A/N Hi guys! I'm soooooooooooooooo sorry it took me so long to update. Schools pretty hard this year and I have to work hard! I hope you will forgive me and not hate me forever! And sorry this one is kinda short too.

Chapter 5

It wasn't very long that they were on the Tortallan Navy ship. Only a couple weeks, maybe less. The Navy had apologized profusely for their rare mistake and said that they would take all of the survivors to the place of their choosing to be dropped off.

Their version of a parting gift I guess, Kazendi thought. She stood with her friends and the rest of the people off the pirate ship, listening to the speech. Or trying to listen anyway. Her mind kept drifting, thinking of many things that were off topic or totally random. Like wondering if the Navy had a place to practice archery or marksmanship—and if they would even let her practice.

Kazendi gave a sigh. She was tired of this speech already. Just as she thought it would never end the crowd began to disperse telling her that all that was necessary to hear was done. She could go do something useful. But before she could even try to leave Aderyn came up, piping questions. Most of the time Kazendi didn't mind but she was feeling restless today, a little irritable.

"Did you hear it Kazendi? We can finally go home! Go home! When do you think we will leave? What place are we nearest? Oh, I can't wait to get home! How about you?" To Kazendi it felt like there was no end to her jabbering. She sighed again this time, stretching, thinking maybe that will get the restless itch out of her bones.

"I dunno. Ask a sailor where we are. He ought to know, and if he doesn't then we should question the authenticity of the Navy. As for home . . . I'm not sure if I want to go back just yet. I . . .I want to experience Tortall. You know we've never been that far out our village. I've been to Corus once; with Mum and Papa and Zeki. You were too small," Kazendi added when she saw Aderyn open her mouth to argue or question. "It was wonderful, even if I don't remember properly. I'd like to go there first." In her head Kazendi added silently, I'm not ready to face it yet. Too many memories.

Aderyn looked a little surprised at first but eventually nodded her head. Even if she didn't totally understand why her sister didn't want to go home she would eventually get there. Besides, Corus sounded interesting. Aderyn then went to find Larine or people her own age.

Sighing again Kazendi turned to stare out at the ocean. Leaning against the railing, she was soon lost in thought. The ocean is so beautiful, yet so destructive, she thought. If I ever get a real home of my own I would like it to be by the sea. The ship hit a wave and the spray came up and splashed her face, cooling her off. Kazendi breathed in the deep, salty smell of the ocean. She sighed again but this time out of contentment.

Turning away from the railing, Kazendi went in search for a sailor to tell the way to the training arena. They had to have one on a Navy ship. She found one and he told her helpfully that it was bellow deck a ways, so as not to lose anything overboard or hurt anyone he explained. So she went in search of that.

After getting lost a reasonable amount of times Kazendi finally managed to stumble across the training area. People were shooting, sparing with weapons or hand-to-hand, cleaning their weapons, etcetera. At first she walked in unnoticed and for that she was almost grateful but she realized she had no idea on where they kept their bows. So she asked.

"Excuse me but, where are the bows and arrows at? I would like to practice," a few of the men looked at her oddly and some tried to stifle laughter. Kazendi found that extremely annoying. Still, no one said anything. So, trying to keep her voice calm, she asked again.

"Excuse me, where do you keep your weapons?" This time there was more force behind her words. She was getting a little agitated. Finally one spoke up.

"What do you need with weapons, girl?" Inwardly she held her frustration; it would get her nowhere here. The one who spoke was an older man, maybe forty or so. His black hair was cropped short on his head and his face was weathered from many years in the sun.

"I need to practice," was all Kazendi felt the need to say. They should have figured that out by now. As she surveyed the sailor, she got a feeling he wasn't to keen about women warriors. A Conservative for sure, Kazendi thought. Great.

At this he grunted and made a shooing motion with his hands. "Go away, girl," he began, this time his voice scornful. "This is no place for a woman. Go back to your family and leave us." The man's small eyes narrowed even farther, making him look like he was squinting at the sun.

Thoroughly agitated now, Kazendi couldn't bite back a retort. "And what makes you so sure of that, Mister all High and Mighty," she said, sarcasm evident on her voice. She narrowed her golden eyes to match his brown ones. She was not going to back down.

