Post by Amanita Vernia on May 8, 2005 5:31:26 GMT -5
Arculeius tracks down the Pirate, Brinlar
Word in Schendi's underground spread quickly from the conversation Brinlar had with Mutabi in the paga den until it reached the ears of those residing in House Silenti on the edge of the city just before the fence of stakes that separated those of the jungles from the civilized.... at least most of them. Arculeius Sullix was one of those who'd lived on both sides, a childhood spent under the lush canopies of green and his manhood spent training beside other men recruited into the city guard. He left that post when his father died and the Lady Vernia had need for another. Only a year together and he was already her most trusted man. Mutabi had delivered a message to this guardian that a man calling himself Lugo of Bazi had ported, that he sought something and that perhaps Arculeius would want to take him on. With that note the guardsman left his charge under the watchful eyes of others inside the safety of her home and began to search for this, Lugo. The Golden Kailiauk was not the first tavern he ventured into, but it was not the last either. Simple words to the bar keep gained a nod towards the Sleen and Arculeius paid for both his help and the paga he cupped in his palm approaching the table near the far wall where Brinlar had set. "We will speak?" Arculeius half asked as he waited for any objection before he lowered across from the man.
~With a feral grace akin to a jungle panther the pirate known as the Sleen of Cos makes his way inside the tavern, the news about his ramship not putting him in the best of moods, and he finds a low table near the far wall and sinks to sit in his usual cross-legged position, his usually handsome face twisted into an irritated scowl~
~ eyes an uncommon yet entrancing hue of silver-flecked grays glance at the stranger who positions himself before him, and with a 1/2 smile of amusement~ We will? Is there a reason you disturb me before I even am able to aquire a goblet of ta wine?
Arculeius had the home team advantage even if spent the last year abroad, he knew the which men to brib and usually with saying little he knew which information to ignore. Knowing Mutabi's reputation he might of ignored his message if they hadn't a need for a good number of brutes, the description of Lugo filled that need and within the first ihns of approaching him, so did his attitude it seemed. Arculeius made no indication that he was on the defensive, stranger or not, as he lowered. "Because I have an offer for you... L-u-g-o? And I do not wish to waste either of our time." The way stretched out the name told that he believed it to be a front, but it also told the man he knew something more of him than a chance meeting. "Do you hear it or will you be ordering your wine?"
~ grumbling more to himself than to Aruleius: Bad enough I am marooned here now for an undisclosed estimaste of time..more than 1/2 my crew had shipped out on other vessels..and..~ a sharpened glance at the guardsman: Lugo?...Ahhh.. aye..Lugo. ` he chuckles, softly, remembering he had used that name as his alias~ An offer you say? Why not........not like I have a plethora of opportunities droped in my lap... speak.. I listen
"This will not be dropped lightly in your lap, it might even kill you and yours... but some treasures are worth the weight." He placed his bowl of paga onto the low table as it it was suddenly too heavy for his hand to hold, then a grin appeared across his lips as white teeth were bared against dark lips. "How many men did you say remain in your crew?"
~there it was..that single word that was like music to any pirates ears.."treasure" and Brin sits up straight, his eyes narrowing and his voice drops a full octave~ *vs* treasure? I have not counted as of late..seeing it would only upset me..but..other than my 1st and 2nd mate..and my carpenter... I think no others remain in Schendi
No words confirmed this, but the coal colored brows above each eye of his lifted in an almost answer... if anything it was at least not a negative response, but one had to be careful how much they revealed. Arculeius was good at silent gestures. He watched the man for a moment as he thought back on his crew. "A carpenter is good.... we will be traveling through narrow passages once we get past the Nyoka River." He paused to see if the man knew any of the legends of the city yet. Though if he was indeed a pirate as rumors said, he would of likely heard of the Eye.
~ a thin coper brow raised~ The Nyoka river? Kings..why would anyone traverse that serpent waters? ~ Brinlar the type that disgards fables and unsubstantiated rumors~
At that question Arculeius did something he rarely allowed, he laughed, it wasn't enough of a chuckle to lift to the ears of others in the tavern, over the music, laughter, or rattling of chains... but it would be heard by his company. "I will let my employer explain that to you... but if you ask me, the woman is a bit mad." He didn't laugh this time at his own statement and waited to register the man's reaction to working for a woman. His hand moved to his side, but he didn't reach for a hilt of blade, but a pouch. It was placed on the table before Brinlar. "This should be enough to keep you and your three men in place. Even enough to buy the needed supplies if you don't waste it"
~ his smile in response to Arculeius laugh flashing perfect teeth, white and even~ I see you find my limited knowledge of the jungle river amusing...a woman you say? She is the leader of this expedition that you speak of?
~Brinlar's former woman one of skills that impressed him and did until she disappeared one day, so he has little if any disdain for a woman's abilities~ ~ Brin eyes the leather pouch but makes no move to remove it from the tabletop~ I will listen to your "employer" before I accept any monies I have coin enough , and so does my loyal crewmen ~ there it is,,,that smile that turns women's knees weak ~ I would hear more of this "treasure" ...
"Then consider that a bribe to keep your mouth closed until that time... eh?" He rose without taking the pouch back. "A meeting will be arranged. Soon. Be well... Sir." Without touching the bowl of paga the man left just as abruptly as he had come and reported back to his employer of the meeting. He'd already decided that the man would agree as long as they dangled the notion of treasure before him, he was indeed a pirate.
~Brinlar's eyes narrow as Arculeius rises and departs, the pouch left sitting, he does not take kindly to bribes..why would he voice to anyone mention of treasure?~
