<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">The young man was talking calmly, saying that he didn't intend to leave him as he was, tied for the entire journey. Yet he remained tied now, and when it came that they did release him he wasn't sure what they would do with him then. If he kept his word. Altair didn't believe him for a second when he said he wouldn't hurt him. The Weiss seas seemed to be a place for liars and sadists. Maybe it was too much time spent on the ocean. Cygnus had gone back on promises. Now this one was making promises but there were ways around those sorts of things. Perhaps he'd order his man to do it so he didn't have to dirty his hands.<br/>
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“Who am I?” There was a long silence. Altair was trying to figure that out himself, what he was now. Exactly who.<br/>
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“My name is Altair. I am a slave born and raised in Dusan. I realize how unlikely that seems, given the distance.” How unusual it was that they ever left their country. “My brand will prove it. It's coded uniquely to me.” Not so easy to recreate or counterfeit, especially with someone who had the ability to read their brands. Not that Altair found it likely that anyone in their location might be able to. He was trying to remain calm and get a grip on himself. He needed to choose his words carefully and above all, he needed to act like he wasn't more trouble than he was actually worth. He was making a case for his very life and he knew it.<br/>
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“I was in Ellania, serving my prior master as he traveled across on a merchant ship. He was hoping to use his wealth to expand his wealth. I helped to curb his boredom in his travels. We were attacked. I was taken, and so was the other cargo of value. I do not know that happened to my master, only that if he still lives he would want me returned. No further harm coming to me. I'm sure that compensation would be awarded.” Cygnus hadn't acted as if he had much power to negotiate. Altair was meant to be brought to Weiss because Cygnus was not really his own man. He did the bidding of another.<br/>
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“The ship I was on.. the men, they grew superstitious after a storm. I follow common faith in Dusan. They thought that my prayers had offended their sea god. I was flogged for my beliefs.” There was anger and conviction behind his words, enough that though he wasn't speaking the truth fully, it would at least present as halfway believable. “When it was found that they'd lost one of their crew during the storm they tossed me off their ship. I did not bring anything upon them. Even if I had the power, I would not have. Dusan is a pacifistic nation. That is not how we are taught to handle things.” Wit and manipulation were harnessed instead, though he didn't say this. Nor did he say how he'd ignored his teachings and partially blinded one of his rapists. Altair knew nothing about how the laws worked in Weiss. Maybe it was perfectly legal to rape a slave. It was in a lot of regions. Even Ellania could be a dangerous place but Altair had managed to navigate it fine because most men wanted him sweet and willing. Justifying his actions because of his rape perhaps wouldn't serve him so he didn't mention it at all. He didn't want sympathy, he simply wanted to be left alone; unbound. He wasn't a threat. Altair was trying to make that obvious. That most of what he was saying the truth. He didn't want them to think he was disobedient and that had been why he'd been punished. That ultimately he'd turned violent and Cygnus had grown tired of his attitude.<br/>
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“I have a knack for languages. It is why I know yours. Why I speak several others, Ellanian and Dusanian fluently among then. It was why I was chosen to serve outside of my country. They imagined I would adapt easily.” It had not been the case. “I am who I say I am. I can provide details of where I've been and the people I've met if you truly do not believe me.” Altair didn't understand how he'd ended up under interrogation, trying to explain himself, tied and pleading that he was not actually dangerous. He only wanted to be released of his bindings. Was it so much? He imagined it had something to do with the territory he was in. These people of Weiss did not truly understand mercy.</span></span>