I thought it was time for me to start something new, no more sequels for the moment. Please enjoy and do comment, I’m still trying to finish this one so any encouragement or tips would be great.

            The crew of the Vali were a lively bunch, chatting happily and tipping generously. It was definitely a good night for the tavern owner of the place they’d decided to inhabit their first night in port. They’d just made themselves a place in history by surviving the vicious storms and icy waters between Sigel and the sparsely populated Isles of Frost. Sure there had been legends of other ships making the same trip, but none alive now had witnessed it. So why go on such a perilous journey? Gold, of course, or rather the deep violet pearls that were found in the waters off the Isles of Frost. They were the most valued item to include in jewellery, out pricing even diamonds. They were beautiful to behold, truly, but that wasn’t the reason they were so expensive, it was the magic to them. If worn correctly they could hold off physical ageing for at least ten years longer than usual, and so were highly prized among a noblewoman’s possessions. The crew of the Vali had just brought back the first shipment of pearls for over a century. They probably only had a chest full of the precious spheres but even that made them the wealthiest crew in Sigel. Their captain was surely ecstatic with his success.

            Nyrish leaned back in his chair comfortably, letting his eyes flicker lazily over his pleased crew. It had definitely been worth the risk. Only one deck hand had been lost and that could happen on a normal voyage. Stored safely on his ship was not one but three chests of magical pearls, and he’d bargained them to the people of Frost for a cargo of tough fabrics and fine brandy. He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of doing it before, why had it taken him so long to think it up? Of course they never would have made it if not for the magical aid of the ship’s healer, but the elf had been with them for the past five years. Oh, well, it didn’t really matter why he hadn’t thought of it before, all that mattered was that it was done and he was now a very wealthy man. He could spend the night with any of the whores or maids in the room and they probably wouldn’t even charge him for it. Just to say they had slept with the man who had braved the Frost would be enough for them. As a matter of fact he could have afforded any whore in the whole city, or several of them if he wanted.

            So why was it, as he thought of a night of the most lavish pleasure his eyes had settled on the elven healer? For five years he’d never even considered that Ebony could be attractive. Who would? Looking at him as he was most wouldn’t give a second look. Heavy dark robes covered his slender form, cloth covered his hair and ears and even now he wasn’t smiling, not really. The elf looked cold, as if you would freeze just by touching him, who would want to bother with that? Unfortunately Nyrish now saw the healer differently, he had ever since that day two weeks previous, the day after a particularly nasty storm. He knew how soft and warm that milky pale skin was and how a hint of fragrant jasmine clung to it enticingly, even after weeks at sea. He knew how it felt to drift his fingers through heavy locks of the purest black, the strands far silkier than any sailor’s should have been. Was that why Ebony kept his hair covered? To keep it so soft?

            No, Ebony certainly wasn’t as cold as his appearance would make one believe, and right then, even under all the heavy fabric, he was the most attractive being in the room. At least to Nyrish. The tall captain sighed and forced his eyes away; this wasn’t supposed to happen. He knew why he’d been stealing looks at the healer since the ‘incident’ while they’d been on ship but there was no reason for it now. There were so many choices now, so many willing, soft and rounded women, all waiting for his touch. Nyrish had never been one for male pleasures, he’d only done that a few quick times and that had only been on ship, weeks from port. Given the choice he’d always much preferred a nice soft woman over a man. Now Ebony was ruining it, the damn elf was ruining it and he didn’t even seem to realise it. That was what infuriated him the most. The elf had acted as if nothing had happened between them, nothing about the way the healer looked at him or spoke to him had changed at all. The night had obviously meant nothing but a bit of fun to the healer, and that’s what Nyrish wished it had been for him. If only he hadn’t waited so long to see his own wound seen to…

            He was tired. Sick and tired of the icy wind that attacked you the moment you went on deck. The storm had nearly ripped his ship apart. They’d lost a length of sail and one of the crew, not to mention the injuries taken to several others, including himself. A shard of ice had broken loose, slicing across his arm, cutting deep enough to need stitches. Fortunately it hadn’t been too bad so he’d been able to wait until the storm had passed and everything was running smoothly again before seeking out the ship’s healer. Distracted with fatigue and depression it never occurred to him that Ebony might be resting as he himself should have been. So when he gave a brief knock before flinging the door open he was startled to see the elf as he was.

