At Chez Roux:

Portsmith *continues to read Abberline’s files*  "The Lady of the Lake, as I have to call her since she didn't want to tell her name to me, said that she knows where the temple is, but she is not going to reveal that to me.  She warned me that I should not go near such a box ever; she said that I had the gift of dreams, whatever that meant, and that dreamers are more vulnerable against the power of the box. Dreaming means that the soul can wander freely, as she explained, and thus it is in danger of getting lost or being trapped easily.  I told her that I haven't had any special dreams, to which she replied, that I haven't discovered my ability yet.  She told me that the nature of the boxes changed drastically when it was discovered that the souls of living persons could be imprisoned into it, too.  This inhumane and horrible practice turned the boxes evil; the live souls were able to absorb the souls that already where within.  I can't even begin to imagine how it must have been for a human soul to be trapped in a little box, conscious, unable to get out.  They must have gone mad.  It was already late at night, so she suggested I could sleep over in a little hut prepared for the occasional guests, and she gave me a small vial with some liquid.  She said it was to enhance my gift.  I did not understand what she meant."

Portsmith *worried*  I wonder if he knows how the box can be destroyed?

Corso:  Would you want him to find that out?

Portsmith:  No!  I don't allow anyone to destroy the box!  It's mine!

Latitude, longitude known

Manouche *averts her eyes from the foliage moving on its own atop the burial place of the soul box; manages a smile as she looks at Raven, whose crying has calmed considerably*  Now, then, feel better?  No worries, luv, it’ll all be sorted.  If yer mum needs me, y’know I’ll do what I can.  Though I can’t imagine what it’d be.

Raven:  I - I need you, too.  An’ so does Mr. Blake, an’ Willy an’ Madame …

Manouche *smiles, hugs him again*  Ch-cheers, lil’ one, that means a lot t' me.  Y'know I need you, that’s a fact.  Funny y’ mention Willy an’ Madame, Willy come into me head so strong a few minutes before … well …  *pulls back, looks at him again, beaming*  Jus’ look at ye, yer lookin’ so grown up.  True Dreamer’d be so proud.  I don’t know what’s different about ye.  Prob’ly jus’ th’ fact that I haven’t seen ye since ye went flyin’ off t’ be with yer mum.  By th' powers, that seems like such a long time ago.  *pauses, then remembers something*  How ‘bout ye tell me about yer gran’mum?  When did y’ see her, what’s she like?

Raven *looks past her, points over her shoulder*  Like that.

Manouche *looks at him, puzzled, then turns to see an old Indian woman.*  Blimey!  Y-ye … are ye …..   *she can't help but stare, trying to determine whether the woman is real or a vision; her appearance suggests first one, then the other*

Raven *smiling*  Grandmother Ama, this is …

Ama:  Manouche, yes, I know, child.

Raven *turns to Manouche*  Grandmother says you’re a dreamer.

Manouche *staring wide-eyed at Ama*  A-aye, so I been hearin’ ….

Ama *to Manouche*  You will need to help my daughter when the time comes.  Kat’s magic is the power of two, combined into one.  It is her inherited birthright, but her ability to use it was taken away from her very cruelly, by a greater power.  I took steps to give some of it back to her, but to my great sorrow, I was only marginally successful.  She needs help from a dreamer … to release that magic and to allow her to use it.  You’re the one.

Manouche:  But … but why me, what can I do?

Ama:  You’ll know when the time comes.  It’s the only way to fight Marchand.  I wish I could tell you more, but I cannot.

Manouche *whispers*  M-Marchand …  *She senses a tremor from the shelter where the box is buried.  She glances over at it, then back at Raven and Ama; neither of them seem to notice it, so she decides not to mention it.*  C-can ye tell us anything else, luv?  We – we’re in a frightful situation, ‘ere.  I thought it best t’ leave th’ box where it is …

Ama:  No.  The box must be destroyed.  Your plan was sound, but if you leave it where it is, there’s a chance someone could eventually find it and it could be dangerous once again.  It must be destroyed.  You must take it back to the Guardians …

Manouche:  But it’s me opinion that they’re wantin’ to use it …

Ama:  Your instincts are keen.  The Guardians, originally sworn to prevent the box from being used for evil purpose, have fallen prey to the corruption of the box, and of Marchand.  They believe they will share power with him, they do not realize he’ll only absorb them as well.  Still, you must take the box to them, as they’ve asked.  Then you’ll soon become aware of how the box must be destroyed.  But BEWARE.  There is another danger.  The box is particularly dangerous to dreamers.  Manouche, though you’re a dreamer, your Romani blood saves you from being susceptible to the box, as you would be otherwise, making you the ideal person to deal with it.  *looks at Raven*  Raven’s youth helps him, he’s still pure.  And the magic is strong between the two of you.  Although that magic is what made you both so desirable to Marchand, it will help you prevail.  *gazes out in direction of the sea.*  But there are others … *turns back to Manouche and Raven*  I’ll reiterate, although you already know it in your heart.  The box can cause great misery and suffering.  The two of you understand better than anyone else, even more than you realize.  You must work together, pay close attention to each others’ thoughts, as you always do … and help Kat.  She must believe, she must remember, even though it may be painful.  One more thing … Abberline …

Manouche *looks at her, surprised*  Th’ Inspector?  What about him?

Ama:  There are things he knows deep inside that he needs to remember as well.  But take care with him … he has courage and sharp vision, but he lacks your strength.  His sorrow has left him vulnerable.  Just … take care with him.  *pauses*  I must go.  Retrieve the box from its hiding place, Manouche.  It must be destroyed.

