The Chronicles of Rapina, Chapters 18-22

Judgment In Disguise
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[Rapina]018 Judgement in Disguise
[Rapina]019 Sudden Death
[Rapina]020 Granville
[Rapina]021 Death Takes a Holiday
[Rapina]022 Wizardry



[Rapina]018 Judgement In Disguise


"Ah, what a tiring day, but I think we have
accomplished much of what we needed to." Guardian Thane
sighed.  I've arranged with representatives of the
church to meet me at Granville so that I can dispose of
my bounty money before I spend it on spells or some
such."

"Dispose of?" Rapina asked.

Thane chuckled, "They won't throw it out.  They'll take
a tithe, certainly, but I have decided to put nearly
all of it into the Church's investment program.  You
see, the church of Mortaebius gives loans to finance
funerals and mausoleums; it runs graveyards, throws
estate auctions and does many other such things.  The
church allows priests to invest with the church towards
their retirement or simply to augment their income.
I've been watching the church investments for years.
They are quite stable and lucrative.  There is only one
thing one can truly bank on in this life, and that is
death."

"You're not going to spend the money?" Rapina asked
incredulously.

"Heavens no, girl, you have no idea how large the
bounties on those pirates had grown over the years.
The amount I will gain is much too large to simply
spend, but if I invest it I will be able to make a very
comfortable monthly income on the interest. At last I
will not have to pinch every penny just to get by. I'm
going to take a nap, and I suggest you do so as well.
I will see you in a few hours."

Later, Thane emerged from his suite and found Rapina.

"Might one of the many sea chests we rescued from the
pirate camp be yours?"


"Yes," Rapina frowned

"Good then, let's take a look.  You could use more
clothing. Thane took Rapina to a storage room where she
pointed out the appropriate chest.  "Hmm, a shortsword,
another rapier and a main gauche.  Goodness you came
well-armed."

"Those are my spares," Rapina said.  "I like my
Montfort set the best though, they were fine weapons.
My bow is probably around here somewhere too.  There it
is," Rapina pointed.

"You'll have no need for these here," Thane said.
"I'll lock them away with your other weapons, for now.
Lets see what you have in the way of clothing."

Thane held up Rapina's sail-cloth mini skirt and raised
an eybrow.

"This certainly wouldn't leave much to the
imagination."

Rapina blushed.  "I think that was the idea."

Thane frowned.  "It would be an interesting diversion
to watch you prance around in such a thing, but
unfortunately, my chambers are much too cold for such
garments.  I've often wished I could do something about
that.  I spend most winters huddled in the kitchen or
in my bedchamber shivering next to the stove and
wearing gloves with the finger tips cut off so that I
can write. Unfortunately, boring through 30 feet of
granite to make chimneys, while possible, is not
advisable as the smoke from the chimneys gives away the
position of my abode, especially in the winter when the
trees have shed their leaves.  Thus I normally confine
myself to small fires in the cook stove except at
night."

Thane pulled Rapina's red silk bustier from her sea
chest. "Gracious, I haven't seen one of these since I
worked for my father.  Amazing what booty pirates can
come up with. Does it fit?

"Yes, although the cups are a little on the small
side," Rapina said.

Thane nodded.  "Here are some more practical garments.
It seems all your clothing is either much too scant, or
decidedly boyish. I guess boyish will have to do for
now. Thane put Rapina's clothing back into the chest.
Guard, pick up and bear this chest for me.  Rapina,
I've had the skeletons draw a bath for you.  I have a
magnificent iron cauldron in my laboratory that makes a
perfect bath, it's quite a luxury, and I've formulated
instructions for the skeletons, including a ratio of
boiling water to lake water that gives just about the
right temperature. When you are finished, put your
panties on and call on me. It's been a long time since
I've tailored anything for a living woman, but I'll get
your measure and help you to make a few changes to the
ill-fitting dress I provided you with when you
arrived."
----

Thane's laboratory was South of his chambers. It
included several stark rooms, but the only one that
seemed to be in use was furnished with a single forge,
a stove and an oven, several tables and an assortment
of mismatched old glassware.  There was a circular
alcove off to the side of the main room that had a
domed roof with a large chimney at its center.  In it
was a huge, black caldron.  There was a stone ramp
about a foot wide that one could use to step into the
caldron or fill it using a wheelbarrow.  She imagined a
fire could be built beneath it, but in this case the
hot water must have been heated on the stove.  The
water was quite warm. Rapina soon got used to it and
luxuriated for a while, scrubbing the stains of toil
and terror from her young body. When she had finished,
she called Thane in as he had bid her.

Thane looked at Rapina's semi-nude body and shook his
head in amazement.  "It was apparent that you were
intelligent, but I never would have guessed you had
such a figure when I first saw you in the tomb.  Come
over to the desk, young lady.  I have parchment here to
write down your measurements."

Rapina walked to the desk, her lush breasts bouncing
slightly as she moved.  She could sense lust from the
necromancer, but it was much more controlled than what
she had been used to from the pirates.

Thane took up a cloth tape and measured the length and
width of Rapina's feet, then worked his way up her body
recording the measurements as he went.

In spite of the lust Rapina could sense, the
necromancer was all business as he meticulously
measured Rapina from her feet to her head.  Rapina's
skin prickled whenever she felt the touch of his boney
left hand.  As he worked he made conversation.

"I found only a strongbox with a lot of silver, some
copper and a few gold pieces amongst Red Jack's things
piled in the fort. Did he not have a chest of treasure
like most successful pirates are supposed to?"

"He never talked much about money, except to complain
about his expenses.  If he had a hoard, he kept it a
secret from his people, at least us recruits," Rapina
replied.

"Ach, well, I always thought a successful pirate would
have a stash of treasure like in the storybooks.  It
would be such a disappointment if he just managed to
make ends meet.  The question is, did he have treasure
with him, and if so, where might he have hidden it?  An
intriguing question, don't you think?" Thane asked.

Rapina shrugged.

"I will take a look at my maps and the model of the
fort while you dress.  I am going on the assumption
that he did have some treasure, and I am sure we can
narrow it down as to where he might have hidden such a
thing.  If I find it, perhaps I will be able to
purchase a few spells after all."

When he was done, Thane looked at the paper.

The necromancer chuckled, "My father and I knew a bevy
of noblewomen who would have killed for measurements
like these.  I believe I can instruct you on the
changes that need to be made to the dress, but that can
wait.   We must first restore the isle's defenses.  Put
on something boyish that you don't mind getting stained
with glue."

For four days, Rapina did little more than stick bones
together with unholy glue made of cooked down human
bones and some unholy resin that Thane produced using a
clerical font and some priestly rituals. Rapina worked
right along side Thane who went back and forth between
adjoining storage rooms.  Rapina worked in one room and
the necromancer's ghouls, Kent, Edgar and a few others,
worked in the other. The knowledge of the human
skeleton Rapina had gained from leech Kennon and his
books was strengthened as Thane had Rapina do the more
difficult reconstructions.  He always asked her the
names of the broken bones she was sticking back
together.

After a while, Rapina got somewhat used to rebuilding
human skeletons, but she still preferred cooking and
tending the necromancer's extensive herb and vegetable
garden that grew hidden on the cliff-top above his
abode.  For one thing, garden work allowed Rapina to
bask in the light of the afternoon sun, something she
missed while cooped up in the necromancer's chambers.
One skeleton, a huge one that had red glass eyes, Thane
insisted on reassembling using magical mending spells
alone.  The skeleton seemed to be something of a
mascot, and the necromancer wished to fully restore it.


Only about half of Thane's skeletons could be salvaged,
but the necromancer felt that he might be able to do
something special with the bodies of the veteran
pirates, something more elaborate than turning them
into zombies as he had many of the recruits. Thus Thane
had his workers concentrate on his old skeletons so
that he could quickly restore some of his forces while
thinking about what he might do with the new bodies.
While Rapina worked, Thane also had Kent and the
zombies transport the pirate's bodies and all of their
equipment to the storage rooms in the lower areas of
his abode.

Finally, after four days of spending long hours gluing
bones, Thane was satisfied enough with the progress
they were making to take Rapina on an evening ride to
the pirate camp. Thane stood up in his saddle.  Rapina
and he were on top of the pirate's fortified hill
looking down. Thane's mounted guards surrounded them.

"If Captain Red Jack buried a treasure chest up here, I
believe Kent and his ghouls would have bumped into it
while tunneling. Here wouldn't be the place though,
there were too many people working on this fort all day
when it was constructed. Hmmm, I doubt he would have
hidden it to the South or East.  That was where my
forces were coming from. I also doubt he would have
hidden it in the cleared area between here and the
cove, too many prying eyes.  Now, I think it would have
to be hidden to the West and North in the direction of
the cove, so that Jack could take it if he wished while
making an escape. The question is, where?  I've been in
the forest looking with Kent and we have found not the
slightest sign of digging.  Kent has also checked
extensively under the water of the cove."

"It occured to me early this morning before bed that it
might have slipped by Kent because of being buried
under the water rather than simply sunken.  Yet I
cannot imagine Jack burying a chest of any size in deep
water.  For one thing, it would have been a risky
proposition with the ghouls out and about.  That's why
we're going to check the shallows on the Southwest side
of the cove today."

Thane had restored Red-eye, the skeleton of the half-
ogre, double-animated him, added more weight to him,
and given him a long, pointed wooden spear for the
purpose of this mission. While Thane and Rapina watched
the sun set, Thane had Red-eye plunge the spear into
the rocks and sand beneath the shallow water.  Whenever
the skeleton hit something hard, Thane's other guards
would dig it up.  After seven rocks and a log, Rapina
heard a hollow sound as the tireless skeleton plunged
the spear deeper than any man could have driven it.

Thane's lips flowered into a smile.

The guards dug down deep and pulled a bronze chest from
the water.  The huge skeleton had barely managed to
reach the chest with the point of the spear.

"Set the chest over there."  Thane dismounted and cast
a spell on the chest's stout lock.  The lock opened.
"Remove the lock and open the chest when I say, now,"
Thane told one of his most beat-up skeletons. "Rapina,
let us ride a distance down the beach in case Jack saw
fit to purchase a trap to protect his hoard...  "Now!"
The monster complied, but when it opened the chest,
four crossbow bolts shot from the chest ruining the
skeleton's breast plate.  "Ugh, I see more mending work
in my future." Thane grimaced.

"Red-eye, flip the chest's lid open with your spear."
The huge skeleton gave the lid of the chest a nudge
with the tip of its spear.


Rapina gasped.  The red glow of Red-eye's eyes was
reflected a million times over by the facets of
countless gems and jewels within the chest.

Thane chuckled.  "I'd say Jack favored gemstones."

It was a long process, but Thane had two of his
skeletons spoon the stones into stout leather sacks
that the necromancer had brought in case he found
something.  When the chest was empty at last and
meticulously searched with calipers for hidden
compartments, of which there were three,  Thane took
pains to instruct a skeleton in small steps so that he
could see the trap mechanism.  The necromancer had the
chest filled with rocks and sand from the bed of the
cove and then reset the trap.  After that, he carefully
inscribed a magical glyph within the chest, replaced
the lock and had the chest buried in its former
location.

"There now, if any of Jack's officers ever return to
dig up this chest, I will know the moment they open
it," Thane smiled.
-----

That evening, Thane put Rapina and several skeletons to
work cleaning Thane's hall and laboratory and sweeping
the staircases. Thane appeared frequently and ordered
greater speed.  He seemed quite preoccupied and at
about half past eleven at night Rapina noticed that he
had a clean priest's robe on emblazoned with the
insignia of his order.

Rapina had just finished up with the staircase that led
up to Thane's cliff-top herb and vegetable garden and
returned to the great hall when Thane bustled into the
room with six of his guards.  The breastplates of each
of them had been fully mended and polished brightly.

"Are you finished?" Thane asked.

Rapina nodded.

"Good then, run put away the broom, take food from the
kitchen and go to your room and read.  I'll let you out
as soon as I can."

"Are you having visitors?"

"Do not concern yourself with that, hurry and do as I
say."

"Yes Guardian."  Rapina ran to put away the large broom
in the laboratory closet.  She glanced around
furtively, then went to a drawer beneath the shelves
full of earthen crocks of herbs and pulled out the
listening tube and cup, it was one just like leech
Kennon had used to listen to people's heart beats.
Rapina shut the drawer then tied the tube around her
leg beneath her dress and went to the kitchen to get
food and thence to her bedroom.  As soon as she went
through the door, she heard the lock turn from the
other side, she would not be coming out of her room
until Thane wanted her too.

Rapina smiled and pulled out the listening tube and
placed the cup against the door. The sounds within
Guardian Thane's chambers were muted, but if she
strained her ears and used the listening tube, Rapina
was able to hear most of what went on in the grand
hall.

At about midnight Rapina heard an assortment of
footsteps, boney and otherwise coming down the
staircase that led down from the clifftop gardens, and
then she heard voices, one of them obviously Thane's,
the other an undead voice more akin to Kent's but not
as high in pitch.

"Please, have a seat if you will Mortancer," Thane
said.

"Now that we have dispatched greetings and salutations,
Guardian, let me tell you why I am here," the raspy
voice said.  Your work against the pirates will be
earning you a commendation from the Church of
Mortabius, but that is nothing more than a formality,
and they might be appalled if they knew the details of
how the feat was accomplished.  They will give you a
little plaque you can hang on your wall, but The Order
of the Shroud has other ways of rewarding promising
necromancers.

As you may have heard, at the center of our order is a
circle of wizard-high priests of which I am one, the
necromancers of Mortaebius.  Originally known as
mortaemancers, and now shortened simply to mortancer.
On the rare occasion that the deeds of a promising new
priest recommends him, we add to our number.  Your
defeat of Captain Red Jack has earned you far more than
some bounty money.  You are to become one of us."

The chests of books I brought contain spells and
processes available only to mage-priests of Mortaebius,
yet none mention his name or the name of the order.
They are for your eyes only, to be both hidden and
locked away.  If the authorities ever find them, you
did not get them from us, do you understand?

"Yes Mortancer Greel," Thane agreed.

"Good.  You will read and study those books.  In as far
as advanced animations, pick a specialty and you will
be given specific training in it.  The rest you can
pick up on your own, filling in any details through
experimentation, or by trading your creations for
additional knowledge within the circle of mortancers.
I will provide you training in one skill to make you
useful to the order and to give you something desirable
to trade.

We have considered your inquiry about having a basic
magic apprentice not affiliated with the church.  The
applicant is palatable to the church based on her
history, yet such practice is not encouraged.  However,
since you gained your current knowledge largely without
our help, and since the practice is not without
precedent, we will allow you to have an outside
apprentice if you wish but you will not train your
apprentice in necromancy beyond the novice-level spells
needed to understand the basic concepts. Furthermore,
you will encourage your student to join the church, at
very least as a worshipper.  In addition, you must
train a church-sponsored apprentice without additional
support from the order.  How you arrange to feed and
cloth him is your own concern.  Do you plan to take on
an outside apprentice then?"

"... ... If I take an outside apprentice, the order
will also send me a deserving priest to train in the
arts of magic at my expense.  Do I understand
correctly?" Thane asked.

"Yes," the voice grated.


"The arrangement sounds fair enough, and I would not
mind having another priest here anyway.  I would like
to proceed with the arrangement."

"Very well, we have selected an apprentice whose skills
complement your own, and we will be delivering him
through normal channels.
his knowledge of sorcery is elementary at best.  On the
other hand, he should prove useful and allow you to
leave this isle on occasion. Within the books I
brought, you will find spells that will aid you in
becoming more mobile.  You should be able to understand
one or more of them.  Once you do, you will be able to
attend the meetings of the Mortancers and be ordained
as a full member of our circle.  Do you have any
questions?"

"No, Mortancer Greel."

"Good," the dead voice continued.  "You will find robes
and a death mask in the chests with your books. Wear it
to all meetings as soon as you are learned enough to
attend.  As ours is a secret order, it is best that we
not know one another by sight.  At this moment I am
using a form of magical vision that does not show me
the details of your features.  My hearing is likewise
modified.  Even under torture I could not identify a
portrait of you from what I have seen and heard here
tonight.  Included with your books are certain warding
spells and modifications you can make to your viewing
pool to become more anonymous.  You must also choose an
order name for yourself.  It is a dire offense to
attempt to gain knowledge of the identities of other
mortancers on the circle.  Our group has survived
because this rule is meticulously enforced, do you
understand, Guardian?

"Indeed, the precaution seems most wise, and I will see
that I do not find out who any of the other mortancers
are," Thane said

"Good, Welcome to the fold, Guardian."

"Thank you Mortomancer Greel, I shall endeavor to serve
the order well, as always," Thane said.
----------

Two weeks after Thane had bested Red Jack in the
nighttime battle, Rapina was tending the hidden garden
on top of the cliffs above Thane's abode.  She saw a
pigeon fly past the marker-plaques of the several
graves of previous priests of Mortaebius that brooded
from an outcropping of stone overlooking Thane's
garden.  The pigeon circled, then fluttered into
Thane's pigeon roost. Rapina realized the bird had a
message attached to its leg.

