Corban watched as they disappeared within the hole leaving him alone in the blistering heat of the desert. He settled himself under a canopy leaning against the Ginrul that dozed in the heat. There was nought but the sound of the wind whispering over the sands and the breathing of the Ginrul. As he relaxed his thoughts drifted, memories filtering through his mind. The memory from the other night was prominent in his mind though he knew Sparrow would not remember. She was after all more than just a little drunk, but when he made his advances on the women she reacted in an unexpected fashion. The rejection was forceful considering her state of mind, however the look in her eyes still haunted him. The pain, the loneliness and the resentment, but for whom he did not know. His initial thought was Reaver, but as he thought about it maybe it was something deeper. He then made a mental rebuke to himself. He should not be thinking such things, but he could not help but feel something for the sad little sparrow who seemed caged by her own devices and yet was made all the more beautiful by it.

A suddenly chill brought him out of his reverie and he looked up from under the tent canopy. He gasped in shock as he saw the black speck of a crow fly over head and he jumped to his feet his hand grabbing a cutlass as he stood. In a frenzied circle he moved his cutlass held in a battle ready manner as his eyes peered into the heat induced haze of the surrounding desert.

From behind a startled Ginrul a figure emerged glancing at Corban amusedly though his face was hidden by a mask. Corban whirled round and they faced each other, the look of hate and anger on Corban's face would of intimidated a weaker man, but the thing that stood before him, Corban was not sure whether he was still a man.

"I dare say this is apt timing on my part, don't you think?" Adren said his voice dripping with malice as he regarded Corban. Corban scowled and raised his cutlass threateningly.

"What do you want!?"

Adren stood for a moment appearing in thought till he moved to walk around Corban who jerked at the sudden movement. Adren ambled slowly like a prowling feline that was stalking its prey.

"Hmm, Corban is it now? I am here to make things a little more interesting," the man said with a cruel laugh. Corban's expression changed to concern.

"What are you going to do?" his voice was traced with panic, but his hand remained steady. Adren stopped and looked down at the blade that was pointed at his heart and fingered the tip relishing in the pain that seared through the gloved flesh as it dug into him. He chuckled darkly.

"Its a surprise," was the cryptic response as he flicked the blade aside and smashed his fist square into Corban's nose. The crack of bone sounded in Corban's ears and pain ricocheted through his skull causing him to cry out involuntarily. He crumbled to the floor and as he lay there his hand tentatively went to his nose as blood trickled gently over his full lips.

Adren knelt beside him and peered into the mans face, his own hidden by the mask and he chuckled again more. He patted Corban's head as he pulled out a small black ball from inside of his long coat. Panic spread across Corban's face as he recognised the ball and he shook his head slowly.

"No, please," he pleaded, "no, not that, they don't deserve that."

"Oh shut up," Adren slapped Corban harshly across the face leaving stars stinging behind the man's eye lids, "Am not best pleased with you as it is so please don't talk. Its annoying hearing you plead for your so called 'friends'. What a hateful concept, friends. Did well enough before so why now. Better off alone I always say." Adren looked down at Corban disdainfully as the man blinked to focus his eyes. Adren snorted and stood walking over to one of the Ginrul fowl. After a moment he returned to look down at Corban.

He stood there, still as a statue, moments ticking passed. "Good night Corban, see you soon," with that he kicked Corban in the face leaving a large red mark as Corban passed into unconsciousness.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Above the roar of noise Sparrow shouted at everyone to fall back. The shadow continued to loom over them and they watched in revulsion as it pulsated, then collapsed into hundreds of small spindly creatures that oozed out of the shadows. The shadowy creatures screeched as they leapt, their shiny hides rippling under the dim light from the tornado of light. They swarmed and clambered round the group as shots fired off leaving Reaver's pistol smoking, but as fast as he could reload another replaced the fallen just as fast.

They were slowly forced back as the creatures surrounded them growling and screeching. Their beetle black eyes filled with a deep hunger as they continued to force down upon the panicking humans. Lorna clutched at the back of Sparrow's shirt as an idea came to her mind a strange calmness snaking about her fear, constricting it till it was nothing. The necklace vibrated against her chest encouragingly. As shots, will and the singing of striking metal added to the clamour of animalistic screeching she opened her mouth and from it issued a pure, striking note that cut through the horrific din. The shadowy creatures stopped, pawing at each other and the ground in confusion and as the girls voice began to rise through a clear scale a hum joined her. The hum set a startling vibration through the room and the adults eyes trailed to the swarm that whirled faster and faster changing from a glowing orange to furious red that stung their eyes. They shielded themselves from the brightness and with out warning the the swarm descended upon the creatures, and though they did not hurt them physically the light of their wings caused them to scream in pain and recoil violently. Taking advantage of the confusion the group made a run for it as the swarm danced amongst the creatures so that they were unable to attack.

