<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/b0/Daud.jpg)</div><br/><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Daud (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=173912.msg8224933#msg8224933)<br/><strong>Nationality:</strong>Shemite<br/><strong>Class/Skill Set:</strong>Merchant, Pickpocket<br/><strong>Location:</strong>In a corner of the Leaky Wench<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Everyone<br/><hr/><br/>Daud never flinched from Cormac's gaze. He'd dealt with Cimmerians enough back in his days as an international silk peddler; in Argos he'd once made the mistake of losing eye contact with a Cimmerian warlord, and lost a profitable deal as a result. He'd nearly lost his teeth as well.<em>These barbarians are like the great apes of Kush - to drop one's gaze is a sign of weakness; the sign of one who is not an equal.</em><br/><br/><em>Prey.</em><br/><br/><em>Or was it tigers who felt that way?</em><br/><br/>When Cormac turned to beckon the others over to the table, Daud glanced out of the corner of his eye to see Mira - or Katurah, or whatever she was calling herself - stretching, putting her breasts and voluptuous body on display for him. His eyes danced over her swaying hips, full breasts and curving lips, carefully - but not coldly - weighing and measuring her. Finally, his gaze rested on her eyes - green, like his - and his lips quirked in a smile.<br/><br/><em>Cute.</em><br/><br/>Daud felt, but did not see, Goose move into the shadows, for the first time since he'd made his way to the table, so he wasn't<em>too</em>surprised when she spoke. Being unable to see her, however, and the way she spoke, like she was eyeing a thick cut of meat, sent shivers down his spine.<em>By Bel, I wonder how she does that. I'd give my left hand to move the way she does.</em><br/><br/>As Cormac returned to him, Daud's eyes snapped back to the Cimmerian's. "You wound me, warrior." He spread his arms wide, showing his empty, long-fingered hands. "Not literally, thank Ishtar, but my heart breaks from your cruel words. I mean to show you an opportunity that will pay for our...<em>expenses</em>... for this year, or the next, or until your beard grows to your knees and you have a fat wife to nag you into an early grave."<br/><br/>He paused, long enough for it to qualify as a theatrical pause rather than a pregnant one, then continued. "As you are no doubt aware, my humble wares were either sold or lost during the battle. I have a purse full of silver, but the sea holds no enchantment for me, and the salt air plays with my lungs like a kitten with a ball of string. I have no intent to stay here in Zingara, or buy here. Salt and leather are not the money-makers they used to be. So I am left with a choice: leave, and find a new place to buy goods to trade... or find an existing store of profitable goods, reclaim them, and redouble my profits, and yours.<br/><br/>"My old master Waheel (may the gods judge him kindly) left a great store of silks hidden in the great Mount Colamira, in northern Aquilonia. Before he died, he gave me a map and instructions that will lead me to its precise location. I propose that we move up the Black River into the Pictish Wilderlands, then move southeast into Aquilonia. I would have you seven accompany me, as my protectors, companions and comrades in arms. At the culmination of our journey, once the store of goods has been retrieved and sold for a tidy profit - and as our friend Xifang knows, silk is worth its weight in gold - you each will be entitled to one tenth of any revenue thereby accrued, plus a modest stipend in silver for your time and energy."<br/><br/>Daud glanced around, offering the group the same sly smile he'd offered Mira. "Do I have your attention?"