Lucky Jim and Avarian Royalty

[alendral]

James Mathuin, known to some as Lucky Jim was known for slipping away from situations he ought not to and finding fortune when he ought never to find it. It was this turn of events that would bring him to Skye, and yet may find his fortunes turned...

James = The Eastern Wind was no Royal Vessel, though by all accounts it was a fine ship. It was designed for hauling vast stores of wealth and built for able, fast travel, it was not built with luxury in mind, but James Mathuin liked to think of himself as a man of opportunity--and his crew liked to think of him as a man who often didn't think things through. That was the circumstance that brought young Brennah onto the deck, in her 'suite'--which really was just the First Mate's Quarters (which upset the First Mate enough to double his cut of the proceeds), were Spartan, if better than the Crew deck. Its crew was less than accommodating, and many avoided her both out of orders and fear that the little princess would make demands on them, and for the most part she was left to her own, save the Captain occasionally checking in on her, much like today. The man in question barely even looked like a captain--old white shirt and trousers, plain clothed, but then, James was odd in his style--the crew was loyal because they paid well and he often brought home payment without trouble--no need to exert his authority was necessary--but one thing was sure, the energy and enthusiasm she had doubtless seen when she sought out a ship was only magnified when out at sea.

Brennah = Brennah Teagan had been fortunate enough for a man that was willing to take on the request of a woman who's life hung in the balance with each day that passed. With her uncle dethroned and of her ties to the man, the Steward of Avaria was determined to rid the lands of all possible threats to his position. That unfortunately meant Brennah as well, which forced her to flee and hide. To keep her identity to herself and get by with as little as possible. She very well couldn't return home to her father, for that would be the first place the others were sure to check. The only other option would be to find a way to Skye, where she knew her uncle's wife hailed from and were likely there themselves now. It was this option that made unlikely paths cross. With her horse Asher and her Merlin Falcon Darinah, Brennah had managed to strike a deal with the Captain of the Eastern Wind. A hefty pouch no doubt was given as payment, but a payment worth it. She had received nothing but stares, glares, and whispers since boarding and tended to keep to herself despite the need for conversation or anything else to keep from perishing from the boredom. However, the Captain seem to be the one to indulge this princess where others continued to remain weary. She sat now within the confines of her room, a small wooden pedestal secured in place for her feathered friend and she worried about her four legged one beneath the deck. She sat within a chair, a book open and sighing while it was brought to a close before her blue eyes looked to Darinah. "I know.. its dreadful in here, but perhaps we will make it to shore soon and you'll be free to stretch your wings." The young woman said.

James = "Your majestyyyy?" he insisted on calling her that despite any protests, grinning impishly from the side of the door. "I'm coming in, please be dressed." he opened the door well before she'd get a chance to reply, leaning in and smiling when he saw her and slipping through the doorway. "Thought I'd stop in. You feeling okay? Ya know, no shame in getting sick, or anything. Really, crew's used to it. If you're going to throw up, I'm sure the First Mate'd appreciate it if you use the sea and not his room ..." the playful needling long passe, he quipped, never prone to a serious word in his life. "Sorry, I just thought there'd be something outside you might wanna see. Better than the walls anyhow. Unless he had reading material--does he have reading material? Because you know, if he did, I'd stay away from it, chances are it's not the kind of thing for a Maiden's eyes or anything, ya know, I'm just saying it gets.. ah... kind of lonely on a vessel and..." and the more he continued, the more awkward he felt. "Coming...?"

Brennah = "I really wish you wouldn't call me such." She replied as the man made his way in whether or not she was decent. "And I find it hard to believe that you would want me to be decent, just so you could get your eyes full." She added a moment later. Brennah continued to remain in her seat, her eyes of vivid blue settling upon the man who seem to enjoy in trying to ruffle her feathers. "I assure you, I am perfectly fine and I will consider such should I feel the need to get sick." She said with a roll of her eyes. A brow arched as the man continued to share things that Brennah felt .. unnecessary, yet funny in a sense. She looked to Darinah and frowned before standing and moving toward the Merlin. She'd pet the bird and whisper softly. "Soon.. I promise." She said before falcon began to flap her wings and tilt her head with a soft screech. Brennah then turned and nodded. "Just as long as none of your men decide to go throwing themselves overboard on account of my coming their way." She said sarcastically. The dark haired woman was dressed in simple clothing. Perhaps a little more well cared for, but nothing like what a woman of her position should be found wearing. Brennah hated those stuffy gowns anyway and much preferred the usual and common fabrics.

