Things are certainly not going the way I had wanted them to. Okay, granted, I have secured a job that will greatly inconvenience & upset L’ Empereur, which is certainly worthwhile, but…

Well, let me explain.

I was almost all better, my cuts still red & sore, myself still bedridden. Serpente came to my room with bad news. It seems that we were off course- far off course. So far, in fact, that we would have to stop in the province of Gallegos in Castille. Castille- the home of the Vatacine Church & the heart of The Inquisition of all places!

So, Dio is Castillian, but an exception in my book from the Vatacine sheep of the nation. Perhaps I am stereotyping, but I shall see.

Anyway, I decided to get all of my heresy out before reaching the shore- so I went off on my tirade about how The Prophets were nothing more than kooks & mad sorcerers, after which stating that "Theah will never be free until L’ Empereur is strangled with the entrails of the last Vatacine priest." Serpente was a bit taken aback by that "harsh statement", and asked me why exactly I had such a hate for the Montaigne ruler. I went on then about his buying tapestries that could feed a common Montaigne family well for years while they starve & rot in the streets. Not even in war-torn Eisen is the common person so bad off, and this in the wealthiest nation in Theah! I went on about L’ Empereur, his family, my family- all Montaigne nobility, how they feed off of the blood and tears of the peasants, and how I would do nearly anything to bring them low.

Dio seemed a bit surprised by my passionate explanation, and asked if that is why I treat my crew so well- because I wanted to help the commoners of Montaigne, but could not. His question had me thinking for quite awhile, but I came back with a "yes". I wanted to treat my men fairly, with dignity, as human beings. I wanted them to be healthy & happy, and I wished that for the poor overworked skeletons of Montaigne as well.

When I was still at home, just before going off to school, I would occasionally dress as a commoner & sneak out amongst them. I saw how they lived, and it was not pretty. I would take food out with me & watch them eat like ravenous animals. This food, of course, was simply the waste from my family’s plate- cakes, fruit, sweet meats, etc. I would say that I had a sympathetic contact at the palace, not mentioning that it was me. I guess somewhere inside I secretly vowed to do something about it, and yes- perhaps this was my way of "ruling" as I felt the aristocracy should. 

Anyway, after this deep thought-provoking conversation, I wanted to talk about something really important- Men. After all, the shore was approaching, and it has been awhile since my escapades at Carleon. Serpente then went on to talk about the passionate & fiery nature of Castillian men, which piqued my interest- though I’m sure not for the same reason he would think. I looked up at him, smiled & said, "Perhaps someday one will have to show me." Our eyes met & curiously he replied, "Perhaps one will."

Yes…. Perhaps, Dio.

We quickly brushed off the last comments, and he offered to take me on deck to watch "the most beautiful shoreline you’ll ever see." I hardly believed that anywhere could possibly be as lovely as Carleon, besides- Serpente exaggerates everything Castillian. Of course, he wanted to prove it to me- so he took me by the hand & led me up top.

The coast of Gallegos was truly a sight unlike any other. The water was clear & blue, the sky bright with sunshine. The shore was covered with the most beautiful orange trees, in full bloom & even from here, the fresh air carried a hint of the scent. Gorgeous purple snow-covered mountains loomed in the distance. I was in complete awe, and began to understand Dio’s love for his homeland a bit more.

While standing there, and as I had planned, I asked him if he would spend a day with me on our leave. He agreed, and called me Zephyrne. I note this because it has been quite some time. In our private moments on Hicks’ ship, he would call me by my name & I, his. He is the only man who knows my true identity, or so I thought until today.

I’ll go into that in a moment.

So, we docked at Puerto del Sur. There I gave The Highlander leave instructions & the list of supplies he would need to purchase. It was then that I realized Carlson was missing. I had been hoping to spend some of my shore leave with him, so I had him sent for. After a few minutes, he approached- loaded with his bags. He announced his intention to find a branch of The Explorer Society & get back to work immediately. I asked him if he was certain, & if he would be staying in port for awhile- but no. My heart sank, quite obviously. He apologized, thanked me for my hospitality & kissed my hand. At this point, I reached my hand behind his neck, stepped towards him & gently kissed his lips. I had hoped to express what I felt- though I am still not sure what exactly that is. I had also hoped that that might persuade him to reconsider leaving, if not just for a little while, but, unfortunately, he would still go. He said that he hoped we’d meet again & I replied likewise. I was downcast about it, but honest.

With a brief nod to Serpente, The Explorer walked away.

I complained to Dio as we walked together to find an inn, which was easy enough. I dropped off my things in my room, bathed, & put on the lovely satin Captain’s garb made by my luscious Montaigne tailor. I looked good. Dio met me at my room & we traveled to a nearby bar. I wanted to stay close to him, not just for his company that I enjoyed, but also because I don’t speak but 2 words of Castillian. I never thought I would need to learn it. I never once thought that I, being the heretic that I am, would ever set foot on the home of The Inquisition.

