Knightfall's World of Kulan Story Hour (Updated: May 24/09)

[the Jester]

Originally Posted by Knightfall1972

Agent of Evil:

As he walked he split his mind with his schism ability, so that he could organize his thoughts on everything he'd seen and heard.

Nothing like talking things over with yourself!

[Knightfall]

Thunderport, Isle of Black Dogs:
Elyiniia, the Betrayer of Amylinyon, paced back and forth, deep in the hidden basement of the House of Filrand, mulling over everything that the agent had conveyed to her through the mirror of insight. She already knew more than the man had consciously seen and heard. The mirror transmitted not only his memories of The Ishtar and her crew, but his perceptions as well; even those he didn't recognize as being important.

The mirror had seen to that. It kept a mental record of his experiences that she could tap at any time. A useful tool that only the highest ranking members of the Opposition had access to. The agent and those like him didn't even know that the sending mirror many of them were given was designed to read and transmit their thoughts and experiences without their knowledge.

The mirrors were only given to those that had the potential to become more than just pawns in the games of the Opposition overlords. It was the best way to intercept up and coming rivals before they became a real danger.

She couldn't help but wonder who the young female, who'd sneaked onto The Ishtar, had been. Elyiniia had noticed the skulking form while cycling through the agent's memories. He had been so focused on the ship that he hadn't noticed the clandestine form. This girl, whoever she was, had the potential to be an excellent thief and spy. A thought that intrigued the ancient, elven necromancer.

If she could only discover the girl's identity, then she could use her to bring down Dabuk Tigerstorm and his companions. Yet, something seemed to be blocking her magical skills. Divination had failed to reveal anything, which was unusual, and no matter how hard she delved into the recorded thought patterns of the agent, she was unable to get a clear image of the girl in her mind.

This worried her.

Still, Elyiniia the Foulsoul had gained more than enough information to plan her next move against the miscreants that had thwarted her plans in the West. Onaway had been a grand prize that the Opposition wanted to capture for decades, and just when the plan was near completion, her old nemesis and his unruly spawn had to arrive and ruin everything. Garth Tigerstorm and his companions had been the bane of the Opposition's existence for decades, and now it seemed like the next generation would cause them just as many problems unless something was done.

Elyiniia would see to that, personally, and the Black Death would be her weapon of choice. The ancient witch deactivated the magical mirror with only a thought. She gathered everything she would need before ascending the cracked-stone, spiral staircase to the main floor of the House of Filrand. Elyiniia had been pretending to be the Pirate Queen of House Filrand for nearly a decade and easily masked her true self with that of the now deceased Captain Avana Filrand.

Her First Mate, a sniveling man named Dullman, met her at the door of House Filrand. He truly lived up to his name and had no idea who she truly was. He was in love with his Pirate Queen and would die for her in heartbeat.

“Mistress, the crew of the Black Death awaits yer orders, with glee,” the man drolled.

“Prepare to set sail, Dullman. I've learned of a new fat fish to fry, and I want to be underway as soon as possible.” Elyiniia spoke with the painful accent of an Islander elf, something she'd gotten use to in this role. “Make sure that the men are prepared for a war. Move it you old sea dog!”

“Y-yes mistress,” Dullman bowed and scraped, nearly to the ground, before running off towards the docks of Thunderport.

The pirate city was at its worse and the sky above it was filled with the smoke and smells of the unclean and worthless. The souls of this stinking pool of filth were some of the worst. They had little to redeem them to Elyiniia beyond their gifts for making evil and suffering in the world. She'd be glad to be free of Thunderport and its horrid streets. No, nothing would keep her here, now that The Ishtar had set sail.

“I am coming for you, whelp of Garth,” she whispered into the air. “You and your friends shall rue the day that you crossed me.”

* * *

[Knightfall]

Griffons and Sahuagin, oh my!:
“Griffons,” Salisan yelled. “Everyone prepare yourself!”

