A byproduct of my ti sailing normally was I got the hang of utilizing both the wind and my magical propulsion. My speed was nearly doubled when I caught a good breeze that way! I closed in on Tulisang in the early afternoon.
Seagulls cried out their welco to as they flew on the breeze and vied with sky-eels for scraps. The surf pounded roughly against the breakwaters and roared in indignation that its power was being checked. The coastal breeze made its own roar in my ears as it whipped its way inland after winding itself up over the open waters. The sun looked down on us sailors and laughed as it sent pulses of tropical heat to make us sweat. The sea had rcy on and cooled with sprays of saltwater as I crested each wave.
It was glorious.
I joined other small craft making their way about and we exchanged casual salutes as we avoided the larger fishing boats, and all of us steered clear of the heavily ard Barque coming in. It felt odd to be waving at other sailors, as if they should sohow know that I wasnt like the rest of them anymore. They were naturally oblivious. None of them bothered to analyze if they got close enough, and even then my new ability should hide my cursed nature. Probably. I really hoped so.
I did get a few strange looks, and worried at first that theyd picked up on the cursed nature of my dinghy. It wasnt anything so serious, they were just judging its appearance. I had pulled it off the bottom of the ocean, after all.
It made second-guess my intention of sailing straight in. Would soone be able to pick up more details with a closer examination? What would happen if a curious child climbed aboard while I was gone? Would they beco part of my cursed crew?
Better not to risk it. I sailed past the harbor and found a dilapidated dock. I stowed the sail and climbed the dock to be greeted by my land tir. It was counting down extrely slow, and as I examined it I received an explanation.
While not technically on land, you are cut off from the sea and pushing the limitations of your curse.
Ability Uproot active: allotted ti has been affected.
So I could push the limitations of my curse and stretch out my tir. Judging by how quickly my tir was falling, I could probably milk another 3-4 hours out if I stayed in a gray area.
I walked to the shore, dodging rotten planks in the dock. As I walked, I willed my dinghy to subrge. It did, and I smiled as I realized I could control that much of its mobility even when I wasnt aboard. If anybody was watching, theyd probably think I was a crazy man, smiling as my craft sunk behind . The mont my foot left the dock, my land tir started counting down normally.
I walked through town looking for a rchant shop. I only had a handful of silver and copper coins Id looted from the adventurer. Apparently he hadnt been one to carry his wealth with him, despite the inherent protection against thievery his spatial bag had given him. That or hed been dirt poor. The contents of his bag made think that he was a specialized mber of a larger team probably not the leader, without much coin. An internal bit of avarice that every person has was telling all about the potential to find his teammates on that wreck and loot their bags too I squashed the idea. Id been right to get out of there when I had the chance, and anyone else on that ill-fated wreck had no doubt been lost to the waves long ago.
I thought I rembered there being a shop at the main crossroads, but instead of a rchant I found a tavern. It was nad Donovans Reef, it was a new, three-story construction painted white and looked like it could house half the town. I quickly decided that the rchant could wait.
There were a few people sitting in the tavern talking quietly, but as spacious as the front room was the place looked incredibly empty. There was a kitchen boy going around pulling chairs from atop tables and arranging them on the freshly mopped floor. Another was polishing the mirrors around glow-stone holders so thered be better lighting after dark.
What can I help you with, pilgrim? A loud voice asked from behind the bar. The bartender was a big man, about six and a half feet tall with broad shoulders. He wore a khaki shirt half-open in the heat with the sleeves half rolled and a white towel over his shoulder whilst he polished a stein with another one. He lacked an innkeepers paunch, and honestly I thought hed fit better in the middle of a brawl than behind the bar.
I felt awkward in my ill-fitting scavenged clothes and sword, but the barkeep didnt throw out for my appearance. I had no hope of pretending to be a local or even familiar with this place, so I played tourist. I just got in and couldnt help but notice the place. Its impressive! I dont rember it being here a few years back.
Buildings that were here got burned down last year. I bought up the property and had this place built. The bartender spoke amiably while he pulled another glass out and started removing any spots. Its downright amazing what a team of skilled construction professions can build in a few months!
Youre Donovan, then?
