Uber packed quietly. He decided to leave before dawn. For some reason he didn't wish to see there faces. He knew that his better judgment would make him stay, and continue the search.

He asked himself several times why was he leaving?

"To hell if I really know." he answered himself several times. Yet,Gunner was right, they were a family. Even though, he thought the Tors were insane half of the time. But in a good way. He looked down at the two things Rand have given to him.

First, the bottomless sack. What a great thing for a traveler like himself to have. He could load enough supplies to give a strong horse a workout. Yet it all disappear in to a tiny pouch that was light as a feather.

Second, his sword. Now enchanted. He picked it up off the bed and drew it from it's scabbard, and almost instantly the sword crackled to life given off a warm, pulsing feeling of power. He shook his head, knowing full well that people paid a king's ransom to acquire such a weapon. Yet, Rand created it to help Merc. Taught him how to use it, and told him it was his til he breathed his last breath. He sighed deeply.

"Sometimes that man's words ........" He couldn't finished his thoughts, as he placed the sword back into it's scabbard. "All the things he's done for me......No! For all of us." He thought. "He's just about bend over backwards for us, and thinks nothing about it. And there isn't a hint, of arrogance or an over does of pride in that man. How does he do it? Did it take forty years of training to make him what he is now?" He shook his head as he finished packing.

As he left the room, he made sure to carefully walk past Rand's room, so the old man wouldn't hear him this time. As soon as he pasted all the rooms, he strapped on his sword onto his back and left the inn. As Uber walked heading for the town's gates, a flood of thoughts entered his mind. With the knowledge and clues that Rand gave him, he should have very little trouble finding out where the ruins are. He was sure that the scriptorium in Fatoria would help him unlock the secrets of these ruins. Yet.........Yet he knew he would find them a whole lot faster with Rand and the others help.

"So why the hell am I leaving?" he just about shouted. He stopped, took a deep breath and forced it out though clenched teeth. "I must make sense of this. To myself, if to anyone."

Uber walked back over towards the inn and took a seat on the stairs leading to the entrance. He leaned back on the stairs, tossed his head back and closed his eyes. He controlled his breathing like Rand taught him. Suddenly his eyes opened, and he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Gods!" he shouted, rising to his feet. "It's the story of my life! Always learning something form someone else. Learning this from Rand. Gunner teaching me his tracking skills. Merc teaching me how to cook, and even Mentokka teaching me to braid my hair, if it ever gets long enough. Did I ever learn anything on my own? I'm being smothered, It's like dealing with........" He stopped himself from saying it. Realization slapping him in the face.

"Like dealing with my.........grandfather."

Uber sat back upon the stairs and rested his chin between his thumb and fore finger and thought back several years ago. His grandfather, Albert Pen. A war hero in the last war in the southern region. Leading a handful of men into the heart of the enemy encampment, they captured the enemy general and killed his second in command. His bold act lead to the end of the war. Albert didn't wish to have phrase heaped upon himself. He though more for his men, but his men thought other wise. He became a national hero overnight. His rank rose Captain to General. At the end of the war, he gave serious thought to retiring to his old life with his wife and child. But the nation needed it's heroes, and he answered it's call.

He became General Albert Pen. Hero of the South. A title he took to heart. Most soldiers look up to him in awe. After the war, he trained the next generation of military leaders. To think with a level head, a strong, clear mind and a heart that was filled love for country and people. But he also pounded into here heads, never to hate others unjustifiably, for that would clearly lead to the path of ruin. Most officers and common soldiers lived by his words. Too bad his son did not take his words to heart.

Albert's son. Thomas grew up in his father's shadow of fame and name recondition, and instead of growing up to maybe walk in his father's footsteps one day. He grew up a womanizer.

At first when he was old enough to accompany his father to dinners or get together with people of equal or greater status. A world of praise was heaped upon him. They really though he would become as great as his father. Uber could only guess he got spoiled by it all. There would be times that he would start drinking and boast about his father's adventures to other officers. Albert being embarrassed would quietly tell him to calm down. Even though Albert loved his son with all his heart. After a while he told his son to no longer accompany him to any more parties. Angered and pouting like the spoiled brat her was, he moved out.

Sometime later, Thomas would come alone to parties.....{Where his father wasn't} He would be decked out in a uniform of his own. He would tell some that he was joined up years ago, and others that he just sighed up. He starting telling stories that his father told him, only to twist it around to make himself the hero of the stories. He quickly discovered that the uniform had one very definite advantage: it attracted women. He was not sure why, but it was undeniable that women who had scarcely glanced his way in the past now stared at him with hungry eyes and looked for excuses to talk with him. He would tell them, since he did not know when he would get sent off on a mission that could easily end up in capture or mutilation, he refused to make any sort of long term arrangements, but did spare a little time with a particularly eager or attractive young women back at him home.

About a year later, Thomas son was born. Neither mother or father seem to have time for raising him, so he was placed in the care of Thomas parents. Even though, they were reaching an age that it was hard to raise a child. They raised him as if he was there second child. They even gave him the name of Thomas like his father.

As he grew, he saw little of his father and even less of his mother. So he saw his grand parents as he true parents. His grand mother how to read and write, and Albert would teach him to be a strong, well disciplined young man. Nothing like his son. For many years he was hard on the boy. Teaching everything he knew about respecting others. The young boy felt like he was being smothered by the older man. He knew it was for his own good. But he never had the chance to speak his mind when he was around him. When he reached sixteen years of age. He enlisted in the army. The truth was, he needed to get away from the old man. Yet when Albert saw him in his uniform, he never felt prouder.

Even though it was a time of peace, he worked hard in his assigned tasks and rose up in the ranks rather quickly. It was this time when he ran into his father. He saw what a life of parting, drinking could do. He looked as old as his father and a little over forty. It was also learned that him mother was sent away by her parents when they found out she was pregnant. For the longest he thought that she didn't love him. But he wished her father told him this.

