Page 7 of Veil of Dreams

Gruk lets out a roar of anger and charges at me, his fists raised. I'm ready for him, though, and I dodge his blow easily. The rest of the crew joins in, and soon we're all fighting, curses and insults flying through the air.

My battle-axe slices through the air, a deadly dance I know all too well. It's been ages since I've fought like this, but the rhythm of mercenary work never truly leaves you. The crew, a motley bunch of ex-mercenaries like myself, are no pushovers. Each swing, parry, and dodge is met with equal force.

But I was made captain for a reason.

Sweat drips down my brow as I fight with a ferocity born from years of surviving in the worst places imaginable. Every muscle in my body strains as I put my back into each swing, my axe a natural extension of myself. I'm in my element, and I don't care about the camaraderie we've shared. Right now, they're just in my way.

The clang of metal on metal rings in my ears, punctuated by grunts and curses. I duck and spin, narrowly avoiding a blow from Gruk. My second-in-command is a formidable opponent, but I've fought him enough times to anticipate his moves.

"You're a fool," he spits viciously. "Is some bitch worth destroying your crew?"

With a growl, I send my axe whistling through the air, catching him off guard. He stumbles, and I press my advantage.

But the others aren't just standing by. They're a blur of motion, attacking me from all sides. I grunt as a fist connects with my ribs, but I don't let it slow me down. This fight is about more than just proving who's in charge – it's about the warning I received, and the future of my crew.

"His arms!" one of them cries out. "Get his arms!"

I see Gruk charging towards me, his eyes wild with rage. I brace myself for the impact, but at the last second, I sidestep and bring my axe down in a vicious arc. The blade slices through his leather armor like butter, and he falls to the ground with a gurgling scream.

Blood sprays across my face and I spit on the floor, rolling my shoulders. "Who's next?"

Orgoth steps up, his twin daggers flashing in the moonlight. He's fast, but I'm faster. I parry his blows with ease, my axe a blur of motion. With a roar, I bring the weapon down on his skull, splitting it in two.

Three or four orcs charge me at once, trying to use their numbers against me. Someone shoves a knife into my side,scraping the bone no doubt. I grab him by the back of the neck, crushing his spine before tossing him aside like a limp fish.

When I turn back to them, I let out an animalistic roar and claim my dominance, watching as the remaining crew members surrender. Kogan and Burguk are among them, their faces bruised and bloodied. They look at me with a mixture of fear and respect, the way they used to before we became fishermen.

I stand there, panting heavily, my axe dripping with blood. The fight is over, but the cost has been high.

Looking around at the carnage, my heart pumping with adrenaline and yet heavy with regret. What a shame to waste such good arms. They should have seen the truth.

I wipe the sweat from my brow and turn towards the helm. "We're turning the boat around," I say, my voice hoarse. "And if anyone tries to stop me, they can join their friends."

"We're with you, Gorthak," Burguk says, fisting his hand over his chest.

"Good. Toss the bodies overboard," I instruct, dismissing the murdered crewmates with a wave of my hand. "We're turning back."

And no one will stop me.

7

CASSIA

"Dance for us, human," one of them sneers, his voice dripping with disdain. "Show us what you're worth."

I'm back in the cage again, trapped in this twisted nightmare. The dark elves circle around me, their eyes gleaming with malice. They reach through the bars, trying to touch me, to claim me as their own.

I shake my head, refusing to give in to their demands. But they won't take no for an answer.

"Come on, little whore," one of the elves says, reaching through the bars. "Show us what you human bitches were bred for."

I'm too preoccupied to pay attention to their taunts. I'm waiting for him, the orc who saved me in my dreams. But he doesn't appear. I wonder why tonight is different. Why has it gone back to the way it was before?

The dark elves grow impatient with my silence. One of them grabs my wrist and yanks me toward him, slamming me against the rusted bars. I cry out in pain, feeling like nothing more than a piece of meat.

"You will do as we say," he hisses, his breath hot on my face. "Or you will suffer the consequences."

I try to pull away, but his grip is too strong. I'm trapped, helpless in the face of their cruelty.

---