung their daggers at a chanting, green-robed figure on the deck of the attacking ship. The target jumped and squeaked in surprise as an unexpected barrage of daggers battered at the mystic shield that he had raised earlier in preparation for the attack. Glowing green sparks flew up from the points of impact.

“Again!" Redbeard bawled. The crewmen grabbed the daggers from between their teeth and hurled them at the mage again, finally shattering the magical shield. As it crackled and visibly faded away, the six men parted ranks and stepped aside, revealing an already-casting Lucius, who sent a bolt of flame slamming into the now unprotected mage, setting him ablaze.

At the same time Aengus — who was coated from head to toe in a reddish, pasty-looking grease — burst out from the forward hold, Kristius hard on his heels, and they rushed up to the port rail. The dwarf wore no armor, and carried only a sword and shield. He stopped at the rail, where Kristius grabbed hold of a rope that was tied in a harness around the smaller man’s waist and chest. Heaving with all his considerable strength, the burly warrior picked Aengus bodily up and hurled him across the gap between the two ships.

As he flew through the air, Aengus shouted, “Dwa-a-arf to-o-ossing!”

One of the marauders on the pirate ship stared in horrified fascination as a grease-covered, skivvy-clad dwarf flew out of the sky and slammed into him shield-first, and both of them went down in a flailing pile of arms and legs.

Niko leapt out of the aft hold, with Arabella following along behind him. He braced his feet and skated smoothly across the oil-slick deck towards one of the original attackers, whose heavy armor was hampering his efforts to regain his footing. With careful timing, Niko activated Immovable Object just as he slid within striking distance of the raider, locking himself in place despite the slippery surface. As the warrior wobbled unsteadily to his feet, Niko lashed out with one leg and swept the man’s feet out from under him again, landing him flat on his back with a ‘whoof!’ of expelled air. He glanced quickly over at the other warrior, and found him covered by a pile of Redbeard’s deckhands, who were stabbing at him through any unarmored spot they could find.

Satisfied that he wouldn’t be flanked, he returned his attention to his opponent, who was floundering like a stranded turtle, trying to get back up on his feet again. Niko planted his right foot firmly on the deck and delivered a powerful sidekick that sent the warrior sliding helplessly back up against the rail. The fighter grabbed the railing and started to clamber upright, feet slipping and sliding underneath him. Niko rushed forward, and activating his Focus Strength ability, he squatted down, grabbed the man's ankles, and flipped him up over the rail and into the water below. As Niko watched, the fighter’s heavy armor swiftly pulled the man under the water.

He charged across the gang plank over to the pirate ship. At almost the same time, Kristius made it across the other gangplank and rushed at the dumbfounded players on the other side. He was immediately followed by Redbeard, who was flourishing a wicked-looking scimitar in a manner that suggested that he knew well how to use it.

Meanwhile, Lucius continued hurling searing bolts of fire at the hapless mage, until the man finally dropped to the deck, his body fading into a blazing pile of bones. Arabella concentrated all of her attention on keeping Aengus healed up, while Aengus was running around the pirates’ deck, screaming like a madman, slashing wildly at anyone who got close to him, and generally causing mayhem.

The man in leathers that Aengus had slammed into, bleeding from his nose and numerous cuts, was shouting orders, frantically trying to rally his remaining crew. Kristius leaped off the gangplank and drove his huge two-handed axe into the pirate’s side, sending him staggering back.

He looked up at Kristius with desperation in his eyes. “Hey man, I'm a player too! I didn't know this ship was yours,” he pleaded, as Kristius stalked toward him, flipping his axe around in a lazy figure eight.

“It’s not," the big man replied, and launched his attack.

Redbeard’s crew poured over the gangplanks and swarmed over two more of the pirates, while Niko confronted another one — he thought it might be a healer. He snapped a sharp kick to his opponent’s stomach, causing the raider to drop to hands and knees, wheezing. Niko spun around on one foot and drove his opposite heel into the cleric’s cowled head, sending the player sprawling to the floor. The would-be bandit groaned and rolled over, and Niko found himself looking down into the pretty face of a young human female.

She flung her hands up in front of her face, “Please don’t!" she begged piteously. Niko froze, fist poised to strike. Seizing the opportunity, the cleric moved her hands slightly and uttered a word of power, and a searing blast of white energy slammed into his chest, knocking him back as his health bar dropped by twenty percent.

