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Post by Tobias Scylding on Jul 5, 2007 14:44:52 GMT -5
The rough hemp of the ropes that bound Tobias chafed at the skin of his wrists. He knew better than to struggle against the knots and sat quietly on the chair where he had been unceremoniously dumped, contemplating the dull ache in his skull and his current predicament.
To be fair, Tobias had put up more than a worthy fight, running through a number of the merchant vessel's crew and putting lead shot through more than a few more before three merchant crewmen had taken the large Scanran down. Tobais had been in sticky situations enough to count his blessings at the fact that he was still alive, and was being kept alive yet at the behest of the ship's captain. He'd have shown no mercy in return had the boot been on the other foot, and it would have been but for a handful of lily livered dogs amongst the Eclipse's crew.
He had no idea how the rest of the battle had faired after a blow to the back of his head turned everything to black and how many of Raven's crew remained, or if the captain herself was still breathing was yet to be seen. For all he knew, the Eclipse was scuppered and lying on the bottom of the ocean already - although a good ship was pure gold in waiting and it was unlikely a merchant would pass up the chance to line their pockets.
This brought him back to wondering, why was he sat, trussed like a bird, in the captains quarters? He knew he was worth some pennies in the pocket if he was turned in at the next port, his bounty was more than enough, but in that case he should be languishing in the brig clapped in irons.
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Post by Aislin of Port Legann on Jul 5, 2007 22:08:55 GMT -5
Aislin gritted her teeth as a slice in her left arm was stitched up by one of her crew. Fortunately, the wound, though deep, was not very long, and soon the man tied off the thread and cut off the extra with his bootknife. “A bit crooked, captain, but it’ll do for now,” he said apologetically as he wrapped a bandage from her wrist to her elbow.
“Thank you, Mr. Smythson,” the young woman said, polite despite her throbbing arm. Glancing at the man, she thought for a moment, then asked, “This may seem a rather odd request, but might I borrow your coat? I don’t want to give our prisoner the satisfaction of seeing me injured while I speak with him.”
The man looked surprised, but shrugged off the light garment. He held it out to her, then hesitated. “Begging your pardon, captain, but do you think it wise to be alone with a pirate?” he asked.
Aislin took the coat and pulled it on, not meeting her crewman’s gaze. “Mr. Smythson, are you implying that I cannot take care of myself?” she asked, her tone light, but with an undercurrent of warning.
The man realized his mistaken, and quickly stuttered, “No, captain, of course not.”
“That’s what I thought,” the young woman replied, then stood. Without another word, she strode purposefully to her cabin. Opening her door, she did not even glance at the man tied up and sitting in her chair as she made her way over to her desk. Opening the bottom drawer, she removed a bottle of brandy and a small glass, which she filled, the placed the bottle back in the drawer and shut it.
Taking a sip from the glass, Aislin walked around her desk and with a small hop, perched on top of it. Lowering her glass, she finally gave the bound pirate her attention. “Tell me, how long have you been a pirate, Mister…?” she asked, implying by her tone that she should not only answer her question but give her his name.
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Post by Tobias Scylding on Jul 6, 2007 1:47:51 GMT -5
Tobias heard the thud of approaching boots and turned his head to watch the female captain make an entrance. He tilted his head back a little, regarding her with some curiosity. She was younger than she had looked from a distance, a few years below his own age and she was tidy looking - she could clearly take care of herself amongst a crew of men.
He was slightly amused as she made a play of ignoring him when she first came in, fussing with a drink instead, then hopping up on the desk rather than settling in the chair the other side of the sturdy looking desk. His eyes flicked sideways, next to where she perched were his weapons, piled up on top of his coat and tantilisingly close. He marked their position, should the opportunity arise - Tobias hadn't given up on any notion of freedom just yet.
She asked him a name and a small smirk twisted the corner of his mouth. He was as likely to make it easier for her as the sea was to drain away and empty, especially when such a question was delivered as an order. Tobias didn't take orders from noble scuts.
"Smith." His reply was short and sweet, his low voice, as always, heavily accented , making his reply with a common Tortallan name ridiculous.
If this captain wanted answers, she would have to work harder for them - Tobias was being put through this little show for a reason and he needed to know why before he showed anything like co-operation.
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Post by Aislin of Port Legann on Jul 6, 2007 10:35:01 GMT -5
Aislin followed the pirate’s glance, and a small smirk curved her lips. “I wouldn’t try it,” she remarked lightly. Taking another sip of her brandy, she swirled the rest in her glass as she contemplated how to address his fairly obvious lie.
“Now, Mr. Smith,” she began with a drawl that made it quite clear she didn’t believe him, “You killed quite a few of my men earlier, and their friends think I should kill you. I refused, of course, but I’m afraid that the anger at the loss of a friend cannot be denied as easily as a request for vengeance. So that leaves you with a choice to make. You can either remain here in my cabin, safe, while you answer my questions as truthfully and thoroughly as you can, or you can continue to be difficult, in which case you are no use to me and you will be sent to the brig.”
