Chapter 19: Lights out!
Castorius stood naked at the foot of Captain Caro's bed, regarding the sleeping woman sprawled on top of it. An oddly endearing sight, he thought. She looked peaceful now, the way they said the dead looked. Though, based on the deep red hue of her face, the woman was very much alive. She also looked comfortable now that Castorius had gotten a blanket on her, and she had fallen into a deep slumber.
Now it was the time to make sure she'd stay that way.
Castorius turned over the little red vial in his hand, the liquid sloshing within. He pulled the stopper out and sniffed, only to quickly withdraw from the pungent smell. What is this stuff, anyway?
It was obviously one of those questions better left unpondered.
Walking by the sacked out Captain, he felt the grip of hesitation. She's sleeping so soundly. Maybe this won't even be necessary. He shook his head at the desperate thought. This was no time for second guessing.
Then why did he have such a bad feeling about this? It's not like this was going to kill her? Unless . . . could that be what Roggie had really meant by saying that she'd "stay out". Castorius shook his head again. He would have been told if the mission was about killing the Captain.
Right?
Castorius stifled the paranoid thoughts and feelings of guilt. Carefully, he took the vial close to Caro's slightly parted lips. It was getting close to eight o'clock, and there would be no other chances. This was the one shot he'd get.
If the others were even waiting around anymore. Could it be that they'd concluded he'd failed and taken off?
Focus! Castorius was just about to pour out the liquid when the realization hit him. How much was I supposed to use? The whole thing? Judging by the smell, this was some strong stuff. Maybe it was only supposed to be a few drops? Perhaps any more that necessary would be lethal? Curse you, Roggie, and your inadequate instructions!
In reality, though, it was himself he should curse. He'd been in such a hurry to get the assignment done and over with that he'd forgotten to ask. Always in a hurry. So like you, Janus. So very much like you.
Castorius shook off all the perturbation and self-doubt. It was too late to ask questions now. Too late for regrets. He would simply start with a few drops, see what kind of effect it had, and then apply more if necessary. Maybe she'll sleep for a thousand years . . .
Shut it!
He let the fist two drops fall into the opening between Caro's lips. Perfect hit. She smacked her mouth, and gave a frown like a child having a taste of something very sour. Castorius cringed.
Captain Caro, however, appeared to get over the taste very quickly. She swallowed, and went on with her sleep.
Castorius felt his heart pound hard in his chest. There wasn't any significant change in the woman's being, though maybe she did breath a bit more deeply now. To make sure, he decided to get a few more drops in. Caro reacted much the same as the first time. Still nothing special. Castorius tipped the bottle over Caro's mouth another time. The stuff was almost gone. He shrugged, and just poured the rest of the vial's content in the woman's mouth.
He hadn't spilled any of it, which seemed like an awful petty thing to be proud of.
He stepped back. Nothing in Captain Caro seemed to have changed one way or another. He didn't see any other way but to accept that the stuff had worked. And at least she was still breathing.
Then he rushed to the windows at the back of the cabin, fiddled one open, and stuck his head out. The early night was still clear and the air crisp, but some mists were already starting to blow in from the sea. For some reason they had moved the ship away from the shore, and it was now sitting anchored in the middle of the river-mouth. He looked around, saw nothing at first, but then made out a rowboat waiting right down below him. There were several dark figures huddled in it.
"Hey!" Castorius whispered as loudly as he could, waving his hand.
One of the figures looked up. "Well, it's about time!" Roggie, that. "Sure took you long enough!"
"There were some complications," explained Castorius.
Even from up here, he could hear Roggie snorting. "Yes, surely. Now, step back from the window."
Castorius did as told, and backed up a couple steps. Right as he was starting to wonder what exactly it was he was supposed to be waiting for, something lunged in through the open window, and he flinched.
A piece of metal with multiple hooks attached to it landed on the floor in front of him. A grappling hook. There was a rope at the end of it, and as someone pulled at the rope, the hook was dragged across the boards. The device attached itself to the edge of the window. A couple firm yanks at the rope, and it went taut. Someone started climbing up.
