Arouj watched as Mary’s slight form ascended the rigging and pronounced it sound. He followed, swinging up the mast and lines to the top and stretching out on the small platform. The moonlight was bright on his face; the gentle sway of the ship was a welcome comfort. He whispered a prayer of thanks and leaned against the timber to enjoy the sights above.<br/><br/>He didn’t expect the sight below. From the corner of his eye he caught movement and looked down. A half-dressed boy slipped on deck, nosed around until he found a coil of rope, and disappeared down the steps towards the officers’ quarters. Arouj’s smile was wide. Someone else was on board after all, quite possibly practicing their knotwork. It would seem most profitable to investigate such goings-on…<br/><br/>Glancing up at Mary, he grabbed the edge of the top and rolled silently off, creeping down the shrouds to land on the deck like a big cat. Below deck he paused as his eyes accustomed themselves to the deeper darkness and found the thread of light glowing around the edge of the captain’s door. Curious indeed, considering  they would certainly have heard the arrival of that august personage, as well as that of his entourage.<br/><br/>He knelt at the doorjamb and squinted briefly at the keyhole, his grey eye flooded with lantern light. What he glimpsed was worth a second and much longer look. That boy, now naked, crawling on the captain's bed in a most lascivious manner and licking his lips.<br/><br/><em>"So... I got you rope. Am I a good boy?"</em><br/><br/>More than a little intrigued by the scene, Arouj put one hand on the thick oak door and continued his observations.<br/>