(continued from Ch 9, Basic Pirates)

The Chronicles of Rapina
Chapter 10, New Beginnings


As Red Jack scanned the horizon with his spy glass, he liked what he saw. The outlet from the lake flowed into the North side of the River Augustana between high, widely-spaced granite cliffs. The lake itself was quite large, and did not neck down much as it joined the river. This would make it near impossible to blockade, since the entrance to the lake, the lake itself and the river Augustana were both wide and deep in this area owing to the granite cliffs, riverbed and lake bed.

The island was situated a good 5 miles away from the east and west shore of the lake, about 8 miles from the Northern lakeshore, and around twelve miles from the entrance to the lake to the South. The isle in the middle of the lake was a pirate's dream. It rose out of the lake like a fortress roughly three miles in diameter. To the South, West, And East the isle faced the water with high cliffs. To the North the cliffs gradually became lower but remained quite defensible. There was a double notch in the cliffs at their lowest point to the North. This proved to be the entrance to a cove just large enough for a few ships. The entrance to the cove was shallow, and the men had to spend quite a while measuring depths before they were able to get the merchant ship into the cove. The longships, with their shallow drafts and narrow beams were an easier matter.

As one might have expected, the cove was the lowest part of the isle, and the terrain rose, sometimes gradually, sometimes abruptly as one went farther South. There was a forest growing near the cove in the north central area of the isle. To the south as the terrain rose and became rougher and more rocky, the trees gave way to scrub, and thence to rocky, open terrain punctuated with a few scattered bushes and trees.

The longships were anchored in the cove and rowboats with supplies were launched. Captain Red Jack's pirates busied themselves with setting up a new camp. They were quite efficient for a bunch of pirates. By early evening, the temporary camp was mostly set up. Tents and lean-tos would provide shelter until the the pirates obtained lumber for more permanent structures. The captain and his officers marched through the camp discussing layout of guard posts, traps, and other defensive strategies. Most of the recruits were too busy unloading supplies or pitching tents to take notice.

"First thing I'll be needin' is a map of th' area. Think ya can handle it Roger?" Jack asked.

"Yes captain. Ill get right on it." Roger turned with scarcely a nod and headed off into the camp. He had been teaching Kent mapmaking before they had packed up camp to move here. One of his trainees was carrying a large coil of rope. The first mate walked up to the boy and clapped his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"William! I need you, Kent, and Rolf to meet me back here in five minutes." That said, Roger headed off to get his mapmaking equipment.

"But, sir...I don't know where Kent and Rolf are... " The slightly confused recruit stammered.

"Well then you had better find them...and quick!" Roger shouted over his shoulder.

Minutes later, three to be exact, the three recruits were assembled and awaiting Rogers arrival. Roger smiled as he watched them through his tent flap. They were all coming along nicely, especially Kent. Kent had a sharp mind and that was a rare commodity among pirates. Satisfied that they were nervous enough, Roger walked out to brief them on their next duty. The first mate handed out the necessary equipment and led the recruits towards the outskirts of the camp. "It'll be gettin dark soon so were goin ta have to hurry."

Drake watched as they walked off. He was worried about Kent. Lately he seemed to be more distant from Drake. He was troubled, but had no idea of what to do. "Ya ready on your end Doanthalas?" Drake asked as he got a better grip on the handle of the chest. The tattooed elf just nodded. "Okay. On three then. One. Two. Three." They both grunted as their muscles strained to lift the chest full of weapons off the ground. This was one of the last weapons runs that needed to be made. Soon everything would be unloaded and ready for sorting and storage until needed.

Drake glanced down at Doanthalas belt. He wasn't carrying any weapons. That wasn't surprising. The pirates were still deathly afraid of the elf. Its amazing what a few rumors will do to superstitious people. The young pirate recruit smiled; he had believed the rumors himself. At least until he had gotten to know the savage-elf better. Drake found it amusing that the so-called savage was more well-mannered than any of the civilized pirates. Still Drake didn't know the elf very well either. Doanthalas had yet to say more than ten words to him. He had a lot to tell, though. Drake could tell. The look in his eyes alone was testament to that fact. He shrugged. Doanthalas would talk when he was ready to.