At that moment, Castorius realized he was still in his birthday suit. He dashed to the pile of his crumpled up clothes, picked up the pair of breeches, started pulling them on. He'd just about gotten the pants on himself when Roggie's head appeared in the open window.
"Hello there, " the Nord said, then jumped into the cabin, looking around as if to ensure the coast was really clear. He smirked at Castorius standing there all topless and flustered. "Complications, huh?"
"You could have told me how much of the stuff to give her." Castorius did his best to assume a stern disposition, hands balled in fists like a wife waiting for her drunkard husband to stumble though the door in the middle of the night.
Roggie tensed up. "How much did you give her?"
"The whole thing. Why?"
"You did what?" Roggie slapped a hand on his cheek. "Oh, Castor. You've killed her!"
Castorius' heart took a mean lurch. "What!?"
Roggie, however, didn't stop to enjoy his shock for too long, but waved a hand and laughed. "Nah, just messing with you. She's fine. A few drops would've been enough, but the whole thing is alright too."
Castorius did his best to try and settle his nerves, weighing sufficiently harsh words to reprimand this supposed "friend" of his.
Roggie narrowed his eyes, smiled obliquely. "You seemed awful concerned for a second there," he said. "Did you two get... uh, close?"
"Yeah," Castorius rolled his eyes, "'cause falling madly in love with someone is the only possible reason to not want to kill them!"
"Never took you for the softhearted type, is all," replied Roggie, shrugging. "Guess I've misjudged you."
"I guess so," Castorius muttered.
Roggie peeked at the sleeping alcove where Captain Caro lay on her back. She was breathing slowly and deeply. Roggie nodded, satisfied. "Well, be that as it may, you've certainly knocked her out." He gave Castorius what was likely meant as an encouraging smile. "Good work, Castor!"
"Yeah, sure," said Castorius concomitantly. "Don't mention it." Literally. Ever.
Roggie stuck his head out the window and gave a whistle. Despite himself, Castorius cringed. So far he was not too impressed by the supposed discretion of these supposed professional criminals.
"Get decent, why don't you," Roggie said, turning to him. "We're going to need you on the door. To make sure nobody tries to butt in while we work." He walked by the table containing remnants of the Captain's—or, in truth, Castorius'—dinner. He grabbed an onion, and took a big bite.
Another figure appeared at the window. Castorius clenched his teeth together. Who else should it be but the sneering dimwit, Radd the Adventurer, himself. The man, thankfully, said nothing, but could of course not be expected to refrain from beaming like a twit.
Castorius went to get his shirt from the floor. "What are you going to do, anyway?" He nodded towards Radd, who from the cabin's bookshelf picked up a volume of Uncommon Taste by The Gourmet. As if this rube could appreciate such an artful approach to food preparation any better than, say, a pig could Mixed Unit Tactics by Codus Callonus. "What do you need him for?"
Radd paused his paging to answer for himself. "Oh, I'm merely observing."
Castorius blinked. "Obser—" he frowned at Roggie. "What is this, some sort of educational field-trip now?"
"Relax," replied Roggie, his mouth full of onion. He started to usher Castorius toward the door. "Just go stand watch, and make sure nobody catches us with our pants around our ankles. So to speak."
Another figure entered though the window. It was the Nord woman who'd been with Jaree-Ra earlier.
"What is it that you're going to do, anyway?" Castorius asked, looking over his shoulder at the expressionless woman.
"Never you mind," replied Roggie, shoving him out the door. "We've got this under control."
"Wait!" said Castorius before Roggie shut the door. "What do I say in case somebody comes? A lowly courier hardly has the authority to stop anyone."
"Don't cut yourself short," Roggie smirked. "I'm sure they too have heard loud and clear the full scope of your talents."
They too? "Um, yeah . . ."
"Just say the Captain promoted you on account of your, er, outstanding performance. Then request them to please kindly piss off."
