<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=79489.msg3517229#msg3517229">Quote from: Ixy on 22-08-2010, 22:01:19</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Mistress!" he calls aloud, "I have news!"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Aeran turned to the rapid thumping shaking the dock, seeing Fahsen in another rush.  She knew it was probably important, from him.<br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"A ship just arrived-- unscheduled, and bearing minimal cargo.  Travelers--"  he gulps and tries to regain control of his breath, "--travelers only.   Conscripted service, but not royal.  Not tourists... they had no guards."  He pants still, starting up at the tall woman's face, and shakes his head for emphasis.  Then, his eyes glint giddily and his teeth flash in a knowing smile.  "Something different about them.  The cargo was minimal, and the dock hands said they'd made more on this trip than any before.  The ship will stay at harbor-- empty but for supplies-- for <em>two fortnights</em>."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>This was indeed unusual; to make such a trip, one would fill their ship full of cargo and continue its use like a two-copper whore until its return.<br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Grinning madly, he waits for her to make her assumptions.  "Only four travelers.  Three with blades like reaping scythes, and one they say never left his cabin-- never even saw his face!"  The young man grins and turns his gaze back to the shoreline, as if expectantly.  "Who the hell can afford passage on an empty ship, and then to keep the thing sitting like an empty bucket for four weeks?  Just paying the crew to whore it up and get fat the whole while?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>She grinned with him, and small fins on her forearms twitched as she contemplated the possibilities.  "Thanks, Fahsen, that's another one I owe you," she winked.  He was a valuable organizer and contact, she wished she could afford to give him a bonus from her own pocket, but the journey had strapped all her petty cash, leaving her to work to build up her nest egg for now.  Until she made some real gold, she'd have to keep paying in flirtations.  "Just four people chartering a boat to themselves, it sounds like adventurers."  She knew well, the careless spending after a successful raid, tossing gold coins around like they weren't worth the bother of carrying.  "Although they aren't usually so uniform, three of them with scythed blades?  And a dark, mysterious master, no doubt.  It sounded like the beginnings of another intrigue and adventure.  This was her chance to find another big score, instead of sweating for a wage.