Got to hurry, got to hurry, got to hurry! The strawberry red haired woman hurried through the streets of Fiore, heading towards the docks. Her noble clothing left behind at home and replaced by a tattered forest green dress, her red hair flying behind her as she ran. She needed to get on a ship and on a ship TODAY before her father realized she was gone and that a certain book tucked under her arm and a rolled up piece of parchment in her hand were also missing. Would she be suspected? His only daughter? Probably not, but the fact that she wasn’t in the house would raise an alarm. An alarm she desperately wanted to avoid.

Her shoe covered feet skidded across the concert work as she turned the corner sharply and started down the pier, “What ship? What ship? What ship!?” She muttered to herself like a crazy person as she speed-walked down the path looking from ship to ship. One of these had to be going somewhere, somewhere else other than this unhelpful town.

No one in town would help her with the mission and since it wasn’t a guaranteed money the guild wouldn’t help her. And no sailors would dare take the Willington Doll, her father would skin them alive for doing so. So her idea; sneak onto a ship and hide until they dock to their next port. It couldn’t take forever right? How long was sea travel anyway? Nah, she’d be fine.

Her Sea Foam colored eyes scanned the pier taking in every ship that she could until she landed on one, a group of men were loading barrels onto a ship. “Perfect.” Sneaking her way over, she slipped into one of the barrels and the lid, she was sitting on a few bags of what felt like powder and she peaked out through the hole before her vision was cut off by the trousers of a man. Cassandra held her breathe as she listened to the conversation above her.

“This barrel’s full, put the rest in that one. Frank, come help me carry this one.” With that the barrel was lifted and carried aboard the ship.

A long, long sigh of relief left her as she felt the rocking of the ship begin. She was finally going, it was finally happening and as along as she had some time to sit and translate the Latin within the book, she would know exactly where she was going for this massive treasure to buy her freedom but for now the stress of following through with her daring plan washed away and she drifted off to sleep.

Cassandra didn’t know how long she slept but she was fully aware when she was awake.

“Well, what do we have here?” A man stood over her, looking down at the sitting once sleeping strawberry blonde haired girl who’s gaze had turned up to him. “Frank, lookie here, we got ourselves a stowaway.” Frank appeared above her and smirked down at her, “You think we can keep her? Or should we just throw her overboard?”

Frank reached over and slapped the man across the back of the head, “Damn it Charlie, I am not getting in trouble with the Captain again ‘causea you. We turn her into the Captain, he’ll decide what to do.”

Without giving a struggle except holding onto her book and paper, she was hoisted out of the barrel and forced upstairs. Come on a captain could surely understand that she just wants to be dropped off at the next stop right… right…? Reasonable and understanding is the typical standards of a captain right? RIGHT?!

Well… poor Cassandra was wrong and she realized it as soon as the sun broke and she was brought up from the storage room above desk. Her sea foam eyes scanned upwards, her eyes coming into focus from exposure to the sunlight and… and there was a black flag flying high with a skull and cross bone.

Pirates?! Fear moved across her face as she pushed, her body tumbling onto the wooden floor boards as a pair of boots landed just inches away from her face. Catching her breathe in her chest she slowly sit upright on her knees before her head turned up, up to look at the captain of the ship she had just sneaked onto… the pirates’ captain…

Always with those cards.

The captain loved his cards.

Always shuffling, doing his tricks. Shuffling again. He had some of the fastest hands anyone's ever seen. His whole world, the fate of fifty men, some times rested in his cards. Whenever they took to the water, when his hands weren't needed elsewhere, they fumbled with his cards. The soothing crack of thick ink paper bending and snapping into place.

The roar of the waves and sound of the gulls, and the ooo's and aaah's of the crew looking at the gift of a stowaway. A bonnie lass pulled from the depths of a barrel. Probably no worse for wear, but a good deal prettier than anyone else aboard. And what a selection of lookers she had to choose from. Some looking more akin to walking barrels then men, huge and fat. Others almost looking like spiders by the way their spindly limbs pulled at ropes and futz with their knives. Others barely passed for humans, having at some point crossed paths with magic and having animal features. There was an old man, a cabin boy, all kinds of strips of colors and all kinds dirty weather worn apparel. Some of them had seen horrors, missing limbs and eyes, but mostly teeth. All of them surprised, but most of them grinning.

