A captain! And a pirate? Like the raiders from the Iron Islands, perhaps. Or the fabled pirates from the East. Either way the distinction is unmistakeable -- a captain of a ship, and not a captain of a guard. This was both disappointing and intriguing, for the former might boast stories and the latter more strength. Or so she had decided.

"Alayne Stone, Captain," she fell demurely into the title's use -- almost comforted by its knowledge. She liked having something by which to call a person. "Lady of little and sought after by few."

Lies. Lies. All of them lies, but all of them sweetly given and with such conviction she often believed the lies herself.