Meeting at the Golden Kailiauk

[Amanita Vernia]

Brinlar, TaSheera and Arculeius plot at the Golden Kailiauk

~ of course the first place he goes to find Renn is the nearest paga den, his hand on Sheeras arm as they make thier way thorugh the thinly populated streets towards the Golden Kailiauk. Pushing past a merchant who staggers out the door into the midday heat, Brinlar leads Sheera inside, silver-gray eyes scanning about..looking for his thin wiry 1st mate~

::a riveting gaze of ice turned to watch th Merchant who staggered out the door. The first step within had that wintery gaze in an instant roam, absorbing her surroundings like a sponge to water. She glanced up to Brin once before she turned back to look for Renn::..

~ turning to her with a wry shake of his thick-maned head~ Kings..if he is here...he is probably rolling in furs with some Schendian slut....~ grinning at her, he leads her towards a low table that has a good vantage point and promptly sinks to sit, pulling her down next to him~

::a light laugh was allowed past the sentry of lips::.. Some things never change..::guided to a settle beside him, one hand came to rest along corded thigh and she turned to watch an approaching slave. It was a critical gaze cast upon the girl and it would leave a heated branding of flesh in it's wake::.

~ his own silver gray hues find the slave, a brief nod as she sinks to kneel~ *q* ta wine, kajiira...~then he looks to Sheera~ what will it be for you, my panther?

::her gaze finally turning from the slave, eyes of ice are offered up to Brin::.. black wine..::the tips of nails toyed with leather in a negligent pattern as her mind filtered back to his earlier words about his meeting::..

~nodding, he turns back to the kneeling slave~ Well? you heard the lady..why are you still kneeling before me? Har-ta, safora! ~ Grinning as the slaves eyes widen and she rises and quickly heads off to do his bidding. Turning back to Sheera, he mutters~ I am not about to go wandering this city..in this heat..looking for Renn...this is his preferred place to wench and drink...he will be along sooner or later...

:his voice pulled her from her thoughts, she watched the slave scurry away for a moment and looked back to him, nodding in agreement, the day was already heating up when she had gone for her run and it was sweltering out there now::.. Have you had any word on the Quietus, how much longer until she's ready?

~ warmly he focus' his silver-flecked eyes on her face~ Gitambi says another 4 hands..but..he said that 4 hands ago as well..it seems they work slowly here..it must be the heat. ~his thoughts returning to the meeting at Silenti~ The merchant...Amanita....she reminds me of you, Sheera..something in her eyes. I was not pleased with her discipline of her kajiiru..but..in his eyes..I saw a warrior's gaze returned...how one such as he could kneel at the feet of a free woman escapes me....he is one thus far that I will watch carefully..kajiiru or no.

::her lips had parted to speak, her voice paused by a brawl that erupted in the far corner of the tavern...and it was there a wintery gaze darted and lingered as she began to speak with him:.. It seems even the natives are restless Brin..::ahhh but when he mentioned the merchant her gaze did return to him and a finely sculpted brow arched gently, she wasn't altogether thrilled with being compared to a woman of the city but she didn't underestimate anyone ...a slow grin eased along full lips::.. Well if she reminds you of me, perhaps it is her I will keep my eye on..::she delivered a quick wink to him before her gaze drifted back to the bellowing from the corner::..

Just as the couple got cozy a man walked into the tavern, not a regular, that was Thaddaus, but a much larger man of stature and with an ebony complexion. He was covered by a sul-sack colored tunic, a good pair of sandals and a sheet of sweat. Even the natives dripped with perspiration in this humidity. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim atmosphere of the den, but he moved a few feet away from the door, so he wouldn't' block anyone else from coming in, and started his search. Arculeius wasn't the sort to enjoy the pleasures of a paga den, at least not midday, so rather than admire the feminine flesh also covered with a lovely glaze of sweat, he sought a single man, the Sleen of Cos.

~ from his vantage point, Brinlar looks up as he sees a familar figure framed in the doorway, and he nudges Sheera with his elbow, murmuring softly~ *s* By the entry..Amanitas man who 1st approached and tried to bribe me..Arculeius

::it was a slight and casual turn of her head in the direction of the door, her gaze started somewhere around the man's knees and stalked slowly up his form, a blatantly appraising gaze it was that traveled the length of him and would, quite boldly, meet his eyes evenly. It would be there her gaze would linger for a long moment before turning back in silence as the slave approached their table, still facing the slave she spoke quietly to Brin::.. Bribe you? ..::the taste of a grin flirted with lips, she didn't have to ask how that had turned out::..

