Wyh was in their study, drafting an article for the Orcale, when she heard James calling her name. She set her quill onto the desk and made her way out of the study, through the living room - the snowscape over the fireplace never failing to make her smile, and up the stairs towards her beloved husband's voice. She met him at the doorway of their chamber, and wrapped him up in her arms, brushing a soft kiss against his lips.

"Did I hear you say something about a wonderful idea? What is it?"

Wyh did indeed remember the island, for it had been a gift to them by Falcon, one of her oldest and dearest friends. She had wished to see it since reading the deed, and her delight shone in her eyes as she listened to her husband's plan.

"That is a truly splendid idea my dearest - I have been curious to see our private little island since our wedding! Is the crew ready? When will we be sailing? And I have truly missed our stateroom!"

She then snuggled closer in his arms, whispering in his ear all the sweet thing she missed about their stateroom, things that would make even a Pirate King blush.

James Black was whistling as he was pushing the last of his garments into a large gunny sack. Much of his clothing was already on the ship, but this was the remainder of what he thought he would need. This was to be their last night in their new home for several weeks since they would go to the ship in the morning and set sail to the Island that Falcon had given to them for a wedding present. "Wyh, love," he called out, "have ye seen my leather tri-corner pirate hat? I can't be goin' on th' ship without it."

Wyh was standing in the doorway of their chamber, admiring her husband as he bent to pack the last of his clothing. He never ceased to take her breath away. The hat in question was in her hands, and she was hiding it behind her back, a grin lighting up her face, and giggles threatening to give her away. "No my dearest, I have not seen it. Perhaps it is downstairs?"

He turned and put his knuckles on his hips and twisted his lips in thought. "No, I thought I brought it up here yesterday when I came back from the ship." He scratched his head in thought and sighed. "Well, maybe you're right. I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached." He walked toward her as she stood in the doorway. She did her best to keep his favorite pirate hat hidden, but her dancing silver eyes gave her away as he neared, fighting back the giggles. "We will just have to be sure your head always stays attached then."

He looked into her eyes and saw that mischievous look back at him. He stopped in his tracks and grinned at her. "What do ye 'ave in yer hands there lass? Hmm? Ye be hidin' something there?" He bent down and put her over his shoulder, patting her butt. "Ah..look 'ere! I see my hat!" She burst into giggles as he scooped her over his shoulder, still keeping his hat as she wriggled in his grasp. "Is that what you were looking for? And here I though this one was mine!" She put his hat on, proving it was indeed his - as it was far too large for her.

"Ah, so now ye be trying to pirate me hat away, huh? What am I going to do with a pirate that has been captured. Let me see." He looked about the room and saw their big, canopied bed all made up and ready to be messed. "I'm thinking I need to teach this hat-stealing pirate that a captain's hat is not to be trifled with. Some torture is surely required." He walked toward the bed. He carried her like she weighed nothing, and she was still laughing as he walked them to the bed. "I beg your humble pardon, my captain - I promise never to pirate your hat again, at least not so poorly!"

"Ah ha! I can see that ye not be repentant! No, there can be no mercy for ye this night." He set her on her back on the bed and pulled the hat from her hand and tossed it to the chair. "Now comes ye punishment, my pirate Queen."

"Oh please do not punish me too harshly, my dearest Pirate King." She moved back towards the head of their large bed, awaiting whatever James had in mind for her.

He grinned and prowled up to her like a tiger, growling before he brought his lips to her mouth and kissed her hard, his left hand moving around her head, holding her into the kiss. A sound like a purr came from her throat as he advanced on her and kissed her, and she returned the fierceness of that kiss, her hands sinking into his hair as she rose up to meet his mouth.

He did not stop kissing her, for it was one of the most exciting, intimate things they could do, and he just loved the way she kissed him. So he held her in his arms and kissed her deeply, going from light sensuous kisses to deep passionate ones. Then his mouth slowly moved down to her neck, kissing and nibbling those places where she loved to be kissed. Her hands played through his dark hair as they kissed, drawing breath from each other. Her body flushed warm as his lips and teeth grazed all the little places she loved. If this was her torture, she wanted more of it, and she turned her head, exposing more of her neck to his hungry mouth.

He continued to nibble and suck on her neck, but he was busy in other ways too. His fingers were working on her top, loosening it, until he had her shirt totally opened in front. She felt him loosening her top, and she worked on the buttons of his black silk shirt, wanting to feel his skin against hers. Little moans escaped her as he worked his magic on her neck - he knew every spot intimately.

James was going to get Wyh back for sneaking his hat away and having him look all over for it when it was right in her hands. He loved that playfulness of his wife. He let her shirt fall to the bed, then tossed it to the floor. His voice was soft and sexy, "Ye will be gettin' very punished, my little pirate." He leaned her back against the mattress and brought his kisses up and down her neck. Any response she wanted to make was lost as he continued to find every little spot on her neck, every place that made her shiver with delight as he worked his magic with his lips. If this was her punishment, she would have to steal his hat more often. She reached up to run her fingers through his long dark hair as he leaned her back.

His hands moved slowly, methodically up and down her body, feeling her soft flesh and the curves of her sides, her shoulder blades, her back; then his fingers laced into her hair, and as they did, his mouth came to hers and he kissed her hard and deeply. His slow, sensuous caresses made her whimper, and his fiery kisses made her moan with need as she met his mouth, tasting him, exploring his body as he did hers, rediscovering all the places along his spine that she knew drove him wild, her fingers sliding under his silk shirt to touch his bare skin.

Wyh's touches were driving him wild. He sat up on his knees, straddling her, and removed his shirt and tossed it on Wyh's. His body was lean and muscular as he looked down on her, taking in her nakedness from the waist up. He reached down and loosened just the top of her pants, then brought his lips to her stomach and began with kisses that explored her stomach and slowly moved up towards her chest. She ran her hands over his bare chest as he gazed down upon her, trailing lower down his belly. Her wanderings were stopped when his lips found her stomach, her skin flushing hot under his mouth as he explored her, her breath coming fast and shallow. He knew her body so well, and she knew his, and she traced up and down his spine again, feeling him shiver under her hands.

Her "torture" continued, reaching new heights of passion and ecstasy - if such was her punishment for pirating away her husband's hat, she resolved to steal it every day..

Wyh stood on the deck just below where her husband balanced, her hand lightly resting on his leg as he spoke to his crew. The excitement of the men was contagious, the Earl's words lighting her face in a merry grin.

