Tharos scoffed, “My eyes do not glow, human. That is why I’m in this realm to begin with.” He shook his head slowly. “If I were using magic it would be obvious.”
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Dolphus’ cool, confident attitude and demeanor fell on the ground and shattered across the floor in a sweeping crash so loud it was almost audible. The callous eye and tone with which he surveyed and commanded the world around him was gone, and the eyes which turned to meet Alexis’ were not the same that had stared down Mariner at the dock. They were shaking, mortified. The implication of the snap was clearer than if the words were written down and read aloud.
He screwed up.
His head turned back, both relieved and distressed at no longer looking at Alexis. The words were processed, along with the peculiar implications. His face did not change, nervously frozen as his eyes traveled between his hands and his face repeatedly, to see if perhaps they might strike him.
Mother’s wouldn’t. But, that wasn’t her, was it? Only a poor lookalike with no interest in such a selfish thing. And yet… She had corrected him. Gone out of her way to do so, perhaps even embarrassing herself in the process. Was this a comfort? If it was, it was a conflicting comfort.
Dolphus’ neck had tried to turn his head back towards Alexis, but the tugging muscle did little to move him. Finding minimal strength in the conflicting thoughts, he presented enough effort to squint at Tharos suspiciously and turn back to studying the table, the grooves appearing to grow deeper and deeper the longer he looked.
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Mako walked over towards the small group of Sailors playing their game, before asking politely: “What game is this?”
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The four sailors looked up at him. One spoke, “It’s called Fleet, ever played?” He looks back at his cards, “I do believe I win lads, shall we play another hand?”
Tharos glared at Dolphus freely from beneath his hood, how had he known? Such a specific jab, but Tharos was sure no one else knew. Well besides Tharwyn, and now the entire crew
“Don’t forget us.” Came the sleepy voice of one of his eternal tormentors.
Tharos wasn’t listening, he was too wrapped up in memories.
Raising his hand against a sudden harsh light, Tharos blinked slowly and looked around. He was sitting in an alley, like many that could be found around his home. This alley however was filled with more light than Tharos had seen in his life. He took a breath, the air tasted… Strange.
A sudden noise alerted him to a creature watching him from the rooftops. It was a curious beast, it possessed two thin legs, and a small rounded head that bobbed as it paced trying to get a good look at him. Tharos slowly got up, then gaining his feet, broke into a run. Trying to get away from this terrifying monster.
It was then Tharos ran right into a second monster, literally. As Tharos fell to the ground again he looked up. What he saw was familiar, but alien. It looked like an person, but bigger, bulkier and far uglier.
The creature made an equally ugly sound of Delight. “Dolv! Come here! I found a little freak.” As it spoke, it reached for him with a hand the size of Tharos’ head
Tharos tried to get away but the giant was quicker. Hand closing about his wrist, it wrenched him up to it’s eye level. His shoulder feeling ready to tear, Tharos could do nothing but dangle there as a second giant examined him.
“Yeah, that’s a Sunthralli all right” the one called Dolv chuckled, “I’ll get the kids to prep some stones. Should be fun for them.” It leaned in real close to Tharos. " Hope you can run little one, don’t wanna spoil the game too quickly."
Tears began to form in Tharos’ eyes, as it hit him. This wasn’t a dream, he’d failed his father somehow. This was his punishment. He recognized these creature now, the subject of every scary story he’d been read. Humans.
He knew they were going to hurt him. He tried to kick, and fight. Working every muscle he had to get free, but it was pointless. The large brute held firm, and kicked him in return.
As the air was driven out of Tharos’ body he began to cry freely. Trying to catch his breath he felt something welling up inside. An intense heat that kept building hotter and hotter. It hurt, but it didn’t stop. More and more this agony until eventually it disappeared. Tharos felt himself fall.
