[center][h1]Treacherous Waters[/h1][/center] [hr] [i]Three months earlier, Anvil[/i] As with most taverns pirates and other unsavoury sorts favoured, the Seadog in Anvil was neither the best looking establishment nor was it the best selling one. If she could have, Sirine would have very well paid extra gold to drink somewhere cleaner and quieter. However, she wasn't here for pleasure- that was to come later. For the time being she simply sat in the corner of the crowded room, seeming almost a shadow with a dark cloak wrapped around her and a large brimmed hat tilted just right so that no one could tell what she was looking at. Her hand was loosely gripping a bottle of rum, and occasionally she took a gulp or two. "Well?" Looking to her left, she found her brother's expectant gaze. Her neutral one softened the slightest bit and she gave him a nod. "It seems our esteemed brothers aren't above hiring scum," she murmured, eyes shifting away from Bakih to rest once more on a table not too far from theirs. In truth those seated at her table did not look much different from the rowdy group her eyes were on, save the fact that she hadn't allowed her crew to get stinking drunk. That would be for another day- today had been for prospecting, and they had certainly hit the jackpot. Perhaps it was time for them to have a little fun? "Looks like we have discovered all we need to." Speaking quietly, she looked to those sitting at her table. These five were the majority of her motley crew, a small group with no more than eleven people currently, the rest off elsewhere in the city. Those at the table were proof of how diverse a group they were. She looked the part of a Redguard well while Bakih the Imperial, though both were only half. On her right sat her quartermaster Dar'Narej, a sneaky khajiiti man who had been sailing with the siblings for a good five years. They had met when the Khajiit had climbed aboard their ship in a foiled attempt at thievery. Sirine had seen his prowess and decided to offer him a position in her wanting crew instead. There had been mistrust at first, but Dar'Narej proved to be an asset, and Sirine was one who kept her word and paid him fairly. Across from her were two Nord siblings named Ursa and Floki, a pair of twins who had run away from their home during the civil war after their parents had passed and they were to be sent to work on a farm. Next to them sat an older Orsimer, Murkhul, who reminded Sirine of her father's first mate, kind and dependable, yet as every bit an orcish man as he looked, ready to swing his hammer at the first call. "This better not be some kind of revenge plot for you two." Sirine's eyes fell on the last man sitting at their table, a Redguard who simply called himself Rogue. She found it a rather stupid pseudonym, but if that was what he wanted, she wasn't going to bother forcing him to reveal his complete name. She had hired him as a carpenter as their ship had needed repairs, and he did more than a good job, but his attitude was a little grating at times like this. “I didn't join you so that I could help you get back at your brothers for stealing a toy from you when you were a little girl." "You're new here," Sirine started, "so I'm going to forgive your insolent words." She leaned forward, free hands splayed and pressing against the table, raising her head enough so that Rogue could see her piercing dark eyes. "Revenge is for petty people. If you think I am a petty person, then perhaps it's time for you leave. On the other hand, if you decide to shut your mouth and do as I say, you'll find the rewards more than enough. Well? What will you do, stay or leave?" The Redguard man looked as if he wished to say something more, but Sirine's eyes narrowing caused him to reconsider her words. "I will stay. My apologies, Captain." "Good," Sirine replied, settling back down in her chair, looking quite relaxed. "Do not question my decisions about the actions we will be taking, and we will get along just fine." She looked around at the rest of her crew. "Now I know you've all been waiting to be sated, so go ahead, fulfill your needs. Just make sure you don't spill any secrets, or I'll gut you." It was hard to tell if she was serious with the chuckle that followed her words, but aside from Dar'Narej and Bakih, the four others dispersed, happy to find a little time to themselves. “This one does not trust that man any more than he can pull off his own tail.” The khajiit man allowed his spotted golden tail to sway in the air to make his point, his green eyes staring pointedly at Sirine. “Narej, I didn't trust you one bit when we first met either.” Sirine smirked at him before taking a gulp from the bottle of rum, which as per her habit, was filled with water. Once she set it back down on the table, she continued onward. “You were a thief fiddling through my belongings and I had half a mind to cut off your pretty ears and feed them to the fish. And look at us now.” She laughed softly and then let out a sigh, nodding. “I understand your concerns, and you can rest assured if I feel there is any sort of threat from his side, he’s being tossed.” Eyes darkened as she crossed her arms over her chest loosely. “We’ve been down on our luck lately, and we need the men