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<blockquote data-quote="Arcturion" data-source="post: 3743898" data-attributes="member: 54632"><p><strong>1.2 Hommes Optare</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">At Eltera’s words of gratitude, Rentiki merely waved them away with a hand as an expression of solemn understanding passed over his broad features, the green apple half eaten and forgotten. Terwase nodded wordlessly in his rather understated manner.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">“Worry not, dear Cat,” Rentiki replied evenly. “Words are but a small thing. It is in deeds that men – and women – show their true nature, is it not?” The Captain leaned forward and clasped his hands together before him while propping the weight of his elbows upon the table, the many fanciful rings around his thick fingers clicking together with the casual movement. He appeared thoughtful as he considered the dark aelf’s questions. “H’jenn-Ra? I can’t say I’ve ever heard of that word in all my travels. As to this Ayaleska, a pretty name to be sure, but sadly it holds little import in my limited understanding. What are they to you, my dear Cat? Friends of yours?”</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">Eltera watched Rentiki's movements at her questions of the H'jenn-Ra and Ayaleska. She fully understood that there was almost no likelihood that Rentiki would have known of them, however she had few other solid leads that might lead to her daughter or former lover. There was no harm in asking and a set of ears with mouths whispering little seeds was always welcome.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">She tried to offer a smile of nonchalance, though offering different words, "The matter is of some importance to me. The H'jenn-Ra are old friends of mine, if you might say that, though I must offer that they are extremely dangerous. In fact, they were the source of the grievous wounds on my hands, though their lasting nature is due to my own actions. Nonetheless, should you ever inquire about them or encounter them, please do not under estimate them."</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">Her words fell silent for a few moments. She wanted another drink of wine to steel her nerves, but settled only for a light lick of her suddenly dry lips. Rentiki had saved her life and she had promised herself to be honest with him. Perhaps she would live to regret such, but she hoped that was not the truth.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">Ayaleska, however, was too important to ignore. There were wholly no leads concerning her daughter's location or motives. Despite her young age and assuming innocence, there was no small amount of cunning and intelligence hidden in those icy blue eyes.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">After a moment of silence, she continued in a weaker voice, "Ayaleska is my daughter. That is a wholly different matter, yet linked to the H'jenn-Ra. If anything, I would like to know about her and I would see you well compensated for that information." She made no mention of how she might offer as reimbursement, but gave no indications of anything more than the gold he had mentioned.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">“I see,” the Captain replied, appearing solemn. “Blood be a harsh thing, I’ve come to discover for meself. Please feel free stay aboard the Argus for as long as you like as my guest until we set sail once more, or until you find what you seek. I do not know these names, tis true, though perhaps I can see if any of my contacts within Drace might have heard whispers to the contrary. Needless to say, however, such information oft does not come cheap. Anything worth knowing rarely does. The language my ‘friends’ speak is of coin and there’s little of that to be had what with the repairs to the Argus and hiring new sailors for my crew. My dealings within the capital may see that we earn a respectable bit of drachmas yet, though it will take a few days to unload the, uh, cargo.”</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">The . . . cargo . . . ?</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">The word and tone were not lost on her. </span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">Without warning, Rentiki reached forward across the table to clasp Eltera’s fingers and gave them a gentle squeeze in a surprisingly tender gesture, the size of the man’s hand eclipsing the dark aelf’s so as to make her seem a child and he a giant. “Once our business is concluded here in the city, it is my ardent wish that you might accompany us,” he began earnestly, a hopeful smile upon his lips. “Traveling the Seven Known Seas upon the Argus, seeing all the wonders that this world has to offer and beyond, does that not sound a life worth living? Let me take you away from all this bleak cold and talk of war and I can show you the many splendors of Daosha, land of my birth. Once you have graced your eyes upon her warm shores and feasted upon her bounty you will never be want for anything else, I promise you! All this worry with the Nornir and the bloody shadows of your past, why let them haunt your every step? Leave such troubles behind you, says I. Come sail away with me and we’ll create our own paradise together! What say you, dear Cat?”