Captain Amia, now of the Valencia, sat up in the crow’s nest of her new ship, watching the last of the crew board. From her perch, she could see most of the city, but not nearly as much as she may have on a larger ship. Smoke still billowed from some areas of Chariot, especially closer to the fort where most of the cannons had focused on the last attack. There was movement all over town as people tried to salvage their homes or businesses. While the port usually had a lively feel to it, this morning it felt much more sombre. People were afraid of the livelihoods they may lose to the Marrans.

It came as a surprise to Amia that Avoir put together the crew so quickly. Barely a full day had passed since the last, move devastating yet, attack. The best of the best, he said he’d given her. She didn’t doubt it as she watched the crew file across the boarding plank; she could recognize some that she knew by reputation. However, the mission Avoir was sending them on was more surprising to her than his connections, impressive though they were. A legend, she thought. He has us chasing a legend.

The Raven Queen’s Crown. No one even knew what it granted, other than “immense power.” That was lost to time. Some people speculate. Perhaps it grants magical powers, like the Persephane Dagger does. Or perhaps control over ravens, or the dead, like necromancy. If it does exist, the one thing that’s certain is that it’s power will come with a price. Amia knew the crew was aware of what they signed on for, but she still wondered why on earth they agreed to it. Money, perhaps. Avoir had plenty of that. In her case, Avoir was lucky she trusted his judgement.

As about half of the crew was boarded on the ship, the captain adjusted her hat and swung herself over the railing of the crow’s nest. There was no ladder; she climbed down the rigging. She held a beam above her head with one foot resting in a loop of rope, hovering above the crew.

“All right, everyone! Get settled into your quarters!” she called, loud enough for the whole crew to hear her. “We set sail as soon as possible.”

---

---

One crew member was boarding the ship with a bottle of rum in hand. Her red, wavy hair was blowing in the light summer breeze, and she looked absolutely appalled to be awake at such an early hour. She carried a small sack, though most of her supplies was being loaded on board in a box. Kerris, along with the captain, first mate, quartermaster, and usually a medic of some sort would have their own private quarters aboard. Luckily, they didn’t need to prepare to take on much inventory besides their own rations and belongings. The captain’s room was of course the largest, but hers was second to it, as she shared it with all the documents and charts necessary for what they were going to do. She had already been aboard once to check it out.

She, hungover and unhappy, briefly avoided the crew to head to her quarters right away. Aware she would need to be back above decks to set sail soon, she took only a moment to unpack her belongings around her tiny cot in the corner of the room. The desk she would have to work at was larger than it. There were a few bookshelves covered on the walls, and a large window at the back. She walked over to the basin in the corner of the room and splashed the cool water on her face. She felt a bit more awake, but her head was still throbbing.
After taking one more mouthful of rum from the bottle to stave off the head pains, Kerris exited her rooms, locking the door behind her. The quartermaster and the captain both also had keys to it; and, she supposed, it was a flimsy piece of wood if someone really wanted to get in there. But regardless, the room was full of sensitive and important documents – and money.

As she emerged up the steps onto the deck, the sun glared in her eyes and she cringed. She sat down on a barrel near the helm, waiting for others who, unlike her, were boarding for the first time and would need another minute to find a bunk or their rooms.

Lucia twirled when she set foot on the deck of her new ship, her dark hair hitting her in the face when she stopped spinning. She was haphazardly swinging her cloth bag around since it didn't have anything important in it. She kept her weapons and gold on her person, more difficult to take that way.

"All right, everyone! Get settled into your quarters!” Someone from above shouted.

Lucia skipped over to the mast that held the crow's nest and looked up, searching for the source of the sound. She can't be too careful these days, disembodied voices were bad enough, but ones that could stab you to death were worse.

"Can't I enjoy the deck a moment longer?" Dorret called up to the nest. She had a large smile plastered on her face, not hiding the fact that she was enjoying being on a boat again.

She hugged her bag to her chest with one hand holding her hat on as she looked upward. "I'd much rather be able to see the top of the waters than the cramped spaces below deck."

@LadyTabris

"Uggh.." Fujin groaned, running his hand through his messy hair as he paced onto the deck leading up to The Valencia, otherwise known as the pirate ship to which he was the first mate of. He rubbed the bags out of his eyes and lazily rested his right arm on the hilt of his katana sticking up out of its sheathe. As his mind started to speed up, he began thinking about what he was doing on the boat in the first place. King Avoir gave them a task that had something to do with the legendary Raven Queen's crown. It almost seemed too good to be true, at first he thought it was a joke. During his years as a vagabond, Fujin had heard many great stories about that crown and the powers what would be granted onto its wielder. Nevertheless, he was very skeptical of the whole ordeal considering it was based entirely on what could be a myth. If that's the only briefing they were given, perhaps there was an ulterior motive buried within this quest? Fujin continued to ponder, but was distracted by Captain Amia who was hoisted above the crew boarding the ship by a rope which looped around her foot as she yelled down at everyone to get settled into their quarters.

