Watching as Devan walked away, Bydern turned his gaze upon Darnella. She's sad, he thought, seeing the tell tale signs like her sorrowful eyes and downcast demeanour.
"Hey," Bydern spoke cheerfully, hoping his mood would carry on to her, "why are dornishfolk so promiscuous? Because if someone takes one of their lovers they still have others." He chuckled heartily while she cracked a grin.
Pulling her hood back on for her and draping his arm on her shoulder again, he asked her what hobbies she liked. "I like...liked to help cookie with the food," she sighed before continuing on, "and sometimes with her permission I'd make a small sample of a new dish and invite anyone in the kitchen to try it."
She scrunched up her face as she thought of her failures, but then relaxed and had a small smile on her lips as she also saw her successes and the joy and wonder it brought to her friends.
Seeing her smile like that made Bydern proud of himself, and he asked her could she make up a meal for him and his crew, trying to persuade her for it.
"Well... I don't know. I've got a lot to do," she sarcastically remarked, "and cooking on a ship's like the lord of white harbour going for a stroll, all shifting and rolling." She chuckled merrily, seeing Bydern laugh as well and shaking slightly from the humor.
"Ok. I'll make something for all of you," she relented, a devious smile crossed her face for a second before looking back up to him in an inquisitive manner. "What do you do besides pillaging and plundering? I mean surely you're not a workaholic like Varys?
"Hmm... I like big butts and I cannot lie." Bydern chuckled, seeing the confusion Darnella displayed. "Just fooling with you. I like to have a game of axes and just drink and have fun. I'm an avid book reader."
"My favourites being historical sagas and iron islands ledger, a monthly book on adventures, editorial pieces, illustrations from would be artists from all over... you guessed it the islands."
They kept on chatting like this along the way, with laughter in between as jokes were fired. And soon they arrived at the harbor, six large ships occupying the docks as well as other smaller craft.
"That ship is mine." Bydern explained, pointing out the vessel with his hand. A strong looking vessel (built like a frigate), agile and well looked after upfront. Three gunports and cannons were divided between the gundeck on each side, evenly distributing weight and recoil force. With two masts with crosstrees divided thrice throughout and covered in square sails, she was a fast ship. A lanteen sail flying above a big axe figurehead completed her.
"This is Sea Splitter," Bydern says proudly, "she's been with me for 4 years now. We've been through many adventures together and I make sure to take care of her." He's eyes showing a fondness for the ship.
"But anyway I'll settle you in and inform the crew that you're not to be disturbed and post guards for you." He says, a thoughtful look on his face. Walking up and on they see the main deck of the ship, things slightly haphazard but otherwise it looked good.
Going down the hatch, the corridors were dark and musty in contrast to the fresh air and sunlight outside. Seeing many doors, with Bydern explaining their purpose or who was currently using them, they explored the galley, crew sleeping quarters, gundeck with the accompanying cannons and the supply room.
They arrived close to the back of the ship (from what Bydern said). And going to one of the last doors, he opened it with a flourish,and said, "this will be your room for the rest of the voyage." Looking inside, Darnella could see that it was larger than most of the officer cabins but that was all that was different.
It had the same wooden sea chest, plain wardrobe, a hammock hanging on the left, with a couple of wooden buckets covered in tar and no windows or portholes. The only light, a glass jar with a metal handle at the top was filled with glowing seaweed, illuminating the room brightly.
I'll have to ask Bydern how it can glow so strongly, Darnella thought silently, her eyes hypnotised by the sight.
Startled when Bydern shook her gently on the shoulder, he said, voice slightly tinged with worry, "you don't want to be staring at that too long. It can take your attention away and before you know it a whole day has passed or more."
Bydern informed, a rueful look cast on him. "I had the same thing happen to me a few times, just don't stare directly at it. After a few times you'll know what to do, unless you're drunk or daydreaming that is."
"Now I know you must be tired but I have one more room to show you. It's this way." Taking her hand, he guided her to the last door of the corridor that was different from the others. On it was a wooden carving of a kraken and numerous smaller squids wrapping around and swarming a ship.
It's beautiful, Darnella thought, speechless, moving her hand to trace one of the designs. It was very exquisite with even the smallest attention to detail done rightly. "This is my room." Bydern spoke proudly. "If you need anything my door's open, unless I'm in a meeting or other stuff like that."
Saying that, he opened the door and allowed her to walk through. Looking around the room, it was kind of a let down after seeing the door. It was the largest room she'd seen on the ship, but half of it was taken over by a plain long table in front of her with the accompanying chairs neatly arranged throughout.
There were some framed old maps and hand drawings hanging on the walls but that was all the color the room had. The same hammock, chest, wardrobe and other basics of the rooms were there, occupying the left side.
"So what do you think?" he asked, with a slightly nervous look and softly fidgeting hands by his side.
"It's nice, from what I've seen it'd make any old lord proud." She replied cheekily, a grin growing on her lips.
Looking mockingly irritated, Bydern spoke in an old man's voice, "I'll have you know I'm 29 sonny and just don't want to clutter my life with meaningless drivel."
They both chuckled at that. The impression was so uncanny. After a while he casually said.
"Now I'll leave you to your rest and see about marshalling and informing the crew and handling the business side of plundering. And I haven't forgotten about washing. I'll be more irresistible to you than I already am." Bydern jokingly says, giving her a wink as he makes his way out.
Rolling her eyes with a smile on her lips, she closed the door behind her and walked to her room, once inside she tried getting on the hammock but fell over.
With an irritated look clouding her face, she thought wrathfully, curse you Bydern for not showing me how to get in. She could imagine him chuckling at her expense for leaving those details out.
After a few tries she finally got the hang of it and climbed in, the gentle rocking of the ship and sound of the waves lightly hitting the hull drifting her off to sleep.
A/N: Just to let you all know, new chapters will now be posted once a week or earlier if lucky. Cheers all