Looking for Ealiel's Crew [31st Jygust, Tradetide]

[Angelique of Siorenn]

Just outside Kings Court nothing could be seen of the trade scene that makes the port such a busy place of call. Instead the locals came to make a meagre living out of their local lake.

Tired and rickety-looking docks stretched out onto the Mer de la Luna like fingers clutching at a shimmering mirror. Small fishing boats sat side-by-side, tethered to the docks more out of habit than by need. The Lake was usually calm, especially here, in the docks.

The people that lived here were common, everyday workers. If they had been born in the grasslands, or anywhere else, then it is likely they would have been farmers, but no, they were born here, and so they were fishermen, and fiercely proud of it.

This pride flowed through most of the Wharf areas, almost like something tangible. So much so that newcomers and travelers often felt ill-at-ease under the fishermen's stoic glares.

The docks themselves were all but empty, though loud singing could be heard off in the distance from one of the "lesser" taverns.

A single old man sits at the end of one of the docks, a plume of smoke rising from a pipe clenched in his teeth.

"Just pull in here," Angelique told her brother, looking over her shoulders to make sure that they hadn't been followed "The Ealiel is down those docks. We'll need to hire an extra pair of hands though before we can leave. My previous crew I signed up for a single trip only. The tavern might be just the place to go look for that, plus we can catch up on some stories, eh? I want to know how you could be so stupid to end up at the hangman's nose."

They would need to get rid of the horse of course, which was a pity for it was a pretty little thing. The redhead slid off the animal and called to the old man "Do you happen to know somebody who will buy a horse?" Angel walked towards him with a winning smile "My brother and me are going to take a little trip and we sadly can't take it with us."

[Ashari]

Theo did as his sister intructed. She hadn't lead him wrong so far, so he pulled on the reigns and lead the beautiful white beast down the narrow lane of the fishing village. His eyes scanned the harbor for a vessel suiting his sharp sister, and when his eyes fell on the Ealiel he could recognize it as something she'd have picked up. "I'm not stupid," he said and gave her a swift elbow jab to her breast - something brothers were wont to do without recognition of the tender flesh. She couldn't see it, but in front of her, he smirked wickedly when he felt the point of his bone meet it's mark.

"It was entirely not my fault," he waited for Angelique to slide her slim form off the horse before he dismounted. He kept behind the horse as she questioned the old man.

"Quite tha hoss an' saddle," he remarked, craning his neck to better appreciate the creature's form. "There's a group a fellas in the pub - can't find a boat, a maybe they'd be wanting a hoss!" Here, he laughed to himself, thinking that he was very clever. He slapped his upper thigh for further effect. "Ahh.. but.. eh, o'er there is probly your best place ta be checking, I'd wager," he finished and lifted his heavily jowled chin to motion to a shanty pub that was practically sliding into the water. After that, he took a deep breath of his pipe and returned his vision to the sea. Tis a mighty angry Mer, indeed. He thought in passing.

The building itself had a sign affixed to it's front fascade upon which was a rearing bull and a proud rooster. The Cock & Bull was known in these parts as the local watering hole - it was the only one, but also a place from which many extrodinary tales originated.

"Hey there, sister... before we go barging in looking for someone to take this horse off our hands.. don't suppose you might have a knife?" He held up his still-bound wrists and smiled his most charming smile. Apparently it was one they'd each inherited from their mother, and it was very similar. Once that was taken care of he wiped a hand over his bare chest in a casual manner. He had all manner of marks and bruises on his back and shoulders - proof of his capture. "Let's get on with it then, shall we?" He grinned and offered her an arm.

A small porch lined the front of the building and a door hung open (in fact, it couldn't close thanks to the lurching of the building) and while it seemed as though it might slink right into the sea, the Cock had long since settled to it's current awkward angle. Locals considered it part of the place's charm. Every floor board creaked and the whole place reaked of spirits, tobacco and fish.

Tradetide saw a varied crew, the most cohesive of which were a group of eight men sitting at a long table against one wall. They'd pulled up another bench to accomodate them, and they sat drinking, joking and comisserating. The other tables were dotted with fishermen and locals; not a woman among them. There were still a few seats open, though none would offer any manner of privacy for the siblings.

[Ezekiel Lee]

It had not been anything personal, Zeke reminded himself silently; it was merely a case of bad timing. Perhaps it was even the result of the Captain's famously poor luck... in which case perhaps Ezekiel should even share the blame himself, for being unwise enough to sign Articles with Dupre.

