Rhyll and his shore party have dragged off the bodies of the two corrupt knights, and now have a pile of loot, including 100 dragons, collected no doubt as part of the knights' "toll-collections". There are also two fine bay geldings, uninjured in the battle, both branded with the insignia of the order of Maritime Knights.
Candra volunteers again to murder Izmeralda. "It was my failure, my Captain!"
Rhyll says, "No, Candra we will not be bidding our guest farewell just yet, however I do have a special job for you."
Candra nods. "I will do as you bid."
Dacien steps forward and clears his throat pointedly, "Cap'n, sir? I think we should leave them horses to run free, sir. That brand is good as a death sentence iffen someone sees it near us."
Rhyll turns to Dacien and says, "I may have a solution to that dilemma as well."
Rhyll turns back to Candra and says, "We will scout out a secure location, tie up our prisoner, and you will watch her till we return. As for the horses, I will leave them here will you as well, in case you get hungry. I suppose we can spare one of the lads to stay with you too."
Dacien says, "Cap'n, if ye want me to, I'll tell Migalen about the horses. He'll make us a fair offer for 'em, I'm sure."
Rhyll says, "Well I suppose that will work as well, I only hope Candra is not too disappointed."
Candra glances about. "There are many coverts here in the marshes, my Captain. I will make her at home."
Izmeralda says, "You're proposing to stake me out in the swamp with this...this greenskin?"
Deeshon chuckles at the lady's misfortune.
Rhyll looks at the lady. "Either that or tie you to a tree. I was so hoping you'd be more cooperative, but I guess that's not going to happen." He smiles and says, "Well, look at the bright side, I'm not going to kill you outright."
Izmeralda says, "I'll behave. Captain. I wish simply to return to the city as soon as possible. I will make sure your ransom is increased accordingly."
Rhyll says, "I'm sorry, my lady, but it is too late for that. As soon as we entered the city, you'd start squawking like a gull. No better you should wait here until the ransom is arranged or not."
Candra bares her fangs. "We will be great friends, you and I."
Rhyll then turns back to Urag woman and continues his orders, "Candra, I trust you will be able to find a suitable location. When we return, seek us out... but carefully, you never know what will be returning with us. If we fail to return in a reasonable time, use your judgement about the prisoner and get back to the ship."
Thormon, the young Vulkah, speaks up. "I am being guardful as well, Keptin." He has something of a language barrier and a horrendous Vulkon accent.
Rhyll nods then turns to Candra and adds, "Yonder Vulkah wishes to join you Mistress Candra, what say you lass will you have the piker?"
Candra nods. "He'll do. Bind her hands, Thormon."
Thormon nods and eagerly obliges, binding the woman's wrists.
Rhyll says, "Well, now that that's settled, I believe we can continue our pilgramage."
Candra takes the reins of both horses, sizing them up briefly for the choicest cuts of meat.
Thormon nudges Izmeralda. "You are be walking now, lady."
Rhyll calls to the Urag, "Candra dear meet us back here at noon tomorrow. I think that will give us enough time."
Candra replies, "Aye, my Captain!" She leads the horses off a narrow track into the Marsh, Thormon nudging Izmeralda along behind them.
The morning's light rain patters down. The Marsh Gate of Mazirin is still about ten miles to the north.
Dacien starts off down the path toward the city, "Well, it wouldn't be a walk if it weren't rainin'."
Rhyll says, "Perhaps Migalen can suggest a contact to the Governor. I'd really like to get a ransom for that wench, after all the trouble we've gone through."
Dacien ponders for a moment, "Aye, sir, that he might. If ye'd like to have a sitdown in the Crouching Lion, I'll find him and ask."
Rhyll says, "That would be fine Mister Dacien. Meet us there after you meet with Migalen. Perhaps the old Tobon would care to join us for a crink."
Dacien says, "I'll be sure to invite him, sir, but you know how he is about mixin' in with the locals."
Deeshon says, "He should be in a good mood, after we pay him back."
Rhyll says, "Aye that I do, but just the same invite him. Tell him we'll have one in memory of Tyree."
Dacien chuckles, "He's always in a good mood when he gits some gold in his hand, he just might join us, Cap'n."
The Reckoning stands at anchor, her crew doing all the maintenance work they have not had time for: caulking, mending, bailing, painting, tying lines, and tidying. There are some fifty men still on board, most busy with work.
A mile or more to the south, the tiny boats of the small fishing village put to sea with the dawn tide. Baj looks out over the deck as thew crew set to work on the anchored ship. Koster, standing near Erris, calls to him. "What're your orders, sir?"
Baj turns and looks at Koster, giving him the once over, "Stand easy, Mister Koster. We wait for the Captain to return." He turns back to Almira, "So, please, good mage, sit a while with me and teach me the game of chess." Almira's conceit aside, the game is played for blood in the palaces of Port Kalida.
