NationStates Jolt Archive

"It's not so bad," Sarik smiled to Karasu as he rubbed her back. Although I know if Ikara found out, she would have a fit...but she will forgive, and she'd still enjoy Karasu's company... he thought to himself.

"I am in the company of a beautiful, educated, and intelligent woman, what's not to like?" he chuckled to her, trying to cheer her up.

"You flatter me Sarik," Karasu smiled. "Should we dig up some breakfast?" She asked.

"And then what. We are so far behind the other ship... I think it is hopeless... at least catching up to them is." Karasu said furrowing her brow.

"Karasu, don't always look at the darker side of things. I know we'll catch up to them...there are still a good number of days until they reach the Zlatlan docks," Sarik said quietly.

"Yes, let's go to the kitchen," Sarik smiled as he led Karasu the rest of the way to the empty kitchen.

"OK, what is here... bread, jelly, honey, bacon, eggs... What do you want Sarik?" Karasu asked.

"I still wish I could change... you know... the end." Karasu chuckled.

"So what are we supposed to do all day then? Lay in the sun and fry like Azrael!?" Karasu chuckled.

"Now now, Karasu. You sit down, and I'll cook," Sarik smiled. "Just tell me what you both want," he continued with a wink, referring to her child.

"Just don't worry about it, Karasu. We'll catch up to them..."

When Azrael's burn was brought up, Sarik laughed. "Well, if you want a terrible burn followed by a dark tan, then be my guest. I'll probably keep reading, and I have finished several books."

"Oh thanks Sarik! That is nice of you. Let me see... Well, I want toast with honey, and he wants bacon and 2 eggs over hard and some juice or milk if there is some." Karasu chuckled. "Sheesh... still a fetus and already picky about how he wants his eggs!

"Perhaps you might have a book I might want to read?" She asked.

"I wish I could get in touch with Rimmy. I want to see how she is doing. Surprisingly I was only sick one time and I feel fine now. I'm not bulging out either. I want to see what hers is like and how she is feeling.

"Perhaps Azrael can contact her somehow so I may speak with her. I will look for him after breakfast. Thanks again for cooking. That is very sweet of you." She smiled lovingly at Sarik.

"I bet you're asking for those...blaming it on your poor child," Sarik chuckled with a wink. "Although I may not be as good a chef as Azrael, I'm sure you'll find that my food is edible."

He set to work making Karasu's breakfast with great speed, and within ten minutes, all was completed, and he placed her breakfast in front of her.

"Sure, after you talk to Azrael, and Rimoru if possible, I'll give you a book to read," Sarik smiled as he sat down next to her.

"Thank you." Karasu proceeded to try a little of everything. "It is very good Sarik! Thank you for cooking." Karasu devoured her breakfast rather quickly. "I guess I was hungrier than I thought." She grinned.

Sarik watched wide eyed as Karasu practically inhaled her food. "Wow! That was...fast!" Sarik laughed.

"Here, I'll make some more, if you're still hungry," Sarik smiled as he got up and prepared some more ingredients.

"Thanks! Boy, I am sure getting it from you... I am a behemoth, I inhale my food, I swear like a sailor..." Karasu chuckled.

"By the way, it was not I that inhaled the food, it was the little guy. I think he wants to grow... hopefully not to 100 tons, however." Karasu made a face.

"Thanks so much for cooking Sarik. I appreciate it. You are a good cook by the way!"

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Sarik laughed with a wink as he prepared another plate of breakfast for Karasu.

He brought the next plate to her and sat down to her side, munching on a piece of toast. "You don't want your child as large as you? Am I hearing a bit of jealousy?" Sarik chuckled. She is such an amazing woman....he thought to himself as he admired her eat her food.

"Well, you saw right through me Sarik. I figured if I complimented your food enough, you would cook for me all the time." Karasu grinned.

"As far as being jealous... well, the large size has huge benefits. No pun intended... in battle. However, the large size causes damage when you do not want it as well. So if my son is 50 tons smaller, at least... that would be great! He will be wonderful at any weight." She smiled at Sarik.

"After breakfast, do you want to walk around a bit and look for Azrael? Or should I say, 'find where he is sleeping'? Then perhaps he can reach Rimmy for me."

"Alright, well I'll check in later to make sure Inzikai isn't stirring any trouble." Cadeyrn said closing the door behind him, and proceeding back into what was Marlene's room.

The elf, Momoki, raised her head as the warrior entered the cluttered room.

"Your friend will be ok, she's being taken care of by a good friend." The berzerker said softly plopping down onto a barrell and leaning on his arm, propped up on a work bench.

"This girl, Marlene, she speaks highly of you." The elf said gently holding up a diary nearly the size of an encyclopedia.

"Yeah well she's gone now and I may never see her again." Cadeyrn said coldly snatching the book from Momoki.

She looked at the poor man whose eye she had just cut out.

He's been searching for happiness his whole life turning a blind eye to the little girl by his side. The girl loves him so much that she would side with Valtrox just to stay with him. He isn't evil...just shortsighted.

"Yes I was. How good are you at bulk water manipulation?" He asked

ooc: sorry bout the wait... had concert tickets for Ben Folds!

Minos looked at Azrael and made a slightly insulted face. "Bulk water manipulation... I am very good at moving large amounts of water. It just takes concentration."

"Then what say we work together and surf this ship to the Inzi's vessel?" He suggested

ooc: Forgiven, but never heard of them

Marlene trudged around her room infuraited at the current situation.

"God you friggin theives piss me off!" She yelled throwing a chair out the door.

One of the two Jiltakin reached out and caught the chair as it sailed past. Setting it down back inside her room, he turned to her and made a suggestion, "If you are bored, you could attend a training session. The new initiates are just beginning their shadow arts training under Master Froms"

"If you make a decision, we will take you there," he concluded returning to his place outside the door.

"Then what say we work together and surf this ship to the Inzi's vessel?" He suggested

ooc: that's ok...check him out though

Minos nodded, and motioned towards the stern. "Would you like port or starboard?"

"I was thinking bow or stern myself." He replied with a chuckle as the differences in thier idea of how best to surf the ship.

ooc: Link?

Minos nodded again, "Alright, I'll take stern. I raise the water, you lower the water?"

ooc: Ben Folds website... I think there are some songs on there. (http://www.benfolds.com/)

"Yep, thought we should probably warn the captain and the others, just so they don't freak." He replied

ooc: There is, will listen, will be gone for about 20 minutes

Minos smiled, his eyes turning brilliant white. "I'll tell them."

Suddenly, his voice boomed across the entire ship, the air vibrating to create the right sounds. "This is Minos, the ship is about to experience intense seas. Please, brace yourselves!"

"Bit showy, but let's give them a few minutes to strap in." He commented

Minos shrugged, his eyes turning back to their normal green. "Get's the job done."

ooc: was it anywhere close to your tastes?

"That it does." He replied with a grin.

ooc: Not high enought quality to make a decision.

Figured. Teralynn lowered her arm, relaxing just slightly. You...had me going there, Lord Valtrox.

***

What Rimoru offered was just perfect. "Thank you," Maverion said again before consuming his light meal.

He tore off a piece of the bread and dipped it into the soup before plopping it into his mouth. After swallowing several more bites, he looked back at the elf. "Empress? Not that I don't appreciate it...but...why did you bring me back to life?"

"Well, you were right Sarik," Karasu smiled, "we are going to be cruising now.

"I just thought of something, if we get there quickly, I better change to battle gear. Do you know how fast Minos and Azrael can move this ship?" She asked Sarik.

A small whisper of wind licked past Karasu's ear, "Pretty damn fast."

"Think they're all buckled in?" He asked Minos.

One of the two Jiltakin reached out and caught the chair as it sailed past. Setting it down back inside her room, he turned to her and made a suggestion, "If you are bored, you could attend a training session. The new initiates are just beginning their shadow arts training under Master Froms"

"If you make a decision, we will take you there," he concluded returning to his place outside the door.

"Bah! Martial arts, witchcraft of the unintellegent. Now if you have books on the other hand..." She said trailing into a sly grin.

"Bah! Martial arts, witchcraft of the unintellegent. Now if you have books on the other hand..." She said trailing into a sly grin.

The same Jiltakin turned and looked at the girl. "We do have a library. It contains some of the rarer books in print. Still, a large portion of it is devoted to writing on our art."

"We will take you there if you like."

******************

Minos smiled at Azrael. "Yes, shall we begin?"

"On three or after three?" He asked as he headed to the bow.

"After three, definitely." Minos replied as he headed towards the stern.

Arriving at the bow, he began casting the spell and called out, "ONE."

Standing on the stern, Minos closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in concentration. Opening his eyes again, they were brilliant blinding white.

He raised his hand, and his staff. "Two!"

"THREE." He called back as he waited a second before unleasing the spell to depress the waters in front of the craft.

Hearing Azrael's call, Minos threw his hands up above his head. The water under the ship followed the action, rising forty feet into a large hump of a wave.

With the fact that the water in front of it was below sea-level, and the waters under it were above sea-level, the effect could best be described as a heading over a waterfall indefinately. The ship just about rocketed forward, at a speed that outstripped it's pre-combat speed by a considerable margin.

As he continued to hold the spell, generating the depression in front of him, he wondered how the others, and especially the gnome were taking the surfing of the ship.

Minos laughed, moving the crest of the wave ever forward. "Kowabunga!"

Kalzog cursed under his breath as he noticed the giant wave over them. "Infernal sorcerors..." he finished, before walking into a hallway and eventually going into his room, sitting down and trying to keep the nausiating feeling of the rocking boat from getting any worse. Not to mention what he now knows about himself...

***********************************************************

Ixair was by Ar'mai's side, awaiting her to return to consciousness, when the ship jolted suddenly. Minos' voice spoke a warning earlier, and Ixair made sure he and the elven princess were safe from falling objects or the such.

He smiled ever so slightly as he could feel the burst of speed...

***********************************************************

"Since when have I ever been wrong?" Sarik laughed as he hung onto the table as he noticed some of the furniture slidinging his way...not to mention some hanging pots falling off the rack and almost onto Sarik's head.

"Whoa...dangerous...maybe the kitchen wasn't the best place to stay," he chuckled nervously as he eyed some hanging knives.

***********************************************************

Rimoru smiled sweetly to Maverion. "To tell you the truth...I'm not quite sure," she giggled, as she slowly stood up, and walked behind Maverion. "Maybe it's because of your good looks?" she giggled as she brushed her fingertips across his cheek.