"Aye aye.. capt'n" he responded sarcastically, smiling at Amia as he did so. As the wind picked up, the fresh scent of summer washed over Fujin's hair and ruffled his clothing in the breeze. He moved deeper into the ships corridors where he would find his sleeping quarters and unpack his things if need be. The floorboards creaked in agony as he stepped over them and made his way into his room, shutting the door with only a thin crack to look through. Fujin didn't have a whole lot on him at the time besides a few rations and other miscellaneous items that he set on the small desk beside his bed. He threw down his leather bag on his cotton mattress and watched it sink in. Fujin preferred to keep minimal items on his person including his water skin, gold coins, hempen rope, katana, and buckler shield. He survived a long time as a vagabond living off very minimal supplies and doing various jobs (some of which were criminal) with people from every settlement he passed through. It gave him enough money to eat that day, and that's all that mattered to him.

Reaching the deck, Fujin leaned against the hull and kissed his lips once. He took a swig of his water skin and wished it was booze. Today is going to be an interesting day.. he thought.

That early morning, the dock men had busily lugged crates and barrels of food and clean water from the dock and into the ship, passing one heavy armful to the other where these supplies were securely stored in the ship's storage hull. One of the men, skinny, scholarly looking, was keeping in check of the stocks before being boarded in, adjusting his monocle while reviewing a list on a bundle of papers. He would occasionally call out one of the seadogs and give them orders to double time on the last batch of crates.

"Right on it." A fur skirted Valian woman paced from behind him, scooping one barrel over her strong shoulder and another held to her waist as she passed by the provisions master. "Top of the mornin' to you Teddy." Slyvi greets him with a warm smile and her usual jaunty tone. Teddy made a face. " Excellent. You're finally here. I've already double checked the rations for you, hopefully it'll be enough to last until the ship's next dock. Now before anything else, let me go over the regulations, "

"This again?"

"I'm afraid so. A new ship means a new set of provisioning rules." Sylvi groaned. For almost a decade she'd been stationed from one ship to another, taking the same job and noting the same set of rules. After all, just because they're pirates doesn't mean they're a bunch of lawless hooligans. And the pirates take their provisioning rather seriously.

"You know what, hand me a list and I'll go over it once I'm settled. No time to dawdle I'm afraid. " Teddy shook his head as the Valian head towards the ship after handing her what she needed and went back to his business.

Slyvi carefully dropped the barrels on the wooden floor of the ship's storage, adjusting her bag slung to her shoulders and dusted her hands while the few dock men strode out of the room after the last barrels were placed in. After she settled her things in her quarters, a bit cramped but just as cozy, she went up the ship's deck scoping the new faces boarding in. The captain called them out to get settled. Captain Amia was no stranger to her ears. She heard the stories, mostly amongst the pirates themselves which led herself to question if these stories were actually true or just mere rumors. None the less she heard mostly good things about her, a respectable woman she thought.

Sylvi casually observed the new people coming in, all of whom she had never personally met. One was woman, a mage by the looks of her and a very, post-plastered one at that. The other was a man, carrying himself with a rather languid demeanor. Then another one who spoke, her eyes above as if directly speaking to someone up the mast. What an odd lass she thought.

"Aye, if you somehow plan on settling up there instead, better mind the weather." Sylvi, arms folded, her back leaned on the railing. She offered a warm friendly smile. "It can get violently moody. Depending where we are on the map that is." _{@LordofthePies}

Lucia turned around, her grin turning into a much warmer smile. She clutched her bag tightly to her chest, hugging it with both arms.

"I like your sound, miss. And no, I don't plan on setting up shop up there, it's much too drafty for my liking," she dropped her bag on the ground and raised her arms, taking a deep breath of the briny air. "It's been too long since I've been on a boat, I don't know how people stand it. I can't sleep the same if the ground beneath me isn't being rocked by waves."

Lucia's arms flopped down to her sides. She grabbed her hat and took a bow, "I'm Lucia, nice meeting someone that doesn't fit the common mold."

@Sputnik

Celica was not the type of person to be told what to do but when the de facto King of the free isle tells you that you're his last hope to find an obscure treasure that may or may not exist who would say no? Well Celica did say no at first, but he was adamant. After her third bottle of ale she gave in and so here she was on board the Valencia. She had already set up her lab in one of the private crew quarters. It was snug but she had space for her equipment and a bed. She had bargained for private quarters and the right to pursue whatever research she desires while on the journey. In exchange she would offer her services to the crew free of charge, including enchanting weapons if they so desired. Enchantors were highly sought after because they can create magical tools that others can use. This and many other reasons are also why enchantors are discriminated against and enslaved in most societies.