Sunset came and the pirate camp was still alive with activity. Jack would be very upset if the camp was not in working order by morning. The pirates hurried about their tasks, as none of them wanted to be the focus of Red Jack's anger.

The captain looked around the large tent at the assembled faces: Roger, Sak, Logan, Leech Kennon, Hock, Arzeal, and Brackston. All of the officers were accounted for. Jack looked at everyone for a moment before beginning. "From what I can see we've got ourselves a good spot here. Its a good defensible position. What we need now is a good defensive plan. I have Roger working on a map of the area for us. How goes the mapmaking?"

"Good sir. We've staked out four good reference points. Tomorrow we will be able to get some measurements and by afternoon we will have an accurate working map of the area. For now we have this rough sketch of the area." The first mate stood up and approached the captain. He held out a rolled up piece of parchment to the captain.

Red Jack took the parchment and unrolled it. He perused it and the look on his face told the others that he was pleased. "This is a fine sketch Roger. The best I've seen you do so far."

"Thank you captain, but I didn't draw that map. Kent did. He has an amazing eye for detail. I'm guessing that the finished map with accurate measurements won't be too different from that map in your hands."

"Really? That's what I like to hear, but Roger..."

"Yes captain?"

"Lets schedule some extra weapons training for that lad. Shall we?" Everyone in the room snickered. "Gods know he needs it!" More laughter filled the room. Roger just nodded and sat down. "Everyone gather around and look at this map. You especially, Logan." The captain unrolled the map and set it on the ground. He weighted down the four corners with rocks and looked up at Logan. "Alright. How do ya want to lay this camp out Logan? You're the one who's got ta run it while I'm out plunderin"

Logan looked at the map for a long time. He pointed to eight different points on the map. "Guard posts should be set up here. We should stick with three guard changes per night. It keeps the guards fresh and alert and it worked out well for us at the last camp. And during the..."

"Speakin of guards and such...why don't we use the elf as much as possible for night watch...after all he can see in the dark..."

"That's a good idea, but do you think we can trust him? I don't think the men would sleep very well with him on watch," Logan said.

"I agree," Brackston said. "Yew know they're all afraid of I'm. He's like some sort of demon. We should lock 'im back up or kill em. Either's fine by me."

"You'd like that. Wouldn't you Brackston?" Arzeal asked. "What are you afraid of? If he had wanted you dead he would have killed you by now."

"Why you sonuva mother..."

"Okay! Knock it off you two! The captain interrupted. "I know he's dangerous and I know the men fear him, but don't worry. It'll do the men some good to be constantly on their toes. Besides Rapina seems to trust him and from what I've seen she's a good judge of character."

"Drake seems to have developed a bond with the elf as well. It's the strangest thing. They're together a lot, but I've yet to see them speak to each other. They usually just sit there or go about their duties in silence. I don't get it."

"Maybe he likes tha boys too. Hmmm?" Brackston conjectured.

"In yer dreams Brackston. You'd love a good piece of elf meat like that wouldn't ya? Heh." The room erupted in raucous laughter.

"I'm still not convinced. You all saw what he did to...to..." Sak didn't have to finish. They all knew what he was referring to. "Who's to say that he won't rip my face off next? And what's to keep him from escaping?"

"Those are two very good points Sak. Rest assured that I have already addressed them both. First, I have made it known that no one is to arm the elf under penalty of having their balls cut off! Second, I have assigned two crewmen to watch him all day and night. Two other crewmen relieve them once daily. I guarantee you if he tries anything we'll know it."

Those recruits who missed training because of being wounded during the raid were given a chance to make up on lost practice time. Doanthalas was given the opportunity to hone his fighting skills as well. The recruits performed as well as any green sailor could be expected to. They were slightly better than lousy. Doanthalas, on the other hand, handled his weapons with considerably more skill. The practice sword rested easily in his hand and he seemed to breeze through the practice session. His archery skills were excellent as well. More arrows found their mark than not. Hock and Arzeal were impressed.

After arms practice it was time to eat. The sylvan-elf got his plate of food from the mess hall and walked outside to eat. Most of the other recruits chose to eat outside as well, but moved away when Doanthalas walked by. The elf paid them no mind and sat down under a tree by himself.