"I did enjoy your company, Mavey...I guess I just didn't want you to die," she whispered, her brows furrowed in thought.

***********************************************************

Remember what I told you, Teralynn... came the disembodied voice of Valtrox, slowly fading into nonexistance.

Awakened by the sudden change in the movement of the ship, Koryl rolled to his feet and left the cabin he had chosen. Moving forward to join Azrael, he watched he swiftly moving water with his arms folded across his chest and a wild grin on his face.

"Sarik... should we get to the bedroom perhaps? I do not know where would be safest." Karasu asked.

Suddenly there was a jolt, and Karasu grabbed Sarik to keep from falling. "I apologize. I am a bit unsteady." She held onto him hoping they could keep each other from falling.

"Should we try to make it to your room, as it is closest? And it is rather barren. We should not be clobbered by masses of furniture." She smiled at Sarik. Karasu had such an urge to kiss him, but thought better of it. At least not until they were sure they were not going to be knocked out by pots and pans.

"I am interested to see what this movement looks like outside as well! It must be amazing!" Karasu said excitedly.

"Oh boy... someone had too much breakfast down there, did you not?" Karasu pointed to her belly. "Now he is deciding perhaps he will send it back." Karasu started turning green and became dizzy...

"I think I have to get over the edge before we go anywhere else. Figures, that son of mine demands two servings of a huge breakfasts and then decides to send it back. No offense to the chef." Karasu grinned at Sarik, trying not to vomit right there.

"I have to get to the railing!" Karasu ran out of the kitchen and what she saw amazed her, although she did not have much time to look. She was having trouble balancing, and holding onto the railing and was quite dizzy.

Karasu had to vomit, but she did not want to fall... Eventually she got sick over the side, trying to keep standing despite the dizziness...

Sarik gave a very surprised expression when Karasu suddenly took hold of him. He smiled warmly and put his arms around her. "Where's your incredible balance?" he laughed quietly as he stared into her entrancing eyes. They were already very close to each other, their faces only inches apart.

"Yes...yes, the bedroom would be the best," he said dreamily. Suddenly it looked as though Karasu was getting quite sick.

"So that's why you don't have you're balance," Sarik chuckled as he slowly let go of Karasu.

The Paladin ran behind Karasu, looking away as she lost the contents of her stomach to the sea. As the dragon queen started to sway as she stood, Sarik quickly wrapped an arm around her waist and another on a nearby doorway.

"Oh thank you Sarik... I am sorry you had to see that." Karasu said.

"It certainly looked better going down." Karasu chuckled. "I am not inulging that boy with whatever he wants to eat anymore!

"Could you help me over to a sink so I can cleanse my mouth and brush my teeth. My barings aren't very good. Perhaps after that you could help me to the bed. I think lying down is a good idea, although the nausea seems to be gone.

"I certainly hope the bed is not moving from wall to wall!" Karasu smiled.

"Thank you for everything." She looked in his kind eyes and smiled again.

Sarik laughed and nodded to Karasu, as he gently pulled her closer, before gently nudging her through the door, before closing it.

With a smile, he picked Karasu up, and brought her to a sink, where several bottles of strange liquids and pastes were kept, before setting her down on her feet.

"I saw a guard using these to put on his teeth, telling me they kept them shiney and clean, and his breath was slightly minty. That may be what you want," Sarik said.

"Oh, don't thank me, Karasu. I'm only doing what's best," Sarik chuckled as he watched Karasu.

"Thanks so much Sarik. This is exactly what I need!" Karasu proceeded to brush her teeth, and gargle with minty liquid... something alcoholic.

"Ah... fresh breath. Tummy is settled. Son is getting a very light lunch if any." Karasu looked up at Sarik, "I would spank him but I'd have to smack myself in the process." She giggled.

"I would like to lie down now, if you do not mind... could we go to your room?" she asked.

Sarik laughed at Karasu's comment. "Just give him a good scolding...when he comes out, you can spank him," he chuckled.

"Of course, Karasu," Sarik smiled as he walked to his nearby room and opened the door for Karasu. He watched her curvy form walk in, before he soon followed.

Karasu had her kimono on, and sat down on the bed. "It seems stable enough." She then lay back on the bed. "This is like heaven... I am so relaxed... Thank you Sarik for everything, really." Karasu smiled at him.

Karasu turned to her side and leaned on her elbow. "You may join me if you like. I think lying down makes for a smoother ride." She smiled at him, perhaps a hint of longing in her eyes.

Harlin strode up the now highly tilted slope of the deck to where Minos stood on the stern. Looking at the crest behind them, he leaned to his friend and said, "Impressive."

Cadeyrn felt a twist in his stomach, something was wrong, like another fight was coming. He always had sense for this kind of thing.

Is it more Drake Riders, or have those slow pokes finally caught up to us?

"I'm confused, if you feel so bad about betraying your friends...then why are you still fighting them?"

"You 'good guys' are all the friggin same." He growled. "I have to or I'll die, what part of that doesn't anyone understand? Do you people think I enjoy sharing my living space with a gentle demon, a crazy woman, and a maniacle asshole!?"

He stood throwing his chair into the wall.

"I hate this place! I just want to go home!" The warrior yelled at the top of his lungs.

ooc: I dunno if you just didn't see the post, but the "guards" are talking to Marlene...

The same Jiltakin turned and looked at the girl. "We do have a library. It contains some of the rarer books in print. Still, a large portion of it is devoted to writing on our art."

"We will take you there if you like."

"Art?" Marlene snarled. "Don't try to glorify what it is you people do."

She shifted her head frowning a bit.

"Fine, beats sitting here." She said.

Karasu rolled onto her back to get more comfortable. Sarik was just standing there. Karasu did not know what that meant, but she would rest anyway.

"Art?" Marlene snarled. "Don't try to glorify what it is you people do."

She shifted her head frowning a bit.

"Fine, beats sitting here." She said.

One of the two motioned for Marlene to follow, the other fell in behind. Leading her down another labyrinthine series of passages. Finally they arrived at a set of large doors. Above them was inscribed a message, "Reclaim from the Rich what is Rightly the Poor's." The first Jiltakin pushed the doors open revealing a relatively large, if disorganized, library.

The second ushered Marlene in and said, "Enjoy."

Teralynn simply nodded in response to Valtrox's words.

While the pain all throughout her body was still throbbing, the intensity was not as bad as it was several minutes ago. Looking around, she realized that Rothargot had left some time during her conversation with the god. She also thought that she heard a lot of commotion going on somewhere on the boat, but she did not really pay much attention to that either while chatting with Valtrox.

She got out of her bed, still drenched in sweat, and moved toward the door. Should she check out what was happening? Nah. She would rather have some privacy at the moment. Plus, it appeared that things have quieted down. So she stayed in her room and rested.

***

Maverion blushed slightly when Rimoru seemed to flirt with him. Then the memories of his wife flooded back into his mind.

"Do you...know how I died?" he asked, the events just prior to his death still a blur.

Sarik smiled a bit as his eyes followed every curve of Karasu's body. She may not be as openly flirtatious as Rimoru, but she certainly has made some advances...

Sarik laughed a bit as he sat down next to Karasu. "Like I said before, don't thank me," he said quietly, his mind lost between two ideals...

***********************************************************

Rothargot quietly walked out the door, and to Cadeyrn's, where he knocked three times, not sure if he should just burst through the door...considering he was having enough trouble fitting through.

***********************************************************

Inzikai was muttering to himself as he flung his dagger in the air, before letting it fall back to his waiting hand, hilt first. He could hear the sound of fast-moving water...out of place...

"Demon, keep your eyes open...perhaps we didn't leave the others to a watery grave..." Inzikai growled to a nearby demon, who only bowed and relayed the orders to the others.

He let his eyes take another scan around them, before approaching the back of the boat, where a little bag of ash had patiently sat...

Inzikai looked at his blade, the elf's blood still on his dagger. Most has dried up, but there were still a few splotches of wet blood...

He shoved his blade into the bag and waited for any effects on the vampire.

***********************************************************

"I'm afraid I cannot help you with that," Rimoru replied to Maverion's question, her hand gently stroking Maverion's cheek. "I only arrived when you were...dead...covered in books and shelves."

For a moment, nothing happened... then gray mist billowed forth from the bag. A rat scurried by near the wall (Hey, all ships have rats, yes?); the mist drifted across to envelope it with surprising speed. Moments later, only a pile of little bones remained. The mist swirled into a vertical column, then gathered suddenly together into the form of Lord Valerith and solidified.

"Ah, it is good to be standing again. My thanks, your Lordship."

ooc: Aye! Just about all ships have rats! lol edible too!

Inzikai smiled as he watched Valerith rise.

"Although we've barely met, it is good to see you again," Inzikai said.

"We are currently sailing North to Zlatlan...Unfortunately, our friends are still with us..." He continued, as he pulled his dagger out from the now empty bag.

"Are you hungry, Valerith?" He asked with a wicked smile.

Sarik seemed preoccupied somehow. Karasu was a bit confused.

"Is everything OK Sarik?" she asked?

ooc: Who is Valerith again?

ooc: He's the vampire guy that Harlin temporarily killed int hte library

ooc: Thanks for answering... I'm killing off my char anyway... I never get anything to post to and she is not part of the story in any way... she's just an aside char, and I don't like having one line posts to post to. She doesn't matter... It isn't if she is like Inzi... She just doesn't belong in the story and is not involved in the story in any way. Tonight or tomorrow. I just want to think of how. No one will miss her... as I said, she's just a char that has nothing to do with the story... no one else talks to, has no real part in the Valtrox thing, is less than an NPC, and isn't given anything much for me to respond to. Karasu is just a char like the unnamed guards... It was a lot of fun, but not when you realize that your char means nothing to the RP. It's quite obvious now. Did they have whale hunters w/harpoons back then?

Karasu got up to go to the railing as she was feeling sick again. Suddenly the ship jolted, and she was thrown over the side, hitting her head on the way into the water, knocking her unconscious.

The ship was moving at a fast speed toward Inzi's ship, and she was well behind the ship as she sunk, unconscious, and drowned, eventually ending up on the ocean floor.

That was the end of Karasu.

The cloaked titan had been trailing the two ships for quite some time unwanting to give his presence away. He had felt the loss of Drake Riders earlier and still resisted interfering.

Staring at the ships a mile ahead he watched as a woman plumetted into the icy waters. Her ship continued pursuit uninterrrupted as the Dragoon Lord couldn't remain on the side anymore.

