Repent from your Wicked Ways(WotW) (Inactive)

Game Master True Repentance

"Back. I always keep my word! So hear this. More soldiers of Mitra will be back once I tell them where to find you. They will burn this pit of evil in Mitra's name." Once Declan backs into the room he shoves Kana over to Declan and closes the door. Locking it from the outside. (Cole had the key) You are locked in and can hear Sir Balin ask Timeon if he knows a way out. Timeon tells him of the stairs they found and then their footsteps fade away as they leave.

About 30 seconds later you hear two sets of screams resonate throughout the dungeon. One more of a bellow, the other bloodcurdling and high pitched. They last only a few seconds before all is quiet again. Soon footsteps are heard coming towards you and the door is unlocked. Tiadora stands there smiling at you, "You seem to have succeeded. After a fashion. But we could not let Sir Balin tell anyone about this place of course." She looks at her feet at the three fallen. "Do not fear, they are not dead but sleeping. Such devotion should be rewarded," she smiles slyly again. "Such rewards always have a price."

She has servants carry Wade and Fletch out of the dungeon leaving you with Cole as if knowing he does not need any help. Then she is gone. Declan and Kana remain with an unconscious Cole.

Roleplay any actions you want to take before returning to Thorn or just say you are ready to proceed to that moment.

How do you get him conscious?

On the way out as/when you exit to return to Thorn with the amulet you pass by the bodies of Sir Balin and Timeon. The floor is covered in blood but they are otherwise in one piece. Perhaps this was Taidora's doing? You do not know. She did not seem to have one hair out of place when you saw her before.

Getting locked in the room with Kana was something that she had not expected, but then it had to be one of those things that she had to live and learn about. She set to getting Cole conscious from the wand, and looked up at hearing the screams of the (now deceased) Sir Balin and Timeon. Shaking her head, amused and unsurprised, she tsked. "Shame.. I might have been able to make something of that squire if I had the chance."

Tiadora showing up was also something unsurprising to Declan. Sir Balin may have left, but she was not going to chance him getting too far away at all, regardless of what happened. Once Cole was up, she calmly filled him in on what he missed.

Was hoping Cole would post and maybe Kana but let's keep moving anyway

As you slowly make your way up realizing you still have several hours before the deadline Thorn had set you decide to strip the valuables off the dead man and boy and deposit them in your rooms for the moment. Then making your way to Cardinal Thorn and the room he was last in as the servants direct you.

Finally you five are all in the Cardinal's study together again. He sits behind his ancient desk and smiles as he sees the Pendant handed over to him. The high priest holds the trinket up to the light and pauses as if in deep contemplation. He watches the holy symbol glitter in the light. “A pretty enough thing, eh?” he muses. “This is a holy symbol of Mitra in particular the sort favored by the Knights of the Alerion. Perhaps you already knew that." He pauses. "Remember this symbol. This is the mark of those who destroyed our faith and sought to banish all trace of the worship of our Father from these shores. These, my friends, are your enemies.” He tosses the holy symbol to whoever gave it to him. “Keep it. It may aid you in disguising yourself.” He smiles. “You have done well. Escaping from Branderscar, slaughtering Sir Balin … yes, you are worthy. Even dying to complete the tasks I set you. But you see I put safe guards in place without telling you. I would not waste your lives but I had to test you. And you all succeeded. Tonight we shall have a small celebration dinner of sorts. There you will formally meet another knot I am soon employing. What their mission is does not concern you but both your successes are important to the next part of my plan. And tomorrow I will begin your training." After a short time where you have a chance to talk he dismisses you. Tiadora escorts you away telling you to be attired appropriately.

After you have bathed and cleaned yourselves up from the dungeons smell of blood, dirt and death with the assistance of your slaves they show you to the main hall. The four others are standing and talking (or not talking at all) amongst their selves. (This is Elise, Dostan, Tallus and Titus) They look at you as you enter but before anyone can approach another Cardinal Thorn beckons you all around the grand table full of exotic food. "Please sit, eat and discuss."

Be as talkative or not as you like. I will reply to any questions or discussion."

Sorry didn't realize I was up yet, don't know what I would have posted but we move on its cool.

Titus, nice to see you again. Ah Elise you are as beautiful as ever. I trust you all are doing well. Seems the Cardinal has provides us with a grand feast. So dear Cardinal we are to start training with you tomorrow, may I ask what type of training this will be?

