Suddenly there was nothing in front of him, nothing to the side. In a crouch he scanned the area and saw ten to fifteen of the invaders standing in a loose line about ten feet away from him. The space between them was littered with some eight to ten bodies, some obviously dead and others not, but all definitely out of the fight.
The invaders didn't seem like they were planning to rush him any time soon so he slowly stood up from his crouch and brought his weapons down to rest position. The pirates' line parted and a big man strode to the front. A really big man. He must have been a head taller than Dent and half again his weight. A fiery red beard flowing down onto an immense barrel chest, and with thumbs tucked into his belt he surveyed the carnage in front of him.
Looking at Dent he bellowed, "You do this, little man?" The answer seemed somewhat obvious so Dent decided to conserve his breath.
"First to me!" the big man bellowed again without turning or letting his eyes leave Dent.
As if appearing by magic, a smaller rat-faced man appeared next to the giant.
"Captain?"
"How many did we lose this time?" The giant's voice was pitched loud enough for all to hear but it wasn't the shout it had been.
"Six dead, nine wounded, two may die." Rat face turned to look at the bodies at his feet. "That's not counting these of course. Here's, well... hmm..." He started flipping over bodies walking to within six feet of Dent without even acknowledging his presence.
"We got seven dead right up and I'd say the other two be dead before nightfall."
"I'd say we got a warrior here, First," grumbled the giant. "Very well, warrior, do you yield?"
"Why would I do that?" Dent said casually, "I have no desire to make it easier for you to kill me."
"Now why would we kill you?" said the giant.
"I suppose for the same reason you are killing those men over there," Dent answered pointing with his dirk toward the forward platform where a number of the invaders were taking captured men-at-arms and sailors, cutting their throats and throwing them over the side.
Looking at the scene the giant turned back and waved his hand. "Bah, wounded and second-rate fighters. Those that are useful to me I keep. Sailors for the ship, women as slaves, and the loot of course. Now true warriors I don't see much of out at sea. Just what are you doing here?"
Dent didn't see much point in lying. "I'm headed to Malshall. Heard the Putram there was hiring." Casually he stuck his sword into the deck letting his right hand swing free at his side.
"You're not contracted now?" the giant sounded surprised.
"No. I am unbound at this time."
"Well that sheds a bit of a different light on things. No contract, huh? Fine. Then how about you contract to me?"
"I'm not in much of a position to decline, now am I?" Dent caught movement out of the corner of his eye. A line of women were being herded up on deck, and he could see that Nesho and Sosho were among them.
Turning his attention back to the giant he continued. "What are your terms?"
"Well let me see... How 'bout I let you live and you fight for me until you die?"
"No. One-season standard contract, hazard pay if sea duty is involved."
Laughing, red beard replied, "Why don't I just send my men against you and kill you right now?"
"You could, and may, but if you do you die and three others here will also. I have rested some so maybe four. If you hire me you get my services and you live. Quite a bargain if you ask me."
"You're starting to bore me, little man. You're good, anyone can see that, but I'm not so fond of people who bluff by threatening to kill me." Red beard started to raise his hand when suddenly a short throwing knife appeared sticking out of the haft of a pike held by a soldier standing next to him.
"Gods, Captain, I barely saw him move!" whispered rat face, his full attention suddenly locked to the apparition in front of him.
"I don't bluff, Captain, I'm just not good at it; keep losing when I do. Now to be perfectly honest I don't know if one of these through your eye will kill you-- please don't move -- I'm somewhat nervous as it is, but even if it doesn't kill you, big man that you are, it's going to hurt. Then of course there's the eye..."
"Well maybe you don't bluff, little man. Hmm, maybe we can work a deal. Can you instruct?"
"I can," Dent said with a shrug. "Results depend on the pupil."
"Very well. Here me terms, warrior. Two seasons, standard contract, bonus is crew share less your contract pay. Duties to include arms instructor and fighter as needed, other duties as assigned. What do you say to that, little man?"
"These terms are acceptable with one provision."
"And what provision might that be?" red beard glared at him suspiciously.
"My property, all that I brought on board this ship, must remain with me, bar none."
"Oh, and do you 'own' the cargo on this vessel, or maybe a chest of gold?"
"Not in the least. A few trunks with personnel items and clothing, armor, some silver, maybe one gold. Nothing of excessive value to any but myself. You are welcome to inspect it if you wish. It is little enough but it is mine and I protect fiercely what is mine." Dent looked the red-bearded giant in the eye.
"Hmm, this is somewhat peculiar. Usually whatever is on the prize is put into crew share, but then you're now crew and personal property of the crew is respected so long as it doesn't harm the ship. Very well. You have your personal property and contract. Do you agree?"
"Indeed, honored sir," Dent said as he bowed. The bow and the honorary being the correct formality of hired warrior to employer. "And now, sir, if you will excuse me, I fear someone is pawing my property even as we speak."
Reaching down and grabbing a piece of cloth from one of the corpses Dent picked up his sword and began walking toward the line of women, cleaning first his dirk and then his sword. Once most of the gore had been removed, he sheathed the dirk but kept the sword out and ready. As he approached the line he could see one of the sailors -- he couldn't think of them as warriors -- had his hand down Sosho's blouse obviously checking out the merchandise.
"Excuse me," he said giving the pirate the benefit of the doubt. "That is my slave you have your hand on. Please remove it or I shall be forced to remove it myself. Be advised that if I find the need to do so, it will no longer be attached to your arm."
"What? Who the fuck are you? These bitches belong to crew not to you, you fucking bastard!" His hand withdrew from Sosho's blouse and quickly reached down to draw the sword sheathed at his belt.
Dent brought his into a casual ready position, ready for defense but not obviously ready for attack.
"You claim some of these lovelyies as your own, do you little man?" Dent could feel the giant at his back. "You didn't mention anything about women!"
"Personal property, Captain, personal property. And before you ask, no I do not claim all of them I claim only what is mine, this one and that one." As he spoke he pointed to Sosho and Nesho. "Nesho, Sosho! Stand here in front of me."