James = "Your Highness, then? Princess? My lady? Your full name? I've never traveled with royalty before, help me out here. Wouldn't I get like, beheaded or something for peeking at a King's daughter? " The Captain slipped up beside her, eyes on the falcon that she had sought to soothe. "Oh don't worry about them. They're all just.. Shy! " He tilted his head this way and that and added. "You know, traditionally? Parrots. Parrots are good. Or a monkey. Monkey's are very popular!" of course, the truth behind the little cliche was exotic animals marked them to other employers, demonstrating that they had traveled to some locale. "Forget the crew, come on! You've gotta get out of here before they go under again, trust me, you're gonna like this. " sure-footed in face of the rocking boat, the Captain stepped light-footed back to the doorway to lead her back to the deck.

Brennah = "Brennah will serve just fine." She answered as she shook her head in a slightly annoyed manner. "And I'm not the daughter of a king... just the niece of one... or was one." She corrected herself. Not really knowing if her uncle lived or not. This trip to Skye was just a haunch though, hoping that even if he and his family had not made it, that she'd still be welcomed by the Duchess and Duke there. As Darinah watched her master with such keen eyes, Brennah looked to James. "I will keep my Merlin, thank you." She gave a fleeting gaze back to her feathered friend and moved off with the Captain out of her quarters and onto the deck. "Before who goes under? And I'm going to like what?" She asked with a puzzled look when she came to face the man again. "I'd like to know when you suspect we'll be arriving in Skye... if you can..." Said the woman.

James = "Come on, come on! Just get up here." he urged her on while answering her previous question. "Oh, probably a day or so. give or take. depends on the winds. Look, don't worry about it! Enjoy yourself, relax! This ship'll get you there." and to what was he urging Brennah to take sight of? He'd hurry her once out to the side of the deck, where he quickly scanned and pointed. "There, there, look right there!" it was one of those rare moments that made it worthwhile--the tell-tale spouts of water yielding large bodies, a small pod of whales that were taking their breaths before they'd dip low to hunt again. James could barely suppress his grin at it--he always got a kick out of it, but for few it was an almost unheard of sight. The poor girl had been cooped up in that thing for almost days, too afraid of the crew--this was, in his way, keeping an eye on her. Most of the crew didn't even notice--too focused on their task, they gave the pair of them a wide berth.

Brennah = "I'm coming, I'm coming!" She replied back in a hasty and slightly higher pitched tone. "A day or so?" She asked with a sigh. God knows how long she'd be able to stand that room much longer and the lack of human interaction other than the Captain here. For him to tell her not to worry though, she had to and just before she was about to ask him something else, she was being rushed to the deck and hurried over to the railing. He pointed and Brennah's eyes left his face and drifted out toward the sea. She gasped and slowly she smiled. This was truly a treat... to see these massive animals out at sea. "That is incredible." She said while looking back over at him. "Do you get to see them often? Or others like them rather?" Brennah completely forgetting her intended question at the moment as the man seem to spark her curiosity due to the whales.

James = "Once in a while. " he smiled. He pointed out. "Just for a few minutes. They'll come up for a little while, than you'll never see them again. Once I had one come up... right to the boat. Nearly as big as the whole ship, I'm not kidding!" he leaned forward again. "And things like it. Come out with the wind at our back sometime and there're these.. little fish in the wake. It's... well, it's the kind of stuff I live for. " he grinned a bit and leaned forward, folding his arms. for all his quirks, James was at home at sea, and smiled nostalgically as he spared himself a minute to enjoy it.. and, as fortune would have it, he'd get exactly one. "Sir?" his mate called, sounding worried. The Captain looked up quizzically, but one look on the expression forced him to break away. James trotted away from her and plucked the Spyglass from the Mate's Hands, fixing it in the indication... what he saw made his stomach churn. It was distant, but gaining quickly--flying Avarian Colors, no less. "... Oh hell..."

