Beyond the Edge

ow of the moon. The Horizon rocked gently, the scent of salt thick in the air. The deck was aliv

. Across from him, Victor Hale loomed like a shadow, his presence commanding. The tw

ited years fo

s his face. His dark coat billowed slightly, and

pping away," Hale mused. "Bu

htened. "Not the

ed. "Let's

t another wo

a jolt down Nathan's arm, but he held firm, pushing back with equal force. S

essed forward. The deck beneath them was slick with

rp edge as it sliced through the air where his head had been moments before

d, grinning

to waste breath on words-every ounce of h

ound them, the battle raged on. Elara fought with graceful precision, her twin blades a deadl

had only on

ldn't affo

tly, and Hale seized the opening. His cutlass slashed forward, catching the edge of Na

ritted h

ck again, this time with more force. Nathan barel

ale taunted, his voice d

ly. "Or maybe you're

sword cut through the space between them, forcing Hale to

h strike was swift, precise, designed to wear Hale down. Their b

ected each strike with practiced ea

his jaw. He need

he sa

rom the ship's rigging

g in a deadly arc. Nathan ducked and,

erful yank

ascade of rigging and canvas crashing down between them. H

the distract

raight into Hale's path. The impact wasn't enough

stu

ed forward, pressing the tip of

sound between them wa

ck up at Nathan. His smirk returned, b

itating," h

rs tightened a

ld end

and Hale would no

hing held

out from the other

Fang is re

an's attention away for j

all Hal

than's sword aside. Nathan stumbled back, but before he

the railing, bal

s," he said, amusement

last glance, he

over the edge, but the dark w

was

r

tle was

of the Iron Fang's crew hesitated. Some fled back

e battle site. The sails filled with wind, and slowly, the ship

ailing for a moment long

someone who claims he doesn't go looking

haustion pressed heavily

m, crossing her

e toward the horizon, where the o

e was stil

as the t

nward, disappearing

re had only