Almira indicates the board before Baj. " Were you not paying attention? This is the King. This is the Queen. This is the King's Hand. In Dhazir, where we invented this game, this piece is known as the Vizier."
Baj nods, seemingly intent on the board, "The Vizier, you say?"
Almira continues, "Vizier. Your primitive people might call him a shaman. These are the Palladians, one and two. These are the Fortresses. These are the Wizards. And these row of pieces in front are called the Warriors."
Baj sits back, nodding slowly, "And the pieces move in what manner, sir?"
Almira narrows his eyes. "I have explained it once. Are all your people so poorly endowed with intelligence, Baj?"
Baj says, "You have indeed, sir, I'm just trying to ensure that I have it all correct in my mind."
Almira says, "Your pieces are ivory, so the first move is yours." He gestures.
Baj studies the board carefully and makes his first hesitant move, an opening gambit he observed many times in his former life.
Almira makes a countermove, confident and bold.
Baj sits back and studies the board carefully, "Forgive me, I must watch carefully, you are far more learned than I."
Almira sighs. "This game will hardly be a challenge."
Baj chuckles softly, "Certainly you did not expect me to be a challenge, sir? I am merely a student at this point."
Almira opines, "I have found there is more to you than can first be assumed, Baj Mirko."
Baj smiles, "And I have found you to be an excellent judge of character, sir."
Near the foc'sle of the ship, Koster watches Baj on the aft deck with the wizard. Erris stands beside him. "With the Captain gone, this might be the time, Erris."
Erris hisses to Koster, "This just might be. We will have to act fast..."
Koster says, "There are ten of us I can count on, Erris," He makes a great show of mopping the deck.
Erris says, "10 to 40, are tight odds, even with surprise on our side."
Koster says, "We'll need surprise. I bet if we took down ol' Baj, the others'd fall in line soon enough."
As Rhyll and his men head north, they encounter the usual flow from any big city: carts and wagons of the merchant caravans, soldiers, peasants, and farmers. Without Izmeralda in tow, they're able to make good progress northwards, and no one seems to give them a second glance. They blend into the traffic.
The crowds of people on the Marsh Road are mostly Sarries, but there are also many others from different climes, with the dark skin of the Dhazir, or the pale skin and long hair from the Polar Kingdoms.
Mazirin stands at the end of a long peninsula jutting out into the great Sunrise Sea. Marshes crowd the mainland, but the peninsula becomes higher and drier as you head east towards the city. On this wet morning, however, the fog clings closely to the land, obscuring your view of the great city. In the mist ahead, you see the landward city walls looming, and the great Marsh Gate, flung wide.
Drarn says, pointing, "Me own hometown!"
Dacien scoffs, "As if any town would claim any one of us sea-dogs!
Just beyond the Marsh Gate are the crafters' shops, houses and hovels of the Workers' Quarter. Beyond that is the tangled streets of the Maze, and past that, the warehouses and palaces of the Merchant's Quarter. Barelu visible In the mist, on the north side of the city, the gleaming buildings of the Governor's Quarter cling to a steep cliff overlooking the city.
Entering the Marsh Gate, Dacien turns south-east for the docks and leads the way into the city.The streets ahead are crowded with folk. Rich folk, peasants, beggars, soldiers, priests and knights, sailors and landsmen, merchants and mages. Your small group stays close to one another and stops on a street corner, the signpost reading BROAD STREET and SUNRISE STREET. Broad Street leads towards the docks; Sunrise Street towards the rich Merchants' Quarter.
Rhyll looks about him at the hustle and bustle of Mazirin, and turns to Benning."Lead on good priest, the promised land is at hand."
Dacien moves close to Rhyll, "Cap'n, sir, if you head down to the Crouching Lion and tell Hannaford that I sent you, your first round will be on the house while you wait."
Rhyll nods and says, "My thanks Dace, we'll meet up with you there. Come on boyos...second round's on me then."
Almira moves another piece. "If you leave your Queen exposed, I will take it soon."
Baj moves his Kings' Hand slowly, setting another jaw of the trap as if he were nearly unconscious of its location.
Leaning back in his seat, Baj calls out, "Mister Vendig? Might we have a mug of that ale?"
Vendig sets down two mugs for Baj and Almira. He studies the board, admiring the finely crafted squares and the carved pieces. "Never did get that game," he grumbles. "But that board looks like to fetch a pretty dragon..."
Almira slides his Fortress, unaware of the trap, and takes one of Baj's Warriors. He smugly clutches the minor piece as if it were a major triumph.
Dacien grabs Deeshon's arm."Stick close to me and watch me back. The Maze is a dangerous place."
Deeshon says, "And who's gonna watch my back, Dace?"
The two Tobon stand near the entrance to the Maze, nimbly evading the horse-drawn carts and foot traffic of the great Broad Street. "Thirsty, I am!" Deeshon says.