He sits and poors a large glass of wine. He pecks at the various meats and cheeses, before sitting back in his chair to enjoy his drink and speaking.

Fletch rises from the coffin slowly as his eyes dart suspiciously around.

I-I don't remember where I went. There was blood and then...what did I see?

Shaking off the cobwebs, he is sure to thank his "host". I appreciate your effort in repairing my physical form, Cardinal. I am not so certain about the "soul returning" bit but this should make for a delightful edition to my ongoing experimental notes.

***Later, during the feast***

Still scribbling down bits of half-remembered memory, Fletch absent-mindedly makes his way to the table with his fellow "experiments".

Turning to Wade, On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your death experience? Be honest now, this is for posterity. Did you see or think you saw entities of a higher plane of existence? Did you see color? Perhaps flying pasta dishes?

Fletch eats the food placed in front of him with mechanical precision between rapidly fired questions.

Cole, I do wish to hear your experience being near death as well but I did have another favor to ask. I have never been too...martially minded shall we say and our excursion down into the crypts illuminated my obvious need for adequate protection from bodily harm. Would you be able to help me choose some armor that wouldn't hamper my movements too much? I can pay for the piece obviously but I have never needed such a thing before.

I would like to buy MSW Studded Leather (175 gp), a Hybridization Funnel (200 gp), a Formula Alembic (200 gp), and 8 Liquid Ice (320 gp).
Let me know if I have the time/ability to take 20 on Craft(Alchemy) to make those Liquid Ice myself. My bonus is only a +12 atm so Taking 10 won't cut it.

Looking to Fletch as he speaks then looking to dark spots on his arms he smiles and speaks.

Certainly Fletch. I could off you some advice, I would also suggest some proper lessons in aiming while your at it. He laughs.

Lets save the shop talk for later. Let us enjoy this time of celebration with new friends and toast the fall of Talingarde and Mitra.

He stands and raises his glass.

To our Dark Prince, may he ever watch over us as we bring forth his plans and goals. And to the Cardinal for bringing these goals to us and bringing us together under Asmodeus.

I wonder where Jack got off to? I search the room for the big ogre. I never did whip up something for that poison they gave him. Or Tails-err Avyanna.

Wade nods in appreciation at being awoken but other that does not respond to being "awoken".
When it comes to the meal he sits across from Elise, giving her a winning smile, displaying his slightly fanged maw, before eating what was before him.
When fetch sits down on his left and immediately begins talking wade pauses carefully considering his response "I would say an eight, eight and a half, I believe I had a vision of things to come, and it was good" he says with a malicious grin.

I´m so glad we slew that prick. Those Mitra lovers alway pay unwanted attentions and advances.

Kana breaks her long silence, enjoying the good food.

Titus nods and Elise gives Cole a dangerous and alluring smile. "We are doing well. None of us have come near death at least."

The Cardinal responds to Cole. "I will train you all. Together as a team and separately to bring out your individual strengths also. It will take several months and it will be tough. You may even feel like giving up. But I will not let you, any of you." The toast Cole gives is answered by all at the table.

"You're ogre is here, for now. Why did you bring him? I will not take responsibility for him and when you go he goes. Or you can tell him he is free to go his own way now."

"we are not one to give up such a potentially useful asset, I for one intend to take him with us"

Yes, Grumblejack has proven to be more than some mindless beast. I'm sure he is hurt by your thoughts that he would cause a disturbance. He seems pretty focused on food and survival. We will use his strengths for our advantage while we keep him happy. A valuable asset indeed don't you think Cardinal. I'm sure with the right amount of teaching even he could come to know the blessings of Asmodeus.

He sits back down after the toast and defending grumble with wade.

None near death was it Titus. I see you heard of our dealings then He smiles.

The knight was quite strong and s zelot. I can understand and admire his purpose. Let us hope your fortune presist in your future endevors. He looks to Elise. It would be a waste and a tragedy for such beauty to be taken from this world. He raises his glass to her and then drinks sitting back in his chair again.

that reminds me, I was going to teach you a thing or two about subtlety"

"A brute such as an ogre. Be careful he does not eat you while you sleep," Talus says and laughs, "That or the Mitrans will find by his stench and send you to Asmodeus for good this time." His brother Titus smiles and seems to agree before putting his own spin on the ogre's presence. "No no. Use the ogre as bait yea? Capture yourself some of them sun worshipping dogs and show them what they are missing."

