The Battles of Haven: RP

[Hyzenthlay]

Skye stood shaking and looking over the side of the ship at the towns and islands that passed below. Her long golden hair blew in a gentle summer breeze. The voyage had already taken longer than expected and her homesickness was becoming unbearable. A warm tear rolled down her cold red cheek, she blew it from the bow with a sigh.

"Please, cheer up Skye" she heard a voice say sympathetically from behind her.

She turned around and saw her sister Erin stood there. Another tear rolled down her cheek and hit the woodwork with a gentle pat.

"Oh Skye" said Erin sympathetically putting her hand on Skye's shoulder and pulling her into a hug.

"I-I can't bear this anymore Erin it-it's just too much" Snivelled Skye, a third tear hit the deck.

"It'll be okay Skye. We only have on eplace left to visit. We will reach Raino soon, I promise"

Sky nodded at her sister in agreement but secretly she knew that Erin too wanted nothing more than to get quickly and safely back on land at Raino, she just put on a brave face for Skye's sake. Erin pulled away from the hug, she handed Skye a hankerchief and laughed,

"Now, cheer up before I throw you overboard" she joked smiling, Skye smiled back.

Suddenly the ship jolted and Erin and Skye stumbled and fell onto the deck, Erin immediatly sprang to her feet and shouted up to the nest,

"What's going on, did we hit something?"

The lookout turned to her and yelled back,

"No ma'am, air pirates to port. They have opened fire on us".

Erin turned to Skye, she saw the horror in her eyes,

"Skye, get to the lifeboats, now" Erin turned to the direction of the cargo bay and sprinted away withdrawing her sword as she ran.

Skyes heart pounded, she heard the bloodflow in her head and every thought jumbled with panic. One image shone clear, the captain, 'I must save the captain' she thought and without further hesitation she ran in the direction of his cabin. As she approached she stopped dead in her tracks, her mouth flew open with shock, debris lay spread across the deck, it hung in the rigging, all the crew here had been obliterated. She grabbed the handle of the captains quarters and turned tugging it, it was stuck firm. She stepped back and rammed it hard with her shoulder, she fell through and hard onto the floor. The problem was apparent from the very first glance, the port side of the room was devistated and the remains lay in piles that had blocked the door. She heard footsteps from behind her and crawled into a pile of rubble nearby. Two figures entered the room, a very tall man with a gaunt face and docile look about him and a small man with a scarred, bearded face and a limp in his left leg. The tall one spoke first, his voice dull and gormless,

"That little lady gave us a struggle huh?" he said giggling childishly and looking at the other man.

"Hush Willie. The cap'n's missun" said the other through his thick, black beard.

The tall man knelt down, he clumsily reached out for something in the rubble nearby to Erin stretching his fingers,

"What if had done forgotton our deal, eh?" he said in the same droning voice.

A third figure entered the room, the tall man turned sharply,

"Oh, hullo Captain" he said again smiling stupidly.

Skye gasped,

"No, Captain" she uttered under her breath.

The tall gaunt pirate rose to his feet with a spyglass he had found in hand.

"Wi thought yer had f'gotten 'bout us there fer a bit" said the bearded pirate.

"Oh, come now Francis. How ever would I manage that?" Replied the articulate voice of captain Lialli.

The tall pirate cleaned his find on his shirt sleeve,

"Wull it wouldnt be the firs' time" he said smiling dopeishly.

Skye grew uneasy and moved slightly causing some rubble to fall. The men looked over scanning over the rubble before turning back to eachother and going back to their talk.

"Do you have our goods?" asked Francis impatiently.

"It's below deck, in the cargo hold" replied Lialli again smiling.

He turned to lead the way and Francis followed, he turned his head,

"Come Willie" he ordered as if there were a dog in the room, the tall pirate followed still admiring the spyglass.

Skye was almost drawn to follow. She wanted to know what her 'hero', the only man she had looked up to was getting himself caught up in. She edged herself out of the rubble stopping occasionally if she heard footsteps closeby. She tiptoed over to the door and looked through a tiny hole, the coast was clear. The run to the cargo room steps seemed to take alot longer than usual but she made it without being seen. Again horror struck her as she reached the open area where the stairs lay, mutilated bodyparts and bodies lay bloody on the ground around her, her fellow shipmates. She felt a tear swell in her eye-corner, she shook her head and withdrew her longsword heading down the steps slowly, carefully placing her feet onto each step so as to avoid detection due to sound. The hot air of the engine room hit her face, she could smell the familier smell of the oil and coal powered engines and the droning sound of the machines at work. Familiarity sprang on her again as she saw nobody was spared down here either, were there any survivors? Suddenly she heard talking from within the cargo room and the shrill cries of pain that accompanied gormless shouts. Skye tarried a while before quickly springing in amoungst some crates and listening intently to the conversation. It appeared four people were talking amoungst themselves.

