The ferry had been moving what seemed like hours, the course set for Port Adúnë in Lómëdor. Standing on the deck, Stella leaned on the railing looking out to see, the moonlight reflected on its waters. The air smelled salty, and of some bread cooking in the ovens. In her hand was a cup of wine she had swabbed, and she was drinking it like their was no tomorrow. Who says she couldn't drink?! She was older then all those on the ship put together, even though she looked young.

She sighed in contentment, letting the fuzzy feeling run through her. The gentle rocking lulling some what, and the soft classical music like a lullaby. She wasn't drunk, just in the phase of "I'm happy". Putting down the empty glass she rested her head in her arms, her elbows on the railing. Ahead flashes of light where seen, and Stella rose in alarm. A storm? She shivered. She hated lightning.

People began to make their way inside, but Stella remained on the deck with a few others. It wasn't like they where REALLY going to head through this storm was it? The winds picked up and she shivered, now cold. Maybe she SHOULD head inside. She tugged the door. Locked? Why was it locked?! Didn't they NO people where still outside?! "Hey! Let me in!" She shouted. The wind carried her voice away. They couldn't hear. She gasped. They where all stuck outside on the deck of a ferry, about to head through a storm.

Great.

Arthur was tired of the ferry he could have used his own wings for the trip to Port Adune, but it was neccesary for now. THe long hours had been filled with boredom with nothing to do but sit and watch the waves crash by on the ferry. He stood at one of the edges of the deck looking out with others who stood as if facinated by its vastness. The sea was nothing new to him he had grown accoustomed to it. It no loger held its former awe though sometimes he was amazed at somethings that it hid.

Arthur felt somethign wrong in the air, he sensed a storm and it was a big one. Arthur looekd out ahead of them and saw the flash of lightining from the gray clouds upahead. Arthur liked storms somewhat they made him feel alive in someways but they were dangerous on a boat, and more dangerous in the air. HE sighed and saw people moving in to the lower deck. He stayed up with a few of the others he could bear the storm better than most. Arthur then saw the waves grow rougher and the winds grow higher. HE knew what this storm was gona be. Arthru decided maybe it was better below deck. He noticed a girl try the door her vocie carrying away in the wind. Arthur sighed and said." Its never easy".

He appraoched the doro and said loudly to the girl," Let me try". He grabbed the door handle and pulled with all of his strength but just as he heard the door began to crack the waves began to churn and he was thrown to the side and he lannded with a umph. HE then shouted," Everyone hold onto to something its gona be a bumby ride".

Stella barely heard the voice at the side of her. "Let me try". the man requested, and Stella willingly moved. He seemed to be making good progress with the door until the waves began to collide with the ferry. Stella was thrown to the side, saved by the railing. She hung on, spray covering her. She whimpered.

A little way away the man who had tried to open the door layed, and his words where the only ones she could hear over the steadily progressing wind. "Everyone hold onto to something its gona be a bumpy ride". He said, and so Stella gripped onto the railing tighter as the ship rocked in the battering. Waves pummeled over the top, and some where carried away. Stella hung on tight, daring not to let go.

The waves where too much. The ship gave a groan as it was hit harder then before. It topped on its side, the weight pulling it straight over. Stella was mildly lucky, she was on the side in the air. She looked down, her feet dangling in the air, the fast advancing water approaching. She closed her eyes, waiting for the impact that would surely come.

Arthur looked for a place to hold onto. He moved quickly even as the waves jarred the ship Arthur managed to stay up by sheer skill. He could have flown but right at the moment that thought did not enter his mind. Arthur managed to get to the side railing before a powerful wave crashed into the ship pushing it on its side. Arthur looked down at the water below him as the ship began to turn over upside down. He knew that people in the bottom deck would die if they did not get out. THen the thought of his wings popped in his head and he let his dragon wings go. He managed to jump off before the ship plunged into the crashiing waves. He noticed the girl he had seen earlier holding onto to a peaice of broken rail from the ship. He knew he could not save those trapped under the ship the waves were to strong even for him. He transformed into his full dragonic state. The 12 foot half-dragon then flew toward the girl and appeared above her his tail hanging in front of the rail and he said," Here grab on, these waves can kill you". He then waited for the jerk on his tail.

Stella stared in shock as a dragon appeared before her. She whimpered. Then he spoke, and it was the voice of the man who had tried to open the door. "Here grab on, these waves can kill you". he ordered, his tail close to her. She held out a hand hesitently, and felt her body slip. She clung to the railing, shaking. If she let go she faced the possibility of falling, but then again, if she kept holding on like this she would plummet to her death.

