"No... you were not the only survivor. And your story is the same as theirs. Relax Commandeur, you have witnesses that you fought a brave enough battle, it seems that it was none of your enemies that lived. It is verified that your ship was a victim of Kuleliti. I can't very well fault a man for wanting to survive instead of dying in vain." Renaid stressed the -I- enough that perhaps the navy did not share his sentiments.

"Still, losing ones ship is unfortunate at best."

"Unfortunate," Degare repeated, smiling a thin, unamused smile. "Pray do not keep me on tenterhooks, sir. I can only suppose by your insinuation that either you've a place for me, or you mean to quietly put me to pasture. As I have no say in the matter, I would just as soon know your meaning than dance around the subject."

"A straight talking man, I like that. Then Commandeur, let me tell you what I think. I think that you are a bit too young to be put out to pasture, and your earlier deeds show that you are a competent captain of men." Renaud smiled faintly, eyeing the other man throughly.

"I do have a ship for you Commandeur Degare, and a mission at that. Provided that we can agree upon a few small details. Tell me, what are your views about women?"

"Most women in my knowing have proven themselves to be sly, conniving shrews, sir, and that's my being polite. I have often thought I might do well to quit them altogether." Max informed the man, drinking again to mask his curiosity. "It is your policy, then, to hand commands to unpracticed men whose first endeavors ended in lamentable tragedy? This speaks to my good fortune indeed. Why do you ask?"

"Oh please Commandeur Degare, you wanted me to talk straight. I am quite aware of your little activities in Mercer, and exactly how you gained your command. Unpracticed is not exactly the word I would use to describe you." Renaud's thumb was caressing the gun that rested at his side, a gesture that wasn't exactly meant to eb threatening. Just a warning.

"But rest assured, if we come to an agreement your inevitable encounter with the noose will be cancelled. My memory can be woefully short when people are useful to me."

Degare swallowed, an unpleasant taste in his mouth. His eyes slid from Moreau's gun to the man's face, and he raised his brows, acquiescing. "I think you will find me a very useful sort of person, sir."

"Oh I know you are, and we would not be having this conversations if I did not." Renaud raises his glass to his lips, sipping the wine. "Now, the reason I asked about women, is that the mission I have in store for you would entail obeying the orders of one. Would that be an issue for you? I am told that some men find the thought unnerving."

A very faint, wry smile appeared at the corner of Degare's mouth. "No, sir. I daresay I could manage such a feat; though I was unaware we counted any women amongst our ranks." Compared to the gallows, it was hardly an imposition.

"Well, I would say that we do not, if it was not for the sea-witch. Though that woman is terrifying enough that she hardly can be called female anymore. This will be a special case however... tell me Commandeur, have you ever heard of a spot of land called the Erin Islands?"

Degare snorted slightly at mention of the Sea Witch, but did not comment. When the Erin Isles were mentioned, he lowered his glass and let it rest on the armrest of his chair. "A little spit of islands, to the north, I believe. Inhospitable and of little interest, or so I was taught."