"Whoa!" Mal's lunge surprises the big sailor but not enough to get thru his guard unscathed. He catches a crack to the side of the head just as he tackles the first mate to the deck with force enough to make the whole ship shake.
Not about to get into a wrestling match with the stronger man, he foregos such a course of action.
"Sorry man." Before his arms or shoulders can get pinned, the first mate delivers a forearm smash to the side of Andre's head that senses his senses reeling.
Gelik clutches the railing uncertain as to whether the fight is over or not. Alis rests her hand on his shoulder and whispers, "Give it a moment..."
Mal releases the sailor, rolling over onto his back as he gasps for breath. "I give." he says to the sky. "I got nothing left after that." He lies there for a few minutes, his chest heaving, and finally raises up on one arm, "You got a mean hook, Alton." He finally staggers to his feet and shambles over to the railing, dipping some water for himself.
"I owe you 5 gold, but i expect you to continue training with me." And he goes to get the First Mate his winnings.
Breathing just as hard, Alton gives Mal a hand and claps him on the shoulder. "Hell man, if you want to practice, I'm game."
When Gelik rings the bell for Alton, the crew goes nuts, clearly happy to see that their first mate is just as tough as they though. More than a few are also heartened to see the good sportsmanship between the two bruisers.
Ignoring raucous sailor, he continues, "I have to tell you though. If you want someone to really train you, 'Rou is the man to do it."
When he nods to the scruffy-looking Khek grumbling by the rails, it's clear that he means Ishirou. "He's the one who cleaned my clock back when I was just another loud-mouth myself."
Ishirou growls, "Fat rotta good it do! Why you stand round rike that ret him hit you rong time? Baaah!"
He walks past grumbling but not without faking a kidney punch just to make Alton flinch. Before clambering back to the rigging though, he turns and says over his shoulder, "Tomorrow, tomorrow I show you how to strike better. You rest good first, you too big to take easy on!"
Mal points at himself, a surprised look on his face, "Me?" He smiles and snaps off a smart salute, "Yessir." He looks over at the girls. "Well… guess I better go get some sleep, then."
All day Rosday and thru Lansday the White Pearl raced across the Silver Sea. Your proximity to the giant maelstrom at its heart and Ieana's spells had pushed her past 20 knots, a feat even Alis had thought impossible!
Just when you had begun to worry that the ship must eventually shake apart from the strain, or get caught in the current, you noticed that your southward-arcing course has changed. Slowly, you began to head to the southeast.
By Starsday, your pace has decreased to a more manageable 15 knots which was maintained thru Alsday. Finally, early in the morning on Daegsday, you could hear the cry of "Land ho!" from the crow's nest.
Coming up to the deck, the eclectic towers and spires were just beginning to crest the horizon: Light's End — the half-way point between Malatesta and Port Eldarion.
For the past several days, when he hasn't been working on the wilding clasp for his armor, Mal has been busy either learning the ropes with Alton and Aerys (who seem to have become rather close), or he's training in unarmed combat techniques with Ishirou. Today however is different. Today he's actually enjoying the hot, sub-tropical winds and sunshine rather than keeping himself locked in the cabin all day.
Why, you ask?
Late last night, after much toil in spite of his lumps from Ishirou, Mal finally finished work on his new trinket! Naturally, this resulted in him keeping the rest of you up late showing off how he could now turn into a cheetah with barding, but thankfully Alis' magical talents kept the noise down to a dull roar... literally.
On top of this, as your ship steadily approaches Light's End, you observe that sailing skills have come along quite nicely. While he's not ready to be his own skipper, between his situational awareness and knack for working as part of a team, he's become a fairly capable seaman.
While Ishirou compliments the big man on being a fast learner in that respect, it's still clear that its going to require a bit more training before he's satisfied with Andre's guard.
In spite of her 'condition', or perhaps because of Mal's doubts as to her capability in a fight and her new friend's intentions, Lureene spends much of her time whiling away the hours with Sasha. The feisty red-head, eager to hone her skills after getting choked-out by Aerys, sticks to her forte. When Andre and Ishirou aren't going at it, Sasha spends her time helping Ellie with her footwork and swordsmanship.
While she admits that her new bosom buddy still has more to learn, she's overall pretty pleased to see that her project is learning to keep herself out of harms way.