He hit the stones on his knees, not wasting this opportunity he pushed himself up and ran. Readying himself to duck under a grasping arm, but it never came. Tharos made it to the end of the alley safely. Looking back he saw the human that was holding him flailing around in a panic, somehow it had caught fire. Thinking his luck had turned for the better, he turned back towards the street.
His jaw dropped, he started to hyperventilate. The street was packed with more humans. Tharos hesitated, one human had been bad enough. There was no way he could get away from them all. Sudden heavy footfalls from behind told him the first human had managed to extinguish itself. Tharos had no choice, he ran out into the street.
Ducking and weaving his way through the crowds, he kept his head down, hoping he wouldn’t be noticed. He glanced up and saw another alley opening, his only chance. Tharos ran for it, slipping around the clumsy humans with ease. Halfway now, he could almost see the end of the crowd, when he collided with something solid.
Noise from the crowd told him he’d been noticed, but strangely they sounded concerned? Perhaps they thought he was one of their young. A cool shade fell over him, and a surprisingly gentle voice spoke to him. "Are you alright little one?’
Tharos tried to nod without looking up, but as he tried to push himself up, he felt another large hand close on him. This hand was as gentle as the voice though, and Tharos found himself back on his feet.
“You know, you should watch where you’re going. Where are your parents?”
Tharos fought back tears, where were his parents? Certainly not here. He risked a quick glance at the Human, and his eyes widened This Human had a shapeless face of metal. To scared to speak he tried to back away.
“No need to be afraid little one, I won’t hurt you. My name is Tharwyn. I’ll help you find them.”
Tharos blinked back tears, eyes no longer glowing. Looking back now, he had found his real father then. He just couldn’t see it.
Taking a breath to calm himself, he cleared his voice, “If there are no further votes” he brought his hand down. Then raised his other. “Rook Andreas”
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Dolphus seemed to notice his being stared at, for his head had begun to move before Tharos’ reverie, and was looking at him before he called the next vote.
Dolphus’ mask was having a difficult time reclaiming its rightful place in the room. Concern danced out of his eyes, as the realization struck that Captain Alexis’ title and position was hanging by a very fine thread.
Why had she not voted for herself? Did she not want the position? No, surely, or she would have objected in some manner when it was taken for granted. She must have abstained for professional reasons. Yes, that’s what father would do. When he had the room in his control and called a vote-
No. He could feel his knuckles tighten. She would be better than that.
And no one else had voted, either. Were they paying any attention at all? Didn’t they realize the utter disaster that lay before them - that the whim and fancy of the ship’s course and their own actions were at risk of dictation by this disheveled devil? Worse, too; if Rook became captain, he would be free to step all over any navigational advice he himself may have to offer, or take out a petty vengeance against him for making the case against him.
It would be Sickle Setroth - but with power.
Dolphus’ head stayed in position, aimed somewhat towards Tharos. But his eyes, fearfully, were looking between the table and the edge of his peripheral vision, picturing the people just beyond it… And Rook’s arm just in view.
I don’t imagine I will sleep tonight. No matter the vote, I’ve made myself an enemy.
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Rook, his back still facing the crew listened silently.
Dolphus was like a child complaining about needing to tidy their room. No, a child’s willingness to live in a filthy hovel is but innocent ignorance. In a way, it demonstrates personal dignity. At least, it had felt so when he was a young boy.
Rather, it was like a child complaining about receiving for their birthday a silver coin instead of a gold one.
Rook raises his arm and cranes his neck back to survey the lot. A thick lock of hair drops and settles between his black eyes as he shifts his hawk-like gaze to meet those of each crewmate.
In the hands of imbeciles. Who, then, will raise their hand?
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“How does it work?” Mako asked, appreciating the friendliness of the sailors.
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The Sailor who first spoke gathered all the cards and began to shuffle.
