He was sailing over a boundless expanse of sea, with a bloodred sky above, and the angry waters, lashed into fury beneath, boiling and eddying up, on every side. There was another vessel before them, toiling and labouring in the howling storm her canvas fluttering in ribbons from the mast

The water rushed over the port side,and knocked Lori on her knees. As she drew her bow to aid in the attack.

Georg cursed as that sudden wave sent him stumbling back into the wall of his cabin, and smacked his head as well. It took him a few moments to shake the daze from his head and eyes, then looked around to take in what was happening. "Lori!" Seeing she was eye to chest with one of these monsters, and darted towards her side, while drawing his sword. Narrowing his eyes at the creature before them now, as he seemed to have a bit of sorrow for seeing it.

As she rose to stand only to come eye to chest with a creature she had no name for. She had spent many a year on the sea,longer loving it than sailing it that was for sure. But she had never seen something like this. The chest was human looking save for the fact that is was the tone of sea foam,and that there were gills side of the abdomen.

It didn't stand on human legs though, six long tentacle like arms spread down from where the humans hips ended, and down across the deck.They were a darker tone of that sea foam green. The creature had human like arms,well formed as if he, for it was male Lori could see by looking at it, was a man who had done much heavy labor in life.

At the end of the right arm was a long barb,or hook.It looked to be made of bone, and it looked as wickedly sharp as any sword or dagger. At the end of the left arm was a normal human looking hand, but as Lori studied it more it seemed to have suction like cups like that of a octopus at the end of each finger and one on the palm. It had a human face, But the eyes were black as pitch and it had no mouth or nose.

Lori had her bow in hand but knew it would do no good. The archers had kept up their firing, even now. Other crew members were locked in a heated battle with more of the strange creatures,there were ten in all including the one before her.

She could tell the difference between male creatures and female, for they wore no hint of clothing, the females wore a few strands of what looked like seaweed over breasts that were dark sea foam green, the other characteristic was that the females had hair,or it looked like hair falling from their heads were as the males were bald.

The males were also taller,and stronger. Lori drew her sword and prepared to fight.

"These creatures are former sailors, tainted by evil into these beasts. They will not stop until they kill everyone they are set against. " He murmured to her as he turned to have his back to her own, as another one of these beasts came up from behind. " The only way to kill them is to cut off their heads, and burn the body afterwards." Another murmur as it seemed he had tangled with these things before, after saying a murmured sorry he readied himself for the coming battle.

It would be a brutal one at that.

She had kept herself alive.

The bodies fo the Falcon's crew who had died were wrapped up carefully and quickly.

The creatures were dead,burnt. The deck was done smoldering but the smell lingered in the air. The crew didnt have long to recover before the crew of the enemy vessle swung over on their lines or simply jumped the distance.

The wizard stayed on the vessle. Lori could see the name of the ship now written in red scraling ink Viper Wing. The crew of The Viper was now on The Falcon battling it out with the already weakened crew. More would fall before the end. She saw Georg go right in to the thick of he fighting and lost track of him.

She couldnt go after him for she was soon over taken by the enemy crew. But these were normal men and women no longer creatures that were hard to kill. Men fell witha slash and a parry. Men could be killed. But they were not weak from battle as the Falcons crew was.

Lori heard a cry, as another crew member went over the railing in to the sea.

She ehard something else, someone called out an order. The voice was lost in the sounds of battle. Then she was back in the thick of things,slashing and stabbing the enemy down. She had a few wounds now, a dagger cut to close, a sword nicked at her face.

Then suddenly she had the wind knocked out of her. She was on her back laying on the deck of the Falcon. Then strong arms lifted her up. But they were not arms she knew. Thick corded muscles wrapped around her waist and pulled her towards the railing. She gasped for air and tried to shove her sword pommel in to the mans gut but her sword fell short and was ripped from ehr hand and tossed tot he deck to stick in to it.

She tried to cry out but had no breath as he shoved her for the railing. She thought for sure this was the end. As she went flying over the edge she let out a scream..

But she didnt hit the water, she hit the deck of the enemys ship. She felt her hand break under her , and a rib might have craked. She rolled over in pain to stare up at the wizard. The woman wore a mix of clothing styles, ones of a captin and ones of a wizard. It was then Lori knew their folly. The wizard was the captain.

Lori tried to stand but was met with a boot to her chest which hurt as it felt crushing her already brusied and possibly cracked ribs. "Dont ye be trying to stand there lass." The woman spoke, her voice was one of the sea, with that pirate drawl, but there was an odd elegance to it. As she leaned down closer Lori got a better look at her.

