"A dwarf," Idrin spat. "Just when I thought our luck could get no worse." 

"What was that, Elgi?" The Dwarf asked menacingly. He gave the elf a black look that spelled violence. Markus was not adverse to that in most circumstances, but he did not allow bickering to take hold of his crew. Nor would he stand by and let it happen here while there was the barest hint of hope. He stepped forward, sheathing his sword. 

"Unless you wish to become slaves again or worse, then stow it." He ordered, deathly calm. The elf and dwarf both looked at him like he was a fish that had climbed a tree. The other elf seemed surprised as well, but did not immediately go to argue. Markus continued. "You can kill one another after we've gotten out of here. For now, survival takes precedence." 

"Can he even sail a ship?" Idrin asked, vaguely waving at the dwarf. 

"I can kill elves." The dwarf promised, eyes glinting. 

"Good, we'll need that soon." Markus said, drawing confused gazes at him. He had just begun to turn before he caught the looks. "We're sailing north to the drucchi settlement. I'm going to get my ship and crew back, and you'll help me." 

"And me!" Emmaline pipped in, though the glares she received made her button her lip. 

The elves laughed darkly, almost drucchi-like to Markus. He needed to remember all elves had the taint of Khaine in them. "No human." The unnamed one said. "You think now that we are free we will go back into Malekith's den? Your companions and ship are gone. Lost forever. You would have better chance walking into the frozen north to the very bosom of the chaos gods." 

"Just like an elgi to be faithless," The dwarf challenged, closing his fists dangerously. Emmaline backed away from the muscle-bound dawi and slid behind Markus. The Captain was not certain if the dwarf was on his side because of a debt from being freed or if it was just to spite the high elves, but he would take it. Above them the sky was still grey, but the wind began to pick up from the east with a small howl. As if the wind itself commanded it, the two elves unsheathed sword they had procured from the dead drucchi, pointing them at the dwarf.

"I am one of the faithful dwarf, but there is faith and there is suicide." the elf said. 

Markus pointed his blade at Idrin, who pointed it back at Markus. The dwarf didn't need a weapon, rather instead opting to snap his fist forward and grab the saber blade with his meaty fist. Blood seeped out of his palm, but he held it there, eyeing the elf with murderous intent. Behind them all, Emmaline picked up a crossbow to help, but as it rose up her grip slipped and she dropped it. The bolt struck the floorboards of the deck and she squealed. No one paid her any mind. 

"You gave me your word to help me." Markus said. 

"We agreed to sail the ship, not to go back into Ss'ildra Tor." Idrin retorted. 

"Are you telling me a human and a dwarf would go against the drucchi when a the elves of ulthuan will not?" 

Markus saw the question strike a nerve, the elves wincing. He knew they felt a struggle in themselves. To go back to Ulthuan alive, when so many of their kinsmen had died, and all they could say was they had been captured and then set free by a lowly man. Markus merely stared at them, the dwarf growling like a bulldog but keeping quiet. Eventually, their cuation gave way to honor, and the elves lowered their swords. 

"Very well," the nameless elf said. 

"Asuryan bless you. And your name is?"

"Sulandar." 

"Markus Flintbrook, and the bimbo is Emmaline Von Morganstern." 

"Hey!" She called, but they paid no heed.

"Morek Ironbeard." The Dwarf replied, snarling at the elf but keeping himself from going on another tirade of insults. Markus nodded, smiling at them wickedly. 

"Let us say hello to the dark ones." He declared, and called for them to cast off.