The Ambition of the Dreadlord Raveres
Part V: The Hanil Khar
Episode Thirty-One
There was no man aboard Raveres' ship who was without fear.
From Kohler to Yurin, from the men in the crows' nest above to the slaves in the hold below; everyone spoke in hushed voices as the northern continent of the new world came into view.
Once they had finally come along the cold, rocky, and mist wreathed eastern cost of Naggaroth a strange uneasiness had fallen upon the crew.
Making their way closer along the rocky isthmus' and through the narrow passages of countless islands the name of Raveres' home province was well earned…
The Broken Lands were just that, a seemingly shattered coastline of inlets, and craggy waterways. On either side one was greeted by high trees and foreboding, untouched wilderness above grey cliffs of hard granite.
Approaching from the south with the mainland to the larboard and Bittercleft to starboard, the ship started passing black sailed Druchii raiding ships with increasing frequency. Their crews eyed the vessel with interest but each ignored it, intent instead with heading towards nearby Ulthuan or farther south to the gold-rich colonies of Lustria.
Eventually they began approaching a bustling port, and the crew began letting out breaths of relief.
Hulking ships and wide raiding arks laden with vicious crews could be seen but as it turned out, it was not their destination. What they saw was Slaver's Point, and despite its' name it was not the place where you sold your stock. Instead it was where some of the most infamous ravers' crews wintered many of their ships.
The impressive battleships dwarfed their craft, and the many unique pennants blowing in the breeze made their ship appear underdressed by comparison.
But then, after a few more leagues of sailing they finally came to it…
Sharply jutting out from the natural coastline was a great citadel of dark grey stone. It's towers and spires soaring impressively upwards into the sky, defiantly echoing and mirroring the architecture of Ulthuan and of old Nagarythe.
But before the ship could enter the anchorage it had to pass Karond Kar's infamous and terrifying breakwater.
Miles long, and built of stone quarried from around the island's nearby mountains, the sides of the breakwater had been carved into the shapes of slaves, Humans, Asur, Dwarves, and other strange beasts connected by chains. This team of countless statues appeared as if they were holding the blocks of the breakwater up, while the ocean waves lapped at them.
Raveres explained that the relief sculptures were known as the Nheira Vor 'the Great Lament'.
The lords of Karond Kar had paid exorbitant sums to the best sculptors of Naggaroth to craft the artwork; resulting in a horrifying depiction of the servitude new slaves coming into the harbour should expect, and an archetypical example of Druchii humour.
Rounding the end of the impressive breakwater they finally arrived, earlier than Raveres had hoped for her journey, but at the same time as many other Hakseer crews. The raiding season was nearing its end; the harbour had become a crowded mess of black oak masts, dark hulls, and thousands of cables of rigging. From a distance it appeared like it was like a daunting, maddened puzzle.
Standing at the forecastle, Raveres hid her nervousness behind an icy scowl.
Privately she was endeavouring to assure herself, but her mind raced with envy and worry as she looked from ship to ship, noticing their sizes, and the number of men moving about their rigging and along the docks.
'Do not fear, you will be fine, you will succeed… There are countless fledging nobles in this harbour, and many of them are just finished their Hakseer too. You, are, fine. You've done right…'
Before a ship was allowed entry into the harbour, they were due an inspection from the private navy of Karond Kar itself. Having a purely human, mercenary crew, Raveres did not want to be seen as a prize or an idiot to be taken advantage of. Despite her circumstances, and how it looked, she was of noble blood and would not suffer any further indignation!
She nodded to herself, a confidence and arrogance now building in her chest.
The men who were to come aboard did so to ensure shipments of slaves weren't laden with disease or any sickness which might spread in the markets. It was also known that they exacted a toll on those wishing entry. And though a lamentable necessity, Raveres was determined not to be shaken down as if she were still wet behind the ears.
With her armour polished and clean, her sword at her side, her hair high in a ponytail, and dark battle paint on her face, she hoped that she'd cut enough of an imposing figure for her treasures to go unmolested.
…
Now that they were at the mouth of the harbour Raveres nodded to Kohler and they struck their sails, spilling the wind from them and beginning to slow. To her left stood Yurin, both his swords at his hips, and his Arabyan style cuirass and dress making him quite odd in comparison to the Captain.
Kohler was wearing a leather kheitan-style cuirass, and a thick sailing cloak. For arms, the captain had a long cutlass on one hip, a bandolier of small black-powder charges across his chest, and a small powder-pistol on his other hip.
However, now seeing the whole of the massive Druchii harbour, Kohler's eyes widened and he cleared his throat, admitting rather insecurely, "That's a lot of ships."
Raveres nodded, her voice lowering, "It is indeed."
Looking at Kohler and Yurin she explained, "As we drift closer, we will be boarded. Let me do the talking, and tell the men to be silent."
He nodded and let out a low grunt.
"Yuri, make ready a bribe, and ensure my cabin, and the ships storeroom, are locked. They can inspect the hold and the cargo, but not the coin or my slaves. Understood?"
"Aye." the retainer then nodded curtly before he darted towards the stairs below.
Stepping closer, Kohler folded his arms.
Ahead of them a ship was already turning to approach, its colours were streaming high above, and it bore two banners; one was a wing'd, crimson-haired, daemoness upon a green field and the other, a dragon entwined about dark spire.
Raising a brow and looking to her side Raveres joked, "You're quite close to becoming a rich and independent man, Captain."
He slowly nodded, before chuckling, "Oh aye, if I can leave these shores alive of course."
Raveres sniggered and stepped away from the forecastle as the Druchii ship got closer.
Within minutes the Tower ship was alongside them and the eyes of many dour Druchii sailors were scrutinising their vessel. Cutting in front of them before slowing, a voice barked across the spans between them,
"Drop anchor and prepare to be boarded, in the name of the lords of the tower and Drachau of Karond Kar!"
