---

---

The Kingsbane was a large Man'o War, boosting massive cannons and high sails. IT was made of a dark wood, nearly black at a night, and even darker when the black sails rose high, warning any ships that they would soon meet their end. The Kingsbane was just that, the bane of all royal ships, it was a pirate ship.

This evening the black sails were down, and replaced by white sails, so that anyone riding by would not know the difference until it was too late, however they weren't looking to raid, they'd done so a few days before the storm and was making their way to port to sell their wares. It would be a few days sail before they reached their destination so a few of the men began to fish to pass the time and as well as catch a fresh meal, even if their cook was a terrible one.

Inside the ship, seated a desk mounted to the floor, a lantern rocking slightly above, illuminating the room in a dull orange hue, a woman sat, thumbing through the pages of a ledger, her dark eyes narrowed at the yellowed pages, trying to make out the words in the low light. She was the Captain of the Kingsbane, Captain Xandra Ravenswood, the only female pirate captain since the days of the Crimson Lady, women had tried to take up the moniker, but one have succeeded. An Urban Legend, The Crimson Lady was said to be, a myth, but that never stopped Xandra from believe, it was her only goal, to be a rich and a feared as the Piratess whose rage and wrath turned the waters red at sundown. Xandra had no such magic, but she knew she could make herself just as feared.

It was that that moment, as the Captain flipped to another page, a page that had been stained with blood, that she heard a commotion from outside of her barracks. It wasn't unusual, the men tended to get riled up every now and then, some games they were playing or a fight had broken out. That happened quite often and Xandra paid no heed. She held the blood stained pages of the ledge up and read a few words that had been illuminated from the lantern's light. She frowned as it read:
Fountain......young.....beautiful.....man......Eastern.....
Xandra frowned, wishing she had just blown the owner of the books head off rather then running him through, the blood splatter wouldn't have been so much if she had. She did find those words curious though, They were on the Eastern waters, and it had been the only ship they'd seen for a while. It wasn't part of the royal navy, it seemed to have been explorer's ship, with a captain who had been paid rather then making the venture of his own accord. Everything about it had been strange, and having read most of the pages, she knew now it wasn't a ledger at all, or even a manifest, it was a journal...or rather a log book, written to detail the accounts of the journey, that would never be finished thanks to her and her crew. From what she read, there wasn't much beyond the regular on goings of the ship, but it had been alluding to something, using words like 'we're getting close. I can feel it, or just a littler further now" That page had been the only one that seemed to detail what they were looking for and of course she couldn't read it.

She sighed. There was something about this that made her wish she hadn't sank the ship, there might have been more on this ship to tell her about what they were after.

Three hard knocked startled her from her thoughts. "What!" She shouted bitterly before the door opened and a heavy set bald man entered. "What is it, Kaile." She said with a deep frown. The Quartermaster's eyes were wide, he was panting, not uncommon from a man his size but it was like he ran from one side of the ship to the other. He took a few breaths, a hand on his knee. Xandra rolled her eyes. "Well, Out with it man?" She urged and he nodded, swallowed and began. "The men...They" He took a few more breathes. "They fished something out of the water." He said and she set her jaw. "And..."?
"And....It's...it's not normal."
"Can you be more specific?"
"It's...well....It's a man?"

Xandra frowned at him, her eyes moving to the log book before rising back to Kaile.
"A Man?"
"Aye...it is...strange....You have to see it for yourself." He said a deep frown on his reddened face. Xandra gave him a dubious look and stood. "Fine, show me."

Alistair's memories were never that good, but they always seemed to blend together when he slept and the past few days had been exciting. First the ship was boarded by pirates one being a woman, strikingly pretty in a way, she must have been the captain, the kind explorer was killed his journal taken as Alistair hid although he wanted to fight he had to hide. Pirates could be unforgiving at best, and if he was killed his destiny would be gone.

"Alistair! Pirates are coming, you need to hide! You know your too important to die...Go hide, then when they are gone go to port and start your quest again" The explorer put his hand on Alistairs shoulder and Alistair simply nodded retreating back to a wardrobe to hide. The view from the keyhole was minimal but it was enough to see the blade being rammed through his chest Alistair held back the anger and pushed it down to holding his weapons tight against himself hands shaking.

