Hello my lovelies! yes! NaNoWriMo is over! I can now publish chapters on time! yay! haha ANYWAYS more of Scarlet Depths...More stolen pirates! I tell you Code Green and I had so much fun getting pirates from everywhere EXCEPT our own imaginations...though tesla is all ours. and leont. bwahahahaha he's fun.

IMPORTANT: oh! there will be a PICTURE of Leont going up on my art page! yay! you should know the drill but if you don't here's how it goes: go to ichobanarose. deviantart. com and browse the gallery OR simply head to my profile. there will be a direct link (or address thingy) on it. just enter that into the web browser and BOOM! there is the pirate king.

10

Jareth had thought that when the dragon carried him off, he was done for. What he did not expect was for the large, scarlet creature to carry him to Point de Rouck, the rocky harbor that was the pirate king's headquarters.

He had been held here (as prisoner?) for days now, and he was still wondering at the treatment he'd been given. True, he could not leave the room he'd been assigned to, but it was furnished comfortably with a bed, chair, and desk. The desk even had paper and a quill on it, as if he was expected to document his stay. He did nothing of the sort. He paced instead, wary of his surroundings.

He knew very well that he was being held for ransom, but he wasn't sure why Leont treated him so fairly. Pirates weren't known or their hospitality, now were they? Perhaps it was some new kind of torture, where you butter up the victim before hurting them, to make them fall all the harder.

Who was watching over his kingdom? Someone had to be on the throne or his land would start destroying itself. They had just begun recovering from Raiv's so-called "reign", the last thing his people needed were more natural disasters. He hoped one of his sisters had been close by, as the Underground wouldn't have recognized Trinity as a monarch yet.

He worried about Trinity. What would she do when she knew that he had been captured? Vorian would definitely tell her that her fiancé was missing; he would feel obligated to. But how would she take it? Would she worry about him as much as he worried about her? Would she be scared? He had heard her voice once since he had been captured, telling him that she needed him. Then, a sudden thought made him go cold.

Would she come after him?

No, she couldn't! They should send a group of Fae men after him, not Trinity! He would not tolerate it, and if he was back in his kingdom…

But he wasn't. He was stuck in a cave (even if it was well-furnished) and had no power, not control over anything.

Leont, the pirate king, however, proved to be a good companion. When he wasn't busy ruling his own unruly kingdom (since when did pirates follow orders anyway?) he stayed with Jareth, chatting with him. He was very interested in Jareth's kingdom: how its people fared, what it looked like, how much farmland was there and how many cities. However, despite his pleasantness, Jareth was still wary. For one, Leont was a vampire. That much was recognizable from his pale skin color, brilliant violet eyes, and pointed teeth. Jareth knew that if those teeth even pricked his skin, the venom on them was enough to change him into a vampire within days, if he didn't bleed to death first.

But Leont didn't seem to like the fact that he was a vampire. He wore colors that would have warmed a normal being's skin tone, and wore glasses to downplay his eyes. He kept his dark hair braided neatly to just below his shoulder blades, and it was never in disarray. His clothes, though extravagant, were always neat and clean. However, they couldn't hide the hard muscle underneath.

Leont kept Jareth furnished with interesting books to read to occupy his time, and seemed genuinely sorry that he couldn't let Jareth out of the room he held him in. He was taller than Jareth, and the goblin king hated the patronizing way the pirate king seemed to treat him.

"My dear Jareth," he said one day, "You haven't yet spoken of your fiancé. The report I heard seemed to indicate that you loved her very much, and yet you haven't spoken of her at all."

Truthfully, Jareth was stunned that the man (who was so far away from his own kingdom) knew that he was engaged. However, he did not wish to speak of his love to the one who was holding him prisoner, so he remained silent.

"I understand that you miss her," Leont said kindly. He had a light voice that did not seem to fit a pirate king at all. "I loved a woman once, and I miss her very much to this day."

Jareth wanted to know whether or not the vampire had slain this woman, but he held his bitter tongue. A goblin king was always to be poised, even when held captive. Besides, he could bring on this man's ire by saying the wrong words, and he knew there was no overpowering a vampire.

