Do not tread lightly among those who have since passed. Spirits can be wicked creatures desperate to once more taste the air they can no longer breathe. And they will deceive you if they are so inclined to. The boundaries between our two worlds can be transgressed.

Journal of Denera Matir

Night upon the sea brought pure peace for Reane. The few minds that surrounded her were mostly lost in slumber, save a few. The barrelman in the crow's nest was alert and on watch. Two other sailors who had contracted some sickness were finding it hard to sleep. But besides those, the thoughts from the minds of others were reduced to mere whispers on the winds.

In the near isolation surrounding her, it was a moment and a place where she could focus without distractions buffeting her thoughts. The cadence of each successive wave upon the hull lulled her body into a state of relaxation she rarely could achieve at any other time.

Anthony slumbered in unknowing peace in the other room. She'd stolen herself away from his embrace and now relaxed at the desk in the main room of her captain's quarters. Reane decided it was time to get to work.

There were a pair of intruders calling the Oracle home these days. But these were not the average stowaways. Those could be apprehended. And with relative ease. She'd handled that sort of incursion upon her vessel often enough. However, the shackles kept in her hold, ready and waiting for application to wrists and ankles, were not capable of binding these less conspicuous trespassers.

And it had taken her some time to comprehend their nature. Illusive, they hid in plain sight while being invisible to the natural senses. But the captain had other means at her disposal to detect them. Methods that a normal person could not utilize or fathom.

For these were spirits. And not ones picked up in Fimmirra and among the multitudes of restless souls now residing there since its destruction. No, Reane had sealed the ship off to prevent that. These two had been with them longer than that and before she had prepared a defense against such an incursion.

Spirits were not something Reane enjoyed the prospect of meddling with. Phantoms roaming Geiha were, in general, all too eager to attach themselves to any living being. Especially one who would willingly invite them in. Such an opportunity to experience life again, even if it was only through being latched on to another person, was a freedom too tantalizing to pass up by the dead who had not passed on.

And while possession was a rare occurrence, it was far too real of a concern for someone whose mind worked like Reane's. Her mother had often channeled spirits, allowing them to use her body to address the living. As a descendant of the great Seers of Denang, it was one of her talents beyond her future sight.

Most of the time, the events that followed her mother's union with a spirit had been benign. But Reane remembered one time in particular when a soul defied her mother's attempts to sever the bond. Desperate to not let her mother go, it would not abide by her wishes. Not with any amount of coaxing or pleading.

For a month it possessed her. And what lived in the house with her and her father only vaguely acted like the house's matron. And infrequently at best.

It was violent, nasty, and foul-mouthed; a man who had died a savage death after a life of unkind behaviors. An accidental channeling while her mother was trying to contact the presence of a missing child she had sensed. This other spirit had forced its way in through the gateway the seer had opened.

As the struggle for control of her mother's body raged, it was clear the spirit was supremely stubborn in its persistence to remain. And it was strong enough to exert its authority over her. The ordeal ended once her mother willed the spirit out of her body after a long and tiring effort. But that encounter took its toll on her.

For two years following the possession, she seemed to contract every disease that spread through Roatsburg. And the worst symptoms of those illnesses on top of that. Her continuing bouts with sickness after sickness destroyed her body. Until, one day, she just didn't wake up after a very high fever had set upon her.

After witnessing those events, Reane swore never to allow a spirit to possess her. She'd broken that promise only once. After that singular experience, and feeling like her body was no longer her own, she vowed never again to allow such a violation of her person.

But she had learned a lot of things from the experience. Foremost was how to manipulate spirits. In particular, how to fool them. Seeing the world that they lived in through their eyes gave her invaluable insight that she could now use.

The intruders upon her ship moved. With a thought, she created a wall that only they could see. They moved again, avoiding it. She pushed them towards a staircase she convinced them was a common hallway. Believing they were heading down into the bowels of the ship, she guided them up on to the deck.

One hesitated; the female. Sensing something was off, it tried to convince her male counterpart something wasn't right. But onto the deck he came, nonetheless. And she followed.