Still it was a weak captain indeed that couldn't silence the deck. That ever present *Shiik, Trrrrrrrrppp.* as the cards were manipulated into their dance in the deft hands of the captain. He wasn't bedecked in some lordly coat. If anything he seemed to have comfort in mind in his look, but it was expensive clothes. Something she'd seen under the blazers and coat of arms in her fancy balls, but now thrown on in a slap dash way, rubbing in the face of civilized fashion trends and creating a style of carelessness. As he approached, another shuffle of his cards as he took a step in front of the woman who was on her knees before him.

Underneath a tacky hat too big for him was a man, maybe a boy, well, someone relative to her own age. A well kempt and distinguished face under a mess of blonde hair. He looked down, his steelie yellow eyes and a toothy grin.

"Aww, Pete. Ya shouldn't have. It's nau even my birthday." He had a broken way of talking, heaping with a thick accent. This got a few yucks before he looked at the other faces. "I do hope there's enough to go around." He said, loudly, indulging in this very bad predicament she finds herself in. Most of the crew seemed to be with him, finding much enjoyment at her expense.

Turning his attention back to her, he neatly folded his deck and slid into a pouch at his hip, a saber rest nearby along with an assortment of knives. He didn't unsheath them, instead sliding his thumbs into his belt to rest near his blade as he sized her up. A pretty little number had picked the wrong ship to try to hitch a free ride. "How unlucky for you." He said in a mocking imperious way, knowing full well her life and safety were rightfully in his hands and he wondered if turning it over to let her fall would be more fun.

"Welcome to the Marigold lass. To what do we owe this most unexpected and migh I say, very much unwelcome, pleasure?" He gave a sly grin, interested, but positively dripping with venom. Pretty face or not, she was a stow away and he wasn't going to be charmed by a pretty face, atleast that's how his playfully threatening demeanor suggested.

Well, this was a rude awakening…

The strawberry blonde gazed up at the man who blocked the view of the sun from her eyes. A wicked toothy grin brought a large amount of concern to her features as her gaze moved around to the surrounding crew. Such a lovely lot but he had a point this… captain; who seemed no older then herself, she was unwanted on the ship. However that could be argued by the stares she was getting, but none of those stares showed any signs of helpfulness.

Swallowing hard she weighed her options. She could lie, lying was always an option. She was a homeless girl that fell sleep in the barrel and his stupid grunts grabbed the barrel. But something told her those keen eyes wouldn’t buy it. Maybe being a bit vague? Looking for some passage and no one would give it to her so she needed to get out of town. It was partially true as no one within the town of Fiore would give her a ride and not even the guild hall would help her as her adventure seemed more like a fool’s run than something that could actually be profitable.

Her gaze moved around the ship as she attempted to weight her options, knowing full well that making the captain wait probably wasn’t the best idea but she needed to get her bearings. How far away could they be? There wasn’t much to see, there was no city line but she couldn’t have been sleeping for too long and if she swam in the opposite direction of where the ship was sailing she’d… she’d hit land soon enough right?

But this… her gaze moved up to the flag waving in the wind, this was a pirate ship. If pirates spoke anything… they spoke money.

Seeing it pointless to stay on her feet she climbed up, hers hands clutching the rolled up paper and the book to her chest, despite her actions, she showed little fear towards the situation she was in; her concern merely towards the preservation of her items. “Balidor.” She said plainly which caused murmurs from the crew.

“Did she say Balidor?” – “The temple of treasures?” – “I thought it was a myth.” – “Stupid girl, everyone knows Balidor isn’t real.” – “Actually I heard some guys made it to the island but couldn’t find the temple.” – “That’s an old sea tale, there’s no way that’s real.” – “Did she really say Balidor?!”

