The Chase

Faustus liked Saturdays. He got to sleep late. There were no teaching duties, and today there were no field trips, camp outs, baby sittings, and other such items to force him to get up earlier than he'd want to on a weekend. He lay in his bed enjoying a quiet Saturday morning. He and Ginny planned to go to downtown Pace and just spend the evening together. He was really looking forward to that.

For now, though, blessed sleep.

Suddenly it was shattered by a frantic hammering on his front door. He forced his eyes open. It wasn't quite daylight yet! Then he heard Paul Arcon's voice.

"Faustus! Faustus! Get the hell up, man!"

Faustus rolled out of bed, quickly slipped on his basketball shorts, and just for good measure grabbed his sword. It slid out of the scabbard and had that eerie glow of power that such heavily enchanted weapons have. It could easily slice through solid steel a foot thick or a human with one stroke.

Faustus opened his front door. Arcon stood there, a look of near panic on his face.

"It's Ginny! Shes gone, man!"

"You're sure?"

"Yeah. Her lights were on in her house all night. I tried to call her, and the answering machine came on. I went there and her front door is open. Some of her furniture has been overturned and her bed hasn't been slept in! I found this, Faustus! You know what it is?"

Arcon handed Faustus a gold ring with a red ruby skull in the middle. Arcon saw Faustus's eyes narrow and his visage harden. He had seen that look before, when Faustus was leading a force in combat.

"They got her Paul. Ginny and I have been expecting them to. We just didn't know when. Bastards!"

He looked at Paul.

"You don't know what this is?"

"No." Arcon replied.

"I don't guess you would. The Cult of the Red Death never got a foothold in your home country. Your people are lucky. This is their calling card. It's Havoc's pet Drow, Coincutter's way of letting me know they got Ginny."

Arcon was shocked to learn that Havoc's people now had Ginny, but he was more than pleased to see that Faustus was taking the news rather well. This boded good for them, bad for Havoc. Big things were about to happen. BIG!

"Lets saddle up and go to Farenfarrs tower. Its time to teach a tin plated dragonspawn that you don't monkey with the Captain! Or his lady!"

Arcon was pleased. He added "Lets go kick some butts!"

They high fived then went to get ready. Faustus soon had his full combat gear on. He went to Ginny's house. He found one of her scarves on her dressing table. This, he put in his belt, as his "lady's favor". Everything he did from this moment forward, was in her name; until the favor was returned or he died trying. He locked her house up and went to the stables.

One hour later they were both armored, saddled up, and went galloping down the street.

Some of the curious watched them as they went into the desert. The thermals distorted what they saw, but it looked like some hole opened up in the air before them, and they disappeared. No one could be sure.

Ginny stood trembling but helpless in the throne room of this nearly obscene palace. What ever power they had used on her, it was like being trapped in her own body. She had no control, and they commanded her like she was a robot. She was fully aware of everything, but couldn't do anything on her own. This was far worse than anything Professor Warren had done to her, and much more powerful!

The big handsome man on the throne got up and sauntered toward her. He was ungodly handsome, and even Ginny had to admit to herself that she found him desirable. He looked at her with satisfaction mixed with contempt. He spoke in that language she could not understand.

"Is this her?"

"Yes my Liege Havoc."

"Gastermain, cast Truthtell on her!"

The wizard did as told. Ginny suddenly felt odd. She stood there unable to move.

The big man spoke to her in English.

"What is your name?"

"Gwendolyn Stacy." she answered without thinking. It shocked her.

The man rose to his full height of well over 6 feet. Powerful muscles rippled, and the veins on his neck stood out in rage.

"WHAT! IS! YOUR! NAME!" he yelled at her so loud that her ears rang as it echoed off the walls in the throne room.

Unable to resist, she said "Gwendolyn Stacy."

Gastermain looked at his master, and confirmed.

"She speaks the truth, Lord Havoc."

"Damn you! You got the WRONG GIRL! THIS.. " he pointed at Ginny, "Is NOT Ginny Stewart! How in the Seven Hells could you be so stupid!"

"But... But she is the one! I swear it!" begged Coincutter, the Drow.

"What should we do with her, Lord Havoc?"

Duer the lecherous dwarf leered at the attractive blond. Aye, she was a beauty! Might bring a good price in the Gulf when he tired of her.

"I'll take her, me Lord!"

"Then shes yours." Havoc said flatly, "Get her out of my sight, if you want her alive! She represents a failure to my plans! If I see this simp again, she dies! I should kill her right now..."

Duer spirited her away, gleefully, like a child with a new toy. Coincutter discretely followed least Havoc turn his wrath on him.

In the shadows to one side, Loric the Bard, dressed in the red robes and face mask of a follower of the Cult of the Red Death, followed Duer. Duer trusted him, plus he could find out where the sick and twisted Dwarf was taking the new hostage.

Loric was not a good bard, though he tried hard. His music wasn't all that bad, but most of the folks that he played for didn't like what he was playing. When Farenfarr asked for a volunteer to spy on Havoc, Loric accidentally stepped forward, or was pushed, he couldn't remember which.

Anyway, he not only was a successful spy in Havoc's midst, he EXCELLED at it. The information he forwarded to the Tower of Farenfarr helped the effort to foil Havoc greatly. Now he had another mission he put himself to.

The girl was pretty, oh yes, but she apparently was not the "Ginny Stewart" Havoc wanted. That is, unless she somehow had the unheard of ability to lie with a truthtell spell cast on her.

Now Loric had to find out who she was, and if she was worth going to the effort to free from the clutches of Havoc's nut-ball Dwarf, Duer.

"Good day m'lord Duer!"

"Who? Oh, its YOU, Loric, lad. Didn't recognize you in the mask. Like my new toy?"

"Shes a fine one. Where are you going with her?"

"I'm going to the Gulf. Unfortunately, I have to go now or the barge will leave without me. Too much business to have to tend to without having to encur Lord Havoc's wrath. So, I'll just hide this bonnie lass, and off we go down the Great River to the Gulf."

"Mind if I come? Not much for me to do here for now."

"Dunno when I'll be back, lad. Coincutter is coming along until things cool down least his buns get fried for botching the mission."

"I did not botch the mission! Something is wrong here! Thats the girl, I tell you!"

Duer just shook his head. He didn't care either way. For him, with this bonnie built blond here, things worked out okay! Besides, this so-called Captain had never given him a problem, but then again he never met the idiot in combat of any kind. Duer was sure he'd kick the Captain's butt when he did meet him on the battlefield, either tactically or hand to hand. But the problem was that there were usually more than one of them do gooders and they could put up a considerable battle with even small numbers.

Loric followed them down to the docks. Several barges were there, loading and unloading various goods. Smugglers abounded on both Havoc's and Farenfarrs side, and they weren't too particular with whom they traded. Loric took off to get his belongings for the trip, get out of these robes he hated, and go with Duer on his trip to the gulf. With any luck he'd be able to find Duer's stronghold, on some island out in the gulf. If he did, that would be a major coup and having it reported and destroyed would hurt Havoc's eastern forces a great deal.

Duer got a potion off a rack nearby. He looked at Ginny.

"Here, lassie, drink this!"

Unable to do anything but what she was told, Ginny took a sip of the liquid. She was out like a light. Duer caught her before she hit the dock.

"No no no, sweet meat! Mustn't bruise! Har har har!"

