The journey was spent researching a number of topics. A crewman suggested stronger gunpowder, another wanted to enchant the hull and make it stronger, both fairly straightforward. It was just a small distraction from her research on a degenerative muscle disease that plagued her son Alistair. Every once in a while Celica would go to the upper deck and lazily toss a bomb overboard, the bomb would float for a moment before detonating, and then Celica would gauge the strength of the bomb based on the height the water reached upon detonation. It was a simple test but apparently disruptive so she was forced to scale down her tests. She gave a rousing about the mysteries of the world, opening the mind, sprinkled it with a few obscenities, and capitulated to their demands.

When finally they arrived at port she was a bit apprehensive. Court spies were always around, even in backwater towns like this one. She had prepared a mask of sorts, changed her hair from it's deep black to a simmer auburn with dyes, and fashioned an unassuming robe with a cloak. The only other thing she needed was an excuse to have that Valian woman come with her.

She wandered around till she found her. @Sputnik "There you are Ms. Wulfarth, I've been looking for you. (Celica gives a curt bow) I'd like to ask a favor of you. You see I'm not really much for swordplay so I'd feel much safer with a woman like you around. In exchange I can offer any of my many services to you for free, sound fair?" Celica have a sweet smile and puffed out her chest as she looked up to the gorgeous Amazon before her.

---

Sylvi spent the next week and a half dutifully fulfilling her job as the ship's faithful cook, where she'd spent most of the days in the kitchen below deck, organizing stocks and generally keeping the place upright. Other than that, she'd go above deck, manning the sails where it would be the only time she'd get to socialize with the other crew. Sometimes she would happily insist on accompanying the quartermaster in checking the rations, and other supplies for that matter if he ever happens to pass by her way.

Yet in between those she makes sure to take a few breaths every once in a while. She'd take part in the crew's small gatherings to pass time, they were quite genial though there wasn't much to do other than exchanging tales over drinks or betting whoever gets to drink more before the other passes out. Sylvi isn't much of a drinker so she would mostly just watch to her amusement.

The week and a half passed and it felt like it hadnt been that long. Sylvie hoisted the merchant flag as they come close to a few hours on the docks of Afton. Halvard loved the visits to Aryllia. He always preferred the stone jungles of the the city, rather than quiet seclusion of the countrysides. Sylvi never really liked the city. It would be the first time she'll set ever set foot there again since her husband's death.

The captain briefed them of their objectives. Sylvi should be definitely up for the challenge, though there was still some circumspection in her part, if it were really that dangerous. Though she feared for herself, more so to the crew with her.

As she gathered her things below deck before moving out, she was greeted by the enchantress, and with a favor to ask. Sylvi thought it would be ideal to have each other's back if they're ever going to delve into the dangerous unknown. She returned a smile at the shorter woman, "Of course. I'd be happy to. " She responds. " I'd feel safer myself being close to a skilled enchantress. A great way to compliment each other's strengths, eh?" the Valian gave her a friendly smile, with a laid back demeanor she casually patted her shoulder, a little bit harder than it should.

_{@SuperNova9000}

Kerris hung back a bit as other crew members filed off the ship as she was in no hurry to leave the swaying deck. It was where she felt most comfortable. However, soon she knew she had to leave, as she had to meet the Captain, and she wanted to make a stop as well. The group would need to head out soon, so she grabbed her own bag of supplies for a trek across land; it had been some time since she had done that.

The red-haired woman balanced across the plank easily, and felt almost as home melting into the hustle and bustle of the port city as she did on board a ship. She had never been to this town in particular before, but it was generally easy to find a place to restock her shore bag.

Such a place stood out to her after not too long of searching. It was a simple shop a few streets away from the water, simply called “Jack’s General Store.” The building was rather simple, like most of the town, and especially compared to some of the sights Kerris had seen in her day. Most houses were wood and stone with very little décor, though many places had a bit of coloured paint and gardens. The general store had troughs out front where a couple of horses were tied off, and the wood was all painted a dark green. It looked welcoming. She approached the door and pushed it open, triggering a little bell.

“Hello there!” A man, presumably Jack, greeted her upon her entry. He was clean looking, but simple. His hair was graying and he had a bushy beard.

“Good morning,” Kerris replied. A few other customers were browsing his shelves, of which there weren’t many. They held simple tools and other items of that sort; no weapons, nor anything of fancy quality. Mostly sturdy, handy things to have around. Behind Jack’s counter, there were other items, such as grain for horses and dried meat, cheeses, and breads for people. She approached Jack and asked, “could I get a bag of the pork and a loaf of bread?”

