Alton, the first mate, comes out from the captain's quarters, rubbing the bridge of his nose, between his eyes. "I've been staring at those blasted charts for too long already today," he says, to no one in particular. Dropping his hands and opening his eyes, he sees Jask talking to Allia. "You there, prisoner, what in the Gods' names are you doing? You know you aren't supposed to be talking to anyone. Get moving." He steps towards Allia and protectively shields her from Jask. "I'm sorry m'lady. He knows better that." Alton has always been kind to Allia - treating her almost as a daughter. As Jask moves on, he pats her on the shoulder and heads below deck.
Allia sighed disappointedly. She had hopped Jask would tell her something more about what had happened to him, and wanted to tell Alton that the prisoner hadn't done anthing to her, but he was gone too fast again.
And Jask had moved on, and she assumed he wouldn't be talking to her anymore now.
All this talk about breakfast had reminded her that she too just woke up, and she believed she just heard her stomach rumbling. "Yes... breakfast sounds great."
She made her way down into the galley and got herself a few slices of dried bread, a few tiny pieces of even drier fruit and some water. It looked terrible, but she had gotten used to it after over a year on this ship.
She looked around the room and the only table with people on it, is the one occupied by Brin and Meraxes.
"Good morning. I hope I'm not intruding, but do you mind if I join you? It would seem we're the only ones here at the moment."
She gives another of her short smiles at Brin.
Brin hastily clears room for Allia, nearly spilling his mug of water in the process. "No...no intrusion, please do join us. Sit down."
After silently chewing a few mouthful of oats, Brin asks, "So, Allia. How long have you been aboard the Jenivere?"
"It would be an honor! Not everyday do I get to share a bowl of oats with such a talented performer." Moraxes smiles courteously and makes room for her between Brin and himself.
The young woman has to suppress a giggle when she sees how Brin nearly spills his drink all over the table.
Smiling at both of them, she sits down at the offered place between the two of them. "Oh thank you, but I'm really not that talented" she replies to Meraxes' compliment.
"How long I've been aboared? Oh, that has to be about a year and two month now, I think" She shrugs slightly, as if it really wasn't a big deal.
Before she actually starts eating, she moves her hand around over the plate, and speaks some strange words. Maybe it was a prayer from her country of origin.
After that she takes a piece of fruit and puts it in her mouth, apperently even enjoying the taste, despite the terrible look of the thing.
Smiling at both of them, she sits down at the offered place between the two of them. "Oh thank you, but I'm really not that talented" she replies to Meraxes' compliment.
"You're completely right."Said Moraxes with a sarcastic smile
"Just being polite, that's all m'lady." He shoveled another round of oats into his mouth.
"How's that.....apple?" He slightly chuckles examining the fruit..not sure what it even is at this point.
Petry, his eyes locked on the redhead in the crow's nest, kept silent watch while everyone else appeared to go below deck. Dragolan waited patiently for his answer as well.
After several minutes, Petry walked slowly over to the larger man's location on the wooden planks. "So, Master Canario, you're from Cheliax. Have you heard anything about who does the hiring of adventurers in Eleder? I think I'll have to go and find out where the natives are getting their gemstones from, rather than wait for them to come to me."
Dragolan slowly turns to regard his countryman. "I know of no names, but the rulers of Fort Bandu would be glad enough of a few extra adventurers, and there are supposed to be miners and explorers thereabouts under what protection the fort can offer. It is, unfortunately, around two hundred miles from Eleder. I believe that the redoubtable Brin would join us on such a journey--as, perhaps, would Ishirou and Sasha. None of the other passengers seem to be the sort who would face that sort of danger. But one never knows." He smiles. "Unfortunately, Allia is tied to the ship and her captain--she would at least provide some entertainment on the way, eh?"
"I see land," comes a voice from on high. It is Sasha's, but it comes several minutes after the question was asked. "It doesn't appear to be settled, though. It just looks like wild jungle and - I must admit - beautiful beaches."[b] As she finishes her reply, she hops out of the crow's nest and nimbly climbs down the netting to deck below. She strides over to Petry and Dragolan. [b]"I'm not overly familiar with the seas, but I don't see our destination anywhere in sight. I hope our captain knows what he's doing. So, Petro, you didn't drink much last night. Are you a lightweight or what?" She says this with a gentle nudge in Petry's ribs.
Dragolan waves a finger in mock disapproval. "Don't tease the man, Sasha. It isn't polite.
"The two of us were discussing what to do once we reach Eleder. He wants gems, I want wilderness, and we were considering making for Fort Bandu. What, if I may ask, are your plans after we make landfall? Would you care to join us?"
