Not long after Cy left, Grayson had made his way to the bridge. He was looking for Cy, but when he saw Carley, he smiled. Perhaps a little nervously, at that. "Do you know where Cy went, Carley? He told me to wait in the Tower, but he didn't come back, so..."

Carley's gaze lingered on Cy a moment after he departed, before it was sliding towards Grayson. She felt overjoyed, truly. Her smile was rather polite, however. "CyCy went to the engine room. Had to find some scrap metal to patch up the leak and he's checkin' to make sure everything down there is running right." She tensed at hearing Orson's footsteps on the ground, thinking he was going to say something rather adverse to poor Grayson. However, the gnome simply walked past the pair, out onto the deck. He stared up at the propellers. Thinking nothing of it, Carley continued to address Grayson. "He can probably handle stuff on his own now, so ah, you can get back to handling the laundry." A real man's job, right there.

Grayson reached up and tugged on his bandana. He was silent for a moment. Thinking of something to say to Carley other than a confirmation of the task she'd given him. When he couldn't, he sighed and nodded. "Okay. I'll get to it then." He turned around and left the bridge just as quickly as he'd come.

In the meantime, Cy had already made it to the engine room. The noise didn't really bother him. He started looking at the pipes that fed into the engine. He ran his hands along them, much like he'd been doing in Tower 2. Searching, searching... but he could find nothing. "The hell is slowing us down so much?" An irritated question to himself.

When Grayson was no longer in sight, Carley let out a sigh of relief. She lingered on the bridge for a few minutes, glancing over various things as she awaited Orson's return. Finally growing irritated at the fact the gnome had abandoned his post for so long, she went storming out onto the deck. A bit surprised to see him standing there so near, she followed his goggled gaze. What was he staring at...? "The hell?"

Propellers weren't spinning nearly as fast as they normally would have been. In fact they were slowing. Stilling. Stopping? "Gramps, are we about to crash and die or somethin'...?" The question came tentatively, but there was an edge of nervousness behind it. When he tore his gaze from the propellers, he simply shook his head at the little elf.

"Nothin' like that sweets. We're going into stasis." Carley wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad thing. It didn't sound particularly good...

Cy could feel the Luinista slowing even more. He glanced aside at the engine. The noise was fading and quickly. Immediately, Cy realized what the reaction meant. "Stasis? What's Orson doing up there?" Naturally, Cy figured it was the gnome's fault. The small hole in the pipe would have to wait. Cy hurried out of the engine room and began heading for the deck. He wanted to figure out why they were going into stasis.

Crao had just emerged from the cargo hold. He was holding the clipboard Carley had given Bothe a short time ago. He wanted to ask Carley a question about one of the numbers on the sheet, but as he neared the short elf and gnome he realized they seemed to be stopping. "Whoa. What's going on?"

Having not yet seen Crao, Carley's attention was locked on Orson. "What's that mean exactly? We're just suspended up here or something? Stuck?" He simply nodded in response to her. "Well, can't ya go and fix it?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Orson grunted. "Not really sure how to go about that, dear heart." He paused, briefly, as his features started to become more grim. "It's not by my hand we're going into stasis." What did that even mean, by his hand? Carley was just about to ask the old man another question before she ship jostled and shook. Not violently enough to do damage or knock anyone around. It wasn't much at all, really. Just enough that one could definitely feel it beneath their feet.

Cy was on the stairs when the jostling began. It didn't affect his balance, but he was quite aware of the movement. Back onto the deck, he swiftly made his way over to where Carley, Orson, and Crao were. "The hell is going on up here? The engine's going into stasis." Cy looked up at the propellers. He frowned again.

Looking around, Carley had finally taken note of Crao on deck. Clipboard matters could probably wait, at least for now. She too had felt the jostle. Just what was going on? "Gramps..." She spoke as if Orson could clue her in. Of all of them, he seemed most aware of what was going on. The gnome, however, no longer paid attention to the others on the deck. His goggled gaze was locked out on the sky. Though perhaps it wasn't the sky he was staring at. Perhaps it was the way the sky rippled out, as if someone had disturbed the surface of a body of water.

