The morning dawning was fair and clear. As they headed further south the cool foggy mornings became warm and dissipated. The sun was rising over the port side. The rays of sunshine felt warm and comforting on Petrianna's skin. She was loving the early mornings on board the Bonnie Bounty. The mornings were quiet but not unnervingly still. Nothing on the ship was ever completely still which Petra had found she loved. Leaning against the starboard gunwale she could covertly look down behind her to see the shadows passing on the deck and could tell when she should go to the captain's meeting. She hated with equal measure being too early and being the last to arrive. She watched the first mate's broad shadow cross the deck, waited a beat and followed behind.

As she had expected by counting shadows all were already in the captain's cabin except the quartermaster. Etheldred made a point of showing up contemptuously late. Erika was also absent but Petra had noticed that she did not attend any of the meetings.

"Come on I just need help with the ones in the back," Esmerelda was asking Seanathan.

"Captain, why are you asking me and not anybody else to help with your hair." Seanathan asked.

"Well because you're..." Esmerelda trailed off.

"What did we say about hurtful stereotypes Captain?" Seanathan asked her.

"That we wouldn't traffic in them" Esmerelda mumbled.

"What was that Captain" he said leaning in.

"That we wouldn't traffic in them." Esmerelda said again, louder this time. Then saw Petrianna had entered the room.

“Girlie, could you help with my hair? Its just a few in the back I cant quite reach I promise.” and then to the shipwright “see Seanathan, I ask other people for help.”

“You are first person I have met who has hair like yours. So I do not think I would be much help.” Petra responded simply.

“What, are there no Southerners allowed in the North?” Esmerelda asked playfully.

Petra blushed and said quietly and hurriedly “Considering what was just said about trafficking in stereotypes and how we do not I think that it is best if I do not answer that question.”

Seanathan laughed out loud “I told you she was good people.”

“That was not in question” Sezjeck said evenly.

Esmerelda continued unfazed. “But Girlie, you do look lovely in your new dress. From turtle harbor yes?” She asked.

“Yes,” Petra blushed a little and swayed letting the fabric of the dress swish around her knees “Dimitri got it for me.”

Seanathan clapped his hands, looked to Sezjeck and mouthed “called it.” Then turned to Petra

“The color suits you Petrianna, and on the topic of gifts,” he pulled out a small pouch of gold from a pocket “this belongs to you.”

“But why, what is this?” Petra asked regarding and holding the pouch in both hands.

“Thats my extra quarter share of the plunder. And since it is entirely to you that I have a ship to wright at all, we all thought you should have it.” he answered

“But I cannot” Petra began.

“Girlie ya did well. You saved the ship, we would not be here without you. Thank you.” The captain said.

Petra felt an entirely different sort of a blush rush up from behind her knees up her neck and to her cheeks. She didn't like being the center of attention because it had always been that when she was she had done something wrong or someone was teasing her but this was different.

“Oh dear, don't cry” Seanathan cooed, and produced a handkerchief “Truly well done dear, truly well done.”

Petra smiled and dabbed at her eyes which she discovered were in fact wet. And walked further into the room.

“Are we ready to start the meeting? Why is the girl crying?” Etheldred said in his customary sneer as he walked into the room.

“Well since you decided to show up quarter master now we can get started.” Esmerelda declared.

“I am not a girl I am twenty two.” Petra said mostly to herself. Seanathan heard it in mouthed and signed with his hands to Sezjeck “two for two!”

Sezjeck rolled his eyes and quickly noted it into his book.

“Our course is already set. We will continue down the coast and take what comes our way until Corsaña. We will put in there take on supplies, divide spoil, sell hostages as we need and then we make across the coast doing more of the same. We will cross at twelve isles and work our way back west this time along the Southern continent coast until we arrive in North Town.” Esmerelda spoke and indicated on the map.

“I will reiterate that this entire plan to sail for the Southern Continent is foolish.” Etheldred spat.

“Your objection is and has been noted quartermaster.” Esmerelda said forcing a smile and nodding to Sezjeck.

“We have to cross over the doldrums in a ship without a galley it's impossible.” Etheldred continued.

“It has in fact been done multiple times.” Seanathan countered.

“Not to mention that it is called the Monstrous Sea for a reason!” Etheldred went on “We don't fight the monsters we steal from the people that do. That's our business model, that's how we work. Leave the adventuring and monster killing to the idiots and take the spoils from them. This plan will be our ruin and no sane person would support it.”