The ship started to tip unsteadily and Alistair was thrown out of the wardrobe and through a window into the sea being pulled down with the ship. He started to swin in the right direction knowing what the map said, the storm battered the sea knocking Alistair out for the count..."

Sounds filtered in slowly as he was dragged upon the deck, " no one could have survived that storm...." " where is he from?" " his sword is bone dry not even a bit of salt from the sea...it's heavy lads" "look at these coins...not gold but something else" "Guns broken"

Alistair spluttered water spraying out of his mouth, he idily turned to the side bringing up even more water from his lungs and stomach. His arms shook struggling to suppourt his weight, he deflated on the deck trying to catch his breath. The men looked terrified and Alistair supposed he did look a little worse for wear. He could hear the faint jingling and ringing from his coins, he panicked as he patted his body his things were gone!

He struggled to get up falling on the deck a few times, weak and tired. He slammed his fists against the man was who holding his coins, but got a thump in the chest as a return sending him to the floor as swords were drawn pointed at him he lay there, coughing from the sea.

Xandra walked up with Kalie panting at her side, just as the sputtering man took a swing at one of her men. She merely watched as her crew aimed their blades at him, stopping him in his tracks. What struck her first was that he was handsome, despite having been likely adrift at sea for who knows how long. She cocked her head curiously. The rest of the crew who had been muttering amongst themselves silenced when they noticed her presence. They gave her wide berth as she walked up to the man. "Easy, Captain" called one of her men, a large man with skin black as pitch. Hakeem he was called, he had a deep voice, rumbling like thunder. Xandra sat nothing as she crouched before the man, her eyes drifting over him unabashed.

"Look alive, Pretty, You're lucky to be so." She said slapping the man's face a few times, not hard but not gentle either. She looked up at the sky and then back down at him. "Usually, my men are under orders of Give no Quarter, that means, if you aren't one of us, you die." She said simply, with a click of her teeth. She leaned down closer, and whispered. "And you aren't one of us. before standing, and taking a few steps before drawing her flintlock, pulling back the hammer and aiming it at his head.The crew stiffening with anticipation, Xandra wasn't exactly known for her patience and the crew knew this as well as the fact that she vetting her crew before they joined, also, she had a hair trigger.

Truth was, Xandra was curious, too curious to blow this man's head off. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't keel haul your pretty arse all over these waters..." She said, dark eyes narrowed. "You were the last crew, though none of us saw you, you were on that ship, the one we sank just a few days ago, these are the same waters, how you survived would be a good place to start."[/b] She said, her brow twitching as the pieces began to fall into the place in her head. He had to be with the last crew, otherwise he would have just been floating out here, like some goddamn mermaids, and these weren't the waters for the Fair Folk or their watery cousins.
"Speak now, Pretty, I haven't much for patience"

Alistair stayed stock still as the men surrounded him, he kept his nerve even when the Captain appeared. It was the same captain that killed the explorer and the crew. She crouched down in front of him, he caught her eyes so much pain behind them pain and venomous anger.

"Look alive, Pretty, You're lucky to be so." She said slapping his face a few times, not hard but not gentle either, he simply took the hits. She looked up at the sky and then back down at him. "Usually, my men are under orders of Give no Quarter, that means, if you aren't one of us, you die." She said simply, with a click of her teeth. She leaned down closer, and whispered. "And you aren't one of us." before standing, and taking a few steps before drawing her flintlock, pulling back the hammer and aiming it at his head. Alistair simply stated her down with the intense glare of his green eyes.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't keel haul your pretty arse all over these waters...You were the last crew, though none of us saw you, you were on that ship, the one we sank just a few days ago, these are the same waters, how you survived would be a good place to start." She said, her gun still aimed at him.

"Speak now, Pretty, I haven't much for patience"

Alistair took a breath not knowing where to begin, " I hid, like I was told to by the man you killed, you took his journal. I'm surprised you don't know already, or was it too soaked in his own blood? , the storm was no natural occurrence. We were meant to sail through it all preparation was made, it's the only way to find the island. That's the first marker. If you don't kill me I will take you there..." He sat up helping himself to breathe a little easier. " without me you cannot find it, so either kill me, throw me back in the water or drop me off at port. If you be so kind as to give me my things back...they are not meant for you you can't handle them" He explained still locking his eyes with hers.

