"Then let's have a drink, to fortune, of course," Rokya said as he filled two mugs of a dark ale. "Cheers, Sir knight."
The Unknown: A Game of Fear, Ignorance, and Adventure
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Marneus took a mug and raised it to meet Rokya's.
"Cheers."
Leaning his helmet back, he drank from his mug.
"Cheers."
Leaning his helmet back, he drank from his mug.
After talking with Marneus in the hold, Rokya found himself seeking sunlight and a sea breeze. The carpenters and guards were gone and the ship felt a lot less crowded, it felt a lot more like freedom. Maybe things won't be so bad after all, he thought to himself.
INTERLUDE
A lone figure stood at the end of the longest pier in Tyb harbor, watching the white sails of the Cepolada sink below the horizon. The figure had a pair of large eyes, shockingly green against the pale face, that didn't so much as twitch until the top of the tallest mast vanished from sight.
Only then did the elf stirr. "Hmmm," he said.
He turned, cloak swirling around him, the sun uncomfortably warm on his face. It was always too hot in these places the humans lived. He'd gotten used to it by now.
He strolled down the pier, absently flipping a complicated knife through his fingers. Open, closed, both sides of the handle coming apart to reveal the blade and then coming together again, the enamelled green scales along the sides flashing in the sun.
This would have to be handled carefully. Money was tight at the moment: he couldn't do what needed to be done with his own funds, which meant he'd have to request money from his patron. Again. He frowned into the air. The debts never seemed to go away: indeed, they always seemed to get larger...
It was half an hour later when he left Tyb harbor upon a small ship crewed by only five men, men who would never receive the other half of the payment promised to them. The elf stood at the prow of the ship as it made its way towards the open ocean and the Cepolada: a tall, thin figure with abruptly spiked hair, completely expressionless, flipping a complicated green-handled knife around thin fingers.
_______________________________
Happy New Year, everybody! As a special present, here's some artwork I drew that I might send to the RP Digest at some point.
As the ship rocked set off Ko'el and Rhee sat in the mess hall enjoying a small feast. They had managed with a combinations of Ko'el's fast talking, and Rhee's luck to convince the cooks to give them the run of the left-overs from the last meal. So there they sat with a platter fool of bread, meat, cheese and ale from the last meal. After a mouthful of bread which he washed down with a swallow of ale, Ko'el looked up at Rhee.
"" He asked suddenly.
"" He asked suddenly.
""
The question was quick and unexpected, she had already thrown a chunk of cheese in her mouth and questioned if she could fit the bread. she chewed fast and swallowed trying to get the answer out before Ko'el thought she ignored him.
She took a sip of yesterday's ale which she soon found herself coughing and sputtering.""
The question was quick and unexpected, she had already thrown a chunk of cheese in her mouth and questioned if she could fit the bread. she chewed fast and swallowed trying to get the answer out before Ko'el thought she ignored him.
She took a sip of yesterday's ale which she soon found herself coughing and sputtering.""
Raven had strategically placed four bronze heating pots near the four corners of the room, each containing dry herbs that were smouldering gently producing a light smoke and a sickly sweet aroma. The smell of incense rose and fell throughout cabin as the burning herbs churned with the cold sea breeze that wafted through the open portal. The wizard sat in the centre of the room with his legs crossed and eyes closed in a meditative trance. In his hand was piece of chalk. The floorboard around where he sat was decorated in chalk outlines of designs and runes only the very old and the very wise could decipher. Raven himself sat in the centre of a chalk circle outlined by 12 distinct symbols.
He took in a deep breath and opened his mind. The cabin suddenly began to fill with disembodied whispers, faint mutterings in a dead language that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The walls and the floor trembled ever so slightly; unnoticeable to those who were not familiar with magic, the runes on the floor and the chalk circle began to glow in an ember hue and the incense smoke began to swirl in the rushing winds taking various forms before finally settling as a mirror outline of Raven before the mediating mage.
Lle naa Kidori Raven ahun Vayyari. Atara lanneina en lokirim
(Why have you summoned the Vayyari, Raven Kidori. Your presence is most unwelcome.)
"Forgive my intrusion O wise one, but I seek your counsel"
The swirling smoke figure buckled it's form for a few seconds as a deep laughter echoed from within it's hollow frame.