Whether it's from the restrictions necessitated by her disguise or contemplations of mercy and second chances from her dealings with Aerys and Jask, the days at sea have left a mark on Priyya. Not even three weeks have passed since the White Pearl flew from Malatesta's sea channel — less than that even since Felmor departed on his own journey. Yet in that time, lives had been saved and the cause of good further not by the edge of her scimitar or the bend of her bow, but by Alíta's more gentle gifts.
True, she was proud to see Aerys' put a hurt on Sasha. Likewise, she could see in Lureene's eyes that she knew she'd be a goner if she took the red-head lightly and things turned sour. Still, there was a certain satisfaction in seen the dark-haired half-elf beginning her life anew. There was a sense of stewardship in knowing that by befriending Jask and taking time to listen to him that she might have won justice not only for him but potentially his people. True, much of that would depend on her presently wrinkled companion, but it was their goddesses who had set them on this path together.
Was that part of Súmalya's gift to the Surya-ka-Vahaak then? Was that part of Alis' credo, that by raising others up you are yourself increased in grace? Was that how the Lyrians honored their muse?
The matronly looking, chocolate-skinned healer smiled to see Mal and the old monk training. Even if she inherently distrusted Sasha, it was also good to see Lureene thinking about her own self-defense after what happened back at the Tar Dog's lair. As for her supposed 'patron', well other than keeping Gelik busy, the energetic princess had seemingly enjoyed being quiet company, pouring studiously over Lureene's spellbooks and what appeared to be arcane textbooks that Alexis had given her.
Contemplations of what the inscrutable royal could be up to quickly faded from her thoughts as she noted the sails threatening to catch fire from the sparks between Aerys and Alton.
Is this what my vision portended with me in Alis' body? Damn woman's rubbing off on me!
It's good to have a few solid successes.
Malandraenas breathes in one long, slow breath, savoring every little nuance of the warm day's wind. The salt, the tar, the wood, the open sky. He'd been too cooped up on the ship, preparing his clasp, to spend any time experiencing the ocean for what it was… a new aspect of the wild. He subconsciously rubs at the tender spot on his ribs where the strange, wiry human had landed a spectacularly powerful knee the afternoon before.
How does that little man pack such a powerful blow? he thinks with a shake of his. The lack of his dark mane makes him grimace, and he runs a nearly pink, strangely clawless hand across his scalp. The disguise was necessary, but he hated masquerading as something he was not. I'm proud of who I am! he thinks fiercely.
As much as he's hated wearing the disguise, his mood couldn't stay sour for more than a few moments. He was learning a new skillset through Ishirou's training - well, two if you also counted the shipman's skills he'd picked up from the first mate and his new woman - and he'd finished his clasp… not to mention his success at secretly trying out a few new animal forms.
His smile deepens as he looks out over approaching Light's End, one hand finding Talvyra's ear to scratch, and he says to no one in particular, "Yep, whatever comes down our trail tomorrow… it's good to have a few solid successes."
With the exception of the worries over Sasha's allegiances, whether or not she was being scried upon, Lureene's fertility, the hull-pounding storm, Jask's testimony, and being regaled with conspiracy theories regarding nearly every passenger aboard the White Pearl, the voyage to Dafar was thus far proving rather enjoyable. In Sasha, you perhaps have a chance to smoke out the Ruby Coil, there appears to be no need to worry over Lureene getting pregnant by accident, the storm shaved about a day off your journey, Jask had provided some valuable intel, and her companions had made some good friends and taken to self-improvement in their free time.
Upon seeing that Mal could now remain armored when he shape-shifted, Alis had been ecstatic.
"This is great!" she exclaimed. "Say, when you're able to turn into a tiger or something big like that, maybe we could get a riding harness made for you. Wouldn't that be something? The jungle princess, garbed lightly, riding into battle upon a preternaturally intelligent, barded tiger — sword in one hand, flaming repeater in the other! Can you imagine that? Wow, what a painting that would make for..."
She smiled idly at the thought looking up from the arcane texts she had borrowed from Lureene as payment for using up all her bath salts already. By the gods, how could she and 'Sis stand all this bookishness. Learning about new places, reading the latest plays, prose, and poetry, even keeping up with current events were all enjoyable. Appearances aside, Princess Alis had no problems sitting still and curling up with a book whether it be written by another or something she herself was penning.