Some of the Human crew shuddered and stiffened at the aggressive, alien Druhir, but Raveres spoke to Kohler and he relayed the order to the men. While they dropped anchor, the inspecting ship launched a longboat which was rapidly making its way towards them.
"Here we go." Raveres mumbled.
Kohler drew a breath and she turned towards him, "Act like you're unhinged, when they board eye them like you're a bit mad. I think it'll play into my favour."
The man tilted his head but nodded, "If you say so…"
Standing a few feet from where her fellow Druchii would climb up, Raveres began to feel her guts turn and roll over in anxious pain. Until finally, the first of the men's heads popped up over the edge of the ship and clambered aboard.
A dozen, armed and armoured guards had come over before their leader finally came up. The whole time Kohler and his crew were stiffly eyeing the Druchii, feeling the weight of their stern and confused gaze.
Most of the men had full helms, or half-helms, their mouths covered with wool, or thick cloth scarves, but the armour on their chest was uniform; dark green steel with either the symbol of Karond Kar or the Drachau worked into the plate.
The actual inspector was similarly dressed in the same sea-green plate, but he had neglected a helmet, instead his features were plainly visible and Raveres bowed her head towards him before speaking,
"Good fortunes today my lord?"
The Druchii narrowed his eyes at her before looking from man to man of her crew. When he did speak his voice was hard, and abrasive to the ear, guttural and indicative of a lifetime among the docks and seas.
"I am Ghent Darkblade, a representative of and inspector for the Drachau of Karond Kar. Who is the captain of this vessel?"
Raveres' mouth dried and her body almost physically reacted to his spiteful question, for all the time she'd spent separated from her fellow Druchii, her first 'reunion' with one was to be an insult? Then she caught her breath and bit her tongue, realising venomously, 'Darkblade? Some ill born bastard disrespects me in such a fashion!?'
Straightening, and supressing the bile in her throat Raveres reluctantly bowed again at the neck before speaking,
"I am Raveres Morthai of house Naguii, I hail from Blacklight Tower. This, is my vessel."
The man nodded and stepped forwards, making no effort to hide his gaze as he sized her up. Eventually grunting he puffed his chest and stiffened before asking,
"What brings you to the port of the 'Kar?"
Looking upwards at the intimidating and experienced Druchii, Raveres aptly reminded herself, 'Even if he's a jumped up low-born, he's the barrier to my entry, and one of my last hurdles.'
Without any sarcastic inflection, or unevenness to her voice, she responded plainly,
"I seek to complete my Hakseer. I've a hold full of slaves and goods to sell. And as our custom dictates, I submit my cargo to your inspection."
He nodded, "You sailed when?"
Raveres took a casual breath, "I set out at the beginning of the season from Blacklight Tower."
The man's brow tightened and he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Your Hakseer huh?"
She nodded.
"I was under the impression that little nobles sailed under a more seasoned captain during their Hakseer? And yet here you are…"
He indicated Kohler and the overwhelmingly Human crew,
"A rather lonely Druchii. On a ship bearing no Naggarothi banner." He chuckled, and looked upwards at the multicoloured pennants streaming above the masts. "None that I know of at least."
Raveres swallowed and her voice struggled while her mind raced, 'Well there goes discretion…'
Her hesitation to respond made the man clear his throat impatiently, "Lady Naguii, I've many more ships to see, and far more work to do, so, before you speak, do not stall me."
A few of the guards chuckled as they stood stiffly, their hands on their weapons.
Feeling the sting of shame, Raveres thought quickly, 'You will not bend to this man… Nor to any guard dog!'
Nodding the she-elf visually shifted, "Alright, inspector. I originally sailed alongside Captain Dorath Yhav'ren, also of Blacklight Tower, aboard the ship, Witches Wail."
Ghent blinked and his face betrayed slight surprise before he moved uncomfortably, "Dorath?"
Raveres nodded, "Aye, you knew him?"
"I…" Ghent paused, his voice becoming sterner, "What's become of him and the Witches Wail? This, this is not that ship."
Raveres curtly responded, her voice betraying her dislike of the conversation's shift in tone, "We were attacked and Dorath slain. His failures saw that I was left for dead. This ship and this crew are my own, and have been employed as an unavoidable necessity."
Barely allowing Ghent time to process Raveres sternly repeated herself, "I have come to see my Hakseer finished."
The man's face contorted at her advance, and showed his displeasure both at the knowledge of Dorath's passing, as well as Raveres' defiance. But the she-elf pressed on, giving no quarter, and showing Ghent her mettle,
"Lamentable as Dorath's death was, were he a better fighter he would have lived; his crew would not be dining with Mathlaan, and I would not have been saddled with a ship of fortune and mercenaries for company."
As if on cue Kohler stiffened, puffing his chest and rubbing his hand along his hip nearer his pistol. One of the guards sniggered nervously and Ghent turned to silence him with a glare. Pressing further Raveres nodded, 'Now to put him in his place…'
"Now, Darkblade, I would like entry to the city, as I have returned with slaves to sell and a hold laden with exotic spoils."
Having not-so-subtly reminded the inspector of his low-born status, Raveres risked a smirk and tempted fate as greatly as she dared.
"At your pleasure, shall we proceed?"
Cocking an eyebrow and folding her arms Raveres stood boldly before Ghent. A moment passed and he hesitated, eyeing Kohler with wariness. Then his voice took on the professionalism of a clerk as he asked,
"How many head do you bear, and what kind of spoils?"
Privately Raveres wanted to screech and cackle, so far it seemed that she'd beaten him.
"Too many to bring above deck inspector. This way, if you please."
Delving to the lower decks, and leading Ghent and three of his men towards the hold, seeing Yurin to the side of the hall as they descended, Raveres quietly whispered for the retainer to follow them. Then she showed the guardsmen to where the slaves were quartered and the cargo stored.
