Hawkes of the Sea: a pirate fantasy

[MtnAngelWV]

Amanda Lancaster

Knealing in front of Elizabeth, the magician and the dancer leave us alone in the chamber. I fear that they will hear me if I speak but I fear more if I remain silent. I reach up and struggle to remove the blindfold. I see the recognition in the Lady Captain's face, a look of slight shock displayed there.

"Yes, tis me, Amanda Lancaster. I fear we haven't much time before they return. I have been to see your brother, Jeremiah," she is unable to hide the confusion, I am sure she is wondering why I use such familiarity in addressing him by his first name. "He thinkst me still in his chamber in the village. I went to see him to beg for my release. I overheard his story of the beatings and all of his sorrows. His sad tales moved me more than I ever could have imagined. I find myself, even now, longing to be with him. I love him and he loves me."

"I felt an overwhelming need to secure your release. I want no more sadness to darken his doorstep. Elizabeth, you have such skills for fighting, I have but nothing. Nothing more than you see before you. Please help me! Tell me what we should now do," I say to her as I plead with her through my eyes.

 

[Guest]

Events of the Day

The day broke forboding with the pounding of Marcus upon my door.

The events that have unfolded leave me with a deep concern for all those I hold dear but mostly for my Lady Captain.

Seeing Monique in a weakened state was bad enough but news of Elizibeth's kidnapping cuts me to the quick.

My undrstandings of magic and such are so limited my brief exposure only confirms and magnifes my feeling of helplessness.

Watching Black kneel before his Captain the second time in less than a day, leaves me disturbed and afraid for the safety of the island.

My thoughts betray me the concern shown on my face as I tensly pace the floors of the hall. An utter feeling of helplessness settles upon me, at least in battle I know where I stand, here I feel at a loss before the task has begun.

My eyes come to rest again on "my Noire", I must keep my wits about me in this time of trouble. I pray to whatever God will listen to see us safely through this.

 

[Clarrissa]

Events of the day

OOC: sorry somehow my ID was not added to the post i must have inadvertantly logged out or something.

 

[Kimberly]

I look at the woman at my feet and see that it is Amanda. I am surprised that it is her and even more surprised at her confession of love for my brother and the love she says he has for her. I look at her confused. I listen to all she says.

"First, get off your knees. If what you say is true then you will not kneel before me."

I think for a moment then I go to the door and peek my head outside to look around the area. I then leave the door and go back inside my cell.

"What all have you seen outside of here?"

 

[MtnAngelWV]

Amanda Lancaster

"I fear that I have no knowledge of our whereabouts for they blinfolded and bound me. I was even ordered not to speak with you, but hopefully our conversation shall go undetected!" I walk over to her and feel an overwhelming need to touch her, to gain a shred of her courage. She reminds me so much of her brother, my one true love. My heart aches, wanting to be near him now in this turmultuous time. I reach out and place my hand on her shoulder.

"I have great fear, Captain, but not from the things you may think I do. I am afraid that we shall never see Jeremiah's face again, never to love and be loved by him. I would gladly give my own life for his happiness, even if it means sparing your life. I am ready for any order you deem necessary. Truly I am your servant, even if not in the way the magician has thought."

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

OOC: I am back for a while this evening and am going to try and get in some posts. Thanks for your patience.

IC: The Spanish Princess's words fill me with even more foreboding. I doubt not that the threat we face is even graver than I first imagined. This talk of a "great beast" seems to ring some sort of bell, but I cannot for the life of me put my finger on it.

"Well, m'lady," I tell the Spanish Princess, "as you have Black Bart's countenance, then we will do our utmost to see this Magician of Seth is not allowed to strike at you. "

I turn to Monique and ask, "Monique, can you add anything more to this about the Magician of Seth from your own arcane knowledge?"

Glancing over at my first mate, I inquire, " Or you, Bart? Who is he, where does he come from?"

 

[THEBRAT]

The Black Raven

I walk over to Monique & knell before her.

I take her hand into mine and ask her to tell Hawke of the Vision that she had will underground with Carlos De Le Vega!

 

[BLACK BART]

At Jeremiah's request, I pull my fathers sword from it's scabbard and lay it on the table before all to see. Turning so I may see their eyes, I begin a tale I have worked so hard to forget.

"His name is Antonio, and as a child, he was a childhood friend, a member of our family, in certain definitions, if you will" I begin, the accent of the sea I had adopted, falling away....