Thrusting off his small vessel he sank the poorly built ship and dove into the waters after the woman. A magical force pushed his large body through the depths as he chased after her.

-----------------

Caderyn calmed himself down as he tunred to the door and answered.

"Come in Roth."

Ar'mai lay still. Her breathing faint and actions nonexistent.

The trauma caused by the blindsided attack had left her unconscious and in a coma.

Sarik had walked out of the bedroom with the knowledge that Karasu had gotten sick and needed to relieve herself of it...

Yet he didn't expect her to fall overboard...

"Karasu!" Sarik screamed as he ran to the railing. Several sailors nearby grabbed onto the paladin.

"No! You'll never make it back!"

"She's a goner..."

"Poor lass..."

The sailors sadly looked about, in hopes of finding her trying to get back on board...nothing...

Sarik gasped, his eyes filled with tears. He too wanted her to spring onto the deck, her silly grin on her face, the longing look in her eyes...

"Karasu..."

He looked around, desperate for someone to help her...

He ran about the ship, searching for someone to help. Mebbiwik may have some sort of mechanism to search for her... he thought hopefully, as he walked towards the stairs to the engine room.

Someone else caught his eye instead.

"Lorathin! Minos! You have to help me! Karasu fell overboard! Please! Use magic to get her back!"

***********************************************************

Rothargot squeezed into Cadeyrn's room and looked about. "What was all that screaming about, Cadeyrn?" he asked calmly, his eyes falling upon the elf woman.

***********************************************************

Ixair continued to watch Ar'mai, wondering if she was going to ever rise up again.

"Such a lovely dancer," he chuckled sadly as he gently began to stroke her hand.

"WHAT?" Lorathin yelled, as he turned to Minos, "We'll set the ship down on 3, 2, 1."

At one, he relaxed the spell and hoped Minos would likewise, as otherwise they might all be going in the drink.

