“S,o I assume you’re in then? In that case, when ready, you would head down to the docks. To meet with my Associate. He’s waiting on your new ship. I had her Keel laid just for this mission.” Tharwin’s voice sounds genuinely envious. “She should be very well the fastest ship on the Seas, low and fierce, designed her myself”
“You’re young, so I’ll forgive your ignorance, the last Monarch, Queen Summer was killed bordering on 50 years ago.”
The cold metal of the veil gave none of Tharwin’s mind away.
“The terms were quite clear, so I’m unsure what more information you want, you will get half again the usual rate, AND if successful you will receive a bonus. The new King is to be brought back as unharmed as possible. These are the terms” he leans back hands folded on his chest.
Nico’s mouth twisted downwards slightly, and he sat back.
“Seeing as how you have neglect- Er, seeing as how there are no further questions to be answered, from me,” the “slip up” seemed less than unintentional, “I accept your terms. Will … your excellency be accompanying us?”
“No, I have work to do here, my associate will rendezvous with you at the Docks, he will accompany you” He sits up again, “I’m sure you’ll find him more than pleasant company. Unfortunately he’s not allowed in this particular establishment anymore, and with that, even my influence can not help.” He shrugs lightly, “If you require, Captain Hethila can escort you to the docks. So you’ll find your new ship easier”
Tharwin turns to Dolphus. “I believe you are the only one who hasn’t confirmed or denied the Contract. What say you Dolphus?” (@Ghid )
Are you sure we wouldn’t be better scrapping this crew and sending a few Sunblessed wings? Hethila sounded quite insistent, but Tharwin stuck to his guns
The God of Fire did not bring these people to my attention for nothing Captain, I will give them every chance
The direct mention of his name tore Dolphus’ eyes off of Alexis’, bringing his attention back to Tharwin.
And, subsequently, the mention of his associate, who was no longer allowed in the establishment. What were the odds that this fellow and the ominous Mariner mentioned by the Bartender were two separate fellows?
Low, Dolphus thought. This place can’t afford to be picky with customers.
His eyes traveled to Nico, who was nearest to Tharwin and the closest in his peripheral vision. He had been the most skeptical of the party, and definitely seemed to be the most competent. He had accepted the terms with no uncertainty as to his distrust of the proposition, which seemed to imply a weakening of character or some grander machination.
Then there was the knife-handed Count Coal, who had seemed to both agree and disagree at the same time. The disturbing Mako, who had undone his bandages to show the gristly rot that scarred his face, had not resumed his seat, but was still standing aside the table. And he could feel Alexis’ presence from behind his ear, seated at the furthest end but still close enough for it to be awkward.
Dolphus turned his eyes back to Tharwin. The last voice a man hears will guide his thoughts. Dolphus, this group must trust you and be willing to honor your judgement. You have to get Her to trust you. You must be the voice of not only this party, but the will of the vessel you are bound to by this agreement.
“Give us an escort.” Dolphus slowly rose, still holding on to the singular grape. “We will meet with Mariner.”
Tharwin looked to the door, “Yes, he is a Mariner, I doubt a priest would be much use to you.” There is a tone in his voice to imply his face holds a Knowing smile. He turns to Hethila, “Escort them to the Docks so they can Rendezvous with Caeseus. He will take it from there”
Hethila nods, turns sharply on her heel and walks towards the door. She opens it and stands back to let the group past.
And you’re still sure these humans can handle this? She inquires Telepathically
Oh yes he replies, But I am very interested to see how this adventure changes them. Us humans are very resilient you know Hethila, but we seldom walk away completely unchanged
Dolphus’ only reaction to Tharwin’s comment was a dismissing glare. I’m better than you. I am better than you.
Unless prevented, Dolphus collected his cane, marched out the door, down the hall, and out of the establishment, not bothering to make eye contact with anyone else outside of a slight glance at Alexis to see if there was any indication of approval. He wasn’t really concerned with keeping up relations with anyone else present at the moment; a nice quiet sleep in the dark corners of a ship’s hull with the rocking of the waves was the only thing he was anticipating.
Makos expression turns excited. “I thank you for honoring me with this chance.” Thankyoouthankyouthankyouthankyouthanktheoceanthanktheworldthankeverygoodperson
He proceeds to the ship.
Alexis gave a quiet chuckle. Whoever this kid was she had to admit that he had some guts. As he glanced at her one last time before leaving the room she made sure to give him a nod in respect.
Alexis took a bite from her apple, “I guess it’s settled then. Anything I should know about our vessel before we set off.” Alexis was stalling, that much was apparent. " Like does the helm veer to one side more than the other, has the rudder been replaced recently? Stuff like that." She continued her ramble as she waited for the others to leave the room, she had a few more personal questions she needed to ask.
Hethila noticed people starting to move, walks over to the window and hops out.
Hethila was waiting for him, “We’ll have to wait for your fellows, I’m not going back and forth like some kind of palanquin.”
