We fixed up our ship and made our way back to the Kieran Empire. Kiera specifically. Many of the crew had some misgivings on this, since the last time we were there, we had to flee after attacking a secret base, etc. But I was confident in the fact that we had a different ship and it had been more than six months, that we wouldn't be instantly seen.
We managed to avoid an incident with the dock master and paid our fee easily. But things went... rough after that. The crew was allowed to shop. I went looking for new crew. I managed to recruit eight new fellows. Four of whom are quite skilled sailors and fighters. I'm glad to have them join our already experienced crew.
But then we had a bad spot. Krastus went off to get some lockpicks... and while he and Sira and Carlton were gone we had some unwelcome visitors. The Kieran Navy with marines! They demanded to board our ship and I had no choice but to allow them to. I asked what they were looking for, and I, for once, wasn't fearful since we had no illegal cargo... until they said a fugitive. Our crew was forced to line up... one at a time they began checking the forearms of each crew.
As soon as I heard fugitives, I thought of Serene. And I cannot throw her to the jackals. She hasn't been the most productive of crewmembers, but she is still crew all the same, and Carlton's girl. I had cut her hair rather dramatically and put her in a blindfold. But once I realized they were looking for tattoos, I was in trouble.
With only a few crew between the inspectors and Serene I did the only thing I knew how. I told Helene to swap Serene when she saw the chance... and I gave her that chance. I bellowed and made a stink about what a waste of time and tax-money these sort of harassing behaviors were by the Kieran Empire. It didn't stop the inspection. Not at all, but because I was so irate I drew the eyes to me and it allowed Helene a chance to switch people down the line.
I only relaxed when the marines were leaving... but not before I heard the most chilling words I could have. "The crab must have been wrong." And I didn't want to believe it... there are certainly chances we could have been betrayed before. And I've saved Krastus more than once! From Pirates and Enchanted-Axes and Mind-Controlling Liches! He wouldn't betray us...
But when he returned, he asked to speak to me in private. I couldn't take a chance on the rest of the crew's safety. I told Sira to be ready if I exited and didn't say the codeword. And then I went into my cabin with the Crab.
He spun a tale of being cornered by the Kieran Empire and forced to tell them about Serene and our ship. He says they have a spy on board. A SPY. He admits to spying, and then tells me there is another spy! And says they already knew everything. Which I find hard to believe. Very hard to believe. Especially since myself and the entire crew are wanted... almost at the top of the list of all people wanted by Kiera. If they knew that, they would have not left our ship.
Krastus cannot be trusted at his word. But maybe I can give him a test. And maybe test the rest of the crew to find out if we, indeed, have a spy on board. I imagine an action against Kiera will root out loyalties.
We managed to avoid an incident with the dock master and paid our fee easily. But things went... rough after that. The crew was allowed to shop. I went looking for new crew. I managed to recruit eight new fellows. Four of whom are quite skilled sailors and fighters. I'm glad to have them join our already experienced crew.
But then we had a bad spot. Krastus went off to get some lockpicks... and while he and Sira and Carlton were gone we had some unwelcome visitors. The Kieran Navy with marines! They demanded to board our ship and I had no choice but to allow them to. I asked what they were looking for, and I, for once, wasn't fearful since we had no illegal cargo... until they said a fugitive. Our crew was forced to line up... one at a time they began checking the forearms of each crew.
As soon as I heard fugitives, I thought of Serene. And I cannot throw her to the jackals. She hasn't been the most productive of crewmembers, but she is still crew all the same, and Carlton's girl. I had cut her hair rather dramatically and put her in a blindfold. But once I realized they were looking for tattoos, I was in trouble.
With only a few crew between the inspectors and Serene I did the only thing I knew how. I told Helene to swap Serene when she saw the chance... and I gave her that chance. I bellowed and made a stink about what a waste of time and tax-money these sort of harassing behaviors were by the Kieran Empire. It didn't stop the inspection. Not at all, but because I was so irate I drew the eyes to me and it allowed Helene a chance to switch people down the line.
I only relaxed when the marines were leaving... but not before I heard the most chilling words I could have. "The crab must have been wrong." And I didn't want to believe it... there are certainly chances we could have been betrayed before. And I've saved Krastus more than once! From Pirates and Enchanted-Axes and Mind-Controlling Liches! He wouldn't betray us...
But when he returned, he asked to speak to me in private. I couldn't take a chance on the rest of the crew's safety. I told Sira to be ready if I exited and didn't say the codeword. And then I went into my cabin with the Crab.
He spun a tale of being cornered by the Kieran Empire and forced to tell them about Serene and our ship. He says they have a spy on board. A SPY. He admits to spying, and then tells me there is another spy! And says they already knew everything. Which I find hard to believe. Very hard to believe. Especially since myself and the entire crew are wanted... almost at the top of the list of all people wanted by Kiera. If they knew that, they would have not left our ship.
Krastus cannot be trusted at his word. But maybe I can give him a test. And maybe test the rest of the crew to find out if we, indeed, have a spy on board. I imagine an action against Kiera will root out loyalties.
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