"His father was a priest, in the time when it meant serving others for their good....not as now, where being "Holy" means to have power over others, to use as they please"

My eyes meet Jeremiah's, and he nods, his own memories reaffirming the meaning in my words, as I continue.

"But like the sea, the father grew greedy, and used his own position to gain power, by using the forbidden side of the Seth power.....It is said their ability to heal, and bring good to the people was once great, but that is now gone, as Antonio's father, and now Antonio have destroyed it. The human sacrifices they have offered build their power over the serpents they control, as does their magic grow also."

Picking up the sword, I hold it in my hands as if for the first time, looking down at it as I reveal.

"My father was the first sacrifice, my mother the second, their lives ended with this sword, which was ironically forged by my father. My sister was taken then, to become a plaything for the Seth priests, and I was discarded, deemed useless by them. In a matter of jest this sword was returned to me, their beleif I was no threat to fear being strong"

My eyes are now burning, as the memory brings the desire for revenge to them, and my voice grows husky from it.

"I have sworn to return the favor, granted so carelessly to me by them, by placing this sword in Antonio's heart."

What I do not reveal, is the forecast of my own death, told my Jeremiah's own father, and seen by Monique in her dreams.

"Antonio comes not to free the Spanish, as he has wished us to beleive so foolishly, but to offer our souls to his demon serpent, and enslave our women for his own pleasures. He has become what his father had begun, an evil that feeds upon all, serving its own needs and desires"


Turning to face Carlos, I warn him of his torn loyalties, and of his fate at Antonio's hands.

"If you cannot see thru the fog Antonio has placed in front of you, you too will become food for his serpent, feeding his power"

My eyes next meet Clarrissa's, and I nod my head in silent testament to our newfound love.


"Tis me past, come back to haunt us all, by poseidons beard, I swear it" I tell all, returning to a more welcome dialect "Twill be a test, for us all, as has this life on Hawke Isle"

Turning to face Jeremiah, I sheath the sword again, looking to see if I have answered his queries in full..........

 

[Inkubus]

Carlos

Look curiosly at the people who ask Monique to share her vision. I make no comment, we are within her forum and so I stand silent, watchful and mindful of her health. I smile as the augury begins and am queit until the sword is pointed in my directions and am warned of my torn loyalties. I await till the augury is finished and look to monique "I have no tear in my loyalties my loyalty is to my heart. And that has never failed me. It is the one true compass in my life, as to my fate." I pause as I realize that I SO want to live. "a few days ago I would have said my fate is my own to make. But then the gods intervened again and now I must accept that there are forces greater than I at work and if Antonio means to send me to oblivion I can assure you I will not travel alone. "

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

I nod, but say nothing to what has been revealed. For within Monique's eyes is a glow I have seen before, one that though I fear not man nor beast and would indeed laugh at the devil, aye, does that look of hers cause a chill clutch at my spine.

My mind though, is less quiet. Over the years there have been...whispers. Not the hoary tales of drunken sailors cadging drinks. Furtive rumors, rather, speculations that the Inquisition has allied itself with some shadowy powers to which the Church itself has turned a blind eye, or mayhap, does not know.

What Bart and his sister have said, their histories, these seem to somehow mesh with those bits of tales. Seeing the confusion and concern on de la Vega's face assures me he is not a part of this evil scheme.

Thus, I await what Monique will share, even as I begin to conceive of a plan...

 

[Clarrissa]

Listening as Black speaks I fear I have gone mad.

The forces of which they speak I could not have conjured up in my worst childhood nightmares. How can one person be so powerful???

My eyes are every watchful. Black meets my gaze and the love we share is evident. I can not hide my heart and I pray he draws strength knowing I will not abandon him.

Pacing the floors again my mind will not rest. Surely there must be some way to counter this evil before it grows powerful.
I watch Monique with trepidation afraid for what she may say yet knowing i must hear it all the same.

 

[BadForm]

Monique Papin: A Memory of Things to Come

OOC: 1) I apologise for being afk for so long - started with problems getting new computer set up properly (how come EVERY computer I get with a sb card won't work with the internal modem?!?), and continued with IRL stuff... 2) Am trying to get back into lit now - but can only write a brief post tonight...