After finishing his time in the military he when to see his mother. It took several day to reach the small mansion And to his shock, she refuse to meet him. The servant told him that she had no son named Thomas. Angrily he confronted his father about this. He muttered something stupid, only to enrage him even more. After leaving him. He came to a decision that would change his life as he knew it. He would drop his name of Thomas Pen. He thought the name of Albert. But he wanted to get out of his shadow also. So after a couple of days of thinking about it. He gave himself the name of Uber Pendragon.

Why Uber? A name that had no meaning. Kind of stupid. And he was sure no one else had such a name. Why Pendragon? He couldn't count how name people called themselves that name these days. So why not?

And this was what he felt when he was around Rand. That feeling of being smothered. But this was different. It was being with his grandmother. Showed him nothing but respect. But it was always second fiddle to him. He would always fall behind Rand. The man was a true leader, but Uber was sick of talking a back seat to Rand.

"The search for those ruins belong to me!" he shouted. "But he was going to lead it. I'm just as qualified as he is. I wanted Merc to join me, but she ends up Rand student. I hired Gunner. But he's enthralled with Mentokka, Rand niece. And now Rand hires him for himself. By the Gods! He's killing me."

And his weapon he used was truly terrible......It was kindness.

Uber shook his head and rose to his feet. He finally understood. He should feel glad, but he didn't. He felt awful. Blaming his problems on a man that did nothing other then being himself. A Leader. He looked up at the still dark skies and sighed deeply.

"I better leave now." He thought as he turned and begin walking towards the town gates.

"I think we need to talk, Uber." A voice called out.

He stopped, but didn't turn around. "Reading minds again, Rand." he said with a touch a irritation in his voice. "If so, you know what I'm thinking."

"I didn't need to," Rand said walking towards him. "Your thoughts were so strong it woke me up. I didn't know you felt that way about me."

"I do.......but please don't take it personal. It's me. It's something I must come to grips with. Something I MUST do alone."

"Were not here to stop you, Boss," Another voice called out. It was Gunner. "Were here to see you off."

"But you also have to understand, you don't have to leave, you know." It was Mentokka. "That's right. Gunner is right. We are a family."

"But, Tors are NOT crazy!" It was Tosh. "Well, at least I'm not crazy."

"That's open for debate." It was Merc. "You know we can work this out together. But it is up to you."

She's right you, know." Rand said. "We're all here for you. To offer our help, or to see you off."

Uber smiled. He walked down the line of them. He hugged Rand, Tosh and Gunner. Kissed Merc and Mentokka on the cheek. And made his way out of the town though the city gates.

"You know something," Mentokka said to Tosh. "I got this strange feeling were not going to see him again for a while."

"I hope your wrong, sis." he replied softly. "But I feel it also."

Everyone looked at each other then slowly went back to there rooms.

Gunner stretched and yawned loudly. That was the cue that his storytelling was just about over. And the fact that he was talking for more then three hours.

"That was a great story, Gunner," Rand said coming to his feet and walking towards him. "I'm happy you survived such an ordeal with you wits mostly intact. I look forward to hearing the rest of your tale."

"I agree," Tosh said. "I can't wait to hear what happens to Elly and Nianna." He gave Gunner a wry smile.

"I bet you do, Tosh." Mentokka said in a slightly angry tone in her voice. Tosh sighed inwardly. For he had a good idea what his kid sister would say. {You men are ALL alike} But she wasn't alone. Merc was most likely feeling the same kind of disgust that Mentokka was.

Tosh was about to say something, then he remembered what happened the last time these two ganged up on him. {Beaten half to death}

Tosh slightly slumped his shoulders, muttered that he was sorry, turned and walked towards the door, exiting the restaurant and headed towards the Inn.

Rand seeing this smiled. He told the girls, not to be 'too' hard on Tosh and Gunner. Mentokka was about to say something angrily towards her uncle. But she remembered the last time Merc and she teamed up against someone. {Taken down with a rapid sleep spell}

Mentokka was still to say something to his uncle, but she felt a hand placed onto her shoulder. It was Merc. She looked over to Merc, and she slowly shook her head at her. Mentokka sighed, and started to head in to the room she shared with Merc. But Rand called to her.

"Didn't you want to talk to me about something, little girl?"

"Oh that's right!" Mentokka said walking back towards her Uncle and talking a seat. Rand sat down facing her. "I almost forgot."

Neither of the two said nothing at first. Gunner, Uber and Merc thought that this was something that they wished to talk about in private. Shorty after Merc went into her room, Gunner and Uber left the restaurant to go to the inn. Mentokka spoke.

She told him about what happened to her after the magical trial. She told him of the dream she had of her in the partly burned dress she wore during the trial.The hot flashes she was feeling, especially around her breast and between her legs. The vision of her older self in the frozen ice.

Seeing the way she sat uncomfortably in her seat. Rand asked her, did she really wanted him to hear this. For he knew that he was about to hear things about her feelings about sex or something in that nature. Mentokka paused for a moment, looked away for a second, and told him that she wanted him to hear everything that she saw in the dream. And shortly after when Mentokka freed her older self from the ice. Rand asked her to describe what she looked like.

"It was like I was looking at an older version of myself."

"Was there anything different about her?" Mentokka paused for a moment. No doubt thinking about it. Then she spoke.

"Her hair was thicker then mines. But it was braided up as mines is." Rand asked her was there anything else. "My.......I mean her......" She stopped herself and shook her head. "Her breasts were larger......fuller then mines. Also her thighs were thicker then mines. Rand stopped her there

He asked her what did she think of her older self? She told him that she was beautiful. She said it without hesitation. But Rand could tell that something was troubling her about what she just said. He pressed her on it.

"I didn't change!" Mentokka shouted. "I look the same. "Other then larger tits, and thicker hair and thighs. I didn't change one bit!"

Rand kept silent give her time to let go of some of the frustration she was feeling. Tears were welling up in her eyes when she spoke, but she roughly wiped then away. Not letting her uncle see her tears fall. Rand spoke his words carefully.

"There is no need to get upset, little girl" Rand told her, taking her hands in his. "The magic in you is like looking at a mirror at yourself. It take a special image of you, and give it form."

"A special image of me?" Mentokka asked, slightly confused. Rand nodded in agreement.

"How many times you've talked about what your going to do when you get older?" Rand said. "But you never said what you'll look like."

