Had they been spotted or not? It was a lingering question as they followed the galleon to Morrow's Peak Outpost. Both their target and destination were potentially dangerous and at one point, Blue was awestruck by her own bravery. Normally, she avoided both the Devil's Roar and larger ships. Yet, here they were.

She turned her head to look from her position at the base of the bowsprit back at Z. He held the wheel with one hand, his posture emanating a relaxed confidence. This was crazy. He was crazy. She was crazy.

Most of the way to Morrow's Peak was spent in an uneasy yet somehow comfortable silence. Blue was fairly certain this ship was the Octavia — it had to be, it just made too much sense. At the same time, that would be too convenient and the powers that be surely wouldn't give her a break now so she was only cautiously hopeful.

Far ahead of them, the galleon had stopped and pressed its starboard side against the dock. When they came in a little while later, they both had their eyes on the larger ship, eager to spot a lookout as soon as possible. Z also made sure to take the sloop in behind the galleon.

When Blue went to start pulling the ship against the dock, Z got her attention and shook his head. She thought that perhaps he thought that she was getting ahead of herself and tried to stop them with their bow pointed at the island — such positioning was ill-advised and made quick getaways difficult. The urge to scold him built up within her, but she suppressed it. Then, just as the ship was positioning correctly, he came down the stairs and took the ropes from her.

She wasn't sure whether to scold or praise him so she just grunted an acknowledgement. For a moment she watched him and then her attention went back to the galleon. Neither of them had spotted anyone, but there was quite a steep hill up to the tavern where a lookout could have been hiding instead. A less than warm welcome could still be waiting for them.

With Z busy getting the sloop properly stopped, pressing the stern against the dock, Blue stepped onto the planks of the dock. Down the way was the shipwright and Merchant Alliance representative; she offered both women a polite wave, but the galleon was her continued interest. Its hull was a near-golden hue with blue highlights. The cannons looked to be of standard issue and the sails she could not examine for they were securely tied up. She flew no flags to speak of and though that was unusual, Blue supposed it made sense with their alliance recently falling apart. Annoyingly, she could not get a good look at its crest, the dock just a little too low.

The ladder up the galleon's side was considered. She wondered if her range of motion had improved since Old Boot Fort, but the real question was still how much pain carrying herself up one would put her in, for she had been using the rowboat at the sloop's stern to get on and off the Forlorn Phoenix. Before she could consider the matter more, Z was at her side, a curious expression on his face.

"I cannot see the ship's name and I do not think I can climb that ladder," she said.

"Hmm. What're y' thinkin'?"

"I am thinking that I need to look at their crest and you cannot do it for me."

He blinked. "Sure I can."

"You cannot read," she reminded as gently as she could.

"I know some letters!"

She sighed. "Be that as it may, I would not be convinced by your observation."

Z seemed upset about that but didn't push it, allowing them to stand in a moment of silence. Then he said, "I could pick ya up."

Alarmed, Blue took a step away from him. "Absolutely not!"

An amused grin crossed his face. "Why not? It wouldn't be that hard."

She took another step and stammered, desperate to come up with a good excuse. Z was back at her side before she could do anything more, lowering himself and grabbing her around the thighs. Blue made a very undignified noise as he put a firm grip on her and brought her to sit on his shoulder, standing tall. Just as he had said, it was not a hard action to perform.

With another sigh, nearly a scoff, Blue found her balance and recognised the situation she was in. A subtle rage simmered in her chest, angry that she was so helpless. Directing this towards Z would do neither of them any good, and the one who deserved it was already dead.

Pushing onward was definitely the way to deal with it.

Z made a noise and she brought her attention back to the matter at hand. From her elevated position, Blue could perfectly see that the galleon's crest above the cabin door read Octavia.

"This is her," she said. She and Z both moved at the same time to get her back on her own feet.

"So what's our plan now?" he asked.

"Now… Now we go get a drink," she declared.

Blue could feel the peculiar look he was giving her as she started up the dock towards the island proper, but what else were they supposed to do? Tavern bars were meant for just that, and people were generally more docile after getting some drink in them. Blue knew this quite well.

Ascending the island's hill to get to the tavern took a moment. They passed the wreck of the Shroudbreaker and the pirate that Blue knew to be Captain Grace Morrow. They could speak later.

