What did Mariner think? Did it seem justifiable in his eyes? Or was he considering… something more punishing as retribution for the injury the marine received? Or was he considering retribution at all? Was this something Mariner was willing to entirely overlook, just to further the mission?
…Impossible. He laid his hand atop his extended wing as his eyes maintained their injured expression, constantly checking every slight movement of the glowing blue dots that looked out from Mariner’s dark helm for any sign of change. Mariner was an exceptionally hard read at all times, and now most of all. That would not fit with the Mariner I know.
As Mariner’s words finally registered in his mind, Dolphus’s expression briefly fell into a completely baffled one at the notion that somehow hacking your arm off and adhering a wing to the bloodied stump was a sign of nobility.
Maybe I’ve connected Mariner with modern society a little too much…
“…No.” Dolphus did his best to recover his previous expression, slowly retracting the wing back under his cape. “This… wasn’t my choice.”
“The Cadre? This must be a matter of importance, then,” Karl mused. “Very well, let us discuss this opportunity. As for my prior words, that was inexcusable in a professional like myself.”
He sheathed his knife, his muscles relaxing as he stared at the cloaked figure. This newcomer made him uneasy. Should I have him taken into custody after this conversation finishes? But that might lead to difficulties, he thought. After all, the Cadre of Silence won’t take that kindly at all.
Mariner was silent for a long time. Eventually he seemed to find his voice again, and drew back his stern bearing. “Be that as it may, this level of conduct is unacceptable. I don’t care if someone has learned your darkest secret, you will conduct yourself according to your letter of marque.”
He seemed to soften a bit before speaking again. “You may not be members of Her late Majesty’s navy, but you are operating entirely under her authority. Such that it is.”
“Indeed.” The voice already seemed like it regretted this rendezvous. “Well I shall be blunt then, I represent the Embergard Cadre. We have been watching you for some time. I am head of an Assassin sect. We would like to offer you a position in our cadre. Some of my superiors think you have talent.”
The figure tilted his head and looked at Karl “of course, you do have your other offer. Career paths for an individual like you are rather limited, so just… Think on it.”
Dolphus’s eyes had varied in their focus, sometimes looking at Mariner, other times staring off into random parts of the ship, doing their best to avoid staring into the floor. Mariner’s hesitancy to speak was almost worse than what came next, but not quite.
Dolphus crumpled further under Mariner’s sharp tone returning, but did not show any sign of reversing his course once the Halinth’s voice began to soften. It was hard for Dolphus, so used to the mannerisms of his father and those he associated with, to see the change in tone as anything other than an implication of some far more dangerous response lying just underneath the facade of a calm demeanor.
Words would have to be chosen very carefully. His eyes, now full of fear, tried desperately to tear themselves away, to stare into the wall, the floor, anything else, but he wouldn’t allow them to. Like he had told himself before, there would be time to cry his eyes out in regret of the choices that he made at a later time.
As Ari ascended onto the main deck and made her way towards the front of the ship, the fresh salty morning air surrounded her. It felt extremely refreshing to end up outside after spending the better part of the morning confined in small, cluttered chambers of the ship. A nice change of pace after several unpleasant conversations that she didn’t want to be a part of.
She walked up to the side of the ship and spent several minutes overlooking the vastness of the ocean, only obstructed by the two last islands of the archipelago, what the kid claimed to be the Sea Gate, the place that separated the waters of the Armada from the outside world. The view of the seemingly limitless body of water surrounding the comparatively tiny islands that stretched far beyond the horizon captivated Ari and made her forget about all the worries she might have had just moments prior. This was what freedom looked like…
It was quite ironic that Ari, a shipwright, someone whose job and only talent in life was tied so closely to sea travel, had never ventured into the wider world by sea herself. Of course, she had made a few commutes between the islands closer to the centre of the archipelago, around the area where the capital was situated, but those paled in comparison to what she was experiencing right now. It was her first experience with the world outside of the archipelago and she couldn’t contain a child-like wonder as she looked on into the distance.
This view lifted Ari’s spirits significantly and she seemingly moved past all the unpleasant experiences she’d had earlier in the morning by the time she approached the front of the ship. Th view was nice, but she came up here for a workout, not to look at pretty scenery.
Once there, she made sure that nothing would be interfering with what she was about to do and began stretching, having put down her metal bat next to her. Once that was done, she picked up the bat and started doing reps of swinging it in front of her, repeating the same motion over and over again dozens of times while counting. She would keep going of a while, doing similar exercises, occasionally using her weapon as a weight, until she deemed that the workout was sufficient enough (which meant that she physically couldn’t keep going anymore) or was interrupted by someone or something…
“Hmm. I will take your advice, and consider the offer,” Karl said, sheathing his knife. “I am of course under contract currently, but that should expire soon. I hope your superiors won’t mind having to wait a while.” He looked around at the figure, a slight hint of curiosity playing across his expression.
“If you don’t mind me asking, did you teleport to this ship? Its the only way I can see you getting on board without the crew noticing.”
