The Sea Prowler's hull rose out of the water before crashing back down into the shallow waves. Nafalen leaned a foot on the front of the deck wall while holding onto a secured mast line for support. He scanned the horizon as the ship rose and fell while plowing through the waters. It was good to be at sea again.

Nafalen had hired himself out as a mercenary on a pirate hunting ship nearly a month ago. He had been on the Sea Prowler ever since and had brought in a pretty nice reward so far. Nafalen had the perfect contract worked out. As a mercenary he was paid a sailor's regular wages, but also was given a bonus on each pirate ship captured and sunk. Plus his quick hands had enabled him to snag some extra loot from captured ships.

The Sea Prowler was the fastest and most famed pirate hunting ship on the coast. Its captain, Captain Cagle, was renowned for his skill as a Captain and gentleman. Nafalen had even come to like the man a bit in their time together. Nafalen had saved his life as many times as the Captain had saved his.

Nafalen continued to look out over the horizon as Captain Cagle walked up behind him.

"So what you think Nafalen? Any luck today?" he asked like he would a friend. He looked out across the water to the west, where Nafalen had been watching. Then came a shout from the crow's nest.

"White sails to the east! Ship to the east!" the lookout called.

Spinning around Nafalen and the Captain ran to the other side of the Sea Prowler where, sure enough, small white sails could be seen on the horizon. Nafalen called to the lookout, "What colors she fly?"

"None!" came the reply.

Nafalen and the Captain looked at each other. "Pirate?" Nafalen asked.

"Either that or a whaler or merchant. I don't know of many in these waters during this season though. And they usually fly their colors this far out. Let's prepare for the worst, though it could be anything."

Nafalen nodded and ran to the forward hatch. Pulling it up, Nafalen could see the hammock swaying with the ship, full of sailors.

"Ship on the horizon! Unmarked, prepare for anything men!" Nafalen called down to them. The men woke and immediately scrambled to get dressed and man their stations. Within minutes the Sea Prowler would be ready for wither battle or a friendly dinner with the other ship. In all honesty Nafalen began to wish that it was a merchant ship. He wanted to get his hands on some goods that they carried without a fight. The best haul was a secret haul he thought.

Nafalen dropped the hatch on the other side of the deck so it would stay open and went to rejoin the captain at the helm.

Tenshi gazed down at the ocean at least 50 feet below him and couldn't help laughing out loud, he was supported by a par of wings, seemingly made of light, and was barely making an effort to stay in the air. He watched the sea fall away beneath him and dived lower so he was just above the surface, he could see a large shoal of fish panic at the sight of him and swim away. He pushed upwards and stopped so that he was upright and stopped so it looked like he was standing on the water, in actualy fact he was standing about an inch above it and the slowly flapping wings were probably a big giveaway. He looked about and saw a huge ship prowling its way through the sea. Tenshi watched it as it drew nearer and the crew seemed not to have noticed him.

Just at the last minute Tenshi glided out of the way and the ship steamed past throwing up water along the hull. Tenshi on the other hand flew upwards and hovered just beside the deck folding his arms.
"Hey, watch where you're dirving that thing," he said "somebody coudd get hit."
Tenshi looked a little harder at the crew, they looked more like pirates or some kind of pachers from here, for most of them had stubbles and a few were missing teeth. It was probably the shock of seeing a boy with wings suddenly appeared up the side of their ship that had caused them not to lay into him straight away but they seemed to recover from this when somebody hurled an axe at him. Tensh glided out of the way and the axe missed him by an inch, he watched it soar through the sky and drop into the water.
"Wow, what a waste," he muttered turning his attention back to the motely crew "So now what?"

Just about everybody within range picked up the nearest thing to them and hurled it at him, Tenshi felt some kind of enpty food tin bonk him on the head and the handle of a resuted dagger knocked into his chest forcing him to fly backwards to avoid being winded.
"Wow, I'd hate to see you lot if you had a sword to hand," he said landing on the deck and folding his wings behind him, only to notice they had all drawn some kind of sword "Oh, never mind." He said. He looked up and noticed another ship approaching from a different direction. "Oh look, company." He said.