Inside the tavern at the round table closest to the door was quite a gathering. Blue pretended to pay it no mind as she entered the building, but she was certain that she spotted more than a full crew. It wasn't until she and Z reached the counter that they were better able to examine the group without drawing attention to themselves. There were five people total; Blue was able to see the faces of four of them and she presumed them to be the Octavia's crew as she did not recognise them. The fifth had his back to them, but she recognised his voice.

She wasn't sure what to make of this situation as they stood at the counter. Z asked for the house special while they stood there before his attention was back on her, curious. She spared another good look at the group to reassess what she had gleaned before.

Voice low, she said, "I believe they are the crew, and the one with his back to us is Garrett."

"What, from the other gally?"

She nodded and Z recoiled. It was subtle, but she spied the rage he tried to hide as he looked over at the table. She lifted her hand to calm him before using it to grab her drink.

"What?" he asked.

"I think this is not the place to be fighting. They should be allies, correct? If so, it would not go well for us."

The irony was not lost upon her as she heard a burst of excitement come from the table. Whatever Garrett had just told them had riled them up something fierce. Blue wondered if this was even a good time to go talk to them; her head told her it was not, yet the resolve in her gut was solid. She set her tankard down and ignored the noises Z made at her as she made her way to the table of pirates.

"I absolutely am not!" Garrett declared to the conversation.

A tall, well-built woman with too big of a hat for her spotted Blue before she got too close and stood, clearly cautious but emanating a friendliness.

"We have urgent business to tend to, friend," she started. "What can we do for you?"

That woman and Blue made eye contact for the moment it took the rest of the table's attention to fall onto her. After twisting around so his legs came off the side of his chair, Garrett's mood visibly shifted from one of agitation to something more solemn when he got a good look at her. Her attention shifted to him and she slowly placed her hands on her hips.

His voice a feeble whisper, he said, "Oh, you actually did it…"

The crew looked to each other, curiosity and concern crossing their faces. Their captain carried the most worrisome expression, and it certainly wasn't because Z had come to Blue's side. Garrett turned to look at the crew.

"Please," the big-hatted woman said; "Join us."

The four did indeed belong to the Octavia. Their captain introduced herself as Madeleine Montagne. Kata was their master gunner, a woman with thick muscles who was caretaker of weapons and best shot of the crew; their quartermaster was known as nothing more or less than Rezin, a man of painfully average build and height; Bauble Beans, or simply Bean, was their cook and self-proclaimed hoarder of shiny things, a declaration Blue believed fit her tiny stature and energetic personality.

Blue got the feeling that they were a decent, close crew. She and Z simply gave them their names.

The Octavia's crew had been surprised to find Garrett alone at Morrow's Peak. He had very matter-of-factually told them that he was alone, the others likely dead, and that he had not known the end result of their voyage. The last thing he had started on before Blue's intrusion was explaining how the others of the Winter's End had 'recruited' help for their cause. Garrett had just finished better describing the actions of his crewmates in detail. Captain Montagne and her crew seemed dumbstruck to hear their alliance take part in such atrocities.

Sitting in a chair with its back in front of her, her good arm draped across the top of it, Blue snickered, stifling a louder laugh. "If he was lying, I would not have this unsightly scar and I could still fish up dinner." That tore away their doubt.

Garrett was open about the remorse he felt over allowing it to happen. He also admitted that he suspected the others would not be allowed passage back to the world of the living from the Ferry of the Damned. Blue found that peculiar, still quite uncertain of what stopped someone's return from the Sea of the Damned, but ultimately she and everyone else agreed.

"I cannot condone it, but I understand where Hancock's cowardice came from," Blue said. That seemed to surprise everyone to some degree. Then she added, "With what little I knew of Graymarrow before coming face-to-face with him, I felt it twisting in my core. I cannot imagine what having days and days to consider heading towards my own doom could feel like."

Captain Montagne tapped her fingers at the surface of the table they crowded around. "That is very thoughtful of you. I am uncertain that I can say the same."

"Mm." Blue tilted her head slightly. "I did not say I would do as he had. They did. The bastard. He didn't even plan to share whatever spoils waited for the alliance in the future." She paused. "Err, where is the, uh…"

"The Marauder?"

