Welcome to Victoria in Beautiful British Columbia, the most haunted city in North America, and to Detective Carol Ainsworth's first day undercover at the very grand old lady, The Fairmont Empress Hotel. Ready to deal with the two Italian families flying in for a wedding to unite them, she did not bargain for the ghosts, the FBI agent or the ancient curses that come along too. Add to that the mysterious psychic lady claiming you've invited her, young boys disappearing, and weird things happening to the unfortunates looking for their next fix trapped alongside spirits in the sewers, Carol found her first undercover assignment way more challenging than she could have imagined. 
The one saving grace was the great Empress High Tea that Agnes introduced her to and the fabulous scones that are to die for. Literally.

Prologue
Somewhere in the darkness the coarse flax fibers of the Hangman’s noose sing,
Its hollow voice swinging to the hangman’s beckoning.
Waiting for the answers buried into the gurgle of time and the finality of voices ending.
From the stillness comes a subtle calling. Echoing reminders of what remains, Disturbed and unsettled.
~Frank Talaber~
 
Chapter One
Front deskman Samuel Desmond’s eyes opened in horror as the wet, naked man thumped towards him bearing only a bath towel, a watch and the look of a man stepping into a warzone. The splodge of soapy footsteps echoed behind him as he thumped down the ornate front staircase of Victoria’s Fairmont Empress Hotel.
 “Sir, do you realize you are naked in our lobby, dripping soap and water all over our new and very expensive Isfahan rugs?”
The man thumped his hand on the counter. Water splattered. “I’m wet, pissed, cold and locked out of my room. Jake Holden, Blanshard suite.”
Samuel looked down, bowing to the sheer anger seething in Jake’s eyes, and clacked away on his booking computer. He hesitated a moment, pressed the button for the day manager and, summoning up his courage, turned back to Jake while water continued dripping onto the counter.
“It would appear you are not a registered guest. I would need ID to let you back into any suite.”
Jake stepped back and opened his towel. “Does it look like I’ve got any ID on me?” 
Samuel’s eyes widened in shock. “But I’m not allowed to let anyone in without ID.”
Jake re-wrapped the towel, leaned over and grabbed the clerk by the scruff of his neck, effortlessly pulling him over the counter, until all Samuel could see was the man’s watch. Mickey Mouse’s left hand stood at ten, his right at two.
“The only ID I got are these fingerprints and if you don’t let me back in my room your face is about to become an ink blotter. Kapish?” 
Her private cellphone rang as Carol Ainsworth, ostensibly Day Manager, actually undercover cop on assignment, was about to bolt from her office in response to Samuel’s panic button. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected to find but a naked six-foot giant of a man yelling into Samuel’s face and half dragging him across the counter wasn’t on her list of possibilities, not in a world-class hotel. 
Forgot to turn off my phone. Carol glanced at the text from her sister and the first word was
Urgent. She paused, her sister wasn’t a person to send idle chat. 
“Urgent! Nathan has vanished.”
As she quickly texted back Samuel struggled to reach the buzzer.  
“Will call ASAP.”
Carol turned off her phone and quickly marched over to the front desk. Her and her sister, Barbara, didn’t talk much but Barb was never one to overreact. Whatever happened to her nephew must be serious.
So much for a quiet first day on the job. Okay, calm down. One thing at a time. 
“Yes, sir, how may I help you?” She dropped her hand to gain comfort in the holster she didn’t have on this assignment. Damn it! Shouldn’t have listened to the morons telling me not to carry! Her cop instinct took over, mentally noting every detail of any possible importance. White Caucasian, six two, light tan, light brown hair, Mickey Mouse watch on left wrist, ripped to the max. Probable weight lifter strung out on steroids. Jeez, I might as well be back on the skid rows of Vancouver! What the hell would a real hotel manager be doing right now?
She tried to think of something, anything, she’d learned in the week of intense hotel management training they’d put her through in preparation for this assignment that might be of any possible use to her in this situation. As a street cop she’d just chop him across the back of the knees and slap the cuffs on him as he fell. Somehow that didn’t seem like the way to treat a guest of this grand establishment. Plan B’s definitely lock him up and then ask questions, though.
“I asked for the hotel manager,” he growled.
Carol glanced around the newly refurbished lobby, with its gold balustrades and pastel shaded panels. Fortunately, no other guests were milling around this time of the afternoon so hopefully this wouldn’t turn into a full-blown media fiasco. That was the last thing she needed, considering the guests who’d be arriving in the next little while. 
“What seems to be the problem here?” She folded her arms in front of her. 
“I said I asked for the—”
“And I, sir, am the hotel manager, and before I discuss anything with you, you will let go of my desk clerk.” She caught the nearly imperceptible rise of his eyebrows. “And gently. The Fairmont Victoria Empress Hotel does not take kindly to hotel guests strolling naked in public areas, nor do we care to have them accosting our front desk staff.” His eyebrow raised higher as he glared at her.
Carol had certainly handled bigger men. She stood her ground and glared back. If she hadn’t been on assignment she’d have told him to drop the desk clerk before she shoved his eyebrows so far up his ass it’d take a laser scope to get them out, but since she was, she didn’t. 
The glare-down continued as Samuel’s face turned redder. Finally, Jake broke eye-contact and glanced down at her name tag. Carol had established control. She allowed herself to breathe.
Time to press her advantage home. 
“I said Let. Him. Go. And I’m not telling you a third time.”
Jake lowered Samuel to the ground. “Sorry, didn’t expect a skirt. I mean a female manager.” And he certainly hadn’t expected a gorgeous brunette. She even looked good in her standard designed-for-all-shapes-and-sizes corporate uniform. She wasn’t intimidated in the least, not by his size or his state of undress. In fact, she was absolutely in control of the situation. Something very sexy in that. He liked his women assertive. Her eyes, though. Something in her eyes grabbed him right in the gut. Too much knowledge of the world and how bad it could be, that was it. He’d learned long ago to read people’s faces in his career, it’d saved his life many times when undercover. 
Something about this woman he knew almost nothing about stirred his blood and wearing just a bath towel probably wasn’t such a good idea. Especially in light of what he did know about her. She was undoubtedly Canadian undercover detective on duty Carol Ainsworth. Our file reports don’t do her justice.
“Jake Holden, and you have my apology. I’ve been overstressed at work recently and decided to take a relaxing trip here.” He extended his hand. It was partly the truth, he’d taken this assignment to get away from LA, a place where you always had to watch your back and no man was a friend. Especially the crazy ones strung out on drugs.
She made sure Samuel was breathing well on his own before she shook hands. The touch sent an erotic jolt through him. He glanced down and smiled. No ring. Possibilities.  
“Apology accepted. Carol Moore, Day Manager of the Fairmount Empress Hotel.” Carol studied Jake. She liked what she saw. And then again, she didn’t. Those dark eyes of his — they reminded her of places she hadn’t been and feelings she hadn’t felt in a long time. Not since Alan, her fiancé, with the same dark, dangerous eyes she fell in love with was shot dead on duty six years ago.  It’s been too long. Too damn long. So get a grip, get over it, and get on with it.
I’ve got possibly even more urgent matters to deal with my nephew.
“So why don’t you tell me the problems leading up to this little au naturel trip into my lobby, Jake Holden?”