Reane doubled her efforts. More illusions. More trickery.

Both crossed the main deck, ascended more stairs and entered her cabin. With a flick of her hand, the door shut behind them without the assistance of a physical touch. That simple action enclosed her, and them, in an astral cage only the three of them could see. And that was when the panic set in for the female spirit.

She rushed for the door and pounded her incorporeal fists on the wood. It was silent to normal ears. But not to Reane's. The thudding was akin to thunder and the woman in a bloodstained green dress wailed with the lament of a banshee. Her form struggled to maintain its form, shifting like an angry mist.

The male spirit was a dominating presence, appearing as he had died. Arrows stuck out of his chest as though he were a human pincushion. His face depicted worry, but reacted overall in a much more casual manner. The care with which the male spirit touched the wall spoke to his realization they had become ensnared in a trap of sorts. But still he attempted to ponder a means out of what now encaged them.

*It will do you no good.* Reane dropped her guards and allowed them to see her.

The woman whirled, her eyes flashing a glare full of rage at Reane and lunged. The male spirit flowed to intercept her. Despite the reassuring demeanor on his bearded face, he could not quell her anger.

*Let us go, Witch!* The female spirit raged. Her mouth spewed venom while her fingers twisted into ghostly talons that would rend flesh from bone if given the chance. *Release us!*

*We are found out.* Her male counterpart maintained his efforts to calm her. But actions did little to deescalate the situation as he addressed the woman who had confined them. *Please forgive my wife.*

Reane pondered the two and the dichotomy of them; the female spirit aggressive and still trying to get to the captain, while her husband showed remarkable calm. This entire encounter was happening in full view of anyone who would stumble upon it, but none except Reane and the spirits themselves could witness it.

Reane tried to soothe the anger leveled at her. *My intention is not to upset you, Eliza.*

The mention of the name drew the intended reaction from the feminine apparition, at least in part. The statement caused her to back down in stunned silence, even as her anger seethed. *How do you know my name?*

Pouring herself a drink, Reane re-corked the squat bottle. Then, pondered the glass and the brown liquid within. *As you can tell, I can do a lot of things normal people cannot. I've seen you in Sheala's memories. They might not be as clear as they once were, and deteriorated with age, but not so much that you are unrecognizable. Although there are some distortions as to how she remembers her mother and father.* She took a sip from her glass.

*Why have you imprisoned us?* The tone of the male, Sheala's father, turned more demanding.

*I am not a fan of spirits running loose around my ship.* With the drink again to her lips, her mental conversation continued. *And I also need to make certain you are who I believe you to be. There are malevolent entities upon this world that would attempt to fool me into thinking one way, while things are actually another.*

Aurthur Stormband's spirit nodded. *You want the code?*

*Yes. The one King Turon gave you before sailing to meet the elves. The one to give you safe passage through the gate at Lord's End.*

Aurthur squared up, straight and tall. *The Eye from above watches all.*

*Thank you.* Sitting down her drink, Reane folded her fingers together and leaned forward. *Now I'm just trying to figure out how you two got on board my ship. I'm suspecting that you were the presences I felt when Sheala was granted the sword?*

*We were. And we sensed you as well.*

*And you hid from me? Quite skillfully too.*

*We did not think it wise to reveal ourselves.*

*And how did you come to find yourselves bound to the weapon?* Reane moved the conversation to the next topic with these spirits as though she were having a casual chat with a friend.

*The elves not only found our doomed caravan but also two spirits locked to this world searching for their children.* Sheala's father, what remained of him, recounted the events for the captain. *The elven forgewoman, Hewru, created this sword and their spiritualists bound us to it so we could remain here. Then, when the time came, we could assist the Child of the Storm.*

*I must ask. Did you know which of your children it would be?*

*No.*

Eliza stepped forward. *Where is our other daughter? Where is Cassandra? I know you possess this knowledge, Seer.*

Reane engaged in a moment of silence before responding. *Some would consider me unwise if I told you. You already understand that if she is not here, then—*

*Please, answer me!*

*She serves Lord Hedric upon his corrupted throne.* Reane reclined back. *She has fallen to darkness.*

