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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 25, 2009 19:36:00 GMT -5
Rick moaned as pain exploded in his head and slowly his senses returned. He couldn't see and his head felt like it was three sizes too big. Eventually he was aware that someone was tying up his hands. He rolled over, or at least he attempted to, and tried to pull his hands free. He opened his eyes, but everything was hazy and bleary. He shook his head trying to clear it and remember what had happened.
Looking at the bottom of the boat he saw the feet of the person trying to tie him up. Was that Angel's feet? God his head hurt. He had lost track of how many times that day he'd been thumped on the head, but knew it was over 4 now. How much before brain damage set in?
Why did Angel kick him? Why was she tying him up? He couldn't think, his head hurt too much. He tried to pull out of her grasp, but his body wasn't responding like it should.
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
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Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Jan 14, 2010 11:27:35 GMT -5
Angel felt him struggle for a moment, but subdued him well enough, using the pressure points in his hands to keep them under control until she could finish her job. She did so quickly and professionally, giving a tug on the knots afterwards to make sure all was in well order. She sat back on her heels for a moment, eying him as she toyed with the thought of putting a gag in his mouth. Eh, why bother? It'd probably be easier to just knock him out again.
Her eyes flickered over to Rip again and warily, she turned to face The Razaor, swiveling in such a way in where her back was always to the side of the boat and he was in her vision more or less. She leaned back against the siding, her arms out over the edge, ready to shove herself into the water should Rip move to attack her - though of course, in this position, she'd be taking him with her...as long as the tiger didn't intervene.
Shrugging the thoughts aside, she called out across the waters, "You take us back to Araluen and King Duncan may pay you for your troubles!" She doubted the King actually would, given the judge of his character. Heck, he didn't even go after his own daughter when she was kidnapped. It took a strong sense of morals to be able to do that; to put his kingdom first, his personal life later. And because of that, she doubted he'd bargain with criminals. "And if that doesn't work, you can always take the Ranger!" She didn't know why they wanted him, so hesitated in stating that he'd probably bring a hefty price if sold on the market. His skills could no doubt be used if he could be broken and given the things she'd seen in life, everyone had that breaking point.
Her eyes flicked to Rick almost in regret of wasting such a spirit, but if it got them a ride off the island...
She shook her thoughts aside and waited for the captain's reply, keeping her eyes on the two men in the boat with her. She'd fill them in all in due time. And hopefully, they wouldn't think to retaliate.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 20, 2010 15:26:19 GMT -5
Rick glared at Angel, wondering just what she was thinking. He thought to say something to her, but reconsidered. She looked like she was thinking about hitting him in the head again. He moved his aching head and looked at Rip, giving him a look of 'you just going to let her get away with this?' He wasn't sure if Rip was in on this or not.
He looked back to Angel and changed his mind again, ready to knock her into the water with his feet if she came at him. "you know," he said calmly to her, "He will never go for it. Why should he honor any deal when all he has to do is get us all on board and then sell us off at a slave market someplace? He IS a pirate after all." Rick moved his arms a little, testing the ropes. She definately knew how to truss somene up. Her plan would never work and she was going to get him killed. He suspected Tony the Razor was none to happy with him and he couldn't count on Ulrich sticking his neck out for him again.
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
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Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Jan 20, 2010 17:04:29 GMT -5
"He will never go for it."
Probably not. Good thing she wasn't actually planning on it.
"Why should he honor any deal when all he has to do is get us all on board and then sell us off at a slave market someplace? He IS a pirate after all."
She ignored him, keeping her attention mostly on the pirate ship and the bowman on deck. That was not to say that she ignored the two men in the boat completely. She was watching them, but paying her ear to the captain, waiting for his answer.
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Post by Brandwyn on Feb 4, 2010 12:34:31 GMT -5
Tony ordered the rowers to stop as the Razor neared the skiff with the woman and two men abaord it. He saw that the ranger was lying in the bottom of the boat trussed up like a Christmas goose and Tony smiled at the thought. That ranger had caused him a great deal of trouble in the last few hours.
