Pirates of the Aether

[Vixsor Lumin]

"I see, and what of the prophesy of the children of the sun? Does have something to do withyour peoples bond to the world?"

[Techwarrior]

"I wonder, does your prophecy have anything to do with Dragons?"

[Lentrax]

"It is a reference to the sign of the Arbiter. He is also known as the Dawnbringer."

[Vixsor Lumin]

"I see. Well you have my deepest condolences. Captain Reya was a magnificent person, and the world is a darker place for her loss." Arryl bows deeply, then walks away to wait for Kierans return.

[Lentrax]

"Thank you all for coming. I am sure your new captain will have some things to discuss with you when he returns. Please express to him my desire for him to visit me, would you?"

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Does anyone else have questions for the king?

[Wordplay]

Kieran glances at the two birds in front of him.

Well that's certainly a sign. I should have asked fer a clearer one.

Kieran reached out to stroke the dead raven.

Like me, dressed in black. This quest is to destroy me then, but whether it be Lady's will or not, I dinnae ken. Tae think I doubted auguries.

Kieran turns.

'Well met. Thank ye kindly fer yer concern, but the morn has only just dawned. I was just about to return to ye, as I said I would.'

[Lentrax]

"Orders, Captain?"

[Wordplay]

'Let's head back tae The Gambit. Are any of the officers with ye? I'll have them brief me in me cabin. As soon as we're back aboard we'll weigh anchor, and return fer Serzai city. I expect you gentlemen are owed some leave and...'.

Kieran looks grim.

'...I have some unfinished business with His Majesty, and his people too.'

Kieran utters darkly.

There's a rumble.

'Oh, and ask the cook if he would kindly provide some breakfast. I'll take it in me cabin. Apparently I haven't eaten fer....some time.'

Kieran brings the dead birds with him.

[Lentrax]

"Aye, cap'n."

As the next hour passes, you take breakfast in your cabin, and think back upon the events of the last week.

The Gambit docks and you disembark. The early morning sun glistens and shines off of the buildings, casting everything in a warm silvery glow.

[Wordplay]

Kieran gathers any of the officers that he can find aboard The Lady's Gambit.

[Space Lawyer]

Reporting in, my captain. I take it your trip went well. Your orders, sir?

[Wordplay]

'Good morning Maia. The trip was...eventful. I seem to have lost several days. First thing first - what have ye been doin' in my absence. Last thing I heard before I had to leave fer me...appointment I heard ye were unloading the fruit. Oh, and where are the rest o' the officers?'.

'Secondly, have the crew been given any shore leave yet? If not, we'll have to grant them one decent night'.

After Maia has answered Kieran's questions, Kieran turns to her and says

'I'm glad I caught ye alone Maia. I had a particular job in mind fer ye. Something requirin'...discretion'.

For Maia (and Lentrax of course)

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Kieran takes Maia to his cabin. 'It's about our Aimari. Let me tell ye, tha' girl worries me a little, the way she sneaks about, keeps tae herself, then burns men up wit' such relish. Now, battle's one thing, and there may be nothing in it. I've tried askin' her straight questions, but I dinnae get anywhere wit' it.

That's where ye come in. I want ye tae get close tae her, gain her trust, become her best friend. Find out what makes her tick, and then report back tae me secretly. If she's nae more than what she seems, we'll leave her be, but if she does turn on us, I want someone ready tae do whatever's necessary. On nae account mus' she figure out what ye're doing. Ye're the only one of the crew wit' the necessary talents, Maia'.

Kieran sighs

'She seems such a sweet girl. I hope I wrong her. But just in case, be prepared'.

Kieran appears a little distracted.

'I'll fill ye in a little more on the trip later. Told me a lot o'things. Dinnae ken how much of it I can trust. Soon, we'll have some decisions tae make, but first' Kieran glowers at the approaching port

'I'm gonna get some answers out of a certain King'.

[TheMightyQuinn]

Rok

*Three days. Three days of wandering the city. It was enough to see about everything there was to see. Unfortunately, Rok didn't see any of it. Hauling the Aetherlite to market was entertaining enough, but more than one night at any given pub was enough to lead to problems.*

*The next two days aboard the ship were a return to routine for Rok. Workouts. Tending to his weapons. Checking riggings and watching the crew. They stayed understandably quiet around him, but the ship was a small place, and Rok had keen ears.*

*When Kiernan finally makes his reappearance, Rok seems overjoyed, giving the man a massive slap on the back.*
"Captn! Captn came back!"

*With a loud laugh, he points to the cabin.*
"Did gud - munies. Many munies. Captn happy?"

[PersonMan]

Aimari does what she normally does on the ship - she helps here and thee, but mainly keeps to herself. Once she hears Kieran is gathering the officers, she heads off to find him. One of the crew tells her that he's already talking with someone in his cabin, so she waits for him to finish outside, wondering what he had been looking for her for. Especially since he was now busy with something else. Perhaps it hadn't been so important after all, but Aimari didn't want to just leave if there was something she needed to know.

