Winds of Adventure

[Shura]

Cameron smiled softly as Morgause agreed to accompany her. "Great! I am hoping that the trip it's self won't take too long but ya know can never really tell about these trips." she leaned her right arm against the railing following the woman's gaze to her first mate before adjusting her hat. "I would not worry about Hannibal... he's lost a little of his edge since I've been on good behavior." she gave a bit of a small smirk. "I hope the crew haven't been treating you too unkindly... Thomas has told me many are still suspicious of you but none very vocal. I was hoping my distance would help assure them that there isn't anything going on that might cause them to think ill of you." she said giving a gentle smile to the redhead. "might be a bit too hopeful of me... but I wan't them to trust you to keep us safe as much as I do." There was a bit of warmth to the captains eyes as she spoke.

[Kharmin]

Morgause sighed as she turned back to watch the wake astern and gave Cameron her profile of the perfect side of her face – the side without the embarrassing scar. A hint of sadness tinged the sigh. "Yes, trust," Morgause mused and cast her gaze heavenward toward the stars. "I dare say that I may never earn that from your crew for the offenses I've made.

"You ask how your crew has been treating me..." she tailed off and leaned both forarms on the railing as she looked back down at the sea. Luscious red hair spilled over her shoulder and veiled her face from view. "Well, let's just say that my presence here is enjoyed considerably less than the lack of it would be. I'll not be making fast friends any time soon. I do hope that Tomas'... affections for me aren't making things difficult for him. I'd hate to have to distance myself from the only person on board who actually speaks to me, present company excluded of course."

A brief silence passed before she spoke again. "Going ashore will perhaps give them respite from the pall I seem to cast over them." Morgause chuckled in spite of herself, her hair still concealed her visage. "Who knew that a simple sniper could have such an effect without even taking a shot?"

She turned toward Cameron and raked her hair back with her fingers. "But that is my burden to bear, Captain," she said with a forced smile that puckered the scar under her right eye. "You have more important matters that require your focus; of that I'm certain. I'll manage. I somehow seem to find ways to do that."

Morgause's green eyes grew warm from a spark held deep within. "Of course I will do everything in my power to keep you safe," she said with true sincerity, "either here or on shore. I love you."

At her profession of love, Morgause turned back to the sea behind them. Those three words were said plainly, as if it was a given thing and that nothing would change the fact. She didn't need to see Cameron's reaction to them; she had the kiss from their last encounter in the captain's cabin to hold on to.

[Shura]

Cameron sighed softly hearing how her crew had been reacting to Morgause but there wasn't much she could really do. To try and force them to accept her and she would feel like a mother telling her children to get along, that wouldn't end well. Still... it had only been a week time was needed. "Hopefully you are right and some time ashore will ease things." Cameron gave a small smirk. "Well part of my job as captain is to quash any issues that might disrupt the crew... preferably in an amicable and peaceful manner." She nodded turning to face the rest of the ship leaning against the banister wind moving with the breeze in a messy manner but she didn't seem to care. She smiled a bit at the vow to keep her safe. While it might seem foolish she did trust Morgause to watch her back and ensure that they were safe. Though the admittance of love once again caught Cameron off guard. A faint blush crossed her face barely visible in the dim moonlight. Honestly she still didn't understand it but she also wouldn't question it, love wasn't something that always made sense. There was a moment of awkwardness as Cameron faltered on what to say she did care for the woman but could she really call it love? Thinking back on her actions before she might have been able to say she returned the feelings but she wasn't sure she could put a name to how she felt now other than conflicted and concerned. The blond went to say something but her name was called by Hannible. Her gaze shifted to the large man seeing him motioning to her before she gave a sigh. "We can talk more about what we're doing on land later." she said before parting ways from Morgause to see what Hanidble needed.

"Aye... something wrong?" She questioned meeting her first mate by the wheel. He simply handed the spy glass to the captain which was already a bit unsettling. She simply picked up the glass and peered through it looking towards the horizon they were venturing towards seeing a few navy ships in the distance. "Of course..." she cursed under her breath. "We should be fine since we are under the guise of a trade ship." she muttered feeling a small stir of trouble already starting. "It looks like they are heading towards the port so we will need to be careful..."

