Orion was prepared for several possibilities. There was a chance that these slavers were merely high on nerves because of the volatility of their trade. If they were found out before they reached their destination, there would be trouble. If there was indeed another ship bearing down on them, Orion couldn't tell the size or type of vessel from down below deck. Needless to say, they would have to board manually to attack and ensure the safety of any cargo they expected to find down here. Unless they'd gotten clever and...
Almost as soon as he'd had the thought, explosions rocked the ship. Bright red lights followed by detonative flames tore through the lower deck of the ship, towards the stern. The entire galley seemed to rock back and forth precariously as the entire room went into a panic, the freshly torn hull in the side of their vessel let in the evening light, and flames lingered on the edges of a freshly ripped hull as the slaves began to flee and cower wherever they could find darkness, praying they would be lucky enough to avoid the attack. Orion pursed his lips, the heat of the blasts drying his lips as though he were breathed on by the demons of hell.
As calm and level headed as ever, Orion rose to his feet and dusted debris from his cloak. They used magic to perform a ranged attack without endangering the structural integrity of the ship to the point of possible sinking. Impressive tactic, but he couldn't allow this to continue. He pushes his way through the fleeing crowd of scared slaves and hurrying slavers, making his way back up to the deck of the ship. The shouting and deafening orders from the captain of the ship seemed to repeat over and over, but Orion wasn't truly paying them any attention. None tried to stop him, they were all too busy trying to ready the galley's own weapons. Their ballistae were in decent condition, and there were enough of them that they could likely sink most opposition their own size. Even so, Orion didn't like their chances against the slightly larger vessel.
The little voice in the back of his head told offered it's own advice.
--They don't have a chance. Sacrifice these outlaws, and seize it all for yourself. They are the tools for you to survive with.--
~~~~~
The Captain of the ship swore as another projectile whizzed by his post at the wheel of the ship. His body reflexively ducked, crouching low against the deck's surface.
"Damned vigilantes! LOAD AND RETURN FIRE! I'M TURNING US AROUND, WE NEED TO OUTRUN THEM!" He despised the idea of cowardice, but they weren't about to win this fight. They'd been hit by magic when they'd been expecting anything but, and it took them completely off guard. The only thing left to do was flee and hide. Their smaller size should give them the speed advantage.
No sooner had his crew fired the next volley than the Captain felt a large hand wrap in his matted brown hair, clutching the back of his skull and violently jerking him back. He fell back against the broad chest of the strange foreigner in black they'd taken on for some extra money.
"What are you- get your mitts off of me you--"
He was interrupted by a forceful strike to the side of his head, his vision blurring and ears ringing with the impact. He felt a hand on both cheeks, holding his head in place to stare at the ship they'd encountered. The voice of the stranger filled the Captain's head as he spoke.
"You're losing a fight that doesn't exist, Captain. They're fooling you, and you're blind to it."
The Captain began to speak, but the hands on his cheeks squeezed down on him, causing it to only result in a groan of pain. What was this maniac talking about? They were getting slaughtered!
"It's only a mirage, a trick designed to steer you away from riches. Look harder."
Orion's hands glowed with a ghastly pale blue as he wormed his way through the man's mind. The mind is smart, but relies to heavily on sight. If one is not of a steel enough will, their minds will easily be deceived into believing the impossible based on what they merely think they see. This Captain was full of naught but greed, and Orion pulled that greed to the forefront of his mind. The Captain saw it now! Where they all thought was their enemy was just a clever illusion! He saw not a ship barraging them with arrows, but the glowing island of gold that it hid from him. The attack was merely a trap, probably set by whatever manner of mage had enough power to bring about such a glorious island!
His eyes widened, and his lips curled into a crazed smile.
"Yes, Now you see..." Orion purred to the man. Of course, greed and gullibility weren't enough to convince someone of such an outlandish lie. The raven haired mage was directly assaulting his seafaring friend's mind with an obscene dose of magic. He was delirious, and now hyper focused.
"Take us there. I will protect you."
Neither the crew of the slaver's galley nor the ship attacking them likely had any reasonable explanation as to why the galley suddenly began turning towards it's attacker, as if planning to meet it head on.
Vulpesen