"Your breed, first of all. While I am but a half, you seem to be pure - not that I am any judge." He looked the creature over. "You're far better spoken than kobolds, yet not winged like a wyrm. I've not seen any like you." Dalton sighed. "I have no particular distaste for races with scales or fur upon them, but you are simply not as often seen by our kind is all. In fact, one of my shopkeepers is of such a type."
He waited for a response. "Where were you from? How did you come to be part of this crew? I can't imagine you'd want to be part of this, but then again, I'm not in ship shape."
"I've got some ideas for what to do with Blakros but those sods will serve for gettin' the Storm movin' again at the very least. While they think it over and Quincy talks to these slaves, why don't we go for a walk. My friends can watch the ship in the meantime. Like you said, we've got a load of catchin' up to do."
"Lizardfolk. I came from the Redscale tribe, and left because my line lost a fight for power in the tribe and it was either flee or die. Blakros picked me up and gave me a way to live."
~~~
Ragnar nods. "So you're staying than? What about that lot you gathered, they going to stay with you?" Once the two are a little bit down the docks, Ragnar sighs. "There was a mutiny against Blakros. I got knocked out pretty early in the night, but I knew that Luthor lead it and that it failed. When I woke up all of the old crew except for the three of us here were gone, and there was a lot of blood. I don't know who all survived it, if anybody, but Blakros says he killed them all."
"I don't know. That group saw me through some rough times. I wouldn't have made this far without them backin' me up. I can promise I'm not goin' anywhere anytime soon."
He frowns at Ragnar's tale. "What about Kal and Bandu, did they see anything more? If there's a chance they're alive out there somewhere, we've gotta track 'em down."
"Kal was off in the water, scouting ahead for storms. When he came back it was all over. Hell if I know what Bandu saw, never heard a word of sense come out of that man. He seems pretty indifferent about it all to be honest."
"Lizardfolk. I came from the Redscale tribe, and left because my line lost a fight for power in the tribe and it was either flee or die. Blakros picked me up and gave me a way to live."
"Then take advantage of the chance these people are offering you. What did Blakros have you doing on the ship? I'm sure there are other ways you could succeed at making a living."
Bjorkus laughs. "That boy's always in the water."
"Kal Aldermark, get your skinny ass up onto the beach. Your captain needs a hand", he bellows out toward the dark ocean.
"I'll try to get whatever information I can from Bandu later. I don't suppose you saw the merchant's wife again while I've been gone - Ilythia - the one that fooled me into Blakros's f~@+ing trap and set us on this path. I'm curious what the b$&~+'s been up to while I've been spending time in a Kuthite torture cell and my crew's gettin' killed off."
"Just had me make sure whatever he said was done. Leader cannot be everywhere at once." He gives a slightly curious look. "Like what?" Dalton is starting to get the feeling that the lizardfolk is only a step or two above a primitive and has had very little exposure to the world.
~~~
"Ilythia? We dropped her off at Mary's Landing a while back. Haven't seen her since. Kuthite torture? Damn lad, doesn't get much worse than that. They take a sick pleasure in it."
When Bjorkus calls out, just as he thought he sees Kal slip out of the water. He walks across the surface with sheepish but confused look. "When I saw it was you...well I thought it was going to turn into a bloodbath and I didn't want to be on the bad end of it. I froze up...so I ran. What the hell happened to you?"
"It's a long soddin' story Kal, the kind that should be told over shots of rum with the whole crew gathered round. Did you happen to see what happened to 'em after Luthor's mutiny? Ragnar tells me you were ahead scouting but I was hopin' you might of seen or heard something more when you got back. My gut tells me he sold 'em as slaves. Those poor souls in the cargo hold is proof Blakros has contacts in slavin' circles. A bunch of skilled sailors is bound to be worth a good deal of coin."
He shakes his head. "I was gone for a full day and a half, by the time I came back the blood had already been scrubbed from the deck. Everything I know came from Ragnar, and Blakros said he killed them all. Sorry, I just don't know."