And it had been a whole season of bad luck; Zeke was not the only hand aboard the Myrmidon who had (despite his usually rational nature) begun to listen to the superstitious rumours which dogged the unfortunate Captain Dupre. Takings had been poor since that business in the reefs of Mer Bay, in which they had spectacularly failed to claim the vast treasure promised, and lost several able seamen besides. After that, less than a tenday later, a sudden squall had damaged the Myrmidon's main mast, lost seventeen overboard, and set her back a further tenday at anchor for much needed repairs. Raids along the coast continued poorly, the takings miserable - and with the crew's loyalty at a low ebb, Dupre had narrowly avoided a full mutiny in mid Jaym. The offending hands keelhauled the long way, and none survived; and this barely enough to keep the surly crew in check.

And now, in Jygust, and perpetually shorthanded, Dupre had thought it convenient to collect new recruits in Kings Court. He had sent several hands ashore with this very goal in mind, and said crew members had set about their task in the usual diplomatic manner (which tended to involve clubbing unsuspecting strangers over the head to render them far more agreeable to being set to sea - or at least unconscious, and therefore unable to argue about it). Unfortunately, the trip of two marks had deteriorated into abandonment for the unlucky recruiters: it was at this delicate juncture that the docks had been closed and Dupre, evidently, had chosen bad luck over worse and felt it circumspect to leave while the leaving was good, rather than face armed naval vessels. It was probably a wise decision, all things considered, but instead of gaining much needed hands, Dupre had promptly lost eight, instead.

These were the eight grouped together in the Cock this tradetide, liberally applying beer to soothe their upsets. The Myrmidon had gone, and while it wasn't personal, it was still extremely poor luck. Being pirates, they each harbored a healthy dislike for being stuck ashore.

Per'aps... considered Zeke (who was usually a stoic man at heart, though somewhat slow and deliberate of thought), Per'aps me own luck is changin' then, an' this merely be a timely partin' a' ways that fortune dictates. This was a slightly more cheerful idea, and with this in mind he raised his mug to the absent Dupre - a man who, despite everything, the Dortese rover held a great deal of respect for - and murmured mainly to himself, "Ere's ta you, Cap'n, an' may both our fortunes improve. Mine, alas, all the better fer bein' parted fr'm yours." A salute that should be the end of it, the rover felt. It was surely time to seek fortune elsewhere.

[Angelique of Siorenn]

There was a little umph upon the impact of an elbow, and without thinking her free right hand reached out and hit him in the back of his head. "Watch it." Yet there was a laugh in her voice, just a little friendly ribbing. "Uh-huh," Angel expressed her disbelieve at his denial of guilt as she slipped down. She knew how Theo had a habit of getting into trouble. They were much alike.

"Fellas you say hmm?" the redheaded captain wannabe answered the old man, her blue eyes wandering off to where a tavern was distributing gay sounds in the tradetide air with a speculative air. It was the middle of the day and most of the fishermen where still at sea. "Well, that be fantastic. I will be checking it out." She threw the man a lance "There will be one more if my horse is still there when I come back."

Walking back and cutting the rope around Theo's wrists with an easy move of her dagger, swiftly removed and as swiftly put back into her left boot while she put her rapier into its resting place on her ip, Angel gave him her arm and allowed him to escort her as if she was of noble birth. It was a thought that made her snicker softly.

It was not difficult to identify the men the old man had talked about. They stood out as a sore thumb, dominating the Cock & Bull, a rowdy bunch. And probably out of a job. Why else would they be drinking here in the middle of the day?

Not intending to hide she was a woman Angel walked over to the bar with lithe grace, her brown jacket with its nice copper buttons flowing behind her. The pirate ordered two ales and threw a few banners on its surface. Then she leaned back on it, turning so she could observe the group of rowdy men at leisure, thinking they were vaguely familiar. Grinning into her beer for a moment Angelique took a deep sip. "Ah, saving your butt always makes me thirsty, Theo. And now you make me pay your beers too. There is no justice." The redhead figured an escaped prisoner wasn't likely to have any banners left. She threw a few more banners on the bar. "Those men look thirsty too. Better give them another one from me and tell them Angelique of Siorenn is hiring."

Angel rose her mug towards the men in salute, giving them her winning smile.

[Ezekiel Lee]

And perhaps fortune did indeed feel generous today? Not moments after Ezekiel had been considering his lot in life, Lady Luck saw fit to provide the table with a round of free drinks, which was a sure way to any rover's heart. Although... to Zeke's weathered gaze, the lady offering the drinks did not look much like he had imagined Madame Fortune to appear.

Nah... she looks like... He paused thoughtfully, a slight frown crinkling at the corners of his eyes, and returned her beautiful smile with a perfectly friendly one of his own, lifting his mug in thanks, ...like... th' three a' hearts. Hah!