"Are you hungry, Valerith?" He asked with a wicked smile.
"Quite." the vampire replied, with an answering grin.
"It is ever thus, after spending more than a single night as dust. It certainly won't slow me down in the slightest, though, and they shall not catch me so easily again."

~~~~~
Koryl grabbed hold of the railing as the spell faded away, bracing for the sudden change in the ship's motion that would result.

The giant caught Karasu's hand and shot upward with tremendous force exploding from the water in a matter of seconds. He landed on their ship with a massive thud gently laying the woman onto the deck.

His cloak covered all of his 8ft tall body and shadowed his face beyond any recognition. Aside from a hilt sticking out from his back, he was rather undescribable.

------------------

Cadeyrn shifted his glance towards the behemoth sliding his way into the crowded room.

"Nothing, nevermind Roth." He said sharply wondering when they would arrive in Zlatlan.

Minos' eyes faded back to their normal green as the boat settled down on the water. "I thought she was skill in martial arts. How does someone trained to be poised and graceful just fall off the boat?"

Karasu was unconscious on the deck, still knocked out.

"Shouldn't one of you be attending to your fallen ally?" The massive figure said in a deep yet familiar voice.

He knelt down gently lifting her head off the deck. His hand entirely cupped the back of Karasu's head and suddenly the figure was taken back by something.

A dragon here!?

Minos nodded lazily. "It isn't urgent though. There's no water in her lungs, I checked."

ooc: when did he check? I saw no post where he checked.

"I wonder if such half hearted care for each other is what made you lose the book in the first place." The large man growled peering at Minos.

Now I see why he left these baboons. Such arrogance and selfish agendas between them all...

ooc: water is one of the elements under Minos' control. He'd know if there was water in her lungs, that's how he checked.

ooc: I love the fact that no one on the ship gives a shit that she's in a state where she might die... unconscious, concussion, etc. Not one person even noticed her. This is so lame...

OOC; give me a seconds, i'll write something from sarik

ooc: It's not as though all our characters can heal, and two of those who can are currently out of commision. Plus, Minos doesn't know first aid...

Minos looked at Karasu lying limp on the deck. "I wish I could help her, but I don't know the first thing about healing. I guess I could keep her blood pumping and oxygenated if her heart stopped, but..."

Sarik heard people talking, heard an oddly familier voice metion a companion and the book, he rushed over, stuck between grief and duty to his mission.

Seeing Karasu lying on the desk he let out an audible gasp and collapsed next to her crying, thinking she was dead, oblivious to the world. Putting his hand on her he almost jumped as he felt her heart beating, letting out a cry of joy.

He gathered his scattered thoughts and focused on healing her, using the powers of his patron god, Zavers, it would hopefully wake her.

As he saw Karasu laying there, a veritable whirlwind of thoughts went throught his head, Where's Ar'ami, wait she's comatose, where's Shara, wait she's also out of it, who else can medic on this ship? These thoughts were on an almost looping pattern as he tried to figure out what to do as the only thing he had that might help, the drinker had to be consious to benefit from.

Seeing Sarik, he commented slightly frazzled, "Can you heal?"

ooc: I've been trying to keep/catch up to my Rps, which is why I didn't reply right off.

Karasu moved slightly and moaned with pain. Apparently Sarik's healing was helping. She opened her eyes not knowing what was going on. She coughed up some water, and looked up confused.

ooc: :( how can she cough up water if there was none in her lungs...? Are you calling Minos a liar?

The large man smiled slightly tilting her head up so she could breath.

Praise Bahamut, if another dragon died the council would have my head.

ooc: I am saying there was still a little. You don't breathe in a shitload of water and then come out and have it disappear suddenly, as Minos did not remove it.

Seeing Karasu move Sarik cried with joy, she was ok. The effort it had taken him and the panic he had been feeling and now the joy overwhelmed him, he collapsed in a heap on the floor, narrowly missing Karasu.

OOC: just an excuse for me to log off for tonight and not keep people occupied, someone drop him back in his room and you can do what you want. The water was in her mouth, not her lungs, just let it go.

Karasu looked at the large man... "Who... who are you? What happened?" She was still quite groggy.

With Karasu seemingly on the road to recovery, Lorathin turned to the man, "Thank you for saving Karasu, but who are you?" He asked

Watching the fighter faint puzzled the mysterious giant.

These are the ones destined to stop Valtrox's attempted birth?

Suddenly a frown drew across his wide face.

"Thank you for saving my life, sir. I will never be able to repay you. Will you please tell me who you are?" Karasu held Sarik's hand tightly.

A pulse of slight heat filled Karau's body as the massive figure smiled.

"The name is Xenocrates, but most people call me X for short." He opened with his deep voice.

"Thank you X," Karasu smiled weakly. "I do not know what to say."

"No need to thank me, because I am in need of a vessel since I crushed mine." He chuckled rubbing the back of his hood. "Would you all welcome me aboard your ship; I would stay out of the way and do chores to compensate."

"After what you did for me, I welcome you whole heartedly. I would be honored X." Karasu replied.

"Might I be too sudden to ask that you all introduce yourselves?" He said returning to his feet where his presence was much more noticable.

"Of course someone will have to take this warrior's place." X chuckled guiding his hand towards Sarik.

"I am sorry, my name is Karasu. I guess I fell over the railing when I was ill and hit my head on the side of the ship. Thank you again." She turned to Sarik... Thank you for healing me." She reached her arms out to hug him.

"And what were you doing way out here in what I'm guessing what a quite small boat Xenoccrates?" Lorathin asked, his natural semi-paranoia resurfacing.

"Same reason you are all out here, but my mission is a little more specific." He said eyeing where his pathetic boat sank. "My mission is to bring back a traitor for trial and nothing else..."

Minos shied away, not wanting to make friends with this stranger quite yet. He returned to his bunk in silence, and then went to sleep. The ship could catch up by conventional means now.

"And you took a dingy out to do it?" He asked, "Also who's this traitor?"

"I was trying to remain out of sight and out of the way as I was instructed not to interefere with your quest." X said pausing for a moment.

"I think it should be quite obvious who the traitor is. While capturing the human I might just accidently kill the other supporters of Valtrox." He added making a sly grin.

Karasu knew what this man was, and had a pretty good idea who he was after. She still could not completely accept Cadey's betrayal, even though he killed her. He has lost his mind. I wish so badly for Cadey and Marlene to return. Inzi would make Cadey more deadly, and likely kill him off after using him. How Cadey could trust V-man's lackeys was beyond her comprehension. As far as Karasu was concerned, Minos, himself may be a traitor as well. His strange actions... she did not trust him at all. Just like Mebbwick.

Karasu had the jump on the others, already knowing what he was and that he was safe, so perhaps she was being too judgemental. She felt exhausted and asked Sarik to carry her to bed, which he did. He lent her one of his huge robes, chuckling at her appearance, and layed down next to her, holding her, tears running down his eyes at the thought that he almost lost her.

"But I am here Sarik... right next to you." She smiled. "Another thing; the man who saved me is completely safe. I know this because of what I am, so please trust him." Karasu buried her head in Sarik's chest and immediately fell asleep as he watched her.

"Instructed by whom, and why do you consider him a traitor?" He pressed, as while Karasu appeared to trust him, he was somewhat more leery.

"I am not allowed to discuss these things to people outside of the order." Xenocrates admitted sadly before pulling back his hood revealing a helm in the shape of a dragon's mouth. The crimson headgear looked almost crystalike still masking his face slightly.

"Oh?" Lorathin commented. "That's the kind of convienent cover an assassin of Valtrox might employ..."

"If I wanted you all dead I would've struck while the servants of Valtrox were ripping your ship apart the other night." X remarked coldly.

"Not if you wanted prisoners to torment for the pleasures of Valtrox." He replied

"Your logic is rather confusing, but your caution is commendable." Xenocrates said never breaking his stare on Lorathin. "You don't have much choice but to trust me as I am not leaving until I bring death to the traitor."

The massive figure stretched his hand out revealing an emblem of the dragon order tatooed onto his palm.

"No servant of Valtrox wears this mark."

"And, having never seen that before, it could be a symbol of Valtrox rather than some opposing group of thiers." He commented, "But this is getting nowhere, so while I'll be keeping an eye on you, that'll be it for now."

"I know well of Kalzog and Rimoru, they should know my name and identify who I am when they see me." The behemoth said sitting on a barrel.

"What is your name?" He asked.

"You may call me Azrael." He replied, "And Rimoru isn't present, and Kalzog's suffering a crises of somesort."

"Well then Azrael, am I correct in saying that Caderyn is on the ship you're chasing?" He said pointing at the distance vessel they were slowly gaining on.

"Possibly, I haven't been over there recently. He was there last time I checked thought." He commented

"Good, he's going exactly where we thought he would." The titan said creating a small sphere of fire just above his palm.

"So why are you going after him, who are WE, what's your reason for going after him without support, and what's the group you belong to?" He asked

"I'm not permitted to say why I have to bring him in, but it's not because he sided with Valtrox. That's just our excuse to tell lower ranks. WE are the high order of Dragons, Dragoons, and council who own the dragons. I am the highest ranking knight of the dragons." Xenocrates explained hoping to gain Azrael's trust.

"OWN dragons?" He asked, a sinister note entering his voice.

"Perhaps I said too much, but yes own. Those are the ones I and the rest of my order take commands from. I am one of the few who are privaledged enough to meet with them." He answered dissapointed that he gave away too much information.

"If you own them, how come you take orders from them. Last I heard slaveowners don't generally take orders from the slaves." He commented

"I believe I worded it wrong, you must fogive me because I am not used to speaking in common tongue." Xenocrates apoligzed.

"The council are the highest ranking among us, then there is a group of dragons whom are owned by the council members, and then there are the dragoons whom are owned by the dragons so to say." He explained a little more clearly again.

"So you enslave dragons, and dragoons are enslaved by dragons?" He asked, his eyes flashing slightly. If Xenocrates was perceptive, he'd likely realize he was probably treading on thin ice that was rapidly approaching the thickness of tracing paper.

"Slave is a grossly inappropriate title for what we are; our ranking and order is closer to military chain of command. Those who call me a king would be more correct is saying General or Captain." He said watching what he said very carefully. It is treason to speak of the order in public.

"Because of my rank I am assigned to no dragon, but I take direct orders from the council." The juggernaut said carefully watching who was close by. "No one is enslaved into our order, only born, and only few of our children are accepted...this is were Cadeyrn lies in trouble."

Xenocrates teeth closed tightly as he realized what he just said.

"If they're born into it then that implies no way out, ergo, slavery." He commented, "And to keep from sending you to the bottom of the sea, I'm going to go get something to eat." He added as he turned and headed toward the galley.

"Call it want you want, but we are the last line of defence if Valtrox ever returns." X said to Azrael while he was walking away.

As Lorathin stepped around a corner, Koryl slipped out of the shadows and joined him. He kept out of reach, trying not to startle his fellow travellor with his sudden appearance.

"I don't like the sound of this 'council' either." he said quietly. "It's hard to say, with as little as we know about it, but it certainly seems rather sinister. Where I grew up, no one is born into a position. Even the chosen heir to the throne decides if he or she is willing to accept that duty. And dragons serve nobody. The thought of a group that thinks it 'owns' dragons - perhaps even all of them..."
Koryl shuddered. "Well, let's just say that it is disturbing for a number of reasons.

"As for this 'last line of defence' business, I wonder what they'll be doing while every other hope is destroyed?"


Meanwhile, the other three slept on, oblivious to both the dramatic rescue and the mysterious newcomer.

"Please forgive me because, as I said before, I am not used to speaking in common tongue. The subtle nuances in the words bother me where as in Dragon Speak everything is spelled out. Own is not necessarily what I mean." The giant said moving his hand as he tried to come up with the right words.

"Understand that we are a force of good, well, we keep the balance." He added at the shadows.

Truthfully even the Dragoon Lord was ignorant of the deeper workings of the 'council' and even less about the relationship between them and the other dragons.

Karasu happened to have been rolling over and awake when she heard Azrael and X's conversation. She was livid. No one owned her and she took orders from no one. She was Queen of her clan, but that was clan based business, and not by birth. True, her word was law, but the clan wanted it that way, and had been that way for thousands of years. Others were certainly allowed to question orders and ask for explanations, but she was the oldest, and that had respect attached to it. Wisdom.

Karasu rarely gave major orders. Most consisted of communicating which villages or mortals needed protection, or where the pillagers were located. Bounties were put on the heads of the most evil, and that was where she was an expert assassin. These were usually human men... she retained her human form, and that was that.

Major orders, such as wars and such, Karasu had full power over, however, they all telepathically discussed it together first.

She could understand a military command style, but not forced for life.

Karasu walked outside in the goofy giant robe and confronted X.

"X, I happened to hear your conversation with Azrael." Karasu's eyes looked like flames. "I take offense to what you have said," she said angrily.

"First of all," she whispered to the giant, "only a few people know I am a dragon... I like my anonymity. Please keep it quiet.

"As far as everything else you said, I am not owned, nor do I own. I am Queen of my clan, but that is clan business. I am not involved in any ranking system and never will be." She was staring into the man's eyes angrily. "Perhaps we are referred to as anarchists, rogues, or upstarts. What we are is protector dragons, and we will never force anyone to serve us nor will anyone force us to serve them, nor take orders except within the clan. Maybe we are only referred to as independents."

"Slaves, born into slavery... thank you for saving me, but fuck that garbage! Valtrox forces his 'slaves' to do his bidding. Philosophically, what is the difference here? None, other than in extremes. Life is about self-determination." She looked him in the eyes good and long.

Karasu turned around and went back into the bedroom to lie down, muttering, "owned", over and over, shaking her head.

Who does he think he is?

"Who knows, thought I agree that they do sound not entirely trustworthy." He commented to Koryl before heading to the kitchen to get himself a bowl of soup.

As he walked, he came within a hairspan of bumping into Karasu as she stormed to her room.

ooc: wtf? I wonder why Cade left :rolleyes:

"I had made no such reference to who you were, in times like these being a dragon is a liability, and I will not put any of your kind in danger." Xenocrates whispered wondering where Karasu had drawn the sudden energy after nearly dieing.

"I never said you were owned by anyone." The giant growled with tremendous force being his voice. "You are not in the order, nor, were you ever as far as I know thus our laws don't apply to your 'clan'."

He paused arrogantly smirking at the word.

"Keep your gross judgements to yourself, we are guardians, protectors when all is lost. Your accusations and hatred towards someone who had done nothnig but save your life is rather infuriating. Forcing self determination on others...cute." The titan finished before turning his head away in disgust.

"Since you had been evesdropping I wonder if you were kind enough to grant me the buffer of speaking in a strange language."

"I was NOT eavesdropping! I woke up and you are outside my door." Karasu stated.

"You also made it sound as if every dragon is part of the order. And who the hell would not want the right to self-determination? Cute? What planet are you from?" Karasu spat at him.

"Listen," Karasu calmed down and grabbed the railing to steady herself. She was still weak but rage usually gave her energy. "I believe it was your linguistics perhaps. Please may we talk this out? I know you are trustworthy. I, as a matter of fact, told the others to put aside their suspicions. I am sorry. I awoke from a sound sleep and heard this.

"X, please accept my apology. I do not understand why you are disgusted with my clan, from the way your voice changed. And why is it that dragons are a liability?" Karasu asked X.

"Many are not apart of the order, hence the word independent clans. Most people find that forcing self determination onto others is justified despite it's irony, which I think is just plain silly, fate guides us with a mysterious hand after all." X said putting the ease back into his voice.

The giant stood to his feet towering those around him while walking closer to Karasu.

"Not everyone likes dragons nowadays, or dragoons for that matter. I have faced severe prejudice outside my home because of my alliance and on many occasion, been backed into a corner."

"I am well aware of that. I have faced prejudice as well, however I do not reside in areas that are under much control. Small villages where the people like to see me fly. They are happy and in awe." Karasu smiled.

Embarrassingly she continued... "I am rather... large... and that is putting it mildly. I do tend to be left alone. I also tell no one I am a dragon." She added. "Moreover," she added with a huge smile, "I am pregnant with the child of one of the ageless ones." Karasu patted her belly.

"I know well of dragon's and their various sizes." X said drawing a large smile visable from under his helm. "One of my elders is about a foot long, but he is incredibly wise. Others have been known to blanket the entire sky."

"Pregnant? Fantastic!" The large man exclaimed in a surprisingly jovial tone. "It is very hard for dragons to become pregnant, even dragoons for that matter rarely have children...although I had a son once..."

"Maybe you could help me out with some information. I have never had any children. I do not even know the gestation period or if I should be eating something in particular." Karasu continued... "And I do fight with all the others. I want my son to make it." She smiled at X.

Karasu was pretty sure that Sarik could hear their conversation and hoped he would not worry too much.

"I had to leave my love and child behind a long time ago. I think the child is still early in development so combat wouldn't affect it too much." X said looking over the sea sadly.

The large warrior leaned on the railing as the weakened wood squeeled beneath the weight.

