Chapter Seven Pirate Lock Part One

 The Quest Of

The Pieces Of Eight

They were woken up with a jump by a splash of ice cold water. The shock of impact whipped their minds awake and sharp as a sword. They looked around rapidly. Their slightly confused minds soon got their bearings as they left their dreams and nightmares and back into the rocking cell that was reality.

"Gooood moooorning sleeping beauties!" Sang Cerpheres. "I hope that you had a great dream!"

The two jumped up and their eyes darted to the man. 

He was dressed differently now. He wore a purple leather coat with a large collar that folded over with golden buttons in the shape of coins. Underneath was a white blouse with a frilly collar held together by a golden lace. Around his neck was a white scarf with a broach made of black diamond in the shape of a spider with coral in the shape of a star on the lower half of the spider over the scarf and held the coat collar together at the front. He wore ink blue baggy trousers that would look black but shone blue in the light. This was held up by a thick black belt with a gold buckle in the top, over his stomach. On his left he wore a gold earpiece that sat on the side of his ear stemming from below the tip of the ear to the top of ear lobe. Hanging from it were four thin and small gold chains and at the end were the symbols of the heart, the diamond, the clubs and the spade. His hair was brushed back with a slight bump at the front with six strands falling like claws above his eyebrow. 

"Cerpheres?"

"Yeah?" He purred.

"What are you doing here?"

"The Captain wants you! Come along!" He sang, swinging his arm to the gate.

They rolled their eyes. Yet, knowing that they had no choice, they walked towards him despite wanting nothing more than to punch him in the face. They both eased this by the mere thought of doing so. In fact both imagined a fight where he got brutally beaten. This kept them both calm and excited.

That was when he pulled out a dagger. Its blade was silver with a beauty that could only come from a metal made from the shed scales of a silver dragon. The eight inch hilt was decorated with scarlet spider lilies.

Chashathrophogh, for a moment, looked at the blade with hunger. He then pointed it at Bash's neck and Chashathrophogh looked at him with anger. Anger that it took all that he had to stop himself from displaying.

"Sorry, Captain's orders!"

Chashathrophogh nodded, concealing his emotions, turned and walked to the stairs.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

"Who me?" He sang.

Who else?

He smirked with a surpassed eagerness in his eyes.

"I like to observe great people. The more interesting the person, the more I like to observe them!" He sang as he started to blush. "And I heard Captain Gerald was quite interesting."

Yet then the smile dropped.

"Though he has become boring as of late."

Chashathrophogh and Bash looked at him as he looked at them with a predator eyeing up his next prey. Suddenly they felt like they were uncomfortably naked in front of him. He smirked at them as they felt like thorns were digging into their flesh and they started to breathe slowly and silently. Yet suddenly they had a strange feeling that it would not be easy getting rid of him. They could feel their guts screaming at them to get away from him, but they knew that they could not.

"What? You worried?"

"Would you mind it if you let my niece go?"

He looked down at her and she looked up at him. Her stomach felt tense as it dropped.

"No!"

They soon came to the door.

"So don't disappoint me! And don't be boring!"

"Why?" Bash asked.

He giggled playfully.

"You will know if that time comes!" He said as he opened the door. "They're here!"

"Ahhh! There's our guests o' honour! C'min! C'min!"

He gestured for them to enter. They saw Gurter and Kia sitting around a rectangular table. The room looked different now, it was covered in all the treasure. Next to them were Jeff and Jax with Verety in between them. He had a red apple wedged into his mouth with bruised cheeks and rope around his hands and ankles. On the table were eight scrolls.

"Will you tell us why you want us?"

"Borevers, Cari Scars, well, ya see these maps?"

"Yes."

"Well, they're the maps written by Prince Captain Lockheartsmith 'imself! 'N' each map leads to a piece o' eight!"

Both Chashathrophogh and Bash burst out laughing.

"What? Are you serious? You do realise that that's just a pirate fairy tale?" Mocked Chashathrophogh.

"Cerpheres?"

"Alright!"

He smirked as he looked at Chashathrophogh and took out his violin. He tucked it under his chin and put the bow on the strings then started playing. He played a smoother and shooting melody. Soon Bash felt her body move on its own. That was when she felt something in her hand. She did not have to look down to see what it was, she already knew. Soon her stomach dropped and her heart was in her ears as she quickly figured out what he saw about to make her do. She walked over to Verety.

"Stop it!"

"No, do not even dare!"

"Sorry Captain's orders!" He sang as he kept on playing.

Her hand raised higher and higher. She felt like time was slowing down as the blade reached his neck. Her mind flashed black to when she killed that warlock. She could feel the departure scream rise within her. Yet this was worse, she could not even control herself. She was nothing but a prisoner to her body.

"Alright! Alright! You made your point! Just stop it!"

"No I ain't! I c'n see i' in ya eyes!"

"Captain Gerald if you do this then I will kill you all!"

Then Bash had to close her eyes as she felt her hand move. She did not want to see this, she did not want to see her kill another person. Even if it was not her fault. She felt the torturous dread as she heard Cerpheres change his tune. Then felt her hand and the blade slice through his throat. This was shortly followed by the blood. Yet the music still played. She opened her eyes to see that the cut was too shallow. Yet this moment of relief did not last long as the blade struck again and the cut was deeper. She let out a scream as the blood flowed and he was soon drowning in his own blood. She could only watch in horror. She felt herself shaking as she knew that it was already too late to save him.

She looked at Cerpheres with an ice cold rage. She knew that in her heart of hearts, she no longer cared if the man had a price on his head, she would kill him. She knew that she wanted to collect this man's head even if it was free. She had never experienced such rage and sorrow. Yet she knew that she could not satisfy her bloodlust yet. She knew that if she did not do as she was told then he would make her kill more.

Yet there was something that Chashathrophogh noticed that he did not like. As he looked at him with that same rage, he saw the smile on his face. He knew that his niece would try to kill him with that look. Yet what disgusted him the most was that smirk. He soon could tell that if she should act upon her bloodlust then this man would like it.

"Ya learn' ya lesson?"

"Yes Sir."

"Ya gonna apologise?" He asked with a dangerous tone. "Or am I gonna 'ave ta send another in?"

"No. Sorry. I am sure that there might be some truth to the fairy tale, but I would highly recommend not to get your hopes up." 

"Well I'm no' doing i' fa the treasure nah that's fa m'crew. Anyway, these maps lead to each o' the pieces tha' name up all the pieces o' eight. I' is said tha' together they bring untold riches 'n' go to the sea death god's country and come back alive."

"And my dear Captain wants you to decode them."

"Let me guess, it's because we are the only ones that could decode them?"

"Yes."

"And you know that they were written by the Prince Captain because he was the only one that collected them and went to the country and came back?" 

"Yes, it is!" Cerpheres sang slowly like a purring cat.

"Ye 'n' if ya figured tha' ou' ya won't take tha' long ta do i'!"

"What? Do you really think that we can decode all these maps?"

"Ye'! Ye' I do!"

"Why?"

"Ye smart."

"And how do you know that they are genuine anyway?"

"'Cause Cerpheres gave 'em ta me 'n' this!" He said, presenting a chain with a royal purple garnet in the shape of a teardrop on.

"Is that-"

"Ye'! It's pre'y I know. The penden' o' the Prince Captian 'imself! Here girl. Ye can 'ave i'! Too girly fe me!" He said, giving it to her.

"Thank you!" She exclaimed as she put it around her neck.

"That really suits you!" Cerpheres purred.

She had to bury her rage and cringe.

"You really think so?"

"Yes. Oh and I am so sorry for forcing you to do that. Your uncle was misbehaving, see?"

"Yes. I do."

He then put an arm around them both.

"But if you're good, if you're really good, you might like it here!"

I highly doubt that! They both thought.

Captain Gerald cleared his throat.

"Now gather the maps, Cerpheres!"

"What?"

"'Ow many times do I have te tell ye te stop looking a' me like that!"

"I'm not!"

His face dropped as he looked at the two.

"By the way, can I watch them?"

He shrugged.

"Do wha' ye wan'!" He said, with a slightly shaky voice as he walked to the door. 

Chashathrophogh noticed that his hand was shaking slightly. He then paused.

"In fact, Cerpheres… I'm putting ya in charge o' 'em! Seen as ya like 'em so much!"

He smiled wider. He tightened his grip around them and drew then in closer and kissed them both on the cheek. They both clenched their fists. It took them all that they had not to punch him and ease their anger and frustration.

"'N' ya 'ave one well ta decode 'em! If they fail ge' the girl ta kill another! Ya go' tha'?"

"Yes Sir!" They said with gritted teeth.

They tried to take a step away from the man but he kept them firmly in place.

"Ah, ah, ahh! I'm in charge of you! I don't want you to slip away do I? Come on!" He sang.

He then took the maps and ushered them along. They were soon back in their cell with a table with a humming Cerpheres, swinging the keys like he was swinging a knife.

Decoding The Maps

Bash was dreaming, in her dream she was taller than she was as she was awake. She encountered Cerpheres. She looked for Chashathrophogh but he was not there. He leaned on close and she could feel him whisper something in her ear. She could not hear what but whatever it was led her away. 

Then everything went black and soon she was in a room full of books. She saw the names of many of the Merthen gods and goddesses. Then she saw a woman. She had black hair and an ice cold beauty with crimson eyes that had an odd glow to them. She felt something in her chest then the next moment she was looking at her body, it seemed to be her as an adult. Yet she was looking out of a cage. Then her eyes opened.

What was that all about?

She wiped away a speck of sleep out of her eyes. She climbed to her feet and walked back to the table. She then found herself looking at each of the maps as she tried to get her dream out of her head. Yet for some reason she could not. She could not get the woman out of her head. She looked familiar somehow. She knew that she had seen a woman that looked like that before but her sleepy brain would not allow her to remember.

She rubbed her eyes then looked up to see Cerpheres. He looked completely identical to the version of him she had seen in her dream. Yet he was fast sound asleep in his chair. He looked very harmless as he slept there in the chair. She was almost tempted, for a moment, to walk up to him and kill him right there and then. Yet, part of her suspected that this plan just would not work to kill him.

Her eyes went over to Chashathrophogh. He was sleeping too on his wooden bed. In fact, he too looked quite harmless. Yet there was a deep frown on his forehead. He let out a slight groan as his head moved slightly from left to right.

Then her eyes slid back to Cerpheres. Yet, as she looked closer at him, a strange and uncomfortable thought slipped into her mind. One that regardless of how true it was, disgusted her nevertheless. In fact the only way that she would even have the thought was if she still was not fully awake.

He's quite handsome.

Ugh! Where did that come from?

She shook her head. She groaned as she wiped the last of her sleep from her eyes.

"You're up early!"

She screamed slightly but quickly regained her composite as she looked up at him in spiteful anger.

"What do you want?"

He licked his lips.

"Tell me, were you thinking about killing me?" He purred.

She rolled her eyes.

"No! And I don't think that it would be proper for a man your age to act that way towards a girl my age."

His eyes widened for a moment.

"Oh? And what do you mean by that?" He purred in a low and dangerous tone.

"I turned fifteen last week and you, you are clearly in your mid to late twenties! And don't say back when you were born the martial age was fourteen, because now it's sixteen."

He relaxed as he chuckled lightly.

"It's alright! Although, I am curious, what were you thinking of?"

She had to hide her face. Knowing that it would expose her.

"Never you mind!"

He let out another giggle.

"Will you stop that!"

"You're adorable when you look like that! So are you going to wake the uncle? I'm certain that you don't want to be alone any longer!"

"Too late! The uncle's already awake! And will you keep away from my niece?"

"Oh you know I can't do that!" He purred. "I am in charge of you, after all!"

He let out a low growl running the last of his sleep.

"Let's just look at the maps! Don't wanna do something that I'll regret."

"You talk differently when you're sleepy, it's cute!"

He huffed as he gave him the evil eye. They both sat at the table Captain Gerald had provided.

"Remember! The Prince Captain writes backwards!"

"Yes we know!" They snapped at the same time.

Bash and Chashathrophogh looked at a map each. She noticed that all the writing on the map was well written, almost like it was from someone highborn. 

🖤 Emoc niaga reev tsae 

Ym lamina sgnir ni thgin seimine

Ni emos bnal bna ton enod 🖤

She looked up and spotted Cerpheres looking at them with an excited look. She took out a piece of paper and a feather quill.

Right, let's write this down backwards.

Done not and land in

Enemies night in

Suddenly she felt some breath tickling the back of her neck.

"Cerpheres, could you back off!" She snapped.

"Just ignore me, okay!"

"Sorry, but I can't!"

He paced a hand on her shoulder.

"Learn to! You'll be fine."

She huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Are you going to get off me?"

"Okay!"

She shook her head as she returned to work.

Enemies night in rings animal my

East veer again come

No, that does not make sense, noir does it seem right.

She closed her eyes as she traced the words in her mind. She rubbed her eyes.

Wait, why is east underlined?

Maybe that's a clue! 

No. Maybe I should write this in a different order. Hold on, remember what Cerepheres said he wires backwards, maybe that also includes sentences too!

Yes, that's it!

In some land and not done

My animal rings in night enemies

Come again veer east

Makes more sense. Now let's get the rest done. First let's go over the initials,  I M C, Imc…No, no island I know of is called that. Maybe it's the first letter of each line? Let's see…

I S L A N D

M A R I N E

C A V E

Then she looked back at the words and soon got it.

Marine Island East Cave

"Wow! You figure it out before Borevers!" Cerpheres exclaimed, clapping his hands together.

"Relax, that's only one."

"Maybe, but perhaps all the maps share the same code?"

"Oh? And how would you know?"

"Because I decoded them a long time ago!"

"And you didn't tell Captain Gerald because?"

He let out a sound between a moan and a sigh.

"I wanted to see if Captain Gerald could solve it! However, he wasn't as smart as I thought." He whined like a dog, disappointed. 

Yet his eyes lit up as he looked at both her and Chashathrophogh. 

"But you two are. In fact, I can see that you two are more interesting to follow." He purred, licking his lips.