As much as Ezekiel might have liked to pull out his deck of dog-eared and familiar playing cards and shuffle through them for comparative purposes, he considered this perhaps a tad impolitic. That would be no way to make new friends, particularly when said new friends announced they might be hiring. Instead, after a pause for thought and a slightly bemused shake of his head, he stood, and offered the lady a head bob by way of introduction. "Many thanks fer the drinks, lady! Mebbe y'd care ta join us... as I unnerstand y'have somethin' y'wish ta discuss...?" The rover spread his arms in a disarming gesture, "I assure ye, these lads be perfectly well behaved." A pause for their expected raucous laughter - well behaved was not a term you usually used to describe the erstwhile crew of the Myrmidon... not even at the best of times.

"Regardless, I'd hear yer terms, lady, an' gladly so."

[Angelique of Siorenn]

Giving a poke to Theo, gesturing with her head for him to follow her, she said with a grin "Gladly me lads."

The red head seated herself at the head of the table, letting her elbows rest on the surface, the mug of beer half way to her mouth "I be Angelique of Siorenn, Cap'n if you will, though such be a big name.. of the Ealiel. This here," she indicated Theo with a swing of the mug "be my little brother, Theodred."

She took a healthy swallow after her introduction, putting her mug down again and whipping the foam from the top of her lips. She clearly was no fainting daisy. The pirate girl arched an eyebrow "You fellas look like you know how to handle a ship. Where do you hail from?"

[Ezekiel Lee]

Zeke was glad to see her join them, and sat back with a thump upon his bar stool, listening to her words with a smile. At her question he supposed himself spokesman again, and answered cheerfully, "A pleasure ta make yer acquaintances, both. ...Cap'n," he thoroughly resisted the urge to call the good Captain 'Three', considering it imprudent - if the lady called herself Captain he had no reason to question it, and meant only respect. "We are as ye say, men a' the sea - but 'ave sadly parted ways wiv our good employer just this tide. Ill luck finds us 'ere drownin' our sorrows, fer the present time unsigned - and fer this, ye may call us 'omeless an' wivout origin, good as any. For lackin' any berth upon the water, we 'ave none! I fer one hail fr'm no land; I cannot say wiv any honesty that any patch a' dirt be me 'ome."

This with a pleasant grin; while the rover was not more specific about his precise employment or place of origin, it was not because he would not have told Angelique happily (he guessed her to be a woman of like mind when it came to the sweet trade), but because while within the bounds of Kings Court it was probably unwise to come out with it and name the name of the pirate captain or the ship with which he had sailed. Civilized folk tended to be averse to his kind, and Zeke knew all too well the punishments inflicted if caught and named 'pirate', publicly.

"I'd not speak fer the rest a' these waisters..." this said kindly enough for an insult, for the other ex-Myrmidos were nominally his friends and one time companions at arms, "...but ye can consider me int'rested in the offer." He gestured to himself with one calloused, suntanned hand, and added, "Ezekiel Lee, topman; rated able," by way of introduction. His was a very sidelong answer to her question of where he hailed - it would probably be more accurate to call his place of origin Nether's Gate - but Ezekiel would not name such a place here, and if this woman were indeed one of the merry company, she would surely recognise others of her own.

[Angelique of Siorenn]

Having no idea that Zeke was comparing her to an erotic deck of cards, Angelique just gave the sailor a cheeky grin, not afraid for anything the men tried. Theo might be her little brother, he had the muscles of a grown man. Zeke she had pecked for a pirate already. His manners spoke for him and besides he had a familiar face though until he introduced himself she had no clue to his name.

"Well, it is like this Ezekiel.. may I call you Zeke? ... I currently seek one or two crewmembers to sail with me to Roque. Things are a little too hot under my tail and they need to cool down some, savvy?" Angelique drawled, taking another huge swill from her beer "Now, I will be payin' fair but not outrageous and signing up with me after that little trip will be purely optional for you fellas of course. I might be running a small .. to and fro if you like.. but that is all still in the works."

Angel leaned back, pushing a red curl from her face as she observed the rest of the crew "Ain't got no articles yet. Too small for a company really, but if we start to hit the money, we might as well do that. Just being honest with you fellas. You seem to be of the same trade."

[Ezekiel Lee]

A nod to indicate that Zeke was fine, if preferable - otherwise the rover listened carefully, keeping his thoughts to himself until the Captain had finished. When he spoke, he did so deliberately. He was a man of slow thought; preferring to allow them to congeal properly before voicing them.