"I am so sorry to hear that, X. The father of my child is gone and will never see him either." Karasu leaned against the railing next to X. "I would love for there to be peace and no complications... at least for a while.

"Careful of that railing... I got knocked over it when you saved me." Karasu warned the large man.

"Sometimes we have to leave those we love for reasons beyond our control, not always do we have a choice in the matter." The gentle giant said staring into the tranquil waters.

"Might I ask the father's name?" X asked admiring the wonderful view.

"I understand having to leave, but it still hurts. The father's name is Relthor." She replied wearily.

Lorathin had finished off his stew and decided to head on deck, emerging from near where Karasu and Xenocrates were. "What's this about Relthor?"

Karasu was surprised by Azrael... "I was just telling X that Relthor was here but left from Rimoru's. I thought they knew each other, but I think I may be mistaken. Why do you ask?" She asked Lorathin.

"Ah, I was just wondering how his name came up is all." He commented as he headed over to the same railing Xenocrates was leaning on and likewise leaned on it, causing the already stressed wood to creak alarmingly.

"Ahhh... No offense guys, but after what happened earlier, I think I will back away from the railing.

"How are you Azrael?" Karasu asked. "Do you know how far behind the other ship we are?"

"Relthor..." X held the name for a second as it brought some faint familiarity. "It sounds like I should recognize it."

"I'd guess about a day behind them." He commented

"Well, I am exhausted. I am going back to bed. Nice talking with you X." Karasu smiled. "Good to see you Azrael." She smiled at him as well.

Karasu walked back into Sarik's room and got in bed. "I am very tired Sark." She told him, snuggling up to him.

"Rest well lady Karasu." Xen commented as she left before turning to Azrael.

"If we can catch up to them before they reach Zlatlan then we should be fine, if we don't then things will get complicated." He said edging away from the railing.

"I just thought of something, how did you know where both these ships were, the ocean is exceptionally vast after all." He asked

"I had good information where these ships left port and in what direction. That and the presence of so much energy and magic in one area is staggering, anyone with any prowress in the runic arts would have felt it." X explained.

He just looked at the man. "So until you catch up to the ones we're chasing, what will you do?"

The big warrior paused for a moment taken back by the question.

"This is mission very personal for me, I'll be spending a lot of time meditating and conversing with the others until the time comes." He said very seriously.

"Oh?" He asked, "And what kind of conversations?"

"Just because I'm a large battle hardened soldier of the dragons, doesn't mean I am unable to enjoy good company." The big lug said smiling.

"Rimoru, Karasu, and Kalzog are particulary interesting to me."

"Well only two of them are there, and one's in a snit over something involving Karasu and Sarik..." He commented

"Only two? Where's the third?" He asked surprised. "Intel told me Rimoru and Kalzog were aboard the time the ship departed."

Harlin dropped down from behind the two. "Intel was wrong."

"Well you're intel was off." He commented slightly smug. "Rimoru isn't here. Kalzog and Karasu are, Rimoru isn't."

"It's not the first time..." X said with a harsh tone in his voice. " One time they said my target was alone, she ended up being surrounded by four demons and a werewolf."

The warrior paused for a second before turning around.

"Where the hell did you come from?" He asked.

"From the results of certain intimacies between my parents." He replied

"It's not the first time..." X said with a harsh tone in his voice. " One time they said my target was alone, she ended up being surrounded by four demons and a werewolf."

The warrior paused for a second before turning around.

"Where the hell did you come from?" He asked.

Harlin pointed up to the over hang above. "Sorry about that, but it keeps my skills honed."

Xenocrates shot Azrael a crocked look while smiling slightly.

"Well it's generally considered rude to metaphorically drop in on someone, but literally..." He said at the newcomer.

Harlin shrugged, "Sorry bout that. It's just my...girlfriend is sleeping, and I'm not exactly tired, sooo, there's not much for me to do right now. You guys are having the only interesting conversation on the whole ship."

"I agree, it is a little quiet out here." The large man said looking to the sky. "Perhaps I too will rest up for tomorrow; good night gentlemen."

The giant back away from the railing and fell to a knee promptly falling asleep. An orange aura slightly glowed around him in defense.

"Weird dude." Lorathin commented as he watched Xenocrates.

Harlin nodded, "Yeah, but he'll be a lot of help when we catch up with those guys."

"If he's actually genuinely on our sides." He replied

Karasu woke up and dressed in her battle gear. Who knows... maybe they would somehow catch the ship, although she doubted it.

Sarik was still sleeping, so Karasu headed to the kitchen with the intention of making a big breakfast for him.

It looked like it was going to be a sunny day... Keep Azrael out of the sun. she thought, and laughed to herself.

Since no one was up yet, she decided to use this time to do some acrobatic work around the top of the ship, the mast, everywhere. Her landings were so light as to be unheard by anyone. She was amazing at stealth when she wanted to be.

Karasu went to the top of the crows nest and looked up into the sky.

I wish I was flying.

The crewman had been surprised by X's appearence, he didn't seem to bear them ill will and one was dispatched to find Ixiar, who refused to leave Armai's side. After much debate one of the 'expendable' young soldiers had been picked to speak to this creature. Small parts of the conversations had drifted over, enough for them to learn he was called X, something about a council and dragons, and mainly that he planned to sleep.

The chosen soldier, a yound lad, obviously terrified of this giant approached and said "Errr... Mr X?" he said quietly, then, after gathering some courage and speaking a little louder he said, "Mr X? Are you awake? I've been asked to erm... ask is you want something... a room maybe? or some food... erm anything you can think of?." He was trying to speak as calmly as he could, both hoping that the creature was asleep and that it wasn't going to hurt him. It was clear that he was terrified, at any movement from the large being, even breathing, he would flinch and almost step back.

Ixiar remainded by Armai's side, Kalzog Stayed in his room and Sarik was sleeping. Mebbiwik was furious that someone was playing games with his ship! He was stomping around the steam engine babbling in rage that they would dare even think that his invention was not powerful enough or inferior to there magic, dreaming up ways that he would make them pay if it had so much as one scratch on it from their magic. John and Bjorn were doing their best to avoid him and the things he was throwing around.

Lorathin had arrived on deck shortly before Karasu, thought he didn't hear or see her when she came out. With a hunk of bread, cheese and meat in hand, he headed up to the prow to look at the sunrise. Tossing a piece of bread to a seagull, he wondered what the motives of Xenocrates were and was lost in his own world.

"Hey Azrael!" Karasu yelled from the crows nest, surprising him, "Quit feeding those disgusting gulls! They will shit on me! They are nasty!" She laughed.

"I am serious! You will be lucky if you do not get shit on yourself Lorathin!" Karasu grinned at Azrael...

"Hey, and no falling asleep in the sun today, or we will slap you instead of making your remedy!" She chuckled!

"What are you doing up there?" He called back as he tossed the last bit of bread for a gull and began climbing along the riggings up toward Karasu. "I won't, the burns were bad enought last time."

Karasu laughed. "I am getting some fresh air and a beautiful breeze. As far as I am concerned, the higher, the better!" she added.

"I adore heights and clean wind, not poisoned by sea gull shit." She gave Azrael a mock angry look.

"Come on up! It is a great view. However, no sight of the other ship."

If I was not pregnant, I would fly over there in a second, dive bomb their ship... 86 them all. Davie Jone's Locker would have some more bodies. Oh well, I cannot risk any harm to "Little Mr. Hungry All The Time, but Picky and Sends the Food Back." Well, that name is one I will not remember. She chuckled to herself.

"You really like to fly, don't you?" He commented as he reached the crow's nest.

"Yes, it is why my fighting style is very acrobatic and airborne." Karasu replied.

"Would you like me to summon you a phantom steed so you can go on a ride?" He asked

"You can do that?" Karasu asked, eyes wide. "Is it safe? I would love it!" Karasu responded excitedly.

"Yes I can and yes it is." He replied as he noticed she seemed to be almost bouncing out of the crows nest. Smiling he began muttering, with Karasu's name being inserted at certain points.

Finishing the spell, he pointed to just outside the crows nest, it naturally being to small for a full sized horse. A coal black horse with a dark grey mane and tail appeared, it's hooves were the colour of pale smoke and had the appearence of insubstantiality. It was quite literally floating in mid-air. "For you m'lady." He commented as the phantom horse nuzzled at Karasu's hand.

"Just a note, he'll only remain till about the setting of the sun, and can only be ridden by you, anyone else will fall off." He added, "It can go just about anywhere, throught solid objects and underwater notwithstanding, and has about the speed of a champion racehorse, with essentially limitless stamina."

"I'll be outside." The berzerker growled squeezing out of the room and proceeding to the back of the ship facing their pursuiting enemies.

---------------------

The giant lumbered to his feet over shadowing the soldier and with a deep gruff he was wide awake again. Turning to the young lad he smiled placing his massive hand on the soldier.

"I will be fine, but if you have some coffee..." His deep voice bellowed while he turned toward the front of the ship.

A single leap and he landed with a massive thud at the stern facing the enemy ship. At that moment he cought eyes with his target: large, scarred, and adorning a massive blade on his back; it was Cadeyrn staring back at him.

A sea of thoughts and sadness swelled through the humble titan as he gazed towards his enemy.

The young soldier almost sprinted away from X, he passed on the news to the others and it was decided that he would attend to X's needs for the duration of his stay. So the young soldier ran to the canteen and tried to prepare some coffee, his shaking had reduced and it only took him two attempts to make it with spilling any and a third to make enough to fill a large container that should be of the right size for Mr X, he took milk and suger with him.

As he approached he started to become nervous again, the giant seemed occupied and he didn't want to disturb him. "Your coffee Mr X, you erm, didn't say if you wanted milk or suger, so i brought them along too... " He laid the container, milk and suger down, "I'll just leave them here, i'll be around if you need me, I'm called Karl, ask any of the soldiers and they should find me" Hopefully X would scare the life out of one of them.

"I like mine black." Xen said stoically as a disk of fire rolled under the canteen reboiling the coffee before carrying it up to the giant's hand which cupped the container entirely.

"Thank you Karl, you've proven to be very helpful and reliable already." The large warrior said without breaking his gaze on the person staring back at him so far away.

The dragoon's enhanced eyes allowed him to see every detail of the figure.

"He's beat to hell; missing his left eye, his right arm, and is covered from head to toe in stale blood." The massive man said aloud.

"Thanks Azrael!" Karasu exclaimed. She then heard that the enemy ship was in sight. With her dragon sight she had a pretty good view, but not of the rest of the ship.

"I am going to go up above the enemy ship and see if I can find anything important. Do not worry, I will be too high for them to notice me. I will look like a bird." Karasu said to Azrael. "Thank you!"

She had the ability as a dragon of her type (rare), to fly so high that she was invisible to the naked eye other than as a bird. No one ever could see her, even with magic. Too fast.

What a beautiful horse!

Karasu commanded it to go as fast and far vertically as possible, up. She would get above the other ship.

Her horse was very agile and could was nearly a VTOL beast itself, so they climbed higher and higher until, from the ground, she may have looked like a speck, if anyone saw her at all.

With her dragon sight, she could see perfectly.

Ahhh!!! Airborne!

It was a few hours later when the first stirrings of a slumbering princess were heard. First her eyes blinked rapidly, adjusting to the forgotten light. Then her head moved slightly and she attempted to peer around the room to take in her surroundings. None of it was familiar. She couldn't remember where she was or how she had gotten there...

Next her arms propped her up and for the first time in days, her torso moved. She wiggled her toes delicately and made sure she had full control of her body before attempting to stand. When she did so however, it did not register with her nimble legs. Her muscles had atrophied during their non-use as she lay in a coma. Collapsing back to the bed, her arms reflexively shot backwards to break her fall.

Her eyes were still adjusting from the darkness of a multiple day slumber to the light that was pouring through the window. Her vision was hazy at best, but she managed to notice a figure sleeping in a chair only a few feet from her bed. The man... no, elf looked weary, as if he had been there for days; having never moved from his guardian spot. Perhaps this was the first rest he had gotten in awhile - it sure looked so. Either way, she thought it best not to disturb is well deserved nap.

Attempting again to gain her balance, her sleek legs and arms simultaneously pushed upwards so that she was standing. When her muscles faltered again, she lunged for a pole and grabbed on to support herself. There was no other way at present moment to move around, she realized. Take it slow and easy.

Her delicate and weak figure passed by the window from which the light was pouring in. A light and soothing breeze gently blew in and cooled her skin. Then she noticed why the light was so bright at her angle; it was sunset. The sun was descending down, out of the sky and below the... water? A boat? There was water all around - it had to be a boat. Why was she on a boat? Her mind raced, trying to remember where she was and why, but to no avail. She continued passed the window to where the door lay imbedded in the wall, only a few feet further. Even the few steps from the bed to the door seemed like walking for ten miles, but eventually her hand grasped the handle and turned in with all of the might she could conjure.

The door opened, revealing the deck of the boat beneath her feet, and water for miles in every direction. It rushed by, and yet there was something calm about it. The railing of the side was an inviting site - something to which she could cling and walk continuously rather than having to creatively move from support to support. She clung tightly to the railing and made her way down the boat. For a moment, as she gazed into the vast water, she saw her reflection... but something was different about it. It was the not the same reflection that she knew from years past. Again the wheels of mind turned, thinking what was different, but just the same as her reflection appeared in the churning waters, it again disappeared.

Higher. There was a ladder - more of a cramped stairwell that was steep and had thin steps - about five yards down. It looked inviting, despite her weak state. She made her way down to the ladder and made the transition from railing to railing. Gripping both sides of the ladder with her hands, she began ascending. It was surprisingly easier than she had thought it would be, but still by no means a simple climb. Maybe her muscles were readjusting to supporting her body.

After a few seconds of climbing, she decided to check to see how many steps she had gone thus far. When she turned her head to look, she again saw her reflection in the waters below... except this time it was her back that she saw. A scar. It lay slashed across her back from hip to shoulder. The memory rushed in...

She was onboard the ship with her bow and quiver of arrows. She was slinging off shot after to shot to no gain. The demons that were circling overhead, menacing the crew, were to thick skinned to be affected by arrows. A holy arrow! Yes. She prayed and in return received a holy arrow with which she would send the demons back to their domain, never again to raise hell in this land. The arrow was notched and the string drawn taught. The target was in sight as she tracked it across the sky... and then darkness.

...she lost her concentration. Her grip weakened. It was too much... she fell from the ladder and crashed down to the deck... Darkness.


Her eyes blinked rapidly as she awoke from the darkness that had overtaken her. Her hands moved to her aching temple as she once again attempted to regain her memories of the last few moments. Yes... the sunset... the water. But that was all. Any memories the sight of the scar had invoked were gone now. Once again, she drew a long blank.

Once again she attempted to stand and once again she faltered. The railings... Her hands grasped the railings - a familiar feeling now - as she climbed the ladder and reached the next deck. A small deck at that. There were no others to be seen. Higher. Her sights move up towards the heavens where a lovely shade of orange and pink was etched into the sky. There, in the radiance, stood the crow's nest, towering over all.

Her mind forced her broken body to move. The trauma it had sustained was tremendous and her muscles began burning as she grabbed the ladder that led upwards. Nevertheless, she persisted and rose higher. Eventually, despite the odds, her hand felt the top of the ladder and then the welcome basket of the nest. She managed to literally throw her body over the short sides of the nest and into the loft.

She relaxed, finally have reached her destination and being able to just sit in the cool breeze of the evening and watch as the sun began its descent. It was a beautiful, calming sight, especially when one couldn't remember... anything.

Without any knowledge of why or reasoning of how, a song came to her thoughts and then her lips...

"In gwidh ristennin,
I fae narchannen
I Lach Anor ed ardhon gwannen

Mithrandir, Mithrandir! A Randir Vithren!
Ú-reniathach i amar galen
I reniad lín ne môr, nuithannen..."

ooc: It is not sunset DMG... it is just morning...

ooc: It is not sunset DMG... it is just morning...

[ooc: Fluid time... Hence why I said, 'many hours later.']

The dragoon's ears perked as the faint sounds of a strange language danced into his mind. He lost track of his target whom he had locked his sight upon for hours.

"30 years have passed, and all this time I had wondered what you would have grown into. I pictured you to be slender and graceful like your mother, but not a brutal hulk like myself." The giant whispered softly on the verge of tears.

His sharp eyes crossed the distance examining every wound on the berzerker as if it were his own.

I won't do it. X thought forcing that slab back down his throat.

--------------

Cadeyrn had been staring at the trailing ship with a strange fascination.

"I'll destroy every last one of you." He growled remembering all their insults and selfish claims the day he left.

Boliad was the first of the three to awaken; Verton had been exhausted by the battle and maintaining the Longstride spell, and T'zark lacked the endurance for long, hurried travel. Buckling on his complex weapon harness, the big warrior strode out of his cabin and up to the deck. He soon happened upon X, his normally imposing frame dwarfed by the hulking dragoon.

"I didn't see you back when we left the dock, and you look hard to miss. Did you join us from another vessel?" he asked.

