"Stairs 'ave never 'ad the mockers put on 'er before." Questa shook her head.

"Yeah but there's no railing or wall for her to brace herself against."

"She 'as never 'ad a problem wiv gahn dahn the stairs- she's actually right fast about gahn dahn." Questa said. "Just after she spot yer and Wulfsen in all yor glory she won't be able ter leave. Yer'd be better off doin' it on the roof."

"Or have a bar put on my door. Probably the best bet."

Juniper rolled her eyes and sighed from the back of the room, picking out bottles from the crate and examining them. "I'd suggest not wasting your time with the boy toy. It won't last. " she didn't look up as she spoke, holding a bottle in each hand.

"You have Wulfsen mixed up with his brother. Wulfsen and I have been friends for several years," Sileas said softly. "Short of my kiss of death curse striking again, we should be able to make it last."

"Wiv the speed Yehudit falls dahn stairs she'll break the door and any bar over it." Questa said wisely, eyeing the bottles Juniper had. "Copping drunk are yer?"

"It took Yehudit years of practice to build up that speed."

Once the boarding plank was retrieved the ship began to head underway on its journey home. Juniper had already settled in her oversized hammock with a bottle of ale in one hand and a thick book in the other. She barely looked up from her book to ask Sileas a question.

"So Red... what's to come of you after this? Will you give up adventuring and settle down with Mr Charming?"

Sileas was situated on her couch, already feeling her stomach roil as the boat set out. "I will probably continue to train so that I can protect myself and others from attacks. But seeking out adventures?" Sileas shook her head. "I think I have long outgrown that and found other dreams. It is my time."

Juniper furrowed her brows at her book and took a long swig of ale. She shook her head slowly and spoke softly."Thats a shame."

"Every one in my family is angry with me and at the very least, implying that I cause or seek out trouble. But truthfully, my heart hasn't been in the adventuring for a few years. And when you're heart's not in it, it can have dangerous consequences."

"Should just ditch the family and make a new gang like fings used ter be." Questa grumbled, taking out her shiv and sharpening it.

"Well it sure was a nice time knowing you. It'll be sad to say goodbye."
Juniper took another sip of ale and waved it at Questa and Sileas, offering them a drink.

"I love my family, I can't ditch them now." Sileas shook her head, "And I no longer think like a street child. I...grew up."

"It's been fun getting to know you too, Juniper. Sadly, even if I wanted to continue seeking adventure, I think it's safe to say that boats and I don't mix. Thank you for the offer of the drink anyway."

"How far is your home from Portside? Will you be safe traveling?" Juniper had completely finished her bottle and had placed the book on her face, covering her eyes.

"Portside is about a half a day's travel from...well the keep that we're calling home for now. Our village is decimated, it's going to have to be rebuilt. Papa and Wulfsen will be waiting for us in Portside, so our travel should be safe. As long as we don't have to run into any raiders or mermen en route. Or at the keep. The mermen have been coming there trying to grab women. The head one I guess is after my aunt, claiming she's his wife."

"Mermen eh? How long have the been bugging you?" Juniper peaked out from under her book to lock eyes with Sileas. She had heard of mermen becoming trouble with other smuggling ships but never out of water.

"Well, we had thought they had started being a problem just after the raid, a few days before we came to Portside," Sileas admittedd, her eyes meeting Juniper's. "But then we learned that one had been masquerading as Uncle Nelek at least two years ago. And of course, they had been in the village years before, when their leader had been with Aunt Aislyn. Long before she met Uncle Nelek. Her father had a heart attack when he learned they had eloped, and..." she paused to think for a moment, "Tabor, I believe, told her to spend the night tending her father. She said he left town the next morning with another woman, a mermaid I believe, and was never seen again. She had the marriage set aside on the grounds of abandonment and never thought of him again. But now they keep talking about getting everyone pregnant and he wants his wife back."

"Sounds interesting. I think I'll tag along with you for just a little longer. " She flashed Sileas a toothy grin as winked at her before letting the book rest on her head again. "Besides, I said I'd help you get your uncle home didn't I? We're not done yet."

"We'd appreciate the help. Right now we all feel very much out of our element, considering they have that shapeshifting formula. We don't even know that there aren't more among the villagers." Sileas sighed, "Truthfully, we've faced many dangers over the years, although, hopefully having a lord and knights now will help."

"I would be truly honored if you would have me with you on your adventure my fair lady" She tried to lighten the subject. "Now I think it is time for sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us and the waters won't be this calm forever" Juniper rolled to her side and shut her eyes, allowing the gentle rocking of the waves take her to sleep.

Sileas smiled as she curled into a comfortable position on the couch. Juniper's skills and the extra men would definitely be of assistance. And anything she could do to contribute to the safety of the keep and village during and after the rebuilding would be for the good of all. She rubbed her stomach absently, trying to get it to calm so she could drift off to sleep.

Yehudit stumbled into the room and promptly fell flat on her face.

Questa grabbed her blanket and slipped under the bed, her usual place for sleeping. She was always more comfortable sleeping on the ground or the floor than on any cushion or bed. She pulled the blanket over herself, stuck her shiv in the floor by her hand for easy grabbing, and dozed off.