Quickly Ghent and one of his men looked over her Arabyan flesh for any sign of obvious sickness while the other men in his party examined and opened several of the crates and barrels, scrutinising and becoming disinterested at the bolts of silk, spices, and dried foods.
When Ghent was satisfied, they all moved out of the ships hold,
"I see no rotten ones among them, and many of them seem healthy and strong, despite the voyage. As well there's nothing resembling contraband onboard…" he smirked, "Surely, the gods have blessed you Lady Naguii."
Raveres' hubris felt adequately stoked and she suppressed a girlish chuckle, so pleased, she even ignored the fact he called her by her mother's title, only dryly replying to him, "Thank you."
"How many slaves did you lose on the journey back?"
Raveres felt a sudden jab as she remembered Arathar's fall. Her chest tightened and she immediately felt brought down from her previously pleasant 'high' of attention and success. Blinking she turned to Yurin, and he whispered the answer as good servant was expected to.
"Twenty three, from the original number."
'Including my personal slave…' she wanted to add.
Ghent nodded, surprised, "So few? That's very fortunate! I can safely say you'll be able to command a high price for many of them."
Once they were stepping along the middle deck, under the hatches to the surface, Ghent stopped and turned towards Raveres, with a smirk he asked, "Now my lady. Despite your intentions to follow the law, who do you think is allowed to enter the 'Kar?"
She raised a brow and wittily responded, "Those who are allowed to. Or, to be more accurate, those you allow to."
The man smiled wolfishly, "That's absolutely correct."
Raveres pre-empted Ghent's extortion and gestured to Yurin discretely. Then she spoke, confidently her voice rising femininely and assuring the attention of Ghent and his men.
"Seeing as this is my first visit to Karond Kar, and at the end of my Hakseer, I'd hate to attract the attention of Estreuth. So, I'm willing to be generous."
On cue Yurin presented a leather purse towards Ghent and his men. Holding the bottom and opening it's top, he showed it was full of Asur coins. Gold and silver bullion bearing the stern face of the Phoenix King glittered upwards. The sight elicited a quiet gasp from one of the Druchii guards and a content nod of approval from Ghent.
"That's very good of you my lady, and wise…"
One of the men took the bag from Yurin and pushed it into a pouch along his belt as Raveres explained, "Five coins per slave, as well as an added bonus to remember my name. I feel that's more than adequate?"
The guardsmen nodded appreciatively at the bribe, and Ghent chuckled. Then he stepped uncomfortably close towards her, flagrantly disregarding hithuan. Using his height to his advantage he imposed over Raveres, his voice lowering and condescending as he asked,
"Lady Naguii seeing as this is your first visit to the 'Kar… Perhaps you might like to visit my quarters? We could come to a more private arrangement if you'd like." he chuckled at her bemused expression. "Any time you'd need through the harbour, I'd see to it."
Yurin's eyes widened but he watched on wordlessly. Blinking and smirking Raveres motioned towards the stairs,
"Tempting, were you not a bastard, and were I stoned I might have even considered it."
Ghent's eyes widened, but then he laughed before backing up, his men chuckling too as he bowed, entertained and taken by surprise again at her reply, "A pleasure my lady, welcome to Karond Kar!"
Stepping towards the stairs and back above he barked to his men and they began climbing down the side. Turning back towards Raveres, Ghent pointed across the bay, "You may take the third jetty from the battleship."
Seeing where he indicated, Raveres waved Kohler over and told him he could set the ship to move again. As the crew set back into action, breathing a sigh of relief at the Druchii's departure, Yurin stepped towards his mistress' side.
Furrowing his brow, he lowered his voice and asked, "My lady?"
Watching Ghent and his men row back to their ship Raveres' lip curled into a snarl. Without taking her eyes off of the dingy, she whispered,
"Yuri… Make note of his name."
The retainer nodded slowly, "Aye milady."
Brushing past the shorter Human she waved towards the Captain, her voice rising, "Kohler! A word."
…
Once Raveres' ship was pulled alongside the dock, a few Druchii workmen stood and began yelling up the side of their ship, offering their services.
"Porting team! Twelve coppers!" Another yelled, "Eleven! Eleven for the fastest crew of the 'Kar!"
Raveres looked over the side and scrutinised the various teams, listening to their petitions, and quietly revelling in hearing Druhir spoken by common Druchii.
Seeing her over the rail the men's voices became emphatic as they yelled over one another.
"Ten! Ten, for the lady!" yet another group countered.
Raveres smirked, and pointed to the leader of the first group, "You! Twelve coppers are the same as one silver real. Why not say a silver then?"
The man looked up with a grin, shrugging, "Makes people in a hurry think they're spending less. By the time they've figured it out we've already unloaded their hold milady!"
The she-elf hid her entertainment before asking, "And how fast are you in dealing with flesh?"
The man shook his head, "Slaves aboard? Then you'll want one of the whipping teams."
Raveres waved Yurin over, sharing a few words before he disappeared below. "And how much will one of those run me?"
By now the other porting teams had left, searching the docks for other prospective customers, but the man Raveres was speaking with still seemed keen.
Covering his eyes for the sun he squinted as he looked up, "Depends milady. How many slaves have you aboard?"
"Over a hundred."
The man nodded and pursed his lips, "Well then, you'll need quite a few men. May even need one of them slavers from the auction house to come to you."
Yurin reappeared, out of breath, before handing Raveres another purse laden with coin. At her prompting the crew lowered a gangplank and she stepped down and towards the Druchii labourer. He blinked as she approached, and averted his gaze, stiffening respectfully at her obviously highborne appearance.
Despite his apprehension of the noble, he risked a question, "First time in Karond Kar milady?"
