It didn't take very long at all for the fleet to come to a complete halt, the deck of each ship now crawling with crewmen, who searched high and low for an intruder. Decimus had used his grappling hook to move from one ship to the next, this one much closer to the main turtleship. While the crew looked everywhere for the jester assassin, he was right under their noses, hiding in what seemed to be plain sight. If they didn't know any better, they were dealing with a ghost.
Below him, patrolling along a walkway that led down the center of the ship were two crew members. Hanging like a spider by his hands and feet, he watched them closely. The first's eyes widened as his foot broke a magical tripwire leading along the floor, a trap hidden behind a wooden pillar shooting what seemed like 100 poisoned needles, all which impaled his abdomen, head, and legs. The trap was loud, and the man behind him watched in horror as his friend collapsed, dead.
Decimus suddenly dropped behind him, placing one of his daggers to his throat, slitting it slowly. As blood poured from the gaping wound, Decimus let him go, the man gargling and coughing as he too fell, dead. Sheathing the blade, he was ready to continue on when he heard a series of shouts behind him. Turning his head, two more crew members were crouched, loading arrows onto their bows. Eyes narrowing, he drew a pepperbox and loaded a single fireshot round. Closing the chamber, he lifted the gun. "Bang."
Firing, a plume of flame erupted from the barrel of the firearm, the special round landing at the feet of the two men. They barely had time to scream as a cloud of infernos spread around them, engulfing them in the suffocating heat. It was a rather powerful round, as the fire had ignited almost the entirety of the back half of the ship. Unsurprisingly, all around him, the sirens from the other ships went off. Not only were they now cautious, they were on full alert. Soon, he'd be swarmed. He'd need to make his way to the main turtleship at once.
Sprinting to the bow of the ship, he eyed the majestic tiger head on the front of the main vessel. Pulling out his grappling hook, he drove a nail at one end of the rope into the wood of the bow, throwing the hook as hard as he could towards the tiger head. Thankfully, the tool snagged one of the teeth, ensuring a sturdy hold. Usually, he'd shimmy across by his legs and hands, but he'd soon learn that he didn't have the time.
He jumped as a few arrows landed at his feet, looking towards the ship up in front of the main vessel. Archers had taken position on the side of the ship, aiming directly for him. He'd need to sprint across the rope, or risk being shot. Hiding behind a wall, he loaded both of his pepperboxes to the brim with standard ammunition. Taking a deep breath, he ran out into the open, across the rope. As he quickly made his way over the dark waters towards the turtleship, arrows whizzed by him, threatening to knock him off at any moment.
He aimed his pistols as he ran, keeping one foot in front of the other with expert balance. He fired off poorly-aimed rounds, only a few hitting their marks. Archers yowled out in pain as they were shot down, light red clouds of blood spraying into the air as they got knocked back. Once Decimus reached the other side, he quickly freed the hook from the tooth before forcefully yanking the nail free, his rope flying back towards him, which he caught. Placing the rope back in his satchel, he looked towards the door his target had no doubt fled for.
He took a moment to breathe, looking back at the ship he was just on. It was now sinking slightly, almost completely engulfed in flame. Whatever goods were on that ship were definitely destroyed... None of his business, though. Standing, he walked towards the door slowly. Pistols at the ready, he forcefully kicked open the door with a grunt.