She huffed as she moved onto the next map and he did the same. They decoded map after map and soon they finished their work before nine. Despite their hunger growing and growing hunger. Cerpheres raised his eyebrow and smiled excitedly.

"Good work! I knew it!" He exclaimed as he pulled them in and kissed them both. 

They then could not hold back any longer and punched him. He fell back and chuckled. Their lips curled as they noticed that he enjoyed that way too much. He then jumped to his feet.

They turned back to the maps not even wanting to look at him. They laid them all out on the table and soon noticed that they were all islands in the centre archipelago of Deathby Sea.

Then Gurter and Jax walked to their cell. Gurter looked at Chashathrophogh and smiled shyly as she looked away.

"Here, we brought you some breakfast." She said, presenting three gold plates of cheese and crackers. 

They took them and started munching. Gurter leaned in closer to them.

"I'm sorry for what the Captain made you do. He had to make a statement and that was the only way he thought you would listen." She said quietly.

"Thank you." Chashathrophogh said,sarcastically.

She nodded, almost like a bow.

"How far have you come?" Jax asked.

"All done!" Cerpheres sang.

"All of them?!" Gurter exclaimed.

"Yes."

"So soon?"

"Yes. Now I think that we ought to report to the Captain. But after eating." Chashathrophogh said.

Once they were finished they were brought to Captain Gerald.

"Good work! Ye really can work fast can' ye!"

"Well we thought that if we worked fast then we could get this over with and be on our way."

Captain Gerald burst out laughing as he clapped his hands together.

"Ye go' spunk kid! I'll give ye tha'! Bu' ye no' gonna be leavin' so soon. No' 'til we go' our treasure! After ye! Ye, ye ya can! 'N' if ye continue bein' good ye'll enjoy i' 'ere more. 'N' Cerpheres! Seeing as ye like 'em so much maybe ye can take 'em under ye wing!"

He smiled excitedly.

"Yes Captain!"

The Mermaid Ocean

"Is this really necessary?" Chashathrophogh and Bash asked.

Cerpheres chuckled as he put the cuffs on them both and on each of his wrists.

"Yes! After all, I have been put in charge of you. So I'm afraid that I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you two." He moaned whimsically.

They looked at the chain and him with concern. They were anything but convinced that it was.

"Oh and don't worry. It extends and shortens at will."

They tried to move back but he tended up his arms and the chain became shorter. They tried to will the chain to become longer but it kept getting shorter and shorter. Soon he grabbed their hands. He let out a playful chuckle.

"That's my will."

Of course! They thought, rolling their eyes, letting out a huff.

"Cerpheres, let go of my hand!" They both said.

"Ye lo'! Ge' outer 'ere! We're ge'in' inta mermaid waters!"

"We are!" Crepheres sang with a strange excitement.

Oh, yey! Fight!

He soon gripped harder on their hands and ran to the captain. He held a bow and arrows in one hand. They were plain but they were well crafted in a well crater quiver. In the other was a spear that was well created and the head was sharp and smooth. It was clear that the blacksmith that crafted this one was an expert.

"I know ye like 'em." He said giving them to them.

They both looked at them as he handed Bash the bow and arrows and Chashathrophogh the spear. He swung it around several times before he pointed it at Cerpheres. His eyes widened with excitement as he raised his eyebrow. He then pointed to Bash. When he looked at her he saw there was a blade pointing to her abdomen. He then looked back at him and pulled the spear away. Cerpheres licked his lips as he became red in the face. Chashathrophogh shook his head in disgust.

"Good boy!"

"'Boy'? I am thirty two! You must be five years younger than me!"

He chucked at that.

He wanted to ask what was so funny, but he shook his head, preferring not to. He knew that he would not even want him to answer.

"Oh weary sailor hear our little song,

Listening is doing nothing wrong,

Come to us and see us dance,

Give our love one little chance!"

Then they heard the first splash. They looked to see one had jumped overboard. They ran to the edge and saw the first mermaid. She looked like a young and innocent woman but the vampire line fans told her a different story. She saw that she had already bitten the throat of the pirate and was about to go in for the next bite. She loaded her arrow and shot the mermaid before she could even see that she was there. She then heard another splash and another mermaid bit into another throat. She then fired at her. She then looked around to see another mermaid had wrapped her arms around another pirate and the moment that she bit into him the arrow was through her skull.

Then she saw the spear and dodged out of the way. She then spotted another appear coming at her, she dodged out of the way. She then looked around to see another spear that she only just managed to dodge. She then spotted another spear and then the mermaid fell with a slash. She looked back at Chashathrophogh to see that he was running and grabbed a mermaid's spear and then as a mermaid flung herself down to her he preserved her in the gut and grabbed her spear as he flung her back into the water. He then grabbed another and shot another mermaid and caught her spear. 

He then threw it at a mermaid but he missed, yet before it hit the water it became horizontal and thrust itself into the mermaid's shoulder and chest. They then loomed at Cerpheres as the spear flew ahead and stabbed one mermaid in the heart then another in the head. A mermaid went to dodge by diving down but the spear became vertical and thrust itself down.

"Come little lady and let your heart sway,

Leery me take you as a wife and far away,

Let me make you my royal queen,

For your beauty deserves to be seen!

'Let our bodies be joined as one,

Please brave Princess bare my son,

Come and you will see the joy,

Of becoming my beautiful bride

Not being that man's new toy

In your heart let you love reside!"

Chashathrophogh then ran to the other side and threw a spear at the merman that was singing. He then pulled a bow and arrow off one of the pirates and then lit the tip and fired at another. He then loaded the arrow and fired at another. Bash was amazed looking at this, seeing him fire shot after shot. She could see it, she could imagine herself looking like him as an adult. Just with a more slender frame and breasts. 

"Get your head in the fight girl!"

She nodded and loaded her bow and set the tip on fire. She then fired at a merman. She then loaded another and fired. She then looked to see if the fire was still lit but seeing that there were none. She fired another with a lit tip. She then willed the fire to spread to the other mermen. Some were hit and others she missed. 

She was about to drive the flames to the ones that she missed until they looked in between the two and screamed. They then shouted something and this was followed by the mermaids's screams and they swam away as fast as they could. When she looked to where they were looking she noticed that they were looking at Cerpheres. Who had an aggressive smile on his lips with wide eyes.

"What was that all about?" She asked.

His face relaxed.

"No idea! Maybe they liked what they saw?"

"That was fear, not arousal."

"Maybe they don't like me, or could sense my creepiness from afar?"

Can't believe he admitted it!

"You can't really be that creepy." She said in order for him to think that she had dropped her guard, hoping that would encourage him to do the same.

He let out a laugh and draped his arms around their shoulders.

"You have no idea." He sang. 

"Oh! Looks like we're here!" He purred as they saw the island.

The Marine Island

They were both taken to a canoe chained to Cerpheres who took glances at them. This annoyed them, but they knew better than to show it. They were soon followed by Jeff and Jax, who had Coran chained to them. He looked at the two with sorrow in his eyes. His eyes then slid to Cerpheres and disgust entered his eyes. He let out a passive sigh as he rolled his deadened eyes.

"Why does it not surprise me that you are a pirate?"

Cerpheres let out a chuckle.

"Why would you be?" He purred, looking at him like he was a cute animal as he looked up and down.

Coran rolled his eyes, trying not to expose his discomfort. He looked away from him in order to keep himself from focusing on him.

"Tell me, how long do you think that it would take until this one to get killed?"

They all looked at him, shocked. He chuckled as he shrugged nonchalantly.

"What? It's obvious that the Grim Rapper will pay us a visit on this trip. If not here then when we go to the next island! At least this would make things more fun and interesting!"

They tried to shrug it off as Cerpheres being creepy but for some reason they could not. They all felt like, for some reason, they were all his prey. This just made Chashathrophogh and Bash even more irritated.

"Can you ever stop being creepy?"

"No!"

"Wha're ye doin'? Ge' on the boa'!"

"Alright!"

They all climbed into the boat with Captain Gerald in the front with Jeff, Coran and Jax on the centre bench and Chashathrophogh, Cerpheres and Bash on the back bench. They were being lowered by Gurter and Gurra. Gurter took another glance at Chashathrophogh with rosy cheeks. Then he rolled his eyes and her hand slipped for a moment and they had to grip the bench to stop them from falling. Then she regained her grip and they were lowered to the ocean and touched the water surface gently.

"What's wrong with that one?" Chashathrophogh snapped.

They soon noticed just how quiet the surroundings were. They could not see or hear a seagull around or any bird for that matter. The water was very still with the surface almost like glass. They would have wondered why but they knew that they did not have time to dwell on it.

"It's because they can sense death attached to that island or the remnants of something dark." Cerpheres purred.

"What?"

"You wanted to know where the birds were!" He moaned.

They frowned as they shook their heads.

Is he a mind reader?

"No, I'm not a mind reader. I'm just really, really good at reading faces."

He looked at him and nodded, keeping their guard up.

Looks like I am going to have to make sure that my face becomes difficult to read. They thought.

"What is wrong with you?" Coran asked.

He chuckled.

"No comment!"

Both Chashathrophogh and Bash found themselves laughing as they started to row. 

"What are you two laughing at?"

"Nothing much, just appreciating the moment." Bash admitted.

"And you either have to laugh or cry, and I know, only one of those makes you want to die!" Chashathrophogh said with a sad look in his eyes despite smiling.

"Oi! Ye ge' on rowing!"

"Yes Captain!" They sang spitefully as they rowed.

"Ye be'a be'ave! Ye know wha' 'appens if ye don'!"

They signed as they nodded.

"Do not fear, we know."

"Good!"

"Oh and what happens if they don't?"

"I'll ge' Cerpheres te ge' the girl te kill ye. 'N' if we don' return then the rest o' mi crew'll kill all o' your. So ye te be'ave!"

"So, Jeff and Jax, why did you become pirates?" Coran asked.

"We were abandoned as kids because we were born into a family that thought twins brought bad luck. So we grew up on the streets and we joined Captain Gerald's crew because it sounded fun and it has been nothing but fun." They said at the same time.

They all nodded as they rowed and rowed. Both Bash and Chashathrophogh did most of the rowing as Jeff and Jax wanted to save their energy for later. This worked in the group's favour for once they took over the boat picked up speed and they felt almost as if they were flying across the water rather than rowing across the water. They even found themselves enjoying the silence. Yet they soon arrived at the shore. When they climbed out they touched the sand that was dark blue! 

Chashathrophogh and Bash took a closer look to see that somehow the sand was made up of sapphire so well ground up it looked more like powder.

"Now pick the boa' up!"

They picked it up and gently placed it on the sapphire sand.

"Cerpheres, the map!"

"What, can't remember the place all on your own?"

He huffed.

"Jus' give me the map!"

"Say please!"

"Please then!" 

"Alright!" He sang, flicking the map out with two fingers.

"Honestly Cap' Ger'!" Jeff said.

"Why don't you just kill him?" Jax asked 

"'Cause 'e looks line 'e'll enjoy that far ta much go my likein'!"

At this Certpheres smiled wider as he locked his lips. Yet he put on a false innocent look.

"Oh? What makes you think that?"

"Tha' look, ge' i' of ye face!" He barked.

He put on a false sad face. Captain Gerald shook his head as he looked at the map.

"Righ'! This way!"

He led the grip away from the shore and into the jungle ahead. The jungle had strange trees with royal blue bark and silvery blue leaves. The grass was baby blue with sapphire blue tulips and daisies were ink blue. There were cosmic blue wild flowers scattered all over the place. 

They heard Captain Gerald hum and smile. He looked like a boy that was having fun playing a game. He even showed signs of loosening up. As he swung the sword to cut the branches and leaves that were in the way he looked back and waited for the others to catch up.

Meanwhile Cerpheres was humming the exact same tune, strutting and swinging his arms. He seemed to be on the verge of singing the song and skipping. He would, every now and again, take glances at the Captain and then he would look back at Bash and Chashathrophogh. This made the two feel uncomfortable and would put them on edge. Yet they had to surpass the ether to punch the guy in the face.

They did not have to do that much to do so, for, as the journey went on they looked around. They thought about the treasure that was supposed to be here. Even they felt the anticipation of seeing it and started to feel more at ease. They could see even Coran was enjoying himself!

Then Cerpheres picked three ink blue roses with a cosmic blue stem and pickled off the thorns and put one in Chashathrophogh's picked and one in his pocket and the last one he put in Bash's hair. He put his arms around them and pulled them in close.

"You know it's said that this blue jungle was turned blue by the Prince Captain himself. According to the legend it was to make the island blue and look beautiful. He even changed the lava in the volcano up there, to produce sapphire when it hardened. And when his crew asked why, he told them,  'he was having a bit of fun'."

"And why are you telling us this?" They both asked.

He smiled and chuckled.

"Thought would have wanted to know."

She nodded.

"What?"

"Is there anything else you would like to say?"

He pretended to be thinking.

"We're 'ere!"

They arrived at East Cave and noticed that it was large and had blue grass growing inside the cave.

"Cerph' ye up!"

He gave him a four fingered salute.

He took out a white violin with silver strings with a black wand with gold string.

"Is that real silver and gold?" Coran asked.

"No, it's just hair taken from the trail of a silver and gold unicorn after I gave them a trim." He explained. "I won a bet against them and as my reward they let me trim their tail and main. Which they needed. After I groomed them, which was another thing that they needed."

"Cerpheres!"

"Alright!"

He then gently stroked the strings together. It gave off a beautiful sound that was the most beautiful sound and had perfect pitch. He then played a playful tune that would have made anyone start to dance to it. Then as he played on the time became faster and faster. He then diverted into a much more chilling set of notes that were higher pitched and wilder. Yet he still played and then when the sounds were at their peak he stopped and the tune ended.

Chashathrophogh and Bash could not help but clap as they wanted to hear more, despite all their breath being taken away. Yet they had the music playing in their heads.

"There, there are no traps inside. other than the direction that leads to the treasure."

He nodded.

"Then ye goin' in fron'!"

