User blog:SaynaSLuke/Stolen Tears



By Sayna

Far 'way in west sea,

Where corsairs bend the knee,

The eyes of enchantment do shine.

Wicked at best,

Sent a terrible quest,

The six tears of Lutra's are mine.

One pearl for integrity ..

One pearl for morality ..

One pearl for loyalty ..

One pearl for love ..

Author's Note
So guess what .. it's Tears of the Ocean! (Rewrite of the Pearls of Lutra) and the sequel to The Veil is Torn. Sadly, all our friends from the Unsung Heroes trilogy, and the Accused trilogy, have lived out their lives many seasons ago.

All but one. Yea, Sayna doesn't die easily .. for she is still looking for her successor as the Defender.

So I've basically wiped the slate entirely clean. Though some things in Accused pertain .. monocles, Icetor Flowers, and rose-colored pearls have a way of lasting through time. As do certain characters undying legacies ..

About a thousand two hundred seasons have passed since the Golden era of the marks, and much has been lost from written history.

The story should be .. eh .. about a PG level. Nothing really gory or bad, but it will get somewhat shocking at times. (magic, violence, some bloody scenes. We're talking pirates here)

I've been planning this book since I first read the 'Pearls of Lutra' around 2012. So you can imagine I'm really excited now! I've been keeping it hidden so I could keep myself interested in Accused, which I loved too, but now ... *Whoooop!!* :D XD

This is firstly dedicated to Salem, who was the first to ever comment on one of my stories .. if she hadn't, I might not be here right now.

Secondly, as all my books are, it is dedicated to all my wiki friends, everybeast who reads, and my mother.

Thanks guys :)

Here's some fitting music links (I think this is gonna become tradition or something) XP 

Prologue
The creaks of the ship and its rigging mingled with the groans of wounded, and the smell of salt air blended with the smell of shed blood. Crewbeast and lizard lay dead or dying in what told of a great struggle .. munity.

Only a few were still standing, and those who were, were still fighting.

One of these was a tall, black haired ferret maiden with a strangely cream mask. She had just felled an opponent, and was bleeding from several wounds due to it. She yanked her axe free of the lizard she'd just killed, taking tighter hold of her cutlass as she looked around.

A massive lizard, bigger than the others, had an injured rat backed up against the mast, and the creature was weakly trying to defend himself.

The ferret snarled, running agilely toward the scenario. "Lask! Leave me beasts be! Face me if any!"

The rat tried to stab the lizard, but his spear was deflected by the scales. "Capt'n .."

The lizard broke his opponent's neck with one fell blow, turning his bloody muzzle to the ferret. "Thizzz izzz the fate of thozzz who defy the emperor, Captain Romzzca."

Romsca had skidded to a halt a few feet away once saving her crewbeast was out of the question, and now she panted, "Your beasts is as dead as mine .. looks like it's just you an' me."

Lask grinned. "It will be pleazzing to kill you .. traitor!"

Romsca jumped back as the massive lizard advanced on her. "We'll see who kills who!"

She leaped into action the next minute, running to the side and causing the lizard to spin around, mouth opening in a hiss that revealed his many, sharpened teeth. Romsca jumped over his swinging, club like tail, throwing her axe down with all her strength.

Lask roared in pain as his tail was severed from his body, and he lunged viscously, knocking Romsca over backwards and tearing his claws into her leg. The ferret choked back a scream, kicking the lizard hard in the muzzle with her good leg, and rolling desperately away, gripping her cutlass tightly.

Romsca could vaguely hear noise coming from her cabin, and she knew her 'prisoners' would be trying to get out and help her. But it was not their time to die .. even if it was her's.

The ferret staggered to her feet again .. she must not fall .. it would be the end of her if Lask got her on the ground. However the lizard was in a terrible fit of rage from the pain of his missing tail, and he was too fast to avoid.

His claws shot out, catching Romsca in the side and sending her flying against the mast like she weighed nothing. The ferret's world swam, and she tried to force herself up again, but Lask was a upon her, his claws tearing into her back.

Romsca heard herself scream in agony .. and she knew good and well, her neck would be next.

The was a sudden crash from nearby .. like a door breaking, and Lask's brutal claws lifted from her. Romsca coughed, lifting her head to see her savior, the very creature she had captured and kept prisoner, bring their shining sword against the lizard.

However for some reason, the strange golden mouse was not as fast as before .. Lask flung her against the railing of the ship, and she collapsed in a broken heap .. motionless.

Her sword was laying just a few feet away .. despite the terrible pain she was in, Romsca forced herself to creep forward and grip the hilt. Lask was coming at her now, regardless of caution or tactics .. he was mad with agony and desired nothing but blood.

Romsca forced herself to lift the sword .. though it seemed so heavy in her faltering grasp, that she wondered if she could. The lizard ran full force onto the blade, impaling himself and flinging his wounded adversary backwards.

The ferret cried out as she slammed into the mast, and the terrible pain brought a wave of darkness crashing upon her. She vaguely felt herself slumping to the ground as the world fell into darkness .. yet the pain was numbing now.

''Ignasa .. if you could hear a pirate's plea .. forgive me ..''

Her last thought was a depressing one.

''I will never be able to right the wrongs .. my life has been sorely wasted .. oh Ignasa ..''

Somebeast was speaking, though their voice was far away and muffled. "My daughter ..."

Romsca may not have smiled, but her heart did, faintly. When had she last heard such words?

"Me girl .. me little girl."

It brought back the past .. so long ago. Once .. when everything was alright. It might seem like forever, but that time had once been.

And maybe .. not so long ago.

Chapter 1 Jewel of the Ocean
Far away in the west sea, is an island. A tropical jewel of rare beauty that graced what some called the edge of the horizon, or the beginning of the end, for there was no land to be reached by ship west of it.

And on this island, a great city was built, so long ago that the paws that made it faded into far recesses of time.

Pirates and wave-robbers made their home here .. Sampetra.

One such beast was Conva, a feared sea captain. However he had moored at Sampetra to give his crew a well earned rest, and repair his galley. But these were not the only reasons he was glad to be home, the main reason met him the moment he entered the courtyard of his small manor.

"Dad!"

The older ferret was hit by a leaping creature, who bowled him over. "Dad, yer back!"

Conva lifted his one and only child, grinning. "Arr, me little girl!"

She laughed. "I ain't so little no more!"

"Aye Romsca me dear, yer growing up." Conva admitted.

The young ferret rubbed a paw across her nose. "Dad, when are you gonna take me on a voyage? I want ta come too .. yer gone so long."

Conva shook his head. "Yer not thirteen seasons me girl. Next time, maybe."

"Why? Why do I have ta stay? I'm good with me axe, I'll show you!" Romsca was determined.

"I said, not yet. I mean it me girl, that's the way it is."

"I kin beat Xzaris an' Rasconza .. or .. at least be as good. Please dad!"

Conva sighed. "That isn't the point. You've been keeping up with yer training?"

"Course I have!" Romsca exclaimed. "Every day .. I want to be just like you an' sail on the Waveworm!"

Conva took his daughter's paw. "I promised yer mom, not till yer thirteen. Now I mean it."

Romsca looked sulky. "'t's not fair."

"Now look. Yer uncle Barranca is with me, and we've got to make a report to the empress, see? You stay here while we do it, and we'll come back soon enough." Conva explained.

Romsca grumbled. "I want ta come too."

Conva shook his head. "Empress Meili is not fond of such things, and you know it. Go play, we'll be back soon enough."

Romsca looked defiant, before she looked down. "Yes dad."

The weathered ferret smiled again. "That's me girl."

><><

"Go play, he says. I've never been in the palace, but I want ta go. Sure. It's not fair! Just like I'm not old enough ta go sailing, either."

Romsca threw a stone in attempt to skip it across the river, but it just plopped in, making a half-hearted splash.

There was a whish of air beside her, and a stone zipped across the placid water, skipping several times. Romsca rolled her eyes, huffing. "So I can't skip stones. Big deal."

"Jealous."

A bluish gray ferret used a thick staff of bamboo to vault himself on a nearby, moss covered stone, grinning all the while. "So what's the deal?"

Romsca scowled. "Don't want ta tell you."

"Something wrong?" A fox about the same age, or a little older, sat near the two ferrets.

"I just ... I want ta be a great corsair, and dad won't let me prove myself. I'm only one season too young .. if I was just thirteen." Romsca grumbled. "By the time I'm old enough, he'll be off raiding, and I'll have to wait longer!"

The fox shrugged. "It's only a few seasons."

"Yer one ta talk." The gray ferret splashed his pole in the water. "Yer dad don't care, he'll take ya on raids if'n ya ask him."

"Yea, and I've been on two now. How about you, Xzaris?"

The ferret scowled. "Ya know how many the two of us get ta go on."

The fox paused a moment, before saying, with a straight face, "Aye, a lot of them."

Romsca tried to scowl, but she giggled instead. "Why is that funny? How can Rasconza always make everything funny?"

"It's called, sarcasm." Xzaris stated, levelly.

Rasconza smirked. "You're not bad at it yourself."

Xzaris used his staff to bolt to his paws almost completely from a sitting position. "Thank ya, I've been 'round ya long enough."

Romsca was laughing now, and she jumped to her paws. "You two never let me sulk."

"That's our job, y'know." Xzaris grinned, sticking his bamboo pole out as Rasconza got to his paws, tripping the fox.

Rasconza raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

He sat up. "I came to tell you something important, and you want to goof off?"

Romsca raised an eyebrow. "What's important? Sampetra never changes."

"Yea, I mean what really .. excitin' things happen 'round here?" Xzaris suddenly looked at Romsca. "Unless a course, the Monitors attack."

The ferret glared at her friend. "Don't mention those things! They give me the creeps."

"Scaredy-cat. Like the dark gives ya the creeps."

"Shut up. Like yer not afraid of nothing."

"Oh yea? Name it."

"I'm not going to tell you if you won't listen." Rasconza said sagely.

Romsca snorted. "Whatever, Xzaris. Yea, tell us."

She plopped down in front of the fox, and Xzaris leaned coolly on his staff. Rasconza looked around, stating, "Things may not stay so peaceful on Sampetra. My dad sighted a ship on the horizon the other day."

Xzaris shrugged. "An' so?"

"No, listen. It wasn't one of Empress Meili's ships, it didn't have her emblem on the sail or the flag. So I'll bet you it's not sailed by one of her captains."

Romsca frowned. "But Empress Meili is queen of all corsairs! Nobeast dares sail on their own, an' all those who do are punished."

"Aye, I know it." Rasconza looked thoughtful. "And that's what worries me."

"Ah, Meili'll put a stop to 'em. One galley an' it's crew can't stand 'afore the queen a corsairs." Xzaris was unconcerned.

Rasconza thought a moment, before nodding. "Guess you're right."

"Yea." Romsca sounded almost disappointed. "Nothing's going ta happen, out of the ordinary."

The three were silent awhile, before Rasconza asked, "So, are you two going to the Feast of Spring at the old temple?"

Romsca nodded. "Dad never misses the holidays."

Xzaris shrugged. "I donno."

"You can come with us." Rasconza offered. "Three days time."

The gray ferret paused, before nodding. "Yea. Won't all of Sampetra be there? Except of course .. the Monitors .."

Romsca glared at him. "Don't even go there."

