WR: Ok then readers, this is most likely gonna be my last update before Christmas, as I'll be home from uni, therefore without my computer.. also I have biiiiig exams to work for. So expect chapter 5 in like.. January. But hey, enjoy!

Chapter 4

"Out boy! And don't let me see hide nor hair of you again!"

Aika was awoken by Don's words. She opened her eyes and stared blearily around her. She had a moment of confusion, as she surveyed the cold stone walls, the black metal bares and the filthy rags beneath her. Then she remembered. Ramirez, and his harsh cruelty came rushing back to her. She sat up stiffly, and tried to sear at the ache in her back.

"Nice meetin' ya Aika!" She glanced up to see the shabby red haired lad being led by the scruff of his green tunic past her cell. All she could do was raise a hand and smile. Her heart though, was sinking. Now she would be totally alone. Would anyone else speak to her?

She watched the burly jailer haul the boy, not to a door, but to a drainage grille set into the floor.

"On yer way lad, and I don't want to see your ugly face again."

"Alrigh'… blimey Don! No need ter be so rough!"

"I said on yer way!" He kicked the drain open, "And don't let me catch you there again, I'm gonna block it, so it will be pointless to try."

"Cummon Don! Wo's gotten in ter you!"

"Just go boy! I'm in no mood for you today!"

"Fine, fine!" Marco said, lowering himself through the floor. "See yer Aika! Next time we'll 'ave a proper talk!" With that, he vanished from view. The jailer dropped the grille back into place.

"Beat it, Runt!" He muttered, then dragged an iron crate on top, so there would be no way the boy could enter. Aika watched… for a moment the man was still, then he swung around and marched to the front of her cell, glaring in at her.

"Now missy, I might be a soft touch on the boy, tis because I've known his father… but not on anyone else. Make any kind of contact with any of the prisoners again, 'an I'll beat you myself!"

With that he turned from her and walked back to his desk, and began sharpening an array of knives, and Aika felt utterly alone.

The day was long, she had never known one which dragged so. She had begun to pace her cell. Ten foot by six foot. It was large enough to accommodate four or five prisoners. Her feet were still tender and sore, but she had no voce with which to call down a Sacri spell. They would have to heal unaided. After a few laps of her temporary home, they felt hot, as did her brow, and painful, so she returned to her grubby sheets. In one corner of the room, there was a circular hole in the floor, beside it, in a niche in the wall, lay several scraps of yellowish paper. She balked at the though of using such facilities, but didn't doubt that she would be forced to. Little choice was afforded to her.

During the course of the day, a man was brought in for rape. He had a pock-marked face and small eyes. He leered through the bars at her unpleasantly, and it made her skin crawl. He was dressed in clothes of good quality and he clearly enjoyed a comfortable life in Upper City. He was placed in the cleanest looking cell, and when he asked for a pitcher of water, he had it in moments.

Next, a young girl was brought in, she had been arrested for begging in Upper City, offending the eyes of the noble and well born Vaulans. She was dragged in, weeping, by two guards, and looked to be no more than fourteen. For a moment, her terrified, wid blue eyes met with Aika's before she was swept past. Then, her cry of fear echoed hollowly around the dungeon, she had seen the well dressed man who was lounging on the cot bed in his cell. He merely laughed.

"Well hello again, my pretty!" He drawled. "Are these boys dragging you because you can't walk straight?"

Her sobs were drowned out by the appreciative chuckled of her guards, as they hauled her away, further down the row of cells.

"Enjoy her, lads! She's a jump to remember!"

That night, the air was rent with the girl's screams, and the jeers of the soldiers who abused her. The richly dressed rapist was even liberated, so he too could join in the 'fun'.

Aika was horror struck, and curled into a ball on her sacking, her fingers crammed into her ears, eyes tight shut. It seemed that for the crime of raping a young girl, punishment was a few hours of solitude, followed by repeating the act for which originally imprisoned. But the guards! They were doing it too! What horror, must the poverty ridden citizens of Vaula suffer! There was no justice for them. They were only sport

Don sat at his table, drinking slowly from a pitcher. He seemed not to hear the youngster's agonised cries and pleas for mercy. Aika trembled, and sleep did not touch her that night.

It had been easy. After powering effortlessly through the stone reef, the Monoceros had cruised south-east, the smaller battle ships spreading into a skirmish line. They had flown over Shrine Island. Ramirez had stood on the deck and gazed upon it… it was all that was left… But soon that will change, he reminded himself. Curiously he thought he spied a tiny life craft moored there. But it didn't matter, it was probably just a fisherman seeking a few hours refuge. He flicked his gaze back towards the prow. He knew of no other habitable land mass out here, perhaps the girl had lied… A lie or not, it was the only clue they had. He could still see nothing ahead, but this region was always misty, and his lookout had good eyes.