Ah subtlety, a cruch for the weak to scared to speak their mind. I have no use of such a tool. Now deception is different. I can agree we need not tell the enemy the plans we have, but I will not play games with them either. He smiles at Wade as if his words have not meaning toward him.

Maybe Titus, but not realy bait, but perhaps as a destraction while we work against them. His uses could be numerous.

without understanding subtlety your deceptions will be crude and see through,"
He turns to those talking of the ogre "we just might use him as bait, but if I can help it not fatally, his strength is not one to simply throw away, and I firmly believe he can be trained, and if trained could prove an even greater asset to us

Declan was thoughtful, considering everything that she had been through so far, listening to the others talk back and forth as the feast went on. She was eating something without tasting it, watching the others in the room that were not talking. She had a direction before she ended up in that prison. Now, she was going to have to find her place again, and that would take time.

That was not to say that she did not have any direction, that part lay with the Cardinal since she signed that contract. However, she was also considering what after. Sooner or later, they would be done, and if she was around to see it, there would be something that she would be doing afterwards. Sighing, she realized that it was something that she would not find the answers to in a night, let alone during the feast, so she put that thought away.

"Why not train him up and get him to a position of power with a clan of Ogres?", she injected into the conversation between Wade and Cole.

"well for one, do you know where we can find a group of ogres? Because I don't , and I think a whole clan of ogers woul be hard to control and easy to spot, perhaps a gambit for late game, but for now we need to prepare our opening move, the time for an overwhelming show of force is for later, but for now, the idea of granting the ogre a bit of training is an intriguing one, and I for one approve"

What say you Grumblejack? Would you like to follow us and be ocunted among us. We will try and provide all the lil'ones you care to eat, torture or play with as you see fit. I will do my best to see you never imprisoned again. Swear an oath to us and to Asmodeus. As warpriest I will hold your vow and reward your fealty. If you break your oath I too will be the one to punish. Will you join and stay with us then.

Cole stands again looking to Grumblejack. He raises his glass as he speaks. He stares the Ogre in the eyes. He acknowledges him as a person instead of an object to be used.

Thorn would not permit Grumblejack to be summoned to the dinner so I will assume you ask the slaves to show you to him.

"There are many savage creatures in the north. A clan of ogres would make up for their lack of intelligence with brute force if they had someone they followed. Of course, forcing free ogres to follow you would be no easy task." Thorn throws in after Declan and Wade.

When Cole finds Grumblejack the ogre is standing in his own room with a slave outside the door. Inside the room he is picking his teeth with a sharpened bone.

The next day Thorn begins your training. For several months this happens daily. He trains with you separately and together, lessons both rewarding and cruel, joyous and excruciatingly painful accompany almost every day. Any reluctance to finish a task is rewarded by a night with Tiadora. Any who are foolish enough to risk that dare never to disobey Thorn's directives the next day and onwards, the harsh training is heaven compared to the horrors that are her pleasure and entertainment. The training forges you together and finally you are truly ready to be called the Nessian Knot. You feel stronger and far more capable than you did before, truly becoming the soldiers and agents of Asmodeus.

YAY! The completion of your training advances you to 3rd level!
You also get to choose another trait to add to your crime and normal trait. Granting 3 total traits(4 if you took a drawback)

After the training is finished, Cardinal Thorn pronounces you ready and holds a great banquet in your honor. He awards you the title of the Nessian Knot in an infernal ritual involving blood and fire. During the ritual he summons forth a barbed devil and offers to it one of the slaves of your choosing. The devil gleeful rips the slave apart and feasts on the blood. Adrastus then draws forth some of the devil’s blood with a silver athame. Adrastus traces the unholy symbol of Asmodeus on the forehead of each of you in the mingled blood of devil and sacrifice.

"Behold," he proclaims, “The Nessian Knot is forged.”

“Just in time,” Cardinal Thorn remarks. “My ship has arrived.” On the river dock behind the manor under cover of darkness, a square-sailed longship sails into the slip. It sits heavily in the water, laden with a substantial cargo.

Once everyone has chosen their new trait and roleplayed anything they wish about the last 3 months I will move on to the mission he has for you. Oh and post your level up summary in the discussion thread for me. :)

Kana needed to test her boundaries and met with Tiadora once. She learned a lot from it.

Choosing “Strike first, strike ruthlessly and thus be victorious”. Damage versus angels would probably come in handy too later, but can´t resist that initiative boost. Will update character soon.

