The bards played quietly in the corner, heavy rain drummed against the roof of the tavern and thunder rumbled in the sky, but still Crescent was trying to close a deal with a fellow pirate. "So, will you give me a ship and a hundred men?" He asked, his voice gruff and matched the pirates' demeanour, he was grubby and clear he was experienced in sailing.
 

"If you can get one hundred men to sign up to your crew I'll double your rum stores," she said and sat back in her chair which creaked under her weight. She watched his expression change over the candlelit table, the bears ground in his head. He stretched a hand over the table and shook her hand. He leapt up from his chair with silence and rushed out of the tavern.

"Another time trial?" A pirate said standing above her and topped her cup up with rum.

"Indeed," she said and knocked her rum back. "So what do I owe the pleasure, I haven't seen you this far down since we last fought together." Darius was an old friend of hers, long thick black curly locks fell about his shoulders, his beard was spotted with red hairs, his skin sun-kissed and always dressed like a gentleman.

"Can I not spend time with an old friend?" He asked.

"Of course, but most people come to me about business or favours," she said pushing her empty cup toward him,

"That comes with running Nassau," he chuckled and clinked his cup against hers.

"Yes, a legacy I'd like to leave," she replied.

"Are you sure that's wise?" A strong English accent said from behind her, she turned in her seat and there stood Silver.

"Just get in?" She asked, he nodded.

"I was hoping that you would have drowned in a storm," Darius said. Crescent rolled her eyes.

"Shall we go to my office?" Crescent stood and walked to her office, Silver hurrying behind her. She threw herself down into her chair and placed her boots on to the table, "so what did you bring with you?"

"Rum, sugar and tea that we took from a merchant ship, oh and this," he said sliding a blue glass octopus necklace across the table.

"For me?" she asked. He nodded. "Aw, Silver, it's beautiful," she put it around her neck, the glass tapped against the parrot skull that hung around her neck too. Darius creaked the door open and joined them, sitting in the seat in the corner. 

"So when do we sail again?" he asked running his fingers over his beard. 

"When the seas are calm again, it's too dangerous for anyone to leave now," she replied toying with the octopus which sat around her neck, it caught Darius' eye he looked to Silver and glared. Crescents assistant came in and placed a document in front of her, it was from one of the elders they were confirming the goods in the warehouse had all been counted and according to the captains' logs it was all there, her signature was needed to make the document binding. She picked up the quill elegantly with ringed fingers and delicately signed it. 

"Thank you," her assistant said before leaving. She rested her hands on her table and looked between the men. 

"I understand there is some hostility between you both because of what happened in Port Royal but I'd appreciate it if you two put it behind you both, it's only making my job harder," she said. Silver went to say something but she stood between the two of them leaning her back against the table. "I want no excuses," she folded her arms, "you both did what you did and yes we lost a ship but we're all here. Shake hands and be civil." They both reluctantly did as they were, Silver left in silence. Darius looked at Crescent. 

"What happened to the silver sea horse I gave you?" he asked. She pulled on the cord beneath her shirt and revealed the shiny sea horse. 

"I never take it off," she smiled, Darius reached around and pulled on the cord around her neck. The blue glass octopus came free and hit the ground shattering before she could do anything.