Manouche *starts to say something else, but a sudden gust of wind picks up, blowing so hard she and Raven duck their heads to avoid the flying sand.  When the wind dies down and they look back up, Ama is gone.  Manouche shakes her head*  I feel like I been given a passel o’ riddles.  *looks at Raven*  M’ luv, I think it’s best that ye fly back to th’ Apparition.  They’ll be worried sick about ye.  Tell ‘em y’ saw me, tell ‘em all we know.  It don’t seem to amount t’ much, but … well, per’aps all these things we’re hearin’ now will mean more as we go along, savvy?  *brings a hand up to his face, then hugs him tight*  Y’ saved me again, lil’ mate.  L-let’s see what we can do about all this.

Raven *hugs her, kisses her cheek.  She reluctantly releases him; he steps away from her, and she tries to keep a smile on her face as he gazes at her with his large, solemn, dark brown eyes.  He shimmers, turns into the white raven, and flies away, toward the sea, toward The Apparition.*

Manouche *watches him go, smile fades, sighs deeply*  Aye, it’s time t’ look th’ devil in th’ eye an’ send him back t’ hell, where he belongs.  *Stands up, brushes some of the sand off, draws key out from inside shirt.  Walks over to the mound of sand where the soul box is buried, braces herself to take it back to the Guardians’ boat.*

On The Apparition:

Kat *angrily paces up and down the deck, casting worried looks towards the island in the distance, searching the sky*  Bloody idiots couldn't e'en be trusted te keep 'old of a child.  *Yelling loud enough to be heard below*  Blast!  Keep 'elpin' like this and we all will end up in the fire with Marchand turnin' the spit!  *Stops, stares into distance, sees the white bird approach; watches as he lands and shape shifts.  Grabs him*  Are ye daft, boy???  We're not in Deppville anymore, here there be monsters.  Are ye tryin' te get yerself killed?  Are ye???  Ye'll give me yer word, ye'll not pull such a stunt again, or I'll be lockin' ye in the brig and ye can be shape shiftin te entertain the mice!!!  *Anger spent, breathing hard, she pulls him into her arms holding him tightly, relieved that he's safe*

Raven *hugs Kat, starts talking fast, stammering*  I- I’m sorry, Mother … I had t’ go.  Manouche was … goin’ t-to kill herself so nobody would find th’ box, but she didn’t do it ‘cause a coconut fell on her head, from when I landed in th-th tree … an’ then we s-s-s-aw Grandmother Ama, an’ she t-t-tol’ us ww-we have t’ work together, an’ we’ll know what to do … an’ we’re s’posed to help you.  M-Manouche is gonna help you with your magic … but she has to take th’ b-box back to the guardians, she can’t leave it wh-where she hid it 'cause it w-w-won't be destroyed.  *pauses to take breath, looks at Kat, eyes dark and solemn*  G-grandmother said y-you need to r-remember, y’ need to b-b-believe.  *turns to stare at island, sees they’re getting closer*

*Sergeant Godley and Inspector Abberline emerge from below, hearing only the last words spoken by Raven.*

Abberline:  Raven, you are back!

Godley:  You should not have done that, boy!

Abberline *turning to Kat*  I doubt you could have deterred him from going once he heard Manouche was in grave danger.  *looks at her and Raven thoughtfully*  In my opinion, you both should stay on the ship.  What was that about remembering?  What did he mean?  *turns to look at the island.*

Kat:  How the bloody 'ell should I know?  None of it makes sense.  I don't 'ave any magic, ne'er 'ave.  It's insane!  Believe???  Remember????  Why does she only give us riddles.  We'll die tryin' te understand.  *Glares at Abberline*  I agree that Raven should remain on board.  But I got no intention of sittin' 'ere waitin' for death te come callin'.

Raven *looks at Abberline*  She ... she tol' Manouche to ... take care with you.  She ... she said you have vision, but that you're .. vul .... vul-vul-ner'ble.  *eyes fill with tears, he looks from Abberline to Kat, then to Godley*  Don't make me stay on th' ship, I wanna help.

Abberline:  You are staying right here, Kat.  You are not going anywhere near that island and the box.  It needs you and it needs Raven, I can't allow you getting in the hands of those guardians.

Godley *looking anxiously at both of them*  So what are the plans, Inspector?  Did you see something?

Abberline:  Vulnerable?  Me?  But I don't have a connection with the box.  It is you and Kat who are vulnerable, Raven.

Kat *turns outraged*  You won't allow????  It'll be a bloody cold day in 'ell a fore I'll e'er be takin' orders from any man, much less ye!!!!  *nods head toward Raven*  Besides, he says yer vulnerable … seems ye should be stayin' on the ship with Raven.

Raven:  She said there are things Father needs to remember, too.  An’ she said Manouche an’ me, we have to stick together, an’ Manouche needs to help Mother.  She said it’s th’ only way we’ll beat Marchand.  D-don’t you see, we all have to go.  *looks at Kat*  Mother, it keeps repeating in my head ... heart an' soul ...

Abberline *raising voice*  She apparently does not know what she's talking about, does she!  I know more than anyone of you about this box ...

Godley:  But you also know that this devil's tool and its ghastly guardians can't be destroyed with your gun.  So, ladies and gentlemen, I think we will settle this little argument and move ourselves to the boats.

Abberline:  No, don't you see!  It's not ...

Godley:  They're right, Inspector. Yes, I see, I see that you haven't told me all, or maybe it really is you who has to do some remembering.  Don't forget who saved you last time.