"What's your name?" Isra asked turning her head to face the short haired woman. They were leaning on each side of each door while Isra took the left side.

"Yasen," she replied quietly. Her round brown eyes remained eyeing Isra curiously. "And yours?"

"Isra…"

Their lips sealed as the voices drew closer to the quarter. Clutching the black hilt of her scimitar tightly in its scabbard, Isra made a mental note to herself to alert her crew as soon as possible. 

They're all probably worrying why I didn't send out the fire signal yet, Isra thought with a sigh. 

If only I just followed the damn plan, then I wouldn't have to deal with this Yasen alone.

Glancing at Yasen, Isra was most bothered by the fact that she didn't know who she really was. For now, she assumed the woman was a lone pirate after the same booty.

"I'll show you my savings for the new arms they've been talking about," a smooth masculine voice began.

New arms? Isra cast her eyes questioningly to the short haired woman wondering if she knew what they were talking about. Yasen only shrugged back and cracked her knuckles, getting ready to punch their victims.

The door swung open, and Yasen swung her fist across the man's cheek. Right when the long, blond haired man was about to fumble back, Isra shoved him toward the ground. Yasen came up behind him and pressed the heel of her leather boots against his back. Tossing off his black tricorn and yanking up his fine long hair, she nodded over to Isra giving her the signal she had the man under her control.

Within a heartbeat, Isra unsheathed her scimitar and pointed at the other man's neck whose shocked green eyes were flickering with fear. Her eyes darkened as she watched his lower lip tremble.

"We'll make a quick, lad," Isra began coolly. "Show us the booty, and we'll spare your captain's life."

Stepping slowly inside the room as the blade edged his neck, the young man froze at the sight of Yasen. The short haired woman glanced at him briefly and looked away. Sputtering inaudible words, he stared outrageously at her with eyes filling up with anger.

"You… you're with her, aren't you?" he stuttered accusingly.

Yasen ignored the puzzled look she received from Isra. "Not exactly," she replied. "Just shut up and do what she says."

She's going to have to do some explaining after this, Isra thought. She looked over to the silent captain sprawled on the floor. "You still there?" she asked.

Yasen yanked his hair higher making his face visible to Isra. His blue eyes glared threatening at Isra whom remained cool.

Scowling, he said, "The gold is in the desk's drawer. Take it and don't harm anyone."

"Get it," Isra ordered to the young man. Like a dog, he scrambled quickly to the desk and pulled the drawer out. Fumbling a pouch out, he held it out to Isra, and she snatched it with her left hand, her other hand never leaving the scimitar pointed at his neck.

Untying the pouch, Isra peered disappointingly at the scant gold coins. She stuffed the pouch into her trouser's pocket with disgust. "Don't be a bilge rat," she remarked glowering at the captain. "You must think I'm a fool for thinking I'll take just this and leave. Where's the key to that locked chest?"

The captain flinched at the mention of the chest. Isra smirked knowing he had no escape now. "There's… there's nothing in there," he stammered. "Just expensive suits."

"Just expensive suits?" Isra arched her eyebrows. There was no doubt he was lying through his teeth. "Where's the key?"

The captain remained silent. Yasen pulled his hair harder until he yelped with pain.

"It's underneath my bed damn it!"

Isra pushed the young man toward the direction of the bed as her scimitar followed his back. Bending down, it took several seconds for him to fish out a small, dusty, plain box. She watched eagerly as he took the key out and went over to unlock the chest. He lifted the chest open, and approval danced in her small dark eyes. This was one of the reasons why she became a pirate.

Fine crafted twin daggers twinkled back at her. Intricate artwork of golden vines curled around the wooden handles to the silver crossguards, giving off ancient appearances. A velvet red cloth held the weapons carefully, but Isra's eyes dug beneath it. She grinned as she glanced at the young man whom was gawking at the daggers.

"Stop staring," Isra said startling him. Panic returned to his green eyes making the grin stretch wider on her mouth. "Move those daggers aside and flip that cloth over."

He peeled back the red cloth revealing a vast amount of gold coins that filled the bottom of the chest. Isra smiled at the gold that could be used for a year's worth of ship supplies. This will do, she thought with a sense of accomplishment.