One of the other sailors stood up, “Here you can have my seat, I’m going to see what the chow situation is on this ship”
The dealer, shuffling looked up at Mako and began to explain the rules (I posted a link in the sign-ups so I’m not going to write them out here) “so I’m north, you’ll be east, then on your left will be south, and on my right is west.”
Tharos waited 10 minutes. “ok, apparently none of you are ready to vote. Most likely because you don’t know each other’s motivations.” He sighed before adding sarcastically. “If only someone had thought of that”.
Tharos lowered his hand. Then stood. “Meeting adjourned. We’ll reconvene in 3 days time to reexamine the issue.”
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Oh.
The tensest of sighs escaped Dolphus’ lips. Was it loud enough for others to hear? He didn’t think so, but he didn’t really know. Thoughts of self doubt were taking precedence over pondering the sequence of events.
Had it been his slip-up that had cost her the vote? Perhaps she didn’t really want the position after all? Maybe Tharos’ magic glowing eyes thing he did and conveniently denied shortly after had some effect over the rest of the party, swaying their vote away from Alexis? Or had he simply failed to read the room?
No one else had voted. No one else had even tried to interject. No thoughts had been presented, aside from the rather useless retort of Nico, who also hadn’t bothered to vote. And now there was nothing left to do but go.
With no response, Dolphus slowly stood, pushed in his chair, glanced apprehensively at Tharos’ eyes once more, and quietly turned to the door.
@rukah @winger @N01InParticular @Atobe_Brick doooooo eeeeeeet
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Just off the coast of Emberhold was a small island that appeared on no maps or charts. Due to a combination of impassible terrain and shoals it was only truly visible from the air. The perfect location for a secret fortress.
Unless one could fly, only a very carefully picked safe path through the treacherous waters could bring you here. This is precisely what Hethila was waiting for her Agent to navigate. Standing a few feet from the beach, she leaned up against a tree watching as a small rowboat entered the shallows.
@DuneToa
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Karl Benz rowed calmly, waves hissing against the hull of the rowboat. The rocks jutting on either side looked like jagged teeth, reminding him to steer carefully. He could see a figure on the island. His contact. He wondered what the mission would be. It must be risky if the Armada had contacted him for a job. Not something a government agent could handle. Possibly illegal, like most things in his line of work. The rowboat scraped onto the sandy shore, and he climbed out, tying the boat to a spur of rock jutting into the breakers.
“I have arrived,” he said. “How may I be of service to you?”
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“Unfortunately less than thrilling work, expense reports for the coin counters. Just need you to sign and seal some documents stating funds spent on your services. For tax reasons of course.” Hethila said this with a smile. She enjoyed this back and forth, and she thought he did too. Just a precaution of course. Even here there were ears everywhere. “come, walk with me”
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Karl nodded, his excitement growing. Here was something of importance, if the appearance of business must be kept up, even on a deserted island. It was rare for a Sunblessed to hire someone like himself, at least to his knowledge. Doubtlessly there had been times before where they had needed a mercenary, but then, everyone would need assistance at some point.
“I see I must be behind in my payments,” he said. “I hope that they aren’t as high as I fear… after my last trip, my business suffered a bit of a slump. A lawsuit over some missing payments. But it turned out that the prosecution had no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing on my part. Quite the opposite. But I’m afraid I’m rambling.”
He joined Hethila, feeling a little odd standing beside a person of such importance.
Strange, that even now I can’t overcome such prejudices against myself, he thought. In the end, all can die. It’s the great leveler, the crowning of the poor and the lowering of the kings.
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Hethila walked deeper into the woods. “On your last trip for us, you charged 90 ember for 5 replacement darts. However just 3 days before that you only charged us 30 for six. Now I’m sure it was just a matter of materials being readily available, merchant markup, all that. However we’re going to need a signed statement regardless.”
As they walked they reached a break in the trees. Here a small cottage lay nestled. Hethila walked right through the front door, across the hall and through another door. Then she descended down a set of stone stairs. As she flung open the door she was greeted by her usual sight of the Sun Temple entry hall. Stately construction of stone, with broad pillars bearing the weight of the soil and cottage on top.