Taking a hold of Lorna, Sparrow sprinted in and out of flailing creatures that scrambled about trying to avoid the insects that dove straight for them. As Lorna clutched at Sparrow one small insect landed on her arm and she looked at it curiously. It was glowing a faint red colour, not as intense as its friends, but it seemed to twitter and move erratically as if to convey a sense of urgency. Lorna did not need to be told twice, but as she listened it was trying to say something else this much she could tell.

As they made their way ducking and weaving Reaver let out a cry. Sparrow whipped round to see Garth tumble to ground Reaver following closely with a deep gash across his shoulder. "Reaver?!"

He waved his hand furiously telling the women to keep going and as Garth picked himself up he dragged the pirate to his feet. Sparrow kept going as the small insect like creature fluttered in front of her face in an annoying manner trying to gain her attention frequently going to Lorna as if to say 'make her listen to me'.

Lorna then tugged at Sparrow's arm looking at the women very seriously. "I think he wants you to follow him, Sparrow!"

"He?"

Lorna nodded and so with a sigh she followed the girl's suggestion much to the small creatures delight as its red became a light green for a split second. It wound its way through the mass of disturbed bodies until it reached a door that seemed frozen solid. The little insect buzzed in front of it a moment before disappearing leaving them in darkness once more. As the insects seemed to keep the creatures occupied Reaver leant against Garth who had crudely fixed a bandage across his shoulder. Sparrow touched him lightly on the shirt glad that he could not see the worry on her face in the dark. The knot seemed to constrict around her stomach much like when she saved him from that damned castle. This thought unsettled her as the door hissed open and she stepped through followed by the others. It slammed closed with a dull clunk and they took the moment to take a few breaths to calm the vibrating nerves. The little insect wiped through and circled Lorna's head before sitting on her shoulder glowing a triumphant dark blue.

"Looks like you have a new friend, poppet," Reaver breathed as he sat near to where she stood staring at his wounded shoulder that was barely visible by the light of the torch that Garth still had in his hand. Sparrow had long since discarded hers in favour of full use of her hands.

Lorna looked up at Sparrow who knelt beside him and inspected his shoulder with the critical eye of one used to seeing the grizzly effects of battle. She removed the crude bandage that Garth had made and took from a pouch just inside of her jacket a small bottle. With gentle hands she then removed the pirates jacket and cloak, but to his horror she ripped the cloak into strips.

"What in blazes women!" he scolded loudly, "That cost me a fortune!"

"Oh, the price of fashion," she retorted sarcastically, "why someone would wear something so expensive into battle is beyond me."

Reaver gave her scathing glare. "I would not expect you to understand," he huffed looking away like a sulky child. Sparrow sighed and applied the lotion from the bottle on to the fabric, then not so gently wrapped his shoulder. Reaver winced and shot her an angry scowl her reply was a smirk not unlike the one he often wore. When she was finished he flexed his arm gently feeling the lotions effect almost immediately. She tugged him to his feet just as a loud crash made the door vibrate. Sparrow jolted her hand whipping to the handle of her blade. She stared at the indent that was made until another made her jump.

"We better keep moving," she muttered and the others nodded in agreement.

As they turned to run up the passage way Reaver glanced to the shadow on the wall made by the flicking flame of the mage's torch. It gave the pirate a cheeky wave and Reaver scowled more out of annoyance. It made a gesture and pointed down the corridor. Reaver nodded and followed its length.

The insect that had taken to fluttering protectively around Lorna's head suddenly swooped past them all and hovered at a junction that went into two separate directions. Reaver glanced to his shadow and gave the object of dark space a questioning look. It pointed down the left passage and with out even considering whether the other three were following he made his way down it. Garth called out to him but the pirate did not respond as the insect followed to serve as a guiding light. With an infuriated sigh they followed. This went on for what seemed like miles until they stopped to find Reaver staring at a wall. Sparrow stood at his side peering at it her eyes suddenly widening.

