The Solitaire stepped adroitly aside as a horse thundered past him. Yep. I guess here was a good thought. That seemed to be, Ariakan, I think. He stepped through the gates as they swung shut again. The Solitaire looked round, and ignored the gazes that centred on his mask, cloak, swords, and importantly, his Marmo armour. He spied a group who looked like they were preparing to head out. He recognised Zira and the two dragon-kin. He began to stride over towards the group that were in the process of mounting. He reached the lead man on the horse with a young woman also mounted. "Ho. Travellers, you seem to be readying yourself with purpose. Where might you be headed?"

Blaze stopped his horse and looked at Kitain. He smiled slightly, the sound of his voice was as different as one mountain from another, at least to a Dragon. "I remember you. Kanon. The Inn. You're Kitain. What brings you here? Ah, how rude of me, you inquired us first. We are about to head to Marmo on a rescue mission. But, why would you want to know that Sir? If you seek to join us, we could always use another member. The more the merrier and the better our chances..."

Altaris stopped his horse in the field, he'd spend past someone he didn't care to stop for or find out who he was. He looked at Kiran and Toan who stopped behind him. "I'll hold his arms and you can beat the living hell outta the guy that took your lady friends. I gave my word and I will not fail you both. But, if I die in the inevitable battles that we come to when we are there, please... Give my sword and armor to High Priest Drevis. He'll know what to do with them."

Zira recognized the man approaching on foot. She flashed back about a week or two to Kanon where they stayed at the same inn. She couldn't quite remember the man's name however. Thunder sidestepped, bringing Zira close to Kitain. "We're going to Marmo. Do you wish to accompany us?" She asked, studying him closely. "We'll explain on the way."

Kitain nodded. "I'm quite happy to accompany you to Marmo. I have some unfinished business there which needs to be taken care of. You seemed to be well informed, what news of this threat. I understand that at least one other major city has fallen."

Zira nodded as she listened. "So what was your name again? I've forgotten..."

After the re-introduction, Zira gave him a brief idea of what happened. "Do you remember Moryssa? Pretty dark elf merchant who wore white? She and a half-elf we found on the way to Blade, Berry, were kidnapped by Fenix. I'm sure you remember him. He's the human kid from Marmo who got in a fight with that young sorceror--or whatever he was--over the priestess Sakura. I dont know what is going on with him, we just know he kidnapped Moryssa and Berry and disappeared into thin air. He told Kiran and Toan to come to Castle Conquera on Marmo."

Deedlit nodded solemnly. "Looks like that's settled. Well, we'd better catch up to the rest," Deedlit stood and left the dining hall, giving her regards to Drevis.

Outside, the group was nearly ready to leave. Deedlit, Parn and Luda were given the horses they rode in on, refreshed and ready to go. Deedlit mounted, and on the heigth of her horse's back, she recognized Kitain.

"Kitain! How good it is to see you again! Are you joining us?" she asked. A stable boy who had heard he was joining the group handed Kitain the reins of the mare originally intended for Willow. Deedlit smiled when she noticed it.

Kitain turned and stared levelly at her, a gaze that would have frozen a dark elf. "I'm Solitaire. As I was. Yes. I'm coming with you to Marmo, and I may even help you with your friends, but I have my own reasons for going."

He acepted the reins, and turned his eyes from Deedlit. A pinprick of regret flickered in his soul, but he buried it. I am shadows, I will return to the shadows when this world is through with me... He couldn't finish it. He mounted, ready to leave.

Zira watched Deedlit and Kitain That was his name! The color drained from the High elf's cheeks and her green eyes widened from his icy stare. Zira raised her eyebrow curiously. Deedlit, Parn and Seri had known Kitain before she, whatever their "friendship", it had no consiquence.

"Well, Kitain, we'd welcome you're help, but you do what you have to," she gave him a quick smile and turned Thunder away from the group. The big grey gelding trotted anxiously toward the gate as it opened, wanting to stretch his legs after his long rest.

Luda solomnly followed Deedlit as she led them to reunite with the others. "I've never been to Marmo before either," she said quietly.

Solitaire nodded politely, and turned his eyes away. "Is this all of us, Lady Deedlit, or are we expecting someone else?"

Deedlit glanced back to Luda, "Don't worry, Marmo isn't as bad as it was. At least, before this all happened..." She glanced up at the dark, foreboding clouds overhead.

Kitain caught her attention. "No Kit...Solitaire, this is all."

Kiran wheeled his horse around in the yard. Falis, he was frightened, he wouldn't have admitted it though. Outside of the Cathedral, the calming effects were wearing off and his fear was turning to rage. He had to hold his wits about him a bit longer. Yes, a ship. Would be much faster. If he could get the help of the other elves, they could make it even faster by using Slyph.

Now that everyone was gathered and mounted, the gates of the Cathedral were thrown open. Zira and Thunder sprinted out ahead of him, but Kiran soon caught up. The two dark elves slowed a little to allow Altaris take the lead as they rode to the northern coast.