Cy stepped closer to the railing, as did Crao. Noting the direction Orson was looking, Cy turned his head to look out into the sky. His eyes narrowed slightly. Some sort of distortion? He really didn't know.

Crao stood near Cy. He too was looking outward and trying to figure out what was going on. He held the clipboard loosely against his left side.

The ripples in the sky gently wavered at first, but soon they became more fervent. Like violent waves in the ocean. It didn't last for long, however, as the seemingly watery textured sky began to part and fade. It revealed not more sky in its wake, but what appeared to be a rather large battalion airship, colored in bold golds and reds. It dwarfed the Luinista, for sure, and was made of more sturdy material. Cannons and missiles lined the side of it, making it look ready for war.

A mounting bridge joined the two vessels, and several men were already pouring onto the Luinista's deck from the opposite ship. Their twisted and sour expressions seemed none too friendly, nor did the holstered guns by their sides or the blades they carried. Most started to spread out towards bridge and beneath the deck, though a few were moving in on the group gathered.

Looking Cy over momentarily, the musket wielder propped his weapon back on his shoulder. "My men are working on getting a mounting bridge set up between our two cargo holds. What I want from you is to instruct one of those three-" He nodded his chin towards Orson, Carley, and Crao. "-to head below with orders to assist. Your men are to unload what you have onto my vessel." An already too pleasant smile grew even more so. "This includes your hidden cargo."

"Your men knocked out the only guy capable of getting the hidden cargo compartment open by himself." Cy turned, slowly, so as not to make any threatening moves. He nodded toward the still groaning Bothe. "You'll need two. I don't keep it locked, it's actually behind a false wall."

Orson's brow knit. What the hell was Cy doing? There was no hidden cargo. He knew that. And eventually this man would know it! What then? He grumbled and exchanged glances with Crao. He figured Cy would send Crao and Carley down below, but that suited the gnome just fine - it was the right decision.

"Hm." Still wearing a pleasant smile, the chief sky pirate glanced aside to Bothe. "Well now. That is a shame." He seemed to consider Cy's words for a moment. "Very well then. Two will go under." Lowering his musket, he used it to point outwards towards the trio huddled together. "The old men are to go below. The girl stays." He figured the tall elf was haggling for a way to get her to safety, but he couldn't have that, could he?

Had the choice been only one person, Cy would have sent Crao below. The man had a family that needed him, depended on him. He figured he could send Carley down with him. Leaving he and Orson to confront whatever this man would do. His plan unraveled very quickly. He didn't dare look back. At least Crao would be fine. He'd just have to protect Carley. Somehow. "All right. Crao, Orson, get your asses below deck. You heard the man. Everything off."

Crao paused for a moment. He would have rather had Carley go down. Still, he knew this wasn't a time for arguing. "Yes sir." Crao knew he had to play along with both the lies Cy had told. He started to head for the stairs leading below deck. The two men guarding the stairs let him pass.

Orson glowered into Cy's back. He could feel the muscles in his jaw tightening. He wasn't sure whose head he wanted to rip off more - Cy's or the gun toting man. But if he were to reveal Cy's plan and out Carley as the one in charge, that could very well put her in more danger than even now. "Yes... sir." The gnome felt as if he could choke on those words. It was with great hesitancy that he started to pull away from Carley. "It'll be fine, dear heart." His words to the little elf were whispered before he turned to follow after Crao. She whimpered quietly as she watched him go, feeling particularly vulnerable and exposed, standing there by herself.

Cy didn't turn to look back, he continued facing the pirate leader before him. He kept his hands raised. "They're capable. Doubt it'll take them too long." Remaining in control was the only way Cy saw everyone getting out of this unharmed.