“Two things. One, I was taking a — quote — luxurious bubble bath — unquote — as stated in your hotel’s brochure and after using over half the bottle found it didn’t even make enough suds to coat the tub. Two, seeing as how my bubble bath was a no-go, I stupidly stepped out to grab some ice for my whiskey, leaving my key inside and locked myself out of my room. And since I didn’t think the hotel would appreciate me breaking the door down, I came downstairs so someone could let me back in. That’s when this employee of yours informed me while I’m standing here cold, wet and naked, he’s not going to let me back in my room without proper ID.” 
“I can verify that indeed he does not possess any identification.” Samuel straightened his tie and blushed. Of course, he took the precaution of backing as far away from the counter as possible. “Sir, the hotel’s policy is quite clear on allowing the use of an extra key. We must have ID. We have high profile clients attending and high security standards at this hotel. However, I was about to call the manager when you put my neck in a vice, rendering me unable.”
Carol caught Jake twitch one hand and decided to take over before Samuel got himself killed. “Okay, Samuel. I’ve got this.” Carol turned to Jake. “I’ll take you up and you can show me your ID then, is that acceptable?”
“Yes. And what about the bubble bath?”
“Well, I can assure you if the hotel’s brochure states we provide luxurious bubble baths, we’ll provide you with a luxurious bubble bath and I personally will make sure this matter is handled.” She passed him a business card, even though he had no place to put it. He glanced at the card and handed it back.
“Good. I’m starting to get just a tad cold, standing here in nothing but my birthday suit.
Things are beginning to shrivel up into my throat.”
Jake stepped backwards. A cool rush of air reminded him he was naked except for the undersized bath towel and his proximity to Carol was making continued coverage by that undersized bath towel precarious. The scar below his left ear twinged in response to the memory of what happened the last time he’d responded to a woman. Crazy bitch. And she was better left forgotten. 
Jake maintained as much dignity as possible as he walked toward the elevator. He had to admit the situation was totally ludicrous. He hoped to hell there weren’t any witnesses and no videos of the past ten minutes captured on any unseen guest’s phone. He could read the local headlines now. Naked Man Roams Lobby of Five Star Hotel. So much for being discreet in this assignment.
One thing he knew. By the time he’d gotten what he’d come here for, he’d also know a lot more about Carol than her name. Maybe one hell of a long, cold shower is more in order than a hot soapy bath.
* * *
Sandy tied the rubber tube around her arm and flicked at her skin a couple of times. The stink of the sewers they were in, didn’t seem to effect either. “Oh man, everybody says this
White Lady skank is good shit.”
“Yeah, Wildflower said it was the best, like mixed with enough fentanyl to put you away. I saw angels, girlfriend. Lights, the light. You, like, brought me back from the light.”
“Cool. Yo-yoing is so freaking trippy.” Cindy sat on her haunches, unable to stand. Coming back from the dead had that effect on a girl. She held the free government Naloxone needle with both hands because she shook all over. Her skinny frame was pocked with jab wounds and scabs where she’d scratched herself over and over, something she did every time she came down.
Sandy found a vein undamaged enough to take the needle and plunged it into her own arm. “You know the deal. After I go limp, count to ten and bring me back. Don’t get any better high than flat-lining and coming back.” Her needle-scarred arm shook, and she slumped backwards.
Her eyes rolled into the heavens. The needle clinked to the concrete floor.
Cindy raised the needle. “One, two…”
Blue light flooded the chamber, coming up from the sewer tunnels leading in and out of the room. 
“Three, four… what the fuc—”
Blue flames tore up through her, the Naloxone vial exploded.
“Sandy’s gonna die without the …”
She screamed as flames tore through her, taking her over until she became the flames and the flames became her.
You and she shall join us instead. Another mass of blue flames descended on the drugged-up woman on the ground and lifted her body up, then slammed it to the ground. Cinders sparked upward before Cindy’s eyes exploded in embers and her body burned from the inside out. A haze of blue sparks skittered over the ground.
Both blue flame elementals stared at the two piles of ashes left behind and at the countless needles stuck into the Chambers wall, some leaking their contents onto the cold cement floor.
Neither was the one we seek.
He is coming.
Yes, he disturbs us, the undead and those seeking deliverance.
We are restless and the one we dread is coming with a vengeance.
They scratched at each other with long angry fingers. Flames and sparks exploded. They swept down the cold tunnels and left the chamber, needle tubes clinking in the dark.
He comes.
In the blue glow a pair of eyes stared waiting before he moved to get up watching the blue sparks slowly going out one after another. 
* * *
Carol followed Jake into the elevator, tapping the plastic key on her other hand as the elevator rose, catching the scents of the fragrant bubble bath and his natural sweat. Gotta admit, if a naked man had to roam around in the lobby, at least it was a good-looking one. That was the problem, he reminded her a lot of Alan, muscular and hard. You could bend chisels on those biceps. Crap, focus on work lady, I’ve got other serious matters to attend to.
Jake reached down to snug the towel tighter. “You know, it’s the hotel manager’s job to keep the guests happy. If you wanted to help make all this up to me, you could have dinner with me. You’re not married, are you? I don’t see a ring.”
“No. I was engaged but my fiancé passed away a few years ago.”
“Sorry to hear that. A few years ago? Dating anyone seriously now or are you open to dinner? I was joking about it being part of your job description and really, I’d like to say thank you for the way you handled things back there.” 
Man, so much for being sincerely remorseful. He doesn’t take long to dive in when the opportunity presents itself. “I’m afraid not.”  
“Meaning no you’re not going out with anyone or meaning no you won’t go out for dinner?” He glanced her over.
Christ, the way he’s looking I think he just peeled my clothes off with his eyes, son of a bitch. God, I hate men like him. Sometimes. “Why don’t we do this? You leave me a message on my cell phone. It’s on my card. I don’t discuss personal business while on duty.”
“The one I handed back to you since I didn’t have anywhere to put it?”
“I’ll give it back to you when we get to your room. I might consider going out for dinner later.” Carol wasn’t an idiot. Both of them liked what they saw in the other, but she had more important things to deal with first. She was working and her first group of Mafia were about to arrive. That took top priority. 
The doors opened, and they trundled down the carpeted corridor. Carol gave the key reader a quick swipe and pushed the door open.
“Here you go. And as promised, here’s my card again.”
“I’m free tomorrow at eight. Like seafood? Heard of a place that has great reviews just down the street, Nautical Nellies.” 
“I’ll think about it. But only if you wear more than a towel. I don’t think the fish would blush, but the women might get flustered.”
Jake walked over to his jacket and pulled out his wallet, handing her his ID. “Lady, I think the scallops would turn red seeing you naked. And I think I might just too.” He grinned as Carol took the proffered document, ignoring his blatant come-on as she glanced at his driver’s license.
American.
“Seeing me naked isn’t going to happen and I’d watch your tongue and manners in this establishment. Any other reports of rude, vulgar or disrespectful behaviour to guests or staff and
I will have you evicted.”
He scowled at her. “My apologies.” 
“Now, this appears to be in order. I apologize for the confusion.” She committed his driver’s license number to memory. For some reason alarm bells were going off in her head.
He escorted Carol to the doorway, admiring her rear view.
“And what makes you think you’re going to see me naked?” 
“A guy can always hope, can’t he?” 
“I think blood’s rushing to the wrong part of your body.” 
“I don’t suppose you’d care to stick around for a drink or three?” 
“Don’t push your luck, Mr. Holden, I haven’t even agreed to have dinner with you yet. In public. Let alone have drinks with you alone in your room. That goes beyond our employee guidelines, even for management.”
