None of the ravens have returned. How many times this played through his head, over and over like a dying wish from another life? You want more, right? Rique stared at his face in the broken mirror. He ached to be with her, with them. Yet, it seemed no matter where they were, it ended up to be the last place he wanted to be. Lucas wasn?t aware of the time which passed and kept him away from his mother. He was busy from sunrise to the time he fell asleep eating supper. It was time to return to Rhydin, but the weather had prevented them from sailing more than a few times. In two days they?d be on the open sea bound for Rhydin.

There were ways of magic to open portals, but his tie with the witch faded beyond a veil. News reached the Erabedlem of Gabriella?s return to Carthia, but no other news for nearly a month. Rique was crazed to get back to his family, but he also saw how life here was benefiting his son. Arrangements were made to sail on the Desert?s Sword to Rhydin with another shipment. If the winds and fate were on their side in four days, they?d make it back.

For now, he had other business to tend to. The Alda?s magic was fading but there was another Alda he could turn to ? Nereid. The youngest failed at many things, but this time he wouldn't. Clearing out a small closet on the ship, he light a candle and knelt down. Mighty men fell upon their knees and rose again stronger, he's no exception.

He prayed to the gods, gave thanks for everything and then lit the candle and whispered her name. "Nereid. Nereid, I need you to find my voice."

The white queen stared at the giant with her blood red eyes, her pupils dilated several times before a high pitched squawk. The queen jumped from Rique's shoulder to the wooden table and began pecking.

Three runes and a circle with a half pentagram in the middle. "Old queen you give mystery instead of answers." When she was done, it was time for some bread and water. Rique stared at the runes and ran his finger over each one.

These weren't the symbols of his people and it didn't look like the runes of the witch, oddly it was three he could not interpret. Looking over his shoulder the queen ruffled her feathers and squawked at him.

"You bring me a mystery. What do you say I do? You go and tell my wife, I am not sure which direction you take me. Your brethren have fallen or been delayed by the dark of their feathers. You go and tell her I will come." He knew what the pentagram meant or thought he knew what it meant. He sent orders to prepare the ship, they were sailing to Carthia and then to Rhydin.

Rique penned a quick note and attached it to the queen's leg. "You deliver this message and I will try to figure out your mystery." The queen protested, but finally ruffled feathers and all, she'd make it to Rhydin in half the time they would.

The note simply read. I have not forgotten. Weather bad, signs point to Carthia. Lucas fine. I love all of you.

There was one and only one reason Rique had to go to Carthia and that was for the witch. He knew her home was not there; not any more. It was where she was from, but it was not her home. He knew Aullere would know what to do. Hopefully she'd stay put and know he was on his way.

After the queen was gone, Rique put his fist through the table and took the wood with the three mystery symbols. He was angry, but when a quiet giant's temper rose, things moved faster. By night's end they were aboard and heading through tumultuous waters for outlands of Carthia.

After the queen went on her way, they were sailing for what Rique thought was Carthia. All signs pointed that way, but Hasam changed routes and sailed for Rhydin post haste. He could not risk another delay with the weather in Elpeth. The Erabedlem had been hit by violent storms, several people were displaced without recourse and while Rique intended to leave earlier they were ported. He didn?t risk the magic to try and find a portal, not with all the upheaval they were facing.

Lucas was sleeping in his bed, but when he heard port of call, he sprang up for his bed and looked out the port hole. It was her ship, his mother?s ship. He was beyond excited. They spent time packaging all the presents making sure everything was just right. Rique finally woke up and discovered they were in Rhydin, not on their way to Carthia. Lucas busted down the door screaming that he saw Aullere?s ship.

?We go now!? Truth be told he wanted to be here, but something unsettled in his gut. Maybe it was the passing of a season and this was the first time he?d spend Christmas with his family in years. Would he get it right? He carried guilt, and rather than face it, it was easy to rush to the winds he knew how to handle. Whatever words he wanted to have with Hasam, would never be said.

