Three Days later.

The Rose Thief sailed into the city of Tharros three days later. The winds had been kind to Joa and her crew.

Seleste and Gwendolyn had learned in three days more than they thought they could in the operation of a ship. Joa told them that not all ships are the same, and so taught them the things that were universal. How to trim the sails, and when. How to steer, and most important was the weather forecasting. ON the second night she took them out onto the deck to take a gander at the stars, and taught them the basics of navigation by them. It wasn't enough to own and operate a small ship on their own, but it was enough for them to use a boat to sail along a coast.

And now they stood on the docks of Tharros.

"So where do we go from here?" Gwendolyn asked, a bright smile on her face.

"First I know of a fence that you can sell your goods to. Then I know of a nice inn near the exit to the city."

Seleste nodded, she had been worried about finding a reputable fence. She was so glad she had thought of Joa for their escape.

Two hours later, and a hell of a lot richer the three women were seated in the common room of a respectable inn on the edge of Tharros enjoying a home-made stew. Gwendolyn actually enjoyed it the most as she hadn't ever had something as "common" as a beef stew before.

"Oh, wow this is great!" She exclaimed, forgoing her usual table manners as she slurped up the excess gravy. But then that was only because Seleste had accidentally used the last roll that came with the meal as a soaker for her own gravy.

Seleste laughed, "Well, it may not be what you are used to but..."

"No, no! It's great! Really! I can tell great food. It's made with love! The cook here actually loves serving this..."

Gwendolyn's explanation was brought to a halt as a the yelling by the bar started.

Joa was on her feet in half a second as the first punch was thrown. She situated herself between the altercation and the two younger women, whose curiosity caused them to peer around her body at the commotion.

Across the room a young man about eighteen years stood beside an older man, perhaps the young man's older brother. Across from then stood four grizzled bandit types.

The young man had a long sword in his hand, while his brother had a short sword and a hatchet combo. Three of the bandits had a pair of daggers while the fourth had a mace.