Pio watched the golden 'dragon' as it flew west, the black bannered ship in swift if futile pursuit. She turned her attention quickly back to the shoreline and sought a sign of her friends. Nothing! Only the reeking black smoke of the burning skiff, curling into the sky, like some funeral pyre.
The Star continued on its course toward that part of the coastline where the destroyed craft lay. Grim thoughts filled her mind as their ship closed the distance.
Then a cry came from Khelek, standing at the bow. 'A dolphin! There is a dolphin which makes for us!'
Pio ran to his side, and a small measure of hope came to her when she saw the form of her old friend, Bird. She hailed her with a wave, and the dolphin now turned and swam in a northwesterly direction.
'It's Bird!' she shouted, running up the steps to the helm. 'Keep her in sight, Veritas. She's come to take us to our companions.' The Star now bore along the same path as the dolphin.
They slowed the ship as it drew nearer in. Pio shaded her eyes and could see the dolphin swimming a large circle around a small boat and some struggling swimmers, too near in the shore for the Star to safely reach them.
'Bring her in as close as you can, Veritas.' She moved quickly to where the Star's skiffs were. 'Come, Mithadan! We must make for them before they drown. Khelek, Ancalimon, help us ready the boats!
[ September 27, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]
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Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.
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