Lorna could not believe her eyes. Her Sparrow was taken down by a mere animal, a mere snake. Her small body shuddered as her breathing came in gasps struggling to control her laboured sobs. She looked up at Garth who was standing above her with down cast eyes. She looked to Reaver who was curled in a ball beside Sparrow's body though no sound came from him. Her bottom lip quivered and she nuzzled the woman's belly as fresh tears began to trail down her cheeks. She could not hear any heart beat. That once soothing sound was gone and yet. Lorna blinked and her breath caught in her throat. What was this feeling. She managed to straighten herself and looked down at Sparrow's white face. Her small hand reached towards it her lips parting slightly.

"Ma... mama?" her hands touched the cold flesh of the woman's cheeks. "Mama?" There is was again that unmistakeable feeling like a small spark of energy so small it was barely noticeable. Lorna's eyes widened as a feeling of hope exploded in her chest. She began to scream Mama repeatedly shaking Sparrow, but there was still no response. The flicker of spirit was fading fast and she knew she had to do something or it will disappear completely.

"Come on damn it I know your still there," she screamed smacking her fists on the woman's stomach, but the firm muscle remained rigid. A rustle made her look over to Reaver who glared from the darkness of between his arms. Lorna could barely see the redness, but the anger in them was unmistakable as he glared at her.

"What are you doing?" he demanded his voice course.

"She's still there!" Lorna cried pointing the woman's face. "I can feel it, her spirit is still there, but its small. We Have to do something!"

"What are you talking about, I know a dead body when I see one!" he said coldly. She responded with an angry growl and returned to screaming Mama repeatedly refusing with all her being that Sparrow would disappear. She squeaked when a pair of strong hands grabbed her arms to stop them from pounding the dead flesh before her. She whimpered and more tears cascaded down her cheeks.

"Lorna just stop already," Garth said in a chocked voice

"Mama please," she pleaded scrunching her eyes tight, the spark was was so much smaller now, "Don't disappear, don't... don't disappear. Mama don't disappear because I love you Mama!"

Nothing happened as Sparrow's still form remained frozen and her white skin glistened in the low light. Admitting defeat Lorna slumped hanging limp from the mage's hands as a storm of fresh weeping escaped her. Adrianna suddenly came rushing in at that point and when she saw what lay before her her knees buckled as she neared the bed, her face mirroring shock and pain.

"What happened?" she gasped as she held onto the bed post her knuckles turning white with the strain of her grip. Garth made to answer but no sound formulated apart from a soft gasp. His mind was still trying to catch up with itself as the scene rolled in slow motion in his minds eye. He could barely comprehend the fact a snake was able to bring down the strongest women he had ever known. He managed to peel his eyes away from the body and looked down at Reaver who was scrunched in a tight ball silent as stone. He shook his head steeling himself as he began giving orders to the servants that hovered about the entrance way, though his voice was wavering and hoarse it nevertheless remained strong as the servants managed to tear themselves away. They slowly filed out in a procession leaving behind them a somber and mournful atmosphere.

Garth waved to Adrianna who slowly tiptoed around the pool of blood her eyes scanning Sparrow and Garth picked up Lorna, then handed her over to the small women who with awkward difficulty took her. He neared the body and laid his hand across her forehead. His eyes widened as his senses searched and found exactly what Lorna had been saying, the brief and smallest of spiritual essences. He berated himself for not noticing, but he knew that his senses had grown dull due to his grief. He sighed heavily and looked over at Reaver before standing. A familiar presence entered and he looked up to see Oota who looked down at the body gravely.

"Hmm, it would seem it has happened," he said with a sigh and Garth gave him an odd look.

"You knew this would happen?" he asked incredulously anger suddenly filling him.

"I had an inkling that a Dorankas was in our midst, but I had not the opportunity to find it," he explained as he regarded Garth seriously, "though I admit that whoever was hiding it, hid it very well as I could not pin point it properly."

"A Dorankas!!" Garth's voice rose a few octaves in his shock.

Adrianna peered at the two men curiously with a confused frown. "What is that?"

Garth turned to look at her his mouth going dry as he tried to formulate the words.

"Dorankas is supposed to be a myth," he began, "they were said to live in the darkest of shadows and hid in the form of a stone to surprise its prey. Its constricting ability is said to be almost impossible to comprehend and its venom ..." He suddenly paused a fresh wave of panic coursing through him as he turned to Oota. "Good god! We have to hurry. She only has 12 hours before... before..."