Oh, yes. She was definitely his type. Guts, fire and willpower. “My apologies for being rude and presumptuous, and thanks again for letting me into my room. Please apologize to your clerk for me. I’m known for my short-fuse back home.”
“I will, but I really think you should apologize to him yourself too, if your ego can take it. I’ll let you know about dinner.” Carol walked out before he could respond. The entire episode had certainly given her a new respect for hotel staff. Do they really have to deal with things like this? And her naked guest was American. A fluke, or was he there because of the expected guests? Dinner was definitely on the cards because she seriously needed to check this guy out, and not just for his physique, although it helped he was easy on the eyes. Something didn’t smell right. One background check coming up, but first things first, she rounded the corner at the far end of the hotel and rang her sister.
 “Carol, thank God you called. Nathan’s missing. I found his window open and he’s gone.” The voice of her sister trembled. Carol knew how much she loved her son and her two daughters.
They were her whole world. 
“Wow! Okay I’ll be there tonight.”
“Tonight?” Barb’s voice shook.
“I’m in Victoria. So I’ll head over when I can, but I really can’t leave my post right away.
Understand? I’ll explain more when I get there. Later in late afternoon.”
She could hear Barb begin to sob on the phone. “You’re here? In Victoria?”
“Yes, can’t say anything more, working undercover. I’ll be over as soon as I can. Where did you see him last?”
“I woke up in this morning and… he wasn’t there.” She stopped, allowing herself to think about what Carol had just asked. “The bedroom, I tucked him in. He’s gone, and his bedroom window was open.”
“Okay, I know this is hard, but you got to hold it together, for him, for yourself and for me. I’ll be over and you show me what you know. Now have you called the police?”
“Yes. They left a couple of hours ago.”
“Good. I’m really sorry I can’t leave right now but you’re in good hands.”
“Thanks Carol. I wouldn’t know what to do if you weren’t in my life.”
“We’ll find him.”
“But what if he’s …”
“He ain’t. You gotta trust yourself and think positive. I will find him no matter what.”
“Yes, yes, think positive. See you tonight.” 
The phone went dead cutting off the sound of Barb bawling freely.
Not having children Carol couldn’t really feel the depths of Barb’s anguish. But she knew
Nathan, he was a good kid, raised by a loving, caring mother. And here I thought I’d have a couple weeks of a somewhat sedate undercover operation babysitting pretentious rich people and the mob in stuffy Victoria. Not the pinkies extended and pass the tea and crumpets day she expected.
* * *
A six-year-old boy stands on the corner of Shelbourne Street and Hillside Avenue and stares at the sky as his hands tingle. The blue begins to splinter into shades of purple and orange, even though it’s only midday. Houses vanish, concrete dissipates. His skateboard melts beneath him until his feet touched gravel road, not asphalt.
“Mommy?”
Only fields of waving grass answer his plea. 
Behind him an older woman emerges from the swirl of dust, stepping out of the past into the present. She stares at the boy and gestures for him to approach. She holds two chocolate bars in her hands. She seems nice enough as she offers him one. He reaches up to take it but hesitates.
“My mom said don’t talk to strangers.”
“Of course not. But I’m just a sweet old lady, what do you have to fear from me? I think you’d make a wonderful playmate for my son.”
He takes the chocolate bar and begins to unwrap it.
“Come with me, I’ll introduce you to him.”
The boy follows. His skateboard reforms in his hands. Concrete coalesces back into reality, replacing gravel with asphalt, and houses grow anew. The chocolate wrapper lies crumpled on the deserted sidewalk.
* * *
Carol closed her office door behind her and dialed Big Dan McKinney, her superior. A bulky six-foot two that didn’t take shit from anyone. Carol had the greatest respect for the man that some called tough as nails. Others, but never to his face, called him an outright asshole. One thing he was, was honest and up front. “What’s up, lady. Didn’t expect to be hearing from you already. Have the mob arrived yet?
“No sir. I’ve got a problem. Just got a text from my sister, who lives in Victoria. Her son, my only nephew, appears to have been abducted. I want —”
“That ain’t happening. We just put you on the case and slammed you through intense upper hotel management.” He hesitated. “Is your sister’s last name Pendray?”
“What? No? Why ask?”
“Have you read the morning papers yet like I told you to, so that you keep up to the latest in town?”
“No, I just dealt with a crazy naked man in the lobby and was about to call the IT guys when
I got a text from my sister. She asked for my help.”
“Look at the damn first page of the paper.”
Carol grabbed the daily paper that was on her desk and read the newspaper’s lead story.
Pendray Heir Missing! The young son of one of Victoria’s elite families is missing. The pioneer Pendray family discovered their six-year-old son Robert was not in his bedroom this morning. Police believe he was abducted from his second storey bedroom during the night and are asking for any information. 
“Shit. That’s not her, his name is Nathan.”
“Crap. Okay, I get that this is important to you, but I need you to stay on this case. I’ll make some calls and try to get someone to step in or sub as much as possible. I’ll contact Victoria, appraise them of the situation, get hold of their files and tell them we want you to join in that investigation as well. I’m double dutying you, so don’t let me down. Once the journos hear of this the shit is going to be spread all over the place. So, low profile, but the focus is on the mob, got it?”
“Yes, sir, and thank you.”
“You owe me a favor, I’ll get hell for this, but I get it, its family. Hope none of this is linked to the mob showing up, but I don’t believe in coincidences or Chinese lucky draws. If there’s a connection here. Find it.” He was about to hang up. “Oh, I’ve just been informed the Americans have an operative there in the hotel as well.”
“Are we supposed to be working together on this case then?”
“They haven’t said as much, but that’s the Americans. What I hear you’ll hear.” “I think I may have already met him.” She told him of Jake in the hallway. 
“So much for keeping a very low profile. Could be the guy, call IT and check him out. I’ll pull some strings. Damn Americans. Thought they were our friendly next-door neighbors.” 
“Not after that crack Trump made about us burning down the White House.”
“Well we did, way back in history, and kicked their butts twice in a war, otherwise we’d be singing the Star-Spangled Banner and drinking that watered-down piss water they call beer.
Keep me abreast of either case.” Dan hung up the phone.
Yup, never a man to mince his words. 
Carol called the Crime Lab’s best IT guy, Louie Degraff next. She pulled up her secure email as she waited for an answer. “Hey, Louie, can you run a check on a Jake Holden for me? I’m e-mailing his fingerprints right now.”
“No problem, that’s why I’m here. You use the business card trick?”
“Yeah, that thing comes in handy. Got a still of him off the lobby security camera as well, so you can run a facial recognition search and see who we see who we really come up with.”
“Ahh, you did that just for little old me? You spoil me. ’Kay, I’ll get back to you ASAP.”
“Don’t suppose yesterday’s a possibility?”
“Not unless somebody invented time travel and didn’t tell me. Patience is a virtue. Hit you back soon as I can.”
“Thanks. Text me on my private line, I’ve got other business to attend to.”
Carol leaned back in her chair. She couldn’t wait to hear back from Louie. Her gut told her Jake Holden was either mob or American law enforcement who might, or might not, be on or off duty. And if he was on duty, he’d be butting into her operation. But whoever he was and whatever his reason for being here, one thing she was sure of. With those looks he was definitely trouble of one kind or another.
She called her sister on her private line. “See you later today, I’ve joined the case will talk more when I get there.”
She checked incoming emails, but nothing on Barb’s file had arrived yet.

