Startup 19: Arbitrage

Arodus 2, morning

An eternal flame, its light just slightly too white to be natural, swung gently above the common room table. It cast a flickering radiance upon two women; one a shriveled, toothless woman in a worn old dress, and the other a statuesque tiefling in black and red finery. The older woman carefully ran a stick of chalk across a slate with a shaky hand, only to have the slate wiped clean with a disappointed tut.

Lubo jumped when I entered the common room, staring at me with a guilty expression. Sosima, in turn, looked up and raised an eyebrow. The two of them sat at the long dining table, a set of papers carefully laid out between them. I hefted a heavy box, nodding affably, and set up at the other end of the table.

“Captain.” Sosima greeted me coolly, “to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?”

Is she still mad, or am I interrupting something?

“The winds are decent today without me shifting them.” I explained. “Sandara wanted to make sure the crew ran into inconsistent wind occasionally, so they’d know what to do if I was busy. I have liberty, so I’m doing some enchanting.”

I held up a bone carved dagger, which Cog had picked up some time ago when we fought the Grindylows. He was fond of it, possibly just for the aesthetic, but bone was fairly fragile compared to metal. It seemed wise to address that before it broke in the middle of a fight, even if Cog was a decent unarmed brawler.

“We can go.” Lubo offered nervously, half standing. Sosima grasped her by the shoulder and **** her back to the bench.

“I am attempting to educate Lubo on the process of binding.” Sosima said, calmly. “I trust your methods do not require excessive focus? We will be speaking throughout the process.”

“As long as I’m not disrupting you.” I said. “I might end up listening in, actually. Enchanting something like this is not as mentally stimulating as you might think.”

I mean, it requires the utter focus of one mind. I’m pretty much bored out of my skull most of the time Autopilot is working.

I hummed to myself as I worked, and Sosima returned to her lesson with a shrug.

“You’re scared.” She said, holding up Lubo’s shaking hand. “That isn’t unwise, but it is also counterproductive. It doesn’t matter how well you can draw if you cannot commit fully to calling out to the spirits.”

“But what about the ritual?” Lubo asked. “You said that if I did it wrong I might be possessed!”

“Then you do it correctly.” Sosima snapped, “You do it correctly because there is one path towards what you desire, and nothing but brambles to either side! The ritual guides the call, ensures that it reaches the correct ears, and that you are prepared for the response. If you can not commit to calling, then you are only sketching.”

I glanced over and saw Lubo slumped down, refusing to meet Sosima’s eyes.

That isn’t going smoothly. I wonder if I could help? I don’t think a normal pep talk would work, but a skill check might.

“I think she understands the situation, Sosima.” I said, “She doesn’t seem to think she, personally, is up to it.”

Sosima paused, sighed, and spoke in a much calmer tone.

“I think you are overestimating the danger of calling a cooperative spirit.” Sosima said frankly. “Children are taught how to do it in finishing school as an elective. Only one in five ever experiences a possession event, and if they do, it is easy to restrain them until the next day. I assure you, I could subdue you alone unless you somehow managed to invoke a greater spirit. That hardly ever happens.” (Sosima Diplomacy 2+10=12 fail.)

This failed to assure Lubo.

“Fine. Let us simply practice with the forms of the ritual until you are comfortable with them.” Sosima said. “Perhaps when the ritual has become rote, it will be difficult to see it as a looming danger.” (Honor in All Things, +4 to one check. 16. Partial failure.)

Lubo agreed, but her tone gave the impression she was mostly agreeing to please Sosima.

That poor woman has been through the wringer.

••••••••••

Arodus 4, 2 days later

Creed glared at me as Varossa entered my room, where dinner for two was set out. The bald man stood a few inches taller than Varossa or I, and that let him loom over the two of us when he disapproved of something.

“Anything you can say to the Captain, you can say to me.” He growled. “I don’t trust you, boy.”

“Of course you don’t trust me.” I said with a roll of the eyes. “We are pirates. Trust is in short supply. Luckily for me, I don’t need your trust.”

I looked at Varossa, smiling. She smiled back, a merry glint in her dark eyes.

“Oh shut up Creed.” She said, with absolute authority. “He’s not going to kill me. He’s had weeks to try it if he wanted to. A more intimate chat might be fun. Do you remember that, Creed? Fun? I know I must have explained it to you at some point. You really should try it.”

I didn’t actually hear Creed grinding his teeth, but I imagined it. I dismissed him with a nod, and led Varossa into my room. I pulled out one of the two chairs for her, and poured her a glass of wine.

“So, what’s the plan?” Varossa asked. “I’m perfectly happy to chat with you, but I’d like to know if you have any ulterior motives. Best to clear that up early, don’t you think?”