we can get. It gives me no pleasure having to deal with insubordination, but he isn't the first and I very much doubt he will be the last. "I will return to the ship now," she further continued. Pushing her chair back, she stood up, looking at both Bakih and Dar'Narej, a small smile playing on her lips. "You two go relax a little. Make sure to come back before dawn though or I will kick both your asses." The Khajiit man gave her a sly grin. "Dar'Narej's night would be much more relaxing if you were the one with him, Captain." "That will have to happen in your dreams," Sirine returned with a chuckle, though her amusement was more in part by the expression on Bakih's face. She reached over and tugged at her quartermaster's ear, causing him to make a sound in protest. "Don't make me regret not cutting these off. Now go on." She shook her head as she watched the khajiit saunter away, his shoulders shaking with a laugh of his own. "I don't like him," Bakih grumbled under his breath, foot tapping in irritation. "Stop frowning," Sirine replied, nudging him with an elbow. "You are to relax as well. You've been too uptight since we left Gilane and I don't like seeing you that way." She reached up and patted down a hank of stray hair. "You know very well that you can tell me if something is wrong. You're my brother; if there's anything I can do for you, I will." He shook his head, smiling weakly. "It's nothing, Siri. I'm probably just tired." He sighed heavily before looking around, eyes pausing as they fell on a dark haired man serving drinks. "Think he'd be-" "Only one way to find out." Sirine gave her brother a not so gentle push forward. "Just remember, back before dawn or else." [hr] Leaving Anvil behind hadn't been a difficult task. Normally a week's journey, Sirine suspected it would take a little longer this time around. They were following the pirate ship disguised as a merchant one but making sure they stayed out of sight, just below the horizon line. It was something the crew was used to. They were a small group for their chosen line of work, and an ambush worked best for them, tried and tested more than a few times. For the most part, they looked unassuming as did their ship, a rather small affair that would seemed no more threatening even in the open. Still, she was one for caution- it was better to be safe than sorry. The attack was planned for their fourth night at sea. Her brothers' hired ship didn't seem in quite the hurry to reach port, which made things much simpler for Sirine and her companions. Once their target had dropped anchor for the night, her crew would at last make their move. Sailing silently like a ghost at night with Dar'Narej as their lookout, there seemed to be no obvious flaws in their plan. Until the morning of their fourth day at sea. Sirine looked up from the papers littering her desk when there was a knock on her door. "Come in." She raised an eyebrow when she saw it was Dar'Narej. Seeing him wasn't the surprise, rather the expression on his face. Normally a sly yet jovial looking Khajiit, it was a little surprising to see the frown on his face. "What's the matter?" "Dar'Narej told you he did not trust the Redguard," he muttered once he closed the door behind himself. Letting out an irritated sniff, he made his way to the desk, his hands gripping the chair that sat across from her, claws lightly digging into the wood. "This one caught sight of him in the morning, when he thought no one was looking. Perhaps he has forgotten that this one's eyes are sharp even in the dark. He was sending a signal, this one has seen it before, as have you." He spat to the side in disgust before raising his hand. "Apologies, Captain." "It's fine." Sirine stood up, her forehead creased as she walked around her desk and paced her room. "And? Have you said anything to him?" She stopped her passing, hands resting on her hips as she glanced at the Khajiit. Dar'Narej turned away from the desk, letting out a light [i]tsk[/i]. "This one knows better than that," he replied, tail lashing in annoyance. "Captain should know this, yes?" "I know, I know." She sounded irritated as well, but with herself. "My apologies, I should have listened to you in Anvil." "This one does not fault you," the Khajiit was quick to add, his hand slipping to rest on the pommel of his sword. "Give the word and Dar'Narej will slit the man's throat where he stands." "No." Shaking her head, Sirine walked over to the Dar'Narej and moved his hand away from the sword. "No need to, that would only create dissent when we least need it. They may know we are coming to attack, but they don't know [i]we[/i] know they know. We keep this information between ourselves. Understood?" The khajiiti man gave her a nod. "Good. Now calm yourself down, because our attack is now expedited. Tell the crew to prepare for a fight. We will take that ship down now, when they aren't expecting it." "Are you sure, Captain?" Dar'Narej looked surprised. "This one thinks that perhaps you would do well to think over it some more." Sirine's eyes flashed, brow creasing dangerously. "Are you doubting me, Narej?" "Never," the Khajiit replied, lowering his head. "This one meant no disrespect. Dar'Narej will do as you ask." "I need you to be my right