She came up on the deck as the others arrived, assuming that the captain would make some kind of introduction, and immediately regretted it. The sun was much too bright, the gulls too loud, and the crew were rowdy. It was her own fault for being hungover but that didn't stop her from being mad at the world. She recognized most of the others coming aboard, including a gloriously strong woman with bright orange hair. Quite the sight to see indeed. Celica felt a bit safer with someone like her around.

She walked along the deck, refreshed by the fresh salt air, and gave the beautiful Amazon a genuine smile @Sputnik. "Lovely day, eh miss? Good to have a reliable woman here. Wulfarth, correct? I've heard a few things about you." She glanced to the other woman "@LordofthePiesAnd you as well. I hear you're quite the archer, miss dooret." She have them a subtle curtsy and continued toward the wheel and to the railing. She sneakily retrieved a flask well hidden in her robes and took a swig. She muttered to herself "Just enough to kill the foul morning after..."

Some of the deck hands made jokes about the queen of rum, others noted that it was clearly going to be a difficult journey if king Avior thought to have the enchantress come with them. Few people in chariot hadn't heard of Celica the Enchantress, a blessing and a curse.

Ludo stared hard at his brother. “Going out again? Your trial isn’t that far off, Orm. You should be preparing, like me, not prancing around in the forest.” Orm had no reply, save an involuntary twinge of his lips, then he was out the door. Prance? No, no. Orm was going to fly. Only yesterday had he unlocked the secrets of the owl, and now he was one. Well, not yet. But soon.

Rort and Ludo watched Orm depart, his form rapidly diminishing. “Big brother?” Rort began. “I feel sorry for Orm.” Ludo only shook his head, slowly.

“Don’t.”


Orm circled high above the Valencia, beady eyes of yellow and black eyeing the sailors boarding it carefully. The majority seemed to be drunk or hungover, and he was certain one or two were trying to mend the latter with the former. Not to worry, provided they weren’t the violent sorts, and kept their foul drink far away from him. It all tasted either too bland, or felt like fire creeping down his throat, threatening to spread itself to his heart and lungs and stomach. All in all, drinking alcohol was not the way Orm preferred to spend his twilight hours, or his daylight ones, for that matter. He remembered the time he and his younger brother Rort drank themselves silly on their father’s beer. It was not a pleasant memory. When Dram, their father, found the two, they were both beaten harshly and without question. Rort blamed their discovery on Orm’s “curse”, and the two went their separate paths ever since.

Shaking himself from his reverie, Orm thrust himself into a rapid descent, his white wings cutting through the air like a hot knife through butter, the wind singing in his ears. Closer and closer the vessel grew, before he pulled up, and landed with two feet on the deck. In the blink of an eye, the seagull was gone, replaced with a man. Adjusting the hat atop his head, Orm began to amble towards the quarters below deck, even as the captain gave the order herself. Finally reaching the communal bedding area, Orm claimed for himself a proper cot stowed away against one corner, noting with some disappointment that it seemed as though it would be rather quite shorter than him, if the cot were a man.

Returning back the way he came, he eventually came back atop the deck, immediately carrying himself to the railing. Staring into the water beneath him, his hands clasped on the wooden railing tightly, Orm tried to ignore the wandering eyes he caught wherever he went, sailors being a particularly nasty breed, when it came to jibes and insults. That knowledge aside, however, the same soft smile never fell from Orm’s face, rather, Orm the Albino as he had come to be known.

Sylive watched her newly met crewmate, a talkative one she thought. She stretched her long spindly arms, almost as if touching the sky above her further emphasizing the impressiveness of her height. "Hmm-hmm. The cradling sure can be oddly comforting when you get used to it. " She responded, her fingers softly grazing her sun kissed chin.

The lanky woman later on introduced herself as Lucia. "Likewise." Slyvi wasn't quite used to such pleasantries to new crew members as opposed to the normal, rough sailor speak they call a friendly hello. It was old fashioned and quirky, but of the good kind she thought.   

”Well, Lucia, you can call me Sylvi. Most of the sailors round here have gotten used to calling me Red. I’ll give you a guess as to why.” Brushing her thick wavy hair on her side, she gave Lucia a bright friendly smile.

Not long they were approached by another one of the crew, a woman no taller than the height of her own shoulders, carrying herself in such a manner that hints class and aristocracy. Now Sylvie don’t usually see a lot of her type around here, made her a bit surprised when the woman mentioned her by name. But then again, almost, everyone knows anyone within the small city like Chariot, at least amongst the prattley sailors.

” Aye that is me. All good things I hope?” Her thick arms folded to her waist, facing the other woman with her usual laid back demeanor. ”The name's Sylvi. Say, you don’t look like the type to be hanging around with these bunch.” She watched her as she went, and thought she caught the woman steal a sip from a flask. The Valian can make a rough guess at what could be in it. ”Is't it a bit too early for that eh?” she queried.