He put the violin back in its case and put his arms around Chashathrophogh and Bash pushing them on further. 

"Will you put us down?"

"No."

"Captain, is this really necessary?"

"Shu' i'!"

They soon walked in and as they all travelled in they heard the soothing sound of water. As they walked on they found a light at the end of the dark timely they were walking in. They soon found that they were at the foot of a deep blue lake. In the centre was a small house on a small island.

Next to the mouth of the cave leading to this chamber was a small boat with only two short benches big enough for only two on each bench.

"I guess it's over there!"

"Wha's goin' on?"

"Well, there is an island over there, which I assume the treasure is. However, the only way there is on this boat big enough for only four at the most." Chashathrophogh explained.

"So three o' us're gonna have te stay 'ere."

"Seems so!" 

"Well, who should it be?" Jax asked.

"It should be us."

"Oh?" Smirked Jeff.

"And why is that?"

"Well, I can tell you need the creep over there and Boravers and Cari."

"You do know they're not their actual names?" Cerpheres purred.

"Yeah, and I don't care. Look, if you bring us, you will only be slowed down. However, if you don't return they could easily slit my throat." He pointed out.

Captain Gerald clocked his eyebrow as Cerpheres smiled widely and his eyes widened, impressed.

"Good point!" They both said.

"Alrigh' then ye stay 'ere 'n' we'll be ge'in' the treasure." He said he then turned to the other three. "Now ye be'er ge' a move on!"

They climbed in. Cerpheres found two small paddles under each bench. He then gave each a paddle.

"Ye bin 'ere before?"

He chuckled.

"No! It's just deductions. After all, the Prince Captain must have placed a set of paddles around here somewhere. So all I had to do was look around. I couldn't find any outside of the boat and the edges were too narrow and round to hide any paddles. So that left only under the bench to check."

Captain Gerald looked at him impressed.

"Good thinkin'!"

They then started rowing. As they did they noticed just how clean and clear the water was and the moment that their paddles desturbed the water it started to glow white.

"It's because there are small animals in the water that cause this reaction. Don't worry they're not dangerous."

"Will you shut up?"

"Okay!" He sang.

She rolled her eyes as they rowed and rowed. Yet as they did they noticed that it was somehow easier to row in these waters and they seemed to row faster too. Bash concluded that it must have something to do with the animals that lived in the water making it glow. They soon arrived at the short doc of the island. Captain Gerald put a rope in the iron hole at the front of the boat. He then tied a knot and then looped it around the leg of the doc to keep the boat there.

"Did ye see tha'? After all, ye'll be doin' tha' shortly!"

"Yes we did." Chashathrophogh sighed.

They soon walked onto the blue grass. They soon noticed that the building was not a small house but a small castle. It had three floors and not two and the upper levels were smaller than the lower with a roof with coral tiles that pointed updates and pointed out. It had small windows and, as they circled around they noticed that it had no doors to be seen!

"'Ow'ra we gonna ge' in?"

"We're working on it."

They circled around it again with their eyes carrying around both on the ground and on the castle. Once they had done so twice they walked and knocked against each wall. Then, when they reached the back, Chashathrophogh's knuckle sank right in! He then pulled back and then pushed back in and noticed that the wall was like a ghost!

This must be an illusion. I must admit that this is just as good as Grasharlo! If I hadn't been trained by her I would have been fooled! But I hardly think that I should tell them that.

"I found the way in!"

"Where?"

"Hear." He said as he walked in.

They all looked at each other, yet Chashathrophogh yanked Cerpheres in and this was followed by Bash.

"Be gentle next time!"

"Why don't you quit flirting with my niece. Then I will think about it!"

He pouted playfully.

"Wha're you-is tha' i'? Is tha' the firs' piece o' eigh'?"

They all looked ahead to a sapphire chest in front of them. It was small and had two circles invaded into its side and four on the front and the back. Cerpheres picked it up and gave it to Chashathrophogh. He looked at it. It was well decorated, however he could not see a key anywhere.

"So this must be a puzzle box. Please try to solve it for the rest of us will you?"

"Why? Whatever is stopping you?"

"Alright, Captain with your permission, if he can solve this puzzle world you provide them with a proper room and their portion of the treasure?"

Chashathrophogh looked at him with a hunger in his eyes. Seeing this Captain Gerald smiled.

"Yeah, 'n' ye'll 'ave all ye portions once ye ge' us all the treasure!"

His eyes dropped as he looked at the box. He first tried to use magic to will the box open, but that was ineffective. He then looked at all the circles around the box he then pressed on each and every one until one sank into the back. Then the others popped out. He then pulled at each and every one then they sank back inside. Hearing no click, he knew that the box was not open. He rolled his eyes as he portrayed the act. Then as he looked down, he noticed that there was a royal crest of a lion with twin trails with serpent heads which belonged to a royal household that vanished in the final years of the Fifth Age Of Legends. Then on another was a p with an anchor at the bottom, which Chashathrophogh noticed to be an old symbol of piracy in the Fifth Age Of Legends. Another was a star inside a circle with a pentagon joining each point to the corner opposite with a teardrop in the centre with an eye. A well known sign of the dark art of magic. He twisted them around anticlockwise. Until he heard a click and continued with the others and then the lid was open. He looked inside to see a pendant with a triangle inside.

He then looked up to see that a skeleton had appeared with five chests. Around the skeleton's neck was a key. In its hand was a book.

Captain Gerald clapped and laughed joyfully. He slapped Chashathrophogh on the back.

"Good work boy! Good work!"

"Thank you and may you refrain from doing that again?"

"Wha're ye talkin' abou'? I'm congratulating ye!"

"Hitting my back is a strange way of showing it."

He rolled his eyes.

Bash smiled as she turned to the book. She flicked through the page to the last entry.

Please my Prince, my Captain, come and take me from

this evil land where I am forced to dance and make

love with the lustful fae that taunt and torment me

every night. I hate how they make my body betray me

and my love for you!

Oh, how I miss and long to see your amber eyes and

feel your emerald hair…

She did not want to read on.

"What is it?" Purred Cerpheres.

"The dead lover of the Prince Captain."

"Right!"

"Here,  you can have it. I hardly think that I would! By the Demon Realm you'll get a kick out of it."

"Thank you!"

"Kiss me and I'll kill you!"

He kicked his lips and chuckled.

"Alright! Just you try it. I would very much like to see you dance!"

"Don't you man fight?"

"What's the difference?"

The First Spoils

Captain Gerald gave them a chest and they rowed to Jeff, Jax and Coran and they took the chest to the boat and put it in. They then returned to collect another chest and were on their way to the boat. They then returned and collected another and another then with the final one on board the boat they rowed back to the ship. It was early in the evening when they finally had finished getting all the treasure on board the ship. They soon set foot back on board the ship.

"Cerph'! Go 'n' ge' 'im somethin' to wear 'n' from now on ye te share a room!"

Chashathrophogh rolled his eyes and curled his lip as Cerpheres smiled and licked his lips.

"Sure Captain. Come on! As we are similar sizes it should be quite simple finding you something to wear." He sang.

Chashathrophogh let out a huff as he folded his arms.

"As long as it's not too embarrassing to wear, I'll be fine!"

"If it is?"

"Then I will have to add you to the list of bastards that I have killed over the years!"

He let out a playful chuckle as his smile widened.

"I like the sound of that!"

He let out a huff and turned to Captain Gerald.

"Can I not share with another?"

He bellowed.

"Nah! Everyone else's full 'n' none wanna share with 'im! So swallow ye poison and ge' on with i'!"

"Fine! Just would I be allowed to punch him at least?"

"Sure! Just don' kill 'im! 'E is ye baby si'er all!"

"Alright! I get it."

Cerpheres then was about to go when Gurtur unlocked Bash and looped her arm with hers.

"Alright then you'll be coming with me girl. Time for me to make sure that you'll be dressing like a lady tonight!" She said, with an excited wink.

"Hold on, the Captain put me in charge of her."

"I know but she is still a girl even if she doesn't dress like one. So I don't want a creep like you in the same room as her!"

"Okay! I get it, you want to learn-"

Her face went scarlet.

"Shut up. Come on! You'll be sharing with me!" She snapped, dragging her along.

What's going on?

She took her below deck and in a room at the back. The room was small with a hammock to the left and a large bowl in the center with several glass bottles with a bath beside them. Beside the door was a narrow wardrobe and chest.

She then picked up a large bottle of water and poured it into the bath. She then put a stone in and the water started to heat up. She put her hand in it to check the temperature and pulled the stone out and dried it.

"It's hot coral, it's from the Larva Archipelago near the Sand Planes." She explained as she stripped. "Come on! Strip and let's get in!"

She then stripped and climbed into the bath. She curled up in a ball.

"Nice scars! And is that one of those X curse marks?"

She nodded shamefully as she placed a hand on her stomach.

"They look good on you!"

She rolled her eyes as she took out a bottle of what looked like purple slime. She put it in her hair and smothered her hair with it. She then passed it to her. She looked down and frowned.

"Put it in your hair. It'll make it cleaner and smell nice too."

She nodded and poured some out. She passed it back to her. It felt strange on her hand and it smelt pleasant, almost like roses and blueberries. She then smothered her hair with it and then cleaned it out. Her hair felt like silk and smelt better. She noticed that it squeaked as she ran the water out of her hair.

"Man! It's going to be fun to have another girl on board!" She exclaimed.

"But isn't-"

"As in, part of the team."

She opened her mouth to speak.

"Yes, I know! You're not here by choice but I'm pretty sure that you will once you start enjoying it! Believe me! I didn't think I'd stay and be a pirate either. In fact, I thought that I would be a handmaiden to a beautiful princess and married to a lovely manservant that I worked with. In fact I was close to becoming one when I found myself on a voyage with a group of royals. But once the royal ship that I was in was taken prisoner by Captain Gerald, the royals betrayed everyone on board and escaped and I did what I could to survive and I've enjoyed my time here ever since." She boasted.

She raised her eyebrow.

Interesting…So that's why she was so adamant on taking me.

"Do you ever shut up about things like that?"

"Do you ever talk about things like that?"

"Depends on if I can get a word in."

"Alright then! Tell me about you!"

She paused at that moment.

I can't believe she called my bluff! Looks like I am going to have to follow through. But that do I say? Do I tell her the truth? Or should I tell her a lie? Well I hardly think that I should. If I do that then Chashathrophogh would have a hard time certifying and confirming everything that I say. Yet I don't know that would be a thing that he would do.

She smiled knowing what she should do.

"Maybe I will tell you when I'm ready."

Her jaw dropped.

"C'mon! Quit being all mysterious! I know that you're a royal born out of wedlock by your accent, curse mark and magic."

She rolled her eyes.

Is it that obvious?

"Alright, you're right about that, but that's all you will be getting for now." She joked.

That is until I have spoken to Chashathrophogh.

They finished cleaning and dried themselves.

"There that's much better! Don't you always feel better after a nice clean?" She said pulling out a white blouse and purple waist coat with a butterfly pattern down with lilac thread. She quickly put it on. Before putting on a pair of black leather trousers.

"Yeah. I guess I haven't put much thought into it. By the way you don't have anything in black do you?" She admitted as she was thrown an identical blouse but with a black corset. 

"Sure!"

Gurter then slid it into her and then fastened her buttons.

"You know I can do that on my own?"

"Yes, but at least this way I can fulfil a childhood dream." She said putting the corset on. She then pulled at the lace behind and pulled a pair of black jeans on her. She then wrapped a belt on her with a silver buckle. Before putting on her own.

They then put on a page of black boots held together by a silver buckle.

"It's lucky that we're smaller sizes."

Then they walked back on the deck.

Bash looked at Chashathrophogh. He wore a black blouse with blue leather trousers and green belt with a gold buckle. He had brown boots with golden buckles and a red long coat with gold embroidery and a yellow rose in the breast pocket. Around his neck was a lilac scarf pinned together by a green apple broach made from coral. He had a very angry look on his face.

Upon seeing this Bash tried to refrain from laughing, however Gurter's eyes widened as her face became as red as his coat.

"What are you-"

"Shut up girl! Cerpheres had nothing, soly in black. Then stuck me with this!"

"Urm…it's not too bad!" Gurter said. "At least he did not hand you the pink coat."

"Why does it not surprise me that he has one of those?"

"Speaking of which, where is he?"

"Over there! Playing the violin."

Then they heard clapping from the Captain. They looked towards him, as she did she took a glimpse of Jax, who was wearing black leather trousers with a red blouse and a crimson coat and his twin brother was wearing the exact same outfit with the reds and the blacks reversed. In between them was Coran who, to her surprise, was not wearing any cuffs and was wearing a smaller outfit to Jeff and Jax's.

When did they become friends?

"Alrigh' lead 'n' two leases! Time to split the spoils!" He spotted as he took out two small harps in his hands.

"Borevers 'n' Cari! Over 'ere! These're yours!" He barked.

Before they could do anything they felt Cerpheres's hands around their shoulders. Gently, he pushed them to the front. Where they revived their barrels.

"Good work ye two!" He said, shaking their hands and patting them on the shoulder.

"Yo! Gurt' ye wan' a room ma'e?"

"I would love that!"

"Then, Cari ye'll be shairin' with Gur'er 'n' Borevers! Ye'll be sharin' with Cerpheres!"

"Lovely!" They both said sarcastically.

"Good 'n' enjoy the food 'n' drink. Oh, before I forge', I hear tha' Jeff 'n' Jax ye go' news for us?"

"Yes!"

"But I think that you."

"Should hear it from."

"The cat's mouth!"

"'N' tha' is?"

"Jeff and Jax convinced me to join your crew!"

"Alrigh'! Let's 'ave a cheer for tha'!"

All the crew cheered and some patted him on the back.

"In tha' case!" He then threw three small barrels to them. "Sorry Cerph', next time ye'll ge' double next time!"

"It's alright! I already have my treasure." He purred.

They then curled their lips.

"Now in five minutes we'll all celebrate!"

They all returned to their rooms. Gurter pulled out another hammock.

"We're gonna have so much fun!"

By the Demon Realm no!