He had some men stuff her in a barrel.

They put the lid on, and loaded it with several others on the barge.

Duer changed into more non-descript clothing, looking like a thousand other dwarf merchants plying the river. Coincutter also put together a disguise. They were in the process of shoving off when Loric came at a dead run down the dock. He tossed his bundle on the barge and showed more agility than Duer gave him credit for when he leaped the distance to the barge deck.

Loric looked around and asked "Wheres the girl?"

Duer grinned evilly, "Why, what ya wanting, there laddy buck? Seconds? Never you mind, laddie. Shes put away all safe and sound. If them Rangers don't get us, you'll find out where she be."

Duer guided the tiller and the barge was polled and rowed by the small crew out into the center of the river. It caught the current and with a little effort here and there stayed steady down the river.

Loric made himself comfortable near a large stack of barrels on the barge center. Barge traffic like this usually took a day or so to get to the Gulf. He'd like to see what kind of ship the nasty old Dwarf had at his disposal. He hoped it was better than this open top barge with all these barrels and hides on it. Loric ate an apple and wondered where Duer had hid the girl. He had to be careful. He had shown more interest than he intended to, but Duer probably put it down to lechery. Duer was dumb enough to think everybody thought the way he did, and thats how Loric was able to manipulate the Dwarf. Still, he had to be very careful. Coincutter was a different sort of fish, and trickier. The good thing was, Coincutter was so upset that Havoc was mad at him, he was spending most of his time lost in his own thoughts. Being so distracted gave Loric a more open hand around him to do more snooping and pooping. Loric hated both these creatures, but was not above acting like a lapdog to get information. Thats one of the many reasons they thought him harmless. Being a bard made him one dangerous individual, and thats what kept him alive so far. At least two of Havocs people had suffered nasty 'accidents' when they got too close to finding out who Loric really was. Loric relaxed, but kept one eye on Coincutter.

Faustus and Arcon arrived at Farenfarr's tower. They were quickly shown to the upper floor study by the Elf servants. Farenfarr was busy inside the study but his clerical companion and advisor Willard was outside the door. The old cleric saw them coming. He dismissed the Elf servant with a wave of his hand. The Elf bowed and quietly left.

The old cleric had rock chiseled features and a disposition to match. He had the reputation of being mean and fearless. He was the only person who could talk to Farenfarr disrespectfully, and the only person he had shown any respect for was Lady Ellis, the Governor.

He looked at the Captain with open contempt. He tossed his head back and laughed, then wiped his mouth.

"Well, if it aint the boy in the red underwear. Took you long enough. Couldn't give her up, could you? Now Havocs got her and you're here to get old Farenfarr to bail out your bacon again."

"Cease the derision, Willard!" snapped Arcon, as he grasped the hilt of his sword.

Willard stood up to his full height of over 6 feet. His eyes flashed with anger. He put his hand on the mace at his belt.

"Or you'll what, laughing boy? Fight me? I'll pound you into hamburger so bad your own mother wont recognize you! I was fighting creatures the likes of which you can't imagine before you two were even born. Come on, draw iron, if you want!"

"Leave him be Arcon. Its just the way he is. Farenfarr in there?"

Willard smirked at the Captain with open contempt.

"Yeah. He's in there. He's already trying to figure a way out of this mess you got your lady in. You're lucky you know? If he didn't like you as much as he did, he'd let your pretty lady rot in Havoc's salt mines. But right now, he's busy risking exposing our entire intelligence network in Havoc's back yard. And here you stand, moon eyed and forlorn, asking for help. I wouldn't do it. He told you to get rid of her. Better for her, better for you, and better for everyone involved. But you couldn't do it. Just like I thought. You aint got it in you. Way too sentimental." Willard folded his arms and stared at the Captain with something like cold sympathy, even pity. If Faustus wasn't a valuable asset in the Havoc war, Willard would have had even less to do with him. Both men were Clerics, but both had a very different approach to what they do. The conflict of their two orders style cut a gulf between them, plus the very different personalities of either man.

"If you're done chewing him up, Willard, I'd like a word with him."

They all turned and there stood Farenfarr in the doorway of his study. Willard just shrugged.

"Sure, I'm getting tired of looking at him. Get your butt in there, Captain. We gotta get your lady out of the mess she's in."

As Cap and Arcon brushed passed Willard, Willard noticed the Lady's Favor in Faustus's belt. An odd smile came to the old Cleric. He actually looked pleased.

Less than an hour later they were on a river galley being rowed at high speed down the Kolorad to the coast. Once there, they'd make for Stonegal Island where the entire Western Squadron was summoned and now lay at anchor.

The ship had rowers working in shifts. It sped down the river with the current. On it were Faerenfarr, Willard, Arcon, Faustus, Roth Odin, C.B. and 120 of the Captains men at arms. Faustus stood on the bow, leaning against the dragon-head front, his eyes fixed down the river. He was lost in thought.

Keenmar Saheer, who is called "Snake", stood near Willard. He indicated the Captain with a nod of his head.

"He loves her."

Willard looked at Snake. Snake didn't talk much at all, and when it did, he considered it very important.

"Does he now? And whats he to her?"

"It is mutual."

"Well, Mr. Keenmar Saheer, if he really loved that girl so dad blasted much, then he should have let her go. Now hes got her in more trouble than shes ever known before. Its his fault."

"No. He made her go. She came back. She wont leave. Its mutual."

"Then they are both fools."

"Why?"

Willard could pull his hair out in frustration. People who talk on and on he could deal with. Snake, Glendor, and people like him, on the other hand, drove him nuts.

"Snake, I saw what losing Melissa did to Farenfarr. It almost killed him. I don't want to see that again. He should have let her go."

"She wont go."

Willard just shook his head and stopped talking to Snake. Yeah, Faustus was in love with that girl, and from what he knew of it, she was in love with him. Then he spoke again.

"Has he told her he loves her?"

"No."

Willard raised his eyebrows.

"No? Then how in blue blazes do you know she loves him?"

"Its obvious."'

Willard gave up. The galley sped on, and the rowers executed a shift change without missing a stroke. Up on the bow, Faustus kept his plans to himself.

Arcon sat amidships, being quiet as usual. He figured he was getting too old for this. Most of them were. He thought about what happened in the tower. Farenfarr had told Faustus that he could rescue Ginny quite easily with a magic mirror he had. The cost would be to destroy the entire spy network in Havoc's domain. Faustus would not let him do that, even for his beloved. Then Farenfarr laid a plan on them. Duer had a fortress in the Gulf. If they could shadow Duer's ships chances are excellent he'd lead them to the fortress and they could destroy it with the ships in the squadron. This would really mess up Havocs eastern naval forces, cheating them of a base of operations. Overall, it would be a major setback for Havoc, forcing him to take ships from the Great Western Ocean to replace what he would lose in the east. This in turn would take pressure off Bently in his strongholds in the West. Bently Lamangus' forces was all that was keeping Havoc from conquering the last free peoples of the West Coast.

So now, Ginny Stewart had gotten herself involved in a much bigger game. Arcon just hoped she did not pay too high of a price.

Ginny herself awoke on the floor of a cell in the bottom of Duer's ship, the Hummingbird. There was some old straw and a bucket in there with her, nothing else. The ship creaked and rolled, and she figured they were underway at sea someplace. She looked around and immediately saw Duer standing outside the cell. She back crawled in disgust and horror until she bumped into the hull of the ship. He laughed at her.

