1st of Eleasis 1491, Shipboard on trip to Slaver's Island
Atalaya stood at the ship’s side, watching as the Hond Ebrath pulled away from Riverport. The ship picked up speed as the crew adjusted the sails to take full advantage of the wind once they were out of the harbor. Atalaya absentmindedly watched the town slip behind them as she thought about the past evening. Thankful again for Nevil’s assistance to counteract her inebriation the night before she vowed to herself to be more aware of how much alcohol she consumed. She hadn’t drunk that much since she had been a teenager and was celebrating after taking her first Wild Ride. “Why did I do that? I certainly know better than to drink too much. What if something had happened? More assassins? Someone coming after Nevil? Or Cirilli?” She continued to stand there, watching the waves crashing into the bow of the ship and the land continuing to change as they made their way southward. “I let go because I was with Vaz, and it was him who was filling my cup. I know he thinks he was being stealthy and that I didn’t know what he was doing, but I did. And I let him continue his little game.” Her thoughts flitted around as the ship rose and dipped, the waves steady and relentless. “Vaz is a really good dancer. I didn’t realize that. We could have been dancing all along.”
The wind was tossing her hair around. She had just grabbed random trews and a tunic when she came out of her meditation that morning. And grabbed a leather strip to tie her hair back as she made her way to the common area looking for her coffee. Hearing laughter behind her, she turned to see Cirilli and Rogelio washing down the ships decks. Cirilli laughed as Rogelio tossed saltwater onto the deck. Then they both scrubbed away at the deck, pushing the water towards the sides of the ship. “I’m not raising a Ranger, she’s going to end up a sailor if we spend too much time on this ship.”
Just after the ship had left port and the frenzy of in harbor tacking had subsided, Nevil selected a spot on the bow of the ship on the windward side of the jib. The salty breeze blew her loosely bound hair as she sat in meditations and morning prayer. It took inordinately longer, her face would relax then a smile would form, over and over again. Clearly, something pleasant was distracting her concentration. Nevil returns from the bow to find Atalaya lost in thought. "Copper for your thoughts?" She asked Atalaya.
“I was thinking about last night. Vaz is a really good dancer. I didn’t realize that. I haven’t danced in a long time either. It was fun to get to do that, and to be able to teach Cirilli some new dances. I need to remember that she needs time to be a child, even as we teach her to defend herself. I’m seeing her smile and laugh more often. I’m glad of that.”
“How about you? Did you enjoy your Midsummer with Inman? You made a striking couple while you were dancing.”
Nevil smiles awkwardly, "Yes, it was one of my best Midsummers. Funny how it has a way of pulling out true feelings. No doubt the Stillmother's grace has worked deeply to play a part. So, I suppose it was both that moved me in ways faster than I would have expected."
Nevil laughs a little to herself rolling her back on the rail, "Inman and I... well, it still surprises me to hear it out loud." She looks to Atalaya, "you must think me crazy to fall into him so quickly. But Inman and I were together for almost four years before we parted. While the mind makes decisions... the heart does not forget its way." Nevil looks a little naughty, "It is a hard thing to resist; especially when you are filled with the longing of years."
“No, I don’t think that you are crazy. I do think that you have known Inman for a long time and have had a relationship with him before you met your husband. For all we grilled him the other day, he seems to be a good man. He would need to be, to have both you and Seraphina speaking for him.” Placing her hand lightly on Nevil’s shoulder, “What I think is that it has been a long time since you have allowed yourself to begin to heal from the loss of your family. And I see you doing that now. Nathan and your girls will always have a place in your heart. In your memories. In your soul. But now you are starting to let others in too. I’m glad because I have needed a friend.”
Seeing Nevil’s look of confusion, she added, “A friend, someone I can talk to and share things with. Not just an adventuring companion or clansman, but an actual friend. And I think that perhaps you have needed a friend too.”
Taking a moment to reflect. "You have a beautiful family, Atalaya. Thank you for letting us share a Midsummer with you. I was so pleased to see everyone cutting loose a little.”
Atalaya gave her a searching look. “Of course you were going to share Midsummer with us. I’m just sorry that Seraphina and Joan were not here. I wish they had been. Or at least that they had gotten some sort of a message to us. I’m sure Seraphina found somewhere to celebrate though.” Looking out over the water she added, “I hope Joan was able to celebrate.”