“Your objection is once agin noted quartermaster. And may I remind you that your place on this ship is at will. This voyage South has been the plan from the beginning, if you don't like it you could have gotten off back in Turtle Harbor, or stayed in Goldhaven. And if this plan is really so distasteful to you I need only your request and we will make for the next port to let you off.” she kept her voice even as her anger rose.

“You run a sloppy ship and you will run it into ruin, it would be better helmed by someone else.” Etheldred said.

“I want to make one thing very clear to you Etheldred,” Esmerelda said stepping out from behind her desk and towards him. “A mutiny will not go your way. Do you know what happens to failed would be mutineers? I'm sure you do you're so clever. All the same let me say this slowly to make sure you will hear me and understand. If you have a problem with the way I run my ship you may get off of it, else if you persist I will put you off of it, wrapped in cloth and rope off my stern. Do I make myself abundantly clear?” The captain did not need to shout for the menace and contempt to be understood in her voice.

“Yes captain” Etheldred said with a mocking bow and left without being dismissed.

The captain leaned back on the front of her desk, closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Seanathan, Girlie, you can go, thank you.” she said lowly. They all left without a further word.

Esmerelda turned to Sezjeck “I wanna kill him.”

“You can't kill him captain.” he told her.

“But he is dangerous. We are about to cross the monstrous sea and the doldrums. His is not the attitude we need.” She argued

“You can't kill him captain.” he told her.

“He is insubordinate, he questions and threatens my leadership on a daily basis. Why is he even on this ship?” She questioned.

“You can't kill him captain.” He told her.

“I know I can't kill him!” Esmerelda kicked her desk “Could we arrange an accident for him?”

“Not that either captain.” Sezjeck said.

“Is there any good news?” Esmerelda asked.

“The crew is in generally good spirits, the take from the merchant vessel and the ransoms was good, the crew that have decided to stay do seem at least capable if not quite battle tested, and Seanathan just won the over under for Petra's age at twenty two.”

“Damn!” Esmerelda swore “Only a quarter elf I shouldn't've guessed so high. Ah But her and young Dimitri.”

“I am not calling that yet, we are scarcely [two weeks] out and you know shipboard romances come and go like the tide.” Sezjeck responded.

“But he bought her a dress.” Esmerelda said.

“It's just a dress.” Sezjeck countered.

“You know how Northerners are with gifts.” Esmerelda said.

“No I don't captain please enlighten me.” He challenged with a smile.

Esmerelda sucked in a breath and let it out “I don't know either.” she mumbled

“Come again” Sezjeck teased

“I don't know either.” Esmeralda said then snapped her fingers and redirected the conversation “you're holding out for Tornas.”

“I don't bet in my own book. It would be unethical” Sezjeck replied.

“No but you want them to end up together. You said yourself she has been good for him. They could be good for each other.” Esmerelda said.

“As far as I know they are just friends, and that friendship does seem to be good for both of them.” Sezjeck responded.

Esmerelda smiled “Can I switch my bet?”

“Bets are final when placed, you knew the odds at the outset.” Sezjeck answered.

“Yes, they were completely up in the air and now I have new information” Esmerelda complained.

“And there has never been a penalty for late bets, yet yours is already placed.” Sezjeck remained firm.

“Oh come one Lark doesn't stand a chance anymore.” Esmerelda groaned.

“Giving up on the dark horse already?” Sezjeck asked.

“Well I still think he is a dark horse but perhaps not one for Girlie to ride.” Esmerelda responded.

“Captain” Sezjeck said in mock outrage hiding a laugh.

Esmerelda laughed and again redirected the conversation “well on the topic of you book, who's still in it.”

“none of the new crew yet, but most that we set out from Goldhaven with. Though there are manny on crew who are in both mine and Etheldred's books.” Sezjeck answered.

“Gods, and your sure I can't just kill him.” She asked a final time.

“You cannot kill him captain.” Sezjeck answered again.

There were two knocks on the floor next to the captain's desk.

“What was that” Sezjeck asked.

“My secret from you” Esmerelda answered and stomped on the spot three times

“Your spy.”Sezjeck supplied.

“My spy.” Esmerelda confirmed.

“I'll take my leave then, captain” Sezjeck bowed his head turned and walked from the captain's quarters out onto the deck.