The Wind's Will

[Shura]

Cameron gagged softly as they entered the hut more so at the smell than the sight. She lingered by the door looking around as Morgause spoke with the man watching him careful out of the corner of her eye in case he was the unruly sort. She quirked a brow at the mention of these so called drakes. The whole thing seemed like a wild goose chase but if what the man said was true some extra skinns coyld be caught for further trade. She looked over at morgause and noddted subbtly to show her support.

[Kharmin]

Morgause raised a sarcastic eyebrow when Fenton presented the tooth on the leather thong around his neck. From whence it came, she really cared not but the size of it was of interest if nothing else. It was easily as long as the tip of her forefinger to the lower center of her palm and held a barely noticeable curve to it. The base of it was thicker than her thumb.

She crossed her arms as she recognized the slight nod from Cameron and addressed Fenton, "Ok, fine. So where is this cave, anyway?"

He dropped the tooth back under his smock and said, "Head due north and when you cross the Tiny River, go north by north west. You can't miss the mountains. Find the third largest peak, and ascend it from the eastern most side. It'll be steep, so you'll need to be careful."

Fenton reached around and scratched his shoulder blade. "Shouldn't take you more than a couple of days or so to get there."

"Cross the tiny river," Morgause repeated, "go north by north west to the third largest peak and ascend from the east."

Fenton shook his head. "Not the tiny river," he said. "The Tiny River. That's it's name. Dunno who or why it was named such, 'cuz it ain't all that small. You'd be best to take a raft or such as swimming across it is hazardous with all of the alligators, flesh eating fish and other things."

Morgause looked confused. "Wait, The Tiny River?" She asked. "How will I know I've found the right river? And I thought it was only a day inland?"

"Guess you ain't really from around here, is you?" Fenton concluded. "There's rivers all o'er the place north of town. They criss-cross and go every which way. You might need to hire a guide or a boatman to help; if not, it will take longer."

Morgause blew some strands of her red hair out of her eyes in frustration. "Look," she said, "I don't have all week to be traipsing across your country here. What's to keep me from just taking a bow from you and leaving what coin I think is appropriate?"

Fenton returned to his work with the raccoon, un-phased by Morgause's threat. "I need time to make the thing, for one," he said. "It ain't like I got bows just lying all over the place around here waiting for some fool girl to ask me for one."

Morgause put up her hands in surrender. "Fair enough," she said. This man was her best, if not last hope to getting another longbow, and she didn't need to get him riled up against her. "Ok, you have a contract. You make me a longbow, of quality," she stressed, "and I'll bring your drake skins."

Fenton slammed the knife point-first into top of the wooden table next to the carcass. He held his blood-soaked hand across the table to shake on the deal. Without hesitation, Morgause clasped his slimy hand in her own as her soft, green eyes narrowed. Don't play me, old man, she thought as she stared him down over their handshake. You had better keep your end of the deal.

[Shura]

Cameron made a mental note on the direction they would need to follow finding the whole thing to be a bit too adventurous but hopefully would be worth it. She sighed softly trying to think of where they would be able to find someone to guide them through the river and be fool enough to wait for them. She hoped the fabled beasts were real for the trip would end up costing them more than the long bow was perhaps even worth. Still, it was too late to really back down now. Morgause needed a bow for her sharp shooting talents to be of any use and given the threats that seemed to close in on them not having one was a risk they couldn't afford. One thing was for sure Hanibal would not like the news of another trip...

[Kharmin]

Morgause walked in silence with the captain on their way back to the ship. She was contemplating how she would be able to kill these creatures without a bow since she was practically inept with her cutlass. That she wore one was mostly for show and the confidence that she usually carried was enough to keep most of the less inebriated suitors at bay.

She could sense that Cameron was less than enthusiastic about this latest turn of events. The captain had a ship to run and couldn't keep taking her time away from that. Also, any lengthy delay in port not only affected her schedule, but also brought Morgause's blue-eyed woman that much closer.

"Captain," Morgause whispered from within the depths of her hood, "There is no need for you to do this. I should be able to find a guide and, fates willing, return in a few days. I'm sure that you have more important matters to attend with the ship."