"Heres how it is, Missy. You keep me happy, and ye donna go to the slave market. You make me the least wee bit angry or displease me in any way, and next thing ye know you're turning tricks on the wharves for Madam Switch. Your choice, lassie, and its the only one ye got. I'll let ye think on it. When I come back, you better have made up your mind, cause ole Duer is gonna have ye, whether ye want me or no, and thats a bloody fact."

The dwarf walked away and up a gangway to the upper decks. Ginny heard someone hiss and looked into the shadows. Coincutter materialized out of the blackness, all teeth and eyes, like a malevolent Cheshire cat. He leered at her. She almost screamed.

"Know you this, girl. You have caused me embarrassment. For that you die, but not this day. I will not deprive Duer of his fun, but your days are numbered. Some time, soon, you will feel the cold steel of my dagger, and he will not care. Count the brief time you have left, Stewart. I don't know how you managed to lie in the truth-tell, but it doesn't matter. You die soon. Very soon. On that you can be sure."

He faded back into the shadows, and Ginny could just make him out as he went up the gangway.

She went to her knees and prayed. She was not a churchgoing person, but she was a believer. Now she prayed for deliverance, either through death or rescue. And she prayed that Faustus would remember her if she never returned, and be understanding for what ever they did to her.

Some time later, a figure in robes came by and picked up her food tray. She had managed to gag down what they fed her, cause she hadn't eaten since they had captured her. The fellow in the robes said nothing, but as he left a dagger fell from his robes and stuck in the deck next to the bars of her cell. The guy kept on going, up the gangway, as if nothing had happened.

Ginny hesitated a moment, then snatched the dagger and hid it. She wasn't sure what she could do with it, but at least she now had something. There was now a chance.

The Heartland squadron was underway. Faustus stood by the after deck, next to the helm. The two men at the wheel were confident and proud of their service, as were all the men on the ships.

Faustus took a sighting and made notes, then he checked a chart a nearby elf was holding.

"If your information is correct, Farenfarr, we should intercept them just as they make landfall on this island here. You think that is where the stronghold is?"

"Yes I do. All my sources and my own gut feeling tells me thats it. With what we got here in this fleet we should be able to take it. It wont be easy, but we should shut down Duer's little island empire in short order."

"That'll hurt Havoc pretty bad. I hope it works."

Faustus handed the instrument and the charts to the elf, and the elf went below to stow it away. Faustus then leaned on the quarterdeck railing and looked at the sunset. Farenfarr leaned on the rail next to him.

"Son, I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for, Gundaff. You gave your advice, and like all advice, its up to the person you are giving it to, to follow it."

"Well, at least Havoc doesn't have her. This could all work out eventually."

Faustus nodded, "I sure hope so."

"Why don't you admit it to her, that you love her, Captain."

"I'm not. In love I mean. With her."

"And why not? Every time I see you two its obvious. Touching, holding, doing all that stuff kids in love do. "

"We're just good friends Farenfarr. You just ask her when we get her back. Thats all we are. Its nothing permanent. She's going to find somebody and then..."

Faustus paused a long time before he was able to spit it out.

"...she'll go away."

He looked at the water.

"But she'll be happy. I want her to be happy. She enjoys my company and the stories I tell her. But we are not in love. She needs more than what I can give."

Farenfarr lit his pipe and studied his old friend. If ever Faustus acted a fool, this was it. Why didn't these two kids come on out and admit it? Whats keeping them from stating the obvious? He just shook his head and watched the sun set.

Not too far away stood Glendor, Farenfarr's right hand man. He was a huge guy, dressed in chainmail with a cup style helmet. He had large dark eyes and a jet black close cropped beard and hair. He carried a huge vorpal sword. He was trying to talk to Jean, Captain's Squire. She wasn't listening. Jean was a stoutly built female, with blond pageboy style locks. She wore tight blue jean syle pants, a red and white striped sailor's shirt. She had a scarf tied around her head. She was mad at Glendor. They were arguing in stage whispers, just audible to those around them.

"Aw come on Jean!"

"Don't 'aw come on' me, you dirty rotten Gigolo! One girl I could understand. Two I would have put down to all the traveling we did. BUT FOUR?!!!"

"They, well, I loved them all, but because of the danger of my lifestyle..."

Jean whirled and slapped him.

"Danger my foot!"

Everybody stopped what they were doing and stared. The conversation got much louder.

"Of all the guys I've met, all the places we've been, I wanted to marry you! YOU! And then I find out this! You two timing, lecherous, slimey, lousy, stinking...."

"It wasn't two-timing, Jean. There are four. And you got room to talk!"

Jean stopped and gawked at him.

"I didn't leave kids scattered all over the countryside, you jerk! What was I gonna be? Number Five?"

"Well, yes, but..."

Glendor tried pleading with her, but she refused to talk to him. She pretended to be busy with a shroud line. He went below decks before she dropped a marlinspike or even a yardarm on him. She was very angry.

Farenfarr stopped looking at them and talked to Faustus.

"How'd Jean take you and Ginny getting together?"

"Farenfarr, Ginny and I are just friends."

Farenfarr rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, Jean took it okay. She understands. Our relationship was not that tight. I started spending all my time on the other side, and then with Ginny, so she decided to move on to other things. She's been here at sea or on Stonegal ever since. When we meet we get along just fine."

Jean looked around.

"Bug eyed and bearded gone below?"

"If you mean Glendor, yes." Farenfarr said, "How'd you find out about his...uh... family life, Jean?"

"I don't spend all my time at sea or on Stonegal, Farenfarr. A few coins here and there, and you find out things. I'm surprised you brought him with you! After all, hes got FOUR families to look after!"

She launched into a litany of anger with Glendor featuring prominently in all of it, then much to the old Wizard's surprise she stopped, planted a wet kiss on the Captain, said "welcome aboard," and went below decks.

"Your old Squire hasn't changed," said Farenfarr.

"I guess. This is her ship, when I'm not here. She's had another one of her hopes dashed, Farenfarr. She always figured she and Glendor might make a pair. That's whats bothering her."

"If you say so."

The fleet sailed on through the night. Destiny awaited.

It was just passed noon the next day. Ginny had finished her meal of the day when she heard the now familiar thump thump of the dwarf's feet on the gangway. He'd come down here and leer at her from time to time, just to irritate her. This time he stopped and opened the cell door.

"We're just outside me home port. I'll have yer answer, lassie? Is it Duer or no?"

"You can go to hell."

"Have it your way!"

The dwarf laughed and then lunged at her. He grabbed her arms.

They struggled and fell on the floor. Ginny was no match for his strength. Duer grappled with her clothing and she found the dagger where she had it hid. Much to the dwarf's surprise she stuck it in his crotch, just enough to get his attention.

"Och! Be careful there, lassie!"

"Get off me you troll, or I'll do a John Bobbit on you. I'll put you out of business for good."

Duer carefully got up, Ginny got behind him and put the dagger between his shoulder blades. She got a grip on his long hair for good measure. If he moved wrongly the sharp blade would easily go into his back.

"Up the ladder, Stumpy. We're going upstairs."