When James spoke of what she did to save him - to save them all, really - palest pink colored her cheeks, and her eyes lowered to study the deck as the crew cheered her. She still did not like to think of that dark night and day, when her Captain was jailed, and sentenced to death. She wondered briefly how long it took the constable to thaw out.

As the Earl began to sing, joined in turn by the entire crew, she looked up at James, pride, admiration, and love all dancing in her silver eyes. She wished to be nowhere except where he was - sailing the realms at his side. As the order to sail was given, she launched a light barrage of glittering ice crystals into the morning sky, shimmering as they floated over the Sea Wolf, settling in her husband's long black hair as the breeze caught the sails.

James turned to Twitch who was standing by, "Hey, Twitch, ye follow them an' protect their rear when they're down below. I want nothin' happening t' them. Ye understand?"

"Aye, capt'n! They'll be protected like they be beneath an umbrella! Like a baby in a crib. Don't ye worry."

The three crew members climbed on the gunn'l and stepped across to the other ship. No sooner did they get there then the fog made it nearly impossible to see anything going on board the other ship. James looked at Wyh, "I don't like this, love. It's not natural."

Wyh tried using pulses of chill wind to clear the fog, but as fast as she cleared it, it rolled back worse than before. "No, it is not a natural fog at all, my dearest - I cannot seem to clear it at all. I am worried."

He stood there and nodded, watching over the starboard side of the ship, trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on there, but seeing nothing. Mr. Blade stood on the other side of him, passively spinning a knife in his right hand. "Seems like any killing to be done has been done already, captain. We shouldn't stay here."

Again James nodded, "As soon as they determine what's happened an' if there's anything to be taken, we'll be on our way. Can't just be leavin' a ship stranded."

"What will become of this ship, once we are finished with it? The way it sits, another ship entering the harbor will surely run into it." She kept trying to clear a window to the other ship, still with little success.

"I don't know, darlin'. I suppose we could sink it, but maybe the crew will return to it if their not even now below deck. I've never seen anything like that. At least not for a very long time."

"It seems strange we have not yet seen signs of anyone aboard, no signs of life anywhere." She frowned as she gazed where she knew the ship was. "I hope Governor and Rat and Twitch are alright."

James put his arm around Wyheree and just waited. Ten minutes turned to thirty, turned to an hour before any sound was heard from the other ship, despite the shouts of James' crew for the three to come back. Mr. Blade wanted to fetch them but James held him back. Finally, just over an hour later the three figures suddenly appeared and crossed back over to the Sea Wolf. They were totally silent. "Well?" asked James. "Did ye see anyone? Anything?"

"Nothing to report," said Governor. "Aye, no one and n-nothing," said Rat. "Empty ship," said Twitch. All three walked off, emotionless.

Wyh studied them as they walked off, frowning. "Perhaps it would be best if that ship was sunk - something is terribly wrong."

James looked at his wife then back to the ship that was still next to them. He didn't want to sink it, but he didn't know his wife to be often wrong about things. "Okay...we'll pull away, and then fire at it and sink th' damned thing." He turned to the crew, "RELEASE TH' SHIP AN' SHOVE OFF!" he shouted.

"If you like, I can save your cannons and ammunition, my dearest." Wyh gave her husband a grin as her hands took on a white glow.

He looked at Wyh's hands and smiled. "Let's give th' men some target practice, m'love. It's been a while since they shot th' cannons an' they could use th' practice."

Ice crystals danced about her as she released the slight build-up of magic, and she brushed her husband's lips with a kiss. "Alright - I've never seen cannons used up close before."

The ships slowly pulled away from each other, but before the Sea Wolf had gone fifty yards the other ship was no longer visible. "Man th' cannons!" James commanded. The cannon ports opened and the cannons were loaded and aimed at where the ship had been. At 100 yards James looked around for Governor to tell him to give the command to fire, but he was nowhere to be found. So James gave the command. "FIRE!"

Wyh was always amazed at the speed and efficiency of the Sea Wolf's crew, and she kept well out of the way as the cannons were readied. When Governor did not appear, she frowned - then braced herself for the roar she knew was coming.

The cannons shook both the air and the ship with their blasts. The smell of gunpowder filled the air and the smoke mingled with the fog. The only thing they didn't hear was the explosion of the shot against the other ship and the sound of wood splintering.

There was nothing.

No other sound at all.

The gunpowder made Wyh's nose wrinkle - the sulfur smell was not to her liking. She listened for the tell-tale signs, and when she did not hear the wood splinter, she used a greater swirl of winds to try and clear a path through the fog - perhaps the aim was off.

James stared through the clearing that Wyh had made in the fog, but no ship was seen. The fog gradually filled back in the space that had been cleared. "Try again, two clicks to th' port!!" James shouted. "FIRE!" Again the cannons fired and again there was nothing heard. They were only one hundred yards from where they had left the ship, yet there was nothing there.

When she again heard the cannonballs splash in the harbor, Wyh directed a gust of blizzard winds through the fog, clearing a large hole wide enough to see that again, nothing was there.

James looked to Wyh, "This be nay right, love. Ne'er 'ave I seen th' like of this."

"Nor have I - not even when I adventured all those years ago. We should go, and quickly."

He nodded, turned and commanded. "HOLD ALL FIRE AND RAISE FULL SAIL!! WE'RE GETTIN' OUT O' HERE!"

She wrapped her arms about herself, the chill of the fog seeping into her bones, making her shiver. "What did they board, if there is nothing here?"

James just shook his head. "I don't know. We should ne'er 'ad approached tha' ship. It just don't feel right."

The ship had full sails but there was little wind to catch them for the next hour. Little by little the fog lifted and more breeze came up, until finally they pulled free of the fog. James pointed to the sun, "Look how close it is to th' horizon. We've lost th' entire day."

"We have indeed - but tomorrow we should have fair winds, and we'll reach our present. I can't wait to see the island. Falcon wrote there was a small cabin on the island, perfect for two." She smiled as she drew near to him, brushing her lips against his.

His frown turned to a smile as her lips touched his. "Well, at least the time is closer for us t' go back t' our cabin."

She reached up to play with the braids in his hair, kissing him softly. "I have missed our stateroom, and its lovely large bed."

"Aye, love. I have. . . ," but before he could add "too", Governor walked passed and gave him the strangest look.

"I'll take the wheel tonight, Captain. If you don't mind," said Governor.