I glance from face to face. The earnest, loving but stern face of Carlos, my heart. The worried faces of the officer's present, my crewmates. The angry and concentrated face of Jeremiah, my captain's brother. These are the people I love. These are the people who are relying on me to lead them to my captain's salvation. And these are the people I will disappoint.

"Mon capitain, the goddess, she hides much from me. This god, the Seth, he is un étranger, foreign. Il est cache de moi, hidden, I see not. Mais... Oya shows me some. This woman, she is Bart, sa soeur et son âme. She will sail with power. But the others, this magician. He is dark, he is strong. I have his taste, but I cannot stop what comes. This isle will swim with blood... and Oya shows me not of who."

I sit again, feeling weak not only from my injuries, but also from my lack of power to save my captain Elizabeth. Seldom have I felt this weakness before. "I am sorry," I say.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

I look at the faces of my crew and see fear, yes, and concern. And sooth, why not? Bravery is not lack of fear, rather it is facing fear and acting in the face of it. And this, I know we will do, for I see also grim determination in the eyes of those who have pledged their loyalty to me.

I walk over to Monique and squat beside her chair so we are eye level.

"'tis no need to apologize, Monique," I say to her, "for the Spanish Princess and Black Bart have given us much information. And that you know little, aye, even that provides me some clues..."

Rising, I cross to the head of the table.

"Come dawn tomorrow, I will meet with the Magician of Seth and see if Elizabeth is well. What has been said of this sorceror's motives and allies concerns me greatly. Yet, we are not without allies of our own, both current and ancient.

"Clarissa and Black Bart." say I, looking to them, "go to your quarters and change into clothing appropriate for a trip into the jungle. Then, return here. I will detail your mission to you then.

"Monique," I say to her, "I would that you and Senor De La Vega return to the infirmry. You both look pale and I would have the physician once more examine you, ere I ask of you what I might to help meet this situation.

"Mark, I must needs have you look over the maps. Should the need arise, that we must depart this isle, I wish to be prepared with courses charted to our fall back position in the coral reefs some leagues from here. As I recall," I say, thoughtfully, "some of those maps are in my quarters. I will go with you to fetch them.

"Go, my friends, and dawdle not. There is much that must be accomplished ere the breaking of the day."

They leave, Clarrissa and Bart, Monique and De La Vega.

I walk with Mark to the door and we begin the journey to my quarters as I speak with him of many things...

 

[BLACK BART]

Walking out of the meeting room, I draw Clarrisa with me, a plan forming in my head, perhaps contrary to hers or the Captains, but one of neccesity, none the less.

"We are ready for war, and the night, as the Captain has overlooked" I say to my beloved "I would wish a moment with my sister, alone, if you could grant me that, my love"

Clarrissa's eyes are questioning, as she tilts her sweet face to mine, her full lips touching mine.

"I will return shortly, so that we may enjoy our time to the fullest" I promise, breaking the kiss regretfully, and turning to touch the Raven's arm.

"Sister, I would speak with you for but a moment, if you will" I ask her gently, guiding her to a nearby vacant quarters.

 

[THEBRAT]

The Black Raven

Bart and I walk into the vacant quarters to talk.

Whatever you need to know I will tell you if it is within my power to do so.

 

[BLACK BART]

Making sure the Raven is seated first, I lower myself to the only other chair in the sparse room. My eyes study the form of the young lady I knew as my sister so many years ago. But the time for remembrance of past times is not now, but for plans of battle, and the possibilities of.

"Sister, it is with a glad heart I see you, that you have lived and that we were able to meet, even in this troubled time" I greet her "In another time I would host the largest feast this isle would contain in your honor, but this is not the time. Rather I have asked you to come here as my only blood kin, and to make plans in the event of my death."

Putting my hands on the Raven's shouders, as she tries to raise and stand in protest, I shake my head gently, and talk to her in a soothing tone.

"I have stood and fought beside many great warriors, the grandest and most fierce foes we have faced, sending them to their watery graves. Captain Hawke has been the bravest and most loyal man I have ever had the honor to serve, as well as a fierce warrior and good friend. But tis to you I turn now, to tend to these matters."

Looking into her eyes, so like mine, but having a depth of vision that was not in me, I smile, then continue.

"In my lifetime, I have collected a large fortune, and spent little of it. The life on the sea has provided me with all I have needed, and while on this Isle, my good Captain, has always taken care of my earthly needs. Tis this fortune, I would have given to the orphans and ones unable to care for themselves, for would be my sweet 'Rissa's pleasure to see them cared for, as she herself has done." I ask of her, trusting in my sister, all that is left of my family

At her slow nod, I rise, and tell her of the location of the wealth, and then of my knowledge of the prophecies.

