Reaver stirred and awoke from the darkness of sleep to find himself starring up at a canopy of leaves a dim glow of light poured through them in rays. He could feel something clutching at his shirt and he looked across at the body that lay next to him with blurry eyes. He stared confused at the women that had a fistful of his tunic and lay sleeping soundly. What the hell happened, he thought to himself. It was not the first time he had woken up to a pleasant sight, if not every morning, but he always had a(if not somewhat hazy) recollection of what had happened the night before. It was then he felt how heavy his body was. A dull ache had settled into every muscle and bone, and as he moved to remove the hand that clutched him so intently a sudden pain exploded in his stomach. The cramp caused a yelp to escape his lips the sound made the woman's eyes to snap open.
A pair of intent sky blue eyes stared at him with a worrying look. The pain slowly eased as he stared back his mind slowly piecing a few memories together. He fought a smile as he slowly bent over and locked lips with her giving a fairly passionate kiss.
Sparrow froze rigid with shock as she felt the Pirates soft lips lock with hers. As if by instinct her hand connected with a resounding slap across his face leaving a large red mark on his cheek. A triumphant sneer twisted his lips as he fell onto his back. Sparrow left the cart her face bright red as she stormed off towards the nearby stream, knelt and plunged her whole head beneath the waters surface.
Reaver could not help but chuckle as Garth approached the cart and leaned on it. He gave the pirate a scathing grimace shaking his head a little.
"You know, you shouldn't do things like that," the mage said.
"Well she should not get so close in such an alluring position then should she," Reaver grinned widely.
Garth raised an eyebrow then let out a sigh. "Nothing changes," he murmured as he clambered onto the cart with a heavy groan of effort.
"How are you feeling any way?" he asked as he rummaged through a pack pulling out items of clothing and a single bottle of pinkish liquid that gave off a gentle glow.
Reaver sat up slowly and turned his head to look at the bottle suspiciously. "My body aches," the pirate said simply. He twitched.
A tall shadowy figure poured something into a cup. The glow was an ominous pink and purple as the bottle was set a side and something else, colourless, was poured into the mixture. The figure came closer holding something in its hand. It knelt close a pair of fiery orange eyes glared from within tight slits. "Drink this," it said, "It will make you feel better."
Reaver grimaced and blocked the oncoming bottle with his hand. He stared at it a frown creasing his brow. An over whelming feeling told him to keep it away.
"What's wrong?" Garth asked puzzled, "This will make you feel better."
The echo of those few words sent a shudder up Reaver's spine. He suddenly felt sick and he stared at the straw with down cast eyes. Seeing the expression Garth let out a sigh and put the bottle away removing a smaller, green coloured bottle. He held it out to Reaver who took the bottle speculatively and sniffed the opened mouth.
Garth chuckled, "Its a standard healing potion."
"I know what it is," Reaver replied and took a quick mouthful. The taste was bitter, but it was better than letting time heal his wounds. Not like he had that kind of problem. He watched as Garth pulled out more pieces of clothing. The ache in his bones began to loosen and the cramp in his stomach disappeared as if it did not exist. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as Garth handed him very familiar looking clothes.
"Um, thank you Garth," Reaver said with hint of confusing, "Where did you get them?"
"We went to the Inn you last stayed in."
An 'ah' sound escaped Reaver as his hand stroked the silken tunic on the top of the pile as he struggled to remember.
"I don't remember." Suddenly angry Reaver rubbed his forehead on his palm struggling to make a glimmer of sense of the confusion that had suddenly surrounded him. Why can't I remember!
A soft thump made him look up and a small girl with long blonde hair stared at him with curious mauve eyes. In her hands was a small rag doll that looked like it had a pair of trousers on and not much else. Its face was blank and it had not any other pieces of clothing. Stuck in the doll's neck was a thin needle connected to by a piece of white thread.
"And who may you be?" Reaver asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Lorna," was the simple reply and the child smiled sweetly, "You're Reaver!"
Reaver nodded a bemused smile on his lips as she clapped her hands happily that she got his name right. Garth on the other hand watched with his mouth slightly agape. That's more words than she has ever said to me in one sentence, Garth thought a little annoyed.
"Sparrow looked after you," she said and Garth's eye twitched, "two days." She held up two fingers and smiled with a little giggle.
