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It was a mild desert evening in Cadomyr when Tyan first felt watched. The air smelled fresh and clean, all the dust and sand had been washed away by a shower of pleasant summer rain. The yellowish bricks Cadomyr was made off were still warm from the day, and here and there the streets were steaming slightly, already fighting off the dampness to replace it with the usual cruel dryness of the desert.

Tyan pulled a bag filled with various uncut gems over his shoulder before he looked around the empty marketplace. Thomas, his least favorite merchant, was giggling over some note he read, and Frobenius was busy polishing faint scratches off a piece of armor. All in all, everything was pretty normal.
He shook his head and discarded the odd feeling, then turned around to go to the workshop he had seen so much lately. On his way, he passed by a few people, mostly craftsmen also working late, and a bunch of men and women leaving tavern, talking loudly. At least a few of them were quite drunk, and for a second Tyan remembered the long nights he had spent in that tavern.
He was ripped from that thought by a child running past him, and not dodging him enough and bumping slightly into him. "Sorry Sir", the child shouted as it ran on. In reflex, Tyan patted his purse. It was still at its place. There were no thieves in Cadomyr, at least no common ones.


At the workshop he found his tongs where he had left them. He examined them for any signs of damage before taking them to the big grindstone, ready to begin his work. To his discontent, whoever had used the gem grinder before him had not cleaned it very well, and dust and crumbs of dirt were still all over it. He cursed and hung the tongs at the mounting of the grindstone. He walked back to the table where he kept his tools and hurriedly grabbed the crude cleaning brick, almost letting the small paper that had been placed under it be taken away by a breeze. He quickly placed the stone back on the table and jumped after the paper, trapping it under one of his boots.

Tomorrow, when the sun is one hand
away from the horizon, meet me at the
house of levers. Don't be late, or I'll be gone.

- a party guest

Tyan hurled around to check the three entrances of the workshop, but there was only silence. He narrowed his eyes and warily walked out of the room into the open. There, he extended one arm and held his flat hand into his vision, just between the setting sun and the horizon. His hand fit between those two perfectly, meaning it would be roughly one more dwarven hour before the night began. He looked at the paper again, his gaze fixed on the last three words. "Sounds familiar", he said to himself, before walking back into the workshop.

He had not told anyone about the note yet when Tyan geared up at the marketplace the following day. He had put on his armor in private, but wrapped the weaponbelt with the Malachín dagger of the Crimson Order and his broadsword around his waist, pulling it tight through the belt buckle. "Joo get'n fat, lard ass", Kraex grinned at him. Tyan looked up at the tall orc with a slight smirk. "I'd call that a rumor." He pulled the belt into its final position and when his comrade turned his head to glare at Frobenius for some comment about killing orcs, Tyan quickly pulled a small black potion from the depot and slipped it into a leather clasp on the back of his belt, hiding it away under the crimson cape after.
Tyan wasn't sure whether Kraex had noticed his motion or not, but he didn't comment on anything. "I'm just going for a patrol", Tyan told the orc with a pat on the shoulder and moved towards the gate. He heard a 'Farebbas' called behind him.
Tyan left Cadomyr and after nodding to Horatio, he turned right. He passed the little pond which had good and bad memories for him in store, passed the magical talking stone that taught those deemed worthy alchemical secrets and soon was able to make out the coast in the distance, along with a few derelict and ruinous buildings which marred the view.
Coming further, he took shelter in one of the buildings and took his time to have a closer look at the area. He kept his head low and scanned the other ruins and especially the other side of the river carefully, but wasn't able to make out any potential threats. The also ruinous mysterious 'house of levers' was no secret to him and he could already spot it. It was a deserted building containing a lot of levers which apparently no meaningful use, and its original use remained a secret as well.

Being content enough with what he had seen, he left the ruin he was hiding in and moved over the bridge which crossed the river. Would be venture any further, he'd soon reach a bunch of islands where pirates and bandits had set up camp, but he wouldn't have to get too close to reach the building containing levers.
Hidden away behind a few high ferns, he moved around the building and soon found a breach in one of its walls. Following the invitation like he did was a huge risk already and he would not simply walk into the front door. He moved one hand slightly behind his cape and placed the other on the hilt of his sword as he stepped over some debris into the house. It was slightly darker than outside and Tyan blinked, looking around. He saw nothing an took another step, now being in the building completely. He took another step, and another.

"That's far enough", a voice called out to him. It sounded calm and deep, but not at all commanding, but Tyan stopped nevertheless and moved his gaze into the direction of it.
A tall man had stepped out behind a larger piece of rubble, his features still hidden in twilight. The crossbow he pointed at Tyan wasn't hard to see, though. The man made a few clicking sounds with his tongue. "I think I've got you."

