Fate - First Reply Blood On the Rocks[Pirates]

[Seyah]

"Naghi desires this alliance as much as my Benefactor." Seyah answered Edward's concern by giving no answer at all.

There was little doubt in her mind that if it were expedient the half-giant would crush both of their bones without question. Of course, she didn't think that would be the first course of action, but she knew to be prepared. Edward would simply have to deal with the surprise.

"My worry is more in..." She paused for a moment, tapping her chin. "Improvisation."

A smile flickered over her features. "That is where I think you will do well, Captain."

Preparing for the thing one could not prepare for. Was that not what sailing was all about? The sea was a perilous and mysterious mistress, often offering no warning and naught but despair for days on end. Edward should be good at reacting.

If not? Least he would slow whatever assassins came for them.

If one came at all.

 

[Edward Lorain]

Edward waved away her worries once she voiced them. If that was all he was expected then he could perform without worry.

"Oh, don't worry about that. No one is better at making up bullshit on the fly than Edward Lorain. In fact, people have told me I am full of it a number of times." He quipped with a smirk on his face.

"I guess my second question is if we do get attacked or something weird happens. Are we making a run back toward the ship or are we just surviving until someone else stops it? I'm not saying I can't kill someone, but my track record as a killer is not perfect."

Edward's history of killing largely involved stabbing people in chaotic melees when they were not looking, or tricking them into falling into elaborate traps or explosions. He would be drastically unprepared in a sword fight against a straight-up assassin.

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

Seyah considered the question for a brief moment, full lips pursing. "We flee back to the ship."

It might have been a surprising answer, but she did not give it lightly. Naghi was powerful, and an attack on him would no doubt be embarrassing. It would, however, also be a show of power. A way to show the giant was weak.

If he was weak, what was the point of making a bargain?

Leaving might offer her a better bargaining position.

Strangely, Seyah almost hoped for some sort of attack now. It would have been extremely convenient if the half-giant had to chase her down the docks to plead for what she had to offer. Tyr would be so much better off that way.'

"Best to get away from any danger at that point." She lied, flashing a smile. "I doubt anyone will try to stop us."

The Taverness added, though a slight twinge in her tone might offer the truth of those particularly words. One never did know what Orcs would do, after all.

 

[Edward Lorain]

Edward knew bullshit when it slapped him in the face. He had done it to others enough times to notice. This smelled like bullshit, unfortunately, the smell was mixed with blood as it was going to get him killed.

"Riiiighhhtt."

The idea of them making it all the way back to the ship from this palace was in itself going to take a miracle. Then they would just...turn his ship into a fortress? It really wasn't that type of ship.

"I'm not one to go back on a deal, but after all of this is said and done...If I'm still alive, then I think I might deserve some extra, or a favor, or something."

Ever since there earlier ship battle, the winds had stopped talking to him. They always did get jealous when he used his new water abilities. Maybe if he asked nicely, they could at least ensure that he did not end up with an arrow in his back.

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

Seyah flashed a smile. "Well, hazard pay is negotiable."

She couldn't fault the man, and in truth she did not think that Talmanes would argue too much. Currently the young Prince was robbing his father-in-law's coffers blind, not that the King knew it. One had to hand it to the Prince, though he'd been exiled for nearly ten years, he still knew how to play the game well.

Better than Her. Frustratingly.

"Tell you what." She said, dropping the charade for just a brief moment. Her face falling, and some of the confidence on her features slipping. "If we get out of here, and we get back to Tyr, I'll give you double."

Seyah allowed Edward to see the worry on her face. "I do not expect danger, Captain, but I mean to be prepared for it."

Her tone then changed ever so slightly.

"I might have not been entirely truthful with getting you here." The Taverness admitted. "But, this place is somewhere we must stick together. There are not many other friends to be found, I think."

She finished, taking a sip.

 

[Edward Lorain]

The drink was slowly lowered from Edward's lips as the mood noticeably sombered in the room. However, a slow but predatory smile slowly grew onto his face all from one simple word, 'double.'

"That's all I needed to hear."

All of the potential death and humiliation was certainly dampening his mood, and the seed of worry in the back of his mind would not be pushed further into the back of his mind.