I am. Owner, proprietor, innkeeper and barkeep. I dont do the cooking though. Thats one title too many. So what can I do you for? My cook is out and I wont be serving anything until this evening. Booze I can get you.
An ale and a water. Both cold, if you can.
Donovan gave a lopsided grin and returned with two mugs that had a coating of frost on them. I invested in a number of commodities to compete with the other taverns round here. Enjoy.
I sipped the water and found it was cold enough to make my teeth ache. When Id asked for it cold, Id expected sothing from the cellar that counted as not warm. My eyebrows rose and my surprise was the reaction Donovan seed to be waiting for. He laughed.
Blood of my fathers! I swore. How do you keep things on ice around the clock like that?
A dwarf good with runes who owed a favor.
And I imagine youre doing just fine against the competition?
Another tavern closed its doors a fortnight ago, and good riddance. Donovan said with a predatory smile. That leaves three other taverns in town, and theres enough custom for us all to get along now. What ship did you say you ca in on?
I lifted the ale to my lips. A ship of no na, I said. Id expected this question and prepared my response. When sailors said sothing like that, they were telling you they were involved in underhanded or risky dealings. It would brand as a certain kind of sailor, but city officials were the only ones who wouldnt accept that as an answer.
So imagine my surprise when Donovan leaned over the bar and said quietly, Kid, theres not a blasted thing that goes on in this town that I dont know about. Add to that Ive raised myself to a pretty high analyze skill over my ti, and I can tell youre hiding sothing beyond what I can figure. I dont like it.
I was both terrified that he knew sothing was off with and relieved that he hadnt seen straight through . My mind spun furiously as I tried to co up with a lie. Just so trouble Im trying to get away from, I muttered.
Donovan grilled for another few seconds before he backed off. You looking to catch the first ship out of here?
Actually, I was hoping to lay low for a while. Do so jobs to earn so coin while I figure where to go next. That wasnt exactly true. I needed to figure out my next step, but I wasnt looking to scrounge up coins when I needed to find out how I was going to get my cursed ship and a crew willing to serve . I could never earn enough as a laborer to finance the typical cost if the trade, but cursed ships werent reliant on a bank, now were they?
Donovan shrugged. They always need more hands further inland. Being a farr isnt glorious, but they pay well. They havent been able to afford enough slaves to run the place. They keep having them go missing.
Slaves? I asked, curious.
Donovan nodded. Aye, Andross boy king has been sucking up to the Human Empire to the east. He legalized a new form of slavery over a year ago, called chattel slavery. Instead of the nexum slavery; with an indentured period or an amount of debt to work off, the slaves are owned for life. No say in their treatnt or the jobs they do. It upset a lot of people, but the king promised all sorts of things about how it will stimulate the economy and slaves own value as an investnt will protect them enough people bought it, and now theyre buying people.
The thought of owning a person for their whole life, of buying, selling and trading them it struck the wrong way. But how different could it be from a criminal serving a life sentence of labor?
At least its not . I said, taking another swing of my ale. Judging by the way Donovan looked at , he was one of those people that hadnt agreed with the change in the law. Im not looking to go further inland, I said quickly, trying to change the subject. Ive got a perk that makes it hard to be away from the sea.
Heart at Sea? Yeah, Ive seen it before. Its up to you; you can always scrape by as a dock worker. If you want sothing that pays a little better, but carries more risk and effort, theres Smittys Salvage that operates out of here. You probably have the stats for it.
Thanks, I said, genuinely reflecting on the idea. A salvage company might give the locations of different ships and an excuse to check them out. It was worth looking into.
Lee! Donovan called to a younger man with spectacles and a clipboard. The broken door by the ring, we get that taken care of ?
The bartender left to see to his other business. I finished off my ale and my water, savoring both. It had been days since Id drunk anything, and while I might not have been dehydrated, I still needed that!
I left the mugs on the bar with the coins to cover it and made my way back outside. After a bit of exploring, I found a rchant shop and made my way inside. The shopkeeper took one look at and put his guard up.
We dont do loans or credit! he snapped.
Actually, I was hoping to sell! I said with what I hoped was a winning smile. I shifted my bag around so he could identify it as an adventurers bag. Instantly his whole deanor changed, though he didnt exactly pander to .
Alright, what have you got?
Im looking to sell a few potions first, then I wonder if you cant help with an outfit.