He watched as a crew member picked up the sword, dropping it soon after "the blade is hot captain, he is not of this world kill him!"

"I hid, like I was told to by the man you killed, you took his journal. I'm surprised you don't know already, or was it took soaked in his own blood." His gaze was accusatory and Xandra didn't bat an eye, nor did she lower her hand. "The Storm was no natural occurrence. We were meant to sail through it all preparation was made, it's the only way to find the island. That's the first marker. If you don't kill me, I will take you there..." He said and sat up. Xandra turned up her nose. "Without me, you cannot find it, so either kill me, throw me back in the water or drop me off at the port. If you be so kind as to give me my things back....They are not meant for you, you can't handle them." Xandra cocked her head with her free hand on her hip. She opened her mouth to speak but another man called her attention by dropping a sword. It clanged to the floor with an echo.

"The blade is hot, Captain, h is not of this world kill him!" Xandra spat a harsh 'Shh' and he silenced as she turned back to the man.

"Not of this world, huh?" She feigning musings. She was curious, she ad to admit that, killing him would do nothing but waste a bullet and at the very least if nothing he said panned out, she could sell him to a slaver for quite the coin.Though the journal, as she now knew it to be, was beginning to make a little sense. They were Eastern waters, here is a man, and he was beautiful but she couldn't be sure if the author meant 'beautiful man' or something else. Either way, killing him would do nothing. "You've a sword that can't be touched, you managed to survive a storm...it seems you've got a lot of coins on you.....So tell me....who are you, what are you, and what island were you going to and what is one this island that you risk telling me...." She said, her mind still working the mystery. Why did he tell her that? Why was he so eager to return to this island, if he was returning. Was it Fae lands, a place just as a fiction as her idol? What was his intention? He could have them all killed once they landed but she could make sure that didn't happen, this was her ship, he wouldn't have any upper hands, of any kind.

"Not of this world, huh?"

Alistair could tell he had at least caught her attention, his heart rate did speed up as the crew member touched his sword. He could still see the pistol barrel aimed at his head but the woman still spoke as calm and collected as ever.

"You've a sword that can't be touched, you managed to survive a storm...it seems you've got a lot of coins on you.....So tell me....who are you, what are you, and what island were you going to and what is one this island that you risk telling me...."

Alistair sighed softly having explained all of this information so many times in his life. He crossed his legs underneath him and began " My name is Alistair Du Croix...and I am as human and normal as they come. Give or take that is. " He smiled unsure wether she wanted the full details of his mysterious life because even that was shrouded in mystery that wasn't clear to him. Not yet anyway. We were heading for Insula Tempestas which roughly translates as 'storm island' the island cannot be found through ordinary navigation, it can only be found on the roughest sea storms. We needed the storm to find the island. I know where is it, but like I said you need a storm to find it. Once you get to the island the coins will show you the next location, that's all I remember. It's very hazy the next steps." He explained.

" As for the sword and my pistol, they only work for me, they always have done. The coins are not ordinary gold or silver, they are a mystery and every single one is unique" he added.

" Question is Captain, do you think yourself worthy of this quest? No matter what dangers you may face along the way, or the truth you will find out about yourself?" He asked tilting his head to the side curiously.

" My name is Alistair Du Croix...and I am as human and normal as they come. Give or take that is. We were heading for Insula Tempestas which roughly translates as 'storm island' the island cannot be found through ordinary navigation, it can only be found on the roughest sea storms. We needed the storm to find the island. I know where is it, but like I said you need a storm to find it. Once you get to the island the coins will show you the next location, that's all I remember. It's very hazy the next steps." To that Xandra narrowed her eyes. Her curiosity was piqued for certain, she'd heard of such tales, believed them to be true, with a healthy amount of skepticism, but she knew this world was filled with dragons, vampires, and faeries, this was unlikely, but not completely unheard of, with the added measure of his magic weapons, the journal, and the storm that seemed to come from nowhere.

" As for the sword and my pistol, they only work for me, they always have done. The coins are not ordinary gold or silver, they are a mystery and every single one is unique" He went on and Xandra looked back at the men with the coins, a few began to dig through them, examining them two at a time. "He speaks true, Captain." Said Hakeem.

