Uzbecka

The whole thing had been kind of a bore. A routine excursion through the Swirl to deliver a handful of passengers and a cargo hold full of grain. A new dreamguide, but she was good. Uzbecka could tell. This particular arc through the Swirl was fairly pedestrian as well, nothing Ariette and Harlaan couldn't manage. The young mage had actually been looking forward to some peace and quiet, maybe a chance to work on her own skills, her own magic, if Ariette (or more likely, Harlaan) didn't insist on trying to teach her more about how to helm the Runagate, which of course was bound to happen in a simple arc, which Uzbecka might be able to navigate.

Maybe not though, she had been musing, what with the new dreamguide. Best if Ariette and Harlaan kept the helm, Uzbecka had been thinking to herself, when first Ariette and then Harlaan had abandoned the helm, and now, here she was, in control. Maybe Crike had the right idea, disappearing into the rigging, skulking around the deck, disappearing for long periods, avoiding work. Perhaps, Uzbecka thought, she could learn a thing or two from the bosun. Another day though. For now, she had her hands full.

So okay. She could do this. It would work out, no reason to get all fussed and bothered about it. If she really had to, Uzbecka would just keep to the arc. She had no idea why Ariette was not at the helm. The captain probably just switched off with Harlaan to get some rest. And Harlaan was always running off in a panic, that's just how he was. If Uzbecka was a more suspicious person - okay, Uzbecka was actually quite a suspicious person - she might even consider that this was all another elaborate set up, tricking Uzbecka to take over the helm. He did seem legitimately alarmed when he rushed off, though, but okay, that made sense. Harlaan was not to be trusted.

That was before Uzbecka heard the captain's voice screaming through the helm speaking tube, and that was before the speaking tube when silent, after a loud crashing thump, and after that, Uzbecka could get no reply from the captain.

"Crike! I see you there. Stop hiding, okay, and come help me. There's something going on, and I need your help."