The young woman paused for a moment to take a sip from her glass, then continued. “I warn you, Mr. Smith, that my men may take justice into their own hands. I, of course, cannot condone the murder of prisoners aboard my ship, but I also cannot be everywhere at once. While I am speaking with the helmsman or looking over charts here in my cabin, it would not be difficult for a few of my men to sneak down to the brig and avenge their comrades.”
Aislin allowed a moment of silence to pass so her words could sink it. “So, I am now giving you the opportunity to reconsider your answer to my previous question,” she said, still in the bored-sounding drawl of a courtier. “There are worse ways to die than at the end of a noose.”
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Post by Tobias Scylding on Jul 6, 2007 15:35:13 GMT -5
Tobias remained impassive as the captain made the usual dance of threats and vows. He wasn't easily kowtowed, she clearly wanted something, she hadn't kept him alive on a whim.
"If there are worse deaths, I fear them not captain." He replied after a long pause, his deep voice low and measured, "but what's clear is that you need me for somethin'. Throw me to your crew if it pleases you, you'll lose more men in the trying and gain nothin'."
He leaned forward in his chair, as much as his rough bonds would allow. "You're not offering me anything that makes it worth me loosening my tongue. You're a merchant, you understand a barter."
This was interrogation by numbers and the captain's behaviour was almost a perfect study in nonchalance he expected nothing less. He was almost insulted that she'd think a hardened blaggad like himself would be broken down by the usual round of threats. Of course he'd prefer to stay alive until they made port, there were opportunities to wriggle out of his predicament once they were on land.
Tobais studied the captain carefully, taking in every inch of her; the way she was dressed, the way she carreid herself, the careful and reasonble set of her features.
"A simple exchange first now captain. You get my name for yours."
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Post by Aislin of Port Legann on Jul 6, 2007 17:25:36 GMT -5
Aislin listened as the pirate responded, her expression never changing from one of polite disinterest. As her captive studied her, she studied him. Even though he was sitting in a chair and she on her desk, they were at the same eye level, as he was a good foot taller than she was. Indeed, he appeared very much the typical pirate, with his surly features and ear piercings. Nevermind that she had a thin brass hoop through her own ear and could appear quite surly herself on occasion.
The young captain ran her finger along the rim of her glass, vaguely amused by the man’s talk of bargaining. It seemed that her captive was not stupid, however, and would not be cowed by threats, which made for a bit of a challenge. Then again, she had never been one to shirk at a challenge.
“Very well, then,” she replied after a bit of consideration. “We shall barter, for the time being. I am Aislin of Port Legann, captain of the Lioness Rampant. And what, Mr. Smith, might your true name be?”
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Post by Tobias Scylding on Jul 8, 2007 15:16:01 GMT -5
"Aislin of Port Legann." Tobias repeated, commiting the name to memory. His eyebrow raised a little, quirked by recognition. He'd heard something about that family before. He mumbled something in Scanran then smirked. "Just a traditional Scanran greeting for your sort."
Again he paused, taking an unhurried approach to the questioning, as if he wasn't the one tied to a chair and at the mercy of a hostile captian. He set part of his mind to thinking about Port Legann and why it might tinkle bells in his memory and again he scanned the woman's face.
Finally he replied to Aislin's question. "Scyliding." He stated bluntly. "No fancy titles for me I'm afraid cap'n."
Although Tobias was playing at what passed for best manners in a rough pirates books, it didn't take away from the fact that in his eyes was pure defiance.
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Post by Aislin of Port Legann on Jul 8, 2007 21:51:58 GMT -5
Aislin, as Tobias did, made sure she would remember the other’s name. Crossing her legs at the ankles, she swung them slightly, making sure she did not kick her heels against her desk. With a pensive look, she took another sip from her small glass.
The young captain was sure that the pirate’s cooperation, such that it was, would not last terribly long. There was not much incentive for him to be honest, as it seemed that her threats had no effect on the man and threats were about all she could offer.
Finally, her gaze flicked up to meet her captive’s. She was decidedly unperturbed by the defiance she saw in his eyes, as she would hardly expect anything else from the man.
“So if we are bartering, Mr. Scyliding, what would you ask in return for the answer to another question?” Aislin asked, her tone still polite, but with a slightly mocking edge. “Aside from your freedom, of course.”
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Post by Tobias Scylding on Jul 12, 2007 12:50:20 GMT -5
Tobias snorted at Aisin's little joke and he gave a small, grim smile. "I wouldn't think for one second you'd give it anyway. Too much jink in the pocket ridin' on my head for a merchant to give me up. Must be givin' you itchy palms just looking at me."
Tobias was planning to simply goad the young captain to try and make her do something rash. That was until the bell he'd been waiting for began to tinkle at the back of his mind. Now he knew where he'd heard mention of the nobility of Port Legann.
The small grim smile became instantly broader. Of course this was a chancy course to take, not knowing how the woman would react but this would give him the true measure of her character one way or another.
"This time it's an aswer to a simple question captain." He paused a beat, "tell me, how's your husband these days?" It was asked with an air of innocence, as if he was enquiring after his health, but it was clear that what Tobias was saying and what he was implying were two entirely different matters.