"Okay, that was nice of her," Reaver replied shifting a little uncomfortably.
Lorna nodded enthusiastically. Reaver then looked over the cart's edge to where Sparrow was busy scrubbing her hair dry and he gazed back down at Lorna who gazed back with her head tilted cutely.
"Are you Sparrow's... daughter?" Reaver asked with a slight cough. Lorna thought about it for a moment blinking occasionally. She looked down sadly and shook her head.
"No she found me," she said in a small voice. Unconsciously she began to gnaw on a knuckle, "I want her to be, as... as she is the only one wh... who looked after me."
"Then why don't you call her mother?" Garth asked, who had quickly recovered from his shock of hearing her speak more than one sentence.
Lorna shrugged as she continued to bite and chew on the knuckle nervously. Reaver sighed in annoyance and pulled the offending finger from her mouth. Lorna looked up in surprise and regarded the pirate with shiny eyes. Reaver looked away with slightly flushed cheeks.
"It would make her very happy," he said in a low voice. Lorna thought about it and nodded. With out warning she leapt from where she had been kneeling and embraced the pirate. Reaver let out a cry of shock and sat there panicking like a distressed school girl.
"Lorna!" snapped a flinty voice and Lorna looked over her shoulder as Reaver tried to push the small girl off him. Garth was too busy laughing to notice Sparrow approaching as Lorna let Reaver go and jumped off the cart obeying a silent order, trotting off towards somewhere by the stream. Sparrow regarded Reaver with narrowed eyes that sent sharp daggers in his general direction and Reaver shrugged his hands held up defensively not really sure what he had done; the girl hugged him after all. With a huff she stalked off after Lorna.
Recovering from his fit he gazed at the pirate with a small smile, twisting the braided piece of beard that dangled like a string from his goatee. Reaver scowled at him and huffed checking his clothes for any damage.
"How did we get here?" Reaver eventually asked, "All I remember is being chased by an over sized dog. 'sigh' it really had this a revolting stench about it."
Garth nodded and leaned back against the cart side. He thought for a moment his minds eye replaying the scene. The plunging blade and the look in Reaver's eyes. The focused, concentrated gaze that sent a shiver racing up the mage's spine. It was almost like Reaver was pushed aside and something else had taken over. Garth shook his head and regarded Reaver solemnly.
"We were chased for about a day and a day hence we have been keeping a low profile," Garth explained, "You have been unconscious all that time mumbling a single word almost constantly."
Reaver made a derisive snort as he tossed his head slightly. "Are you implying that I talk in my sleep wizard?"
Garth shook his head. "No Pirate, I am saying your dreams were disturbed by something. Do you remember them?"
Reaver shook his head. "Nope and don't wish too thank you. What was the word anyway?"
Garth sighed, "Jupitus."
Reaver froze and stared at Garth like he had grown an extra head, then quickly looked away. Garth gave the man a serious stare mental noting something then slid from the cart and patted it to get Reaver's attention.
"Either way, I suggest you get washed in the stream before putting your clothes on," Garth said then looked up with an amused smile, "And for the love Albion man, comb your hair."
Reaver glared at Garth as his hand went to pat his hair with a small pout. He nevertheless did as he was told. The stream was refreshing and he had not realised he needed it until he plunged into the small, freezing cold pool. He did not spend long bathing and returned to the camp where he had his clothes laid along the cart's edge waiting for him. He stood there, back turned to the others, gently drying his hair when a giggle made him turn slightly to look over his shoulder.
"Look Sparrow, Reaver has a white bottom!" Lorna's small voice squealed with a peal of giggles.
Sparrow stared in shock at Reaver whom had been standing there naked the whole time. With a gasp she covered Lorna's eyes and her cheeks went pink with anger.
"Good gracious Reaver!" she growled, "Have you no dignity!"
Reaver smiled cockily and turned to face Sparrow full on as he continued to rub his hair indifferently with the rough towel. He allowed a few moments before speaking reveling in the awkwardness she felt as she looked away her angry pink cheeks turning to an embarrassed red.
"Why? its only natural," Reaver remarked.
Sparrow flustered refusing to look his way. "Not in front of Lorna!"
"Why?" Reaver said, "She has to learn sometime?"
"Learn what Sparrow?" Lorna asked curiously and looked up despite the hands that covered her eyes.
