The night was cold, but Vincent didn't feel it as he walked through the forest towards the town of Ginshel, where he knew many ships came to get supplies before heading off to far stranger lands. Vincent reached the town's centre within an hour and headed for the docks. In the dark he did not stand out so much from the other pale townsfolk, and was able to walk quite freely through the cobbled streets. But Vincent knew as soon as the sun pierced the sky with it's amber glow he would begin to attract some unwanted attention.

He hurried on, the glow of the moon telling him that his time was running short ane he must get passage on a ship very soon. At the port he looked around for any likely ships that would accept him. Most of the ships were simple trading vessels, and not one flew the flag of a scoundrel. Vincent began to loose hope of getting out of the town that night, and was contemplating finding a place to stay during the day, when he finally spotted a ship that might suit him. It was the Nevermore, and though he did not know it at the time Vincent was about to sign on board a ship captained by his very rival for Miss Blimey's heart, James Blade. It was probably for the best that both men would meet innocent of the knowledge that they both cared for the same woman, otherwise I would have no story for you.....

Vincent approached the ship as if in slow motion, he did not know what to expect from the crew or the captain, and hoped no one would notice the pallor of his skin or stare too deeply into his dark eyes, which were pure black. He hoped things would go smoothly, and he could use this vessel to get away from his homeland and begin his quest. In fact all Vincent had at this stage was hope.

Captain Blade noticed the dark stranger heading up the gang plank of his ship and jumped down to meet him.

"Ahoy there, what can I do for you?" he asked jovially, ignoring the fact that this man may indeed be one of his enemies. Blade was not known for thinking things through.

"I wish to gain work on your ship so that I may get clear of this land," replied Vincent.

"In trouble eh?" laughed Blade, who was not above running from situations himself.

"Not so much trouble as just a basic need to get away," replied Vincent speaking in half-truths.

"Not to worry, come aboard, I'll take you," smiled Blade.

"Thanks!" returned Vincent. "But don't you want to know...."

But Blade cut him off. "No, don't want to know anything, come have some wine with me."

Vincent was both surprised and concerned by Blade's lack of curiosity, though in truth he would have reacted the same way himself. Sometimes the only way to survive in this world is by not knowing the reality of things. Blade had lived by this ideal for most of his life.

The two men went below decks to drink wine as the Nevermore drifted out of the harbour. Vincent thought it wise he find out the destination of the ship so he could further plan how he was to find Miss Blimey, but something told him not to ask Blade her whereabouts directly.

"So where are you headed," Vincent turned to Blade in the candlelight, "and at such a late hour?"

"Ah my life is uncomplicated, and I go where the wind takes me, I leave a town early as I stay up late and then get bored, I just have to keep moving, there is too much to see and do to stay in one place to long, that is why this life I lead suits me," answered Blade without really answering.

"You must have a very interesting life," said Vincent forgetting himself and leaning into the candlelight a little to far. For a moment the flame flicked brightly against his ebony eyes.

"My stars!" exclaimed Blade. "Were you locked up somewhere boy? You're skin is white a marble and your eyes black like the devil's night!"

"Do not be alarmed," soothed Vincent, thinking it better to skirt the truth further at this point though it pained his honest heart. "Yes, I was trapped for many years, I only managed to escape tonight, I have been kept down for so long I forget how my looks must startle the average folk."

"Who you calling average?" laughed Blade recovering his jovial ways, "not my business what has happened to you, but you best get some sun if you don't want people staring at you or running from you in horror!"

"Thanks for the tip," retorted Vincent returning the laugh, though Blade's words struck a chord of fear in his mind. Could he really pull this off? Find Miss Blimey? Live happily ever after? Or was he living in a fool's fantasy? Well it was too late to turn back now......

Continued in Part 3