• Hello again! It's been a long time since I've updated my pirate/fanfic series "Avast!", but I'm here again with my latest chapter of Book One. Since some time has passed since my last installment, those who've read my work in the past (and I thank you for being bored enough to actually feel inclined to continue reading wink ) might want to recap with the past chapters. And for those who haven't read any of them, you should do so right away before continuing to read this one! So yo-ho, and all that jazz!

    Remember, I love to hear from you guys, that's the whole reason I'm posting the chapters here along with on my profile. Comments, PMs, anything you want to say or send to me is acceptable! I appreciate suggestions on anything EXCEPT the plot. This is because I already have everything basically planned out right up to the end. Most suggestions given would most likely interfere with my intentioned outline of events, and I would have to reply revealing upcoming secrets (and who likes spoilers, honestly?) in order to fairly turn you down. However, feel free to point out grammatical errors or give suggestions for my writing style. You can even ask me to describe a character in more depth or tell me something you feel needs to be elaborated on (I would either oblige and describe the matter more in the next chapter or tell you to wait for more info to be revealed). Really you can ask or suggest just about anything. Remember, I tend to take constructive responses more seriously, but don't be afraid to say something!


    Father...
    You truly seek to leave us?
    ....I must....
    Please, please just-
    No....I will depart....
    I-
    Farewell....


    Faiethsow Sea Precincts. Midnight. Her fists clenched with rage, she wrenched her head to leer into Alice's glowing eyes. He chortled softly, and, bestowing a prompt peck on her cheek, cast her into a spare cupboard. Mutely expressing a desperate plea, her pupils widened as the thick door slammed close, cloaking her in a world of darkness.
    Creeping like a cat with its prey, Alice stalked through the narrow gallery. Every movement was painstakingly cautious, the airy man not being the only weight to burden the footwork. A white hand flashed, slipping a coarsely braided rope to the ready. Croaking treacherously, the oak door eased away from its ill fitted frame. Alice winced, stress apparent in his translucent knuckles. Daggers lay deathly upon a bedside table. He gingerly swept them into a woolen sack. Warily, he lowered the pack out the lone porthole, interrupting the weak ray of ghastly moonlight that breached the night. Then, gently lurking to the center of the phantom strewn quarters, he hovered apprehensively over a prone figure. The rope advanced to the slumped shoulders, still garbed in inky apparel.
    Hazel eyes flared awake. Unseen hands seized Alice's extended arm, wrenching cruelly. Alice rapidly countered with a quick thrust of his freed hand at the silhouette's crown, but the blow fell sickly on yielding air. Momentary confusion was dissolved as a frigid hiss sounded past his ear. A feral snarl ripping from his lips, Alice whipped about to encounter his opponent. He lashed out a vicious strike, employing the rope as a whip. The end raked across an exposed cheek, drawing glistening blood. A covered wrist merely stroked away a ruby droplet, and with a single gesture, subdued Alice. Strong arms wrapped around his neck, forcing him to kneel. Haggard gasps came as they crushed, fiercer and fiercer. The light had almost left his eyes, when out of the gloom sprang two crew mates. Shadow's murderous hold slackened, a thick clout to the temples jarring taut muscles loose.
    Gradually, Alice's breath was restored. Lungs complaining, he lumbered over to the dazed being sagged on the floor, stirring subconsciously. He clenched his jaw and placed a well-aimed kick. The restless disturbances stilled.

