Nesh Psion Spartan walked into the pirates den. He expected it to be overwhelmed by nasty pirates ready to loot him from all directions. But ironically, the place was deserted. But he knew very well, that the pirates there were hiding, waiting to give a fatal strike. I am unharmed...need to have a lil word with yeh pirate king...a secret dealing if you want me to be any specific yelled Nesh, but still cautious, ready to face any retaliation. But silence still engulfed the whole place...even slience had echos....

Cecelia was pacing back and forth on the pirate ship. Her father was captain of it and he dragged her along with him. She never liked sailing with her father he was to crazy! He liked getting in fights with other ships, but either way she was there and just hoped they didn't run into anybody. Her father ordered the ship to be taken to the hide out, but when they got there they found someone they did not expect.

It had been only the night before that Elendor had arrived at the island itself and spoken to the Father.He had taken refuge in the cave and was awoken by someone yelling.He got up and walked towards the shadow at the edge of the den and smirking he said,"My friend..I must admit that you are a little late..they had a big fight yesterday here..their bones lie inside.."

I need to speak to the king of the pirates! said Nesh Psion Spartan, his voices ringing in the form of echoes all around the granite walls of the cave. He saw a girl and man there. So i believe both of you people are pirates assumed Nesh. But a distance away, there was a pile of bones and he understood that there was a raging war that could have taken place here a few nights ago. Hope im not late...continued Nesh.

Cecelia walked up to the boy. We've been sailing the seas for that last month, whatever has happened here doesn't look like many people escaped . . ." Cecelia said making her way up to the boy while tip toeing over the dead bodies that laid all over the cave. "My name is Cecelia, my father is Capitan Escent over yonder!" She said pointing over to her father who was speaking with several other pirates. "We, too, are looking for the pirate king. We thought he'd be here, but apparently not. No one has seen him for some time now! People say he might be dead, but I'm not inclined to believe that!" She smiled!

Look girl, i am a member of the dark side...I have been long looking for this pirate king of yours...He was running for an errand for my dark lord...He recieved gold in return for his service...but it seems that the old rag ran away before completing his task...there is this ring that is lost...a ring of power...it was said to be hidden in a huge sea monster's stomach in your waters...his mission was to hunt down this beast and get the ring to us...Now if this is not done, then nothing is left in my hands...you will all perish into the wrath of darkness explained Nesh. Nesh nodded his head to the other man, Elendor. He acted as though he did not know Elendor. But he knew very well, that Elendor was the spy appointed by the Dark lord to gather tidings over this pirate's den.

Cecelia listened intently as Nesh explained the reasons for his being there. "That would explain why he disappeared!" She said. She looked over at her father who had been picking through some of the gold lying on the floor. She put her head in her hands. "Is there anyway I can help?" She said looking back up to Nesh. "I've sailed many of these waters and know a lot of the secret pirate routes. I'm not sure if I can be much help to you if you already know that stuff! But I will help if you want me too! She said earnestly and with a secret ambition to get away from her father and the pirate crew she's always left to deal with day after day!

Nesh smiled at the girl. You don't look like a potential pirate...very well indeed, what i need is the ring, if you can help me, you are more than welcomed said Nesh Psion Spartan. He then looked at Elendor, so shall we make a move? he asked him. And looking at the girl's puzzled face, he explained, Elendor is my friend, a member of the dark side too. He then waited for Elendor to respond...

"You don't look like a potential pirate...very well indeed, what i need is the ring, if you can help me, you are more than welcomed"

"Well I think I may be more help than you think" She said with a smile!

"So shall we make a move?" Nesh said to the other boy who was there. Cecelia looked at him puzzled. "Elendor is my friend, a member of the dark side too." He said looking to his friend. Cecelia opened her mouth and said a silent "Ah."

Elendor was examining the cave,leaving Nesh to explain to the girl his mission and returned shortly and looked at Cecilia and said,"I am Elendor..and I,like Nesh came here on the Dark Lord's order..I had arrived earlier and most of the pirates in this place is gone..I happened to witness the last fight..a massive one yesterday.."He turned to Nesh and said,"I hadn't spotted the king yet..he might have been dead..but it's time to move.."Retruning his gaze to Cecilia he said,"We are glad you have agreed to help us..the Dark Lord will pay you well!"