December, the cold winter month is a popular time for parties and celebrations. While some are filled with solemn tradition, others focus on fun and frolic. All pose opportunities for an interesting view of different cultures, history, and religion.
Some of the holidays celebrated in December around the world.
​December, the cold winter month is a popular time for parties and celebrations. While some are filled with solemn tradition, others focus on fun and frolic. All pose opportunities for an interesting view of different cultures, history, and religion.
Some of the holidays celebrated in December around the world.

Christmas
This is a Christian holiday that's grown in popularity and celebrated by many non-Christians. Christmas is one of the paid holidays by employers in the U.S. Non-religious people celebrate this holiday with family, giving gifts, volunteering to help with charity events, or donate to good causes.
Religious people celebrate this Christian holiday by going to church, giving gifts, and sharing the day with their families. In some parts of Europe, “star singers” go caroling—singing special Christmas songs—as they walk behind a huge star on a pole.
The Christmas festivities in Ireland tend to be more religious in nature rather than being about gifts. Christmas celebrations last from Christmas Eve until January 6 (Epiphany). On December 26, known as St. Stephen’s Day, an Irish tradition that is known as the Wren Boys Procession takes place.
The Christmas Eve festivities in Ukraine are known as Sviata Vechera, which means “Holy Supper.” The celebration begins when the first evening star is sighted in the night sky. In farming communities, the household head brings in a sheaf of wheat, which symbolizes the wheat crops of Ukraine.

Hanukkah
For eight days each November or December, Jews light a special candleholder called a menorah. They do it to remember an ancient miracle in which one day’s worth of oil burned for eight days in the temple. During Hanukkah, many Jews also eat special potato pancakes called latkes, sing songs, and spin a top called a dreidel to win chocolate coins, nuts, or raisins.

St. Nicholas Day
A popular December holiday in many European countries, St. Nicholas Day, celebrates St. Nicholas of Myra, the man whose life inspired the tradition of Santa Claus and Father Christmas. He gave all of his money to the needy and was known for his compassion for children and all those in need. The holiday honors the man on the anniversary of his death, December 6, 343 A.D. Many celebrate with parades, feasts, gift giving, and festivals.

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe, is a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a Marian apparition and a venerated image enshrined within the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa, which means “First Fruits,” is based on ancient African harvest festivals and celebrates ideas such as family life and unity. During this spiritual holiday, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, millions of African Americans dress in special clothes, decorate their homes with fruits and vegetables, and light a candle holder called a kinara.

Three Kings Day
At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents.

Epiphany holiday
Theophany, Denha, Little Christmas, or Three Kings' Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.

Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice occurs around December 21. It is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations. Long ago, people celebrated by lighting bonfires and candles to coax back the sun.

St. Lucia Day
To honor this third-century saint on December 13, many girls in Sweden dress up as “Lucia brides” in long white gowns with red sashes and a wreath of burning candles on their heads. They wake up their families by singing songs and bringing them coffee and twisted saffron buns called “Lucia cats.”

New Year’s Eve
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve, the last day of the year, is on 31 December which is the seventh day of Christmastide. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings, where many people dance, eat, drink alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the new year.
In Ecuador, families dress a straw man in old clothes on December 31. The straw man represents the old year. The family members make a will for the straw man that lists all of their faults. At midnight, they burn the straw man, in hopes that their faults will disappear with him.

Ōmisoka
New Year’s Eve is considered the second-most important day in Japanese tradition as it is the final day of the old year and the eve of New Year’s Day, the most important day of the year. Families gather on Ōmisoka for one last time in the old year to have a bowl of toshikoshi-soba or toshikoshi-udon, a tradition based on eating the long noodles to cross over from one year to the next.

Chinese New Year
Children dress in new clothes to celebrate and people carry lanterns and join in a huge parade led by a silk dragon, the Chinese symbol of strength. According to legend, the dragon hibernates most of the year, so people throw firecrackers to keep the dragon awake.
​
Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha
Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting during daylight hours), and Muslims usually give zakat (charity) on the occasion which begins after the new moon sighting for the beginning of the month of Shawal.