She looked over at Governor, her silver eyes sparking as she studied one of James' most trusted crewman. She kept close to James, almost craving his warmth, as the fog had chilled her to the bone.

James nodded. "Of course. Ye've got th' heading. We should be at th' Island by daybreak. Thank ye, Gov."

Governor didn't look at James or Wyh, but just slowly nodded and took the wheel.

Her eyes narrowed, then she whispered in her husband's ear. "This is not like him, my dearest."

James nodded and spoke softly, "Aye, probably just spooked from bein' on tha' ship, an' I figure he weren't able to sleep."

"You're right, and it makes sense to work if one cannot sleep." She kissed him again, a little grin on her face. "He cannot do what we do when we cannot sleep."

James laughed. He loved the way his wife could lighten things up with her wit. "There's nothing we can do here now, m'love, so why don't we go don't t' our room. It should be smooth sailing from 'ere on."

"Yes it should - and out island will await us in the morning when we wake. But now, I would love to wash that fog from me." She wrapped her arms about her husband, and kissed him soundly.

He kissed his wife deeply, then led her down the steps to their stateroom, his mind filled with ideas of what they might do in that small shower as the fog was washed off.

She followed him down the steps, her hand in his, softly smiling as she remembered the first time she walked this path, and where it lead. And she had ideas of her own for their shower as she waiting for him to unlock the door.

Wyheree had just finished her shift at the Inn, but instead of phasing home, as she normally did, she decided to walk back to the mansion she shared with James. It was dark, and a mist hung in the air. The chill invigorated her, and she trailed ice crystals from hand to hand as she walked.

Count Talomar Longden needed to feed. On nights like this his hunger often brought him to the streets of the city to seek out prey. It was usually those who were the misfits, the dregs of society who would never be missed; but occasionally it would be someone of beauty or prominence. He was in the dark, hidden recesses of the eaves of a large building when he saw a woman approach. She had a familiar feeling, but he was too hungry to care. She would become his. In an instant, his position changed and he was no longer in the eaves, but following several yards behind the woman.

As she walked, she felt eyes upon her - as if she was being watched. A quick sweep with her silver eyes revealed nothing, so she continued on her way, though the feeling did not ease - in fact, it grew worse. She stopped and turned about, using her winds to stir the dark hidden places where trouble lurked.

He made himself invisible, watching the woman as she turned around and commanded winds to swirl around him. He recognized her as Lady Wyheree Black. She was someone he always was quite fond of, a beauty by any definition. He tilted his head and put his finger to his chin . . . tapping . . . thinking . . . deciding. She would not only provide a wonderful meal, but she could be so much more this night. He had brought a collar with him. Perhaps. . .just perhaps. The wind was circling around an invisible form that gradually materialized into the dark form of Count Longden, his black cape flowing in the wind.

The sight of the Count made her pause. She had heard tales that he had left RhyDin, or that he had been taken from RhyDin - in any event, it had been some time since she had seen him. His appearance was startling, but she was known to do the same, so she thought little of why he could do such things. She swept into a curtsey for the nobleman. "Good evening, Count Longden."

He made a low, charming bow to the beauty. "Good eve, Lady Black. You look so beautiful this night." He was thinking 'delicious'. He moved closer. "I just realized how much I like your name - 'Lady Black'. You are just the kind of woman I've been looking for."

Wyh took a step back as Talomar neared. Something in his words pricked at her, and the winds at her command picked up, swirling about her in a mantle of protection. "What of the Countess, Count Longden?"

He grinned, "Ah yes, well the Countess has disappeared and left me with no wife. I need a new Countess, Lady Wyheree. One of refinement and power. One like yourself." He stepped closer, gazing upon her face and then down her long, white neck.

"That will not be possible, as I am already wed, as you well know." She kept her ground, the icy winds swirling about her taking on a cutting bite.

He moved very close pressing up to her. "Ah yes, the pirate. James Black if I remember correctly." His hand reached to her hair. "A woman of your distinction and stature deserves far more than a pirate. I'm sure your James would be the first to agree." He smiled as his hand felt her shoulder.

"He is far more than a pirate, Count Longden - far more indeed." As he touched her shoulder, the ice pricked and bit into his hand, as her eyes glowed silver. She was growing agitated with him so close to her.

He felt the ice biting into his hand and just smiled upon her. "Ah, a cold shoulder if there ever was one." He slowly drew his hand back and looked at the bluish color from the cold. "You know what they say, 'Cold hands, warm heart.'" He laughed and the hand turned a natural color, actually giving off warmth. "Let's get down to business. I want you for my next Countess and I shall have you, one way or the other."

"I do not wish to be your Countess. I am wed to the one my soul loves." The fact he could warm himself was not lost on her, so she turned up the cold even more, making a small blizzard. He felt the intense cold she created and the blizzard of snow circling around them. The black cape with deep red satin lining blew up and around him, then covered him completely. Another gust of wind sent the cape flying high into the night sky where it disappeared. Talomar was no longer standing before her.

His arms came around her from behind him, "Ahhh, I love a woman of many talents. You know, the strange thing about the undead is that our blood and respiration is not like those who are alive and whose hearts beat warm. Cold just doesn't seem to give me the shivers like your body does."

His sudden disappearance, and reappearance behind her was unnerving. As he wrapped his arms about her, she whirled, using her ice to cut deep into Talomar's cheeks. "Do not touch me." Then.. what he said reached her. "You cannot be undead."

His fingers reached up quickly to the pain on the side of his face; blood flowed over his fingers and down his wrists. Over the shock of her attack, he grinned at the humor of her statement. "I can't?" He laughed. "I love the way you think, but do tell, I'm very curious. Why can't I be undead?"

"You do not resemble a rotting corpse. You are seen in the daylight. You eat food. I did not encounter vampires when I adventured, but I do remember those things." Her eyes glittered with inner silver light as she watched the blood flow from his cheek.
.
He put his bloody hand to his now bloody cheek. "Hmmm, all very good points, my Countess. I've selected well." As he was speaking the deep cuts in his cheek began to heal, close up, and then slowly disappear. "I've seen some of those undead you speak of. They're all from earth and rather pitiful creatures if you ask me. They are what you might call the 'poor cousins' of my kind. You see, where I come from the undead do not have the same. . what should I call them? Limitations? I can tolerate daylight, and while food won't keep me 'alive' as it does you, I do find it quite tasty when done right. You see? Life as my Countess is going to be good.?