"What is it?" Garth asked as he came to stand behind them. He looked upon the wall gravely a feeling of weary familiarity descending upon him. Upon the wall was a mural in the same design as much of the temple, but this seemed out of place amongst the floral designs that had dominated most of these passageways. In the very centre was a small girl sat in a meditative crouch with a strange symbol sitting in her cupped hands, but she was her back was partially turned to them exposing what looked like an emblem on her shoulder. Above her head was a blazing sun with symbols inscribed around the edge and he knew this image immediately as the Samarkandian Mage Syndicate seal as he had one tattooed upon his person. However, beneath her was what looked like a curled feline in a submissive stance suggesting that it was there to do her bidding. On one side, just in front of her, were two birds curled about each other inside of a cage, but behind her was shadow with a mask clasped in the talons of a crow the eyes ablaze with an orange energy. The images struck him deeply the thought of prediction was prominent in his mind. He looked at the pirate and heroine before him with a sense of knowing and he could tell they felt the same. He looked down at the child with a thoughtful frown. She stared back with a sorrowful look that melted his heart. It was then he realised that she must of known, but how could she. He shook his head and looked back to the images his torch casting Sparrow and Reaver's shadows upon the wall.

Sparrow looked at Reaver her brow creased with confusion, but his face was unreadable as he watched his shadow point to the girls cupped hands. As he moved forward to inspect it Sparrow stared in disbelief as his shadow moved of its own volition. She went to question him, but he spoke first.

"Sparrow, be a dear and insert you Katana into this slot," he remarked smoothly. Sparrow looked to Garth who had a serious frown on his will lined face and he nodded. She slid the blade from its sheath with a steely hiss and approached the wall. She looked from Reaver to the wall with a resigned sigh. She hesitated sweeping a hand over the image of the two caged birds before plunging the blade with surgical precision into the slot indicated to her. As she removed her blade the ground quaked and shuddered as the wall ascended up into the ceiling. With hurried movements they rushed inside only to find the wall crashed closed behind them. Sparrow rushed to it and hammered her fist futile on the stone surface. She growled and glared at Reaver.

Reaver glanced in her direction with a mild expression and pointed to the wall opposite him. She turned to see what he was pointing at and gasped in relief to see a staircase winding its way upwards. She walked up to Reaver and whacked him hard across the arm with a sulky pout. He stared at her noting her accusing look.

"What in all of Albion was that for!" he exclaimed but she turned away from him clenching her teeth slightly remaining silent. Reaver growled in exasperation and his shadow pointed at him doubling over in silent laughter. Reaver glared at it and spat on the floor contemptuously where his shadow visibly flipped him off. Garth stood by the pirate's shoulder and looked down at the swearing shadow with a chuckle.

"You know, if I had not seen it with my own two eyes I would of thought you were mad," the Mage remarked, "oh and we are going to discuss that when we get topside." He chuckled as he walked up to the staircase with Reaver glaring at his back.

As they climbed the steep winding steps Sparrow was beginning to feel nauseous from the continuous circular movement. She panted heavily with sweat beading on her brow as she followed the two men up the stair case with Lorna keeping pace beside her. Her eyes kept glancing upwards leaving a heat on her cheeks. Reaver was directly in front of her and as she tore apart his cloak to make a bandage it left him rather exposed. To say the least the view was... more enjoyable than she was willing to accept. Denile, screamed a voice in her head, but she ignored it concentrating on keeping a sure footing on the awkward steps. When they got to the top sand covered the floor and sloping banks of sand rose from the floor up to the top of the windows that it poured in through. At the top of one such window was a gap letting a stream of light through and left a glowing patch on the floor. Curious, the little insect that had taken to using Lorna's head for a roost approached the patch of light unsure of what to make of it.

Lorna giggled and scooped up the insect as the adults set about pulling down some of the sand so that there was a gap big enough for them to crawl through. When that was done Sparrow climbed up the slope to the top finding it hard to keep a footing when the sand gave way beneath her weight. This is like trying to climb water, she thought to herself. She grasped the top of the window to try and use it for leverage, but that did not work as she slid back to the bottom of the slope sputtering sand from her mouth. She muttered a dark curse and a tutting noise made her glare at Reaver who grinned boyishly. She rolled her eyes as a light blush stung her cheeks and began her climb again managing to keep her footing this time as she grasped the sides of the window frame but her feet kept sliding in the sand. Garth and Reaver grasped both her feet and pushed her upwards until she managed to scramble through the hole. Lorna cheered and giggled when Sparrow gave her a thumbs up.

When everyone was standing in the blaze of the desert they took pleasure in the warmth of the sun and the light bathing their skin before going to find their camp. They could see from where they stood the Ginrul sitting in the circle just as they left them. The little insect buried itself inside Lorna's dress deciding it did not like the heat and light of the desert as they began the slow walk back.

Garth took out the map and sighed as the blankness stared at him almost mockingly. He felt a little deflated as they went to all that trouble only to have it all in vane. When he mentioned this to Reaver the pirate made a derisive snort.

"Don't be a ninny," Reaver scoffed, "It was those faery things that made the map appear wasn't it."

