"I would rather like it if you handed both that man and the necklace over to me, and I will let you go unharmed." The masked stranger made a gracious bow indicating a path with the sweep of his arm. At the silent signal the large burly henchmen stood aside making a clean path back into the building.

Sparrow knew better than to trust anyone who said 'I will let you go unharmed' because they, nine times out of ten, never meant it. The replying expression was speculative her keen eyes trained on all within her sights.

"You seem to have me at disadvantage Sir, who are you?" she asked politely though she kept at a discrete distance from him.

"You need not worry about that for the moment, but if you come with me I believe we can come to an accommodating arrangement," he said. The tone of his voice failed him at the last word as he almost grated out each syllable as if the thought gave him much pain.

Sparrow scoffed and a nasty sneer twisted her lips. Behind her Reaver clutched at her shoulders and when he felt her turn he gaped, clutching harder knowing before she did anything just what she was about to do.

"Your not, don't you dare," he whispered sharply in her ear a pang of anxiety tugging at his lungs, "your crazy, don't you dare!". She ignored him however and with a sudden spurt of energy she ran the gap between them and the rail using what momentum should could in that small run up. The masked stranger let out a cry of anger as he watched powerless. With forced power she leapt and pushed off the railing, the metal shuddered under the combined weight of them both. Reaver let out a high pitched scream as they sailed through the air. The feeling of weightlessness happened for a few seconds as they arched through the air. Then gravity took over and the lower balcony grew in size and came speeding towards them. Reaver screamed again as as they hurtled downwards. Sparrow landed heavily on her two feet collapsing briefly to one knee.

She turned round and looked up despite the pain in her legs a defiant expression solid on her pretty features.

"I don't care who you are or why you want the necklace, but you are not getting either that or this man you hear me," she yelled up to the furious man that glared down at her, "As long as I hold breath I will keep both from you, you hear!" She gave the man the middle finger and she turned to stride away whilst he cursed and sputtered over the railing.

Reaver still clutched at her tunic as his knuckles turned white from the force of his fear induce grip and his face had paled beneath his scruffy beard and hair.

"Warn me next time you decide to take flying lesson's" he hissed weakly.

"Your still here aren't you," she scolded and Reaver nodded weakly burying his face in her shoulder. He panted furiously from the aftermath of fear broiling in his chest and muttered lowly to him self. Sparrow readjusted his weight against her back and proceeded forward.

She took a few more steps before pausing again. She turned to look at the higher balcony but it was empty. With a irritated sniff she turned back and then the floor began to tremble. She stopped to keep her balance as she looked down and gasped involuntarily as she felt something beneath her feet gave way with a crunch. Reaver looked down puzzled.

"Sparrow what's wro..."

He never got the chance to finish his sentence as the stone trembled and a great tearing sound reverberated as stone grind deafening against stone. Then without warning the stones gave way and Sparrow and Reaver found themselves tumbling and falling amongst rubble. A sharp pain cascaded through her as something hard smashed against her leg. A cry of anger and pain escaped her lips as she, with great effort, twisted her body so she faced downwards. She let out a grunt as she hit something hard that gave way reluctantly beneath her weight and she found herself suddenly encased in water. The greenish liquid swirled and rushed in a roar about their bodies filling her ears with a deafening sound.

Her legs and arms flailed about her as she tried to claw the two bodies through the water. Stones and other rubble rained down around her striking her body in various places causing her to flinch violently. Against her back Reaver writhed and clutched at her body. She groped blindly about until her hand something more solid. A surging thrill coursed through her and climbed up the wall her legs kicking to propel her upwards. Just as her lungs began to scream for air she broached the surface and inhaled violently. Behind her she could hear Reaver gasp and sputter. With as much energy as she could muster she dragged them both out of the water.

She lay on her side panting heavily a great weariness enveloped her and Reaver's own panting echoed hers as they lay in silence, permeated by the sound of stones plopping into water.

"Ok," she mustered through breaths, "I did not mean for that to happen."

Reaver grunted sourly. "Well we better get moving or we may be caught by the Masquerader up there."

"That's easy for you to say I'm the one making all the bloody effort," she said propping her self on one elbow. Her eyes quickly scanned the room her eye brow rising in interest. What they had fallen into looked like some form of pool hidden within a stone chamber where no light would have touched, were it not for the new addition of a sky light; courtesy of Sparrow and Reaver. In each of the four corners of the pool were broken pillars as large as two men stood side by side. They were currently lain on a lip that surrounded the pool with steps sloping down to a a dusty bare stone floor. In each of the four walls were grand arches leading off into darkness.