Rand waited to let that sink in. "You see, little girl. The fact that you never said what you look like The magic can only go with what is there. An older version of you as you are."

Mentokka eyes went wide, as the realization of Rand words seeped in. "Are you saying that image of me is not what I'm going to look like when I get older?"

"The future is NOT carved in stone, little girl. The future.........Your future is what you make of it. If your magic is anything like mines. It's is there to help and serve you. Remember this, little girl."

The look of relief on Mentokka's face was a beautiful thing. She embraced her uncle and held onto him tightly, saying how happy she was.
Rand always treasured when he held Mentokka like this. For he knew these days won't last.

"Someday soon, she will go out and find the meaning of her own life." Rand thought sadly. "I know its selfish of me, but I wish my little girl, never leaves. She really is the center of my world." Yet and knew these longing feelings last for only a short time. Mentokka let him go and told him that she was going to bed. As she bounded away, Rand called out to her.

"Mentokka?" Rand called out.

"Yes, Uncle Rand?" She turned to look at him.

"The answer is yes." Mentokka looked at him, not understanding what he was talking about.

"Yes? What do you mean?"

"If you stay true to the path, you will become stronger then me." Rand got to his feet and headed towards the the door.

Mentokka was shocked. She forgot to ask him about that. "How......how did you know I wanted to ask you about that?"

Rand turned to face her. A large grin on the old man's face. Like Uber before her, he placed a finger on tapped his temple. She knew immediately what that meant.

"You read my mind," She said, a smiling frown formed across her pretty face. "You know, I Hate when you do that, Uncle Rand!"

Still smiling, Rand bowed, telling her pleasant dreams, and let an old an have some fun, then turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving Mentokka trying hard to stay mad at him. Yet that pretty smile came forth as she locked the front door and called it a night.




Tosh took him time to go to asleep this night. He remembered what Mentokka's magic asked of him. {"The magic in you would see me entering your dreams and attack me. I need you to lower you defenses."}

He didn't understand, but he felt his heart racing, when he heard his sister's words. What was it? Fear? Excitement? Something else?
He pushed those questions out of his mind as he laid down in his bed. Before falling asleep he muttered the words, 'Don't attack my sister' Magic?......Lower your defenses. Don't hurt Mentokka!
Before long Tosh was fast asleep, snoring quietly.

For the longest time, Tosh's dreams were the same. Things from his past. Good, bad, strange. Then all of a sudden Tosh fond himself in a long tunnel. Lights flashed above him battered his senses. Much like Mentokka's 'Flash and Bang' spell, with out the bang that threw off his equilibrium.

Without thinking, Tosh shouted for the lights to stop flashing. Taking several deep breaths, shook his head to clear it. Then remembering that this was his dream, and he was in control of it. With that he started walking towards the other side of he tunnel. Half way though, he started calling Mentokka's name.

"Mentokka?" he called out. "Are you here? ......... Answer me, sis."

After several calls, he started wondering if all of this with Mentokka talking to him in the restaurant was all in his mind. He was about to end the folly when her heard something......... No.
More like felt something inside him, calling out to him.

"Mentokka?' Tosh called out again. "Is that you?"

"I'm here, big brother." a voice called out to him. I'm here at the other side of this tunnel." Tosh paused for a moment.

It sounded like Mentokka. But there was something different about it. It had a deeper tone to it. It sounded less like a girl, more like a women. Tosh started walking once again. His defenses were up now. If this was a trick, he would make who or whatever was at the end of this tunnel pay for this.

He got to the end of the tunnel and a door suddenly appeared. He snorted loudly.

"A bit much to talk to my sister." Tosh thought bitterly. "Are you in there sis? I'm coming in." He pushed the door open and walked in. And what he saw left him opened mouth. Standing there in her favorite peasant dress. Was Mentokka. Or someone like Mentokka.

What Tosh saw was a women standing before him her hands behind her back. She looked about thirty. Her braided hair was much thicker, still silver white..{It still irritate him to no end} But it was her large breasts that stood out.......Literally.

"By the gods!" Tosh muttered. "Mentokka!? I-is that y-you?" She giggled, that always made him grin or smile. But, it had a more womanly tone to it.

"Now who else would I be, big brother?"

"I'm not sure," Tosh muttered. "My sister is a young girl. But you are clearly a full grown women. How is this possible. Mentokka was never had this kind of power to change form."

"Tosh." she said gently. "I am Mentokka's magic. You felt my essence before. All you have to do is look me in the eyes and let our spirits touch like last time...........Tosh? My eyes are up here."

Tosh blinked, and stopped looking at her breasts, a small embarrassing grin on his face

"Alright..........I believe that your an older version of my sister. After what Uncle Rand did before to change his appearance" Tosh said standing close to her. "But why do we have to go though so much if you just wanted to talk?" Mentokka smiled.

"I told you before. Mentokka has little knowledge of me other then freeing me."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because other then Uncle Rand, you are the most important person in our lives. I'm here to tell you that Mentokka is going to go though some changes."

"Changes?" Tosh asked. "What do you mean?"

"By freeing me. I will bond with her. Just like you and Uncle Rand has bonded with your magic. But as you know, it changes us in some way. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad."
Tosh nodded in agreement.

For it was nothing less then an all out fight to control his magic. This was the reason why he tried not to use it as much as he should. Even though, Uncle Rand told him he was in full control of his magic.

"In other words. Your not sure what going to happen to her."

"This is true, Tosh." she said. "She might become timid, or angry or even a flirt. I'm sure you'd like her like that." Tosh looked at her strangely.

"What do you mean by that?" Tosh asked defensively.

"What do you think." She snapped back at him. "The way you use to look at me with those nasty eyes. I could only guess what dirty thoughts you were thinking about."

"Now wait a minute!" Tosh shouted. "You don't know what I was thinking about....." She cut him off with a sharp right to his face. Tosh went down instantly.

"I felt that," Tosh thought to himself, rubbing his jaw. "When did she get so strong?"

"Your not dealing with a little girl, Big Brother!" She said standing over him. "Here, I can hit just as hard as you."