"I am not now, nor will I ever be, "your" anything. I am not an object to be gained, Count Longden." His quick healing was unexpected, so she tested it with another deep slice of winds. "Undead you may be, but I am more than human. I am Ice, and I am Mage. I will fight you if you persist."

He removed the collar from his pocket. "But my sweet Countess, I have no desire to fight you." He laughed, "Look at me. I'm a lover, not a fighter. Now, I would like for you to place this collar around your neck. It's a simple request. If you don't want to, that's okay." He looked down and just shrugged, "Of course, if you won't be my Countess then you will also not be the wife of a pirate. If you don't put it on of your own free will, your pirate will be dead before you can get to him."

"I am.. NOT.. YOURS!!" And as her voice rose, the temperature plunged, and her eyes bled to black - he crossed a line when he threatened James, and she was furious. Ice snaked along the ground to wrap up Talomar's legs, to hold him in place. Ice sprang from her fingers to wrap around his chest. All around her, the chill was so great the grass and foliage was dying. No one had ever witnessed her rage, not like this.

He stood there motionless as ice wrapped around his chest, arms legs and finally his head, totally encasing him within a thick, solid, intensely cold shell of ice. A normal body would have been instantly frozen as if in a cryogenic freezer. Like a banana frozen in dry ice and then tapped to crack in half, the body of Talomar Longden was frozen. Then, out of the night sky his cape fell though the darkness and wrapped around the frozen statue. The wind of Wyh's rage caused the cape to once again flap wildly, pulling the iced statue of the Count over on the Ryh'Din street. If fell and cracked into tens to hundreds of pieces.

When the ice shattered, Wyh could sense, almost at once, that all that had broken was her ice - where had the Count gone? How had he escaped her utter cold? The ice and wind at her command sought out the hidden places her could be, as she did not want to be caught by him.

A deep, sexy voice was in the air, "Wyh. Dear Lady Wyh. Dear Countess. If I was not merciful, your James would be dead now." The voice seemed to take form in one of the dark recesses of the building next to them. Count Longden emerged holding out the collar. "That, my dearest Countess, is the last chance your former husband gets. The next time you try something, I'll be paying him a visit before the first snowflake falls. Do. . I . . make . . .myself. . . clear, my Countess? For his sake, I sincerely hope so. PUT IT ON!" His voice was now commanding, shaking the very buildings around them.

The winds and ice did die down at his words, but Wyh was the picture of defiance as she looked up at the Count, her eyes still black as jet. "I am no dog, that needs a collar. I am not yours."

A heavy sigh from him as he was beginning to lose patience. "Of course you are not a dog. However, you are far too dangerous to not wear this collar. You see, this collar is not affected by magic of any kind. It responds only to my will. It will allow me to rest in peace that you will not discover a way to kill me. If you put in on, I'll let James live. He won't even know what happened to you. If you don't put it on, I'll put it on you for you, and the first thing I will do is force you to kill your former husband."

"You would not dare.." He might be losing patience, but she was dangerously close to totally losing her temper. No one threatened those she loved. Never. And he had done it twice now.

He had a far off look in his eyes as if his thoughts were elsewhere. Then he was suddenly totally with her again and he held the collar to her. "Wyh, believe me, I wouldn't give it a second thought." He took a step closer. "I've already sent two servants to your home. Unless I tell them "no" in the next 15 seconds, they will kill him. Of course, if you do something to me, I won't be able to say, "No" to them, will I? Let's see, you're down to ten seconds,. . 9.. . " He put the opened collar in front of her face. "Do it."

The little model of the Sea Wolf, the one she had made for James long ago - something she could use to test the truth of Talomar's words, was not in their home, but aboard their ship. Her phasing was not instantaneous - it took time, and she did not have time to spare if he was serious. She had no way to tell if he was bluffing, or if he meant it. She closed her eyes at the sight of the collar. "Please - do not do this."

"Trust me, this will not be a bad thing. James will live. And perhaps at some point I'll release you as my countess and you'll be able to go back to your ship and pirate. But for now, I am definitely going to do this. Eight. . . Seven. . .Six. . "

As he counted, she finally took the collar from him. Hate raged in her eyes as she did what he wanted - she fastened it around her neck. She did not speak, letting her ebony eyes and winds speak for her as she boiled with anger.

Once the two halves of the red "bloodstone" touched each other, the collar became one piece of stone. "That pretty red collar is bloodstone, Countess Wyheree Longden. It is a very special stone, demon made with, of all things, blood - my blood. No magic touches it. No blade can cut it. It response only to my wishes. I can make it open and come off of you, or I can make it change its diameter and quickly choke off all air, rendering you first unconscious, then dead. If you obey, you'll not have to worry about that. If you don't, well. . . you get the picture." He smiled at her, picked up his cape and held out his hand. "Please, take my hand. It's time to see your castle."

"I loathe red. And I loathe you. And I will not take your hand." She crossed her arms, and glared up at the Count. Rage and stubbornness combined made her most defiant.

He stared at her, no longer pleasantly, but intensely. The collar began to become smaller. First all loose space between collar and flesh was lost, then the collar pressed on her throat like a tourniquet, cutting off her air. He just stared at her as all air was prevented from reaching her lungs.

She may have been touched by her element, but Wyh still needed to breathe, and she clawed at the collar as she felt it tighten around her throat, unable to speak as she lost her air.

Talomar held out his hand. "Take it, and you'll breathe again."

Even choking could not quell the hate in her eyes, but she did take his hand.

He smiled and the collar instantly returned to its normal size. His hand wrapped around hers. "Very good. My castle is quite close to your home, but don't let that tempt you." He suddenly pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. In a moment, they were gone.

Wyh screamed, and fought, and thrashed to free herself.. from the quilt tangled about her body. She was asleep in their stateroom, James at her side, her dreams twisted and horrific. She jerked and flailed her hands in her sleep, and raked James across the chest unawares as she battled for her life deep in her dream.

The scream of his wife had James bolt to a sitting position and reaching for his knife, but then Wyh was flailing at him and he realized she was having a nightmare. He also realized that if she didn't awake immediately, he'd soon be a bloody mess. His wife was strong and he couldn't grab her arms. "Wyh!! My love!!! It's okay...it's me!! James!!!" He tried to get his wife's hands but she was hitting him too quickly and those fists were landing on him hard. "It's okay, love!! It's just a dream! Wake up!"