hand man." She put a hand on his arm, looking at him earnestly. "Bakih has already done too much, and as painful as it is, I am coming to the realization that this isn't the life for him. When we reach Gilane... I will be leaving him behind to make a life there. I [i]need[/i] you to be the one I rely on. I trust no one else to fills those shoes." "As sure as the Moons light your path, this one will follow you until his journey leads to the Sands Behind the Stars... or Namiira." "Neither of which will be today." Sirine moved her hand away from his arm before motioning to the door. "Go now, friend. I will join you shortly." [hr] The thrill of boarding a ship was never lost on Sirine. Hat and cloak left behind on her own ship, she made no attempt to hide her visage as she lead her men across the plank to the ship hired by her brothers. A smile brightened her face, her eyes lit as if on fire as she leaped off the plank and plunged her dagger into her nearest victim, ignoring the blood that spurt of the man's throat and splashed on her clothes and her face. "Come now," she called out in an almost singsong voice, holding her dagger before her as she sidled away to give the rest of her crew way. "Who wishes to meet Namiira next? And do me a kind favour and call forth your captain. I may be inclined to save your lives if he pleads a pretty plea." She actually meant her last statement, but the men gathered on deck seemed disinclined to believe her. It took only a single attack from the other crew to encourage her own to attack, and if there was one thing she knew they weren't, it was cowards. Stepping away from the main fray, she saw Rogue the Redguard attempting to slip away from the mass fighting. She shoved her way through the combating crew, ignoring the cuts and blows she received from her uncaring charge. In fact, whatever pain she felt further fueled her, and the smile on her face was now a grin as she raced the final steps to Rogue. With one hand she grabbed on to his tunic and slammed him into a wall, her dagger already pressed against the soft part of his belly. "So," she asked, tilting her head in a coy fashion, "what were you promised to betray me, hm? Septims a plenty? Whores to do your bidding?" "I don't owe you anything!" Rogue spat back, though as he did, he raised the sword he was holding in an attempt to attack her. A scream left him as he suddenly found his hand pierced by an arrow. Sirine didn't have to look back to see who fired it. Bakih had always been proficient with the bow. "That is fair," she agreed. "You don't owe me anything, personally. But you do owe my crew for attempting to sabotage their prize. I don't take kindly to people fucking around with what I promise to deliver. You had your chance, Rogue, and you failed. Oblivion is where you will go." The dagger shoved deep into the man's gut; Sirine dragged it horizontally before pulling it out, ignoring the stench that filled her nostrils. Letting his body drop, she turned away from the man and headed towards the cabin door she suspected would be the captain's, which of course was locked. "Come on out," she called, voice once more singsong and cajoling even as she forcefully rammed her boot against the door. "Or are you willing for any remaining man of yours to forever deem you a coward?" "Wait." Sirine stopped herself from ramming her boot into the door a second time, looking back to see Dar'Narej with his set of lock picks. "Allow this one to open the door for you." Unable to hide her smirk, she moved back and allowed the Khajiit to take care of the lock, which was opened not much later. By this time most of the fighting had finished, and it took only one glance to see a few of hers were down for the count as well. Her smirk wavered as she kicked opened the door, stepping inside the room. As she had suspected, this was the captain's cabin. And there was the captain, slumped over his desk. She moved closer and pushed his body back, revealing the man had decided to kill himself rather than actually fighting for his ship and crew. "Well this is highly disappointing." Sirine let the dead captain fall against his desk before looking to her Khajiit friend. "But we have what we came for. We take care of the dead, move the cargo and weigh anchor. Gilane awaits." "It shall be done," Dar'Narej replied, and it wasn't long before she was left alone with her own thoughts. [hr] [i]14th Midyear, Early Morning, Governor’s Palace, Gilane[/i] Sirine's eyes snapped open. It was still dark, but from the shade of the sky, the sun would be rising soon. It had been a pleasant sleep to the sound of the waves, and her dream of her last conquest left a nostalgic feeling, though she felt calmer than she had the previous night. Her crew and friends were gone, perhaps... perhaps that was for the best. She didn't want to think of them having to live and suffer under the yoke of the Dwemer. Dar'Narej was hopefully enjoying himself in the Sands Behind the Stars- Her thoughts were interrupted by an urgent knock, and it wasn't long before the former pirate was dressed and opened the door. The sight of Zaveed and the look on his face was enough to tell her something was the matter. [i]Time to leave the past behind and head forward.[/i] "I'm ready."