Drake noticed the elf and went over to sit down next to him. "Hey there Doanthalas. Mind if I join you?" Drake heard only silence. "I'll take that as a sure, sit down and enjoy yourself, okay?" The young recruit sat down and noticed Kent walking past. "Hey Kent! Why don't you join us?"

Kent barely glanced in Drake's direction as he walked by. He found William and Rolf and sat down to eat with them.

"What's his problem? I thought we were friends," Drake said. He's been acting this way ever since we picked up to move here. I don't get it." Drake looked in Doanthalas direction and shrugged.

The tattooed elf just looked at Drake with his emerald eyes for a moment. He shrugged as well and then went back to eating.

"Hi Drake, Hi Doanthalis," Rapina walked up with her dinner and found a spot to eat next to the boys. "The good news is, we are not trapped on a moving boat twenty-four hours a day, the bad news is Captain Red Jack wants the camp done yesterday. I see you two got put on unloading stuff from the merchant ship duty. I've been helping the leech set up a temporary infirmary. Pretty soon we'll all be turned into amateur carpenters, I think."

Evening arrived and the recruits made their way to their tents for a much-deserved sleep. The guards were changed and all unnecessary fires were doused. A solitary figure made its way towards a copse of trees. A few of the straggling pirates noticed it was the elf. Doanthalas never slept with the other pirates. He always spent the night outside. The pirates wondered if the sylvan elf even slept at all. Whatever his reason for not sleeping in the same tent as the others the pirates didn't care. They felt much safer with him somewhere else.

The tattooed elf surveyed the new copse of trees he had chosen for the site of this evenings reverie. It would do. The trees would provide minimal protection from the elements as well as a convenient escape route if trouble arose. Doanthalas turned his emerald eyes to the sky and breathed deeply. It had been many years since he had smelled air so sweet. The stars seemed to twinkle to some silent melody. For a moment, his heart soared. For a moment, he almost forgot.

The elf contemplated not entering the reverie at all this evening. Without the reverie he would forget. All the horrors and torments would be forgotten. Gone. And his spirit would be at peace once again. Unfortunately, there was a price. Not only would he forget everything bad, but he would also forget everything good. His family, friends, loved ones, and every moment of happiness he had ever lived would be gone. They would fade away like a forgotten dream.

He shook his head. It was time to enter the reverie. Doanthalas sat cross-legged on the ground and assumed a meditative pose. His chest rose and fell with every breath he took. It wasn't long before the present faded and the past came flooding back. Doanthalas looked peaceful and serene sitting there on the ground. His hair waved as the wind blew through it. He wasn't sleeping nor was he awake; he was somewhere else entirely.

About twenty minutes after he entered the reverie the sylvan-elfs body began to shake. A casual looker would have thought he was just cold. Considering how lightly dressed he was it would not have been a surprise. Nevertheless, he was not cold. In fact, he was sweating. As time passed, his body shook more and more violently. He seemed to be having some sort of fit. Suddenly his eyes opened and his arms shot out to his sides. He looked about wildly a look of utter fear on his face.

Although Doanthalas was looking from side to side his eyes didn't seem to be focusing on anything. In an instant he was on his feet and backpedaling away from the camp. A root caught his heel and sent him crashing to the ground. He struggled to get back up, but could only manage to crawl backwards. When his back hit the tree he stopped backpedaling. The elf curled up into the fetal position and screamed,"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Tremors seized his body as the elf began to sob. For almost an hour he just lay there shaking and sobbing. He didn't utter a single word the rest of the night.

"What's 'ee doin' now Skitch?" Guts asked.

"Jus' sittin there shakin.'" Skitch whispered.


"Is that all? I might as well sit down and get some rest."


"Don't fall asleep. 'Captain wants the elf watched 24 hours."

"Yeah, yeah," Guts sat down and yawned. Just watching Skitch walk around was enough to keep him up, at least for a while.

When morning came Doanthalis just stood up, dusted himself off, and reported for his duties.