She was elven,or perhaps drow. Her skin was darker than most elves Lori knew. Yet not as dark as drow kin, perhpas the wizard was some sort of mix. The womans hair fell in a long crimson braid over her right shoulder. Her eyes were the color of lilacs.

" You my lovely lady are now my prisoner. As my crew hacks at yours. The rest of them is tending to my ship. And before anyone can come to save you we will be off. " A smirk. "My name is Gilselia. But you may call me Gilly, everyone does. " The boot lifted from her chest.

Lori spat out blood as she sat up. She looked around.What Gilly had said was true.There were more crew men already at work on The Viper while The Falcon's crew still fought. They were winning she could see, as the enemy was torn asunder. But they were weak, and the ship was covered in blood. Lori swallowed hard and looked back to Gilly.

"Why are you doing this?"

" Mr. Aurdon owes me a life. Yours will do. "

"You know Georg?"

Gilly grinned. "Aye I do, he knows me too, I am sure he recalls those kraken creatures. I am sure he'll do his best to come after ye. Your his little wife aye?"

Lori swallowed. Gilly grinned. "Once he finds your gone and we've cast off, well I am sure he wont be pleased. Now will he be happy when I leave ye tied to some god forsaken rock in the middle of no where, waiting to die.. while the sharks come so close?You'll be wishing for death by then. Or would you rather stay on me ship till I figure out just what to do with ye?"

Lori didnt fear death, nor torture if thats what was on the captains mind.

" Take her to the brig, chain her up. No one touches her. I have plans for her yet."

The same strong arms lifted Lori up Lori aimed a punch forthe strong mans face, and only earned more broken fingers for it. She kicked and screamed but to no avail as she was dragged to the brig. Gilly watched on, then gave the order. " Cast off men, those who have died ehre today will soon be back with us in no time."

Lori thrashed as the man with the strong arms took her down in to the darkness of the brig. She glaced at the Falcon one last time. Before the walls inclosed about her.

There was no real way to see outside. Though when the door swung open and closed she could see if it was daylight or if lamps lit the way. There were no others in the brig. And no guards there near her. They stood outside the door,that led down a hall that disappeared in to darkness,no matter day or night.

The guards didnt touch her, nor did they even leer at her when they came in.

Hours must have passed. For there was lamp light in the hall, and they held lanters in their hands. Gilly was with them, in different clothes,and smirking. The guards laid a tray of food next to the bars of Lori's cell then walked out closing the door behind them.

Gilly dragged a worn wooden stool across the floor boards and sat down outside the bars.

Lori eyed the woman then the food. I could be posioned, butt hat would be rather tackless. Gilly would likely know Lori had magic, and being an elf herself Gilly would know that Lori would be able to detect posions or spells over her food and drink. But Still Lori didnt look twice at the food.

Gilly grinned at her. "There would be no point in trying to kill you with posion or magic . Your more use to me alive."

"You said Georg owed you a life.. why not just kill me now?"

Gilly looked off to the port side wall. "He does owe me a life, and when you die."Her eyes cut to Lori, "And you will, it will be where he can see it done.. with him begging and pleading for your life. I will make it quick, I'll snap your neck. You wont feel a thing."

Lori swallowed. She didnt fear death,even as a elf.She knew that her day one day might come, sickness might take her, or some bloody battle. But to die that way.. with out being able to fight.. while Georg watched. It cut in to her heart to think of it.

"He will come for me." Lori looked to Gilly then. Gilly smiled then looked off. "I know he will. But it will be a while."She grinned more wickedly now. " The Viper Wing is no normal ship if ye didnt notice that before. Beside me being its captian and wizard. Hlaf my crew arent really luving, but they aint dead either. I can raise the Kraken creatures formt he sea, once old crew members of mine and others. In a few days, my men and women who fell in battle will come back to the ship as those creatures. You'll be good chums by the time your captain gets here."

Lori swalloed again, thsoe creatures were to share the brig with her? They would tear her apart.

Gilly smikred watching Loris eyes flicker about the small cell. "They wont touch you, they can walk freely out here like me, and swim below us. They only attack whom I tell them too. No my pretty lass your on your own down here, with the rats. "

Lori glared at her. "The Flacon will catch you."