"Well yes," Garth's eyes widened as he realised what Reaver was hinting at as the Pirate regarded him with amusement. "Oh."

Reaver laughed and shook his head as he looked down at Lorna who was skipping by Sparrow's side. A smile of relief illuminated Sparrow's face which made Reaver sigh in resignation. He turned away and touched his shoulder gingerly. Sourness had begun to settle in now, but he hoped the main wound was mostly healed. He thanked his lucky stars then for healing potions. As they neared the camp an odd feeling crept over him, like something was not right. When they cambered round the large forms of the Ginrul and the lifeless form of Corban laying on the sand greeted them.

Immediately Garth and Sparrow rushed to his side, but Reaver looked unconcerned as he lounged against his Ginrul, eyeing the spectacle with disdain. They fussed and fawned over the unconscious Samarkandian and yet nothing in the man inspired, well, any sort of positive emotion in him. He hated the man plain and simple, but yet he could not help feel a little jealous as Sparrow treated the man's injuries. To his knowledge she had never looked at him with such worry and care before. He sighed and made a furrow in the sand much like the Ginrul had, and sat in it watching with disinterest. Lorna copied him and sat beside the pirate with a look of understanding. With her hands covering the spot where the insect was curled up against her chest she leant against his arm. He blinked in surprise and looked down, then sighed shaking his head. I'm getting to old for this, he thought demurely to himself.

When they managed to resuscitate Corban he remained vague about who jumped him and similarly broke his nose. Reaver however had his suspicions as a masked face entered his mind. He refused to even think about it as seeing that face always caused him to freeze up with fear. He should not feel fear, he was the Thief King! People should fear him, he was Reaver and yet ever since that fateful meeting he had been feeling weakened by it, he hated it.

Despite the injuries sustained above and below they all mutually agreed that putting as much distance between them and the buried temple was more than prudent. The jolting movements of the speeding Ginrul caused muffled moans and groans of pain, so, when the chill of night began to creep over the desert followed by the darkening twilight blanket of stars, Sparrow decided she had, had enough. They made camp and clustered around a meagre fire that sputtered contemptuously at them from its pit. The glow illuminated their faces as they ate in silence. A soft pin point of light circled their heads glowing a cheery yellow.

Conversation did not come easy that evening as the mood hung heavy with revelations. Garth had encouraged the little faery, as Reaver called it, to sit on his knee so he could see the map in the darkness. He scanned it making mental notes and Lorna peered curiously over his arm blinking cutely as she regarded the parchment. The map seemed rather complicated as contours of mountains and lowlands were drawn with painstaking care. What caught Lorna's eye was the the tiny and yet highly detailed castles, villages and caves. It also had inscribed upon it the images of creatures long extinct (maybe) in various places where one may of encountered them. The rivers and lakes looked so real that Lorna could almost believe that water was following across the page. She watched Garth's long finger trail from their estimated position down to a coast line where the digit stopped and tapped the page thoughtfully. Garth's finger then trailed over a body of water to poke at an island. Garth scowled as Lorna's Faery crawled down the page to scratch the area that Garth poked. Lorna giggled and scooped it up to nuzzle it gently, Garth watched with an amused smile.

Garth folded the map away and Corban gave the mage a curious glance, as Garth scratched his beard in thought.

"It would seem we will have to travel south, very south," the mage commented dryly as he looked at his friends with a grim smile.

"That's an awfully long way," Lorna pouted snuggling up to Sparrow who absently put her arm protectively about the girl.

"How much of a long way?" Corban asked touching his nose gingerly.

"Well we have to get to the south coast," Garth explained, "According to the map, Jupitus' fortress is secluded on an island just off the tip of southern Samarkand."

"Great," Corban spat, "that area is amongst the most treacherous waters in the southern seas. How are suppose to traverse something so dangerous."

Reaver listened musing to himself when a smile appeared on his sensuous lips. "Ahh, I remember those seas well," he breathed a reminiscing sigh and grinned, "Nearly made my ship capsize. That was one hell of a typhoon." He giggled like a school boy as he remembered with a mischievous gleam in his eye. Sparrow rolled her eyes to peer at the dark, velvety sky above them shaking her head. The chuckled that escaped Reaver made her look towards him, which she was rewarded with a bawdy wink making her scoff in disgust. Reaver could not help but chuckle.

"Yes, as for you," Garth said twisting slightly on the spot he sat to fix the pirate with a suspecting gaze, "this shadow of yours."