The only redeeming quality of all of this was that he could not get double the pay without putting any of the crew in immediate harm's way. Plus, since he was doing the heavy lifting, maybe he could convince the crew that he deserved an extra cut.

"Well, you certainly are the only person that seems like they don't want to cut me up if given the option...or at least you are better at hiding it."

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

She let out a chuckle. "Yes, well, you do have your charms."
Seyah said as she took another sip of her drink.

Just as she did, a loud knock thundered against the double doors. The sound of steel striking steel sending an unpleasant ring through the entirety of the suite. Seyah did her best not to cringe, but gently put down her glass and stood. Wandering to the door where she was once again met with the perversely warped greeter.

"My Lordship invites you to dine within the Hour. Please Prepare yourselves."​

Before even waiting for an answer, the man turned on his heel and headed down the hallway. At which point Seyah suddenly noted, that two Guards had been placed outside their door. She flashed both of the Orcs a smile, and then gently closed the door behind her.

"Perhaps there is more trouble coming than I thought." She said quietly, more to herself than Ed.

 

[Edward Lorain]

Edward jumped to his feet like a spooked animal, clearly ready to flee if he had to when he heard the knock, but he relaxed when he realized what it was. He down the rest of his drink while Seyah answered the door.

He heard enough to know they would be leaving soon, but Ed didn't exactly have anything to get ready into, so his Lordship was just going to have to settle for what he already looked like.

Instead, he hurried over to pour himself one more drink before they had to leave, only to not hear Seyah say something when she closed the door. He looked up confused, believing that she had been talking to him.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

Maybe the messenger had conveyed some other instructions that Edward had not overheard.

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

"A rather wretched looking man." Seyah said, letting her frown linger for a brief moment before she closed the distance between herself and where she'd left her drink.

"But." The Taverness added. "There are Guards outside our door."

The detail did not sit right with her.

Did Naghi see them as prisoners? Did the Dread of Dragons not want them to wander through his keep? Those explanation made sense, but then why not lock the doors? Why not offer an explanation? No, this was protection, and protection meant..."There is a danger here, one they have not told us of yet."

She explained, the frown lingering on her lips.

"Dinner is soon." She said, switching tact. "Have you checked the closet in your rooms?"

Her eyes flickering up and down Edwards form. "You couldn't possibly wear that."

 

[Edward Lorain]

Guards outside the door? Instantly, the hair on his arms stood on edge as Edward struggled to convince himself they weren't in prison. No matter how much claimed they were under protection, they could not just go anywhere as they pleased and were confined to a single room, that was prison.

Edward looked down at his sailing clothes and frowned, "What's wrong with these? I look good." He responded hopefully as if he wasn't going to have to change, but he already knew he had to.

Ed groaned as he shuffled off to his room to put on whatever they had left him.

He returned later wearing a much cleaner outfit that was dominated by a navy blue coat with gold buttons. The vest beneath was silver but still had a flowing white pattern. The pants and boots were a simple black, but the quality of the material spoke for itself. The only thing he maintained from his previous outfit was his belt which did not clash too much to be overly noticeable.

He sighed, "Alright, I guess this is fine." while pulling at his neck collar.

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

Seyah smiled broadly as Edward once again stepped out of his room "Wonderful."

The Taverness praised, having donned her own outfit for that evenings dinner. Though the dress she had worn before was no slouch, this one clung to extravagance like nothing else. Colored in deep bloody red and slashed with black in an intricate pattern that would truly only be familiar to those of Tyr.

She wore the colors of a Blood Witch, subtle as they were in this manner. Yet the pride she wore for the craft her mother had taught her was not something she would ever throw away.

"Look on the bright side, Captain." Seyah grinned. "You'll probably get to keep the outfit if anything goes wrong."

The Taverness joked, a thundering knock echoing on the door just a second later.

Within the next few moments the pair of humans were once again being escorted through the brutalist real estate around them. Leading through winding tunnels and dangerous halls until they finally reached what was unquestionably a massive banquet hall.

A huge table sitting within a room almost by itself, at the head of the table stood a giant of a man, towering over nearly everyone. His skin ashen, his hair red, and fire seeming to burst from his very eyes. "That is host."

She whispered quietly to Ed.

