Two months ago no one would have pegged Kathryn Manchester for a sailor. She spent her days in the small little town of DeClaire behind the counter of the general store that her father, Gregory ran. She was sixteen and had taken up this job three years before hand when after a long sickness her mother died.

Her father had not taken it well at all. He and his beloved Leah had been wed for sixteen years. They had three lovely children. Two boys: Viktor and Alexander then later one daughter Kathryn. Viktor had joined up with the local army men and had gone off on a barge three weeks after his mother was diagnosed. Alexander had stayed till her final moment sitting beside Kathryn at their mothers bed side. Afterwards Alex left, he didn't say where he was going nor when he would be back. With his son gone Gregory had no choice but to put his young daughter to work at the store the family owned in town.

The Manchester General Store was a beacon in the small little sea side town. They sold everything anyone could ever desire. They got in exotic spices and spiced rum from the ships that came in, they had guns,swords,knives and every other weapon mounted up on the walls oh held in the glass cases. They sold powder, and cannon balls.

Clothing filled the back room. Pants and shirts of every size, color and style. Belts and boots. There were also many long lovely dresses, and fine women's shoes.


Kathryn stood behind the counter in her pale blue dress and apron with her long brown hair pulled in to a messy bun behind her head. The store smelt of gunpowder and dust. People from the town and sailors new in port came and went from the shop leaving their gold and silvers for the goods. Gregory often stood int he back office making sure to watch his daughter with the customers. He would watch both the local men and the sailors that came in, to make sure they never gave Kathryn a hard time.

But none dared to. Kathryn held her self high, and spoke well. She would not be taken lightly. Though she dressed plain and she was not. She was far from plain. Many a man took note of her as she stood behind the counter through the years. She stayed on at the store till her twenty-first year. When late one night while closing up the store her father was robbed and shot twice. He died two days later.

After that Kathryn couldn't bare to go to the store for the sake of her fathers memory, to preserve it. So she sold it to the highest bidder. Manchester General Store became a pub. A local place that drew the locals and sailors alike. It was there that she first met a sailor.

Delia and Kathryn set out right after that back in to town to pick out styles more akin to the life of a woman at sea. They walked through the DeClaire market place going in to stores that sold everything from belts to bloomers. At last after many hours of shopping Kathryn was out of those pale dresses and in more something akin to the life style she was undertaking.

"Well, you look like a sailor now. A right good pirate if I might say so myself." Delia grinned.

Kathryn looked to herself then to her reflection in the near by store window, she wore brown boots that met her knees, black pants with a brown sash like belt and an off white button up shirt that she had rolled up to the elbows. While they were out Delia made sure to buy Kathryn three things, a spy glass, a money purse and a pistol a rather nice one too. "Now I will be assumin ye know how to shoot one of those. Ye might want to invest in a nice sword, but I haven't seen any about here. Maybe at the next port." She looked up then, "speaking of, we'd better go."

Kathryn nodded and slung that plain brown bag over her shoulder. It held that spyglass, and a few sets of clothing to change in to. But even after all the money they had both spent Kathryn still had coins to put in to that coinage purse.

They then left the market place and headed back for the docks. Delia hummed a little tune as they walked and was sure to note every man that note either her or Kathryn. "You'll do well out at sea lass, you hold yourself well." She smirked, " every man on that crew will be eyeing you, they are good men. But watch them closely. A new lady on the ship means they will be at their worst for a few days."

Kathryn nodded. "What shall I be doing on the ship?"

Delia looked to her, " Henry will test your skills himself, but you'll start out cleaning, wiping down he galley,swabbin the deck. Its a right of passage we all went through."

They walked on and at last reached the docks, where the crew was busy loading up boxes and getting ready to make sail. It was then that Kathryn saw those red and orange sails open. Delia smirked and walked towards the crew, lifting one of the lighter boxes and tucking it under her arm. Kathryn followed suit lifting one of the smaller round barrels. The men of the crew eyed them both and hoot and hollered at them.

"Hush now boys." Henry's voice rang over them all. He was headed down the gang plank to meet his lovely wife. He first took the box from her then kissed her softly. "I see you found some things for Miss Manchester." Looking back to Kathryn as he spoke. "You have such good tastes my love." He then slid from her and to Kathryn taking that barrel from her. "Don't mind the boys, they aren't used to having two lovely women on the ship." Kathryn blushed to that. "Well enough chit chat, Delia will show you your quarters and the rest of the ship while I help the lad finish loading up. I hope ye have everything, for were setting sail as soon as were done."

"I do, thank ye Captain." She then walked up the gang plank and on to the deck of The Crimson Sun. Delia smirked and snaked her arms about Kathryn's shoulders, "come I'll show you your room and the galley. You'll get to meet Cook." They slowly made their way down bellow deck as the crew and Henry finished up with loading up the ship.

"How many crew members are there?" Kathryn peered in to the shadows for a moment before she started to grow accustom to the low light. Delia walked leading her past closed doors with heavily scrawled names upon placards that hung against them. "well not counting myself and Henry there are twenty or so." Kathryn nodded she was trying to read the names but most of them were to heavily scrawled to read.

"You'll meet them all in time.Ahh here we are. " they came to a door where the placard was blank. "You'll write your lovely little name there. "she pushed open the door. It was good sized room, with bed, small dresser and desk. And a chest sat at the foot of the bed. "Its not much but your things will be safe in here. There's three locks on the inside of the door and one on the outside should you felt he need to leave anything of value in here. But I will tell you now, keep your money on you at all times, that and your weapons. Everything else can be replaced." Kathryn nodded and walked in lowering her bag of extra clothes to the chest.

"Alright, heres the key for the outside lock." Delia dug a small golden key out of her money pouch. And Kathryn took it putting it in her own. "Now lets go see cook, he'll be so happy to have such a lovely helper. And Tarver will love ye, he's been the clean up boy for two years now."

They left the room and headed for the galley. Down they went deeper under the main deck and a large room opened up before Kathryn's eyes. There was a long table with benches as seating. Then there was a thin wall with an open windowless pane in it. The room smelt of salted pork and rum. A wafting smell of brewing coffee hit her nose as they went in further.

"hey Cook, Traver. Come out here a second please." Delia stuck her head through the open pane. Out through a small half door came a short guff man wearing an apron, he looked a lot like Gill, save his hair was black as onyx, and his eyes were deeply set. beside him stood a boy about sixteen, with long ruffled brown hair and dark eyes. He smiled softly towards them both.

"Cook, Tarver this is Kathryn Manchester our newest member. Kathryn this is Cook and Traver."

The short guff man just nodded to her and shuffled back in to the kitchen. Delia smiled. "Don't mind cook, he doesn't talk to anyone not even the Capt. some of the men think he has no tongue." Kathryn winkled her nose at that.

Traver stood still with a growing smile. Delia smirked looking back to the boy, "But I know your not guilty of that Traver." "What?" He blinked and looked to Delia, "Oh no ma'am." He held out his hand to Kathryn. "Its a pleasure to meet ye Miss Manchester." Kathryn held her hand back and shook his.

"And you must forgive Traver,hes not only happy to be done with his cleaning duties but he seems a bit taken back by you." Traver shook Kathryn's hand then took his back when Delia mentioned his duties of cleaning boy were over. "Oh I'll still be happy to help show Miss Manchester the ropes."

"Well how kind of you." She gave Kathryn pat on the back. "Have fun. I am gonna go help Henry." And she slowly slipped off. Traver grinned to Kathryn then. "Well Miss Manchester where shall we start?"

"Frist off, enough with the Miss Manchester, Kathryn is fine. And any where ye'd like to begin is fine with me Traver."

He nodded and headed towards a small trap in the floor.

Two weeks went by with the same day to day duites,cleaning dusting and taking orders and keeping the secret. But the more she watched Henry the more she felt as if he knew what was going on between Traver and his wife. He sent Traver every day to dust his office and kept Kathryn up on deck hard at work.

For the miles of ocean they crossed Kathryn learned more and more about winds and how the sea worked. Everything she did started coming as second nature and the crew had begun to respect her. They had been at sea for two weeks and it would be one more before they reached port. They by passed light and heavy storms with Dan on the watch.

For the last week before they reached port Kathryn sat up in the crows nest with Dan learning his secrets of how to spy things through a glass. Every man had his own story, of battles and war. Every man knew something different. Jimmy knew about gum powder and how to aim a cannon just right.

Micky knew everything about sails and flags. Kline was the mapper, he held the compass and stood at the helm when Henry was not there. Jacob was one hell of a marksman with daggers, even with spoon he could cut a hole in the walls of the galley. Frank knew all to much about guns, and taught Kathryn how to fire every gun they had on the ship. Marcus was the rigging man, good with knots. Luke,Riley and Martin were a cannon men along side Jimmy, they all knew all to much about explosives. Dan of coarse could see for miles ahead even without his spy glass.

The ship also had sweeps, long ors in case they needed them. Neal,Arty,Little Han and Resse were the men on the right side Ray,Kev, Zeke and Riccie were the left and when they didn't use the sweeps those boys tended to the deck like it was their baby. Luis and Peg Leg Bob were swabbers of the deck when Traver couldn't do it himself. Callaway was the man in cargo of the under decks, and his missing eye was poked out three years ago by his ex wife. Kathryn got to know them all, and they all knew the secret love affair between Traver and Delia but none of them spoke a word of it to Henry.

Peg Leg Bob was the most intresting of them all at least to Kathryn, to have two peg legs and still be able to do the work he did. He talked with a long slur and often spoke of how he lost his left leg, blow off by cannon blasts two years before on a different ship, and when he met Henry he was One Leg Bob, then after four years at sea they came to port and they got in a bar fight, Bob lost his other leg but other crew members were lost. But you could always find new crew members.

It was late when they got in to the port of Utani, the men were quick to work getting the ship tied to the docks before heading out. Kathryn was going to stay witht he ship until Henry walked by her on his way down the gang plank.

"You should come along with us." He smiled a genuine smile. "What about Traver and Delia?" Henry shrugged, "they will come along soon enough come on." He held out his hand to her and she took it. Giving one glance back to the ship, she knew very well what Traver and Delia were up to.But she walked on off the gang plank beside Henry. The men had filtered in to the port town most bound for local bars. But Henry passed them by, Kathryn went with him. Merely for the fact that she didn't have any desire to drink.

"Lovely night isn't it?" Henry walked looking up at the stars. Kathryn nodded, looking up as well. "Aye sir it is." Henry chuckled to that, " you can call Henry when were on dry land Kathryn, " She nodded to that, " Henry." He swaggered along, "Delia told me to help ye find a good smith in this town.Utani is huge,theres bound to be more than one, but we will have to wait till morning. Your welcome to sleep on the ship but its bound to be lonely, even Cook comes off when were at port. Most of the men sleep in the inns or alley ways, the sea rats that they are."

He glanced back at her she was still starring up. Until she noted his glance, "I suppose I shall find a good inn to stay at then." Henry nodded, " Good thinking, none of the men stay in the finer inns."

They walked along the dimly lit street for half a mile, and at last came to the Golden Horn Inn and Pub. By the outside alone Kathryn could tell it was a finer inn. Once they walked inside she saw the common room was quite large and most of the patrons wore fine threads. "I feel out of place here." Henry grinned, "Nonsense, half these women would kill to have your figure. Now come on, lets find the keep." He led the way to the bar, and every man looked at him then to Kathryn. Kathryn just followed him up to the bar and stood there as they waited for the keeper to address them.