With Brinlar's eye on the kajirus, Venor, and TaSheera keeping one of hers on Amanita.. that left Arculeius unwatched, or at least one would think. Not more than three ihns after he entered the tavern he felt two eyes on him. His own were still adjusting to the light change, a large hand coming to rub over the lids before he looked around again. On the second scan he found the man he had come for, which was pleasing since most of the Inns were set on the coast line. He didn't smile at either of them, but he didnod back before crossing the room towards their table. While he approached Brinlar would have time to explain the bribe if he wished to the woman,before Arculeius was in earshot of their whispers. Once he was standing there he addressed the pirate. "Tal... Lugo," there was more than a grin behind thatname as Arculieus knew that it was fake, but still used it until he was told otherwise. "Might I sit with you?"

~ With a casual wave of his hand he directs the dark-skinned guardsman to the empty place opposite his positon~ Aye...have a seat. ~ He looks at Tasheera than back to Arculeius~ This is my woman, Sheera..Sheera..this is Arculeius,of House Silenti.

::upon the man's approach her hand left Brin's thigh and settled in her own lap.She hadn't been told the name Brin used here in Schendi so if Arculeius addressing him as "Lugo" had come to a surprise to her it would never be allowed to reach her features. As she was introduced to the man she offered a slight tip of her head to him in greeting and acknowledgement and her eyes never left him as he settled::..

[Amanita Vernia]

Arculeius remained standing at the introduction, giving a slight bow to the woman and even showing a glimpse of white between his thick lips. "Well met Sheera." With that he took the offered seat across the low table. Sitting cross-legged with his arms repeating the same cross. During this time the slave returned with both the man's drink and the woman's black wine. She served Brinlar first and gave Arculeius a chance to evaluate the woman. "You are also a visitor to our city I assume?" Which if she was dressed like most panthers, even the fact that she was in a tavern, gave him insight that she was, but he would have her confirm this and perhaps learn a little about the woman of Brinlar.

~ Watching Arculeius as he speaks, he let's the man get a feel for his woman, he need not say anything for the nonce~

::well that was a question that could have been answered many ways considering she had been in the jungles for quite some time now, but then the jungles aren't exactly the city so her answer in all ways was in fact truth and delivered smoothly::.. Indeed, I am.

A short answer without much expansion, it didn't give him much to retort with, but it did give him some small insight into the woman. She was more private about than others, leaving him with the feeling of mystery about her, and that suave delivery, she showed herself to have a great deal of confidence. Arculeius would just nod, letting a breath escape his nostrils, then offer another glimpse of a grin. "Welcome." He wasn't exactly chipper himself, but it was a sincere wish. He turned to Brinlar again as the slave moved over to leave the black wine with the woman. "I've come to iron out what details the merchant and you didn't discuss... such as securing a ship while yours is still being repaired. How does that go?"

~ cooly he appraises the man, thier earlier encounter left him with a bad taste in his mouth, so with that in mind, he is reluctant to speak freely, but..he will answer certain questions such as this one~ I will procure a river galley from the shipwright Gitambi...he should give me little objection, seeing he has had the Quietus in drydock for entirely too long as it is. ~ A feral smile offered briefly~ If he does..I am sure I can....convince him otherwise...

::she offered a rather regal tip of her head to the man in thanks to his "welcome" before plucking the offered vessel from the slave and dismissing her with a mere wave of her hand...the mug was lifted to awaiting lips and a soft breath blown across the top, yes it was sweltering outside but by drinking something hot, in turn would actually serve to cool her off some. Finally a cautious sip was taken from the mug and her gaze drifted between the men over the rim::.

Once the girl finished serving the two she knelt to Arculeius silently offering herself, water was his drink of choice and she rushed to fetch it while they spoke of the ship. "Will he supply the extra shipwrights, or will you need to hire from within the city?" This was an important matter considering both Arculeius and Amanita believed the dangerous man, Krakatoa, would have spies among them if given the chance. This had been the reason behind the bribe to keep quite, though it was obvious from his exchange with the merchant, that the pirate did not like the gesture. Odd thing to have a man with honor be one in the same as a pirate.