For now Carthia would wait, it had to wait and he would face the one woman he loved most of all, but the one woman he was never sure how to handle. His hair was disheveled, but his clothes were clean when he stepped from one ship and ran with Lucas for another. Moctez was standing and Lucas spotted him before Rique did. ?DOWN! DOWN!? Lucas struggled to get out of his father?s arms. He wanted his mother, sisters and brother.

Rique let him go and he followed behind. Two M?hajid trailed Rique motioned for them to stay put. If he were allowed to board, he would. Hopefully, Aullere heard Lucas.

Hasam stay aboard ship. There were shipments to unload and missives to deliver to some of their local contacts. They were for a short time and would be leaving without the Youngest and his son. There were other forced at work. Hasam caught the queen before she first set sail and read his letter. He made a promise to watch over his leader and going to Carthia on a feeling was not in Rique's best interest.

Passing time, would not let him face what he feared most - losing something he already had. Maybe the old man would not sleep walk looking for her in the dark once he knew where she was.

He looked haggard, more tired than anything when he climbed aboard and shook Moctez?s hand. ?Morning light.? Filed away in the back of his mind for now, but there?s a reunion with his wife and daughters to be had.

?Stranger?? He growled at her, it was his way. There?s nothing ever angry when he did, it was the way she talked which made him crazy. Opening his arms to scoop her inside to warm her up and hold her closer. Kissing the top of her head, before bending her back to kiss the hell out of her and show her much of a stranger he was. After a long, drawn out kiss he gently parted from her lips. Good thing to because when he looked up he had a flying Layla coming at him.
Catching his youngest dove in his arms, he kept both Aullere and Layla warm. ?I know little dove, the weather was unbelievable, we had a lot of damage and loss.? He said that mostly for Aullere. ?I?m here now. I sent ravens, did any of them arrive?? Keeping her close, and Aullere even closer, he ushered them to a warmer place. He wanted to see Nereid too.

?M?hela, Moctez said we are leaving at first light. I?m not sure where you are going, but can you push back until middle afternoon so I can finish up some business I have here?? He didn?t want to come right out tell her what he had planned but Hasam turned the tables, but he did. ?We sailed as soon as we could go and I send the queen to you, did she arrive? I told Hasam to head for Carthia, but we?re here and his decision was the right choice. I need to make sure someone gets to Carthia to check on the witch, the queen arrived and I swear her voice was heard screaming for help.? Aullere might look at him strange. He didn?t demand that she push back and wait, but he asked for a few extra hours to make other arrangements.

Espleom, a M?hjaid boarded a little while after Rique and followed them. ?Sir, a word.?

Rique turned around with Layla in his arms and Aullere nearby. ?Layla, will you go get your sister? I?m not going anywhere little dove. Poppie has many things for all my girls.? Putting her down so she could go find Nereid and he kissed Aullere again on the forehead. ?Yes.?

Espleom bowed to Aullere and Rique; then his mask was fully removed. ?Sir, the Captain of the Desert Sword will be leaving for Carthia as the moon is high this night. Everything is being unloaded as we speak. Are there any further orders??

Rique stared between him and Aullere. ?M?hela, has Nereid had any dreams, as she heard anything about the witch or has she been still?? Cupping her chin in his palm and staring into her eyes. He missed her face, and all the worry was shoved aside for the moment. He hadn?t had time to greet her, to find out why they were leaving or what business called them away so soon. ?You will please forgive me for not making you know that always you are first in my heart.? She had to know if the queen hadn?t come to her, that damned white raven, he would not be so worried about a member of their family.

Esple waited for orders.

Damn, he was glad to have her back in his arms.

Stepping aside with Aullere to hear whatever she needed to tell him. It?s as he thought, if Nereid was dreaming, then there was something wrong. The mention of Westmarche had him raising a few questions for his own reasons. Another blow given with the mention of Halech and the witch?s husband. He tried to form a reason for thought, but his mind went blank with her kiss. His arms went around her and stayed tight.

Esple was waiting patiently for his leader and his M?heal to talk. Though when they exchanged intimacies, he turned and spoke up. ?Sir, I will return as soon as the ship is unloaded unless you have desire for me here? I think time with your family may prove valuable in the answers.? He didn?t wait for Rique to agree, because he knew the Youngest would stop him if his request wasn?t acceptable.