"Tis been prophesied by many, how I shall meet my maker, that time is here, and I must go to it as a warrior. Twould be no less expected of me, and only proper I face it bravely, as a man. I see in your own eyes, that you have seen this also, and it makes me stronger, now knowing what I must do"

Stroking her face, the first and perhaps last time I will touch my family, I ask of her a final favor.

"You must not disclose that which I have spoken to you, until after I have departed, and my death is known. I would not have any attempt what I must do, and place themselves in my danger, instead"

At her brave smile, and assertation it would be so I again smile, and lift her to her feet.

"Dry your eyes sweet sister, lest anyone think our family be weak, and in all things hold your head high" I tell her gently, turning towards the door and opening it, then turning my head towards her with a final farewell

"The only thing I regret in my heart, is the lives as brother and sister we have lost, but I will make you proud of me in the next coming days"

Slowly I leave the room, and walk to where my sweet 'Rissa waits patiently, a brave smile on her face, question still in her eyes.

Gathering her in my arms, I once again marvel at all she has shown and taught me, in such a short span. Bending to meet her small but powerful form, I carress her lips with mine, and ask of her to return to where we first found our love.......

 

[THEBRAT]

The Black Raven

I will NOT let you go WITHOUT some kind of incantion that your MISSION is a successfull one all that I need is Father's Sword.

LET THIS SWORD OF TRUTH RING & FLY TRUE AS AN ARROW TO ITS INTENDED VICTIM.

I know that you most do as it has been fortold to me My Dear Brother.

Bart you leave a part of you behind for Clarrissa is with child she carries your SON but she know it not as of yet.

The Black Raven will protect both of there lives with my very life

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

I return to Hawke Hall, having set Mark about his tasks. My heart is absurdly light for one who realizes he has danced with the devil for so long, 'tis now the final waltz an' time to go home.

As I await Clarissa and Bart's return for further instructions, I take again the special letter from the pouch which I have read but once ere this. It is on heavy parchment, and the wax with which it was sealed, a rich and aromatic one.

And why not, since it bears the seal of His Highness, the King of England himself?

Reading it again, I feel a faint saddness, realizing that this news comes too late for me, mayhap. But for Clarrissa and Bart, yea, even Kimberly, it is news that will give them an opportunity to know freedom and honor. For that there is joy yet tinged with regret that what was a-borning between Amanda and myself may likewise end ere it has truly begun.

I shrug my shoulders. Such thoughts are weak ones. I've no intention of dying, nay, not yet. Not when there are battles to be fought for those who cannot fight their own. And this conflict before us, though it reeks of doom, is by no means foredained.

Thowing my head back, my laughter rings in the great hall. Aye, though a student of the ancients, I do not accept all they teach. The Fates themselves I acknowledge not as in control. No more than I believe that magic and sorcery can truly overcome hearts whose courage has been tested again and again in battle. Together, we will win!

I stride to the door, watching for Bart and Clarrissa, the missive in my hands. This will I share with them first, then my plans.

 

[THEBRAT]

The Black Raven

Bart & I have finished talking over our bussiness.

I feel as if my Heart has been ripped from my body and all that I can do is to cry me The Black Raven a Pirate crying like a baby.

I hear Hawke laughing!

The fighting madness comes over me full force.When I'm like this I know not friend nor enemy.I ran out of the room and attacked Hawke himself

I was extremly lucky that Hawke had seen Bart in just such away and knew just what to do to stop it.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Jeremiah Hawke

The one who calls herself Black Raven and the Spanish Princess appears as if out of nowhere and comes at me with murder in her eye.

My first thought is betrayal as she flings herself at me. I duck and she whirls around. Aye, I recognize that selfsame bloodlust look I have oft seen in Black Bart's eye. And, belike, will see again, for notwithstanding her brother's countenance, no one attacks me with impunity.

I draw my sword and advance to meet her, roaring, "Witch, is this how you repay your brother's trust and mine? If this be betrayal, by all the fires of hell you shall not leave this place alive!"

 

[THEBRAT]

The Black Raven

I shake my head in confusion the last thing that I remeber was sitting and then someones laughing.

