The noble offers you a soft smiles and follows you up deck. Once he is in the fresh air, he walks to the edge of the deck, staring out into the vast void of water. His eyes seem to lose focus, as he just watches the waves roll by.
The rest of the crew is hurrying about. As a good wind just picked up, blowing against the mast. You yourself are finding it hard to keep your hair from flapping about in every direction.
Sa'sori watches the Nobleman noting his state of weariness...
The wind whipping her hair all around excites her and makes her heart soar... with joy of boundless freedom...
Then she regards the Nobleman ~ clearly the man is in distress... and though Sa'sori has reason to not trust him or what his schemes are... her heart is motivated with compassion by seeing someone clearly suffering...
Slowly she eases to his side offering an elbow of support but not touching him herself, "Milord... you seem.. troubled.. and weary.. may I get you some strong drink or perhaps a hot mug of coffee? Not to pry or seem impertinent Milord... but a distinguished and mature man of your stature should take better care of his health." 'Ahem' "All night bouts with a companion in bed ~ if the sounds reported from thy cabin of last nights' activities are to be believed.. you should be kinder to yourself and perhaps ask for a reprieve from your intimate companions vigorous attention... or at least take mercy upon thyself for it is your lot to be entertained not the other way around! Strange though I have heard no report of any courtesan escort being brought aboard the , but you did purchase discretion, we're you suitably... satisfied?"
Her ploy to being to not accuse him of anything.. but give him and easy opening to speak of his troubles or deny and accept the 'plausible' story of merely having an evening of VIGOROUS intimate entertainment...
Weather it's you're honeyed tongue, or his own weariness. He responds with a level of candor he has not shown before. "Unfortunately, it was not the company of a woman I enjoyed last night. The noise was me."
He pauses, and turns his head to face you as he speaks after a brief pause. "I have trouble sleeping on certain nights. The tossing, turning, and unbecoming fits were likely what you heard."
"Tea!"
As though he forgot what he was just saying, he adds the last word with a hint of enthusiasm. Then seeing the confusion, he elaborates. "Would it be possible to have tea made?"
Sa'sori smiles making no issue of his openness, "Of course , I shall have... some as well! Be right back..."
She does in deed slip below decks quickly gathering the needed accoutrements and casting holds the tray and pitch while she heats the water with a .. returning with a steaming watch decanter and two cups with the tea ready to serve.
Obviously magically serving them both on the deck she offers the Lordship his cup first asking if he would like any sugar of honey as a sweetner?
Her cup of tea is clearly something else from his... as she takes the opportunity to fix a cup of her daily 'Night Tea'...sweetened with honey.
She lets the moment brew being a polite letting him take a few sips before lightly suggesting...
"... I'm sorry your sleep is so troubled . You know we are doing all in our power to make your stay with us as well physically protected and discrete as possible. It troubles me your health may be suffering from your... burdens. I AM a skillful sorceress... perhaps not a master magis but I do have some knowledge and power I would use on your behalf to see if some remedy to your 'fitful sleep' could be discovered? Captain relies upon my magic judgement and it is, by my sense of honor, all part and parcel of seeing to your safe arrival at your destination while guest aboard the Red Lady~ so no extra charge you paid us well to take care of your well-being on your journey. Just an offer, yours to consider or decline with no loss of favor. I just fear for your safety, and would feel less than honorable if I did not offer to help with my magic if I could."
She does not push any further... the seas to Absalom are still a long way... but this is progress she'll accept.
As you start to set off, he will call to you to wait. "While I appreciate your enthusiasm. Would you mind...
He reaches into a small pouch on his belt producing a small, thin bag of chopped leaves. He offers for you to take it, presumable to brew his tea with. You do note, the one bag is certainly not enough to share.
When you return, he will take a seat on the deck. Accepting the tea, he takes a sip, his face clearly showing the bitterness. He gladly takes your offer of honey adding a generous amount to his tea.
"Your offer is appreciated." then lowering his voice, barely audible over the whipping winds. "As you recall, any magical solution would not aid me in my current predicament.
Sa'sori, follows suit sitting on deck with him as well... and sips her tea letting his words be lost in the sea winds... noticeable pausing before replying her voice also low and barely heard over the environment, "..I know Milord. A magical solution no.. but perhaps a little more information might allow me to ascertain what the... cause of your predicament is trying to do to you.. and how to slow its progress. Clearly.. where this 'cause' not supposed to be utilized in the fashion you are currently containing it ~ it is very likely it would have 'passed' back to your possession by now. Artifact possession is not a pleasant thing to endure... perhaps, it compulsed you unbeknownst your conscious will to conceal it as you have? Artifacts WANT to be used. Understanding any magical phenomenon you have experienced of late might reveal what powers it possesses and give a clue how to control them so as to not ...injure yourself further."