Rapina rushed down to tell Thane.  Things had been
going well for her in the past week, they had finished
most of the repairing of skeletons and the necromancer
had Rapina reading several engaging books.  Thane had
added several new shelves to his library in order to
house the volumes that once belonged to Red Jack, but
Rapina, now quite involved in being an apprentice, was
reading volumes from The magical section of her
master's library.  In truth, she was devouring them.
The only thing she was having trouble with was
celibacy.  It was making her very uncomfortable.  She
absorbed herself in books as much to escape the feeling
of need as to learn about magic, but both were powerful
factors.

"A pidgeon came in just now, Guardian Thane," Rapina
said breathlessly as she found the necromancer.

"Excellent.  I will come up and take a look at the
message straight away."  Thane locked the book he had
been reading in a strongbox and bounded up the stairs
like a man half his age.  In a few minutes he had
removed the message from the bird's leg and read it."

"Eleven days ago, a ship came to Granville to take Red
Jack East to stand trial, and another bearing the
reward money is scheduled to arrive next week.  Judge
Grainger has scheduled a hearing for us at the same
time.  We're to be there sometime Sunday, as the
hearing is Monday and the ship is due at the same time.
I must activate my magic pool and make arrangements
with the church.  I have a dress for you to try on. I
have been using a mystic servant spell while I sleep to
sew the seams.  Its stitch is as regular as any I've
ever seen. I believe this creation will be a winner.
Let us go downstairs and you can try it on.  You will
need to bind your breasts tightly as you did when the
constable was here."

Rapina looked at herself in the mirror.  The dress was
a particularly uninspiring shade of dark green.  The
cut, the ruffles, everything conspired to make Rapina
grimace.  She saw why Thane had gone into the mortuary
business rather than stay on as a clothier with his
father.  Had he staid, the business surely would have
died.

Rapina dutifully put on the clunky high-heeled shoes
and came out of her room to model the new dress.

Thane inclined his head this way and that.  "Turn
around slowly."

Rapina turned.

"What do you think?" Thane asked.

"Uh... you're right, the spell did make some very nice
seams," Rapina said.

"But what do you think of the dress?" Thane asked.

Thane began chuckling and couldn't stop.

Rapina cocked her hips as realization struck her, "This
is the dress for the hearing, isn't it?  Gods, I look
more attractive in pants and a tunic.  I was thinking
how horrible a dress designer you were when all along
this dress was *supposed* to make me look plain and
frumpy."

Thane nodded as he chuckled.  "Indeed, and the shoes
make you over-tall, though we'll have to do something
about your face. It's much too comely even without
make-up, but I think with the *right* make-up we can
make you look much worse than normal, and that will
just have to do.  We're going to have to work on your
body language, though.  It's much too vivacious.  For
the next week, I'll be teaching you how to stand, and
to walk, and to talk, just like a regular spinster."

Ironically, Rapina learned a lot about proper posture
and deportment in the next week, as she had to practice
to do something other than what was proper and
desirable.  It was unnatural for her to act as she
needed to for the hearing, but she made a game of it
and did fairly well at practice.


[Rapina]019 Sudden Death

The surviving pirates sailed across the lake in silence
for what moments remained of the night.  The tapestry
from the tomb billowed with the wind between the
makeshift halberd-masts.  When someone felt strong
enough to row he did.  Otherwise they all just gazed at
the stars and pondered their situation. Their defeat
had been a jarring event.  Not only did they lose
almost all of their crewmates, their captain had also
been killed or captured.

The Norseman put all thought of rescue to the back of
his mind. He had wounded men to take care of.  Not only
that, but he had some of his own wounds to lick.  His
pride had taken a severe beating on the island.  He
couldn't help but feel that he had let his men down.

Skitch was angry!  He hated the undead!  He never
wanted to see another walking corpse again.  Now Jack
was dead or captured and sure to be hanged or beheaded
or something similar if he was not dead, or undead
already.  Skitch raised his fist in the air and shook
it in what he perceived to be the direction of the
island.  Somehow he'd get even.  This was far from
over.

At least they had been able to get back into the tombs
and get some booty before they had left.  There they
had also discovered the wild elf by a floor grating.
He was still alive, but Skitch was not sure he would
ever regain consciousness.  Skitch hoped the elf would
make it.  They could sure use another set of strong
arms.

Drake stared at the unconscious form of Doanthalas.  He
wondered how what he'd just been through compared to
what the elf had been through back when he got the
tattoos.  He wished that he could talk to the elf.
Doanthalas would be able to ease his mind. Walking dead
were bad, but judging by the way Doanthalas had been
since Drake had known him he guessed that the Demons
the elf had seen were much worse. Drake pulled his
knees up against him and wrapped his arms around his
legs. The tears came freely as his thoughts turned to
Kent and Edgar.  He would miss his friends no matter
how screwed up they had been.  The loss he felt was
great.  And the fear...he had never been more afraid in
his entire life.

The young pirate named Rage was shaking.  He couldn't
stop.  It was maddening. Why couldn't he hold his hands
still?  The danger had passed.  The only problem was
that no matter where he looked he saw the faces of his
old comrades.  They were dead bloated faces, but they
were his comrades and they were coming for him. Why
wouldn't they leave him alone?

Brackston had been through worse...Hadn't he?  He'd
waded through his share of blood and gore.  But never
before had he fought so many foul undead creatures.
They had a way of getting to a man. He was shaken.
Jack was dead or in trouble. Maybe if he concentrated
on Jack his mind would rest at ease. Doubtful, but it
was worth a shot.

If Jack wasn't dead, he needed to be rescued.  And
Brackston wouldn't have to fight any corpses to get to
him either...just a bunch of living breathing people.
He was almost looking forward to it.

The master archer had regained consciousness close to
dawn.  He was still weak, but at least he was alive.
He had been extremely lucky that the others had dared
sail by the cove in case anyone besides them had
escaped.  Arzeal clutched his belt pouch and sighed.
If he had not taken the mage light from the skull of
the red-eyed skeleton, they would all be dead.  He had
discovered there were shadows chasing him at about the
same time as he had heard the voices of the others.  He
had called to them, and had narrowly made it to their
raft by swimming underwater where the water-walking
shadows were hard pressed to reach him.  Unfortunately
the shadows had been able to follow him right through
the darkness and the water, and there had been hell to
pay every time he had needed to come up for air.  Once
he had made it to the raft, Arzeal had been too weak to
fight effectively, but he had exposed the light so his
mates could see their enemies.  It had been very close,
but he had survived.

The others were alive, but Arzeal could tell that their
souls were wounded.  He understood.  What they had
endured would shake the most battle-hardened warrior to
his core.  None of the others seemed talkative, but
that was understandable. He didn't feel like talking
either.  He just wanted to reach someplace safe and
rest for a day or two.  By the looks of it Doanthalas
would need it.

The tattooed elf hated being unconscious...not that he
realized he was, but upon waking he would remember all
the images he had seen.  Those images were flashing
through his mind at the moment. It was a horrid collage
of blood and gore punctuated by other images...a crying
baby being crushed by a spiked mace...a woman being
raped and murdered by a demon...broken bodies screaming
in agony as the flames seared the flesh from their
bones...leering, laughing faces...and the feeling of
helplessness...he couldn't do anything to prevent
it...any of it...and they knew it...they made him
watch...sometimes they even left the bodies in his cell
to mock him. --- When Doanthalas awoke it was daytime.
He was lying on a straw mattress and the room was dead
quiet.  Everything was dead quiet.  He must have been
screaming.  His head throbbed and his body hurt.  He
tried to reach for Drake who had fallen asleep in a
chair next to him, but did not have the strength to
lift his arm. Luckily Drake was stirring. The screaming
must have woken him.

Doanthalas was awake!  "Thank the gods!  I thought we'd
lost you back there.  You've been out for nearly three
days.  Don't try to talk...here...let me get you some
water." The young pirate quickly exited the room and
returned with a mug moments later. "Here.  Drink this
Doanthalas."  He lifted the mug to the elf's lips and
titled it so that he could drink. After much coughing
and sputtering Doanthalas was finally able to hold down
some water.  It seemed to do a lot to revive him.
Drake went and got more water.  He kept bringing it
until Doanthalas could drink no more.

"Where...are...the others?  Are...we...the only...ones
to make...it?" he asked looking around the room.

"No.  Pike made it and so did Brackston and Skitch and
Rage...and Arzeal!  We lost everyone else...Jacks been
captured or killed.  The others went out scouting for
some info.  They want to see if Jack's alive and spring
him before he gets executed if he is." Drake scratched
his head.  They should be back soon. He stood up and
gazed out the window.

"Where...where...are we?" Doanthalas asked.

"We're somewhere in Clairmont...I'm not sure exactly
where, somewhere on the Southwest bank of the lake with
Dead Man's isle in it near a town called Granville, but
then again I haven't been many places other than my
father's farm.  We were able to rent this little shack
with some of the loot we got from the crypts. There's
plenty left over too!  Some of the stuff we got is
worth a lot of coin!"  He nodded his head for emphasis.

A few hours later Pike and Rage came walking into the
house. They looked tired and road-worn.  After a few
minutes of shedding their boots and washing the dirt
from their faces they were ready to talk.

"Good to see you awake Doanthalas!" Pike said.  "I
wasn't sure you were going to make it.  I'm glad you
did!"  He smiled broadly and turned to Drake. "Time to
get serious...Red Jack is alive but he was captured.
There's only a week or two until the trial.  And after
that maybe a few days to a few weeks until the
execution depending on how soon they hold the trial.
We're going to need to move fast."

"Where are Skitch and Brackston...and Arzeal?" Drake
asked.

"We found out for sure where they took Red Jack, last
night. The others are already on a ship bound East for
Turnmoor.  Once they get there, they'll be busy trying
to infiltrate the proceedings.  We'll need some men on
the inside. We need to get moving and meet up with
Arzeal and the others in Turnmoor.  He booked a passage
on another ship.  It's too risky going up to Turnmoor
all together.  They'll be looking for a group of six.
Most of us, except Drake and Doanthalas, are on
circulating wanted posters."  He glanced at Doanthalas.
"It doesn't look like you'll be up to going anywhere
for another day or two.  Rage, you'll stay here with
him for a few days until Doanthalas is ready to leave.
Make sure he gets better...and fast!  Then meet up with
us at the Lazy Minx inn in Turnmoor. Think you can find
your way?"

"Yes sir!  We will be there."

"Good!" Pike said. "Because we're going to need all the
men we can get.  I'd hire some outside help, but we
need people we can trust for this one.  And right now
we're all that there is.  C'mon Drake.  Pack your
things.  I want to get moving and soon."

"Yes sir!  He quickly gathered up his things and
prepared for the trip."

"Good luck...my...friend..." the elf said as he laid
his hand on Drake's arm.

"Thanks.  You take care of yourself.  Get better!  We
could use a demon spawn like yourself on our side.
Heh."  Doanthalas didn't smile, but Drake could tell
that his words had meant something to the elf by the
twinkle in his eye.

Moments later Pike and Drake were on their way.  Rage
sat down to a meal and tried to get Doanthalas to eat
something.  Things were moving quickly now.  They would
all have to move fast if they wanted to keep up...if
they wanted to save Jack.

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


Pike and Drake made their way to the waterfront.  A
merchant ship was soon to be leaving for Turnmoor.
Pike had already booked passage for himself and Drake.
The captain had eagerly accepted seeing how
intimidating and powerful the Norseman appeared.  He
had given Pike a reduced rate provided he helped with
some of the work and helped to protect the ship in case
of attack.

The Norseman smiled to himself as he thought of the
irony of a pirate protecting a merchant ship from
pirates.  He never would have guessed in a million
years that he'd be doing "honest" work.  It wasn't so
bad.  It would be a bit boring, but not all that
different than what he had done for Jack. He turned to
Drake.

Just over a week later, Pike and Drake arrived at
Turnmoor and booked a room in an obscure waterfront
Inn.  Pike slipped out that night to have a secret talk
with Arzeal.  When he returned it was time to fill
Drake in on everything.  "Are ya ready for the low
down?"

Drake looked up from the water at Pike.  "Yes I am.
What did you find out?"

"Well, it's like this:  the date of the trial is still
up in the air because they're waiting on this nobleman
who really wants to see Jack suffer.  Li'Yeiraun is his
name.  Jack had trouble with him in the past, from what
I understand. Seems he slept with old Li'Yeiraun's
wife.  Heh.  Jack always was a dog.  But the way it
looks is that this Li'Yeiraun will be arriving in the
next week or two.  So the quicker we get ready the
better. Once he's here the trial will start.  Then
they'll make a big show of finding the "Dread Red Jack"
guilty as hell.  After that they'll need a day or two
to prepare the "festivities" for his public execution."


"Wow!  It sounds like they're making it into some kind
of big celebration!  With all those people around how
are the few of us going to spring him?" Drake asked.

"All those people will be one of our main advantages."
Noticing the confused look on Drake's face Pike
continued, "People are stupid and panicky in large
groups.  If we can create a big enough spectacle to
throw a scare into them we should be able to pull it
off.  When the crowd starts stampeding we'll move in to
rescue Jack.  The guards will most likely have their
hands full trying to prevent a riot. This should leave
only a handful of guards protecting Jack and the
execution party."

"So we move in during the chaos and take out the
guards...then we escape using the riot as our
diversion..." Drake asked.

"Exactly!  Ye've got a good head on yer shoulders
Drake. Hopefully we can keep it there.  Ye do realize
that if any of us are caught we WILL be executed?"

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


Brackston glanced towards the door for the fifth time
in as many minutes.  Skitch was late.  He should have
been there already. Something didn't feel right.
Skitch was never late unless there was trouble. They
had separated in the morning and agreed to meet up at
the Yellow Dragon Tavern, this tavern, around midnight.
Skitch was to acquire as many barrels of flammable
liquids as possible while Brackston tried to get as
much info about the trial as possible. Brackston had
spent all day picking a likely candidate. Most of the
night had been spent getting him drunk enough to tell
all without getting suspicious. He was eager to share
his findings with Skitch if only the diminutive pirate
would show.

Moments later Skitch walked through the door and right
past Brackston.  It was their silent signal that he was
being followed.  Brackston pretended to be intent on
drinking the mug of mead he had finished twenty minutes
ago. Sure enough two men walked through the door not
long after Skitch. They were dressed as commoners.  It
was a good disguise, but something was out of place...
they were too well groomed.  Real commoners looked a
bit grittier.  Still, these men must have been
professionals.  They pulled off their disguises with
skill and ease.  The casual observer wouldn't suspect a
thing. Unfortunately for these two Brackston wasn't a
casual observer. He waited for the men to pass before
rising and following them out back. Skitch would most
likely be hidden in the shadows of the alley waiting
for Brackston to back him up. The two men were slowly
making their way down the alley checking every hiding
place along the way.  They would be sure to spot Skitch
if Brackston didn't do something and fast.  They were
too far down the alleyway for him to bum rush.  They'd
have too much warning and time to prepare if he did
that. Brackston opted to try and sneak up on them
instead.  Stealth wasn't one of his strong points and
the men were easily alerted to his presence as he moved
nearer.

Two hand crossbows quickly appeared from beneath the
folds of their clothes.  "Hold it right there," they
said in unison as they brought their crossbows to bear
on the pirate. "Step into the light! Hurry or I'll drop
you where you stand!"

Whoever these men were they were good.  He could tell
by the confident and easy way in which they moved.
This was going to be harder than he had originally
thought. Hopefully Skitch would make his move soon. No
sooner had the thought entered his mind then one of the
men turned around swiftly.

"what the..." he said as he spun around to face the man
he had felt sneaking up on him. "Hold it right..." was
all he had time to say before the dagger Skitch had
thrown embedded itself in his chest.

Gregor, one of the disguised men, knew Loius was dead
as soon as he heard the muffled thunk of the blade
entering his partner's chest.  He squeezed off a shot
at the man in the shadows and turned to flee. He had to
let his employer know that he had found two of Red
Jack's cohorts. Gregor came face to face with the
smaller man that he and Loius had been following.  He
was trying to extract his blade from Louis' chest.
Gregor bashed him in the head with his elbow as he ran
right over top of him.  He did not look back as he fled
down the alleyway.

The man was good.  The shot he had taken had forced
Brackston to dive out of the way.  This had given him
time to attempt his escape. Then he had practically run
through Skitch knocking him to the ground. Brackston
would have to hurry if he wanted to catch the man.  He
easily cleared the distance to Skitch and his victim
and snatched up the dead man's crossbow. The crossbow
was light but well made.  It was small enough to be
fired with one hand and easily concealed.  Luckily, its
bolt was still in place and ready to fire. Brackston
took careful aim at the fleeing man's back.
Unfortunately, the man turned the corner before the
pirate could get his shot off.  Brackston ran as fast
as he could after the remaining disguised man.  If he
got away, he would most likely tell his employers,
whoever they might be; then Skitch and Brackston would
be as good as dead.

