[color=steelblue] "Interesting..." [/color]  Dalious said.  She had basically told him her secrets, probably because she trusted him already.  He was by no means a good person though, as he quite often lie, cheated, and stole his way through life.  [color=steelblue] "You're a very interesting young lady." [/color]  He quickly thought of how much gold he could get in using her.  Or maybe in selling her.  He rubbed his temples in thought. 

The twigs snapping caught to his attention as well, the pirate grabbed his blade and stood.  Before he could go any further, the Empire's men were all around them.  The short commander stood over a hill behind them, while the rest of the soldiers encircled the two.  They were caught again.

"Did you really think you could get away from the Imperial Empire?" the commander spoke, a smirk pressed on his face.  "And did you really think I would not come for my horse?"  It was his they fled on from the gallows.  He gave the horse a kind look and then focused back on the captives.

[color=steelblue] "Yeah," [/color] Dalious answered.

"...well you were wrong," he said.  The men around them had their weapons ready and aimed.  "You, the boy, you were to hang for thievery and pirating, a noose is noble for crimes such as that.  The girl, for suspected witchcraft.  Now, you are both murderers and outlaws of the Empire.  You will be cut down where you stand."

The hangman was the first person Dalious had ever killed.  It just came naturally, as he felt like it was a self defense.  The young pirate hadn't even had a moment to think about it all before the Empire was back on them.  He stood in front of Sybil, not sure if even her magic could help them this time.  Perhaps his words could, he quickly thought.

[color=steelblue] "A cowardice method," [/color] Dalious said with a spit to the ground.  [color=steelblue] "Pirate's may be scum to you, but at least we live by honor and code.  Have your best man face me one to one, if we win we go free.  Come on mate, have a spine."[/color]

The commander let out a laugh, and for the fun of it in his mind, he accepted.  With a nod and a point, one of the soldiers came forward and faced off with the pirate.  Dalious gave a courteous bow, then took his stance.  He had never trained like the soldier, but a lot of things just came naturally for the pirate.  So naturally, that he was as calm as ever.

[color=steelblue] "So you are the best?"[/color] Dalious asked the man clad in red and white armor.

"Ai, boy," he replied.  

The soldier rushed in with a swipe of his blade, but Dalious deflected it and did a quick inward spin, then drove his sword through the man's chest, armor and all.  He had to kick the dying man from his weapon to get him off, as the soldier fell to the floor and died.

[color=steelblue] "There, fair is fair," [/color] he said.  [color=steelblue] "We are free!"[/color]

"KILL THEM!" the commander shouted, as it seemed even the forest was moving behind him.  "Kill them now!!!"