"...I fear you are not safer with less knowledge Milord, I would help if I can.. but you must confide more for my assistance to be of any use to you. But again.. it is Your choice... I only offer... for I have no desire to see you expire before we arrive and adequately comport our contract for your safe travel."
As you're sitting with him you notice two things. The first, and more obvious, is that he hates this tea he is drinking. Each taste seeming like a more monstrous challenge than the last. Yet, he seems determined to finish it.
The second, you spot that the pouch on his hip was left open. It occasionally flapping loose when the wind is right. Taking a glance around, you spot 3 or 4 of the tiny bags scattered across the deck. With how heavy the wind is, Gozrah only knows how many are in the sea.
He listened to your explanation thoughtfully. You get the sense he is greatful for the simplified explanation. His dealings with magic seem minor. He gives genuine consideration before answering. "If I expire before our destination is reached due to this item, I will bear no ill will to your Captain or her crew. I only ask that you handle outside threats, which you have done remarkably well."
Sa'sori gestures sweeping her to collect the scattered teabags on the deck, "Uhm.. you're loosing your ...'hated' tea? You carry pouch is still open..."
You're mage hand is able to catch the two pouches in range of the spell. You see the third blow overboard.
It takes the man a moment to understand what you mean, his brow furrowed in confusion. Then realizing, the color drains from his face and he quickly pulls the pouch open, feeling inside. "Oh gods! I...oh gods!" the shaking voice dripping with alarm. You can see a mix of emotions building in him. Worry, panic, anger. His hands are trembling, but his eyes are clinched closed. His labored breathing, show hints of a calming meditation. As though he is trying to reign in his reaction.
He stands, slowly proceeding below deck and back to his room.
Sa'sori will move quickly to try to look over the edge of the ship's gunwales to try to snag that last pouch with her before it is lost as she fears what the loss of the pouches of likely some kind of medicine or alchemical concoction to slow whatever process it taking place in the lordship.. may may do to him. But they may also give her some clue as to what is actually going on with him...
She makes the effort at least, clearly... his reaction suggests he KNOWS Exactly what is happening to him!
She will move below deck and open a pouch to try a cursor analysis of her own away from the winds on deck... smallest pinch taste test and sample visual examination...
Whatever the results she will try to catch up to him before he enters his cabin.. and return to him at least one of the pouches of tea... saving one for her own detailed alchemical analysis...
Slipping below deck, you take a minute to taste the herbs in the pouch. There seem to be two components in this. The first is easy to recognize. It is a bay leaf, a common ingredient in tea. The other, has a bitter taste that has an odd familiarity. You realize quickly this is poisonous, and should not be ingested. You're having trouble recalling what poison this is, but you do remember the taste at least.
As you move to follow after him. He seems totally focused in getting to his room. It appears he does not even notice your approach as he enters his room. He pushes the door shut as he enters, but it does not latch, and remains slightly ajar.
Tasting the poisonous substance she immediately spits it out... not bothering to try to savoir the taste..
Sa'sori will shift to a position to across the hallway from the door to give her a good view of the cabin's interior when the door opens... yet keep her int he shadows of the outside hall.
Then stretching her will she gently shoves the door with her spell as if a breeze stirred the door open
She seems to approach unseen. While the door is not open enough to see the whole of the room. You can see some. As before he moved in, there is a bed against the wall. The sheets on the bed replaced with a more regal dressing.
More concerning, the rooms center is dominated by a large cage with thick metal bars. From your angle it appears to be empty, but you can not see the entire cage. You hear footsteps approaching the door as the noble is walking back towards it.
Sa'sori, speaks up, "Milord you dropped one of your pouches of tea... but... uhm.. there is something poisonous in it... are you sure you should be imbibing this 'tea'... what is it?"
The color is obviously drained from his face, as he slowly continues his calming exercise. He seems so lost in his daze, it is hard to tell if he did not hear you, or chose to ignore you. He produces the silver key he left with the captain overnight, and presses it to your hand, seemingly unaware you were offering his teabag with your outstretched hand. "I need to see the Captain at once. It can not wait. Bring her immediately, and keep that away from me." He is trying so hard to keep his emotions reeled in, but his concern, borderline panic, is impossible to miss.
