Pieces of Eight: A Pirates Tale

[DarthHERA]

This is an Open thread for pure story writing purposes- doesnt have to actually take place. (though it might) :)

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"Aye, a tale for you my bonnie lass. A tale for you, too laddie.
Of thieves and scoundrels and blackhearts bold. Of deadmens bones and Spanish gold.
A tale of lubbers and old sea dogs,
and cutthroats, robbers and English grog
Of wenches, wine, and sirens songs
a tale of mischief and bloody wrongs.
A tale I'll tell to chill yer blood, and set your teeth to rattlin'
so drink your rum, my hearty swabs,
the flames of hell are cracklin'."

-jlm-





The rise and fall of the vessell as it crested and then dipped with each rolling wave was - quite frankly - nauseating.

One would have thought in this day of enlightenment, of hyperdrives and carbon-freezing, of sonic blasts and ion cannons - some genius would have perfected an anti-seasick patch, or pill, or lotion, or something. Or more correctly - one of those that actually worked.

Hera had patched, pilled and anti-motion-lotioned herself until she was a walking pharmaceutical rack, but all to no avail.

She still looked green.

She still felt sick.

She still was in a foul mood.

Well, the last she couldnt really blame on the travel. But she would anyway.

Tugging her dark robes tightly around her to break up some of the chill wind that pulled and snapped at her, she turned her back to it. And for her efforts, received a hearty spray of sea water off the port bow directly into her face.

"Ugh!"

She felt quite miserable. To go below decks was to beg for trouble of the regurgitating kind, and so her only option was to stay out in the elements. It was an humiliating experience, this ocean voyaging. No wonder the crews on these ships were driven to pillage and piracy. Anything to take the mind off the physical torments.

Another severe dip, and the frothing turmoil of water tried once more to swallow the front of the ship. Once again the planks groaned and the rigging squawked - not in protest, but in defiance of the endless deep as they did their relentless, merry dance.

Hera gripped pale hands tight onto the wooden rail to steady herself. At least her feet stayed put, she was completely helpless to steady her stomach.

"It wont last"

He was standing beside her. No telling how long he'd been there. At the sound of his voice, she turned her luminous blue eyes to him.

"The rough seas?"

"The queasiness."

"Oh" Hera thought the two were one and the same.

"The Isle of Pathos is another two days' sail away. By then you'll 'ave yer sea-legs, and will be runnin' the rigging like the lads. Might even see you in the Crows-nest"

He grinned toothily and looked skyward. Hera followed his gaze, squinting from the sea-spray that simply never seemed to quit. Prying loose one hand to sheild her eyes, she peered dubiously heavenward. There was a man up there...?

She frowned. This ship was unbelievable. In fact, the whole journey was unblieveable. It was like she had stepped back in time...or was it forward...she could never work that one out. But regardless..the vessel was archaic. The crew..had never heard of the force, or of the Sith - or Jedi (one thing in their favour she mused). Never sought the advancements of technology. Or the incredible knowledge that was part of everyday life back in the Known Regions.

Here...in this remote edge of the galaxy...they preferred the ways of their ancestors and refused change. They were like..the Amish...The Amish of the Sea. Their world was so removed from the rest of the galaxy, it was like Hera had entered another era completely.

Instead of Lightsabers and vibroblades, they fought with swords and axes, with cutlass and with fire. Instead of Republic and Imperial, there were The Gentlefolk and the Pirates. Ok, well perhaps things werent that different. Men were still motivated by greed, ambition, hate. They just did it all in a very backward and (glancing back up at the Crowsnest) unfathomably rudimentry fashion.

This was definitely going to be an education.

But it was not education Hera was after.

It was treasure.

Good, old fashioned swashbuckling, blackbones and skullduggery treasure. And she had crossed the known galaxy and more in search of it..

[rin]

Some might call it chance or perhaps even fate in the scheme of things. Nevertheless, this destined adventure and an unlikely encounter with a particular Sith woman would turn out to be more then the wee little Kinder bargained for and one he would not forget any time soon...

As the wiry Kinder made his way up from the lower decks, he stuffed the small pouch he had just lifted from an unfortunate soul he had passed with a small nudge.

“Watch it buddy!...Can’t you see the stairs aren't big enough for both of us!” Sliff rolled his eyes just about the time the pirate suddenly tuned to face him, shooting the Kinder a demonic furrowed glare of annoyance. Sliff squealed as the brute of a man leaned in a little closer to him, threatening to snatch him up from the very stair’s he stood on if he didn’t move. The Kinder wasted no time in scurrying up the remainder of the stair’s in front of him as the buccaneer turned and went his way down below. As Sliff made it to the top deck in no time flat, he turned quickly to see if the ugly rude man was still in pursuit, but only was met by the narrow darkened stair well that was now empty.

“That’s what I thought you big ole Wee-Wen herder!” The Kinder exclaimed in an angry tone as he held up a small balled fist and shook it in the air. Sliff then descended down one step then proceeded to stick out his tongue.

“Rude ole man…” Sliff mumbled to himself as he turned, patting the pouch that made a sizeable lump in his pocket and reminding him why he was here in the first place. A childish smile soon retuned to the Kinder’s face and the lethal encounter was soon forgotten.

Moments later, Sliff was on deck where men hustled about synching loose lines and shouting orders from different parts of the massive sailing vessel. Sliff smiled as the fresh salty air filled his senses. This was exactly where he wanted to be, on an adventure filled with mystery and dangers untold that only lay just beyond the horizon of this strange new world. The duel sun’s warmth over head was a welcomed sight compared to the dreary confines below Sliff thought to him self as he stretched his arm’s above him with a long yawn. Looking about, the Kinder scanned the deck for new prospects and new trinket’s he could barrow from any unwary traveler. The Kinder was ever mindful of those who were about to loose valuable item’s, pouches, small coin purses, dagger’s, whatever it may be that was carelessly tied or clipped on waist belt’s unattended. Sliff was convinced and held a deep conviction as a sort of tender or safe keeper to such thing’s…After all he would gladly return the lost item’s in question if ever asked nicely.

As Sliff curious eye’s panned over the deck, he noticed two figure’s standing by the boat’s railing some distance away. He couldn’t quite make out the features of the one whose back was turned to him; however Sliff could plainly see that the other one was a female dressed in a fine black robe.

"She was probably rich, an important person." The Kinder thought to him self as he rubbed his tiny hands together at the sudden revelation. But oddly, the tall blonde woman looked familiar to the Kinder as he caught a glimpse of her comely profile and short golden locket's. Sliff narrowed his eyes in a squint as if to get a better look as the dule sun’s over head made her more of a luminous blur. Maybe it was all in his mind and the heat was playing tricks on him.

As the woman leaned on the banister rail with both hands, supporting her weight, it became apparent to the Kinder she wasn’t feeling too good…And he knew why. Without hesitation, Sliff scampered over to the mysterious pair and turned to face the man in front of the woman who was in mid sentence.

“Hey!...Can’t you see the lady is not feeling well?...The Kinder interjected rudely as the man looked down at his three and a half foot frame in surprise.

“Yeah, You…I’m talking to you…Can’t you see that all your,…Your TALKING is making the nice lady ill…You want her to throw up all over the place or something?” Sliff gave the man a scornful look as he placed his hands on his hips and continued.

“Go on…Get! Don’t make me throw you over board mister…So help me I will too! The Kinder contorted his youthful face into the meanest mask he could muster, trying to intimidate the man before him.

“So if you know what’s good for you…The little thief had not quite finished his sentence when the lumbering oak of a man reeled back slowly to slap the Kinder. Sliff quickly moved behind the robed woman for protection, clutching her leg as he wrapped both of his little arms around it.

[DarthHERA]

"Maybe.." Hera replied non-committally, but her words where snatched away by the wind and went unheard, as the pirate spoke on.

"Stay above decks, matey. "Tis the best thing. Trust me..."

Trust me?

The man had to be kidding. He was one leg short, missing an eye and had a smile that promised he'd kill you in your sleep. He didn't look the trustworthy type by a long stretch. Still..looks were decieving. Hera herself a prime example.

Trussed in breeches and a lace-up blouse with ruffle sleeves, covered with a leather vest of deep rustic red, and a black cloak that hung to her heels. When the wind wasn't tugging and pulling at her every whichway, she looked as pretty as a picture. And sweet too. Kind of cute. Which she hated, but had been given no choice. In order to fit in with this back-to-the-turn-of-the-century surroundings, it was breeches, or a five petticoat layered skirt. For Hera, the choice was a given. And so, breeches ruled the day. She was hard to recognise as the Sith Master of ShadowFaene who arrived in this remote system seven days ago...

Her mind flashed back to her first glimpse of what she would be in for, when Sliff made his chivillrous entrance. As the short, yet sturdy little fellow appeared in much ill-advised bravado to her aid and then proceeded to cling protectively to her leg...she thought she recognised him as the same little rascal she'd noticed back at "The Laughing Sprite" Inn.

*******

seven days ago....

"There'll be none of that here Missy, if you be wantin' through." The burly customs officer tugged the blaster from her holster. "We'll look after that for you while youre 'ere." The Port of Tullsahn was busy and crowded and the security checkpoints, as Hera was discovering, were a slow and tedius procedure.
No Lightsabers
No Blasters
No Vibroblades
No everyday weaponry of any type were allowed through.
Only those that were typical of life in this remote backwater planet, which in a nutshell was knives and clubs with the odd pistol and powder tossed in for good measure. A visitor complied or simply were denied entrance. No one got anything through. Every traveller was checked and rechecked and checked again before they could continue to the Shuttles where they were ferried planetside.

Hera had left most her weapons on board the "Wolfsschanze" and had with her only a pair of daggers, her whip and the Morphal Crest. Together with the Force, despite the inhibiting naturally dense atmosphere, she was more than adequately armed for any eventuallity.

Finding a window seat as she boarded the transport, the Sith Smuggler got a prime view of the planet as the shuttle approached it.

It was beautiful and lush, with wide oceans dotted with fertile islands bordered with white sandy beaches. The mainlaind was huge and her first Port of Call would be the commerce hub city of Dunardin. As the Shuttle drew closer, the city itself looked less and less picturesque. Civilisation was always that way - close up it was an ugly blight on the natural beauty the landscape.

The ground-level view was even less inspiring. Narrow streets filled with vendors and open markets plying their wares created a bustle of activity that was rivled in nauseating effects only by the smells and odours they all generated. That, and the rain. Due to the two suns, it was hot, humid and the frequent tropical downpours did nothing to freshen things up. Instead, they rather served to create a more smothered, stiffling feel and the damp made the wool of the cloak itch.

Hera needed a drink, and couldnt stop dwelling on that important fact as she pushed and shoved her way down the slippery cobblestone streets. Everyone here had bad teeth she realised distractedly.

And, just in good time, "The Laughing Sprite" loomed into view. A pub of ill-repute and the rendevoux point for Hera's treasure-hunter guide.

A little bell rang ting-ling-a-ling overhead as she opened the heavy oak door and stepped inside the pub. Heading directly for the bar counter, she scowled under her breath as this place was busier and smelt even worse than the street.

[Killer Krayt]

He was rolling up a huge braided rope line when he heard the shouting. He looked up to see a wee bit of a man facing down one of the other pirates. Krayt had to laugh when he saw the little runt change his attitude as Hurley called his bluff. And who but the beautiful blonde did he hide behind. Krayt shook his head and laughed and continued his work, he wore a pair of black pants which were cut at the knees, and a white sleeveless buckaneer top which the laces up the front hung loosely. He started thinking back when he ran into her at the tavern the Laughing Sprite.

Seven days prior....

He had come to town looking for work. After talking to a few people, couple he'd rather have twisted their heads off, he found employment on the Black Rose. She was a beaut of a ship, but he knew what she really was. And deep down it was what he wanted out of having a job. She was a pirate vessel and that meant treasure. He wanted a piece of the pie they had offered. And for that he would give them his services as a ship's hand and soldier. After his hiring, he'd made his way to the tavern with the rest of the boyz. They were intent on getting plastered drunk before they set sail.

He was sitting with them and laughing heartily at their tales which were more comical than anything else. He knew they'd have had some good adventure, but drinking made one more giddy than serious and he charged that as the reason the stories were about funny business than swashbuckling. After a little while of hearing the amusing stories, he decided to be by himself and do some serious drinking.

Sitting amidst the others at the bar, Krayt held the flagon of ale in his huge hand. He was drinking what was his fith full tankard when the beautiful blonde sat next to him. An eyebrow arched as this was a nice surprise. Nice that she was a looker, and sat next to him, a surprise cause one never really seen the type in an establishment such as this.

"Lookin' fer someone I take it?"

He said as he looked at her from over is thick shoulder.

[rin]

“You know what…Your breath really stink’s bubb.” The Kender reeled back as the old codger leaned into Sliff with a hacking laughing that could kill a fly mid flight. Sliff frowned as he slowly rested his elbows on the oaken table, cupping his chubby little face with both hands as the wrinkled gambler pulled in his winnings to his exposed boney chest.