"'Promoted'," Castorius muttered, "well, I do deserve at least some sort of medal."
Roggie looked at him though the crack of the door, something like pity in his eyes. "That bad, huh?"
Well, not really, actually, Castorius thought. He replied by simply waving Roggie off.
Roggie shrugged, and closed the door.
Castorius sighed, then positioned himself by the entrance. He shook his head, and quietly cursed to himself while buttoning up his shirt. "Do all the hard work and then just get kicked out," he grumbled. "I'll showyou 'the full scope of my talents' . . . "
His head snapped up. "Oh, for the love of . . ."There was clearly the sound of steps on the staircase. And it was getting louder. The sound of somebody softly clearing their throat.
All that time undisturbed, and now they come!
He felt a sudden cold stab of alarm. Maybe they suspect something! Perhaps they'd heard the clattering nitwits climbing up the back of the ship. Maybe somebody had even spotted them!
But, judging by the sound of it, there was only one person coming up. And they didn't sound to be in too much of a hurry, either.
Castorius calmed himself, tried to assume as cool an exterior as he could muster. Whoever it was, they were almost there now.
The young soldier who had escorted him to the door earlier—Cosma, was it?—appeared at the top of the stairs. The man looked to start mildly when he saw Castorius there. Then he frowned.
"Evening," he said. Accompanying his furrowed brow was perhaps a shade of beguilement. "Is everything . . . alright?"
Refusing to be abashed, Castorius smiled. "Everything's just peachy," he said buoyantly. "Everything honky dory down there?"
The man faltered a touch. "Uh, sure, of course." He frowned. "Is the Captain, er . . ."
"Oh, yes," replied Castorius. "She's just great!" Calm down, now. Castorius brought his act down a notch. "She's . . . resting." Why don't you just say "recovering", you overweening twat!
"Aha," replied the soldier. "Well, regardless. I'm going to need to speak with her."
Castorius felt a touch of panic. "Uh . . ." Think, man, think! "I'm afraid I can't let you do that." What!?
"Excuse me?" the man said, frowning.
"Um . . . " Yeah, let's hear that again! "I mean, it would probably be better she were not disturbed."
"I see," replied Cosma, and there was a change in his composure. He straightened up, and the tone of his voice tightened. "Of course. But happen as she does to be a captain of a Imperial Warship, I feel quite strongly that my urgent business is more important than her taking a beauty sleep after banging away all gods-damned afternoon!"
Yes, there was definitely a touch of vexation about the man.
Castorius opened his mouth. What he was going to say would be as much a surprise to him as anyone listening.
It would, however, always remain a mystery, as Cosma silenced him with a sharply uplifted hand. "And I'm afraid that a mere word from some sexed-up delivery-boy is not quite big enough a deterrent for me to insist that that door be opened. As in right fucking now!"
The young man's entire face was now a livid scarlet. Castorius was struck utterly speechless. He was probably at least ten years older than this soldier, but at that moment it felt exactly the opposite. He didn't see any other choice but to do as the man said. What would happen then?
He was just about to offer his meek acquiescence, when there was a voice calling out from the cabin.
"Oh, Jaaanuus!" It cooed. At first Castorius was sure it was Roggie goofing around, but it was undoubtedly Caro's voice, only more . . . kittenish. "What's going on out there?"
Castorius blinked at the young soldier, who returned with a dumbfounded expression of his own. "Uh," he said, "Cosma here to see you."
"Sergeant Cosma!" the man hissed.
"And what does he want?"
Sergeant Cosma opened his mouth to reply.
"Oh, Castor!" the voice continued. "Could you please ask him to come again at a later time. I'm still all naked. And sore."
Cosma's mouth snapped shut.
"And all sticky!"
It was actually worth it all to see the young soldier's face right then. All color left it—no doubt to look for some less embarrassing situation to be in. His already downturned lips twisted like he was suddenly having big difficulties holding back his lunch. Castorius thought it might have been the face of a child walking into his parents' bedroom only to find them engrossed in horizontal folk-dancing.
