Skree shut his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Care to elaborate?”
Hawkins stepped in. “When you take a prize, you own the deed to that ship. A deed to a ship, or any piece of property really, gives you a certain amount of control. If Elaina were to take off with the ship, Fenna could as the deed holder, use the magic of the deed to drop the ship’s anchor permanently, Stranding the ship at sea until the crew abandoned it or died from thirst. Either way, it wouldn’t move again until the deed owner releases the anchor.”
He almost laughed at the absurdity of the notion. Basically, a deed gave you the power of a LoJack. “Elaina will sail the ship into Theseldora, and you will auction it off to the highest bidder?”
“I will.” Fenna said happily. “And the Golden Rose should fetch a high price. Rojelio was vain and his ship has some of the most expensive components of any in the free cities. He might as well have called it the gilded cock for how absurd it is.” She huffed. “The Golden Rose. What a pretentious ass.”
“Is the prize money split amongst the crew?” he asked, nearly drooling at the thought of getting a piece of the pie.
She bobbed her eyebrows. “And don’t you worry, I will make sure you get your fair share. After all you helped me take the capture point.”
His arms shot into the air and he cheered, “Woohoo!”
“Skree you will make a fine pirate.” She said, then cheered right along with him.
Chapter 13
The next day, the crew held a funeral for the lost. It was a brief and subdued affair, ending with the bodies being dumped overboard. Skree asked about burials, or taking them back to their families but Fenna explained that they returned all men who died at sea to the sea. Such was the way of pirates and sailors. They would feed the fish and the fish would feed their families. Truthfully, he found it slightly barbaric just dumping their friends' dead bodies into the sea like trash, but he wasn’t the one to judge other cultures. To each their own he had always said.
After the last body sank into the depths, Hawkins pulled Skree aside, standing at the bow of the ship staring at the horizon.
"You have done well in your training. I am impressed at how easily you have grasped the nuances of being a sailor. Most men would need a few more months, but not you. Perhaps having amnesia left you as a blank slate, easier to fill an empty head than one full of nonsense." Hawkins said, pulling at the chain around his neck, revealing a glittering medallion.
"This is a profession medallion, and it signifies your status as a sailor. You may present your profession medallion to any interested party and they will see your profession ranks." He removed the golden disc and held it out. Skree took it with tentative hands. As soon as the warm metal touched his hands, a prompt appeared.
First Mate Hawkins - Master Sailor
Helmsman - Rank 4
Captain - Rank 4
Gunner - Rank 3
Boatswain - Rank 2
Quartermaster - Rank 3
Hawkins continued to explain as Skree read the information. "Every sailor receives a profession medallion they can present to a captain so he may know their skill level and if they are worth bringing aboard."
Skree handed the medallion back. "Hawkins, you are a Master Sailor, why are you not captain of your own ship?"
He gripped Skree by the shoulder. "Some men wish to lead, others only wish to serve. I am one of the latter. A captain is more than a role. They are the leader, the heart of a crew. Captains make hard choices, often against their own desires. Any captain worth his salt can face those choices head on, willing to do what needs doing, regardless of their personal feelings."
"What do you mean?" Skree asked,knowing full well Hawkins was a man who wouldn’t hesitate to make a hard decision.
“I’ve spent many years at sea, working my way up from deckhand to first mate, serving the Admiral of Theseldora. I can run a ship, I can command its crew, but I care nothing for the politics, the care and maintenance of its people. I receive my orders and execute them. I never wanted to be the captain Skree.”
“How have you earned rank 4 in the Captains Role?”
“Times when the Admiral was away, or otherwise indisposed, I captained the ship. But the crew was already in place, the orders clear and the role temporary. The second my services as captain were no longer needed, I abdicated my responsibilities with glee.”
Skree shrugged. He didn‘t know if he honestly wanted to be a captain, but something deep in his soul hummed with excitement just thinking about the idea. He was a chosen of the Archons, whatever that was, and the Archons destined him for greatness. Nothing would stand in the way of that. He handed the medallion back to Hawkins.
