[Mithadan]

A commotion arose on the aft deck of the black ship. As a dragon arose from the deck, Mithadan swept out his sword. The sailors stared in stunned disbelief as the beast rose into the air and turned towards the Elven vessels. Mithadan made his way to stand beside the two Wizards who had made their way to the rail.

"No attack?" cried Pallando. "Upon that animal ride our hostages!"

"Quickly!" yelled Alatar. He raised his staff to point at the dragon. The tip of the staff glowed with green flame.

Gripping his blade with two hands, Mithadan raised the sword and brought it down on the upheld staff. With a flash and a noise like the snapping of a tree in a great wind, the staff was cut asunder. Alatar staggered back as Mithadan raised his blade again and slashed at Alatar's throat. The blade cut deep into the Wizard who slumped to the floor into a growing pool of blood. Even as a mist arose from the body, Mithadan turned and advanced upon Pallando.

"Fool!" screamed the Wizard. "You caught my brother at unawares, but you shall not set a blade to me!"

Even as Mithadan raised his sword to strike at Pallando, the Wizard's staff glowed and the Man was frozen in place with his blade in mid-stroke. Pallando laughed.

"You would do battle with a Wizard, face to face? Better to have struck from behind like a craven coward! Now die for what you have done!" cried Pallando.

The Wizard touched his staff to Mithadan's chest. A gout of green flame erupted, blowing the man from the deck into the water. The ocean hissed and steam arose as he sank beneath the waves.