The growl that reverberated from Sparrow started in her stomach and rose up into her throat until she let out a furious scream. Reaver had only moments to react as stones and sticks flew at him. He let out yelps of pain as stones hit him on the legs forcing him to dance on the spot to avoid them until he dived behind the cart.
"YOU CRAZY WOMEN!!" he yelled his head appearing over the top of the cart. He ducked quickly as stone narrowly missed his head. "HAH! YOU MISSED!"
Sparrow picked up the confused young girl and turned to stalked away. Reaver watched with puffed cheeks as Lorna waved over Sparrow's shoulder.
"Big White Bum!" she giggled in a sing song voice and Reaver looked down awkwardly to peer at his behind.
"I don't have big buttocks," he said reproachfully his lower lip stuck out in a pout. He sighed and went back to drying himself.
A steady chill crept into the forest as dusk was slowly approaching and Sparrow, with Lorna trotting at her side, returned with sticks for a fire. They set them down and Sparrow went to work digging a small pit, filling it with stones, then stacking large sticks into it followed by smaller ones. Reaver was busy trying to pass a comb through his stubborn hair only succeeding in pulling out small dark tufts. He let out a frustrated growl and threw the comb where it hit a tree, rebounded and landed in a clump of tall grass. Lorna trotted over and picked it up looking at it reproachfully then to the agitated Reaver who glared at the ground, his hair stuck at odd angles where he had tried to tame the mass.
Lorna stepped up to Reaver and held out the comb to him. Reaver looked up with a raised eyebrow and scowled looking away. He let out a sulky huff as he stared off into the darkening forest. Where Sparrow was setting up the tiny stack, she focused for a moment a small ball of flame erupted from her hand leaping into the pile of wood. It soon caught a light and was blazing merrily casting a warm glow around her. She looked up as Lorna stood beside her with the comb in her hand. Lorna's face looked down pensively and Sparrow sighed taking the comb from the little girls grasp. Lorna suddenly grinned happily as Sparrow stood up tapping the comb gently on her palm.
"Oi! Reaver!" she said and the pirate looked up nonchalantly. The tall women pointed to the ground by a large stone on which she sat. Reaver raised a confused eyebrow as his head perked up.
"Sit!" she barked as Lorna skipped over and tugged on the man's arm.
"She's will do your hair for you," Lorna smiled and Reaver followed silently a small smile graced his lips, he certainly was not going to argue. He stopped to stare down at Sparrow who stared back indifferently. With another sulky huff he turned and sat in front of Sparrow with his knees drawn up to his chest. Sparrow held out the comb then paused to let out a soft sigh. With steady movements she drew the comb through the dark blonde hair gently teasing out the knots that appeared to thwart her progress. Occasionally Lorna pointed at various clumps of hair she thought Sparrow had missed and the women calmly combed them through.
With a sigh Reaver tiredly closed his eyes and leaned back against Sparrow's legs causing Sparrow to pull a face. Lorna giggled quietly and Sparrow glared mockingly at the little girl who replied with a sweet innocent smile. Sparrow watched curiously, as she continued to comb Reaver's hair, how his whole body seemed to relax like an uncurling feline. His legs stretched out, his shoulders went slack and his arms fell limp with his hands sat lightly in his lap. Sparrow looked at Lorna with a raised eyebrow and the little girl shrugged a smile on her lips. Reaver's head then began to bob back and forth gently in time with the strokes until it landed in her lap. Sparrow looked fit to scream as her mouth fell open in silent protest and she froze. Lorna giggled again and with a resigned sigh Sparrow made to grab Reaver's head, but she stopped.
Looking down at his face she gritted her teeth tightly till they ached. She refused to concede to the fact he was indeed handsome. He sighed as his breathing evened out into the rhythm of sleep and in his slumber his face looked peaceful. How dare he look so peaceful! She thought heatedly. She clenched her hands at the sides of his head and her body shook slightly from the force needed to keep her misgivings at bay. The kiss from earlier sprung to her mind and she quickly forced the thought away stubbornly saying to herself she hated it. No matter what he had done to her she would never stoop to his level, but it did mean she had to like him. She knew that what she felt towards Lucien was the same here, but that was for more than just revenge. Although she conceded that the emotion fuelled her crusade against that man, or was he a monster, he had to be stopped for the sake of all Albion. She whimpered slightly as the anger and pain that the memories Reaver had given her broiled, and tumbled in her stomach like a bad case of indigestion, severe indigestion.