Raveres smirked once she was off the walkway, "Is it so obvious?"
The man laughed nervously.
He was a trim Druchii, tall with a slender frame and well-toned legs. And by sight, he was a peasant through and through. He had dark hair cut short and tucked behind his ears, dark blue eyes, and dirty features. His nose was crooked at the end from an improperly healed break, and his cheeks were reddish, dappled with soot or grime.
For clothing he had on a thin, cheap-looking tunic, underneath an old cloak. His trousers were covered in patches but his boots were purposeful and clean.
Raveres finished eyeing him up before giving him a reprieve from her gaze and the suspense. Reaching into the purse she threw him two silver coins,
"Get your men to unload my ship. You will come with me and show me who I'll need to talk to; the harbourmaster, slave drivers, and so on."
The man pocketed the Asur silver as soon as he caught it and nodded curtly, a proud and gleeful smile barely suppressed under his face, "Aye milady! You there, look sharp and get over here! Right this way milady if you'll follow."
Raveres chuckled to herself as he turned and led her down the dock.
With every step Raveres took her heart revolved through different emotions and thoughts, her anxieties evilly trying to overtake her and make her doubt. It also continued to startle her that she was actually in the city; she had made it to Karond Kar, and more than that she was actually on Naggarothi soil…
Fighting an innocent smile from coming out on her features she continued to cast a serious and intimidating glare as she followed the labourer.
Passing several other ships and crews Raveres quickly realised how busy and packed the city was going to be. It reminded her of Al Daouk, but the 'Kar was easily triple the size and nothing like Araby in aesthetic.
The streets were made of tight cobbles, and the buildings rose high on either side of the levels above the port's docks. All around men were yelling, slave drivers were directing trains of chained, wailing slaves; whips cracked and cranes groaned as cargo was moved both off of some ships and into others.
Seeing so many pale-faced, darkly dressed, fellow Druchii made Raveres realise just how much she'd missed being among her own kind. But at the same time, she wasn't so stupid and provincial as to not see them as more dangerous than her Human companions, especially now that she was in a true city of her people.
The danger of the darker streets of Blacklight Tower was almost nothing in comparison to the deep crags and alcoves of the more crypt-like, festering slums of the 'Kar.
A few sailors eyed her with ravenous smiles, the bolder among them whistled. And as she continued to strut along, following the labourer, Raveres couldn't help but feel a superficial boost to her ego, with ample warning attached.
Eventually the man she was following brought them in front of the city's official port office, it was the largest building overlooking the harbour. And by far the oldest, its blackened marble showed the history of riots and sieges, but its new glass windows and guarded doors was testament to the Druchii's resilience.
Several desks had been set up outside of the building, between the thick, imposing columns of its entrance where scribes took down information from the officers and captains of the ships just arrived or those who were preparing to leave.
Swallowing nervously before catching Raveres' attention the labourer grunted, "If ye just wait here milady, you can see one of the harbourmasters' people. I'll go find you a team of slave drivers." He chuckled before raising a brow, his voice bordering on cheek as he stated, "It's a pretty fee for good ones."
Smirking Raveres discretely withdrew two more coins and handed them off to him, "What's your name?"
The man nodded his head, "Loren, milady."
"Mhmm, off with you then."
He bowed sarcastically before speedily blending in with the crowd and melting from view.
Shaking her head Raveres looked back towards the docks and her ship. Squinting she began to chuckle as she watched Yurin speak to the Druchii workers as they boarded. Doubtless the poor bookish Human was shitting himself being so near to so many of her people.
…
Eventually passing through the harbourmaster's que Raveres was able to declare her arrival, her business and so on, finally receiving a slip of parchment bearing the seal of the city. The document which she earned, now showed that her business to the slave market was officially sanctioned by the high lords and Drachau of Karond Kar.
After passing out of the que, Raveres waited a few moments until the tall labourer Loren returned, with a team of cudgel and whip armed, brutish men in tow. The leader of the men happily introduced himself to Raveres as one Nael Kalin.
Nael had a shaved head, and scars aplenty. His meaty neck and thick body made him seem like a man who one: never saw an ale he didn't like, and two: never saw a fight he didn't want to be in.
Raveres instantly approved of Nael and his equally bruiser-looking men and the group of Druchii made their way back to her ship.
"Not to fret, we'll get them out in good form." Nael boasted, "It's a short walk to the market, but sometimes they get it in their heads to bolt. Some think it's good sport!" he shook his head and laughed. "My men have never lost a slave before; an' we aren't about to start today."
Raveres nodded appreciatively as they made it to the docks and the ship.
True to his word, Nael and his men corralled and began moving her slaves up from the hold and into teams on the dock. Taking the opportunity to order them and chain them together into loose categories according to build, fitness, and… attractiveness.
Watching the men work Raveres stood to the side of the gangplank with Yurin and Kohler. Periodically she'd look at either human for any indication of their thoughts. Kohler's face was mute, his expression unreadable as he watched on, and while Yurin was visibly shaken, he yet remained still, a quiet numbness coming over him.
Raveres couldn't help but smirk as she looked back as the skilled slavers worked.
After whipping a line of slow humans, Nael grunted as he approached his patroness.
"Market's pretty busy today milady. All them fledgin' Lordlings comin' back from overseas. But we'll get you and your stock there, no worries."
Raveres nodded, as if she'd done this before… But her lilac eyes remained on the Human slaves in front of her as Nael stepped towards her side. Then she decided to ask something which'd been bothering her,
"And if I'd like to employ you and your men further?"
Nael furrowed his brow, "How d'you mean milady?"
"I have a lot of business to see to today, and I'm in need of men." Her voice was matter-of-fact and devoid of sarcasm.
Subtly indicating the Human crew, she continued, "Men I can count on." She let out a laugh, "Druchii men."