"Do you wish to speak to her?"

This startled the goblin king out of his cool poise. "How?" he immediately wanted to know. Then he bit his tongue, embarrassed by his own outburst.

Leont smiled at him, his eyes closing with the gesture. "Didn't you see I furnished you with the means? Do you not see the parchment on your desk?"

Jareth glared at his captor. "I did."

"That is your means of communication, my dear fellow," Leont said brightly, "All you need do is write whatever you want to say, and then blow on the words. She will hear them as clearly as if you had spoken them in her ear, although no one else will. I believe you gave her a ring with a similar spell on it."

The goblin king narrowed his eyes. "What did you know about that?" All of his caution was gone with his longing to speak to his beloved.

The pirate king raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "Now, now," he said, "The magician never reveals his secrets, now does he?"

Jareth approached the desk carefully, deep in thought. If Leont knew about the ring he had given Trinity, he probably had the means to read whatever Jareth wrote to her. Of course, he may just insist on standing next to him while he wrote.

But the pirate king did not stand next to him, and he took the quill up warily. He had never heard of a spell that worked this way, but these pirates weren't Fae, and so probably had magic different from his own.

He wasn't sure that writing on the paper and blowing on it would actually work, so he kept the message short, and tried to make it something that wouldn't be painful for him to write and her not hear.

Trinity, he wrote, I'm sorry that I cannot be with you right now. But I want you to know that no matter where I am, or where you are, I will always love you. I am eternally yours.

A sigh from behind him made the goblin king jump.

"Ah, love," Leont sighed, "So beautiful, and yet painful. You are brave to even attempt it."

Jareth glowered, but dutifully blew on the paper. The letters he had written immediately disappeared, as he had half-expected them to.

"You may not get a reply right away," Leont warned, "It is midnight here."

"What?"

The vampire smiled kindly. "Your days and nights have been reversing as you have been staying here, my dear Jareth. I suppose that happens when you live in a cave all the time, and I do dearly wish that you could see where you are. It really is quite beautiful here. But I'm afraid if I let you out you would try to scurry off back to your kingdom, and we can't have that, can we?"

Jareth said nothing. At that moment, a servant of Leont's entered the room, carrying a goblet that smelled vile.

"Yer vittles, sir," he addressed Leont roughly.

"Why, thank you," the vampire said, as if he had been surprised with a gift. "That is lovely of you. Jareth, I'm sure you do not wish to see me eat, so I will leave you now. I advise you to try to reach your lady again in a few hours, when she will be more likely to be awake." He gripped Jareth's shoulder in a way that suggested he was trying to be encouraging instead of inflicting pain, and swept out of the room.

As soon as he was gone, Jareth covered his nose with his shirtsleeve, gagging. He had been in enough battles to recognize the smell of hot, fresh blood.

XxXxX

The sunlight coming through the windows in the captain's cabin woke Evelyn before it did Trinity, so she was quiet as she moved around, trying not to wake her younger friend. She dressed for the day with a dress over her shirt and trousers, carefully (and reluctantly) attaching her knife to her belt, and sliding the other one into her boot. She took one last look at her sleeping friend, wondering whether or not to leave the smaller woman alone.

Trinity was on her side, curled into a ball around her pillow. Instead of her head resting on it, she held it to her chest, tightly even in sleep. Streaks on her face suggested she had been crying that night, and Evelyn felt a guilty pang for sleeping through her friend's pain. Of course, Trinity had probably wanted to keep quiet so that she wouldn't wake Evelyn anyways.

Evelyn had just made up her mind to stay with Trinity until she awoke when the smaller girl stretched and rolled over, her eyes flickering open. Her brows furrowed when she saw Evelyn.

"Evelyn?" she asked blearily, "Why are we moving?"

Her friend smiled. "We're on a ship, still. It's going to take us to Jareth."

"Oh, yeah," the black-haired woman said, "I knew that."

"Of course."

Trinity disentangled herself from her blankets and pillow, and climbed out of the immense bed the women had slept in. "I had a dream about Jareth last night," she said, slightly wistful.