Kinouslae?. Spirultenes ahuri nakura mavisti draugrim. Dolle naa losati. Thathanouva daggori Kidori Raven ahfisnin tenna' telwannaa calen ar' malta.
(Counsel?. The spirits of your ancestors will not answer your call. You know this. Raven Kidori has ever needed the company of none, why then does he seek the aid of that which he forsook 14 years ago)
"Things have changed. The unknown clouds me..but it is not the unknown itself that hides the truth. The company that follows this path is plagued but for reasons I cannot yet see. For once I do not feel connected to the grand scheme of things, so I ask that perhaps the spirits could help me in matters that the mortal realm cannot comprehend"
Lissenen ar' maska Kidori Raven quennen esta. Kaima Vayyari nora sulie san'edan. Sinome spirultenes rina istorlle auta yeste' tulien sa fis saa'naa quel Marath lle farnuva. Amin naa tuallatia. I'narr en marathrim gainuva nuin I'anor
(You forget your place Raven Kidori. We, the Vayyari are not idle fortune tellers. The spirits will not intervene with affairs outside the Halls of the Dead, you are not one of us. We owe you no favours. Only your death will grant you the answers you seek.
"I wager my soul that I am worth something while I still draw breath. Not idly do the Vayyari answer summons from the mortal realm and not idly do they appear to say nothing."
Ouri mavisti chiben amin lanta. Kalale i'dolen enthula tuulo' i'ba haeannon. Aiefnen ar' talfa'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva. Pela en' bela tempar yassen 'kshapsa. Qualohtarie ro caele beika sutil naa lle mallen pelu e' n'alaquel en' sen sinta thaliolle. Dhani naa ta
(Your ancestors grieve for you. Your soul has our scorn and sorrow. We cannot give you redemption or guidance. Yet we cannot ignore the call of the bloodline. Three warnings is all that we can offer you but never again can you call on us once this is done. Agreed?
Agreed
There was a silence as the ancient spirit rose on it's smoke infused limbs. Raven felt the cold stare as the Vayyari pierced into his soul and spoke directly into his mind.
First, the provost of Tyb is watching you leave as a warship shadows your course out of the Tybian vicinity. Till such time comes to pass be careful of your actions, for all they need to the sink the ship, is a sign of hostility.
Second, be weary of the company you keep for magic, bone and steel are not all that some can wield. The stench of death is close at hand for some speak to the devil in ways that you cannot understand.
And third, the assassin who cried wolf has eluded you. The bane of fire has set her free and now she roams bound by vengeance and greed. Intertwined your paths may be but be weary for her last sting is yet to be seen.
Raven inhaled sharply as the voice rang clear as a trumpet in his ears. He took a moment before responding.
Is that all?
Nai turamin Kidori Raven nikerym. Saesa omentien lle tanya awra ta we ney ahrin daagori. Mahika tarion falon ohura tarion tel-dalon lle sethuni benkalish. Tincya en'tuulo russe tuulo' moriloomir.
(That is all we can say to you, Raven Kidori. We cannot risk divulging more or have both our worlds collide in discord. Our deed is done, our warnings have been passed, you shall need us no longer. We part company now for new company you will have.)
Wait!. What do you mean by new company?
Yavieba ahnen telinen masulo. Yallume shika yala onna.
{A dwarf approaches seeking words with you. Best not keep him waiting)
The spirit had barely spoken those words when three knocks were heard on the door.
"Master mage Raven. Am I intruding at this time?"
Raven opened his eyes at the intrusion instantly ending the trance, the smoke elemental began to fade from sight as the winds distorted it's human form.
One last thing. A great shadow follows the expedition. A great evil works against you all
a gentle whisper blew past the wizard's ear as the smoke vanished through the open porthole.
Trust the dead to give me a straight answer!" he muttered after a moment had passed before violently stabbing a dagger onto the floorboard in frustration.
"Alexis my friend!" Raven said in a cheery smile. "Come in, what can I do for you?"
He opened the door letting the dwarf enter the now meticulously cleaned room. In fact apart from the few brushed chalk dust and the faint aroma of incense, there was little to say the room had been a focal point in a summoning ritual.