"Question is Captain, do you think yourself worthy of this quest? No matter what dangers you may face along the way, or the truth you will find out about yourself?"

Xandra snaked her head around, her dark eyes afire with a dangerous glare. "Careful, Pretty." She warned. "Do not presume your safety aboard this vessel." She told him. "Especially when speaking to me," She said slowly.. "Especially since you did not answer all of my questions.....What is on this island? What is so magical that you risk life and limb, to retrieve it. Clearly it isn't gold or silver." She said with a backward nod toward the men holding the coin. "And Do understand that I am not a patient woman.... She gave a warning as she stepped forward pressing the cold steel to his forehead, it was a threat but it was also to test a theory. If he were the mysterious Fair Folk, the mere touch of iron would burn his skin. He said he was human which if he were Fae he couldn't lie, but still, she had to be sure that he wasn't some sort of changeling and shape-shifter. One could never be too sure with the likes of the Fae.

Alistair watched as she turned that look of steel in her eye "Careful, Pretty. Do not presume your safety aboard this vessel. Especially when speaking to me," She said slowly, Alistair simply stared at her, he had no reason to fear this woman. It seemed that she had a lot to fight for, by the looks of it and what Alistair could go by her past was a dark one indeed. She was made strong by her own design where as Alistair was raised to be strong for others.

"Especially since you did not answer all of my questions.....What is on this island? What is so magical that you risk life and limb, to retrieve it. Clearly it isn't gold or silver. And Do understand that I am not a patient woman.... " She gave a warning as she stepped forward pressing the cold steel to his forehead, it was a threat Alistair knew that. Most never believed he was human especially with the way he spoke and the items he carried but most people turned around once he got to know them.

He simply stared back at her with his intense green eyes. " The island that can be found through a storm is the first marker it will lead to the next island. There are three islands in total with the fourth being the ultimate goal. The very last island is where I come from. Home to the people who raised me as a baby. The guardians of the fountain, fae folk by your explanation I am not one of them. Simply sent to find those worthy of finding the fountain." He explained calmly.

The island that can be found through a storm is the first marker it will lead to the next island. There are three islands in total with the fourth being the ultimate goal. The very last island is where I come from. Home to the people who raised me as a baby. The guardians of the fountain, fae folk by your explanation I am not one of them. Simply sent to find those worthy of finding the fountain."

Xandra honestly stopped listening after fountain. The Fountain? As in Fountain of Youth? Her men murmured in disbelief.

She didn't particularly care for her looks or aging but she knew plenty that did, she could bottle it, small tiny bottles that she could sell for outrages prices, or better yet be known for finding the fountain. She would go down in history for not only being the fearsome Piratess in the world, since the Crimson Lady but for being an adventurer.

She looked back at her men, who all looked at her expectantly. They wanted to go as much as she did.

She turned back to Alistair and lowered her weapon.

"I don't care much for worthiness, worth only matters to those without." She said but smiled. "Nevertheless. I want to see this island, and if what you say is true, I want to find this fountain." She said, and her men all murmured in delight.

"Tell me, Where's the storm going to be next?"

"Where is the storm going to hit next?

Alistair couldn't help but be a little relief, at least he wouldn't die today. He had a crew and a captain who seemed fit enough for the journey at least for now she seemed fit. To be honest the Captain was harder to read than anyone Alistair had ever met. At least the last Captain had some stones on his back, though weighed down by his past there was cracks where he had faced his past and overcome his own demons therefore was worthy of the fountain.

In Alistair's eye the female captain had a whole Boulder on her back, chipped and scorched but nonetheless whole. She didn't want anyone knowing her business, no one getting to know her. Her worthiness would be tested it seemed maybe until the bitter end.

He stood slowly still a little wobbly from being adrift for days. He walked over to the table recollecting his coins . Putting them back into his pouch he attached his sword and pistol. He looked around the deck, he picked up a conshe shell holding onto it he ran his hands over it gently. That would have to do, putting it on the table he walked around the deck picking up bits of driftwood, stones and seaweed, broken shells and a few dead fish, fresh enough...

Putting all of the objects on the table he rubbed his chin, pulling up all the information he had on this form of navigation. Picking up the conshe shell he tipped out the excess water and put in the driftwood, shells and seaweed.