Rage suddenly filled Tosh as rose to his feet with speed he hardly knew he had. But Mentokka was ready for him. She was about to hit him again. when he caught her fist in his hand.

"Sis? I made a promise never to hit you." He said flatly. "Just hit you back." His fist slammed square in her face. She went down, screaming. Her nose exploded with blood. But Tosh followed her down. holding her down by her shoulders.

Tosh said nothing as he held her. Rage in his heart. Mentokka groaned holding her nose with both hands, rocking from side to side in his hands.

"Go on, Big Brother!" She shouted between her hands. "Hit me again and prove to me how much of a monster you really are!"

"A monster?' Tosh said angrily. "Who the hell gives you the right to call me that! You have NO clue what I was thinking about."

"Oh really?" Mentokka shouted back at him, breaking away from his grip, rising to her feet. "Why don't you prove it, Big Brother!" She used the helm of her dress to wiped the blood from her face.

Tosh was shaking now. He fought with those old feeling he thought that were long buried. He took a deep breath, held it and forced it out. "Very well, sis. I guess it is time for you to hear everything, I was thinking about back then when I looked at you."

"Well go ahead, Tosh!............Tell me!" But she didn't feel as confindent as she sounded.

"You were right about me, sis." Tosh said, walking towards her, standing inches from her. "I was thinking dirty thoughts about you."

Tosh's expression got darker as he continued.

"Is that you want to hear?..........Huh!?" Tosh shouted. "That your Big Brother wanted to have sex with you! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR!?"

Even though she was an older image of Mentokka. She felt like that frightened teenager from so many years ago. Tosh's anger scared her. But he wasn't finished.

"Even now, a part of me wants you!" Tosh said. "With that body you have right now, I want to get you out of that dress. Tear it off if I must! Then I'd kiss and lick you from your head to your toes, and everything in between"

Tosh could see the out right fear in his sister's eyes. This was the last thing, he wanted to happen. He thought that he must look like a real monster to her. With that, he took several steps back, and took a deep breath and spoke once again.

"But that's why I went to the tavern all those times?" he asked, his voice returning to his usual tone. "I drank myself into a stupor to drown those dirty thoughts. So I wouldn't end up doing something to you, that i'd end up never forgive myself."

She tried to speak, but the words couldn't come out. His words shocked her.

"And let me tell you something. I'd sooner kill myself then doing that to you." Tosh wanted to stop but the words poured out uncontrollably. "Mentokka, you gave me the reason to live after Patti and Little Tosh died."

Mentokka covered her mouth with her shaking hands. She couldn't remember the last time she heard Tosh saying his wife and child's name. "Me?" Tosh nodded, tears now in his eyes.

"If you didn't come over that day to make me move back to the grasslands with you and Uncle Rand. I'm sure I would be sharing a grave with them now. It was you who gave me the strength to move on with my life. To make sense of it all when they died........."

At this point Tosh fell to his knees, sobbing.

"Forgive me, sis" Tosh cried. "I'm so sorry for feeling and thinking those terrible things about you. Please, forgive me."

Mentokka went to her knees and embraced his brother. Never truly understanding what Tosh was going though back then. Right there Mentokka realized she also suppressed her feelings about there deaths as well.

"It's alright, Tosh." she whispered. "I forgive you." Tear now streaming from her eyes.

They held each other for a long time in that place of dreams. The Tor family bond growing even stronger.


In the Inn. Tosh rose from his bed, shaking. "Why am I .....crying?" He asked wiping tears from his eyes looking around the darkened room. "Are you alright, sis?"

In the Restaurant. Mentokka woke up, hugging her blanket. "Tosh?" Is everything alright with you?" she asked looking around in the room.

Soon the two fell back asleep.

And so began the three-way relationship between myself, Nianna and Eleanor. The plan was simple enough. Make sure Nianna doesn't find out about me and Eleanor. Something that Eleanor was more then happy to agree to. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt Nianna. But need for Eleanor was too strong to resist. There was something about her that made my heart beat with excitement. I believe it was her short hair, dark brown hair. Those large amber eyes and those full lips. And her passion easily matched my own. It didn't matter if it we did it gentle where the two of us softly moaned with passion. Or rough and wild, where it looked like I just finished having a fist fight in the bar after wards.

Davon couldn't say or do much in my defense. He was too busy laughing at the three of us. But like the friend he was, he helped me every now and then. Warning me when Nianna was near by. But after awhile, I got so good at it I really didn't need his help. I would come in on the two of then talking in there room and asked if either one of them would like to go out for a walk or something like that. But the trick would be to ask Nianna when she got back from work at the clothing shop. And nine out of ten times she would be too tired to do anything at the moment. And right on cue, Eleanor would offer to 'keep me company'. Nianna would smile and tell Eleanor to keep him out of trouble. She'd giggle and tell her she had nothing to worry about.

The places we did it only heightened the excitement. In the cellar. On the pier, Hell! We would of done it in the sea if given half a chance. But the boldest place we did it was in Nianna's room, while she was sleeping. We had to freeze everything she stirred. I thought I was going to have an heart attack. But it was so exciting. Felt like I was teetering on the edge a cliff. What the hell was I thinking?

And not with only with Eleanor. I had a one night fling with the shop keeper's young Red-haired daughter. We did it in the shop after hours. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I felt like I was under a spell. See a pretty girl, and go after her. Thank the gods for my stamina giving out, or I was sure I would of done it with a few more.

A couple of weeks later, Nianna suspected something. I guess it was her women's intuition or something like that. Because one night in my room, we were arguing because she suspected that I was sleeping with Elly.....{What I now called her}


I was caught, but instead of confessing, I took the offensive. Ten minutes later I had turned around everything and Nianna was apologizing to me. The smart thing to do would of been to make up and tell her everything was alright between the two of us. But instead, I told her I was 'a little' disappointed with her.

"I though you had more faith in me." I told her turning away from her. I could hear her gasped when I said that. I knew my words hurt her, but It was necessary. If I was going to continue doing this. I had to make her believe I had no interests in Elly. And as fast as I said that to her. I walked towards her and took her in my arms and looked into those green eyes. I told her that she was my one true love. Her smile was a thing of beauty.

