Quivering, he let his hand fall to his side as he turned ‘round, slowly, to meet the eyes of the figure who stood in the doorway.

“I’ve warned ya, Jack! Warned ya enough! You’ve no business nosing around in mah store, and ‘tis time ye learned yer lesson.”

“Conrad, I beg you – it’s not what you think! I -“

“Shut yer trap!”

Jack ducked, and the flashing blade went down a mere hair’s breadth away from his skin. Gasping for breath, he looked up and saw through the darkness Conrad’s crazed, gleaming eyes.

“You’re goin’ ta PAY for this!” With that, Conrad lunged again and plunged his rapier into…a keg of beer. “By the all the hairs of Blackbeard’s whiskers! Mah blade’s ruined!” A few tugs later, Conrad was on his feet again, his rapier flashing in the moonlight. He whispered, soft as the waves that kissed the rocks, “Where are ye, m’boy? C’mon out, Jackie-boy – mah blade’s a-thirstin’ for blood tuh-night, and no one’s but yours will do.”