The next morning Reaver twitched awake and his green eyes snapped open, but his body refused to move. He spent a few moments wallowing in the effects of his hangover before he stiffly moved his body with an agonising groan and his head felt like it was going to spilt open like a piece of over ripe fruit. After several attempts he managed to sit up on the edge of the bed holding his head just in case it decided to roll off. A queasy feeling broiled in his stomach and he sighed. It had been a long time since he had actually felt this bad and even longer since he could remember not remembering anything. He muttered a curse as he realised he was still wearing his clothes. He looked down at the floor to stare with interest at his boots, then his eyes looked down and his eyebrow rose when he saw a large, dried, red splotch on the floor and his eyes trailed up the solid wooden piece of furniture to the mess that sat a top of it. He groaned again and lay back on the bed with no intent of surfacing anytime that day, closing his eyes and concentrated on keeping his stomach from exhuming its contents.

The door suddenly crashed open making him flinch and his eyes peeled open. He gritted his teeth against the pain the noise caused in his skull and an intense anger consumed him. His head moved a fraction and it screamed in protest as he fixed a lazy eye on the small blob like person that stood at the door.

"Sorry Reaver," the blob whispered in a small voice.

He smiled gingerly his anger ebbing some what. "What do you want brat?" he asked in a raspy, rough voice.

It approached and put something on the side with a dull thunk. He stared at the bluish liquid speculatively and the smell of spices wafted up his nostril causing a wave of nausea. He groaned and covered his face with his pillow as the thing beside him giggled. He peered at her with a single eye from under the pillow.

"What?"

"Nothing Reaver," Lorna smiled and his eye rolled.

"Sahail said this will make you feel better," the small girl promised as she reached out to touch his forehead. He batted her hand away and she sighed sadly with a small shrug. He looked at it again and gingerly sat up. The small girl gasped pointing at his clothes that were creased and wine stained. He glowered at her and she smiled meekly. Grabbing the glass he sniffed it while Lorna watched with large purple eyes. He made a rueful face and hesitantly took a sip. He gagged and set the glass aside irritably.

"That is revolting," he grumbled turning over and covered his head with the blanket.

"Um, Reaver?"

"Yes," he rolled back over to glare at her.

"Sparrow said you have to be up by midday," the small girl informed him and he sat up with a look of disgust.

"You cannot be serious!?" he demanded and winced as pain seared through his skull.

Lorna smiled apologetically and shrugged. "She said we have to go today."

Reaver nodded and pulled his stiff body into a sitting position. His head felt like a lump of stone threatening to snap his neck. He looked speculatively at the blue liquid and Lorna gave him an encouraging smile. He sighed and picked it up again giving it a quick sniff. He made a face as he reluctantly sipped it again. It left a bitter taste in his mouth as the liquid trickled down his throat and he looked down at Lorna who watched with a wrinkled nose.

"Y-es?"

"You smell!" she stated rubbing her nose, "you need a bath."

"Oh thank you so much dear," he replied with a sarcastic snort. "I must admit though, I am giving of a pungent fragrance." He made a face as he sniffed himself.

Lorna smiled brightly. "I will gather you new clothes," she suggested in a helpful tone, "And maybe you should have a bath."

Reaver chuckled and patted the girl on the head. "I certainly won't argue with you there," he turned to set the glass down, but Lorna tutted making the pirate sigh. "Fine!" He demurely sipped the drink with a detached expression trying hard not grimace.

Happy, she trotted over to the abused looking chest of drawers making sure to avoid the shards of glass that glittered at her from the carpet. She side stepped the patch of red and pulled open a draw. As she pulled out clothes Reaver watched with blank interest as she set the clothes onto the end of the bed one at a time.

As he sat and watched whilst sipping his drink the liquid trickled down his throat he could feel the muscles about his stomach ease and was surprised to find his head had lightened. He looked at the glass with a look of profound amazement and tilted his head back seemingly to inhale the liquid. He coughed and sputtered a little, but relaxed as he could literally feel the drink take effect.

He looked at Lorna who was smiling as she watched him.

"I must get that recipe from him," Reaver mused scratching his chin.

Lorna smiled sadly. "I did ask, incase it did work, but he said it was a secret recipe."

The pirate smirked at her and gave her a surreptitious wink, his white, even teeth flashing in a grin. "Don't worry my dear I can get the recipe."

She giggled and went to the door as he waved her out.

"Don't forget to be out by Midday," she said with a giggle and she disappeared with the snap of the door.

