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Message: <blockquote data-quote="peteyfrogboy" data-source="post: 462124" data-attributes="member: 5677">Fortune Favors The BoldAgain, an expansion of a briefly discussed backstory.Viktil coughed as he looked at his cards. He scratched his ear with one ragged claw. Sagwa sat impassively across from him, showing no reaction to either her own cards or the glittering pile of coins and jewelry between her and Viktil. The other four dekandiri at the table had already forfeited and watched silently as the aged Viktil considered his bet.Sagwa's luck had been stellar all night; she had hardly lost a hand and never with a large pot at stake. Viktil's fortunes, on the other hand, had been on the decline for months. The years had worn him down, and the daring adventurer of years past had become a gray-whiskered ancient. The money on the table wasn't the real stake here; Viktil had made a score of fortunes that size in his time. When luck ran out for one such as Viktil, it was time to hang up his boots and retire from the road. The old ratling reached into his satchel and withdrew a sealed tube of waxed leather. He placed it on top of the pile of shining coins. A quiet gasp could be heard from one of the spectators. The tube bore the Chandaraya seal; a contract from that prestigious merchant family would mean great renown, and quite possibly a fee that would dwarf the petty trinkets on the table. It was the sort of stake that put an end to betting. Sagwa blinked, but gave no other sign of recognition. She laid her cards on the table.Viktil sighed as he folded his hand. Sadness, relief, and a dozen other emotions mingled in his expression. "I hope your luck holds up, youngling. I don't doubt you'll need it."**Sagwa stood at the prow of the ship as it cut through the mist-shrouded sea. Viktil hadn't been kidding when he said she would need luck. When she read the contract she wondered if the old rat had played some sort of trick on her. The seal was genuine, though, and the contract was clear: she was to travel to the forbidden island of Akhzar Banang, find one Krisvira Chandaraya, and return him safely to his family. It was a task so incalculably difficult as to be laughable. But if it were genuine, and she were actually able to accomplish it, she would be able to retire in comfort. Most of her gambling winnings had gone to purchase elegant enough clothes that she wouldn't get thrown out of the Chandaraya compound on her ear when she went to officially accept the contract. She was provided with a drawing of the wayward merchant prince to aid in identification. More usefully, she was given some of his clothing to provide her with a scent to track him by should she require it. As far as his business on the island, all she was told was that he had gone in search of new opportunities for trade. Most likely, thought Sagwa, he was hunting one of the rumored treasures of the Hantu Capi. Why else would they bar Kerajaani from their lands if not to conceal some great stash of wealth?There was a slight change in the air. It wasn't the most familiar scent, but Sagwa knew a city when she smelled one. Just then, the dockyards of Kurutapo began to materialize from the mist ahead. The ratling had seen the great cities of Taj Naga many times, but still she was taken aback by the beauty of Kurutapo. Most of the construction was of wood, unlike the stone buildings she was used to to. What made the architecture so stunning, however, was the carving. Every visible surface seemed to be decorated, crawling with animals or festooned with leering faces. Even the barnacle encrusted pilings of the docks themselves were rendered as pillars of writhing fish. Many of the carvings were gaudily painted or clad with gold, silver, or other metals.Sagwa shouldered her pack as the boat docked. She made her way into the city, eager to begin her work.</blockquote>

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