Massetiah: The Order of Midnight

Location: Royal City, the Skyport district

(Scarlett and Gerard are making their way through a bustling crowd of merchants, sailors, workers, and soldiers, all making their way to and fro, hauling crates of supplies and cargo, barrels of salted meats and dried fruits, the farmers making their way to the markets with their livestock and harvest, and errant children scampering about chasing cats and birds.)
Gerard: Are we sure we can trust this person? I mean we don't usually do this kind of work...at all..we're not mercenaries, hell I don't even fight!
Scarlett: It's okay, Pippie Gallaway and I go back years. We can trust her. She sent for us by name, so I know this is important. This isn't a job or a contract, this is a favor for an old friend.
(They enter the tavern, The Crooked Propeller, and Scarlett scans the room for her friend. She sees a woman in a beige, tattered, and soiled dress sitting alone at a table in the corner.)
Scarlett: I think that's her...*goes over to the woman, with Gerard following* ... Pippie? Is that you?
woman: .. *turns her head to Scarlett, and her face brightens up* Scarlett! *gets up and embraces her* I knew for sure you'd come!
(Pippie's matted and frizzy dirty-blond hair tells Scarlett that the woman hasn't bathed in days, and the bags under her eyes, and a diminished look to her face says she hasn't slept in days.)
Scarlett: Pippie, what's wrong? You look awful..
Pippie: Scarlett, I...*sits back down, and looks at her drink, a half-empty mug of summer ale that's mostly foam and dregs* They took Joseph.... they took my brother, Scarlett. *her tone turns frantic and hysterical, as her eyes fog up with tears* They took him! Nobody will help me!
Scarlett: *grabs Pippie's shoulders* It's okay, calm down. What happened?
Pippie: *takes a long, deep breath and looks back at Scarlett* Joseph disappeared, a few weeks ago. At first, we thought he was out on a hunting trip with his friends, but they didn't see him recently...I didn't know who else to call, Scarlett. I know they took him...
Scarlett: Who took him?
Pippie: The Order of Midnight.
(Scarlett and Gerard exchange wary looks, then Scarlett turns back to Pippie)
Scarlett: Our ship is tethered at the Waylorn Dock. We set off tomorrow, at dawn. Go home, Pippie. Get cleaned up and rest. Meet us there, tomorrow.
Gerard: We'll get your brother back.

(An hour later, back at the Zephyr, tethered at the Waylorn dock, Scarlett and Gerard return, with Garrlers in tow hauling supply crates)

(Calvin stands in a doorway of the ship after opening the door.)
Calvin: I imagine you two are ready to set sail again?

A platinum blonde woman notices the two's return.
Jessica: Do you need any help with bringing the supplies on board, miss Scarlett?

Scarlett: *crosses the gangway onto the ship* Tomorrow at dawn. Why aren't you out enjoying yourself? I gave you leave. *looks at Jessica and smiles* Gerard's taking care of the Garrlers, but you can go help him. Get some of the deckhands to help, as well.

Calvin: I was just reorganizing the kitchen is all. I just finished.

Jessica: Calvin and I are the only ones on the ship, ma'am. >.>

Calvin: Yeah, she's right.

Scarlett: *sighs* Well, just go help Gerard get the garrlers up the gangway. Calvin, go check the balloon's air and tell me if we need any fuel.

Calvin: I don't believe we do, but I'll go check anyway. *leaves the doorway*

Jessica: Alright, miss Scarlett.
The blonde smiles at her captain as she goes to help Gerard with the supplies.

(That evening, when everybody is aboard the ship)
Scarlett: Alright, listen up everybody, we have a job.

Calvin: All right, what's the job, cap'n?

Scarlett: One of my old friends, Pippie Gallaway, her brother was taken by the Order of Midnight. She's gonna come on board with us and we'll set off at dawn, heading for their monastery. You have a map there, right Gerard?
Gerard: Yeah, I'd have to dig it out of storage, but I should have one or two.

Calvin: So I trust we have enough supplies to last the trip then?

Gerard: We should. Down to the province of Masquire to the Midnight Monastery should be about a two-week trip.

Calvin: All right then.

Jessica: What about if there are any unexpected events?

Scarlett: Why, you planning any? *smiles wryly at Jessica*

Calvin: <.< Well i'll be in the kitchen unless you need me for anything.

Jessica: No, I'm just saying that it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Gerard: Are you kidding? She's always prepared, and never surprised.

Jessica: Good, that should make my job easier.

Calvin: Yeah I get that.

They hear a skittering sound as what looks like a giant spider arrives with a man astride it,

Scarlett: *looks over to the dock* Who goes there?