Colleen pulled herself from the past and wishful thinking when she felt Elija’s small hand gently touch her shoulder. His quiet voice penetrated into her mind and she turned her dark blue gaze to him, smiling trying to keep the sadness from her smile. Her hand came up to cover his smaller one and she leaned forward letting her forehead touch his for a moment as she closed her eyes and regained her composure. Pulling back, she smiled again, this time a genuine smile.

”I know you won’t Elija. And Raj and I will protect you and the others with our very lives if it comes to that. I just wish….”

What ever Colleen was going to say was forgotten when she looked over Elija’s shoulder and saw Raj frantically running down the hallway. Instantly she was worried and quickly stood up, taking Elij’as hand in hers subconsciously holding it close to her in a protective manner.

When she informed Raj all the children were accounted for and in their room, she gave a concerned look to Raj. Before Elija could let go of her hand Raj told the boy to stay for it was a concern for all, Colleen once more took a firm but gentle hold of his hand fearing the worse.

When she heard what Raj told her about the Mermadon on board, Colleen gasped softly. The Mermadon were wasting no time in trying to get their scaly extremities on Elija. Dammit! Why couldn’t they just be left alone and allowed to live their lives? It was just too much to ask for, Colleen surmised.

Resolve found it’s way into Colleen then and she looked down at Elija with a very determined look on her face. Thank the Gods William had the foresight in getting adjacent rooms for all of them. No doubt it would be a sleepless night for both he and Raj. Looking down at Elija, she spoke to him as an adult, just as Raj had done.

”Elija…go tell the others what Raj has just told us. Make sure they all know NOT to come out of their rooms tonight, no matter what. Raj and I will keep watch over all of you until we get to Baloc.”

Looking back up at Raj, she nodded firmly.

”I’m not a warrior like you but I’m not afraid to stand up to some two legged fish either. I’ll split the watches with you so neither one of us get too exhausted to do anything in case it comes to that.”

Elija was about to tell them about and when they Raj told him about the Mermadon and Collene told him to inform the others. He decided to wait until morning, or until they arrived at Baloc. He noddded and quickly went to the girl's room and knocked softly. When they opened their door, Elija told them to stay put and not go messing about. Elija then returned to his and the boy's room Sam and the other boy's were fast asleep. Elija decided not to wake them but sat sat in a chair in front of the cabin door.

Mallethden now knew that his quarry was on the second deck and that they would be on guard. No doubt the Korvidian had warned them of his presence and so it would be best to allow them to settle into a false sense of security before he struck. Walking into the dining room the young Komburan man found himself a vacant table next to a handsome couple. He bowed formerly to the pretty blonde woman and then nodded to the man before he sat down and accepted the menu from the server.

"Would you care for a drink sir? Something from the bar perhaps?" Asked the server.

"Wine pleaze." Mallethden requested then he turned to the couple and attempted to make some polite conversation, "A beautiful evenin' iz eet not? I have nyot seen so mony stars since bock home in my village when I wuz a boy."



Lasekura gave the boy an encouraging nod then smiled at Colleen.

"I shall not need rest this night." he told her, "But I trust you shall hardly close an eye as well knowing what lurks aboard the ship. Please try and rest though, for tomorrow I will sleep by day. He will be less likely to strike then."

Raj drew his sword and tested the sharpness of the blade with his thumb then sheathed it once again. "I trust I need not tell you to arm yourself, you should check on the girls and if it is alright I would like to speak with Elija for a moment."

Lasekura, lightly knocked a few times on the cabin door and wasn't surprised to find that Elija was standing guard. He gestured that the boy step out momentarily then he kneeled down before him. The warrior then reached into his pocket and produced a silver ball the size of a sovereign, he handed it to Elija and curiously enough he found it to be rather light.

"I know you probably have a knife Elija, but these Mermadon are vicious and are not to be trifled with. If you see one I want you to run and if you ever find yourself alone and trapped I want you to seek out an exit then throw that ball at the ground. It will produce a cloud that burns eyes and lungs so you must hold your breath and close your eyes tightly. Do you understand?"

