The late afternoon glow of the Thanalan sun cast a warm hue over the docks at Crescent Cove. The docks were not overly busy, but there was some small manner of bustle as Nero and two other men, two Highlanders, prepared a ferry. The smuggler was dressed for combat; a night blue tabard hung over a shirt of chainmail, the leather boots had been replaced with steel sabatons, and a simple yet elegant sword was strapped to his side. The two Highlanders were similarly armed and armored with battle axes and chain hauberks.
“You need to take command,†the taller Highlander said, even as he prepared the ferry to take off. Garalt Lyons was typically a very quiet man who did little more than follow orders or nod his silent approval. Now was one of those rare times where he made his opinions known. Nero shook his head, pointing at the ship anchored in the horizon. “You, too, need to be prepared, Garalt. I am trying to do everything I can to get Satz out. I know you can lead the crew. Vail trusted you. I do too.â€
“It’s not about whether or not the crew trusts me,†Garalt said gruffly. “It’s about whether they trust you. Daeg and I know better, but your constant shore visits are making them anxious. Not having the captain is trouble enough, even if Daeg is in command. Not having either of you on board is causing some concerns. Now you are participating directly in a raid? They don’t like it.â€
Nero raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Tell them to look at the bright side. If the ship’s not being captained by a Lazarov, they can’t vanish at sea. Besides,†he patted the sword at his side. “I think a good old fashioned raid will be good for my health. Haven’t been in a decent fight in a while.†The smuggler briefly recalled Nanawa Mines, and the subsequent argument with a certain paladin.
Garalt narrowed his eyes at the jest, but said nothing.
Nero shrugged. “This is just a routine raid. We’ll try to keep the enemy crew alive. They’re just bystanders; if they let us have the cargo, they can live. Once we’ve let them reach their lifeboats, we’ll send the ship to Llymlaen’s depths.†The smuggler vaguely registered footsteps approaching behind him, but ignored them. “There’s no need to be easy on this, Garalt. You’ll be fine in command of the ship.â€
Someone cleared their throat behind him, and a familiar voice spoke. “Mister Lazarov."
]Nero turned, glancing at a slender, feminine face and neatly arranged auburn hair. Roen’s appearance wasn’t unexpected, but at this juncture it was somewhat annoying. “Can you talk while we sail?†He gestured to the ferry. “I’m in something of a hurry right now.â€
The second Highlander leaned towards Garalt. “Spat with the missus, then?†the man said gruffly in a crude attempt at subtlety. The comment rang as loud as a gong. To his credit, Garalt didn’t dignify the comment with a response.
Roen paused, her lips parting briefly as she wrinkled her nose. “You are leaving now?â€
Nero rolled his eyes in response. “â€No, I’m leaving six months from now. Is this urgent?†In exasperation, he threw up his hands. Any more delays would mean the Second Forte would miss her mark. “You know what, nevermind.†The smuggler gestured at Garalt. “I’m leaving you in command. You know what to do.â€
Though the Highlander clearly wanted to protest, Garalt nonetheless nodded wordlessly as Nero undid the rope tying the ferry to the dock. The two Highlanders took up the oars to hasten their departure.
The Hyur turned back to face Roen, his arms crossed in front of his chest. “Consider yourself in possession of my attention.â€
“You need to take command,†the taller Highlander said, even as he prepared the ferry to take off. Garalt Lyons was typically a very quiet man who did little more than follow orders or nod his silent approval. Now was one of those rare times where he made his opinions known. Nero shook his head, pointing at the ship anchored in the horizon. “You, too, need to be prepared, Garalt. I am trying to do everything I can to get Satz out. I know you can lead the crew. Vail trusted you. I do too.â€
“It’s not about whether or not the crew trusts me,†Garalt said gruffly. “It’s about whether they trust you. Daeg and I know better, but your constant shore visits are making them anxious. Not having the captain is trouble enough, even if Daeg is in command. Not having either of you on board is causing some concerns. Now you are participating directly in a raid? They don’t like it.â€
Nero raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Tell them to look at the bright side. If the ship’s not being captained by a Lazarov, they can’t vanish at sea. Besides,†he patted the sword at his side. “I think a good old fashioned raid will be good for my health. Haven’t been in a decent fight in a while.†The smuggler briefly recalled Nanawa Mines, and the subsequent argument with a certain paladin.
Garalt narrowed his eyes at the jest, but said nothing.
Nero shrugged. “This is just a routine raid. We’ll try to keep the enemy crew alive. They’re just bystanders; if they let us have the cargo, they can live. Once we’ve let them reach their lifeboats, we’ll send the ship to Llymlaen’s depths.†The smuggler vaguely registered footsteps approaching behind him, but ignored them. “There’s no need to be easy on this, Garalt. You’ll be fine in command of the ship.â€
Someone cleared their throat behind him, and a familiar voice spoke. “Mister Lazarov."
]Nero turned, glancing at a slender, feminine face and neatly arranged auburn hair. Roen’s appearance wasn’t unexpected, but at this juncture it was somewhat annoying. “Can you talk while we sail?†He gestured to the ferry. “I’m in something of a hurry right now.â€
The second Highlander leaned towards Garalt. “Spat with the missus, then?†the man said gruffly in a crude attempt at subtlety. The comment rang as loud as a gong. To his credit, Garalt didn’t dignify the comment with a response.
Roen paused, her lips parting briefly as she wrinkled her nose. “You are leaving now?â€
Nero rolled his eyes in response. “â€No, I’m leaving six months from now. Is this urgent?†In exasperation, he threw up his hands. Any more delays would mean the Second Forte would miss her mark. “You know what, nevermind.†The smuggler gestured at Garalt. “I’m leaving you in command. You know what to do.â€
Though the Highlander clearly wanted to protest, Garalt nonetheless nodded wordlessly as Nero undid the rope tying the ferry to the dock. The two Highlanders took up the oars to hasten their departure.
The Hyur turned back to face Roen, his arms crossed in front of his chest. “Consider yourself in possession of my attention.â€
