skin, his luxurious lifestyle had given him the large belly that came with rich meals and much d

ke her husband, she had kept most of her good looks as she aged, despite the fact that her life had been so wrou

brary. They were young men in their early twenties, sombre figures, both dressed all in pure black.

Bairn spoke up, breaking

and never seemed to concentrate on anything that did

a weak voice, barely audible. He returne

, speaking to the books on the shelf before hi

is sons. 'I suppose I

from either of his sons,

and flowers within. There were fountains where birds sang and bathed, small ponds where koi swam, and ornaments depicting the creatures that were not found within the g

him, singing the most beautiful melo

vens own chorus, her voic

rn and spot her father, though she did

ng off the stone path and onto the

a' he

ed her head to h

uch time with you lately' h

things, gathering taxes here, supplying ar

ld proceed. 'Listen to me my daughter; you will not be a child forever. Tomorr

' she n

me and go a

kno

u not p

t waits for me out there. I feel a dark

u frigh

she replied, 'm

oat again. 'I just wanted t

e replied

l...

no need to worry

had. You are a treasure that must be guarded...and cherished.' He dipped his

iled a

now.' He waved awkwardly at her before str

im go, feeling a warmth growing inside h

she opened her hand, catching one of the many fall

s troupe of nearly thirty me

home, clearly not expecting much resistance, o

his sword at an unsuspecting sail boy. The

as over, and any remaining pirates, those that had fled or hidden on their ships, were retained. The innocent bystanders who had been caught up in the a