(Continued from Ch 26, The Jolly Roger)
The Chronicles of Rapina
Chapter 27, In The Eyes of a Sword
Once Jack Had shaken on the deal, he asked about the particulars. "Now when will ye be puttin' up yer protections again' other mages an' how?"
"Have you buried any recruits or spies near the camp?" Roger asked.
"Aye, we've got a small collection o' graves o'er yonder," Jack said.
"Good, Rapina and I will consecrate the graveyard to Mortaebius yet tonight, and Kroz will come tomorrow night to get a closer look at the area and place the wards for the camp. Even now you are not totally without protection. I have within my skull an enchanted item that wards an area the radius of the length of a longship around me. If I am aboard a vessel it will be protected from faraway remote viewing by a special enchantment that influences remote viewing to be unable to see people and their constructions. Terrain will otherwise appear as it really does. For closer-in viewing, such as when an enemy mage knows or stumbles on the exact location of a ship or the camp, enemy mages will see natural-looking magical static that obscures vision. In addition, teleportation magic will not function normally within the confines of the ward. Those teleporting in will be killed or severely wounded when their materialization is scrambled somewhat, and those trying to teleport out will fail to dematerialize. In addition, I should be able to detect remote viewing when it is attempted within the ward. Enemy mages will be dealt with as Kroz sees fit," Roger said.
"Kroz will be in tomorrow night? Then I'd like ta invite Rapina ta stay here tanight, would that be aright?"
Roger paused a moment. "Kroz says She may stay now and leave with him tomorrow night if she wishes," Roger said.
"Aye then will ye stay girl?" Jack asked.
Rapina nodded. "Sure, but I'm not used to sleeping at night. Kroz keeps a nocturnal schedule."
"That'll be fine, ye can do yer consecratin' and catch up w' the night watch once I'm sleepin' if ye like. I think Rage is on one o' th' posts tanight. Meantime, I'd like ta hog ye fer a bit soon as I get Roger situated to 'is night's work," Jack said.
Rapina nodded and smiled.
"Roger, I'd have ye work here in me tent if it weren't fer th' fact that I'd feel silly tryin' ta romance me wench with a walkin' bag o' bones in th' room. On th' other hand I got a heap o' book work for ye. We got so much new goin' on, and wi' only six o' me old men here I've been putin off th' book work somthin' fierce. What little 'as been done, 'as been done by me an' Drake, an' he's somewhat new at 'is letters so 'e ain't near as fast as ye are. I'll fix ye up with a table in th' supply tent right next ta this tent," Jack said.
"Rapina, this'll take me a bit as I'll 'ave ta explain ta Roger what's happenin'. Why don't ye go back ta th' fire an' catch up with what men are still up 'an around while ye wait," Jack said.
"Okay, I'll go scare Brackston." Rapina smirked.
The captain laughed as they exited the tent.
Rapina went back to the camp's central fire. There were several men sitting around the fire, including Pike who was there with some bandages. He was talking to Brackston and Skitch.
Rapina sat down next to Pike.
Brackston looked uneasily at Rapina.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do any better for him, Brackston, but I got the distinct feeling it was this, another execution, or Jack and the rest of you loosing as much weight as Roger. Rapina took Pike's hand and started bandaging it properly. "You don't have any herbs, do you?" Rapina asked.
Pike shook his head. We don't have a leech, and even if we did, it was already getting cold before we got the camp built. Otherwise maybe Arzeal could have come up with something. Doanthalas is around here too, but only since yesterday. He and his woman Elizabetta, Rage, and the Li'Yeiraun pair, Mansun the pathfinder and Adriana Li'Yeiraun. It turns out Adrianna is really Captain Red Jack's daughter on account of some foolin' around he did with Heinrich Li'Yeiraun's wife years back."
"Jack has a daughter? I'd like to meet her," Rapina said.
"She's bedded down for the night, but I expect you'll be meeting her in the morning," Pike said.
Rapina nodded. "Sorry about the hand."
Pike grinned, "That was my fault. After all those arrows bounced off you and Roger, I should have had more sense than to try something. No hard feelings though, I know you're doing the best you can for Jack."
Rapina nodded.
"So what's that necromancer like. I mean as a man?" Pike asked.
"Kroz is intense, a bit scary, very intelligent and, as long as he respects you, he's a fair man," Rapina said.
"Are you his mistress?" a young pirate named Zit asked.