What potions? he asked. I pulled out a philter of water breathing from the bag as saw his eyes widen in surprise. While I didnt technically have the trade skill, I didnt need it to sll out a deal here. I should have priced how much they were going for here before Id tried selling them. Ill give you five gold for that one. He said.
In my head, I was stunned. Back in Pristav theyd been selling for 3 gold for two doses. These potions had the sa number of doses but the shopkeeper was offering a much higher price out of hand. I still gave him a look like I knew he was low-balling .
Six and a half, he said. And I wont be here haggling all day!
I wouldnt dream of it, I said. It was true, he had high level in trade while I didnt have the bonuses from the accredited skill. If I haggled with him too long I was liable to be paying him to take my potions. But would you go to 7 gold?
He looked at the potion and nodded. It was a small enough concession overall that he went for it. Yeah, Ill do that.
Wonderful! I said, reaching into my bag and pulling out the other three. I have these as well. Though, Ill let them go at six and a half if you help with the outfit Im looking for.
He looked at like Id betrayed him and sighed. What kind of outfit?
I described what I was looking for, and he popped in several questions about bonus stats, durability, style, pocket space, bandoliers, weapons, etc. When we were done, he took a few minutes to sort through his stock and pile things together. I quickly realized that there was no way all this was going to be included in the discount Id offered.
Sure enough, when I asked him how he figured it he smiled and said, The outfit and four gold per potion.
Now it was my turn to look betrayed. I made a show of looking over the outfit but didnt try to undersell it. Hed done well getting things Id wanted. We both knew it. I looked into my bag and adopted a more thoughtful expression. I wasnt willing to sell any of the trap materials, and I didnt know if the other potions would sell as well. Most of them I wasnt willing to give up, anyway. I normally depended on a crew for things like a dical chest.
He didnt know what I had, though. Id surprised him with the philters of water breathing, I was sure he was antsy to see what else I had.
Five gold per potion, like your original offer. I said. That brings the cost of the outfit to eight gold in savings for you, which I think is fair.
Four and a half, he countered. I shook my head, and after so hand-wringing he acceded.
You have learned the skill Trade! Increased bargaining power, people are more likely to accept your demands.
Now that I saw the effects of the trade skill, I didnt doubt that the shopkeeper could sell the potions for over 10 gold. There was no way non-trader could have pulled sothing resembling a fair deal away from soone who had the propensity to magically influence the dealing. Still, Id gotten a far better price than Id expected. The world had also recognized that Id learned trading as a skill. Just being able to haggle didnt an you got the skill, as my years of negotiating sailing contracts and coppers to street vendors indicated. Was this transaction involving gold what finally pushed over the threshold? Or was the fact that I was now a captain influencing whether the world gave the official skill?
What else you have for ? the shopkeeper asked.
A bit annoyed at the idea Id been had, I pulled out all the clothes from my bag and dumped them on the floor. Can I get so average clothes in exchange for these?
The rest of my trading hadnt gone so well. The shopkeeper hadnt been impressed with the clothes Id offered to trade him. That was because they were junk, and junk sized for a Chortin, no less. Still, hed given two sets of pants and shirts with decent durability for the whole thing. I imagined he had soone he could sell it to whod be able to use the things for sothing, but I got what I wanted out of it clothes that didnt have a hole in the pants for a tail!
That transaction had soured our relationship a bit and I hadnt sold any of my other potions to him. Id bought a worn bedroll and blanket from him and hed been polite enough to given details across town to the other stops I needed to make. The weaponsmith was a quick stop, if a bit spendy. I picked up eight throwing knives that fit my new bandolier and three daggers: one for my right hip, one for the small of my back, and one for the sheathe in my boot. The days of being without a weapon were over!
Then I stopped by the tailors. I hesitated outside the door. Less than three hours had elapsed from my tir, but my feet were burning and I felt the sea pulling at . I resisted it for now. I needed to take care of business, and I couldnt do that in my dinghy.
The tailor shop felt much smaller than it was, since it had an odd layout and cloth and clothing everywhere. Bright colored bolts leaned against the wall mixed with browns and khaki. Stacks of leather of various thickness and type piled to the ceiling. I could walk into a shop and not give battleaxes a second glance, but this place made defensive.