She soon grabbed her by the hand.

"Come on! You have to introduce me to your uncle!"

"You already have been!"

Her face became red again.

"Not like that! I mean properly."

She rolled her eyes as they left and returned to the decks. She then returned to her uncle and let out a sigh.

"Uncle Borevers, this is-"

"I know. Why bring it up, niece?"

"She wanted me to do it!"

"Cari!"

"What?"

She let out a scoff.

"Never mind. Tell me, could you ask him to dance with me?" She whispered.

"Ask him yourself!"

"Come on! As a roomie?"

"Ask me what?"

"She wants to dance with you!" Cerpheres purred. "Maybe you should! Don't worry I'll keep your precious little niece company!"

He rolled his eyes.

"It's your company that means that I cannot!"

"Oh! What's wrong, don't you know how to dance?"

"Of course I know how to dance! I am a prince after all!"

"Then go! Show her how it's done, dragon!"

"Fine! And Bash, if he does anything!"

"Knee him where it hurts?"

He chuckled.

"Good girl!"

"Thank you uncle."

He took Gurter by the hand and walked to the dancing crowd.

Cerpheres's eyes dropped to Bash.

"Oh no!"

He gently took her hand.

"Don't worry, it's just a dance! It's not like I'm asking you to marry me or anything!"

"No.. It's not that…"

She suddenly felt awkward.

"Oh? You don't know how to dance, do you?"

"I used to sneak off to the archery field when those types of lessons came up."

"Well then, my lady!" He said pulling her in and resting his hand on her hip. "Let me teach you!"

"Oh I will kill you!"

He chuckled.

"I would like to see you try."

"Do I have a choice in this?"

"Nope!"

He then guided her to the dances. He did this both gracefully and, to her shock and confusion, gently. He placed her hand on his collarbone as she was too short for him and he was taller than everyone on the ship. He then placed a hand on her hip. She instinctively moved away, feeling uncomfortable.

"No, move your hip back."

She did and he placed his hand back on it. He smiled and she suddenly felt a strange vulnerability that made her feel slightly naked. He then held her hand in the other as delectately as a flower. She belt herself became stiff as he pushed her forward.

"Relax, let me guide you." He whispered. "Listen to the music and it's rhythm guide you."

She listened to the low and slow tune. He then took a step forward and then a step back. The motion felt like a gentle rocking motion, like rocking a baby to sleep. They repeated this action again and again until he knew that she had moved along with the rhythm of the dance and the music.

"Good, you're good! You're a natural! I can yell that you are like a glass sculpture. Beautiful to look at, but lethal when broken." He sang. "I saw that from day one. Now spin!"

He then raised their connected hands and drew the other hand out, almost ready to catch her if she fell. She spun stiffly and he put his hand back to her hip.

"Do try to be more graceful next time." He said.

He spun her again and she let him guide her body and she spun around and around, trying to show grace in her spin. He then rocked her back and placed a hand on the curve of her back.

"Better, much better. In fact I quite liked that. I look forward to seeing more." He purred, pulling her up.

She looked at him to see that his cheeks were red. Yet she ignored this, trying not to focus on her disgust. As he spun her out and drew his hand back she took the cue and did the same. He then drew her back in and they swayed.

"See? Now I think that we can go a bit faster." He said.

He spun her around and around faster and faster. He did this again and again when she felt slightly dizzy she rested her hand on his collar. He then moved her forward and back again and again, getting faster and faster. He then stepped sidewards and back again and again, again getting faster and faster with each step. He then spun her out like a whip. She drew her hand or and up but then pulled it back in as he pulled her back in. She pressed her hand against his chest only to be flung back out. She drew her hand back and then back in, pressed her hand against his chest. Meanwhile he spun as he flicked her out and in, out and in until she had moved in a circle. He drew her in and placed his hands on her hip.

"Now for your first lift, I want you to spread your arms out like a bird when I lift you up."

She nodded. He then thrust her up and she flung her arms out and, almost instinctively, drew the feet up and together. He spun her anticlockwise before gently pulling her back form and she landed.

"That was superb. So did you like that?"

"I don't know…"

He chuckled warmly.

"It's alright, you just need time to get used to it. Although you are improving your grace, and quickly, might I add!"

He then took a glance at Chashathrophogh, who was giving him a warning look. He smiled to himself and looked back at her.

"I have decided, once this little quest is over, I will be coming with you two. So, do take care not to bore me!" He cooed as they broke.

"Don't worry. I won't."

She then walked to the food area as she was hungry. When it was bedtime Gurter smiled to herself.

"Thank you Cari! You have made my dream come true tonight!" She sang, grabbing her hands and pulling her in for a hug.

She let out a chuckle.

"Don't mention it!"

Siren Sea

It was not until early morning until they set off. Bash woke up from a surprisingly good night of sleep. When she changed into the clothes Gurter gave her Gurter woke up. She too changed into her clothes. Once they were ready they joined Chashathrophogh and Cerpheres. Bash could tell by the look of him that he too had a good night's sleep.

Upon seeing him Gurter's cheeks went red and she hid behind Bash and grinned shyly. Spring this Chashathrophogh rolled his eyes.

"Will you ever calm down?" He snapped.

"No, no! Don't ask it like that!" Cerpheres purred.

Chashathrophogh huffed and growled slightly. At this Cerpheres chuckled.

"Please, do try to be polite. She likes you, you know!" He purred with a mischievous wink.

"Course you'd see that! But stop it!" Gurter snapped with even redder cheeks.

"Anyway, I have to go now. You three take care now! And do try not to misbehave too much. I might just have to discipline you!" He sang blowing them a kiss.

He then sprinted beneath the deck. Chashathrophogh and Bash shook their heads in disgust.

"Come on! We need to give you a proper tour as Jeff 'n' Jax are giving Coran a tour!" She said, looping their arms in hers. 

Chashathrophogh curled his lip as he looked down at her. She was in between their heights. Then she looked up at Chashathrophogh.

"And maybe…we…urm…could…"

"Come on! Get it out woman!"

"Urm…talk?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Are we not talking now?"

"Yeah but…not this way. I just want to get to know you, that's all!"

"No. You don't." He said as they walked to a different door and she opened it. 

She then led them down. This led to a series of doors and she opened one to reveal a bucket and next to it was a bowl and there was a bar of soap next to it. Next to the bucket on the other end was another bucket and from it was a stick and above the bucket was a window.

"These are the changes to the toilets. There's clean water in the cupboard. There's a sponge on a stick in the corner to wipe off the mess." She said, taking a few glances at Chashathrophogh.

He rolled his eyes.

"Come on!" 

They then walked on and down the narrow corridor and turned the corner. 

"These are the changes to the kitchen."

They then took their plates and started cooking. Once they had finished they had cod and potatoes.

"Now there is only one code that those who join this crew live by. That is, remember your crew."

"Like I need to know that!" They said at the same time.

Her eyebrows raised.

"You ought to hang around with Jeff 'n' Jax!"

"Shut up!" He said.

"What?"

"I hear singing!"

"What?"

"Just be quiet! Are we not surprised to be arriving in Siren Sea?

"Yes, why?"

"I think that we have arrived."

"The one that observes in lust,

Will never be the one to trust,

As you continue on your quest,

You will pass every single test,

Soon of one will get board,

He will pluck death's chord!

"He will guide one to their grave,

The deadly truth they will crave,

When you get to the place with water sky,

He would have caused two captains to die,

When he will reveal his face,

Putting two destinies in place!

"Oh come, oh first captain,

Let our voices entertain,

By our voices be guided and entranced

Take the leap of faith that you chanced

Let the end of your short strife,

Be the end of your strange life!"

Suddenly Bash dropped everything as she realised what was going on. She then ran out of the door and down the corridor. Then the ship started to sway side by side faster. Soon she lost balance and she banged into the wall to the right. She had to push herself forward as she forced herself to get used to the rocking of the ship. She just about hit her arm on the corner that led to the stairs. She then gripped the corner and thrust herself up. She then forced her foot on the first step and then ran as fast as she could up the stairs. 

She gripped the knob and tried to open it but she felt something jam. She tried again to the same result. She tried a third time and this confirmed it. She crouched down to see that the door was locked!

"What is it girl?"

"It's locked!"

"What?"

"Why?"

"Never mind. Why do you need to get out there?"

"Captain Herlock is in danger!"

Gurter laughed.

"Why would you think that?"

"Listen to their words!"

At this Chashathrophogh's eyes widened as he placed his hand to the keyhole. He soon heard a click. They soon ran on board only to see Captain Herlock take the jump. They all ran over to him only to see that he was already in the water and just as Bash let a ball of fire release from her hand he was in the arms of the syren. The ball hit one but not the one that held the Captain in her arms. She was about to let another for at one until Chashathrophogh pushed them down. When she looked at where she was she saw a spear hit a pirate and he fell overboard. Soon she heard a series of screams. Once age was back on her feet she knew that Captain Herlock was dead.

She then fired another fireball at one. Then she spotted that one was about to open her mouth to sing and she shot another fireball at her before she could let out a note.

"Gurter, get us some bows and arrows!" Bash called.

"Right! Then both of you be careful! She said as she ran, leaving them to it.

They looked back at the sirens and then summoned another fireball and hit two of them. She then spotted a spear racing to Chashathrophogh and fired a fireball at it. Only for her arm to be hit by one. She looked back and ran to the spear and pulled it out of the deck and she willed the spear to heat up. She made it hotter and hotter until the tip glowed white and threw it back. Then when it hit the others tried to pick it up only for how hand at get scalded. She looked up angrily as her uncle flew a fireball at her.

She then heard the sound of singing coming from the other side of the ship. She looked back to see that there were pirates already splashing into the sea. She ran over to stop them but it was already too late and they had already taken the plunge. She then was about to fire a ball at them when she just about spotted a spear almost upon her. She dived back to dodge out of the way. She looked up to see more racing towards her forcing her to jump back further. She then looked up and spotted that she had her opening.

Then she heard the song come from a male siren.

"Girl of fire,

Girl of flame,

To admire,

Of great fame,

She who by one word,

Be led to deaths heard,

Careful not,

To let your greatness be shown,

Or let it rot,

But the secret will be known,

"Born to be born twice more,

Change you will not, 

You shall be same as before,

In darkness you will trot!"

Suddenly she felt her body move as if it had a will of its own. She found herself walking to the edge of the ship. Her hand rose up, slowly as her mind became quiet. Her hand was soon resting on the railing. She could feel that her leg was about to make the jump when a hand pulled her out of the way. 

She snapped out of it. She looked back to see that it was Cerpheres!

"No, no, no, that just will not do!" He sang.

He then looked down at the sirens. They looked up at him. Immediately fear entered their faces. He smirked as he pulled out his violin and started playing. Soon a scaly webbed hand rose up and then struck another siren clearing his way through his throat. Then the others dove at him and their teeth and claws ripped him apart. Then, soon his blood rose. Then another bit into the throat of the siren near her and then she clawed another in her throat. Then the others dived at her just like the male. Soon he controlled another to do the same.

She looked at this display with nothing but horror. She was so shocked by what she was seeing that she could not process anything else nor could she utter a word. She saw siren after siren devour each other. Soon they could not distinguish between who was being controlled and who was not. This caused more to kill their fellow sirens.

"Cari! Your bow!"

Focusing her mind to focus she grabbed her bow and arrow.

"Thank you Gurter."

She then looked down and fitted at a siren and it hit two as they were now piling upon each other like a hill. This made it easier to kill them. She then pulled out another arrow and fired, hitting three in the head. She loaded another and fired. She did this again and again until the bodies slipped away. Revealing the mess underneath. She then fired only the times before the hills sank.

She then ran to Chashathrophogh's side as one dove out of the water and strate for Cerpheres! She struck that one down. Then another shot out of the water strate for him. Chashathrophogh shot an arrow at him and threw the siren back into the sea. Then another dove up at him and she shot her down.

She then took a worried glance as Cerpheres.

"Don't worry, I'm fine!" He sang, pulling out a white bladed sword. 

Then one dove at him and she was split. Soon both halves fell on board. He then gave her a wink.

"Focus on the fight girl! We do not have time to spend on him, especially him!"

"Ooh so cold!"

He rolled his eyes as another dove at him. He then fired an arrow at him before he could even reach the edge of the ship. She then walked in front of Cerpheres and loaded her arrow and side by side fired at one siren after the other. They then spotted that they started to go higher and then they were able to get a good shot.

"Cerph' do what you did on the other end!"

"Okay!"

He then started playing and soon some of the syrens were attacking each other as uncle and niece fired shot after shot at them. Then, when they knew that they did not have to worry about their singing,  both focused their magic to boil the water and soon they were all dead.

"Good work!"

"Now the question is who will tell the dear Captain what happened?" Chashathrophogh asked.

"An' wha' did 'appen?"

"Captain Herlock is dead." Carpheres purred. 

"But who freed him?" Coran asked.

"He must have escaped." Jax concluded.

"'Ow! I checked the bars! They were-"

"Captain, you do realise that was before the quest. He must have been focusing on his escape from day one. I don't blame him, although he did escape at the wrong moment." Cerpheres purred as his eyes tensed.

"And what will happen with the rest of his crew?" Jeff asked.

"They'll be joinin' mine. After all, we do need 'em."

The Singing Land

It turned out that the former Captain Herlock's crew made for some great additions to Captain Gerald's crew. They, after mourning their deceased captain, were all teamed up with others of Captain Gerald's crew that had already been cut in half by the merfolk and the sirens. It was almost as if they were meant to be there. However it was not until the following morning after they had joined when they saw the island ahead then they heard the sound of singing. All of them put up their guard. Then Cerpheres let out a chuckle.

"Relax, the singing isn't being caused by any merfolk or sirens. Look! You see those mountains and those hills?"

"Yes?"

"They're arranged in such a way that when the wind blows, in any direction, it creates the sound of multiple people singing. The pitch of the notes depend entirely on which way the wind blows. As it is a low bass it means that the wind must be coming from the south."