In her dreamscape, the hulking figure of the Count had changed into a demon, sharp fangs gnashing at her, his breath like a blast of steam on her neck, and she fought with everything she had, landing blow after blow.. then her fist went through the chest of the demon as it melted away into a thick, putrid smoke.. then she heard a voice, far off in the distance. She sat up with a start, her eyes unseeing, but the fists had slowed as she crept back to the waking world.

"Wyh. . . darlin'. . .it's okay. It's me. James." He had never seen her this way. His wife was always so warm and loving and never had bad dreams. Now she was going wild and he was really being hurt by her. He wanted to hold her, but couldn't yet get close. "Wyh, honey. . ." his voice was comforting.

There was that voice again, louder this time. Wyh knew that voice, the one who whispered sweet things to her as they went to sleep, the one who made the crew jump to action, the one she loved above all others. She stopped thrashing, and finally was aware of where she was. Her eyes were wide, and her skin was slick with a silvery sheen. Her voice was barely a whisper as she focused on her husband. "James?"

"Yes, m'love. I'm 'ere for ye." He leaned down and took her into his arms. She was wet with sweat and her heart was racing. "Was jus' a bad dream, love. Nothin' is goin' ta be hurtin' ye now." He wished he could ease her fear. At this point he was the only one in the room who was bruised and bleeding.

Wyh was fever-warm in his arms, and she shivered against him, slowly calming as her held her close. She saw the damage she inflicted, and she cried into his chest. ?I am so sorry my dearest, so sorry.. it was so real.?

He smiled, "It's okay. Whatever was in ye dream 'as no idea 'ow lucky it is nae t' be standin' in front o' ye." He kissed her forehead and lips. "Want t' tell me about it?"

She slowly nodded, her face buried in his neck. "I was walking home, and Count Longden came up behind me.." She shivered as she huddled as close to her husband as she could, her hands feeling her throat. "He said I was to be his Countess, and I refused - then he said he would kill you. It was horrible. I had a collar, and he choked me with it. He took me away, and I fought so hard to get free of him." She was still so hot in his arms.

He just held her and stroked her hair over and over. "Aye...I see. No wonder ye be thrashin'. Well, there be no collar on ye, an' I think th' Count considers ye t' be his friend." He was still concerned about all this. It upset him that she dreamed that she had been collared.

At last, her breathing and heartrate returned to almost normal, his fingers in her hair soothing and comforting as she laid her head on his chest. Her hands still felt her throat - the choking sensation had been so very real. "I know.. but it felt so very real, my dearest. I am so sorry I hurt you."

His chest was scratched, his nose was bleeding, his lip was cut on the inside of his mouth, and he knew he'd be showing bruises in the morning light. "It's okay m'love. Jus' a scratch." He grinned, "But I'm sure ne'er gonna cross ye."

Wyh gently laid her hand on the worst of the scratches on his chest, tears slipping down her cheeks as he held her close. "I still can feel it on me - the choking. It was so real."

He kissed her cheek and then her neck. "There be nothing on ye but my kiss, darlin'. All will be okay. Soon we'll be on our island a' safe. It must have been tha' fog an' ghost ship tha' got ye so upset. Can't blame ye. Did th' same for me, I must admit."

The kiss to her neck made her shiver, and she wrapped her arms about James tighter. "The ship and the fog did unnerve me, but I have been frightened before. Never have I dreamed this way. It still haunts me, even safe in our bed."

"It'll be better in the light. It's probably just because we live so close to the Count's castle, and there have been more slavers in the Inn lately. It's no wonder you had a dream like that." He held her hand and kissed it.

Her eyes closed, and she relaxed against his body as he kissed her hand, smiling softly. "You are right - that must be why I had such a dream. I am still so sorry you had to bear the brunt of my fears." She lightly ran her fingers over the scratches to cool and soothe them, and the little magic made her wince in pain, her fingers flushing hot, then icy, then hot again.

He noticed the concerned look upon her face and the wince as she started to heal the wounds. "What is it, love? Are you hurting?" He was not used to seeing her wince.

She nodded slowly, her hand on his chest still hot. "Little magicks have never pained me, but it hurt this time, and I do not know why."

He felt her head and for the first time he could remember, it was actually warm. "Maybe you're comin' down wi' something, love." He was more than a little concerned. If anything should ever happen to his wife, he'd not want to live.

His touch was cool on her head, and she laid back into the pillows, seeking her husband's warmth, as a chill made her shiver. "I had not had a cold or any such thing in so long, perhaps my luck has run out at last." She looked up at her love, and managed a little smile.

He lay down with her and snuggled close to keep her warm. "I'll have Frypan heat up some medicine for you if you still feel bad at breakfast. Let's just cuddle up here for warmth." It was still not summer, and the weather had large swings in temperatures. Even this night it seemed he was either hot or cold. It made little sense. He would be glad when the light came.

The pirates of the Seawolf had seen most everything in life, even before ever stepping onto a ship. To have said that they hadn?t led a privileged life would have been putting it mildly. James Black had gathered his crew from the dregs of society, those who had nothing left to lose in life and no hope of seeing that situation ever changing; at least not until James came along.

The result was a crew that was loyal and fearless. So for James to see fear and astonishment in the eyes of his men ? that was something of which to take notice.

The crew were all lined up on the port side of the ship, mouth agape and eyes wide, staring at the most unusual island one would ever want to see. There before the Seawolf was a volcanic island covered in ice; trees and vegetation burnt and frozen, the air filled with smoke and mist and smelling of sulfur and ash.

There were three crew members who were not looking at the island ? Governor, Rat, and Twitch. They were by the wheel, staring straight ahead. James approached them and turned an angry glare to Governor. ?Ye were to steer us t? th? island that was given t? Lady Wyheree an? me. Where ?ave ye taken us, Governor??

?Where we need to be,? Governor responded slowly in a monotone, never looking at his captain.

James Black took Governor by the collars of his overcoat and yanked him up upon his toes. ?Look at me, dammit! I told ye where we need t? be, an? this sure as bloody ?ell is not tha? place!?

?But it is, Captain,? said Rat, for once not stuttering, but rather in that same monotone voice that Governor used.

?Have ye all lost yer bloody minds?? James glared at the three men. We?re getting out of ?ere. Now!?

?We can?t,? said Twitch. ?No wind.? Twitch?s face took on an evil, demonic grin for but a moment before again becoming expressionless. Had not James been looking directly at him, he would have missed it altogether. Unfortunately Twitch was right, there wasn?t a lick of wind to take them anywhere.