Ginny followed the dwarf up two decks to the main weather deck. Once up there all activity on deck halted instantly as they saw what was happening. Ginny was frightened just by the look of the crew. There were orcs, men, some goblins, and oddly a couple of minotaurs. Several of the mixed race crew laughed derisively at Duer's predicament. This was the first time they'd seen the old slave trader get the best of by one of his captives, and a female to boot!

"Now what ye gonna do lassie? No place to go. Just give ole Duer that knife and we'll pretend this here didn't happen."

Ginny answered by giving him a little jab with the deadly weapon. He flinched, but didn't move. She noticed the after cabin. If she could get in there, she might be able to form a plan. Right now, she had gotten further than she thought she would. She expected to have to fight the crew before she got on deck, but apparently the crew hated Duer almost as much as she did.

"Move to that cabin, Hairy."

The dwarf did as he was told. They were almost to the door when Duer heard a faint whistling sound in the air and a loud "KONK!"

Ginny gasped and fell on the deck, the dagger rolling free from her grasp.

Coincutter came up and picked up a belaying pin he had thrown and knocked Ginny out with.

"Thats one you owe me for, Duer. What do you want to do with the human here?"

Duer kicked her in the ribs. Ginny gave a moan, though out cold.

"Get her below decks and back to her cell! How'd she get my dagger?"

"Too much excitement perhaps?"

"I dunna take it with me when I go below to see her. How'd she do that?"

"Maybe you forgot?"

The dwarf just glared at the Drow and watched as three of his crew hauled Ginny below decks.

"Maybe ye shoulda thrown yer knife instead and kilt the ruddy sow, Coincutter. We'd a tossed her over for shark meat."

Coincutter grinned at the dwarf.

"What? And spoil all your fun? Perish the thought."

Coincutter had other reasons also. The dwarf now owed him a favor. With the woman still alive, for now, he might be able to learn how she avoided the truth tell spell. That she was able to filch Duer's dagger without him knowing it also said that she had the light handed abilities of a thief. She was far too clumsy to be an assassin. But she had some abilities that he had to find out what they were before he ended her life. This was turning out to be fun after all.

"SAIL HO!" the lookout called.

Coincutter and Duer immediately lost all interest in Ginny.

"Where away?"

"Off the Larboard Stern!"

Duer looked to the west. He grabbed a telescope. The lens filled with sails.

"Great bloody hell, its the whole damn Heartland fleet! Make more sail aloft! If they catch us we'll nae stand a chance!"

Sailors of all kinds went into the rigging. More sails bloomed from the yards.

Faustus saw this in his telescope. He ordered the battle flags aloft and had the ships make more sail themselves. The sails flapped for a second then gave a boom! as they caught the wind. Farenfarr stood on the deck as it heeled over to a 45 degree angle, popping and groaning as it was pulled over by the sails. The ships were now moving as fast as they could, and Faustus's ship "The Eagle" was on the verge of being over-sparred. This worried the old wizard a bit, but he was no sailor so he trusted the man who was. Waves kicked over the bow. They were at speed!

It wasn't time to run out the guns, and at this speed and angle it would be next to impossible. Once they caught Duer and his rotten little ship, though, the guns of the Eagle would make flaming splinters out of the dwarf's ship.

Faustus wanted him bad.

Ginny come to when the ship she was on heeled over from the extra canvas put in it's yards. The sails caught the wind and tilted the decks at a sharp angle. Ginny rolled to the lee side of her cell and regained consciousness up against the bars.

Her first sensation was her head hurt badly, and she was having trouble breathing. She reckoned she landed on something when who ever it was clubbed her. She figured she had a couple of broken ribs, maybe. All she did know was that she was in worse shape since her escape attempt failed. She didn't have her dagger, she was hurt, and Duer said they were near his home port.

The creaking and popping of the wood around her got her attention. She managed to painfully sit up and take in what was going on. The ship was pitching hard, and tilted at a sharp angle. This indicated even to someone with as little nautical knowledge as she had that they were going as fast as they could. Something was up, but she had no idea what, or any idea of how long she had been out.

"Run out your guns!" Faustus ordered.

The ships backed off sails and gunports opened. Heavy naval guns were ran out, ready to fire at the command. The ships righted themselves and slowed down a bit. Archers, mostly elves, went up into the mast tops. From there they'd spray accurate bow fire on targets on the enemy's decks.

Farenfarr felt a little less uneasy as the deck came back to a more reasonable angle. He plotted what to do with his powers, and he had a bold and dangerous idea. He pulled his sword and checked it. Maybe... just maybe... He grinned to himself.

Duer looked at the ships as they sped his way. The lighter, faster ones were coming on hot. They had their guns out and he could make out bloodthirsty men, elves, and other crew on the ships itching for a fight. They all had cutlasses and not a few firearms. He had to make a decision. He was close to his fortress, it was just over the horizon. He could continue to flee at top speed and not be able to make it into the port, or he could back off a bit, risk a gun battle, and hope to get into the shelter of the Fortress' guns. There he could get off the ship with his cargo and hostage, and send the ship back out to engage the fleet. There were other ships there and they could defend the island with the fortress. It might prove an even contest.

The Fortress Island soon came into view. Duer felt better about his chances now.

Duer then took his telescope and looked at the biggest ship in the enemy squadron. He could just make out a figure on deck. The hair stood up on the back of his neck.

"Och! Coincutter, look ye there on the deck o' that ship, just on the quarter-deck, and tell me if thats who I be thinking it be!"

Coincutter took the telescope and adjusted it to his better eyesight. He gave a start and almost dropped the spyglass.

"Either its the devil himself or Gundaff Farefarr is on board that ship!" Coincutter said through gritted teeth. He then looked down at the wide eyed dwarf and said "Duer, we got to get ourselves out of here! Like RIGHT NOW!"

Both men were now near panic. Duer got the crew to rig the ship's longboat. He took some men he could trust and prepared to lower it over the side. He made up the story that they were getting the hostage to the fortress. To back up his claim they had Ginny brought up from below and placed in the boat. She was in great pain and unable to move much from her broken ribs. She was very confused and frightened as to what was going on. She huddled amidships.

With Duer, Coincutter, and the necessary rowers on board, including Loric himself, the boat was lowered and a running launch made. The rowers then frantically made for the harbor and the fortress. From the tiller Duer drove them like a madman. If Farenfarr saw them out here, the only hope was that the girl was valuable enough to the old wizard that he didn't fireball the longboat. Cannons, swords, and muskets he could deal with, but the most lethal wizard of the age was something else altogether. By himself Farefarr could probably sink most of the ships in the harbor. There was no telling what he could do to the fortress, but it was his best chance.

"Break your backs, ye swine! If they catch us, they'll hang us all! Row, damn you! ROW! Row for your very lives!"

Under Duer's orders, the ship they had just left came about to engage the oncoming Heartland fleet. Other ships, alerted by signals, came out of the harbor to join the Hummingbird. The fortress had already put its guns at the ready. The battle was about to be joined.

Farenfarr took one good look around, nodded at the Captain, then launched himself skyward. Like a rocket he left the decks and shot up through the rigging. He made straight for Duer's ship. That was when he saw the longboat rowing at top speed for the fortress. It was too late to turn back and tell Faustus what he saw, so he was just about to blast the boat with a lightning bolt. That was when he made out the boats occupants.