"Ah, yes, the Mild Mannered Marauder, was it?"

Madeleine nodded. "We haven't had contact with them in quite some time now. We did cross paths with a sloop that said they saw a ship matching its description being sunk by a megalodon somewhere between the Shores of Plenty and the Wilds."

"That is unfortunate but unsurprising," Blue said. "Hancock's log says that they took all usable resources from them." Garrett simply nodded a confirmation.

"That is very unfortunate," Madeleine agreed. "They were a good crew. Good, honest people. But we haven't heard from them since before that, and I am afraid we simply cannot wait the weeks it may still be before we can make contact with them again."

"So you intended to go to the Shores of Gold twelve strong," Blue assumed.

"That we did."

Garrett shook his head once more as he had done before they had all sat down. Blue and Z gave him a sideways look. Before he could speak, Madeleine was holding her hands up, sheepish and amused.

"Really, Garrett, we could use your help. If the rumours are true then we could—"

Z grumbled and interjected, "Rumours?"

Their captain seemed somewhat taken aback but answered nonetheless. "Yes, there are rumours that a Skeleton Lord lives upon the Shores of Gold. Uh, Tribute Peak." When Blue gave the captain a curious look, she explained, "Since we began this quest, we've heard more and more rumours as our reputation spreads and pirates talk with us. 'The Shores of Gold' is a nickname given to the island by the pirates of these waters. Some say the Gold Hoarder, the founder of the Company, lives there, guarding his hoard. The Company reps will never say whether or not they have anything to do with the island, but everyone seems to think that they do."

Blue could feel Z staring at her, something she ignored. "So you intended to go to Tribute Peak twelve strong in order to take down a Skeleton Lord. Why not do that for Graymarrow?" The question burned in her stomach.

Madeleine sat back some, sorrow spreading across her features. "The Marauder's crew refused the task. Had the Winter not sent them to certain doom, I would have suggested it the next time we had correspondence. Uhm…" She hesitated, then decided to add: "Jack clearly thought the same, I'm afraid."

Z made a sharp tsk noise behind her. It would take more effort than Blue was willing to expend to look at him and hush him.

"Clearly. So you want him—" Blue gestured to Garrett "—and us to come with you instead."

"Yes," she said bluntly. "You deserve to, too."

They could all agree on that.

Now Blue leaned back some, finally looking to her shipmate. They exchanged glances and she got the feeling that he wanted to discuss everything; Blue didn't particularly care and turned her attention back to Captain Montagne.

"I'll go."

She heard Z stammer, then: "Same."

Everyone's gaze settled upon Garrett. He slowly let out a breath and looked to his hands resting on the table. Finally, he nodded, though did not look up. "Very well, I'll come along. I suppose it's the least I can do after that disaster."

The crew of the Octavia looked amongst each other, grins and smiles crossing their faces as excitement began boiling within them. Blue was certain she could detect hints of relief, too. Even still, she sensed that Z wasn't entirely happy about this.

"Might we have the rest of the day to prepare and leave tomorrow morn?" Blue inquired.

Madeleine nodded. "That's a grand idea, Blue. We shouldn't leave Captain Morrow waiting, though."

"Of course not," she responded.

Blue readied herself to stand, gesturing for the other crew to go first. They gave her their nods of acknowledgement and got to their feet, making their way to the door. Garrett followed close behind them. As Blue stood, she finally gave Z a good look; he seemed disgruntled and she was only slightly surprised when he grabbed her left arm to stop her.

"Are you seriously goin' t' do this?"

"This was the plan, yes? To follow through with things?" Blue said rhetorically. She pulled her arm from his grasp and followed the Octavia's crew.

Outside, the group had gathered around the outpost's founder. It seemed they had been waiting for them. The two captains looked to each other when Blue and Z joined them and Madeleine then nodded.

"Well, now. I was told to expect a crew, but I didn't expect so many of you," Captain Grace Morrow said as she looked over the group; "It's not every day I receive a message from the Pirate Lord himself…" She earned herself some chuckles, as well as various looks from the entire group ranging from concern to curiosity.

"Years ago, I used the Shroudbreaker and was the first to reach the Devil's Roar and founded this outpost. I gained a reputation for succeeding at the impossible, but not even I dared to try for the Shores of Gold. I must say, I'm impressed!"

