Boarding party

There is a crash as the two ships impact each other, and the sounds of groaning timbers fill the air. The Horizon comes off better in the collision, the powerful enchantments worked into the hull protecting it from major damage, but still a section of rail is smashed into kindling as the ships grind to a halt. Your crew works quickly with hooks and rope, binding the two ships securely as both sides surge towards the rail, and combat begins.

You are among the first to cross over, kicking aside your first opponent before they have a chance to react. Ferra has transformed her hands into heavy clubs rather than her preferred blades, in an attempt to avoid excessive bloodshed. However, the sickening impact as she smashes her way into the front ranks makes you flinch. Nevertheless, she opens a gap you can charge through, as beside you Alex holds several men at bay with a wall of short lived flame.

You sprint across the deck towards the mage, but you’re blocked by a burly man wielding a massive axe. You roll aside as he brings the weapon down, the axe head whistling through the air as it misses you by a hand’s breadth. You parry his next swing, and you’re surprised when his axe doesn’t shatter on impact with Caliburn. You go on the offensive, your faster weapon forcing the man onto his heels, and sparks fly as he desperately parries your attacks. His axe begins to glow, and cracks appear in the haft under your assault.

Suddenly, you slip on a wet plank of the deck, and a bolt of lightning crackles through the air, narrowly missing you. You hear a curse, and glimpse the mage lifting a wand to attack again. There’s little you can do to avoid it, as your stumble has you on the defensive again, the brute grinning as he hammers his axe against your block, forcing you backwards. Then there’s a blur of motion to your side, as Ferra comes to your side, smashing both arms into his ribs with the audible crunch of breaking bone.

The man is knocked sideways just as the mage fires another bolt, which slams into the man’s back. The force blasts him forward onto his face, his axe slipping from limp fingers. He lays motionless on the deck, smoke rising from his charred back.

Alex is by your side an instant later, keeping other opponents at bay with more fire. “Go handle that mage! Ferra and I have your back, my bondmate!”

You give them a nod, and turn back to the mage. He glares and levels the wand again as you charge him. This time there’s no obstacle to block his shot, however, and he smiles grimly as the tip begins to glow. There’s no way for you to avoid the attack now.

Then the wand explodes.

In a violent release of magical energy, the mage is hurled from his platform, and he lands on the deck with a thud. He lifts a hand weakly as you approach, then falls limp, unconscious or dead. You nod, satisfied, and look around for your next target.