The Old Realms - Chapter 159

Grimdux

I. This is the direct sequel to Touch O' Luck

 Touch O' Luck

II) It serves as a prologue to the Old Realms series.

It will be a superior reading experience

to start this story from the beginning

Please give it a good rating if you liked it, it will help the story reach a much bigger audience:)

Chapter specific maps of the realms 

Maps of the Realms

Character portraits

Whisper ‘Pretty Nose’ Jinx

We’re about to find out.

Hmm… not there, Jinx thought, arms stretching over her disheveled head, Leona’s elegant nose resting on her left tit and mouth drooling down Jinx’s armpit in between soft snorts. Even heavy drinkers get knocked out eventually, the Gish thought still searching.

Aww… there it is honey.

The Gish turned an eye on the sun blasting her in the face from the cracked open window, a tear running down her cheek and tried it again.

Leona moaned and moved, emerald eyes opening still drowsy and confused.

“Mmm… Frank…?” She muffled, before seeing Jinx’s raised brow. Uh? Jinx thought. I mean, what the actual fuck? Leona cleared her throat and stared in her face all serious, much as drunkards do the next morning, with Jinx’s pink nipple standing between them.

“Might have savored more than the advised amount of the ol’ captain’s rum?” Leona blurted, not making much sense, although that was ‘her normal’. “Twas a dream, I thought.”

“Part of it was,” Jinx retorted remembering the three bottles they’d drained earlier. She’d her hands crossed behind her head. Jinx set her stare on the cabin’s ceiling. “Who’s Frank?”

Leona blinked, let out another muffled moan, trying to gather her wits and probably lie better. She failed, part of it Jinx’s fault for not letting her.

Once ye find the moist opening, just push, the Gish thought with a smirk.

“Also thought dis was yer hand,” Leona sighed, nigh impressed.

Most likely.

A girl who dodges wit half her brain sleepin’ is a professional storyteller, the Gish decided.

The more she talks, the more diluted the truth becomes.

“Nope, that’s all me foot,” Jinx deadpanned. “I’m pretty flexible.”

Of course the pirate Captain knew that.

“Gods stop! I need to get out of bed!” Leona cried out, fully awake. “Is that the thing wit ‘em toes?”

“The term might have been used in the past,” Jinx replied leaving it vague and a little mysterious on purpose.

Leona chuckled and rolled the other way to escape Jinx’s wiggling toes. She run out of bed and disappear from sight, a loud thud following along with a cry of pain.

Hah.

Serves ye right, unfaithful cunt.

The woman appeared again, round tits dancing when she jumped up energetically, pretending she’d done it on purpose.

“Where’s my shirt?” Leona asked casually. “Didn’t see it under the bed,” Jinx pointed with a thin finger at the discarded shirt, then watched her walking there appraisingly.

The huge pile of clothes a dead giveaway of her earlier lie.

“Got any pretty dresses in yer room?”

“What need have I of dresses, milady of the distant brines?” Leona asked putting her shirt on.

“Pity to keep them girls hidden.”

“I’ve no idea, what yer talkin’ about,” Leona retorted, buttoning her shirt up to hide her lavish breasts.

“Cut the crap,” Jinx replied. “Do the men know?”

“Those that matter, aye.”

Vague was Leo’s middle name.

“What about the others? Why not come out?”

“I’ll need to recruit on land soon. Trust me, our fleshy bits don’t bring in the most professional of crews,” Leona explained and paused to admire Jinx in all her naked glory. “Yer the prettiest and weird little thing—”

“Fuck you dear.”

“Twas a compliment!”

“Yet, if stripped down enough, it looks like another dodge,” Jinx cast her a scornful eye. “Yer callin’ me a liar?”

Leona sighed. “I’ll return ye to yer friend’s quarters.”

“Are ye seriously going to steal Glen’s ship?” Jinx queried, then jumped up, her head almost touching the low ceiling and rolled off the bed managing to land on her feet in one fluid move.