"So ye're hopin' ta quit this place directly, then...?" Zeke frowned thoughtfully, rubbing the day's worth of rough stubble decorating his chin. While, naturally, the call of the sea was strong - it was always strong, as a thirsty man craving water - he'd hoped to have more than a mark or two in King's Court. There were a couple of things he'd wanted to do. Mind, if ye skip on the lassie's offer, ye know not when the next may come. This ain't Nether's Gate... a pirate 'ere is a beggar, an' therefore surely can't choose. Besides, Roque ain't far... a trip of a half day, if the tides be right... an' it be easy money, aye? And with that thought, the decision was made.

"Believe ye have yerself a man, Cap'n." Zeke paused for a moment, unused to joining with a ship without Articles. Then he grinned broadly, spat in his palm, and offered her the hand to shake.

[Ashari]

Theo, having taken up next to his sister, listened as she invited the men at the table to join up. Until she'd said something he wasn't sure how many crew she'd be looking for, but he was certain she'd be able to pick up a pair out of this varied group.

Zeke was quick to join on, but the others at the table had their reservations. "Heh, well min, so fur as I kun see, Ima not sah sure Ima ready to part with the Myr. She'll be comin on back fur us, Ima think," one of them said.

One of the others, though, a broad shouldered hulk named Sudi, had the same mindset as Zeke when it came to sticking to the land - in that he wasn't so fond of doing it. "I would join you," he said with a nod of his clean shaven skull. He was a dark man, darker than what comes from just the sun. Zeke would know he was Amunic of origin, as he'd spoken of being a slave once upon a time. "So you've got yourself two men, if you'd have me," he said with a smile and raised the drink that Angelique had bought him with one large arm.

Theo, rubbing his palm over his recently sheered head, sighed absently. My hair... my perfect hair... monsters with their shaving blades. He thought to himself as he stared off with a forlorn expression that made it quite clear his mind was elsewhere.

[Angelique of Siorenn]

"Well mates, it seems like I've got myself a crew , small as it is," the redhead smirked and took a deep swill of her beer "With Theodred here, that makes the crew just fine and comfy. If the lady of the Mer behaves we might draw us up some articles at leisure on our way to Rogue, eh?" After the initial set up usually it was smooth sailing for a couple of marks to the Summer City.

Angelique kicked her brother under the table. He looked so far away. "Banner for yer thoughts," she whispered, not holding out any hope it would be very profound. Still there might still be some matters worth pursuing in the capital, despite the small issue of there being a sum of money on his head, and presumably after this morningtide on hers as well.

"So, what time shall you be ready to report the Ealiel?" Angelique asked with arched brow "I'll be in somewhat of a hurry, but I don't think we'll be sailing till the moon is out." The cover of darkness is what she needed to escape any patrols of the navy.

[Ezekiel Lee]

At the Captain's question, Zeke's grin faltered slightly, and after a moment's pause he let the unshaken hand he'd been offering fall to his side, where he wiped it idly on the soft duck of his shirt. The pirate sniffed, his cheerful nature not much dented, and replied easily, "Well, Cap'n, I ain't used ta bein' offered much in the way of choice when it comes t'our departure, so I confess this be a pleasant change in tradition. If ye need us by evenin'tide then, as crew, gladly I'll be there... by fourth mark, if that be agreeable to ye?"

He took a final swallow from his beer, finding it spent with no great displeasure. "I do 'ave a few errands ta run shorewards, so the waitin' time is no great trial ta me." Zeke offered up his easy smile once more, and stood, ready to take his leave now that business was conducted.

[Ashari]

Sudi nodded. "Meet up before moontide, then," he said, speaking of the first mark of gravetide. Between now and then I be having a sleep here, bid you gents until later." His large form rose from the table. "Miss Cap'n," he gave her a personal nod and departed for someone who worked for this run in hole in the wall in the hope that they had a bed for cheap.

Theo, on the other hand, started at his sister's insistent kick to his bony shin. He shot her a winning smile. He was elsewhere, even if he smiled now and pretended well at paying attention. There was no mystery to the fact that he took great pleasure in his good looks. Right now he wasn't looking his best, though it certainly wasn't the first thought on his mind. "I could use a bath, want to scrub the backs of my ears, sister?" He grinned. Theo could think of a lass he'd rather have washing his back for him, but things just hadn't turned out that way. His stomach turned, wondering what had happened to Diana after her first night in the King's Court jails.

"Ezekiel, if it wouldn't be a bother, could you grab a mate a shirt while you're about," he smiled. "Much obliged, cap'n here will pay you back for it," he gave Zeke a nod and smiled to his sister. "Speaking of.. captain, think we might find some food fare before heading off?" He gave her his best puppy dog eyes and hopeful expression.