Gilt Dova rubbed his eyes. He squinted as his vision blurred again, then came into focus. Unrolled before him was a map, a silver weight held down each corner to the desk. He skillfully moved a sextant over the faded work of cartography, carefully making adjustments and writing down each within the ship's log. He stifled a yawn as he adjusted the sextant again.

He looked up as a soft rapping came from the stateroom door. He eyed it momentarily as it came again, louder. He looked back to the map, muttering, "Enter."

The door slid open partly, a shadowed head peering in. A gold earring glinted faintly from an ear poking out of a blue skullcap. Feline eyes darted about the room before settling on Gilt, then quickly fell to the floor. "Captain?"

Gilt kept the sextant still over their current location. "I said enter, Mister Garid, you are letting out the warmth of the fire."

Garid nodded slightly as he closed the door behind him. His eyes continually glanced toward Gilt, then dropped to the map before he could make eye contact. He nervously rubbed the calico orange fur on the back of his hand, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "Captain D...Dova sir. I...the men and I....we....think that...."

"Do not say it, Mister Garid," Gilt interrupted. He carefully wrapped the sextant in a piece of red velvet, laying it down within a slim box. He clasped the lid slowly, then folded his hands in front of him as he looked up at Garid. "Please, sit down," he said, opening his palm toward an empty chair.

"B..but sir, I..."

"Sit down, Mister Garid!" Garid jumped at Gilt's barked order. He quickly fell into the chair, still keeping his gaze away from the menacing white wolf. Stories played themselves over and over within his mind, echoing his fears. Late night stories told over rations and ale, with the low firelight creating the perfect atmosphere. Garid knew many of the stories were foolish, but that didn't stop his imagination from playing.

'His eyes, lad, watch for his eyes. Don't ever look into 'em, cause tales say men have done so and gotten sick. And worse yet, some have even keeled over, dead as nails. So ye watch yerself, boy."

Garid shivered a bit at the memory. He knew that Captain Dova's eyes were upon him. Looking him over. Studying him. Trying to......

Garid jumped as Gilt's voice stopped the thought. "Mister Garid, I already know why you are here, and what you have to say." Garid's head snapped upwards, his shock overcoming his fear. He started to say something, then realized his situation, quickly looking down at the floor. Gilt smirked, "Is there a problem, Mister Garid?"

"Nothing s..sir. Just that...."

"Ah yes, they have started with the stories again. Rubbish," he sighed, placing the sextant case within his desk. He continued talking as he began searching the various drawers, "What where they of this time? My hands perhaps? My smile? Or...."

"Your eyes....." Garid said softly.

Gilt smiled, drawing out two clear glasses. "Ah yes, the "Eyes of the Grave" story again. Well, it is normal. If it keeps my crew in line, then so be it," he smiled again, turning in his chair. Garid began edging away, glancing at the door, wondering how fast the Captain really was. Gilt glanced back, half-grinning, "At east, Garid. Such trivial matters I do not kill for." He held up an opaque green bottle, "Drink?"

Garid considered it for a moment before shaking his head. Gilt shrugged, pouring himself a small sample. He took a sip, noting its texture before drinking it down. He placed the bottle back on its shelf, the glasses within his desk.

Garid began, "S..sir, the crew...."

"....is planning mutiny against me. They will tie me and our three passengers to this desk, then dump it overboard. When you return to port, they will proclaim us prisoners of brigands." Garid abruptly stood up, his chair clattering to the floor. He slowly backed up, trying to formulate words. Gilt stopped, looking up at him, "Shall I continue?"

"B...B..But......how did...." he stuttered.

"It is the captain's business to know of his crew and ship. Sit down, please. We shall talk this through." He waited as Garid picked up the chair and tried to sit down on it, instead succeeding in knocking it over again. Nervously, he picked it up and sat down, closer to the door. "As I had said, I do not kill my crew for such talk. Nor do I kill messengers who deliver the same. Now, in your own words, can you tell me WHY the crew has planned mutiny enough to send a messenger."

