Headed by a Snake

Krysaos kept his big mouth shut.

He would have loved talking back. He could run circles around the guy in a battle of words.

...but that wasn't how you convinced that kinda guy he was wrong. Only steel did that.

That was the point of Krysaos issuing the duel challenge... and he needed every advantage he could get.

Being underestimated... that was probably the second best thing he could hope for.

"Gentlemen!" Said a strong, deep voice from the crowd, "I shall serve as adjudicator."

Krysaos felt a smile creep onto his lips. *That* was his real money-maker.

Tycon... the best gods-damned Lieutenant that Krysaos could ever ask for calmly stepped forward out of the rest of his crew. He wore his trusty Tyrion sword, his white and shiny, black-brimmed Officer's cap; a freshly pressed military coat, and his usual 'doesn't-actually-give-a-f*ck' half-smile.

Tycon made an open gesture towards King, "However... I would suggest additional 'rules' for your bout... in pursuit of fairness and avoiding injury, of course."

"Of course, friend-Maedar," The elf nodded, "This king welcomes thy wise counsel. Art thou in agreeance, Captain Krysaos?"

"Psh, yeah," Krysaos snorted. "I'll beat your arse, no matter what the contest is."

"Very good," Tycon inclined his head... "Friend-elf, are you familiar with... (Somethin' somethin'... Elven somethin'.)"

Krysaos wasn't sure what the guy was talking about... but he knew he could trust his LT with whatever it was he said.

Or so he hoped.

"...A rare magic," King pursed his lips, "not my preferred-- and one I've scarcely cultivated... though still for o'er two human lifetimes..."

After a moment, the elf nodded, "Very well. I agree. Captain Krysaos, choose one amongst thy loyal Corallidae... one thou art certain *you* can best in combat. I shall control their movements and defeat thee using martial skill alone."

Krysaos furrowed his brows. While that sounded like a stupid f*cking ability, it... would definitely make it a more even fight. As he was, that King guy could probably win a duel against him, both hands and two out of three legs tied.

"To reiterate," Tycon raised his voice, "The Elven sovereign will utilize a proxy to duel with Captain Krysaos. Should he activate any of his mana techniques or otherwise show power beyond Krysaos' rank..."

"...then it will be this king's loss," The elf nodded.

"Choose ME, sovereign!" Imperia let out a dolphin-like squeal. "Grant me the honor to serve as your-- as thy blade!"

Mina crossed her arms... "Master, you should really teach Lady Imperia a lesson... I will ensure she comes to no fatal harm."

Krysaos shot the mermaid-girl a glare, "Whose side are you on, huh?"

"Nay, Sapling," King shook his head. "If thou were to defeat Captain Krysaos, he would not accept it on account of thy mastery of water magics. He shall be the one to choose his champion."

"O... of course, sovereign," Imperia dipped her head as her cheeks colored. "Your words are most wise."

"Yeah, whatever," Krysaos shrugged. "Bob! You choose."

"YOU'Z GOT IT, CAP'N!!" The biggest, yellow-est Coral Boy roared.

Bob. Good, loyal crewman, that Bob was.

"Lieutenant!" Krysaos waved the green-haired guy over, "Lemme talk to ya's for a sec."

Tycon frowned and raised an eyebrow... "What?"

"Just... shut up for now and c'mere."

...

Krysaos pulled Tycon away from Mina and the rest of them. The Coral Boys were having a fierce discussion, while that slut Imperia kept up her annoying praise of her stupid sovereign.

They'd take awhile... enough time for him to get what he needed.

"So lay it on me, LT," Krysaos grinned, "Super Tactician! Uber-leader of Sol Invictus! Master Chef. What'cha got?"

That guy, Tycon, he had a lot of titles... most of 'em probably made up. But the guy was smart. If Krysaos could get a winning strategy out of him, it'd be impossible for him to lose.

"To begin with, Captain..." Tycon took a breath... "What, pray tell... in the seven gods-damned *hells* is going through your f*cking head right now?"

"Wh-what?" Krysaos smiled with chagrin.

"You've *seen* what the Elven Ancient is capable of," Tycon growled. "He is peerless in martial combat amongst our crew, myself included... even at my full strength."

"Oh, come on. Hah... haha."

Krysaos laughed... a laugh without any confidence in it. The LT was the most arrogant guy he knew. Him saying that meant he might've been royally f*cked.

"Hey..." He forced his grin, "He ain't... that strong, is he?"

Tycon narrowed his eyes-- which didn't really mean anything. If he wasn't smiling like an A-hole, then that was his other look.

"I'll have you recall the bone lizard you defeated a few weeks prior..."

"Y-yeah?" Krysaos tilted his chin down and twisted his lips, "I got like... fifty cannons together, or somethin' ridiculous like that."

"*That*, Brother-Captain," The guy crossed his arms, "is the level of firepower you'd need to kill that gentleman."

"Well-- alright," Krysaos gulped... "but... I don't gotta kill him. I just... gotta beat him?"

"This is your most foolish undertaking as of yet, Krysaos," Tycon scowled.

"Come on, LT," Krysaos lowered his head, "This is no different than us fightin' that skeleton thing."

"The lizard was a predictable creature that rightfully no longer exists."

"Or stealin' from that city full o' insane sahuagin warriors."

"Neither of us had any part of that."

"Fightin' hundreds and hundreds of cultists blessed by the sea god?" Krysaos gave his best, shiny-tooth smile.

"...Very well," Tycon sighed.

"Or teaching the Knights of Sarleon a lesson by running off with that stuck-up Duke's daughter."

Tycon's eyes shot open... then narrowed into a hateful glare, "You. did. what?"

"No-- nevermind. Don't worry 'bout it," Krysaos waved his hand. "Anyroad... you gotta help me out, LT."

Tycon's face twisted like a Devil-Beast had just inked a heavy load into his mouth, "And what does this selfish duel matter in the grand scheme of things?"

"Tycon... I need this. Come on-- I'll beg if I have to."

The guy hung his head and groaned, "Ugh. Of course, you would...."

"If I gotta, I--"

"Please don't, Krysaos," Tycon sighed. "I know that look in your eyes. It's useless trying to dissuade you..."