><><

"Raids have been favorable, don't you think, Barranca?"

Romsca sat eating her dinner, consisting mostly of fish, and listening with interest to her father and uncle's conversation.

Her uncle, a powerfully built stoat who looked like he possessed both weasel and ferret blood, shrugged. "I'm not sure of anything, my brother. Indeed, raids have been favorable, and Meili still spares her cousins from the brunt of the taxes .. but I would not count on it forever."

"Sadly, not." Conva agreed. "Just seeing the way she looked at us and our pay, I can tell she wants more."

"She can't, by law." Barranca took a drink of wine. "But I wouldn't put it past her to change the laws."

Conva set his chalice down. "Indeed .. she's always disliked us for our mixed blood .. how very proper she is."

"In some aspects." Barranca motioned to one of his brother's hired servants. "More wine, my good beast."

As the creature left, the stoat turned to Romsca. "So, how's my favorite niece, eh?"

"I'm yer only niece, uncle." Romsca tried not to grin as she gave her customary reply.

"Aye, so you are, and it makes me like you more. What've you been up to while your dad and I have been off working?" Barranca's eyes twinkled.

Romsca paused, before stating, "I've been training .. I want to go on a raid now, but dad won't let me! He says I ain't old enough."

Barranca paused to refill his glass, as the servant returned, before he nodded. "And Conva's right. Best you stay where it's safe a few more seasons, then we'll make you a regular buccaneer, won't we?"

Romsca sighed. "I guess .. then you'll teach me with dad, won't you?"

"Course I will, anything for my little niece. Mark my words, woodlanders will fear your name someday." Barranca grinned, his snow-white fangs glittering as they always did.

Romsca grinned back, before stating, "Rasconza told me something today, uncle."

Conva raised an eyebrow. "And what'd he say, the little scamp?"

"Well .. he said his dad had seen something .. a ship. On the far horizon, and it wasn't marked with Empress Meili's standard .. the flag was strange, he said."

Barranca nodded. "To be honest, Conva, didn't old Rubby say he sighted something, the night before we returned?"

Conva laughed. "Aye, but Rubby is about as good at sighting things as he is at cooking. He might have seen the Freebooter, for all I know. I patronize the rat, cause I need somebeast to cook, and while he's terrible at it, I don't need to hire yet another crew member. Rubby'll work for low pay, that's the only good thing about him."

Barranca joined in laughing with his brother. "Yes, I suppose you're right. When do you reckon we'll need to set sail again?"

"I was going to let the crew rest at least a week, and besides, I like to take Romsca to the Feast of Spring .. I couldn't last year, but I promised that I would this time. Besides, we'll have to chart a new course, and we've pillaged the north coast pretty well these last seasons. Would you risk Southsward's navy?" Conva took a drink.

Barranca tapped his claws on the table. "Nah, not just the two of us and our crews. How about the eastern coast of Mossflower?"

Conva slammed his chalice down. "That cursed shore? I wouldn't sail within three miles of it!"

"Just because that's where father met his end?"

"It's bad luck, and I'm not doing it, Barranca. All Hellgates couldn't make me. Let's raid Terramort." Conva was determined.

Barranca shrugged. "I suppose it'll do. But one of these days, Conva .."

Romsca could contain herself no more. "What's so bad about Mossflower? Dad's never told me .. just that all pirates would do well ta avoid it at all cost."

Barranca and Conva exchanged a look as the servant returned, setting a dessert of sugared buns before them. The two pirates waited until the beast had gone, before Barranca stated simply, "Our father .. your grandfather .. was one of Sampetra's best sea captains .. half brother of the emperor at that time. He sailed to Mossflower on a raid .. and simply disappeared."

"His ship .. the entire crew .. ?" Romsca felt a little chill of wonder, for such things weren't heard of outside of legend.

"Aye, everything. Not so much left as a life boat or a burnt piece of wood." Conva's voice was dead serious.

Romsca looked from her father to her uncle, trying to discern if they were joking at all. "And nobeast ever found out why?"

"No." Barranca shook his head. "And I have the feeling nobeast ever will."

"But how .."

"It defies logic. He was sailing in a fleet with some other captains, and one night, he went on a solo raid without the other's consent." Conva looked a little unsettled.

Romsca frowned. "And he .. never came back?"

"Never." Conva stated. "Those waters are cursed, and you won't see me take me ship within a day of them."

><><

"Lutran, give it back!"

On the western edge of Mossflower, far from Sampetra, two young beasts were playing on the shore. One, a young, brown furred otter maid with sweeping blonde hair, chased the other, a slightly older male whose fur was the color of sodden charcoal.

"I found it, so give it back!"

The male otter, Lutran, ran faster. "Get me first!"

The little maid scowled, finally slowing to a panting stop. "Fine .. you .. can have it .."

Lutran trotted back at this point. "I was just joking."

"That's .. nice .. you know .. I'm not .. good at running .."

"Aw, sis, don't be mad. I forgot about that." Lutran pried her paw open, dropping in the pretty shell he was holding. "I'll make it up to you sis .. I'll make it into a necklace for you."

The otter coughed, before standing up straight again. "It's ok .."

"What are you two up to now?"

Lutran jumped. "Oh! Coral .. um .. I .."

The newcomer was older than the first two, and she shook her head. "What have you been doing to Grath, then? Getting her in trouble? Just wait til I tell mother!"

"No, he's fine .." Grath coughed a little, and Coral glared at Lutran.

"Back to the holt. It's about dark anyway, and you know what father says about being out after dark, because of the pirates."

Lutran scuffed a paw, but he did as he was told.

Coral took her sister's paw, leading her in the direction their brother had gone. "It's dinner time anyway. You really shouldn't do everything that scamp does, it'll get you hurt someday."

"But I like playing with him, it's fun being outside and by the sea .." Grath protested. "And I like it when he teaches me about archery and harpoons, and .."

Coral shook her head. "I love you Grath, and I want to make sure nothing happens to you. That's my job as your big sister .. and you know why you can't do everything Lutran does."

The little otter hung her head. "Yes ... but I want to do something .. important."

"And you can. There are plenty of things you can do, I'll teach you healing, like mother is teaching me." Coral smiled, trying to encourage her sibling.

Grath nodded. "I guess .. but I want to do things like Aqua or Marine .. or like father."

Coral sighed. "Maybe that just isn't your destiny."

><><

Clack!

Romsca muttered, rolling over in bed but never opening her eyes.

Clack, clack!

The young ferret groaned, pulling her pillow over her head as her father's cheery voice rang from downstairs. "Girl, wake up before those young buccaneers ruin me shutters, see?"

Romsca didn't move until the clacking rang out again, and then she kicked her sheet off, yelling, "Quit it, Xzaris!"

Rasconza's voice rang out, faintly from below. "Come on, wake up! It's the feast of spring, remember?"

Romsca did remember, now. "Oh yea! Wait a minute!"

"We've been waitin' five minutes!" Xzaris yelled from outside, and Romsca grinned.

"Then a few more won't hurt!"

It was indeed, several more minutes before Romsca joined the two outside.

"You take ferever. Like a girl." Xzaris snickered.

Romsca glared at him. "You wanna fight me fer that?"

"Alright, is that any way for young pirates to behave?" Barranca walked past. "You don't loose your temper at every little thing. Besides, I'm heading off to the temple. You three want to join me?"

It took a while to leave, and once they did, Conva and Barranca talked of raiding tactics and argued about where they should plunder next, while the three young beasts ran on ahead.

"Come on slow-pokes, race ya!" Xzaris used his bamboo staff to vault onto a wall, and ran along it, laughing.

"Oh that's how he wants to play it?"

Romsca launched herself after the ferret, regardless of the rocky cobblestones. She was catching up, when Rasconza passed her, pushing her out of the way and leaping for Xzaris. He grabbed his friend's legs as he tried to jump off the wall. Both fox and ferret landed in a laughing, ungainly heap, and Romsca jumped in next, plowing Rasconza over while panting, "That's for shoving me."

The two older beasts passed them with hardly a look, for such scuffles were usual between the three. Xzaris scrambled to his paws, grabbing his stick and shaking himself. "Come on, we'll be late."

Romsca let Rasconza up, following Xzaris. "You started it."

"Ahh, whatever." Xzaris didn't sound a bit sorry.

They'd reached the staircase leading to the temple, which was an amazing feat in and of itself. Nearly forty feet high and made of lichen-covered stone, with twin, fierce dragon statues on either side of its base, it was something worth looking at. There was quite a bit of traffic going up it, and Xzaris suddenly grinned. "You wanna run up that?"

"With all those creatures?" Rasconza asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You scared?" Xzaris asked.

Romsca rolled her eyes. "He just thinks it's a dumb idea."

Rasconza nodded, and Xzaris laughed. "I dare ya."

There was a moment of silence, before Romsca put her paws on her hips. "Well if you put it that way .."

"Great!" Xzaris crouched down a little, tensing to spring. "Ready set go!"

The ferret jumped forward, dodging several creatures as he dashed for the stairs. Rasconza shrugged. "You and me?"

Romsca nodded. "Yea, let's get him!"

><><

When she reached the top, Romsca was panting, and her tail was aching from where a weasel had trod on it as she dashed passed him.

"You took yer time." Xzaris was leaning against the lichen-covered statue of a dragon at the top of the stairs, bamboo pole held nonchalantly in one paw.

Romsca had caught her breath. "How you do that, I'll never know."

"Ain't tellin'." Xzaris was proud of himself, but he broke off with an 'Oooff' as Rasconza dropped upon him from the dragon statue's back, plowing him to the ground.

"Got'cha."

Romsca paused at that moment, as the voice all creatures knew to be their empress could be heard speaking from a distance. "It is my great honor to proclaim the arrival of spring once again, in my long reign .."

The ferret started forward. "Come on, let's go!"

She could hear her friends behind her as she ran up the steps of the great temple, and into the initial, open-aired hall. She slowed as her boots made echoing clicks on the marble, and the statues of the many deities of the elements seemed to glare sternly upon her.

Xzaris and Rasconza caught up, the fox asking, "Hey, should we wait for your dad and uncle?"

"Yea cause .. they're like halfway up the steps." Xzaris informed her.

Romsca shook her head. "Nah, they'll catch up. Come on, I want to see the Unknown Lord, the pearl, and Empress Meili!"

"I don't get why we worship him, if nobeast even knows his name." Rasconza sounded skeptical.

Romsca knew the answer. "Because our founders, Scound and Aisha, built the statue and dedicated the pearl ta him. I was reading about it the other day."

"You an' a book." Xzaris joked.

Romsca looked unimpressed, before tossing her head. "Come on, or we'll miss the whole thing!"

She started on down the hallway, which was devoid of life, seeing as the crowd had gathered in the inner courtyard. The three friends hurried along, coming into the inner room to find it packed .. they were too short to see anything.

Xzaris had the solution. "Come on, up here."

He scrambled onto the base of a pillar, probably four feet off the ground, and sat on it. "Ya just gotta get higher."

"Yea, show-off." Rasconza climbed up next to him, and Romsca followed, looking eagerly out across the audience.

Sure enough, there was Empress Meili, dressed in her flowing silks, though her elegant saber hung at her side, proof she was empress for a good reason. Behind her was the beautiful marble statue of a noble looking cat of some sort. It stood on all fours, curving gracefully around, its tail sweeping off the pedestal it sat upon.