"What is the code lady? Tell me or i'll hurt you again"

"Now, now Willie. The girl is only doing her job".

Skye recognised the refined voice of intellect from Captain Lialli and the dull seemingly controlled voice of Willie. She peeked her head slowly over the edge of the crates. Her stomach lurched at what she saw, Erin had been captured. She lay tied up alongside the other ranking officers, guarded by soldiers of a strange uniform.

"Look cap'n we are ni strangers ti this jus' let us handle the girl"

Erin now saw Francis stood in a darkened far corner smoking a cigar in the shadows.

"And I know my own crew, Francis" Skye detected a slight his in Captain Lialli's reply, "Erin will never give her code, I have trained her and all my previous first mates well" finished the Captain.

At this Willie quickly withdrew a sword from a scabbard on his black belt and held it to Skye's throat,

"Then I kill her?" he said looking at Francis as if for approval.

"Don't be a fool. Then our prize will be forever trapped in that infernal safe" spat Captain Lialli looking from Willie to Francis.

Willie withdrew the blade and cracked her with the hilt, a wail of pain followed as Erin spluttered blood onto the deck and hang her head panting.

"Fools. I'll have no part in this" said Lialli again turning to leave.

"Okay. Then we canne let yi leave" smirked Willie dropping his cigar and silencing its ember with his boot toe, he withdrew a cutlass with a smile of golden teeth, "case the good name of our land be tarnished".

Lialli gritted his teeth looking over his shoulder, "fine, but I do teh questioning, understand?" he spoke turning.

Willie stepped back at Francis's hand command and let Lialli pass him. Lialli knelt down close to Erins ear. Skye couldnt hear what was said but Erin looked up at him through bruised eyes. A tear rolled down her bloody cheek as she began to sob,

"You wouldn't. You can't" she whined.

"Oh, but we will" Lialli raised his fingers and clicked them,

Skye felt arms grapple her from behind and she was dragged out into the open and thrown down beside Willie.

"If you make us, we will" continued the Captain, his voice was almost with that of remorse.

Skye looked around, she realised she had been followed and hung her head in shame.

"Give us the code Erin. Theres a good girl. There needn't be any reason to hurt your sister, needn't there?" spoke the Captain craftily.

Erin bowed her head in defeat and sighed, "1-0-2----8-8" she said, he voice weak and shakey.

The Captain smiled and took a sharp breath with a look of victory on his face, he turned to Francis.

"There we are. Let them go" he smiled.

"See here Lialli. I'll give the orders here" a sinister yet intellectual voice broke through the conversation with ease, before she had even looked around Skye sensed teh superiority of the man behind her.

As she turned her vision was correct and then some. A tall well groomed figure clad in black armour with a silver cloak stood in the doorway, his handsome features adorned a faint smile and an essence of elegance radiated from his being.

"L-Lord Ramirez. My Lord I had no idea you would have graced us with your presence here" stuttered Captain Lialli.

"Please, don't be so eager to be a lapdog Lialli. I have no time for imbaciles who tremble so" Ramirez stopped and looked down at Skye, "this useless one may go. The others will stay" he continued, he then took a step forward and Skye saw a great bulk of a figure standing beside him. The mans face was covered with a mask, a long katana-like sword hung in his hand at the side.

"Loché. Dispose of these infidels" ordered Ramirez turning to exit, "the young girl is to be left to go, understood?"

The masked man nodded and rounded on Erin, as he did so Lialli withdrew a cutlass and lunged for him. Loché simly jumped nimbly to the side and rammed his sword into the body of the Captain. Lialli lay against Erin cradled in her arms, Skye looked at them to terrified to even speak.

"You, why?" spoke Lialli as blood trickled in streams from his mouth.

Ramirez grinned without turning to face the Captain.

"Why. I punish piracy with death. I have dubbe dyou pirates and so you will be treated as such. With death" the grin left his face and he exited dissapearing around the corner.

"Thats crazy, you are all pirates the whole lot of you. What you are doing, this is piracy" uttered Lialli right before the blade of Loché entered his ribcage silencing his breath.