Evelyn didn't know whether or not it was wise to bring it up. "Oh really?"

"Yes. Well, a dream about his voice. He just spoke to me."

"What did he say?"

The smaller woman furrowed her eyebrows, concentrating. "He was apologizing for not being here. I thought it was silly, apologizing for getting kidnapped. And then he said he loved me."

"Really?" Evelyn said, attempting to lighten the mood, "I wasn't aware of that! When did this happen?"

Trinity giggled sleepily, and reached for her bag to retrieve clothing. "Oh, you know, just one of those things…" The girl's heart was heavy, though, through her façade. Evelyn could see it in her eyes.

"You need food," she told her young friend, "And I know where we can get some. I'm sure Wilburus will be happy to see you this morning."

Trinity stuck her tongue out at her friend while she dressed, and Evelyn laughed. Once Trinity was dressed, they turned towards the door, wary of opening it onto Vorian. He was awake, however, and dressed, and was standing outside waiting on them.

"Good morning, ladies," he said with a bow. "I believe we're in for a bit of activity today."

"Oh?" Trinity yawned, stepping past him onto the deck.

"Captain Tesla informed me that we are going to be stopping at a seaport for some extra supplies. He told me that it would be quite safe for all of us to come ashore with him and the crew. According to his calculations, we'll be arriving at Port DeLanca at evening time."

"Oh good! We've only been on here two days, and already I want to see some solid ground!" Trinity exclaimed cheerfully. "Oh, and I think I may have heard from Jareth."

"You heard from Jareth?" Vorian asked, immediately interested.

"I had a dream, although maybe it wasn't just a dream, last night. He was apologizing for not being here and told me he loved me," Trinity nodded.

"Did you try and reply to him?"

"Yes," Trinity answered. "I used the ring to let him know I'm okay. I'm about to talk to him a bit. Actually, I'm going to go back into the cabin. I'll be out in a minute."

Trinity went back into the cabin, leaving Evelyn and Vorian alone.

"It should be good to go back onto land for a little bit," Evelyn smiled up at Vorian.

"Yes," Vorian said uncertainly.

"What is it? What is troubling you?"

"Captain Tesla wants to escort you personally onto the island, I believe."

"Vorian," Evelyn said gently. "I appreciate your concern, honestly I do, but it's okay."

She put a hand comfortingly on his shoulder and looked up into his face.

"I don't believe he'd do anything disrespectful or dishonorable. Your concern for me is truly flattering, and I hardly know how to respond to it, but I'll be all right. Please, trust me."

"I trust you," Vorian said, his eyes gazing intensely into hers. "I just don't trust him."

Evelyn laughed lightly and shook her head.

"Always bound to honor and protection, prince of the waters. How I appreciate you."

He didn't reply, and Evelyn studied his eyes carefully, trying to read behind their coolness. She could see the pain, trying so hard to hide, and it troubled her that she was causing him such grief.

"Vorian," she whispered, reaching up and gently pushing a loose strand of hair away from his green eye. "I wish I could give you what it is you want, but I cannot. Don't you understand? You are far too noble for me, far too perfect. You deserve someone who can love you with every ounce of her being. Can't you understand that?"

Her voice choked up, and she started when he caught hold of her wrist and held her hand tightly to him.

"You are perfect," he whispered, causing tears to form in her eyes. "You and only you. We belong together, Evelyn. Don't you see it? For several long minutes of our lives, we were one. There was completeness and wholeness that neither of us had ever had before. You want me to understand. Try to understand me. I wouldn't jump off a cliff without having a valid reason to do so. As for me being perfect," he spoke, moving his face closer to her face so that his eyes bore deeply into her very soul. "I am but a man, my lady."

The door to the captain's cabin opened and Trinity stepped out. Evelyn abruptly moved away from Vorian, and her cheeks became bright red.

"Did you hear from Jareth?" she asked, trying to settle her flustered nerves.

"I did," Trinity nodded, abruptly looking from Vorian to Evelyn and then clearing her throat. "He is alive and well. He finds the vampire king to be most…amusing. He's quite the dandy fellow, according to Jareth."