Sa'sori nods saying nothing.. but paying close attention to his hands.. does she notice any blemishes or burns where he touched the bare silver with his flesh.. perhaps even just a slight rash?
With a quick curtsy, "... yes Milord.", she turns to leave to get tot he captain... while in motion.. she tries to remember if the moon was full last night?
When she finds Captain Caromack, she will in hushed tones relate what happened on deck with the tea and tea bags... her quick analysis of the tea and it poisonous properties, and relate her discovery of the large cage in his cabin. She will show her the silver key and let her know the 'guest' says he must urgently speak to her!
He does seem to have a slight rash on his hand. You do recall that last night was the first night of the full moon. Finally, to settle your suspicions, you can see what appear to be claw marks on the floorboards under the cage.
As you relate to Captain Cormack everything, she will bring you down with her. Upon entering the nobles room, you can see he has locked himself in the cage. "Captain, when is the soonest we can stop in a major city?" he asks urgently.
"Two days time, we should arrive in Greengold. I have my suspicions, but what is the meaning of this?" she asks indicating to the cage. Her voice is a measured even tone, showing little to no emotion. Which only heightens her authority and power in this room.
Sheepishly, he drops his eyes to the ground. "I have not been entirely honest with you. I told you, on the night of the raid of my father's estate, I was hit with a poisoned blade. That this tea, was all that could suppress the effects of its poison."
He sighs heavily, sliding his coat and tunic open enough to show a vicious bite mark on his shoulder. The mark is easily the size of a dire wolf's maw. The wound is obviously infected as well. "The poison, was the leaders bite. The brigand's leader was a werewolf. My tea, is Belladona, an herb that can suppress my lycantropy unless under the full moon. So long as I keep my emotions restrained."
"I wish you to know that I took every precaution to keep your crew safe from my affliction. But, I have lost the majority of my tea supply. I will need a large supply the moment we arrive in Greengold. With what is left in my pouch, I can remain restrained for 5 days at most."
Sa'sori notes the cage, the claw marks on the floor, the scraps that put the cage up against the cabin door.
Commenting, "I also noticed the slight burnmarks on your palms from just holding the silver key. I suspect, from the scrapmarks on the floor boards~ you braced the door with the cage last night so you could be near the door when the brought back the key."
She grimaces, "...I understand Belladonna's effect on werewolves. What I don't understand is why are you going all the way to to Absalom to see a priest because a is what you need. And.. there is the matter of the artifact you swallowed ~ is that part still true?"
"If you would have been more forthcoming... I could have helped you acquire more than sufficient 'wolfsbane' in port, but I guess that's water under the bridge now..."
"And what still bothers me is why would Poisoners send a werewolf to your estate to retrieve the artifact, Werewolfs are dangerously unstable and evil, he'd more likely keep the artifact for himself! Also, why in the world would he Bite you, as you escaped? That would make fighting you and getting the artifact from you EVEN harder!"
"Some things are still not adding up..."
"How do you propose to cast a spell upon someone immune to magic? So long as this bauble remains inside me, I can not be cured."
"As to why my brother chose to employ a werewolf, I have no idea. I know no more than I know why he would employ biggands in the first place."
"I do not believe he intended to leave me alive when he bite me. It was not a transference of his curse. He was attempting to rip my throat out. According to the priest I spoke to, a werewolf's bite does not fully turn a victim until the first full moon."
"Also child, I had more than enough to last me the whole of the trip. An accident occurred. Unless you are to say that you are immune to poor luck."
"In answer to your question, yes. The cage is made of alchemical silver, just as the key is. I locked myself inside last night before the moon rose, and had her return the key to me once I had changed back. The cage is reinforced enough to contain me, even in my altered state."
...Sa'sori's eyes go wide as full understanding is revealed.
"Hmmm... I ...see ... now. Yeah, nor can you be healed .. by any supernatural or magical power... yeah THAT is a predicament!"
"Forgive me, .. I truly wish to help.. but understanding the situation is key to figuring anything out.. I'm not trying to be impertinent."
Sa'sori considers the situation then gesturing her closes the door to the cabin...with her and the Captain inside.
Glancing at Captain Caromack, "I shut the door it would do no good for a crewmen to stumble by and hear what was not his to know."
Turing to address the noble man again, "That ragged wound would kill any normal man with that infection setting in. I have some skill as a healer.. please let me use mundane means to clean it an at least properly wrap it to start treating the infection to keep it from spreading. I can mix up some alchemical compounds that will help you fight off the infection and speed your recovery ~ plus it must pain you greatly.. some relief if anything else!?!"