The training was something Declan took to with a will. Tiadora's attentions were something that she undertook to see if she could endure. While she could say she would not willingly do that again, she did gain more understanding towards herself and a dedication towards her purpose in the group. They had a purpose under the Cardinal, but her personal purpose was something that she was determining.

There was still time, though. They had their goals, and as they accomplished them, she would set a goal for herself to reach, so she would not feel so empty with the devotion to the contract and only the contract.

Mission away!

Wade trains dilagently with his instructor(s) in between working on his master weapon, informing him (them?) of his concerns of his seemingly waning health, yet increased power and awareness, briefly mentioning the vampires that attacke his merchantile caravan, and was made to run laps and go through excercises intended to increase his reflexes.

Fletch runs through the paces of his training half-heartedly, always wishing he was back in his lab experimenting with his shiny new toys. This earns him repeated reprimands when his focus wavers.

His first (and only) time with Tiadora was right after he set a harmless little fire in the library. How was he supposed to know that mixture of chemicals wouldn't prolong the shrubbery's life (and reduce it's need for watering)?

He was able to eek away enough time to create a new experimental form of his "mojo" juice as well as a new serum that should enhance his shapeshifting ability. He was anxious to try it out.

Mutagen Prepared: +4 DEX, -2 WIS, +2 Nat. Armor, Darkvision 60 ft.

You have trained me well Cardinal. I have grown closer to our master. He has taken note and started to reward my loyalty. I one day will be a devilish warrior in his ranks. Now what is our mission. I trust this ship has something to do with it.

Cole stands stoicly looking to the ship.

The next day, after you have prepared yourselves to leave he summons you one more time.

“Welcome, my children,” he says in a deep resonant voice that has an almost inhuman quality to it. “Training is at an end. You have proven yourself worthy. Now, it is time for you to use that training and take on your first mission. Your mission is war, my children. You will bring war to Talingarde."

“You have two objectives. First, you will see a shipment of munitions delivered to a bugbear chieftain named Sakkarot Fire-Axe. He makes his camp on the northern coast of Lake Tarik beyond the Watch Wall. With this shipment, the Fire-Axe will have resources enough to unite the barbarous humanoid tribes of the north and light the fire of war."

“Sitting on the dock as we speak is the longship Frosthamar captained by Kargeld Odenkirk. Tomorrow when the ship is resupplied it will be your transport. The captain is a ruthless mercenary and not to be trusted. He knows nothing of the specifics of our mission and you should keep it that way. He knows he is smuggling cargo to the north beyond the Watch Wall. That is all he need know. “Once the cargo is safely delivered, he will take you just south across the lake under cover of darkness and land you near the town of Aldencross. There our contract with Captain Odenkirk will be concluded."

“It is a shame how greedy he has proven. I had hoped to let the captain serve me again but it seems he is too much of a liability. Kill him. Kill his crew. Burn his ship and leave no survivors. It is crucial that no one suspects our involvement and that loose ends are taken care of. Be sure to reclaim the coin I gave him. Best not to be wasteful."

"That done, you will begin your second task. We will do more still to aid our ally the Fire-axe. The bugbears are mighty warriors but poor siege engineers. You will infiltrate the tower Balentyne, keystone of the Watch Wall, kill its commander and open the gate for Sakkarot’s horde."

“Once the shaggy monstrosities pierce the Watch Wall, the bugbears will pillage and lay waste to the townships of the north and the local garrisons will have no choice but to meet the Fire-Axe in the open field. Sakkarot is the most brilliant, gifted and murderous bugbear of his generation. I expect these battles will go poorly for the knights and yeoman of fair Talingarde."

“Do all of this and then when your task is done, break this clay seal.” He hands you a delicately carved clay seal adorned with a tangled knot of thorns surrounding the holy symbol of Asmodeus. “I will have more instructions then. Succeed and I will see you rewarded handsomely. Fail or betray me and you will pray for the comfort of Hell before I am done with you."

“The mission you start upon today is a holy mission. The people of Talingarde think they have seen the last of the mighty Asmodeus. Soon enough we will remind them that there is no escaping the grasp of Hell. Let us toast our success.” He pours one glass of deep red wine for each of you and then finally pours one for himself. He raises the glass and offers a toast.

“To war.”

"To War!"
Cole drinks down the glass.

A brilliant plan indeed. The people think they are safe hiding behind that wall. Letting a large force through will truely bend Talingarde. I trust you have further plans to break her, but that is for later. I will see this mission done my master. For you and for Asmodeus.