"Damn!" Gregor hissed "what an amateur mistake to
make!"  He had turned the corner only to come face to
face with a dead end.  In his defense, he had not had
much time to familiarize himself with the streets and
alleyways of Turnmoor. He knew his way around the
Li'Yeiraun estate and the streets of the neighboring
Darville, but he had only been here for a week. Gregor
turned and rushed back in the direction he had come
drawing his short sword as he ran.  He hoped this would
startle the pirate enough to give Gregor the edge.


Brackston turned the corner and was startled to see the
man he was pursuing bearing down on him.  The man had
his sword raised and was mere inches away.  Without
thinking Brackston threw his left leg out, tucked in
his right leg, and went down into a slide. The sword
passed harmlessly over his head as he squeezed the
trigger of the crossbow.  There was a loud thud as the
man crumpled to the ground.

All that Gregor could think as he lay there was that
Red Jack's men definitely did live up to their
reputation.  He had been a soldier and spy for well
over seven years and had fought in many bloody
conflicts.  He had escaped from his fair share of close
calls as well. "Death comes to every man," he thought
as he clutched his nasty belly wound.  Warm blood
flowed over his hands.  Quickly he reached into his
pouch and pulled out what looked like a small pebble.
Before Brackston could grab him, Gregor had put it in
his mouth and swallowed.

The pirate grabbed the wounded man and shook him.  "Who
do you work for?!?" he demanded.  The man just looked
up at him and smiled. His body convulsed for a few
seconds and then was still. "Damn!" Brackston cursed as
he heard Skitch approaching.

The diminutive parate rubbed his aching head.  "I don't
know who these two were, but they were
good...professionals."

"Yew got that right.  This one almost done me in.  I
have no idea how I survived," Brackston said.

"What do ya mean?  I saw that fancy slide-thing you
did.  It was beautiful!  You'll have to show me..."
Skitch replied.

"Ya know I'm not even sure what I did.  It all happened
so fast that I didn't have time to think." Brackston
shook his head.

"well it's over and we're still alive.  Let's see what
these two have on them.  Maybe we can figure out who
they were working for."

The pirates relieved the dead men of their possessions.
They were not carrying much besides their weapons and a
few coins. Brackston found a few more of the pebble-
sized chunks of poison and put them in his pouch. Then
they placed the bodies out of sight and disappeared
into the dark streets of Turnmoor.
______________________________


The master archer surveyed the square from his rooftop
perch. Although Turnmoor was quiet at this time of
evening Arzeal made sure he was out of sight.  The
moonlight coupled with the light from the buildings on
the square gave him a good view of the area. The square
was huge.  Arzeal surmised that all of Turnmoor and
then some could fit into the square all at once.  He
pulled out a piece of parchment and some charcoal
sticks.  He started marking things down on the rough
sketch he had made the previous night.

About six places were suitable for positioning archers.
The city guard, if they were worth their salt,
undoubtedly knew this as well.  He would have to
"relieve" one of their archers of his duty so that he
and the other pirates could take care of theirs. The
execution platform had already been set up.  Arzeal
shook his head and smiled to himself. "Guilty.  Even
before the trial got started," he whispered to himself.
There was a gallows, a chopping block and a rack.

"Looks like it's going to be a good show," Arzeal
muttered to himself as he dropped stealthily to the
ground.  Moments later he had disappeared into the
night.
____________________________


A few days after the departure of Pike and Drake,
Doanthalas was well enough to travel.  Luckily, his
wounds had been little more than scratches.  However,
the blood loss had really hurt him. Luckily he had
recovered quickly once he had been able to hold down
some food."

Rage entered with a handful of clothes and equipment.
"Here.  I got us some travelling clothes.  Some of this
should help us to blend in."

The sylvan elf looked at the clothes Rage had selected
for him. Black pants, a black shirt, black leather
boots, a black belt, black gloves, a black leather
backpack, and a volumnuous black cloak. "Blending?
With what exactly?"  Doanthalas remarked as he eyed the
clothes skeptically. "They're great for stealth, but to
wear these during the day is to stand out like a black
sheep amongst all his white brethren."

"I see yer point," he said feeling silly for even
thinking the clothes would make them inconspicuous.
"Maybe I should stick with what I normally wear.  Huh?"


Doanthalas nodded his head in agreement.  "Anything
else for me to wear?" he asked.

"I had this stuff special made.  The tailor doesn't
have a lot just lying around.  He makes the clothes as
they're needed."

Doanthalas was thinking about how he was going to hide
his tattoos. He would need some long pants and a long
sleeve shirt. That would not hide his facial tattoos,
but he would figure something out.  At least he would
not stick out that much. "How long until the boat
departs?"

"Not long, two or three hours maybe.  It leaves at
noon."

The sun had not quite reached its highest point yet.
That gave him two hours at the most.  Doanthalas
decided that it would be enough time.  He put on the
clothes that Rage had brought him and headed out into
the town. The tailor's shop was not too far away.
Still everyone who saw the tattooed elf clad in black
could not help but stare with a mixture of awe and
fear. Doanthals looked quite the sinister figure moving
deftly down the street. He hoped that the tailor had
something lying around that would fit him.  He could
not stand the thought of drawing this much attention in
Turnmoor.
______________________________


The Norseman looked around the Lazy Minx before going
back to his ale. Doanthalas and Rage were in Turnmoor.
Arzeal had spotted them earlier. He hoped they would be
able to find the inn. The door to the inn opened and in
walked Rage looking conspicuously like someone trying
to look inconspicuous.  Pike shook his head and
motioned Rage to join him.  The young pirate smiled
broadly and took the seat directly opposite the
Norseman.

"Where's everybody else?"

He shook his head again.  "It's too dangerous for all
of us to be seen together in public. Two men followed
Brackston and Skitch and had to be killed.  Somebody
knows we're here and if they find us...well let's just
say it's better that they don't find ALL of us
together."

"Gotcha.  So what's the plan?"

"First things first.  Where's Doanthalas?"

"I told him to come with me, but he didn't want to.
Said something about stickin' out too much."

Pike smiled.  The elf was smart.  "That was smart of
him.  I want you to tell him to meet me at this
address."  He slid a piece of parchment across the
table to Rage.  "Memorize it and then burn it or eat it
or something.  This is important.  If we are found out
we wil all die. Jack, Skitch, Brackston, Arzeal,
Doanthalas, me...and you.  All of us! Do you
understand?"

This was heavy.  All Rage could do was nod in
agreement.

"Good.  When the both of you show up I will explain the
plan. I will go first.  Wait a minute or two and then
leave.  Good luck."  Pike shook Rage's hand, then rose,
and left.

The young pirate waited a couple of minutes and then
got up and left.

Drake could not help but smile.  Rage was almost
comical when he tried to be sneaky. Drake hoped his
lack of subtlety would not get him killed. After he
finished his mead Drake dropped a couple of coins on
the table and headed for the door.  Pike had told him
to keep an eye on Rage and see if he was followed.
Drake felt bad for using Rage as bait, but he knew that
Doanthalas was with him.  That alone was protection
enough for anyone as far as Drake was concerned.

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

Beginning of The Lost Fragment of Chapter 19,
by Bri, my coauthor at that time. (Recovered 3/21/4)
-------------------------------------------------------


The half elf worked diligently at the long table he had
procured for his room. Arrow shafts, piles of powder,
fuses, twine, and pieces of cloth lay strewn across its
surface. Arzeal measured small amounts of powder from
the two piles and mixed them together and wrapped them
in the cloth with a fuse. He held up the finished
product and turned it around in his hands. No powder
was leaking out of it. Arzeal nodded with satisfaction
and continued his work. When he had about six packets
finished he grabbed an arrow shaft and held it up. The
tricky part would be attaching the packets to the shaft
without throwing the balance too far off. Arzeal would
have to hit his mark with them if the plan was to work.

Earlier he had been out in the forest practicing with
some dummy arrows he had made. They had packets
attached to them that were filled with dirt. The weight
was comparable to the live packets and roughly the same
size as well. It had taken a few tries, but Arzeal had
figured out the right way to attach them to the arrow
and exactly how much he would have to compensate when
shooting them.

He grabbed some twine and attached a packet to the
shaft he held. The weight didn't feel quite right so he
removed it and reattached it. Hours later he had six
workable arrows sitting on the table in front of him. A
smile played across Arzeal's face. It was going to be
one hell of a show! All he had to do was wait a few
more days until the execution. In the meantime, he'd
have to find something to keep him busy.
-------

Brackston and Skitch were stumped. The men they had
killed were only carrying a few items, weapons, some
money, and a few miscellaneous pieces of equipment.
Nothing they carried would identify them or who they
worked for. Yet somebody knew that they were here or,
at least, knew enough about Jack's men to be looking
for them. They would get suspicious when their men
didn't return. Brackston and Stitch decided to lay low
until Pike came to discuss the plan.

Pike hated all the sneaking around he had to do. He
would rather be bashing his way through a crowd of foes
than skulking through the shadows. But he knew that
secrecy was of utmost importance at this point. Looking
up he spotted the inn where Brackston and Skitch were
holed up. Minutes later he was sitting in their room
discussing the events of the past two days.

"So like Brackston said someone knows we're here ye can
bet!" Skitch said

Pike responded, "Then I suggest ye both lay low from
here on out.
I'll get Drake to do some scoutin' around fer us. He's
too new ta be recognized as one of us."

Brackston nodded, "I agree. So what exactly IS the
plan?"

A wry smile crept onto the Norseman's face. He was
proud of his plan. It had taken him many nights and
days of thought and bouncing ideas off of Drake, but
finally he had come up with a great plan. He looked
from Skitch to Brackston and back again. "It's like
this..."
-------

The sky was clear and the sun shone brightly as Drake
stepped out of the shop. He looked quite dapper in his
new clothes. They were stylish and had been quite
expensive. But dressing stylishly didn't come cheap.
Drake had to admit that he didn't know the first thing
about dressing stylishly. Luckily he had help in
choosing the clothes. The beautiful young lady on his
arm had proved very helpful in the shop. She looked up
at him with her gorgeous emerald eyes and smiled.

The young pirate practically melted and would have
kissed her had two very rough looking men not
accompanied her. The men were her bodyguards she had
told him earlier. Apparently she was the daughter of
some nobleman here for the execution. (Everyone was
referring to it as the execution rather than the trial
because they all knew Jack would hang.) Thus far she
had refused to reveal her name. When Drake asked she
would just smile in the mischievous way she had and
shrug. Drake was enamored with her to say the least.
She had been in the shop looking to buy a new dress
when Drake entered. Although he had been dressed like a
commoner the young lady had immediately taken to him.
She had even believed the story Drake fed her. He had
been set upon by ruffians and robbed of all his
possessions(including clothes). Luckily his father was
a wealthy merchant and had given him the money for a
set of new clothes. The young lady had been most
helpful in achieving that goal.

Drake looked at her and smiled, "If you refuse to tell
me your name how am I supposed to...address you?"

"You can call me Milady," she said as she returned the
smile.

"Well then, Milady. I would like to thank you for all
your help. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Oh! I know Drake!" she said teasingly. "I saw some of
the fabrics and styles you were looking at..." The
young lady shook her head and tsked.

Drake blushed. "At least I know I have good taste in
women," he thought. She was beautiful and she would
prove valuable in his mission. Being the daughter of a
nobleman meant that she was most likely privy to a lot
the common person wasn't. Pike had asked him to scout
around and find out as much as he could about the
execution and trial. Apparently the others were too
recognizable to scout around for fear of compromising
the plan. Drake had readily agreed. He had been tired
of sitting around and doing nothing. He looked at the
young woman and smiled again. Yes, he was really
beginning to enjoy his work.

"M'lady we should be getting back soon. Your father
will be getting worried," the burly yet sharply dressed
guard interrupted.

"You mean he wants me close so he can keep an eye on
me, don't you?" she retorted.

"Your father doesn't want to see you socializing with
any undesirables," he said as he pointedly looked in
Drake's direction.

"Daddy doesn't care one whit about me and you both know
it! All he loves is money and power." She looked away
disgustedly.

"I have to go," she said as she turned back to Drake.
"Will you be at the ball this evening?"

Drake shook his head. He had already tried to finagle a
way into it, but he just wasn't good enough at conning
people yet.

"Oh," she looked disappointed. "Well then. Where can I
find you?"

Drake shrugged, "I'll be around...my dad...uh...will be
doing business..."

"Great!" she said with a smile, "I'll look for you in
the market then."

"Uh...yeah...in the market..." Drake trailed off.

The young woman offered her hand to Drake so that he
might kiss it.
"By the by, my name is Adriana."

Drake smiled and reached out to take her hand. One of
the bodyguards imposed himself roughly between Drake
and Adriana while the other guided her away.
Drake scowled at the guard and took a step forward
menacingly.

"I wouldn't advise that...BOY!" the guard spat.

"Let it go Drake," she pleaded as the guards led her
away. "I'll see you soon."

"Not if your father has anything to say about it and
you know he does," the guard chuckled.

Adriana's bodyguards would have to go. Drake wished he
could see her again, but by the sound of it he didn't
think he would get the chance.
He sighed and walked away. His first priority was to
find out as much info as he could about the execution.
He had to help save Jack. Maybe he could help Adriana
later.
-------

The elf had to admit that Pike's plan was a good one.
He had been skeptical of the Norseman's ability to
strategize and plan at first, but had been quickly won
over. Pike's beefy frame housed a sharp mind. Pairing
Rage with Doanthalas worked out great as well. Neither
were known accomplices of Red Jack and neither would be
able to walk around without drawing attention,
Doanthalas because of his tattoos and elven heritage
and Rage because he was lousy at stealth and subtlety.

Sometimes the best place to hide was in plain sight.
Doanthalas had given up on trying to conceal his
tattoos and was wearing a loose shirt, loose pants, and
moccasins. People stared wherever he passed. Some even
shrank away in fear. The sylvan elf was unfazed by
their behavior. He had never seen a human city before.
His whole life had been lived in the forest, Abyss, and
Gehenna. The smells that filled his nostrils stirred
something inside him that he had thought dead.
Doanthalas was almost joyful and excited.

Rage had eagerly taken the job of guiding Doanthalas
through his first experience of human society. Besides
being necessary it was fun. The sylvan elf would have
to know his way around Turnmoor especially if he got
separated from the rest of the group during the rescue
attempt.

The humans seemed to rush from place to place without
taking the time to enjoy the things around them.
Doanthalas noticed that humans rushed through
everything; eating, drinking, talking, writing,
shopping. They probably even rushed through sex. No
wonder there were so many of them around. The tattooed
elf figured that he would probably rush through life
too if he lived for such a short amount of time. Humans
lived maybe a century if they were lucky. Elves lived a
millennia or more.

"Why do humans exchange small metal moons so often?" he
asked turning to face Rage.

"Huh?" Rage looked at a man purchasing some potatoes
from a merchant.
"Ooooh! Money! You mean money. That's how we pay for
things."

"Money?" the elf repeated with brow furled.

"Ummm. It's like this: If you have something I want I
give you money and you give me the thing I want."

"Like trading?" Doanthalas asked.

"Exactly!" Rage responded.

"But what use have I for...money?" the elf asked.

The young pirate considered this for a moment.
"well...I guess money is pretty useless by itself, but
it's...it's the method we use to do business." He
shrugged and walked on.

"Strange," the tattooed elf thought. Then he shrugged
as well and followed Rage. The young pirate pointed out
important things the elf would need to know about human
society. He also explained the layout of the city.
Doanthalas digested everything Rage told him and then
combined what he had learned with what Pike had told
him of the plan. Everyone else had a specific goal to
achieve. Rage and Doanthalas had more freedom. They
were to be the wildcard support. When needed they would
intervene. Also they were responsible for coming up
with a means of escape. Doanthalas had just the thing
in mind.

"Rage. Book passage for eight on a fast ship," the
sylvan elf said in his stoic way.

"But won't..." the young pirate began.

Doanthalas held up a hand to silence him, "Go. Do this
now. We will meet later at the dwelling."

Rage wasn't sure what the elf had in mind, but he went
along with it anyway. "okay. See you later Doanthalas."
The pirate waved as he walked off.
-------

A few hours later the elf was walking down the street.
He had just purchased another "Wildcard". He might have
smiled then if he had remembered how. But he didn't.
Lost in thought he wondered why he stuck with Pike and
the crew. He could just as easily have taken off to
find his people again. Then it hit him. He wasn't ready
yet. The reason he stuck with the pirates instead of
escaping was that having a purpose distracted his mind
from the horrors he had seen. Even then his mind was
wandering dredging up memories of horrors he had
witnessed in the lower planes.

Everything went silent as a flood of images came
rushing back.
Leering faces of fiends mocked him. The broken bodies
of men, women, and children looked up at him pleading
for a quick merciful death with their eyes as they died
in horrible and excruciatingly painful ways. The smell
of burnt flesh, the screams of the tormented, the feel
of gore beneath his feet. It was too much. It was
maddening.

A cool breeze washed over Doanthalas and the sounds of
Turnmoor returned. The elf turned when he felt the
light touch of someone's hands on his shoulders.