Francis followed Ramirez and ordered Willie to carry Skye from the room, Willie obeyed dragging Skye through the doorway by her hair. Skye just saw her sister and a few others stand and her sister took up Lialli's sword, then she was on the stairs. Willie dragged her to a lifeboat and tossed her inside before hitting her over the head with is sword hilt knocking her unconcious.

Skye awoke knocking into Jordales east dock, her head ached and she staggered from the tiny rowboat. She fell hard on the rocky dockland and looked up from a kneebound position as she leaned heavily on her hands, she looked up just as the great trade vessel the falcon sank below the sky in roaring flames. The rest of the surviving crew also stood around her looking upwards horrorstruck. The amber fires shone bright in Skye's crying sapphire blue eyes. She felt a sick feeling come over her as she realised, she'd never see Erin or the Captain again.

[Musicmuse]

"You'd think after three hundred years she'd learn be on time," Kaleel Muriir muttered to his wife Celedonna. "After all, it's not like we haven't made the pilgrimage before."

Celedonna smiled gently as she continued to tie the drawstrings on a velvet satchel. She knew her daughter Valeria was probably off wreaking havoc on some unsuspecting citizen, but it wasn't because Valeria was an evil girl -- it was simply her nature to be mischievous. "She'll be here before we leave, Kaleel," was the soothing response she gave to her worried husband. She patted the satchel gingerly and handed it to her husband. "Make sure this is not banged around during our journey. It's a present for Senator Frenze."

Kaleel nodded and took the package carefully from his wife. 'I'll have the crew put it in a safe place then." He exited the room toward the family's private hanger toward their airship, the Dahlia, to see to it that this token of good will made it to Reesa in one piece.

Celedonna proceeded to tidy up her kitchen as she hummed softly to herself. She was looking forward to seeing her Senator Frenze again. He had long been a close family friend and had even helped get Valeria out of legal trouble on a few trips to Reesa before. No matter where they went Valeria seemed to have a knack for breaking the rules. She was no longer a child, but still far from being a responsible adult. But she was only 309, so these sort of things were still expected. Celedonna herself had been a rebellious little thing in her younger days too, so it was easy for her to relate to Valeria. Kaleel, however, had never been a troublemaker. Celedonna laughed to herself to even think of him defying anyone, so in that way it was harder for him to understand why his daughter was such a spitfire.

The front door creaked open and without looking up Celedonna knew Valeria had just arrived home. "We'll be leaving in just a bit," she called out. "Please change into your robes -- I've already had your things put aboard the Dahlia, so no need to worry about that."

Valeria wandered into the kitchen area. The sunlight was beaming through the thatched wooden windows and the simple silk curtains blew lazily in the warm breeze. "Why do I have to go?" she asked her mother impatiently.

"Because if we leave you here we'll have to clean up the mess you make while we're gone," Kaleel answered as he strolled back into the house. "Now please get your things ready."

"Mom did it already," Valeria answered in an annoyed tone.

"She's just going to change into her robes now," Celedonna said with a gently urging look toward her daughter. Valeria sighed heavily and made her way to her bedroom. There was no use in arguing with her mother, since she was one of the few people who would stand up for Valeria's independent nature.

***

The Dahlia rose silently into the air and soared off into the cloud-patched sky. It's royal blue paint glimmered in the sunlight, and the small craft's engines growled softly as it was propelled northeast toward the Dro-Tal Isles. The cabin was small but not cramped, and the Muriir Clan sat comfortably inside as Valeria's parents discussed their excitement about the pilgrimage.

Valeria peered out of the window, uninterested in her family's conversation. To her the monasteries of Reesa were boring and far too strict. She would much rather be exploring the ruins of Raagi or roaming through the more forgotten parts of the Balthian forest... but the pilgrimage was customary and it was no use trying to get out of going. Valeria watched the ocean of air mingle with the clouds beneath the ship and blocked out the sound of her father's droning voice.

Perhaps this time something exciting would happen at the monasteries of Reesa...

[DragonHeart]

A falcon soared lazily in the sweeping midday thermals, a dark blur against bright azure. It wheeled and danced in the hot summer wind with enviable grace. It hovered for a moment, floating hundreds of feet above the fields. Flight, the absolute freedom. A quick snap of the wings, a twist of the tail, and it streaked toward the earth with a force humans could only dream of. The fastest animal in the world, fierce and elegant. Perfect.

“Out here again, Drake? You’re supposed to be on guard duty, you know,” A startled flutter of wings and the dream vanished, chased away by a gruff old voice.