There was Duer, the stubby hairy dirtbag that he was. There was Coincutter, who was terrified of the wizard and with good reason. He could make out Loric, rowing like a machine. Part of the agreement was that if Loric got caught in a crossfire, that was too bad. But what stopped Farenfarr from blowing the boat out of the water was that it was carrying Ginny Stewart, and she looked like she was injured even from this range. If she survived the electrical blast, she probably couldn't swim, hurt as bad as she appeared to be. That held Farenfarr up.

Coincutter fired a crossbow at Farenfarr and Farenfarr replied with a salvo of missiles from his hands. Several hit Coincutter, driving him down into the boat. The Drow howled with agony. Farenfarr sped away toward the Hummingbird, shaking his fist at the longboat. He'd be back!

Duer watched as the Wizard flew away toward the Hummingbird and thanked his lucky stars that he had the foresight to take the girl with him. As he looked around, several of his loyal navy left the port, turned tail, and fled from the battle before it even started. Duer cursed them hotly. Only one ship, the Province, and the Hummingbird were left to do battle. The only reason the Province got in the fight was that it got caught, being the last ship out of the port. Loyal fleet indeed! All rested on the guns of the fort, now. It did not look promising.

Duer got to the wharf in the harbor. Panic reined in the streets, as people got any boat they could to get away from the Heartlanders. He got his crew out of the boat and immediately several people fought their way on board, trying to steal the longboat. Duer and the crew killed several but were overwhelmed by numbers. Duer grabbed Ginny who screamed in pain and with Loric's help got her on dry land, and up the steps of the harbor. The remaining crewmen and the badly wounded Coincutter made it up the steps and followed, swords out and a wild look of fear on their faces. The mob rowed the boat out of the harbor with many others. Some were overloaded and sank. The harbor was filled with desperate and drowning people. It was chaos everywhere.

Duer looked out to sea. The Heartland fleet had broken into three squadrons. Three of the ships pursued the running ships that had fled the harbor. Three others, the largest, made for the Province. Three more were engaging the Hummingbird. As he watched a pitched battle raged on the decks of his ship, as they were boarded from Rover, a ship of similar size. The Hummingbird was just too slow to run. He was glad he got off it. He noticed also all of the ships stayed out of range of the harbor guns. Magic users on both sides had put various spells and traps on the sea, and on the ships. There were reefs on the north and south side of the harbor, so the battle was pretty much out to sea.

The Hummingbird fought off the boarders, then fired it's guns that completely dismasted the Rover.

Farenfarr made it to the Hummingbird, dodging arrows and mustketballs sent his way. He landed in the crows-nest and quickly dispatched the crewmen up there with his sword. Then he began to hack on the lines up there, trying to cut the hoist for the sails free, effectively causing the ship to lose sail. Everytime he made progress some desperate sailor leaped on the platform with him and he had to duel with the man. In addition arrows from the deck below were sent his way. Then a big Minotaur got up there, and Farenfarr became very busy with the creature. It swung an axe at him, he would duck, and hack at the horrid creature.

Province sped for a fogbank, hoping to elude the three big Men o' war that were bearing down on her. She had managed to stay out of range of the big ships guns, but time was running out. To the relief of everyone on board the slaver ship, they made it into the fog.

Faustus was now one angry man. He put a ship, Shadow, near the magical fog bank to watchdog the Slaver hiding there-in, then swung his two other ships toward the fortress.

Duer saw this, and smiled.

"Aye, now, look at them come! We'll see if they can deal with the guns o' tha fort!" He glanced at Coincutter.

"Come on ya ginty Drow, ya are a bleedin' all over the place, and we gotta get inside the gates o' me fortress! Dunna ya die on me afore we git there! We still got plenty to do!"

Coincutter staggered along, holding his chest where many wounds bled freely. Farefarr had let him have it good, but not good enough. He'd live, and he'd remember the old Wizard. Loric and a crewman carried the hostage, who was in great agony from where Duer had kicked her. If they had to flee, and Coincutter would bet his last gold piece that they would, the girl would be too much trouble to keep. She would slow them down, and her cries of pain would give them away if they had to hide. They would need all the potions they had and couldn't waste any on her. She had served her purpose as a shield, now she was rapidly becoming a liability. It wasn't time to ditch her just yet, though.

Farenfarr sidestepped as the Minotaur's axe whistled through the air and neatly cut away a sizeable section of the mast-top platform that made the crows-nest. It fell to the decks below with a loud crash.

Farenfarr saw an opening, whirled, and smoothly decapitated the Minotaur with his sword. The body stood there for a moment, then the old Wizard took his foot and pushed the beast over. It tumbled to the deck, joining the section of crows-nest.

"Dad blasted cow! How you like them apples?!"

For good measure, Farenfarr blasted the deck with a lightning bolt, killing and scattering several crewmen, then with one swing he cut the rigging loose from the mast.

As the sails and lines fell Farenfarr took flight again. The Silverback came into a rake position, crossing the "T" of the disabled Hummingbird's bows. Farenfarr ordered the ship to fire, waving his sword at the Hummingbird.

Big guns roared on the Silverback, and Farenfarr turned in midair to watch the projectiles impact. Hit on the bow, the cannon balls traveled the length of the little ship, causing massive damage. The Hummingbird was sent to the bottom in seconds, what was left of her crew struggling in the water near the Rover. Rover, though derelict, picked up the survivors and took them prisoner. They had quite a story to tell about Duer and his "all kinds of amazing" prisoner!

Gallowglass sailed to within range of the fort to the north as to the south side Faustus had Eagle come about and with it the Recreant. The Recreant had short ranged but very accurate guns, and she would be needed in the bombardment of the fort. Shadow stayed on station near the fogbank where the slave ship Province lay hidden.

If Shadow went into the fog after Province there was no chance of finding the enemy ship, and Shadow would be as lost as the Province.

Duer was near the main gate of the fort when the guns on the North side opened up with a thundering roar. Deafened by the roar and staggered from the blast, he looked out to sea beyond the reef and saw what the fort was shooting at.

Duer cheered as the water splashed up around Gallowglass. The ship was undamaged, however, and prepared to fire back. The fort's guns frantically readied for another salvo.

Duer got the attention of the gate guard and was let in along with his remaining crewman, Loric, Coincutter, and Ginny. The fort commander reported to Duer, who merely told him to keep on doing what he was doing. Duer had other plans than to direct a battle against a fleet, especially a losing one. To emphasize this point, the return volley from the Gallowglass blew a good section of the wall away, scattering gun crews, masonry, and cannon parts all over the courtyard.

As the smoke cleared, Duer took stock of who was left of his crew. Ginny and Coincutter were still alive, but he had doubts about both of them surviving this journey. Both were badly wounded. And Duer saw Loric stand up from where the rest of his crewman were knocked down by the incoming cannon fire. Loric didn't have a scratch on him but all the other men who were once standing with him were dead. Almost all had fatal headwounds. Duer thought that strange.

"You must be one lucky git!" Duer railed at him.

Loric just shrugged, looking stupid. Duer turned to speak with Coincutter and they didn't notice Loric when he dropped the large bloody rock he had been holding behind his back.

Farenfarr traveled quickly over the open water toward the fortress and the surrounding harbor town. He saw the Gallowglass hit the fortress with telling effect. He had to get to the fort and get Stewart from Duer before the fleet leveled the place and maybe killed her along with everyone else in there. Too much his mind recalled the horror of his wife being killed by these cultist. Maybe he could stop it from happening again.