"...you okay? You're trembling," she was saying. "Are
you sick or hurt?"

Looking around the sylvan elf noticed that he was on
his knees. He looked up at the woman. She had large
friendly hazel eyes. Doanthalas allowed her to help him
up. He was still stunned by the images and a bit
disoriented. His mouth moved, but no words issued
forth. Her hand was still in his so he caressed it to
show his appreciation.

The woman blushed and quickly removed her hand. She had
never seen an elf before, at least not this close. His
tattoos were magnificent!
They were Beautiful and disturbing at the same time.
"What is your name?" she asked. "I am Elisabetta."

"Doanthalas," he replied. The elf was grateful to
Elisabetta for snapping him out of it. "Many thanks for
your concern of my being."

She bit her bottom lip and looked off to the side. "It
was nothing," she said. "Everyone says I am too soft
hearted and that it will get me in trouble some day.
But I can't help it. If I don't help when I'm capable
of helping I feel bad."

Elisabetta looked at Doanthalas for a while. He was
shorter than most human men and thinner, but he had a
grace about himself. The elf was still taller than her,
but not by much. His eyes were shaped differently too;
sort of like an almond and they were the color of
emeralds. There was also a hardness to him, testament
to the fact that he had been through a lot. His long
coppery hair cascaded over his shoulders. Elisabetta
had never before seen a more handsome man. The tattoos,
instead of marring his beauty, only served to enhance
it; even the demonic tattoos. They made him look
exotic, mysterious, and maybe even a little dangerous.
"An exciting combination to say the least," she mused.

"Come. You're still shaking. You can rest at...my
place...for a while." Elisabetta grabbed his hand and
led him down the street.

Doanthalas was slowly recovering, but still in no shape
to resist her. He wasn't so sure he wanted to resist
her anyway. When she touched him his body tingled. It
was a sensation that used to be so familiar, but was
now foreign to him. Pleasure. The elf watched
Elisabetta as she led the way down the street. She was
bigger than an elf woman. Taller, thicker...elven women
were slender and of smaller stature. Doanthalas used to
think that human women were fat, but after spending so
much time with Rapina and the pirates he wasn't so
sure.

Human women were more voluptuous, definitely.
Doanthalas liked their curves; like rolling hills. He
would be the wind that lightly blew over them.
Doanthalas was surprised at how much he desired this
woman. "It's understandable," he thought. After all, he
hadn't been with a woman in years. Ever since he and
his brother were captured and whisked away to the lower
planes. About seven years it had been. He shook his
head. Elisabetta had helped him and all he could do was
think about sex. Doanthalas took a deep breath and
followed her as she entered a large building resembling
an inn.

"Welcome to...my...home," Elisabetta said rather
hesitantly. "Come now. I'll introduce you to everyone
after you've had a chance to collect your wits."

The room was filled with couches and feather pillows
and had a large bar at the far end by the stairs.
Scantily clad women sat with men each fawning over the
other. Quite a few of them were kissing and petting
each other quite vigorously. The few that weren't so
occupied stared in awe as Elisabetta led Doanthalas
upstairs.

The young woman ushered Doanthalas into her room and
shut the door. A queen size bed dominated the room. A
dresser, mirror, wash basin, desk and chairs were the
only items of furniture in the room. Everything was
decorated quite fancifully. "Here. Have a seat on the
bed. Relax," she said. "How do you like it?"

The elf wasn't quite sure. He had never seen anything
quite like it before. But he had to admit that the bed
was quite comfortable.
"What is this place?" he asked sincerely.

Elisabetta almost laughed, "What?!?!?!?" She was
genuinely surprised. "You don't know? Hmmm. I guess
elves don't have brothels do they?"

"Brothels?" Doanthalas was perplexed. The word was
unfamiliar to him.

"A brothel is a..." she began, but stopped herself.
Doanthalas was the first man...elf that hadn't treated
her like dirt because of how she made her money.
Elisabetta liked that and decided not to spoil it by
telling him any more about brothels and prostitutes.
Never mind. It's not important. If you're tired you're
welcome to sleep here tonight." She almost added, "for
free", but caught herself in time.

"Sleep is not required," he replied.

"Oh? You're not tired? You've already slept then? No?
You do sleep don't you?" She was shocked when
Doanthalas shook his head no.

"The Reverie renews vigor and sharpens the mind's eye,"
he replied.

"The Reverie," Elisabetta had never heard of it before.
"What's that?"

"The Reverie is when the mind is clear as the sky and
the body is calm like the gentle waves of the sea. We
remember in this way," Doanthalas replied.

Elisabetta still looked confused. "The human word for
it is..." The elf closed his eyes and searched for it.
"Meditation. Yes.
Meditation."

"So you are saying that you don't NEED to sleep?" she
seemed astonished.

Doanthalas nodded. "The Reverie heals both body and
mind and helps me to remember."

"Remember? Remember what?" she asked obviously
confused.

"Everything. When a being lives for a thousand years
there are a lot of things to remember. The Reverie
allows us to do this." He replied.

"You're a thousand years old?!?!?!?" ELisabetta asked
skeptically.

The elf shook his head. "No. I am only one hundred and
seventy three years of age by human reckoning."

Elisabetta's jaw dropped. He was serious. "Wow! You
look great for your age," she joked. The elf's
expression didn't change.

"You are an assassin?" it was more of a statement than
a question.

The young woman didn't say anything. How could he have
guessed that?
No one knew that except...and he wasn't...or was he?
She would have to find that out on the morrow. For now
she needed to learn more about Doanthalas.

"Why do you ask that?" she ventured.

"You have the build and bearing of one," he said
matter-of-factly. "I have dealt with many of them in
the past." He noticed Elisabetta stiffen up.

"Worry not Elisabetta. I intend you no harm."
Doanthalas reached up and caressed her cheek in the
typical greeting of his people. "Your heart has opened
to mine. My heart has opened to yours. That is a trust
I would not betray."

Against all that she had been taught Elisabetta did
trust the elf.
She took his hand and pressed it against her cheek.
-----------------------------------------------------
End of The Lost Fragment of Chapter 19
-----------------------------------------------------

[Rapina]020 Granville

When the big day came, Thane rose early and showed
Rapina to a secret door with several locks hidden not
far from the Southern end of the canyon that housed the
cliff-side entrance to Thane's abode. The secret door
led to a staircase and a cavern.  Water filled the
central strip of the cavern.  There Thane kept his
boats, two canoes, a longboat, the relatively new
fishing boat that Drake and the boys had picked Rapina
up in, and a black pinnace that looked distinctly like
it was used for funerals. The watery part of the cavern
was at lake level. If a huge stone slab door was
opened, the boats could sail right out onto Grand lake.


"Thankfully, the boats, save the nice fishing boat I
gleaned from the pirates, were here when I took the
post.  I never could have afforded the large pinnnace."


"How will you sail her?" Rapina asked.

"I will not, you will, 'pirate wench'," Thane smiled.
"This little ship is not hard to handle, though I
usually only use the mainsail.  With you aboard, I
expect we will be able to use the jib as well.  I will
have a few skeletons along in the coffins below in case
of pirates.  I also have two large sculling oars we can
feed through holes in the stern.  That way two, two-
skeleton teams can scull from below.  Rather
appropriate, don't you think?

Rapina groaned.

That is on of the advantages of sailing a funereal
ship, skeletons in the hold are not unusual. I am
simply transferring them from another location on the
lake where they were found, to Graveston Isle where
they belong.  In an emergency, they can help us crew. I
have even got them dressed as sailors.  The trip should
be fun; it will give us a chance to go over the books
you have been reading.

The trip did prove to be fun, Thane had a great deal of
insight into the nature of magic. For years, he had
hunted through the musty bookstores and libraries of
the city of Rosehaven.  It was rare that he came up
with a good find concerning magic, but he had read or
bought anything about magic he could find, and thus had
a broad magical background.  With the tireless
skeletons sculling and all sails raised, the little
funeral ship made the fifteen or sixteen mile trip to
Granville in something under four hours.

Granville was odd in that it was shaped like a barbell.
There were two major neighborhoods with a road and a
narrow strip dotted with buildings joining them.  One
neighborhood was on the shore of Grand Lake and the
other, larger one, was on the shore of the River
Augustana. Both sat in a huge notch-like depression in
the granite cliffs that separated the two bodies of
water a mile west of their confluence.  To the West of
Granville were many acres of farmland and a herd of
sheep grazed on the rough, clifftop terrain to the East
of town.

Thane was still impoverished, thus he and Rapina staid
on the boat rather than renting a room at the inn.
Sunday passed uneventfully, For most of the day, Rapina
was locked in the boat while Thane went to visit
mortician Hagston and his wife. When Thane neared the
little ship that evening Rapina heard a mariner, and
spied out one of the portals.

"A priest o' Mortaebius, hey, you wouldn't happen to be
that Guardian Thane fellow, would ye?"

"Yes, I am Guardian Thane of Graveston Isle."

"It's the priest that saved us all from Capn' Red Jack!
Let me shake yer hand, Guardian.  I had a friend who
was killed by that scoundrel of a pirate an' his men,
and I'd like ta thank ye personal fer bringin' 'im ta
justice.

Rapina stifled a snicker as mariners literally mobbed
Thane.  They then escorted him to the patio of a
waterfront cafe where a bevy of grateful captains and
sailors wined and dined him.

Hours later Rapina heard unsteady footfalls on deck.
After several minutes of fumbling with the key, Thane
opened the hatch and came down.

"Rabinda, I'm, I'm..."

"...Drunk?" Rapina asked.

"Nonsenz, I've juzd 'ad a few allles," Thane slurred.

Rapina had, had experience with drunken pirates before,
and Thane was reeling like the best of them.  "Guardian
Thane, it's obvious that you are loaded," Rapina
whispered.

Thane blinked.  "Well therrre were so many of themmm,
and alll of themm wanded to buy me a drinnk.  I turnned
many downnn, bud der were sooo many."

Rapina looked askance at Thane and ran to get the
chamber pot. "Why don't you sit down, you're making me
dizzy."

Thane sat down.  "Really, I'll bee fine.  Juzzd make
sure weere ub for da hearing in da mornning."

Rapina set the chamber pot in front of Thane.  "Just in
case."

"You have exberience with dis?" Thane asked.

Rapina nodded, "Drunken pirates."

"Ahhh.  I'm sure they were nod very philosophical."

"A few maybe, but most were rowdy, then clumsy, then
sleepy, then passed out."

"That's the difference between pirates and civilized
men.  Even tipsy I can still make insidful
conversation.  Let us talk about what you were reading
this evening..."

Although, in his current condition, Thane seemed to
believe his insights were vastly more profound than
they actually were, he did make some interesting
commentary on Rapina's readings.  After a while she
worked the conversation around to necromancy... "But
how do the undead feel things?  What sort of sensation
do you get from a dead body?"

Thane pulled back his left sleeve, took off a glove and
peeled off a gross-looking red and flesh-colored
rubbery thing that covered his hand.

"Ick, what's that?" Rapina asked.

Thane chuckled.  "A fake burned and disfigured hand.
When in towwn I wear it just in case I should ever be
forced to take my glove off, and of course I claim it
was burned horribly and is a hideous sight."

"Was it burned?" Rapina asked?

"Nay, it waz gangreeen brought on by the wound of a
grave robber's filllthy blade."

"Oh, no wonder you hate grave robbers so much.  Well, I
mean other than being a priest of Mortaebius and all."

"Thane sighed, "Yes, I do have a bone to pick with
them." Thane laughed at his own joke but there was
bitterness as well as mirth in his voice.

Rapina groaned but giggled in spite of herself.

"It waz a sad story, really.  I waz protecting a
graveyard in Rosehaven from a gang of thugs, and the
tip of a knife sliced deep into my finger and hand.  I
do not know whad came over me. There were still four of
them when my brother priest fell. I had already used
what useful spells I had, and my brother priesd was
just a mortician.  He had never acquired priestly
spells at all and had no interest in magic.  I am not
quite sure how I managed it.  At first I was sure my
modest training in the staff would prevail over a band
of untrained street thugs, but the street provides its
own training.  I was lucky.  I kept yelling about the
wrath of Mortaebius and brained their leader.  My wound
may have saved me.  My hand was bleeding profusely, and
every time I swung my staff, blood flew everywhere.  I
think it scared the two that were left and they ran.

The leech thad saw me was not so good, or the knife the
thug stabbed me with was exceptionally filthy.
Whatever the case, the wound developed gangrene and the
leech said he would have to amputate.  I knew something
of necromancy even then.  It was a hobby of mine to
search the church library for references to it.
Imangine this, I was a priest of the god of the dead
and I did not even know if he could grant the power to
animate the dead. Magicians could cast the spell of
animation, as could clerics of certain gods. I was all
I knew.

I prayed for the power to animate just on the off
chance - and Mortaebius answered my prayer and I knew I
could cast the spell as a priest.  I purchased the
strongest spirits I could find and made a tourniquet
that I could crank with a stick.  I drank some spirits,
and soaked my hand in the rest, then just kept
cranking.  It hurt.  It hurt terribly.   I carved the
flesh away from the bone just behind the wrist.

There was a crow, half tame that I sometimes threw
scraps to. He... helped me remove the rest of the
flesh.  It was a grisly chore.  I could not sleep.  I
was up for a night and a day and a night.  I cast the
animation spell before the second dawn... It worked, as
you see, but," Thane's lip quivered.  "It had horrible
consequences.  My wife to be was revolted and called
off the wedding.  She was just an ordinary woman, not
something out of a man's fantasy." Thane looked at
Rapina. "Yet I loved her, and she, she turned on me
because of my hand.  She told... *everyone*.  The
church had to hide me because of what I had 'become.'"
The necromancer sobbed for several minutes, before he
continued.

Rapina pulled the necromancer close and he sobbed
against her.

"The, The Order of the Shroud heard of my heroism, and
of the way I had treated the wound the leech had given
up on.  They hid me.  They inducted me into the order
shortly thereafter.  For years, the church has been my
only family.  Every member of the order has his own
story to tell.  Most of us have distinguished ourselves
in combat or faced bitter enemies of Mortaebius in one
way or another."

Rapina shook her head.  "Now you're a hero in the eyes
of the mariners."

"An ironic turn for the, 'freak' from Rosehaven.  I
know it is unusual for us to be sleeping during the
night, but our hearing is first thing in the morning.
One of the mariners promised to knock loudly on my door
at dawn.  We had best get some sleep."

Rapina nodded and prepared the berths for sleeping.
"You had started to explain how the undead feel
things," she said

"Ah, yes, so I did.  I was going to say that my
animated hand can feel pressure, though the sense of
touch is not so accurate or intense as it is for my
living hand.  It is something like the sense of touch
you would have if you held your hand in ice water for a
time. On the other hand, I can feel life force with my
bone hand.  It is an additional sense that none of my
living parts possess." Thane said.

Rapina nodded as she got into her berth.  "So your
undead hand has the senses of an undead creature."

"Yes, I believe so. We must sleep.  Goodnight Rapina."

"Goodnight Guardian Thane."

Thane was a perfect gentleman, but after two weeks of
celibacy, Rapina had begun to wish he were not.  In
spite of the creepiness of his bone hand and the
horrors he had committed against her former friends,
the pirates, she saw that he was a good man in some
ways.  Rapina concentrated on the present, and in the
present Thane had begun a thorough job teaching her
magic. Rapina tossed in her berth.  She thought several
times about trying to sneak outside and find a drunken
sailor.  Going without a lover was driving her batty.
----

A loud knock sounded from above.  "It be dawn Guardian
Thane!" The voice of a mariner said.

Thane woke and put his hand to his temple.  "Uhhh, oh,
Thank you Jimmy, I'm getting up now."

Rapina looked up from her book.  She had given up on
sleeping after a few hours and had been reading
instead.  She fixed breakfast and then got ready for
the hearing.  The green dress was as hideous as she
remembered it.
---

"Serina, please approach the bench.  For the crimes of
unlawful trespassing, grave robbing, and aiding and
abetting known criminals, how do you plead?"

Rapina looked at the floor, "Guilty, your honor."

The judge pounded his gavel.  Serina, for the crimes of
grave robbing, unlawful trespassing, and aiding and
abetting known criminals you are sentenced to seven
years of indentured servitude to Guardian Thane. I
understand the pirates killed your family.  Guardian
Thane will serve as your legal guardian until your
indenture expires.  You understand that if you have
committed any other crimes, Serina, you can be tried
and sentenced, that sentence to begin at the end of
your indenture."

Rapina nodded.

"Guardian Thane, you are to supervise this young
woman's rectitude and rehabilitation. You are to make
sure she works hard and makes up for her trespasses,
Understood?" The judge asked.

"Yes your honor." Thane said solemnly.

"Good.  On behalf of the royal judiciary, I thank you,
Guardian Thane for ridding us of the scourge of Captain
Red Jack and his men.  The crown has seen fit to reward
you with a large sum of bounty money.  The bailif will
take you to the Augustana harbor where you may collect
your reward. Case closed." The judge pounded his gavel.