The murmuring was enough to make her feel like she might have some headway, some… but not a lot. “That’s right, Balidor.” Her voice filled with more confidence with the discussion around her, some seemed interested in her words while others would rather use her and be done with her… which did not seem promising. “It is not myth.” Her call was louder this time, showing more strength and – dare we think – authority on the matter. “Unlike others, I have a map to the island and a book to get through the temple safely to the treasures beneath. However the guild won’t take the job because they don’t view it as guaranteed money, and no one in the port would take me. I snuck aboard in an attempt to get to the next port to inquire about help there.”

Feeling as though she needed to prove her point she extended out the rolled up map to him. “Judging by the… well hat.” Sure because the hat’s a dead giveaway, not the fact that he can silence an entire crew of people much older than him with a simple glare. “You must be the Captain. If you don’t believe me, take a look for yourself. This is a map to the island, a larger copy than what’s in the book here.” With that she held up the book before tucking it back against her. “The difference is that the map is in English, and the book is in Latin. I know the intrusion isn’t the best way to make acquaintances but dropping me off at the next port or throwing me overboard are always options. Or, seeing as I need a ship and you probably wouldn’t mind some cash, we could go on an adventure.” Oh she was treading in dangerous water but it was now or never. Either that or she’d just jump overboard and pray to keep at least the book somewhat dry. All she could do was keep the rolled up map extended out to him and pray he took it, and the bait of money.

Balidor

The captain's smile faded and he raised an eyebrow. He wasn't exactly expecting that. And it was for that reason he let her continue to speak. He raised a hand, a finger pointing up as she kept talking. He studied her, trying to hear the pitch and timber in her voice to see if this was some kind of trick to save her own skin.

And yet she kept talking. Offering a whole bunch of juicy little tidbits. Heck she even shouted back, showing a little bit of grit and backbone he wouldn't expect from someone who looked as if she worked a day in her life. Skin was too smooth, teeth too perfect. Still she was earning time with her display. She addressed him, he raised his chin and showed him the map. He leaned in, his eyes peering through it. It... looked... authentic, but he made up maps in his time. All it took was some time and artistic skill. Still he gave it the benefit of the doubt. He ripped it from her hand to inspect it closer. It wasnt enough time for him to figure out where the coastlines meant or if they matched. He could probably compare if he got back to his room.

He looked back to her when she suggested an adventure. "Indeed." Color him interested. "Maybe it's good luck for me. But lets test that." He passed the map to a crony nearby and reached into his pocket, pulling out a chipped piece of gold. She could see the Pheonix like bird emblazoned on one side representing the 'Tails' part of the coin. "You a gamblin' lass? Heads tells me you got lies commin' out of yer mouth. But a lady's 'tails' don't know how deceive. Lets see which I should listen to." He rolled the coin in his fingers and it went high in the air. It went over him and he swung his hand behind him to catch it in his fist. He swung it back in a single motion and presented the closed fist to make sure they both saw it.

He opened his hand. Tails.

"Well, lucky for both of us then. Lets see what your map and book say. Then we'll talk bout this little venture. Hands off the lass mates! She might be our next customer." He tipped his hat to her even as some of the crew groaned, laughed, or complained.

"Aww c'mon Cap. Balidor? That's a right drunkard's tale." Said one of the bigger crew men.

"We'll see. Maybe its my good fortune strikin' again. How often do we find pretty women in barrels? Very different day." He began to make a few steps before he stopped a moment as he noticed something from before when he looked out at the crew as part of this little distraction. He pointed to two crew together who immediately stood up, then he pointed to the top of the mast. "Ay! Take the colors down!? You be wantin' to give everyone a head start!?" Honestly, keeping the black flag out you might as well be telling the world and all the ships with their guns and cannons that pirates were a coming.

The two crew men saluted and in a nervous shakey manner they proclaimed. "AY AY SIR!" before getting to it.

"Follow me lass." He bid her with a playful finger to follow him, his path going across the deck and towards the quarters on the aft end. She would no doubt get some looks on her walk, but atleast now that the faces were moving, she'd be rather shocked to discover, there was women. Maybe a handful, and they didn't look too much better than the men but there was a feminine curve, a chest bind, and the pointed chin, and terrible makeup. But she'd find no empathy or pity in those eyes either.