"Well hello fine lady and sir,Welcome to The Golden Horn Inn and Pub. How may I be serving ye both this eve." The man behind the bar was short with long dark hair and mustache. He smiled looking Kathryn over more than once. Henry noted how uneasy his glances made her and snaked his arm about her waist "a bottle of your finest red wine, two glasses and a room for three days and two nights" The keeper nodded, going straight to work getting the bottle of red, two glasses and a key. "Three hundred gold coins please sir." Henry was amazed, he was sure it was bound to be more. He handed the man the payment and a nice tip before leading Kathryn up the stairs to room number six. He opened the door and ushered her in and followed. It was a large room with two beds and a balcony. It even had its own small fire place. Henry moved along popping the cork of the wine and filling two glasses.

He handed one to Kathryn, then sat the bottle down on the small end table by the fire. "To the open sea and the adventures that come with it." She smiled clinking her glass to his before taking a long savored sip of the full robust red wine.


They spent their long night drinking and talking, as well s eating the inns fine fare before turning in to bed. Kathryn was a bit shocked when Henry stated he would stay with her for the next two nights if she didn't mind. She did not. There was plenty of room, and she changed in the private bath. Henry smirked at her shyness. He changed in to his bed clothes right before her eyes, though she turned her back.

The following morning they set out to find a good sword. But after two hours they found not a sword in sight only a small silver dagger and bullets for her pistol. One of the Blacksmiths told them where the best smith was, he was miles away at another port town. At last they gave up and walked around talking for many hour, they spied a few of the crew here and there but no sign of Traver or Delia. It was late in the afternoon near dusk when they sat down on a bench in a small patch of garden just outside the main city.

"Kathryn?" She turned her head and smiled to him, "yes Henry?" "May I speak freely with you?" She merely nodded. Henry took a breath, "I think Delia and Traver are.." He gulped nearly unable to bring himself to the words, "you know." She again nodded, " what makes you think that?" Henry chuckled, "you don't have to protect them, its noble but tell me, am I right?"

Now it was time for Kathryn to take the breath, "yes.." Henry nodded and hung his head. Kathryn then placed her hand upon his shoulder. "You deserve better than that sir." He smiled to that, "I knew something was going on, I am likely the only one not to know." She nodded, "you should confront her." He shook his head to that, " No no, let them.. do what they will do." Kathryn blinked, "what? your not even going to fight for her?" Henry shook his head, "Travers been with us since he was nine, the moment he became a young man I am sure Delia started to..seduce him and.. well..."


"Oh.. so its been going on a while." Henry nodded, " I should have known something, she used to come to me..so ready to be with me, then things changed, I am not as young as I used to be..and I love the sea sometimes more so than her but still..." Kathryn patted his shoulder.

He smiled to her, " How long have you known?" Kathryn gulped the image of Delia straddled over Traver would never leave her mind, " a while, I wanted to tell you but." "The crew would have none of it, they know an angry captain is not good, but I'm not angry, only sad." He gazed to her again, " Kathryn?" "Aye?" She looked in to his eyes and tried to smile, to be upbeat for him. "Do you think I am an attractive man?" The question hung in the air for many long moments and she blushed to it as well. "Your a fine looking man." He chuckled softly, " you may speak more freely, I shall not hold it against you." "Yes, your very handsome. " She dared not to look at him, but she could see his smile rise at the corner of her eye.

"Thank ye." He rose then and offered his hand and together they walked back to their inn and up to their room. Henry stood there as she walked out the door to go and change, he watched her walk and looked her up and down. He found her very attractive but would never say nor do anything about it. He slowly changed and sat in his bed with his bare back to the door. He knew Kathryn was there by her scent alone, lilac. He looked over his shoulder at her in her long dark blue night gown her back was to him. He slowly stood and walked to her.

Kathryn turned sensing him there, she starred at him as he starred at her. She noted the way he glanced at her. "Henry, what is it?" He just shook his head and lifted his hand and brushed it through her damp chestnut lockes. His fingers then slid down the back of her neck and he took a step in to her. Kathryn's heart fluttered at his touch, and her cheeks reddened with blush. "If I wasn't a married man, I'd be most tempted to kiss you right now." He slowly with drew then.

Kathryn breathed a heavy breath and watch him back up. Delia was cheating on him and yet he remained loyal to a fault.

The sand was warm, the waters were so blue and clear that you could spot the fish that swam towards the shallows as dolphins chased them. The crew seemed at home on this little island of isolated sand. Peg Leg Bob sat in the little hut like shelter they had all built looking out at sea with a spy glass, Dan sat beside him looking through the trees to the other side of the island. It wasn't that wide of an island but ti was long. The tall trees held wild fruits and calling monkeys. But the sea alone seemed to provide them with enough food. Fish, and crab and for the bolder of them all shrimp, squid and lobster, cooked over a wild fire.

While the rest of the men took this time in resting int he sand and sun Henry paced the island from one end to the next, looking out to sea for any signs of passing ships. But none had yet shown up. Kathryn sat on the beach with her boots off and her pants rolled up to her knees. The warm waters washed up over her toes and then back in to the ocean. The days were long. The hottest hours were at mid day where all the crew gathered under the shelter of the hut and trees, but even under the shade the humidity rose, creating waves of mist and cloud, that later brought misty rains to the island.

By the time the third day had passed Henry had plotted out the whole island and even drawn a crude map of their little home. He sat by the fire side nightly telling the men what he had seen in the thickness of the jungle. Most tales were of little moneys and wild beautiful birds. But he always added a bit of fantasy to the tales, of seeing bones or skulls.

Kathryn found the little tales interesting, and funny at the same time. For she knew that Henry was merely telling tales about the bones and skulls, she could tell by the way he smirked when he told the tales.


They all shared tales over the nights that followed. The first was Peg Leg Bob:


" Now many of ye know how I lost me legs, but most of ye don't know that before I lost them I was a shop keeper." He began and looked to the rest of the men across the fire, then to Kathryn. "I had a daughter about twelve back then, I had been married at a young age. My wife passed on not long ago. After I lost my last leg I heard the news.My daughter still lives through I bet she sometimes wondered about her ol man. "

Henry gave Bob a pat on the back, "Once we get out of here, I'll find a way to get ye all home. If that is what any of ye wish." Bob smiled to that. "I would like to see my daughter, aye it would be nice."Callaway poked at the fire with a stick, looking at everyone with his one good eye. "Henry, what are you gonna do?"Henry shrugged, " my ship is gone, maybe I'll find another or try something new,somethin land based."

The crew laughed at that, they could never see him at a land based job. Callaway still smirking looked around then at his fellow crew mates, "my plan be this once we get found if ever that day does come. I intend to go after that sea witch and Traver and blow them out of the water." The other gave a good nod tot hat. Henry just chuckled, " ye have my blessing to gut her like a fish, but do try to save the ship." Callaway nodded, "aye sir.."

Kline looked to the other crew members then to Kathryn with a quirked brow. "So kat," he smiled that dashing smile that only a man like him could pull off. "Even after a week or two at sea with ye, we all know so little about you. Since where all here.."

Kathryn snickered and looked to them all, noble men, those who put their alliance in Henry and not in Delia. Hence why they were all stuck on this island. "Well, its a long story."

Dan chuckled, " long is good, we might be here a while."

"Well," she began looking to them all. One woman amoungeight men, but they were good men. None yet save for Henry had even tried to put any soft of move on her. "I grew up in DeClair.My father ran the general store there. I first started working at the store when I was sixteen, three years before my mother had died. I have two elder brothers whom I have not seen in sometime Viktor left three weeks before my mother was given the news that she was destine to die off tot he army. Alexander stayed till her last day and then disappeared. "

They all sat tentatively listening to her tale, she was amazed that no one had said anything yet. "My fathers store was a beacon to those in town and those who came in. We sold everything ones heart could desire.
Exotic spices and spiced rum from the ships that came in. Guns,swords,knives and every other weapon which were mounted up on the walls or held in the glass cases. We sold powder, and cannon balls. Clothing used to fill the back room. Pants and shirts of every size, color and style. Belts and boots. There were also many long lovely dresses, and fine women's shoes. I served the customers, day in and out with my fathers fiery gaze watching them. But then one night my father instead on closing the shop alone and sent me on home. He was shot that night the bank money stolen...and I sold the shop to Gill and it became the pub where I met Henry."

They all eye'd Henry then. He chuckled, "I went in with..." He wouldn't speak her name, "I saw Kathryn there and knew the moment I saw her that she was Greg's daughter.. The foul wench.." Meaning Delia, " seemed to take a shine to her, only because she was a young pretty girl and I was paying her note."

"Who wouldnt." Micky cracked and smirked. The whole crew hollered to that. That made Kathryn blush terribly. "So I asked her the next day to join the crew and the rest is history..." Henry grinned softly looking across the way to her, now wishing that he had kissed her that night at The Golden Horn.

~~~~~

Two more weekspassed they all sat a bit more worn and torn a bit more weary of the island, and all a bit more sun burnt. There was still no sign of anyone on the open water, still nothing. Finally they had grown so weary that they built a signal fire in hopes that some passing ship might see it, the only thing was there would be no telling who saw it.

~~~

It had been three weeks and Kathryn could see that Henry was down. The current weather didn't help anything it had been raining for days. He didn't do much, he would walk around town go and see Callaway and Micky when he could. But most of the time he sat down stairs in the common room at the bar talking to the tender Ruffus about his days at sea.

When he came up again Kathryn sat him down in front of the fire and sat down beside him.It was time for him to let go of things, and let himself cry if need be.

"Henry." She starred at him, the light was gone from his eyes, he'd lost so much. His wife, his ship and his crew. But she would be there for him. He starred back at her and a touch of that lost light returned to his eyes, he wasn't alone. "Aye?" She moved closer and placed her hand upon his shoulder. "I know your going through a lot, and if you need to talk. I am here."

He smiled to that, "I'll be all right sweet. Its just so much to get through."

"your not alone, I miss them all too." Henry nodded, " you should be cooped up in here with me, you should be back out there. Getting your life back." She was touched but wouldn't leave his side, "Not till I see ye smile again." Henry smirked softly and reached in to his jacket pocket and pulled out his old compass and laid it upon her lap. "I want ye to have this, I done know when I'll ever be back at sea."

Kathryn lifted the compass and looked it over, it was old yet well preserved. "Henry I can't take this." He chuckled, "ye aren't, I am giving it too ye." She nodded to that, "I'll take good care of it."

"my father gave it to me when I was just a lad. I am going to look a round see if I can get ye out of here, or at least find ye a good job in town. 'Tis the least I can do. "

"I hate to leave ye here." She patted his shoulder softly. Henry smiled looking forward to the fire light. "I'll be alright,maybe I'll strike it rich. And this way if you ever need me, this is where I will be in Harpston."

She nodded to that. He then glanced to her, "Though I will miss seeing your pretty face." She blushed softly to that, "I am sure that's what all the crew are thinking." He chuckled to that, "aye they will miss seeing a pretty thing about. I never thought I would see dry land again.I thought we might all die out there on that sand bar." She nodded to that, "Delia was truly an evil woman."

Henry smirked to that, "She under estimated us all. I had hoped to sail in to the sun set on The Crimson Sun, but now it seems I can become fat and rich on land." Kathryn chortled softly, " ye will not become fat Henry, but I can see ye as a rich old man." He gave her a side long glance, "Old?" She just smirked softly. "Do you regret anything about what happened with Delia?"

