Quill nodded, knowing that Sephora's current mood wouldn't stand inaction. She swallowed, and nodded, almost stiffly. "Shall we set off now? I will gather a few things..." she turned on her heel to go to her tent.

For a long time, Telwyn sat silently. She kept pulling various items out of her cloak and fiddling with them, presumably taking care of them in some way. She moved very little, she could hardly be seen in the shadow of the tree.
After some time, she moved quietly back to the fire and stirred the mixture, then went back to her chosen spot. Her feet left no visible mark on the soft and springy grass, nor did they make a single sound. If she knew Micah was watching her, she didn't let on.
For several hours she kept watch, well after most everyone had gone to sleep. Finally, she stood up, gazed around at the sleeping group, peered up at the moon, then went to her pot, stirred it again, took it off the heat and stirred it some more. She stirred continually for perhaps 15 minutes, then moved to Micah's side and touched his shoulder gently.
"First watch is up," she laughed softly, "I figured you'd want to be next. There's just enough hours left in the night for you and the other men to finish the watches without disturbing the rest of the women." The corners of her lips twisted mischievously and she added, "So do you want to know what else this is good for?" She lifted the pot with a look of mock mystery, then winked and gestured for him to follow her.
She flitted across the moonlit lawn and paused by Susanne, of all people, then dropped to her knees beside her. Swiftly, gently and smoothly, she removed the girl's worn shoes and dipped her fingers into the mixture in the pot. All of her movements calculated not to wake Susanne, Telwyn ran her fingers soothingly over the ugly blisters and raw patches on the girl's poor feet. Working quickly, she covered both feet with the thick, green salve and smoothed it gently into the skin. Then she straightened the blanket from the thief over the pitiful bare feet to keep them warm.
Finally, Telwyn turned and grinned at Micah, holding out her long slender fingers for him to look at the green stuff, "She shouldn't hurt or limp so badly tomorrow. Nothing better for worn out, damaged skin. Well, actually, it would be better if it could simmer 24 hours, but we don't have time for that. Here..." she handed Micah the pot, "If you have any cuts or anything, feel free to smooth that on it. I'll pack it up tomorrow."
Without any further ado, she moved a few feet away and dropped to the ground like a stone, seeming to wrap herself in her cloak as she fell. When she hit the grass, she lay still and did not move a muscle. Apparently, she had finally run out of energy.

Adi had hung back while he built the fire, but now that he was done, they sat together, close to Brendlyn.

Jarien seemed to examine the girl for a moment and then spoke, "Are you alright? you've been very quiet for a while now."

Brendlyn looked up. "Oh yes. I'm doing quite well, thank you." She was silent for a moment. Then, looking at Jarien straight in the eye, she asked, "Do you think this Telwyn is really someone we should trust?"

~Riella

Despite his weariness, Micah managed to fight off sleep during Telwyn's watch, mostly because his mind was simply swarming with thoughts and wouldn't allow sleep anyway. The past day had been so filled with confusion and continual danger that he couldn't seem to put his mind at rest. He wondered if any of the others were experiencing the same problem, but couldn't tell for sure. He spent most of his time listening and occasionally watching Telwyn, to make sure she wasn't up to anything. His fears were proven ridiculous when she did next to nothing the whole time.

Finally, Telwyn came over to him and 'woke' him up, offering him the next watch. He sighed, thinking how he'd rather try harder to sleep, but not wanting to let on that he hadn't been. He sat up and yawned a bit. "Alright. Thanks."

"So do you want to know what else this is good for?" She lifted the pot with a look of mock mystery, then winked and gestured for him to follow her.

Micah followed curiously, and watched as Telwyn knelt beside Susanne. "What are you doing?" He whispered hoarsely, but the only response he got was her continued actions - whether she heard him or not, he didn't know. Finally, after smearing the thick paste on Susanne's feet, Telwyn explained.

"She shouldn't hurt or limp so badly tomorrow. Nothing better for worn out, damaged skin. Well, actually, it would be better if it could simmer 24 hours, but we don't have time for that. Here..." she handed Micah the pot, "If you have any cuts or anything, feel free to smooth that on it. I'll pack it up tomorrow."

