Breath of Life

Xander sat on his ship lazily regarding the magical and human troops on the shore. Earlier a bunch of the humans had gone swimming, which was quite curious to the pirate.

"Maybe they just want one last thing to remember before they die?" His first mate had suggested.

"Perhaps," the Captain was unconvinced, but as the men eventually exited the water, he had given up trying to figure out the uncommon behavior.

Now he stood leaning on the deck's railing trying to decide why he was there at all. It was the question he had been asking himself over and over. When he watched Baak die, Xander was almost positive that Cafer had aimed Ravenna to hit the gnome king. The pirate was already wary of the crafty advisor, and to see him so easily become king without having to lift a finger was both impressive and concerning.

How easily would the magical gnome be able to take him out if things went south? This is what bothered the Captain the most. He did not like feeling helpless. With the Emperor bei