What you need? a spectacled gno asked, popping out from an adjacent room. I was a bit surprised because she was the first non-human Id seen in town.
Well, most important would be this, I showed her my adventurers spatial bag. While the rchant had been excited when Id showed him this, the tailor beca apprehensive.
Must show proof of ownership first!
After Id taken a mont to understand what shed said through an unidentifiable accent, I asked her how I was supposed to do that.
Three things, from the bag! she said, pointing. Tell what they are, then remove them. They must be in order!
A little confused, I told her the pieces of the outfit Id be removing and did so. She visibly relaxed and ca to take the bag from my hands.
Oh, dear! Oh, dear! You have you have not been treating this well!
Is it sothing you can fix up?
Yes! she said emphatically. But working on magic bags difficult. It costs you.
How much?
Five gold to raise to 100 durability. Eight to raise to 120.
My eyebrows raised. Wow. Why the difference in price?
Improving durability ans simple fixes. Complete repair takes much more effort to fix last points.
So the last twenty points of durability would cost three gold, while the first 85 points would cost five gold. After my stop at the weaponsmiths I had just over 17 gold. I wanted to go with the cheaper option out of habit, but I could afford the extra durability and I didnt want to risk losing what I had in the bag.
Ill go with the full repair. Also, could you adjust these clothes to fit ? I showed her the first outfit Id gotten at the rchants. The outfit I was wearing now and my spare were plain, simple clothes in a billowy style. It gave great freedom of movent and ant there was no need for tailoring. My primary outfit, though, would have to be adjusted.
The gno looked at the clothes and said she could fix them, then whirled around with a asuring tape. She had stand by a stool that she climbed onto the asure my shoulders, chest, neck and arms. While she asured, I had to ask, Why have pull out those items from the bag?
You steal bag, you not reach inside. You high pickpocket skill, you get random item. Only owner know what they get and can repeat!
That made a lot of sense. Surprising, given the difficulty I had understanding her. Id never heard of soone stealing from an adventurers bag, but Id heard that killing the owner didnt open up the bag to you. If it had, adventurers would be rightfully frightened to flaunt them.
You co back tomorrow noon! she said as she finished.
Tomorrow at noon? I verified.
Yes, tomorrow noon! Shoo!
Wait, I didnt quite catch your na
Mama Jo, shoo!
Maja Im sorry
Shoo! she said, and I fled.
I walked about the harbor to get an idea of the ships that had co in. Most were obviously pirate vessels, but smaller operations than Lawless Jack had going. I passed by the heavily ard Barque that Id avoided at the harbor mouth earlier, the Undine. Its crew were abuzz on its deck, hauling off cargo and stowing their artillery. While it was a notable example of firepower, the only ships that didnt have so kind of armant were the ones with obviously worthless cargo, like the barges. It was probably a requirent for docking in this town.
Most importantly, no sign of the Raven. Not that I really expected her in the harbor, shed most likely be getting repairs elsewhere, but her sister ship the Gull could have indicated her presence.
I felt like Id be running into Jack again, but not now. When I had a ship and crew of my own, wed talk once more.
I was trying to think of an excuse to inconspicuously get back in the water when I saw a diver climb onto a dock from the water with a broken crab pot. He sat and began nding it while I cursed myself for an idiot. Id been so paranoid about people questioning my activities and hidden status that Id forgotten that confidence was the key. I didnt question what the crab fisherman was doing, now did I?
I found an unoccupied dock and stripped to my smallclothes, stashing them and my daggers out of sight. I wasnt really worried about anyone stealing them, as they were hardly worth the risk of the cri. My sword and belt I wasnt willing to leave behind, so I strapped them back on. The 2 I got to Constitution from my belt disappeared when I took it off, but when I put it pack on my health pool was still full, not needing to replenish the extra 20 points that had briefly disappeared. If I left it off for too long, those extra (inaccessible) points would disappear and Id have to regenerate my health pool normally again.
Feeling awkward wearing a sword while doing this I reminded myself that confidence was the key and stepped off the dock.