“Wow,” Leona gasped impressed at her acrobatics.

“Can throw a back flip in there as well, but sometimes I splat on the wall, so yeah,” Jinx replied with fake modesty.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Leona replied that ridiculous hat back on her head. “And to answer to yer query dear, I shall. Piracy is in me blood, like quiffing wit pretty girls.”

Jinx walked to her, raised two red-rimmed eyes -since even Leona was much taller than her- and then poked her hard on the nipple over her shirt and vest.

“Gah!” Leona shrieked and stumbled back, face flushed and as much vexed, as aroused. “Ouch! Whatever was that for?” She protested.

More cross then.

“That’s how easy it’ll be for people to tell,” Jinx explained to her. “There is no droll, no man in yer screams dear. Be it fear, pain or pleasure, what we truly have inside always pops out.”

“Yes?” Sen-Iv asked politely behind her door.

Jinx sighed and glanced at Leo Vale, hat lowered over her eyes, the latter blackened to her cheekbones making her appear ghoulish.

“Are ye decent?”

“Jinx?”

“Ye, open up anyway. I don’t mind,” Jinx retorted and Leo chuckled, before remembering her place and turned it into a cough.

Sen unlocked her door and cracked it open. Stared into Jinx’s grinning face, then at Leo and keeping her legendary cool moved aside, so they could walk in.

Jinx strolled through the door and greeted the slave girls.

“Anything happened while I was away?” She asked looking about, austere tone in her voice.

“Which day?” Sen queried ruining her entrance. “We haven’t seen you in more than a week.”

Oh, shite.

Jinx crooked her mouth one way, jaw the other.

“Was it that long?” She asked playing it down.

“Yes Jinx. It was,” Sen replied looking at her. Lightly slanted eyes mesmerizing.

Ah, yer a nosy but polite and alluring cunt.

“I was busy consulting with the pirates,” Jinx replied.

The task had just sucked her dry, the effort put into the ‘proceedings’ monumental.

Time had just flown by.

Poof.

“About what?” Nosy Sen-Iv probed, the woman impossible to satisfy.

Jinx needed Glen to fix this.

“Things,” Jinx replied and walked further inside the captain’s cabin to think about something palatable. “Right… Mister Leo? A hand?” She asked finding nothing of the sort.

“She is absolutely correct, milady of the plains,” Leo muttered his droll back, sounding as drunk as a skunk. Sen-Iv narrowed her eyes and then sighed. Jinx noticed the rings were back on and by the look on her face Leo had noticed it as well. The flimsy silk robe more a tease than a deterrent. Sen was filled up in all the right places. The Cofol woman walked to her bed, her visitors eyes glued on her apt figure.

What?

Jinx glared at Leo and she shrugged her shoulders.

“How can I be of service?” Sen asked them interrupting their staring contest.

“Well, there’s—” Leo started, but Jinx stopped her before she could attempt it.

“Captain Vale is busy. Gratitude for escorting me, Captain,” she added sternly. Leo grimaced, caught herself again and stood straighter.

“Ahm, it appears there are matters afoot that need a captain’s touch ladies,” she started, Jinx’s eyes urging her to get it over with. “Whilst it’s a crime to leave me lovelies unattended, sometimes these matters if left to fester for long, they’re beset by rot. Aye. Dis in turn, makes it a dottore problem then, which we don’t ‘ave. So in light of dis, I bid ye farewell wit heavy heart and promise a swift return.”

Sen-Iv’s famed eyes opened wide, utterly confused.

“He’s leaving,” Jinx translated, trying to untangle Leo’s drivel.

“Silly lad,” Jinx said the moment the pirate Captain was out of the door. “I have to inform you by the way, we’re outside Eikenport.”

“We know Jinx.”

“Ah, all the better. Soren?”

“Came by three times,” Sen replied. “Asking about you. Had to calm him down. The poor thing thought you had jumped overboard.”

“He’s thick as a rock,” Jinx said. “Always has been.”