“Do I get one of those?”
Hawkins nodded. “You will, but I was not expecting to train a greenhorn like you on this trip and I have no medallion to offer you. As soon as we have time after returning to Theseldora, I will speak to the Harbormaster and present it to you.”
Hawkins has offered you a quest! Learning the Ropes, Part 5: Better Late than Never
Satisfied with your knowledge of Sailing, Hawkins is ready to complete your training. Unfortunately, Hawkins has no Medallion on hand to make it official. Meet with Hawkins in Theseldora to complete your final steps and become a true professional.
Rewards: Reputation with Hawkins, Profession Unlocked: Sailor
They made repairs and quicklythe ship was underway, miles melting away with all the speed they could muster. The crew was tired and ready to get back home and see their families and drink to excess. Skree didn’t blame them, five of their own had died on this journey. They had survived a monster storm with a non-profession sailor at the helm, earned victory in a naval battle, and claimed a valuable prize. They had much to mourn and even more to celebrate. It was with no small sigh of relief when Mills called out, "Theseldora ahead!"
Whoops and cheers erupted from the crew and even Zuka howled his excitement right along with them. Priestess and Grelo were standing side by side with slack jaws as the foreign city reflected in their eyes.
“Lord Skree, I have seen nothing like this!” Priestess said in a near whisper. “How many people live there?”
He held his hands as far apart as he could make them. “Many manies.” He chuckled thinking of his old friend Sawbones who did not understand how to count when he had first met him. He used words like many or few to describe how many Kobolds had been in the Warren. Even back then, it had made him chuckle.
Fenna nodded in agreement. “There are nearly two thousand people that call Theseldora their home. Many manies is accurate.” She pulled back from the railing and smiled at them. “Welcome to our home.”
“It really is something else.” He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the familiar sights of civilization. Everywhere he looked, there were ships in the harbor. There must have been twenty beautiful sailing ships docked at the five piers or anchored just offshore, waiting for their turn to unload and unwind in the safety of a real town filled with taverns and full sized beds. At least, he hoped there would be nice beds. From the looks of things, Theseldora was a busy place and inn rooms might be scarce.
“Have you considered where you will stay while you are in the city?” Hawkins asked, casually adjusting the wheel as they approached.
“I talked with Mills and Jury and they had recommendations. First, I need to find ample housing for the Kobolds. They mentioned that I might rent a relatively unused boarding house sometimes used for visiting delegations from the CK.” He explained. “Do you think the owner would help?”
Hawkins frowned. “Oh, I am sure she will. But keep your hand in your pocket when you talk to her, lest she steal every lastcopper from your purse.”
“You think it’ll be that bad?” he asked with concern.
Fenna chimed in. “Maybelle has been a merchant for nearly 40 years. She runs nearly all the trade in and out of Theseldora. She will have you trussed up by your purse strings in no time.” She said with
a smile that sent a shiver up his spine. She was truly a beautiful woman, and she had kissed him after he had saved her life. He thought about that way more often than he liked. She was his friend, but she was also a dangerous, accomplished woman. Every time he was around her now, he felt nervous and awkward. Unfortunately, she knew it too.
He blushed under her cheery gaze. “I think I will take Mills with me when I go.”
“Mills!” Fenna said, nearly screeching his name in utter derision. “That boy once bought an invisible cloak. Ask him to show it to you sometime.” She laughed at the absurdity of the story.
“You’re kidding? Hawkins, is she serious?” he asked. She loved messing with people and Skree never knew when to take her at her word.
Hawkins head rolled back, and he laughed loudly, breaking from his normally stoic nature. “She is dead serious. You should have seen him, strutting down Harbor Lane, naked as a jaybird, strutting like he really was invisible.” He slapped his thigh, doubling over with laughter. “The merchant absolutely convinced him that no one could see him. Just ask him, it's the funniest thing you will ever hear.”
Skree face palmed at the idea. “Okay, maybe Mills isn't the right person to to bring along. Will one of you go with me?”
