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might set forth on a stormchasing quest to the Twilight Woods - and for that I am truly sorry. But I needed you with me. This was a family matter …’
    Quint nodded, but Maris could see that he was troubled.
    ‘Of course, things didn’t work out the way I had hoped, and we got distracted by that business with the Stone Pilot.’ Quint and Maris both smiled. ‘But when we got back to Undertown, an old Mire pirate told me of a rumour he’d heard that Smeal had found a new hide-out…’
    ‘The cliff quarry’ Tem breathed.
    ‘Just so,’ said Wind Jackal. ‘And that was why we went down there, Quint and I, to get our revenge once and for all.’ He shook his head. ‘Yet once again we were thwarted. It was a trap. Smeal must know we’re on his trail. He laid an ambush - leading us down into thequarry, then luring those foul wraiths to devour us.’ His eyes took on a steely intensity as, once again, he surveyed the gathering around the table. ‘But thanks to you, my loyal crew, we survived to continue the hunt.’
    Quint swallowed anxiously. Maris cupped his hands in her own beneath the table-top, and squeezed.
    ‘I intend to hunt him until I catch him,’ Wind Jackal said, his voice now a deathly quiet whisper. ‘I shall never give up - and if you value me as your captain, you will follow me in this quest. If not, you are free to go, right now …’
    The crew glanced at one another. None of them had ever seen their beloved captain in such a state before. Spillins smiled half-heartedly. Steg Jambles picked up his half-empty glass of woodale, raised it to his lips -then returned it to the table, untouched.
    ‘We’re with you,’ said Maris, breaking the silence.
    Under the table, Quint squeezed her hand.
    ‘Wind Jackal!’ came a cheery voice from the staircase. ‘How are you?’
    Everyone turned, relieved, to see the young sky pirate Thaw Daggerslash coming down the stairs from the upper balconies. Smiling broadly, he nodded in turn at the assembled crew.
    ‘It’s good to see all of you,’ he said. His gaze lingered on Quint and Maris. ‘You must be the son I’ve heard so much about,’ he said. ‘And you … Who might this beautiful young lass be?’ he asked.
    ‘My name is Maris. Maris Pallitax,’ said Maris a little stiffly. ‘My father used to be …’
    ‘Most High Academe,’ Thaw Daggerslash broke in. ‘Linius Pallitax. I met him once … A wonderful academic and kind-hearted to a lowly sky pirate.’

    Maris melted. ‘He was kind to everyone he met, no matter how grand or humble.’
    ‘Such a tragic loss,’ said Thaw, his face etched with concern. He turned to the captain. ‘But Wind Jackal, my old friend, I couldn’t help noticing a certain tension in the air. If there is anything wrong …’
    Wind Jackal shook his head. ‘Crew business,’ he muttered. ‘Nothing that need concern you.’
    Thaw Daggerslash’s pleasant smile didn’t falter. ‘Of course not, of course not,’ he said amiably. ‘But you know, if you ever need a second-in-command, I’m still available.’
    ‘You’re a talented sailor, Daggerslash,’ said WindJackal, ‘and one day, you’ll make a fine captain - if you only have the patience to work your way up. Besides, as I told you before, I have a son …’
    ‘True, true,’ Thaw Daggerslash smiled, giving Quint a pat on the shoulder. ‘And I’m sure he’ll do you proud, Captain Wind Jackal, sir.’
    ‘No hard feelings, then?’ said Wind Jackal, handing the young sky pirate a tankard of woodale.
    ‘No hard feelings!’ said Thaw with a laugh.
    He took the tankard and drained it in one go, before slamming it down on the carved table. He looked up at Wind Jackal, suddenly serious.
    ‘One day’ he said, ‘my name will be carved on this table, next to yours, Captain Wind Jackal, by Sky it will!’
    Wind Jackal smiled and raised his tankard in salute. ‘I’ll drink to that,’ he said.
    ‘Back again, are you?’ sneered Glaviel Glynte, his left