"It's a pleasure to meet you, Oakheart." Oliver grinned. While he was sure this meeting would end in violence of some sort, the Elf was being polite... and meeting a real Elf was basically a geek dream come true. "My name is Oliver Silk... Though, forgive my curiosity, but why agree to help these pirates? It seems a bit odd to me, someone as polite and dignified as you assisting them- especially considering the cruelty and abuse I've witnessed from others like them."

Oakheart paused, seemingly to mull over the question for a moment before he spoke. "I believe the human adage would be 'a job is a job'. Truthfully, the rewards offered were exceptional. And, while I have no fondness for these pirates, or pirates in general... This isn't really an issue of piracy, but rather opposed political ideologies."

He shrugged indifferently, hand resting on the pommel of his sword. "And, while I am assisting the pirates, they aren't the ones that hired me..."

"But are you not the same?" Oakheart pressed suddenly. "Accepting a job, with few details, all for the sake of some reward? What did you really know about their objectives before you accepted?"

"Very little." Oliver sighed, his eyes darting to Ram as the Demon shifted uncomfortably at their conversation. "But you make it sound like you know more... Care to share a bit?"

"Oliver-"

"Not now, Ram. I'm quite enjoying the conversation... admittedly, I'm also a bit curious." Oliver smoothly cut off his Demon companion.

"I was certain we were about to fight..." Oakheart muttered with a tinge of amusement.

"We likely still will." Oliver nodded with a smile. "But there's no reason for me to be rude, is there? Especially after you've been so pleasant."

"Very well." The Elf chuckled. "I imagine there is quite a bit I could say, but, to condense it down- as I'm sure we both have other things we wish to accomplish today... Though I do enjoy a bit of exposition. Did you know that Asin'den'Chol is winning the war?"

"War?" Oliver muttered in surprise, and his brow furrowed in thought. "Asin'den'Chol... that's the Devil Kingdom, isn't it?"

"Indeed." Oakheart nodded, ignoring the discomfort on the Demon's face- Ram, Oliver had just called him. "They and Strus'den'Cald- that is the home of your Demon friend, if you didn't know- have been at war for some time... and the Demons are losing."

"Oliver, you shouldn't listen to-"

"Ram." Oliver growled, turning a glare on his companion. "You've had plenty of chances to tell me more... And you haven't taken them. I already knew you were keeping things from me, I just didn't care to expose that or poke into things."

"So, unless you're planning to talk now, you should stay quiet and let the two of us discuss things. Ok?"

Ram sighed and backed away from the pair. He had argued with Captain Sterling the entire trip about explaining the full truth to the two humans, and been shot down every time- and, as tempted as he was to go against those orders, he couldn't bring himself to betray his oldest friend... even if he did think it was the right thing to do. While he was fairly sure that Oliver would still help them after learning what was going on... Would this 'Elf', as Oliver called it, actually speak the truth? Or would he twist things to his advantage?

And how much trust did Oliver really have in him and the crew he had sailed with for weeks?

"Please continue." Oliver said, turning back to face the Elf.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Of course." Oakheart replied smoothly. "Not that there is much more to say, really. Strus'den'Cald wishes to enlist the aid of their ally, Olam'den'Vale... So they sent their Prince off on a ship, both to speak on their behalf and in an attempt to ensure his safety."

"Naturally, measures were taken to prevent this- hence, myself and these pirates."

"Fuck..." Oliver groaned. "We thought it was a noble, maybe an Admiral... And it's a Prince?" He glanced at Ram with a hint of annoyance. "I've been protecting a fucking Prince, and you guys couldn't bother to tell me?"

"The Captain didn't want it told to anyone... Especially you." Ram muttered from where he slumped against the rail. Seeing Oliver's expression gradually shifting from annoyed to angry, he sighed softly. "I mean... Can you blame him? You're kind of a wild card, Oliver, and we couldn't guess how you would react..."

"For what it's worth, I argued to tell you. Repeatedly."

"Yeah, that's fair." Oliver's anger seemed to instantly vanish. "I don't really blame him... And you pushing against the decision is actually worth something to me, so we're good Ram. Though, I'm curious..." He spoke slowly, finger tapping on his chin as he thought. "Who was the aggressor? Who started the war?"

"They are."

"The Devils are, unfortunately."

Oliver considered the near simultaneous responses- he wasn't surprised that Oakheart had answered honestly; the Elf just had this air of dignity around him, as though lying like that would be a stain against him or something... Which also confused Oliver.

"Honestly, I don't get it..." He said slowly, eyes locked on the Elf. "You seem like the sort that would be all about honor and such, yet you're on the side of the aggressors- aggressors who, mind you, also support institutions like slavery, which I find horribly offensive..."

"Help me make sense of that."

Oakheart sighed. "The matter of who is the aggressor does not truly matter. Though I will admit I detest the very idea of slavery... I had already agreed to this job before I learned of it, and to do any less than my absolute best would be a disgrace to my family."

"I will, of course, be more careful in the jobs I select in the future; I would not wish a repeat of this... mess."

Oliver grimaced at the frustration in Oakheart's voice- the man clearly disagreed with at least some aspects of the job he found himself in... But he had already taken the job. He could even sympathize with the Elf; that was part of the reason, not wanting to get stuck in a shitty or morally dubious position, that he went over all the Bounties with his friends, hoping they would catch something he missed"I don't suppose I can convince you to just step aside, can I?"

Oakheart frowned, nearly offended by the suggestion. "Unfortunately, no. I accepted this job, and, regardless of my feelings on their social policies, honor, and the continued advancement of my family, demands I must see it through."

"Yeah, I figured." Oliver grunted. Stepping closer to Ram, he pulled the AK from the Warehouse and handed it to the Demon. "I know Poli taught you how to use that. Keep anyone else from sticking their heads up and interfering... But leave Oakheart to me, ok?"

Ignoring Ram's expression of relief, Oliver advanced on the Elf who was already drawing his sword- which made him smile: Elves using rapiers was a stereotype in the old D&D games he had played, so to see it in real life was amusing. His eyebrows rose as he took in the sight of the blade; It was simple, and without the excessive ornamentation he would have expected from the man he took to be an Elf noble- a simple wire wrapped hilt, cross guard, and three feet of steel.

Elegant in its simplicity, it was obviously a weapon of function rather than form... and, he imagined, the Elf likely had a good deal of practice with it.

"You seem like a decent fellow." Oakheart said softly as he leveled his blade at his opponent. "I hate to kill you."

"You seem like a decent fellow... I hate to die." Oliver replied, struggling to contain the laughter bubbling up inside.

Oakheart hesitated, a glimmer of confusion in his eyes. "Why was that funny? This is a rather serious moment; finding humor in it is... is..."

"Inconceivable!" Oliver yelled, erupting in peels of laughter.

Oakheart glanced at Ram, only to find his confusion mirrored on the Demon's face. "I don't understand why that is so funny..."

"Oh, that was awesome!" Oliver exclaimed, his arming sword appearing in his hand. "But explaining the Princess Bride would take too long..."

"I would probably have to explain movies, too..." He chuckled, before shaking his head and raising the sword to point at the Elf. "And, as you said, we both have things to do today... So, shall we?"

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