The attack came out of the sky and would have been without warning if not for the reef giants keen eyes. Half-a-dozen of the winged magical beasts dove out of the sky to attack exposed crewmen wherever they could. Dabuk could tell the creatures looked half starved, which likely accounted for their odd behavior. Griffons usually didn't attack large groups let alone ships.

“We need to drive them off,” Dabuk looked to Salisan with a pained look in his eyes. Griffons were an important part of the natural world. “Without killing any of them.”

“That might be difficult lad,” Salisan took a swipe with the flat of his sword at one griffon that got to close. He missed and the half-horse half-eagle beast screeched at him. “Their hungry, in a mad sort of way. We could lose a lot of people, and I'm sorry to say we come before them.”

Just as Salisan spoke the words, a griffon snatched one of the sailors off the deck and lifted him into the air. The man screamed in terror as the other griffons tried to pull him away from the griffon crushing him in its claws. They ripped him apart before anyone could do anything.

“Damn,” Dabuk sighed.

The half-elf ranger quickly strung his bow and began firing. Soon two of the griffons were down with help from the bowman in the crow's nest. Mesik tried to use his sling but failed miserably. He barely got out of the way of one of the beast's claws; he ducked under a tarp and decided to stay there. Bactra came running up from below with Crystal right behind him.

“Bactra, can you charm them?” Dabuk begged.

“I'm not a druid, cousin, but I'll try to scare them away.” Bactra cast a semi-solid illusion of a flight of giant eagles and set them upon the griffons. It wasn't a great illusion but it did send two of the flying beasts winging towards the coast. “How was that?”

“Good.” Dabuk let another arrow fly aiming for the beasts sensitive wing joints. He hoped a few well placed arrow would make the beast find another target for food, but all the arrow did when it hit was make the creature enraged. He came directly at Dabuk who stood near the mast, screeching. Dabuk fired again; this time he aimed for the griffons head. The beast screeched one last time before crashing down into the rigging and sails of the ship. Dabuk looked at Salisan; he was not happy.

“Good shot,” Salisan watched as the last griffon flew away. “But you should have taken that shot the first time. I know you were just trying to wound it so that it would be scared off. All that did was cause this mess. Next time, go for the kill shot or I'll send you over the railing myself. Understood?”

Dabuk and Salisan were friends but on the ship Salisan was the captain and Dabuk wasn't about to challenge his authority in front of the crew. Later, however, in the privacy of the wardroom, Dabuk would have his say.

“I understand, Captain Marg.” Dabuk wouldn't grovel, however, which endeared him to the crew. He showed the proper respect for Salisan without seeming like a toady. This let the sailors know that Salisan was in charge but that the companions were more than passengers.

Dabuk even went so far as to help the crew untangle the dead griffon from the rigging and sails. They were nearly finished when a shout came from port-side of the ship.

“Sea Devils!”

[Knightfall]

“Gods, you have to be kidding!” Mesik looked port-side just in time to see over a dozen sahuagin climbing over the railing, ready for battle. “This can't just be bad luck!”

“Aye, I agree.” Dvalin appeared from below deck with his axe ready and with Rikin right behind him.

Dabuk quickly took the initiative and crossed the distance to the port-side before anyone else moved, except for the sea devils. The fish-men were the scourge of seas, and they rarely surrendered or retreated. While they were not as fast on land (or on the deck of a ship) as they were in the water, they were still a major threat to the ship and the crew.

“All hands, prepare to repel boarders,” Salisan shouted.

The sea devils were soon swarming all over the ship. Dozens of them. This wasn't a mere raid. This was a war party bent on killing everyone and sinking the ship. They hissed and shrieked at the sailors, which wasn't helping morale. However, with the Companions on their side, they had a better chance than most. Dabuk continued to take the lead while Dvalin and Rikin backed him up and held their own at the same time. Mesik hopped and tumbled across the deck flashing Sheao across the feet and knees of the fish-men. Bactra let loose with several evocation spells including a lightning bolt, which surprised everyone.