“I’ll never be good at sabboc…Besides; this old prune is probably cheating anyways.” The little Kender thought to him self with a long reluctant sigh. As the game played on, Sliff decided to stay out of the next hand, watching the players every move, however the tinkling of a bell over the tavern door caught his attention momentarily…It was a beautiful woman! Sliff propped himself up to get a better look the brave woman, but the vixen was soon lost from his sight in the sea of patron’s.

“Wow…” Exclaimed the tot of a thief as he craned his neck from side to side. Once again that damnable stinky, fowl laugh echoed in Sliff’s ears as it nearly caused him jump up and out his seat. The Kender turned his attention back towards the old man as a narrowed scowl creased his brow.

“Do you mind not doing that?…It’s rude and…Well, damn right annoying mind you!” Sliff’s almost spit the venomous words in the old timers face. It grew silent around the table for a moment then it erupted into laughter as the men grabbed their ale's and proceeded to play another round. Sliff rolled his eyes in disgust then slowly rested his head in one hand as if in defeat. After a moment, Sliff thought’s returned back to the lovely woman who had just entered the pub only moments prior. A soft sigh escaped the Kender as he subconsciously played with the brown curls of his hair.

“What would a pretty woman be doing in a place like this…She’s probably looking for her boy friend whose down here cheating on her…Nah,…Probably wandered into the wrong place at the wrong time.”

[DarthHERA]

"Lookin' fer someone, I take it?"

Hera slid her eyes to glance sideways at Krayt.

"Maybe"

The barman placed a pint of mead in front of her and the Sith sniffed it cautiously before drinking.
Shrugging in decision that it couldn't be too bad, she took a deep drink of it, before speaking again. Another shrug, she had been right in her assumption. The beer was passable enough.


"You know of a Captain Johns, also known as the Butcher of Castellan?"

It was the large fellow's turn to sip his ale and slide his eyes sideways. The barman paused while wiping the inside of a mug with a grubby towel and then turned to walk away.

She thought perhaps Krayt hadn't heard, or maybe he was just dense and prompted, "Captains the Black Rose.....?"

Hera noticed the sudden chill in the room at the mention of the name and looked around, not understanding what it was she had said wrong.

Over in the corner a game of chance was being played, the crass brittle laughter of an old weather-beaten sailor cut short, and a little kender fellow sitting beside him suddenly sat up straight.

Shifty characters, with shifty eyes looked from one to another about the Inn and conversations trailed off, till almost all present were focused menacingly on the blonde.

As Hera would later learn, many in this tavern were the crew of Captain Johns and as such, they were instantly on guard as to what some stranger wanted, and why she would be telling all and any she was looking for him. Many a neck had been stretched from the yardarm on account of a loose tongue to a snooping woman, and suddenly Killer Krayt was in a very tenuous position.

Kicking the stool Krayt sat on in a rude and impatient jolt which made the chair jump,

"hey - Im asking you a question."

[rin]

Two of the pirate’s of the Black Rose that sat at the sabboc table continued to whisper amongst them selves, periodically glancing over to the young blonde woman that mentioned their captain by name. Sliff’s attention was broken when one of the other’s at the table piped up to him.

“Ya know Sliff,…In seven days time we’ll all be setting off to the island of Pathos…Its said to hold riches and wealth untold...Enough to fill each and every man’s coffer here I tell you.” The pirate said in low tone’s as he shot the Kinder a toothy smile.

“And we could all use another good sabboc player to keep the journey a pleasant one…What’da ya say there matie?” The buccaneer let out a crackle of a laugh as he elbowed his partner next to him. The Kinder narrowed his eyes at the two men as the other’s continued to play their hand at the table. Sliff knew why they wanted him to come along for the trip…

“Why, so you can take all my money and stuff…Put me in a cave or down some narrow shaft looking for your precious treasure cuz your fat butt’s won’t fit?...Bastard’s.” The Kinder had a firm look of protest etched on his face as the others broke out into laughter once again. The pirate held up his hands and the laughter faded finally before he leaned into the table towards the Kinder.

“It may be so little wee one…But look at it this way,…You’ll be the first one to lay your grubby little hand’s on the booty,…Yeah?” The stinky ole snake did have a valid point Sliff thought. He could take his share right then and there before the other’s set eye’s on it…Sliff pondered the thought long and hard before he answered the oily swindler back...Ten second’s to be precise.

“Umm ok,...Well I’ll think about it…Maybe I suppose.” Sliff said as he gave the man a hard stair of his own. Just about that time, one of the other men at the table pulled something from his pocket. Slowly everyone’s eyes at the table was drawn to the man’s hand as it methodically moved to the large pot that had been accumulating at the center of the table. The shady fellow spoke as his shifty eye’s trailed to each man that sat there.

“I mate’s…I have something here to make the journey more interesting if ye can match its worth…” The cloaked figure slowly removed his hand only to reveal a beautiful three inch sapphire sphere with intricate gold inlay. Its surface sparkled and shimmered in the dim torch light of the room as the men let out small gasps at its unveiling.

“Tis said to lead the way to the “Sun King’s” treasure.” The man leaned back as the other’s leaned in to get a closer look at the small jeweled trinket. The strange dark cloaked man went on after he lit a pipe of sweet smelling herb and tossed the smoldering match to the ground at his side.

“But I tell you now, I don’t it’s riddle, a strange device I recon…Said to be a map of some kind…Picked it up a few day’s ago from a lad that crossed me the wrong way…That’s all the poor chap told me before I slit his throat from ear to ear.” The Kinder gulped hard at hearing the stranger’s disturbing word’s as he subconsciously raised his tiny hand to his own neck. Within moment’s the gambling swashbuckler’s where tossing their most prized possessions upon the table for a chance at the mysterious object of interest…Sliff of course had nothing to wager of worth to the fabulous pot that was now stacked a half foot or so off the oaken table…So the Kinder could only set patently and watch to see who the lucky soul would be who would claim it for his own once the game had ended.

The little thief’s eye’s remained affixed on the wondrous blue sphere as the men shouted and argued over their bet’s and lost hand’s…Indeed, the Kinder’s mind was already made…After all, he would go for the adventure alone, for the sheer excitement and tales he could keep for his own…But it was the beautiful sapphire orb that he now stared at that compelled him so.

[Killer Krayt]

Stopping in mid tilt of his flagon of ale, Krayt brought the tankard part way back and then he sent it back to his waiting lips to drink. All the while the "others" kept thier ears open for any loose words that might fly. But he knew the "do's and dont's about their business and wasn't too keen and walking any plank today OR tomorrow. So instead of answering the beautiful blonde with words, he winked at her over the rim of his cup.

Hopefully she was streetwise enough to know the gesture and the answer of "yes" in that wink. As he settled back down on the bartop with his arms crossed, and resting his chin on his massive forearms he looked at her.

"Why don't we just have our fill of ale instead of talk.... *then he whispered in mid sentence* .. just follow me, after...Although the glasses be dirty the Ale is more than adequete to make up for it."

He threw the barkeep a nod and a hearty laugh at the man's expression. He held up his tankard to the blonde in a toast.

"Name's Krayt, what do you go by?"

[DarthHERA]

A few moments of "nothing happening" was enough to bore the present company of cutthroats back to their cups. Realising there was nothing to see, attention soon disappated from Hera and back to their various former occupations.

Again the ale flowed. Again the conversations took up. And again the games of card and dice resumed. There was some excitement over where the Kinder sat, but Hera's attention remained on Krayt beside her.

He was determined to keep a low profile. And sure, if that's how he wanted to play it. But she had been told to join up with a Captain Johns of the Black Rose. No one said anything about keeping it secret. But if the game of the day was to be cloak and daggers, she could play along, to a degree.


She wasn't a big fan of small talk though, and so her answer was short and curt when Krayt asked for her name.

"Hera"

She didn't elaborate. She was here to get information, not to give it.

She caught the barman's attention once again.

"You got rooms here do you? Im in need of a bed and a place to wash up."

He nodded as he leaned on the bar, his beefy arms folded accentuating his muscular biceps. He almost leered at her, a sort of challenge in his manner.

"Yeah, but they aint cheap Missy. Three pieces o' eight, to be exact"

Hera pulled from her cloak a handful of coins and placed them on the bar.

"This be enough?"

The barman was surprised - the stupid look he had on his face, said as much. Hera knew he was extorting much more that the normal price, she could read it in his eyes, but she paid. A time to balance the mans greed would no doubt come. This thought made her smile.

A jerk of his head toward the stairs, indicated the direction of the accomodations.

"On the second floor, fourth door on the left. I'll send a lad up wit' hot water for you."

Hera finished her mead in one long draw and turned again to Krayt.

"Been nice talking to you."

She left him to watch her leave, knowing full well the amount of coin had not gone unnoticed by him...or anyone else for that matter. If they had information, they would want to be paid for it and they knew where to find her.

Walking past the group at sabaac, she mounted the stairs. Her footfalls as she ascended barely made a ripple of sound in the noisy tavern even though every oaken step groaned with age as she climbed.

The room she'd been given was small and sparsely furnished. A cot beneath the small solitary window, whose shutters were closed against the heat and humidity of the day. A table with wash basin and jug, a mirror on the wall and opposite that, a framed painting of a sailing ship. A desk and a chair, whose legs were uneven and wobbled when Hera sat in it, were all that were in the room.

She crossed over to check the bed. The sheets were clean and crisp - which was the biggest shocker so far since her arrival in this place - and the blankets were thick and looked warm. The pillow was lumpy, but there were worse fates than sleeping on its like. All in all, it was satisfactory.

Unlacing her boots, she then pulled her feet out from them and stretched out on the cot. She amused herself by wiggling her toes..

Soon, Krayt or someone would show. She had no doubt of it.

[Killer Krayt]

Coming up to the door of the room the barkeep had instructed Hera where she would be for the night. The soft knocking that sounded belied the actual hands that did the knocking. Krayt waited to see if she would answer the door. He leaned against the wall next to the door with arms crossed. He nodded with a smile at the passerbys, as a couple of the men had made their way up.

One of them stopped by the door to another sleeping quarters with a barmaid attached to his waist with her not-so skinny arms. The unshaven man beamed a smile over to Krayt.

"Oy, make sure ye have enough strength for the mornin's werk lad. Don't go wastin it all on tha' there girl."

The other boathand said to the huge man as the barmaid laughed.

'Don't worry about my strength there mate, worry of yer own, for I think that female there will have one helluva dull night ahead.'

Krayt thought to himself. He didn't say a word to the drunken sailor, Just stood there smiling and nodding till the man and floosey disappeared behind the closing door. Then his smile did the same.

[rin]

Later that night, Sliff found himself restless and agitated, rolling and tossing about in the make shift bed that resembled more of a stuffed rug on a flimsy thin metal frame. When the Kender closed his eyes, frightful images of the pirates faces he played sabboc with earlier that night pulled in and out of his mind as he tried in vain to swat them away with his hand.

“You bad ole men,…Can’t ya see I’m try’en to sleep for crying out loud…Go away!...I don’t wanna play no more.” The Kinder protested as he kicked at the stained covers that came with the tattered bed. The Kinder was upset be the fact that the swashbucklers were keeping him from that place he loved to go every night, a place were the adventures had no bounds and could be anywhere at any given time…In the land of make believe and dreams!

It wasn’t long though before the wee little thief was sound asleep, and the pictures in his head started to play as he stepped through its door's to another place and another time…However, tonight it would be a pirate’s tale with a twist.

Sliff dreamt that he was in a vast chamber that was filled with exotic items, shinny objects of gold and silver. There was also a long lavish table teaming with Sliff’s favorite foods and drink…His Kinder friends were all about the table eating their fill and having a merry of time telling tall tale’s of adventure and jokes while their folk songs were being played somewhere in the background. Sliff of course was setting on his Kinder throne of power as he looked on with glee…A ruling scepter was in his left hand and on the top of the magnificent rod was the sapphire gemstone that had caught his eye at the sabboc table hours prior. As the dream continued, Sliff ate with his fellow Kinders as he too enjoyed a thick leg of meat right off the bone. And the atmosphere wouldn’t have been the same without his queen at his side…The blonde woman he had also seen in the pub earlier. The King Thief smiled proudly over at his beautiful queen as he held the meaty bone out for her to take a bite…He watched in amusement as the blonde woman seductively tore the flesh from the bone all the while her eye’s remained on his…

“Thank you my king…” Replied the vixen blonde as she ran her tongue slowly over her ruby lip’s…Sliff then took a nibble of the meat right afterwards, licking his lips in the same manner as she did…

“Oh, your welcome my queen…My meat is your meat,…But ummm, just don’t touch my other stuff unless I say so,…ok?” Sliff managed to muster a pleasant smile, trying hard not to offend his lovely queen.

About that time, some of King Sliff’s royal guard’s came barging trough the massive doors at the other end of the chamber. Three large men and a skinny one were marched right up to the foot of the throne and the Kender guardsmen prodded the four shackled men until they bowed to the “Sun King.” Sliff looked down at them with a firm gaze that only a true king could give. King Sliff cleared his throat as he held his scepter up for everyone to see.

“And what be their crime’s captain?” The Kinder king questioned firmly as he took another bite off the leg of meat.