With sheer force of will, Hawkins got himself under control again. “You have been talking with the crew, the captain and myself for weeks. If you can survive aboard the Typhoon, you will handle yourself just fine. Besides, Maybelle rarely conducts business in public or with uninterested parties.”
“What do you mean?” Priestess asked. “Do most humans relieve themselves in public? And why would anyone be interested in that?”
Hawkins, Fenna, and Skree did a double take, then erupted into laughter. Priestess did not find their laughter amusing. “Skree said doing your business means relieving yourself, is this not correct?” she asked with adorably earnest confusion.
Between gasps of laughter, Skree did his best to clarify, but with the incessant laughter of Fenna and Hawkins, she crossed her arms and refused to say anything else.
“Prepare your belongings, Mister Skree. We disembark in fifteen minutes.” Hawkins said, wiping the tears from his eyes.
~~~
He dressed in his armor, affixed his weapons and went to find Priestess. He opened the door to the cargo hold expecting to see the normal chaos that was their makeshift warren, but to his surprise, the cargo hold was sparkling clean and the younglings were resting in a corner. He waved to them and they screeched his name happily. “Skree!”
Priestess appeared from around a corner, dressed in her traveling clothes with a small pouch tied to her waist. “I have asked Seema to prepare them for travel and to keep an eye on the younglings while we are about our business.” She said, lowering her voice and gritting her teeth, still angry from her earlier embarrassment.
“Sorry about earlier. There are words that have multiple meanings, depending on context.” He said honestly. “Trust me, it happens to everyone.”
She snarled in distaste. “It is a poor language. Perhaps I will teach them to speak properly.”
A grin crept onto his face. “I want to be there when you do.” The smile dropped from his face. “On a more serious note, I don’t know if the clan leaving the ship right now is such a good idea.”
Her eyes darkened as she gave him a penetrating stare. “And why not?” she asked, a hint of anger creeping into her voice.
“It’s been several hundred years since anyone has seen a Kobold, let alone walking around in their hometown. It could be dangerous.” He intoned, explaining his thoughts to her like she was a youngling.
Her tail snapped taught, and she snapped her jaws angrily. She grabbed his arm, dragging him to the other end of the cargo hold. She whirled on him.
“I didn’t swear an oath to my mother-priestess and my king only for you to abandon me like some stray rat on this boat.” Her eyes burned with a fire that made him nearly take a step back. “I am going with you into that town and I will be present during our negotiations.” She said, putting emphasis on the word our.
Sufficiently chastised he recognized how it must have sounded. He did not want people to see her. Maybe he was ashamed of his clan mates. Shaking his head vigorously he said, “Priestess, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to offend you. You are my friend and I would never want to hurt your feelings. I just…”
“You just what?” she snapped when he hesitated.
“I don't want us to have to hurt anyone. If someone tries to attack you, I will kill them, no question about it. No hesitation.” He dropped to one knee, placing a hand on her tiny shoulder. “You and the clan are more important than any of those strangers out there. It would honor me to have you at my side.”
Her spine straightened, and she adjusted her clothing, brushing out the wrinkles. “First thing first, some new clothes or armor.” She gestured at her poorly made traveling robes. “These filthy rags just won't do when we meet Maybelle.”
Shopping sounded like a good way to spend the afternoon. “Priestess, that sounds like a solid plan!”
~~~
They loaded onto the small row boat heading for Theseldora. Mills and Jury were swinging the oars together and propelling the six of them smoothly across the water.
“Master Jury, what do you know of Maybelle?” Priestess asked.
His head bobbed back and forth as he thought of an explanation. “She is a mighty fine woman. Caring and not above a bit ofcharity now and again. But don’t let her kind heart fool you, she is a shrewd businesswoman who practically runs Theseldora’s trade. Supposedly, she also deals in special goods, but don’t you dare tell her I said that.” He shuddered. “Woman is hellfire when she’s got her hackles up.”