Henry stroked his rough chin in thought on that one for a moment, " nae, nothing that happened with her do I regret. I regret only one thing." Her brows rose to that, "and?" He looked to her again, "That I did not kiss ye that night, I had to be a loyal gentlemen." She smiled and a faint blush rose over her cheeks, " 'tis a good thing to be loyal and a gentlemen, not many sailors can say that they are either or both."

"I kept telling myself that I was too old for ye, that some young man should be the one to sweep ye off your feet. And then I knew that if your father was alive he'd skin me alive or looking at ye so." Kathryn blushed more to that, "My father has no hold over ye, I am an adult. And ye are not old Henry." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Your a good man," she glanced to the compass. "I will miss ye greatly."

Henry nodded and placed his hand over hers. "I meant what i said, if ever your in a jam, I'll come to your rescue. But I hope that someday some dashing young man sweeps ye off your feet. But even then." His eyebrows rose twice, "if ye ever feel the need to come and see me." she snickered to that. "I shall not forget."

"Your bound to make some young man fall at your feet, and with that compass all you need is a ship.You'll be one sexy capt.And a very good one too. "

Her smiled widened.

The air rushed past her every dawn and every evening she climbed down from the crowsnest and curled up in to that little mesh and robe bed. Thinking of how much things had changed. She had lost so much but had gained a lot as well. So far she had proven a very good crewmeber she saw the seas ahead as well as their many dangers, they avoided more storms than they ever had. The crew liked her, if it was because she was a woman or because she was good at what she did. Kathryn would never be able to tell.

Day after day Martin left the helm and brought he lunch and went over the coming corse.The moved from port to port,buying,selling and trading. Spices,rum,weapons.It was all for sale, money came in and went out spent on women and rum. The crew was respectful to her, she had proven herself more than once, by taking down the advances of pirate after pirate. She had proven a steady shot and rather good to have in close quarters.

They had been at sea for two months. And at last they pulled in to one of the bigger ports. The Town Ariel, was huge its massive towers could be seen for miles, and the Jade Thorne looked like a bath toy next to the huge boats that docked along its port. Here there were many shops, and many people looking to buy,sell and trade for anything from else where. The Jade Thorne carried things that Kathryn had never seen before, armor that looked made of scales, gems and jewels that shone brighter than the sun itself, scrolls and books written in a tongue she did not know.

As she helped the men tie the boat tot he docks she saw that this town was indeed the very life of the sea, sailors everywhere, men and women. There were also nobels,dressed in fine threads and carrying heavy purses. There were dangers here as in any town, robbers and theives.Blood thirsty ones. Once the ship was docked and the docking fee was paid the men went off in tot won, to sell what they could Martin smirked as he put on his best wears for the town. He then tossed Kathryn a purse filled to the brim with gold and silver coins, as well as a few gems.

"Don't spend it all in one place, go find yourself something ye need." Kathryn smiled, she had been working hard and this was her reward, she needed some new things, bullets and powder, clothing as well as her weapons sharpened, and she hoped while here she could find that sword she'd always been looking for.

She first found herself in a store that sold women's clothing, and shoes. It was not an expensive place but the woman behind the counter was very odd indeed. She was very tall, and thin, her hair was long and silver toned, yet she could not have been much older than Kathryn herself, and her ears were the most peculiar thing of all, they were pointed at the ends.

The woman moved with grace as she measured Kathryns,legs,wasit and bust and then fitted her with a new cloak and a few sets of pants and shirts. The woman noted how Kathryn starred at her ears and just smiled. "Ye have never seen any like me have ye?" Kathryn shook her head, " nae, forgive me for starring." The woman shook her head, "tis alright. I am elvish, ye will see many like me here, some will be darker skinned some very fair. Ye will come to find that this city has many a breed and type."


Kathryn blinked, elvish. An elf? She blinked a few times before she paid her and slipped out back in tot he city square. The shop keeper had been right the more Kathryn looked around the more she saw them, tall or short dark skinned or light they all had pointed ears, some hid them behind their hair or under hats. Some had wonderfully colored hair.and some looked all together fierce.

Kat's next stop was the shop that read. Jays Guns and Powder. When she walked in she was surprised to see the man behind the counter looked more like something one might see in some fairy tale. He was short, and his arms were covered with fur. His face as well, his nose was long like a wolves, and his eyes were fierce.

Yet he smiled to his customers. This place would take some getting sued to. After buying bullets and powder for her pistol she headed out again, taking in the people who passed her, some were like Jay, some were like the elvish shop keeper, some where cloaked and hidden or walked in robes to and from stores and the huge library. There was a school as well, where young and old stundets walked to and from in uniforms and robes.

She soon found herself at the smith shop, looking over the man who seemed all to normal for a smith. He fixed and sharpened students daggers and she asked him about places that sold long swords. He led her out the door and told her how to get to a place. It took her the rest of the day to treck across the town towards the place. And by the time she got there it was dark and it was closed, but to her luck there was an Inn near by.

The Tindomerel Inn. Stood before her with its yellow lamps shinning from its wrap around porch, patrons sat outside on benches and swings sipping wine, mead and ale. The inn hummed and Kat could smell the food cooking inside. She headed up and inside. It was a very lage common room, a large stone fireplace to her right, the bar a few steps in front of her, a stair way up to her left and under those spiral stairs hidden booths lit with candles. There were tables and booths as well as couches and chairs. The Inn was busy she couldn't count the patrons as she walked in and slipped towards the bar.

Dristan Hartford owned the Burned Cutlass. He opened shop every day just after ten o'clock. He opened the window shades with care and got ready for his usual customers, those coming in to but simple daggers, no one ever bought his pricey swords, at least no one had since the duke and count had been through town again.

It had been a slow six months. Women hardly ever came in to his shop one, most were accompanied by husbands or brothers. But today as different, he sat behind the counter looking out the open window and he saw Kathryn coming towards his shop. He sized her up right away, a dangerous beauty, she carried two daggers, and a pistol. A sailor for sure, just by the way she moved. He smirked as he watched her watching everyone, she was careful. He stood up with a smile as she walked through his door.

"Good Morning, Welcome to The Burned Cutlass. How can I help ye fine lady?" Kathryn looked to him, he was dashingly handsome, tall, with sandy brown hair and deep set blue eyes, his arms were long and strong his shirt didn't hide the fact that he took good care of his body. "Morning," She smiled as she looked to the walls where many a fine sword and dagger were hung. "Ye have a very nice store here."She moved from wall to wall looking over all the fine weapons.He watched her move and smiled, "thank you, are you looking for something in particular?"

"Aye, I am looking for a long sword, hopefully swept hilt, very strong. Capable of weathering the seas, and slicing through any foes with ease." Dristan grinned to that, "Mmm, well I don't have many swept hilt rapiers at the moment, but I could make ye one."Kathryn sighed softly to that, "I doubt I have the money to pay for that." Dristan shook his head, "its not as pricey as ye might think. I'll give ye an offer." Her brows rose to that, "what is the offer?"

He moved from behind the counter, "have dinner with me, tell me everything ye want in this sword in detail, and maybe we can work out something." She eyed him for a long moment, "all right." His smile grew at that, "very good, Miss?" She smiled back to him, "Kathryn Manchester." Dristan took her hand up and kissed along her knuckles. "When would be the best time for ye to have dinner with me?"

"I am not bound by anything, sir." Dristan grinned, "oh do forgive me, my name is Dristan Hartford. And if tonight suits ye,ye can meet me back here." Kathryn nodded, " must warn you Mr. Hartford I do nae own any fine dresses like the ladies of this town, so I do hope we aren't going any where that would require me to have one. "Dristan shook his head, "nae Miss Manchester, I plan to make dinner for ye myself. Wear anything you like." He looked her over mentally undressing her as he did. "Tonight then" Kathryn nodded to that and slipped back out the door and in to town. He watched her go and licked his lips.

Kathryn smirked as she looked back at the shope now from down the street, a bargain was a bargain after all, but she would do her best to get the best price she could.

She spent her day wondering the city till it was nearly dusk then she slipped back in tot he inn and changed in to something a bit more alluring. When she walked back down stairs Vaepin noticed. "Have a hot date tonight?" She just smirked," do you like it." Vaepin nodded," any man with eyes would like that." She smirked, she had dawned a fresh pair of black pants, those tall black boots and a shirt that was form fitted and had lace down along its low V neck line. Kathryn wasn't the shy type, showing cleavage was nothing new.

She noted how every man looked at her, one even held the door for her as she slipped out of the inn she slipped on her cloak and closed it, shed reveal what she was wearing as soon as she got where she was going.

The next morning Kathryn woke with the bed sheets up around her form and Dristan sound asleep beside her. It had been a wild night, one she could not have bargained for, she had not told him that before him there had been no other man, but she saw the look on his face as he made love to her. That look that was all telling.

She lay there in the large bed with the sun light dripping slowly in through the curtains. Then she felt his hand along the small of her back and his breath against the back of her neck. "Morning."He whispered and stroked her hair before his strong arms pulled her tightly against his chest. "Did ye sleep well?" She nodded softly, "aye very well."

He smirked and kissed the back of her neck, "I'll get to work on your sword today, it should be done before you leave port. Though I hate to see you go." His finger slid down the curve of her breast over the sheet that covered her, "perhaps you'll come back?" Kathryn shrugged she didn't know where they would be going next only that they were leaving. She turned to face him then and looked in to his eyes still filled with mischief and mystery. It had not happened as she had always dreamed ti would, with love being the reason to make love.

Dristan soon rose from the bed and crossed the room. She watched him as he moved nude across the room and in to the closet. He came out dressed. "I'd better go get to work on that sword of yours, or else stay here with you all day." She nodded and slowly rose out of the bed and started to dress, he stood motionless in the closet door way watching her dress. He had gotten very lucky last night, he moved across the room and pulled her in to him and kissed her softly before going to his shope for the day.

Kathryn left his manor home and would walk the streets all the way back tot eh docks where the men were loading up the Jade Thorne but there was no sign of Martin. So she went back to The Tindomerel Inn where she sat at the bar till Vaepin walked in through the back door dawning his apron and dashing smile. "Ahh well, someone didn't come back last night." His brows rose twice at her, and he fixed her a black coffee.

Slowly sliding the mug to her he leaned upon the bar, "enjoy your night?" Kathryn looked to him and her face suddenly flushed, "yes, may I ask ye something in confidence?" Vaepin nodded and leaned in closer, " aye anything ye like." She glanced around only five others there at this early hour, "how much do you know about Dristan Hartford?"

Vaepins brows rose, " the owner of The Burned Cutlass, is that who you were with all night?" She nodded sheepishly to that. Vaepin grinned, " well he's a good man, sells a fine sword to anyone with the pocket to buy them, he's had a slow six months since the duke was here, he sells mostly small daggers to men whose wives want something sharp, not many women go in his store alone. " she nodded to that , " is he the player type, the type to use a lady for.. ye know."

Vaepin grinned, " Dristan, no. He may seem like a rash little pirate at times, but as far as I know he's never been all to serious about anyone. I've seen him with a few, but most of them he doesn't go and jump their bones. He told em once that he was waiting for the right woman to come along." Kathryn blinked to that and drank her coffee. She then went up stairs gathered her things and paid for the room and coffee then bid Vaepin goodbye.He gave her a kiss on the cheek and whispered to her, "is Dristan chose you,ye be a lucky woman, but he be luckier."