“Whoa, where'd that come from?” Mesik looked at his friend with a newfound respect as he incinerated several sahuagin with one blast. “When did you learn that?”

“Just recently,” Bactra smiled. “Crystal, your turn.”

“Watch this cousin,” Crystal turned towards half a dozen sea devils climbing over the railing of the starboard-side of the ship and let loose a powerful cone of cold spell that froze the sea devils in place, literally.

“Okay, I'm impressed. You're going to have to teach me that one someday.” Bactra smacked a nearby sea devil with his iron-shod staff, which caved in its face.

“We'll see,” Crystal stepped back from the melee erupting in front of her. “Bactra, you're too close.”

“You haven't seen anything yet.” Bactra had been practising with his staff. His time in the tangles of Onaway had taught him that he needed to rely on more than his magic. Two sea devils tried to surround him but he stood back to back with a nearby sailor and took the legs out from under one of them. The other backed away but fell to another sailor's blade.

Bactra looked around for the others as Crystal's burning hands spell sent one of the fish-men gibbering to the deck, scorched. He could see Mesik nearby as well as Dvalin, but there was no sign of the others through the intense melee breaking out everywhere. He knew Salisan would be guarding the ship's wheel and that the crew would guard their captain's back. And he knew that most of the others could take care of themselves but still he worried about Mesik and Thessa in such a fight. In truth, he was more at risk.

He wouldn't be able to stand his ground here for very much longer. The sailors next to him were more concerned about fighting the sea devils than watching his back, yet he refused to retreat completely. He moved more towards Crystal and the two wizards fought side by side with spells and staves. Dvalin pulled back to their position to give them some cover. Bactra let loose another evocation, Melf's acid arrow, while Crystal ruined the day of several of the sahuagin with a Evard's black tentacles spell. Several nearby sailors barely escaped the spells area of effect.

“Careful woman,” Dvalin warned mockingly. “you almost took out some of our own.”

“Be glad it wasn't a fireball spell, dwarf.” Crystal mocked back. While the the two of them had never warmed to each other, their insults were mainly in jest.

“No doubt,” Dvalin guffawed. He sliced down two more of the fish-men. The deck below them was slick with sahuagin ichor, which stunk to high Seven Heavens. “Gods, these things reek!”

Just then another wave of sea devils came over the railings.

“This is not good,” Mesik had retreated to their position and was watching Dvalin's back as he protected Bactra and Crystal. “And I don't think this is a coincidence. These fishy bastards were waiting to attack us.”

“Aye,” Dvalin winced as a nearby sea devil clawed his face. “If you've got that fireball spell, lass, then now is the time to use it.”

“I do,” Crystal was sweating from every pour. “Warn the sailors.”

“Fire in the hole!” Dvalin and Mesik both yelled the pre-planed warning to the nearby sailors. Bactra let loose another lightning bolt just as Crystal cast a fireball outside of the range it would need to burn the Companions. Several nearby sailors jumped out of the way just in time; although, one of them got a bit singed. Over a dozen sea devils were instantly torched.

“Well, don't do that again unless you absolutely have to.” Dvalin wanted to cover his nose as the stink of burning sea devils mixed with the smell of the ichor on the deck.

“Yuck.” Mesik threw up.

Still, the spell had been very effective. Many of the other fish-men leaped into the sea; they were afraid of the arcane fire and would have no more of it. A few of the more resolute sea devils refused to retreat, however. They fought to the death and they took several sailors with them.

The aftermath was a scene best left up to the imagination.

Salisan quickly took charge of the situation while Thessa helped as many of the sailors as she could. They were grateful to have the cleric aboard and some of them even shook Bactra's hand. None of them could bring themselves to shake Crystal's hand, but a few of them did thank her from a safe distance.