When she had gone Reaver's shoulders slumped and he tiredly rubbed his eyes. He got up stretching like a cat and trudged to the bath room where he stripped and ran himself a rather hot bath. As he ran his hands over his trouser pockets he felt a lump and pulled out a small stone. He looked at it curiously. He ran his thumb over the smooth surface marvelling at the cyan veins that ran its expanse. Confusion bubbled to the surface as he watched the light dance on its surface and if he was not mistaken it felt like it was vibrating against his fingers. He wondered where he got it from but as he aimed to throw it out the window he decided not to. It was a pretty stone and for some reason the thought of parting with it seemed outrageous. He sighed and put it on dresser where he could see it feeling all the more baffled.

After deep soak of about half an hour he reappeared in his room with a towel tied round his waist and another that he was rubbing his hair with. He roughly ran the towel over his hair and sat at a vanity table that held a huge mirror. With out much of a glance at his reflection he set to tackling his mass of hair with a comb. The dark, blonde mass relented under the strokes leaving behind an even, if somewhat damp, flat surface. He quickly styled his hair with expert hands and patted it when he was happy with it. He regarded himself in the mirror scrupulously inspecting his face and he gave himself a sultry wink.

As he turned to get off the stool he froze. He paused for a moment, then regarded his reflection with wary eyes. Upon the reflective surface was his image, but something was not right for it grinned toothily at him and he knew for certain he was not grinning. The other him suddenly moved forward to lean on his arms. The green eyes that stared back at him held undisguised interest as the reflection rested his chin on one hand. A chill crept over Reaver's flesh and goosebumps erupted as the wave coursed along the skins surface.

"Its about time you and I had a chat," his reflection said, the voice, though hauntingly familiar, echoed in his mind leaving him with a sense of belittling. He hated it and he bristled slightly sitting up straight backed on the stool. His reflection merely laughed at him making him angrier.

"Yes about time indeed," the reflection said again and it smirked at the Pirate.

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As Lorna returned to where Sparrow was busy checking over her bags with a glass of blue liquid in one hand, the women looked up and smiled warmly at the small girl who trotted up to her. Sparrow patted her on the head as she sat at one of the table. Lorna climbed into the chair next to her and Sparrow sighed putting the glass on the table.

"Did you tell Reaver?" Sparrow asked not really sounding all that interested. Lorna nodded and pointed at the glass filled with the blue liquid.

"I gave him that too."

"Good girl," she said taking a sip and grimaced a little.

"What is it for?" Lorna then asked tilting her head curiously as she stared at the liquid.

Sparrow chuckled. "Well when you drink lots of wine and ale, and various other spirits it makes people act strange. This is called being drunk."

"Uh-huh I understand that," Lorna said matter-of-factly, "But how does that make you feel better, because when I went to give Reaver this he looked like he was dying."

Sparrow burst out laughing the image of a hung over Reaver made her feel very amused. She looked down at Lorna who stared back innocently.

"So did he feel better after drinking this?" Sparrow asked pointing at the glass and Lorna nodded.

"But Sparrow, if your drinking it too does that mean you drank to much last night as well?" Lorna stared at her still and Sparrow grimaced theatrically. With a demure nod she took another sip whilst Lorna laughed and giggled.

Sahail approached and smiled gently down at the two. "Would you like some breakfast my pretty young ladies?" he asked.

With a grateful sigh Sparrow smiled back. "Oh that would be wonderful," she said and Lorna nodded, "would you have eggs and bacon?"

"We would indeed, would you like toast with that?" Sparrow nodded and Sahail left. Lorna looked at her with a curious tilt of her head.

"Where is Garth?" she asked, "He went very early."

"Yes he went with Corban to find some of these Ginrul fowl," Sparrow paused to take another sip, "I must admit I feel curious but for some reason, I feel a little trepidation."

Lorna nodded in understanding. "Though I think it might be some kind of bird," Lorna said playing with her fingers on the table. Sparrow nodded and shrugged.

"We will just have to wait and see," she scoffed and rubbed her eyes, "I don't like surprises like this."

Sometime later Sahail returned with two plates full of steaming food and Sparrow thanked him. Lorna pulled the plate closer and watched him leave before she ate quickly. Sparrow sighed as she took the effort to cut and chew her food. No matter how many times she would tell the girl to slow down and chew her food properly Lorna still did it. A deep habit that must not be easy to be rid of, Sparrow surmised. She watched as Lorna had her left arm held round the plate almost protectively whilst the other held a fork that speared the bacon before disappearing into her mouth. As they slowly finished their food footsteps from behind them caused Sparrow to turn her head to look behind her.

