Decisive battle

As the rear ranks start to notice the fall of their wizard, the effect is immediate. Those facing down Ferra and Alex drop their weapons quickly, putting their hands up in surrender. Those that don’t drop their weapons still back away, glancing fearfully between the dangerous women and the closed door leading to the cabins of the ship. It’s all the hint you need, and you make your way towards the door.

Just as you reach it, however, the door explodes outwards, chunks of wood narrowly missing you. Two figures emerge, both dressed in similar clothes to the defeated mage laying motionless on the deck. You’re certain that these are the other two mages, and your assumption is confirmed as the first, a lean man with cruel, dark eyes, lifts a finger towards you. A black, crackling bolt of energy leaps towards you from the outstretched finger.

You dodge aside, having anticipated the spell, and spring forward, trying to close the distance. The other man, older and weathered, lifts a hand to the sky, and a bright ball of flame appears in his hand. However, before he can hurl it towards you, it winks out of existence. He looks at his hands in confusion, and then rising panic, as smoke begins to rise from them. The other mage takes a step away, clearly wondering what’s happening, and you stop your advance. You hear a giggle as Alex skips up beside you.

“Fire manipulators are always so confident, but theirs is a borrowed talent at best.”

The tall red headed efreet’s voice goes hard. “And no one threatens my bondmate.”

The older mage has a moment of realization as he looks at Alex, her eyes glowing a bright orange. Then he screams, but only for a moment, as he bursts into white hot flames, turning into ash in a blink. Alex shakes her head. “He was strong, but keeping fire within your body is unsafe for any mage.”

She kisses your cheek and giggles as she goes to rejoin Ferra in disarming the fighters. The battle has died down now, and everyone seems to be watching as you approach the last mage. There is definite panic in his eyes, and he frantically digs through the pockets of his robe. You stalk forward confidently, raising your sword to finish this. A look of triumph in the mage’s eyes gives you a moment’s pause, and before you can react, he pulls something from his pockets.

With a few murmured words, the mage vanishes in a swirl of black smoke. You rush over, but he is gone, without a trace. Cursing under your breath, you look back towards the crew of the prison ship, and see all eyes on you. With a sigh, you sheathe your sword. You can worry about the escaped wizard another time. For now, it was time to assess the outcome of the battle.

You make your way over to the first mage, still laid out on the deck. He still appears to be breathing, though his injuries are bad. You wave Ferra over.

“Let’s get this one back to the Horizon. Maybe we can get some answers out of him.”

Ferra nods, easily picking up the limp body. “Of course. You will be safe?”

You look around. “I should be. Alex is here, and the fighting is over. These people will want to know what’s happening, so it looks like I have a speech to make. Have Captain Ben handle the mage, and come back here as soon as you can.”

Ferra nods again and heads off, the crowd parting before her. Alex steps up beside you as you walk towards the mage’s platform. The eyes of the prisoners follow you warily, as you look out across them. From your raised viewpoint, you can see that your own crew is either tending to the wounded or herding everyone towards you.