The day couldn’t get any more peculiar when a man came sprouting out of the blue that Sylvi barely caught the entirety of the sudden commotion. She leaned to the side from her position, her hair flowed with her to get a view of the stranger, but turned out, was a newcomer to the crew. ”Impressive.” She mouthed audibly, eyes on the tall ivory man as he walked over the deck. A Northener she guessed, obvious to his features.

_{@LordofthePies@SuperNova9000}

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@Sputnik@BurningCold@SuperNova9000@LordofthePies@Sabotage@LadyTabris

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The relative quiet of the port was welcome as far as Galen was concerned. He brushed his dark fringe out of his eyes and cleared his throat as he made his way down to the docks. He would otherwise look princely if his thick hair wasn't unkempt, and there was no ruddiness or scars to mar his face. Unfortunately, his life had not been without hardship and he bore the marks to prove it. Still, he seemed fairly cordial and easy-going as he walked onto the docks.

His booted feet clacked along the timber planks, and he bit into his apple lazily as he enjoyed the new warmth of the sun now spilling over the waters of the sea. Galen breathed in the sea air deeply, and headed up the plank and onto the deck of the ship. One hand resting on his sword hilt, and the other holding the apple he still held. The men and women, mostly women it seemed, before him looked to be from vastly different parts of the world.

"Well at least you're getting along," he said to them with a closed-mouth grin. He bit into his apple once more and set himself before them, chest out. He had a fit frame, clad in dark leather and cloth over chain mail. He gave a yawn to stifle away the last bits of sleepiness that was still to be shaken from him, and he cleared his throat. "Good to meet you all. I'm Galen, your Quartermaster." He told them. His voice was smooth and low in pitch.

"It would be good for us to meet before we set sail. I am not entirely certain if any of you have served on a pirate ship before. But if you haven't, you'll need to know that I'm your best friend. So cordial first impressions are probably for the best." He casually winked at them, as if he were letting them in on a secret he'd only tell people he trusted.

Much of the walk along the port to the ship was spent rubbing the exhaustion from his eyes and thinking. The ship came into sight and he second guessed himself for a moment, even though he knew it was the right one, before stepping aboard. His face was in a look of concentration that to others might be misconstrued as anger or annoyance, but really he was just taking in the surroundings and getting his bearings. This ship was going to be his home for a while now so he had better start getting used to it. It seemed he had ended up there a bit later than the others but he didn't care all too much, there was no real point in showing up before everyone like some go-getter with something to prove. He had spent more than enough jobs on ships to be useful and more than enough time in battle to be earn his place among the others.

Isaak enjoyed the soft sway of the ship and the sun as it beamed down. As the breeze blew past he took in a deep breath and let it out, adjusting his rather small pack on his back. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling for just a moment before getting back to moving, his feet drawing slight noises from the wooden floor as he walked. The crew looked interesting to say the least, which of all things was important to know that he wouldn't be bored with everyone here. He had been on too many a crew where they excluded anyone knew or were simply just boring as all hell, how do you even make sailing boring?

He tried to get a read on the others as someone claiming to be the quartermaster arrived. The man, who introduced himself as Galen, was certainly lively, which was a bonus of sorts. Better to have someone who cared for his job and crew in the position than one who was apathetic to both. Isaak smiled slightly at him and nodded towards him in a sort of silent hello. After a bit of hesitation he walked over to him to introduce himself.

"Nice to meet you, Galen, I'm Isaak. I like your sword, if you can use it as deftly as your words I'm sure we're in good hands." He said with a nod. Didn't hurt to show a little respect, though it didn't cross his mind that most normal people don't start talking to someone by complimenting their sword, but it was the only observation he could make in the moment. He was very curious though about that sword, how well could this Galen use it? He almost hoped to cross blades with him in the future. Scratch almost, Isaak added him to the list of the people he wants to fight, which wasn't a short list.

@POOHEAD189

"Where did you hear that, miss?" Lucia responded to Celica, but nearly immediately switched the conversation to her redheaded friend.

"It's midnight somewhere, Slyvi," She didn't like using nicknames, they were usually born from insults. Lucia was called island trash, which slowly translated to Ice, which moved to Black Ice, due to her skin tone. As cool as it the name sounded, it had a terrible origin. Dorret would always, always use the person's name unless given a reason otherwise.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one that saw another crew member go from bird to ghost," Lucia leaned to the side, taking a better look at the birdman. As much as she tried, she couldn't see through people.

@Sputnik@BurningCold@SuperNova9000

After she called out her orders, Amia's attention was first directed to one sailor who spoke to her. The question was contrary to her orders, but she deemed it unimportant. If discipline was an issue, it could be dealt with later. She looked at the sailor, a Chorn woman, and shrugged. She didn't know her, but she knew Avoir had chosen well and she would trust his judgement. The captain turned her attention to other things while the crew members began to talk with each other instead.