With a rough shove she pushed the man from her lap and stalked over the cart leaving the comb stuck in Reaver's hair. The pirate let out a grunt as he hit the floor and awoke with a start blinking in confusion. He sat up and looked at Lorna who shrugged. The small girl grabbed the comb and finished what Sparrow had started leaving Reaver frowning.
In the shadow of the tree's Garth's form emerged with a stick lain across his shoulders and from the end were four rabbits dangling sadly by their feet. He looked about the small camp curiously.
"Who fancies dinner?" he said to everyone and no one as he approached the fire.
Later that evening with their bellies filled with food and Reaver's hair looking more managed they remained sat about the campfire with a weary silence shrouding them. Lorna was sat wrapped in a blanket on Sparrow's lap as Sparrow nestled her cheek against the young girls blond locks. Reaver lounge on the opposite side picking his teeth with a slim piece of rabbit bone whilst Garth was reading a book by the light of his Will scars alone.
Reaver flicked the bone into the fire and brushed his hands together as his thoughts danced with the flames that flickered before him. Every now and then his eyes trailed to the two huddled close together.
"So I am supposedly the one who knows the way to this temple?" he asked looking over at Garth who continued to read.
"That is correct," he flipped a page.
Reaver played with the leaves and twigs near his leg with irritated movements. "Really?"
Garth sighed and snapped the book shut which made Reaver grin. "Either your faking that you can't remember or refusing to remember so you can swindle us."
"Sounds more likely," Sparrow interjected and Reaver stuck his tongue childishly out at her. The reply was less than polite.
"Please, children behave," Garth said firmly making both adults cheeks burn and he sighed, "Reaver, is there any chance of you remembering."
Reaver shook his head. "When I bought the necklace I was given a map. The individual said that piece of parchment came with it." Reaver shrugged indifferently. "I did not think anything of it at the time I was more interested in how much I would get if I sold the necklace."
Sparrow rolled her eyes as Garth continued to quiz the man. "So where is the map?"
Reaver thought for a moment tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I believe I put it in my diary."
Sparrow suddenly sat up. "Your Diary?"
Reaver nodded and waved a hand vaguely. "I believe I left it in the room at the inn where I was kidnapped," he said a shiver running up his spine as the hand went to his shoulder.
"Ah," Sparrow pursed her lips remembering having found the book in the draw. Hesitantly she set Lorna a side and got up approaching the cart. When she returned she held out the leather bound ledger to Reaver with an apologetic look.
"I found it that day when we went to the inn," she said in a small voice. Reaver's eyes widened and snatched it from her.
"Thank you," Reaver said with a light cough as he covered his embarrassment by opening the front cover and ripping back the paper. Beneath it was a folded piece of aging parchment which Reaver carefully removed and laid on his knee whilst he put the small book into his tunic.
"Very cleaver," Garth grudgingly murmured as he drew closer to peer at the map his fingers extended towards it eagerly. Reaver slapped the hand away as Sparrow settled next to Lorna who immediately snuggled up to her.
"I thought it best after I started having the dreams," Reaver said as he carefully unfolded the parchment, "But I think you will be disappointed."
"What dreams and why disappointed?" Garth asked excitement unmistakeably tinting his voice.
Lorna's eyes widened as she listened intently from beneath the arm that had encircled about her. Reaver visibly shuddered and sighed. He paused before he spoke his voice low.
"I am not sure what it was about," he began staring into the fire with the map half unfolded in his hands, "everything was like an ethereal haze as dreams are. All I remember is a man standing amidst chaos, alone, so cold... so like me." He paused as he frowned pain evident in the green eyes that stared intently at the fire. As Sparrow listened a sudden sympathy washed over her, unwanted, she pushed it away in vain. "In his hand was a map that flapped in the wind but it was blank and about his neck was the same necklace."
"What did he look like?" Garth asked in a low voice.
Reaver licked his lips as he thought. "He was tall with dark skin like yours, but his eyes were … were." He suddenly looked up and stared with wide eyes at Lorna as a realisation dawned on him. "Like her's." He pointed at the young girl who stared back with a sad expression.
"No they're not," she replied in a small voice.
"What do you mean they're not?" Reaver asked incredulously, "I remember exactly."