You are stunned, and will be unable to move for 30 seconds.

You are diseased, and will lose 5% health every 5 seconds for 2 minutes.

Niko’s chest heaved, trying to draw air into lungs that didn't want to work. He invoked his tattoo, which immediately healed the damage and the disease, but he still couldn’t move to attack or dodge. He watched helplessly as the cleric shot him a nasty grin and began to cast again. Before she could complete her spell, however, she was abruptly blasted from behind by an eerie bolt of black energy that was shot through with sizzling purple arcs of electricity. The enemy cleric threw her head back and screamed in agony, and then held her hands up before her eyes and watched in horror, still screaming, as they shrunk and withered into blackened claws.

Arabella stepped up beside the fallen monk. “Sucker for a pretty face much?" she scoffed, rolling her eyes at him.

“Son of a bitch, I'm getting tired of people having to save my ass," he muttered irritably, climbing to his feet. He looked quickly around to assess their situation, and noticed what he suspected was the pirate leader — a lean man armored in leather and chain, wielding a rapier in one hand and a dagger in the other — easily fending off three of Redbeard’s crewmen. The rest of Niko’s party was engaged in fighting others of the raiders. Even as he watched, the pirate captain ran one deckhand through the belly with the rapier and slashed another across the face with the dagger, sending them both falling back while clutching at their bloody wounds.

“Finish this!" Niko directed Arabella, indicating the still-shrieking cleric, and rushed towards the captain. The pirate saw him coming, and almost casually sliced his rapier across the throat of the last of Redbeard’s men facing him. He turned to face Niko in a defensive crouch, rapier at the ready and dagger poised.

Niko surged forward and suddenly dropped into a foot-first slide, ducking under the rapier’s first slash, and he swept his leg around in an attempt to knock his opponent off his feet. The pirate, however, vaulted smoothly over the sweeping leg and slashed down at Niko’s head. Niko spun out and away, and rolled back up to his feet facing the pirate leader.

The man curled his lip in a sneer, “Monk, huh? Piss-poor choice, but hey, to each his own I guess. The name’s Markio, just so you know who's killing you.”

“I ain't dead yet," Niko snarled, drawing his dagger and assuming a defensive stance of his own.

“Well, let's just fix that right now!" Markio jeered. He launched his attack, rapier and dagger weaving together in a deadly pattern, driving Niko back step by step. The monk used his hands and the dagger to fend off the dancing blades pretty well, but he hissed in pain as the flashing rapier drew a crimson line across his cheek. Only a quick shift of his head had saved him from losing an eye.

The two combatants circled each other, Markio wearing a confident smirk. “Not bad, monk — you're quick," he whirled the rapier around in a flamboyant flourish, “bu-u-ut, I don’t think you're going to be quick enough!”

Markio lunged forward, slashing and stabbing with dizzying speed. Niko parried as many strikes as he could, but many of the buccaneer's attacks still cut through his defenses, and his health bar dipped steadily downward as the multifold small cuts began to add up. Niko suddenly felt the deck rail pressed up against his back as he was pushed back.

“Sorry, cueball, but monks just plain suck!" Markio taunted, as he swept the rapier around in a powerful slash at Niko’s throat. Niko instinctively threw up an arm to block the attack, and was nearly as amazed as Markio when the blade struck — and clanged off against his hand wraps as if he was wearing bracers.

“What the hell?" Markio shouted, gaping in disbelief. Niko stopped for only a brief moment, and a grin spread slowly over his face.

“Thank you, Helga!" he murmured under his breath, as he snapped a front kick into his distracted opponent’s stomach. The pirate lurched backward and brought his blades up in defense. Niko slid his dagger back into its sheath, smiling confidently, ”Now, let's try this shit again!”

He lunged forward and swatted Markio’s reprise aside with a wrist, while at the same time smashing his shin into the side of the pirate’s knee. Markio grimaced and dropped to one knee, stabbing his dirk out at the monk’s belly. Niko countered by blocking the thrust with one hand and simultaneously striking the back side of the attacker’s hand with his other fist, sending the dirk skittering across the deck.

Markio rose to his feet, favoring his injured leg, and aimed a wild slash of his rapier at the monk’s head. Niko ducked under the attack, activated Focus Energy, and drove a fist hard into the inside of the injured knee, which sent the pirate staggering back again, limping heavily.