Doanthalas breezed through the morning's weapons training session. He had used all of them before. Experienced as he was with the weapons he was by no means a master. For that reason he applied himself fully to the practice. In the afternoon he had a more difficult time. The pirates explained and demonstrated the basic workings of a ship. It looked easy enough to Doanthalas, but the actual doing was very difficult. The sylvan elf had never been on a ship before much less tried to sail one. He had never had a reason to leave the land.

On land Doanthalas was as agile as a cat. At sea he was more like a fish out of water. He almost tipped the rowboat twice and the swaying of the ship made him sick. The men would have laughed if they hadn't feared for their lives. At dinnertime the tattooed elf hobbled to the mess tent with the rest of the recruits. The sun was setting in the distance and clouds were forming on the horizon. Meanwhile the captain was meeting with his officers once again.

"I'm sure that ye all know tha reason I called ye here," Jack said. He paused as his eyes scanned the room. "I've been hearing some things about tha elf Doanthalas. Rumors is rumors and they don't concern me. What does concern me is any truth behind those rumors." The Captain took another dramatic pause as he paced up to Armsmaster Hock. "So tell me tha truth. Is what I'm hearin true? Hock? Arzeal?"

"I take it yer referrin ta his fightin skills..." Hock paused to see if the captain would answer him. The captain didn't so the armsmaster continued, "He handles the weapons with a skill far superior ta that of our best recruits. If'n I had ta guess I'd say he was some sort of soldier or mercenary."

"I agree," Arzeal said. "He knows his way around bows. That's for sure. He picked the best one out of the bunch without any help from me or anyone for that matter. And his aim was too accurate for anyone but a soldier...or a mercenary."

"So yer sayin that he's good with weapons eh? Which ones?" The captain asked.

"Far as I can tell, captain, he's good with all of em," Hock said.

"ALL of em?" The captain asked.

"Yes sir. All that we have anyway," Hock replied.

"Well I guess its good that we haven't allowed him any weapons so far. Eh boys? Else he might have skewered us all. Heh."

"Well although he IS proficient in all the weapons we have...he ISN'T the best at using them. Don't get me wrong...he IS good. But he still has a lot to learn. I just thought it interesting that he would be so good in so many different weapons." Hock said.

"Elves do live for hundreds of years so it doesn't surprise me that much, but what does surprise me is that an elf as young as he is would be that proficient in them." Arzeal said.

"What do ya mean Arzeal?" Jack asked.

The half elf paused to consider his words for a moment, "Most elves spend their youth enjoying life and learning about things like music and history. They don't usually begin training elvish children in warfare until they're two hundred to three hundred years old. Doanthalas doesn't look a day over one hundred and fifty. He's practically a child..."

"A child?!?!?!?"

The half-elf laughed. "Well a child by elvish standards is more like an adult by our standards..well your standards. Still....since they outlive humans by generations they have more time to devote to learning the skills they need to survive," Arzeal said.

"Why do they wait so long to learn how to fight? You'd think they'd need it at an earlier age," Hock asked.

"The adult elves protect the younger elves when threatened. Besides elves don't like to fight. They find it barbaric and distasteful."

"Well that wild elf out there sure had me fooled! Ya'd think he was born to fight! Distasteful my arse! Ha!" Brackston said.

"There are always exceptions, but...I don't think Doanthalas is an exception. I think he fights because he has to, not because he wants to," Arzeal said.

"what makes you say that Arzeal?" the captain asked.

"I'm not sure. It's mostly a gut feeling, but he doesn't have the look of a cold blooded killer in his eyes. He has more of the look of a lost soul...besides he had the perfect chance to kill me and Rapina back when we recaptured him."

Brackston frowned and grumbled to himself at Arzeals words.

"But he didn't kill you...or Rapina for that matter. Drake seems to think the world of him." Logan smiled, shook his head and laughed.

"What's so funny, Logan?" Captain Red Jack asked.

"Just some of the stories Drake has been telling me about the elf's sailing skills...or should I say LACK of sailing skills?" Logan said.

Roger, the normally stoic first mate couldn't help but smirk. "It's true captain. He may be a natural when it comes to fightin,' but I've never seen a more clumsy sailor."

"He hasn't got his sea legs yet?" Red Jack asked.

"More like he's gotten his sea legs amputated!" Roger laughed.