Turning, he walked in from the deck. He vastly preferred the open air and freshness to the overcrowded and noisy bridge, but this was, after all, his flagship. Galcian had silently taken over, and was obeyed to the letter, but still, Ramirez felt that his place was with his soldiers.

Almost instantly, upon entering the huge, noise-filled space, the 'crow's-nest' bell sounded, and the man's voice filtered down the communication tunnel.

"I see an Island sir, around eight leagues ahead!"

The attack had been swift. Stunning cannons and powerful magic cannons hammered the tiny village island. Then, two ships had docked and two contingents had flooded the small land mass.

It was over before it had begun. A small resistance was met, but they were defeated eventually by sheer weight of numbers. None of the island's inhabitants perished, but neither were they all rounded up. A little less than a score were rounded up, the same group who had put up such a savage fight against them. They all looked tough and lean, with the same rangy, sculpted bodies as Aika, and the same proud, defiant eyes.

Still, they had not captured enough to account for an entire crew. However they did find undisputed evidence that the Island was no mere fishing village. Beneath the innocent huts and grassy yards, strewn with partly fixed fishing nets above, thrived a Pirate Fortress. The men had discovered it and forced their way in. A large vessel had been discovered. It was impressive and sleek, with two huge masts and two cannon levels. In the immediate dock, still lay the plundered loot from the raid on Alfonso's ship. Even the huge, gilded horns of the foppish Admiral's war machine lay on the pile of booty. Even if the pirate lair had remained undiscovered, one find made it certain that these people were the ones they sought; the girl was captured almost instantly, as she had been sat alone on a high lookout.

Their mission was a success, and they had made huge progress towards achieving their goal.

She had been escorted aboard the Monoceros, while the other defenders had been separated and taken, in chains, onto the five smaller vessels, only their Captain and a few others had been brought aboard the flagship. Ramirez knew that there were more inhabitants, but they had hidden themselves well. No doubt a pirating island would be crawling with well concealed, secret hide-aways, that the raiding party did not have time to locate. Their main objective was to get the girl, that had been done, what's more they had some hostages which would provide excellent sport in the Arena. The Queen would be delighted. But it didn't matter. Even if the Queen had been furious, it would not matter. She was irrelevant, they all were. Even Aika was, in the grand scheme of things.

Ramirez had suggested, and Galcian had agreed, that the girl should not yet see him. So he had been given leave to spend the remainder of the journey, either in his quarters, the sparring arena, or anywhere generally out of sight. Usually, this covert way of doing things would not have appealed to the Captain… But then… was their entire mission not covert and secretive? Besides, today he relished the solitude and lack of responsibility it afforded him. It gave him time to think, and all his thoughts, which were many, revolved around the orange-haired girl he had left behind.

His anger had quite subsided, and in the aftermath of the success of his assignment, he viewed the incident with reluctant mirth. His eyes longed to behold her again, his hands craved to touch her, and his lips ached for her warm mouth. Hw would be back in Vaula in three days, that meant he had but two nights more without her… but his mind turned reluctantly from the tempting carnal thoughts, as realisation of what their fruitful mission would mean. Aika was an Air Pirate. A Blue Rogue. He had known it all along. The girl was too proud and fierce to be a mere fisherman's daughter, not to mention her wind hardened body. What would become of her? He could not see her slaughtered, he knew that much, he still enjoyed her company to greatly. Not to mention she was the only woman to have truly lit within him such passion and need, so easily. Ideas began to form in his mind. How could he save her from a death sentence? For a few minutes he paced his quarters, his quick mind working furiously. There were many possibilities; help her escape, beg the Queen, defy the General… no, it could be none of those. If the Queen's final decision called for the girl's blood, then he could not oppose it, and defying the General was out of the question. As to helping her escape… he pushed that idea away. Not only would it be tantamount to disobeying Galcian, but Ramirez also had no will to part with her just yet. A fourth idea came to him. He thought about it for a while. If it worked it would save Aika's life, keep her by his side, and not reduce him to begging or betrayal.

Turning on his heel, he strode from his cabins, his long, muscular legs carrying him down into the bowels of the ship. Once he dipped back into a darkened alcove, three soldiers passed him, and between them, he saw a flash of white skin and platinum hair. He watched her until she vanished, then took one deep breath. She was just as he remembered, but she was taller, her body slender and grown… grown into a woman, and a very beautiful one. He forced memories of his childhood from his mind. She would either help them willingly or not. Either way, he would not concern himself with it yet, and his mind turned back to a different woman. He took a second slow breath, this time to quell a tremor of desire at her mere memory, before he set off again.

