[b]The Road to Knowledge
[/b]

With the withdrawal of the beasts, and another compelling rally from the Valkyrie above them, the crew and hired muscle once again redoubled their efforts to push back their attackers. The pirates in turn, still shaken by the events that had transpired, fell as wheat beneath a scythe, those not outright slain by blades or cracked skulls were left unconscious or writhing in pain on the deck. Their comrades on the attacking ship were even more distraught as they were assailed by magics of fear and shadow, as well as the blade of a Valkyrie. Soon those left simply dropped to their knees, pleading for their lives at the hands of their betters.

The twin to the first vessel was not in any greater position, its crew now under attack by the remaining lions and boar, as well as their Valkyrie trainer. Combined with the immovable wall of legionaries, the undisciplined pirates were being routed easily. Those still on their own ship must have deemed it better to simply abandon their others, the vessel working its best to disengage from the merchant ship. Many pirates were pushed overboard by their comrades as they tried to rush back to the safety of their own ship. Others were less fortunate, caught mere feet away from safety by the claws and jaws of lions, or the lance of the Valkyrie. Still, the mere skeleton of a crew which had managed to retreat worked their fastest to row and steer their ship away from the battle. A large cry erupted from the men as they witnessed the last of their attackers flee from them. Insults and curses were spat over the water for great beasts and Neptune to take them. 

Prisoners were bound, stolen goods looted, and many of the crew were brought before the ship's single surgeon for patchwork. Cuinte, having been informed by another of his guard the conflict had ended, rose from the lower decks of the ship, to congratulate the crew and his own hired hands. He and the Shipmaster began talking, the latter of the two bleeding from a stab wound in his arm. As they spoke, the soothsayer's pleasant smile had curled into a scowl of displeasure. He glared at his 'escort' and cursed to himself, he would have to have a word with them soon.