Tyan slowly moved his hand away from the hilt of his sword and held it up defensively, but also moved the other hand up which held the black potion. "I hope you're ready to die for your assignment, assassin, because if I drop this, we'll both boil in here."
The man with the crossbow laughed and stepped out of the shadow, revealing his face, but still holding the crossbow at Tyan. It turned out the stranger was not a stranger at all, but a very familiar face. The man stood roughly seven feet tall and was dressed in rather simple leather armor. The rest about him wasn't simple at all though. His middle long hair was combed back, and showed traces of gray streaks here and there. His moustache was of the same dark color, but also oiled and broad, ad twirled up and around once at each end. His fingers were full of fancy rings and under the armor Tyan could make out a large golden chain around his neck. The skin of the man was naturally tanned and he had a broad grin on his lips.

"Kivanc", Tyan started, still holding up the potion. "Don't tell me you went through all this trouble with that sneaky message just to shoot me now." The man with the crossbow kept grinning. "Tyan", he responded. "Don't tell me you followed my invitation to end both our existence now."
Tyan kept the bottle in his hand and stared at Kivanc, only raising his brows once. The man with the crossbow frowned. "Fine." The weapon was lowered and the bolt removed from it, and Tyan followed that example by slipping the explosion potion back into the lather claps at his belt.

"I'm not alone, you know", Kivanc continued with his usual grin. "I could still have your head." Tyan exhaled and shook his head, ignoring that remark. "Alright, party guest, what do you want?"

"Invite you to another party, of course. It will be less fancy than the last one, but still worth it."

Tyan grimaced, remembering the 'fancy party'. "You had me drink a shapeshifting potion to become a woman, and I almost died", he responded. Kivanc raised his hands defensively. "You're still here. And apart from a few small problems, it has been a lot of fun."

Tyan had to admit it had been a great story, and working with Kivanc and his entourage had always been a little chaotic, but still rewarding and lively. "How did you find me?"

"Oh, I didn't. You rather found me. I was just passing through with my ship, gathering supplies here and there, and suddenly there's a book with your name on it. 'Duke' Masines, really? I almost died laughing."

Tyan frowned. "I believe it is more a joke than anything else, yes."

Kivanc smiled. "It is ironic at least. I had to pay a visit." And then the man and his moustache stood there, looking at Tyan. There were no expectations in his gaze, only that smile. After a long moment that somehow felt like a staring contest, Tyan asked what he was supposed to ask.

"Let's assume I consider working with you again. What's in it for me?"

"The opportunity to give an old enemy a wipe, 150 gold coins and the most audacious party you'll have ever seen", Kivanc answered instantly.

Tyan faintly smirked. "You know I've never been the vengeful type and about the money... well, I am a Duke now."

"But, you've always liked parties", Kivanc said and started moving towards a fallen wall, half way out of the building. "Consider it. Details on my ship. A week from now, same time. At that harbor, I'll have someone disguised as a fisherman pick you up. Ask for flounder filet."

"And what if I don't show up?" Tyan shouted after him. Kivanc stopped shortly, turned his head and responded "Then you're stupid. And besides, you still owe me", before he slipped out of the building and out of sight, leaving Tyan where he stood.

"Not everything can always go as planned", the oarsman said with a broad grin, facing Tyan while moving the boat away from the shore and towards the open sea. Tyan had four pieces of flounder fillet wrapped in cloth on his lap and rolled his eyes. "You could have chosen some fish not half of the fisherman actually sell." The oarsman shrugged shortly, while constantly pulling the paddles though the water. "I found you, have I not? Are you going to eat those...?"

Tyan looked down at the fillet. "I'll give them to your cook. You have a cook, right?"

"Sure. We have everything."

"Which role do you play? Don't tell me you're only an oarsman", Tyan replied, watching the man in front of him. The broad shouldered one took a while to respond. "Kivanc will fill you in once we're there. He'll fill everyone in."
Tyan frowned, but accepted that answer. He sat in a small boat in full armor and wouldn't have any other options anyways. Leaving Cadomyr had been strange, more so shortly after the gypsy Jasna had asked him to leave with her, just to be out on the road again. Tyan had really considered that over all the trouble, but had then decided that he could not leave his comrades behind for an objectively minor dispute, although he knew that staying might become the worst of torture.
"Words are Chains", Tyan mumbled.

"What?"

"The House words of a friend. Nevermind. Is this going to be a one way trip?"

The oarsman grinned again. "That's up to you."

