Standing on the bow of the wreck, Liam sighed.  He had been there a few minutes and still no sign of the girl.  He was trying to decide whether or not to go inside the wreck itself when he felt something sharp touch his back and a female voice asking, “I’m going to give you a chance to explain yourself and then I am going to give you a chance to leave. One chance only. Why are you here?”  [i]Well this is wonderful.  I bother to track down the wench to return her stuff and she turns out to be loony.  Just my luck.[/i]


Turning his head slowly, and raising his hands in the air, Liam replied, "I don't mind answering whatever questions you want as long as you remove that blade from my back.  I swear on my honor that I wish you no harm and am only here for good and true purposes."  He stood there hoping that she believed him.  He had too much at stake to die here in some small port town.  If he wasn't able to finish what he had started so long ago then too many people would suffer.  

He shook his head to clear it.  He couldn't afford to go down that path right now.  Instead, his mind decided to remind him of the last time a woman had pulled a blade on him. It had been two years ago in Grailston.  He had just taken over the Captaincy of his ship and was loading up cargo and taking on some new crew before heading out on his first big mission.  He was checking the moorings on some of the crates on board when he heard a noise behind him and a girl of no more than 15 jumped out at him, brandishing a knife.  She had told him that he had killed her brother and she was there t seek revenge.  Seeing how at that time Liam had never killed anyone, he knew at once that she had mistaken him for someone else.  "Calm down lass.  It is not me you are seeking.  I did not kill your brother."  He said.  "You lie!  I saw you grab him the other night and break his neck.  He had done nothing but bump into you in the alley and you murdered him in cold blood.  He was all I had and you will pay for taking that away from me!"  She lunged and he grabbed her arm to stop the blade from hitting home.  He twisted her arm up behind her back and pushed up until she dropped the knife. Then he lent close to her ear and stated, "I could take you into the authorities and let them settle things, but if you will just listen I can prove that I am not who you seek."  When she slowly nodded, he cautiously let her go and backed up a few steps.  She bent down and grabbed the blade bu did not further attack.  "I'm listening."  She stood there glaring at him angrily with tension plain to see in her slight frame.  "We arrived in port four days ago that is true.  However, three days hence I was passed out from food poisoning in my room all day and night.  My first mate, Wilson, had taken to me for what he swore was the best dinner in town and damn near killed me.  You can check with him and the inn keeper as well to verify my story.  I will even go with you if you wish."  He smiled at her and tried to convey through his words and actions that he was indeed innocent and harmless.  He saw doubt flit across her face before it became the rage hardened mask of anger once again.  "Fine then.  You Lead." she stated and gestured with the knife for him to walk ahead.  He waved to his fellow crewmen who looked on with concern and smiled at them like this were an everyday occurrence of no import.  The next 45 minutes proved his innocence to the girl and he was able to set sail on time.  He later found out that it had indeed been a sailor who had killed the girl's brother and he did bear him a striking resemblance.  

Hearing the girl once again ask her questions snapped him out of his memories.  "I see that you are not willing to put down the knife.  If you will just reach into my pocket then you will ind something of yours that you left behind at the inn.  Take it and I will be on my way.  I don't have time to waste on someone antagonistic as you." Liam frowned and waited.  He just wanted this whole day to be over.  It had been nothing but a pain in the ass, excepting the awesome food at the inn, since he saw her on the rocks.