Selaina Davinshore was never a woman to presume much about anything. She was an avid learner, a dedicated scholar and someone who went by the books and sometimes, just a little, outside of them. She had always assumed there was some puzzle out there to solve, some mystery to crack; so when a short burst of fame had befallen her for the creation of the new ability to enchant an item that would keep thoughts and documentations within it, why, the entire Serenian Provence of Darken Vei was in an uproar of glee. It was definitely something to bolster it's ego amongst the other Provences, and even Lord Acaulian had been there that day when Selaina had given the opening speech. But now the flames of that fame had since died down to a simmer, and she could live her life a bit more quietly.
Though with fame, there always comes a price. And although it has been months since she had been showered with swarms of people in the streets or even in the college (where people would hunt her down to smother her with praise), there were still those curious about this device, this enchantment, who lurked in the shadows. These dark forces, these dark people, were intriquged and wanted to learn and steal this sort of power for their own. Even forces that seemed to live another world away...
A merchant prince by the name of Drissent, had gotten wind of such a device as the 'talking rocks' Selaina had been famous for, and had sent a group of his men to acquire him these enchanted items at any costs. He had men hired almost all across the globe, and it was his henchmen in Adela that had been called for first. Dragon's made riding that much quicker, and if they could get in, get the items and get to Essyrni faster, all the better. And the gold would be tripled on the reward if he could have it within the month.
Little did Elaina know she had a price on her head. The value Drissent had put out there for the retrieval of both the woman and her rocks was astronomical, so she was hardly aware she was in any danger as she stayed up late that evening, reading the ancient text books by candle light. She had her nose buried in her book, her mind completely focused, so she hadn't heard the men approaching.
Out of the darkness crept a hand that moved swiftly over her mouth, and as she tried to scream, the hand muffled it, and she found herself soon struggling, biting into the hand and was dropped, only to be captured by another man that had been hiding against the books shelves of the college lirbary. Despite beating on his chest and demanding, "Let me go!" the man simply gave a sinister laugh and demanded, "Where are the rocks?"
"The rocks? You mean the enchanted ones?" Selaina asked, appalled as her face twisted in confusion, and it was only when the man drew out a gnarled, dragon carved dagger that she realized she was in danger.
But she was stubborn still, and refused to talk.
"You'll never learn the secret! Never!" She said with a stomp of her foot.
But the men hardly had time to fight with her, and placed the blade to her throat. "Then we will take you and the rocks with us. And our master will just have to deal with you, stubborn lady." Her heart was in her throat, her eyes as big as saucers as she stared dwn at the blade, then back up at the men. Both of their faces were covered, one's head was wrapped in a mask with dark hollowed pits where his eyes peered out, glistening and sharp, while the other had only a few wraps of clothe going across his nose and mouth, muffling little his speech.
And just as she tried to open her mouth to be foolish, to be brave, to protest what these men were doing...she was smacked across the top of her head, and fell into an unconscious heap in the man's arm.
"Come." The masked man gestured, and his partner threw Seliana over his shoulder and the two disappeared out into the streets. They made quick for their dragons and took to the air, carrying off Selaina Davinshore and her magical rocks and began to head for Essyrni... but more notably, a small outpost in the Moraki Desert.
But Selaina Davinshore wasn't the only one having a bad day....
Rain was in soured spirits. The day was hot, but every day in the desert was bloody hot. It made him doubly irritable, especially to know his 'crew' was anything but what he had expected, and he was no where near where he wanted to be as far as figuring out the damn curse that kept him and his crew locked onto it. From what he was 'told', he had to fill up his ship full of 'gold'-
And what did he have to show for the few months he had been sailing aimlessly about the sands? Why, Barely a few gold filled sacks stolen from idle travelers in the desert (one of which had been from an old man that died of a heart attack at the very sight of such a ship) and his wife was in tears. She had tossed the pitiful amount of money at them when Rain shouted down to her what sort of coin she had, then she ran off, making gestures with her arms to ward off the evil spirits. This of course, left Rain to grumble and groan as he had to try to reach the sack of coins all the way down in the sands while he and the rest had to remain on board. Their crude pulley system was obnoxious at best. They needed to get more equipment, but gold came first.
It always did.
From the loot they had recently acquired, they only had a few crummy pennies. What a waste of his time. So as he opened the second sack of coin to recount the total 'loot', he gave a bored sigh and began with the first gold coin.
"One gold piece... two gold piece..." he went on, getting to the number fifteen, laying each gold piece flat upon the table when something caught his eye on the horizon- Something, or rather, someone, was approaching his ship.
"Hey, you!" Rain called out, rushing to the edge of the ship and thrusting his head over the side. "Hey! What are you doing!? Are you mad? You're in the middle of the desert. HEY! I'm talking to you- hey.." and then when he realized the man was close enough to actually TOUCH his ship, he paled, becoming completely terrified at the prospect of obtaining anymore to his CREW than he wanted (Roberto and the necromancer dude and his zombie.. things..) were bad enough, but NOW there was another man just waltzing right up to the hull and-
"STOP!" Rain's voice cracked out of his mouth like a whip. His fingers dug into the lip of the ship. "Don't touch the –" but it seemed far too late, as the 'captain' of 'Conrad's Coin' (A name that seemed a good idea at the time and he will vehemently defend it's name, despite even HE knows it's lame) watched in horror the next series of events unfolded before his eyes.
The desert was the last place for a sea-faring pirate to be and for a man with the experience that Russo had, it was even more degrading to have to find proper work on the mainland and this far south from the three kingdoms to boot! But he couldn't help it. Things were getting too hot to the north and guards were bottle-knecking the roads for banditry now more than ever. The seas weren't any better too since nobody was looking for more stragglers to throw onto their crews. Smaller crews meant less bloodwork and larger cuts from the take after all. And nobody wanted a sailor older than twenty-nine.
Twenty-nine. He could tangle with the best half his age and beat them to a pulp if need be! But it didn't matter. He was too old, too set in his ways, and too ugly or so they said. Whatever, he'd just have to find work where he could take it. So he traveled with the caravan that had taken him this far in the desert. The trick was to go to Essyrn and set up with a few bandit teams. Roads were much less protected here, or so he imagined, with nothing more than sand for miles and miles on end.
Of course, he wasn't the happiest camper when he discovered just how hot the desert really was. Nothing could be the the blazing sun on the deck of a ship on a summer day, or so he thought. He was sweltering from the heat. And what was more all the caravaners were starting to get on his nerves. None of them had any respect for private property and he had to fight a few to keep their hands off his things once or twice. Russo packed up his things in his small linen sack and left the camped caravan for a while, preferring to brave the sun rather than deal with fellow travelers that didn't seem to know how to keep their hands to themselves.
He kept his eyes to the ground, walking along, having covered his head much like they did and finding his leather garb was doing nothing to keep him any cooler. Thankfully there was a rather large dune coming up ahead that would proved ample enough shade. He could get some sleep or get a drink of water. As he crawled into the shade, he looked up enough to notice the dune had a peculiar shape to it, in fact it seemed almost shiplike.
