laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Veiled blue water soon broke upon the cliffs and dark boulders of the independent lands that bordered the Kuzomen Empire to the north and the large kingdom of Lierre to the south. Much between was an expanse of forested land as far as they could see. Nightfall soon greeted the travelers as the dragon descended to an unseen destination.

"I'll let you off north of the city," their hostess informed. "I can't guarantee that my presence will go unnoticed but, I'll make a low pass and allow you both to teleport to safety below. Good luck to you."

"Thank you again, madam," Kailee returned as Tess pushed herself up and to the left to get a better look of the terrain below.

"I don't remember much of this land but, I will say be careful. Although, you seem pretty resourceful, for human and elfkind."

She grinned as the wind whistled around her and took a look downward to see the dim lights from distant torches resting upon the face of the city's northern gate as their mount dipped low to the right and banked. "This should do," she commented and then disappeared into a firey swirl that emerged in an open field near a quiet, darkened farmhouse and small barn. Tess materialized nearby and she quickly heard the barking of dogs in the distance.

"We're going to have to disguise ourselves," the nightblade suggested as she looked around for any immediate dangers.

"I'm not going to be able to hide from anyone, no matter how good the face. Those hunting us will be able to see through anything that I can conjure."

"I'm thinking of everyone else until our paths cross those few. We've done it before."

"I know but, I haven't tried disguising myself since this change. I'm not sure how effective it's going to be against priests and their friends."

Orange eyes turned to her. "You have a point," she acquiesced. "Okay. I'll go into town and gain us passage and then meet you at the ship when we're ready to board." Adgertesse concentrated and the gorgeous, armored dark elf soon became a simple brunette in traveling clothes. "You sure you want to travel by sea? I know how you hate open water."

"Not much choice right now. It's the fastest way to get there." Kailee shivered with the thought of the sea as she raised the hood to her cloak over her flaming hair, concealing it from a distant observer anyway.

Tess chuckled. "Now you're a hooded lantern instead of a torch."

Kailee smiled, "Well then hurry before riders come out here to find us". They split up and she headed through the shadows towards the shoreline to find a good place to hide until they got a boat heading southeast.

* * *

Adgertesse quickly made her way towards the gate and soon noticed a group of riders thunder from the opened doors and head up the road towards her. She moved out of their path and melted into the woods, allowing them to pass by. No heraldry denoting paladins or templar which was a benefit. Even she wasn't safe from their magically enhanced sight in this guise. Now quiet, she continued to the road and soon approached the gate. Oddly enough, no one challenged her until she passed through the shadow of the entryway and a pair of guards turned.

"Evening, young lady," one of them stated. "What brings you out this late?"

"Heading to an inn," she innocently divulged. "Been a long journey, can you suggest one near the port? I need to talk to a ship captain."

He nodded as he stepped closer. "Absolutely, why don't you come inside for a bit. Have a nice, comfortable bed you can rest in until morning when they open their doors."

Tess smiled. "I appreciate the offer, sir. But, it's been a long road already and I need my rest."

"Oh, you can get all the rest you need afterwards," he reached for her arm, and she reacted. In a swift motion, she wrapped his wrist, turned it and forced him to the cobblestone street as his friend laughed.

"I'm not interested," she stressed with a lifting of his arm, threatening to pop the shoulder. "Thanks anyway." Letting him go, she quickly continued into the street lined tightly with two and three story homes and businesses. Stealing a glance back to the gatehouse, the guard rose as he nursed his wrist, his friend still laughing at him. Bored, she thought to herself, and with some authority which could be a nasty combination. One she knew all too well herself.
The smell of salty air and the cry of seagulls informed her of the sought after destination - as well as the raucous partying in one of the corner buildings which could only mean one thing. She approached a small group of five men whose clothing and body odor wasn't familiar until she recalled the fight in Stolac. Soon, their language cut through the ambient noise and she realized they were Macau. Interesting.

