I do not own any of Tamora Pierce's characters nor do I make any monetary profit from writing this story. I write this simply out of personal interest and fun. Thank you and please enjoy.

Chapter 10

The Captain and Selene

The inn was like any other, wooden, dark, noisy at times, and full of travelers. Kel didn't recognize anyone but wasn't surprised since she was so far south. They had passed the border yesterday morning. Sitting down at bar she studied the room again, the average drunks, and townspeople were around as well as a dark intriguing loner off the corner. Turning to the bar keeper she inquired about him, casting a glance at the man he sighed "It seems everyone here's wondering about him, he didn't tell me his name but he's a captain of a ship, the ship's name is Selene. The crew just calls him Captain, it doesn't seem like they want to reveal his name. Or they can't because they don't know either."

Kel thought of all the ships she'd ridden, the North Wind, the Desert Light and the Water Horse, none of which was named after a person.

Who was this man who named ships after people?

Little did Kel know that she too was under speculation of the hooded man.

Sometime past midnight she woke to find out she could hear Peachblossom's cries. Scowling she grabbed her glaive that leaned against her bed and ran for the stables only stopping to pull on her boots. When she got to the stables she saw a man, his long black hair loose and fell around his shoulders like a cape, his clothes were only slightly tattered and he held a glinting blade, by the looks of it, it was brand new and expensive.

From the looks of things he was trying to attack Peachblossom and Hoshi.

"Hey! Get away from them" Kel cried out holding her glaive at the ready.

The man whipped around and glared her with black eyes. By his side was a silver sword; wide and curved like the pictures she'd seen pirates used. He grinned at her and suddenly she realized just who he was.

"You! You're the one who attacked my family!"

His grin grew wider "So nice to see you know me, the name's Vulcan, Peter Vulcan."

He didn't look threatening; he had a wise face and aura though a treacherous one smile that dared her to trust him.

"Why did you kill my family?"

He frowned "Tragedy, I'm sorry, really. Just doing my job."

Kel scowl grew deeper "Liar!"

Peter looked at her weapon "Interesting, could I have a look at that?"

Kel thrust the end at his neck and he back off "Sorry, sorry. No need to get all prissy Lady Knight."

Kel edged closer to him "Why did you kill my family?" she said again.

Peter shook his head "I told you Lady Knight, it was a job, we just did what we were paid to do."

Kel frowned "We?" Peter nodded "Me and my crew. I'm a captain of a ship, the most beautiful one ever. The Highwind. Lovely name isn't it?"

Kel thought of the Selene and thought of the mysterious captain, "You're not the Captain of Selene?" Kel asked, she thought he was, she was almost sure of it.

The man shook his head "Ah no. He's like you. He's out for my blood."

Kel got into a fighting stance "Than it's too bad for him because I'm going to kill you myself."

Peter sighed and looked at the moon "Well my dear. I'm sorry but I must prolong your thirst for revenge just a little bit longer, I really must go."

Kel gave a cry of surprise when he sprang onto the roof of the stable "Hey! Come back here you waste of skin!" she called out.

He bowed "Lady Knight! I'm not entirely an unpleasant host. Please. Let me introduce you to my friends."

He gestured with his hand and Kel looked behind her. At least twenty men were behind her; all of them were leering and grinning, baring their curved swords. Kel looked up at Peter but he was gone, she was left to fend for herself against his men… or so she thought.

Before they could attack her a man in black robes dropped out of the sky and intervened "Leave this lady alone."

The men looked shocked but they weren't daunted by the utter coldness in his voice.

The man went a little closer to Kel "Leave or die, it's your choice."

Kel wasn't sure whether he was talking to her to the men but she knew she could take them if she used her phoenix powers, but this man in black… she didn't know if she wanted him to find out.

Kel got into a fighting stance "I am Sir Lady Keladry of Mindelan, Knight for King Jonathan Conté. I do not run from battle."

The man gave her a sideways glance and Kel had a feeling he was grinning "Well then Sir Lady Keladry. Shall we get rid of Peter Vulcan's men?"

Kel grinned "Let's."

The pirates annoyed at their undirected taunting charged as one, out of nowhere the man in black drew a long sword with a very elegant handle of gold. Two handed from the length of the hilt, it was the most peculiar thing she'd ever seen. The gold twisted and curved as if it were born and alive though it stood still and the engravings were like a language she'd never seen before. But the most unusual thing was the blade itself, the blade was running with runes and this time Kel knew they moved but yet… in what pattern… if there was a pattern at all.

She didn't have time to try and guess the sword's origin because a pirate was upon her; with a quick slash the man's insides became his outsides. Though in a few moments Kel knew this wasn't a fight where one could think. You had to fight on pure instincts and so she did.