Now this heat is really getting to your head, Russo, Russo grumbled to himself. "I need a drink of water. Or I'm gonna be seein' ships in all the dunes!" He took out a waterskin from his bag and took a drink, staying closer up into the shade of it. Closing it up again and putting it away he looked up again and took a closer look to the dune. Even with the water it didn't seem to be changing any.
"That's rather funny," he murmured. But he climbed the dune just a little closer, he laid a hand against the hull of it when suddenly he tried to pull his hand away and felt it was called to it again like a magnet. Russo cursed and pulled away again only to be slammed against the wood. But like glue it kept snapping him back. Eventually he found himself suddenly airborne and Russo gave a cry of terror when he was yanked up from the dune and was flailing in the air, hitting the sails high above him and plummeting down to the ropes below, screaming all the way down.
He got his foot caught onto one of the ropes, and dangled just above the main deck, seeing it really was a ship after all and he was dumbstruck, completely at a loss for words. That was until he saw a man below and several bones and corpses on the ship. What the hell had he just gotten himself into now! He still had his bag hanging on his shoulder and looked down at the man. "Hey! What's the big idea!?" he bellowed, clearly pissed.
As if the day really couldn't get any worse. Russo hoisted himself up by the sail rope just enough to unhook his foot and fell fifteen feet to the deck of rotted wood with a sudden thud. Nope he was wrong.
Roberto had been in absolute fashion hell for the whole month he had been trapped on the damned ship, and he couldn't help but frown a bit as he watched the absolutely disgusting corpse things stumble around. What was even worse was everyone's lack of fashion, honestly he could put up with the dead corpses and Rain's horrible attitude. What he could stand was the corpses fashion travesties.
He had been doing his best to over look it, or fixing it were he could, but life was getting way to mundane for a fabulous man such as himself. The worst thing of all though, was the lack of being able to bath and lack of wardrobe. Those two simple things were enough to ruin his mood any day, but here he was a cursed man, cursed to stinky things and the same dirty cloths. Rain or course didn't make anything any better. Roberto knew he made Rain uncomfortable, which was amusing for the first two weeks but it had quickly lost its luster.
So in the hot sun, in a bit of shade, legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle Roberto set. He was used to the heat, he had grew up in it so it was nothing knew. He was dozing, his head back, snoring softly as he hung in the border between the world of the dreaming and the world of the living. His body was relaxed, until he heard a rather loud thud, a thud that vibrated the floor he was sitting on. He was a bit startled by it, he jumped up rather quickly though even if it was some type of attack or something he wouldn't be much help. Though as his logic kicked in he realized there wouldn't be anything to do, anyone attacking the ship would be cursed as well... Plus, they were out in the middle of no where in the desert.
Roberto adjusted his loose, light and airy pants, looking down to make sure he had nothing repulsive on his bare chest as his eyes looked over the fresh meat. It would be nice to have some different company, definitely better than Rain and the dead people, or the weird creepy necromancer.
"Well hello there!" Roberto said followed up by a whistle.
He just couldn't believe this. He just COULD NOT believe this. Not only was this man obviously an idiot, but now he'd be another addition to his crew. And to make matters worse, Roberto just had to add a little whistle to his hello. Growling, Rain stormed across the deck, over to where Russo now hung from the ropes. He was pissed.
"You there!" he began in a most angered tone, when suddenly the other gentleman was working at the ropes. Was he ignoring him again? Maybe the idiot was just too stupid to understand words, but then as he tried to press on, the man untangled himself and went crashing onto the deck.
Flinching, Rain shook his head, planting his hands upon his hips as he glared down at Russo.
"You sir, are now a member on the illustrious sand ship, Conrad's Coin. And just as I tried to warn you before you decided to put your grubby little hands on the hull of my ship, the place is cursed. So welcome on board. You're cursed, too. Good luck trying to get off." And that was about as much of an introduction as Russo was going to get as Rain stormed away, waving off the man with an irritated growl while shaking his head and muttering things to the effect of 'Gods, what an idiot' and 'This is just my luck.'
Russo lay there dazed on the deck of the ship with his head spinning. This was a nightmare, was all. He'd wake up from it in no time. He was just having a case of heatstroke from this goddamned desert sun. Yes, he'd wake up. In fact he wasn't even in the desert at all. He was on the deck of a ship out at sea and he'd just take a bad spill to the deck below. No biggie, no problem... Right?
Wrong.
Russo found his bearings and managed to sit up with a sore head, a pounding headache and just to add insult to injury - he was sure he had sand in his pants. Russo held his head amidst the barrage of words coming from the man and he was not making a lick of sense. As he carefully stood, he looked over to the other man on the deck of the ship and gave a confused scowl. Russo held his head as he watched the 'captain' of this vessel just walk away from him.
"HEY! Hey! What do you mean cursed? I-I didn't know this wretched piece of shit you call a ship even was a ship! It looked like a sand dune! Look! You've got piles of bones for crying out loud! And holes in your deck and your goddamned sails are shredded and torn! This thing would never sail. In fact it's a blessing it's buried in the sand, you jackass, it's where it belongs! Now I don't know what kind of magic you have that yanked me onto this lemon, but I'm not staying here a minute longer." He looked over to Roberto. "And if you had any brains, you'd do the same."
Rain rolled his eyes at the man. It always got old when he had to explain what the hell was going on. Maybe Roberto could enlighten him. Rain made a face and dropped into his favorite chair upon the deck and simply crossed his legs and stared over at Russo with an irritated sigh. Russo wasn't the only one with a head ache.
"Fine, leave if you wish. But good luck trying," he said, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. He'd figure it out sooner or later. And what did he mean by calling his ship some lemon? He idly looked around. The ship looked as bad off as the zombie crew. But he simply shrugged away the thought.\
He had better things to do.
Like sitting there and LOOKING as if he had things to do, while he picked up a map and simply made himself look busy by reading it.
Roberto cocked his hip and crossed his arm, "I wouldn't try that, unless you are a masochist and then... Well with such a fine specimen as yourself, there are more... Creative ways to have fun," Robert spoke to the man with a smile. He let his eyes wonder the man over, looking at his outfit first and then his body.
"And the name is Roberto," He spoke, rolling his R. He paused for a moment, deciding he should tell this man what exactly he had gotten himself into a bit better than Rain did.
"Once you touch this ship you are cursed to remain on it until the curse that was placed upon Rain is removed, so time to become best friends," He began, giving the man a wink. Roberto reached his hand down to the man, offering him a hand up, "Plus getting all upset and shouting and making rash moves isn't gonna help your headache."
Well, apparently the skinny guy with the bad haircut wasn't the only one that was crazy on this ship. Russo couldn't believe what he was hearing, he just couldn't. And yet part of him didn't even want to try and test the curse. It was his sailor's sense in him, knowing certain things were done a particular way because when one tested fate, it usually came calling. And besides the number of feet down to the sand below was clearly enough to break his legs in the fall.