[Kharmin]

Morgause missed the slight blush that her affirmation gave to Cameron as the sniper had already turned her head. The silence that grew between them after her statement felt awkward at first, but then Morgause allowed it to ease into her memories of more intimate times with her captain when they simply enjoyed each others proximity.

The content moment was disrupted by the first mate's call. Morgause's facade fell a bit at the loss of the moment and she sighed. Her captain had her duties – it was what Cameron wanted after all – so Morgause really had no right to complain.

"Just let me know what you need me to do, Captain," she said as Cameron departed.

She watched as Hannibal conferred with Cameron. When the captain turned to look toward the horizon with her spyglass, Morgause's rune flared to life and she, too, gazed in the same direction with her enhanced sight. Three ships, all flying Navy colors, pressed across the sea; two smaller galleons and one large frigate. She struggled to pierce the distance and her rune glowed brighter at the effort. Knowing the demise of the Cordelia-Marie, Morgause wanted to be certain that she wasn't seeing a ghost ship. But the distance was too great, even for her enhanced vision. Morgause let the rune die out as her sight returned to normal.

"Two small galleons and a large frigate," she reported to Cameron and Hannibal as she approached them. "The frigate seems to be the same size as the Cordelia-Marie. I don't know if this information helps or not. I'm just doing what I can to earn my place here." The last part was said with a sideways glance at the first mate as Morgause searched for any small sign of his tacit approval.

[Shura]

Cameron sighed softly as she pondered exactly how to approach the issue at hand. Her gaze traveled to Morgause as she spoke up nodding to the redhead with a small smile. “Thank you… That is a bit worrying… if the port has already been taken over by the Navy we will have to tread very lightly.” She muttered slightly. Hannibal simply looked over to the siren with a small nod acknowledging her assistance. He had seemed to soften slightly towards the woman now that Cameron seemed to be taking his duties more seriously. “Right then…” Cameron sighed “We already changed the ship's appearance enough to not be identified… I will change my appearance as well… and be sure to remind the crew to stay on the ship.” she stated with a slight nod. “Probably best if we limit the amount of crew seen on the island.” The captain muttered scratching the back of her head in thought. “As for what we had planned… I still want to take a look around the caves of that island… but we might have to anchor around the northern side and row assoar.” she commented softly.

Hannibal simply sighed with a shrug. “Perhaps it might be best to attempt another time when there are not navy men everywhere.” Cameron frowned looking over to her first mate. “That might not be an option going forward.” she stated. “I rather get the trade done, poke around the island and get out. After this we are going to continue to head north and hopefully soon be out of the Navy’s reach a least for a little while…” she muttered keeper her gaze cast ahead of them. The presence of such a strong Navy force was concerning… it was very likely they could be making the island into a port hub for them to the branch further north. Cameron narrowed her eyes forward frustrated at how far the reach of the Navy was expanding in such a short amount of time.

[Kharmin]

Morgause granted Hanibal a sincere smile at his acknowledgement as she accepted it with what little trust she hoped was carried along with it. The wind from astern tossed her red hair across her green eyes and she casually swept the strands back and tucked them behind her ear.

She listened to Cameron's concerns about the navy. True, they only knew of the three ships that they had seen thus far and such a heavy presence of the sea's military bartered more questions than answers.

"Captain," Morgause offered as she stepped toward Cameron and her first mate. She kept her typically quiet voice low. "Since we have to dock to execute our more honest trade, we should take the opportunity to find out just what the Navy is doing out here." Her eyes glinted with mischief. "And, if it so happened that some small acts of sabotage befell their ships? I know you wanted to keep the crew aboard, but a few hand-selected ones might be able to stealth around ...

"We create a little chaos and vanish back into the populace and the Navy won't know where to find us," she suggested. "If they come calling on you, well you're just an honest merchant making honest trade and would have nothing to do with such scoundrels.

"Then, while they are investigating the town, we slip out and circle around the island in search of your cave," Morgause concluded.

She crossed her arms and tossed her head as the hair had again blown loose and across her face. She smiled. "Of course, you're the captain, so however you want to play this is up to you. I just thought that it would be good for morale to give the Navy a small punch in the gut."