We made passionate love that night, and afterward, I quietly got dressed and walked towards the Pier. There I fell to my knees and wept. It broke my heart that I did that to Nianna, But.........but, I was good at this. Romancing girls and women.

"Gods help me!" I shouted. "I'm good at this!"

For the next couple of days, I made a conscious effort to spend some time with Nianna. I told her to take a day off work and spend the day with me. I borrowed a horse and took Nianna for a slow ride though out the country side. The scenes were beautiful. The leaves were changing from green to brown to gold. The air had the gentle bite of the coming colder weather. Nianna was enjoying herself. I always though she was working way to hard. But she had big dreams. At least that is what she told me at that time. Because she kept her ideas to herself. And I was one not to pry into what she had planned.

We talked for nearly an hour in an open meadow. We talked about a lot of things. Was there any future between the two of us? I told once again about what me and Davon was planning to do in the spring. It was a vow the two of us made in blood.

"People are going to die for what was done to us." I said grimly. "And I'm not sure either one of us is going to live to see the end of this."

Nianna begged me not to do this. "I don't want you to die, Falco!" She sobbed. "I see a future for the two of us. I took her in my arms and told her this was something I had to do.

"And even if I didn't do this. There is still the matter of my father and Gisela. I still have to search for the two of them. The gods know how much I want you a part of my life. But I could never ask you to wait for me. Because I do not know how long this will take."

There is was. The biggest obstacle that drove a wedge between the two of us. The vow me and Davon made in slavery, sealed in our blood. By the gods! It would be so easy to turn my back on it all of it, and start and new life with Nianna...or Elly. Lord knows, I deserve such a life. A vow that was a wall that was too high to look over and too far to go around.

"Gods, Damn it all!" I shouted as I rose from where I was sitting. "This isn't fair!" I stood there shaking with anger, pain and rage. I turned my head away from her.

Nianna just looked at me. Her expression didn't change. I could only guess that she knew what I was going though. She rose to her feet and placed her hand on my cheek. I turned to look at her and seem to lose all my anger and pain when I stared into her green eyes.

"Falco," she said my name softly. "I'm sorry.... I know what your going though and the pain you must be feeling. I should of never asked you to turn your eyes away from something you must do. Please forgive me."

I told her that she had no reason to apologize to me. I wanted to tell faith is keep us apart. But it sounded stupid when I thought about it. So I said nothing more.

"You and Davon go and do what you have to do. I'll wait for you."

I shook my head. "Don't you remember?" I said smiling at her. "Me and Davon have to get all of you to The East Lake Republic. So We have to protect you all. We are honor bound to you all. I'm bound........to you."

It was true. No matter what I did to her with Elly. I'm still bound to protect her with my life. After spending a tender moment with Nianna. We walked back to town. During that time, she asked me once again, did I do anything with Elly.

I told her the truth........{Somewhat}

I told her we had dinner together. I took her out to the meadow where we went. I told her about the stormy night you wasn't feeling well. And how she ran in my room saying she was scared of the storm. How she jumped into my arms several times when the thunder booming and the lighting lit up the sky. "Right there I wanted her. But.....it was Elly that stopped me. She said.... she didn't see me that way. I was just her friend. Nothing more. After the storm. I went to bed that night, frustrated. I thanked her for having more control then me. But....not that night."

Nianna looked at me without saying anything. Her eyes were reading my face and body movements. But she believed me. God! How easy the lies came out of my mouth. With a straight face no less. It would be so easy to bare my soul to her. I'd know she would forgive me. But I was thinking about Elly. Davon words saying that they would most likely end there friendship because of me. And I wasn't going to let that happen.

"Yeah right." I thought to myself. "How noble I was. Fearing the break up of close friends. But the truth was.........I was scared.

I wanted the two of them. I believed if I lost either one of them. I felt a part of me would go away with them. And I wasn't ready to be half a man to either one of them..............{If that makes any sense}

We walked into town holding hands. I clearly heard a few of the town folks saying what a pretty couple we were. It was true. But I'm sure they would of had a slightly different opinion of me if they knew the truth. My smile got a tad bit broader.

Gunner stopped his story to look at everyone. Uber, Tosh and Rand were either smiling or chucking under there breaths, Mentokka and Merc clearly look like they wanted to strangle him. Gunner looked away embarrassed. But inwardly, he was grinning, damn near laughing out loud. "How easy it is to shift these girls feeling towards me. One minute there close to tears and then close to bashing my face in.
This is truly a gift of the gods......Or I was just a Rotten Bastard.


Winter came to the area early. Snow blanketed the area. But I forced my way out just to get out of my room every now and then. Each time I took my bow, on the outside chance to hunt. Once again it was Davon teaching me the finer point on tracking prey......{What didn't this guy know"}

How to move read tracks, move down wind, How to use all your senses, how to blend in your surroundings. How to survive in the cold weather. He said he was happily surprised who fast I learned what he taught me. He said I must be blessed by the nameless Dragon God.

At first I told I was just lucky. But when I took down my first Stag Deer, with my first shot no less. I know I was a good shot, but I was begining to think he might be on to something with this. He promised to take me to closest Tine Temple in the spring.
I had to admit, I was eagerly counting the days. I could only guess what secrets would be revealed.........If any.

Gunner stopped his story to look at everybody. I took a lot of effort to for him to pour out the most painful part of his young life, even to his friends. Uber sitting in the back, looked as if he was about to nod off. Only because he heard the story before. Mentokka and Merc was listening intensely to his every word, as if they were in the story themselves. Smiling and laughing with every happy moment, frowning and being at the point of tears with the sad parts. Tosh was squirming in his seat as if he was in a hurry to go some where..... any where. And only remained seated because Mentokka had asked him to. And Rand had a look the he couldn't read. He was listing to his words, but he was looking at the girls. Gunner thought if he was in his place, he would be looking at Merc and Mentokka also. He smiled inwardly and thought, "What a group we are, indeed."

