HUD: Hey guys, sorry for the delay. I would had this up on Tuesday but I couldn't log in. :/ I'm about to go on a week-long trip, so please don't expect an update for at least 2 weeks as I get back into the swing of things. Lots going in this chapter, pay extra close attention. ;) Enjoy!

Anthony ignored Goldie's soft calls behind him. His eyes were fixed on the patrolman holding his pistol level to Loki's face, quickening his pace. This couldn't happen.

"There you are!" Anthony called, projecting his voice. All eyes turned to him, including Loki. He expected anger, but was mildly surprised to see the captain keep his calm demeanor. Loki did, however, incline his head. "I thought we had lost you amongst the brush!"

"Does this vagabond mean something to you, boy?" The captain of the guard said, lowering his pistol slightly. "I caught him sneaking about our brush, hiding his visage. What for?"

"He absolutely does!" Anthony announced, puffing his chest out slightly. These men seemed they would be easily cowed, once the captain was denounced. "This man is no vagabond, but rather my escort. My uncle and I just passed here, as I am sure your men within the turrets shall recall." Anthony pointed to the men stationed directly before the fort gates. The captain turned slightly.

While his attention was averted, Anthony took the space between the captain and Loki and crossed his arms over his chest. "See? Your men can attest to this. Now, I demand you release him. He was merely doing his job."

The captain huffed. "Why should I answer to you, boy? You are of no consequence to me or mine."

"Perhaps not to you, captain," Anthony leveled, his eyes narrowing. "But your general may argue otherwise. General Joshua Grives, if memory serves?"

Anthony was pleased to see the captain's weight shift slightly, a look of uncertainty flashing across his face. "Why, yes."

"General Grives was a close personal friend of my father - undoubtably he would frown upon your continued hindrance to his late friend's son. Shall we be on our way?"

The captain cleared his throat and holstered his pistol. "Certainly, sir. My sincerest apologies."

"And my deepest thanks," Anthony said, nodding his head. He turned slightly to look at Loki over his shoulder. "Stay closer next time, si?"

"Si, my lord," Loki answered, his voice still pitched lower for his disguise. Anthony swallowed quickly and turned on his heel, heading back to where Goldie still stood. Loki fell into step silently beside him.

"Oi, Tony!" Goldie hissed, snatching Anthony around the corner once he and Loki were free of the guard's vision. "Are ye bloody crazy?"

"I couldn't let them shoot him," Anthony immediately defended, shaking off Goldie's grasp. "Loki didn't do anything; he was simply walking. Wouldn't you have done the same if you could?"

"Aye, an' I 'ave, many times 'fore," Goldie answered, tone still hot. "But ye are t' be protected. Hell, yer still with fever!"

"I feel slightly better," Anthony protested. Loki ushered them towards a large thicket of bramble. "After the pitaya, honestly I do."

"But yer not - "

"Goldie, enough." Both Anthony and Goldie looked at Loki. The captain pushed the scarf down from around his face and sighed.

"Yes, the action was rash but cunning. I would not have been shot, but our ruse would have been discovered," Loki answered, folding the scarf carefully. He removed his hat next, revealing the tight bun that held his hair back. Anthony decided he much preferred the captain's hair down. "For that, it was required." He turned his eyes to Anthony as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "My thanks."

Anthony nodded, feeling his face and neck flush. "I only did what I felt was right. The way you were being treated, it wasn't fair."

"Aye, but the British care not for the people of the nations they conquer," Loki said. He replaced his hat and handed the scarf to Goldie, who deposited it back into his pack. "Perhaps, another time or place, they will learn of their mistakes. Havana is not that place, and this not our time."

Anthony nodded, not entirely understanding. The captain spoke cryptically at times, as if he had a secret he felt alluding to but never honestly exposing. He could, however, admit to himself that hearing Loki's normal soft voice again was a relief. Anthony thought back to the title Loki had given him as he defended him to the patrol. My lord. He wondered what it would sound like, spoken to him normally.