Markio quickly regained his balance and, centered on his good leg, flicked the rapier out in a simple thrust at Niko’s abdomen. Niko stepped outside the extended blade and grabbed the captain’s wrist with one hand. Pulling the arm forward, he slammed the palm of his other hand against his opponent’s elbow, snapping it with a horrible crackling noise. Markio screamed out and his weapon clattered to the deck. Still holding the broken arm, Niko lashed out with a swift back kick, smashing his heel against the pirate’s injured knee with another sickening crack as the joint bent back in the wrong direction. Markio dropped to the deck, screaming from the pain.

Niko picked up the fallen rapier, holding the hilt in a reversed, two-handed grip. “Picked the wrong day to be a pirate!" he snarled, slamming the blade down into the pirate captain’s chest, breathing heavily and watching as the body melted away to a pile of bones.

“‘You picked the wrong day to be a pirate?’ Really, dude? That's the best you could come up with?" Kristius asked from directly behind him. Niko spun around to find the rest of his group standing together and watching him, most of them bearing wounds much like his own.

“I missed the class on witty repartee,” he retorted, glaring at Kristius. He swept them all with an accusing glare, “And you guys couldn't have helped me out?"

“Nope, I wouldn't let them," Kristius replied, ”There are gonna be times when all we have is ourselves. When you gotta dig deep and kick ass all by your own self. So sayeth the Kristius!" he declared, slapping Niko on the back. He turned to the others, ”Alright, show’s over, let’s get off this tub! Ew, and Aengus, dude, put some clothes on!”

Niko sighed and pulled up his HUD to check his alerts.

You have killed Sebastion

Kills: 4

Deaths: 1

The body is unrecoverable, looting is not possible.

You have killed Markio

Kills: 5

Deaths: 1

You have gained 1700 experience (1400 points, + 300 point bonus for killing characters of a higher level)

Congratulations! You have gained a level. You are now level 12.

Congratulations! You have defeated the current owner of the ship Dedindawater. Would you like to claim the ship as your own? (Note: claiming the ship will cause those currently bound to its lifestone to resurrect on the nearest shoreline). Y/N

Congratulations! You have increased Immovable Object to rank 4

Congratulations! You have increased Focus Energy to rank 4

Congratulations! You have increased Basic Martial Arts to rank 4

Congratulations! Your help in saving the Aeon Osprey has increased your standing with Captain Redbeard from ‘neutral’ to ‘guarded ally’.

Niko groaned as he wearily reached down and chose to loot a belt from Markio’s body.

You have received a Belt of Deft Movement:

+10% to movement speed.

+2 points to Dexterity

+10% to Stealth

He grinned, satisfied with his new treasure, and then selected yes to accept ownership of the ship Dedindawater.

Congratulations! You are now the owner of a single masted yacht currently named Dedindawater. Would you like to rename the ship? Y/N

He stood for a long moment, absently toying with his ‘lucky stones’ as he deliberated, until a wide smile spread across his face. He chose to rename the new ship.

What is the new name of the single masted yacht?

“The Jina,” he pronounced proudly.

New name accepted. Your current bind point is now The Jina.

Niko watched in approval as the old name of the boat faded from the stern and was replaced with The Jina in a beautiful cursive script.

“Huh… The Jina? Dude, we really need to work on your naming ability," Kristius observed, scratching at his beard. When he noticed the evil look Niko was sending his way, he continued, ”Bu-u-ut The Jina is a totally awesome name, now that I think about it! Yep, yep, growing on me by the second!”

Redbeard approached the companions as they surveyed the newly minted yacht. "Well fellas, ‘pears like ye're the new captains of… The Jina?” A quick warning glance and a subtle shake of the head from Kristius kept Redbeard from commenting further. "She’s a trim sweet barge, t’ be sure. What do ya think to be doing with her?"

Niko puffed out his cheeks and blew out a gust of air, "Good question, actually.” He looked up at Kristius, “I don't know squat about sailing, do you?" he asked.

The big man shook his head in the negative, "Nope… unless little paper boats count, but they usually sink anyway. I'm pretty sure it'd be harder to sink this one, but hey, ya never know. We could learn, I bet. I mean, the worst that could happen is that we get caught in a massive storm that we face like the men we are and we go down with the ship shouting defiance at the very gods themselves!" he wound up shouting, brandishing his axe high over his head.