She passed them cautiously as one glanced her way while they talked, then stepped into the tavern's well lit atmosphere. It was a good thing that Kailee hadn't come along, this would be a mess if things got nasty. Hands freely drifted onto parts of her body as she made her way through the crowd, something she was used to during her career as a nightblade whose primary mode of infiltration was seduction. As long as they didn't grab her and try anything. Towards the large bar that extended down the right side of the large room, she found a duo of older gentlemen serving drinks to the clientele dressed in all manner of styles from Sauqiran, Macau and local. Wenches wound their way through the drunken debauchery as she neared the low oaken wall.

"Excuse me," she yelled to the nearest bartender as the thinly built man poured a flagon of ale, then glanced her way. "I need to find a ship captain headed east."

"If you're looking for a job, talk to Gladys," brown eyes motioned to the kitchen to the right and behind the bar's wall.

"No. I need to find a captain," she tried to get him to understand as the taller man to her left glanced at her and smiled.

"I can help you with that," his olive eyes scanned her body. "Where you headed?"

Quickly probing the slaver's mind, she realized that wasn't the boat for them. "No thanks." The attendant moved farther down the bar and she followed him, trying desperately to get his attention but failing miserably. How did normal people operate she mused as the frustration built. Perhaps this needed to wait until morning, as the gate's sergeant mentioned. Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her waist and she was being whisked around the small open area in the center of the room, dancing with a handsome man whose ruddiness told of a sailor or dockworker. Olive complexion and strong yet lean features also leaned that way as she moved with him until the bard's song finished. He then bowed to her in a flourish meant for a courtly ball.

"My lady is most graceful," he smiled as hand went to heart. "My heart is enraptured in your beauty." He knew how to pour it on, she thought.

"You wouldn't happen to be employed on a ship heading east, would you?"

"For you, madam. I would sail the world. Yes, I'm employed on a vessel heading east, lucky for us both it seems." Brown eyes glanced beyond her, then back. "Just yourself?"

"One other actually. When were you planning on leaving?"

"In two days. We have to provision the ship and I'm waiting on three others to join us." He motioned to a small table already half occupied by a mass of sailor and women enjoying one another's company. "Any cargo? Horses?"

"No. Just us." She followed him to the table and allowed him to pull the chair out for her, then sat down. He claimed the seat beside her and smiled. "What's the name of the ship?"

"The Chelsea. Been my home since I was fifteen. Can I get you something to drink?"

"No, thanks. I'm fine."

He nodded and raised his flagon as a girl filled it, then moved on. "I'm sorry, my name's Brendan," he introduced and took a sip.

"Alysia."

"Beautiful. It fits you perfectly."

Cut straight to the chase, she thought to herself. "In two days. What part of the day and how much?"

"I'll talk to the quartermaster and get the remaining things bought for two more passengers. Do you require anything personal or special? I'm assuming you serve a noble."

Her brow furrowed. "Why do you think that?"

"By the way you carry yourself. You're used to a good living and you can dance very well. A farmer's daughter can't afford a long boat trip either," he shrugged and grinned then took another sip.

"I could be serving a merchant, or be the daughter of one," she countered.

"As I said." He set the pewter tankard on the table, then leaned in. "I understand wanting privacy, that's all I'm saying. Until we leave, I'd love to show you the town, or have you show me. Are you from Lierre?"

"No. I'll have to get back to my friend and see you in two days." She rose knowing Kailee didn't need to be by herself for long and grinned to the potential date. "It was nice meeting you, Captain. I'll see you soon."

His eyes widened a bit as his smile broadened, then she turned and walked out, knowing full well he was watching her the whole way. Men were so easy to manipulate.

Outside, she noticed the group of Macau had gone. She also needed to find out more about their presence here too. With there being at least one ship present at the dock, that meant the independent kingdom and their eastern neighbors were at least cordial. Perhaps this war was more widespread than they had realized.