"Come along, gents," Loki said, turning to the bramble. He drew his cutlass from his side and gestured. "This is the path. I shall clear enough space to slip in."

Anthony watched Loki cut a clean space only a foot across, tossing off leaves and branches over the cliff along their right. Anthony casually took a step further inland. He had seen how far down that cliff went, and he felt perfectly fine standing exactly where he was.

Loki slid through the bramble, cussing slightly below his breath. "These are sharper than I remember."

"Are you well?" Anthony called, furrowing his brow. Goldie glanced at him slightly but said nothing. There was another curse before Loki answered.

"I am well, simply annoyed," Loki answered, his tone slightly warm. "It is safe to follow - I have taken the brunt of this plant's attack, I believe."

Anthony couldn't help but grin as he slid through the gap Loki made, seeing the captain a few feet further up. He kept his eyes on the ground, looking for roots and jagged rocks that could possibly lead him tumbling to his death. Within a few minutes, he was standing behind Loki. "Are we stuck?"

"We bloody well better not be," Goldie called, coming up behind Anthony. Loki hummed and shook his head.

"Not precisely," he answered. The captain dropped his hands to his hips. "We are, however, in a slight predicament."

"Wot's 'at?" Goldie asked. "She not home?"

"Not at all," Loki answered. "She is very much home, but blocked in. It appears there was a landslide. Rocks have piled the entrance."

Goldie groaned. "Nope, 'at's all ye. I'mma go sit by th' fort."

"Very well, then!" Loki called, sheathing his weapon. He turned slightly, looking over his shoulder at Anthony. "You said you felt better - do you feel well enough to help?"

Anthony nodded, realizing how close he still stood behind Loki. He took an instinctive step back. "How bad is it?"

"Not too bad, but I shall move for you to see," Loki said. He took a large step forward and grabbed the cliff face to their left. Anthony stepped up to where he was before and frowned.

Before him was a ten foot gap where there had once been a rope bridge. The landslide had entirely severed the ropes, now dangling freely from their side of the path. Rocks piled over an obvious opening in the cliff on the other side of the gap, entirely hidden from sea by large palm trees. The placement was genius, aside from the obvious side-effect of the landslide. Anthony looked over at Loki, who still had one hand bracing against the cliff. It really was a path meant for single-file movement.

"How do we get over there?" He asked. "The rope bridge is destroyed."

Loki smirked. "We get help from the other side, of course." Loki took a step closer to Anthony, wrapping his arm around his waist for balance. Anthony realized he largely didn't mind - there was obviously not enough room for the both of them. Loki cupped his free hand to his mouth and took a deep breath.

"Amora!" He hollered, his voice reverberating off of the cliff wall. The trees dissolved the sound of his voice quickly. Nothing answered his call, so Loki cleared his throat and tried again. "Amora!"

This time, there was a reply. A muffled sound came from behind the rocks before the topmost and smallest was pushed aside. "What do you want?"

"Amora, how are you?" Loki called. The boulder beside the small opening shifted. Anthony could see a pale hand withdraw back to the cave.

"Loki?" She answered. "Is that you?"

"Last I checked!" The captain answered. Anthony snorted, drawing his attention. Loki smirked quickly and held just slightly tighter.

"Oh, dear - I am so glad to see you!" Amora called. "I'm sure you can see, what predicament I'm in."

"Largely," he answered. "We shall have you out in a moment."

"Who have you got there, Loki?" She asked. Anthony didn't much like being talked about like he wasn't there.

"My name is Tony, m'lady," he answered before Loki could.

"Oh, my goodness! Is he - "

"Inside, Amora!" Loki answered sharply. Anthony furrowed his brow but didn't ask. "Can you push aside enough to throw a rope?"

"I - I believe so," she answered. Slowly a few more rocks tumbled away until Anthony could see the face and shoulders of a woman, nearly as pale as Loki, but with hair the exactly polar opposite of his. Bright and very, very blonde. "This is enough, I think."