He took in a deep breath and opened his mind. The cabin suddenly began to fill with disembodied whispers, faint mutterings in a dead language that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The walls and the floor trembled ever so slightly; unnoticeable to those who were not familiar with magic, the runes on the floor and the chalk circle began to glow in an ember hue and the incense smoke began to swirl in the rushing winds taking various forms before finally settling as a mirror outline of Raven before the mediating mage.
Lle naa Kidori Raven ahun Vayyari. Atara lanneina en lokirim
(Why have you summoned the Vayyari, Raven Kidori. Your presence is most unwelcome.)
"Forgive my intrusion O wise one, but I seek your counsel"
The swirling smoke figure buckled it's form for a few seconds as a deep laughter echoed from within it's hollow frame.
Kinouslae?. Spirultenes ahuri nakura mavisti draugrim. Dolle naa losati. Thathanouva daggori Kidori Raven ahfisnin tenna' telwannaa calen ar' malta.
(Counsel?. The spirits of your ancestors will not answer your call. You know this. Raven Kidori has ever needed the company of none, why then does he seek the aid of that which he forsook 14 years ago)
"Things have changed. The unknown clouds me..but it is not the unknown itself that hides the truth. The company that follows this path is plagued but for reasons I cannot yet see. For once I do not feel connected to the grand scheme of things, so I ask that perhaps the spirits could help me in matters that the mortal realm cannot comprehend"
Lissenen ar' maska Kidori Raven quennen esta. Kaima Vayyari nora sulie san'edan. Sinome spirultenes rina istorlle auta yeste' tulien sa fis saa'naa quel Marath lle farnuva. Amin naa tuallatia. I'narr en marathrim gainuva nuin I'anor
(You forget your place Raven Kidori. We, the Vayyari are not idle fortune tellers. The spirits will not intervene with affairs outside the Halls of the Dead, you are not one of us. We owe you no favours. Only your death will grant you the answers you seek.
"I wager my soul that I am worth something while I still draw breath. Not idly do the Vayyari answer summons from the mortal realm and not idly do they appear to say nothing."
Ouri mavisti chiben amin lanta. Kalale i'dolen enthula tuulo' i'ba haeannon. Aiefnen ar' talfa'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva. Pela en' bela tempar yassen 'kshapsa. Qualohtarie ro caele beika sutil naa lle mallen pelu e' n'alaquel en' sen sinta thaliolle. Dhani naa ta
(Your ancestors grieve for you. Your soul has our scorn and sorrow. We cannot give you redemption or guidance. Yet we cannot ignore the call of the bloodline. Three warnings is all that we can offer you but never again can you call on us once this is done. Agreed?
Agreed
There was a silence as the ancient spirit rose on it's smoke infused limbs. Raven felt the cold stare as the Vayyari pierced into his soul and spoke directly into his mind.
First, the provost of Tyb is watching you leave as a warship shadows your course out of the Tybian vicinity. Till such time comes to pass be careful of your actions, for all they need to the sink the ship, is a sign of hostility.
Second, be weary of the company you keep for magic, bone and steel are not all that some can wield. The stench of death is close at hand for some speak to the devil in ways that you cannot understand.
And third, the assassin who cried wolf has eluded you. The bane of fire has set her free and now she roams bound by vengeance and greed. Intertwined your paths may be but be weary for her last sting is yet to be seen.
Raven inhaled sharply as the voice rang clear as a trumpet in his ears. He took a moment before responding.
Is that all?
Nai turamin Kidori Raven nikerym. Saesa omentien lle tanya awra ta we ney ahrin daagori. Mahika tarion falon ohura tarion tel-dalon lle sethuni benkalish. Tincya en'tuulo russe tuulo' moriloomir.
(That is all we can say to you, Raven Kidori. We cannot risk divulging more or have both our worlds collide in discord. Our deed is done, our warnings have been passed, you shall need us no longer. We part company now for new company you will have.)
Wait!. What do you mean by new company?
Yavieba ahnen telinen masulo. Yallume shika yala onna.
{A dwarf approaches seeking words with you. Best not keep him waiting)
The spirit had barely spoken those words when three knocks were heard on the door.
"Master mage Raven. Am I intruding at this time?"
Raven opened his eyes at the intrusion instantly ending the trance, the smoke elemental began to fade from sight as the winds distorted it's human form.
One last thing. A great shadow follows the expedition. A great evil works against you all
a gentle whisper blew past the wizard's ear as the smoke vanished through the open porthole.