            Ebony stirred immediately under the blankets, blinking tired eyes at his captain for a moment before rising. No words were spoken as the elf ushered him in and closed the door before going to the medicine chest and sifting through its content. Nyrish sat on the bed heavily, eyes never leaving the elf. He’d expected to see a thin and sharp-featured elf in heavy robes, not this slender and elegant creature before him now. Gone were the robes, substituted only for a nightshirt of some light fabric. Milky-skinned legs showed from the knees down and he found himself admiring the soft curve of the elf’s calf-muscles. As Ebony returned to him and set to work on the cut, he found his eyes drawn next to the dark, glossy hair. Stray strands had broken loose of the thick braid, fluttering softly around the healer’s face as he moved, softening and accenting features Nyrish had once considered harsh and pointy.

            “You’re beautiful.”

            Hands halted in their task, hands Nyrish had always thought nimble and clever without noticing their fineness and grace. There was a startled pause before the bandage was wrapped competently and secured.

            “I will need to take the stiches out in a week, try to keep it clean until then and don’t scratch at it, even through the bandage. If you feel nauseous at all, or fevered tell me, it shouldn’t get infected but it is always a possibility.” As he spoke he gathered items, putting them back in the chest. He seemed surprised when he turned back to see the captain still there. “Is there something else you wanted, captain?”

            “Didn’t you hear me?” Nyrish stared unyieldingly at the elf’s sudden discomfort.

            “To be honest, sir…” the elf swallowed, “I thought I had imagined the words…It has been a long day.”

            “And that is something you would imagine me saying to you?” the captain smiled, intrigued as he rose from the bunk and moved towards his prey. “Do you like the idea of me finding you beautiful?”

            “Of course,” the elf’s normally soft and soothing voice dripped with sarcasm, “I wear the clothes I do because I know how flattering they look on me, because I long for you to notice me. Why else would I flirt with you constantly and-”

            “Enough!” the taller man laughed, shaking his head, “It has been a long day, Ebony, we are both tired and I think you are as loathe to play games right now as I am.” He moved close enough that the elf had to tilt his head back a fraction to keep eye contact, but not close enough that they were touching. He wouldn’t touch without consent, “I want you, right here and now. Do you object to that?”

            Large eyes studied him warily for a long moment, swirling shades of grey, reminding Nyrish of the storm they had just braved. They were amazing eyes really, he’d always thought that but now he was starting to see a building passion he’d never witnessed before. Ebony didn’t answer him verbally, as he’d thought the elf would. Instead warm lips touched his, giving him all the permission he needed. What followed was something Nyrish would never forget, a combination of soft vulnerability and quick strength no other experience could hope to match. He had found something in the elven healer that he’d never found before.

            Damn, Ebony. A few short hours and the raven-haired being had ruined him. Flicking his eyes back to where the elf had been sitting, his heart gave a panicked leap as he found it empty. Quickly scanning the room there was no sign of the elf. Where had Ebony gone? And why did that upset him so much? Nyrish waited a while longer, drinking a few more mugs of ale, probably more than he should have. One of the women approached him, flirting so shamelessly it was almost embarrassing, if not irritating. Normally he would have taken her upstairs, she was quite pretty, but her hair was light and coppery, not black as the night. He wasn’t sure if it was his annoyance or the amount of alcohol he’d consumed but he came to a decision right then.

            It was only after he knocked on the solid oak door of the healer’s room that he hesitated. Was he making a mistake? Ebony would probably send him away politely at best and laugh at his stupidity at worst. He wouldn’t blame the elf if he did, he was sure it had been only a convenience thing that had caused it to happen the last time. Nyrish knew he was a handsome man, tall and strong without being bulky, his skin was a healthy golden colour and he’d often been complemented on his dark eyes. But he doubted very much that Ebony thought much of his looks, the elf probably liked women just as much as Nyrish was supposed to.