Laughter filled the tent at Roger's joke. A few stories of Doanthalas' misadventures on the water followed.

"That's all well and good, but the fact remains that the men fear 'im. I don't blame them. He gives me the willies. And those tattoos of his...he looks like a demon he does. I'll betcha that none of them sailors laughs at I'm when he's bumblin around the boat. Do they?"

"No. They don't." Roger replied.

"Well if the men don't trust him then how can we?" Sak asked.

"That's a very good question Sak. I'm hoping that they'll come around sooner or later," the captain said.

"And if they don't?" Sak asked.

"We'll deal with that when and if it happens," Captain Red Jack replied.

"Besides Drake's already taken a liking to him," Logan said.

"And so has Rapina...and...and I think he's ok," Arzeal said.

"We'll see. Three pirates out of a camp of almost a hunnerd ain't even a drop in tha bucket!" Sak said. ---------

That evening a few of the pirates were drinking as usual. Only this time they were discussing the elf. Pike was part of the group as was Fishy, Milo, Grulka, and Targ.

Targ was a beefy pirate with a prominent brow and no noticeable neck. He was having trouble speaking after his seventh mug of ale. "Now that alf e fights like the devil e does. I'd hate ta be facin I'm in battle."


"I agree," said Grulka, a lanky pirate with a pinched face. "He'd tear me limb from limb he would."

"Ha. Yer a buncha scaredy cats! Afraid of a little elf," Fishy scoffed.

"Sure the elf's a tough one, but he's not invincible," Pike said. "I'm sure a good number of the pirates here could beat him in a fair fight."

"Ha! Ya wish!" Grulka said.

"Okay. Goin find one then," Targ argued. "Ya won't! Thar all scared of I'm."

"I'm not," Pike said.

"Oh. Big talk from that big man. Why don't you go fight I'm then?" Tark asked.

"Because I have no quarrel with him," Pike said.

"Or is it cuz yer scared?" Gulka asked.

The large Norseman stood to his full height and glared down at Grulka. "What did you say?" He growled.

"Easy Pike. He didn't mean it. It's the ale talkin," Fishy said.

"If'n yer not scared of the alf then...how's about we make a little wager?" Tark asked.

"Now yer talkin,' What's the bet?" Fishy asked.

Bets were made and when everyone was in agreement they headed off to find the elf. Grulka pulled Fishy aside when they started walking.

"What got Pike so steamed before?" Grulka asked.

The lame cook flashed a toothy grin. "Ya insulted him when ya suggested he were scared. An that's somethin ya don't do to a Norseman. Insult their honor and their pride and they'll rip yer legs off. Ha!" Fishey said.

The four inebriated pirates walked around the camp until they found Doanthalas. He was sitting on a rock watching the water. Drake and Rapina were there with him. None of them were talking. They just seemed to be silently enjoying the evening air. Pike stepped forward and issued his challenge.

"Elf! I challenge you to a fight. I've been hearing stories about how tough you are. Talk is nothing so I'm here to find out for myself. What say you?" Pike asked.

The elf turned and walked over to Pike. He looked from face to face before finally resting his eyes upon Pike. He removed his shirt, nodded his head, and adopted a fighting stance.

The pirates cheered since they were going to get a fight. Drake looked worried and shot Rapina a glance that told her so. Pike removed his shirt and adopted a fighting stance of his own. It looked like the fight wouldn't last very long. The Norseman towered about three heads above the tattooed elf. And although Doanthalas was big for an elf he was dwarfed by Pike.

The fight was clean and lasted longer than anybody would have guessed. Although Pike was easily able to swat the sylvan elf away with his longer reach and stronger arms Doanthalas did not give up. Every time he got knocked down he would get right back up and go at Pike. Doanthalas was able to land his fair share of blows, but it was obvious that he was not going to win. Pike was just too powerful and experienced for Doanthalas.

The sylvan elf could barely stand by the time Pike called the fight. Doanthalas had just hobbled to his feet and was shuffling back towards Pike when the oarsmaster held up his hand and said, "Draw!"

The assembled pirates looked at him in disbelief. Why had he done that? Clearly he would have won and collected his share of the betting money. They didn't know what to do.

