Off the Coast of Bellevin...

[fade]

The sounds of joy and laughter permeating from The Grey Heron, were enough for any mainland pub. The night was young, the sun just having dipped below the horizon. And Felshen, was drunken beyond all comparison.

"You shitsss," He hiccuped, "Clean up your bloody messhes, I am not your muther," Felshen slurred at his new crew.

Stumbling and tripping over his boots, he had lost his coat sometime during the night.

"Ah! The Goddessh of the night, and the reason for thish merry occasion!" He tripped and stumbled over to Azazealyn.

"Have you seen my Coat?" He hiccuped "I really miss my coat!"

Behind Azazealyn a new crew member who called himself Beazl staggered across the slowly walking surface of the boat deck. Felshen leaned to a side and called out to him, "Hey you, bring me shome more Ale now!"

"Aye, Sir!" The startled drunk replied.

"No! you idiot!" Felshen yelled and stumbled past Azazealyn, nearly bumping her, he made his way over to Beazl.

"My name dear friend, is Felshen, Not sir. We're friendsh now!" he slurred slapping the fat human on the back. He then pushed him away and the fat seaman rolled down the stairs.

"Will shomeone get me my bloody jacket?" He yelled and bumped into Azazealyn as a wave rocked the boat and he lost his balance.

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn sighed, her white hair left down for the moment as she managed to weave through the drunk crew, her Captain's jacked held in a tiny hand. She extended her hand, a scowl marring her pretty face and her customary hood long since gone since it was night, shoving the jacket into Felshen's face rather forcefully. Why did it seem she was the only one not drunk?

That's right, she wasn't. Rolling her eyes at their behavior, she dropped the coat on her captain's head as he ran by her the first time, ignoring the pet name that he gave her until he ran by her again and actually bumped into her.

And she was irritated now. She'd been getting hit on by the entire crew and decided the best way for them to learn was to dump the captain in the water, let him 'sober up'. Looking at him with amused violet eyes, she let a playful smile slip over her lips as she managed to help him stand up, walking him back up to the top deck. "There, a little breeze will do you good," she said, the saccharine sweetness of her personality making anyone who knew her want to back away quickly.

"And maybe a bit of water so we don't have you with a hangover," as she escorted him over to the side railing and promptly dumped him overboard, beloved jacket still on him. Letting out a real laugh, violet eyes were filled with mirth at his form a few feet below her before she turned around to find someone to fish the captain out.

"You, go get him," she said with a tone that brooked no room for argument. She was used to being on top and in charge and this was no exception. The crew was about to learn very quickly that she did not appreciate having lewd comments slung her way nor did she appreciate the captain drinking far more than the crew and more drunk than they were, even if he was supposed to be a forest elf.

"Get him and I'll make sure you're dry the minute you're back on board. And you get his share of the ale," she said with a sigh when the tipsy crewman stared at her. He quickly snapped to and dove off the side, promptly grabbing his drunk captain and the captain's beloved coat before climbing back onto the boat looking like a spider monkey.

The drowess laughed quietly, looking actually very pretty, but it was a rare occasion. She waved a hand, both drying off the crewman and providing him with a more than plentiful share of the Captain's ale before she crouched down in front of her 'Captain'.

"Are you sober yet?" she teased, a half smile flirting around her lips.

[fade]

The crew stared as Felshen, dripping wet, staggered to his feet and on rubbery legs walked across the deck to Azazealyn. His head lolling on his chest for a moment he raised it, his eyes were blood shot and his long hair was clumped to his face.

"You..." He sputtered, pointing at Azazealyn, "Got my coat ..."

Felshen, his head spinning was seeing double and patches of black were swimming into his vision like a group of merefolk.

"I've..." He hiccuped, " Have to sit down,"

Felshen plopped heavily onto the deck and looked up at the Drow standing above him.

"You my dear... got my coat wet," He slurred on. Felshens head spun and he tried to look at the crew, they seemed to be all standing on their heads.

Felshen grunted, "Ugh... my head," He laid down on the deck boards and smiled drunkenly up at Azazealyn.

"I think, I'm shober now," He hiccuped again, "Azazealyn, did you know you truly are beautiful when you shmile,"

Around the pair the crew scattered, some hid behind barrels, some stumbled into the hold and Beazl actually dove overboard.