Grunting for Esple, but really it was a soothing tone because of his wife. ?M?hela, at this very moment, the course is not clear to me. I tried for two days to call to Nereid, and even before that I tried, I could not hear her as I have in times when I knew some where she was there. If you will give the time to stay in Rhydin to help me find the answer, together we can decide upon a course. The Alda is family and I need your guidance and your way M?hela.? It was here he admitted a great weakness. ?All the time we were apart, I had faith it would come back to my fingers, but what I forgot was what it is like to hold you.? Opening his hands, it was rough, calloused, scarred and large. ?Nothing so delicate should be inside because the second I closed my hands around it was broken or gone.? He meant her.

Pulling her close and she?d have to give him a few minutes to finish his thought. ?Had I not brought you into my hands, maybe you would not have fallen? but then I was selfish and took you and my son. You were mine to take, I did not think, I took. I took and took of your body, to bring three more into this world.? Regret for his family? Not at all, but sometimes in happiness there is a thread which would remain. ?I took because I could not be in this life alone without, without Devin? Nereid, Lucas, Layla and Brantee.? All of his family. ?I am the head, I lead and you are expected to follow.? How he believed, but he never lead her away from her desires.
Hopefully Aullere could breathe, because those large hands weren?t letting her get away. He lead with her words, her desires and her love. All of that kept him sane in the middle of chaos. ?Time away M?hela, has shown me that in my Youth I was a selfish man to take and even now, I want to take.? Take her, all of what she could give and beyond that. ?I do not know if I will be the undoing of our family because ..? The rest of his words failed to fall from his tongue.

?You have my doubt M?hela.? Not about them, but about himself and feeling that if he wasn?t careful, he might ruin it all. Now that she had it, her light would hopefully diminish the shadows around his fear. Clearing his throat, he didn?t want to talk about it anymore. ?I needed you to know.? Her being there was enough for him. Taking her hand, he was off to find Nereid and the twins.

?We?ll talk to Nereid and together, we?ll find out what another knows.?

Before seeing Nereid, he simply replied to her. "M'hela.. I have never doubted you, but this moment I doubt myself. I doubt my ability to return here to you and make you happy. I doubt that I can be a father our children deserve. I doubt what I can do for our extended family and our people. I've never doubted you, it is only myself I doubt."

Rique never moved when he doubted, he never acted until he was sure on a plan. Sometimes he reacted and acted with his heart first, but this time he needed a plan about Carthia. "I planned to go to Carthia first.. I thought it was the right thing to do, but it wasn't, I should have come here. Hasam was wise enough to reroute... now I must see myself and discover why I am doubting. I doubted in Elpeth my ability, and still it overflows. I do not want to disappoint any of you again or cause tears."

Maybe she missed what he was trying to say because he had a hard time understanding it himself. "I regret being selfish, but not what I have gained. I regret not seeing what I should... maybe I am being tested." He held her.

"Do not ever doubt that I will be away from you or our family by choice." He wasn't going any where, but he was being tested.

Every decision made, every word said and every moment that passed changed him as a man. She moved, he stayed for a moment giving her time to get to the children first. Her words resonated in the back of his mind and took hold there.

For now, he followed. He wanted to find out what Nereid was going through. He stood in the doorway and smiled at his girls.

After kissing the top of her head, he led her and Aullere deeper in the room. ?Lucas why don?t you take Layla and go supervise the unloading of the Sword? M?hela, can you spare someone to escort them to the Desert Sword? Lucas has plenty of things for you, sisters and Devin. ?

Lucas jumped up and down. ?Sissy, wait till you see what I have for you.?

They only needed someone to walk down the harbor; most of the cargo was already unloaded. The crew knew where to send things. Some to the holding area of McClaerie?s, some bound for the cottage, and a good bulk for here, the presents Rique brought for his family. He had intended to spend Christmas at the cottage with his family but they would make it where ever it needed to be.

?M?hela, I need you here.? He didn?t want her to go and supervise, but maybe she had to be away for a few minutes? His request asked, so his full attention was on what his daughter said.