"In a week maybe..if Mr . Aurdon can find us that is.."She laughed. "I am a wizard remember.. If he can track us.. it wont be easy. So youd best get cozy, and eat and drink .I cant have ye starving. If ye dont eat, I'll make ye eat.."A grin. "And it will be stewed rat, not nice hunks of cheese and bread..' Gilly tipped her hat at Lorit hen and left the brig.

Lori looked at the hunk of break and cheese and snatched it in to her cell. She sniffed it then took a nibble, then another. After the bread and chesse was gone she downed the small wooden cup of water. She clsoed her eyes and focused on Georg.

She hoped that he was alive. And that after the crew whom had passed had been laid to rest, and the Flacon repaired he would come for her. It was more than hope she knew he would. She tryed to reach for him with magic, but the bars seemed to stop her reach.

She opened her eyes and looked out the bars towards the two rats that surried over the boards. She didnt mind them. Rather rats than kraken creatures.

If Gilly held true to her promise and killed Lori before Georg's eyes.. The last moment they ahd together was in blood and battle. No she wouldnt linger on that,that would not be the last thing she recalled if she was to die. Shed recall their wedding,the way he looked at her in the light of the full moon. They night they met.. the night they met again.. thier first night as lovers..thier night as husband and wife.. the future she wanted them to have..

She held on to that as she looked back to the crates and rats.

Lori had no way to track the time. There was no light down here not even from above. When her meals were brought was the only time she saw another member of Gilselia's crew and sometime Gilselia herself would come down sit and talk while Lori ate.

Gilselia hid nothing about the time that had passed. It had been five days since The Flacon was attacked.And now they were pushing on even harder in The Viper Wing .


"The Flacon will be repaired by now." Gilselia said to her as Lori ate. "Georg will be pushing them hard. "The Viper hads help of magic."She grinned at Lori. "Wasnt that part of your task on The Flacon? Your gifts for wind and water.Not rare in the elven world have such powers, and others at my disposal. "

Lori eyed the woman. But didnt say a word. Georg would find her,no matter what it took. He ahd friends with magic,friends that could aid him.

Gilselia took the empty try and left Lori aone again in the dark of the brig. The creatures that ahd attacked to Flacom hadnt returned. And Gilselia had said that they would not return tillt he Flacon was upon them again,tillt hat time they swam below the boat and out at sea.

Lori sat there hugging her knees. Then something dawned on her,she recalled a moment that Shea and Georg had spoken.

"I know Lori has some water and wind magic in her, to aid you already good captain. But should you or she find need to enhance that power please use this. "She pressed an amulet in to Gerog's hand, it was silvery blue and pulsed with power. "Take it as a gift from me,It is the pure essance of wind,something I use every day to travel.It will fill your sails with wind that never ends till you wish it to."

Lori had recalled seeing them talk.She hadnt asked Georg about it, but Shea had come to her later to explain. The Wind mage had bestowed upon them a great gift. Lori looked to the walls,then to the rats and darkness. Georg would find her, he would save her.

As she watched the rats and felt the ship sway she wondered why Gilselia had taken her. The full reason behind the drow sorceres plot.

Lori sat in the gloomy darkness of the brig. When she heard what sounded like cannon fire. She hopped up in the cell. "The Falcon.." She had no way to know if it was the Flacon, it could be any ship. But she hoped against all hope that it was The Flacon.

Gilselia had been at her desk in the captains quarters when the rumble of cannon fire echoed. Then she felt the Viper lurched to a stop. " Enemy vessel behind and gaining speed" Called one of her men at the helm. Gilselia swore and slid her sword belt over her head and grabbed her hat before rushing out tot he deck. "Get awake ye dogs, get to the cannons!" She yelled down below as she went to the helm. "Get to the crows nest, tell me who's behind us." The man before her snapped too and ran to the mast.

She took the wheel and turned then slowly about, taking a hard right. There were men and women rushing to their posts now, men below stuffing cannon balls in tot he cannons as the flaps on the left opened to fire.

"Tis the Blood Falcon!" The man in the crows nest called down.

Gilselia swore again. " Les take the helm." A woman strode forward and took the wheel while Gilselia walked towards the rear of the ship and looked out in tot he din of night, to see the flash of the Flacons Forward guns. "Steady on the hard to starboard, ready the guns. "

The hard to starboard was not as quick as Gilselia would have wanted. The Flacon was already there pulling along that port side, the guns were not yet ready. Gilselia ran to the port side,chanting, trying to work up the magic to call the kraken creatures from the depths below.

