Erastus 23

  “Good game, best two out of three?”

  “Sure, for what it’s worth. I’m not putting anything more into the pot.”

  Syl, Ethyl, Hinson, and Creed happily occupied themselves with a few hands of poker in the corner, while Dierdre flitted around to watch. Their faces shone with affection and goodwill for the world and all its inhabitants, even as they shuffled around a few dozen copper pieces between them. They were rexed, happy, even affectionate.

  “So you’re sure you don’t want to see my room?” Hinson asked, “It’s very well furnished, and we could talk more in private.”

  “Oh boy, furniture.” Syl answered with a roll of the eyes. “Best pickup line I’ve heard since someone came up to me asking about a rash.”

  Syl hadn’t made her save against Ethyl’s aura, which wasn’t exactly a shocker. Her will save was pretty low, especially compared to Yael, Sandara, and I. The biggest drawback of using Ethyl like this was that she didn’t discriminate with her aura, nor did she ever turn it off.

  You only needed to make one saving throw, which carried over for the whole day. Either everyone was your best friend for 24 hours, aura or no, or you were immune for the same period.

  Even with Syl compromised, the aura still worked in my favor. Sandara and Yael weren’t front liners, but I was fairly confident that the three of us could manage against anything Varossa could throw at us alone. That put me in a good position to negotiate, and Varossa didn’t seem inclined to gamble. For all she knew, her men would turn on her if she broke the peace.

  “So, you bring me where I need to go, and we split the treasure sixty-forty or thereabouts?” She asked. “Anything particurly valuable we set aside and pick one at a time?”

  “That certainly seems like an equitable arrangement.” I said with a smile. “Except for the fact that you’re splitting forty percent between three people and I’m splitting sixty between a few dozen.”

  “If you don’t like it, you’re free to shove off without me.” She answered, pulling out a file and buffing her nails. “I’ll be very impressed if you manage to find Redcw’s treasure before I do, even if I need to wait a few more weeks to find a willing captain. I've got friends other than Sebastien that might help, once I can contact them.”

  “Oh?” Sandara asked. “If you’ve got so many friends willing to help you, why aren’t you just booking passage? Talk to one of them instead of ying all your chips on an unknown. We could use the easy money, and it’ll be a lot worse for you if you back out on a deal. You haven't got a lot of choices, Princess, or you wouldn’t offer a stranger even as much as you are.” (Sandara Sense Motive)

  Varossa shot a sour gre at Sandara, then sighed and turned back to me. She sighed, hooking her thumbs into her belt loops.

  “My sister has her own life to live.” She answered, “I’d get help eventually, but I might need to wait months at least before I could get started. You, on the other hand, seem like you could be a useful person right now. I like useful people, and I know others with simir tastes in company. I’d honestly prefer to meet someone new, and grow my network of potential allies.”

  “So you can pass on the word of a new captain who is willing to work for cheap?” I asked, “Seems risky.”

  “You’re decent enough that you didn’t kill Sebastien when you had the chance, and you’ve got a cleric of Besmara on hand.” Varossa said dismissively. “You’re not going to cut my throat or have your way with me. Further, you’re not going to steal the map because there is no physical map. It’s all in my head, and I don’t intend to tell you more than you need to know unless you can earn my trust.”

  Of course if I was a psychopath I do actually have a spell to make a treasure map from her corpse. I don’t think she’d find that crification reassuring.

  “I’ll be leaving port in about four days, tides permitting.” I told her. “Is that enough time for you?”

  “Deal,” she agreed, holding out a hand.

  Rather than going to her, I took one step forward and extended my hand. She wasn’t going to get away with leaning against a wall as we sealed the deal. She caught on immediately, and took two long strides to take my hand. Her steps were light, hardly making a sound despite her fine leather boots.

  Varossa had a calloused arc extending from the base of her thumb all the way to her pinky across each of her fingers. They felt rough against my own delicate hands, and I recognized the pattern from Sosima. I had, after all, grown intimately familiar with many parts of her body.

  Yeah, she’s a fighter. Maybe not the fighter css, but Varossa is definitely a person that knows how to use that sword. Formally trained, I bet; Syl and Sandara don’t have calluses like that.