“It is an important lesson, the lesson of mercy” Mariner seemed to gaze off to the waves through the porthole as he spoke. “A hard one to learn, especially for those who are young. It took me many years. Now I just try my best to help others follow the path I had to walk alone”
The Old Halinth seemed to muse for a moment. “The Marine will live Dolphus, but he will have to be kept with us. It will become our responsibility to see him back to health.”
“My employers are extremely patient, Mr Benz, but they don’t appreciate being ignored. Whatever your decision, just make sure you give them an answer.”
“As for your question” he seems to gain a touch of amusement at the thought. “Well I’m afraid some tricks of the trade we have to keep to ourselves.” With that the mysterious figure stepped back into the shadow. Which enveloped him for a second before dispersing to reveal the corner empty once more.
Mariner had, no doubt, meant to imply he had struggled through the same perceived difficulty he now saw Dolphus enduring, and meant it as a reassuring gesture that in spite of the grievous injury he had caused, there was still hope for the young captain.
Dolphus, however, was immediately reminded of that charming anecdote wherein he massacred an entire fleet of ships all on his own. His posture did not change its crumpled form, still far too wary of what Mariner might say or do next.
Oh no.
It was, perhaps, for the best that Mariner could not see - or at least Dolphus thought he couldn’t see - his immediate reaction to the notion. After he had confirmed his heart had not completely stopped beating and enough strength entered his body to allow him a breath, Dolphus’s mind devoured the implications at a frantic pace.
The marine staying aboard meant the likelihood of Ari’s killing the other one being found out was immensely high. If he recovered - which with Mariner campaigning for him seemed like an inevitability - he would eventually tell all, out of spite or out of duty. The option to kill him was gone as well, regardless of whether or not he would even consider it at that point, as the marine’s death would immediately point to him and him alone.
…Maybe I can stall long enough to have her depart. Get her away safely and then have the truth come out. At least that way she’d be beyond the Armada’s reach, too far away to be subject to any repercussions.
“How-” Dolphus swallowed hard before speaking again. “How is he?”
“Well, I guess they won’t mind letting me get started here,” Karl said to the empty corner. He stepped over to the table beside his bed and pulled the scroll of orders from his belongings. It was slightly worn from being crushed, but had suffered no severe damage. The paper was good and strong, high-quality material, for his employers could well afford it.
“I had best do this right,” he muttered, looking back at the door. He walked over and latched it shut, so that no one could interrupt or burst in without smashing the door. Once assured of the safety of the room, he sat down on the bed, his fingers lingering around the wax seal upon the scroll. Karl was not usually one to be dramatic, yet the anticipation of learning his task excited him in an unusual way. He half-expected that his first reaction would be to ignore this chance and to go do anything else to prolong the anticipation.
However, slowly, yet certainly, he detached one end of the seal from the paper beneath it, then slowly unrolled it, hiding the words on the other side from his sight until he had it flat on the table. He then removed the other side of the seal, so that only a semicircle of red wax remained to show that the scroll had been sealed. This finished, the time had come to end the waiting once and for all. His fingers closed on the paper, turning it over, revealing the writing on the other side. Karl began to read…
Mariner looked to Dolphus now, and saw him clearly struggling with some internal conflict. He sighed, wishing not for the first time, that injuries of the mind could be healed as easily as injuries of the flesh.
In answer to the question he said simply “He shall require careful support, for which his family must be notified. Luckily they’re close at hand. His grandfather and father both serve as crew on our ship. Seek out the Captain of our Marine contingent.”
Finished speaking Mariner once more turned to contemplate the horizon.
One of the Ethereal denizens of the ship, walked out onto the foredeck and paused upon seeing Ari. He watched the exercises for a moment, then made to turn away.
Caeseus stalked the passageway on the lower deck, spotting one of the living sailors, whom he remembered was named Jade or something to that effect. “Pardon me sailor, you seen the Captain? Been looking for her.” (@Rukah)
It took Dolphus just long enough for Mariner to turn back towards the window to process the full extent of what he said. HERE?? On the CREW??? They’d have to be part of the ghost crew, the ones we… can’t get rid of.
“R-Right,” Dolphus blurted out, stepping sideways out of the chair in extremely awkward fashion and nearly tripping over the leg of it as he made a cool and calculated scramble for the exit. He had crossed the threshold and left the door all but fully closed before the cold sweat across his skin from the last few minutes finally made itself apparent.
One of the cabins which now threatened from either side contained the wounded marine, probably still asleep from utter exhaustion. The thought of his potential presence drove Dolphus towards the stairs as fast as he could stride, ignoring everything else around him as he ascended them with his eyes shut.
With each passing day the voyage was getting more and more impossible. At least he could find some comfort in the fact that Ari had already seen the worst of him and didn’t have any reason to hate him, like so many others did.
The sensation of the ghostly sailor staring at her sent shivers down Ari’s spine. Which was very poor timing, considering that said spine was currently busy helping her legs balance a barrel up in the air in a one arm handstand. Having regained her composure, she responded to the crew member with a glare of her own.
Despite the sailors looking almost indistinguishable from living, breathing people, she couldn’t help but feel unnerved by them. Despite there not being any visual signs, she had a gut feeling that something was off about them.