"Hn, him," was Reaver's scornful reply as he sat up . Garth's eyes trailed to the shadow that mimicked the pirates actions, which promptly turned and waved to him. Garth waved back uncertainly and looked at Reaver who glanced at the mage with a 'Don't encourage him' look. Reaver then huffed sulkily, folding his arms as he remembered the conversation between him and his estranged reflection.

XxFlashbackxX

Reaver sat at the vanity table glaring heatedly at his reflection. They regarded each other with such polar opposite expressions that one would believe that it could be the two sides of Reaver, if the one inhabiting his reflection was not so... different.

"I am not hallucinating am I?" Reaver asked speculatively his eyebrow arching.

His reflection grinned. "No," was the simple answer, "you would be able to tell a hallucination from reality wouldn't you." The reflection tapped his temple suggestively.

"Are you going to sit there and remind me of my past misdemeanours or are you going to tell me what you want!" Reaver said in a calm, dangerous tone. The reflection smirked patting the scrupulously styled hair in fair mimicry of the pirates own narcissism.

"What I want you cannot give me," it replied suddenly looking thoughtful, "but you can help me."

"Why would I want to help you" Reaver scoffed the corners of his mouth twitched contemptuously.

"Well for starters," it said with a wide grin, "you help me and I will leave your body."

Reaver felt alarm course through him and leaned forward to glare at the reflection. "What! Are... are you possessing me!?"

The reflection laughed, the sound was hollow and left chills rippling over the pirates skin. "No, boy, I am merely hitching a ride," it replied calmly, "just for the time being."

The muscle in Reaver's cheek twitched when his reflection referred to him as boy and it continued as if sensing his apprehension.

"Do not worry, boy, I cannot take control over your body no more than you can get rid of me," the reflection chuckled, "this, however, is the first and last time I will be able to... talk with you."

Reaver watched as the reflection inspected Reaver's body admiring the well toned physique. This made Reaver smirk with unrepressed smugness. This made the reflection roll his eyes as he continued.

"So what I really want from you is well... the same thing as you really."

A whole list of things Reaver wanted ran through his mind at that moment his expression becoming glassy, sex was predominantly at the top. His reflection laughed again, but this time Reaver could not help but grin.

"Your not telling me everything though are you," Reaver then said.

"There are a lot of things you don't need to know," the reflection told him pointedly, "however this I will tell you. When the time comes you must trust me to guide you, you must also trust to let go and most of all shadows are made real if the hate is strong enough, to kill the shadow you must remove the hate."

"Well that's certainly cryptic," Reaver shrugged nonchalantly, "and why should I care?"

"Oh, believe me, when the time comes you will care," the reflection then looked highly amused as its eyes shifted to look at small stone on the dresser. "Oh and by the way you may want to keep the stone."

"Whys that?"

"Well..." the reflection grinned maliciously, "Garth made a bet with you last night."

Reaver's eyes went wide with interest. "Oh, what kind of bet?"

The reflection chuckled. "Something about Sparrow..." he said evasively causing Reaver to scowl, "and a very interesting word crept up, fornicate was it... a rather polite way of putting it."

Reaver's eyes widened at this and a slow smile curled his lips when suddenly his reflection shifted, and Reaver knew that he was now staring at his true self. He sighed and shook his head. This trip was getting weirder by the moment. Reaver had seen some strange things, but this was taking the proverbial biscuit. However, there was a few perks he thought as a cheeky smirk tugged his lips.

XxEnd FlashbackxX

When he finished his narration(keeping the bet to himself), Reaver shuddered, looking down at his shadow that morphed in the flickering of the fire. He felt no presence when he stared at it and even when it acted strangely there was nothing but simple shadow. He glanced up at the the four pairs of eyes that stared at him like he had suddenly grown two heads. Reaver scowled an eyebrow rising in annoyance.

"What! I don't know where he came from and neither do I care," he said with a wave of his hand, "He did not say and as to what he really wanted he didn't tell me that either."

"Sounds crazy," Corban commented and Reaver shot the dark skinned man a nasty glare, the responding smirk was just as nasty.

"Either way," Garth cut in smoothly, hopefully preventing an incident, "your shadow sounds suspicious to me."

"No need to tell me that."

"However, it helped us when we needed it," Garth looked to Sparrow who shrugged, they regarded Reaver for a moment who sat uncomfortably under their scrutinising glances. "well, et us sleep on it. I have yet to consult my books on various matters. I will just add hitchhiking spirits to the list."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I hope that chapter was all right. Call me self critical, but there is something about it that I am uncertain of. Either way please review this is the first and only fic of mine that has been this close to 50 reviews! Come on people give me some encouragement, the next one should be along soon...ish ^^; Hope you enjoyed and don'f forget to review!!! Remember... 50 .