"Good," Evelyn said, letting out a sigh of relief. "Did the vampire say anything about us running out of time?"

"No," Trinity said and then grinned. "Actually, he sends me his kindest regards and wishes Jareth and myself the best of luck. He asked how you are faring, Vorian."

"You may tell him that I am as well as can be expected," Vorian said quietly, going back to his reserved self. "Promise him that we shall be there soon to assist him."

He turned away from the women and walked back below deck.

"What was all that about?" Trinity asked, turning to Evelyn.

"I think I'm really hurting him," Evelyn said hoarsely, her tears welling over and streaming down her cheeks. "I just don't know what to do."

She bit her lip and then hastily wiped away her tears.

"I'll be all right. Let's go eat."

XxXxX

Night came and with it Port DeLanca. Trinity and Evelyn saw it before the ship made berth, and they were excited by all of the activity that seemed to be occurring across the island. Bright lights glowed to them from the shore, and laughter and music could be heard from a great distance away.

As soon as the ship was berthed, there was a knock on the girls' door, and Trinity opened it to see Wilburus standing before her, looking quite pleased with himself.

"Miss Trinity," he said with a great bow before he stood up straight and tall. "I wish to escort you onto the island."

He offered his right hand while his left hand was held stiffly behind him. Trinity looked over at Evelyn with a grin and then took Wilburus' offered hand.

"I will gladly accept your offer," Trinity smiled at Wilburus and then let him lead her to the deck.

It must be told that Evelyn was confused. She dreaded an invitation from either Tesla or Vorian at the moment. If she accepted Tesla, then she would inflict greater pain on Vorian. If she accepted Vorian, then she would be standing up the captain of an entire ship who had been more than generous to her and Trinity. Oh, if only she could go by herself! Maybe she could just stay on the ship and then there wouldn't be any trouble…

"Excuse me, Miss Evelyn," a cool voice said, pulling Evelyn out of her thinking.

"Good evening, Captain Tesla," Evelyn said, looking up at him with a faint smile.

"I wish to show you the port. Will you join me?"

Evelyn looked at Tesla's offered arm and then she looked up at his face.

"I will," she nodded and then stepped into place next to him without taking his arm.

Tesla noted her declination but chose to overlook it.

Tesla led the way off the Morning Star, Evelyn next to him and Trinity and Wilburus following closely behind. Vorian stood behind the small party, in the midst of the crew, who were also going ashore.

"This is the night of King Leont's Celebration," Tesla explained, stepping into a mass of dancing, brightly clothed people. "He has passed a decree that everyone in his province is to celebrate once a week. It makes it difficult for anyone trying to buy or sell wares."

"So these are all pirates?" Evelyn asked, finding herself moving closer to the captain.

"Of course not," Tesla said quickly. "Why would I bring such nobility into a pirate port? This port is open to all sailors. Pirates frequent the place, but there are a great deal of other merchants here as well. Look here."

He led the way to a stand where a merchant was selling gorgeous pearl necklaces.

"This man has been here every time I have," Tesla said, gesturing to the man who sat behind the booth. "He finds these pearls himself and then cleans them to perfection. Such fine pearls you will not find elsewhere. Black pearls," he said coolly, picking up one of the necklaces and holding it close to Evelyn's neck. "Would fit you perfectly. Miss Trinity, the blue pearls would match you exactly."

"And why is that?" Trinity asked, looking at the pearls.

"Because you are to be the queen of a great king, and blue pearls are exotic and difficult to find. They are fit only for a queen."

Tesla continued to lead the way through the celebrating city. As he did so, Wilburus, who stood closely behind him, reached into one of his coat pockets and pulled out something. He turned to the side, so Trinity couldn't see what he held, and then opened his hand. Quickly, he counted his coins and then let out a slight sigh. He wouldn't be buying any pearl necklaces tonight.