The ship's captain surveyed her crew for a time, watching people and supplies come aboard. She waited up in the rigging until she saw that the workers had loaded all of the supplies they needed onto the ship. She swung down on the rope, landing firmly on the ship's deck, before walking over to the boarding plank. Amia looked out over the docks to ensure no one and nothing was being left behind before she nodded to a deckhand on her left and ordered, "Bring the plank on board. We're heading out."

She marched past the crew, heading up the stairs to the top of the deck by the wheel. She stood up top, leaning on the railing and called everyone's attention to herself. "Everyone listen up! We've got a mission to do, so we'd better get moving," she announced, projecting her voice loud enough that the crew could hear that she had said something, at least. After that, she gave everyone a second to come within earshot. "We're sailing west to follow a lead in Arrylia. Once we're out of the Labyrinth, it's only a couple smooth days of sailing, usually. We'll dock at a small town called Afton and investigate from there. For now, I need everyone to focus on sailing out of the Labyrinth in one piece - though I'm sure most of you are used to it. Kerris!"

The woman, slumped on a barrel and nearly drifting into sleep, roused herself. "Uhhhm.. Cap'n?" The Elsmerean shook herself awake and slid off her seat.

"Come guide us through," Amia ordered Kerris, who climbed up the steps and made her way over to the bow of the ship. She set herself down nearly over the rail, so she could get a good look at the current and at what was ahead of them. From there, she could shout out to the captain if they needed any correction on the course. Luckily, it was unlikely she would have to do any of that, as sailing out of the Labyrinth was much, much easier than sailing into it.

Kerris leaned down over the edge, looking at the water bubbling around the bow of the ship. Algae and barnacles coated the ship, just barely visible along where the ship rested in the water. The mage reached out and released a trickle of her magic, just getting prepared for the feeling. She directed it into the water below her, creating a small whirlpool the size of a coin. She cut it off, but just touching the magic had cleared her head slightly and she felt more prepared for keeping an eye on their progress.

"All right! We need the sails released, and people on the ropes to tie them off. I'll be on the helm. Let's get moving," Amia directed. She wasn't very harsh in her orders, and was concerned that perhaps she might be too forgiving as a captain. When leading, she tended to gain trust and respect instead of using fear. However, she knew the value of authority in certain situations and hoped she would be able to shout orders as well as any captain. She looked over her crew; they seemed a good sort, and she had people she could rely on.

Leaving the crew to get the ship ready to sail, she turned to the helm. Sailing out of the Labyrinth wasn't as much of an ordeal as sailing in; it was just sailing along a rather narrow passage with a strong current. On the way in, a crew would have to change course and sail orientation many times, but on the way out, everything goes in place once and you hold your breath. It looks a bit unsettling to be so close to shore you can touch the trees, but rarely did anything go wrong on the way out. With everything in order, the ship should be able to just sail straight out of the channel.

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@LadyTabris@LordofthePies@CaptainCaptcha@Sputnik@BurningCold@SuperNova9000@Sabotage

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Well, those intros were done shortly. Galen gave Isaak the smile of a comrade, and then went about his business. He couldn't right blame the Captain for starting them off quick, though. The crew did have a place to go, and voyages were long treks being in close quarters. They'd all get to know each other, eventually. "Alright, you heard the Captain!" He called. "Any of you girls, and lad, do well enough I might just put in a good word to the Captain to see you made Sailing Master. Now get on it! Hoist the sail, push us off, and get us going!"

He slapped his hip as he called out, intending to make it well known that he was the leader, past the Captain and First Mate. Not out of arrogance, but out of trust. As long as the crew did what they needed to do, he would speak to the Captain on behalf of the crew. Now once the others had gone about their business, Galen would check the cabin logs for foodstuffs, water, and weapons. Make sure they were all accounted for, for the voyage.

"You don't see something like that everyday." Sylvie turned back at Lucia, and not long another character came to their presence. The quartermaster, Galen, has a spirited aura about him, she finds it quite charming even.The scar on his face suggests a man of experience, despite his youthful features. The captain gave the first order to the crew, finally they were about to set sail, Slyvi is so familiar of the process of it, she could do it in her sleep. With her physical ability most of the time they relied on her to do such arduous tasks all the time, she didn't mind that of course. After all somebody had to be the reliable labor man in the crew.

"You got it, Cap." Sylvi stood up from her leaning position, "Watch and learn lads." She smiled in a way her cheeks went bright with enthusiasm, her words intended with affection rather than showing off. She went over to the sails, loosening the thick rope and hoisted the sails with her lumberjack arms, working together with the crew. The sails elegantly glide down below the mast's height, as the ship begins it's departure. It felt good sailing again. It hadn't been that long since the last time she did, but for years the sea had felt more of a home to her than the dryness of land itself, as odd as it may sound.