[Shura]

Cameron had been rather pensive on the walk back to the ship, her last errand would have to wait until the next day. Trying to find someone to buy the goods had taken far longer than planned that combined with the detour to get a long bow had left them with no time to get to the last shop since most were already closing. She. Was brought from her thoughts when Morgause spoke up. "I don't believe that would be very smart considering the wound in your side has just began to close. Not only that but this town isn't known for the trust worthy sort. To venture off alone is to run the risk of another double cross this one not even necessarily connected to your past." She pointed out keeping her tone soft as they neared the docks. A small smirk quirkier her lips as she glanced over to the red head. "Besides if these beasties are as valuable as the under says it might be worth catching a few extra to sell in another town. No sense in passing off an opportunity to Make some money off this little venture."

[Kharmin]

Cameron had a point. Morgause's wound had barely had any time at all to heal and any over-exertion on her part would do more harm than good, for certain. Morgause frowned in frustration which carried into her soft-spoken voice.

"Of course you're right," Morgause said. "It just seems we can't catch a break anywhere. I only have myself to blame, I know, but that doesn't make this any easier to bear. I apologize for putting you in this situation. It is my responsibility and I didn't think it fair that you would have to help manage it."

She glanced over at the captain from under the edge of her hood. "It might not be a bad idea to take a few extra hands along, you know to carry all of this back once we have it."

[Shura]

Cameron took not of the aggravation in the woman's voice and nodded slightly. "Was thinking of bringing along a few to help with the hunting as well, just in case. There's a few men on the ship who have some experience hunting should make it easier." She muttered. "Regardless the sun is low so we won't be able to do anything today. I'lll have someone who knows the island better find a guide and We'll set out in the morning. " they got back to the ship with everything just as they left. Cameron let oh a heavy sigh letting herself shift back to her natural form feeling fairly tired from having to hold it for so long.

[Kharmin]

The rest of the walk back to the ship was made in relative silence. Morgause brooded on her ill-fortune, the same bad luck that seemed to follow her everywhere and gave her the name de Torbrille.

She ascended the gangplank after the captain and didn't spare a look at either Hannibal or the crew. Instead, Morgause went below, hung up her cutlass and sack on the peg next to her berth, climbed into her hammock and wrapped her cloak around her.

Morgause was in ill-temper and not really in the mood for mischief or any other lively pastime. Just when she had found her one love, things started to unravel around her and threatened to destroy all that she had longed for. If it wasn't some stupid "drake quest", it was something else not to mention the ever-present threat of the blue-eyed woman.

She closed her eyes and took a few deep, calming breaths. Her demeanor and attitude wouldn't serve anyone any good right now, and Morgause knew that she had to compose herself and get back on an even keel. The near-death experience and the fevered dreams still taxed her endurance and her normally calm faculties.

Another deep intake of breath, and Morgause exhaled slowly and quietly, such that any observer would think that she had actually stopped breathing. It was a technique that she had taught herself when she was much younger, back in the days before her DED-I rune appeared on her hand. The breathing had helped calm her muscles and focus her mind for the precise shot from her longbow – something she hadn't need to fully count on now that her enhanced vision did much of that work for her.

The memories of her past, so very far back and long ago, brought Morgause a sense of serenity. Her face relaxed and her brow un-furrowed. A light, gentle smile played across her lips, lost in the dark shadow of her hood. Still, the relaxation technique was working.

I've been through worse before, she thought, and I will probably go through worse yet. Just keep focused on the present. The past can't be helped and the future will take care of itself.

[Shura]

Cameron noticed that Morgause was not her usual calm self, but given everything that had happened at the last port she wasn't really surprised. Part of her was worried the woman would run but knew that with her condition it wouldn't be the smartest thing. Cameron sighed heavily feeling the exhaustion from the day taking it toll on her body and mind. She talked things over with Hanibal briefly figuring out what was going on and what to do and giving a few order before retiring to her quarters. She knew she should go check on morgause and see what was up but once she sat back on her bed her body didn't want to move. she flopped back and stared up at the deck in thought. Wondering how her life had become so complicated and if this was what other captains had to deal with on a constant basis as well.