Rapina smiled at the armed youth who stood nearby. Blemishes scarred and speckled his face. "I'm an apprentice to Kroz actually. I clean the house, make the meals, tend the garden and study every spare minute I can find. Lately I study more because there's no garden in the winter."
"Rapina here used ta be a crewman," Skitch said. "I helped ta train her up meself. 'Best ruttin' student I ever had." Skitch chuckled.
Rapina blushed. "Basic was tough for me. Thankfully, I had a number of friends and benefactors here. If I didn't enjoy, ah, dealing with men, I probably would not have made it. Watch out for Skitch though, he drives a hard bargain," Rapina smiled.
The men laughed.
"Rapina, yew warr good as any I raised up, but yew didn't fit. Yew were always too damn smart, an' too pretty a pussy. Yew put a cramp in me style. All th' boys were too busy ogglin' yew ta get in trouble so's I could pump some brains up their ass. That 'an I had ta make sure none o' them boys done nothin' again' yer will an' th' cap'n's orders. Right taxin' yew were," Brackston said.
"You did good though, Brackston, never gave me any trouble as long as I behaved. I think the captain put me in your barracks because he knew you'd be more tempted by the boys." Rapina smiled.
"No secret I like th' boys. That's what keeps 'em in line. What kind o' spooks do yew have ta put up wif over wif Kroz?"
"Mostly walking skeletons, but I don't mind them so much anymore because they help me with the housework," Rapina said.
"Help yew with the housework?!" Brackston cringed. "Yew mean yew spend yer days in th' company of a bunch o' dead men?"
"Kroz is a necromancer, I don't have a lot of say about his taste in servants. Kroz procured Kent and Edgar while we were lifting the rest of the pirate bodies. He is doing some sort of project on Kent. I see them both on occasion, though I don't like to deal with them. I think the skeletons are more trustworthy," Rapina said.
Brackston shivered, "Ghouls! I don't know why yew aren't a jibberin' crazy mess, Rapina."
Rapina took a moment to think about what she had been through. "Me neither," she said.
The pirates laughed heartily.
"I guess I'm too interested in the magic lessons to worry too much about the creepiness of it all. I can't say much more, you know how sorcerers are about their secrets."
Brackston nodded gravely, and there was a brief silence around the fire.
"Aright wench, I got me skinny assistant puttin' me sorry books back in order. Hey, ye know, I'll bet he never has ta take a pee break th' whole night," Red Jack chuckled as Brackston grimaced. Back in the old days Jack had enjoyed having Doanthalas in the cage just because having something the men were scared of made it easier to keep them in line. Although working with the necromancer might be dangerous in the long run, depending on how long the holy war lasted, the captain knew that having the spooks around would make his job a whole lot easier.
Jack took Rapina's hand and the two of them started towards his tent as the captain spoke over his shoulder," Rapina's nocturnal as a minx, er lynx these days, men, so she'll be out here again whilst I'm sawing wood. I'll catch ye in th' mornin. I got some speechifyin' ta do afore th' men soon as they get up. I want 'em up a few minutes early tamarra, so wake 'em when the birds start a chirpin' heraldin' dawn but before th' rosy hues start brighten' up th' sky. It's got ta still be dark. That's important."
"There now girl," Jack smiled as he let Rapina into his tent. We got a lot o' catchin' up ta do, but I 'spect we can do some 'o that tamarra. How's that old spook been treatin' ye?" Jack asked.
"He's stern, but fair," Rapina said. "I work hard and study hard, but the fact that the priest who made me an outlaw in the first place was of the vindicator makes me something of a heroine with the priests of Mortaebius. That certainly hasn't hurt me." Rapina smiled.
"I'm glad someone got a lucky break out o' that isle o' th' dead. Pickin' that rock fer a base almost made me a shadow o' me former self. Then it nearly cost me my head. It would 'ave if some o' me good men hadna escaped ta rescue me. I jus' recently got Doanthalas an' Rage back, but they came wi' baggage. Doanthalas' toatin' a woman I got ta remember ta have Roger check out. She walks too much like a feline fer me tastes, an' Rage brought me daughter and a condemned Li'Yeiraun pathfinder with 'im. I don't trust him neither. It's been a real zoo since ye left me. I got way too many green recruits an' not nearly enough veterans." Jack grimaced.
"I'm glad you're making the best of it, Jack," Rapina smirked as she hung her cloak on a peg on Jack's tent pole while the pirate captain stoked up his tiny pot-bellied stove.
