Guard Games Part 2

The pain was so intense that Aliyra could feel it through her black haze of unconsciousness. Voices drifted to her but she couldn't understand what they were saying. She tried to focus, but complete unconsciousness attemped to claim her once more. Aliyra battled against it fiercely and finally managed to force it back. Now she could discern several different voices instead of a noisy crowd assaulting her ears. Slowly but surely, her senses were recuperating. The process felt like years and her head throbbed with annoyance until she could understand what was being said.

Aliyra? Aliyra, answer me!

"Yes, Captain."

Please answer…please be okay…

"All right; inform the first mate to weigh anchor just off the coast. You can let the flag stay but you know what to do if a ship approaches. Take roll as well. I wasn't to know if we lost any in Stormwind because we had to leave quickly."

"Aye, aye, captain." There was a soft thumping noise as the person's footsteps receded.

No one can stay unconscious for that long. Unless…ALI WAKE UP!

"I'm awake!" Aliyra muttered darkly as her eyes flickered open. In a confused daze she surveyed the room first she noticed that there were no windows and only one door. A man perched precariously on a trunk across the room. The only other furniture was a table and desk set and the bed she lay in. When the room rocked gently, Aliyra panicked and clung to the sheets tightly. It took her a moment to remember that she was aboard a boat. Slowly, she released her death grip on the blankets.

Out of habit more than anything her hand veered to her waist to grab a dagger but just met more blankets. It was then she realized she wore an oversized shift and only that. Her waepons and everything she'd had with her was no-where to be seen. The man watched her curiously. Painstakingly she came up on her elbow, mindful of her wound, and returned his stare unabashedly. He was a sin'dorei; typical glowing green eyes, long white-blonde hair, thin yet muscular build with smooth, supple, flawless skin and of course; long pointed ears. His clothes were rumpled and worn but it was easy to tell they were once vibrant blue and gold and of the finest material.

Warily she shifted to be more comfortable on her elbow but her eyes never left the elf… not even when her wound gave a sharp twinge. When the stinging subsided, a dull aching pain took its place, throbbing in time with her head. She wanted nothing more than to curl up and cradle her wounds then return to the oblivion of sleep but her ringing nerves wouldn't even allow her to lie down with an unfamiliar face in the room. Especially not with a man who was undoubtedly a pirate. Her last encounter with pirates had been…less than pleasant. She had no desire to repeat it.

Outside the cabin there was clinking, shouting and even whistling. Aliyra vividly remembered the pattern on the flag they had raised almost defiantly as they had practically flown from the harbor at the first sighting of the guards. A soft sob echoed through her mind. Startled, her eyes widened fractionally then returned to normal. Oh! Raven! The guild connection! She thought to herself.

…Raven? She thought privately across the guild link. Her voice sounded weary and weak even to her and she grimaced to think of the effect it would have on her friend.

Aliyra! Oh, light, I thought- uh…I'm glad you're okay.

The captain stared at her, a clearly puzzled expression enhancing his features. "Magic?" He asked thoughtfully.

Where are you? Raven demanded.

I can't talk now; I promise I'll tell you everything later! Don't reply. Aliyra ordered, watching the elven captain with a slight frown.

The captain titled his head slightly to the side, as if asking a wordless question. After a moment of two staring at each other, the captain spoke. "I'd like to ask you about that magic I've felt since you first came aboard my ship, but first things first. Why were you running from the guard?"

Aliyra grimaced as another stab of pain rippled through her body. "I broke someone out of the command center."

His laugh was heart-felt and his eyes sparkled with barely contained mischief. Crossly, she scowled at him. "Sorry for laughing…I was not laughing at you," His face broke into a grin, "I was laughing at the expressions I imagine the guards would be wearing when they found their prisoner gone. Not to mention the expressions of their superiors when they had to explain how a prisoner got loose!" He chuckled appreciatively and Aliyra felt slightly more at ease. As it was said; the enemy of my enemy is my friend. A slight smile wormed its way to her lips.

"What did he do to get on the bad side of the guards?"

Aliyra grimaced again, but this had nothing to do with her wound. "Well…"

"Well?" prompted the elf.

Aliyra peered searchingly at him, anticipating his reaction before she spoke. "He assassinated a guardswoman."

A sharp whistle escaped his lips and Aliyra looked around quickly, expecting men to rush in and attack. It finally occurred to her that his whistle was purely from surprise. "I assume they planned to execute him?" He asked. Her answer was a brief nod.

Slowly, a sheepish grin spread across his features and Aliyra couldn't help but stare. She had never seen an elf look sheepish before. She'd never seen any look anything other than proud, for that matter. His hand tapped out a rhythm on the chest before he stood. "Pardon me for being rude; I'm Captain Avery. Welcome aboard the Evening Shadow." Captain Avery bowed pleasantly then looked expectantly at her.