Haniblas words echoed the night before about love and how it costed. Was she really in love though? Yes what she had was deeper than mere lust or attraction but love usually came with stupid decisions and rash mistakes. yes Camerons actions were rash at times but no more than her usual self. She did feel jealous and annoyed at times when other would leer in the sirens directions, nothing a fierce glare didn't fix. But wasn't that normal of a lover? There was a sense of ease and calmness she had around Morgause, warmth in certain way Morgause looked her way but was that love or just a deep attraction? Cammeron rolled over in her bed still confused as to what she felt. There were only two things she was really sure of. What She had with morgause was special and rare. And the thought of loosing Morgaise scare her worse then anything else and that part worried her.

[Kharmin]

After several hours of sleep, Morgause's anxiety about the impending trek mercilessly drove her from her berth. She dropped lightly to the floor next to her hammock, tossed back the hood of her cloak and gently scratched her scalp as she drew and raked her fingers through her luscious red hair. A stretch and a yawn ensued before she pulled the hood back up over her head and climbed the stairs to the deck.

The early morning light had not yet touched the eastern horizon. Dark, rolling clouds had moved in overnight which hid both moon and stars from view. The wind had shifted to the northwest and the threat of a significant storm hung expectantly in the air around her. Her cloak shifted violently as a sudden, damp-chilled gust blew across the deck and through the taut rigging above her. Blocks and tackle for the yards clacked in defiance against the masts and arms and the ship rocked gently to port as the brunt of the wind pressed against the windward side.

Morgause's mood matched the storm as she ascended to the stern castle and took her usual position along the rail. She looked out toward the sea as she sensed for the mind-pricking searching of her pursuer, the blue-eyed woman. The sensation was still present and hadn't seemed to have moved either closer to or farther from her. Perhaps a lucky break for a while, she thought, although deep within Morgause knew that the woman would never stop chasing her.

Not only was this blue-eyed woman tenacious and relentless, she also made sure that Morgause was fully aware of what the chase was costing. Morgause recalled the scene at the docks where the woman had incinerated the ship with the crew lashed to it, still alive. Although her eyes bored into Morgause at that encounter, the red-headed sniper also sensed that her pursuer had rather enjoyed making the price of her continued pursuit something so terribly heartless and evil. Morgause wondered how many others had suffered because she kept running and worried that Cameron and her crew would soon suffer the same fate.

For now, though, the blue-eyed woman's presence seemed far off and not currently getting any closer, so Morgause weakly hoped that the woman had lost the trail, even though Morgause knew that if she could still sense the woman, then the woman could sense her and she would stop at nothing to cause as much torment and anguish at Morgause's expense.

The sharp shooter turned away from the sea and wrapped her arms tight around herself as she considered Cameron's good friend and her two children. Morgause hoped and prayed that they would not suffer the blue-eyed woman's singular wrath as they had been harbored under the kind woman's roof while in port.

Morgause sighed as there was nothing that she could do about it now. Perhaps after they retrieve these drake skins, and she had another longbow in her possession, she might convince Cameron to return and .... ?

She shuddered at the thought. How could she face Cameron, the woman whom she truly loved, knowing that her pursuit had cost the lives of the captain's good friend and family? Every day that she stayed with Cameron only served to put the captain and those she holds dear at risk. Is it wrong of me, Morgause thought, to want to be happy with my lover at the expense of others?

Morgause shook her head and looked skyward. The thick clouds held no answers for her as they continued to press in toward the town. A dull, grey light began to grow in the east as dawn approached. The storm seemed to sense its inevitable demise as its intensity slowly began to rise. Rain fell in large drops and would soon cover the entire deck as the storm announced its arrival.

Few early risers and late-night revelers on shore hastily moved to escape the rain. Several fishermen mending and preparing their nets continued their work as they ignored the storm. One glanced upward at the clouds and in the nearby lantern light Morgause could see the weathered and whiskered face scowl at the day's ill-fated start.

Morgause left the stern castle and headed to Cameron's room. If they were to obtain these skins, then they had better get going before the storm fully unleashed its fury. She lightly rapped on the door and awaited the captain's permission to enter.

[Shura]

Cameron had slept heavily through the evening recovering her energy from being shifted all day. She woke up around the usual time just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. She was tempted to get a few more moments of rest but remembered they had a long trek ahead of them that she had to ready for. With a long sigh she got up and started packing for the trip making sure to grab the essential along with some of the supplies to take care of wounds. She remembered they never got to make their last stop and made a note to go there first before heading out. Hopefully the healers shop would have something to help their wounds heal faster and fight off infection. Especially since they were going to be in a jungle.