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Post by Aislin of Port Legann on Jul 13, 2007 10:14:36 GMT -5
Aislin listened to the pirate's first remark with a mildly amused smile. "Well, I have to pay and feed my crew somehow," she remarked simply with a small shrug. "If that means a few of your sort have to go to the noose, than so be it."
However, the young woman’s small smile disappeared when she heard Tobias’s question. For the briefest of instances, she lost control of her carefully schooled facial features. Suddenly, she was not the cool, composed captain of a merchant ship; she was a grieving widow.
This change only lasted for a split second, and she was the calculating interrogator once again. “Quite well, as far as I know,” she replied, her tone forcedly light. “Why do you ask?” She asked her question as though it was simply a matter of idle curiosity, and was really of no consequence to her.
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Post by Tobias Scylding on Jul 23, 2007 15:42:56 GMT -5
The slip had been brief but it had been there. Tobias had seen the chink in this hard cases armour and now he intended to exploit it for what it was worth. No point in developing scruples at this point in his life.
He raised his eyebrow at her reply as if he were suprised that she would even think of lying to him.
"Well captain," he replied slowly, his voice as casual as hers, as if they were discusing the niceties of the weather or some such idle topic. "I ask 'cause as you and I well know, his health is far from good. In fact quite the opposite. "
A touch of a smile slipped back on to his lips. He never broke eye contact with the woman, making sure he saw every quirk of her behavior. This could be the key to his freedom.
"The sea is a harsh mistress isn't it captain?" He added.
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Post by Aislin of Port Legann on Jul 23, 2007 18:25:17 GMT -5
Aislin listened as the pirate continued to speak, her face smooth and calm, but several emotions were fighting for dominance. Grief, anger, and even excitement at the chance of information all bubbled up inside of her. After a moment, she quashed them all and took a sip of her brandy.
“She can be,” the young captain replied, keeping up the pretense of casualty. “But harsh or no, she is always referred to as a woman. Perhaps she understands a widow’s grief.” Her captive obviously knew that her husband was dead, so there was no point in trying to deny it. However, she had no intention of allowing him to use that information against her.
“Is there any particular reason you brought up the matter my late husband?” Aislin asked, swirling her brandy in the glass. “I should hardly think a pirate would want to offer his sympathies.”
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Post by Tobias Scylding on Jul 24, 2007 2:43:21 GMT -5
"Now that's the truth. Dead or alive, nobles are much of a muchness."
That glib statement pretty much summed up every and all feelings Tobias had about nobles. To him, nobles were pickings to be had, that was all. He didn't care a jot about their politics, their titles and he cared even less if the sea swallowed them whole or spat them back out again.
This particular dead noble could, for once in his life, be useful and now it was time to get down to the right and true business of it all.
"Lets stop skippin' around and playing polite captain. I'm a simple man, I don't play at best manners as well as you nobles do. " No trace of a smile this time. This was a statement of fact.
"The simple thing is, your husband is dead. He's dead because he tangled with the wrong pirates. Now me, if a noble scut gets away the fates can have them, I've never believed vengance buys you aught. All the more pity for you, it wasn't me 'n' mine he met."
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Post by Aislin of Port Legann on Jul 24, 2007 11:34:26 GMT -5
Aislin sat dumbly as the pirate spoke, only half concentrating on his words. For years it had been assumed that her husband was dead, but no one had ever known anything other than that he had set out to sea and never returned. There had been rumors, of course, and even a funeral, but with no body and no real certainty as to what had happened, she had been allowed to hope somewhere in the back of her mind that Nathaniel would come home one day.
Her captive’s words, so blunt and certain, put an end to all that. The young captain could not honor his request to speak simply, because she knew if that she allowed her courtier’s mask of polite indifference to slip off, she would start crying or cursing or throwing things.
Still keeping one eye on the bound man sitting across from her, Aislin reached back and removed the bottle of brandy from her desk drawer once again. She began to slowly refill her glass, and, her attention comfortingly divided, she asked, “I don’t suppose you would know which pirates my husband ‘tangled with,’ as you put it?” Her voice was as flat and calm as ever, but the hand she was using to pour the brandy shook ever so slightly.
Setting her glass down, the young woman hazarded a glance at her captive. “Brandy?”
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Post by Tobias Scylding on Jul 28, 2007 12:47:09 GMT -5
Tobias had to admire the way the woman held herself together, trying to maintain dignity. For someone who'd grown up amidst the harsh truths of crushing poverty, he seldom felt any pity for anyone's loss. Dying was as much of a fact as living was and the only certainty was that it came to everyone in the end. He felt no really pity for her now, just a grudging respect.
He watched her retrieve the brandy for another drink and frowned a little at her questions.
When she offered him a drink he raised his eyebrows. "You mayn't have noticed captain but I'm a little...indesposed." Jerked his head over his shoulder to indicate his hands that were bound tightly behind him. "Since i'm indesposed of my freedom, I feel indesposed to answer your questions." He sniffed indifferently and glanced around the room as if he were distracted by the decor.
The truth was he had nothing firm on who killed her husband, but she didn't know that. He also knew the rumours and tit bits of information that were passed around in the pirate ports and taverns and she clearly didn't know those either.
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