She ponder his situation for a moment, "...have you tired inducing vomiting to regurgitate the item? Or perhaps a laxative to pass it more quickly? And.. to note there is no such thing as 'complete' magical immunity. A properly cast spell could potentially destroy the item, and its effects would likely be nullified in the area of a spell."
"Can you describe what the item looked like in detail before you swallowed it.. its cursory composition... metal, mineral, or something else? Any little bit of information you might remember might be useful in figuring how to get it out of you... other than having a surgeon examine you and cut it out... a radical last resort if at all! Do not despair all hope is Not lost!"
"Er.. and also a more personal question.. I'm sorry, but I must ask.. Have you killed anyone in your werewolf form? Some legends say the transformation is not complete until the were creature has fed on a sentient soul's flesh... and...since we are sort of fully invested now.. what did you hope to accomplish by going to ?"
Captain Cormack has her arms folded, quiet as stone, but oddly seems more relieved than upset.
His own voice softens, "It's out anyways, so I may as well answer. I had a friend treat it with a compound. The infection should be healing. I have more of the mixture in my case." He motions to a tiny travel alchemical kit in the corner. "He also recommended I keep it unwrapped so the would could breathe."
"As to your other questions, I have tried both. My friend even game me a poison that had me vomit for hours, and it never turned up. I do not know why, but it does not seem willing to separate itself from me. You may be right. I never considered that the object may have compelled me to eat it."
"As I described before, it was a tiny bauble. Black as obsidian, and reflected no light. It was like looking into a void of starless sky. It was perfectly smooth on all ends, no larger than a pearl. It was cool to the touch, like resting metal, but not unnaturally cold in any way."
"I have no intention of letting anyone else in on my predicament until I reach Absalom. It is the only city I know with the resources to deal with such a situation. And the size to keep me, and the item from my brother's eye."
"I will not lie and say no. I do not believe so, but I have no memories of what happens when I turn. Last night was my first full moon since I was bitten, and I was safely locked away in the cage. I do not have any other gaps of lost time that I can recall."
Sa'sori listens her expression turning even more grim...
She looks at the lords and speaks softly, "...I hate to say this ... but have you considered to possibility that the artifact cannot be removed? There are... some items relics whose power is so great that they are all or nothing. There might have been a VERY good reason your family did not use the relic but kept it hidden away from all knowledge."
"...the number of days that have passed is ...also an issue in dealing with your lycanthropy... I don't want to sound defeatest but it might not be possible to cure with the relic within you. But, there is hope.. not ALL werewolves are evil.. some have the strength of will to control the beast within and not the other way around! Though... I've also heard that the wolf, the Beast within, is not evil but it is primal in it's urges to hunt and feast and mate.. but it only accentuates the man that is in your heart. If you are a good and just man.. the beast is not wild and uncontrolled. But such men are a rare things... 'sigh'... I would counsel.. that you may need to change your heart's motivations and devotions.. and truly ponder serious inner self-reflection and adjustment if you must live with this.. or the beast will control you, to your ruin! Consider this.. with the artifact within you.. if you can control the beast.. you will be a most formidable adversary to contend with.. immune to most magics with the might and resilience of a werebeast awakened within you! You could accomplish much good.. or much destruction.. depending upon your heart's true desires..."
She ponders quietly for a moment, "Uhm.. I would like to make a test if you are willing? Do you know.. can you utilize magical items that don't directly affect you? Can you wear magical arms or armor and still benefit from their enchantments?"
"I'm going to cast my spell... and I want you to hold out your hand an take mine... to see if just touching you will counter my defensive spell upon me? Ok?"
He sighs lightly, "I have considered it. It is possible that the only way to remove this, is to open me up and take it. But, the only person I could have asked about it is dead now. It is possible my brother knows more than I. He is the eldest, and if it was something my family was charged with protecting. It makes sense that he would know of it before Father passed."
"As for the beast within. I can not say, and dare not find out. At least not in a controlled enviroment. I have found meditation keeps it restrained so long as I keep hold on my stronger emotions. The moon itself is too powerful to resist. My memories of turning are lost to me."
As to the nature of the enchantment. I can not say. It acts independent of my will. It does not seem to discriminate from beneficial, harmful, or even mundane magic from affecting me. I know that enchanted weapons fail in my hands."[/b]
He allows you to cast your spell, glancing to Captain Cormack as though seeking permission to test such powerful magic on her ship. She gives a silent nod, her curiosity overtaking her.