Tyan nodded shortly, and silence fell between the two men. He knew Kivanc and what he did. He didn't leave Cadomyr with the idea of not returning, rather the other way round, but it was still a great risk.
They floated like that for a while and at some point the oarsman turned the boat and maneuvered it through a bunch of rocks sticking out of the water like claws, waiting to rip a ship open. After that, they came to what seemed to be a small bay, surrounded by high cliffs. It was foggy, but the dark shadow of a three master corvette could be spotted through it. When the got closer, Tyan spotted the name of the ship.



"The Hanging Knight?"

"It's not ours... initially."

The oarsman brought the small boat towards the hulk, pulled the oars in and whistled. A ladder completely made from rope was thrown down, and he motioned Tyan to climb up. "After you, my Lord", the oarsman smirked.
Tyan stuffed the fillet into his bag and carefully climbed the ladder up. He had just set foot on deck when a huge man came rushing at him, hugging him with a force that might have nearly deformed his armor. "TYAN!"
The huge bald man only wore trousers and pressed Tyan's face at his bare and very hairy chest, and the smell of sweat was almost unbearable. The man's face was somewhat deformed by concussion and his hands as huge as Tyan's head. "Boss", Tyan gasped. "Nice to see your memory is still intact." The huge man laughed, released Tyan and nodded his bald head. "Yes! Kivanc says I'm getting smarter every day!"

"And surely not weaker. You almost killed me."

Boss, who had never really been the 'boss' of anything, nor would be, grinned, showing off his yellow, deformed teeth. "I'm good at that."

"No, he is good at actually killing people, not almost", commented the oarsman, climbing up the ladder. "Boss, give our newest addition some space. I believe there are more familiar faces here for him to see."
The bald man nodded his head again and stepped aside. Tyan spotted Badger, one of the best thieve and pickpocket he had ever known in his life standing at the other side of the deck, conversing with Lorne, a great marksman and assassin. "Hey Tyan, glad you made it!" Badger shouted over. Lorne nodded towards him.
Apart from that scene, life on deck continued as usual, sailors were climbing around in the shrouds, carrying supplies or cleaning the wooden planks. "You can call me Rod, by the way", said the oarsman, putting a hand on Tyan's shoulder. "We should go, Kivanc wants to start the meeting."

"How did you get your hands on this ship?"

Rod shook his head. "You'll learn all that at the meeting. Come on."

They all started moving towards the back of the ship, and into what would probably be the captain's cabin. Rod was a complete stranger to Tyan, but he had last seen Badger, Lorne and Boss three years ago when he had been traveling with Kivanc and his entourage for a while. They were basically mercenaries, but taking special tasks. No one really knew how Kivanc always found those tasks, but he must have had a very good network throughout the lands. A ship had never been involved though, and thus the whole matter seemed big. That's when Tyan had second thoughts for the first time, because he couldn't believe Kivanc had just found him 'by accident'. There had to be more, but since he was on the ship now, he had no other choice but to go through with it.

"Good to see you're not stupid, Tyan", Kivanc greeted him in the cabin. He stood behind a large table with maps and papers on it, and around the table stood another three men, also nodding to those entering the room. "I guess we'll find out", Tyan smirked and walked over towards the table with the others. "So. What are we stealing this time?"

Kivanc broadly grinned. "The Eye of the Storm."

"Pirates", Tyan stated. "You want to steal something from pirates."

Kivanc grinned at him. "Not just from some pirates, from all of them, at once." He pulled up an ocean chart and placed it on the table, tapping his pointer on a group of islands. "Although pirates are the true 'freefolk', even they have rules. Of sorts. There are pirate lords, having power over whole fleets, and those lords call meetings occasionally to divide the sea."

"Who is allowed to raid which routes", Rod added. Kivanc flicked his fingers at him. "Exactly." Then, he pulled up another map which showed the group of islands closer. "In a week and a half, they will meet here and bring most of their ships, men and treasure."

"Why?" Tyan asked.

"Cock comparison!" Boss shouted in, giggling. Kivanc threw his arms into the air. "See? I told you he's getting smarter every day. Anyways, our objective will also be there."

"I presume that would be the mysterious Eye of the Storm?"

"It's not too special, just one of the biggest sapphires ever found and put at a necklace. I know a collector who will pay an insane amount for it, and I took care of that those pirates will not find out about him before we're finished with the job."

"Alright, Kivanc", Lorne started. "Sounds easy enough, how do we sneak in?" Tyan nodded at that and looked at Kivanc expectantly.

"We don't", he responded, shrugging his shoulders. "Not entirely by their free will, the former owners of this ship provided the means for it. The 'Hanging Knight' is a freelance ship, roughly linked to Skip Thornebeard, one of the greater pirate lords. He wont remember how the original crew looked like, should they have ever met at all." The moment of silence was disturbed by barfing sounds. Badger had sprinted to a bucket placed in the room and emptied his stomach into it. "Come on. There are not even waves", Lorne shook his head. "Worst seasickness I've ever witnessed", Kivang grinned and patted his moustache.