The captain opened the door for her and allowed her to step inside. "So, whats your name lass, and most importantly, whats your story?" the captain said.



The interior was lavish, in fact the entire ship seemed more a naval vessel than a pirate ship. The Captains quarters served as a meeting hall, treasury, navigation, library, and other services. There was even more than a single nook that held a bed. One was open, the other closed with some kind of curtain hiding their contents.

Cassandra flinched as he ripped the map from her and unrolled to explore its contents. She spent weeks coping every detail as closely as she could from the book and granted, she didn’t know much about the seas or the proper measurements for measuring but despite all of that, it was a carbon copy of what was in the book even if the measurements by be a small bit off. Obviously an amateur in the distance measurements; however the placement and design of the markings was spot on.

However, as he pulled out a coin and asked if she was gambling person; she felt her stomach turn. Oh god was her life really going to be left up to chance!? Her sea-green eyes never left the coin until it disappeared behind his back. Her gaze never broke from his, looking for any signs of tom-foolery as he brought his hand forward and folded it open for them both to see, their gaze turned downwards in unison to see…

Tails.

She lived for now.

The announcement of ‘hands off the lass’ allowed her to breathe a shaky breathe of relief. Oh thank god. She mused to herself as he tipped it hat to her. Unsure of how to respond, she did what she was taught… which may have not been the best response but it was more automatic than anything else. She picked up the front of her tattered dress a bit from her heels and gave him a small polite curtsy. It didn’t last long before she dropped the dress fabric and quickly fell into step with him; she was in the belly of the beast and the teeth seemed safer than the claws.

By claws, she meant the crew and she took a minute to take them all in as she followed, perhaps too close to the captain as she gently thumped into him as he stopped and took control over them men again. She peered over his shoulder, a bit difficult as he stood a good head taller than her, to see the two men spring into action. The ability the young captain had to control the ship was impressive to say the least but… teeth can bite and she needed to be careful. The playful finger felt more like leading a pray into a trap but she didn’t have much of a choice. Following closely in step with the captain she kept her observations minimal but were surprised to notice the handful of women among the crew. They weren’t any better off than the men and they didn’t seem to care that she was in the situation at hand; of course no one would. It’s her fault she was here anyway but she found herself wanting to talk to them despite their lack of wanting to talk to her… however she had matters to attend. But for now, she was safe.

The inside of the ship… surprised her to say the least; and she didn’t hide her shock as her mouth fell open to find an interior far from what she had been expecting, her eyes instantly finding the library section with books; books being her only means of escape for so long they do hold a special place her heart, and a small, “Wow…” Left her full lips as her pace slowed as the heavy door shut behind them and she felt the weight of the man behind her.

A small cough left as she ventured further inside in an attempt to put some comfortable distance between them… then again the ocean wasn’t big enough to make her comfortable in this situation as the more she realized she was no longer in the frying pan, she also realized she might have been thrown into the fire with just one man. No, no fear. No fear Cass! You have to be strong. Pushing her fear to the back of her mind, knowing it will only escalate the situation worse, she pulled herself upright and stood talk and sure of herself for she was speaking to something she knew.



“My name is Cassandra, Captain.” Seemed pointless to give a fake name. “And my story is I need money.” Feeling as though that was a good enough answer, she backed up until she felt the table behind her. Not taking her eyes off of him, she walked around it to insure there was some space between them and placed down the book. Her hand stayed firmly on the cover as she gestured towards the open spot on the table. “The map?” For he still had it in his possession. “I’m curious to see how well it lines up to other maps, and you would know the seas better then I. I can just read the book.”