Nael blinked and scoffed before looking towards the labourer Loren. The peasant merely smirked and the slave driver pursed his lips, "That might be arranged. What did you have in mind?"
After spending some more coin Raveres secured the services of fifty Druchii slave drivers and a team of twenty porters. Together with her Human crew they unloaded not only her trade goods from the ship, but also her personal effects, and the locked chests laden with Asur and pirate plunder. As time wore on, the quay which her ship was beside became covered in cargo, and men moving to and fro.
Then, as the vessel was nearly empty Rhea and Maya were allowed from Raveres' cabin and onto dry land.
Both of them blinked and marvelled at the high walls, and the soaring towers of the Druchii city. The smoke rising from the townhouses and the city's forges, made both women remark at the dark clouds rising up and over the walls to the west. Yet their marvel at the foreign city faltered, the cries and wails of slaves stole their attention and Rhea clung desperately to Maya.
The southlander obligingly stroked at her fellow Human and followed Yurin's directions down the gangplank and away from the Druchii labourers. Both had been dressed, at Raveres' orders, in subdued Arabyan silks.
When one was close enough it could be seen at a glance that they were not common slaves, but Raveres had hoped from a distance they weren't so ostentatious as to garner unwanted attention.
Seating the two women on one of Raveres' personal chests, Yurin stood beside them as a precaution, his hand on his belt and close to his sword. The women slaves had drawn some interested looks from several of the workers, just by virtue of being female, and pleasing to the eye, but the peasants knew enough to focus on their task at hand.
Eventually Loren and a few of his men left to find wagons to move the cargo from the dock, while Nael's men stood guard at the end of the quay.
All in all, Raveres couldn't help but watch on in satisfied amusement at how professional the process, and the event, really was…
When the last of her cargo was taken off Raveres finally turned to Kohler.
The man shook his head in astonishment as he looked over the volume of what was once aboard. Then, as the Druchii she-elf approached him he couldn't help but chuckle,
"Looks like you made it, huh?"
Raveres smirked and raised a brow before turning and gazing over the physical representation of all her personal wealth… Dangerously, and precariously, exposed; sitting on the docks of Karond Kar.
Lowly she remarked, "So I have…"
Then brusquely she turned back to Kohler, her voice rising as she straightened,
"Captain, I am a woman of my word. And, as per our agreement, I'm pleased to say, the ship is now yours."
Opening her left hand and indicating the moored vessel floating to their side, she tilted her head in a slight bow,
"In the great cabin you'll find a parting token of my appreciation."
Captain Kohler chuckled happily before extending his right hand towards Raveres.
"You're as mad as a daemon, and luckier than any man I've ever known."
Taking his hand and shaking it she smiled broadly at his praise, deciding to reply in kind, "You're a scummy sea-rat, but surely blessed by your heathen gods."
Kohler laughed as he let go of her gauntlet-covered fingers.
Stepping closer Yurin nodded towards his fellow man, offering his parting in their own language before the roguish captain nodded and exhaled,
"Be well then Lady Raveres." Nodding curtly, he added, "Yuri." Then he smirked.
Despite their initial rockiness, the Druchii had to admit she'd become somewhat fond of the man since they left Bretonnia. Without spite, or venom she remembered the other Humans who'd served her, and with a heavy breath she nodded,
"The same to you, captain."
Smiling broadly, he saluted and turned. Boarding the gangplank and barking an order to his men. Compelled by curiosity Raveres spoke up, "Where are you headed?"
Now aboard, Kohler leaned on the rail and pursed his lips comically, "Southward I think, take on more of a crew in the Imperial colonies. And then, wherever the sea takes us."
Smirking the Druchii watched as Kohler waved and began directing his men.
Yurin cleared his throat, "Now milady?"
Turning to her retainer she nodded, "Now? We go make a killing in the markets, and find somewhere to stow all this!" she laughed, "I think I'll need a vault at this rate…"
Yurin nodded, "Then, onwards to Blacklight?"
Looking to her side as the ship began casting off Raveres nodded disinterestedly.
"Yes, then on to Blacklight."
Nael stepped along the dock, and cleared his throat. "We best see these slaves sold milady. Any longer waiting and they're bound to get, animated." He chuckled.
Raveres nodded, "Right. Yuri, stay here and watch the rest of this until Loren returns with the carts. Then meet me in the market and we'll go from there."
Yuri swallowed nervously but nodded all the same.
Turning back to the slave driver, Raveres planted her left hand at her swords' hilt and smiled, "Lead the way."
…
Amidst the swelling ocean tides, the freezing, salty, water stabbed along Arathar's skin like a thousand, thousand knives. And once it found his yet, unclosed, wounds, it made him want to scream even harder.
But the initial shock of hitting the uneven ocean's surface had made him gasp and inhale so sharply that he couldn't actually process the breath before going under.
When he rolled off of the ship, he hadn't aimed his fall, and narrowly missed colliding with the beam of the broken foremast.
Instead, his left hand had landed into the water on top of one of the mast's sails, while the rest of his body fully submerged beneath the terrifyingly dark water.
His legs had no strength in them, and he was never a strong swimmer, so Arathar began to sink beneath the ceaseless waves. He was going to die, he knew this, sinking and drowning in the frigid embrace of Mathlaan. But he at least wanted to hold on to something physical, something that might keep his soul tethered to this world.
Despite his pain, he clutched onto the soaked sail-cloth as the waves splashed overhead and the churning currents of water spirited the broken mast farther away from the ship.
The cold sapped his mind's ability to think and instead he tried to ignore the lack of air, the ocean all around, and the stinging blindness of the water. There was no difference between his eyes closed or open anyway save for the burning of the salt…
He sought not to fight the slipping of his mind, and instead Arathar tried to welcome it,
'I am free… I am free… there are no Druchii to torture me, and nothing more to worry over.'