Oota held up a finger and Garth immediately fell silent. "Correction it is not venom."

"It's a snake of course it would be venom," Garth replied angrily, "it wouldn't be poison as the elements are distinctly different."

Adrianna tilted her head as she cradled Lorna in her arms. "What's the difference?"

"Well, the two have different properties. Where the poison attacks muscles, venom attacks the nervous system and often breaks down the muscle tissue," Garth explained without taking his eyes off of Oota, "if it isn't venom then what is it?"

Oota stepped aside as two servants entered carrying a litter between them and he ordered them to take Sparrow to clean her body then return her to his quarters down the hall. When they left with the woman's body he turned back to Garth his dark eyes intense.

"It is a parasite," he stated firmly. Garth gave the old man a scathing look and shook his head.

"It can't be," Garth replied adamantly. Oota replied with a chuckle as a few more servants entered retrieving items and cleaning the mess working around Reaver's still form.

"My dear boy," he said with infuriating calmness, "how do you think some creatures reproduce."

The mage's eyes widened. "What, are you saying that she has become a host to that snake's young!?" he cried pointing to the door, his eyes scanned the floor in a searching manner as he organised his thoughts, "How... how are we supposed to get rid of it if that is indeed the case!?"

Oota looked at the servants thoughtfully as he stepped round them nearing Reaver's bed beginning to search through a pack that was on the floor beside it.

"Well, it's simple, but difficult," he finally said after a moments silence, "I just count our lucky stars we already have what we need on us."

Garth looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I mean we will have to perform a special ritual for it, very ancient, very ancient," he said straightening and juggling a pouch in his hand. He turned to look at Garth with a mysterious smile and the mage regarded the old man uncertainly as Oota approached him holding out the pouch. "And we will need this."

Garth looked at the pouch apprehensively while Oota encouraged him to look inside. With a trembling hand he took the pouch and eased it open to peer inside. A noise of surprise escaped him as he rattled the salt lumps about and he stared at Oota.

"This...? how is this supposed to help?"

Oota chuckled. "Well, ever heard of a Doshana?" he asked curiously as he stepped up beside the pirate who had refused to move from his spot.

"Wait, isn't that supposed to be some sort of spirit walk of the mind?" Garth asked waving his hand in a vague motion to indicate he was not a hundred percent sure of the fact.

"Nearly," Oota said wagging a finger much like a teacher instructing his student, "Doshana as you said is like a spirit journey, but it allows ones self to access the memories and thoughts of your subconscious to help heal debilitating diseases. As such it is the only way to kill the parasite."

"How is that supposed to work?" Adrianna asked her voice trembling slightly as she watched the last of the blood disappear.

"Well my dear, you see, you need certain types of memories to kill it before it reaches the brain," Oota explained putting his fingertip to his temple, "These memories trigger certain responses in the body which act like a poison to the parasite, but to find the right memories you need a guide or anchor as it is often called. So in conclusion kiddies, in order to save Sparrow one of you are going to have to walk the path of her memories to first to find her and then guide her back."

A heavy silence fell amongst them absorbing this information as best they could. It was confusing, but they knew it was the only way to save Sparrow. Lorna stirred and her mauve eyes fixed Oota with a determined stare, but Oota shook his head.

"No my child you are far to young, you would be swept up in the emotion of her memories." The look of sudden disappointment caused Garth to wince knowing exactly how she felt.

"Then I will do it," Garth suddenly said, "I am the one here that has known Sparrow longest so I understand her mind."

Oota chuckled. "Is that so," Oota smiled his eyes narrowed slightly, "Hmm, well... maybe, but just because you have known her longest does not mean you know her, so I say no." "

Garth made a noise of disgust as his will lined face became creased with sudden anger.

"What?!" the mage growled incredulously, "How can you say that!?"

Oota was about to say something when Reaver stirred and he eased himself out of his ball with a groan of effort as muscles had become stiff. He slowly stood up and looked round floor that was now sparkling clean. He turned slightly to Oota his expression unreadable refusing to look at anyone's face that looked upon him with surprise.

"I will do it," he stated firmly. Oota regarded the man kindly and patted him on the shoulder. Reaver visibly stiffened for a moment before relaxing and looking up at the old man.

"I was hoping you would," the old man said and Garth gaped.