She spent the rest of her day wondering around back and forth from The Burned Cutlass, she could hear the sounds of smith work inside and smell the all telling scent of melting metal. She finally just sat on Dristan's porch and waited.


By the time he came home is was dark and frosty. "Kathryn." He smiled seeing her, " have ye been out here for long?" She shook her head but couldn't hide her shiver. He hurried up to his door and led her inside. He then built a large fire. " Your bound to catch cold out there. I wasn't expecting to see you till tomorrow. Your sword is done just cooling at the shop." She glanced to him, giving him an odd look. His brows rose slightly, "what? do I look a mess?" "Nae," she shook her head and then cast a glance to the fire. His hands rose and he drew her gaze to his, "I've not been able to think about anything but ye all day. About last night..." She gazed to him wondering what he might say. His fingers brushed along her neck and collar bone, "it was not just about want, need or lust. And it wasn't just about making that bargain I would have made the sword for free for you even if ye had said no to dinner."

Her brows rose at that, "I feel a touch foolish, for rushing in to things." He chuckled softly and let his hand slid down her arm, "I know it likely didn't happen as ye might have always dreamed it would. First times are not always easy, or romantic." She blinked at him and her cheeks flushed softly.


His thumbs brushed along her rosy cheeks, "I am sure anyone in this town can tell you, I've had the company of many a woman.But never before have I felt so allured by one. I don't rush in to physical things. A kiss maybe, but last night. Last night was amazingly may scoff at me when I say it was not just you who had their first time. I have been waiting for the right woman, and when I saw ye.Ye aroused something deep in me. I know your leaving, I wouldn't ask you to stay. But if your ever in trouble, I would come to your aid or you could use my name many a sailor knows me. " He slowly inched in closer, "I want ye to have something, should ye ever get in a jam." He slid his hand in to his back pocket and pulled out a little ring box and opened it, it was a silver toned ring with a small blue pearl upon the setting. "Its not what ye think now, but if ye return one day maybe it could be." She looked to the ring and took it out of the box and slid it on to her pointer finger. Dristan smiled to that and rose up lifting her up as he did.

She spent the night there that night once more waking up in his arms wrapped in the bed sheets. He left early in the morning after making breakfast and fetched her sword and brought it to her scabbard and all. It was a long swept hilt Rapier with a blue gem at the handles end. The scabbard was black leather with golden embossed print on the tip. She thanked him with a long lingering kiss before she departed, part of her wanted to stay,wanated to become some lady not of the sea but of land. But Martin was counting on her.


When she got back to the docks the Jade Thorne at last left out back in to open waters. And Kathryn returned to the crowsnest and watched as the town slipped away.

The steady drip, drip, drip against her neck woke her up and she found her self behind bars, with her hands tied yet she still had all her weapons. How odd. She wasn't being watched and she was the only one down there she could hear the tell tailed signs that she was indeed on that ship that had taken the Jade Thorne over in the storm. She heard cussing and yelling from high above her head. Then she heard heavy foot falls coming her way she sat back down and leaned her head against the wall.

Linesy came in to the brig backed by a burly hairy chested man, "hey,girly!"Linesy called in to Kathryn, "wake your ass up." Kathryn opened her eyes and starred at Linesy. Linesy smirked, " oh good your awake. Martin made a deal with me,I am taking you towards land.I expect you to sit down here and be good. Sam here will get ye your food when your ready." She then swaggered off and Kathryn starred at the burly man named Sam.

He sat there watching her eyeing her up and down like a peice of meat. Katrhyn knew one thing she had to get her bounds undone, so she focused on that. After Sam brought her a meal he left behind the knife he had used to cut her meat with and she used that knife to cut those binds off. She didn't eat the food though worried that it might be poised.


She wasn't going down without a fight, she knew all too well that the Thorne was gone as well as all its crew and captain Ducarte,but none of that mattered now, now she was a captive on a pirate ship where the captain was a woman. Soon Linesy came back and took Sam's place sitting outside the cell. "So sweets, what's your name?"

Kathryn had to lie, but would she use Henrys last name in hopes of going to Harpston or Dristan's in hopes that Linesy would take her to Ariel. "Kathryn Hartford." She inched that ring that hadn't been stolen to her surprise to her ring finger. "Hartfort,your the fiancee of Dristan Hartford of Ariel's famed Burned Cutlass?" Kathryn nodded. Linesy just smirked, "I thought that work on that sword of yours looked familar. Well, Mrs.Hartford,I'm not taking ye back to Ariel. You'll have to find your own way there as soon as we get to shore."Linesy smirked.

Kathryn looked back at her time to get some answers "Your captian of this ship?" Linesy nodded, "aye Linsey Brynn is the name, don't ye forget it." She then left the brig.

Kathryn sighed,all she wanted was to get the hell of this damned pirate ship. Pirates weren't bad people, they were sailors like any other some just did some very bad things, like pillage rape and burn villages tot he ground and Linesy Brynn seemed like the type to do that as did her men. None had advanced against Kathryn yet but she wasn't going to sleep till she got out of this cell.

The steady rocking of the ship told her they were going further and further out in to dark deep waters. All she had for company was Sam who didn't talk to her, only brought her food which she would never eat.Linsey came down many a time and talked of how if Kathryn agreed to be good she'd set her free. Kathryn would never agree. She knew Linesy's type, brutish,bold and arrogant as all hell.Linesy was the very worst kind of pirate and Kathryn would rather die in that cell than ever join the crew. She could always hope that some how some way perhaps Dristan or Henry would come to her rescue.

No time he had said, four weeks and now at last they were at port, at least she had enjoyed her time on The Arato, the men had been very kind and Clark was a good man for a naval man. He kept her well informed and she had learned so much she could hardy wait to rush in to Dristan's arms.


The port they pulled in to looked very different from the port she had left what seemed like not so long ago. The people seemed scarred and shattered, many of the buildings were gone, burned down. The streets were lined with naval men and those in armor. Clark slowly led her off the ship and to the docks. "I didn't want to have to bring ye back here, to this. But this is the price of war. I think not long after you left with Mr. Ducarte pirates sieged the town, they were over run in days."

"Kathryn?" a familiar voice rang out to her and she turned in hoped of seeing Dristan but saw Vaepin the Inn keep instead. " Vaepin." He walked up to her and smiled, "I didn't think I'd see your pretty face again." Clark looked to Vaepin then to Kathryn, "take care miss Hartford." He then strolled in to the streets with his men behind him.

"Vaepin what happened to the city?" The elf looked worn an torn, his hair was a mess and for the first time Kathryn saw that he carried weapons. "We were seiged by pirates, the inn was over taken only I and Jel got out." Jel was his nick name for his Norse counter part. "The burned my inn to the ground, the men rapped and pillaged. Took what ever they could.Jel fought them off you should have seen them run." A phang of fear swept through Kathryn in that moment, "where is Dristan?" Vaepin swallowed hard, "The Cutlass was ran sacked they took everything, Dristan took what he had and went after them. No one has seen him since his house was pillaged, I haven't seen him."

Kathryn felt as if all the air int he world had left her body. The morning before she left Dristan had promised to help her if he could, he had also promised that if she came back soon that they would leave Ariel. Then he asked her to stay, they could have moved away, but now it was too late. She fell to her knees and sobbed deeply for the first time since her father had been killed.

Vaepin slowly lowered himself to kneel at her side, "I am leaving here, you could come with me." She blinked through the tears and nodded, there was nothing left for her here but sadness and ash. They left that very day on a carriage out of Ariel with some others who had survived they were heading six miles to the North away from the coast line, where the closet port to them was the small little village docks in Jaji. They reached the small town of Lote at midday.

Kathryn had been beside her self with grief, she had hoped to return to Dristan and tell him that she had fallen for him and would never sail again. As it was, she feared she might not ever sail nor love again. She took the ring Dristan gave to her and hung it off a mirthal chain that Vaepin gave to her. All she could hope that he was alive and would find her waiting for him someday.

Lote was just a small farming village with a very small market place but Vaepin was quick to open a small little shope that sold drinks and sweets. Kathryn deiced while she was there that she would sink back in to life on dry land.

Settling in meant that she would need to make some money. So she took up a job right beside Vaepin at the shope. They got paid every two weeks. It was enough to live on, for now. But Kathryn knew one or both of them would need another job to keep afloat on land. So she got a second job at he only inn in Lote, it was a small little place only ten rooms and a very small common room that could hold maybe one hundred people.

So every day Kathryn worked for a few hours at Yaavan baking until midday when she took only one hour to rest before going to the inn to work the rest of the night, usually till near dawn the next day. It as running her ragged. Vaepin had also gotten another job, he was tutoring young human children in the speech of the elves. Lote was a mostly Elven village but there were many humans there, and most had come from other places and did not read nor speak elvish. With the money they each earned working double they were able to rent out a small farm house.

It had its own plot of farm land, places to grow flowers and herbs as well as vegetable and fruit. The fresh herbs and fruit came in handy at Yaavan. Kathryn spent her two nights a week off at the house sitting by the fire resting her weary feet, she had hung up her sword and again dawned an apron for the hours at the bakery and she dawned the inn uniform for her nights at the inn serving drinks. It was usually slow and they didn't get much trouble, most of the village men spent their nights at the inn talking about next week grains, or the coming of the frost.

It wasn't an adventure but at least it was work to keep them alive and well fed. The money they made went back in to the bakery and in to keeping the little house clean and well kept. They spent what extra coin they had on clothing and tools to work the soil. Life was a bit harder, but life had never been easy.

Before she reached the edge of Jaji she knew they as no way she would make it back to Lote without a horse a carriage or some mode of transportation walking was far to dangerous, even for one as bold and brave as her. She had to hope with the few coins she had that she might be able to find a room at one of the two local inns but by the time she got the first all the rooms were filled and she knew she couldn't make it back across Jaji to the second.

There were many a warm place to sneak in to but the locals had those covered. So she sat at the bar of The Jaji Inn with a glass of water in front of her for most of the night. Patrons came and went, and the bar tender kept a close eye on her. By midnight she would have to find some where to stay. Things were looking hopeless.

"Ahh Mr. Blair." The Inn keep smiled to the man who had just come through the doors. "I was just about to close up, and toss the riff raff out. But since your here, I'll get you anything ye need." Kathryn looked over her shoulder to the man the inn keep had addressed. There in the door way hanging up a red cloak was a tall handsome man. He wore an old worn pirate hat over sandy brown hair that framed his face at the moment, his eyes were blue and deeply set against his rugged features. On his shoulder sat a small rust tone dragon whose golden eyes peered around the nearly empty inn. He swaggered in and took up the bar stool next to her and Kathryn looked away.

"Mav my old friend." He smiled to the bar keep, "how many times have I told ye not to call me Mr. Blair makes me feel old." Mav chuckled and turned ready with a mug in hand, " aye aye,Zachary. What will it be? Ale?Rum, hot coffee I can make ye a new batch." Zach looked to Mav then to Kathryn and her glass of water, " just a mug of coffee tonight,Mav I've got a lot of work ahead of me." He smiled a dashing smile, and tipped his hat to her.