Garid mulled over his words. He had a handful of lies he could tell, all of which the crew supplied for him. He could make up more, but it mattered not He sighed, realizing the futility of lies and deceit in this matter. "They believe this is a foolish mission. We've been at sea for months, and...."

"One month and two weeks actually," Gilt interjected, flipping pages in the ship's log. He scratched a soft line with a claw in the entries, sliding the book at the feline. Garid picked it up, looking it over. He nodded, turning his mouth up in dismay as he slid it back. Gilt looked up at him when he said nothing more. "My apologies, continue please."

"Well.....in all aspects this is a suicide mission. Not even the Royal Navy could defeat these pirates. What does this one ship got that the fleet did not have?" Garid looked up at the captain, studying him.

Gilt nodded, rubbing his thumb along the underside of his muzzle. "I believe, Mister Garid, that I had already said the answer."

Garid moved back a bit, confused. He recounted the conversation, his jaw going slack, "Y..You don't mean those three old foxes down below, do you?"

Gilt nodded, turning slightly. Garid stood up quickly, backing away. "Yo.....You.....They were right, you are crazy. And senile, if you think that....."

"Mister Garid," Gilt said softly, folding his hands again.

Garid continued on, "those three old fools can....."

"Mister Garid...." A slight growl was now audible in his voice as he slowly stood up.

"take on the...."

"Mister...." Gilt barked. He stopped as the stateroom echoed with the calls of the watch.

"Ships sighted portside! Five, no Jacks in sight!"

Gilt muttered under his breath, "Bloody hell."

* * * *


The watch brought up a brass spyglass to his eye. He twisted the front slowly as he waited for their flag to be raised. "No Jack raised yet, but their approachin� fast!

Captain Dova calmly opened his stateroom doors. He walked down the deck towards the mast, his cloak billowing in the heavy winds. Garid quickly stepped past him, but stopped as Gilt called out, "Mister Garid, bring our three guests up top please." Garid looked at him questioningly, then growled, disappearing into the lower decks. Gilt frowned, then shouted to a group who where fighting with a grayish tarp caught in the wind. "Get that ballast secure!" He called up to the crow's nest, "Jaris, do we have report yet?"

Jaris, a short-statured avian, looked over the railings. "We have five ships comin� in fast, faster than us, cap'n!"

Gilt nodded, "Do not start worrying until we know who's side they are on. But take no chances." He walked towards the opening Garid jumped into, crouching down. He shouted into it, "Gunners load up!" He looked back up, "Jilas, sighting?"

Jilas shouted a negative, then stopped. He rubbed the front lens of the spyglass on his shoulder, then brought it back up to his eye. "Cap�n, Jolly Roger flyin� high!"

Gilt cursed under his breath. He looked into the darkness below deck, but neither Garid nor the three foxes appeared. "All hands, pirates have been sighted!! Gunners, portside! Mister Khad, prepare for a 40 degree turn starboard! On my mark, turn back and fire all cannons!" He started to stand, but stopped, "And get Garid and those foxes up here NOW!"

Jaris squinted into the spyglass. He cursed, the spyglass dropping from his hands. "Incoming!" he shouted before bailing out of the crow's nest. Overhead, a cannonball barely missed the nest. Jaris floated down to the deck, but was wrenched into the mast by a gust of wind. He slammed into

Gilt helped him up. Jilas was limping heavily, so Gilt sent him below deck. He ran to the aft of the ship. In the distance, there was still a great distance between them. But the gap was closing up and fast.

"Captain!" Gilt turned his head to see Garid, three robed foxes were bunched together behind him. Walking quickly, he approached them, rubbing his hands together.

"Garid, make sure that ballast is down tight, then go down below and make sure those cannons are properly loaded. If anything fails, get back up here and tell me. Now GO!" He watched as Garid ran off, then turned towards the three. "Master Rijab, Master Tilge, Master Torpa. My apologies for disturbing you, but as you can see, your services are required."

Master Torpa stepped forward. He removed his hood to reveal his grayed face. "No need, Dova, we were ready. But we expected only three ships, so we need more time."