Castorius gave the man an inquisitive look.
"Uh," Cosma said, having recovered just enough to open his mouth. He raised his voice to be heard through the door. "That's quite alright, Captain. I'll be back at another time." He gave Castorius a quick, loathing glare, before turning on his heels and rushing back down the stairs.
It only took a second for Castorius' amusement over the young sergeant's abrupt retreat to fade. He frowned at the door, cocked his ear towards it. There was no sound from within. "Hello?"
"Is that bumptious dolt gone?" Roggie, this time.
"He's gone," Castorius replied. "Can I come inside?"
"What, again?" Roggie snorted. "Yeah, get your ass in here."
Castorius poked his head inside. At first look, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. There was Roggie, Radd the Adventurer by his side, both smirking like the pair of sneering twats that they were. Behind them stood Captain Caro, in her—
What?
Captain Caro stood behind the two men, wearing the full ensemble of her navy uniform.
Castorius blinked at the apparition, his mouth gaping open. "What the—"
Roggie laughed, waved a beckoning hand. "Get in here."
Castorius closed the door behind him, still unable to quite wrap his cranium around the sight in front of his eyes. "Huh?"
Captain Caro flashed him a sweet smile. "Hello there, stallion," she cooed. Radd the Adventurer, the little prick, bent over laughing.
Castorius hardly noticed. "Uh . . ."
Roggie stepped up beside him, clapped a hand over his shoulder. "That's not our Captain," he said.
Castorius turned to look at the Nord's eyes gleaming with amusement. "Huh?"
Roggie gestured past Castorius' head. "Over there."
Where he pointed to, on the floor, lay the figure of a person, hands and legs tied up, and a sack over its head. There were the ragged clothes worn by the strange Nord woman earlier on it, but the strong figure was obviously Captain Caro's.
"That's—" Castorius tore his eyes off the figure on the floor, and pointed at the other Captain Caro. "She's—"
"That's it," Roggie encouraged, "you're getting there."
Castorius stepped towards the woman standing there, to get a closer look. There was an uncanny resemblance, but now that he thought of it, there was also something a little different about her. He could not put his finger on it, but something about the way she carried herself felt slightly off.
The Nord woman. This was her, only it was not. Now that he thought of it, Castorius realized she'd had a certain rough look about her that she did share with Captain Caro. Only, that wasn't the full story. There was obviously more to it, so accurately had she assumed all the details of the other woman's visage. Of course! "Magic," he mumbled.
Roggie lazily clapped his hands together a couple times. "Bravo! You really are every bit as bright as you look, Castor."
The faux-Caro smiled, and slowly walked right over to him. "So, lover-boy. See anything you like?"
Around them, the two men laughed. Castorius felt his blood surge. He had had it up to here with being laughed at. So, instead of being played like the town tambourine, he decided to just go along with the joke. Two can play at this game! He put on a playful smile, looked the woman boldly in the eye, and placed his hand on the side of her thigh, started to caress it.
"Well, certainly," he breathed, dropping his note to a comical hoarse baritone. "Want to pick up from where we left off?"
The woman returned the stare, her lips twitched. She lay her hand on Castorius' crotch, and immediately he felt a response. She smiled at him.
Then she grabbed a firm hold on Castorius' fruits, and his eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
The woman gave him a cold sneer. "I don't much go for folks with these."
"Got that," Castorius wheezed.
"Good," said the woman. She let go of his jewels, and Castorius breathed out in relief.
After taking a split second to recover, he shot a furious look at the sneering pair of men. "At least there's one person with some stones here," he snapped, unclear about whom he even meant.
"Indeed, indeed," replied Roggie. He pursed his lips, looked around. "Well, we're about done here."
"Yeah, get going," the Nord-as-Caro said. "I have some captaining to do." At that she walked out the door.
Not long after, the shrill sound of her screaming at her new underlings could be heard from downstairs. Clearly she was enjoying this already.
"I think the ship's in safe hands, everybody," Roggie said smiling. "Let's go."