~ the question posed puzzles him, what need would there be for additional shipwrights to aquire a river galley? Brinlar takes his sweet time answering, the ta wine sipped, swallowed then sipped again before he replies~ No additonal men are needed for anything other than the Quietus, I have seen at least three galleys moored along Gitambi's wharves. Any repairs once we head downriver can be performed by Thurnock, my carpenter. ~ Thurnocks skills range from basic repairs to anything of intricacy, never mind the fact the man can weild a mean blade. Brin eyes Arculeius and poses a question of his own~ How many others have been recruited, other than myself, Sheera here and my men? Besides you and the merchant that is...~ he chuckles and sips at his wine again, silver-grays watching Arculeius face~

.::the shroud of silence had descended upon her as the men spoke of their business the casual manner in which she settled the cup to the table and even cast her eyes in a drift around the tavern might give the appearance that she wasn't really paying attention, but you can bet she absorbed every word spoken. Even a hint of a grin played along lips hearing Brin's question. She didn't turn back for the answer, it was instead a seemingly lazy gaze that drifted out the window and lingered there::..

Arculeius nodded as the man answered him, his knowledge of ships not as keen as his other skills, but not all men were jacks of all trades. Arculeius was born in Schendi and other than a brief time in Ko-ra-ba with the merchant, he had never left it. His hand reached out to wipe some of the sweat from his upper lips while waiting for his water to help take the edge off. There were a few slats opened on each side of the tavern to allow a breeze to come in, if there had actually been a breeze. The corner of his mouth lifted at the man's question... it seemed the pirate wanted him to lay his hand out on the table. "There is a third, currently in Ar, seeking additional funding for the supplies needed and at one time we had a fourth man, but he seems to have vanished. He is in a similar line of trade as the merchant, though it is more his hobby, than his caste." There were two of his cards shown, as for the other three he had up his sleeve, Brinlar would have to be a patient man to learn of them.


~ he nods slowly, digesting the fact that this man obviously witholds information, this expedition needs more than the 2 Arculeius has offered. Well, it seems they both are guarded in revealing anything more than what is necessary, so be it. Casting a sideways glance at Sheera, he smiles at her briefly, then looks back to the dark-skinned guard of the merchant~ Will the kajiiru be brought along with us? ~ he wonders that for a specific reason~

.::she leaned in a little closer to the table then, her elbow set to rest against it and the back of her hand became the perfect little perch for her chin, the porcelain mask of dispassion set easily in place as she regarded Arculeius and his response. Well...he had said there was a third...three and one make four and considering Brin had mentioned he was to be alotted a "fifth" of the bounty she assessed that there was more then meets the eye here, the meeting of eyes in that side long look told her all she needed...she mirrored his smile...so very simple she seemed in her complexity::..

Now the other questions left Arculeius without much expression, he was good at masking whatever feelings he had, but the mention of the kajirus that Amanita had, in his opinion saved from a necessary death, left him with a sour look in his eyes. The groan could of been part acted, though it was not common for any man to favor a thrall, but he bit at his cheek trying to decide how best ot put it. "It is possible... if he doesn't find a blade across his throat first." There, the two men could bond over a hatred for the collared man. Aruclieus had actually once respected the man for all the beatings he had taken as a prisoner... but now as a slave, he did not understand him.

~The man raises significantly in Brinlars respect from his admission regarding the kajiiru~ Aye..he is dangerous..better to slit his throat and be done with possible problems at the most inopportune time.I am surprised the lady is as lax with the thrall as she showed..~He smiles at Arculeius, knowing full well the man was present but hidden during his intial meeting with Amanita~

::she actually allowed a light laugh to drift past the sentry of lips, leaving one to wonder whether it might be over the pained expression Arculeius seemed to take on or if it was simply his words regarding the slave. She, of course, hadn't seen the slave herself but it mattered little, Brin's words rang clear in her mind::..