Ariakan and Akaria thundered off after the others, Shatterstar gladly being used to kick the horse into a a gallop, they quickly caught up to the others and Akaria came up beside Zira. "When did this weakness befall him? Before he was more of a warrior and now he seems so frail. I worry that he will not be up to this journey, for he has been very tired as of late and has not been sleeping well."

Zira glanced over at Akaria. "I don't know what to tell you," Zira almost had to yell over the hoofbeats. "He's gone through a lot, it takes much out of a person...or dragon. Just take good care of him, maybe having you near will help him. I think we all could use a good rest without worrying about Chaos and evil and undead and such." She gave the priestess and assuring smile and rode on.

Blaze flew in the air above the horse riders. He didn't like the sound of hoofs on the earth. It was loud and repetitive. He wasn't too high, he could hear the conversation going on, but remained the same as always and chose not to interfear. He could see furth than the others could. Altaris was leading the charge, he was heading to the closest port town, rather than cross Lodoss, that would take maybe another 2 weeks. By boat, they'd be in Marmo in a fortsnight.

"We should reach the port by morning first light! Kiran, Toan, don't worry, we'll save them..." Altaris was unusually quiet. Blaze stretched his wings outward just an inch as an upward wind caught them. He was whisked higher into the air, he kept scanning the land for any threats that he'd be able to warn them of. His eyes caught something but it turned out to be just the body of a fallen Knight of Valis that didn't survive the flight to the Cathedral.

Blaze sighed and kept vigalant watch. "So much death...I'll be glad when it's all over..."

Kiran was grateful to Altaris, at least someone in this group was truely willing to help. It seemed like the others all had other
things on their minds.

As Kaiva rides with the rest of the group to the port. He begins to wonder how his father must have felt going into his his last battle. What was he thinking as he rode to the last battle he would ever see? Kaiva thinks.

Ariakan and Akaria rode close to the front as they talked quietly. Every so often shatterstar would join in and the three of them would find a new topic. Turning to Zira Akaria spoke. "Zira, if we shall be going to marmo we all will need to arm ourselves, I myself will be going in unarmed as I feel such violence while necessary is against my beliefs."

Parn looked over to Deedlit and spoke. "We head to marmo again, I only hope that Moryssa and Berry are still alive by the time we get there."

The group had slowed down to an easier trot, they were still making good time. Zira glanced over to Akaria with a small smile, "Don't worry," she assured her. It was much easier to talk now that Thunder was going at less jarring pace. "Your holy magic should be enough to dispose of any of the walking dead. No doubt Marmo is still crawling with them," Zira's smile twisted to a grimace in disgust. She glanced up at Blaze soaring above them. She wished he had ridden with them, she just wanted him closer. He couldn't stay a dragon forever.

They were ridding along the coast now, the sun was sinking, at least, if they could see it through the clouds it would be. A faint golden glow from the west was all that was visible. Zira sighed. What she wouldn't give to see the sun again...

Deedlit nodded. "I have a feeling Fenix has kept them alive, to what ends, I don't even want to think about," the high elf shuddered as she thought about what a man like that could do. She pushed the thought out of her mind and glanced over at Kaiva who seemed lost in thought.

"Are you well?" she asked, putting on a smile for the squire. "Don't worry, we'll come out of this without much harm." Behind her assuring smile, Deedlit thought, Falis I hope so.

Altaris slowed his pace as well. He kept conversing with Kiran and Toan in broken up Dark Elven. He wasn't very good with the language but he knew enough of it to talk to them without the other knowing what he was saying. He was disgussing a personal level battle plan with the two men.

"I can see a sliver of the setting sun...I miss the light." Blaze dropped and flew low to the ground. He looked at Zira and listened to her and Akaria talking. He remained silent until they were done. "I saw a body...Holy Knight of Valis...lone. He must have gotten lost and tried heading for the Cathedral. So close...but exhaustion and wheather must have claimed him... A pity, he'd have found friends there... This war can't ed soon enough. Zira, I don't think it's really Fenix, we both know Fenix and he's not really cruel, but has problems, but he's not weak enough to just snap..."

Zira smiled slightly, Like he can read my mind. At the mentioning of the knight's body, Zira's eyes narrowed. "If that was a body you saw, we should be wary. I don't trust any dead during this time." She cast a glance over her shoulder suspiciously. "Whether it was Fenix or not, we'll find out when we get there," she added. She sighed a little, being so serious was hard to hold up, especially with him beside her. "Blaze, do you want to ride for awhile?" it was obvious in her voice that she wasn't asking what he wanted, but saying what she wanted.

Luda silently said a prayer for the Holy Knight. She was glad he was not in her feild of vision. This sadness was beginning to break through even her own indiferent heart. Holy Knights always brought back sad memories for her. "My father died that way..." she said in a low tone.

Solitaire kept quiet listening to the conversations that flowed around him. He kept trying to recall the emptiness of before when he and his friends fought their unsung wars, keeping their privacy and holding their own burials. He tried to recall the coolness that he held, that allowed him to sweep enemies away as towns fell in burning ruins around him. A voice cut through and he blinked out of his reverie, and turned his featureless mask towards the sound. "And we go on living. It does not bode well to think on death before a battle. Think instead of what you're going to do afterwards. I'm going to do some things that seem trivial. I'm going to visit the graves of my people, and put myself up for trial to the highest Lodoss authority that exists. What about you?"

