Rhyll sits at the small table in his cabin fingering the polished brass telescope that had belonged to the ship's previous Captain when the knock comes at the door. It has been a long night and an early morning, so he doesn't bother to rise, just calling "Enter!"
Stooping to get in the cabin comes the tall green form of his first mate Baj Mirko. "Begging your pardon Captain, but I have the man you requested to see here."
Rhyll beckons Baj in further. Following the Urag is a dark haired figure, the self-proclaimed healer named Talon.
"Hurry in and close that door please, it's been a long night and that light is killing my eyes." says Rhyll. "Mister Mirko, please pour a drink for our guest and help yourself as well if you'd like."
Crossing over to the small cabinet tucked inside the wall, and reaching for two glasses Baj replies, "None for myself, thank you Captain."
Rhyll sits back in his chair. "Please sit, Mister Talon is it? An interesting name for a healer. I like to get acquainted to all my new crewmen, especially those of rare talents."
Talon gives a slight bow. "A pleasure Captain Rhyll. I hope I can be of service during this voyage." He takes his seat. He doesn't fail to notice the implied tone in Rhyll's last comment or the first mate quietly moving to stand behind his seat. How much truth need I reveal to them? Or will I just need to kill each of them?
Both men study each other for a moment. Rhyll has lived among men who would kill without mercy for many years, and looks for the wolf he knows must hide beneath the sheep 's skin in the man in front of him.
Talon notices in Rhyll the features and manners common to one raised in one of the great houses of Sarrik.
Rhyll breaks the silence first."What a fortunate ship I have indeed. While most pirate crews are lucky to have one crew member who knows how to properly cut and bind a limb, and here I have two highly skilled healers. I understand you're very skilled with a knife." A statement not a question. "Let's get right to the point shall we? I want to know who you are and why you are on my ship. Skilled healers rarely turn pirate, nor do they kill with the efficiency I hear you are capable of. I also want to know who you are running from and why, and what danger this might pose to my ship?"
Talon likes the young man's bluntness, so he decides to start with a little truth. "My name is as I've told you; it was the name I was born with. As for my skill with a knife, men of my profession need to learn how to make quick decisive cuts. Unlike yourself, Captain, who obviously was born into the aristocracy and later turned to piracy, I grew up in the Maze and was able to elevate my way out of it. As I'm sure many of your crew can attest to, in order to survive the Maze one has to learn how to protect oneself."
Rhyll does not deny the man's assessment of his background. He leans back in his chair trying to get more comfortable. He is sure the man was not telling the whole story but decides not to press him on it right away. "Protecting yourself is one thing, decapitating a Vorghol is quite another. We'll come back to this. So tell me, who is after you and why?"
In Talon's former job, he was required to be able to recognize the faces of the King's nobles and their various offspring. I know this boy, he thinks. Or his family. Where? He sips from the drink given to him by the first mate then again decided to try a little truth, "I used to work for the Crown, and as I've said, I elevated myself above my humble beginnings. Through luck and being in the right place at the right time, I came to the King's attention. I was introduced into his court and became a councilor of sorts. I guess some there resented my low beginnings, and lies were spread about my loyalty to the King. The next thing I knew, the King's men were after me, and I ran for my life. I settled in Kerne, hoping to do some good there, and escape the eye of the law. But after the battle with the Tol Nedrans, when the village folk called in the guard, I felt it would be best for me to leave. Your ship was the most immediate exit available."
At the mention of the King, Baj moves forward and placed his hands on the back of Talon's chair. His deep Urag voice growls menacingly, "Loyal to the King are we? Perhaps you'd like to swim your way back to him?"
"Easy, Baj," says Rhyll, "Let's give the man a chance to explain himself."
At this the Urag steps back and says, "As you will, Captain, but mind you what good the King ever done us? This odd fish we have caught is starting to smell rotten."
This is an odd relationship, Talon thinks to himself, the Urag is practically reprimanding his young Captain. He stores the thought away for later perusal. "Loyal to Sarrik I remain, as it is my homeland. As for the King, he's proved himself better then some and worse then others. I don't agree with a lot of what he's done. Apparently he has no more use or love for me or his troops wouldn't have driven me into hiding. So I sit here before you, a man with no particular loyalties."
The big Urag replies, "He still hasn't explained his skill with a blade, sir, not to my liking. Granted, if he were a spy he'd probably be able to come up with a better cover than the line he's thrown us, but I'd still be wary."
Rhyll rubs his eyes and stifles a yawn, then leans both elbows against the table supporting his head in his hands. "I tend to agree Mister Mirko, " he says, "so, Talon how did you come by your skill with that dagger I've been hearing about?"
Talon replies, "King Lucard's court can be as dangerous as the Maze. The courtiers are like vipers, each plotting against the next. I got training in fencing and knife fighting, it is not uncommon there. Perhaps due to my rougher upbringing, I made a better student then most."
Rhyll sits back in his chair and considers for a while, then says, "Much of your story makes sense, if it's true that is." he says, "You're with us now for good or ill, at least until we make port. I will give you a chance in my crew. You will continue to lodge with Mister Benning and assist him when needed, and since you are apparently as skilled in inflicting damage as healing it, when fighting erupts I expect you to report to Candra, our sergeant-at-arms. And let me add, healer, if I so much as suspect you are spying on my crew or myself you will be feeding the fish, do I make my self clear?"
"Quite clear," says Talon.
With a wave of his hand Rhyll says, "Good, you are dismissed Mister Talon."
Talon gets up to leave and then it strikes him. Something in the man's gesture. Avery! This is the son of the discredited Baron. The very Barony he had heard that had been bestowed on his enemy, Valentin. This young Captain and I might have common cause.
Noticing Talon's hesitation Rhyll says, "Was there something else?"
Talon quickly replies, "Ah no, good day Captain." then headed for the door and left.
"Was that wise Captain?" asks Baj. "Perhaps we should be done with him, if you know what I mean."
Rhyll says: "Maybe you're right Baj, but this man piques my interest. I'm willing to see how the dice fall. Then lets hope it's not the serpent's eyes."