“I’m a knight. I’m here to defend the helpless little children and pure virgin ladies from the hordes of rampaging barbarians, not stand around for hours in that hot, rickety junk you call armor.” Drake sat up with an overly dramatic sigh, brushing stray pieces of grass out of his wild brown hair. Even in his late twenties he still looked like a teen, with gentle features and a soft-spoken voice to match.

“You’re a bit old to be believing in that drivel. Besides, I have a report here that may interest you.”

“And what report might that be, General?”

“Remember the knight-turned-mercenary from a few years back? Seems she might be staying here.”

Drake stood, his demeanor changing from whimsical amusement to focused intensity. Even the general blanched, still taken aback by his peculiar ability to change moods instantly. He took the offered file, amber eyes flicking across the pages. His expression grew somber. The report was returned after a minute or so, Drake running a hand through his hair as he thought the situation over.

“When did this come in?”

“About an hour ago. Are you going?”

“Yes.” Drake strode past his superior, completely ignoring him now. His fingertips brushed the hilt of his kodachi, sheathed comfortably on his right hip. A not-quite sword perfectly matched to a not-quite solider. Although he carried the required full katana on his left, it was that two-foot blade that made him so deadly. And, if necessary, that same two-foot blade would avenge Raven, lost in the chaos of that bloody night. The Peregrine was ready to hunt.

[Fehrant]

A woman walked amidst the noisy crowd of the ever busy merchant town of Jordale. Everyone was too occupied buying and selling to notice the woman. This town was also an excellent place for taverns, and the reason for Captain Ral'Antar to be here. She smirked. That, and the fact that she was still considered a religious criminal at large.

When the narrow open-market streets ended, the streets grew wider and actual buildings stood at either side. The smell of all sorts of food filled the air, and made her stomach rumble. However, Kaysha was in a tight spot, she realized, as her hand trifled with her two last remaining coins in the pocket of her read coat.

Now that the place wasn't so busy, Captain Ral'Antar started to get some glances, which was to be expected. She was wearing her red coat, and her red captain hat. She wasn't as famous as to be recognized everywhere, especially not in this place, so she knew the glances she was getting were probably from bored people, and lewd men.

Being there so many bars, she decided to enter one that would pique her interest, and wouldn't look too fancy. In the corner of a street, almost unnoticed, she spotted a sign, "the Wasted Goat". Kaysha smirked once again, and pushed the doors aside, going into the bar.

Inside, people were just drinking and minding their own business, not even bothering to look at Kaysha. At the bar, a very fat man sat impossibly on a small stool, talking to the barman and drinking alcohol like it was water. Captain Ral'Antar sat next to him, and faced the barman.

"Gimme the strongest drink ye 'ave, mate," she said with her Triaan accent, and her pirate dialect.

"You aren't cut enough for that, lady," added the fat man.

Kaysha stared at him with her charismatic red eyes, defiant. "Ye want to bet o' that, ye fat arse?"

"Who you calling fatass?!" Blurted the ironically fat man.

"Yer stupid too? Who else has a fat arse 'round here? Yer in o' not?"

"Damn right I'm in." He smirked. "Whoever loses, pays the bill."

Kaysha returned the grin. "Hope ye 'ave 'nough gold on yer pockets, fatty."

The fatman looked at the barman. "Herny, let's start with some beer." The barman nodded, and handed each one a jug. They both drank one after the other, changing drinks eventually, and each time getting something stronger. By the tenth drink, they were both totally wasted. The fatman fell face on the table, and the flat on his back, passing out.

"I winnnnnnnnn *hic* I winnnnnnnn," said Kaysha totally drunk. "He'll get the *hic* bill fer ye," she told the barman as she exited the bar with a bottle of some alcoholic beverage. She walked randomly still drink, and had somehow made it to the docks.

"I'm not feel'n so good..." Captain Ral'Antar leaned and threw up. As she slowly regained her composure again, she noticed a girl was staring at her. "Not a pretty sight, eh?" She confessed to her. She tried reaching the girl, though still a little tipsy. The girl was crying for some reason, and was laying next to a boat.

"Somethin' the matter?"

[Acheron]

The place that used to be a fairly busy town with people running in and out of it had been reduced to a nothing but rubble and relics of what used to be; this was the town known as the Ruins of Kano. It wasn't unsual for people to visit the ruins but the reasoning for doing so was always different, sometimes it would be visiting professors and students learning about the history of the land but most of the time it was just scavengers trying to find something that they could sell to the highest bidder once they arrived home. There were only two people at the ruins today though, as it seemed like the not so amazing weather of the day had kept people at home.