"Hmm... myself..." Luda started, "Particularly, I have no plans for after this is done." Luda thought about that for a second. She almost wished she could have become some kind of soldier so that she wouldn't have to go through the hardship of fining what was best to do to help people. Soldiers were told where people in need were and how to help them. "I suppose I will return to my mother for a little while... but... I will always be defending those in need. There will always be need for a priestess."

Ardyn saw the fallen knight, this was nothing new to him. The knight was wearing Valis colors which hit just a little closer to home for him. But he didn't day much, it reminded him of what he used to be. When he heard Luda talk about her father, he wondered what kind of man he must have been, Ardyn though he must have been a great Knight who died fighting for what he believed in. "Its nice to have a home to return to... and to have a purpose, a priestess, that's some responsiblity." Ardyn spoke up. He took into consideration what the man who had said to them about his life. "Even paying restpect to friends who have passed on, that is something worth doing after this is all over"

Ardyn started to move on, "I don't think I can return to my home. I'll go back to being a mercinary I suppose, I doubt that I would be good at much anything else."

Solitaire tipped his masked face. "Good with a sword, or just blades of all types? Sorry if that's an offensive question. It's not supposed to be." He waited patiently.

Ardyn turned around to Solitaire intruged by his question. "My expertise lies in swordsman ship. But being an Ex-Knight of Valis, I am proficent with other weapons." he simply answered. "And yourself?" He inquired a moment later.

* * *

The group reached a small fishing village on the coast after dusk. It sat in a large bay to the southeast of Blade, and this little flyspeck village was considered Flaim's port city. Ships of all sizes were docked there; fishing, cargo, and warships. Along the edge of the bay were a few inns and taverns for sailors. The lights in the buildings would likely be on until about 2 or 3 in the morning at the least. The sounds of rowdy sailors in the inns could be heard from the inns as they rode down into the village.

Parn rode up to Altaris and looked to him. "How long will we leave for Marmo Altaris? I'm sure that there would be few ships parting to the island at night."

Solitaire swung off his horse and looked at Ardyn and then around the busy port. "Sorry, I totally forgot your earlier question. I believe we were discussing things to do after the war. Well, you see, if you're a good swordsman, become an entertainer. Observe..."

Solitaire calmly drew his long sword, and threw it spinning over his head, to cathch the handle on the other side without looking at it, or blinking. "There. If you can do that with three or more swords you can be an entertainer. Sorry. Your other question, swordsman. Definately." He stopped when turned towards Parn and Altaris. "Looks as though our wonderful leaders are having an intelligence conference, let's go join them." He turned to wait for the young woman.

"An entertainer?" Ardyn mused, at what Solitaire had said. "Hmm perhaps, thank you for your suggestion, Sir"

Blaze looke at Altaris silently, he was now sitting behind Zira on her horse with her. His arms were snugly holding her. Altaris took no look at anyone, he kept an eye on the large blackish wood ship.

"We leave immediately. I had no intentions of stopping Parn. I want to get there as fast as possable. I have promises to keep..." Altaris said and glanced at Kiran and Toan.

Blaze broke his silence. "Use your head. Honor and pride blind you."

"This coming from a Dragon who's afraid to fight?"

"...Foolish..." Blaze looked uneasy about this. There'd be a fight if Altaris rushed the ship, like it looked he was going to do. Altaris took a deep breath and smiled slightly.

"Oh please Blaze, give me some credit... I'm not going to do something that dumb. I knew you'd fall for that. But on a serious note, the Captain of that Vessel WILL give us safe passage to Marmo. I believe he was actually the Captain of the ship the Parn and his friends used when they went to Marmo last. He owes them and I don't see a better time than now to cash in that favor."

Parn looked to Altaris and nodded. "Very well, let's just hope this doesn't end up with trouble, our friends need up." As Parn and Altaris were discussing the matter Ariakan and Akaria watched the ship and then looked at each other, whispering between each other in mischevious voices.

Zira smiled. "What luck we have." She leaned back against Blaze in the saddle, chuckling a little at his pacifism, yet too softly for him to hear.

Kiran glanced at Altaris out of the corner of his eye and smirked. He was glad he and Toan had him on their side. Everyone else was more interested in Karla and impending doom and whatever. Well, Puzzle and Willow seemed rather anxious to be on with the journey as well. Anxious to meet the sister they never knew in one piece.

Deedlit was behind Parn to his right. "Well, then it's settled. I hope everyone is ready. We should cut the time it takes to get to Marmo in half if the shamans amongst us call on Slyph to keep the sails full." Deedlit, Parn, and Altaris took the lead, they would be recognized by the captain. Kiran and Toan followed right behind. Deedlit had to warn them to wait on the docks with the rest of the group while she and the two knights talked with the captain. Their favor was called in and the captain allowed them all on board. The horses were led down into the hold, there were a few stalls down below, barely enough for all 13 horses. Some of the smaller ones had to share a stall.