Redbeard stared. "Is the man tetched?" he whispered.

"No, his mom dropped him on his head when he was a babe. Been like this ever since."

"You know I can hear you dude," Kristius huffed in a hurt tone.

Tearing his eyes away from Kristius, Readbeard turned to Niko, "Would yas’all be willing to sell her?"

Niko considered for a moment and looked to the others of his group, who showed varying degrees of interest in the idea. He looked at the captain, "Gimme just a moment." Redbeard spread his hands in a “be my guest” motion, and Niko motioned the others off to one side.

"I suppose we could learn sailing skills, but it’d take a fat long time to rank up to a fittin’ level. More money is always utilitous," Arabella commented, with Lucius nodding his agreement.

"I betcha we could get a mint for that thing!" Aengus interjected, rubbing his hands together avariciously, "Upgrades all around!"

"Up to you, oh mighty bald leader," Kristius added, leaning on his axe. "Too bad we don't have the skills to run the river like Redbeard. Prolly a good profit to be made from running supplies, with the other riverboats afraid to make the run."

Niko cocked his head at that comment, struck with inspiration, and smiled. "We don't have the skills, but he does!" he exclaimed, hitching a thumb at the patiently waiting Redbeard.

"Say what?" Arabella asked.

Niko winked at her and said, “Just trust me,” as he walked back over to Redbeard, who regarded him expectantly.

"We don’t want to sell, but how about we make a business deal?"

The captain’s eyes narrowed as he eyed Niko speculatively, "What kinda deal?" he growled.

"I figure you make pretty good money trading up and down the river, and now with these pirates out of the way, your risk is lower too. How about we boost your income?"

"Ga wan, I'm listening… " Redbeard crossed his arms over his chest, but a spark of interest gleamed in his eyes.

"We lease you the ship for 80% of the profits. Repairs and crew comes out of our share."

Redbeard stared at Niko with an inscrutable expression as he stroked his black beard, "Me ‘n’ me crew takes all the risks an’ does th’ heavy liftin’, and you want 80% o’ our sweat?" He sent a stream of spittle into a nearby spittoon with uncanny accuracy, “Best I could offer ‘d be 50%”

Niko reminded him that it was his own crew’s skills and sweat and blood that had won the Jina in the first place, not to mention saving the captain’s boat from getting shanghaied or scuttled, which was the precursor to a spirited round of haggling between them. Niko’s companions and many of the crew looked on with interest — and occasional amusement. They finally settled on a 70% share, with operating costs split between each of the five players, who would all have an equal share in the partnership. The two grasped hands in a quick handshake, and the deal was final. Niko jumped in shock when a small flash arced between their clasped palms.

"That's the binding, boy. ‘Tis a bewitchment o’ the river runners, t’ make sure that deals are kept to," Redbeard explained to a confused Niko.

"What happens if we don't hold up our end of the bargain?" Niko asked, curiously studying his palm.

"If it can't be helped on your part, ain’t a penalty. But if you do so fer greed or spite or some such, I hear the mortifications is hor’ble dire. Never had much inkling to find out meself. I'll keep me word, count on that. I'll open accounts at the treasurer’s back in town for each o’ yas, and deposit your shares after each payoff."

Niko nodded acceptance. "And the binding will keep us on the level," he replied with a lopsided grin.

Congratulations! You have earned the cross-class skill haggling!

Haggling, rank 1

Upon successful skill check, you will reduce costs for any deal .25% per rank

Congratulations! Your treatment of Captain Redbeard has improved your standing from ‘guarded ally’ to ‘trusted ally’!

Niko made a sour face at the low reduction rate for the haggling skill, but he shrugged as he figured that at rank 100 it would be a 25% discount.

Redbeard leaned close to Niko and spoke in a low voice, "Alright partner, now that we have an agreement, what kind o’ ‘supplies’ do ye want to traffic?" he asked, putting particular emphasis on the word ‘supplies’.

"Huh? What do ya mean?" Niko asked, confused. “I figured you’d have more of a feel for what goods are profitable.

"Aye, well lad, there be two kinds of cargoes: them as what are legal, and them what ain't quite so much. Ye'll make a good bit o’ coin with strickly legal goods — and, with the pirates drove off for the time bein’, you'll be fair safe. Now, with the not-so-legal supplies, you'll make a great bit o’ coin, avoid tariffs and such like, but ye'll always be runnin’ a risk. You get caught, ye might haveta’ pay out a hefty sum in bribes, or there might could be a bounty put on your head, and your ship could be confiscated."