"How long I've been aboared? Oh, that has to be about a year and two month now, I think" She shrugs slightly, as if it really wasn't a big deal.
Before she actually starts eating, she moves her hand around over the plate, and speaks some strange words. Maybe it was a prayer from her country of origin.
Brin frowns slightly, perhaps puzzled by this odd behavior, but he waits for her to finish. Then, he replies, "Over a year? Really? That's hard to imagine. I, for one, can't wait to feel dry land under my feet again. And to see the trees, get something fresh to eat and drink..."
He pauses, then, remembering that Allia's servitude to the ship's captain prevents her from enjoying the same freedoms he takes for granted. He concludes, somewhat lamely, "Err, not that there aren't some lovely advantages to a life spent at sea."
"You're completely right."Said Moraxes with a sarcastic smile
"Just being polite, that's all m'lady." He shoveled another round of oats into his mouth.
"How's that.....apple?" He slightly chuckles examining the fruit..not sure what it even is at this point.
She smirks as the sarcastic tone was very hard to miss.Well she knows she was better than someone would expect to find in a place like this.
"I'm quite certain it was a mango actually. A speciallity from Sargava and the Mwangi Expanse." She looks at another piece of fruit a bit closer "Or maybe it was an apple, it is hard to tell"
If she notices that you are confused about her gesture, she gives no sign of it, and certainly doesn't seem to have any intentions of explaining it.
"Oh you get used to it, it almost feels like home here" That was a lie of course. There were still time when the erratic movements of the ship made her sick, and she just longed for a piece of land under her feet. Or the company of people that would actually appreciate her talents.
"Well of course, I'm looking forward to reaching port, and be allowed off the ship for a few nights. Rambar's cooking is so good, you sometimes just need a break from it"
At Brin's last words she grins and looks straight at him "Oh, now I am curious as to what you think are advantages of living on a ship. Please tell"
Sasha's eyes light up at the prospect of adventure, as she absentmindedly scratches the spot where her pinky finger used to be. She is speaking to you, but it appears as if she's having an internal dialog. "Hmm, the jungles do sound wonderful. I'm sure there are all manner of exotic creatures there. And surely two such as yourselves could use someone of my skill. But, no, I have things to do in Eleder. It would be...irresponsible...to neglect them. I thank you for the offer, but, no, I cannot." Rather than sounding sad, she almost sounds angry.
Petry takes Sasha's jest in stride, just listening to her voice. He saw Sasha's wound and wondered how she lost her finger. Taking a chance, he asked, "What will you do in Eleder? I had thought of hiring porters, I've bought enough tents for a six-man team. But I don't have enough gold for a trip straight into the jungle, I'll need to be hired by someone or go with a party first. I can make maps too, of where we go."
Sasha starts laughing at Petry's words. "Maps? Hahahahaha! The employers in Eleder need blades and spells - not pieces of parchment on ink. Surely there is something else you could offer an employer or a roving band of adventurers?"
Taken aback, Petry said, "I...I can do other things." His mind flashed in memory to Grandfather's imp taunting him while he was tied up, before he freed himself. His friend in the gemstone telling him where everything was in the room he was tied up in. Making things move by just thinking at them. Animating the heavy oak chair that took out the kidnapper. Finding his way in the darkness by calling for light. Hitting the imp with a ray of sound. "I might be a jeweler and mapmaker, but I can take care of myself." Petry replied defensively.
At Brin's last words she grins and looks straight at him "Oh, now I am curious as to what you think are advantages of living on a ship. Please tell"
A bit surprised by the directness of the question, Brin struggles to answer. "Oh, well, you know, there's plenty of...fresh sea air. And all the...water. You know, Meraxes, I'll bet you can think of some things too, can't you?" Brin turns desperately to the white-haired man for help out of his predicament.
Meraxes looks surprised at the request for his input. His eyes are wide and a spoonful of oats just got in his mouth when he processed the request.
He composes a contemplative "mmmmm.." with a mouth full of oats. He was stalling more than chewing. He swallowed and said, "But of course, Brin. Isn't it obvious what one of the major perks is?
He pauses as if to give time for their guesses.
"Little to no taxes!"
Allia giggles a bit at the joke, but you can see a longing sadness seep into her eyes, and she stares into the distance.
This look only lasts a few moments, then she smiles again, and puts a piece of the bread in her mouth, and once again she doesn't seem to mind the stale taste of it at all.
