Age of Ice and Blood: A Pathfinder System Heroic Fantasy Quest

Twelfth Day of Ashinu-ezna (Ashinu Ascendant) 1348 A. L. (After Landfall)

"I won it in the melee in Noromo on he day spring turned to summer, a prize my skill at arms gained for me and mine," the words are curt, you cannot force more past your lips than that. The son of a bitch is frowning at you over his cup, but you could not give less of a shit what he thinks of your storytelling. Before he can do more than open his mouth you cut him off. "I think you might have gotten the wrong impression of where we stand here master Ulk. You might be master of this ship, but you did not earn it by blood or by gold. Such exploits as earned you your... bells..." Even to call them his is a sour taste on the tongue, stolen as they were by murder and blasphemy. "Will not be tolerated."

Pausing for breath you try to think of a way to remind him that the journey could yet be profitable when you would rather send him to the bottom, but that is all the time it takes Ulk to recover. He slams his own drink into the sea chest you are using as a table with a hollow thud and sneers: "Well now ain't you and unspoilt maid, without even blood on her skirts. Do you know what the grease-guts do to keep fed in the winter when the fire burns low and they can't find enough game in the woods not fish in the sea? They eat man flesh, scorched or raw, doesn't matter to them, and some of 'em 'll even think ahead, they've got salt from the sea don't you know. So unless you want to end up a haunch of salted meat in buried pots for the winter you'll listen to me and listen good!"

"I always listen," you answer looking him right in the eye. "To friend and foe alike I bend an ear most closely and then as suits each I act." words unspoken ring in the silence that follows.

"Fare thee well," you say in parting, the words only spared from being the deepest of lies by the fact that an ill turn for Ulk in these circumstances would be an ill turn for the whole of the ship and you have no cause to wish his sailors misfortune.

Someone must have been watching and per chance listening from the Marcella because the rope and hook are tossed beside you only a few moments later and you are glad indeed to be across.

"Not as congenial company as you were hoping?" Esha asks as you find your feet again on the other side.

"Carrion birds would be better company, their cawing more pleasing to the ear," you reply, not even trying to hide the disgust in your tone.

"Carrion birds are more useful than his ilk for certain," she replies genially. "There aren't many things that can stomach a week old corpse after all and not some down with some sickness, if I were to compare that fellow to a beast or bird it would be... hmm, a lion mayhap."

"A lion?" you ask startled out of anger by the mention of that noble beast which graces the heraldry of so many noble families.

"Lazy enough to sleep though most of the day, vicious enough to kill the cubs of a vanquished rival." she must have seen something of the roiling emotions on your face because she shakes her had. "I am sorry, it seems like I misspoke again. It almost seems like I cannot say three words without tripping over my tongue these days."

"No need," you reply ruefully, not quite able to muster up a smile but wishing you could. "It is not as though I have ever seen a lion that was not carved in stone or woven into cloth." After a moment's pause you ask: "I wonder though if I may ask a favor." By now you had moved from the open deck to the enclosed space of your cabin, a fact which you do your best not to put out of your mind. It does not work as well as you might hope.

"You may... ask," though the tone is imperious there is a light in the sorceress eyes that is almost mischievous.

"I wonder we might learn more of the spirit that now animates the Marcella and how it might aid us and we it. Though I am no seer I foresee we shall need all the aid we can get in the days ahead. If you would..."

"I must admit I am as curious about it as you are sir Roland, but if I might ask a question in return?"

"You may..." You pitch your voice just so as to seem you are about to add another word, then don't.

Esha smothers a laugh before replying in a more serious mien: "It is difficult and not without its perils to converse with those who speak less with flesh and more with spirit. Would you consent to be a... soul anchor of a sort while I seek out the spirit of the ship?"

[] Agree, you trust her skill and character both

[]Refuse, she had proven a loyal companion and good company so far but talk of souls is one step too far

[] Ask for an explanation

[] Write in

OOC: Well you cannot always make your diplo rolls. On the plus side you came out better from the intimidation back and forth that followed.