Memorizing spells though? Gods... researching legal precedents is more interesting. Why would anyone have to keep re-reading the same thing over and over again anyway?
Alis sighed and leaned back against the front of the poop deck spying Light's End on the horizon. "What a mishmash," she says to no one in particular, "It's like stepping into a house where no two pieces of furniture go with one another."
Satisfied with the notes she had made in her own journal, the 'hot granny', as Gelik had taken to calling her put up the books in your cabin before returning to the deck. There she began to practice another of the talents she had been working on in preparation for a sojourn at establishing a new court in an unfriendly political climate.
"Oh what a brave son-in-law my daughter landed me. Here now," she waved a scarf at the big soldier who was holding his ribs after a blow from Ishirou had produced a pronounced cracking sound, "let's see what we have here."
Gently brushing the hand aside, Mal could feel his broken rib knit together yet Alis' actual casting of the cure spell had nearly eluded him. With a wink she wandered off to go chat with Gelik at length, the two trading quips back and forth like a pair of fencers testing each others guard.
Always a new trick with that girl, the hunter thought.
"This is great!" she exclaimed. "Say, when you're able to turn into a tiger or something big like that, maybe we could get a riding harness made for you. Wouldn't that be something? The jungle princess, garbed lightly, riding into battle upon a preternaturally intelligent, barded tiger — sword in one hand, flaming repeater in the other! Can you imagine that? Wow, what a painting that would make for…"
Mal's dead-level gaze communicates quite eloquently what he thinks of being turned into the girl's dream-mount. "I'm not a damn horse, Alis." He breaks into a surprisingly lecherous smile, "Though I'm sure if you're that interested in riding me bare-back, we can come to some agreement. Though you'll have to lose the old-lady disguise. Men are visual creatures, after all."
Lureene rests in her bunk after her latest bout with Sasha. All of her muscles were aching, despite Sasha’s well applied massages. She was certainly not used to all of this physical exertion, well at least when she was standing anyway.
She thinks on Sasha, and privately wishes she could drop her disguise and open her heart and soul to her. But every time she entertains the thought of doing so, she thinks of the look in Sasha’s eyes as she worked her over earlier. The look of exultation as she drops 'Ellie' to the ground after a particularly well-executed move. The look of feral rage as Ellie managed to thwart a move from the more experienced lady and after she had stuck her tongue out in mockery.
She sighs. If the other members of the party knew she was entertaining these thought, she would be chastised, and rightly so. If Sasha knew Lureene was responsible for the death of her great aunt, she knew Sasha would be less than grateful. Maybe given time, and if she was shown a different path that was not based on following her mother’s wishes. Sasha would forgive her for Chivane’s death.
As the port of Light’s End approaches into view, she recalls the stories both Alis and Felmor had told her about this marine passageway. As she thinks about what the passage entails, she understands more clearly why all of the sailors offer prayers to Silenya.
While it takes another 2 hours before the White Pearl has finished its approach, docked, and cleared customs, Alis makes use of that time to do a bit of arithmetic...
Before having to get all sneaky, I thought we would be here two days ago. It's another 10 days to reach Port Eldarion, so that's two weeks right there...
10 per day
×6 days per week
----
60 per week
×2 weeks
----
120
×4 compensation level
----
480
"Hrmm..."
She scratches out the final number and instead writes:
500
This figure she notes three times in her ledger: Bodyguard's wages, Retainer's stipend, Religious contributions.
Priyya leans on the rail, chafing to be free of this middle-aged woman disguise along with the lack of martial activity that it requires. Can't have a healer of middle years practicing with bow or blade, now can we?
The city of Light's End sits on a tall, flat-topped island in the center of the strait that leads south to the Gulf of Dafar. Not far to the south, it looks like great black storm-clouds are roiling.
Unlike in the other ports you have visited you note that the docs here are are located within vast basins sealed by heavy sea locks like you might see in a canal. As the White Pearl drew closer, you could see that the water surrounding the place was nearly black with all manner of debris churned up in it even as a sooty drizzle began to stain the sails.
