A/N Hey guys I'm really sorry about the delay. I'm really going to try harder to get the chapters out sooner.And thank you to all the people who gave me ideas even if I didn't use some of them. You are so nice. And school has started so please be patient with me because I have a lot of homework and little free time. Also I would respond to the reviews but I've heard that it isn't allowed anymore. Which I peronally think sucks.

Chapter 4

Kazendi sat up against the wall of the ship pondering. She didn't know how things could get any worse. I probably shouldn't even think that, things can always get worse. It could be raining, she added wryly.

Shekept thinking the same things over and over again. What would happen when they were sold? How could she keep tabs on Aderyn? Kazendi sighed, tired of it all. I don't know. Somehow I'll find Aderyn. No matter where she is. I promised her we would be alright and I don't break my word easily.

Beside her Aderyn napped, curled up, her head on Kazendi's shoulder. Kazendi wondered what she dreamt about. She herself dreamt of rolling waves and the creatures underneath. She had always been fascinated by animals; they were a whole different people themselves. Kazendi felt that she had a special bond with them, more than most people anyway. She was just a natural with animals her mother used to say.

The ship rolled gently and while some got horribly seasick, Kazendi felt fine. She was once again reminded of the beauty and power of the sea. Even when the waves were black and deadly she couldn't help but think it was amazing. Her village hadn't been far from the coast and Kazendi had been taught to swim at a young age. All of them had, even though Aderyn wasn't a strong swimmer. Kazendi felt a surge of protectiveness. Aderyn had always been cautious about swimming ever since she almost drowned.

Her thoughts led her to think of Zeki. He had always been protective of her and Aderyn. Ever since their father had died he had tried to fill that roll. Now it's up to me of a sort, Kazendi thought sadly. Zeki's not here anymore.

She wondered what Zeki was and how he was doing. She missed him. So did Aderyn, she knew. Then something struck her. They were orphans now. She felt tears welling up. But she refused to let them fall. No more crying, Kazendi thought fiercely. It doesn't bring them back so why should I bother! It was then that she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked up. It was an older woman with a piece of bread.

"You missed breakfast," she said simply when Kazendi stared at her. Why help me? She glanced over to Aderyn; still asleep.

"She certainly is a sleeper isn't she? My son was the same. Got it from his father he did. Come on, eat it. You look half starved." The woman had an easy nature and seemed to have no problem talking to the silent Kazendi.

Kazendi looked her over. She was rather tall, taller than she was anyway, with a dark skin and short coarse hair. Her eyes were kind and although she seemed genial enough there was a trace of sadness in their brown depths. Kazendi felt herself opening up. She took the piece of bread and broke it in half; saving some for Aderyn later.

"Thank you," Kazendi said, voice slightly hoarse fromheld back tears. "What is your name? I am Kazendi Divver and this is my sister Aderyn." The woman took a seat near them.

"Larine Chirac, from Carthak. My son and husband are back in Carthak. Although Emperor Kaddar released the slaves that wanted to leave there is still slaving. A bit illegal though, it is. I was taken unwillingly. I'm guessing the same goes for everyone here too."

Kazendi looked at her. She certainly had a lot to say. "Well yes, me and my family were captured after a raid onour village. I suppose things like that will always happen. But there's nothing I can do about it," she stated quietly not really wanting to talk about it just yet. Larine seemed to understand.

Aderyn stirred and sat up, yawning. She stretched, not noticing Larine. Only when she was done did she look up. "Oh, hello. Who're you?"

"I'm Larine, child. I was just talking to your sister."

"Oh. Did you get food Kaze? I'm hungry," Aderyn said rubbing her stomach.

"Actually no. Larine did. Here," she said as she handed Aderyn the bread, "I saved some for you."

Aderyn took a bite and then thanked Larine with her mouth full. They all laughed even as Kazendi lightly scolded her. They stayed that way for a while, just sitting and talking; trading stories about their lives. By evening Kazendi felt lighter then she had in a long while. Having a friend on this ship made things seem easier.

Most people were quiet, waiting for their evening meal. The air grew heavy with unease as they felt something was wrong. Their captors were late; and they were never late. Soon they heard shouting from above deck. The pounding of many feet was heard and then they heard the opening of a door. Someone was coming down to feed them.

As the man came to the door they could tell he was distracted. Worried. He opened the cell door and put the food down but before he could leave the whole ship lurched violently to the side. People and things were thrown to the side amidst many cries of surprise and fear. The pirate also fell and then ran back up topside. But he forgot one thing.

He left the door open.

At first people were too stunned to do anything and could just stare. Then it became a race to be the first out the door. But before anyone got any headway the ship made another lurch. Kazendi, Aderyn, and Larine were thrown against each other and Kazendi hit her head on the wall, hard. She saw stars. What was going on?

Larine hoisted her up and they rushed out the door, Kazendi making sure she had a tight hold on Aderyn. As they got out the cell door a cannonball burst through the wall, miraculously missing anyone. But that relief was short lived as water started to pour in. They could only stare in shock as the water swished around their ankles. As the cold water touched them they seemed to wake from their reverie.

They darted out the door and up to the deck but were stopped by a nasty looking pirate. "No ones goin' up here lass—" he was cut off as Kazendi swung her fist back and hit him as hard as she could. He staggered but didn't fall. He moved menacingly toward her but she kneed him in the groin. That got him out of the way.

As he clutched himself in pain they pushed their way up and onto the deck. They were surprised by what awaited them. People were fighting everywhere and there were two other ships surrounding their own. As Kazendi watched she realized the invaders were the Tortallan Navy. She was immediately uplifted.