_{@LordofthePies@LadyTabris@POOHEAD189}

While the others focused on getting the ship to sail Celica couldn't help but look towards the shoreline as it began to drift away. She has built a life there selling goods to sailors and privateers, conducting research in the realms of science and magic. She wondered how her shop would fair without her constant guidance. She had left her adopted son and most promising apprentice, Alistair(21), in charge. Over the years he had become an integral part of her business.

When Celica first met him she had just come to the free isle, he was just a poor young boy who would do small tricks with his illusions to earn a living. With his magic ability he needed a tutor, but more importantly he needed someone to look after him. Celica never expected to become a mother but life has ways of dropping things in your lap, so to speak. It wasn't long after that a young girl showed up, an ice mage named Morgan(18),barely talented enough to chill water but determined non-the-less. She too became a part of the family.

She worried about her children, her business, and her home. She would find the Raven Queen's Crown and crush anything in the way be it monsters or empires.

She turned away from the isle as if to rid her mind of it and took another swig from her flask. The others were busy getting the ship moving out of the labyrinth of waterways. She watched as something else interested her, a tall redheaded woman moving across the deck from one thing to the next as easily as breathing. Celica herself wasn't really expected to sail so she remained on deck to watch the men and especially women working.

The rest of the crew was standing around talking amongst each other and intermingling. Fujin didn't talk much in the morning unless he wanted something. For the time being he remained groggy and watched his reflection in the water. Algae accumulated around the ship's hull like moths to a flame and stuck together in clusters. He figured it was about time to do his job, so he got up and started walking around the perimeter of the deck. Being the first mate it was his duty to maintain all the cargo that was on board and check any loot that went off the boat and came onto it as well. Fujin lifted a few barrel covers and counted all of the crates they had. He figured everything had been accounted for, so he shrugged and went back to his "post". Captain Amia stormed past the crew and gathered them around in a cluster. She announced that she had got a lead in Arrylia and that's where they would be sailing next. Fujin scoffed but didn't bother making any comments on his disbelief of what they were chasing. He was just coming along for the ride and the exploration that came with it. He had always wanted to see the world which is partly why he spent a chunk of his life aimlessly wandering about. If you didn't enjoy what the world had to offer then you might miss something fun. At least that's how Fujin thought about it.

Shortly after Amia gave the commands to get The Valencia on the move. Her orders were direct and clear, but they were far from harsh. This isn't to say Captain Amia was a pushover, but Fujin happened to admire that her relationships were built on trust instead of fear. It made him more willing to take commands from her. Walking over to the mast, Fujin pulled down on the halyard and hoisted the main sail. As the mainsail was released, its off-white fabric began to flap around in the wind as it flowed through its material. As the rest of the sails were released one-by-one, it appeared as if the ship was coming to life, just itching to set sail.

Get ready Arrylia, The Valencia is coming.

As the crew got the ship moving, Amia prepared herself at the helm. In moments, the ship had lurched to life. A strong with pushed the sails, moving the ship steadily forwards towards their destination. The Valencia crept into the narrow channel without issue.

“Kerris, are we on track?” Amia called. The weathermage called back her affirmative from the ship’s bow.
The ship sailed through the thin channel at an astounding pace, the branches on the trees hanging out close enough that the crew members would be able to reach out and touch one if they tried; however, that would hurt, as they were rushing forwards at a fast pace, accelerated by winds and magic.

At the mouth of the channel an island sat, one which the crew was on track to hit – or at least, it appeared that way. Amia, in a practiced fashion, turned the wheel two notches to the right and Kerris focused herself on the waves beneath them. The crew held tight to keep the ship’s sails in place, and the ship made a near-ninety degree turn to the right, sailing smoothly past the island and into the open ocean.

“All right everyone, we did it,” Amia called out. “Now, let’s get moving.”

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The journey to Arrylia took about a week and a half. The natural current was on their side when travelling this path, so it was smooth sailing right through to the end. The captain spent most of her time up on the helm, even when she wasn’t really steering. She enjoyed being up there in the fresh air, and it also was a good vantage point to survey her crew from.

“There it is! Only a couple hours now.”

Anyone above decks would have been able to hear the shout from the lookout on duty. Kerris squatted up in the bird’s nest, pointing out straight ahead of the ship at the appearance of a distand land. It was a large continent and they were sailing right at the middle, so as they approached the land, the ocean on either side was absorbed by the green forests.

As estimated, the crew sailed the ship into the small port town of Afton. The ship’s pirate colours hidden away and replaced with Lybertayn merchant flags, it came as no surprise. The dock workers aided the crew in securing the ship and asked few questions, unlike if they had tried to dock at a larger town. Here, they were used to ships simply stopping for a few nights ashore, and Amia wanted to be sure they didn’t look too suspicious. They would hang for piracy, regardless of if they had actually captured any ships.

Before the boarding plank went out, Amia called a few crew members around her to give them instructions about their mission. As the smaller group gathered around her, she started to outline the plan.