Faustus was on board the Eagle, closing into range on the fortress. Not far away the Recreant kept station, all guns ready. Recreant had already signaled it's intentions of sailing right into the harbor and blasting the fort from point blank range in there. Captain Bartholomew was a brave soul, Faustus had to admit.

Faustus took his telescope out again and scanned where the battle over the Hummingbird was as the smoke was clearing. The Hummingbird was gone! Fear for Ginny's welfare gripped Faustus in his gut as he looked there. Survivors were being hauled aboard the Rover, he could tell, but he had no way of telling if Ginny was among them. If Duer had left her captive below decks she would have gone down with the ship, irretrievably lost.

Faustus got himself together. He had a battle still to fight. He would have to worry about Ginny later. He gave one last glance in the direction of the Rover and put away the urge to sail there and find out what happened. After the battle. You count your losses after the battle. Oh please let her be okay, please.

Until then, level the fort!

The ships moved into position as Gallowglass exchanged shots with the fort. Silverback neared the mouth of the harbor, and Recreant was not far away. Faustus carefully navigated the Eagle along the edge of the reef. One drift one way or the other and the ship would impale itself on the coral, at the very least damaging it and taking it out of action.

Jean was near the gunwale, observing the fort and preparing to fire on it with the battery of guns she was in charge of. She saw Glendor behind her.

"Quit following me arou..." was all she got out when a cannon ball shattered the gunwale right in front of her. The ball and shrapnel hit her solid, killing her and about a half dozen crewmen. The blast blew her shattered body into Glendor, knocking him to the deck. He skidded a few feet and his first impulse was to toss the bloody ruin off of him.

But he got to his knees and gently lay what was left of Jean on the deck.

"Cleric...I gotta find a cleric! Captain! I'll take you to the Captain!"

Glendor scooped up the bloody mess and ran for the quarter-deck. Faustus was very involved in keeping the ship off the reef and getting his guns in range. He was very close to ordering the first volley on the fort from the ship. He turned around and saw Glendor coming up the ladder with an ungodly awful bunch of bloody goo in his arms. He had seen worse, in his time, but the realization of who that was made him ill.

"Cap.. its... Jean!" Glendor said, misty eyed, "Can you.. can you..?"

"I can try. Arcon! Take the com for a minute?"

Arcon saw what Glendor was holding and retched, then he gagged out "I got it!"

Arcon watched for a second as they went near the stern and put Jean down behind the skylight. It was high enough so nobody on the quarter-deck could see what they were doing. Arcon then carefully started directing the ship around the reef. He would not order the guns to fire until Faustus said so.

Faustus began the ritual and Glendor watched as Jean began to regenerate. Faustus could only do so much and if Jean had too much of a shock to her body or her soul had gone on there was no chance of retrieval. Not everyone could be brought back, and thats why this particular spell was not used each and every time someone died.

Much to the relief of both men Jean began to breath again. The effort of coming back always left the person weak and still near death. Jean would not be able to get around for many days.

"Take her below Glendor. I still got a battle to fight."

Glendor nodded his thanks. He picked the limp form up and took Jean down to her cabin. He heard Faustus growl "I have the command!" and Arcon respond.

It was payback time.

Faustus eyeballed the distance over the reef to the fort. They were in range.

"Fire when ready!"

The Master Gunner blew a whistle, this was followed by similar whistles below decks. The starboard side of Eagle erupted in a ragged volley of heavy cannon, and the ship actually rolled slightly to the weather from the recoils.

Cannon balls can be enchanted, just like everything else. Problem is, cannon munitions are usually one use items, so the enchantments are usually the cheap and small kind. This batch of iron balls on the first volley were enchanted with a cantrip that made them scream through the air. The gun crews on the walls could hear them coming. Others were given the ability to make vapor trails, to make them visible to both target and gunner. This made for better accuracy on the second volley.

Both mixed munitions streaked over the reef and smashed into the walls of the fort. The results were telling. The other three ships pounded the fortress also, and the walls of the bastion began to crumble. Fires broke out from the hot iron and explosions. Some gun crews panicked and abandoned their guns. Braver ones moved guns from other locations to keep up the firing on the ships.

Duer could see the fort was now taking fire from three sides. He spit and ordered Loric to help the girl along. Duer, Coincutter, Loric and Ginny went into a building, across a room, and through a door. There was a hallway there that seemed to dead end. Coincutter handed Duer his crossbow and felt along the dead end wall. A door seemed to appear and the Drow opened it.

Duer had Loric put Ginny down. She leaned against a wall, holding her ribs, and spitting a little blood. Duer motioned Loric to go through the secret door into the tunnel beyond. Loric paused in the door with Coincutter to see what was about to happen.

Duer spoke to Ginny.

"They've come for ye, Lassie, and we cannae take ye with us."

Ginny felt her heart lighten. Were they going to let her go?!

"So, its the end of the road for ye here." he said.

He leveled the crossbow at her. The bolt tip had a strange green glow to it.

"If I cannae hae ye, nae will he!"

He shot Ginny with the crossbow.

The first sensation was the pain of the bolt tearing through her just below her ribs, then the fire in her veins as the poison worked quickly. There was an odd buzzing in her ears, and she couldn't breath. Then darkness.

The door to Duer's left exploded inward with a mighty blast. At first he thought it took a hit from the ship's guns but standing in the smoke and debris stood Gundaff Farenfarr leaning on his staff. Farenfarr arrived just in time to see Ginny crumple on the flagstones of the hallway.

Duer stupidly tried to reload the crossbow rather than run. Behind him Coincutter quickly and quietly closed the secret portal. He and Loric took off at a dead run down the tunnel.

"Better to run away and live to fight another day, Loric! It'll be several days, but we'll make it back home. Havoc will not be happy that he's lost Duer."

Loric nodded. He doubted he could take out the crafty Drow in the tunnels they would travel in under the Gulf for days on end. The Drow knew the way, and Loric needed him alive to get back. Such was the life of a spy. You had to give a little now and then, but boy they had really screwed up Havoc's plans today! Loric smiled to himself. He'd bide his time and wait. He just might be able to get the drop on Coincutter once they got back to Havoc's empire. Maybe. Someday. He felt sorry he couldn't save the girl, though. Very sorry.

With a flick of his wrist Farenfarr pinned Duer upside down to the wall where the secret door was. Duer was unable to move, it was like a piece of invisible steel had him pinned. Farenfarr glared at him then knelt down where Ginny lay.

He turned her on her back and held her. Unless they could bring her back, he was too late and all this was for nothing.

"Just wish we coulda got here sooner, little lady."

Ginny gained awareness. She was in a dark black void, but she was illuminated somehow and could see. She wasn't hurt, there was no blood on her clothes. Then she heard a voice she had not heard in a very long time.

"Gwendy?"

Her eyes widened.

"Poppa?!"

Out of the blackness strode her father! She ran to him and embraced him.

"Oh, father! Father! I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too, honey."

George Stacy held his daughter and stroked her long golden locks. Then they looked at each other. Ginny smiled at her father. He looked the same he always did, but he didn't need his cane to walk anymore. He was straight and tall and strong, like he was when she was a little girl.

"Am I dead Poppa?"

"Yes, in a way, unless they can call you back. You've seen it done, and you know how they can do it."

"Then where are we? Where is this?"

