Domingo awoke the following afternoon with a dry mouth and a throbbing headache, both, he supposed, after-effects of his reckless drinking. Sunshine pooled upon his pillows; his legs were tangled carelessly in the bedsheets, and his pack lay open and ransacked in a chair.
He shoved the blankets away and bolted upright. "What's going on! Where am I!"
"Relax," came a low voice from across the room. "You're in the Sailor's Island Inn."
Domingo turned his head to find Lawrence seated on the windowsill, gazing out at the bustling town below and rolling a small object over in his hand. Recognition dawned after many painful seconds, and Domingo scratched his head and stammered, "I remember you . . . kind of . . . but I don't remember your name . . ."
"That's because I never gave it," was the severe reply. "I'm Lawrence, helmsman-for-hire and sellsword." He approached then, pressing a small grey crystal into the treasure hunter's hand. "It's Curia. You should feel better after you've used it; I found it in your pack."
Domingo clenched the crystal in his fist and almost instantly felt his hangover subside, becoming more alert and focused. After taking a moment to get his bearings he rose, moving to gather his orange jacket and boots.
"Wait just a second," Lawrence protested, watching as Domingo tied back his hair and took up his spyglass. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Now I know I had quite a bit to drink last night, but I'm pretty certain we covered this last night," Domingo stated cheerily, slinging the pack over his shoulder. "I'm going after the Temple of Pyrynn. I'm going to put myself back on the map of legendary treasure hunters." Without another word he turned and headed out into the hall, Lawrence tailing closely.
"You're still going on about that! Get serious. Even if it does exist, how are you going to go about finding it?" the helmsman pressed, hurrying to keep up with the taller, longer-legged man.
Domingo slapped some gold onto the innkeeper's desk and set off down the avenue, jostling his way toward the docks. Over his shoulder he cried, "Time means nothing to me. It took a month to find the Travelers' Paradise; I'll manage. And why do you care? It's not like I'm dragging you along."
By the time he had finished they were on the docks, where Domingo's skiff was tethered to the edge. He leapt nimbly onto the deck, rocking the tiny boat ever-so-slightly, and Lawrence smirked to himself. "I don't need your permission to go anywhere. And do you even know how to fly that little thing? I thought a famous treasure hunter like yourself would have a real boat?"
"Insult all you like, Mr. Lawrence, but the Seeker suits me just fine. And seeing as how you don't need my permission to go anywhere, and this is my skiff, how would you like to come along?"
The question was thrown out casually, as though they were discussing the weather; even as he said it Domingo stepped into the miniscule cabin and tossed his pack in a corner. Lawrence blinked once in complete surprise before regaining his composure and snarling, "Are you joking! Me, on a wild goose chase into oblivion with you, of all people? Why would I submit myself to such a ridiculous lifestyle, when I've only got half a lunar cycle to wait for the merchant ships to arrive?"
As with the insult on the size of his skiff, Domingo was not affected by the harshness in Lawrence's tone. He merely returned to the deck, tossing his jacket over a hook near the cabin door, and leaned on the side of the small boat with a bemused expression on his handsome face. "Sure it'll be a rough journey, but don't you think it could be worth it in the end?" Lawrence showed signs of protesting, so Domingo hurried on, "Say there's a slight chance that you're wrong, and the Temple of Pyrynn really does exist. Say I leave you here on the dock, wondering what may have happened, and turn up in another lunar cycle or two to spin the tales of my newest accomplishment. You'd kick yourself in the bum for years for passing up an opportunity like this."
Lawrence scowled, but a retaliatory comment did not present itself. Domingo was winning, so he played his final card: "Besides - I'm sure you've realized by now that, in accordance with the recent aggression in Valua, your merchant ships aren't coming. If you stay now, you're stuck on this rock for good, I think."
The helmsman growled to himself and clenched his fists, but there was no turning back now that Domingo had instilled the seed of doubt in his mind. He bent and worked at the ropes securing the Seeker to the dock, then vaulted onto the deck besides Domingo, who was looking victorious.
"Alright, alright, fine, you win, but I've got one condition - I'm going to steer, and you can pay me for my services when we receive pay for finding your damned temple."
Domingo nodded, not at all sorry he had picked up such a surly comrade.
Author's Note: Many thanks again to Dizzy, who continues to beta with pride and enthusiasm.
Dizzy (chapter 6) -- I'm rather fond of Hans too...and it'll be awhile before Alfonso has his day. Be patient with me; we'll get there eventually.
Dizzy (chapter 7) --Domingo is a bit unorthodox, isn't he? Thwap me for being partial, but I like his part best thus far.
Saith Rayse -- Please ask yourself if your three reviews are in the least bit constructive, then return when you have answered it. And please have a bit of imagination--nothing is perfect, and you didn't really offer a solution to your complaints.
Empyrean -- I read that with a laugh. Chalk up another fan for Alfonso.
Meowsy-chan -- I'm continuing! I'm continuing! And as for Alfonso, you'll just have to see. Just to clarify...Hans won't be joining, either, but someone else in Ixa'taka will Stay tuned.
Wallwalker -- The word "ragtag" is a very accurate description of this particular group of unusual heroes. Glad to have you on board.
That's it for now. Good to hear from all of you.