Donovan found himself in uncharted waters - figuratively speaking. Dean wasn't talking much - and obviously wasn't his 'usual self'. That worried Donovan a little, but what worried him more was Dean's attitude and actions. He wasn't acting like the 'good 'ole evil Dean' that Donovan was used to. Shit. Of all times for Dean to take a break from being the violent one, and having a plan for everything...<br/><br/>Aza's hand darted out while Donovan was distracted, whipping the dog-collar from his belt. She explained how it was mostly useless now - yet when she tossed it back toward him, he caught it in his hand with ease - and glanced at each of the gems. Most of them had crumbled, but one or two of them were still whole, and might offer them some trade value. They'd need at least four horses, perhaps a fifth for supplies and such for a long ride.<br/><br/>"No - the ship can not hide, or follow us - and good riddance to it," Donovan declared. "Whatever wicked manifestation has occurred, we'd be lucky to leave it behind."<br/><br/>Aza's declaration, though, was indeed a little bit on the creepy side. They 'needed' her? Donovan did not necessarily agree, though as continued leverage should the Vizier's men catch-up with them? Perhaps. But in Donovan's eyes, they needed each other, as he had already voiced. He saw no reason to repeat himself now.<br/><br/>Methuseld excused herself to the Captain's quarters. Donovan figured she had to relieve herself or make herself more 'presentable', or both. He continued to help with preparing the smaller boat for departure when the general exited some minutes later. Donovan turned his head to regard her, hearing the door open on its hinges, and saw the general walk out, decked out in her silvered armor. It looked even more impressive than before, he was sure of it, and he simply hoped against hope that it was indeed simple armor and nothing more, especially after the time spent on this very... odd... ship.<br/><br/>When Methuseld approached and asked if they had a plan, she sounded even more strained than before, as if gaining her armor had done the opposite of reassure her or make her feel safe. There was a hint of anger in her voice - just as there had been earlier when Donovan had tried to speak with her on more than one occasion. So she continued to be stressed, and he had no reason to doubt that it was anything other than that.<br/><br/>"Yes, we will find horses and continue to head away from the Vizier's influence, until we reach a place where his reach does not extend. Only then will we be able to continue without looking over our backs. As we've discussed - safety in numbers. It does not pay to split up now. But once we are free of the Vizier's influence... you and the fox will be welcome to go on your way wherever you wish," he said, assuring them that they weren't prisoners.<br/><br/>"If we are somehow prevented from that course, the fallback plan is simple - you will appear to be our prisoner, so that if we are overwhelmed, perhaps you two women will be spared whatever fate awaits Dean and myself," Donovan said.<br/><br/>"Now, let us be off... the longer we are on this ship, the more I feel my sanity is trying to slip away...," he said as he made his move, his belongings all with him, to board the smaller boat that they would use to sail the rest of the way to port...<br/><br/><br/>