"How likely is it for that to happen?" Niko asked, running a hand over his head.

"I know a captain what knows how to do things right. He'll cost more than most, but him and his crew are worth it, and plus that little scow of yours is a right fast ‘un. With a little bit o’ work, she'll be even faster, outrun damn near aught else in the water!"

You have been offered a choice: Legal or illegal trade.

Caution: Each option has its own benefits and detriments. The choice you make now will influence the future of your gaming experience.

Which do you choose?

Legal/illegal

Niko stared at the prompt for a long moment. Finally, he gave a mental shrug. "In for a penny, in for a pound. It's a game, so I might as well have some fun with it," he muttered to himself. He looked up at Redbeard, “No slavery, right? No human… er, humanoid trafficking?”

The captain shook his head firmly in the negative, “Nay, I’d no be dealin’ with those sorts nae matter the gains.”

Pursing his lips, Niko selected the Illegal option.

You have chosen to deal in illegal merchandise for trading. While you will seem to be an upstanding trader dealing in quality goods, you now have the ability to move goods that violate local taboos or prohibitions. Good luck on your new endeavor. Here's hoping you keep your head on your shoulders!

Congratulations! You have gained the cross-class skill Seedy Contacts!

Seedy Contacts, Rank 1

You will always be able to find clandestine sources in any town you enter. As your rank increases, your contacts will increase in status and ability.

Congratulations! You have gained the cross-class ability Convincing Liar!

Convincing Liar, Rank 1

Because you need to bluff and lie your way through certain situations dealing with your trades, you have a chance to speak deception in a persuasive manner. Current ability equals Charisma x4, plus 1% per rank, minus the target’s intelligence. This ability will increase with rank.

Congratulations! You have gained the profession Trader: Nefarious!

Trader: Nefarious, Rank 1

As you or your partners ply your trade, you will be offered higher quality contraband when you search for trade goods. Value of goods will increase by 1% per rank.

"What the hell is all that stuff?" Kristius exclaimed.

"Niko! What have you done?" Arabella asked in icy tones, sending a withering glare in his direction.

"Umm… I became a trader?" Niko stammered.

"Yeah buddy! Like, a bandit trader! That is so-oo cool! We all got it! We can become, like, bandit kings!" Aengus was doing a happy shuffle around the deck.

"Oh, uh, you guys got that too, huh?" Niko’s face began to turn red.

"We're all partners, durr brain, although apparently you're the head poobah owner of the ship. What you gain, we all gain… good or bad!" Arabella asserted.

"Ah, didn't think of that. Sorry guys," he mumbled in embarrassment.

"Man, don't sweat it! This is boss! We can hang out in the dive bars, bribe the town guards, all sorts of cool stuff!" Aengus beamed. Even Lucius began to smile. Kristius seemed to be off in his own world, with a beatific smile on his face.

Arabella realized that she was the sole dissenter, and she threw her hands up in the air in frustration. "Fine! Just next time, consult with us first, will you ‘partner’,” she heaped scorn on the word, “before you siggy dox for uber all, ‘specially if it could get my ‘toon tossed in the gray bar hotel!" she snapped as she stalked away.

Kristius, back in the here-and-now, draped a thick arm over Niko's shoulder, "No worries, oh mighty bald one! I would have made the exact same decision!"

"That does not fill me with all sorts of confidence," Niko sighed dejectedly.

"That was unkind, dude, very unkind."

Redbeard delegated enough of his crew to sail The Jina the rest of the way to port. With the losses they’d incurred in the pirate raid, it left a skeleton crew manning both vessels, so it was fortunate that they were nearing their destination.

The ship itself was a solid craft, but the pirates had left it in a mess. Arabella, purple eyes blazing, made everyone pitch in and clean it up. No one dared argue, so by the time they arrived at Der Rand port, the ship was clean, if not spotless. Little of real value was found in the hold, so anything the raiders had looted had already been sold off, or the pirates had carried it on their person.

By early morning, the river began to widen out as they approached the southern end of Lake Serpens Ventris. Der Rand’s port perched handily on the shore at the river’s headwater, granting easy access to both river and lake traffic. Redbeard expertly guided both boats to moorages close to one another. The adventurers, weary from having spent most of the night under Arabella’s lash, gathered up their gear and disembarked from the Aeon Osprey. Redbeard walked up next to Niko as they moved up the pier towards the port master’s office.