Brennah = Brennah smiled and nodded softly as she looked back out to the sea where the whales had been. She listened to him as he told her, as some people called them fishing tales. Things that seemed impractical or impossible. Things that didn't seem likely to have happened. Though, she would humor him and only nod with a wider smile. However, the smaller fish following, she could believe. She leaned forward, her arms crossing as she let them rest on the railing. Brennah seem to lose herself for the moment, that was until another voice was heard. She stood straight once more, turned to look to James and then between him and the other man. The man was dismissed and James pulled put his spyglass. The words that followed his actions, she didn't like. Quickly her eyes turned to the direction for which his spyglass was in, trying to narrow her eyes to get a better focus. She could see something, though not quite what.. or who rather. She turned back to James. "What is it? Someone is following us.. yes?" She asked worriedly.

[alendral]

James = "Following, definitely following, following and... Oh hell." The reason for the panic was the way it was following more than the fact it was following alone--it had taken the time to swing wide and line up for a broadside--the ship was definitely faster, but it was also smart, running parallel. Turning away from it meant turning into the wind, slowing his vessel down and speeding up the ensuing broadside. Trying to pick up speed meant closing with the vessel and quite possibly bringing it close that much faster. In either event, it made it particularly grim. "Uhh, Look, your Highness, you might want to get below deck before this gets kind of messy, I'll come get you when this is over or you know... the ship is starting to sink, whatever comes first. " A fire lit under him, so to speak, he'd already began to move madly about the ship. "Okay, more speed, please? More speed now! Guns into position, people, fast or dead!" the Princess, for the time being was put of his mind. Even now, the ship was gaining, the mast clearly visible in the distance now as the tiny thing. "Bloody fast ship, must be an Interceptor. Not good, not gooo~ood..."

Brennah = Brennah sighed heavily. "Heavens no.. please..I-" She turned to look between ship and Captain. "James... please... tell me we're going to make it?!" She pleaded. As he then turned and let her know what she needed to do, she frowned, she didn't like how that had sounded. She nodded to James then and ran to get Darinah. As she entered her quarters, the think leather glove was slipped on and the falcon was taken from her post. She then returned to James, gave him a pleading look and moved down below deck. She found a spot close to Asher in his make shift stall and began to talk to calm them, reassure them as the bussal about the ship was sure to upset both animals. They could sense these things of course. However, Brennah had to wonder, was she trying to reassure them, or herself?

James = "Oh yeah, we're going to make it. It's nothing. Go take a nap, we'll be fine!" He waved frantically as she departed before one of the crewman asked. " Nothing, eh?" "Well, ya know, nothing but the threat of imminent death." Luckily he did have something of a plan, a bit of a fortuitous event. There was frantic shouts from the deck as it got nearer and nearer. "Okay.. Okay here's what you're gonna do! Go to the Gunner Chief, tell him to load up that Bar-shot we've been lying around...!" the last of his special ammunition from his days as a Privateer, while he scrambled to and fro to address trouble spots on the deck. "Turn us towards the wind! I want us to look panicked! and stupid!" "No offense Cap'n, but they're gonna think that because it's a very dumb thing to do!" "Just shut up and do it!" The ship followed orders, lurching as it moved towards the wind on command--the Interceptor drawing closer every minute. "Alright.. Alright, when I say so, turn this ship around and put us towards the Interceptor. Yes, towards it! Soon as it fires." "Cap'n, we can't slug it out with a ship like that...!" "I don't want to slug it out! Slugging it out is bad...!" There was a moment of tension--the ship slowed, but the pursuing vessel stayed it's course--it would be in gun range within moments.