The weathered statue's right forepaw was held up, and sheltered by it was the shimmering, iridescent pale rose pearl, held in place by a cleverly carved niche.

"He's amazing, isn't he?"

"Who?" Xzaris asked, bewildered.

"The Unknown Lord." Romsca answered. "I mean, just that he's .. unknown. He's so mysterious .. someday, I want ta find out more about him."

Rasconza flicked an ear. "Don't forget all the other lords and ladies of the elements."

"Of course not." Romsca stated. "But I still want to know."

They fell silent, listening to Empress Meili speak. "And so it is that our outreach is forever growing. The future is bright for us, my good subjects, for we have no real enemies. The lizards are kept at bay, the beasts of others lands keep their distance equally. It is time for Sampetra to expand her influence!"

There was a cheer as the weasel held up her gilded scepter, continuing, "As your leader, I am making plans to make this so! Let us celebrate spring with the knowledge that soon, we will have other lands and more wealth to our name!"

There was more cheering, as Rasconza stated, "Dad's been talking about that .. she plans to raid Southsward!"

"No ... Southsward? But they have .."

Xzaris interrupted Romsca. "The most powerful navy 'round! She really thinks she can take 'em down?"

Romsca looked back to where Empress Meili stood with admiration, but she frowned the next second, for it seemed something moved in the shadows beside the statue of the Unknown Lord.

She discovered she was not mistaken as the cheering died down. For a lithe, weasel like beast stepped forward from his hiding place, his voice echoing about the temple almost mockingly. "Aye, long live the queen."

Empress Meili wheeled around, paw falling to the hilt of her saber as several of her trident rats stepped forward.

Rasconza looked bewildered. "Who's that?"

"I donno .. but how does he dare ta stand on the dias with 'er?" Xzaris sounded amazed.

The tall creature walked forward, draping, silk cape sweeping silently behind him. His voice was of average volume, but the silence of the hall was so complete, he could be heard. "It's been a long time. Too long."

His voice did not sound angry in the least, and Romsca wondered if perhaps he was a friend of the Empress's. However she did not show that she recognized the stranger, as she drew her sword. Three trident rats came running, taking their places at her side as she sneered. "I do not know you. Who do you think you are to interrupt me?"

The pine marten .. for so he was .. showed no sign of anger. "You may not remember me, but I remember you."

He snapped his fingers, and to Romsca's horror, two large, green-scaled lizards took their place at his side. He rested a paw on one's head, smiling without the slightest bit of fear. "We have a score to settle."

There had been an instant drawing of weapons and crowding backwards of the crowd at the sight of their hated enemies, however, the two beasts stood calmly .. almost placidly. While she couldn't see properly, Romsca could envision their cold, reptilian eyes were resting hungrily upon her, never mind the audience between them.

Meili's voice was cold. "You and those things are under arrest and will be judged accordingly. Sagitar?"

The tall female rat twirled her trident, stepping forward without hesitation as more of her guards joined her. The pine marten held up a paw. "You would be wise to stop, Sagitar. I am a servant of the Unknown Lord, who is displeased with your lack of reverence to him."

Meili snorted. "And I am the daughter of the Lady of the Sea. Sagitar, I tire of this one .. kill him."

Ublaz smiled, flicking an empty paw at the approaching rat. The next event was seared in Romsca's mind forever .. Sagitar flew backwards, toppling off the dias, her trident clattering to the floor.

Meili's eyes widened as the pine marten smiled graciously to her. "You worship many a deity .. yet you do not believe they have power? Perhaps I should test your faith."

His paw shot out, and Meili's saber was ripped forcibly from her grasp .. though the paw it flew instantly into was still six feet away. The weasel empress drew a long knife from beneath the folds of her skirt, staring at her adversary in fearful wonder.

The pine marten smiled, voice sickeningly soothing. "That is right, look into my eyes .. endless depths of wonder indeed. Do not move .. for you are my beast now."

Before Romsca's horrified gaze, Meili remained frozen .. as if she truly could not move. The pine marten, who had been walking deliberately forward, raised the empress's own sword, and with one remorseless blow, beheaded her with it.

The creature dropped the bloodied weapon upon the body, his smile never changing. "That is the fate of those who defy Lord Ublaz .. do any others wish to die?"

Sagitar, who'd staggered to her feet and reclaimed her trident, waved it at the murderer. "Guards, take him down!"

Six ratguards ran at him, but he never batted an eyelash, just snapped his fingers. The two lizards, so placid before, ran forward in a visage of true terror, each mauling several of the guards without sustaining a wound from the unfortunate's attempts of self-defense.

Ublaz's paw shot out again; this time strange, glowing greenish fire came from it and threw the last two guards violently backwards, into the crowd.

Romsca and her two friends had remained frozen with shock, and still were, as Ublaz snapped his fingers once more. The two lizards backed off instantly, taking their place beside their obvious master as if nothing had happened; though the bodies on the ground and the blood staining the lizards' muzzles and throats told a different story.

"Now, good creatures, are there any more volunteers, or have I made enough examples?"

Not even Sagitar moved.

Ublaz smiled, for it seemed he never stopped. He snapped his fingers again, and twelve more lizards joined him, as well as a motely assortment of vermin. "Good. As a servant and messenger of the Unknown Lord, here is his message. You have not worshipped me as you should, rulers of Sampetra? You will all die by my servant's paw, and I shall spare your subjects and way of life. So now, if you value your very existence, good creatures, give up these traitors that you may be spared."

There was a pause, before the creatures begin turning upon Meili's relations, young and old, and dragging them forward despite their protests and struggles.

Romsca was frozen with the terrible realization .. she was one of those beasts. A paw grabbed her arm, and she wrenched away, dropping from her seat and spinning around, almost in mid-air. She relaxed as she saw it was only her father. "Dad .."

He seized hold of her, and Barranca was close behind. The stoat-like beast nodded. "We saw .. let's get out of here!"

But getting away was not an option, as a nearby creature called out, "Hoi, they're related to the Empress .. get 'em!"

Conva, Barranca, and Romsca could do little, their own kind turned against them. Romsca managed to catch one last glimpse of her friends, looking terrified, before they were hidden by the crowd.

They were shoved to the dias steps, in time to see Ublaz gently pick the pearl up from its resting place, and he turned as they were thrown forward.

The pine marten snapped his fingers, and one of the lizards came forward. Romsca's nerve left her, and she backed away. Conva drew his cutlass, but Barranca was faster. There was the sound of metal on metal as the stoat drew his saber, leaping forward and stabbing the lizard in the chest as it reared up slightly to attack.

Barranca was thrown backwards from the force of the beast, but it let out a strange, hissing cry, blood flowing from a fairly deep wound. The creature backed away, several others approaching, but Ublaz held up a paw, snapping his fingers again.

The lizards halted, and he strode forward, bothering to scrutinize the beasts before him for the first time. "These are not weasels, they're ferrets and stoats. And this one is a daring beast. What are your occupations?"

Conva kept a wary eye on the lizards. "If you please sir, we are raiders."

"You own your own ships?"

Barranca got to his feet. "Yes."

He neglected to give Ublaz a title, but the pine marten showed no anger. "Are they truly Meili's relations?"

"They are, sir." Sagitar replied. "Her cousins."

Ublaz cocked his head. "It is a shame I shall have to kill you. But what must be, must be."

He admired the pearl he was holding, as he raised his fingers, placing them together.

"Wait!" Conva stood in front of Romsca. "I know where the others are!"

Ublaz slowly lowered his paw, turning back around, smile so genuine it made Romsca sick. "Excuse me?"

"The pearls." Conva took a deep breath. "I know where the other six pearls are."

The pine marten looked interested. "You know the legend of the six pearls?"

"I do. My father's greatest wish was to find them. He gave me a map, with the secret of them .. let me and my family live, and I will get them for you."

Ublaz raised one eyebrow. "Do you know of their power?"

Conva looked confused, and Ublaz's smile grew nearly pitying. "I see you do not. Well never mind, you cannot access it, when I hold the key to it."

The pine marten held up his pearl, nodding at length. "Your offer tempts me greatly. I do believe I will make that deal with you .. your lives for the pearls."

His smile some how contorted into a demonic glare, without once changing. "But should you fail .. your lives are mine. My Monitors are always hungry."

Chapter 2 Forgotten Reflections
Romsca sat on the soft sand, tracing a simple picture in it with a piece of driftwood. The gentle waves rushed up the shore with a quiet, wet sound, though the crash of breakers on the reef half a mile out could faintly be heard.

There was a soft sound behind her, and Romsca turned her head, to see Xzaris standing there, the night wind playing with his long black headfur.

"What do ya want?" She realized her voice sounded somewhat hostile, but it was mostly do to the dark thoughts plaguing her mind.

Xzaris sat silently next to her, before asking, "Ya mad at me? I'm sorry I couldn't .. do anythin' today. I should'a .. protected ya."

"I can protect meself." Romsca laid her head on her knees. "I ain't mad at ya."

"Nice picture." Xzaris indicated the drawing in the sand, of a rearing horse like the statues outside her manor.

Romsca shrugged, stating, "I guess .. this is goodbye, ain't it? Dad has ta leave in less than two days."

"Well .." Xzaris paused. "That's kinda why I came out here. Cause .. I wanted ta see ya weren't mad 'fore I told ya .. or somebeast else did."

"Told me what?" Romsca looked up, a little worried and unsettled after the events of the day.

Xzaris rubbed a paw across his nose. "Well .. ya know mother doesn't like me around, ever since dad .. left. An ya know how I'm always wantin' ta learn sailin' .. so I'm .. comin' with ya."

"She's letting ya?" Romsca sounded surprised.

Xzaris snorted. "Are ya kiddin? She's practically throwin' me out'a the house. It's all taken care of .. Conva can't refuse an extra paw, even if it is from a kid .. an' mom's more'n happy to get rid of the expense a feedin' me .. she'd rather focus on runnin' the tavern."

Romsca was surprised by this. "Oh .. well .. I'm glad."

"Glad somebeast is, cause yer father ain't."

"He ain't happy about taking me either. But he's afraid ta leave me. What about Rasconza?" Romsca asked.

Xzaris shook his head. "I doubt he's comin'. His dad don't wanna part with him."

Romsca sighed. "Guess not."

"Hey .. what's up? You seem .. down."

"I am down. What do ya think Xzaris?"

He didn't say anything a moment, before stating, "Aww .. come'n Romsca! This is just the thing we always said we'd do .. sail the seas .. raid .. go ta war. It's .. what ya've always wanted, right?"

Romsca did nothing a moment, before she straightened her shoulders. "Yea. It is, I just .."

She slowly walked away, sighing to nobeast in particular, "I just always thought we'd do it with Rasconza."

><><

The sun dawned bright and early over Redwall abbey, casting shining rays of light over everything, the herald for a wonderful spring day.

Three young creatures were picking some of the season's first strawberries, a hedgehog, and two mice. They were enjoying the morning sun, when a shadow fell over them, and they started.

The female mouse .. who had previously been trying to get as close to the male of her species as was possible .. now grabbed the hedgehog's arm. "Tis the ghost .. come on Tansy, let's get out of here!"