As the water continued to move and turn, he finally let go.
His left hand let the sail-cloth slip away and he swallowed a mouthful of water, fighting back an involuntary whimper as he gave himself unto death, his last focused thought being,
'Mother Isha, I am free.'
After falling unconscious expecting to die it's always a startling and somewhat surprising revelation to find that one hasn't…
Blinking his eyes Arathar was greeted by the sun high in the sky and the sensation of hands around him.
"He's breathing!" A voice cried, "He's breathing I say!"
Some men let out cheers, and a priest-like voice responded above them, "Blessings be!"
In stern reply another voice asked, "Well? Is he one of them?"
Arathar looked around weakly and saw he was in a dingy with several men, sailors in similar blue and white uniforms, while above was a sleek battleship, the rail lined by more of the uniformed men.
Then he realised, he understood them. They were Asur!
"I don't know my lord, but surely we can't leave him to drown?"
Croaking and forcing everything he had into his voice Arathar struggled to speak, "I… I'm from Ellyrion…"
The sailor holding him looked up, "Says he's an Ellyrian!"
Another man moved towards the rail of their ship and looked over into the boat, asking "What's his name?"
Arathar nodded and weakly whispered, "Arathar Ranûil."
"Does he bare any marks of chaos?"
"His back's been whipped to tatters, sir. But none that I can tell."
The man who was presumably the ships' captain stood stiffly until a cleric-looking man spoke at his side. Eventually the captain nodded, "Bring him aboard."
After being seen to by the ships' surgeon, Arathar was wrapped in sweet-smelling poultice'd bandages, and now he hung in a hammock, still in disbelief that he'd been delivered from the waters, and the Druchii, and even more stunned when he was told how he'd survived the storm…
Under the ship's deck he sat, surrounded by curious sailors as he was told the story,
"We were on our way back to Northwatch from patrol, when we saw your mast in the waters. Your body was wrapped up in the rigging and the sails, and through the turning tides you'd been forced up against the wooden beam."
Wordless, a sailor teased Arathar and made the other men chuckle, "The gods were watching over you!"
Dryly Arathar croaked weakly and sarcastically remarked, "They must be…"
Turning back to his small audience he struggled to ask, "How far are we from Northwatch?"
"About two days' worth of sailing." One sailor replied.
Another impatiently asked, "But, how did you come to be almost in the middle of the great ocean?"
The Asur sailors of varying age keenly leaned in, waiting for the answer to their great mystery since rescuing him.
"I was a prisoner."
Coughing Arathar hastily corrected, "A slave rather, of a Druchii…"
If it were possible the men were now more intrigued.
Snarling and feeling his chest tighten still in fear of her, he continued, "A foul Druchii witch who'd abducted me from Araby."
None of the sailors made a sound, save for a barrel-chested elf who asked, "What was her name?"
Arathar took a moment before finally responding, "Raveres…"
He looked up at the ceiling and felt a shiver crawl along his bandaged spine, "Raveres Naguii." He shivered and looked upwards, quiet.
The men were silent for several moments until finally, one man dared to ask,
"What happened?"
Looking back down Arathar blinked and swallowed, looking at the man for a long while before he began speaking.
…
Raising a brow Raveres scrutinised the sheets of parchment the slave auctioneer had given her.
Stealing back her attention he grunted and spoke, his voice still in the tone of a salesman, "Like I said, fine chattel!"
Rolling the bill of sale, and the auction cheque into tight tubes, Raveres tucked them down the neck of her cuirass and tunic to rest in the material of her brassier, nestled awkwardly, but safely, between her breasts, against her amulet of Khaine and the official warrant she'd received in the harbour.
The auctioneer smiled and nodded in approval at the motion. Those two documents being her only copies, were the only way she'd receive payment for the one hundred and twenty head of slaves.
Though she attempted to haggle, and she searched for the best buyer in the packed market, every man she talked to directed her, and her train of slaves, to another. This went on until finally she met an aged, silk-dressed, Druchii, who'd doubtlessly been tipped off by inspector Ghent, or one of the guardsmen, that she was selling a shipment purely of Human Arabyans and Southlanders.
Conveniently, he let Raveres know, that unless she wanted to try and sell the slaves in smaller groups, or individually, he was the only man in Karond Kar who'd buy her stock wholesale…
The resulting transaction gave over less than she knew the slaves could have been worth, but it was nowhere near the brutal fleecing which the 'Kar was known for.
'Or…' Raveres reluctantly began to think, 'I have been duped, but I'm so inexperienced I don't yet realise it!'
The more she thought about it the more uneasy and insecure she began to feel, until the silk-clad man grunted and took attention away from her thoughts.
Pointing to her chest the man continued to clear his throat as his guards began directing the slaves from Nael's custody and into iron-barred holding pens. His voice was low, and seemed genuine, but Raveres listened to him reservedly all the same,
"I'd recommend you see the bankers of Vol and Knot, they're nasty as all men are down the Coiner's street, but" he nodded, "They take kindly to young nobles and fledgling Dreadlords."
He smirked as Raveres tilted her head.
"My name and that bill is good at any bank in Karond Kar, but just for your own uses, I'd recommend them."
Raveres' lips moved in a forced smile, "Many thanks…"
Turning towards Nael she was about to speak to the man when the slaver spoke up again, "What else have you from Araby, Lady Naguii?"
Raveres looked back unable to stop herself from correcting, "My mother is Lady Naguii, I'm Lady Raveres."
He held up his hands defensively, "Meant no offence, milady."
Ignoring his apology Raveres continued, "I've trade goods mostly. Why?"
There was more snap to her voice and words than she intended and the man furrowed his brow as he smiled playfully.
"I'd be willing to take them off your hands too, should it fancy you."
Raveres turned him down without hesitation, "Thank you, sir. But I have another buyer in mind."