Deedlit had insisted that the captain give up some of his crews rooms to her party members. Puzzle, Willow, Luda and Ardyn were given a room with 4 bunks. Altaris, Kiran, Toan, and Kitain shared a similar room. The captain gave up his own quarters to the heroes Deedlit and Parn. Akaria, Ariakan, Blaze and Zira were given their own 4 bunk room as well.

* * *

Once in the room Ariakan and Akaria looked around and set their bags down. Akaria looked to Ariakan and then spoke in a hushed tone. "There is something alluring about the sea you know, once we set off I have a surprise for you." She then looked at Ariakan with a look that indicated to him that he would rather enjoy this surprise as she sat down on the bottom bunk beside Ariakan and kissed him softly on the lips as he responded with the same.

* * *

Parn looked to Deedlit as he entered the cabin and looked around. "I wonder how everything is on Marmo, it has been some time since we have been there."

Deedlit studied the cabin. "Well, from what I heard from Zira and Blaze, it seemed to revert to how it was with Kardis's presence. Well, except for the whole walking-dead problem," Deedlit replied a little absently. She plopped down on the bed and bounced a couple times to test the mattress.

* * *

Blaze was too busy glancing around this ship to notice the cabin door and it being shut. He kept walking and walked right into it, leaving his feet no room to move forward to catch his balance. He fell over with a thud equally as load as when he ran into the door. No doubt he'd just killed the mood for Akaria and Ariakan. "Owwww...my nose... Fogert my nose...Owwwww, my wing... Owww...my butt!! ...Aren't I such a "graceful" dragon..."

Blaze hauled himself to and leaned against a wall, a few of the sailors who'd seen the insodent laughed and pointed at him. He wanted to rip their faces off due to his embarressment, but he looked up at Zira with his blushing embarressed face, hoping to find comfort in her words.

Zira giggled and kneeled down in front of Blaze, casually brushing some hair out of his face. "Well, they're not going to have our room ALL night. I'll make sure of that. Come on, let's go on deck," Zira smiled and held her hands out to help him on his feet. She left their packs in front of the door, leaving the pirates with a threatening glare in case they felt like going through them. After all, would you really want to anger a dark elf woman?

* * *

Ariakan and Akaria didn't notice the noise as they were gazing deeply into one anothers eyes and locked into a deep long kiss. Akaria then pulled away and lead Ariakan to the door and out of the cabin towards a place they could be alone. Once they reached the hold they found a nice pile of containers to duck behind as Akaria pulled ariakan down gently as he use a spell to cause an unmovable blanket to cover them and their clothes appeared beside them underneath it in rumpled heaps. For the first five hours of the trip they remained there with only slight moans and heavy breathing the only noises heard as they finally could truly enjoy each others company now.

* * *

Kaiva walks onto boat and goes straight to his cabin. He opens the door and see three sailors drinking beer. They singing and telling each other stories. Kaiva shakes his head and throws his stuff on his bed.

"Hey Lad, want to join us in a beer?" a Sailor with a scar over his left eye says.

"...." Kaiva says as looks away.

"Come on Lad join in with. It's bad luck to not drink with the crew. So have a beer with us." The Sailor says.

"No, I dont want to drink with you. Now please leave me alone." Kaiva says as lays down on his bed.

"Well, it looks like he's too good to drink with unclassed sailors!" the sailor says.

* * *

Luda felt relaxed by the sound of the ocean. Had the situation been different she would stand on the deck and enjoy t he ocean for a while, but there would be plenty of time to observe on this trip. She walked with Puzzle and Willow the the room they were assigned. She had no belongings besides her weapon and the clothes she wore. She took one of the top bunks, thinking that it would be more convinient for Ardyn to have a bottom one since he wore armor.

Willow made sure that Moryssa's horse was taken care of and followed her brother and the priestess. Puzzle sat down on the bottom of the other bunk and began checking his things. Willow looked around for a second and finally decided that taking the bunk top of her brother's was the best idea. She sat down and after placing her supplies aside, began to look bored. "I think I'll go out on the deck," she said to Puzzle.

Puzzle stood. 'I'll go with you," he said.

Luda hopped down from her bunk. "I think I'll be going as well. I'm certain that there's some job I can fill on this ship. Certainly they could use an extra hand in the kitchen with this many passengers on board. There may be some ailments that need tending... Oh yes, that reminds me. Do either of you have a problem with sea-sickness?"

"No," responded Willow. "I don't believe so."

"Ah," Luda smiled. "Well, if you begin to feel odd due to the waves, or even just normal stress and anxiety, I will do my best to ease your troubles."

"Well thank you, but I don't think that either of us is feeling sick," Willow said.

The three of them reached the deck again and saw that the group was almost completely divided into couples. Puzzle seemed to be the only one who noticed this. Willow was oblivious and Luda either didn't pay attention to these things or didn't care.