Nafalen grasped the foward mast support rope and use it to pull himself up. Using the rope for support, Nafalen moved along the helm until he was leaning far over the water, towards the fast approaching ship. As they got closer Nafalen say a thing, no, a man, flying across the water. The man landed on the deck of the other boat only to be attacked by a wide variety barrage of axes, spears, arrows, and then swords. All the attacks seemed to miss, but soon ceased. The man alighted on the deck and began conversing with the crew.

As the waves of the Palanen Ocean broke against the hull of the Sea Prowler, mist and the spay of the cool water flew into Nafalen's face causing him to blink rapidly. Spitting out the salty water, Nafalen leaped backwards off the helm railing and back off the deck. The swift movement of the boat caused Nafalen's leap to carry him further then he had intended. Breaking his fall with a roll, nafalen quickly regained his feet and rushed towards Captain Cagle who was at the wheel.

"Cagle! Captain Cagle!" Nafalen called. "The ship has raised its colors! it's the black skull. Pirates, there can be no doubting that."

The captain locked his jaw, face turning into that of a determined fighter.

"Man your stations men! Move, move, move! Pirates of the helm! Prepare the ballista! Draw bows!" The captain thundered over the roar of the waves. Turning to his first mate the captain added, "Get below decks and find that blasted mage. Tell Rodtheros that there are pirates to be taken care of!"

The first mate shouted him aknowledgement and ran off, disappearing through the hatch that led to the crew quarters.

"Captain, there is something else," Nafalen said. "A being, a man. I saw him flying over the waters on wings of light. Probally some mage of sorts. He landed on the deck of the pirate boat. Make sure that Rodtheros takes down the mast and archers quickly. We need to get into close combat as soon as possible. Hoist full sail and plow right into them I'd say."

Captain Cagle nodded his agreement and Nafalen turned. He walked back quickly to the helm where three sailors were working hard to pull back the heavy string of the large balista and load it. Nafalen joined the frot of the row of archers that were lining up with their bows. Nafalen drew his own Razor Bow and notched an arrow. He inclined his head to the ranks of sailors that were preparing for battle. The smiled with elation that such a great warrior was with them again. They had all come to respect and love Nafalen's power and prowness with his scimitars. They also oved the secret weapon that Nafalen had brought with him. The one that had assured every victory thus far.

As soon as the pirates had turned back they had ran at Tenshi, he merely stood there unarmed and smiling, then as soon as they were withing striking range he leapt forward, landed on one hand and used it to propell himself into the air over the first pirate, once he landed on the other side he kicked out catching the pirate's ankles causing him to sutmble. He got up and brushed out the creases in his jacket.
"You missed," he said smiling "huh?"
He looked around him and saw that the new ship had drawn closer and that he was able to see the number of people assembled on the deck, or more imprtatly what they were doing.
"Oh dear," he sighed "I hate arrows when they're in my direction."

One of the pirates poked him in the back with his cutlass with an annoyed expression on his face, Tenshi brushed it away as though it were no more than a fly.
"D'ya mind, I'm busy here."
The pirate however raised the cutlass and brought it down, Tenshi felt something cut his shoulder and he span round riasing his foot, striking the pirate between the legs, he rolled over and clutched the area whining softly. Tenshi looked at the cut on his shoulder, it was already spreading a red patch on his clothes. The rest of the pirates moved forwards and Tenshi leapt backwards drawing his longsword.
"You really know how to treat your guests don't you," he said "that is, if you want to treat them badly."

The Sea Prowler rapidly closed the distance between themselves and the pirate ship, propelled by the furious rowing of the sailors manning the oars, as well as the full sails. As soon as they were in firing range Nafalen pulled back on the string of his notched Razor Bow. Raising the bow into the air Nafalen judged the distance and adjusted accordingly.

"Raise and loose men!" Nafalen roared to the archers with him. The bows let out a loud twang as arrow after arrow left the deck of the Sea Prowler, traveling quickly for the pirate ship. Many of the arrows feww into the water, but a few found their targets, sticking into pirate flesh and wood planking alike. Nafalen called for the men to draw and fire another set of arrows, adding his to theirs.

