Hello lovely people,

Here is the next Chapter for Resurrection. I am very excited to begin this next 'arc' so to speak, as one lovely fan commented on the last chapter, 'the characters need to earn their next break'. I am expecting things to pick up the pace from here onward and have roughly drafted all the events that will happen in the lead up to the end of the story. Rest assured though, the ending is still a while a way as I don't plan on rushing things for the sake of it. 

Someone was also interested in what music I listen to when I am writing and I said it changes depending on the mood, but I have always been very heavily influenced by music while I write. For this particular Chapter I have included the YouTube link to the soundtrack I was listening to below. 

I hope you enjoy the Chapter and as always, love to you all.
Daisy xx

https://youtu.be/22MpXAD_uwU

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Chapter 31 | Stolen

*

'We are all made of those who have built and broken us.' 

-Atticus

*

NATHANIEL

The evening disappeared languidly around Nathaniel and when no trouble came knocking as time wore on, he had allowed himself to breathe a little easier, his sister's smile opposite him soothing any remaining worries he had.

Said sister had retired some half hour ago, her fatigue showing through her strong exterior and no one had protested when Obsidian had announced they would leave first, pulling Circe up from the armchair with him.

Now, with his stomach full of dinner, Nathaniel stretched out on the couch by the fire, Cobalt mimicking his actions beside him and letting out a yawn.

Lacy, still bright eyed and bushy tailed from the excitement of the day, coaxed Cobalt into playing another game of poker, spouting promises that it would be the last game before bed. As he watched the Pirate deal out their hands, Nathaniel thought about retiring early himself, but the prospect of leaving the warm room full of chatter for his cold bed seemed remarkably unappealing so for the time being he resigned himself to his position for just a little longer.

His head drooped forward a little from where it rested on his hand, eyelids feeling heavy. Cobalt would wake him if he slept, he thought drowsily to himself. However, at that particular moment a cold gush of air that indicated the opening of a door woke him up somewhat and he jerked upright, turning his head swiftly.

"Circe?"

It was Cobalt that had spoken, having seen the girl at the same time as Nathaniel and his voice caught her attention, her eyes jumping over to land on their group, even though they had not moved since she had left.

She smiled at them and made a waved her hand at Cobalt, indicating he should continue his game, before crooking her finger at Nathaniel.

"Come outside," she mouthed, her voice not carrying over the hustle and bustle of the bar.

Nathaniel nodded once and rose tiredly, running his hands through his hair in an attempt to waken himself. He grabbed his coat and pulled it on. "I'll go talk to her. I'll probably head back to my room after wards," he smiled ruefully, "I'm pretty tired."

Leonardo was the one to reply with a swift nod, "Alright. I'll see you back at our room."

Nathaniel nodded once again, patting Cobalt on the shoulder. The Pirate was still looking towards the door where Circe stood, his eyes complicated. He started slightly at the contact, pulled from his thoughts, but offered Nathaniel an easy grin.

"Sleep well."

Bidding Lacy goodnight Nathaniel met his sister at the door, and she said nothing as she took his hand in her cool grasp, leading him out into the darkness. The door to the bar shut firmly behind them, instantly cutting off the chatter that had leaked out into the night while his sister had stood waiting for him.

She led him a little way further into the inn, before looping her arm in his, continuing to walk in a seemingly random direction. He gave her some time to collect her thoughts before he prompted her, his hand raising to cover another yawn.

"Is everything alright?" He asked sleepily, "Where is Obsidian?"

She hugged his arm a little closer and smiled softly up at him, "He's back at our room. Everything is fine, I just wanted to talk to you alone."

"About what happened today?" He guessed, "Cobalt told me you planned on interrogating Jhaer."

Circe's face went a little blank for a moment before she continued, "I think it is important that we find out what she knows," she said carefully, "before we make our next move."

"I'm sure that Obsidian can get her to talk," Nathaniel refuted, and Circe's eyes narrowed slightly.

"You don't want me to be the one to talk to her?"

"Not particularly."

"Why not?"

He shrugged as he struggled to find the right words, "It's not that I don't know you're capable. Its more just that ..." Just that I don't think you should have to, were the words he wanted to say.

