*Author's Note: I'm not sure if I said this before but, I got the name for the traveling prophet from my mom. She's got the sam name, but it's just spelled a little differently.

Might and Magic

By Sammie Spitz

Chapter 6: High Tide

"Rainer, wait a minute!" Babylon yelled. As they ran further up the path, they began to hear sounds. Voices and music and sounds that might be heard in a market or village. When Rainer finally stopped, they found themselves in a kind of sea port.

"Port Magellion." Rainer muttered with a smile, "Nice to be back on my own home soil." The twins looked around as Babylon pointed out various parts of the scenery. The port was located on the shores of a large lake named Tilidi Lake. They could see something in the distance, which was a large island.

They looked out at the island for a while. Vela looked over at Babylon and asked, "Have any idea what's over there?"

"Not really. I'm not really a sea cat. I've never been here that often."

Suddenly, some familiar guitar music caught Juno's ear. Everyone else bagan to hear it. The looked in it's direction and noticed a large crowd of assorted creatures and people gathered around something. Juno go tup on his hind legs a little to try and see above the crowd. He soon saw what was going on. This crowd of people were enjoying some music from Rickeena's guitar.

Juno couldn't hold himself up like that for long, however. Between his own weight and the weight of his sister on his back, he almost tumbled over, but was able to land on his feet. Just about then, they heard a round of clapping and cheering. Rickeena stepped out of the crowd and turned around, bowing to them, before they left and went about their bussiness.

"Hello, friends." She greeted, "I see you escaped from the Shuladus."

"Who?" Vela asked.

"Shuladus. The shadow cat. He's very crafty. I feared you might not get past him."

"Do you know where we should be going next?"

"I'm afraid an evil force was clouding my visions last night. I was unable to find out much except that it has something to do with the island out in the lake."

Babylon looked back out at the lake and said, "Looks like we'll be finding out about that island soon enough."

"Say, Rickeena?" Vela asked.

"Yes?" Rickeena asked, putting her guitar onto her back.

"Listen, instead of you disappearing without a trace and us having to hunt you down, let's try this. Why don't you come with us?"

"Come...with you?"

"Yeah, we need all the help we can get. Plus, you said this Crozen guy has some serious grudges against you, right?"

"Yes, I did say that."

"So, if you're with us and he makes a move against you, we can help."

Rickeena looked down, a little nervous, "Oh, I don't want to slow any of you down..."

"The more the merrier." Babylon said. With everyone agreeing and asking her to come, Rickeena found herself unable to refuse. Besides, her travels were wearing her down. She could use the company.

"Alright," She sighed, starting to smile, "if you really beleive it is wise for me to join you, I will."

"Great!" Vwla said, patting her on the back, "Welcome to our happy little group." Thjere was a small cheer, which caused Rickeena to blush.

"Now," Juno said, looking out at the lake, "We need to get to that island." Suddenly, Rainer ran out at the docks.

"I wonder if any of the ship captians are heading out that way." He said. There were several large ships docked at the market. Rainer walked up to one ship, which had it's captian leaning off the side closest to the dock, talking to his crewmate.

"Excuse me," Rainer called, "My friends and I were hoping you could take us to that island out there." The captian turned to face him. His upper body was human while his lower was a snake's tail.

As he turned he replied, "Well, I'm not sure. The last time I...Rainer! Rainer, old pal! Where have you been?!"

"Huh?! Tristan!" The captian tied his tail around a railing on the side of the ship and hung down in front of Rainer.

"Rainer, me boy! Where were you all this time!?"

"Out in the forest. But, Crozen's troops chased us out."

"Us? You're not alone, I take it."

"Hold on a minute." He ran back to the group and said, "Don't worry, everyone. He's an old friend of mine. He'll help us."



"I don't know why any of you would really want to go there." Tristan asked his guests, after inviting them below deck.

"Believe me," Rickeena said, "We need to get there."

"Well, you better get your guard up. Something is wrong over there. So far, just about everyone that goes there runs into some kind of trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" Juno asked, his equine tail flicking a little in interst.