Turning to the three sailors manning the large front balista Nafalen gave the order to fire. The men light the end of the massive balista bolt and took aim, firing. The flaming bolt hurtled through the air, ripping into the side of the pirate ship. The force of the low put the fire out, but it caused the ship to keen heavily to the side.

"Fire at will!" Nafalen commanded. They were nearing the enemy ship. Turning, Nafalen ran to the helmsman, ordering him to charge straght, using the powerful helm of the Sea Prowler to plow into the enemy ship.

"Aye, Aye Sir!" came the reply. Turning back Nafalen replaced his powerful Razor Bow into its tube and drew his dueal Curved Drow Scimitars. Returning to the helm of the bow Nafalen ordered the men to draw their blades. They were close enough to prepare for hand to hand combat.

The men roared a cheer that was filled with high moral as they lifted their weapons into the air. Time for the pirates to die.

Looking back towards the forhatch Nafalen's voice boomed, "Renor!" he called. Out from his rest below decks a six-hundred pound, jet-black panther emergeg, running towards Nafalen. Renor knew what to do and roared as he neared the front of the Sea Prowler. Sleek muscles rippling, Renor launched himself into the air, easily clearing the thirteen foot, and closing, gap that seperated the ships. Renor landed ontop of a pirate and swiped up with a powerful paw, releaving another pirate of his face.

Grasping a nearby rope, Nafalen swung himself onto the pirate ship deck to join his feline companion. Nafalen blades began whirring as soon as he touched down, easily cutting down two unsuspecting sailors.

The barrage of arrows flew through the air towards the pirate ship kncoking a few pirates down, the rest hit the deck or spalshed into the water, one came dangrousley close to Tenshi's own foot. Fortuatly for him one of the srrows had hit the pirate about to try and take his head off without him noticing. Tenshi turned around and saw the other boat coming nearer, clearly it was attacking the pirate ship, and he had no objections to that, apart from the fact that he was on it. He looked up and leapt back, perforiming a series of three backflips to avoid another wave of arrows and landed near the front of the boat. He got to his feet and raised his sword to block an incoming pirate, he sepped forwards and twisted his blade to his side then barged the pirate down with his shoulder.

He gave a short laugh of satisfaction, he'd avoided the worst of the arrows and the pirates seemed a little more preoccupied so what could go wrong now. The answer came as something hit the side hard and blew off a large chunk of boat, Tenshi leapt aside just in time but still crashed onto the deck and half rolled, half slid to a halt. He got up rubbing his bottom, his sword had fallen a few feet away and there was a new pirate blocking the way, Tenshi got to his feet and discovered that he'd twisted his ankle.
Great, now what? He thought desperatly.
Out of nowhere a black panther leapt on top of the pirate and began clawing at him giving Tenshi a chance to stumble forwards and snatch up his dagger, he got to his feet just in time to see another person from the other boat land on the deck with two curved swords drawn.
"Well you took your time," he muttered.

Nafalen ducked to avoid a high swipe from a nearby pirate. He thrust out as he did, gutting the man like he would a fish. The man's innards spilled out all over the deck of the keening ship. He groaned and then was silent. Leaping up, Nafalen charge forward with his partner Renor. He swords moved in a blur and two more fell upon the tips of his expertly made Curved Drow Scimitars. Renor pounced on another, and easily decapitated two others with a ferocious roar.

"Renor, the Celestial!" Nafalen called out to the massive black panther. Renor leaped towards the man, knowing Nafalen's wishes. He wanted to talk to the man that was for sure, so he had to be kept alive. The muscles rippled along the hide of the panther as he made his way quickly towards the Celestial.

Nafalen saw the pirate captain shouting orders to his men, trying to straighten out the boat while at the same time attacking the powerful Drow and Panther that had boarded the ship.

Turning his head, Nafalen saw the Sea Prowler approaching rapidly. He knew that the pirate hunters meant to ram and sink the pirates, but Nafalen would not go down with them.