Ana loved the oak tree. She’d climbed it so many times that she had worn the bark on its limbs smooth from finding the same handholds over and over again. The late afternoon sun filtered down through the leaves and made a pattern of light and shade on her skin as she sat in the wide fork between the branches, hidden from sight. It was her secret place. Beyond the edge of the woods, she could see houses and bits and pieces of the fields where farmers brought in their harvest.
After living in the noise and rush of the inn, she enjoyed the quiet of the woods. Now, she heard nothing but the murmur of leaves in the breeze. Ana wanted to stay until the sun set, but Fergen expected her back soon to help with the dinner rush. It had been the same every night for the seven years she’d lived at the inn. Fergen, the kind old innkeeper, had taken her in, a child alone in the world, after her grandmother died.
Distinctive in the stillness, Ana heard footsteps beneath the tree. Was it one of the boys from the village? She peeked down through the branches.
Two strangers stood below her. Ana knew everyone in Bright Springs, and she’d never seen these men before. Silently, she watched them. They wore packs on their backs like they were traveling. The one with dark hair knelt on the ground, looking at something. The other had light hair that hung in unruly waves. “Are you sure?”
The kneeling man looked up from the ground. He frowned behind a short dark beard, and his brows were pulled together in worry. “The tracks are clear. They’re here.”
He stood, and Ana’s eyes widened as she stared at the long blade at his side. No one in Bright Springs wore a sword. She’d never seen a weapon that big before.
“When?” The man with light hair rubbed the back of his neck.
“They look fresh. I’d say, last night.”  
“It’s this town, then. It has to be. Everyone in this place is in danger. If they were here last night, they’ll be here as soon as it gets dark. We have to find the girl before they do.” He turned and took a step away.
The dark-haired man shook his head. “Not the town. Here. The tracks are everywhere around this tree.” He pointed to several places surrounding the oak. He paused, looking down toward the inn. That was the way Ana had come. He bent down, examining the ground. “These tracks don’t match the others. Someone walked here.”
Peering down between the branches, Ana watched him. He examined her tracks along the path she’d taken from the inn into the woods. No one had ever bothered to follow her before. She wasn’t important enough, unless it had something to do with her secret.
Ana wore a ring on her finger. On her deathbed, Grandmother had warned Ana never to tell anyone about it. The ring was like a part of her hand, and it wouldn’t come off no matter what she did, so Ana had always worn a little strip of cloth tied around her finger like a bandage to hide it. It was a daily reminder of the secret, but she’d given little thought to Grandmother’s warning until now.
The men followed her tracks a little way down the hill. Ana breathed a sigh of relief as they went away until they turned and came back to the base of her oak. “See the tracks there. They come right to the tree.”
Ana pressed herself against the bark, out of sight, pulling her arms and legs close. These men were following her. Her stomach tightened. One of them was climbing now, and she heard his boots against the bark and the soft sound of his breath expelling as he pulled himself up. He had followed her into the tree and now he was going to find her. He soon appeared between the branches, and they stared at each other. Up close, he looked little older than the village boys who worked in the fields. His expression seemed friendly. And there was nowhere to go in the tree. He climbed fast, and she wouldn’t be able to get past him.
“I’m sorry I followed you. Please, don’t be afraid,” he said. His voice sounded kind. “We’re trying to find someone because she’s in danger and needs our help.”
Ana stared back at him. Could he know about the secret? Grandmother had been very clear that Ana should tell no one because it was dangerous. Something terrible had been following Ana years ago when she was a baby. Could it be the same thing that had left tracks all around her tree?
“Do you have a ring? Silver, set with a green stone?”
How did he know? Ana clutched her hand tighter to her chest. How could he know about it?
“No. This village is poor. No one has jewelry.” She looked into his eye as she spoke the lie.
He returned her gaze. “I know it’s a secret. But if you have the ring, you’re in danger.” He looked at her with serious gray eyes. “My name is Zarek. That’s Dane down there, and we came to help. What’s your name?”
“Ana.”
“I promise we would never hurt you, Ana. There are dangerous things in this world, and I’ve sworn an oath that when I find the girl with the ring, I will protect her and take her to safety. Do you believe me when I tell you we came to help?”
She looked into his eyes, reaching out with the extra sense she always felt when she was near someone. Ana could perceive the feelings of anyone close to her. That was how she’d known that Fergen would take care of her when Grandmother died. She’d known he would help. She could feel that Zarek would help now. Without that perception, she would never have trusted this stranger, no matter what he knew about her secret.
She stared at him for a long moment. “I believe you,” she said.
His eyebrows raised in surprise. “Then it’s true? You have no reason to believe me, unless you trust me because you have the ring and you can tell what I feel.”
She nodded, able to sense that he was afraid, too, maybe of whatever had left its mark around the tree. Ana nodded toward the ground. “What made those tracks?”
He looked back at her as if he didn’t know what to say. He cleared his throat. “They’re demons.”
Ana drew in a sharp breath, her eyes wide, and pulled her arms and legs tightly together. The village boys used to tell stories about demons just to frighten her. Everyone knew they would rip you apart. Now, it wasn’t just a story. The demons would kill her. She had no way to run fast enough or far enough to escape them. Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked them back. She was fourteen years old. Too old to be crying like a baby. She didn’t want Zarek to notice.
“I wouldn’t have said that,” Zarek apologized. “But there’s no way to hide it now. They’re coming soon. We have to go!”
He was right. His words startled her into motion, and she began climbing down.
“Hurry,” Dane said from the ground. “It will be dark soon. We have to get everyone indoors. The whole town is in danger!”
“We have to tell Fergen.” Ana pointed down the hill toward the inn.
“Is that where you live?” Dane asked.
“Yes.”
Dane looked at Zarek. “The demons will follow her trail there. But the rest of the people should barricade themselves in their houses. I’ll meet you at the inn. Get her inside. Tell them to bar the doors.”
Ana led Zarek to the back door and into the kitchen. “Tari, where’s Fergen?” she asked the gray-haired cook.
“What’s going on? Who is that?” Tari eyed Zarek in confusion.
Fergen appeared in the kitchen door, his eyes tightening in suspicion as he looked at Zarek. “Who are you, and what do you want with Ana?”
“It’s all right,” Ana explained. “He’s a friend.”
Fergen folded his arms across his chest, waiting for Zarek to answer.
“My name is Zarek. I serve the Emperor of Sarine. I came to warn you that the inn is going to be attacked.”
The blood drained from Fergen’s face, and he took a step backward. “By who? When?”
“Demons, creatures of dark magic,” Zarek said. “My friend has gone to warn the rest of the village. The demons will be here soon. We need to bar the doors and windows. Get everyone out of here. Tell them to stay hidden indoors. Go now!”
Fergen ran back to the common room, and his customers scattered at his warning.
Ana helped Fergen pull the heavy shutters closed, and he dropped the latches into place. They barred the door.
“The demons are coming here. You should go too,” Zarek said, putting his hand on Fergen’s shoulder.
Fergen looked down at Ana. “What about Ana? If she’s not safe here—”
Zarek met Ana’s eyes, then looked back at the innkeeper. “They’re following her.”
Ana’s stomach clenched.
Fergen stood beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. “If she’s in danger, I’m not leaving her.”
Ana put her arms around him. He always treated her with kindness, even though she was only an orphan.
“There’s no way you can fight them,” Zarek said. “They’ll kill you if you stay. Take the cook and run. Get somewhere secure. Find a place to hide!”
Fergen didn’t want to go, but Ana couldn’t let him get hurt because of her. She looked up at him. “You did so much for me. You always took care of me,” she said. “Please don’t let them kill you.”
He pulled her close for a moment and then released her, shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He took Tari by the arm, and they disappeared into the gathering darkness.
Ana helped Zarek check the doors and windows again. Then he pushed chairs and tables against the front door.
Outside, night covered the village. Dane came running up to the kitchen entrance. “I told them to get indoors and stay there,” he said, breathing hard. “They didn’t all listen.” As if to punctuate his words, a scream rang out from somewhere in the darkness. Dane slammed the door and slid the heavy bar across it.
Ana stood beside Zarek. Fergen was gone. She had no one left except Zarek, and he was afraid too. He was tall and strong, and he was still afraid.
Something outside clawed at the door. It scratched at the walls, hunting for a way inside. A blow struck the door. It held. From the other side came a shriek of frustration. Ana cringed away from the sound.
Zarek gripped the hilt of his dagger and took a deep breath. Dane drew his sword and stood watching the door, tense and ready, the weapon in his hand.
From out in the dark, they heard terrified voices and running feet. Someone was out there. Ana put her hands over her ears, wishing she couldn’t hear what was happening. They called for help and she couldn’t do anything. How many were there? She heard a man scream first, then a woman.
Zarek drew his dagger and held it ready, his eyes on the door.
The people outside were near, just on the other side of the wall, close enough she could sense their pain. She collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath in shock and panic. Zarek turned from the door and knelt beside her, putting his hand on her shoulder.
Outside, it grew silent. Whoever had been out there, their pain had passed. Ana took a deep breath, then another. Zarek stood up and helped her back to her feet. Her knees felt wobbly, but she stood.
The quiet didn’t last. More blows came at the door, and more shrieking. The door creaked and groaned and shook on its hinges. Would it keep them out? Or was the thing outside about to find more of her friends and neighbors and kill them? Would it find Fergen and Tari?
She couldn’t stand that. “They’re looking for me! If I go out there, will they take me and leave everyone else alone?”
“You can’t do that, Ana,” Zarek said firmly. “You can’t let them get the ring. If you do, many more people will die.”
“But people are dying now!” She took a step toward the door.
Zarek held her back.
The attack against the door redoubled. Ana heard blows from all around the building now. From the front of the inn, they heard the sounds of breaking wood and shattering glass. Abruptly, the assault on the back door ceased.
Zarek looked down at her. The muscles of his jaw clenched. “Get ready to run.”
“They’re breaking in.” Dane’s voice sounded hard as he looked at Zarek. “You’re faster than I am. Take her and go. I’ll hold them off and then follow you.”
Ana’s breath came fast and shallow, and her heart pounded in her throat. Zarek raised his dagger.
“Zarek,” Dane ordered, standing in the kitchen doorway, his blade in his hand. “Go. Now!” Several black shapes burst through the front door, shrieking. Dane held his sword ready.
Zarek pulled Ana through the back door. She screamed as a black shape towered above them, blocking their path. The blade of Zarek’s dagger glowed faintly green in the darkness. He attacked the black thing.
It screeched and tried to claw at them, but they dodged the blow and Zarek struck at it, driving his blade home until it fell, unmoving.
“Run!” Zarek ordered, pulling Ana with him.
They dashed away from the village, following the edge of the stream, stumbling over the uneven ground in the moonlight. Ana ran as fast as she could, but it didn’t feel fast enough. Zarek pulled her along, urging her to greater speed.
The night was quiet around them except for their rapid breathing and the sound of their feet pounding against the ground. Ana looked back over her shoulder and saw Dane behind them, running hard. Beyond him, black shapes followed. But Zarek was heading the wrong way.
“Don’t go—” she gasped, pointing ahead of them. “There’s—cliff—”
Zarek didn’t listen. For a few moments, they widened the gap between them and their pursuers. But the demons would soon cut off their escape. The small stream beside the town drained into a larger river that had carved a deep cleft in the land, and Zarek was coming to the brink of the cliff. He stopped and looked over the edge. Ana glimpsed a black chasm with a silver ribbon of water at the bottom. Dane caught up with them. “That way!” He pointed along the edge of the canyon. They followed the cliff downstream.
The black things cut across the distance, heading straight for them, and they were gaining fast. Their quarry couldn’t outrun them.
Ana could hear the demons clearly now, and their horrible voices sounded triumphant. They were about to claim their prize. Ana stopped on the brink of the cliff, frozen. Zarek drew his knife and placed himself between Ana and the demons. But there were too many enemies to fight, and they were running at them, their black claws outstretched.
Zarek sheathed his knife and darted straight toward Ana. His shoulder slammed into her, his arm seized her waist, and his momentum propelled them out into the black abyss. Ana screamed as they fell.
A.J. Park

