From the deck of the ship, Bey Javindar eyed his trunks and luggage carefully. The small army of porters wobbled under their weight as they walked precariously up the plank to the War Kaylon, Gold Eagle.
"Every dent on my belongings shall be repaid by a taste of my cane," threatened Javindar to no one in particular, as he tapped his ornate bronze cudgel. It was an empty threat of course, the Bey did not believe in the disbursement of physical punishment but he knew the value of a threat, especially against those of the lower castes.
"Your troops and servants are on board and your provisions and accoutrements are almost loaded oh mighty Bey," interrupted Nahbob with a high broken voice. Javindar's newest page was a thin browned skinned boy that waved about his arms in his ill fitting pale blue clothes.
"Yes, yes," waved Javindar dismissively. " We'll be off to the barbarian lands soon enough. We just have to wait on the holy Mahadevi's uncouth servant, that ugly giraffe woman mercenary. It wouldn't surprise me if such a slothful woman was late, or more likely arrived at the wrong docks. Though it shouldn't surprise me, I doubt such a beast is capable of reading. "
"We are ahead of schedule my lord, perhaps Lady Sampada's servant…errr….." Nahbob paused as Javindar leveled him a cold stare. "…err I mean Lady Sumpada's servant shall still arrive on time.
Javindar nodded. Though he had only met the Mistress of the Holy temple on a few occasions, he demanded his staff and servants refer to her as Sumpada not Sampada as a show of his affection to her.
As Javindar considered waving his cane to remind Nahbob of the proper naming conventions, the Bey stopped and smiled as his hawk like eyes spotted Prince Lalit in his dashing white silks pushing his way through the crowded docks. His spirit was bolstered as he considered the possibility that perhaps he wouldn't have to suffer dealing with Sumpada's servant but instead dealt with a personage more his equal. His hopes were quickly dashed though as the Bey saw the Giraffe woman step into view, her tall profile obscured by the fact she was dressed as a common mercenary wearing leather and chain, carrying a spear and a large ruck sack. Javindar watched as the two paused and talked for a bit, before ,to his horror, they exchanged a hug.
Bey Javindar's jaw dropped. While he always admired Prince Lalit, his scholarly and military exploits were legend in Vinnraj, he could not believe the prince would show such public affection to a woman at least two castes below him. Did Sumpada know of this discretion? Would she approve of such a vulgar display between her brother and her servant?
Javindar sighed and shook his head. May the thousand gods give him patience. Though he was loathe to admit, there were certain members of the esteemed Royal Caste that believed members of different castes should mix ..romantically…, Javindar was a purist. Castes should not cross, save for exceptional moments when one of a lower ranking social strata proves themselves either financially, heroically or artistically. Javindar was not that closed minded to not value the merits of a great poet, or a brave soldier, but he highly doubt that tall giraffe woman had anything to offer save as a look out if there was a lack of watch towers available.
As the Bey fumed at Prince Lalit's vulgar public display, the giraffe woman stopped and pointed at the Gold Eagle, and began marching directly at the war ship, pushing people aside in her haste like some angry water buffalo. Javindar smirked, no doubt she was impressed by this great sailing galley and wanted her own berth. He would relish turning down her request and telling her she would have to settle sleep with the other men at arms. Maybe he would have Nahbob tell her, just to hammer the differences between them.
"What the hell is this!" shouted Giraffe woman as she gesticulated wildly at the Golden Eagle as the last of Javindar's luggage was being loaded.
Bey Javindar looked down at her from the deck and deemed it unnecessary to speak with her, instead he simply elbowed Nahbob and nodded.
"The Bey shall be traveling to the barbaric lands of Grom in a manner fitting his station. Those trunks and bags carry the Bey's personal effects," shouted Nahbob.
"Personal effects?" shouted Giraffe woman as Prince Lalit finally caught up.
Nahbob nodded as Giraffe woman bullied her way past the porters and nimbly ascended the plank. "Aye, his travelling wardrobe of course, musical instruments, silks and pillows to keep him refreshed, various cordials and ports to keep him amused during long nights, his favorite poetry texts, a croquet set …."
"What part of 'discrete' mission did you not understand?" she hissed, as she pushed back Nahbob and dared to glare at Javindar with her piercing green eyes.
"As an ambassador for all of Vinnraj and as the Bey of Ghata, I am expected to travel to the barbarian kingdoms with certain comforts," replied Javindar with a smirk. "Less, the foreigners think less of our great people."
