Rhyll stands before the throne of King Bastien. The room is smaller than some throne chambers, more of an audience room by mainland standards, but no less impressive for its lack of size. Nearby also stands the pirate Captain called the Opal, formerly Baroness Cyrille of Sarrik, wearing a domino mask.
The young King takes a moment to caress the cheek of his young, buxom serving girl, who stands nearby with a pitcher of wine, before turning back to Rhyll. Here, in this land, the machinery of the state runs more modestly, and the King must take a personal interest in many matters. Bastien says, "As I was saying, Captain, this rebel Baron Danmar has become something of a nuisance, and I mean to make him pay for his crimes against me. Thus, my invitation to you."
Rhyll gives a slight bow and says, "I am of course at your service, your Grace."
The King nods and produces a scroll. "This is a letter of marque. I'm authorizing you for piracy against him in my waters, the proceeds of such raiding to be split between us 50-50, in exchange for my protection and use of my shipyards and facilities. You accept, of course, Captain?"
Having little choice at the moment but to agree, Rhyll accepts the scroll and nods to Bastien, "Of...course."
The Opal has an identical letter in her hand, and looks towards Rhyll curiously.
Bastien claps Rhyll's shoulder. "Excellent!" For all his love of luxury, Bastien is actually renowned as a naval strategist, so his plan may be a sound one. He indicates a nearby table, where is spread a map of the Isles, with small model ships on the blue painted surface. "With your two vessels in my fleet, the Baron won't know what hit him." he says.
Rhyll gives a sidewise glace at the Opal, and asks himself, What have you gotten us into, woman?"
In Sarrik, the King would never treat with you two in this way, but here, in Yandar, the King must take a direct hand sometimes. Bastien asks Rhyll, "I'll need a complete inventory of your ship, of course, so we can make sure you're correctly armed against him. Then I'll set you free to roam the Main." He pushes some of his model ships forward. "Creep along the southern coast of Arcoy, the pickings there are bound to be rich. More wine, Captain?"
Rhyll proffers his glass, still not resigned to his current predicament. He wonders, not for the first time, what Tyree would have done in his place. The serving girl refills Rhyll's glass.
The King says,"Well? What is your assessment, Captain?"
The Opal glances towards Rhyll.
Rhyll studies the map for a bit then says, "It looks good for a start. But once you start engaging Danmar's ships you leave too many of your ships spaced out. This is fine for ship-to-ship combat, but if Danmar groups his ships into a fleet it won't work."
The King nods, sagely. "You know, you're right. Well, well.."
Rhyll reaches down to adjust a few pieces on the board, "If I may your Grace?"
Captain Welge enters the chamber, comes to attention, and twitches his face. "A visitor's here, Your Grace. His Lordship, Valentin, of Sarrik. Callin' on you at your pleasure, yer Grace, says a state matter brings him here."
The King looks up, annoyed. "What, now, Welge? Who do these Sarries think they are, eh?"
Rhyll and the Opal are both Sarries, but Bastien doesn't seem to realize that. He puffs his cheeks. "We must needs discuss this later, Captains. You are dismissed. But don't stray from the harbor, hm?"
The Opal also bows, murmuring, "Of course, your Grace." She backs from the throne room, then turns to go, passing through the large doors.
Rhyll follows close behind the Opal hoping to catch a word with her.
Benning flicks the traces and the wagon trundles forward, emerging from the grove into the brilliant daylight of a Yandar spring afternoon. The dirt road is thick with dust and the children choke and gag as the wagon proceeds. Baj and Talon perch in the bed of the wagon.
Ahead, on a ridgetop, is a two-story house surrounded by broad barley fields, with a winding path leading up through the fields towards the house. Talon remarks to the children, "Well now isn't that a pretty picture." The whitewashed house is tattered and broken, but maintains a rough dignity.
As the wagon rolls forward, a pair of darkhaired children step from the tall grain and eye the wagon suspiciously as it passes them. One lifts a hand in greeting as the wagon leaves them behind. Talon waves back to the children as they head passed down the dirt road.
The children in the wagon stop chattering, nervous and excited. The nags pulling the wagon, spent from the pull, move slowly now. Benning rolls them to halt about ten yards from the big house.
