Part II: Murder in the night

Music filled the air without effort, like the waves filling holes in the beach sand; the sound rushing in and around every person on deck. Some danced to the beat, others continued to chatter, but they were all in a festive mood. A celebration for their triumph in advance, for they were sure they'd bring back the heads of every werewolf at Zin post.

Before the music played, every person was an island. With it, their mood and spirit elevated and the feeling of togetherness felt even warmer.

Veronica savored the moment in her corner, observing the people in pairs and groups. It seemed like she was the only loner on the ship, but it's something she was already used to.

She felt the cool wind tousle her hair and she let her eyes fall on the ocean that mirrored the moonlight. She wondered how many had sat in that very spot and what their emotions were. Perhaps some were newlyweds in love, some confused people searching for meaning. Perhaps some of them were old folks that needed to remember a loved one who's passed. She was none of those things, neither at the beginning of her life or probably at the end.

The people continued to dance until their sweat dripped to the polished wood and their drunk reflection showed pink cheeks.

Veronica looked up at the two enormous men that were heading her way. She could already smell the brew and smoke inches away and also sense their bad intentions. Nothing good ever came from Junior Mark's confrontation with anyone, especially her.

"Enjoying your night?" Mark lurched to the young lady's side, hiccuping, then stretching his arms around her.

"Don't touch me!" Veronica shoved him away, and he puffed, his nose erupting. "You ought be happy! No one would ever touch an ugly twat like you."

"Better believe it! Junior Mark touched you and you don't feel honored? You should fawn and beg on your knees to have him inside you," Mark's worthless friend, Pete, sided with the ill behavior and was ready to justify his actions.

"Can both of you just fuck off?! I'm not in the mood."

The two men looked at eachother before bursting into laughter "Who cares if you're not in the mood?" Mark rolled his eyes before drinking from his beer bottle and smashing it to the ground.

"I'm in the mood and that's all that matters."

"You're drunk. Get away from me" Veronica was about to walk away when Mark grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him.

"Hey… let go" Veronica found herself in a battle to free herself, but Mark's hold was too tight.

"Don't cause a scene, love. Let's just do it, it won't take long. It'll be quick, okay, so let's go to my room."

"I said fuck off!!!" Veronica prodded her elbow into his stomach and he stepped back after she resulted to violence. His hands were over his stomach as his eyes darkened.

Veronica knew Mark would not let the blow slide, but at the same time, she felt relieved because for so long she'd wanted to beat him up and, since he was drunk, she thought she had an advantage.

"You little whore!!!" Pete was about to pounce on her when Mark stopped him. Mark's lips split into an evil grin as he pat his friend on the shoulder.

"Pete, get my sword."

"Yes, sir" Pete carried his drunk self halfway across the deck in search of his friend's sword.

Mark expected his words to bring Veronica to her knees, but the girl wasn't scared. She remained in her spot, unbothered by the backhanded threat in man's command.

"Hurry, fatty!!!" Mark was losing patience at how long Pete was taking, but soon enough, the latter came back with his friend's weapon, gasping heavily.

Mark unsheathed his sword and everyone marveled at the 9 inches piece of cold stainless steel fixed to an ivory handle.

"That's a beautiful sword the chief's son has there" The drunk onlookers slowly moved towards the two people that were about to have a duel.

Mark, with his perfect charisma, turned to face the crowd with a cheeky grin on his face. "The best blacksmith in Persia forged this dagger. It's so sharp, the lightest touch could draw blood from a cut, and this blue gem in the middle is a rare treasure. Only experienced adventurers could find it" Veronica could tell the chief's son was feeding the people's minds with lies as usual. It was hard for the girl to believe whatever emerged from Mark's sinful lips.

The crowd thundered in excitement as Veronica reached for her own blade, and the band cranked up their music to fit the people's mixed moods. The sword fight was supposed to bring a sense of valor and fair-play, but little did the crowd know that to Mark it was a duel to the death.

"I don't care if you're a woman. Don't expect me to go easy on you," Mark said as he got into his favorite battle stance, the one he watched his father use in a village tournament.

As for Veronica, she hopped lightly, stretching to boost her flexibility and her range of motion.

"FIGHT!!!" Pete screamed at the top of his lungs and Mark charged forward without warning, using his speed to his advantage.

He swung his blade towards Veronica's neck, but the girl fended it off with her knives, before returning a blow with the hard hilt of her knife, cracking Mark's nasal bones with the impact.