Taking in a deep breath, she decided to elaborate a little more. “With your knowledge of the seas, Captain,” Sure he seemed like he could be an arrogant prick but right now she needed this arrogant prick to work with her. So her use of ‘Captain’ was presented in a respectable tone. “And my knowledge of Latin, we can find the island, get safely through the temple and, more importantly, back out. The map is jibberish to me, for the most part. But this…” Her palm lifted from the hard cover as she pointed on it with a firm finger, the thump causing specks of dust left the pages in a puff. “this is as clear as fine gin to me.” Pulling her finger off of the book, she flipped it open to the first page. “Et Thesauri Balidor; Nauta Verum Sale Est Scriptor ---- The Treasures of Balidor; a Sailor's True Tale.” To prove her point, she picked up the book and flipped open to the first page. “Ad incipiam te itineribus. Et caput satus sicco per Fiore Septentrionalis Portus ab oriente et North ante petere debitum rudem nodis 3.5 ad 6.5 Oriente vorticibus de Cove Farmore transiens off per I nodum iter ante Septentrionalis iterum.” Taking in a deep breath, she translated, “To begin your travels. Start out in Fiore Port and head North by North East for 3.5 knots before heading due East for 6.5 knots passing Farmore's Cove for 1 knot before traveling North again.” Keeping the book open, a palm supporting the back of the older looking book and her hand between the two pages, she turned the book from across the table to show him the hand written text inside. “I don’t quite understand what tying ropes has to do with North and North East, but I know where Farmore’s Cave is and I feel like I marked it on the map properly.” Turning the pages for him to see, there were about 10 pages of a drawn out map that was, at one point, cut into book size pages and placed inside the bindings for safe keeping, however all the text visible was, in fact, in Latin.

Feeling as though she might not be able to ask him any personal questions since… she wasn’t in the position to do so at this point in time, she asked a non-personal questions. “What do knots have to do with directions? Do you have to tie rope a certain way to get the ship to go in a different direction?” And you wanna know what’s sad? Her question was an earnest one as she turned her gaze from the book up to him.

She said 'wow' he responded. "I know." Proud that he managed to keep his ship in such condition. The ship was home, not like other ports of call. This was a nobles ship, modified for some fire power. He wished it would be a bit faster, but in return, he kept the living arrangements, mildly comfortable. Other ships were floating disease dens and pits of misery, even for the crew. He wanted to gloat but he kept things mysterious for now.

"Don't we all." The captain seemed to disregard her in a way that would be apathetic and dismissive. Like he was trying to keep a demeanor of calculated repulsion and attraction. He didn't want her getting too comfortable, like she was a rat in a snake den, even if they were alone. The captains boots strode confidently through what could generously be called his room, a rack hanging nearby that he set his hat on and wiped his hands through his hair, and letting the mess fall back into place. He then strode to the table, it seemed pretty chaotic, strewn with the plates, the remains of breakfast as well as a couple sacks, a scale, a big old tome with columns and names, and other various brick o brack. She could even see a few silver coins, but the Captain noticed first, he picked them up and tossed them into one of the sacks before tightening it.

He cleared the spot and rolled it back out before heading towards a wall, a glow of a lantern being held as a map held, framed, and drapped on the wall with all sorts of instruments around it. The faded coast lines along with faded words. There was Fiore towards the end of the Ishtar Penninsula. All of Earthland illustrated for them.



"Lets hope you weren't swindled Madame Cassandra." He hinted as he took a spot on the table opposite her. He looked down at her map, her book. It all seemed very authentic but she spoke fast. Like a snake oil sailsmen, and to be honest the more she spoke, the less trustworthy he thought her. He held up a hand as if to quiet her. "Whoa whoa, my dear please. Just cause I offer my esteemed hospitality doesn't mean I'm interested in yer little treasure hunt. I have more then forty treasured friends and family to look after. And as far as I know, this all might be part of some incredibly elaborate, if a little poorly thought out ruse. Obviously we lead a very dangerous life, and trust, well, trust is hard to come by. I'm planning to hear what you have, then see if you're legit. See if anyone can vouch for you in the next port. Savy?" He said, implying that she understood.

