Let The Adventure Begin

Darian Shaw, Nine and Twenty Years Confidant, cook, fighter, consummate liar, deadpan snarker, perpetual escapee from emotional entanglements, collector of other people’s languages, self-exiled creature of the night and sailor without a destination.

[councilman-pericard-deactivated]

“You’re an observant one - aren’t you?” Brandon mused before his tone turned a bit more serious. “I’m someone that can spell these drinks to respect mutual anonymity. In this potential business venture you can call me… Kinn. Before I disclose anything else I need to know - do we have a deal?”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Don’t get far in this world by being anythin’ else lad” Darian pointed out settling back into his seat. “And what exactly are the effects and consequences of said spell? I’m no’ big on using magic without knowing the bargain I’m brokering meself into...” Taking a measured look of the man the thoughts processing carefully, “well ye certainly have my attention so aye, I’ll bite.”

[ms-chana-adelberg]

“Blowing things up is what you expect out of magic?Well that is good to know.” She was good at those types of spells. Anything todo with destruction was her specialty. “Is that what you think magic is?Blowing things up? Destroying things? You really should be scared of magic.Killing you would be so easy.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“No, but it’s more of interest to me.” An eyebrow ticked up at her words, “are you tryin’ t’scare me lass? I’ll warn ye I’m quite difficult to kill and no’ scared of a few magic tricks. No’ scared of much really... I’ve survived vengeful mermaids, sharks, maelstroms, tempests, starvation, rival captains and angry lords t’name a few things.”

[councilman-pericard-deactivated]

“And miss out on your witty retort?” Brandon made a mock gesture. “Now that’d be thoughtless of me.” The whiskey was little more than swill and Brandon made a face at it, wondering absently what possessed him to enter such a dive. Brandon waited a beat, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before setting it down. “I heard if one needs to transport something… Off the books, you’re someone that can help with that.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Something tells me you aren’t a thoughtless man” he observed taking a sip of his new drink, unfazed by its watered down taste. Anything was better than some of the stuff they had at sea. He did however take on a more serious side at the notion of business. He hadn’t seen this man before and was therefore hesitant to go straight into business when there was a possibility of jail if this man was not who he appeared to be. “Well, that depends on who you are” Darian answered vaguely.

[councilman-pericard-deactivated]

“Didn’t think I was offering.” Brandon quipped before he gestured towards the bartender and two glasses slid across towards them. The warlock raised his own towards the man. “I’ll call it my annual act of charity.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Well perhaps y’should consider thinking before talkin’ next time” Darian retorted lazily reaching to pull one of the glasses towards him whilst appraising the stranger for a moment before proceeding to raise his own. "How generous of you,” though something about this man gave Darian doubts of anything truly charitable going for him.

[councilman-pericard-deactivated]

Ale? How common. If you’re going to start demanding free drinks might as well aim a bit higher mate.

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Well, people are more willing t’get me more of it if it costs ‘em less. Trick of the trade mate. But since yer offering, I wouldn’t mind some rum or whiskey while I'm at it.” 

[ms-chana-adelberg]

“What? Not impressed with my candle trick? I couldkill you,” She joked, focusing on a vase next to the candle. Mumbling a fewwords, she watched as it exploded. “Is that more impressive than the candle?”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“I’m no’ scared of magic or death, but it is impressive” Darian explained with a slightly crooked smile studying the candle thoughtfully but as he heard her mumbling he looked aside to see where she was focussing and moved back just in time to miss the implosion of the vase “aye, more t’my expectations.”

[thetempest-kai]

“I’ve had enough sprains and aches to know what they look like,” the copper haired mermaid said nonchalantly. “You should try a healing salve.” Kai’s interest was piqued when the pirate mentioned a fight. There had been no other outbreak since the coronation. Perhaps there was something she was missing. “You were there weren’t you? At the coronation… You might be one of the lucky ones to make it out with just an injured wrist.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“A healing salve, for this?” a mild sound of amusement at the thought of such a simple injury requiring such treatment was earned. “A sprain is nothin’ truly, barely smarts in comparison t’some of the injuries I’ve survived lass.” Kicking a loose rock out of the way as they walked he gave a shrug “aye, I was lingering. Lucky to make it out but I’ve always been lucky” Darian admitted with a rueful curl of his lips.

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

yvaine-starfall:

“That is quite understandable. The lives of royaltydoes not interest some people. I have also been told that there are too manyroyals to keep track of.” Yvaine smiled a little at his excitement about magic.“It one processes the talent of magic it is not hard.” She focused on an unlitcandle behind him. Mumbling silently to herself, she lit it.

“That too. You’re everywhere.” Seeing her focus shift his body automatically turned to watch the candle, eyes widening and a smile brightening his features with glee when it lit. “Damn, that’s brilliant. What else can you do?”

[thetempest-kai]

“Are you telling that with those rings and that accent that you wouldn’t be a pirate? I don’t know if anyone would believe it.” She walked on, her bad mood beginning to alleviate. In fact, she was now slightly amused. “What did you do to your wrist?” Her brows furrowed as she walked on ahead. The water was near, she could smell it.

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Observant aren’t you lass? Impressive, not many put it together.” The inquiry to his injury caused him to shift the injured wrist closer to his body as they walked. “Was fighting before the crowds swept me up in their panic, could’ve been trampled in the chaos.”