She watched as Reaver made his up to the bar and slid onto one of the stools. He chatted quietly with Sahail before the portly man disappeared into the kitchen leaving the pirate to sit and contemplate. He leaned his elbow on the bar as he had his chin rested on his palm and his other balled fist sat into his hip. One foot touched the floor as the heel of his other boot was hooked onto the rung of the stool. Even when he was thinking he always seemed to pose and as she watched him she noted he suddenly seemed to look older. His shoulders were slumped wearily and his handsome face was scrunched lightly as he was deep in thought.

Realising she was staring Sparrow turned away and sighed with relief when Lorna had not noticed as she finished off the piece of toast in her hand dipping it in the yolk still left on her plate. Sparrow sat uneasily pushing her plate away. Lorna Looked at the plate and saw that Sparrow had left a piece of toast. She looked imploringly up at the lady and she nodded with an amused smile. Lorna grinned and grabbed the piece of toast, leaning back in her chair to nibble on it.

She suddenly felt a pair of eyes on her back, but resisted looking over her shoulder. Her nervousness was unwarranted she knew that, but, like many women, she realised she was falling for the pirate despite her best interests. The familiar feelings of infatuation brought on memories of Alex, her late husband. After so many years she barely remembered his face, but the sound of his voice still echoed in her ears. She smiled sorrowfully as memories of the long nights she had spent when she returned home to him after a long quest. He was always happy to see her when she returned and was, if anything, the complete opposite of Reaver. Perhaps was more a kin to Corban than the pirate, or was he. She felt her heart pang for the comfort of his arms and the sweet whisperings of hope he gave her in the darkest of times. All were now gone like the planking beneath her feet had been removed letting her fall into a vat of grief and loneliness.

Anger suddenly flared and her deeply buried grief began to rise as she remembered why she hated the pirate so much. The vision of Lucien falling to his death came fresh to her mind and her fists clenched. As too did the image of the women condemned to be a old women for the rest of her life. Seeing Reaver's nonchalant face as he told her of the plan to give her to Lucien. All for that pirates selfish gains. She took a deep breath and forced herself to unclench her fists, then relax. They were here for a different reason and she had to bare with the pirates presence only for a while, then they would part ways and be none the wiser. The thought pleased her and a small smile tugged at her lips. She looked at Lorna who stared at her with the piece of toast part way to her gaping mouth. Her eyes stared with a worried yet questioning look. Sparrow merely smiled and patted her head leaving the child feeling confused. Lorna pouted then savagely bit the piece of toast making Sparrow laugh.

Mid morning soon dragged nearer to midday and Reaver made no attempt to talk to Sparrow. In fact he seemed to avoid her leaving Sparrow feeling fairly pleased. Garth strode into the bar with a satisfied smile on his face and he approached Sparrow.

"Well, we have managed to purchase some Ginrul Fowl. Has everything been dealt with?" Sparrow looked over her shoulder at Reaver who was busy chatting with a young man, a silly little smile on his lips, then looked back to Garth with a snort.

"Yes all has been paid off and we have paid for damages too." Garth nodded and looked over at Reaver who had just noticed him. He gave the young man a seductive smirk, patted his cheek and left, leaving the young man blushing and flustered.

He approached smoothing down his over coat and gave Garth a withering look.

"Did I hear correctly?" he asked, "That you purchased Ginrul Fowl?" His lips twisted into a grimace and his nose wrinkled at the thought.

Garth's smile widened to a grin. "Yes that is correct," he looked at the pirate closely, "you're feeling alright?"

Reaver blinked and nodded. "I'm absolutely fine."

"Indeed, lets get the baggage out shall we," he gave Reaver a mysterious grin as he passed leaving the pirate looking confused. His hand patted his coat pocket feeling the lump of the stone against his chest vibrate gently. He made a noise of disgust and turned away leaving the bar with smooth strides. Lorna and Sparrow looked to each other with amused yet baffled looks.

Soon they had gathered outside the restaurant and Lorna peered about Sparrow's legs gawking widely. Standing in the street was a large bird with a long, thin curved neck and its small head had a curled, mean looking beak. It stood at at least at eight foot and its sturdy looking legs were scaly with viscous talons. Its brightly coloured feathers were thick and a great plume curved about its head and its tail feathers flared out in a rainbow of colour, but its wings were barely any bigger than its body. It looked down at the small child and let out a squawk as its large talons ploughed at the dirt.

Sparrow stared at it and the three exactly like it with a sense of profound wonder and amazement. Reaver stood by the closet one with the reigns in one hand looking none too enthusiastic. Garth was busy fussing one while Corban had a hold of two and pulled them closer. He handed the reigns to Sparrow who took them gingerly.