Brennah = As Brennah made herself about as comfortable as one could in these conditions and under these circumstances, she stared up at the ceiling of what was the underbelly to the deck. She could hear the men scrambling about, orders being shouted, and relayed to others in a distance. It seemed like forever until she heard absolutely nothing. It was as if the entire ship had gone deathly quite. She had to wonder what the Captain and his crew were up to and what was to come next.

James = The sound that would shatter the silence was the cannon-aide. Just as he had planned, the Interceptor, smelling blood and easy prey, fired as soon as they were in range, the telltale first impacts of simple rangefinders impacting harmlessly in the water around them. "Now, sir?" "Not yet, not yet!" this was the part of the plan that was the risk. In a few moments, the remaining cannons fired with considerable more accuracy--gouts of water jetting up from the ship. "Okay now, now, turn now!" suddenly the ship veered, but not without a price--on impact shattered the timber near the rear deck, damaging the hull as the entire ship banked sharply towards the new vessel. "Go, go full sail get in close!" He had only seconds now, before the second reload would tear the hull apart. The entire strategy was bent on closing, but he'd only get one shot at it. Confused but not shaken, the Interceptor maintained course as the ship willingly moved towards its guns...

Brennah = With the first sound to shatter that silence, Brennah cried out. "Oh my God!" She yelled as she looked about expecting to see a hole in the ship. She couldn't tell if it was James's ship that had made that fire, and the other. Asher Snorted and neighed, Darinah screeched loudly as her wings began to flap. Brennah stood to her feet holding the the stall side wall and letting the bird perch there. The small thin rope tied to the claw would be secured a post of Asher's makeshift stall. The dark haired woman circled in place to continue to survey the belly of the ship. Then, suddenly, she could feel the ships direction shifting. They were turning, which sent Brennah to grasp onto something as she came to her knees. Asher and Darinah of course didn't like it either. "I know... I know... I'm not liking this anymore than you are! We don't have much of a choice sorry to say." She said frantically to her animal friends.

James = Fate was obviously favoring James--his plan worked, and before a second salvo was fired they were at the range he wanted. "There, there, the mast, target the mast, Shoot, damn it, shoot!" it was their bloodthirstiness that would ultimately do them in. Letting the ship close was only part of the plan, and they had underestimated the firepower the ship carried--the cannons boomed out, and the wicked, bar-shot slung at the decks of the ship. with only one--the only that needed, making it's mark. The secondary masts of the vessels cracked than and splintered beneath the fusillade, tearing sails. "Now, now, turn into it, distance, distance!" The other ship, bloodied but still capable of fighting fired several rounds again--the ship bucked violently with the impact, and James winced and simply prayed the vessel could withstand it, that it could keep the advantage--as the ship pulled towards the vessel, desperate to get in front of it, hoping that he could stay out of boarding range.

Brennah = Brennah and her animals continued to cope with the unfolding events as best as they could. The sounds that echoed and pierced the air were dreadfully loud. Each shot making Asher jump and becoming more jittery. Darinah flapping madly and screeching like some banshee. Brennah still down on her knees, both arms folded over her head as her head rested against a pile of hay. Her elbows closed over her ears to help lessen the loudness of the cannons. "God.. please.." She pleaded to herself. If she could help it, this would be the last time she ever set foot on a ship ever again.

James = Perhaps God answered her prayers, perhaps James was lucky, or clever, but it worked. They passed in front of the ship and began to put distance between them, whilst the crew cheered its victory. The Interceptor, outmaneuvered and angry tried to turn rapidly for a few parting shots, but the worst they would do now is hit the rudder--the boom of cannon was its final defiance, largely hitting water, with only shot solidly smashing into the rear of the vessel, damaging its hull but thankfully not leaving it dead in the water. Taken by victory, James ran over ot the rear of the ship and jumped up on the railing, laughing deliriously as he made a few rude gestures along with the crewman. "Avarian Navy, huh!? I've seen fishing trawlers with better Captains than you! Kiss my ass you limey gits!" the crew good naturedly joined in while the damaged Interceptor struggled to follow--just like that, the fight was over...