In an attempt to change the subject of the conversation she asks "And what does bring two attractive men like you to travel this far south?"
Again, Sasha laughs. "Oh Petro, you're a dear. No need to get so defensive. I'm sure your maps and 'other things' will inspire bards for years following your death." Realizing that her words were rather harsh, she attempts to soften them. "Not that you're going to die. Well, I mean you will. But not gruesomely. Unless that's what you want as an adventurer. Oh. I'm sorry. I have to go." She laughs again, as if everything she's just said is a joke, and runs out of the galley.
"Attractive? Just being polite, too? I presume?" Meraxes laughs.
"Last night I recall answering that very same question for Brin and our hopeless romantic chelaxian friend...so apologies to you, Brin, for hearing me repeating it for the lady."
"My lady I am on a pleasure cruise to Eleder! Although it has been highly skewed to the cruising part and not much of the pleasure part. Whimsical choice I made back in Magnimar. I found that place too...constricting. Tell me Allia, you ever go anywhere on a whim?"
Petry couldn't think fast enough for a reply to the retreating redhead. He sighed, again. "I think I'll go stare at the horizon for the rest of the day, Master Canario." he said morosely. "There's not much to do onboard as a passenger. And it's too late to learn the rigging. Eleder can't come fast enough. I'll see if my talents can earn some coin there before my gruesome and well-sung death."
"Do not worry yourself so, my melancholy friend. We'll be on land soon enough, and when we're running for our lives from hostile bands of natives you'll look back on these days of ennui with fondness." He looks over the side. "Pity the water isn't shallower here, else I'd try my hand at fishing."
"Of course, I've been raised to always be polite. And that is why I say now, that I didn't just say that to be polite." She herself wasn't sure if that made any sense.
"Oh yes, I go places on a whim all the time. But rarely is it my own whim that makes me go there. Well, lately not that much, there aren't that many places on a ship you can go."
A tall tattooed elf who was enjoying the breeze at the stern walks up to Petry and Dragolan, his eyes following Sasha's retreating form. He has a gentle smile on his face as he interjects Well, not ALL the natives are hostile. He hesitates as if waiting to be rebuffed by the two "civilized" humans.
"I would love to sing of your death, my friend," a voice says startlingly close to you. "Though I think we both know it will be a horribly mundane, boring one, don't we?" he asks with a wink.
Dragolan starts a bit at both interjections. To the elf, he replies, "Very true, but the friendly ones likely won't be chasing us." To Gelik, he says, "Please don't sneak up under my stomach like that--I might unknowingly step on you, and that would be rude."
Kalis seems taken aback by Gelik's seemingly threatening words. He seems confused by Dragolan's response. Uhhh...the People's songs of death are not to be enjoyed, they are expressions of mourning. Songs of a man's life are remembered for years to come. Is it different among your kind?
"Oh. You elves. So little humor in your lives. You would think everything would be funny to people who lived as long as you."
"Of course, I've been raised to always be polite. And that is why I say now, that I didn't just say that to be polite." She herself wasn't sure if that made any sense.
Meraxes nods feigning understanding.
"Oh yes, I go places on a whim all the time. But rarely is it my own whim that makes me go there. Well, lately not that much, there aren't that many places on a ship you can go."
"Oh I know you are on a ship but you have been on this one for only a year! What about before the Jenivere? Run off with some handsome prince? See a waterfall? Find a buried treasure?"
I find humor in many things: In the way a monkey scampers around a panther, in the way my nephew can not say Kalis yet, and in how strangers perceive the long lives of elves. Kalis smiles to show he is not offended. Some elves are not funny, but being boring is not found only in the People.
"Oh I know you are on a ship but you have been on this one for only a year! What about before the Jenivere? Run off with some handsome prince? See a waterfall? Find a buried treasure?"
Allia giggles a bit "I'm afraid I never met any handsome princes"
She thinks for a moment then adds "Once, when I was little I ran off to watch a circus. Does that count?"
Petry followed the dialogue between the Chelixan, the gnome, and the newcomer elf. He looked at the elf: had he seen him before on the ship? No, he hadn't. The elf looked vastly different from the cultured, native-loving elves he had known in Cheliax. His tattoos sparked Petry's interest, but the flowing lines had little meaning other than color. The man's speech was also...different. "What we were discussing, or at least I was," he murmured, "concerned a certain woman, before we talked about how to enter the jungle and find its' riches to take back to Eleder." he told the interject. Petry struck out a hand impetuously. "Hi. I'm Petry. Future gemcutter and mapmaker of the Expanse." The last the young man declared in such a way as to defy a rebuttal.
