True Justice

Zachary sat at a secluded table in the corner of the galley, several sailors were with him but absorbed in their own stories and jokes which held little interest for him. His brown eyes were instead roving the other Tierrian, taking in their mannerisms, picking up on their eluding conversations, and watching them for any sign of suspicion towards him.

He knew that taking such a risk was fool-hardy. He was an Anglean aboard a Tierrian ship. A Tierrian would normally run any Anglean through without a second thought, simply for his difference in allegiance. It's not that he had a passionate liking for Tierrians either, but he was careful, and hesitant before he judged a man. He grabbed a recently placed ale cup, and slid it toward himself, swallowing a gulp without flinching. The bitter conflict between the two countries had gone on, more politically then violently, for many years but now it was rising and War was like the haze of a storm on the horizon. That was why he had a job; spying and collecting information, witnessing events, and such. It wasn't an easy life, but kept him alert, nimble, and had molded him into what he was.

He sighed, standing up slowly, seeking some food which he had neglected to accept at the beginning of the meal. He scanned the room once more, trying to block out the hum of laughing, eating, and making conversation. He reached a bar/counter that was set up, and snatched a steaming plate. Above the noise, he sounds of some person, or person's coming down the stairs was heard, and he looked up as a man and woman emerged. Judging by how they walked, they weren't sailors but instead passengers....like him. Then he took a closer look, and was shocked, realizing exactly who the man was.

I should have known... he thought, ducking his head, and moving back toward his table. It was the same young fellow he had confronted out side his sister's house, and they hadn't parted on good terms. If he saw him, he knew there would be trouble. He re-took his seat at the corner table and kept his eyes trained on the man and the woman. I'll have to avoid him through-out this journey....other wise I might not get to the capital a free man.

***

Captain Seranoy stood erect at the tiller, hands firmly gripping the wood. He felt the ship rocking with the beginning of the storm waves, the water slapping the ship with force and make her shift in the ocean more violently then normal. He took a long breath, eyes cold, staring ahead. He had weathered many storms before; being a seasoned captain.

With his gaze, he tried to spot the figure of Jean up on the nest. Cursed boy...I hope he falls during the storm! the captain thought, cruelly. A sudden crack of lightening split the sky, and Seranoy looked up, watching the frightening lights above, in the dark blue of twilight. Far off, a rushing sound could be detected, and he knew what it was...rain, falling, moving, coming.

"Toby!" The Captain roared to a crew-member who was finishing his work securing ropes, on the p**p-deck. " 'Tis going to be a mighty storm. Move the prisoner from below decks to my cabin. I don't want her drowin' if we spring a leak."

"Aye sir!" Toby called, rushing away.

Take that Jean...

**

Aeryn awoke to the harsh tossing of the ship, and the slapping of the water loudly against the sides. Her dirty blonde hair fell around her face as she sat up, gasping as she was thrown to the wall. The belly of the ship was the worst place to be on stormy seas. She tried to stand, her balance thrown off by the side to side motion. She heard the sounds of cracking lightening and her heart clenched. A storm....Oh no.

The small window was covered by water, so she couldn't see anything but the rushing waves. Fear clawed at her, and she silently prayed that Adrian was also alright...safe, and hopefully not in this storm, somewhere close by at sea.

Outside things seemed to be getting more violent, and she didn't hear the sailor approaching until the door opened and lantern light spilled in. She gasped and whirled around, hands pressed to her chest, and eyes wide.

"Capt'n says he wants ye to stay in his cabin durin' the storm. Too dangerous down here."

"No." Aeryn said firmly. "I would rather stay down here and weather the risk. The captain is a frightening, dishonorable man, and I do not wish to be so close to him."

"He's out running the tiller! He's not going to be in thar! Now com in wench!" Toby grasped her arm and yanked, dragging her forcefully from the holding room.

"Let me go!" she cried, "I said, I don't want to go up there!"

"Sorry! Captain's orders." Toby said, struggling with her. "Stop fighting me!" he roared, giving her a yank and mounting the stairs.

True Justice

Shay regarded Terence with a cool stare and a slight nod. "I can see that." She looked around her at the crowded room. "Welcome to the galley," she said with a light shrug and cool indifference. She nodded to the stack of plates, but didn't make a move to serve him. "Help yourself."

True Justice

Adrian smiled a bit as Shay commented on the pirates. "Aye, new-- but not quite the kind of new most people would like." He tucked into a leg of meat and then Terence sat down. "Feeling a bit better? The water looks to be getting rough soon." He had a hint of real concern in his voice. It was just enough to let Terence know he was serious and not teasing, but not enough to embarass him in front of Shay.

-----

Jean had made it up to the crows nest and was just lashing himself in place with some strong ropes when he heard the captain calling out some orders to the deckman. He couldn't hear much, but somehow the tone sounded suspicious. The winds were picking up and beginning to blow loudly. He couldn't call down, and he was supposed to stay at his post. Sure he would stay. Just so long as the captain stayed at the tiller. He watched him like a hawk.