After bowing in deep respect to the “Sun King Thief” the Kender captain reported the heinous crime’s that were committed in Kindermore providence.

“My most exalted King,…Your gracious giving hand is always in my coffer, taking what you will whenever you damn well please, there’s no king like you and I’m glad…My lord and signer of my pay roll…I hope you reign for as long as there is hair on your head and stubble on your toes…” The intro was beginning to bore Sliff to no end as he rolled his eyes lazily at the captain of the guard.

“Will you just get on with it captain…I don’t have all day mind you!” Sliff interjected rudely, cutting the Kinder off in mid-sentence.

“Oh, yes my lord…Ummm, well this man right here…” The Captain stuck the man sharply in the buttocks, causing him to jump forward towards the stairs ascending up to Sliff and his taller blonde queen.

“He’s guilty of cheating at the sacred game of sabboc,…Caught red handed with theses other men you see…Yup, yup...Not to mention my lord,…They all have very, very stinky breath!” King Sliff narrowed an eye at the humans below him and after long thought and careful consideration and of course consultation with his lovely queen at his side, the King Thief announced his most just verdict upon the ill fated men.

“I,… ahem,…I king Sliff of the blah, blah, blah kingdom pronounce you all guilty of the highest charge imaginable in Kinder dome…Your punishment will commence at once…First, your mouth’s will be washed out with soap so that my guard’s wont die in the process of inflecting your second punishment. And as for your second and final punishment…You shall all be tickled to death,…Yup, tickled until your stinky ole cheating hides stink and cheat on more…Now get them outta my sight…I wanna finish my dinner in peace and quite with my queen…” Then with a stately gesture, King Sliff arrogantly waved his jeweled encrusted scepter with the splendid sapphire gem atop it at the group of pirates…


As the warm morning light spilled through and between a small slit in the dirty curtains of Sliff’s room, its gentle touch fell over the Kinder’s smiling face as he awoke from his surreal dream and stretched his arm’s above him with a long yawn…It was finally a new day.

[DarthHERA]

Hera waited until the sound of voices faded and the loud bang of another door seemed to confirm that whoever had been passing by, was now gone.

She then opened the door, not cautiously as one might expect, but wide and quite boldly.

Seeing Krayt standing there had not been a surprise. In fact she had been anticipating his arrival ever since he had expressed slight interest in helping her. And so, with a nudge of her toe against the door to prod it fully open, she waved him on in.

The giant sailor stepped inside, and, taking a cursory look around the room was satisfied that there was no apparent threat, took himself a seat. To his misfortune he chose the wobbly chair and his large frame looked comical on the teetering seat. Hera stepped back in after a quick glance up and down the hallway, noting no one else about, and closed the door and turned to find Krayt looking at the floor, and the chair legs to find the reason for his constant toppling to and fro.


"Why dont you take the bed, that chair looks like it might shatter"

Krayt, agreeing, stood and then resettled himself on the end of the bed.

Hera then perched on the edge of the table and looked at the man expectantly.

"So, I want to speak with Captain Johns. You know where I can find him?"

Krayt nodded and informed her that the "Black Rose" was at anchor just off the bluff. That they could see it from her window. And to prove what he said was true, he stretched up, his long reach easily spanning the distance to the shutters of the window, and pressed them outward. Hera moved closer and looked out at the panorama beyond.

Spread out before her was the entire township of Dunardin that sprawled outward from where they were, to encroach perilously close to the sheer red cliffs that bordered the entire Northwest point. Row upon row of grimey rooftops cluttered every square inch of sight with the only relief being the narrow winding streets that ran with haphazard irregularity throughout the town. It looked as if the township had no real plan or order to it - instead looking more like each section was an afterthought of construction. Which most probably was very close to the truth.

Port cities often were like that - growing in size proportionately to the increase as commerce and trade routes became more established. It was a case of supply and demand. More business brought more workers...which brought more settlers...which brought more business. Dunardin was a cluttered, congested community and was a horrible eyesore. Lines were strung here and there between rooftops and were adorned with laundry. Here and there were sad little pots and planters growing scraggled vines and the odd brave flower, but the smog and grime from the mulitude of chimneys had much to do with their unhealthy states. The city was much like the people who lived there. Grubby, smelly and mule-ugly to look at. But lift the eyes just a little....and a beautiful expanse of coral sea trimmed with pristine white sand was the reward.

Dotted on the brilliant blue ocean, and nestled in a cove that was a natural harbour were dozens of tall ships. Some large vessells, sloops and schooners, all looking as if they were painted on glass.
The waning pre-evening beams of the dual suns broke through the clouds - which had so recently been emptying tropical rain on the entire populace - and now their soft twilight rays smiled on the earth below. The effect was to dazzle Hera and her sharp intake of breath showed how moved she was at the beauty displayed before her.

Krayt's voice piping up kind of broke the spell.

Pointing with a beefy finger, he pinpointed the Black Rose - a robust looking ship laying a little apart from the rest. Though it did not have the Pirate flag hoisted, most knew her reputation and so preferred to give Johns vessell wide berth.

"Is he there now? On board?"


Another nod.

Hera sat on the other end of the bed, and pulled out her boots, lacing them up quickly.

Krayt watched her, not quite understanding. She stood up, all ready and eager to go.

"Why are you still sitting there. Take me to the ship."

The two left the small room once more, passing the little kinder as he made his own way up the stairs to his own lodging. The toussle haired diminutive one yawned voraciously as they passed, so that Hera could almost see right the way down his little kinder-throat.

Inside, she wondered if the little fool would survive the night in such a hive of villany as this Inn..And seriously doubted it.

[Eldorack]

The hatch to the large vessel opened slowly with a slight hissing sound. The crew and passangers of the "fire" walked down and onto the landing pad of Dunardin. The place looked the same as when the Eldorack had visited the elaborate place before. The same hustle and bussle like before. Just new faces was all that the Mercinary noticed. Eldorack remembered a certain Inn. He did not recall the name, but he knew that all of the adventurious type were there. But it was early in the mourning, nobody of interest would be up at this early hour of the day, so the assasin decided he would go to the Inn anyway, to see who was there.

Navigating his way down lone streets and dirty, dingy alleyways, Eldorack finally arrived at his destination. The sae grungy wood faced outward, the same smelly people walked in and out of the place. Some were drunk off of their feet, and others were as sober as could be.

As the Mercinary walked up towards the double doors that led into the rough Inn, Eldorack was stoped by an old man sitting alone by the sidewalk. His moth eaten clothes adorned him, and others were in the cart next to him. Turning his attention to the stinky old man, Eldorack was right in the path of the stinky breath of the old man. Eldorack was almost knocked unconscience. Stabling himself again, the Slicer listened to what the man had to say...

"Please sir, give me some money so I can buy some food. The pirates aboard the Black Rose swindled me out of it. Now I have nothing."

Holding out a cup for Eldorack to place a few credit chips inside, the man waited patiently.

"If you tell me where this ship known as the Black Rose is, well then maybe I could talk to them. Otherwise, I can not help you my friend."

Pulling his arm free of the old man, Eldorack finally made it inside of the bar.

[Killer Krayt]

Together they walked the dark somewhat empty cobblestone streets. Occasionally passing through an alleyway strewn with the drunken bodies of sailors or inhabitants who couldn't make it to where they were headed. The areas got a little better in looks and the like. They were coming out of the slums and entering the middle class part of the port city. The smell of the ocean becoming stronger as they got within blocks of the piers.

"You haven't mentioned what yer business with Cap'n Johns is. You plannin' on joinin' the little expedition?"

He glanced over at the beautiful blonde and grinned. He took a guess at the why she was headed for the Black Rose, and that was to become part of the crew in their search for treasure. That's why the men of the ship at the tavern got very quiet when she had asked. Noone really knew what the plans were for the Black Rose except her captain and crew. He became privy to that knowledge the moment after becoming the new shipmate. He stopped in mid walk and turned to her when she stopped also. He reached out and took her hand, which he inspected with a casual caress of his thumb. His lips pursed in thought.

"Hmmm, haven't done much hard work have you? No matter, I'm sure you'll do yer share of other things to do yer part on board."

Then he let her hand go and they began to walk again. He looked over at her with another kiddish smile.

"And I'm sure it doesn't require bedding anyone. You don't look the type."

He chuckled after finishing the sentence at the look she gave him. As they rounded the corner, the ports were in view. Two blocks straight ahead. He pointed to the ship with the tall mast. It was big, and got bigger as they neared. The Black Rose sat on glass smooth water, It's sails were secured up, and the deck was almost void of any sign of occupancy. As they approached the Pirate ship, he nodded towards the dock.

"There she be, waitin' fer us. Cap'n Johns is more than likely stowed away fer the night. Come on, lets find ourselves a nice spot to rest, then I'll take ya ta see him. No sence wakin him up and gettin' him all crabby."

Krayt said with a soft laugh. He led her on board and found a nice dark and quiet spot for them to get some shut eye. He sat down against the main cabin and gestured for her to take the spot next to him.

[rin]

That very same day, Sliff arose and gathered his belongings, a small side satchel and a few pouches that he had lifted off a couple of unsuspecting patron’s that had the unfortunate luck of crossing the Kinder’s path. Sliff held the leather pouches up and examined them for a moment before his undeniable curiosity took the better of him. Sitting on the edge of the rickety old bed, the Kinder poured the content’s of the bags on the mattress. A small number of gold shillings were mingled with a few silver back’s that made up the whole as he sifted through them anxiously. A small red stone came to the surface as his tiny hand rummaged through the coins. Excitedly, the Kinder picked up the tiny jewel and held it to the light that streamed through the murky window of his room. After eyeing it for a brief moment an estimating its worth on the open market, Sliff tucked it away then hurriedly picked up a gold coin and proceeded to bite it to see if it was real.

“Oh goodie, goodie…Whelp, this should be enough to get me through another day.” Sliff mumbled to him self as he scooped up the remaining pile of coin’s and then placed the bags in a hidden pocket of his brown vest. After a few moment’s, the Kinder stood at the door to his room were he carefully removed the intricate trap he had set the night before. A thin synth cord stretched across the inside of the heavy oak door where on either ends it was maliciously attached to two small devices that rapidly shot poisoned tipped dart’s if the trap happened to be tripped by an unwelcome guest. Sliff felt comfortable with this particular security device seeing his own uncle Sh’meeddner taught him when he was but a wee boy. Not only was it extremely reliable, it had thwarted ah many intruder in his uncle’s life time,…Well, according to Uncle Sh’meeddner it had…

A few minutes later, the Kinder made his way to the pub’s counter after bumping into a few prospect’s that didn’t turn up much…Most of the local’s here seemed to take special care of their belongings or either didn’t have anything to begin with so the Kinder found it hard and frustrating to look after peoples stuff seeing it was already taken care of…

After ordering his usual two egg’s and Fur-chee sausages with a pint of ale to wash it all down, Sliff quietly ate his breakfast then took the few tip’s that lay on the counter by him when the bar keep wasn’t paying attention.

“People shouldn’t just leave money laying around like this…Someone’s liable to come along and take it…I better just hold onto them until the rightful owner comes back to claim it…Yup, yup…If he asks me nicely, I’ll gladly give it aaallll back to him...Or her that is.” Sliff let out a gleeful laugh then smiled at his own righteous assessment as he slipped to the edge of the chair.

After plopping to the floor from the high stool he once sat in, the Kinder made his way to the door of the establishment. Right as Sliff was about to walk through the door opening, a large lanky man with his hairy rodent side kick stepped in and nearly ran him over.

“HEY!...Watch where the hell your going…What do I look like…A frell’en door mat or a pee-pole for your walking swamp rat?” Sliff’s eye’s furrowed into a tight grimace before he realized who it truly was he was talking to.

“Oh hey…Eldorack!…What in tar-nation’s are you doing here?...I could have killed you and dog with my lethal Sar-zen capabilities if I hadn’t stopped myself in time…Lucky for you huh?” The Kinder shot Eldorack a serious glance followed by a welcoming smile as he placed his wee little hands on his hips. It had been quite some time since the Kinder had laid eyes on the bounty-hunter, nevertheless he was extremely happy to see him.

“So where’s that big ole oaf of a friend of yours? He owes me some credit’s…Yup, yup…It’s a damn good thing he’s not here cuz I’d give him a piece of my mind.” The Kinder snapped as he shook his fist at the thought of Mockadane’s treacherous dealing’s and underhandedness. Sliff then quickly panned the area around the tavern just to make sure the mercenary wasn’t around listening in on him.

"Yeah,...That big ole scabby, slobbery womanizing, knuckle dragg'en wannabe pilot...Butt muncher!" Sliff vehemently exclaimed once he realized the muscle bound Merc wasn’t in the vicinity. Now Kinder's were known for their innate "taunting" abilities and surely enough, if Mockadane would have been present right then and there to hear Sliff's flaming word's of slander against him, he would have been sent into a head long berserking rage...