" I need silence for this...it won't work otherwise" he warned to the crew as he began walking over to a lit lantern he lit inside the shell causing a plume of grey smoke to emit from it. As well as a red fire just inside the shell, Alistair's hand covered the shell and he muttered an incantation into the shell as he walked over to the dead fish.

"Haeno fri shasrt foornee ko" he clouded the fish in the smoke from the fire, he squeezed the excess water from his clothing into the shell extinguishing the fire, the smoke turned a thick black. Covering the fish in the same smoke he repeated the verse and waited.

Soon enough one of the larger fish twitched a few times. Flapping off the table it landed on the deck moving toward the front of the ship it head pointed towards North East. Picking up the fish he threw it overboard as well as the conshe. A gust a wind blasting through the ship then stopping.

"North East. The heading is North East" he called turning back to the crew who looked stunned. Soon enough the ship was a hive of activity the ship starting to move under the strong wind of the sea. To be honest Alistair was expecting a barrage of insults or questions from the crew or even the odd insult, he had seen and heard it all.

As soon as the ship was at a comfortable cruising speed Alistair eased his tension a little, moving to the desk where his weapons and coins were he put them back on his person running his hands over the coins as he put them all back into his pouch. The men were wary of him they could tell he supposed it wasn't everyday that they pulled out a man from the sea, who spoke of a journey to find the fountain of youth and brought fish back to life to find a direction heading. Alistair didn't have a compass, he tended to use his own methods, stars the sun, wind. You name it Alistair could get a heading from it.

He positioned himself at the front of the boat watching the sea, soon enough the clouds got darker and a small smile appeared on his face. A deep rumbiling of thunder shook the boat as the waves climbed higher, this would have to do. "Keep North east! Don't stray!" He shouted holding onto a rope there was no way he would get thrown off this time.

The storm wasn't as rough as a few days ago but it was strong nonetheless, as it cleared into sunbreak the island appeared. Strange murky brown sand with pilar like rocks building up to a small square tower. Surrounded by thick green trees.

Smiling Alistair gestured to the island "here we are Captain, our first marker. I'll take you ashore and we will find the next heading" he swung off a rope into the shallower waves swimming a short distant to the island. As he walked he felt a kick to the back of his spine, turning he drew his sword finding no surprise that the captain had her sword drawn.

"I'll be giving the orders Pretty, make no mistake of that" she warned striking his with a three parry blow which Alistair block pushing his sword against hers "you know nothing of what I have seen...what I know can either change your life or end it...for me to judge that you must trust me and in turn I must trust you. I know it's hard for you..." he replied softly striking back.

The pair fought for what must have been a few minutes the pair of them ending on the floor multiple times, small cuts and abrasions on there body as the fight ended they both stood panting swords against each other's throat. Alistair stepped back sheathing his sword and gesturing to the path up ahead. "After you."

Xandra was annoyed to say the absolute least. She didn't much enjoy being bested and while she didn't lose she didn't wih either. Now she was in a mood. She brushed past him after he conceded and walked toward the forest's edge. She stopped just shy of a few trees and looked around. It seemed no different them any other island. She clicked her teeth. "Tell me, Pretty," she began as she looked around. "What exactly are we looking for?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes looking into the forest. "This looks no different then I've seen in any other island, whar makes this one so great," she said and then rolled her eyes. "Beyond being revealed by a storm." she said and then thought, what if thet just happened on this island becayse they were dumb enough to sail into a storm? They could have just landed on a normal island and he just called it magic to save his skin. Maybe he had people here and he was leading her into a trap. This thought made her grip the hilt of her blade.

Alistair walked behind the captain a smooth smile on his face as he heard her speak. Asking what they were looking for and why the island was so special. He could sense her apprehension obviously thinking he was leading her into a trap. Her hand on her blade made him sigh.

Using a rather soft tone he spoke " what did I say about trusting me? Believe me if I wanted to kill you I would have done it much earlier. " he stepped to her side and pointed to the stone pillar a few yards away " that's what we are looking for more or less a stone table and these" he patted his coins taking one out to put in her hand taking her hand of her sword hilt " see how they are buzzing? The more they buzz the closer we are to the table. You can keep that until we get to the table then I will need it back." He explained.