“He was worried,” Sen corrected her. “Also grieving Zola. You can see it in his eyes. Still shocked by the Kraken’s attack you stopped.”

Wow, quite a number of things to unpack, Jinx thought and went to sit next to the girls. They both smelled really nice, their nails painted a matching teal.

“Leave us,” Sen-Iv ordered and they jumped up and rushed out of the door, before Jinx could figure out what had happened. The Gish pushed her legs out, the bed the slave girls were sleeping on, rough on her behind and glanced towards -the silently staring- Glen’s wife.

“I lost track of time,” she finally said, the scrutiny weighing her down. “Twas an attempt at coping, I guess.”

“What did you do?” Sen asked her calmly.

“Ye know, this and that,” Jinx replied. “Come on, you’ve figured out where I was.”

“I have. Eventually everyone found out. It’s a ship Jinx.”

Right.

“I got overwhelmed. She’s new to it, as well,” Jinx grimaced realizing she’d slipped up, but pushed ahead praying Sen wouldn’t notice. It wasn’t as if you could tell with her, she thought. “I just don’t think about it. Will ye accept…?” Sen patted the side of the bed next to her. “What?”

“Join me.”

Jinx cleared her throat and then stood up and walked across the cabin. She plopped down next to Sen, the mattress much better on this side of the room.

“Is it serious?” Sen asked and Jinx turned to stare at her exquisite profile. The skin a tanned gold, the little diamond on her well-shaped nose sparkling.

“Ah, I don’t know. I like him,” Jinx replied, fixing her earlier mistake. Sen nodded, hint of a smile on her mouth. “He has treated us well right? Didn’t harm anyone.”

We care about.

“I made a deal with Captain Vale,” Sen pointed.

“Aye, ye did, but still, he could have chosen to be violent, right?”

“In that case Vale would have lost more men, your Captain doesn’t have,” Sen replied calmly. “Taking the ship without an agreement, would have left them with the problem of how to steer it with so few crew members. Vale picked what was the best option for him, with no sentimentality. Everyone has a price.”

Jinx gulped down, thinking of Leona slicing Grim’s throat open.

“I don’t think he’s evil,” she murmured. Sen touched Jinx on the right side of her neck, where it found the shoulder, after pushing the loose collar aside. “What?”

“That’s a nasty bite mark, you should clean it up,” Sen advised her coolly, the Cofol woman tracing the spot with a manicured finger. It sent goosebumps down the Gish’s toes.

“I will,” Jinx grinned nervously. “Things got a bit wild.”

“Hmm,” Sen pulled her hand back.

“It’s not going to last anyway,” Jinx tried again, feeling guilty.

“Why is that?”

Jinx remembered the black mirror that was the Kraken’s eye.

“I better avoid sailing henceforth,” Jinx explained, puffing her cheeks out. “Next time Abrakas catches me, I ain’t getting away.”

The fact she was still sailing in a sense, finally catching up to the young Gish.

Fuck.

Sen stared at her for long. Jinx lost sense of time, the Cofol’s lips plump and painted a teasing peach, until Sen-Iv reached and laced her fingers to hers. She squeezed them softly in understanding, her lips moving at last.

“Thank you,” the Celestial Opal of Lai Zel-ka said and everything that had happened came back for Jinx and she couldn’t keep it in anymore. Whisper started sobbing uncontrollably and Sen-Iv pulled her in a comforting hug until she calmed down.

Leo stared at the crew sternly.

“Mister Hook shall accompany me,” she repeated, Liko hanging his head disappointed. “Troy and Wil shall kindly be our oarspersons and return next evening to pick us up.”

Weiss raised a hand.

“I petition to partake as well Captain.”

Leo stared at him under the rim of her hat.

“Yer petition is denied, mister Weiss.”

“May I inquire as to the whys, Captain?”