Red Jack chuckled, "Aye, that I am. It reminds me o' th' old days when I first started out as a pirate. It's full circle, I guess. Enough o' business, I been eyein' that scarlet dress o' yours an' it's drivin' me up a wall. As ye might 'ave guessed I once 'ad a taste fer noblewenches. I've feasted me eyes on plenty o' finery in me day, but I can't say as though I can remember a single one o' them noblewenches who could fill th' finery like ye can, up down, all aroun'."
Rapina smiled and blushed.
Ye've been growin' up while ye've been gone girl. Ye carry yerself different too, like a gentlewoman. Ye're gettin' class. Is that spook a nobleman?
Rapina hung her rapier and weapons belt on the headboard of Jack's bed, then sat down next to him. "Kroz did have some contact with the upper crust and he thought it would be wise for someone with my particular magical talent and specialty to know deportment, so he has been drilling me on it."
"Drillin ye?" Jack chuckled. Well, whatever else 'e may be, 'e's taught ye a useful thing er two. What o' this magical specialty? Can ye do any tricks?"
Rapina grinned, "Well, I have a talent, but outside of that I can't do so much as a cantrip. Even doing those simple feats of magic requires several years of practice to develop the necessary underlying ability, even if the aptitude is there."
"Ye got a talent at least, is that a common thing for an apprentice?" Jack asked.
"No, I don't think so, but it's certainly more common for a magic apprentice to have one than just anyone, I suppose," Rapina said.
"What is yer talent if ye don't mind me askin', girl?" Jack asked.
"Rapina smirked. I think you could answer that one for yourself, Jack," Rapina stroked her hands down Jack's chest, pulling at his lust all the way down to his belly.
"Damn yer good at that!" Jack exclaimed.
Rapina smiled as she started to undo Jack's shirt. "Talented?" Rapina asked.
"Aye, so that's it. Ye've a magic snatch," Jack said.
Rapina giggled, then caressed the inside of the Captain's thigh and watched his skin take on a ruddy hue as his manhood strained to leap out of his pants. "I suppose you could put it that way," Rapina said.
"Ye do have a knack fer th' bedroom; is that yer magic?" Jack asked.
Rapina noded.
"What can ye do with that besides make a man fall all over 'imself? Jack said breathing heavily as he worked to undo Rapina's bodice."
"With sex magic? Theoretically quite a bit, but I need to develop my talent." Rapina unbuckled Jack's belt.
"I think I can help ye with that," Jack took a deep breath as he pulled Rapina's dress down and looked at her scarlet bustier. "I like this one even better than th' one I first saw ye in," Jack said.
"This one fits." Rapina smiled.
"Aye, th' design looks ta be made fer yer figure, an there's even more fillin' th' cups than there was when ye were younger. Ye always did have nice tits, girl, an they just keep gettin' better.
Rapina smiled, stepped out of her dress and folded it over Jack's chair while the Captain removed his trousers. The captain's erection stood at attention.
"Ye're still in better shape than any noblewench I've seen. 'as ol' spooky been makin' ye carry water aroun' 'is 'aunted castle?" Jack asked.
Rapina giggled, "No, actually I have been training with an assistant of his," Rapina said.
"At arms?" Jack asked.
Rapina nodded.
"Spooky must trust ye quite a bit," Jack said.
"Yes, that and he's a necromancer, so I'd still be in trouble even if I successfully killed him," Rapina said.
Jack chuckled, "I see yer point. I notice ye carry a rapier, but it ain't that nice one I got ye. Is that what ye've been trainin' at?"
"Yes, I miss that blade. I'm hoping I can convince Kroz to buy me another from the Montfort forge. I've continued to train in rapier, plus unarmed, and a little bow work so I don't get rusty," Rapina said.
Jack caressed Rapina's sides and back through her bustier. "Aye, yer in great shape. Do ye eat bettern' ye did as a pirate?" Jack asked.
Rapina grinned, "Yes, Kroz is a wealthy man, his table is well stocked. Sometimes I'm the one who stocks it. We apprentices have to work for a living too, you know," Rapina said.
"Aye," Jack chuckled as he cupped Rapina's breasts beneath her bustier then grasped her sides and moved her onto his lap. I can see how havin' a woman like you aroun' would make 'im feel especially wealthy. 'e sure does dress ye nice. Where did these under things come from?" Jack asked.
"Argos, Kroz really gets around." Rapina could feel Jack's hardness against her cheeks. His lust burned through her silken panties and coursed up her spine.