Circe was a Princess and to Nathaniel, his sister was golden. She was a beautiful soul who had gone through and seen enough hatred and loss.
She shouldn't have to be the one extracting information for something like this. She should be the one receiving the information after someone else had extracted it for her. But he couldn't say that to her, she would scoff and tell him he was ridiculous. What was worse, was that Circe had been the one to save him, and yet he still felt like this. But was it so wrong to want to protect your family this way? He didn't think so.

Sighing he shook his head, at a loss to explain himself. "Never mind."

Circe halted suddenly and Nathaniel realised that they had reached the main entrance to the Inn. The gate was still open, it wasn't quite time for curfew. In the guard box, the seat was empty, the light extinguished. Circe stepped in front of him and gathered both of his hands in hers, commanding his attention with her gaze.

"Nathaniel, our brother is an important existence to both of us and we have finally been offered a lead regarding his whereabouts," her eyes were fierce, "if there is any chance, any chance at all, that Jhaer knows more than she is letting on ... then I have to be the one to find out. And I want to hear it for myself. Not from anyone else." Her voice full of such surety and determination that he was helpless to do anything other than nod reluctantly.

"I want you to come with me," She said then, tugging on his hand a little, gaze imploring, "lets go and find out together."

He sighed as he looked at her, "Circe, shouldn't we wait till tomorrow? You're still wounded, and you only just woke up today. Obsidian will be angry if we go without him, I know he wants to be there." He squeezed her hand gently.

For a moment, Nathaniel thought he saw a flicker of annoyance in her features, but it was gone in the next second, replaced with a warm, understanding smile and he thought he must have imagined it.

Her eyes grew tender as she gazed at him before heaving a sigh. After a moment, she replied, her voice slightly more collected than before, "You're right," she said, reaching up to pat down his hair that had mussed by the couch, "I'm sorry, that was selfish of me. I forgot that you're still tired too."

Nathaniel gave her an encouraging smile; glad she had seen reason. "I know that you're impatient to learn more, but Jhaer isn't going anywhere." He reminded her.

"Yes," she agreed, "will you walk back with me to my room then?"

"Of course," he replied, turning to lead the way.

*

It was some-time later when a solidary figure hurried along the wharf that was concealed a little further around Balagar's coastline, the one used by the more 'unsavoury' visitors to the winter city. Pirates were as common in Balagar as the merchant vessels, but to be allowed access to the city, pirates had to first dock at this hidden port and register their vessel. Those who chose not to comply with the rules would find themselves the sole target of Balagar's formidable coastline defences. To put it simply, it just wasn't worth the effort.

The small hidden port was empty, save for two ships, due to the time of year rather than any other reason. It was the worst winter Balagar had seen in a long time and the Merchant vessels old man Joseph had spoken of were not the only ones that had suffered losses. Many Pirate ships had been disappearing also.

Hurrying up the ramp that lead to the ship flying the a jolly roger, the figure caught the attention of the old man sitting on the upper deck and he raised a hand in greeting.

"Circe!"

The figure removed her hood, letting her golden hair free and smiled at him.

"Hobbson," she greeted, "it's been a while."

She watched her elder lumber down the steps, pausing in front of her with his hands on his hips as he looked her up and down.

"Heard what happened," he said gruffly, "you did well. I'm proud."

She laughed, teasing him easily, "Is that a compliment?"

"Damn straight it's a compliment," he huffed, raising his shaggy brows at her, "don't expect me to repeat it. Now where's Bones?" he peered behind her as though expecting Obsidian to suddenly materialise out of thin air.

"He will be here soon, he had to speak to Cobalt about something," she huffed, looking a little put out, "he wouldn't tell me what."

Hobbson considered her for a moment, "You came alone?" he confirmed.

She shrugged and grinned complacently, "I'm not alone, I have you don't I? And anyway," she pointed out, "haven't I shown just recently that I am more than capable of handling myself?"

"You'd do well not to get too cocky young lady," Hobbson berated her, "we don't know if Jhaer has allies on Balagar yet remember. And you're too valuable to just be walking around by yourself," he frowned, "I thought I had made that clear to Bones as well," he mumbled to himself.

She held her hands up in defeat, her expression a little resigned. "Alright, I understand. I will make sure I'm with someone from now on," she placated, "but I am here, now aren't I? Can you let me in to speak with her?"

