The quartermaster made notes of the cargo needing to be packed as the passengers brought it aboard. Most were items filled with optimism like furniture for a future home or tools for expected land. Others brought small mementos of those they were leaving behind. He noted a lovely little doll that one girl was holding and took special care to let her see him write down not only the doll but an added description that it was well cared for. 

As gruff as the sea can make a man they often softened when at port. Captain Church was always a man who said the port is what warms the heart when the coast brings its chill. This has embedded itself in many of his crew including his high ranking members. That said he still advised never to be caught swindling any of them. Business was an entirely different matter. 

With the work mostly done, but on a ship the work never done those that were left on the ship seemed busy, but this was in part due to just a quick step to get the passengers all set up. A few in the corner were playing cards. They were too young to attend the games held in the brothel where many others on the crew were winning and losing their last chance at intimacy before first light.

—---------------------------------------------
Back at the Guild Quinton had been finally cornered by members of the guild who, under the disguise of wishing him a safe journey they started to poor drinks and discuss what would be the ships play after it returned from beyond the horn. Several were also asking if he was bringing any cartography tools on the trip which he told them he was. They nodded in excitement any sort of information, let alone a map, of the coast beyond the horn would be of great value. 

The conversation quickly went to matters of contracts and other business which the Captain had no time or interest in. Every time he tried to get them to look and review the miscount of passengers they seemed to brush it off and return to another topic. It was starting to get on his nerves at which point he decided to escape by making a final toast and pretending he was needed on the ship for final review. As soon as he was out of the building he felt like he could breathe again. 

For a moment he thought a final walk along the town's boardwalk would be in order, but realized if he did that he would have to double back past the guild and thereby out him as having told a fib. So he turned right and headed towards the port where a boat was waiting. With a cabin boy waiting to row him to the ship he set off and watched as the lights of the town grew a little further away. When he made it to the boat he heard the quartermaster shout “Captain ON DECK” And a few of the crew stopped and gave a respectful nod before going about their task with passengers.

“Final checks?” He said to the Quartermaster who gave a nod and handed him some of the papers. He explained that no cargo was out of order and so far as he could tell nobody had been trying to bring a stowaway. He did note that there was a late joiner. He then mentioned “the fair maiden by the bow of the ship had asked if there was room. He shook his head in agreement as Quinton looked back with a slight brow of concern. 

“Nothing smelling about it. Thinking she might just be wanting to get away from something. Best way to do that is leave the trouble behind I say.” The quartermaster had taken some time the last while to think of reasons for anyone let alone an elf to leave in a hurry. “Since she isn’t with child I don’t think there is any issue with a runaway name or title. Most likely just looking for something new like the rest…” He muttered this last part as the Quartermasters personal opinion of Land Hopers was a little troubled. 

“Well I will get her name on the ledger.” The Captain said. For a blood agreement to work the person doing the agreement had to sign the name of the person they promised coin or service onto the paper. Walking towards the bow of the ship he looked on at the already familiar silhouette the young woman made. As he made his way up to her he could see she seemed somewhat internal in thought. 

He gave his footsteps a little extra thump as he got close and then a polite cough to let his presence be known. “Good evening. I was told you are looking to join. We have room and my Quartermaster has informed me that your name hasn’t been added to the agreement. If you would, I will need to ask you a few questions..” He then took the pen attached to the papers and started to ask the normal onboarding questions. 

“Name?”

“Expectation of voyage?” (One way or round trip) 

“Effects brought on board?” 

“Skills beneficial for the captain and crew to know?”

That was the end at which point he then added a question not on the paperwork but important all the same.

”Concerns for the voyage?”

“Reason for the voyage?”

On this last question he did make a point to look at the woman. It wasn’t something he had to force himself to do, but it was in a manner of speaking difficult. The evening was darker and the bow wasn’t as well lit as the other parts. To the woman it may have looked like he was squinting slightly as if he was in need of glasses, but this changed as he let the night take over and the lack of light subsided.