“A captain shouldn’t be queried on his decisions, else each decision be delayed,” Leo babbled, her droll genuine since she’d gulped down half a pint of grog with her breakfast. “What is a ship to do, when ther’ no decisions forthcoming? We shan’t be conquered by idleness mister Weiss, or fear. The captain sometimes goes ahead to face the aberrations all by himself. ”

Wow.

“Aye, captain,” the man yielded, Liko listening to him with his mouth hanging open.

“Stiles will go with you,” Sen-Iv said, unbothered at the dirty looks the pirates were throwing her way.

Stiles blinked and sucked his cheek in a thoughtful grimace.

“Mister Stiles is an unsavory character, milady,” Leo argued. “I fear turnin’ me back to him.”

“He’s my husband’s man. Glen won’t trust you without someone he knows.”

Leo stared at the shifty-looking former cutthroat, trying his best to appear trustworthy and failing spectacularly.

Wow, Jinx thought doubly impressed.

“Well then, if that’s what it takes to get this boat movin’, then that’s what it takes,” Leo Vale decided. “Stiles shall come as well.”

“I trust you’ll honor your word, Stiles,” Sen-Iv said the moment the pirates walked away to start lowering a rowing boat in the water. “And I will honor mine. Those that honor their deals I consider friends.”

Stiles stared at her for a moment, then nodded.

“I’ll let him know milady.”

Sen-Iv stood at the empty quarterdeck and stared at the shiny distant Eikenport. Some pillars of smoke could be seen rising, mainly from the port where work continued apparently. Dark spots were also visible amidst the white buildings -the ruins of them mostly- as much of the old city was destroyed and never really rebuilt.

Mastabas, Sen had called the strange buildings, the woman a wealth of knowledge.

Jinx approached the exotic Cofol, admiring the way that red robe was hugging her body, but also aware of Sen-Iv’s mood. While difficult to read, Whisper had slowly learned to understand when Sen was troubled. You don’t spent months with a Gish and still manage to keep your privacy.

“What is it?” Jinx asked, standing on her left side in front of the rails.

“The answer,” Sen-Iv replied evenly and Jinx noticed she’d her hands clenched into fists to stop from shaking. How do you overcome your fear amongst cutthroats to appear so unyielding and in control?

Through sheer willpower.

“What was the question?”

“There was nothing else I cared about all this time Jinx,” Sen replied. “Only one question in my mind.”

Jinx sighed and stared at the distant city. The Marquette had anchored on the far Northern side of the natural port to avoid scrutiny. Two more ships were moored at the docks. A merchant transport and a small Brig.

“Did Glen make it?” Whisper asked and Sen-Iv breathed in ruggedly letting her panic show. She recovered almost instantly and exhaling slowly answered her that remarkable serenity back in her voice.

“We’re about to find out.”