Brennah = Brennah would remain in her position until all firing seem to cease. Slowly she lifted her head and rested on hunched legs under a scattered skirt. She looked to Asher who seem to be okay for the moment, his muscles twitching with tension as his dark eyes continued to shift about. His ears erect, in constant movement as if searching or awaiting for more of the loud and disturbing noises. Darinah was still perched on the post next to Asher, her wings flapping but not nearly as wildly as before. Her screeching wasn't as high pitched or as frequent. Slowly, Brennah stood to her feet, letting her hand come to dust off the debris from her clothing. She went to each of her animals, petting them and stroking them to continue to calm and comfort them. "I'm sorry my friends... but least we stay back there on that land... our fates would have came to an end for sure. Mine at least." She turned to the stairs that lead to the deck, glanced to her friends. "I'll be back in a moment." She said as she carefully made her way toward the stairs. Slowly she climbed them, not knowing what to expect, then she heard the shouts of victory and quietly emerged on the deck. She began to make her way toward the Captain, all the while, the men grew quiet... then came the stares, the glares and the whispers. Yes, she had been the reason for all of this, she knew that. And as much as she had wanted to blurt out something to them all in retort, she remained silent. However, she did lift her chin defiantly, trying to act as if their actions didn't affect her in the least bit. Truth was... they stung like hell. Upon reaching James, she smiled faintly then hung her head before looking back to him. "Thank you." She said quietly. Then leaned in and gave the man a kiss to his cheek. She turned on her heels and would begin to make her way back below deck. She wanted to retrieve Darinah and return to her quarters, the eyes on her made her feel very uncomfortable.

James = Poor girl. James smiled earnestly as she made her appearance. "See? Nothing to it, safe 'n sound." The other men of course, were not so kind. The poor girl walked to him than and pressed an almost child-like kiss to his cheek, grinning foolishly at the display, but she was gone just as quickly. Poor thing. The men lingered, grumbling and James frowned despite himself. "Hey, hey, get back to work! Going to be kind of embarrassing if we sink after all this trouble, will ya? I'll be back.." A few minutes of silence later, the girl would get another visit from the Captain, a faint, compassionate smile on the strange little man's face. "Hey, Brennah? You okay in here...?"

Brennah = By the time he had seen to getting his men back to work and made his way below deck to where she had returned for the moment, he'd find her stroking Asher's muzzle before slipping on the thick leather glove and having Darinah ready to perch there. Her arm was just about to be offered to the bird when her head turned toward James at the sound of his voice. "Of course I am..." She said, trying to put on a brave face. Brennah wasn't about to cry, but she was tending to a few hurt feelings. Bah.. they were men... what did they know of manners and such? Nothing.. absolutely nothing. Holding to the brave face still, she added. "Why wouldn't I be?"

James = "You mean, other then where you almost had to swim back to Skye yourself?" he said, only half joking., the ghost of a chuckle on his face. The rather ridiculous captain stepped forward and smiled. "Look, don't worry about the men, okay? They're Sailors! It's their job to grumble. Honestly, if they weren't grumbling, I'd be terrified. That means they're planning to Keelhaul me or something." trying to inject some mirth into it. "We'll be at Skye by morning, by all accounts, and the whole mess'll be over. No way the ship's gonna repair itself and catch up, and even than, pretty sure they'd be considerin' that an act of war." he waved his hand than and closed the distance to the Horse, which given that it was spooked, he could be forgiven for not going so far as touching it. "Hey... I hear Skye's really nice this time of year. Do you like Rain? I hear there's plenty of that." No matter the circumstance, there was no keeping him from a sarcastic comment. At least he was trying.