As the party continued to make its way through the port, Tesla's men dispersing in different directions to buy what was necessary for the voyage, Vorian stayed alert and on edge. There was something dangerous about this place, something not quite right. There had been several men, he had noticed long ago, following Tesla and the women, watching Tesla carefully and brandishing knives. Aside from this group, everyone else, it had seemed, was steering clear of Tesla, as though afraid of him. Perhaps the man was a noted sea captain, but why should that cause everyone to fear him?

"Lord Vorian," Tesla spoke, and Vorian gazed at the man.

"You seem so uptight. Rest assured. This place is quite safe," the captain informed the tense Fae lord.

"It doesn't seem at all safe. I don't like how everyone is staying clear of us," Vorian said uncomfortably.

"Lord Vorian, I have been here multiple times, and I can assure you…"

Vorian flung himself at Tesla, knocking the captain down just as a gun fired, a bullet shooting right through the empty space where Tesla's head had been.

"They're trying to kill us!" Vorian hissed, clambering to his feet and drawing a dagger from his forearm.

"So I see," Tesla said calmly.

"Why? What is happening?" Evelyn asked, grabbing Trinity's hand and pulling her behind the two men.

"Apparently they've discovered that the king's bride-to-be is here," Tesla growled, drawing a pistol from his coat. "Not everyone approves of King Jareth's choice of queen."

"Oh my goodness!" Evelyn gasped, pulling Trinity tightly to her. "We need to get back to the ship!"

"We have you surrounded, Captain Tesla!" a harsh voice spoke, and Trinity and Evelyn peeked around Vorian to see a man approaching them. He was dressed in full pirate garb, with black breeches, a bright red waistcoat, and a huge, feathered hat. One hand was covered by a glove, and the other hand… Well, the other hand was just missing and in its place was a hook.

"Bad form to return here, Captain Tesla," the man crowed. "You left behind you a mighty stench."

"Trying to foil Jareth's wedding plans?" Tesla asked, rolling his eyes. "Really now. I had hoped I wouldn't have to do this to you."

He moved his hand to another coat pocket and pulled out (horror of horrors!) a clock. He held it before the man, and with a scream of absolute terror, the pirate rushed away into the partying crowd without a second look back.

"All too easy," Tesla sighed and put the clock away. "He had a bit of an encounter with a clock and a crocodile once, and it still haunts the poor man."

"I see," Trinity gulped nervously. "And what about the others?"

There was a band of some twenty men moving steadily towards Tesla and his small band.

"I'm afraid these we'll have to deal with civilly," Tesla sighed. "Wilburus, you do have a sword on you, don't you?"

"Aye sir!" Wilburus said defiantly from Trinity's side.

"Prepare to use it."

"Wait!" Vorian said quickly. "Perhaps I can speak to them."

"They don't want to speak," Tesla growled. "They want Miss Trinity dead, and possibly you as well."

"It's not right to fight without first trying to avoid confrontation," Vorian frowned.

"In the world of pirates, it's essential to fight first and ask questions later," Tesla spoke.

As if emphasizing the captain's words, the air was suddenly split with gunfire, and Tesla shouted orders to Wilburus.

"Wilburus! Get the women back to the ship! Lord Vorian and I shall hold these vagabonds off!"

"Aye sir!" Wilburus saluted and then grabbed Trinity's hand. "Let's go!"

"Wait! We can't just leave them!" Trinity gasped as they began to run towards a clearing.

"That's just what we're doing!" Wilburus shouted. "Hold on!"

He led Trinity and Evelyn towards the only opening he could find and then shouted when two men jumped out, swords and firearms drawn.

"What are we going to do?" Evelyn shouted, turning her head to see Vorian and Tesla occupied with holding off their own combatants.

"Captain!" Wilburus shouted as both the men jumped towards Trinity.

"Evelyn! Your dagger!" Trinity cried out, grabbing her dagger out of its hidden place and then blocking one of the men's blows with it.

"Now see here, misses! We don't want to hurt ye!" one of the men shouted, grabbing for Evelyn's arms.

She screamed and tried to dodge his hands, but failed. He grabbed hold of her arms and pinned them behind her back.

"We aren't trying to hurt you!" the man repeated.

"Sure you aren't!" Wilburus shouted, kicking Trinity's attacker away from her.

