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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Haraash Saan" data-source="post: 3480165" data-attributes="member: 46615">On our short journey to the hidden cove we questioned the prisoners Strav had freed about their abduction and how they had been treated by the cutthroats. Their answers confirmed our deductions about the Blood Sail’s raid. They had been taken from Ravenswood the night before we had arrived. Two of the older folk were none other than Brother Goethra and Brother Tom from Leathes Abbey. The others were those that had also been taken from the town. The fate of the girls was obvious. Torn clothing and bruises confirming what Moxadder had put so bluntly to them, “So you been raped then?”Honestly, the man has no tact or compassion, although the way he had unconsciously rubbed his backside made me wonder about his own experiences in the slums of Irudesh City.Just as the twilight was fading Argonne steered us into the cove. We dragged the boat up onto the beach, covered it with scrub that we found and then made a fireless camp. Thankfully my clothes had dried, and my dip in the water had even cleansed them somewhat of the dirt, blood and sweat that had covered them. Still, I would have to see a tailor soon to see if he could mend my shirt and pants. For now I realised grimly, they had to do, at least until tomorrow as we all desperately needed rest. A fantastic, vibrant orange sky greeted my eyes as they slowly flickered open and registered that dawn was upon us. The spectacular backdrop was highlighted with crisp white streaks of clouds whose underbellies glowed with bright sunlight. Whilst waking at dawn is something a little foreign to me the sight almost made it worthwhile. I arched my back to stretch, attempting to re-mould it into its usual shape as opposed to the stiff plank it had become. Sleeping outdoors was something that I never wanted to get used to. It felt as though I had slept on a bed of broken glass, but it was only the rocks that had penetrated my mattress of thick ship’s blankets.It took most of the morning to decide on a line of questioning for Rumscully Jack. He was not yet conscious, but his condition had improved overnight. Mortec was hopeful that he would wake by early afternoon.He finally came to just after midday. I was sitting on a rock nearby, idly sharpening my rapier. Jack started struggling against the bonds that Argonne had excellently tied. Two pale blue eyes blinked rapidly, accustoming themselves to the bright sunlight. His red bushy brows gave them no respite. He turned his head away from the light and rolled onto his side and registered that I was there, watching his struggles.“Good day Rumscully Jack.” I said jovially. “Oh sorry. I must apologise for the inconvenience of the gag. My associates and I were a little concerned about you causing a ruckus,” I continued with mock concern as I freed his mouth.His eyes darted about, taking in all of his surrounds. “Who are ye? And what do ye want with me?” he rasped.“Forgive me.” I said, “Perhaps some water would clear your throat.” Never let it be said that a Montfort abandons courtesy even when interrogating a prisoner.I helped him to a sitting position and he gulped down the water I offered. “Thank ye. Now what do ye want me?” he said.“Well, as one business man to another…” I began.“Business man? He’s a bloody pirate.” Interrupted Morgan hotly.I glanced contemptuously at him. These people do not know the meaning of discretion and subtlety. We had learnt through Moxadders’ source that Jack thought himself more of an entrepreneur and business man than a pirate. Piracy was just another job to him that had certain benefits.“One business man to another.” I started again, “I believe we can help you to help not only us, but yourself. We just want to ask a few questions.”“Ah. So information is what ye want. Well ye aint gettin’ it from me. I have nothing to say to ye.”“Come now Jack, may I call you Jack?” he did not respond so I carried on, “We only want to know a few things and then we will be happy to let you go.” This was partially true. I had nothing in particular against Jack, and providing I did not think he would threaten us I was willing to let him go. “I would like to achieve this peaceably if at all possible. We do not want it to resort to violence, now do we?” I said in a mock concerned tone. I did not want to hurt him either for that matter, but I would if I had to. Being of noble birth does expose you to some things. I remember a time when my father had caught a hunter illegally shooting game on his lands. Father questioned him most unpleasantly about a second hunter, for father had found a second animal, along with the captured hunters’ own prey, yet with different fletching to that of the prisoners arrows. He got his answer in the end and used crude but effective methods to get it.“Nothin’ ye do to me can be as bad as what they’ll do. Kill me if ye wish, it’ll be better for me.” He said matter-of-factly.Who were his employers? We had threatened the man and he did not care. If only he would give us some clue as to who they were, at least then we could follow that trail. As it stood we were very much at a dead end.“Jack, Jack, Jack.” I said in a consolatory tone. “Who said anything about death? We just want information. Who hired you to capture the Tritons hmm?”“Ye’ll get nothin’ from me I told ya. Right now my employers know nothing of what has taken place. I probably haven’t been missed yet. However, in a few hours, or days,“ he added quickly, noting our interest in the time mentioned, “they will notice my absence, and they will ask questions. There is nothing I can do to stop them getting answers. And that means they’ll find ye. Best head back down the path ye came down and let me go.” He said.“Let you go?” I chortled in surprise, “Why would we do that? You have given us no reason to. Give me some answers and then we can talk terms.” “I already told ye, ye’ll get nothin’ from me.” Then stared straight at me and repeated slowly, “Best head back down the path ye came down.” I noticed a glint in his eye as I held his gaze. “Free me and leave me in peace and we can make it look as though none of this happened.”Silently I chastised myself for not noting his subtle hint the first time around, but it had finally dawned on me. He had said, “Best head back down the path ye came down." It was obvious! The path he meant had been the one we had followed to the dwarf’s house. So, it was at Grisha’s home we would find more answers. “If we were to let you go, how could we be sure that you would do us no ill?” I asked.“Why would I harm ye? All that would do is bring attention to ye. And that is something neither of us want.” Replied Rumscully Jack.After quick discussion with my companions it was decided that there was no benefit in keeping him captive, not if we wanted to keep up any pretence of secrecy. “So what is it that you propose?” I inquired casually whilst wondering who his employers might be and how it was that they held such a sway over him.“Well, you have borrowed one of my ships. I’ll say that it was lost in a raid. They won’t question that too much.” He winced a little. I reasoned that he would be questioned, and none too pleasantly, but it certainly was a plausible explanation. It would also result in less pain than the truth. Jack guessed that if his employers found out what really happened it would be a long and painful exercise for him as they extracted every last detail. “I’ll not mention you, this conversation, my capture or anything else for that matter to anyone at all. To do so would only cause me more grief,” he said. “It’s best for all if ye just let me on my way and this whole little incident is not spoken of again.”As he finished I could see a glimmer of hope on his face. It was well placed. I could not see a flaw in his logic. If we kept him there would be many questions asked by his employers. I had no doubt with a little persistence they would find us. I had even less doubt that if they found us, our lives would be forfeit. The conviction with which Jack had spoken had convinced me that we were dealing with a foe that was much greater than anything we could conquer. Letting him go would of course huge risk for us, but seeing that I am not a cold blooded murderer, I was not going to kill him and I could not fathom any reason to keep him. It was in everyone’s best interest to let him go. So we did, much to his surprise and relief. With a wink and a nod he plodded through the scrub toward his hidden dock.This really was getting a lot bigger than I liked and we still had no proof for the Baron.</blockquote>

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