The ship creaked with each wave, the sound faint in the chaos above.
Alric sneaked through the dim corridor, his every step calculated.
The dagger in his hand felt much more heavier than it was supposedto feel, its cold hilt pressed against his sweating palm.
The voices of the pirates echoed faintly, their orders barked from ther ugly mouths somewhere above.
Despite the danger, Alric's focus was strong. He wasn't brave by nature... his survival relied on his ability to think, calculating the right move in the right moments, and a touch of luck. Which he barley had. This thing was the proof of it.
But tonight, something eat at him. These weren't ordinary pirates. Their movements were too organised, their actions too calculated.
They weren't here to plunder aimlessly. They were searching for something. Something that he obviously did not know of.
And now they were here, on the lower decks.
As Alric turned a corner, he stopped instantly. Dim light shined into the narrow corridor, revealing two figures.
Pirates.
One was crouched before a reinforced door, working with the lock. The other leaned against the wall, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Any day now," the standing pirate muttered, his voice filled with irritation.
"Quiet," the other snapped, his focus never leaving the lock. "It's tricky. Give me time."
The standing pirate chuckled darkly. "You're lucky she's not down here yet. If you can't open it before she shows up, we're both dead."
Alric got scared from there words.
He didn't know who she was, not entirely, it could be that woman.
but it was clear the pirates feared her.
He learned on the wall, considering his options.
The two men were too distracted to notice him, but slipping away wasn't the solution this time.
Whatever was behind that door, it was important enough to raid and entire ship.
And if they found it, the consequences could be really bad.
Alric griped his dagger tightly. He wasn't a fighter, not in any way. but he understood one thing.
Hesitation was the end of many.
The pirate at the door muttered another curse as he worked on opening the lock. His partner sighed.
Alric moved.
He rushed forward, his steps silent on the creaking wooden floor of the ship.
His heart beating faster in his chest, but his breathing remained steady. The corridor was dim enough to not see him, his black robes blending with the shadows.
The pirate spoke without looking up. "Almost there. Just a few more seconds."
"You've got one second" the other muttered.
Alric cursed.
The dagger went into the first pirate's back, the blade cuting his flesh open. Sliding between his ribs.
The man let out a gasp, his body flinching.
Alric pulled the blade free, stepping back as the pirate fell lifelessly on the wooden floor of the ship.
The standing pirate reacted quickly. His sword shined as he rushed at Alric, his face filled with rage.
The corridor was too narrow for fancy footwork. Alric dodged the first swing of his sword, the blade barley scratching his shoulder.
He stumbled back, his eyes darting for an opening.
"You're dead, motherfucking rat!" the pirate screamed, his attakes wild and forceful.
Alric dodged again, barely avoiding the sword as it slammed into the wall, prices of wood flying around.
The pirate cursed, pulling the blade free, and turned on him with more anger then before.
Alric's mind filled with fear. He could not match the man's strength or skill, but he did not need to. The pirate's anger made him careless.
The next swing came fast, aimed high. Alric ducked low and rushed forward, pushing his dagger into the man's thigh.
The pirate howled in pain, staggering back. Blood poured from his wound, but he wasn't finished yet.
"Little motherfucking coward!" the pirate screamed, swinging his sword.
Alric dodged by jumping to the side, his movements were purely ranning on instinct.
The blade scratched his arm, tearing through his sleeve but leaving only a shallow cut.
Seeing the opening, Alric stepped in and pushed his dagger deep into the pirate's side.
The man's eyes widened, his sword slipping from his fingers as he fell down on the floor.
Alric stood over the bodies, his heart pounding faster. The dim light danced around, casting long shadows across the bloodstained floor.
His hands shoke as he wiped the dagger on his robes, the scent of blood filling the air.
He had survived, but the weight of his actions pressing down on him.
He had never killed someone, at least not until now. He never did it before. He felt it, the weight of killing someone, even if they were filthy pirates. He did it. He took a life with his own two hands.
He turned his attention at the door. The pirates had failed to open it, but the lock was damaged. He considered finishing the job himself, but the sound of footsteps made him stop.
More were coming.
Alric stepped back into the shadows, his body blending with the darkness of the corridor.
He moved quickly, ranning through the ship's maze like passages.
His mind a haze as he retraced his steps back.
The pirates weren't here for gold or jewels.
Whatever they sought was hidden behind that door, and it was important enough to risk everything.
This was not over yet. Not so easily.
He had to, he had to see what was behind, behind that door, that fucking cursed door.