Lord Vash reaches out, placing his hands gently on yours. The moment he makes contact with your shield, it pops as though dispelled. Then his hand proceeds in unhindered. Once his flesh touches yours you can feel your armor drop, as though it grew heavier, and hear the sound of Red Wind flapping in surprise trying not to fall as he is suddenly ejected from his spell tattoo state.
Sa'sori takes Lord Vash's hand and her eyes go wide as her magic dispels. Her cheeks flush a pretty scarlet when she suddenly looses her empathic link to Redwing sitting on her shoulder.
She gasps softly, shocked at the potent magic upon her... "..how Fasciating!! Your touch can cancel out even my innate supernatural abilities!"
Sa'sori still holding his hand tries to simple use her bloodline power to cast her spell...
Her shock increases, "..I-..I can't even cast magic spell innate to my sorcerer's bloood while touching you... amazing! I'm powerless in your embrace... you could negate the power of likely even a magical undead or even a Demon/Devil's innate magic directed at you! How intriguing!!"
She let's go of his hand and steps back slightly... grateful to feel confusion in her emotions again... she reaches up a hand to lightly stroke his feathery crest to calm him...
The expression in the young woman's eyes is one of respect with a non-to-small amount of fear as she resolves to NEVER be alone and within reach of this man ever again...
Visibly gathering her dignity she comments, "...well the good news is .. there are no mortal or likely even immortal magics that will ever harm you or affect you! You have little to fear from magic EVER... I'd conjecture it might take Direct Divine fiat to affect you at all! But I would counsel you to NOT let anyone go cutting on your guts to find this item until you know it is actually still inside you and NOT now a part of you! The ONLY thing I could suggest if your seeking a REAL solution is ...well.. erm VERY VERY VERY perilous, well wait a minute.. there might be two options actually!"
"There is a land called ... where they have a place called the . Legends say many years ago.. a vehicle of colossal size a city actually fell from the sky in the land a flying city made of metal and flew between the stars that crashed in that land. It was powered NOT by any magic at all but by a science and understanding beyond our knowing ...but miraculous technology capable of producing many wonders similar to the same effects we use magic to accomplish can be discovered. A guild or counsel of men known as the control this miraculous technology. If any could discover and remove this artifact from you.. since they use a science beyond magic THEY might be able to remove it... though they are not known to be ...easy to barter with and they do nothing for free!"
"The other option is a city called ... a land North of the ... legends say that the war of ages between and left that land magically scarred and there are many places in that land where magic runs wild in manna storms or is completely negated where no magic operates. The people of have thus embraced technology and and not magic.. they have the knowing an doing of things without magic that might be able to find and remove the artifact with their technology, but again they are difficult to deal with and self-centered in many ways similar to the ... but they are possibilities!"
Taking a moment to examine the exact nature, it feels as though each item you were in contact with was targeted with a dispel magic. Each one being dispelled or suppressed accordingly. When you attempt to further test it, you can feel the magic being drawn together. It does not seem to interfere with you forming the spell. But, just as you bring it to finish, the artifact lashes out with a counter-spell, spoiling the effect before it takes hold.
It does not feel like an anti-magic field, but more targeted and precise.
"I have considered those options as well. But my first concern is proper security. My father had friends in the Pathfinder Society. He was also a man unlikely to not have a contingency plan. I imagine that he would have made preparations with the Society just in case he and my brother were to be lost at the same time."
"If I am correct, then one of my Father's contacts will not only have been readied to retrieve and protect the artifact. But, they may have even had the chance to study it. Hopefully, they could even know its origin."
"It may be wishful thinking on my part. To be honest. I respect the society. My father always spoke well of them. I dare not explore this world with it's effects and my own affliction. I could not bare to bring any more shame to my family name. Weather they have studied it before or not. I intend to allow them to remove it from me. One way or the other..."
Sa'sori ponders the effects she sees taking place... a targeted needs line of effect to be used, solid walls block even the area effect of a ...
She comments, "Hmmm... well from the effects I'm experiencing... it seems the artifact is doing a targeted dispel against magical effects as an almost instantaneous effect... which in itself is odd.. to say the least. You see to do a targeted spell dispelling.. I would thing one would have to have some intellect directing it as it targets without a line of sight.. it is inside you ~ so how is it targeting spells in its environment... especially spells NOT cast upon your person or magic items not really affecting you.. liken MY cast spells upon my person and the magical armor and weapons I'm carrying simply upon the touch of you? Very fascinating!"