He had better use for them anyway.
Russo glanced over to Roberto and gave a grumpy sigh. "Russo," he said bluntly, shaking his hand firmly before letting go. "Now if what you say is true, then I guess this really is nothing more than a ship of fools. Particularly that one over there. Soooo...what the hell is a ship doing in the dunes?"
Roberto frowned, but only for a moment, "Then you are just as much a fool as anyone on this ship." He looked the man over, a bit of the frown returning, "Those boots don't really go with your outfit... You should fix that."
Robert turned, his left side now to Russo.
"Well Russo, Cap, over there could explain it better, it is his fault we are all stuck on his fashion travesty, but I know it has something to do with some mages and a curse or something," He spoke, looking up at Rain.
"Now Cap, don't be mean to the newest member of your crew, that wouldn't be polite at all!" Robert said with a wink.
Rain looked up from where he had been sitting at his desk on the deck of the ship. He gave the pair of them a nonplused stare.
"I'm sure the idiot can figure it out for himself," Rain said, and went back to reading his map and idly brushing off the sands from his compass. "You're on a ship, the ship is cursed, the curse is designed so you can't leave it the moment you touch it.. it's pretty simple really." Then he looked up, glaring over at Russo. "And you.. the idiot, touched the ship. So welcome on board." he said, shrugging his shoulders and kicking up his boots as he looked over dully at the new addition to their crew. "Take a look aroudn if you like, but you've literally got all the time in the world to see it."
They weren't kidding, they really weren't kidding! And Russo saw then that there was no use in arguing further in the matter. The point had been proven and he didn't even have the energy to try to wrap his head around the fact. He supposed it didn't help of his Connlaothian upbringing - few good things were brought about because of magic and he doubted this was any different. At the sudden realization, Russo had to sit down and dropped his ass to the floor, shaking wood as he fell.
"Oh, gods be damned," he said, and despite himself, began to cry. Well, hell at least he didn't care about whether or not he appeared any more manly than he should in his state of impotence. "I'm never getting out of this godforsaken desert." Of course, things could only get worse from there when he felt something hard land on his head, violently even and broke skin, blood streaming from his brow as he reeled back and held onto his burning head.
A rock had landed beside him.
The dragon riders that were carrying Selaina to Essyrni were moving fast. She had woken up while they were in middair, at one point the green land of the north melting away to the yellow sands of the desert. Despite being kidnapped, Selaina watched in wonder from her perch on the back of hte flying dragon to the world below. It was only then she heard the men beside her, listened in on their plan,a nd felt her blood boil at the prospect they were intending to steal her magic rock's secret and just give it to some pompous Essyrni merchant prince. Though she knew it was helpless, she bided her time, plotted well in order to deter the men from using her magics, knowing that if they had gone well out of their way to kidnap her all the way in Serendipity to bring her hear, something foul and much bigger than her was at play. So when the moment was right, she lunged herself at the men as they took out the rock to examine it, mentioning how much money it would bring. ANd before they knew it, Selaina's hard head bumped their arm, knocking the rock clean with it and with a wailing, "NOOOOOOOO!" it fell to the ground.
Unfortunately for Russo, it hit him square on the head. But wiht all of the fuss the other man was making, Rain simply smoothed a hand down his face and gave a shake of his head.
"I really wish I had some barbarian on board to do my bidding. Then I could ask him to cut off your crying head," Rain groaned, then spied the blood coming from Russo's head as he furrowed his brow. What the hell? How had the man been injured? He hadn't noticed the rock on the ground.
Thankfully, Russo had heard Rain's comment and that was enough to bring him to his senses. He righted himself and wiped his tears away. Well, that was a good five seconds of feeling sorry for himself. And what did it bring? Nothing but a headache. And the rock-wound wasn't helping either. He reached for the stone on the deck and slowly inspected it in his hands, curious and suddenly quiet, as if Captain Annoying and his crew weren't even there. That was funny, he could have sworn he was hearing voices from it.
Roberto moved to the Russo once he had stood, ignoring Rain for a moment.
"Pretty rock," He spoke, as all of the way he could use it as a fabulous accessory played in his head. He could so make it into something, it would be fabulous.
He wasn't going to take the rock from Russo though, so as Russo looked it over Roberto looked up to Rain.
"Rain, you are WAY too tense, if you want I could loosen you up a bit," He spoke with a wink, a bit of a sexual tone in his voice.
"You would feel better, promise!"
"Stop it! came a woman's voice through the rock. "I'm not telling you anything! So you might as well stop this and besides... the magic rock is gone. Your two idiots managed to drop it off the dragon's back while escorting me here to your lovely home. ANd of course I have no idea how to procure it. What? You want me to make another? No way! Then a smack was heard, and nothing more- and all of the voices and sounds that seemed to come from the rock went silent.
Not that Rain had heard any of it, really, Russo would have been the closest one to hear it as Rain felt himself growing ill over Roberto's flirts.
"You know, as the Captain of the ship, I can have it ordered that we hang you," Rain threatened through a growl. Really.. what the heck was this man's problem!? Just ew.. ew ew ew! He most definitely did NOT swing that way! And sadly enough, he was homophobic. "Why don't you go back to your duties and keep this ship tidy?" Though the place looked immaculate as Rain gestured towards it. "I bet there's sand all over it from this stupid man who's become our recent addition. So why dont' you go make yourself useful Roberto and get to cleaning!"
"Oh, quiet you two!" Russo roared as he strained to listen to the voices coming from the apparent 'magic' rock. It was a woman's voice and a lovely change of pace from the sound of all that testosterone and rabble surrounding him. Too bad it didn't last long and before he knew it he was shaking the rock in an attempt to get more sound from it, but to no avail.
"Wait, Roberto! You're an expert in shiny things, come here and look at this rock. Do you notice anything particularly unusual about it? I swear I heard voices coming from it. And Rain, be quiet!"
Roberto crossed his arms at Rain, "Go ahead and hang me, then you would have to deal with the smell of my rotting corpse and your wardrobe travesties," Roberto said as he placed one hand on his hip and snapping with his other hand.
Then he turned his attention to the shiny rock. He inspected it for a moment, pursing his lips and furrowing his brow.
"Well, I can say I have never seen anything like it, but I don't think that offers much insight, you heard voices you say, are you sure you didn't hit your head too hard. You did fall hard."
Rain gave a soured smile towards the pair.
"Great, another crazy one!" And he turned around, his smile flattening as he groaned, muttering something about "Gods, I'll be cursed all eternity at this rate!" and left Russo to his own devices.
-----------
The rock had remained quiet for a while, and it wasn't until the sun began to set did it start to talk again.
"H-hello?" came the woman's voice. "Can anyone hear me? Please, if so, answer me! I'm running through Essyrn now.. Gods.." The faded sound of music and vendors couldbe heard. "Please.. if someone is out there.. pick up the rock on the ground. Please! I need your help! Men are chasing me! And they want this magical item! Please.. please... somebody pick up!"