It wasn't long after he spoke that a pair of pirates came up the stairs, dragging Grayson along with them. They tossed him over toward Bothe. One of the pirates looked to the leader to explain. "He was getting in the way."

The friendly smile faded from the man's features as he glanced over, rather impassively. After a moment's consideration, he waved his free hand dismissively. "Kill him, then."

"No!" Carley seemed to break free of the fear that consumed her. She couldn't let Grayson or anyone get killed. "Ya can't kill him!!" She started sprinting towards him and Bothe, intent to put herself between them and whoever moved to carry out the leader's orders.

"Tch." Cy shifted slightly. Kill who? He turned in time to see Carley running toward Grayson and Bothe. "Carley, don't!" He yelled at the smaller elf. He didn't want Grayson to die. "Wait, wait." Cy was speaking to the captain. "I've got something personal of mine. I'll give it to you. Just don't hurt my crew anymore."

One of the men pulled a flintlock pistol from his belt. He stepped toward Carley. "Out of the way wench or I'll shoot you too." He reached out and shoved Carley away.

Even as the little elf was shoved to the ground, it didn't seem to faze the leader very much. His expression was almost one of boredom. "Mm. I don't imagine she listens to orders very well." He shook his head, tsk'ing before he eventually deigned to look at Cy again. After consideration of his words, he raised his hand to his crew, indicating they stop what they were doing. "Whether I hurt your crew depends more on them than you, but I might be inclined to spare the life of one if this possession of yours is worth it." He pointed to the ground with the end of his gun. "Leave it there and step away from it, whatever it is."

"Yeah, all right." Cy used one hand and reached into one of his smaller pouches. He pulled out a necklace. It had a silver chain. Attached to the chain was a silver oak leaf. At each of the leaf's three tips, there was a small emerald. It was a symbol. A necklace that marked Cy as a guardian of Hurin Taurae. If it kept Grayson and Carley alive, it was worth the sacrifice. He bent down and placed the necklace on the deck, then stepped away.

Carley sat up, but didn't move to stand just yet. Not with a drawn pistol so close by... She watched Cy and the man carefully, squinting to see whatever it was Cy was giving up. She couldn't quite make it out though. It was a necklace? She couldn't remember Cy ever mentioning owning such a thing.

Musket leveled at Cy, the man stepped forward and nimbly snatched the necklace from the deck. He gave it a cursory glance before tucking it away into his pocket. "A pretty trinket, but I'm not so sure it's worth a life." His smile returned, friendly and amiable as ever.

Cy watched the man as he picked the necklace up. He held his hands up still. "He's just a kid. Worth skyrocketing your bounty to kill someone who's too weak to fight back?" It could have been perceived as an insult to Grayson, but Cy was just trying to downplay the young man's significance.

The pirate with his pistol drawn stepped closer to Grayson. He pulled back on the hammer and put his finger on the trigger. He looked over to his leader, waiting to see the order to kill still stood.

"Nnn..no..." Carley's voice was barely audible as she saw the gun aimed at Grayson. Bright blues began to fill with tears. But there was nothing she could do. No magic could act so quickly. No weapon could hit before the trigger was pulled. Breath caught in her throat, she turned to gaze at the leader.

Expression unreadable, the man looked Grayson over carefully. "I've done far worse to far younger." His gaze cut to Cy suddenly as he smiled. "But I like you. So as a personal favor from me to you, I shall spare that boy."

Cy was relieved. He tried not to let it show too much, but there would have been no mistaking its presence on his face. "Thank you." Likely the most formal expression of gratitude Cy had ever given. He remained in place. He hoped Orson or Crao had come up with something in regard to the 'hidden cargo' else it wouldn't be much longer before this pirate leader found out. Cy doubted his disposition would be favorable if that happened.

Grayson shivered and looked over at Carley. The pirate who had been pointing his weapon at the young man backed off. He briefly pointed it at Carley. "You stay right there."