Kathryn nodded softly to him, glad he had come in gave her time to think of where she might stay for the night. Zach leaned over the bar once Mav came back with his mug of coffee they shared whispered words then Mav slipped in to the kitchen. It was just them two and the town drunk who was passed out on the inn couch. Zach smiled and walked around the bar to the tenders side and looked to Kathryn trying to see her face through her chestnut hair.

The little rust tone dragon upon his shoulder let out a puff of smoke and fluttered down before Kathryn and looked up at her with those golden eyes. She looked up from her hands to stare the little dragon in the eye. "Pipen.. its not nice to stare." Zach lifted the dragon up in to his hand, " so sorry about that Miss." Kathryn just nodded softly but said nothing. "Get ye something more than water?" He asked her as he leaned behind the counter.

"No thank you." She answered and smiled to him as best she could. She knew as soon as Mav came backs he'd have to leave so she started to rise from that stool. "Don't leave on my account." He looked at her as she rose. "I should head off, can;t stay here all night. Don't have enough money on me." Zach looked to her again, " from out of town?" He noted the back pack that looked a touch heavy for her. "From Lote."

"That's six miles to the North, what are you doin way down here?" "Spices." She answered simply. He nodded, " ye not be thinkin on heading back to Lote in the dark are ye?" She shook her head, " nae, the hour grew to late and I had no way back. I'll make the journey in the day light." She was heading for the door. Zach blinked, he saw the gun at her side and the sheathed sword.

Surely she wasn't a woman to mess with but in this town anyone could mess with her. He watched her go and downed his coffee then Mav came back out and closed up the inn. Zach left out the back door and deiced to follow her.

Pipen sat on his shoulder and would squeak in his ear every now and again.

Soon they reached the docks and in the moon light Kathryn saw his fine ship for the first time. It was huge, large as The Arato if not larger. Its sails were tucked in and tied down, the ship was quiet, all the crew must have been in the city or fast asleep below deck. Zach smiled looking to his ship, " thats it, my lovely ship. The Mysterious Stanger. Come on." He headed for the gang plank and she followed. It was a lovely large deck two huge masts held the main sails and the helm was risen up the wheel looked to be made of a fine hard wood. "Its lovely." She starred up at the crowsnest then back to him. The man in the cnest must have had such a lovely view.

He chuckled, " thank ye, I am going to let ye sleep in my room.If I put ye in the crew quarters some of them mgiht get frisky with ye.." He led her towards his cabin. He pulled open the small double doors and led her in. His cabin was much larger than any she had seen before, a large bed took up the back wall and above it hung a huge map. There was a night stand a desk with a ncie leather backed chair sitting before it. On the darkly toned wooden desk sat compasses,maps and other papers along with an ink well and quill, there was a private wash room, and a small door led to his closet. There were also many small chests in the room,likely filled with gold,gems and weapons.

"Well this is it, ye may freshen up in my wash room if ye like.I did have plans to work on some paper work tonight but I can do that in the galley." Kathryn shook her head, " nae ye may work in here, it wont bother me. " He smiled to that, " all right." He moved to his desk and turned on the small lamp there. He then turned down the rest of the rooms lights,walking from one end to the other before taking up a seat at his desk. Kathryn washed her face in his washroom and brushed through her hair with her fingers before she slipped back out. She laid her things on the floor next to the bed, the pack first, sword and pistol next before she unlaced her boots and slid in to the bed.

Before his quill met the pages of his work he could hear her sleeping.All the exictment in the marketplace must have tired her out.She had come a long way just for spices. Pipen had flown over and curled up on the pillow next to her and was now fast asleep as well. He looked at her sleeping there as the moon light danced though the windows of his cabin doors and smiled. She was lovely,a truly beautiful woman.Not only was she physically attractive she was smart and well spoken. He knew that he might never see her again after tomorrow, but he also knew that the ship needed some work done.Perhaps in that time he could take her back to Lote and learn more about her.

For now he set to doing paper work,invitory for the ship, he knew he had some work to be done on the galley and they needed a few things still yet. His every present first mate would be there tomorrow while the new sails were being put up and while the hull was being fixed. That would give him the time to walk her to Lote to see what was hidden behind those entracning green eyes.

They reached Lote by midday, Kathryn showed him the inn she worked at first then took him towards the Yavann bakery. Vaepin smiled when he saw her come through the door. " Ye had me worried." He then spied Zach and Pipen. "Greetings." He then took the pack of spices from Kathryn. "Greetings."Zach tipped his hat and Pipen squeaked. Kathryn just shook her head, she would tell Vaepin everything later. For right now she got Pipen a dish of water and Zach a black coffee. Zach and Pipen sat there all day eating little things, watching her work.Talking to those who came in.

In the back room while she kneaded the dough Vaepin smirked at her, " well, are you going to tell me what happened to ye?" Kathryn blinked and blushed, " I went to Lote and got the spices, but the sun was not on my side. I couldn't get back so I was wondering around and got attacked but Mr. Blair came in and we fought them off. " Vapein blinked at her but he was smiling, " you mean to tell me that man out there is Zachary Blair? Captain of The Mysterious Stranger?" She nodded to that, " you know of him?" Vapein nodded and his smile grew, " he used to come to Ariel all the time. I thought he looked familiar. I was younger the last time I saw him and little Pip." She stopped kneading the bread and looked out to him as he sipped his coffee and watched everyone coming and going from the shope.

At the end of the day Vaepin walked out and sat at the table. After a little while of talking he and Zach were chatting like long life hood friends. Recalling good times and bad.Vaepin told him what happened to Ariel and Zach was surprised to hear that news, Ariel was going to be his next stop but now he would head north rather than south. Kathryn stood behind the counter listing tot hem as she swept up the shope.

By the time they all left the shope if was dinner time,Vapein headed home and Kathryn was going to as well when Zach placed his hand on her shoulder. "Would ye mind if I came?" He glanced to Vaepin then as well. Vaepin just waved them both on. He didn't mind, the elf could tell that Zachary Blair was totally in to Kathryn.

They sat and ate dinner, a simple yet full flavored meal. Before Vaepin retired to bed leaving Kathryn and Zach alone in the main room of the small cottage home.

Pipen was laying by the fire starting to fall asleep.

"This has been a very nice day for me." Zach looked towards the fire then back to her, "Pipen enjoyed it too, it was good to see Vaepin again.I was sorry to hear about Ariel though." Kathryn nodded softly, she had no wish to think about Ariel, it only made her think about Dristan.She rose and walked in towards the fire place and took up a spot there. He followed her and sat down as well, " did I say something wrong?" He gazed to her something he had mentioned had made her go mute. Her gaze was on the fire, as she shifted her hands over her lap and up to idly grace the pearl ring upon that mithral chain. "I knew someone in Ariel, someone I cared for died when it was seiged." He gazed softly at her at her motion to grace that ring, "Oh, I am sorry." When she at last gazed to him he could see tears in her eyes. "I did not mean to make you upset."

Suddenly her head was pressed against his shoulder and she was crying. He was taken back for a split moment, before his hand came up over her back and curled in to her long chestnut lockes. "Shh, its alright. " She sobbed and sniffled against him, it was as if the wall shed been holding up to keep herself strong had at last fallen. He gave her as much time as she needed he just held her there and let her cry and tried to sooth her with a soft touch or softly spoken words.

At last he said, "ye've been holding all this in,havent ye? I know it might seem odd. But if ye need to talk.I will gladly listen." At that she lifted her head up and starred at him through the still falling tears, she had held it all in for so long. She hadn't spoken a word to Vaepin, she had tried to be strong around him. She had fallen once only once that very day in Ariel and since then she had only cried in her private time.

As she starred in to those deeply set blue eyes she knew he was being honest. "Yes, your right, I haven't talked about any of it." He nodded to that and softly brushed away her tears with the back of his fingers. " I am here, if you like. I understand how hard it can be. Ye don't have to start now or ever I leave it up to you." His hand slid to her shoulder. Kathryn glanced to that hand that strong hand braced against her shoulder, that hand she felt like she could just lean in to and it would protect and comfort her.


She wanted to talk,she felt like of anyone he might understand what she had to say. Henry would have understood too, but Henry wasn't there.Zach was. "I don't know where to begin." She forced a smile to that, " so much has happened, and it feels like its not been that long. " He sat back and let her rest softly against him. He was ready to listen, and ready to help her how ever he was able.

"I didn't start out my life loving the sea,I started out in DeClair as a shope keepers daughter the youngest and the only girl. My two elder brothers could not be more different Viktor is a man of the navy now. I haven't seen him for many years, he is the eldest and has always acted it..Alex left not long after our mother died, he is spirited, and young. I became the shope keeper under my father, my father was a sailor in his youth. He was a good man and a good father, like any father her watched over me like a hawk. Until the night he was shot dead in the store after hours. " Zach took a breath, brothers gone, mother dead, father dead. She had no family to speak of he could relate. "I sold the store it became a pub, and there at that pub is where I met my first sailor. Oddly enough it was a woman. Delia Valmot,wife to Henry and second mate on The Crimson Sun. "He nodded to that the name Valmont rang a bell as well as the name of the ship. "Not long after I met them both I went to see the ship, and Henry offered me a job. I took it. I wanted to get way from everything that reminded me of home. So I left, starting out on a ship with men I didn't know under a man whom once sailed with my father long ago. Delia at first seemed jealous of me, and the way Henry doted on me. But soon things changed.."

Zach listened his eyes only left hers when he heard Pipen purr or the fire crack. "Delia showed me around the ship, introduced all the men to me. Some were different from others, but for the most part I found them all to be good men. I started out working with the youngest of the crew Traver, down in the galley, and the cargo hold, cleaning and all of that sort. It wasn't long at sea at all. It couldn't have been more than the third day in to the dark waters off the coast when Henry asked Traver to dust his office and I stayed up on the deck to help the other men. Once I was finished my orders were to help Traver in Henrys office, and what I saw shocked me."

Zach's brows rose softly to that, "what did you see?" "Delia was sitting on Travers lap, and they were." She gave him a look and his jaw dropped, " the wife and the boy were.. good lord.." "All the crew men knew, at least I thought so, some did not know. I soon found out who knew and who did not. One night while we were in port Henry asked me about Delia and Traver and I told him the truth, he wasn't surprised, just sad and hurt. But Henry wasn't going to fight for her he didn't see the point, but he didn't say anything either, he was loyal to a fault. And it came back to bite him and all we who sided with him. "

She took a short breath and glanced to fire light, "She gathered together the men on the crew who sided with her and got the rest of us and tied us all up one night and we were all tossed on to an Island, there were nine of us. Peg Leg Bob,Callaway,Kline,Micky,Dan the Man, Old Luis and Little Han,Henry and myself. On a little but lavish island, we had some long beaching bumming days till a little schooner came by and we were at last taken to dry land. Harpston was the port, some men left wen Thorne, some stayed and took on jobs. Henry stayed and he found me a job, on The Jade Thorne."

"Martin Ducarte's ship, I heard it was taken apart by pirates.." Zach glanced to her, she had been through a lot already and if the storied he had heard were true she had been through more than her fair share. "You heard right, were weren't out at sea long at all,atleast it didn't feel like it. To months had passed though and we came in to Ariel, and there I met Vaepin and another man,Dristan Hartford."

That name rang a bell for sure, Dristan Hartford of The Burned Cutlass. A man who every sailor knew, made the damned best swords in all the seven seas. "He made me my sword, after we had dinner and danced and.." She blushed softly and looked to the fire light again. Zach nodded, Dristan was a damn lucky man then. Now he knew who that ring had come from, but why didn't she wear it on her hand. And better yet why was she here with him and not with Dristan?

