Chapter 1

The Calm Before The Storm

Fina was not the best sailor in Arcadia it had to be said.

Although she had sailed with Vyse and his crew, she had never done any or little labour, usually staying on the bridge of the Victory while the more seasoned of sailors did the work.

Now she was heading for the South Dannel Strait, the only way she could get to Valua, and she was beginning to run into trouble.

Up ahead, she could see dark clouds beginning to form as she headed past the North Dannel Strait. Lightening began to fork as she got closer and closer to the Sky Rift that blocked the Strait.

Fina had seen plenty of storms in the time she had been sailing with Vyse, but never one as bad as this. The wind began to pick up as she realised that it was the Dannel Strait itself that was generating the storm. It was sucking everything nearby in a strong currant that threatened to tear the small skiff apart.

Fina looked at the storm in fear as the small skiff began to fall apart around her. As the small boat finally broke apart and sent her flying, her last thoughts were that she finally would be at peace, and would not feel anymore pain in her heart.

"Fina?"

Fina opened her eyes, only to find her vision blurry.

"Look she's waking up!" came a familiar female Yafutoman voice.

"Thank the moons!" said another familiar male noble voice.

"I am glad she is alright," came a calm, yet distinctly male voice from above her, "If you will pardon me your majesty, I must get back to my duties on the Delphinus."

"Yes of course Daniel, I will call you should Fina want to thank her saviour."

There was an uneasy pause, then;

"As you wish your Majesty. Empress Moegi."

There was the sound of a salute, followed by footsteps rapidly departing.

"That's strange," Moegi's voice said thoughtfully.

"What is?"

"I don't know, it's as though he doesn't want her to see his face."

"Well, you know the Captain, too modest for his own good."

"What's going on?" Fina managed to get out.

The two people above her gasped and as her vision cleared, she finally could see her friends.

The scene before her reminded her somewhat of when she had first met Vyse and Aika.

Now as her sight sharpened, she could see Emperor Enrique and his Yafutoman wife Empress Moegi leaning over her and gazing at her intently.

Moegi's face suddenly broke into a grin and she cried out in delight, hugging Fina's surprised form.

"She's Alive! She's alive! Oh thank the moons! She's alive!"

"It's nice to see you too Moegi," Fina managed to get out as she was held tightly in her embrace.

Enrique stood up and smiled happily.

"I'm glad to see your alright Fina. Captain Mackenzie will be extremely pleased to find out your awake."

"Captain Who?" Fina asked puzzled.

"I'll tell you about it later, right now, we must get a word out to Vyse to say your alright."

"Oh yes...Vyse."

Fina bite her lip to stop herself from crying again.

Enrique stopped smiling, his face becoming deadly serious.

"Fina? What's wrong?"

Fina, lowered her head, then looked up again, a fake smile plastered on her face.

"Oh...nothing, everything is fine. Just...fine."

She lowered her head to hide her tears.

"Fina?"

Moegi sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes full of concern.

"Fina what's happened?"

Fina sighed and raised her eyes to meet Moegi's before launching into her story.