Carley exhaled a breath she hadn't even realized she had been holding. Glancing aside, she stiffened considerably when the gun had been pointed her way, but she tried not to let fear consume her again. She wanted to be brave, even if just for everyone else. Upon meeting Grayson's gaze, she mustered up a faint smile for him. 'It'll be okay'. She didn't dare say it aloud, but she did mouth it to him. Cy had certainly handled the situation far better than she would have.

Grayson watched Carley. He nodded slowly at the words she'd mouthed. He turned his head to look over at Cy and the pirates near him.

The head of the sky pirates turned his attention away from Cy, to converse quietly with a member of his crew.

Cy's eyes shifted to look at the other man who'd approached. He couldn't hear what they were saying, so he simply stood in place as he had been doing. Waiting. He was taking the situation moment by moment. There was little else he could do.

Cy had been confused by the man's words. At least until the musket was lifted. There was nothing he could do. By the time he had turned around, Carley had already fallen to the deck. Cy didn't look back at the pirate leader. When other men might have foolishly charged, he did not. Despite that, he was feeling panic. Maybe he hadn't hit Carley and she had gotten scared. Maybe she had gotten nicked. Those were his hopes as he sprinted to the fallen elf.

Grayson yelled immediately. "Carley!" His cry was soon echoed by Bothe, who hastily made an attempt to get to his feet. Crao stood, frozen, looking down at Carley. The last pirate smirked and hopped onto the mounting bridge to follow his captain.

The bullet that had pierced Carley's midsection did her no favors. She bled, and she bled furiously. Red flowed from her out onto the deck. It soaked into the blues of her clothing and discolored it. Her once bright blue eyes were half closed, dull and unalive. They tried to focus on something. Someone. Anything. They couldn't. Everything was dark and growing darker yet as the world slipped from her, and she was consumed by this cold darkness, only offset by the warmth of her own blood. Lips parted, but nothing aside from a silent scream came of it.

Grayson's whole body began to shake violently. His affection for Carley was very genuine. She was before him, dying. He didn't know what to do. He looked between Bothe, Cy, and Crao rapidly. "Someone do something! Carley's going to die!"

Bothe didn't know what to do. His frustration and anger were pent up from the encounter, so he began to yell at Grayson. "What the hell do you want us to do, Grayson?!"

Crao looked down at Carley, at how fast she was bleeding. Even putting pressure on the wound wasn't going to save her. He knew a fatal wound when he saw one. He simply crouched down onto his knees and ran his hands through his hair. "This can't be happening..."

Cy immediately went down to his knees beside Carley when he got near. There was no mistaking how grievous the wound was. Tears welled up in his eyes. "No, Carley... damn it, no!" His hands began stuttering as he reached out to move Carley's shirt away from the wound. The rest of them weren't doing anything. He had to do something.

Orson had heard the gunshot. Everyone below the deck had. Orson, however, had been the only one with the gumption to head back up. He knew it wasn't likely the gun had been fired off without a target in mind. He knew it was very likely someone had been shot. He didn't want anyone to be hurt or killed, not even Cy, but if it had to have been anyone, he prayed that it was anyone except her. "Carley...?" Standing on deck, it didn't take long for the gnome to become all too aware of the situation. Silently, he stared over at the little elf, limp and lifeless. They were so far away from town, and she had lost so much blood. So much. There was no hope for her. "...no." Heavy steps carried him towards Carley, as he seemed rather unaware of Cy's presence. "Carley!!"

Orson was yelling, Bothe was yelling, Grayson was yelling... Cy tried to keep their voices out his mind. He tugged the straps of Carley's overalls off her shoulders. He pulled down on them afterward, just enough so he'd be able to see the wound without any obstruction. A white glow enveloped his eyes. He'd never tried to heal anyone in such a bad condition, but... he had to try. Along with the glow, a white aura began to encompass Cy's body. He had to stop the bleeding, but the musket ball had to come out first. Both of his hands were held over Carley's stomach. It wasn't long before the ball emerged from the wound, with a wave of his hand, Cy sent it careening in another direction.

