A/N Here it is the end of Book One. I'm going to take a day or two off putting up chapters, but never fear Book Two: Passages will be up before you know it. Please take a moment to review, I would love to know what you think about the story so far, what could be improved upon, what you like, etc. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read. Now without further delay I think it's high time I post a chapter with the one thing ever good fic needs….one legged pirates!

Chapter Sixteen

End of an Age

Aboard The Nixie, Jack - a large burly searat - was checking the ration supplies in the hold. Using seacoal and a scrap of parchment, he jotted in shortpaw what the ship would have to stock up on once they reach port. "Well water is running low, and most of the bread is not fit. Good thing we should make land before nightfall." Finishing his list, he returned to the deck in search of the Captain. The crew's twin weasels- Rapp and Ripp leaned casually on the deck with fishing rods, waiting for a bite.

The searat called out to them. "Now, b'ys, yer not going t'catch anything this time of day."

"Ye never knows." replied Rapp of the brothers.

"Yeah, there might be sommat out there," said Ripp.

"Have it yer way." Leaving them at their attempts, he went to the Captain's quarters and entered without knocking.

Sitting on the floor was a young ferretmaid hardly into her tenth season. She wore a smock-like dress that had been cut far shorter then it ought to have been, so much so that it pulled high up on her legs that stuck out in front of her. One bore soft, light brown fur like the rest of her; the other was carefully carved of a rich exotic wood to mimic the appearance of a real leg. This prosthetic was far from the crude peg legs worn by others; this was a fully functioning work of art. The young maid paid no notice to Jack, occupying herself with the antics of two small hermit crabs that crawled around where she sat.

"Y'know, Killy, if rations run much lower I may just 'ave to throw the two of them into a pot." he rat chuckled, grinning wickedly.

Scooping up the tiny creatures, the ferretmaid placed them back in their crate, glaring at Jack. "You will do no such thing. I thought we went over this already. Monty and Tego here are part of the crew, not food. I believe I established that they are First Mate Monty and Bosun Tego, and official roommates to the Captain."

"Killy, hermit crabs cannot be part of the crew. 'sides, I'm the First Mate and Bogbean is the Bosun."

"Well, last I checked I'm the Captain, so I can decide who becomes what." The young ferret winked at her first mate." But seeing as neither crab can talk, I'll let you and Boggy hold the jobs for now."

Laughing, the rat shook his head. "Killicia Swiftfang, yer a foolish creature."

Stooping over she awkwardly brought herself to balance on her hind paws. Taking a seat on her bed, she smiled sweetly. "And you're only noticing this now, Jack? So, we're going to make it to Jallgo's harbour tonight, you think? Like the dress I picked out for going on shore?"

She hopped up from her bed and twirled around on her wooden leg. In order to let the rat have a full view or the garment she so highly prized. Jack couldn't recall how she had acquired such a thing, although he seemed to recognize bits and pieces of an old tunic stitched in with what looked like an old set of curtains.

Straight-faced, the rat replied, "Change into something a little more appropriate before we dock."

"Gee, thanks, Da," the maid grumbled. Crossing her paws in front of her narrow chest and sticking her lower lip out in a pout.

"'Ey, now, none o' that lip. You may be the Captain but this is still your fader's ship and he told me to look out fer you. An' I'm not having no daughter of Skipper Swiftfang prancing around in a port tavern dressed like that. Bad enough I let you go to a tavern at all. A maid your age shouldn't be drinking." Jack lectured her coldly.

"You're such a spoilsport, Jacky. You never let me do anything."

"That's because I don't fancy bringing you back to your Father in a box or worse. Now get changed into something pretty, and make ready to meet ole Jallgo." Turning he left her in the cabin shaking his head at the ferretmaid's antics.

"Blah! Stuffy foxes!" Killicia complained, closing the door behind Jack.

The searat wasn't gone two minutes when Bogbean the weasel - usually referred to as Boggy - approached him.

"We got some trouble, Jack."

Heaving a heavy sigh the rat looked about to see what had happened."What do you mean?"

The weasel beckoned Jack to follow as he led him to a section of deck where most of the crew stood in a huddle.

"The twins just hauled a fox up outta the water. He says Jallgo's harbour is burning up and old Jallgo has been murdered. The whole port is up in arms." Bogbean explained pushing crewbeasts aside so Jack could get a better look.

"Well, isn't this a nice end of the day. I better tell Killy." Turning hard on his heels he returned to the Captain's chamber. Rapping on the door, Jack called in to the ferretmaid. "Killy, you better get out 'ere."