The day went by all to slowly. Baking and kneading bread adding spices and fruit. By the end of the day her hair would smell of sage and cinnimon a scent that would carry through her night at the inn serving drinks to the locals and those who came in from Jaji. Tonight she had a familarcustomer,Zach and Pipen sat in the back of the room.Zach again sporting that warmed long red claok and the jacket as well along with his hat and Pip wa son his shoulder watching. He acted as if they had never met, for he didn't want to get her fired.

But he did watch every man with a careful eye, the locals weren't bad,farmers and simple folk it was the out of towners that unnerved him, you could tell someone from out of town easily.He was well known here so most didn't act off towards him, but when the Inn keep huffed at a man or woman . Zach knew they had never been there before.

There was one such a man this night he sat at the bar and ordered a whiskey stright up, and every time a woman walked past he eyed her from top to bottom.Zach had his eye on him, for he was getting dangersouly close to crossing a line.

Kathryn spun on her heel walking empty glasses and mug back through the break in the bar, she too had ntoed the man from out of town, the man with the odd eyes and manners. The man who looked down her shirt every time she leaned over the man who had tried but failed to smack one of the other tendernesses asses as they walked by.

He had been there all night drinking, and not drunk yet.Just more and more arrogant he called Kathryn 'hey you' and whistled at her every time she walked by, out of towners were nothing new but this one man was getting on everyones nerves.He went by Smith, no first name given nothing more than Smith.

Finally he took it a bit to far. Kathryn was behind the bar fillin drink orders while the inn keep got keys down and took plates.As Kathryn reached to grab Smith's plate he took a hold of her wrist and pulled her close to him. At that move Zach was on his feet and heading towards the bar.

"Hello sweet cheeks. " Smith smirked and looked to her, more so at her down ehr shirt. And his other hand reached out to press closer to her exposed cleavage. Kathryn tugged back on her wrist. She wasnt aloud to hit customers even whent hey were rude. "Sir.." She muttered and looked to him, " ye best be letting me go." Zach was there behind the man in the next moment, " ye'd better listen to the lady mate." He was about three inches away from pulling out his pistol and holding it to Smith's head.

Smith looked at Zach and just grinned , "oh come on mate." He tugged harder on Kathryns wrist. "I'll be gentle to the lass..." Kathryn gritted her teeth, she could smack him from behind while his view was on Zach but she'd lose her job if she did that. Zach glared at Smith then. "I said," he pulled his pistol and held it to the mans face, " let the lady go."

At that the inn keep stepped out and looked between the two men and Kathryn he then hit Smith on the back of the head hard. "Listen to him, and get out!" Smith let Kathryn's wrist and slowly swaggered out. Kathryn rubbed her wrist and watched Smith head out the door.Zach then smiled softly at her before going back to his table.

She watched him, the way his eyes looked , the way he walked. He had been a man on a mission.And Smith had dared cross Zachary Blair.Most men didn't live to tell the tale.

Vaepin grinned as he watched them kiss, he nodded with a bright smile that was how love was supposed to be. At last Zach lowered her to her feet and slowly broke the kiss. Kathryn felt weak in her knees for once, and just gripped his shoulders tightly. "What are you doing here? You should be out to sea by now." Zach shook his head, "no, I couldn't leave. Not without kissing you, not without asking you, begging you to come with me. Set out again with me. Let me be the one that wipes away the scars of the past. Kathryn," His finger tips graced her tear streaked cheeks, "say you will."

She starred at him then looked around the bakery, she hated to leave Vaepin and Lote but she knew if she let Zach slip from her grasp she'd regret it for the rest of her days. She glanced to the little dragon who was on the table, Pip had flown in behind Zach squeaking and puffing smoke. Now he seemed calm there looking between the three. "Yes." The words left her lips and a smile graced her features, "yes, I'll come with ye."

Zach grinned and lifted her up again with ease and spun her around just once. He then glanced to Vaepin, "your welcome to come too, we could always use a good baker along side our cook." Vaepin shook his head, " thank ye Zach, but I think I'll stay here in Lote. I'll be alright.You just take care of her." Vaepin smiled softly looking between Zach and Kathryn.

She then crossed to Vaepin and kissed his cheek, " thank you..I will miss you, and write when I can. Remember if your ever in a jam Henry Valmont is the man to write." Vaepin nodded, "I shall, go now gather your things. I'll pack ye both a going away basket." He went right to work gathering a few things for the three to take on their way out of Lote and out to sea.

Zach led her out holding her hand and Pip sat on her head while she hugged Vaepin. "I will miss you my friend. I'll send you a coin or two every so often, to keep up the rent all right." Vaepin chuckled, "all right. " He smiled then to Zach and they shook hands. Pipen got a pet and they went off. Kathryn had grabbed everything she had: A few extra clothes, her spy glass, sword,daggers,pistol, and that goodie basket. And before long she was waving good-bye to Vaepin and Lote while Zach grabbed the reigns of his horse. They slowly trotted away from Lote and back towards Jaji.

She held on to him as they trotted away, she closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of his jacket.Pipen sat on her head squeaking and purring. She nuzzled the top of her head.

They were still two miles from Jaji when Zach dismounted and smiled up to her. She gazed back down to him and smiled with a soft blush. He slowly helped her down and they walked for a while giving the horse sometime to rest although Pipen sat upon the saddle. Zach couldn't stop smiling as he walked beside her his hand in hers. He felt like some young boy again, it was that feeling like no other. Sailing came damned close though.

That one treasure no sailor had been able to find. It was more than gold and silvers. It was the largest treasure he had ever heard of. A mix of gold,silver,gems and jewels. Hidden somewhere along the Gladden Coast line. It was fabled to have Elven riches mixed in with those of men. But he wasn't going for the gold or even the silvers. He was going for a necklace. Among the gems and jewels was a prize necklace made of the Elven metal mithral in which hung three emerald gems. It was known as the Tigers Heart. For it was supposed to carry magical powers. He had seen sketches of it, and knew that it needed to hang about Kathryn's neck.

He knelt on his bed looking at that map spread across the back wall of his cabin. He as plotting out the journey to The Coast line, it was a long journey. But it was well worth it, the men needed abit of a heist, and this was just the thing to bring their spirits up. He only told a few of his men,Riley,Paulie and Will who sat in the crowsnest, the rest didn't know nor did most of the care where they were going. They just figured they were off for another port to buy sell and trade goods.

Kathryn stood up on deck helping pull the ropes and unfurl the other sails as the winds picked up they were going strong and fast to the North west, they were deep in the Elven seas now. She had spied many an Elven ship off in the distance. She was getting back in to the swing of being on a ship, she had made friends with all the crew. But it still seemed to her that they were holding a secret. Perhaps where they were going was a secret, perhaps it was some dangerous journey that Zach didn't want her to know about. Or perhaps it was something else. She knew that they all knew there was something going on between her and their beloved Capt. But she liked to keep that on the down low. She wanted to be treated like any other crew member.

She darted around the deck helping out where help was needed until she was needed below deck to help make lunch and dinner. She liked helping the cook out with baking breads, it made her think of Vaepin back in Lote. It had been almosta year since she had last seen him, the months at sea had flown by. The crew was much happier with soft rolls. The Elven crew members were very surprised at Kathryn's skill with the Elven breads. One of the Elven women left on the ship was very intrigued on how she learned the skills.

As she took a bite Eirien smiled to Kathryn. "Your very good with these rolls,Manchester.May I ask where ye learned?" Kathryn smiled to Eirien. "I learned in Lote from an elvish friend of mine." Eirien smiled, " this is an old sylvan method, your friend must be sylvan." Kathryn nodded to that, "aye that is right. Vaepin is A sylvan elf." Eirien paused then and looked from the roll to Kathryn, "Vaepin? " Kathryn nodded," Aye, he used to be a tender at The Tindomerel Inn in Ariel. When ti was seiged he left and just before he did I came back and we left together he now owns the Yavann Bakery in Lote." Eirien nodded and pushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I know him." Kathryn blinked at that, "ye do?" Eirien nodded, "He likely wouldn't remember me, its been many years since we have seen each other, we grew up together,from the same clan." Kathryn was a touch shocked to hear that," were ye enslaved as well?" Eirien nodded," yes, I haven't seen him since that day. "

"Perhaps when we go back to Lote You'll see him again." Eirien smiled to that, "I would like that."


Kathryn smiled softly. She wondered if Eirien had been the woman Vaepin had loved. He had said many times that he had lost the woman he loved. But he had told Kathryn that, that woman was dead. Eirien wasn't dead, but perhaps something had happened long ago to split them apart. "Perhaps after this secret little mission we can ask Zach to head towards Lote?" Kathryn smirked tot hat thought she did want to see Vapein again. Eirien grinned, " aye." She looked around then, they were alone in the kitchen now, "I'll tell ye what. Its not a secret mission were going to the Gladden Coast. Its an old place deep in these Elven seas. It has hidden may riches. Zach is looking to take it all.And we few elves here don't mind one bit."

Kathryns brows rose,riches.They were going to take riches? "Wont some elves be mad at us?" "Aye,some might be." A heavier voice floated to them and they both turned to see Saka one of the four dark elf males that was on the ship standing in the doorway. "But that doesnt bother us, most of the jewels and gems are from rich little elves that never had to go through slave hood." He smirked and reached in to grab an apple.


The ship kept on coarse for two weeks and at last the Coast line appeared, raggid with cliffs that held many a cave. Zach was lucky to have a few elves in his crew, they knew where the treasure was supposed to be. Most knew the treasure to be the gems and gold of noble elves that never had to be slaves. Most of Zach Elven crew members had been slaves at one time or another, and were now free. He made sure to find a spot to leave the ship just off shore before the crew lowered the long boats in to the water and headed for the cliffs.

Kathryn sat in the long boat with Eirien,Zach, Riley,Nate,Salaie,Arad and Paulie. Three elves and four humans and one mix breed. Kathryn wondered where they were heading she had come well prepared.

Will sat up in the crows nest, the sky was dark above them, the cliffs of the cavenrs they ahd left two days ago had slipped at last from even a spy glass view. Thunder boome dint he far distance,and lit up a small town that lay along the shore line. It was one of those hot, silent nights, when people sit at windows listening for the thunder which they know will shortly break; when they recall dismal tales of hurricanes and earthquakes; and of lonely travellers on open plains, and lonely ships at sea, struck by lightning. Will watched the lighting, and thewn looked to the water as it began to curl. A storm was coming. ?Riley, go fetch the captain.? Riley had been at the helm for most of the night, for tonight the capt and Kathryn were having a nice dinner in his cabin. And he didnt want to be disturbed.

Riley left the helm and Rismund took the wheel while the first mate rushed to the cabin. He knocke dont he door twice. ?Capt. Will wants...?

?Will, ? Zach sighed, he looked across to Kathryn he had just drapped the Tigers Heart around her long neck and had been about to kiss her when he heard the knock. ?Tell that Will that I.?

?Hurricane acomin! Secure the rigging!? The men were on deck with i na moments call of Wills voice, and with out puase Zach was out of his room at at the helm. Kathryn wasnt far behind the other crew members fasting down the rigging, bolting in the cannons,tying down the wide sails.Lighting flickered high above them and struck the waters close to the ship. ?Will! Get down before the wind piucks up!? Zach called over the increasing gale winds. Will didnt need to be told twice, hhe was sliding down the mast just as a full force wave hit the port side and the wind with it. ?Brace your selves.!?

