“You run well," The Mountain smiled, and the captain knelt beside Cheri.

“You still alive, sister?” the captain pressed, and Cheri panted as she meekly gave a thumbs up. “Good. Congrats on not dyin’ then.”

“Yeah..." Cheri breathed, “Thanks for that.”

“Don’t mention it,” the captain waved her off. “Let me know when you’re done lickin’ the floor. I’ve got words for ya.”

“Yeah. I’ll... I’ll get right on that,” Cheri let out a soft sigh, and she slowly pushed herself to her knees.

“Is everyone on board?” the captain pressed, and an older man stepped forward, giving her a salute.

“Aye captain.” the man nodded, “Everyone but Ghal.”

“That’s not everyone, is it, Patches?” the captain gave an amused huff as Cheri staggered to her feet.

“We’ll go slow for ‘im.” Patches shrugged, “He can swim fast enough.”

“Uhh... what?” Cheri blinked, “Unless he’s an undarian I don’t see how-” a heavy thud hit the side of the ship, and the captain let out an amused huff.

“Captain,” Patches bowed his head, “Now everyone’s on board.”

“Good work,” the captain smirked, and after a moment a finned hand clutched the side of the ship, its owner pulling himself up.

He was an undarian, a man of the sea with skin like that of a salamander. His arms were like the fins of a sea turtle, with his hand pressed into the fin’s underside, hidden from the waves. His rounded head led to a somewhat full face, with four curved tendrils coming down over his cheeks, and white spots covered his grey skin. He was large for his kind, bulky, and built more like a shark than anything, but like all undarians, he walked on two legs, which ended in flat feet that were covered in a hard carapace. Cheri had seen many of his kind before, but this undarian was impressive.

“Tryin’ to leave me behind, eh Captain Arya?” the undarian pressed, rolling his shoulders, “and here I thought you liked me.”

“You made it, didn’t ya?” Captain Arya let out an amused huff, “You’re just in time though. We’ve got ourselves a couple new recruits.”

“So I see,” he grinned, looking to Cheri and Takir, “Welcome to The Crimson Tempest. The name’s Ghal.”

“It’s... good to meet you,” Cheri took a deep breath, offering her hand to the creature before her. “I’m Cheri, and this is my brother, Takir," she let out the breath, “Holy shit... We’re on The Crimson Tempest...”

“They always respond like that,” Ghal laughed, shaking her hand forcefully, “Come on, now! Take another breath of fresh air. You’re among greatness, kid!”

“Cut her some slack. She’s out of breath,” Arya waved him off, “Besides, we got work to do.” she looked up to the crow’s nest, which contained a literal nest of massive size, “HEY CROW!” she bellowed, “YOU GOT EYES ON A SHIP THAT AIN’T DOCKED!”

“Gold and sails fleeing south!” a voice from above squawked, “Luxury cruiser!”

“That’s the pompous dickhead!” Arya laughed, “Newbie number one! You’re with me! We’ve got a lesson to teach!”

“What- me?!” Cheri pressed, “I thought you were giving them time to run?!”

“Pirate.” Arya laughed, “What, you think I’m gonna tell the truth to the guy? Fuck no, much better to let him shit himself when he sees us chasin’ him. Come on!” she pulled Cheri to the helm, where a woman who looked just like Arya but with sapphire hair was calmly steering the ship’s wheel.

“I see you’ve been busy,” the woman spoke dryly, and Arya gave a crooked grin, “causing trouble are we?”

“Hey, I did not start it this time,” Arya huffed, “I got involved, but I did not start it.”

“Uh-huh." the sapphire maiden looked to Cheri, “Name.”

“Cheri Shal’Manoh." she answered quickly, “My brother is Takir.”

“I’m Elra Wilda’Cogni, but you can call me Captain.” the woman stated, and Cheri’s eyes widened, “I’m sure my sister didn’t bother to introduce herself, She’s-”

“Hey! Let me do it!” Arya scolded before pulling Cheri into a one-armed side hug, “The name’s Captain Arya. Arya Wilda’Fulmen. This here is my operation.”

“Our operation,” Elra corrected, “And speaking of which, I hope you plan to tell me if you’re joining us.”

“I-...” Cheri looked to Takir, who let out a soft sigh, “Look, I don’t know about this,” she shook her head, and Arya’s eyes drifted to her, “I appreciate you saving my ass, but... I’m trying to set an example here...” she looked back to the smoke that was rising from the city, “And... I’m kinda doin’ a shitty job of it.”

“We want to show that the people of Shalgras are a good people.” Takir explained, “Smart people, equals to those from outside our desert lands.”