“Well I was planning on threatening your life later,” I said blandly, “but that always seemed like something to do only after eating.”

“Oh?” She asked, laughing and sitting down. “Why would you do that?”

“You know.” I said, rolling my eyes. “I don’t like how many secrets you’re keeping. It seems like an unnecessary thing to do. Wine?”

“Yes, thank you.” She agreed. “I’m dreadfully tired of rum.”

“So, where are you from?” I asked. “I can’t tell you too much about my home, so I’ll understand if you keep quiet. I’d just like to learn a little more about you.”

“How about I leave out details?” She suggested. “You give me about as much. I’ll admit, I haven’t met many drow. You’ve piqued my curiosity.”

“Deal.” I held out a hand, and she shook it with a strong grip. “You start.”

“I’m a bastard from Cheliax.” She said frankly, checking her nails. “Mother is noble, but I couldn’t tell you which of her lovers sired me and I doubt she could either. My uncle set me up on a ship to the Shackles; this place really made an impression on him when he came here in the navy. I’d prefer to not reveal my name; it’s likely to cause headaches back home if anyone knows where I’ve been.”

“I’m the only son of the most powerful sorceress in Heslandaena.” I gave her in fair trade. “I was **** in Port Peril from under my wife’s nose, and I’ve been making the best of it since. I don’t really intend to go back to the way things were. So, what can you do? I think you must be a binder, but I’m not entirely certain.”

“Nah, I can’t use magic at all.” She said breezily. “It’s a quirk of my birth. Spirits can’t latch onto me, even if I invite them in. Why a binder? Is it because I’m Chelish?”

“Partly.” I said with a shrug. “You’ve got some interesting traits I’ve noticed. Absolutely no detectable aura, for example.”

“Nosy, aren’t we?” She said, raising an eyebrow.

Not an answer, I see.

“I prefer cautious.” I said, smiling. “I have very little reason to trust you, and little else occupying my mind as we sail. I took it upon myself to make a few guesses, but I’d rather not share them.”

“Why not?” She asked, sipping her wine.

“More than half of the ideas are wrong, just because they are mutually exclusive.” I said, “I’d rather narrow down my guesses before revealing them.”

Our conversation meandered as Naomi carted the food in; today a few fish filets were the core of the meal. I got confirmation that Varossa had been in finishing school for a few years before swapping to officer training. That was where she’d met Plugg several years ago.

He made enough of an impression that long ago, that she could leave and pull a black widow gambit and she still remembered him? I don’t know if that lines up.

“So, where’d you get your hands on Aulamaxa?” Varossa asked, around when Naomi brought in some chopped fruit for dessert. “I’m trying to decide if she’s genuinely a bastard from a good family halfway across the world, or a very good con artist working an angle I don’t understand. She looks right, at least.”

“She’s legitimate, as far as I can tell.” I said stiffly, “In multiple senses of the word. From what I’ve heard, the assumption she was a bastard is half of why she’s down here.”

“Oh, the hellspawn thing?” Varossa said. “You know that’s an illusion, right?”

“It is a long story, and not mine to tell.” I said, ending that line of questioning. “I’ll respect your personal privacy if you do the same for my crew, hmm?”

“Fine, fine.” Varossa agreed, waving one hand in surrender. “So, what’s this about you being married? You certainly wouldn’t know it from the company you keep. Everything from brazen priestesses to unsavory fellow captains.”

“An arranged marriage, and not one I’m particularly fond of.” I explained. “Nendra’s father is a rather powerful sorcerer, and she wants to maintain the bloodline. Unfortunately, as my lack of siblings will attest, fiendish blood does not encourage fertility. It made for a less than pleasant home life.”

When we finished our dinner, I pulled out a map. It was a crude sketch of the Shackles with certain areas marked. After several days cycling through different missions, I had enough information to be threatening. I traced my finger along a set of lines, showing a loose progression from one mission objective to another.

“So, we are going to Port Peril first, and then somewhere in this region near Dahak’s Tooth.” I said, pointing at the approximate location of the shipwreck where I was to lay a ghost to rest. “After that, we can swing by Quent on the way to Besmara’s Throne.”

Varossa’s smile became strained as I laid out our likely itinerary.

“Of course, my sources are somewhat inconclusive and strenuous to employ.” I said casually. “So I’d appreciate it very much if you would save me the trouble of finding all three parts of the Three Pieces to Live and the location of Redclaw’s treasure.”

I looked up and met her dark eyes with my crimson orbs. I firmed up my expression, frowning slightly. She met my eyes, smiling and biting her lower lip.

The hell? Is this turning her on?

“Redclaw’s treasure in particular is a concern.” I continued, keeping my voice cool and level. “I have the ability to find out where the most valuable treasure you are aware of is, but as a sorcerer I have little input on the spells I learn. I’m afraid I would need to remove the skin from your corpse’s back to make a map. Effective, yes, but it would deprive me of your wonderful company. So, are we going to be partners, or are you going to continue trying my patience, Princess?”