[Shura]

Cameron looked to Mogause as she made her purposed plan known. She had to admit it was a tempting one, "Aye... it is an interesting plan." she nodded before looking to the horizon one more already feeling Hannibles questioning gaze. "I will have to give it a little more thought though. As we draw closer at get a better look at what we are dealing with I will make a decision but for now. What is most valuable to us at this point is information. The more we have on them the better. So while I might have a few good ears on the streets listening for plans causing a ruckus might be left for something more of a last resort. The more trouble that is caused the harder it might be fore us to return this way. It has been nearly impossible to reach Billoways because of some trouble that was cause in near by ports and the Navy increasing their numbers." She gave a small sigh scratching the back of her head as she looked weary of the island before them. "One has to wonder where they are getting so many men. They could barely patrol the seas before but now it is like they have some sort of armada pulled out of the fog." Cameron let out a heavy sigh as she leaned against the railing which overlooked the ship growing pensive once more about their situation. "Sneaking around and gaining some information would be vital to proceeding forward." she looked to Maugause who stood beside them. "it may be best for you to stay below deck until we are clear of the docks. Last thing we want is for someone to recognized the commodores sniper." she offered softly.

[Kharmin]

Morguase's glance slid to the deck at the captain's suggestion. The last thing that she wanted to do was to hide out below deck. The memories of her imprisonment on the Cordelia-Marie were still too raw which is why she continued to berth herself on the after deck. "I will, of course, do as my captain desires," she whispered with resignation clear in her tone.

Green eyes looked up from beneath her red locks and found Cameron. "I understand your reluctance; however, recall that my profession has given me the skill to move about unseen," she said. "One doesn't become a renowned sniper without certain... talents." She nodded toward the first mate, but kept her focus on Cameron. "I did elude your crew to come ashore once before without being seen."

"All I am saying is to not discount what skills I bring to the table should you deem the risk worth it," Morgause said and crossed her arms. She had stealthed around countless towns before, in and around the navy, while she plied her trade or eluded capture and had done so for years before she ever came aboard the Wind's Will. And with no sense of the blue-eyed woman who had been hounding her, Morgause was certain of her abilities.

"Again, I will do whatever my captain desires of me," Morgause said, "and if it is your desire that I stay secluded and hidden away you need not fear my disobedience in that." Her sure posture spoke of her confidence in either choice: to sneak around the town or stay aboard the ship, whatever Cameron decided.

[Shura]

Cameron looked to Morgause a bit of conflict in her eyes as she nodded. “I will keep that in mind as I make my final decision.” She stated with a slight smirk before her eyes turned to the horizon. “There is a lot I have to decide right now but I will make the plans known before we draw to close.” she offered with a slight smirk before turning to Hannibal “I trust you have everything up here?” she questioned receiving a nod from the larger man before the captain returned below deck.

The captain let out a heavy sigh as she made her way to her quarters trying to think about everything ahead of her. There was an ill feeling which set over her about the approaching venture. She was unsure if the risk should be taken in the first place, all for a possible chance at a shard which may have been moved. She narrowed her eyes slightly shaking off her nerves. If she wanted safe then she should have become a tailor. Cameron clenched her fists reaffirming her resolve as she made her way to her maps and started to go over her options. The evening would pass quickly as the ship neared its destination. Hannibal slowed the ship down to give them more time to decide what to do but very little of it was needed as the sun was just barely coming up above the horizon when Cameron emerged from her quarters. “I have my pan.” Cameron nodded to Hannibal as she approached the wheel. “It’s important that we gather as much information as possible. So we will send a few scouting teams out to see what they can overhear from the locals and navy yard.” She decided crossing her arms as she turned to the board which was fast approaching. “We need to know where they are going next… after a few hours everyone will return and we will head out of the port after lunch provided we have all our affairs done. If we can get another job here great but if things are scarce we will move on to rounding the back of the island for a quick look. By nightfall we should set out and leave the island behind.” Cameron decided looking to her first mate.

The mountain of a man nodded slightly. “The usual scouting groups then.” He replied looking over the half asleep night crew which were getting ready to dock.

“Yes… make sure the twins know to stay in the crows nest so they can keep an eye on everything and be set to give us a strong wind should we need it to get out of port. As for Morgauze…” she trailed off looking to the woman who lingered at the back of the ship. “So long as she keeps hidden…we need as many ears about as we can have. Especially since My group will be handling trade and we need a fair amount on the ship still.

Hannibal simply sighed. “And of the idea to sabotage.”