"Let me go!" Evelyn screamed again as she struggled with her captor.

She screamed and dropped down to the ground when her attacker let out a cry of agony and then slumped to the ground, blood pooling from his chest.

"Don't look!" Wilburus warned Trinity, grabbing her arm and pulling her away from the dying man.

Evelyn gazed at the struggling man next to her, and she gasped in terror when he reached up and put a quaking hand on her shoulder.

"Listen…" he struggled, a stream of crimson beginning to trickle from his mouth. "Listen!"

"Evelyn!" Vorian shouted, appearing next to her and dropping down at her side. "Are you all right?"

"Listen to me!" the dying man wailed, and Vorian immediately grabbed hold of the man's hand.

"What is it?" Vorian asked, trying to help the man sit up and getting blood all over his poet shirt in the process.

"Things aren't what they seem," the man whispered to Vorian, eyes clouding over. "Tesla…"

"What about him? What about Tesla?" Vorian asked, trying to stay calm in such a horrendous situation.

"I thought I killed you on that first shot," Tesla growled, appearing next to Vorian. "Move aside, Lord Vorian."

"I will not! This man is trying to say something!" Vorian snapped, his eyes flashing.

"That was an order!" Tesla barked and then drew his dagger.

"Oh please, no more blood!" Evelyn started crying, her body shaking and threatening to put her in shock.

"Shh… He has no reason to kill the man. He's already dying," Vorian said, taking her in his arms.

"Captain Tesla! Don't kill him! He's trying to speak! Please, let him talk!" Evelyn sniffed as Tesla bent over the man.

"What is it, pray tell, that is so worth your last few seconds that you have to say it?" Tesla asked the man, his knife ready and waiting in his right hand.

"You…you rat!" the man scowled.

Those were his last words. Tesla promptly dropped down on one knee and finished the man off. Evelyn screamed as she watched the gruesome scene unfold before her, and then she fainted dead away, still shaking terribly.

"One cannot be fair in war, Lord Vorian," Tesla sneered, standing up and blocking the blow of another attacker. "Get her out of here quickly! Miss Trinity is nearly unconscious! Get both of the women away before they both die of fear!"

Vorian carefully picked Evelyn up and carried her towards where Trinity and Wilburus were standing, their backs turned towards them.

"Let us leave quickly. Tesla will be right behind us," Vorian said quietly, stepping past them and leading the way towards the ship.

Tesla finished off the remainder of his attackers, leaving a mass of bloodied, dead men in his wake. This was the way one fought pirates, and while Vorian and his charges were not accustomed to such manners of fighting, it was what allowed a sea captain to survive. Tesla never thought twice about killing those who attacked him. Bloodshed was something he saw on a regular basis, and he was pleased to have survived long enough to see many battles.

Wilburus met his captain at the scene of the battle a short time after the combat had subsided.

"They could have killed Miss Trinity and Miss Evelyn," the boy said worriedly, looking up at Tesla. "That's why you killed them all, right?"

"Since when has it concerned you that men die?" Tesla asked, putting a bloodied hand on the boy's shoulder. "Sometimes it takes killing for others to survive."

"Vorian doesn't seem to think so," Wilburus said quietly. "He thinks there is usually a way to come to a negotiation."

"These matters are much too complex for a boy of your age to understand," Tesla sighed, wiping his sweat-soaked brow. "Let us attend to matters that concern you, young one. You seemed to have an interest in those pearls that I showed Miss Evelyn. Have you a desire to purchase a certain necklace, perhaps?"

Wilburus smiled and nodded his head.

"Aye, Captain."

"Then let us see if we can perhaps 'negotiate' with the merchant."

XxXxX

"Evelyn! Evelyn!"

The voice seemed to be coming from a very long tunnel, but slowly, Evelyn's eyes began to open. She turned her head slightly to see Trinity kneeling next to her, holding her hand.

"Evelyn! Are you okay?"

"Just fine," Evelyn said weakly, sitting up and vaguely feeling someone's hands behind her, supporting her. "What happened?"