[Eldorack]

As the little kender started insulting the Mercinary of being a thief and a wannabe pilot, DOG started growling low in his throat. If it wasn't for the pat on the head by his human friend, DOG would have surely leaped onto Sliff and started gnawing at his throat. Making sure that the little man would never insult Mockadane again. Eldorack laughed at Sliff's words and his gestures as he explained himself of his accusations. After regaining himself, Eldorack started wondering how the little man had got this far out in the galaxy.

Sliff, how is it you have managed to get here. And since you are here, what do you plan to do on this planet besides take the money on the counter that someone had left for the barkeep as a tip.

Sliff knew what his large friend was talking about by the look upon his face. The little man was looking down at his feet and fidgeting with his hands behind his back when the Assasin laughed heartily and rubbed sliff atop the head. Seeing the look upon Eldoracks face, Sliff got a big smile on his face as well. Both men laughed about the subject at hand as they opened the door to walk out. DOG soon followed, his tail wagging all along.

Walking outside, Eldorack looked upon the ocean. Seeing the waves come, one after another. They all looked the same, yet they had different characteristics about each other. Just like every being in the galaxy, they all have differences between each of them. That is what makes them so different. Looking at Sliff, Eldorack watched as he walked along, "taking care of other people's stuff", just in case if they had forgotten about it. Eldorack on the other hand was much different. He did not want to talk to anyone, he wanted to be alone. Unless he was with one of his close, personal friends. The two friends were very different, yet so much alike.

Sliff, what buisness do you have here...???

[DarthHERA]

Hera sat beside Krayt, but it was an unsettled and uneasy posture. And wouldnt last long.

She was anxious to meet this "Butcher of Castellan" and put forward her proposal to him. Cooling her jets on a wooden seat that promised to put splinters in her butt was not what she had in mind. Though the night was pleasant enough for sitting, to be sure.

The suns had long sunk below the horizon and the continual breeze had chased away the heavy clouds of the earlier afternoon, leaving an inky blue sky cluttered with glittering winking stars.

Hera stood up. Krayt's breathing fell to a steady deep rythm and the Sith assumed he was sleeping.

She felt unsteady. As smooth as the ocean surface was, there was stll the slight rolling of the deck beneath her feet that with its gentle sway unbalanced her slightly.

Walking in a side-stride sort of manner, she made her way over to the railing. Stretching out her hand and using the side of the main cabin for support for as far as it reached, and then from there to a barrell, then to a post, on to a crate and then to the sturdy wood rail that encompassed the ship. She seemed to step down just as the deck was dipping and this - in the darkness - was more of a challenge than one would think. This would take some getting used to.

Standing on the stern of the ship now, she looked into the water. In the starlight she could see schools of phospherescent fish swiming near the surface, zig-zagging first one way, then another in total unison yet seemingly, as a whole, with complete whimsy. In the distance, the surface looked like cut glass, but closer, the soft ripples of waves reflected the night light and shimmered in an endless span until the darkness overcame it.

But it was the sound that enchanted her the most. The gentle lapping of water at the base of the great ship. The low creaking of ropes of the rigging as it swayed overhead. The distance city noises were only muffles from where she stood and all around her seemed calm, quiet and....simple. It was not something she often experienced.

Hera had no idea how long she had stood there, looking out across the ocean, breathing in the saltiness in the air, but it must have been some time as light would soon break in the sky to the east.

Krayt was now standing beside her, rubbing the stiffness from his neck, and sounds were coming from below decks. Smoke too..someone was preparing breakfast.

Gradually there were general stirings all about. The Bosun came on deck and sounded the bell for the change of watch. The Black Rose was in port and most of the crew were in the township, but still the ship had its protocol. Pushing himself from off the barrell he had been sitting on, a lean and wirey sailor grinned toothily at Hera and Krayt. The sentinal had been there, in the shadows, all night and had been keeping a careful eye on the new visitor that had boarded with Krayt. So still and silent he had been, Hera had not noticed his presence. Not that she had looked for it - her mind and senses had been focused elsewhere.

The smells of bacon frying wafted up to them, and suddenly Hera's stomach growled, quite audibly, insomuch that she put her hand to her middle to stiffle it.

Krayt declared they would meet the Captain and then eat. He was going to suggest otherwise, but the look in Hera's eyes warned him that her patience was beginning to wane.

[Killer Krayt]

Krayt turned to the young bosun and called out.

"Bowen, fetch the Cap'n ! Inform him Hera here has a wee bit of business to take with him."

As the young man who only looked to be around sixteen turned to leave he called out again.

"Bowen! better make it fast, she's a bit hungry!"

The young man nodded and sounded off an "Aye" as he disappeared down the main cabin. Krayt looked over the side of the ship as the dawn broke the distant horizon. The sky was a mixture of black going into a purple, to a dark indigo, to a lighter turquiose then to the bright color as the suns themselves. The clouds took on a double accent of color, a pink and an orange, made the horizon look like it was on fire, and Krayt smiled at it's splendor.

"Beautiful isn't it?" He gestured to the breaking day for Hera to see.

He breathed in the crisp air and the sounds of the seagulls could be heard in the distance. As the birds made their way back for the morning feeding of fish that were active at this time.

"I think this is my favorite time, when the day greets you in it's most spectacular way. As only the day can....... Now where is the Cap'n?"

Krayt wondered aloud and Hera smirked as she was probably asking herself too. Twas a bit of bad manners to keep someone waiting, but then again, he was a pirate and this was HIS ship. He could do whatever he frelling wanted to, but dammit Krayt was hungry as well as Hera and the food cooking wasn't helping them anymuch. Then the big burly form ascended the stairs of the main cabin and there he was, Cap'n Johns, owner of the Black Rose, terror of the high seas......or so they say.

[rin]

The Kinder shot the hunter a side ward’s glance of annoyance at the mention of taking money that didn’t belong to him. Sliff neared Eldorack and pointed a stubby finger at him while resting his other hand on his hip...

"Its very rude to accuse someone of something they didn’t do Mr. know-it-all!...Well, the way your looking at it...I’ll have you know, I’m keeping it for safe keeping until the rightful owner claim's it." Sliff lifted his head in assurance, knowing he was doing the right thing.

"Yup, they have exactly twenty four hour's to find me and make claim to it...Other then that,…It will then become my property...Well, you know...Holding and security fee's, not to mention...Taxes on the credit can be a lot too." Sliff turned and was about to leave then paused at Eldorack’s nosy inquiry.

“Sliff, what business do you have here...?”

The Kinder turned once again to face the hunter who was now sitting comfortably at the table behind him. Sliff's eye's lit up as he approached the man and his dog.

"Oh, I have a lot of things to do and time is ah wasting...I have but only a few day's to get the supplies I need. Yup, yup...I'm going on a grad adventure across a dangerous ocean that's filled with the most terrible and ferocious sea monsters you ever did see. I'll be going on a ship called the Black Rose. I think they ship flowers and stuff." The Kinder finished with a note of excitement in his shill voice as he patted the flea bitten varmint on the head.

"You have to register down at the boatman's yard near the wharf if your interested in going...And ya better hurry up too...I hear there’s not much room left either..."Sliff glanced down at Dog who was panting and continued to pet him as he went on.

"But I don’t know if they'll let you take animals aboard though...I think they look at it like bad karma or something." The Kinder smiled at "dog" then plucked a few stray hairs from his short coat. A sharp yelping cry escaped "Dog" as the faithful K-9 retreated back to his owner with a low growl.

"Whelp,...I better get going...Gotta lot to do." The Kinder exclaimed as he turned about and headed for the door with a slight skip and hop in his step. As Sliff exited the pub, he felt a slight tug on his petty coat. It was the same old man that had stopped Eldorack earlier.

"Spare some change lad?" The old man said feebly as he looked up at Sliff from his crouched position with a rutty ole cup extended.

The Kinder smiled as he place his wee little hand in the man’s cup then removed the shilling's there in.

“There ya go you old bugger…Don’t use it up all at once…It’s the good stuff.”


Sliff patted the man on the head then skipped off across the street towards the merchant store where he would buy his much needed supplies. The Kinder made it about half way when he heard an angry shill voice behind him…As one would guess, it was the old beggar.

“Ya son of a…” The last of the old mans word’s were cut off as a speeder and swoop bike barreled by. Sliff's head cocked to one side as a concerned look crossed his face.

“That,…That kid just ripped me off of all my money.” The old geezer exclaimed in a violent tone as he shook the dog hair that Sliff left him. Sliff rolled his eyes as he threw his hands up then placed them on his hips in a defensive posture.

“I’ll have you know that’s no ordinary hair you’ve got there old timer. Yup…It’s very rare…Special it is…Glitter-Stem hair right off the back of a giant ferocious energy spider from the mines of Kessel I visited once...Makes for some good smoking if ya got a decent pipe Yup, yup...” The Kinder shouted from across the street. The ole stogy wasn’t buying it though, nevertheless, his long aged years were no match for the Kinder’s youthfulness and speed. The old man could only stare in disbelief at the wad of hair he now held as the thief rounded a corner then disappeared from sight.

[DarthHERA]

Johns was a man in his forties, or roughly there about. Six feet tall atleast, perhaps more, and with a heavy frame. He had a barrell chest which made his waist look incongrueously small by proportion. The brilliant red sash that he wore about his middle only accentuated the misconception. The shirt was unbuttoned, and not only was the pirates coarse chest hair visible, but so was his tattoo of a mermaid sitting alluringly on a large anchor.
His face was hard, weathered. Many a tale could be told by the deep lines and the livid purple scar that ran from his left ear to the corner of his mouth. His lips were thin and looked cruel. This could be due to the puckering scar, but more likely was because he was, in fact, cruel.

Rumor had it that he was the son of a butcher back in the port city of Castellan. He had been destined to take over the trade once his father passed on, but the young Johns had chosen a life at sea instead. He had, however, brought some of his father's trade practices to his seafaring life. The most renown being his liking to hang his vanquished enemies on meathooks mounted on the main mast post of their ships while he set alight their vessells in front of them to burn and sink as a flaming funeral pyre to the bottom of the Kaspian sea. Thus gaining him the nickname "The Butcher of Castellan."

Johns ran a beefy hand through his wavy black hair - he had yet to pull it back and fasten in with black ribbon in his usual fashion, and so it fell in unruly order about his face . He had black stubble on his chin, peppered with generous flecks of gray. His eyes were black, even in the morning sunshine they looked forbidding and soulless. He barked out an order to his first mate who was coming up behind him from the quarterdeck and his voice was steely and harsh. All in all - he appeared a rogue of the direst sort. And Hera took an instant liking to him.

After a moment, the dark eyes found her and Krayt, and a sudden suspicious and calculating look came over him.

"And what seaworm is this that the mornin' nets have dragged in?"

A sharp elbow from Krayt told her this was her que, and so she stepped forward.

"Captain Johns, my name is Hera - Tommy Bandylegs sent me. Said you might want to do me a favor." She lifted a leather pouch that jingled loudly with coin and tossed it at him, scoring a direct hit on his broad chest. Johns hand was quick though and had the money instantly in his grasp. As he weighed it, holding it loosely, a broad grin (which revealed numerous gold teeth that glited somewhat blindingly in the sunlight) Johns laughed in a low rumble.

As an answer he asked simply, "Do you seaworms eat breakfast?"

And then with a gesture for she and Krayt to follow, he turned back to the short step ladder down to his own cabin.

The two followed, and in the cramped confines, which was a great deal roomier than the crew quarters simply for the fact that it only slept one, the three of them sat at a rough wood table and awaited for the young ships mate, (who looked to be about ten years old) to serve breakfast.

[DarthHERA]

The thudding of quick, light feet on the wooden boards leading down to the Captains Quarters heralded the return of the ships mate, and consequently the arrival of breakfast.

While waiting for the meal to be distributed, Johns ran his hands over his belly, scratching as they traversed its width. Rings on three of five fingers of both hands caught Hera's eyes as they moved and it was only when the scratching stopped and the loud silence penetrated her thoughts, that the Sith smuggler realised she had been staring at them.

They were of varying worth and beauty, but all of them had a crest of some description centered with in gems and precious stones. In truth, Hera thought them gaudy and rather ostentatious for her taste.

"Aye, they be worth a look matey.." Johns waggled his fingers now in front of her face and a merry gleam came into his dark eyes.
"For every band'o'gold ye see, a Cap'n and his ship have dipped their prow beneath the waves to ol Captain Johns"

Hera failed to look as impressed as Johns had expected.


"And not just any Captain mind, some be those that rival me in blood thirsty deeds."

Johns was definitely expecting a "ooh" or "aaah" from his guest..or at the very least a enthusiastic raising of the eyebrows. But he was to be denied.

The ship's mate (He had yet to be called by his name, so far as Hera could gather by what her host kept addressing him, the boy's name was "Swab") set down a tin plate before each of them.

Three peices of bacon, some panfried potatoes, a slice of thick white cheese, a chunk of brown bread and...what looked like scrambled eggs, only scarier, all vied for position on her plate.
It smelt better than it looked, and it was still steaming hot and so Hera tucked in.

Still chomping on the heavily buttered potatoes, she casually asked her host, "Any of those rings belong to Billy Bones?"

