"Prepare yourselves!" Gerard gave the order, which was repeated by crew until he was sure everyone had heard. This is what they needed, a good fight to keep the men on their toes, and perhaps some gold for their next stop in port. If they were really lucky, and by they, he mostly meant himself, there would be some good brandy or rum on board, which he was sure the captain wouldn't mind if he helped himself. Despite having been in his cups all morning, he felt steady on his feet and reached for the sword that hung at his waist. It was more than fancy for someone like himself, with a gilded handle in the shape of a dragon, a ruby for an eye. He had gotten it from some poor English Lord they happened upon, eager to exchange it for his life. Most would have sold it for a quick buck and a barrel of rum, but what use did he have of money right now? Call it an insurance plan, if you will, ready to turn it into quick funds if it is needed.

He scanned the fog, looking for any sign of the other ship they heard. Hopefully they would be wealthy and English, an easy combination with great rewards. "I see somethin', Cap!" He called out, noticing a dark shadow in the fog coming up on the port side.

---

"Who could possibly hear us? We're hours away from land." Rose murmured to herself, mostly. Despite the long days at sea, it was still exciting to her, the anticipation of getting to somewhere new kept her up at night. As she made her way back to the stairs that would lead her below, she looked up to the flag, flying her family crest, that of the King. Three guards seemed to surround her, keeping at bay the men who worked on the ship, which surprised Rose. Were they not friendly? They were employed by the King, she couldn't imagine they would be anything but nice to her. Not that she said anything, it wasn't her place to question her father's orders, which she knew the guards acted upon. She was all prim and proper as the guards ushered her back below deck, forced into her cabin once more, probably for the rest of the night.

The cabin she called home, at least for now, wasn't overly large, but it was spacious enough for the two of them. A large, double bed with plush coverings was built in with the woodwork, cabinets lining the bottom. A bench, with a plush topping, had served as a second bed for her lady's maid. Several of her trunks were lashed to the wall with leather straps, enough dresses for her journey, as well as things she needed. Of course many more trunks were stashed away, filled with dresses and other fripperies. Some wedding gifts from her home country to take with her to her new home with the prince. Ornate carvings, fine china, anything one could imagine, she seemed to have received as a gift. Alone she had five fur cloaks, more than she could imagine she needed, but apparently her new home was much colder. Not that she minded.

Another of her wedding gifts, a small white kitten with a large pink bow around its neck, meowed at her as she entered the room. "Oh, Fancy, I'm sorry to have left you, but the captain insists you're not to go on deck..." She picked up the cat and nuzzled her face against her white fur. Hopefully her new husband would allow her to keep Fancy, she would hate to have to be without her. Kitten in hand she moved to a plush chair and sat down, smoothing her skirts out and letting the kitten curl up on her lap, needing the layers of fabric. "How shall we pass the time?" She would be woefully bored without Ariel on this journey.