Eventually he arrived at his destination. The Monoceros was not accustomed to taking prisoners. Ramirez rarely had need to, but Vaula demanded that a minimum of three secure cells built into each, so that was what Ramirez had; the minimum. These cells were not constructed of metal bars like the ones in the Palace. Instead, each was a single small room. The walls were sound proof, and one, solid door with a small grille set into it was the only entrance. Two soldiers stood guard beside the centre cell, and Ramirez dismissed them with a wave of his hand. All door on the Monoceros opened for him, they had been imbued with a magic which recognised him, and him alone. All others must have a key to open the locks, even Galcian.

So, without hesitation, the Captain walked forwards and swung the contraption open, the lock clicking at his touch.

Within the cell sat three men. Their wrists were chained in cuffs, but other that they were unbound. They were burly, sailors all. They showed no fear at his entry, in fact, they showed nothing, not even awareness that he was present. The man on the left was tall and lean with sloping shoulders and a blank expression. On the right the man had a barrel chest, and tanned, weather-eaten skin. His eyes were closed and he didn't pay any attention to Ramirez.

The man in the centre was the Captain. That much was obvious. He sat on the plain bench, and seemed to lean back against the metal wall with a rangy grace. He was a little shorter then the other two, but his legs were long and his upper body stocky and well muscled. One foot sat flat on the floor, while the other was propped on his knee. His legs were encased in black breeches down to his calf-high leather boots. Across his broad chest he wore a navy sailing tunic, belted at the waist. At his side was an empty gun holster, and he wore shooting gauntlets. Ramirez's emerald eyes grazed over the man's clothes to settle on his face. Strong jawed and dark eyes, the man stared at Ramirez with no hint of apprehension. Like the others he had tough, sun-stained flesh, and coarse stubble sprouted on his chin.

The man radiated power, and quiet calm. It was easy to see why others rallied to him as a leader.

"Look at this my Lads, must be someone important, unless they dress their messenger boys as queers as well as themselves." The words were spoken quietly and deliberately. He was testing Ramirez's temper, trying to find out what kind of man he was dealing with, how far he could be pushed, how easily he would lose control…

"I'm not here to play games with you, or threaten or torture you. So hold your tongue and listen to me." Ramirez said sharply, once the door had closed behind him. The man before him smirked, and somehow, despite the cuffs, managed to fold his arms. The other two were now looking at Ramirez, but wore expressions which gave the young Captain the impression they were only doing so because they were bored, and had nothing better to stare at.

"I like to know who I am addressing… well on this occasion, who is addressing me." The Captain. "A young Lad like you must have done well for yourself to have such a pretty blade at your side, so what's your name boy?"

"I am Captain Ramirez, and this is my flagship, so perhaps you should think about curbing your arrogant confidence when you speak in my presence."

The mans eyes widened in considerable surprise. Evidently not all Blue Rogues were as ill educated as Aika when it came to the Vaulan tree of power.

"Impossible…" The man murmured. "You're just a boy, can't be much older than my own son!" A look of distain crossed his face. "The things I've heard about you must be true, but you must have done even worse than the rumour-mongers say to have gained such a position at such a young age!"

At reference to his reputation, which lately had been causing him so much trouble, his anger flared minimally, but he crushed it swiftly and brushed it aside, he refused to let his volatile temper take control. He smirked.

"Do you really believe I care for your opinion of me, man? You are a prisoner of Vaula, and I would guess, destined to suffer a horrible end in our Arena. You are nothing to me, but I have come to ask something of you."

The man blinked and laughed mirthlessly.

"You can ask, but you know I will do nothing for you."

"It is not for me." The impatient words quieted the man, who raised his brows in interest.

Ramirez paused, and wondered how best to approach the subject. He decided that bluntness was the quickest and easiest way by far.

"It is for Aika, am I correct in believing you know her?"

His answer was clear as the Captain surged to his feet, the two men taking an angry step forwards. The man's dark, calm eyes were wild and full of rage, and his voice trembled with fury as he spoke.

"Where is she?!"

Ramirez looked at the man, and rested his wrist on the hilt of his silver blade.

"I don't believe I'm going to tell you that yet. Now, sit down and listen." His voice was soft, but contained the steely threat of command. With a nod from their Captain, the two sailors sat, he however, remained standing. In fact, he took half a step forwards.