"I'll see what I can get outta Bandu but if he doesn't know I'm gunna have to get it outta Blakros himself. Now that I think about it, that sounds real good", he says with a dark laugh.
"You got a handle on those nerves now Kal? That group I showed up with are good friends, strong and brave, but you two and Bandu are the only crew I've got left. I need to know I can count on you. You're the one that told me pirates were the apex-predators of the sea. You wanna be a small fry or an orca?"
Kal perks up. "Oh yeah, I'm glad you won! If I had known you had so much help I would have stayed to help, but I was worried about losing and then getting punished by Blakros..." He laughs and shrugs. "Even alphas can be killed if they mess up. I'm with you Bjorkus."
Dalton considers the options for a moment. "Where was your tribe from? I'm trying to think of the type of work that would work best for you."
The lizardfolk shrugs. "An island. I couldn't find it if I wanted to. We took what we needed. The Redscale tribe breeds strong warriors."
Returning to the Storm, Bjorkus waves Dalton over. "You mind givin' me a hand? I need to get some information from Bandu about the rest of my crew but I've never been able to learn a word of whatever language he speaks. You might be able to make better sense of it than me."
He crouches by the savage pirate. "Bandu, were you there when Luthor started his mutiny? What happened?"
"I'll be there in a moment."
Dalton turned back to the Redscale. "What's your name? I'm Dalton." Assuming he responds, Dalton fishes-out 5 GP. "This should get you some decent food. I know a bartender who could use your help with some of the rougher bothers in the place. You put up a decent fight here. If you can do that there, you'll make some good coin. And," he winked "you probably won't have to do any fighting most of the time. Who'd want to go against you?"
"One of the men here will work out the transport with you."
********
Dalton wanders over to Bjorkus. "Languages? I don't know them all either, just some of the more common ones."
"Traz." His eyes open wider. "Paid gold to fight?" He starts thinking of the idea as Dalton goes off.
"I do not know how such things are done amongst the lowlanders, but I believe that while there is life, there is hope. Including hope to be better. I believe these men no matter how dark their deeds merit the effort."
Ianna is quiet, but earnest, as she speaks to Quincy.
Toramin does his best to loom for Bjorkus as he speaks. The paladin is confident that Bjorkus would never stoop to slaving.
"I understand but with everything you know I thought you might be able to better piece together whatever tongue he's speakin' than anyone else."
Quincy nods, looking at the elf. "Blakros will be given to the authorities, the rest will be released, and it sounds like Dalton is working something out with the lizard man. Perhaps you can try talking to that elf?"
"Not quite, more like security. A bouncer - someone who keeps fights from happening. You only fight if they can't be avoided."
*******
Ianna nods looking at the elf, but she sees the wounds that Quincy still carries drip with blood.
"Goddess of love, bring your blessed kiss."
Now that Quincy is left with only scratches, she takes his advice and speaks to the elf.
"Hello." She says almost shyly. "I am Ianna Trealamgabha. I hear you are a mercenary. What is your name? How did you end up here?"
After some guesses, Dalton believes he narrows it down to being a regional human languages, probably Hallit by the very few words that Dalton knows are shared between the two languages.
"Thank you, Ianna was it?" He gingerly touches the scratches that were life-threatening wounds moments ago, shaking his head.
The elf's eyes flick over to Ianna as she talks, and after she finishes he stares at her for an uncomfortably long pause. Just when she starts to think he's just going to keep starting at her he says "Drarel." in a dead monotone. There's another significant pause, but he speaks once more. "I was hired to protect cargo."
Bjorkus retrieves another one of his scrimshaw charms and touches Dalton with it. The enchantment focuses the elf's thoughts and fills him with confidence.
"Bandu, were you on the ship when Luthor tried his mutiny? What happened?" he repeats and then looks to Dalton for a translation.
It takes Dalton a full minute to get the meaning of the word "mutiny" translated, and when he does Bandu nods. "Yes! I..." He looks at Dalton as he forms the word. "...fight? Yes, fight!" He says as if that answers the question. After some confused looks and being pressed, he goes "Ahhhh." and nods. He points at Blakros. "Fight."
