[Mithadan]

Even as he sent his thoughts to the dragon, Mithadan saw Piosenniel heaving herself to the deck from the ocean. He felt her project a single imperative, No!.
But it was too late.

Within seconds he felt a wave of darkness focus upon him, prying at the crevasses of his mind with greedy fingers. His mind snapped shut as the wave engulfed him. He sensed rather than saw Khelek reeling from the dark presence, Veritas kneeling with arms clasped tightly around herself, Angara diving from the sky to settle in the waves, and Piosenniel falling to the deck.

Mithadan gripped the rail, willing himself not to fall. The dark thought swirled about him and he sensed an insistent query; What, who, where?.

The world spun about him and his head felt caught in a vice. Thinking feverishly and with an effort of will he opened himself a tiny crack and let flow out: Salt. Water. Fish. Boat. Capsized. Drowning. Then he snapped his mind closed and let the dark thought slide around him again. He felt amusement, enjoyment of death, and then the darkness receded and the sun shined again.

Staggering from the release of pressure, he stepped unevenly to the unconscious Piosenniel and cradled her head. Gasping and ignoring the pain in his head and leg, he lifted her and carried her down to her cabin, where his tears washed her cheeks.

[ September 20, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]