Anyway, we found ourselves a table, ordered drinks, and began chatting. Before long, an unexpected drink came my way- from an extremely attractive blond & blue-eyed Vendel merchant. I was a bit surprised, but at this point, I was salivating like someone who has been wandering through the desert for weeks- now staring at a cup of water. After having a good look at my new friend, I smiled mischievously at Dio, who simply said, "Oh, go ahead." And I did!

After introductions, the Vendel offered me a seat beside him. He said that he had been hearing of my exploits about town, but seemed to know even more than that. He spoke to me like a Montaigne Nobleman- speaking in story & metaphor. When I brought up his manner of speaking, he referred to me as a Noblewoman, and said that he would speak to me as such. I found that observation quite disconcerting. However, my one-track mind kept envisioning my lips pulling down his pants... among other things.

Complete with sexual overtone & innuendo (it seems he knew how to interest me), he offered me an opportunity to earn 3000 guilders while doing a small part to upset & inconvenience L’ Empereur. He seemed to know that prospect would please me, and he was right! Hell, I’d consider doing that without pay... if I were on my own, that is.

I mumbled something angrily about L’ Empereur & his tapestries. The Vendel’s eyes perked up w/ "I see that was a correct assumption." I asked him how he knew, and his reply was simply that a little birdie told him. Once again he knows more than he should, and I want to know how.

Anyway, it seems that L’ Empereur had paid an exurbanite amount of money to fund an expedition to Cathay to retrieve Syrneth artifacts. The mission failed, however, and the ship, whose name was ironically "Le Misadventur", was now on some rocks in the waters south of Vodacce. From this ship, there was only one survivor who could lead me right to it. If I were to retrieve these artifacts & return them to him, he would sell them off to the highest bidder. Either L’ Empereur would have to pay for them again, at an extremely high price, or the Caligari family (as in the family of my betrothed, Julius) would purchase them. In either case, L’ Empereur would lose.

Well, it certainly seemed like a worthwhile cause to me, so long as I got credit for being the one who inconvenienced him so. I’m sure I will though, as the Vendel "doesn’t want to be tangled in such things". Actually, he had stated that he had planned to raise the price of the artifacts even more by saying that they had retrieved them from dangerous pirates. That would be me!

So, I happily agreed to sign his letter of credit & he handed me the 1500 guilder down-payment w/ the promise of the rest upon completion. He asked then when we were to set sail, and I told him. He said that he would have our guide report to my ship that morning & gave us 8 weeks to return with the cargo. Then, to my dismay, he stood, excused himself, and left.

Of course!

Well, what could I expect? In Carleon, the Vendel merchants all stuck their noses up around me. If they only knew who this tattooed half-dressed miscreant really was! Bloody peasants! When I brought up to this merchant how the Vendel had treated me in the past, he said that "reputation brings opportunity & friends". I suppose, but does it get one laid? That is my question!

Anyway, I returned to my table & interrupted Dio’s flirtation w/ the serving maid. Just as well, really. Servants are simply beneath him though I am sure he would disagree, especially after being at sea for months with no women. (Except me, of course.)

I proceeded to complain about having been teased & jilted, after which telling him about our new mission & handing him the 1500 guilders for safekeeping. Then I decided to go see if reputation could equal sex by wandering down to a bar that some of my sailors may have been to. Perhaps my daring & heroic story of taking down The Blackstone Brothers will precede me. I guess I’ll find out. Of course, if I’m side-tacked by a passionate, fiery, Castillian man…

Z

P.S. THOUGHTS ON THE MISSION

A curious note-

As I walked, several worries about the mission began to enter my mind as the intoxicating presence of the Vendel wore off. He had mentioned that both L’ Empereur & Vodacci’s Caligari family would both want this find. Both would be willing to kill for it.

What if they knew about it & where it was?

The Montaigne navy is full of my stepfamily, the Etalon du Toille. No doubt, some of them would be sent. What a scary thought! I certainly hope they do not know. I mean, my family knows I am alive now, since I have drawn my inheritance. It wouldn’t take much for them to put it all together should I meet up with an Etalon du Toille. Even should they not recognize me, I think a description would suffice.

And what about the Caligari? Granted, they would be less likely to inform my family, but meeting one of them could bring complications of it’s own!

Anyone recognizing me could bring complications.

None of this, of course, is to mention that the Caligari fund the dread pirate Reis- as in…. No one survives an encounter with Reis! It has been said that upon seeing his ship, normally brave sailors have broken into tears!

In all cases, this will certainly be an interesting adventure.