Gelik, mocking Petry's defiant tone, says, "Hello. I'm Gelik. Current literary genius and laughmaker at your (everyone elses' for that matter) expense." He reaches up to the shake the elf's hand, but withdraws it before Kalis can comply as he hurries off to the passenger quarters. Anyone listening hears, "That's it! The hook for my next work! I defy a critic to bash THIS story as trite!"
"Last night I recall answering that very same question for Brin and our hopeless romantic chelaxian friend...so apologies to you, Brin, for hearing me repeating it for the lady."
"Not at all," Brin replies with a wave of his hand.
In an attempt to change the subject of the conversation she asks "And what does bring two attractive men like you to travel this far south?"
Attractive? Me? Really?
In his young life, Brin had been called homely at worst, and plain at best (even that was by his mother). Never before had a woman called him attractive, especially not one so beautiful as Allia. With no idea how to respond to that, he just answers the question.
"Well, I'm from Andoran originally. But, after my mother was...passed away, I found myself in a bit of...trouble. I had to leave my home behind, and wound up in Cheliax. I couldn't bear it there, so I decided to try my fortunes on a different continent. That's...about all there is to it." Brin's halting speech suggests there likely may be quite a bit more to it.
She thinks for a moment then adds "Once, when I was little I ran off to watch a circus. Does that count?"
Eager to remain a part of the conversation, despite having nothing meaningful to contribute, Brin answers, "It does if you met the prince of clowns." He immediately regrets having said something so asinine.
Idiot! What does that even mean?!
"Well, I'm from Andoran originally. But, after my mother was...passed away, I found myself in a bit of...trouble. I had to leave my home behind, and wound up in Cheliax. I couldn't bear it there, so I decided to try my fortunes on a different continent. That's...about all there is to it." Brin's halting speech suggests there likely may be quite a bit more to it.
"Oh... starting a new life somewhere else. Yes, I heard about people doing that. Well, I guess I did it once or twice too." She sounded a bit sad when she said that "It's not easy when you have to leave all your friends behind, you know?"
Eager to remain a part of the conversation, despite having nothing meaningful to contribute, Brin answers, "It does if you met the prince of clowns." He immediately regrets having said something so asinine.
Idiot! What does that even mean?!
She blinks at Brin "Uhm... no, I don't think I did... How would I recognize him?" she answered him rather unsure.
Kalis holds out his hand awkwardly to shake Gelik's hand. He seems further confused that he turns and walks away. He then points his hand toward Petry. Greetings Petry, your name is safe with me. I am Kalis of the Ekujae. You are looking to go into the wild?
Meraxes jokingly comments on Brin's remarks. "The prince of clowns sounds terrifying! The Prince of Clowns - Patron Saint of Chelaxian Jesters and Serial Killers. I should ask Petry if he heard of him!"
He looks around.
"Speaking of him, where did he run off to? He still topside?"
Petry shook the elf's proffered hand. "Yes, Kalis. It's not my first choice, but I'd like to find gemstones before they reach the city and their price doubles or triples. Back home, the dwarves have all the gems and most of the precious metals in their mines, and they drive high prices for the smallest piece." Petry can't help but glance at the elf's many tattoos. "But you look like you just came from the jungle." he questioned.
I am from the wild, but have been away several years. Now my journey brings me back and I am pleased to be so close to home. Kalis looks over at the wild shoreline fondly.
"Oh... starting a new life somewhere else. Yes, I heard about people doing that. Well, I guess I did it once or twice too." She sounded a bit sad when she said that "It's not easy when you have to leave all your friends behind, you know?"
Brin shrugs, "Well, I suppose it would be so. I've never really known many friends. Growing up, it was mostly just my mother and myself, and we lived in kind of an out of the way place."
She blinks at Brin "Uhm... no, I don't think I did... How would I recognize him?" she answered him rather unsure.
"Ummm...well, perhaps he'd be the one with the crown and scepter? Or would that be the King of Clowns...hmmm." Brin is confusing even himself now.
"Oh that's so sad for you. There's always been others around when I grew up, that is important you know?"
She picked up the mug of water infront of her and takes a long sip from it.
"Well yes, I think a crown would make him a king. But he only had a funny hat, not a crown. I'm not sure what that makes him"
I am from the wild, but have been away several years. Now my journey brings me back and I am pleased to be so close to home. Kalis looks over at the wild shoreline fondly.
"Really? Are you then from Sargava, or elsewhere in the Mwangi Expanse? I must confess, although I have a fine map of the area I am not well-versed in who lives where...something more to learn once I am there."