He'd considered Roberto's statement for a time, maybe he really did hit his head too hard. It wouldn't have been the first time, after all. He sat by the rock the rest of those hours, just thinking as there was little else to do. And when he'd heard the rock again, he was hoping there was someone else around to hear it too. Gods! To go insane on a boat with an insufferable crew!
"Hello?" he urged, hoping he'd say yes. "Please tell me you heard that! Anybody? Shit. Yes! Hello!" Russo reached down and plucked the rock closer to him, talking to it like a man that had spent too much time in solitude. "Hello! I hear you! I have the rock! What - what do you mean men are chasing after you?"
Through the rock, a woman's panting breath could be heard.
"These men.. they're.. they're after the rock you and I are holding. We can communicate through them.. GODS!" And the sounds of things falling into the street could be heard, the woman cursing, men shouting, boots running against hard sanded streets.
"P-please.. whatever you do. Don't lose the item. I.. I need your help!" she said, and finally Selaina found some reprieve, having taken refuge in the shadows of an alleyway. But she knew this moment of rest wouldn't last long.
"Where are you located? Are you anywhere near the city?" Selaina hoped this man was, perhaps he could help her thwart these men that were out to get her. She not only feared for the magical item and the repercussions it could mean if some other mage figured out it's secrets.. but she was now fearing for her life. At least for now, she had one of the magic rocks..
and some stranger held the other.
After a time, when she thought the moment was safe, she asked another question. "Do you got a name? You can call me Selaina. Selaina Davinshore."
Roberto heard Russo talking to the rock again. He shook his head and headed towards the man. He was either going to find the man had lost his marbles or he really got hit in the head with some magic talking stone. Roberto was pretty sure it would be the first one.
Roberto barley heard the reply to Russo's words, but he did hear it, so he stood behind Russo in shock. Maybe he was going mad as well? Maybe all this time with Rain and no booty or decent fashion had really pushed him off the deep end.
"I... I think I will go get Rain," He said simply after standing in shock for several minutes.
Russo was caught between paying attention to the speaker on the other side of the rock and Roberto who only just now showed up behind him. "Oh, no! Don't get that fool over here!" But it was too late and Russo stared back at the stone, pressing his ear to it. "Hey! Hello!? Oh, gods..." He listened to the noises coming through and frowned. And even more so at the sound of the woman on the other side, asking for his help.
"I'm afraid I don't know where I am," Russo admitted with a disheartened tone. "Somewhere in the middle of the desert and I'm afraid no where anywhere near a city! I'm on some kind of - of sand ship!" He turned around and looked at the sorry state of the vessel he was on, and knew it was only a matter of time before that idiot captain came up from below deck.
"Pleasure to speak with someone out there in the real world with at least a better brain than I," he said with a sad voice. "Name's Russo Portola. A pleasure to semi-make your acquaintance."
"Sand ship?" Selaina's face twisted. "What does that mean? You mean like, some sort of ship designed to sail on the deserts?" Well, wasn't that something! But she had hardly time to think of that, her once budding feeling of hope was quickly dwindling. This man was in the desert.. Gods.. the desert was so expansive and if he was all the way out where she had believed she initially dropped the rock....
They might as well be worlds away.
She sighed, very loudly against the rock, her hand sweaty and clutching it tight.
"Russo? Sounds Connlaothian."
Roberto made is way to the captain in a rather half dazed manner. How could that rock be talking? Maybe he had hit his head and he was hallucinating. He took a deep breath as he approached Rain.
"Hey, cap, you should probably come with me, that rock, it was actually talking," Roberto said rubbing his temples, he couldn't believe he was saying it.
Rain was down below deck, and, now that Roberto had entered into his cabin, he was cursing to himself for not locking the door. Rain had been in the middle of polishing up the meager few trinkets of treasure he had actually acquired during his time on Conrad's Coin but... well...
it was really a pathetic pile of treasure, indeed. So when Roberto stepped in, he dropped what he was doing and clung defensively over his loot. He cast a glare the man's way.
"What do I care about if there's a talking rock? Go back up on deck and talk with the corpse crew if you're going to start talking crazy! Can't you see I'm busy? This gold can't polish itself! Now scram!"
Roberto popped his his hip before placing his hand on it.
He raised his eyebrow and his face almost instantly filled with attitude.
"No, excuse me-," Roberto started, clearly not planning on leaving right away.
"I'm stuck on this damned fashion tragedy, why in the hell would I be worried about your damn gold, isn't like I could steal it and run away. If you don't come with me it will end up overboard though! Then you won't have to worry about polishing it!" Roberto added, snapping his fingers at Rain.
Roberto didn't sign up to be a pirate, so he didn't always follow the rule of respecting your superior, especially when his superior was as dense as Rain.
"Yeah, how did you know?" Russo said, scowling at the rock. He listened in as he turned it over in his hands, finding it looked little different than an ordinary rock, though it did have an unusual vibration to it. It was curious that it happened to come over this section of the desert for it to fall on his head, and it led him to wonder just what she was doing here anyway. That meant she couldn't be as far as he thought she was.
But with a ship stuck in the sands, she could be in any city within well over a thousand miles.
"What the hell are you doing in the desert anyway? This damn thing fell on my head! You must have passed over this way, not too long before."
Selaina smiled.
"I'm from Serendipity. I got some friends up that way. It's a pretty nice country, if you like pompous assholes," she said with a playful tone.
But then as he went on to ask her how he got the rock, her face fell at the question. She continued to grip onto it tigtly, looking out into the streets now before slipping back into the safe shadows of the alley way. She kept the rock close to her lips.
"Well, it's a long story," she said, sighing. "But apparently some merchant prince around here by the name of Drissent is after the rocks I enchanted. I sort of.. well, became some what famous for them; but i never would have considered my experiement would entice some crazy guy all the way in the desert to come after me! So yeah, he sent a couple of dragon rider thugs and whisked me away. When I came to, we were over the desert, and well, I've never flown before and it was terrifying.. anyways, the point is, I tried to wrestle with the men and well, I must've dropped the one rock on your ship. And well, my efforts only landed me with a bump on my head which.. ' she reached a hand up, rubbing at her blonde hair. "I'm still smarting from."
And then she paused to considering, staring off in thought.
"How about you? If you're from Connlaoth, how did you wind up on a sand ship in the middle of the Moraki?"
Russo frowned at her story and rubbed at the bump on his own head, at the mention of hers. He stood up and looked around, watching where Roberto had gone and then back to the rock. "Work, or lack thereof," he grumbled. "I wandered onto this ship by accident and now I'm stuck and can't get off. It's cursed or at least that's what the captain says. I wonder if this thing even moves... Hey, would you like to speak to the captain? He's an idiot named Rain or something. But if anyone would know anything about this ship it would be him, and maybe there's a way to get to where you are!"
