Forged Destiny [Book 8: Ch. 6]

Jumping over the blade, I dashed past him, up onto the steps he'd just come down from. While the footing was uneven, the height advantage was still one to try and hold against a strong opponent. His blade flicked out, testing my guard, but when I drove it down into the step below and nearly took his head off, he decided against it, dashing to the other set of stairs to even the odds.

I hurried up to the helm, running across the railing to try and cut him off before he could reach the same level as I. Waves splashed up the side of the ship to make it lurch and groan in the water, creaking against the Wind's Fury and splashing salt water to make our footing treacherous. I grabbed the railing to steady myself, and even he, pirate captain that he was, had to grab on with one hand and use it to haul himself up.

I reached the top first, held the advantage, and prepared to use it.

—Forged Destiny [Book 8: Ch. 6]