Part MMCXCVII: Raiders' Tales
Raiders' Tales
Sixteenth Day of the Fourth Month 293 AC
Explaining your circumstances proves a far more straightforward affair when dealing with the Shaitan lord. He does not seek to know the world through you, nor yet does he question you of your origins beyond anything that may impact the bargain you already struck. However, in those matters that interest him, Mahuroos Tepani is as relentless as the stone from which he was birthed. The Deep Ones, the realm of the archons in Mantarys, and Relath in Tolos, all these fall under his exacting scrutiny, and you can almost see the wheels of dozens of plans readjusting to take such potential disruptions to interests of the Peerless Empire. It quickly becomes clear that it will be a while yet before he considers the new developments in terms of opportunity. Like the helmsman of a storm-tossed ship he sees the reefs before the land on the horizon...
Still he offers the same promise not to meddle in the ruins of the Freehold, with the same caveat you had received in Armun Kelisk, though from the lips of a Shaitan talk of independent expeditions sounds more like a veil for any covert expeditions the Sultana may wish to send. Ultimately you will have to trust that the Opal Throne does not have the funds or time for such distractions, and indeed it seems to be the case to judge from the fact that he is able to offer unequivocal confirmation of Shaitan participation in the conclave you offered to organize. Far be it from you to wish that the Efreeti win their war, but a stalemate will suit you quite well.
Thus you come at last to the task he wishes you to take on: "I require raiders on the Brazen Throne's ships in the Sea of Fire, particularly raiders with seemingly no connection with the Peerless Empire. Powerful creatures begotten of flame that scorn the Sultan's rule and might tempt the local salamander petty kings to try their own luck, perhaps even desertions among the Crimson Fleet. Tales of a dragon of flame such as have not been seen in hundreds of cycles would surely be most likely to rally them. However, the hunt would be relentless. A more subtle approach might also serve..."
"How would we be paid for such an effort?" Dany asks, a glint of unselfconscious draconic greed in her gaze.
"Flat payment for each tribe that begins wide-scale raiding and a bounty for any Efreeti ship larger than an Oil Runner captured in addition to a standing offer to buy any prizes, cargoes or slaves you may wish taken off your hands at a good rate," he replies. "This is a standing task with no obligation to begin operations before a certain date."
In other words a test of skill and perseverance that is to serve as a gateway to more urgent or delicate tasks, you nod in understanding.
Lost 200 Gold (Extraplanar Living Expenses)
***
Seventeenth Day of the Fourth Month 293 AC
Your tasks in otherworldly realms fulfilled in full, you step once more onto the shores of the Deep, mind filled with plans and hopes for the future, yet still content to smell the sea and upon the wind after days in the realms of sky and stone. Alas you do not have long to linger, for the expedition to Sothoryos is set to leave today, and on the morrow Zherys' plot in Volantis will come to a head.
Just as you begin to turn your eyes from the sea you spot the Valyrian resting at anchor together with a handful of other galleys flying the pirate lord's flag. Rather than bothering with a messenger you simply will yourself onto the deck of the ship waving off the startled crew as you head to the captain's cabin.
The sound of feminine laughter as you approach followed by the hurried rustling of clothes being set to order greets you, though to his credit Salladhor does not seem put off to have his seduction interrupted, unlike his companion, a Tyroshi noblewoman by her accent and dress.
"Wine, Your Grace?" the lord of Deepcleft asks, quickly producing a third goblet and filling it from of an already three-quarters-empty pitcher of Myrish Gold.
"Thank you," you accept, though only drink enough for courtesy's sake. Today's battles will require a clear head.
Beginning with a discussion of raiding in the Narrow Sea and commiserating over the slimmer pickings of late, you bring up the possibility of shifting his focus to the Basilisk Isles once they have been pacified, or even further afield to the Endless Sky or even the swirling maelstrom of the Eternal Fire.
"Well now I hardly know what one of these genies are..." he begins. "Mayhap I should meet one before I make a choice."
You open your mouth to suggest he speak to Embra, close it, then spend a good half hour explaining precisely how powerful even a single Djinn is, much less a kingdom of them, with particular emphasis on who Embra's father is both in position and temperament. By the end of the discussion Saan looks to have grown abruptly sober, with no magic required.
"If it's alright with you, Your Grace, I'll take the Basilisk Isles for now, savages, snakes, plagues and all," he says at last. "It's going to take a lot of gold to make something of those misbegotten ports, though. How much are you willing to pledge beside whatever I can gather?"
A smile twitches at the corner of your mouth at the blunt question. For all the nods to royal etiquette he piles on, Saan is not one whit less blunt when it comes to his pockets than he has ever been.
What do you answer?
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OOC: Next update will be Sothoryos and then the decision on what to do with Embra. For now she is just gawking at practically everything around her as Dany gives her a tour.
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