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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4838647" data-attributes="member: 3285">Naoke: ConclusionSlipping past the lighthouse known as Milton’s Folly, the Nǎoké made its way into Freeport in the twilight.  As she came slowly into dock, everyone line up on the deck rails cheering and waving and flags flying.  Word of Baldric’s return had made him a hero, and his defeat of Cho Sun only cemented his reputation as a formidable candidate for the Sea Lord’s Council.Passengers and their possessions went ashore in a scene of great noise and confusion.  The milling port officials, crew, porters, hawkers, and would-be guides only added to the chaos. Clem, Tranco, and Estaboth slipped out into the crowd.  “I’ll take you to the Marquis Moon.” Yolanda was about to don one of her familiar masks. “You’ll be safe there.”“We won’t if you advertise who you are.  Keep the mask off for now. We’ll have to lay low,” said Kham.  “Last time we were here, we pissed off the daughter of a certain powerful newspaper editor. And I’m supposedly dead in a botched rescue operation.”Yolanda turned and screamed shrilly. “Patricia!”Patricia had gone into the harbor.  Vlad ran over to the edge of the dock.  Patricia’s broad hat was on the quay and there were ripples on the water. The Milandisian dove in.“She missed her step,” Francesca said, rocking herself.  “She missed her step.  She missed her step.”“She jumped,” said Ilmarė.  “Stupid humans.”A man with a pad and paper was waiting for Vlad as he brought Patricia back to the dock.  “Freeport News: can I have a word with you?”“Damn it!” muttered Kham.  “Ilmarė, do something before we end up on the front page!”Vlad laid Patricia gently on the deck. Egil bent over her, listening to her chest.  He whispered a few words and she choked up saltwater with a gasp. “She’ll live, but I should take her to the Temple of Althares.”“Francesca,” ordered Yolanda, “Go with her.”Francesca nodded tearfully and the three were whisked away by a rickshaw that Egil hailed.The reporter turned to Yolanda.  “Is she one of your girls?”Yolanda was about to say something when Ilmarė interrupted.  “O môr henion i dhû.”  The elorii sang of understanding darkness through the night.The reporter blinked.  “That sound!  That’s amazing!”“Ely siriar, êl síla.” She sang of dreams flowing and stars shining.The reporter, entranced, walked over to Ilmarė.  She sang, arms outstretched.”Ai! Aníron Freeport!” she sang.“You’re singing of Freeport?  So you think Freeport should side with the Entaris elves against the Hinterland barbarians?”Ilmarė tossed her hair and smiled at the reporter.  “I think that’s a much more interesting story for your article, don’t you?”The reporter nodded, dumbstruck.The elorii traced one finger along the man’s cheek and then tapped him on the forehead.  “Good.  Keep that in mind.”  She sauntered away.Kham ducked back down an alley with Yolanda.  Beldin and Vlad joined them.  Ilmarė walked through the crowd, and as she stepped men made way for her, staring at her with nothing short of love struck devotion.“It’s a good thing your elf friend isn’t fond of human men,” Yolanda said with a hint of envy in her voice.  “You’d never stand a chance.”</blockquote>

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