Typically this area was earmarked for dealings with low level external mercenaries. Just secret enough to be credible, without potentially revealing too much to shifty characters. Hethila’s eyes passed right over the door to her office. As she walked towards a large set of double doors at the end of the hall.
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Karl followed, his eyes shifting over the impressive building hidden under the cottage. This was no mean feat to build. The size of the main lobby alone would have taken a year or so to construct with the latest building techniques, and the stones would have had to be imported… He snapped back to the conversation as his client mentioned the charges for darts.
“Yes, at the time of the first order I was in the middle of a desert. No suitable plants for miles. It was much easier to acquire some wood on the second order, since it was in the middle of a town.”
I wonder what I’ll be doing this time? It’s got to be something big if I’m seeing this much of her headquarters, he thought. He followed Hethila into her office, still looking at the impressive stonework surrounding them. It didn’t look like the castles and homes of his other clients. This was something that must have been built over a great period of time, probably at great expense. Interesting…
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Hethila walks right past her office. Looking back at Karl with a smile. “Oh we’re not going there, you’re moving up in the world. We’re going to meet my boss.”
Hethila pushes open the double doors and enters. Standing right in front of the door is a figure wearing golden armour. The figure was stock still, grasping a spear as it examined the pair from behind a Golden Bascinet. The figure seemed to shimmer with flames depending on which direction it was looked at. Closer inspection revealed this was due to intricate details etched into the plate.
Behind the guard, a large hall stretched out. It seemed like it must stretch under the entire island. More gold armoured figures stood closer to the far end. Gathered around a further two who were sparring. Trading blows with such ferocity they appeared to be aiming to kill.
As Hethila walked past she shared a nod with the Guard. Then walked out and around him. Hethila walked straight towards a door on the left side of the hall. Directly in the middle lengthwise. After a moments hesitation she knocked.
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Mako sat down, before drawing his deck.
"So, why are you here? he asked the dealer.
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“How do you mean that?” Asked the Sailor politely. “Tell you what I’ll answer them all. I’m here below decks because the wind doesn’t blow our cards around. We’re playing cards because we’re on break.”
He paused briefly, “I’m on the mission because Tharwyn selected me from the ranks of honoured dead”
Here there was definitely a long pause,“I’m honoured dead because… I was scared” this last sentence was almost a whisper.
The other sailors try and pretend they hadn’t heard the exchange. Playing their turns in silence.
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Hmmmm. This was definitely going to be tricky. Already, Jade could clearly notice the tension sitting in the air, as thick and as viscous as rigging tar. She scanned the area once more. Her eyes flicked across the room, taking in the motley and varied assortment of faces spread about the cabin.
On one side, the dangerous-looking younger man with the arm cape and the Caelin had had a quick conversation regarding some magic, nothing too much of note but interesting enough to keep in mind for later.
Meanwhile, across the room the man with the white gloves and “Rook” had not yet spoken but Jade had no doubt that both of them were indeed sizing up the current situation. Again, a tricky spot. Anyways, it was time to vote.
Or not. Apparently we’re all too pragmatic for our own good. Jade couldn’t suppress a sly smile at the thought, though to be honest the reprieve was a welcome one. She still hadn’t fully explored this ship nor gotten to know its omnium-gatherum of passengers, for better or for worse. More likely the latter, Jade thought, sitting up straighter and letting out a wry chuckle.
Rustling her cloak and making sure her satchel was still by her side and no one unfriendly had rifled through it, Jade looked around.
Now that their captaincy meeting had been temporarily adjourned, and not that she had bothered to wait for permission for much of her life, Jade stood up and set off for the nearest door. Hopefully I’ll find something interesting.
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“I’m sorry to hear that, if it’s any real comfort to you.” Mako said quietly, playing his cards.
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