"You know... Jusht today, I wush musing to myshelf, about how attrac" He hiccuped and put a hand to his head.

"Ugh... " he groaned, "I was jus thinkin," He wobbled shakily to his feet and put a hand on her shoulder.

A wave rocked the boat and Felshen lost balance, falling down atop Azazaelyn he stared at her shock lit his eyes. Around the pair laying on the deck a horrified Beazl peered over the railing his eyes large he fell back into the water.

Felshen Smiled a drunken version of his most winning smile, "Wow... Az, I didn't take you as likin..." he winced the alcohol burning his stomach, "To be on de bottom. I thought you a ridin kinda girl." He Smiled again, "But this'll do,"

[Azazealyn]

Her eyes narrowed and the temperature dropped substantially on the deck around them. She was beyond irritated, on her way to downright angry at the moment and it showed. While her first instinct was to gut him, she realized that may not be the wisest idea, because then she'd have to kill the whole ship.

A much better plan hatched in her mind and gave him a wicked smile. "Pity you'll never find out. Didn't you say you had a wife?" she asked, loud enough for the crew to hear before she pushed him off her forcefully enough that he went flying back a few feet before she rose to her feet herself.

"Now, your choice is to either go overboard and sober up yourself or I can drop your ass there again," she threatened as she crossed her arms over her chest and cocked a hip to one side, white hair tossed over her shoulder. Violet eyes had a hint of amusement in them at his predicament, no matter how it got there.

The crew seemed to be holding their breath around the drow priestess, silently watching the exchange. A few of the relatively less drunken ones were rooting for her and the more trashed ones were on the Captain's side. Although no one would say a thing aloud as to avoid drawing her attention to them. As it were, they were more than happy to let the Captain take the brunt of her irritation and anger, preferring to be able to live another day without pain.

[fade]

A puzzled look crossed Felshen's face as he staggered to his feet. The crew had began stumbling out of their hiding places under the pretense of quiet believing the explosion was done. Felshen wobbled on his feet.

"Cherry brown hair..." He paused his eyes closing as if drawing in a forgotten memory, "Eyes like a new moon, a walk that could send any man running for his wedding wreath,"

He stumbled toward Azazealyn, the smile completely gone, he clasped her gently on the shoulders, "You know my Sunessla?" He looked on the brink of tears. His eyes were heavy with what appeared to be longing and maybe a spark of hope that lit his eyes deep within.

The thought of his beloved wife seemed to strip the flagon of ale from him one flask at a time. The joy that lit his eyes earlier had gone and the drunken mask had been completely replaced by one of pain and misery. The look of sheer hopelessness seemed to suck the joy right out of the air around him.

"Please, if you know where she is. Please tell me," He sobbed, and tears fell. His knees buckled beneath him and he fell to the deck at Azazealyn's feet. His head between Her feet, "I'm begging you. Please, tell me," He looked up into her violet eyes, silently pleading.

[Azazealyn]

The priestess sighed, half way torn between leaving him sobbing on the deck and locking herself in the room for the rest of the night or attempting to help the captain with his mood swings. Running a hand through her hair, she ignored the rest of the crew as she pulled him up.

"If I have to, I can find her," she said, the only admission of her real powers. "Now you need to either stop drinking and having these mood swings or go to sleep. You're worse than a Matron Mother."

Sighing, she sent a scowl to the rest of the crew, silently telling them to go back to doing whatever they were doing while she played baby-sitter to the older elf. "And if you remember correctly, Felshen, I've just spent the last few thousand years in the Underdark."

[fade]

"You can find her? I've been looking sho long I've almost forgot what she looksh like,"

A large wave caused by the tide hit the ship. Felshen wobbled on his feet nearly blacking out and lurched past Azazealyn to the rail. Here the rail was short and he flipped over it, head over heels into the waiting bay below. The water washed over him in a rush of darkness and salt. Reacting by instinct he swam to the surface and over to the ladder Beazl had used to climb aboard earlier.

A couple minutes passed of shaky climbing and he pulled himself up on to the deck. Rolling over the railing he coughed up salt water as he plopped wetly onto the hard deck.

"Azazealyn..." He muttered, "I think it's time for bed,"
He crawled over to a railing and hauled himself up onto his feet.