"Ambassador? " asked the Giraffe woman before her voice dropped low. "We aren't on a diplomatic mission. We're going to Grom, find a certain Demon Hunter and the Black Scroll he may or may not have, and then return back to Vinnraj before the next eclipse. Nice, quiet, and simple. We don't need the whole world to know. The Asuras' claws extend well beyond the jungle. We're dealing with their servants, chief amongst them the Rakshasas. Shapeshifters. The more people that know about your very publicized journey the more likely they'll try to counter your every move. "
"Hah! So that's it! " laughed Javindar. "You are afraid of our enemies. Well the men of Ghata fear not the demons of the Jungle. It is they that fear us. Let them tremble where heroes tread. "
"Hero, you mean fool…"
That was it for Javindar. He considered himself a tolerant man, but this lowly mercenary had crossed the line. He puffed up his chest and took a step towards her with cane in hand. Instead of backing down, the foolish Giraffe woman stood her ground, flaunting her ridiculous height as she stared down at him. Javindar gripped his cane, and was about to put her in her place when Prince Lalit slid between them, separating them with his hand.
"Calm down everyone, this is just a case of miscommunication, that's all," pleaded the Prince. "Sampada's…err bodyguard…was under the impression that this was a low key affair, while Bey Javindar here readied his ship in standard Vinnraji style. There's no need for things to get ugly. We can work something out."
Bey Javindar looked at the Prince, there was no need to antagonize his future brother in law. He bowed slightly towards Lalit, making certain not to extend the courtesy to Giraffe woman. He would suffer her presence with noble dignity.
"I apologize for my outburst. I am open to suggestions once Giraffe woman here settles down in a civilized manner," said Javindar calming his voice.
Giraffe woman rolled her eyes towards Javindar. Instead of graciously accepting his concession and apologizing, the woman simply shook her head and turned to the Prince. " Did you hear what he just called me? I told you this was a dumb idea Lally. I'll do this myself. I'll see you in six months, hopefully sooner," she said before she turned around, jumped over the deck, and landed catlike on the dock below.
Javindar was impressed at her agility. He half expected her long ungainly legs to trip up, sending her plunging into the ocean, or comically losing her footing and landing face first on the dock. Instead, she rose up, turned, waved at Lalit, before making her way to some smaller nearby boats.
"Good riddance," snorted Javindar. While he was sure that his precious Sumpada would disapprove of his handling of her servant, he was sure she would take his side. Obviously this outburst was the result of her lack of discipline amongst her retinue. He was sure after proper guidance, Sumpada would be the first to rap that uncouth hellion over the head with a cane.
"Come back," shouted Lalit feebly as he waved at Giraffe woman. Giraffe woman ignored him as she negotiated with what looked like a long sea barge, before she shook hands with the captain, and threw her sack aboard. She then hopped onto the boat and waved at the Prince as it made preparations to set sail. The Prince however became suddenly preoccupied. He oddly began patting down his body seemingly looking for something missing.
Javindar chuckled, the foolish Prince probably just realized he had his pocket picked by his uncouth paramour. Though Lalit was marginally higher in the social ranks than him, it was obvious he was a bit scatter brained and naive, and he did not know how to wield his status properly. If he and his sister kept proper discipline within their household this outburst and theft would never have happened.
"Forget her, and cut your losses. That woman is uncontrollable. I hope pirates take her," said Javindar. "I'll speak to Sumpada after my mission, let her know how her servant has failed her."
"Where did you run off to Chit…Err..Sampada oh right. Sampada is…err..wait…do you even understand your mission?" asked Lalit.
Javindar wasn't sure the exact details, but he elbowed Nahbob sharply.
"The great Bey had originally planned to escort Lady Sampad….err Sumpada to the barbarian kingdom of Grom. There, he was to aid her in finding a man that defeated the Rakshasa Mogombo and took the creature's black scroll."
Javindar nodded and then a thought came to him. "Errr…who is this man anyways? How do we find him?"
"I only met the man once when I was a small child. A dashing fellow, dangerous with the blade, with an exaggerated opinion of himself, " Lalit then shook his head and then pointed at the barge with the Giraffe woman onboard. "I do not know where he is, and our magics have failed us in locating him. She's the only one that can find him."
"Goodbye my silk night robe, my evening mints, my morning perfumes," moaned Bey Javindar as he watched the Golden Eagle fade from the horizon along with all his other noble trappings. While the Kaylon was quick for its class, the barge they were aboard was much faster. Though he would miss his comforts, he felt worse when he had to humble himself and asked for a truce from Giraffe woman. An offer she reluctantly accepted.
"Cheer up," smirked Giraffe woman as she leaned onto the deck next to him. "I didn't think you would abandon your necessities of life so quickly to hop aboard this barge. In fact, I didn't think you were quick enough to jump off your boat and get on this barge before we set sail. I guess you are taking this mission seriously after all."
Javindar narrowed his eyes at the gloating woman. "Do not question my honor Giraffe woman. When the Bey of Ghata sets out on a quest, he will follow it to the end, especially when it was bestowed by my betrothed, the Mahadevi of the Holy Temple, regardless if he has to race down the docks like a commoner, and haggle with a dirty barge captain like a common merchant."