"What...!?" he began as he made to protest, but a single motion and he fell silent as Oota stared at him intently. Garth seethed his will lines blazing,but he made no attempt to argue as he knew he would be beaten down.

"Now Adrianna," Oota said his voice suddenly holding an authoritative tone that made them all stiffen, "I want you to take Lorna to my room and tell some servants to bring me nine tower candles preferably made from Kalon bees wax," Adrianna nodded as he turned to Garth, "You go with her and set up a spirit circle about my bed there will be Mage chalk in my packs, the one marked with the insignia." Garth's eyebrows rose in sudden interest, but did as he was told following the young women out of the room leaving Reaver alone with the old man.

As soon as they were gone Reaver let loose a scream of fury and slammed his fist into the bed post behind him. He panted heavily as the anger and pain threatened to over whelm him. Oota gave the pirate a hard look before grabbing him by the scruff of his tunic's collar and yanked him back so hard he stumbled nearly falling flat on his arse. He turned to glare at the old man balling his fists tightly.

"If you really want to help Sparrow this is not the attitude!" Oota stated pointing at him sharply. Reaver blinked in surprise and took a step back as the heat of the old man's glare sent chills through him. "Now, you have to calm yourself otherwise you might as well give up now."

"You know if your just going to shout at me you might have been better off saying yes to Garth," Reaver growled in reply.

Oota shook his head. "I do not believe he will be able to find her."

"And what makes you think I will be as successful?!" Reaver argued, but Oota merely gave him a steady look a smile appearing on his lips.

"You will have to trust me won't you," the old man replied vaguely making Reaver feel a little unsettled. "The reason I want to talk to you alone for a moment as they are preparing the room is prepare you somewhat so you know what to expect."

Reaver stared at him his eyebrow rose questioningly. "What for?" he asked uncertainly.

"Well, though each mind is different the form usually takes shape... almost like a labyrinth of corridors with vast amounts of doors that lead to many different memories and sometimes thoughts as well."

"You speak as if from experience," the pirate said noting the subdued way the old man spoke and Oota gave him a half smile.

"Well, I do," he replied with a chuckle, "you have a remarkable accuracy for guessing."

"Naturally," Reaver sniffed indifferently causing the old man to chuckle.

"That's better," Oota said with a grin and Reaver regarded him mildly, then shrugged a small smile twitching at his lips. "Well, I doubt you care, but my wife was infected by the parasite. I was just lucky enough that one of the village mage's knew the ritual and I was the anchor for her." He sighed sadly. "Needless to say the Mage made a mistake and it failed."

Reaver glanced at the old man his eyes widened slightly. "I'm sorry," he replied with genuine sympathy.

Oota shrugged. "That was a long time ago," he said then smiled, "Though I would never of thought I would hear that tone of voice from you."

"What's your point," Reaver snapped his eyes narrowing coldly.

Oota waved his hands in a defensive manner as he motioned the pirate to follow him into the corridor. As they walked into the dark hallway servants with laden arms whipped past scurrying with some urgency.

"Now, your job is to find Sparrow, but she may be lost in her own memories," Oota continued to explain and Reaver nodded as he followed a step behind, "But! I stress this, be careful. Though you can see her memories there is the likely hood she might be able to see yours. Unless your prepared for that eventuality it might be hard to find her at all."

Reaver shuddered at the thought of someone ambling through his memories and discover secrets he had long ago buried. He inhaled then expelled it slowly to ease the anxiety he was suddenly feeling. Never had he felt such an array of emotions in the space of an hour and the reason made his mind scoff at him. Something deep in his mind was laughing at him and he knew it was the pirate he had come to be telling him what he was about to do was of no beneficial purpose for him. Beneficial? Purpose? He was not even sure he knew the meaning of those sort of words anymore.

When they stopped out side of Oota's sleeping quarters the door was wide open. Inside the curtains were drawn tight shut and about the bed sat candles of a pale green shade the light of the sputtering flames glowing ominously. On the floor were silver lines tracing some form of obscure pattern on the floor and Garth was on the other side of the bed finishing it off. The glow of the candles gently illuminated Sparrow's still form that lay upon the velvet covers on one side of the large bed dressed in a simple gown of pure white. Upon seeing her a strange feeling crept over Reaver. His chest felt tight yet all his limbs went numb. Why did it hurt so seeing this woman who lay so still. A hand gripped his shoulder and he looked to Oota who regarded him kindly. He jerked his head as an indication to follow him as Adrianna with Lorna stood beside her. Garth stood and also approached as an indication that he had finished as he slipped the chalk into his coat pocket.