Johns face took on a look of thunder, and Krayt droped his fork so that it made a punctuative clang to the question. Gathering himself quickly, the burly pirate took fork again in hand and got busy eating, avoiding eye contact with his Captain.

Billy Bones was a delicate subject..as Hera well knew. Ol Bandylegs had laughed through his gaping black teeth when he had told Hera how Billy Bones had taken the map for the Lurethian Treasure right out from under Johns' nose over a game of cards. Bones had feigned himself a noble gentleman, disguising himself in fine clothing and pompus airs - the Butcher of Castellan never had an inckling of whom he had been dealing with.

A man of gifted speech and comely phrases, William Bonedardo had conversationed Johns until his head spun trying to keep up. And then with the nimble fingers of a theif, Billy helped himself to the map that had been tucked into a small cloth satchel hanging from Johns' hip.

How Bones had known of its existance, one could only speculate. Perhaps an informer - a traitor among the Butcher's crew? But known he had, and take it he did.

"I guess thats a "no" then" Hera sneered.

The swarthy Captain clenched his knife in hand at her insult and brought it up in a threatening manner - but he got it no further than midway cross the table. Hera held him midlaunch using her force ability and Johns face suffused to bright red as the revelation dawned on him that he broke his morning fast with a Sith.

A gutteral growl erupted from his throat, and Johns smacked "swab" square on the back in his anger, sending the slight framed boy sprawling across the room.

"Now, now - Captain, calm yourself. What if I told you I can get back this map?"

Johns eyes darted to Krayt and back to Hera, the wheels of his mind turning over. The oportunity to save some face was no doubt every bit as appealing as the chance to find the treasure.

Hera, seeing the bait taken, continued.

"My deal is this. I bring you the map to the treasure - you take me to find it. We split it 50-50."

He shovelled in some eggs, followed quickly by some greasy bacon and Hera watched as it disappeared behind his lips. He ran his thick pink tongue out to catch any stray food, leaving an oily residue about his mouth.

"60-40"

As he spoke, remnants of egg shot and spotted on the table. Hear ignored it as best she could.

"50-50 or I take my offer someplace else."

Johns grunted, nodded and then repeated the shovelling and licking routine, and then he smiled.

"We leave six days from now. My crew need some shoreleave an' we have to re-provision the Rose. On the mornin' tide, we'll be gone. With or without you and yer map"

Pushing away her plate, Hera stood. The meeting was over.

"In six days" she said as she made to leave. "Thanks for the breakfast."

With a curt nod to Krayt, but not even sparing a glance at the young ships mate, she left the Captain to continue his day.

[Killer Krayt]

Sitting and eating his breakfast, Krayt just took it all in. Hera had mentioned ol' Billy and that was an interesting twist to the morning meal. He thought the cap'n would end up heaving the table over and there went breakfast, but the old man kept his cool. The deal was struck with the two, and that meant she was comin along. He smiled inward to himself at the prospect of seein this lovely woman every morning on board as he did his daily duty.

When she got up and turned to walk out, he gave her a wink as she gave her 'curt' nod to him. Yessiree this was going to be very interesting indeed.

[DarthHERA]

The days passed in rapid succession, as days were want to do when one had so many things to fill them.

Hera had developed a small routine since parting company with Captain Johns and the "Black Rose" and returned to the Inn.

After rising each day, eating a breakfast of fried potatoes and bacon washed down with black steaming brew (which the locals called "bitter tea") - her day consisted of moving about the city itself gathering items she would need for the upcoming journey.

A visit to a tailor shop, which was unimaginatively called "The Tailor Shoppe" she came away with two form fitting dresses that ballooned in a cascade of petticoats at the bottom - for which purpose totally eluded her - and three sets of heavy gingham breeches, with three white blouses. She had actually selected mens shirts as opposed to the more frilly blouses the women were fond of. Those Hera found less than practical, though the mens shirts were not completely free from frill and flounce. The cuffs on two of them had ruffles. Hera was just glad no one from her Base would see her in such attire.

All the items had to be adjusted to her size and figure, with the odd alteration for weapon concealment.

Other stops through her week consisted of a visit to a cartographer - one who also made false papers and counterfeit deeds to lands and houses for a shiney shilling or two - and she got from him updated graphs and maps of the general route she and the Pirates would be taking, with landmarks boldly indicated for her easy identification.

She also gained some select food items, some dried fruits which she would keep for her personal store, together with a crate of imported rum - again for her own personal use.

The crew of the Black Rose also were about their own work or reprovisioning their vessell. New ropes, rigging, extra sails, repair thread, barrels of mead, rum, and the all important water, together with bread, meats (live and dried), dry goods and fruit were all restocked with what seemed lavish supply. But as every sailor knew, journey's across the moody oceans rarely went with out mishap or storm or disaster of some description, and it was on a very rare occassion that any vessell returned to port with food that had spoiled because it had lasted too long.

She also spent time in the company of the locals, stockpiling knowledge of the town, the islands hereabouts, the legends and folklores, the old-wives tales the women told their children to scare them into slumber (these Hera found particulary amusing and enjoyed the twisted mentality of terrifying ones offspring into obedience of staying in their beds). Many of the tales were outlandish and quite absurd. But as with all such stories, a basis of truth was in them, and these Hera took to heart.


All these five days, Hera had noted a shadow following her every move.

It was "Swab" the rat-haired young ships mate. Seems Johns was not the trusting sort..or perhaps he had planned to double cross her, take the map and cut her out of the equation completely. Either way, sending swab was a waste of effort. Hera had the map in possession from her treasure-hunter guide whom she had finally managed to meet up with, outside the prying eyes of Killer Krayt or the young ships boy.

She would give the map, or orb as it more correctly looked, to Johns, but only Hera would know how to access it. That fact she would conveniently omit to advise Johns until they were on Pathos.

Returning to the "Laughing Sprite Inn" the blonde Sith sat tired and foot-sore in a creaking wooden chair and ordered herself some beef pie with chips for dinner. It would be the last eveing meal in town, as in the morning, she would be aboard the pirate ship, in the company of scallywags, murderers and theives, and setting sail for the unknown.

[rin]

The tiny bells over the door jam jingled and tinkled loudly, signifying a new customer had just entered the overly crowded merchant’s store. The owner was on a small foot stool arranging some item's as Sliff waved to him and approached the counter. The Kinder gave the man with a dirty apron a wide smile as he stepped off the stool and peered over the counter at Sliff’s boyish stature.

"Can I help you with something kid?" The towering merchant asked in a gruff voice, wiping his hands as he sized the Kinder up and down."

Sliff eye's panned over the wonderful store before he answered. There were so many things’ to choose from and so many things’ he needed for a grand adventure. The Kinder glanced back at the store owner as he rubbed his tiny hands together in anticipation.

"Oohh yes,...I defiantly need some help." Sliff said in an over enthusiastic voice, quickly reaching into his side satchel and pulling out a long list of need items.

"I need two of those over there,...One of them, ten of those over there...And ummm,...Exactly two hundred and fifty-two of those...Yup, yup." Sliff's little hand pointing in all direction’s as he kept a mental note for the man who shot him a confused look.

"I hope you have the money to pay for all of this stuff." The merchant growled as his thick brow furrowed at the Kinder.

"Yup,…I sure do...See?” Sliff exclaimed as he grabbed a small pouch at his side and wiggled the coin’s inside. After the man was satisfied with the knowledge that the wee Kinder could pay for his merchandise, he reluctantly turned to gather up the rather tall request.

“Ohh,…And one more thing I just thought of…Give me a can of those Bok’key gummy worm’s…Ummm,…Make that two can’s…No three!” Sliff interjected right before the man was about to step up on the wooden stool to the upper shelf. The merchant man turned slowly towards Sliff, a deep scowled etched its way onto his rugged looking face as he cursed under his breath. The Kinder shot him a reassuring smile, trying not to get on the man’s last nerve. Sliff knew that the man would be delighted after the final purchase and figured the grumpy ole merchant was probably having a bad day at sells or something, thus the bad attitude towards him…Sliff would do his best to be patient with the ole tart. After all, it was the Kinders last stop before he headed back to the Laughing Sprite Inn then off to the Black Rose down at the marina.

As the man gathered some of the item’s from the upper shelf, Sliff gathered a few other item’s of his own while the man’s back was turned him for the moment, raking a number of glow rods into his already opened satchel at his side.

“And hey, if you don’t mind…Grab me a couple of those pop cap’s while your up there sir,…Ya never know when one of those might come in handy…Yup, yup!”

[Killer Krayt]

Krayt had pulled guard duty that night, with the ship set for sail in the morn' the Cap'n wasn't takin any chances for the wrong sort to hinder anythin worth hinderin' on this trip. He had a black powder pistol tucked in his belt, and a knife in his boot. His large hand rested on the pommel of his scimitar. He fancied the scimitar over the rapiers usually used by the sea faring rabble because of its ability to cleave a man in two if used the right way. He was in the raven's nest high above the deck where he loved to be during the times he was running guard over the Black Rose. From here he could see all below and if needed, drop in on the unexpected guests.

He leaned against the basket's edge and gazed out over the calm black inky waters of the port. The wind was pleasant and the moon shone brightly. His bandana's tails played in the wind as it blew. His black vest barely fitting his wide broad shoulders and chest. Tonight was a good night, hopefully tomorrow would fare as well for them. Surely the gods who watched over them would grant them safe journey and to prosper at the end of it. His thoughts drifted off to the blonde who would accompany them on this hunt. Hera....... A strong woman, crafty too..... He smirked as he pictured her standing at the bow of the ship decked in pirate's garb and all. yes a lovely picture it did paint.

Soon she'd return to the Rose and then off they would go. "Bring me the horizon" Is what he longed to hear from Cap'n Johns. The distant horizon began to show signs of dawn as its black sky began to turn indigo. A smile showed and he breathed deeply the salty air as he grew anxious of the nearing departure.

[DarthHERA]

The "Black Rose" weighed anchor on the morning tide as scheduled and cleared the red rimmed cliffs of the bluff 20 minutes later.

The day began with promise. Clear sun set in a powderpuff blue sky, the ocean stretching out like glass that had no end. An amiable breeze filled the tall ships sails, billowing them out like giant sheets drying in the wind on a summer morning.

The sleek lines of the vessel sliced effortlessly through the effervescent crests of the waves, a rythmic dip and lift of the gentle swell.

Sailors ran barefooted across the deck, tugging lines, securing them to the smooth posts of the masts, pulling taunt the rigging so that the sails snapped-to with crisp efficiency. The crew encouraged each other to greater effort with shouts of "Heave ho!" and "Use yer backs, swabs!" Many had done this before, most - had done it all their lives, and it showed as the "Black Rose" advanced toward the horizon like a beautiful graceful creature with a mind and a will of her own.

It wasnt long before the steady plying of ship through sea had the crew singing in good spirits:




O' Salty boys and hearty lads, bid yon land farewell,
We're off to sea! To sea, to Sea!
Bid yon land farewell.

Cry you pretty maids and maidens, pray ye for our souls!
We're off to sea! To sea! to sea!
Pray ye for our souls!

We're treasure bound, we want some gold for pendants, rings and teeth!
We're off to sea! To sea, to Sea!
Gold pendants, rings and teeth!

O' Davey Jones's lockers there, maybe we'll find that too!
Were off to sea! to sea, to sea!
Maybe we'll find that too!

Beneath the waves the fishes sleep, and dead mens bones lay cold.
We're off to sea! To sea, to sea!
And dead mens bones lay cold.

A pirates crew, we're hardy lads and cutthroats, just a few.
We're off to sea! To sea, to sea!
And cutthroats just a few.

So wish us well and a kiss for luck, the ocean blue she calls us. We're off to sea! To sea, to sea!
The ocean blue she calls us.

And should we fail, the treasure lose, our ghosts they will continue,
To sail the sea! The sea, the sea!
Our ghosts they will continue.


So sing good mates! And pass the rum, salute our coming fortune!
We're off to sea! To sea, to sea!
Salute our coming fortune!"




******************************



The mainland shank and gradually disappeared altogether. The wind picked up and the swell grew.

The Black Rose speed her way across the sea, rolling and dipping more dramatically now. The spray crashed against her side, and it was here, now, that Hera had come to seek some relief from her sea sickness.

Sliff was clinging to her leg, and the pirate he was hiding from looked as if he was deciding whether the little kinder would be more useful as bait on a hook for shark fishing.

Prying his steely fingers from her being, Hera managed to finally break free of him.

"Two days of this? I dont think I'll manage it."

The pirate laughed at her and walked away. Land lubbers were such a joke.

Alone with Sliff, Hera shared her misery.

"What the frell are you doing here?"

[rin]

Hera found herself quite literally wrenching the little Kinder from her leg as he fought her tug. A few onlookers’ aboard the Black Rose gave out a hearty laugh and paused in their daily duties to watch the unlikely two spar until the blonde eventually prevailed. Indeed, this wasn’t an everyday occurrence aboard the Rose and bets would have been placed, but the men were too enthralled at the moment to do so. It was what they called a sight for sore eyes, a wee fellow crossing path’s with a tall beautiful blonde. After the brief struggle, Sliff stumbled backwards as his eye’s immediately trailed to the threatening man in front of Hera.