The woman called out, "You take us back to Araluen and King Duncan may pay you for your troubles!"Ton y looked at her skeptically. "And if that doesn't work, you can always take the Ranger!" she continued and Tony looked at Mort sideways and broke into a big grin.
"I think I am in love, Mort!" He looked back to the woman whom he had noticed earlier was quite a looker. Tony eyed her up and down and then looked over the two men. The ranger was glaring at her and the other one looked a little wary of her. Tony grinned even more. What a pirate this lady would make!
Mort snorted, "Again?" he smirked. "What does this make, the thirty second time?" and Tony shot him a warning look. "I am just thinking that out of thirty two times only twice did it not end badly for you." Mort reminded his captain. "I just want you to remember that before you go making any deals with this woman."
Tony ignored his first mate and hollared back, "Why don't you three come back aboard and we can discuss terms, have a little parley between - friends!" He chuckled. Surely she didn't think he was going to let them just waltz off the ship, did she? She looked like a crafty one and he wondered what her game was. He ordered the rope ladder lowered along with a rope with a loop on the end so they could haul the ranger up like a sack of potatoes.
Softly, so those in the skiff could not hear, Tony said to Mort, "Get every available hand not otherwise occupied up here with a weapn to keep and eye on these three. They have given us a lot of trouble and I am not taking any chances."
Mort nodded and turned to quietly carry out his Captain's orders. Meanwhile Tony turned back to the woman and gave her a wide grin. "Come aboard, My Lady!" He gestured widely toward the haning rope ladder. as the ship drifted up to the skiff.
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
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Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Feb 8, 2010 16:17:51 GMT -5
"Why don't you three come back aboard and we can discuss terms, have a little parley between - friends!"
Angel snorted within the depths of her mind at his offer, but smiled wide on the outside. She bowed her head slightly in agreement before lifting her chin to yell across the water, "I'll hold you to that parley, good sir!"
It'd been a pity when she noticed her ring missing upon her finger and that feeling was only enhanced given the current situation. Should she have had it with her now and should they be permitted to actually dine with the captain, well, a little poison could go a long way. Then she figured she could've just offered them the antidote as soon as they dropped them off. Of course, she'd lost that during the wreck too, but how would they have known that? Unfortunately, that plan was out of the question given a certain lacking of required elements.
It was in times like these that her rough childhood came into beneficial bearing. She'd learned to barter for more than goods during those times and in the end, she received more or less of what she really wanted. Of course, there were just some things that couldn't be negotiated, so she learned how to deal with them another way. But maybe, it'd do her some good this time around - especially, given what she had to offer.
She turned her head toward Rip after yelling across the water and opened her mouth to tell them not to do anything rash, but ended up closing it again and turning back toward the ship.
"Come aboard, My Lady!"
"Alright! But I'm going to need some help with the ranger!"
Angel cast her eyes back at Rip and this time, spoke what was on her mind. "What about the tiger?"
She'd rather not have it maw her on command, but she knew of the connection between animal and man. She figured it could swim back to shore and then meet them up at the beach, but would the tiger understand that Rip wasn't leaving him behind?
Her face furrowed in concern before she said, "I think you should head back to camp with him and tell the others to get ready to embark." She paused in hesitation before adding, "I'll have them lower the plank and get the rest of you onboard. Or would you rather leave the tiger behind?"
And if she couldn't get them to lower the plank, at least she wouldn't face Dougal's wrath at inviting an unknown man into the SWC. But that wasn't to say she wasn't going to try to put the passengers into the bargaining. Of course, that was part of her bargaining technique: shoot much higher than you want.
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Post by Tandar on Mar 3, 2010 22:40:34 GMT -5
Dropping the oar he had been holding, Rip stood slowly, gripping the side of the skiff to prevent the tossing sea from throwing him overboard. As Angel made a proposition to the ship's captain, the assassin tilted his head back and eyed the man, his ship, and its rigging. Cannon's gaze came to rest on the name Krackatowan Razor painted near the bow. The pirate ship was their only chance to get off the island. With luck, the captain would go through with it.