Gilt glanced behind him. The whistled report of a cannonball was followed by a thunderous crash as part of the bow was clipped off. A crewman laid motionless among the debri. Gilt growled. "So be it, but make it fast! We cannot hold them off forever!" The three nodded, standing on the center of the ship.

Gilt frowned, looking after them. He wondered if Garid was right. But his questions were stifled as Garid came back up. His fur was charred slightly from the explosion. "Captain. Cannons are ready and waiting for your signal. But two of the five are wrecked, caught by the explosion." Gilt nodded, grimacing. He glanced at the robed foxes as they stood in a triangle, their hands folded in prayer. Only their robes fluttered in the heavy winds.

"This better work," Gilt muttered. He looked at the pursuers once more, then ran to the opening. "Now, Mister Khad!" Gilt kept his grip on the railing as the deck lurched sideways. Slowly the ships swung around. Over the railing, Gilt saw the gunports open, a black tube extending from each. He patiently waited for the guns to line up. "Fire!"

Simultaneously, the three cannons went off, then disappeared back into the ship to reload. One of the shots missed completely, flying over the foremost ship. The other two hit dead on, collapsing the mast and bow of one of the ships. Pirates scrambled to lifeboats as the ship stalled, then began to pitch forward.

Gilt shouted below deck, "Good shot! Load and fire once more, then close all gun ports!" Gilt lifted his head toward the foxes, "Ready?" One of them shook his head, "Bloody hell...." He looked at Garid, standing up.

"Sir?"

"Get below," he started. The ships cannons went off again, and Gilt saw that the four pirate ships left still stood. "Tell them to prepare for boarding parties just in case."

Garid nodded, disappearing below. Gilt stood, tossing his cloak behind him. He fingered the hilt of his sword as he stepped up to the foxes. "It is now or never."

They nodded in unison, forming a line against the railings. One by one, they raised their hands upward as the wind began to pick up. All around them, the seas calmed.

"By the Gods above........" Garid muttered as he stood next to the captain. He held onto his cap for dear life as he stood their, jaw slack from wonder. The three foxes closed their eyes as they began to chant, their voices catching the wind. Their voices echoed from all around.

"Salu tana vin selan......Jil vela sin selan....Salu tana vin selan......Jil vela sin selan...."

"Captain, is this what I think this is?" Garid looked up at Gilt, who was grinning madly.

"Yes, it is. Majick. Plain and simple. Now watch," Gilt shouted over the wind.

The seas in front of the pirates began to swell upwards. Slowly, the water began to swirl and eddy. A deep rumbling, almost a roar, began to drown out the wails of the wind. Suddenly the water parted slightly, a pitch black vortex surrounded by churning water.

Garid stuttered, "Th...That's a...."

"The water�s guardian, Leviathan..." Gilt gasped in awe. Without heed, the watery beast swallowed up the pirate ships one by one, leaving nothing behind. Their crews attempted to escape its wraith to no avail, swallowing ship and sailor alike into its great maw.

As the last ship disappeared into its maw, the foxes slowly lowered their hands. As they did, the leviathan returned to the sea and the winds died down. When their hands were at their hips, both the wind and water were calm.

Gilt turned to the foxes, about the congratulate them when Master Torpa fell forward. The other two caught him, holding him up. "Is he fine?"

Master Rijab nodded, "He'll be fine, he just overexerted himself."

Garid ran up to them, laughing, "That was amazing! A leviathan! By all that is sane that is the most amazing thing I have ever seen!"

Rijab raised an eyebrow, turning towards Tilge. "Leviathan?"

Gilt nodded, "That Ancient water beast! I had no idea you knew how to summon such a creature!"

Tilge blinked, looking at Gilt strangely, "Dova, sir, I'm not sure how to say this, but we had nothing to do with that."

"Yes, we were using the winds to cause the ships to ram each other. The leviathan you say appeared came of its own free will," Rijab said. Glint just stared at them, at a loss for words.

Garid gazed out into the sea, hiding his grin. He said a prayer of thanks before returning to aid in ship repairs.