A woman stands near the entrance, dressed in homespun clothes, a basket in her hand, a broad straw hat shielding her fair complexion. She squints at the visitors. Her face is pinkened with sunburn. Recognizing Talon, she approaches the wagon hurriedly. "You!" she calls, running up to him. Then she pauses, offering her hand in a most queenly manner. "I did not think to see you again, sir." The woman can barely hide a smile. She was beautiful once, and still is, but in a different way now. Her eyes and cheeks are drawn with wrinkles, and her hair is even blonder than it was formerly.
Baj climbs down from the back of the wagon and begins to help the children down. He is surprisingly gentle for a man of his size. Helping the last child from the wagon, Baj turns and regards their host with an odd look on his face, almost as if he is searching for a memory.To Baj, Camille's gestures are familiar from long ago, when he still served the noble house of Selonnon. He went to the royal court with his master once. And this looks like Queen Amoret, King Lucard's former wife, and the mother of princess Mireille. But she's dead.
Talon hops off of the wagon, takes the woman's hand and gently places to his forehead. He speaks low so that only the lady can here, "Nor did I, your Grace. But as you see, circumstances have changed a bit for me lately. I come to ask a boon."
Camille smiles at Talon. "I would be pleased to grant this in whatever way I can. You have but to name it."
Talon speaks more loudly. "This is Baj Mirko and Benning of the Reckoning. Gentlemen, I present Lady Camille."
Baj moves slowly to Talon's side and bows deeply before the lady, "Madam, I am greatly pleased to make your acquaintance."
Benning stands silently behind Baj.
Camille looks askance at Baj. "As am I, sirs. Any friends of Talon are friends of mine." She smiles. "Such excellent manners for an--well, I hope you are not offended when I tell you I have only encountered one or two others of your kind with the same breeding."
The children mill about. "Is that her?" Ilian asks.
A smile crosses Talon's face. "These children have been recently been rescued from a slaver. The ship I'm currently sailing on is no proper place for them and so I was hoping you might take them in."
She asks Talon, "How could I refuse such a request? My home is theirs. Perhaps you'd all like to come inside and get out of this hot sun?"
Talon again smiles and says, "That would be most appreciated my lady."
Baj looks directly into Camille's eyes, "Yes, my former master educated me well. I had to behave well when we were in the company of King Lucard and his wife, Queen Amoret."
If Camille's composure is upset, she doesn't show it. "I see," is all she says. "Well, do come in!"
A short while later, you're inside the big farmhouse, introductions made and comfort offered. The children are nervous but seen to immediately. A Tobon female, Sersene, leads them off to an anteroom where the children can relax and refresh themselves, and they are treated to fresh barley bread slathered with jam.
On the porch, away from the children, Camile gestures to seats for Talon, Baj and Benning. She removes her straw hat and fans herself."It was good of you to bring them," Camille says.
Talon removes a leather pouch from his belt and places it on the table then says, "This is a small token of our appreciation, courtesy of Captain Rhyll of the Reckoning."
Camille nods. "Please express my gratitude to the Captain. Is this the ship that you speak of, which is no fit place for children?"
Talon nods and says, "Yes, milady."
Camille says, "I take it this is no naval vessel, Talon?"
Talon says, "This is the Yandars, yes? It is a vessel in port."
Children are visible working in the fields, but not very hard, some sunning themselves, some resting under a stand of trees.
Camille says, "I suppose I shouldn't ask how you got on board. Nor how you found me."
Talon looks around, takes a sip of his drink then says, "I had heard of this place, and it was easy to connect it with you."
Camille smiles, gently. "But tell me, Baj Mirko, when you visited the King and Queen, what did you think of them, in their finery?"
Baj stands and turns his back on the conversation, his eyes on a horizon that he surely cannot see, "Milady, I can remember little of the time except the fear of what would happen if I disappointed my master." Turning back to face Camille, Baj continues, "But my nose recalls what my eyes cannot, the scent of a royal lady that I had heard was no longer among the living."
Camille studies the Urag. She swallows, as if in fear of her life. Has Talon come to finish her off?
Sersene nervously sets a tray laden with goblets before Camille. She takes up one, filled with lemonade. "The famed Urag directness, in action."
Baj frowns and bows slightly, "Milady, I intend no offense. Forgive me, please, it has been many years since I stood at court and my manners are stiff with disuse."
Talon steps in and says, "I believe he can be trusted my lady."
Baj stands with a start, "Trusted? On my word of honor, milady, your secret is safe."