Trust the dead to give me a straight answer!" he muttered after a moment had passed before violently stabbing a dagger onto the floorboard in frustration.
___________________
"Alexis my friend!" Raven said in a cheery smile. "Come in, what can I do for you?"
He opened the door letting the dwarf enter the now meticulously cleaned room. In fact apart from the few brushed chalk dust and the faint aroma of incense, there was little to say the room had been a focal point in a summoning ritual.
An eery smile creeped across Ko'el's face as he began to feel nostalgiv of times past, " Hm, few hundred years ago I would have terribly misintereperted that suggestion." He took a sip of the ale unlike Rhee it hardly bothered him, most of his sense of taste had gone years ago he it could have been the finest elven wine and it would still taste like water to him.
""
"" He said trusted with a notable bit of sadness he looked down at the bottom of his glass.
""
She had to grin once she saw the ice-elf smile, Rhee filled his glass not realizing she left herself dry.
she lost herself for a second realizing her situation was no different.
she lost herself for a second realizing her situation was no different.
Alexis frowned as at the sound of voices coming from Raven's cabin. "Perhaps he has company" the dwarf thought and was about to walk away when the door opened.
"Alexis my friend!. Come in, what can I do for you?"
The dwarf turned to find Raven smiling at him at the doorway. A faint waft of incense drifted towards his nostrils.
"Forgive me master mage, I hope I was not intruding. If you have company I will see you later, it's nothing important. Just some matters about the crew" he said politely.
"Alexis my friend!. Come in, what can I do for you?"
The dwarf turned to find Raven smiling at him at the doorway. A faint waft of incense drifted towards his nostrils.
"Forgive me master mage, I hope I was not intruding. If you have company I will see you later, it's nothing important. Just some matters about the crew" he said politely.
Forgive me master mage, I hope I was not intruding. If you have company I will see you later, it's nothing important. Just some matters about the crew
Raven waved his hand at the question. "It was nothing of importance. Do come in!" he ushered Alexis into his small but cosy room. "Is something the matter with the crew?" he asked as he sat down on the small but relatively comfortable wooden stool. "You had concerns as you were saying but...oh where are my manners?" Raven suddenly interrupted his own words.
"How rude of me, I didn't even offer you anything?. Some tea, water, wine or cider perhaps?" he asked gesturing to a drinks cabinet near the bed.
Raven waved his hand at the question. "It was nothing of importance. Do come in!" he ushered Alexis into his small but cosy room. "Is something the matter with the crew?" he asked as he sat down on the small but relatively comfortable wooden stool. "You had concerns as you were saying but...oh where are my manners?" Raven suddenly interrupted his own words.
"How rude of me, I didn't even offer you anything?. Some tea, water, wine or cider perhaps?" he asked gesturing to a drinks cabinet near the bed.
"How rude of me, I didn't even offer you anything?. Some tea, water, wine or cider perhaps?"
"Wine please!" Alexis jumped instantly at the thought of a drink. Sure it wasn't a cold beer or a frothing pint of ale but it'll suffice for a weary dwarf.
"Is something the matter with the crew?"
"Oh nothing really, at least nothing that can be troubled with the naked eye. I however have some concerns about the events that occurred over the last day or two. The killing of that guy Feron was it?. Then that assassin that tried to kill our knight and yourself. Then the abduction of that old man and Keil getting injured." Alexis paused as Raven handed him a drink and he instantly downed the entire glass.
"Ahh that's better!" he said with a smile and looked longingly at the wine bottle again before continuing.
"I was wondering if you had some thoughts about what happened. You know, just to bounce around some ideas. After all perhaps a mage such as yourself might have a theory above us mere dwarves."
"Wine please!" Alexis jumped instantly at the thought of a drink. Sure it wasn't a cold beer or a frothing pint of ale but it'll suffice for a weary dwarf.
"Is something the matter with the crew?"
"Oh nothing really, at least nothing that can be troubled with the naked eye. I however have some concerns about the events that occurred over the last day or two. The killing of that guy Feron was it?. Then that assassin that tried to kill our knight and yourself. Then the abduction of that old man and Keil getting injured." Alexis paused as Raven handed him a drink and he instantly downed the entire glass.
"Ahh that's better!" he said with a smile and looked longingly at the wine bottle again before continuing.