Intimidate 5+12+5+5 (circumstance) = 27

Varossa is Shaken.

“Oh that’s good.” She said, looking over the map. “Hmm, this is more than Heartbreak or Creed know… How did you manage it?”

“Sorcery.” I whispered, wiggling my fingers in the air dramatically. “More detail than that can come after we are much, much better friends.”

“Deal.” She said. “Something to look forward to.”

“Oh, not going to threaten me back?” I asked.

“Oh sorry, did you have something planned for that?” Varossa asked, cocking her head. “Taking the ship wouldn’t be very practical, even if I killed you right here. Your officers seem to actually like you. I don’t make hollow threats.”

“Miss Lanteri, you take all the fun out of life.” I said, with mock disappointment.

“Not Miss.” She said absently, examining the map. “Captain.”

“Of what ship?” I asked.

“This one if you push me hard enough.” She said, smiling.

“I thought you didn’t make hollow threats.”

“I don’t, M’Dair.” She said absently, marking my sketch map. “You’ve made your point; I’ll play nice. This was fun, but I do have my limits.”

••••••••••

Arodus 7, 3 days later

“One, two,” I said, swinging the demonic corpse between me and Jape. “Three!”

We tossed it off the side of the ship, where hopefully the demonic essence would disperse harmlessly into the ocean. We had weighed the pros and cons of butchering the Schir first so that the demon blood would be more diluted, but decided that would be bad for morale. When I’d asked Syl if she could render the body down like Jerry had suggested, she’d turned me down.

“Some of us have tasks which require our active focus, Emrys.” She had said. “I can step away for an hour occasionally, but it would be unwise to completely abandon my post. Besides, I don’t have a proper lab set up.”

Ah, polluting the environment with toxic waste. A well respected tradition in entrepreneurship.

I picked up our prize for the day, and looked it up and down. Killing the demons was becoming routine, but their weapons were still special enough to count as masterwork. Apparently the fact that it came from another plane of existence was enough to hang an enchantment on.

While I examined the greasy slate gray blade of the halberd, I heard a distinctive clicking. I looked up to see Sosima approaching me with a resolute expression. I braced myself; she was still mad at me to the best of my knowledge, and I hadn’t figured out an angle to approach her yet.

“Emrys.” She said softly. “We need to talk. May I join you this evening?”

I glanced at Sandara, who had been scheduled for that night. She rolled her eyes.

“Stop looking around, you idiot.” Sandara admonished me. “Fishy has been moping all week. Go.”

She snapped her fingers a few times and pointed at the door leading below. I turned back to Sosima.

“Of course. It seems I’m at liberty.” I agreed. “I’m sorry things have been cold between us.”

“That’s part of what I wish to discuss.” Sosima said with a nod. “I’d prefer to continue in private, if that’s alright?”

We walked together to my room, where I flicked my eyes around, wishing I had a better read on the situation. I unbolted the folding bench, since the table was in pieces, and sat.

Is this a long talk that deserves tea? Should I open a bottle of wine to loosen us up? I want something to do with my hands, damn it.

“I’m sorry I didn’t speak to you.” Sosima said, stiffly. “I understand that my time and abilities are not wholly my own on this ship.”

“Thank you.” I said, “I probably should have asked more questions. I was unprofessional.”

Sure as hell not wrong, but definitely unprofessional.

She bobbed her head quickly, more in acknowledgment than agreement.

“If you would like, I can speak to the spirits on your behalf.” Sosima said, “I can also speak to Varossa. She seems to be more wary of you than of me.”

“Great, on both counts.” I said, tentatively reaching out and squeezing her knee. “I don’t intend to ask a lot, maybe once a week. It’s just good to have all the options available. I heard your question. Checking in on family?”

She nodded, looking down.

“My niece. She was perhaps three the last time I saw her in person.” She said, “I don’t know if I’d even recognize her if I saw Min now, but it’s easier to ask about her.”

“Easier?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I was born nearly sixty years ago, Emrys.” Sosima whispered. “My parents are human. Both of them.”

“Oh.” I said, feeling my gut twist.

I’ll never see my parents again either, will I?

“I’m sorry.” I said, “Is there anything I can do? It’s not like you’re formally exiled, right? I don’t think any of us have a rap sheet in Cheliax. Even the ship itself isn’t on any registry, I think. If you wanted to go home, this would be the time.”

Sosima looked at me, a smile crawling across her face. She restrained herself for several moments before laughter came bubbling up, nearly hysterical.