Tharwin seems to light up at these questions. “All fine, we built her just for this mission. She’s got 20 sweep oars and 2 sails to move her along at a average speed of nearly 15 Knots. She’s fast alright. My associate should be launching her for the first time right about now…” He stops for a moment. “you’ll have to name the ship before it sets out. I’ll send a priest to the docks to bless it.”
As Dolphus walked down the hall and out of the building, two thoughts dominated his musings. One was the opportunity to separate the master and his pet - if nobody followed up on that, maybe they really were as dense as they appeared to be.
Of course, such a maneuver would be frowned upon by his father, as it specifically eliminated Dolphus from the room before anyone else, which means he could no longer control it. Such behavior and carelessness was very much apostate to the Gorovs, and yet it had been Dolphus’ first reaction.
Because, as Dolphus very much knew, his second thought had dictated this maneuver in its entirety. He could still picture her nod just then as he had passed, an affirmation of everything he had said and done up to that point. For better or for worse, he was on the right track.
Dolphus exited the building with his face beaming and upon seeing Hethila nearly jumped into the air in shock. “Right, y-yes.” He forced out as he smoothed the feathers of his wing back down. My lands, woman, how did you get out here so fast? I HATE magic and I HATE it so much.
Nico rose from his seat slowly, allowing his fingers to drift over the wood briefly. He leaned heavily on his cane as he exited, ignoring Tharwin but smiling at Hethila as he exited the building. He breathed deeply. He had enjoyed this little bout on land, but being on track to head back to sea was an enjoyable prospect.
Sure, jump out from the blasted window why don’tcha! For a moment, Andreas considered following in her wake in a display of one-upmaniship, but eventually decided that it wasn’t worth the trouble.
“You’ve got us a mighty fine ship by the sounds of it.” He gives Tharwin a solemn nod before exiting.
Tharwin noting everyone else having left, turns again to Alexis (@N01InParticular) “Judging by you still being here, I assume you have something else to discuss?”
“I apologize for startling you, but I was so tired of trudging along on the ground, as you humans so insist upon doing. I needed to stretch my Wings” she slowly rolls her neck in an attempt to crack it. “Given that I will be confined to the ground for this escort duty, I’m glad I took the opportunity when I did”
Dolphus’ head moved forwards from his body as far as his neck would allow while an expression of uncomfortable confusion slapped itself across his face.
“Humans? Your what?” Dolphus inquired less than subtly, the sneaking suspicion in the back of his mind that this could be her way of pressuring him about his own wing. I’m really hoping it’s just a metaphor for something.
Hethila chuckles, “My wings, here hold out your hand” she extends one of her wings out to a position where he could touch it by doing so. “And, Yes humans, as in what you are.”
The cane landed against Dolphus’ hip as his feathers began to rise.
This can’t be real. This simply can’t. Dolphus’ hand slowly traveled up to the wing in small bursts of motion, quivering uncertainly. Could someone like this have been responsible for… for the… for MY wing?
His hand made contact with the feathers. They were worn and sturdy, with a level of softness much unlike the coarse, angular feathers of his arm. And yet they seemed far more resilient as well, implying Hethila had been using them for far longer than he had his. The slightest skin of oil covered them, keeping them from adhering to his fingers.
Dolphus was being obnoxiously slow with the whole procedure, a look of absolute astonishment and subtle terror plastered across his face. He suddenly retracted his hand in fright, sinking it close to his body as his eyes traveled to Hethila. I feel like I’ve gotten an answer I really didn’t want. I’m closer to finding out who may have done this… But do I want to know?
“Getting awfully familiar there lad, you’ll have to buy me dinner if that keeps up” she quipped, before he let go. “something the matter? People are generally shocked, but there’s something… Different about this”
Alexis leaned forward and placed her half-eaten apple back onto the platter “The letter I was given, You said you knew who I was— Am. How did you get that information? I’ve searched for years and was unable to find anything, and here you come along and somehow know everything all within a shorter time frame.” Alexis took a second to breathe. “I guess what I’m asking for is a downpayment, something to tithe me over until the mission is complete.”
“Don’t talk to me.” He whispered towards her, fright still evident on his face as he grabbed his cane and looked back towards the building, noticing everyone except Alexis was present. Good. I don’t think I’d want her having seen that. Of course, I’d really prefer none of them did, but I’ll take what I can get.
“What’s keeping her?” Dolphus mumbled, the stoic mask attempting a clumsy return. Keep the conversation flowing, don’t give the old woman any ground for retort, please work, please work…
Tharwin tilted his head to the side slightly, “I am genuinely sorry, but I don’t know anything about what you’re talking about, I did not deliver the messages personally, I hired couriers… All the while, a strange happenstance. This… This does pose questions… Fear not though child, the timing… The connection… This will come about again. I should be very interested to hear about it when you come back.”
Tharwin seemed to forget he was wearing a veil for a second, rubbing his chin in deep thought. “It would seem the answers you seek are still yet to come, but ah, you have the cut of a military individual. I could check the records for you, and present that down payment you requested”
Hethila’s face hardened, “Humans” she mutters, “Second they see anything different they immediately hate it.” She brushes her wing off where Dolphus touched it.