Calliope came forward at a regal pace. She had found a cloak in the pile of loot that covered her but the breeches proved to be too big to be practical. The cloak was of a fine grey leather of some animal that she was unfamiliar with and subtle patterns had been worked into it by a cunning leather worker. She had cinched it around her waist with a cord of black silk that had probably once been a scarf. This only partially maintained her modesty as the cloak didn’t quite cover her blood smeared breasts and the resulting v ran almost to her belly button. It would have looked weak to keep a hand clutching the garment closed and so she didn’t bother. It was good to see that Markus had survived, though she couldn’t claim to be surprised. It was hard to imagine that the crew would fight off such fearful odds if their captain had succumbed. 

The former Tyrant of Calaverde reached the foot of the throne, her gaze not lingering on the dead bodies. For some reason the sight of them made her feel strange and so she didn’t linger. She offered Markus a slight bow, not deep but perceptible. The kneeling pirates began to whisper among themselves, muttering about witches and demons and ill omens. Among their kind any woman who presented herself so openly as Calliope was to be despised, but they dare not show their feelings openly. 

“Congratulations on your victory Captain,” she called to Markus in her orators voice, clearly audible throughout the cavern.

“I am pleased to be able to tell you that the last of their mages is dead, it turns out that his faith that the manacles they forged could hold a djinn was misplaced.” Truthfully she was still unsure of how she managed to escape the arcane restraints, a lot of what had happened was hazy like a dream she had once known but had now faded. Unconsciously she touched the tattoo that spread over her chest, her mind supplying the feel of dragon scales to the nerves in her fingers despite the fact it was perfectly smooth.  There would be time to unpack what had happened later but for now she saw no reason in adding to her reputation by claiming to have broken the restraints herself. Afterall, if Markus intended on adding these Arads to the crew, overawing them now wouldn't hurt.