"Renor!" he called as he ran to the edge of the keening boat. The giant panther immediately obeyed and ran to where Nafalen was, the black muscles tightened and released, launching the feline into the air, easily landing on the Sea Prowler.

Nafalen followed suit, crouching low and leaping as the Sea Prowler's hull collided with the pirate ship. Nafalen landed safely back on his ship in a crouch. As he stood he slid his duel blades into their respective sheaths. He heard the gurgle of water as the sea swallowed up the pirate ship. Turning, Nafalen saw the last of the wood surface and the water calm where the sea vessel once stood.

As he wondered what had happened to the Celestial, Renor came up beside him and began to purr. Nafalen reached down and patted his companion on the head.

"Well done boy, well done."

The sailors of the Sea Prowler just stood there watching the two with wide jaws and blank expressions. They knew the pair were powerful, but never in their months together had they taken out a ship themselves.

Tenshi watched the drow cut his way easily through the pirates along with his panther, Tenshi held back for now watching until a flying dagger skimmed his hair. He looked up in time to leap out of the way of another thrown by the same pirate.
"Well, look who's playing dirty," he muttered.
He jumped out of the way of another dagger and then ran at the pirate, but, forgetting his ankle; he put his weight on it, yelled in pain and nearly toppled over. The pirate laughed and raised another dagger; Tenshi quickly unfolded his wings again and took off, hovering behind the pirate and kicking him hard in the back of the head.
"Night, night," he said having recovered his good mood.

He turned back round and saw that the drow was taking care of pirates faster than he was, and since he hadn't twisted his ankle it was hardly surprising, but his panther however seemed to be hanging around him for some reason.
"Well, I'm not complaining," he muttered.
He landed back on the deck and raised his sword again, blocking a cutlass and taking care to keep the weight on his good leg. He waited for a few seconds then broke the lock, rolled to the side of the pirate and slashed his sword behind him taking off the pirate's leg.
"I bet you're hopping mad now," he laughed getting to his feet.

Through his chuckling he noticed the drow and the panther leap back over the side of the boat and onto theirs, Tenshi watched them confused and shrugged. Only when the ship didn't stop did he realize it was going to ram the pirate ship, quickly he rolled to the edge, avoiding running due to his ankle, and leapt upwards with his good leg, landing on the banister with his hand and used it to propel himself over the gap and just about landed on the other boat, grimacing as his ankle flared up again. He got to his feet and then looked behind him at the sinking pirate ship, then at the crew of the new ship.
"Oh, err, hi guys," he said hesitantly.

As Nafalen watched the pirate boat sink, he noticed the Celestial leap. The man landed heavily next to Nafalen. The man's tace twisted in pain as he landed and fell to the deck. As he got up, Nafalen watched him with open hatred. "Oh, err, hi guys," the Celestial male said with some hesitation. Nafalen looked at him and studied his face. He was no more then a boy, one that had not yet seen even twenty winters.

The boy stood and looked around, eyeing the sailors on the Sea Prowler. Renor let out a deep rumbling growl from the pit of his chest. Walking towards the Celestial boy the sleek black panther looked up slightly. Renor began to pace around him in circles, growling deeply as he did. It was obvious that neither Nafalen or his partner Renor liked this boy. After all, he was a child. A child with snide remarks and powers he probally didn't even comprehend. Not only that, but he had landed on Nafalen's deck, the deck of Nafalen's home for the past months. He would have to die.

The sailors wore grim expressions that turned to outright sneers and snarls. They thought the Celestial boy to be the last surviving pirate. And being such, he would have to be send to the dark, cold depths of the sea; sent down along with the rest of the pirate crew. Nafalen knew that the boy was not a pirate, he had seen him enter into range of the pirate ship, land on its deck, and be attacked, but that hardly mattered.

With a tilt of his head Nafalen turned and walked a few paces towards the cabins. "Take care of him Renor," he said without emotion before continuing his walk. As soon as the words left him mouth, a roar thundered from the helm of the ship where Renor stalked his prey. His powerful hind-leg muscles tightned and released, rippling as they hurled the 600-pound feline straight towards the Celestial.