There was so many. At least five, all of them circling them both. Nathan knew it would happen eventually. It was bound to.

" How about you give the pretty thing over to us and we will let you go?"

Nathan scowled and grabbed his sickle.
" You would just sell her."
" Maybe or we may keep her to ourselves. After all we have never seen anyone like her."

" Not going to happen."

Though Lia was calm on the outside Nathan could feel her trembling as she stood back to back with him. This was different than a tiger or a snake. These were humans. Living, breathing humans.

Lia saw them take one step and Nathan already flung his sickle out. They didn't stand a chance against him. It was as if she was scared for nothing.

" Come on, lets go before they bring friends." He rushed as he grabbed her wrist and ran down to the ship. When they made it to the safety of the deck she took a moment to hunch over and catch her breath. Though it seemed easy for Nathan to fight them off she knew that he wouldn't always be there to fight her battles.

The entire time they went to the room and got ready for bed she was quite. It was clear she was going to be on this ship for a while. She needed to learn to protect herself.
" Nathan," She reached out and grabbed his bare arm. He paused, looking down at her. " Teach me."
" Teach you what?" He asked as he turned and faced her completely.

" Teach me how to fight. It's different out here and it's clear I'm not going home soon. It's only reasonable I learn right?"

He reached up and patted the top of her head. She was absolutely right.
" We start in the morning."

She stood, swallowed in a pair of Thomas's shirt and trousers. He was the closest one to her size and even they were still big on her.

It was still early. The town was still fast asleep. But here she stood, taking lessons from Nathan. When she had brought it up the night before he had relieved, excited even. She wouldn't be able to take down a group of men single handed but she would be able to have a chance to. And quite frankly, it took stress off his shoulders to know that.

To his surprise she was a quick learner. It only took her a few times until she understood it. She was strong due to all the tree climbing and her stamina was high as well. Once he taught her enough she'd be just as good as the Sirius.

" You have to keep you stance strong." He came up behind her, his arms wrapping around her, " Keep your grip like this on your knife."

Lia felt her heart go crazy. Fluttering one moment and skipping a beat the next. His hand closed around her and she felt claustrophobic, his heat drowning her entirely. Then she suddenly remembered how soft his lips were from when she first found him on the beach. She just couldn't focus.

" Sorry, I'm just a little tired." She lied.

" Go and get some sleep before the rest wake up. I can't have you lagging behind."
" But I want to learn." She pushed as he walked around.

" We will wake up and do it every morning until you get it. Now go get some sleep."

Lia felt happiness flood through her. She was going to do it. Really do it. She was going to learn and Nathan was going to teach her.

Morgan scratched his head as he tried to think. There on his desk the riddle laid. Everyone had their chance to figure out but no ideas came to mind. Lia reached out and took the paper, looking at it another time.

My Guardians have the key. At night they will come without being fetched. By day they are lost without being stolen. But don't be fooled by the others, only the original is the one you're looking for

What I lay over, it dances and skips, it's read in the eyes but it cheats with the hips. If it meets its match its easily caught but it's worthing nothing if it's bought.

But I'm not the treasure myself but you need me to find it. The treasure, it must stay under the man who made it, but when he dies it'll be as powerful as he.

" So to find the treasure we have to find what this is." She started. " I thought we would have a lead when in reality we are just back where we started."

" Eduardo set a route back the tropics. I'll go out and see if I can find some more information." Morgan ordered. Eduardo nodded and began to fulfill his orders.
" Until then lets take it one passage at a time. If any ideas come to your head write them down. We will discuss them later."

Nathan retired back to the kitchen, cooking for that night's dinner. Meanwhile Lia paced around behind him. He tried to push it out of his mind but it was just too distracting.
" Can you stop? You're making me nervous."

" Sorry. I do that when I'm trying to think." She admitted with a dorky smile. She needed to go somewhere open and fresh. She needed to go to the crow's nest. She suddenly turned, announcing she'd be back, and left Nathan alone. He stood, confused. What in the world was going on? He finished his chopping and wiped his hands before going after her.

When he walked out on the deck he checked the first place he knew she'd be. The crow's nest.

He climbed up and peered in. There she sat looking up at the sky.

" One of these days you're going to kill yourself climbing up here." He spoke as he swung his leg over. She peered up at him as he sat down next to her. No one from down below would be able to see them, they were completely covered.

" It reminds me of home." She explained as she returned looking above him.

" You miss your island don't you?"

" Of course. But-" She paused.

" But what?"

" I'm really enjoying sailing with you."

Nathan froze. He could feel her eyes on him as she glanced over at him but he didn't dare to look at her. There was a moment of silence when she broke it again.

" Nathan? What is it like? You're home."

" I can't really remember much of it." He lied.

" Do you remember what you're childhood was like?" She asked as she looked at him again. Nathan swallowed and looked at her in return. Could he really tell her?
" I was a trouble maker." He spoke, choosing his words carefully. Her eyes made him choke on his words. He wasn't lying to her.

She gave a laugh making him groan in frustration.

" You're so cute when you blush."
" C-cute!"

"Mmhmm. Cute." She nodded.

" I am not cute." He growled as he snapped his head away. Lia didn't think much of it. Her eyes searched the sky, landing on the first star of the evening.

" You should trust us." She started abruptly. " The crew and I."
Nathan went to question what she meant when she gasped.
" Nathan that's it!" She hurried to her knees and pointed to sky. " It's the first star! That's the answer to the the beginning of the riddle! And look what it's over."

His eyes fell from the star down onto a small black mound on the sea.

" If we manage to get there and wait till night falls maybe we can get a lead." He encouraged. Lia was so ecstatic that she collided into Nathan, wrapping her arms around him. It had been so unexpected that he tumbled back, her falling on top.

" Oh Nathan we will be able to find it! We will be able to find the treasure of my island!"
While she cheered Nathan felt his blood rush. Did she not realize the situation? She pulled back and looked down at him. Her words began to slow down.
" We'll be able to . . ." Her words fell short. Nathan felt himself breathing harder than normal. He had been close to her before but now was different. He was aware of every single detail of her. Her warmth, the feeling of her skirt brushing his leg, her hair grazing his cheek. It was suffocating him.

He heard her mumble an 'oh my' to herself. He pushed himself up to his elbows, make her jump back slightly. He eyes traced her lips. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears.
" We should get going before others wonder where we went." He spoke. She nodded and stood up, extending a hand. She helped heave him to his feet then turned and gave a quick stretch.

" We are almost there." She whispered.