The oarsmaster put his arm around Doanthalas for support and guided him towards the center of camp. "I have to hand it to you elf. You're a tough one. Not too smart...but tough. Most men would have given up long before you did and for good reason too. You've got guts. I respect that. My name's Pike. What's yours?"

Doanthalas turned his tattooed face towards Pike but didn't say anything. He just stared at him with his emerald eyes. After a moment, apparently satisfied that Pike was someone he could trust, the elf replied, "Doanthalas."

At first Rapina had been nervous about Pike's challenge, but now her faith in the Norseman was renewed. He had tested Doanthalas' mettle and liked what he saw enough to embrace Doanthalas as a comrade. Pike was a strong and popular junior officer, well-liked by the men. Rapina hoped that the new friendship Pike seemed to be striking up would spread to the Norseman's comrades.

It was a few hours before dawn and Skitch was busy chinning himself on a tree limb keeping awake while on elf-watching detail.

Guts sat against a tree trunk snoring softly.

Skitch contemplated waking Guts up for the fifth time when he realized that Doanthalas was no longer where he had been. "Damn, where'd he go, I just looked at him a few minutes ago. " Skitch kicked Guts. "Wake up, stupid, the elf was just over there quakin' a few minutes ago, and now 'ee's gone."

"The large, dim pirate awakened. "Ouch, what'cha kickin' me for?"

"Yer sleepin' on the job again, lout. We got ta find the elf quick, an' I have no idea which way he went. You know how quiet 'e is when he moves through the trees. Damn it, we'll have ta get Brackston, an' 'e ain't going to like it."

Skitch ran off full tilt and returned with Brackston and Thumper a few minutes later.

Thumper tracked the elf to the Southeast.

"Damn demon elf! Look at this, Blade and Cudge were here on watch. Look at all the damn blood," Brackston said.

"Track 'Im thumper, track 'I'm."

Thumper sidled away from the area, whining and whimpering.

"What the hell's wrong with yew, dog? That elf cast a hex on yew? Brackston asked. "Damn it, yer not sneezin' so it ain't them herbs 'e used on yew at the other camp. What in hell happened ta my fearless fuckin' dog!? Well come on, it's a cinch he didn't go back in the direction of camp. Let's head South."

About five minutes later Skitch pointed out the elf's tattoos in the moonlight, and the group ran up to him.

Doanthalis was bent over something.

Skitch heard Brackston's infamous neck shackle lock over the elf's neck.

"Demon elf! I got yew, caught yew red-handed! We'll see what the captain says about yew now." Brackston said.

Skitch caught hold of Guts. "Hold on, take a look at this..."

Logan let the matter rest until morning, but first thing, the Captain conferred with Brackston, Skitch and Guts.


"'e murdered 'em, I tell yew, 'e's a demon!" Brackston practically hollered.

"Hold yer horses, Brackston, tell me the whole story from the beginnin'" Captain Red Jack snapped.

"Skitch came an' got me ta track the elf. He slipped 'em a few hours 'fore dawn. We tracked 'I'm ta the Southeast guard watch post an' there was blood everywhere, yew should'a seen it!"

"Thumper was actin' real funny and wouldn't track th' elf anymore, so we went South an' found 'Im areselves. There 'e was bendin' over th' corpse. I tell yew, I caught 'im red handed."

"Skitch, is that how it went?"

Skitch nodded. "Yeah, Brackston's got the story right, but I don't like 'is conclusions. 'ee wasn't outa my sight long. I just did some chin-ups ta keep awake. Guts was watchin' me 'stead of the elf. Then I realized the elf wasn't there so I ran an' got Brackston. The rest is like 'e said, but I seen the body. I got no idea whether it was Blade or Cudge, 'cause there ain't a lot o' meat left on th' carcass, understand?"

"If that elf killed 'I'm 'e set a new record fer eatin' raw meat. I checked 'is belly when we got back ta camp. I'm tellin' ya, if that elf ate most of a 200 pound pirate, 'ed have ta 'ave a belly out ta here, but that weren't the case. I'd say it'd be worth askin' the elf what happened. Me an' Guts looked for th' other corpse, but we couldn't find it nowhere. I'm hopin' now that it's gettin' light, we can figure out where it's gotten to."