"They're beautiful," Sparrow whispered in awe as the bird bowed its head and looked at her with its golden eye. She patted its head which it seemed to like as it closed its eyes then trilled. She laughed and Reaver grunted sourly.

He pulled on the reigns so that he faced his Ginrul fowl and stared eye to eye with it.

"Now you listen here birdy," he growled in a low dangerous voice, "I do not like you and more than likely, you do not like me, so give me any trouble and you will be roast dinner, you hear me. And I will enjoy every last stringy piece of you, understand!"

The Ginrul fowl gave an uncertain squawk a hint of fear in its golden eyes and Reaver smirked nastily. "Good, lets just get along shall we," he patted its bill then barked -Down- in the Samarkandian language and obediently the bird knelt down. He planted a foot on its shoulder and launched himself to sit on its back with both feet resting at the base of its neck. -Up- he barked and it rose gracefully till he towered over the others. He stared down at the two adults with a look of superior disinterest like he had been doing it his whole life.

Lorna looked up with a grin and Reaver gave her a cheeky wink. Sparrow looked at her Ginrul fowl nervously and looked to Corban for help. The dark skinned man smiled and quickly taught her the appropriate words. When she replicated them the bird sat and looked at her expectantly. With a delighted giggle she climbed on the same way she had seen Reaver do it and she grinned a foolishly as she sat upon the creatures back. Reaver watched with a strange look and Lorna smiled at him. She turned to Corban and gave him a dark glare before climbing into Sparrow's lap looking else where with a huff. Corban blinked then looked at Sparrow who shrugged apologetically. She gave the cue for her Ginrul to rise and made a squeak of surprise as it rose. Reaver laughed and she shot him a reproachful glare, which he ignored and continued laughing.

Garth approached with a smaller Ginrul fowl, but it was duller in colour with a few aqua blue coloured tail feathers and its body was stockier and lacked the magnificent plume the larger Ginrul Fowl had. Beside it, sticking close, was a small white version of the Ginrul fowl. Sparrow looked down at it holding Lorna carefully as she too peered down curiously. The little thing looked up with pink eyes and made a strange gurgle that made Lorna giggle. Sparrow looked over to Garth that tethered the duller looking Ginrul fowl. Seeing her quizzical expression he smiled.

"The larger more magnificent Ginrul are males," he patted the rump of his mount, "And the smaller, stocker less impressive are the females and we usually use them to pull carts as they can drag weight but are not so good at carrying it."

"Ah I see and that would be a baby one?" she asked looking down at the small white Ginrul who was watching curiously.

Garth nodded. "Yes, unfortunately this female was only able to lay the one egg where as normally they lay between six and three eggs. What is also most interesting, -Down- is that a white Ginrul is exceedingly rare -up-." He climbed on to his mount with a soft grunt and settled himself till he was comfortable.

"I had no idea such creatures existed in the world," Sparrow said as Corban also mounted his own Ginrul.

"There are many wonderful things in this world you have not seen before," Garth said as he pulled out a long stick from a pack on the creatures rump. Sparrow looked at it curiously and Corban handed her one very similar. She looked up to see Reaver had also acquired one and he held it against his leg. She took the stick that Corban handed to her looking even more confused.

"To encourage the Ginrul to move you pat the rump with the stick and click your tongue," Corban said demonstrating the type of sound, "To make the Ginrul turn you pull the reigns in the direction needed and press on the shoulder either your left food or right depending on where you want to go."

Sparrow nodded looking a little uncertain. "You will get a hang of it eventually," Corban assured and she responded with a roll of her eyes.

"Yeah … sure."

"Maybe this is not the time to say that they sense your fear," Reaver teased neatly avoiding the stick that whistled over his head. He laughed as he encouraged the Ginrul forward and it trotted head bobbing as it moved.

Taking a deep breath she clutched the reigns in one hand and Lorna with the other.

"Here goes nothing," she whispered as she then encouraged her own mount forward. She let out a cry of surprise as it surged forward and her body jolted up and down with surprising force that jarred her skull.

"All right, Hang on!" Corban called after them giving his mount a quick slap on the rump and charged after them leaving Garth trailing behind with the cart. He sighed and looked to the female Ginrul.

"Always the same," he told her and she bobbed her head with a small warble that vibrated her throat. Garth chuckled and encouraged his mount following at a more sedate pace with the female Ginrul tugging the small cart along. He eventually caught up when Sparrow figured out how to get the Ginrul to walk rather than run even though the bird protested loudly. They slowly ambled along the wide dirt path surrounded on either side by the same dense forest that seemed the same all the way.

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I apologise for the lateness of this chapter. Uni work as always. Anyway more should be on the way and Review if you liked and so on.