Disclaimer: The books belong to Garth Nix, not me. I wish I could write as good as him!!

A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed!! (In the River as well! I didn't think I'd get that much response. Please read Traveling Solider {review too! ^^}. I promise it'll get better. I have some really good ideas for it!) In response to those confused about In the River, I can't say anything. It'll give the ending away. There is one thing I can say, however: The prolouge gives some hints to Belyn's past. Re-read it. 200 years before Abhorsen.
Kitya stood up, high above the lands, in the heavens. She sailed through the clouds and conversed with the birds who flew by, whom were scared of the human who knew their calls so well. But soon they adapted, and she made several new friends. They perched upon the wall's of the strange nest of the humans, singing to Kitya and she hummed along in perfect pitch. It was her turn to be the lookout, and the time seemed to slide by much too fast with her newfound friends. She loved the view of the sea from above and loved flying through the clouds, and she prayed that he would sleep just a few hours later.

She looked down around her, onto the deck of her ship. Shan was there, walking, and her heart fell. He never slept long, especially when it was Kitya in the crow's nest. To him, the nest was his, and he was very protective of his territory. Kitya leaned against the walls and a sigh escaped her lips. She could hear footsteps on the rungs of the pole, and she knew her time was up.

Shan's head popped up over the walls of the nest, and he smiled at her. She tried, grimly, to smile back, but she couldn't. She didn't want to leave. "Time to go, Kitya," he said, climbing in with her. The nest was cramped, but big enough for both to stand. She was so close... So close! He could reach out and touch her...

Kitya straightened, and he let the idea drift to the back of his mind, and he mentally tried to smack some sense into himself. She was silent as she climbed over the sides and down the nest's pole. She looked up one final time at the nest and the sky surrounding it, and she walked away.

Shan watched her leave, admiring her from up so high. She was so close - so close! - and he didn't take the chance. He cursed himself quietly and shook his head. He hoped the setting sun would lighten his mood. He thought of Kitya, and he promised himself he would tell her how he felt the next time he saw her, though his promises were not often well kept.

Down on deck, Kitya went to the back of the ship. She wanted to relax, to remember her short time in the nest. She'd need it for the next time she was aloud to look out for the STAR DANCER. She sat, resting her head against the railing, and she closed her eyes to dream awake.

She pictured herself dancing with someone, a male dressed in rich colored clothing, and herself in a lady's gown. Kitya dreamed this often, but never spoke of it. The sailors would love to know that their tomboy wanted to be in love. She would never hear the end of it, and she'd be the center of fun for months.

She and her partner turned, and she could see his face clearly now. It was Larkin, just like always, and she tuned into the image. She could feel his hands resting on her hips, his breath against her cheeks, feel the soft cottons of his suit beneath her fingertips. She could hear his heartbeat, for it was where her head rested, and could feel it against her temple, smell the cologne he wore, and she glowed in the warmth of his body heat.

Kitya smiled, sleeping. She'd drifted off, and the daydream was now in her slumber. Larkin stood above her, watching her breathe in and out... In and out... Galed stood behind him, so he wasted no time. Had he been alone, he could've stayed there until she awoke, just to be the first she saw upon awakening.

He grabbed Kitya gently by the waist and pulled her sleeping form to her feet. She slept soundly still, and Larkin shook her gently, whispering her name twice. Her eyes opened slowly, to the image of her dancer's smiling face. She blinked three times, wondering if she'd been dreaming or living reality.

Galed cleared his throat from behind the pair, and Larkin dropped his hands from her waist. He looked away awkwardly and stepped back, and then pointed to Galed. Galed was an older man, with graying hair and a long, pepper-specked beard who had been employed only for safety. Kitya's mother had demanded a Charter Mage experienced in healing for her daughter's aid, and for the sailors as well. He'd served well over the years, though he stayed to himself and did not talk much with Kitya and the crew.

"Kitya, Galed has news of the Abhorsen."

She brought herself to attention immediately. The presence of the man aboard the ship had been weighing on her for the past day. She nodded for him to speak.

"Mistress," Galed began, as he always did, his voice that of a professional, "the Abhorsen is faring well. He is resting now, and the healing process went very well. He'll be up before long. I expect - "

"I am up now," a voice said from behind. Galed turned to look, and the Abhorsen hobbled towards them. He was weak, and clearly needed rest, but Kitya noted he with gait was stubborn, and he would refuse further time to heal.

"Abhorsen," Galed said, bowing to him. Kitya and Larkin bowed slightly as well. "Abhorsen, you should be in bed. You need your rest to heal completely! Surely you're still tired."

"I am, indeed, but I intend to make my keep here upon this ship. I'll work as a sailor, and I expect not to be treated differently. I do not wish to be given jobs for the weak and inexperienced."

"Abhorsen - "

"Call me Terciel, please."

"Terciel, then. Please, rest. You need to he - "

"Galed, please. He's a lost cause. You shan't sway him," Kitya interrupted. Galed seemed shocked that a woman had cut him short. Larkin smiled. Kitya. Full of surprises, always.

Terciel looked at Kitya, studying her for the first time. Her long brown hair was twisted back at the nape of her neck and several strands flew free. Her skin was tan, as were the sailors, and she was dressed like the men. She was a tomboy, he knew, but she was still beautiful. She would make a man very happy someday, and he began to envy that man right there and then.

Larkin watched the Abhorsen gazing at Kitya, and he felt the same rage swell up. He was jealous, but only when it came to the girl he loved so, Kitya. He didn't want anyone else to have her. He wanted to speak, to tear the man's eyes away, but he wanted to keep his emotions reigned.