[Azazealyn]

"You're on your own for that one," she said bluntly as she turned on her heel and walked away from the soaked Captain. She really didn't know where exactly to begin since this was the first she had heard of him having a wife but at least there was a name and a general description.

Pulling her hair into a fast braid as she walked back to her room, already communing with her goddess, she began muttering under her breath as she reached her cave and shut and locked the door, blocking out all sounds from inside and outside as she set to work.

The searching spell would take her all of the rest of the night, the next day and possibly into the next night but she always finished what she started. The room was bathed in a low glow, showing that she was indeed a priestess if there had been any doubt as to her claims, it was revealed now. Her eyes glowed as she switched to an infrared spectrum, easily able to see everything in the room despite Felshen's earlier claims.

The priestess would not emerge for the next day, until almost the next night and any attempts to enter the room would be thwarted and all calls to her would go unheard until she emerged with news that would likely upset the Captain even more.

[fade]

"Beazl, come show me where my cabin lies,"

Felshen doddered over to the cabin he took as his before his First mate could even come to his side. Slamming the door shut behind him you could hear several loud thumps as he proceeded to fall down the stars into the mid-ship level landing just outside Azazealyns door just as a glow began to leak beneath it.

"Ah, a pretty color," he muttered before blacking out. His last thought was that he was going to hurt in the morning.

Night passed slowly for Felshen, dreams of his lost Sunesslya churned his restless sleep like a whirlpool, but the drunken rest that had befallen him offered him no succor. It had been a long time since he last thought of her, he figured her a lost cause, most likely dead. He had loved her with his entire being, and after she had left he really had no reason to stay within the Elf village. That was when the merchant came. The Heron was his sweet anesthetic.

He dreamed of when they first met, the looks she gave him across the village council hall. They were not necessarily promiscuous glances, but they spoke of promises. She was an older woman, nearly two thousand years older and a distant cousin far down the line, from a different village. But then again, nearly everyone was related in some way in that community of villages. You would of had to go far south to find a mate that wasn't somewhat related to you.

He was enamored by this woman, the entire meeting he had gazed upon her and her at him. It was seemingly meant to be. They married within the year.

Shaken awake by someone walking past him he noticed it was day and Beazl walked down the hall past him. He drifted back off to sleep.

As soon as his eyes closed her image assaulted his mind, and he began to dream again. It was the night he woke up, and she was gone. He was so frantic. He checked the entire house, and the surrounding gardens, she was no where to be found. Distraught and panicked he entered the house, and noticed a small paper on the ground. Written in an elegant script were the words:

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

Good Bye

The word echoed through his skull, every time drudging up a new and more painful memory. She was gone, really gone.

Some thing struck him on the head, and he was drug out from his dreams into consciousness. It was Beazl, He had hit him on the head with a cooking pan. His ears still rang.

"Ah, Mr. Beazl, who gave you permission to enter my cabin,"
"Felshen, You ain't in your cabin," Beazl muttered.

Sitting up slowly Felshen yawned and looked around, "Ah, that it is not my good man," Smiling, Felshen stood up, "I see you brought me breakfast! A promotion for you then, you are now First mate,"

"Ah, Thank you sir, but I did not bring you breakfast,"

"Oh, so you just enjoy hitting your captain then?"

The round first mate looked around nervously,"No sir," He pointed to the window, "I have come to announce that dinner is on,"

"Dinner?" Felshen inquired, "Preposterous,"

Felshen walked over to the window and peered out at the sunset. Turning slowly to Beazl, he grimaced, "Mr. Beazl, please, remind me never to drink again,"

"Aye, sir,"

"Now," Felshen continued, "Wheres my rum?"

"But Captain,"

"Beazl..." He cleared his throat and headed out onto deck, "My Rum, please."

"Aye, sir"

Felshen made his way onto deck and stretched in the waning light of the day. The sunset was spectacular but brought sadness to his heart, its beauty pulled up more memories of Sunesslya. He quickly turned away from the sun and headed back into the depths of the ship. To his awaiting dinner.