Thane hid a smile as he and his new servant left the
court.

The court was not far from Granville's Augustana river
harbor, across town from where Thane's ship was moored
in the Grand Lake harbor.  The bailiff took Thane and
Rapina via wagon to the river harbor where two ships
stood out.  One was a sleek navy vessel, and the other
was a large black ship.

As Thane approached a delegation from the black ship
came forward.

"Guardian Thane?" A priest from the delegation asked.

Guardian Thane nodded.

"This is Guardian Calvin Rames, Guardian Rittle,
Mortician Galveston, Mortician Wellman, and I'm
Mortican Abraham."

"Good to meet you all, this is bailiff Vance.  I hope
we can save more lengthy introductions until after the
bailiff performs his duties," Thane smiled.

"Of course," Morician Abraham replied.

"Bailiff, I'm captain Seawall of the royal navy, is
this Guardian Thane?"

"The bailiff put his hand on Thane's shoulder.  This is
Thane, sir."

"The Captain heartily shook Thane's hand.  "It is an
honor and a pleasure to meet you Guardian.  It will be
my honor to transmit the bounty money to you.  I will
take it from here, bailiff, thank you."

"Might you take my new servant back to my ship in the
Grand Lake harbor, bailiff?  I will be lingering aboard
the black ship with my fellow priests after we transfer
the money there, so I do not wish you to stay here on
my account."

"I would be glad to, Guardian Thane," the bailiff said.


Thane handed the key to his ship to the bailiff.  I
will drop by the court and pick up my key on the way
back if that is okay."

"Of course guardian." The bailiff nodded. I will see
that a deputy is posted to prevent her escape.  He will
have the key for you when you return, Guardian.  This
way Serina."

"Thank you Bailiff."

The bailiff took Rapina back to Thane's ship where he
posted a deputy to ensure that she did not get away.
She read and waited for several hours before she
spotted Thane and two other priests approaching Thane's
little ship.  After thanking the guard, They unloaded a
wagon full of supplies onto the ship and then said
their goodbyes.

"Goodbye Mortician Hagston, and thank you for helping
Guardian Rames and I with these supplies."

"It is always a pleasure to help you Guardian Thane,
especially now that you're quite a hero, and it was a
pleasure to meet you Guardian Rames."

"Likewise Mortician," Rames said.

"Serina, you will stay below until we leave the harbor.
I will call you then." Thane said.

"Have you done any sailing, Calvin?" Thane asked
Guardian Rames.

"I'm afraid not, Guardian Thane."

It took quite some time for the two priests to get the
ship out of the harbor and into the open water of Grand
lake. When they had, Thane called to Rapina as he
unlocked the hatch.

"Come on up Rapina," he said.

"Didn't you call her Serina before?" Rames asked.

"Yes, I did," Thane smiled.

Rapina put a marker in her book and came up on deck.
Unsure of how to act, she played the roll she had
played for the court.

"Hello Guardians," Rapina said

Thane chuckled.  "Rapina, be yourself.  This is
Guardian Calvin Rames. The church has seen fit to
assign an additional priest of the order to the isle."

"Good to meet you Guardian."  Rapina looked at the new
priest. He was a tall, rugged, blue-eyed, black-haired
man in his early thirties.  He held himself like a
soldier, and Rapina could not help but stand up
straight in his presence.  She could see how he must
have been able to inspire the men when he was a
chaplain in Avengene's military.

"Guardian Rames is a member of the Order Death's Peace
as am I. We are also members of a secret order, The
Order of the Shroud.  You shall keep no secrets from
him or me, do you understand?" Thane asked.

"Yes Guardian Thane," Rapina replied.

"Good then, you can start by telling us how you became
a criminal. Do not lie to us, Rapina, tell us
everything." Thane smiled.

Rapina swallowed and froze for the longest time.  She
realized that now that Thane had secured the sentence
of indenture.  Rapina could no longer hold the threat
of being uncooperative at the trial over his head.
Would he now betray her if she revealed her secrets; or
would he instead punish her if she did not?

Thane dug Rapina's dreamstone pendant from his pocket
and held it up.  "Be sure to include this, as well."

Rapina cringed.  Thane wore the look of the chess
master, and Rapina was suddenly terrified of him.  What
did the necromancer know?

Rapina started the story with the truth, her name, her
hometown, everything...
"...So when daddy caught me with Raymond Thompson, he
used his belt on me, but... It never did any good.  Mom
talked to Thelma Thompson.  She was very religious, and
they decided to send me to reverend Evangeline.  He was
a priest of the vindicator - supposedly celibate.
However, I knew about the reverend from my friend
Avaine whom he had raped and Auntie who sold curses
against him to women he abused back before he had her
killed for it.  I tried to run but constable Grayton
caught me.

He put me in a cell under the church.  I took the
dreamstone out and tried to call the lust spirit.  I
had been looking at the statue of the vindicator at the
time, and the silver work that holds the stone, it
makes the symbol of the vindicator several times.  The
reverend was spying on me from above.  He thought I was
praying to the vindicator.  When he came down to gloat
over me and strip me of my clothes, I asked him to
bless the dreamstone.  I thought it was the only way he
would let me keep it.

He blessed it and went on with my, "purification,"
which consisted of whipping me everywhere it wouldn't
show with a willow switch.  I was striped, and
bleeding, because he'd broke the skin in several areas.
He made it clear while he was beating me that if I told
on him I would be in much worse pain. He said if I
didn't obey him I could wind up like Sarah Brailings.
She had told what he did to her and she had sickened
and died.  The townspeople had taken it as a punishment
from the vindicator for her telling wicked lies about
the reverend.

Later the reverend told me he had arranged an accident
for Brenda Dawes too, because she was uncooperative.
The reverend told me I had sullied my body and that I
was to lie only with the man the vindicator joined me
to in matrimony, but then he said I could be purified.
He would lie with me and lend me his purity.  Then he
raped me the first time.  It was horrible.  I hurt
everywhere from the beating and he took me roughly. I
would have done anything to escape, anything.

All during my early teens the lust spirit within the
pendant I found buried in Autie's hut's dirt floor had
begged me to let it into my mind.  Rapina pointed at
the pendant Thane held.  I always refused it, but when
the reverend came, what was left of the spirit in the
stone stirred and I tried to escape into the stone and
to take the spirit's power.

I woke up later in the cell.  The reverend was gone.  I
was unsure if the magic I had experienced when he
climaxed was from the reverend or the dreamstone, but
it was the stone.  There was not much left of the
spirit, something had happened to it in the nether
world - a war.  I drew what there was of the lust
spirit into me.  I knew something was different because
when the constable came to collect the decanter and
chamber pot, something made my nose tingle.  It was his
lust.

In the past I could usually tell when a boy was
interested, but not like that.  I could smell it.  It
made me tingle.  The reverend stayed away.  I was
feeling rebellious and curious, and I realized the
constable was as much under the reverend's thumb as I
was.  I never wore clothes when the constable came in
the morning, and I begged him for food although the
reverend had me on a water-only fast to keep me weak
and compliant.

On Saturday the reverend was out of town doing a
service for the farmers.  Constable Grayton brought me
a bottle of milk, and I rewarded him.  There was
something different within my loins. My muscles, they
were stronger and I had more power and control of them.
The constable really enjoyed it, and so did I, but
there was something more to it than before.  I came and
I briefly felt my mind touch his, and I could feel the
energy he was giving me as he thrust into me.  I drew
on it, and when he came, he had an intense orgasm.
When he left, I realized that the scabs had dropped off
from the worst of my willow-whip sores.  The constable
had... healed me.

After the Sunday service, the reverend was full of
himself and ready to rape me again. He shaved me, and
cut my nether lips so it would hurt when he raped me.
He made me dress in a harlot's clothes, and act the
part.  He wanted to prove he was greater than normal
men were.  He said he had converted the original wearer
of the clothes, but the look in his eyes... He was not
a sane man.  I think he killed her, and I was afraid he
would do the same to me."

"He raped me again.  My new senses made it a little
easier.  I hated him, but my senses liked his lust.
When he took me, the cut hurt horribly.  The sensations
were very intense, pain, pleasure, he tortured me for
as long as he could, so long that he made me come.  I
was desperate to escape.  He terrified me. As I came, I
touched his mind and tried to fill him with lust. I
knew that was already what was in his mind.  I thought
if I could just intensify it, he would not suspect
anything.  Then maybe he would be less likely to leave
with the keys after he used me, and more likely to
continue until he fell asleep in the cell. If he fell
asleep I thought I could try to find the keys he used
to get in, and escape.

Finally he came and that healed me.  He raped me
repeatedly.  I tried desperately to draw his energy
with everything I had.  I pulled so hard when he came
that it hurt and I saw lights behind my eyelids.  He
fell asleep a couple of times but woke up and punished
me when he discovered me trying to escape.  I didn't
know what else to do, I just kept him lusting.  As long
as he was thrusting he was not beating me, and he was
not looking at me with that crazed look he got when he
talked about the harlot who originally wore the clothes
I was wearing.  He was at it for hour after hour, and
when he became exhausted he made me do the work, but he
never passed out for long enough for me to get away
until..."

"Until?" Thane asked.

"He died." Rapina grimaced.

Thane raised an eyebrow.

"... I," Rapina began.  "The skin of his erection was
gray when I got off him.  I had a bad feeling because I
had been desperately drawing for so long and suddenly
he exploded inside me; there was a rush of energy
and... then there was nothing there to take.  Drawing
just seemed to cost me energy rather than giving it to
me.  I - It was confusing.  I stopped and checked his
breath.  He was dead.

I slept for a few minutes after that. I was energized
but physically exhausted.  I dreamed Auntie came and
talked to me.  She said that the lust spirit was
supposed to have possessed me and killed the reverend,
but that the church could have exorcised the spirit.
Her plan did not come out as she'd expected.  I was
much more stubborn than she had realized, and had not
let the spirit into my mind.  In addition, the spirit's
home was torn by war.  Its body was killed, I think,
and it tried to store its soul in the dreamstone.
Auntie apologized for using me in her revenge against
reverend Evangeline, and for the fact that her plan had
gone awry due to unforeseen circumstances.  She told me
I was still a woman, and not limited to what the lust
spirit had given me.  She said that I was limited only
by what I could learn.

I took the reverend's robe and mine, his money, his
holy symbol, his signet, his mage light, his razor,
everything that was in the room that seemed like it
might be useful, then I found the keys and ran.  I made
it to the river, but by then the constable was hot on
my trail.  I found a log in the river, freed it and
rode it South.  I was very lucky.  The constable almost
caught me before I found the log, and I knew if he had
that Evangelene's family would have executed me.  Later
I found out from Captain Red Jack that the reverend was
a son of the Marquis. His real name was Evangeline
Avengene."

Rames gasped.

Rapina continued, "I rode the river, and eventually I
fell over a big waterfall. Three young men in a stolen
fishing boat fished me out of the water.  I was passed
out draped over a log.  I was in very bad shape.  I
regained consciousness occasionally.  One time I was
half-conscious, I asked one of the boys to take me one
last time before I died.  I really was sure I was going
to die, too.  He took me, and another of them took me
roughly right after.  It saved my life.  The boys
didn't know that's what they were doing, but over the
next week, they nursed me back to health.

The boys were going to give me to Captain Red Jack as a
gift when they asked to join his crew.  For the first
part of the trip I staid with them because I was too
ill to leave.  After that, I decided that, thanks to
reverend Evangeline, I was now an outlaw whether I
liked it or not.  When we met Jack, I talked before the
boys could gather their wits and asked if the boys and
I could join his crew.

I hid my powers from Jack.  I was afraid the pirates
would fear me as a witch.  I had to learn how not to
let sex magic cure my wounds.  I got good at healing
the deep parts of my wounds and leaving the skin still
bruised.  It got me through combat training with the
pirates in spite of the arms master trying to wash me
out.  Captain Red Jack had a few books on magic.  I
have always been very interested in magic, and I also
thought that if I could learn some, I could pretend I
had also learned the sex magic that I have from the
dreamstone's spirit."

"The pirates, did you ever harm any of them?" Thane
asked.

Rapina shook her head.  "I never tried to draw on
anyone like I had on Evangeline.  I took only a little
more from the pirates I was with than a man naturally
gives - just enough to enhance their pleasure.  I was
hiding my magic, so it would have been unwise to draw
on them hard.  Besides, it would not have been nice.
When you sent the shadows after us, I found out what it
was like to give more than you could afford.  It was a
horrible realization that I was doing something very
like what a shadow does. I could feel the energy with
my lust sense when I bumped the arm of a shadow who was
draining Logan."  Rapina grimaced.

Thane chuckled evilly, "Your story is most interesting
and meshes well with two facts I discovered magically.
The dreamstone carries certain sorcerous residues, and
now that I have had a chance to look at other young
women with my mage-sight, I have noticed your aura is
subtly different.  I was considering turning you into a
common kitchen drudge now that I no longer needed your
cooperation to secure you in my service.  However, I
believe that, whether you like it or not, you are more
kindred to Mortaebius than I had previously imagined.
I also believe that given the lust spirit was dead at
the time you took its power, you have a connection with
Mortaebius.  In addition, our church has been having
trouble with the church of the vindicator.  In our eyes
Evangeline's death was the justice of the gods and you
are a hero, Rapina.  Thus if you are willing to learn
about our god, and you do not disconfirm certain
elements of your story, I am willing to continue your
apprenticeship."

Rapina smiled.  "Hail Mortaebius, guardian of the dead.
Hallow my soul with thy mighty power as thou hast
hallowed the ground wherein my ancestors lie, and let
me serve thee well, before you draw me nigh, to rest in
honor beside those who've died."

"Astonishing, where did you learn that?" Thane asked.

"It's not such a great mystery.  Priests always put
their holy books in your room when they capture you,"
Rapina replied.

Rames laughed.

"Ah," Thane grabbed his forehead "I should have known.
I had thought you never cracked that book, but I see
that I have underestimated you once again.  The
sharpness of your wit never ceases to please me,
Rapina.  There was a time when I might have been
tempted to believe women incapable of such a degree of
intelligence.  I see that I was wrong in your case.  I
do believe your considerable talents and unique past
will make you a fine apprentice.  That reminds me,
while we are on the topic of unique pasts, unseen
talents and dark personal secrets..."

Thane removed the glove from his left hand, and then
the fake burned and disfigured rubber skin.

Thane flexed the boney fingers.  "I lost this hand to
gangrene from the blade of a grave-robbing thug.  The
way I 'cured' it with the blessing of Mortaebius cost
me my fiancée's love and very nearly got me lynched.
The Order of the Shroud working through The Order of
Death's Peace, hid me and gave me the option to join.
When I joined, they stationed me on Graveston isle, a
nice out-of-the way assignment.  Its only drawback was
poverty.  Currently I believe Captain Red Jack has
quite soundly remedied that problem for me.  Now that
you realize you're sailing with a woman who may be able
to kill you with your own lust and a man who is partly
undead, do you have any dark secrets you wish to share,
Guardian Rames?"

Rames shook his head, "Nothing to compare with what I
just heard.  I have a fascination with death, it's like
a religion."

"Literally," Thane chuckled. "You are a killer then.
Be certain of one thing, you will curb any blood lust
you may have while on my isle.  We three will be the
only living people on Graveston island, and if I am to
increase my study of magic, you and Rapina are both
essential.  Is that clear?"

Rames nodded.

"Unfortunately, your particular quirk is common to my
undead servitors, thus you will have to share any
killing chores that we are fortunate enough to acquire
with my ghouls.  Once I have worked on a few spells, I
may be able to give you special killing assignments.
Of late, the church has enemies on whom you can
practice.  I will have need for a supply of bodies for
magical purposes, after all," Thane said.

"That would be fine, Guardian Thane.  In the past,
there have always been foe-men, orcs, enemies of the
church, creatures and people I could kill with a
certain degree of pride.  I prefer it that way.  I am a
trained soldier who found he enjoyed what others
dreaded.  Had it not been for the church of the
vindicator, I would have gone far in the military."

"Heheheh, the perfect soldier and Avengene threw you
out because his son was seduced by the vindicator.  You
are an executioner.  It is fitting that you are of the
shroud," Thane observed.

"Guardian Rames smiled shyly and looked at Rapina, "Uh,
other than that I was a simple military chaplain until
the man you killed turned his father against all gods
but the vindicator.  It was sad too, Avengene and his
first born were fine generals and honorable men, but
the worship of the vindicator infected them like a
plague.  Eventually it tainted their entire army and I
had to leave before someone stabbed me in the back as a
heretic."

"After discharge from Avengene's service I went to
seminary and became a full priest of Mortaebius instead
of just a chaplain.  The church to fight the dishonest
faithful of the vindicator enlisted me.  The
vindicator's minions were posing as grave robbers or
bandits and destroying the churches of Mortaebius and
other gods within the Marquisate of Avengene.  I've led
combat, and fought beside the unliving soldiers of our
god, but otherwise I'm a professional soldier who...
enjoys his work." Rames said.

"How were the conflicts with the vindicator's secret
forces going when you left active service under the
order of the Shroud?"