* * *

"Mmmmmmmmm...the salty sea air...I've missed the sea. It must have been 4-5 years sinse I was on a ship last or maybe i'm just delusional..." Altaris stood at the port side's edge and looked out over the water. He seemed calm now that they'd reached the boat. He took a deep breath and smiled. "Hmmm...note to self: Buy a fishing pole..."

Kiran walked up beside Altaris. "From what I've heard, it's only a year," he said, trying a smile out. "Perhaps on the way home, we'll have time to relax," he added softly. Staring down at the water, his thoughts were filled with Moryssa. He heard Zira and Blaze come up on deck and glanced back at them, it only made him feel worse, seeing Zira watch Blaze with those bright eyes, her arm linked with his. If only he could have stopped Fenix, or kept Moryssa by his side during the battle. Kiran swung around again, trying to ignore them.

Altaris looked at Kiran and watched his reaction to Zira and Blaze. He put an arm on his shoulder and sighed. "I gave you my word of honor. I will not let either of them die. Fenix or not, the person or creature that took them will die. It's hard...to watch the happiness of others... I don't know that kind of happiness. I'm bound to my code as a knight. If I love, it can be only one. It's hard to tell who cares about me...so I've desided not to expose my heart as all. A sad lonely live actually. But that won't stop me from helping those who's heart need help. Kiran, with the way you act...you'll be a fine father one day. Never let live throw you down."

He stared off into the setting sun to the west. The cool sea breeze was refreshing and he unfastened his chestplate, taking it off. His white shirt was soaked from sweat, the cool air felt especially good now. Altaris sighed. "...You can bearly see the sun, but you can still see a slight sun set. I can't wait to destoy this darkness...I miss the sun. I'm part Elf, I enjoy the sun-light. I'm part common-elf, yet...I can speak Dark-Elf and I never studied it...ever. Odd isn't it, Kiran..."

Luda walked around the deck for a while watching the sunset. She saw Altaris as a familiar face and timidly walked up to the two men. "Excuse me sirs," she said, hoping not to interrupt anything important. Now that she had introduced herself she found herself at a loss of what to say. This was a problem when talking to people and it was one of the reasons she made it a point not to speak unless it was necessary. "You look troubled... I have several prayers to use for simple things like calming one's nervers or helping someone to sleep. I know that you're both very capable of taking care of yourselves but.... Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I'm just feeling a bit anxious and knowing that I can be of use... well nevermind. I"m a little afraid of going to Marmo... I've heard that the gods of light have no powers there, especially in that castle. If that is so, then I will be rather useless... "

Later Ardyn went to his room, now this was after Luda, Willow, and Puzzle had came and went. He studied the beds for a moment, he found the free one on the bottom bunk, and humbly sat some of his things in the middle of it. Afterwards he left the cabin and returned to the deck. There wasn't much for him to do, he'd rode on ships several times before, and was quiet used to it by now. He walked around and notcied a few of the people he'd be fighting with once they got to Marmo. He tried to remember them now so he wouldn't misstake them for an enemy after fighting had broke out. "Heh there I go again... planning my next move. Once you get to doing this for a few years it really becomes second nature." he thought.

Ardyn began to wonder if he should talk to some of the other warriors, he wasn't realy the best at opening a conversation to a total stranger though, so he dissmissed the idea. He wondered what had become of Luda, he knew she was on the ship so if he wanted to talk to her he could find her later when she wasn't busy with anything. Ardyn found an unclaimed spot next to the ship's railing, he walked over to it and looked down at the water. "Soon we'll be on the Dark Island, hmm I wonder. I think I might be a little nervious about that. I've never been there after all" he said to himself.

Altaris leaded his back against the rail of the ship and smiled at Luda. "That's not entirely true. Myrii has power on Marmo, as does Marfa, and Falis. All gods, have power no matter where, it's just not as strong as we'd like it to be. The Temple of Falaris is on the northern most rim, and past the swamps... The underground Castle of Kardis is hiden deep within the mountain ranges in the very north-western, tip of Marmo. I know this because I served as a Doom Knight general under the command of DoomGuard Aldarite. Once we reach Marmo, we can go see him. He'll assist us in any way he can." He smiled and looked at Kiran. "You get to meet Azoth. He's the Dark Elven General of the DoomKnights, and a friend of mine. ...Hmmm...you might even meet the Dwarven General of the DoomKnights as well." Looking back at Luda. "Don't worry too much, you'll be ok. I'll watch your back. Marmo is like home to me. Where else would a Heavenly Knight of Marfa be? Heh..." Altaris was pretty fun-loving most of the time. Luda and Kiran got to see that. He was more concerned about others than himself, much like the great leaders or Lodoss were.

"You mean you like to find dark places and fight in them. I'm sure you've heard this little saying, that you should take care when you look into the dark becasue the darkness looks back into you." Solitaire nodded his masked face at Luda and joined the two of the at the ships rail. "So you know the 'Knights then. I can't say I like them, primarily because we have opposing characters. They believed in their regimented ways and we believed that if you can't bend, you're going to get knocked over."

