Hey all! What's cooking? Remember me? No-No? You DON'T?? Figures…

I forgot who it was, but someone pointed out that Kel wasn't a knight, so she could be no sacrifice. Seems I'll have to find a loophole around here, or switch the plot around. Wait…there is no plot. I'm making this up as I go along. Thanks O kind reviewer who saved me from making a total and complete fool of myself. kisses

The Mageskull sidled up alongside the Sorcerer's Mistress, spraying seawater on the deck. Among those splashed was a startling handsome red-haired, emerald-eyed man, rugged, cold, unreachable, a sword at his hip and a dagger up his sleeve. As the opposing ship sailed forward, he was suddenly face to face with another man, contrasting sharply to himself, complete with an eye patch and braided hair and leathery skin. It was the assassin and the pirate, old friends and new enemies.

"Hello, Frenn," Captain Murray sneered. Behind him his crew muttered obscenities.

Frenn nodded curtly. "Lucas." His own crew cried oaths and slurred their foes' mothers' honor.

"I see we meet."

"Once again."

"Where's Keladry?" a young male voice shrilled over the cackle of rough men. Frenn looked sharply at the voice's owner, but all he caught was a delicate blond figure being pushed behind the crowd.

"On the ship," he replied coolly. "Who wants to know?"

"J—"

The voice was muffled, as though he was gagged.

"Give us the girl, Frenn," Murray snarled, "and no one gets hurt."

"I have strict orders not to."

"Give us the—"

"Somebody take the kid below deck before he wears his tongue out," the captain snapped wearily.

There was a thud, like a blow to the head, a groan and a thump. Frenn suppressed a wince. The little warrior was safe as safe could be, hiding in the supply room, and Arden was more than ample protection.

"Who was it?"

"None of your business," Murray said icily. "Before I kill you, answer me this: who assigned you the task of killing my Anesia."

"That is classified information."

"Classified my arse! Tell me, immediately!"

"Let's just say you were betrayed."

"I know I was betrayed—betrayed by you, my own flesh and blood!"

"We are not related. Not anymore."

"You've got that right. I refuse to acknowledge my own brother—my own twin—deceived me so horribly."

"It was not I, Lucas."

"Don't call me by my given name. That's reserved for my ma and my closest friends."

"So you deny our blood."

"I don't deny our blood. I deny you."

"Then die at my sword."

A clash of metal, a ringing scream…the battle began. Arden was crouched behind some barrels, a yard or two away from Kel, who was huddled between bags of flour. He fiddled carelessly with a dagger, the sharp metallic blade weaving between his slender fingers easily. She fixed her gaze on his face, and briefly forgot about the life and death situation. His curly hair shadowed a smooth face hardened with Fate's dark decisions, crystallized with clear blue eyes. He was handsome, and hardly older than Kel herself.

Snap out of it, Mindelan, she admonished. He's helping your captor…don't fantasize.

"Arden?" she whispered.

The barest hint of a nod was all that proved he heard her.

"What's going on?"

"Frenn and the Black Bandit Captain must have met," he replied quietly.

"I don't get it," she hissed. "Well, I mean, I get it, but, I mean, Frenn makes it seem like this is more personal than it should be."

"It is," Arden said, finally tearing his gaze away from the door. "Assassin Frenn and Captain Lucas are—or were, really—twins, identical to the bone. That's why it's so upsetting for the Captain. His own brother killed his daughter. She was eleven. Only eleven."

"You sound like you're against Frenn."

"Anything but. I'm proud to be his nephew and loyal servant."

"Nephew?" she squeaked, startled. So many secrets…will Frenn never cease to surprise her? "Did Lucas have another child?"

"No. He had a younger sister. She had me when she was thirteen. She died in labor. Frenn took me in, raising me. I grew up knowing nothing but him. The captain is my uncle, but I hate him. I don't know him like I know Frenn."

This was getting confusing…there were so many questions…so few answers.

As suddenly as it stopped the clashing war ceased. Arden stiffened eagerly, hand tight on the dagger.

The door swung open, and a man staggered in, covered in blood.

Sorry so short. Oh well. At least it's an update. Review!