Dinner past somewhat uneventfully, with him being filled nicely with a bean soup with chunks of what may have been goat bobbing like a buoy within the lentils. It was nicely seasoned and truly hit the spot, he felt as though he hadn't eaten in days. He left the galley after nightfall slightly tipsy, but he wasn't going to make the same mistake he made the night before. He nearly lost his coat after all. Sadness struck him once again, she had made it for him.

"Blast that she witch," he thought to himself, "If she hadn't of mentioned her I wouldn't be having these issues right now,"

"Speaking of the Drow," he turned from the rail, "Beazl, Where is that trouble making priestess of ours?"

Beazl dropped the crate he was carrying onto the deck and turned to Felshen, "Sir, she hasn't exited her room since last night,"

"Ah, Perhaps I over did it and scared her into hiding," He smiled widely, for what seemed like the first time that day, "Well, you can't force the fox out of its den without it becoming extremely angry with you, and being that she is just as cunning I think we should allow her to come out on her own accord,"

He turned to face his bed chamber, "As for me, my back hurts. I am heading to a real bed, you are in charge until I wake Beazl, if you feel the need to wake me, please hesitate, unless we're being boarded i don't want to hear it,"

Heading off to his bed chamber with a slight pep in his step he was determined to have a sleepless night tonight. Sitting on the edge of his bed he reached into his nightstand and withdrew a pinch of sleeping dust enchanted by a wizard he had once sailed around the whole of Yviex.

This dust was old, he hoped it would still work, now that he thought about it, it was nearly three hundred years old. And he vaguely remembered the wizard mentioning it grew more potent with age.

Felshen shrugged it off and lay back opening his eyes wide and sprinkling them into each of them now just to wait for it to take.....

Hours passed, then a night, and part of the day until the next sunset. Blissful dreamless sleep cradled him in its gentle arms and rocked him until a knock on the door roused him from his slumber.

"Who is it?" Felshen slurred groggily.

"Its Beazl, sir, you slept the whole day again,"

"Blast," Felshen thought, and looked out the window, night was about to fall and he still hadn't issued more than a single order in the past two days.

Jumping from bed he strolled onto the deck to find everyone busy in their work, "Gentlemen," Felshen yelled, "Raise anchor, Drop the masts, I want this ship ready to move before the sun drops below the horizon. We're heading out,"

"Where to Captain?" Beazl inquired.

"Does it matter my friend? We have a full inventory, the wind is out our backs and we have the entire ocean in front of us.

Taking a rum bottle he laid it upon the deck and kicked the neck. It spun, and spun, and spun. Eventually the bottle stopped and it was pointing north east.

"Well, Mr. Beazl, it appears were heading that way,"

"Sir, what's that direction,"

"Our heading, my round friend," Felshen Smiled widely and slapped Beazl on the back and walked to the bow. Grabbing onto some of the netting he leaned out and looked into the setting sun.

[Azazealyn]

When the drow priestess finally emerged from her room, it was as if a stillness around her was there, like she was the calm center of a raging storm. She had unintentionally found out far more about Felshen's past than she wanted to and was debating how to best broach the subject when she heard the clamor on deck.

Coming up the stairs, she arched an eyebrow as she stood to the side, out of the way of the crew and looked up, to see Felshen standing at the bow, looking like he was a child set out on an imaginary adventure. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head, her companion spider sitting on her shoulder and speaking in her ear in his way. It wasn't that the spider couldn't speak all the languages she could, he just never bothered unless he had to.

Azazealyn decided that the best course of action in the meantime would be to wait until Felshen asked her again, instead, turning and making her way to the stern of the ship where she leaned on the railing, content to watch the wake they left behind. It seemed they would be sailing at night, which suited her just fine as long as she didn't have to actually fight with someone, she was weak enough as it was from the spell.

What she had done had been tricky on its own and impossible for anyone without experience. It had been a body soul separation and it had left her corporeal form on the ship, but her soul had gone searching all over the lands and had found several with the same name but one elf that she assumed was who Felshen was looking for.

And with that discovery, a new purpose had been found. Turns out that his wife hadn't been exactly the most faithful, nor was she the most pure when it came to her lovers. Azazealyn did not care really for the marriage or companionship that was abundant on the surface and this only reinforced her beliefs that it was all useless and a complete waste. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she thought best how to explain to Felshen that his wife was now with another woman and had a daughter. Tricky situations indeed.