"Do not strain yourself," Loki warned. "Toss it, and I shall catch."

She nodded and threw a wrapped bundle of rope. Loki snatched it expertly from the air, hardly jostling Anthony at all. "I need you to step back, now. To the brush."

Anthony nodded, allowing Loki to direct him. "What are you doing?"

Loki smirked again, his eyes bright. "You shall see in a moment's time."

Before Anthony could ask, Loki pulled the same trick he had on the ship - the captain dropped over the edge of the cliff with Amora's rope in hand. Anthony felt his throat dry as he immediately went back to the edge.

Loki had simply climbed down the broken rope bridge, using the wooden planks as rungs to a ladder. Anthony sighed - he was not a fan of Loki's disappearing acts.

"How about next time you say something before dropping off a ledge?" Anthony called, glaring down at the top of Loki's hat. The captain looked up, the edge of the new rope clenched in his teeth.

"Pardon?" Loki asked, voice muffled by the rope. Anthony just rolled his eyes and stood back in the bramble. Loki was done a few minutes later, climbing his way back up with the bridge in tow. "Here we are. Amora, ready?"

"Always!" Loki quickly tossed over the edge of the unfurled rope. Amora caught it and pulled, the bridge slowly going back to place. She wrapped the edge of the rope around a hefty boulder and tied it, pulling the boulder into her cave entrance. The rock made a loud thud when it landed, but the bridge was pulled taunt. "That should hold you boys."

"Aye," Loki called. "Be right there." He turned to Anthony. "I shall go first to test the strength. Be prepared to run, if need be."

Anthony hoped he wouldn't have to but nodded. "Be careful."

Loki winked at him as he grabbed the rope handrails of the swinging bridge. "Always." The captain swung his feet to the first plank and paused. "Goldie, come along now!" Loki crossed the bridge in a matter of seconds, grabbing the security rope once he was on the other side.

Goldie exited the bramble near Anthony. "Was wonderin' wot took s'long. Didn't know th' whole damn bridge was down."

"You've been here before?" Anthony asked.

"Aye, at least once a year," the old pirate answered. "Go along, Tony. Th' cap'n is waitin'."

Anthony turned to look at Loki, still holding the rope as extra protection. He nodded and took the handrails as Loki had done before. For whatever reason, he trusted him.

With a deep breath, Anthony scampered across the makeshift bridge. He held his breath with each step, keeping his eyes focused on one of the boulders blocking Amora's cave. The tunnel vision helped; within seconds his feet were again on solid ground as momentum continued to carry him. He put his palms out to brace himself but was stopped by a strong arm around his waist. Anthony released the breath he held with a soft whoosh, looking over at Loki.

The pirate stood with his right hand clenched tight from the rope, wrapped round and round his forearm. His bicep bunched tightly from the strain of helping to hold the weight of the bridge single-handedly. He smiled at Anthony, an expression the younger inventor was beginning to get used to.

"Wonderful," he praised softly, his breath cool against Anthony's cheek. "Now help Amora, if you would. For all her talk, she is but a lass."

"Oi, old man!" Amora snapped, breaking whatever spell that had seemed to descend over the pair. "I can hear you."

"Come along, Goldie!" Loki said instead, removing his arm from Anthony to take the rope again in both hands. Anthony, feeling the monotonous task of removing boulders to be a relief, turned his attention to freeing the woman trapped in the cave rather than the mysterious man to his left. Things still weren't adding up, and somehow he felt this Amora woman to be a possible light.

Once Goldie was safely on the other side of the gap, Loki allowed the bridge to slacken and turned to help Anthony. With Amora's help on the other side, the three of them cleared all the earth easily.

"By Mother's grace," Amora breathed, dabbing her forehead with the back of her wrist. "Loki, you are a saviour."

"Alas," Loki sighed, standing up from where he was properly tying the rope bridge back in place. "Were you not the only one to say so."

