With a backhand sweep of a magnificent broadsword, Lawrence downed the last of the diving langries and sprawled out on the deck of the hovering Seeker. The flying monsters had been bombarding the small skiff since midday, and when this occurred Domingo merely took the wheel from the helmsman and waved for his sword-handling comrade to deal with the threat. While Lawrence was perfectly capable of defending the tiny vessel, the langries had been attacking in droves and fatigue was setting in.
Fumbling about in his pocket he came up with a sacres crystal, and all the minor discomfort flew from his body. He turned to find Domingo balanced on the rail of the skiff, gazing through his spyglass toward the distant sand dunes.
"If I shoved you over the side, I think you'd deserve it," Lawrence offered begrudgingly, sheathing the broadsword upon his hip once more and taking out a water flask. "You haven't done anything useful since we shipped out three days ago."
"Now now, Scarface, there's no need to be so volatile," said Domingo good-naturedly. "You did say you were a mercenary , after all, so I figured fighting monsters was a specialty of yours. And I've been quite useful--I provided you with an escape from boredom, and I'm going to find a legend that will pay very well. You steer and fight; leave the temple-tracking to me."
A disdainful smirk crossed Lawrence's face. "I see what you're up to. You can't fight, can you?"
Domingo frowned. "Excuse me?"
"You're no warrior. You probably couldn't defend yourself if I wasn't around. You don't even have any weapons!" Now the mercenary was having a laugh at Domingo's expense, but the treasure hunter did not seem bothered at all.
Tucking the spyglass carefully into his knapsack, Domingo leapt nimbly to the deck, setting his hand upon his hips with a knowing grin. "Alright, Lawrence, you win. Take the wheel, and leave the next group of monsters to me."
Lawrence's face belied his surprise. "Are you serious?"
"Sure; why not? I could use the exercise." Domingo gestured to the bridge, and eying the treasure hunter suspiciously, Lawrence returned to the helm.
An hour passed uneventfully, with little shared conversation between the two, until there appeared overhead several circling black figures. Soon it was apparent that the creatures were closing fast, confirmed when Lawrence said, "More langries. You sure you can handle it, Big-shot?"
Domingo didn't appear to be listening, but gazing raptly up at the diving monsters. Lawrence blinked, and the creatures began to fall dead upon the deck. Only then did he realize that Domingo was already attacking them; the treasure hunger was holding a crossbow and firing rapidly, downing them with bolts tipped in Blue Moon Stone. His precision amazed Lawrence, who continued to stare as their adversaries lessened, but the langries numbered around a score and Domingo wasn't fast enough to kill them all from a long range.
Dropping his crossbow to his feet Domingo wrestled out of his lurid orange jacket, diving to meet the last of the monsters. His hand darted to his belt, whisking out a pair of curved knives called kukris, and the blue blades cut through the rest of the langries in seconds. When all the creatures lay dead on the deck Domingo flashed Lawrence a cheesy grin, replacing the kukris on his belt. All he had to show from the battle was a red scratch across his shoulder, and it wasn't serious.
"How?" asked Lawrence breathlessly, when his able comrade had joined him in the cabin.
"I am far from useless," was all Domingo said, and he took out his spyglass again.
Author's Note: Hee! Domingo showed that snarky jerk. The idea for kukris as his weapons came from a project fronted by R.A. Salvatore; the series is called "War of the Spider Queen", and the drow elf Valas Hune uses weapons like these. The concept appealed to me, so here they are. Domingo's a treasure hunter; surely he's got the coordination for two weapons, heh. And Lawrence always seemed like a sword kind of guy to me; wonder what sort of weapons Centime and Alfonso will end up using?
Lady Lanet: You've gotten your wish! Good to have you on board. Enjoy all chapters to come.
Glad you reviewers are still expressing interest. I'll try not to disappoint.