"Captain Tesla saved you from one of the men that was attacking you," Trinity said quietly. "You fainted."

"Oh. That's right. He killed someone," Evelyn said.

A vision of blood suddenly appeared in the woman's mind, and her stomach nearly twisted.

"It was awful!" she suddenly exclaimed. "Oh, that was terrible! I'm going to be sick!"

"Shh…" A voice said quietly next to her ear. "You're alright. It's all over. It was just like a bad dream. Let it go, Evelyn."

Evelyn felt a pair of arms tighten comfortingly around her stomach, and she would have settled back into those arms had not Captain Tesla stepped in front of her and offered her his hand.

"I do apologize for the mess," Tesla said as she took his hand, in a somewhat groggy state. "I wish you hadn't seen what you did, but you had to be protected."

He pulled Evelyn to her feet. She stumbled, feeling slightly sick and drowsy, and she collapsed against him.

It was late at night, Evelyn had seen more than she should have, and she was exhausted. She was nearly asleep, and she shut her eyes tightly against Tesla's chest, barely realizing what she was doing.

"Please," she whispered. "I've got an awful headache. Can I just go to bed now?"

"You must get fresh air first," Tesla said, leading her gently over to the ship's railing and helping her sit down against it.

Evelyn promptly lay down, and within seconds, she was fast asleep.

"Again, my deepest apologies. I wouldn't wish any woman to see what you just did," Tesla said, bowing to Trinity before he gave some last orders to his first mate, a man with six fingers on his right hand, and then disappeared into the hold.

Trinity sighed tiredly and watched as Vorian stood up from where he had been holding Evelyn. He left, going to the front of the ship, walking as steadfastly and tall as he always did, though there seemed to be a faint weary touch to his step, a faint step of discouragement.

Trinity began to get to her feet so she could follow him, but a quiet, "Ah hem," stopped her. She looked up to see Wilburus standing over her, his hands behind his back.

"There you are, Wilburus. I didn't see you after we got onto the ship and the anchor was pulled up. I was afraid you were hurt. Are you all right?" Trinity asked, concerned.

"I was…busy. I was wrapping something, actually," Wilburus said nervously.

"Are you all right? What's wrong, Wilburus? Are you okay?" Trinity asked worriedly, afraid that the boy had been hurt. "Say something! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" Wilburus said abruptly and thrust out a small package towards her.

"What is this?" Trinity asked, taking it from him.

"Just open it!" Wilburus grinned, his whole face glowing.

Trinity smiled and then began opening the package. She didn't want to destroy Wilburus' packing job, but she was very curious to see what he had gotten her. He seemed so nervous! Whatever it was, he was excited about it!

The paper fell away, and Trinity gasped with surprise. Wilburus' gift was cool in her hands, and it shone brilliantly in the starlight. It was a necklace completely made of blue pearls.

"Wilburus!" she gasped, eyes wide. "Wilburus! How did you…why…Wow! These are beautiful! Thank you so much!"

"I've been saving coins for a long time," Wilburus said proudly. "Captain Tesla knows the merchant, and he helped me get the necklace. I hope you like it."

"Like it?" Trinity squealed, standing up. "Wilburus! It's absolutely beautiful! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

She enthralled the cabin boy by throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly.

"It's gorgeous! Oh! This is one of the most thoughtful things anyone has every given me! You are so awesome! Thank you so much!"

Wilburus laughed as Trinity let go of him and opened the necklace clasp.

"Would you put it on me? Please?" she asked excitedly.

Wilburus was only too happy to oblige. He put the necklace around Trinity's neck and then clasped it in place. She hugged him again when the necklace was in place.

"That was so sweet! You really are wonderful, Wilburus! Thank you so very much!"

"You are welcome," he grinned, his cheeks completely pink with pleasure. "I have to go help Sanji now. I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Trinity. Good night!"

"Good night!" Trinity smiled, and then walked over to Vorian. He was leaning with his back against the ship's railing, with his finger and thumb resting on the bridge of his nose. His eyes were closed with dejection.

"Vorian," Trinity said quietly, laying a hand on his shoulder, "We need to talk."