Cole takes a knee pledging his oath.

Wade returns the toast enthusiastically before speaking with very solid plan all things considered, but.. It's not failure proofHmm the ship has cannons, yes? at least a few of them, anyway, I say we should take two or three of them and give them as gifts to the bug bears, further placing them in your debt, and increasing their military strength, giving us a "plan B" if we absolutely need it,"

Fletch stares intently out at the boat docked in the distance.

Cardinal, may I inquire as to our identities while sailing with Captain Kir- errr...Odenkirk? Dibs on Chief Engineer!

I approve of the efficiency of your plan, Father Wade, but do smuggling ships carry that kind of weaponry? Arkenstar is many leagues removed from Talingarde. It would seem more likely they would carry small mounted ballistae or perhaps a catapult on the foredeck rather than cannons. That aside, if you have a method by which we might quickly slay their entire crew and then remove said siege weapons (whatever they might be) I am all for further indebting those northern brutes.

if nothing else we do have grumblejack

I now have the intense desire to have stoneskin cast on Grumblejack then launch him as living ammunition from a catapult. Trolls and Earth Elementals would make good "ammo" as well I think...

True. He might be of some use yet... Fletch's sentence trails off as if seeing some sort of Ogre-powered siege engine idea come to mind.

Still lost in thought, Fletch drinks deeply of the wine. Almost immediately his vision blurs.

*Cough* *Cough* He tries to cover up his obvious lack of drinking experience with a question, Uhm...what are the other Knots up to? Will we see any of them again?

War.
War never changes.
And it seems i just met the right new friend for this.
Kana caresses the white tiger that rests at her side.

ROOOAAAAARRRR!

Wade snorts in genial amusement at the antics of his teammates, already he starts to deal attachment to them.

Oop. Missed the toast.

"To War."

The glass was lifted with the others, and the wine sipped, but now knowing their plans, she was setting herself for the tasks that were ahead.

Tiadora leads the way to the docks in a shimmering and very expensive looking red silk gown that shows off her perfect figure. It is a short half hour walk. She says nothing.

Once at the docks she points out the ship Frosthamar. The Frosthamar is a single-masted knarr with a square sail. It is similar to a Viking longship but wider and with a deeper hull better suited to carrying cargo. And the Frosthamar is obviously loaded with cargo. Sitting heavy
in the water, she holds twenty four tons of weaponry, arrows and shields emblazoned with a flaming axe.

The captain is a grizzled north-man with a wiry beard, pale blonde hair and countless scars. This is Kargeld Odenkirk. His crew consists of a half dozen grim sailors who speak little of the common Talirean tongue. “You will guard our boat all the way north, yes?” he asks.

Cole walks side by side with Grumblejack explaining what is ahead and their mission. He says noting about what is to be done with the captain and crew, can't risk that coming out too early. As they get to the boat and the captain speaks, Cole pats Gumblejack on arm.

Yes captain. You will be protected. You do a great deed for the cardinal. Now Grumblejack you will need to remain sitting most of the time and under a cloak. We wouldn't want to risk you being spotted. The people of this land are ver hostile to your kind along with the goblins and orcs. Once we make it past the watchwall into the open you can move about more freely. Do you understand?

Oh yea sorta forgot about that ogre.

Kargeld seems to try not to look at the ogre, "I only take people not monsters. I don't care if it's your pet or not. It's too dangerous and risky if he is seen. And It's my ship." He crosses his arms.

"Well then I hope you can protect your ship all by your lonesome, where we go, he goes, he is a member of our crew"
are there no cannons?

"Ha. You aren't getting where you need to go without me. Good luck finding the next ship that will take ya. Like I said. Too dangerous for me if a patrol sees him. He stays."

I have a solution. Cole draws his cloak shut and puts his hood up. He then reaches in taking the circlet.

Neel down Grumblejack. He puts the circlet on the ogers head.

Now think about a lil'un and focus on the circlet to make you look that way.

Cole waits a moment as Grumblejack figures out how to work the circlet.

Now captain he is just another one of us. Now let us aboard so we can be on our way. It may be your ship but you are in our employ. I will not tolerate any other outburst or demands from you. You have been paid now do your job.

I hope there are NO cannons.

Mh i can understand that having such a huge person who is supposed to be monster a frightening outlook. You surely don´t mind my little cat though!