James shook his head and growled. ?You three get below deck and stay there until I summon you.? The three nodded and departed without saying a thing.

Captain Black looked over to his wife, and then to the island. ?What do ye make of this, m?love??

Captain James Black was certain she was correct. This place and its putrid air was giving him a nauseous feeling, and if he was feeling it, he could just imagine what Wyheree was going though.

He watched the red-glowing magma flow down the side of the volcanic mountain, looking like a red ribbon on fire that was cutting its way through blackened, ash covered ice and snow. He had no idea how such opposites could exist in one place. The air was hazy, filled with the smell of sulfur and ash, without the aid of any breeze to give one relief from the stench.

?Wyh, m?love. We better be goin? below an? get ye out from such heat an? stench. There?ll be a wind comin? soon, an? we?ll be out of ?ere before ye know it.?

He helped Wyh down the steps and into the Captain?s Quarters, whereupon he closed all the portholes and windows to keep the smell and heat out. It did little good. The room was already smelling of sulfur and the heat was everywhere.

?It?ll soon be dark, lass. There?ll be some relief in th? night. Come lay down an? rest an? I?ll find ye somethin? cool t? drink.?

James Black was more than a little concerned for his wife. He had never seen Wyh in this condition and that caused him to worry all the more. James raced to the galley and grabbed Frypan, "I need water! Cold as possible." He knew there would be no ice on board unless Wyh were to create it, and for once she was not able to do that.

"Aye, Captain. 'Tis nay cold, but wet an' pure."

"Give me a bucket full. And a cup!" James grabbed the filled bucket of water and took the clean cup in the other hand. He raced back to his quarters and went to the bed and sat down on the side. "Alright now, love. We 'ave some excellent water 'ere t' wet ye whistle." He smiled and held the cup to her lips.

Wyh was half asleep in their bed, her breathing shallow in the stale air. When James sat next to her, she stirred, and slowly opened her eyes - which had very little sparkle in them. She sat up a little, and sipped the water as James held the cup, managing a smile for her Pirate King. "Thank you, dearest. Is there any breeze at all to carry us from here yet?" She knew she would recover once she was far away from this strange place.

"None yet, love," he replied with an encouraging smile even though he knew there might not be a wind for some time. He took a towel and poured water on it using the mug. "Let me wash you down. You'll feel better," he added in a soft caring voice.

A soft smile touched her lips, remembering how after she had gotten into a nasty scrape just after they met, he had brought her here, and cared for her, just as he was now. She knew she loved him then, and that love had grown so much since. She reached a hand for him, a fine tremble in her fingers. "That sounds wonderful - water always makes me feel better, my dearest."

James began by putting the cold cloth upon her forehead. He slowly moved it over her face, rubbing her cheeks and neck. He then opened her shirt and brought the cool, wet cloth upon her shoulders and chest. "Ye look beautiful, my love." He smiled and gave her a pirate wink.

The water seemed to absorb into her skin, and she relaxed as he ran the cloth over her cheeks, and down her neck. She rolled more to her back to give James room to run the cloth down her shoulders - and his words got her to grin, her eyes finally having just a little sparkle. "Now I know you are teasing me, just as you did when we met, and you washed me like this, after I got into that fight."

"Ahhh...yes. I remember that. What a mess ye were, lass." Of course he was kidding. He remembered how at the time he would have done anything to get just to touch her for a moment. He stood up and moved down to her legs and began to wash her legs and feet with the cool water.

The water on her legs felt delightful, and she shifted so he could reach both legs easily. "Hitting walls with your head does make a person a touch messy." Her smile was soft as she looked at him. "That was the first night I spent here."

"Aye, but this time your head has hit no wall. You'll be feeling normal again in no time. We'll get out of here as soon as any wind or current takes us." He didn't tell her that at this moment the current was bringing them against the shore of this damned island of fire and ice. He finished washing her and set down the cloth and bucket. "I guess we should try to get some sleep. It'll be somewhat cooler with the night comin' on."

She was still weak, but she managed to slide over, so James could lay beside her. "Perhaps the morning light will bring us good news, my love."

"I'm sure, my love." Actually, he wasn't sure at all. If he had long oars, he'd row this ship away. If nothing happens, he would put out the row bows and rope them to the ship. With enough men rowing, they might be able to pull the Sea Wolf away from this island. It would be worth a try.

Wyh pillowed her head on her husband's chest, her cheek warmer than usual, but no longer feverishly hot. Her eyes fluttered closed as she wrapped her arm about his waist. "I love you so very much, and more."

He held her, but not so tightly as to make her warmer. "I love ye also, darlin. Ye jus' go t' sleep and before ye know it, we'll be sailing to our own island." He then thought about Governor, Rat and Twitch and wondered what had gotten into them. It wasn't like Governor to fail him. He was a man who prided himself in having everything exact. How could he have gone so far off course?

Safe and sheltered in her husband's arms, Wyh murmured to him. "It is supposed to have a cabin for two there, and be lush and beautiful." Then, she nuzzled into his chest, and fell into a restful sleep.

Three shadows moved through the still night, making their way toward the bow of the Sea Wolf where Wyheree was standing. Had the woman not been weakened, no one could have approached her without her being aware, but they sensed the vulnerability. It was time. Just as the Master had spoken into their captured minds.

Twitch was in the lead. He held a collar that was as black and shiny as obsidian, but the thermal conductivity properties were unique. It would wick cold temperatures away as efficiently as a cotton wick would soak up water. The collar was attached to a chain that was made of the same material ? obsidian black in its evil ugliness.

The three men came up behind Wyheree as she leaned over the gunn?el and labored to breath. It took only a moment. Twitch put the collar about her neck and snapped it shut. Rat tossed the chain into the water, already feeling the links grow cold. And Governor put the burlap sack over her head.

Had anyone paid any attention, they would have seen the shiny black links of the chain become quickly frost-covered and the water next to the chain turn to ice as the last of Wyheree?s strength was pulled away from her.

Twitch picked her up and put her over his shoulder, while the other two just looked on with blank stares. He released the chain and jumped to a rope ladder that lowered Twitch and his prisoner into a rowboat. The shoreline was only twenty-five yards from the captive ship, and in a few brief minutes all that could be seen was Twitch running on the ice-covered lava flow with a bundle over his shoulder, fading into the shadows.

Then, there was nothing but darkness.

Twitch carried Wyheree to the mouth of a cave entrance. It was really the tunnel left by a receding lava flow; now cool, dark, and quite slippery and dangerous. Waiting at the mouth of the tunnel were creatures who were seldom seen on the surface of any land ? the Dagamors.