On top of that, if our dark lord likes you, if would even take you in as a member...ha but probably thats the last thing you would want to do...chuckled Nesh as he set forward towards the bay. Ok this is what we do...we find the monster with her help and then pull it back to shore, after which we shall cut open it and hopefully find the ring of power...and before that...Cecelia...Can you tell us where we can find this sea monster that has this three huge shark like head asked Nesh, facing Cecelia.

Elendor smirked at Nesh's words and walked out of teh cave towards the bay and watched the sea quietly and asked,"Finding the sea monster is the main mission..but we are faced with another problem before that..if you had noticed..we have no vessel..or ship...the ship I arrived in three days back is destroyed by the pirates..do you still have your ship?"

"We are glad you have agreed to help us..the Dark Lord will pay you well!" Said Elendor.

"On top of that, if our dark lord likes you, if would even take you in as a member... ha but probably thats the last thing you would want to do." Chuckled Nesh. "Ok this is what we do...we find the monster with her help and then pull it back to shore, after which, we shall cut open it and hopefully find the ring of power...and before that...Cecelia...Can you tell us where we can find this sea monster that has this three huge shark like head?

"I've heard that a monster similar to that, lives near the Haudhiaur Island about 150 miles from here in the North Eastern direction."

"Finding the sea monster is the main mission..but we are faced with another problem before that..if you had noticed..we have no vessel..or ship...the ship I arrived in three days back is destroyed by the pirates..do you still have your ship?"

"Well, my father is heading back to land soon where he keeps all of his other vessels, I'm sure with a little persuasion I could talk him into letting me borrow one if you guys don't have a decent enough vessel." Cecelia said to Elendor

"Haudiar Island?How could I have missed..only a few weeks back..we passed the island..when I was a crew on a pirates' ship..they were all laughing and saying the island is full of threatening nymphs who will kill all males who dare step forward..."Elendor said and at Cecilia's suggestion he replied,"That's good..persuade your dad to allow us in his ship..if he allows..we can find ourself another vessel once we reach mainland.."

"Haudiar Island? How could I have missed. Only a few weeks back. We passed the island when I was with a crew on a pirates ship. They were all laughing and saying the island is full of threatening nymphs who will kill all males who dare step forward." Elendor said. Cecelia smiled until a crash distracted her. She looked over and her father was piecing through more gold and slipping gold and jems on his neck fingers and pockets.

"That's good. Persuade your dad to allow us in his ship, if he allows, we can find ourself another vessel once we reach mainland." Elendor added.

"Okay! I'll go ask him now!" Cecelia said. She ran over to her father and began piecing through some treasure too, beginning with small talk. After about 10 minutes she ran back to the boys with good news.

"My dad said that it was fine, he had to make a stop at Haudiar Island anyway. He also said that if you plan on staying on the ship you have to eat your food and drink your own rum, but besides that I think you guys are good to go.! Cecelia said excited.

"Okay! I'll go ask him now!" Cecelia said. As she left over to her father,Elendor took out his map from his bag and examined it carefully.The map was very much different,as it showed wierd signs and marking all over in unknown symbols and languages and instead of pointing towards the North direction,it was pointing to an unknown direction F.This would make it very hard for a common sailor to figure out how to read it,but Elendor knew too well how to use it.It belonged to Captain Rookwood,a pirate with whom he had been sailing for some time before he died of scabies and Elendor nicked it.As he looked at Haudiar Island,tehre were some marking all over.Elendor deciphered them and was shocked at what he discovered.It read that the seas around the island was filled wih blood-thirsty giant sharks as well as an unknown menancing sea serpant,possible more than one.Hearing Cecilia return with confirmation that her dad allowed them onboard,he unfolded his map and passed it to Nesh and said,"This might help..take a look..."He then turned to Cecilia and said,"Good...he needn't need to worry about food and drinks..I had raided the pirates camp only last night and have enough bread,fish and barrels of rum to last few weeks.It's buried in the cave.Nesh...your help will be appreciated if you can help me load those stuff on the ship.."