After a moment's hesitation, she offered her own name. "Aliyra…Aliyra Shadowstorm."

Avery bowed again as if he were a gentleman greeting a lady instead of a pirate captain greeting a mercenary. "So, what was that magic that I've felt? I was awake most of the night and it has been distracting me through the morning." A hungry look entered his eyes.

Aliyra stared blankly at him, feigning innocence. The communication of her guild was the best-kept secret of her order and she couldn't give it to him when even the name of her order she related to none but those she wished to recruit. This man was definitely not a potential recruit. She slowly repositioned the pillow to keep her upright. Her arm was tiring faster than normal because of her energy deficiency.

The captain sighed. "Just spit it out. You've seemed far away several times when the magic grew strongest. I know it is something you are doing consciously."

"I….I can't tell you. It's strictly confidential." Her tone was firm but her eyes met his pleadingly, begging him to not ask further. Both knew that she would not say anything else on the matter. They shared a look of understanding.

"Very well, then." Avery nodded briskly. "I assume you're part of some under-ground cult or some such thing?"

Aliyra shot him an insulted glare. "No. I am a mercenary." She retorted sharply.

"My bad." He raised his hands as if to defend himself against her anger. "So. My ship is headed to Booty Bay. There are no guards there so if you wish to be deposited there I will happily oblige you. Or." He paused dramatically.

"Or?" She prompted with a raised eyebrow.

"Or you can come with us. One who can penetrate the guard's stronghold and successfully evacuate a prisoner is more than worthy of our crew. Plus, should any of my men have been left behind because of the guards you brought to the Harbor, you can help rescue them."

"Ah." She said curtly.

"I assure you, I will pay. Since that's the way you mercenaries types like to do it."

She glared at him. "Ifany of your men didn't make it I will recue them with no added charge. Your hospitality has been more than enough payment." Aliyra stated sharply, fuming at the insult.

The Captain feigned shock. "A mercenary with honor? By the gods, there are miracles!" A wry smile tugged at his lips, but there were traces of surprise and curiosity accompanied by mirth in his eyes.

Aliyra brushed a strand of red hair from her stormy navy eyes. The captain smiled, then his smile faded and deeps thoughts fluttered behind his expressive eyes. "You are different from other human's I've met. It could simply be the fact that you're very attractive, but I sense something….deeper."

Her heart skipped a beat and she became flustered. Aliyra averted her gaze as a pink flush crept across her features. "Uh…thanks." She mumbled. Every time without fail, the awkward fluttering of her heart would start up when a man flirted with her. Years ago she had took a vow to never grow close to anyone, but that didn't deter the men. To her flustered annoyance, she learned that it only encouraged them. Nevertheless, she avoided relationships other than with friends.

The captain grinned, clearly amused at how embarrassed she appeared. "What? Do the men not compliment you? Are they such fools to ignore this blooming wild rose?" He teased, but disguised underneath was sincere curiosity.

"If you don't mind, I'd prefer to not discuss my relationships with a complete stranger." Aliyra retorted sharply. The blush stubbornly remained on her cheeks. She wished men would complement her less. She was too flustered to say as much, though.

He chuckled, a mischievous look entering his eyes. "I see this wild rose has thorns."

Aliyra shot him what she thought was passable as a menacing glare, but he only laughed again. "I suppose I should let you rest. I'll have a crewman bring something for you to eat later on."

Too flustered to respond, Aliyra nodded once and averted her gaze until she heard the soft thump of the door closing. Her heart was thudding so loudly in her chest that she feared he'd heard it, what with his large ears. I wish I was old and ugly…she thought dryly to herself. She shook her head to dispel the silly thoughts and concentrated.

Raven? Are you there? She called out across the link.

I never left.

Quickly Aliyra spilled the story of what had happened both before and after his rescue, leaving only her feelings and emotions out of it. Even though she was broadcasting the story to him as quickly as she could, it took quite some time. He listened in silence until her mental voice began to grow weary. Even her eyes began to droop.

You've lost too much blood. You should sleep.

But-

Sleep, Ali. You have no choice but to trust the pirates for now. I'll let Lady Tyolka know what's become of you. She would have contacted you directly, but there was no time with the attack-

Surprise flooded her mind. An attack? I should have been there …

There was nothing you could have done that wasn't being done already. Go to sleep. Build your strength so you can return as soon as possible. Korto's jokes aren't half as good as yours.

Smiling, Aliyra allowed a soft appreciative chuckle to escape. All right enough of your chiding, mother…I'll sleep.

Rest well, my friend.

As long as the League is safe, I'll rest more peacefully than a babe. Even as she said this, her eyes continued to lower until, finally, they were closed. Her breaths steadily grew deep and even and she sank to the borders of sleep.

"Captain; crew-men Taka and Erik are missing." Aliyra heard a man say outside the cabin. She tried to pull herself back from the brink of slumber, but her eyes sagged closed and she descended into a fitful sleep.