Cameron simply smirked. “I mean… it is not a primary objective. But accidents do happen. We just need to make the infrequent.”

[Kharmin]

Morguase smiled sweetly at Hannibal when Cameron left the deck. She knew that it would probably irk the large man and she didn't know why she did it. Perhaps it was being so restless back aboard the Winds' Will without any solid purpose which had her feeling so whimsical.

She sauntered away from the first mate and eased her way across the ship to the bow. The crew paid her no unusual notice at her passing which helped her feel less intimidated after her capture by the navy. It wasn't acceptance -- Morgause had yet to earn that level of trust from the crew – but it wasn't abject hatred either. Cameron had made it known and the crew allowed for the sniper's presence on the captain's word.

Morgause sincerely hoped that Cameron would allow her to go ashore. Before she met her, Morgause had been paid very well for her talents, and for good reason. Her skills in this current endeavor would be quite beneficial and she was confident in her abilities.

She leaned on the railing by the bowsprit, and looked toward the port still far on the horizon. The three naval ships had passed beyond the breakwater and secured at the docks and thus out sight to those, unlike her, that had no enhanced vision. Morgause allowed her rune to flare and the phosphorous glow echoed in her eyes as she zoomed her vision in to the port. From her current angle, she couldn't see everything that was going on; however, she did see that the port was extremely well lit with a lot of activity as shown by the flickering of shadows all around the tall masted ships resting there.

Columns of smoke poured upward and were carried inland by the evening's light sea breeze which also kept any scents or smells well away from the Winds' Will. The direction of the wind would make getting into port easier should it persist throughout the night.

Morgause allowed her enhanced sight to continue for a few minutes more until she was satisfied that she wouldn't learn anything new. The rune slowly faded, as did the light from her eyes, and she sensed someone standing nearby. She turned and found Tomas watching her. She gave him a sincere smile. "Hello, Tomas," she said with her soft voice.

"Does it hurt?" He asked. "When you do that, with your eyes. Does it hurt?"

Morgause turned around to face him and leaned her back to the railing as she instinctively took hold of one of the sail lines. "No, Tomas, it doesn't hurt," she replied. What an odd question.

Tomas looked past Morgause toward the port. "Mine does," he said with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Whenever I use ... my talent ... my muscles sting and burn like fire," he admitted. "I've asked other talented people, and every one of them doesn't have pain when they use theirs."

She had never considered the idea before. Sure, she knew quite a few who had talents but none of them mentioned any pain. Morgause wondered if Cameron felt any when she altered her form.

Tomas moved and stood next to Morgause as he continued to look out over the sea. "I don't know why mine is any different," he said, "but it has always been that way. I thought it was a curse. You know, I had been damned for ...." He trailed off and looked away.

"No, Tomas," Morgause said with an almost motherly tone, "you're no more damned than any of the rest of us." She was curious to know what he had almost said, but didn't want to press the lad. He would tell her when he was ready and trusted her enough to know. "For whatever reasons, the gods have granted some of us with powers or talents beyond those of the average person," she continued and turned to face the same direction as Tomas. "Some of us learn to hone these skills from others who train us; others learn through trial and error." Morgause snorted with derision. "I was clearly the latter and although my talent never hurt me to use, it certainly got me into enough scrapes where others hurt me because of it." She suppressed a shudder at the brief memory of her time aboard the Cordelia-Marie – a part of her past that Morgause was certain would haunt her for the rest of her days.

She laid a friendly hand on Tomas' shoulder. "I, for one, am very grateful for you and your talent. I know that it was you who carried me from my captivity. I will never forget what you did for me."

"Well, I couldn't just leave you there," Tomas answered.

"Tomas, that wasn't the first time that my life had been in your hands," Morgause said as she tried to lift his spirits from the doldrums that seemed to have enveloped him. "I haven't yet figured out how to properly reward my rescuer, twice over now." She released her hand from his shoulder. "But I am very much indebted to you and will fulfill my obligations."

Morgause leaned in and kissed Tomas on his cheek. "Get some rest," she advised. "Once we reach port, I'm certain that the captain will need all hands available."

She smiled and patted his cheek where her kiss lingered. Tomas' facade had brightened at the gesture and her concern. "Thank you, Morgause," he said.

"You're welcome," she said and then ghosted her way across the ship back to her place on the afterdeck.