Later that day, the ten of us that remained got together in Davon's room. The five men and five women had there chance to speak his or her peace about what would be there next move. To no ones surprise, the girls all wanted to stay together. All except one of the men wanted to go there own separate ways. Davon asked the men one time, was that what they wanted. They all nodded there heads. He gave each man several gold and silver coins and they more or less told him that they didn't know where they wanted to go or do. But he wished them all well. But we both knew that they would more likely be captured again and sold back into slavery, but we could not help that.

Soon after the four men left, the six of us started talking among ourselves. Nianna, with Eleanor staying close to her, talked to Davon and the other women. I kept quite and listened to what was being said. And like the four men that left, the women didn't have a clue what to do. My guess it was the idea of being free for the first time in years for some of them was a little hard to accept or believe. All of the women liked the idea of going to one of the larger cities, maybe the East Lake Republic . The weather was warm all year around. But they wanted to travel together. And they were expecting me and Davon to travel with them. I looked over at Davon and he asked me to walk with out to the pier with him.

The two of us walked in silence until we reached the water. "I take it you wasn't expecting that, my brother." Davon said, a small grin breaking across his face.

"Expected it?.....Kind of. Surprised by it?.....No." I replied. I looked over at him and smiled also. "We are responsible for they safety."

I said it as I was stating a fact. But it sounded like I was asking a question.

"Of course, even though the two of us have many to kill." I nodded.

"Yeah......Two Liege Lords to kill. A girlfriend and father to find and rescue......" I paused for a moment before I spoke again. "And Rerri to find and kill........painfully."

"True, my brother. Not to mention a lot of men protecting them. But all of that has to wait. Nianna and the other need us." Davon said.

I nodded slowly as I looked out towards the ocean. Water and sun glittered like sharpened spear-points on the small waves hitting the pier. I looked out on to the open ocean and smiled. This was the first time in over two years that I 'really' looked out at the ocean. And realized how beautiful it really was. Being a slave can do that to you. But that wasn't all. I raised my eyes to the wind and wept. Pure tears of joy.

Davon seeing this asked me what was wrong. I told him, for the first time since we got off the ship. We were truly free. No longer being chain to a rowing bench. No longer feeling the lash or blows of a cruel master. No longer worrying about pirates trying to re-capture or kill us. We could go where ever we pleased. And no one could stop us. Hell! No one really cared. I fell to my knees, giving thanks to the Nameless Dragon God of the Tine faith that me and Davon belong to. I also gave thanks for having Davon for a friend. For without him, I would still be a slave or most likely be dead.

After a few moments I rose to my feet and told Davon, why don't we stay here in Ragnar for a while. When Davon asked why. I told him it was a quiet out-of-the-way kind of place, the people are friendly enough, the rooms are comfortable, the food is good, the are plenty of out of site places where we can train and gather our strength, because we both knew none of us were not in any condition to journey any kind of long distance. And during this time we can figure out what the girls are going to do with the rest of there lives and ours.

Davon looked around and told me he liked the idea, but he did have one problem with my plan. "What if soldiers from Fatoria come to this town looking for us, because Rerri tipped them off about us?" I looked at him and smile.

"I don't think that will happen, my brother."

"Why not?"

"Because, earlier today before our meeting. I went to the clothing shop, and paid the shop owner's adult son to take a trip to Fatoria with a letter describing a certain stolen Fatorian Escort ship heading to Kenet." I looked a Davon and smiled. "That will keep them off our backs. And, if Rerri is stupid enough to come back here and try to get back 'his' gold and supplies. I think we will be more then happy enough to..........how should I put it?........'Negotiate' to him about these things."

Davon laughed and said he couldn't of thought of a thought of a better plan. I told him I had a good teacher. And so, we spent the up coming winter in Ragnar. Most of the women thought it was a good idea, but two of them were still suffering for the effects of slavery. They spent most of there time with a few of the wives that gossiped among themselves in the market square. I could only guess, that there chatting helped them relax in some way. Nianna helped in the clothing shop. She didn't asked for pay. The skills she were learning was pay enough for her.

Me and Davon trained with each other in the out skirts of town. I practiced with my bow every other day, keeping my skills sharp. Davon trained with his two short swords. Improving his speed and agility. Not like the man wasn't as fast as a blur already. To help me improve my skills with a sword. Davon trained me by the means of using quarter staffs. Always preaching that I had to get faster. Move faster. Strike faster. Counter faster.

Eleanor finally started opening up to me. When Nianna worked in the shop, she stayed with me.Several times she would join me to watch me and Davon train. She seem to enjoy the part when Davon would more or less mop the floor with me when we fought hand-to-hand.

One stormy night, Nianna wasn't feeling well and went to bed early. I trained hard that day and I decided to go to bed early myself. Thunder boomed and lighting lit up the sky. Suddenly Eleanor came into the room and rushed into my arms saying that she was scared. I wrapped my arms around her shaking body, telling her every thing would be all right. I sat on the bed with her falling asleep in my arms. I was thinking about bringing her back in to her room. But she asked me would it be alright if she could sleep with me. Saying something about Nianna groaning in her sleep.

I felt a little uneasy about it. We we rescued her from the pirate ship, I thought she was around fourteen or fifteen. But to my surprise, she was actually eighteen. It was her height and her child-like looks that threw me off. But it was also the was she held onto me. It wasn't an embrace of fear of the weather. It was an embrace of lust. I could feel it also. The desire building in me also.

"Eleanor." I whispered. "I don't think we should do this.......Nianna." She looked up at me with eyes of deep need. That look told me that she didn't care what I thought about Nianna. We were together in my room, in each other arms. I closed my eyes for the briefest moment, then I pressed my lips to hers and lowered our bodies onto the bed.

I didn't know what was more intense. The storm or our love making. But like Nianna before her, I woke up alone, even though I clearly remember going asleep with Eleanor in my arms. I rose to my feet and walked towards the window. The storm had passed. But there was a storm of emotions going off inside of me. First Nianna. Now it's Eleanor. The passions that they gave out was like comparing an Hurricane to a Typhoon. And somewhere in those competing storms the memory of Gisela was slowly disappear. And a part of me didn't think it was such a bad thing. I looked out to the dark skies.