Tyan frowned. "Fair enough. Let's presume dressing up and posing like pirates works with this fine group and we can simply sail in there and drop the anchor, how do we get the necklace?"

"There will be a feast for which we'll arrive just in time and on the next day the pirate lords will converse and on the following days, there will be feasts again. We wont stick around for those. If we can manage to blend in, we can gather all the knowledge about the exact whereabouts of the stone while we're there, and grab it. They will know it is precious, but not how precious exactly, so it wont be the most guarded thing."

Rod, who seemed to be more involved in the whole plan as Tyan had anticipated, continued for Kivanc. "We know that the Eye will be in a treasure in one of the towers of the small keep on those islands, just not exactly where. Me and my group will find that out and tell you."

"We're forming groups?"

"Yes. Kivanc will pose as Captain and attend the feast with Boss, Badger, Lorne and you, Tyan. You blend in and wait for our signal. Badger can care for any locks on the way."

Tyan patted his sword. "I guess I know now why you need me..."

Kivanc grinned. "Little problem there, Tyan. To prevent funny things to happen, weapons are not allowed on the island, not for anyone. Breaking that rule would condemn you."

Tyan frowned. "Wonderful."

"Kivanc tells me you're good at improvising, and besides, you'll have Boss and Lorne with you to deal with any guards. No one beats Boss in a fist fight." The big bald man laughed and grabbed one of the bystanders from behind, rubbing over his head with his fist, proving that point.
"In the meantime, Rod and his men will place some fake evidence for the whereabouts of the Eye and take care no one follows up when we sneak away from the feast. Later, when everyone's drunk, we'll sneakily set sail and once those who concerns it know what has happened, we'll be gone."

"If everything goes as planned", Tyan added. "This doesn't seem to be the most detailed of plans."

Kivanc shrugged. "You know what you need to know. Trust me, things are well thought through. And besides, the Eye is currently in the person possession of Captain Tyrone Gregorius, I am sure you remember him."

Tyan did, and instantly felt his back tickle where still faint whipping marks could be seen, if one looked closely enough. He grimaced. Kivanc smiled. "See, I didn't promise too much. Don't worry, he is only a small fish in their society who has had some luck lately." Tyan wouldn't mind stealing from that special man and repay a favor, but the whole plan seemed to lack something. He just didn't know what exactly – he knew Kivanc to be precise about his schemes, otherwise he wouldn't have survived that long anyways.
Since nobody commented further, Kivanc asked for questions and assured them that further details could be discussed on the way. "Let us set sail then, shall we?"

A few questions were asked, a few more details explained, but half an hour later Kivanc gave the command to set sail to the deck crew, and the black sails of the 'Hanging Knight' fell from the masts into position and got bulged by the win, slowly moving the ship through the fog and out of the bay. It would be over a week until they reached the small group of islands with the keep in the middle. The wave that had rolled over Gobaith had also done damage here, but a lot of it had been repaired. The sail itself had been rather calm, they had experienced a small storm, but nothing the "Hanging Knight" couldn't have handled. Badgers constant barfing had been ponderous, and Tyan wondered whether he'd be up for the job. But then, he also wondered whether he himself would be up for the job. His life had been quite different lately, and he had to admit that it had changed him, changed the way he thought and acted to a part.
When the dark keep rose at the horizon, flames shining from the various windows watching the emerging ships like cats eyes in the night, Tyan wondered whether there'd be more to this than a simple heist.



Has had confronted Kivanc on that matter, especially asking why he thought he needed him for the mission, as the team looked good enough as it was. "I need someone from the outside. We're practically strangers, you know, and I always smell treason."

"So you want me to have your back?"

Kivanc had nodded. "Just be there."

Tyan had not been entirely content with that answer as well, but it had been an answer at least and made some sense. "That debt you mentioned when you picked me up, it will be gone once this is done."

Kivanc's lips had formed a smile. "Don't worry, I never had the intention of threatening you, your Order, or your girl, even if you had declined."

"She's not 'my' girl." Tyan had frowned at him.

"Whatever. And wipe that frown from your face, it's not like I had to investigate a lot to find out those things. You're an open book around there, Tyan Masines, once we're done here you might want to change that again." And with that, the man had shoved himself off the ship's rail they had both leaned on and ventured back into his cabin.

The 'Hanging Knight' had been maneuvered into a bay behind the keep, a bay full of what seemed to be hastily built wooden shacks of various sizes and a couple of jetties. Light was shining at them from the shacks on the land and also from the many ships which were anchoring. When the wind came from the right direction, one could already hear the distant noise of a feast – basically a lot of music and shouting.