"Alright Kiddies," Oota announced as he entered rubbing his hands, "Lets get this show started. Right Garth I want you sat on there, and Lorna I want sat there." The old man pointed at two points either side of the bed where Garth sat on the right and Lorna on the left just on the edge of the circle that was drawn. Garth held himself like one who had confidence that he knew what he was doing though Lorna looked up at Oota doubt evident in her eyes. Oota whispered to her quietly and she nodded sitting cross legged where she was appointed, then sat straight with more confidence. Adrianna gave Oota a determined glance crossing her arms.

"What can I do?" she asked and Oota smiled warmly.

"The best thing for you would be to leave," he told her as tactfully as he could, but the resulting angry glare told him she was not going to take no for an answer. Oota sighed and pointed to a chair in the corner of the room. "If that is the case then stay sat in there, this is going to take an awful long time so get comfortable, oh and one thing."

Adrianna looked at him hopefully. "Don't touch the candles if one goes out."

"Why?" she asked staring down at the candles then back to Oota whose expression was stern.

"Just let them extinguish and don't do anything," Adrianna nodded reluctantly and sat in the chair with a look of disappointment.

"Now as for you Reaver,"Oota then said turning to the pirate whose eyes were trained on the bed, "I want you to lie next to her and link hands." Reaver shot him a questioning glance, but Oota merely waved at him in a hurried manner as a servant entered with a bowl that steamed heavily, the silvery tendrils rising from its surface before disappearing completely. Reaver slowly and apprehensively climbed on to the bed before lying next to Sparrow. He stared at the ceiling for a moment as his hand sort hers and grasped the cold lifeless extremity. He was surprised to find it was not clammy or as rough as he had expected, but smooth and soft. He gripped it tightly before loosening and interlacing his fingers with hers instead. He felt it were more appropriate some how even if it did not matter how he held her hand. He turned his head slightly to glance at her face and he sighed turning to stare at the ceiling once more.

"Now what?!" he demanded impatiently shifting a little uncomfortably.

Oota took the pouch from Garth and retrieved two fairly large lumps of the glittering salt stones before dropping them into the boiling water. He took the bowl from the servant and quickly dismissed him. He looked to Garth and Lorna who nodded in response to a silent order, and they closed their eyes exuding a loud hum vibrating from their throats where they rose in harmony with one another. Oota began to chant as his hand moved in graceful circles over the waters steaming surface where the liquid began to move, slowly at first, then with gathering speed it spun following his hand like an excited puppy.

He continued this as he rounded the bed and leaned over Sparrow's body wafting the steam into her face though she did not inhale and then moved round the bed to Reaver who could already smell the salty water from where he lay. He watched with incurious eyes as Oota placed the bowl between him and Sparrow's heads, then wafted the steam into his face all the while Oota continued to chant in a strange discordant voice. Reaver sputtered as the steam invaded his lungs and spreading from his chest a numbness causing his limbs to grow heavy and he stared at Oota who continued his chanting.

"I thought this was supposed to be dangerous," Reaver managed to say through a fit of coughs panic starting to set in as he could feel the darkness of sleep enclose about him, his vision going blurry. Oota did not reply, but grinned the sound of his deep voice vibrating painfully in the pirate's ears. He did not want to listen to it his every fibre yelled at him, telling him to ignore it, reject it, but he could not help but succumb to its fading hum as unconsciousness finally claimed him.

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Reaver sat bolt upright with his fist clenched into a tight ball as he readied himself to smack the old man hard in the face, then he stopped. His eyes scanned his surroundings staring in disbelief.

Was this Sparrow's mind? He asked himself as he stared down the ivy covered stone corridor. A chilly breeze made him quiver and he watched as his breath swirled and curled about his mouth as he exhaled. The place was cold, but what unsettled him most was the deathly quietness as if the stone was caging him from any sound. Even as he stood no noise that the scrapping of his feet would of made reached his ears. His hand reached out and traced the wall that sparkled with some unknown element giving it this strange fantasy feel. He looked up in surprised to see no ceiling, but a sky that was vast yet dark like the night sky yet there were no stars. He touched the ivy vines shocked to see it looking dead and withered where he was sure it was supposed to be luscious and full of life. He nudged the vine roots that covered the floor with a sigh when he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. He looked up to see a dog that looked strikingly familiar. Its sandy coat shone with a light dew as it shook itself and it looked at Reaver with its head tilted curiously.

