[b]Flame[/b]

"Goddammit Gaul! That better be enemy blood. I can't take anymore critically injured in my personal space." I hear as if through water. The voice is clearly my brother's.

I launch bolt-upright dragging in a wheezing breath. I latch on to the figure in front of me and cling for dear life. I turn my head slightly into their shoulder and cough great,racking coughs. My vision swims so I keep my eyes shut. Once I'm breathing normal again, I decide to chance a peek. The face I see is not the one I expect.

Green eyes greet me, but not a dark forest green like mine. His are a shade lighter. Blonde hair, stubble along the jaw and I read kindness mixed with focus in his eyes. Is this man a doctor? 


I haven't the slightest clue about our surroundings so I scan the area over the strange man's shoulder. A list of things dawn on me at once. One, we're on a ship. Two, the men look like pirates. My eyes widen at the possibility. Are we on a pirate ship? I look up at the stranger with child-like awe, "Are...are you a pirate doctor?"

"You'll have to forgive my sister, Captain. She's been in love with pirates since she was old enough to say the word." My brother's voice comes out slightly raspy and strained. When I turn to look, his head is cradled in his hands like he's trying very hard to compose himself.

It was so long ago but I remember to this day when I'd point to the bookshelves in Mother's study demanding pirates. Although it came out sounding more like pie-reet. Blaze called the man Captain. As the ancestors live and breathe...am I looking at a pirate Captain!?