A terrible loss...

[Mary Salle]

 Ilona kissed Kal lovingly, "We will be fine dear. Mother and Father  need to meet  their new grandson. I know you have your missions to take care of. I love you."

  The ship launched from their home-made dock. Ilona and her two girls waving and yelling  their love and missings of their new father as the sails rolled  down from their resting places. Ilona's eyes filled with tears as she blew kisses to her beloved husband. She would miss him the most, he was her soul-mate. The first man to truly show her love and happiness. She would wait up for hours for him when he was out on a mission, worried, yet it would all disappear in a flash as he strolled in the doorway of their new home.

 Their home faded in the distance, Ilona borrowed the captains' spyglass and  looked back towards home, he was still there waving to them. She smiled a little and whispered softly, "I love you Kal, with all my heart."

 The warm sun blanketed the deck of the ship as the island disappeared over the horizon. She  so badly wished he could have come with them on their voyage, but she knew his duty to Cove was as important to him as his family. Day turned to night as they headed towards Jhelom. The warm air kissed her cheeks as she sat there half asleep against the mainsail next to their sleeping children. Her eyes opened quickly as she groggily whispered out loud, "Kal?" But alas, it was only the wind. Never in her life had she ever felt such love for any man. Checking over their children she sighed happily, "I am truly blessed."

 Morning came, but not the sun. Thick black clouds loomed overhead, lightning raced across the clouds, then down. Ilona grabbed the girls and clutched onto "Cory" (full name Cor'Ari Ta) and headed towards the lower deck. Rain spat hard across the deck, the crew racing  to their positions to battle against the coming storm. She dashed towards the stairs  to the lower deck as a flash of light and a thunderous clap  shook the ship violently. She turned  towards the flash of light as she  hurried the girls down the stairs.
 Splinters flew everywhere at the mast exploded from the lightning strike, Ilona shielded little "Cory" with her body. The pain raced through her body as the splinters tore into her back, Cory screaming in fear from the noise. Down she stumbled into the lower deck. Isis and Harley crying  as they clung to their mother. "Mommy I want daddy!" They both screamed in fear as the thunder rumbled through the ship. Their tears streaming down their cheeks while the ship was tossed to and fro. "Shhh, Daddy always  shows up when we need him most, you know that." Oh how she wished he was there with them now, so she could hold him close, to ease her fear...

 The storm raged on throughout the day, the seas churned and crashed, yet in a blink of an eye, the storm disappeared, the sea... calm... empty...


 Official Report from Jhelom: Search parties sent  out to find the ship, the B.o.C TraderHorn have found no trace of the ship, crew or passengers anywhere. Ship is considered sunk, with all on board.

 *The character Ilona ShadowHand is no longer. But I thought you all deserved a good story on her behalf*