"A cursed ship?" she blinked. "Sounds like a familiar Essyrnian folk lore." She frowned, but then slowly nodded. "Sure, if you think that might help." But hten she considered. "Wait.. how is it cursed anyways?"
"I'm not sure," Russo admitted with a soured voice. "I wish I had all the details frankly. I only know that the ship is dormant out here in the sands and apparently it just sucks you back up onto the deck if you try to leave even for just a piss. Y'know what, I know someone who'd be able to give you more information than me if you can suffer an idiot. Let me get you the Captain. RAIIIIIN!" Russo got up and walked to where he saw Roberto disappear too.
"Roberto..." Rain began with careful phrasing. It was obviously laced with the strain of irritation, and not much was holding it back. "Touch my gold, and you'll end up as dead as the skeletons," he promised darkly, his eyes going cold and harsh as steel as he rose from his chair.
BUt then he heard Russo's voice and his brow twitched irritably.
"Great, the other loser is coming this way. Great. Can't a man just get peace and quiet around here to quietly shine his gold!?" And he moved over towards Roberto, attempting to shoo the man out.
"Come on, out, out, out!" he said, forcing Roberto nearer towards the door. "Before that damn new blood gets down here before I can get my door closed and once do do I'm goign to lock it!" he threatened.
Roberto didn't budge.
"Go see the stone and after that you can hold up in this damned room all you want. I guess you are so dense upstairs that you don't realize that if you are held up in here none of us are ever going to get off this damned ship," Roberto said, frustration filling his voice.
He honestly hated the ship most of the time, Rain didn't do much to help the situation.
"If you don't go I am going to start stripping," Roberto finally said, knowing that would probably run Rain out.
Russo heard a lot of rattling and roaring from below deck as he got to the rotted stairs. The whole place stunk of sweat, sand and body odor. The occasional rotting dead smell came through once in a while as well, but that was a scent he didn't begrudge nearly as much. So when he got to the bottom of the stairs, he clutched the rock in hand. "Whatever your polishing in there, you can just stuff it back in your pants!" Russo yelled when at last he found the hall where the noise was coming from. He came to the doorway and opened his hand to Rain. "Roberto was right. There's a voice coming from inside it."
Rain looked about ready to be sick when Roberto threatened to be rid of his clothes, but then his face turned even redder and angrier.
"YOU CAN'T THREATEN ME!" he tantrumed. "I'm the captain of this ship and what I say is law, and if you don't listen to me and get out, I'll throw you out!"
BUt then Russo showed up, and what he said made him even angrier, especially when he stared at the damn rock.
"Gods, my entire cursed crew is crazy! GET OUT! GET OUT!" he screamed.
But then the rock spoke and Rain jumped back about fifty feet, his eyes widening into saucers as he cowered back beside his desk.
"What the hell was that!?"
"Hello?" came the woman's voice from the rock.
"The rock!" Rain squeaked. "It speaks!"
"That's what I've been saying! The rock has magical properties and can transfer a voice across distances! The lady on the other side is in grave danger and she needs our help," Russo explained with a frown. "Well, as Captain of this vessel that we apparently cannot leave, is there some way of moving this ship or not? Unless you plan to just rot here for the rest of your days!"
"What?" Rain barked, furrowing his brow. "Of course this thing can move but why the hell would I put myself in danger to save some woman speaking inside a rock?" The idea was clearly crazy! And do was his damn crew!
Russo couldn't believe his ears. If he didn't think he could hate Rain anymore than he did, he had another thing coming. "Because what kind of example are you setting for the rest of your crew!?" he growled. "You're supposed to be the Captain! And if this is how you lead...I'm gonna ask Roberto here to start undressing."
Rain stared for a moment before barking out another, "What?!"
He shook his head.
"What do I care about examples? This woman has nothing to do with me unless-" then he paused to consider, and leaped towards the rock, aiming to snatch it from Russo. "Gimme that rock! Let me ask her if she knows anything about treasures so we can get off of this damn sand ship!"
Russo immediately pulled his arm away from him and shoved him away. "All right! But I get to hold to rock. You just stick your face in there and ask your stupid questions, Captain!" He grit his teeth and shoved the rock in his face.
"What!?" Rain quickly grew angry, his face heating red. "Hey! Did you forget who's the captain here? I gave an order! Now GIVE ME THE ROCK!" And he grabbed for it again.
Roberto placed his hands on his hips.
"Listen to Russo and stop acting like a five year old or I am going to get naked!" Roberto threatened while snapping his fingers before starting to take his vest off.
Rain gasped and reared back, appalled Roberto was showing skin.
"Put it back on, put it back on!" the man demanded. Then he growled at the pair of them. "The two of you need to learn to listen to me. I'm the captain of this ship, and I give the orders. Now, put your vest back on; and YOU," he shoved a finger in Russo's face before yanking the rock from it, though instead of procuring it, he accidently sent it SAILING into the air, and it looked about ready to fly clean off the boat.
It landed on the edge, skidded to a halt, before teetering just at the edge.
A moment later, as it barely clung onto the boat, Selaina's voice came through.
"Hello?"
Russo was positively livid when the "Captain" had the gall to snatch the rock from his hand. Goddamn him, he'd been distracted for a second, surprised Roberto had actually listened and proceeded to undress. But thankfully it also distracted Rain enough to get his attention back to the matter at hand. When the rock began to sail out toward the edge of the room, toward a large hole in the hull of the lower deck, Russo felt his heart drop down into his stomach, as if he'd just eaten a mouthful of sand.
"No!" He immediately lunged for the rock and grabbed it just as it's teetering nearly threw it over the edge. He snatched it with gentle fingers and nearly dropped it again until he cradled it against his chest. "Gods, you IDIOT! Ugh, Hello! Miss Selaina! We're here. The rest of the crew that is! This idiot almost threw your rock overboard!" He stood up and staggered over to Rain once again. "SPEAK! You fool!"
Leaving Roberto behind (for he was afraid he'd start to undress...), Rain rushed over to the newest crew member, Russo. Giving him a glare, then an indignant sniff, he reached for the rock again and tried to yank it from his hands.
"Fine!" But when it wouldn't budge, he began to growl, and instead, just yanked Russo's hand and the rock closer to him as he cleared his throat to speak to 'the rock'.
"Hello?"
Seliana, who was still in dire straights and not certain what the hell was going on the other side of the rock, heard the second voice again and replied back with another quick and breathy, desperate sounding, "Hello?! Russo!?"
Rain growled, "No, this is Rain, the Captain of this vessel- Conrad's Coin. We're a vessel that sails upon the sands-"
"So a sand ship?" she repeated his words smartly. "Look, I know all about that stuff. But I need help! I'm stuck in the city with a whole bunch of men after me. They're looking for me and the rocks-"
"Look, be quiet a moment if you want my help!" Rain growled, trying to shake the rock as if he could shake the woman on the other side before he looked up at Russo and gave the man a glare. Then he went back to speaking.