Lori swung with the ship hitting the port side of the cell hard. Then suddenly outside the bars was a female creature,then two, then four. They unlocked the cage and went inside after her. Lori braced for the fight that would come. She used her left hook to knock one down, then kicked one.But they had her as she tried to scramble for the open cell door.

Gilselia had risen only fifteen of the creatures four of which brought Lori to the deck and tied her to the main mast. The creatures then readied themselves for battle.

Lori kicked and screamed but she had been gagged and tied tight to The Vipers main mast.

Gilselia sent the creatures towards the Flacon with a pointed finger. Lori could see the Flacon now coming along the port side of the Viper. The crew was ready,brandishing swords and bows. As the creatures went to fly across the small gap that separated the two ships ten were quickly taken aback by flaming arrows.

Gilselia swore again. "Georg .." The creatures staggered forward again jumping the distance between the two ships. Lori could both see and hear the battle. The crew of the Viper didn't move an inch, they stayed at their stations while the creatures tried to hack away at the Flacons crew.

"Leave your stations,ready your weapons!" Gilselia called out and her crew came to her, all but the woman at the helm and the man in the crows nest. Lori looked up trying to see why the man hadn't come down. But she couldn't see him, she could see the woman at the helm though,s he was dead,an arrow went through her,its end still on fire.

The crew of the Flacon was fearless, they fought the creatures with no mercy,and this time they won out. The creatures were beheaded and set on fire,one by one,till there were none left. No one fell on the Falcons side.

Soon the battle was all around her,as the crew had come across on to the Viper. Lori tried to look for Georg but every time she thought she saw him her view was blocked.

She wiggled the rope up and down over the rough mast trying to fray it. But she stopped when she felt it come free all to easily. She hoped to turn and see Georg or one of the Flacons crew. But she saw Gilselia with a dagger. That dagger quickly found Loris neck. " Come on. " She shoved Lori back towards the other end of the ship , towards the stern. Lori tried to wiggle free, but that dagger at her neck kept her at bay.

Gilselia led her to the very back edge. Then she tore free Loris gag. "Be so kind as to scream for me." She held the dagger higher Lori could feel it dig in to her flesh. "Never.." Gilselia grinned, then looked over the battle, it was quickly going in the Flacons favor. Half her crew was injured,some were dead. "If I break you neck then push you in to the water, not even Georg can save you."

Lori winced at the thought of death,but she wouldn't not scream. "Then do it..I only regret that I wont get to see him kill you."

Gilselia smirked. "You have spunk. I may have use of you yet. She kicked at something and the life boat that had been tied to the back of the ship rolled free in to the water. Her crew was done for,she couldn't mourn them she had no time. She gave Lori a push. Now Lori did scream,one high note of Georg's name. Gilselia smirked as the woman landed in the lifeboat below. The dark elf then followed after her tipping her hat Georg's way.

Lori had landed hard in the lifeboat she clutched at her right arm. "You cant get a way in this."

Gilselia shrugged, "My chew is dead,my ship will be burnt. Any plunder worth having will belong to the Flacon,your lover will get your weapons,and those lovely jewels I took off you,but he wont have you." Lori looked back at The Viper "You left your crew to die.."

"Yes I did. See that little isle there,we were all supposed to make it there. but it will be just you and me. And don't try anything brave. " Lori looked to the isle. It was more of a small group of islands.

Gilselia rowed the boat with hard fast pumps that took them away from the viper wing. Lori knew the Flacons crew wouldn't give up nor would Georg. "He will come for me."

"Good. I hope he recalls the last time he was on the isle. " The lifeboat pulled up through shallow waters over the sand. "Out you go." Lori climbed out,she wasn't going tot ry anything, Gilselia was armed and she was not, and she knew that her right arm was broken ,she could feel it.
Gilselia looked at her.

"I bet your wishing you'd not broken your fall with your arm. "She grinned, "I could leave ye like that in pain,but it serves me better if your well." She grabbed Lori harder this time and healed her. Lori felt the jolt of pain as her arm snapped back in to place. It was a painful healing rather than the light soothing touch she was used to.

"Now get along.." Gilselia tapped the handle of her sword and Lori headed up the beach towards the loose tree line. "Where are we going?" "To my hide out. Come on step too, faster now." She glanced over her shoulder, her crew would be done for by now, those who were not dead would have to give up, she half expected them all to die,rather than be brought to some sort of justice on dry land.