"Now my supernatural emphatic link to my familiar seems to be unaffected even on touch with you. So such abilities like certain undead to drain energy levels would be unaffected... but say the charming gaze of a Succubus would not work... because it simulates a spell nor her kiss which forces you to resist a compulsion similar to a spell because it simulates a spell, but her kiss would still drain an energy level as it is not simulating a spell. Take for example Dragon's breath though a supernatural ability does not mimic a spell so it would be fully effective upon you... truly intriguing!"
Sa'sori would also recall, the first time she interacted with the artifact. She attempted to cast detect magic on the noble when he was almost 60 feet away and with his back turned. It would be reasonable to assume that it does not depend on his senses to work its effects.
Captain Cormack clears her throat, speaking for the first time in some time. "You asked me down here to confess. But I presume you wish me to stay in Greengold until you can procure more of this herb."
Lord Vash had become so entranced in his conversation with the young sorceress, he lost track of the whole reason he had ask for her. Clearing his throat and returning to address her. "Yes, Captain. That is exactly my wish. I will happily pay your crews fees for each day it takes beyond whatever you had planned to stop. I do not know how long it will take them to procure the necessary amount as I understand it to be a rare plant."
Captain Cormack purses her lips considering her answer. "Agreed, I can't have a werewolf running about the whole way to Absalom. Will you need one of my crew to procure it for you, or are you going to attempt to find it...yourself...?" Her voice trails off on the last word, as she looks to the hall. "Sa'sori! Outside! Now!" her voice is firm, leaving no doubt that it is an order, but not raised in the slightest.
Sa'sori starts with a gasp, "Eeep! Er... Ah, Yes ma'am, right away~ Captain!!!"
And she is quickly out the door... shutting it behind her. She even steps away from the door to avoid hearing anything the Captain, for her own reasons, did not want Sa'sori to hear... she implicitly trusts the Captain's decision.
She waits outside unless its clear the Captain is having a further discussion with Lord Vash... then she will return to her deck duties for the day...
As she steps into the hall, Sa'sori hears the faint sound of hurried footfalls further down the hall, and the sound of a door latching as though it was just shut.
Sa'sori does not hesitate as she immediately pursues the fleeing footsteps... trying to determine which cabin they fled into...!
...as she moves... something warns her to be ready for combat.. and she draws her cutlass...
Your quick action is more than enough to hear the creeking floorboard in one of the rooms. It is another of the guest cabins, particularly, the one belonging to Old Man Phargas.
Sa'sori walks to the door, and loudly leans against it and begins speaking in a conversational tone and volume, "...I do not know how much you heard ... but do be aware, I WILL inform the Captain that you have overheard... and if ANY Hint of what was discussed reaches the crew's ears... WE Will know who revealed the confidences of our guest! You are NOT to speak of what you heard and if you do.. there will be DIRE Consequences!"
There is no response from inside, but you are certain he is in there.
Sa'sori frowns and silently sets Red Wing to hang out in the rafters hidden to watch this door and follow Mr Phargas... should he leave.
She turns to head back to Lord Vash's cabin to stand guard outside.
Captain Cormack emerges a few minutes after she resumes her post, laying her hand on Sa'sori's shoulder. "Do you know who was here?"
Sa'sori walks a few steps away down the hall before answering in a whisper, "...yes, Ma'am , I do. It was . I followed him to his room, and heard him moving around in the room... clearly having just shut his door. I told him through the door I KNOW it was him listening, and I was going to tell you so. I also warned him if he ever spoke a word of what he heard to the crew... there would be Dire Consequences!"
"What is curious is he made no answer and made no attempt to try to protest his ignorance... or innocence! If I had truly been mistaken.. he certainly would have been justified in asking me what I was talking about.. and he made no attempt at even that.. his silence speaking volumes for his guilt! THAT being very much so 'out of character' for his usual non-stop mindless prattle; but not so if he is actually an informant for the ! That might explain how our guest's pursuers keep finding and tracking us? I left perched in the rafters out of sight to watch him and follow his activities should he leave his cabin."
"Am I being too... paranoid or aggressive ma'am?"
Captain Cormack lays a hand gently on her shoulders. "Probably. But, to be honest. I've let you do as you please for a while. You've certainly made life interesting since you came aboard. You've brought you're fair share of trouble too, but it has been memorable to say the least."
"I'll keep an eye of Phargas as well. Though him skulking about does not sit well with me. He vanished the whole time we were docked in Durma, and I was honestly wondering if he intended to come back. Then he showed back up again just before we left." Captain Cormack seems to be pondering it. "Still, he could also just be curious. Listening at a door isn't necessarily a sign of ill intent."
