"Into the Light" by Master Elayna

[bant.livejournal.com]

Title:Into the Light
Author:Master Elayna
Rating:Really good! NC-17
Pairing:Q/O
Warnings: None

E-mail elayna88@aol.com
Website http://www.furholt.net/elaynas_den/
LJ elayna88

Link to story:http://www.masterapprentice.org/archive/i/into_the_light.html
Reasons for recommending: Pirate Qui! Billowy pirate shirts of translucent cotton, thigh high leather boots and tight pants. Virginal but steadfast Obi. Romance on the high seas. Shirt-ripper romance.

I didn't read ARs before this story. It converted me. Even after all these years it is still is one of my favourite Q/O stories. I remember printing it out on a rainy Saturday and spending the afternoon reading it. Elayna is the master of romance. And her AR plots maybe considered somewhat formulaic as romances can be but they never disappointing or tired. There is an intensity in the Q/O relationship that supersedes its fantasy based environs. Better yet it's part of a trilogy and like Lucas's trilogies we await the third episode.





The pirate smiled again, his good humor seeming to increase diametrically in response to Ben's waspish temper. "I have been a pirate for many years, Ben. Do you know one of the reasons I have been so successful at avoiding capture?" His question failed to generate a reaction, as Ben stayed obstinately silent. "I'll tell you why, Ben. Because the British, while good, courageous people, are without a doubt, the most unimaginative, stolid lot ever to sail the seas."

"How curious. From your accent, I would have thought you were British yourself. I have never considered pirates stolid or unimaginative. Vicious and blood thirsty, perhaps."

Quinn's faint smile ignored Ben's attack as he continued, "Lately though...lately, life has changed. Someone is trying to outthink me. Someone is accurately guessing which ships are the best prey and ensuring that they are well escorted. My purchasers are being bribed and my men's women are being harassed to disclose my whereabouts. Local fishermen are being consulted about good hiding places among the reefs. I've been lucky. The Raven and the Defiance were both captured."

It was Ben's turn to merely arch his eyebrows. "Rather the risk of the profession, isn't it?"

"I find it interesting," the pirate said deliberately, "that this sudden spurt of intelligence on the part of the British coincided with your introduction on the HMS Indomitable."

Ben shrugged. The pirate leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "I believe these new strategies arise from you, Ben."





The treasures here are in the details, the turn of phrase, the language and the costume. It even extends to the bedroom or should I say the captain's cabin.

Directly following this story is "Darkness Descending". There also two MMOMs that take place after the second story from Quinn and Ben's POVs.

What can I say, these stories make me sigh. I'm a romantic at heart just not a soppy one.

http://www.masterapprentice.org/archive/d/descending.html

Comments

[splix.livejournal.com]

Love, love, love this story. Elayna is such a kickass tale-spinner; her AUs and ARs are, for me, the bar against which all other AUus and ARs are set.

I concur

[sabrinagb.livejournal.com]

My wholehearted agreement goes with the comments on this. This was my first AR/AU and it has definitely set my expectations. I have been patiently (well, maybe not) waiting for the third installment. We can only hope that it is on the way.