”I don’t take the kind of passengers that don’t show up on manifests.”
”You’re a wise captain. But we’re just talking about some cargo.”
”Oh yeah? Oddly passenger-shaped cargo.”
The sounds of gold coins clinking paused the conversation, a sizable bag hitting the table before being slid across.
”Nonsense, it was in a crate when you loaded it, and what kind of wisdom is it to open your customer’s cargo?”
”... does it eat?”
”Only what it already has in the crate. Though it might-” Another, smaller clinking as a few more loose coins landed next to the sack. ”-need to stretch out its legs, find a proper hammock to sleep in. Until you arrive, at least.”
”... a blanket or two on the floor’s the best it gets. Sundown tomorrow, get in the one marked for Caldur’s in Antiva City.” The sound of coins being pocketed, then a quick pause. ”And if a Crow shows up, then there isn’t enough gold in the entire world. Understand?”
”I understand.” One last coin, and Rahse would don his hat, shoulder his coat, and shuffle out of the dingy shanty into the street. With passage secured, his and Leena’s plan was set to go as far as Antiva itself, putting the bulk of the distance they’d need between themselves and Bastien behind them. The trek to Arlathan itself from Antiva City would be its own challenge, but in a more foreign land with fewer threats to chase them, they’d have better odds of stopping to make some money, to find some opportunities, to travel days alone rather than day-and-night as they’d done.
Truly a high bar, traveling only when the sun lit the way. Rahse couldn’t wait, the growing bags under his eyes testament to their vigilance so far.
Exhaustion aside, it still couldn’t stymie a smile as he returned down the block to the small restaurant he’d agreed to meet with Leena in, taking up a table by the rear entrance as discussed. Ordering a bowl of soup, he would bat an eye at the coppers as they were taken; not their last since they’d begun to sell off whatever they could in the city, but money wasted purely for appearances all the same. He would indulge a few spoonfuls before deciding to save the rest for her, not hungry enough to truly justify the expense.
With a barely-touched meal before him and the exit behind, he would sit back, pull down his hat, and keep his eyes to the back door. When this was all over and they were safe, when life on the run was a sour memory and nothing more, he would need to make it up to Leena for so many skipped and paltry meals.
Maybe he would try to grab some chocolates in Antiva.
@Leena Craynore
”You’re a wise captain. But we’re just talking about some cargo.”
”Oh yeah? Oddly passenger-shaped cargo.”
The sounds of gold coins clinking paused the conversation, a sizable bag hitting the table before being slid across.
”Nonsense, it was in a crate when you loaded it, and what kind of wisdom is it to open your customer’s cargo?”
”... does it eat?”
”Only what it already has in the crate. Though it might-” Another, smaller clinking as a few more loose coins landed next to the sack. ”-need to stretch out its legs, find a proper hammock to sleep in. Until you arrive, at least.”
”... a blanket or two on the floor’s the best it gets. Sundown tomorrow, get in the one marked for Caldur’s in Antiva City.” The sound of coins being pocketed, then a quick pause. ”And if a Crow shows up, then there isn’t enough gold in the entire world. Understand?”
”I understand.” One last coin, and Rahse would don his hat, shoulder his coat, and shuffle out of the dingy shanty into the street. With passage secured, his and Leena’s plan was set to go as far as Antiva itself, putting the bulk of the distance they’d need between themselves and Bastien behind them. The trek to Arlathan itself from Antiva City would be its own challenge, but in a more foreign land with fewer threats to chase them, they’d have better odds of stopping to make some money, to find some opportunities, to travel days alone rather than day-and-night as they’d done.
Truly a high bar, traveling only when the sun lit the way. Rahse couldn’t wait, the growing bags under his eyes testament to their vigilance so far.
Exhaustion aside, it still couldn’t stymie a smile as he returned down the block to the small restaurant he’d agreed to meet with Leena in, taking up a table by the rear entrance as discussed. Ordering a bowl of soup, he would bat an eye at the coppers as they were taken; not their last since they’d begun to sell off whatever they could in the city, but money wasted purely for appearances all the same. He would indulge a few spoonfuls before deciding to save the rest for her, not hungry enough to truly justify the expense.
With a barely-touched meal before him and the exit behind, he would sit back, pull down his hat, and keep his eyes to the back door. When this was all over and they were safe, when life on the run was a sour memory and nothing more, he would need to make it up to Leena for so many skipped and paltry meals.
Maybe he would try to grab some chocolates in Antiva.
@Leena Craynore
01-19-2025, 11:07 PM