I descended to the base of the pylons and took stock. I had great visibility with my Vision ability, so the scurrying of the local aquatic life was fascinating. Starfish and crab clung to the pylons while fish ducked through seaweed and algae. Sea snails crept along by mussels and anemones. I thought I caught a glimpse of a drowner out of the corner of my eye, but it was gone when I checked. Id keep my eyes open, but I didnt have to worry about running out of air myself.
My land tir had slowed when Id stepped on the dock and disappeared when Id touched seawater. By concentrating, I could still tell how much ti was on it and how quickly it was regenerating. The burning that had been steadily growing in my feet had disappeared in cool relief. I was ho again.
There was quite a lot of debris strewn about, the result of years of activity above. I found a relatively new crab pot that had gotten stuck, then had its contents broken into and eaten. I sat down and began to nd it idly while I thought. Crab pots counted as traps, and activities like this had been what leveled my Traps skill since I was a little boy.
I was relatively safe now. I had procured so gear and enough money to supply for weeks of laziness if Id been so inclined. Tulisang wasnt safe, but its inhabitants didnt hunt you like monsters did. When I thought about it, Id had to admit that Id let the reputation of the place worry . It wasnt a hive of scum and villainy that cannibalized itself though Id yet to see its night life. So far it had looked like a normal if incredibly well-ard town.
I needed a ship, but that part of the plan was nebulous. I could curse ships and claim them as my own, but I didnt know the limitations on my power yet. Could I claim any ship? Could I only claim one ship? Could I claim a ship that already had a captain and crew? Did the ship have to be surfaced and in good repair, or could I resurrect a sunken ship? I was hesitant to just start experinting, since I might get stuck with results I didnt like. If I swam over to one of the ships docked above and tried to claim it, would the captain be notified that Id just tried to do so? That would shoot a big hole in my anonymity. Worse, what if it worked and I suddenly had a cursed ship to my na siting in the middle of a harbor full of pirates?
The idea of going out and exploring sunken ships was a good one. It just might provide with the opportunity I needed to practice. As a side benefit, Id have an excuse for the amount of ti Id need to spend in the water. People would probably look at funny if every day I jumped off a pier like I was coming ho from work confident air or no confident air.
What really rained on my plans was my crew. How was I supposed to convince a crew to join on with a cursed captain doing the will of Davy Jones? Davy Jones augnted his crew with the lost who found their way to his depths. That was great for him, but I didnt have the keys to the locker of the Deep and couldnt just sail about the ocean looking for drowning souls willing to bargain for their lives.
How the bloody sea-foam was I supposed to get a crew?
Id figure that part out later. I had no answers, so there wasnt much I could do right now. Id just have to keep my head down and avoid notice until I had an epiphany. No, that wasnt right. That wouldnt do at all! I couldnt count on sothing like that!
Libraries. Andross governnt controlled and staffed all their libraries. Even if the monarch despised Tulisang, there was probably at least a small governnt-run library present in town. The chances of it having anything on my profession were nil, but I could probably pick up so magic theory and learn so water and air spells.
I hadnt done anything with my magic, because I didnt know how. Id suddenly found myself with access to two basic magics and a Deeper magic, and I hadnt even explored the possibilities they offered. Id need to redy that.
I was startled when sothing zood towards from my peripheral vision. Id just reached for my sword when I felt sothing ram into my chest and pair of tiny hands grabbed at my throat. I forgot about my sword and grabbed the creature, throwing it away from . It took off and started circling , outside of the range that most creatures could see but well within my own vision.
It was a drowner, a fish-like monster about the size of my torso. It looked similar to a tuna fish, except it had humanoid arms and legs. It got its na from its tactic of killing prey by pulling it underwater and keeping it there until it drowned. They didnt have razor teeth or a bite that could do significant damage, but they did understand how to knock the air from sothings lungs and distract it from the surface. Once their prey was dead, theyd nibble away at it until they hungered for sothing else. One drowner by itself wasnt much of a risk, but they usually hunted in packs of dozens. Trying to escape through a swarm like that was a terrifying way to drown and made them hated creatures by sailors.
As I found my own loathing rise up, I realized sothing: I couldnt drown. The primary tactic of the drowner was useless against ! The creature had probably thought that I was easy pickings since I had probably spent a couple hours down here by now. It wasnt intelligent enough to realize that ant I didnt need air, it assud I was about to expire.
