Oh yeah! Thanks Kassi! I remember now! Hee. Thank you so much. I'm really glad you like my fic, by the way. It makes me feel all warm and bubbly inside. *cough* ANYWAY…

~*~

"The Mageskull?" Joren mused out loud, nervously.

"She's a beaut, isn't she?" Kris sighed in admiration. "Powered by magic, she is."

"Aye," the other man, Tharon, added. "Ya wanna know how?"

"No," Joren squeaked.

"Good answer," Kris chuckled. "Hurry up, boy."

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Sheesh."

The look Kris bestowed him made him want to eat his words.

Sailors and noble hurried up the wooden plank and onto the ship. Joren glanced over the edge and gulped; it was a long way down to the water.

Then don't look at it, dumbass.

You again?

I'm never going to go away, not unless you save Keladry, and even then it's an if.

Gods, do I hate you.

You always did.      

Joren hmphed and followed the men. "What's the Captain's name?" he asked curiously, brushing a lock of pale hair out of his eyes. "Why's he so great?"

The men turned to glare at him, and Kris opened his mouth to reply. He closed it with an audible click as a shadow fell over Joren and their eyes fixed on something behind him. Joren swallowed nervously, and turned slowly around.

In front of him stood a man with thick black hair tied back in a horsetail and a black beard plaited into hundreds of braids, each tied with small crimson ribbons. One of his eyes was covered with an eye patch; the other yellow orb bore into his own. A colorful parrot rested itself on one of the man's broad, sturdy shoulders, and stared at him distrustfully. The man leaned close, close enough for the small squire to smell his rancid breath.

"I am Lucas Murray, Captain of the Mageskull, leader of the Black Bandits," he said. "Who are you? Kris, Tharon, what have I said about bringing Tortallan noble trash on board my ship?"

Kris trembled, an amazing sight considering he was actually an inch or two taller than Captain Lucas Murray.

"He begged our 'elp, Cap'n," he whimpered. "The a-assassin F-Frenn, 'e took 'is lady—"

Joren opened his mouth to correct that, but, noticing the Captain's softening expression, closed it back, deciding to let them come to their own conclusions.

"Ah, yes, I know what it's like to lose someone dear to you," he murmured gruffly. "What else?"

"They're headin' for Carthak, Cap'n," Tharon said immediately. "Unless they plan on sidetrackin', or they were just headin' in that direction to throw us off course before they turn, I'll say that's exactly where they're going. And Frenn's not one to take precautions; he'll do exactly what he's told to do, so I doubt he'd've just been goin' in that direction to throw us off."

Murray nodded thoughtfully, then said, "Gather the rest of the boys, you two. We're a-goin' Frenn-huntin'."

~*~

"Shouldn't we have gone in a different direction if you want to escape them?" Arden asked timidly. "I mean…they know where we're headed now."

"I want them to," Frenn said grimly, fiddling with his dagger. "I have more men in Carthak, acquaintances of mine that will help us out if the Black Bandits turn out to be more than we can chew."

"Black Bandits?" Keladry asked, startled.

"Those are the pirates," the assassin replied, tucking his dagger away in his sleeve. "It's what their Captain calls them."

"Sounds…interesting," she managed weakly.

Frenn barked out a hoarse chuckle. "Yes, little warrior, it is. Especially if they catch up to us and rape and beat you."

Kel fell silent. He stared at her with his unreadable emerald eyes for a second, then looked away. She had needed to escape the lingering eyes of men so had found a secluded corner on board, so for two hours she huddled and became invisible as best she could. Frenn had sought her out, laden with two trays of food, and found her here. Not long after Arden came, bringing news that Darrl spotted the Mageskull in the red-gold horizon, a dark shadow of menace with a deadly intent.

In the time she had been with Frenn, she had come to realize that he was not incredibly bad. He was just…confused? Lost, maybe? He had a heart at least.

Unlike SOMEONE I know. Cough, Joren, cough. 

Kel sighed and rubbed her bare arms. She was acutely and uncomfortably aware that she was still dressed in her nightshirt, and Arden's occasional sultry glance told her that he was aware of the fact to.

"Frenn," someone shouted. "Frenn! The Mageskull! It's picking up speed!"

"Damn," Frenn hissed. He boxed Arden's ears. "Take the little warrior downstairs to the supply room, and stay there with her until I come down for you!"

Arden nodded and yanked Kel up by her arm urgently. The assassin turned to the rest of the men.

"The rest of you, prepare to fight!"

~*~

Sorry it's so short, but I knew you were just DYING for the next chapter. I hope you like it, at any rate. I have huge plans for this fic…huge, diabolical plans…muahahahaha…