"What the frell are you doing here?" The blonde snapped at the Kinder as that sick, knotting, gut wrenching feeling masked her face once again. Sliff eyes still on the pirate answered without noticing at first.

“Well, I was mind’en mi own business til that ole scally-wager came along eye’n mi purse.” Sliff quickly turned to Hera who was now showing serious visible sign’s of “ green gills .” The Kinder slapped both of his hands over his mouth once he realized the accent that just escaped his lip’s, accompanied with a startled look that fell over his youthful face at the horror at what he had just uttered…

“I,…I’ve only been here a few day’s and now I’m talk’en like them…What, wha…Hey lady,…You don’t look so good.” The last of the Kinder’s sentence was filled with concern as he approached the blonde and tugged on her soft ebony cloak.

“You know, all that greasy sausage and those runny egg’s made me a little urpy too. Come over here and sit…You’ll feel a lot better. You have the sea sickness bad…Yup, yup.” Sliff finished cheerfully as he examined the soft black material between his tiny paws. His eye’s then slowly trailed upwards, shooting Hera a wide grimy smile that only a mother could love…Yup, she was rich!,…Sliff thought to himself as the blonde’s cheek’s puffed out like a blow fish about ready to explode…

[DarthHERA]

Hera whirled about, lerching herself forward to heave over the side of the railing.

Sliff skittered away sideways to avoid any "spray" and crinkled his kinder face in distaste, while at his side, Hera groaned in misery.

A shout from high above them brought both Sith and Kinder's heads round to follow the lookout's pointing finger.

"Sail ho! Thirty leagues!"

Immediately feet came thudding on deck, and hands swarmed the rigging to search the waves for the sighted ship.

Pulling a long looking glass to his eye, Captain Johns stood tall on deck and then after focusing on the tall ship up ahead, he lowered it slowly.

"She flies the Raven Crest"

All breath was drawn in a collective gasp by John's crew.

"ROLL OUT THE GUNS! LOAD THE NINES WITH GRAPE SHOT! TO ARMS, TO ARMS!!"

Hera and Sliff looked one to the other, not understanding. Krayt moved passed them, shoving into each of their hands a cutlass and pistol - "The Raven Crest" he snapped at them, "She's Billy Bones' Boat."

[rin]

"She flies the Raven Crest" The captain shouted over the deck of the Rose in a gruff voice as a hushed silence fell over her crew.

Sliff glanced back up to Hera before he slowly wandered over to the thick ribbed railing of the ship and peered over the starboard side to get a better look. The Kinder could make out that the rapidly approaching ship was a large schooner and that all of its white puffy sail’s were at full mast.

“Their probably coming over to tell us we forgot something back at the dock…Maybe a couple of crates or something…You know how theses ole scally wager’s aren’t to bright up stair’s.” The Kinder exclaimed in a slightly perturbed tone, rolling his eyes as he looked back to Hera with a cheerful smile.


"ROLL OUT THE GUNS! LOAD THE NINES WITH GRAPE SHOT! TO ARMS, TO ARMS!!" Someone shouted moment’s later as the sailors flew into an orchestrated frenzy about the ship, pulling lines and manning the port gun’s above as well as below deck. Multiple shutter’s along the side of the Rose popped open and the tip’s of the massive canon’s rolled into place as the men heaved the hardware into place.

“Oh goodie,…I think we’re going to greet them with a proper salute…Let’em know we see them out there…Oh boy,…This is going to be wonderful!...Yup, yup.” Sliff said in an ecstatic voice, leaning over the railing on his tippy toes once more.


Krayt, the lumbering hulk of whatever he was moved quickly over to where the Kinder and Hera now stood. When Sliff turned, the giant man beast shoved a funny looking curved blade into his hand and a small slug thrower in the other. The Kinder looked down at the shoddy weapons for a moment then back up to Krayt who was now handing Hera the same.

"The Raven Crest," he snapped at them in a deep voice, "She's Billy Bones' Boat."

“Ohh, I see…It wouldn’t be polite of us if we didn’t have gifts and stuff to give them when they come about…” Sliff’s eye’s lit up as he went on in a shrill voice.

“Isn’t this just the greatest thing you ever did see…Just think, their probably going to have something for us too…I can’t wait to,…” The Kinder paused in mid sentence as his eye’s widened and his mouth plopped open in surprise. Looking past Hera to the back of the Black Rose, Sliff pointed with the small pistol he just acquired from Krayt. The Kinder hopped up and down on the deck with utter excitement. He was simply astonished to see all trouble and length’s that all theses loyal pirates would go out of their way for one another on the high and dangerous seas. Sliff knew that even though they seemed mean most of the time, and most of them were ugly beyond description, they were really nice guy’s deep down inside…Somewhere. Maybe they didn’t have a mommy or perhaps they got kicked out of the house at a tender age when they lost most of their teeth, Sliff figured.

“Ohhh look lady!...Billy Bones' must have forgotten something too…There’s a ship coming over there to tell him like he’s coming to tell us!”

[DarthHERA]

The whole deck of the "Black Rose" erupted into a flurry of activity.

Crewmen swarmed about Sliff and Hera who stood watching as the men clambered to their various stations - some to shorten the mainsail to slow the ships speed and give chance to maneuver, others to below decks where the great nine-inch guns were rolled forward, poking their iron noses out the side portals in readiness to rake Bonedardo's side.

"Move, ye' laggardly dogs! My knife in the belly o' the last man t' his place."

Killer Krayt cracked a meaty fist on one of the slower pirates heads, as the man ran by him, urging him to greater speed.

A loud boom sounded, and then a fluffy plume of grey smoke puffed from the port side of the "Ella-Marie" Bone's ship. A low whine could be heard overhead and then something very heavy splashed far to the right of the "Roses" bow.

"Lousy shot" Sliff quipped.


"That be no miss, matey" John's corrected as he strode by them to bend his looking glass at the enemy ship a head of them. "T'is a "leading", lad - a trial shot to gauge distance. Bone's'll be low'rin his guns an inch or two, right now."

****

Aboard the "Ella-Marie"

"A little lower, Master Dodd, if you please"

"Aye, Cap'n"
The first mate relayed the message to the men below decks and obediently their trajectory was adjusted.

William Bonedardo watched the Black Rose shorten sail through his long glass. It was an elementary tactic - even a necessary one. But it would do John's no good.

Billy Bones cut a refined figure as he stood on the deck, spying his quarry across the waves. He was a man that would look more at place perhaps at an officers club or social catillion. He was well groomed and tidily dressed. He stood 6ft tall, even, and though slim, was of a strong build. Some would say wirey. He had a handsome face - clear hazel eyes, a patrician nose if not a tad crooked even a little sharp and a head crowned with thick dark locks. His high-class heritage was easily visible.

He was dressed in darkgrey pants tucked into tall black boots and wore a white shirt topped with a colorful vest made of fine silks from the East Ardia region. He wore no jewelry to speak of, save a ring bearing the raven crest on his left pinky finger a pendant of gold about his neck.

He didn't look so much like a pirate as more an adventurer. Which was what he was, really, but one should not be deceived by his noble looks and mannerdly ways. Bones could be a ruthless man and broked no fools. Many had fallen victim to his disarming charm and crossed him to their peril.

Swaying his eyeglass to follow the length of the "Black Rose," he noted her classic lines and admired her much as he would a woman. Lingering on her stern, again, much like he would when eyeing a woman, at last he looked passed her and lowered the glass with a smile...

********

Another low boom - this time the whine came up behind the "Rose" and splashed just short of the stern. A scream from the lookout high in the crow's nest announced what they had all, at the same instant, come to realise.

William Bone's had a ship aft. He would attack from both directions.

[Killer Krayt]

A muscular arm came up to place a hand over the brows, eyes squinted to look into the distance. Krayt grunted an acknowledgement for what was going on. A second ship was indeed off in the distance and closing fast. Another volley sounded overhead, and a gyser erupted as the cannonball detonated. Krayt looked over to the two standing near him.

" He brings the Mourning Star with him. She's faster, and will catch us before he does. You kin bet we'll have borders soon. Hope you like yer fightin' up close and personal. That's th' way I like it meself."

He hadn't brought his weapons to bear yet, his huge scimitar still hung on his belt as did his pistol. He leaned over the side of the ship and yelled something and seconds later, the Rose's cannons answered back. He turned to face the men running around.

" Prepare fer borders!! The Star is closing in!! Rifles up and ready! "

Men scurried around, several with long rifles stood facing the side the Mourning star approached from. Krayt stood next to Hera and Sliff, finally brandishing his huge bladed Scimitar. He looked down at the wee one and smiled.

" Betcha didn't count on us gettin' inta trouble this early on eh?"

[rin]

Low periodic thunderous boom’s continued to reverberate over the waters as Sliff watched with a curtain exuberant glee and awe. Moment’s later Sliff could hear the high pitched whistles from the steely missiles as the Mourning Star and the Ella-Marie gauged their shots and narrowed in on the prone Black Rose.

As the crew of the Black Rose franticly scurried about, desperately trying to harness as much wind as possible in attempts to out run the ensuing advancement, it was becoming quite apparent to them that the hopes for escape was now in vain and fruitless. Not only was the Rose boxed in, they now stood in the deadly path of cross fire. Men were now preparing themselves for the inevitable…However, in the Kinder’s mind it was something entirely different. To him it was only a show of superiority and strength. Kinda like a typical tavern arm wrestling match between two big ole rowdy sailors once the bet’s had been placed. But in this case, there were three competitors…Who really possessed the biggest, badest boats on the high sea’s?…To some extent, the little Thief was correct in his narrow minded assumption. Nevertheless, this was not some kind of playful game of cat and mouse, nor was it a simple friendly gesture with the sea farers…It was deadly serious!...

“You know lady, its really not fair seeing they have two ships and we only have one…I don’t think their playing by the rules anymore.” Sliff snapped in a shrill voice, his eye’s trailing up to Captain John then back to Hera, oblivious to the danger and the magnitude of their predicament.

“By the looks of it, captain John’s still wants to play, but I don’t think he realizes they’ve won for now…Unfairly of course!...” Sliff let out a heavy sigh before he went on...

“...I really don’t wanna play swords and gun’s either once they get here…I just wanna eat…All this hoopla has got me hungry and stuff...Yup.” The Kinder exclaimed in a slightly perturbed tone, rolling his eye’s as he made his way over to a dingy white shirt that lay on a barrel, obviously stripped in haste and from one of the Roses pirates.

To Hera’s dismay and horror, the Kinder laid his weapons aside then took the tattered shirt and began waving it over his head.

“We give up Mr. Bones,...We surrender!…There be dinner in the galley for all the winners!” Sliff repeated over and over as the make shift flag lofted back and forth, his small frame bobbing up and down as he did so.

[Killer Krayt]

A huge hand cuffed Sliff on the back of his head, sending the kinder stumbling forward. Krayt stood there and gestured to the far off ship of the Mourning Star as it closed the distance.

"Aye!! You be wantin' ol Bones ta be skinnin ya alive? NO?? Then put that surrenderin' flag away afore you get shot by a long rifle as I'm sure they be havin' them aboard the Star!!"

He turned back tot he approaching vessel. He turned to Hera and looked at her hands, full of sword and firearm. This woman seemed like she could handle it herself. He pointed to her sword.

" I'm sure you know how to use that thing." you seen knowledgeable in that department. Now here's th' question......are you well enough ta fight?"

[rin]

Even though the shove coming from Krayt was gentle enough, it still sent the Kinder reeling head long to the deck. Like a viper that just had his tail stepper on, Sliff turned to face the big lime colored giant of a man. His brow furrowed together as he stood back to his feet.

"You,...You big ole butt head!...That was uncalled for!...You guys take all this stuff waaayy to serious...!" The Kinder protested as he rubbed the back of his head where Krayt's hand had just pawed him.

“If you do that again I'll come over there and personally..." Sliff's words were cut off in mid sentence as a funny sounding buzzing noise played near his ears.

"VVvveeetttt....Vvveetttttt..."

The Wee little man quickly cocked his head from side to side, swiping and batting at the open air as if to shooing away the pesky critter’s that taunted him. However, these weren’t mere sea flies,...they were hot rifle shot that ripped by him from the Morning Star...

"You know what,...You guys need to take a bath really bad!...This is entirely unacceptable! I have to put up with your poo-doo, and now... pesky flies!" Sliff retorted angrily as he swung at the air once again, stopping only briefly to eye Krayt with a menacing look of disapproval.

"Dirty old baasstard's,...Now I'm really starting to get perturbed... Hide's all stinking to high heaven and stuff..." Sliff finished in a heated huff.

[DarthHERA]

"Be quiet you little fool" Hera hissed as Sliff continued his indignant diatribe. Then, almost to herself she mumbled lowly, "gotta find the map...Bones will be after the map.."

Sliff froze beside her, and his eyes widened in guilty apprehension. In turn, Hera's eyes narrowed. It dawned on her that perhaps Sliff was in possession of something he shouldn't be.