Nesh looked into Elendor's deep dark eyes with a threatening look. Hey! Do i look like a servant to you? Im more precious to the dark lord remember laughed Nesh. Nesh was glad that cecelia and her dad could help them get the ring. Ok, the map looks pretty kewl...joked Nesh looking at Elendor. He was sarcastic because the terrain shown in the map was not an easy one. And cecelia...hmm...how do i put it...well ok...you see your service shall be terminated upon reaching the islands...because i do not wish to sacrifice someone for our private mission...the best for you would be not to pursue after the beast...let us go alone...said Nesh, with a certain degree of unusual concern in his voice. And yea thanks again for your help...continued Nesh as he carried the bags and approached the huge vessel...

"Hey! Do i look like a servant to you? Im more precious to the dark lord remember,"laughed Nesh.Elendor could not help but smirk at his comments and replied,"Servant?We are both servants of the Dark Lord...in case you need reminding.."He helped carry the bags from the cave onto the ships and once done,he rubbed the dust off his hands and thanked Nesh,"Thanks for your help.."Turning to Cecilia he added,"Nesh is right..I have lost enough comrades in my mission..and it's not worth losing more..besides this is our very own,private mission...given specially by the Dark Lord o us.."

"And Cecelia, hmm, how do I put it. Well ok...you see your service shall be terminated upon reaching the islands...because i do not wish to sacrifice someone for our private mission...the best for you would be not to pursue after the beast...let us go alone..." Nesh said to Cecelia after confronting Elendor.

"Nesh is right..I have lost enough comrades in my mission..and it's not worth losing more..besides this is our very own,private mission...given specially by the Dark Lord o us.." Elendor agreed.

"What do you mean! I'm not afraid of death! I want to help! I know how to fight! I can help!" Cecelia blurted out, throwing her hands in the air almost hitting Nesh.

"What do you mean! I'm not afraid of death! I want to help! I know how to fight! I can help!" Cecelia blurted out, throwing her hands in the air almost hitting Nesh
Elendor could not help but chuckled as she almost hit Nesh and said calmly,"Now..we are just been concerned here..you have helped us so far..and we don't want you losing your life or anything..this mission of ours is very dangerous..we took it..because we have no choice..it's our only destiny..and a very important and honorable one..to be given by the Dark Lord himself..I would hate to lose friends and comrades in the course of my own mission.."

Nesh almost toppled backwards when Cecelia suddenly swung her fist towards him. Wow...chill...laughed Nesh and looked at Elendor as he chuckled at him. Alright, if you are that confident...then i guess you just follow us to the beast...said Nesh and smiled upon seeing a sign of relief on Cecelia's face. Ok lets board the vessel then said Nesh as he winked his eyes at Elendor and looked at Cecelia who was busy getting her stuffs ready. Nesh was not intending to allow her to follow all the way to the beast, perhaps just up to the island. Elendor understood and nodded his head...

Alright, if you are that confident...then i guess you just follow us to the beast...said Nesh
Elendor sighed and said,"Well...fine then..young lady..if you have your mind made up..we won't stop you.."He helped Cecilia get her things and as he board the ship he wondered in what mind did Nesh allowed Cecilia to join,without even asking her to reconsider..she was young..and was unaware of the dangers that lay before her.He turned questioningly at Nesh and saw him winking at him and smiled,knowing he must be up to some plan.

"Well...fine then..young lady..if you have your mind made up..we won't stop you.." Elendor said in a bit of a regretful tone. Cecelia crossed her arms and smiled, happy knowing she got her way! She turned around and began getting her things on board the ship. She bent over and pick pocketed some gold. Removing a strand of black hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear she noticed Nesh Spartan wink at Elendor. Cecelia narrowed her eyes and put more money into her pocket.

"Those jerks!" She thought. "They are going to ditch me, there more like dark trolls than warriors! I'll show them a women isn't as helpless as they think, stupid sexists arrogant males! She thought to herself while throwing things around in her bag. She walked up to Nesh once Elendor was gone.

"I saw that." She said crossing her arms.