"Yes, Ianna. If you listen to Bjorkus, then there would be titles somewhere in there too. But, I've always felt such things were a bit silly. You are Quincy, right? I want to thank you for helping Bjorkus with his ship. I'm sorry I couldn't save your friend."
True sorrow tinges her kind voices at the last.
She gives the elf a friendly smile, though there is a touch of sadness there, she seems unfazed by his lack of affect. "I suspect your cargo was people, Drarel. Have you been with Blakros long? How would you like to make restitution?"
Quincy gives a sad, but understanding nod to Ianna as she leaves to talk to the elf.
Drarel lets another pause slip into the conversation, but it's much shorter this time. "I wasn't told what the cargo was, and I didn't ask. I was told it didn't endanger my life, like carrying gunpowder, so I didn't care." He turns to Ianna at the questions, his haughtiness fading a bit. "A few weeks. He pays well, and the danger has been minimal. Restitution..." He chews on the thought for a minute. "I cannot say I completely disapprove of slavery, but I believe freedom is better."
"It's a start", Bjorkus says after Dalton's difficult translation. "Ask him what happened to the rest of the crew? Were they all killed?"
This translation to Bandu goes over much quicker, as he seems to understand the phonetic of everybody's names and Dead? seems easily translated. He shakes his head, and after a minute with Dalton he says "Escaped overboard."
Bjorkus squeezes the savage's shoulder in appreciation. "Thanks Bandu. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm gunna have to learn that tongue of yours someday."
He climbs to his hooves and hugs Dalton fiercely. "The crew's like my family. Findin' out they're alive is the best news a bull could get. Give me a few minutes. I'm gunna have some words with Blakros."
"Freedom is much better I would think. Sold to the highest bidder because someone had the strength or guile to take advantage of you? It feels like a wicked thing -- based on cruelty and power.
Each of us can make mistakes, Drarel. We often do not see what we do not wish to know. Personally, I think no blame can be ascribed to you for protecting a ship under contract; but, I also think you know your own heart about what you allowed to happen here these past few weeks. The glory of life is that we all have the chance do do better."
Bandu definitely doesn't pick up on the words, but the shoulder squeeze and appreciation gets across and he gives a broken-tooth smile.
Drarel nods. "I guess what I'm saying is I understand why it is used, and I can agree that sometimes it's a good tool, but there are better options. Call me a cruel realist I suppose." He shrugs. "I take on jobs that aren't glorious. I've taken on righteous jobs hunting down pirates too. I weigh the money versus the personal risk, and that's all. If I had known Blakros made such powerful enemies I wouldn't have taken on any jobs with him. I remember talking to a man of the church once, and I'm going to tell you the same thing I told him. Give me a well paying job that doesn't put my life in unreasonable danger, and I'll be every bit as good as you want me to be."
On his way down to taunt Titus Blakros, Bjorkus stops to poll the prisoners.
"So who's signin' on? You're a sorry lot but between Ragnar and Kal I'm sure we can whip you into shape."
Ianna gives a small laugh.
"What I want for you is a small thing, if you don't want it for yourself. All too often good and evil are merely words used to control others. But I might argue that doing what benefits others, often can benefit one's self. Weakening communities and peoples only serve to increase the vulnerability of us all. If I can inspire you, then I will rejoice. But, I have no wish to dictate terms to you. If the survivors of Bjorkus' crew can confirm you did no harm to the captives, I will free you."
There are twenty slaves and nine pirates. Five of the pirates jump on board with Bjorkus with no hesitation, and two more join them a minute later. Three of the slaves, a male dwarf, a male halfling, and a female human, say they want to stay with Bjorkus as well. The two remaining pirates and seventeen remaining slaves want to leave.
The elf smiles. "Yes, selfishness can be an argument for the benefit of all, and a pretty strong one. I didn't expect to have any intelligent conversation today, I'm pleasantly surprised." He remains in his cross-legged sit and looks over at the hold. "I didn't even know we had people until you told me."