Camille relaxes. She offers Baj a goblet. "The past is the past, Baj Mirko."
Rhyll turns to Baj and says, "The Lady Camille has started a new life here Mister Mirko, best the old one be forgotten."
Camille shrugs. "Queen Amoret is dead, I assure you. Camille is not she. The palaces of Port Kalida seem most distant now, don't they?
Talon says, "That they do."
Camille says, a bit wistfully, "Someday my husband will get what he deserves. But how is my daughter, Mireille?
Talon ponders and says, "The last I saw her she fared well. She is still her father's daughter. "I'm afraid Lucard told her you had run away and abandoned the two of them. What could she say? She was but eight at the time. At first she doubted the truth, but as you know he can be very persuasive."
Camille nods. "That he can. As a young girl, I learned that well....You're on one of his missions, I suppose, then?"
Baj's head snaps up at these words and he stares at Talon intensely. Benning's heavy-lidded gaze also falls on Talon.
Talon shakes his head slightly from side to side and says, "I'm afraid I'm no longer in the King's employ."
The Opal stops in the richly furnished anteroom near Bastien's throne chamber. She whirls on Rhyll. "You wanted a word, Captain?" the blond woman asks.
Rhyll marches up to the Opal and says, "Yes, I would. What were you thinking getting me involved in this war?"
The Opal frowns. She sets her hand on her sword hilt. "Pardon? You'll watch your tone. I thought I was doing you a favor, because I thought highly of Tyree. All you had to do was say no to him." She shrugs. "Pickings have been slim in the Main lately. Bastien will pay well, I'm sure, and that will tide me over until things pick up again. Tell me, how did Tyree die? Because I would surely kill whoever slew him."
Rhyll says, "If you can fight the wind and the rain, then good luck to you. He died rescuing a mate that fell overboard of all things."
The Opal studies Rhyll. "That sounds like him..." she says, finally.
Rhyll nods. "Anyway, my lady I appreciate the good recommendation, but please in future, check with me first."
"Of course." the Opal says. She turns to go. "I bid you good day. We shall sail together soon, it seems."
Rhyll says, "Good day milady."
Captain Welge enters the anteroom. "You're summoned t'the royal presence, Captain. If you'd be so kind." He gestures to the door to the throne chamber again.
Rhyll looks surprised and then follows the Captain back in. Standing near King Bastien is a dark haired, sleepy-eyed man with a somber expression. The King gestures to him. "Ah, Captain Rhyll, this is Lord Avery...Have you met?"
Rhyll almost chokes, sputtering out, "Lord...Avery did you say?"
Bastien says, "Are you quite all right?"
Rhyll replies, "Ah...pehaps to much wine, your Grace, forgive me."
Valentin's somber gaze bores into Rhyll. He explains, "Lord Valentin of Avery, in the service of his Grace, King Lucard."
Rhyll gives a curt nod.
King Bastien says, "He says he's come on a matter of some importance. Accuses you of harboring a fugitive from Sarrik justice. Some man named Talon. Is this true?"
Valentin says, "I am sure it's just a misunderstanding, your Grace. This Talon is a liar and a deceiver and I'm sure he just took advantage of the Captain's generosity."
Rhyll wonders how Valentin found out Talon was on board. "Hmmm, Talon you say. Not sure to be honest, we take on many hands. I can check the roster though if you like?"
Valentin says, "Of course. I should be most pleased if you would be so kind, Captain." This man strikes Rhyll as a lot like Talon in some ways.
The King says, "I told him that you would be happy to clear this matter up, Captain."
Rhyll says, "Fine. Then where should I send word?"
Valentin says, "I'll send men with you to the vessel. For your protection, of course. If he did turn up, I should so hate for him to escape into the city and threaten innocent lives."
The King encourages Rhyll, "See to it, Captain. Then Lord Avery here can be on his way. Won't do to keep a servant of King Lucard's waiting..."
Rhyll says, "Perhaps it would be better for me to return alone. Wouldn't do to scare him off now would it? Anyway he is most likely not onboard, most of the men have liberty."
King Bastien says, "Very well. But at least take Welge and some of his men with you, won't you?" The twitchy Guard Captain stands behind Rhyll, taking in every word."He's very discreet," Bastien adds.
Rhyll says, "Very well your Grace, my thanks to you." He turns to leave and as he heads out the door he turns and says, "Lord Avery. I hope to see soon, again."