True Justice

Terence hardly paid any attention to Shay while she spoke. He started to eat, but when he heard Adrian mention rough water, he stopped mid-chew, swallowed, and pushed the plate towards the sailor sitting across from him, saying, "Care for a little extra?"

While the sailor grinned and gladly took the food, Terence turned toward Adrian. "I hope you're wrong, my friend...Rough water is not something that is welcome at the moment..."

True Justice

"A little rough sailing never hurt anyone," Shay commented. The meat was exceptionally tough - which wasn't really surprising since they were at sea. She picked up a nearby knife to slice it into smaller pieces. "Right, Terence?" She waved the knife towards him to accentuate her question, thinking nothing of the gesture.

True Justice

Terence sucked in a breath when Shay waved the knife in his direction. "Depends on your definition of hurt..." Terence said, watching the knife. "Do you need some help with that?" He reached over, took hold of her wrist and pointed the knife downward. "I've always been taught to never point a knife at someone...Very bad manners, you know."

True Justice

Shay frowned and wrenched her hand out of his grasp. "Thank you, Mr. Rowland, but I believe my etiquette is just fine without your help." She attacked her meat with renewed vigor. "That said, I fully regret pointing my knife at you now. It was a meaningless gesture, I assure you, and if you took it as an offense, that's not my fault."

True Justice

Terence quickly moved his hand away, just in case the knife pointed toward him again. Shaking his head at the blonde, he turned to look at Adrian. "All I know is that if I get sick on this sea voyage, you will owe me big time." Terence chuckled. "Having an actual sailor around the shipyard, if only for a little while, has its benefits. Most of the men that work for me haven't been to sea in many years and they don't know if a ship is built well enough for open waters. I know only because my father trained me well and I work my hardest to craft and build a perfect ship."

"I have two ships currently in the yard, both of which are in the finishing stage. When we get back home, I'd like it if you took a look at them." Terence said, tapping the wooden table.

He looked at Shay. "You're welcome to take a look at them, too...Usually I only allow experienced workers on board unfinished ships, but in this case I'll choose to ignore my own rule."

True Justice

"Why on earth would you allow me to look at your ships?" The words came out of Shay's mouth harsher than she intended, so she tried to remedy that. "I've been on my share of ships, but I'm not as experienced as Adrian is. I suppose I could take a look, when and if we get back." She shrugged, keeping her knife close to her plate on purpose. "Still, I have no doubt that once we get back to Griande you two will want nothing to do with me." She smiled lightly, trying to hide her inward pain at past memories. "That tends to happen after I go on a long sea voyage with anyone. Needless to say, I don't have many friends."

True Justice

Shay was being unexpectedly vulnerable, which Adrian sensed. "Do certain character traits of yours come out more at sea than other times?" He asked, joking but being kind about it, like he wasn't laughing at her, but with her. "I suppose we'll see you about after this, if everything comes aright."

He became serious and his eyes were distant. "It may take some time to get an audience with the tribunal, but we'll do what we can. I won't rest until they understand that Aeryn is innocent."

True Justice

Terence stared as Shay spoke. So the outspoken blonde had a soft side after all. Terence found himself pleasantly surprised, despite the topic of her speech.

Adrian spoke before Terence could and his friend mentioned Aeryn, and the task that lay before them. "We'll find Aeryn, Adrian..." Terence said, rubbing his forehead.

His sent an assuring glance toward his friend, but his eyes soon trailed back to Shay. He silently wondered who she really was and what her story was. She had said a little bit, but not enough to satisfy him.

He leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed. "Why do you say all that, Shay?"

True Justice

Shay frowned slightly at Adrian's response, even though he was right. She forced herself to laugh. "No, I'm just as disagreeable on land as I am at sea."

At Terence's words, Shay opened her mouth, then closed it again. This was one of the few times someone had caught her vulnerable, and she didn't like the way it felt.

"No reason," she said sharply. He looked like he wanted to hear more, but she'd said enough. She shrugged and ate the last few scraps of meat off her plate, then stood. "I'm finished here."

True Justice

Terence wanted to know more, but he didn't want to push her too much or she would close up completely. He could tell she didn't like appearing weak or fragile. He stood and took her plate before she could do it herself. "If there wasn't a reason, why did you act like there was?"

True Justice

Shay sighed, putting her hands on her hips as she turned to him. "Listen, Terence. You may not understand this, but there are some things I'd rather not talk about. My past and personal life are one of them." There was an edge to her tone as she spoke. She stared resolutely at him, a serious look in her blue eyes. "We can talk about anything else but that."

True Justice

Terence studied her with brown eyes. He shrugged and turned away, taking her plate towards a large washing basin. He dropped it in, rubbed his hands together and headed back to sit next to Adrian.

"You know, my sister said this was a fools errand. I'm hoping to prove her wrong." Terence said as he sat down.