"Look, you're not the only one needing help. We're cursed on this ship, and if we don't load this boat with treasure, we'll be stuck here forever. So how about we cut a deal?"
A moment later, Selaina was swearing, and the sounds of her boots could be heard against the sand stone grounds. Rain couldn't put two and two together and grew impatient with her lack of a response.
"Well!?" he said, attempting to shake the rock again.
Roberto had put back on his vest, but left it unbuttoned, showing off a bit of his chest and abdominals, just as warning to Rain.
"She is running you dim witted fool,"Roberto snapped at Rain as he stood with his arms crossed beside the two men.
Growling, Rain shook the rock in Russo' s hand again.
"Well stop running and start listening to me so we can help each other out!"
"Just be patient," Russo growled, growing very impatient, and even slammed the rock against Rain's head.
The rock hurt as Rain swore up a storm, glaring daggers at Russo as he shoved his shoulder into the taller man, only to realize Russo was made of solid muscle, compared to Rain, who was anything but, and here he ended up hurting himself. Cursing and swearing and rubbing at his forearm, he glared down at the rock.
"I... I think I might have lost the men!" Selaina said with a pant. "But I don't know how much longer I can throw them off my trail. Does anyone there know the city of Essyrn intimately?"
"The city? Pfff, but of course. Most of us.." he said, then glared over at their knew comer, Russo, "Know enough about the city. So... what sort of gold do you aim to steal for us?"
Selaina went quiet, then responded, "I need to find a place to hide. Does anyone there know what I should do? These men seem dangerous..."
Rain growled, growing more impatient as he grabbed ontt he rock, hoping to snatch it from Russo, "NOw you listen here, you help us, we'll help you, but not the other way around! First, tell us how you plan to get us some gold!"
After a few minutes, an irritated growl came through.
"Can I speak to Russo, please?"
Rain glared at the rock, and finally secured it for himself, glaring back at Russo.
"No, you can't talk to him until we come to some sort of agreement. Now..." he said, drawing in a careful breath. "Are you up to stealing us a ship full of gold?"
The only response came as an irritated growled.
Russo grinned with mild amusement as the "Captain" was only growing more and more irritated at the lack of results by the woman on the other line. But it quickly faded when she asked to address him and still Rain refused to release his hand. Russo smashed the rock against his head once more and shoved his head away with the other hand as he snatched the rock back . Holding it to his ear, he cast a glare Rain's way before turning his attention back to Selaina. "Go head! This is Russo!"
Rain stumbled back in a daze, and once he saw Russo had the rock again, his face burned with fury.
"HEY! GIVE THAT BACK!" and he launched himself at the other pirate.
Russo didn't waste any time throwing Rain unceremoniously on the ground and when he was down there, Russo promptly sat on him in the hopes to keep him there. "Yes! Miss Selaina I'm here! You're free to go ahead!"
Selaina sighed with relief into the rock, and found herself smiling, hearing Rain struggle and just imagining what was going on.
"Thank the Gods," she muttered, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Are you able to help me? I won't mind helping..w hatever it is I can do for you and your crew with whatever curse you are suffering, but right now there are men out to kill me. Is there anyone on board the ship familiar with the city of Essyrn who could help guide me safely out of the city? Or to a place that's safe at all?"
Russo gave a frown and smashed his butt down harder on Rain to keep him quiet despite the man's struggle. "Relax!" he growled. He frowned deeper and spoke into the rock once more. "I'm afraid I wouldn't be much help to you," Russo answered unsatisfactory. "I'm new to the desert myself. But ...this is a ship after all! There's got to be maps somewhere, maybe one of Essyrn! Rain! Is there a map of Essyrn on this city!? Roberto could you check his desk?"
"Ha! I know Essyrn like the back of my hand, but that doesn't mean I'm about to help any of you!" Rain spat, then groaned out when Russo squashed him beneath his ass.
Selaina smirked on the other end of the rock. She kept it pressed to her ear, looking around as she sighed.
"A map might be good," she said, then chuckled and added, "And a drink. Gods, I'm not one for ale, but I feel as if I could use a whole bunch after this!"
Robert was silent as he watched the two. He doubted he would ever get bored now that Russo was on board.
"Rain, dear, you forget, I also know Essyrn like the back of my hand, and I will help the poor girl out." Roberto said raising an eyebrow.
"And if you try to stop us, well, I guess you are going to see more of me than you ever wanted to!" Roberto said as he howled in laughter.
Russo gave a satisfied grin - mostly from relief - to know that at least Roberto had more brains than their sorry excuse for a Captain. "Good! Here! Selaina this is Roberto and he'd be able to help you where I can't," Russo said as he handed off the rock to him. He turned his head to peer down at Rain as he struggled underneath him. "You better relax, or I'll sit on your face!" he growled and slapped his face. "Now quit struggling!"
Selaina managed to catch Russo's words as she laughed.
"If you sit on his face, be sure to fart on it!"
So it was childish, but heck- who cared! Whoever that 'Rain' fellow was, was a jerk! And once she rock was passed over, she sighed to collect herself.
"Hello?" she said. "Am I speaking with Roberto?" Then she paused to think it over- "Man,t here are a lot of R names on that ship... anyways, so you know Essyrn?"
"Yeah girl, its Roberto," Roberto spoke, his free hand placed on his hip.
"Now, can you describe what you see, so I can get a general abouts of where you are," He added a moment later, his voice full of sassiness.
"Uh..." Selaina began, blinking as she peered around. "There's a lot of sand stone walls." She sighed. " I know that's not much help. Here, let me get back into the street to see what I can find as far as a land mark. Ah! I see something... hrmm, looks like I'm near some sort of bazarr?"
"Well there are several bazarrs there hun, well, is it big, small? Can you see a giant statue towering in the middle?" Roberto asked.
"Uh.. pretty large I'd say!" Elaina spoke into the rock with some enthusiasm as she huffed and puffed. "And yeah, I see the statue in the center. What about it?"
"Well at least now I know where you are, you are in the smack dab middle of town," Roberto replied as his face drew up in a sort of frown.
"Do you know what direction you are in? like the southern side, northern side so on so forth, can you tell that much?"
Roberto would have been able to hear a few more of her breaths as she informed him, "The North." And he paused to add, "I think." Tucking back her hair, she peered out in worry. "Well, at least I know where I am. But are you able to navigate me to some place of safety? I can't let my magical rock fall into the wrong hands- and these men are persistent. We flew all the way from Adela on the backs of dragons. And boy, I've never done that before, but let me tell you- it was quite a ride!"
They were talking loud enough for the whole world to hear and when Russo heard the words Adela and Dragons, he sat up again. He strode over to Roberto and leaned in to talk into the rock. "Did you say dragons? What sorts of dragons? Did they have any sort of regalia on them? Maybe they were from the Adelan army?"
"I'm pretty sure these men aren't from the army. More like thugs. Dragon riding thugs."