Bactra looked for Dabuk and found him leaning over the side. He looked sick. Dabuk had never been a fan of sailing.

“Are you going to be all right?” Bactra tried not to smile.

“I hate the sea,” Dabuk groaned.

“I'm telling you. This journey is a bad idea. You're a green as the trees of the Knotwood.”

“I'll live. Besides, it's the stink of the sea devils more than anything.”

“It's not that bad.” Bactra lied.

“Liar. Now, go help Thessa and the others.” Dabuk was breathing heavily. He pointed his senses towards the sea, which was less revolting than the sea devil guts on the deck behind him. The thought quickly had him gagging and he threw up over the railing. “I hate the sea.”

* * *

[Knightfall]

What The?:
“What do you think?” Bactra asks Salisan.

“I think it is alive but in distress,” the Captain of The Ishtar replies. “We should rescue it.”

“It could be a trick,” Dabuk says.

“No, I don't think so,” Salisan replies. “I think its a triton. They are allies of my people. Strange though, most tritons never come to the surface.”

“It looks female.” Crystal notes.

The leaders of The Ishtar watch the form floating in the water with concern. The waters are calm and the form floats with its head down in the water its back towards the sky. If the figure had been a air-breather it would have likely drowned.

“It's your decision, Salisan.” Dabuk says. “You're the Captain. The crew would object if we overruled you.”

“We're going to bring her aboard,” Salisan barks to the crew. “Launch the lifeboat and be quick about it gentlemen!”

The crew is quick to respond. The boat is put into the water and quickly rows out to the floating form. They pull her in and one of the crew yells to the Captain.

“I'm not sure what to tell you, sir! It... she... looks sort of like an elf but not like any elf I've ever seen before!”

“That's strange. That skin coloration isn't right for a sea elf. Wait.” Salisan pauses. “Hurry up, man! Get her back to the ship now!”

“She's not breathing.” The crewman yells as they row towards The Ishtar.

“There's no time,” Salisan pulls off his tunic and prepares to dive into the water.

“What is it, Sal?” Mesik asks.

“Not what, but who,” he replies. Salisan dives into the water and quickly reaches the lifeboat. “Give her to me now.”

The crew hands their Captain the dying female and he dives below the water with her. Moments pass like grains of sand from an hourglass. Everyone watches and waits.

“What's he doing?” Bactra wonders. What's taking so long?”

Just then Salisan breaks through the water right beside the ship with the female slung over his shoulder. He easily climbs up the side of the ship and places her gently on the deck. He orders the crew to bring in the boat and for blankets to be brought for the female.

Her form is strange. She does appears to be an elf but with green-skin tinted with purple and pink. Her hands and feet are webbed and she breathes through a strange mask that has been fitted over her face. The mask is full of seawater.

“What is she?” Thessa asks.

“She's a half-breed. She's half triton, half elf,” Salisan replies. “Her form will be weak for some time. She isn't used to breathing air, which is why I put the mask on her. It's a useful magical device that will protect her from suffocating in the air. Once her body begins to adjust to our environment, she'll be able to start breathing air.”

“She's a half-elf,” Dabuk is shocked. “I've heard of sea elves but I've never seen one.”

“No, you misunderstand.” Salisan shakes his head. “Her elven half is Islander elf. An air breathing elven race that lives a life on the sea. They're quite rare inland but are commonplace on the islands surrounding Harqual, especially in this area.”

“But, you said she was also half triton. How's that even possible?” Jeddar asks.

“Normally, it isn't,” Salisan covers her with several blankets and picks her up in his arms. “She's special. I have to get her out of the cold.”

Salisan quickly walks across the deck, opens the door to the wardroom, and takes the half-elf triton inside.

“Well, I can honestly say its never going to be boring on this ship,” Mesik says.

He and the others look towards the closed door of the wardroom with curiosity and and concern. Who could she be and how did she end up alone floating on the sea?