Gwayne? Reaver's mouth said, but though no sound escaped him the dog seemed to understand as it barked silently. This is really creepy, Reaver thought as the dog turned and trotted down the corridor. Reaver watched it as it stopped and turned to look at him as if to say, 'well, you coming or not.' He figured it would do no good to argue so he set of at a jog following the dog who moved at a silent trot. The only thought then in Reaver's mind was Will this dog lead me to Sparrow?

As Reaver disappeared round the corner a dark swirling mass emerged from the stone work, working itself free as the tendrils snaked and twisted slowly descending to the floor where it collected itself forming an incoherent mass of dense shadow. As the edges of its form licked the stone floor causing the stone to turn black as it became infected with its thick poison. A pair of red glowing eyes glared malevolently at the pirates disappearing figure a sudden vicious white tooth grin appearing in its misty form licking its lips hungrily.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sparrow floated in a swirling black mist a bored looking expression on her face as she stared into nothing. She had been floating there for as long as she could remember. The same questions repeated in her head over and over again. Who was she? Where is she? Is she dead? If she was alive then what was she before? She could not remember anything of who she was before and this confused her. She knew she had been somebody, but who. She knew her name was Sparrow, but who was Sparrow. It was a concept far out of her grasp, but then why should she bother trying to figure it out. She could not remember anything anyway.

For a while she could hear a voice calling mama, but she could not figure out to whom that was for. Who was mama? Was she calling that with her dying breath or was it someone else calling her? She had recollection of being a mother, but why did the thought please her deeply. She mused on it for a while until she grew bored again. How long was she going to float here for?

Just as if in answer to her question she landed heavily on a very hard surface and a soft 'oof' escaped her. The black mist began to dissipate and she stood up on shaky legs rubbing her behind as it ached. She looked around as the mist cleared and she found her self staring at a sparkling ocean. The sun was high signalling it was early afternoon and she looked on in awe upon it her mind furiously working trying to figure out where she was. She did a turn about inspecting her environment curiously looking upon the houses with mild interest something about them feeling a bit familiar, almost like she had been here before, but it did not look like what she was seeing now, which was odd.

The sound of children laughing made her turn round to see a small group of children surrounding a small blonde boy. They were poking him with sticks and jeering at him. She shouted at them, but as she ran over they completely ignored her.

"Oi what are you doing!" she shouted, "Leave that boy alone!"

She reached out for one of the boys, but her hand passed right through their shoulder. She stared at her hand in stunned silence as they continued to call the boy names like 'girly-boy' and 'Mothers boy'. A pang of sympathy sent a lethargic wave through her body leaving her feeling faintly dizzy and her arm aching. One of the boy's shoved him roughly and he fell to the dirt with a dull thud.

She watched helplessly as the small boy cried amidst the names that were thrown at him. He glared up at his attackers with angry green eyes as a small trickle of blood ran down the side of his face and Sparrow's breath caught in her throat. They looked familiar some how, but again she could not remember why. She racked her brains, but gave up when nothing came of it.

All of a sudden a girl approached a broom clenched in her hands. Her face was particularly annoyed as she attacked the boys mercilessly swinging the broom in deadly arcs.

"Oi, Marianne what's your problem?!" one of the boys demanded and she glowered at him her scarlet hair glistening in the sunlight.

"Leave Robin alone he did nothing to you," she squeaked in her young voice continuing to swing the broom.

The other children looked at each other just as an adult came over the hill and they legged it fast. Marianne dropped the broom and grabbed the sobbing boy's hand dragging him in the direction of the beach. Wordlessly the boy let her lead him off and Sparrow followed feeling compelled to as they headed down to the harbour. When they stopped they were sat under a pier the surf of the sea gently caressing the beach as it swayed back and forth.

The girl, Marianne, tended to the young boy's wounds as he stopped his crying. He rubbed his nose with a heavy sniff and he glared at the girl.

"What chu' do that for?" he demanded in a small voice, "I could of taken em', "

The girl smiled. "Sorry Robin they looked like they was goin' to hurt you bad so I thought, you know I'd help ya."

"I didn't need your help," Robin replied with a squeak, "An' don't call me Robin."