“I’m glad that those poor people on the Tamarind were able to have a much better Midsummer than those slavers had in mind for them.”
Thinking some more, a confused and concerned look returns to Nevil’s face. “Atalaya, I don't understand. You have Boz, Sorrow, Seraphina, and Joan? Are you not as open with them? How are there no others?”
“Seraphina and Joan seldom accompany us. I’ve never had the chance to become that close to them. Cirilli is probably closer to them than I am, simply because at times they have watched over her and we have completed tasks that needed doing. I trust them. I am willing to leave my ward with them, and that says a lot right there. But we have never had… or maybe taken… the opportunity to … how shall I put this… perhaps I could say, develop a close friendship beyond a working relationship.”
With a sad countenance Atalaya looks out over the water. “I have a hard time opening up to others. My half blood status was frequently ridiculed when I was in Otterwell, my mother’s village. My elven peers tolerated me better, but, and I quote, ‘You are only half elven. You won’t live long enough to….’ I was always either going to live too long or not long enough to be worthy of being their friend or at least that is how it seemed to my younger self.”
After another searching look over the water, she turns to Nevil. “You know what I think? I think that perhaps Mielikki and your Still Mother have been encouraging our friendship in their own ways. And I am glad of that.”
Smiling, she adds, “And as for Vaz, yes, he is my friend too. He was my friend before he became my love. But that is not the same as having a girlfriend.” Atalaya’s face softens and she gets a faraway look in her eyes, “Vaz always seemed to arrange it so that he was my watch partner. We talked long into the night for many months as friends before we moved into a more intimate relationship. Again, it took me a while to understand that he wanted one, and then for me to work past my own fears.”
Nevil draws Atalaya into a hug. "You will have no such problem here." After several moments and still in embrace, "I understand this pain and only just recently learned to name these sisters... trauma and grief. And they can be hard women to negotiate alone." Then letting her go and with great sincerity, "it can be easy to lose the way forward when all you feel is their memory. I also think the Goddesses intended our paths to cross. We can find strength together."
“Yes, we can find strength together. But I think that you and I, or at least I, also need to learn to find… well not softness per se… release. Yes, I like that word. Releasing the old pains and hurts and griefs allows for strength to grow.”
Atalaya looks back over the sea. After a moment she turns back to Nevil. “And that’s all the introspection I can handle right now. We have a bit of sailing to do to reach this ‘slaver’s island’. It’s too soon after breakfast to think about preparing anything for lunch. So, I think it’s time for handwork. At least it is for me. And it is so beautiful out today, that I think I’m going to get my projects and bring them up here.”
“Do you have something that you would like to do? I’m going to repair some arrows, and I have a bit of leather crafting that I need to finish. I would welcome your company.”
Nevil follows Atalaya with her eyes, concerned she may have overstepped. Then with some relief, "I would be glad to keep your company. Especially, since Inman is no doubt pouring over those spell books you gave him. Though I would lay here in the sun and enjoy the salt air. I can only stay a few hours before I must sleep again. After healing our friends, I wish to be fully rested before we arrive."
“You go find a nice sunny place on the forecastle deck. I’m going to go get my things and I’ll join you. I definitely want our paladin to be fully rested,” she said smiling broadly.
With a final glance at Cirilli, noting that she and Rogelio were just finishing up the scrubbing of the deck and were stowing their buckets and mops in a crate. Cirilli met her eyes and then pointed to the crow’s nest. Atalaya silently laughed to herself as she nodded her approval of Cirilli’s plan. Then, turning she headed towards her cabin.
Once there, she gathered her quiver and her pack with the bag of holding. Going to the desk and opening the drawer she collected the tooled leather pieces and laces she had been working on the previous day.
Carefully touching the painted area on one of the pieces and deciding it was ready for waxing and lacing she placed them in the pack. She turned to head out of the room and saw Vasilya entering the room. Dropping her pack, Atalaya made her way towards Vaz, staggering slightly as the ship crashed through a particularly big wave. Reaching him, she slid her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. “I had a wonderful Midsummer. Thank you.” Her hand on the nape of his neck, she pulled his face down to hers and kissed him soundly. Finally releasing his mouth she settled back against his shoulder. “The night was wonderful too, Iubitul meu”
Reluctantly releasing him and reaching for her pack she added, “I’m heading back up to the sunshine. Among other things, I’m going to check over my arrows and repair any that need it. If you give me yours, I’ll check them as well.” As he moves to gather his arrows, Atalaya asks, "What are your plans while we are sailing?"