Priestess nodded, settling back into silence as she considered the woman. The kobolds respected strength and courage, which she had in abundance, but what did human females value. Watching Skree and Fenna together made her wonder if females were the dominant sex in human society. Everything they had ever told her about humans was so breathtakingly incorrect that she would just have to learn, and quickly, if she wanted to help her people.
“Don’t worry, little lizard, Maybelle is goodpeople. She won't fleece our boy Skree here too bad!” Mills said with a chuckle. “But if she ever sells you an invisible cloak, don’t buy it.”
Everyone exchanged glances and laughed. “Oh, come on, it was an honest mistake. She got me good!”
“She really did lad.” Hawkins said, eyes twinkling with mirth.
“I have to say Mills, for as much as you brag about your bits, consider me disappointed.” Fenna said.
He gasped. “Captain, come now, that isn’t fair. It was chilly that morning, and I was naked to boot!”
“Funny, I don’t remember it snowing that morning.” She taunted.
Mills sighed dejectedly. “Whatever. You guys are jerks.”
A few minutes later, Jury and Mills were securing the boat to one of the small piers. A well-muscled man marched down the planking bridge with quick steps then nearly screeched to a halt when he saw Priestess sitting in the boat with them.
“Harbor Master, good to see you again.”
“Hawkins, what is that thing.” The Harbor Master asked warily.
Priestess climbed onto the dock and adjusted her robes. “Hello fine sir. I am Priestess and a Kobold.” She explained cheerily. She extended her hand for the man to shake and when he just stared dumbfounded, she remembered to smile, as humans used smiles to show they were friendly. Her lips peeled back, revealing her sharp fangs and the bulky man took a step back from the small creature.
The harbor master looked to Hawkins. “Is it dangerous?” he asked, taking another half step away from the fierce-looking kobold.
“Absolutely.” He said. “Especially if you don't introduce yourself properly.”
The man looked between them a few times, then stepped forward and shook her tiny hand. He was so much taller than her, he nearly had to
bend at the waist. When his face was less than a foot away, Priestess snapped her jaws, clicking her fangs loudly. The man panicked and scrambled to get away, tripping over a loose board and landing with an “oomph” when his ass hit the deck.
There was a moment of silence as everyone stared at Priestess before they howled with laughter. The poor harbor master picked himself up and stared at the small lizard woman, frowning ever so slightly.
“Hilarious.” He said, dusting his rump. He extended his hand and Priestess shook it earnestly this time.
“I am still learning your humor. Was it not funny?” she asked seriously.
He paused, then a grin spread wide across his face. “Nah, it was prettyfunny.”
She gave him her forced smile, fangs glistening in the bright sunlight. He flinched, and she quickly stopped.
“Maybe you keep practicing that smile, yeah?” Fenna said, tousling her scaly head.
Still not understanding the reaction to a friendly smile, she huffed, “Humans are weird.”
Chapter 14
After they finished making introductions, Hawkins and Fenna disappeared into the harbormaster's office to deal with whatever customs there were in a pirate city, leaving Mills and Jury to escort them through the city. Visiting a proper bath house was the first destination on their list. The proprietor barely even batted an eye at Priestess. “As long as she doesn’t foul up the tub, she is welcome.” He had said. Priestess sighed loudly, but said nothing. Skree paid the fee for each of them, happy that it was only two coppers a piece. An easy price to pay for a hot bath.
First, they went to a room to rinse off before soaking in the hot pool. Skree nearly fainted when he saw that they had actual showers, not just buckets of water as he was expecting. It was warmer than expected and Jury explained the metal tanks of shower water sat on the roof wrapped in black cloth, heating the water with the sun. He took his time, letting the water pour over his head and the aches and pains of cramped living quickly disappeared down the drain.
It surprised Skree to learn that there was no separation by gender. The bath house contained one large pool of steaming water nearly thirty feet across and waist deep. Jury and Mills disrobed quickly, plunging into the gloriously warm tub without hesitation. Skree stood, holding his towel like an embarrassed teenager. He looked to Priestess who had forgone a towel entirely and nodded his head to the side.
Raiya- Early Game Page 10