Two of the knights of the kingdom had been walking around the ruins for what seemed like forever but it had only been two hours. They had come because the higher ranking of the two, Zajan, wanted to come visit his old hometown on his birthday. He had come with one of his younger friends, an eager footsoldier named Thomas who had taken to Zajan since he met him a year ago. This had been Thomas's first time in Kano, he was enjoying the time in a place that had so much history, especially considering that all travel to the ruins was going to be made off limits within a few months. A history lesson for one of them and an awkward birthday for the other, but as Zajan walked around the ruins in his armor with Thomas, he didn't seem too upset about being here.

"As strange as it sounds, for all the chaos that's still on display here, it's one of the few places in this world that I feel at peace around", Zajan bent down to pick up a piece of charred rock with his gauntlet covered hand, the claw like fingers crushed the rock once he squeezed it in his palm.

"What about the airship's Sir, you don't find them to be very peaceful?"

"There's always too much going on Thomas, you'll soon find that out when you're on a ship for more than just a transport, no offense of course. A huge difference between being in a place of peace and a peaceful state, at least I think so but that doesn't matter, I'm just rambling on right now.", Zajan didn't see the point of staying too much longer so he and Thomas started out of the ruins, heading towards a small airship that they had taken to get to the ruins.

"You think next year we could just get you a birthday cake Sir, this is something of a depressing trip..Sorry to complain."

Zajan let out a fair laugh, "Haha yeah...Don't worry about it Tom, I think a cake will be just fine next year...If we're around for it haha."

[Hyzenthlay]

Skye heard a voice from beside her, she looked to the side slightly before looking back at the ship sinking below the clouds. She extended a finger for the girl to acknowledge what was happening. The other girl looked, as she did a crowd screamed as the town began to see what had happened, the distant ship began to fall from sight and soldiers and civilians alike watched on with shock. The obviously drunk girl beside her now sat in silence, as did the rest of the onlookers. Unfortunatly teh blissful silence soon ended and rumours began to spread already.

"I heard its a sign from Alanthil herself, a messenger sent to punish the Captains greed"

"No no no, it was air pirates out to plunder again"

"Something inside it just exploded, Jack told me he saw the mast of a military vessel close by"

Skye tried to block out these sounds, she closed her eyes and leaned back on her knees taking the weight from her arms, tears flowed freely from her and made her cheeks glisten in the light. She wiped her eyes and opened them. The sounds of the town were heard again,

"Come now officer. I want more information. I would like to know now before I set sail exactly what the dangers are. I'm carrying some important cargo ya know. I can't have pirates pestering me before I even leave our borders"

"Calm down sir. It's all under control Captain Hanson from Triaan is coming down with embassy today you know. No need to panic all will be fine then. We have Lord Ramirez's complete supervision whilst we get our 3rd armada back from patrol"

"I can't wait another second. Don't you see?" Skye saw a disgruntled tradeship captain march by her in an obvious mood before closing her eyes again.

Skye shook her head, 'If only they knew that Ramirez was behind this, they wouldnt be so sure of his assistance' she thought. The girl beside her spoke again,

"Somethin' the matter?" she repeated looking at Skye, who had sensed her Triaan accent and thought it best not to mention exactly what had happened.

Skye simply looked over at where the ship had dissapeared beneith the cloud and said in a croaky upset voice,

"My sister was aboard that ship" she hung her head feeling her throat compress with a involuntary mourning.

The girl seemed to understand right away. Skye got to her feet, her legs wobbling and her eyes blurry and her pupils dilated, she was clearly concussed, she turned her head seeing an inn. The letters of the inn were blurred and it almost looked as if the tavern were called, 'The Washed Coat' Skye felt her head as it began to feel like it was enclosing around her brain, she stumbled a few feet before falling onto her knee's cutting them under the stones of the cobbled street. She looked up and teh woman was standing in front of her swaying,

"Could you help me? I-I'm afraid I feel quite ill" asked Skye helplessly.

The woman hiccoughed and took her by the forearm, as she did so the soldier from before ran up and helped, he was accompanied by another solider, probably his partner.

"Whoa there little lady. Whatever happened to you? You wernt aboard the Falcon were you? Ar you okay" he asked earnestly.

Skye nodded, "I was aboard yes. I was aboard" she admitted fighting back the tears which tickled her nose willing her to let them free.