Amora shrugged, the motion elegant and graceful. "I cannot change the world, Loki."

"Yes," Loki agreed. "That ship has long sailed."

Anthony twisted his lips in a frown. "What - ?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing!" Amora said with a flap of her hand. "Just the old reminiscing, is all. Tony, you said your name was?" She asked, shifting the topic with a confusing fluidity. Amora turned her gaze to Anthony, skimming his form from top to bottom. Anthony realized her eyes were a vibrate green as well, but more on the deep forest side. They did not glow as Loki's did, but there was a level of wisdom that was unnerving.

"Yes, m'lady," Anthony answered. Goldie clapped his hand on the inventor's shoulder.

"An' quite th' genius!" Goldie boasted, making Anthony grin. Amora smiled slyly.

"Loki does not take ill company," she answered, her voice cryptic. The tone sent a shiver up Anthony's spine, and he suddenly wished she would look anywhere but at him.

Luckily, Loki seemed to feel the same. "Amora, as much as a reunion is in order, we have business."

Amora pulled her attention away from Anthony to look at their captain. Now up close, Anthony got a better view of her features. She was beautiful, her blonde hair pushed back from her face with a bright green kerchief, exposing high and sharp cheekbones. Why, if Anthony was to guess -

"Come along then, dears," Amora said with a nod, wrapping a thin arm around Anthony's shoulders and drawing him close. He frowned slightly, his chin resting near her exposed shoulder. Again, he was kindly reminded of the shortness he suffered for his age. "Madame Amora shall light your paths."

Anthony threw a quick glance over his shoulder, catching Goldie's eye. The old pirate nodded mutely, his expression stating that he would kindly explain later. Loki, on the other hand, was entirely unreadable - but he did not move his gaze from the back of Amora's head. Anthony swallowed quickly as the sun left his view.

The cave was wide and spacious, the mouth and walls covered in a plethora of herbs and flowers drying. The smells immediately assaulted Anthony's nose, causing him to sneeze. Amora paused and tutted at him, passing over a handkerchief from her ample bosom. Anthony thanked her but didn't dare dab his nose with it.

Further in were torches, lit by a fair smelling oil that burned brightly. More vines hung there, held high to the ceiling curiously. In fact, the entire cave was peculiar. All the walls and flooring were smooth, hardly a dab of sand or roughness in sight the likes Anthony had never seen. He knew of nothing to cause such smoothness other than natural erosion; even the explosives he used with his tools couldn't be quite that refined.

They entered a wider section of the cave that held a cot draped in ornate duvets and large pillows. The floor shifted from smooth rock to warm rugs, something entirely too unnatural to this part of the world. A large cooking pot sat in a small alcove opposite of the bedding, covered by a bamboo lid and surrounded by walls of wooden crates flipped to act as shelving.

The entire place was far too lavish for a cave. But then again, so was the woman who dwelled within.

"So, my dear," Amora said, guiding Anthony over to the plush bed. She urged him to sit, which he did with much relief, hoping to hide his surprise at how literally he sank. Goldie didn't miss a thing, winking at him in amusement. "What do you need from me?"

Loki held his hand out to Goldie, keeping his eyes on Amora, who quickly withdrew something from his pack and handed it over. Loki crossed to where she stood beside Anthony and held his hand out. Amora looked down and gently took the parchment, her gown twisting slightly with her movement. The cave fell silent as she looked over the list, humming slightly. Anthony still couldn't decide if he liked her or not.

"My dear, sweet, Loki," she purred, shaking her head after a moment. "These will not be simple."

"I have come prepared," Loki countered. He held his hand again out to Goldie. The old man fell again to his pack, moving back with a small box in hand. "For you."

Amora's eyes lit up at the prospect of a gift. She folded the parchment neatly before accepting the gift from Goldie. Carefully the lid was lifted and folded away; Anthony practically suffered to withdraw himself from the cushions of the bedding to see within.