"I'd rather you wait for Bones-"

"I was going to ask Obsidian to let me talk to her alone anyway," she interrupted hastily, "besides, you're, here aren't you?" she repeated. "You can just wait outside; I'll call for you if anything happens."

She could see the conflict on Hobbson's face and tried once more.

"I'll be careful," she pleaded, "I'm not stupid. I won't go in the cell with her or anything. I just want to talk to her."

He caved in the face of her wide eyes and sighed. "Fine."

At that moment the door connecting the rest of the ship to the deck opened and Samson ducked through, his face breaking into a smile as he caught sight of Circe.

"Well if it isn't the little Lady," he said cheerfully, coming to stand beside Hobbson so that he could beam down at her. "How are you feeling? Where's Bones?"

"Better," she responded, just as Hobbson said, "On his way."

Samson's face turned serious, "Did you come to speak to Jhaer?"

Circe nodded solemnly, not missing the look that was passed between the two men.

"Alright," Hobbson said eventually, "let's go then. I'll take you down."

The journey to the brig was short, but confusing. There seemed to be an unnecessary number of stairs and twisting corridors, but Circe's expression was carefully blank, not betraying the slightest bit of confusion. Eventually the reached a door which was open, two men seated just inside, playing a game of cards. They rose upon seeing Samson and he offered them a quick explanation before the three of them turned and headed back up the deck, Samson's hand falling heavily onto her shoulder as he passed her.

"Good luck little one," his eyes flashed as their gazes met and she thought that perhaps there was another meaning hidden in his words.

Before she thought up something to say in reply however, Hobbson was already speaking and Samson had disappeared back down the dark hallway.

"Alright, I will let you in and leave you be, but on the condition that I check on you every quarter of an hour," he said firmly, holding up a hand to cut off her protest, "I will simply be sticking my head around the door to make sure everything is fine. That is all." His face gave no room for excuses to be made so she reluctantly agreed.

Stepping into the room, she turned to watch the door click shut behind her before walking to the table and flipping over the small sand timer that was placed on the desk for such occasions. Then she turned to face the woman in the cell before her.

Jhaer, upon sensing the arrival of someone other than a new guard rotation, had been cautiously watching the door ever since her two guards had stood up from their card game. Now she studied the other woman before her with a complicated look on her face.

"Circe... "

She was not the one Jhaer had been expecting to see, but instead of feeling relieved, a sick feeling had twisted in her gut. Suddenly the blonde sneered contemptuously, shocking Jhaer with how out of place the expression seemed on her normally innocent face.

She then watched with growing horror as Circe's form seemed to suddenly distort, rippling and shifting like the surface of the ocean as she grew taller, her features changing into one more befitting of the sneer still curled upon her lips. Blonde hair changed to ice blue, curls softening to gentle waves that were flicked carelessly over an angular shoulder.

"It's you," she breathed and this time, true terror blossomed on her face. Before she could scream however, a rope of water slapped across her mouth, the liquid forming a wet gag that made Jhaer feel like she could drown at any moment, least the gag change shape and cover her nostrils. She attempted to open her mouth to speak through it, but water immediately poured down her throat and she resisted the urge to cough, forcing herself to swallow the fluid instead as she gasped in a breath through her nose.

In front of her, Katarina shuddered as her true form settled and solidified, letting out an undisguised sigh of relief. "Urgh," the woman shuddered, "what is with that child? Can she not go anywhere by herself?" she complained, "and on top of that, she's so damn sweet I could practically feel my teeth rotting. Disgusting," she spat.

Turning her attention back to Jhaer, Katarina offered the assassin a coy smile as she wiggled her fingers in greeting. "I can see you're surprised," she laughed, "did you really think you'd escape that easily?" She tsked, "tut, tut. You should know better that that."

Her eyes lit up mischievously as she settled back on the chair, long nails tapping impatiently on the wooden surface of the table. "Now, we don't have much time, so I'll just get right to the point. Seeing how I have had to do your assigned job for you, your services are no longer required. I could very well just leave you here," her eyes narrowed, "however. In light of recent events, I could be persuaded to help you out of this situation you've found yourself in, provided you do something for me in return of course," the sly smirk that crept onto her features with her last words betrayed her true intention.

The watery gag threatening to suffocate Jhaer suddenly vanished and the assassian gasped for breath, her eyes a little red, "What is it?" she spat out, "what do you want me to do?"