"Good grief. Frank write that down, we finally have another survivor" he said again.

"Yessir" replied the other soldier writing it down in a notebook.

"Now miss. If you would, please tell us all you know, for our report" added the first soldier.

"I-I cant, I don't remember much, I need to rest" lied Skye staggering forward toward the tavern.

Afterall, nobody would believe her. Triaan being pirates, the idea even seemed stupid in her head, and she'd seen it happen. How would she convince them? She had to tell the Queen somehow. Her mind then remembered the code her sister had given, what could that have been for? What was so important to Ramirez that he would risk open war with the Valarai kingdom? When they finally reached the tavern the soldiers split off and back to their posts, however the girl walked Skye up the stairs and into a room, where Skye fell on the bed exhausted and sat trying to stay awake. The imaged flashed in her mind of Lialli being stabbed, his life being taken away by those who had always been seen as most trustable. The fires of the ship, the cries of pain as her sister fought to keep her code. Skye felt so stupid for letting herself be caught, with that, she fell asleep.

[Mistress Sheena]

Theme: THE STRiPES – Burst Angel – Loosey

Shino slept soundly on the dock of the ship that left Raino a long while ago. She heard that there was one more stop before it headed back home. Most of the staff on the ship was busy doing something or other while Shino was just hired to protect the ship if it got hijacked. She yawned, looking around the ship with indifference in her eye.

Once in a while a few people would make snide remarks about her. She paid them no mind because her personality didn’t allow it. She scratched her backside while she heard shots coming toward the ship from the port side. Now if only she remembered which side was port and which side was starboard. She looked both ways and found it to her left, which if she faced the opposite direction, would be the port side. She stood up from her slumber spot and stretched as if nothing were wrong. The ship got boarded a few moments later as if it was going to be robbed.

Her instincts told her otherwise. The hoard of grunts that boarded was just a distraction from the real objective. From the corner of her eye, she noticed two key figures walking past the riot and into the depths of the airship. She decided to follow and as she walked toward the other end of the ship, she got attacked by an onslaught of grunts.

The grunts didn’t stop her from getting to her objective as she just slew them one by one as they came at her. Once she reached the door to the depths of the ship, she ripped a piece of cloth from one of the grunts’ shirts and wiped the blood from her blade and sheathed her blade back into its home.

She opened the door without going through it and saw a blade slice down like a guillotine. She kicked the bastard in the gut and sent him rolling down the stairs into the darkness. She hopped down the rest of the stairs and rushed down the hallway. She decapitated any and all opposition that was in the way. She stopped in her tracks at the end and noticed some of the crew was captured instead of killed.

She listened in on the conversation to see what their mission was. Since the ship’s captain was involved in this attack, there had to be some major scheme in the works. She memorized the code she heard the tortured girl reveal. It held great importance; not only to the pirates, but to her, if she were to foil their plans before they could go under way. She had to discover the truth somehow and beat them to it.

They decided to let Skye go and dragged her back outside. Shino hid out of sight. As the pirate walked past with Skye in hand, she used her greatest agility to release the crew from their binds without beings noticed and raced back out to where Skye was. He went through the door and dragged Skye to an escape boat and knocked her unconscious. Moments before he let the boat drift away mindlessly, she revealed herself and knocked him away. While Skye remained unconscious, she directed the boat’s trajectory to land in the vicinity of the Jordales docks; for she knew of someone there that could help Skye out. She had her own things to take care of for now.

She went to the other side of the ship to where the other escape boat is and shifted its trajectory to land in Raino. Just as Shino released her boat from the ship’s grasp, part of it exploded and set it ablaze. She hoped everyone escaped alright, or if they were even able to at all. She bit her lip as she drifted away from the blazing inferno of a ship. It was a short job, but she met some nice people. She saluted the ship as it sank beneath the clouds.

After several slow hours, she finally reached the shore of Raino village. She hopped off the ship and dashed to her temporary home in Raino and plopped on her bed. She decided to take a meditation nap to figure things out and where to go from here.

[DragonHeart]

Drake flopped down in the shade of a dockside warehouse. Sweat dripped down his forehead, stinging his eyes. He’d searched all of Raino by now, and still no sign of her. No one seemed to recall someone of her description in the area recently, either. Then again, the people here were far more trusting than those back home. It would be easy for one like her to live on the edge of town and escape notice.

