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That morning everyone fell into their usual routine. Chelsea felt little enthusiasm at having to perform her usual farmer's duties. After the previous night's activities she was more than a little drained. Luckily she wouldn't need to water her crops today. Taro had predicted rain that afternoon and Taro's predictions never failed…ever. After setting the chickens up with enough food for the day she decided to head over to the animal shop to purchase more feed.

"Well good morning dear," Mirabelle chimed when Chelsea entered the shop.

"Good morning," She tried to muster up enough energy to match the shop owner's, "could I purchase about 10 bags of chicken feed?"

"Well of course dear. Shall I have Julia deliver them to your farm later?," Chelsea nodded and handed over the gold to pay for it all, "It's good to see your still working hard on that farm of yours with all this pirating business going on. I wonder how everything going. Have you heard from Mark at all today?"

"Not since he left this morning."

"I wonder what his plan is. If he doesn't hurry he'll get caught up in the storm that's moving in," Mirabelle gestured towards the window. The dark rain clouds had blocked out a lot of the sunlight and it almost looked like night was setting in already.

"And here I thought you wouldn't visit me," A pair of red eyes flashed towards the door then returned to the pages of a book held by none other than the Witch Princess, "it's been a while Markus."

"Are all these necessary," Mark moved aside a couple of stuffed teddy bears in order to find a seat, "I didn't plan to you know"

"Didn't plan what?"

"To come here," the witch arched her eyebrow, but didn't look up from her book, "you probably wouldn't know this, but while you're hiding away out here in the woods, the townsfolk are having a run-in with some local pirates."

"Oh, I know. Just because I like my privacy doesn't mean I cut myself off from the rest of the world. That ship has been circling the island for several days now. They have a sort of camp on the other side of the island."

"And here I thought you never left the woods. You just skulk around under everyone's noses."

"I do not," the witch snapped her book closed indignantly, "the reason I stay here is because it's quiet and I can get work done. If you weren't such an ignorant snot nosed brat you'd know that I'm fully capable of casting a vision spell. It's so simple even you could pull it off…"

"Boring…"

"I'm sorry, but what exactly did you come here for again?" The witch's glare was known to turn its recipient to stone (or at least scare them stiff), but it had little effect over Mark and he just grinned back.

"Why if I recall correctly, I missed your birthday last year," Mark reached into his pocket and retrieved a silver necklace with an emerald pendant, "Would this make it up to you?"

"Is that the mermaid Rachael's pendant?" the witch snatched it from Mark's hand and gazed at it adoringly, "Where'd you get something like this?"

"You know where," Mark stood up and stretched, "Well I should be going then."

"Wait," the witch shuffled over to a shelf adorned with various bottles and potions. Plucking one from the bunch she shoved it at Mark, "It's labeled. In the case you ever need it, follow the directions precisely. Got it?"

"You're awfully generous today."

"I'm in a good mood. Now, skedaddle, before I change my mind."

"Thanks."

"Isn't that what best friends are for?"

"Mo-om," Elliot moved some boxes off the table as Felicia placed plates and silverware down, "He's a prisoner, you're not suppose to make a feast…"

"I'm with Elliot on this one, Felicia," Taro made his way across the kitchen, "Bread and water is all he needs."

"Listen to you two. Mr. Pirate over there is a guest and we do not treat our guests with bread and water," Felicia paused after filling each of the cups with juice, "unless that's what they want of course," She looked over to where the pirate still sat tied to one of their kitchen chairs.

"Oh, no ma'am," the pirate quickly answered then added, "whatever you're cooking over there smells real nice," Elliot and Taro shot him with glares.

"But mom, a cake?"

It had taken Mark a few hours to reach the beach where the pirates had set up a makeshift camp. He watched from the cover of trees and bushes. There were several men there. Most of them were lounging about, others arguing over who knows what.

-Peons- Mark thought to himself. He needed to find out who was in charge. Further down the beach one of the pirates was standing along the tree line drinking what could be assumed some form of alcoholic beverage. Deciding this was the easiest target; he picked up a relatively large rock and slowly approached him from behind. It was easier than even he thought it would be to knock the man out and take his pistol. Mark made sure it was loaded and then made his appearance.

"Oi," Mark gained the immediate attention of many of the pirates who instinctively reached for a weapon. Others were just too drunk to care or didn't see Mark as a big threat.

"What you doin' here boy?" One of the men stepped forward.

"I demand to speak with your superior."

"Superior? You mean the Captain?" the pirate laughed and was backed up by the other men behind him, "sorry kid, Captain don't speak to little snot nosed brats." They continued to laugh.

-Really, is that how I come across to people?- Mark thought while he waited for them to finish.

"Why don't you scamper back home now,"

"We have one of your men. If your Captain will not speak with me then we'll kill him."

"And what's to stop me from putting a hole between yer ears right here?"

"If I'm not back by nightfall, they'll hang him." Mark didn't really believe they would, but it seemed to work. The pirate growled something inaudible to another who started off down the beach.

...

"Yeah? What is it you're looking for boy?" The Captain had no features to discern him from any of the other pirates, but Mark could sense the authority he held among the other men.

"We have one of your men held pr-"

"Yeah, I know about all that. What is it you want? Out with it!" Mark found it hard to speak and when he opened his mouth the words didn't follow right away, "What's wrong with ye? You're wastin' my time," The Captain inspected Mark a little closer and surprise hit him like a mallet, "You're Jones' son." The pirate captain laughed heartily and gave Mark a hard pat on the back that knocked the air out of his lungs, "you know you look just like him except for the farmer's getup that is. What's this all about then?"

"I want you gone. You, them, and that ship."

"Ah, I see. I suppose if I'd known this place was yours, never would have set up here. Although I wonder what a person like you is doin' in a place like this?"

"..."

"Well seein' as you are the son of my dear ol' friend, I suppose it wouldn't such a burden to shove off, but I will be askin that ye get them natives to release Bernard first."

"Done"

"By the way, how is Jones these days?"

"Same as ever."