The hedgehog paused, though she looked nervouse. "But Piknim .. what about Friar Higgle's strawberries .."

Piknim set about hurrying off. "We've got enough, I won't stick around!"

Tansy looked slightly ashamed, but ran after her, calling, "Martin, come with us!"

However, the oddly spotted golden mouse didn't move, and his friends didn't look back to see if he'd come.

The newcomer who'd caused all the commotion pulled off the hood of their cape, revealing strands of long, shimmering gray hair mixed with a little gold. "I do have a marvelous effect on children."

Her voice had a hint of dry sarcasm as she turned to the fearless one. "So my young friend, is your father about?"

Martin nodded. "Yea, but he's sleeping still. I think."

"Well, I have business with him. He can wake up for his father's old mentor, ghost she may be." The mouse strode across the lawns toward the gatehouse, her boot-clad paws virtually noiseless.

Martin hurried after her. "Why haven't you come as often as when I was younger, I miss you!"

The mouse didn't look around, as she murmured, "You would be one of the only ones. I know I am not wanted here, and I am growing too tired to resist the weight of Malimore's eternal influence."

"But you don't get tired." Martin looked confused.

The mouse stopped beside the gatehouse door, slowly looking around. "Everybeast grows tired sooner or later, my young friend. This you must understand."

She knocked on the door, waiting for an answer as Martin scratched his head. "But .. what do you mean?"

"I hardly know." The mouse smiled softly. "Only that all things have their time."

Martin opened his mouth to speak, but the door opened at that moment, revealing a light grayish mouse maid who's fur was mottled with white patches. The creature started, before asking, a little tensely, "Yes?"

The golden mouse crossed her arms. "Good morning, Tess. I've come to speak with your husband, there is something I must tell him."

Tess raised an eyebrow. "He is having breakfast .."

"Then he can see me." She slipped past Tess, her boots making soft clicks on the floor and Martin followed her.

They entered the kitchen, where an older golden mouse was enjoying some pancakes at the table. "Tess, dear, do shut the window. It's still a bit brisk out."

"Mattimeo, can't you tell my footsteps are not your wife's?"

The mouse started, smiling as he stammered, "Ah, Sayna! Where have you been lately? Care for some breakfast?"

"I don't think Tess enjoys ghosts in her kitchen."

Tess walked past, looking slightly nervous, but shaking her head. "No .. you were always good to us."

Sayna paused, before pulling up a chair and sitting down. "Very well, I shall speak with you here."

"This sounds serious." Mattimeo set his fork down. "Is there a threat to Redwall?"

Sayna helped herself to a pancake. "Not entirely, or at least not one that has shown itself. There is always a threat."

She paused, adding, "No, I came to tell you that I am leaving Mossflower for a time."

Martin looked up in surprise, as did his father. "But what if we should be attacked?"

"Ignasa would not give me rest about leaving, would he? I will only be gone several seasons."

"Only?"

Everybeast turned to look at Martin. "Sayna, what about training me? And going to Brockhall? And how we'd explore Mossflower .. you said you'd show me the waterfall and the quarry still!"

Sayna sighed. "I am sorry my young friend, but perhaps you should ask your father."

She gave Mattimeo a pointed look, before standing. "I still have a quest to fulfill. My successor is out there somewhere."

Her voice was soft. "And this time .. at long last, they have been born."

><><

"All hands to the Waveworm! We set out before the sun's zenith!"

That roar from her father set the crew scurrying about, though Romsca didn't really move from her place on the dock. There were ships of all kinds anchored in the bay, most a good way out. However Waveworm sat docked on the pier itself.

A paw was laid on Romsca's shoulder, and she jumped in surprise, relaxing again as Barranca's voice rang out. "Your dad's ships a good one, don't you forget that. Waveworm may not be the biggest, but she's one a the fastest, and she's a coastal raider. That's always to your advantage."

The stoat added, "I'll see you by and by, I'm off to the Freebooter. She's got her crew waiting for their captain, and there's no sense to that. We'll always be on your tail, though, Mossflower's shore ain't a place for lone ships."

Romsca watched him go a moment, before somebeast spoke her name from behind. She turned to see Rasconza standing on dock, the sea breeze whipping his crop of short, scruffy headfur about.

Romsca scuffed a paw, as Xzaris walked up. Rasconza spoke at last. "I'll miss you guys .. you're my best friends."

Romsca rubbed her nose, suddenly hugging the fox. "And you're my best friend."

Xzaris nodded. "Yea, mine too."

"And we'll always be best friends. Forever .. won't we?" Romsca asked.

"Course." Rasconza rubbed a paw across his muzzle. "I sure wish I could go, it's going to be one grand adventure!"

"What if we can't find these pearls?" Romsca's voice was soft.

There was a pause, before Rasconza shrugged. "Ah, there's a whole ocean out there. Logic is, that if they exist, you'll find them."

He smiled crookedly. "Good luck. You'll be back .. just like when I left for my first raid. Sure .. I didn't go as far, but that just makes the adventure better."

Romsca found herself smiling back, because she realized he was right. This was a great adventure. And things had a chance to turn out well.

Conva walked up behind them, laying a paw on Romsca's shoulder. "It's time you and Xzaris got on board."

The ferret nodded, glancing back at Rasconza before she headed for the ship, Xzaris behind her. They were on the gangplank of the Waveworm, when a commotion came from the pier behind them. Ublaz was striding towards them, a good number of his lizards in tow.

Romsca froze, before grabbing Xzaris's paw and bolting onto the ship, plowing into somebeast. It was Rubby, the old rat cook. He scowled at the two, but dipped his head to Romsca, and continued on his way.

Xzaris walked back to the railing, looking over it, and Romsca joined him. Neither said a word, just listened to Conva and Ublaz.

"You did not think, captain, that I would simply let you leave, unguarded? I am not so simple as that. I'll be sending fifteen Monitors with you."

"What?" Conva was shocked. "But how will we get anywhere, they'll eat me crew! The beasts will mutiny, they hate lizards!"

Ublaz smiled. "Oh, my Monitors only eat beasts disloyal to me. They do only my bidding. As for mutiny, that's your problem, captain."

"How can you be sure they will not attack us?" Conva was fingering the hilt of his cutlass, watching the calm lizards.

"Oh, I have my ways, captain." Ublaz held up a paw, putting two fingers together as if to snap them. "But if you do not wish to set sail ..."

"No!" Conva shouted, lowering his gaze after doing so. "No, I will go. With them."

Romsca and Xzaris exchanged horrified glances, as the first lizard made its way up the gangplank.

Ublaz's smiling voice was like a final knell. "Good. And I call them Monitors for a reason, captain. They monitor everything for me .. even if I am not there to see, they will see for me."

><><

"Ha, taste my harpoon!"

"Yea? Take that!"

There was a clash as steel met steel, and one beast stumbled back. The other advanced on them, but they swung their harpoon out, tripping their opponent and jumping onto their paws. "Taste your harpoon, eh?"

The beast on the ground shrugged. "It sounded cool, anyway."

The victor grabbed his paw, pulling him upright. "Back your words with steel, Marine."

Marine clapped his sister on the back, grinning as she toppled over. "There never was a truer piece a wisdom, Aqua."

The female otter, who looked almost identical to her brother, glared at him as she stood again.

"Aqua, Marine! Do it with me! Please?"

Marine scooped up his little brother, almost half his size. "Arr, Lutran! What, you want ta duel with us? You watch out for Aqua now, she's sneaky."

Aqua rolled her eyes. "If I'm sneaky, what are you?"

Lutran interrupted. "Don't fight, I want to duel! I brought my harpoon, please? I bet I can win!"

"Oh, you do?" His older brother set him down. "But you can't. Let's go look for a better harpoon shaft for you, yours is a bit small nowadays."

"Hey, I want to come too!"

All three turned to see Grath come running up. "I can help find sticks."

Aqua and Marine exchanged a glance, Aqua stating, "Coral said you were coughing last night .."

Grath shook her head. "That was just from the cold I've had, it's nothing! Let me come too, I'll keep up."

Marine was dubious. "We don't want you to get tired .. why don't you not this time."

Grath looked sulky. "You just don't want to get in trouble with mother. That's all."

"Look, you've been sick, you should stay home and rest." Aqua was patronizing.

"I always have to stay home." Grath stamped a paw. "Fine, but I know what you really are worried about, you don't want me to slow you down!"

She stormed off, glaring behind her momentarily. Marine looked sorry, before Aqua sighed. "Well, let's go. It's not that I wouldn't like her along, but she can't keep up with us."

Grath had paused at the edge of the clearing, and had heard her sister's words. The young otter maid hung her head, because she knew Aqua was right.

"Why do I have to be the littlest and get sick so often?"

Nobeast answered her, because she stood alone in the empty woodlands. Grath looked around, before suddenly grinning. "They can't leave me just cause they want to .. I'll follow them."

She did so instantly, taking the path her older siblings had taken into the woodlands surrounding their holt.

Some ten minutes later, Grath still hadn't caught up. In fact, she wondered if she was even on the right track .. her brothers and sister's trail had been lost from her inexperienced eye.

But the woodlands soon entranced her, taking away her displeasure at loosing them. She hadn't been in this part of the woods very much .. in fact she'd never been in this particular place. The trees and underbrush were thick, and everything was on a continual, rocky slope headed upward.

Bird's songs filled the air here, and the landscape looked untouched and magical .. like something in a painting Grath had once seen in the small town a day's ride inland from her holt. It had hung on the wall of the inn there, and Grath had wished she could find such a place.

This was it. There were no cut tree stumps, nothing unnatural .. just wild, overgrown woodland.

The young otter giggled happily. Her siblings might have left her, but look what she'd found!

And without their help. That thought was the happiest one .. she'd actually done something all by herself. Nobeast had helped her .. this place was hers, and nobody else's.

She'd gone quite a ways by now, but she was too excited to think about going home. Grath skipped through a carpet of thick leaves, flopping down in them and staring up at the sky .. that was blocked out by the canopy of leaves above her.

The otter didn't move awhile, before she noticed the sun was slowly beginning it's descent in the afternoon sky.

She sighed, pulling herself onto her paws, as her foot brushed against something that was mostly buried in the soft dirt. Grath knelt down, pulling out a dagger, half rusted to nothing, fragments of tattered leather binding crumbling from the hilt in her paw.

"Who'd you belong to?" Grath asked to herself, feeling a little bit of disappointment that somebeast had been here before her.

She started up the rocky hill, holding the old dagger as she examined it closer. It was once a fine weapon .. and there was something hauntingly familiar about it.

Grath suddenly cocked her head, stating, "Why, it looks like father's knife. And Aqua's .. and Marine's .. just a lot older."

She stuck it in her belt, climbing over a large rock .. keeping her eyes on the ground for any other treasures. And she saw them too .. an engraved belt buckle here, an rusted harpoon head there.

Grath was confused as to what this place might be, to hold so many forgotten things. Why ever had they been left?

She had almost reached the top of the hill, when she looked back. The forest spread out before her like a beautiful blanket, colors melding together perfectly.

Suddenly, her hind paw slipped off the rock it was on, and Grath fell, grabbing the stone she'd been standing on with a small cry. She'd expected her paws to hit something, but there was nothing whatsoever.

She looked over her shoulder, gasping in dismay as she realized she was hanging at the edge of fairly high drop, that held sparkling indigo water at the bottom.

Grath tried to scramble back up, but she was slipping, and there was nothing to be done. Her short claws dug white marks into the rock as she lost her hold, and fell with a dismayed squeak.

There was a splash, and the shocking feeling of cold water. Grath snapped her eyes open to find she was sinking in a clear pool or pond of some sort, but the bottom was a ways away, and so was the surface.

She kicked her hind paws, glad she knew how to swim. Even still, her lungs felt like they were bursting before she reached the air again .. she'd never done well at holding her breath long periods of time.

Grath reached the surface, gasping for air as she kicked her paws to keep floating. There was a steep, rocky shore nearby, but it was better than nothing, and the otter struck out for it.

When she dragged herself out, she was shivering a little. She sat on a rock, catching her breath as she looked around. She'd fallen into what might be considered a very small canyon .. more like an inland, freshwater lagoon.

Grath rubbed her arms, the eerie feeling coming to her that this was part of a world that had been lost .. long, long ago.

The water was very clear, and she stared in it, to realize that something sat on the silt, perhaps in five foot of water. The otter waded in, having to duck under to reach the object. She pulled it out, blinking at the biggest shell she'd ever laid eyes on.

It wasn't brightly colored, just plain whitish gray, but it was of an extraordinary size, and strangest of all, it had a golden clasp and hinges that still glittered, for time cannot tarnish pure gold.

Grath pushed the clasp up, lifting the lid with high hopes of what she might see .. but the inside of the shell case was disappointing. Aside from water and shreds of rotten fabric, it was empty.

><><

"Whoa girl .. easy now." Sayna fastened her chestnut horse's bridal, holding onto the reins and throwing them over a post outside Brockhall.

The mare snorted, pricking her ears foreward questioningly, and her owner sighed. "I know it seems crazy, Fire, but I know I'm supossed to go to the west shore. Somebeast needs me .. somebeast who will help Redwall. Maybe they are my sucessesor."

The chestnust shook her head, cropping up a bit of grass. Sayna nodded. "Yes .. you're always eating. Now .. I believe we have all we'll need."

She pulled the tarnished, ancient key from her satchel, sticking it in the lock and turning until it clicked. The mouse smiled absently at her home, sighing, "I'll be back .. at least you'll always wait for me."

She swung into her saddle, nudging her horse with her heels. The chestnut started off, and Sayna looked back one more time, saying to nobeast in particular, "I wonder if Martin will have grown up by the time I get back. Only some children can understand the magic of the ghost of Mossflower .. and a few very odd adults. But you've seen that much, Firemaiden."

The horse tossed her head, and Sayna laughed. "Even if you didn't understand a bit of it. It's been too long since we galloped .. come on girl."

She clapped her heels against the mare's sides, leaning over her neck as her gait quickened and the woods rushed by.

For once all thoughts of the weight of many an age lifted, and Sayna felt a little joy return. This trip would be a welcome change from her dull and seemingly endless life.

And whatever came at the end .. well, only Ignasa knew.

><><

Grath fingered the odd thing she had found, many questions forming in her mind. Why had somebeast not told her about this place? Did they not know? What had happened here .. what had the strange shell-case once held?

Would she ever know?

"No, I must know!" Grath hadn't relized her feelings had gone as deep as they did untill she spoke these words.

She didn't even understand why she felt as though her life would be incomplete unless she found out, but she did. She felt as though she would allow some glorious secret to be lost forever.

Grath suddenly felt it, carvings on the inside of the shell's lid. She tipped it back to read them, only to find they were carved in writing that made no sense to her eyes .. in some ancient language.

The otter sighed, suddenly looking up at the sky to relieze she should go home. Besides .. there might be somebeast who could read this for her .. and she had a good guess who, the old otterwife healer Waterlily. She was always interested in ancient things.

But how to get the shell home .. and how to get home. That was the question. Climbing out of this strange canyon-like place would be exceedingly difficult, especially with the large shell in tow.

However the cayon did have an outlet, a set of shallow rapids that allowed the Moss to flow out, just like the waterfall that let the river flow in. Grath made her way along the rocky beaches toward the rapids, slowly at times, but not afraid.

The Moss was the river the holt sat upon.

It might take awhile, but she'd get there, by and by.

Sure enough, in about an hour, the river had led her back home. Grath looked around to see she was still alone, and satified she was, made her way to Waterlily's comfortable cave on the river's bank.

Unlike her own home, which set a little ways back from the river, Waterlily's door was reached by wading. Grath splashed through the shallows, sweeping the curtain of river plants back as she stepped into the cave.

"Waterlily? Are you home?"

"Grath?" The otter groaned inwardly at who answered, her sister, Coral.

The older otter stepped into veiw, asking, "Where've you been? I was a little worried."

Grath kept the shell as hidden as possible, stating, "Oh, I was just picking flowers in the meadow .. you know, the one you showed me."

"That's a bit far for you to go alone .. but I suppose it's fine. Where are they?" Coral asked.

Grath looked blank. "Where's what?"

Coral cocked her head. "Um .. the flowers you were picking?"

"Oh! I .. didn't bring them back with me. I found an old dagger, and I must have set them down while I looked at it." Grath said the first thing that popped into her mind.

Coral looked dubious, but Waterlily appeared that second, stating, "Now Coral, please take those herbs to your mother, they will help with her cough. Hurry along."

The otter maid nodded, and Grath heard her splash through the shallow water outside. Waterlily adjusted her glasses, blinking owlishly at Grath. "Now young'un, show me what you don't want to show your sister."

Grath flushed with embarassment, but she held up the shell. "I found this today, and it has weird writing on it. I wondered .. if you could read it for me?"

Waterlily smiled, beckoning the young otter follow her. "Weird writing, eh? I like that sort of thing. Bring it in, and we'll see what I can find."

The old otter turned the shell-case over and over in her paws, opening the lid and looking inside. Grath looked excited, but Waterlily shook her head. "Hmm .. get me the old scroll on that shelf."

The otter maid did as she was told, bringing the item as her old companion sat at her writing desk. Grath sat down as Waterlily read some of the parchment, then what was on the shell-case, then the parchment.

This pattern continued a good while, until Grath politly asked, "So .. what's it say?"

Waterlily chuckled. "Oh, I'll be up most of the night deciphering this. How about you run along home to your dinner, and come back in the morning."

Grath was reluctant, but finally agreed. As she left the old otter's home, she knew the hours until morning would seem far slower than they truly were.

><><

Rasconza was feeling pretty down after his friends had left on their grand adventure .. and left him alone. He didn't have a lot of other friends, after all .. Romsca and Xzaris had done whatever he was doing, or vise versa.

They'd shared laughter, tears, hopes, dreams, and quite a few friendly scuffles and play adventures. And now, when they were faced with a real adventure .. he had to stay behind.

He didn't like to show it, but there was an empty place in his life .. and it hurt.

The fox was sitting on the dock by the river they'd fished on all the time, staring into the shimmering water. "They're sure lucky."

"Who's lucky?"

A bright, cheery vioce rang out beside him, making him jump and fall into the shallow water with a splash. He surfaced the next second, grabbing the edge of the dock and scrambling up on it.

"Hey, are ya ok? I'm sorry, I didn't mean ta scare ya."

Rasconza found himself staring into the deep blue eyes of a very strange looking creature .. who's nose was a couple inches from his.

"I .. don't get scared." Was all he had the presence of mind to stammer.

The creature grabbed his paws, dragging him rather ethusiastically upon the dock and sucsessfully pulled him across a patch of exceedingly splintery wood.

"Ok, well neither do I. I'm Val. Val Bloodpaws. What's your name? Why are you making such a weird face, huh?"

Rasconza bit his lip, grimacing as he pulled splinters from his knees. "I'm Rasconza. What are you doing here .. in fact .. where'd you even come from?"

"I'm a Juska .. or I was once." Her voice sobered a bit, before returning to its energetic tempo once more. "But anyway I'm just exploring. This dock looked cool so I thought I'd walk on it, and then you were here and you jumped in the water .."

"Ok, ok .." Rasconza forestalled more remarks about his sudden bath as he observed the creature before him. In personality and looks, she took a little getting used to.

She was a vixen, smallish for what he guessed her age was .. about thirteen seasons. She was snow white with shocking, almost unatural blood red hair, paws, muzzle, and tail tip. Blue and black tattoos ran over her face and paws, as well as down her left shoulder.

"So .. what're ya staring at, huh?"

Rasconza relized he was indeed staring at this odd creature, and she pouted. "So I'm weird looking .. but ya look like somebeast tried to drown ya."

"I didn't mean it like that." Rasconza looked at his own fur, which was, admittedly .. completely sodden.

Val suddenly grinned. "Oh, ok .. yea, I look weird but whatever. Say, can ya show me around? Cause yer like the first creature who's really talked ta me and all. Please? I won't scare ya anymore."

"I wasn't scared." Rasconza insisted.

"Yea, a course, I mean I won't make you fall off anymore docks. Or I won't mean too. And if I do, you can remember I didn't mean too, ok?"

Something about her made Rasconza laugh, even if he'd meant to scowl and send her on her way. Though he sort of wondered if that would have done a bit of good anyway.

"I .. guess. You're new here?"

"Yea. I came with Ublaz."

Rasconza stopped walking. "You what?"

Val cocked her head. "I came with Ublaz. On his ship. He .."

Her vioce suddenly turned darker. "He captured my clan and killed all the family I had. I hate him."

She wheeled to face Rasconza. "Ya better not like him!"

Rasconza held up his paws. "No! He just took over my country and sent my two best friends away .. I hate him too."

Val paused, before she grinned, grabbing Rasconza's upheld paw and shaking it so hard his teeth shook. "Hey, great. Besties! So. What do ya like ta do best? I like talking .. except I can't do much of it around Ublaz an' his crew."

Her voice had dipped down when she spoke of the pine marten, as it always seemed to. Rasconza shrugged. "Um. I like fishing .. and spending time with my dad .. and being around my freinds. Only .. they aren't here anymore."

"Aww .." Val patted his shoulder, genuinly sympathetic. "I'm really sorry. I .. can't remember my dad."

Somehow, Rasconza didn't like to see her sad. It seemed .. unatural. "Hey .. I'll show you a great veiw of the harbor if you come with me."

Val perked up. "Sure!"

Rasconza found it took a long time to get Val off his tail, she was very persistent. And somehow, he didn't want to drive her away. She was a little irritating .. and very obnoxious .. but he was lonely.

At least she didn't dislike him because his father was the best sea captain on Sampetra, and most of the beasts his age made fun of him, saying he was a weakling that didn't have to work for anything. They thought his life was perfect.

But it wasn't, it was lonely. When Xzaris and Romsca were here, he didn't have to worry .. but now everything was different. Val didn't hold any of that against him .. though, that was probably cause she didn't know.

It would only last so long.

"So what's havin' a dad like? I mean .. like, do ya do everything together, or does he not pay much attention ta ya? I've always sorta wondered."

Rasconza decided to not let on how rich his family was. "Umm .. well, he can't take me everywhere, but sometimes he trains me with weapons, and sometimes we fish together. Lately, he's been taking me on raids .. he's a sea captain. That's what I'm going to be, too."

Val was oblivious. "Hey, cool! You have a ship?"