Captain Morrow reached into a pocket and produced an item with familiar gemstones set within it. Blue couldn't decide if the item itself was humanoid shaped or not. "Here's the Shroudbreaker, fully restored." She offered it to the group in general and everyone allowed for Madeleine to take it.

"Once it's aboard your ship, it should protect her long enough to reach your destination. Wander off course and… well, you might not live to regret it."

The Devil's Shroud. Of course. The names 'Shroudbreaker' were quite literal. Leave it to pirates to be so simple. Still, Blue couldn't help wondering what exactly their course would be, if anyone had any ideas or already knew. She suddenly felt less confident in all of this now.

"There's a book for you, too," Grace started, producing that as well and handing it to Madeleine; "signed by the Pirate Lord. Whatever it may say, I'd advise you to read it carefully. When the greatest pirate who ever lived takes the trouble to write to you, it's got to be something worth taking to heart."

The greatest pirate… Blue's mind momentarily wandered to the woman they had met at the island under construction. She was deeply curious of what this book contained, too.

"As for me, all I can do is wish you all luck and safe travels. You're obviously brave and talented, but nothing you've faced so far compares to the dangers that lie ahead."

Blue very much doubted that.

The others all said their thank yous and goodbyes to Grace Morrow — Blue offered her a polite, passing nod of the head — and they all made for the dock. Garrett was eerily quiet and travelled behind the entire group while the Octavia's crew chatted excitedly amongst each other, their captain responding with simple acknowledgements to their words. When they reached the dock, she pulled away from them to address Blue and Z.

"What do you think, an hour after sunrise we'll get together and see what everyone thinks?" she suggested.

Blue considered that for a moment, glancing at Z, who still seemed quietly irritated. When he said nothing, she answered, "That is fine. We can discuss the matter over breakfast in the tavern."

Madeleine moved as though she had something to say about that, then seemed to think better of it. "A good idea. Very well."

Z stepped forward to address the captain and gestured over to Garrett with a thumb. "Keep an eye on that one."

She nodded, saying, "Will do." She moved to step away and said, "Goodnight, you two," before returning to her crew.

Once more, Blue and Z spared each other a glance before she tore her gaze away from his, uncomfortable, and made her way over to the Forlorn Phoenix. Sensing an argument brewing, Blue made it all the way down to the hold, sitting on the bed so she could start unlacing her boots and avoid attracting the attention of others.

Stomping down after her, Z shot, "Are you crazy?"

So she was right.

"Well, Graymarrow did hit me rather hard…"

He tore away from her, exasperated. It took quite a bit of effort to not laugh.

"That's not what I mean and y' know it, Blue!" he said sternly, clearly fighting to keep himself from being so loud the galleon crew could hear him. "Seriously, is this what y' want t' do? Go after another Skeleton Lord?"

"It is only conjecture," she reasoned.

Z groaned. "The Gold Hoarders are slimy rats."

"And you think there is truth to those rumours?"

"They come from somewhere, don't they? And besides, what're we gonna find there?"

"Gold?" she reasoned. Z looked like she was about to hit her. Blue shrugged at him as well as she could and that set him off again.

"You can't even—!" He mimicked her. "Y're a mess, Blue! The last thing we need t' go doin' is fightin' a Skeleton Lord."

"So you think there is one."

He heaved a great sigh. "If there is one, it's gonna be one helluva fight." He paused to look her up and down. "Are y' sure y're up fer that?"

Annoyingly, he had a good point. Somehow, however, this didn't feel like it was just about her condition. Blue wasn't sure what to ask regarding that thought, though.

"Are you?"

Z looked her over again. "I don't think it really matters—"

"Graymarrow's goons roughed you up rather well," she said. "And from what I can recall, he gave you a good run for your gold, too."

Z stared at her for a long moment before grumbling, sitting beside her. "That's not the point. I can hold my own. An' I don't think we're gonna have t' worry 'bout bein' marooned again…" He scratched at the back of his head. "I jus'… I just don't think y're ready t' be takin' a fight like that again so soon."

"If not now, when?"

"When y're healed up?"

Blue recoiled slightly. Right. He thought she was going to get better. She disagreed.