He felt the same silence, a breaking of sorts. Ever since he remembered, he?d always felt his wife, his children and his Alda. It was like a faint whisper on the back of his neck and when he was close to any of them it almost radiated like the sun upon his face. How did he explain that to Nereid? It was doubtful he had explained it; their connection was always there even when faint. ?Nereid. Listen to be carefully.? He started.

When Aullere was back, he turned between her and Nereid. ?When I met your mother, I felt something for her that I could not explain. I felt the same for your brother.. when you came along, this feeling multiplied, how? I?m not sure, except to say there?s a sense of magic over our family. An extra blessing.? That had to be the reason that was the only thing he could think about, the only rational reason. ?The beginning of our people it was not the best, there was a holy war and many died. Out of those ashes we were born, the people of the Erabedlem. In those early days, an old woman told the monks there would always be a protector and teacher of our people, they called her Alda.? Nereid knew the story of old, but it deserved repeating for her sake, but mostly his.

?The first Alda was your godmother, and now, you are also called Alda. Nereid, you have way to see beyond what others could see. You are connected to the ones who protect us.? It wasn?t all the witch?s magic, it was the elders, the unseen ancients of old which watched over them and guided. All of these things deeply interwoven in a tight fabric, yes it was threadbare in places, but it was expected with any protected covering. ?If it is quiet, if you cannot see, it is because you are being tested.? It made sense to him, maybe it didn?t make sense to her.

Nereid was aging, she was gaining wisdom, learning how to find her own voice, learning how to bear the weight of many in a selfless act. He didn?t want his daughter to suffer, yet he knew it was her destiny. If he could save her from the pain, he would gladly cover her himself, but all he could do was guide her through and hopefully she would see the way.

Rique was being tested, he was being tested to stand in his own fear. He felt like a failure to his family, most of all to his wife and she wanted him to find himself. Taking Nereid?s hand he held it firmly and looked at Aullere. ?I know this life has never been easy on you, the way of my people, and the way of your life at sea. Our children are blessed M?hela.? Nereid was different, she was so different than the others. He saw so much of the Alda?s spirit in her, which was odd because they could have been twin souls. The strength of the sea coursed through Nereid?s veins, and her mother?s will he knew for sure. This young girl before them is a strong tower, yet he knew that in her life there would be lessons she would need to learn. Hopefully those lessons would not mark her and leave her heart broken.

?Nereid, tell me what happened before you could not connect??

The veins in Rique?s neck tightened and he visibly became upset. Parts of the story made sense after all these months and so did the prophetic ramblings. K?riel said in his life time there would always a trinity and protection for their people. When the bloodlines were broken, so would be a dark day. Rique kissed Nereid?s head and stood. He shot a look of anger only Aullere knew, she?d seen his temper a few times in their life together. He kissed her head and left mother and daughter to talk.

He wanted to tell Nereid more, but he also wanted to protect her. She?d been pulled ? no, she was born into this life. Rique actually stormed passed the crew and down the plank. It happened at the time Espleom was on his way back to wait for the eldest. The two men moved out of the way and any onlookers saw Rique getting upset, and Espleom nodding and standing. A letter passed from one hand to the other, Rique nearly shredded the letter to see what it said. A few mores were exchange and Esple was sent post-haste with a verbal message to the baker.

Rique turned back to his wife?s ship and stared for a long time. If she came up he hadn?t seen her, but he had to have a plan. He?s not a magic dealer and he didn?t intend on opening a portal to jump back to the Erabedlem to find a priest. ?Think old man, think.? It was a three day voyage to Carthia with good winds and an empty ship. That would put them three days there and three days back. Whether he liked it or not, Nereid was tied to the witch and Drenska to the witch. One was dead and the other knew how to raise the dead. Nereid was part of a trinity, not a dark and evil twisted one, but of a selfless force that spent hours with the secrets of their people.

These women were in a sense holy women, they weren?t perfect, without flaws or gods. They were human women with sight into the world where others could not see. Women who could move the fate of the world with whispers, but did not. His daughter was one of them; and knowing her strength and destiny was tied to both Aldas, it was important to find both of them.