"I want an eyepatch!"

"No", Kivanc frowned at Boss.

"I want a parrot."

"Pirates don't really look like that, you're looking just fine."

Badger threw the huge bald man a bandana. "Here. Pirates have those too, right?" Boss caught it and put it on his head with a happy grin, and Kivanc gave Badger an indifferent look. "Pirates also don't throw up at the mere reference of the sea."

"The damn ship moves, it moves all the time. The island wont move, will it?" Badger smirked, but also grimaces, probably remembering the torture that this journey had been for him. During a more windy night, they've had to tie him to one of the ship's masts to prevent him from jumping over board. One of the sailors had told them that seasickness was indeed a horrible thing if one was prone to it, that one could hardly feel any worse with it and that some men threw themselves over board into the waves just to make it stop, not even truly realizing that would also lead to their demise. It had been painful to watch the thief suffer like that, but there was nothing in the world one could do to ease the pain of someone who can't stand the sea. "Seasickness, it's like love", the toothless seaman had told them. "Once you've got it, you've got it."

"Put that away again, Tyan."

Tyan drew the small dagger back out a well hidden sheath inside one of his sleeves. "No one will find it. I've used that before."

"No. Weapons", Kivanc stated, not sounding like that part was open for discussion. Tyan shook his head and placed the dagger back on the table. He wasn't wearing his shiny armor anymore, but had switched to padded clothing which had leather parts at vital points. The other were dressed in a similar manner, except for Lorne who had chosen very light clothing.
Getting into the bay had been relatively easy. A smaller ship had approached them when they could have been made out in the fog and some men had come on board, checking everything and also having a word with the 'Captain'. Since the 'Hanging Knight' had dropped its anchor though, no one had really cared for them.

Now, Kivanc's and Rod's group were both strolling towards the black keep which sat enthroned over the island, passing all the small wooden huts which seemed to be mainly whorehouses, smaller pubs and storerooms. Tyan beheld the black keep as they got closer.

"They say the initial owner of this place has been long forgotten and is most likely also long dead. Some say this once was an outpost to watch for evils coming from over the great eastern ocean.. but I don't believe that", Kivanc shrugged. "I guess we're only interested in what it is now", Tyan added, moving his gaze away from the towers of the keep. They had almost reached it and while it stood detached from any shacks, a lot of them were built around it. On their way to an entrance to the keep, they passed a larger hut with an odd sign over the door.

"The Scumm Bar? What kind of name for a bar is that?" Lorne declared.

"I've seen worse...", Tyan quipped in.

"Guess people who want to be a pirate come here", Badger snickered and Kivanc nodded to that and placed a hand on a large door that belonged to the keep. A lot of suppressed noise could be heard from inside. "Right. And the ones who already are go here", with which he pushed the door open, letting all the noise and odor gush out at the group. "Well, people. Socialize."

Litte to Tyan's surprise, the great feasting hall wasn't filled with barbaric brutes, at least not entirely.The party guests were as different and colorful as their reputation was. The hall was crowded, much to Tyan's approval, and he was overwhelmed by the different impressions.
Men with dark skin and dyed hair and beards passed him, then again tall men with pale skin and long blond hair. Undoubtful they were men from Kjelt, Norodaj who had turned to piracy for their reasons, but then there were others, also pale of skin, with blond hair that was braided and with icy blue eyes that seemed to cool Tyan down when he looked at them. "The Wraith of Karras and its crew has joined us as well", Kivanc had told him when they first saw the men. They seemed to embody the cold remoteness of Karras, a bold city in the far north of the known world, right in the middle of a region called 'The Ice Desert'. When there was a small brawl during the feast, no one ever touched those men, or even thought about it.
Where the pirates with dyed hair hailed from Tyan did not know, but he recognized a few other exotics: Small people with almost copper skin and dark hair and eyes, who moved with an almost unnatural deftness. Althought the room was extremely crowded, they never seemed to bump into someone. He reminded him of the Serinjah, but only remotely. Tyan overheard a group of them sharing stories about Yr-Yzech and Yr-Anbarra, ruins far at the southern end of the known world they had passed while sailing along the Bloodwater, a large river that met the southern seas near Quenn-G Arah. Some of them might also have come from Ywan, Yrias or Eryad, three large islands little was known about, unless someone took a special interest in them.
From Kjelt to Kang-Arr, from Salkamar over Koldamar and Khenserra to Gynka, and from there to Sor-Ann-Arah – Whatever place those people had once called home, at some point and for some reason they had decided to leave it behind for a life on the seas, always in motion. Tyan wondered what great place this pirate's feat would be fo a scholar interested in the different cultures of the known and probably even the unknown, uncharted world. Tyan himself felt some pity for that he had not come to enjoy a few good conversations, but to merely help a group of tricksters to steal something.