</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">Terwase stood as still as a statue not far off with his gaunt hands tucked in the sleeves of his homespun robe, the aged medicine man just as silent as well. Whatever thoughts or emotions he might have on all of this, Eltera couldn’t say for he hid them well. In the corner over the hearth’s mantle, Orpheus raised his serpentine skull lazily and regarded the events taking place with eyeless sockets. The undead constrictor would have nothing meaningful to add to this unexpected madness. Shifting her gaze back upon Rentiki’s face, she saw that the Daoshan’s sudden offer appeared genuinely heartfelt and his words rang with a sincerity and optimism fit more for a wide-eyed youth than an experienced ship’s Captain, though they barely knew one another and met only just this very morn.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">It was then that the moment’s silence was broken by the rough sound of men’s laughter just beyond the cabin doors. It turned to leering hoots, the harsh voices drifting through clear enough to hear. “’Ere now, poppet! Give us a kiss, don’t be shy!” was one shout in the Dracian tongue, accompanied by more laughter. It didn’t sound like the catcalls were addressed toward Eltera, though.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">Annoyed, Rentiki could only grin apologetically. “Ah, forgive me, dear Cat,” was the Captain’s reply, patting her fingers with his hand. “It seems the men are a bit unruly this night. They know that strangers are not to come aboard without my leave first. But the skeleton crew have sailed for many a week without the pleasure of a woman’s company, so some indiscretions are to be expected. A thousand pardons, I will take care of this matter quickly and return to you.” Rentiki stood up from his chair as if he meant to go.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">Laughter abruptly gave way to shouts of dismay and surprised oaths as a man’s anguished scream pierced the night, startling the Daoshan Captain and Terwase. Orpheus gave an angry hiss from the corner just when a body fell shrieking past the cabin’s windows, followed by a loud splash as it hit the water below. “Attack! We’re under attack!” came a sailor’s panicked yell. ”Sound the–!” It was swiftly silenced with a strangled cry.</span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon"></span></p><p><span style="color: LemonChiffon">“What the devil?” Rentiki swore. “Orpheus, to me!” At his command, the skeletal snake flew from its perch and landed upon the Captain’s broad shoulder, curling around his left arm. “Cat, make ready! We may have need of that bright blade of yours!” Without another word, Rentiki turned and strode purposefully toward the double doors, Terwase shuffling right behind him.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Arcturion, post: 3743898, member: 54632"] [b]1.2 Hommes Optare[/b] [COLOR=LemonChiffon]At Eltera’s words of gratitude, Rentiki merely waved them away with a hand as an expression of solemn understanding passed over his broad features, the green apple half eaten and forgotten. Terwase nodded wordlessly in his rather understated manner. “Worry not, dear Cat,” Rentiki replied evenly. “Words are but a small thing. It is in deeds that men – and women – show their true nature, is it not?” The Captain leaned forward and clasped his hands together before him while propping the weight of his elbows upon the table, the many fanciful rings around his thick fingers clicking together with the casual movement. He appeared thoughtful as he considered the dark aelf’s questions. “H’jenn-Ra? I can’t say I’ve ever heard of that word in all my travels. As to this Ayaleska, a pretty name to be sure, but sadly it holds little import in my limited understanding. What are they to you, my dear Cat? Friends of yours?” Eltera watched Rentiki's movements at her questions of the H'jenn-Ra and Ayaleska. She fully understood that there was almost no likelihood that Rentiki would have known of them, however she had few other solid leads that might lead to her daughter or former lover. There was no harm in asking and a set of ears with mouths whispering little seeds was always welcome. She tried to offer a smile of nonchalance, though offering different words, "The matter is of some importance to me. The H'jenn-Ra are old friends of mine, if you might say that, though I must offer that they are extremely dangerous. In fact, they were the source of the grievous wounds on my hands, though their lasting nature is due to my own actions. Nonetheless, should you ever inquire about them or encounter them, please do not under estimate them." Her words fell silent for a few moments. She wanted another drink of wine to steel her nerves, but settled only for a light lick of her suddenly dry lips. Rentiki had saved her life and she had promised herself to be honest with him. Perhaps she would live to regret such, but