Sa'sori nods solemnly her tone sad and ashamed, "...I.. I- I'm sorry . You've been so kind to me an sweet ... I don't mean to be a burden... it's... It's just that.. I'm so use to looking for enemies.. and threats to my person... its been so long since.. I truly felt 'safe'! All my life has been people wanting to use me or abuse me or take advantage of me... for their own purposes." Sigh~ "I told you once... I'm damaged goods... don't think I'll ever be a... normal woman... , maybe this IS normal for me forever now? I've not done anything to indicate otherwise..."
She pauses, "...but you are right ...listening at doors does not necessarily mean sinister intent..."
The Captain ruffles Sa'sori's hair with a motherly hand. Shaking her head having not intended the girl to be sad by her statement. She speaks in a softer voice. "It was just an observation. Things have been interesting since you came aboard. I didn't say it way bad."
"There will always be things that are beyond your control. Learn to accept that and you'll have a happier life."
Returning to her sterner, Captain's voice she adds. "As far as Mr. Phargas. He is still a paying passenger and welcome to all the amenities of the Red Lady. That does include privacy if he desires it."
"Keen eyes are never unwelcome in my crew though."
Sa'sori smiles her eyes briefly watering... but she contains her emotions to prevent tears... she looks around to make sure no crew are about and she leans in to give a daughterly kiss of deep affection to the Captain's cheek and very softly says, "...Thank you, Captain !"
Feeling a moment of motherly support she opens her heart, "...to be honest Captain... something has been bothering me much of late. . I know you counseled me to let go of my anger... but this is not about anger, its about Honor! They Stole something powerful and Dangerous from the Crypt of Kassan... though my 'companions' at the time abandoned the quest, I have NEVER forsworn myself when I make a promise! I... I can't help feeling ...less the woman I want to be if I just walk away. I can't shake the feeling I'm betraying myself ...I promised, to myself, I would end my debts to Kassen by returning the stolen artifact~ true I don't owe anything to the molesting ... but... this exquisite elven curve blade.. the gave me... there were good people in that town, they named me a Hero of Kessan~ THEY deserve... Better of me! I feel like I'm just giving up on them... quitting cause something is too hard or too scary... and I've NEVER backed down from ANYTHING in my life! I'm afraid of what EVIL the Razmirians will do with what they stole... EVIL I'm just letting them get away with... I feel ...ashamed... and unworthy... of the Kind people of , of sweet , of my ~ You... and the woman that I want to become..."
The lovely young woman half-elf can't raise her downcast violet burning gaze from the floor boards to meet the Captain's eyes... clearly her Honor is EVERYTHING to her...
Captain Cormack sighs and leads Sa'sori to her cabin. Once they are inside she shuts the door. Pausing to think on her words. "I can't be your mother. I was never meant to be a mother, nor do I want to be. So if you come to me looking for affirmation you're asking the wrong woman. If you're asking what you should do. Only you can decide that. If you're asking what I would do."
She pauses again pursing her lips in contemplation. "I have been to Kassem. Not often, but enough to know a few people there. From what I can tell, they're good people. They wouldn't want any child to risk their life for an item. No matter how important."
"Even if you were to continue. If a group of you joined, and failed. It seems unlikely you would be able to continue your quest anyways. They know your face, and any further investigation would take resources you simply do not have."
"I do not care for others to handle what I started. It's a personal pride. But sometimes, your ship just isn't the right one for the job."
"You said a Pathfinder was looking into the Razmirans. It is likely that they will be brought to light eventually. Maybe not as soon as you would like. But in this case. I don't think you have the right ship for that job."
"If you wish to prove yourself worthy of the title that Kassem gave you. Find a way. Find something you can do, and bear that title with pride. But death is a fools errand. It should not be feared, nor should it be sought."
"Similarly, the current of life only goes one way. Constantly looking back will always end in a wrecked ship. Learn from your mistakes, but always keep your eyes forward, and move with the current."
Sa'sori looks away eyes cast down her voice soft and somber, "...I... I know... I understand you can't be my mother... nor want to be. Kind of the story of my life... I lost my mother to sickness when I was still very young but old enough to understand. Then my life turned to terror that has never stopped... I guess I've been looking for that 'mother figure'... still looking, in my life for some time now. I know I can't unwind the years of my abuse or conditioning. In some ways ...I guess I'm still that scared little girl looking for her mother."
She takes a deep sigh and straightens her posture ... determination and perhaps a little resignation in her shoulders as she turns to met Anne's eyes.