  “I’ll let you think for a day and then come back tomorrow evening.” I offered. “I think this could work, but I’ll understand if you want to talk to your…?”

  I trailed off, looking at the two men. She was cute, and it was possible she was dating one or both of them. That did appear to be fashionable for captains here in the Shackles.

  Hell, from what Sosima told me, it’s fashionable in Cheliax too. Part of her job description, whether or not it was officially required.

  “Crew. Yes, I think that would be for the best.” Varossa agreed. “They seem very taken with your…?”

  She deliberately copied my tone while looking at Syl.

  “Crew, First Mate, Lover, Surgeon.” I shrugged. “Take your pick.”

  “Lover?” Varossa asked. “Well that’s a shame.”

  Sandara snorted and swooped for me. She pulled me into a long, deep kiss sting several seconds. She pressed herself against me as I wrapped her in my arms. She pulled away only a few inches and looked at Varossa with a smile.

  “A shame?” She asked. “Why’s that?”

  Yael’s ughter echoed through the room, though she tried to stifle it with her knuckle. Syl looked over, smiled, and returned to her cards.

  “Yeah,” I said, catching my breath, “I’ll understand if you’re still bothered, but don’t worry on our account. I might choose one person if I settle down, but I suppose you could say I’m trying to cheat on my wife as much as possible now that I’ve gotten away from her.”

  Varossa’s shock slowly gave way to an amused smile.

  “Well, I have been corrected.” She said conically, “Shame does not seem to be something that enters into the equation at all with you.”

  ??????????

  Varossa had told me everything she wanted me to know, so the conversation trailed off after that. I didn’t really need to stay once my menu let me finish the “make an alliance with Varossa” mission, so I made my apologies and left with my team. We chatted as we walked back to the tavern.

  “Sorry if that was boring, Yael.” I told her, “I didn’t know what to expect. I’m pleased that it turned out peaceful, but I really did think she might try to cut my throat.”

  “Worry not, Captain M’Dair.” Yael said, “Tense negotiations are most diverting. I’d happily partake in a mummer’s py with such a scene at its heart.”

  “Best not to meet with Varossa alone,” Syl suggested, “always bring one of us, or at least make sure you’re with Creed or Hinson. They’re stand up guys.”

  Syl was still charmed, and would remain so until 24 hours epsed. She was still sharp, but wasn’t thinking objectively about our new business partners. Ethyl was damn useful, but I didn’t think I’d start carrying around a Gerbie like a backpack any time soon.

  “Oh definitely. Real swell ds. Probably the only ones who stuck with her after the mutiny.” Sandara chimed in. “Impressive, since it was probably a bad one.”

  “Mutiny?” I asked, “What’s this about a mutiny?”

  Sandara rolled her eyes.

  “Chelish girl calling herself a captain should probably be able to sail, eh?” She pointed out. “Think how quickly a shit like Sebastien found someone to take him on. Instead, Lanteri is holed up in the deepest ditch The Shackles has.”

  “You think she has people after her?” I asked. “If so, we should probably keep an eye out.”

  “Yeah. I’d wager she stole something or other on the way out.” Sandara said with a shrug. “That, or the new captain of her old ship would prefer to take their time finding Redcw’s treasure, and she’s competition.”

  Shit. I forgot Sandara is… well, smart. Or at least observant. I guess wisdom is good for more than just healing.

  “Nice. Anything else we should worry about?” I probed. “I’ll admit I was mostly focused on her words.”

  “She’s definitely Chelish nobility, but doesn’t want to talk about it.” Sandara decred, “She kept her real st name secret, and when I called her Princess it annoyed her more than it probably should have.”

  “Her st name is Lanteri, is it not?” Dierdre said, circling zily around us. “She seemed quite free with it.”

  “If she was born with that name, I’ll eat Ethyl’s hat.” Sandara snorted, “Varossa maybe, but Lanteri isn’t a Chelish name. Based on her accent, she was at least educated in Cheliax, which is probably where Plugg knows her from. Other than that? I’m just guessing, but I’d bet she’s a binder.”