She had discuses the trip with Hannibal who was furious at first that she would even consider taking on such a trip but they reasoned with each other. It helped the Cameron had already planned on take two of the more brawler men from her ship to help take care of any mishaps that might occur. It would surly help when it came time to drag the drakes back. She washed up with a rag and some cool water and just gotten done cleaning and changing the bandages to her wound when she heard a light knock on her door.

"Come in" She called over her shoulder as she pulled on her shirt. She tossled her hair since it was still slightly damp briefly wondering if she should cut it soon.

[Kharmin]

Morgause entered the captain's cabin and deftly closed the wooden door behind her. She kept her cowl pulled over her head as it had become wet with the early drops of rain and she didn't want to chance getting anything in Cameron's room wet.

She smiled lightly from the depths of the hood as she regarded her lover in her more simple clothes. Cameron's disheveled and damp hair only added to the allure of her state of dress and Morgause's spirits lifted a little.

"I apologize for the early call, captain," Morgause said with a hint of formality. "It would seem that a storm is making its best attempt to spoil our day. I thought you might want to give your orders early before we set out on our excursion."

As if it heard Morgause's prediction, a strong gust of wind slammed against the side of the ship and caused it to pitch just a bit – certainly stronger than would be expected tied up dockside in a protected harbor. The gust whistled through the rigging and any small crack or split in the joining of the window frame to the hull or other small spaces. Then, after a moment of lashing the Wind's Will, the minor tempest moved on to assault those who roamed the very early morning streets and the ship righted itself in its passing.

"I have a few things that I need to get from below," she continued, undeterred from the brief interruption, "and then I will meet you on deck. Shouldn't take but a few minutes."

[Shura]

"no need to be sorry, I caught wind of the storm. It'll definitely make out travels more... interesting." She muttered. "Orders were already given by Hanibal by now most likely so we should be heading off fairly soon." She looked around as the boat creaked with the harsh winds tempted to push the excursion off another day until the storm cleared but time wasn't something they had. "Regardless..." She muttered softly "We should still We'll have to take it slow until the weather is better especially with the unfamiliar territory. There aren't many guides that are available, less so in this weather but one of the men managed to get a map so we should be ok."

[Kharmin]

Morgause nodded beneath her hood. "Then, I will await you at the gangplank, captain," she said in her typical soft-spoken voice. She exited the cabin and closed the door tight against the oncoming storm.

She passed below to her berth and belted on her cutlass. It was more for show than anything as Morgause had virtually no ability to wield it. All of her strengths lie in her longbow, which was why this excursion was so critical, tempest or no. It wasn't for lack of effort; she had had some instruction from one of her former lovers (or was it two? It was so hard to remember!), but Morgause had showed absolutely no aptitude for sword play. She had the strength for it, but when it came to practical application, she was worse than any of the navy's green recruits. Eventually, she gave up trying and resigned herself to her longbow skills. It wasn't long after that decision that the rune appeared on her hand and her legend became born.

Morgause shook her head at the folly of the cutlass on her hip, but in a town where virtually everyone was armed in one fashion or another, it wouldn't do to be seen weaponless.

She grabbed her sack for carrying provisions and, hopefully, drake skins and returned atop deck and waited at the gangplank for her captain.

[Shura]

Cameron finished dressing and pulled grabbed a leather cloak that proved to be good protection from the rain in the past. Normally it wouldn't bother her much and the added weight was not something she looked forward to dealing with while trudging through the jungle but sometimes it was better to stay dry especially while still recovering. The captain armed her self and grabbed her pack before pulling the hood up to her cloak as she stepped out of her quarters. The rain was light but showed signs of a down pour any moment. She looked towards the gang plank where Morgause and two other crew members waited. She spoke briefly with Hanibal before approaching the small group.

"Lets be off before the storm gets any worse." She said taking the lead to shore. Before they could start the hunt for the drakes Cameron made sure to make one stop at a healers shop. The older woman behind the counter looked as if she was still waking up. The shop its self was dimly lit and smelled heavily of herbs and insets. Jars and small pots of various herbal salves and potions sat on the shelves ready to cure anything from a mild cold to extreme pain.