"OOOh sooorrry," the girl rolled her eyes in a sarcastic manner, "Forgive Reaver, the greatest pirate in all Oakvale."

"Yeah, an' don't chu forget it either," he sniffed sulkily as Marianne giggled. Sparrow's whole world span as the name sent echoes through her skull and she cried out as if in pain. She fell to her knees clutching her head. She gasped violently as her vision spun violently making her gag threatening to vomit. Reaver? That name again was familiar, but the boy was he Reaver? who is Reaver?

As the spinning stopped she found herself standing in a dimly lit room. An ageing old woman lay upon a bed covered in a quilt while a handsome young man, no older than eighteen, sat on a wooden stool beside her clutching one of her hands desperately.

"Mother," the young man whispered, the voice though young was again familiar, "Please, your going to be fine."

The old woman opened her eyes the orbs cast with a whiteness as she chuckled.

"I'm sorry my dear boy," she said in a low whisper made hoarse from some ailment unseen to Sparrow.

"No, no, no," the boy pleaded, "I don't want you to go please mother."

The hand that was clutched so desperately suddenly clenched his hands comfortingly.

"I's alright death comes to us all," she said looking in his direction though it was obvious she could not see anything, "it has been a long time coming and I am lucky to have survived this long." She chuckled again, which turned into a racking cough. The young man stood up attempting to fuss, but the old woman waved him away weakly as the coughing subsided. "Listen to me, I may not have any words to comfort you or any words of advice for your future, but remember I love you and I am proud of you, and you will always be my brave little Robin."

"Oh, mother," the young man sighed and Sparrow wrapped her arms about her body the feelings in the room sinking deep into her skin leaving her feeling cold. Again a wave of dizziness caused her to sway slightly, but she clutched the window sill that was behind her to prevent her from falling over.

"Good bye son, I wait for the day when I see you again, I will be awaiting in the gardens of Avo," the words seemed faint as the old woman's breathing slowed and her eyes closed for the final time. Sparrow watched the boys expression as shock slowly gave way to anger, and then finally he buried his face in the covers and wept. Sparrow could feel something trickled down her face and she reached up to catch the tear. She looked at it as the room spun again this time a variety of images swam past her like she was stuck in the middle of a violent whirlpool.

The young man holding a pistol that smoked his eyes blank and cold as he stared down at a dead body at his feet. Sparrow's breath caught in her throat as it faded replaced with images of him with women, then him standing at the stern of a ship looking proudly out to sea. The swirling finally stopped and she found herself standing again outside a house where a tall woman, only a little smaller than she was, stood her eyes trained on something as her soft red hair danced in the wind and she was visibly pregnant.

Giggles and squeals made her turn to see a small group of women were approaching and at its centre was the same young man except he was older, perhaps in his late twenties grinning charmingly as the young ladies fluttered their eye lashes at him. They soon disappeared when he waved them off and he neared the house. The woman standing at the door and glared at him darkly. He replied with an innocent expression, but Sparrow could tell she was not having any of it.

"All ways the same with you isn't it!" she scolded waving a fist at him, "All those bloody women, I tell you Robin one of these days..."

"One of these days what?" he interrupted as he hugged her and kissed her passionately. She visibly melted, but when they parted she half heartedly glared at him.

"This doesn't change a thing Rob," she said firmly though a lot of the fierceness had left her tone as she hugged him warmly. He responded in kind.

"I'm sorry darling, but they can't get enough of me," he said in a tone that held a familiar arrogant lilt to it and Sparrow found herself smiling though she could not think why.

"Oh really, here I am pregnant with your child and all you do is gallivant across the ocean wooing women, is there no end!" She sighed sadly and he cupped her cheek the smile was genuinely tender and loving. Sparrow gritted her teeth feeling jealousy arouse in her chest though again she knew not where this feeling came from. Who was he that caused her body and heart to react so when she had no idea who he was.

"Marianne, there is one difference between you and them," he said holding her close to his chest as she peered up at him curiously, "well apart from being breathtakingly beautiful, intelligent, sharp tongued and quick witted..."

She gave him a playful smack around the arm as a sign for him to get to the point as she pouted shyly. He chuckled deep in his chest the sound sent shivers over Sparrow's skin as he brushed the hair out of the woman's eyes.

"The difference is that you know my real name," he said, "so you know the real me and not Reaver, the brave seaman and hero that they know."