she hoped that was not the truth. Ayaleska, however, was too important to ignore. There were wholly no leads concerning her daughter's location or motives. Despite her young age and assuming innocence, there was no small amount of cunning and intelligence hidden in those icy blue eyes. After a moment of silence, she continued in a weaker voice, "Ayaleska is my daughter. That is a wholly different matter, yet linked to the H'jenn-Ra. If anything, I would like to know about her and I would see you well compensated for that information." She made no mention of how she might offer as reimbursement, but gave no indications of anything more than the gold he had mentioned. “I see,” the Captain replied, appearing solemn. “Blood be a harsh thing, I’ve come to discover for meself. Please feel free stay aboard the Argus for as long as you like as my guest until we set sail once more, or until you find what you seek. I do not know these names, tis true, though perhaps I can see if any of my contacts within Drace might have heard whispers to the contrary. Needless to say, however, such information oft does not come cheap. Anything worth knowing rarely does. The language my ‘friends’ speak is of coin and there’s little of that to be had what with the repairs to the Argus and hiring new sailors for my crew. My dealings within the capital may see that we earn a respectable bit of drachmas yet, though it will take a few days to unload the, uh, cargo.” The . . . cargo . . . ? The word and tone were not lost on her. Without warning, Rentiki reached forward across the table to clasp Eltera’s fingers and gave them a gentle squeeze in a surprisingly tender gesture, the size of the man’s hand eclipsing the dark aelf’s so as to make her seem a child and he a giant. “Once our business is concluded here in the city, it is my ardent wish that you might accompany us,” he began earnestly, a hopeful smile upon his lips. “Traveling the Seven Known Seas upon the Argus, seeing all the wonders that this world has to offer and beyond, does that not sound a life worth living? Let me take you away from all this bleak cold and talk of war and I can show you the many splendors of Daosha, land of my birth. Once you have graced your eyes upon her warm shores and feasted upon her bounty you will never be want for anything else, I promise you! All this worry with the Nornir and the bloody shadows of your past, why let them haunt your every step? Leave such troubles behind you, says I. Come sail away with me and we’ll create our own paradise together! What say you, dear Cat?” Terwase stood as still as a statue not far off with his gaunt hands tucked in the sleeves of his homespun robe, the aged medicine man just as silent as well. Whatever thoughts or emotions he might have on all of this, Eltera couldn’t say for he hid them well. In the corner over the hearth’s mantle, Orpheus raised his serpentine skull lazily and regarded the events taking place with eyeless sockets. The undead constrictor would have nothing meaningful to add to this unexpected madness. Shifting her gaze back upon Rentiki’s face, she saw that the Daoshan’s sudden offer appeared genuinely heartfelt and his words rang with a sincerity and optimism fit more for a wide-eyed youth than an experienced ship’s Captain, though they barely knew one another and met only just this very morn. It was then that the moment’s silence was broken by the rough sound of men’s laughter just beyond the cabin doors. It turned to leering hoots, the harsh voices drifting through clear enough to hear. “’Ere now, poppet! Give us a kiss, don’t be shy!” was one shout in the Dracian tongue, accompanied by more laughter. It didn’t sound like the catcalls were addressed toward Eltera, though. Annoyed, Rentiki could only grin apologetically. “Ah, forgive me, dear Cat,” was the Captain’s reply, patting her fingers with his hand. “It seems the men are a bit unruly this night. They know that strangers are not to come aboard without my leave first. But the skeleton crew have sailed for many a week without the pleasure of a woman’s company, so some indiscretions are to be expected. A thousand pardons, I will take care of this matter quickly and return to you.” Rentiki stood up from his chair as if he meant to go. Laughter abruptly gave way to shouts of dismay and surprised oaths as a man’s anguished scream pierced the night, startling the Daoshan Captain and Terwase. Orpheus gave an angry hiss from the corner just when a body fell shrieking past the cabin’s windows, followed by a loud splash as it hit the water below. “Attack! We’re under attack!” came a sailor’s panicked yell. ”Sound the–!” It was swiftly silenced with a strangled cry. “What the devil?” Rentiki swore. “Orpheus, to me!” At his command, the skeletal snake flew from its perch and landed upon the Captain’s broad shoulder, curling around his left arm. “Cat, make ready! We may have need of that bright blade of yours!” Without another word, Rentiki turned and strode purposefully toward the double doors, Terwase shuffling right behind him.[/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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