Brennah = Brennah dipped her chin and sort of half frowned. "That's not funny..." At his comment about the men, she gave a haughty little shrug of her shoulders. "I could care less about what your crew think of me. They didn't seem to argue to much when that bag of gold was handed over to you." Ouch... touche Brennah! That comment had been more directed to his men than him. James had been every bit of accommodating to her and her needs. She felt nothing but genuine gratitude for the man. "By morning?" She asked, the tone in her voice would prove she was relieved to hear such words. "I suppose you're right... and I've met the Duchess of Skye before. I honestly doubt they would like to piss her off and have her navy after them." She replied with a bit of a smirk. Brennah watched as James neared Asher, and though Asher was still spooked, the horse continued to sniff of the man to become better acquainted. After a few moments, the steed seemed to have settled down quite a bit. Darinah was doing just as well. "Skye is a very nice place... rain or sun. And yes, I like rain.. it's not like I'm sugar and would melt away should I get wet." She said with a timid soft smile.

James = "Okay, maybe if we actually sunk it wouldn't be funny. But it's fine! We're fine!" he opened his arms to demonstrate the ship's relative well-being before glancing off in a direction. "Whoops! More or less!" he'd stroll over to a barrel with some tar and a paddle to scoop out a little and worked on patching a a wayward leak he'd found while trying to reassure her. " Yeah, yeah should be morning. Look, like I said. If they're not grumbling, then there's a reason to be worried. " he waved his hand a bit again. Really, he could tell that she wasn't used to being disliked, but there was sadly ltitle he could have done. "I'm actually not so much a fan of the rain. too much water. I think that's a little strange, given my choice, but oh well." he smiled a bit again. "Anyway, I have some business in Skye so I'll be around a bit while longer, at least until there's another clear set of days to sail away." Being a merchant, of course, he had no intention of staying in one place. the patching over, he smiled and walked over to her. "Look, you don't have to put up the tough-girl I'm-not-a-spoiled princess routine with me, alright? Getting shot at is scary! " he said with an awkward laugh, letting some of the tremor into his voice. "I get scared when they shoot at me! Really, if I thought things were going wrong. Girlish screams. I'm serious, I would have screamed like a little baby. But we're fine, really, we are..."

Brennah = Her lips became a little thin, but she didn't frown and she didn't smile. It was just one of those, neutral expressions. Her eyes drifted about, as he indicated that the ship was just fine. Then, he spotted a leak only to turn his attention to it by beginning to patch it up with the tar and paddle. Brennah was glad that Skye would be reached by tomorrow. She was ready as ever to get off this ship. She was tired of being stared at and talked about, at least negatively. The woman had to snicker then. "You... afraid of rain? With what you do?" She rolled her eyes, smiled and shook her head before looking back to him. "You're business is your own... once I've made it safely to land... there's not much of a reason for us to remain together. Business is business.. yes?" She asked with a soft little shrug of her shoulders. "Tough girl act? I beg your pardon? I'm not trying to act tough... not on the account of being attacked on a bloody ship. Of course I was scared... scared out of my wits."

James = "Well come on!" he chuckled lightly again, nodding lightly. "I saw the way you looked back up there. I get it, really, I do. I mean, don't get me wrong, anyone that goes out at sea that's soft 'n pretty has to act like a hardass bytch just to get a modicum of respect from these folk but that doesn't mean you have to play at it!" And of course, he swiftly realized how that could be construed and tried to reassure her before things got worse. "Look.. All I'm saying is I didn't always used to be a Captain, alright? it's a little different out here.. but you've been cooped down here for a while and well... I dunno, somebody has to say it to you out here, at least till you get home and see some familiar faces again. That's all. I'm just tryin' to make this eaisier, alright? "

Brennah = Her arms folded comfortably over her chest and her brows arched one at a time. Currently, the man was digging himself in a whole. "Look... I don't like being stared at or whispered about, not to the point where its rude, disrespectful and just down right... unnecessary. I am perfectly capable of getting the respect I deserve, its just usually from people with better insight on me. Not judging me based on bloody superstitions and silly sea curses." She gave a shake of her head, slowly her eyes drifted to the side and upward in a frustrated manner. Without looking to him, she replied. "Different or not.. I'm a woman.. a person.. someone with feelings that deserves at least a little bit better treatment from them than what I have had so far. "She looked to him then. "I could make things very difficult for you and your men once we make it to Skye, but I'm not that type of person. I don't hold my position above the heads of others in threatening manner. I'm much smarter, much more self efficient, and dignified than that." She took a deep breath in and exhaled it just as slowly as she had inhaled. "Listen .. all I'm asking for is just for some ...bloody acknowledgment without all the negative feelings behind it."