"Don't think too much, Falco." I said to myself. "If your not careful, these girls and feelings are going to drive you mad!...........If they haven't done it already." I sighed softly. Not sure what tomorrow will bring. I was sure it wasn't going to be anything but boring. With that, I turned and went back to bed, and was soon fast asleep.

The next morning and I didn't see Nianna or Eleanor that day. That was a good thing. It would of been some 'uncomfortable moments' between the three of us for sure. Instead of training, me and Davon decides to take a long walk though Rancor's vast county side to the north. I told him about the three of us and he chuckled softly. This surprised me.

"Falco, my brother. Your trying to stand upright on a ship that is getting battered by the stormy seas."

"That's an understatement." I replied, smiling at him.

"I know you too well. Your worried about there feelings. You don't want to hurt them. But these are times you must think about yourself. This will drive you crazy if your not careful."

"Again with the understatement," I said momentary stopping.

"It doesn't matter. They're are going to compete for your feelings. They'll most likely end up breaking up there friendship because of you."

"Me? But I didn't want......" Davon cut me off.

"It doesn't matter. It will most likely end up this way. You so might as well sit back and enjoy it. Because it is going to be a bumpy ride for you..... All three of you." he said as he continued walking. I stood there for a few moments. I looked up to the sky, and sighed deeply.

"I think......it was easier being a slave."

As soon as the arrow left the bow, I knew it's flight was true. I nudged it to the right to compensate for the wind and the fact that we were on boats that were moving.

I watched as it slightly climbed and then saw it fall and I saw the arrow slam into the helmsmen box. Even though there were some distance between the two ships. I clearly heard the scream of the helmsmen jerked back, as the arrow was buried into his chest.
The pirates that were standing in the front of the ship readying to board us heard the scream and looked back to see there fallen mate dead on the deck. There ship veered to the right as another man rushed to the helmsmen box.

"Rerri!" I shouted, as I laid a second arrow on the string. "Hard to port!"
As the ship began to turn from the pirate ship. I drew back hard on the bow and loosed. Again it rose and fell and hit it's target. The neck of the second helmsmen. Still another entered the helmsmen box. I knew those two shots were luck. I took a few seconds to clam the wild beating of my heart. "Must not let anyone enter that box." I muttered to myself. Can't kill us if they can not reach us." I drew the Bow back again and loosed.
Some of the pirates seeing what I was doing rushed towards the box with shields in hand to protect there third helmsmen. The arrow struck inside the box once again, but I heard no cry or shout. I missed the shot.

Seeing that they couldn't do anything but wait to reach us, the pirates bellowed there hatred. They pounded there spear butts on the ship deck. Some of them were foaming at the mouth as there roar got even louder. My father told me about when men get so enraged they would go into something he called a blood rage. I'm sure I was seeing this first hand.

Suddenly I heard a thump near my right ear. I turned to see a crossbow bolt lodged into the hull next to me. They have a crossbowman on that ship with them. I also noticed that the pirates were closing in on us once again.

"Rerri! Get us out of here! There gaining on us." I heard him shout something, but I couldn't understand what he said.

I took cover near the back of the ship. I had to get that crossbowman. The disadvantage of shooting a crossbow was the fact that it took time to reload. But it had the power to shoot from further distance. But I had the advantage of a quicker reload. I prayed that they had only one.

"Gunner!" I voice shouted. It was Davon. "Shoot there oarsmen." I smiled.


I had twenty-seven shafts left, but this was no time to stint on them, and so I drew back on the bow and loosed. I had a second on the string and the crossbowman had not finished winding his cords back as the first arrow slashed a rower's arm. And the second drove a splinter up from the boat's bow, then the third arrow hissed above the the oarsman's head and to splash into the sea. The rower ducked, then one gasped and fell forward with an arrow in his back. And the next instant a pirate was struck in the side and fell onto two of the oarsmen and then there was sudden chaos aboard the boat. The pirates and oarsmen were too close together, so I damn nearly couldn't miss. I aimed at a big man and sent an arrow down his throat. Another into a pirate whose face was contorted with hate. I plucked the feathered scraps from the string, took a new arrow and drove it into a bearded pirate who was all fury and hair.

I was about to draw again, when I noticed the crossbowman has his crossbow aimed towards me. I had no time to move when he fired. It was the end for me. Suddenly a shield was shoved front of my face. The crossbow bolt drove hard into the shield, cutting the tip of my nose. A small price to pay for my near fatal foolishness. I moved back out of range.

"I can't have you dying on us." A voice said. I turned my head to the voice. It was Nianna. "No one else here can shoot that damn bow."

I smiled and rose to my feet. I put my arrow on the string and took aim at the kneeling crossbowman. I buried the arrow into his eye and went though his brain and stuck out though the back of his head. I moved back to where Nianna was knelling still holding the shield.

"You saved me." I muttered. "I owe you my life, milady."

"Then you can repay me by killing as many of those bastards you can." She reached behind her and produced a sheave of extra arrows. There were twenty-four shafts evenly spaced about two leather disks that kept the arrows apart and so protected their feathers from being crushed. Nianna untied the twine holding the arrows and spilled the missiles on the deck besides me. She suddenly grabbed me by my shirt and pulled me towards her and kissed me hard on the lips. "Now kill them!" She said.

I drew again and again and killed again and again as I shot onto the ship of death. The boat suddenly slewed sharply away with it's oars clattering against each other. Without warning our ship suddenly turned towards the pirate ship.

"Rerri, what the hell are you doing?" I shouted in shock. "Turn us away from them!"

"Keep shooting you, Lethal Bastard!" It was Davon. He came topside, armed with his two short swords, followed by at least a dozen armed rowers. Several of the women were with them, armed with knives.

"Now, the roles are reversed." he said. "It will be us doing the boarding! Listen up! Kill the pirates, free the slaves, and you women, kill the wounded!" this time the roar came from our ship.

I kept firing as the two ship finally met. But there were few targets left. Without warning, Davon leaped ahead of all of them and took on three pirates alone, and his two swords were as fast as viper's strike. He had no shield. He dazzled the defenders with feints, twisted past their attacks, and killed all three with a grin on his face. 'Davon the Agile' indeed. I watched astonished. "And he called 'me' lethal." I said to Nianna. I dropped my bow, drew my sword and leaped onto the other ship.