She ship was sinking FAST. She reached out on more time, reaching for the tail, all the while her arm holding onto the rail slipping. She reached out further, when her hand on the rail fell off completely. She fell a slight bit, but the hand reaching out managed to grasp somthing. His tail! She clung on, pulling herself closer to it. She closed her eyes in fear as the lightning flashed, and the rain picked up. She hates lightning.

Screams could be heard from those in the ship, but nothing could be done. The front half was already submerged, and to try and rescue them would mean there deaths. There was nothing they could do. She tried to ignore their pleas, her heart heavy, her eyes closed tightly for fear of the lightning.

Arthur finally felt the grab on his tail and he grunted slightly even if he was ready for it. He listned to the people cry out for help as he floated there and he was sadenned because he could do nothing for them. He looked around quickly for an piece of land where they could be sheltered. Arthur knew an island not to far away. He hoped that he could get their safely without falling or getting struck by lightning. HE looked down at the girl and shouted," Hang on tighly, and if you fall I can catch you, just try not to fall". Arthur then flew low and fast dodging the waves as lightning strikes surrounded him and the girl and he sighed and said to himslef," Why is it never easy".


He hoped that they would both reach the island safely because lightning was dangerous to him at the moment as well as the girl who held on. He finally spotted the island in the distance as the lightning crashed aloing enough light to see it. He then said to the girl," There is an island over there, we should be safe there so hold on". He then flew toward the island praying to Lothemendil that he was not hit by lightning.

She barely heard his words, even though she was so close to him. "Hang on tightly, and if you fall I can catch you, just try not to fall". Stella shuddered, tightening her grip on his tail. She also had no wish to fall. She opened her eyes a little, the screams of the people now faded, blown away by the wind. The ferry was but a mast sticking from the ocean, it was completely submerged. She looked away saddened.

Lightning struck around then, and Stella gasped in fright. She would reply to the man, but fear held her tongue in place. She dared now not even close her eyes. The where flying THROUGH the storm, lightning missing them by inches. Her hope was in this strangers ability to manoeuvre, and so far he was doing well. "There is an island over there, we should be safe there so hold on", he shouted, and she nodded briefly, noticing the island now and then as it was lit up but the lightning. She had never seen it before, and she hoped it was inhabited. Her hair clung to her back, water dripping from every inch of her. Stella's glow seemed brighter in the absence on the moon. But it was not because she was happy. She was afraid.

Soon the island's beach was below them, the storm raging to their left out to sea. It was raining here, but at least the raging winds and lightning was behind them now. As was the lives of their fellow passengers.

Arthur soon saw the island below them. The island was windswept but other wise untouched by the crashign waves and the falling lightning. Arthru was glad that the island was safe from the brunt force of the storm. He landed on the beach safely making sure the girl did not fall. Once on the beach Arthur detransformed to his human state and looked about the island looking for any kind of shelter. Arthur knew speaking would be hard in the wind so he pointed to an outcropping in the island. Outcroppings usually held shelter.

Arthurn held out his hand toward the girl and pointed again to the outcropping as if to say follow me. Arthur was not sure if this was the island he knew of because in the storm he barely recognized anything. Arthur then started toward the outcropping looking for shelter against the wind and rain.

Stella thought landing would be difficult due to force of the wind, but the man managed it. Releasing his tail, she stood looking around. The palm tree's where bent, almost snapping, and the sand blew around like its own storm. She turned to the now human man, and he gestured to some nearby rocks. She nodded once, then followed him, close at his side.

Sand whipped her face, and her hair dried instantly. She wasn't sure where they where, but all she knew was that they where mildly safe. The wind was not as bad here, as the storm moved away from them, but for the time being shelter was required. Her hair whipped her face, and she pushed it away, shivering. The smell of salt was strong, and it burned her tongue. Her glow was faint as her sadness for the deaths they had left behind set in.

It was dark, the moon hidden behind a curtain of blackened clouds. Her glow serviced as a light, but they would need to start a fire soon. For heat more then anything. It was freezing! Stella hugged herself, keeping her head down.