~~~~~
"Oh, by the way, what did I miss while I was... incapacitated?" Valerith inquired.

"I was following this vessel quite some time; it wasn't until one of your passengers fell overboard that I felt the need to impose my presence." X answered turning away from his target.

"Might I ask who you are?" The large warrior asked.

Karasu continued ascending, regretting that she could not make this horse do flips and dives, as far as she knew. She did not want to take a chance.

At one point she was over the other ship and did not see much of anything but Cadey starting at X.

"I ngîl cennin erthiel
Ne menel aduial,
Ha glingant be vîr
Síliel moe.

I ngîl cennin firiel
Ne menel aduial,
And-dúr naun i fuin a galad firn
Naegriel moe.

An i natha
An i naun ului
A chuil, ann-cuiannen
Am meleth, perónen. "

"Someone fell overboard?! Who was it? Are they all right?"

After X explained the situation, he continued.

"I am Boliad, of Dar-Kavryn - a soldier by trade, and an adventurer by hobby. What should I call you?"

ooc: no comment:D

"The name is Xenocrates, highest ranking of the dragoons, but most just call me X for short." The lug introduced himself with a smile. "Karasu's just fine."

She's flying around in the damn sky after all. He thought to himself as he sensed her presence above. I suppose dragons need to just fly around every once in a while.

ooc: no comment:D
ooc: Thought the reference was to Ar'mai. :p

Karasu was reluctant to leave the skies... especially at that height. Then she had an idea... Fight fire with fire.

Karasu jumped off the horse and in a puff of rainbow crystal dust, transformed to The Black and Gold Dragon, and went straight up. She had to be high enough for Inzi and his flunkies not to see her.

She commanded her horse to stay where it was.

Karasu kept climbing completely vertically until she was invisible or at best, looked like a bird to those with exceptional magical vision.

Her powers did not diminish with height. Karasu passed Inzi's ship so she was in front of it and exhaled a blue hot raging fire onto their boat setting it afire.

Now they can put out a fire.

She flew up and was gone and back to the horse, transformed back to human and flying back to the crows nest before anyone on Inzi's ship even noticed that it was in flames.

Karasu landed next to the crows nest, where Azrael had fallen asleep.

She jumped in. "Azrael, wake up! You are going to burn again!" Karasu shook her head. "Your horse is wonderful! May I possibly use it later?" she asked.

I am going back down. Not realizing anyone could even see her, other than Azrael, who was woozy from sleep, she flipped off in layout position from the crows nest and landed on the deck silently, and looked at the burning ship with a smile on her face. Marlene was safe, so she did not have to worry.

Cadey had the brains to get himself out of that situation. Karasu was still sad that Cadey killed her and betrayed them all. Suddenly, she started to cry.

Cadeyrn stood amongst the flames, uncaring. His eyes were fiercely looked onto the ship behind them.

So, you would steal Marlene from me, and kill the innocent Drake riders without remorse? Let this ship sink below the waves, so when they pass I will board and murder them all.

The fire licked around his body as the berzerker stared at his hand.

No matter, I'm sure the other's magic will put this out before it does too much damage.

He woke with a yawn and a rub of his eyes. "Thanks for the warning." He commented as he stood and headed down the riggings. "He's yours till this evening, thought I guess I could conjure another one later."

Karasu looked at X, only then realizing he and Boliad had seen her flip off the crows nest. She sighed through her tears.

"uhh... Azrael made a flying horse for me." She put on a fake smile and wiped away her tears.

"Do either of you have the capacity to fight magic that might prevent them from putting out the fire on their ship, and preventing them from lighting us?" Karasu asked. "It is vital." She looked to X hopefully. "I want them to go down, even though I am so sad that Cadey betrayed us and killed me." Karasu had tears running down her face.

If they put out their fire, she would have to fly back up on the horse and spit caustic acid on the ship, then exhaling tons of ice on it and sinking it.

"I think I am too impulsive." Karasu said out of the blue.

"If they plan on sinking this vessel they had better send a real demon rather than those pathetic summoned minions." X growled watching the ship aflame.

"I think he's coming this way." X mumbled before heading below deck unwanting to meet the warrior yet.

--------

The berzerker began laughing insanely as the flames absorbed into his skin and ingited his fury. Leaping off his ship most of the fire trailed with him like a cloak that carried him all the way to his enemies' ship.

The fire dissapated as Cadeyrn dropped onto the ship with a loud thud just feet before Karasu.

"What are you doing here Cadeyrn?" Lorathin asked as he looked at the berzerker.

"While they are busy taking care of the fire, I figured this is the last time we could have a chance to talk." He said rising to his feet.

The figure looked nothing like he had before. In a pair of armormed pants only, scars and diseased skin had conquered his barreled chest. Claw and surgical marks littered his arm. The skin between his false arm and elbow was a mix of puss and scabs. He stared forward like a predator through only one eye.

"I can see that Valtrox is taking good care of you." He commented sarcastically. "Do you still think you made the right choice?"

"Most of these wounds were recieved before I met any of you, some while I was on your side as well." He smirked raising his clumsey and awkward metal hand.

"If I don't I will die sooner than I thought, what other choice do I have." Cadeyrn added before holding onto the diseased path of skin slowly making it's way towards his neck.

"There are other ways beside making a deal with a devil after all, but you didn't seem interested." He commented

"Cadey! I just want you to know that I found out Marlene is safe and sound. She will not leave you.

"How you could betray everyone and murder me, one of your good friends, to work for V-Man is beyond me. You know when they are done with you, which will be soon, you are history. Valtrox is not going to help you. Look at yourself!

