This part is most definitely dedicated to arabellaesque, who was very nice to me about this story, which inspired me quite a bit. Thank you so much.

Chapter Four

It took them quite a while to find what they were looking for, and they toured the docks fully several times, to examine whether there were multiple options. Most of the ships belonged to rude scores of pirates, and that wasn't too appealing - as much as Knave did not mind them, being used to their meanderings and other doings, the two elves were more than just reserved. In the end, it was Torri who picked the target they would approach, and it was also her who did so at once, with all due caution, but boldly nevertheless.

The man the moon elf had picked was a bit past his middle age, as far as his graying hair was concerned, but otherwise tall and muscular, his skin tanned like that of any seasoned sailor who rarely left the proximity of the sea at all. He was sitting on a crate, with his back leant against the wall behind and his eyes half-shut, although he was not asleep, since his head sometimes turned to regard this or that.

"Good afternoon," said Torri, nodding politely, even as the sailor turned his head about tranquilly and opened his eyes wider to take her in.

"An' a good day to ye, mates," he replied, said eyes darting from her to her companions, who had seen it fit to stop right behind their current leader.

Overall, he seemed safe, Torri decided. "Thank you," she replied, scouring the nearby section of the docks for the exact position of his ship. It was easy to recognize it, they all wore the same merchant-like clothing, although a good deal lighter and more adequate for going out at sea. "If I am correct, you would have arrived here with that ship?" the moon elf pointed.

"Aye, that I did," the man nodded. " 'Tis me ship, no less."

"I see," Torri neutrally continued, merely to gain a few seconds to consider the approach she should adopt. Finally, she decided for bluntness. "I realize this would have a price, but we need to get to Suldanessellar. Preferably quicker than by going back to Athkatla."

The man understood perfectly. Vessels didn't usually travel that way at all - the waters were dangerous and haunted by the fierce shark-men, who were known to scuttle ships and eat their crew without much consideration. "Yer lucky," he replied. "Me ship happens to be headed that way e'sactly."

"Really?" Torri's eyebrow rose curiously.

"Aye," the man nodded again. "We're supplyin' yon encampment the elves set up along the coast. There's some war o' sorts." He shrugged. Obviously, his only concern was the sale of his goods, and it didn't really matter who bought them as long as he got his money.

"Must be for this new war with the drow," Nirra interfered, a bit concerned. Torri and her had heard reports lately, but nothing conclusive, and that was truly the reason why she had chosen to go to Suldanessellar. "But why would my kind need you to supply them, captain?"

"They be blasted secretive, them elves," the sailor shrugged once again. "An' as long as they're buying me stuff, it don't matter much."

"Then it is settled?" Torri pressed, before Nirra could say anything more. "Tell us your price, so that we may be through with this at once."

"There ain't a price," the captain waved a reconciliatory hand, seeming to be in a good mood. "Smugglin's profitable business, and yer kind might look at me an' my men with some less suspicion if we deliver the two o' you an' yer friend. They'd be sparin' me alotta trouble with keepin' them men in line all the time."

Torri almost smirked; she doubted that would be the case, but as long as the captain thought so, who was she to disagree, especially if it fitted her own plans just perfectly?

"Thank you, then," the moon elf most graciously reverenced halfway. "When does the ship leave, may I ask?"

"She sets for the sea at dawn," the smuggler answered, taking a couple of glances to his sides, along the dockside. "Must load at night, or them damned pirates will start meddlin' with my stuff."

That sounded reasonable. It was, perhaps, a bit more to wait than they had expected, but this was too convenient to decline and start looking anew. "We will be there indubitably," the moon elf concluded the deal.

"Suit yerselves," came the careless reply. "I be Captain Belvert if ye'll have need to ask 'round for me."

The proper introductions were exchanged within the next few moments, for courtesy's sake, and then the trio began to depart, wandering the dockside aimlessly. The waters were calm, although not what one would call "clean", not so close to shore. Truly, it seemed as if nothing could go wrong. And yet, Torri's indefinite feeling, the one bottling up somewhere deep inside, was bound to say otherwise. The moon elf was rarely at ease anymore, these days.

"Torri, are you alright?" Nirra gently broke the line of her thoughts.

"Yes, yes, don't worry about me," she hurried to nod and flash a façade smile.

"Good," her friend smiled in return. "You looked troubled."

"So," Knave was quick to change the subject, as it was easier for him to do so than any of them, at present. "What are we to do now, with all this spare time on our hands?"

"I should admit we have little knowledge of this place," Torri conceded, cautiously.

The mage chuckled. "Surely I wouldn't have guessed that," he said, shaking his head in order to accentuate the sarcasm. "I'd suggest the local tavern... the Vulgar Monkey."

"A brilliant name," Torri remarked, rolling her eyes. "I truly wonder who came up with it. I do."

"A tavern?" Nirra was quick to express her concern and reluctance. "Those places are bad enough in more civilized settlements... I wouldn't want to know what this one looks like..."

"Nothing that out of line," Knave assured her. "Or I wouldn't have suggested this."

"Fine..." the gold elf sighed, once she made sure Torri was approving as well.

Once that was settled, Knave took the lead from Torri, his steps sure and unfaltering. Obviously, the mage had been here several times and knew his way around well.

"You know," Nirra brought something up with Torri, after a few moments of silence. "This is indeed troubling. Why would my people need supplies from humans, indeed, when Suldanessellar is so close?"

"I..." Torri stopped. A cloud of thought loomed over her for a few moments, but then, with a heavy sigh, she chased it away. "I wouldn't know, Nirra. I'm sure they will explain as soon as we arrive."

With that, they continued behind their new friend, the human mage, slightly gloomier, and each struggling to sort through her own worries and concerns. Naturally, none took note of the fact that Knave, also, had his, nor of how intently he had been listening to the last exchange of words.