The outcropping had been as hard to reach as he had expected the wind and rain pushing against him. The salt in the air burning aginst his lips and a bit at his eyes. Arthur weathered it as would a rock against the crushign sea would for ages till it finally gave away. Arthur however was stronger than stone and he would not wear against time and the waves that it brought. Finally they reached the out cropping and as Arthur expected there was a cave and it had a bit of water flowing into it from the sea. It would be enough for now. He clibed udner the rocks taking his steps carefully so as not to fall into the water. He managed to make the way sfaely enough that it had proved a slight trail for the girl. He then looked into the cave, it was damp and dark but still it would provice enough shelter even if the wind brought a little wetness in. He noticed some beachwood at the edge of the cave,beachwood burned well enough to provide a fire but right now it eould be wet. He gathhered it up anyway and went in the cave. He set the beachwood aside said to the girl," We should be safe for now, no fire yet though, the beachwood is not dry so we will have to wait".

The man managed to find them a shelter. The cave was damp, but it would do. Following him in she glanced at the wood he had pointed out, and spoke to him for the first time. "I have a spell that will light it too." She replied, then sat down on a little ledge. It was damp but she hardly cared. Her glow lit up the cave, its small walls sparkling as the water was lit up.

She sat in silence for a bit, but she never had liked silence. It was somthing she thought that was asking to be filled. She turned to the man. "T..thank you for saving me. Who knows where I'd be if you hadn't." Stella herself had a pretty good idea. She would probably be at the bottom of the ocean right now, along with the ferry. She pushed the image from her thoughts.

"My names Stella." She held out her hand, and managed a smile.

Arthur looked at her as she spoke and Arthur smile. He was only doing what he had been able to do at the time, it was what he had been unable to do that naged at him. Arthur knew what had happened to the people in the ship most were dead. The others well he knew they had slim chance of survival in the storm. Arthur said to her," Its no problem, I just wish I had been able to do more, even I am no match for the sea". He had a hard time admitting that even to himself, dragons often found it hard to belive they did not control the world they lived in. For all their power they could not make headway against nature.

Arthur then said," Iam Arthur Paendrag Tanreall, you may call me Arthur though". Arthur smiled at her and then began to look to himself. Arthur could bear wet clothes and the like being a half-dragon had its advantages. He was more worried if he had lost anything. Luckily for him he had not and everything he had brought lay with him. Arthur then looked at the girl and said," Are you okay no harm came to you".

Stella was running her fingers through her silvery blond hair when he asked her if she was okay. Sweeping the lock of hair behind her ear she smiled. "I'm fine." She looked herself over. Well... she felt fine anyway, just slightly shaken. She looked over at him.

"Are you okay? " She hoped he was. She knew no healing spells, only those really to attack. Stella had been told by a Nobel in Lomedor that women did not fight, but how could Stella just sit around and do nothing while a war went on? The wind outside was now a gentle whistle. Stella stood up and stretched, then sighed. "I wonder where we are..." She murmured. The sound of dripping water rang through her head over and over. Silence again. She turned and sat back down.

Another thing she hated. Sitting still.

Arthur smiled at her and said," I am fine, nothing missing and I have seen worse things than that". Arthur then sat back and looked at the cave he did not recognize it so this maybe was not the island he knew. Ofcourse he had not explored all of it but still he did not see what he saw in the caves on the idlsnd he knew. Arthur then said to somethign she asked," I am not sure, I was hoping this was Haudhiaur Island, but it does not seem so". He then checked the wood by him it had dried a little and he knew it would burn. Arthur put the wood to together in a pile and smiled and said," The wood is dry enough, I can't light it I have no flint, but you said you have magic to do it, please do". He could have blew fire on it but that woudl risk hurting the girl and he did not want to take that chance.

Arthur then looked out at the storm it did not look any less ferocious and did not look to be slowing any time soon. HE then said," We will be stuck here throughout the night I belive, the storm may subside by morning". THen they would have to fidn away off. Ofcourse he coudl fly off the island but he woudl stay and help the girl because that was the hoborable thing to do.

Stella nodded at his request and drew out her wand. Standing it up she pointed it and wood and took a deep breathe. "SPARK!" She yelled, as one jumped from her want, landing on the fire. It came to life, blazeing, a warm gush of air spreading throughout the cave.

Smiling, the returned her want, and sat back down. When he spoke of staying the night, Stella's childish instincts returned. She has never speant the night ALONE with a man before. She blushed. How old are you, 12?! Act your age! her mind scolded her, but it was right. She may look 17, but Stella was most likely older then this planet. She shuffled, then cleared her throat. She was being rather childish. She looked the fire. "I have a spell... its called float. It may help me get off the island, if i can maintain it, and float over the water." She looked up at him. "That is when they storm calms down." She heaved a sigh and crossed her legs on the ledge, getting comfy.

They where going to be here for a LONG time.