"Expectations can often fool us. Please, think about what I have said."
Ianna beckons Ragnar over. If he confirms, what Drarel has said, then Ianna will look to the Aestheric guards.
"I'm releasing this person. I would like his weapons back, please."
"Alright you lot, get in line. Rangar, gimme that Besmaran emblem. When you get to the front of the line, touch the holy symbol to your heart and repeat after me: I swear to uphold the pirate's code; to obey the captain's orders; to put the welfare of the ship and her crew above my own should the need arise; and to protect the freedom of all that sail the high seas. Should I betray this promise, may Besmara strike me dead and the Lady of Graves deny me my eternal rest."
Once everyone's sworn in, Bjorkus pats a few of them on the back heartily. "Welcome aboard the Raging Storm."
"Put those two in the brig", he says with a gesture at the pair that declined.
Ragnar scratches at his beard. "I could definitely believe that. Keeps to himself mostly. Drarel's an odd one, doesn't even talk to the crew, although I managed to get a story or two out of him. Yeah I think that's right, I remember once when we unloaded a batch of gunpowder I thought he was going to kill somebody because he said 'Nobody warned him about it'."
The Aestherics look to each other for a moment, and after Quincy gives them a nod Ianna is handed a bow, dagger, and boarding axe.
The volunteers swear in and start working on cleaning up the ship. But when he orders the other two put away, he hears Quincy clear his throat. "Seems a bit hypocritical, to tell all your men to swear to protect the freedom of all that sail and then imprisoning two of them."
"They'll be free soon enough but there's a price to pay for crossing a pirate's path. As soon as we can, they'll be ransomed off and sent home in short order", Bjorkus explains to the surprisingly naive Aestheric commander. "They're not gunna spend their lives in chains but did you think they were just gunna walk outta here?"
"And what's that about?" he asks when he sees the elf's weapons being handed off to Ianna. "Ianna, what're you doin'?"
"Drarel, I pray that Bolka walks with you. A little extra beauty never hurt anyone."
The lovely dwarven woman meets his eye as she gives him back his freedom.
Quincy stares at Bjorkus for a moment. "Oh yes, freedom is completely paramount...as long as you pay a fee for pissing me off. You're the face of freedom in Akropash and now you are literally selling people." He shakes his head. "What's your problem?"
~~~
Drarel gives a nod as he's untied and re-armed. "No, I suppose it hasn't." He stows his weapons, then pauses and offers a hand to Ianna. "It was a surprisingly pleasure. Could I get your name?"
Bjorkus is baffled by Quincy's lack of understanding but tries to help him understand.
"In your world when someone commits a crime you put 'em in chains and lock 'em in a dungeon. If it's a bad enough you hang 'em. Out here, when someone commits a crime they have two options, make it right or pay the price. Those two had a chance to make things right with the captain of this ship - they declined."
Ianna blinks once thinking she must have introduced herself at the beginning of their conversation; however, she recovers with the poise and grace which she was raised to display.
"Of course, Drarel. I am Ianna Trealamgahba."
"So it's impossible for power of a ship to change hands? It's impossible for new captains to rise up? These men weren't even with you when Blakros took over, presumably they were picked up later to work on a ship that was captained by Blakros. So you are going to punish them for being loyal to their captain? I could understand if you were pissed off at Ragnar or Bandu who were originally with you, but these men have made no oaths to serve you at all."
"They fought against me takin' back my ship and put me and mine in danger", Bjorkus explains, a tinge of frustration creeping into his voice. "What happened to the noble sons and daughters that were taken prisoner in the war between Andril and Xilros, that's right they were ransomed to their family like every other war between nations. That's what's happenin' here. The only difference is out here, everyone gets ransomed - not just spoiled little princelings."
The bull's frustration rises when he sees Ianna undoing the elf's shackles. "Ianna, what in the Nine Hells are you doin'?"