“Of course!” the jolly man agreed, and turned to grab the requested items from behind himself. “That’ll be two pieces.”

Kerris smiled and paid the kind man. She packed the food into her bag after taking out a piece of meat to snack on and headed back out into town. With that errand over, she started heading for the edge of town to meet Amia.

She arrived at the beginning of a sandy road, where few people were travelling. It seemed like not many came to this town except by water. She was the first to arrive, so she set up camp on a rock near the road where others could see her and began to wait for the rest to finish their business.

---

---

As Amia made her way through the crowds on the dock, she thought she spotted a woman similar in description to what Avoir had told her. With no other way to be sure, the Captain made her way over to the woman, and as she approached, noticed that she had been seen, making her more sure this was Kossara. When she finally reached the other woman, she offered her hand. “I’m Captain Amia. Are you Kossara?”

"Ah, Captain Amia." Mac acknowledged the woman as soon as she approached and offered her hand in greeting. "Yes, I'm Kossara. Avoir said you'd be needing a healer and also someone who is familiar with these lands." Sara took the woman's hand and shook it firmly. And it was a rough hand as it was to be expected. A sailor's hand. "Show me where to set up, stow my things and I'll be ready to help in whatever way I can."

She looked around, sailors scurrying around the deck of the ship. Most, grungy looking as being a sailor wasn't the cleanest of occupations. So many people stuffed together aboard a ship, along with the supplies it carried. The lengthy periods they spent between making port and having to tend to their hygiene. Cleanliness was often last on their list of things to do. But still proper hygiene was necessary for good health. She would have to insist the crew at least cleaned up nicely before they had to leave port. She knew a ship could afford to carry only a limited amount of clean water, mostly used for drinking and cooking. Still, nature provided often. Rainwater could be collected for bathing needs, as well as for drinking and cooking. She would have to speak with the quartermaster about that.

"From what Avoir told me, our mission won't be an easy one and quite possibly a lengthy one as well. I will do my best to tend to your sailors' health needs, but I will say this now. They would have to meet me half way. I know what I'm doing and why it needs doing, if one of your sailors should decide to oppose me I will not tolerate it and you would have to find yourself a new healer." Mac fell silent for a minute allowing the Captain to absorb what she'd just said. "I have a lot invested in this mission as well and it would pain me to abandon it because of silly tantrums. I wouldn't be here if Avoir didn't think I had something to offer this endeavor. So I would ask of you to caution your crew as to who is the boss, so to speak, while in the sick bay and when it concerns health issues." She paused again. Captain Amia listening intently, waiting for her to finish. "Is that agreeable?"

---

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

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Galen chuckled at Fujin's comment. "Just not the notable worth of trouble," he corrected himself with. "A pirate's trouble in a new port'll only give you a rope around your neck." He leaped, and landed amid the crew members as they'd gathered. He gave sailors a wink. "I for one, have far more ambitious plans."

With that, the Quartermaster made his way into the town. He might by wily, and perhaps even a bit rogueish, he wouldn't have been recommended as Quartermaster if he wasn't a responsible man as well. He kept check of the sun to determine the time of day. He wouldn't be late for the gathering of when they'd go off into the wilderness. He felt keen on meeting their new healer as well. He'd met a few, and knew they were always in high demand.

Other than gathering a few supplies, and winning a small knife throwing bet that brought him a few coins, he'd not done much about town. Soon he found himself in the local Tavern, having himself a drink. He'd sit here until it was time to head further inland. He had a few more coins to spend, so why not?

---

Sylvi made her way around town together with the enchantress by her side. She would spark up a conversation, anything that's under the weather works for her. The Valian has her way in keeping up her affable demeanor, as she wanted her and the new crew to feel comfortable around her, even just as simple as having someone to talk to or listen to. And she genuinely appreciates Celica for the trust she has given her.

After a few short stops for supplies and still a lot of time ahead, Slylvi decided to wait the rest of the day till the captain decides when they'll ventured off for the mission. With her personal errands done, Sylvi took the time to wander off from one shop to another, just randomly browsing some wares and other Aryllian localities. There was a feeling of warmness and melancholy, everything about Aryllia reminded her of good memories.

Sylvi suggested to stop by the Tavern, it would seem likely that most of the crew would end up going here, so she decided to go and stay there. She waved at the barman for a drink, while she waits she caught a glimpse of the quartermaster, Galen. As soon as she got her mug, Sylvi walked over to him, " Boss." she greets in a jovial tone and sat close. Taking a sip of her drink, she helplessly made a face. This particular drink did not suit her taste, not like the last time she was here. " They sure don't make em like they used to." she mused loudly.