Lori looked over her shoulder,back towards the two ships. Then forward through the trees to the craggy rocks,that made up the bulk of the island, she saw then, the hole that would be a cave mouth.

Gilselia led her in,and followed soon after.

Lori found herself again in a cage after what felt like forever walking , this one smaller. They were some where in the network of tunnels. "Soon he'll be on his way,he knows this place, knows how avoid all the old traps. So I'll be expecting him soon. " She looked back to Lori in her cage. Lori glared at her, "why are you doing this? "

"I told you.. he owes me a life. He took the life of the one person...the only person..." She stopped.. and shook her head. "So,I will take yours. You'll notice that cage your in, is perched so nicely there on those loose rocks. " Lori had noticed. " Well all it takes is me to pull that torch from its place on the wall and poof down you go through the old lava tunnel, its at least eight hundred feet to the bottom, ice cold water is down there now, and you'll sink in that cage. "

Lori took a deep breath, what a way to go.

"I had planned on snapping your neck while he watched, but this seems more fitting. I know you'll try to fight to stay alive.."She grinned, then looked forward. " So Georg, you never told her about our history, seems rightly so that I should tell her, what sort of man you are."
Lori looked from her cage to see Georg had come.And he looked mad as hell.

Lori watched and listened,she already new what kind of man Georg was.

"You lie" Gilselia left the side of Loris cage and walked towards Georg. "He was an horrible man." She spoke of her mate now. "He was doing what he had to,you gave him no choice but to fight!" She stepped back towards Lori in that cage. "Sorry,doesn't change what happened." She chuckled then looking at Lori then back at him. "Yes he refused me,but I got over that."

Lori starred at Gilly, she was beautiful in an exotic way, fierce and power. Yet under everything she was ont he outside, her heart was cold, and she was cruel.

"This is not between me and you Georg."Gilly looked back to Lori. Lori saw the look in the womans eyes. Lori braced for the fall that was sure to come, she looked to Georg, memorizing his face then closing her eyes.

Gilly unlocked the cage,and pulled Lori out. Lori couldn't believe it,she was free from a fall to her slow death. Lori's arms behind her back. "Its between me and her. "She pulled Lori tighter then whispered something to her. Lori nodded softly.

"Georg.." Lori's voice quivered a little. "I need you to lay my sword on the ground, and let Gilly take it." Lori knew she could still die, at any moment. But what Gilly had told her, or rather requested was a much better end than falling to her death trapped in a cage.

Lori knew Georg wouldn't lightly do what she had asked. Gilly grinned still holding Lori. "I've come to an accord with your wife. Lay her sword down, let me take it. Then she and I will handle things."

Lori nodded to Georg. She knew he wanted her to be safe, free of Gilly, free of the vengeance the drow woman had planned for her. Now she was free of the cage, though still in Gillys grasp. A duel would settle things. Lori kept her eyes on him now,trying to convey everything to him with out speaking. her love for him, her thanks for him coming after her, the courage she felt in this coming fight. Georg knew Lori, Gilly did not. Gilly did not know what kind of fighter Lori was. The short fight on the Flacon would have been something far too short for Gilly to guess what kind of fighter Lori was.

Gilly let Loris arms go as she walked forward to take the sword that wa snow on the ground. As she lifted it she looked at Georg. "Do not follow us. If she survives, I am sure she'll come back to you." She turned and walked to Lori and handed her the sword. Lori nodded,sheathing the sword, then following Gilly back in to one of the tunnels. She had to force herself not to look back.

Gilly walked in front without any worry that Lori would stab her in the back. They walked till once again they were outside,yet this time on the back side of the isle. Gilly took ten paces forward in to the sand and turned. Lori stayed still there in the sand, right outside the cave mouth.

"You've taken it very lightly that I once wanted your man." Gilly smirked at Lori.

"I am no fool Gilly. He is a handsome man,one of honor and compassion.What woman would not want him? But your right,he is mine. And even if you win this duel,he will still be mine."

Gilly chuckled then drew her sword. "He owes me a life. I was ready to take yours easily. But this seems more fitting." Lori shook her head. " Your mate, wasn't who you thought he was, and yet you still blame Georg. If I have to die here today,to make you see who my husband truly is.. then so be it."

"Brave of you." Gilly smirked and came then,through the sands at Lori.

Lori drew that sword in a swift movement as Gilly came running at her. Their blades dances off each other, sparking. Lori had long been a good fighter, years at sea, years being a warrior for a good cause.Lori would not back down, she was no longer fearful of dying. Here in the sands, sword against sword they went against each other.