"This is where you and I have come to meet each other again, honey. When we leave here this place will cease to exist again. When you go back."

Ginny held her father and thought on that.

"I dont know if I want to go back, Poppa."

"Yes you do, Gwendy. You are doing real well where you come from. Theres a lot more for you to do back there. People are depending on you. And that man you've met...Cap, I think you call him.."

"Cap? You mean Faustus?"

"Yes, him. I think he's the best thing for you since Peter."

Ginny looked at her father.

"But Poppa, he doesn't know who I am, or what I am."

"And what are you Gwen? You love him, you've admitted it to yourself. All you have to do is admit it to him."

"I'm afraid to, Poppa. I'm afraid he'll send me away. I'm afraid he'll be... so hurt... that I've lied to him all this time, that it'll make him angry with me, and he'll send me away. I don't think I could deal with that."

"Gwen, he loves you. You love him. You have to learn to trust again. It'll all be okay. You know in your heart it will. My little girl, you have got to get over what happened to you with Peter and your friends. You've got to learn to trust people again. You should tell him."

"I can't. I cant tell him. It'll ruin everything. I'm not ready for that, and neither is he."

George just smiled at his daughter. She was like that. Changing her mind would not be easy. Then....

"I have to go, honey."

"What is it? Poppa.. what..?"

"Be good, and remember me. I love you! Until we meet again..."

He backed away from her, smiled, waved goodbye and walked away, vanishing into the blackness.

"Poppa? NO! Come back! Poppa!"

Ginny ran to where he used to be. There was nothing there. She called his name several times and nothing answered. She then sat on the floor of where ever it was she was in, and cried.

Then she heard something. Someone was calling her name "Ginny". She couldn't place the voice. She couldn't tell where it was coming from. She got up and wandered around, trying to find from where the voice was at. She seemed lost in the darkness here.

The fort was soon a flaming wreck. All the guns were silenced and the ships put out landing parties on all corners of the island. Some local forces of armed fanatics met them on the beaches and were hacked to bits by the troops and sailors. Glendor, Roth Odin, C.B. and others rushed boldly forward, and were soon in the town. The townspeople took one look at them and fled the other way. Soon there was no place to go. The townies surrendered en masse.

C.B. and Roth Odin spotted the temple of the Cult of the Red Death. Leading about a hundred men at arms and sailors they stormed the front gate. Puzzling, they met no resistance. Forcing the gate they cautiously crept forward.

The lack of troops on the walls, soldiers on the ground creeped C.B. out. He felt like he was walking into an ambush. Up ahead was the doorway to the temple itself.

C.B. treated it like a dungeon door. He checked it for traps. Mairu even gave it a once over. Roth Odin then carefully pushed on the door. It wasn't locked and creaked open. What met their eyes shocked them.

The entire congregation was in there, dressed in red robes. Up at the altar was one of the high priest. Every man woman and child in there to a person was dead. They had suicided out, rather than face the forces of Light.

"Ritual death.." said Roth Odin.

C.B. sheathed his sword and just stood there, a feeling of great disappointment. These people were fanatics and exceptionally stupid. They would have been well treated and cared for. Now all of them were dead. What fools. He walked away from the temple and did not look back.

"What do you want us to do, Lord Brandon?" asked Mairu to C.B.

"Burn it."

The flames leaped up into the sky. Outside the compound the victors sat next to a pile of treasure they had stripped from the temple. None of them could believe what they had just seen in there.

Faustus and Arcon raced across the city to the ruins of the fortress. They passed several stunned and wounded islanders sitting around in the courtyard. None of them had any fight left in them. The commander of the fort, swathed in bandages from shrapnel wounds, formally surrendered the fort to the Captain. The survivors were taken prisoner. A few questions were asked and they went to where Duer was last seen.

Both Cap and Arcon slid to a stop on the debris on the floor as they ran into the hallway where Farenfarr still held the lifeless form of Ginny Stewart. They saw Duer pinned to the wall, immobile. Faustus froze for a moment and gasped.

"Ginny?!"

"Shes dead, Cap." Farenfarr said outright.

Faustus knelt down next to Farenfarr and gently took her from him. She was cold.

"Can you bring her back?" Farenfarr asked.

"No." Faustus choked out, beginning to cry, "I used that up on the ship. We're too late, Gundaff. Too late. Too late...."

C.B. and Roth Odin arrived to report what they had found and then just stood there when they saw Faustus holding Ginny. No need to add to the anguish, figured C.B. They had won the battle, but it was rapidly becoming a hollow victory.

"I have seen far too much death this day." thought C.B.

"What kind of a victory celebration is THIS?"

Everyone looked. Standing in the doorway was Willard, hands on his hips, looking everything and everyone over.

"I've seen happier people at a Hanging. Speaking of hanging....." Willard said, then smiled at Duer.

"Well, well, well. I see you got him."

He walked the length of the hall, not looking at Faustus or Farenfarr or anyone else.

"Hello, Stumpy, you ugly, stinking hairy son of a dirty dog. Don't think I aint forgot. You and I got a personal score to settle, and son, settling it is gonna suit me just fine. Just fine!"

Duer glared at the old Cleric, but couldn't speak because of the spell that had him stuck to the wall. Willard smiled at him in a way that only Willard could. He looked at Duer in a way that a man who is about to start a project that he will thoroughly enjoy doing. Then Willard turned his attention to the others in the hall.

"I've been busy below decks on several other ships keeping good crewmen alive. Thats where all this blood comes from. They are brave souls and worthy of the decorations and rewards I'm sure you are all going to bestow upon them."

He paused for emphasis, looking each man in the eye.

"Those men suffered for the glorious task of capturing this rotten little island from Ugly over there on the wall."

He gave Duer a backhanded rap without looking at him. The dwarf's sizable nose began to bleed.

"So, here you all are, looking like we lost instead of winning one of the greatest sea battles in our entire history. I'm sick of all of you."

"C.B. There you stand. You saw a temple full of cultist who killed themselves. Well aint that too bad. You know why they killed themselves? Because they couldn't bear the thought that their false god had not delivered them from the likes of us. Think they'd care if we were in a similar position?

"Hell no! Those people would have enjoyed watching you die, slow, impaled on a stake!

"So save your misplaced sympathy and stop feeling bad for yourself!"

"And my buddy Farenfarr. Yeah, you dismasted a ship, and got ole Duer over there. Thats quite a tally for you. All flash and bang and in the end..."

He pointed down at Ginny.

"Shes dead."

Faustus looked up at Willard.

"And you, sitting there crying like a baby who lost his candy. Whats she to you?"

Faustus glared at Willard.

"Friend you say. A friend. Is she REALLY? Well, Faussy, a lot of people lost friends today. A whole heck of a lot. So don't think you're all alone sitting there holding someone whos gone. Just walk out and take a stroll around the city, like I did. It aint real pretty, but I'll tell you all, its better than it was."

"And whys that, you say? Simple. He.." Willard indicated Duer, "Is out of action here, permanently. No more slaving, no more raiding, no more prostitution and black lotus rings. And best of all, NO MORE CULT OF THE RED DEATH HERE.

"We won, kiddos. Celebrate and remember the fallen, but by thunder, CELEBRATE!"

Willard turned and hissed at Duer.

"Hanging you is gonna be one BIG PLEASURE for me!"

Willard seemed to calm down and walked over to the Captain where he held Ginny. He seemed a different man.