Zach called over the din and the crew rushed below bracing aganist the walls, anyone who didnt need to be on deck flew below. Kathryn refused to go below no matter how many times Zach gave her the jesture to, she would help out the men left on deck.Arad,Saka,Rismund,Ethan and Nate stood up on the deck rushing around like ants to secure the rigging and crates that sat next to the cabin. All the others had gone below as ordered. But she never could follow orders.

The wind blew harder, the waters eddied up along the ship and over the deck bringing with it tossled sea weed,fish and even a few crabs. The ship swayed with the waves and Zach manned the whell looking ahead towards less cloudy skies. But he could barely see. ?This storm is as thick as soup!? Kathryn looked around then up to the crowsnest. She bit her lip and started up the rigging in to the nest. Ethan saw her going up, ? ye blasted girl get down!?


But she ignored him, climbing up and tying her self in tot he nest before digging out her spy glass. She looked all around through the dark clouds for a part in the storm,some way out of the squall. Ethan fed up ran to Zach. "Your crazy lass went up." Zach's eyes got wide and he looked behind him to the crowsnest and saw her there throught he flash of lightning. He wanted to go tear her down from there, but dared not leave the helm. He looked to Ethan then, " Keep your ears open,she may find a way out of this storm." He grinned then knowing thyat no matter how much danger she was in that she had a knack for seeing beyond the storms.

Ethan smirked then, " shes as crazy as ye are if not more so." He kept his sights on her and his ears tuned for her voice. Kat sat up in the nest looking North and south seeing nothing but black but there due east was a patch of blue sky beyond the sqyall of waves. "Due East!" She called out down to Etahn whom she knew was listing. Ethan smirked hearinf her voice and ran back up tot he helm, " East Capt." Zach grinned and looked off to the east he couldnt see the blue skys but he trusted her so with a hard turn he started east through the crashing waves.

Kat held on for her dear life as she came down out of the est and back down to the slippery deck. The ship creeked and moaned as it crashed onward due east away from the black storm. Lighting flickered and crashed behind them.thunder rolled over them. Till finally the sky above was not black but dark blue and filled with stars, the sotrm was behind them. The crew was safe as was the ship.

Zach grinned as he haded the hweel over to Riley again then rushed over tot he wind battered rain soaked Kathryn. He smiled to her, and kissed her softly. "Ye saved us all." He whispered as he with drew from that kiss. She smiled wide, and nodded. Soon they were back in calm clear waters heading towards the horizon.

Two days later they left Kaloi and set off for Harpston, Kathrynw as thrilled she would see Henry again. It had been far too long sicne she saw him. Zach was smiling the whole time he was at the helm or any where else for that matter. He had found a woman who was both dnagerous yet so beautiful. A true sailor in anyones mind,she was one hell of a woman. He watched ehr as she worked along side the crew stopping every so often to smile up at him. He closed his eyes and could almost see them sitting ona beach watching young ones scramble by. He hoped for many long eyars at her side.

The sailing was calm all the way in to Harpston bay. Kathryn stood near the gang plank looking in to Harpston. The small little rtown handt changed much as they pulled in tot he small port she spied a face she knew. Henry stood there watching the sea he had aged a yera or two but he still looked dashing even witht he touches of grey to his hair. He wore fine clothes and held a bouqet of roses. Kathryn smield and ran down the gang plank as soon as it was down. "Henry!"

He smiled and held open his arms and she ran right in to them. "Hello Lass, its been far to long." He embraced her and smiled looking up from her to Zach who stood on the ship. "These are for you." He handed her the roses, then lifted up a small black bag. "Zach told me to be ready. I am ready." Kathryn smirked and took the roses. "I have missed ye Henry." He nodded, " and I you lass." He placed his hand on the small of her back and they walked back up on deck.


Zach smiled as he walked over to meet the infamous Henry Valmont. "So your the man who stole her from me." Henry smirked as he spoke to Zach, " ye found a good looking man Kat." He held out his hand, " I am pleased to meet ye mate." Zach smirked and shook Henry's hand. "I am pleased to meet you Mr. Valmont." Henry chuckled, " Now now, that makes me feel old. " Zach chuckled to that, " Come I'll show you where you can stash your things, then we can all have a mug of rum and ye can get to know my crew." Henry nodded, " sounds like a right good plan."

Soon they were all sitting below deck drinking mug aftrer mug of rum sharing old tales and new ones. Zach and Henry got along etter than Kathryn could have imagened. They talked about the love of the sea and about her. Kathryn noticed how Etory blushed very time Herny looked her way. Henry was as charming as Kat recalled he spoke toe veryone with kindness and the utmost respect he was thrilled that he might learn more elven while on the way to Lote.


While Henry was busy talking to rismund and Zach about daring deeds. Kathryn scooted in to sit by Etory. Etory smiled and sipped her drink. "Your friend Henry is a dashing gent." Kathryn smirked, looking over the table most of the others had left already they had shared their sotries and were tired, but Etory had lingered. " Hes always been dashing." Kat looked Henrys way and he smiled to the two ladies. "Why dont you come join us?"

Etory shook her head. "Why not?" Kat watched as Rismund rose to go take Ethans place above att he helm he nodded to botht he laides before disappearing. Kathryn smiled and looked down at Zach wo smiled at her before lifting his mug for a sip. "He doesnt bite." Etory smiled to that, "I wouldnt know what to say."

Zach looked across to Henry. "I think she likes ye." Henry chuckled softly and looked downt he table between the two women. "Aye but shes gonna be your wife." Zach chuckled to that, " Ye know I meant Etory." Henry nodded and looked down the table again. "Perhpas I should go sit with her so you and your lass can take some private time?" His brows rose twice tot hat but ebfore Zach could say anything Henry was up and on his way down the table. "Ladies." He touched Kat upon the shoulder, " Capt wants to see ye," he leaned down and whispered in to her ear, " in private."

Kathryn smirked tot hat and rose and walked down the table side to Zach. "Ye wanted to see me?" Zach smirked and looked downt he table as Henry took up Kathryns seat att he table across from Etory. "Aye lass, in my quarters." He rose and toook her hand and led her off leaving Henry to charm Etory.

Henry watched the two love birds go and then turned his attentions to Etory. She blushed merely at his glance. Henry just smiled softly, "So Zach was teling me you might be able to help me out." Her red brws rose at that. " How so ,sir." He smirked, " Ye may just call me Henry. I be wishin to learn a bit more elvish and I know your schollars here know it but I'd rather have a pretty face to look at while I learn. And I was hopin ye'd help me." She nodded, " yes I could help ye." He grinned. He knew this trip was going to be worth while.

They all reached the port of Jaji the next morning but it took till the middle of the afternoon for everyone to be set and ready. Kathryn stood in Eiriens room dressed in that long flowing white dress. "You look so lovely miss Kat." Salaie was there fixing her hair, "Mr. Blair will be so floored by ye lass. " Etory handed Kat a bundle of white roses. Allt he ladies were decked out int heir finest threads. There came a knock to the door then. Herny peeked his head in but his eyes were closed, " everyone decent?"


Kathryn chortled, "Henry.." He opened his eyes and smiled, " I knew I shoould have married ye,look at ye, as lovely as ever, more so. " He held out his arm, "I wish I could bring your father back from the dead to walk ye down the asile, but I will have to do." Kat smirked tot hat and Etory and Salaie left the room and headed above. Henry took Kats arm then, " Come now, time to give ye away to the best man." He winked to that then slowly led her above deck.

Zach had gone the full mile even hireing a local Jaji violenist to play, everyone was seeted save for Zach and the priest and the music started and up came Henry with Kathryn on his arm. In that moment Zach felt as if the world stopped. Everything in that moment was right,here she came his bride to be and she looked stunning he nearly had to lift his jaw off the deck.

Herny led her all the way up to him and kissed her cheek then took a seat next to Etory. Beside those two sat Vaepin and Eirien. The music died to a low hum and the holy man began his service. The first to give vows was Kat.

"If I had known that night here in Jaji that you were to be the man I was to marry,I would have never beileved it. I have been happier by your side than I ever thought possible. My love for you Zachary Blair knows no bounds." She slipped a simple gold ring on to his finger .

He grinned to that looking in to her lovely green eyes, he took her hand in his. "From the moment we met I knew you were special, it wasnt till I was aout to lose you that I knew just how much I loved you. I knew I wanted to sail the seven seas with you at my side. You are my pirate lass Kathryn Manchester and today you make me the happiest man on this earth or any other." He slipped that perfect ring on to her. "By the power evsted in me, I pronouce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride." Zach grinned and leaned in and swept her off her feet in toa deep dip and kissed her, the whole crew rose up with a loud yell.

One he parted from the kiss he gased down to ehr and winked, " Why Mrs. Blair.. " She giggled to that and rose fully, now it was time for the party, champane and wine were opened, cake was cut, food and drink was had and oh yes dancing lots and lots of dancing. Zach had the first dance with Kathryn and Henry the next, then Vaepin.She even danced arounf with Pipen as he floated along happily.

The party went on in to the wee hours of the next day.

Zach made sure they were heading in the direction of a nice little chain of islands he knew, they were remotte save to those very few who knew where they were,he wanted to set down there and let everyone take a nice long breather. He also wanted some alone time with Kathryn. It was hard enough as it was to keep his hands off of her, every time they were alone he would whisper sweet nothings in to her ear and then smack her rear playfully.

It took three days but the chain of Islands finally could be seen by Will's spy glass. The crew had been to these islands before, they were rich in burried treasures. Theyw ere also rich in life and sun shine, everyone was lookign forward tot he rbeak , they set out in long boats tot he island leaving the ship ankored just off shore. The only ones on the ship were Kathryn and Zach. He had asked for some time alone with his lovely bride.


The crew lay on the sandy shroes of the island ,some had gone looking for new burried treasures some were having a go at knocking wild fruits down from he trees.Pipen had dogone with Rismund. Zakie waz happy for the company of the scampering Pipen. Every so often Rismund would look back at the ship and grin to himself, he knew just why the Captian wanted Kathryn alone. Rismund and Paulie were in charge of keeping everyone on the islands till Zach lowered the green flag from the mast.


On board the Ship Zach perpeared a lunch in bed for his lovely wife. And was currently feeding her her most favroed thing, white and dark chocolate dipped strawberries and raspberries. They had shared a bottle of his finest wine, and had shared mnay a stolen kiss. After kissing away the chocolate upon her lips he lifted the tray off the bed and sat it to his desk then rolled on to the bed beside her, he had often dreamed of this day Zach knew she was no virgin, she had told him about her past, but he wanted this day to be special. He lay there beside her starring in to her eyes, and she was starring right back. "I love ye Mrs. Blair." Kathryn smirked to that, " and I love ye ." He then leaned in and kissed her very softly.


That kiss slowly deepend. He leaned back and looked in to her eyes,his hands then moved over her shoulders. He wanted their first time as husband and wife to be something she could remember for the rest of her life.

Wil had the dock in his sights at last when he let out the call, " naval ship apporching at full speed!" The Dangerous strnager at the moment looked like a war torn piate ship its sails tattered and dirty, the crew even worse. Eveyone soul on board was on edge as the naval ship came in, it pulled along side them and the cpatin yelled to Zach. "Ankor your vessle here and now and prepare to be boarded." Zach follwoed suit sendin g Ethan and Nate to lower the ankor. The crew slowly filtered out to the deck as a long plnak was lwoered from the naval vessle to the port side of the stranger.