Reappearing in her usual sailor apparel, the maid crossed her paws. Expecting another lecture to follow. "Wha' did I do now?"

"Nothing… The twins just hauled up a fox. Jallgo's dead and everything down that way has gone to hellgates in a pawbasket."

"So does this mean we're not going ashore?" Killicia asked, looking disappointed.

" Sorry, love."

"And do we have to keep the fox?"

"Killy, we're not throwing him back into the sea. Come along, you have to talk with him."Jack lead the way, waiting for her to follow.

"Fine. But if we can't go to port, I want to go to Sampetra." Wooden limb tapped lightly against the deck boards as she strolled along side the searat.

"As ye wish, Cap'n," Jack said, ignoring everything the ferret was saying as he guided her towards the half-drowned Reginald. He had long grown accustomed to her many whims and demands.

The fox was bundled up in a thick ships blanket, shivering most unhappily. His bushy tail had lost all its puff and luster from the sea. Now it lay limp beside him nearly as thin as a rat's tail. His ears were drooped and his waxed whiskers stuck out at odd angles. The silk and ruffled garbs her wore were dripping and askew. Killicia took one look at the extravagant dress of the fox and burst out laughing. "You have got to be kidding me. Is that a fox or one of my Grandma's doilies?"

"Killicia, be nice," Jack warned.

Glaring at the searat, she went closer to Reginald. "So what happened?"

Shivering with fear and cold, the fox tried to recount his tale.

"I was sailing with my cousin, Romlan de'Gorge, to the house of Jallgo to make arrangements for him to wed lady Nicara. Next thing I know the crew tells me both Jallgo and Romlan are dead. Before I know it there are fires ablaze on shore. The town has accused Romlan of murder, and the crew of setting fire to the storehouses. We fled in our ship as fast as we could, but not long into our voyage we began taking on water. Some of the ships followed up and began shooting fired arrows at the ship. I went overboard and clung to a barrel as long as I could. I don't know where the rest of the crew is, although I suspect they have all perished. Those who followed us killed any they could find. It's only by chance I slipped by unnoticed. Please, you must believe me. We haven't done anything against Jallgo or his property." Tears began to form in his eyes. "Please, you mustn't kill me. I will do anything. You must believe me."

Backing away from now hysterical creature, Killy looked to her crew and then the fox. "Umm… I'm not going to kill you, so you can stop now. Jack, can you get this fella a drink or somethin'?"

The searat helped the fox to the galley while Killicia addressed the crew.

"Slight change of plans, b'ys. We're going to have to go north and look for another place to take on supplies. If things have gone wonky with Jallgo's lot, I don't really want to get involved… and I think you all agree. So let's make sail for further up t'Mossflower. The weather is better there anyway." She paused to give one of her cheeky smiles to the crew. "Then we're off to Sampetra."

…..

Nicara sat in her chambers, playing the part of the distressed maiden rather well with Vaniska and Konnal now at her side. Bittail and his crew entered, their weapons stained with blood. "We found the dirty traitors, yer ladyship, and took care of them for you. And I'm pleased to tell you that the fires have been put out already, thanks to the early warning."

"Thank you, Bittail. My father was lucky to have such friends," she said, weeping softly.

The searat bowed low to the murderess. "Many o' the ship captains are gathered outside waiting for ye to make an appearance. Maybe it would help if ye were t'say a few words."

"What a good idea, Bittail. Please tell them to meet me in the entrance way."

"As ye wish, m'Lady." With another bow he and his crew left.

Nicara stood, wiping away her fake tears. "Now for the final announcement."

"Which is what, exactly?" Vaniska asked curiously.

"You'll see." Smiling wickedly, she held her head high and went to the entrance hall. The captains had gathered as instructed and she greeted them on the stairway, holding aloft the forged will of her father.

"Friends of my father, thank you for coming to my aid. My father has remembered you all in his final instructions to me, telling you to take what you like from his stores in exchange for your loyalty to me. He asks that you protect me and that we leave this desolate place. We shall sail as soon as possible for richer lands, lands where you will not live as captains but as lords. Let us not mourn any longer, but look at this as a rebirth. You are corsairs, are you not? We were never meant to be merchants, staying to the land. We shall take the finest prizes this world has to offer us. My father also wished for me to marry, but the husband he choose for me turned out to be his downfall."

She turned to Vaniska, smiling. "But I have chosen my father's hero as my husband. The fox who slew de'Gorge and put out the fires that threatened our storehouses. Vaniska my champion!"

There was polite applause from the crowd. Vaniska stared dumbly at Nicara while Konnal gritted his teeth.

"And so it begins," Nicara murmured under her cold smile.

End of Book One.