Dacien says, "Business first, drink second, lad."
Dacien moves off into the streets of the Maze as if he were navigating the decks of the Reckoning.
Fog clings to the walls and cobbles of the city, making even this spring morning feel like twilight. Deeshon pulls his cloak a little tighter about him, scanning about him with his eagle-sharp eyes.
Vendig bellows to Koster and Erris. "You lads! Quit yer shirkin', you layabouts. Grab th'fishin' poles and catch us some grub!"
Erris says, "Are you and the others really up to this? There will be no half way about it."
Koster grins. "Can we count on you?" then he looks towards Vendig.
Erris says, "We will need a fish net, and some men ready with bows in the tops. And we will need to lock some men downstairs for a bit. But first we need to gather our men. Let's go fishing. We can talk freely."
Koster pulls out two of the ship's fishing rods, lovingly maintained by Dacien himself. He passes on to Erris. "Good idea."
Vendig brandishes his hook. "Did y'hear me, you louts?" He sees the two crewmen finally going to work as ordered, and relents.
As Dacien and Deeshon steal down a quiet side street, a party of Reith dressed in black head towards them. One, clearly the leader, is a bull of a man who moves slowly and deliberately, but with the air of one who rules all he sees.
The Reith are headed on some errand of their own and take little notice of the two Tobon.
Dacien sticks to the shadows and alleys as he makes his way to Migalens' usual haunt.
Deeshon tugs on Dacien's sleeve. "You know who that was?"
Dacien shrugs, focused on his errand, "Some Reith thug or other."
Deeshon says, "That was Brixton himself. Koster's old boss. Let's let him go his way and we go ours."
Dacien chuckles before moving on down the street, almost talking to himself, "What I wouldn't give for a minute of his time, lad. But that would be too obvious, wouldn't it?"
Deeshon says, "This is more than just a visit to Migalen, isn't it, Dace?"
Dacien looks Deeshon straight in the eye, expressionless, "Why whatever would make you say that, Dee?"
Deeshon says, "Care t'share it with me?"
Dacien says, "Better if only one of us takes the bite if something goes astray, right, mate? I'd hate to get you pinched in my deal."
Deeshon says, "I know how to keep quiet. You might say, I'd even keep quiet for a good price. Old friend!" His hint is clear.
Dacien says, "Let's just say that there's some among the crew that we'd be better off without. And I'm moving to get rid of one of them."
Deeshon says, "I'm on board with that!" The two Tobon slip from the Maze. The broad dockside stretches before them, the smell of fish, sweat, horses, and seafoam overpowering here. The docks are thronged with ships and their crews. The great harbor of Mazirin reaches all about the tip of the peninsula, sails and ships scattered about...and the tall Mazirin light, dark now that the sun is up, stands on a high white rock in the harbor.
Dacien spots Migalens' coach and team, the old Tobon polishing gleaming black woodwork and leather.
And just ahead is a well-maintained coach, with a finely fed team of Northerling ponies, and an aged, white-haired Tobon in a long black coat.He passes the lead horse a carrot and then notices the two Tobon approaching. "Is that..yes! Yes, it is!"
Dacien smiles, "Yes, it is, sir. And how are you this fine morn?"
Migalen says, "You rascals! I'm well, boys, well. And how are you two young sea-dogs?"
Dacien moves close to Migalen, a small pouch of coin appearing in his hand as if by magic, "I'm here to pay a debt and bring some news of a departed friend. Captain Tyree has gone to the Warrior, Migalen."
Migalen looks puzzled. Then he sees you are in earnest and blanches. "Not...Tyree, surely? This...is dreadful news, my friends. Come, we must speak more."
Dacien nods and follows after the older Tobon.
Almira asks Baj, "Do you yield?"
Baj smirks slightly as he closes the trap, moving his Fortress, "Mister Almira, I never yield."
Almira blinks. He looks at the board, then back to the Urag. Then he looks back at the board. Then at the Urag. Then he blinks.
Baj extends his hand to the wizard, "Excellent game, sir, we must do it again sometime soon."
Almira says, "Yes. I feel the vapors coming on. I must retire to my cabin. Good day to you, Baj Mirko!"
Vendig, leaning against the rail, grins at Baj.
Baj says, "Sea air, the finest thing for the vapors, so I'm told.""
Almira rises and sweeps from the quarterdeck, then disappears belowdecks in a huff.
Vendig roars with laughter. "You showed him, Baj! You showed him good!"
Baj laughs softly, "Yes, but he won't be so easy to beat next time."
Vendig says, "He's so bloody high and mighty all th' time, it's a pure joy to see him taken down a notch!"
Baj turns to look over the decks of the Reckoning, "And now to take down some others a notch or two."
Rhyll pushes open the door of the Crouching Lion and enters the pub. He grabs a passing bar maid and says with a wink "A round of ale for me and me thirsty mates aye love. Aye?"