[i]Her beautiful russet locks ran like silk through his fingers. Ray couldn't help but smile; love tends to do that to people. He couldn't help but run his hands through her hair as she slept peacefully in his bed. He was content, and wholly unconcerned that she was not his openly, but belonged to another man.

The scene faded and was replaced with his hands in her hair, but no longer in the sweet confines of his chambers, but outside, in the west courtyard of Manor Skalter. He was worried, then concerned, finally outraged as he beheld the unsightly blemish on her cheek. He begged her to leave for him, she handed him a sword, his rapier, a gift from her, and his features hardened as he took it in his hands.

A new setting drifted in a courtyard, devoid of all but three, Raymond Skalter, Daniel Setn, and her. They were dueling over her and over honor, Raymond defending hers, Daniel defending his. They were back to back, and took three steps....

And then there was fury, the blank in which there were only scraps of memory, Daniel's shocked and agonized face, Raymond's features curled into a mask of hatred, and her, promising her support. And not delivering.

And the next night, Ray was in the dockside tavern, blathered and blasted, waiting for the end, swearing vengeance upon she whom he had loved. And then,quite unexpectedly, salvation.[/i]

The sun shining upon his face through a porthole. Ray lay in his hammock, thinking. "What am I doing?" he wondered aloud. [i]Is this all there is to my life now? This life of piracy, it is liberating, being able to do what I want how I please, but it isn't a viable career option in the long term. I nearly was killed by slavers, so I'll stand little chance against the navy, who are surely after me. Back at that tavern, I was done for and I knew it, but now, I'm alive and well. I should be going back to Lendria, trying to reclaim my title, or at least trying to fulfill my word. I swore I would kill her, and my honor is all I have left. I'll need to talk to the captain about this, and possibly getting released from her service.[/i]

He sat up and looked at his broken rapier, the weapon she gave to him and the weapon he swore he would slay her with. "Let me repair this first."