Captain Logan leaned against the rail of the Luna's curse and squinted into the bright sunlight. It had been three days time since they had docked in Koh Pahnang, and it had profitable. The package had been delivered without a hitch, and they had restocked the ship with much needed supplies using the profits they had earned. Koro was busying himself by loading crates and barrels onto the deck from a cart had been delivered to the ship. The islander was drawing looks from some of the passersby due to the loads he was lifting. The captain began to speak, then thought better of it; the idea of intimidation sat better with him than secrecy.

Footsteps on the gangplank broke Logan from his reverie, and he turned to see a slender, fair-haired youth standing a few meters shy of the deck. He called out in a voice that seemed on the edge of a smile.

"Excuse me!"

Logan and Koro both stared at the newcomer, having stopped in mid stride.

"Is it possible to get a berthing on this vessel?"

Koro and Logan looked at each other, then promptly returned to their respective activities. The youth, undaunted, called again.

"Allright, permission to come aboard and give you money?" he said, holding a sizeable change purse in the air.

At this, Logan stepped forward, crossing the distance between them in a few strides. He snatched the money purse from the outstretched hand and threw it, without a glance, over his shoulder. The purse arced high in the air, flying directly towards Alhazred, who was emerging from below decks. The persian caught it instinctively, looking at his prize in bewilderment. He shrugged, then tucked it into a pocket and continued with his work.

"Granted. Now, get OFF my gorram ship." said the captain, turning without giving him a chance to reply.

"But I haven't actually set foot on it yet."

Logan stopped.

"You've balls of solid iron, don't you, laddie?" he inquired, turning.

"Alhazred!" he called, over his shoulder.

"Yes, Captain?"

"How many coins is in the boy's purse?"

A few moments passed before the answer came.

"50 crowns, Captain."

"Then you've got about one hour of my time." He said, this time to the boy. "Follow me."

At this last, he turned and began walking towards the ship. Halfway to the cabin, Koro fell into step behind the Captain, keeping a watchful eye on the stranger. Inside the cabin, the furnishings were more ornate than the rest of the ship would have you believe. The room was dominated by the map table, around which several dark wooden chairs had been arranged. They steered around this to the large, ornate desk in the rear of the room, behind which the Captain sat, steepling his fingers as he leaned back. Koro took up his place to the Captain's right, giving a steady warning stare in the newcomer's general direction.

Logan addressed the youth before him.

"Alright, boy, you have my attention. You're money's good, so let's hear your story. Give me a good reason to keep you here, and we'll talk. If you waste my time, then I'll have my tattooed friend here pitch you into the drink. Port or starboard will be entirely up to you. So first things first – give me your name, and I shall give you mine."

The youth bowed courteously, but was not above a slight flourish.

"I am Ezekiel DuMorne, and I am a traveler seeking profit, adventure, and amusement."

Logan snorted and produced his pipe. He lit it with a practiced motion, then spoke.

"I am Logan, Captain of the Luna's Curse." he said, with a grand gesture to the ship around him.

"This is no pleasure cruise, boy. You got a destination, we might get you there. If you're looking to wander... well, the places we wander aren't places you want to go."

Ezekiel grinned at this.

"It sounds like they are precisely the places I wish to go. Where are you next bound?"

Logan frowned.

"Let me make this clear: The places we go, you aren't welcome."

"Then they shall remind me very much of home." the youth replied. "I am not unused to danger, Captain. Nor to rejection."

The youth crossed his arms resolutely, a pleasant but definite expression settling across his face. He would not be dissuaded; Logan could see that much.

The Irishman stood, turning his back to the youth and seeming to contemplate the map that covered the wall behind his desk. As he did, he caught Koro's gaze with his own. A knowing look passed between the two, and the Captain turned back to the youth.

"Not unused to danger? When I say there are places you are not welcome, it's not for any lack of station...it's because you are food."