Amora gasped softly, her eyes widening further. "Oh, Loki." Anthony paused, suddenly not sure if he wanted to know what Loki had given her. Another part of him, a quiet part that he promptly ignored, did not like the way she said Loki's name. Amora reached within the box and drew a long golden chain free, the metal bright and glistening in the torch light. At the end sat a beautiful blue stone the colour of a bright morning sky, spiderwebbed in black cracks and encased in gold to match the chain. "Where is it from?"

"North of here, where the English have just begun to poison anew," Loki answered smoothly. "I became acquainted with local men who speak in odd tones. I am to understand this wards off evil, for their culture." Loki paused. "For those you last spoke of; I believe this shall help you."

Amora carefully dropped the chain around her neck, the stone resting in the exact place the handkerchief she offered Anthony had been. She smiled slightly, rubbing the stone with her fingers, before flinging her arms around Loki's neck. The captain hugged her waist lightly, the embrace lasting only seconds, before Amora whirled away to rummage through several of the crates against the walls. Loki sighed slightly, nodding to Goldie.

"Help her, if need be," he said.

"Aye!" Goldie said, moving across the cave. "Wot ye need, Miss Am'ra?"

Amora hummed beneath her breath, the tone light and simple. "Bags, if you would, dearest Joseph."

"Aye, ma'am!"

Anthony watched the pair move along the wall as he pushed to the edge of the bed. Loki carefully sank to the foot of the cot, only a foot or so over from Anthony, and rested his back against the frame. "She is a whirlwind."

"That she is," Anthony answered, resting his palms on his knees. Suddenly, he felt nervous. "How do you know her?"

Loki tilted his head to the side, drawing his knees up and resting his elbows on them. Anthony hated to admit, but in the low light catching on the many bangles around his wrists and casting the perfect shades of shadow across his face, that deadly pirate captain looked incredible. "We have known each other for many, many years. I suppose you could say we grew up together."

Anthony nodded, watching the blonde dart around. She left Goldie in a confused state, spinning in circles; Anthony smiled. "I can tell you are close."

Loki looked over curiously, his expression immediately masked. "Does that bother you?"

Anthony blinked, surprised. He felt his face immediately heat as he avoided the captain's gaze. "I don't understand - why would it?"

"Just a question," Loki answered softly. Still, he did not look away. "A yes or no question, easily answered, if you allow."

Anthony opened and closed his mouth quickly, feeling his throat work. It did bother him, but why? "I - "

"Loki, darling?" Amora called. Loki merely quirked a thin eyebrow, not looking away from holding Anthony's gaze.

"Yes?" He answered smoothly. "Is there an issue?"

"Not particularly, just my curiosity," she said. Loki blinked and slid his gaze to her, not moving from his spot on the floor.

"I shall try to enlighten," he replied, stretching his legs out across the rug before him. "Proceed."

"I was just wondering," Amora commented, her voice curious but not pressing. "What ever would you need banewort, gilliflower, and elder for? Did you not get enough of the last previously?"

Loki sighed softly, loud enough for only Anthony to hear. "I suppose I credited you too highly, Amora."

The woman froze and spun, her eyes blazing. "Credited what?"

"Did you not notice his condition?" Loki answered, crossing his ankles slightly. "I derived that in the proximity, it would have been unmistakable."

Amora spun her heated gaze to Anthony, making the inventor bite his lip. She crossed the room in quick strides and stood before him, taking his freshly bearded chin in hand. After staring into his eyes for the briefest of moments, her hard gaze softened.

"Oh, my poor Tony; you aren't feeling well."

"Heat fever," Loki supplied, pushing himself from the floor and walking over to Goldie. He peered into the old man's bag and nodded slightly. "Everything here is for him."

"Burned through that elder to sleep, I see," she murmured, pressing the inside of her wrist against his forehead. Anthony blinked up at her, confused. Was that the drink Goldie continued to feed him? "How have you been feeling since entering my home?"