"Alright! But I'm going to need some help with the ranger! What about the tiger? I think you should head back to camp with him and tell the others to get ready to embark. I'll have them lower the plank and get the rest of you on board. Or would you rather leave the tiger behind?"
Cannon held up a hand. "There's no need." He raised his voice to address the captain on the deck. "Throw down ropes; bring the skiff aboard!"
Moving to the stern, Cannon waited for the lines to be cast down.
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Post by Brandwyn on Mar 6, 2010 10:43:00 GMT -5
Tony motioned to the crew and they threw over the ropes, hooking the small skiff in four places and began to winch the boat up to the railing of the ship so the occupants could disembark onto the Razor.
Mortimer grabbed Rick by the arm and hoisted him up to his feet with a smirk on his face. "Welcome back, Ranger." He kept a strong grip on the tall, lean man, even though it appeared the Lady had tied the knots on his hands quite effectively.
Rick nodded warily, scanning the deck for Urich, hoping he had recovered from the blow to his head. "Thanks." Rick said dryly, not at all glad to be back on the pirate ship. He wondered what they had in mind for him.
Tony eyed the ranger just as warily, his superstitions warring with his logical side, trying to figure out if the ranger posed more of a threat as a friend or as a foe. "Stow him down in the brig." Tony said to Mortimer. "Make sure he stays there. Put a guard on him round the clock."
Rick shook his head, "Some people never learn." he muttered under his breath. He turned to Rip, "See that Kira makes it on board if this hairbrained plan of hers works, won't you?" He said as they led him across the deck. "Angel!" He called back, "I owe you one." he glared at her as Mortimer pulled on his arm. Mort just chuckled at the ranger's discomfort. "Come along, lover boy," he said and shoved him ahead of him down the ladder.
Tony turned to Angel, "Welcome aboard the Krackatowan Razor, My Lady!" He held out his hand to help her on board and bowed, giving her knuckles a brief kiss. "We can talk in my study if you would like."
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
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Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Apr 8, 2010 9:32:00 GMT -5
"There's no need. Throw down ropes; bring the skiff aboard!"
Damn.
But she gave him a quick smile before turning her attention to the crew onboard the Krackatowan Razor. She caught Rip standing at the stern of their small boat and the thought of shoving him over briefly crossed her mind, but she just as easily dismissed it. There was no use in acting if it didn't offer a benefit she could use for more than a moment.
Angel sat quitely as the skiff was lifted above the waters and toward the deck of the pirate ship, standing only at the last stretch of feet needed to bring them onboard. She stood back as one of the pirates grabbed Rick and hoisted him to his feet; scanned her new surroundings as the captain began to speak. She quickly did a snap profile on the men, noting how they stood, the weapons they preferred, who they stood next to, where they looked when the captain spoke, how they sized each of the newcomers on board, and of course, their facial reactions.
And then her attention was called upon by use of her name.
"I owe you one."
Angel simply nodded and turned her thoughts back onto assessing the situation, this time noting where possible weapons were and any hiding spots or other objects that could be used to her advantage.
"Welcome aboard the Krackatowan Razor, My Lady!"
She took his hand to step onboard, having waited in the skiff only because she didn't want to override his sense of command. Even if he wouldn't have noticed it straight away, she doubted that his conscience would have missed it. If there was one thing she learned about men, it was that they all had an uncanny ability to pick up on subtle hints of overriding their power, even if the hints were false. However, in the need to survive in her chosen lifestyle, she'd learned to bypass their sensors, but it was a delicate art that needed constant practice to uphold. So until she had the situation entirely in her hand, she didn't want to make any mistakes in dealing with him, and only then would she show her hand.
She turned her head first left, then right, broadening her scope of vision of the ship before smiling at him as he brushed his lips across her knuckles. "We could talk in my study if you'd like."
'Some privacy would be nice."