“I have a contact here who is going to be meeting us here when we disembark: her name is Kossara. After that, we’ll need to get to Harravel Mountain, north-west of this town. She’s familiar with Arrylia, as I’m sure a few of you are, so that should help.” She sighed. “After we get to the mountain, I am not sure what we’ll face. What we’re looking for is supposed to be somewhere inside, but since no one has ever returned from entering, I have no idea what that will be. But, I am sure that those of us here are up for the challenge. So… let’s get travelling out of town. It should be an afternoon’s trek.”

After she finished giving her orders, she directed that people be allowed to disembark the vessel. A skeleton crew would remain at port, stay at inns, do business, and make sure the Valencia stayed safe, while the strongest group headed out in search of the crown.

Amia squinted at the hustle and bustle of people on the docks, trying to spot Avoir’s contact, Kossara. She wasn’t sure what the woman would look like, but assumed she would be able to find their group based on the name of the ship. She must be one of those people. The Captain stepped up onto the thin plank and led the way off of her ship, some of the crew heading off behind her at different speeds.

Mac had her mother sprawled on the bed and was currently trying to keep the older woman still. "Mom..." Elia's daughter pleaded in mock exasperation. "If you keep squirming about like that I can't help you."

"But how do you know turning me into a pin-cushion will help with my back ache?" Elia retorted not without a healthy dose of mistrust, staring dubiously at her daughter's acupuncture needle set.

Mac sighed. She'd had many talks with her mother since she'd come back to the Reflection Isle about their different approach to healing. Her mother had accepted some of Mac's suggestions concerning the use of medicinal herbs and such, but was still untrusting of the more outlandish ideas such as acupuncture, acupressure, etc. Finally the two had decided that Elia would try an acupuncture session to alleviate her chronic back ache that came with the burdens of her profession. Which was why she was currently fidgeting on the bed as a child who was about to get spanked. Sara took a deep breath and explained for the hundredth time. "How do you know to cleanse a wound before closing it?" She asked patiently.

Elia gave her daughter a why-would-you-even-ask-such-a-question look. "Because the wound would spoil and won't heal properly." She answered anyway.

"Yes." Sara smiled. "But how do you know that?" She insisted.

Elia looked at her daughter even more incredulously. "Because I've seen it happen enough times, Sara. I've taught you all of this. Why do you ask these unnecessary questions?"

Mac smiled again. "Okay, okay, don't get testy with me." She squeezed her mother's hand. "My point is, you know from experience and study it works, right?"

"Right..." Elia squinted at her daughter, realization settling within. A small smile appeared on her lips. Her little girl had painted her into a corner. "Fine." She conceded with laughter. "Let's do this then if it's for science."

Mac smiled and began slowly and with steady hand to position the needles just as Samira had thought her. Just as she'd observed in secret Rom do from time to time, but had never dared to teach her. For a time her mother lay quiet and still and Sara allowed herself to get fully immersed into the procedure. But it wasn't long before she felt her mother tense again and shook her head. "Now what?" She asked with a chuckle.

"I didn't say a thing." Elia tried evading.

"I can feel you tensing beneath my fingers, mom."

Elia sighed and tried again to relax. "It's this business of you leaving to help with some crazy mission. The Raven Queen's crown is a myth, honey. It's a fool's errand. Not to mention who's the backer of this endeavor. Avoir rules over lowlifes!" Her mother finished indignantly.

"Mom..." Sara said gently. "The Free Isle is home to all sorts of people. Not just pirates and criminals. The Marrans are threatening their home. Of course they would want to protect it."

"Fine." Elia shifted and tried to sit up, but her daughter pushed her gently to lie back. "Let them protect their home. Why do they need you? Why did Avoir call for you?!" Her mother finished exasperated. Ever since her girl had returned home after ten years of thinking she was dead and hoping beyond hope she wasn't, Elia had a hard time accepting whenever her daughter had to travel. Yes, her little girl had grown up and could certainly take care of herself. The Gods knew she believed that after she'd learned what Sara had survived. But to her she was still her little girl, which she had pushed to set sail over the silly matter of looking the Lady’s' daughter with lustful eyes. She felt responsible for everything her daughter had to suffer trough even though Sara had assured her more than once since she'd come back, that she wasn't to blame. But now, more than ever, she was determined to keep her girl safe, if she could.

Mac kneeled to look her mother in the eyes. "Mom I can't tell you not to worry, because I know that's not a possibility for a mother. But I will tell you this. The Marrans have their sights on the Free Isle now. But what will happen once it is under their rule. Where do you think they will turn to? Arrylia is theirs. The Reflection Isle managed to keep its independence, but how long do you think we'll last if the Marrans give us their full attention? If there is even the slimmest of chances this mission could help us I would spare no effort to keep my birthplace free of foreign dominion."

Elia closed her eyes. Tears of resignation streamed sideways over her nose. Her girl had grown into a magnificent woman and she feared not all of it was her doing. But she was proud none the less. She nodded slowly. "I just worry." She half sobbed.