Altaris shook his head at Solitaire. "No no...Aldarite isn't like the last leader of the DoomKnights. He's not the evil twisted WarMonger, in fact he is working with Spark on Marmo to help keep the undead at bay. He doesn't follow the ways of Chaos, he follows honor, valor, and trust. He's wiser than any of the previous DoomGuard before him." With that he looked at Luda again and then to Solitaire. "Solitaire, why do you wear your mask? If it's not too much to ask. I'm just curious, I mean no disrespect to you."

"Hmmm...It is who we are. Once a person is ordained Solitaire, that is who he is. After that it becomes a matter of...religion, you might say. I'd rather not explain it, beyond that." He turned and looked out to sea. "My reasons for travelling are also, you might say, religious. But I am prepared to help. If you want to know a little more about me, ask Aldarite about the Soliatire's role in the Marmo war."

* * *

The two half elves/half siblings went to the side and rested their elbows on the railing of the ship, letting their eyes and minds drift over the vast, dark expanse of water. The priestess, Luda, had wandered off looking for some way to be helpful, leaving Puzzle and Willow alone by the railing.

The night was cool and briny winds blew over them. 'What a long way we've come', thought Puzzle as he looked to his sister. She was standing limply, resting against the post with the dark ocean reflecting against her eyes. He shook his head. He'd lost track of all the conspiracies and subtle players that he'd been introduced to over the past few days. 'Was this really even worth it?' he had to consider. He was going to Marmo, a scab on the ocean is what he'd heard it called. The Darke, or whatever it was called, was bad enough on the mainland. Risen dead, devastation, wars... and now he was going into the very heart of it. 'Was this really worth it? Just to find a half sister that he'd never met and might not even be alive? Was it?' He silently look at his sister as she stood looking over the water. He nodded and looked back to the water. 'Worth dying for.'

Willow rested her arms against the rail and let her hands hang over. Her head was spinning from what had been happening. None of it made sense. The water licked and slapped against the side of the ship. She felt badly about how this was all turning out. Her body was sore from the hard ride and now they were actually going to the infamous island of Marmo. It was my idea to look for Berry and now Puzzle and I are having to go to Marmo and very well may be killed there. All because of me. Conspiricies about ancient sorcerers and dopplegangers were more than she could follow. The dark water swallowed her fear when she looked down into it. I hope the water is a deep as they say, I have a lot of fear right now. The air was cool and damp, a gust of wind blew a lock of her hair over her face. Willow brushed it back and settled back against the rail. Weariness was weighing down on her but she couldn't stop shaking.

Puzzle found that he nearly hated the water. It was so cold and dark. It swallowed and hid anything you threw in there. The briny smell was offensive. He missed the hot cinnamon wind of the desert. Nothing was hidden out there. Everything was out in plain view. There were no illusions, no tricks. Face value. The dampness was leaking into his bones. It was cold and dark and dangerous. This is what Berry is trapped in, isn't it? He quietly pulled out piece of flint that he always carried with him and, over and over, slowly pulled the length of his knife against it, letting a shower of sparks rain down into the dark waters that were swallowing his hope, a sort of silent prayer for his imprisoned sister.

Willow looked at the small firey cascade her brother was sending off the side of the boat. It was pretty, almost like the stars were joining the sea. There was some comfort in it. A slow, meditative scraping, tiny stars drifting down and then finding their rest in the waters. Everything will be ok, she had to think. She didn't know of anything else she had to go back to anyways. She didn't even know if The Manor was still standing or if there was anyone left alive in all of Griff. The duke, the knights... she'd seen them killed herself. Her mother... she suspected but felt cold and stopped thinking. The kennel and falconry? She'd seen them ablaze as she was running. The falcons tied to their perches as flames licked... the dogs smelling their own burnt fur... she tried to not think about it. Don't, stop it, stop it... She began to cry a little and felt more tired than she could ever remember. Willow slid down to the deck and rested her head against a post. She fell asleep to the sound of the waves against the hull.

Puzzle saw her slid to the deck and fall asleep. He continued his silent vigil against the swallowing darkness with his tiny sparks and stood where he was, watching over his sister.

* * *

Luda stared into the water and listened to the others. She smiled a little at Altaris's response, but his promise to watch out for her was exactly what she didn't want. If he worried about her, he could put himself at risk. She thought of Ardyn then, and that mission they'd had together a year or two ago. There had been a similar situation, though the one being protected then was not herself. She didn't know what Solitaire's title meant, and didn't want to pry into his affairs. "Brash..." she mumbled to herself and looked down at the ocean. That which consumed all was comforting to her. It felt a bit chilly now that the sun was set. "Well," she said, "I think I'll go in now. If any of you need anything you can call for me."

She left and went below the deck again. The sea was comforting, but she didn't care to see the starless night sky.

* * *

Ariakan and Akaria came up onto the deck a little later walking beside each other holding hands as they nodded to everyone still up on the deck, talking quietly in between each other about how relaxing the ocean is. They walked over to the rail and looked out over the dark water of the ocean. Ariakan looked over to Altaris and spoke. "Altaris, what is Marmo like now? It's been so long since I saw my homeland and I have heard the tales of late about it."