"Best you stay back and let me take care o’ this here part. Sarlin is the port master here, and a right dirty asshole he be, but a good drinkin’ buddy asides. I'll get us a fair docking fee. Me boys’ll unload what little bit of worth as was on The Jina, and I’ll get what I can fer it. I figger it should be ‘bout enough t’ foot the fees, and t’ buy the lads a round t’ boot. They'll relish tippin’ a glass on the new boss’ coin. I'll see what I can round up by way of cargo, and hire enough hands to get us back to Wellsport — where I'll hire on a proper crew. I don't trust these barony pukes.” He paused long enough to spit into the water off the pier. “Their coin be good as any, but I ain’t so sure about their word."

Niko was amazed. That was more than the reticent captain had said to him over the entire trip upriver all together! Redbeard held out his hand, and shook Niko’s hand heartily. "Ye watch yer backside here in the baronies, Niko. They do be a jealous lot, allus bickering amongst theyselves, and plumb full o’ folks takin’ advantage of the chaos."

Congratulations! Your standing with Redbeard has advanced from ‘trusted ally’ to ‘friend’!

"You take care too," Niko replied, bemused, as Redbeard headed off toward the port master’s office. He stood watching for a moment as his companions caught up to him.

"Where to next?" Aengus asked, looking around at the crowded, bustling docks.

Arabella pointed wordlessly at the end of the pier, where it intersected with a cobbled road that paralleled the waterfront. Longshoremen bearing loads and pushing carts hustled busily to and from a huge central area dominated by capacious, flat utilitarian warehouses. Farther down the quay, towards the town proper, buildings of a variety of sizes and compositions were lined up side by side, sporting colorful signs identifying them to be a miscellany of shops, restaurants, and taverns intended to curry trade from sailors and dockhands arriving in port. The cobblestone road led beyond the shops, through what appeared to be a primarily residential area, and up to a palisade gate in the distance.

"Well, I say we find an inn and get cleaned up, and then log out for a while to see what's happening out there in the real universe," Niko said.

"That sounds like a plan, shoeless warrior! I will selflessly take it upon myself to explore the various pubs and breweries before departing, to save you brave compatriots the time and agony of having to locate one of adequate quality!" and with that, Kristius trotted off down the pier to disappear in the crowd.

"Oo-ok, I guess we'll catch up to him later. Anyone else gonna go exploring?"

"Nah, got some schoolwork to do," Aengus replied disconsolately, gazing longingly in the direction Kristius had gone. Lucius placed his hands palm-to-palm and mimed sleep.

"Yeah, me too, Lucius. Let's just grab an inn and log," Arabella said.

Niko led the trio to the end of the dock and turned right towards the shops and taverns, looking at the signs above the buildings. There were taverns aplenty, but none of them seemed to encourage staying overnight — or, at least not to sleep.

He caught the sleeve of a passing woman. "Excuse me ma'am, could you point us to an inn with a bath please?

She scrunched her nose at the group and their disheveled appearance, but she pointed farther along the road, "The Delicious Widow seems like a place you might be interested in." Tugging her sleeve away, she plucked a handkerchief from the sleeve and held it to her nose as she continued on her way.

Niko looked down at himself and then over at the others, whose stained and ragged clothing mirrored his own. He chuckled, "I sure did like the games that auto-cleaned your clothes! Here, it just gets grungy and stays that way until you clean it.” He rubbed a hand over his spotless tote bag, “Unless it’s magic, I guess.”

A short walk farther brought them to a tall half-stone building bearing a sign which depicted a woman holding a dripping dagger and giving a wink. Entering the inn, Niko haggled with the woman behind the counter for a bit before paying for each person's room and bath. He looked glumly at his coin purse, which seemed to be growing lighter at an alarming rate.

He gave his companions their keys, and they parted ways to find their respective rooms. Niko entered his, to find a small copper tub filled with lukewarm, somewhat dingy water. He really didn’t want to know how many people had used this tub before him. Trying not to think about it, he shrugged out of his dirty clothes and crawled into the tub. Scrubbing himself as clean as circumstances would allow, he donned his last set of clean clothes, sat down on the none-too-clean bed, and logged out.