Blake lost track of everything as they were ripped away from the comforts of the palace - there was swearing and cursing, mostly from Mallory, and then there was the night air and the smell of salt that he'd nearly forgotten, for the first time in his young life.<br/><br/>"Mal, wha's happ'nin? Why would Margo do th-"<br/><br/>A heavy hand clamped down over the lower half of his face, silencing him while filling his mouth with the taste of sweat, cigarette and possibly shit. "Margo's as evil a bitch as I know, lad, and you'll do best to start recognizing them when you see them. Might live longer. Now shut up."<br/><br/>He tried to talk again, but when no sound got past the callused fingers he did the only thing that came to mind. He bit down, putting as much force behind his teeth as he could, and there was a yelp as the hand was yanked away from him. He felt momentary joy at his small, but hard fought victory, until the hand came flying back too fast for him to even react.<br/><br/>There was a flash of bright light, and then he was opening his eyes groggily, staring up at the hulking form of a ship. He heard the waves, could hear gulls in the distance, and he realized what was happening. He twisted, trying to find Mallory, but everything was too dark and confused.<br/><br/>"Calm yourself, lad. You'll need to save that energy for what's to come."