The Jarl's Treasure

Donald bounds out of the cabin, calling out for one of his men.. Alone with you, Kara sidles over to the gargantuan bed in the back of the domicile, taking a seat. She pats the mattress next to her, and you join her on it.

“Thought this'd catch your eye.” the princess says, giving you a wry, slightly crooked smile.

“You know me so well.” you respond, before leaning in, stealing a kiss from your bride.

Your good hand touches her hip. As something stirs within you, you sense Kara is not fully committed to this little indiscretion.

“We shouldn't.” the Beathan whispers, even as she clings to you.

“Why? Donald could be gone who knows how long? If-” you protest.

“No, it's not just that.” Kara insists. “Well, it is a wee bit. Just, the phase I'm in, wi' my monthly blood, it'd be a risk.”

“You know.” you say, with a slight smile. “I'm really not averse to things getting a little... messy.”

“Ach, you're misunderstanding me, Edward.” Kara clarifies. “The risk'd be an increased chance of getting' pregnant. That cannae happen, not until after the fighting at least.”

“And even then, we should probably wait until after your coronation back in Itheria. You'll be a hard sell to my court already, never mind if you're with child.” you reckon.

“Let's hope I have the luxury of worrying about your court someday soon, Edward.” Kara smiles, giving you an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

You hold her for a few comfortable moments, before Donald barges back in, something bright and heavy in his hands.

“Enjoying yourselves, I see?” The Beathan monarch grins. Kara extricates herself from you, more quickly than you might have expected, and joins Donald at the Jarl's desk.

“We took this from Hjordis when we captured her.” Donald explains, showing you an intricate steel key. “Damn giantess didn't say a word about it, and Spirits help me, I wasn't exactly keen to press her on it.”

Given the multitude of shackles and cages you had seen in her flagship, you don't really blame him.

Sliding the key home, Donald opens it, a little hesitantly, and lifts the lid.

A blue luminescene of some sort streams out, powerful enough that you have to shield your eyes, until they adjust to it.

“What in the world...” Donald gasps, enraptured. He extends his hands, reaching inside the box.

“What're you doin', you fookin' fool.” Kara hisses, catching him by the wrist. “You've no earthly idea what this is, and-”

“Peace, sister. Sometimes one has to take certain risks.” Donald remarks, shrugging her off, and lifting the item within out of the box.

The specimen in Donald's hands resembles a chunk of coral, only it's blue in colour, seems to glow and pulse, filling the room with a peculiar resonance now that it's freed from it's confinement.

“No doubt Hjordis prized this.” Donald theorises. “Would've taken a skilled locksmith days to crack open the tumbler on this box.”

As the Beathan ruler speaks, he lifts the coral up, letting it catch the light from one of the cabin windows, marvelling at the way it shimmers and glows.

“Aye, she prized it so much she left it behind when she marched to meet us.” Kara responds. “Put it down, Donald.”

Donald relents, albeit not without a few seconds hesitation. When he places the coral chunk back in it's box, Kara closes the lid, and rests her hand on it.

“We've more important things to consider than this.” Kara reasons. “We've tae ready these ships, get our men up to speed on Deanian crafts, then make for the Fresgoe Isles, as soon as we dare.”

“You're right, of course.” Donald sighs. “Still, wouldn't you just love to know what that thing was?”

“I can live with a little mystery, brother.” Kara responds flatly.

“Maybe Hjordis would tell us, if pressed?” Donald wonders absently.

“Aye, because she's so forthcomin'. Face it, brother, unless it hurts Einar and helps her, the giantess is tight-lipped as ever.”

“What about Ben Swain?” you offer. Donald's face lights up at the thought.

“Of course!” he says, a little giddy. “That queer fellow possesses all sorts of arcane knowledge. He's the one who activated Einar's little gift, of course.”

“Swain's never far from Madeleine.” Kara tells her brother. “Maybe the two of you could sup together tonight?”

Donald scoffs at Kara's sardonic suggestion.

“I think not. Maybe you could ask her to loan Swain to us? From the rumblings I hear, you've taken young Maddie for your own. What's wrong sister, one monarch not enough for you?” Donald needles.

“We've just grown closer.” Kara protests. Of course, you'd seen just how close Kara and the Sinnabarrovian heiress had become. If anything, your wife was downplaying it. “She does have her good sides, you know.”

“Aye, I'll no' deny that.” Donald smirks. “She's rich, she's fair clever, and she's not such a bad lover for how conceited she is.”

He counts each point off on his fingers.

“I'll oversee the inspection of the fleet.” Donald continues. “Kara, I would apprciate your help, but Edward... I wouldn't half appreciate it if you talked to Maddie for us.”

The Beathan king leans in, touching your shoulder.

Already, other ideas were taking shape within your mind. Whatever it was that Hjordis had hidden away on her ship, it might be valuable, might hold some magick that, if harnessed correctly, you might be able to offer to the Cult. No doubt once your aunts became aware of Robert's survival, as Roland had, they would be rather displeased with you.

It would be prudent to avail yourself of any opportunity to soften their ire...