"I was wondering if you had some thoughts about what happened. You know, just to bounce around some ideas. After all perhaps a mage such as yourself might have a theory above us mere dwarves."
Deslock stood at the stern of the ship, watching the navel cutter pacing sedately behind them.
"What do they think we're going to do?" he asked, pointing at the Tybian ship with his pipe. "It's not as if we're planning on turning back around and sneaking back into the city. The whole point of this expedition is to not turn around."
No one replied to his question, and he looked around. Grummond was standing far off down the deck, haranguing one of his crew, and the nearest sailor was the helmsman focused on his wheel. Deslock shrugged and turned back to the rail, watching the cutter until it casually peeled away, trying to look as though it hadn't been following the Cepolada at all.
"Right," said Deslock to the distant cutter, tapping the ashes out of his pipe. "You aren't fooling anyone, you know."
On the second day out from Tyb they found the symbol, carved into the floor in front of Raven Del Cid's cabin. Whoever had carved it had enough skill to make it plain what it was: a featureless, skull-like face split down the center, one half light and one half dark. The symbol of Avem-Sernad, the Twin-Face, god of Life and Death.
Just what we need, eh?
"What do they think we're going to do?" he asked, pointing at the Tybian ship with his pipe. "It's not as if we're planning on turning back around and sneaking back into the city. The whole point of this expedition is to not turn around."
No one replied to his question, and he looked around. Grummond was standing far off down the deck, haranguing one of his crew, and the nearest sailor was the helmsman focused on his wheel. Deslock shrugged and turned back to the rail, watching the cutter until it casually peeled away, trying to look as though it hadn't been following the Cepolada at all.
"Right," said Deslock to the distant cutter, tapping the ashes out of his pipe. "You aren't fooling anyone, you know."
________________________
On the second day out from Tyb they found the symbol, carved into the floor in front of Raven Del Cid's cabin. Whoever had carved it had enough skill to make it plain what it was: a featureless, skull-like face split down the center, one half light and one half dark. The symbol of Avem-Sernad, the Twin-Face, god of Life and Death.
Just what we need, eh?
Rhee moaned stretching out her poor back muscles from the terribly cramped sleeping quarters. Something felt odd with her footing, as her bare-skin wasn't lying flat on the wood, and forced her to look down. There was a carving on the floor, big enough that you couldn't miss the message and the blade was sharp as the grooves were smooth under her finger tips. She would have admired it a bit more if a thought didn't jump to her head.
she said, more loudly then she would want to admit. She knocked on the receiver's door with her fist hoping to wake who ever up. When the door opened, she pointed towards the man "You, LOVED," rotating her wrist into a thumbs up before getting out of they way for him to see.
she said, more loudly then she would want to admit. She knocked on the receiver's door with her fist hoping to wake who ever up. When the door opened, she pointed towards the man "You, LOVED," rotating her wrist into a thumbs up before getting out of they way for him to see.
Rokya woke with a start. Someone said something, just now. And there, someone was knocking on something. Jumping out of bed and pulling his clothes on haphazardly, his body began to wake. Rokya strapped on his sword as he left the small bedroom and he said the first thing to come to mind, "The hell's goin' on here?"
The world returned and Jonas was awake.
"Mwaaargh!" he yelled aloud and reached to his hilt for-
Where was his sword? Where was Keil? Where were his assailants? Hasn't he fallen down a flight of stairs? Suddenly, a gloom seemed to pass from his sight and the harsh light in his cabin. The light bore down into his brain - most harshly through his left temple - and Jonas felt dizzy. He swooned, and only managed to grip the bed with his full arm before thudding to the floor, crown first. Now the light seemed to bore down through the top of his skull. Aching pain. Jonas decided to lie where he was for a time.
He was in his cabin; and the mysterious attackers were not. Jonas had clearly been tended since, as his wounds were treated and bound. That likely meant his motley comrades had won the day. It also (likely) meant that Jonas was still alive. This would be a bland beginning to the afterlife. Beyond that, Jonas could not speculate.
Jonas sat up with a swiftness that pained his whole body. Keil! What had happened to the boy? He had to know! He furiously hoisted himself up by the bedside, losing and finding purchase on tangled sheets. He staggered to the door and pushed it opened - and then fell head first into the opposite door frame, and sprawled out into the narrow corridor.