_{@SuperNova9000 @POOHEAD189}

Fujin was one of the last crew members off the boat. He rested his left arm on the hilt of his blade in a lazy fashion as he made his way into Arrylia. First things first, he would need to eat. Fujin was hungry, borderline starving even. It was almost second nature for him at this point to locate the nearest tavern in every town and indulge.

The atmosphere was fairly busy, there was quite a bit of hustle and bustle amongst the commoners and other such ilk in town square. The general culture wasn't outstandingly wealthy, but everyone looked at least somewhat well off as it appeared there was plenty of work to go around. Fujin found the whole infrastructure a little posh which didn't interest him. In fact, it almost turned him the other way.

Proceeding into the tavern, Fujin would find himself a seat by the rest of his crew mates, keeping his head low until he actually sat himself onto one of the sturdy wooden pub chairs. The inside was mainly filled with locals like fishermen and other gruff looking individuals. He couldn't help but notice that the interior was awfully dank. A couple of Fujin's crew mates had already found seats inside and began drinking. He peered up at the barman and gestured him over with his eyes. It was a trick that one of his old friends from the bigger city showed him in his youth. He got a poor man's wine, filtered through some sort of seed or grain and a large serving of rice and fish.

Fujin ate quickly, borderline wolfing down his food. Somehow, he managed to do this in a relatively orderly, if not clean manner. He could have easily been mistaken for someone who hadn't eaten in days, perhaps even weeks. After finishing Fujin leaned back into his seat with a feeling of satisfaction washing over him. Throughout the time he spent in the tavern he would order a few more drinks and maybe even find a local woman who he could accompany. Stirring up a bit of trouble wasn't off the list either if a situation was to be presented to him.

---

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

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---

Galen took a swig of his drink, lounging at one of the chairs of the desk. One of his boots rested on the outer cropping of one of the table's legs. He'd asked for a hearty whiskey, wanting something to bullrush his senses a bit. Or at least clear his sinuses. He'd felt a tad stuffy whenever he'd gone below decks to check all of the inventory the crew had. The spray of the sea helped somewhat, but he'd not had a good drink in awhile. Or any drink for that matter.

The company's welcome too, he thought to himself when Sylvi, the statuesque woman sauntered over to him. He scooted over a bit, giving her some more room after she plopped down beside him. He sipped his drink as she spoke, giving a grin at her comment before speaking. "So you've been here before?" He asked her, eyes glinting with curiosity. "Last time I was here I didn't stay long enough for a drink. Too busy being harassed by navy ships," he explained, setting his mug down and regarding her.

Galen was about to say more, but he saw Fujin walk in and raised his mug at the man. In truth, Galen had seen far worse crews in his life, and he was glad to have some competent people under his watch. He still needed to think on some promotions and titles for various members. Sylvi, he had an idea for.

"Sure could have used a sailor like you back then. You handle the ship well," he said with a wink. Despite his flirtatious air, his words sounded sincere. Galen was, after all, first and foremost a professional quartermaster. He might be easy going, but he knew a good deckhand when he saw one and made sure they knew it. "Tell me, what's a warrior like you doing out here as a sailor? If you don't mind my asking."

Orm wandered listlessly through the little port town known as Afton. Quaint place. More of a village than a town, really. It was a pleasant change of pace after the cramped conditions aboard the Valencia. While the ship was no shabby thing, Orm was no officer. Private quarters were a luxury he was not afforded, and a shame that was too. Though during waking hours Orm’s physical form was as fluid as his knowledge of the world’s fauna, maintaining a more animalistic shape through sleep required a concentration that he did not possess. After three nights cramped atop a cot far too small for a man of his height, the albino shapechanger could often be found pacing the deck at night, and sneaking in short naps during the day when and where he could snatch them. Orm was no true sailor anyways, his lack of presence likely only freed up space for those actually competent enough to crew a ship.

There were no illusions in his mind about why was was selected for the job. Officially, his role aboard the vessel was “lookout”, a job that anyone with a spyglass and a single functioning eye could fulfill. Indeed, various other crew members could and did take shifts in the crow’s nest in Orm’s place. He suspected the skin deep formalities extended to the majority of the landing party as well. Plenty of dangerous weapons entailed dangerous skills entailed dangerous people. The lookout wouldn’t be able to transform in a large polar bear and the cook certainly wouldn’t be toting not one, but two handaxes if Avoir didn’t expect trouble.

Eventually finding his way to the edge of town, Orm gently lay his satchel and other belongings on the ground in a tidy pile, before lying down on his back next to the rather unimpressive road leading out of town. Confident that the loaded firearm nestled in his right hand would ward off any would be thieves, Orm shut his eyes and attempted to rest.