Izmeralda, or Lady Izmeralda as she prefers, is young, dusky-skinned, and quite beautiful, with a mane of dark hair and glittering eyes. She has been your captive in the Captain's Cabin for hours while you settle scores above. Now, Captain Rhyll and First Mate Baj can take the time to speak with her. Leaving the deck under Revas' watch, they go below.
The guard, a young man named Tarquin, stands at attention before the door, cutlass held at port arms.
Rhyll nods to the sentry and says, "Thank you Mister Tarquin, that will be all", then knocks on the cabin door and enters his cabin.
Izmeralda rises from her seat by the open window that gives a view of the ship's wake. The churning wake glows in the moonslight. The small cabin, the largest on the ship, is lit by a pair of lanterns.
The Lady offers a bow. Her clothing is of fine silk from far-off Dhazir, but for jewelry she wears only a single ring, which bears the seal of the governor of Mazirin."Captain..." she murmurs. "My congratulations on your advancement."
Baj closes the door behind himself and takes up station in front of it, half baring his prominent canines in a silent snarl.
Rhyll stalks in and says, "No need to rise on our account.Please sit, dear lady, I have some questions to put to you. As for the advancement these are hard times, the crew is in mourning and in need of leadership." Rhyll indicates the seat with his hand. "I will be direc: Why were you on that ship, and why was it attacked by the Dragha?"
She sits again. She seems to have gained some composure since you saw her last. "If I might have a drink, Captain? This captivity has made me thirsty."
Rhyll nods to Baj and says, "Three glasses Mister Mirko, it has been a busy day so far. I think we could all use a brandy."
Baj nods and moves to a latched sideboard built into the sidewall of the cabin, removing three cut-crystal glasses and a dark bottle of Angharan brandy. Pouring more delicately then his size would imply, he passes drinks around, Lady Izmerelda first, the Captain second and himself last.
Izmeralda sips her brandy. "You are most kind."
Rhyll pulls up the other chair at his small table, settles himself in it, then looking Izmeralda in the eyes says, "Yes, for now I am.".
She smiles. "As well, I would thank you for your protection. When the governor learns of it, there will be a sizeable reward in it for you and your men. "I speak, of course, of Baron Yannick." she explains.
Rhyll sips his brandy and nods, "Yes well I suppose there will be. Now back to my questions, if you please."
Izmeralda says, "The stress of these hours has quite fatigued me..."
Rhyll places his brandy glass down on the small table then steeples his fingers. "I see. Well try to be brave and answer the questions, then we will leave you in peace to get some rest. How does that sound?"
The young woman consults her glass, twirling the fine crystal in her fingers as if making a difficult decision. "Oh, very well, Captain. May I share a secret with you?" She looks from Rhyll to Baj and back.
Rhyll leans forward in his chair and with exaggerated interest says, "Oh please do."
She looks sidelong towards the cabin door. "You must promise to tell no one. Can I count on you both?"
Rhyll looks heavenward then crosses his heart and says, "Oh, you can count on us alright."
Baj finishes his brandy and sets the glass down, crossing his arms over his chest, blankly watching the conversation.
Izmeralda looks relieved, then explains. "War is imminent between Sarrik and the Isles. King Bastien means to invade Sarrik and claim her riches. The governor has sent me on a mission to contact Bastien's court and avert such a dire event before it is too late. Since I hail from Arjuri originally, I still have many friends there." She sighs. "However, I fear that I have failed. I must return to Mazirin at once and inform his Lordship, so we can prepare...."She adds, "I hope you do not think ill of me for my failure..."
Baj weighs her story based on what he knows of the sea lanes.
Rhyll leans back in his chair and considers what Izmeralda has said, then says, "And the Dragha? Are they siding with Bastien now?"
Izmeralda shudders. "Who can say? I can only pray that they have not found some terrible ally with which to set Sarrik aflame."
Rhyll picks up his brandy and takes a slow sip then carefully places it back down. He the snaps at the lady, "I see. Do you take us for such fools, lady? Bastien no more commands the Dragha then I do. What was the paper I saw you burning when first we boarded your ship?"