 

[Edward Lorain]

A big goofy grin spread onto his face, even as he tried to stop it when Seyah returned from her room. He looked back down at his own clothes before trying to smooth them out even more.

"Getting to see you in such a lovely dress is reward enough...but the jacket surely won't hurt." He shot a playful wink.

Their journey to the great hall slowly removed any sort of happiness that Edward was feeling, replaced only by the tense fear that made him feel like he was walking along the edge of a cliff.

When they finally arrived and he saw the giant, it took everything he had not to whistle in appreciation. He shot Seyah a look at her words. C'mon, did he really look that dense? He wanted to mouth the words back 'no shit', but that probably wasn't very polite.

Instead, he followed her lead, hoping to make it to their seats as quickly as possible before his legs gave out on him.

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

A grin spread across her lips, and she was about to offer another quip when the Giant turned. The looming mass of muscle shifted in a single step, his fiery visage landing upon his guests. As he spoke the room seemed to rumble, the sound of his voice like an avalanche falling.

"Welcome, my guests." Naghi said as he slowly began to make his way towards the two of them. Seyah's hand coming up to instinctually grab Ed's arm.

Though whether that was to stop him from moving, or to keep herself steady...Seyah couldn't have quite said.

"It is not often I allow Visitors into my home." The Giant rumbled as he moved towards the two of them. Towering over their forms. His hands as large as Seyah's torso, and his leg near as tall as her. She had to force the smile onto her face. "So I hope that your accommodations are not too sparse."

The Giant bowed his head, a show of respect Seyah knew most others would not be given. "I have promised your safety to your Prince, and it will be done. My father has no honor, but I do."

Naghi said, glancing over to Ed for a brief second.

"I thank you, My Lord, and I thank you for showing the same hospitality to my guest." She gestured to Ed. "Without Captain Lorain, I would not have made it to the safety of your harbors."

The Giant rumbled, a disagreeable sound that made the ears sting. "Yes I had heard of this."

Naghi said, turning back to the smuggler.

"You have done well." He continued. "Not many can outsail the Mas'endar. My brothers pet."

 

[Edward Lorain]

Whether she meant to or not Seyah's weight on Edward's arm threatened to make him buckle before it gave him a sense of strength. She was relying on him the same way his crew did when they were all at sea. The least he could do is put on a smile and face this storm.

He stood up straighter as he looked straight ahead to the coming behemoth that stood before him. While the stereotypes in Edward's head expected some barbaric greeting, but the bowed head was as noble as any other nobleman Edward had ever met.

A smile spread onto his face as he offered his own polite bow to accept the compliments from both Naghi and Seyah.

"Thank you, My Lord. Lady Seyah imparted on me how important your meeting was, and well, who better to ferry her than the greatest sailor in all of Arethil."

He offered to last line with a confident smile. He just had to keep it together, but if he was going to be confident then he might as well go all the way.

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

A loud, boisterous laugh echoed from the Giant's lips. "I see the confidence has yet to break within you."

The words sounded almost more a threat than complement, but Seyah tried her best to keep a reassuring touch on Edward's arms. She glanced briefly towards him, and then shifted ever so slightly to take a single liquid step forward.

"It is a great honor to represent Prince Talmanes, here, My Lord Naghi." The Taverness said, speaking her benefactors name for the very first time. A detail that Edward perhaps should not have been made aware of, but would be paid enough to keep silent.

"I am eager to bring his proposal to you." She said. "I hope you do not mistake this for curtness."

The Giant shook his head. "Humans live short lives."

Naghi said.

"Your haste is understandable." The Dread of Dragons continued. "Please, have a seat. We will speak over our meal."

With a gesture, the Giant stepped aside, ushering the two humans towards the dining room table. Before long, Seyah laid out the proposal Talmanes had sent her with. An alliance of sort, one that would see Naghi send coin for arms manufactured in Tyr, and so much more.

 

[Edward Lorain]

There were a lot of bits of confidence that had been broken. When he was younger, he used to think he was smarter than everyone. That certainly wasn't true. But if there was one area where his confidence would never break, it was that no one could sail a vessel better than he.

Sure, someone may be able to buy a nicer ship, or add more guns, or have more crew, but he and the ocean were meant for each other.

Edward just smiled back, not trusting his voice to respond. Thankfully, he did not have to wait long for Seyah to continue the conversation.