She elaborated on her thought, still speaking as if for her own benefit in ordering her thoughts.

"Yes....its the map he'll be wanting. And when he finds out who has it, they'll like as not have their skin flayed from their body, just like Krayt said."

--"Flayed...?"-- Sliff nervously queried.

Hera nodded solemnly and a chill took the kinder's spine.

"Then....while he's bleeding, and raw, and still very much alive, Bones will probably trail him behind the ship on a chain, (she slid a sideways glance at Sliff to watch the effect her words were having)....so all the sharks can take bites out of him..It will be bad."

The kinder began to shake in his boots.

"If I was that man....Id be taking great care not to have that map on my person when those pirates board..."


Three close "booms" sounded from the Ella-Marie followed by one, two, splashes and then a shattering thud as the wood planking of the foredeck was splintered violently as the cannon atlast found their mark.

Krayt turned and ran forward to assess the damage and Sliff began to turn in repeated circles, not knowing which direction to run in.

Hera held him with her ice-blue eyes.

[rin]

The Kinder looked back out over the blue expanse at the pursuing ship’s then back to the blonde who was now shooting him a scrutinizing eye. He studied her in return, pondering her words of what he interpreted as to be a demoralizing interrogation and torturing barbecue at the hands of Billy Bone’s crew. Sliff gulped hard at the terrible thought of it. Surreal picture’s of his own demise crept through his mind as he could see himself on a giant rotisserie basting over a large open fire on some god forsaken beach.

“Umm,…Do you think it’ll hurt much?” Sliff questioned in a worrisome voice before he went on, his eye’s darting over to the ship that was dangerously close now then back to Hera once again.

"I mean, if you think about it and it really comes down to it and all…Well,…Your more plump and stuff…Yeah...You have a hell of a lot more meat on your bones then I do lady…Probably taste a lot better then me too seeing you’re the spicy pissie type…Yup, yup.” The Kinder tried his hardest not to sound to offensive and rude under the circumstances, giving Hera a boyish smile as he tugged at the fringes of his shirt.

An ear piercing boom resounded from the port side of the Black Rose, an accurate shot from a small swivel cannon aboard the Mourning Star that sent wood and splinters flying in every direction. The medium sized cannon ball had clipped one of the Roses horizontal top sail mast’s, severing it in two while the rope rigging caused it to swing in a low rapid pendulum motion straight towards Hera’s back!...

“Look out Blondie!...” Sliff yelped in a shrill voice, tackling the woman’s legs out from underneath her with all his might. As Hera and Sliff went sprawling to the hard deck just in time, the heavy beam swooshed past them both, crashing into another mast before the ropes snapped and landed on a few unfortunate sailors below.



“Wow…That was a close one lady…It almost cut your head off!” The little thief exclaimed after the two hit the deck then rolled more then they should have, Sliff stuffing the small orb map into one of Hera’s robe pocket’s. Once the Kinder felt secured with the notion that the map was no longer in his possession, he glanced up to Hera with a perturbed look of frustration etched on his face.

"Look lady,...I like you and all...But your gonna have to get off of me!...I do you a favor and now your going you crush me to death!" The wee little man let out a subdued sigh as he tried to push the blonde to the side of him.

[DarthHERA]

ttt (me and krayt need to post)

[Killer Krayt]

Two large hands picked Hera up under her arms. Being placed back on her feet, Krayt then reached down and lifted the Kinder up by his shirt.

"Aye! Quit yer playin aroun' and get to helpin the lads there set that cannon up. We'll give the Star a nice warm welcome with a broadside. Now git ta movin 'fore I throw you ta the sharks myself!"

As the little guy hurried off with a look of anger shot back at the large man, Krayt turned to Hera.

"A wee bit trying ain't he?"

Handing her a black powder pistol and a rapier, Krayt nodded and ran off to prepare for the Mourning Star's Approach. The cannons were placed and waited for the call to fire. Krayt lifted his Scimitar and watched the other ship loom closer.

"Hold!.......hold!........hold!........GIVE 'EM A BROADSIDE!"

He boomed as his arm slashed downward in an angle with his blade making an audible wooooooshhh. The cannons almost in total unison fired their salvo. The port and topside were exploding on the enemy ship, yet it still kept coming.

"Prepare for boarders!!"

[DarthHERA]

The "Black Rose" rocked back on her keel as the cannon raked the side of the "Mourning Star"

Those who weren't holding onto rigging, or otherwise anchored, lurched sidelong as the deck rolled beneath them. The attacked ship returned the favor and both vessels received the decimating iron into their bellies.

Below decks the scene was an ugly one. The young ship's mate was running, bucket in hand to douse, in hopeless effort, a fire that had begun as a result of the gunnery officer having lost his arm from a flying shard of splintered wood - the torch to light the powder still clasped in the detached hand and having landed breaking an unlit oil lantern. The oil had leaked along the deck floor, and was igniting as it spread.

Stepping over ol' Will who was crying piteously, his old skinny legs pinned beneath a toppled cannon and crushed beyond hope of ever walking again - the mate tossed the water at the flame, which only served to splatter the oil around more, adding to the fire's appetite. A meaty fist from one of his comrades across his head emphasised the error of his way and sent the lad careening against the rough wooden floor.

"Stupid boy!" the pirate derided, and the boy started to cry.

Smoke billowed about the grime-streaked faces of the crew as they fought through fear and injury to reload and prepare another volley. Shot, and powder, and plunge - the routine was repeated among the gun crews that were still able and who's cannons still clung to their track.

"Bend yer backs to it y'swabs! Fire as you will!"

Still cringing, his senses overwhelmed by the carnage around him - the broken bodies of men he'd just eaten breakfast with and ol' Will's frenzied eyes focusing wildly on his own before dimming to a blank stare - the young boy looked to the portal where the old man's cannon had previously stood. The hard, barnacled side of the Mourning Star was close enough to touch. Creeping forward, longing for some fresh air to clear his lungs and drive out the stench of blood and death that had filled them, the deckhand wrapped his dirty fingers along the edge of the opening to look out.

Below he could see the sea broiling between the hulls of the two ships. In the water, bobbing by, were hats and bodies of the fallen, limbs here and there. The pirate that had hit him was yelling at him - he could see his mouth moving, but the boys ears were deaf from the booming of the cannon as they fired intermittently. The boy frowned, his attention now on the pirate who was waving his arms at him. Move? Was he telling him to move...?"

The boy would never know. A well aimed musket ball fired out of the bowels of the Mourning Star, and took the boys head off with a "splat."

Up top, things were much worse. Bones had brought round the Ella-Marie and, both ships sandwiched The Butcher's vessel between them. Boarded from both sides, the end was, thankfully quick.

Swords clashed and fire exchanged - men from both sides suffering horrible wounds. The upper deck was slick with the blood of its crew and those of her attackers. But there were more aggressors than there were defenders and, in short order, the Flag of the Rose was stripped and in her place rose the Crest of the Raven to flutter in the wind

Billy Bones had himself another prize and it was only a matter of time before he had in his hand what he was really after. His map.

Hera, after being righted to her feet by Krayt, defended herself with her sword, slicing and hacking as she would do with her light saber, only this took much more effort. The weapon felt heavy after a while and it was not as balanced. It parted flesh and bone in deadly fashion to be true, but the drag was so much heavier than with a lightsaber. It was like chopping wood compared to slicing through a man like a hot knife through butter, by contrast.

And the blood...so much of it. Abstractedly, Hera thought how much Sorsha might like this type of battle...she was fond of the bloodletting. Hera not so much, it spattered all over her clothes, and it had a sick sweet smell that accompianied it. Still, she would not say it wasn't fun.

Sliff for his part had vanished from her sight, though Hera was sure the kinder would come to no harm...he had almost better self-preservation intincts than she did.

Krayt fought like an olympiad - at one point having three attackers on his back trying to bring him to his knees, all of whom ended with throat slit or head crushed by the man's giant fist.

Still, it was an inevitable outcome. The "Black Rose" capitulated against her will. Captain John's however, not living to see her ignoble end. A well placed ball in his chest had seen to that.

Hera had seen him fall, and her desire to destroy Bones along with him. She would now need Bones to bring her to her treasure. It was time to adjust her tactics, though just how, she wasnt sure.

As she, Sliff, Krayt and what remained of the Black Rose crew were herded to a tiny group on the center of the deck, an odd quiet came over them all. Surrounded by so many dead and brutalised - some of the enemy, some of their own - a bizare kindred emotion touched them all. Frail mortality - and the surviving of it - made them all fall into an awkward and silent congregation.

And then, to break such a macarbe spell, someone yelled in a hoarse and gravelled voice

"TO BILLY BONES!"

And a wild cheer from the pirate's crew defeaned the ears.

[DarthHERA]

Cutlasses, swords and pistols were all waved high in the air as the victorious crew cheered their Captain.

Smoke still rose from below decks, the planks that the overthrown crew stood upon were growing warm beneath their boots. The "Black Rose" would not remain long. She was already listing to port and settling lower in the water, the raging fire inside ravaging her from the inside to out.

Ragged men with toothy grins set in jowled and whiskered faces jeered at the captives, and shouts of "string em' up" and "the plank with 'em" were echoed from one pirate to another with growing momentum.

Hera, Sliff and Krayt turned their heads about, looking to catch a glimpse of Bones - their growing curiosity overriding their current doubts as to what would be their immediate future. And then, as the murderous voices lulled and finally quieted, William Bonedardo took the three steps to the wheel and resting a cultured hand on one of the smooth wooden turns cleared his throat to speak.

All eyes were on the pirate Captain and Hera was surprised to see such a young man. Looking from face to face, the Faene Mistress could see in the eyes of his crew a certain devotion in their gaze. It was nothing like the crew of the Black Ross had for Johns. Theirs had been a fleeting loyalty - serving him for the moment because he put rum in their bellies and gold in their purse. But Bones had a very different hold over his men and it was clearly visible in the pride and admiration that lit every scoundrel face around them. Apparently, these filthy rascals adored the man before them.

Incredulous, Hera continued to watch the reactions until her eyes caught one face whose loathing stare was immistakeable. A surly man with a hook nose and long chin was watching Billy Bones from beneath the ropes of the tattered rigging - and in his eyes was a brightness that came only with unbridled hate.

Well, now - not all Bones crew adored him, Hera thought with a wry smile. She filed that little revelation for later and turned her attention once again to the refined villan speaking from the helm.


".......and so your choice is simple. Hand over the map and join my crew, or pass one by one into the deep with a cannonball in your pocket for company"

[rin]

".......and so your choice is simple. Hand over the map and join my crew, or pass one by one into the deep with a cannonball in your pocket for company" Billy Bones interjected coolly as he closely regarded the fateful prisoner’s through a scrutinizing eye.

The Kinder shuddered at the thought of spending the remainder of his life trudging water down there at the bottom of the sea where Davy Jones hung out…Not to mention, he couldn’t swim either…Especially with cannon balls in his pockets!...Sliff pondered the troubling thought, wondering if such a thing were possible and if they would even fit there in the first place…

And to make matters even worse, the scraggy looking characters that surrounded Hera, Krayt and Sliff stunk to high heaven…Even more so then the crew of the Black Rose…Or what was left of them. Nevertheless, if Captain Bones did decide to throw the lot of them over board, there wouldn’t be any fresh air for one to hold his or her breath seeing that “his” crew was stinking up all the good breathable air supply on board. The mere smell of their retched hides caused Sliff to visibly gag, his hand flying over his mouth as the dry heaves took its terrible hold upon him…

“Auggkk,…goohhkk...Orggkkahh!…Ahhemm...Cccahhhakkk ...Puuttooie!” The Kinder spat repeatedly after a gush of his churned breakfast splashed at the feet of the pirates in front of him…

“Oh goodness…Ahemm,..Man,…I feel sooo much better.” Sliff said in a somewhat feeble tone as he wiped the cuff of his sleeves across his boyish face…Looking up to his captors then over to Bones himself through watery eye’s, Sliff piped up as if nothing at all had even taken place…

“What you talk’en about Mr. Bones?...A map?...What kinda map?...Can you give us a better detailed description of what it looks like,…Or is this going to be one of those guessing game’s I really don’t care for that much?” Sliff placed his little hands on his hips as he glared at the young buccaneer under a furrowed brow... Just as the Kinder uttered the last part of his sentence, he felt the enormous hand of Krayt quickly wrapping its way around his entire face, blinding him momentarily as he was then reeled backwards until he suddenly thudded against a monstrous green leg.

[Killer Krayt]

Krayt held the little mouse of a man against his leg, although he was kicking and squirming it didn't matter to the huge man. He was saving the wee one from a death that would be certain. He looked at Billy Bones through slightly narrowed eyes. This would have to be taken cared of with kid gloves. They'd have to play by Bone's rules and that was fine with him.

Because all it takes is a slip, and Krayt would be there to take him out. He looked at Hera and whipered under his breath.

"Hera, we'll play along.....give him a sense of security."

Krayt then spoke up.

"You're lookin' for a map?? What makes you think Old John's had a map?"

"Don't play me the fool....... John's has a map. And I aim ta take it."