    "In here....."
    "Careful...."
    "No I....."
    "Ye best...."
    Voices soared, twining their way through Shadow's receding stupor. Transitioning strong and weak, until, like a bullet, rocketing into clarity.
    "Ye fools! A lesser chap would have died from such a blow!"
    "Aye, but Ma'am-"
    "Silence! Master Cooper, gather yer men and depart."
    Captain Haeil posed imperiously before the parchment-mobbed desk in her cabin. A solitary candlestick was lit, projecting dramatic shadows from the occupants. One personage saluted, and, followed closely by two others, shuffled out onto the deck. Haeil trudged to the door, gliding it closed with an offhand nudge. With a clunk, the sole of a boot shattered the drab ambiance, flickering flame light dappling the rough hide. She swore, and lunged for a cutlass propped upon a splintered bookshelf. Shadow now stood opposite, only observing, arms quiet in black folds. Infuriated by the expression of nonchalantness, Haeil darted across, pressing steel against scarf. No rebuttal came. Growling, she bent closer, her breath tracing a partially hidden ear.
    "We have much to talk of Shadow. Would you care to elaborate why one claims they are searching for a brother, this brother being a man who is without siblings? I desire to know how you found my ship, and what is your intention for being here. Might I add, if you value the precious gift of life, now would be an exceptionally appropriate time to speak."
    Mute, the solemn head continued to gaze passively.
    Haeil sneered wickedly.
    "Dear, dear, something wrong? Let's start with the first. How did you find my ship?"
    With each word, the blade bit deeper into the scarf. Startlingly, the shoulders it rested on began to rise and fall. Scruples of laughter came from an invisible mouth. A slender hand saluted her mockingly.
    "I do not fear you."
    Detest flickered in Haeil's eyes. She relinquished her hold and spun away in disgust. Shadow nodded slowly, and readjusted the lip of the wrap.
    "You may recall finding me alone in Cairhert. Despite what I relayed to you then, it was no chance meeting."
    Haeil's back stiffened, and her slim fingers drummed the woodwork walls expectantly.
    "At the time, I was short of hope, and whatever trifle of life I still felt was laden with loss and regret, for that which I sought could only now be fated-"
    "Your cryptic remarks are of no use to me. I command you to cease these veiled comments and tell to me the utter and blatant truth."
    Even through her drawling accent, her words were clipped and severe. Lightning streaked in ocean-lost irises. Singularly visible, a hazel eye countered with dark flame. After a period, the former blinked and, gesturing detachedly, motioned her guest to once again take up the tale. The onyx clad form lounged, reclusive, in a dim recess.
    "Very well.....only a month prior to my stay in the fair city, I received word from a now-lost colleague. The full extent of the message is.......insignificant. Simply put, its contents regarded the Windthief. It was rumored that one of the crew manning her was in relation to Lord Nikki Sixx-"
    "Well done, yes, indeed. After all, tis only known to the faintest babe the companionship once shared between my brother and the Dread Pirate Mick!"
    Her voice sneered condescendingly. Disregarding her remarks, the discourse plunged resolutely onward, the words passing low and fleet.
    "Of course. After discerning this news, I departed for Cairhert posthaste. There I sent you a letter, requesting to be hired as chief defender to the ship."
    Haeil's fists curled, branding irate red imprints into her wan palm. However, only a trifle of chagrin was allowed to straggle through her careful mask as she delivered her next words.
    "Naturally, you were gallantly intending to use my men and I. Very clever, and quite an invigorating narrative to be sure. It appears though, that you still do not sound your reason for seeking the feared pirate in the first place. Nor do you disclose your identity, and I would so wish to know you better. Now my patience has touched its limit. Beware, for your next statement may very well be your last!"
    Both halted, trapped in time and space. The lull continued to cumulate, bathing everything in its throws. The velvet black of midnight seeped nigh as the dying candle withered. Only soft breaths permeated the stagnant air. Haeil's shoulders hung fatigued, her passionate stance now dissipating. Still, fingertips warily fondled the hilt of her cutlass, prepared to punish any insolence.
    Ever so tentatively, the cloak guised back faced her, its owner positioned to the roughly forged wall. Gauntleted hands rose, twining through the knotted scarf, slowly disassembling the neat snare.
    "My name...."
    The hands traversed next to a soot bandanna, allowing the snakelike scarf to continue an elegant descent around the callous boots.
    "Transitioning through flame to Shadow......."
    Thimblefuls of silt and dust rose velvety as the bandanna alighted.
    "....forgotten.....Kavoru......"
    Thumb and forefinger found the weathered hat brim.
    "...You are correct.....I quest not for the Dread Pirate Mick, kin...."
    Hand and hat glided off a snowy brow.
    "But...."
    Pale lips lightly mouthed the words. Unveiled, Shadow swiveled about theatrically. Forest-misted hazel eyes trained ardently upon Haeil, framed by gold-streaked dun hair that alighted on a woman's slender shoulders.
    "....For the Dread Pirate Mick, fiancée."