The fight lasted a bit longer than most but with the man in black at her back she didn't worry about a back attack unless he was her enemy and wanted to kill her himself.

When the fight was over Kel looked at the man with a wary eye "Are you going to kill me now?"

The man shook his head "Peter and I have some business with each other… the same as yours. He killed my family too, forgive my eavesdropping but I had to know if you were the enemy or not."

Kel crossed her arms "How do you know I'm not an enemy?"

The man shrugged "I just figured… the enemy of your enemy must be your friend. No?"

Kel nodded and eyed him again "If I'm your friend then… I have a right to know who you are. And what you look like Mr. Hood."

The man looked at her up and down "I doubt you're the type to stereotype a person being a female knight so…"

He dropped his hood and Kel couldn't help but stare. He was only a young man. No older than her actually!

He gave her a lopsided grin "Captain Aari of the Selene at your service Lady Knight."

Kel gulped "How? You're so young! How'd you get a ship of your own?"

Aari smiled "I've been sailing since I was born and wielding a sword even before I could walk. My father was the Captain of Selene… I inherited it when he died. All of my father's men knew me as a boy growing up so they trusted my judgment. I've been after Peter Vulcan for at least two years now."

Kel nodded and went to check on Peachblossom and Hoshi "Could you help me? I want to avenge my family too."

Aari nodded "I heard. You want to join my crew on the Selene?"

Kel nodded turning away from her horses "I want you to help me Aari. I need your help. He's a ship captain too and the only way I can get him is if you and I team up."

Aari studied her "Well I've seen you in action and I know you'd be a good addition… but can you lead a pirates life? Can you stand to be known as a pirate?"

Kel scowled "I said I wanted your help, not to become a pirate Aari."

He shrugged and looked up at the moon "It's almost dawn… let me treat you to some breakfast after you change."

Kel sighed an kissed her sleep goodbye "Alright."

But when she got to her room she saw it had been ransacked… most of her things burned and ripped… it was anarchy!

Bathed and dressed in a white and red fighting kimono with a gold and black obi (the only thing not destroyed) she went downstairs and when a re-hooded Aari inquired about her choice in attire she told him about the state of her room.

"Seems like someone was looking for something. Do you have anything special? An artifact… a weapon, anything?"

Kel shook her head "Only my clothes and weapons though their all normal weapons. Sure their top quality but… it was all left there. Nothing was taken. Not even my money."

Aari shook his head and studied her again "I don't think it was something of buying value that they're looking for…"

Kel shook her head and picked at her breakfast "I don't know. I'm just trying to find my brothers and Peter. That's all."

Aari looked surprised "Your brothers?"

Kel nodded "The search party found my sisters and parents murdered but my brothers are missing and my nieces and nephews are under my friends' care at the moment. I believe they're alive. I must."

Aari patted her hand and Kel imagined she could see his sympathetic face.

Kel looked up when the door opened but quickly ducked down and tried not to let him see her. Joren had arrived.

Aari looked at the door and at the handsome blond "Who's that Keladry?"

Kel bit her lip "A riding companion I had high hopes of getting rid of a while back. He doesn't want me to seek out Peter."

Aari nodded "I see… so you went off on your own."

Kel nodded and sneaked a peek at Joren… sadly that movement caused him to glance over at her. She knew she was busted when he started to come over, standing quickly she whispered to Aari "I'll see you at the stables at sundown."

Casting a glance at Joren who was already right behind her she sighed "Hey Joren… fancy meeting you here."

Joren took her arm and glared at her "I dislike waking to find your charge missing. Don't do it again."

Kel jerked her arm out of his grasp "Could we talk upstairs? You're making a scene."

Joren rolled his eyes "A scene? A scene! At the state I'm in you should be thankful I'm not giving you an entire Road Show!"

Kel grabbed his arm and pulled her to the stairs "Will you please just shut up till we get to my room!"

Joren scowled and pulled his arm out of her grasp much like she did a few moments earlier "Don't tell me what to do."

But nonetheless he followed her up stairs quietly mumbling curses at her.

Kel made him sit down while she explained why she ran away from him. Joren scowled "Well if you were so adamant about going after those men than why didn't you say so!"

Kel threw up her arms "I did! I told you I wanted to go after Peter. You said wouldn't let me so I went off on my own, I would have went back when I killed them all."

Joren frowned and grabbed her arm "You don't seem to understand. I pledged my life to you at birth. I'm sworn to protect you until I die in battle or until you leave. Did I mention so long as you live I don't grow old? Part of the gift the original Phoenix gave her followers, along with an unnatural resistance to flames."

Kel's eyebrows went up "But the Phoenix is immortal."

Joren shook his head "Correction. You are immortal. Well… not yet. It takes a while. I think until earth makes a full circle around the sun."

Kel sighed "But… I don't want to live forever. That'd be horrible!"