Vasilya hands his quiver of arrows to her. “I need to practice some of the things the drabardi showed me. I need to get more control of this ‘gift’ of mine if it is going to be of any use to us and not incapacitate me when I use it. I was just coming here to do that.”
Atalaya smooths his hair back and gently traces a finger across his brow. “Be careful, Iubit.”
Feeling reluctant to leave him, but realizing that he wants privacy for whatever it is that he is going to try, Atalaya takes up her pack once again and makes her way back to the deck to find Nevil.
Given the roll of the sea and a desire to stay dry, Nevil has nested on the windless side of the main deck. She has folded and strung a portion of the fine mesh cargo net between the cargo hatch cleats and several belaying pins; creating an elevated taunt hammock. It is big enough for several people. She has clearly done this before. Having tucked her boots into two mesh holes, she is lounging barefoot in the sun, with her eyes closed; enjoying the roll of the ship and wind's caress.
Atalaya exited the stairway onto the main deck. Nevil’s hammock takes her by surprise. She looks it over carefully, realizing that it has been made large enough for both of them, but wondering how she was going to manage getting into it without waking up Nevil. Softly she called up, “Nevil, are you awake?”
“Most certainly.” She smiled without opening her eyes. “I'm not trying to sleep, just enjoying the sun.”
“So how do I get up there, without dumping you on the deck?” Shaking her head to herself she looked over the contraption more carefully. “Can you hold this while I get up there?” she asked. Waiting for Nevil to open her eyes, she then handed up her pack. Then carefully she maneuvered herself into the hammock next to Nevil. Deciding that having her feet bare to the breezes was a great idea, she copied Nevil’s example and placed her boots into some of the open holes.
Taking the pack from Nevil, she pulled out the leather squares and the laces that she had prepared and found a way to stabilize the pack next to her. Finding the two pieces she wanted and a length of prepared lace, she started lacing the two pieces together, using a double loop lacing pattern.
The stillness of Atalaya and unusual noises peaks Nevil's interest. She rolls and opens an eye, “you are a woman of many talents I see. Leatherworking too? May I ask what it is you are making?”
“Actually, it is something for you.” She hands Nevil the leather, with the lace hanging down from her last stitch.
Nevil takes the small leather squares and looks at them. She sees a small tooled representation of Eldath’s holy symbol. The waterfall is highlighted with the water a jumble of whites and blues. The pool at the bottom a, still blue pond. Oak and maple leaves grace the space below the pool. Turning it, she sees stylized crossed swords with what looks like a ribbon woven between them. It looks a lot like the token Nevil has seen Atalaya fiddling with during many of their talks.
“I hope you will like this,” she says, a little hesitantly.
"This is very nicely made, Atalaya. Thank you. I was just thinking a prayer focus more durable than my stole would be more appropriate for an adventurer. It's like you read my mind." Nevil considers, "you know we could start meditating together some mornings if you'd like."
“I’m also making one of these for Cirilli, to help her start learning to meditate. I don’t know if she can learn the elven mediation that allows for her to rest and recover as I do. She is young enough to start and I know that the practice has been mastered by some humans. I’ll have to see what time she is willing to work with me. My mediations are made for that rest and recovery and are generally done at night; before or after my watch. But I enjoyed the mediation we had together in the vardo, and am willing to join you again. This is going to be a long trip and finding ways to stay busy will certainly make time pass faster.”
Nevil closed her eyes again, feeling the world around her, "I am very happy to hear you will be teaching Cirilli meditations. Prayerful or not, it is an important part of the warrior's way." Nevil pauses in consideration, "Should you find that she has difficulty with elven meditations, having mastered the bladesong, Inman may be able to offer guidance to a human connecting to the world in such a way. If still that is difficult, I would be pleased to also offer my guidance." Nevil opens her eyes to ensure Atalaya hears her words, "but she is your ward, we would of course respect your desires for her education."