He nodded disappointedly, but wished her well.
As Raveres and her entourage left the market she could hear the man chuckling to himself at some private jest. Furrowing her brow, she continued walking, but the way the man looked at her as he laughed made her feel as if it was somehow at her expense.
Moving out of the masses crowding the market, Nael's men bellowed and cleared the way for Raveres as she stepped along with the slave driver asking him questions about the city.
"What do you know of Vol and Knot? Are they worth a visit then?"
Nael scoffed, "That bastard, and forgive me milady, but all the slavers are slippery eels, no doubt he has a deal with Vol and Knot that every transaction he sends them he gets some kind of return."
Raveres nodded and pursed her lips.
"You're better off choosing one on your own. But…" he chuckled and looked at the side at one of his men clearing the way, "You didn't hear it from me."
She nodded knowingly, 'Eyes and ears are all for sale it seems in this damned spiderweb of a city!'
Thinking of her brief brush with court drama in Araby she struggled to accurately imagine what awaited her at the Hanil Khar in the high halls of the Drachau's spire. Shaking off her worry she cleared her throat,
"Where then, is a good place for sell-swords? Professional, reliable. Unless of course you and yours would be interested?"
Nael nodded but scoffed, "There's no shortage of those in the 'Kar milady." He smiled, "But me and my men aren't up for any scraps involving swords, or anything else to do with mortal-danger."
He shook his head, "We move people and their slaves to and from the market. That's where our 'body-guarding' ends."
Raveres blinked and tried to suppress her disappointment, "I see."
"For good, skilled men, you can drop by the flesh house off the traders' quarter called the Mere-Witch. A few mercenaries hang about there, officers mostly."
Raveres smirked, "And if I want sober men?"
As they reached the street back to the harbour, Raveres heard and saw Yurin on the first of three horse drawn carts. Beside the retainer sat the peasant labourer, Loren, and behind them in the first cart were Maya and Rhea. The two other carts, laden with crates and chests, were driven by two of Loren's fellow labourers.
Waving and catching her attention Yurin called, "Lady Raveres!"
Nael chuckled as his men began walking back down the road and towards the port.
"For sober men I'd suggest the main magistrate building, or the street of steel; the forge works. Always prospective swordsmen around there. But with that, I bid you good day, and good luck milady."
Waving, Nael followed his men as Raveres stepped across the street and towards Yurin,
"Lady Raveres, glad we found you!"
The wide-eyed Human was looking all around with equal measures of wonder and terror and his voice betrayed his anxiousness. Beside him walking Druchii shot sneers and curses, notice he hadn't a slave collar.
Loren beamed a happy expression towards Raveres, glad that he could continue to be useful, and that for the rest of the day he'd have a well-paying client.
"You." She pointed at the peasant. "Where would you go for a company of sell-swords?"
Without skipping a beat, the man responded, "Magistrate's building usually has a couple mercenaries hanging about. How many do you need?"
Raveres smiled baring her teeth, "Yuri, get in the back."
The retainer nodded as he moved into the cart-bed. Indicating Loren again she nodded, "You'll take us there."
Climbing onto the driver's seat she added, "I'm sure you can imagine what lies in store the more you help me, yes?"
Once she was seated Loren snapped the reins and chuckled in response, risking cheek as he replied, "I haven't the foggiest my lady."
Moving ahead and out of the slave-trading quarter Raveres began to realise just how labyrinthian Karond Kar's winding streets were.
The she-elf spent much time getting confused as she allowed the peasant Loren to lead her train of carts towards the magistrate's.
For a moment she feared that the workman had brought her to some kind of trap, but the narrow sides of the street and buildings eventually opened towards a square in front of an imposing and spired building.
Outside on the building's steps were loose, gangs, of armed and armoured men.
Indicating the multitude of mercenaries Loren chuckled, "You may have your pick of the litter milady!"
With a smirk she looked over the men, eyeing each group of mean, scarred, and hardened veterans, somewhat at an excited loss as to who to approach first. Dismounting Raveres adjusted her sword at her side stepped towards the raised veranda.
Some men eyed her predatorily, others deliberately ignored her. One gruff, tall, bruiser of a man, warned her off spitefully, "Keep walking girl."
Narrowing her brow, she eyed him resentfully and strode along, undeterred.
Eventually she saw an officer she was interested by.
He was standing by one of the building's columns, talking to his fellows, and it took a moment before he noticed that she was looking at him.
Wearing a middling-quality half a suit of plate, consisting of just a cuirass, faulds, and arm guards, below which he had on thin trousers, brown leather riding boots, and two swords on his right hip.
His hair was chin-length pushed back behind his shapely ears; the colour of his locks looked like a bluish-black in the sunlight. Once he turned Raveres saw his intense eyes and his, formerly attractive, face.
The mercenary's irises were a light, almost pink, shade of amaranth, and his handsome, once-symmetrical face had been ruined by either a duelling scar, or an unfortunate slashing, leaving a long smirk or sneer-like wound from the left side of his lips up to his cheek.
After seeing Raveres, he had leant away from the column and raised an eyebrow in interest as the she-elf waved him down the steps.
Wordlessly he looked to his fellows, now cocking his eyebrow mischievously, before he obligingly stepped down the marble and approached.
"How might I help you milady?"
Swallowing, Raveres noticed that as he approached, she was wrong about his scar having made him unattractive.
He was still gorgeous, despite it, and as she looked at him the few loose, renegade, strands of his hair bouncing on his forehead reminded her of many a teenage year lusting after guardsmen drilling in the summer sun.
"I…" Raveres quickly cleared her throat, hoping he'd not notice her pause, "require men. Sell-swords to act as both a retinue and bodyguard."
His brow rose in slight surprise but his voice showed no intention to be patronising, "Very well, uh, how many swords did you need?"