"Have you tried to bring her back yet?"

"I can't."

Willard was puzzled.

"Why?"

Glendor spoke up,

"He had to use it on Jean back on the ship."

Realization struck the old Cleric. He knelt down next to the Captain.

"Shot with a crossbow bolt. Poison too. This is a toughy."

Willard began then stopped. He looked at the Captain.

"Like I said, hotshot, there are a lot of people who lost friends this day. If shes just a friend to you and thats all, I'm not going to do this. There are more important people, people closer to folks, that I can bring back, other just your 'friend' here. Now tell me, whats she to you?"

Faustus stared at the old cleric. What could he say?

"Do you love her?" Willard asked.

"I.."

"Do you love her? Yes or no?"

"Yes." Faustus forced it out. I shocked him now that he admitted it. He did love her. It felt real eerie just to say it, though.

"Does she love you?"

"I... don't know."

"She does." said Mairu, "I've seen them. Its as true as any I have ever seen."

"Well, if thats so, then I'm gonna try. One thing, though, Captain. You gotta convince me to bring her all the way back. You have to tell her you love her, or I won't waste my time here."

Willard began his incantation again. Ginny's wound healed in seconds, but the glow around her wasn't as sharp and powerful as Faustus knew it needed to be. Realization and fear of her loss hit him.

She didn't come back.

Willard sat back on the floor.

"Damn.." he whispered. He held his head in his hands, all cockiness drained from him.

Faustus grabbed Willard by his robe collar.

"Willard! Come on!"

"Its over. It failed. SHES GONE! Can't you see that? Let go of me."

He batted Faustus's hand off his robe and sat there looking at Ginny in Faustuss arms. Duer managed a grin in his magical prison.

"No!" Faustus said, "I won't let you go! I can't let you go! Ever! Come back to me Ginny. Ginny. Come back. Please. Please...."

His voiced trailed off. He hugged her tightly.

"I love you, Ginny...."

Willard watched as Ginny began to glow with the healing light. He looked quite surprised with what was happening. Faustus could feel Ginny begin to breath.

"Oh, thank God. Ginny? Can you hear me?"

She weakly opened her eyes. She smiled at Faustus.

"I heard you call my name..."

He kissed her. Arcon and C.B. high fived.

Farenfarr rose and looked at Duer. He pulled the spell off him. Duer hit the floor with a thud.

C.B. and Glendor picked him up and roughly manhandled him over to where Farenfarr stood. They shoved him to his knees in front of the Wizard.

"You got me, old man, but ye'll never keep me!"

"Thats not for me to decide. I intend to see you lawfully tried and lawfully hanged back home at Lady Ellis' convenience."

"Not so fast!" Faustus said.

He gently put Ginny against the wall so she could sit up a bit and he stood up. He drew his sword. Quick as lightning he put the blade under Duer's chin. Quite a bit of his red beard fell away. Duer's eyes got wide. He could feel the extremely sharp blade on his adam's apple.

"She decides! You live or die!"

All eyes fell on Ginny. Duer felt he was a goner and said a silent prayer to his evil god. Then Ginny spoke.

"Hes a vile evil monster and yes, he deserves to die. He's took slaves. Killed people. He almost killed me. But, fellows, can we kill him now without us being evil too? Hes our prisoner, don't you see, and as our prisoner we must treat him according to the law, like Farenfarr said. I'd like nothing better than to see you cut off his head, but that would make us the same as him. I won't let you do that. I wont let you all become like him. Lets teach him a lesson. Lets treat him fairly, according to the law."

"So be it!"

Faustus took the sword away and C.B. and Glendor proceeded to bound Duer quite tightly.

"You are lucky, scumbag," C.B. whispered to Duer, "that the girl is forgiving."

"Shes weak, like the rest of you do-gooder wimps."

"Weak? Who's tying who up here?"

To drive the point home C.B. put his knee in the dwarf's gut.

Faustus picked Ginny up and carried her from the hallway. As he exited the door he saw the courtyard was full of his shipmates and troops. They cheered when they saw him carrying Ginny, and that she was alive. She held the favor he had returned.

They began to chant "Captain! Captain! Captain!" over and over.

Ginny reached up and put her arms around his neck. She smiled up at him, her eyes tearing up with joy.

"I knew you'd come to rescue me, man o' mine!"

As Faustus carried her from the smoking ruin of the fortress he felt ten feet tall.

C.B. and Glendor drug Duer off in chains. Willard and Farenfarr leaned on a wooden fence and watched them go.

"Well, we got one of them." Willard said.

"Yeah, and we've freed almost 2000 slaves and saved untold numbers that he'll never take captive in some of his raids."

Farenfarr lit his pipe. He looked at his old friend.

"That was a neat trick, making the spell work that way."

"It wasn't a trick, Farenfarr. It failed. She didn't come back. I gave up. Faustus brought her back. I'm not sure how, but he did it. I'm gonna have to study on this one for quite a while.Faustus is mildly psyonic, it could have been that. Or�"

"Or what?"

"It could have been the power of his love for her."

Farenfarr blew smoke and looked with raised eyebrows where Faustus had gone.

The island was renamed "Rich Port" and the capital Saint John. Roth Odin was given govenorship of the new Heartland stronghold. The Red Death raiders were driven north and eastward, up the coast and away from the free peoples.

Province broke from the fog bank that night and ran for the high seas. Shadow gave chase but after over a day of pursuit, the Province got away.

On the trip back to Stonegal much was made of the way Ginny was perceived by the enemy. She had lied in the truthtell and had gambled that Havoc would give her to Duer. She had bested Duer when he attacked her. She had somehow stolen his dagger. Was she a fighter with thief training? Was she part elf? She must have known some type of magic! She must have been someone quite special for the Heartlanders to allow her to be kidnapped and put her in harms way so they could track down Duer's stronghold. Even Duer was amazed at how she was able to somehow let the Heartland fleet know where she was. It was a great but risky plan.

"This was one great big bloody spectacular trick ye played on me. And I fell for it. What ever she is, spy, thief, or fighter, she's quite dangerous and loyal. Never seen the like, I hae not."

Jean and Ginny became friends on the leisurely trip back as they recovered in Jean's cabin. Ginny noticed that the gaudy cabin was overly decorated with pink and pastels, lace and hanging plants. When Farenfarr walked in there to see how they were doing he was awed by the way Jean's feminine side had gone berserk in this way of decoration. Most of the men on board had similar reactions to Jean's quarters. It kept them out of there.

Ginny got better and was soon able to move about the ship a bit. As usual she spent a lot of time in Faustus's company.

One day by the rail she said to Faustus "I always wanted to go on a cruise, but I think I'll wait a while before the next one. I hope it has better accommodations and entertainment."

They shared a laugh. She wondered if she should tell him about meeting her father. She decided not to. Not yet anyway.

Jean was much stronger than Ginny and recovered quicker. One day on the deck she came up to Faustus who was at the railing with Farenfarr.

"Shes a wonderful girl, Cap. You two are going to be very happy together." She kissed Faustus and walked away, giving Faustus a smile as she went.

Farenfarr watched Jean walk away then spoke to Faustus.

"Shes right, you know. Ginny and you are going be a great pair when you two get married."

"Farenfarr, we're just good friends."

The old wizard rolled his eyes for the millionth time. We were back to that again!

The ship sailed on into the sunset.