With a groan Sparrow removed the soaked sash leaving Reaver to roll panting on his back staring blankly at the ceiling muttering quietly. Sparrow ignored the pirate and sat up inspecting her leg. She let out a involuntary moan as she inspected the large gash that was now bleeding profusely staining her trousers. She leaned in close and picked out flakes of stone and grit, then roughly ripped her trousers leg so the injured leg was exposed from the knee down. With a few minor modifications she tied the fabric tightly about the wound. She winced and bit her lip against the pain refusing to let a cry escape her lungs.

Behind her Reaver rolled onto his side and shakily pushed himself into a sitting position. He disentangled the sash from him self and tossed it aside. He sat for a moment staring blankly into space till he turned his head to stare at Sparrow's back as if he had only just noticed she was there.

"Sparrow?" he asked his voice full of confusion, "what are you doing in Samarkand?" . Sparrow turned to look at him incredulously.

"Your kidding me right?" she asked starting to feel just as little confused.

"I never joke!" Reaver replied with a hint of spite, "Unless the the situation calls for it." He added and his hands went to adjust his clothes but he froze shocked. His trembling hands ran over his arms and his chest with a sense of panic enclosing upon him. In a fervent crawl he hastily went up to the pool and began to inspect his face in the distorted reflection. He sounded dangerously close to hyperventilating as he stared at his gaunt face. He looked up at Sparrow who watched silently. The look she received was almost accusing.

"What happened to me," he said in an angry biting tone, "Why do I look like this!"

"You don't remember?" Sparrow frowned and he shook his head. Sparrow was about to say something when a loud crash echoed through out the chamber, the discordant sound sending chills along her skin. Reaver's head snapped to the sounds origin his eyes flashing angrily.

"I will have to explain later Reaver," Sparrow suddenly said as another crashing sound swept about her, "We have to go now!"

She reached out and grabbed Reaver by the tattered shirt. He reluctantly got to his feet and let out a groan as his body made protest. Supporting each other they hobbled away through one of the arches disappearing into darkness.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Well, this is frustrating, he thought cooly as he contemplated his situation. He watched his men pound relentlessly upon the brick wall that stood between him and what was beyond. Frustrating. All this time and he was so close to having what he wanted. He had suspected help would come for that pirate, but he was unable to predict it and so it was sooner than he anticipated. He had a deep suspicion that it was Garth. That fucking Mage, he thought furiously as he lashed out and kicked a passing lackey, yelling at him to get a move on.

He had been close to cracking that pirate's shell too. All that information just beyond his finger tips unable to grasp what he truly wanted. All those secrets that the selfish pirate must know. He needed to re-evaluate the situation he conceded. With Garth and this Sparrow in the picture it made things a little harder, but no matter, even if he had to tear what he wanted from their lifeless corpses he would. The thought pleased him greatly and a deep, menacing chuckle vibrated in his chest as he rubbed his gloved hands together in sadistic pleasure.

A small, scrawny man trotted up beside the chuckling maniac and patted him on the arm. The masked face looked down curiously.

"What is it?"

"Sorry to disturb your greatness, Adren, sir, but your brother, Emberoka is here," the small man said fixing the floor with small, beady eyes.

"Tell him he can wait, I'm busy." A yell of exaltation made the masked face look up. One of his lackey's waddles up with a huge, childish grin.

"We did it sir, we did as you told us."

Adren reached up and patted the large man on the arm his expression of blank disinterest. "Well done now you can go play now."

The lackey dropped the large hammer he had been holding, which hit the floor with a dull clunk, and ran off giggling like a school boy. Adren sighed and shook his head, looking down at the small, ferret faced man beside him.

"Not the most intelligent but he has his uses," he said with a wry chuckle, "When ever you have a stubborn obstacle to remove us a brute to do it."

The small man nodded in agreement looking over his shoulder disdainfully. Adren shooed him away and so the small man trotted back the way he came disappearing up a flight of stone steps. Adren approached the hole in the wall surrounded by large sweating men whom refused to look up at the thin man that walked past with an imperious air.

