Guard Games Part 3
A persistent poke on her side drew Aliyra into consciousness. Her eyes stayed closed as she yawned and pushed the hand away, snuggling deeper into her blankets. Soft laughter teased her ears. "Rise and shine fire-top. The Captain wishes to talk with you." A deep voice said and continued poking. Slowly, Aliyra opened her eyes and let sleep drift off into oblivion.
Aliyra sat up and looked around. The man smiled brightly at her as she rubbed the remnants of sleep from her eyes. She raised her arms above her head, stretching sore muscles and slipped her feet to the floor. With a start, she realized that her wound was giving her no pain. Her hand flew to where her affliction had been. Grinning at her expression, the sailor enlightened her. "We had the local witch doctor take a look at it. He did some mumbo-jumbo while you were sleeping."
"Uh…thank you." She mumbled.
He bobbed his head, accepting the thanks. "Well, your clothes were rinsed out and hung to dry but if ya want, I can have them brought to you. They would still be damp. There are also clothes in the trunk; Cap'n said you might find something that would fit. He's out on the main deck right now."
"Thank you again, but I'd like to have my own clothes." She nodded politely at the sunburned man.
"All right, then. I'll fetch them. They do have a hole, though. I could have 'em mended?" He shrugged slightly. His tone wavered, unsure of the crew's needle skills. The man shifted his weight from each foot, clearly uncomfortable.
"If you have a needle and thread handy, I can mend them myself." She grinned, an amused twinkle in her eyes.
"All right." He said and ambled through the door. Relief was evident in his tone and posture.
Aliyra couldn't help but grin. These pirates were immensely different from the ones she'd met last year. Of course, these ones hadn't tried to kill her. Her train of thoughts was interrupted by the cabin boy bouncing through the door; clothes and sewing supplies in hand. He stopped as he saw her looking. Then he blushed and dropped the things on the bed before making a hasty retreat.
Aliyra shook her head as the door thudded closed behind him. She drew the mangled cloth towards her. The damage wasn't that bad. A few slits and, of course, the place where the arrow had pierced. Ali was more than happy to not have to feel the stickiness of her blood as she mended the garment. Since time was of the essence and her stomach insisting it couldn't go a moment longer without food, she repaired it quickly and efficiently; her hand was as sure as any master's.
Aliyra stood before the door as she pulled the damp clothing on to ward against entry while she dressed. She flung her clothes on as quickly as she could manage. The door cracked open as she drew her shirt into place. Without a word to the sailor, she pulled the door open and stepped past the surprised man.
Aliyra found Avery right where the first sailor had said he would be. The sailors who saw her shot her every expression from curiosity to hatred but Aliyra did her best to ignore him as she joined Avery at the rail of the boat.
"I trust you rested well?" He murmured. His voice had a soft, throaty rumble lightly tinged with amusement.
Aliyra bobbed her head in a single brief nod. "Yes. Thank you…for the witchdoctor thing." She looked out at the ocean and tilted her head down so her fiery hair could hide her embarrassment.
The captain watched her, amusement sparkling in his eyes. "Well, you know how it is. I can't have you injured since three of my crew may need rescuing.
Aliyra nodded once and lifted her head to gaze out over the sea. She wasn't used to favors, but she could understand his reasoning. Since she was used to doing a job and receiving payment she wasn't embarrassed anymore. In the back of her mind, she got the feeling that things were about to get interesting.
'Aliyra, you awake?' A voice said across the mental link.
Aliyra cast a glance at the Captain from the corner of her eye. He was pretending as though nothing had happened. "Feel free to join me for breakfast in the galley." He murmured and strolled away with his hands behind his back. With a relieved sigh, Aliyra leaned against the railing and replied.
'Yes, Tyolka, I am. Did Raven tell you what happened?'
'He said you were on a pirate ship, wounded, but resting. Are you okay?'
'I'm fine...I've been given a job.'
'That's good, but what about your wound?'
Aliyra waited a moment before replying, deciding the best way to tell her leader of her situation. 'No, the captain had a witch doctor take a look at me. I've completely healed.'
'That's a strange thing for a pirate to do…is there something you're not telling me?'
Aliyra grinned, but she wasn't surprised by her leader's perceptive skills. 'About the job…'
Tyolka became suspicious. 'What about the job?'
'I have to rescue three of his crewmen who were left behind.'
'In Stormwind.' Tyolka stated bluntly.
'Yes.'
'Raven say's that a minimum of ten guards saw you.'
'They did, but-'
'It's too dangerous. We'll pay the Captain his dues. Greedy pirates are easily replaceable. You aren't, Aliyra.'
'Tyolka, he has been kind to me. Unusually so, but…'
'This is exactly why I want you off that ship. I don't trust unusually kind people.'
There was silence between them. 'You trusted me.' Aliyra pointed out.
'Well, you're different. I've known you for a long time.'
'Tyolka just let me do this. It's a matter of honor-'
'Honor can get you killed! You of all people should know this!'
'I've got to at least try!' Aliyra thought out desperately. Once more silence stretched between them.
'There will be posters up of both you and Raven. It will be hard.'
'I can handle it. And if not, then I'll run. But I have to try.'
Tyolka's sigh echoed through the link. 'You're so stubborn.' Aliyra grinned. 'You will have backup at every corner. I won't risk the chance of losing a valuable mercenary…and friend.' Tyolka said firmly.
'Thank you.'
The rest of the day whizzed by at an alarming speed. That is how it seemed to Aliyra, anyways. It seemed like she was once more going headfirst into what could be the last hours of her life. Her heart thudded with fear, but also with something else; excitement. Eluding the guards would be easy…wouldn't it?