Syrneth Secret


   "Get in!" a familiar voice shouted from the deck of the Syrneth ship. "We haven't much time!".

   Around him, lifeboats full of Sea Dogs clambered aboard the vessel. Celedoine's Glamour magic kept them hidden, but it was only a matter of time before the Crimson Roger realised their prey was getting away. A short distance away, the flaming wreckage of the Hurricane continued to burn as the Rogers sent cannon volley after cannon volley pounding into it.

   "If Reis is dead, they're sure not acting like it," Berek heard one swabbie mutter. He grabbed a nearby sailor's hand and helped him aboard. The deck was crowded, but they had enough space for everyone. With luck, they could resupply in Ussura before starting the long trip to Avalon.

   "Get us outof here, Faust," he called as the last Sea Dog climbed aboard. "I'd rather not draw the Rogers attention." The scarred man nodded and the boat sped away.

   He turned to greet his old crew, only to come face-to-face with the imperious woman at their head. Her face looked beautiful beneath her wide brimmed hat.

   "Hello, Cele." He smiled rakishly. "I know it's been a while, but I hope my timely arrival makes up for any-"

   His speech was cut short as the Glamour mage struck him across the face.

   "Bastard!" she hissed. "Where the hell were you?!"

   "I- I just rescued you, Celedoine!" he said. "What do you-"

   "Bonnie's gone, Jeremiah," she said. "Gone. We've spent the last six months trying to avenge your death. She cut a deal with the Sidhe to kill Reis. They have her now. They told me. And now after all this time, you pop up like nothing's wrong?!"

   "I almost drowned!" he protested. "The man who saved me needed my help!"

   "You couldn't send a message?! You couldn't let us know you were all right?! We took on Captain Reis for you - Reis, the unkillable monster of the seven seas! And his crew just turned the Hurricane into firewood."

   "He killed Bonnie?"

   "I almost wish he had," Celedoine said. "No, she got the bastard, no thanks to you! I told you, she cut a deal. Reis' life for an eternity with the Sidhe. She's in Bryn Bresail, Jeremiah. She's never coming back! My best friend, fourteen crewmen, Theus knows how many innocent lives, and you're just fine!"

   "Would you rather I was dead?" Berek asked.

   "I'd rather you behaved like our captain instead of some schoolboy on an adventure! I'd rather you led us instead of abandonning us to fate! Same old Berek. Just out for a good time with Lady Fortune always looking over your shoulder. You don't change!"

   "But I have changed, Cele," Berek said. "It's... it's different now. Things aren't what they were."

   "I wish I could believe that." anger dripped from her words.

   Berek looked at her for a long time.

   "What do you want me to do? he asked.

   "Take us home, Jeremiah." her eyes glittered like diamonds. "And stay the hell out of my way."