They nodded as Steel and Gurra dropped the anchor. The group that were to come was; Captain Gerald, Bash, Chashathrophogh, Cerpheres, Gurter, Steel and Coran. They climbed into the rowboat and started paddling. As they did the wind and tune became higher and then it returned to the bass. They found it strange to hear the singing along with the sound of the paddles hitting the water like some strange beat. It created an integrating tune that all were able to appreciate and enjoy. Yet this pleasant tune came to an end when they arrived at the island. They noticed that the sound of singing was louder here as they all jumped out.

"Cerph'! Map please!"

"Here you go!" He purred.

"Thanks! Now accordin' te Borevers this is where we need te go." 

"And why is that?" Steel asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"'Cause i' says tha' we need te go te where the singin' is loudest!"

"And that makes sense because?"

"He was the one that decoded that map, you know!"

"And you know that because?"

"I was there! And they-they did it all within a day!" He moaned happily.

They all looked at him with disgusted looks on their faces.

"You sound as if you need some alone time!" Coran and Gurter commented.

He then looked at Chashathrophogh and licked his lips. His devious eyes looked at Gurter, who gave him a warning look. His smile became challenging. She tapped the holy of her rapier. He then shrugged and closed his eyes then looked at Bash with a hungry look in his eyes. Chashathrophogh and gave him an angry look that if looks could kill Cerpheres would be dead. His mouth opened with a smile.

"Cerpheres!" Captain Gerald snapped.

He looked slightly grumpy but soon returned to his smile.

"Ge' over 'ere!"

"Alright!"

They then walked on and used the volume of the singing to guide them. As they journeyed on the singing became louder and louder and the wind became stronger and stronger. Then as they went on the singing became extremely loud and the wind was blowing their hair all over the place. They went in further and the singing became so loud that they started to feel the pressure in their ears and the wind had lifted their hair up.

Bash looked over to Cerpheres who was smiling and enjoying himself way too much for her liking. While Chashathrophogh and Bash both put their arms out in front of them, shielding their eyes. Meanwhile Captain Gerald kept his hand on his tricorn. The others did the same as Bash and Chashathrophogh did. Cerpheres looked at the two.

"Close your eyes!" He purred as he closed his. 

He placed his hands on their shoulders. They both punched him as the cringe sank in. He caught their punches and his face became red. He smiled wide as he pulled in the fists and spun them around. His hands were again on their shoulders.

"Please! I'm only trying to help!" He moaned as he pulled them in and belt them firmly. "See, I'll show you!"

He closed his eyes as he walked on nudging them slightly. He was able to guide them better than the others could go. It soon dawned upon them that the direction of the singing that they were going was easier than their eyes made it out to be. So they closed their eyes, yet they could do nothing to help the wind become a gail as they felt leaves, twigs and small stones hit their raw cheeks that were becoming sore due to the cold. Yet as this carried on it was strangely easier to see, despite having their eyes closed. They walked on with a strut.

Then Bash felt something give way beneath her and she fell. She opened her eyes and looked down to see a sea of spikes beneath her. Then Cerpheres caught her by the back of her neck. She looked up as he let out a playful chuckle. She looked up and glared at him.

"Sorry. I forgot about them!" He laughed as he pulled her up.

"What? You forgot-wait. You have been here before!"

"Once! But that was a very long time ago." 

"Are you going to get off me?"

"Are you going to thank me?"

"Thank you."

Then they noticed that the singing had become so loud that they could feel that their eardrums were on the verge of bursting from the pressure. The wind had become so strong that they could sweat that they were on the verge of being blown away by it. They opened their eyes to see a parting in the mountains. 

Ahead they could see a small hutt on a flat field. Beyond that were several more mountains. So they continued, hoping that by going there they could catch a break. Once they reached the area the singing stopped and the wind ceased. They could still feel their ears pounding because of the pressure but at least here they could have a break.

"Is tha' were we're te go?"

"Well! There's only one way to find out!"

They soon approached the hutt. They soon noticed that there was a keyhole in the door. Captain Gerald looked at Cerpheres. He then walked up to the door and they moved aside. He plucked two of the spider's legs to reveal two small metal sticks. He then crouched down and straightened his back and started picking.

Why does it not surprise me that he can do that? Bash, Chashathrophogh, Coran and Steel thought.

"Done!"

"That was fast!" They said in unison.

He chuckled.

"Fast fingers!" He commented, with a wink.

He nodded as he opened the door. 

"Please! After you!" He purred as he held the door open.

They all walked in. There was nothing but a bucket and some cooking essentials to the left. They spotted a rich, red rectangular rug on the ground with golden frills. On it was a black and white diamond and heart pattern going along the square border. In the centre was a spade.

"Borevers? Did-"

"Stop, Captain."

"Why?"

"Well if I had a piece of treasure, in a place like this, I would hide it."

"Go on!"

"Well if you look around you would notice things. One, one would think that this rug is out of place which leads me to believe that this hutt looks like it was built for a poor hermit. Yet that rug sticks out like a sore thumb. For example the bucket and cooking essentials look cheerily made, yet that rug, made with such craftsmanship that you would expect it to be in the rooms of a royal castle, yet what is it doing in a place like this?"

"Go on!" Captain Gerald and Cerpheres sang.

"The only conclusion that one could come up with, is that the one that lived here was of a royal household. So why is it even here? Unless-" She said, as she pulled the rug out revealing a trapdoor. 

"It was hiding something!" She concluded with a smile.

They all looked at her speechless and stunned. They all clapped. All but Chashathrophogh took a moment to come back to their senses. Then the Captain looked at Cerpheres.

"Are you alrigh' Cerph'? Your noise's bleedin'!"

"Oh!"

He licked the blood away.

"Yes." He said as he clapped and the others followed. "Bravo!"

"Ye! I go'a admi' the ye go' a good 'ead on ye shoulders kid!"

"Yes…she does." Cerpheres purred.

He then crouched down next to her and plucked the legs and started picking. She looked down and watched him. Chashathrophogh also crouched to watch him pick the lock. He looked at then both and smirked and looked back as he continued his work.

"How would you like it if I taught you two how to do that one day?"

"Sh-sure!"

He smiled as he heard a click. He then pulled the keyhole up and dropped to the left. He then pushed it down and pulled it up. Then a set of ladders dropped into the darkness underneath. They all climbed down and entered a room lit by all types of precious stones and metals. Beside that was a small chest in front of a pool of water. Cerpheres took the chest and gave it to Bash.

"Impress me again by solving this."

She soon spotted that there was no lock. She could see that there was no other traditional way in. In fact, there was no lid on it. She then looked for any gaps but there were none. She hit it against the wall song that there was no other way but that did nothing.

So there's an enchantment on it.

She closed her eyes and summoned all her magic will and willed it to open. She then opened her eyes to see that it was opened. She then pulled out another permanent with a triangle. She then pulled it out and showed it to him. He smirked.

"Good girl."

Then the rest of the day they spent going to and fro collecting all the treasure and putting it on the ship.

The Rock And

The Hard Place

After they all shared the spoils and Gurter, Bash, Kira and Steel all took out two baths and took a soak. Gurter gave them all the purple slime. She smiled excitedly.

"Wow! There are two more here! I'm so glad!" 

"Speak for yourself!" The other girls said.

She laughed.

"Oh! Come on! Until she arrived I was the only girl in the Captain's crew! This is gonna be so much fun!"

The rest groaned.

"So, does anyone have a crush?" She asked, excitedly.

"No!" Said Steel.

"Nah!"

"Not really!"

Her jaw dropped.

"Really not one? Come on, you're all girls aren't you? There must be someone you like!"

"I find Jax fun yet I don't think I love him." Kira admitted.

"And what about you, Steel?" 

"I found Captain Herlock attractive. In fact he was one of the first to actually treat me like a woman and not a man with breasts. He also found a good use of my incredible strength. He also ensured that I was able to explore my femininity despite having masculine tastes. However, the second one who treated me like a woman, I punched."

No need to guess who that is!

Bash looked aside as they all slipped out.

"And was that second one Cerpheres?" Gurter asked as she put on her clothes.

"Who else? I mean he keeps asking for it and why does he look as if he always gets off on it?" She asked, putting her clothes on.

Then Bash remembered the talk that she, Chashathrophogh and Cerpheres had before they were forced to decide the map.

"I don't think I want to know. I mean how did Captain Gerald pick up a creep like him?"

"He asked to join the crew and the Captain did not have a reason not to. Honestly, sometimes I could swear that one of them is going to kill the other one of these days."

That was when they heard the wind as they finished putting their clothes on. Bash looked out of the window and saw that the clouds were forming and soon they were eclipsing the sky. She looked down to see that the waves had started to become more and more aggressive. She could feel the damp atmosphere and smell the scent of warm salty water enter her nostrils. As the ship sailed on the clouds became darker and darker. Then the waves became more and more aggressive and bigger and bigger. The wind became stronger and stronger. Then the ship became rockier and rockier until it started swaying from side to side.

They then all raced to the decks. Steel was already looking around as the manager of the sails swung off their sail and flew into the ocean too far to be rescued.

"Alrigh', brace ye selves lads 'n' lasses! We're in for a long ride!" Captain Gerald shouted.

"Alright I'll handle the sails." Steel spiked as it started pouring it down.

"Alrigh'! Just be careful! I don' wanna 'ave anymore deaths!" He said as another member was flipped over.

Bash ran to him and quickly caught him. She then struggled to pick him up as he was about to fall into the ocean. She then pulled and pulled. She could feel him slipping in her wet hand. Yet after she was able to pull him up. Then she looked down to see that the waves were getting higher and higher. Soon they were sailing in waves so large that the ship was crashing into them and some thrust the ship moments in the air. This was followed by a hard crash into the waves. Steel held on as long as she could and continued her work on the sails.

That was when she saw Gurra empty the contents of his stomach and he hit his near on the ship. She went to run over to him but they rode up on another high wave and they were in the air. His body flew up and for a moment they were all suspended in the air and they crashed into the water below. His body flew overboard and was hit by a wave and sank beneath the waves.

She looked for others that she could save knowing that he was already dead. She soon found Coran and Jeff and Jax. She ran over to them and threw them below the deck. Her eyes darted around and she saw Kibbit and ran over top him, just as the ship was back in the air,  she was able to grab him by the scruff of his collar and threw him down with Coran, Jeff and Jax. 

She car another and raved to him and he too was overboard the moment that she reached the edge. She then spotted a great wave coming. One that was high enough to be just above the ship. Knowing what was about to happen, she ran away from the edge. Then the wave hit and she felt helpless as she was pulled back. She looked down to see that she was going to go overboard if she did not do something. She looked around for something to home onto but there was nothing that she could grab. She was about to die and she knew it. Then she felt two hands grip tightly to her wrists. She looked up and saw Cerpheres and Chashathrophogh. They started to pull her up and she noticed that both men had stabbed the deck with their daggers to keep them from falling off the ship.

"Don't you dare let go girl!"

"I won't!

She tried to hold on as tightly as she could but the wetness of their hands caused them to become slippery. She could feel her hand slipping. She could even see her hand start to move fishery and further out of theirs. Then the ship was thrust back into the air and they were able to pull her up as their bodies rose from the deck. Then they wrapped an arm around her as they crashed into the wood. They hit their heads but were able to minimise the damage.

Just as they thought that their situation could not get any worse they looked at the hole in the water in front of them. When they looked closer and their stomachs dropped upon seeing the spiralling water of a whirlpool!

They all looked pale as the ship moved closer and closer to the edge of the spiral. The captain did all that he could to steer the ship away from it however it did nothing. The ship raced closer and closer to the whirlpool. Then they entered and started to drop. They heard a shout of a scream and saw Nator fall out and was thrust right into the centre of the whirlpool leaving nothing but a cloud of blood in the water. 

The three looked at each other and willed the ship to get out and away. Yet even this was useless. Then they all willed the water to rise and become steady. This caused the water to flatten out and they managed to keep the water from returning to a whirlpool until the ship was safely away.

Yet they knew that they were still not in the clear. She heard another scream as someone else took the death plunge.

Is this really all that I can do? Come on, there must be more! If only the storm wasn't here!

Wait, 'if only the storm wasn't here'....

Could I? Is that really possible?

Well, there is only one way to find out!

She closed her eyes and focused and concentrated all her magic on the storm. She willed it to calm and the clouds to part. Yet, even though she could feel the clouds moving, she knew that she was just not enough. She tried to clear cloud after cloud and stop the wind but the clouds seemed too many and the wing was just too strong for her to calm. In fact the most that she could do was weaken it slightly. She could not do it alone.

At that moment lightning struck part of the ship. She willed it to be put out.

"We need to stop the ship!" She shouted at the other two.

They nodded and as they started to will the storm to go they spotted a tornado in front of them. The Captain steered the ship accordingly and Steel raced around that sails accordingly. They all looked at it.

"Alright! I think one of you should focus on that and the other focus on the storm." Cerpheres sang.

"I will do the storm, girl, you do the tornado."

"And I will enhance your magic power. Also! Cari! With the wind inside the tornado out. That ought to do it!" He sang.

"And you should know?"

He put on a mischievous smile.

"Of course!"

She closed her eyes and focused on the tornado. Soon the spy was getting closer and closer and they all could feel the power of the wind as all clung on tightly as the ship started to lift. She focused her power to the centre of the tornado and pushed all the power she could to will the wind outwards and the ship was driven back and flew in the air for a moment as the tornado vanished. This then gave her an idea and willed the ship to fly onwards as far as she could and then let the ship gently touch the waves. She felt a great tiredness overwhelm her as she knew that she had pushed herself too much.

Yet she did what she could to push herself on and used the last of what she had left to will Chashathrophogh to become stronger and the storm soon vanished. She smirked slightly as she collapsed.

"Oi! Ye three! Ye stopped the storm?"

"Yes we did!" Cerpheres purred, his cheeks and forehead were red. "It was good! You two are so, very good!"

"Stop it!" They said together.

He put on a false innocent look.

"What? Now if you don't mind Captain, I'll be taking a bath."

"Go on ye lo' ye earned i'!"