Joren gawked at her "Which part exactly do you think is horrible. The you'll live to see the wonders of the world in the distant future or the you're invincible and don't have to worry about being murder so you can be the ultimate warrior part?"

Kel shook her head "Neither. It's the 'I'll-outlive-my-children-and-loved-ones' part. A parent should never have to bury their children."

Joren sat on the bed next to her "I still don't see it but… that doesn't matter, I can die. I just don't grow old."

Kel drew her knees closer to herself and hugged them "Don't rub it in."

Joren looked at her from the corner of his eye, he had been so worried when he found her missing… but the oddest part was that he was worried for himself, not because of his Code or his promise. But because… he had wanted to protect her from the world, from the things that could bring back that fear in her eyes that day. He never wanted to see her cry or fear. Was he insane?

Kel leaned into Joren and closed her eyes "Joren… you know I must. Will you help me?"

Joren wrapped an arm around her "Yes… I'll help you."

He eyed her clothes and frowned "Does your skirt have to be so short?"

Kel looked at her skirt, it ended five inches above her knees, "It's not short."

Joren studied her "That sash thingy is longer, why don't you wrap it around your legs or something."

Kel laughed, "It's not supposed to do that. And it's called an obi."

She stood up and modeled it for him "What? You don't like it? Fine. We'll go shopping for another outfit for me. My other ones were trashed when someone ransacked my room." Joren was alarmed "Someone ransacked your room! Are you okay? Were you hurt?"

Kel shook her head "I wasn't in there at the time but it's done now. Let it be."

"You should take your own advice," he grumbled.

Kel sighed and spun around slowly "What do you think you think I should get? What's appropriate?"

Joren grinned and took her hand "How about a low cut, short skirted, backless dress? But than I again I'm thinking of another occasion. Not battle."

Kel hit him in the arm lightly and laughed as he dragged her down next to him. He buried his face into her neck and inhaled the sweet scent of her hair.

"I've missed you…" she murmured and stroked his back holding him close to her.

"Kel…" he sighed and drew away from her "Mindelan… we're not… it's over."

Kel nodded ran a shaky hand through her hair "I know Joren. I understand."

She drew away and breathed deeply.

A knock on the door startled them both. Kel stood and opened the door. It was Aari. "Yeah?" she asked confused.

It was still far from sundown.

He looked behind him "Change of plans. We're casting off in fifteen."

He looked at Joren "Hullo. Aari's the name and Captain's the game."

Joren stood and shook his hand "Joren of Stone Mountain. Thank you for helping Kel. My family and I owe you a great deal."

Aari tipped his head to one side "Do… Have we met?"

Joren fought a scowl "I don't believe so Captain."

Aari shook his head "I'm sorry. You looked familiar. But no… it's just your eyes looked like one of my mates' eyes."

Kel put herself in between the two; they didn't have time for riddles at the moment "What happened Captain. Why the change in plans?"

Aari turned to her "A storms gonna hit Leningrad and if we don't leave by tonight we'll be land bound for at least two weeks."

Joren nodded and turned to Aari "We'll be out in five minutes."

Aari nodded and left.

Kel and Joren were packed and ready to go in four. He lent her a cloak and so she was more covered than before. He didn't like the idea on her legs to be on show for everyone to see. It wasn't proper.

He saddled his horses and turned to the stable boy "Where is the pier?"

The little boy pointed to his left "Just follow yer nose. The smell of salt gets stronger a you go sir."

Joren gave him a silver piece "Don't spend it all at once."

He called as the kid went to go hid it from the Innkeeper. Kel tied her hair back with a leather strip and checked her weapons.

'Four daggers, one sword, one glaive, two gauntlets and my knife' it was all there.

She looked at Peachblossom from her place on Hoshi's back and patted him on the neck, "You'll be fine on the ship big boy. Aari said there was a stable on his ship."

The ship did look like it could hold a stable. It was huge! It was really hard to miss the Selene. It took up most of your view on the pier. Five masts and nearly a forest of wood made up the ship. The sails were up so she couldn't see the design but she had a feeling it was a moon.

"Kel! Joren!" a voice called from the distance.

Aari waved to them from the ship's bow. Kel waved back and saw he had dropped his hood and cape.

"Aari!" she waved back "Hi!" She rode up to him and he made his way down.

"What do you think of Selene?" he asked.

Kel took the ship in "It's beautiful!"

Aari helped her off Hoshi and turned to Joren "You coming?"

Joren scowled and got off Wild Wing, giving the reins of both his and Kel's horses to the deck hand. Kel smiled and shook her head, climbing up the ladder after Aari. Looking up she blushingly admitted to herself that the young Captain had a nice ass.