Decisively, she slipped one arm out of her jacket and then the other. Though she could feel Z's discomfort, she continued, unbuttoning her under-vest and discarding it as well. She turned towards him, gestured to her arm, demanding he take a good look.

"Does this really look like it's going to get better to you?"

It was a long moment before he tore his eyes away from her, finding the floor interesting to look at. He kicked at nothing with his pegleg. Apparently inspired by that, he said, "If my leg can get better, so can yer arm."

She wanted to ask just what exactly his injury had entailed but refrained. To her, it didn't seem like the injuries could compare, so why bother?

"My point," Blue started, kneeling down to the clothing chest to fish out a much more comfortable shirt for the night; "My point stands."

Z was quiet for a long time, long enough that Blue had changed into an entire set of looser-fitting clothes for the night. It was only when she turned to face him properly that he looked at her and spoke.

"So y' really want t' do this?"

Something about the way he asked her made her think there was more to it than he said. Blue was beginning to get suspicious.

"Do you?" she countered.

He seemed taken aback by that. She continued: "You were so eager to continue this voyage when I first suggested doing so. Since we arrived here, you have been fighting it." She bit at the inside of her cheek, realising her frustration. "Why is that?"

"I didn't really think it'd be this… so… It's more real now, y' know?"

"Hmm." She put her hands on her hips, uncertain she believed his delivery. Then she asked, "And did you know about the rumours of a Skeleton Lord at the Shores of Gold before?"

"I didn't think we'd actually be goin'," he admitted.

So he did. That was the first thing he had said all day that Blue truly believed. She looked away, irritated. "Is there anything else I should know?"

He made a thoughtful noise. "That y' should know? No, I can't think of anythin'."

Blue eyed him suspiciously. He recoiled.

"What, you asked!"

"So you do know more."

He sighed and shook his head. "C'mere," he said, standing and making his way to the map table. Blue followed a moment later, too curious not to.

"Y'see this?" he asked, pointing out the dark edges of the map. "It's the Devil's Shroud. We changed the maps when the Roar broke through, but…" He pointed to an area north of the Devil's Roar. "If the rumours are true — an' I'd be bettin' that they are — then this makes sense for it t' be there. The Shores of Gold. It's somewhere where the Gold Hoarders could get to even before the Shroud 'round the Roar went away."

It made sense. The top right corner of the map was still oddly Shrouded. Before the Devil's Roar became accessible, one could still make their way there by going in through the Wilds to its west.

"I am following. You think—" she paused to think of the more proper name "—you think Tribute Peak is there?"

"Makes sense, don't it?" he asked, glancing at her.

"I suppose so… Have you considered this before?"

"Not really, not how I think y're thinkin'. I just wondered 'bout this spot before and this makes sense now with all we've been hearin' the last couple'a days."

"Fair enough."

Blue looked over the map one more time before she stepped away from it. She peered about from their position, eyeing the dock. The others had since disappeared and she could not hear any conversations, either. She assumed that the crew of the Octavia had already discussed what they needed to and retired for the night. If anyone needed this time, it was her and Z, and perhaps Madeleine would need to speak further with Garrett.

Certain as she was of taking this path, Blue could feel a little bit of uncertainty deep in her core.

"What do you think we will find there?" she blurted out.

Z finally tore his eyes away from the map table to look over at her. "I… I dunno. Gold, maybe?"

She allowed herself a chuckle. "Perhaps so. That would be nice."

"If the Gold Hoarders do do anything with that place, there should be lots." A thoughtful expression crossed his features. "Say, if there is a ton of gold there, what're y' gonna do with yer share?"

That question took Blue aback. She really should have expected it, she decided. She also realised that she had shared a simplified version of her goals with his crewmate, not him.

"Well, I have planned for the longest time that I would amass as much gold as I could need to woo myself a husband of my choosing, sustain a family and myself for a lifetime, and buy a modest estate."

"Y' said that like that wasn't what y' planned on doin' anymore…"

"That was… before."

"Before?"

Blue sighed, a familiar pang of discomfort spreading from her gut. He always had to push the matter. He liked talking too much.

"Yes, before. When it seemed possible."

Z rose a brow. "What changed?"

