The count never fails. Except there was no yelling at me this time.

Somat tossed his coat onto the railing of the boat, then went over to grab his holy stone.

Then he put his back into it.

Urgan went about with another stout crew member handing around Holy stones. When they ran out of people to help pass them out to, Urgan grabbed hold of one and got to work himself. The grating sound of the stone on wood was quite annoying. But he soon got used to it.

Sanjuro sat deep in the bowls of the ship atop a barrel, he had a smirk on his face as he began to play a bright and happy song. The tune carried through the store room eloquently as his fingers drew along the lute, "Avoiding the holy stone shining that be for me, playing all night and ne'er praying upon bended knee." Sanjuro smiled as he began to try to think of another verse.

Galen was already on the deck when the call came, smoking his pipe as he stared out over the sea. However, soon enough he too, like many others, were forced to drop what they were doing and get on their knees in their service to Captain Rose. It should also be noted that Galen had recently read some of Thomas' "books" that he had found in his free time.

Jennette suddenly stopped and sat up on her knees, gazing at her right arm which grasped the holystone. "Ah," she said, looking in wonder as tendrils of blue light snaked up from the blood mark she was cleaning off...and pierced her skin, leaving no wounds as her skin absorbed the light. The tendrils eventually ended. Jennette stared down at the mark, which was still there. "Was this what he was talking about?" Jennette breathed, thinking about Thomas' warnings. Then she remembered her orders and got back to scrubbing. She didn't feel any different so maybe she was just seeing things.

Maryn tossed the holy stone from one hand to another. She moved to a new spot to start work. Suddenly, the sounds of music drifted up from the storeroom. Maryn frowned and looked below. Sure enough, there was Sanjuro, hiding away, shirking his duties.

"Oy, minstrel!" Maryn called down the stairs. "Is your singing going to clean up the ship, then?" She grinned and threw a stone at him.

"Here's your pay, lad. Just because we can't see you don't mean we can't hear you. And we don't hear you working."

The ship drew closer. Ana paced the deck making sure the galleon sparkled and shined in all the right places.

"Hoist the white flags and ready all weapons. I want the ability to open fire in a split second if need be."

Captain Rose returned back to looking through the telescope.

Otto was glad that the prisoners had all been taken to cells,except for that one weak guy, but he doubted Jack would do anything wrong to the boy.

When Captain Rose ordered everyone to clean, Otto walked around, telling everyone what to clean. He didn't do any cleaning himself, since he was a mate. It was his job to make others do things.

Now that the ship was close, Otto was standing on the deck, looking around to make sure everything was clean.

While still keeping a distracting eye to the water, Thomas walked along the sides of the ship.

"Load those ballista! I want at least two grunts on each one of these at all times."

The sailors ran about, trying to fulfill Thomas's orders.

A sudden sharp pain rang out in Sanjuro's head. A haze of black overtook his mind, but released it quickly enough so that he could hear Maryn's final sentiments. "Oi, you think throwing rocks is all fun and games, but I bet you've never died from having a cracked skull but I have."

Sanjuro looked to the holy stone which had given his head such a shock. "So you've made me pay the price, now I'll carry on my vice, playing the songs which come to mind...." Sanjuro sighed as he let go of his lute. "She made me forget the next part..." Ironic considering he had yet to write it.