[Space Lawyer]

Kieran

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Yes, my captain. I have had my suspicions as well. I will be vigilant.

At Kieran's glower, Maia perks up. Maybe this will be interesting.

[Wordplay]

Kieran's pleased to see Rok too, though he stumbles slightly after the pat on the back.

'Aye, lad, I'm glad tae see ye too. Careful.' Kieran chuckles.

Kieran's finished speaking to Maia, and has gathered Rok, Maia, Aimari, and anyone else present in this cabin.

'Now what's all this about money? Did ye sell the cargo?'

After their answer Kieran speaks,

'Now, nae doubt ye're wondering where I've been the last few days. Well I met the Oracle, that we've heard so much about. She told me...many things. I'm not sure how much to believe. I have seen some wondrous sights, and powerful magic, so I'm not sure how far I trust what I've seen.

The people of Serzai and their Oracle have a plan, fer me, specifically. Perhaps tha' was part of Cap'n Reya's mission in the first place, perhaps not. I intend tae find out. Seems they think I'm some character from their religion, or history.

Now, we could try and cut and run. We brought news of Cap'n Reya's fate back tae her people. We dinnae owe them anything. We take our money, and get a cargo in another port.

Or, we could stick about, see if we can't profit from our position. Though it would likely mean we'd have to try and fulfil this Oracle's reading of my fate. Could be dangerous.

On the other hand, if the Oracle is a true one, then it could well be dangerous to turn away. If the Oracle spoke true, what we'd face is a threat tae the whole world, and it will hunt us nae matter where we go'.

Kieran thinks What gives them the right to put us in this danger? To pluck us from our lives to play out a story from their myth?

Kieran's in control, but he sounds angry. Then he sighs, and says indignantly,

'Oh, and apparently, we're married, the Oracle and I. From a previous life. If my first wife's still alive, I s'pose that makes me a bigamist. Dinnae ken how I'm ever going tae explain it tae her - that I'm married to a Lady cursed lake!'

[TheMightyQuinn]

Rok

*Through the majority of the conversation, Rok stares blankly and shifts from foot to foot occasionally, not wanting to interrupt. He didn't understand most of what was being said, but he knew better than to interrupt.*

*When Kieran finally finishes, Rok laughs and shakes his head.*
"Captn have two women mad? One bad, two badder, Captn."

"help, don help. Captn can say. Rok follow."

[PersonMan]

Aimari listens as Kieran talks to them about the situation. It was certainly quite interesting. Looking at Rok, she remembers the discussion he and the captain had. It was interesting, to be in the know. It was also amazing how good the creature's acting skills were. At the memory, Aimari internally giggled at the interesting details of the conversation. He had mentioned that acting stupid made people ignore him, yet at the same time Aimari's inability to talk to these foreigners had seemingly made him forget about her being there. Or perhaps he just knew that she would never tell anyone else. It wasn't like she had anyone she spoke to often.

"I think we should stay," Aimari says quietly. It was difficult just to say that, but she burned with desire to find out what this entire thing was about. Besides, going through such momentous events would be perfect fuel for her inner fire. 'The spirit is fueled by adversity. The inner flame grows stronger when fed by hard-earned victory.' It was one of Aimari's favorite passages. It was also one of the ones favored by her companion, making the decision to leave a bit easier. She would find enlightenment on this journey. She had to.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Arryl strokes his chin thoughtfully. "Another port would have a better cargo for us. Serazi is a place to unload, not restock. Still, if these people have put you on a pedastal I see no reason not to take advantage of it." Then he feels the chain of his holy symbol and changes his line of thinking. "Besides, risking the world to feed our avarice seems like a bad thing. I vote we stay.""

[Techwarrior]

"I also think we should stay. If this turns out to not be to our liking, we can still cut and run. I don't like the idea of abandoning these people though."

[Wordplay]

'It seems that most are fer stayin' fer now. As Erin says, we can decide to leave later if it doesn't work out. Before we decide, Maia, Lynn, do ye have any thoughts?'

[Space Lawyer]

I have no desire to be a hero. These people mean nothing to us, and have done nothing to help us. Their lives and deaths and whatever may befall them are no concern of ours. Let us go seek our fortune elsewhere.

[Techwarrior]

Erin turns to Maia, indignant, wings outstretched and nostrils flaring.
"How can you say that, in all seriousness. Sure they haven't done anything for you mage," He seems to spit out the word mage like it leaves a horrible taste in his mouth. "But you haven't exactly given them much of a chance to help you out have you? No, you've spent your time on the ship, where none of those people can even see you, much less talk to you or try to help you. You spend so much of your time avoiding people, even the crew, do you even know what real people are like anymore, other than for their bargaining use? Or do you spend your entire time in your own little head behind your books and your spells with your fancy 'magic' to make sure that you don't have to deal with the people you can't stand. What is your problem with people, mage?" The word mage comes out with even more venom than the last time.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Arryl stands quickly and steps between the two. "And who are you to decide how people live their lives?" he says calmly.

