The captain saw beyond the mage’s appearance. In a way it was good to see his powers were weakening. The changes of an escape would be less. Yet it also ment, had he to be a proper pirate mage, his stamina had to match his bravado. There was work at hand. But that would come later, if he survived the way back and had not been stabbed in the back by one of the maids. 
She looked up from her thoughts as Malcador addressed her and gave him a slight nod. With not too much interest she watched as he cast his spell, yet there was the slightest smile as he started to act as a musical conductor. Yes, too much bravado indeed. The other maids watched in amazement, for they had not ever seen such a thing happening in front of their eyes. A few giggled at the sight of coins moving to the bidding of the mage’s hands. The faint smile was still on the captain’s lips as she heard the suggestiveness in his tone and slowly shook her head. “Just about. Spare your strength for the way back. I do not want my maids to be needing to carry you, instead of the gold.”
She turned away to give orders to the others and whispered to the boatswain in the passing: “Do not let him out of your sight. I’m not in the mood for surprises.” Only a firm nod in confirmation. 

Runa had just surfaced as she saw how Malcador was performing another spell. It seemed he had them all wrapped around his little finger. Though she knew that her captain would see through all this. It probably was all just a big scheme. Why else would she let a man join them? 
Yet, at the back of her mind, there was a tiny voice emerging. What if it was a good thing they had found a mage? She glanced over at Trish, who rested against a rock as she had managed to get out of the water by herself in some way or another, glaring at the mage with a glimmer in her eyes. Sometimes Runa wished she was as easily swept of her feet as her friend. In moments like this, when her muscles felt sore and things felt strangely peaceful, she wanted nothing more than to be able to let her guard down. But doing so would be a mistake. Letting your guard down would only give others the opportunity to make advantage of the situation. And so she shook off the tiny voice in her head and climbed out of the water to join the parade back to the ship. 

The way back seemed a lot longer, even though they were in a bit of a rush to stay ahead of the setting sun. As it turned dark, the wildlife and bugs were taking back more of their territory. With a small barrel on Runa’s shoulder, it made it all even more frustrating. Especially since she wouldn’t have the chance to pay attention to observing things for making the map. Luckily she wasn’t the only one grunting along the way. Having no need to surprise any men before them, more were exclaiming their annoyances. For some reason it was a bonding thing for the crew. Sometimes they even made a game out of it who was having the hardest time, making it all a bit more pleasurable. As most of the maids were given the task to carry the treasure back to the ship, only the boatswain was truly keeping an eye on Malcador. 

They all had had a long day and couldn’t wait to be back at the ship, filling their bellies with warm broth and enjoying the satisfaction of having found the long awaited treasure. As the crew finally reached the beach, it wasn’t a wonder the ‘Dreadful Lady’ was a sight for sore eyes, making some of the maids sigh and quietly cheer in relieve.