* * *

[Knightfall]

BTW... who's reading?

[Knightfall]

In the Wardroom of The Ishtar:
“How is she?” Crystal asks the question that is on all their minds.

The companions had gathered in the wardroom at Salisan's request. Dabuk, Bactra, Jeddar, Mesik, and Dvalin all stood back at a respectful distance. Crystal sat near the female half-triton's side while the reef giant and Thessa cared for the child of the sea. Thessa had been insistent on helping care for their mysterious guest. Salisan had welcomed her input and healing touch.

“She is much better due to Thessa's healing skills,” Salisan replies.

The half-triton had obviously been attacked and Thessa's herbal knowledge and healing spells had done wonders for the ailing creature. Still, she hadn't regained consciousness yet, which continued to trouble the gnome priestess. Salisan had assured her that it was normal for the half-triton due to her unique heritage. He obviously knew who she was but had refused to tell them anything about her.

This fact had annoyed Dabuk greatly. Yes, he had agreed to let Salisan lead the ship and its crew, but the half-elf ranger hated being kept in the dark about anything he considered a risk to the mission. The creature was exotic and quite beautiful in her own way and Bactra was becoming smitten with her unique nature. Jeddar wasn't as distracted by her beauty; however, Dabuk could tell his half-elven friend was interested in her uniqueness, which was so much like his own.

Dabuk looked at Jeddar out of the corner of his eye. The blade-bard was more than just a half-elf. He is half gray-elf, born of a race that is considered to be either extinct or a legend depending on who you asked. The fact that Jeddar existed proved that gray elves aren't just a legendary race that exists only in the stories of myth. Still, Dabuk had never met any other being that could call themselves a child of a legendary race, until now.

He looked back towards the half-triton. A being that should not be able to exist – half of the sea and half of the air – but does. Dabuk had never heard of Islander elves before Salisan had mentioned them, but he wasn't surprised that there is a unique race of elves that live the seafaring life. Elves were more adaptable than humans gave them credit.

Dabuk looked at Jeddar once again. His friend had told him and the others several stories the blade-bard knew about Islander elves, which he had learned as part of his studies at the Bard's College of Fruen. The stories told of a race that is like quicksilver. They are elusive and enigmatic. They are also unpredictable. It was this fact that troubled Dabuk so much. Who was this creature? What was her background? Would she be a danger to the mission?

“I need to know more about her, Salisan.” Dabuk insists.

“In good time, my friend.” Salisan replies. “I wish you wouldn't worry so much about her. I've told you that she's not a risk to the ship or your goals. If she was then I wouldn't have brought her aboard.”

“Salisan's right, cousin.” Bactra looks at Dabuk with obvious annoyance. “You need to worry less about this and worry more about where we are headed. The Isle of Dread is rumored to be a deadly place filled with horrors that you cannot imagine.”

“You are smitten, cousin.” Dabuk replies bluntly. “I do not trust your judgment in this matter.”

“And you are a mean dog,” Crystal stares down her brother. “You would force the crew to work themselves to death to reach that island and to Hades' Underrealm with anything that gets in the way. Now, be quiet!”

Dabuk gritted his teeth but relented. His sister's will was a strong as his own, and his grandfather had indeed sent her to watch over the ship and the crew and to make sure that he didn't abuse anyone. He wouldn't contradict her in front of Mesik, his superior in the guild. Mesik had told him to heed her words since she was now considered Dabuk's equal in the Tiger Guild. She had gained Carl's trust almost overnight.

“She'll be coming around shortly,” Salisan says. “It would be best if you all remained quiet. I do not want her to become spooked. This will likely be the first time she has met land-dwellers.”

“Maybe we should leave,” Dvalin says.

“No. I want you here. For while she isn't a risk to our mission, it is very important that you all know who she is and what to expect while she's on board.” Salisan reaches out to check the half-triton's breathing through the magical mask. “Her body has adapted completely to the air.”