"Makes you wonder. Just where n the hell did they get the dragons," Russo said thooughtfully. He shook his head. "Anything more you can tell us that might let us help you? I'm afraid a direct retrieval isn't really an option and even if it was, it probably wouldn't be a good idea either."
Sunlight.
Naturally, rumors of dark magic just had to lead her towards a place full of sunlight. Thiadis, hidden under a large cloak, thrust her burning hands under her arms and sniffed the air. What little relief the shade that the central statue cast was overwhelmed by the vast number of people crowding the bazaar. Women shouting at their stalls, men arguing by their shops, sweat, sand, throbbing heartbeats, rotting foods, barking dogs, swirling colors, chaos.
And yet, there was a trace to the north. She felt the presence of a strong enchantment tugging at the corners of her mind, all pointing north. Perhaps her journey was not a waste after all. Would there be any payoff? she wondered. A bit of knowledge, a pretty trinket, anything?
Thiadis scooped up her journal, shouldered her bulging canvas pack and picked her way among the crowd towards the scent of magic.
Hearing someone approach, Selaina cursed and retreated back down the way she came, only problem was she nearly ran full force into another woman as she ended up dropping the rock as it tumbled with a few.painful clicks upon the street. Giving out a half apology, Selaina scrambled to scoop up the rock and to keep moving, but the second she rounded the bend, she was cursing again.
"Damn, these men are hot on my tail!" And her eyes darted around for a place to make a quick retreat.
"That was certainly an unorthodox introduction," Thiadis muttered as she gingerly picked herself up off the ground. Several ragged bound books had erupted from her green bag and a shrunken head gleefully bounced towards the bend in the street.
"Now, Gladys, where are you going?" A smile curved across her lips. The magicks were close, she could feel.
After shaking the sand out of her black skirt and shoving the books back into her bag, she began to pursue after the running woman. In the shadows, she remained, and she thought she heard the woman mention something about men and tails. Tails?
"Excuse me!" Thiadis called out to the running woman. "Your tail does not interest me! I merely wish to speak with you."
Selaina hadn't noticed the shrunken head, being too submerged in her own situation, but when the woman called out to her, Selaina gave an anxious sigh.
"Look.. can we chat later? I kind of have a bunch of really angry men on my trail and I'm not about to get caught." And then she paused and hastily added, "That's to say, I'm not a thief or anything! You see those men after me.. they're the thieves and well-"
She couldn't continue on with that thought as she heard the men coming down the ally. Without a second thought, she jumped behind a large crate to hide. And over to the woman she called, "If they ask.. I'm not here!"
And seconds later, two large men, obviously Adelan, appeared with eyes cleaving the area. They turned to the woman now standing there and asked,
"You see a blonde woman 'round here? About this tall and was running by real fast."
Thiadis slowly pushed back her hood, revealing piercing white eyes that stared sharply at the two men. One hand combing through her silver hair and the other lazily reached into a pouch hooked to her belt. The runes tattooed on her knuckles glowed faintly.
Thugs. How droll.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Thiadis sighed. "I do think I'm lost. Could you two come here and help me?" Her voice had dropped, low and melodious.
The men grew annoyed at the woman and pushed past her.
"Ask a local, we're busy!" One of the men spat, eyes still looking around before cursing.
"Fuck. I think we lost her!"
Thiadis stumbled as they shoved past her.
"Very, very rude." Her lips contorted into a snarl.
Glittering black powder flew out of her left hand, hitting the men directly in the back of their heads.
Mearan-cadail!
Dust solidified into contorted dark figures that raked sharp talons across the men's faces, nightmarish wails coming from the demons' gaping jaws.
Thiadis smoothed out her black skirt and held a hand out in the blonde woman's direction. "Time to run?"
Selaina had seen it all and was left gaping. But she sobered the moment Thiadis spoke to her. Closing her lips, she gave a nod and dashed out from the shadows.
"Couldn't have said it better myself!" she called to the other woman as he began to run down the nearest alleyway. "Say- what did you do to those guys anyway? That was a pretty neat trick!"
"Nightmare powder!" Her reply was a touch too cheerful, considering the gruesome effect it had. "Basic alchemy, picked up the recipe in a Zantaric market. Dash of blood, mix in some primal fear..."
She halted suddenly as something round flung itself at the back of her leg.
"Sorry, darling." Thiadis cradled the head in her hands, blowing sand off its patchy red hair. She then glanced curiously at Selaina. "Would you mind terribly if I asked you what you have in your pocket?"
Sorry, darling?
Selaina was about to answer her until she heard that reply. Blinking,s he turned to regard the other woman curiously when she nearly tripped over her own two feet at the sight of the shrunken head.
"Oh my God! What is that?"
And she might have said that a bit too loudly, for behind them echoed the thug's voices.
"I hear her! She's that away!"
The man's voice made her freeze, igniting a furious scramble of partially imagined escape plans and frantic mumbling.
"Killing? No, killing bad. Flogging not on the agenda...no, ah, well..."
She paused to coolly study Selaina. Without blinking, she yanked out a strand of the other woman's blonde hair and wrapped it around the shrunken head. A quick toss sent it rolling down the street. Thiadis tackled Selaina into the corner of alley, partially concealed by the shadows, and gripped her arm tightly.
"I must apologize for my lack of social decorum, but don't you dare make a sound."
Where her macabre companion lay now stood a ghostly projection of Selaina. Thiadis slammed her eyes shut and concentrated. Now solidified, the figure walked towards the direction of the thugs with the look of anxiety on the mask of her face.
Seliana hardly had a chance to protest as the other peculiar woman whisked her away. And through surprise she watched as another figure of herself appeared. And she was just as baffled as the men were as her magical doppelganger was heading right for them!
The men all did a double take, before one of them realized-
"Grab her!" And with an evil cackle they did. And at the sight of it Selaina's heart leaped into her throat.
"How.. how did you do that?" she asked in scarcely a whisper. And although she was surprised and scared witless as she was running for her life- she was clearly impressed!
"The joys of not...quite being human," Thiadis muttered between gritted teeth. She cradled her head, struggling to concentrate and give Selaina a few moments of rest. New streaks of white cut through her dark hair. The heat was oppressive, even in her diaphanous dress, and the air felt like mortar in her throat.
Images seen through the doppelganger overlapped with her own surroundings. Five minutes in, and she was already weary. Ten minutes, her energy would begin to severely fade. It was best to stop then.
"Twenty...thirty minutes, maximum." Her whisper was hoarse and distracted. "Find a place to hide. It will be Gladys that they find in your place."
She chuckled weakly and wrapped herself in her cloak. "Poor Gladys...never popular with the boys..."
It was here Selaina was taken back.
"But I don't even know you and you're helping me. Not that I can complain but... might I ask why?"
There was a hell of a lot of racket on the other side of that rock and Russo kept trying to listen in, to hone in on a single thing. There was definitely another person there, a woman from the sound of it, and Russo shook the rock in frustration. "Hey!" he called through the talking rock. "What the hell's going on out there?"