  “Not exactly a stretch, there.” Syl commented. “Sosima was trying to be a diva in the Opera, and she’s a binder. I’m pretty sure that’s just a part of their standard noble education.”

  “Then it should be easy to find out what she’s packing if I can tell you the weird signal?” Sandara asked. “When she filed her nails, the file got wet. Just slightly, but the rest of her was as dry as Abrogail’s cooch, so it seemed off to me.”

  Some Gillmen secrete oil that allows them to survive on nd perpetually without daily baths. Sosima doesn’t have that but it’s possible Varossa left Cheliax after dying and being reborn. Sosima has cited that as a rge part of why she can never go back. (Secret knowledge arcana 5+8=13)

  Eh. Maybe. She didn’t look like she was covered in oil, and she didn’t have scales anywhere I could see. I’m not sure if I buy it. We can ask her during the voyage. It’s not like she asked for my spell list. If she refuses to answer, that’s an answer.

  “Thanks, Sandara. I missed a lot of that.” I admitted.

  I had a thought, and grabbed Sandara by the hair. I pulled lightly back, stepping in close to whisper in her ear. I wrapped my other arm around her front, pulling her against me.

  “Then again, you made me look unprofessional in front of the client and stupid in front of the crew.” I whispered. “We will need to do something about that ter.”

  Sandara squirmed in my grip, and would have probably slipped out if not for my hand in her hair. Despite her struggles, I could see an excited gleam in her eye. I needed to maintain a careful bance, but Sandara would enjoy a little bit of light restraint and feigned anger far more than any amount of praise.

  “Stop that!” Ethyl snapped. “She was just helping as best she knew how.”

  The Gerbie focused her aura, putting active effort into suppressing all aggression. As she did, my mind was wrapped in a thick woolen bnket, handed a soft toy, and read a bedtime story. I passively let go of Sandara and resumed my walk back to the tavern in peace. Sandara began cursing at Ethyl, but it was unpleasant to hear so I stopped listening. Syl and Yael walked beside me, equally pcid. I didn’t particurly want anything at the tavern, but that was the pn. I saw no reason to deviate from our charted course if I wasn’t facing resistance.

  Will Save vs Calm Emotions failed (2+5=7)

  Uh. What just happened? Why can’t I override Autopilot? Hey! Expin the situation to Ethyl, I don’t think Sandara is doing a good job.

  I paused, the thought just barely flickering through my mind that removing the unpleasant stimulus would be more effective than simply ignoring it.

  “Ethyl. Sandara derives sexual pleasure from being punished by an authority figure.” I said with no inflection. “My intent had been to titilte her, which you misinterpreted as aggression.”

  I turned on my heel, noting in passing that Sandara’s face had turned red, likely due to embarrassment or perhaps rage. Yael and Syl were several steps ahead of me, with Yael pulling slowly ahead due to her long strides. I settled into an easy pace and watched them slowly pull away into the distance.

  Sandara rushed past me at a sprint.

  “No, you little biddy, you can’t make me forget about this!” She shouted past me. “I’m gonna stay angry and I’m going to like it!”

  Ethyl rushed after her, very fast for a creature so small, her aura washing out over nearly every weak willed individual in the harbor as Sandara led her on a chase.

  What. The. Fuck. Just dismiss Ethyl. We are done with her for the day.

  I considered restoring the peace by removing Ethyl from the equation, but doing so would require an act of will. I simply could not bring myself to care enough to martial the focus. I was sure everything would work out fine. Abruptly, my mind returned to me. In moments, Ethyl was gone. Of course, none of the effects of her aura were removed, but at least it wasn’t continuing to spread.

  When we arrived at the tavern, Cog and Sosima informed me that Sandara had rushed upstairs with a dinner bottle. She refused to open the door when I knocked, and I could tell this wasn’t one of the times she wanted me to barge in anyway. She needed time to cool down; she’d probably even appreciate being punished for it ter.

  ??????????