What he heard next was not what he expected. Of course, this situation was heading up Shit Creek without a paddle, he was dealing with two royals doing royal shit. Edward shot a glance to Seyah before finally being allowed to take his seat.

As the meal wore on, Edward kept his mouth shut and enjoyed the food. This was not his negotiation to make, although his mind was reading what such an alliance would mean for any potential contracts for his crew. Maybe he could get ahead of all of this.

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

The conversation continued to flow quite freely. Naghi as it turned out was quite the adept negotiator, but so it seemed was the taverness. Every expectation of cost or difficulty was met with a quick turn of phrase. A quiet word or an assurance, each time met with more amusement than frustration.

By the time Edward had finished half his meal, business was already done.

Seyah, it seemed, had come prepared. The bargain struck was a good one, and would be transported by 'third parties'. A clause the Taverness clearly added in favor of the Captain she had brought along with her.

Why?

Because business was the best way to keep secrets. The more Ed profited, the less likely he was to spill her secrets. "It is lovely to do business with someone more direct, Lord Naghi."

Seyah said as she took small bite of her meal, chewing fully.

"I find people back in Tyr are often more...subtle, in their desires. It is refreshing to be able to speak so openly." The Giant laughed, his head shaking as he nodded.

"We do not have time for such things here in the Blightlands..." As the giant spoke, something prickled at the back of Seyah's neck. The Blood calling to her, danger, but here? A frown pulled at her lips, never thinking to look up where in the rafters shadows crawled.

 

[Edward Lorain]

Edward was having his own high-stakes battle of wits at the moment. He reached for one of the spoons during the soup course and as he looked up, he caught the eyes of a servant. Was that...fear, confusion, no disgust? Who the fuck did this guy think he was? Acting like Edward couldn't figure out what utensils to use. Fuck him.

Now, which utensil was he supposed to use? A fork was stupid, so it had to be a spoon. Which one though? He went with the wide spoon because...more spoon meant more soup.

His own battle won, and Edward was free to enjoy the rest of the meal.

That would have been the best possible way for Ed to finish his night, but he never got his way. While the winds had been petty the last few hours, leaving him alone, they suddenly came back as a cold gust shot up his leg sending chills down his spine.

Without realizing it, Edward had shot to his feet and let out a small cry. He looked around at the others looking like a fool before sheepishly looking around.

"Oh, um sorry. Just...Does anyone else feel a draft?"

 

[Seyah]

All eyes almost immediately turned towards Edward as he practically sprang up, his words echoing in the dinner chamber as silent judging eyes stared at him.

Seyah opened her mouth to speak, to excuse the Captain's behavior, but before she could say a single word all hell broke loose. Almost as though appearing from nothing, perhaps concerned by the stop in the flow of conversation, shadows burst from the rafters.

Cloaked in black silks and surrounded with an shifting auras of black they pounced upon the table.

Two of them rushed almost immediately towards Naghi, bounding over towards the half-giant and slashing their claw like appendages towards him. A furious cry rose from the Dread of Dragons as he grabbed one of the figures and smashed it into the table.

Another of the creatures cut through one of the Blue Orcs he came rushing from the door, two more beasts darting down and heading directly towards Seyah and Ed. A curse echoed from the Taverness' lips, and she bounded backward out of her chair in a mad scramble. The creatures shadowed limb piercing through the high back wooden chair just a second after she moved.

 

[Edward Lorain]

Edward yelped as the cloaked figures descended from the rafters, but thankfully he was already standing and aware something was wrong.

He was only worried about himself and Seyah, Naghi would have to look to his own guards. Ed should not have worried because of the brutal force that Naghi so quickly displayed was not only impressive but down right frightening.

Thinking quickly, Edward took his bowl of soup and his remaining plate of food and threw them both directly at his pursuer before diving in the direction that Seyah went.

Although he had earlier voiced his worry about all of this actually happening, Edward found himself giggling as he ran for his life. At some point, it just became so funny that this actually happened. His luck really was horrible.

"Seyah, the door!"

There was no notion of fighting these things together with her. Naghi and his guards may have been able to win, but they were worried about Nagha. Edward and Seyah were not fighters. They needed to run for long enough to that Dread of Dragons could do his whole dreading thing and kill these creatures.