It had to be The Fighting Maddness in that State I would attack anyone or anything in my path.

I looked up at Hawke and ask him if I attacked him?

I say to him because if I did my life is foreit to you then.

You & Bart trusted me!

 

[BLACK BART]

Breaking my embrace with Clarrissa, I step back into the hallwat, quickly making my way towards the familiar voices, now raised in outrage.

Passing the corner, I suddenly have the full view of the worst of what I have feared, slowing I pull both swords from the scabbards laying them on the floor as I advance behind the Raven.

"No my Captain" I say gently, as I place my hands on her shoulders, pulling her backwards. "Tis not the time to respond to excited women, who react rashly before battle"

Stepping in front of Inez, I give her a look of fury, shaking my head to indicate her silence would be best....and return to the unwanted chore of trying to calm my captain.

"She is overwhelmed, by the events gone by in the past hours" I speak calmly, levelly, watching Jeremiah's body for signs.

"I will remove her from your presence, so this fly will not bother you any longer, and let us return to our business, if you wish, my Captain"

Taking Inez's arm in my hand I lift her, almost off her feet, so she stands on tiptoes. Her free arm is flailing, as she tries to regain her balance, but she wisely remains silent. Turning my head, to match Jeremiah's eyes, I see the fury slightly abating, and I try an attempt at jest.

"Perhaps she would respond to the flat of a hand, better than the edge of a sword, eh, Jeremiah?"

Increasing the pressure on Inez's arm, I silently pray she wisely remains silent, and realizes the serious predicament she has put us all in.........

 

[wildxfire]

antonio

Time has passed, and my anger grows, at the treatment of Maria, from the hands of Hawke.....At his accusations I seeth, but am well aware of his attempts to break apart our alliance, thru more subtle methods.

If he wishes for us to think with rage, I will return the favor, and give him much to ponder. Turning to Maria, I speak to her of the evils needed to ensure victory..

"Tis with a heavy heart, We must use his beloved as a pawn, to enrage him, and perhaps destroy his powers of reason"

At her nod, I proceed with what is my duty....in this battle for freedom.

Incanting the spell, once again I pass thru the solid rock, and move quickly into the long dark tunnel, intent on my prey...

Stepping into Elizabeth's room, I see the two women embracing, talking in quiet tones, furtive glances being cast by both. Striding quickly towards them, thier eyes widen in fear,as I seize the scantily dressed Amanda.

"Tis you, who have now betrayed me" I bellow, rage in my face and eyes. "To plot against me, and reveal that which you have sworn not to, will not go unchallenged!"

Pushing Amanda backwards, away from Elizabeth, I raise my hands, incanting. From each hand a eerie glow emits, as my voice raises, growing quickly and consuming each curvaceous female form. Captured by the mist, the faces of each contort, in pleasure and in rapture, as their eyes flutter, then roll in unconciousness.

I watch silently, as thier helpless bodies drop to the sand floor, and move towards them, promising "Twill be a great rage, young Jeremiah will find himself in, when he faces what I have done with you."

Lifting Elizabeth's prone form, I place it on the bed, turning towards my once ally, now enemy. Tossing Amanda over my shoulder, carrying her soft form from the room and out of the cavern, I place her on a rock table beneath the heavy fronded trees.

"When you awaken, your mind will be mine to control" I chuckle "As well as your body"

Closing the rock wall, with a thought, I watch as the sleep leaves Amanda's body, and she begins to awaken.

 

[SexyChele]

Maria Elena

As I stand watching Antonio leave for the small chamber, the sound of Hawke's words resonate within my head. Coming out as if in a fog, I shake my head and look around.

Suddenly, the room around me seems close, cloying. I find I am unable to breathe deeply. Rushing towards the wall, it shimmers as it provides a portal through which I can escape.

I begin to run, faster, further, but to where I do not know. I feel branches scratch at my dress. Once or twice a fallen branch causes me to stumble, falling to the soft ground.

The hall! Maybe if I can make it there, I might find refuge - or death. I stop suddenly, realizing that I am lost. Turning in all directions, listening, I cannot make out my way, which direction I came from, and which direction I need to go to. A sob catches in my throat, fear grips my stomach, my mind whirling at the thought of being lost in the jungle.

Suddenly, the point of a knife pricks into my back, I try to turn around, but a heavy hand grabs my shoulder forcing me to face away.

"Who are you? What do you want?" I cry out.