"It's magic, I tell yew, the elf just withered the corpse away after guttin' it, an 'e cast a spell so's my dog turned as yellah as 'is coat."

"Get me Rapina, and I'll see what the elf has ta say for 'imself soon enough."

"Mean time, Skitch, take a few men an' see if ye can find the other corpse, but first, show me the one ye got."

A little while later the captain came to the tree Brackston had chained Doanthalas to not far from the Barracks tent. Rapina arrived from the infirmary tent at about the same time. The camp was already abuzz with rumors of how the demonic elf had chewed the meat off from Cudge's bones.

"Brackston has it that ye killed an' ate two o' me men early this mornin.' Skitch wasn't so sure ye did it. Ye don't look like yer stuffed wif 400 pounds 'o pirate. I'd like ta hear yer side o' th' story startin' when ye left yer sleepin' spot.

Doanthalas was sitting on the ground holding the chain in his hands. He was staring at it with a resigned look. "It seems I shall be bound for life. The path I walk is forever soaked with blood." The sylvan elf paused and then looked up at the captain.

"I...awoke...from the reverie to the sounds of the wolf pack feasting. I thought the pack had made a kill to the unereif...south...east. To chase away the clouds I followed the feast music. The scent of life lost caressed the air. There was no wolf pack...only the shadows of men. My presence was known for the shadow men were removing the life husks when I arrived. They dropped one as they faded to the...south...east. Their spirits were tired... or... sleeping... their bodies were cold like shadows. My eyes could barely glimpse them."

"Well ya sure do speak funny, but I think I understand ya. No offense ta yer combat abilities, Doanthalas, but I'm inclined ta believe ye. Those were good men. I'm hopin' even someone like you could not have killed 'em without sa much as a scream out 'o 'em. As fer the men ye saw, I can't make heads ner tails o' it. I suppose they could 'ave been wearin' heavy coats ta foil yer vision, but in this weather, it don't make sense."

"Any ideas Rapina? Is their magics fer such?"

"I've read about illusions and things that can fool vision. I've also read about elementals, golems and creations of necromancy that would not have body heat. Any of those could be basically human-shaped."

"Aye, likely it's nothin' more'n island men wearin' coats. Just the same, get me Pike, Donal, Backster, Drake, an' Kent. Brackston, unchain the elf. I have ta agree with Skitch. If Doanthalas had the kind 'o magic ye're conjecturin' 'ed of got out o' that old cage at th' other camp in short order and ate us all. I'm thinkin some 'o the island's natives just gave us a good pirate's welcome."

Brackston glowered but did as he was told.

A few minutes later Rapina had fetched the various people the captain wanted.

"All right. I want ye ta arm up, an' head South an East. Backster, you an' the elf see if ye can track whoever done the deed. See if ye can find their camp 'an see how many there are. Don't engage 'em unless yer pretty sure o' the odds."

"Pike, yer in charge. Rapina, yer along 'cause ye've read most anything I own concernin' th' supernatural, an' I'm too busy ta go meself. Kent, yer ta map the trip as best ye can as yer goin'. The rest o' ye are soldierin' so look alive. Get yer gear an' meet over at the mess tent. Fishy an' Piggy'll fix ye up with provisions 'an I'll have some climbin' gear left for ye. Be snappy about it. I'd prefer ta see ye back here before night fall."

Rapina got her Rapier, main gauche, knife, bow and quiver and met the others back at the mess tent.

Doanthalas checked his gear as he led the group to the spot where he had found the first body. Although the body had been removed there was still plenty of dried blood on the ground. The sylvan elf examined the area while the group stood back.

Whatever or whomever was responsible for the death of Blade and Cudge hadn't been too worried about hiding their presence. There were footprints all over the place. Some had been obliterated by the pirates when they came to investigate and collect the body. But Doanthalas had no trouble picking up the trail that would lead them to the murderers. The footprints headed off to the Southeast.

"The men of shadow returned to the darkness this way." Doanthalas said as he pointed towards the cliffs to the Southeast. Those in the group who were not used to hearing Doanthalas speak. After hearing the strange manner in which he spoke, they looked at each other curiously. They followed the elf through the forest even if they had not understood his speech.