  I chatted through dinner, meeting a handful of men and women Sandara had handpicked from the masses that tried to fight my shadow. Those who I could add to my followers I accepted without a second thought. Anyone else? I assumed ulterior motives and found some excuse to exclude them. Maybe I looked capricious; I didn’t care too much if so. By the end of the night I had a solid crew of forty people.

  Most of them have at least as much experience on a ship as I do, so I can’t really compin. Sosima picked out a handful that don’t seem super useful, but she really wants them onboard for some reason. Maybe Salyar can train Lubo and Naomi as ship cooks? Until he leaves, they could also patch clothes, carry water, that kind of thing.

  Sosima was still bargain hunting and applying pressure tactics to certain merchants, but the bare necessities were covered. None of us would be particurly happy if we needed to eat nothing but boiled rice and freshly caught fish for a month, but we’d survive. If any of Sima’s pns panned out, we’d be in better shape. I made a conscious effort to not get involved. That was not my job outside of a bird’s eye view level of oversight.

  Given my long and eventful day, I was inclined to actually sleep. Unfortunately, I couldn’t manage it even curled up against Sosima in bed. She was disguised as a drow tonight for a bit of fun, partly as exposure therapy. There were too many thoughts fighting for my attention, and Autopilot’s heart was racing.

  I was nervous about Varossa. I had a few tricks up my sleeves to gauge sincerity, and she was not looking good. She hadn’t appeared on my Party menu, which has historically meant one of two things: she wasn’t on the level, or she was above my level. If both of those turned out to be true, I was inviting a snake onto my ship.

  Well at least she’s more fun to look at than Plugg. Then again, I’d very much like to know what she’s hiding from here. Even if she is on the up and up, I don’t want to be blindsided by any enemies she might have.

  On the other hand, my HUD confirmed that I’d successfully made an alliance with her, so at least she wasn’t completely bullshitting me. If she was, I wouldn’t have gotten credit for the mission.

  Make an alliance with Captain Varossa Lanteri.

  Reward: 1 exp, Damage Control Talent

  Damage Control made me feel a lot better about using my Frost Bst for self defense, since it let me convert any damage I did with it into nonlethal damage so I wouldn’t accidentally kill anyone. I’m not so squeamish that I’d shy away from fsh-freezing someone that was trying to kill me, but I'm not bse about taking a life either. So far, I’d managed to draw the line at killing anything that would avoid eating a human baby. I hoped I could maintain the streak for a while longer.

  The exp, like debt, wasn’t important until it became very important. I wanted to level up, sure, but most of what I got at each level was completely random. A lottery where every ticket wins something is still unreliable. Other than ft numerical boosts to my saving throws and hp, the only specific thing I knew I’d be getting at level 5 was a bonus spell from the Rakshasa bloodline.

  What was that one, anyway? Huh. Invisibility? Nice, but I think Sandara can already cast that once per day. Then again, what else am I going to use my level 2 spell slots for?

  More immediate than Varossa was Rowe. She was my friend, and she needed backup. She had made it abundantly clear to me that she preferred seeing the world over working for her uncle, and she’d stood by me in a bad time. I owed her.

  Sure, she was also my gunnery chief and a party member, but the Party System ironically made her very repceable as an asset. I could grab anyone off the street and pump them up to my level as long as they were honestly willing to work with me. If I’d been completely cold blooded, I could drop Rowe and promote Ratts, Rosie, Conchobar, or even Naomi or Lubo. They would come into their own overnight, though details would vary wildly. If Rowe, or any other member of my party, had earnestly expressed an interest in quitting I’d let them. Grudgingly, but I would.

  The problem with getting Rowe back was that she was in the Sea Shanty Cn’s complex, and I didn’t particurly want to make an enemy of Dahk. I wanted to maintain a working retionship with Jerry, and if I needed to sneak past hostile goblins every time I came to visit Goatshead that would be extremely difficult. The best case scenario would be to get her out and somehow “prove” that she wasn’t with me when we left.

  Autopilot can gaslight with the best of them, but it won’t do me much good if she’s standing right next to me.

  The thoughts clicked together in my head. My eyes widened as the pn fell fully formed into my head.

  Step one. Get a mysterious artist to build me a piano, possibly at gunpoint.