Anthony paused to think - after the pitaya, he had felt far better than the last few days. Entering her cave, aside from the sneezing, his mind had not felt fogged. "Better, honestly," he answered, watching Loki over her shoulder. He tied off a bag quickly and dropped it into Goldie's bag, giving another brief nod.

"I am glad," she said, her face softening into a smile. "Being ill is never fun, especially aboard a ship."

"Aye!" Goldie answered in a huff, adjusting his pack. "Jus' ask me."

Amora grinned over her shoulder at him. "I did quite well on those teeth, friend."

Goldie nodded and laughed. "Aye! Ye 'ave skills, lass."

Anthony frowned as Amora turned away, lifting the flap on Goldie's satchel. Her voice became shrill once she noticed Loki's extra addition, but Anthony hardly listened. Goldie had told him his teeth were destroyed when he was around Anthony's age. Even without knowing the exact time, Goldie was nearly sixty. His accident was almost forty years ago, and Amora barely looked older than his sister.

"Loki!" She snapped. "I cannot say that I'm surprised, but honestly?"

The captain shrugged. "And?"

"And what?" Amora demanded. "Have you no shame?"

Loki smirked. "Have you been in the dark this entire time? I do apologize - I am Loki Laufey, Pirate Captain of the vessel Sleipnir - "

"That's all you've got to say for yourself?"

"What more would you like, Amora?"

"Perhaps a real answer?" She snapped, resting her hands on her hips. Loki glanced over at Anthony, the inventor still toiling over the new information in his mind. He jerked his chin towards him.

"As I said, everything here is for him," he answered clearly. "My lord has taken ill, and that does not bode well with me."

All of Anthony's thoughts ground to a screeching halt, his heart beating wildly in his chest. Loki turned his attention away, back to the verbal bashing Amora was kindly dishing him, leaving Anthony alone with what was left of his previous thoughts and the new ones his comment brought. My lord? Earlier, he had wondered what that phrase would sound like coming from Loki in his usual persona. Now, he wasn't so sure he could handle it. His fever felt like it was returning tenfold, but Anthony knew better.

They bid farewell to Amora a few minutes later with promises to return before sailing back to sea. Amora carefully placed a kiss to Loki's and Goldie's cheek in passing before turning to Anthony. She grabbed his shoulders with both of her hands and simply stared.

"My, dear Tony," she said, her voice verging on awe. Anthony stared back, watching her eyes dart to every feature of his face. "You certainly are something."

"Not for much longer, once this beard is gone," he quipped, unable to contain himself. She smiled brightly and laughed, leaning forward to kiss his cheek as well.

"With or without," Amora countered. "Were the time to be different, I would gladly trade places with that old man."

"Enough, Amora," Loki answered dryly, reaching out to take Anthony's wrist. He allowed himself to fall into that light tug, his mind still reeling from his new title. "We need to be back to the ship."

"Be safe, comrades!" She said, waving from the mouth of the cave. Loki nodded and began the walk back, careful over the bridge. He paused to hold one of the handrails for Anthony and Goldie as they crossed, guiding the inventor back to the bramble path with a hand on the small of his back. Once Goldie was in tow, he tossed a hand to Amora.

"I shall be in touch," he called.

"I demand no less!" She answer brightly, a small laugh in her tone. Anthony waved to her before he was led back to the main path. They paused a moment for Loki to rewind the black scarf around his face and adjust his hat before they walked before the fort.

As Anthony watched him, his movements fluid and quick, precise, he resisted a strong urge to stop him, to see what would happen if he walked out without a disguise. For Amora, to live unnoticed literally beneath hundreds of militants, was incredible. Why couldn't Loki do the same, simply walking?

Anthony swallowed as the captain waved them on. He realized that, regardless of all his gifts and intelligence, he still had far too many questions without answers.

A/N: What did you guys think of Amora? :D Please let me know your thoughts, and I'll see you all again soon!