            “Captain?” Ebony stared up at him with clear confusion. He must have been brushing his hair for it was loose and spilling partially over his softly curved shoulders. The sight made him want the elf even more and he stepped forward, closing the door behind him as Ebony took a couple of steps back, still confused. Flicking his eyes over the slender body he was glad the robes were gone, only that light nightshirt covering the elf. The other should have noticed what was going on then, with the way Nyrish was staring at him hungrily but he still looked puzzled. “Is it your arm? Do you want me to give you something to stop the itching?”

            “My arm doesn’t itch, Ebony,” he stepped closer, voice deep with desire and intoxication, “Are you expecting anyone?”

            “No,” the elf frowned, “Is something wrong? Is there something you need to speak with me about? Or do you need me to go back to the ship? Has something happened to Bella?”

            “Nothing has happened to the first mate, Ebony,” Nyrish smiled. Now that he had the elf cornered he reached to grasp some of the silky strands, feeling their weight slide across his fingers. “Do you know you ask too many questions when you’re agitated? Normally you say very little, only what is import but you babble when you’re nervous.”

            “You’re drunk,” the elf pointed out testily, trying to move sideways but Nyrish stopped him, pinning him back against the wall with gentle force.

            “Not really,” he shrugged, leaning down to kiss warm, luscious lips… only to meet the pale skin of the elf’s cheek. With that one simple gesture Ebony had squashed all the captain’s hopes. Sighing deeply, he released the healer, stepping back to give him his person space back. “I’m sorry, Ebony. I didn’t realise that you don’t find me attractive.”

            “What we did…” the grey eyes wouldn’t meet the captain’s, “Best we both forget that, sir.”

            “It was a mistake then?” Somehow Nyrish hadn’t expected to feel so bitter, bitter and cheated. “Fine, that’s just fine with me. You weren’t any good anyway.” It was a blatant lie and they both knew it. He wouldn’t have been there, in the healer’s room if it hadn’t been good. But he was feeling hurt and wanted the elf to feel hurt too, so he turned and left without another word, slamming the door behind him. It had been stupid to seek Ebony out, it had been stupid to hire the elf in the first place. Dark elves weren’t good for anything.

            The room suddenly felt cold and his body longed to chase after the tall man, losing himself in that strong warmth. Staring at the door he wondered what it could really hurt to go after Nyrish. On the other hand he knew he would regret it in the morning, or at least Nyrish would. The captain was drunk, that was the only reason why he’d come to him. The last time it had been months at sea with no women but Bella, and she was more manly than half the crew. No, Nyrish didn’t want him, just a pliant body to bed. It had been enough of a shock to realise the captain at least found him appealing enough to touch with desire. What did it matter though? The captain was gone, and this incident and the last would be put forever from Nyrish’s mind. Ebony, however, would never forget it. He would not forget the one time when he was touched so willingly by the man who had held his heart for the past five years.

            He had hated ships, would have never even considered taking a job on one if not for the tall and handsome captain. Ebony had never really cared about looking ‘good’, that had never been important to him. When he had been studying he’d been one of the ones to forego going out to take extra classes, or get better marks. Not because he wasn’t given the opportunity to but because it wasn’t what he wanted. He didn’t want to be valued on his looks like his parents both were, he wanted to be valued for his skills and his knowledge. He’d intended to be a healer in the King’s Infirmary, the greatest achievement one of his profession could make… but Nyrish had changed that. He’d been won over by the promise of adventure and magical sights and by the captain’s charming smile. Unfortunately the one time in his life when his looks should have been an asset they weren’t. He’d discovered very early on that the captain wasn’t interested in men, only in big breasted women. So there was no point in trying to gain the captain’s attention for he could never have it. Despite this he’d never regretted signing on with the Vali, he was content to see the captain every day, he needn’t be with him. Besides, he had enjoyed his time, the promise of adventure and beautiful sights had been filled and he was content with his life. It may not have been perfect but it was enough.