When Nevil’s perusal of the token is finished Atalaya takes it from her hands and continues to work the lacing needle through the precut holes and the X’s to form the edging of the project. She enjoyed the gentle sway of the hammock as the ship made its way through the waves and quickly learned to work within the motion of the ship as she continued lacing. She decided right then that any future work she wanted to do needed to be cut into the leather when they were anchored and in fairly calm water. But, with care, she should be able to tool it when the weather was fairly calm and the motion of the ship steady. Finishing the lacing and cutting off the extra lace, she reached for her pack again and pulled out a jar of wax paste and a clean cloth. Carefully she scooped off a small amount of the paste and started rubbing it into the leather, protecting and weatherproofing it. It was soothing work and she enjoyed the sounds of the ship and the quiet nearness of Nevil as she rested. Finally finishing Nevil’s token, she pulled out Vaz’s and started to work on lacing his. Every so often she glanced at the crow’s nest, watching Cirilli as she leaned against the basket, her eyes on the horizon. Kyle had taken Rogelio’s place and they were apparently talking animatedly as they maintained their watch.
Nevil’s mind wanders, delighted in the peace of resting in the sun. "When I was a child, I remember resting in nets as these, on the ships docked in Seaton; watching the clouds, dreaming of adventures, imagining the mysterious greater world beyond." Nevil pauses, "what will you do once the eye is destroyed and the taint of the cult is removed from the master's home? Will you return to the High forest?”
Atalaya continued lacing the squares of leather together as she thought about Nevil’s question. “Well, when I was given the news about the Master’s funeral and that I had been asked to attend, I figured that I would go for that and then return to the High Forest. As a Ranger of Olaescoa I had duties to the village. And, much of my family lives there. But as you know, my life changed with the Master’s death and now I am embroiled in this quest to save the Sword Coast. If we manage to live through sorting out of this mess I don’t know. Everything is different now. There is Vaz to think about. He is a traveler, a Gur. He isn’t used to staying in one place for long. I don’t know what he will be comfortable with. I think the High Forest would be good for Cirilli, at least for a few years as she matures and hones her skills. My father is an excellent teacher of the ways of the woods and in the Ranger lore. Knowing all that he has been engaged in besides just being a Ranger, this makes even more sense to me. I would like Cirilli to know her grandparents… my parents. I also think my mother’s love would be another layer of healing for her.”
“But what do I want for myself? I’m not sure. I feel a … I guess what you call a need to serve others. Not as Herald of course, but perhaps as a member of the Emerald Enclave like my father. If I remember my lessons correctly, they are less involved in the machinations of civilization, cities, towns and government; and are more focused on maintaining balance between nature and civilization and looking out for those who get themselves into trouble when they venture unprepared into the wilderness. Perhaps I could find a place for myself among them. I think that is work that I could do.
Also, you said something earlier about my having a beautiful family. I do. But my family is more than just Vaz and Cirilli. It’s his kumpania: Seraphina, Sorrow and Joan. And now I think it includes you and therefore Inman too. So, I’m not sure what the end of the Eye will mean. I think I’ll just take each day as it comes for now.
Nevil rolls to her back, staring again at the sails back-lit by the sun. "I completely understand what you mean. We are both in a sort of limbo; even more so with the Eye now."
After a moment she continues pulling her hands under her head, "this has weighed on my mind for some while. Even with a family and children, I could not settle down and sit idle when injustice surfaced. But with my life as Magrim laid to rest, having taken new vows, and now again by Inman's side, I'm not sure what that looks like." How much of being an active Harper would even be possible by Inman's side? Would it put him at too much risk because of his work as a War Wizard?
"Clearly, my work in service to the Stillmother and hopefully as a Harper will continue. I do like the idea of remaining in the valley, of staying near or with you all... I would really like to see your father again. To thank him."
Nevil sighs, "I suppose it doesn't matter, we have plenty of work ahead of us. But having a picture for the future to dream about would be comforting.”
“I am beginning to picture a future. I may not have a place, and I may not know all the details about what I will be doing, but I have a family. Family, however it is formed, comes first. The rest will come as the goddess wills it. So many lessons to be learned these days. To face the past and to look towards the future and to determine one’s way forward. And to accept the fact that my future includes watching Vaz and any children we have grow old and die before me.” Atalaya closed her eyes, a tear forming in the corner of one of them. “Please, don’t tell Vasilya I said that. The time of our birthing and of our dying is in the hands of the gods, not in ours. I may die before either Vaz or any of my yet to be conceived children.”
Finishing Vaz’s token she hands it to Nevil to examine and as a change in subject matter. “This is for Vaz. It’s the symbol for Selune. On that side you see eyes surrounded by seven stylized stars. The other side contains a sword encircled by what is meant to represent his tarot cards.” Looking at it with Nevil she adds, “I couldn’t make one for you and Cirilli without making one for him.”