"We had knocked out a major group of their "bandits"
thanks to the magic of men like you, Guardian Thane.
There was a lull in the combat while the church of the
vindicator regrouped and after seeing the power of
necromancy, I inquired after training.  I take it the
Order of the Shroud expects a drawn-out conflict
because they tested my intellect and sent me out here
to learn magic."

Thane nodded.  "It is usual for the order to take only
those who are naturally drawn to necromancy and learn
it on their own.  Things change in times of war.
Evidently, this conflict with the church of the
vindicator is being taken quite seriously."

"It is deadly serious," Rames said. "When the church of
the vindicator managed to get the son of a notable war
lord, an Avengine, to join it was only a matter of time
before the churches of other gods felt the torch.
Rapina, I never would have guessed a modest-looking
girl like you could have killed the famous reverend
Evangeline, but I'd like to shake your hand just the
same."  Rames held out his hand.

Rapina shook Calvin Rames' hand and smirked.

Thane chuckled.

"Am I missing something?" Rames asked.

"Why don't you get into one of your boyish sailor's
outfits, Rapina, we're going to have to teach this land
lubber to handle the ship, and you'll be of little help
in that courtroom dress," Thane grimaced.

Rapina nodded and left to put something else on, and to
take off the ugly courtroom make-up that Thane had put
on her as well. While she was at it, she would free her
hair from the spinster's bun Thane had set it in.  She
could hear Thane talking to Rames through the portholes
as she dressed.

"Calvin, I will feed you and provide magical supplies
for you, but that is all.  If you would like to make
spending money, you can assist Mortician Hagston when
he comes to bury the deceased and take the burial
commission he used to give me.  Now that I can afford
to, I intend to spend every moment I can on the study
of magic.  I will also be teaching you and Rapina the
basics of the magical arts, of course, but that will be
a good review for me as well."

When she reemerged from below, Rapina smiled
conspiratorially. She was wearing a v-neck sail-cloth
tunic and her sail-cloth miniskirt.

When he saw Rapina, Calvin Rames' jaw dropped and he
stared open-mouthed.

There was a moment of surprise and then Guardian Rames'
lust caressed her like a million tiny fingers.  As
starved as she was, it didn't take much.   Rapina's
face flushed as her body responded.

Thane watched with an amused grin on his face.

Rames licked his lips as he saw Rapina's nipples grow
to dent the fabric of her tunic.  His eyes kept moving.
He couldn't seem to decide whether to look at Rapina's
long shapely legs, her curvaceous torso, her ripe
breasts or her stunning face.

Rames cleared his throat, "Uh, please forgive that
'modest' remark; you're magnificent, and any man would
be happy to do much more than shake your hand,"
Gaurdian Rames grinned like a pirate.
---

[Rapina]021 Death Takes a Holiday


Turnmoor's square was packed with people.  All eyes
were trained on the execution platform.  The big day
had finally arrived and people from far and wide had
come to see the death of the infamous Red Jack. Guards
surrounded a man bound in shackles as a few of the town
officials conferred with some of the local lords.
Meanwhile the executioner prepared for the torture and
hanging scheduled for that day.

Red Jack held his head up high.  He would not give
these people the satisfaction of breaking him.  If it
were time for him to die, then he would die with
dignity.

A thin hawkish looking man stepped forward and unrolled
a scroll.  He cleared his throat and signaled for
silence. "Good people of Turnmoor we are gathered here
today to see that justice be done," he said in a loud
strong voice.  "To my right stands a man who has
committed crimes and acts so foul as to be
unmentionable..."

Jack smiled roguishly.  "Like docking me schooner in
the port of Henrich's wife," he thought.  Searching the
crowd he found Lord Li' Yeiraun sitting with his
entourage in a specially constructed booth. Both Cynid
and Adriana were there.

His smile faded when he saw Adriana.  A sadness
overcame him.  He hadn't seen his daughter since she
was a babe.  The fool Henrich probably still believed
that she was his own daughter.  Jack knew better.  He
could see his own features in her face.

"Better she grows up a spoiled brat than a pirate," he
mused.  Cynid would see that Adriana was well cared
for.  Jack closed his eyes and a tear streaked down his
face.

The offical droned on in the background, "...of
Turnmoor find you, Red Jack, Captain of the pirate ship
Dirty Minx guilty of piracy, murder, kidnapping, and
treason against the crown!  Therefore you are to be
tortured and hanged by the neck until dead!"  The
official finished with a flourish and pointed an
accusing finger at the pirate.

"Do you have any last words or requests?  If not then
now would be a good time to beg for mercy," the hawkish
man quipped.

"As a matter of fact I would like to say a few words,"
Red Jack said as he shuffled forward in his manacles.
"There's this lady in the crowd who's caught me eye.
And I'd like the pleasure of getting ta know her better
if ye knows what I mean," he winked melodramatically at
the crowd.

Some laughter erupted from the crowd as Jack shuffled
forward and pointed at Cynid Li Y' eiraun.  "Ain't she
just tha sweetest thing ye ever seen?" Cynid blushed
and smiled.  Henrich Li'Yeiraun's scowl just deepened
and his face turned red with rage.

"How dare you!!!!!", Henrich shouted.  "Nobody speaks
to me or my wife in that manner and..."

"...lives to tell the tale?" he finished.  "Not to
worry 'Lord' Li'Yeiraun for if I'm not mistaken the
whole reason we're all here today, you especially, is
to watch me die.

The crowd burst into laughter and Jack smiled.  That
last jibe had shut Henrich up in a hurry.

"Enough!" an official man shouted.  "You have plagued
this land for far too long.  The time for your
reckoning has come!  Guards..."

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

Arzael sat on his rooftop perch surveying the scene.
He could not hear what Jack was saying, but judging by
the crowd's reaction it was good. Leave it to Jack to
spoil a perfectly somber execution. The half-elf
glanced behind him as he nocked one of his homemade
arrows.  A small brazier burned next to him propped up
high enough for him to just lean over and ignite the
fuses on his arrows.  The remaining five arrows rested
within easy reach in his quiver.

The archer that had been stationed there lay hidden
beneath a pile of trash in a nearby alley.  He wouldn't
be raising an alarm anytime soon. The knife slipped
through his ribs by Arzael had seen to that. Arzael
waited until they began to move Jack towards the
torture devices before he lit the fuse on the first
arrow.  The fuse crackled and hissed as the master
archer took aim.  His target was a small cluster of
barrels thirty yards away. When the fuse had burned
down just enough Arzael loosed the arrow. Only a few
people caught sight of it before it slammed into the
barrels...

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


Brackston pushed his way as close to the platform as he
dared.  No use in getting spotted before the fireworks
began.  He and Skitch had just finished putting one of
Arzael's specially made barrels in one of the shops on
the square. The shop had been closed for the
executions, but Skitch had made short work of the locks
on the door.

The diminutive pirate hoped that the fuse he had
attached to the barrel was not too long.  Once Rage lit
it, they would probably have a minute or two before it
went off. Timing was of utmost importance to the
plan...

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

Drake stood behind Pike near the platform.  Both
pirates were smiling broadly.  Jack definitely knew how
to work a crowd.  That was probably why he was such a
good captain. The young pirate was nervous, however.
Soon it would be time for action.  All they were
waiting for was Arzael's 'signal'."

Pike had secreted one of Arzael's barrels near a stack
of other barrels.  He had had Drake stock a few extra
barrels filled with oil nearby. Doanthalas was waiting
by the barrels at that very moment.  He would light the
fuse before moving on to...well...that part was up to
the elf.  He was 'wildcard' support after all.  It
would not be much of a 'wildcard' if Pike knew exactly
what he was up to.
-------------------------

Rage was one of the first to see Arzael's arrow
streaking towards the barrels.  In his excitement he
fumbled with the tinder he was using to light the fuse.
It took him four tries, but finally he got it lit. The
first explosion rocked the square as Rage raced to put
as much distance between him and the barrels as
possible...

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

The elf saw the arrow streaking through the air and
moved to light the fuse.  The end of the fuse sputtered
and crackled to life.  Doanthalas was not sure what was
going to happen, but Pike had told him to put a lot of
distance between him and the barrels after lighting the
fuse.  As Doanthalas saw it there was no reason to
question Pike's assessment of the situation.  He moved
quickly and stealthily through the streets as he moved
closer to Arzael's position.

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

Finding a tattooed elf amongst all the humans crowded
into the square was harder than Elisabetta had
imagined.  She figured Doanthalas would stick out like
a sore thumb.  Unfortunately, things were not working
out exactly as she had hoped.  Paolo had been intrigued
by her story of the sylvan elf.  He had asked her to
find out more about the elf.  Perhaps he would want to
join their little 'group'.  An elf's skills would prove
invaluable.

Elisabetta hoped that Doanthalas would join.  Partly
because of his obvious skill, but mainly for purely
personal reasons.  A smile crept onto her face and her
body tingled with the memory of that night. Suddenly an
explosion thundered through the square.  Elisabetta
headed for cover.  Flames and smoke billowed up not far
from the platform. People started to panic and run
about in frenzy.

Elisabetta shrank back into the shadows.  "No use in
getting trampled to death," she thought.  Two more
explosions rocked the square and a moment later the
female assassin caught sight of the elf disappearing
down an alleyway "Now what exactly are you up to?" she
mused.  "I wonder..." Elisabetta slipped out of the
shadows and down the alleyway behind Doanthalas.

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

Jack smiled as flaming debris fell to the ground around
him.  Some of his crew HAD survived AND returned to
rescue him.  He sensed Arzael's hand in the
pyrotechnics. The half-elf had always loved to watch
things burn.  Another explosion rocked the platform as
Jack scanned the crowd.  They were out there somewhere
amidst all the frightened people.

A third explosion engulfed a building to the left of
the platform. Flames poured from its windows and doors.
"Ha!  Lookit em run!" the pirate shouted in glee.  The
guards that had been surrounding the platform were busy
trying to keep from being trampled by the panicked
crowd. The few guards that did not get trampled turned
tail and fled with the crowd.  The only things between
Jack and freedom were the dozen or so guards that had
managed to make it to the relative safety of the
platform.

Brackston fought his way to the platform with Skitch
following on his heels.  When they broke through the
crowd he pulled the hand crossbow he had taken from the
spy and said, "The two on Jack!  I've got the left..."

"...and I've got the right!" Skitch finished.  He had
the hand crossbow from the other spy.  The two pirates
took aim and fired.

The two guards flanking the pirate captain fell back
clutching the arrows embedded in their chests.  He
laughed loudly and looked for the guard carrying the
keys to his manacles. Jack saw Brackston turn his back
to Skitch and lift his cloak.  "Not now you two!  Fight
now!  Play later!" he joked.

Brackston frowned as Skitch unstrapped the short swords
he had concealed on his back.  He wondered how the
captain could continue to joke around considering their
precarious situation.

"Behind ya captain!  Thar's more of em comin'!" the
diminutive pirate shouted as he and Brackston leapt
onto the stage. The remaining ten or so guards were
advancing on the pirates as the hawkish looking
official cowered behind them.  Suddenly an arrow struck
one of the guards heads and exploded. A handful of the
men managed to avoid the blast, but the others were
either dead or dying.  The hawkish man squealed as Pike
and Drake leapt onto the platform.

"Ah good!  I see you've left a few for me an Drake,"
Pike bellowed.  He raised his sword and charged.  Drake
took up the charge beside him. To their credit the
guards fought valiantly, unfortunately for them the
pirates were better warriors.  Pike looked around at
the dead guards in disappointment. "Ya mean ta tell me
that's all the fightin' I get ta do?"

"Actually...no," Drake interrupted as he pointed to
about twenty guards advancing on the platform.

"Brackston!  Grab that axe and cut these chains," the
captain ordered. "We've got to go while we've got the
chance."

Brackston grabbed the executioner's axe and cut the
chains on Jack's manacles.

"Perhaps ye should clear a path for us Pike," Skitch
suggested, "but...headin' that way!"  He indicated the
direction opposite the twenty guards.

"Aye!" the Norseman readily agreed.  He couldn't help
but smile when he saw another of Arzeal's explosive
arrows sailing towards the guards. His smile turned to
a frown when a few arrows from the Turnmoor archer's
emplacements rained down around him.

"It's been fun," Jack said to the cowering official,
"but right now I've gotta run.  Maybe we can do this
again sometime..." The captain spotted Henrich rallying
his personal guards as he turned to run.  "Slipped
through yer fingers once again.  Eh Henrich?" he
taunted.

"Don't count on it knave!" Henrich shouted as he shook
his fist in the air.  "Guards!  Seize them!"

Drake noticed the exchange between Henrich and Jack
with amusement. Then he noticed Adriana sitting in the
booth with him.  "Gods!  She's a Li'Yeiraun!  This just
keeps getting better!" He still wanted to help her, but
had enough to deal with for the moment.  What with over
twenty guards advancing on him and arrows raining down
around him.

Another arrow exploded, but this time it was Henrich's
guards who bore the brunt of the attack.  Jack and his
men used the diversion to flee into the back streets
and alleys of Turnmoor.  Henrich and his men and the
remaining city guards followed them through the
streets.  The panicked people and fires that had
started to burn out of control hampered them.

Fire brigades were slowly forming as some of the people
and panicked guards managed to regain some self-
control.  If the fires were not dealt with swiftly
Turnmoor would burn to the ground. The sheer number of
the town's guard needed to battle the fires and deal
with the wounded left only a few to continue the
pursuit of Jack and his men. Henrich and his men cared
neither for the well being of the people or the town
and so continued in their pursuit of the pirates.

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

As the elf quickly moved down the streets, he found
himself distracted by the movement of the humans.  He
still did not comprehend the whole concept of streets
and buildings and towns.  His people had never needed
such things.  Besides why would one want to alter the
beautiful form of the world?

Doanthalas took a deep breath and cleared his mind of
such frivolous thoughts.  At the moment he had more
pressing matters to concern himself with.  It stood to
reason that by now the city guard knew of Arzael's
position. His fears were confirmed as he rounded the
corner.  A group of eight guards was positioning a
ladder so they could reach the master archer. The hairs
on the back of Doanthalas' neck stood on end as he
watched.

The tattooed elf turned to look behind him, but did not
see anything or anyone out of the ordinary.  Although,
he really was not sure what was ordinary for humans he
had to admit.  Somebody was following him; he was sure
of it.  But he had to worry about Arzael at the moment.
The guards would swarm him and capture or kill the
half-elf if Doanthalas did not act soon.  One hand
slipped beneath his vest and emerged holding two
throwing knives.

The first guard to climb the ladder noticed the elf out
of the corner of his eye.  Two of his comrades had
fallen before he could even shout a warning. Four of
the other guards drew their weapons and took chase.
That left one other guard with him to take care of the
deadly archer. Eric waited at the top while Talmon
ascended the ladder.  Both men were nervous, but both
bravely moved onward.

They could not let these assassins hurt more innocent
people.  They burst around to where the archer was only
to find him gone.  All that was left were a few arrows
and a small brazier with a fire burning in it.  Talmon
noticed that one of the arrows was lit and pointed it
out to Eric who turned pale the moment he beheld it.
It was one of Arzael's explosive arrows lit and burning
fast. Eric's last thoughts were of his wife and
daughter.  The arrow exploded seconds later sending the
bodies of both men plummeting to the ground.

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

The half-elf smiled roguishly when he heard the last of
his arrows go off.  He had heard the guards coming
thanks to Doanthalas. Silently he moved through the
streets trying to avoid the guards and panicked people.
He was not sure where Jack and the others were so he
randomly chose streets to follow.  If he happened upon
them he would do what he could to help.  Otherwise he's
get out of Turnmoor and make for the meeting place.

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

Elisabetta was impressed.  Doanthalas was good.
Whoever his friends were, they were professionals.
They had single handedly reduced the civilized city of
Turnmoor to one big chaotic mess. She guessed that they
were somehow involved with Red Jack.  Maybe some of his
crew had survived after all.  She had heard they were
all killed.  With a shrug and a tilt of her head, she
moved to follow Doanthalas and his pursuers. It was
obvious that the tattooed elf did not know the streets
too well. He had just run down a dead end alley.
Elisabetta drew her dagger and followed them into the
alley.

The four guards advanced confidently on the elf.  They
had their swords drawn and figured it would be
relatively easy to subdue the unarmed elf.

"By the authority of the city of Turnmoor I order you
to surrender!" the first guard began.  "Now we can do
this the easy way or..."

Doanthalas whipped both arms forward and two daggers
appeared in his hands.  The rogue who had tried to mug
the elf had graciously offered the spring-loaded wrist-
sheathes in exchange for his life.  The sylvan elf had
accepted, but not before he had taken the rogue's vest
and throwing knives first.

The first guard swallowed hard.  He didn't like the
crazed look in the elf's eyes.  Obviously, this was
going to be done the hard way.  He motioned his men
forward. One of the guards pitched forward and fell
flat on his face.  A pool of blood began to spread out
from his body.  Turning around the leader noticed an
attractive woman holding a bloody dagger.  She was
smiling at them. He cursed himself for having foolishly
walked into such an obvious ambush.  "Take the elf men!
I've got the other one," he ordered.