Akaria just gazed into the water as she pulled Ariakan gently closer and looked at him. "I have been waiting for this day, I love you." She then kissed him on the scarred cheek as he placed his arm around her shoulders and waited for Altaris's answer.

Altaris sighed and shook his head and looked at the couple. "I wish I could say, 'It's exactly as you remember it.' But it's not, I'm not one to suger-coat things. It's hell... Disarray, confusion, and chaos are the only constant. You thought it was bad in the past...you've never SEEN the undead raise like this. Lich, Succubus, Incubis, Demons, Hordes of zombies, skeletons, and the such... It's one big death trap... But the gleaming hope to end that chaos is enough, for me, to risk it all to be there. As Aldarite, Azoth, and Methis do. I hope they're ok... When we reach Marmo once again, I already have connections waiting. I wrote a letter..provided the letter reached them, we'll have friend waiting at the dock for us."

He sighed, removing his armor to let the cool air cool him down. Wearing armor constantly wasn't a joy. Parn knew it, Blaze knew it, He knew it, Ariakan knew it as well. Surprisingly enough Altaris' hair was nearly as long as Deedlit's when he had it let free. Pushing the hair behind his ears seemed a trivial thing, but he was very self-conscious about his ears. Half-elves weren't taken to very kindly by most humans or elves. "We should reach Marmo in not too long a time. Oh, yes, where are Blaze and Zira?"

Kiran shook his head while Altaris and Luda talked. "Kardis's presence no longer infects Marmo. The powers of the gods of light work just as well there as anywhere else. She was sealed by Marfa's power, the Dark island was saved in the same way she saved Lodoss from Kardis's curse. This new evil has nothing to do with the gods."

Ariakan and Akaria came to them and talked to Altaris. Kiran tried his best to ignore them while they talked. Though, he twitched visibly when Akaria said she loved Ariakan. Do they need to be so bloody happy? Kiran thought to himself as he looked out across the darkened ocean. If only Mory were here....and safe. To the horizon, he could see the end of the clouds and a faint glimmer of stars beyond, yet no wind was offering relief. Kiran pulled away from the others and walked to the bow of the ship. He stood there for a moment, eyes closed and listening to the breeze. Clearing his mind of the anger and pain, he called to Slyph. "Slyph, spirit of the wind. Fill our sails...."

* * *

Zira sat on a crate by the railing, looking into the ocean. Dark, calm water carried them onward slowly, gaining speed as the wind picked up. The water had the faint glow of phosphorous to it, it was an eerie sight. Zira looked up to the bow and saw Kiran. The aura about him showed he was summoning spirits, Slyph. Zira thought to herself that she would take over when he grew tired. She turned her head to Blaze, who was seated across from her. Trying hard to think of something to say, she just stared. Why wouldn't he just kiss her? She knew how he felt, though she may not have come right out and said it, he probably could tell how she felt. Whether he did now or not, he would know soon enough.

Blaze was still feeling embarassed about walking into a door like that. His face was visably red, even in the dark. He sighed and got up, floated up and landed on the crate with Zira. He shifted slightly and wrapped a wing around her. He smiled and put his arms around her. "Well...back to where it all began, eh? How long ago was it...when we first met? I, a simple traveller crossing paths with you and helping you out. In that time, a lot has come to pass. More lose, as well as gain. In that time we grew from acquaintance, to friends, to now... I'm horrible at this kind of thing, but, come what may Zira. I love you, I always will, nothing will ever take away my undying love for you."

He tilted her head upward and met her lips with his. It wasn't like the kisses he'd given her befor, this one was slow, unexpected and straight from the heart. Every word he said, he knew she was thinking as well. He held her tightly in his arms, the kiss was lengthy. He stared into her eyes with a smile he'd not shown sinse they first met and he was just a traveler from another place than her. Things were simple then, no wars, minor things. Then Gale came along, then the small conflicts, then came the full rages of war. Here they were a handful of heros aboard a ship bound for Marmo. Lovers, pained lovers, loners, honor bound warriors, and unsure heros..

Zira was smiling now, being held so close. Blaze wrapped his wing around her, for some reason, she loved that. Maybe because she'd never known anyone before who had wings, but either way, it was an interesting feature. His firey eyes met hers and she trembled against him, all the emotion in those eyes struck her. If she had been standing, her legs would have given way long before his lips touched hers.

Blaze's kiss left nothing more to be said, everything he felt was poured into it. Zira completely forgot where she was and who was there. The whole world consisted of her and Blaze, yet they didn't seem so separete.

* * *

Parn watched the night sky from the cabin and after a bit looked over to Deedlit. "Deed, I wonder what the others are up to, we seemed to lose Ariakan and Akaria upon boarding and well I'm wondering what is going on with everyone now that we are on our way." He then turned his gaze back to the sky and hoped that their companions would be alright.

