The Dragon Age world, plot, and their characters aren't mine but belong to Bioware. Some characters may be my creations. I get no money for writing this sequel.

- x x -

The Sea Cockerels, Two Marks east of Alamar

-Isabela

2 Justinian:

I don't like this. It's summer, so I expect it to be dull, dull, dull. Even Denerim is hot despite how south it is. We're not even in the summer doldrums yet, but ships are hiding somewhere. Even the fishing vessels are hugging the coast, if I spot them at all.

Made some money ferrying some dwarves over to Kirkwall. It was a short haul and all they wanted was secrecy. The talkative female spoke a lot without revealing much. They might be Wardens, since they didn't try to sell me anything. Even Varric will sell you a story. They didn't pay with much coin, but the gems and rings they traded were worth the effort.

Crew's wanting to take another prize, but most ships are in caravans. Too many dancers and not enough booty. I won't lose the my ship because I was blind to the boil on my bum.

The Cockerels is putting in at Cumberland tomorrow if the wind holds. She's a nimble enough minx in weak winds. Our spec cargo is spring delicacies and Cumberland's in summer. Good profit on top of our sealed cargo.

The whiskey will be for me when I make port.

High sun, and lookout spots another ship, an Orlesian corvette. It turns to us and I order the crew on alert. They might be friendly...

… And I might a princess of Old Orlais.

She drops her colors, and puts up new ones to me. The other crew are enthusiastic about taking my ship, but my crew are old salts. They were not.

Now this is the part I like, looting the prize.

Only a handful surrendered, and there's no fugitives or prisoners. I always have Caz, with his dark and sexy and gorgeous face, hone his blades as he questions them. The stubborn ones, he gives a shave while they try not to move.

It's such a laugh when he asks about hidden panels and cargo.

They talk, sooner or later. If they want to join the crew, they're on probation until their hair grows out enough. Cooperative dogs keep more hair. Some may even keep it short after becoming full crew.

I have two ships. I pretend I may switch to the Orlesian ship just for the shoes, but I'll have volunteers to crew her. I could let them name it, but naming it and future favors are good enough.

Never can have too many men owing me favors.

- x -

9 Justinian:

Let that be a lesson for future voyages. Don't count on having any fun in Cumberland even with a come hither expression and a small keg. The keg outlasts the party. Brawls and lectures are boring.

Maybe Orlais will be more fun and more profitable.

- x -

2 Solas:

My favor list grows longer and harder with every cast off, and I am exceedingly pleased to cast Val Chevin in the wake of this fine lady with the generous and soft bosoms... er, sails would be the better word, would it not?

Ah, yes. Val Chevin has little changed despite skirmishes between the fair Empress' forces and her rebellious nobles. There will be war and a rather handsome old friend warned me in port that...

Braska! That is a ridiculous ploy to make me lose... though perhaps I am the one winning. Where was I?

Crew watch for ships on the horizon, but none approach the sleek beauty of our vessel. Cargo that is unexciting may be in our future and officers must needs to hang their heads in shame.

My punishment for disrupting the log again was to act only as clerk to record recent events and cease to...You vixen. You failed to mention that part of the wa..ger. I sincerely hope that the fair captain will be amused when she reads this. I almost could find it in myself to feel neglected that she did not mention that the master lover Zevran was sailing on her fine vessel this voyage.

But I do not feel neglected presently. I am quite sure 'Bela is attending to my... every need. What else did she wish recorded before I won my victory? We are bound for Jader and then Brandel's Reach, to meet her allies. One ship, no matter how able her captain, cannot defeat a swarm of ships. Captain Isabela would be put out if she must haul wheat and fleece again, no matter how fine they are as cargo or as bedding.

They are boring, are they not?

She said that profits will come ba... That was a clever ploy, my dear. My turn.

- x -

A/N: Some dialog is taken from or adapted from canon. Thanks to my beta reader who has been kind enough to read this and point out stupid flubs. Any typos that remain are not intentional... Reviews or a PM to let me know what you think would be very appreciated.