"Yea .. well, my dad does. The Bloodkeel, she's anchored in the harbor out there."

"That's an awesome name, Bloodkeel. Makes it sound like the ship's like .. covered in blood. Or maybe like .. it's really deadly. Maybe it has a skull as the figurehead or somethin'." Val tried to imagine what the ship looked like.

Rasconza grinned. "How'd you know that? She's got a lizard skull on her prow."

Val pricked her ears up. "Whoa .. ya killed one a those nasty things? That's like .. way more than awesome."

"I didn't. My dad did though, it's something of a legend."

"I've really gotta meet yer dad sometime. He sounds pretty cool." Val paused. "Speakin' a lizards .. I should probably go back now. Ublaz don't hardly notice me, but ya can never be too careful, ya know? It was nice meetin' ya 'Conza, I'll see ya 'round."

Rasconza watched her bound away, waving once before disappearing into the shadows of darkening streets. He scratched his head, muttering, "She is something, that's for sure."

He turned for his father's manor, for the sun had set and the stars were coming out. The young dog fox took a familiar shortcut, an old ally, and soon reached the door leading into the kitchen.

He stopped to grab one of the sugared pastries sitting on the counter, pausing as somebeast walked in.

"Well, there you are son. Where've you been?"

Rasconza jumped, shoving the dessert into his mouth. "Mmph! Father! I .. just sort of .. walking around is all."

His father towered over him as he laid a paw on his shoulder. "And you saw nothing strange?"

"No, nothing." Rasconza was finally able to speak clearly.

The older dog fox nodded. "We need to talk, Rasconza. Servant?"

A rat ran up, bowing, "Yes master Kustaa?"

"Bring us food an drink." Kustaa sat at the table, and Rasconza did as well.

"I must bring this to your attention, for Sampetra is no longer what it was. Things are going to become very different, and much harder for us all."

Rasconza frowned. "Are you certain?"

"Without a doubt." Kustaa laid his paw on the table. "All tyrants are the same. He will raise all the taxes, he will take our children as his servants, he will make us as low as the beasts we raid. That is not our lot in life, my son. We may be pirates, but Meili and her family before her made sure we acted on a set of ideals. Honor was respected. But now .. I fear we will dissolve into the rabble woodlanders take us vermin for. Something that is a disgrace to my country and my fellow beasts, and I will not stand for it."

His son cocked his head. "Well .. what do you plan to do?"

Kastaa looked out the window, into the night. "Meili's family has not been completely destroyed."

"You mean .." Rasconza didn't finish his sentence.

"Aye, that's exactly what I mean. Ublaz will deal treacherously with them, you can guarantee it .. if he's alive. But if he's not .. we will have the seven pearls, and we will crown Barranca emperor in Meili's place. If he should fall, we will crown Conva, and should he be killed, Romsca will take the throne. We have three chances .. one of them will prevail."

"But what about the Unknown Lord .."

"Nonsense. He has no more power than any other deity, Ublaz is a liar and a fraud. I don't know how he does his little magic tricks, but there is a logical explanation for all of it. The line of Scound has always given what is due to every lord, and this Ublaz has taken the Unknown Lord's pearl. Meili would never have dared to disgrace him in that way." Kastaa was sure of his point of view. Rasconza was a little taken aback by this new way Kastaa was thinking. "We will rebel?"

Kastaa nodded. "I have .. acquaintances. Sampetra embodies the spirit of the dragon .. and we still have that within us. This Ublaz? He will fall."

Chapter 3 Friends and Foes
Romsca had never actually been out on the open sea, and she'd been a little nervous she would be seasick. However, while her stomach was a bit unsettled, it wasn't bad .. in fact, Xzaris looked far more queasy than she felt.

The two ferrets were washing the deck near the cook's galley, and Xzaris was leaning on his mop.

"Feeling ok?" Romsca couldn't resist a jab.

"Oh, shut up." Xzaris was not in the mood.

Romsca felt bad. "Sorry. Would some water help?"

"Maybe." The blue gray ferret mumbled, "Though I spect I'll keel over any minute now .. everything I own belongs to ya."

Romsca poured her bucket of water on the deck. "Dad says most beasts are seasick a few days their first time .. it'll wear off."

Xzaris gently rubbed his stomach. "Hope so."

"Tell ya what .. I'll do yer work tonight if ya fill in for me once ya feel better. Go get some sleep."

Romsca could tell her friend was truly sick, because he didn't protest. "Yea .. thanks .. I think I'll .. visit the railin' instead a messin' up yer clean floor here."

He staggered off, dropping the mop in his haste. Romsca picked it up, sticking it in the bucket and scrubbing the deck with a satisfactory squelching.

She worked at it awhile, paying no attention to anything but what she was doing. A sudden soft hissing rang out near her, and the next moment Romsca scrambled backwards with a cry. Two of the terrible Monitors were watching her with their yellow, reptilian eyes.

The ferret held the mop like a quarter-stave, drawing her hatchet. "Get away from me, filth!"

Neither lizard moved for a minute, before the larger and darker of the two spoke in its strange, hissing voice. "Ferret might tazzzte better than rationzzz .. thizzz one izz zzzmall, not needed for running zzzhip."

Romsca suddenly felt more sick than moments ago, as a little bile rose in her throat from fear. "You will die sooner! Leave me alone, or .. taste my blade!"

The smaller lizard hissed in a manner that could have been considered laughter as its companion spoke again. "Little ferret not zztrong warrior, zzzhe do nothing hurt uzzzz. No one zzztop our feazzzt."

There was a flash of rich brown fur, and Conva dashed between Romsca and the lizards. "I'll be stopping it .. filth. Get back, you've been fed all we can feed you, and you won't be eating one beast of my crew!"

The small lizard hissed in anger. "We will tell Mazzzter of you, ferret! He will not be pleazzzed!"

"He wants me to get his pearls, doesn't he? Well then, leave me crew alone. And you won't be telling him anything for a good long while, we'll be on this wild quest of his at least a season, or perhaps more. Back to the hold, scum."

Romsca wondered if the two would kill her father then and there, but instead, they obeyed .. albeit shooting a few baleful glances behind them.

Conva took his daughter's paw. "I don't want you working after dark. I found Xzaris at the rail already and sent him to his bunk .. you two are to not go out alone, especially at night."

><><

"Oh, it'll be a good long while, captain?"

Ublaz smiled, for smiling seemed a habit with him. The pine marten was sitting in a comfortable chair, idly stroking his paw over an orb made of sparkling, greenish glass.

He swiped his paw over it, watching with silent, almost amused interest as the scene on the Waveworm danced across the glass ball's surface once again.

"He seems quite protective of that little ferret .. she looks somewhat like him. Ah .. his daughter? Well that could be quite a bit of leverage used in the right place." Ublaz spoke to himself, before gently tapping his paw on the sphere.

The picture of Conva, Romsca, and the two Monitors dissolved to clear glass, and the watcher fiddled with his curled whiskers a moment. "Most interesting. Now .. show me the outer hall."

The glass surface clouded again, before it brought forth an image of one of the palace halls. A Monitor was making its way down it, and Ublaz smiled, tapping on the glass to dissolve the picture. "Come in, Lask Frildur."

The door was shoved open, and the green lizard walked in, bowing it's head. "Yezzzz Mazzzter?"

"I trust you have stationed Monitors at every entrance, and also overlooking the harbor?" Ublaz's voice was authoritative, yet completely calm.

Lask bowed his head. "Yezzz Mazzzter."

Ublaz nodded. "Good. Remember, always keep Monitors watching the bay. One or two .. but always at least one."

He stroked the crystal ball, smiling. "I must always be able to see my visitors. Do you understand?"

The answer was no more or less than Ublaz expected. "Yezzz my Mazzter."

"Good. Go about your duties."

The lizard bowed his head before slipping away, and silent as he'd come .. for his footfalls were surprisingly soft and cat-like for his size.

Ublaz shut the door silently behind him, chuckling to himself. "Ahh, the fools who think I cannot see them .. where my Monitors are, they monitor everything for me."

He walked past the table the glass sphere sat upon, and his paw swept over it. "The bay."

At his command, an image of the night-cloaked harbor appeared, the lights of Sampetra twinkling in the darkness and reflecting off the water. The pine martin stroked the glassy surface, whispering, "But that's our little secret."

><><

Grath was up before anybeast else the next morning, the only thing keeping her at home being the knowledge that her mother would be upset and worried if she didn't eat a good breakfast.

It seemed forever before her mother had breakfast on the table, and once she did, Grath had trouble eating slow enough to suit her. However, at long last, the young otter had the chance to leave the caves she called home, and she did as fast as she possibly could.

Moments later she was splashing through the plants at the Moss's edge and swimming as best she could for Waterlily's caves. She half crawled through the door, panting, "Waterlily?"

"Ahh, there you are, young'un. I was wondering if you'd remember to come."

The otterwife was writing something down at her desk. Grath could barely keep still. "Of course I did .. what did you find? What does it say?"

Waterlily chuckled. "I should not have doubted your interest, I see. Sit down now."

Grath pulled up a chair, as the old otterwife added, "I do believe you have found something very rare, wonderful, and .."

She paused.

"What? And what?" Grath asked excitedly.

Waterlily fingered a piece of parchment. "And quite possibly, very dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Grath was amazed.

"Indeed. Listen to this .. it's what the writing on the shell says, to the best of my understanding."

Waterlily held up a parchment, reading the oddest poem Grath had ever heard.

"One pearl for integrity,

One pearl for morality.

One pearl for loyalty,

One pearl for love.

One pearl for wisdom,

One pearl for mercy,

And One for the sovereignty of Ignasa above.

Seven perfect tears shed,

A curse to the dead,

Though Ignasa's goodwill,

These none can fulfill."

The two otters were silent awhile, before Grath asked softly, "What .. does it mean?"

Waterlily held up an old, metal-bound book, complete with clasp, lock, and keyhole. "The History of Holt Lutra. I inherited this from my father, he was the keeper of records once. Now I am. But it took me a while to find what I was after, for I have not opened this book in many a season."

She spread the thick tome out, speaking again. "First, you must understand how our holt came to be. Our founders were Vinwyte and his wife Catkin, from which you, Grath, descend. They aided a great queen of Southsward, called Lady Lilly, in a war with the fabled warlord, Swartt Sixclaw. In her thanks, Lilly gave a set of beautiful, rose colored pearls to them .. in a seashell case."

Grath's voice was awed. "Then .. I found that case?"

"The very same." Waterlily smiled, before her expression grew serious again. "But you see, there was a reason they were lost .. and a very dark reason."

"How so?" Grath stared at the shell case as Waterlily replied.

"It seems that Vinwyte and Catkin hid the pearls in the holt, in one of the caves used for storage. But they were found several hundred seasons after the two had gone to the Lands Beyond."

The old otter shook her head. "At first there was no trouble, but then, a proud otter became Skipper. He bragged of the richness of his pearls, and soon, they were the envy of the surrounding lands. Wars erupted over them, with vermin bands, and also with settlements of squirrels, hares, and even other Holts. When there was peace, it was an uneasy, covetous peace. A few hundred seasons dragged by like this, and Holt Lutra always managed to keep their treasure. But then, what was already terribly wrong became far, far worse."