Deedlit giggled behind Parn as he stared off. She was out of armor, only wearing her green gold-trimmed dress. "You're still as silly as ever Parn," she said. "I don't know how I tolerate you sometimes," she added, though her musical voice still was mirthful. Deedlit bounded over to him, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. Maybe that would get his attention. It worked most of the time.

Parn was surprised by the kiss and returned it as he placed his arms around her waist as he looked into her eyes and laughed a little. "Silly, you really think so?" He then moved his hands to her front and slowly crept them up her arms, caressing her arms ever so softly as he slipped one shoulder off of her dress and kissed her even more deeply.

The wind picked up significantly, making the sails puff out and pull the ship across the water towards someplace Puzzle did not want to be. There was the distinct but subtle crackle and buzz in the air indicative of magic and spirits being called. He hadn't had much exposure to spirit calling but it was easy to realize he was out of his depths. He was participating in the stuff and fodder of legends and rubbing elbows with the highest warriors in the land. 'So what's a hero?' he had to ask himself. He thought of Willow sleeping beside him and then of Berry, whom he'd yet to even meet. 'Don't know,' he had to admit, 'But sure isn't anything I'd choose to be.

A belch and the scrape of boots forewarned of a pirate turning the corner, a roguish-looking vagabond covered with tattoos and scars. Puzzle would have taken a liking, or at least an interest, in the character if not that the sailor hadn't cast an eye on the sleeping form of Willow as she was curled up on the deck. Protective instincts flared. Puzzle leveled his gaze to the sailor and dragged his blade across the flint with slow deliberation, causing the stone to scream out in an anguished and drawn out whine while sending a menacing trickle of sparks winding their way down to the black waters. Message clear, the sailor nodded in contempt to the half elf and continued on his way.

Lost in his silent watch against the menacing sea, Puzzle didn't notice the sailor's return until the odor of distilled spirits wafted by. "Yer wife? Eh? Nah, yea canna really wed, eh halfie? Yer whore, than? How much, eh?" The accent sounded southern, coastal perhaps? Puzzle was torn back to the present and hissed, "She's worth more than your life, Saltie."

"Aw, tch, I dinna think either o' ye would be worth nearly half tha' much." Black teeth shone though a sneer. "But," he continued, "I'm sure ah could make her feel a'whole woman with but a tumble. Now, ah could get to know the lil'fairy lass if her guard dog would step aside."

Clenching his knife, Puzzle swore, "If you step closer you'll be dead and used for bait."

"Eh, no, no, halfie. Dinna get yer ears in a tremble. I'za just a'wondering if the lass would like company with more… character. No worry a'tall."

"Be on your way. Now!"

"Jus answer me a question, halfie, all I'm wondering is whether it was an elf forcing hisself on the serving maid or an elven lass opening her legs for the whole damned taver…"

Just then, with a yawn and a stretch, Willow woke up and unfolded herself, standing up in the midst of the heavy tension. The wind blew her hair and what little light there was reflected in her eyes and glowed on her face. Blinking, she asked, "What is the matter?" directing herself to the sailor, "I'm sorry, do we have to move?" Looking up at Willow, the sailor's face stained itself with shame.

He hadn't expected a noblewoman to rise from the deck. His vinegar drained as he stammered, "Forgive me, Lady… no… I… my apologies for'a disturbing you…," and then turned and disappeared below deck, conspicuously avoiding meeting Puzzle's eyes.

Willow turned to her brother, her face twisted slightly in confusion as she asked, "Is everything alright?" Puzzle took her hand and cradled it in his own before bringing it to his cheek. His own fire had burned out and drifted over the waters when the pirate left but the warmth in her fingertips ran through him and cast off the infernal chill of the sea. He sighed. "Willow, everything will be fine." He let her hand fall from his before saying, "I'm going to see if I can find us something to eat. I think I may still have some flatbread in my pack." He turned away to find them some food leaving Willow to wonder over what she'd just missed.

Willow watched as her brother left to look for scraps below deck and then turned back to, again, gaze across the ocean. 'So much has changed' she thought. 'When was the last time Puzzle smiled? When was the last time I smiled?' She thought it had to have been before they made it to the Cathedral, a couple of days at most. 'Sad. It feels like it's been much longer.' But the past few days have brought more insight than they'd had for months… for better or worse.

The coolness blew through her. It felt nice, comfortable. It was a chill that preceded stillness and calm, a force to quell fires and settle disorder. Willow felt alone, but not lonely. Stillness is good. All things need their time to rest. Lodoss has been suffering from exhaustion for much too long. She didn't know how large a ship this was but resisted going off to explore. She didn't see anyone else on this particular stretch of the deck, so maybe it was a large vessel. Perhaps she would explore it with Puzzle when he got back. If there was time. The sails glinted faintly as the spirits gleefully danced back and forth and threw themselves into the folds. Just an enormous game to them, it seemed. Perhaps there's something to be learned from them? She settled herself back on the railing, not knowing how long the journey would be but not wanting to try for actual sleep. Sleep brought dreams and her dreams haven't been kind lately. She rested her arms against the polished beams and let her mind be swallowed by the stillness of the dark sea.