Markus sat down and stared at the doorway, hand on his mouth and chin as he pondered. His fingers rubbed along the sandpaper-like texture of his newly shaven face. Even now he didn't know why he kept himself relatively clean shaven, as he hadn't needed to by anyone's admission but his own since he left the continent and became a sailor. Maybe it was one routine from his past life he didn't want to give up just yet. 

"Luckily you brought us some news of a weapons cache." he said, referring to the Gnome woman. He didn't know the prospects of such a place, or how likely it was for a full pirate outfit to go and get the items. He supposed the fact she was caught at sea and not at the port was good news in their favor. Calliope watched him expectantly. "But even if we get more guns and powder, we won't have a crew for long if we don't do a successful haul." 

"And what do you suggest?" She asked him. 
[hr] 
[i][/i]
The water lapped along the longboat noisily, or at least it sounded loud to those on the craft. The moon was hidden this night, the only true source of light being the torches on the shoreline. That was good. Markus could draw his blade without the backsword glinting and giving away their position. He looked back over his shoulder where a coiled rope hung, though he'd already done it half a dozen times. The Weathered Witch behind them was dark, and no one had violated his orders and set a light.

He turned back to the shoreline, and in the faint glow that emanated off his eyes, he looked particularly fearsome this night. There was only a Skeleton crew left on the Sloop, with all cannons aimed at the outpost they now sailed toward. The triplettes, along with Sketti, Jax, Grimey, and Jim was aboard, with Sketti being the commanding officer on the ship. In the longboat, Markus and Calliope, along with Sron, Halvar, and Corsica held quiet with their weapons at the ready. Neither Markus nor Calliope could summon their magic yet, lest their be wards or a commissioned mage in the ranks of Soldiers that now took their sleep in turns. 

They had found a small island on the map, one that Markus had heard tale of ships going to and from the little patch of sand in the middle of the Sea. During the war, it had been known as a stop for Dre Costan shipping lanes. Much Gold and Spices moved through here, and though there wouldn't be any large haul like they would find in the dowry, there were guns, swords, no doubt some stashed away treasures and trade goods, and above all, rum. In the distance, Markus could see the patrols walking to and fro in the torchlight, passing one another periodically. 

They landed to the east of the bay, dragging the ship ashore silently and making sure their powder and steel was dry. Markus knelt down and reminded them of the plan. 

"Sron, Corsica, and Halvar. Take out the sentries as silently as you can. When I give the signal..." he gave a knowing smile. "be as loud as you can. Calliope, with me." 

The forest trees formed a semi circle around the small base, and there was no major fortification there save a single keep made of Seastone, overlooking the sea with various thatched window sills jutting out of the stone. Between it and the sea, various buildings collected along the sandy ground. Barracks, a stable, a smithy, a large cash of grain, an armory, etc. Markus and Calliope headed northeast, and waited along the ferns and watched the inner settlement from within the brush. Usually the fleet would keep any would-be attackers at bay, but after the war they had grown lax.  

A fatal mistake, Markus knew. Just then, he saw a guard on the outskirts get ripped from his position at the barracks and yanked into the treeline. No scream. Markus went to his task, stepping as deliberately and quietly as he could, moving out of the jungle just as the sentry at the back of the keep turned. The man turned around, and opened his mouth to yawn. His eyes went wide like his mouth, and Calliope could only hear the barest muffled noise as Markus clamped the man's mouth shut and shoved his knife into the soldier's throat.

Above them, a patrolman casually strolled out of the balcony that overlooked the forest. Markus stayed completely still, unmoving at Calliope's insistence. She gave him the second signal moments later, and Markus began to make his way up along the side of the keep, gripping the rough sea stone, the lines of mortar being easy places to gain a foothold. It took less than a minute for him to make it to the balcony. He looked down at Calliope, and the woman shook her head fervently. Markus stopped, and his brows rose when she stepped out of the bushes and into the light, clearing her throat. 

The sentry looked over the side, and was taken aback at seeing a shapely woman just standing there. He aimed his musket at her. "State your name miss!" 

It gave Markus the time to hop onto the balcony behind him, and slit his throat. The blood spilled, dropping into the sand 20 feet below in an audibly parody of a puddle. 

It didn't seem to matter. A shout of alarm was heard from within the settlement a quarter of a mile away. Markus sighed and uncoiled the rope, tying a makeshift stirrup, and then typing the top of it to the balcony, lowering it for Calliope. They hadn't given the signal yet, but this still worked in their favor. They still needed to find the Keep's commander and treasure room, and when they had, Calliope would have a vantage point to rain down her magic and destroy the rest of the resistance. 
[@Penny]