Lori could hear his every word as she fought with Gilly.She planned on showing Gilly,all her mistakes.

The woman was not to be outdone. For a long while they seemed evenly matched,parry after parry,trust after thrust. But Lori noticed Gillys flaws in form,in foot work. This woman was more apt to fighting on a swaying ship than on dry land,where as Lori could do both.

Lori had scored first blood, yet not with the fine edge of her sword,but with its handle,which she had slammed in to Gillys face,drawing blood. Gilly had sworn and spat then come back at her,scoring her first hit as well.

A little blood never bother Lori. She had spent years in blood and sweat. Through the sands they went,their blades crashing together. Lori let her mind linger on his words to her,she would go back to him. Gilly would be sorry for ever taking her.

The time that passed must have felt like forever for Georg.

When Gilly had dragged Lori tot hat Isle it had been mid day,not past noon.Now the sun sunk lower in the west. Blood dotted the sand,both Lori's blood and Gillys.Yet Gilly was the one worse for wear. Lori had given the woman no time to heal her own wounds. Nor had she healed her own,blood dripped down her face,a gash on her right arm,there was a welling of blood under the leg of her pants.

Yet Gilly was bloody and bruised,covered with sand,from the times Lori had knocked her down.

Again Gilly rose from the sand. " You fight well." Her words were slurred as her jaw was beginning to swell.Her face was bruised,though it was hard to really tell,those purple marks were just slightly darker than the ebony hue of her skin. There was blood on her lips,dried blood under her nose. A deep gash in her arm that was filled with bloody sand. Shed lost her boots in the sand,and there were a dozen little cuts on her legs. Lori had showed no mercy.

Gilly now staggered trying again to slash at Lori. But Lori backed away and delivered the final blow, as Gilly staggered past her Lori slashed her across the ribs.

Gilly fell in to the sand face first, her sword flew from her hand and skidded across the sand. Lori let out a slow breath,before walking to the woman and turning her over. Gilly still drew breath, but it was slow and labored. "It didn't have to be this way.."

Gilly sputtered and gasped. "It had to be.." Those were her final words.

Lori wiped her bloody blade clean then sheathed it. Then despite the pain from her wounds, the feeling that she too could just collapse,she ran back through the tunnel Gilly had led her out of and for Georg.

"Georg.." She called to him,as she ran. Her feet moving as fast as she dare make them.

Her arms wrapped about him,she felt those energies seep in to her form.Healing her wounds. The gash,the bruised jaw and bloody nose.Her weary body flet better as well, the moment she was in his arms. She might have just collapsed if he haded lent some of his enegry to her. Still she hung on to him,then returned that soft kiss. That would have hurt if not for those energies as well, for the swelling in her cheek had gone down, though she was sure her lips still tasted like blood.

None of that mattered,as she let herself rest in his arms.Her brow rested to his as the kiss slowly ended. It had been just over a week since the Viper had attacked and shed been taken hosage,a week and three days. Now there in the sand on the little ilse the sun was starting to set,yet she was back in his arms and safe. She never wanted to let him go. " She gave me no choice."

Her voice craked,she was still weary, and worn from battle and thsoe days in the brig..everything had worn on her. The possiblity of her death.. it had loomed over her..

She nuzzled her head in to his shoulder as a few tears slid down her cheek. Gilly was dead in the sand her body leaned up against a tree. When the tide was high Lori knew that body would be washed off to sea. Before it could be picked apart. Gilly had taken her,and kept her. And Lori had wnated her freedom, but not Gilly's death. Not really.

But it was done. Lori hung on to Georg.Now letting herself realx.

"Oh Georg..." She whipsered,almost whimmpered his name. She had thought she may never see him again when Gilly had taken her.Then that she might die.

But now she hung on to him tightly.Not dareing to let go.

She sat on their bed in the captains quarters. She was back on the Falcon now. They would be back out to sea soon. Being the ever diligent captain he had sent her to wait for him to rest while the long boat was tied and the anchor pulled up.

The crew had helped her along and she could almost hear them pushing him towards the captains quarters as they got under way with someone else that helm. The sails unfurled and the wind took them a way from the isle, and the death that had loomed there for Lori.

She'd her self in a refection, she knew she looked weak, pale and as if she'd been held captive for days. Her body was healed of its wounds, but not its weary ness. The fight with Gilly had ended, and she was free and safe. Home at last. Home had become the Flacon, its crew and Georg. When he walked in to the captain quarters and closed the door behind him she looked up at him. He looked as weary as she did.