"Kill Obsidian Bones," Katarina's voice was nonchalant, as though what she was asking was easily achievable. Jhaer however, could only stare at the other woman in disbelief.

"You have to be joking," she hissed out, "do you have any idea who that man is?"

An ugly look suddenly appeared on the Water Sprites cage and she snapped back a reply from her seat, "Of course I know. You fool. My point is that he is alive when he clearly should not be. His immediate death is of the upmost priority," she leant back into her chair, calming down a little. By her side, the small sand timer had already run half it's course. "That man was dragged through Hades' personal backyard on his way to the executioner platform, he will no doubt be out for revenge. Before he gets any further wind of our plans, he needs to be disposed of. Since you have yet to prove you're worthy of your reputation, you will do this."

"I will die before I even lay a hand on him," Jhaer asserted coldly.

Katarina's eyes flashed dangerously, "Then it is either death by his hands or by mine. Choose."

The two women stared each other down, neither of them giving an inch. Sitting un-assumedly on the table, the sand in the timer crept steadily downwards.

Finally, Jhaer spoke, her back ramrod straight as she delivered her answer. "I have already betrayed my Captain once. I will not do so again. If that means I die here right now, then so be it." Her voice, ringing with finality, did not waver as she stared down the face of her death. "Find someone else or do it yourself, I will not lay a hand on Obsidian Bones."

*

CIRCE

(Half an hour earlier)

Perhaps it was due to the amount of sleep she had already been spoilt with, but even though she felt as though she could rest for another three days, upon arriving back at their room Circe was unable to quiet her busy mind.

She sighed and draped herself over Obsidians bare back. He was intently studying a map which he had spread out on the floor beside their bed, his frame hunched a little as he scrutinised the coordinates. The map was of Balagar and the surrounding area. It was a navigators map, a very detailed one that he had sourced from the town somewhere and it meant absolutely nothing to Circe other than what he had told her; which was that he was currently using it to try and pin down the general location of where Anthemin had taken Cobalt and himself a few nights ago.

Presently, Obsidian's brow was a little furrowed as he communicated with Anthemin through the mind link. Being linked to Anthemin herself, Circe could hear what they were saying, but it was as though two people were speaking from the next room. If she wanted to, she could have tuned in on the conversation fully, but she was tired and anyway, it wasn't as though she wouldn't find out eventually.

Closing her eyes, she leaned against him more fully as though trying to absorb the warmth radiating from his skin. Absentmindedly he twisted in his position a little to wrap on arm around her, holding her to his back. Her good arm came up to sling carelessly over his shoulder, stroking the chest she found beneath her fingers.

"Can't sleep?" he paused in his conversation for a moment to address her, leaning forward a little as he did, so as to scribble a note on the already marked up surface of the map.

"I can't stop thinking," she murmured, lazily tracing a pattern on his skin.

The chest beneath her hand vibrated as he hummed in reply.

"About Jhaer?"

"Mm."

There was a momentary pause in their conversation as she faintly heard him reply to something Anthemin said. Another second, another note added to the map. And then,

"Do you want to go now?"

She started a little in surprise. He had asked in a slightly offhanded way, as though he had merely been waiting for her to decide when they would leave.

"Do you mean that?" she doubted.

He chuckled, the hand on her back sliding down to wrap around her legs. In one smooth motion he had scooped her lower half around onto his lap, changing hands so that the hand on her legs once again became the hand on her back, ensuring she not fall backwards onto the floor.

Now that she could see his face, she noted the golden eyes that stared pensively down at her, as though trying to pry into her soul and she decided that yes, he was being serious. The corners of his lips twitched.

"Get dressed."

She obliged, dressing quickly and gathering her coat that she hand put down not that long ago. She suspected that the others were probably still in the bar and thought of Nathaniel, hesitating slightly as she hovered with her hand on the door.

As though reading her thoughts Obsidian spoke, "Leave Nathaniel for the time being. He needs to rest." His voice was brusque, and she hid the smile that she felt creep onto his face at his words. She knew that, despite appearances, he actually did care for her brother's well-being.

And so, she merely nodded in agreement, slipping her hand into his as he led her out into the night. Circe should have known by now to trust her instincts, but sometimes even a person's own thoughts can leave such subtle clues regarding internal unrest that it is impossible for one to notice.