“Chasin’ the dream, huh?” the goblin chimed in as he stepped over, leaning against Takir, “Take it from me. It’s never gonna happen.” he shook his head, and Cheri furrowed her brows, “We all tried. Goblins, undarians, harpies... You’re in the same boat as us- and I don’t just mean literally,” he paused, “Well, I do mean literally, but I also mean in the metaphorical sense, you get what I’m sayin’?”

“I... guess so.” Cheri sighed softly, and Takir thought for a moment. “I mean, shit, half those guys wouldn’t even hear me out.”

“You can walk like them, talk like them, act like them, and all that shit... none of it will matter in the end,” the goblin shrugged, “At least on the Tempest you’ll get some respect.”

“Hmm...” Cheri looked to the deck, and Takir’s eyes softened as he looked to his sister.

“Cheri,” he spoke, and Cheri’s eyes flickered to him. “Do what you feel is right.”

“Right,” Cheri took a deep breath, and she turned her attention to the twin captains, “Alright. We’ll join, on one condition.”

“A condition?” Elra huffed, “We saved your life.”

“Yeah, and I know what it’s worth,” Cheri declared, and the twins exchanged glances, “Give me a chance to prove myself. I want to be more than just some asshole that stacks boxes.”

“Oh, I second this!” The Mountain grinned, “She can have my job!”

“Trying to get out of it already, eh Brun?” Arya gave an amused huff, and Cheri’s eyes flickered to The Mountain.

“What do you do on the ship?” she asked.

“I am the first mate,” Brun shrugged, “But I do not like such responsibility. I prefer the simple life, to pick things up and put them down.”

“I’m not making some woman I just met my first mate,” Elra stated, and Arya smirked.

“It’s a good thing we got two captains then!” Arya grinned, and Elra let out a heavy sigh, “You can have yours and I can have mine,” she looked to Cheri, “Alright, I’ll let you prove your worth. You ever sail before?”

“All the time,” Cheri nodded.

“Good. Take the wheel," Arya nodded towards it, and Elra stepped back as Cheri took over, “ALRIGHT! LISTEN UP!” she shouted, and the crew all turned to face them, “Princess here thinks she can run this place! I say we let her put her money where her mouth is!” she declared, and the crew pumped their fists in the air, “Here’s the deal! You bastards are gonna follow this bitch’s orders, and if she manages to take that ship, Elra owes me five gold pieces!”

“I am not agreeing to that,” Elra stated.

“Two gold pieces!” Arya tried again.

“One copper,” Elra shook her head.

“Good enough!” Arya grinned, “Do me proud, Princess,” she patted Cheri’s back, “It’s all on you.”

“Alright,” Cheri took a deep breath, and fire flickered in her eyes, “I want full sail!” she declared, and the sails dropped, “Crow! Keep eyes on that ship!”

“Yes, ma’am!” the voice in the crow’s nest shouted.

“Who’s in charge of the cannons!?” Cheri pressed.

“That would be me!” her goblin friend grinned, pointing to himself with his thumb, “The name’s Glunk!”

“I want the left side loaded first!” she turned to face Arya as Glunk hurried off, “Captain Arya, I want you-”

“Nope. I don’t exist,” Arya smirked, “You’ve gotta act in our absence. I’m not letting you boss me around.”

“Fine,” Cheri frowned, “Takir!”

“Yes, sister.” Takir looked to her.

“You’re my acting first mate!” Cheri ordered.

“Very well.” Takir nodded.

“Brun!” Cheri shouted.

“Yes!” Brun saluted.

“Gather your boarding party. You know the crew better than I do.” Cheri stated.

“Yes, Ma’am!” Brun smirked, and she stomped off to do her duties.

“Ghal, I want you and another undarian to be on the lookout in case anyone goes overboard.” Cheri looked to Ghal, who saluted, “Otherwise you’re on defense.”

“Yes ma’am!” Ghal grinned before looking to Arya, “I like this one, Cap!”

“Yeah, yeah. Less talky more walky.” Arya waved him off, and he hurried off to start his tasks, “Smart of you to rely on those two.”

“If there’s one thing I learned from sailing with my father, it’s to know your crew,” Cheri stated, and a soft smile found Takir’s lips, “I don’t have that luxury yet, but they do,” she looked ahead to the ship that was slowly growing closer, “Crow! Status!”

“They’re preparing for battle!” Crow cried out, “I spy twelve cannons on each side!”

“And twelve underneath, I’m sure...” Cheri mumbled to herself, “You’re crazy for letting me do this, you know," her eyes flickered to Arya.

“I told you I was a cocky bitch,” Arya gave an amused huff, “Still waiting on that ship you promised.”

“Right,” Cheri nodded.

“We will claim that ship," Elra promised, “If you fail I’ll be taking full control. Make us intervene and you’ll be working for free until any damages are paid.”

“I won’t fail,” Cheri declared, focusing on her prize, “That ship is mine.”