In a comfortable cabin. (Rivenbane Arc)

Awareness came, as it so often seemed to, with pain. Tsan tried keeping her eyes shut, but that didn't block it out any more than wishing it away. It seemed the pain in her abdomen was here to stay. reluctantly, Tsan allowed her eyes to creep open a tiny bit, finding herself staring at wood planks.

Maximilian was gone, but she was clearly in what had been his cabin. Groaning, she was able to sit up, despite the profound and nauseating pain that caused. Glancing at the bedside table, she found two small white capsules, a cup of water and a note. She didn't recognize the handwriting, but the words, "Swallow these when you wake up." made her think Maximilian wrote them. She followed the instructions, and swallowed the pills, drinking the whole cup of water as she did.

With her throat soothed and, she hoped, her pain soon to be abated by the medicine, she experimentally attempted to stand. She was able to, and moved across the room despite the occasional pang from her still-healing wound. Her clothes had been folded neatly, and she was able to pull on the tan skirt and a loose linen shirt, presumably left there knowing the tunic was out of the question. Shoes were also out of the question, and so she went barefoot.

Pressing the door open, the corridor was abandoned, but given the sun shining through the open door at the end of it, that was normal. Making her way to the deck was arduous, her steps small and measured as she tried to keep from straining the gut wound. Her determination and patience won out in the end, and she found herself on the deck, breathing deeply of the salt air until a pang reminded her to take more modest breaths.

The crew were all doing busy-work but Tsan instantly found herself the subject of scrutiny as they eyed her. She was used to attention, particularly male attention, but this was something else, awe and fear mingled in their eyes. She moved with the same slow and measured gait, careful not to wince while enduring their gaze, until she found an out-of-the-way spot against the railing.

Eventually fatigue and the painkillers won out over her pride and she slowly sank to the deck, almost crying with the sensation despite the ****. Leaning back against the rail, she was able to breathe again and she closed her eyes, the sea air and the sun on her face helping her feel alive again.

She might have dozed off because she only realized Scragg was standing next to her after he was already there, leaning comfortably against the railing, content to wait for her to rouse. Tsan rolled her head to look at him and bluffed. "How long are we going to sit here silently, waiting for the other to talk?"

He gave a low, raspy chuckle. "You were asleep. I did not see a reason to wake you." He reached out a claw and tapped her forehead gently. "Now that you are awake, we should speak, if you are up to it."

Tsan closed her eyes as he tapped her, tempted to not reopen them but she **** it anyways. "Moving is a bit painful at the moment, so you've got yourself a captive audience, love." She couldn't help her smile, feeling more alive than she had in a decade, despite the pain and the ****.

"I'm glad you're in a pleasant mood. Though I could probably thank the young physician for that. You made a well-connected friend in him. Handsome too, if Adeline is to be believed." The kobold tilted his head, looking down at the elf. "He wished to buy your indenture. I denied him, but he was quite adamant. I do believe he has something of a crush on you."

Tsan blushed despite herself. "He wouldn't be the first human to find himself smitten with an elf. I'll speak with him about it." She offered, not knowing what she'd say, but hoping to placate the kobold.

"As you wish. I refused his offer. I still have need of you, and despite the young man's good intentions, I doubt his family would let go of such an expensive acquisition so easily." Scragg paused, looking down at her. "Which leads me to the questions I have to ask, based on recent events."

Tsan let out a slow breath. "Must we do this now?" She turned her gaze to meet his.

"I had concerns with bringing a whore so far north. Now I find those concerns are alleviated, exchanged for a new set of them based on your performance during the attack." The corners of his maw turned downwards. "I'll start with what I know: You're clearly a capable fighter, able to improvise on the spot. You're used to using firearms, and what's more, firearms that aren't yours. You identified the single most valuable passenger on board, formed a connection with him and very capably marked yourself as his defender. Would you like to explain, or shall I assume you're an assassin and we go from there?"

Tsan burst out laughing at the absurdity of it, quieting as her wound began to hurt. "I didn't come south with the bulk of my people. I spent a bit of time fighting the corruption along the border with the Wyldwood. I learned to use guns there, from the soldiers Vanheim sent north." She took a deep breath, wincing for it. "As for the most valuable passenger, isn't that you?" She looked at him with a touch of confusion.

Scragg eyed her cautiously. "You have no idea who Maximilian is, do you?" When Tsan shook her head he explained. "Maximilian Vaht-Gelt, is the second son of the Vaht-Gelts. The Vahts are the ruling family of Vanheim, though Maximilian's branch is rather far from the throne. The Gelts are merchant princes of Irymin. Their holdings stretch from Dreadkeep to Raleigh. Maximilian and his brothers control enough wealth to buy the entire syndicate if they so desired, though they're mostly content to squander their time."

Tsan considered that for a long moment. She had little understanding of money on that level. When she'd been growing up, it was servant's wages, hiding away a few Mon here and there to spend on sweets or a new dress. The lord she'd served had been of noble birth, but if Scragg was to be believed, even the manor she'd grown up in, with its cadre of knights and the forest and farmland stretching a day's ride in any direction was nothing compared to the reach such a family might enjoy. "I had no idea." She admitted.

Scragg seemed to accept the answer, turning to gaze towards the shoreline. "We'll be arriving at Rivenbane soon. You should rest while you can. The port is usually quite busy and I expect there will be much to do there. At the very least, I suspect Mister Roblin will wish to revise your attire based on your ability to attract bullets."

Giving a good natured grumble, Tsan attempted to pull herself to her feet, only to give a whine and fall back to the deck as she breathed harder, trying to get the pain under control. "Ow..." She breathed.

Scragg waved at Roblin, who moved across the deck to the pair. "Rob, would you be so kind as to assist Tsan back to bed? She seems to have overdone it."

Rob nodded, bending down to ever-so-gently lift Tsan in his arms as easily as one might a kitten. "She has that tendency. At least as long as I've known her." He rumbled, cradling the elf against his broad chest.

Tsan struggled not to fall asleep in his arms, but she didn't even make it back below the deck before blackness took her once again.