"And to be dishonorable and try to kill us, your frends, so you could live a little longer... murder me so you can live a while longer? You have no ideals... good nor bad. You just go with whatever... how pointless. And what do you have to show for it?" Karasu spat at him. "Look in a mirror."

Karasu just stood there ready to put up her barrier any time.

"No one has ever found a cure, besides it's not as if I enjoy spending time around Inzikai..." Cadeyrn's eyes got real big before gritting his teeth. "Where's Harlin!"

He slammed his massive blade onto the deck creating a loud boom. He turned his eye towards Karasu coldly.

"I didn't want to fight any of you, but if you remember correctly I believe it was Ar'mai who littered my back with arrows. I watched as you all ganged up on Mave and your honor made me sick." The mercenary growled growing sick of the hypocrisy. "As for killing you Karasu, please understand I didn't know what I was doing. In the heat of battle I become like that."

X poked his head over the railing to see his target up close.

"Well no one doesn't include me as I was doing a little research and unless it's a spiritual corruption affecting the body, then there is a way to cheat the disease." He commented, "And he's somewhere. Oh and someone wants to meet you."

"I do not know. Your presence was not requested. Go back to your buddies." Karasu glared at him her eyes changing as well; solid black. She picked up his sword with two fingers and moved it from where he slammed it.

"Take it easy. Or will you hurt Marlene more?"

"Don't condescend to me Karasu, I was her guardian, I sacrificed more than you know to protect her. It was not my decision to bring her into this." He barked back pulling his blade away. "Part of me wants to thank Harlin, and the other part wants to rip him into parts."


"As for cheating the disease...I won't put my life into theories." He responded passing his glance to the hooded figure staring at him before proceeding below deck again.

"Who was that?" The berzerker asked with hostility in his voice.

"That is the one that wants to meet you, and it isn't a theory. There are those who utilize it moderately regularly. About every century or so." He commented

"If he wants to meet me then he can come up here and face me!" Cadeyrn yelled wondering who it was, his head was the size of Kalzog's, so the mercenary thought it was just a ruse to mess with him.

"Even Dragon's Bane, that is highly doubtful." He shot back.

"It would bypass Dragon's Bane unless as I said, it was a spiritual disease that corrupts the flesh." He replied

"Last I heard it was unstoppable." Cadeyrn replied.

X leaned back and sighed deeply.

"Unless it goes with the soul, it can't really affect another body now can it?" He asked

Karasu flipped to a landing about two stories above the rest of them and looked down on Cadey.

"Cadey? You deserve condescention. Did it ever occur that V-man is going to use you, and not kill you, but torture you for eternity?" Karasu cocked an eyebrow.

"And I do not want to hear any macho 'I can take it' crap.

"You are spiritually corrupt or you would not have betrayed us." she said, disgustedly. "And do not try to justify it with your past."

"It's passed down through blood like a mutation, completely non-contagious, but I'm probably the last one who has it anyway." He answered.

"Possibly, but Valtrox never kidnapped Marlene." Cadeyrn said smuggly. "I'm a mercnary, my allegience is to whoever can pay me more, that is all I am and is all I ever was, you know that."

I wouldn't have joined if I knew it would be like this. Inzikai brought me a way out and I took it without thinking. If I could go back, I would, but it's beyond that now. Besides, if I leave that elf will be at the hands of Inzikai. I won't abandon her at least.

"That's enough you pompous little ass!" X shouted proceeding onto the deck overshadowing the human warrior.

"Then a simply polymorph should counteract it, or failing that the method I was refering to would definately work." He commented

"Even if that did work, I'm in too deep as it is, there's no going back." Cadeyrn said raising his sword toward the large man in front of him. "As for you...I don't like people watching me!"

"I have to wonder if it wasn't the offer of power that made you join Valtrox." X bellowed unflinching as the large blade aimed at him.

"Since you didn't decide to come back to our side, would you mind departing back to your ship?" He asked

Karasu watched intently as X and Cadey exchanged words. Interesting... X seems to know Cadey well enough to know possible motives.

Karasu stood where she was, her arms crossed watching the situation unfold.

Sarik! I will let him sleep. He spent so much energy saving me. The sweetheart. she mused. I will wake him if something happens here.

"I want Marlene bac-" Cadeyrn went unconcious as X moved past his blade and slammed his massive palm into the berzerkers forehead with tremendous force. His limp body rolled across the deck befroe crashing into the railing.

"He won't be going back there anytime soon." The giant bellowed staying frozen in his attacking stand. His arm revealed was covered in a thick crystal like armor matching the scarlet cover of his helm.

Karasu flipped down next to X. "X, what is going on over here? Despite him murdering me, among other things, after I helped him get the wolf demon out of him, I cannot help thinking of the old Cadey." She said sadly.

"I think he puts on a big front... mercenary... blah blah...

"X, will you explain more of this to me?" Karasu asked.

"He made a mistake, but he's too proud to admit it." X said walking over and scooping Cadeyrn's limp body up. "Wait, wolf demon?"

"I'll explain what I can, but most of this is confidential." He said with the warrior slung over shoulder.

"I understand and you have my word that I will tell anyone anything told in confidence." Karasu swore to X. "He was a good friend you know. Then he just betrayed all of us in the middle of a fight. He actually killed me, but someone brought me back. I miss the old Cadey. I think the way he is now, he is destroying Marlene.

"I have a feeling this has more to do with him being a half dragoon..."

"He is a servant of valtrox, it is my mission to bring him back for sentencing." X said coldly before dropping Cadeyrn's body on the deck.

"You should trust your feelings." He added quietly.

"I do, actually." Karasu replied to X.

"You said you were going to tell me a little bit more about this and to keep it to myself. Please go on X?" she asked.

"The main reason we are bringing in Cadeyrn is because he is a half breed: half dragoon and half human. Dragoons are not permitted to bed with mortals under any circumstances; both the parent and the child are sentenced and executed. Unfortunately we don't know who the parent is, just that he is a half breed." X said very softly. "I doubt he'll even be sentenced."

"That seems so wrong to me, X. If you love someone, it should not matter if one is, say elf, and dwarf, or whatever. Call me a romantic, but love is love and is, in my opinion more important than some cryptic rule." Karasu said to X.

"It looks like he will die of that disease, or by the hand of Valtrox anyway... You know, I do not know why I care. He killed me. I guess I cannot accept that what he has become is truly him, X." Karasu looked up to the giant to see what he thought.

"Why would I show love to a guradian of Valtrox and a man who has a history of violence against dragons?" X growled palming Cadeyrn's entire face.

"If the disease does not kill him, nor Valtrox, then I will." The giant said tossing the unconcious warrior aside.

Before sitting down, X unseath his 8 foot scarlet sword and rested it on the deck.

"I don't understand how you can feel sympathy for him. He's a mercenary, he'll go whereever the price is right." The titan said somberly.

"I cannot help but think something else is wrong with him. If not, I... well he was my friend and pledged to...

"I suppose you are right, X." Karasu felt defeated. "So he has killed other dragons, and I was his friend. He was so proud when he thought he killed me. Such cruelty." Her head dropped. "People who seek nothing but power and strength are sad and pathetic.

"He cares much for Marlene, however does not see that he is ruining her."

Karasu sighed. "I suppose you are correct X. You know how you cannot seem to accept some things at times, it is only when I point out his cowardice and lack of honor, trust, honesty, and tell him he is a coward of switching to which ever side is best for him that puts him in a rage and makes me realize the reality.

"He will say at times this was not his choice, but it was. He wants to justify his atrocities." Karasu explained her thoughts to X.

"I am grateful you showed up. None of us can seem to handle him, at least not in my current human state."

Karasu's face suddenly showed alarm. "X! I was never going to transform because I do not know what it may do to my baby! I did transform to fly. I am sure you know I lit their ship on fire. I want someone who can prevent them from doing the same to us, as they did before. Moreover, I would prefer someone who can stop their fire from being put out.

"But I do not know if my baby was harmed!" Karasu's lip quivered.

"I can't stop their firing from being put out, I have the target, my mision is done." X said turning to where he left Cadeyrn only to not find him.

"So what if I killed another dragon, there are worse things I've done. Men, women, children, elf, werewolf, human, lizardmen, ratmen, you name it! I've killed whatever is in my path." Cadeyrn barked while rising to his feet.

"I didn't want to fight you, but Ar'mai was the first to attack me. I would have left without conflict, but you wouldn't let me!" He yelled grasping onto his sword standing proudly. "I just wanted to live! I would have left after my services to Valtrox were complete like all my other masters. Once my diseased was cured I would have returned home in peace."

"Ruining her!? She wants to see me saved and that is all. No harm was coming to her, and now Harlin kidnapped her how do any of you know she is safe?" He asked dragging his swrod behind him loosely with tears in his eyes.

"People like you, who pass judgement, thinking you're so all mighty and invincible. Who are you to pass judegment Karasu?" The mercenary continued walking closer to the group. "You would rather see me dead..."

"That's enough Cadeyrn, just stay down, I would prefer not to hit you again." X said summoning his sword to his hand.

"and you, you cheap shotting son of -" Cadeyrn fell forward coughing heaps of blood and shreds of tissue.

After Xenocrates had cold-cocked Cadeyrn, Lorathin had headed over to the side of the boat. The research he'd conducted in a search for Cadeyrn's 'cure' had reminded him he'd last had one of the foods he liked. Muttering a few words he dived into the depths, stroking downward into the inky depths.

After a bit of swimming, he came to his goal and stripping a number of leaves, he began searching for a couple lobsters. After a few more minutes, he managed to catch two of the sea bugs and began returning to the surface. All told, by the time he'd surfaced, he'd spent close to half an hour underwater.

"Ooh! So proud of everything you killed! Who gives a shit. It means nothing but idiocy. As far as 'rather see you dead', well you did kill me. I do not want to see you at all. Cadey, you are the biggest fool on earth if you think Valtrox will let you go or cure you. How ignorant are you?" Karasu said, disgustedly.

"Who am I to pass judgement? Everything you have done is nothing but selfish! Moreover, your judgement has been way off. Valtrox will not heal you. He will dispatch of you when he is done with you. If you cannot see this..." She shook her head... "Sharp as a marble..." Karasu mumbled as she came to the conclusion that arguing with a moron was useless and a waste of time.

"X, thank you for everything! I appreciate it all so much, and hope we may run into each other some other day." Karasu smiled at X gratefully.