I drew my sword and matched the drowners circling, anchoring myself in walking mode I really needed to co up with another way of explaining the way I treated the sea floor like a landside training yard. Being a rather unintelligent creature, it wasnt long before it darted at again.
I sidestepped and swung my sword in a basic form Blake had taught . Against my underwater opponent, I appeared to have unnatural powers. I suppose I did. I easily lopped off one of the creatures arms just below the shoulder, part of a fin and its foot just above the ankle. It beca uncoordinated as it struggled to adjust for the loss of its limbs. I slashed twice more, gouging chunks of flesh and HP. It struggled to coordinate an effective escape with its hampered mobility, sothing I capitalized on. I stepped forward and swung my sword horizontally. I probably swung much harder than I needed to, given the leverage I could put behind it and the impetus the drowner faced from our liquid environnt. I split the drowner in half from its gaping mouth to its tail.
100 XP gained for slaying Drowner
As it was an aggressive, predatory monster I got good XP rewards for the victory. Good XP for most, anyway. Id been spoiled by getting tens of thousands of XP per kill. But then, I hadnt been in any real danger either, so the XP was essentially free. Facing a swarm of drowners could turn out differently, as their constant small attacks and scratches would whittle away at anyones HP.
I backed away from the gore that was diffusing into the water at the two halves sank. There was an incredible amount of gunk in seawater that was sohow filtered by magic potions and my curse, but I still didnt like the thought of breathing drowner guts.
I decided that Id spent enough ti ditating below. Id long since nded the crab pot and refilled my land tir. It was ti for my evening appearance.
I crawled onto the pier as the sun was reaching the horizon and let myself dry off before donning my loose clothes. I left the nded crab pot on the dock. I wouldnt have had any compunction against taking it, as Id salvaged and fixed it, but I didnt have my spatial bag with and I didnt want to run into soone who claid to own it.
I made my way back to Donovans Reef and was t by a very different sight. The place was packed and the murmur of voices competing to be heard was loud. The glow-stone lanterns were bright and gleaming even as the last rays of sunlight disappeared. The clientele was almost exclusively human, with maybe one in ten being nonhumans, mostly grouped with others.
Donovan himself stood behind the long bar, though he had another man and a woman doing most of the work while he chatted with people who wanted to talk. Hed changed into a white, short-sleeved button-down shirt and had sohow kept it stain free so far. I was mildly curious if he could keep it so all night. He spotted and gave my new appearance a once over.
Look at you, pilgrim! He said with a smile. So you werent hiding so deformity earlier!
I gave a rueful grin as I sat at the bar. Oh, I was! Its only after sunset that I can afford to show myself.
He laughed politely at my la attempt at a joke. You here to open a tab?
Sure, though Im curious what youve got back in the kitchen.
He rattled off a few dishes and I asked for a beer and a sailors pie a dish filled with crab, vegetables and gravy. He put the order in to the kitchen and moved seamlessly to the next custor who approached. I couldnt read his stats, but Id bet he had social skills among his repertoire.
I drank and chatted neutrally with a few people whod also taken up residence at the bar. Most of the crews and groups claid tables together. Those who ca in alone had a different look about them. I was worried about standing out until I caught one such person analyzing , then giving a wide berth. Maybe he thought my stats were a front, like Halis. Maybe he thought I must be a tough mongrel to sit so casually at only level 10. What I was most concerned about was what kind of unease he might have gotten from my curse. Donovan hadnt seen through earlier, but hed been able to tell I was hiding sothing. So long as no one walked in with an analyze score high enough to do in, I was fine, right?
I started to pay closer attention to the non-human patrons. Overall, they were more subdued and sowhat segregated from the rest. I knew Andros was a human country that gave precedence to its own species, but I hadnt spent enough ti here recently to pick up on any racial prejudices. My suspicions seed to be confird when a swarthy human from one of the crews at the apparent egging on from his crewmates approached a mixed group. The nonhumans included chortin, gnos, elves, and even a dwarf. The human had intruded on their conversation but hadnt had the chance to spread any slurs or pick a fight when a peanut popped off his head.
He turned, hunting for the source when he saw Donovan crooking a finger at him, beckoning him over. The look on Donovans face was like that of a parent who caught a boy filching eggs. The fight in the sailors eyes dimd as he approached the bar. I was close enough to listen in.