She completely ignored Rip as she followed Tony, wondering if he'd keep her trust in her until the end.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 6, 2010 9:50:32 GMT -5
Mortimer collected three other sailors to escort Rick down one deck to a cabin that had one small porthole and 2 bunks and not much else. He pushed the ranger through the door and said, “there you go, Ranger. Sorry we don’t have better accommodations for a person of your rank, but since you scorned our hospitality earlier, I suppose you will have to make do.” Mortimer chuckled again at the sour look Rick shot him. “If you need anything… well, you will just have to wait.” Mortimer closed the door and locked it and stationed two men outside of it.
“If you hear any noise in there, you come get me straight away.” Mortimer ordered them loud enough for Rick to hear and then strode back up to the main deck. Tony was just disappearing into the forecastle with the woman, leaving the other man for Mort to deal with. Mortimer didn’t want the man to go wandering around the ship, but he didn’t want to lock him up with the ranger either. After a few moments of reflection he went over to a group of sailors and told them to keep an eye on the third member of their visitors. Then he walked over to Rip and extended his hand in friendship – albeit wary friendship.
“Welcome aboard the Razor. My name’s Mort, First Mate. Feel free to move around the deck here, but stay in plain sight and don’t go down below.” Mort nodded to the four sailors across the deck, “those gents there can help you if you need something.”
…
Rick listened at the door for a moment and could hear the sounds of at least two men standing guard outside. Frowning he went to the porthole and looked it over. Even if he broke the glass the chances of him squeezing out through the 10 inch diameter hole was pretty slim. He checked out the contents of the cabin, finding very little he could work with. Perhaps if his head wasn’t throbbing so heavily he could think more clearly and come up with a way to escape, but at the moment he couldn’t think straight. He couldn’t remember the last good night’s sleep he had gotten and he had lost count of how many times he had been clobbered on the head in the last two days. He sat down on the bunk to ponder his situation and before he realized it he had dozed off and was snoring gently, slumped in the corner of the bunk.
…
Meanwhile Tony escorted Angel into his study and offered her a seat at the small dining table. He brought out weighted goblets and a bottle of chilled red wine from his private stock and poured them a glassful each.
Then he sat down at the table on the side away from the door to the small cabin. “Now, My Dear, what can I do for you?”
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
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Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Jun 7, 2010 9:31:31 GMT -5
"Ah, but it is not a one-sided give-and-take. Get us off this island and I'll provide you with a certain," she gave a quick pause as she searched for a settling word, "security until you find another refuge place."
Angel picked up her goblet of red wine and looking at him above the rim, said, "I assume this used to be it considering there's nothing else of value here." She gave a tender smile. "And now there's nothing." The goblet touched her lips, but she did not drink. Giving a deep inhale and grateful sigh, she set it back down on the table and swirled a finger around its rim, her eyes watching its movement. "Someone's bound to leek out the information." With another smile she looked back up at him, but unlike the previous time, her eyes were slightly cold and threatening a second before she flashed him a bright smile - seeming entirely well-meant.
"I have certain-" another hesitation - "attributes that you might find benefactory if you take my offer. Though of course, I'm at no position to force you to do so, now am I?" Another smile and this time, when the goblet touched her lips, she drank.
An advertent art. A graceful game. She just had to win it.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 19, 2010 8:08:30 GMT -5
Tony was captivated by the wit and charm of his very attractive visitor and was thoroughly enjoying the exchange, but that didn't mean he was going to hand over control of his ship, no matter how beautiful and persuasive the young lady was.
Though of course, I'm at no position to force you to do so, now am I?" Angel said.
"Indeed, it would appear as though I hold all the cards, My Lady!" Tony wasn't entirely sure that was the case. There was something about her that set off all of his internal alarms, yet at the same time he found himself warming to her far quicker than he normally took to people.
"I am intrigued." Tony smiled back at her. "Tell me more of this 'security' you are talking about." He didn't really need to take her up on her offer, but sometimes there were things more beneficial than money. "Have you some connection to the Araluen government or something?"
Her threat, though veiled, that she would leak out this particular hideout did not go unnoticed. The girl was good, but Tony had been around the block a few times and he was exceptionally paranoid and suspicious of people. But this was not his only hiding place. He had many scattered over the many waters he frequented. He had to admit that this was one of his favorites though.