Izmeralda blances at Rhyll's words. "Why, Captain, I would not insult you so....that was merely a message from my contacts in Port Arjuri, where Bastien rules, to the Governor, expressing disappointment that they would not be able to assist us. A shame, really. I had to destroy it, of course, since I could hardly tell who you were. But now that I see you and your crew are trustworthy and brave, I regret my hasty actions...."
Baj's nostrils flare as he tries to scent out a lie, but he cannot tell for certain. She seems either to be completely sincere... or is a fine actor. The wild Urag of the prairies only know truth. They fight for sha gharol. Lies are such a civilized thing.
Rhyll stands abruptly and says, "And you claim you have no knowledge of the Dragha's attack?"
She shakes her head, her dark ringlets spilling over her shoulders. "No more than you, Captain Rhyll. You...you will return me to the city, will you not?"
Baj clears his throat and interjects, "Captain, if I might ask our guest a question?"
Rhyll inclines his head and says "Please do, Mister Mirko."
Baj nods to Rhyll and looks to Izmeralda, "M'lady, your friends connected you with King Bastien and you say he plans to attack Sarrik. What of Baron Lyndag? Does he plan to support or oppose Bastien?"
Izmerelda studies Baj a moment, surprised at the well-spoken Urag. "I can hardly say. Lyndag has always been an unknown element. I can only hope he will stand with Sarrik and hope you feel the same."
Baj looks to Rhyll before he continues, "How soon does Bastien plan to launch his attack? And do you know where he will attack first?"
Izmeralda says, "Within weeks, if not days. The Dragha could be the vanguard of his attack. My contacts in his court believe he will strike at Mazirin first."
Baj nods silently, pensive.
Izmeralda yawns. "I do grow fatigued, now. How soon till we reach Mazirin, Captain?"
Baj says, "Captain, there are too many details to work out without tiring our guest needlessly. Perhaps we should retire to the deck to discuss these developments further?""
Rhyll looks down on the woman scowls and says, "Let's make one thing clear my dear. This is not a pleasure cruise. I am not satisfied with all your answers. You are hiding something and I don't like secrets. We both know the reality of your situation, but I'm willing to play along for now. Why don't you get some rest and maybe you'll have more to say later."
Izmeralda only offers a whore's smile, that conceals more than it reveals. She knows how to use her beauty full well.
Rhyll heads for the door and beckons Baj to follow.
Baj scowls at the Lady Izmeralda and follows Rhyll out of the cabin.
Baj closing the door and locking it, Baj speaks to the guard, "Tarquin, keep a close eye on her. I'll have your ass caulking the devil for the next year if anything goes amiss with her."
Once outside Rhyll turns to Baj and says, "I want this ship back in full working order. I don't want these men thinking they can slack off now that Tyree is gone. Get the men cracking. And when they are moving I would have a word with you."
Tarquin stands a little straighter at attention and nods to Baj.
Baj nods to Rhyll, "Aye, Captain. I'll see to it and meet you topside."
Rhyll nods and stalks off to the helm.
Baj ducks down the passageway to check on the progress of his cabin and effects.
Candra is just emerging from Baj's new cabin. She holds up a sign with crude dagger-carved lettering for his approval. It reads: BAJJ MEERKO, FURST MAIT.
Baj nods to Candra, "Where's Dacien and my gear?"
Candra thumbs behind her. "Already stowed, sir."
Baj nods again, "Good. Fine job on the Captains gear as well, Candra. Make sure that the watches are set below decks and get some rest. I'll want you up at 6 bells of the second watch."
Baj takes a last look into his cabin and heads topside.
Candra sets the sign above Baj's door, proud of her lettering, which Baj taught her.
Topside, the nightwind has become more brisk, spilling out of the west and ruffling Rhyll's hair. Revas tacks into the wind, skillfully, guiding the ship surely. The men working seem as disciplined as ever, possibly a testament to the regimen Tyree imposed.