Now, Im sure I misinterpreted what I saw across my room, Donovan said quietly. But it looked like you were about to harass my guests! So I decided Id warn you all friendly-like Im the master of this establishnt, and my rules cover every sapient under my roof. Donovans smile showed lots of teeth and failed to reach his eyes. So, will I be needing to apologize to my guests tonight for an uncouth lout too dumb to read the power structure in the room?
The sailors face flushed at the insinuation, but he was either smarter than he looked or respected Donovans position enough to take it. No, sir.
Whats your table drinking? Donovan asked, then sent the sailor back to his friends with another pitcher. He caught watching. Your piell be right out.
I raised my tankard. Im not complaining! Youve got a fine brew to tide a man over! He looked at again like he was still trying to find the missing piece to my puzzle.
It wasnt five minutes later that he brought out my pie himself. He looked like he was about to ask sothing when he saw soone over my shoulder.
Mama Jo! He yelled happily, raising his arms high in welco, a broad grin splitting his face. I turned to see the tailor gno from earlier. She shook her finger at the barkeep.
Ohhh, big Donovan! You know I no like you to greet so loud when I co in!
Well, youll have to stop looking so dang pretty whenever you light up my bar!
The elderly gno waved away his flattery when she recognized . Ohhh, I see you again so soon!
Mama Jo, I said politely, finally understanding the na.
She turned back to Donovan. You should have seen the state of his adventure bag! It like he knock off durability point before sleep every night!
Adventurers bag, huh? Donovan said, running his eye over again. He gestured at a table along the wall. That tables usually taken by Smitty, that salvager I ntioned earlier. Hes got two of his crew there now. You should speak with them.
I think Ill do that, I said, carefully picking up my hot pie and tankard. I recognized a dismissal when I was handed one. The question was whether the dismissal was as simple as him clearing the bar for active drinkers or not.
Mind if I join you? I asked the divers at the table as I set my pie down before it burned my fingers.
One of them gestured at my seat. Please
I nodded in appreciation and pulled the gravy-coated fork from my pie, licking it clean before gesturing at Donovan with it. Barkeep told you work for Smitty. Im interested in a job, can you tell about it?
About diving in general or Smitty himself? one of the divers said. Im Manny, by the way.
Dom, I supplied. You couldnt really hide your na in this world without changing it entirely or magic to help you hide it. I wasnt interested in having people link to the Donic Id been before Id begun serving Davy Jones maybe I should have done more to change my na? Introducing myself as Dom seed like an inconspicuous way of distancing myself. There was a chance people would rember as Dom if they heard soone asking about Donic. And Im more interested in Smitty himself, though Im curious how big his operation is.
Oh, its a big operation! Manny said, brushing a strand of his dark, lanky hair out of his eyes. I have been working for him for three years now, and the only ti he hasnt had work for is when the weather keeps us away. Hes got so sort of contract with the governnt for salvaging their ships at a discount, and hes exploited it to buy out most other operations up and down the coast. He hears about every job and has the most resources of any outfit!
Sounds like youre really trying to sell it, I said.
Thats because Im a junior partner in the business, the other man said. And hes trying to butter up. Nas Sid. Im actually in charge of the field operations here.
Pleased to et you. I guess theres no one better to tell about the business, huh?
Nope! Sid said. He seed friendly, but he wasnt much for smiling. We take jobs to recover valuable cargo, mostly. If the ship owner doesnt make an effort to have it recovered within a certain ti fra, then it becos free ga under Andros law. Well take anything we can from those and sell it off. Its all legal, governnt-sanctioned work. Smitty also has agreents with the local pirates.
Manny had tried to sell on having work, whereas Sid was selling it to as a good job to avoid making enemies. Legal, governnt sanctioned work seed like a big deal here. Getting that kind of work without painting a target on yourself for pirates was notable.
Hows the operation usually run?
For the next hour and a half, we talked shop. Sid really was the operations manager, he knew the ins-and-outs of everything! It mostly ca down what kind of cargo they were recovering and how deep it was. Most the work they did was in water shallow enough that people with a decent Endurance and Constitution skill could do the work with a diving bell. Deeper operations required a greater investnt either in people with unique skillsets or magical enhancents.