After discretely passing each of you a pouch of coins, Alis explains,
"Further into the strait is Light's End itself — a narrow cleft between the Silver Sea and the Gulf of Dafar. From what I've read, this whole area is some sort of volcanic zone. Apparently, pressure builds up within the ground and presses the cleft closed. When that happens, depending upon the tide either the sea or the gulf backs up. Once the weight of the water grows heavy enough and the pressure underground great enough, it releases in great geysers, the cleft opens and a violent cascade pours through. The shockwaves alone create huge waves that can founder even mighty ships so the docks have to be protected."
She points to a long channel further south where half a dozen ships are lined-up. "The only way to navigate Light's End is to wait for the shockwaves to subside and then sail thru before the cleft closes. Otherwise..."
Alis claps her hands closed leaving no doubt as to what the result would be. "So that's what that straight-away is for. Ships headed south queue up there awaiting the signal of the harbor master. When the all-clear is given, the locks are opened and they form a convoy behind a pilot ship. Of course, that doesn't stop show-offs from trying to run the straight on their own to get around the hefty harbor fees. The penalty is severe though. All it takes is for a ship to foul up at in the lead and the other ships behind them suddenly have to perform evasive maneuvers or crash."
"Fun stuff!" she says with more than a hint of sarcasm.
"Anyway, I just talked with Captain Kovack. Judging by the queue and where the water levels are right now, it will an hour past dawn tomorrow before we depart." She lowers her voice to a whisper and says, "Since Port Eldarion is likely to be in shambles when we arrive, if there's any last-minute shopping you need to do, now's the time."
No sooner does Alis finish speaking than does Sasha come bounding up from below deck all dressed up for a day on the town. She's wearing a billowing pair of black muslin wrap pants. Under a black leather bustier, she has on a short, diaphanous chemise of emerald-green silk with open sleeves that lace at the shoulders and wrists and is loose about her midriff. Her sword belt is slung about her hips and she's just finished putting her hair into bunches like Alis sometimes does.
"Hey guys!" she says cheerfully, "I was just talking with 'Rys and Al' about exploring the city a bit together. I don't think I've been here since I was just a little thing so I wanted to see the sights. El, you and 'Dre should come with us!"
"Oh," laughs and scratches the back of her head, "and you too Mrs. Bambiano and Miss Sarah!"
Almost on cue, Alton and Aerys make their way up from below deck dressed a good bit more nicely than when they are working the ship. While it's clear that their clothes are nowhere near as expensive as Sasha's let alone yours, the double-breasted black leather vest and burgundy shirt Alton is wearing combined with a sharp pair of buccaneer boots, striped pants and a broad belt make for a bold statement. In place of his normal striped bandanna, he's opted for a tricorn hat matching similar to the one Aerys usually wears only a good bit larger. His thick black mane is pulled back into a ponytail contained by a spiral-shaped band of bronze at least an inch in diameter.
"Andre, Ellie, you're coming too, right? Lots to see in Light's End, I can show you guys around."
You note that on his hip he's wearing a rather massive cutlass with a fancy bronze hilt and a well-lacquered scabbard.
Lureene laughs, and says "Sure thing, Sash! You look dressed to kill, ha ha!"
Noticing her condition was becoming more noticeable, Lureene opts for a long, billowy skirt of a dark-greyish hued silk. matching with a flower trimmed metallic bubble top blouse, inset with gold and silver threads. Silver high-heeled sandals complete the ensemble. Mindful of her disguise, she pins her hair up with several additional pins, and also slips her old practice rapier on her belt, which is black leather embroidered with lavender trim.
Aerys smiles warmly at Sarah and says, "You can't fool me Sarah. I know you've been dying to get off this ship. There are temples from all sorts of different cultures here, not to mention everything else besides!"
It takes a moment for you to realize what's different about Aerys and then it hits you. She's actually taken the time to dress up, apply a little bit of make-up and — by the gods — she's actually wearing a dress! You suspect that it's only fear of a good pummeling from either member of the couple that silences any catcalls from the sailors, but more than a few are shaking their heads and wiping sweat from their brows just looking at her.
While the half-elf's deep blue dress is far simpler than anything Alis would look twice at, its simple lines and calf-high hem suit the young woman. Although it has lacing in the back to aid the fit, a black brocade contrast panel in the front is secured on the left side by a column of 9 pewter buttons from her trim waist to her nicely formed bust. Whether because of the heat or the dirty mist in the air here, she's foregone wearing a chemise under it meaning that the sleeveless affair shows off her well-toned arms and shoulders rather nicely.