"No, you listen Captain." His face was furious, and Ramirez would not have felt half as confident, had the Pirate's hands been unbound and wrapped around the trigger of a pistol. "I took that girl in when she was orphaned and raised her like she was my own flesh and blood! Every citizen of my island loves and dotes on her! A more talented navigator I have yet to meet, and I am proud for her to have lived under my roof! I regard her as my daughter, so when I ask you where she is, you will damned well tell me!" He roared. There was a moments quiet, as the man took a calming breath, and his next words were deadly and low.

"My hands may be bound, and I may have no weapon, but as the Moons are my witness, Boy, I swear I'll be able to do some considerable damage to you before you get that pretty sword of yours between my ribs!"

Ramirez felt a grudging respect for the Rogue Captain, and he could finally see where Aika had learned such defiance and pride. 'So this is her foster father.' He thought.

"What name do you go by?" The question escaped his lips before he meant it to. It seemed that when it came to aspects of Aika's life, his curiosity was insatiable, and words fell from his mouth before he could check them. The man didn't seem to notice, however.

"My name is Dyne, now enough questions. You've told me to listen, and I am. So tell me about my daughter!"

Ramirez was defeated. The man before him was passion filled, he was a prisoner, he was in chains… Yet it was the young Captain who felt like he was being interrogated. So he spoke.

"She was captured a little over a week ago by the Admiral Alfonso, ironically the same man who's ship you raided." He said.

"It seems the man enjoys hijacking the ships of defenceless young women, sailing alone." Dyne put in dryly.

Ramirez continued as if the man had not spoken:

"Aika was…" He searched for the right words. "Put under my personal care."

"She's a pirate, why would they do that?"

"For a man who's supposed to be listening, you talk a great amount!" Snapped the younger man. With a glare, Dyne fell silent.

"It doesn't matter why she came to me, all irrelevant details… but I think you will agree that it is a far better fate than a drawn out, painful death. Right now, she is in a cell below the Palace."

"If she is in your care, why is she in a cell and not here?! And no, boy, I do not think it is a better fate! She is an Air Pirate, and you are an Armada Officer. She hates you dogs, and would rather die than become a play thing, or a prisoner, as would we all!"

"Silence!" Shouted Ramirez, his anger grazing the surface of his flawless control for a second. The outburst quieted Dyne for a moment, and allowed the platinum haired man to continue.

"Why she is in there is irrelevant, and I do not feel like elaborating. My point is, Dyne, that before the Queen passes judgement on you and your crew, you will also be put into the same jail."

The older man's face brightened considerably at this.

"Ahh, well then, I can see hr myself, and it is to her I'll be putting my questions."

"No, you will not." The Captain's eyes became hard, and Ramirez continued. "You will see her for moments only, for I will be removing her as soon as we dock. However, when you do see her, it is vital that you ignore her."

"I'll do no such thing!"

"Yes you will, or she will be dying with you in the Arena!" The younger man said sharply. "Don't speak to her, don't acknowledge her, don't even look at her!"

"What are you talking about?!" Snapped Dyne. It was clear the man was losing patience, but so was Ramirez.

"If she is recognised as an Air Pirate, which she has managed to avoid until now, she will be executed with you!" The Captain stepped close. "A valid enough reason, don't you think?"

Dyne was quiet for a moment.

"Even if I was to agree to this, what makes you think she won't try to speak to me?!" He asked. Ramirez smirked.

"Oh she won't do that, rest assured. But if she does try, then you must remain oblivious to her. I still do not know if it will be enough, I will do what I can." Ramirez held the man's eyes for a moment, before turning and swinging the door open.

"Why are you doing this for her?" The question made the young Officer pause. He shouldn't have answered, but he did anyway.

"I am doing it because I have come to…" He was unsure of what to say. He didn't love the girl, he merely desired her, but he could not very well say that to her father. "Come to see her as of much of a friend as someone in my position can. I care naught for you and your crew of bandits, but I have no wish to see her cut down." Dyne nodded.

"I will do as you ask boy, and I'll tell my men to do the same."

With that, the door closed, and locked.

"That Lad is mighty strange if you ask me Cap'n." Said the taller one of Dyne's crew members.

"Nay sonny, not strange. Captain Ramirez just happens to be falling for our Aika. He just doesn't know it yet." Dyne replied darkly.

WR: Ok, a fairly short chapter. Buuuuuuuuut, that means that mebe… just mebe I'll be able to manage another update before Christmas… no promises tho.

Ok, so no direct Aika and Ramirez action in this scene, however, the other stuff is important too. So what's gonna happen when Aika sees her family hmmmmmm???

Please review!