The look on her face suddenly became sly and her blue eyes twinkled. "Oh I see, your just sponging off of their affection's are you?"

The look on his face was incredulous and she giggled. "Sponging!? I wouldn't do that!" he stated firmly and she giggled again throwing her arms about his neck, and kissing him on the lips.

"Its so easy to tease you and fun too," she giggled and Sparrow turned away in embarrassment as they looked at each other a faint flush creeping to her cheeks as the world spun once again. She stumbled when the spinning stopped abruptly, but as she gathered herself she became aware of a chill and the sky was pitch black with nothing but the haunting full moon glaring down at her. She looked about as houses blazed and screams broke the silence permeated by haunting laugher. She spun on the spot coming face to face with the same young man from before staring at a house that blazed furiously the roar of the fire curling about the screams that emanated from within. He sunk to his knees as a look of horror and disbelief twisted his handsome features tears streaming down his cheeks as he watched, helplessly, as the house burned with his wife within. As she watched she knelt beside him. She could feel the emotions that exuded from him in waves causing a choked sob to escape her throat. Her hand reached out to touch him but it slid through his form and she looked at her hand forlornly understanding just how he felt.

Suddenly a pain shot through her arm and a scream tore from her lips. She fell to the ground writhing in agony as a shadowy figure neared looking down at the man with evil red eyes.

~Reaver...~ its cold voice said from under its hood, ~this is what you have chosen, now you must live with its consequences~

Sparrow's eyes widened as shadow looked down at her its red eyes glowed briefly a dark chuckle echoing in a discordant voice. ~And your time is near as well~ it said as the scene faded and Sparrow screamed once more.

When her environment re-collected itself she found herself staring at a wooden beamed ceiling with a large chandelier hanging from it. She panted heavily as the pain eased leaving her arm throbbing and aching. She eased herself into a sitting position and looked about the room dazedly. She blinked several times to rid herself of the pain induced haze that blinded her vision. She became aware of metal striking stone and she managed to stand using the wall as a support as she turned to regard the rest of the room.

Before stood a grand fireplace where a man leant close to a large slab of stone, which had already carved into it the back end of a person. She swept her gaze across and there standing in the glow of the fire was the now familiar figure of Robin or was it Reaver. She felt confused, but she leaned against the wall preparing herself to watch whatever came next. She watched as he stood visibly bored with one hand upon his hip and the other holding up, as if with pride, a pistol as his spectacular green eyes took in every inch of the carved metal.

The door suddenly opened and someone walked in their boots clicking against the floor with a deliberate slowness. Sparrow watched Reaver looked up. His face looked first surprised, then lustful before appearing seemingly indifferent as he turned back to looking at his pistol. Sparrow turned her head and her mouth fell agape in astonishment. Standing before her was herself at least she thought it was herself, but she looked so young. Sparrow approached the woman noting the were the same height, had the same hair colour and she noted they had the same scars though she had some new once since this moment. Why could she not remember any of this?! She thought angrily her hand going to her neck to ease the ache that had spread over her shoulder.

"Well, hello there," Reaver's voice said with fake surprise, "Always a nice surprise to have company, I don't get many visitors to my little coastal paradise."

He turned slightly to look at the younger Sparrow with a smirk his eyes dark and calculating.

"Especially ones who may well redefine one mans concept of 'paradise'," he went on to say. They regarded each other for a moment and Sparrow watched as her younger self creased up with laughter.

"Do you know how corny that sounds," the young Sparrow giggled slapping her knee. Reaver looked distinctly annoyed as he watched the young woman double over grasping her knees in an attempt to prevent herself from falling over. Sparrow looked over at Reaver who watched her younger self a strange expression was on his face and yet she could not place it.

At that moment all sound seemed to reduce in volume until she could her nothing at all. A bark made her turn and a dog sat in the door way regarding her almost in amusement. She pushed herself off the wall sweat now trickling unnoticed over her skin as she looked down at the dog in confusion.

"Where did you come from?" she asked it as it tilted his head in response. Footsteps made her look up and her gaped in shock. She pointed at the on coming figure almost accusingly.

"Who the hell are you?!" she demanded angrily as the figure stepped up beside the dog.

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Another chapter! Go me, lol. I thought that I had not updated for so long you deserve a second chapter this weekend. Plus this all was roaming around inside my head and had to get it down. I hope you enjoyed it so read and review and the next instalment will be along sometime during the week.