Calliope finished her wine and refilled the glass, pouring over chart on the table. Her finger traced the line up through the Sundered Sea. It was a good plan, the area was rich in coastal trade and a good place to make a name for oneself. They would need allies, both to capture the fleet and to attack Calaverde  and no man would sail with someone who he didn't know, no man worth his salt in any case.

“Well I suppose we can burn that ship when we get to it,” she said, considering all the work that lay ahead of them  She mistrusted the Arad’s and their schemes but there seemed no point in turning away gold while it was to be had. They knew the Bloodaxes were weakened from the loss of their mages, even if they had more in their lair. In the back of her mind Calliope was revisiting her old schemes to bring Arad privateers under her banner, certainly being part of the raid that destroyed a notorious pirate band would be good for her reputation.

Above them the deck creaked and rang with footsteps as the crew bought supplies and powder aboard. There were spirits too though Sketti had complained that rum couldn’t be found here. The booze of choice was a type of palm wine that smelled sharp enough to tickle the sinuses. Calliope didn’t supposed the crew would mind, booze was booze afterall

“What tide will be best to set sail on?” she asked eagerly.