Cersei's Circle

"There we go! You should be ready to set off now!" Phydoc sang, after attending to Bash's and Chashathrophogh's wounds.

"Thank you."

He smiled happily.

"My pleasure. I always love putting people back together."

The two looked back with a slight cringe.

"Will you be checking him out?"

"No need. Cerpheres does not seem to have a scratch on him!"

They looked at him shocked.

"I know! In all my time working under Captain Herlock I never saw an injury on him once. But still I guess he's just one of those people blessed with great fortune, that is all!"

"Great!" They both said.

"Oi! Ye te ready?"

"Are you?"

"Should be!"

"See you later Jeff and Jax!" Coran shouted. "When I return, I will definitely beat you!"

"Then get a good poker face!"

They laughed as they all climbed into the boat with Coran, Chip, Kir, Cerpheres and Gurter as well as the rest of the nameless crew.

"Good work you three!" She sang.

"Thank you." Cerpheres purred. "Aren't you going to say thank you?"

"Why? It should be what she expects from us! Why should we be praised for that?" Snapped Chashathrophogh 

"What? Would you rather her be rude to you? Would you like her better that way?" He cooed.

He let out a groan as his cheeks went red.

"Look, me and my niece have a job to do. I do not need to complicate my life even further with a bit of romance, have you got that?"

He chuckled.

"Maybe a little romance is what you need."

Chashathrophogh thought for a moment to punch him in the face but decided against it. Instead he turned to his rowing. They rowed on in silence until they came to a small island called Cersner. It had a flat surface with high white cliffs and purple grass. Which was surrounded by a grass green ocean.

They then looked at a map to see only one house in the centre.

🖤 Careful of you are a man🖤

🖤Keep your eye on terror men of you are a woman 🖤

🖤Those who quest they bring more that one woman 🖤

🖤If you do not then this wool be your end 🖤

🖤Her next victim will be you 🖤

He looked up.

"I wonder what that means?" Coran asked.

"Looks like we will find out!" Cerpheres purred looking at him like an adorable puppy.

"Any 'ow! Gur'er, Chip, Coran, Cari, Cerph', Kir and Borevers? Ye reddi?"

"We should be!" Bast sighed as she stretched after getting off the boat.

They were approached by a woman. She was clothed in a light and bright green dress that was pinned up by two silver brooches in the shape of a pig's head. Sitting loosely around her waist was a silver chain ensuring to highlight her perfect hourglass frame. She had a pair of green straw dandies in her hands and her nails were painted pink. Her pale hands were thin and slender. She had long British Ranching green hair and serene light blue eyes and high cheekbones.

She walked towards them with grace and showed a sense of nobility.

"Good morning travellers." She spoke, her voice was high and showed grace.

She took a glance as Bash and Gurter will contempt,  which she covered up.

"Good mornin' me lady!" Captain Gerald gasped as his cheeks became crimson.

"Please, call me Cirsei. And I am Cirsei of the old island Oflove."

"I take i' tha's one o' the islands in Olyma?"

She smiled in surprise.

"It is. You must be quite cultured to know that. What is the name of the man that has such rock knowledge of my culture?"

"Cap'ain Gerald." He said, taking his hat off and bowing.

She let out a light chuckle. She then tilted her head and shoulders as she gestured for him to stop.

"Please, you do not need to bow to me. I can see that you are all tired and look as if you could use some rest and food. Come, I will give you some nourishment and shelter."

"Am sorri' m'lady Cersei. Am 'ere for a par' o' a treasure called the Pieces O' Eigh'!"

Her face brightened.

"Oh I know where that is! Why do you not come over to my shelter and I will tell you all about it after lunch?"

"Sure I don' see why no'! C'mon lads and two lasses!" 

They all looked at him as she started to walk away. Chashathrophogh and Bash both shook their heads, cautiously.

"Wha'?"

"Remember what the map said. This woman is clearly an enchantress of some kind."

"Obviously! Bu' if she knows somethin' i's a good idea te ge' wha' she knows. 'N' if she tries somethin' we could easily kill 'er after all, we 'ave an enchantress 'n' two enchters of our own."

"Logical." They said as they nodded.

They then walked on after her. They walked up stairs made of black stones. Upon a further look they noticed that it was black diamond. They noticed that there was a pathway made of small grey stones and looking closer to them they soon found it was made of slate. This led to a small cottage made of pale pink coral with a white thatched roof and a pointed lilac door with a boar's head with a ring in its mouth. Above that was a triangle window of the back of a man with long emerald green locks and a long purple coat surrounded by pigs.

They were about to walk on when they heard a snort of a pig. They looked back to see that there was a pig resting his hoof on Cerpheres's boot. He shook his head as he had a lost look in his eyes, yet there was a newly found hope in them. With a strange determination too. Bash and Chashathrophogh looked into the pigs eyes to see that there was a strange look in it. Almost as if he was warning him not to go on.

As they looked down she saw that there was one by her and it did not have the eyes of a normal pig. No, their pupils were too small, a normal pig had large pupils. She crouched and spotted intelligence in them and sorrow. She knew that, even though pigs could show sorrow, it was not the type that pigs could show. No, the sorrow that they would show was simple and primal, meanwhile these eyes were like that of a human's eyes!

"Tell me there aren't any spells that can cause an involuntary shape shift?" 

They all looked at the girl in shock.

"Yes, yes there are! In fact, I could teach you a few if you like!"

"Cerpheres!"

He shrugged.

"Alright! Alright!"

She looked down and the pig nodded. They all looked at the pigs, feeling very ill. Yet Coran and the other nameless pirates were already too far ahead of them to hear what had been said. They all looked back as if to ask if they were coming. They gave them a warning look but nodded.

Cerpheres crouched down and stroked his head.

"I'm so sorry for what happend to you. But you can not return to the way you were." He moaned.

A tear fell as he slit the pig's throat. The other pigs looked at him and then ran away, snorting and weeping. Then one looked at then as if to say, avenge us or ensure we are the last.

"We should Bette put them out of their misery." Chashathrophogh said.

"Agreed. But once we have the treasure." Chip said.

"Those pigs…. If you could call them that…they seemed to know you."

Cerpheres loomed at him with an innocent smile with a false dumb look on his face.

"They did?" He sang 

They spoon their heads and walked on. They soon arrived at the doorway. Cerpheres knocked and Cercei opened the door for them to come in. They walked in and noticed that the room was split into two rooms. One long room that had a long light wooden table with light wooden stools going around the edge of the table. Some of them were occupied. On the walls were beautiful paintings of many different islands on the walls and the long windows flooding the room with light. The second was the storage and kitchen area. There was a single ladder leading to a loft area where Cercei's bedroom was.

"Please sit! I shall bring you some wine, or rum if you prefer."

"Sure, and thank ye m'lady Cerseii." 

She bowed her head as she giggled. Soon the rest joined the rest of the crew. Then Gurter looked at Cersei.

"Would you like some help with that Lady Cersei?"

She gave a bright smile and waved her hand down.

"Oh no. I shall be fine."

"If you say so, however, if you need any help I will let you know that I am a trained maid."

"I shall keep that in mind you sweet child."

So she doesn't want anyone to watch her then…looks like I will not be eating or drinking anything.

Once she had poured the wine and rum and placed the gold jugs on the table Cerpheres turned to her. He placed a gentle hand on the back of hers and started to stroke.

"Tell me, where is the treasure?" He purred.

She looked at him and her cheeks became rosey. He kept stroking her.

"Safe."

He then gently took her hand and started to caress it as delicately as if he was holding glass. She started to relax as her mind seemed to fall into some type of trance.

"Is that all you're going to say?" He purred seductively as he leaned forward and kissed the back of her hand. "My dear, lady?"

"Suuurree…drink up." She muttered, almost lost within his eyes.

Then Coran and the rest of the nameless pirates did. However the others said nothing to stop then for they were too busy looking at Cerpheres and Cersei. He rose to his feet and she put her hand on his hip, lost within him. He pulled her in and she gave no protest. He leaned in his lips next to her ear.

"Tell me, then." He whispered as if to a lover.

She looked at him, clearly smitten.

"Kiss me then!" She whispered like someone who had lost all control of her emotions.

He placed a hand on her cheek and leaned in. He kissed her and their lips pressed gently together. He leaned in and held her in place. She drank it in as she pulled him in closer. Her knees became weak as he held her firm. Then he pulled away. She looked at him with a deep lustful hunger that could only be described as haunting. She wanted more and he knew it. 

"Do you want more, my Lady Cersei?"

"Yes!" She whispered as she leaned in. 

He placed a finger on her lips.

"Tell me where the treasure is first."

She then leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"The cellar in the kitchen. Please! I am dying for another. Maybe later we could-"

He placed his lips over her month before she could say more. They had a long kiss. Their lips were gently pressed together and she leaned into him and he learned into her. Her hunger grew and grew as her skin became paler and paler. Soon her lips became more and more aggressive and her head sank into his. He did the same in rerun. They pressed their bodies together and her arms became weaker and weaker. Then her arm dropped and her head fell back. He let go and her corpse fell.

"Ye go' the location."

"Yeees I did." He purred.

They were about to get the treasure until Coran and the other nameless pirates started to shake and convulse. They looked back to see that they started to scream and scream as they looked at the wine. Then their screams turned to snorts, first it sounded like snoring, but the pitch became higher and higher. Their noses flicked upwards and started to bleed as their bones snapped and broke and their fingers broke and the flesh between the fingers grew and the bones broke. Their finger and toe nails fell off and where their weak and little finger and ring and index were two hooked pushed themselves out of the flesh. Their backs arched and their bodies became smaller and smaller. Then they all threw up a mess of blood and guts as their bodys expelled the excess tissue and bones that it no longer could contain. Then they were looking at a group of pigs.

"I told you the grim rapper would clame you eventually!"

Seeing that they could do nothing to help them they killed them all. They soon found the treasure and Cerpheres pulled out another box. He threw it to Chashathrophogh who pushed the pigs head in and it revealed another triangle. After they had put the treasure on board the ship, they set the entire island on fire. They did not dare to stay and hear the squealing of the pigs that used to be men…

The Nymphs Cave

Jeff and Jax were feeling depressed as the rest of the crew enjoyed a full day of smooth sailing. They felt a great amount of guilt after hearing what had happened to Coran. After all, they were the ones that convinced him to join their pirate crew. If only they hadn't. If only they had kept their mouths shut about how fun being  a pirate was. If only they went along with them instead, maybe they could have stopped him. Maybe he would be alive.

"Do not blame yourselves!" Chashathrophogh said.

"Why not?" Cerpheres purred.

He let out a groan as he pointed at him.

"Don't get me started on you! Look, you could not have known what was going to happen on that island so none of this was your fault. So do yourselves a favour and don't make yourselves ill blaming yourselves for something that you had no control over. Believe me! I have a friend that did that. Yet he, when I was the apprentice of a Dark Lady, would be forced to see him be beaten and sometimes be tortured by her and  no matter what I did, I could do nothing! I was just too weak. Yet even though I knew better I still blamed myself for not being able to protect him. Even worse was the fact that he had an enemy inside him too. Yet the moment that he had his opportunity he was able to escape and shortly after he killed his brother and his wife. Though I do hear rumours that he is currently travelling with a little girl which is rumoured to be the child of that brother."

They nodded.

"Thank you." They said sullenly.

They soon arrived at the island.

"Oi! Borevers, Cerph' ge' over' 'ere!" 

"Oh! Looks like our dear Captain awaits!" 

They departed with Chip, Kibbit, Gurter and the usual Bash, Cerpheres, Chashathrophogh and Captain Gerald. Bash found it eerie seeing just how empty the ship looked now. They all noticed this, but said nothing as the boat was lowered into the ocean. They kept quiet as they rowed. Bash and Gurter looked around, wondering what would happen on this island and if everyone would make it back this time. The only leverty was the soothing sound of Cerpheres's violin. This kept their nerves calm as they rowed in time like the beat of the tune. They could feel their heartbeats become steady and they soon made it across to the shore. 

Once they had pulled the boat onto the beach they spotted an old man. He was clothed in rags that would have been a marvel to look at if they had been well preserved. His hard skin was both burnt and tanned by the sun, barely clung to his bones. He had tears in earlobes and his grey partially blind eyes were so sunken into his skull that it made him look like a skeleton.

"H-hello?" He whispered.

"Hello, who are you?"

"Nebuoin. I was once a member of the Prince Captain's crew."

"Nebuoin, was i'?"

"Yes, who is that?"

"Cap'in Gerald. Could ye tell me wha' this Prince Cap'in looks like?"

"Well he-he has emerald hair and-and amber eyes. Why?"

"No reason. Now could ye tell us where the treasure is?"

"No. But I can tell you that the Sea Death God told me that he told me to guard the treasure for my captain but-but I was overpowered by a group of ladies, nymphs. Ah-after they had taken me prisoner they would come into my shelter torment me and use me for their pleasures b-both as a man and as their plaything. They blinded me when I tried to escape but then they dragged me back after they all took my strength away by kissing me. Then they whipped my thighs and back until there was nothing left just to dominate and own me. Oh I wish my captain was here! He would heal me and make me new just like he always did!" He cried.

Gurter put a hand on his shoulder.

"Why don't you tell us where the treasure is?"

"No! I can't let you young lady, they'll-"

That was when Bash put a hand on his shoulder.

"Look, do you want revenge?" She asked.

A smile flicked onto his lips.

"Y-yes! Yes I do! I would like that very much."

"Then if you tell us where the treasure is now, then we will take that revenge for you. I'm certain that there are those here that have killed worse and more dangerous creatures other than nymphs… myself and my uncle included. So let us take that revenge and as payment we have the treasure." She said.

Cerpheres looked at her and smiled as he licked the corner of his mouth. Hunger was in both his and the old man's eyes.

"Alright. It's in the cave of the nymphs." He said.

"Thank you." She said as they went to go.

The old man caught her by the scruff of her collar.

"You kill them will you? You kill every single last one of them! Don't leave a single one alive, do you hear me?"

"Loud and clear." She said with a two finger salute.