Mac took her mother's face in her palms and kissed her forehead. "I know. But I promise to be careful."

"That's all I can ask." Elia said quietly.

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Mac had made port in Afton a day or two prior to when Avoir had told her to expect the Valencia. Sara'd lived on ships long enough to know that Mother Nature didn't often allow for a strict schedule of arrival or departure. She had given some coin to a boy that helped with odd jobs around the port and had asked him to inform her immediately of the ship's arrival with promise of additional payment. When the next morning he'd come running to the inn she was staying in with the news that the ship she was expecting had just made port, she'd payed the lad, quickly settled her account with the innkeeper and set out to meet with the ship's captain, which she knew from Avoir, was told to be expecting her there.

She didn't know what the captain would be like. She just had a discription and her name - Amia. She walked purposefully among the throng of the morning crowd. All her necessities packed neatly in a sack strapped to her back. The hilt of her ninjato, also strapped to her back, barely peecking over the bulk of the pack. She also carried a large bag with personal healer supplies, most of which would be left aboard the Valencia. Ashore she would only take the bare necessities.

When she neared the port she started scanning the crowd and the docked ships. Even before seeing the Valencia she felt someone's keen watchful eye scanning the crowd, just as she was doing herself. She turned her head and locked eyes with a dark-skinned woman, with a coin-shaped scar on her cheek and a shock of short curly hair. Mac recognized her from Avoir's description as captain Amia and started making her way carefully to her. Such quiet intensity. Mac thought to herself. Quite beautiful.

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@LadyTabris@LordofthePies@CaptainCaptcha@Sputnik@BurningCold@SuperNova9000@Sabotage

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The initial flight of the vessel had Galen raising an eyebrow and gazing at the passing trees as they zipped by. He almost didn't go below decks to count their stock so he could continue to watch the spectacle, though of course he caved in the end. T'was his duty as Quartermaster, after all.

As he stepped down below, he sent a wink Sylvi's way to show he liked knowing there was such a hard worker on board. He gave a smile and then hopped down below decks, checking the logs and then the food stores. Seemed everything was in order, provided they made it to port on time. Judging by the wind magicians powers, the only way they wouldn't get there on time if if they collided with another boat, or rock.

"Now that would be unfortunate," he deadpanned to himself, flipping through the next page in the log to check the crew names. He decided now was the best time to memorize them.

A week and a half later.

They had quite the group onboard. He was glad he didn't have perform his harsher duties as Quartermaster, such as meting out punishments to the crew (or the captain for that matter). Thankfully, they were more or less a fun bunch. The Captain and First Mate were amiable, which was a load off of his mind.

Lucia was quite fit to be a pirate, he concluded. Opportunistic and savvy (he should duel her at some point). Isaak was like many young sailors he'd known, and Celica was eccentric to say the least, though charming. He decided he quite liked Sylvi's work ethic, not to mention her attitude. He'd probably promote her at some point (maybe a grab a drink with her as well). Orm now...that one was an oddity to say the least.

Once they landed, he swung by a rope down to the deck, halting his swing with a booted foot thudding into a barrel. Galen lashed on his belt and sidesword, giving a raised voice to the crew. "Alright lads and lasses! Stay out of trouble! Save the corsair gruffness for past the town, savvy?"

As a strong wind gusted through the sails, The Valencia's boards roared as the ship took off with a great speed. Fujin truly felt like a pirate, and more importantly he truly felt like he was free in that moment. It was a feeling that never got old. The trip took about a week and a half. With only a limited number of things the crew could do on the boat, recreational activities were mostly limited to playing cards and getting drunk off your ass. Fujin tried to make the best of it, however. He didn't mind chilling out for hours on end if he didn't have to do anything in that time.

Fujin was sound asleep when the captain yelled that they were closing in on Arrylia. He startled and shook himself awake in that moment, turning his head over his shoulder to look at the distant land as they were closing in on it. It would only be a couple of hours now. Quickly, he did an assessment on all the cargo that was on the vessel before it docked. It seemed everything was in order, and Fujin would be able to relay these details back to dock workers if any asked.

Upon arrival, Captain Amia outlined what was planned for the stay at Arrylia for the crew. They would be meeting with Kossara, a contact who would assumingly embark with the crew to Harravel Mountain. From what they were told, those who entered this mountain never returned. Fujin cocked a brow in skeptical confusion, not deterred by what he brushed off as rumors. Interesting enough, he couldn't wait to get off this boat and stretch his legs a little more.

The Quartermaster seemed to appear out of nowhere, dropping down from a rope onto the deck as The Valencia sat calmly in the port. In a cliche pirate pose, with one boot on the barrel, The Quartermaster lightheartedly warned the crew to stay out of trouble in the town. Laughing, Fujin responded,

"What fun is it if we don't get into a little trouble?" he said, shooting a smile at Galen. @POOHEAD189