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

The Taverness twisted her form as another of the creature bounded for her. Fingers grasping for the small blade that she had kept buried within the hem of her dress. Blade flickering forward to slice against the creatures side as she desperately fell back.

Seyah let out a curse and called out. "DRAGON'S DREAD!"

Almost immediately the Giant turned. Naghi's giant form shifting, and then a blur of black shade flying through the air to crash against the creature that had bounded towards her.

"Our bargain stands?" Her head twisted back towards Ed, already running, and she felt every urge in her body wanting to do the same. But she could not yet leave. Talmanes had sent her here for a purpose, she needed to see it done.

Laughter echoed from the giant's lips. "Go! Our bargain is sealed! I expect first delivery in a months time!"

He shouted, and almost before he finished Seyah twirled around. Breaking into a sprint and following after the smuggler Captain. The blade in her hand darting not towards one of the creatures, but flicking up, and sinking into her arm as she ran.

It's tip slicing through her skin, and sending blood trickling free.

 

[Edward Lorain]

Holy shit that was fast. Oh thank the winds, that was just Naghi...Holy shit that was Naghi? Edward had no more time to be impressed as his survival instincts screamed at him to focus. He continued to turn for the door. Just as he was about to arrive, he felt a sliver of wind make the hair on his arms stand up. He understood the message.

Ed dove just as something passed by his head nearly smashing his brains out. What was that? Oh god, it was a blue orc head...He wanted to vomit. Living first, vomit later. He threw his body into the door and shoved it open, barreling into the halls, only now finally looking back to check on Seyah.

The first thing he clocked was the blood.

"Seyah, are you ok? You've been hit?"

Behind her, the battle was still raging, and it looked like one of those creatures still wanted to pursue them, even if Naghi had no plans to let them.

Ed wanted to relax but there was still the danger that these might not be the only attacks. There could be more coming for him or even...the ship.

"We need to hurry."

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

"I'm fine!" The Taverness called as the two of them darted down the hall, a task which Seyah found increasingly difficult in her heels. As they rushed forward, Seyah stripped herself of the uncomfortable shoes, tossing them to the side even as blood dripped down onto the ground below.

"Yes." She agreed her shoes were cast aside. "Let's get to the shi-"

Before she could finish, another of the creatures suddenly pounced from nothing. The shadow seemed to warp and shift, coming into being mere feet away from the pair. Seyah's eyes opened wide, and suddenly her bloody hand flickered forward.

Speckles of crimson launched forward, splattering against the creatures flesh. A strange sort of light seemed to flicker over Seyah's eyes, and she called out an incantation.

In an instant, the creature before them began to scream. It's hissing pain echoing through the hall as the crimson upon its skin suddenly seemed to burn and turn to acid. Smoke rising from it's black form as it clawed at it's own skin. "Come on!"

Seyah shouted, not allowing for even a second of delay in their flight.

 

[Edward Lorain]

Edward nearly had his head taken off when the thing jumped from the shadows. What the hell? Were these things magical too? Thankfully, it looked like Seyah was too.

"Holt shit." He whispered under his breath as his head was turning quicker than a ship wheel on a sharp turn, back and forth between the monster and the Seyah as they continued to run.

"Since when could you do that?"

Ed asked incredulously, taking any chance to knock over anything in the hallway that may even minorly inconvenience the thin chasing them.

"How many do you think there are?"

Seyah

 

[Seyah]

"I'm full of surprises, darling." Seyah said as they bounded forward. Edward creating as much of an obstacle as he possibly could as they continued to run. The winding tunnels eventually opened up, and the sound of echoing blades crossing called out from down below.

"I-" The two suddenly broke out of a pair of double doors, stepping out onto a balcony where they could immediately take in a commanding view of the keep. "Quite a lot."

The Taverness said flatly, her eyes gazing down on the battlefield below.

Hundreds of orcs seemed to be scrambling and fighting with the strange shadowed creatures. Dozens of dead already lay strewn about on both sides, but the utter chaos was more than clear.

Seyah swallowed hard, and then glanced at her companion. "Along the wall?"

She said, pointing towards the parapets they could run along. Getting down would be...difficult, but easier than wading through the field of death below.