A/n: I am a procrastinator…stupid slow people like me should get organized…and have schedules…AND remember to write on those schedules…heh.  I was going to plan this chapter out and like upload it last MONTH…but there were too many tests (again, an excuse, but I had to study…(yet another one))…I am SO sorry…forgive me?  I'll upload another chapter on Sunday 3/2.  MUST remember!!! *gets notepad*

To all the people who have used their time on me: I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU…I hope that makes up for my slowness… =/

This chapter should be extra long…I think…EnJoY~~!

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Joren froze for a moment and stared at her.

"That wasn't funny."

She turned. In Kel's arms were bundles of weapons of which she had shifted through and in her free hand was a long stick with a wickedly curved blade at the end.

"What?"

"Pirates, they don't sail the seas anymore."

"Well." She placed the rest of the weapons in their proper place and selected an ivory-handled dagger, which she slipped through her boot and still kept a tight hold on the long weapon. "Let me tell you, Stone Mountain, I've seen pirates before, if anyone knows, I do."

He raised an eyebrow mockingly.

"And how did you learn this special talent?"

"My mother fought them in the Yamani palace. I saw their ships after we had exited the building. This one looked exactly the same."

"I'll talk to them."

Kel smiled grimly.

"Do as you wish. Just don't blame me when you find out who they truly are. I warned you."

As Joren went up to the deck, he heard several clanks of weapons being searched again and shook his head. Lump was over-reacting.

***

He watched the anonymous vessel travel closer. Doubts began to rise in his mind, well, these people did dress like pirates…the ragged shirts, cut pants…etc. Well, that doesn't mean they're exactly pirates, Joren told himself. When the two ships traveled side-by-side, he saw a wealthy gentleman exit from a cabin door. He looked courteous, kind, and everything a true noble should. Plus, he looked extremely young, with coffee-colored hair and black eyes. Joren looked around for Mindelan and discovered that she had decided to hide. Coward.

"Greetings!" The man shouted across, with an accent that Joren didn't recognize.

"May the winds be with you." Joren replied, his head bowed in recognition.

"What a lovely ship you have, it may perhaps, override the Shia with its beauty."

Joren identified the unknown man as a outsider. He definitely wasn't from Tortall.

"You're being too courteous. Mine is nothing compared to yours."

"May I come over and judge?"

Joren hesitated.

"Of course, you're always welcomed to."

You idiot, Kel scowled from behind a cabin door.

***

A plank was settled between the two ships, after both had been settled and stopped. The man walked, in a noble fashion, over the wooden board and bowed low to Joren when he stepped off.

"May I introduce myself, I am Arik of the Black Seas." (a/n: sorry, couldn't think up a name x_X)

"Excuse me, I forgot my courtesies, I am Joren of Stone Mountain."

Arik smiled and took his feathered hat off.

"No need, I should've introduced myself first."

Joren grinned, dumb Lump, always seeing illusions.

"Let's go into a cabin."

***

Kel froze when she heard footsteps.

Great Mother Goddess, please don't pick this door. Please, please, please….

The handle turned…

***

                   Joren laughed at Arik's atrocious comment and opened the nearest cabin door.

"Hello, my dear."

Kel stood in the middle of the doorway, dressed in a spring green kimono with a white layer underneath; her short hair down and a small smile on her face (but Joren could tell it was forced). Suddenly, she snapped open a shukusen and fanned herself. Covering half of her face, from nose to chin, she peered over the fan's edge at the pirate.

"Nice to meet you…"

"Arik. Arik of Black Seas."

She said nothing, her eyes blank as Kel nodded in recognition. The Lady Knight stepped aside, allowing entry into the cabin. Arik tipped his hat with politeness, and entered. Watching her with                         the corner of his eyes.

Joren entered. He gave her pointed look that said He's not a pirate, Lump. I told you so. She ignored him.

Kel moved to exit.

"We won't mind your company, right, Joren?"

"Of course not. She's only a serving lady." Kel made a low growling noise, but quickly stopped when they turned to look at her.

She smiled slightly, and snapped the shukusen shut, and sat in the chair opposite to Arik. The pirate leaned forward and took her hands, which was quite a bold move. Stone Mountain winced inwardly.

"Tell me then, are you an angel of dreams, or a spirit of spring?"

Oh Mithros, he sounds like Kennan. Kel thought disgustedly, but kept her flattered look.

"Just an ordinary girl, Arik of Black Seas. Joren brought me up, lovingly, ever since I was a child."

Joren stopped in mid-snort and glared at her, annoyed, before turning to the man. Smirking, he replied.

"Ignore her, she has had unimaginable fantasies of me. A maid thinking of her master, disgusting."

The pirate gave a charming smile and looked at Stone Mountain, curiously.

"She wouldn't be your mistress, hmm?"

Joren was horrified. Kel, disgusted.

"I would rather die." The man reserved this information and chuckled.

"Surely she isn't that bad."

"You have no idea."

All the while, Kel fumed. Curses, and images of a pained Joren twisted themselves in merry circles inside her head.

"I'm still here. Joren is ungentlemanly. Now, you…"

"are the perfect image?"

The pirate chuckled. He leaned back, releasing her hands. Shaking his head thoughtfully, he smiled at the both of them.

"Both of you would be charming additions to my crew. Would you like to join on sea-faring adventures, explore the unknown oceans? I know this may be sudden, but think of all that can be done!"

Two pairs of eyes stared back, unconvinced. Joren smoothed his bangs back and stared at the pirate, his doubts quickly rising. What should I do? Perhaps, for once, SHE may be right…but what if…we do join… He smirked at the idea, causing Kel to look at him sharply, reprimanding his decision with the look in her eyes. Silently, she snapped open the Yamani fan, and slowly fanned herself. Eyes trained on his next move.

Joren eyed the man slyly.

"You wouldn't be happened to be interested in our ship…"

The man's eyes shifted.

"I don't think that's where I'm entirely focused at…"

The blonde followed his gaze and, choked. Not Lump. How could anyone have found her pretty? Or, rather, have the courage to look at her at all? Unfortunately, Kel also noticed and blanched visibly.

"Deal, it sounds fair enough, we're traveling to the Yamani Islands at this moment, however. Can we first make a stop there, captain?"

Arik nodded. Joren thought he saw a glint of nervousness but dismissed the idea.

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Heh…I can't believe I have the nerve to ask this…but all authors crave it~~

Eeps…um…ReViEw?

I hope I'm still loved by fast-paced people out there  ^_^.  Grr…them and their pop-up ideas…*cough* Stacey…jkjk.  Love her stories, especially the speed at which she churns those ideas up…::sigh::  I'll catch up…some day…