Aurthur's spirit caught his wife as she slumped. Upon hearing the news, it was as if she had been struck down. *My Cass... She cannot be gone.*

*It is all right, Eliza.* Her husband held her with firm spectral hands. *You know yourself that no one is ever truly lost.*

Reane's throat cleared. *While hope is admirable, I believe focusing on reality would be more prudent. I have seen no scenario which leads to Cassandra's redemption.*

*And we will hold on to hope that you are mistaken.* Aurthur consoled his wife's spirit as she wailed. *But for now, we will protect our eldest daughter. She needs us, and I request, oh wise Seer, that you release us.*

*Sheala is a grown ass woman. She will be fine while we have a little chat. So, it's your influence I've been sensing? She won't like it if she finds out—*

*We do not possess her.* Aurthur clarified their actions thus far. *But, as you said, can shape her thoughts and her mood. She does not seem to want to listen to me when it comes to the sword, however. But her mother has had better success easing her mind and calming her emotions, while allowing her to think more calmly.*

*I take it you've decided not to reveal yourselves to her? This is why you are lurking around my ship and hiding in shadows?*

*We do not think it prudent at this time. Sheala is—*

*Headstrong.* Eliza carried out the end of his sentence. *She does better when she believes she is in complete control of herself.*

*Tell me about it.* Reane's reply rippled out in a grumble, remembering their conversation at the First Temple. *But I can't fault her. Most people wouldn't like knowing they are being controlled.*

*Guidance,* Eliza corrected her. *We give her guidance.*

*Even if it is only benign from those wiser than they are, people still often feel the same. I will keep your secret. I have promised her to stop interfering with the path she chooses. But I made no such pact on your behalf.*

Eliza's spirit nodded, her tone now more mild than before. *It would be most appreciated. We do not wish to bring our daughter discomfort.*

*However, none of this changes the fact that when the time comes, sister must face sister. You will have to make a choice between them. There can only be one chosen one. One will rise. One will fall. The world needs there to be only one.*

*We will see if that is true.* Looking to her husband, Aurthur deferred to his wife. *The future is always hard to interpret. If it were so easy? I don't think we would be here having this conversation right now.*

*Fair enough.* Reane relaxed her posture, slumping into her chair. *But know this. If I sense that your actions would cause harm to Sheala or the world, I will take action of my own to stop you. And, as you can see, I can carry through with that promise. But for now, I will allow you free rein of my ship. So long as I do not sense any trouble from you. You are Sheala's parents, and I will consider you guests.*

Aurthur and Eliza both bowed their heads in response.

*Thank you, great Seer.* Aurthur held out a hand, requesting their deal be sealed with a shake. The palm he extended possessed a covering of still moist blood. Whether his or his wife's was not known.

Reane reached forward and accepted it.

"Is everything all right?" Those words jolted the captain, snapping her back to reality in the process of leaning across the table to secure the deal.

Startled, the spirits faded from sight as her containment of them broke. Reane blinked, realizing the tone of the voice as Anthony's after a moment to compose herself. She became lost in his eye, staring back at her with a deep concern from the doorway between the main cabin and the berth.

"Fine... I'm fine." She stood, having the slightest difficulty finding her legs as her ship rocked across the waves and sped towards the mainland.

"You seemed lost in thought."

"Yes. Just sorting some things out."

He walked over and kissed her. She reciprocated, their hands entwining.

Something about the touch shocked Anthony. Warm wetness caused him to end their embrace. The sight of blood on her hand caused his eyes to widen. "You're bleeding?"

Reane, too, took notice. The redness was bold and stark. "No." She retrieved a towel resting on her desk and wiped the bodily fluid away. Showing him she was not the source.

He eyed her. "Where did if come from?"

She wasn't about to tell him it had resulted from her making contact with a spirit, something transferred from their world to hers. So she would have to come up with another explanation. "Uh... eel's blood."

"Eel's blood?"

"From a ritual I was performing. An old captain's superstition. To ward off bad luck at sea."

His look intensified, but then softened. "Please come back to bed."