"You might not believe some of the stories. One ship went out there and came back with it's mast ripped to shreads. Another had the mast smashed off completely! Another had holes ripped in the side. And a bunch simply diappeared without a trace." He paused a little, as he questioned if he should really do as they requested and bring them to the mysterious cursed island. Then, he sighed a bit and said, "But, if you really need to go, I'll take you."

"Thanks, Tristan." Rainer said, "This could be very important. Do you think we can go now or is it a bad time?"

Tristan chuckled a little and replied, "Might be a little late right now. We can go first thing tommorow, though."

Everyone went up the stairs to the deck. Tristan made his way up behind everyone, saying to himself, "I haven't had a good thrill in a while anyway. This could be good."


"Okay, everyone, hold onto your hats!" Tristan yelled as he undid the sail, "The wind really picks up this time of year!" They decided to rest for the day and were now on their way early in the morning. He pulled on the rope to release the sail. It flared up fully in the wind and jolted the ship foward towards the island.

The ship went on a steady pace straight to the island, thanks to the strong wind. Vela was enjoying every minute of this trip. She sat at the side of the ship, looking out at the sea, her dolphin tail flicking every once in a while. Lupus would sit loyaly by her side. He always seemed to be more attatched to Vela than anyone else. Vela looked over at Lupus. This was certianly a new angle for her. Right now, Lupus was an inch or two taller than she was. She was also used to seeing him with his ears done up in armor. Not flopping at the side of his head.

As she was looking at him, he happened to look back over. She smiled a little at him. He responded with a playful bark and a big, sloppy kiss.

"Lupus!" Juno called. He was trying to walk over to them, but his hooves were very unsteady on the ship's deck as it made it's way through the water. Lupus came up to him and tried to jump up onto his shoulders to give him a kiss. But, as unsteady as he was, he toppled over, with Lupus laying on his chest.

Vela giggled a little bit and giggled, "A man and his dog."

"Lupus." He said. Lupus looked down, his ears perked foward, "Would you mind getting off?"

Vela couldn't hold back her laughter as Lupus jumped off, winding Juno as he jammed his paws into his stomach in the process. Juno stumbled to his feet, and gave Vela an annoyed look.

"Well, YOU don't have problems like this." He commented. Vela shot a look at him, narrowing her eyes, put her hands on her hips and flapped her tail against the deck.

"At least you can walk." Vela answered.

The small argument was interupted by a strange sound. It was like a strange horn being sounded. It was followed by shrill whistles and war calls. Rickeena, who had been up in the crow's nest, looked out at the horizon.

"There's a flock of shadowy creatures coming!" She screamed.

"Oh no." Tristan muttered, "It can't be."

Suddenly, a strange creature divebombed Juno, knocking him onto his side. As he struggled to his hooves, he got a look at his attacker. He was almost like a human, except his bottom half was that of a bird and he had bird's wings.

The creature whipped out a fighting staff and demanded, "Surrender or die, horse!"

When this only produced an odd look from Juno, he got ready to strike. But, Juno quickly kicked him off the side of the ship. But, rather than falling into the ocean below, he flew back up at the last minute.

"What the hell are these?!" Vela shouted.

"Sirens!" Tristan replied, getting ready to fight them, "Scurge of anyone who travels by ocean." No sooner did he finish explaining this, a whole group of about half a dozen Sirens decended on the ship. Once they landed, they didn't fight, but just stood, weapons ready. Suddenly, the strange horn sounded again. Another Siren, a little taller and a bit more intimidating landed in the middle of the deck. It was a female, with long blonde hair and a black shirt that looked ripped and torn. Her bird parts had some resemblance to a hawk. She looked around, as though sizing up the ship.

"Looks like you people don't seem to be getting the message." She mumbled, "Stay out means stay out!"

"Who died and made you queen of the ocean, bitch?" Vela snapped.

The Siren snapped her head around and saw Vela. She gave an angry glare and walked over to her. She came face-to-face with Vela.