Did I overlook something? Impossible…

The familiar thrum of an airship engine interrupted his thoughts. It sounded strange, the noise pitched too high for the cargo ships and too slow for a military vessel. He shaded his eyes, seeking the source. A very small craft descended from the northwest, wobbling uncomfortably as it set down on a dock designed for much larger ships. Although the design was slightly different, he recognized the basic structure of a lifeboat.

Normally he’d be the first to offer aid, but instinct warned him away. He kept to the shadows, watching the lone occupant disembark. She glanced around suspiciously; luckily she didn’t notice the knight crouched at the other end of the dock. Satisfied, she suddenly dashed off, running right past him before disappearing around the corner.

He’d only caught a glimpse, but Drake would have recognized that speed anywhere.

Shino.

He had his kodachi half unsheathed before he realized what he was doing. Now was not the time or the place to be charging recklessly into a battle. Resolved, he followed her instead, easily keeping pace. She entered a house he’d thought was abandoned, confirming his theory. She’d been right in front of him the entire time. How could he miss something so simple?

Confident that he’d be able to find her again, Drake turned away, heading back toward the dock. Something had obviously happened, and he needed to know what. Revenge would have to wait; in this situation he was VR Knight Peregrine first, and Drake Alcander second, after all.

[Musicmuse]

The Dahlia slid majestically through the clouds as it descended upon the Dro-Tal Isles. A towering stone structure soared above the other domed houses and shops, and the slate colored stones that made up this immense tower were choked with clinging ivy that crept up the surface and embedded itself among the cracks. The sunlight seemed to pour directly from the heavens onto this tower, and rightly so -- this was the Bailong Temple, the main monastery in the Dro-Tal Isles, and home to Pope Cal-Illya VI. Even the tallest trees were dwarfed by the size of the main tower, and nearby the Vail of Yuan stood proudly with his stone features set in a peaceful look of reverence and wisdom.

The Muriir clan's ship touched down in the local hanger, and Kaleel led his family down the long bustling aerodome walkway and toward the warm smile of an elven man in silver robes.

"Frenze!" Kaleel spoke happily and with an outstretched arm. The two men shook hands in a very formal manner, but it was clear from the excitement in Kaleel's voice that they were very old friends.

"Thought you'd be getting in about now," Senator Frenze responded with a polite smile and twinkling eyes. "I hope your trip was pleasant?"

As they spoke, Valeria's eyes sized up the two men alongside Senator Frenze. They were obviously Papal Knights, the elite and small-scale military force that was designated to protect the important religious figures of Dro-Tal. Their gaze was cold and unwavering, and their lances were planted firmly at their sides in a show of respect.

"And Valeria is looking even wiser than the last time we met," Frenze added politely. Valeria knew he was saying this only as a courtesy because she distinctly remembered him having to speak to more than one citizen about her bad behavior on the family's last pilgrimage. Frenze had easily cleared her name, though, and although Kaleel and Celedonna were horrified by her antics Frenze had secretly told her that she had the spirit of a great adventurer. Valeria smiled widely at the senator and wiped her tangled hair out of her face.

"I do have a few matters to discuss with your parents, though," Senator Frenze explained quickly, "so I've arranged a guide to escort you around the grounds while we're meeting."

Valeria's heart sank. Apparently he appreciated her spirit but wished to keep it in check this time. Frenze introduced a young man Valeria hadn't noticed at first. His name was Xadir, he was a human boy who looked to be about 19, and he had very neatly cut blonde hair and an athletic build. His posture told Valeria that this boy was probably a Papal Knight in training, and Xadir's straight face and steely eyes also told her that he would most likely not appreciate neither her spirit nor her presence.

"I'm going to be babysat by a kid?" Valeria muttered, but a bit too loudly because Kaleel's face paled immediately and Frenze's smile turned from warm to forced.

"Valeria," Kaleel said through pained chuckles, "you're hardly one to talk. In fact, I think in human years you'd be younger than Xadir here..."

Valeria bit her lip to prevent herself from being rude, but it took all of her willpower. She felt bad a second later when Xadir simply replied to her insult with "Miss Valeria I will be sure not to overstep my boundaries with you. I am merely your guide."

Kaleel and Celedonna beamed at this prime example of what manners were and nodded to Xadir as he crossed from Senator Frenze's side to stand next to Valeria. Senator Frenze motioned for Kaleel and Celedonna to follow him, and the three of them headed off with the two Papal Knights in toe, leaving Valeria and Xadir standing at the entrance of the aerodome.