Nevil sits up looking at Atalaya carefully for some time. She does not see that the willingness to face the certainty of outliving her family was a strength and depth of love that the young elves in her childhood did not attempt to possess. That despite her longing, they were never worthy of her. Nevil decides she has pushed Atalaya enough for one day. Then with an amused smirk, "you're thinking about future kids and a full life with Boz? Does he know this? That's pretty serious.”
Atalaya’s face goes soft and she relaxes into the hammock as she watches the clouds looking for recognizable shapes in their formations as she thinks how to answer Nevil. After a few moments she says, “A full life with Vaz? Yes, I think he does. He has said many times that I hold his heart.” Smirking a bit she adds, “And he is still alive after meeting my father not just once, but several times now as well as meeting my mother, so I know that I have my parent’s approval.”
Seeing concern on Nevil’s face, “No, he would never hurt Vaz. But if he hadn’t met my parents’ approval, I would have heard about it from Ailwin. My mother is a healer. She’s not touched by her goddess as you are, but she is very skilled with the use of her medical herbs, her hands and her heart. If she had any reservations, my father would have found a way to scare Vaz off.”
Nevil smiles, "Well, no doubt it is on his mind. Of course, saying it out loud never hurts."
Taking the token back from Nevil and placing it in her pouch she pulled out the final two squares. “These are for Cirilli. The back piece was easy to design. A bow and quiver, for the ranger she is becoming. The other was more difficult to choose. Handing her the other piece Nevil sees a paw print with a five pointed star within it. “Do you recognize this symbol?”
Nevil looks carefully at the token, "this is also well made but I do not recognize the symbolism. What does it mean?”
“It’s the symbol for Gwaeron Windstrom. Gwaeron is considered the patron of rangers. He is not actually a god. But some consider him a demigod. He was originally an actual man, a ranger of Mielikki. He served her faithfully and continues to do so. He is said to walk frequently around the vicinity of Triboar and that he sleeps in the golden woods to the west of town called Gwaeron’s Slumber. Most rangers make a pilgrimage there at least one time. It is said that when worshippers sleep within Gwaeron’s Slumber, they receive special dreams, visions and prophecies that hint towards Mielikki’s will for them. Worshippers is a loose term when applied to Gwaeron though. Mostly we honor him and try to emulate him. He is a ranger himself and understands us. And his skills as a ranger are unparalleled. He often helps with the training of rangers, especially in the High Forest. I hope that Cirilli will find much in him to admire and emulate. He is sort of the ideal ranger.”
Atalaya lets Nevil continue to look at the leather pieces as she places the prepared lace into the leather needle. Using a plier to clamp it in tightly she puts the pliers away and takes the leather pieces from her. Carefully she starts the lace and then begins to carefully lace the pieces together. She works, comfortable with the silence as Nevil rests in the hammock beside her. Finishing the lacing she put the needle in her pouch and pulled out the cloth and wax paste. She gently works the conditioner into the leather as she ponders her responses to Nevil’s searching questions.
As she put the token away to finish setting, Atalaya finally took in the position of the sun. “It’s getting late. We need to get something started for a meal. Who knows what we are going to find at this island we are looking for and it will be best to not have to manage that on an empty stomach.” Putting her materials away and after carefully trying to get down from the hammock without disturbing Nevil, Atalaya puts her boots back on. She headed back to the galley with thoughts of easily prepared but filling foods that could be prepared for the midday meal.
Nevil listens to Atalaya's stories about Gwaeron, remembering stories her father would tell around the fire. She closes her eyes again and follows Atalaya's voice into warm memories and then into sleep. She is asleep in the sun when Atalaya retreats below deck.
Entering her cabin, Atalaya sees Vasilya sitting on the bed, rubbing his temples. “Are you okay?” she asked, dropping her pack and coming to the side of the bed.
Vasilya’s hand reached out and pulled her into his lap. “I’m fine, just tired. Maybe what the drabardi has me practicing will make a difference. We’ll see. But, since we don’t know what we are sailing into, it is time to stop. I don’t want to overdo it. (Gina, see Constitution saving throw of 19 in Islands of Plunder game.)
Atalaya lightly pressed on the pressure points along his forehead, and them stroked along the area with a gentle firm pressure. “That doesn’t seem too bad. I’m going to make all of us a noonday meal and after we eat you should nap.”