Waterlily paused, finally speaking again. "Holt Lutra had grown into a power of heavy influence. Otters of other holts learned they could not best us .. so they joined us instead. A proud brother and sister .. twins, got into a furious argument over who should lead after their father died. Soon, it turned into a civil war .. otter fought otter .. Lutraian against Lutraian. It came down to the pearls, and in a battle, the princess of Lutra managed to steal them from her brother."

Grath leaned forward in her chair, entranced by this piece of history she'd known nothing of. "And what happened?"

Waterlily brushed a little dust off of the book. "She ran, through the midst of battle .. and when the fighting died down, none could find her, or the treasure. Searches were made, but neither of them was ever seen again. The prince of Lutra, too, had been slain in the battle, but he had an infant son. The child was raised well, and he became a just leader .. he ordered all attempts to find the pearls cease, for all the blood they had spilled. So they were never found, and slowly, they have faded into a dim legend over the last seven hundred seasons. Until now."

"Until now." Grath stroked the shell-case thoughtfully.

Waterlily nodded. "I suppose the future of their story lies in your paws .. princess of Lutra."

><><

The morning sun streamed through the woodlands, and Sayna awoke to the gentle, consistent nudging of Firemaiden's nose. She pushed the horse's head away, mumbling, "Alright .. I'm up .."

"About time!"

Sayna sat bolt upright in a hurry, staring at the beast .. or beasts .. siting about the embers of her small fire. Only they weren't embers anymore, but a lively, crackling fire.

"You and Fire sure are fast .. it took us most of the night to catch up!"

"Martin! This had better be a dream, that's all I'm going to say." Sayna stammered indignantly to the speaker.

The spotted mouse was sitting on a fallen log with his best friend, the hedgehog Tansy, and a shaggy black pony was tied nearby. Martin looked sheepish, but not repentant. "Well .. we want to come too."

Sayna groaned. "It's not a matter of whether you want to come or not, what will I tell your parents if you get hurt .. or killed? Tell me that?"

Tansy looked down, mumbling, "I told you it wasn't a good idea."

"Aww, Sayna'll let us come. Please? It's just for a few seasons." Martin looked mischievous.

Sayna did not mean to crack a smile, but she did. "Oh Martin, I understand. I really do. But you can't come with me, it's too dangerous. I can't watch out for myself and both of you."

Martin jumped up, running to the pony and pulling a sheathed sword from its saddle. "No, look, I brought this! Dad gave it to me on my last birthday anyway .. and Tansy brought her sling, she's really good with it. We'll take care of ourselves."

Sayna shook her head, smiling a little sadly. "I almost wish I could let you, but no. I'm already accused of being dangerous and a ghost, I won't be accused of kidnapping too."

Tansy spoke up. "Oh no, we left a note telling where we were going. They know it's our idea."

Sayna's smile vanished. "Oh great."

"So, can we come .. please Sayna!" Martin begged.

Sayna looked droll. "I don't think I'll be deciding .. I think Mattimeo will be."

><><

Grath hurried along the Moss, back the way she had returned home last night, a burning curiosity driving her on. She'd stayed around where her siblings were practicing with harpoons .. or in Coral's case, gathering herbs, but for once, Grath didn't ask to join in.

No, she had her own adventure to follow now.

She had to slow down as the climbing over rocks, up hills, and through underbrush caught up with her, winding her. She reached the beautiful inland lagoon around midday, and slumped down against a rock to catch her breath.

The otter unstrapped her satchel, taking out her meal of bread and hotroot cheese, eating it while she let her strength return.

After about half an hour, she rose to her feet, wiping the last crumbs of her lunch from her muzzle. The young otter waded into the crystal-like water, contemplating the madness of her search.

Those pearls could have been scattered anywhere. They could have even been washed away by the river!

Or could they have?

The water flowed in over a waterfall, gentle and pretty much harmless .. it was not the Moss itself, but a small tributary that broke from the main river, and several miles down, rejoined it. This quiet lagoon was in the middle of that expanse, hidden by dense, unfrequented woodland.

The question was the rapids leading out. Grath shrugged, muttering to nobeast in particular, "Guess this is it."

She didn't move a moment, and she spoke to herself again. "Come on Grath .. you can do this. Just .. swim. You know how to swim."

The otter waited a second more, before she took a deep breath, and jumped in with a splash. A few moments later, she opened her eyes to find herself in a clear, aquatic world, her paws resting in the shallow silt.

She laughed with delight, and had to surface again to replenish the air she'd lost. The otter brushed her wet hair back, stating, "Now for those rapids .. I hope the pearls are all still here."

Grath took a deep breath, ducking under the water and striking out for where the rapids were. The first thing she noticed, was that this lagoon was deeper than she'd thought. It raised her hopes .. perhaps it had acted like a natural bowl, keeping its treasure within it.

The otter surfaced near where the rapids flowed out, taking another breath and ducking under to examine them better. They were just as she'd hoped .. sharply inclined and tall .. it would be nearly impossible for anything that didn't float to escape this place.

Grath popped up for air again, faced with the next big problem .. in order to find the pearls, she'd have to be able to get the bottom of the crystal pool, still have enough air to explore the depths .. and reach the surface once more.

"Well .. here goes nothing." Grath took a deep breath, before diving down toward the floor.

><><

"Wake up girl, we got a full day of sailing ahead of us!"

Romsca rolled over in her blankets as her father shook her awake. "Go get Xzaris and help Rubby in the galley."

"Xzaris felt sick last night." Romsca mumbled, only half conscious.

Conva shrugged, pulling Romsca onto her paws. "Sick or not, if you don't work, you don't eat. Now up you get."

Romsca nodded, staggering out of the captain's cabin and into the bright morning sun and calm sea. She suddenly didn't feel so sleepy, and ran to the rail, letting the sea breeze whip her raven-black hair about.

The water was deep, royal blue, and the sky was a lighter reflection of it, filled with fluffy white clouds. Nobeast could have asked for a more perfect day.

"Ahem."

Romsca turned to see her father watching her, expression stern but eyes still twinkling. She broke from her trance. "Oh, yea .. sorry. I'm off!"

She didn't wait for his reply, just dashed away in the direction of the sleeping quarters. However, halfway there, she plowed into somebeast, and they both fell to the ground in a heap of fur.

"Ow ... gee, just when I started feelin' sorta better!"

Xzaris sat up with a groan. Romsca sighed. "I'm sorry .. but dad wanted me to get you and have you help Rubby .. I'll be working too."

Xzaris staggered upright. "Yea .. ok, let's go."

The two made their way down to the galley, where the old rat cook was busy stirring something in a caldron. He rolled his eyes as they came in, practically bellowing, "No, Brekkist ain't ready yet! I've been wardin' off lizards an crewbeasts since the sun came up, so git outa here! I'm only one beast, with no help!"

"We are the help." Xzaris explained, quickly.

Rubby's demeanor quickly changed. "Oh ya are .. wull that's good then. One a ya stir this, an' one a ya git me that salt over onna shelf. I'll keep our fire goin' 'ere .. willin' paws get brekkist sooner, that's what I alwus say."

Romsca found herself stirring a pot of something that looked like porridge, but smelled a little too salty. Still, she wasn't going to go about telling Rubby how to do his job .. though she did recall her father mentioning he was a terrible cook.

Every now and then, a lizard would appear at the door, and Romsca got the vague idea, that should one attack, she'd grab Xzaris's bamboo pole and tip the caldron she was stirring onto its head.

However, Rubby was surprisingly unafraid of the things. As soon as he saw one, he'd yell at it to leave, or even smack it with the wooden spoon he constantly carried.

Romsca kept having visions of one of the lizards tearing the old rat to shreds and then coming after his helpers, but shockingly .. they didn't. They'd growl, but they'd back away moments later, shooting Rubby hateful glances.

Xzaris noticed it too, in fact, he was the one who said something about it. "They sure back off quick .. fer bein' hit in the nose with a spoon."

Rubby seemed to mistake the doubt in his voice for awe or admiration. "It's alla 'bout a show a force. Ya gotta let'em know who's in charge, an' they'll respect ya. Now, that porridge done yet?"

Romsca shrugged as Rubby turned to pull something out of a cupboard, and as soon as his back was turned, his helpers exchanged a doubtful glance.

Xzaris shook his head. "'Tween ya an' me ... there's a lot more ta it."

><><

Sayna was not having a wonderful day in the least. She'd already lost an hour trying to make breakfast for her stowaways, and in the end, Tansy did a lot of the cooking. Sayna was used to eating whatever was handy, but the two young beasts wanted a proper meal.

However, after quite a few minor burns from lack of the proper utensils, the three sat enjoying what Tansy had created. And Sayna did have to admit, it was better than what she would have come up with.

"So, why'd you say my dad would come?" Martin asked.

Sayna shrugged. "You told him what you were doing. Your pony is going to leave an easy trail to follow. He should be here any minute now."

"Oh." Martin sighed.

"Well .." Tansy patted his arm. "It was fun while it lasted, anyway."

Martin thought for a minute, before grinning. "Yea .. it was at that."

Firemaiden suddenly looked up from where she was grazing beside the pony, pricking her ears in a questioning manner. Sayna nodded. "Just as I thought."

Sure enough, Mattimeo came through the foliage on an old black appaloosa, dismounting as the creature stopped. Sayna stood up. "Ah, Mattimeo. You've come for your son I expect?"

The middle aged mouse nodded, "In a way."

Sayna raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, in a way?"

"I've been thinking .. perhaps my son is right. You were a great help to my dear father, and also were to me in my youth. It's been forever since I had an adventure myself .. and it's not right for me to leave you to go on your own."

Sayna was staring at Mattimeo, who shrugged. "I'll come with you."

"What about Tess?" Sayna sputtered.

"She's alright with it." Mattimeo explained. "She's not excited about leaving, but we discussed it and decided that a trip might do Martin and I more good than harm."

Sayna looked tired. "I .. didn't plan on that."

"Oh please!" Martin exclaimed. "Now that dad's coming, it'll be ok."

Sayna sighed. "Eat breakfast, Mattimeo. I'll think on it .. maybe I would not mind a little company."

Martin could not contain his excitement. "Yes!"

><><

The day passed uneventfully at Holt Lutra, except for the discovery, at about five in the evening, that Grath seemed to be missing. An hour or so later she appeared, looking worn out and a little damp.

The young otter received a scolding from her mother, and she explained herself by saying she'd been swimming in the Moss. Lutra stepped in and saved her from more interrogating, saying that an otter and water were natural friends and shouldn't be separated.

Grath waited until after dinner, when she found Marine sharpening a harpoon head. She watched her brother work for awhile, before asking, "Marine, are you good at swimming?"

The otter winked at his little sibling. "I should hope so."

"How do you hold your breath long enough to get to the bottom, swim around, and then come back up?"

"Depends on how deep the water is." Marine shrugged.

Grath frowned. "Well .. what if it was ... maybe nineteen feet deep? Or a little more?"

Marine cocked his head. "Why do you ask?"

"I .." Grath paused. "I want to learn how to swim like that."

Marine paused, before smiling. "I could teach you. There's a good swimming hole not far from here. Not any twenty foot, but it's just right for a beginner. I can even teach you a bit of diving. How'd that be?"

Grath thought a moment, before nodding. "I would like that."

"Alright then." Marine patted her shoulder. "I'll expect to see you right after breakfast. I might even get Aqua to help."