Not totally leaving her jaunty attire behind, she's still wearing her black boots and tricorn. Even so, it looks like she's taken the time to give them a loving polish. A plume of exotic feathers trailing half-way down her back from the hat adds a bit of flair, as does a silver chain she's wearing about her neck with a stylized anchor pendant resting just above her cleavage (as if anyone needed more of a reason to look).
While Aerys isn't wearing any weapons, recalling how she fights, you suspect that she doesn't really need any.
Sarah runs her flinty look up and down Aerys once. She nods approvingly, "You look quite fetching in the outfit, my girl." Then she mutters a bit loudly to herself, "Great. Another gods-be-damned heartbreaker to steal the attention of any interesting men. Honestly, how are us dried up old prunes supposed to compete with that?"
Lisa looks up at her taller nurse and says, "Well here's a fine chance to stretch your legs at least you old grump! Why don't you go belt on that old sword you insist on lugging around if just for old time's sake, hmm? Pretty sure the law of Light's End is the peace is kept by insisting that everyone be able to defend themselves or something odd like that. Maybe you can beat a man into submission, I hear some people are actually into that sort of thing!"
She turns to Aerys and admonishes, "Oh, don't let miss frosty curls here fool you. When good looks run in the family, well... it's only natural to ensure your daughters have a capable chaperon who can keep all the hot young studs in line."
"Thanks to Sarah's diligence, if nothing else," she casts a momentary glance at Ellie, "I'm proud to say that none of my daughters have made a granny out of me without first landing themselves a good husband. Isn't that right, Andre?"
As the old nurse gives her patron a withering look, as if to recall the torments she was put thru raising a gaggle of brainless busty beauties, Lisa claps her hands together and says, "Oh! I think I still have my old rapier stashed away in that big trunk Gerrold bought me! We'll both wear our swords out! Oh what fun!"
"Maybe you can beat a man into submission, I hear some people are actually into that sort of thing!"
"Bah! I beat men into submission with my tongue. No sense beating them physically because then I have to heal them up again. Makes more work for me."
Sister Sarah does as her mistress bids and retrieves her old sword in the well-worn scabbard.
Gelik clucks his tongue strutting about in his usual finery and stroking his goatee as he regards all the sharply-dress young folks as well as the two more mature beauties. He lifts Lisa's hand and gives it a kiss on the back. "Well now, Gelik Aberwhinge would be no gentleman at all if I he allowed so rare a beauty to venture about a strange city with no escort. If I might, milady?"
He gives a ridiculously low bow for one so short, hat in one hand, the other raised up towards the matronly Lisa.
Lisa winks and curtsies as she takes his hand. "My husband should be in your debt for looking after me so, fine sir!"
"Excuse me for just a moment everyone," Mother turns to daughter and shakes her head. "Ellie May, I told you not to wear white in Light's End! And you're are you borrowing my clothes again? I swear, child, you never listen unless food, wine, or gifts are involved."
Patting Andre sympathetically on the arm, she says, "Let's go get you in something different, dear. The soot in the air will have you looking like a made-up doxy caught out in a rainstorm before long..."
The two disappear below deck in order to change, primp a bit more, and to collect their sidearms.
Mal surprises everyone by looking the same as always. Though, for the first time since you've boarded the White Pearl, he's got a long-sleeved white shirt covering his torso, the cuffs looking a little long on his powerful arms. Alis is about to poke fun at his choice when she catches a hint of one of the edges of the un-extended Larathiel's Claws along the back of his hand, though she's forced to admit he's done a fair job of hiding the fist-weapons. She's also surprised to see that, despite the long sleeves in this heat - and the ridiculous fact that he has his armor strapped on over the shirt - he doesn't sweat a drop.
At Alis's quip about 'Ellie', Mal can only shake his head and look skyward, Moons above, but when will the agony stop?
He looks at everyone's clothes, then down at the armor strapped on over his shirt and shrugs, "What? I've been around this family long enough to know to expect trouble… like moths to a flame. I just can't figure out if we're the moths or the flames." he says as he surprises you with a smile.
His eyes fall upon Sarah, who's returning with her blade on her hip, and his grin widens, "Now, Sarah. I'm a married man, you didn't have to get dressed up for me."