Vaz nods, takes her hands in his and cajoled, “I will, if you will do whatever it was that you just did. That felt so good. And I didn’t think I was in much discomfort.”
Atalaya ruffled his hair and leaned in to give him a quick kiss on his forehead. “There, that will make it all better.” She smirked at him as she pulled away, and grabbing up her pack stowed it appropriately and then placed the token she had been working on back into the desk drawer to allow the wax paste to seal the pieces. “Come help when you are able,” she called as she left the room.
Heading into the galley, she saw the cats chasing each other around the common room, zooming under the table and then back across the benches and over the table corner. And then repeating the process. Atalaya stopped, watching their game for several moments. Every so often they would abruptly switch directions and the chaser became the chased cat. Smiling and shaking her head at their antics, Atalaya made her way into the galley. Looking through the foods available she heard a door open. She saw Inman standing there, looking into the kitchen and stretching and shaking out his hands.
“There are potatoes cooking on the coals in the oven stove. They should be ready in maybe another 10 or so minutes.” Pointing to a skillet, “those are ready to be sauted.” Atalaya looked into the skillet and saw chopped up onions, carrots, broccoli and beans. Inman continued, “I thought that if we cooked them, slathered them on the potatoes and then fried up some sausage, that would be a good luncheon.”
Atalaya nodded. “Sounds perfect. Are you sauteing the vegetables? If so, I’ll slice some bread and cheese. And I think I saw a small bushel of peaches on the hold. Those won’t last, so we should eat some today. I’ll get some of those ready.”
Atalaya, set to work comfortably next to Inman. After several minutes Vasilya joined them and took the knife out of her hand. “I’ve got this. You get to spread the word that lunch is ready.”
Shaking her head, she replied. “Not me. Nevil specifically asked that Inman be the one to wake her up. I’ll take over the frying pan.” Reaching for the hot pads and spatula that Inman had been using she shooed him away from the stove. “Go on, see if you can find Cirilli and let the crew know that they can come get something to eat when they are free while you are topside.” Sharing a knowing look with Vaz, she watched Inman head up the stairs. Then quickly started plating the food to place on the table.
Inman steps on deck and turns to face the wind; appreciating the fresh day. As he walks across the deck, Cirilli is already climbing down the ratlines of the mast shrouds. "Lunch is about ready Cirilli. Go tell Annie and spread the word." Cirilli jumped down and skipped off toward the stern.
Inman ducks under the primary boom and chuckles to himself when he finds Nevil's makeshift hammock. She's full of surprises. Inman approaches and sits on the edge of the netting, leaning a hand over her waist to balance himself as their weight centers together. He watches her stillness and studies her face. Speaking of surprises, I better not startle her. He leans closer and uses his other hand to rub her shoulder. "Maggie, lunch is ready. Come eat. Then you can finish your rest below deck and out of the sun."
Nevil wakes. Her eyes open to find Inman and she smiles contently. Stretching, "mmmm... I love the sun, but you're right." She reaches for her boots but Inman doesn't move. "Service tax?" she asks playfully. Inman nods, "I'm afraid so." He smiles and leans in for a delicate kiss. Inman offers his hand to help her to sit. Nevil slides into her boots. "Need I worry about additional surcharges?" she asks as they work together to stow the netting. Inman grins as he follows her below deck, "I wouldn't say you should worry..."
When Inman and Nevil enter the common room, Atalaya and Vasilya are placing the last of the platters onto the table. The area is full of the smells of the baked potatoes and the stir fried vegetables. Atalaya looks up and says, “Great, you are here. Go ahead and sit down. What do you want to drink with your meal?” she asked as she placed mugs of coffee in front of Vasilya and by her dishes at his side.
Nevil looks suprised as she sits, "how long was I asleep? this looks really good. Oh water please." Inman heads for the galley, "I'll get it Atalaya. Please sit." He grabs a cup of water for Nevil and a cup of coffee for himself. He returns and sits with the rest. Nevil looks around to the others, "what has everyone else been up to?”
Cirilli running into the room and slipping into a spot at the table turned to Nevil. “I helped Rogelio scrub the decks and then talked to Kyle up in the crow’s nest while we kept a lookout for ships. We didn’t see any, by the way. Kyle knows lots of stories about pirates and ghost ships and sea monsters. He told me a story about this ship that was lost in a storm and…”
Kyle sauntered down the steps and made his way to the stove in the galley, picking up a plate and fixing himself a plate of food. “Ah, little one, you best not tell all our secrets, or they won’t be letting you in the crow’s nest with me, lass.” Taking his plate he headed back up the stairs and settled himself on the deck to eat.