><><

Rasconza didn't set foot outside his manor, for his father had forbidden it. The rebellious side of him might have wanted to go out just for the fun of it .. but he had nobeast to do it with.

The fox decided to visit his favorite horse .. maybe ride around the courtyard .. after all, he had nothing else to do. Soon he was trotting the beast in a circle, its hooves clopping noisily on the smooth granite.

If only he was out on the streets .. he could ride down to the bay and watch the ships. That was where Kastaa had gone, Rasconza was sure of it.

He sighed, pulling his horse to a walk and thinking it wasn't quite fair he couldn't join in all the excitement.

One of the servants, a stoat, appeared in the archway leading out of the manor. "Young master?"

Rasconza pulled back on the reins, bringing the horse to a stop. "Yes?"

"Forgive me if I did wrong, sir, but there is a young visitor to see you. She claims she knows you."

Val appeared from behind the beast. "Whoa .. ya didn't tell me ya was filthy rich!"

Rasconza felt his heart sink, but Val was grinning. "This is so awesome, look at your house! Is that like .. silver doorknobs? Ya seriously have walls like a castle? An' yer own horse?"

Rasconza met her gaze slowly. "You going to hate me for that now?"

Val stared at him. "Uh .. no? I mean .. what do ya think? Can I ride? Please?"

The stoat was watching with a bit of surprise, but Rasconza waved him off. "She's ok."

He dismounted. "Yea .. I guess."

Val hoisted herself into the saddle clumsily, grabbing the reins and clapping her heels on the horse's sides. The animal snorted with surprise, before trotting in an awkward circle, and its rider slipped off.

Rasconza ran to where she'd fallen, asking, "Hey, are you ok?"

Val sat up. "Yes. That was so amazing. Can I do it again? Wait, do ya have any food?"

"Yea .. why?" Rasconza asked.

"I'm hungry." Val explained. "I work in the palace kitchen since the takeover, but that don't mean I get a lot ta eat. An' I ate less before that."

Rasconza paused, before nodding to a nearby servant. "Take care of the horse."

He motioned Val follow him, and she did so eagerly. "Hey, after we eat, can we go up in that cool tower thing? Will you show me around? This is so amazing! You're amazing too!"

The vixen bolted past him into the foyer, staring around in awe. Rasconza slowly shut the door behind him, staring at her in surprise.

"Where's the food? Do you have cake? I like cake, but I've never tasted it. How about fish? Tea? Soup?"

Rasconza smirked. "Follow me."

Val could eat a lot of food, Rasconza was learning. Then .. come to think of it, she was almost unnaturally skinny. One thing was for sure .. the fox didn't have a bit of trouble keeping a conversation going.

He reached for the quickly disappearing pastries on the kitchen table, when a shadow fell across the doorway. Rasconza swallowed quickly as Kastaa raised on eyebrow, looking expectantly at his son.

"Dad .. I .. she's .." Rasconza stammered.

Val beat him to it. "Wow, this is your dad? The one that killed the lizard? Awesome!"

She ran to Kastaa, grabbing one of his paws and shaking it. "I'm Val. Val Bloodpaws. I hate lizards too. Besties!"

The large dog fox glanced at Rasconza. "Where did you find this one? Is she always this way?"

Rasconza shrugged. "Um .. sort of. I .. met her last night. I guess she works in the palace."

Kastaa planted Val in a nearby chair, and she hurriedly reached for another sugared cake. The dog fox raised his eyebrow higher, even if it hadn't seemed possible. "For Ublaz?"

At the mention of Ublaz, Val scowled, mumbling through the cake in her mouth, "I don't gotta choice .. I sure hate him though."

Kastaa suddenly looked interested, as he sat down next to the table, reaching for one of the desserts. "Really?"

"Yea. He killed me little brother when he attacked my clan. Said he was too weak." Val stared darkly at the floor, rubbing a paw across her nose.

"I see." Kastaa stated. "In that case, why do you serve him?"

Val shrugged. "Don't gotta choice. Though sometimes I wonder if he'd really notice if I went missin'."

"How could he be that careless, to lose a slave?" Kastaa stroked his mustache thoughtfully.

"That's the only thing about him." Val explained. "He don't seem ta pay a ton of attention ta the beast who he thinks ain't important. I mean .. like, guards .. it don't matter how unimportant they seem, he watches em. But kitchen help .. or the beast who used ta swab his decks .. he don't watch 'em much."

Kastaa raised an eyebrow, again. "He doesn't, eh?"

"Nope." Val sighed. "You two .. you're really some a the first beasts who've ever been nice ta me. I like ya for that."

Kastaa nodded. "You're far too trusting. But .. we won't be the ones hurting you. For you're own sake, stay out of Ublaz's way."

Val shrugged. "Don't worry. I hardly get outa the kitchen .. inta the rest a the palace, that is. An' Ublaz never comes there. He probably barely remembers me .. I'm too weak ta hurt him. And the thing I hate the most is .. he's right."

The vixen flicked a lock of red hair over her shoulder, stating. "Well .. it was awful nice meeting ya, sir. I'd better get back now .. ya can never be too careful. I'll come back tomorrow, Conza."

She grinned a little, before skipping off for the main doors. Rasconza started to his feet, but Kastaa held up a paw. "The servants will let her out."

Rasconza sat down again, stammering, "Dad .. she's ok. She's not a problem."

"Oh I know that." Kastaa stood, smiling at his son. "You have found a most interesting beast, my boy. Most interesting."

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Romsca entered the captain's cabin after a long day of working in the kitchens, to see her father bent over his maps.

She sat in the hammock Conva had set up for her, stating, "Freebooter's close enough I can see her lights."

Conva nodded. "I expect Barranca will want a full report of the route I've picked for us .. and give me his own ideas."

Romsca laid down, idly staring at the wall nearby. She hung one leg out of the hammock, kicking gently off the wall and swinging her bed.

Conva spoke again. "It should take us another three weeks."

"Mmmm .." Romsca mumbled, only partly paying attention as her imagination shifted to daydreams.

Her father's voice broke through them. "Come here girl, if you had to come, I might as well teach you something."

Romsca sat up slowly, wishing she could sleep. "Now?"

"Yes, now. We aren't at home girl, you can't live however you like. You may be tired, but you must push through that and keep going."

Romsca sat down beside her father, and he laid a paw on her shoulder. "Someday, this ship'll be yours. You'll be her captain, and she'll serve you well, as she serves me."

Conva smiled gruffly. "No matter what happens girl, you must always push on. Life'll bring you troubles, you'll have to work through them. No matter the pain, the hurt, the betrayal, or the sorrow life brings you, you'll always have to keep going."

Romsca looked up. "Am I .. I don't know .. if I can be strong enough."

"You will be." Conva nodded. "You've got your mother's wild heart and your father's strength, never forget it. Someday, I won't be here .. you'll have to be strong for me. Wind and weather, fire and blood, that's a pirate's life. You'll live it proud Romsca .. I know you will."

Romsca threw her arms around her father. "I'll do it for you dad."

Conva hugged her back. "Aye, that's me girl."

He turned to the map. "And now. How about I show you how to plot a ship's course?"

Chapter 4 Foretold Dangers
Romsca woke on her own the next morning, later than Conva would have awoken her. She looked around a moment, noticing the sun was streaming through the cabin's window and her father's maps were not on his table.

The ferret scrambled out of her hammock, buckling on her belt, hatchet, and the few long knives she owned. She pushed open the cabin door, stepping out into the morning, relaxing as she saw her father and uncle discussing the maps on deck.

Xzaris walked up. "There ya are, sleepyhead. Guess what .. yer uncle's already discussin' battle plans."

"Where are we headed anyway? I mean .. I know, the western coast of Mossflower. But what are we up against?" Romsca asked, in case Xzaris had picked up more information .. something he was often good at.

He did not disappoint. "That's the cool .. and kinda creepy .. thing. We don't really even know. There are stories 'bout ghosts .. monsters .. dragons. And still some say it's just a bunch a woodlanders .. otters or somethin'. But pirates try ta avoid that shore, cause a the disappearin' ship a yer grandfather's."

Xzaris gestured to Conva and Barranca. "I was listenin' ta them."

Romsca nodded, before taking a step forward in hopes of hearing some herself. However, her father's first mate, Rafglan, stopped her. "Hoi, where do ya think yer off ta? Why are ya two standin' round? Go swab the forecastle, get to it!"

Romsca scowled, before following Xzaris. "It's not fair we don't get ta hear anything."

"Yer a cabin boy, ain't ya?" Xzaris shrugged.

Romsca snickered. "Not really."

"Ya know what I mean." The ferret smirked. "Cleanin' the ship is our job."

Romsca grabbed the mop and a bucket from where they'd been left, near the mainmast. "Yea, fer now. But someday, I'll be the captain a this ship. Dad says so."

Xzaris looked down, momentarily. "Yer lucky ya know. I'll be lucky ta ever get a ship, and you've got a dad who'll just give ya his."

Romsca didn't say anything, because she really couldn't. Xzaris got to scrubbing the floor, and Romsca slowly followed suit, thinking about what her friend had said.

Maybe she did take the good things about her life for granted too often.

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"Nope, you've got to hold your breath longer. Try again."

"But Marine .." Grath panted heavily, sitting in the water. "I .. just can't!"

Her brother shook his head. "You've got the wrong mindset. You're giving up too fast .. tell me, what are you doing under there?"

"Counting." Grath shrugged. "What else?"

Marine chuckled. "Well of course you're having trouble, you're trying too hard. Here, come with me, I'll show you."

He jumped in the water, stating, "Now an otter's naturally made to swim for long periods of time. You just need to relax .. let that natural part of you come out. Even Coral can do it."

"Coral?" Grath was surprised.

"Oh yes." Marine nodded. "When she was eleven seasons like you, she was zipping around the Moss like nobody's business. Nowadays, she's decided that helping to heal the sick and learning about plants is more interesting. And that's just fine. But don't you think our sister can't swim."

Marine ducked under, swimming to the far side of the water hole. "Now, you get underwater and swim over to me without coming up. Don't focus so much on what you're doing, but try and see if you can spot any fish or pretty rocks on the bottom. Alright, go!"

Grath took a deep breath, obeying her older brother. She ducked underwater, swimming toward where she could dimly see the bottom half of Marine, but looking about for the things he'd told her to look for.

There were many things about this water hole she'd never noticed, even though she'd been swimming in it all morning. Sparkling marble-like pebbles decorated the grayish silt, and she could see a silvery fish dart here and there.

All of a sudden, she bumped into something solid and furry. Two paws lifted her out of the water a bit, and she grinned. "I did it! It wasn't that hard!"

"It isn't." Marine was grinning at his pupil's success, when there was a scuffing from the nearby, slightly overhanging bank.

The next second, there was a flash of rich brown fur, and a splash as a positive wave of water crashed over Grath and Marine.

Aqua popped up the next second, panting, "So, am I late?"

"Yea." Marine smirked. "We've been at this a couple hours."

"Aww .." Aqua huffed. "Sorry. Can I help?"

Marine nodded. "We're doing diving next. And as you just demonstrated, that's your specialty."

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TBC~ Qui cks ilve r for ged  in t he poo ls o  f the sky  04:35, December 13, 2015 (UTC)