Running back aboard to reach his M?hela and daughter. ?Nereid.. when you lost connection with Drenska and Gabriella, tell me what is in your head.? Gently covering her cheeks with his palms. Under the surface, did turbulent waters rise up in her soul? She was good at masking everything; she had since she was a young girl. Out of all his children, she understood him the best probably because he hid most of what he felt under the surface. His question had nothing to do with him, it had to do with her and what she was feeling, what might surface.

Fate often used darkness as a foothold and over the years he?d seen a pattern. Maybe this time they could break the cycle, and he hoped beyond all hope the witch saw this coming. More than one occasion she?d promised to loosen fate?s grip on her. Was this her plan? Was this her plan to break the tentacles which wrapped around her soul and crept close to those she was tied to? Was he nuts?

?Tell me Nereid, you tell me true what do they whisper to you?? Was she hearing the voices of that damn f*cking fate as the others did? He didn?t mean to growl at her, but he was angry and wanted to know.

Watching her father leave, Nereid wasn't sobbing, but her body from the inside out was trembling violently. Lip's dry to the point of parched, she searched her mother's forever gaze and was suddenly trapped within such mind tingling pain, she held her head in her hands and dark eyes squeezed closed.

"Open yourself, Nereid..." Aullere's whisper reaching her, she held on desperately. In those turbulent moment's of vulnerability, something sinister snuck it's way beyond the veil and was making Nereid well aware of it. A single hand jutted into the air and went perfectly erect, veins quaking as if it was being pushed against, willing her strength to the surface and stop the entity in it's track's. It would not pass.

"A stone in the ancient circle, Standing firmly, Balanced on the earth, Yet open to the winds of heaven and enduring through time, May the old gods witness my words." A whisper of the first, then louder yet. "A gulf to ford. Bridge the vast realities. And it harm none, do as you please. Elements, protect and guard these lives from wandering eyes and prying looks. Fill it with thine ancient powers, in this right and ready hour."

The Holy Book of The Ancients kept always heart close, slammed to the planked flooring. The spiral's began to unravel in the young girl's mind, her strength barely comprehending as it came forward and the harshest of wind found it's way beyond the cabin door. "Powers of the North, the East below, help me to live, to learn, to grow. Lend your strength and stability, to practice the Craft and with love be free. Powers of East, the wind, the Sky, watch over these pages with thine eye."

"Your wisdom and knowledge, for these I do ask, that this book be worthy of the Craft and its task. Powers of South, Fire, and hearth, help these Shadows to prove their worth. Infuse them with all your healing and passion, so only good comes from the work that is fashioned. Powers of West, the Water and sea, change and growth are granted by thee. Bless these pages with all that you know, that righteous readers may learn and grow. And to the unschooled eye that see, confusing words and sophistry, lead them from these sacred pages, and bless their passage through the ages. For free will of all, and harm none, as I have willed it, it is now done. So mote it be!"

The book snapped closed and when the door flew open, Rique stood there and soon touch met from his fingertips, their eyes closed and the heat vibrating from the very core of Nereid transcended by the powers that be for her father to claim as his own. The three huddled there together, clinging to one another, breathy prayers, silence and finally a shred of peace. Searching her husband's gaze, Aullere had her steadfast answer and a kiss met his temple.

Strength. Unity. Blood.

The small carpet knelt upon swept away, the white pentagram revealed to her parents and Nereid's tone took on a purely demanding tone, gaze trained on her father. "May you go forth under the strength of heaven, under the light of the sun, under the radiance of the moon; may you go forth with the splendor of fire, with the speed of lightning, and the swiftness of wind; may you go forth supported by the depth of the sea, by the stability of earth, by the firmness of rock; may you be surrounded and encircled, with the protection of the nine elements. The darkness will not reach you, move swiftly, Poppy....move very swiftly."

Eerie to the point of cryptic, the tones and tongues Nereid had taken, were beginning to seep from the pores of her palms and drip into nothingness along the floor. Her father's inquiry of what she saw, clearly answered. The power, the will, the need to transgress one of calmness and solidity.

Another look cast her mother, Aullere gave her daughter a slow but prominent nod and thick lashes met the tops of her cheeks. The final sound heard being that of fluttering wings, Nereid was gone. Her husband was gone. Aullere had always known this day would come, she only wished it was not now, not when Nereid was so young. But so powerful she was. So untouched and pure in every element.