The guard station at the main entrance was vacant and the gate was shut.
Despite the fact that it had it was sometime past the curfew time for the Inn and that it was snowing softly, three sets of footprints led to the gate indicating that people had been there recently. Two then led back from the gate, while one continued onwards on the other side.
Circe noticed, but did not think it unusual. Obsidian also noticed, but his reply was to break lock on the gate and exit anyway. Circe rolled her eyes but followed after him and the two proceeded forward without realising they were headed in the same direction as the lone set of footprints leading away from the Inn.

The walk to the ship did not take them long; Circe hadn't been back much since arriving in Balagar and the familiarity of the vessel was unpredictably welcoming. She had taken for granted how at home she now felt aboard the ship and suddenly found herself feeling a little melancholy at the thought of the waves rocking the floor beneath her.

As though sensing her thoughts, Obsidian slid her a smile from where he stood beside her. She who was looking still looking forward did not see the tender look in his eyes as he studied her obviously wistful expression.

When she felt a slight squeeze on her hand, she looked towards him expectantly, but he merely smiled at her before leading her forward. Ascending the ramp that had been lowered to make access easier, Circe was suddenly struck by a strange feeling of urgency. She hastened her pace and reached the deck before Obsidian, her gaze raking across the sparse amount of people scattered around.

She spied Samson almost instantly and upon hearing her voice, the large man spun around, taking a moment to register who it was before his expression settled on one of confusion.

"Circe?" He asked, his voice bewildered, "Are you finished already? Where is Hobbson, is something wrong?" Registering the appearance of Obsidian behind her seemed to only amplify his confusion. "Captain, when did you get here?"

Obsidian face had darkened upon hearing Samson's initial greeting and he ignored the latter part of the question, "What do you mean 'finished already'?" he asked brusquely.

"Well I thought that the little lady would take longer to talk to Jhaer is all," Samson suddenly found himself talking to thin air, the two that had been in front of him only seconds ago vanishing without a word, the door to the lower levels of the ship snapping shut behind them.

Obsidian all but carried Circe as he sped them through the hallways without hesitation, his light mood from earlier replaced with an oppressive aura that seemed strong enough to douse the flames of the lamps that lit their path. Circe's nostalgic mood from earlier had evaporated completely, replaced with the quickened beating of her heart that resonated in her ears.

Upon turning the last corner to find Hobbson sitting placidly by a closed door, it took them a split second to realise their earlier fears had been realized. Hobbson took one look at the Circe standing in front of him and swore loudly, even as he threw open the door with a bang. Before the door could ricochet off the opposite wall, Obsidian caught it and held it open, taking in the scene inside.

Circe was right behind him, ducking under his arm and assessing the situation in an instant.

Katarina stood in front of a cell; her hand extended through the bars as she suffocated the woman in front of her. Jhaer, with a watery sphere encasing her head, was scrabbling desperately for breath, but although her hands were able to enter the liquid, she was unable grip or remove herself from its embrace.

Noticing their entry, Katarina, acting on impulse, used her free hand to fling a spear of ice in their general direction, the water sourced directly from her natural form. It was then that Circe acted, melting the spear even as Obsidian reached out to crush it to pieces and reshaping it into six deadly needles that were aimed back at Katarina, speeding towards her with lightening fast precision. The water sprite did not attempt to dodge and instead laughed as the needles merely merged back into her body upon making contact with her skin.

"Foolish," she spat out, her expression mocking, but the next second she was forced to let go of Jhaer in order to avoid an oncoming blow from Obsidian who had suddenly appeared directly in front of her. The punch missed by millimetres and ploughed instead into the iron bars behind her, crumpling the metal as though it was made from paper.

Obsidian growled as he retracted his fist, aiming for her again but she slashed an arc of glass like ice towards his chest and he was forced to defend against that instead, grunting as the blow threw him back into the opposite wall.

Hobbson, in an attempt to restrain the water sprite, had reached out to pin her arms to her sides, but it was to no avail and she merely liquified herself, slipping through his fingers before cracking her hand across his face and following up with a blow to the centre of his chest that pushed the air from his lungs. Blue eyes flashing she spun in a rapid circle, her leg flying out to kick in the same place she had punched. The merman could only grimace in pain as he was shoved back into the table, crumpling to the floor with the force of impact.