"Graymarrow happened." When he didn't seem to understand, Blue pointed to her mangled face. "Those in the presence of civilised company generally look the part. I would never look as anything but a savage to those of polite disposition."

He still looked uncertain about what she was saying. Her thoughts went back to the conversation they had at Plunder Outpost with some of his friends; he never intended to leave this place.

"I never intended to live on the waves. I travelled across them occasionally, never going very far. A day's trip at most. Then…"

"Then?"

She lingered. No, he didn't need to know anything.

"My point is that I never intended to be here," she said, gesturing to everything around them. "Not here, not on the waves at all."

"But here y' are." He crossed his arms and leaned against the map table. "What's so bad 'bout bein' here, anyway?"

Blue mimicked his posture, leaning against the wall beside the armoury. He wasn't wrong, she supposed — it wasn't so bad being here. This was just never where she thought she would be in life.

"It was not so bad before. Now…" She rolled her shoulders as well as she could. "I suppose I will need to learn to fight with my left hand if I am stuck here longer than I anticipated."

"Y' don't plan on stayin'?"

She laughed. "What gave you that idea? I will only need to stay longer. Gold can solve most problems, no?"

"I guess it does," he said, unconvinced. They looked at each other and he smirked. "If y're gonna learn t' fight with yer left hand… y' wanna spar?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I think I will be better off learning the basic motions first. And my Eye of Reach should prove quite sufficient in the meantime."

That stupid look on his face didn't budge. "All right, but y're the one that said we're only as strong as our weakest link." She must have looked surprised despite her attempt to keep a neutral expression. "Jus' sayin'. We could fix that pretty quick."

Blue ground her teeth some. "I will get a pair of dull swords out and you can help me get used to it…"

Before she turned to make her way to the hold, she spied a smug grin on his face, one that didn't change even in the time she took to retrieve the aforementioned swords one at a time, handing him his first and then gathering one for herself. He was far too pleased with himself. Or did he find this funny? She wasn't sure nor was she about to ask.

They returned to the main-deck. Blue was more awkward than she would ever admit with the weapon as she got a feel for it in her off-hand.

Observing, Z asked, "So how'd y' learn how t' fight in the first place?" Blue's expression must have betrayed her as his shifted to something more meek. "Or… is it better I don't ask?"

She put the tip of the sword down into the planks, leaned on it and looked away. No, he didn't need to know. She let out a sigh and shook her head. "I learned because I needed to, though neither was I allotted the time to be properly trained. That is all."

He nodded. "Jus' start with gettin' used to makin' the motions."

That wasn't so hard. Blue was able to translate movements she had made plenty of times before with her right arm into her left. Certain twists of the wrist took a little longer to figure out the exact gesturing of, but that wasn't the frustrating part.

"What's the matter?" Z asked once she could no longer keep it off her face.

Holding still in a defensive pose, the sword's cutting edge facing upward, Blue sighed. "I am… getting tired."

"That's not a surprise, I guess. Y're still hurt and takin' that medicine, ain't ya?"

Was she still hurt or was she getting better? She stared at him incredulously but said nothing, only slowly releasing the gesture and returning to a normal standing stance. "What point are you trying to make?"

"Y're not at yer best."

Blue glowered at him before looking away and sighing. No, he wasn't wrong. Still, she was annoyed and she thought he might be picking up on that.

"Maybe that's enough for today," he said as expected.

"Will that little bit of practice really suffice for what we may be going up against?" she shot back.

Z shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. I don't think y're learnin' enough in a day or two. That gun'a yers will hafta be enough."

They eyed each other for a moment. "If that is how you feel, then why am I bothering with this?" she asked, gesturing to the general area and swords.

"Well," he started, eyeing her and taking a few steps closer; "if y're so sure y're not gonna be gettin' any better, then y'd better start gettin' used t' a sword in that hand sooner rather than later."

Blue stared at him, incredulous, frustrated, but only took a deep breath and shook her head. She heard him chuckle before he came over and took her sword from her, disappearing downstairs with them. When he reappeared, she wasn't sure what it was that was still annoying her so badly.

"I am going to bed," she declared, fed up with the day.

"Uh huh."

She ignored his shit-eating smirk as she passed him on the way downstairs, only vaguely acknowledging that he said goodnight to her.