"Well yer highness, if he had a map, It'd be on him don't ya think? We're loyal to a certain extent, but John's wouldn't trust us enough with knowledge of such a thing."

[DarthHERA]

Bones thought for a moment on Krayt's logic...and found it quite sound.

Hera found it sound too, but she was already thinking in terms or "her" instead of "their" well-being. She looked blankly from Krayt over to meet the new Captains gaze. She did not even spare a look for the kinder, who by rights, should have already been relieved of his tongue for use as boot leather for his outspokenness.

"The Kinder has the map" she stated "he is a pickpocket and compulsive thief. Probably has half your crews purses in the folds of his cloak by now.." Sliff shrank closer to Krayt, shaking his head in denial.

To all appearances, Hera was hanging Sliff out to dry..which really, wasn't so unappealing an idea. But if Hera knew her pirates (and she did) they would go through the crew one by one to get the map, whether they knew where it was or not. Beginning with the brave, but rather witless, kinder.

This way, she hoped to gain Bone's confidence in her personally by speaking the truth and maybe spare Sliff. Her motives were pure selfishness...she would need him to steal the map back when the right time came..

Krayt's glare stung her even from where she stood with her back to him. She didnt need to see him to know he despised the fact she had "turned" on them. A dark smile touched her eyes, and then just as quickly faded.

"Check him, its in his pocket" she assured.

Hera was unaware the map had been slipped into her own cloak as rough, grubby hands snatched Sliff up to rumage through him.

[rin]

"The Kinder has the map…He is a pickpocket and compulsive thief. Probably has half your crews purses in the folds of his cloak by now.." Hera said as she glanced over to Captain Bones then back to Sliff...

Sliff slowly peered around one of Krayt’s tree trunk legs at Hera. One of his eyes was now narrowed and squinted at the blonde who returned the venomous look. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing from her. One minute he had been trying to help her, finding it in his heart to relieve her of the terrible and retched sea sickness she came down with not long after they left port. Saved her even!...And now this,...A traitor of all thing’s!…She mind as well have called him a 'compulsive liar' while she was at it too! Sliff pondered to himself as his teeth grit and his nose furrowed at the heinous thought

"Check him, it’s in his pocket" The blonde finished coolly as she smoothly gestured over to Kinder. Sliff could have killed her right then and there for that comment. He could feel his blood pounding in his ears…He would have done it if Krayt hadn’t held him back from doing it.

“You slimy, no good, barfing maggot!...I saved your miserable hide and now your going to say I’m a thief of all thing’s?!...Well I never!...You,…You dirty ole treacherous wench!…” Sliff protested as he tried to lunge out and kick Hera in the shin, however. A couple of Bones men snatched him up from where he stood and quite literally turned him upside down. One by one, the trinkets and small bags of the unfortunate crew members that Sliff had ‘barrowed’ from, including some of Bones men, from fell to the wooden deck with a clamoring noise. Some of the sailors from both the ships gasped as they reconized their own belongings…But there was no map to be found after a closer inspection was conducted…

“Aye, there be no map here captain.” One of the strong arms piped up, his hand emptying the last bag in front of Bones.

After the Kinder was dropped to the deck in a heap, Captain Bones glared at the small thief, his eyes were steely and cold as the cutlass at his side.

"See,...I told you big ole butt head's!" Sliff snapped as he rubbed the growing knot on his head where he had hit the deck.

“Where is the map thief?" Billy Bones questioned firmly as his left index finger tapped on the hilt of his sword, Sliff glanceing up just in time to the menacing finger of death beat steadily on the large red gem that was set into the pummel of the sword.

“I told you Mr. Bone’s…I don’t have it…I don’t even know what it looks like for crying out loud. And all this stuff you see here,…” Sliff retorted as he rolled over to his side then stood to his feet in a huff.

“Well,…I was looking after it all…Yeah,…That’s it…I was planning to give it all back once I found the proper owner…You know how all theses brigands have big ole holes in their pockets and stuff…Leavin stuff all lay’en around unattended. Their lucky I didn’t charge them for storage…It’d cost’em all a pretty penny ya know…Yup, yup.” The Kinder gave Captain Bones a reassuring smile as if he was doing a good service to his fellow man.

With great difficulty, Sliff turned from the captain and the lovely pet jewel he possessed. Slowly he came to stand in front of Hera who was now watching his every move. The Kinder’s lips were thin with anger as he shot her a look of utter scorn for what she had said earlier to him...He had no choice, he'd have to teach her a lesson she wouldn’t soon forget...

"And as for you...I thought you were my friend and pal...You said all those terrible awful things about me and stuff...After I helped you and nursed you back to health?..." The last of the Kinder’s words seemed to be heated as he hurled his little body at her knee cap's. Hera’s legs buckled at the suddenness of the Kinder’s onslaught, toppling her to the wooden deck where Sliff's tiny hands moved with cunning stealth and skillful dexterity over her downed form...

"...See if ever go outta my way for you again...Traitor!" The Kinder rumbled loudly as the two rolled over the deck and the highly sought after map passed to him unnoticed once more...

[DarthHERA]

Hera's face suffused to deep red as the echoing laughter of the pirates reached her - such sport they hadn't seen in a while. The little kinder - his indignation twice the size of his stature - made for a comical specticale as he tumbled and tangled robes with the Faene Mistress on the deck.

With effort, Hera extricated herself from the clinging, rummaging hands of Sliff, but not with any shred of pride left in tact. The little fool - she should have killed him back in town and saved herself such agrivation.

As she stood, brushing herself off, which in itself was quite a pointless excercise - blood from the earlier battle had stained her garmets both front side and back as she'd been rolled on the rough planking. She shot daggers at the shrimp as she stepped forward to throttle him. Captain Bonedardo's quiet command stopped her however.

"Are you alright?"

Hera turned at the sound of the voice.

"What?"

Bones smiled, not unkindly, at her.

"Are you alright..you aren't hurt?"

"Do I look hurt?" was the snappish retort.

"Well....no. But you look like you could use a bath"

More laughter from the surrounding vagabonds. Hera realised she must look disgusting, and once more tried to smooth her clothing. She probably smelt even worse than she looked, and discreetly tried to sniff at her sleeves.

Bones continued as Hera's hesitation gave him opportunity.

"You may kill the diminutive scoundrel later if you like, he wont be going anywhere anytime soon. Surely you have time to clean up first?"

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, and the charming Captain went on to explain,

"A victory such as this deserves some celebration wouldnt you agree? A bath for you - a keg for us"

This brought a cheer from the men..including those left of the vanquished crew - they were now soundly on Bone's side, the fastly sinking Black Rose beneath their feet playing no small influence. Even Sliff piped in with his opinion of how this was a splendid idea!

Hera cut a quick look to Krayt, who all this time had stood quietly, and a faint shrug was his response. He wouldnt mind some ale, at that.

"Good then."

The decision was made. The Kinder spared. And the shrewd perception of Captain Willam Bonedardo once more worked to his own advantage. The clear, intelligent eyes missed very little, and the Sirens of Ardos take his soul if he wasn't correct that he would need the help of these three unusual companions - Hera, Krayt and Sliff - before the treasure was finally his. He hadn't found the map, but the rising level of ocean over deck would not allow too much further searching. He had seen the Kinder's type before. For all their feigned innocence and denial of knowledge, they almost always had what you wanted - or knew how to get it. He was betting this "Sliff" was no different.

As the pirates herded all from the sinking vessell to the other two ships, taking with them anything that was of use, or of value or of fancy, that they could pry off with ease, Hera fell into low conversation with Krayt, reiterating the fact that Sliff most assuredly had the map. He had to. Ahead of them was Sliff hedging and sidling to get beside Billy Bones. The kinder had found a new friend.

Hera and Krayt agreed smugly together - served the pirate captain right.

[Killer Krayt]

The six foot six pirate had to hold himself back from tossing the little bothersome thing over the side and to ol' jone's locker had it not been for a flint lock at his back. He stood there and watched in disgust as Cap'n Bones seemed to enjoy this. The huge man knew htis kind of treatment would come to Hera, and she didnt deserve it. But leave it to the pirate folk to dismiss her as a simple belly aching woman, but truth be told, this Hera was something more than that....he figured it out at the tavern. The way she held her own, the way her attitude was....if she wanted, she could lead her own ship....she barked authority.

He was glaring at Bones when he began to have a bit of fun at her expense. If it werent for that gun on him, he'd have run up and pasted one of his beefy fists squarely in his pretty, smug face. When he began to have some ridiculing fun with Hera, Krayt's eyes hardened, but then that would only bring him no good fortune ....yet that is. He turned to Hera and gave a casual shrug.

'Soon, Bones me boy, We'll square off and I'll be wipin' tha' smug look off'n yer face.'

Krayt thought. And scowled as the runt made his way to the gloating upstart. They made a fine pair, and Krayt wanted to speak with Hera about getting one in for them against the "pretty boy". The wee man, was now more happy than anyone else at the thought of a party. A cup of ale wasnt a bad idea, it helped Krayt think better.

As the crowd "rejoiced" at the suggestion of a "party", Krayt made his way slowly over to the blonde as his gun toting watcher ignored him for now. Standing next to the woman, the towering pirate spoke enough for her to hear.

"Aye, we need ta come up with sumthin' as I be achin' ta pop that lovely head of his off'n his body.....any ideas lass? I'm all ears if'n ya do"

[DarthHERA]

The sudsy water slooshed and splashed over the edge of the barrel with every movement, but Hera didn't care. Wasn't her ship. Wasn't her mat that was drowning in warm foamy water. She was enjoying the further hospitality of the Pirate Captain by the use of his stateroom for the purpose of her bath.

Her bath, such as it was, felt luxurious in a world where such simple pleasures of hot water on the skin was a labor to acheive. Cramped, her knees folded to her chin, the Sith Mistress used the scrubber determindly to remove the grime of the previous battle - cannon smoke, oil and blood was ruinus to the pores - and rubbed her back with vigor.

The pirate sat on an upturned crate across from her.,

"You know Krayt" she said idly, "wouldn't kill you to bathe once and a while yourself. I can smell you from here"

The large man shrugged and tipped his ale to his lips.

"That little Sliff - he's a real schemer. Slippery as an eel, and bout as tall. Hand me the towel."

She stood as Krayt complied and stepped over the edge of the barrel into the waiting towel he opened out for her. She rolled herself up in it and padded over to where some clothes - a huge nightshirt and pair of pants - were folded on the end of the bed.

Stepping into the garmets, her mind obviously was working overtime on the conundrum of the missing map.

"He has it for certain. Which saves us a step from having to steal it once again from Bonedardo"

She belted the oversized shirt about her waist and raked her hair back with her fingers. It felt good to be clean once again.

"So I figure if I know that..Bones knows it also. Bones will also know that we have not given up our ambitions for the treasure. He will want to secure the map into his own possession."

She turned to the giant who so far had stood quitely, listening.

Her lips thinned in determination.

"We have to get that map."


**************************************


"They will want that map"

Bones observed to Sliff, who, finally, had stopped talking about his life story and his penchant for taking care of things for people, all sorts of people, who never really appreciated what he was doing for them. The kinder had to take a breath sometime, and it was then that William Bonedardo interjected. He spoke with grim surety and it gave the kinder pause. "And..they will stop at nothing to get it."

He lit his pipe, puffing laconically so that grey blue plumes of smoke ascended lazily into the night air and drifted over the kinders head. The pungent smell of the tabacco warred with the salt air of the sea out on the open deck - a not unpleasant combination.

"I, too, want the map"

He puffed some more.

"Surrounded by enemies, some worse than others. You had best decide who is your friend and who you are going to give it too."

Another puff. And an idle shrug of his shoulders as he explained politely to Sliff the point of his remarks, smiling as would a patient father,

"Before one of us kills you for it."

[Killer Krayt]

"We have to get that map."

Krayt was nodding as he was halfway undressed. Taking the lady's advice, he was going to bathe. Disrobing and not caring if she was still present, Krayt stepped over to the barrel he was way too big for. Grabbing the cloth, he began to wash himself down as he stood next to the barrel of soapy water. His brain going into overdrive....they had to get that little bugger alone and with enough time to knick that map from him.

He looked over to the blonde as he ran the wet, sudsy cloth over his abdomen.

"Aye...We need ta get him alone.....with enough time ta get tha' there map he has on his person."

He spoke softly, just enough for Hera to hear him. He was now washing his chest and arms. He began to take up another smell to him....a cleaner scent......he scrunched his nose, to himself he smelled too flowery..unbecoming a pirate of the seas. But if she said he should take a bath, then he'd take a bath. He bent a bit as he washed his legs. Looking back over to Hera.

"And at the same time, we also need ta keep ol' Bones busy so we can steal the map from the wee one."

Krayt now rinsed off and then dunked his head into the water and flipped it back out, running his huge hands over his head taking off the excess water. Grabbing the towel Hera used, Krayt dried himself off. Then left it there on the barrel's edge and put on a pair of black pirate pants and a white swashbuckler shirt. He slipped on his soft boots and tied a bandana around his head.

"What the frell happened? I smell like a flower!"

He said as he inspected his own scent.