Spray filled the air as the Caarena spliced through the choppy waves in pursuit of the prey ship. Otala stood on her deck watching the ship come closer and closer. She was a small craft, meant only for pleasure bouts and would have to be sunk, Otala doubted if there were any other ships like it. It would therefore be impossible to sell it in port. And leaving it here would be quite impossible; it could be seen, making her plan known before she would have known.

"Ready the hooks!" She called above the din of her crew all making preparations to board the sloop. They were the most elite scum she could find in the Alskyr port, all Alshyran born. She had chosen them carefully both for toughness and obedience. She would not hold with mutiny on her ship, for a moment Otalas eyes gleamed red betraying her otherwise Alskyran appearance. Her firstmate who had been coming to report a lazy crewmember decided hurriedly that the problem could wait.

"Take the Lord and Lady aboard to my cabin. Kill the rest if they resist." Ordered Otala upon capturing the sloop. The sloop's crew then began throwing themselves overboard hoping to escape in vain. Otalas pirates brought them back quickly. Otala smiled, baring sharp fangs, as she reboarded her own ship, plenty of slaves for the trade and a full ransom for the two high bloods.

Later that night, the Caarena returned to their base, an abandoned settlement driven out by a fluke ant movement. The island, while lush and tropical before the coming of Otala and her pirates, was now twisted. The leaves were dangerous to touch because of poisons and ordinary bugs had mutated into huge predators. Otala was fairly sure that this was a reaction to her presence. She had found since she left her home planet, that prolonged stays caused things like this. It was also why she and those she deigned could stay, were unaffected by the islands horrors. It was perfect for repelling ordinary intruders.

Otala drifted through the half deserted settlement toward the semi-ruins of the House. She had taken up residence in the undamaged wing but she was not tired, she was hungry. Otala was not one those Vampires that she had heard of before. She did drink blood, just not for the same reasons. As a demon, Otala existed off of souls, the essence of which she could devour though the blood. Luckily she only required one every half year. And now she was getting that stretched feel that came with hunger. But who was expendable? The slaves were far more valuable alive than her pirates who easily replaced. Yes, but whom? The firstmate? Otala had seen the man cowering behind her; he was incompetent, yes, but not more than the watchmen whom he had come to complain was. The crunch of Otalas footprints was the only sound as Otala went to carry out her deed.

***

    The cover of night hid the Caarenas entrance to the harbor. Otala was being especially wary, Cy Dragonstake was on search here. A few dark shapes occasionally flew over the moon, casting large shadows upon the deck. Otala shivered, she hoped they wouldnt sense her demonic presence. "Why?" Otala looked around startled," why," she hissed. "Because I dont want to be captured, thats why!" She said looking around for the crewmember who dared address her in such a manner. "You would make a fine candidate on our Nero sands." The voice insisted. "Evil sands," Otala whispered, slow horror overwhelming here. She was talking to one of the beasts! Suddenly a large black mass hovered into few just off the bow. "I am Klodarth. Bonded to the blue flit Kynikos Monos." A small blue flit darted just above my head. But then I began to consider this idea. A dragon would be useful if it could be turned. I had often heard that a dragon was like its rider. And it would not mutiny, yes this had opportunities. "Very well Klodarth and Kynikos, I will go as soon as I set my ship in order." Otalas eyes gleamed red once more in the moon light.

     Otala climbed onto the dark blue's back and waited for Klodarth to launch himself. The dragon's bonder, a flit! sat in a special saddle designed for him to crouch in. Klodarth's wings made the ever important downstoke propelling them farther into the air. The wind rushed past Otala's face as the dragon went higher and higher. Otala knew it was about to teleport itself.