He led her through the thick trees pausing to take off fruits to hand out sweet fruits that quenched the thirst. He could feel his coin pouch vibrating heavily making it hard to walk the sound making a low thrumming noise.

Pushing through the last of the branches they came across a large clearing with flat sand no indication of footprints. In the centre was a stone table with raised edges carvings and runes lined the table.

" here we are...those markings tell us what to do" he crouched down running his fingers over the markings mumbling to himself "Krosha..means blood..Drani means heading Chenia is coins and the rest is more instructions" he turned to the captain holding out his hand to the captain " I'll need that coin now please and some of your blood. Just a drop. The table needs more of my than yours since I am the guide and you are the worthy. Well if the table decides that that is" he explained as he took the coins out laying them on the side of the table the coins rotating themselves. There was a click and a small well appeared at the base of the table with a small ivory knife with even more ancient runes on it.

" what did I say about trusting me? Believe me, if I wanted to kill you I would have done it much earlier. " He said and Xandra gave him a dry look. If he wanted to kill her? Pfft. He pointed to a stone pillar hidden some by the dense forest. " that's what we are looking for more or less a stone table and these" He said and removed a coin to show her. He grabbed her hand and her first instinct was to pull away since it was her sword hand but he went on speaking. " see how they are buzzing? The more they buzz the closer we are to the table. You can keep that until we get to the table then I will need it back." She narrowed her eyes at the coin. It was vibrating in her hand and if she pulled it closer to her ear, she would hear a faint hum. That was odd.

They started walking again and Xandra noticed there no bugs flying, she could hear birds but nothing intrusive. This island was strange. The Coin in her hand began to vibrate even harder and now she could hear the ones in the bag as well. She frowned and kept walking. Soon they approached a large stone table, carvings of runes etched in the stone. " here we are...those markings tell us what to do" He went on. "Krosha..means blood...Drani means heading Chenia is coins and the rest is more instructions" He told her and held out his hand. She placed the coin in his palm. I'll need that coin now please and some of your blood. Just a drop. The table needs more of my than yours since I am the guide and you are the worthy. Well if the table decides that that is" He said nd she looked at him with abject horror. "You want me to cut myself?" She asked rhetorically. "You must be mental." She said and looked at the table. It was only a drop, but still, blood was a personal thing. She didn't want to share it or spill it for anyone, especially not whatever he was. "You first." She said and nodded to the table. "You said it needs more of yours than mine, so have at it."

" you want me to cut myself? You must be mental..." Alistair couldn't help but smile at her softly letting out a soft chuckle, he had been called mental before. He watched as she looked at the table and then at him " you first...you said it needs more or yours than mine, so have at it"

Alistair nodded " Fair enough" he muttered walking over to the small well grabbing the dagger he held his hands over well, he cut his wrist slowly muttering a small incantation to himself as the blood flowed into the bowl. Putting the dagger down he applied pressure to the wounds grabbing a long leaf he put it into his mouth chewing quickly making a mushy paste in his mouth. After a few minutes of chewing her spat it out into his palm pressing it into the cut wincing a little as the paste stung the wound.

" the leaf numbs the pain and helps it heal quicker than normal cuts. Your turn now. Just one drop or two and wait we will see if the table approves" he explained as he saw the blood in the bowl draining into the edges of the table staining the coins making them move quickly. If the captains blood worked the coins would run off the edge and mark the centre of the table with lines plotting out a heading on the parchment on the table.

"Fair enough," Alister said and then began to speak in tongues and cut himself over the stone. Her face held a grimace the entire time. He then grabbed a leaf and chewed it and then spat it o to the cut. Xandra shook her head.

" the leaf numbs the pain and helps it heal quicker than normal cuts. Your turn now. Just one drop or two and wait we will see if the table approves" He said and she groaned. "This is a special kind of foolish." She said and approached the table, where his blood had already begun to dance. She couldn't explain what was happening but something was happening so she couldn't outright deny it. She pulled her own dagger and pricked the tip of her finger. She pinched the pad of her forefinger and a few drops of blood beaded up. She held it over the bowl and let it fall. "There." She said indignately before sucking the blood from her finger. She wasn't about to chew some leaf of indiscernible origin. It was then that the coins began to move. "What is happening?" She asked with a frown as she watched the magic before her.