'The strawberries cackled in their glass jar, around them were other, older condiments – sweet pickles, jams and spreads. Snickering, they shuffled forward, moving close behind a jar of elderly pickles. The pickle jar shuffled forward to make room, butting up against the sugar tin, which refused to move.
“I get used every day, thus I need to be within easy reach,” said Sugar, rather arrogantly.
Pickle grunted and edged further forward. “It not be me, it be the jam,” it sighed. “It be shoving.”
The strawberry jam hopped sideways along the shelf, looking for an easier target, and spied an old jar of sauce, dusty and forgotten. The lid was crusted with elderly tomato, dribbled along the glass and faded to musty brown, with a little sheen of furry mold. Untouched and unloved, it cowered next to an empty salt cellar and a dried-up mustard pot.
The shelf was narrow and overcrowded, and the strawberry jam looked down with a wicked gleam. It was much narrower here than the Big Shelf in the place where it had lived before the Hand had plucked it from its comfortable repose. The jam vaguely remembered the huge Mother Vat, from which it had been born, and many others with it, until the God Spoon had appeared and housed it in the Glass Jar so it could look out upon the world. The strawberries did not question what had been given to them; life in the field before this was not life, merely an existence. Jam! Jam was true life! Jam was purpose!
Shuffling and shoving, the jar slid in the grease which coated the shelf. With a mighty push it toppled the unfortunate sauce down to the flagstones far below, a gleeful chuckle shaking its lid. The bottle smashed and the elderly sauce splodged out its life upon the floor. As the wicked guffawing echoed in the quiet, midnight kitchen the other jars and tins shuffled closer to one another, hoping for protection.
The giant door opened, and the owner of the Hand entered the world of the Kitchen, seeing the poor sauce all over the floor. She looked around to find the culprit, for this was not the first ‘accident’ in recent weeks. The strawberries in the jar looked innocent and nodded towards the sugar, laying blame where none was due.
Once the remains of the sauce had been removed, the Hand grabbed the sugar and angrily deposited it at the back, leaving a nice space for the jam to move into. As soon as the owner of the Hand had gone, the jam, who was young and new, speedily pushed aside the other jars and settled triumphantly into the empty space, where it could see the world it was planning to conquer. Such a sweet, sweet world it was too.
 