Wed all had a few tankards and my delicious sailors pie was long gone when a ruckus was raised. One inebriated man was shouting at another, who had no problems about going toe-to-toe. Only thing was, the drunk man was counting on his buddies to back him and didnt realize the man he was picking a fight with belonged to the much larger crew of the Undine, nearly all of whom were present. I was checking that my escape routes were clear when soone shouted there was a weapon.
TRY IT! ca the roar that silenced everyone. I looked and saw Donovan standing on the bar, his already tall fra towering over the masses. It appeared that hed engaged a taunt to grab the attention of every participant. That seed risky, as everyone in the fighters could have all turned on him. His force of presence wasnt the only thing he was using to back up his challenge. He held a repeating crossbow in his arms.
Repeating crossbows had a frankly pathetic range and their intricate workings made them incredibly unreliable on a battlefield. In a bar where range wasnt an issue and the weapon could be oiled and maintained daily it was probably the deadliest weapon in the room.
Please try it! Donovan repeated. He appeared to be aiming at the person whod first drawn a weapon. I couldnt see the man, but his reaction appeased the barkeep. Listen up! Donovan said. For those of you who dont know my rules its as simple as this: you have a problem you want to duel out weve got the facilities for it here. Well allow any kind of duel that you lot agree to, and wagers made get a house cut. But anyone who spills blood in my Reef is subject to my justice! He made his point with his crossbow. Clear? At the sea of unconvincing, halfhearted nods and ayes Donovan fixed his gaze on another man in the crowd. Captains are responsible for actions and expenses of their crew.
A few heartbeats later the captain of the Undine, who didnt like the thought of being liable for damages his boys were sure to cause now, raised his voice. Down your drinks and hit the streets, lads of the Undine! A number of sailors took the advice literally and swallowed all their booze as quickly as they could. Others stared daggers at people theyd nearly ca to blows with.
I heaved a sigh of relief. I wasnt the lowest level in the room, but I was on the short end of the spectrum and lacked anyone to back up if I got embroiled in it. Donovan had cleared out a sizable portion of his nights clientele but had likely avoided the damages that were sure to follow a brawl between crews as tough as these. I decided to hold off making my escape until the streets had cleared from the initial influx of intoxicated, frustrated n.
Before even half the Undines crew had reached the door, soone barged in and shouted. Had they done that earlier, they wouldnt have been loud enough to get everyones attention, but the murmur of the crowd was subdued.
EVERYBODY! he yelled. Seeing that he indeed had everybodys attention, he continued. The prince of Oorkom has officially wed the princess of Antarus and allied themselves against Nilfheim! In response, Nilfheim has announced a non-human alliance between themselves, the sprites of Circe, the Tarish of both Zakera and Desolas, and the orcs and goblins of Bandarn!
You could have heard a pin drop. There was several monts of silence while everybody absorbed the enormity of the news. Then soone sumd it up in a single curse.
How has the boy king responded? soone asked.
Andross monarch, king Leopold the fourth, the ssenger said formally. Has not involved himself in the conflict. The elves havent responded either. No word yet on the island jarls, northeastern countries, or countries around the Atlas ocean.
The antagonism between Antarus and its neighbors had escalated into a trade war with Nilfheim, then an ard conflict and war, then Antarus made a human alliance and touched off a volatile situation. The nonhuman alliance stretched from the west to the northeast around the dian ocean, contesting who really controlled the seas.
If I rembered correctly, Circe was an inland country that didnt even have any naval interests, yet theyd brought their support to the war. The orcs of Bandarn didnt have a navy either, but good luck trying to take the fight to them on their land. If other ships started carrying orcs as shock troops stars, what a scary thought!
And the Tarish. The militant Tarish had been hiring out for rcenary work for years, now they had an avenue to another fight. They had been the ones to hold the line against the last human empire that had tried to encircle the dian ocean. Theyd occupied the empty country that was Desolas and turned it into a bulwark that denied the last emperor his territorial dream. Theyd turned the land from a colony into a separate country after the war ended, but the two nations had very close ties. Nilfheims navy had matched Antarus in an even draw. With the addition of the Tarish war fleets
Hali had said theyd been trying to end the war before it got out of hand. It seed like things had just gotten very, very out of hand.
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