"Dear Saint's, be with them." Whispered, Aullere was soon gathering Layla and Lucas, they would from this point forward not be away from her side.

Moctez listened to every word Aullere spoke and gave a nod of his bald head, now and again. With clenched teeth, the woman continued. "It is too late t' get th' rest of th' fleet here, remain steadfast an' on th' ready t' pull anchor at a moment's notice."

While Layla and Lucas played nearby, their mother never once removed sight from them, half expecting them to be swept away at anytime. "Aye, Aullere, tis understood." Moving off, the Caribbean set to gathering the crew to have a word or twelve. Any shore leave was discontinued, those within the city would be ordered back to the ship post haste.

"Wot we got's heah..." Muttered beneath his breath, Aullere glance towards the docks at Moctez's statement and spotted Clancy, but more importantly....Antonio, making their way towards the ship.

"Ahh hell..." This was about to become a hot mess, Aullere just knew it. There wasn't time for formalities or pomp politeness. "Send Antonio to my quarter's, I will deal with him there..." A hand raked through her hair, Aullere gave a final glance to the area in general and then the cloudless sky before tapping the twin's each on the head, for them to follow and going below. "If y' see Rique, warn him of the husband being aboard."

Over the year's, Aullere had been able to hear her husband call out to her from the most far of distances. It weaved it's way until it found it's mark and consumed. This moment was of no exception to that and from the cabin, all movement and thought ceased.

Layla and Lucas were asleep, restless but asleep. Glancing down to them both, Aullere would not take the chance of leaving them alone and made her way into the main room and opened the door. "Rique, I'm below!"

Knowing full well that their world was spinning sideways on it's axis, the shadows nearly bled they were so full of unrest. Willing her hands to stop shaking, a mere spare of sight was given the portal, half expecting Nereid to swoosh her way back. But it didn't happen.

Their daughter was sucked into the one thing she had been spared of during her short year's. A level of panic so thick it could be cut with a knife, panic yes. Fear, yes. Anger, oh indeed. She could feel the rage of her husband as it mixed with her own and threatened to waver out of control. If this happened, there would be no turning back. But, they would remain united, heady enough to piss off the powers that be to form some sort of outcome or conclusion to the plague that enveloped them all for year's upon year's.

A small hand finding it's mother's, Aullere pulled Layla close to her and smoothed her hair. "Go to bed, love....Poppy is coming and you need your sleep." Bustling her off, the child begrudgingly went back to bed and curled up next to her brother.

Leaning there in the doorway, Aullere waited.

Pulling Rique closer and closer yet, the fringes of Aullere's nostrils were flaring as she breathed him in. Finger's curled about the front of his shirt, cementing them together and aided with Rique's effort. Tipping her head back, bright green searched his features, his gaze and held. "She is gone already, my heart. Gone to find Gabby. She left the moment you shut the door earlier. I think she had wanted to go earlier, she awaited you."

The ward placed by Drenska had now fallen with Rique's return. His contact with his daughter freely open, but for how long and at what price? "Guide her, Rique....you must guide Nereid."

Nearly clinging to him, the corridor's of the ship were only lit by lantern light, shadows dusted to and fro, but the seriousness of her admission could not be denied. "It terrifies me, Rique. Gabby has been woven into our lives for as long as can be remembered. Her plight, her passage, the fact that she is in fact a pawn in all of this. Her existence while larger than life, always filled with such mind numbing pain and sacrifice for those around her....is that Nereid's destiny....aye. I firmly believe that begins now for our daughter. She will reach her, of this there is no doubt....not in my mind."

"I will send a runner out to Devin and Brantee, I think they need to come in from the woods for now..."

Nereid did as her father told her and released the connection. Rique might have felt her sag deep against him, seeking his warmth. All at once, the young woman felt a hollowness as she left her Godmother alone. "We are coming, Alda....please hold on...close the window."

Aullere's confirmation was when she stepped away from Rique and headed down the alleyway barking order's. "All hand's on deck, NOW! Prepare to weigh anchor....!"