Blending in hat not been a problem and now Kivanc and his men had claimed a table in a corner of the hall, overseeing all, but not being watched a lot by others. Only the several ragged men standing in golden cages which were hung under the ceiling would have a better view than them. "Captains who overstepped their authority", Kivanc explained. "Traitors, spies, raiders on wrong routes. All the men on this party are free, but they too feel a certain loyalty to their 'superiors'. People always seem to organize themselves in that way", he continued, stroking his moustache. "Getting all philosophical now?" Tyan smirked. "You have to know people before you can smile them up", Kivanc stated pretty plainly which made Tyan weary. "Thornebeard tends to simply kill traitors, but that other man there, they only call him the Barber, he keelhauls them, several times, and if they are so strong in body and mind that they survive, he cuts out their tongue, and sometimes also their eyes, and hangs them here to show everyone that even the strongest men can not stand against him."
Tyan moved his gaze to a larger table in the middle of the room. There was Thornebeard, a huge and loud man with long hair and a magnificent beard. Next to him sat the 'Barber', who was also tall but skinny, and his head was bald. Her listened to the stories and songs his fellow pirates shared, but only grinned ever so slightly. He was a huge contrast to the ribald feast going on, almost a statue by how calm he was, and when he grabbed his goblet to have a sip, it looked as graceful as one would expect from a Lord, or a King.
The two pirate lords were accompanied by their first mates and by other selected company. Next to Thornebeard and the Barber sat a third man of rather normal appearance. "That one is Kieno Retvini, first mate of Captain Tyrone Gregorius", Kivanc stated and took a deep sip from his beer. Tyan's gaze turned into a glare at Kivanc. "You said he was a little fish!" Kivanc shrugged. "I also said he had some luck lately. I might have understated the little fish part."

"We need to leave."

"No, we need to stay. Don't worry Tyan, Gregorius wont attend this party. Although he has managed to gather a lot of followers and raiding routes lately, he is still a young and can't stand the mockery of the others. He always sends his men to festivities like this one."

"You should have told me."

"I knew he had gotten more powerful, but not this much. I only learned it shortly after we arrived", Kivanc answered, and looked at Tyan. His eyes were calm and Tyan wasn't able to find out whether the bearded man way lying or not. "Fine... let's get this over with."



Kivanc nodded. The evening continued for a while before he gave the signal. Rod and his group left the hall, while Badger and Lorne moved through the crowd, talking to certain people. Tyan was sure Badger would also steal things, but he wasn't sure which things. Boss just sat and waited, eagerly watching the colorful guests like a child. "I believe everyone is drunk and distracted enough now. We should head for the tower." Tyan nodded to that and stood, emptying his mug. The plan was to spread and then meet behind the keep at a backdoor to one of the towers. Not knowing whether somebody had seen the Captain of the 'Hanging Knight' before and was watching the new one and his men more closely now, Kivanc had ordered to leave the feast in an unsuspicious manner, so Tyan approached a whore who had just returned to the feast and left it together with her for a wooden shack outside. There, he told her that he was into boys, but didn't want the crew to know. He paid her for her 'time' and told her to stay put for a while, before he left the shack for the night.

The faint sound of the feast was still audible behind the keep, but got drowned out by the waves crashing at the cliff the dark fortress was built upon. "Where's Lorne?" Tyan asked, looking around for the assassin. "We've been waiting for him as well. He should have arrived here first", Kivanc answered while watching Badger pick the lock of the door. "He must have been delayed. We'll do this without him, he'll be fine."
Once Badger was finished with the lock and Kivanc had lit a torch, the four men ventured into the keep and up a long row of circular stairs. The stairs and walls were as dark as the keep itself and only small windows allowed a gaze outside and down the walls and cliffs at the black waves which constantly crashed at the stony shore. At some point Kivanc cursed and threw the torch out of one of the windows. "The damn gusts keep pushing those flames at me and burn my moustache. Just walk on carefully now." Tyan rolled his eyes. When they finally reached another door after a long way up, Kivanc motioned to Badger, who pulled a little key from his pocket and unlocked the door. "From the Barber with love", he grinned.
The lofty room behind it was lighted and seemed to be some kind of storage room, although Tyan wasn't sure why anyone would store things in a room that could only be reached by so many stairs. A huge window allowed a gaze over the sea and down at the bay full of ships. A gallery could be reached by a ladder, but Tyan also made out doors that would lead to it. Once all of them had entered the room, another ragged blond man without a tongue started screaming and wailing, jumping around in a bamboo cage like an insane monkey. Boss laughed and poked the man through the gaps, laughing. "Traitor, traitor!"