The murderers had left plenty of evidence of their passing. Deep footprints, dried blood, broken twigs and branches, and shreds of old dry-rotted cloth led the elf and the party through the forest and on to some low cliffs and more rocky terrain.

It was harder to track the "men of shadow" through the cliffs and rocky areas. Doanthalas was hard pressed to find any sort of evidence. Luckily he spotted a few scuff marks on the rocks and some drops of dried blood.


Eventually the vegetation all but disappeared, as did the trail. It was far too rocky to make heads or tails of any kind of evidence. Doanthalas stopped and scanned the area for possible escape routes. He spotted some higher cliffs and headed for them.

"Their shadows have faded in the light. We must climb those cliffs to see with the clarity of the hawk. Then we may be able to find our quarry."

Drake pulled Rapina up a seven-foot cliff onto higher terrain and the others followed.

Oarmaster Pike pointed, "what do ye make o' that?"

Rapina walked up a steep hill to where Pike was standing, there in front of them was a large, flat, rocky field nearly devoid of trees. Oval piles of stone littered the field to the East up until it ended at the base of cliffs to the East and South. To the North the terrain sunk.

"Burial mounds?" Rapina asked.

"Only one way to find out." Pike walked North and found an older, smaller pile of rocks and began tossing the ones on top aside. Donal and Drake Joined in.

"Yer right, looks like it was a kid. The bones are mostly crushed and plenty old, looks like. I guess we just found ourselves a graveyard on th' isle of the dead." Pike shifted the large double-edged battle axe slug over his back, and pursed his lips. "There's a trail here through the mounds leadin' North and South, I think."

The group went Northeast and found that the trail descended into a box canyon at the Northeast edge of the isle. The trail had obviously been modified by ancient chisels and was in some cases cut into the side of the canyon. At the bottom was a pool of water with some sort of sunken funeral boat in it. A natural archway led from the canyon out through a short cave to the lake. The opening was hidden from those viewing the isle from the waters Northeast of it by a spur of rock.

"A side door ta the isle," Pike said. "This'll be handy ta know about. If they left from here, we'll not be tracking 'em. Hey look," Pike pointed to some ancient characters carved into the canyon wall to be visible from boats sitting in the water. "Any ideas."

"They're runes. This one means death, and this sanctuary. Hmmm, maybe something like sanctuary of the dead? These others are more obscure, some sort of warning maybe, and this one means respect. That one is the sun or day. I think that it is warning us to respect the sanctuary of the dead and to drop off our dead only by day. How creepy."

"It's been my experience that dead men're less trouble than the living, and my guess is whoever carved those letters was just trying ta cow any would-be grave robbers," Pike said.

"There could be some serious booty up in those mounds. Sometimes they bury people with their gold rings and such on 'em," Backster said.

"Let's go have another look at the graveyard and see if this warning did the trick 'r not," Pike said.

After the group climbed their way back up to the field of stones, Pike led the way South.

"These mounds closest to the canyon are a little smaller and flatter. I'd say they're older. Let's see if we can find something newer."

The search led to the Southern edge of the field.

"Give me a hand here. None of these looks real fresh, but they're taller and newer than the ones to the North," Pike said.

Rapina helped the others move the stones.

"Hehheheh, it don't look like that warnin' was very successful. All we got here is a few scraps o' old linen. There ain't even a body."

"But what kind of grave robber takes the valuables and the bones?" Rapina asked.

"Likely they ditched the bones in one of these other mounds," Backster replied.

The tattooed elf was staring at the ground intently. He kept looking from the ground to an outcropping of rock a short distance away. "I sense the caress of the shadow here." Doanthalas stood up and walked over to the rock outcropping. He discovered that the outcropping hid a cave entrance. The elf beckoned the others closer and pointed at the runes chiseled into the rock.

Pike and the others came to look. "More letters, Rapina."

"Hall of the Dead," Rapina said matter of factly. "It must be a cave that's been turned into a mausoleum. Let me take a look at these smaller runes just above the entrance." 
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This ends New Beginings, Chapter 10 of The Chronicles of Rapina.
The story continues in Chapter 11, Hall of the Dead.

Copyright 2001 by Rapina