[Space Lawyer]

Maia raises and eyebrow and looks at the dragon-man with a face that suggests a mixture of minor annoyance and faint amusement. "Well, a bit testy, are you? As to your first question, I've never put an expectation on them to help me. When you are forced to rely on the assistance of others, given out of nothing but the kindness of their hearts, one should simply admit that they are slave, shackled not by the chains of cruel master, but by their own inadequacies and failings. As to their bargaining use, and that being my only concern. You are clearly mistaken. I respect and obey those who exert their will to make their desires come to fruition. I follow our captain because he holds lawful authority, and I will work to see his desires fulfilled. I do not do so because it benefits me; I do so because it is right. My overall problem with people though, is that they lack focus and drive. Many have nebulous desires which they never develop a clear plan of action for achieving. Others can see the steps that are necessary, but lack the conviction so plainly necessary for the achievement of these goals. I see nothing worth saving in these people.

SCUM!SCUM!SCUM! Why should I risk myself for some ground-crawling maggots? Their Oracle wants us for saviors? A crew full of possible traitors and obvious dissemblers. Liars! Liars! LIARS! The dragon nearly burns the ship, and he wants to talk about how I'M not thinking of others? I'll slice his wings off and wear them as a cape.
No, he might still be helpful!
How dare he challenge me and my right to stay alive!
He just doesn't understand! He's naive, he has not experienced the horrors this world holds.
Better for him to know the truth of the world! It is vile, full of filth that wants nothing more than to use you for their own purposes!
He doesn't know that though! We do!
LIFE IS SUFFERING!
It can be better though, we just have to make it that way. This captain is good to us. Maybe we can even tell him the truth eventually.
NO! He'll turn us out like the others.
Captain Reya didn't send us away. Lets stay, and see what the Captain wants.

Panting slightly, Maia turns to Kieran "It is up to you, my captain.

[PersonMan]

Aimari considers Maia. Her side of the exchange was interesting...In her mind, she had already assembled a few kernels of truth about the world. The mage thought about the gnome's tone. While she had never been as gifted as others in sensing the Flames of others, she knew Maia. Sort of. She always seemed calm and didn't seem to have reactions to most things, but this time she seemed...different, somehow. Perhaps she was simply adept at concealing her emotions, rather than actually being as disconnected from the world as she seemed. Intriguing.

If she could muster the strength to, Aimari would add her own opinion to the discussion, but it was already too heated for her to speak without fully igniting her Flame. Her first few experiences with foreigners led her know that this was not a good idea.

OOC:

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I'm going to try a Sense Motive check to see if Aimari got a glimpse of how riled up Maia actually got by that whole thing.

(1d20+0)[12]

I'll take 12 as a 'she gets the feeling Maia isn't as calm as she normally is'.

[Lentrax]

One of the crew knocks on the cabin door.

"Captain, there is a messenger from the castle here for you."

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I'll roll with this for a bit. Maia can make a bluff check if she wishes to keep her true feelings a secret.

[Wordplay]

'Alright, thank you, bring it in'.

Kieran turns to Maia and Erin.

'Alright, I've heard what ye both have tae say, and I'll bear it in mind. Whatever we decide, both of ye will live with it. Erin, ye're entitled to yer views, just as Maia is entitled to hers. Much as I admire yer generosity o'spirit yer way is nae hers, and there nowt wrong wit' that. Just as I have respect for ye, ye should respect her, and her ye.

Remember the two of ye have tae work together. Whilst I'm always willin' to listen tae yer concerns in private, once the two of ye are out that door, ye keep yer opinions tae yerself, clear?

Good, now everyone settle down.

Now, can anyone tell me what ye did with the cargo, and how much ye sold it fer?'

Kieran keeps his tone conciliatory, and tries to keep it very soft with Erin.

I don't want to be harsh on Erin, but unless this message has unusual news, we're probably going to help these people. Maia's not going tae like that.

Kieran takes the message and reads it.

[Lentrax]

The message says simply:

"Please come see me at once."

[Vixsor Lumin]

Arryl clears his throat. "My apologies captain, for not including you in the sales. We had a bit of a mishap selling the fruit to the palace, but they were interested. So we went to the market and made an offer to a manand told him of the palaces interest. He gave us half the money on the spot and the other half after we unloaded, so there wasn't much time to report back to you. We made enough to cover our expenses plus 300."

As he is speaking, Arryl walks over to the chest where the money was being stored. "Then while you were away on buisness, we returned to the market and after some negotiations came away with this." He opens the chest to reveal the money. "In total we made 8800 gold in pure profit." Then he drums his fingers on the lid of the chest before continuing.

"Unfortunatelly Serzai doesn't seem like a place where we can buy our next cargo. Unless we wish to lower ourselves to being a ferry, there's not much we can do. My reccomendation is to use the money for minor modifications and save the bulk of it for the next time we make port."