Grimdux I. This is the direct sequel to Touch O' Luck Touch O' Luck II It serves as a prologue to the Old Realms series. It will be a superior reading experience to start this story from the beginning Please give it a good rating if you liked it, it will help the story reach a much bigger audience: Chapter specific maps of the realms Maps of the Realms Character portraits Whisper Pretty Nose' Jinx We're about to find out. Hmm not there, Jinx thought, arms stretching over her disheveled head, Leona's elegant nose resting on her left tit and mouth drooling down Jinx's armpit in between soft snorts. Even heavy drinkers get knocked out eventually, the Gish thought still searching. Aww there it is honey. The Gish turned an eye on the sun blasting her in the face from the cracked open window, a tear running down her cheek and tried it again. Leona moaned and moved, emerald eyes opening still drowsy and confused. Mmm Frank? She muffled, before seeing Jinx's raised brow. Uh? Jinx thought. I mean, what the actual fuck? Leona cleared her throat and stared in her face all serious, much as drunkards do the next morning, with Jinx's pink nipple standing between them. Might have savored more than the advised amount of the ol' captain's rum? Leona blurted, not making much sense, although that was her normal'. Twas a dream, I thought. Part of it was, Jinx retorted remembering the three bottles they'd drained earlier. She'd her hands crossed behind her head. Jinx set her stare on the cabin's ceiling. Who's Frank? Leona blinked, let out another muffled moan, trying to gather her wits and probably lie better. She failed, part of it Jinx's fault for not letting her. Once ye find the moist opening, just push, the Gish thought with a smirk. Also thought dis was yer hand, Leona sighed, nigh impressed. Most likely. A girl who dodges wit half her brain sleepin' is a professional storyteller, the Gish decided. The more she talks, the more diluted the truth becomes. Nope, that's all me foot, Jinx deadpanned. I'm pretty flexible. Of course the pirate Captain knew that. Gods stop! I need to get out of bed! Leona cried out, fully awake. Is that the thing wit em toes? The term might have been used in the past, Jinx replied leaving it vague and a little mysterious on purpose. Leona chuckled and rolled the other way to escape Jinx's wiggling toes. She run out of bed and disappear from sight, a loud thud following along with a cry of pain. Hah. Serves ye right, unfaithful cunt. The woman appeared again, round tits dancing when she jumped up energetically, pretending she'd done it on purpose. Where's my shirt? Leona asked casually. Didn't see it under the bed, Jinx pointed with a thin finger at the discarded shirt, then watched her walking there appraisingly. The huge pile of clothes a dead giveaway of her earlier lie. Got any pretty dresses in yer room? What need have I of dresses, milady of the distant brines? Leona asked putting her shirt on. Pity to keep them girls hidden. I've no idea, what yer talkin' about, Leona retorted, buttoning her shirt up to hide her lavish breasts. Cut the crap, Jinx replied. Do the men know? Those that matter, aye. Vague was Leo's middle name. What about the others? Why not come out? I'll need to recruit on land soon. Trust me, our fleshy bits don't bring in the most professional of crews, Leona explained and paused to admire Jinx in all her naked glory. Yer the prettiest and weird little thing Fuck you dear. Twas a compliment! Yet, if stripped down enough, it looks like another dodge, Jinx cast her a scornful eye. Yer callin' me a liar? Leona sighed. I'll return ye to yer friend's quarters. Are ye seriously going to steal Glen's ship? Jinx queried, then jumped up, her head almost touching the low ceiling and rolled off the bed managing to land on her feet in one fluid move. Wow, Leona gasped impressed at her acrobatics. Can throw a back flip in there as well, but sometimes I splat on the wall, so yeah, Jinx replied with fake modesty. I'll keep that in mind, Leona replied that ridiculous hat back on her head. And to answer to yer query dear, I shall. Piracy is in me blood, like quiffing wit pretty girls. Jinx walked to her, raised two red-rimmed eyes -since even Leona was much taller than her- and then poked her hard on the nipple over her shirt and vest. Gah! Leona shrieked and stumbled back, face flushed and as much vexed, as aroused. Ouch! Whatever was that for? She protested. More cross then. That's how easy it'll be for people to tell, Jinx explained to her. There is no droll, no man in yer screams dear. Be it fear, pain or pleasure, what we truly have inside always pops out. Yes? Sen-Iv asked politely behind her door. Jinx sighed and glanced at Leo Vale, hat lowered