Arthur watched the fire spark up at the wand and he smiled. He knew magic but mostly battle magic he had no real practicle spells for everyday use unless you consider his control over the winds. Even that would only offer some protection now. He listned to her talk about getting off and he knew it would slightly work. He said," Float I have heard of that spell. It doesn't work very long if I remember correctly, and plus there is the chance of the occasional Kraken or Leviathin or Water Dragon popping up".

He was not lying he knew enough of the sea to know what dangers it had. He then said," Better if you built a boat or raft of some sort, or either look to see if the island is inahbited". Of course if it was there was a chance the natives were not friendly. Arthur then stoked the fire and put more wood on it and it grew and then the cave started to grow warmer.Arthur then said to the girl," For now we get dry by the fire and we wait for the storm to subside, hopefully we can find something we can use t oget off the island tommorow, its not safe traveling alone especially for a young girl"

Stella scowled. "I'm not as young as i may appear." She said cryptically, watching the fire as it blazed hotter. Resting her head on the cave wall she considered his plans. She was a rubbish builder... so that was out of the question. But the island, it could hold some inhabitants. She smiled, determined. When the storm blew over that was exactly what she would do.

She sat staring at the fire. Silence again... she shook her head. "Tell me about yourself." She asked, still watching the fire. The silence was killing her. Stella's bast was not fascinating, but she always found other peoples immensely so. She had listened to their talked of hardships, love, loss and even war, and she found herself wishing she had a past she could tell without getting weird looks, and some times mistrust.

The waves rolled and crashed and smashed, as waves in a storm tend to do. Coalescing, forming, tumbling, breaking. A perfect cycle. And amid it all was a small barrel. As each wave formed the barrel rose up higher and higher onto the crest, before tumbling amid the thunderous tumult down, down and back into the body of water below; the sea. Above the howling of the wind and the crashing of the waves and the patter of the rain was another sound. It went a little like this;

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We're rascals, scoundrels, villans, and knaves,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho."

For a barrel to be making this racket is rather curious indeed. A curious barrel. The said barrel continued on its journey through the waves and the storm, with each rise and all coming a little nearer until eventually, as all flotsam and jetsam will, it drifted ashore.

Then the curious barrel did something that made it positively queer. It began to roll. Not back into the water, but sideways, along the beach. Until it hit a rock, that is.

"Ow!" said the barrel.

In actual fact the barrel said a lot more than just 'Ow', but there'd be no sense in writing that. Back to the barrel. From inside the barrel came the muffled sounds of movement. The barrel shuddered a moment, then lay still. A sword blade appeared in the lid of the barrel, cutting the edge of the sealed lid. It completed a full circle, then returned inside. A few more muffled sounds later, the lid fell away and man appeared, revealing that it was not such a queer barrel after all.

The mans name was Jack, or 'Captain' Jack if you please. In one hand he held an empty bottle, in the other, his sword. He wore and odd assortment of garments and a hat atop his hair. Hair which contained several dreadlocks and a ponytail. Captain Jack smiled. He had arrived.

Arthur looked at her and smiled, the girl wanted to seem older he would let her. He knew not to let appearances decieve him so het let it go. Arthur stoked the fire and sighed when she asked him about himself. Arthur then said," Well as you now know I am a half-dragon, my father is a dragon, my mother human, so I'll live as long as any elf but like them Iam only partialy immortal. My name as I said is Arthur Paendrag Tanreall, I am a Spell Warrior, a performer, and a Seeker of Truth. I was once the famed Evil Dragon Slayer Arthur Pendragon, but I retired 4 to 5 months ago. Now my callin is hunting shadowspawn, restoring what is rightfully mine, and serving the light in whatever way I can".

Arthur paused and too ka breath and then continued by saying," And thats the short version, if I told the long version we would be here till tommorow at noon." Arthur guessed it was that sometimes he told it quicker but his life was a logn story and it would be longer by the fact that he was a half-dragon. Arthur then said," And you what about you, your not exactly human, I mean the humans I know don't glow".

Stella nodded. "Yes, normal humans DON'T glow... I'm not human... well... i wasn't ALLWAYS human lets say that." She shuffled around, getting more comfy. "I was once a star, the brightest in the sky." She boasted, then sighed. "But I'd been alive longer then the earth, and so i burned up... died. So, Guardian of the stars - Vaul, granted me this here body." She entered over herself, then smiled.

"I glow because i am still a star so to speak, is a star elemental." She glanced at the fire briefly, then sighed. "All the spells i no seem to have a connection to the stars, but recently.. I've found some thing else i like. Ice spells. They fascinate me." She listened to the wind.