Adren peered through the hole and like an insect crawled through to stand on the other side regarding the pool of water quietly. He interlaced his fingers behind his back as he watched as the greenish liquid swirled and ebbed gently as if it were recently disturbed. The light that shone through the hole danced on the waters surface. The waves began to slow as the liquid began to settle itself into its previous state.

Adren strode around the vast pool inspecting the pillars and the steps that lead up to it. He stopped when he had reached the opposite side and on the floor was a trail of puddles that lead through the arch that sat open like a large mouth waiting to swallow him. He carefully walked up the steps and peered down into the pool then at the large puddle of water just beside him that was stained with a dark reddish substance. At the sight of the bloodied water he smiled beneath the mask. He knelt down and picked up a long sash with its ends tied together. Another chuckle echoed behind the mask the sneer could almost be heard as he laughed. In his hand the sash hissed as the water scorched the man's gloved hand.

"They won't get away," he snarled. With a quick turn he began shouting orders at the men that had taken the liberty of crawling through the hole to have a look themselves. They froze as he shouted at them and suddenly broke into a scramble to obey his orders.

"And bring out the hounds!" he shouted walking back to the hole in the wall, "This time look after them we don't want another shot! Their rare enough as it is!" With a disdainful sniff he crawled back through the hole.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Garth kept his glowing eyes trained on the hooded figure watching its every move, if it ever moved. For some reason the thought of this creature or man (he could not tell which) sent chills of alarm up his spine. The only creatures that came to mind that could stay still for so long were insects. Garth's hand trailed over his will lined cheeks down to his small, well trimmed beard and he began to stroke it thoughtfully.

Behind him seated sedately amongst the straw was Lorna happily working away at something that sat in her lap. In one hand was a fabric covered object and in the other a needle flashed in the dim light working back and forth as thread tied together the fabric. She then stopped mid stitch and looked up a look of confusion on her young face. She put away the doll she was making into a bag and stood up to look into the forest.

Garth turned his head to look at Lorna and looked off into the forest wondering what she was looking at. Then, all of a sudden, the forest trembled and a vicious howl danced between the trees. Lorna whimpered and hid within the straw. Garth sat up straight his body tense as another roar echoed through the forest. Lorna could be heard whimpering lowly amongst the the straw and Garth reached down a hand to comfort her. She quieted for a moment before shots rang out and she began to cry again.

A surge of excitement coursed through him as more shots rang out and shouts filled the air, the voices sounding familiar. A loud screech made him cover his ears for fear they may bleed as something heavy hit the floor making the ground shudder under its weight. His eyes widened as the animalistic sounds seemed hauntingly familiar. Even the bull pawed at the earth with its heavy hoofs its eyes wide with fear.

Then rustling caught his attention and through the foliage, hobbling as fast as they could muster, was Sparrow and a very decrepit looking Reaver, and they were, despite their situation, arguing like children.

"It was by far your fault you silly women," Reaver scolded.

"My fault! If you hadn't decided stop to 'make a compromise' those bloody animals wouldn't be chasing us!" was Sparrow's heated reply as she aimed the gun over her shoulder, "They would have missed us if we had kept moving in the first place!"

"Well if your aim was better it would not be much of a problem!"

"My aim has nothing to do with it!"

Garth coughed as they drew closer and they looked up. A look of surprise crossed Reaver's taut face as Garth jumped off the cart seat to help and just as he grabbed Reaver's free arm the ground rumbled. He turned his head a fraction and cursed.

Staring blankly at him from between the shrub branches was a Mountain hound. As large as a bull, large teeth, sharp claws and covered in nothing but muscle. Its stunted muzzle pushed through the leaves and snuffled, drool dripping from its maw in large droplets its large, bat like ears twitching. Along its thick skin was a bristly fur that stuck up menacingly on end. It opened its mouth and roared the stench of rotting meat engulfing them. They gagged as they made a dash for the cart.

"Get Reaver to the cart, I will deal with this!" Garth yelled taking a defiant stance between them and the evil hound who stared at the Mage with dark, beady eyes. It lunged, but Garth was ready and with a powerful sweep of his arm he sent a large fireball straight into the face of the beast. The beast let out a piercing scream that shook his very bones. Garth stumbled back as the blast's shock wave hit him and he watched with a look of smug triumph as the hound dashed back into the forest whining like a wounded dog.