Castorius gestured at the figure on the floor. "What about the real Captain?"
"We'll take her along, of course."
"What will happen to her?"
Roggie smiled. "Worry not, old pal. No harm will come to your new girlfriend. We simply keep her out of the way while our decoy works here. Afterwards, she'll be released, of course. Unharmed."
"Uh huh."
"Though," Roggie added, "if I were you I might not go seek her out any time soon afterwards. She might just be a little sore at you."
"Thanks so much for the heads-up," muttered Castorius.
"Don't mention it!" Roggie beamed.
Radd went and lifted the out cold woman over his shoulders. He made it look laughably easy, too, though Castorius could have told based on experience she was not the most light of build. Guess there was something the man was good for, after all.
Castorius climbed onto the windowsill. It was not a particularly fun descent, lowering himself onto the boat waiting down by the rope. The coarse thread chafed at the the skin of his palms, and he nearly slipped and fell a couple times. His heart was beating fast once he finally hit the vessel. There was a man waiting there, a small and barren fellow of indefinable age, holding on to the oars, staring at the mist. He did not acknowledge the newcomer in one way or another, and Castorius himself was not looking to make new friends.
Soon after, Radd came down, rocking the boat. He'd climbed down nimbly despite the unconscious woman he was carrying over his shoulder. He didn't even appear to be the least bit winded.
Twat, Castorius thought.
Once Roggie had come down, the man with the oars started to row the boat towards the shore.
"Don't you think we should have taken the rope off?" Castorius asked. The thing was still hanging at the back of the ship.
Roggie shrugged. "The new Captain Caro will take care of it."
Castorius didn't bother to reply.
At the shore, there was a small group of people waiting for them beside a horse and a carriage. Jaree-Ra stood at the middle of the posse, regarding the shoring men with cold, disengaged eyes.
The people standing around Jaree-Ra came to get Captain Caro's limp body from Radd once they were off the boat. They carried her to the carriage, and placed her down at the back. Immediately after, they started to take their leave.
"Where are they taking her?" Castorius asked.
The Reptilian looked to take his measure. "She will be taken good care of. Of that you'll have my word."
I just wonder how much that is worth. "Alright," said Castorius. "I'll take that."
"Will you, now?" Castorius was not an expert in reading Argonian faces, but Jaree-Ra definitely had a smile on his—if an entirely unfriendly one.
"Well, that takes care of that," said Roggie, walking by. He fished another pouch of coin out of his satchel, and handed it to Jaree-Ra. "Here's the other half."
The Argonian took the bag, weighed it in his hand, and looked to have a frown on him. "It's heavier than the previous one."
Roggie smiled. "Indeed it is. There's a little bonus in there."
"I see," replied Jaree-Ra. "And I take it it's not out of the kindness of your heart you grant me this . . . bonus."
Roggie spread his arms. "You got my number!" he gave a little chuckle. "No, you're right. There is another little thing I thought maybe you'd be able to take care of for me."
"I'm all ears," the Argonian said.
"Excellent," said Roggie. "See, the thing is, there's this certain man, Commodore Fair-Shield by name. There's a chance he'll give us some trouble, and—well—it would probably be good someone had a little talk with him. You know, someone whose word carries a sufficiently heavy weight."
Slowly, Jaree-Ra nodded. "I see. And where might I find this Commodore Fair-Shield?"
"He's got a house around the border of Hjaalmarch and The Pale. I'll show you on a map, and you and your men can go and have a little chat with him. Sound good?"
Jaree-Ra nodded again. "Consider it done."
"Oh, and another thing," Roggie said, a hint of wariness about him. "He's got a family living there. A wife and two children, I believe."
There was no speck of hesitation in the Argonian's demeanor. "It will be of no consequence."
"Hey!" Castorius cut in. "Whoa, what are we talking about, here?" He had developed a very uncomfortable feeling listening to the two men talk.
They both turned to give him a serious look. "Don't worry yourself about it, Castor," said Roggie.
"No, no. It's too late now. Are we talking about killing here?"