What’s the kid up to? He’s been down there for a while…
Luckily, Ari didn’t need to wait long for an answer, as she soon saw the winged child emerge onto the deck.
Happy to finally see a familiar face, she smiled cheerfully and used her free hand to wave at Dolphus to get his attention, slightly throwing her handstand off balance and forced her to scramble to avoid dropping the barrel and getting its unknown contents spilled all over the deck.
When Dolphus is within earshot from her, she calls out to him: “Hey, kid! How’d it go?”
She gives him a warm smile as beads of sweat start rolling up her upside down face, showing that the exercise has only just now started putting strain on her.
The figure noticed Ari’s obvious discomfort, then resolved to find another spot on the ship. Turning towards the aft he began to walk away.
His Marine’s uniform, still neatly pressed in death, seemed to ride up on him. Annoyed he tugged it down, seemed somethings followed into the afterlife, including uniforms that didn’t quite fit.
The Marine sighed, and made to walk around Dolphus who was coming up on deck, as the figure moves by the insignia of a Captain is apparent on his shoulder.
Dolphus thoughtlessly moved to a very minor degree to allow the marine to pass, a tired glance sent out of the corner of his eye at the transparent figure leading to him abruptly looking back once he reached the head of the stairs.
For a brief moment, part of Dolphus wanted to approach him, to inform him about the wounded soldier, and ask that those closest to him be informed. Then the rest of Dolphus dragged that part of his mind out to the forest where the soldier had been broken and stamped on it until it no longer resembled him.
He knew turning away when the dead magic ghost marine was right there was cowardly, based on his unwillingness to face his vengeful actions. He didn’t care. As the marine turned further down the stairs, Dolphus averted his gaze and trudged onward, unaware of how absolutely beaten he appeared.
“Yeah.” Dolphus murmured, having looked away at the exact moment Ari waved to him and now walked past her without properly realizing she was there. About two paces after he passed, however, he stopped cold, his brain processing it was Ari who had just spoken, she seemed taller than normal, and her voice had come from her feet.
Turning back, Ari’s face being noticeably more red than usual didn’t attract his attention as much as the absurd position she was in did. His confused expression carried as he slowly drew his head up to the barrel she balanced on her feet, flinching as it wavered.
“Um.” He took a tremendous step backwards, as far as his short legs could allow - which was still well inside the barrel’s range were it to fall. “It… went. Are you stuck?”
After a handful of minutes feeling miserable…and a few more…and a few more…
Ok, maybe for a little bit too long, Mako sat in the corner of his room, just blankly staring at the wall, zoning out into space while his brain took a detour down mindlessness alley, letting its fill itself with noise.
His vision swam with darkness at the edges,
and it would be plausible that he drifted away from consciousness for more than one moment.
Eventually, of course, he came back down to reality when, lo and behold, his stomach seethed, craving sustenance, to his immediate displeasure. While he’d rather sit and mope for a bit longer, he couldn’t really ignore the scraping emptiness of his gut. So, he got up to his feet, and walked out into the hallway, trying to wander his way towards the galley.
“Oh hello there,” Jade replied. She shook her head to rid her brain of the haze that seemed to have formed. It felt as if she hadn’t interacted with anyone, living or dead, on this ship for months.
“Remind me who you are again, I’m not that good with names-”
She paused for a second, realizing what the spectral old salt had said and grinning.
“‘Her’? Ha! You’re in for a surprise, we elected the kid with the cape as captain. Crazy what goes through us living people’s heads, huh?”
“Name’s Caeseus, once commander of the Rearguard in the battle of Emberhold.” As he spoke he swept himself back with an easy grace. “Charmed.” He finished with the dignity of one who’d been used to operating within high society.
“Indeed, I perhaps see a potential conflict then, because that woman, Alexis certainly was parading around as if the position was hers.” He seemed to get much quieter. “If I were the captain, I’d keep an eye on her.”
Several minutes passed. Suddenly, he refolded the scroll into a small rectangular packet and sealed it with a blob of wax from the cabin’s lantern. I knew this job would be dangerous, he thought. I only wish I’d had more time to prepare.
He began mentally calculating what he needed: knowledge of a flagship’s interior, possible drugs or toxins, and maybe, if the chance occurred… I’ve always wanted to see what a burning ship looks like. Who knows, perhaps the flame guy at the Hearthtemple may like a tribute!
For the first item, Dolphus or another officer would have a map he could copy. The others would require some onshore spending, and maybe some profit… at the expense of someone particularly unfortunate.
“…Right. You can call me Jade,” she said with an air of slight indifference. This fellow seemed a bit stuffy to her, but then she never was one for politics or nobility. Hopefully I don’t forget his name too quickly.
True, Jade thought, cocking an eyebrow. That Alexis, for the brief time Jade had seen her around, did seem to be more capable of being leader-y than most of the others on the vessel.
“Interesting,” she muttered, thinking aloud. “Uh, good to know. I’ll be… around here, I guess.”
Right. I need a map.
Karl got up, pocketing his orders. Then he picked up his weapons, sheathing his knife on his wrist armor. Unbolting the door, he headed out into the corridor, making for the main deck of the Caelin’s Hand.