Elija jumped slightly, sttod up, reaching into his trousers, placed his hand on the hilt of a six inch knife and slowly opened te door. Seeing Raj standing there and motioning him ourside, Elija stepped out and closed the door behind him softly. Relaxing his hand Elija, reched out a took the sphere from Raj. He listened closely while examining the sphere and nodded that he understood. Elija then looked Raj coldly in the eye and said ...... "Eyez dinin want ta worry Mum but their be two others aboard we needs ta be keepin' our blinkers on. Slick Boards and Belle. They be knowin' Spleevey an Scounger they does. Ole Slick Boards he be tall wit Black hair and brown blinkers. He be a Boardsman ( card sharp gambler ) an' Belle be 'is Buor Buttoner (Woman Assistant who entices dupes) right cheats they be. Eyez thinks Belle she be layin 'er blinkers on Sam an me. They be pinchin' the gold nashers frum a deadman's gob ur the flatch ( half penny) frum 'is blinkers as quick as 'is dead roight enough."

Colleen smiled at Raj and nodded.

”I’m glad we had the foresight to put some of the weapons I forged in our baggage. I’ll be sure to keep one or two of them discretely on my person as well as placing some others about the room in places I can get to quickly.”

Glancing towards the door Elija had disappeared behind, her smile faded and she spoke softly, as though she didn’t want to wake someone from a dream.

”He’s so young to carry such a heavy burden already in life. I just hope he doesn’t decide it’s too much and abandon it.”

Looking back at Raj, she smiled slightly once more the nodded again.

”I’m going to turn in for the night with the girls.”

Colleen hesitated a moment before she added.

”Be careful Raj.”

Turning, she slipped into the room she had with the girls, closed and locked the door behind her.

Raj recognized the symbol of the Crimson Dragoons on Elija's blade and smiled. He figured, Basha Mandek must have given it to the boy before he died. If only he were here now. The old warrior would know how to sniff out the Mermadon, the man had exceptional instincts Raj would trust over experience any day.

Raj had wanted to speak with the boy about the Mermadon, but when Elija informed him about Slick Boards and Belle he figured right then and there to deal with the immediate problem. For a moment he was silent, but one could see the anger behind his eyes. If Elija had never suspected it, he would be sure at that moment that the Sergeant had no tolerance for 'slavers'.

Deep in thought, Raj considered the best course of action. He looked briefly at the boy then turned away as if reconsidering a thought, then he focused on him once more. With an audible sigh the soldier seemed to resign himself to a heavy decision then he spoke to Elija, "I've dealt with their kind before, Elija. They would never risk open confrontation. Killing in the shadows is what they do best, and I just can't murder them in the night. We can, however, get them off of the ship, but I'll need your help. Yours and Sam's. What do you say, Elija? It's up to you."

Raj stood up from his crouched position and checked the deck. Something had caught his attention and crooking his neck he listened intently and peered down the stairway which was about fifteen or so strides away. He dismissed whatever he had heard as the wind, then looked back down at Elija.

"I am going down to the main deck. I'll wait for you and Sam at the bow, Elija. It is your choice and should you not choose to come I will understand. Talk it over with Sam."

Raj left the boy to make his decision and quickly made his way down the stairway. Truly he did not want to have to involve the boy, but these were dark times and Elija would need all the experience he could get to survive. Besides only he could point out this couple that was after him, and the closer he kept the boy the better he could protect him.

Without hesitation, Elija walked over a woke Sam up and said softly "Gits yur arse up. An keep yur hole shut, we gots ta 'elp Raj." ....... Sam dressed quickly, Elija arranged some pillows on the chair and covered them with a blanket, to make it appear as if someone was sitting next to the door, Sam did the same with pillows and the blanket on his bed. It appeared someone was sleeping in Sam's bed. Then he and Sam slipped quietly out of the cabin, locking the door behind them. Slient as two church mice they made there way to the bow of the riverboat. Hiding behind a stack of cotton bales they waited for Raj.

The chill of the night air hung on the breath of the two boy while the awaited Sergeant Lasekura to find them. The soft flickering glow of lantern light offered barely enough light to see by and from where they were hidden the ships bright gaslights did not reach them. Some time had passed while they sat quietly in the darkness and a grown man would have started to grow anxious, let alone two highly imaginative boys aware that an evil Mermadon could set upon them at any moment.

A dark hand reached out and grabbed Sam by the shoulder and it was all the boy could do to not scream aloud when it quickly became apparent that it was Lasekura and not the Komburan man they were warned about.

"Calm down, Sam." Said Lasekura in his usual placid voice, "Sorry, I am late. I found Slick Boards and that woman, Belle. They are back in the parlor, sitting down and playing... what do you call it? Poker?"