Dagamors were bald-headed, eyeless creatures with a sickening pale yellow skin. They stood only three-foot tall, yet their bodies were extremely powerful. They were tunnel creatures who spent most of their lives beneath the earth, and their bodies were well adapted for such an environment. Their fingers were pointed with sharp steel-like fingernails that could dig through the earth, and even through solid rock. Thick, muscular arms attached those steel claws to thin leathery bodies that were all muscle. The most remarkable feature was their teeth. Several rose of steel-sharp teeth were used to rip apart roots for their nourishment, and to cut through stone and debris. Dagamors wore no clothes. The fact is, no clothes would last long in the Dagamor environment.

Five of the creatures circled Twitch and held up their hands to receive the delivery. Twich lowered Wyheree to the ground, still wrapped in that burlap sack. The Dagamors pushed Twitch out of the way as they circled her, and five sets of hands moved over the sack to be sure the prize was inside. Then three of them put her body over their shoulders and their small but powerful legs moved them quickly down the tunnel, leaving Twitch behind.

Dark eyes further shadowed with Kohl sprang open in the darkness of the early morning as he listened intently for several moments. Captain James Black thought he had heard a yell, but quickly dismissed it as being part of a waking dream. He reached over to spoon with his wife but discovered her side of the bed empty, and the sheet cooler than it should be. His head lifted off his pillow. ?Wyh? Darlin?, are ye in th? head??

James lifted himself off the bed and pulled back the curtains to allow the thin morning light to enter their quarters. The sickening sulfuric smell of the air was still present although the temperature was noticeably cooler due to the night air. He walked toward the bath, ?Wyh, m?love?ye be in there?? The small room was empty so he entered and relieved himself and washed the sleep off his face. Where are ye, Wyh, he thought, totally puzzled.

The Sea Wolf?s captain dressed quickly and had just strapped on his rapier when he saw the glowing outline of Wyh?s hand on the map table. He laid his much larger hand over the imprint and stood there for just a moment, then ran for the main deck.

James could smell the cooking coming from Frypan?s galley, but other than that there was little happening on the ship when he stepped out into the muggy air surrounding and settling over the main deck. James called out, ?Wyh! Wyheree Black!? There was silence. ?Has anyone seen Wyheree?? he yelled to the guards who would have been on the deck at that time. He heard several small voices call back, ?No, Capt?n? and ?Not ?ere.?

Where could she have gone? The bow! She always goes to the bow for air! James took long, hurried strides to the bow of the ship but she was not there. His heart raced as he looked over the gunn?l in several places, but nothing was in the water. Then his eyes caught the reflection of the first rays of light off a puddle of water upon the deck. What's water doing here? He reached down and put his hand in the water, then brought it to his lips. It was not salty sea water. She was here!

He looked up and saw two dark shadows standing together on the opposite side of the for'c'sle.

Captain Black came out of the black, murky water, and slowly climbed the sharp, black volcanic rocks of the Island of Fire and Ice. The sun was beginning to rise, but most of its effort at giving light to the morning was absorbed in the ever-present steam and fog that covered the island. James followed the footprints in the frost and ash, his sword in hand, not knowing what to expect, but ready to face anything to get his wife back.

The form of a man suddenly broke out of the steamy fog and approached direction toward the Sea Wolf?s captain.

?Twitch!?

Captain Black hurried toward the man who no longer acted like a member of his crew ? or even like a man. Black grabbed him by the collar. ?Where?s Wyh? Dammit, man! Where?s me wife!??

The Dark Lord had a much deeper hold upon Twitch than he did Governor or Rat. Twitch had always been a man with little motivation and even less sense about things. He had a mind that was ripe for controlling, and the Dark Lord took full advantage of that fault.

Twitch spoke in a voice that was slow, monotone, and void of any feeling. ?She?s gone, Captain Black. Wyheree is no more. We should be back to the ship, now. Back to the ship, Captain. Back to the ship.?

Black?s hand struck him across the face so hard the skin split across Twitch?s lips. ?We?re NOT goin? back t? th? ship, ye bloody bastard! Ye be takin? me t? her! Now!?

?Nay, Capt?n, nay. Wyheree is lost to us. They have her. Soon the Dark Lord will sacrifice her. We must go . . . back to the ship.? He pulled himself free and began to walk toward the ship. His progress did not extend beyond one step before the sword sliced through neck and shoulder with the sound of flesh being separated and bone cut through. Twitch?s body was lifeless before it hit the ground in nearly two parts.

James glowered at the lifeless body and spit, wiping his face with his sleeve and his sword on Twitch?s plants leg. His breathing was heavy and his black eyes stared with hatred. He was betrayed by a crew member, and that alone demanded death; but this one took his wife, and if James had had the time, Twitch?s death would have long and painful.

But James had no time. He turned and followed Twitch's tracks to where they were joined by numerous tracks of clawed feet that looked nothing like James had ever seen before. He ran in the directed the tracks where headed . . .

. . . into the dark, slippery tunnel that had once delivered magma to the island?s surface from the fiery depths of the world.

For what might have seemed forever, the Dagamors continued their lifeless chant as they stood back against the wall at one area of the ledge that circled the pit. Suddenly, without warning and as if on cue, the chanting stopped, creating an eerie silence in which nothing was heard except for the deep hum of the bubbling magma, deep within the pit.

Wyheree's eyes fluttered open as the chant stopped. She was disoriented, and still incredibly weak. Pale fingers slowly pulled at the burlap, trying desperately to see where she was. She felt the press of the earth, the heat of the fire - and she still felt as if she was choking.

A sound was heard from a room that connected to the pit through a short doorless hallway. At first it was like steam escaping from a vent, but then it became clear that it was breathing that was being heard. The sound came closer. The light that had been in the hallway was extinguished by the size of the shadow that had entered the hallway. The Dark Lord emerged onto the ledge and looked at the cage, and grunted in satisfaction. The Dark Lord lived up to his name. His flesh was obsidian black, smooth, and extremely muscular with arms that were as large in diameter as most men's thighs. He stood nearly eleven feet tall, and would have been even taller if his neck wasn't so short and thick. His eyes were red as the magna that flowed a thousand feet below, and his head had no hair, but was that same, obsidian black. His hands were more like claws with fingernails that were long, black and pointed. He wore no clothes but black fur covered his midsection. Legs like tree stumps brought him closer to the cage. "What little bird have we here?" he hissed.