Kitya stared back, searching Terciel's features. She was naive to the way he gazed, and her eyes connecting with his were somewhat of a challenge. His brown hair was bleached by the sun, his skin leathery, though pale, from Death, and was framed by a built body. It was the first impression she could receive, for in the past he was always dazed or resting, and it was a very good one.

Galed broke the silence once more, again with the clearing of his throat. "Abh... Terciel, would you like an evening meal? We've saved a plate for you, if you'd like it." Terciel broke his eyes away from Kitya and nodded. The old healer turned away, and went below the deck to fetch the platter.

"I am Kitya, by the way. I'm very sorry for being so rude and not introducing myself. This here is Larkin. He sails mostly and does a fabulous job." Kitya extended her hand to the Abhorsen in greeting, and Larkin followed suit.

Galed hurried up, carrying a tray piled with steaming foods. Terciel wondered how the food was so fresh, so hot, but he did not ask. Larkin and Kitya prepared a table for him, and together, the three sat down as Galed excused himself.

"Abhorsen - "

"Terciel."

"Terciel, if you do not mind me being so forward, why were you floating out at sea?" Larkin asked, leaning forward on the table, resting his elbows on the smooth, Chartered wood, his arms crossed. The marks glowed underneath the touches of all three, and the table created a remarkable illumination.

"Have either of you heard of the name Kerrigor?"

The pair looked at each other with questioning eyes, and shook their heads.
"No? Kerrigor is one of the Greater Dead, and possibly the Great, for this time anyway. He once was human, but never more. Some say he sold his soul to the Dead, but only he shall ever know the truth. His intent is to destroy the Charter stones. The only way is to sacrifice one of the blood upon them. They'll become easy portholes for the Dead, and they'll plague the cities around. 'Twas a Mordicant who destroyed my boat, and only a mere peice I found in the sea. I floated along until you found me, and here we are now."

Kitya and Larkin soaked up the information. It seemed so simple, but it was so much to take in. A single man, or the remains of one, could destroy the Kingdom quickly. It was crazy to think that a mere soul could destroy. It just didn't seem possible.

"Where were you headed?"

"To the border. The Clayr have Seen something. They do not know if it is where Kerrigor's body lay, or if it is unrelated. I'm going to search it, and hopefully destroy his source of strength. Where is it we float?"

"A few leagues from Navis," Larkin supplied.

"Ah. I did not know how far north I was. It seems I've lost distance."

"This shall sound naive, excuse me, but how can he live without his body?" Kitya asked. She leaned in further, her arms resting against Larkin's.

"He is like the Shadow hands, whom kill in numbers. Even the necromancer's bells cannot quell a large number of them. He merely exists, feeding off his body in life. In a sense, it is like combining magic from two Mages. If not for the other, the one would not be as strong. Kerrigor is like that. If not for his body, he would have very little power and be as weak as the next Hand. Where ever his body is, it must be very well guarded."

"Can we take you there?"

"I could not trouble you, mistress. You've helped me enough already."

"Terciel, we shall take you to the border. It will be safe for you here," Kitya said firmly. Her friends would know not to question her now, but the Abhorsen was a different matter.

"Mistress, I - "

"Kitya."

"Kitya, it is my job to free the Kingdom of the Dead. I cannot leave the land."

"Wouldn't the Kingdom be safer if the Kerrigor is destroyed? Wouldn't his power command more of the Dead than any other spirit? I believe so anyway," Larkin spoke.

Terciel nodded. "Yes, that is true. But I can banish more lost spirits along the way."

"That would only slow you down. Thinking as the Abhorsen, I would rather stay at sea and see to Kerrigor's body as soon as possible. Quicker would be the sea way route, and we have a ship. We will sail you there Terciel, in respect for the Abhorsen." Kitya's voice was strong and decisive.

"Please do not disagree, sir. Kitya has somewhat of a temper," Larkin put in, joking, making Kitya scowl. He grinned, and she smiled back, melting.

Terciel was silent for a moment, as if he were thinking, and then he nodded. "I'll stay and travel with you to the border. But, as I said before, I'll work my stay. And I will be forever in debt to you, and its anything I'll do in return."

"Agreed. Larkin, are there any empty beds down in the bunks?"

"No, Kitya. The last was filled when we left several months ago. The beds are too small to double up, and there is no room on the floors."

"I can stay on deck," suggested the Abhorsen.

"No," Kitya spoke, firmly again. "The night air is chilled, and there is always the threat of Gore Crows after dark, even though we are resting on the water. You can stay in my room, Terciel. I'll hook a hammock inside, and we can take turns sleeping one in it and the other in the bed."

Larkin's heart sunk at her words, but showed nothing on the outside. Terciel nodded. He'd get to know the lovely woman now. Kitya smiled and stood, excusing herself to string the hammock. Her innocence was still there at twenty-one, for she believed all men to be like her friends.

Terciel and Larkin looked at each other, waiting for the other to tear their eyes away. Neither blinked, waiting, watching, ready to call the other upon their loss. Larkin unfolded the arms crossed at his chest and leaned forward.

"Be the respectable man that you appear, and stay away from Kitya if you know what's good for you," he spoke slowly, coldly, so that the Abhorsen wouldn't forget. He stood and walked away, leaving Terciel alone.
A/N: How well do you like it so far??? Please review. Cupcakes for those who do! (Cupcakes sound good right about now... Vanilla with.... cream cheese icing! And sprinkles! Mmmm!)