Kazendi turned around. "We're going to be okay! The Tortallans are here—" she was cut off as she was thrown off balance and hit the deck. She tried to strand up again but fell as another blast hit the ship. It was then that Kazendi realized with a sinking feeling that they didn't know they were here.

Grabbing onto Aderyn and Larine, Kazendi tried to figure out what to do. The pounding in her head made everything much more difficult. She put a hand to her head only to find out that she was bleeding.

A battling pirate and Tortallan sailor were coming in their direction. They stumbled out of the way as the sailor finished of his opponent.

Kazendi stumbled over to him and tried to explain that there were other people aboard. "Sir, you have to help us, there are other people here!" she shouted to be heard over the noise. He looked stunned, then ran over to a comrade and relayed what Kazendi had told him. He quickly shouted the orders to help evacuate the prisoners.

One of the sailors came to usher them off the ship while others did the same to other people. It was then that Kazendi thought of Zeki. She stopped and turned, trying to see if she could find him. The sailor pushed her forward to keep her moving and she shouted out frantically, "Zeki! I have to find my brother! Please help me find him." She struggled against her savior and the ship gave another lurch and this time tilted so that one end of the ship was moving upwards while the other side sank.

She gasped and grabbed onto the nearest thing which was the railing. The sailor grabbed Aderyn and Larine and they too grabbed the railing. The ship was tilting dangerously fast and the sailor had to latch on as well. He yelled for them to get into the nearest rowboat and shoved Larine then Aderyn in. He made to do the same to Kazendi but she darted away, desperate to find Zeki. The sailor made to grab her again but missed. He looked at her like she was crazy but Kazendi didn't notice.

She knew she was being irrational but at that moment she really didn't care. She had to keep her family together.

The ship slipped ever further into the water and she couldfaintly hear Aderyn's cries for her to come back as their boat was lowered into the ocean. She tried to ignore it and concentrate on her task but one sentence was carried clearly through the air for her to hear.

"Kazendi you promised!"

With that Kazendi's eyes widened and her heart beat faster. What was she doing? She couldn't just abandon Aderyn to look for Zeki. You knew that was going to be the last time you would probably ever see him, she mentally scolded herself. Kazendi turned and tried to make it to the little rescue boat. Except someone grabbed her ankle and she fell and lost her grip on the rail. The air was knocked out of her as she hit the deck.

Kazendi slid down the length of the ship unable to do anything about it. She scrambled for anything to hold on to, anything that would stop her descent. She took a great gulp of air as she hit the dark ocean and was submerged.

Although she was underwater she could still hear the echoes of the yells and screams of the people above. Finally she opened her eyes to find herself all turned around. She started to frantically swim upwards and felt as if her lungs were about to burst. Just as she thought she couldn't take it anymore she broke through to the surface.

Gasping for breath she looked around for help. She couldn't find the rowboat. Kazendi felt like crying. First I lose Zeki and now Aderyn, she thought, heartsick. Treading the cold water she looked upon the wreckage of the slave ship. She felt no sympathy for the pirates, only pity.

It was then that she noticed the dark shape moving in the water. Scared and unsure what to do, Kazendi stayed where she was hoping it wouldn't notice her. No such luck. As it came closer she lost sight of it and relief came over her as she thought it was gone. That is, until it brushed against her legs. With a cry of terror she kicked hoping to hurt it to make it leave. All of a sudden its head came out of the water and regarded her with intelligent eyes. It was then that Kazendi realized that this being was no monster.

It made a clicking sound and ducked under again only to reemerge under Kazendi's legs and push her upon its back. Understanding, she grabbed onto its fin and the animal took off. It swam around the wreckage toward a big ship that must be the navy ship. As they neared it Kazendi saw the familiar shape of a rowboat. In it were six people. Kazendi couldn't make out if any of them were Aderyn or Larine. As they neared it the animal slowed down until it had almost stopped and left her beside the rowboat. Kazendi gave it a quiet thank you as it disappeared into the water once more.

As she was pulled aboard sopping wet and shivering she was bombarded by a small body. "Kazendi, Kazendi you made it! I knew you would. I was so scared," it was then that Kazendi realized that Aderyn was crying. Kazendi made shushing noises to try to soothe her. She sat on the floor and held her.

Larine came up too. "I thought you were a goner, youngling. What were you trying to do? Get yourself killed?" At first Kazendi was a little hurt that Larine was angry at her but soon realized that she had been afraid.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't being rational," Kazendi said as she looked down. Then she winced as she put a hand to her head and remembered she was hurt. She was feeling a little lightheaded. "Did you see the creature that helped me?" she asked, fighting to keep her eyes open. She was feeling oddly sleepy. "I don't know what it was." She leaned against the side of the small boat.

Larine and Aderyn shook their heads. It was the sailor who spoke up. "I believe it was dolphin, miss. There are tales that tell how they rescue people in the water. Very intelligent they are. Well here we are, climb up the rope ladder to the deck. Someone will tell you where to go," he said mentioning the ship.

Everyone climbed up with Kazendi and the sailor being last. As she reached the top her arms almost gave out but the strong arms of a sailor caught her and pulled her aboard. Feeling even fainter Kazendi tried to call out but only managed to say, "Damn," before she collapsed unconscious.

Hey Once again I'm really sorry about the big delay. School's pretty hard this year and I have to keep good grades. But I'll try. Just tell me to e-mail you if you want an answer to your review. Alrightie then. Please R & R! Luv ya!