Cirilli laughed. In an aside to Atalaya, “Don’t worry. That story was not nearly as scary as some of the stuff we have done.” She then turned back to her food, “Who cooked? This is good.” She scooped more of the vegetables and dumped them onto the top of her potato. She cut up some of the sausage and added that to the potato and settled down to eat, obviously enjoying each bite.
Vasilya and Atalaya shared an amused glace. Atalaya answered her saying, “It was a group effort led by Inman.”
Cirilli threw Inman a smile. “I love this. Thank you.”
While they were talking, Sorrow wandered into the room, grabbed a mug of coffee and then sat at the table, reaching for a plate and beginning to load down his own potato. Dangling from his horn the thong from the previous night swayed with each movement of his head. Cirilli suddenly became very interested in her food as she tried not to indicate that anything was out of the ordinary.
“So, what are the plans for when we reach this island?” Sorrow asked.
Inman cuts open his potato and lets it cool off for a while. "Well we don't know what to expect to find. It's unlikely to just be a sandbar." Digging deep and scooping out her potato, Nevil adds, "In addition to watching for approaching ships, we should watch for rocks and shoals underwater. It's going to be all hands on deck when we start to get close." Nevil looks to Sorrow, "you know closer to the action, in case there is a battle." Inman looks to Sorrow, "It would be terrible to be caught, underwear... hem... unaware.”
This is hilarious :-D
Sorrow looks at him, a look of amusement on his face. He blinks. His eyes twitch slightly. Perhaps if he had pupils, one might see them darting around the table, looking at the faces of those seated around.
Cirilli's face twists as she vainly attempts to stifle a giggle. A squeaky snort escapes her nose.
Sorrow's eyes narrow and he looks at Inman. "What...?"
Nevil’s eyes dart to Inman. Inman tries to look caught by the "slip" of his tongue as he prepares his meal, "Midsummer... I guess my head is still wrapped up...with passion" He looks to Nevil, "see the effect you have on me darling?” Nevil looks irritated, one may mistake it with a blush, as she glares at him.
Sorrow gives them a long look and a smirk begins to build at the corner of his mouth.
Cirilli puts her head on the table and covers her face.
Boz saunters over to the stove and pours himself a cup of coffee, watching Sorrow with a mixture of exasperation, amusement, and pity. He walks over and mutters, "I think all the bets are settled." He reaches over and pulls the thong from Sorrow's horn and lets it dangle from his fingers in front of him.
Sorrow's mouth drops open as he stares.
"Good thing it wasn't here," Boz quickly dips his finger into his coffee and gently wipes it on Sorrow's nose. Steam curls comically from the drop of moisture.
"You bastards," Sorrow sputters. He takes the thong from Boz's finger and stares at it. "Oh, it's on." He looks up at Inman, eyebrows raised. "It's on now. Just you wait."
Inman looks up to Sorrow with surprise, "Oh no, you are shooting the messenger. It was these two that were instigating." Inman gestures to Boz and Nevil.
Nevil interrupts with feigned anger, "and it was not at all settled. the bet was he would take it into battle this afternoon."
Boz cuts in, "take it up with Inman, dear. He was letting it slip and on purpose."
Scoffing, Nevil reaches into her pocket, pulls a silver, and flips it with a nod of warning to Boz. She glares playfully to Inman, "I will extract my fee from you later." Inman smiles and retorts, "then, it was worth every copper."
Atalaya looked between Vaz and the rest of her friends, her eyes crinkling with the laughter she was trying so hard not to let loose. Finally, shaking her head at them and laughing quietly, she put her hand on Cirilli’s shoulder. “It’s okay to laugh now.” Then leaning in and whispering, “I’m not sure what is going to happen next, but I’m sure you aren’t going to want to miss any of it.” Standing up again and pulling Vasilya back to the table she said, “Such shenanigans, Vaz.” In a quieter voice, just for Vasilya, “I’m not sure I’d want to have Sorrow feeling like he had a score to settle.”
"I expect he will be planning something embarrassing that will trigger a revenge war," Boz intones, shaking his head and chuckling. "You are right to be worried."
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