over her eyes, the latter blackened to her cheekbones making her appear ghoulish. Are ye decent? Jinx? Ye, open up anyway. I don't mind, Jinx retorted and Leo chuckled, before remembering her place and turned it into a cough. Sen unlocked her door and cracked it open. Stared into Jinx's grinning face, then at Leo and keeping her legendary cool moved aside, so they could walk in. Jinx strolled through the door and greeted the slave girls. Anything happened while I was away? She asked looking about, austere tone in her voice. Which day? Sen queried ruining her entrance. We haven't seen you in more than a week. Oh, shite. Jinx crooked her mouth one way, jaw the other. Was it that long? She asked playing it down. Yes Jinx. It was, Sen replied looking at her. Lightly slanted eyes mesmerizing. Ah, yer a nosy but polite and alluring cunt. I was busy consulting with the pirates, Jinx replied. The task had just sucked her dry, the effort put into the proceedings' monumental. Time had just flown by. Poof. About what? Nosy Sen-Iv probed, the woman impossible to satisfy. Jinx needed Glen to fix this. Things, Jinx replied and walked further inside the captain's cabin to think about something palatable. Right Mister Leo? A hand? She asked finding nothing of the sort. She is absolutely correct, milady of the plains, Leo muttered his droll back, sounding as drunk as a skunk. Sen-Iv narrowed her eyes and then sighed. Jinx noticed the rings were back on and by the look on her face Leo had noticed it as well. The flimsy silk robe more a tease than a deterrent. Sen was filled up in all the right places. The Cofol woman walked to her bed, her visitors eyes glued on her apt figure. What? Jinx glared at Leo and she shrugged her shoulders. How can I be of service? Sen asked them interrupting their staring contest. Well, there's Leo started, but Jinx stopped her before she could attempt it. Captain Vale is busy. Gratitude for escorting me, Captain, she added sternly. Leo grimaced, caught herself again and stood straighter. Ahm, it appears there are matters afoot that need a captain's touch ladies, she started, Jinx's eyes urging her to get it over with. Whilst it's a crime to leave me lovelies unattended, sometimes these matters if left to fester for long, they're beset by rot. Aye. Dis in turn, makes it a dottore problem then, which we don't ave. So in light of dis, I bid ye farewell wit heavy heart and promise a swift return. Sen-Iv's famed eyes opened wide, utterly confused. He's leaving, Jinx translated, trying to untangle Leo's drivel. Silly lad, Jinx said the moment the pirate Captain was out of the door. I have to inform you by the way, we're outside Eikenport. We know Jinx. Ah, all the better. Soren? Came by three times, Sen replied. Asking about you. Had to calm him down. The poor thing thought you had jumped overboard. He's thick as a rock, Jinx said. Always has been. He was worried, Sen corrected her. Also grieving Zola. You can see it in his eyes. Still shocked by the Kraken's attack you stopped. Wow, quite a number of things to unpack, Jinx thought and went to sit next to the girls. They both smelled really nice, their nails painted a matching teal. Leave us, Sen-Iv ordered and they jumped up and rushed out of the door, before Jinx could figure out what had happened. The Gish pushed her legs out, the bed the slave girls were sleeping on, rough on her behind and glanced towards -the silently staring- Glen's wife. I lost track of time, she finally said, the scrutiny weighing her down. Twas an attempt at coping, I guess. What did you do? Sen asked her calmly. Ye know, this and that, Jinx replied. Come on, you've figured out where I was. I have. Eventually everyone found out. It's a ship Jinx. Right. I got overwhelmed. She's new to it, as well, Jinx grimaced realizing she'd slipped up, but pushed ahead praying Sen wouldn't notice. It wasn't as if you could tell with her, she thought. I just don't think about it. Will ye accept? Sen patted the side of the bed next to her. What? Join me. Jinx cleared her throat and then stood up and walked across the cabin. She plopped down next to Sen, the mattress much better on this side of the room. Is it serious? Sen asked and Jinx turned to stare at her exquisite profile. The skin a tanned gold, the little diamond on her well-shaped nose sparkling. Ah, I don't know. I like him, Jinx replied, fixing her earlier mistake. Sen nodded, hint of a smile on her mouth. He has treated us well right? Didn't harm anyone. We care about. I made a deal with Captain Vale, Sen pointed. Aye, ye did, but still, he could have chosen to be violent, right? In that case Vale would have lost more men, your Captain doesn't have, Sen replied calmly. Taking the ship without