He turned back and ran up to the cart to help however he could. The clocked figure, however, moved with surprising speed knocking Garth off his feet and the mage was sent flying through the air to land head first in a bush. It then made to grab Reaver but a bullet hit it square in the shoulder sending dark pieces of matter everywhere. It let out a angry hiss as it stared back at the women who had a pistol trained on its head.

"Give me the Pirate!" it's voice was no longer a dark whisper but a gushing roar as black electrical currents passed over its clocked body.

"Not a chance!" was the reply as Sparrow fired again this time hitting it over the heart. The creature collapsed laying still for a moment till it shuddered and sat up.

With an exasperated breath Sparrow reloaded. Behind her Lorna uncovered herself to see what was going on. She stared at the stranger that now sat on the cart, his hair messy, and clothes tattered and dirty. With out knowing why she reached out and touched the man on the back of his neck with her palm. The necklace began to glow gently and Reaver's body seized, head drooping so his chin hit his chest.

Sparrow went to fire the weapon a third time but was knocked from the cart as something roughly pulled the Daichi from its sheath at her back. She looked up from the dirt to stare in awe as Reaver plunged the katana deep into the clocked figures chest. It convulsed once, let out a scream of pain and then burst asunder as the blue energy pulsed through its body sending bones, and ash to clatter to the floor.

Sparrow's eyes switched to Lorna who stood, eyes closed, on the cart and the necklace glowed gently. It pulsed for a few seconds then the light died leaving it to shine pleasantly in the dim light. Lorna opened her eyes, blinked and smiled a Sparrow with genuine innocence. Reaver however dropped the katana and collapsed to the ground unconscious.

"Reaver!" Sparrow exclaimed as she pushed her self to her feet pain searing through her leg and she hobbled over to the unconscious form. Garth disentangled himself from the bush and strolled over with long strides. When he got to them he picked up Reaver and motioned Sparrow to follow. As he lay Reaver amongst the straw Lorna watched with a blank expression regarding the sleeping pirate indifferently.

"Is he going to be okay?" Sparrow asked worriedly and Garth nodded.

"He should be," he looked at Sparrow's bloodied leg and clucked his tongue. "Lets have a look at that leg."

Reluctantly she extended the offending limb and winced as Garth removed the makeshift bandage. He clucked his tongue again as he reached into one of his many pouches and pulled out a bottle. He took out the cork and looked at Sparrow as he held it over the wound. Sparrow got the hint grabbing a wade of cloth from one of the bags and shoved it between her teeth then held onto the side of the cart as if for dear life. She nodded and Garth angled the bottle to pour out a luminescent green liquid that sunk deep into the wound covering it entirely. Sparrow's eyes went wide pain searing through her limp. The agony caused her to bite down hard on the wade in her mouth and stifled moans echoed in her throat. Lorna reached out and patted Sparrow's shoulder a worried look in her eyes, and Sparrow gave her a appreciative half smile as she grimaced against the pain.

As the liquid seeped into the wound the flesh began to mend and knit itself back together and after three long agonising minutes the wound was gone. The only evidence was a long thin, silvery scare. Sparrow spat the cloth out vehemently and glared down at her leg.

"One more for the glory books," she said bitterly as she flexed her leg back and forth. More shouts and cries made her look over her shoulder. Garth quickly jumped over Reaver and sat in the drivers seat, grabbing the reigns he snapped them hard. The bull started off at a sedate walk but a small lightning bolt to the hind quarters soon made it go faster.

As the cart bounced up and down violently Sparrow crawled up beside Reaver and lay in the straw with a tired sigh. Lorna knelt beside her just staring and Sparrow looked back questioningly though nothing on Lorna's face showed any sign or comprehension of what she just done.

"When we get to a safe place," Sparrow said her eyelids drooping, "We are going to have a long chat." Her head hit the straw with a soft thump and eyes slid closed as weariness soon overcame her. Lorna's hand went to the necklace a sad look crossing her face and she sighed gently. She then reached into a bag and pulled out a blank rag doll. She looked closely at Reaver and nodded sitting herself amongst the bags her needle setting to work.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I want to first to thank all of the people who reviewed this story it was very encouraging and apologise as this would have been up a few days ago if it were not for University work. And to answer the question 'Is Reaver's hair turning blonde because he's becoming good?' well, actually I thought his hair in the game looked dark blonde and was confused when in other stories they described his hair as black. I guess it is all to each artists interpretation... either that or I am going coloured blind... anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter and more should be on the way. As always if you like read and review people!