Circe appeared to take his place, her face pinched with concentration as she gathered the dispelled water around Jhaer before it could soak into the floor and summoned it forward, the ice spear puncturing through Katarina's abdomen on its way to Circe and wrapping itself around Circe's fist like a glove, the end lengthening and sharpening into a point.

Katarina sneered as the hole in her body melted back together, leaving her unscathed, "You should have learnt the first time," she jeered, meeting Circe's incoming attack with an ice knife of her own. The two blades screeched as they clashed together and Katarina sought the advantage, her other hand morphing and curving as it took on a sickle like appearance, a cracking sound reverberating around the room as the water weapon hardened into ice.

Circe's eyes widened as she realised, she would not be able to dodge in time, the curved blade already slicing through the air towards her but before she could truly panic, the blade came into contact with a wall of unparalleled strength and shattered upon impact.

Obsidian, with his body encased in black dragon scales felt nothing as the ice blade disintegrated against his skin, snarling as he reached out a partially morphed arm to swipe at Katarina, catching her shoulder just as she dropped down to avoid the blow, collapsing partially into her natural state to aid her speed. She let out a shriek of pain and when she reformed at the opposite end of the room, she was glaring daggers at the two of them and clutching her shoulder, a steady stream of blood already pouring out from the deep lacerations that had been cut into her flesh.

"You'll regret this," she hissed out venomously, letting go of her injured shoulder momentarily, her good arm morphing into an ice spear once again. "And you," her blue eyes flashed as she aimed her next words at Circe, her lips twisting into a cruel sneer, "you should really keep a better eye on the things that are important to you." Her tone was taunting, mocking, and Circe suddenly felt all of the blood drain from her face.

What did she mean by that? Circe didn't know why, but almost immediately after that thought Nathaniel's face appeared in her mind, rooting her to the spot. Without her consent, her hands had begun to shake.

Nathaniel.

She seemed to be frozen as Katarina drove her ice spear into the side of the ship with force, puncturing a large hole in the wood. Water quickly began to gush from the rupture, the hole obviously leading to the ocean just beyond the wall. Suddenly Circe came back to her senses, jerking forward in alarm, her hand stretching out as though she could bridge the distance by that action alone.

"Obsidian!" she cried out in desperation, "Obsidian, she's getting away!"

Obsidian had already launched himself towards Katarina, but the Water Sprite simply smirked before disintegrating into her liquid form and merging with the water that was flowing freely into the room. Obsidian cursed loudly, already up to his ankles in water but there was nothing else he could do. She was gone.

They stared at each other for a long moment, chests heaving with exertion and emotion, before Circe waved her hand impatiently, freezing the water over the hole in the wall and stopping the flow to the room.

"What did she mean by that?" Circe asked him agitatedly, even though she already knew the answer to the question. The room was silent aside from their laboured breathing and the coughing emitting from Jhaer's cell. Circe's hands hadn't stopped shaking and she could feel her hysteria quickly rising, "Obsidian, what did she mean by that?"

Sensing her oncoming emotions, he was suddenly in front of her, his reassuring hands clasping her arms and grounding her, even as her hands fisted in the material of his shirt.

"Calm down."

She was trembling, her eyes frantic as she tripped over her words in the hurry to convey them. "You don't think- she didn't mean, we just left him, he couldn't have – not in that time – "

"Hush Love. You need to breathe."

She swallowed and forced herself to focus only on his steady gaze staring down at her. Taking a breath, she tried again, but she was unable to quiet the frantic beating of her heart. She felt sick.

"Obsidian, if anything happens to Nathaniel, I could never forgive myself," she conveyed lowly.

He regarded her calmly, but she could see the storm raging within and knew that he only appeared calm because she needed him to be. "I know. We will go back to the Inn now."

Circe's eyes jumped fleetingly to the still coughing assassin behind them, "Jhaer ..." she murmured.

"I'll keep an eye on things here," Hobbson climbed groaning to his feet and dusted himself off. But despite his appearance his eyes were sharp and composed, "I doubt she'll be back after that," he continued, "you go and check on your brother."

Circe nodded jerkily, Obsidians arms tightening around her and she suddenly found herself scooped up in his arms as they rushed back through the ship and out onto the deck, trusting to Hobbs to explain the situation to Samson for them before heading back to the Inn with inhumane speed.