The captain chuckled and turned. He rose slightly so that Rapina's rump slid off his lap and then he gently pushed her down on the bed. Jack unclipped her silk stockings then reached under her bustier and pealed the scarlet panties from her body as she lifted her long legs. "I'm just glad he ain't th' jealous type. Ye know I found ye that isle jus' so ye could get inta the company of them mage types," Jack winked as he stroked Rapina's smooth inner thighs.
Rapina smiled up at the captain, her legs bent at the knees and slightly apart as she lay on the bed. "I should have known you had the whole thing planned. That was quite a sacrifice to make for my education. How will I ever repay you?" Rapina asked.
Jack chuckled lustily as he caressed Rapina's nether lips, already quite wet with lubrication. "I'm sure we can work somethin' out. Besides, I couldn't cheat th' world out o' a magic snatch. It would be against me religion. It would 'ave been down right sacrilegious o' me even ta think about it. Jack's nimble fingers worked over Rapina's slippery labia, dipping into her honey and using it to lubricate her swollen clit. It's a work o' art, an it's got plenty o' zip an' slip to it. A woman with sex drive like ye've got is a rare jewel. I'll bet ye could take th' whole camp on an' never go dry," Jack marveled.
"Sometime I'll have to find out," Rapina said half seriously.
"Sometimes I think ye already have," Jack said.
Rapina giggled. She did recall certain very busy evenings during basic. "Well, not everyone."
"Jfft abot," The captain's voice was muffled between Rapina's velvety thighs.
Rapina moaned between deep breaths, and before long, lights filled her mind as she came. She could touch Jack's mind from her peak as she might have touched a gray cloud from a mountaintop. She resisted the urge to reinforce the captain's lust and let the cloud go by, gathering only a hint of her affection as it passed.
Captain Red Jack brought her to climax numerous times in the next couple of hours. Rapina let him take her twice before sending a sleepy, calming mood to his mind during her final orgasm. She took it easy on him, but not quite as easy as she once had, for she felt he now trusted her enough that she might let him learn the truth. After Jack fell asleep, Rapina cleaned up as best she could at Jack's basin, then gathered up her clothes, dressed and headed back through the cold winter's night towards the camp's central fires. The wind was chill, but she hardly felt it through the glow Red Jack had left within her.
The vindicator's teachings admonished her to feel triply guilty about her tryst with Jack. It was sex before marriage, sex with a second partner, and sex in the face of being involved with Rames, currently her primary lover. Honest lust, the vindicator could not stand it, so he could not stand her either. Now that she was back in the pirate camp, she would do what came naturally if she felt like it. Rapina shook her head, the vindicator that had been revealed to her by reverend Evangeline was a sham. Jack, Thane and Rames were evil men, but they were not deceivers as Evangeline had been. She did not know what goddess of lust might control her fait. For now, she was fairly sure she had been loaned to Mortaebius, the god of the dead. She was content to be of use in his struggle against the vindicator's "pious" followers who preached honesty and justice while they dressed as bandits, killed priests and burned the temples of other gods.
"Hail Mortaebius, guardian of the dead. A creature of life and lust am I, glad in thy just service to draw nigh, lust, and life, and death - one cycle, life goes by. Death is fact and a god I will not deny, and as lust I shall serve thee to kill the lie."
"Well met Rapina," Roger said.
Startled, Rapina lurched to a halt. She looked up just in time not to run right into Roger. What was even more startling than the appearance of the skeleton was the fact that Rapina could swear she had seen him smiling when she first looked up. "How can a skeleton be smiling without lips?" Rapina rationalized to herself.
"The graveyard is this way. Shall we consecrate it before you begin socializing?" Roger asked.
"Uh, sure, that way I can have the rest of the night with the men." Rapina smiled.
"Indeed." Roger silently led the way through the snow, his boney feet hardly leaving a trail. "The graves are here."
"They are?" Rapina asked, for she could see only snow.
"Yes, I will show you. Roger walked elongated ovals marking four graves. Mortaebius knows where the dead lie. What we will do here tonight is merely a formality. It works a magic sympathetic to Kroz's spell and will allow him to come to this graveyard more easily. What he attempts tomorrow night is a new feat for him. In the past he has come to graveyards he has been to that are familiar to him. This one is different. He has viewed it only through his pool, and he will be counting on us to mark it, to add something familiar to it to make his spell surer. It is good we are both present. If this first attempt is successful, he will have greater confidence, confidence that could be very important in the months to come.
