Seeks-That-Which-Conquers-The-Water's Story

Oliver and Val finally concluded their conversation with Oliver returning to the helm. The gentle rocking of the boat was soothing. Val definitely felt that it was time for some alcohol so she grabbed one of her finer glasses and the expensive bottle of ale and set about having a good drink. By the time she was done she had polished off the bottle and was casually relaxing on her bed with Pompey snuggled up on her chest. She was about to doze off when the boat hit a particularly rough patch of water. Feeling the need to do something she gently placed Pompey down onto the bed and got up. She was a bit unstable but otherwise sober. It wasn't until she took a few steps that her eye started giving her serious pain. She tore off the eye patch and placed her hand over it as if to release the pain. She stumbled over to the duchess mirror hanging of the wall next to her bed and drew her hand away to inspect the scar. Even after so many years the thing still caused her pain, the scar was just some puckered flesh but where the cut had penetrated her eye it had never fully healed and now it was an angry red with hints of infection. Damn it, she thought, I can't go losing an eye now. The syrup that she usually used to ease the pain was running out and losing its effect. She needed something some other painkiller and something to get rid of the starting infection before it got worse. While still in front of the mirror she replaced her eye patch, redid the braid that was beginning to look a bit ratty and fixed up her bandanna catching those loose hairs in the process. Deciding she was finally ready to emerge she left Pompey snoring and made her way to the door.

Outside the midday sun was bearing down and she could see the sweat glistening off of the working men's arms and backs of those who had removed their shirts. Everything was in order and she felt a tad bit of pride swell in her heart for the good work that everyone was doing. She even glanced up to Oliver and saw that he seemed to be telling one of his bullshit stories to Duceyae. She made her way below deck to where she had designated the surgery room. In it Azzy was pottering around fixing a few things up. Val clears her throat to get Azzys attention, the girl seems quite startled to realise that the captain is here.
"Oh erm what can I do fer you today Cap'n?" she asks.
"I've been having problems with me eye and I believe it is infected. I was wondering if ye would have anything fer it?" Val was saying as she removed her eye patch. As Azzy inspected it she murmured something about getting to her just in time.
"Now I need ye to hold still for a bit while I remove some of the pus."
The process didn't take long but it sure as hell did hurt but Val wasn't one for whining so she stayed quite although against her will tears did well up.
"Thar you go Cap'n all don," she says also handing over a vile of dark fluid, "if ye drink this each morning it until it's empty it should totally remove any future pains."
"Thank ye." Val said sincerely as she really did mean it. Azzy was a good doctor and she respected her skill. Out of the blue Val asked,
"Do yer care to take a walk around the hull fer a bit and discuss some of yer work?"
"That would be plenty fine Cap'n"
So the two chatted for a bit wandering around the hull and just watching the general goings about. They had reached reached the weapons room now and Azzy was admiring some of the sharper objects.
"This gun over ere belonged to me old captain," she said pointing to an ancient looking gun hung on the wall. "it's got some damn power to it and would kill ye instantly no matter where it shot ya." Val took it down admiring it's craftsmanship. There wasn't much space in the small room with it being filled with barrels of swords and crates of guns. At the back there was also some barrels of gunpowder. Val was standing near the entrance and Azzy was a few feet away from her admiring the swords. Before Val had a chance to put the old gun back up a young lad came barrelling in knocking her over and the gun colliding with the wall. As it hit it managed to fire. The boy was apologising profusely and Val was about to give him a big wallop for his stupidity when she heard a gargled scream from behind. Turing around she sees Azzy collapsed on the floor a bloody mess on her back. The bullet had hit her squarely on her back and had torn through her clothing. Val rushes to her aid. She gently rolls onto her front and sees that there's a hole directly in the middle of her chest with blood gushing out. Her head snaps up to the boy who is just staring unbelieving.
"You idiot don't just stand there go get some bloody help!" she screams at him. In an instant he's gone and she can hear his voice shouting for help. Her focus goes back to Azzy who is starting to cough up blood.
"Hey don't be doing that. Everything's going to be alright. You stay wit me ye hear. You ain't going nowhere you hear! We've only just started this journey. We're going to look fer treasure. You've got to still be here ti get yer share." Val continued her pointless mutterings until the young lad arrived with help. She didn't even notice until strong hands grabbed her shoulders. She looked up to find the ancient face of a native American man. He didn't say anything he just indicated that she should move. Something about those old eyes stopped her from protesting. She gently placed Azzy into the arms of the old man and was going to stay until he made shooing motions with his hands. Again she started to open her mouth to protest but he had that same knowing look in his eye. She left and closed the door. She was drenched in blood and her hands were completely red. She had seen death before, she had caused death before, but never had she seen this. Her hands began to shake and somehow she found a blanket being draped over her shoulders by the young lad from before. There was nothing they could do but wait.

It wasn't long and before she knew it the old man had returned,
"No good. Buck and ball, up into chest from stomach. Breathing bad. Spirit away. What her name was, ah?"
It took a moment for her to register what he was saying. But at that moment she clicked out of this state and went back to being the hardened Captain. Standing up a little straighter and putting on a stern face she replied to him.
"Her name was Azalea Gordon. And good sir what be yours?"
She listened to his reply and once he was finished she called back the lad that was standing a bit away. {OOC - Seeks put a small reply}
"Lad! C'mere, I have a duty fer you. Get some more lads and with some ol' quilt and rope, wrap Azzy up and call me when ye done. Right?"
He nodded and disappeared as quickly as he could. With that she led Seeks-That back to her cabin. As they went back up deck some of the crew members stopped and stared. Some looked like they wanted to approach her and ask her what happened. She simply raised her hand and said in her strong voice,
"I shall address ye all later, at this moment I shall clean meself up and have a chat with Master Seeks. Ot'erwise yous best be getting back to yer duties!"
Finished she kept walking and escorted the navajo man into her cabin. She indicated that he take a seat and she proceeded to take hers on the other side of the desk.
"She had no hope did she?" Val whispered before shaking the morbid thoughts off her mind and continuing with what she planned on saying to him, "What do ye know? Of medicine that be. Are ye willing to take the position as new doctor aboard this ship?"
Secretly Val desperately hoped so. This old man looked like he had years of experience and had a steady character when dealing with a crisis. She needed men like him. If only he had a younger body but then again he didn't seem like he was struggling or arthritic despite his aged look. She leaned forward and rested her chin on the linked hands and waited for his say.

Wearily the Navajo man took his seat opposite Val. His eye's taking in her cabin. He took his time replying to Val not feeling any need to address her until he was ready. Finally he said,

"I be good healer. Many years. On white ship and for village ah. Know many things. Can heal but girl... Az-zay no hope." he was saying as he shook his head.

Val nodded pleased with his answer. There was no foolishness in his voice and she appreciated that after Oliver. She was thoughtful for a moment, before she asked.

"So I will take it that you'll accept the position?" He simply nodded, "Good, good. Now I've reason to believe that your probably a religious man. I need to hold a funeral fer the poor girl and release her spirit. There is no way I be letting my ship be haunted and there be murmurings starting already that her death be a bad omen. Not atta the start'a my journey am I letting these bloody sayings ruin me!" She calmed herself before she continued talking, "I need you to perform a ceremony, I don't care what language ye do it in I jus' need it done. I'll be saying a few words to make sure that there be no more bad omens hangin' ova my ship."

As she finished talking there was a knock on her door. Val pushed her chair back, stood up and heavily made her way to the door. Opening it she found the young lad from before,

"Cap'n, the body's been wrapped up good'n proper."

"Excellent. Go find the quartermaster and first mate. I'll be needing them to haul her up to the deck to give 'er a proper ceremony. I shall be waiting by the helm with master Mau- LeFarge..."

The boy left and Val closed the door. Not moving from her spot she said to the Navajo man.

"I don't even know your name..."

"Seeks-That-Which-Conquers-The-Water" He said matter-of-factly.

"But Seeks is also good." He chuckled to himself and got up. He made his way to Val and she opened the door to him.

"I come when ready."

With that he was gone and Val was left alone. Feeling like there was no point staying in her cabin she made her way up to Oliver but found that he was gone and in his place the relief helmsman.

"Duceyae! Where may I ask is Master LeFarge?"

Seemingly unbothered he grunted his reply,

"Down looking for ze navigator."

"Oh really. Well I shall just have to await his return shall I?"

Duceyae shrugged, just content to take control of the steering.

Now all Val had to do was wait for Marie and Johnny to bring the body up on deck and they could begin the funeral and be get on with their journey. Val's heart did clench only slightly that she had lost one already so early in the quest but grateful that on board was another to replace her. She just hoped that Azzy's death wasn't too much of a bad omen and that with the correct rights given to her body that they wouldn't obtain any more bad luck.