Raj stood up and looked around cautiously. He waved for the boys to follow him and as he lead the way, Sam slightly slipped on a small puddle of water that had accumulated where Lasekura had stood.

"Com'on." Whispered, Lasekura, "This way round the port side is another entrance." he explained as he lead the way to a narrow corridor with a stairway that lead down to a door to the hold and awaited the boys to follow.

The hold of the steamboat offered many passages to other rooms that utilized the area for storage. The saloon and dining hall especially, had their own access to the hold which could allow a person to access a room without being readily noticed.

Elija and Sam crept behind Lasekura, as they made there way along a corridor to the supply door of the saloon. Opening it slowly the crept like two mice into the saloon and hid behind a crate stacked under a stairway that led up to the balcony that circled the saloon. There, peared over the top of the crate watching Slick Boards and Belle.

While they crept below decks, Lasekura at one point directed the boys to move ahead of him. He figured that they were less likely to be seen, which made perfect sense to the two former cut purses. As Elija and Sam moved to the front and found their way into the saloon they did not notice the strange expression that befell the Sergeant's face.

The boys had not suspected why exactly Lasekura's arrival on deck had been so late. While they had hid, the Sergeant had found Mallethden. The fought and in the beginning the Eastern warrior had the upper hand. His swordsmanship was superb and the Mermadon was caught of guard but they unfortunately they tumbled into the river where the tables turned.

They were below the dark waters for many minutes. Far beyond that which a man could hold his breath. The water stirred, then and a dark head emerged. It was Lasekura, but he seemed different. As he climbed back on board the river boat, he found a blanket which he used to as a towel to dry himself off. He had lost his jacket in the fray, but truthfully it was because Mallethden had failed to retrieve the garment from the body before it was carried away downstream.

Checking his appearance in a nearby reflective surface, Mallethden scrutinized his disguise. Taking on the appearance of the Sergeant was an easy transition for the Mermadon since they were roughly the same size and shape. His skin tone was even similar to that of his common Human guise.

As the boys crept near the crate, Elija noticed the water that was collecting at his feet. He had noticed a few puddles before, but had thought little of it, them being on a ship and surrounded by water and all. There was a lot of water though which was strange. It was as if the Sergeant had gone swimming, and where was his jacket?

There was no way the boys could guess that their protector was truly their pursuer in disguise. While they were made aware that the Mermadon could look like a Human it occurred to them too late that he could make himself look like anybody. Even the Sergeant.

As Elija had his revelation both he and Sam were grabbed by the back's of their coats and pulled backward. Roughly they were drawn back down the steep stairway they climbed up to the saloon. They were then both tossed through the air and stopped hard as they struck a firm wall. They both fell to the ground, dazed and before they could gather their wits, Lasekura picked them up once more and threw them both into a dark room and locked the door behind them.

"Now I have you.... 'Chosen One'. My master will be most pleased." The monster that was not Lasekura laughed.

Mallethden secured the heavy lock on the storage room and made sure that there was no other way out (as far as he could see). The room seemed escape proof, unless they boys were able to transform themselves into rats, which he figured was not a possibility.

"I shall return shortly." Mallethden promised, his voice now sounding like his own. "I have yet another gift to retrieve but pray the other's do not interfere, else they will feel my cold blade across their throats!"

The boys could hear the Mermadon's creaking steps fade away and knew that he was headed up to the top deck to deal with Miss Smith. The door was locked tight and even their combined strength could not budge it, nor was the lock able to be picked, in fact there was no door knob at all on their side of the door.

"Whot the blooy 'ell" Elja said as he and SAm were thrown into the dark room and the door slammed shut. "I thinks we be buggered Sam." he adfded as he and Sam heard the clock snap shut. Sam and Elija threw themselves against the door several times, but to no avail.
"Buggered good we be, El." said Sam as he stood and stared at the door.

