Dawn came slowly and I woke with a start as the sun peeked over the horizon. I had written in my new captain's log that we were to sail off on the 15th of November, exactly one month after my day of birth.

"WAKE UP!!!" I bellowed, knocking on the door of the large bunk room where most of the crew slept.

Soon everyone was on deck and ready for instructions.

"You men! Go with Mr. James and get the supplies that he has written down." I ordered.

"Aye captain!" the group shouted back as they hurried off with Mr. James.

"And you LOT! Go with Mockingbird and do the same." I barked.

"AYE CAPTAIN!" they replied and made haste as they hurried off the ship with Mockingbird.

Something was odd about her as she walked off the deck, a strange sense of mystery and hidden joy.

I left the ship in the charge of Mr. Kristian, who had volunteered to stay behind, before heading out into to town to make ready for the departure. A chilling breeze fluttered through the late autumn air as I strolled down the abandoned streets. As I walked down a small street and was about to turn onto the main road, I was stopped.

I froze in my tracks as a voice flittered through my mind.

"Come to me."

I turned slowly, entranced by the voice, and began to walk towards the middle of an abandoned field. As I came to the top of a hill, I saw a group of people below. They were shouting and swinging their swords about and they seemed to be fighting air.

I dashed down the hill, intrigued by this scuffle, that's when I saw what they were truly doing. I drew my sword and raced towards them, knocking down a few of the men that were standing in my way. A man jumped up, dazed and startled by my sudden entrance. He stood awkwardly before drawing his sword and slashing violently at me.

I blocked his futile attacks with ease and soon had his sword knocked out of his hands and my sword inches from his throat. As I pulled my sword away from him, he dashed off, grabbing one of his friends that I had sent sailing into a thorn bush a few feet away. As they ran off I heard the voice once more.

"Phantess."

I then heard a few shouts from behind me and the clanging of swords. That's when I saw him. A young man, about eighteen or so was fending off a drunkard with a long blade. Instinct set in and flew towards them knocking the sword away from the young man's throat as the attacker drove it towards him.

Recovering from the blow the attacker drove hard and fast at me. Soon the young man and I had the attacker on the run and that's when I first saw the young man's eyes. Oh those beautiful eyes like sapphires that glittered like stars on his pale face. His hair was of ebony almost as dark as the night itself, but he kept hidden one side of his face. I only caught a glimpse of it before he turned from me.

"Thank you." The young man spoke, his voice surprisingly deep.

"My pleasure." I replied, returning my sword to its sheath.

"Well I should be going." He replied and as I turned to protest, he was gone.

That's when I saw Melissa standing in the shade of an oak that was losing the last of its leaves.

"So I see you've met your murderer?" she cooed.

"What? What are talking about?" I asked, my tone wavering a bit as I looked over my shoulder, hoping to here that voice and see that man.

"I wished to tell you... But he thought otherwise. He has been watching you and he has heard you singing," Melissa continued.

Singing? I only sing when...

"Who is he?" I inquired, "Since you seem to know him so well."

"This I do not know... He has been watching you... Ah dare I say it!? Dare I BREATHE IT!? CUPID'S ARROW AND HIS BLIND EYES HAS STRUCK TWO HEARTS IN RECORD TIME!" Melissa shrieked, "And the wound on your fast beating heart is freshly made and still bleeding as it races, prays, and pleads for his return?" Melissa said slyly.

"I did not realize that he..." I said, feeling my heart begin to strangely ache and my soul begin to long for that voice.

"I know, you thought it was me... I am no fool dear Nicole. Your eyes do speak for you quite often... Well I suppose it is my fault, but I couldn't let you know... He told me that the time would come soon when you two would meet again, but not here." Melissa spoke.

"Where?" I breathed.

"Of this, I am not sure... He did give me this though. He told me to give it to you after you met." Melissa said as she revealed a flute.

"MY FLUTE!!" I cried snatching it from her hands.

"It seems he has stolen more than this." Melissa said slyly as she and I began to walk back to the ship.

For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, I felt the urge to play my lovely flute. As Melissa and I walked towards the ship a melody began to flow effortlessly from my lips and into my flute. The crew stopped their work as I came closer towards the ship. As soon as they heard the joyous melody they went back to their work with smiles on their faces.

"Why I didn't know that ye were so talented captain." Mr. James bellowed as he hummed along to the tune I was playing.

I smiled as I walked up on top deck and sat down next to the mast and continued playing. My heart was racing as I felt the feeling that the voice brought float through me again and as it did, my lips blew across my flute and a longing tune replaced the joyous one.

"Captain, we are ready to head off." Melissa reported.

"Let's shove off then." I replied standing and rushing towards the top deck.

"Where to Captain?" Mr. Kristian inquired as he stood by the wheel.

I walked towards him, him backing away, and placed my hands on the wheel of the ship, grasping the knobs.

"MEN! LOWER THE SAILS!!! On DECK YOU SCAVERNOUS RATS!" I bellowed laughing a bit at how the crew scurried about as my voice reached their waterlogged ears.

As I stared out into the horizon and the ship began to move, I heard the voice once more and its sound sent my heart racing and my blood rampaging through my veins.

"I'm waiting..."