"They're white," she said in a firm voice and Reaver scowled at being corrected by a small child.
"And how would you know?" he asked scathingly and Lorna sighed as she sat up then pulled down the neck of her dress to reveal the necklace that glittered in the fire light. Reaver stared in shock and jumped to his feet leaving Garth diving to catch the map before it hit the floor.
"WHAT!" he yelled loudly, "How could you let a child! A CHILD! Wear the damned necklace!"
He stared incomprehensibly at the two his face mirroring the shock and terror he felt. Sparrow blinked a few times only just ingesting what he had said.
"We did not plan it," Garth finally said firmly as he looked knowingly at Lorna who looked down at the floor sorrowfully.
"What do you mean did not plan it!?" Reaver asked bitingly and Garth flinched a little from the tone.
"She just ran off with it," the wizard explained calmly, "there was nothing we could do."
Reaver scowled darkly and made to approach the girl. "Give it to me!" he demanded and Lorna looked up appalled by the suggestion.
"NO!" she squeaked clutching the necklace.
"Lorna listen to me you've put yourself in grave danger by doing this," Reaver scolded, "Now give it to me!"
Still the girl refused but as he made to grab her she let out a piercing scream and a pulse of energy knocked the pirate of his feet sending him crashing to the floor. Dazed he haphazardly clambered to his feet using a tree for support. Garth and Sparrow looked on in astonishment. Lorna collapsed to her knees and wept despairingly as Sparrow scooped her up to comfort her. She glared at Reaver hard and stormed away with the weeping child to where a tent was set up.
Reaver made to go after her but Garth stopped him in his tracks. Garth gave the pirate a hard look which Reaver replied with one of stoic indifference. Garth sighed and sat down to study the map leaving Reaver staring at the tent. He never thought a child would deliberately put themselves in such danger and even he would not put a child in such a position. If that was the case then why did he feel so bad. The feelings of disappointment and guilt made his chest feel tight, all of which he hated. With a dark harrumph he sat unceremoniously beside Garth who stared at the parchment with a scowl. Why should I care anyway, he thought childishly as he leaned over Garth's shoulder. In Garth's hands the parchment lay blank leading to the frustrated sigh that escaped Garth.
"I did not think you were telling the truth," the wizard said softly as he folded the parchment up.
"There is a time to lie and a time to tell the truth," Reaver said wisely and Garth gave him a strange look. "What?"
"Nothing," Garth shook his head a moment and continued to fold the map up scowling irritably. He carefully put the wad in a pocket inside of his jacket and stood up. "I think sleep is in order, you will take first watch?"
Reaver sighed irritably and pouted sulkily. "Do I have a choice?"
Garth chuckled and made his way over to the cart. He disappeared for a moment then returned with a cloth covered object and he held it out to Reaver who looked up blankly.
"What's that?" he asked, but Garth said nothing and smiled handing the object to Reaver who knew what it was as soon as it touched the flesh of his fingers, the familiarity of it sending tingles through his bones. The pirate gasped and immediately whipped the cloth aside letting it fall to the ground. In the light the golden plating of his pistol glistened. He ran his finger tips over the engraved metal and the mahogany wood, a sigh of happiness escaping him. He looked up to say thank you but Garth had disappeared into thin air. Reaver shrugged, then grinned as he checked the flint and powder all of which was in order. Like a young boy who had just received the birthday present he always wanted he played with the weapon shooting imaginary targets and spun it about his fingers with practised grace. He stared off into the shadows and sighed. He slid the pistol back into its rightful place at his side. He relaxed and leaned against the tree behind him preparing himself for a long night.
"I hate being on my own," he sniffed crossing his arms and listened to the soft whisper of the wind that danced around him. Amongst the shadows something snapped and his eyes moved instantly to where the sound came from. He sat stock still as he stared hard out into the forest then relaxed when nothing happened. He closed his eyes and relaxed again. From within a bush a pair of glowing eyes staring intently at the pirate. It shifted slightly to stare at the tents then it disappeared as quickly as it had come leaving a silent chill that made the pirate unconsciously shiver.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wow this was longer than I expected considering not much really happened. -_-; Anyway I hope it was as enjoyable to read as it was to write and more should be along soon unless I hit a writers block, lol, I hope that won't happen I hate it. Read and Review then people I always like your feedback and comments. Till the next time...