Finally, she pulled the burlap free of her face, and the sight of the hulking creature looming over her made her dig deep for any trace of ice she could - only to feel searing pain as the collar about her neck leeched her magic away. Wyh clutched at it, clawing at the obsidian, her silver eyes dull as she looked at the monster, pressed back against the bars of the cage. "Let me go - I am no bird in a cage - let me out!"

"Oh, yessss, little bird. I will let you out. All in good time." With just one hand he lifted the steel cage using the thick metal ring that was at the apex of the cage, and he placed that ring through a hook that was on a thick, steel cable. The cage now swung two feet over the surface of the ledge. "There, that's better, my little bird," he hissed. "I've waited months for this moment, ever since snow and ice began to take over my island. Now, with your sacrifice, I shall have my island back."

"Sacrifice? I will never sacrifice anything for the likes of you - release me at once!" The swinging cage had Wyh's stomach fluttering, yet no trace of fear showed in her face. She had learned from the crew the fine art of bluffing, and without magic, all Wyh had was her words and her wit. And she would need all she had to escape and get back to her Pirate King.

"Oh but you will, my little bird. When the magic that is in your body is released into the life stream of this island, the snow and ice will be gone, along with world's most famous Ice Queen." He was about to turn the crank that would place the cage over the center of the pit when looked at her and liked what he saw. Perhaps he might have her body first. It wouldn't take long. "At second thought, my little bird, I think I shall have you before your sacrifice is made."

Her silver eyes narrowed as the beast looked at her with lust in his eyes - never had she been so disgusted. She glared up at him with a look of utter defiance - one that mirrored the contempt in her nightmare. "I am not yours - I am not something to have. Let me go and you will live."

At that his laughter filled the hot, glowing cavernous space deep below the ground. "Spoken like a true ice queen." His finger went inside the cage and moved along her leg. "My Dagamors forgot to undress you, but it is of little importance. After I have you, you will be naked enough for the sacrifice." He looked to his slaves. "I want this woman chained to the table in the other room."

His touch made her skin crawl, and she smacked at his hand. "Do not touch me again. If I am harmed, you and yours will die." She could not stand, being taller than the cage, but she still was regal in her bearing. The thought of chains sent a tremor of fear through her ? she knew if she was bound, she was finished.

The Dagamors gathered around the cage. They were methodical about what they were about to do. They would remove Wyh from the cage, strip her and chain her to the massive stone table in the other room with no more emotion than if they were sweeping pebbles from the ledge. The key was moving to the lock of the cage when a noise was heard from one of the tunnels that fed into the Hall of the Pit.

Wyh heard the noise - and took a terrible gamble. "James? James!" She called for her Pirate King as loud as she could, hoping beyond hope it was him she heard, and not more enemies.

Wyh heard the noise - and took a terrible gamble. "James? James!" She called for her Pirate King as loud as she could, hoping beyond hope it was him she heard, and not more enemies.

The troupe of six Dagamors came into the large cavern. Two of the dark creatures dragged a body by the ankles behind them.

Wyh could see that the body was that of her beloved James Black.

The screams of the Dagamors echoed throughout the caverns and tunnels of the volcano. There was no place they could hide to get away from the wrath of the Ice Queen.

The Dark Lord roared with fierce anger, calling forth his own power but finding it wanting in the face of the Ice Queen's fury. He watched in disbelief as he was encased in ice inside and out. He collapsed in a pile of dust and ash.

A dark cloud rose up from the ashes and shot down into the hot magma recesses of the pit, deep into the center of the world.

And all went silent.

Captain James Black laid silent in Wyheree's arms, on the edge of life and death.

And a low rumble began to be felt throughout the caverns.

He couldn't remember why he needed to wake up.

He could feel the urgency but he didn't know why. He laid in a darkness that was not uninterrupted with light or image or anything that could be detected with any of his senses. He had nothing but that nagging thought that he needed to wake up quickly.

Then the images began. T

hey started as small dots of yellow coming at him, but they grew as they came closer, finally taking the form of a Dagamor. The demon creature would come at him with fanged mouth open, and then seem to pass through him. James tried to scream but no words would come.

More and more yellow dots appeared, grew, advanced toward him, became Dagamors, and passed through him. James could not stop the images. He still knew he had to awaken, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember why.

Sound came to him next. It was a strange echo as if he were confined in a metal barrel. The sounds grew more noticeable, and as rumbling echoed in his ears, the yellow dots faded. Still he was in the dark, trying to wake up, but not knowing why.

"I swear to you, my dearest love, we shall not be buried in the earth."

He heard a voice, a familiar one.

"I swear to you, my dearest love, we shall not be buried in the earth."

Whose voice is that? It's so familiar. I should know that voice.

The words floated in the background of the rumbling that echoed in his head.

"I swear to you, my dearest love, we shall not be buried in the earth."

Dearest love. Dearest love. Who would be saying that to me? I must remember. I need to wake up, but why. Why?

A face came to him, beautiful and fair. He knew that face. The name...what was the name?

"I swear to you, my dearest love, we shall not be buried in the earth."

Not buried. No I can't be buried. I must save her. I must . . .

"Wyh." His lips formed the words but no sound was made. That was the name! He had to wake up. The darkness was fading. Light was piercing it. He had to wake up. "I have to save her!" The words never made it to his lips. "My wife! Wyheree! I must save her"!

The words came out only as groans as James opened his eyes.

The minute she felt James stir in her arms, Wyh felt her rage ebb - along with the strength she needed to carry her husband. By the time they reached the last stretch of lava tube, she was staggering under his weight.

When the hands appeared, she prepared to strike at the one who dared take her husband from her - until she heard the voice. Of course the crew would come searching for them, and Wyh was never so happy to hear Mr. Blade as she was in that moment. With Turmoil on one side, Governor on the other, Wyheree made it out of the lava tube - without so much as a glance for the Dagamors. She was only sorry she had missed some.

Within minutes, they were sailing away from the accursed island as fast as the fresh winds would take them. Wyh tended James' nasty concussion, Frypan got him the best rum, and the Pirate King and Ice Queen sat on the bow - Wyh showing no signs of the weakness and illness that had plagued her in the putrid air. His bandaged head lay in her lap, and she smiled as she gently squeezed his hand. "The crew will be singing of your bravery for a long time, my dearest." She then raised his hand to her lips, kissing it softly. "And I love you, very much and more."