Selaina nearly jumped out of her skin when her pocket began to talk. Quickly she pulled out the stone and spoke into it, "Er, sorry about that, Russo. I was in a bad spot, but seems like I ran into some help and the coast is clear for now."
Her gaze settled upon the rock. Some sort of enchantment for long distance communication, perhaps?
"What did you...?"
Focus.
"Right...well, never miss an opportunity to smash the patriarchy when you're out hunting."
She held out her hand and waved it distractedly. "Too much sun...can we go?"
"Who the hell is that?" Russo called through the rock, hearing the strange voice once again. "What's your name?"
Thiadis arched an eyebrow and sniffed.
"The talking rock makes demands. How droll."
"Well.. it's kind of complicated to explain, but the short version is there are a pair of enchanted rocks that are connected together and allow the holder to magically speak to whomever is holding it's pair. Those men who were chasing me had abducted me along with these enchanted item- though the second pair fell onto this man's ship-"
"MY ship," Rain but in, having weaseled his way closer to Russo. "Captain of Conrad's Coin!" He added proudly.
Selaina sighed. "They're apparently some cursed ship or something stuck out in the Moraki Desert."
"Give me that!" Russo growled, glaring daggers at Rain. He sighed heavily. "What he says is true, but we're all stuck on this ship, unfortunately. I apologize for any rudeness, but it's kind've hard to tell what's going on simply by listening to the voices on the other side. But from the lack of any shouts, I'm assuming the men that were pursuing you are gone for the moment?"
"A cursed ship?" She straightened up slightly with a smile on her lips. "What sort of curse?"
Find the ship, break the curse, write a tell all novel, fame, fortune...Yes, this sounded positively wonderful.
The mental link she had with Selaina's doppelganger was weakening. While this would free her to seek out the ship, she was concerned for the woman's safety. Being chased down alleyways by thugs is a bonding experience.
"Excuse me, talking rock! Tell me about this quaintly named ship."
She then turned to Selaina. "You really should consider hiding soon."
At the question, Russo turned his eyes back to Rain and sighed audibly. "This talking rock is named Russo. But I will refer you to the Captain - and I use the term loosely - of this vessel, if he's more inclined to tell you about it.
Russo handed the rock over to Rain. "Talk."
Rain plucked the rock from Russo's clutches, and polished it off on his coat cuff as if Russo's fingers had soiled it. And he cleared his throat, held the rock to his lips and went on, "This is the Captain. In case you are wondering, yes, the ship is curse. No, you can't touch it. Touching it is a curse in itself. We need you to NOT touch it while bringing us tons of gold to break the curse."
And Seliana didn't even know how to answer that!
Thiadis slouched, scowling slightly. "I like Russo better," she muttered.
"Sooo, Captain," she called out. "How exactly did you find about this curse?"
Selaina sighed along with her and grumbled, "I agree."
And she went silent again at Rain's response.
"I didn't exactly find it. It found me! But I can explain that later, at first I need to figure out where you two are and who you two are before I can trust you with anything else! If you want the other half of this precious enchanted rock, you'll do just as I say! NOW! The other part is also concerning bringing me gold..."
And at such an idea, Seliana grit her teeth and yelled into the rock.
"Look, Captain, I'm currently running from my life. If you want any sort of help from me, you have to help back!"
And at that- Rain went silent.
"Are you.. threatening me?" he asked astounded by the audacity of these two women!
"NO!" Selaina was about ready to pull out her hair. "What I'm saying is we need to make and acknowledge an agreement to work together-"
"Ah-ha! So you are trying to threaten me and my order. Did you not hear the part where I am Captain of this ship? And as a captain I command this entire crew and the vessel! Now are you in or are you out? Because lady, I'm about ready to toss this stone clean into the desert!"
Russo crossed his arms, looking at how ridiculous it appeared to see Rain screaming into a rock. If he didn't find the man so insufferable, he'd probably laugh. At his last threat, Russo chucked his head in his direction. "Would that even work?" he asked aloud. "Tossing it off the ship, I mean. Wouldn't it just come right back up to it? You said everything that touches this ship becomes apart of it and can't leave until the curse is broken. Why wouldn't the same go for inanimate objects?"
Rain glared daggers at Russo.
"Quiet you! Can't you see I'm negotiating here? And you're too new to this curse,,' he went on with a wave of his wrist. "You don't understand all of.its complexities!"
"My dear Captain, I have a suspicion that you don't yet understand the curse's complexities."
With the link to the glamour spell now broken and an uncomfortable mental image of being roasted alive by angry men on dragons now burning through her mind, Thiadis maintained the charm and grace of particularly venomous viper. She began to search recklessly through her bag, tossing an extra cloak over Selaina and shoving worn books under her arm.
"You are not negotiating," she continued. "You are demanding gold from two women that have just been chased around by annoying thugs and making evidently empty threats. Who told you gold would negate the curse?"
Potions clinked in thick glass jars. She selected two, a healing elixer with a delicate golden hue and one that appeared to be a captured thunder cloud, and placed them in the pockets of the cloak now draped over Selaina.
"Now, Captain and Mister Talking Rock, inform me of your general direction so that I may find you." Her exposed pale skin was turning an unfortunate shade of pink. She found a scarf and wrapped up her face, leaving only her glowering eyes visible.
If Rain was pissed before, he was down right angry now. And if he were a bird, his feathers would be ruffled!
"The desert!" he spat at the rock, literally shaking it with rage. "We're in the only bloody desert around. Try heading for the Moraki!"
Of course, Rain had to go on and be incredibly RUDE! Russo rolled his eyes as if wondering why he could've expected him to be anything but. As Russo looked around, he eyed something odd on the horizon, as if clouds were settling down onto the dunes.
He shielded his eyes from the sun and looked out toward the horizon. "Uh, Rain?" he said and reached out blindly to grab the man by the shoulder. He yanked on his jacket sleeve. "Rain. If I were looking at a sand storm, just, uh, what would it look like?" he said, and pointed out toward the brewing clouds.
"Sand storm?" Rain gave an irritable glare towards Russo, but the second he caught sight of the oncoming dust storm, his jaw dropped.
"Shit!" He wasted no time and began to run. "Take down the sails and get below deck! DUST STORM'S A COMIN'!"
Russo knew a storm when he saw one, but there just wasn't nearly enough crew to pull down the sails before the winds hit them. Instead he gathered what remained an flew below deck, slapping the lid just in time as the winds smacked them and abruptly lifted the ship up from where it lay beneath the sunken sands.
As the ship rocked against the mighty winds, the hull groaned and protested as the wooden ship moved forcefully over dunes of sand. He could hear a snap and winced, wondering which mast has snapped while the winds continued to grate at the ship like sandpaper. And all Rain could think of was how royally screwed they were.
And somewhere through the creaking ship and the howling rattle of the winds, a woman's voice could be heard.
"Hello? Captain???? Russo... What's going on there? Is everything okay???"