Summary - 5/06
Cathena turned to stare at the Graceful Frog, this ship that has caused her so much grief recently, and now attacked, maybe killed her brother. She focused all of her fear and pain and anger and passion towards the Graceful Frog. If she is tainted with El Fuego, maybe she could use it for the good of Bucca. Every emotion she had felt in the last couple of weeks came bubbling to the surface - her capture, her mutiny, her escapes, worry for Eric on Bucca, her discovery of her family's dark secret and her father's rejection of it. At that moment, she wanted nothing more that the Graceful Frog with Duke Anjou and Pierre on it, to burst into flames.

Suddenly, it appeared as if the Graceful Frog's sails were on fire. Cathena could not be sure if it was the original shot from the Just Rewards finally taking its toll or if she, somehow, was able to influence events. However, one thing was certain; until the Graceful Frog could put out the flames and put up new canvas she would not be chasing anyone. Though still concerned over her brother and Jove still Cathena, somehow, felt as though a great weight has been lifted from her young shoulders.

Cathena did not tell Eric about what she tried to do, still ashamed of her talent and a little worried that she might have actually caused that fire in her anger. Instead, she hugged Eric and asked him to tell her of his home again. It was something to distract her from her own dark thoughts.

For the next couple of days, the Lucky Dog hugs the coastline, allowing her passengers to sail in relative comfort and security. The two begin a relaxed, if polite, routine with one another until Cathena finally realizes that Eric will continue to be a gentleman to the extreme all the way to Avalon, no matter how much the two of them want it to be otherwise, unless she takes matters into her own hands - which she does by telling Eric pint blank that he need not be such a gentlemen with her all of the time.

Eric, being the smart lad, takes the hint and the couple spend a very enjoyable evening in love's sweet embrace. Ah, yes... new love. All seems right in the world for the happy couple.

Summary - 5/07
Cathena and Eric spend the week or so in the happy bliss of their little love boat, just sailing, sunning and loving. However, as all things must end... as they are running low on supplies they decide to pull into the last free Castillian port in the southern peninsula, San Teodoro.

It is a large port city supporting almost 40,000 people and the main supplier of food and supplies for the Great Wall that holds the Montaigne army at bay. Slipping past the Montaigne ships that patrol the area looking for stray ships, they pull into the port and are greeted warmly by all they meet. For a city under siege and filled with refugees the mood is surprisingly light.

After a short discussion, Eric reluctantly agrees to stay to guard the Lucky Dog while Cathena heads into the port to shop for supplies. While she is out shopping, Eric frets about his beloved being in a strange port - despite the fact that it is a Castillian port. Cathena easily buys the supplies and has enough time to shop for some luxury items; parchment and ink for letters, cloth swatches for sewing on and a bottle of wine.

She returns to Eric and the Lucky Dog, triumphantly brandishing her small treasures and kissing away Eric's worry.

Summary - 5/08
While Cathena was putting the supplies away with Eric, two men approached and boarded the Lucky Dog, demanding to know who they were and where Lucas, the owner of the Lucille, was. Cathena, recognizing both names as the former owner and former name of the boat, put on her most righteous act, stating that this is the Lucky Dog and whoever they were, they had better get the hell off her boat. Things got tense as the two men insisted that this was the Lucille and that something was going on. It looked if there was going to be a fight when one of them whispered to the other and the two disembarked, promising that this was not over.

Eric also remembered the former owner and name of the boat reminding Cathena of it. She nodded, noting that she did not want to discuss it there, as no sailor takes the stealing of ship well - no matter the reason. Taking all of this as a sign, they immediately undocked and took off from the port. None too soon as they saw the two men returning with several other well armed brutes in tow.

The Lucky Dog was too far away from the dock for them to get aboard, though, Cathena cautioned Eric to stay low. She did not want him hurt again and that she preferred him strong like an ox for their night 'exercises.' This led into a good natured series of threats about what kind of exercises Eric would be putting his 'little vixen' through as soon as he had a moment.

Cathena, though very tempted, felt that caution is the better part of valor and suggested that they wait a bit of time to make sure the men from the dock were not following them in another boat. However, a few hours and much teasing later, the first mate reported to the Captain for a little R&R...

Summary - 5/09
The two spent the next ten days traveling to Avalon with only a single smallish storm to contend with. They spent their days in an easy routine of light chores, small hobbies and talking about this or that while they spent their nights in loving, passionate embraces. The closer they got to Avalon, the more Eric perked up, eager to step foot on home soil again and to see his family. At the same time, the more nervous Cathena became, wondering how she would fit in this fabled country of glamour and legend. Still, she spoke nothing of her fears to Eric, not wanting to dampen his good mood. She would just have to wait and see what would come forth from this new adventure.