[fade]

The sun was a living thing, it breathed in the waning light as it, put itself to rest. and Felshen accompanied it as it went. True to his wishes the ship was ready to sail by nightfall, and by the time the moon was peaking through the clouds the Heron was cutting its way east through the rolling purple waves.

The crew stood about lazily, watching the sea roll on beneath them. The look outs stood about their positions meandering back and forth throughout their stations. Ale and rum was plentiful, and the pleasant scent of the sea and alcohol drifted on the wind. The moon was nearing a crescent, and The Heron's sails glowed in its dim light.

At the wheel stood Beazl, the jolly round man had insisted on piloting the agile vessel. And Felshen happily stood aside, he enjoyed the chance to dream at the bow, he laid out a sleeping roll between two barrels and kicked his feet up. A storm was forming on the eastern horizon. It would not be wise to sail directly into it but to cast anchor at shore. Felshen gazed into the storm and felt the earths essence pound through him. This wouldn't be too fierce a storm, he knew for the waves were still not cresting and had the storm been fierce they would be. There would be rain though, that was assured.

"You there, lookout," Felshen called, "What is your name?"

"Evan sir," The old human responded.

"Evan then, have you seen Azazealyn?"

The lookout pivoted on his heel and turned to look about the ship, his eagle like eyes sharp shone in the light and he pointed to the stern.

"She lies, over that way sir,"

Kicking himself up he strode over to the far end of the boat, his boots echoing loudly on the ships planks. Stepping up the stairs to the stern he found her standing at the back railing gazing down upon the waes cast by the ship. He approached her quietly and stood beside her leaning on the railing.

"I expect you had a pleasing rest, you have been gone quite some time now. Strangely though I missed your presence, you, like the ocean are always changing and its nice to be kept on my toes," He presented her his most winning smile and leaned on one elbow to face her.

[Azazealyn]

"If you say so," she said with a dismissive shrug, not bothering to turn and look at him, instead keeping focus on the wake of the ship while her companion scurried off in search of mice that always inhabited ships.

"However, you slept while I actually did work. That must have been nice, don't you agree, Captain? Not all of us have the luxury of sleeping however long and often we want to," she said as she finally turned her head enough to look at him. She purposely stressed his title as if to remind him of his drunken actions and decided now would be an appropriate time to remind him not to call her 'Az'.

"And, Captain, if you ever call me 'Az' or any other variation on my name, I will cut your tongue out and feed it to you," she said, a saccharine sweet smile accompanying the words as she spoke them.

"But there must have been something else you wanted, seeing as you actually decided to look for me, so tell me, what is it that you wanted of me?"

[fade]

Felshen suddenly found greater inspiration elsewhere and turned his head toward the sea. He gazed into the wake beneath them.

"I apologize, I never meant to upset you,"

Thunder clapped menacingly in the distance, he hoped that he was truly right with his prediction. Either way he knew he had weathered worse, and these waters were generally without obstacle. Beneath them though, the waves were beginning to pick up.

Shaking his revelry about the storm, Felshen turned back toward her and smiled, "What were you doing in your cabin for so long? If you don't mind me prying that is,"

[Azazealyn]

"Looking," she replied simply. Azazealyn was never one to confess to her every movement, instead forcing people to play twenty questions to try and drag the truth out of her. However, if the person asking had any knowledge of spells and such, they would know exactly to what she was referring to and be able to ask more directed questions.

She turned her eyes upward at the sound of the thunder, a slight frown flitting across her features before it was gone, replaced by a neutral stance. She had come to not like the thunder and lightening that often happened with the storms on the surface, finding them far too sensitive for her ears. It wasn't a fear of them, it was that she just didn't like them, they were too new and it did not make her happy about what was happening at all.

Rain never fell in the Underdark, what water they had was provided by streams and lakes and often getting it was at peril of whatever resided in those areas. She shifted uncomfortably, sensing the gathering energy of the storm before she decided that she should probably actually go rest.

Her lack of comfort with storms would go unnoticed by anyone unless they were watching her movements closely and as it stood, most of the crew did not watch her for too long or at all if they thought they may be caught.