an agreement, would have left them with the problem of how to steer it with so few crew members. Vale picked what was the best option for him, with no sentimentality. Everyone has a price. Jinx gulped down, thinking of Leona slicing Grim's throat open. I don't think he's evil, she murmured. Sen touched Jinx on the right side of her neck, where it found the shoulder, after pushing the loose collar aside. What? That's a nasty bite mark, you should clean it up, Sen advised her coolly, the Cofol woman tracing the spot with a manicured finger. It sent goosebumps down the Gish's toes. I will, Jinx grinned nervously. Things got a bit wild. Hmm, Sen pulled her hand back. It's not going to last anyway, Jinx tried again, feeling guilty. Why is that? Jinx remembered the black mirror that was the Kraken's eye. I better avoid sailing henceforth, Jinx explained, puffing her cheeks out. Next time Abrakas catches me, I ain't getting away. The fact she was still sailing in a sense, finally catching up to the young Gish. Fuck. Sen stared at her for long. Jinx lost sense of time, the Cofol's lips plump and painted a teasing peach, until Sen-Iv reached and laced her fingers to hers. She squeezed them softly in understanding, her lips moving at last. Thank you, the Celestial Opal of Lai Zel-ka said and everything that had happened came back for Jinx and she couldn't keep it in anymore. Whisper started sobbing uncontrollably and Sen-Iv pulled her in a comforting hug until she calmed down. Leo stared at the crew sternly. Mister Hook shall accompany me, she repeated, Liko hanging his head disappointed. Troy and Wil shall kindly be our oarspersons and return next evening to pick us up. Weiss raised a hand. I petition to partake as well Captain. Leo stared at him under the rim of her hat. Yer petition is denied, mister Weiss. May I inquire as to the whys, Captain? A captain shouldn't be queried on his decisions, else each decision be delayed, Leo babbled, her droll genuine since she'd gulped down half a pint of grog with her breakfast. What is a ship to do, when ther' no decisions forthcoming? We shan't be conquered by idleness mister Weiss, or fear. The captain sometimes goes ahead to face the aberrations all by himself. Wow. Aye, captain, the man yielded, Liko listening to him with his mouth hanging open. Stiles will go with you, Sen-Iv said, unbothered at the dirty looks the pirates were throwing her way. Stiles blinked and sucked his cheek in a thoughtful grimace. Mister Stiles is an unsavory character, milady, Leo argued. I fear turnin' me back to him. He's my husband's man. Glen won't trust you without someone he knows. Leo stared at the shifty-looking former cutthroat, trying his best to appear trustworthy and failing spectacularly. Wow, Jinx thought doubly impressed. Well then, if that's what it takes to get this boat movin', then that's what it takes, Leo Vale decided. Stiles shall come as well. I trust you'll honor your word, Stiles, Sen-Iv said the moment the pirates walked away to start lowering a rowing boat in the water. And I will honor mine. Those that honor their deals I consider friends. Stiles stared at her for a moment, then nodded. I'll let him know milady. Sen-Iv stood at the empty quarterdeck and stared at the shiny distant Eikenport. Some pillars of smoke could be seen rising, mainly from the port where work continued apparently. Dark spots were also visible amidst the white buildings -the ruins of them mostly- as much of the old city was destroyed and never really rebuilt. Mastabas, Sen had called the strange buildings, the woman a wealth of knowledge. Jinx approached the exotic Cofol, admiring the way that red robe was hugging her body, but also aware of Sen-Iv's mood. While difficult to read, Whisper had slowly learned to understand when Sen was troubled. You don't spent months with a Gish and still manage to keep your privacy. What is it? Jinx asked, standing on her left side in front of the rails. The answer, Sen-Iv replied evenly and Jinx noticed she'd her hands clenched into fists to stop from shaking. How do you overcome your fear amongst cutthroats to appear so unyielding and in control? Through sheer willpower. What was the question? There was nothing else I cared about all this time Jinx, Sen replied. Only one question in my mind. Jinx sighed and stared at the distant city. The Marquette had anchored on the far Northern side of the natural port to avoid scrutiny. Two more ships were moored at the docks. A merchant transport and a small Brig. Did Glen make it? Whisper asked and Sen-Iv breathed in ruggedly letting her panic show. She recovered almost instantly and exhaling slowly answered her that remarkable serenity back in her voice. We're about to find out.