Slowly he stepped into the room at the crew's coaxing. Closing the door behind him as he looked at her, not saying a word as he was just as weary as her. As he hadn't gotten much sleep since she had been kidnapped from him. He had also been so focused on looking for her that he had forgone his normal routine of keeping his face free of facial hair, so there would be a little stubble on his face.


She rose off the bed and walked to him, her fingers ran down the side of his cheek to his jaw line, there was a little more stubble there than usual. As if he had gone with out his usual grooming for the week shed been gone. She didn't mind it, as it was tactile. She could feel him there. "I could do with a long bath." She knew her clothes were rank, her hair needed washed, her body needed the relaxation. There was no bath here, she knew, just tempted water to wipe off with.

"We will sail home." His words caught her then, they would go home to Nosgoth. They hadn't been in some time. Amefel seemed miles away. Her fingers slid along his lips. "Its a long way to sail just to go there. And though I love your house there,and its massive tub, any shower or tub would do."


He smiled to her and ran his fingers over her face, it was a light touch. " I know of a perfect place then. "
~~~

How the wind had filled the sails when they lay resting on his bed. She lay there not sleeping for she felt too grimy, just staring in to his eyes. How she had missed laying there with him, feeling his arms around her. They were bone tired, but both dirty and too grimy for sleep, even if she had taken off those worn dirty clothes, she still felt rank.

He had promised they would go somewhere. And with all speed it seemed they were sailing, Lori wondered if it was with help from Sheas magical amulet. She didn't ask, as she lay there just looking in to his eyes. They hadn't spoken of any of it yet, not really. Lori knew he waited for her to begin, and she wasn't sure she was ready yet. She wanted to be safe, miles away and clean before she began to relive the things that had happened.


There was something nice about coming back to this place. It was theirs, though they never knew it till now.

She had seen this place in her dreams long ago. It wasn't much. A long slim isle, with one large outcropping of rock at the northern most end. And lush trees. He had the ship lay anchor off the coast of the isle and rowed in to it himself. They left their weapons there on the beach along with their boots.


"I used to dream of this place." She told him as they walked barefoot, through underbrush that tickled her feet, and lush trees, with ripe fruit ready to be eaten. He reached up and passed her soe of the red ripe fruit. "Long ago, after I left home I dreamed of this place..It was mine for so long.. then one night I dreamed that you were here as well.."

He took her hand in his. " When I found myself alone, wandering the seas, searching for myself. I used to dream of old times, easier times. I found this isle one day,on my way home..and I lay in the sand for hours. I slept here under the stars.. and I think I must have seen you.. some how.. walking the beach..it gave me hope."


She smiled to that. The fruit was gone now and she felt happy and less weary. They came to a large lake that was fed off a water wall. She didn't need any prodding, she took off her clothes and went running for the water, he followed suit.

They swam for hours in the warm waters, and stood under the pounding waterfall that took a way aches and pains and soothed them both. He held her as they sat on smooth stones in a little grotto their feet dangling in the water.

They dressed and built a little shelter from fallen trees and palm fauns and sat by a fire. They had fruit anf fish.And looked at the stars. there was no talk of what had been or could have been.Just the two of them alone with the stars.

Lori lay there running her fingers up and down his arms as they lay nearly asleep under their little shelter. "I knew you would come for me.." She whispered softly, his head pressed closer to hers. "Nothing would keep me from you."

They slept there under the stars. Free, together, and happy.

They set sail for Amefel. It would be a two week journey with them pulling the Viper Wing behind them. Lori stood behind him as he guided the Falcon through dark night time waters. She hoped that their friends were safe that the fear and foreboding they both felt was all for naught.

"Would we have not felt something." She touched the alliance pendant that hung around his neck. "A pulse of magic, a flare of a gem. It Nosgoth was in danger would we have not felt it?"

He looked back to her. "If they came under some kind of attack, they would have sent word to the alliance. But we are far out at sea. I felt something though since the moment I dug this from my pocket." He handed her the amulet Shea had given him.

The wind mage had taught him a few tricks, any base born mage could do, but she had given him this silvery blue amulet that pulsed with the pure essence of the wind. "Shea gave you this, to fill the sails with wind, why not use it now?"

He smiled at her. "The wind is strong now, and I have you back. Shall we have need of more wind. I shall ask my lovely wife." He kissed her. "We shall sail faster once the Viper is gone. We will be gone of it and her captive crew in three days."