The world departed and Jonas was asleep.
"Mwaaargh!" he yelled aloud and reached to his hilt for-
Where was his sword? Where was Keil? Where were his assailants? Hasn't he fallen down a flight of stairs? Suddenly, a gloom seemed to pass from his sight and the harsh light in his cabin. The light bore down into his brain - most harshly through his left temple - and Jonas felt dizzy. He swooned, and only managed to grip the bed with his full arm before thudding to the floor, crown first. Now the light seemed to bore down through the top of his skull. Aching pain. Jonas decided to lie where he was for a time.
He was in his cabin; and the mysterious attackers were not. Jonas had clearly been tended since, as his wounds were treated and bound. That likely meant his motley comrades had won the day. It also (likely) meant that Jonas was still alive. This would be a bland beginning to the afterlife. Beyond that, Jonas could not speculate.
Jonas sat up with a swiftness that pained his whole body. Keil! What had happened to the boy? He had to know! He furiously hoisted himself up by the bedside, losing and finding purchase on tangled sheets. He staggered to the door and pushed it opened - and then fell head first into the opposite door frame, and sprawled out into the narrow corridor.
The world departed and Jonas was asleep.
*Thud*
Marneus grunted, opening his eyes.
What in the hells?
Hauling himself out of bed, he made his way to the door. Peeking out of his cabin, he noticed Jonas laying unconcious further down the corridor, his door wide open. Marneus sighed and walked over.
Picking him up, he carried Jonas back to his bed. After finishing his good deed, the knight returned to his cabin. He could use a few more minutes of sleep himself.
Marneus grunted, opening his eyes.
What in the hells?
Hauling himself out of bed, he made his way to the door. Peeking out of his cabin, he noticed Jonas laying unconcious further down the corridor, his door wide open. Marneus sighed and walked over.
Picking him up, he carried Jonas back to his bed. After finishing his good deed, the knight returned to his cabin. He could use a few more minutes of sleep himself.
Tickyvanillius Leviticus the Third stared out at the sea, hearing the commotion of the men below. a carving had been found, and now speculation of its purpose and artist ran rampant. After all, wood carvings were vitally important on a boat made out of fucking wood.
So it goes.
He had run through every course of logic he could find, trying to find a reason Keil would be wanted dead. Or, for that matter, why Mark, among all who were ashore, was kidnapped. It made no sense. Certainly Keil was a... fine lad, but Mark was a batty old codger who belonged beneath six feet of soil. He couldn't help but feel it was all deliberate.
Part of him reasoned that a questioning would be the best course of action. Yet Ticky somehow figured that their bilge-brained captain would find a way to object. Deslock. Nothing but a pain. An unavoidable pain, but bearable.
The only solution was a casual sitdown with Keil. Discreet, of course. And Mark, although the gnome doubted he would answer questions willingly. Ticky could not help but feel that Mark was the key to the whole situation. Even bound, blinded, and deprived of hearing, the man should have learned something.
Like why someone wanted the Cepolada at the bottom of the sea.
With a sigh, Ticky turned from the prow and sought out Keil.
"Excuse me. Boy." He made sure to emphasize the title. "Come with me. I'd like to have a little chat with you. And mind that you keep it between us?"
So it goes.
He had run through every course of logic he could find, trying to find a reason Keil would be wanted dead. Or, for that matter, why Mark, among all who were ashore, was kidnapped. It made no sense. Certainly Keil was a... fine lad, but Mark was a batty old codger who belonged beneath six feet of soil. He couldn't help but feel it was all deliberate.
Part of him reasoned that a questioning would be the best course of action. Yet Ticky somehow figured that their bilge-brained captain would find a way to object. Deslock. Nothing but a pain. An unavoidable pain, but bearable.
The only solution was a casual sitdown with Keil. Discreet, of course. And Mark, although the gnome doubted he would answer questions willingly. Ticky could not help but feel that Mark was the key to the whole situation. Even bound, blinded, and deprived of hearing, the man should have learned something.
Like why someone wanted the Cepolada at the bottom of the sea.
With a sigh, Ticky turned from the prow and sought out Keil.
"Excuse me. Boy." He made sure to emphasize the title. "Come with me. I'd like to have a little chat with you. And mind that you keep it between us?"