It was Arculeius who had stopped the man's rampage with the strike from his schimtar to the man's head. The wound was still visible, but it had been a lucky blow since the man had suddenly stopped in the middle of their fight. At this point the dark toned man had wished he didn't pause for the merchant's order to kill, but one could not live with regrets of actions. "Perhaps he is still too attached to his former, free, self.... but I have no doubts that if it is needed, my employer would be the one to make the necessary slit." Amanita was a woman, usually underestimated by those that did not know her, but Arculeius even in a frustrated state with her current behavior would not show a lack of trust to her. She had always given him the same respect after all, even when his judgements did not appear to be leading in the right direction. "There is another I worry about more," and with that he leaned forward, looking into the pirates eyes, a flicker to TaSheera, then back to the man. "Krakatoa is his name."


~ that name Brinlar has heard since he unfortuitious arrival here, spoken in reverent terms by the lower populace, with revile by others that are more knowledgable~ Aye..I have heard his name mentioned.....~not revealing he has had his men plying wine and drink into many here..for the purpose of revealing all manner of information, pertinent or no~ A member of the Explorer Shaba, it has been said...

[Amanita Vernia]

.::The defense of his employer did not go unnnoticed. She was establishing the"players" in her mind and he just revealed a bit of trust in the woman as well as a bit of her own tenacity and she tucked that information away. A finely sculpted brow arched gently as Acruleius leaned forward and offered the name, it was then she interjected, using a bit of her own "ignorance" to further probe the man::.. I've never heard of him, what part does he have in this venture? ..:;and since she finally broke her silence she added what might seem simply a woman's curiosity::.. and how long have you worked for the Merchant?

"He has more eyes in Schendi than the Ubar of Beggars." There was an irony in that statement considering the Ubar of Beggars was a blind man, but he was also one of the most informed men in Schendi. If one sought to know what news there was in the port city they would go to Kipofu. However, Krakatoa, as Brinlar suggested, had been a member of Shaba's expeditions and over the last thirty years had made it well known what treasure belonged to him, even if he had been unable to find it. "He seeks the same as we.... and is aware that our small expedition isn't just for serpent hunting." That had been the cover they were telling most, but one could not secure the interests of a pirate with the prospect of finding snakes. They had no greater desire than that of treasures. Aruclieus nodded to Brinlar's statement of Shaba and Krakatoas connection, but then turned to TaSheera as her question was asked with a chuckle of his own. "I do not work for the merchant... but I am her guard." Which didn't answer how long, but it established the hierarchy between the two -- Arculeius and Amanita..

~ His smile one that Arculeius would not recognize the significance upon seeing..but..Sheera would, as the game has just raised up a notch or three, and he leans foward and murmurs~ *q* I will make it a point, now that I know he poses a problem..to seek him out and disconcern his intentions...

..::she was well aware that he didn't answer her question, at least the question she had asked and normally she would have pursued that, save his for the fact that his revelation told her more than the answer to her question would have. He wasn't paid for guarding her...and that spoke volumes. She smiled to him and nodded, leaning back, it was in that shift of form that she caught the smile descending on Brin's lips and that wintery gaze lingered there for a moment::..

The mention of Krakatoa couldn't of come at a better time, with Brinlar making it a point to keep his other eye on that man, perhaps the actions of Venor would not concern the pirate as much. This did not mean the male was free and clear, he still had both Arucleius' eyes and his duel scimitars to worry about. "Good." That was all he needed to say as he looked to Brinlar and saw that he was the type of man to follow through on words such as those. The glass of water he had requested had come and sat on the table untouched for some time. Arculeius lifted it to his lips and drank it empty, placing it back down and then standing. "It was well to have met the woman claimed by the Sleen of Cos..." he grinned to her, then the pirate letting him know by that subtle slip that he was not unaware of the man's reputation. "Enjoy the rest of your day, the both of you." He wouldn't leave on a bad note of bribery as he had done the last time, instead he rose with a grin to them both before moving to the door and back out into the heat. Maybe he could find some breeze closer to the harbor.

~ he grins as the man rises, another modicum of respect gained by the guard after he mentions Brin's moniker ~ I wish you well, Arculeius of Schendi..and..perhaps soon we shall meet..you and I..to discuss that...person...that would interfere with our joint venture...

..::it was rare, but she actually offered the man not only a tip of her head, but as he lifted to his feet she rose as well::.. Well met, Arculeius..::her gaze followed the man to the door and lingered there until he disappeared into the heat of the day, finally she turned back to Brin::..