"Who's that guy?" Badger asked.

"Probably another of Barber's victims."

"Let's call him Flynn", Tyan smirked.

"Alright, people, concentrate. We're almost there", Kivanc cautioned them and pulled Boss back from the caged man. "Badger, door. I don't want anyone to sneak up on us from behind." The thief nodded and turned to the door he had just opened, locking it again. Kivanc strolled around in the room for a while before he moved towards a double door that was located at the other side of the room, but under the gallery. It was reinforced and its lock looked complicated. "Even I couldn't crack that lock from the outside."

"It was made to keep people out, not keep people inside", Kivanc commented before starting to work on the mechanisms, and knocked at the door three times when he was finished. To Tyan's surprise, it was opened from the other side and Kieno Retvini moved, accompanied by ten men.

"You're in time. Good. Do you have it?"

Kivanc nodded. "Of course I do. Do you have the Eye?" Kieno pulled a magnificent necklace out of his pocket and held it up, right in front of Kivanc's face. Kivanc smiled and showcased all the boxes and crates in the room. "You get 70, we get 30 percent."

"Yes yes yes, I know the deal. What about the maps?"

Kivanc opened his bag and pulled a few rolled maps out of it, handing them over. "There you go, three personally annotated maps from the Barber. Don't let him find out you have them."
Kieno smirked and handed the maps through to one of his men. "We wont. This is a great risk still, and my Captain would not have taken it... without a special benefit."

"Don't worry, I always keep my word. Boss, seize him", Kivanc said and nodded at Tyan. Confused and not fast enough, his arms got grabbed by the huge man and pulled behind his back. Tyan tried to get out ot the grip, but Boss was simply too strong. "I present Tyan Masines. Have fun with him."

"What are you doing? Boss, let me go!" Kieno Retvini moved towards Tyan with a grin and punched his stomach with a laugh. "Personally, I couldn't care less about the landlubber you are, but well, my Captain is of the vengeful kind." Tyan ignored Kieno and glared at Kivanc. "You son of a bitch! You'll pay for this!"

"Deal's too good. I'm sorry."

"No you're not, you greedy bastard! You say I've changed, 'you' have changed!"

Kieno punched him again, harder this time, forcing all the air out of Tyan's body. "Tyrone said you never shut up. He didn't want me to cut your throat, would spoil the fun he wants to have with you, but he said he'd be annoyed by your constant jabbering..." He pulled a dagger from a hidden sheath and held his other hand out behind him.

"Hand me those tongs."

"That might kill him, one way or another, are you sure your Captain would be content with it?" Kivanc casually asked while Kieno moved to a torch to heat the blade of his dagger over it. "That's none of your concern. And besides, all those caged guys survived the Barber's treatment, and so will this one", Kieno responded, turning the blade slightly over the flame.

Tyan still struggled to get free of the grip that held him, but didn't manage to. Kivanc started moving around the room slowly and Tyan thought he might have sensed an uncommon nervousness in the man, but then, he himself was distracted by the thought of what to come. He saw Kieno holding a hand over the blade to feel the temperature. He didn't seem to be content with it yet, so he held it over the fire once again. A few of the first mate's men were already looking through the crates and other stuff in the room, while others were blocking the way they had come from. Kivanc moved over to Badger and told him, audibly, to check the locked door again, then walked over to Boss and Tyan, constantly shooting gazes at the empty gallery of the room. When Kivanc moved along the back of the huge man that held Tyan, Kieno spoke up once again.

"Well, let's mute the singer", he said, nodding to one of his men. "Come over here and hold his head."

Kivanc had passed Bass and Tyan by now, and strolled back to his former position. "Just get this over with."

"Shut up", Kieno shot at him and moved towards Tyan, clicking the small tongs in his hand, holding the heated dagger in his other. "Get him on his knees, ugly one, I don't want him to kick", he told Boss, who took both of Tyan's hands tightly in one of his, and placed his other prank on his shoulder to violently push him to the ground. Not able to resist the sheer strength, Tyan went to his knees, but then suddenly felt the grip on his hands loosened. Whether it had happened by accident or not, Tyan quickly reacted and used this flaw in the huge man's grip in his favor, pulling his arms out of it with a quick motion, and jumping to the side.