Sarah, who also hasn't dressed up a jot, gives a rare non-scowl ridden smile to Andre. "Oh! A young man paying attention to me for once... how novel! You know me Andre... I dress to impress." She pats the blade.
'Ellie' give 'Sarah' a look, and says to her, "Now, now, Sarah dear, you had your chance!" as she takes Andre in one arm. She leans over to kiss him on the cheek, while whispering quietly, "You still love me, right?"
On their was back down to the cabin to change, Alis notes Mal's white shirt, sighs inwardly and says to Lureene, "Like daughter like son-in-law. You're the one who's going to have to get the stains out of that, I'm not cleaning up after you kids..."
Within a few minutes, mother and daughter reemerge. Lisa is wearing a heather grey riding dress with broad lapels and tall cuffs. Silvery cord trims the edges three smart silver buttons somehow manage to close the front. Pink ribbons cinch the neatly tapered waist matching a high-collared frilly pink satin blouse. Spilling from the throat of the blouse is silk ribbon of pale gold tied into an elaborate draping bow. It rests atop her proud bust like some exotic flower.
Sitting atop Lisa's grey hair, now pulled back into an elaborate braid with pink ribbons, is a small floppy tricorn made to match the dress and blouse. A bit of silvery lace, and some long, dark feathers from a pheasant add a bit of panache. Swinging at her side, suspended from a well-worn yet polished black belt is her rapier. In her pale grey leather-gloved hands she carries a frilly black parasol which she opens and rests lightly upon her shoulder forming a sort of backdrop that makes the rest of her outfit stand out.
Considering that the temperature must be well into the 90s, the hot-grandma looks quite comfortable. If not for her hair, the perfect application of her make-up might lead one to think she was barely 40 rather than approaching 60. Yet in spite of the heat and humidity, her makeup shows no sign of running.
With a little smirk at Andre she says, "Well thank you for leaving me one charge on that wand newest son-in-law of mine. Quite thoughtful of you. Ellie dear, are you going to be alright in this heat, it looks like you've put on a few more pounds between your bust and your tummy. I really wish you would have told me you were pregnant before we left home, we could have gone shopping for some dresses with an empire waist..."
Lisa shakes her head and smirks when she sees the surprised looks that Gelik and Sasha are giving her. She switches her parasol to her right hand, extends her left to Gelik and says, "Right, let's go adventuring!"
Since Lureene took his arm, Mal takes advantage of the situation to deliver a message he'd been meaning to deliver for a while. As they are walking, he stops her for a second, letting a gap open up between them and the party… far enough that his quietly whispered conversation won't carry. His powerful hand clamps down on her arm as he whispers, "Lureene. You apparently are unaware that I am hating this masquarade. And this constant act wearies me; yet you continue to ham it up and force me into uncomfortable conversations and situations. Let me be clear. If you continue to dramatize our fake relationship in public, I will make it highly uncomfortable for you. And yes, it will be in a way that does not compromise our identity. I understand the need for the cover, but this. IS. NOT. FUN. FOR. ME. So drop it with the needless lovey-dovey act."
All of this comes out in a furious whispered rush, and before she can respond he pulls her along to catch up, speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Oh, for crying out loud, Ellie, your shoes are fine. You can change later if they're uncomfortable."
For several hours, your happy, not-so-little group wanders around the cultural melting pot that is Light's End. While not as large as Malatesta, the variety of goods available for sale is perhaps even greater. Strange, gently curved single-edged blades from Khek, exotic spices harvested from dangerous locales in Zuktol Wilds, exotic hardwoods purportedly grown in the Buahons, the finest silks from Loxphari...
There are also temples to every deity you've ever heard of, several you haven't, some you are certain were made up, and a few that you are certain are actually demons. Likewise there seems to be little cohesion to the architectural styles here save for the same sticky black grime covering everything.
At one point, the ladies all break off to go make a few purchases at the House of Lyria. While Gelik was eager to accompany Lisa, a heavy hand on each shoulder from Alton and Andre quickly dissuaded him. There, Sarah steadfastly refused to set foot inside preferring instead to note the interesting topiary and sculptures to be found in the gardens. (And by interesting she would mean lewd.) At least back in Titan's Cove artistry and inspiration still seemed to be the chief concerns. Judging by Lisa's disgruntled demeanor and Sasha's girlish giggling when they returned, Sarah's suspicions were soon confirmed. In Light's End at least, prostration rather than artistry was the chief means by which Lyria's priestesses served their goddess.