The elf was just as surprised to see Elisabetta as the
guards were.  He did not have time to reflect on this
recent development as the two guards advanced on him.
They handled their swords well, but were unpracticed in
fighting in concert.  Doanthalas deftly moved, weaved,
and parried as the guards attacked.  He had to work
harder since their weapons had a longer reach, but in
the end his skill won out.  One of the guards
overextended himself and Doanthalas stepped under his
attack. The elf's dagger plunged deep into the guard's
abdomen as he grabbed the man and spun him around to
face the other guard.  The other guard could not stop
his attack in time and plunged his sword into his
comrade.  Doanthalas seized the opportunity and spun
the dead guard away from him.  The move wrenched the
sword from the remaining guard's grip. The guard
backpedaled and drew his dagger. The elf feinted with
one dagger and struck with the other.  The guard fell
back and collapsed on the ground.  A necklace with a
locket on it fell out of his shirt.

"Well if you're finished playing," Elisabetta teased,
"maybe we can get out of here before more guards
arrive."  She tilted her head to the side and smiled
flirtatiously.

The elf snatched up the locket and turned to face the
woman.  He was not sure why he had grabbed the locket,
but for some reason it seemed important to him.  The
sight of Elisabetta stirred something within him again.
"Why have you..." he began.

"I couldn't let those nasty men hurt my ma...elf," she
said as she grabbed his arm and smiled.

The sylvan elf felt a tug at the corner of his mouth as
he beheld Elisabetta.  If anything she looked more
beautiful to him today than she had the other day.

This was a first.  Doanthalas had not smiled the whole
time she had seen him before.  "You should smile more
often, " she teased, "it greatly improves your looks."

The elf was at a loss for words as Elisabetta led him
through the streets.

"Come on!  I know a safe place for us to go.  We can
hide out there for a little while...besides there's
someone I want you to meet there," she said as she led
the way through Turnmoor.

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

Adriana was blown away.  Drake was a pirate!  Not only
that, but he had just helped the infamous Red Jack
escape, and with only a handful of other men!  Her
imagination ran wild with the vision of Drake
swashbuckling his way through hundreds of bumbling
guards.  Of course he was the leader of the group; one
of Jacks most trusted and skilled officers.

A plan was beginning to form in her mind.  Her father
hated Red Jack and the pirates with a passion.  He
would be devastated if his beloved daughter took off
and joined them.  She frowned. He probably would not
even notice.  No.  He would notice.  It would be a
serious blow to his pride and his pride was the only
way to get through to him.  Adriana had made up her
mind.  She would find a way to join Red Jack and Drake
as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

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


The young pirate watched and waited as the pirates ran
towards his position.  He unstoppered the small barrel
at his feet and soaked a rag with some of the oil from
it.  As the pirates ran past he stood up holding the
burning piece of tinder he had grabbed from a nearby
building.

There was a fairly large group of men chasing Jack and
the pirates. Rage waited until they were close before
he lit the rag and kicked the barrel off the roof.  The
barrel splintered when it hit the ground sending
burning oil flying everywhere.

Jack looked back just in time to see the first few of
Henrich's men go up in flames.  He smiled and looked to
the rooftop.  Rage smiled and waved to the captain.
"Good boy Rage," the captain said proudly.  He had
bought Jack and the rest of the pirates enough time to
escape.  Hopefully, Rage would be able to get away from
Henrich's men in time.

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

Turnmoor remained in chaos for over three days as the
people battled the raging fires and tended to those
wounded by the fires, explosions, and riots.
Eventually the fires were either put out or burned out
by themselves. Most of Turnmoor had made it through
unscathed.  The death and destruction had been mostly
confined to the square and few surrounding blocks.

Those that had been present for the execution had
suffered greatly.  Some had died during the explosions;
some had been trampled to death by the stampeding
masses; and others had been burned alive by the raging
fires.  Henrich Li'Yeiraun was not the only person with
a reason to hate the pirate Red Jack anymore.  The
price on the pirate captain's head nearly quadrupled
during the three days it took to battle the fires and
tend the wounded and dead.  Every bounty hunter in
Turnmoor and his brother made preparations to hunt down
the infamous Red Jack.  The wanted posters had
previously said dead or alive.  Now they just said
dead.
---

[Rapina]022 Wizardry


After the revelation of secrets, Rapina and Thane gave
Rames a lesson in sailing, one that ended with backing
the ship into Thane's secret cavern and securing her
within.  After that, Thane sat his new apprentices in
his great hall and told them what he expected.

"Now, your apprenticeships will be working
apprenticeships.  Please forgive me if I am forced to
amend your duties from time to time, for I have never
had apprentices before; thus you will be teaching me
even as I am teaching you.  Rapina, your duties will be
fairly well defined.  You are to make three meals a
day, keep my abode clean, do the laundry and tend the
gardens. Considering the many rooms and so on, this
will be no easy chore.  I will provide you with as many
skeletal helpers as you require, but you must learn to
instruct and supervise them so as to maximize the time
you have available to learn magic. The church has
instructed me not to instruct you beyond the basics of
necromacy, Rapina, so you will assist me in potion-
making and such non-necromantic chores.  In my
necromantic lab work, Rames will assist me.

Guardian Rames, you will take over my sporadic burial
duties in order to make spending money.  These priestly
duties will take precedence over any other tasks I
assign you.  You will supervise the addition of rooms
to the abode.  I will also be requiring you to clear
land, plant orchards and generally put polish on parts
of this wild little isle. You also will be provided
with undead helpers.  At such time as the church sees
fit, you will be given killing assignments as well.

"As is my habit, we will sleep during the morning hours
and remain awake all night when our undead helpers are
most active. I will give you some standard magical
instruction just after we break our fast weekday
mornings.  After that, I will comment on your duties
for the day.  Each of you will no doubt develop
interests in certain areas of magic.  I will give you
access to my fairly extensive library.  If you are able
to read while you supervise your helpers, then all the
better for you.  The cleverer you are with your undead
servants, the more time you shall have to learn. As
long as the chores I give you get done, I do not care
how creative you are in accomplishing them.  If you
have ideas that might make your tasks even more
efficient but require more helpers or additional magic,
I will entertain your ideas.  If I find they have
merit, we will implement them. Have you any questions?"
Thane asked.

"Guradian Thane, do you have any weapons skills?" Rames
asked. "One difficulty I've had while in the order is
priests tend not to know much sword play, and without
constant practice, a warrior's skills atrophy."

Thane considered Ramey's question, "What weapons do you
know, Guardian?"

"I'm proficient in most of the blades, from dagger to
two-handed sword.  There's a certain artistry in sword
play.  I'm familiar with some others, hand axe, battle
axe, a few pole-arms and the longbow."

"I am good with throwing daggers, and I am skilled with
the staff, a modest but effective weapon.  Do you know
its use?" Thane asked.

"I've seen it used, but it never really appealed to
me," Rames said.

"Too bloodless for you, eh?" Thane chuckled.

Rames blushed.

"What about the rapier, how are you with that?" Thane
asked.

Ramey smiled.  "The rapier is a fine weapon and I have
had the pleasure to know a few officers and one
Mortician who were real artists with it.  I often
carried it as a priest as it is a good weapon for the
city where heavy armors are not as likely to be
encountered and speed is of the essence."

"Good then, I'd like your opinion on a blade."  Thane
left and returned with a rapier that he handed to
Rames.

Rames unsheathed the blade; the look on his face was
nearly orgiastic. He studied it carefully in every
detail.  "This blade was made at the Montfort Forge, a
new weapons house already gaining an excellent
reputation.  Their blades are all forged from a unique
steel said to be of extraterrestrial origin. Corrosion
does not touch them and they retain a fine edge when
sharpened.  I had no idea you were a master of the
rapier.

Thane chuckled. "I am not.  That is Rapina's blade."

Rames looked at Rapina, now more warmly dressed due to
the chill of Thane's abode.  "Where did you come by
such a blade?"

"I won it by coming in first place in the hand-to-hand
combat contest at the end of basic training with the
pirate recruits."

"I might have sold the blade, but now that Rapina is a
full apprentice, I believe I will return all of her
possessions except those that belonged to reverend
Evangeline, and those that link her to her childhood.
Those I shall dispose of and forget about. No sense
keeping evidence that might link her with a deed that
the Avengenes are too blind to see was the justice of
Mortaebius. I will provide both of you with appropriate
mage-lights so that you can see to do your nightly
duties.  Perhaps she would be willing to be your
sparring partner, Guardian Rames," Thane said.

"That would be nice," Rames said. "Rapina, you were
first place, among how many recruits?"

"Thirty-two, and I was the only girl," Rapina said.

"Would you like to continue with your weapons training?
I could sure use someone to work out with." Rames
asked.

"Sure, I'd be glad too," Rapina said. "I worked hard to
learn weapons skills, no sense in having them fade
away.  Rapina glanced at Thane, "Besides, with only the
three of us, Thane may have assignments where someone
with a brain in her skull needs to help you."

Thane chuckled. "Already you have a good grasp of how I
think, Rapina.  You'll do well in my service, very well
indeed."

The next week didn't go quite as Rapina expected.
Thane gave orders, but they were rather vague and
general.  He expected his apprentices to, "grapple with
the details and distinguish themselves."  He spared
only an hour or two in the mornings to teach his
apprentices. He assigned a fair amount of reading and
some magical exercises.  Otherwise, he appeared for
some meals, but just as often he had Rapina serve him
food in his den. Beyond that, he spent all his time
deep in study.  Rapina suspected Thane was studying the
mysterious books left by Mortancer Greel.  By the end
of the week, she was sure of it. Thane went off on
skeletal horseback to the mausoleum caverns at sunset
with Rames.  An hour later he descended the stairs from
the cliff-top gardens above the abode as Rapina and a
number of skeletons swept the stairs.

Rapina did a double-take as Thane descended.  "Hey,
how'd you get up there?" She asked.

Thane grinned devilishly, "Wizardry, my dear.  Did I
not tell you the order would reward me for bringing the
pirates to justice?"

Rapina stared open-mouthed.

"After a few nights of practice, I shall want you to
accompany me," Thane said.

Rapina nodded dumbly as Thane returned to his study,
still glowing with success.

A few nights later, Thane made good on his promise.  He
took Rapina and Rames with him to the burrial mounds
near the mausoleum caverns.  While Rames stood back
with the horses, Thane explained what he was going to
do.

"Recently I was able to procure a few new spells that
will be of benefit to make us more mobile.  This one is
the safest, and thus perhaps the best of them.  With
it, I can travel from one graveyard to any other
graveyard that I have been to.  The spell takes longer
than the teleportation done by wizards in storybooks,
and it can only be done at night in a cemetery, but
with its safety and greater carrying capacity, I
believe it is nearly ideal. I have done it several
times, and I believe I am now ready to try taking a
passenger.  Rapina come along."

Rapina walked to Thane's side, both scared and excited.


"You must whisper a prayer to Mortaebius repeatedly
while I cast the spell, otherwise say nothing. Stay by
my side as I move. Begin now."

As Rapina started muttering a prayer from the book
Thane had left in her bedroom under her breath, the
necromancer began to drone incantations and move his
hands in arcane patterns.  Rapina kept one eye on Rames
and one on Thane.  After several minutes of droning her
prayer, Rapina began to relax a little, but then arcane
mists began rising around Thane and her.  Soon she
could not see Rames and the sounds of the isle became
muffled and then disappeared entirely.  Her whispered
prayer and the mystic dronings of Thane became her
whole sensory world, she could not see or feel her
feet, and she could only see Thane's upper body.  Thane
began to walk and she followed.  He walked in an odd
pattern and after a time offered a short prayer of
thanksgiving to Mortaebius.  After that the mists
slowly wafted away. The moonlight revealed the cliff-
top gardens above the abode and the several plaques
marking the graves of previous priests of Mortaebius
who now rested within holes in the granite of the
cliffs.  Somehow Thane had transported them across the
isle and up onto the cliff-tops.

"Rapina, are you well?" Thane asked.

"Yes guardian Thane, but I can't believe what you just
did." Rapina marveled.

Thane looked into Rapina's emerald eyes as his hands
caressed her sides from her hips to just under her
arms, "Wizardry, Rapina, is as alluring as any woman."

Rapina stood there, her mouth open, still in awe over
what Thane had been able to accomplish.

Thane smiled.  "Now that I know I can travel, the
bookstores, merchants and artisans of the city of
Rosehaven are once again at my disposal.  With luck, I
will be able to enlist the aid of my fellow priests to
expand my limited exposure to other city graveyards.
In time, I may be able to find one so far away that you
can accompany me and enjoy a city with no fear from the
law.  If I have my way, I will range far, for one never
knows when the law might unjustly turn on one as it has
in your case, my dear.  Should Clairmont ever turn on
me, I must be sure there are other places I can go."

That night, Thane again disappeared into his chambers
and resumed his almost inhuman study-schedule.  Rapina
barely saw him except in the mornings and when she
served meals.

At first, keeping up with her reading and her duties
had been extremely taxing. With a few pointers from
Thane and Rames and a great deal of her own creativity,
Rapina started to become quite proficient at ordering
skeletons around.  She often had to break complex tasks
into many smaller tasks, but Rapina soon grasped the
concept and kept notes on what orders worked and what
orders were too complex to give the skeletons all at
one time. She was even successful at getting them to do
some of the weeding of the garden as well as the
hoeing.  This was fortunate since Thane had ordered her
to quadruple the amount of ground under cultivation.

Rapina discovered that the double-animated skeletons
could follow longer, more complex orders, thus she
asked Thane to double-animate as many of her skeletons
as possible. Surprisingly, the necromancer complied,
although he did the same for an equal number of Rames'
skeletons.  Apparently, the necromancer wished to
upgrade all of his skeletons, but as a favor to his
apprentices, he started on theirs first.

As she became more and more proficient with the
skeletons and developed a comprehensive schedule of
meals, cleaning and laundry, Rapina had more and more
time to do her assigned magical readings.  As she
became more sure of the efficacy of her orders, she was
often able to read while supervising her skeletal
servitors.  She began devouring every book that had
anything remotely to do with sex magic.  She needed to
know as much about what was possible as she could.  She
put Rames off as far as weapons practice for the first
two weeks. After that, she scheduled a time they would
get together on the cliff-tops above the abode or in
one of the large storage rooms on the lower level that
Rames had converted into a gym. As it turned out, their
first scheduled practice was in the afternoon, the
afternoon after Thane made an announcement at
breakfast.  It had been about a week since Thane had
perfected his graveyard mists spell.

"The order has granted me some additional priestly
training, and I will be taking advantage of that over
the next two weeks.  Guardian Rames, it will be your
job to care for the isle while I am gone. Rapina, you
are to mind Rames as you would me while I am away, do
you understand?"

"Yes Guardian," Rapina said.

"Good.  I have quite a lot of reading I want you both
to do while I am away.  You are to discuss it over
breakfast and write down any questions.  When I return,
I will go over it with you both.
---

That night when Thane shoed Rapina and Rames into their
rooms, Rapina was ready with the listening tube from
the lab, but was disappointed when Mortancer Greel did
not come down into the abode.  Evidently, Thane had
taken his bags up to the cliff-top gardens and they had
left from there.

After a while, Rames came and let her out of her room.

Rames grinned, "Well, the old man's gone, shall we
invite the neighbors over for a party?"

"Pff, oh I wish.  The only neighbors we have are Kent
and his ghouls, not the kind of *things* I'd want to
have a party with."

Rames nodded, "I never thought I'd be saying this, but
even the army beat this place for social life.  Now
that's pretty bad.  I'll tell you what, while Thane is
gone, I'm going to change our schedule a little.  We'll
get up at the same time, but two hours after breakfast,
about the time our lesson would usually end, we are
going to have weapons practice.  Tomorrow, I'll fetch
some berries before breakfast, and I want you to bake
something sweet during the time we'd normally have our
lesson. After weapons practice I'll break out a bottle
of wine I brought from Turnmoor and We'll have a little
party, real little, but it's the best we're likely to
see around here." Rames smiled.

"Okay, It'll be a nice change, and I'm pretty sure I
can catch up on any time we loose now that I'm finally
getting the hang of ordering the skeletons around."
Rapina smiled.

True to his word, a couple hours after breakfast Rames
appeared with some practice swords he had made and
Rapina accompanied him first to the gym for a little
work-out and then up to the cliffs for some sword
practice.  Rapina shed her sir-coat.  The air was much
warmer outdoors, although Rapina realized that in a
couple of months the tables would turn as summer ended
and autumn began to turn ugly.

"Okay, lets do some sparring.  I need to get an idea of
how good you are.  I'm going to start out easy then
I'll get a little rougher until I have a good idea of
what a grade "A" pirate trainee can do."