The giant man removes the mask, which peels away easily. The sea child's features are as beautiful as the rest of her. Her eyes flutter but remain closed as she breathes in several deep breaths. Her skin appears adaptive as it changes color slightly on her face and neck where it is now completely exposed to the wardroom's unfiltered air.

Her eyes open completely and she mumbles in a language that only Salisan understands.

“You are on board a sailing ship,” Salisan replies in Giant. “This land-dweller and I have been caring for you.”

Salisan motions to Thessa who is busy making sure the sea child is warm enough by covering her with an extra blanket. She smiles at the half-triton.

“While I'm not sure you can understand me, I must say that am pleased to meet you, regardless.”

The sea child makes no indication that she understands the gnome priestess's words.

“I should tell you that I am aware of your heritage,” Salisan says. “I know your father. Does he know where you are?”

She looks at Salisan confused.

“Do not play games with me, princess.” Salisan warns her in Common. “We have met before, so I know you can speak my language as well as the Common tongue of the land-dwellers. I have not sent word to your father, yet, but I will if you try treating me like a servant.”

“Princess?” Dabuk hadn't expected that.

“Please, just let me go,” she pleads in accented Common. “I am not who you think I am.”

“She is the daughter of the King of the Marine City of Athbethicia despite her childish attempts to pretend otherwise. Here name is Nanesa.”

“I order you to let me go!” she yells.

“She's got a big mouth,” Dabuk says.

“How dare you,” she seethes. “You will be punished for your arrogance!”

“What a brat,” Mesik laughs.

“You obnoxious little–” she spits.

“You will be silent, or I will throw in the BRIG!” Salisan warns the half-triton princess.

His words echo throughout the ship and Nanesa shrinks back from him in fear. She remains deathly quiet as the giant man clams himself.

“I am Salisan Marg,” he says. “I captain this ship, and I will brook no intolerance from you while you are on board. I will not simply let you go, either. You are too important to your father, so I must take charge of you. Shiken is an old friend, and he would never forgive me if I just let you swim off into a hostile sea. You will remain here and you will behave yourself.”

“I am your prisoner then,” Nanesa replies. “For I do not acknowledge your control over my life just as I do not acknowledge my father's need to control my life.”

“I say throw her in the brig,” Crystal says.

“Aye.” Dvalin says in agreement. “The humility will do her some good.”

“She will remain here for now,” Salisan replies. “However, if she wants to be treated like a prisoner, I will oblige her.”

Salisan stares at her with a gleam in his eyes. Nanesa refuses to flinch under his stare but her fear is obvious in everyone in the wardroom.

* * *

[Knightfall]

Stowaway:
“I think she'll come around soon enough,” Salisan says as he closes and locks the door to the wardroom. “With Crystal guarding her, I doubt she'll do much more than complain and pout.”

“We'll see,” Dabuk replies. He still wasn't sure the sea princess would cause problems but he'd defer to Sal, for the time being.

“Sir,” the first mate, a man named Calbrunnor, salutes Salisan. “Master Hougwarth thinks that there might be an issue with our food supplies.”

The vonakyndra had been given the task of quartermaster since he would spend so much time below deck. Dabuk had been wary about Salisan's decision since he knew how much Hugh loved to eat. Dabuk had worried that he'd eat the food stores bare; however, Hugh was taking his duties very seriously and was showing considerable restraint, so far.

“What's the problem?” Salisan asks.

“Sir, he says food has disappeared. We have a thief on board.”

Dabuk had to restrain himself from laughing. It was true. There was a thief on board. Several thieves, in fact. Calbrunnor wasn't a member of the Tiger Guild. He didn't know the crews' secret. The man had been Salisan's choice.

“I seriously doubt any of the crew are stealing food. Rats?” Mesik looked at Dabuk. The crew knew they would be punished severely for such a transgression.