I'm from the Mwangi. In the west of the jungle. My tribe has been blessed by that land for the lifetimes of several elders. There are many other tribes in Mwangi. What is your land like stranger? Are there many different people there?
Meraxes makes his way back up to the deck. He stretches as he makes his way up the stairs looking for Petry. He catches the last couple lines of Petry Kalis and Dragolan's conversation.
"Ah just the three passengers I wanted to see!" He looks to Kalis. "I don't think we have met yet stranger. I am Meraxes. Pleased to meet you."He gestures for a handshake. "Please don't mind me interrupting. Please continue telling him of your land Chelaxians."
Meraxes smiled and looked to both Petry and Dragolan and is curious how they will describe to this Mwangi native about the infernally tainted society of Cheliax.
This will be good.
The rest of the day is spent much as the morning has been - relaxing, talking and Gelik poking fun at his fellow passengers and the crew. Notably absent throughout the day is the captain - no one in your party has seen him since Allia visited him the night before.
All of the passengers are on deck; Allia along with them. Since being cast out of the captain's quarters the night before, she hasn't wanted to bother him.
Around supper time, the ship's bell is rung and a loud voice booms out, "Lads and ladies - we are nearing our destination!" All who look see first mate Alton Devers standing at the stern of the ship, a huge smile on his face. A loud "Huzzah!" arises from the crew. Alton continues, "We are but 100 miles from Eleder. At our current heading, we should arrive this time tomorrow. As is tradition on the Jeneviere, we will break out the remaining wine and rum, feast on Rambar's cuisine - he assures me that tonight will satisfy even the most discerning of palates," Alton chuckles at this. "And celebrate another successful journey." As he finishes, several crew members come from up below deck, carrying crates of alcohol; plates of salted ham, boiled vegetables and bread; and a final, larger pot of what looks like some kind of pudding. Impressively, everything looks and smells delicious.
"Eat up! Drink your fill! Relax!" Alton encourages. His enthusiasm is contagious.
Even Ieana, the Varisian scholar is on the deck, smiling and not buried by scrolls or books. She approaches your group. "This is much needed, much needed indeed," she says cheerily. "I was worried my studying would be for naught. But we are finally arriving!"
Although he takes it easy on the alcohol, Brin will tuck eagerly into the delicious array of food. He wonders where this culinary mastery has been hiding all along. Rambar must have been holding out on us!
Brin will speak cordially to any who approach him, and he is definitely in high spirits at the thought of nearing port. The naval life is definitely not for him, he has decided.
Allia was on the deck with the rest of the crew and passengers when the first mate made his announcement.
She was cheering with everyone else, looking forward to the end of this journey. Hopefully it would mean a few days on land and maybe even a few nights in a real bed. She turned around and peered towards the horizon, as if the 100 miles would go by faster if she could see Eleder already. Of course, she couldn't make out anything beyond a couple of miles away.
When the feast was served she smiled. It smelled ald looked delicious, and even though she'd wait till the passengers and the rest of the crew had filled their bowls, there was more than enough, that she wouldn't have to fear to go hungry tonight either.
Brin will speak cordially to any who approach him, and he is definitely in high spirits at the thought of nearing port. The naval life is definitely not for him, he has decided.
She was in a good mood and spoke encouraging words to anyone that passed her.
When she was near Brin, she said "Please enjoy your last night aboard the Jenivere, Master Brin. Tomorrow you'll be feasting in one of Eleder's many taverns. The one sad thing about arriving soon is, that I won't be able to talk to you anymore."
It wasn't quite clear if she meant this last part or not, as she was still smiling and chuckling when saying it.
I'm from the Mwangi. In the west of the jungle. My tribe has been blessed by that land for the lifetimes of several elders. There are many other tribes in Mwangi. What is your land like stranger? Are there many different people there?
Dragolan laughs. "Cheliax is mostly inhabited by humans, and I suppose you would say that though we're many 'tribes,' we're largely all the same sort of humans. Not so many of your sort--elves--and not many halflings or dwarves. (There are the Strix, but they keep to themselves.) Our queen, Abrogail, is of the House of Thrune. They're only recently ascendant--being an elf, you may remember when Aroden died. He was our Patron...." His voice trails off, and he looks away for a moment before continuing in a voice heavy with emotion. "In his absence, there was...some dispute over who our new Patron should be. House Thrune won that particular battle." He shrugs. "But that's history. Now, if you'd like to know more of what we eat, give me an hour or two to enlighten you!"