The last word crossed the Captain's lips in a barely intelligible snarl, his face having splayed and lengthened into a furred muzzle. Logan and Koro had shifted during the speech to their full war-forms. Logan was like a massive shadow, the deep claret of his fur only visible in spots from the lanterns' glow. His eyes had become a burning, acidic green, casting a venomous glow on the terrifying maw that lay beneath. His powerful frame was coiled, as if ready to spring, and he snarled at Ezekiel. Koro, terrifying as he was, became all the more so as he opened his jaws wide enough to swallow half of a man, then slammed them shut with a force that shook the floor beneath him. It was at this point that a blinding flash of light and noise like cannon fire obscured their senses.

When they had regained their faculties, they were greeted by the sight of Ezekiel, still in his chair, calmly leveling a long musket at the werewolf's nose. The werewolf's head tilted in a quizzical expression.

"This-" he said, smiling and gesturing to the gun "is Judy, and that little trick of yours, while impressive, won't work." He grinned and cocked the hammers back. "I've always wished I could meet a Garou."

The pair shifted back into their former shapes, both looking suspiciously at Ezekiel.

"You mind tellin' me what you're about playing me for a fool when you knew damn well what you were getting into?" Logan said through clenched teeth.

DuMorne put his left hand out, palm up, in a placating gesture. He stood and whipped the gun around, handing the firearm to Logan.

"I'm not trying to deceive you, Captain. Only to demonstrate my usefulness."

Logan took the rifle, hefting it in one hand. He looked down the sights, checked the barrel, and ran his fingers over the silver etchings on the butt. He snorted, then handed it respectfully back to its owner.

"Fine weapon. You ever point that at me again, you better intend to use it."

The youth tilted his head in acquiescence.

"Your ship, your rules. I can respect that."

Logan smiled genuinely for the first time since the conversation started.

"At least you understand that right and proper. Rule number two, tell me what I want to know. What in Gaea's name are you?"

"I am a man, more or less. I am a Mage."

Logan stared at him, blankly.

"Wizard?" he ventured. "Sorceror? Wielder of the Arcane Arts?"

Logan brightened.

"Ah! A magician!"

The youth sighed heavily.

"Sure," he said. "A Magician."

Logan laughed and clapped DuMorne's shoulder.

"I'm only pulling your bloody chain, lad. I've heard of you. Never met one before, though. Got called one once, but that's about as close as it comes. So who are you running from?" the Captain asked, matter-of-factly.

DuMorne's gaze snapped up. At this range, Captain was able see the pulsating glow the emanated from the young man's irises.

"Who said I'm running?" he asked, apprehensively.

"Everyone here is running from something. It's a bloody pirate port, lad, where did you think you were?" Logan observed.

The youth shook his head.

"I'm running from anyone."

Logan shook his head.

"Rule number two, boy, or I'm still going to pitch you over the side and keep your gold."

DuMorne shook his head.

"I've been exiled. It's not that I need a place to run, it's more that I don't have a place to go."

Logan smiled again.

"So you figured the best place to go would be a place that goes, eh?"

DuMorne cocked his head in a mimicry of the captain's earlier gesture and said,

"I'm not sure I understand."

"Forget it. Mr. Koro!"

Koro looked at Logan.

"Set up a bunk for our friend here and inform the crew that we'll be dining in port within the hour, with entertainment to boot." Logan ordered.

Koro left the room, leaving the Captain alone with the youth.

"You'll be paying for the drinks tonight."

DuMorne nodded.

"You and your men are giving me your time, this seems fair; though I will have some trouble without my purse." he added, shooting a look at the Captain.

Logan grinned.

"Aye, laddie, you'll get that back when convince the lads to let you stay."

Logan's face suddenly became serious.

"All jokes aside, you've only a place on my ship if the others agree to it, boy. Better make your story good." the Captain warned.

The Mage smiled, his glowing irises brightening slightly.

"Oh, I promise. It'll be a blast."