"What did you call me, you little loud mouth?" She growled.

"First, what's your name?"

"Selena."

"Well, Selena, since your going deaf too, I called you a bitch and asked who died and made you queen of the ocean."

Selena sneered at her, "Little fresh mouth. Well, see that island over there?"

"Yep."

"Well, I have strick orders from my master to keep people away from there. So, your all gonna have to turn this thing around and get lost!"

Vela gave her a look. In response, Selena, without warning, hit Vela across the face. She, apparently, had claws on her hands, which left small marks across Vela's face. She recovered and looked up at her.

"Oh yeah, that really hurt." Vela almost laughed. Selena had had enough. She pulled out a knife and raised it above her hand. This immediatly set off Lupus. She rushed at her and bit her in the wing. Selena let out a scream then looked over at Lupus.

"Why you God damn son of a bitch!" She screamed. Lupus snarled at her, showing a set of sharp teeth, "I'll teach you to snarl at me!"

Lupus was completely unphased. His fur started standing on end, his wings flared out and his teeth still showed. Selena turned to face him. In the meantime, Vela happened to notice the sword on Selena's belt. She slowly edged over to her and carefully put her hand over the handle. She then pulled it out as slowly as she possibly could.

As she tried to threaten the angry dog with the knife, Selena noticed that her sheath was a lot lighter than usual suddenly. She turned around and caught Vela, with her blade. Selena's pacince was wearing thin.

Vela got even more courage knowing she was now armed, possibly better, than her opponent. She kept a tight grip on the sword and called, "If your so bad, bring it on!"

Selena wasted no time responding to this. She turned to the other Sirens and ordered, "You all go and check for any other smart alecks! The bitch is mine!"

The Sirens obeyed and flew off in different directions. Selena and Vela stared each other down for a while. Then, Selena suddenly darted foward, hitting Vela off the side of the boat. She spashed into the water below. Selena flew back up and hover about eight feet above the water.

Juno was in a rage. His hooves were stomping against the deck. Realising what he was thinking of, Babylon pulled out a fighting staff and handed it to him. Juno looked at it, then looked up at Babylon.

"If you're seriously gonna fight her," Babylon answered, "you'll want to use this. She's a tough bitch. Keep in mind, you've got claws to deal with, too."

Juno took the staff and slowly went over to the other side of the boat. He turned to Lupus and whispered, "Cover me, buddy."

Lupus gave a low growl and followed him. Selena continued to hover over the spot where Vela fell into the water. He could make out a shadow moving in the water below.

"I know your awake down there, you little bitch!" She shouted, "I see ya moving down there! Get up here and face your doom like a-!"

She stopped when she suddenly heard a clopping sound behind her. She shot around and muttered, "You too, eh?"

Juno charged foward and gave her a smack with the fighting staff. In an obvious rage, she darted at him, talons ready. They tussled and fought like that for what seemed like hours. But, it was only a few minutes. The two were, eventually, near a pile of crates. Selena happened to fly up and knock the entire pile on Juno, knocking him over and dazing him. As he looked up, she landed on the deck next to him, knife in hand.

"You're gonna be sorry you ever crossed me, lad." She growled. Suddenly, there was the sound of something wet climbing onto the ship.

"Hey, over here!" A voice shouted. They turned and noticed Vela hanging off the side of the ship, sword in hand.

Selena was fed up with dealing with her. She turned to dart at her. As she was heading for her, Vela screamed, "Juno, catch!" and threw the sword to him. He caught it, ran for Selena and closed his eyes s he swung it. He stood there for a while, his eyes still closed.

"All right, Bro!" Vela shouted. He opened his eyes to find a bronze medallion, on a blue ribbon with a water drop carved on it, hanging off the sword. He took it off and looked at it.

"I swear to God, these things are gonna have something to do with Crozen." Juno muttered.

"Your puzzle may be answered soon enough!" Rickeena shouted from the crow's nest, "The island's straight ahead!"

To Be Continued...