Arthur looked at the girl he wasn't suprised he had seen far stranger things than this in the world. So the girl had been a star and partially was one still. This reminded him of an old story and he wondered if there was any truth to it. Arthur then said," I have met The Guardian of The Stars, he was once a guildmaster oif mine, but it was long ago, still he is an honorable man if a strange one". Arthur tried to rid himself of the thought of what her being a star could mean for him, he already had what he needed but the thoughts of life eternal kept flowing into him. He tried to get the thoughts out with another statement, he said," I am a bit of a magic person myself, of course being a half-dragon magic is in my blood, but I tend to specialize in Summoning and Air spells, as well as fire, I only know one spell to do with the stars. I use ut only when necessary though".

Arthurs thoughts finally got the better of him even as he tried to fight and he asked," Tell me, is it true that if your heart is at peace, and someone cuts it out and eats it, oes it grant them life eternal". Arthur then realized he had asked it and mentally kicked himself and said," I am sorry, I shouldn't have asked that, but thoughts of an old story got to my head". Arthu then waited to see if she would answer.

Stella listened as he spoke of the tale she had also heard, and she looked into the fire thoughtfully. It was rare to see a falling star, and so she wasn't sure what would happen should one fall. But there was the possibility. She looked up to him, still thoughtful. "I... would think so, though I'm not entirely sure. It's not everyday a falling star... well... falls, so i wouldn't no, but i would think so. I'm immortal so..." She trailed off. But would living forever wasn't exactly a good thing.

She sighed, then looked up to him. "My glow has healing properties. A blind girl could see me because of my glow." She smiled. "It was nice." The wind still seemed to be raging, but the fire was keeping them warm. She picked up a twig from the floor and threw it into the flames, where it ignited. She glanced up at Aurthur. "I... i no this a silly question BUT... How, i mean, how long do dragons live? I've never met one, so meeting a half dragon is kinda cool"

The storm continued to build, the wind howling faster than ever sending the rain slanting sideways into Jacks face. Lightning split the sky and thunder rolled, the two inseparable partners of nature dancing across the clouds. Jack was soaked to the skin just a few moments after clambering from the barrel. His hat was full of water and he could have sworn that his sword was rusting even as he walked.

He was looking for somewhere dry and safe to spend the night, but the lashing rain meant that he could see no further than two yards ahead. Finally realizing the futility of his wanderings, Jack reached for his compass. He flipped the lid and watched as the needle span at random. He marshaled his scattered thoughts, forcing himself to ignore the cold and the rain and the wind. He thought hard about the thing he wanted most in the world, which at this point it transpired, was a bottle of rum. The needle pointed straight to his left hand where, as the compass had realized, he held an empty rum bottle.

Blast it all thought Jack, flinging the empty bottle as far as he could in his slightly inebriated state. He sat down in the sand and concentrated hard. I want a safe place. I want a fire. He chanted to himself, eyes closed.

He opened his eyes a moment later and the needle had fixed once more. It pointed off into the dark, in the opposite direction to the rum bottle. Jack diligently followed.

Arthur smiled that she had answered his question, the reason was because he himself was part of a tale that many belived was a myth. He had the sword at his side that proved it wasn't. Arthur sighed to himself, he was not worried about her not knowing, he was more worried about those who did. Arthur then heard her ask him somethign and Arthur chuckled a bit. He then said," Dragons are partial immortal, meaning they will live forever but they can still die, either by blade, poison, or sikcness, there are some dragons still alive today that have been around since the creation of the world". Arthur paused a bit and then said," Half-dragons well it matters, how far the blood goes, you see since my father is a dragon I am partial immortal so I can live forever, yet I can die". Arthur paused a bit stoking the fire since it was beginnign to grow low. Then he continued by saying," Now my children will be the same as me, and as will theirs, until the 40th generation, after that they will live no more than 5,000 years, and it will steadly decrease till when they live only 500, and there it stops because once dragon blood is in you it never leaves".

Arthur paused to put more wood on the fire and watched it grow before continuing with the last fact he said," It also matter on the dragon, say if it was a lesser dragon like a fly dragon, their offspring would last only till the 10, so it sometiems matter on this size and type of dragon on how long the generations of partial immortals last, and since my father is a War Dragon, my partial immortal line will last longer than any, before me".

Arthur then looked at the girl and said," Hope that answers it, thats the what I understood it to mean when it was explained by my father, the only problem is, me, my father, and my siblings will outlive my mother, unless we give her our blood or the gods grant her enternal life, I think my mother would not choose either, I know her well enough to see that".