"I must say, we will be happy to be rid of this being who obviously has had too much tripaning. Thank you again." Karasu said.

She turned her back on Cadey and sang as she walked away. Karasu had nothing to say and did not want to hear his flawed logic anymore.

Cadeyrn stumbled to his feet, his chest drenched in blood, he looked like a half decayed corpse. With Karasu walking away he cocked the bolt on his arm and fired a shell staright at her. As the smoke settled, X, had moved into the way without otherwise flinching.

"Speaking of cheap..." The large man grumbled as 7 magic orbs floated above his head each inscribed with a different rune. "I want you to show me how exactly Valtrox can make you powerful, return to your ship."

One of the orbs disapeared as a fiery drake swooped down picking up the berzerker and carrying him back to his ship.

"You damned fool."

"Thank you X. I guess that is twice now." Karasu said as she jumped back down to the deck.

"What in the world makes him think Valtrox will let him live? Look at him now! If Valtrox wanted him as a fighter, he would want him top notch, not falling apart. I do not believe Cadey has the ability to reason anymore... and he is in no way helping Marlene." she said as she looked off in the distance at the burning boat.

"Is there anything more you can tell me? I told you my secret. My guess is you know how that fire started, and that the horse was not involved." Karasu looked down... "Ummm... I am... embarrassingly large... a behemoth, although truly beautiful, but I damage things unwittingly when I transform or fly too low. For this reason I fly higher than most dragons, so that I appear as a bird to those below, or they cannot see me. My power does not diminish with distance. I do not know why I started the fire. They will probably do the same to us.

"I never wanted anyone on this ship to know what I am, and there are only a couple people in my entire life who have ever known. Only a couple on this ship know. If I could transform and fly everyone to the city, we would be there much earlier than Inzi.

"I am concerned that transforming while pregnant may harm the baby, and I was not thinking at the time." Karasu said, worried.

"By the way, why did you let Cadey go, if you have to bring him in?"

Rothargot Had left Cadey's room and returned to his own, he spent his time keeping a watchful eye on the elven prisoner and resting himself.

Eventually he heard a crackling of fire and began to smell smoke, "Has Teralynn attempted to use her fire abilities?" he wondered, he began to walk to her room, but realized it was coming from the deck above. He moved as quickly as he could in the confined space making his way onto the deck.

Seeing it aflame he drew the flames from the deck into a moderately sized ball in his hand. He say Caderyn being carried back to the ship by a drake of fire, as Cadey was deposited, Rothargot absorbed the fire from the drake into the ball and looked curiously at the other ship he thought; 'It must have been one of the mages... perhaps they would like there 'toy' back, with a little extra', angered that they would attack secretly, too cowardly to attackat once. He threw the ball of fire in the direction of their ship, watching it as it flew.

Karasu saw the ball of fire coming... "Can you do anything, or I will!!" She yelled to X.

X did not reply, thus Karasu jumped overboard, and while underwater transformed. She exhaled a huge stream of ice from her massive jaws and stopped the fireball immediately.

Now I have to get onboard somehow without anyone oher than X seeing her.

Karasu swimming as the Black and Gold Dragon, left a huge wake behind her when she tried to get to the top. She would have to swim up vertically and grab a ladder just after changing back, which she did.

Immediately, she grabbed a towel and stayed out of sight of the other ship.

X never answered any of her questions or even responded, although he told her he would give her some information.

At least the returning fireball was dead.

Karasu ran to her room, Sarik still sleeping, and changed into different battle atire and emerged back where X was standing.

The ball of fire had been stopped, Rothargot had watched intently as the jet of ice had flown out of the water... could these enemies have found some new allies? He thought, Perhaps Caderyn will know... at least he can explain what he was doing on their ship.

Leaning over Cadey, Rothargot picked him up and headed below deck, again, laying Caderyn on the bed in his room and splashing some water on him.

"X? X? ... Everything OK?" Karasu asked.

Maverion furrowed his eyebrows briefly, remembering something else. "What happened to everyone else? Teralynn and the others, and the people who attacked us?"

***

Teralynn's room was near the section of the ship that was on fire. She was able to sense the heat on the deck even though it had not quite gotten to her room yet. As the fire slowly spread, she felt the growing warmth of the flames, and she felt more drawn to them than ever before in her life.

She just kept staring at the corner of the ceiling where the most heat was coming from, the palm of one hand reaching out, bathing itself in the welcoming warmth.

And then it was gone.

Tera snapped out of her near trance-like mood and looked around. Everything was cold and dark again. She immediately left her room, and saw Rothargot carrying Cadeyrn down the stairs and into a room. She followed them, seeing an elven woman in the room and wondering what she was doing there. The elf had not attacked, and Rothargot was not alarmed by her presence, so perhaps another person had joined the team?

Teralynn looked back at Cadeyrn, noticing that he was in a much worse shape than before. "What happened to him? Is he alright?"

Cadyern felt as if his chest collapsed into itself. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as the disease moved to his heart immediately causing cardiac arrest. He screamed in agony as it felt as if a vice were wrapped around his chest.

Momoki looked over at the two concernced as the warrior she had come to understand yelled in unimaginable pain.

-----------------

"I want him to see what it is Valtrox does for those in his services..." X mumbled ignoring the giant fireball heading his way.

"X, I think he disposes of them after their use has expired. It is too bad that Cadey has no loyalty. Our group is more likely to have people and magic that might help him. For some reason V-man is letting Cadey rot away." Karasu said looking at the other ship.

"Perhaps he is allowing Cadey to die to affect our team... or Marlene...

"X, you told me you would explain more of this to me. Will you?" Karasu asked.

Lorathin had headed to the galley yet again to begin cooking his fruits of the sea.

"I'll tell you everything I know on the matter, if you can answer me this: why do you think he came back to this ship without the intention to fight?" X said glaring down at her.

"As for the child, is it possible that Inzikai brought her into this to keep Cadeyrn on his side?" He continued with the same stare.

"No intention to fight? He fired some sort of missile at me and called you out" Karasu answered. "I do not know that he did not intend to fight." She glared back.

"Yes, I am sure Inzi did that, however Cadey never had to go to V-Man's side in the first place and Marlene was with him."

Karasu continued. "He is also aware that Marlene is not on Inzi's ship, possibly he suspected she was here, however, I think he was ready to fight anyway." She glared back at X. "And quit looking at me like that."

"If he wanted to fight, he would have done so immediately without introducing himself beforehand. As for the cannon, he fired after I moved in the way. I think he knows who I am..." X growled turning his glance towards the enemy ship.

"True, but do you think his actions just now were some form of an apology?" X asked again trying to figure the berzerker out.

"X, I cannot figure him out anymore. Can he not see he will not be healed. He is going to die... and soon. I do not want Marlene to see him die on the side of evil. It will affect her for the rest of her life." Karasu replied.

"If he wants to apologize, he should just do so. I seriously wonder if his brain is affected by this disease he has. I would like him to die with honor, if not for his own sake, for Marlene's sake. Inzikai is only encouraging him to do what he wants, which is not much considering his condition.

"And, he fired that cannon at me prior to you stepping in the way. I think he knows I speak the truth and he cannot stand hearing it. He and I were good friends, and now he hates me more than anyone, and I think it is because of what I said to him. I think it really got to him, because as much as he will not admit it, he knows it is the truth.

"Mercenary or not, you do not go from fighting with someone against someone to killing your comrade. That is exactly what he did to me in the library. He murdered me and then bragged about how he killed a dragon... he knew I was pregnant also. A healer brought me back. He went crazy on me after I told him exactly what he was doing. If not for Kalzog, I would likely not been able to have been brought back." Karasu explained.

"The girl is unimportant as of now, as you said she was far away and knows of none of this." X said with no hint of sympathy in his voice.

"Mercenary's are bound by no honor Karasu, and even lower, he is human. An arrogant, stubborn, and destructive beast they are. What more could you expect from that traitorous dog?" The giant growled seathing his titanic blade instantly. "After hearing your testimony against him, it has become clear that he is seeking power as well as a cure. A human with such strength and such a short life time filled with such accomplishments can only dream of immortality. That is what he wants..."

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Marlene trudged back to her 'cell' having taken her fill of knowlege. Quickly she passed out on the cot and dreamt again.

Two bodies: one disguised as a snake, the other a snake disguised. Both voices strangely familiar, both faces barely recognizable.

The child breaks into a cold sweat as she continues her nightmare.

"Immortality is the last thing he will ever get. He has been promised much power and a cure, and so far, he has been blessed with neither. Inzi will do away with him soon, I believe. Power is useless unless you can use it to better the world in some way. This is what I believe and how I live.

"As far as humans go... I am a protector of humans, and a good share are the kindest beings you would ever want to meet. I think you know that." Karasu stated.

"X, there is such viciousness in your voice toward Cadey. Understandable, however, this seems personal. Have you run across him in the past? By the conversation I heard between the two of you, and Cadey yelling for you as soon as he got here, I believe you know each other. Correct?" Karasu asked.

"Would you do me a favor and relax a bit. You have some reason to be very angry with him... we all do... Please just do not take it out on others."

"Inzikai is a pawn like the rest of them. Whomever Valtrox favors is whomever is the strongest. I believe in a perfect balance between good and evil, our lives are dictated by the invisible hand that guides our every action." X said pulling back his hood revealing his ornate crimson helm.

"Humans act like cattle or saints from what I've seen." He added turning his gaze towards Karasu, through his dragon shaped helm, his bright red eyes pierced whatever his glance fell upon. "He is a dragoon by blood, it would not surprise me if he feels he knows me somehow. Our kind have a sense for each other do we not?"

It has already gone on too long...

"He is a traitor and a sinful half breed, and had I not such a deep sense of justice...I would have split him in two while he was here." The titan's deep voice growled with uneven pitch.

"You have not seen quite enough humans, if that is your view, X.

"I am going to go somewhere where the hate is not building up, and I know there is more to this, but I will leave that to you." Karasu said as she turned and walked away.

She jumped on the railing and did a series of handsprings and flips. Airborne.

You're in too deep, there's no going back, so the least you can do is be a good dog before you're put to rest. Go out with a bang so people will remember you; like you always dreamt.

That isn't what I want...

-------------------

Too many people know too much, only the two have to die and no more. My hands are bloody enough as it is, I won't let this be the end of me. After losing her I can't feel any worse.

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What does all this mean? Why am I hearing all this?

Marlene snapped out of her bed and sprinted out the door to her cell.