Meanwhile, finding themselves with time to kill, the men kicked back to enjoy a few rounds at a Xerakai tavern. There, dusky-skinned, dark-haired girls in harem garb performed flamboyant dances, pausing only to tend to the hookahs at each of their customers' tables. Thick, stimulating black liqueurs were served in small porcelain cups not much bigger than shot glasses, and all the food was heavily seasoned with anise.
Looking thoughtfully at the dancing girls, Alton asked his comrades idly after a long draw on the water pipe, "I wonder, do you think I could get away with buying Aerys an outfit like that, or would I be shark food for trying?"
Mal half-chokes and half-laughs as the mental image of Aerys working in the rigging in such attire apparently interrupts his ability to swallow. After a few sputtering breaths, he slaps a meaty hand on the table, "I think it might make sailoring difficult with all those silks and such hanging off your limbs. Though she wouldn't have trouble staying cool, I guess." He meets Alton's eyes with another laugh, "But i dont suppose you meant for her to wear it on deck, huh?"
After finishing up at the House of Lyria, the girls grab some lunch and check in on the boys before heading back out to do some clothes shopping. While Lisa helps Ellie to pick out some more flattering dresses from Malatesta with empire waists, Sasha attempts to advise Aerys on more provocative attire for her new beau.
All the while, Sarah the ever-vigilant keeps an eye on everyone catching a glance from Alis just before they enter their... fourth...? shoe store.
Taking Alis' hint, Priyya manages to take a casual look while seemingly looking down the street for someone else. Although she spots the man and he does look familiar, as far as she can tell there's nothing odd about him. In fact, having been up and down this and several other nearby streets multiple times, she's seen at least a few people that she's recognized from earlier.
Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
Priyya responds quietly:
Alis' eyes twinkle with an indigo flame at Priyya's comment.
Priyya casts a cool glance towards Andre before returning her eyes to the street and all the 'familiar' figures they have been seeing.
It was perhaps little surprise that Alton enjoyed the fare at the Setenbori establishment just fine. Setenbor was his homeland after all. However, Mal found that heavily seasoned grilled vegetables and fish topped with fruit compote were hardly satisfying. After a message spell from Alis saying that they had gone a fashion-hunting, the big man was finally able to persuade the other two to quit smoking and head elsewhere where the liqueurs didn't make him anxious and he could actually get something grilled that had to be slaughtered first.
After a time at their second haunt Alton leaned forward heavily on his elbows, fingers laced together above his mouth.
When both men shake their heads wondering what he's going on about, Alton continues.
While Gelik is a bit less subtle than Mal, who simply turns as if waving down a serving girl, it's not difficult to see the man Alton is talking about. He's Setenbori, wearing black and a hood (fairly common in this city), with dark kohl around his eyes. You've passed several other similar people on the streets today yet no one has really stood out to you, though to be fair, Alton is a bit more familiar with the facial features of his people than either of you.
Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
The look on Alton's face is impassive yet the look in his eyes is hardly triffling. Gelik however just curls his mustache for a moment before snapping his fingers loudly.
"Barkeep," he cries out in a loud, somewhat high-pitched tone, "a round for the bar, my tab! Good fortune is always worth sharing! HAHA!"
A cheer goes up around the place and your serving girl quickly hurries away, her job suddenly much busier for the next few minutes. As you take turns keeping tabs on the goings on at the bar, you note that the man leaning against the wall nods appreciatively when a drink is placed before him, though he never touches it.
"Curious, don't you think? Who spends the afternoon in a tavern yet doesn't drink?"
While Mal still doesn't pick up any odd vibes about the situation, he does admit to himself that reading others has never been his strong suit...
Mal's first thought is for the women. He leans down, digging a fake rock out of his shoe to mask his face as he whispers to Gelik and Alton. "I must admit to being concerned for… my family and your girl. I wasn't kidding when I said they attract trouble, and I don't really know what this is about." He looks around at the busy bar, "It'd be nice to find a way to get out of here without him being able to follow. Any ideas?" He grins, "I'm always up for starting a brawl and then skipping out…"