James = "Well..." the poor Captain smiled awkwardly then. "Look, I can't just turn around and make them all treat you nice, it doesn't work that way. You want acknowledgement, you got it. You've been no trouble to me or my Ship. You've made me a pretty bit of gold, so far as I'm concerned we're friends 'till you get off. But... well, look, they're just going to do what they're going to do. It's for one more day. " itw asn't an easy place for him to be, of course--he had to be kind to his crew or else he'd have been dead ten times over. he felt for the woman but there was sadly little he could do. Laughing nervously again, he put hands on his chest. "Look, you want something outta me? Ask. Here, want praise? you're doin' great, honest. The picture a 'poise 'n grace. Honest. That's the most I can offer. You're doin' fine. "

Brennah = "You are the bloody Captain for God's sake. Your word should be law... period." Arms would unfold and her hands waved at him dismissively as she turned to pet at Asher's muscled neck. "Yes, one more day... a night and a day that I will spend either down here or in my quarters. I get more respect from a horse and a bird than I do the whole lot of men up there." She said irritably. Who knows why the poor woman was acting like this. Maybe it was the fact she had been on the run and in hiding for so long that she was fed up with having to keep her distance with people. Maybe it was because she had been cooped up for days now, nearly killed at sea by cannons. Maybe, it was a combination of all of them. Right now, all she was she couldn think about was how she couldn't get to Skye quick enough. She cut her eyes at him scornfully. "I don't want your praise, if you want to mock me, then you're no better than they." She said as her eyes gestured upward to where his crew were. Attention was returned to her less vocal and leery friends.

James = "Hey! It is... I mean, they got us out of there, didn't they? They could have just waved a flag and given you to the Interceptor." the wound to his pride stung hard, and he withdrew from her rather suddenly, his brows arched, before giving up entirely. It was a business relationship after all, and his to call. With a mild sigh and a shrug, he'd make his way back to the stairs of the deck. " Fine. Have it your way Princess. I'll call for you when we reach the shore." What more could he do? He'd tried to reach out and got slapped for it, all he could do was smile and move back up. He'd be good on his word at least, he'd let the poor woman alone until they reached Skye's border, leaving her to her animals.

Brennah = Brennah's eyes turned to him only after his back was to her. She sighed, closed her eyes and shook her head softly. "Wait...." She said as she continued to stand there before Asher with her head hung. "I'm sorry... please... forgive me. I speak without thinking clearly sometimes. I shouldn't have said some of those things. Especially to you..." There was a brief moment of pause. "You have done nothing but treat me kind and you've done everything possible to make me as comfortable as can be. You were willing to accept this deal, and I'm fairly sure you knew the chances of today's events were very likely." By the time she opened her eyes and looked to where he stood, or now, had stood, he was gone.

James = Unfortunately, the Captain was gone long before the wait, and true to his word, he'd leave her be for the rest of the evening. Finally when morning came, there was a knock in her quarters and the Captain, with considerably less enthusiasm, leaned into the doorframe. "Brennah? We've arrived. We're pulling up to port now, you should be able to get off shortly. I've already got your stuff waiting on deck for you. Soon as we're secured I'll unload the Horse too. " he wouldn't linger this time, or make jokes, just disappear an instant later to do what he said. Like it or not, she had severely wounded him and he was going to treat her as professionally as she had asked for. In stark contrast, the crew would practically ignore her now--they were all too eager to get off the boat to be all that bothered by the presence of a woman.