Who knew Half dragons lives where this complicated?! She added the sums up carefully. Gah math wasn't her best subject... she looked at him thoughtfully. "Give her your blood?" She had found that alarming. What did that mean? Hurt themselves? Images flooded through her head and she stifled a gasp. That was a weird thing... her eyes widened.

"Will she be okay!? Will the blood giver be okay?!" She demanded, then her attention was caught on something else. A man entered the cave, holding a compass. Stella frowned. She wasn't aware that anyone else had been on this island. She stood up and held out her hand. "Please come in, are you okay?" She asked, then moved over on her ledge, making room for him.

She reached into her pocket, and pulled out some chocolate and some candy canes. "This is all the food I have..." She mumbled. She knew it wasn't much, but it was all she had. She offered them around, grinning. Chocolate was the highlight of her life, she hoped the other two felt the same way. It was gooooood stuff.

Arthur chuckled at her questions, to him and other dragons, half-dragons, and the elves that what she asked was common knwoledge. HE did not expect her to know but it was funny just the same. He said," There are 2 offical ways for a dragon to give blood, there is a third unnofical one, it is rarely done though. The first way is we cut ourself, and the person cuts them selves and we touch each other with our blood thus the dragon blood is transfered, that however will only last to the 5th generation, the second ways is if the person is dying and losing blood fast we cut ourselves in diffrent way and more blood goes into the person, that wil llast longer than any, it is only done if the person is dying though. The third way, well if the dragon is dying and wants to live on, he gives his life to the person and his blood and his soul somehow becomes part of them, the person remains the same, but he has lots of dragon in him.". HE paused breifly lettign what he said sink in then he said," Or you can just give them the Dragons Gift, but that is more rarely done than the three, only 4 times in history has a dragons gift been given".

He then saw a person outside and Star called out to this person. Arthur did put his hand to his sword just in case this person meant harm. Arthru then said to him," Come in sit by the fire. Warm your bones till the storm is over".

Jack was shocked when he actually found the pair sitting under a rock. He was still rather inebriated and the storm had forced him to keep his head down, so he hadn't seen them. The light flickered and Jack could see their faces. One was just a little girl and the other looked to be a fighter of some description.

Still, they looked friendly enough so Jack took a seat as close to the fire as he could bare. After a moment his clothes began to steam, making small popping noises as the water evaporated. The girl spoke to him, offering food.

"No thanks love" he said, "Rum'd be nearer the mark, and I don't suppose a little'un like you 'ud carry it." He turned to face the larger one, "Hmm? Have ye any? A little drop for old Jackie-boy?"

Arthur lip curled up in a smurk at the man it not that he did not like him but the man smelled of liquor enough for two people. THe onyl way he knew that ofcourse was his dragon nose. Even though he was not in his form he could smell and see as clrealy as any dragon. Arthur answered the mans question by saying," I don't carry rum on me, I only carry what is neccessary for my survival, and rum is not on the list".

Arthur had a strange feelign that this man was more than he seemed and also he might not have been on the ship that had ferried them. Of course Arthur was just being cautious, one of his number one rules was you could never be to over cautious. His caution had saved his life mroe than once so he decided he woudl keep an eye on the man. Arthur then looked at Star and said," I'd put that food away till later, or either eat it now, in the heat it won't last long"

Arthru looked outside and observed the storm and shook his head sighing and then looked at the man and said," You were lucky to find thsi cave, even with my good eye sight I barely noticed it in the storm, otherwise we would have been swept away, still I cannot help but wonder. Were you on the ferry as well"?

Jack enjoyed the heat of the fire, it seemed to wash over him in waves, drying his sodden clothes and comforting him at the same time. It was indeed good luck that his compass had chosen such a particularly good spot. The beardy one was speaking to him.

"Perhaps in the buying of the wondrous and frankly beautiful delicacy of which you speak, you may inadvertently and improbably, possibly, find in your seeking of it, a little less grumpiness?" he paused, "I was on the ferry, true enough, in a manner of sorts."

He looked over to the girl. How in Loth's name had a little girl escaped the raging torrent of that stormy sea? Perhaps it had something to do with the beardy one. He looked a bit odd, as though he was not entirely normal. Jack shrugged off the thought.

(OCC: Just a side note Arthur is in human form, check my description in my signature to see what he looks like in human form)

Arthur eyed the man in a wry way but said nothing. He only stocked the fire higher and made sure that it could hold through the night. Silence except for the storm outside filled the cave and Arhtur let his thoughts wonder. He knew how he would get off the island but the other two presented a problem. HE could build a raft, he had learned how long ago when he had to survive on an island when his wing had broken. For now however he decidd to let it wait till morning when the storm subsided. Arthur then said," It would be wise to take watches during the night, high tide is one thing to worry about, yet so are the animals on the isle, I wouldn't liek it if well one of the more dangerosu creatures crept in on us". Arthur paused for a bit and then said,' SO if you don't mind, I will take the ifrt, and you will take the second and we wil llet the girl sleep if thats okay".