The Kitchen Imps and Other Dark Tales – six short tales of mayhem and mischief.
Winner of the 2018 best fantasy on NN Light Book Heaven.
Naughty imps, missing socks, cunning thieves and baffled gods feature in this collection of short fantasy fiction.
© A. L. Butcher

Blades
The Rapier moves cautiously through Russian space toward the US and Chinese sectors. As it approaches the border, it’s detected by a Russian frigate. For five nerve-wracking days, the two ships play cat and mouse— the Rapier slipping cautiously away, the frigate trying to get eyes on it, both ships moving closer to contested space and other military units.
     In this area of space, the Chinese and the Americans regularly have violent encounters, and when the shooting starts, ships of other nations in the area run like hell as both sides automatically engage ships they can’t identify. Over the last nine years, about a dozen Russian ships had been lost, so the captain of the Russian frigate becomes as cautious as he can be. It gives the Rapier its opening to scoot out of Russian space and into American. Once several hundred kilometers into American space, the crew relaxes, and for a few days, everyone lets off steam.
     This area had been overrun by the Chinese, but the Americans decided to fight for it, and they took it back. It’s a topic the crew discusses in depth, and the discussions all end with the same comments: why these people and not us, why fight for here and not Safe Port?
     The Rapier eventually docks at Omega 4 Beta, more commonly called Reavers Cove. When the Rapier arrives, three pirate ships and another privateer are also docked there. One of the pirate ships is the Raven, captained by Black Jack Bartholomew.
     The captain authorizes a shore leave rotation and strongly cautions the crew to avoid trouble with the other crews, reminding them that some of these people really are bad men. When it’s Kathy’s turn to go “ashore,” the captain and Mr. Gibb are waiting. The captain says, “Come along, ladies, we have a special treat for you.”
     The five of them, Captain Black, Mr. Gibb, Kathy, Cindy, and Lien, head to the far edge of town, away from the docks. High on a cliff overlooking the sea is an old inn. It’s a breathtaking setting. Here among some of the least trustworthy people in the galaxy is an island of tranquility with a lovely garden, a scenic overlook, and great food. For two days, no Chinese, no raids, no being hunted, just blissful peace.
Kathy and Cindy buy swimsuits and go down to the beach. Lien is too shy for a swimsuit; she sits under an umbrella on the beach, watching. The two of them splash around in the water, play in the surf, and swim a bit. When they come back to the shore, they see two men sitting on blankets, watching them. They’re wearing shorts and Hawaiian shirts, sipping drinks.
     It takes a moment, then Kathy realizes it’s Captain Black and Mr. Gibb. They look totally out of their element, and for the first time since she’s known them, they seem completely at ease. They wave Kathy and Cindy over, pour Kathy a drink, and give Cindy a soda. Kathy takes a sip; it’s a strawberry margarita. Lien comes over and joins them. She has a Coke as well. Even Lien seems at peace. The five of them sit on the beach, take turns playing with Cindy in the surf, watch the waves wash in, muse as the clouds drift by, and watch the birds fly overhead. Well, the planet’s equivalent of birds.
     While the captain and Cindy are playing in the surf, Mr. Gibb starts talking to Kathy as Lien listens in.
“The captain and I used to be explorers—adventurers, if you will. Whenever we returned to Safe Port, we’d regale our families with tales of our adventures. Often my Aunt Jenny would be at these get-togethers.”
     “Is that where the captain met her?” Kathy asks.
     “No, they grew up as neighbors. At that time the captain and uncle Marty treated her like a little sister, the captain was eight years older than Jenny. After they graduated from school the captain was doing field work for the magazine he and uncle Marty owned, and aunt Jenny was often out on her own searching for subjects for her work, so they seldom saw each other. Then she was dating Uncle Marty, so the captain never approached her. She was six years older than my mother. I was eighteen then. I believe my mom was thirty-nine.”
     “So your aunt was forty-five then.”
     “Yes. Aunt Jenny was an adventurer in her own right. An artist, a painter, as I remember. Though Uncle Marty was in love with her, she was too much of a free spirit. For her, Marty was too uptight. Soon she stopped seeing him. But the captain, he fascinated her. All the adventures we had, all the exotic places, unknown animals. She just couldn’t get enough of him.”
     “Oh,” Kathy replies.
     Mr. Gibb grins at her. “Yes, she was a lot like you. Anyway, soon they started dating, and within a year, they were married. That broke Uncle Marty’s heart. But the captain and Aunt Jenny were so in love they were sure Uncle Marty would come to accept it.”
     “She was kind of old to have a baby, wasn’t she?”
     “That’s what they thought. They even planned to adopt. But there was a surprise—some say a miracle—and Aunt Jenny got pregnant. It was a rough pregnancy because of her age, but with the cap- tain’s help, she made it through, and little Mary was born.”
     “How old was she when the Chinese came?” Kathy asks.
     “Four,” Mr. Gibb responds.
     “Oh my god,” Kathy says.
     The captain and Cindy are returning, so Mr. Gibb changes the subject. The rest of the afternoon is spent frolicking on the beach. Dinner is excellent. The inn’s chef knows his business and could
give Cookie competition.
     After dinner, the five of them talk for hours, tell stories, talk about what they’d like to do when the contract is up, and express thoughts about the future. Even Lien participates. Later Lien, Cindy, and Mr. Gibb go to bed. The captain and Kathy stand out on the inn’s veranda. The stars are spread brightly across the night sky. Starlight causes the breakers to sparkle as they crash onto the beach.
     “Miss Masters, you light up the night better than the stars,” Captain Black tells her. Kathy blushes. She’s at a loss of what to say.
     The inn’s sound system plays an old song that can be heard in all the common areas. Captain Black takes her hand and leads her to the middle of the floor. He takes her in his arms and guides her across it. Captain Black is an excellent dancer. Kathy feels she’s drifting above the floor, her feet barely touching it.
     It gets late, and the Captain walks her to her cabin. He leans down and kisses her on the cheek, opens her door for her, bows, and says, “I had a lovely time, Miss Masters. Sweet dreams.” Then he turns and heads to his cabin.
     Cindy and Lien are sitting on the bed. They start giggling when she comes in. Kathy’s face turns red as she enters the room, which just makes the other girls giggle harder.
     “Get to sleep, young ladies,” Kathy tells them. They lie down but giggle even harder. Kathy goes to sleep with a smile on her face.