He took another sip of the wine and thought that if he played his cards right, he might be able to make a little profit by rescuing these refugees. Surely some of them had some coin stashed away like that ranger claimed. There was also the angle that rescuing a ranger may give him some favor with the King of Araluen. Rumor had it that it was far better to befriend a ranger than make an enemy of him. Tony would see what angle this pretty lady was playing and then go see what his options were with the ranger. If he was lucky he could make out on both sides, he chuckled inwardly, his eyes sparkling as he listened to Angel.
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
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Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Jun 21, 2010 8:17:02 GMT -5
"Indeed, it would appear as though I hold all the cards, My Lady!"
Okay, he wasn't stupid. Despite the inconvenience, she had to admit she rather liked it this way. Though it was much easier to manipulate the less advanced of mind by offering them goods, lands, wealth, ect, it was the smarter lot that could offer her much more in exchange than brute strength - say, a mind that could think for themselves should plans deviate off course. Of course, they needed to be manipulated on a higher level of secrecy, forcing the manipulator to have a sensitive feel for the art, but as far as opportinites went...it was well worth the labor. She just had to hope she was up to the job.
"Tell me more of this 'security' you are talking about. Have you some connection to the Araluen government or something?"
Angel gave him a look of sheer confusion. "Why of course not Captain. I am only a mere dressmaker." Grinning broadly, she lifted the goblet back to her lips and took a slow swallow.
Having seen her in action, she doubted he'd go for her lie, but it was one she must pertain - or at least seem to. Having already misstepped with Rip, she didn't need another reason for Dougal to skin her alive
"However," she said with a feminine smile, "I do have other things I can offer you." She locked her eyes with his for further emphasis. "Wealth, protection in certain waters as well as lands, ties with the 'right' people." She set a special emphasis on 'right,' telling him they were the kind of ties that could get him out of being hanged. "I can get him to give you anything you want." Her eyes widened ever so slightly at the slip of her tongue but she quickly concealed it. If he found out...but he wouldn't. Her eyes flickered lazily around the room and lingered on the door as if she could see through it, hoping that no one was on the other side.
She leaned back in her chair as if totally relaxed, her eyes lazily resting upon him despite the quick workings of her mind. If he caught it she'd have no choice but to kill him. There was no way she could chance the information leeking from this room. She hadn't felt the slight tug of fear for quite some time, but she knew exactly what her fate would be if he even thought she was betraying him and it was enough to make even the coldest of hearts shiver. Fortunately, she had years of practice in bluffing, in masking her emotions. The only ones that showed on her face or in her body at this time, was one of predator relaxation - a slight air of arrogance mixed with a force to be reckoned with.
But inside, her mouth was dry and she desperately wanted a drink she couldn't take.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jul 14, 2010 13:10:06 GMT -5
Her response to his question about ties with the government made him laugh. "Why of course not Captain. I am only a mere dressmaker."
“Of course you are, My Dear!” His eyes twinkled in amusement. He has seen her fight and heard the reports from his men on how she had reacted to their ambush, not to mention rather handily neutralizing an Araluen ranger right before his eyes. “…and I am King of Toscano!” he laughed. “but why quibble over mere titles?”
"However," she said with a feminine smile, "I do have other things I can offer you." She locked her eyes with his for further emphasis. "Wealth, protection in certain waters as well as lands, ties with the 'right' people."
This definitely sparked his interest. Just what people was she referring to? Wealth he had, though one could always do with more. Protection in certain waters could be an advantage – if the protection was real. A simple dressmaker would hardly have the pull to promise anything so grand. Which led him back around to the question of who she really was and who was she working for? The mystery aroused him on many levels. He was careful not to make any advances of a personal nature, however, sensing that she would reveal what she wanted him to see on her own terms. He would just have to watch her carefully to pick up what was really behind those lovely eyes.
"I can get him to give you anything you want." Tony caught the very brief look on her face that she had revealed something accidently and her quick recovery. He pretended he didn’t notice the slip of tongue. He would have to go back and ponder her words privately to see if he could determine who “He” was.