She was glad to see it go. Glad to watch from afar as Georg handed over the captives and the Viper Wing to the local guards. The town had been plagued by Gilly and her crew. They would die there, and her ship. The Viper Wing would either be torn apart for spare wood or sold as is.

With out the Viper Wing being towed behind them they made better time. Lori watched the port town disappear. She felt lighter again, as she had those days on the isle. She knew they were days from home, days from finding out what had pressed them so. Lori wanted to wait to tell him, to share the news with their friends and family.

When she woke the next morning Georg was already at the helm and she headed down to the galley to help cook. She was chopping veggies when it hit her, that first wave of nausea. Cook looked at her, and where her hand lay on her stomach. He grunted lightly at her and took her by the arm and sat her down. He sent one of the crew men off to get the Captain.

Lori sat there breathing, looking pale as a sheet. She felt the moment pass, and she was sure she would no longer loose her breakfast.

Georg froze when he saw her. "Lori." He rushed to her side and pressed a hand to her forehead. "You look as pale as a ghost." She nodded softly to him. "I am fine." Her eyes met his. "Georg." She took his hand and lay it to her abdomen. "I believe I am with child." She knew it. She could place the night it happened just before the first attack of the Viper Wing.

They had shared that night, in a lovers embrace. She could still hear the words he whispered to her, and feel him as she had that night. She dared not to tell him, when her life hung on the line. And while Gilly held her the sickness did not come.

She had worried for the baby, till the moment she was back in Georg's arms. The morning sickness had returned that first morning on the Isle, she had hidden it then. She knew he would be angry with her, for not sharing her feelings with him. But if he had known she was carrying his child while Gilly held her, while the two did battle to the death. He would have thrown himself to the drow's mercy.

Georg just stared at her for a long moment to what she had just told him, then looked down to where she placed his hand. "I believe I am with child." Those words echoed in his mind, before he closed his eyes. As he reached out a touch with his mind, and found she was right. She was carrying his child.

"Lori. You are correct. You are with child." Softly as he had missed that fact, as well as knowing she had hid it from him. Even when Gilly had her prisoner and when she fought the woman. She was right in thinking, if he had known. He wouldn't of let her fight, but that had come and passed now. All that mattered was both Lori and their child was safe.

Now turning to kneel in front of her as he took here hands in to his own, looking up in to her eyes. "I want you to stay here with Cook. I'll head out and see what is going on here with our friends. I will return to you, and we will talk about everything that has happened and about our child." Softly as he didn't want to leave her side.

Cook remained by Lori's side and grunted as he placed a hand to her shoulder and nodded. Letting Georg know he'd keep an eye on her while he was away.

He nodded softly to her. "I know you want to come with me, but if things have taken a turn for the worse like I fear. I can't risk you or our child. Please wait as long as you can for me to return." Murmured softly as he embraced her in his arms. "I wouldn't be able to deal with losing you or our child." Whispered into her ear, as Cook moved off to give them some privacy.

Those few days slowly came and went, with the crew taking over the overall duties that Georg normally preformed. Making it clear that he should spend those moments with Lori, and even Cook shooed Lori out to be with Georg when she tried to come down and help.

Once they finally docked in Amefel, the crew would be waiting on deck as Georg and Lori looked to them. Before Georg could say anything, one of the crew spoke up. It was Tiny who was a large male, and very quiet. "Captain, you got a week to find out what is going on with your friends. If you aren't back by then." He looked to Lori as the crew knew she would be staying behind with Cook. "We will be coming with her to get you, and anyone foolish enough to get in her way and our way. Well they will learn to fear us." That said the crew let out a cheer in support of Tiny's words.

Georg looked to Tiny, then to Lori before nodding lightly. Now turning to Lori as the crew minus Cook heading to their homes. He just stared into her eyes, before kissing her softly for a long couple of minutes. Slowly pulling back to rest his brow upon her own. "Keep a weather eye on the horizon." Murmured softly to her, before nodding to Cook. The man grunted before softly moving to lead Lori to their home.

Georg watched as the two headed off, then looked up as he had rarely been one to pray. "Keep her safe." Murmured to their respected parents, before he moved to gather his pistols and swords. Once he was ready, he took a deep breath and moved off the ship. Getting a horse and spurred it once he mounted it, riding hard to head towards Alcar castle.