Elija reached in his shirt and withdrew the knife that had been given to him so long ago by Basha . He began picking away at the boards around the [lace that the door latch shoul;d be, as Sam continued to throw his shoulder against the door. Meanwhile Patty O'Brien, the battender upstairs was making himself down to the storage area below the bar for another few bottles of whiskey. As he appaoched the place where the spirts were stored he heard a pounding noise coming from one of the lockers. "What ta hell be all this racket." he said as he drew closer to the locker. Unlocking the lock and flinging the door open he stood for a moment with his hands on his hips. "Saints prserve us ...... wht be we here ....... stoways is it ya be." Then reaching down he grabbed Sam and Elija by the ears and drug them out. "To the Capin it be with the both of ya." he said as he twisted there ears and shoved them forward down the corridor and up the steps. He twisted each boys ear as he rounded the bar and walked them across the saloon. Bell caught a glimpse of Sam and Elija and nudged Slick Boards, who looked at both boys coldly. "Told ya I seed em I did." Bell whispered.

Slick Boards nodded and whispered "We'll nab em both, we will. Ol' Scounger 'll pay a right pretty penny fur the both of em." ...... Then Bell whispered "Bloody 'ell right but Splevey might pay more."

Colleen couldn’t sleep. She was too worried about Raj, Elija and the rest of the children. They were on a riverboat headed to a new city. A new life. She should be happy but she was terrified. And now that one of those….things….had managed to get on board, she knew she’d have to be extra vigilant.

How many times she checked on the sleeping girls, she couldn’t remember, but just to make sure, she checked once more. AS the night began to grow longer, Colleen’s vigilance began to wan. Several times she caught herself dozing off only to berate herself and move to another location in the room and settle once more so she didn’t disturb the girls.

Finally, her exhausted body could take no more. She sat on the floor at the foot of the girl’s bed and leaned against it. Using her arm as a pillow, she fell asleep unaware of the events that were taking place below her. Even now as she slept, an evil creature had killed a man she cared about, had kidnapped her adopted son and his friend and was plotting to kidnap her as well.

Yet she knew nothing of it.

Colleen had just nodded off when there was a rapping at her door, jerking her awake. The fatigue in her muscles caused her to quiver but quickly a surge of adrenaline made her movements smooth.

"It's me." Whispered Lasekura's familiar voice through the threshold of the door, "Quickly, open the door, something has happened to Elija."

Mallethden listened as the woman's foot steps creaked across the cabin floor. He smile sinisterly awaiting for the door to open and once he had her outside she would be all his. What a prize! Yassun would most be most pleased with him when he not only delivered the Dracomance but also the enchantress. Already he had prepared for their transport. He would render them unconscious, throw them into the boat and drift away. Now that their protector was dead who could stop him? As soon as the woman opened that door he would puck her out of the room and put her out by bringing his fist across her chin. Crude, but effective and at this time of night it would be easy to get her into the boat without being seen, especially with the aid of his magic.

Sam and Elija stood before the captain, with the saloonkeeper and two deck hands around them. "We ain't no bloody stowways, gots right proper tickets we does. Wi me mum and me mates." Elija said defiantly "Some bugger what smelt of fish, he throwed Sam an' me in that cupboard and locked the door on us he did."
The saloon keeper chuckeled and said "Right o, a fish man be walking about as proud as ya be. Next ya be sayin' it was a leprican wi a pot a gold what put your arses in the cupboard."
The captain studied the boys closely and shook his head. "We knows what ta do with stowaways lads. To the coal locker with em' ..... let em eaarn their passage shovelin coal."

Elija glanced at Sam then kicked the captain in the chin, Sam kicked the saloon keeper and they both ducted under the grasping arms of the deck hands and ran out onto the deck. There they split up Sam running one way and Elija the other. A cold chill ran up Elija's spine. "Mum's in danger." he thought to himself as he mounted the rail and climbed up to the upper deck.

If Colleen had been in her normal state of mind, she would have used a bit more caution and questioned why Lasekura was knocking on her door informing her there was something happened to Elija but in her fatigued fogged mind, all Colleen knew was that Eljia needed her. Still, out of sheer instinct she felt her hand close around the familiar, cool hilt of a short sword. With a glance at the sleeping girls, she walked to the door and unlocked it.

On the other side of the door Mallethden would hear the door being unlocked and soon it opened enough for Colleen to have enough room to step outside so she didn’t wake the girls. The look in her dark blue eyes was nothing short of fearful as she looked to the man she had trusted to protect her and the children.

”What’s happened Raj? Where did you last see him?”

Colleen had only one thing on her mind and that was finding Elija and protecting him. She had no clue she had just put herself in danger by leaving the protection of the room she shared with the girls. But she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise in warning as she heard a noise that sounded like something on the railing. Furrowing her brows, she turned her head to look just beyond Raj’s shoulder at what might be coming up the rails.