"Who I am is of no concern to you. What I want is something you should be very familiar with providing to men," comes the response.

"Captain Hawke has guaranteed my safety here."

"Hawke's words mean nothing to me. Not when there is a woman like you around."

Feeling the hand grab my shoulder roughly, I am spun around to face my captor, the knife point brought to the middle of my throat.

"You are going to give me what I want, or the point of this knife will be driven deep into that pretty throat of yours."

"Please, senor, there is no need for violence or force -"

My words are cut off when he spins me around, locking his arm against my throat. I cry out softly as I watch the knife slice through the fabric of my dress, splitting it down the middle and exposing my body to the night air. As my cries increase, I feel his arm tighten, cutting off air to my lungs.

When the dress is cut, he places the knife in his other hand, and tears the dress from my body, leaving my body naked against him.

"Yes, I've wanted this from the first time I saw you. I know you to be a harlot, well, tonight you will be my harlot!"

As his words ring in my ears, I break free of his hold to run. However, his hand grabs my arm, and throws me roughly to the ground. I begin to scream, but he is on top of me, his hand covering my mouth, as his other hand finds a dirty rag and stuffs it into my mouth. Looking up in terror, I start to fight, before he brings the knife into my focus.

"Be still, or this knife will find its mark within your heart."

Laying there, watching the knife, my breasts heaving, I feel his hands on me. Rough, harsh, demanding. Grabbing my breasts, feeling as though he would tear them from my body, as his laugh fills my ears. He removes the gag, as his mouth covers mine, and I am revolted by the sour taste of his breath, as his hand reaches between my legs and roughly investigates my sex. Screaming into his mouth, enraged at the violation of my body, he quickly raises his head and puts the point of the knife at my heart.

"I won't warn you again, you Spanish whore! Not a word from you!"

I watch as the knife is drawn from my heart down my left breast, feeling the point pierce my skin, leaving a trail of blood behind. Almost as though fascinated at his handiwork, he starts another trail of blood to the other breast, then looks at me and laughs. I feel the knife point at my throat, and even though my breasts burn, I manage to keep my mouth quiet and pray for quickness.

I feel him fumble at his pants, and then suddenly his member, hard and stiff, is poking at my belly. As he begins to find entrance with it to my sex, I begin to struggle and feel the point of the knife enter the soft skin of my neck. I cease my struggles, as I feel a trickle of blood flow down my throat. Knowing that I cannot move, I begin to spew forth curses in Spanish at this intruder, this man of violence. Suddenly my head is sent reeling as I realize he has slapped me. Still unable to focus, I feel another hard blow sending my mind screaming and turning my world to hazy black.

As my mind focuses, I realize that he has entered my dry and unyeilding sex. Angered at my lack of response, my head is once again forced into almost blackness with the blow delivered by his hand. Feeling him force his way into me, I pray only for quickness....that all will be over soon.....please, I cry out to whatever god will listen to me.....

As he manages to enter me completely, he begins his quest for fulfillment. Drilling his penis into my unwelcome sex, I hear him laugh as he lowers his face to mine.

"You know what, whore? You ain't even that good!"

As his laughter pierces my spinning brain, I gather the courage to spit into his face and once more feel the back of his hand against my jaw and feel a snap somewhere in the back of my head. I feel numb, removed, distanced. Hopefully he will finish soon....yes, please, soon!

Hearing his grunts and his thrusts assaulting my body, tears slide slowly down from my eyes as I remember the sweet times with my Antonio, my only beloved, the only man who ever truly captured my heart. And then I am brought back to reality as the pig who is raping me thrusts deeply once, grunting out his deliverance of his seed into me. Spent, he lies on top of me, breathing hard, as his penis shrivels and softens and slides from my body.

As he looks down at me, I see the mask of death over his face, and true fear grips my heart.

"Senor, I gave you what you wanted, you've had what you so desired. Now, please let me go and I tell no one."

"You bitch! Do you think that I would leave you to tell that demon sorcerer what has happened? No, no one will ever know about this - NO ONE!"

As I stare into into his eyes, I feel strangely as the knife plunges deep into my chest. Gasping, trying to breathe, I feel it plunge once more deep into my chest. Looking down, I see the knife buried to the hilt between my breasts, blood oozing from the wound. Looking up at him in dazed confusion, he smiles...

"Now, no one will ever know, bitch!"