This will be a simple ritual. Roger walked a rectangle around the four graves. I will walk along the lines of this rectangle, as I move you will move, always in the same direction, but you will remain always be on a diagonal corner from from me. I will say a prayer, and you will repeat it or say another if you cannot remember it. Any questions?"
"none." Rapina smiled.
"Good, I will stand on the Northeast corner and you on the Southwest to start," Roger said.
"Hail Mortaebius guardian of the dead, we the dead who lie here entreat thee, hallow this ground that we might rest," Roger intoned.
"Hail Mortaebius, keeper of the deceased, we the living entreat thee, hallow this ground that the dead be held in thy embrace, to rise only in the direst need," Rapina incanted.
Roger walked clockwise around the periphery to the next corner, and intoned another prayer.
Rapina moved as Roger did, arriving to pray first in the Northwest, then in the Northeast where Roger started.
"...and thus we close the circle, life and death, the cycle is complete."
"Excellent, Rapina. I had no idea you knew the prayers of consecration and in your first prayer you added, "to rise only in the direst need," a line that is most often left off these days. I expected a much less proper ritual. Your performance was as flawless as a priest's. Tell me, why do you know such things?" Roger asked.
Rapina blushed, "I don't think I am meant to be a priestess of Mortaebius. I'm just not into the dead like Kroz, but Mortaebius has been a good patron to me, and I am honored to be his ally. I studied one of Guardian Rames' books that he had from being a chaplain before he actually became a priest. It's a handbook for church deacons. The line I added was mentioned in the footnote as the historical form, but given the situation, I thought it would be appropriate," Rapina said.
"Yes, I remember your uncommon sharp wit," Roger said. "You know the rituals and serve my master well. There are things best done by the living. Your aptitudes are a fine complement to our own. Thank you Rapina. You may return to the warmth of the fire, and rest assured, Mortaebius recognizes a good servant, even if she is an ally not natural to his service."
"Thank you Roger," Rapina said as she waved and left death to contemplate the graves in the biting winter wind.
---
The central campfire shone like a beacon guiding Rage towards the cluster of tents in the distance. The young pirate finished strapping on his sword as he walked. He had been cleaning it when one of the new pirates had brought news of Rapina's arrival. It could only be Rapina judging by the man's description. Few women could rival her beauty. Rage wasn't sure he believed that she had stepped out of the fire with a demon in tow. That was a lot of superstitious nonsense most likely fueled by the return of Doanthalas. The old crewmembers knew he wasn't a demon spawn, but the new crew had yet to come to that conclusion.
"It will be good to see Rapina again," Rage thought as he felt a swelling in his pants. "For more than a few reasons..." He smiled as he looked down at the stone set in the hilt of his sword. Things were looking up. Soon what was left of the old crew would be back together again. They would once again be strong and feared. Rage loved being a pirate. All the action, women, and booty a man could want...and then some. His smile widened as he approached the camp.
---
The mage Nordula watched intently as Rage returned to the camp from guard duty. "The only thing more boring than being on guard duty is watching someone who is on guard duty," he mused. As much as Nordual hated babysitting this young pirate he hated the thought of Lord Li'Yeiraun's wrath even more. At least the magical stone set in the sword hilt was doing its job... and remarkably well. It had been a good plan to leave the sword where Rage was sure to pick it up. Now with the sword and stone strapped to the young pirate's hip the images were coming through crystal clear.
The image in the center of the kettle shifted and seemed to shimmer for a moment. It began to jump and coalesce into a whirlpool of color. Something was interfering with Nordula's scrying. It appeared as though it were some natural disturbance, an upwelling of earth energy, or some such; it might also have been a clever ward, but where would a simple pirate captain have come upon such a thing? In any case, it was not a good sign. He did not think that Jack had any mages to detect let alone deal with his magical workings. No, if it was countermagic, some magical device plundered from one of Red Jack's victims more likely caused it. It had not been in effect at the guard post. Therefore, it likely had a range. If that was so then the stone in the sword could still be of use when Rage was away from the center of the camp.
Still Nordula would have to inform Henrich of this development. Something would have to be done to ensure that their prey did not escape. The mage wrapped his robes around him and stepped outside to summon one of his apprentices. He found a candidate studying in his library. "Kall! Come and watch over the scrying kettle! The image has faded, but let me know the moment it reappears. I must find Lord Li'Yeiraun." He waved a hand at the boy as he disappeared in a cloud of colored smoke.
