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"Have you decided which way we are headed yet?" asked Nogrod.
Cailín stared over the bow of the ship, squinting against the rising sun. "Westwards, I should think," she replied absentmindedly.
"Hmpf," muttered Nogrod. "I still cannot believe I am going to leave you in charge of my ship."
"Only technically," said Cailín. "Do not worry, I am a great sailor. It's in my blood. More or less. You know. I have cousins."
"And a girl too. A girl in charge of my ship," continued Nogrod, more to himself this time.
"Technically," repeated Cailín. "Oh look, here they come. I managed to trick quite a crowd, don't you think?"
She looked unreasonably proud.
--
In the morning mist, a group of wary travelers had gathered on the docks. They eyed the ship with some suspicion, already quite forgotten why they had allowed themselves to be lured aboard by the innocent-looking girl with the tall tales.
"Not very impressive," remarked Caranlondien. "I don't even think they have a bar."
"Aye. A ship with no ale is no proper ship," grunted the Dread Pirate Roberta.
"Aye," imitated Weslamond, her protégé.
Firefoot's dog set off barking immediately, snapping randomly in the direction of Roberta and Weslamond.
"This is all wrong, I tell you," commented Mormegil, shaking his head. "All wrong."
"Definitely," agreed Holbytlass. "This ship's too small to hunt whales."
"It has a plank," Gurthang pointed out. "A good ship needs no more."
Taliesin grinned nastily. "Captain's a bit small, don't you think?"
"Does this ship even pass by Norroway?" asked Sir Anguirel Spens doubtfully.
"I never wanted to get on in the first place!" wailed Lhunardawen. "I hate water!"
"I'm bored," came in Formendacil, while examining his polished nails.
Nothing to worry about as long as I am present," roared Sir Horatio.
"Hai," added Nilp, never letting his eye of Durelin, who was already reaching for her shuriken.
"Come on, my pretties," smirked Eomer of the Rohirrim, a rather shady looking character, pushing Kath and Rune forwards.
"Abomination," commented Friedrich Engels, glaring at Eomer.
"Where's the cheese?" cried Rune in dismay. "I need my cheese!"
"Oh silent, you. How can I think of a flawless, infallible plan with you constantly yelling in my ear?" said Kath, annoyed.
"Yoo-hooo," sang Glirdan drunkenly, tardy as ever. "Adventure *hic* here I come!"
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