Obsidian held her close, deadly intent streaming out behind him as he ran them towards their goal, her weight not hindering his speed in the least. He encased her in his cloak of fury and inexplicably his rage soothed her, her panic subsiding into a single-minded resolve of locating Nathaniel and confirming his safety.
But the confusion that she had seen on the faces of both Samson and Hobbson when she had arrived had sparked a fear that she had thoughtlessly not stopped to confirm with either of them. They had already believed her to be in the room with Jhaer and there was no explanation for that unless Katarina had shape-shifted and used Circe's face to deceive them. And if they, these two people he knew her so well, had been fooled, then there was the slightest of chances that Nathaniel could have been tricked as well.

They flew through the entrance to the Inn, the guardhouse still silent and unlit and only now did Circe fully realise how unusual that was. But they had no time to waste and so with anticipation curling in her gut they continued to the entrance of the Inn tavern, Obsidian placing her lightly down in front of the door.

Light streamed through the windows and from inside came the sounds of laughter and cheer. Circe reached for the door handle, feeling worlds away from the scene inside. Snow was still falling gently outside and as she breathed out a cloud of fog, a snowflake landed on her nose, melting instantly.

Her eyes located them instantly. They were still in the same place as they had been, by the fire, spread out on the surrounding lounges. Lacy was laughing at something Leonardo was saying to Cobalt, her hair thrown back, black curls bouncing over her shoulders. Cobalt had his back to Circe, but Leonardo was facing her, his normally serious face relaxed into a grin. The space beside Cobalt was empty.

Just then, Leonardo saw them standing there, framed in the doorway and the grin immediately faded from his lips as he stood up, startled. "Circe?" he called, his voice rising above the hubbub of their surroundings, "What's wrong?"

She felt Obsidian's hand grip her shoulder as she stared at Leonardo, uncomprehending. Raising a hand, she touched her face and realised that her expression was twisted into one of shocked disbelief.

"Circe," the others had seen them now and Cobalt was in front of her, faster than she could blink, "Circe, what's the matter? Where is Nathaniel?" When she didn't reply, his eyes flickered to where Obsidian stood, silent behind her, "Brother?" he prompted, "what's going on?"

"Where is Nathaniel?" Obsidian echoed Cobalt's question, speaking lowly, so as not to attract any more attention. Already the patrons in the tavern within ear shot of them were sending a few curious looks their way.

Cobalt's eyes flashed and glanced down at Circe again before answering his brothers' question, "He left with Circe just under an hour ago." Circe left out a quiet moan of despair and Cobalt's tone became more urgent in response, "What's going on? Did something happen while you were out?" The latter part of his question was aimed at Circe.

She could do nothing but shake her head desolately as she stared at him with a wretchedly expression, "That wasn't me," she lamented softly, "it wasn't me. It was Katarina."

"What?" Cobalt's voice was shocked, but Circe could no longer see the expression on his face. Her head seemed to be filled with white noise. Nathaniel. He was gone, again. Stolen away for a second time, but this time, she had been too late and now he was probably on his way to Aranel and there was nothing she could do about it.

Aranel.

Suddenly her face burned into Circe's mind like a hot coal and she felt her fists clench in hatred. How dare she. How dare she come and steal from Circe a second time. Hadn't she taken enough?! Her anger ate away the fog clouding her mind and all at once she realised she was shaking again, but this time it was white hot rage that caused her body to tremble uncontrollably and she felt herself drawn backwards into a solid body, his hands spinning her around so that her face was pressed into chest, one hand resting on the back of her head, keeping her there.

She fisted her hands in his shirt again and resisted the urge to scream as she listened to Obsidian swiftly recount what had happened on the ship to Cobalt and the two that come over to join him.

"Circe," Lacy had come to stand beside Obsidian and now reached out to touch her arm. Circe felt a small shock, as though the other girl had sent a small spark into her skin, "Circe, it's going to be okay."

Circe pulled her face out of Obsidian's shirt to stare at her younger friend. No, not her friend, after all they had been through, Lacy was practically her sister. For a moment Circe imagined that it was Lacy who had been taken instead of Nathaniel and knew she would feel exactly the same way as she did right now.