What did you see? asked Nesh, quite alarmed. There were a few seconds of silence after which Nesh cracked into a smile. Ok whatever it is, lets talk about it when we reach there alright? suggested Nesh to Cecelia referring to the issue of whether she should be allowed to follow them to find the beast. Nesh then board the ship. Other pirates too boarded the ship. Nesh discussed with the captain of the ship about where they were heading to. Upon a certain agreement, the Ship was about to move...

Elendor was busy loading all the goods and finally done,his arms were aching and his robes were wet with perspiration.He headed towards the captain to discuss the route with him and spotted Nesh in a conversation with him.He left down to the smoking room,where some of the pirates were in their idle chat,while some were smoking and some singing.He lit his pipe and took out his map and gazed at it,studying the route,intently as the ship started to move.

Cecelia was on the deck and had the telescope in her hand. Looking outward to the horizon and shimmering sea that reflected the purple, pink, and orange skies. The night was falling around them quickly and sudden. Before long the skies were littered with little specks of glowing embers lite far away and long ago.

Cecelia rested her arms on the border of the ship and just starred at the sea for a little longer until she went to the kitchen to get something eat with her father.

"Cece!" Her father called.

"Yeah Dad?" She asked. Cecelia turned around and her father leaned against the ship.

"I know you miss him, but you shouldn't have committed yourself."

"I know what I'm doing Dad, trust me!" She said calmly.

"I know, and that's what scares me! I don't need you getting youself killed."

"Don't worry, I'm not going to die!" She said with a chuckle.

"Alright well I'm starving lets get something good to eat. You think those boys brought more rum with them." He said putting his arm around Cecelia and walking down to the kitchen with her. Cecelia smiled and shook her head. They both entered the kitchen and Cecelia snuck some rum from her father. She looked up and noticed one of the men walking into the kitchen . . .

Boy? Hope you are not referring to us sir, we happen to be strong warrior men...yea...said Nesh, laughing at Cecelia's dad. Cece! immitated Nesh and continued laughing. There are more rum in the cupboard said Nesh getting a little bit more serious. Now i need to know more about the nature of the beast that we are gonna meet? asked Nesh as he took a sit on top of the kitchen table. He could feel the vessel sway rhythmically in the command of the ferocious sea wind. The air was pure and refreshing but had a slight tinge of salty aroma to it...

"Boy? Hope you are not referring to us sir, we happen to be strong warrior men...yea..." Nesh said. Cecelia's Dad smiled and put his hand on his neck. "There are more rum in the cupboard, Now i need to know more about the nature of the beast that we are gonna meet?" He said becoming serious.

"Well, I know it's big!" Cecelia said with a smile. "It's a shark like critter with three heads right? Cecelia asked. Sneaking another drink from her father.

Elendor had been smoking his pipe for quite a while and his eyes studying the map.He abruptly stood up and walked over to a table of pirates playing cards.Though they were rough and unruly,they didn't intimidate Elendor as he sat down on an empty seat at the table and cleared his throat and said,"Give me a hand as well!"A big,and storky pirate,with a cross-patch over his left eye looked at Elendor for a moment,He was holdign on to a pile of cards and handed some of them to Elendor.Elendor took out a pile fo coins from his bag and place them on the table and said,"This my pile!Let's start..."Soon they started playing,and hours passed,Elendor's pile of coins only increased and some of the pirates left leaving with only two..and finally he left leaving only Elendor and the big pirate.He finally looked over to Elendor,disapprovingly and said in a gruff voice,"You have a good hand..you have make our earnings...what more do you want..there's nothing else I am to give..I am a family man you know.."Elendor smirked and placed his feet on the table and said,"It's a dirty task..and you are absolutely the right person for it..I need you to murder someone..I'll pay you half of this...how is it?"Beads of pespiration began falling from the man's face as he looked at Elendor and said,"Murder?You want me to be...errr...you hitman.."His eyes lingered on the pile of coins."Absolutely..this will be my deposit.."he took a quarter of the pile of coins and handed over to the man and continued,"The rest of the payment will be done afetr the job is over.."The man looked nervously at the pile for a while and over to Elendor and asked,"Who is it?"Elendor took otu a photograph and passed to the man."This person...the instructions are written on this piece of paper..don't lost either of it..and sign this deal if you agree.."He took out a piece of paper wit ha string of conditions and beneath it a place to sign.He passed the man a quill and the man scribbled his name on it and Elendor smirking stood up as he folded the paper and kept the rest of the shillings and before he headed off he said,"And according to teh deal..if you fail to finish this within three days..you will pay..with your life.."Not turning to look at the look at the man's face,Elendor walked out and headed towards the captain.