The Argonian cocked his head just a trifle. "What's wrong? Does it have conscience all of a sudden?"
Castorius felt enraged. "Hey! I agreed to be a part of a robbery. No one said anything about a murder!"
Jaree-Ra shrugged. "No one asked you to be a part of a murder."
"You might as well!"
Jaree-Ra looked as if he had something a little more pressing to say, when Roggie stepped between them. "Hold up. Now, no one said anything about killing." He turned to Jaree-Ra. "Right?"
"I didn't," said the pirate.
Roggie looked at Castorius. "See? So, no one will have to die. But this situation does need solving. What do you suggest?"
Castorius thought about it for a feverish second. He opened his mouth, for whatever would come out. "I could go talk to him," he said, and thought the sound Jaree-Ra made was a snort.
Roggie looked to consider it, nodded. "Alright, let's say you will. What will you tell him?"
Warn him of the killers after him, and tell him to start running now! "I could try and persuade him."
Jaree-Ra, clearly snorting this time, said, "Perhaps he'll try the same tactic as with Captain Caro."
Roggie made a halting gesture at the Argonian, and gave Castorius a sympathetic look. "If anyone, I think you might be able to pull it off." He held a pause. "Okay, you can give it a shot."
Another snort from the Argonian pirate.
"Thank you, Roggie."
Roggie smiled. "Don't mention it." He got serious. "I'll just mark the location on your map. You have until tomorrow night. Better think of something quick." He turned to Jaree-Ra, nodded towards the Alessia's Trial, sitting there all dark and ominous in the gathering mist. "How long do you think she'll need."
The Argonian shrugged. "I'd say she'll be ready by tomorrow evening at the latest. She's effective."
"Right," said Roggie. "Just to play safe, let's say day after tomorrow. If I let Captain Malaney know he'll have his ship by then. Have it delivered to the coast by The Pale come dark. I trust that won't be a problem?"
Jaree-Ra's eyes were on Castorius. "Worry not about us." To Castorius he said, "I hope you don't expect me to hand over the extra gold for you to do my job?"
Castorius waved an aggravated hand. "Never mind that!" he grunted. "I'm not doing this for money."
The Argonian's sneer was not the kind you'd give a man whose outspoken moral conviction you found admirable. "Well," he said then, turning to Roggie. "A pleasure doing business with you."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned around and walked off.
"Okay, then," Roggie said, smiling at Castorius. "So that went well!"
"Hmm," said Castorius, staring after the retreating pirate.
"I do hope you know what you're doing, Castor."
Castorius looked at his friend. I haven't the faintest of ideas. "Trust me."
Roggie nodded. Radd joined him at his side, and, shockingly, his mouth was drawn in a straight line for once.
Castorius looked again after Jaree-Ra, who was now walking underneath the stone arch carrying Solitude. He should go after him, and quickly take care of that other business. There was only so much he was willing to deal with the deeply unpleasant man.
Then Roggie's arm was over his shoulder again. "Well, me and Radd here are off to Dragon Bridge to unwind a little. Care to join us?"
Castorius, shaking himself free, said, "I'd love to, but I'm afraid there's something else I need to do."
"You're insatiable!" said Roggie, cackling.
Castorius sighed. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say."
"Alright," Roggie said. "Suit yourself. You ready, Radd?"
"I was born ready," replied the long-haired Nord. Castorius' back was turned to them, so they couldn't see him rolling his eyes.
"Let's go then. See you at The Pale, Castor. Day after tomorrow, after six P.M. And Castor?" As Castorius turned to regard Roggie, the man's expression was completely serious. "Good luck with the other thing."
"Thanks."
Roggie and Radd started to walk toward the bridge above the East Empire Trading Company's warehouse. Roggie looked over his shoulder one more time at Castorius still standing still. "Don't have too much of a good time, now!" He laughed.
Castorius waited for the two men to be out of sight, before turning around and dashing after the Argonian.
Don't worry, Roggie, he thought, running. That I will definitely not do.