The captain was in discussion with another pirate when Sezjeck and Petrianna walked in.

Both turned at the opening of the doors. The pirate the captain had been talking to strode over to them.

“Miss Petrianna I take it” he said offering his hand “our new surgeon glad to have you on board. Don't hate me but I put the over under on you staying with us to five days before you ask to be put ashore. Good little clerics don't last long on pirate ships.”

“Don't listen to him. He knows nothing yeah? Plenty of my people are clerics live their whole life at sea.” Erika spoke. Petra recognized her from the day on board. She was athletic without being overly slim, with nutty skin, bare feet, a mass of dark tightly wavy hair piled in a bun on her head and tattooing covering her chin.

Petra took the hand of the first pirate and shook it “I do not know enough to hate you, I do not even know your name, what is an over under?” she asked.

“Oh do excuse me I'm Seananthan Mullins, the shipwright. And an over under is a type of bet, do you gamble dear Petrianna?” he asked cloyingly

“I have never been invited to before.” She responded.

“Well consider this your invitation, Sezjeck what do we got?” he clapped his hands and asked excitedly

“Seanathan” Erika interrupted him with her melodic cadence “slow down you are going to scare her off yeah?” then to Petrianna “Don't put anything in the books yet yeah? You gotta wait to see which way you think things will go then place your bets once these fools are already committed.” she finished.

“This is hardly appropriate discussion for a meeting of the officers.” Etheldred sneered as he walked into the room.

“Well since you have decided to grace us with your presence quartermaster we can get started.” Esmerelda said.

Everyone gathered around the captain's desk where a large map of the continents was unfurled.

“As I said before we are going to the Southern Continent. We will sail south intersecting the shipping lanes taking what we can and making port where we need to. This first month down the coast should be pretty simple, a good way to test any new crew, take on more crew as needed, and prepare all of us for the more difficult journey across the monstrous sea which divides us from our goal, the Southern Continent.”

“You have failed to mention captain the doldrums that also lay between us and your goal. The ship has only sails we can not row if we are becalmed. This mission is full hearty” Etheldred interjected.

“which is why we will be sailing east along the coast after Corsaña and crossing at twelve isles.” Esmerelda said.

“And the navigation of this ship is not your concern quartermaster.” Erika interjected.

“And what makes you think you can do it captain.” Etheldred questioned ignoring her.

“Because this is the finest ship that has ever sailed the seas.” Seanathan said.

“Thank you Seanathan.” Esmerelda said then to Etheldred “Like he said, we have the finest ship, And furthermore as Erika said, the navigation of this ship is not your concern. We will make it south.”

“That is if we survive the monsters.” Etheldred responded and continued. “We have a business model. It's steal from the people that fight the monsters so that we don't have to fight them ourselves. Yet you would sail us through infested waters?”He asked.

“There are many hurdles in our way certainly, but think of the prize. Have you ever been to the South?”

“I have been under it.” Etheldred said contemptuously.

“Well forgive me if I don't want to go plunging into the recesses. So we'll be sailing their, quartermaster.” Esmerelda said.

“So you keep saying captain.” Ethelred returned. Then exited the room with long strides.

“Fucking jackass dick weasel ” Esmerelda said and took an exasperated breath. Already she was dreading sailing with him. “unless anyone has further business you are dismissed.” She said.

Seanathan held the door the followed Petrianna and Erika out onto the deck.