Micah took the pot and sniffed its contents; they smelled much the same as they had earlier. After Telwyn laid down and apparently fell asleep, Micah sat by the fire and examined the paste some more. He tentatively reached an index finger into it, and smeared some onto an open cut on his left arm - he wasn't honestly sure when he had gotten it. At first, he felt nothing; then a very slight tingle in the affected area. He shrugged, and rubbed some of the stuff on a few other wounds here and there. Then he set the pot down, and focused on not sleeping for the rest of his watch.

About halfway through, he was obligated to stand and start pacing in order to fend off sleepiness; somehow his busy mind alone was no longer capable of keeping him awake on its own. He also found that not looking directly at the hypnotic flame of the small fire helped keep him awake, too. Instead he surveyed the tree-line quietly, looking for anything amiss.

After a few hours of enduring this sleepless torture, he decided it was time to switch watches. He made his way over to Jarien and nudged him a little. "Jarien... Can you take third watch?"

-------

"Don't worry, we'll get her back," Tristan said. "I'll go get a few things too, and then start out." He went quickly back to his tent, and grabbed a satchel which he stuffed with a few items one would need on a trip. Having spent most of his life traveling, he had learned to pack lightly. He also tied a black cloth around his head, covering the wound Evewen gave him. Then he headed to where the horses were kept, to meet Quill and Blink there.

Quill sprinted to her tent, throwing back the flap and dashing in. She didn't need much for this journey...it wouldn't be unlike any of the others. She belted on her short sword and wrapped up a change of clothes in a sack. She also fitted herself with her hunting bow and quiver of arrows, knowing the light weapon was good on any occasion. There was little else in the tent that meant much to her, besides the cloak which she took on her way out, everything other then the before mentioned things, staid.

She hooked the silver clasp of her cloak, then jogged toward the horses, getting their ahead of both Blink and Tristan. She quickly saddled her horse, a chestnut colored mare named Anny, then brought the reins over her head and held them, waiting for her fellow bandits to join her. She saw Tristan approaching, and noted the sour expression on his lips. "It seems Evenwen's betrayal has Sephora quite riled....you too." he said nothing, and she persisted quietly. "Or is it because she managed to outsmart you that your sore?"

Evewen could see the lights from all the buildings that rested by the busy wharf. It was one place in Vayond that never slept. Sailors, pirates, captains, crewmen, and the women of the town were always involved in some sort of festivities.

Evewen pulled on the reins as her horse’s hooves hit the thin cobblestone road that ran between the taverns and the other shops that resided by the coast. She exhaled slowly as she slid from his back and rubbed his neck with the palm of her hand. “Good boy.”

The horse’s sides were wet with lather and his skin was hot to the touch. He had ridden hard and she knew he needed rest, food and water. Evewen found a small stable at the end of the street, gave the stableboy strict instructions with the promise of paying him well if he obeyed them.

Rubbing her horse on the nose a final time, she handed the reins over and walked toward a large tavern. It was obvious that everyone inside was alive and kicking by the noise and the smell, but then again, everything smelled like salt, fish and ale around here.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside, being sure to slam it behind her to make her presence known. She was exhausted and didn’t want to try hard to get their attention. Despite the already present uproar, most of the pairs of eyes turned to her and she gave a slightly amused smile.

“Evening, boys.” She walked toward an empty chair, which was actually just a crate, and took a seat. Taking a moment to glance around, Evewen recognized most of the men. Half of them, if not more, were part of her father’s crew. With a nonchalant shrug towards the man who sat opposite her, she grabbed his drink and downed a few gulps. She shuddered and set it back down. Ale wasn’t her favorite, but she was thirsty.

“Where’s my father, Fowler?” She asked him, arching a brow.

The man glanced toward one of his crewmembers and said, “Yer not welcome here.”

Evewen grabbed the mug of ale and splashed it in his face, demanding, “Where is my father?”

The man, Fowler, sputtered, but didn’t say anything else.