Giraffe woman winced at the statement. "Don't call Wissam a dirty barge captain. He'll throw you overboard, Bey or not. Also, Sammy really doesn't like it when you call her Sumpada. She has enough trouble with Sampada, let alone your twisted pet name version of it."
Javindar was at first incensed at this woman, but then he sighed and nodded. Though the thought of pursuing this mission with Giraffe woman repulsed him, he did look forward to finding some insight from her about his betrothed.
"Noted," he said reluctantly. " By the way, how shall I address you. I take it, you do not like being called Giraffe woman."
"Sexy fits," laughed a nearby sailor with a lazy eye listening in on their conversation.
Giraffe woman laughed and waved a playful warning finger at the sailor before turning back to Javindar. "Given my height Giraffe woman is kind of fitting, but let's skip that one okay. My name is Whelp. It's an odd name, but that's what my father called me."
"Whelp eh? A fitting name I suppose, "nodded Javindar. "My page is Nahbob. Though I owe you nothing, as a courtesy to my betrothed's servant, you may use him as you wish for the duration of our journey."
"Hello Bob," she said turning to the beleaguered servant.
Nahbob bowed towards her in a hasty fashion, before returning to his task of cataloging what he was able to bring aboard the barge before it set sail. While Javindar was outwardly disappointed with what Nahbob was able to grab, he was surprised that the thin wiry boy was able to follow him to the barge while hauling two heavy trunks and even more surprised when he managed to jump aboard without dropping any of his luggage into the water.
"You have three changes of clothes, a tea set, and Book three of 'Musings of a Condor" from one trunk. While your Khanda, a practice of suit of armor, a wicker shield, and of course your hunting bow is in the other trunk. No arrows I'm afraid, though I'll ask the sailors if…."
"No…I won't sully Red Flight with common arrows," scolded Javindar shocked that his servant would make such a suggestion.
"Wow, I guess you're really roughing it now," chuckled Whelp as she practically celebrated the impoverishment forced upon him by her rash actions.
"You know, this could have been avoided if you stayed upon the Golden Eagle," pointed out Javindar.
Whelp shook her head. "No, the Rakshasa would have surely had a plant aboard your ship by then. Given that I picked the…."
"..Mermaid's Tail..." said the lazy eyed sailor.
"..the Mermaid's Tail at the last moment, and we were the last three to board, I'm sure besides a few sailors that are morally challenged, the crew has not been compromised," explained Whelp.
Javindar snorted. "It's not quite the simple. If there were Raksahas aboard the Golden Eagle, they would have seen what ship you boarded like I did. I'm no guru, swami, or holy man, but I'm sure they could divinate our course from the name and description of this ship."
Whelp nodded at the Bey. "Very good, but I've already thought of that. The first thing I did, was place wards on this ship against detection, with Wassim's permission of course."
The lazy eyed sailor nodded. "It's fine m'lady. I don't know if these wards will work of not, but the Kaptin figures it can't hurt. Eelspecially if we might happen to take some controbanh from port to port."
Javindar eyed Whelp carefully. "You can do that? Are you a holy woman as well?"
Whelp laughed. "Heaven's no. A holy woman is the last thing I would describe myself as, but let's just say I've learned a thing or two at the Holy temple."
Javindar nodded and watched the last sail of the Golden Eagle disappear from view.
"Goodbye quilted rug, my embroidered tea towels, my barrel of capers.." sighed the Bey.
"You know," pointed out Whelp. "As a holy warrior to Vama, you probably shouldn't fret that much over material things."
Javindar ignored her as he continued to list his losses.
"Goodbye ermine lined boots, platinum telescope, Quogy my pet spider monkey…"
"Wait..you had a pet spider monkey?"
"He was my lord's favorite," explained Nahbob. "A very nimble and playful beast. It kept my lord company and entertained him on long campaigns, even when the musicians and poets were not up to task."
"Hmm," said Whelp. "Well, I guess a guy with a pet monkey can't be all that bad. Anyways, maybe this will cheer you up."
With that, she straightened her long sleeved arm and made an odd 'ooking' noise. Javindar gave her a puzzled look, as he wasn't sure what she was trying to do, when all of a sudden a golden furred cat snake creature slithered out of her sleeves and onto the railing. It stood on its hind feet and looked at the Bey, before performing a little flip for him.
"Chit, meet Javi. Javi, Chit," smiled Whelp. "Keep our dear Bey company please, while I go talk to Captain Wissam about our course."
"An Emperor Mongoose? " asked Javindar in wonder. Such beasts were valued for their loyalty, intelligence, and their resistance to magic, and were normally reserved for only the highest ranking nobility. Javindar recalled trying unsuccessfully to procure one as a child, and wondered how a lowly guard could get one. "Where did you get such a creature?"
Whelp turned around as she was about to enter the Captain's cabin and winked at the Bey. "I stole it from Lally of course."