A vessel was approaching, a small rowboat moving lethargically through the water with the laboured actions of its two rowers, neither of whom looked happy about being out in the midday sun. Sitting in the front of the little boat was a single figure, a woman with shoulder-length, shit-coloured hair underneath a large blue cavalier hat.
Elaina watched the boat approach from her position in the rigging, hanging upside down by her legs. When it bumped against Starry Dawn’s hull, Elaina released her hold on the ropes, somersaulting in mid-air and landing easily on her feet. She strode over to the railing and stared down upon her visitors.
The woman was standing up in the boat and looking none too stable; it was obvious she didn’t have any sort of sea legs. Elaina pitied those cursed to remain on the land. As the woman looked up, Elaina could see a criss-cross of scars on her face, and she was missing an ear. She sneered up at Elaina, who instinctively took a liking to her.
“Hello there, and welcome to my little kingdom,” Elaina said with a grin, patting the railing of her ship.
“You Captain Black?” the woman shouted.
“Aye. How can I help you?”
The stranger sniffed loudly and spat into the water, an act which unbalanced her and almost sent her careening into the bay. Elaina struggled not to laugh.
“You can get down off that fuckin’ boat an’ come ashore,” the woman said after righting herself. “Ya wanted an audience. Well, the Lord and Lady of Chade are jus’ about ready ta grant one.”