Stella listened as they spoke, just staring at the fire. It seemed all the new man wanted was rum - somthing neither Stella nor Arthur had. When Arthur brought up the subject of sleeping in shift, she blushed as their plans worked around her. She waved her arms around as she blushed, feeling a little silly. "Uh... well see, the thing is, i don't sleep - i cant sleep." She put one of her arms round her neck of her head and laughed, feeling abit foolish.

"So... i can take ALL the watches. Both of you just sleep when you like." She smiled, then relaxed, putting her hands on her lap and interlocking their fingers. "I don't mind." She began to look into the fire again, lost in her own thoughts. This island had an odd presence, and she felt a strange simularity too it. Every place, every person, animal and plant had its own presence, and Stella reconised this one.

It reminded her of the time her and a moogle had been stranded here. Well, the moogle had, Stella had Fallen here. If she remembered corectly, a Pirates cove was on this island, and that was the place she was attacked. Her mind began raceing. The island could be infested with pirates. She eyed the new man uncertain. Was he a pirate? Where they in danger? She dared not voice her opinions in fear of an attack from the man. She would wait for him to sleep, and speak to Arthur in private.

((Apologies for my mistake, I have edited it.))

The beardy one was watching him. Ordinarily this would have made Jack slightly nervous or even suspicious. Had they met before? Jack didn't think so but he had met so many grim warriors over the years that they all just blurred into one. How was he supposed to know one beardy scarred man from another?

Jack sat there in a stupor as the other two talked. He was tired and covered in bruises from his little excursion in the barrel. Besides, he was dry now and the warmth of the fire was so cosy and relaxing. His head began to droop, his shoulders sagged a little and after a moment, he was unconscious. He snored loudly, dreaming a beautiful dream, lost to the world.

"Parley?" he muttered.

(salright happens all the time)

Arthur shook his head at what the girl said. It was not right for her to take all of them and well Arthur was used to staying awake for days on end. There were a few things you got used to doing when you were once a dragon slayer.Arthur said to the girl," No, no, you may not sleep, but I like to be cautious, caution has saved my life alot of times, so I will take wtch as well, besides, I can stay up for days on end if need be".

Arthur knew that could cause question among some people but to her it probably would not. She might just assume it part of his dragon heritage. Arhtur then saw the man droop idown to sleep and soon he was muttering in his sleep. It sounded liek parley but then again Arthur could be wrong. Still it was wise to be watchfull. Arthur then said to the girl," Well we will let him sleep, better I think that way, its not that I don't trust, its just that caution tells me to, that or reason". He chuckled to himself and then sat back and put his head against the wall. He then started to hum to himself and just enjoyed the sound of the rain and wind.

Stella glanced down as the pirate fell asleep, mumbling as he did. Her eyes where soon averted to Arthur, who seemed displeased with her offer. "No, no, you may not sleep, but I like to be cautious, caution has saved my life a lot of times, so I will take watch as well, besides, I can stay up for days on end if need be". He told her, and she nodded, dropping the subject, instead letting the silence be filled with the sound of the pounding rain and the raging winds.

She still felt uneasy. The memory of the last time she was here kept raging through her mind, mental images emerging, things she wished she could forget. She looked down at the floor ashamed. Weakness... Stella hated showing weakness. She may be young - childish even, but she wasn't weak. She... couldn't be weak. She lifted her head, a face washed away from all emotion, like a blank canvas. She looked to Arthur.

"I... think I've been her before. This island... there's a pirates cove... and he..." She indicated to the man sleeping on the floor. "I think, no wait, i know hes a pirate!" She sighed, then scowled at the wall behind Arthurs head. "All i want to know is.. so you trust him?" If he trusted him, then so would Stella. She had come to respect Arthur, and his judgement was one she could find herself understanding, following. He didn't seem a cruel man, and her respect for him was high, specially after his rescuing of her. She held his gaze, her eyes curious.

Arthur listned to her supscions and looked at the man. He took everythign he could in of him, making sure he missed nothing. Finally Arthur said," Never trust someone until you fully know them, I don't trust him. I don't trust humans easily, in any case". The only peopel he tursted easy were Women, angels, elves, and the good of his own kind but he would not say that unless she asked. Arthur smiled at the girl when she said she thought the man was a pirate.

