When Shade let go, Krissa did too, and was overcome in a giggling fit. She coughed suddenly, looking straight up at Shade.

"Of course there are Irish pirates! What do ye think me father was?" she grinned, imitating the thick accent. She was only half Irish, but could still do it pretty well. "Why, we Irish are the sly cats of the sea," and she thumped her chest, trying to make a point, but made herself choke instead.

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

Dale thumped her on the back. "Careful, there. I don't know if you Irish are cut out to be pirates if you can't give yourself a good thump without suffering aftereffects." He gave Krissa a smile (and a rather dashing one, at that) to let her know he didn't mean it, and deftly tied off his rope.

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Shade smiled and said, "Well, you make a fine one, so I guess Irish people make good pirates." She shrugged and then asked, "So, will we every go explore or not?"

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"He must have died in there..." noted Krissa, with a roll of her eye towards the cabin.


"Well, by now there should be naught but a skeleton left..." said Murray as he came upon them... grinning slightly. "How many feet has my beard grown?"

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

"Only a few hundred feet...you don't look too bad though." Shade replied, grinning.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Murray smiled happily, realizing for the hundredth time the special bond that this crew held. The Inseperatables they had been called. Of course there were the normal squawls, but in the end, loyalty ruled out any grudge.
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Krissa giggled, and pretended to eye Murray's 'beard' up and down. She couldn't help wondering about there strange Captain though.

She sighed impatiently.

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

(Ahhhh!. Sorry about the absence. Have I missed anything?)

(Not at all! Just us waiting for ya to come out of yer cabin. )

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<center>
"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

(Okey fine)

Inigo took a deep breath. He'd have to face the crew sometime. He reached for the door, hesitant at first. The nob turned slowly, but the door was forced open. He stepped out into the sunlight. "I owe all of you an explanation." He said suddenly. "And you shall have it." He paced the deck, not sure of how to start. "My dear friend, Westley (Some of you may know him from before), has been thrown into prison, and his wife forced into slavery. Prince Humperdink is now king. I got this letter" He raised it above his head. "But there is no signiture. I do not know who it is from. But underneath, in a completely different handwritting, is a list of three tasks that need to be accomplished. 1. Find the Dragon of Wisdom 2. Battle the infamous Warriors of Terror 3. Plead with the King of Hihevae." He took another deep breath to calm himself. "I have- I have no idea where to start. Some of you in my crew have been sailing twice as long as I. If you have heard anything about these destinations, please come forward."

"I'm sure you've been sailing quite as long or longer than I have," she Dale almsot instantly, "but doesn't every little child hear about the Dragon of Wisdom at bedtime? The legend is he lives to the far south - though I don't know if it's true or not - where it's hot."

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"Not at my bedtime" Inigo said softly. "I guess we sail south then."

Krissa stared at their Captain during his whole speech, but when he finished, she lowered her eyes. She was so ignorant in geographical area's.

Murray immiediately became serious, and thought fast.

"Dale is right!" he said, standing tall in front of their wise Captain. "My mother told me many times of the Dragon of Wisdom, and the many Warriors of terror who tried to slay him. Both are in a wild and unknown country, far south. My mum used to say that the place could only be found by those who truly needed to find it."

He then added, in a lower voice, "...and as to the King of Hihevae, I'm sure you know that Hihevae is the country that borders the land of Prince Humperinck?"

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

"Of course I know the king of Hihevae." Inigo snapped.

"Of course," Murray added hastily. And he stood at attention, awaiting further orders.

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

"Well...." Inigo said. "Head south!"

Shade didn't even say anything. Westley in trouble! How? When? Her old friend seemed to always get out of trouble. She climbed up the side and yelled, "Set sail, Capt'n?"

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly