Ajax Alexander's Story

"Go ahead." Robyn said, indicating for him to step forward.
Da'Karro cleared his throat and began, much rode on this speech.
"This ship is feared throughout these waters Captain, and rightly so, it has plundered, destroyed and wrecked hundreds of ships in its long history, the breadth and span of the sea. But if we go against the Godking as we are, we will die."
He paused for dramatic effect, he was good at theatrics when he had to be.
"We are without the crew or armament to take on a navy of the Tridents size. We could take on one or two ships at a time, but if we were outnumbered or surrounded, we would perish. And even if we managed to evade a direct fight, your crew is tired and few in number. We do not have the manpower for such a venture. I suggest a different path."
He paused again, collecting his thoughts, "Here goes nothing."
"Instead of sailing, north, I suggest we head south, to Jeddah, my homeland. We go to my temple and ask their aid. They will not turn down the chosen one. With the Temples aid we will convince the Sultan to help us and we can use his armies and navy to harry the Godkings ally, King Molloch of Drake, forcing him to retract his forces from the Godkings invasion."

Clara had rushed out of the kitchen and back in the blink of an eye. She told Da'Karro and Jon something about an announcement the Captain wished to make before dragging them up the stairs to the deck. Once out in the open sea air aboard the deck of the Harbinger Jon was surprised to see a new face. The Captain was standing beside a woman garbed all in black. The crew was milling around as they awaited anxiously for whatever announcement Captain Sheva had. As Jon waited himself he glanced around until his eyes fell on a vision from his dreams.



Her back was to him, her eyes on the sea. Her silver hair cascaded down her back in soft curls and elegant braids. Her riding gown and cloak kept her warm in the cold Northern sea wind yet to see her standing there Jon struggled to even notice the chill. Her hands casually rested on the rail of The Harbinger and Jon couldn't help but remember some of the tale she'd told him in the swamps of The Neck. "What was she seeing?" Jon wondered to himself as he looked upon her. Did she see the seas around Astapor where she gained her Unsullied? Did she see the waves she passed after her flight from Qarth? Or was it an older sea? The sea on which she was born.

As he watched her Jon remembered something else as well. He remembered his fantasy in the kitchen where he'd walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist. He remembered the sound of her laughter as if he'd actually heard it. The false memory almost pained him in the knowledge that it never actually happened.



Jon looked away, his gaze falling like the last snows of winter in lament. Jon turned to see if the Captain was ready to begin and mercifully she was.

"This is Sylvia, The New Queen of Atlantia,"

Robyn called out to the assembled group,

"She has taken her sister's place and means to atone for her sister's sins. She means to join in against Wanehope..."

She said and looked to where Jon stood as Da'Karro and Scarlet came to stand beside him.

"As do I."

Jon breathed sigh of utter relief. He hadn't been certain he'd convinced her and something told him his words had little to do with Robyn's decision but he was happy all the same. Not only had the fearsome Captain Robyn Sheva joined their cause but so too had the new Queen of Atlantia. Jon couldn't believe it. The gods were smiling on him as they damned Wanhope in the same breath. Wanhope's power was vanishing faster than snow under the summer sun. Now only Drake and Fuaria stood with him. The allied victory was all but assured. Jon would reclaim The North and if the gods were good, with minimal blood shed.

Before Jon could utter a response Da'Karro spoke up, garnering the attention of those gathered.

"Captian, Might I speak?"

No sooner had he uttered the words then did Jon feel Clara's arm interlace with his own. She clutched him tightly as if afraid of what the man might say. Jon turned to her in confusion before looking back to Da'Karro as he spoke. The mysterious man who loved his cousin spoke and told a tale of death and disaster if they stayed the current course. He warned of their short handedness and offered a solution. A far off land Jon had never heard of. Jeddah, he called it, and Da'Karro said it was where he was born. He called Clara The Chosen One and Clara assured Jon she would explain what that meant. Jon was quickly becoming concerned of what has been happening around his cousin since they'd been separated.

Da'Karro went on to explain that with the help of his temple they could convince the ruling Sultan to also join the allied cause and their strategic positioning would pit the forces from Drake who were battling with With Kenna's men against two armies on the northern and southern front. Robyn replied and was not opposed to the idea but explained that the very reason Da'Karro suggested leaving The North would prohibit them from venturing further south. The Harbinger was currently being manned by a skeleton crew and could hardly run like that much longer. Further more Robyn made note of the fact that Jon would not be able to join them since he must remain here to unite his people.

Jon could feel Clara's fingernails digging into his arm even through the leather of his jerkin. He turned to her and could see the herald of tears to come. Her eyes burrowed into Da'Karro with anger and betrayal. Jon knew his cousin better than anyone and felt her pain with complete understanding. Da'Karro's plan, sound though it may be, would split up the Starks even after Clara had just figured out a way to keep them together. Jon admitted he did not enjoy the thought of leaving Clara's side but neither could he deny the potential for further military support.

No longer being able to bear looking at the man further Clara stormed off in a rage. Jon wanted to go to her, to follow her and see how he could put her hearts suffering at ease but as it so often did duty stood in the way. Once Clara stormed off the eyes of those gathered were on him. Robyn asked if there was any way he could help gather men for her vessel and Jon needed only a moment to reply. An answer for Robyn, a solution to her need for men, a clear route for the future and a way to keep Clara close just a little bit longer.

"Most of The North believes me dead. I have no men under my command as of yet. Those that followed Amelia, Tenanye, Ajax and I were Ajax's own. Though if it is strong, hardy sailors you need I know where to find them. Clara grew up in an area of The North called white Harbor, it's our only true port. The men and women of White Harbor have an ancient and proud sea fairing culture. Finer men and women under the mast you will not find Captain Sheva, I assure you."

Jon paused as the hard truths reared their ugly heads once more.

"Problem is, White Harbor is currently under Khalidorian rule and we can't take the city with the men we have. If you help me track down the Northern resistance I will lead my men to White Harbor and free it. Once done you will have all the sailors you need and after you return with the ships from Jeddah I will put you in command of the Northern fleet to take the final battle to Wanhope and end this war once and for all."

As Robyn agreed to Da'Karros plan, outlining how they still required more men to even make it south, he could hear Scarlet run off form behind him. He bit his lip and did not go after her. Surely she could see the logic behind his suggestion? Surely she wasnt so blinded by her reunion with Jon that she thought Da'Karros motives were jealous in nature.
"Are they not?" A small voice whispered in the back of his mind.
"No," Da'Karro told himself, "I do what I must for everyone's safety, including hers."
Jon spoke up behind Da'Karro, and despite what he told himself he couldn't deny the urge to hit the honorable northman, "Most of The North believes me dead. I have no men under my command as of yet. Those that followed Amelia, Tenanye, Ajax and I were Ajax's own. Though if it is strong, hardy sailors you need I know where to find them. Clara grew up in an area of The North called white Harbor, it's our only true port. The men and women of White Harbor have an ancient and proud sea fairing culture. Finer men and women under the mast you will not find Captain Sheva, I assure you."
A good place to acquire a crew, true, but a crew that would be commanded by a pirate? Da'Karro and Mr Casey had enough issues keeping a crew that liked Sheva in line, what would a crew that despised her do?
"Problem is, White Harbor is currently under Khalidorian rule and we can't take the city with the men we have. If you help me track down the Northern resistance I will lead my men to White Harbor and free it. Once done you will have all the sailors you need and after you return with the ships from Jeddah I will put you in command of the Northern fleet to take the final battle to Wanhope and end this war once and for all."
The plan seemed sound, but Da'KArro couldn't help the feeling that there was some ploy of the northmans here, that he was somehow trying to use the situation to his advantage.
"He is your ally you ass, Scarlets cousin, he is not the enemy." He told himself, but it only made him feel slightly better.
"The plan is sound Captain," Da'Karro forced out, "However Northman, I am unsure of how much assistance we will be on the ground. We cannot leave the ship unattended, and with such a light crew, it may be only I or the Captain that could accompany you."

"Da'Karro ready the ship will you?" Robyn instructed before turning and returning to her cabin.
"Of course Captain," He replied, making his way to the keel, "Prepare to sail lads! The sooner were done with the North the sooner we can return to a more welcoming climate!"
He reached the top of the stairs and laid a hand on the balustrade. "Esteemed guests, if any of you plan on departing I would suggest you do it shortly, once we are away, we will not be making any convenience stops."
The ship buzzed with the remaining crew untying rigging and preparing the sails. He watched the assorted nobles follow Robyn into her cabin, and his eyes lingered warily on Jon.
The true King of the north...
It was bizzare thinking of him in such terms, he was Scarlets cousin. He had known Scarlet was of royal birth but it had never had any relevance or import, but now...
She was Cousin of a King, a Lady in truth, able to rule over much in her Cousins new kingdom. She would be wealthy and well looked after up here with Jon, she may even be happy. What could he offer her? What could the Captain? A life on a pirate ship? Constantly in danger and living of what you can steal? A life in the temple at Jeddah? A life... with him.
She deserved so much more than he could give her. What could he bring her but death, pain and a prophecy she had no control over.
He pushed his dark thoughts to the back of his mind and continued with preparations. Now was not the time.

Collab Post between me and Creativity

Da'Karro listened to the Queens words, "I could be wrong, but food for thought at least."
"Thank you Queen Tenanye, I will meditate on your words." He replied, and with a final glance at the supine Casey, exited the storeroom.
Was the Queen right? Was all this simply for him, for her, why were they so important, why was their happiness so dear to Ishka, what was special about them?
He returned to the deck to find the men scurrying around in an attempt to get the ship in a presentable position. The Captains rowboat could be seen approaching from the shore. Scarlet was nowhere to be seen but Da'Karro didnt worry about her, she was safe during the daylight hours, the hours when she slept was the time she was at risk from Ynaero.
"Why would he take such a special interest in us if not for her destiny?" He asked himself, thoughts once again swirling in his mind.
"Enough, these are questions for the High Priestess. I am her Guardian, not her guide, only she can determine her fate."
He walked towards the keel and spied one of the other nobles, his massive frame leaning against the railing, his eyes taking in the activity of the ship. "What was his name? Ajax? yes that was it." Da'Karro thought as he neared the muscled giant.
"Lord Ajax, i trust the crew is keeping you amused?"

Ajax, The Harbinger



Dalila, South Atlantic Kingdom



Mira & Jasunr

As The Harbinger neared Jon was grateful Lord Umber had offered to do the rowing this time. Jon was not a weak man by any means but watching the ease at which the powerful Great Jon rowed the tiny boat through the waves was impressive. It was as if the waves were pushing toward The Harbinger instead of away from it so strong was Lord Umber. Looking to the ship in the distance Jon could make out the sentries and crewman aboard who had already spotted their tiny boat. The call had gone out and they prepared for their docking. Jon turned to the Captain who already seemed to liven right up as she neared her vessel. It was as if the ship was a part of her and just being close to it gave her a strength to match even Ajax's might.

It was Ajax Jon saw first, the mountain of a man towering over everyone else was clearly visible on deck. Beside him was Da'Karro, only recognizable due to that arm gauntlet he wore. The metal reflected the failing sunlight and almost shined. As they came up beside the boat the pirates were scurrying on the deck of the ship to lower a rope ladder down and secure the dingy. The Captain was the first up, ascending the swaying rope ladder with ease. The giant Lord Umber came next, he struggled somewhat on the small wooden slats used for hand and footholds but managed to get his large frame aboard the vessel. Jon came up last after securing the mooring lines for the crewmen. He climbed up the ladder and mantled the railing without much trouble.

The Captain instantly seemed to toss herself into her duties, barking orders and dealing with whatever fresh nautical news transpired during her short absence. The Great Jon scanned the deck warily, the big man was not a fan of pirates but remained calm as Jon had instructed. Jon caught eyes with the big king of Salamis. Jon couldn't help but smile at seeing him. Ajax was close becoming a good friend.

"Ajax,"

Jon said in warm greeting as he approached and extended his hand.

"anything exciting happen while we were gone?"

Da'Karro endured the giants cold response and continued to the deck, he had more important things to think about than the opinion of kings to whom he held no allegiance. The Captains boat approached and a rope ladder was thrown off the side for them to climb up. The boat contained both the Captain and Jon, and another man Da'Karro didnt recognise, large and broad, he was clearly a northman but who Da'Karro had no idea. He was probably part of this resistance Jon spoke of finding and leading to victory over the Khalidorans.
Da'Karro thought he was an idiot.
The Khalidorans had crushed the north when they had had the full might of their armies, now they were scattered and few and they believed they could throw out the invaders. No, the only way that Jon was reclaiming the north was by bringing more armies with him, probably Ajax's or the white haired womans armies. At best the remaining Northern warriors could be a nuisance, raiding and disrupting, but in no way removing the khalidoran threat. Da'Karro had been born in Khalidor, he knew the kind of men bred by starvation, brutality and sheer indomitable willpower, they would not leave until every last one of them was dead. They were hardier, shrewder and willing to do anything to see victory.
And Jon thought they could pester them to death. The Khlidorans would kill every native in the north and rule their bones before giving up the nation.
"Ajax" Jon said smiling while Da'Karro looked on from the Keel, "Anything exciting happen while we were gone?"
Da'Karro was starting to find Jons blind optimism exceedingly grating.

Robyn , as soon as she were on board, she was bombarded with news and information on the ship but neither of which was what she wanted to hear, which meant there was no change in Casey's conditioned. She kept it from her face though as she give orders, Da'Karro was speaking with the large man, Ajax is memory served as well and Jon and Lord Umber, soand so she left him to it. "Captain, all the gunpowder's been replaced, the hull's been cleaned, so much so that we can move about two, three naughts faster." Rathman was saying and Robyn nodded. "Good to know, We'll be taking on more men soon, what about the other ship?" She asked him " We're still clearing it but it seems not to have taken much damaged-"

Sudden a blood curdling hollar came from the storeroom Casey was being treated in.

Suffice it to say, Robyn was no longer with Rathman.

Tenanye has been checking over Casey when suddenly, his heart stopped. Her eyes went wide and she urged her Fae to assist. She pumped his heart through his chest, breathed into his chest and repeated over and over until finally his heart pumped on his own. Tenanye was breathing heavily. while Walker watched in horror. He really didn't know what was happening, his experience was limited to amputation and patching up minor wounds and removing bullets, this was something else entirely. He looked at Tenanye who, in his eyes just brought a man back from the dead, with awe. " You are a Goddess," He said, " No, I am Fae." She said not really getting the compliment.
"Walker, He needs a blood transfusion." She told him.
" A what?"
" I can't clean the blood, the infection went to his heart, it's infected the source, so I have to remove all the tainted blood and start a new." She said and Walker looked at her.
"Where do we get fresh blood?" He asked,
"I'll have to use mine."
"Fae blood?" one of her Fae spoke, a male, Obsidian. "Yes, I told her I would save him, and so I will,"
"But Milady."
"We don't have time for this, prep him." She ordered and The Fae man nodded and grabbed Casey's arm. Tenanye, wrapped a thread around her arm, as the Fae did with Casey, Tenanye used her other hand, and created three long cylinders. " Mr. Walker, I need a bucket, a large one." She said and he nodded and found one rather quickly, thankfully they were in the storeroom, where cleaning supplies were abundant. She told him where to set it and so the procedure began.

Tenanye slice a nice size slash across her arm, and fed the tube inside, Obsidian did the same with Casey, though he added a second tube to his other arm, and fed the one with Tenanye's blood into his arm. Tenanye closed her eyes and focused. Her blood began to filling the tubing and drifted into Casey's arm, while his blood poured out in the buckets. to which the Fae had to replaced multiple times. It was all a waiting game now, and Tenanye began to meditate.

Suddenly, the tube was ripped from her arm, and a loud holler bellowed out from behind her.
"What the hell?!" Robyn asked from the doorway, " Walker, Keep her back!" Tenanye ordered, Walker didn't know what to do.
"What?"
"Do It!
"Touch me, You will never use that hand again." Robyn warned but stood outside with Walker, thankfully, her eyes hadn't adjusted to the changing of light, so she couldn't quite see William Casey, was standing, his eyes all black, like Tenanye's were in Fae form. "I can't see!" He barked, stumbling back against the wall Tenanye turned to him. "Enhance your calm, You are safe." She said, her voice was calm and soft as she held the cut in her arm. "Who are you!? Where am I?! Why can't I see!?" He asked in a panic. " I am Queen Tenanye, you are aboard the Harbinger, and your sight has not yet returned." She said. "Te...nan..ye?" He said softly, calmed down some, Tenanye approached him with care, she took his hand and he suddenly wrapped his large frame around her. Like a child would his mother. "What happened to me?" He asked, "You died, but you're here now." She said and held his head against her chest. "Are you a God?" He asked. Tenanye merely smiled down at him. " No, Your Godmother, perhaps, but no I am not a God." She said softly. "There are people waiting for you," She said with a smile, and he looked up at her, his eyes shifting back to the bright blue they once were. " Robyn," He said and She smiled. " Yes, Robyn, she waits for you."Robyn stood outside the door, her eyebrow arched, her jaw set as if she were mere moments from punching someone in the face. Walker stood on the opposite end of the doorway, just in case the mood should arise. It was annoying and felt like an eternity when Tenanye walked out with.." Will..." Robyn breathed but will seemed not to noticed her, he saw Walker first looked at him, and they exchanged odd looks Then Casey received a tap on the shoulder from Tenanye, the large men looked over at her and then found Robyn looking at him. She couldn't moved, she couldn't believe he was standing. It was as if the entire ship fell silent. "Robyn...?" He broke the silence walking up to her. " That's Captain to you." She said but her voice wasn't as strong as when it usually was. The two looked at each other and Robyn noticed the crowd of onlookers.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Mr. Casey." She said, snapping her emotions the back of her mind. Casey just smirked. " Good to be back, Captain." He said with a nod and the rest of the crew cheered and surrounded him, patting him on the back while Robyn stood behind them with a small barely visible smile on her face.

The scream from below deck was audible to anyone on the ship, and Da'Karro was one of the few who did not rush to find its source. He already knew where it was coming from. Casey was dying.
He tried his hardest to maintain order even as the Captain rushed off below to see to her friend. Caseys life was in Ishkas and Tenanyes hands, the whole crew rushing to see the commotion would do the man no good.
"Back to your posts!" He bellowed across the boat, "The first man I see abandoning his post I will learn what it is to live without a cock!"
Reluctantly the crewmen on deck returned to their duties but Da'Karro knew anyone below decks would ignore his order. The Captain was gone and Da'Karro hoped that she wouldn't have to watch Casey die, he wasn't sure what would happen. The assorted nobles seemed to be just milling about by the railing, unsure of how to react to the unfolding events. "Damnit," Da'Karro thought rubbing the bridge of his nose, "When the fuck did my job go from killing people to dealing with dignitaries?"
"Jon!" he called out to the group, "If you and your friends are so insistent on being useless can you please go and be useless in the Captains cabin where I don't have to deal with you. I have enough problems trying to run this ship single fucking handedly."

"Back to your posts!"

He bellowed across the boat,

"The first man I see abandoning his post I will learn what it is to live without a cock!"

The two North Men turned to the sound of Da'Karro's barking. He bellowed at the crew, slinging threats as easily as an archer looses arrows. Jon sighed as he watched him. Lord Umber seemed to take note as well and folded his thick, meaty arms across his broad chest as he watched the man with a chuckle.

"Well ain't he just a bit of sunshine?..."

The Great Jon mused. Jon grunted in displeasure.

"He commands through fear and intimation, that is no way to lead men."

Lord Umber shrugged indifferent.

"Fear has it's uses."

"In the short term but a good ruler rules through loyalty not abuse. That's what Wanhope does and look what he's sown from his fields of brutality. A whole country that wants him dead and more enemies than he can count."

"Who is he anyway?"

Jon sighed again, this time his concern for his cousin coming to the forefront of his mind after the comparison between Da'Karro and Wanhope.

"His name is Da'Karro Misantri. He's the captains first mate and... well he's courting Clara."

Lord Umber turned around in surprise but the smile was already spreading.

"Clara? Shes alive? She's here."

It was only then that Jon realized he'd never told Lord Umber that his cousin had survived Winterfell. The Great Jon had always been kind to Clara, looking after her when he could like a grizzly old uncle. It was Lord Umber whom Jon was going to take Clara to in order to hide her from her betrothal. She would have been safe in Last Hearth with the fierce men of House Umber protecting her. Jon smiled, pleased to share some good news for once.

"Aye, she's here."

"How did she make it out of Winterfell?"

"The captain saved her."

The Great Jon turned to look where Captain Robyn Sheva had exited down to the lower decks. He took a moment in thought before uttering another word.

"A friend you say?.... I may have been wrong about h-"

Before he could finish he was cut off by the snarling first mate of the Harbinger.

"Jon!"

he called out to the group,

"If you and your friends are so insistent on being useless can you please go and be useless in the Captains cabin where I don't have to deal with you. I have enough problems trying to run this ship single fucking handedly."

The Great Jon turned back to look at Da'Karro incredulously, even Jon shot Da'Karro a baleful stare.

"That boy touched? He does know you're not a member of the crew to be ordered about."

Jon sighed for a third time, Da'Karro was quickly becoming taxing to his resolve.

"He knows, he just doesn't care."

That's when the giggling came bubbling up from the lower decks. Jon, Lord Umber and Ajax all turned to hear girlish laughing come from the stairs as Clara and Amelia stumbled out onto the deck full of gleeful laughter.

"What's this now?..."

Jon said with almost a groan. Clara headed straight for Da'Karro whom she threw herself at and pinched his cheeks.

"Why are you always so grumpy, Handsome?"

She asked with a playful frown. She laughed hard and dropped her hands.

"Sorry, I think I'm a little drunk. Queen Amelia is the best ever!"

Jon approached from behind, hoping to rescue Da'Karro from his inebriated cousin with a soft word and a gentle hand.

"Clara.."

She wheeled on him and smacked him in the shoulder.

"Oh! Sorry Pup!"

She said and damn near knocked him over as she hugged him around the waist.

"I know a secret~!"

She sang.

"But I can't say it now. Not here, with all the pirates"

Jon gave her an appeasing smile as he untangled her arms from around his waist and helped her stand on her own, wobbly as she was.

"Clara, you're drunk. Why don't you come with me and I'll take you to your roo-"

Jon stopped short as he heard someone behind him stumble. He whipped around just in time to catch Amelia as she fell. Cradling her in his arms he could no longer take Clara as well. His eyes flicked to Da'Karro and Jon grimaced.

"Da'Karro, if you're not too busy barking at the captains men and ordering about the captains guests could you get my cousin to bed before she hurts herself?"

Jon asked with a harsh tone as he hefted the feather light Amelia into his arms.

"Lord Umber, you know anything about ships?"

The big man grinned.

"Do I? One of my bastards was fathered with a fishermans daughter. Spent half a season on a vessel not much smaller than this."

"Good, see what you can do about helping the men till Da'Karro comes back."

"Aye, your Grace."

Lord Umber said before he turned and marched over to the men.

"Alright you lot, let's see if we can get this ship ready and sailing, before Sunshine comes up with anything more creative than missing members."

With the ship looked after and his cousin in the arms of her lover Jon took Amelia down stairs. Jon passed by a growing crowd around the sick man, now on his feet. Jon was pleased to see Queen Tenanye was able to save him. Jon descended into the belly of the ship where the crew and guest quarters were. Jon had taken note of where Amelia's room was before he'd left for White Harbor, it was there that he'd told her about his decision to go in the first place. As he carried her Amelia continued to mumble and laugh much as she had on the deck. What few questions or comments she'd posed to him he'd answered as simply as he could to avoid any further questioning.

"Alright, here we are."

Jon said as he pushed open the door to her room with his back. Once he had Amelia began to wriggle in his arms a bit making it difficult to hold her.

"Amelia, Am-Amelia stop moving. I can't, gods..., I can't hold you if you don't stay still-"

Her dangling leg tripped up Jon's own and he tumbled forward. Fortunately they were near the bed and their landing was soft.

"Clara, you're drunk. Why don't you come with me and I'll take you to your roo-"
Scarlet snorted behind her hand as Amelia knocked into him. Her cheeks were red, and her vision was all but gone and she couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"Da'Karro, if you're not too busy barking at the captains men and ordering about the captains guests could you get my cousin to bed before she hurts herself?" Jon told him, harshly and Scarlet's huffed. " Don't be so mean." She said with pout, but Jon just simply lifted Amelia into his arms.

"Lord Umber, you know anything about ships?" Jon said and Scarlet looked over at the large man as he and Jon spoke, blinked a few times and a large grin smeared across her face, sobering her up some. " UMBER BEAR!" She squealed with delight, her excited shriek was literally loud enough to give everyone a mild headache, thankfully, Amelia and Jon had already shuffled off down to the lower deck. Scarlet then pulled herself from Da'Karro and wrapped her arms around the large man. "You were supposed to look after me, remember?" She asked, though she knew he probably did, but at this point, she was so drunk, logic was all but gone.
"Someone's loaded off the gunwalls..." The Captain said, causing Scarlet to frowned. " I don't know that means." she said with huff.
"It means your drunk, Miss Scarlet," Another voice brought her back to her sense. She turned to see the towering Mr. Casey standing beside the Captain. "CASEY!" She squealed causing them all to wince. She grinned even wider now, sobering up at the two shocking sights before her. She hugged Casey who in turned hugged her back. " Hey there" He said ruffling her hair a bit. "You're alright now?"
" Never better." Casey grinned and Scarlet beamed. She knew there was a war, and a lot of people had died, members of her own family but she still couldn't help her happiness that all of the people who cared for her, were in the same place. It made her head spin, "Whoa... dizzy." She said and teetered against Da'Karro, holding on for balance.

"You've alot to catch up on, Mr. Casey, Da'Karro, do you mind, briefing him on the days events, while I discuss some things with the royals? After you deal with this one," The Captain asked but it really wasn't a question, more of an order disguised as a question.
Casey smiled over at Scarlet as she held on to Da'Karro but frowned some when the Captain's words struck him. "Royals?"
"It's been a long day." was the Captain's reply.

Scarlets sudden appearance at Da'Karros waist was an unexpected but pleasant surprise, the realisation she was absolutely floored was not, "Why are you always so grumpy, Handsome?" she asked playfully, "Sorry, I think I'm a little drunk. Queen Amelia is the best ever!"
Jon appeared at Da'Karros shoulder, clearly eager to get his inebriated cousin somewhere where she couldn't hurt herself, "Clara.."
Suddenly Jon bore the brunt of her drunkenness and as she wheeled around she nearly backhanded him across the face, "Oh! Sorry Pup!" She cried, falling into his arms, "I know a secret~!" she sang merrily, before her voice dropped to a loud, utterly conspicuous whisper, "But I can't say it now. Not here, with all the pirates"
"Clara, you're drunk. Why don't you come with me and I'll take you to your roo-" Jon attempted before the white haired woman, in a very unqueenly manner, proceeded to teeter and fall. Jon managed to catch her barely but she was all but limp in his arms. He seemed to weigh up his options before reluctantly turning to Da'Karro, "Da'Karro, if you're not too busy barking at the captains men and ordering about the captains guests could you get my cousin to bed before she hurts herself?"
Da'Karro scowled but held up the still giggling Scarlet none the less, "They're mine to bark at Stark, and while you're on the Captains ship, youll follow the orders I give you."
Jon ignored him and turned to the bear of a man behind him, "Lord Umber, you know anything about ships?"
The bear smiled and agreed, saying something with such a thick northern accent Da'Karro could barely make out the words. Something about bastards and fish.
Scarlet however clearly recognised the bear, and rushed over to him, "UMBER BEAR!" She squealed loudly, detaching herself form Da'Karro and stumblingly careened into the big mans arms. "You were supposed to look after me, remember?" She slurred, her voice muffled by the mans thick furs.
A voice from behind Da'Karro broke the reverie, "Someone's loaded off the gunwalls..." Robyn said, appearing from out of the blue. "I don't know that means." Scarlet said with a huff, still clinging to the bear.
"It means your drunk, Miss Scarlet," Said another voice that Da'Karro had most certainly not been expecting,
"CASEY!" She squealed again flying off the bear and into Casey now, who teetered himself from the force of her embrace.
"Hey there," He said, scruffing her hair with a free hand, "You're alright now?"
"Never better." She said, and Casey smiled that big lovable puppy dog smile of his, Scarlet pulled back to look at him but the Alcohol was still rife in her system and she teetered, Da'Karro quickly holding her arm so she could balance, "Whoa... dizzy."
"You've alot to catch up on, Mr. Casey," Robyn said with a coldness Da'Karro knew was just for show, "Da'Karro, do you mind briefing him on the days events, while I discuss some things with the royals? After you deal with this one,"
"Royals?" Casey asked with confusion, apparently noticing the strangers for the first time.
"It's been a long day." Robyn replied dryly.
Da'Karro looked over the freshly healed casey, he was still pale but otherwise looked healthy, clearly whatever the Spider Queen had done had been effective, "Welcome back to the Land of the living Casey. Long story short, we are assisting these nobles with their campaign to liberate the north. We lost a lot of men in your absence and are in the process of acquiring more. We have a Jon Stark on board who is Scarlets cousin and the rightful king in the north. You have been healed by a Fae and we are currently balls deep in enemy territory, any questions? No? Good."
Da'Karro lifted Scarlet into his arms and made his way below decks.
"Ishka damnit, today has just been one damn thing after the other."

Scarlet let off a squeal as she was suddenly lifted off of the ground. She didn't realized was being lifted by Da'Karro until his harms want under her legs and carried her bridal style. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss to his cheek. " Don't be grumpy," She said and lay her head in between his shoulder and neck. "I like it better when you smile, it makes me happy." She said and was asleep before he could make it to her little cabin in the kitchen.

*****
"Welcome back to the Land of the living Casey. Long story short, we are assisting these nobles with their campaign to liberate the north. We lost a lot of men in your absence and are in the process of acquiring more. We have a Jon Stark on board who is Scarlets cousin and the rightful king in the north. You have been healed by a Fae and we are currently balls deep in enemy territory, any questions? No? Good."
Casey stood there, mouth agape. Robyn just rolled her eyes. " Lord Umber, we need to discuss the terms, I suppose we wait until the drunken queen sobers up." She said and it was then Tenanye walked over, Casey noticed her before anyone else did. " Milady, You look ill?" He said, and Robyn looked at him oddly as he was incredibly concerned with her safety suddenly and not only that he called her Milady?
"I'm fine, Just a little weak, I used alot of magic today and it's just taken a bit of a toll." She said. "I just need rest." She told him and he looked as if he'd carry her himself but she stopped him. " Stay with your, Captain, Obsidian will help me." She told him and the male fae nodded and helped the Spider Queen onto one of the guest cabins. "Milady?" Robyn said and rolled her yes again. " We'll continue our talks later, for now everyone seems to need to rest."
"Not me." Casey added, trying to lighten the mood, but that did nothing but make her huff and she walked away toward her cabin.
Casey nodded to the large men to whom he hadn't met yet. "Excuse me..err make yourselves comfortable." He said quickly and followed after her.

"Captain?" He said after rapping on the door but she didn't answer. He dropped his head. She was not happy and he really didn't know why. Da'Karro might know

So he decided he'd ask him, he made his was down to the lower decks and peeked into the Kitchen to see Da'Karro coming out of the small cabin behind the wall.

"Hey." He said. "Thanks for um, handling things while I was out." He said with a nod. "Couldn't have been easy, especially with the Captain..." He said looking down as he leaned against the wall with his arms folded. He looked up at him with a slight frown " How was she?"

The battle was over, Moloch realized. They had overestimated the might of their enemies and if he did not retreat in an orderly fashion, they would be done for. He turned to Tywin.

"Order the archers and the ballistaes to provide covering fire while the men retreat. We cannot take the city now," Moloch stated. He watched as his men began to beat a different rhythm on their drums and their men began to back away. The Nemean lions were slowly dying out thanks to the combination of their siege weapons and the enchantment placed upon his men's spears and swords. Dragonbone enchanted with sharpening spells were more than enough to take care of the lions' natural armour. Nonetheless, he was losing men and their retreat depended on their artillery keeping back the men surging from the city and the Tripartite forces returning from chasing after Ser Gregor.

As time went by, Moloch watched more people die in his retreat than he'd like, but he gave his men credit. They did not break formation and they did not surrender. When they were safe, Moloch turned to Tywin.

"Send a raven to Wanhope. I want him to reinforce us at Drake City. The enemy will besiege us soon."

Casey nodded as Da'Karro gave him the brief of what had happened, "So she agreed to use magic to save me, and now she's giving me the cold shoulder-" He paused and Da'Karro gave up his search for food and looked up at the first mate, "Wait...You were down too? I saw, you were shot, right through the chest, did Lady Tenanye save you too?"
"Ah," Da'Karro said, remembering Casey had been unconscious since the events of the Lobos, "No... I... this will take a while to explain, lets go upstairs." He walked out of the Kitchen and Casey followed suit behind him.
"Yes I was shot, and stabbed, much in a similar way to you, but my wounds..." He touched the place on his abdomen, feeling the absence of a scar even more than if there had been one present, "Healed."
They walked out onto the deck and continued on to the Keel, "I dont know How to explain it, if I could, I would say Ishka saved me but truly I do not know. one minute I was dying, then... I wasnt." He looked at Casey and and smirked, "The Captain was less than amused with my miraculous recovery and your looming death, but that was no matter. Either way, I am healed, you are healed, we are all-"
"Leave me alone!" Cried a voice Da'Karro knew all too well " I don't belong to you! I don't belong to anyone!" Scarlet screamed waking the whole ship as she climbed the rigging towards the crows nest.
"Damnit!" Da'Karro said, leaping the railing from the keel to the main deck, nearly landing on the Captain as she exited her cabin.
"Not again." Robyn exclaimed before making for the rigging.
"Don't come any closer, I'll jump." Scarlet cried, reaching the edge of the crows nest and standing precariously on its edge.
"She's at it again but I think she is mildly aware of us, if we get close, she'll jump." Robyn said, frantically trying to think of a plan.
"Casey!" Da'Karro said, probably the first time he had ever given the first mate an order, "Go find Tenanye, she might be able to use her magic in some way." He tore off his gauntlet and embedded his sword in the deck, "Robyn, if she jumps ill break her fall, im the least likely to die from my injuries, you go see if you can get her down without her jumping, AND SOMEONE GO FIND JON!"

Jon walked through the godswood alone, the fresh snow crunched under his boots with each step. Winter had only just begun to arrive and the first of the snow falls coated the world in a thin white sheet of pristine beauty. The white trunks of the weirwood trees almost seemed to vanish in the snow if it were not for the faces carved into them. With the white back ground and the white trunks the faces almost appeared to float on their own, watching The King of The North as he moved through the wood. Each breath Jon took came out in puffs of vapor in the cold winter air. Jon was looking for something but what, he wasn't yet certain.

Finally he heard it, the sound of his guide through these dreams so often.The caw of the three eyed raven drew his attention to a single tree standing before the entrance to a forest clearing. Jon followed the raven and walked past the tree into the where the godswood opened up. The clearing was large and circular in shape. In it's center slept a massive scaled beast. Jon moved toward and discovered it to be a dragon, larger than any he could imagine. It's scales were black and red, not so different from Drogon if the beast were not so huge. The dragon slept, curled with his tail encircling it's body. Jon stepped near it and could see there was something else behind the wall of dragon scales. An infant child, swaddled in cloth of grey and cloth of black and red. The child's hair was deep and dark as the night sky with eyes like shining emeralds. It cooed for a moment before falling asleep. It slept soundly within the protective circle of the slumbering dragon and at the child's feet slept yet another creature, a young dire wolf pup no more than a few months old.

"Shh... he's sleeping."

Jon whipped around with a start to find Amelia standing there. She smiled at him lovingly and kissed him before turning him back around to look at the baby. She slid her arms around him before pressing her head to his back. She looked at the child with a mothers love as Jon did so in awe.

The rays of the morning sun touched Jon's face causing his eyes to slowly blink open. He grunted softly as he shifted in bed, it was only then he realized he wasn't alone. Almost in surprise his eyes looked down to find Amelia curled up in his arms. His mind, still clouded with sleep, took a moment to adjust to the reality of last nights events. The drinking, carrying her to her room, the fall and her request.

"Stay here with me Jon."

Her voice echoed in his mind and brought a smile to his face. Content was not a sufficient word to describe his feeling. He layed there, with Amelia fast asleep on his chest and nothing else mattered. Not the war, not Wanhope, not whatever in seven hells was going on above deck that was causing so much noise. In the bowels of the ship Jon could barely hear what was going on but he could hear foot steps, running and muted shouting. It wasn't a battle, that much was sure. Battles were louder but something was happening none the less. After trying his best to ignore the commotion he resigned himself to find out what was going on. Reluctantly he untangled himself from Amelia's arms and rested her head back down on the pillows of the bed. He covered her with a blanket before he set to find his boots which he'd kicked off last night. Once he located them he sat on a chair next to the bed to slip them on. As he did she awoke.



Jon smiled as her eyes met his. He wanted to kiss her. He'd never wanted anything more in his entire life but he settled with words.

"Good morning."

Was all he said before the banging started.

"Your Grace!"

The voice was that of The Great Jon's that much was certain. Lord Umber was pounding on the door urgently.

"Your Grace! Jon!"

The Great Jon burst through the door with his hand up shielding his eyes from whatever sight may lay on the other side. Jon and Amelia both sprang up in surprise, Jon protectively nearly shot out of the chair in a single leap as his hand reached for his sword belt.

"Apologies my king, I know you're not alone but you're needed at once."

"It's alright Lord Umber, we are decent. What is it?" Jon asked impatiently as he strapped Longclaw to his hip.

The Great Jon hesitantly lowered his hand from his face. The big man's eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room and focused on Amelia and Jon. For a moment he looked almost surprised they were indeed both fully clothed.

"It's Clara, shes climbed into the crows nest and is threatening to jump. I don't... I don't think she's well. It's as if she doesn't know where she is."

The worry in the big man's face was evident. Lord Umber had always cared for Clara like a child of his own or a little sister. Jon cast a quick look back at Amelia who still lay in bed. He looked at her in concern as if by chance she could make sense of all this. Why would Clara try to kill herself, what was happening to her? She had never attempted anything like this before, no matter how horrid things got at home.

"I'm going to get her down, I'll be back."

Jon stated boldly before turning and rushing out of the room. He was up the stairs and on the deck in what seemed like seconds. Around the mast that held the cat walk a small crowd had gathered looking up at the troubled Stark girl. Just as Lord Umber had said Clara had climbed into the crows nest and stood at the edge, primed to leap to the hard deck below. The fall would surely kill her and no one dared get too close to the ladder to climb up after her for fear she'd jump. Jon pushed his way through the crowd with the help of the massive Lord Umber and rushed to the captains side. Da'Karro was there as well, along with Mr. Casey, the captain wounded man on the mend.

"Captain! What is going on? What's wrong with her?"

He asked in worry as he reached Robyn.

Jon nodded saying not a word. All his focus was on his cousin, Clara who teetered precariously on the edge of the cat walk, ready to leap out into the open air at a moments notice. Jon reached the beam that led to where she stood and grabbed hold of the metal rungs. He hoisted himself up and began the climb. Each step replayed the captains words in his head.

"She sleep walks."

New behavior for Clara. He'd never known her to sleep walk before. He'd spent countless nights in New Castle just as she had spent countless nights in Winterfell and not once did he ever remember her wandering off in a daze.

"She's been doing so since she's boarded the ship, everytime, she's tried to hurt herself."

So this has happened before. How many times was a mystery but she'd never told him. To hear Clara tell it her time aboard the Harbinger was a grand vacation compared to growing up in White Harbor. Yet the truth was anything but. She had been giving into sleepless trances that pose her harm. Worse was that none of his new friends said not a word about it. Da'Karro was no surprise, the man hated Jon as far as he could tell. The Captain however stung a bit more. He had vouched for her with Lord Umber, he'd trusted her and she kept this from him. He knew he had no reason to be cross with her, she was no doubt trying to keep him from worrying but it didn't make him feel any less lied to.

"Right now it seems that she only sees this Count person, in all of us."

Count Reginald Blackwood, Clara's betrothed and the man who Jon nearly freed of all his teeth when he'd last seen him. The Count had come to Winterfell to speak with his father. Unfortunately for Count Blackwood Clara had visited days earlier and told Jon some troubling news. She'd told him how the count had been treating her, she told him of the threats and the promises of abuse to come. Jon's knuckles were bleeding by the end of it..

Jon grit his teeth and forced the thoughts of the Count and everything else out of his mind as he reached the crows nest. He took a breath and focused, he had to be perfect if he was going to save Clara. A single mistake could send her careening off the catwalk to the deck below. Jon pulled himself up, over the last rung and stepped onto the wooden crows nest. Jon was immediately aware of how high up he was. If Clara had been coherent she would have been terrified, Jon knew he was more than a bit uneasy at this height but his fear was silenced in favor of his concern for Clara.

"Clara?..."

Jon asked softly as he steadied himself on the towering height, with the wind whipping around them.

"Clara?... It's me, Jon. It's Pup."

He said, almost pleading as he extended a hand to her.

"Can you come here and talk to me Clara? Please Clara, I just want to talk."