A fat rat scrambled out of the ruined pile of what Markus could only guess at to scamper down the alleyway, fleeing from his approach. If looks could kill, the vermin's heart would have seized on the spot. Fortunately for it, Markus looked at everything in a similar fashion at the current moment, though he didn't exactly know why. Yes Emmaline ran off, and Sketti had too just before he'd made it within a mile to the docks, claiming he would go and try and find good deals on supplies tomorrow. However, on the bright side, he hadn't been killed or thrown out of the council. Indeed he and his crew had been given the chance of a lifetime! A slim chance, but still a rare one. Maybe he'd feel better after a good rest and a bottle of rum in his cabin. 

The dockmaster gave him a wide berth as soon as he saw Markus, the Captain striding determinedly with his sword out to deter any would-be thieves. Markus didn't acknowledge him, instead turning down the wharves that led to [i]The Hammer[/i] contentedly swaying on the soft swells of the sea. A distant call of 'Cap'n ho!' was answered by the same call further aft, and the gangplank was hurriedly lowered for his arrival. Markus looked up to find Morgan standing there, hailing him with a smile, clearly glad to see Markus still alive. It was why Markus trusted him. The man could be Captain in a heartbeat were Markus to perish, but he clearly did not wish it. 

As Captain Flintbrook stepped onto the Maindeck, Morgan clapped him on the back. Halfdan and Holdman were topside as well, moving the last of the barrels into position to be better hauled tomorrow. 

"Either the negotiations went well or they didn't happen at all." The Quartermaster commented. Markus did not wish to go into too much detail yet, but he wouldn't lie either. 

"They...happened. We have a shot, but it's a long one. Tomorrow I want to sell everything, and then buy back as much provisions as this ship can carry." He replied in a whisper, walking with him towards the stairs that led down into the gallery. "I don't care if we sell the last of our coffers. Everything goes save the men's wage." 

Morgan raised a bushy eyebrow at that. "I suspect there's something of a story there. The golden woman didn't tell us a word." The older man shrugged and would have gone downstairs had the Captain not halted in his tracks, simply looking at him. Morgan gave him a strange look, clearly perplexed and almost concerned. "What?" 

"Emmaline is here?" 

"Aye, she got here a bit ago. Had the lads draw her a bath-" Markus blinked incredulously. Bath water was taken from the drinking water, that might actually cost them! He thought of the fat rat that had scampered in front of him not a mile away, strutting out of the filth to scavenge some more elsewhere. "-She's in your cabin now...I thought you knew that." 

Markus turned, the venom dripping from his words. "Must have slipped my mind." As Morgan watched him stalk toward his cabin, he shook his head. 

"You sure she's worth this, lad?" 

Markus didn't look back. "I'll handle it."