"I'm sorry if I put that on you, you didn't ask for it or look for such and it was unfair and presumptuous to place such upon you. I'm sorry Captain. Guess I've lived a good chunk of my life acting tough and brave regardless of how terrified I've been~ I keep forgetting ... that there is NO one who is going to 'save me' or look out for me... so I should just kill that little girl inside me who keeps looking for such... 'mama's not coming for me, to make things better or stop the bad men from hurting me~'... Ever!"
She shudders slightly her gaze shifting slightly out of focus beyond the captain and the ship... pondering her future. Her voice more determined she continues, "Thank you for your advice Captain as always you have provided clear candor in your wisdom, and you are correct, an ex-whore now turned sorceress is no sleek pirate hunter warship and definitely the wrong ship to fight and battle with an organization as powerful and far reaching as the Cult of Razmiran, not lest I wish to join the rest of the corpses that flow down stream as well with the bloody current the Razmiran's have left in their wake! It's out of my hands.. I'm no hero out of some fairy-tale story book, I'm just a woman with a life to live and a man to love... I should be grateful I have even that! No looking back.. that time is past. Let someone else worry over it.. it was never my fight to begin with anyways. I'll pick my future battles more carefully, and protect what I do have."
"My desire to fight the good fight is nothing but pride speaking... vanity that will just get me killed... ' have no pride', I should already know that!"
She pulls out the large diamond 5,000gp Gem from her belt pouch to show it in the morning sunlight streaming into the captain's cabin flickering its light about the room...
"The resources ~ I do have are best spent making what life I do have better not fixing past failures that were not really mine to begin with!"
She slips the gem away with a sigh...
Then coming to attention she salutes, "Am I dismissed to return my duties Captain?"
...something in her tone says that though nothing has changed int he respect she holds for the Captain, she has put a professional distance between them now, and the closeness she once felt is fading. She will never call her again.
Captain Cormack crosses her arms with a stern look. "So long as you're on this ship. You will always have someone looking out for you. I can say for certain that I will never allow harm to come to you, or any of my crew. No one, man or not, will be allowed to hurt you."
"I'm also confident that I am not the only person on this ship that feels that way."
Her voice grows softer, "I may be unwilling to be your mother. But, that is because I believe you to be an adult who should be treated as such. I can not bring myself to see you as a daughter. But I would like to be your friend. I don't mind offering advice, because you are young. And frankly, our circumstances to this point are not terribly different."
She cups her hand under Sa'sori's chin, lifting the girl's eyes to hers. The emerald orbs piercing through her. " So long as you continue to think of yourself as one. You may not work on this ship. You may return to your duties once you've apologized for that comment."
Sa'sori is ...somewhat dumbstruck, and reflexively her cheeks color in a at the Captain's touch...
Her mind racing to collate all of what the captain said she stumbles over her worlds, "Ah.. I mean .. uhm.. I-I'm..sorry ma'am? Ah.. I mean.. well.. yes, I'd like to think of you as my friend... Captain as well... I.. have had so few. I'm sorry.. I did not mean to insult you.. or your fine ship... my tongue is always too sharp for my own good."
She can't pull her eyes away from the ...now she realizes ~ Terribly Alluring Captain's touch or gaze...!
...all she can think of is not disappointing her Cap~.. disappointing Anne, and the church conditioned response in the back of her mind wonders what would she do if Sa'sori kissed her right now? Would she slap her for taking "liberties", or throw her on the large bed and show her how a full grown women ravishes a young morsel, like her, senseless...?
A tremble goes through her as she forces the thought away... hoping she has not revealed her building arousal...
Captain Cormack tries to stifle a sly smile. "It's ok. I've been there." She offers in a sympathetic voice. Her fingers lightly graze your chin as she withdraws her hand. "You can return to your duties whenever you wish. If you need time to sort yourself, you have permission."
Sa'sori releases the breath she had been holding and sighs... part relief.. part disappointment... but nods slowly, "Thank you ma'am.. but I'm fine... I'll get right to work...!"
With a crisp salute, she turns on her heel and head out of the Captain's cabin heading for the deck and to the Rigging...
As you return to the deck, you find Phargas at the bow chatting the ear off of Jamie as she cheerily chats back while keeping her main focus turned towards her work. Elvar and Anthony are manning the rigging, and an rundown Able is steering the ship.
Sa'sori makes her way over to Able an expression of concern on her pretty face, "Hey ... not getting enough sleep? Let me take the helm for a bit... and you can get a little rest?"
"Just a long shift, nothing more. I have to wait for the Captain to return and give her a report." He offers an oddly gentle smile, "You have my thanks for the offer though.