Yasen watched silently as Isra ordered the young man to shut back the chest. She wanted to get a glimpse of it, but she had to keep the captain down. Eyeing him now, the pained expression on his face showed he was not too happy as he stared helplessly at his friend assisting Isra in invading his valuables. Perhaps that is his savings for the new arms, Yasen wondered.

"Pirates! Pirates!" frantic voices shouted outside the quarter. "Call for the captain!"

Isra's eyes flew over to Yasen. Her crew had arrived without her signal, but she wouldn't blame them. Damon especially was probably worrying about her thinking she was captured and ordered them to start the plunder. The two women securely tied the men up with rope and tossed them in the back corner. Fortunately, he and his friend were gagged with cloth saving them from hearing their insults.

Yasen helped Isra drag the chest toward the door. The door swung open almost jamming into the chest. Isra and Yasen withdrew their swords.

A sailor stood frighteningly with his hands up beside a tall woman whom had a blade to his throat. Dreaded red hair fell past her shoulders wrapped by a crimson headscarf. Her hazel eyes were set close together in her angular face of sharp beauty.

"Captain…?" she exclaimed arching her thick eyebrows in confusion. "We thought ye were captured!"

Isra smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Manami. It's a long story. Let's bring this chest to Garnet and get out of here."

"Aye aye," Manami replied with a nod. Yasen and Isra stepped aside for Manami as she shoved the sailor inside the quarter. "Damon ordered us ter all come here. He's out now with the crew roundin' up the prisoners. Me see ye took care of the Sorrel captain… with this lass?" Manami stared hard at Yasen for a moment causing the short haired woman to shift uncomfortably. Yasen glared slightly making the redhead look away. "Whose she?"

Yasen opened her mouth to speak, but Isra interrupted her. "A temporary ally."

The redhead nodded without questioning any further. "She comin' with us?"

Isra glanced at Yasen for an answer. She wondered if she would really want the woman on her ship, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea if she stayed in Sorrel. She helped me after all, Isra thought, when I decided to kill her. I can return the favor by offering her temporary safety on my ship.

"Where will your ship be heading to?" Yasen asked staring straight into Isra's eyes.

Looking away, Isra cast her attention to the three Sorrel men. Yasen followed her gaze with realization hitting her. "It may not be safe to discuss the details here…."

Slightly embarrassed, the short haired woman nodded understandingly.