[fade]

"You don't like storms do you?" Felshen said smiling, "I noticed the way you stiffened at the thunder,"

He stepped away from the railing and shoved his hands into the deep front pockets of his coat. He cocked his head to the side. "It doesn't really rain underground does it?" He chuckled, "Maybe you aren't as invincible as you try and make yourself seem,"

Beazl turned around, "Felshen, That storm does look kind of rough. Perhaps we should find safe harbor for the night,"

Felshen paused and considered, Looking from The storm, to Beazl to Azazealyn, he lingered on her for a moment then turned back to his First Mate.

"You know Mr. Beazl, I do believe you're right, head towards that cove past the next bend, it appears sheltered from the wind and waves," He strutted across the stern and down the stairs to the mid-ship deck, "Gentlemen, were taking anchor to ride out the storm, it should be gone by morning, and if not, it appears we shall be bringing out a flagon of mead or two! Once we enter the cove drop anchor and raise sails, you know the procedure!"

The crew simply turned and looked, "Well, get busy!" Felshen said gesturing to what needed done. They hoped to.

Felshen smiled. "Yes this crew is indeed turning out to be much better than the previous onslaught of independent roughnecks I had running my vessel," he thought to himself.

Turning on his heel he strode with a confident smile gracing his lips back to Azazealyn's side, "Azazealyn, you must be tired, once we drop anchor I invite you to come with me to my quarters, I'll treat you to a glass of fine wine I save for special occasions. There's nothing wrong with taking a glass once in a while. And don't worry I wouldn't even think of asking you to stay, I know how you love your independence and all,"

Another crash of thunder shook the boat, and Felshen gazed over his shoulder at the approaching storm, his long hair blew in a cold wind and he found himself shivering slightly. He clenched his jaw and forced his shivers back down into his belly. A glass of wine would fix that right up.

Turning back around he noticed a black bird perched upon the railing, the bird really was quite large he ignored it and turned back to Azazealyn, strangely the bird left a haunting impression on him, as though it were watching him. Judging him, perhaps gauging him as a threat, he felt its eyes boring into his back, but he ignored it.

"So what do you say my friend?"

Bealz turned around "I'd love to Captain! It's been a fair while since I popped back a refreshing glass of wine!"

Felshen slumped over the railing and sighed, shaking his head, "Not you Beazl, I was speaking with Azazealyn,"

He turned to her and smiled, "Well, what do you say, join me for a while?"

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn paused, watching the goings on around her before she shrugged, instantly taking a dislike to the bird that landed there, sensing the magickal properties of it. Violet eyes narrowed dangerously as the aura around her charged, distrust radiating from her form. There was a look in her eyes that promised untold violence if any harm came to the crew.

She nodded once, answering Felshen's question wordlessly because she was more focused on the bird and the gathering energy of the storm when another crack of thunder followed by a flash of lightening struck an the bird took off, presumably to seek shelter. The drowess' eyes watched it go, her body tense with the unhappiness of having storms come about and the bird. It wasn't a companion, that much she was certain of, but whatever it was couldn't be good.

"I do not trust that bird as far as I could throw it," she murmured. "It was not a normal bird," she said for a minor bit of clarification. As to what it was, she was not exactly sure herself.

[fade]

"That bird gave me... Unnatural vibrations, It felt as though it wasn't right," He said as he watched the bird fly off, "But you get oddities in nature some times, he said his serious expression slipping away to his trademark smile that had been known to draw women from across a room.

"Now, that drink. Come with me," Before leaving he turned to Beazl, "Make sure the anchors are secure and you can get yourself an extra ration of ale from my personal stock, anything you like,"

That caught Beazl's attention. He straightened his back and sucked in his gut walking down among the crew he began shouting orders like he owned the place. That brought a warm laugh from Felshen, he chose a good man for is First Mate. Most assuredly.

Leading Azazealyn down the stairs and around the corner into his personal cabin he opened the door for her and alowd her to enter first. He entered after and closed the door behind him, latching the dead bolt to keep out pests.

His cabin was sparsely decorated, just his necessities, his bed his nightstand, his chest of junk at the foot of his bed. and a washtand with a simple mirror. The only ornate thing in his room was a cushioned chair latched to the cabin floor.

"Take a seat, anywhere. Make yourself comfortable, you can stay for as long or as short as you like, I just ask you stay to finish your glass,"

He smirked and walked over to his bed, he knelt on the cabin floor and withdrew a dusty ornate chest. Sliding it across the floor, he unclasped it and withdrew two deep wine glasses and a bottle of wine with an extremely yellowed label.

