As the sun descended, the coast looked clear as the saying went. The Sea Drake faded into obscurity before evening, try as she might. Markus couldn't have planned it better, because hadn't planned it. Oh the escape, yes. He and crew orchestrated that well enough. But he had the notion the Sea Drake was days or even weeks ahead of them on their journey, and now he knew Von Robert's was behind them rather than before. It was a stroke of luck, one of the few they had garnered since the voyage began. 

Now, as evening fell, he let Morgan take the wheel and he walked down the steps to the maindeck. The men hadn't doled out drinks yet, but they were celebrating. Fernando made lewd gestures as he told a joke of a Tilean Courtesan and an Estalian Carpenter, sending Eckart in a fit of laughter that almost had him rolling off the ship. Brod snorted and smiled when he saw Markus, waving to the Captain as he was just about to walk past. 

"Cap'n! I had to tell you something but..." He rubbed his unshaven chin, his paunch floating just above his belt, swaying with the ship as he contemplated. "Oh! Yeah, you asked for the witch to be brought up and grab some drinks, but when the lads went to your room it was locked. No answer either. Better go check on it." 

Markus snickered. "Aye, got it." He said, taking out one of the jingling keys at his belt. He had wanted to bring Emmaline topside so they could all toast before the crew dispersed into the night, and then he was going to navigate the best course before dawn came. Perhaps she was taking a nap. He knew how much magic could drain someone, so the rakish swordsman stepped down below decks and made his way to his cabin. Slowly he inserted the key into the doorknob and opened the door, taking off his jacket without so much as a word so as not to disturb the sleeping woman. But as he turned and saw her stark naked on the table, he jumped in surprise. Just at that moment, the ship swayed. The captain's surprise along with the ship sent Emmaline tumbling end over end off the table to hit the floor. 

"Em!" He called, rushing over to her. "Sink me, are you ok?"