Brennah = Brennah had not expected to be notified as earlier as she had of their arrival in Skye. Even before she could get out a word, the man had informed her of everything and moved off. She stood there, mouth agape and not a single word had been able to be heard. Her shoulders fell and she slumped before turning to gather up her things. Her bow and her arrows, her sword and her cloak. All were gathered, applied to her body and she moved to step out. There would be no defiant chin held up this time as the crew either ignored her or only continued to look at her displeasingly. She let her eyes drift a time or two, seeing the terrible glares and she went back to staring at the deck boards. Occasionally lifting her gaze just long enough to make sure she didn't bump into any of the already fowl mood men. She managed to find James as she neared the port plank. "James... if I may... could I have a word with you? In private?" Her eyes barely able to look to his own with how awful she felt.

James = For his part, James was at least polite. He hadn't made a big deal about it and was still trying to be his part of it. "Uh... yeah, yeah, Come on." He'd lead her off the ship and at least to an area where they could speak out of earshot of the crew and others, though not far. He was fairly sure she wanted off the ship and to find whoever it was she was looking for fairly quickly, earnest concern written onto his face. It wasn't unusual, he was just concerned for what struck her so badly. She'd clearly been unable to hide what was bothering her, and he wasn't about to let that fester before she left if he could help it.

Brennah = She was quick to follow in his wake, going to where he lead them to. A private little spot on the docks, away from the others on the ship and any that might be passing by. Shyly, she looked from the ground to him and back. A hand coming up to tuck back a few strands of dark hair behind a delicate ear. "Listen... about last night. I..." She paused and then made eye contact with him. She wanted him to know she was serious about what she had to say. " I want to apologize for my behavior last night. Actually... I had already.. but last night, when I looked up, you had left." She bit at her bottom lip. "I had tried to again just now when you came to the door, but once more, you were gone before I could even get a word out." God, she felt terrible how she had acted last night and the things she had said. The entire night was wasted with sleeplessness and concern. She had wanted to go to him several times but, how would that have looked? For a woman to go slipping off in the dead of night, to find herself within the Captains quarters...not very Lady like in the least. I speak without thinking clearly sometimes. I shouldn't have said some of those things. Especially to you..." She paused a moment. "You went out of your way on several occasions to see to the deal and to my comfort." She looked off to the side a moment and her brows furrowed. She hated herself right about now. "I really can't thank you enough.. honestly." She added when she looked back to him with her bright blue eyes.

James = The Captain listened, comforting and inviting as he always was in the face of her guilt, and held up a hand in an odd sort of comfort. "Look. It was a battle. Everyone gets a little stressed out. Look at me, I can't stop making stupid jokes after that kind of thing! It's the only way I can stop from screaming." he rose his brows and waved it off again. "Water under the docks. I promise. But thank you. Really, it means a lot that you're tryin' to patch things up. " he smiled, genuine and reahced up to pat her shoulder. "Don't worry about it! The bag of gold? more than enough thanks, I promise you. Look, someone's waiting for you here, right? Don't wanna keep them waiting. Get goin', I'll see you around." which was, in all honesty a half truth at best. The difference between shipmen and the men on land, no doubt. "Stay safe, alright Brennah?"

Brennah = Some relief was found in knowing he accepted her apology, at least from the looks of things. Brennah was no mind reader, but she could read faces and eyes fairly well. (She had become good at it with Arkanis Jackson.) Both of his had told her he had, unless of course he was a very good and convincing liar. "I understand, we all handle and cope with things differently. And you are welcome, just know that everything I said was true... I meant it, every last word." The touch to her shoulder was comforting and she may have felt silly doing it as it was usually men that did these sort of things. But she offered her hand to him, a handshake, in a way to signify that they had indeed patched things up and came to an understanding. The other, a way for her to show some sort of friendly affection without over stepping her boundaries. "Um, well.. lets hope. I'm off to find out if my Uncle and his family are here, if so... I think I may be staying with them, or at least close by." She offered a smile then, warm, friendly and genuine. "Listen... if you ever want to.. just, well.. catch up from time to time when you are here... don't be a stranger with me.. alright?" She nodded, and then added a moment later. "I will... you do the same." With that said, once chance was given, the woman would move off to collect Asher, Darinah and what few belongings she had been able to bring with her. Off to Turas Lan first, to see if she was right about Apollo and Eirian.