"This most likely won't interest you," he said smirking, "but this wine is nearly a thousand years old. It was on the ship when I acquired it, and then it was still already three hundred years old unopened. To be honest I meant to open it when I found Sunessyla, but I have to straight with myself. She's surely dead."

He poured two glasses and a golden white liquid filled both of the glasses leaving an extremely rich scent drifting about the cabin. He handed one to Azazealyn and took a seat himself on his chest of Junk.

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn sighed, staring down at the glass in her hand and figuring that this was probably the better time to do it. "The bird was not a natural creature nor was it a companion to something else, but as to what it was exactly I cannot say," she said as she pushed a lock of white hair out of her eyes, tucking it behind a pointed ear.

"However, I have something that you will either be very happy or extremely unhappy with," she said as she leaned against a wall and looked directly at Felshen, her voice and posture never wavering nor giving way to her thoughts.

"When I was looking, although you gave me little to go on, I found your wife. She is alive and living not too far from here, " she said, pausing there as she shifted her gaze to look at the wall opposite from him and weighed her next words on her mind and if she should tell him right now. "However, I have the distinct impression that there is something else I could not find. The reason I am tired is because it took a lot of energy to sort through all the people in the world with that name. She is currently residing on an island towards the end of the scattered isles, and it seems she has a housemate with her as well. She appears to be in fine health but beyond that I could tell no more."

[fade]

Felshen just stared, his eyes wide. Hand trembling upon his wine glass it dropped from his hand and crashed to ground shattering. Spilling the thousand year old liquid across the cabin floor.

"She's," He looked out of breath, his eyes swinging through emotions faster than a schooner through smooth bay waters, "Alive?"

He didn't know what to do, he was trembling; and the first vestiges of boiling excitement began churning up from his stomach like a geyser about to erupt. He didn't know what to do with it, his legs wanted to spring into action. But there was hardly a place to go nothing to do with it, for the first time in his life he felt confined.

Felshens mouth tried to work, but after seven hundred years of longing the words never formed. The rage of her having left was churning just as fast as the excitement building at the prospect of seeing her again. She was alive, and he never felt so enraged, and happy within the same moment.

Bolting up from the chest he slipped an arm around Azazealyns waist to her lower back and drew the small Drow to him. Cradling the back of her head in his hand he brought her mouth to his and their lips met in a brief but rough kiss.

Releasing her, he slid past her side not noticing the spilled wine on his prized jacket. Unlatching the door he flew out onto the deck in a blur of green.

"Make haste to that cove Gentlemen, We haven't a moment to lose! The tide has shifted into our favor and the time to drop anchor is now!"

Darting over to the railing he gazed into the waiting cove and never felt so completely restless in his entire life.

[Azazealyn]

For once the tiny priestess had no response other than to watch in amazement as he took off and listening to the crashes from above. Shaking her head, she set the glass he had pressed into her hand down and left the room, deciding to strike the kiss from her memory. After all she had seen things similar in the Underdark when males had been given rewards instead of punishment.

Running a hand through her hair, she felt the utter exhaustion pulling at her and headed to her cabin, intent on sleeping through the storm. The crew was on deck, preparing for the storm and she decided she would just sleep through it, regaining her strength. For reasons unknown, her cabin was far away from Felshen's and she felt that was probably in the better interest now, especially after what he had done.

Entering her room, she shut the door, hardly bothering to lock it since Felshen was the only one who would actually burst in regardless of what she said. The wood elf was turning out to be rather amusing, in her opinion, what with his rather unpredictable nature. Here she knew that his whims would not lead to others being killed just to slake a lust or an old grudge and her life was in no immediate danger except from Lloth.

Speaking of the goddess, Azazealyn could feel her amusement at her current predicament and frowned, knowing that Lloth was entertaining herself. After all, how often was it that a drow went to the surface and found an elf that did not try to kill them on sight?

The exhausted priestess shook her thoughts today as she lay down to sleep, her companion spider lurking in the room, keeping watch as he was wont to do. It would be hours before she awoke again, refreshed and fully restored and hopefully by then the storm would be gone.