Arthru did not know but something was odd about the man and what it was Arthru could not tell. Arthur then said," If he is a pirate and there are pirates on this island, ell if they come after us, they will be in one big pile of trouble". His eyes glinted malicously at that, he showed no mercy to anyone who wanted to hurt innocent people, especially women. If the pirates came to hurt them they woud find that they were no easy meat.Arthur then sighed and said," Don't worry I doubt anyone besides him knows were here, and I will be keeping my eyes on him".

Stella kept her eyes on the man on the floor as he spoke. She was happy that he trusted her enough to beleive her, and was even more happy that he had the same suspicions. She glanced up at Arthur, and grinned. "If any pirates come, i can fight too.." She said, her voice mysterious, her innocence on the blink.

At first glance Stella looked like a sweet girly girl, but in truth, she was a pretty powerful mage, and had defeated many enemies. But a band of pirates had captured her last time, who was to say the same wouldn't happen again? She felt a little worried at the thought, but didn't think much of it. She had to remain confident. The wind still seemed powerful, and she wondered if it would ever die down.

"You sleep, I'll keep watch". She smiled at Arthur, and fidgeted to get more comfy, and took a bite of her chocolate they had both refused. It was slowly melting, and she frowned. An idea struck her, and she acted on it. Putting on her Winters Embrace, she held her hand above the chocolate, slowly cooling it down. A slight mist was radiating around her, but she soon took the jacket off when the chocolate was at a normal temperature. Much better! She nibbled on it, sighing at the great taste.

Arthur smiled at when the girl told him to sleep. He was not tired not by a long shot, but it couldn't hurt to get a little rest. As Arthur leaned back he felt slight chill in the air and sensed it was magical. Arthur only smiled knowing where it came from. Slowly the storm lulled him to sleep and soon Arthur entered his dreams. Arthur after awhile started mutterign as well, but he muttered," It is mien and mine alone. it is mine by right". That was all the sound that you would here as the night passed on.

Resting her head on the wall being was relaxing. Cool, refreshing. She planned on spending this time to catch up on her thoughts, and perhaps plan an escape of this island... if this was indeed the same island she had been on. She looked at the two sleeping men and began to try simulate a plan route where they could get off. Arthur began to stir, mumbling things in his sleep. What was his? She stifled a laugh, then glanced about. Using her spark spell she re-kindled the fire, unsure of what to do.

The wind seemed to have calmed down a little, and so Stella made her way out of their sanctuary. The wind was still powerful, but she kept her head down and began to look around the wooded area. Not much to see really.. tree's, sure, rocks, great. But ahead she heard a hollow knocking sound, then laughter. Hideing behind a particularly large tree trunk, Stella watched, her breathe held.

A group of large and rough looking men where scouting the area, there voices gruff and their appearences unkempt. They seemed to be muttering about somthing... searching. When they had passes, she quietly made her way back to the safety of their hide out, checking to make sure she wasn't being followed. Once inside, she curled up on her little ledge, and began to re-think her plans. It seemed pirates where about, and looking for somthing. Things had gotten more complicated, and fast.

Arthus sleep went undisturbed for the most part. Occasionaly things would slip in. THings of the future things of the present, and past. THis was regular in dragon dreams ofcourse but it was hard to get used to them. Arthur still muttered in his sleep and sat up straight when a dlight crunch on stone was heard. He saw the girl had gone off and he growled and shook his head. No one who was smart would go out in that very far so he fuguyred she would be back then he would have a talk with her.

When the girl came back Arthur fiegned sleep for a bit then walked softly to where the girl was perched and said," Have a nice walk then or did you see something". He smiled as he crouched down beside her waiting on hsi answer.

Stella was alarmed as Arthur walked up to her, and blushed slightly, feeling foolish at being cought. "Have a nice walk then or did you see something". Arthur asked, and Stella looked at the ground, ashamed slightly, and also a little bit scared, as she had seen somthing. But should she tell him? And risk him becoming paranoid?

"I..." She shuffled her feet a little bit. "I.. i saw some men - pirates to be exact. I'm sorry i left without telling you" She looked up to meet his gaze for the first time. "I'm also sorry if i woke you" She mumbled as an add on, then sighed a little.

"I'm not sure what they want, but i don't beleive there after this man..." She went on, staring at the sleeping pirate. "But it sure as hell is weird, thats for sure." Once again, she looked up at Arthur with worry. "What shall we do? They might find us!" She went on, feeling slightly hysteric.