Chapter 1

On the Blood Rose, in the Captain’s quarters, Jocelyn was taking to Tara, and from the looks on both their faces, the matter was serious. Tara was sitting upright in a chair at the small table desk. Jocelyn’s nerves kept her walking about anxiously, she paced the floor a few feet in front of Tara.

“Will you go there for me, then?” Jocelyn asked Tara.

“If you want me to go, I’ll go, I’ve been there before, as have you, but why not come with? This is after all your ship.”

“I know it’s my ship, but I just can’t come.”

“Okay.”

“For this journey I’ll name you captain of my ship, the crew is yours to command, oh, and one more thing, Tara.”

“What?”

“Please take care of both yourself and my ship. I don’t wish to see either of you at the bottom of the ocean.”

“You can trust me.”

“Tara, I’ve always trusted you. Safe journey, and fairwinds to you all, bye.”

“Bye.”

Jocelyn exited the cabin, stepping into the pelting wet rain. She walked to the rails between the Blood Rose and the Black Widow. Jocelyn turned around and saw Tara standing on deck. Jocelyn waved, and Tara waved back, then Jocelyn jumped the rails and walked to her cabin aboard the Black Widow.