“No registry, no. Including the Chelish naval registry; we would be presumed spies and imprisoned immediately without proper documents.” She said, shaking her head. “Sandara, even on her best behavior, has an aura of chaos. She’d be identified as a cleric of a chaotic deity and detained at best, more likely killed. You would likely be detained for questioning, and if you weren’t enslaved as an interesting novelty you would be turned over to the minister of elven affairs.”

I winced.

“I don’t have much personal experience but I don’t think normal elves care much for my people.” I admitted.

“Hmm?” Sosima asked. “Oh, the minister isn’t an elf. He might be swayed by his staff though, yes. Regardless, I have no reason to believe that my family would welcome me even if they desired to do so. I am, by Chelish legal code, a deserter guilty of treason under the codes of binding.”

“A deserter?” I asked, “You were literally trapped on an island with no way off. What were you supposed to do?”

“Presumably bind Vishgurv immediately to become amphibious, despite it being forbidden and me lacking the knowledge.” She said dryly. “Afterwards, I would swim all the way to Bloodcove without dying or being captured by the enemy, expel Vishgurv, and politely pretend that such a thing never happened. I believe the precedent is to claim that one tamed several sea turtles. Regardless, by the simple expedient of me being a Gillman, I have an irrevocable mark upon my record. Even natural born Gillman are unable to gain citizenship by imperial decree.”

Bullshit.

“Laws, eh?” I said, frowning. “No, that’s not going to stand. There’s a workaround somewhere. Nobody layers on that many rules without some loopholes in place, especially in a world of magic. We can work something out, once we have more resources to draw upon.”

Sosima stared at me for a long moment, her lip quivering. I ached to put my arms around her, but I didn’t know if she’d be ok with that, so I just patted her knee again. She looked away.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Captain.” She said, an edge of anger. “You don’t need to string me along.”

She took a deep breath, composing herself.

“I’m glad you recognize what a window back home means to me.” She said, “I can check in with you weekly, if that’s what you wish. I warn you, there is a reason I’ve restrained myself to gossip. The spirits do not make a policy of sharing sensitive information about their favored souls. If Ivey wished to betray you, getting that information from Cave Mother would be like riding a wild horse. Even if I managed to compel her, she would doubtless inform him when next they communed.”

“Not immediately?” I asked, “he spends half the day hovering around her.”

“An echo.” She said, smiling. “A fragment, or perhaps a copy, of her true self. It will return to her when the statue is broken, allowing her to live in our world by proxy. Such is the bargain made by all such spirits, as well as…”

She shook her head.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t imagine you want to hear about esoteric corner cases.” She smiled, “Our discussion went better than I expected. We have so much time now for… other matters.”

She leaned forward, her black dress showing a very intriguing amount of cleavage. She twisted, straddling my leg and stopping her face only a few inches from mine.

Esoteric corner cases sound interesting, but I’m not quite that much of a nerd.

I closed the distance with a kiss, noting the beeswax she’d started coating her lips with. It made her lips unusually cool, smooth under my tongue. Sosima ground against me, and for a while we only kissed. We paused for only moments at a time, exchanging breath with our foreheads pressed together, or running our mouths down each other’s necks.

I deftly unlaced her dress, even as she tugged out my shaft. Her skirts were heavy and layered, else I could have simply hitched them up to access her nethers. Instead, she had the upper hand while I navigated her clothing.

I groaned as Sosima delicately stroked my cock, smiling as she did. She was focused more on my pleasure that night, perhaps as an olive branch after our fight. She was not half so aroused as she pretended; unsurprising, given the topic of our discussion. (Sense Motive 19+1=20)

Don’t ruin the moment. Then again, it’s not a good idea to let a girl think of sex as a favor to you. Autopilot, be ready if I finish first. I want her quivering on the ground by the end of the night.

••••••••••

I slept in my bed that night, with Sosima’s arms too warm and comfortable to countenance anything else. I didn’t know if my worries had any weight, but a part of me thought using magic to completely eschew sleep couldn’t possibly be healthy. Of course, on that particular night perhaps I should have used Keep Watch.

I woke to the sound of thunder, and when I reached out with Besmara’s boon, I could feel the light rain outside even before it was hard enough to hear. There was a tension in the air, the intensity of the weather rising almost as quickly as it did when I invoked it. I pulled on one of my brown work coats and ran upstairs, a hastily dressed Sosima a few steps behind me.

My heart sank as I saw the popup:

Gozreh’s Wrath

For the crime of polluting the ocean with the blood of demons, you have irritated the god of nature. Normally this would be harder to do, but the eyes of the gods are already upon you when you invoke Besmara as you have.

The heralds of the storm dance amongst the clouds. Deal with them before they destroy your ship, but know that should blood be spilt there will be consequences.

Reward: 2 exp, Weather Sphere talent, fair winds to Port Peril