I feel him pull the knife from my body, and vaguely notice him stand up. As my eyes try to focus on the things around me, I feel my life's blood leave my body. Rolling to my side, my brain begins to numb, suddenly....

I am in the house of my Antonio, on the shores of southern Spain as the gentle breezes caress our naked bodies, bodies covered with the sweet sweat from the love that we have just shared. My Antonio, stroking my face, smiling into my eyes, brushing my hair from my face...

"Venga a mí, mi amor, me sigue al paraíso."

("Come to me, my love, follow me to paradise")

"Si, Antonio, I come."

I feel my last breath exit my body, as I place my hand in Antonio's and smile up at him.

 

[wildxfire]

antonio

Perched over the helpless maiden, my mind on the terrible pain I will inflict on her, I miss the sudden flight of my beloved.

A pain tears through my being, rendering me helpless, dropping me to my knees. From my eyes, blood pours forth, as my heart weeps, for that what has happened.

Sobbing, like a baby, I cry feeling the loss, yes the death of my greatest half....

The pain is tearing thru me, torturing my soul, as i feel her own soul slip away from this world...

"NNNOOOOooo!!!" I scream, my voice echoing thru the trees, driving all living animals from them in an exodus of fear....

From the lagoon, the beast rears its ugly head, feeling the same pain that I do, drivings its head in rage against the nearby ship, reducing it to kindling. Gone is the horde that lays within it, their blood seeping from the wreckage, as a flame grows within it, devouring all it touches as it grows.....

From my hands, hells fire spouts, and I destroy the rock face, forever opening the cavern within. The reassurring sweet feel of my beloved is gone, now replaced by Rage, and the urge to kill...

I fly thru the jungle, guided by the scent of her death, and arrive as a sneering man stands over her still warm body....


"YOU WILL DIE" I scream, my all consuming anger centered on him "YOU WILL DIE, the death of ten thousand, and feel their pain, as each dies"

Striding to him, I backhand him, driving his pitiful being against the trees, ands then leaping above the babbling coward, I strike again.

With one hand, my strength now the strength of ten possessed, I raise him from the ground by his throat, and sneer at him....

"You worthless being, you have taken from me, all that I have valued, all that is dear to me....Now you will feel my pain, and hers, and all that have gone before her"

From my eyes, hellfire pours forth, enshrouding him, slowly consuming his flesh, and his soul. From his lips pours unspeakable agony, as he feels the combined agony of thousands.....

"PLEeease, NOooo!" tears from his throat, then that too dissappears, as that flesh is consumed. With a final lurch, his body snaps, the sodden mess that was once a living being, falling from my grasp....

Turning, I fall to my knees, and gather Maria's lifeless body in my arms. A stream of tears fall from my eyes, washing the blood from her face, revealing the sweet innocent smile that lays beneath the gore.

Raising her in my arms, I lower my lips to hers, still warm, and kiss them, a final kiss of farewell from this world.

"I will soon join you, mi amado" I promise softly "Para vivir sin usted no debera vivir"

I begin my slow walk, towards the hall, and the final resting place of my beloved. Step by step I move, my body moving methodically, towards its own release....

Reaching the great doors, now guarded by a pair of brave men, I sneer at them. "Make way, this sweet woman has been granted safe passage, and by Seth, she will have it"

Stepping back, both men swing open the doors, and I walk inside, carrying my sweet flower.

Inside, there stands Captain Hawke, the Black Raven, and the man I had sworn to kill, now the one who will grant my release.


"Captain, I have heard that you are a fair man, and would care for any not capable of caring for themselves. I will pay you for this, in the return of your beloved sister, and your new found love" My voice booms thru the hall, as they eye my burden and myself...

"Raven, you have no ship, and will have to remain here on this forsaken Isle, till safe passage can you find"

"Brother Bartholomew, I would grant you your lifes desire this eve, in return for a fitting burial for my beloved....."

Laying her precious body, now a empty container, I promise it softly "I will soon join you, mi amor verdadero"

Turning towards the Captain, I intone of him...."I have released your loved ones, a great fire will guide you to them, where they are safe. You must keep your part of the bargain, as a gentleman"

With a final glance at my Maria Elena, I spin and rush towards Black Bart, yelling a warning "You must earn your lifes wish, my brotherrrrrr" and raise my hands to attack.

I see him grab an all too familiar sword from the floor, and throw myself headlong at him, praying his aim is true......