Regardless he would listen to the rest of her explanation, a strategy that she'd 'baffle him with baulderdash' as she spoke. Still, she made a number of little assumptions, namely about knots, and he cracked a small and gave a little titter. "Knots, my dear Cassandra, are an hour per nautical mile. So, for instance, your, 3.5 knots, would be three and a half hours if we sail at one knot." He would correct her if she didnt understand but did look at her map, her work. "Hmm... According to your map, its passing the Maid's Capes. But, we're a bit off from Port Fiore, instead next port is, here, Chiascuro, on Caelum. We'll have to head back the way we came, and we just sacked a ship while you were snoozing, so we're not going back there anytime soon with the navy about. Suggestion would be to head west til we reach the shore of this island and then North East to get back on track. Few days trip." He pointed his finger along the suggested paths, and addressed the map, the shipping lanes in dotted lines.

"Does that book say how long we head north to?" Past the kingdom of Seven, there was almost nothing else, and it seemed that way all to the border. It could be a long trip indeed. Beside himself, the captain seemed to be interested in this little plan of hers. Atleast the logistics of it. As he spoke, as he seemed to get on her level, he almost seemed damn near approachable. He even went to a cubard nearby admidst their plans and got a copper mug. He pulled a cork with his teeth and poured some strong smelling alcohol into the cups. Rum, or brandy. He brought the bottle and the cups, leaving one on her side before going back to his. "Could be quite a voyage. And if that's the case, suppose we'll be workin together. You can call me Cap'n Fenix. But the shipping lanes call me Calypso. Spirit of Sea, Storms, and Discord." He took a drink and raised it to her. "I'm hoping you're the real deal. These treasure hunts is why most kids turn to the sea. That small chance to find a box in the sand and become a king. Is that yer goal Cassie?"

If she were to chalk her actions up to anything, it would easily be nerves. Could you blame her for being nervous though? She was on a pirate ship destined for god knows where and all she wanted was someone to get her to the island and get her home. And now she was stuck on a pirate ship where the best thing she could have happen to her is get thrown overboard and the worst wouldn’t even be death…

However, she stared at him as he explained what knots where and her eyebrows rose as she nodded. “Oh… okay.” That realization left her to know that she was much better off with help then going after this by herself. She had already spent a large amount of time to try to figure out how exactly ‘knots’ worked in the ways of sea travel but it did not prove to be fruitless. Plus after seeing how many people were on the docks getting onto ships and looking at the number of crew he had; she was honestly better off not trying to go alone but whether that would be better than the situation she was currently in was left to be determined.

The mention of sacking in a ship didn’t need an explanation as the twinkle of his eyes and that crooked smile said that ‘sacking’ was a sea word for stealing from a ship, hopefully just stealing but… who knows. A sense of danger washed over her and all of her hair seemed to stand up on end. Oh god what did she get herself into. Her attention went to the map she had made and followed his finger trace with her eyes. If they were off the course she needed and it would take some time for them to get back… all because he had to get some gold.

A gentle sigh left her. Sure it wasn’t ideal but it was more then what she had and that she needed to be grateful for. His question pulled her attention to her book. “Um…” Turning the page she scanned the words and translated them within her mind. “12 knots north so… twelve hours.” Look at her learning stuff.

The presentation of the cup to her seemed almost surprising. He was being… kind? She couldn’t let this gesture get to her and let her guard down. Her life depended on him liking her to some degree but also her future depended on his help. As he took up the cup she did the same but again, hearing his name cause her hair to stand on end. Of course it would be Calypso’s ship.

She clanked her drink against his, “Money, Captain Fenix,” Her answer was simple and straight forward. “I need money.” With that she took a drink.



To her surprise it was really good and her small drink turned into a big and practiced gulp. “I must say Captain, I’m surprised you’d share such good wares with someone you seem to be so apprehensive about working with.” A small giggle left her as she took another large drink and let out a long sigh, “I haven’t had a drink like this in a while. Thanks Captain.”

A nod rose and fell her head before she laid the book down on the table and opened it back to the page she had been on before. “According to this after we travel the 12 knots north we will travel 48 knots east.” A small whistle left her, “Boy this seemed like a lot shorter trip when I thought they were referring to knot tying.” Shaking her head she let out a sigh before moving the liquid in the cup. Her sea green gaze turned up to the Captain from across the table. “Can I trust that I have safe passage there and back?” She may not be in the best position to ask such a question but if he was sharing a drink with her that must mean something right…?