Kathryn looked closely at the men on board the ship dressed in red naval coats, not the blue she had long see ago on the Arato. And that ship looked far more menacing than the Arato,four large masts, huge sails and even huge flags, at least fourteen cannon bunkers on each side, the ship even had a name that was odd for a naval ship. The Golden Spear. As Kat looked closer she could see that the whell of the ship looked as if it were made from gold and at the helm was a mermaid also looking to be made of gold holding a huge spear.

These were the kings men, these were the kings waters.Not safe elven seas any more. Sixteen men came on tot he deck and Zach made sure his crew formed a line and tried to make them all look more presentable than they did. Then at last the captain of the The Golden Spear, a tall man, as most captains seemed to be his hair wa slong black and sliced back, his eyes were fierce and blue. As Kathryn took her place beside Zach she looked at the captain, her heart skiped a beat, it could not be. As he walked past ehr his black boot thuding upon the worn deck she knew it was, it was Viktor, ehr brother whoms he had not seen in ages.

He held out his hand and had his men inspect every nook and crany of the ship. While he watched the crew with a leering gaze. His men retruned moment slater with their hands empty, nothing had been found. No stolen goods, not stolen gold or anything else that would not have been upon any to her trade ship heading in to port. But Viktor looked at Zach then to his crew, the mixed crew. He huffed and crossed his arms. "Who is the captain here?" Zach stepped forward abd took of his battered brown hat, Viktor eyed him for a log moment. "What business Port Laremonte?"

"repairs for my ship sir." Zach kept his gaze low. Viktor then looked over the grew again. He then turned and whispered something to his men, sunddly they moved in . They each took a woman by the arm,.Salaie,Amari and Ainnir were taken first by force on to the Golden Spear. Arad and Saka did not let that fly they tried to stop them but were knocked put witht he butt of a riffle.Then also taken upont he naval vessle. Zach could do nothing knwoing anythign he did do would cause them more harm. Varsha,Hope,Abi and Iona were taken next, that didnt fly well with Felipe, Angello, Ethan or Nate. Who each put up a good fight ebfore being dragged off to he mast in shackles.



Eidersc?il ,Muir?n were then taken as well in shackles on tot eh Godlen Spear. Kathryn hug her head she knew that all the elves were sure to be sold as slaves,t he women as well. Riley, Al, Will ,Rismund and Paulie were then taken aslo by force and tied up with Felipe, Angello, Ethan and Nate to the mast .Zakie His little fox scampered away in to Zachs quarters where she would find Pipen. Kathryn held on tightly to Zachs hand. The naval men apporched her and as they started to pull ehr away Zach threw a punch. "Why are you doing this we havent done anything wrong!" They tore Kat away, "Zach!" He flew at them fists flying but was knocked out by Viktor. " This ship is being seized. All your crew will be taken ashore." Zach groaned and rubbed his head before they tied him to the mast as well. Kathryn tried to fight back but the three men quickly carried her off. Viktor then grinned at the men tied up upon the mast. "Pirates all of you, now I am wondering if any of you will swear your loyatly to the king and sailt he right way or if," he pulled out his pistol, " you will die where you are tied and go down with this sad excuse for ship." None of them said anything, Nate and Ethan were wortking with Rismund to get unshacked with Zach just starred at the naval men. " We've not done a thing wrong were honest merchants,not pirates."

Viktor just shurgged, " you will be the last to die."

On board the Golden Spear the crew memebers that were taken away were tossed in to the brig, five to a cell. Varsha,Hope,Abi, Salaie and Iona in one,.Amari, Ainnir, Arad, Saka and Kat in another. Kat hung her her head sobbing as Amari tried to sooth her. "They will kill him, all of them and we will be slaves." Kathryn did not knwo which was worse losing the love of her life, and the best crew she had ever known or becoming a slave.

On the deck of the Mysterious Stranger Viktor paced.Looking to the men shackled to the mast. Little did he know Ethan,Nate,Paulie and Rismund were just playing along. Then Viktor decied to take a looka round the ship hims elf and let two other men watch the captives, that was the ceew they needed as Viktor headed below deck Rismund and Ethan rose up out of their broken shackles and rushed the four men on the deck, follwoed closely in suit by Paulie and Nate. Once those foru were done Rismund moved to free the other men.Once they all were free it was a free for all upont he deck fists flying pistols going off and when Viktor came back up on deck he glared to the fighting and shot off one shot. It was the shot to end all shots. His aim was great, his target Zach.

Zachary Blair had been shot before, in the leg, in the shoulder. And he had lived but there would be no getting aorund this shot, right in the gut. Zach fell fowrad upop his knees. Then a fire fight broke out. As the shooting went on Zakie and Pipen got away, the little fox clung on for dear life as the little dragon flew away towards land. Some how Pipen knew, Zach wouldnt live to see the light of another day. As the prisoners sat int he cells elven ears turned to ehar the guns go off. Kathryn heard them too. "Zach!" She screamed, and rab at the hard iron bars. But her hands were tied behind her back like everyone else, and even thogu she was as armed as she could be, it would do no good.

Zach gulthed his gut with his left hand and pulled his boot dagger witht he right and stabbed Viktor in the leg twice. Viktor cried out and fell downa s well, but his men were there in moments. Zach cringed as they kicked him over and lifted Vikotr up. "Lets blow them to pieces. " He was quaickly takena way, and Zach rolled there looking over to his men, some bloody some did not seem alive. Rismund crawled over towards him his face bloody. "Capt." As Viktor was carried back upon his ship he gave the order, "shoot them down!" Then the sounds of cannons boomed. The sound shook everything and int he cells below deck Kathryn and the rest hung their heads.


When the smoke cleared, The Golden Spear was gone and The Mysterious Stranger was slowly sinking in to he ocean. Zach was mortally wounded and he was not the only one. Angelo was missing his hand, it had either been shot off or cut off. Felipe was shot in the leg three times. Will was now missing his left eye. But there were a few that were merely wounded,Nate and Ethan were bloody but seemed to move alright,Rismund had a few long cuts upon his face but would live. Riley had been shot , but he had only been grazed to his luck. Yet two were dead, Al and Paulie lay side by sid each shot in the head twice. Zach clintched his fist. "Any who are alive here me now.." He couched up blood and tried to sit up. " Get off this ship now, take the long baots, save your crew memebrs who have been taken away. Save Kathryn." Nate and Etahn moved to Zach side along side Rismund, soom Riley was there as well. "We will not leave ye to die." "I go not alone, Paulie and Al are gone,Felipe and I will not last. Ethan ,Nate, get Wil , Riley and Rismund off this ship, get to the docks find them, save them.Promsie me." Nate nodded and Etahn took Zach's hand. "We will Captian." Zach nodded, " where is Pip?" Rismund looked tot he cabin, " I think he and Zakie flew away in the fighting, I think they knew that we might not live." Zach breathed a heavy sigh, " good, now the rest of you get going."


Slowly reluctantly Etahn and Nate rose, helping Rismund to his feet then the three heping Wil up.Riley knelt there a moment longer, "I will find her, I vow it to you Captian." Zach smiled, " I go to my grave loving her, when you find her give her this." He handed Riley his old worn hat, " and go in to the cabin before its to late find my compas and my spy glass give them to her as well, go now." Riley nodded taking Zach hata nd rushing in tot he caitans caibin to gain the spy glas sand compass before helping Nate and Ethan lower the long boat. The five then slowly paddled away. Zach grimaced looking towards Feilpe now also amoung the dead. "I love ye Kat." Zach whsipered closing his eyes and giving in to death as The Mysterious Stanger sank.

News travles fast. As The Mysterious Stanger sunk to the depths of the ocean floor, the five men who lived rowed their way to the port town. They stayed out of sight as the night became darker and a storm came in, the storm was to their advantage, they could easily hide who they were as they tracked down the crew.

Little did they know that Pip and Zakie had flow to get help. And that help was rushing to LareMonte with all speed.

Ethan,Nate, Rismund,Wil and Riley stayed together traking the naval men to the slavers hostle three miles in land. There they saw their mates,Salaie,Amari and Ainnir were in one very small cell, Arad ,Saka, Eider and Muirin were in another and Hope,Abi,Iona were in another but there was no sign of Kathryn. There was no oen watching them, so Ethan and Nate snuck in breaking them all out and going out a window they all escaped it was only then that Riley heard of Kathryns fate to be hung.

Help was now in LareMonte. In a dark cloak he ran through the streets with Zakie on one shoulder and Pipen upon the other, heading for the jail cell as the rain poured down. He ran with all speed hoping to get there before dawn.The twelve survivors of the atatck on the Strange ran through the streets towards the jail as well. Hoping to get there before dawn. Kathryn sat watching the rain drip throught he barred window in to her cell. She closed ehr eyes and tooka long breath, she was going to die,at dawn she would be hung. Her fists clintched around a small stone under her and she tossed it against the wall.

She did not want to die, but she did not want to live either. Zach was gone, the love of her life dead by her brothers hand, what was there left to live for?

The Cloaked Man ran to the jail sneaking past the outside guards he got down in to the jail he walked now witha steady stide pulling out his sword he walked towards the cells his boots thuding againt the cold stone floor. The guuard rose from his chair cigar in his outh and turned to see who was coming, int hat evry moment the cutlass ofnthe cloaked man went through the gaurds gt, making him flal over dead. Then taking the keys he wlaked to Kathryns cell, spying in he say her before he unlocked the door and let it swing open. "If you wish to see the light of another day, you will come with me."

He held out a gloved hand. Kathryn sat up,slowly rising to ehr feet, that voice she kenw it some how, she wasnt about to argue she walked over and took his ahnd and they left ont he way out grabbing her weapons, they ran through the storm hidding from city guards away fromt he docks and in deeper to the town.

When the twleve survivors got tot he jail cell they found the gard dead and Kathryn gone, yet Rismund noted something, a clump of red fur upon the ground as well as one very small rust clored scale. "I think she's been saved." He showed the rest the two items. "then lets get out of here." They too left going deeper in to town, they ahd all voewd to find Kathryn. Now that they kenw Pipen and Zakie were with ehr Rismund would easily eb able to track them down.

As the storm raged on the cloked man led Kathryn in tot he woods then along the jaggid coast line not stopping until they reached a very small wooden dock where a very nice ship was ankored, the crew awaiting the ordrs of their capatin. " Now get on there, and get out of here."Kathryn looked at the ship, named The Black Velvet. "Who are you?" She had to know. "Some one who always side he'd be there for you." Now that voice she knew. "Henry..."

He lowered his hood, to reveal his face as well as Zakie and Pipen. "Yes, now here. " He lifted his hand and Piped flew to her. "Take Pip, get on that lovely ship be the captain ye were born to be and never come back here, your a dead woman walking Kat." She gave Pipen a pet, "But Henry." "No buts... I always knew I would some day give this ship to you,Cal and Mickey are up there, the rest of them well they need a bit of work, but they will be a good crew. Now get out of here." Kathryn looked back at the town and then hugged Henry and kissed his cheek then ran up the gang plank. Then the Black Velvet sailed away and Henry hid his face again, " well little one, lets go find your owner." Henry smiled and headed back in to town.



So Begins A Stange New Land