Covering himself so she wouldn’t know he’d picked up on the word “him”, Tony stroked his chin in thought for a moment, “wealth you say? That is always nice, though I don’t see that rabble on the beach having much in the way of wealth. Hmmm…” more rubbing of his chin. “Now protection in certain waters; that could have some value.”
Sitting back he stared at her for a moment, just enjoying the sight of her as he made up his mind. He really wasn’t a pirate at heart – or at least he was a pirate with a heart. He could be stern and callus when the job demanded it, but basically he was a nice guy and he didn’t like to see the average peasant, already down on his luck, beaten down any more. Especially when there really wasn't any profit in it for him.
The truth of it was, these people were on his island and while they were here, they were a threat to him and his hideout. Sure they would probably say they were on an island someplace and it was a pirate hangout, but how many of them knew where they were exactly? How many of them could find the place again. If he were to stow them all below decks, do a round about trip back to Araluen and drop them off, they would not be able to find the island again. He would be rid of them and perhaps he could extort some money out of them in the bargain.
“Tell you what, I will ship this flotsam of yours back to Araluen, providing they all stay below decks the entire trip. In exchange you will provide me with these connections of yours that could lead toward protection in certain waters. Should the people want to give me a donation for my services, they can pay the harbormaster in Araluen after their return. It would go a long way toward good will on my part should they ever encounter the Razor in the future." he winked. "Everything should be set down in writing, however.”
He leaned forward and took a sip of his drink. “I can draw the papers up while you and your quiet friend out there go get your people ready to depart. We have a patch to make on the Razor’s Hull, but as soon as that is done and the tide comes back in, we can sail around to your beach and start boarding the passengers.”
He held out his hand for her to shake. “Of course you are welcome to share my cabin during the trip rather than stay in the hold with the others. It is a rather comfortable cabin as far as ships go.” He would be surprised if she accepted that last part of his offer and all that went with it. “Is that agreeable?”
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
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Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Jul 14, 2010 17:05:09 GMT -5
"Wealth you say? That is always nice, though I don't see that rabble on the beach having much in the way of wealth. Hmmm..."
He was right, but she held her tongue, letting him ponder the rest of her offer.
"Now protection in certain waters; that could have some value."
Angel waited in silence as he stared at her, aware of his more masculine thoughts, but paying them no attention. She’d received much of the same during her thirty-four years and though he was appealing, she was currently striking a business deal. Still though, maybe she could somehow tie it into her plans…
Shifting her thoughts away, she focused her mind on his words.
“Tell you what, I will ship this flotsam of yours back to Araluen, providing they all stay below decks the entire trip. In exchange you will provide me with these connections of yours that could lead toward protection in certain waters. “
She gave him a quick nod in agreement even as he continued.
”Should the people want to give me a donation for my services, they can pay the harbormaster in Araluen after their return. It would go a long way toward good will on my part should they ever encounter the Razor in the future."
Another nod – he’d find a nice sum too. Even those that wouldn’t want to pay at first, would most likely do so in the end. This was turning out quite well.
"Everything should be set down in writing, however.”
Well darn, seems like she spoke too soon – not that she was thinking about double-crossing him. She just didn’t like things in writing; oh well, she’d just have to proof-read it before signing anything.
“I can draw the papers up while you and your quiet friend out there go get your people ready to depart. We have a patch to make on the Razor’s Hull, but as soon as that is done and the tide comes back in, we can sail around to your beach and start boarding the passengers.”
She nodded at his words, flashed a smile, and planted her palms on the table’s edge to push herself to a standing point. She eyed his hand briefly before gripping it in a single shake. She let her hand linger in his grip though as he spoke his next words and as he continued on, her lips turned up into a seductive smile.
Just what she needed.
”Is that agreeable?”
More than you’d know.
Her smile was purely angelic. “Very much so.”
She then slipped her hand from his and went to talk things over with Rip.
He would probably be the only one that wouldn't buy her story, but to everyone else, the captain's fancying of her would be the reason they were getting off this barren island. She just loved how things came together.
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