Nesh was exploring the huge vessel. It had splendid architecture and looked very robust. As Nesh walked out of the kitchen area he noticed a pirate confronting Elendor. Elendor passed him a parchment on which the pirate signed. Nesh shook his head in dismay. He walked over to Elendor. What private mission are you up to again? asked Nesh. Suddenly the ship rocked and Nesh realized that the vessel was slowing down and about to stagnate. Look we are into something important, now dun screw things up said Nesh to Elendor now slightly more stricter...

What private mission are you up to again? asked Nesh. Suddenly the ship rocked and Nesh realized that the vessel was slowing down and about to stagnate. Look we are into something important, now dun screw things up said Nesh to Elendor now slightly more stricter...

Elendor gazed at Nesh and gestured him to take a seat and replied calmly,"This is my personal stuff..and I am sure it would not hinder out mission..trust me..sometimes some steps have to be taken to ensure that things run smoothly for us..."He took out a bottle of rum and asked,"Want a glass?"

Cecelia walked over to where Elendor and Nesh were. "Were here you guys!" She said leaving to go up to the deck of the ship. Once she was up there she saw her father looking through the telescope towards an area of active water. "What are you looking at Dad?" Cecelia asked. "I just saw a huge monstrous thing splash some water about." He replied handing her the telescope. She looked through it but couldn't find the actively moving water.

Cecelia walked over to where Elendor and Nesh were. "Were here you guys!"

Elendor smiled and replied,"Yeah...were you looking for us?"Seeing herl eave towards the captain's deck,he turned towards Nesh and asked,"Hmmm....have you heard of the legend of the Krakon?It's a rumoured large sea serpent that roams the wild sea...and swallows unexpecting sailors on the way...noone had exactly seen it..cause those who see it..are not alive to relate their experience!"He smiled and drank from his cup.

Cecelia then came over to join their conversation. She was pointing out to the sea about a sea monster they had seen. Elendor subsequently started explaining about the most fearsome sea monster known as the Krakon.

You mean Krakon, the one with 3 heads, and an enormous body that weighs way above 1000 pounds? The one with a tail that has blades attached to it and can slash through even the strongest vessels? asked Nesh, as if he knew about this creature very well.

Both of them were looking at Nesh with awe for he had spoken as if he knew the beast very well.

Then Nesh contiuned, Perhaps you are talking about that little fish over there? sarcastically asked Nesh pointing towards the far end of the sea at a creature that was so big and was pounding towards them at great velocity. Yea thats the krakon added Nesh with a little chuckle...

Nesh looked at the size of the approaching sea monster and then drew out his little katana and added sounds kewl eh?

You mean Krakon, the one with 3 heads, and an enormous body that weighs way above 1000 pounds? The one with a tail that has blades attached to it and can slash through even the strongest vessels? asked Nesh, as if he knew about this creature very well.

Elendor was not very surprised that Nesh seem to know this creature very well.He seemed to be a well travelled from the beginning when he met and nodded,smoking his pipe,listening.

Then Nesh contiuned, Perhaps you are talking about that little fish over there? sarcastically asked Nesh pointing towards the far end of the sea at a creature that was so big and was pounding towards them at great velocity. Yea thats the krakon added Nesh with a little chuckle...

"Fish?"Elendor quizzed Nesh and looked over to where a crowd had gathered and suddenly they were yells and shouts as a huge,enormous creature could be seen approaching them from a distance,at very fast speed."Oh Lord...this is what we need.."Elendor exclaimed and thrust out his Katana and headed towards the bow,facing the beast,and looking at Nesh for support.