[ms-chana-adelberg]

“Well it is something that has benefited you well. Whowould not want to have an extended life?” She looked at his ears, noticing theshape of them. “Yes. Azmarinia. I was a duchess there before the kingdom fell.The king was my uncle,” She explained. “Of course I have magic. All of theroyal family of Azmarinia has magic.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Some strange people.” As she confirmed his earlier guess his shoulders lifted and fell nonchalantly apparently unfazed by the confirmation of her status. “Begging your pardon majesty if it seems strange, but I really don’t spend m’time concerning meself with the goings on of royals or which ones have magic.” His demeanour did grow more enthusiastic at the concept of this woman possessing magic however. “What kind of magic? Can y’show me some? Is it hard? Or exciting?”

[ms-chana-adelberg]

“You look amazing for your age. I did not think you werethat old. What is your secret?” She smiled a little, cheering up a bit. “I am originallyfrom Azmarinia before I was forced to go to Xaith. Now I live in Orilion. Soyes I have travelled quite a bit.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“A benefit of being part fae,” Darian gave a wave towards his ears one of the few visible signs of his heritage. “I don’t have many things a full blooded fae has but an extended life was apparently one of the cards I was dealt. Likely shan’t live as long as a full fae but even so... I fair well enough.” The mention of the other Kingdoms piqued his curiosity though, “Azmarinia ‘eh? That’s quite a journey” he knew a little of the place mostly that it was the kingdom of witches and warlocks. “Any chance you have magic?”

[ms-chana-adelberg]

“Well then I hope my fiancé will be like the Captainsand crewmen that you have seen. I hope that he will have the strength to ruleeven with any disabilities that he faces.” And if he didn’t have the strength thenafter they were married she could always rule for him. Looking him over shetook in his appearance, noticing his worn jacket. “Half a century? Really? You havebeen fairing the oceans for over fifty years? Now that is quite impressive.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Fifty three to be exact - time hasn’t caught up to me yet” he added with an impish smile beginning to grew on his lips “left land when I was seven and never looked back. Have you travelled much m’lady?”

[thetempest-kai]

Kai groaned internally. A stranger’s company was what she wanted least right now but at least he knew something of mermaids. “No? Thought you pirates had a sixth sense about the sea.” She spoke sharply but without malice, just mere annoyance. “I met one before. He seemed to breathe the same rhythm the sea did.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Who’s t’say I’m a pirate? But aye, normally tha’s the case and I can find water with ease but right now I’d rather not take a wrong turn and get into trouble” he pointed out casting a glance to his wrist, it wasn’t the worst injury he’d gotten in life but it would be a hindrance in fighting if he did run into uncertain streets. “Oh?” Darian asked, lingering a few steps behind her keeping a careful guard just in case anything did go amiss. 

[ms-chana-adelberg]

“Yes but how is he supposed to run a kingdom if he’sconfined to a wheelchair or something like that for the rest of his life? No onewill take him seriously if he is disabled.” All of their planning would come tonothing if that was the case. Would he even want to marry her after this? “Landand you disagree? What are you then? A sailor?”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

Run a kingdom? His eyes narrowed a little as he eyed the woman, he was talking to a queen? Interesting. “Can’t say to that, I’m no ruler.. Don’t even like t’be ruled either, no offence meant with that ma’am but I can say I’ve seen Captains and crewmen lose limbs and still be respected and revered at what they do. Is it hard? Aye. If there’s the strength to prove themselves it’s quite surprising what can happen.” His hand lightly tugged at the worn sleeve of his jacket out of habit, “Aye, I sail. Quite good at it if I say so meself; been fairing the oceans over half a century now.”

[thetempest-kai]

“No, I imagine you seafarers would not interest yourselves with land-dwellers. And why would you need to? Safe and tucked away in the ocean’s embrace…” The mermaid huffed but the action left her broken rib throbbing. She reached for her side and saw the gleaming scales on the back of her hand were dehydrating. A sigh left her with closed eyes for but a moment. “Cease to concern yourself with us then and be on your way.” She pushed past the man she had been speaking to earlier to start limping her way to the closest body of water she can find.

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

A brow ticked up as he studied the mermaid who checked him squarely and was limping away, he’d encountered enough in his travels to be wary. “I’ve never been one good at taking commands,” unless they were from Roderik, “by the looks of you I’m guessing you’re heading for water? Care if I follow? Don’t actually know the way to the docks from here.”

[ms-chana-adelberg]

“Yes. It is a relief to know that he will live. What exactlythe damage is though I do not know. Will he be able to walk on his own? Will hebe able to talk? What damage has he sustained? I do not know.” Yvaine lookedaway from him. His accent was different. Something she had not heard before. “MayI ask where you are from? Your accent. I have not heard it before.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

“Whatever happens there’s always some solution, will just take some time and dedicated work... I’ve seen people learn to live after terrible incidents.” Darian’s hand raised to rub the small pointed tip of his ear at the question, he’d long since abandoned his homeland but his speech had been heavily influenced by over fifty years at sea. “Originally? Native Kyrenian but I haven’t set foot there in a fair time, so it's not my original - mostly it’s just been shaped by where I’ve been. I never dwell for long... Land and I disagree.”

[ms-chana-adelberg]

Yvaine was not used to being addressed in such amatter or talked to this way. Most people whispered when she passed, not sure whatto say to her especially since what happened to her homeland and how it was nomore. This was sort of a pleasant change. “I am not lost. I just do not havethe courage yet to go inside and see my fiancé. He was seriously injured but I wasinformed he will live. I cannot face seeing him lying in that bed just yet.”

[sailorwithoutdestination-blog]

Understanding no doubt dawned on his features at the answer she gave, a small nod being earned. “Ah, I see. Must be difficult t’know he’s in there, though at least a little relieving t’have the knowledge he shall live on aye?” Darian offered, his head tilting as he regarded her shifting to lean a shoulder against the wall in a casual stance. “My apologies if I did bother you though, this city and the people in it are quite strangers t’meself but I can never help but offer aid occasionally.”