While he was using only basic skills, Rapina did well
against Rames, and he complemented her each time she
did something well, and frowned or shook his head each
time she made an error.  Rapina got the idea that the
man had worked with recruits in his unit.  As the
chaplain, she could see how he might have taken some of
the new recruits, young men such as Kent had been,
under his wing and tried to make soldiers of them.
After a while he became quite challenging. Eventually
Rapina had to fall back on techniques she had learned
for fighting an overwhelming foe.  When Rames finally
signaled to take a break, sweat bathed both him and
Rapina.

Rames sat on a projection of granite that served as a
bench and groaned.  Rapina flopped down next to him.
"You're good," Rames said. "You even know a few moves
I've never seen.  The Avengenes set a high standard for
their basic training, and you're as good a swordsman as
I've seen come out of that training program, and you've
got twice the damn endurance of any of 'em.  Ramey
chuckled and wiped the sweat from his brow.  It's a
cinch Red Jack ain't famous for no reason," Rames
smiled.  "How'd you build up that kind of stamina?"

"Rapina smiled sheepishly. "Well, basic was really hard
on me.  The arms master wanted to wash me out because I
was a woman.  I had to either keep up with the horrors
of strength and endurance he sent at me or die trying.
Since then I've been doing my fencing exercises when I
got up in my room.  I didn't want to get out of shape.
I wasn't sure how Thane was going to treat me."

"Yeah, it looks like that's worked out okay for you,
anyway. How about some wine and whatever it was you
baked this morning?" Rames asked.

"It's a couple of blackberry pies," Rapina said. "What
else could I possibly make when you brought me all
those delicious blackberries?"

Rames smiled as the two of them walked down the stairs
back into the abode. "I'm sure glad I found that patch
of berries.  Seeing as how I've got a bunch of
skeletons bringing in silt from the lake-bottom and
preparing an area Northeast of here for a vinyard, I've
gotten to know this little isle pretty well.  Thane
doesn't want to hack down his forest.  He says he wants
to keep the wood growing as winter fuel, so I'm
converting some rougher terrain.  It should be fine
though, the soil from the lake bottom is very rich, and
Thane has magics to deal with stone that pokes its head
up in the wrong places.  When he heard I knew how to
make wine, he decided to set me loose building a
vinyard.  He shrunk the size of the orchard he was
going to have me do farther towards the center of the
isle where trees grow well.

As the two of them reached the great hall, Rapina
sniffed the air, "You need a bath".  Rapina sniffed
again.  "We both need a bath."

"But what about our party?  The wine, the pie?"

Rapina wrinkled her nose. "How can we enjoy ourselves
if we're itchy with old smelly sweat."

"But the pie, won't it be cold by the time we both get
a bath?" Rames asked.

"I wrapped it up in towels right out of the oven, but
you do have a point, unless..." Rapina trailed off.

"What?" Rames asked.

"Thane's bath cauldron is huge, we could have our party
in the tub," Rapina said.

"Really?" Rames asked.

"While the cat's away..." Rapina smirked.

Rames grinned like a sea dog.  "I'll fire up the stove
in the lab and put the water on."

"Okay, I'll go get the pies and some dishes and
silver," Rapina said.

Rapina had one of the skeletons fetch towels, while she
got a change of clothes to heap on the skeleton's
stack.  She then went and got the pie and some humble,
relatively unbreakable dishes suitable for the lab.

By the time Rapina arrived with the food, Rames
skeletons had returned with water from the lake and
were heating it up in a couple of large kettles in the
lab. A couple of other skeletons were pouring lake-
temperature water into the cauldron.

While they were waiting for the skeletons, Rapina
dished up the pie while Rames opened the wine.

"Tin cups?" Rames asked skeptically.

Rapina shrugged,  "Thane would be mad if we slipped in
the tub and broke one of his crystal wine goblets."

"Not very romantic, but I see your point.  He'd likely
make me buy him a new set since you have no income."

Rapina nodded, "And since I have no income he would
find some extra drudgery to make me do until I worked
it off.  Sometimes I think he is entirely too serious
about life."

Rames chuckled, "True but he gets the job done."

"Very efficiently," Rapina said imitating Thane.

Rames laughed, "Okay, so he's a little stuffy, he's a
priest, after all."

Rapina nodded, "A very learned one at that, but if you
can't complain about your headmaster's mannerisms,
what's the use of finally being a student."

Rames pumped the bellows beneath the forge where he had
the two kettles of water heating.  The fire already
looked angry-hot.

Rames smiled. "I suppose you have a point there, but
would you rather not be in school?"

"I've dreamed of learning magic since I was a little
girl, though I hardly thought I'd be learning it under
a necromancer. Eeeuuuw!"  Rapina grinned. "I guess a
girl has to take training where she can get it though.
Actually, I'm grateful that Thane decided to keep me as
an apprentice.  I respect him, for his cunning, but
he's just the type who would have looked down his nose
and made me a kitchen drudge.  Then I really would have
had nothing to look forward to but seven years of
drudgery followed by an execution for killing
Evangeline.  I think I would have attempted to kill
Thane being that he had no use for me other than house
work.  I would have succeeded too.  He'd be dead, and
then his skeletons would have cut me to ribbons sparing
me from being hanged.  Actually, I much prefer this
arrangement."

"You're a tough young woman," Rames observed.

Rapina sighed, "I've lost a lot in the innocence
department starting with the day Evangeline put me in
his dungeon and going on from there through pirates to
necromancers."  Rapina licked purple blackberry juice
off her fingers.  Mmm, these berries are great. Could
you get the skeletons to pick them without smishing
them?

Rames grinned, "I tried, but they don't have good
vision for plants.  They have trouble differentiating
the berry from the cane. Also, pulling the berries off
without smashing them was a little beyond them.  I
picked these myself, though I had the skeletons blaze
some of the trails through the overgrown patch of
berries."

"Mmmm, well, you did good.  I could get used to eating
like this. Thane said I had some filling out to do."

Rames ordered the skeletons to dump the now boiling
water into the cauldron.  I don't know how much filling
out you've got to do. I thought you looked pretty good
on the boat.  I'll have to take another look," Rames
grinned.

Rapina blushed.  "That sail cloth outfit doesn't leave
a lot to the imagination."

"Nonsense, it covers all your best parts, well sort
of," Rames chuckled as he checked the water temperature
in the large caldron and nodded with satisfaction.

Well, now that the water's ready, me and my best parts
are headed for the tub.  Rapina pulled her sweaty
sword-practice shirt over her head and tossed it into
the whicker laundry hamper kept in the lab not far from
the tub. Her drawstring pants followed.

Rames clawed at his clothes, but he was really too
preoccupied watching Rapina to undress very rapidly.

Rapina unwrapped the cloth strip she used to bind her
breasts during weapons practice, rolled it up and
tossed it into the hamper, her full breasts jiggling
with the movement.

"Ooo," Rames said, grinning saltily.  "Back in my
soldier days I saw a few ladies who really wished they
were built like you."

Rapina smiled as she took off her panties and tossed
them into the hamper.  "Well, I used to think the lust
spirit was doing a great thing when it tried to
convince me to take it into my mind by making me bloom
into a prettier flower than I probably would have."

Rapina vaulted over the edge of the tub and settled
down.  "Ahhh, now that I've been with Thane a while, I
realize that the spirit was just planning ahead.  It
was going to possess my mind and take me over, then my
body would have been its body and It wanted to be as
attractive as possible, the better to attract a hoard
of men to its boudoir."

"Do you ever worry that it will make a comeback?"

"No, it was more than half dead when I went into the
stone after it.  I was desperate and after its power,
and it wanted my mind, but I didn't open to it in the
way it wanted; because of the circumstances I took it
by storm.  I'm a very stubborn girl.  Since it was
really already dead, I don't think it knew what hit
it."  Rapina grinned.  "Actually, it took a great deal
out of me to merge with it.  Auntie said what was left
of its personality blended into mine.  I think I had
less ability to be cold and calculating before.  The
lust spirit gave me the ability, and then Evangeline,
Red Jack and Thane have been enthusiastically giving me
lessons ever since, whether I liked it or not.  I still
don't much like it though."

"You've had to grow up quick, like a young soldier,"
Rames observed.

Rapina nodded, her breasts bobbing just beneath the
water. "How old were you when you went to war?"

"I was right about your age, not even sixteen yet.  My
dad was good for nothing.  He was a good business man,
but a lousy father.  He hurt mother sometimes, and
sometimes he hurt us kids too.  It seemed like the
older I got the worse he beat me.  I was the eldest,
and my sister was next.  He took it easier on her, but
I knew my brothers would have it bad when their time
came, so I ran, I lied about my age and I joined
Avengene's army. By the time I really was sixteen and
could have joined, I was out of basic and on the border
patrol trying to keep myself from being killed by orcs.
I survived for a few months out there and when the rest
of my unit and I came back from the border, they sent
me to officer training school because, by then, they
had figured out that I was from a gentleman's family
and I could read."

"I graduated and spent a couple of years as a
lieutenant.  I found that killing and death fascinated
me, and I spent a lot of time at the local temple of
Mortaebius because deaths were so regular in my unit.
Eventually I got permission to spend a year training as
a chaplain.  By the time I got back in, the church of
the vindicator was already busy even in the most
obscure corners of Avengene's lands.  It took another
five years before it got so bad I had to leave.  I was
twenty-six then, and still a lieutenant.  If I'd been a
priest of the vindicator, I'd have been a captain by
then, but they wouldn't promote me.  It worked out okay
though.  They sent my unit of misfits and I on a lot of
bloody assignments thinking we wouldn't come back.
Oftentimes only a few of us did."

Rapina frowned and had a drink of wine.  "What happened
after you got out?"

"More school, this time training as a priest of
Mortaebius.  I got a much closer look at death, but I
still preferred killing to embalming.  While in
seminary, I had heard rumors about the Order Of The
Shroud and requested the most dangerous assignment I
could think of.  I think by then I was already being
watched by the order, and when they saw I could really
fight, I was invited to join. There were certain groups
of men the church of the vindicator had put together to
eradicate other churches south of Avengene. Me, my
fellow priests and the living dead of Mortabius scared
the socks off 'em, and shut 'em down," Rames grinned
triumphantly.  Well, at least for the time being.
Chances are they'll regroup and make a comeback.  The
church of the vindicator is full of zealots."

"Want more pie," Rapina asked?

"Sure, I'll have another slice," Rames said.

Rapina stood, bent over the edge of the cauldron and
began slicing another couple of pieces of pie.  Rames'
lust hit her like a delicious wave.  "Gods I hate
celibacy," Rapina thought to herself as parts of her
body flushed.

Rames began eating pie.  "So what was training under
Red Jack like?"

"Basic was a nightmare, but I told you about that. I
learned archery, shortsword and shield, and an officer
taught me rapier and main gauche. We also learned to
sail, and those of us who could read learned to
navigate.  It was useful training, and I got to liking
some of the pirates, but I realize it was silly to
think they wouldn't get caught someday.  They had such
a big reputation, it was only a matter of time," Rapina
frowned and took another bite of pie.

"How'd the men treat you?" Rames asked.

"Captain Red Jack kept the men from hurting me, but
they were a pretty course lot.  I spent most of my time
with the young recruits, but they were pretty course
too," Rapina smirked.  They were less scary though, and
Red Jack was something like Thane in a way.  He was
very intelligent, and killing people just didn't bother
him that much.  I think a lot of the veterans enjoyed
killing, just like you.  They just didn't have the
sense to join the army.  It wasn't a lot different,
really.  Maybe they made more money, but they were
outlaws so they couldn't do much with it other than
drink it and wear it as jewelry.

Rames nodded.  "That's the trouble with killing on the
wrong side of the law, it's a lot riskier.  When we
used to kill orcs we were big heroes, but death is the
same whether it's an orc or a man."  Rames put down his
plate as he finished his second slice of pie.  "I guess
we better get cleaned up."

Rapina nodded, wolfed the last portion of her pie and
raced for the soap just as Rames got up to get it.
Rapina giggled.  "I got it, but I'll let you have it
first if you wash my back afterwards."

"You've got yourself a deal," Rames said.

Rapina handed Rames the soap, slid back down into the
tub and watched the warrior soap himself down.

Rames held his breath and put his head under while
rubbing the soap out of his hair and off his face and
neck, then he came back up.  "Your turn," Rames said
taking up the soap.

"Okay, let me do my hair first, then you can do my
back," Rapina said.

After Rapina did her hair, Rames began to soap up her
back. "There, you're back is fine."

Want to do my legs too?  Rapina put her foot on the
edge of the tub next to Rames.

Rames looked up Rapina's long shapely leg.  "I can't
refuse that."

After the second leg, Rapina could feel the lust
practically pouring off her companion.

"Want to do my front too," Rapina smirked.

"You are bad," Rames smiled.

"So spank me," Rapina winked.

Rames smiled and began soaping up Rapina's chest,
making sure to do her underarms.  "Damn what a body."

Rapina blushed.

After Rames had finished her breasts and belly, he did
her butt, and then he did her abdomen and finished
between her legs.  By the time he finished, he was
almost shaking with lust, and Rapina _was_ shaking with
lust.

Rames took Rapina in his arms and kissed her deeply.
"I'd love to take you right now, but I don't know how
Thane would react if he found out."

Rapina touched her chin with her fingers, "Thane is a
cunning man, I'll bet he expects you to sleep with me
in the next two weeks.  He's counting on it."

"Expects me to?"  Rames looked confused.

Rapina smiled, "Sure, he doesn't know whether I am a
queen or a pawn, and that interferes with his chess
game, so he's moved his knight into my square to make
the determination.  It bothers him not to know all the
pieces on his board.  Furthermore, he is not sure if
I'm the black queen or the white queen.  He will know
that by whether or not I take his knight out of play or
leave him in."

"So I'm the Guinea pig?" Rames asked.

"You're the suicide squad, and I see your weapon is all
ready." Rapina softly caressed Rames' shaft with her
fingers, tugging at his lust with her power.  I assure
you, I am the white queen, and Thane will keep us both
celibate for as long as it takes to find that out."

"Damn it, you two think alike.  You're like a couple of
generals and I feel like a private."

"Nice private," Rapina giggled.

"Bad girl!" Rames growled as he grabbed Rapina's
shoulder, turned her around and slapped her high,
exquisitely rounded butt.

Ou! Rapina screetched between giggles.

Rames slapped Rapina's quivering cheeks red and then
grasped her hips and turned her around again.  You're
not even afraid of me. I'm a killer, you know."

Rapina grinned.  "Thane told you I was essential
personnel.  That implies you're not to hurt me, and he
specifically told you not to kill me.  You're a
soldier.  A good soldier doesn't go against the direct
orders of his superiors, and if he does, I'm sure the
Order swiftly takes care of him."

Rames smiled and shook his head, "I give up."  He
pulled Rapina's shapely hips to him, grabbed her
exquisite rump and lifted her onto his manhood.

Rapina threw her arms around Rames' neck and moaned
with pleasure as he plunged into her.  She could feel
his lust start radiating into her and she nearly came
on the spot.  She needed him so much.

Rames felt Rapina grasp and release his shaft as he
pistoned in and out of her.  He had never been with a
woman who felt so alive inside.  She was so wet and she
felt so good; there was no question that she wanted
him.

After only a few minutes Rames' powerful thrusting
threw Rapina over the edge, and she came powerfully.
For an instant in her ecstasy, her mind touched Rames'
and although she did not try to leave any conscious
impression there, her own lust could not help but make
itself known.

Before her orgasm had truly ended she felt Rames' lust
build to its peak and explode within her.  For a moment
as the power surged into her, she lost control.

Rames eyes bulged as a tremendous orgasm rocked his
athletic frame.  He roared with intense pleasure as
lights exploded behind the lids of his closed eyes.  He
felt as if he would pump forever, flooding Rapina with
a fountain of seed.

Rapina realized what was happening, the celibacy - she
was so hungry that she lacked the fine control she had
been able to exercise with the pirates.  As quickly as
she could, she got hold of herself.


Somewhere in his mind Rames knew that what was
happening was beyond what was natural.  A man did not
climax for over a minute, but he was Locked in the
throws of ecstasy, all he could feel was the intense
pleasure of lust. When at last his orgasm subsided he
was trembling with a combination of lust and fatigue.

Rapina slipped off Rames and helped steady him.  His
erection throbbed, showing no signs of going soft.

Rames sat down, dazed yet nearly drowning in the
afterglow of pleasure, yet still wanting more, more!

Rapina immersed herself in the bath water, rubbing the
sweat from her body.  Before she lost her resolve she
jumped out of the tub and began briskly toweling
herself off.

"What are you doing?  I want you," Rames nearly
hollered.

Tomorrow Calvin Rames, tomorrow.  "Celibacy!" Rapina
snapped.  I'm so sorry, Cal, I've never had a problem
controlling myself, but the celibacy, I - my control
slipped and I took more out of you than I meant to.
You're going to be bushed tomorrow.  Rapina looked back
at Rames and saw he was already beginning to stand, his
erection still throbbing hard.  The expression on his
face was lust.  She grabbed her clothes and ran out of
the room.
---

The story continues in [Rapina]023 A Queen Revealed

copyright 2002, by Rapina 
------------------