“I know there are some, but I'm fairly certain Hugh couldn't be fooled by mere rodents. More than likely we have a stowaway.”

“That was Master Hougwarth's belief as well,” Calbrunnor replies.

“Agreed,” Salisan says. “Calbrunnor, we will search the ship. You have the deck.”

“Aye, sir!”

* * *

“What have you found?” Salisan ducks his head as he nears Dabuk and Mesik's location in the hold.

“We definitely have a stowaway,” Mesik states matter-of-factly. “Whoever he or she is, is smart too. We've found very little evidence that would have been noticeable to the average sailor.”

“I think we should get Bactra down here,” Dabuk suggests. “He might be able to track her, magically.”

* * *

“Well?” Dabuk asks.

“I have a location, and I think I know who we're dealing with. If it's who I think it is then I'm going to strap her backside myself.”

“Who?” Mesik asks.

“Teal.”

“Oh no.” Dabuk groans.

* * *

[Knightfall]

In the Hold:
“What were you thinking!” Bactra shouts at the top of his lungs.

The companions had once again gathered together, this time in the hold. Only Thessa and Rikin weren't present; the priestess was guarding the sea princess and Rikin was working alongside the crew. He was becoming a good sailor.

“Do not shout,” Teal whimpers. “I said I was sorry.”

A young forest elf stands trapped against a wall near the end of corridor, near the aft of the ship. She could pass as human child in her teens if not for her sharply pointed ears.

“I must agree with Bactra,” Crystal says. “It was foolish for you to have come along. Now we must take you home, which will delay this voyage for months.”

“No.” Dabuk states will little emotion. “She's here now. She'll have to stay and pitch in.”

Teal's eyes brightened at Dabuk's words.

“She cannot stay! She's a child!” Bactra yells.

“She's older than most of the crew,” Dabuk replies. “You need to calm down and see the larger issue, cousin. We cannot delay. I will not delay.”

“Then I will take her back myself,” Bactra says. He stared down Dabuk, determined.

“I- we need you here,” Dabuk says. He puts his hand on his cousin's shoulder. “I cannot force you to stay but I implore you to stay. We'll keep her on board at all times. She'll remain in the wardroom with the sea princess. Crystal and Thessa can watch out for her.”

“This is not a good idea, Dabuk.” Crystal says. “Having her on board is risky.”

“Do you think I really want her here?” Dabuk replies. “She's a pain, but we cannot delay.”

Teal's eyes teared at the half-elf's words.

“Show some compassion, lad.” Dvalin barks. “We all know how she feels about you.”

Dabuk looked at Teal with disdain. She thought she was in love with him. He didn't feel the same. Yes, she was attractive, but she was also a blood relative. It made him nauseous. More nauseous than the rolling sea.

“I'm sorry, cousin,” Dabuk says to Teal. “I know you think I'm your soul mate but it cannot happen. The idea goes against how my grandfather raised me. I guess I am too human to accept the way of my forest kin in this matter.”

“I'll wait,” Teal replies with a smile. “You change your mind someday.”

“Gods,” Mesik says. “We're going to let her stay, aren't we? The Ishtar is already so crowded. We're going to need a bigger ship at this rate.”

“Cousin?” Dabuk looks at Bactra.

“I protest, but you are right. We cannot delay. However, I'm going to insist that the crew be forbidden to speak with her. She's much too young to be exposed to sailing men, of any race.”

“Agreed,” Salisan replies. “Miss Teal, you will refrain from engaging the crew in any way. You will stay by either Crystal or Thessa's side at all times unless they are on deck. At all other times, you will remain in the wardroom. You will eat there and the door will remain locked at night.”

“I have no choice?” Teal asks glumly. “That does not seem fair.”

“You do not, sister!” Bactra barks. “And if you break Captain Marg's rules, I will lock you in the brig, personally.”

Teal knew when to let her brother have her way, for the moment. “I understand.”

* * *