"How many are you?"

"Seven. But there are more on board."

He bowed his head and shook it.

"There are thirteen jumps and they all have magic. You do not stand a chance!"

"That's alright!" Gurter said.

"Ye! We 'ave three o' our own!"

"And we have a physician on board. Phydoc will look at you and you will be up and about in hardly any time at all!"

Still unconvinced, Cerpheres put his arm around the man and whispered something in his ear. His eyes brightened up as he hugged him. Then Cerpheres pulled out his dagger and before anyone could stop him or comprehend what was happening plundered it right into his heart. His face turned to meet Cerpheres with a look of anguish upon his face as he leaned back and died.

"Why did you do that?" Bash snapped.

"He had no use anymore." He purred as he came in close to her. "Also you saw him. You knew deep down he was on the verge of death. So why give him any kind of false hope? Isn't it a bit cruel?"

She looked aside, knowing that he was right but yet not wanting to admit it. That was when Bash took a shovel out of the boat and started digging. They stood there as she buried the old man and paid their respects before they moved on.

They followed the map to the cave of the nymphs. They entered the cave and tried to move as silently as they could. Then they heard the sound of a hysterical lyrical laughter that was strangely easy and welcoming on the ears. They followed the sound of the laughter that, as they walked in further and further into the cave, started to echo throughout the chambers. Making it harder and harder to figure out where the laughter was coming from, but Chashathrophogh and Bash had no trouble. After all, both were hunters and had trained their ears to detect even the most subtle of differences between echo and the echo's source. 

They soon walked to the mouth of a chamber where they could hear splashing. As they put their backs to the mouth they saw what looked like thirteen women that had such stunning beauty that it would male any man's heart race. They had long brunette locks with a blue shine whenever the light touched it. Their eyes were shades of blue and turquoise. They had their hands joined as they sang and danced around a pool of glowing water. 

Then some broke off and danced over to a man that was almost as thin as Nebuoin. They climbed upon his knees and kissed him. They moved their arms up and down his arms. As they did they noticed that their grip became harder as their nails dug into his skin. One of their tongues was inside his mouth, preventing him from screaming as the others kissed his neck clawing their way into his chest. 

Once they pulled away his eyes were filled with years and they saw his eyes fill with staff as the next lot danced over to him and repeated the action. Then some of them licked the open wounds as the others kissed him. Their cheeks were crimson as they continued. Then one of them looked up and at them. She nodded to the others who moaned as they bit into him. Causing him to scream as they took bite after bite. 

Bash, remembering Nebuoin and how he was, drew her bow and put the poor man out of his misery. The others screamed as they pulled away and looked at her shocked.

"Hello travellers." Said the one that looked the oldest.

"Come dance with us."

"We will make you merry." Said one that walked to the group.

"No!" Chashathrophogh snapped.

She placed a hand around his neck.

"Come on, do not be like that!" Said another as she wrapped her arms around Kibbit.

As she pressed her body against his, he fell into a trance. He started to be led off. Another took Chip by his hand and another took Captain Gerald.

"Why do you not join your friends?" Asked the one holding Chashathrophogh.

He felt his mind becoming dulled, but he raised as he felt his people become sweaty and his cheeks became red. He felt another wave of the dullness as she pressed her body against his. He son his head, trying to clear it. Then her lips went to part. Remembering what Nebouin said he gripped her by the neck. He then pushed her back as Gurter stabbed her in the heart with rage and upset in her eyes.

"Sorry but I will not let you have him."

The others looked and scratched, soon Kibbit and Chip snapped out of their trances but before they could back away they bit into their throats. The nymph that had Captain Gerald was about to bite into his throat when Cerpheres threw a small, five pointed star at her, slitting her throat. His eyes were dangerous.

"Nobody is allowed to kill the Captain!" He growled dangerously.

"You have made a grave mistake!"

Bash fired an arrow at her and she caught it. She fired another and she caught that too. She then fired another and this was caught. She fired another and this was caught too. She fired another and another. Soon her hands were full. Then she dropped the arrows.

She drew a sword and she moved out of the way as she dodged the slash from left to right. Then she dodged another slash from right to left. The nymph then went to stab her but she was able to jump up and gripped the mouth of the chamber and kicked her in the chest. She staggered back.

Then as Bash landed she saw a blast of water shoot towards her and dived down and as she looked back to see that there was a new hole in the wall. She looked back to see another blast coming her way. She dived to the left and the water blasted through the side of the mouth. She then dodged another one that hit the other side. Then one came down right at her and she jumped. She drew her bow and fired at the nymph's head and struck.

Then another sent a blast at her and she rolled forward as she dodged. Then another blast flew to her that she dodged by rolling diagonally. She then spotted another blast at her and she sent a fireball at her and the water blasted out. She ran on and saw another rush towards her. She dodged and took her arrows off the ground. Then sent another fireball at her, used the covert of the water vapor to load her arrow and fired. This hit.

She looked to the others as Gruter sliced a nymphs head off and Chashathrophogh slit another. Then threw a bagger into another. Then she saw one shoot a blast of water at him and he jumped and threw a fireball at her and soon she was screaming in the flames. She ran to the water,  only to be met by Gurter and Cerpheres. He pushed her back into the wall as Gurter ran to Chashathrophogh as a nymph went to stab his side she drove her sword into her head. He was just about to thank her when he saw a blast coming to her. He pulled her up and sent a blast of fire to her. She defended with a wall of water as Cerpheres slit her throat.

He then looked up as Captain Gerald had fallen back under their spell. There were three surrounding him. The other two surrounded Cerpheres and gripped his arms as tightly as they could.

"Ooh! That's adorable!" He purred as he pulled his arms in and hit them both in the face.

He spun and flicked out his legs, hitting them into the wall. They got up and he ran to them. He licked his lip as he punched the one to the left with his fist and the one to the right with his left simultaneously. He then dug his fists into their abdomen and elbowed their heads down. They hit their heads and spun back. He knelt and gripped both of them by their throat. He smiled as his cheeks turned scarlet, cruising their windpipe as slowly as he could. They scrambled to stop it but with a crack of their neck they died. He then looked up as he released a sigh. 

The nymphs were too shocked to do anything as Chashathrophogh and Bash loaded an arrow in their bows and hit two, leaving Gurter to jump and the last's head rolled. They then saw a small door ahead of them and Captain Gerald came to his senses.

"Are ye alrigh'?" He asked.

"Should be!" He panted.

He soon crawled to his feet. His back hunched as he plucked the legs and picked the lock. Soon they saw a large chamber of the treasure. He took out a tube box and threw it to Captain Gerald. He looked at it.

"Can' do this'n! 'Ere! One o' ye do i'!" He called and Chashathrophogh took the tube box.

He noticed that the box was made of steel and had a small steel ball at the top and a hole at the other end. He noticed that the tube was made up of small disks. He then noticed that there were random segments cut out of each disk.

This one is straight forward. He thought as he tilted the box. He twisted one anticlockwise and the ball dropped. He twisted the other and continued until the ball was at the bottom and sank into the hole. Then they heard a click and a handle popped out at the bottom and he pulled, nothing happened, he then twisted then pulled. Then the lid came off and another pendant with a triangle fell out.

They then buried the dead and spent a day and a half transferring all the treasure into the ship before they sailed off.

The Water Fairy's Waves

All took a moment as they looked around, to have a moment of silence. There were only eleven of the crew left now. It was shocking to see that. After all, the whole ship was filled to the brim of people, even after Cerpheres caused, under Captain Gerald's orders, the passengers to jump off board. Yet it seemed that there were plenty at the time, now there were only a few. All of them Bash and Chashgathrophogh knew the names of.

"Do you want to make a speech?" Cerpheres asked the Captain.

"No." He looked down then shook his head. "Actually, I think I will. Look lads 'n' three ladies, ye've done well, bu' there's a lo' more te go. We will continue temorra after aftar a good rest. Ye've all earn' i'! 'N' I don' care 'ow long i' takes, we will find all tha' treasure 'n' we will be the firs' since the days of the Prince Cap'in te collect all the Pieces o' Eigh'! 'N' tha'll make sure our crewmates deaths will no' be in vain!"

All but Bash and Chashathrophogh cheered, then Cerpheres clapped and the others joined in. He then looked over to them, his cheeks were red slightly and he too looked slightly exhausted. They both looked at each other and smiled as they too started clapping. Jeff and Jax clapped with tears streaming from their cheeks. Steel, Kia and Kir nodded to him. Phydoc too joined in, but he looked aside as he soon broke down in tears.

Then Gurter walked over to them. She looked at Chashathrophogh in his eyes.

"Don't die." She said, with a sorrowful yet determined look in her eyes. "Please don't die. I don't care for the rest, but you, you can't die!"

"Then I will not!" He said, slightly uncertain. "But-"

She then pulled him in and kissed him. It was long and filled with pain. His cheeks became red. Yet he had an annoyed look in his eyes. Then Cerpheres laughed and clapped. He then let out a cheer. Then Chashathrophogh pushed her off him. She smiled as she bowed her head slightly.

"What was that for?"

"Just in case we don't make it."

He let out a huff as Cerpheres patted him on the shoulder.

"Good man!" He sang.

He frowned.

"What? Was that your first kiss?" He cooed.

He rolled his eyes.

"Go and torment someone else!"

"Alright!" He sang as he walked over to Kir.

"Oh no!" He said, punching him in the face. "You leave me out of it you creep!"

"Well, that I'll name my son after you, for that!"

"As if! Who in the Demon Realm would be dumb enough to sleep with you!"

Bash laughed slightly as she walked away and walked to her room. She was shortly followed by Steel and Gurter.

"Honestly! That man really is asking for it!" Steel snapped. "Why hasn't that Captain Gerald killed him already?"

"I think he knows he'll like it if he tried, so he refrains from doing so."

"Oh, by the way, Cari, is it true that Borevers is Chashathrophogh and you are really Bounty Hunter Bash the Touchable?"

"Urm, why do you ask?"

"Because Cerpheres blurted it out and Borevers asked him how he knew." 

She nodded.

"Yes. So?" She asked, confused.

"How has he not killed you yet?" Steel asked.

She then told them the events that had happened since she set off to collect her uncle's bounty. By the time she was finished it was time for bed and they all slept. The following morning they all wrote up early. Then, as they passed the kitchens they saw Cerpheres and Chashathrophogh cooking. Bash walked in and Gurter looked at him awkwardly. He rolled his eyes.

"Urm, Chash'?"

"Chashathrophogh!" He corrected, sternly.

"Chashathrophogh, then, I want you to know I don't care. I-I, urm, still love you."

He sighed as he rolled his eyes annoyed.

"I don't care either."

He returned to cooking. Gurter pressed her lips together as she looked aside.

"Want me to help? If we all cook, then we will get breakfast faster."

"Sure, do what you want."

"So what do you think you will do after this?"

"Take down the Dark Lord and, once I know my friend's alright and cleared my name, return to my chickens."

They soon had breakfast and after they noticed something on the horizon. There were small sparkling waves that seemed to light up like scattered little flames in them. Then as they came closer and closer they started to hear light whispering. She could hardly make out what they were saying. At first she thought that it was the wind playing tricks on them or they had been out at sea for far too long. But she soon noticed that the whispering came from the sea, then as she looked closer to the waves, she saw that there were shining blue dots in the waves.

"What is it, child?" Asked Phydoc gently.

"I think that the sea might just be getting to me."

"How come?" He asked, as he placed his hand gently on her forehead. "You're not ill."

"That's strange, you're not the only ones reporting this. Bore-no Chashathrophogh and Cerpheres have too."

"So it can't be the sea?"

"Seems not. Do you think it might have something to do with magic?"

"Possibly. Though I can hardly say I am an expert on the field."

She nodded as the lights became closer and closer she heard the whispering becoming louder and louder. Then her gut told her that the soft waves were not normal. Acting upon this she ran to the edge and looked down to see a row of tiny hands pushing against the ship. Then the ship gently rocked to the side and then back. They pushed again and the ship gently rocked again.

"Do you see that!" She asked.

Phydoc looked down to where she was looking.

"If you are seeing tiny hands of fairies, then yes!" He shouted, his face pale as he turned to Captain Gerald. "Captain! We have water fairies on the hull!"

"What!"

"Push on, go one, two, three, 

Top the ship thine will see!

Pull on one, two, three, four,

Show the crew death door!

Kick on one, two, three, four, five,

Make sure that none remain alive!

Bash heard as she listened to the silent voices. Upon hearing it she ran to Captain Gerald and she spotted Chashathrophogh running to him too.

"They are planning to push the skip into the ocean!" They shouted.

The Captain beloved out into a laugh.

"They can'! They're te small"

"Buuut, they are strong for their size!" Purred Cerpheres.

"If yer worried take care o' i'! Seriously ye sound like Herlock 'n' Phydoc!" He laughed as the waves became faster.

"Yes, well you don't know fairies likeI do!" Sang Cerpheres. "Not all of them are the adorable nice little things of childhood dreams!"

Then the ship swayed too far to the right as they heard banning against the hull. They ran to the ship's edge. They saw the waves were getting higher and higher and Bash saw that the water fairies were in them. One licked his lips as he pushed against the hull. She noticed that there were more hands on the hull and there were more fairies coming. 

Bash was about to race to get her bow and arrows but Chashathrophogh gripped her arm.

"No, that will not work. Focus on ripping their arms off!"

"Why not make the water boiling hot?"

"Your dear uncle's right! Water fairies can survive any temperature of water. I should know." Cerpheres purred.

"Well Cerpheres, I think you ought to go to the other side and see if there are any there if there are do as I say. I will defend the ship if any fly above the waves. Also, the only one that can call me that and get away with it is the girl!"

"Oo! Scary!"

"Just do as I say. Right."

"Noo! I don't want to!"

"Do you want to die?" He snapped.

Cerpheres smiled mockingly at him. Yet this smile relaxed.

"Point proven!" He sang as he started to walk away. "Chash'!"

He let out a slight growl.

"It's Chashathro-"

"Ignore him, deer uncle. He's only trying to wind you up."

