Authors Note: Peter Pan and The Princess Bride and their characters belong to their respective owners the Irish swordsman is a character I created.

The ten minutes were almost up Inigo strode out of the Tavern his face impassive, several patrons followed him out at a safe distance jabbering amongst themselves; it was only a short walk to the stables where Inigo's challenger waited for him. The Irishman watched Inigo approach with his arms folded across his chest, "So you showed up, I thought as much did'na figure you for a coward." "I am a man of my word, are you ready to begin?" "Aye, I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

The two swordsmen drew their swords and dropped into fighting stances, each man held his blade point towards his opponent, the two fighters circled each other eyeing an opportunity to strike Shawn struck first feinting a slash towards Inigo's chest, but Inigo was far to experienced to fall for a feint he thrust forward with the point of his rapier, O'keith batted the blade away and cut towards Inigo's leg, the Spaniard parried the blow and slashed towards Shawn's exposed shoulder. The Irishman blocked the attack and the second blow Inigo aimed at his ribs, a third quick slash was aimed for his legs, Shawn sprang backwards to avoid the sharp blade.

Inigo's blade whistled as it cut thru empty air, The Irish swordsman scowled and attacked again with a series of high and low attacks, Inigo skillfully deflected all of them and in a quick flash scored a hit on his opponent, the point of his rapier drew a line from the top part of the man's hand to his elbow, it was a shallow cut but it was enough to draw blood and enough to cause Inigo's opponent to drop his weapon.

"First blood is mine senor, do you yield?" "Nay!" Cried the Irishman as he pulled a dirk out from his belt with his left hand, he advanced slashing wildly with the large knife Inigo retreated trying to keep his reach advantage, Inigo sidestepped his opponent and brought the flat end of his sword into the back of the man's calves sending him crashing to the ground.

"Now do you surrender?" Inigo asked, "Aye, I shall though it pains me to do so." The crowd applauded the end of the spectacle and the good sportsmanship shown, a few exchanged handfuls of coin between themselves. Inigo helped the other fighter to his feet; he held no ill will towards this man. "If I actually knew how to fight left handed maybe this would'a beend a different story." "Don't be too hard on yourself." Inigo counseled him, but then it struck him, he didn't know how to fight left handed either!

What if he found the six fingered man and he managed to incapacitate his right arm like he had just done to his opponent? "I must learn how to fight with my left hand!" Inigo said aloud not meaning to. After making sure his former adversary was going to be fine Inigo went for a walk down the streets. There had to be a master who was skilled in fighting left handed but whom? Inigo found himself by the docks of the marina, many vessels lay tied to the docks or away off anchor, fishing vessels, warships, merchants from or bound to distant shores. The dockhands, sailors and fishermen often mingled around swapping tales, it was a useful place to find information.

As Inigo walked he heard the loud voices of a group in a rather loud discussion, "Don't sign aboard mate, you'll regret it!" "Why?" "Why! It's a doomed expedition." "How do you know?" "When are Spanish expeditions not doomed? I hear tale of strange things in those seas, mermaids, savages, fairies, and wild beasts." "Ye're daft ya seadog! Just stories nothin more!" "It's true I tell you mate! There's pirates too!" "Pirates?" "Aye, pirates, led by the meanest buccaneer that ever sailed, James Hook! He's got no right hand only an iron hook."

Inigo stopped in his tracks when he heard this, "A man with no right hand an if he was a pirate he likely knew how to handle a blade. Inigo walked to the group of salts stood, "Excuse me gentlemen but I hear tale of an expedition where might I sign up?" The first sailor was a grizzled rough looking fellow with a brocken nose and a thick beard. "Look at this another ninny wants' to commit suicide! Check by the south docks and ask for a Colonel Lionel or Don Jose they'll set you up with a position."

Thank you for your time Inigo said bowing slightly, as far as he knew this was the only chance he had though it was slim of meeting this James Hook.