Those watching were dazzeled by the display and the first sight of blood leaking from Mark's nose. The young man exhaled, then wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hands before snickering.

"Don't get too cocky. I'm just warming up," Mark spat before launching his second attack and the sound of their swords clashed so loud, it drew the attention of the captain and the chief.

"Did you hear that?"

"There's been a ruckus going on since, but I don't think it's that important," the captain said. "Rough housing is a regular activity on this ship as we set sail. You'll get used to it."

The captain waved it off as he continued to analyze the map of the enemy territory. The chief thought it was best to ignore it as well. He guessed the noise would die down eventually, but he did not know that things were just getting started.

The crowd placed bets as the fight continued. A series of punching and sword slashing played on until Mark got bored of the child's play.

"I can see you are going easy on me. You don't want to cause fatal damage to me, so all you've been doing is dodge my attacks and hit me with your fists and not your knives. What is it for then?"

Veronica didn't answer. Once she noticed Mark's impromptu arm movement, she swung her knife towards his sword.

The place went dead quiet. No one moved.

In the moment of silence, Veronica's eyes widened in shock as her heart raced fast. 'No… no…' she fell for Mark's phony attack and now he had an advantage. He grasped her dominant hand in a tight grip, then kicked her knife out of her left hand.

She shook her head, disappointed that he had noticed it, but she had to pull herself back together. It was too soon to act like it was all over.

"I know I can still…" Before she knew it, Mark threw a punch straight at her face, giving her little to no time to think of a solution, before he squeezed her hand again.

"Argh!!!" She tried to wriggle out of his hold, but Mark wasn't going to release her just yet.

"Fuck off!!!" she screamed before head butting his face, knocking him back temporarily. She didn't want to attack him with her knife, but he left her no choice. She slashed at his chest, but he dodged just in time.

"Phew" It was a narrow escape. The cut in Mark's vest proved so.

"I like you Veronica. This is entertaining!!!"

The two continued their battle across the deck, swinging swords effortlessly and trading blows as the crowd cheered on.

Veronica was tired of it all. Her movements were slowing, but the animal before her was still energetic and faster than before.

He threw his fist in her direction but she dodged and lunged her leg forward in a reverse roundhouse kick. Mark grabbed her leg on time and with one mighty haul, he pulled her forward, then hammered her to the ground.

She fell on her back with a thud and he hovered over her before his fist cluttered on her face.

The girl lifted her hands to shield herself from the blows that kept raining down on her. He was waiting for her hands to weaken, but she never dropped them, no matter how much it hurt.

She jabbed her fingers at his eyes, but in return, he ripped her shirt apart, revealing her cleavage. Some of them hadn't realized it was a young girl until her chest was revealed. The battle they thought was a joke was something that had been serious from the start.

Veronica rolled over, trying to catch her breath before getting back on her feet. Ignoring her unprotected back, she failed to see Pete stealing up behind her. The older man surged forward and whirled his machete at the girl before she could turn back.

Heat rushed to her face as she screamed in pain. Silvery tears welled In her sunken eyes at the sight of her torn garment smudged with blood. It was something she never thought would happen to her, especially from a human. A lump formed in her throat while she stared at her jittering palm that was shrouded in her own blood.

An odd feeling sat in her chest after her jaw clenched and she couldn't say a proper word without stuttering.

"Somebody help me!!!" she pleaded.

"You fool!!!"

"Master Junior…I did if for you! I wanted you to win!!!" Pete's body shook all the way to the hands that held the blood stained machete.

He thought his friend would be proud of him, but the sight of Mark's reddened face that glared at him intently made him wet his pants.

"Please!!!" Veronica called out again, but no one made a move to save her. She crawled on the ground, heading to the medic room, leaving bloodstains on the floor. But Mark wasn't going to let her go far. He reached down for her legs and yanked her by her ankles, bringing her close to him.

His hand cracked across her face, and a welt was left behind. Below her eyes was a fresh cut she got from the ring on his finger and the blood from the wound made its way down the side of her face.

He grabbed his sword and laughed hysterically. "It's over now!!!" He swung his hand back to land the last hit aimed at the apple of her neck.

"That's enough. We already have a rule for times like these" A drunk from the crowd moved forward. Despite his staggering steps and his slurred word, the look in his droopy eyes gave away how serious he was about the rules of the ship.

He turned to the girl that was unconscious from the amount of blood lost, then called the attention of his men.

"This woman is already dead! Throw her off the ship!"