** *
     As Captain Black prepares for bed thoughts of Kathy flood his mind. His affection for her is almost overpowering, he finds himself thinking, I think I love her. But how can I be sure that it’s not just how much she reminds me of Jenny. If things were different I think I could make a life with her. These thoughts are foolish, she needs a younger man, someone that will be with her for life, and I’m forty years older than her. That and the life I lead, what kind of future could I give her.
** *
     The next day, they go back to the beach. Aquatic mammals dance on the waves. The sky is filled with birds. Cindy and Lien chase the mammals that come ashore. Kathy takes dozens of pics. The captain and Mr. Gibb watch over them as they play. The setting is idyllic, and the two days pass by far too fast. But now it’s time to return to the Rapier. The five of them walk down the main street toward the shuttle field. As they do, they notice a crowd gathering.
     Mr. Gibb says, “Captain, isn’t that Jenkins, Samuels, and Marx?”
     All of them look at the gathering crowd. Three crewmen from the Rapier are backing toward a store wall. At least eight from another ship are moving in on them. All have weapons drawn. The captain shouts, “What’s going on here?” He moves rapidly toward them, his hand on his sword. “Back off now!” he shouts. As he gets closer, two other men move out of the crowd, heading behind him. Cindy takes off running toward them.
     “Cindy!” Kathy shouts. Kathy and Mr. Gibb start running after her.
     Lien shouts, “Stop, please!”
     The men are poised to stab Captain Black in the back, but Cindy strikes first. Dropping to her knees she cuts the Achilles tendon of one of the men with her sword, then slashing up, she cuts across the other’s butt before he can react. Then the fight starts in earnest. Captain Black takes down two attackers right off the bat. Each of the other crewmen fends off two attackers apiece.
     Five more move out of the crowd.
     Cindy rolls over and drives her sword up into one. The captain takes on another. Kathy and Mr. Gibb are facing three.
     Lien rushes to the crew against the wall. Quick as an adder, she takes three. The rest of the crew take down the others but not before one of them runs Jenkins through.
     Kathy’s sword dances before her, the light flashes off it as it does its deadly jig. The ring of metal on metal fills the air. She knows she’s there, that she is wielding the sword, but it seems she’s watching it from afar. Suddenly it’s over. Two men lie dying at Kathy’s feet; blood drips from her sword. She doesn’t even remember how it happened, but Mr. Gibb stands next to her, grinning. He looks over at Lien with admiration. He can’t help feeling great affection toward her, she helped to save his mates.
     Three men lie at Cindy’s feet, all are severely wounded. “Move and I’ll finish you,” she growls.
     The other attackers are all down, and so is Jenkins. Kathy recognizes him. He was one of the young boys that came aboard at Safe Port.
     A man shouts from the crowd, “What the hell did you bushwhackers do here?” It’s Black Jack Bartholomew, captain of the Raven.
     Captain Black shouts, “Your men attacked us, you bastard”.
     “Then they were provoked.” Bartholomew replies.
     “Like hell they were.”
     The crowd grows larger, some from the various ships, most from the town. Captain Bartholomew starts to say something; hands are on weapons. Before anyone can do or say more, Cindy strides over to Captain Bartholomew and says, “You get your scurvy arse the hell out of my way, or I’ll put you in the ground.” Kathy feels the blood drain from her face.
     Captain Bartholomew stares down at this nine-year-old pipsqueak challenging him in the street. All eyes are on him; complete silence surrounds them. “And who be you?” he asks.
     “I’m Cindy of the privateer Rapier, and you’re a slimy dog.” Captain Bartholomew’s face burns with rage; he starts to pull his sword. Cindy goes en garde. The people hold their breath. He stops and looks around. All eyes are on him, and most of them are unfriendly. Kathy’s heart beats wildly. Lien shakes with fear for Cindy. Cindy stands her ground; blood drips from her sword. Moments pass. Then Captain Bartholomew looks at Captain Black.
     “You’ll pay for this, Black,” he scowls. “But for now, take your midget back to your garbage scow and get out of here.”
     The town militia shows up. “Both of you, get out of here,” their captain shouts. Samuels and Marx help Jenkins up, and they all leave for the Rapier’s shuttle. Crewmen from the Raven are picking up their dead and wounded. Captain Bartholomew glares at them as they leave. Captain Black says in a low voice, “This isn’t over yet.”
     The shuttle lifts off. On the way up, Captain Black contacts the ship. “Mr. Hansen, recall everyone ashore. Get the power revved up. Everyone to action stations.”
     Doc Smith meets the shuttle and takes charge of Jenkins; Lien goes with them. The captain rushes to the bridge along with Mr. Gibb, Cindy, and Kathy. “Everyone to stations!” he shouts. They all enter the bridge. “Full power, Engineering!” the captain shouts at the intercom.
     Cindy jumps into the weapons seat. She starts powering up the main batteries. “Weapons going hot, Captain.”
     Kathy sits at tactical, brings up the holographic display, and marks the Raven as hostile. “Tactical ready, Captain.”
     Mr. Gibb watches both of them with an expression of pride.
     “Helm?” Nobody is there yet, so Mr. Gibb takes the station. “Helm, aye, Captain.”
     “Head out on course 132. Give me maneuvering speed as soon as possible.”
     “Aye, Captain.”
     The crew is scrambling out of bed or out of shuttles and rushing to stations.
     Kathy sees the display light up around the Raven; the readout dumps data onto the screen. “The Raven is powering up, Captain,” she shouts. “Their weapons are coming online.”
     “Ahead one quarter, Mr. Gibb.”
      “Aye, Captain.” The ship picks up speed.
     “Bring that new drive online, Mr. Gibb.”
     “Aye, Captain.”
     “Weapons charged, Captain,” Cindy sounds off.
     “Strap in, everybody,” the captain shouts. “Mr. Gibb, give me a vertical 360. Stand by weapons, Miss Cindy.”
     Both respond, “Aye, Captain.”
     The ship rapidly rises in a vertical loop. Kathy watches tactical. The Raven is starting to move as the Rapier loops over it.
     “Punch it, Mr. Gibb!” Captain Black shouts. The ship leaps forward as a particle beam rises from the Raven and just misses the Rapier.
     “Target locked, Captain!” Cindy shouts.
     “Fire.”
     Cindy hits the rail guns. Three bursts. The projectiles strike the Raven. The first three projectiles bounce off the neutron armor, draining its energy. The fourth and fifth crack the surface of the hull. The sixth punches through opening a two-meter-wide hole in the hull.
     “Let’s leave, Mr. Gibb.”
     “Aye, Captain.” He accelerates the ship, and the Rapier streaks away from Reavers Cove.
     Later Doc Smith reports that Jenkins died of his wounds. As Kathy lies down in her bunk, it hits her. Jenkins was just fourteen when he came onboard, and he didn’t live to see his eighteenth birthday. She weeps quietly until she drifts off to sleep.