One of the pirates growled a curse and reached for a pistol at his belt but was frozen by a bone chilling chuckle from Sketti. The dwarfs laughter sounded like timbers cracking during a cave in. Emmaline reached behind her and patted her rump trying to get a her own pistol, which fortunately was inept enough not to look threatening. The remaining pirates froze their faces an agony of uncertainty before the one who had spoken, obviously the leader, dropped his hand to his side.

"Don't say we didn't warn ye," he snarled and then turned and tried to stalk away. It was obviously meant to be dramatic but they fact they had to force their way through the crowd ruined the effect utterly.

"Friendly types," Sketti said, his face drooping in disappointment at missing the chance for a fight. 

"Don't take it too hard, sounds like we might meet them again before long," Markus consoled the Dwarf. Sketti grunted.

"Hey, where did your bimbo go?"

Emmaline trailed along behind the four sailors, even with the hood of a stolen cloaked pulled up her gender ensured she recived frequent propositions and pinches. She ignored the latter and rebuffed the former with a giggle and a few 'maybe laters'. Fortunately the four pirates, angry now they were no longer afraid, bulled a path through the crowds and Emmaline could follow in their wake without too much difficulty. The group headed, predictabley, towards the harbor though the oppisite end to where the Hammer was docked. The piers here extened further out into the bay, allowing heavier draught ships to dock. A pair of massively built Estalian Galleons flanked what looked to have started its life as a heavy merchantman from Marienburg. It was bigger than the hammer and much more heavily armed, with guns on the main deck as well as below on the gundeck. The name Sea Drake was picked out in gilt below the windows of the captains great cabins which faced the city. One of the pirates turned abruptly and Emmaline pivoted and walked up the gangplank to one of the galleons as though she had always been headed their. Judging by the lack of outcry the ruse was successful.

"Senoritta, what are you doing here," A disconsolate looking Estallian with a drooping mustache and an odd looking helmet demanded as she stepped onto the deck. He was the only man visible although from laughter below he wasn't alone on the ship. Doubtless the anchor watches were less than pleased about missing out on the festivities. Or, in the case of a man vomiting over the railing of the other galleon, had already enjoyed them too much. Emmaline through back her cloak to reveal her golden hair.

"I thought I might find a couple of sailors sad to be missing the fun," she said poutily. That got the Estilean's attention in more ways than one. He straightened and sucked in his gut.

"Well you have come to the right place," he said, slipping his arm around her waist. She giggled and pushed him away gently.

"Why don't you get us something to drink<" she cajoled, making playful nipping motions. The sentry nodded his head enthusiastically and then all but bolted for the companion way. As soon as he was out of site Emmaline hurried up to the quaterdeck of the galleon, which was high enough that she could look down on the Sea Drake across the pier. As she had hoped there were few crew aboard, the four pirates were exchanging angry words with a man in a dark cloak and a broad brimmed hat amidships where the boarding ramp emptied and there were a couple of idlers in the forecastle who seemed to be absorbed in the bursting fireworks. Emmaline pondered for a moment and then crossed to the spanker boom which ordinarily projected out behind the galleon. She gripped the timber and pushed it, pleased to find that it rotated freely, then gripped it and ran, leaping up onto the boom as it swung out over the peer. She hadn't fully accounted for the fact that the timber was oiled and her grip slipped. She let out an indelicate squeak as she grabbed for better leverage but she was already falling. Something brushed her fingers and she grabbed with both arms, feeling fabric between her fingers. It was the black flag that hung from the stern of the Sea Drake. She scrabbled for purchase as she slid down the flag, her weight swinging her inward so she slamed against the gilt work above the captains cabin a second before she ran out of flag and she fell again, landing on her ass on the small viewing platform intended as the captains retreat. She scrambled to her feet but judging by the lack of an alarm no one had scene her embarass herself. Most of her decsent had been masked by the rise of the Sea Drake's quarter deck and her shout had been just one more in a noisy night. Letting out a breath she stood and tried the door to the Captain's cabin. It was latched from the inside but a whispered spell swung the door open.

The interior of Captain Von Roberts' cabin was far grander than Markus' own. Woven rugs covered the floor and fine furniture had been nailed to the deck. Paintings, mostly of Aryabian Harems hung on the walls and an expensive looking cabinet against one wall held several dozen bottles of wine and spirits. Judging by the stamped rune on the base of one bottle he even had dwarven ale. What interested Emmaline most however was a chest of brass bound teak which sat on the central table. She crossed quickly and pulled it open. Silver glittered inside in sparkling profusion. She began grabbing handfuls of coins and, lacking more suitable pockets or pouches, shoving them into the bosom of her garment. As she pulled away her fourth or fifth handful of coin however she felt the greasy feeling of lead rather than silver. Pausing to examine the contents of the chest more closely she saw that the silver coins had been layered over musket balls. Frowning she rumaged deeper, finding what appeared to be a charge of gunpowder.

"Not quite the treasure you, or that puppy Flintbrook was expecting aye?" came a voice from the door of the cabin. Emmaline world, sending a handful of silver schillings scattering across the floor. Captain Von Roberts stood in the door way with an amused look in his single good eye.