[Fehrant]

After having dropped the girl atop the bed, she closed the door, and passed out too. She woke up sitting on the floor with her back against the door as a solid knock came, pounding on her head due to the hangover's side-effects. Kaysha grumbled and got up, realizing the girl was sound asleep, and she had no intention of disturbing that. Captain Ral'Antar opened the door, only to meet the two guards that had wanted to ask questions to the girl before. The Captain made her way out, forcing the two eager men to back off.

"Ahoy! What the bloody hell do ye be want'n?" She questioned.

The two guards looked at each other as if thinking the same. The strong accent, and the pirate dialect were blatantly evident. "We need to talk to the girl," explained the higher ranking one.

"She be sleep'n, ye scurvy idiots," she replied. "Sod off."

"I am sorry," explained the guard, "but our superiors demand we talk to..."

"Blarg!" She interject. "I ain't answer'n t' no one. Girl be sleep'n, now sod the bloody hell off 'fore I be bust'n yer bloody caps."

The guard grinned. "You answer to no one?" He replied sardonically. "What are you, some type of pirate or outlaw?"

Kaysha grinned proudly, her red eyes shining. "As a matter o' fact, matey, I am."

"Oh?" Mused the guard continuing the game. "And what would this pirate's name be? Where is the boat and the crew?"

"Me crew be out, but that be no bloody matter. Me name be Kaysha Ral'Antar, cap'n of the bloody Demon Sharks, and ye'll do well t' remember that, or ye'll end up eat'n shit from yer own arse."

The guard fainted a smile, obviously displeased at the verbal assault and defiance of his authority, however small it might be. "Got anything to prove this?" He added, vile poison in his tongue.

Kaysha turned around, and fixed her long hair over her shoulders, revealing the back of her coat. In there, an emblem of a horned shark was sewn. The guard looked unimpressed. The guard behind him tapped his shoulder. "What is it, Frank?" The higher ranking guard replied not taking the eyes of Kaysha who had turned to face him again. "Sir," Frank whispered in his ear. "I think she actually is telling the truth... that symbol, that hair and eyes... it all matches from what I've have heard."

"It makes no difference," the guard replied to Frank. "This town welcomes anyone, no matter their status, as long as they have their gold ready." He faced the pirate now. "However, there is a certain authority that needs to be..." Frank tapped his shoulder again, the guard feeling annoyed at the interruption. "What is it now, Frank?!"

Frank swallowed. "There's a huge bounty for her."

At this point, Kaysha smirked wickedly. "Aye, but there ain't a bloody thing ye pansies can do 'bout it. Now be on yer way, ye pester'n rats."

"Frank, help me restrain her," the guard ordered. Before they began to surround her, the captain took both their heads and slammed them together. "Told ye," she said, donned her hat, and went downstairs. As she started to ponder of a how to get a boat, Frank had ran down the stairs and screamed, "hold her!!" Kaysha turned to face him with a grin. The patrons, and people at the bar looked confused unsure of what action to take. Finally the fat man who had competed against the captain stood up, and approacher her slowly. She unsheathed her saber, making him stop. "Ye better stop; like drink'n, I can kick yer sorry arse."

A man on a nearby table who looked at the pirate nervously decided to take the chance, and threw himself at Kaysha, trying to restrain her. In turn, she countered deftly with an elbow of her free arm to the face, stomping him on the floor. Her eyes drawn elsewhere, the fat man charged, but she sliced his belt, and his pants dropped to knees making him fall almost atop Kaysha, but she jump and landed on his back.

"Come get a piece o' me, ye scurvy bastards!" She challenged.

Another one took out a knife and charged, but she kicked the table he was in, and buried him beneath. A chicken leg flew from the table and Kaysha caught it mid-air, immediately taking a bite. "This be damn good!" Someone else, this time with a sword, attempted to take on Kaysha, but she tossed the chicken leg at his face, span her body, gripping a chair while in motion and breaking it on the man's body.

Silenced ensued. No one else had the guts to continue. She sheathed her saber and started to walked towards the exit, snatching a beer on the way from a table of someone who had done nothing, and drinking it. "Thank ye, matey," Kaysha said and she placed down the jug, burped loudly and left the tavern.

[Hyzenthlay]

Skye awoke sweating from a nightmare, her sister had called out to her and Skye could only look on as her sister fell into an inferno. She gasped for breath, she'd never felt so happy to be awake in her life. She brushed her matted blonde hair from her eyes and slipped her legs off the side of the bed, sitting for a few seconds feeling her body quiver. She rocked back and forth before standing and walking to the bathro