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	Hort- The Rumours
	Isar looked about the dim tavern. Hort was normally full of people that minded their own business. He liked that, it meant that he could go about doing what he wanted to do without involving gossiping people. Tonight in the tavern, it was mostly sailors occupying the tables. They were gambling, discussing, and counting how much money they had to spend during their time ashore. Captain Isar of 'The Remorseless' glanced at Kruk, the first mate. Kruk grinned at him, knowing exactly what that glance meant. He slipped surreptitiously away from the gaming table to stalk past the table where three men leant over their drinks, whispering. Kruk was tall, and a man of the brawny type, but he knew how to skulk in shadows when it was required of him. He had a firm hand on the wheel, and he knew how to keep the sailors and deckhands in line. Isar had made a good decision when he hired Kruk, he decided. The deckhands and mates of 'The Remorseless' grinned to each other. They had just made a particularly good trade to a merchant in Hort. Isar had his own fair share, and would probably wouldn't be spending the night alone. "Captain," Kruk hissed, coming back from his eavesdropping. "They're from Jeilk, working on one of Hempt's ships." "Oh aye?" Isar swung his gaze to the tall man, hands resting casually on his well-equipped belt. "Aye sir. There's been trouble up North. Callemi's fallen to pieces, it has. Been no trade up there in a while. Crushlo, you know him," "Yeah I know him…" Isar trailed off. They had once sailed together, but Crushlo wasn't interested in piracy. "Well, his ship's been destroyed. A dragon, they says, did it." "A dragon?" Isar laughed. "Don't be so silly, Kruk. What of Lord Hempt?" Kruk looked away, he believed there were dragons. Wasn't there a man and a dragon supposed to be protecting the empire? That's what some believed. "Anyway, Cap'n, Hempt's recently been given something from his cousin, King Onyx. Charts or something, they mentioned a lovely chest at some point," "Well, that is interesting." The start of a smile crept to Isar's mouth. He sighed. "Tell the men that they have two days. We leave two mornings from now. Port Jeilk deserves a visit, does it not?" "Aye, Cap'n. By the powers, it certainly does." Kruk's eyes gleamed. He got a thrill from stealing, Isar had once felt that when he was new to piracy. What had attracted him to piracy was the thought of being free on the seas, to take what you want when you wanted it. And if your ship was strong enough, if the crew was determined and able enough, nobody could stop you. Isar took one last look about the tavern, and decided he would take his customs elsewhere. He wasn't fond of the owner of the tavern, anyway. Down the street there was another tavern. The drinks were fresh, the mugs were clean, and the women were young. "Good evening, Sita!" Isar waved at the woman serving a bruised man. "Isar! Well, I haven't seen you in a long time! Where have you been?" She grinned, and went to him to hug him. He didn't repel her, instead smiled back warmly. "Time and tides, love. Time and tides." He answered softly. "As always," She winked. "The usual, I suppose?" "You know me, Sita. Uh, I don't suppose you have company for me? And a soft bed?" She smiled again, but still managed to look serious. "Of course. We have a new girl with us, not been with us long. She's a bit shy but a wonder to look at." "Can't I have Preena?" Sita sighed. "You are fond of her, it seems. Her prices are high, Isar. I can't change the price for you, you know that." "I know that," He replied, and winked back at her. He offered her the coins, took his drink and went to the room that he knew would be ready for him by the time he reached it. The room was dark. He preferred that normally, and kept it dark. He waited, sat on the bed looking out of the window. He couldn't see the shore, but he knew that if he opened the window it would be a smell stronger than the scent of what was coming up the stairs. "Preena…" He whispered. She always smelt of honey. She opened the door carefully, a candle in her hand. "Isar?" She whispered, holding the candle out to him. "Are you clean?" "Yes, I wasn't expecting to work tonight." Their eyes did not meet. Isar looked out of the window, but Preena looked at him. " On the bed, and blow out that candle. Don't forget the door." She did as he had told her. He expected she would have. When he joined her in the bed, her skin was soft, smooth and warm. She moaned softly when he did with her what was for his pleasure - not hers - and when she cried out, he slapped her. "Keep quiet, I don't want to announce to everybody that we're in here." He snapped, but there wasn't much anger in his tone. "I'm so sorry Isar…" She whispered. Isar was gone in the morning before Preena woke. "Cap'n, the crew are less than happy about the shortened stay ashore, but I briefly, and I mean briefly, Sir, explained why." Kruk told him as they walked towards the docks. "That's fine. They have to know to obey their Captain, I would have thought they had learned that by now. Nonetheless, they will obey, which is good to hear. I didn't, after all, promise them long ashore anyway, now did I?" Isar glanced sideways at the mate. Kruk didn't reply. He hurried onto the ship, and began barking orders at the crew. They jumped at hurried to it. "Hands to places, to places!" The mate was bellowing. "We have the right tide, let's get some wind in the sails!" The riggers hurried to let the canvas fall open, whilst deckhands went about moving some cargo, a few empty barrels and a bucket of water with a mop in it. 'The Remorseless' was where Isar had spent most of his life. As a teenager he had signed up to be a rigger, as that was his strength. Since then he had gone higher in the ranks, and when the Captain had died, the ship was given to him. "We're heading Northeast. Get Oswyn, I want to talk to him." Isar commanded of Kruk, who nodded stiffly and went below decks to find Oswyn. Isar went into his quarters, and took a seat at his table. He got himself a bottle of mulled wine, and found that his thoughts drifted to Preena. "No…" He reminded himself harshly, as Oswyn walked in. The ship's navigator gave his Captain a curious look, but brushed the thought aside as he set his maps down on the table. "Cap'n." He nodded. "Northeast, we're headed. Jeilk. Can you tell me how long it will take to get there?" Oswyn traced his finger across the chart. "Considering weather, direction of the winds, the tides… what are we in now? New moon… hmm… About three days, that's if we allow a leetide." "Since when did the ship travel so slowly?" Isar demanded. "When did you last look at a map of the Southern Shores?" Oswyn answered tartly. "Very well then." Isar admitted. "Just eager to make port, that's all. Do you realise what is at stake?" "Treasure, no doubt, from under Hempt's nose. You're quite ambitious, Isar." Oswyn was not afraid of speaking his mind. Isar wondered if one day his sharp tongue would be cut from him, or if it would get him killed. The Captain just regarded Oswyn with a knowing look, he could tolerate the man's open mind, even if another would not. Oswyn had the brains. "As you were, Captain." He muttered, and left the Captain with the maps and the compass. "Keep Kruk at the helm, I trust him to move the ship appropriately. We want her moving swiftly." Isar called as Oswyn walked off. "Aye Sir." He heard.
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