Rhyll walks over Revas and the wheel then says, "Take a rest Mister Revas, I'll take her for a bit."
Revas says, "Grateful for it, Mister...I mean, Captain Rhyll." The small man looks exhausted. He must be, if he is being kind and courteous. He slips off to his hammock, slung belowdecks, to grab some winks.
Once behind helm Rhyll settles into the familiar rhythm of the ship. The smell of the sea and the feel of the great wheel under his hands helps him to think and ponder on the Lady Izmeralda's words.
Baj joins Rhyll at the wheel. "The men are working well, Captain. I think that the best choice for Bo'sun is between Candra and Dacien. She's a hardass that will drive the men, but she probably won't want the job. Dacien will want the job, but he likes being friends with the crew too much. They can both do the job, but we'll have to be watchful for a while."
Rhyll considers the two choices.
Baj says, "The Lady has secrets that she did not share with us."
Rhyll looks out at the sea. "That's obvious. We'll play her game for now, but if she doesn't start cooperating soon I'll let her feel like the prisoner she is."
Baj says, "And we were in Arjuri not a score of days ago. Did I somehow neglect seeing the invasion fleet that King Bastien was building?"
Rhyll says, "I sorely doubt Bastien has the strength to invade Sarrik. He hasn't even settled the Islands yet."
Baj says, "He certainly does not have the resources to control a Dragha. Not even to forge an alliance with one. She does not seem the type to be fooled easily, but she cannot honestly think that we will fall for such a falsehood. What can she be thinking to achieve with her lies?"
Rhyll adjust the wheel to take advantage of the wind then says, "I think our first step will be to move the lady to your old cabin. Let her feel our displeasure with her performance today."
Baj nods, "It will be done at sunrise, sir."
Benning paces the deck, as he does often at night. He sleeps poorly, for he is troubled by bad dreams. He clambers the ladder to the quarterdeck. "May I join you, Captain?" he asks.
Rhyll nods to Baj and the says, "Come on up Mister Benning."
Baj nods to the newcomer, "Good evening, Mister Benning."
Benning stands a while with you, silently looking out at the dark sea. He always seems to bear a great weight on his shoulders.
Baj says, "The Lady was with us today, we must have been in her graces to escape."
Benning offers a tired smile. "Not all of us, my friend."
Rhyll says, "Don't forget were not without our losses."
Baj nods slowly, "And grievous losses they were, my friends, but I can only imagine what would have happened if that monster had returned for us."
Benning shakes his head. "No monster. A very wise creature, even if its ways we cannot guess at. Are we to deliver its message?"
Rhyll makes a quick adjustment to the wheel then says, "If I find out that Dragha was sent here someone will pay."
Baj says, "If someone were powerful enough to send a Dragha to do his bidding...."
Rhyll says to Benning, "How are our wounded?"
Benning says, "They will recover. There are some burns, but thank the Lady, I was able to treat them." He takes a breath. "I do not think anyone sent that Dragha, Baj. I think it came on an errand of its own."
Even in the darkness, Baj pales visibly, "When the affairs of Dragha involve us, there can be no good come of it."
Rhyll says, "Why would a Dragha care about the affairs of men? What do you think it was doing here, Mister Benning?"
The priest looks uncomfortable. "You heard it speak, sir. We all did, in our minds. It told us to stay clear of them. They are ancient of days, and such things are not lightly toyed with. The Sarries may have swum into deep waters in this matter, more than they could handle, and were punished for it."
Rhyll says, "But why this ship? Is it just coincidence then?"
Baj looks out over the dark water, "The master of the house where I was a servant had a saying: 'There is no coincidence, something is either happenstance or enemy action.'
Benning is about to reply, when there's a call from the crow's nest above. "Ahoy, Captain. The Mazirin light!" There is the faintest flicker of white light on the western horizon, allowing you to take your bearings and reset course. The greatest city of the Crimson Coast is due west of here, no more than two days' sail.