Raveres felt her heart thump harder as she looked down his jaw and chin towards his neck, surreptitiously eyeing the lines of his veins and the bulge of his Adam's apple.
"Thirty or so…" she laughed, "I'd like to make an impression."
He smirked, forcing the expression on his right side to appear more natural.
"Just arrived huh?"
Raveres nodded, "I am."
Titling his head at the neck and bowing lightly he greeted her more formally, "I'm Lieutenant Salis Raineth."
Supressing a smile, Raveres introduced herself, her voice lending itself a sliver of playfulness, "Lady Raveres of the Naguii, what's your company, Salis?"
He adjusted his stance at her formal, highborne name, his right hand moved away from his hilt, and he stiffened somewhat, now knowing she'd be scrutinising everything about him.
"I'm an officer of the Band of the Wolf, my lady."
She nodded, "How many men have you?"
He swallowed and stepped closer, just at the edge of what would be acceptable distance to a noble. Raveres noticed the bold gesture, but made no indication of it. Salis then straightened and his chest puffed. He appeared almost bird-like as he spoke,
"We've over ten thousand men total. Most of our company is still on campaign yet, assisting with raids and noble's Hakseer." he sniggered and cocked a brow, "But there's more than enough in the 'Kar to satisfy your needs, milady."
Raveres nodded seriously, "Of course."
Then Salis' expression shifted, scoffing under his breath in acknowledgment at the unintentional entrendre and innuendo. After a beat Raveres realised too, nearly laughing she darted her eyes away and waved Yurin over as she asked,
"What would it run me, for you and say, thirty, of your better men?"
Salis grunted, clearing his throat and nervously laughing at himself before turning to business, "For myself and thirty good swordsmen, starting today? We're paid by the day depending on his personal grade, after an upfront fee of course. Just so we're clear, the additional salary is per man, per day, per assignment."
The way he said assignment indicated that their services extended beyond mere guarding. Raveres turned back to the mercenary and nodded as Yurin approached. Smiling and raising a brow the she-elf chuckled, but her eyes appeared slightly disinterested,
"Sounds reasonable to me."
The mercenary momentarily looked away from Raveres and towards the retainer, realising just how much of a noble she really was. Of course, she wasn't about to concern herself with haggling; splitting the price of silvers and coppers with a sell-sword was below a noble. And even further from a noble lady's considerations.
As Yurin came to Raveres' side he adjusted his swords somewhat awkwardly as Salis looked him over.
The shorter, strangely dressed Human nodded his head and swallowed before he finally spoke up, "King's blessings. I am Yurin, Seneschal to Lady Raveres. We are talking price, yes?"
Salis blinked a moment at the Human's stilted, fanciful accent.
Supressing his disgust, he entertained himself with the quick thought 'She's the kind of highborne I could have easily robbed blind, ha!'
Looking from the Human to the she-elf Salis nodded his head slightly, "Of course,"
Raveres took a breath and looked around casually while her retainer and the mercenary discussed the finer details of contracting him, and his men.
But eventually, Yurin struck a bargain and Salis waved over his fellows which had remained, watching on by the column. The officer sent his fellow mercenaries off to summon Raveres' small detail of bodyguards.
Within the hour the sell-swords arrived and accompanied her as she went about the business she had in the city.
Salis walked closely beside Raveres' cart, occasionally issuing an order to his men as they moved along.
The peasants on the street parted, traffic abated, shop clerks glanced through their storefronts, and citizens peered from their open windows as Raveres proudly moved from place to place.
She couldn't help but smile every now and then.
Her chest swelled under her armour, and her thoughts boomed louder and louder as she congratulated herself. Her plate could have been gilded and bejewelled and her thirty men may as well be three hundred for how ecstatic she felt.
Stepping along the Street of Coin she surveyed the bank fronts of the various vaults, lenders, and creditors to choose from, getting information from both the peasant Loren as well as the Lieutenant Salis about each one.
At least as much hearsay and street knowledge as two lowborn Druchii could dispense.
Eventually Raveres chose one and opened an account, depositing many of her chests of treasure into a vault, changing several chests of pure coin into credit to her name, and also cashing the note she'd received in the slave market.
The clerks and the higher-level secretary of the bank met with her and lavished all the soothing praise their tongues could muster at Raveres' decision to have given them her business.
By now she was practically beaming, unable to hide her joy.
Every fault, every error, mistake, scar, and loss seemed, at that moment, worth it. Sacrifices and prices paid on the altar, to all the gods of fortune, to give heed to her designs.
The clerks and secretary fawned at her side as she prepared to leave the building. With a purse in her left fist, she paid the labourer Loren and his men yet more coin. Saluting her, the team of porters cheered her name before hooting and riding the now empty carts down the street, acting as criers for Raveres' burgeoning eminence.
Beside her the bearded, aged secretary of the bank asked her, his voice quivering with submission, "Is there anything more you'd wish of us this day, Lady Raveres? We'd be happy to oblige you anything, anything at all!"
She smirked and thought for a moment, "Yes actually."
Then, turning and relaxing in a way indicative of her mood, she mused, "What's a good place to stay? And, if possible, I'd like you to deliver a letter to my family in Blacklight Tower."
Yurin furrowed his brow, Maya and Rhea too, looking at their mistress but remaining quiet and demure, the mercenary Salis wordlessly listened on, an eyebrow minutely raised in interest.
Raising his voice, and doing his best not to seem impertinent, Yurin asked, genuinely surprised, "We're not chartering our way to your home?"
Raveres shrugged, "Why bother? The raiding season is at its end, surely the Hanil Khar will be held soon. I may as well wait the short while here, on my own, before going home and suffering my parent's attention and my sibling's chastisement."
She laughed and looked to the secretary, his smile broadened and he bowed deeply, "I'd happily assist you my lady!"
…