Evewen growled and ran a hand through her dark hair. She addressed the entire gathering, "Tell me where my father is. Now."

~~~

Sephora strode toward Quill and Tristan. They were still waiting for Blink. "If my daughter is not at the coast, you come straight back here. Do not try to find her. We will discuss our further plans when you return."

"Your Father returned to his ship" A voice called, followed by the sound of a chair being pushed across the floor ruffly. Vincent stood, and shoved his way through the mess of men over to Evewen. His dark eye flicked over her, studying her very closely and sharply. She looks so much like Isla...ah...but she isn't the same

His gaze, which had grown soft for a moment hardened, and he wore a sardonic expression. "He left me in relative charge of this....group. So if there is something you need, I'd be most happy to oblige." There were several chuckles from behind him. He leaned in and whispered. "Evewen isn't it? Haven't seen you for quite sometime...."

*****

Quill nodded to Sephora, and mounted her horse, shooting a look at Tristan. It appeared now they only awaited Blink. She had always thought Evewen was a funny girl....a bit whiny...but this sudden betrayal was....interesting.

Evewen stood, and since he was was so close, she was now inches from him. She scoffed. "Neither of us go out of our way to see the other, so that doesn't surprise me."

"Well, I'm so glad to hear you're actually obliged to help me; that's quite an improvement from your usual self." She flipped her overgrown bangs out of her eyes and said, "As much as I would love to sit here and chat with you, Vincent, I came here for my father." It's clear that her tone is sarcastic. "Not you."

"Ah, but now your here to see me. Your Father told me he did not wish to be disturbed tonight, and I doubt you're worth disturbing him for." A smile crept across Vincent's face. "If you have any business you'll conduct it with me."

Brendlyn looked up. "Oh yes. I'm doing quite well, thank you." She was silent for a moment. Then, looking at Jarien straight in the eye, she asked, "Do you think this Telwyn is really someone we should trust?"

Jarien paused and glanced over at their mysterious guide, "I don't know honestly... she hasn't done anything to make her suspicious... and yet I don't fully trust her. She feels different than the rest of us... even you." He gave a shrug, "we had better sleep."

He got up again and settled in a small distance away. Adi looked at him for a moment, then with a faint smile and a sigh, curled up herself. Close to him, but not too close.

It was some hours later that Micah nudged Jarien's shoulder and he woke with a start, fully alert and hand on his dagger. He heard Micah's words a second later and relaxed, "Sure... I'll take watch now, get some rest."

Evewen reached up and swiftly smacked him across his stubbly cheek. "I am not yours to command, seadog. Isla may have bent to your every whim and order, but I will not."

Vincent's smile was wiped off his face, as a stinging pain assaulted his cheek. He snarled under his breath and grabbed her wrist, leaning in a bit closer. "Ah, my what a spit fire you are." he breathed in her face "That wasn't a good idea. I killed a man just about an hour ago for insulting me. And! I'll have you know that Isla never bent to all my wishes, but did them cause she wanted to" he hissed.

It took a couple of attempts to pull her wrist free, but Vincent held firm until he wanted to let go. Evewen stared at him with dark eyes, sparking with anger. "You wouldn't dare to harm me." Her heart skipped a beat as a flickering thought went though her mind, Or would he?

She ignored it and focused on him again. By now, every sailor was watching intently, each of them silent. "Move out of my way so I can speak to my father."

"I dare a lot of things Evewen..." He whispered, then said in a cold voice "I told you your Father isn't here. And, that, he doesn't want to see anyone, not even you. You can see him in the morning after he is a bit more sober, and after you have curved your flaming, woman-temper"

Tristan gave Quill and indignant glare. "She did not outsmart me... the little twerp hit me while I was half asleep, that's all. And I'll make sure she's sorry once we catch up with her, too." He prepared his horse for the trip, strapping his bag behind the saddle.

Tristan nodded affirmatively when Sephora gave her new orders. "Alright, will do." He glanced around curiously. "Where's Blink? We need to get going."

-------

Micah thanked Jarien, and moved back toward the spot he had claimed earlier. On his way, he glanced sidelong at Telwyn - she hadn't moved a muscle since she lied down, as far as he could tell.

He passed by Susanne on his way. Her face looked peaceful; he was glad of that. They all needed a good rest, but she especially had been through a lot recently. He hoped Telwyn's miracle cream would really do what she said it would.

Micah let out a sigh of relief as he finally lay down again, this time feeling free to sleep. He had hardly let his eyelids fall closed before his mind went to rest and sleep overtook his consciousness by storm.