"Let's go now," Isra said to the two women. "We don't want to keep them waiting."

~~~

The chest was carried to the hold of Garnet where all the cargo, rations, and ship supplies were stored. Standing beside Damon, Isra directed her men as they dropped it off in the 'booty room', the heart of the ship where all loot was safely locked away. There were several coffers inside the spacey room; some chests were plain or very extravagant looking. Smoothing out her oily black ponytail, Isra felt she needed a bath as soon as possible they arrive in Brassport.

"'Tis a good idea ye snooped around the captain's quarter," Damon remarked rubbing the auburn stubble on his chin. He and Isra thanked the men as they returned upstairs to the upper deck.

Isra shrugged turning her attention to the quartermaster. "As captain, I should've still followed the plan. It caused a lot of trouble, but I guess it was worth it. I'm sorry if I had all of you worrying about me."

Damon smiled toothily showing his yellow teeth in the dim lit room. "Whate'er the captain wants, 'tis good for us. Ye know what ye are doing."

Isra's small lips cracked into a smile. She was glad that Damon trusted her in making decisions for the crew. There was no doubt his loyalty for her and Garnet was genuine. It was why Isra believed his qualities were good for a leader. There was Manami whom she greatly respected, but the pirate was mostly motivated by personal gain.

Patting his shoulder, Isra said, "If the sea remains kind to us, we'll reach Brassport by morning hopefully."

"Me hopes, captain," Damon replied stifling a yawn. "Where's that woman  goin' ter stay tonight?"

Yasen. She told Manami to keep a good eye on her while she was busy in the hold. The short haired woman was probably getting acquainted with Manami and being toured around the ship.

"She's staying with me tonight," Isra replied. "I don't want anyone harassing her." She didn't care much about Yasen, but Isra still believed she deserved to feel welcome on the ship. Yasen was supposedly a 'temporary' ally after all. She was going to stay with them until they reached town.

"Good idea," Damon replied. "See ya in the mornin.'"

Isra bidded him farewell as they headed out of the room. As his footsteps died away on the stairs, Isra shut the heavy door and locked it tight. Placing the key inside her pocket, Isra moistened her lips realizing she had been thirsty since she had aboard Sorrel. 

I hope there's still water left in my canteen, Isra thought as she ascended the narrow stairway. Approaching the flickering light at the entrance, she met Manami holding out an oil lamp. The redhead stepped aside for her to get through to the deck.

Isra felt refreshed as the cool breeze touched her skin. "Thanks for taking care of Yasen while I was down there."

"No problem, captain," Manami replied. She turned her head toward the balcony where Yasen lingered. Yasen was staring off into the sea, her hands resting the rail. "She's a quiet lass," the pirate said as Isra listened to her voice. "Barely said a word to me on the tour."

Isra didn't reply. She wasn't a talkative person either, so she understood where Yasen was coming from. She preferred her own company rather than being around her mates when she wasn't occupied. In fact, she spent most of her time inside her room reading, writing, and even reflecting on thoughts which gave her much amusement. Damon would tease her about her introverted nature whenever there was merrymaking around, but Isra didn't care.

Manami departed on her own way leaving Isra to Yasen. Approaching the brunette by the balcony, Isra expected an answer from Yasen why she was in the captain's quarter of Sorrel. The short haired woman straightened her posture and turned around knowing Isra had already returned. Her deep-pigmented brown eyes shined a tint of maroon under the moonlight as they stared back at the ponytail woman. Isra averted eye contact with Yasen, feeling annoyed at the slight intimidation she felt around her. Her eyes landed on her beautifully carved nose, large and slightly long, which stood out along her eyes as desirable features. She was undeniably attractive.

"Yasen," Isra addressed softly standing beside her on the balcony.

"Isra," Yasen addressed in return with a nod.

"We'll be arriving in the nearest town, Brassport, by morning hopefully," Isra said looking out to the sea. The vivid reflection of the waxing gibbous rippled back in the black waters, almost hypnotizing her as serenity caressed her mind. "I do not know if Brassport is your destination's goal, but you are free to go once we go on land."

Remained staring at Isra, Yasen brushed a brown curl out of her eye. "I didn't get the information I needed on Sorrel, so maybe Brassport has it."

Isra broke her gaze away from the sea. "Information?"

Yasen hesitated to answer for a moment. "Yes... I'm bounty hunting after a man. I hope I would find him aboard Sorrel, but, unfortunately, he wasn't there. The captain supposedly knew him, so I was hoping there would be information about him in his quarter."

"Ah, that was why you were inside," Isra remarked.

Yasen chuckled. "What did you think I was doing?"

"After the same prize. You aren't a pirate, are you?"

"I would be considered a lone pirate by definition," Yasen replied raising her straight eyebrows, "but I am a bounty hunter."

Isra scrutinized Yasen for a moment. She was greatly impressed that Yasen worked alone. Bounty hunting was not something new to her, but it was much slower getting gold that way. "How much is his head worth?"

"A thousand gold."

Isra whistled. "That's a lot of gold, but I say he'll be a hard one to track down." She thought about the chest she locked away in the hold; there was plenty of gold in there. She wondered if she should offer some to Yasen, but she would need to speak with the crew about it. The majority of them would most likely vote 'no' on such a request although Yasen helped her took of the Sorrel sailors.

Yasen shrugged. "If I'm lucky, I'll find him right on the spot. And about that lad… a good friend of the Sorrel captain, I told him I was a musician, so I could get on the ship."

Isra widened her eyes in amusement. "And I guess that worked," she said. She, however, would never pick up random musicians from taverns no matter how desperate her mates wanted them for celebrations. Tipping them off wasn't a problem, but Isra believed it was still foolish to bring them on their ship. Yasen's sly example had proven her point. Looking back to the stern of the ship where the cabin housed her mates, Isra noted her quarter which was behind it feet away. "I'll show you my quarter now where you'll be staying tonight."