"We will get him back." Lacy's face was concerned, but there was determination in her eyes and the longer she looked, the more Circe could feel determination pooling within her too. Unwinding Obsidians arms from around her, she spontaneously enveloped the other girl a hug, squeezing her tightly and feeling the weight on her shoulders lift a minuscule amount as Lacy embraced her back. "You're not alone this time," Lacy voice reminded in her ear, "we are here too. And this time, we will fight with you. So, you don't have to be afraid."

Lacy's words at struck at the very heart of Circe's fear. Last time, it had been her alone who had fought for the one she loved. And even though she had given it everything, in the end she had still lost. The memory still burned deep within her, a scar that was more permanent than any scar she carried on her skin.

But Lacy was right, and Circe pulled away, feeling her heart slow a little more. With every breath she took, purpose filled her mind. "Yes," she agreed, "Thank-you."

This was not the same as when Obsidian had been taken from her, many things were different. There was no one holding them back or standing in their way, tying them up with words about loyalty and morality and justice.
Right now, she was as good as a Pirate and Pirates did not answer to anyone but the sea and their own sense of right and wrong. She met Obsidian's golden eyes and felt the flame within him ignite in her too.

So Aranel had taken Nathaniel, had she? So, what. Circe would just take him back. Staring at Obsidian Circe had realised there was a trump card that she had yet to play and as she realised it, she caught the flicker of anticipation in Obsidian's eyes and knew that he had realised it too. Aranel didn't yet know Obsidian was alive. Even if Katarina told her, there was nothing she could do about it.

There was perhaps, one other person on Earth who thirsted for Aranel's blood as much as Circe did right now and he was standing directly opposite her. And when Obsidian Bones was on your side, Circe thought fleetingly to herself, what was there to fear really?

*

On a certain rock in the middle of the heaving ocean, a form materialized in the shape of a woman with long blue hair. She waved an arm and the ocean obediently spat out the unmoving body of a young man onto the rock beside her. She cursed and clutched at her shoulder with was bleeding profusely and swore again. Reaching down to pick up the unconscious Nathaniel by his shirt collar, Katarina proceeded to drag him to a door that stood stoically in the rock face. From behind her, across the watery abyss that separated the two giant rocks, a thin wail was hear for a moment over the crashing of the ocean.

Katarina shuddered, even though the sound was not unusual, and proceeded to fling the door open, stomping through inelegantly, dragging Nathaniel behind her.

"Where is Aranel," she demanded of the figure who sat with his back to her, facing the fire that crackled in the hearth, "I brought what she requested."

With these words, the figure in the chair that had initially ignored her arrival seemed to sit up. Slowly her turned around, revealing a face almost identical to the one Katarina dragged behind her.

"Bring him here," Tobias demanded.

Katarina narrowed her eyes in a glare that told him she wasn't one to be ordered around. He appeared unfazed however, his eyes remaining cold. Eventually she complied.

Propping him up in the chair opposite, Tobias dismissed her with a flick of his hand, "Aranel is away at the moment, she said for you to wait for her return."

Katarina hissed at his insolence, "You're lucky you're under her protection, arrogant child, or I would have disposed of you myself." When he ignored her again, she scoffed in disbelief before storming away, the door to a second room slamming shut behind her.

Tobias was left to carefully consider the person sitting in the chair opposite him, a mirror image, a perfect match. He breathed a calming breath, his anticipation building as the figure twitched, rousing sluggishly, confusion apparent in the slow blink of his eyes.

"Circe?" Nathaniel murmured, his head still full of his last lucid memory, "What's going on?"

Tobias leaned forward in his chair, eyes filled with an unreadable emotion. "Our Sister isn't here I'm afraid," he said pleasantly, "Instead, you'll have to make do with me." A smiled lingered on his lips as he spoke the words, he had been waiting to say his entire life.

"Hello Brother. It's nice to finally meet you."

*

A Note about Katarina's shape shifting: Water-sprites 'natural form' is actually liquid water. They are able to create a humanoid form out of water which they use to speak to others etc. They like to 'paint' this form, so to speak, to take on a more human appearance, but most often will be distinguished by their blue eyes and hair. I believe I went into detail on this when Circe first met Ambrose. Katarina's ability to shape shift is something all Water Sprites are capable of doing, they merely 'form' their bodies to match another and then 'paint' it differently. I cannot remember if I have mentioned this in the story before but if I haven't that's my bad! It's one of those things I had always decided Water Sprites could do as it makes sense to me logically. I hope that answers any questions.