Kargeld crosses his arms and waits as he watches Cole direct Grumblejack. The ogre lets Cole put it on him and when directed he looks to the others then Cole and thinks. Slowly he turns to look like Cole only bigger and taller like a magically enlargened version of Cole. He is still large sized

"He looks like ya a bit. Maybe they won't be too suspicious if he stays covered up..." When Cole starts to make demands and assert as if he is in charge he crosses his arms again. "You watch how you talk to me. This ain't your ship and I ain't working for you. I take the cargo north for Thorn and you guard my ship. If it weren't for him I would have you thrown into the ocean for that. You're the ones working for me, protecting MY ship as Thorn said. Now hurry up and get aboard. We're losing time! I'm going to be demanding extra payment for this." The sailors on the ship behind him had been holding their weapons as if they expected the Captain to ready his axe to fight but instead Kargeld walks on board ahead of you.

There are no cannons or other ship like weapons on board. It is a cargo ship full of cargo.

LOL. Cole has a bigger brother now!

Of course, Captain Kirk. We will be sure to pay you in full for your services upon arrival. Though a bit different than what you might expect, we are an effective fighting force.

Used to the sounds of individuals posturing back and forth, Declan just shook her head, walking onto the boat casually, unconcerned for now. She would not have put it past all the sailors to notice that they all were wearing those circlets-- rather, she hoped that they did notice, since the incompetence of others put her in this position. The sight of Kana and her tiger was something she wanted to see their reactions to, and she realized that any sort of "misconduct" was a very low possibility.

That suited her just fine. The design of the ship meant that they would be exposed to the elements-- and the insects-- without some measures taken, but the trip should not take too long, she hooped. It was likely that there was going to be some friction with those on the ship. Perhaps Grumblejack and the tiger would serve as a deterrent. However it went, she was eager to see this task underway.

Then we understand each other then. Very well lets be underway.

Cole climbs on board with Grumblejack.

Sit here my friend.

Cole sits next to the ogre and continues their discussions on religion and why serving Asmodeus will be a good thing for the ogre.

When onbord wade gathers his comrades together outside the hearing range of the crew
"as obnoxious as he is, the man has a point, does anyone have any idea for what to do in the event of our being discovered. if no ideas are forthcoming he continues with "I was considering forging papers stating that we are on official buisness, perhaps makin a delivery for a minor noble, or even a military delivery to the castle we're sacking."

Actually, i would rather leave the ogre here. Being discovered on sea and then attacked seems very bad to me. I can´t really swim, so i would prefer a safe journey on sea.

The first leg of the journey is placid and peaceful. Everyone has plenty of time to gain their sealegs and get acclimated to shipboard life. The Frosthamar may be a fine ship but it is not a ship that caters to delicate sensibilities. It has no cabins and everyone must sleep under the stars with the rest of the crew. There are no garderobes or chamber pots. The crew simply relieve themselves over the railing. The rations are
hardtack and small beer, though Kargeld does stop a couple of times to hunt deer along the wilder part of the coasts.

It takes half a day to sail down the Varnyn River and out into the open ocean. The Frosthamar hugs the coast and from the ship you can see countless farming communities and fishing villages go by. More than a few fishermen wave at the Frosthamar. Kargeld is always sure to wave back. “Wouldn’t want ‘em to get suspicious, eh?” he says with a glower. The Frosthamar is not swift so heavily-laden and averages about forty eight miles a day. It takes a week for the ship to pass along the settled coast of Talingarde passing the great city of Daveryn, the largest center of civilization along the western coast. Kargeld is quick to squash any talk of stopping there. “This is no pleasure cruise. Besides, I won’t get our cargo within a mile of a Talirean harbormaster.”

Declan was not modest, nor did she care about the sailors that eyed her. In turn, she eyed them right back, finding some amusement in this little game. Unless Kargeld kept strict discipline on his sailors, no doubt she had bantered comments back and forth with one or more of the sailors, her one veiled warning being, "I bite back." Honestly, she was hoping that one of them would give her the opportunity to bleed them. The Cardinal's luxuries had spoiled her.

So far, they were managing well, despite the extra drain on their resources from Grumblejack and Tora. No doubt that was the reason that deer supplemented their rations. Declan exercised in her boredom, maintaining her strength and flexibility, ignoring the eyes of the men that turned to her, though Kana undoubtedly had more of the attention. She did find that the smell of the sea reminded her of the prison, since that was one of the few things that she could smell long before she ever arrived. She would be happy to be back on land.