It was blood, shit and guts spilled on the deck, and most of it was there's. Not all surrendered or pleaded for mercy. Several of our men died at there hands, but was soon killed themselves when over run with sheer numbers of hacking and stabbing swords and knives. And soon after that, it was all over.

We stood cheering and roaring. Our weapons held overhead, as some fell to there knees to cry tears of happiness or give thanks to the gods for our victory. We freed the surviving slaves and searched the rest of the ship and found little treasure, but a good amount of food and drinking water. Several of the men and women were tending to our wounded and helping them back to our ship.

Me and Nianna searched the supply area on the ship and found a girl chained at the neck to the hull of the ship. She looked no older then fourteen. Her clothes were torn and dirty. There were bruises on her face and neck area. No doubt being dragged along by the chain. She scrambled away from me with big amber eyes wide with terror when I moved close to her. Nianna told me to stand back and moved close to her saying that she wasn't going to hurt her. She stood close to her with her hands out to her. She waited for the girl to reach out to her. I could only guess that the girl trusted Nianna because she was a girl also. But what ever the reason, she reached out to her and took her hand. She came to her and threw herself into Nianna, sobbing uncontrollably. Nianna held her rocking, her in her arms saying that she was safe and no one was going to hurt her any more. I reached down and removed the neck chain from her and walked away from them.

Davon and several of our men stood looking down at one of our mates. It was one of the women. There was a knife in her chest. Yet, her knife was sticking out of the pirate's neck. "Died as a true warrior." Davon said. We all lowered our heads, praying for her peaceful journey to the after life.

With nothing else left to do we gathered the supplies and slaves and returned to our ship. We removed the line that connected the two ships. And begin back rowing away from the ship. Davon stood at the head of our ship with a lighted torch. He tossed the torch onto the other ship that was doused with whale oil and the hull of the pirate ship erupted in flames.

For a long while, me, Davon, Rerri, Nianna, and the girl watched the burning ship until it finally disappeared under the waves. That night we all decided that it would be best for us to get off this ship and head for land. Even Rerri agreed to this. We would trade off most of our supplies. We also agreed to a spot to leave the ship. A small fishing town called Ragnar. It was an out of the way place, yet not so out that way that we couldn't reach any of the larger towns or cities. The voyage would take us a weeks or two to reach. In the mean time we were going to dock in a small town to buy clothes for us and get a chance to take a hot bath.

After all that was said and done, we lost four men, one women. Yet we saved six men and one girl. Her name was Eleanor. And for several days she stayed close to Nianna, not leaving her side. "Looks like you have a little sister now, Nianna." I said. while we were eating. She said nothing at first. Just smiled. She told me that she wasn't ready to move around the ship alone as of yet.

For a couple of days we rowed hard to reach the port town. Rerri and several of the men left the ship first. No doubt all of his men joined him. They were gone for two days. I was sure they were hitting the taverns and the whore houses like crazy. When they returned, we could see that a few of them were gone. "They were no longer slaves, so they left." Rerri said, calmly. "They wanted there freedom." None of us could argue with that.

All the women and the last of the men went with Davon and me. Most of the men didn't care what they looked like. They headed for the nearest tavern, with gold and silver in hand. We was sure it was the last we were going to see of most of them. Me and Davon escorted the women to the small store to get the women fitted with new clothes. We checked them into several rooms with hot baths ready for them.

After they were settled, We both went to the shops to get some new clothes ourselves. I got some new boots, calfskin pants, an ox hide coat and a fine woolen cloak. Davon new clothes were similar to mine, but in a slightly different style. We both got rooms in the same place where Nianna and the rest of the women were staying. The hot bath felt wonderful. I stayed in the water for nearly an hour. Almost falling asleep several times. I got out of the water and dried myself off and laid naked on the bed. It was the first time I was going to sleep in a bed in over two years. I was about to close my eyes when I heard the door to my room open quietly. Even in the darkness I could recognize Nianna's shape and flowing blond hair, as he got into the bed with me. Afterward I lay with tears in my eyes, because I was thinking about Gisela.

"I do not deserve this pleasure, while she was still enslaved." I thought to myself.

But I couldn't lie to myself that I didn't have feelings for Nianna also. For about an hour I wrestled with my feelings until sleep finally claimed me.

I woke up a few hours later. The sun was just peeking up from the east. Nianna was gone. I was not sure when she left. I got dressed and decided to go for a walk down to where the ship was docked. And what I saw shook me to the core of my being. The ship was gone.

"Rerri!" I shouted. "You bastard!"

I ran back to the inn, I pounded on door where Davon slept. He opened the door half asleep. I told him that the ship was gone. He rubbed his eyes and chuckled under his breath. This shocked me. He told me to calm down and come inside. I walked inside to see one a women sleeping in his bed. I asked him what was we going to do now that the ship was gone.

"Don't worry about it, my brother." He said calmly. "I half expected that he was going to do this."

"How did you know?"

"He agreed to leaving the ship too eagerly."

"But he got the gold and the supplies. What are we going to do?" I said. Once again he chuckled.

"Not really." We walked over towards a small chest. He picked it up and carried it to the table in front of me. "Open it."

I looked at him for a second and opened it. My eyes went wide at what I saw. It was filled with gold. Our gold. "How?"

"I took it with me when I left the ship." he said, a large grin on his face.

"Wouldn't he checked the boxes before he left?" He nodded.

"I filled the boxes with 'other things' and topped it off with a few gold and silver coins. When he opened the boxes he saw the coins on the top. I was sure he wasn't going to check all the way though. he was in a hurry." I started laughing.

"What 'Other things' did you put into those boxes?" I asked.

"Some lead ingots for weight, and stuffed in some dried fish. And I also has some of the more valued supplies taken off the ship also. There in one of the storage holds on the pier. I'm sure he'll be in for quite a shock when he finds out there only empty boxes on the ship."

For several moments, nothing was said. We just looked at each other. Then the two of us burst out laughing.
This lasted for a while.