The man took a step forward menacingly, but was stopped by a fellow sailor who whispered something in his ear. Others had either continued what they were doing or were still standing around, gawking at the girl who so easily stood up against one of them.

As his companion talked the man's expression turned sour, he obviously didn't hear what he wanted. Eventually he nodded. He turned back to Kazendi. "What is your name, girl?"

Still glaring, Kazendi answered, "Kazendi Divver. What of you?"

"Eugene Miller. Will you accept a challenge of skill? Archery?" He asked, eyes glinting with anticipation. He obviously thought he had the upper hand.

After thinking it over for a second, Kazendi nodded. "I accept. Now, where do you keep the bows? I need them." Someone pointed them out and Kazendi walked over to them. She tested them out in her hands, getting the feel of them. She found one that felt relatively good, it fit her hand nicely. She uncoiled a string and neatly strung the bow. Turning around she saw that a target had already been chosen.

Walking over she listened to the rules. "Three out of five bouts. If you win you get to stay and practice. If you lose you have to leave. And don't bother coming back if you do," he said with a sneer.

Ignoring him to the best of her ability, Kazendi let Eugene take the first shot. As he got ready to shoot, she sized him up, taking in what seemed to be his weaknesses and his strengths. He was obviously experienced but Kazendi thought they were pretty evenly matched.

He took the shot and it flew into the ring third from the center. He looked smug at his accomplishment and his fellows cheered him on. Stepping up, Kazendi took a deep breath. Looking at the target she felt all else fall away, her vision narrowed only on the black dot in the center. She strung her bow and let loose her arrow as she expelled her breath, just like her mother taught her. It hit in the ring closest to the bullseye.

Although pleased with the shot Kazendi knew she would have to do better to win. Eugene, scowling, took up his bow again to shoot. He aimed and fired, this time getting closer to the center, near Kazendi's. As she stepped up her eyes met his in a defiant gaze. His filled with contempt, hers with certainty.

By the third round they were tied. Or would be if Kazendi got her shot. She did and Eugene got up one more time to shoot. Smirking, he drew back the string and let loose. He was almost positive he would win. Unfortunately for him, luck was not on his side and he missed the bullseye. Cursing he turned to Kazendi. If she made this shot she won.

For the last time Kazendi prepared to shoot. She had to make this one. As she aimed she heard snickers behind her and she rolled her eyes. People could be so immature. Drawing back the string she focused on the center and let it fly. Hardly daring to breathe, Kazendi looked at the target. With a whoop she saw that it was imbedded in the very center.

Turning to look at Eugene she tried to calm herself. She couldn't act arrogant and still expect to be treated with respect and equality. It certainly wouldn't help matters with this man. "It looks like I win. And get to stay," Kazendi stated with triumph. With a certain degree of glee she noticed how Eugene's face turned slightly red with anger and humiliation. "And no saying I cheated. I won fair and square. Too many people come up with that one when I beat them."

Not staying to see their reactions, Kazendi put back the bow and arrows and left. She would come back tomorrow.

Pleased with herself for her accomplishment, Kazendi trotted up the last stairs to the upper deck. Looking at the sun she saw that there were only a few more hours until sunset.

Walking to the railing, Kazendi looked out into the blue expanse of water. It stretched on for miles without any sign of life. But she knew that was far from true. For beneath the surface there was almost a whole different world where the creatures swam with fins instead of walking with feet. And one of those creatures was a dolphin, who Kazendi had tried to catch a glimpse of ever since that night in the water. So far she hadn't had any luck.

Turning away from the water Kazendi decided to go to the cabin which was her sleeping quarters, along with several other people. As she turned the corner to her door she ran right into another person. Looking up from her new position on the floor, Kazendi realized that that person was a male. And she had seen him before.

"Well hello. Didn't think I'd ever see you again."

A/N Sorry for the cliff hanger! But I love writing them. I'm going to try really hard to update better and i hope you guys won't give kup on me. Please review1 Without you guys I wouldn't want to go on! And please offer constructive criticsm! I love it. And it helps! If you want me to answer your review tell me and I'll e-mail you. R & R!