He rolled his eyes.

"Urm, is there anything that we can do?" Gurter and Phydoc asked.

"Yes, get everyone downstairs and keep them calm."

Gurter smiled as they walked to the rest and gestured for them to follow them down stairs.

Cerpheres blushed as he looked at both niece and uncle. He then looked down to see a set of tiny hands that he willed to be ripped off. They all screamed as he ripped off more and more. Then licked his lips as he looked back at the two with a sly look.

Bash closed her eyes and willed the arms to be ripped off. She found it easy to do but then she heard their screams and felt a pinch of guilt for a moment. Yet she had to remind herself that they were trying to drown and kill them. So she willed more of their tiny arms to be willed off. She heard more screaming, yet she had to push through as she saw more coming. She willed more off and she had to bite the bottom of her lip and she had to remind herself that there were not tiny children but adult water fairies. She then saw more and ripped them off.

She then looked up as she knew that she nieces a break. Then she saw a water fairy in front of her. It looked at her and chuckled mischievously. She punched it. Then another flew at her and she punched that. She saw another two coming at her and she punched one after the other. She then saw a flash and then she felt a burning pain. 

She looked up to see a fairy with a tiny bubbling ball of water in his hand and it had steam rising from it. It flung it at her and she dived out of the way. Only to just set another coming right at get. She only just managed to dodge. Then as she dodged she felt a scalding pain in her cheek. Then she saw a wall of the boiling water balls coming right at her!

She saw them flying and getting closer and closer to her. She only just managed to freeze them and sent them back at the fairies that stopped them, giving her the chance to fire a fireball at a small group of them. She then lit another and fired it at another group. Then she sent another at them and then another. 

She did this until she had cleared most of them before she looked to Chashathrophogh, who was busy fighting his own set of them. She then looked to where Cerpheres was and he too was dealing with his own group. Yet she knew that did not have to worry about them as their fairies dropped like flies.

Then she noticed that there were nothing but two begging Cerpheres for their lives. She thought that was quite strange until she looked closer. Then her stomach dropped as she saw the wall of water rising higher and higher until it was above the tallest part of the ship. She then noticed the water fairies inside.

She closed her eyes, outstretched her arms and pushed it back. She then felt the water fairies magic and will push against hers. She forced herself to push back even harder. She put her whole will into it. Yet then she felt their will and magic become stronger and stronger. Yet she did well to meet them and put more power into it as they did. Yet she knew that she could feel the strain build within her. She did all that she could to not let go and keep at it. 

The water trembled and shook as their powers met. Some of them tower to send more of the boiling water calls at her, yet she forced herself to ignore the pain as she pushed on. Then the wave was pushed back and the tip was pushed back. Seeing this they sent more and more at her, but she still forced the wave back. 

Yet the strain inside was becoming almost as unbearable as the pain that they were putting her through, she knew that she was on the lay legs. In her desperation she forced the wave back and willed it to turn into fire and the water burst into flame and she flopped down and the fire collided with the water behind. Then the other fairies saw this and fled.

Then she passed out. Chashathrophogh rushed to her and picked her up. She was pale and covered in blood.

"Bash! Bash!" He shouted his eyes with shock.

Don't be dead! Please, don't be dead! Not you! You can't leave me alone!

Then Phydoc rushed to her. He looked at her. He let out a sigh of relief.

"It's alright. She's just exhausted. She will be fine in a couple of days."

He looked at Phydoc with a murderous glare.

"She better!"

"Wow! She pushed back a fairy freak wave. Then turned the water to fire…that must have taken-that must have taken some great amount of power!" Cerpheres purred.

Suddenly he smiled wickedly exposing all his pearly white teeth. He licked his teeth slowly as he started to breathe slowly and shakily. His cheeks became red and he looked like a sleepy drunk. He looked at his hand.

"Oh! That good, good girl!"

The Bluebell Island

Bash was looking at the books on the ship. It had been no less than three days since the water fairies attacked and she spent the last day recuperating. She knew that she had time to spare until they arrived at the next island Bluebell, so she decided to spend some time alone. She made sure that was close enough to Chashathrophogh not to be weakened but far away for her to have a moment of silence. She had a suspicion that she would rarely have a moment like this for a long time.

She looked at the books and soon found one that caught her eye. It was a book the colour of Cerpheres's hair and in gold writing it said.

The Adventures Of  Prince Captain Lockheartsmith

She plucked it from the shelf, opened it on the first page and started reading.

Prince Captain Lockheartsmith seemed to have been a true royal

born out of wedlock. Yet even though his mother is Queen Irisa

Lockheartsmith, the severe beauty of the kingdom Silverhunt. His 

father's identity is not known. His stepfather King Irick Vin never

let him carry his surname so he carries his mother's maiden name.

He had the curse of magic, just like any other royal born out of 

wedlock, but he did not care much of it nor did he think of it as

a curse. In fact he liked it and he started experimenting with it.

He even used to turn the prisoners into different creatures and

someone would change their appearance, to make them look better.

Which they could not disagree with. He would even experiment on 

creatures and change them in what could only describe as making 

them look more fun. Another thing one could not deny. Such as the

young lady Catherine, he gave her cat ears which made her look cuter.

Looks like he loved to have fun with his magic. Wonder of I should try that! She thought, sleepily, turning the page. She yawned as she wiped a speck of sleep from her eye. Then continued.

Yet there seemed to be another curious thing that he seemed to be 

able to do. When he spoke he could speak with two voices. One was 

purry, lyrical and filled with whimsy. The other was deeper, darker

and more aggressive. Both were easy to  listen to and commanded

one's attention. He could sing well with both.

I'm guessing that's a good thing.

We have spent a long time with him and still we do not know

what led him to pick a career of piracy, this had me and the

rest of the crew concerned for our future. Especially since he

had shown us that, yet he is quite whimsical, which we like

and makes it fun and interesting leading to no dull moments,

he has shown himself to be fickle too.

I fear even more for my cremates as I have the dreadful gut

feeling that if it came down to it he would ditch us all in favour

of greater crew members. Which, I also believe, that he will only

come for us and help us if we have the potential to become greater

if he does. Which leads me to fear and believe that me and the rest of the

crew are heading towards a great and terrible tragedy and he would

leave us all to our fates in a heartbeat. Which makes me fear for Fay

Heartstrings the most. She loves him and, as long as she is blinded

by this I fear she will never see the axe, even on the chopping block!

"Humm…what're you looking at?" Asked Cerpheres over her shoulder.

She jumped, causing her to punch him in the cheek. He smiled as he licked the corner of his lip.

"Was that necessary? Wasn't that a bit mean?"

"Maybe, but isn't sneaking up to someone when they're reading? And what were you thinking spooking a fight respondent?"

He smiled.

"Tushé!" He purred.

She scoffed in disgust.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"To tell you that we have arrived!"

He then looked down and smiled.

"Soo…it is the journal of the crew of the Prince Captain… Do you like it?"

"Not really. Though I do have to admit I find it interesting."

"Humm?"

She then put it back and they left to the deck, to be greeted by Jeff and Jax.

"Come on you two. Gurter and Kia are waiting. Along with your uncle of course."

"By the way, Jax, are you a guy or a girl?" Bash asked.

"I'm a guy, it's just sometime's-"

"He likes to pretend to be a woman while we're-"

"On missions."

She rolled her eyes. Then Jax lit up.

"Oh alright. Speaking of which, do you think that Gurter has a chance with him?"

"I don't think so. I don't think he's the kind of person open to romance, myself included."

"In what way?"

"I'm not open to romance. In fact, we're looking for a sorcerer that cast a spell on us, forcing us to be linked. That's why he hasn't killed me, although he did try." she admitted. 

Cerpheres put his arm around her.

"And what about if that spell did break. Would you still try to kill each other?"

"Nah! I don't think so. Although I do have to ask, how did you know who we are?"

"It wasn't hard to figure it out."

"And why did you tell everyone?" She asked taking his arm off her.

He let out a slight chuckle.

"Who, me?" He asked, putting it back on her shoulder.

"Who else?" She remarked, taking it back off.

"Well I was interested in just what their reactions would be." He said, hooking her back in.

She groaned slightly.

I highly doubt that…chances are he wanted to see Gurter's reaction, not everybody else's. Either that or he just wanted to isolate us for himself.

"Ye readi!" 

"Sure!" 

They soon climbed back into the boat. There they rowed in silence to Bluebell. Once they arrived on the shore they climbed out of the boat. Then they looked to see a field of nothing but bluebells yet she could see trees in the distance and even they were coated with bluebells, growing out of them. Yet instead of leaves the trees had bluebell heads.

"I can see why this was called Bluebell." Jeff and Jax exclaimed.

"I wish Coran was here to see it."

"Yeah! He would have loved to see this…"

"WIll ye te be alrigh'?" 

"Yes Captain. The time of mourning him is over."

"Good to hear!"

"Although I can't believe such beauty could exist!" Gurter gasped.

"I know…" Said Chashathrophogh.

Then Bash looked as Gurter and then back at her uncle.

"So what do you think about Gurter liking you?" She asked.

"Where did this come from?"

"Curiosity."

"Well I hardly think that she's in the right state of mind."

"Oh? And why is that?" Cerpheres asked, hooking his arm around him.

"Do you want to die? Get off me!" 

He chuckled as he leaned in close.

"Not until you answer the question!" He purred.

"Who would be in the right frame of mind to even consider liking me in that way. Also I'm-"

"Not open to romance? Yeah, the girl said something about that. It's too bad! Maybe you ought to lighten up a little."

Gurter punched the man in the gut.

"What was that for?" He moaned.

"You know what that was for." She snapped, embarrassed.

"You know I-"

"Oi! Ye te we'll be goin' on withou' ye at this rate."

"Come on then!" Cerpheres sang, hooking the two in his arms and pushing them along.

They matched on until they left the shore and came to a steep set of stairs that led to a high up land. In front of the stairs was a stone sphinx. Her head tilted down an looked at them

"Answer my deer questers and you may pass if you are right."

"And what would happen if we answer wrong?" Asked Jax with a mocking chuckle.

The eyes of the sphinx lit and a light pushed out of them and Jeff pushed him out of the way and his head but the brands and fell down, dead. Jax looked at him in horror and crouched down. He looked at him with a shaky hand, reached out only for him to retract the hand. Shock silenced him as tears of sorrow and despair entered his eyes.

"Should you interrupt me you shall die. Should you get the riddle wrong you shall die. Should you run away you shall die."

Jax looked at Jeff,  still in shock but his mind was clear and silent. He knew what he wanted to do. He could not bear the thought of having to live without his brother. Their friend, Coran that they had convinced to join them was turned into a pig and killed, along with the majority of the crew, some he liked, some he did not care for and others he tolerated. Most of the crew were dead and now he had just lost his twin. He did not care anymore,  he just wanted to get this over with.

"I have three or more sides,

I always point to the skies,

On my bottom I will sit,

Inside death of royals of sun

To the beyond is well lit

Thieves will be lost as they run

My people's deity is a great cat

And my bottom is always flat!"

"A ziggurat." Jax shouted.

At this she did not hesitate in hiring her beams of light into his chest and he fell beside his twin. Gurter opened her mouth but Bash covered it. She looked up at the sphinx. Seeing that she did nothing she let out a sigh. She looked back at her and shook her head. Gurter looked back up and nodded.

"Pyramid." Chashathrophogh said.

They looked at them and then at the sphinx. She nodded and moved and they all traced up the stairs. Yet as they continued and the clouds departed they could feel the heat of the son on their back. Yet they continued, soon they started to sweat and their muscles started to ache as they all ran. Yet they ignored the tiredness of their achy calves. Yet they still had a long way to go. The heat caused them to become even more tired and Bash and Chashathrophogh's skin started to burn. However they pushed through the pain as they climbed higher and higher. They started to pant and they felt the chill of the breeze as their heads started to feel slightly dizzy. Their eyelids threatened to drop over their eyes. Chashathrophogh and Bash took out an arrow and gripped the head, using the pain to keep them awake. Then they reached the top and collapsed on the bluebell coveted land.

"Looks like I'm no' as young as I once were!" He sighed. "All o' ye take a break 'n' grab ye bi'e!"

They all nodded and ate in silence as Bash's eyes slid to the side to be greeted by the entrance. It was rectangular with the upper half narrower than the lower half. There was a door in the centre of a thick stone door frame that had no keyhole or knob. In fact it had nothing, not any sign on how to open it. In the door frame were bluebells moulded out of gold and lodged in the frame. 

She wondered how they were or how to get in but as she looked at the bluebells something told her that it had something to do with them. She could not place what, but as she looked at the stem the bluebells were attached to, she noticed that there were no brakes and there were no identifiable patterns about their position. She then noticed that there was something odd about the heads of each bluebell. They were not normal, she could have sworn she had seen the alignment of the bluebells. Yet she could not place what. 

Then she rubbed her eyes as she continued eating. Her eyes then slid to Cerpheres's violin. Then she remembered as she turned back to the frame, they were musical notes! She hit herself for not fighting it out earlier as it was one of the only girly things she liked. 

"What was that for, girl?"

"Cerpheres could you play your violin in accordance to the notes that each bluebell is shaped as on that door frame?" She asked.

His eyes worsened as he smiled.

"Of course!"

He then finished his food as the rest of them did. He touched his chin with the violin and started playing. Then the door opened and they walked in while he continued to play.

They then walked into a room with nothing but a stone table in. She walked up to it and noticed that there were bluebells in the shape of musical notes going all around it. At the top was the XII.

"So where's the treasure?" Kia asked.

"Cerpheres, play the musical notes coming from the right of the- no, Prince Captain Lockheartsmith prefers to do things backwards, so go to the left and play it anticlockwise."

He dashed to her and played. Moving around to see the notes as he did. Then the floor descended.

"Wha's goin' on?"

Then they were lowered to a room filled with blue and purple jewels. Cerpheres then jumped off and took a blue box and spotted a musical piece that he played, opening it.

"Bash ye a genius!"

They soon collected all the treasure and spent over three days putting it all on board.