Bethany pulled the wagon into town down streets leading to the deep anchorages of the port. The waterfront was already busy and full of crew unloading cargo and reloading supplies from ships. Bethany wheeled them down and stopped in front of the familiar and welcome sight of the Bonnie Bounty.

"Thats my smart girl" Curt said as he stepped down and patted Bethany on her back.

He stepped up to the edge of the dock and whistled through his teeth then boomed "Esmerelda!"

"Is that my Curtis?" Came the answer.

Then the crazy lady came swinging down from the rigging landed and jumped off the gunwale of the ship, somersaulted through the air to land spry as a cat on the docks.

Springing up she yelled “Curtis” much to loud for how close they were standing.

“Esmerelda” he said embracing her.

“and Bethany!” Esmeralda said taking an apple out from her pocket feed the cow and scratching her face and head. Bethany mooed.

“And who have you brought me?” she said turning to survey Petra and Lark.

Esmerelda was a fierce looking figure. Tall and lean, her hair in long braids all gathered at the base of her neck. Her eyes were dark a narrow set forever searching for and finding something. Even without her customary hat and large coat, wearing only her boots, tight high waisted pants, and gathered shirt she was every inch a pirate with a pair of rapiers on her hips and at least eight daggers that could be counted.

Petra was first to step forward with her practiced introduction “Hello my name is Petrianna Yekaterina Alexandra Androvna. I would like to be the surgeon upon your ship please. Oh and you may call me Petra” she said with all the confidence she could muster.

“Petrianna Yekaterina Alexandra Androvna, I would not dream of separating someone from so fine a name, I am Esmerelda Zaira Yasmin Josephina Maria Alcalde Conde Sandoval de Castellano, but time is short and there is always much to do so Petra you may call me simply Esmerelda, and hopefully Captain.” she replied.

“ And I'm Lark pleased to meet you Capetian Esme” Lark said reaching out both hands to shake hers.

“Oh well, you're a bold one aren't you?” Esmerelda said surveying him and stepping closer. “but let me give you a piece of advice lad. Only gnomes and Northerners like to be given a new nickname after they have just properly introduced themselves and told you what they can be called. And even so, not all of them.” Her eyes gleamed dangerously.

Lark gulped

“And I'll be having my things back, or you'll be having my knives” Esmerelda added.

“Oh please don't stab him I just fixed him up” Petra protested.

“yes of course sorry ma'am” Lark began pulling out rings, bracelets and little bags of various contents that he had taken off the captain during their brief encounter. “I can't believe you could feel me I'm usually much better.” he said face red and quite embarrassed.

“Don't fret little boy.” she ruffled his hair “ The world I live in is full of cut throats and pick pockets and one must learn to properly deal with both.” Esmerelda replied.

Petra looked between the two of them and earnestly wondered if that was the end of their exchange and then directed the attention back to herself. “So may I be a surgeon on your ship, swashbuckler?”

“Well you have me pegged pretty quick don't you Petra? You know we never can keep a surgeon on for long. Anyone who is any good at healing tends to not love our unique lifestyle and 'wants to be more than just a sawbones.' so yes in theory I would love to have you aboard my ship as a member of my crew!” Esmerelda said arms out stretched.

“This is neither your ship nor your crew for at least the next eight hours” said an imperious voiced drowish half elf as he walk down the gang plank. He had the pale skin that marked his race as coming from the recesses below the surface of the world. His black hair was secured neaty at the back of his head. And he walked with precision down the gangplank of the ship and past them on the dock. “The ship is in port, the profits are divided and the election for the next voyage is tonight. You are not captain at this moment Esmerelda.” he sneered contemptuously.

“Why so familiar Etheldred?” Esmerelda asked full of mock propriety. “If not captain than I insist you call me by my full name.”

“no” he responded flatly before walking off into the town with a box and roll of parchment under his arms.

Esmerelda pulled down the skin under one eye pointed at the back of Etheldred as he walked away and spoke “may you find no willing partners for pay or otherwise and my your dick drop off from disuse.” she spat and rubbed it into the dirt with her boot “Gods but I hate that man”

“Who is he?” Lark asked.

“Why do you hate him? What has he done?” Petra added.

“Etheldred the quarter master, he keeps the books, contracts, charter, and such things in order. He's a cowardly little snake but keeps all the charts balanced and is wicked quick with a knife when it comes to it. I'd say its better to be on his good side but he has no good side to be on so just try to stay off the side of his knife. Speaking of knives,” Esmerelda puled a knife from its sheath on her back flicked it fluidly into Lark's chest where it sunk in to the hilt. She then snapped her fingers calling the knife back to her hand where she pulled out a rag and began to wipe off the blade. “Right girlie, you would be a surgeon on my ship so lets see what you can do.”

“Oh thats easy.” Petra said shaking back the sleeve of her cloak and kneeling down over Lark. Her hand lit with healing flame and just as she had earlier that day she sealed and purified the wound.

Lark coughed, sat up, and spat out a mouthful of blood. Bethany mooed. Petra turned toward Esmerelda and smiled saying nothing.

“Well that is a useful trick to have. Maybe we wont have to worry about Etheldred's knives so much after all.” then turning to Lark “And you lad, you should enlist with the crew s well. The meeting tonight will be in the Pig and Bell. As for you Petra dear, like that turd thumb said I can't appoint a surgeon until I am again elected captain but I would love to have you on my crew. Healing like that I expect you must be a cleric, who do you serve?” Esmerelda asked.

“I am not cleric, I am sorceress” Petra replied.

Esmerelda drew in a quick breath through her nose and stepped closer with her voice low “you should keep that to yourself girlie. There is some that think your brand of magic is bad luck aboard a ship. And if someone thinks your bad luck on a ship, you'll be in a heap of trouble. But don't worry I'm not superstitious that way.” she smiled “Any kind of healer will be welcome on my ship” then turning to Curt she said.

“Curtis my dear I do believe that you should be able to settle up with Sezjeck and Tornas they will have your cargo, I have to go campaigning now but please do see me before you leave town.”

“of course Ma'am.” Curtis replied “Bethany wouldn't never let me leave without telling you good-bye.”

“that's because she is the greatest cow in the world.” Esmerelda said as she scratched the cows chin and fed her another apple. Bethany mooed.

Curt turned to Petra and Lark. “it's goodbye for now you two. I hope I have left you with good company to fall into. And I am going to need you to give that back Lark.”

“What?” Lark asked innocently.

“What ever you took you sticky fingered little bear snack”

Lark begrudgingly handed over a money pouch and a large coil of climbing rope.

“and Petrianna, take care of yourself and remember what I said about necessary violence.”

“Thank you ranger, I will.” Petra replied and curtsied as she had been taught.

Then she turned and walked away into town. Lark ran after her