They set sail a little while later and when they did Aari called for all hands on deck so he could introduce to them the new temporary members of Selene. Joren looked at the faces and paused at one. No… he looked familiar but it was just his imagination. Right?

Aari smiled at Kel "Let me introduce you to Ahzeme. My first mate." Kel's breathing stopped in her throat. She'd heard of these painted men but didn't believe it. But here was one of them. He was all black like he'd been kissed by night.

Kel shook her head to clear it and held out a hand to him "Pleased to meet you Ahzeme."

He smiled at her and kissed her hand "Lady Keladry."

Kel bit back a smile as he walked away. There was a foreign beauty about him.

Aari proceeded to introduce his mates but none was as distinctive as Ahzeme. That is until she met the Harper.

Aari clapped his shoulder and turned to a stunned Joren and Kel. "Joren. Keladry. This is the guy I was talking about. Arthur Demos. Art meet the Lady Keladry, the fighter, and her riding companion Joren of Stone Mountain."

Joren stepped forward, his face red "You're living with pirates!"

Art blushed "Well, so are you for the next few months."

Joren shook her head "I had no part in that agreement" he pointed at Kel "She made me!"

Kel smiled and chuckled to herself.

Art smiled too and looked at Kel, she was more beautiful then the last time he'd seen her. "It's good to see you again Lady Keladry."

Kel gulped "Y-you too" she gave Joren a sideways glance, sighing inwardly "Art. How have you been?"

Art offered his arm to her and she took it "You know. Playing for these idiots" he smiled at the crew who gave joking gasps, "who, by the way, don't appreciate a good melody. What do you think?"

Kel laughed, "I guess I can see what you mean."

Art smiled and took her hand "Well, you must have a nicer voice then me since you're… you know whom, and you can accompany me… so long as you don't enchant any of the crewmembers."

Kel frowned "I can do that?"

Art blinked surprised "Of course. Hasn't my brother told you anything?"

Kel shook her head "Only about Leningrad."

Art sighed, "Let me enlighten you."

Joren watched them go with only a bit of envy tugging at his heart.

Though that bit was enough for Aari to know what was going on. "You like her eh?"

Joren scowled and glared at Aari "It was a fling. Art loves her more than I. And she deserves someone who'll love her like that."

Aari nodded but didn't point out he just admitted that he did indeed he love her.

This would defiantly be and interesting four months. The trip Lohan was a long one, three sea's away to be exact.

Aari watched Joren storm away and wondered if what he said about Arthur loving Kel more was true.

"Captain. I think you should hear the Lady sing. You thought her fighting was good? That's nothing."

Aari was intrigued, he'd told his men about her fight with Peter's men. She seemed to fight with more than just the normal five senses. She knew exactly where the men were and hit them long before they could get anywhere close to her. Her weapons blade slicing with expert ease and swiftness, he'd witness her behead three men with one stroke.

Art strummed his harp while Kel sang. The music seemed to flow out of the harp of it's own accord and Kel's voice wasn't just sweet and beautiful, it was powerful.

The song drew him from his own frame of mind and into a world that you were not a being. A world that all there was, was feeling. He was still aware of his surroundings but that was at the back of his mind.

Kel of course wasn't aware of the spell she was putting on everyone, she just let the words pour from her heart out of her mouth

"Disappearing into the crowd
I waved my hand to your turned back.
Until yesterday, this all seemed like it wasn't real.

Laughing so hard that I cried
When we join hands and I gaze into your eyes.
Your fragrance always so faintly
Tears at the strings of my heart.

Even though we've acted selfishly
And we've had petty arguments,
I never thought the day we couldn't be together
Would ever come for us.

I'm running after it, that day
When we can open all our feelings up to each other.
The wind, the sky, still
Wrapped around us, alone together

I think about our tomorrow,
Living in our true feelings.
Surely, we will stay on this small path,
Walking on ahead.

Now I am all by myself
Tied to the night, wanting to be with you.
Now all my strings of words,
They just do not reach you anymore.

That day, when we were in each other's arms,
That defined our happiness.
Don't forget how I fell so in love with you.
I wish we could be like we were back then.

That day, I had a dream.
I will not forget the depth of your eyes.
The wind, the sky, surely
Will wipe away all my pain inside."

Joren let himself meld into the darkness of the shadows; it was painful to see your brother love a woman who sang for you.

Kel sighed and looked around, Art smiled and nudged her "I thought I told you not to enchant them."

Kel turned red "Sorry."

Art shrugged and put an arm around her shoulders "Don't worry about it, they won't know you put them under a spell them unless you tell you them."

Kel nodded and tugged at her skirt, it was strange.

She didn't feel awkward in her fighting kimono when Joren was around and staring at her legs, but with Art… it felt wrong.

I have recently been informed that the song in this chapter is from Sailor Moon and I think it's a very nice song.

Read and Review.

Thank you.