Poor Clancy, there was no telling where Antonio had gotten off to, but at this point the woman didn't care. "Y' get yourself out t' Devin and tell him he and Brantee are needed aboard, post haste." The crewman made the mistake of taking a breath instead of instantly moving and Aullere glanced over a shoulder to him. "Don't just stand there, MOVE!" Clancy visibly jumped and rushed by the Captain. "Aye, Captain...!"

Locating Moctez in the wheel house, Aullere pulled the scroll cases from the shelf and slid one imparticular in front of him. "Prepare th' men, we will be leaving come dark for Carthia."

Moctez quirked a brow. "Cap'n, we is sailin' with leettle crew, we can't wait on the rest o' the fleet...?" Inquired as he was pulling the maps free to unfurl.

"We ain't got time, Bosun. We are gonna be underway come dusk. I just sent Clancy for Devin and the Mouse, tis all we are gonna wait on. Color's will nae b' shown. Considerin' the weather, ain't gonna be anything out there in our way."

The snow fall had picked up over the last couple of nights, leaving an almost haziness to the surrounding areas. It would be under that guise they would sail hopefully, unhindered. "When you see Devin, have him send Brantee below and get him in th' holds to check powder, just in case."

"Aye, Cap..." Moctez knew when and when not to question his Captain, this was a time when he did not. She knew best and he would do as he had over the last 17 years beneath her command....ultimately follow her order's. "Have Keifer unload any cargo we be storin', leave any and all supplies intact. We're gonna need them."

Pulling her coat tightly around her, Aullere headed back below to Rique and the twins, leaving the crew to run like the finely oiled machine they were.

Curled up in the large leather chair across from the desk, Aullere wondered if Rique remembered when it had been found. It was in some little and dusty shoppe, in Oro Negro. All alone, it sat there forlornly, dark and slightly cracked in it's leather, as if it was going to be particular about it's new owner.

It was during the same trip, he had found the desk he was writing at. Year's ago it had been, but both items had been christened in the only way possible.

Even though they were in the midst of turmoil, those memories brought a grin to her lips which shot directly into her gaze. Touch meeting the worn arm, she nodded in agreement with what he had said.

"Aye, we are together, my heart and that is all the difference in the world. We'll be on our way in a couple o' hour's. Devin and Brantee should be here shortly. I will say this, we will not wait for the husband to show his face, time is of the essence and if he cannot pull his holy head out of his Spanish backside, that is his problem and not our's."

(removed)

(removed)

Nereid awoke in a dream like state, where sight and sound echoed as the chant of whispered innuendo's ran free and great. The voice eerily familiar, fingers curled into the tenderness of her palms and blood soon pooled in tiny droplet's.

Slipping quietly from her bed, silent footfalls soon had her placed outside of her parent's door where her forehead pressed to the span and breath was more than fleeting. Beyond that door, she heard their voices as they drifted and felt so far away. Thousand's of miles passing between them, she stood back and pressed herself against the opposing wall. "Poppy..." Dulcet in her tones. "Poppy..." Repeated with no response.

Time and time again, her Godmother's face twisted and raced through her mind. That place where the darkest of secrets were kept and threatened to explode into knowing life.

Surrounded. Suffocated. Unable to breathe. The four wind's closed in a struggle into one entity and failed.

Upon her knees, before that door, the sign of the witch dripped into the planked flooring, leaving behind it's tainted recollection. "Godmother..."

Confusion reigned, unsure of which way to turn. A name suddenly on the tip of her tongue. The name of the familiar. Hemi.

Understanding.

Protection.

He answered to Rique and comes to seek the child.

Betrayal.

Dear God, such betrayal.

"Poppy!"

"Honor to the crescent and the waning, and She who walk's in brightness. The Mother of enchantments. Be good fortune in Thy waxing, merriment at Thy full and evils be banished in Thy decrease."

Something was wrong, so very wrong. Out of place. Out of sort's. Godmother! The crescendo of the God's, forming the abyss. Do not fall...! Do not break...! Do not bend...! NEVER!

The Holy Trinity.

The circle cast.

The Watchtower's abandoned.