"You idiot! Get him!" Kieno shouted. Tyan landed on his side, but quickly rolled over and got to his feet. Everyone in the room was in motion now and Kieno's men all dropped what they had held before, getting ready to catch him again. The door they had come from had been locked by Badger, so Tyan sprinted to the huge window in the room. He sprung to the windowsill and looked down. It would be a long jump along the black, flat walls of the tower, and even if he'd jump far enough to avoid the ground, the black waves of the bay seemed to crash against rocks here and there that would probably shatter his body should he try to jump. For the blink of an eye, a point in the dark, foggy bay lighted up and a hollow sound could be heard.
Tyan turned back, only to encounter one of Kieno's men trying to grab him. He kicked at the man's face, almost losing balance, but managed to jump off from the windowsill. He dodged two other men trying to grab him and made a run for the huge double door. When he was almost there, he moved for a jump to kick it open, only to be knocked down by a plank one of Kieno's men had picked up. The plank had been swung right into Tyan's jump, and he was knocked down to the floor hard. All the air was forced out of his body once again, and his vision went dark.




Tyan wasn't sure how long he'd been unconscious, but when he woke up he saw Kieno standing over him with the dagger still in hand. Tyan blinked, his vision still blurred and a wet and warm feeling coming from here his head had hit the floor, but he was able to make out shapes of people standing on the gallery, gazing down at everyone else in the room. From the distance, many hollow sounds like the one before could be heard – cannon-fire seemed to have broken out in the bay.



"Well, well, well, what do we have here? A whole pack of pestilence infested rats", he heard the roaring voice of Thornebeard.

"This... it's not what it looks like!"

"What a dull thing to say. I presume the ship of your Captain Gregorius firing its cannons inside the bay is a coincidence as well", the calm voice of the Barber answered. "Aye, and isn't that 'my' Eye of the Storm that moustache guy is holding?"

"What? You gave that to me, Thornebeard! We had a deal! This is treason!"

"Treason, you say it", the bearded pirate roared, and then addressed the men in the room. "This is the first mate of the Captain who tried to sink ships in the bay. I assure you, he and his allies will be the ones who'll get sunk."

The Barber joined in. "We can make this short. If you want to live, grab this armed man and finish him."

"What? No! You're deluded, this is all a horrible plot!" Kieno shouted, but then was grabbed around the neck by someone. Tyan heard cursing, and then a bloodcurdling scream that faded quickly as the man fell from the window.

"You've all seen it", the Barber addressed the other men on the gallery. "Our upstart Gregorius has proven to be the treacherous bastard many of us had anticipated him to be."

"Aye, a shame he'll be food for the fish soon, this time I'd have liked to see him in one of your cages", Thornebeard agreed. "Alright you lot, get back to the feast. There's no need to have our good mood spoiled, the Barber's and my deck crews will prove to be more than capable to take out Gregorius' flagship and any others foolish enough to protect him."


While the gallery was emptying, Tyan tried to get to his feet, but failed and fell down again. After the second try, a strong hand grabbed his and pulled him up. Tyan blinked, and looked Thornebeard right into the eyes. "Is he one of yours?" The pirate Lord asked Kivanc. "He is." Boss moved in to assist Tyan standing straight, while Thornebeard and the Barber moved towards Kivanc. The gallery had emptied and Kieno's men had been escorted out of the room. "Did it look well enough?"

"The important people have seen it", the Barber explained. "The one on the floor will look weird to them, but they'll believe you all were Kieno's men as well. We will have them executed later."

"Aye. Would be easier to simply do the same to this lot right now, too", Thornebeard grinned. The Barber shook his head. "We will stick to the deal. We will find us four other corpses."

"Will be hard to find someone with that moustache."

"I doubt anyone has paid too much attention. We could burn them for a change, they'll all look the same."

Kivanc cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, I believe we can leave that to you. Our job is done, and I'd like to take my leave now. The real Eye of the Storm, if you please...?"

Thornebeard pulled it from a pocket and threw it over to Kivanc. He checked it shortly, and then nodded. "Our business is concluded, then. Have fun with the power you can divide between yourself now."

"Before you go", the Barber started. "I do not wish to see you and your group ever again. And I would also like you to stay away from the seas. There will be a crew waiting at your destination to take over the 'Hanging Knight'."

"That was never part of the deal..."

"Deal's changed", Thornebeard responded. Kivanc nodded. "As you wish. We shall not meet again." The Barber turned on his heels on that and left the room, and so did Thornebeard, but not without patting, or rather slapping Tyan's cheek a few times with a laugh – "You look like shit!" before leaving as well. Tyan felt the back of his head, and when he looked at his hand, it was bloodied. "Throw him over your shoulder and let's get out of here", Kivanc commanded. "They will want us to leave while the battle is still taking place, so no one notices." Boss threw Tyan over his shoulder with ease, but being moves around in such a way only messed with Tyan's groggy head some more. He threw up over Boss' back and on the floor, before passing out again.