---
It had been a few days since Doantalis had lain with Elisabetta. He had not spoken to her either. She had made her choice. Her loyalty to Paolo had been stronger than her feelings for Doanthalas. It hurt...a lot! But, then again, the elf's life had been nothing but pain for the last fifty years or so. He was becoming jaded...numb to the whole experience.
Once again everything was happening at once; Elisabetta was plotting to assassinate Red Jack, Rapina had returned, and Jack's daughter had come looking for Drake. Nothing was ever easy. Doanthalas had to decide what to do about Elisabetta. He felt no loyalty towards Jack, but he had also seen quite enough killing for one lifetime.
Almost without thinking the elf pulled the locket out of his pocket and held it in his hand. Inside was the picture of the guard he had slain and his family. Of all the lives he had taken over the past fifty years this one affected him the most. Doanthalas had been able to justify the other killings. It was justice pure and simple. But this was different. The only thing the guard had been guilty of was doing his job.
Then there was Rapina. Where had she been and why had she returned? He was not going to get an answer while he sat there and brooded so he pocketed the locket and made his way towards the center of camp.
---
Mansun Dido sat around the large central fire watching the pirates with mild interest. They still regarded him as an outsider so he sat alone. In fact, the only person in the camp who seemed to show him any amount of respect at all had been the tattooed elf. He was sure the elf did not trust him yet, but that would come in time. The pirates had been content to sneer at him or ignore him depending on their moods.
Sitting amongst the pirates chatting away like an old comrade-in-arms was the woman Rapina. She was a difficult one to figure out. He detected strength in her that was intriguing and frightening at the same time. All the more terrifying because her beauty seemed to distract, the men at least, from it. At the moment he wasn't worried about her though.
Elisabetta had him worried. For the past few days she had cut herself off from the elf. Something had happened to push them apart. When he had first met them they seemed to almost dote on one another...almost. Now she avoided him whenever possible. What's more she had taken on a subtle, but dangerous edge.
Once again she was nowhere to be found. Neither was the elf for that matter. But Doanthalas didn't worry Mansun. He was dangerous, no doubt, but the pathfinder felt secure in the feeling that he had nothing to fear from him. There was an infinite sadness to the elf that seemed to permeate everything he did and said. Something horrible must have happened to him in the past. The pathfinder's thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of the young pirate Rage. Apparently, he was returning from guard duty.
---
Rage finished his business and exited the latrine. For some reason he felt uneasy. He looked around. He guessed it was nothing. In any case he needed sleep. He walked briskly back towards the barracks tent.
Nordula's chambers dissolved and were replaced by an outdoor scene. Deitrich froze in place and held his breath a moment. A young pirate wearing a nice sword left the outhouse beside him and seemed to look right through him before he walked up the path back towards the pirate camp. Nordula had not explained why he had to teleport Deitrich so close to the camp, but he was glad the cloaking spell had lasted through the transfer. Looking around, the spy quickly got his bearings and made his way to a thick cluster of bushes. Traveling via Nordula's magic had not been nearly as disconcerting as he thought it might be. He actually thought he could get used to it. It sure beat riding weeks through rugged terrain to reach his destination. He stealthily put a little distance between the pirate camp and himself before the invisibility wore off. If he could find out where the watch posts were while still cloaked, it would make his job much easier.
"I've arrived," he said into the magic stone hanging from his neck. The stone seemed to pulse with light as Nordula's voice emanated from it, "Excellent! Keep us informed of any developments." The light from the stone faded as the spy nodded and stealthily made his way around the periphery of the pirate camp.
-----------------------
Adriana was beautiful lying there beside him. She was asleep. Drake hadn't known her long at all, but already his heart belonged to her. That was precisely the reason Drake was lying there seriously considering Jack's request. He had given up a lot to become a pirate and had lost just as much during the course of becoming one. Drake leaned over and kissed her on the lips. She stirred and rolled to her side draping an arm over his chest. Losing Adriana was not a thought he could stand. That was why he had decided to do as Jack requested and take her away from the pirates. They would start a new life elsewhere. Jack had a friend who knew important people in foreign lands who could help them get a start. Drake stretched and yawned. Pulling the covers up he nestled in close to Adriana and draped his arm around her. In minutes he, too, was asleep.
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This ends, In The Eyes of a Sword, Chapter 27 of The Chronicles of Rapina.
The story continues in, Chapter 28, The Touch of Darkness.
Copyright 2001 by Rapina