Falling to his knees beside the fallen elf, Orson removed the goggles his wore. Tan lines surrounded his eyes. His weary, teary, gray eyes. The goggles were dropped to his side carelessly as he reached forward to stroke the little elf's face. She didn't react to him at all. He could swear she was already gone... "Carley... you can't leave me too." It was only then that he was aware of Cy. His gaze shifted to the tall elf, watching him. Watching the glow. The magic. "...the hell you doing, boy?" His voice contained no anger, however. Only sorrow.

Grayson soon was kneeling down near Orson and Cy, watching Carley. "Cy, what...?" He wasn't sure what the tall elf was doing. Bothe was pacing back and forth, yelling obscenities in his frustration. Crao started to speak up. "Cy, you can't do an--"

"Everybody shut the hell up!" Cy's voice was commanding. He was trying to concentrate, to help Carley. They were making it more difficult for him. Visible, white mana poured from Cy's hands, delving deep into the wound. It began to seal the damage that had been done. His hands shook the entire time. Tears fell past the glow of his eyes, landing on Carley.

Orson normally would have yelled back at Cy. But the fight had left him, leaving behind only hopelessness. He lowered his gaze back to Carley, then blinked at what he saw. Did she? Yes... she was stirring.

"Nn.." It was a quiet sound. A barely audible sound. Carley's eyes even opened a little more as Cy's magic worked to seal her wound. The darkness that encroached around her began to fade, and eventually, her gaze settled on Orson. However, the healing's work was twofold. Made more aware of her predicament and pain, her head snapped back as she started writhing, and an anguished cry escaped her.

He knew it was going to hurt her, but he had no choice. Pain or death. He used one of his hands to try and keep Carley as still as he could. The wound was beginning to seal. The bleeding seemed to be stopping. The aura around Cy began to flare. He was putting everything he had into it. He didn't want to watch Carley die.

The others had mostly been stunned by Cy's sudden outburst. Grayson watched. Bothe resumed his pacing, but didn't speak. Crao stood up and moved away from all of them.

Was he... saving her life? Orson was stunned. He never knew Cy had such capabilities. Hearing Carley cry so made his heart ache, but he knew it in her best interest to let Cy keep at whatever he was doing. "Shh.. dear heart. It'll be over soon." He spoke quietly to her, to comfort, and reached out to help Cy keep her still.

Nearly there. Cy watched as the wound began to close on the outside as well. His hands had never stopped shaking. They were stained by Carley's blood. He couldn't focus on it. On anything else but her wound. With one final burst, the aura around Cy seemed to focus straight into his arm. It surged into Carley's wound. He hoped it was enough. Cy fell backward onto his rear and simply sat there.

Carley's eyes had closed, just as her wound. No longer bleeding, she still writhed lightly. Still in some amount of pain or discomfort. Orson spoke to her again, soothingly, before his gaze shifted towards Cy. He stared at the tall elf for a few long moments, saying nothing. The look in his eyes, however, of appreciation likely said all that needed to be said. Knowing she couldn't simply lay there and that dawdling was no option, the gnome rose to his feet. "Bothe. Make yourself useful and take her to her room. I gotta get us outta stasis and turn us around." Rhydin was closer, and they needed to be in town, not so isolated up in the sky.

Cy looked over at Orson, but he said nothing to the gnome. He knew. Hands still trembling, Cy placed them down on the deck. He looked over at Bothe who had stopped pacing and obeyed Orson. He was bending down to pick Carley up. "Careful with her." Bothe looked over at Cy and nodded. He started carrying the small elf down the stairs. Grayson simply stared at Cy, shocked at what had just occurred.

Orson nearly felt as if he could lose it, even with Carley obviously alive. Now wasn't the time for that, however. He had a task to focus on and Cy had done his part. Plucking his goggled off the ground, he wrapped them around his head as he turned to depart towards the bridge. He would get them moving again, just as quick as he could.